Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XVI. CAMPAIGN NINTH* 393
Many were killed and wounded, as we may guess by
our own regiment, for of thirty-nine that were there,
we have thirty-two killed and wounded. I observe the
goodness of God to me also on this occasion. I was
the first upon command, of the field officers of the
besieging army, yesterday when the attack was or-
dei'ed ; but our regiment being to go next day into
the trenches, the custom is, that that regiment gives
no men or officers on command the night before. In
this way it missed me, and the next officer on com-
mand was taken. M^oso is wise will consider these
things, and see the loving kindness of the Lord. I have
occasions every day of observing this. I would have
blessed God also if he had sent me, for I trust he
would have borne my charges, and carried me through
to the praise of his grace. The Lord is merciful to
our regiment, for we have not had a man either killed
or wounded in the trenches these twenty-four hours.
June 10. We came safe out of the trenches this
morning. I went to bed and slept till the evening, and
it was well I did so, for I was ordered in again at night
with 200 grenadiers to sustain our lodgments.
And here again I observe the kindness of God to-
wards me ; for about an hour before I came into the
trenches, the enemy sprung a mine upon that rave-
line where my post was to be, and overturned all our
lodgment, and killed and blew up a good many men.
We soon recovered our lodgment, and made up our
works. We expected it would be a troublesome night,
and that the enemy would dispute every foot of ground
with us, as indeed they have hitherto done ; but we
were mercifully disappointed, for they quitted all the
l-avelines entirely to us, and we had not a more quiet