Marlborough constructed his batteries at a monastery called the Red
Abbey, on the south point of the river, where he was separated from the
city only by the stream and narrow strip of marshy ground. These guns
soon made a breach in the walls, and Marlborough prepared to storm the
place, for, at low tide, it was possible to wade across the marsh and
river.
The garrison, well aware that they could not long defend the place, now
offered to capitulate on the same terms which William had granted to the
garrisons of towns he had captured; namely, that they should be allowed
to march out with the honours of war, with their arms and baggage, and to
make their way unmolested to Limerick. The Prince of Wirtemberg was
strongly in favour of these terms being granted, but Marlborough
peremptorily refused. While a sharp dispute took place between the two
officers, and before any conclusion could be arrived at, the tide rose,
and the regiments drawn up ready to cross the river could no longer pass.
The firing then recommenced on both sides. Notwithstanding the efforts of
the besieged to repair the injury to their wall, the breach daily
increased in size. Wirtemberg moved his forces round from the north side,
to take their share in the assault, and at low tide the English and Danes
advanced against the breach.
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