Note 2 — HISTORICAL RECORD

It may not be improper, in this place, to notice and correct an erroneous report which became prevalent in England, that the troops engaged in the assault of Buenos Ayres were ordered, not only to advance unloaded, but actually to take the flints out of their muskets. The fact is, that two companies of the Eighty-Eighth only were thus deprived of every means of offence or defence except their bayonets; they had been on a piquet the night before at “White’s House,” and, consequently, joined their corps in the morning with loaded arms; the order to draw their charges occasioning some delay, General Gower, who was present, became impatient, and directed those who had not drawn to take their flints out. The consequence was, that several of these men were killed in the streets while in the act of screwing in new flints.