Page:Kickerbocker Feb 1833 vol 1 no 2.djvu/10

paring himself for any event, which the future might have in reserve for him. What that event may be, is yet to be seen. Our last accounts left him beleaguered by a vastly superior force, led by skilful commanders, and intent upon reducing him, as soon as possible, to submission. Marshal Gerard, with an army of nearly 50,000 chosen French troops, encouraged by the presence of two of their king’s sons, who work with them in the trenches, and who, though young, emulate the oldest soldier in their attention to, and discharge of, all military duties, is before the strong hold of General Chassé. To the summons to surrender it he has answered No—and the guns of his citadel, fired upon the assailants, bore witness to his apparent sincerity. It may nevertheless be that his secret orders are, not to defend himself to the uttermost, but, after such a show of resistance, as would prove that in giving up the fortress he yielded to actual force, to strike his flag and surrender; and the impunity with which the besiegers were permitted to make their first approaches, would seem to sanction some such idea. On the other hand, the language of his Order of the Day, issued on the first marching of the French army for Antwerp, indicates the most settled resolve to defend the fort to the last extremity. Here is that

"Brave brethren in arms! The moment when old Dutch courage and loyalty are to be put to a new test approaches. Within a few days a French army will appear before these ramparts, in order to compel us, if possible, by force of arms, to surrender this fortress and its dependent forts.

"Full of confidence in the justice of your cause, and relying upon your well tried courage and loyalty for your King and your Country, we shall intrepidly await this army.

"Brethren in arms! All Netherlands, and even Europe, have their eyes fixed upon you; let us, collectively and individually, prove that the confidence which our beloved King has reposed in us, has not been bestowed on the unworthy. And let us take the unalterable resolution to defend ourselves with manly courage to the last extremity.

(Signed) "The General Commander-in-chief of the citadel of Antwerp, of its dependent Forts, and of his Majesty's Navy on the Scheldt,