But no need was there of this Command to inspire him with what it became him to do He only look'd upon him with Admiration and in the Desire he had to render himself one day a great Captain he observ'd to his least actions and tho' so young was not wanting to note his Conduct and Prudence Prince Maurice beginning to perceive in him an admirable Genius for War was very willing to Cultivate it and wou'd not suffer him to serve in the Cavalry as did Monsieur de Bouillon his Eldest Brother Monsieur de Turenne found no difficulty to obey him for he had already a kindness for the foot and never while he liv'd bely'd that Inclination He was wont to say that the foot made War and the Horse look'd on which he meant as to Sieges where the Horse for the most part have nothing to do Prince Maurice wou'd have him for all his being his Nephew begin the Trade like Others that is to say carry a Musket for that he might have an Army ever well disciplin'd he suffer'd not a man of what ever Quality to become an Officer without having first learnt how to Obey for which reason he commonly said that the trade of War had some affinity with the Conquest of a Beautifull Woman that the one was only learnt foot by foot and the other not obtain'd without much trouble The Viscount de Turenne having already the Wit to judge in due manner of all things went not only willingly about what his Unkle desired of him but as much out of inclination to please him he resolv'd to do the Duty of a Common Souldier He perform'd the Guards of fatigue as well as the Guards of Honour and those who till then had Exempted themselves from those offices out of Shame to see their lazyness tacitly reprov'd by a young Prince and the nephew of their General enter'd insensibly into a practise of their Duty yet they wou'd not imitate him so far as in the pains he took when the Army was on the March when he never quitted his Ranks But his Uncle fearing he might heat himself Check'd him for rashly Exposing his health so that he determin'd to do like others Prince Maurice's Order Extreamly pleas'd all the Younger Brothers who saw themselves under the Necessity of doing like the Viscount or of being Expos'd to the Censure of the Officers and perchance to the Contempt of the Souldiers and I believe it partly in this Consideration that Prince Maurice had this Complaisance for in the Exactness he had for matters relating to the Military Service he must have had powerfull Reason to oblige him to Slacken However the Viscount de Turenne that he might give Example to Others chose the Rear of his Batallion and tho' the Officers desired him to place himself with them he ever declin'd so doing with Excuses saying there ought to be some Difference between the Officers and Soulders This Occasion'd Prince Maurice to make an Ordinance by which the Officers were no longer to put themselves at the head of their Batallions and all knowing the Viscount de Turenne to be the Occasion of this Decree concluded that since he was capable in so Green an Age to observe the Discipline with such Exactness much another thing wou'd it be when with years he had attain'd more Knowledge He did not long enjoy the happiness of serving under Prince Maurice This Prince out of a Passion for Glory having undertaken to relieve Breda which the Spaniards had beseig'd dy'd of Grief for not having bin able to Effect his Design The States after having render'd all imaginable Honours to his Memory Elected in his Room for the Command of their Armies Prince Henry Frederick his Brother who had the same Goodness and tenderness for the Viscount de Turenne as had had the General Deceasâ—d Yet his Birth and Merit requiring his being distinguisht from others Prince Frederick Henry gave him a Company of Foot If he had been a good Souldier he was still a better Captain He did not do like many Persons of Quality now a-days who rely upon their Lieutenants for the Care and Management of their Companies He did not think himself sufficient for its thorough Improvement and well-being as Young as he was he shew'd himself severe towards his Souldiers when severity was requisite but saving in matters regarding the Service he Sympathiz'd their Miseries and sufferings and it was not only with the Mouth the general Mode of these times but his Purse was ever open to the Unhappy and he did not consider whether they were of his own company or of another's when they needed his Assistance This put him often under the want of Money but he told those who remonstrated it to him that he should at least consine his Liberalities to his own Company that Money was much better employ'd this way than in Play in Luxury or Debauchery for which reason he did not Game or at least he playd so small a matter as was not capable of rendring him uneasy Nor was he also at great expence in Cloaths and if sometimes he lay under an Obligation to put on the Garb of a Person of his Quality he did it without affectation and without deriving a vanity from those sort of things as are indeed only superfluous He said a man shou'd never be Pompous and Magnificent with other intent than the Profit and Livelyhood of Poor People that finery was more troublesome than gratefull and neatness sufficient that a man of Quality was sufficiently distinguish'd of himself without still aiming to be conspicuous by Gew-gaws and Trifles that we shou'd leave to Women the seeking after Trappings and Ornaments but that a man born for Great Matters should slight those that savour'd of Effeminacy This amaz'd the world to see so much Prudence and Wisdom in a Person of his Age and none that knew him but past in his favour an advantageous judgment of the future For besides this he was of a strong and robust Constitution tho' none of the Biggest nor Best made but seen to despise the hardships and rigours of the season never complaining of heat or Cold ever sensible of the fatigues of Others but never speaking of his own as if he had been insensible for himself only The French Officers considerably numerous in the States Army admiring this young Prince whose Grandeur of Courage shin'd in all things writ his Circumstances into their own Country and said if he liv'd the Age of man he cou'd not fail of one day trumping up his Fame This made severall Persons of Quality write to him obligingly upon this Subject and among Others Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé who after the Death of Henry the 4th was return'd to France with his Wife for whose sake he had fled into Forreign Countries for this Great King being of an Amorous complexion cou'd not see that Princess without being strongly toucht and Charmed with her Merit and this had Created so great
The Duke of Orleans being Exasperated at his Execution so much the more that Bullion had promis'd him his pardon from the King withdrew anew into Lorrain where he found the same Retreat he had found some time afore For the Duke of Lorrain as faithless as Ever desired nothing better than to foment Broiles and Cumbustions notwithstanding the losses he had suffer'd hoping that if fortune was once adverse to the Cardinal a time wou'd not only come for him to recover what he had lost but likewise to make some Other Conquests But the King not thinking fit to give him time to prepare for his Defence departed immediately from Paris and went and laid Seige to Nancy where the Duke of Orleans was in no wise minded to Stay his Coming The Regiment of Turenne was at first Commanded on this Expedition but having receiv'd a Counter-order two Days after this Prince who had particularly pleas'd himself with the Expectation of signalizing himself in the Kings presence march'd away for Alsace whither Troups were sent against the Duke of Feria there at that time with an Army of Germans and Spaniards In the mean while a Great Viciscitude had happen'd in Germany The King of Sueden after having reduc'd the Emperour to the bare Hereditary Provinces forc'd the Duke of Bavaria out of his Capital City and extended his Reputation ev'n beyond his hopes At last fortune grown weary of favouring him had terminated so many gallant Actions by his Death The Emperour seeing himself as low as he had seen himself Exalted a little while afore attributing so great a Change to the fault he Committed in having divested Wallestein of the Command of his Armies and being rosolv'd to restore it him had Caus'd such advantageous Conditions to be offer'd him that a man might say he had with him shar'd the Empire for Wallestein had the Power of making Peace and Warr of disposing of Conquests of the Booty of Winter Quarters and of all that Soveraigns are wont to reserve to themselves for fear of giving too much Credit to their Generalls Wallestein having thus on these Conditions taken the Command on him again had no sooner caus'd his Drum to be Beat than that flocking there was from all sides to list under him for Martial Men knowing his Liberal humour and the Kindness he had for Souldiers reckon'd it unworthy to dissolve in repose while that he they look'd on as their father should Expose himself to hardships Dangers Thus he had quickly brought on foot a New Army compos'd of Veteran Officers and Veteran Souldiers and tho' the Imperial Court had great faith in him yet could it not refrain being Surpriz'd at the Suddainness with which he had accomplisht so difficult a matter Fortune that had ever favour'd this Captain till such time as the Duke of Bavaria had depos'd him out of Jealousy seem'd then to make him a Reparation for that Injury For this Duke being distress'd by the King of Sueden dispatcht to him divers Courriers to intreat him without remembring what was past that he wou'd march to his Relief But Wallastein being very glad to Mortify him contented himself with giving him fair Promises and marching sometimes slowly and sometimes stopping on purpose at Paultry Borroughs he had the pleasure to see him reduc'd to such an Extremity that he was already become a Fugitive and just upon the Point of Emploring his Enemies Mercy Thinking it then Glorious to Succour this Unhappy Prince he turn'd his Arms against Nurembourg expecting the King of Sueden to abandon Bavaria to run to the Defence of that Place The Bavarians joyn'd the Troups of Wallestein and having render'd themselves still the more formidable by this Means the King of Sueden March'd against him with Design to give him Battle The two Armies being but a League and half distant from one another Wallestein retrench'd himself in his Camp and the King of Sueden's thoughts were only how to lure him thence to decide their Quarrel in one Day But Wallestein rather using the Skin then the Sword stopp'd the fury of his Enemy Insomuch that the Two Armies remain'd some days gazing upon one another All Peoples Eyes were in the mean time turn'd upon these Two Great Generals to see on which side fortune would declare her self But the King of Sueden thinking that after so many Victories it tended to his Prejudice to remain so long without any Performances undertook to force his Camp and gave the Orders Necessary for the Execution of that Design The First Successes were answerable to his hopes The Bavarians whose Quarter he had attack'd were forc'd after a Vigorous Defence But just in the Nick when he thought he had won all Wallestein with his own Troups ran to Succour his Men and not only re-establish'd things by his Presence but likewise made them Change face so that the King of Sueden after having left three Thousand Men on the Spot was constrain'd to retreat The Duke of Bavaria re-conquer'd his Dominions after this Advantage and having put a Garrison into Ratisbone the Empire that had groan'd so long began to breath again In the mean while Wallestein being minded to be reveng'd on the Duke of Saxony one of the King of Sueden's Principal Buttresses entred his Territories through which he Shot Terrour and Consternation The King of Sueden durst not oppose this Torrent before he had encreas'd his Army with some Succours brought him by his Lieutenants her there dispers'd for divers Conquests But when he saw himself strong enough as not to be under any fear he March'd against the Enemy who had attack'd Leipsik and was become Master of that Place before he cou'd get up to it's Relief The Experience of the Commanders and the Valour of the Souldiers render'd the two Armies allmost Equal and as Both sides were Cock-a-hoop to fight they came to Blows near Lutzen a little Village of small renown before but made famous by so great a Battle The Fight began at Break of Day and the Beginnings were favourable to Gustavus who drove away the Enemies from Certain Ditches that Separated the two Armies took Six of their Cannon and turn'd 'em against 'em which put 'em into Great disorder However the German Cavalry being come up before the Suedish could fill up their Ditches for their Passing it drove away the Enemies in it's turn retook four Canons and seiz'd on the Posts the infantry had Newly lost The Germans being now become fierce and haughty with this Success pass'd then the Ditches which hinder'd them from joyning the Suedes and now no more Impediment intervening the Designs of either side Both Parties fell in Pell-Mell with one another Each demonstrating a Great Passion for Victory The King of Sueden being in the Right Wing of his Army and his Presence augmenting the Courage of his Men routed all that stood in Opposition but being minded to go from One Wing to the Other to see how matters went he encounter'd Picolomini in
Mareschal de la Meillerare who notwithstanding the Hâ—tred born his Uncle was generally acknowledg'd a man Skillfull in the trade of War For he had newly taken Aire a strong place in Aâ—â—ois and tho' the Cardinal Infant had recover'd it yet had he not the less repute The Viscount de Turenne having ever been desirous to fight in the Kings Presence was overjoy'd at his being Chosen to serve in his Army and thinking he lay under an Obligation of making his acknowledgments for it to the Cardinal of whom he had several times begg'd this favour he mention'd it so handsomely to him that this still the more redoubl'd the kindness that Minister had for him In the mean while the rumour which ran of the Kings journey prov'd true and the Viscount de Turenne his having kiss'd Majesties Hand this Prince took him aside and confirm'd to him by word of Mouth what he had Written to him several times namely that he had much regard for him and that on his account he had so soon forgot the Offence of his Brother the Duke of Bouillon The Viscount de Turenne not knowing what thanks and humilities to pay his Majesty for his Grace and Bounty and as the Duke of Bouillon had been newly nominated to go Command in Italy under the Authority of Prince Thomas so many favours at a time seem'd to incapacitate him of being ever able to acknowledge such great obligations He testify'd to the King the Sentiments he entertain'd but the King Embracing him tenderly told him that he was too well satisfy'd with him that he had it from good hands all possible Endeavours had been us'd to Embark him in the affair of the Count de Soissons but that before he knew his answer he had rightly judg'd he would do nothing contrary to his Duty The Viscount de Turenne begg'd his Majesty to believe he had never had that matter mention'd to him but if they had he wou'd not have fail'd of informing his Majesty But the King taking him up short told him that he ought to be content he was satisfy'd with his Conduct and that as so near a Relation of his had been concern'd in that occasion he had been the first to excuse him In the Interim the Army assembl'd around Perpignan and as we had not been able to hinder Provisions from being convey'd into that place from Couilloure which was continually supply'd by Sea the French resolv'd to attack Couilloure and to shut up Perpignan so close as should barr all Entrance and Conveyance into 't for the future The Mareschal de la Meilleraye directing his Maâ—â—h to Couilloure with the Viscount de Turenne attack'd it on the Land side while the Kings Fleet batter'd it from Sea The Marquis of Montarre was in the Town with a strong Garrison and had built several Forts around to hinder the Approaches The Mareschal de la Meilleraye having thereupon judg'd convenient first of all to take in those Forts sent thither the Viscount de Turenne who carry'd them by dint of Sword but before he cou'd render himself Master of the Town the Spaniards seeing Perpignan lost unless they reliev'd Couilloure they entred Cani with a Body of Horse and Reformed Officers while la Motte Houdancourt who had an eye to their Motions took the Field on his side The Spaniards who had their Design wou'd have declin'd fighting but la Motte having overtaken them at a Pass made 'em face about against their wills and after having defeated their Rear press'd 'em so close that he forc'd 'em to a second Engagement The success now was as little to their advantage as before and they lost full Eight Hundred men more However la Motte not being yet satisfy'd pursu'd 'em Night and Day into the Mountains of the Copsi and having overtaken them near Villa-franca he so compleated their Defeat that what remain'd of 'em were either slain upon the spot or taken Prisoners The King whom this Army had giv'n some Disquiet was overjoy'd to see it so happily defeated and as he had already receiv'd great Services from la Motte and that his last actions recall'd others into his mind he sent him the Staff of Mareschal of France Couilloure was quickly forc'd after so signal a Victory Yet as the Marquis de Montarre had fulfill'd the Duty of a Good Captain and of a Brave Souldier the Mareschal de la Meilleraye wou'd not refuse him the three days he still required before he surrendred rather to save his Honour than in hopes of any Succours The three days being Expired the Garrison march'd out and was found still Eighteen Hundred men strong This Conquest having much facilitated the Reduction of the rest of Roussillon the Blocade of Perpignan was converted into a Siege and the King meaning to be there in Person leâ—t Langue doc where he had staid some time and arriv'd at Pia whither came the Mareschal de la Meilleraye to give him an account of all his Actions In the mean while this Town lay under all sorts of wants except Mâ—n of whom it had a sufficient number but as they had no Provisions the French resolv'd not to Press it but to husband the Souldiers as much as they cou'd The Marquis de Flores d'Avila perceiving after what manner we design'd to have him distributed his Victualls in such small parcels that he made them last much longer than was expected and in the interim had hopes of Succours or of some Change in our Affairs for the Kings health rather impair'd than augmented and besides that of the Cardinal was in so bad a Condition as had oblig'd him to stay at Narbonne where he suffer'd inconceivable pains But what troubl'd him most was the account he had of the Cabals then on foot against him which so topsy-turvy'd the King's mind that he was contriving to rid himself of this Great Man whose exalted Genius was nevertheless the Cause of all his Prosperities Cinqmars the Mareschal d'Essiaâ—'s Son whom the Cardinal had been the means to introduce very far into the King's Favour but whose Destruction he endeavour'd for a Recompence was the most Dangerous of his Enemies This Young Man being not content with his Favour nor with the Charge of Master of Horse which he possess'd pretended himself to the Ministry and as he fancy'd the King near his end he enter'd into so particular an Engagement with the Duke of Orleans that he promis'd him not only to Kill the Cardinal but also to do all he requir'd The Duke of Orleans being naturally fearfull and dreading least after the Cardinals Death his Relations and friends might take up Arms he engag'd Cinqmars to send into Spain for Succours so as while the King endeavour'd to ruine that Crown his Brother did his utmost to uphold it The King of Spain seeing no other ressource but this to save Roussillon Entertain'd with great Caresses the Person sent him by Cinqmars and promis'd him all his Demands as well as to the
Recommendation in his behalf that they shou'd not engage him in it in case their affair was ticklish in the least The Treaty above-mention'd being concluded with the Duke of Bavaria the year 1647. was allready far spent when that the Suedes having no mind to evacuate the Places they held were not in a humour to ratify the Treaty unless they might be left in Possession of what they then had in their hands In the mean while the Prince of Condé Dy'd before the Year was finisht and the Duke d'Anguien assum'd his Name so as when I shall henceforward mention the Prince of Condé I shall mean that Duke The Contests that arose between the Suedes and the Duke of Bavaria occasioned the Viscount de Turenne to remain still sometime upon his Territories where he fought a short and smart Battle for having Notice that the Enemies were marching towards the Rhin he attack'd them Vigorously and pursu'd them to the very Gates of Newbourg he also took several small Cities of of his Electoral Highness's Country for to oblige him to give all manner of Contentment to the Suedes it became him to exert still the same heat In the mean while as Affairs spun-out into a Length a Part of the Army advanc'd towards the Lake of Constance and alarum'd the Cantons by the taking of Bregens and of some other places They sent Deputies to the Viscount de Turenne to know his Intentions but this Prince having assur'd them that the King his Master had not the least thoughts of making any Innovation in their Regard they return'd very well satisfy'd as being persuaded he would not have giv'n them this assurance if he meant afterwards to Violate it And indeed those who knew him knew that for any thing in the world he wou'd not have been prevail'd with to deceive any body And it was also a Common saying of his that there was a great Difference between the Stratagems of War and Cheats and forasmuch as a man was esteem'd who knew how to put the former in practice so much ought he to be blam'd who made use of the later to bring about his Designs that a man's word ought to be inviolable as well to Enemies as to Friends and that if they were to be surpriz'd 't was not to be by promising them what a man never meant to perform At lâ—st the Treaty before-mentioned being made the Suedes having been thereunto oblig'd by the French harbour'd a Secret Resentment in their Hearts of which they were not long without giving them Instances During these Transactions the Viscount de Turenne having left Bavaria turn'd his Arms against the Electour of Mayenz and the Landâ—grave of Darmstadt from whom he recover'd the Cities of Aschaffemburg Sclingenstadt and some Others for while he was busy'd on the One side the Enemies Acted on the Other and sometimes in one and the same Campagn a Town Charg'd its Party three or four times He allso took the City of Darmstadt the Capital of the Landtgrasts of that name's Dominions and having Cast a Terrour into the Electorate of Cologne he oblig'd those Princes to demand a Neutrality All these Treatys would have startl'd the Emperor if he had believ'd them any thing long-liv'd but he expected what in effect happen'd that the Duke of Bavaria having left his Principal Towns in the hands of the Suedes and being Constrain'd to remain Armed could not Subsist any longer without endeavouring to affranchize himself from their Slavery that this wou'd rather make him Chuse the hazzards of War than Moulder away by little and little For which reason he resolv'd to try if he cou'd induce him sooner to the Rupture than he wou'd have fall'n to 't of himself In the Interim his Circumstances were so low that all his Credit seem'd lost in Germany For we were Masters of the Bancks of the Rhin from Colin to Basel and as the means to pierce into the Countrey We had also reserv'd to our selves Heilbronn and Lawinghen which afforded us a free Passage as far as into the Hereditary Countreys On another side the Suedes possess'd an infinite Number of Places in the heart of the Countrey but the Emperour hoping to avail himself of the strangeness between them and Us since the Treaty of Bavaria expected not only to recover what he had lost but also to sustain with some sort of Repute the Affairs of Flanders that were under great Decadency since the taking of Dunkirk For considering that if the King cou'd once render himself Master of those Provinces he wou'd be capable afterwards to give Laws to all the Empire he fancy'd that tho' he had not so much Interest therein as the King of Spain he ought nevertheless to Espouse it as his own Bus'ness For this purpose he sent the Arch-Duke Leopold thither that so the Grandees being Excited by the Grandeur of his Birth might rid themselves of a certain jealousy to which he attributed the Unhappiness of the foregoing Campagns The Arch-Duke being accompany'd with Numerous and well-disciplin'd Forces and being desirous to Signalize his Arrival in Flanders by some Considerable Exploit he lead his Army against the City of Armentieres whose Governour made a Valiant Defence but after having held out about three Weeks without the prospect of any Considerable Succours it at length Surrender'd upon Honourable Conditions From Armentieres the Arch-Duke March'd against Landrecies where he had Intelligence with the Marquis d'Haudicourt Commanding in that Place Thus having taken it with much Ease the French Leaguer then Marching to its Succours was oblig'd to turn its Arms another way To repair these Losses it took Dixmuyden and La Bassée but it kept the former of these Two Places so little a while that 't is not worth the pains to boast of it for the Arch-Duke laid Siege to 't immediately while the Mareschal de Gassion Attack'd Lens At the siege of this fastness was it that this Captain who had acquir'd great Renown in all his Enterprizes receiv'd a Musket-shot of which he dy'd he was much Lamented by his Men esteem'd by the Enemies and his Relations who were great Losers by his Death nevertheless lost still less by it than the State did to which he was more than ever capable of rendering great Services In the mean while the Arch-Duke's Army still Augmenting and the Court being afraid it might make advantage of Gassion's Death sent Orders to the Viscount de Turenne who staid upon the Banks of the Rhin to Secure his Conquests to repass it on to this side But by taking Care of the Affairs of this side those on that fell into Decay for the Emperour improving this Diversion drove the Suedes from several Posts For a Height of Misfortune Colonel Rose who serv'd in the Viscount de Turenne's Army being gain'd and egg'd-on by his Country-men who as I said before were Exasperated at the Treaty of Bavaria made Caballs in his Regiment and in that of some Suedes that serv'd as well as
not Slept heartily but that since the Peace was made he was content to pardon him The Viscount de Turenne receiv'd as became him these testimonies of Esteem and this first Interview of the two Kings being terminated with much Civility on either side each withdrew his own Ways In the mean while all things were put in readiness to forward the Marriage and Don Lewis de Haro to whom the King had sent his Procuration to Marry the Infanta having satisfy'd this Ceremony she was put into the King her Husband's hands who after having Marry'd her anew in the face of the Church return'd to Paris where a Magnificent Entry was prepared for his Majesty The Viscount de Turenne did not leave him one step in all this journey and from his Goodness he receiv'd Sundry takens of Esteem and Acknowledgment for the King being not contented with giving him the Charge of Colonel-General of the Horse vacated allso that of Mareschal de Camp General with which he gratifâ—'d the Viscount The King wou'd have conferr'd on him many other savours if he had not been chill'd in those his kind Intentions by the Aversion he bore People of the Religion for which reason he himself propos'd to him to turn Catholique and made him hope that in case of Conformity he wou'd revive the Charge of Constable in his favour that had been Suppress'd after Lesdiguicre's Death who had last possess'd it but after having thank'd the King for his goodness towards him he desir'd to be Excus'd if he cou'd not obey him in this point adding that he would not betray his Conscience for all the Riches and the Honours in the World The King did not Esteem him the less for this nor did any of the Courtiers knowing the Offers he had slightâ—d In the mean while the King being come to Paris was receiv'd there with an admirable Magnificence Every Individual with Emulation striving to testify the Value and Affection he had for his Majesty and this Prince began from that time to attract the Admiration of his People by the manner of his management of the Government But it became quite another thing after the Cardinals Death which happen'd suddainly For as all Transactions cou'd only be attributed solely to his Majesty they plainly saw that nothing but great matters were to be Expected from this Prince who from the beginnings gave such great Marks of Prudence and Wisdom Both which were principally manifested in the Choice he made of his Ministers after he had caus'd Fouquet the Superintendant of the Finances to be Confin'd who being become Suspected to his Majesty by the Memoires the Cardinal had left him Compleated his own Downfall by an Expence above the Pow'r of a Subjâ—ct For besides his Houses and his Moveables wherein Profusion equally reign'd he gave the King one Entertainment that cost him above fifty thousand Crowns He was secur'd at Nants and the King having intimation that he had gain'd many of the Governours of the Places by the means of his Money he bid the Viscount de Turenne follow him that if any thing happen'd he might have him ready at hand to serve him with his Counsel and to Execute what he shou'd Command But no Body stirring tho' Memoires were found among his Papers that justify'd the Intelligences I have mention'd the Court return'd to Fountain-Bleau where the Young Queen had staid with the Queen-Mother In the mean while this Superintendants Process was drawn-up But the Desire that Colbert His Successour in the management of the Finances had to destroy him having made him seek after shamefull means to bring that Design about this latter Crime made the other appear the more Innocent so as that the Judges sav'd him In effect as if Colbert had been afraid of his justifying himself he caus'd his Papers to be taken away from his House of Saint Mandé but it being the Will of God that Berier whom he had Employ'd in that business should leave there out of Carelessness a Request that was Presented to Colbert This justify'd the Robbery that Fouquet had Suffer'd and this later alledging it to be impossible for him to make his Defence since he was bereav'd of the means by taking his Papers from him he was only condemned to Banishment tho' there was more than needed to put him to Death Colbert's favour occasion'd his Punishment to be commuted into a perpetuall Imprisonment wherein he remain'd till his Death which did not happen till above twenty years after but this may be said to have been for his happyness for making a good use of his Prison he acknowledg'd his faults and repented his having liv'd as he had done amid Disorder he compos'd in his Confinement some Books of Devotion and Morality which were publish'd in his Life time but out of Modesty wou'd not attribute them to himself Be it as it will the long Penitence he underwent attracted him the Compassion of the People and as they extremely hated Colberts Ministry they regretted his and they express'd as much grief for his Death as they had express'd joy for his imprisonment During these Transactions the young Queen was brought to Bed of a Son which rejoyc'd all France All the Grandees complimented the King on this occasion and the Viscount de Turenne having acquitted himself of it as well as Others the King told him he shou'd be very glad he wou'd be one day like him but that his Religion wou'd be the Cause he cou'd not commit to him the Care of his Education which he wou'd have willingly have desir'd for th'inspiring Sentiments into him worthy of his Birth The Viscount de â—urenne did not answer this new Onset otherwise than with a low Bow but the King not for this desisting was dayly attacquing him with the like Discourses which did not at all perplex the Viscount de Turenne for he was still so zealous for his Religion that the Offer of a Crown wou'd not have been capable of Making him Change it Three or Four years Slipt away in this manner without any considerable matter occurring in that State unless that the Warr that had been Extinguish'd had like to have been reinflam'd by an Unexpected Accident The Count d'Esirades was th' Ambassadour of France at London and the Baron de Vatteville that of Spain In an Entry made by another Ambassadour as it is usuall with those possess'd of the Same Dignity to send their Coaches to such a Solemnity the Baron de Vatteville brib'd some Englishmen to favour his Design of getting his to pass before that of the Count d'Estrades In effect th' Ambassadour of France his Coach coming up they cut his Horses Harness and while he was setting them again to rights the Baron de Vatteville's took the First place which oblig'd th' other to return Home As this was a signal Affront for the Crown the King made a great noise at this Action and having demanded satisfaction for it in Spain without prevailing he sent Orders to his
brief his Reputation alone retain'd them rather than his Forces and indeed there was little likelyhood that a Town having Eight or Nine Thousand men in Garrison should quake before an Army that often was hardly more numerous It was not Strasbâ—urg alone that had so much fear Montecuculi knew not what Course to take to Supply and keep on foot his Army which no longer deriv'd from Strasbâ—urg all the Succours it was wont to receive thence He Sought for field ou all sides where he might find Forrages that were not Common in a Country where War had so long been made Besides this it became him to find an advantageous scituation where he might be shelter'd from the Viscount de Turenne who still coasted him In short he saw himself reduc'd to fight or dye of Hunger when a Fatal day happen'd for us I mean that Unhappy day wherein we lost the Viscount de Turenne He had never been seen more gay and joyfull nor more Content he fancy'd that the Enemies cou'd no longer Escape him and tho' it was not his Custom to say any thing to his own Advantage he cou'd not forbear blazing the then present State of things nay he Signify'd it to the King But during these Occurrences meaning to go view a Hill on which he might erect a Battery he receiv'd a Canon-shot which hit him in the Breast and made him fall Dead upon the Spot St Hillaire the Lieutenant of the Artillery whom he had brought with him having been wounded at the same time his son began to make Complaints conformable to the misfortune that was befallen him But St Hillaire melting all into tears shew'd him the Viscount de Turenne's Body adding that if any thing ought to grieve him it ought to be the loss they had newly suffer'd of so great a man this news was forthwith divulg'd throughout our Army and occasion'd so great a Consternation that one wou'd have said that every man had been Condemn'd to Death After Silence for a while they fell a Sobbing nor more nor less than if they had lost each Individual his own Father the new Soldiers as well as the Old broak-out into Skreams and Howlings capable of Softening the most harden'd hearts it was a Won ' er to see that People that had so little a time to know him were as sensible as those that had been often graâ—ify'd with his favours In the Camp nothing more but Lamentations were heard the Soldiers cry'd to one another what our Fathers then Dead What shall we do Who shall bring us o'er the Rhine again in safety nay when we have pass'd it under whom can we Serve from whom we may expect the like Treatment Each Individual then took Delight in relating the Obligations he had to him but notwithout interrupting his story with abundance of tears that bedew'd his face Yet wou'd every one see the â—â—dy of his General But this Spectatle renew'd their Crys and their Wailings In so general a Sadness it was impossible to discern the Relations from strangers so reall was the Grief Nor indeed was it without Reason that the Soldiers call'd him their father since that they bore him the same Affection as if he had been really so The Count de Lorges his Nephew being then at the Army suspended for some Days the tokens of his Grief for fear it might be capable of daunting the Troups that remain'd under his Conduct After this fatal Accident he made them direct their march toward the Rhine and knowing that the Enemies were brushing after him he Mareshall'd his Army in Battalia for fear of being Surpriz'd The Enemies perceiv'd plainly by his Countenance that matters wou'd not go 〈◊〉 Swimminly on their side as they had Expected But being wholly possesâ—'d with the thought that the Viscount de Turenne's Death must needs afford them a Great Advantage they made up to the Count with a Resolution to fight him Then was it necessary for the Couâ—t de Lorge to put in Practice the Lessons his Uncle had see him he prepar'd for Battle did it in so much order as spoke him to be a great Proficient The Battle was long and doubtfull but the Enemies having throughout found an Extraordinary Opposition they judged more Convenient to retreat than to fasten any longer upon a thing that had been less usefull than Damageable The Count de Lorges no longer finding any Impediment in passing the Rhine Conducted his Troups into Alsace where he resolv'd to wait the Kings Orders to whom he had dispatcht a Courier In the Interim being willing to pay his last Duties to his Uncle he had him a Service perform'd whereat if Prevention had not been us'd Every man of all the Troups wou'd have assisted For the least Soldier being hurry'd-on by the Affection he had for his Memory thought himself no less oblig'd than the Count to be at this Ceremony Not one was there however that Contented himself with wearing Mourning in his heart Every Individual wou'd needs by outward marks shew his Affliction and if as much Crape cou'd have been got as they wou'd have had we shou'd have seen what perhaps had been never seen in any Army that is to say All the Soldiers in Mourning in Reality they did not mind what it might cost and he that cou'd get any thought it a great favour of Fortune The King having receiv'd the Count de Lorge's Courier was so very much Afflicted that he wou'd not see any Body for several days together he said publiquely that he had lost the Wisest Man of his Kingdom and the Greatest of his Captains and fearing that after this the Enemies might easily enter into the heart of his Dominions he sent the Prince of Condé into Alsace and this Prince found the Means to stop them The whole Court was sensible to this loss as well as the King saving only the Minister who was not so very sorry tho' he durst not let it outwardly appear The Arch-Bishop of Reims his Brother was not alltogether so Circumspect he did such things to shew his joy as displeas'd his father who being one of the Wisest Courtiers of the Age reprimanded him for this Carriage Nevertheless what ever Grief was shewn at Court yet was it still much less than that of the Parisians who tho' Commonly sufficiently tenacious wou'd willingly have given the half of their fortunes to have redeem'd his Life several Instances did they give of this their Affection by the Consternation the whole Town was in at this News and by their Lamentations for his Death They were not afraid to say that after the loss the Kingdom had newly had it was in great Danger In effect the King being of the same Opinion was very willing to make sure of the Grandees by conferring New favours on them he made Eight Marshals of France tho' there were those of the List that were not in over-great Esteem the Duke of Vivonne was of this Number that gave Occasion â—o a
Now to appease a little his Complaints the Spaniards sent him some Money with a promise of aiding him Suddainly with a potent Army And indeed they began to make many Leavies in their territories but they were no sooner Compleat but that their own Interests being dearer to them than those of another they design'd them for Flanders whose Conquest the King had laid aside tho' he seem'd to apply his thoughts a little more than formerly to th' Affairs of Italy Nevertheless as the passes were Stopp'd up these New-rais'd forces were to be shipp'd to be transported into that Countrey But the Hollanders having as much Interest as we to hinder their landing put forth at the same time to Sea under the Command of Admiral Tromp which so Startled the Spaniards tho' much stronger in Men and Shipping that they retir'd into the King of Englands Ports with whom they had made an advantageous Treaty Yet as the King of England was under no rupture with the Hollanders they hop'd still to find some favorable Occasion to beat the Spaniards But the King put forty Men of Warr out to sea under Colour of Securing his Coasts and those Ships being posted between the Spaniards and them broak all their Measures In the mean while a thick fogg arising the Spaniards by favour of the English who cover'd their Motions attempted to pass on to Dunkirk and the Hollanders not perceiving it till a little late cou'd not hinder some Ships from Entring the Port nevertheless the greatest part having been cut off before they cou'd Joyn the rest were forc'd to fly without the English making any shew of giving them Succours for the King of England against whom the Hollanders wou'd have been reduc'd to declare Warr if he persever'd thus in protecting their Enemies wou'd not proceed openly to Hostilities for fear of making his People still more Malecontent they having thro' Presbiterian Cant and Artifice been brought to degenerate much in their Loyalty to the Crown The Spaniards retir'd again into his Ports but seeing they spent and moulder'd away dayly more and more without hopes of being able to induce the English to do more for them they resolv'd to return into Spain as soon as they shou'd find the Occasion A mist again arising at two or three days End they fancy'd that as it had been favourable to them the former â—â—me it might be stâ—â—â— so this But Tromp Suspecting their Design having been more amply informâ—â— of it by some Slight Vessels which he kepâ— cruizing up and down that he might have due information set Saile immediately and after an Engagement of Nine Hours continuance obtain'd so signal a Victory that he took Sixteen Ships and sunck severall Others This good success was of great moment for us as well as for the Hollanders â—oâ— it afforded us the means of besieging and taking Arras the Capital City of Artâ—is and Shelter'd the frontiere of Italy on the side of Doullens In the mean while the King of England being jealous of this Conquest was just ready to proceed to a Declaration but Cardinal Richelieu who had as many Creatures in Other Kingdoms as in our own procur'd an Insurrection of the Scotts against him which giving him as much bus'ness as he couâ—d turn his hands to he was oblig'd to leave Others at Quiet Much about the same time was it that the Portugals being encourag'd by his Promises all so cast off the Spanish yoak and that he sent the Prince of Condé against the fortress of Saâ—sâ—s standing at the Entrance into Roussillon but as if fortune delighted in favouring him still more and more it happen'd that the Spaniards meaning at any rate to defend that Place caus'd a powerfull Army to march into Catalonia which having laid desolate that Province by an Infinite Number of Vexations erected a desire in the Catalonians to break out also into a Rebellion The beginning of their Revolt burst out against the Count de 〈◊〉 st Colombe their Viceroy to whom they imputed most of their Sufferings and to whom the City of Barcelona Especially boar a great deal of ill will by reason he had Caus'd one of it's Sherifs to be poyson'd for opposing his Intentions in the Defence of it's Priviledges The Vice-Roy seeing the fury of the People against him wou'd have escap'd into the Arsenal but not thinking himself there in Safety he design'd to have embark'd upon a Galley when he was pittiously massacred by an infinite Number of that Seditious People Cardinal Richelieu wont to frame Revolts was not wanting to foment this framed to his hand He sent to assure the Catalonians of a powerfull Protection and they having deputed some among them he recâ—iv'd 'em with so much honour and Caresses that he would not have done more to the Ambâ—ssadouâ—s of the Princes ally'd to the Crown Now having Excited so many troubles in the Dominions of our Enemies and of those who were capable of giving them Succours he the more effiâ—â—aciously set himself to the Affâ—irs of Italy The King at the very Beginning of the Campagn had taken a Progress to Grenoble from whence he had allready sent Succours and where he had seen the Dutchâ—ss of Savoy his Sister she being come so farr to implore his Protection but she had not bad all manner of Contentment for such strange Propositions were made her Royal Highness â—s those of admitting a French Garrison into Montmelian and sending her Son to Paris to be brought up with the Dauphin that she perceiv'd but too late the French had a design rather to invade her Countrey than restore the Lawfull Master to it However having had sufficient Constancy to resist these Proposals in favour of which the Court offer'd her a thousand advantageous things the King at length desisted from it and the Brother and Sister parting afterwards so so content with one another the King return'd to Paris and the Dutchess of Savoy to her own home Cardinal de la Valette dying during these Occurrences he left the Army under Viscount de Turenne's Command he having been made Lieutenant General but laid the Cardinals Death so much to heart that he could not relish the pleasure he wou'd have had at another time for his new Dignity The Dutchess of Savoy being return'd conjur'd him a-new but with Earnest desires that he wou'd not abandon her but besides it 's not lying in his pow'r to do so without order Cardinal de la Vallette's Death did not allow him to desire it not that what he had done had been out of jealousy but because it wou'd have seem'd he had refus'd to take upon him the Conduct of the Army for that it was a troublesome Province at that time as consisting not of above six thousand Men but his Prudence supplying all he put himself in a posture of disturbing the Enemies Designs they pretending to avail themselves of the Generals Death However the Court had no sooner notice of this Accident than that it nominated
those they in the Town had so long Suffer'd This Capitulation in which Mazarin who had been sent by Cardinal Richelieu on purpose into Italy had a great share gave great Umbrages to Leganez And indeed he knew this Minister had made Sundry Propositions to Prince Thomas nay and that this Prince had giv'n 'em so farr a hearing that he had promis'd to put himself under the Kings Protection with his Wife and Children provided he might have left to him the Places he possess'd They say too he had promis'd to joyn his forces with those of the Count de Harcourt to wage Warr in Conjunction upon the Spariards but whether it be so or not oâ— that he cou'd not perform this Design before he had got his Wife out of their Hands who was at Madrid as I say'd afore he enter'd into New Engagements with them and continu'd his Hostilities as he formerly had done Nevertheless he made a Truce with his Sister in Law during Endeavours which were us'd to reduce him to his former sentiments by offering him still greater advantages both for himself and for his Adherents but he still wav'd Complyance on the score of his Wife who was narrowly guarded in Spain as a sure Pledge of his fidelity And indeed the Spaniards having without much difficulty got the Wind of these Negociations which we were not over-Exact in Concealing on our side that so we might render him suspected fancy'd this to be the only means to keep him Close to their Combination The Success of Turin and the raising the Siege of Cazal gave not only reputation to the Count de Harcourt but allso to the Crown which had been sufficiently slighted 'till then in Italy but seeing it to have the Alpes open by the means of Pignorol and its Pow'r mightily augmented by the Possession of Cazal all Princes with Emulation courted its Protection and the Amity of the first Minister to whom they attributed so many prosperous Events Yet this did not hinder his particular Enemies from declaring against him I have before said how that the Count de Soissons was withdrawn to Sedan with other Persons of Consideration and there was br 〈◊〉 ng a Rebellion then just upon the point of breaking-out Mr de Bouillon had been tampering very far in these Practices and besides several Leavies he had made he had allso sent to the Enemies who had promis'd him great Succours The Duke of Lorrain to whom part of his Dominions had been newly restored combin'd allso with these Malecontents and they all prepar'd for War As it was impossible but that this must be come to the Viscount de Turenne's Knowledg he lay under an unconceiveable Apprehension and dayly Expected such sad news from all these things that he had not one Moments repose At length the Design broak out by the Troups Lamboy put into the City of Sedan and as this Town was under the Kings Protection which Monsieur de Bouillon by this means renounc'd the Cardinal having for a while conniv'd at Passages of this nature seeing he cou'd no longer do it at least without betraying Weakness caus'd an Army to march under the Conduct of the Marschal de Chatillon The Count de Soissons to whom as Prince of the Blood the Duke de Bouillon had deferr'd the Command assembled his on his side and being come in sight of one another they fought and the Battaile provâ—d fatal to Both Partys For after the Count de Soissons had entirely broaken the Mareschal de Chatillon a certain Person calling out to him at some distance that the Enemies rally'd again he lift up the vizor of his Helmet with his Pistol either to take air or view the man that brought him this tydings But the Pistol going off he kill'd himself to the great Grief of all his Party Others say he was kill'd by a Trouper of the Company of Orleans and some by the hand of an Assassinate hired for that purpose by the Cardinal but I have heard it affirm'd by Persons then present and among Others by Lamesan who dy'd Sub-Lieutenant of the Kings Gendarmes that he killâ—d himself in the manner I have now related Thus I think it more fitting to credit those then upon the Spot than such as speak out of passion or upon the testimony of Persons at that time far remote His Death did not Change the face of the Battle but wrought a great Change in the affairs of his Party whom this accident having plung'd into amazement or rather Consternation gave the Mareschal de Chattillon time to bring his Army again on foot The Cardinal being rid of so dangerous an Enemy sent this Mareschal more fresh Troups and the Mareschal drawing near Sedan after having giv'n out the report that the King himself was going to follow with another Army the Duke de Bouillon had recourse to Supplications and Prayers and obtain'd by this Marschal his Kinsman's Intercession a Pardon for all that had pass'd As for the Duke of Lorrain he was devested anew of his Dominions and pitty'd by none as ever occasioning his own misfortune The Cardinal after having so happily terminated this Affair seeing himself above all had a design to be reveng'd on the Prince of Conde Whom he accus'd of having Clandestinely Conspir'd his Ruine and as he never wanted a Pretext when he meant to use one he resolv'd to revive the Business of Fontarabia and Dole which had been discourst to that Princes disadvantage The Prince of Conde having an infinite deal of Wit entertain'd some suspition of what was in agitation and attributed it to the Coldness he had shew'd to a Proposal that had been made him on this Cardinal's behalf touching a Match with his Eldest Son But going one day to make him a visit he converted his suspicions into Certainty when he observ'd at his going away Guards had been set to secure him he mounted up again immediately and pretending he had forgot something he return'd into the Cardinals Chamber with whom he discourst of a marriage of his Son with his Niece This Proposition mollify'd the Cardinal having at the very instant sent orders to the Guards to withdraw he reconducted the Prince of Conde to the very Door of his Antichamber giving to understand by this Civility which none receiv'd from him that a great Change was wrought in his Mind The Viscount de Turenne whom his Brother's Concern had Extremely ruffl'd being again at rest thro' the Upshot it had had thought himself oblig'd to make his Acknowledgements to the King who had the goodness to declare it to have been in consideration of him that he abated of his justice He also wrote to the Cardinal upon this matter and this Minister having a particular value for the Viscount and willing to Wedd him to his fortune had him offer'd by the Count de Harcourt to marry one of his Kinswomen But this Prince having more Disposition to a Single Life than to Matrimony wav'd the Match upon
their Left having lost Colonel Sclang that Commanded it wwre so disheartned that they wou'd have never rally'd if Count Coningsmark had not hasten'd up to them and done personal Wonders Having thus restor'd Courage to those that had lost it he caus'd a Body of Reserve to advance who turn'd the Victory on his side which seem'd as yet unwilling to declare it self The Arch-Duke with Picolomini betook themselves to flight and the Principall Commanders of the Army some of whom however dy'd upon the Spott all the Baggage was left to the Suedes with the Generalls Silver Service they having had enough to do to Escape in their own Persons After this Victory the Suedes laid siege again to Leipsick notwithstanding the inconveniencies of the season allready farr spent which made the Garrison believe they cou'd never prosper in their Design they made so vigorous a resistance that the Suedes were ready a thousand times to desist from their Enterprize However standing to 't they made themselves masters of the Town contrary to the Opinion of many People With this Exploit did they end the Campagne of 1642. But Seasonable weather was no sooner return'd then that they augmented their Conquests with the taking of Tornaw Mellerstald and Melvick Then they block'd-up Magdebourg and Ostervic and Surpriz'd the City of Halberstat whose Garrison they put to the Sword Galas wou'd have stopp'd the Current of these Prosperities but Ostervic being the Closer shut up this did not hinder it from falling also into their hands In the mean while they fail'd little of surprizing the Emperour himself as he was coming to his Army and if he had not turn'd out of his way it had been a terrible augmentation to so many losses but through a great happyness having avoided this Ambuscade he sent his Troups against Olmutz while these of the Suedes were Employ'd in taking of Demitz The Army we had in Germany fought not with so much good luck for it had been forc'd to detach a part to the Succours of the frontier of Champagne then menac'd with an Army of five and twenty thousand men Commanded by the Count de Fontaines and the Enemies had still another in Artois which Employ'd the rest of our forces The Duke of Anguien who had hitherto serv'd only as Volentier but in whom was noted an Unparalell'd Courage and a Conduct above his Age was sent against the former and the Duke of Angoule'me observ'd the other with a flying Camp Neither the One nor Other had found Occasion to do any great matter but the Count de Fontaines having beleaguer'd Rocroy the Duke of Anguien march'd against him and having giv'n him Battaile he won so signal a Victory that the Spaniards cou'd not of a long while recover it The Count de Fontaines was kill'd in that action all his Infantry cut in Peices with part of the Horse and what remain'd in such Disorder that much ado had it to scape Then the Duke d'Anguien without trifling away his time turn'd his Armes against the frontier of Germany and having open'd himself a passage by taking of Thionville and Cirq he march'd to the Succours of the Mareschal de Guebriant then penn'd up between the Troups of Bavaria those of the Duke of Lorrain The Enemies not daring to stay his Coming up he re-inforc'd the Mareschal de Guebriant's Army and this having enabl'd this Mareschal to make Enterprizes he beleaguer'd Rotwiel where he was wounded with a faulcon Canon Bullet whereof he dy'd His Death was follow'd with a sad Event the Army that had a Wonderfull Opinion of him having lost all manner of Confidence after his Death retracted to Teutling after having however taken Rotwiel and suffer'd it self to be Surpriz'd in it's Quarters by the Duke of Lorrain who gave it a Total Defeat In the mean while great Alterations occurr'd at Court where Cardinal Richelicu dy'd the year last past and the King on the fourteenth of May following Nought but Cabals were then on foot who shou'd have the Regency and after the Example of the Court of Savoy where the Unckles had sided against the Nephew the Duke of Orleans was just ready to set the State in a Combustion Not but that the King had settl'd all things before he dy'd but none were pleas'd with his last Will because he limited the Power of those to whom he attributed some Authority The Queen his Widdow being vext that he had ty'd her hands said openly that Tutours were rather appointed Her than she Elected the King her Son's Tutour and with Design of having His Will broken she was liberall of her Caresses now to One then to Another and Especially to the Parliament that had much Power at that time Mazarin who had render'd himself recommendable by severall Services he had done in Italy and had been made Cardinal at the late King's Recommendation was in her Confidence with the Bishop of Beauvais But this Bishop being not a man of Sufficient ability to Support the Burden of Affairs the Other Supplanted him quickly and govern'd the Queen's mind at his Pleasure At length the Queen having found the means by her Addresse to Extend her Authority thought her self oblig'd to gain Creatures and having a most peculiar Esteem for the Viscount de Turenne she made him Marcschal of France This Prince return'd into Italy after his Brothers Business and had so won the heart of Prince Thomas that he undertook nothing without him Insomuch that having advis'd him to the Siege of Villeneuve d'Ast the Troupes had forthwith Order to march thither This Town made but a sorry Resistance after which they march'd against Alexandria and haviâ—n there fixt their Quarters just as if they meant to take it by force it created a Phancy in the Governour of Millan to leave unprovided Other Places for the relieving of this To decoy him on to this Design by facilitating to him the means some Interval was left between the Quarters and the Spaniards having slipt between imagin'd they had gain'd a mighty point but their Enemies fell immediately upon Trin then unfurnish'd of men and where according to all appearances they could meet with no great opposition Prince Thomas finding himself indispos'd at the very beginning of the Siege Committed the care of it to the Viscount de Turenne who was wonderfully well seconded by the Count du Plessis All the Out-works were won with much Vigour and the Governour of Milan despairing of being able to Succour it march'd towards Ast and Nice thinking that the jealously this wou'd give him wou'd oblige him to raise the Siege But the Viscount de Turenne having provided against that by sending a Reinforcement to those Garrisons pursu'd battering the Town so briskly that it Surrender'd upon Composition This was the last Enterprize he was present at in Italy for having been made Mareschal of France a little afore and receiv'd the Staff he left the Army under the Orders of the Count du Plessis whose Right it was to Command
himself with his Spoils without desiring to traverse him in his Pretensions In the mean while on another side he knew not what Confidence to put in the Cardinal who had so often broke his word with him and who wouâ—d perchance wreak his Revenge on him by still a harsher Imprisonment than the former In so uncertain a condition he was extremely to be pitty'd when after having made Reflexion upon his last Actions that gave him little hopes for Pardon he resolv'd to think no more of France and to abandon his Fortune entirely in the hands of the Spaniards And in truth he had notice that his Brother's Marriage had been concluded on at Fontainbleau and that his Place of Grand Maistre of the King's Houshold was allready conferr'd on Prince Thomas which did not over well please the Prince of Conti for it had been promis'd him before his Marriage But the Cardinal who thought he had him fast enough by that Match no longer minding to husband him chose rather to gain a New Creature than keep his word with him In the Interim this Minister who had his own Interest in a peculiar Recommendation had caus'd a great part of the Benifices he possess'd to be resign'd up to him and it being seen how that he enrich'd himself with all he cou'd clutch while that he Empoverish'd others he was dayly the more and more hated tho' People were less in a condition to give him tokens of it for he had been carefull to gain such of the Grandees that cou'd still foment Stirrs and insurrections and those that had done him most Mischiefs were those that had been the best Rewarded Thus they had seen the Count d'Ognon the Marquess de Saint Germain Beaupré's Younger Brother made Mareschal of France with a Present of a Hundred and Fifty Thousand Livres for having abandon'd the Prince of Condé s Interests In the mean while the Court of Spain practis'd a different Policy towards the Duke of Lorrain then become suspected to it more Especially since he had suffer'd the Viscount de Turenne to Escape as was before related for when he fancy'd himself in the best terms with them and thought he had regain'd their Confidence by new Treaties he was Seiz'd on at Bruxelles and convey'd thence into Spain from whence he did not stir out of Prison 'till the Peace had been made between the Two Crowns The Prince of Condé having dayly disputes with him for the Rank was not otherwise Sorry for his Misfortune but having learnt by his own Experience that the Spaniards were not of a humour to pardon he was more than ever Confirm'd in his Design of renouncing all the Intrigues he had kept a-going on that side Wherefore being willing to give them certain Marks of his Intentions he Egg'd them on to besiege Arras which was no sooner known of at Court but that the King went on purpose to the Parliament to have him declar'd Guilty of High-Treason and one that had forfeited the Quality of first Prince of the Blood with all the Prerogatives due to his Birth and in short to dye such a Death as his Majesty thought fitting Those who follow'd his Party were in like manner Condemn'd to be Beheaded and among Others Marcin Persan Senior and President Violle for in regard of th' Others they were only cited in judgment to give them time to know themselves but not a man of them All would abandon him on this score save the Prince of Tarante for tho' they hereby lost their Estates yet they lost not their Lives the Court not daring to push things to that Extremity for fear the Prince of Condé might use Reprisals And indeed since his being in France those of his Party had caus'd an Officer of the Kings Army to be Hang'd upon the Notice they had that the Cardinal had serv'd one of theirs in the same manner and the Prince of Condé far from Checking them for their Proceedings had utter'd his mind so roundly upon this Article that the Court cou'd not doubt of his Intentions The Viscount de Turenne upon the Suspicion he had that the Enemies had an Eye upon Arras march'd that Waywards in all haste and after having put a re-inforcment into that Place he pass'd the Meuse and march'd against Stenay which had been too long the Azylum of Rebells to leave it any longer in their hands The Concern the Prince of Condé had in it the Propriety of the Place appertaining to his Highness as I suppose I have already intimated making the Viscount de Turenne nevertheless believe that this Prince wou'd not suffer it to be taken without a push he thought not fitting to stay within the Lines but took an Advantageous Post to fight him And this was indeed the Prince of Condé's main Design who pretended at any rate to save this Place but the Spaniards who wou'd have got nothing thereby choosing much rather to Besiege Arras which if they cou'd take was to be their Potion invested it the same day the Trenches were Open'd before the other Place The Viscount de Turenne thereby perceiv'd he had no Apprehensions to lye under as to the Succours of Stenay for which reason after having giv'n the necessary Orders to the Marquess de Faber whom he left before the Town he repass'd the Meuse with a Design to Starve the Enemies 'till such time as he had forces sufficient brought him to fight them The Mareschal de la Ferté joyn'd his Troups to the Viscounts and both drawing near the Lines of the Spaniards they Seiz'd on certain Posts from whence it was Easy to Cut them off their Victualls and Forrages The Neighbourhood of the Two Armies dayly produc'd some Skirmishes wherein fortune did not yet seem to decide any thing for they were one while to th' advantage of one side and another to the adverse Party but at last the Chevalier de Crequi now Mareschal of France having found the means to get Succours into the Town caus'd it to declare for his Party And indeed this Success as much flush'd the Courage of the Besieg'd as it dejected that of the Besiegers The later besides standing dayly more and more in need of Provisions and Forrages so as that they were ready to raise the Siege if the Duke of Luxembourg then call'd Bouteville had not conducted a Convoy to the Camp across a thousand Ambuscades that were laid for him This Succours having thus made them persevere in their Design they pusht on briskly their Attacks insomuch that Mondejeu that Commanded in the Place sent to the Viscount de Turenne to come and relieve it This Prince having hitherto deferr'd doing it thinking to Effect it without Fighting but having seen the Contrary by what had happen'd he made all things ready for the Succours wherein he was Seconded by the Mareschals de la Fertè and d'Hocquincourt the last of whom had brought him the Troups that had taken Stenay and others which he had drawn out of the Towns
above the Somme The Enemies seeing themselves upon the point of being attack'd dayly fortify'd their Camp wherein they had made great holes not only to stop the Cavalry but allso to serve for Precipices to the Infantry for they were Extreme deep But the Viscount de Turenne being inform'd of all this as well as the Other General they resolv'd no longer to defer th' Attacque which they gave notice of to Mondejeu that so he might take that time to make Sallys In the mean while to give a jealousy to all the Quarters they were all view'd in their Turns which the Prince of Condê not being able to endure without shewing himself he went out of his Lines and Fortune having Seconded his Courage he beat all that stood in his Way after which he Forrag'd at large which without this he durst never have undertaken As this Success was capable of damping our men if not suddenly repair'd the Viscount de Turenne attacqu'd divers Posts which the Enemies held upon the Avenues and making himself Master of them he caus'd Part of the Army to march about five a Clock in the Evening on the side of Mount St. Eloy while the Mareschals de la Ferté and Hocquincourt led the Rest towards de Mouchy le Proux thro' several Ways The Enemies having Parties out were quickly inform'd of this March and having fir'd a Canon which was the signal they had agreed among themselves to give notice of Our Approach they stood to their Armes The Viscount de Turenne seeing their Design discover'd as well as the other Generals nevertheless continu'd their March and false attacques were made on the side of Mouchy to cover the true one that was made on the side of St. Eloy In the mean while Several Matches were shown fasten'd at the end of great Sticks which made the Enemies run that way-wards they were seen But the Viscount de Turenne having us'd this Diversion for the making of his Attacque all buckl'd before him the Lines of Circumvallation were forc'd and after having been fill'd by the Infantry the Horse pass'd and fell in pursuit of the Enemies most of whom betook themselves to flight without fighting None but the Prince of Condé made any resistance but it rather tended to save his Men than repair the Affairs of his Party As for the Spaniards they abandon'd their Canon their Tents and their Equipages of which the Soldiers made so considerable a Booty that many of them enrich'd themselves for all their Life long Above Sixty Canons were found in their Camp with Five or Six Thousand Tents All still standing many Sumpter-Horses half loaden but which they had not had time to take along with them In short all the tokens of a great Disorder and a strange Surprize The Prince of Condé made his Escape to Doway but he was still in the Lines when the Van was allready arriv'd for that he might not abandon his Troups he several times Expos'd his Person ev'n to mingling in among the Enemies like a Common Souldier The Viscount de Turenne knowing him in the hurry often admir'd his Valour but at the same time deplor'd his Destiny which thus kept him link'd to the Interests of those against whom he wou'd have more gloriously Employ'd it The Enemies Defeat was no sooner known at Court but that all the Honour of it was giv'n to the Viscount de Turenne For tho' he had two Mareschals of France that were his Equals in the Command yet it being known to have him that forc'd the Lines and that the Others on the Contrary wou'd not have sped by having lost their Ways they thought themselves bound not to Confound him with them And in truth the Cardinal who was as I may say the Soul of the Kingdom thought he lay under an Obligation to congratulate him alone and made him such great Promises as render'd it easy to guess how deeply he thought himself concern'd in that Success In Effect this Minister had dayly new Disquiets and there had been lately stopp'd upon the Frontiere a Certain Person Beaulieu by name who had Commerce with the Spaniards and pretended to kindle anew the Sedition in divers Provinces Thus an unprosperous Event was capable of replunging the Realm in the Troubles it had but just got ridd of Wherefore he thought himself bound to testify his Acknowledgment to him that had Secur'd his own repose and that of the State In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne relying on his Promises having of him demanded the Effects of them some days after found as many others had done before him that they were not to be overmuch trusted for having askt of him the Charge of Colonel General of the Horse fall'n Vacant by the Duke of Joyeuse's Death he shamm'd him with so many Put-off's that the Viscount de Turenne saw plainly he made a Mock of him He wou'd not speak of it to the King and Queen-Mother who had several times assur'd him nothing cou'd be deny'd his Services The King himself came into his Camp during the Siege of Stenay and there renew'd to him all he had promis'd him in other Occasions But tho' his last Action spoke allso in his behalf he did not think it convenient to Expose himself to the Master's Denial and that it was sufficient to have undergone that of the Minister This notwithstanding he shew'd not any Resentment and continuing to serve with as much Zeal as ever he manifested he went and Beleaguer'd Quesnoy a Place in Hainaut and of more importance for its Scituation than its Outworks that were imperfect yet as it might be improv'd to an advantageous Post he was resolv'd to fortify it as soon as he had got it into his hands and the Prince of Condé having had time to gather up the Wrecks of the Spanish Army advanc'd to interrupt the Works But the Viscount de Turenne after having seiz'd on certain Posts reduc'd his hopes to Weak Skirmishes wherein not having had all the Success he Expected he shut up the Place in severall sides as if he had a Design to Block it The Viscount de Turenne seeing the Party he had Embrac'd let the Cardinal know it who had long afore design'd the Besieging of Clermont that he might now with ease effect this Enterprize and the thing having been resolv'd on in Council the Mareschal de la Fertè had Orders to sit down before that Town while the Viscount de Turenne shou'd observe the Prince of Condé Thus la Ferté having not been disturb'd in his Enterprize finisht it without much trouble After this the Viscount de Turenne seeing that in the present State of Affairs and in the Season no longer proper to keep the Field it wou'd be losing his time not to send the Army into it's Winter-Quarters resolv'd to depart himself for Court after having giv'n Orders for that purpose However he staid on the way at Mouchy a House of the Marquis de Humiers very agreeable for Hunting but whither
that Wesel a much stronger Place had Surrender'd forthwith deputed to the Prince of Condé to have some favourable Composition But this Prince who wou'd sooner have granted it some favour if it had made an answerable Resistance wou'd not receive it otherwise than a Prisoner of War no more than that of Emmerick which he afterwards attacqu'd The Garrison of Wesel of Orsoy and Burik had not a better Treatment and that only of Rhinberg had been distinguish'd yet not in consideration of its Bravery but because it had not stopp'd the King who had a Design to pierce farther into the Countrey Many other Places Surrender'd still without striking a Blow Nay and without waiting for the Person of the King or that of the Prince of Condé for the fright was so great that every Individual thought he gain'd much in currying the Conquerours favour By this means the King made himself Master of all that was not shelter'd by Rivers But as the Rhin by the means of two Branches it makes contains a good Part of the Countrey he thought himself at the end of his Conquests or at least that they wou'd cost him Dearer than they had hitherto done He thereupon consulted the Viscount de Turenne who was not of Opinion to attempt to force the Yssel one of those two Branches on the Banks of which the enemies had intrench'd themselves However to make them believe that we march'd directly against them he persuaded the King to take that way but at the same time he sent orders to the Prince of Condé to inform himself where the Rhin might be pass'd with less peril that he might fall upon the back of the Enemies The Prince of Orange who had an eye to all suspecting this Design sent Mombas to the Castle of the Tholus where the Prince of Conde had caus'd the Passage to be Sounded But Mombas having abandon'd his Post either through Correspondence or Cowardice another was to be sent in his Room for they durst not yet abandon the Yssel by reason of the neighbourhood of of the Enemies Army which still made a shew of entering that way into the heart of the Country And indeed the King Skipt on the Right and Left as if he had had no other Design But all of a suddain he departed with his Horse to repair to the Prince of Conde's Army having march'd all the night he arriv'd upon the Bancks of the Rhine in the same place where the Prince of Conde had caus'd the passage to be Sounded Wurtz was there to defend it and had with him some Horse and foot but instead of going against the Enemies he gaz'd on them while they pass'd one by one thinking perhaps they wou'd never have the Boldness to pass before his eyes or that he shouâ—d defeat them easily when they were pass'd by reason that he shou'd attacque them in as small numbers as he pleas'd But if the Contempt which the Regiment of Cuirafieers had shewn of Death in passing so large and so rapid a River and wherein several of that Body had been Drown'd hâ—d wherewithall to surprize Wurtz he was much more so when that going to oppose it he saw it come with Sword in hand though as yet no more than the Van pass'd We cannot say that the Brush was great or Obstinate since that Wurtz his Troups gave ground as soon as they had made the first Discharge and this Success having put Courage into those that were still in the Water they made hast to joyn their Companions who after having thus drove away the Enemies staid for them upon the Shore The Prince of Condé being willing to render himself considerable to the King by the Success of this Action which particularly regarded him pass'd allso the River with the Duke of Anguien his Son and the Duke of Longueville his Nephew and as this latter had been debauching it in the Prince of Condé's Camp where the King had made some stay at his Coming the sumes of Wine not being yet dissipated made him Commit a fault which Occasion'd his Death and that of several Persons of Quality For instead of following the Prince of Condé who advanc'd towards some Infantry that were intrench'd on this side the Castle of the Tholus and demanded nothing more than to be assured that they shou'd have good Quarter giv'n them to lay down Arms he himself alone went to insult them in their very Retrenchments which caus'd it to make a Discharge upon him and upon the Prince of Condé who doubting of his Imprudence was advanc'd to prevent his Nephew But not coming soon enough he had the regret to see him fall Dead before his face as well as several Persons of Condition who were rang'd around him However as they did not discontinue their firing he was wounded in his hand which so inflam'd him that instead of the Promises he had before pass'd to the Enemies of giving them Quarter he had them all put to the Sword In the mean while the King who staid on the other side the Rhine press'd his Troups to pass with all imaginable Diligence and this occasion'd their throwing themselves by Squadrons into the Water but tho' this seem'd to be a much greater Contempt of Death yet they did not hazard so much as the Others had done because that as the Great Number of Horses broke the Stream they withall animated one another Thus a great part of the Army having allready pass'd the King causâ—d a Bridge to be laid over the Rhine which was however needless for the King was hardly got over the River when he had an Account of the Enemies having abandoned the Yssel for fear of being taken behind Upon this Notice he turn'd back and at the same time sent a Relation to the Viscount de Turenne of the success of this day which would have been one of the most Glorious of his Life without the Duke of Longueville's Imprudence who had caus'd a World of brave Men to perish with him The Viscount de Turenne receiv'd this News with an inconceivable joy and having divulg'd it among the Troups that staid with him Every Individual regretted his not having been present at an Action that was like to make so much Noise in the World And intruth it was not very usual to see such a River as the Rhine pass'd in the Enemies Presence so as they may be said to have been very faulty for if they wou'd but have advanc'd into the Water when our men still pass'd but one by one we shou'd without Difficulty have been oblig'd to retire It is allso certain that from hence proceeded the Disorder the Republique was in for the King wou'd have thought twice before he wou'd have attempted to pass the Yssel which was thought to be much more Dangerous than indeed it was for the King had been assured that the River was not fordable that the Entrance and going out were Difficult for the Year was so dry that there was hardly any