| Citation |
PG-P.734.025
9-16 May 1734:11 (284)
Milan, Dec. 18. The trenches were open'd the 15th at night,
before the castle. The army, consisting of 34 battalions
and 14 squadrons, do not encamp in the field, but are lodg'd
either in the suburbs or within the city, which is of great
east to the troops in this season of the year: then the
detachments, as they relieve each other in the different
posts of the siege and opera, have the pit and the trenches
by turns: But M. Visconti, the commandant of the citadel,
observing the works raising without the town, and the
diversions within, was ill-natur'd enough to send them word,
that he would spoil their sport. This disoblig'd the ladies
very much, being in no condition to stand the Governor's
fire; the fine singers were hoarse with the fright, and not
a fiddle could play in tune. an aid-de-camp was sent for
the Marshal: He came to the rendezvous, met with whole
vollies of sighs, and some compliments as loud as the
cannons. He assur'd them all of his protection, not a
string should be touch'd but by his own hands, and the like,
and immediately return'd this answer to the Commandant.
That if he fired a shot upon the town he would hang him up
without mercy, and put the garrison to the sword; for they
thus could only attack women, and demolish a play-house,
were not worth making prisoners of war. This brought us
again to rights, and as soon as the ball, assembly and opera
affairs were re-settled, the Marshal went and gave orders
concerning the siege. . . [1/2 column describing the siege
of the castle.] It happen'd this morning to be very misty
weather, so that the gunners mistook their elevation, and
fired several shot over the fortress unto the town, one of
which kill'd a woman and her child. This night the Marshall
gave a very great ball to the ladies, danced two minuets
himself, and was very gay all the time. The supper was a
cold entertainment, with great variety of sweet-meats and
among the rest a dish of Milan Castle besieged, curiously
wrought in confectionary wares, by a famous cook and
engineer. . .
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