The general
was, however, afraid that Narva would be again besieged, and he
therefore dared not reduce his small force to any considerable
degree, but drew one company from each of the three regiments, and
embarked them on board a ship for the mouth of the Neva.
As there seemed little prospect of service, for a time, near Revel,
all the officers were eager that their company should be chosen for
the service in Ingria. Colonel Jamieson therefore said:
"I do not wish to choose one company more than another; all can
equally be depended upon. Therefore, I think the fairest way will
be to draw lots as to which shall go."
The lot fell upon Charlie's company, which therefore formed part of
the expedition. On reaching the mouth of the Neva, they heard that
the town of Notteburg, situated at the point where the Neva issues
from the lake, was already besieged by the Russians, and that the
Swedish vessels on the lake had been obliged to come down the
river. A fort had been raised by the Russians on the bank, to
prevent succour being conveyed into the town, and two thousand men
had crossed the river and occupied a small redoubt on the northern
side, so that the town was completely invested.
The newly-arrived force was ordered to march, at once, with a
hundred horse and four field pieces, the whole under the command of
Major Sion, who was well acquainted with the country.
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