Captain Gunter, of Hepburn's regiment, went forward with twelve
men, and in spite of a very heavy fire from the walls reconnoitred
the ditch and approaches to the walls.
The next day all was ready for the assault. It was Palm Sunday,
the 3d of April, and the attack was to take place at five o'clock
in the afternoon. Before advancing, Hepburn and several of the
other officers wished to lay aside their armour, as its weight was
great, and would impede their movements. The king, however, forbade
them to do so.
"No," he said; "he who loves my service will not risk life lightly.
If my officers are killed, who is to command my soldiers?"
Fascines and scaling ladders were prepared. The Green Brigade
were to head the assault, and Gustavus, addressing them, bade them
remember New Brandenburg.
At five o'clock a tremendous cannonade was opened on the walls from
all the Swedish batteries, and under cover of the smoke the Green
Brigade advanced to the assault. From the circle of the walls a
cloud of smoke and fire broke out from cannon and arquebus, muskets,
and wall pieces. Sir John Hepburn and Colonel Lumsden, side by
side, led on their regiments against the Guben gate; both carried
petards.
In spite of the tremendous fire poured upon them from the wall they
reached the gate, and the two colonels fixed the petards to it and
retired a few paces.
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