about noon
First we must take a supporting work called a boulevard , and which was otherwise nameless , before we could assault the great bastille . Its rear communicated with the bastille by a drawbridge , under which ran a swift and deep strip of the Loire . The boulevard was strong , and Dunois doubted our ability to take it , but Joan had no such doubt . She pounded it with artillery all the forenoon , then about noon she ordered an assault and led it herself . We poured into the fosse through the smoke and a tempest of missiles , and Joan , shouting encouragements to her men , started to climb a scaling-ladder , when that misfortune happened which we knew was to happen -- the iron bolt from an arbaquest struck between her neck and her shoulder , and tore its way down through her armor . When she felt the sharp pain and saw her blood gushing over her breast , she was frightened , poor girl , and as she sank to the ground she began to cry bitterly . The English sent up a glad shout and came surging down in strong force to take her , and then for a few minutes the might of both adversaries was concentrated upon that spot .