declared itself for the ancient colours of France, and being thus in possession of the above-named powers, the French assembled an army of thirty thousand men, prepared for a siege.
Bonaparte not only performed all that could be expected of him, but frequently rectified the errors of others, and displayed the superiority of his genius to more than one officer officiating as his superior in rank. Preserving his dignity with the representatives sent by the Convention to Toulon, as in regard to every one else, he trusted such self-confidence would be justificd by ultimate success. One of the representatives having made some observation upon the position of a battery, “Look to your own business," said Bonaparte," and leave me to follow mine. The battery must remain where it is; I will answer for its effect with my head."
In the heat of the action, Bonaparte was at all times officer and soldier; on the capture of a redoubt, fighting near Marshal Suchet, then only a captain, he undertook to load a gun, at which an artillery man had just been killed, and making use of the ramrod whilst it was warm, contracted a disease that returned for a length of time, under a variety of forms; this feat he often recollected, as having been one of the first of his military career. The general attack of the besiegers was made upon Toulon, from the land side, on the 16th of December; when neither the severity of the season, nor the unceasing wetness of the weather, could damp the impetuosity of the French troops; those exhausted by fatigue being continually supplied by fresh reinforcements, during this protracted assault, which continued the major part of the siege. The principal redoubt, defended by two thousand men, was carried on the 17th, though protected by a double row of palisadoes, an intrenched camp, and a cross fire from three batteries. Bonaparte afterwards established a battery upon the promontory of
