and made the King see he would nor refuse to fight with him no nor with Saxony though both joyned together The King likewise seeing himselfe in the head of an Army ready to fight and that at last a Battell must be had he losing no time least Tilly might be by Aldringer re-inforced couragiously advanced towards the Enemy he mustered both his owne men and those of the Elector on the fifteenth of September in the Fields about Dieben and found them to amount to about 40000 Souldiers and having given unto them two payes he with Princely words and courteous expressions full of honour encouraged all his men and tooke from them that feare which they might have received by reason of the Imperialists fortune who had stil bin victors in so many Battels And moreover making it publickly knowne that he intended nothing to himself of what should be gotten but to part it all amongst his fellow souldiers he heartened his men with sure hope of good successe and with a grave and slow march tooke his way towards the Austrian Quarters The Vantgard towards the East between the Villages of Dieben and Lindaw consisted of 14000 Saxon Souldiers rancked into eight Squadrons foure of Foot and foure of Horse and was commanded by the Duke himselfe who in his owne person lead them on accompanied by above a hundred of the prime Gentlemen of his State all Volontiers He had upon him a breastplate lined with gold a blacke Scarfe all imbroidered with silver and was upon a Sorrell Horse all dapled Behind the Elector on the left wing Lieutenant Generall Harnem marched who leading on 2000 Horse well mounted their Riders all armed in black burnisht Armes under the Command of the 2 Colonels Brintauff Corville himself mounted on an yron-gray Steed appeared in a threatning posture to the lookers on the Foot flankt in the midst between the Elector and Harnem were lead on by the Colonels Offchirchem Damniger Marshall Helmendort and Spinghell over whom as Generall of the Foot was the Duke of Iltemberg the Electors Cousin clad in perfumed Turkish leather with a great black feather in his head amidst those Foot were 16 peeces of great Cannon drawne by good Horses and 26 Sachers and after them followed all the Carriages of the Saxon and Swedish Army which were so disposed of by the Kings directions On the right side towards the Village Delicts did the Swedish Squadrons march on the right hand whereof stood the King in a mingled coloured Cloth suite with a Jupe of perfumed leather with a gray Hat on his head and a little green Feather mounted on a Dun Horse behind him followed 2000 Dutch Horse and 2000 Finlanders armed with Curases Pistols and broad Swords Amidst these Squadrons which divided into foure Bodies left between them a vacuitie of about a hundred Foot broad were two hundred choice Musketeers placed ready to salute the Enemies Horse before they came to Pistoll-shot the Battaglions of Foot which were in the Van-guard were led on by Banniers Marshall of the Field a Swede by birth before the which he marched in a sute of Turkish leather with arming points of gold and a skie-coloured Scarfe upon a Flea-bitten pacing Horse with a Truncheon tipped with yron in his hand These Regiments were divided into six Battaglions each of them consisting of 1500 Foot betwixt each of which in the Front five peeces of Cannon was drawne very light and of a moderne invention loaded with bags of Musket-bullets These Companies were under 72 Ensignes of various and lovely Colours upon the which was set the Kings Armes and upon that a great Crowne the Motto was Gustavus Adolphus Rex Fidei Evangelica defensor the greatest part of the souldiers were clad in blew and yellow Jackets upon the left wing did Marshall Gustavus Horne march who had the Command of foure thousand Horse armed with Curasses divided into foure Squadrons under fifty two Standards part blew part Orange colour wherein was read a Motto under an arme which in its hand held a Sword Si Deus pro nobis quis contra nos and under a Scepter over which a Sword lay crosse was another inscription which said Ensem Gradivus Sceptrum Them is ipsa gubernat he was a Swede by Nation and a man of great esteeme he was armed with a Curasse upon a daplegray Horse and clad in Turkish leather The rest of the Foot followed divided into six Battaglions lead in the Battell by the Colonels Wiston Ruthen and Heburne the chiefe Commanders of the Army who marched before upon little naggs and within these Battaglions were placed thirty peeces of Field Cannon at equall distances betwixt the one and the other Squadrons were 87 Ensignes of diverse Colours and with diverse Mottoes amongst these underneath a Sun overshadowed with the Clouds was read this inscription Sero sed serio In this order which bore with it a formidable appearance the Swedish and Saxon Army advanced on the sixteenth day of September too within two leagues of Lipsick Tilly upon the hearing thereof had sent forth certaine Squadrons of Horse to spye out and informe themselves of the Enemies proceedings between which and the Horse of the other side there happened a very hot skirmish and had not the Sun which was then upon the setting parted the fray which was maintained valiantly by the one and the other parties doubtlesse both Armies would then have joyned battell as they did the next day The King who all the night long kept himselfe in the Field going now hither now thither instructing every one what order they ought to keep encouraging his souldiers with this pleasing speech and cheerfull voice and calling unto him all the Commanders of the Army he with a merry looke said unto them That now the occasion was presented which he had so long desired that he might make a triall of his Souldiers valour he told them that past victories and renowne already gotten did vanish into smoake when daring was suffocated with feare that they ought not to value that Enemy who being so oft beaten within his strongest holds does now appeare in the fields lesse strong dismaide and quaking at the rusling of their own Armes that feare was the Harbinger of death for which cowardise did oft provide Quarter that courage was the sonne of Fortune the Father of renowne and the beautifull dispencer of greatnesse honour and riches he acquainted every of them how he would be served by them in this action he shewed the whole Army of what great consequence the winning of this Battell would be what advantage would thereby accrue to the publique and to each private man since great booty was therein to be had much acquisition extraordinary honour the increase of the common safety he with words of efficacy moderated the estimation which such as were fearfull might have of the valour and renowne of the Enemy letting them know that Tillies Forces were not great that his souldiers were
the Souldiers being changed the Guards were doubled But the King who upon all occasions did ever desire to advance was minded to passe over the Lech and remove Tilly from thence who kept the maine body of his Army along that River and although the enterprise was some-what hard yet observing the course of the River and the Bankes thereof he suddainly raised thereupon a good Trench and planting his Artillery began to play upon the enemy who keeping themselves close within their Trenches did valiantly reply upon him and withstood his Passage the bickering began to grow very hot where whil'st both sides were busied and plyed the Battaile a pace the King being advertised by Duke Bernard Waymar how that he had discovered a Foord a little lower by a little Island by the one side whereof he might easily wade hee presently sent back the said Duke thither with certaine Boates carried to such like purpose upon Carts Whil'st the King-indeavoured by all meanes he could to passe over Waymar past over some select Souldiers by the benefit of those Boates into the said Island to the end that if need should be they might make good the Passage till such time as a Bridge might be prepared and he so well placed his Cannon and Muskets upon the Flankes of the enemy that Tilly who marched thitherward in Person to hinder the Passage had not the fortune either to beat the Swedes out of the Island or to hinder them for making their Bridge for his shot did little availe him the Swedes being fenced by the point of the Island Whereupon Tilly knowing the importance of the affaire and the great difficulty made a fierce and bloudy skirmish amidst the waters which on the other side of the River might easily be waded over for it came not to above a mans middle but at last the Swedes prevailing who incouraged by the comming of their King strove who should first throw themselves upon the Bridge they got unto the other Banke notwithstanding all the enemy could doe there were slaine of the Romane Catholiques side about 2000 and Tilly himselfe being hurt with a shot from a Sachar dyed within three dayes Count Aldringer was likewise here hurt in the head whereof he was afterwards healed and the Imperialists after a long and bloudy Battaile were forced to retreat this Battaile continued for the space of six whole houres and so great was the hail of Cannon and Musket-shot as many Souldiers who had been in divers other well fought actions affirmed that this in their opinion was to be numbred amongst the bloudiest that they ever saw it happened on the Twenty second day of March. The Duke of Bavaria was no lesse troubled at this misfortune then at the death of Tilly a Commander of tride valour and of great experience nor was his death any whit lesse lamented by the Emperous selfe and those other temporall Princes who well knew his wisedome constancy watchfull diligence and choice wit His descent was not great amongst the Wallones In his youth with continued patience persevering in the duties of a private Souldier and by his peculiar valour working himselfe by degrees from one preferment to another he at last to his great glory to the satisfaction of his Princes and to the great advantage of the Roman Religion arived at the honour of being supreme Commander of the Armies of the Roman Catholique League wherein he behaved himselfe so wisely and with such courage as being victour in many field Battailes and vanquisher of many people he deservedly merits to be numbred in the first ranke of the famous Commanders of our time he was of a middle stature of a strong complexion and of a martiall-like agillity preserving even in his gray headed yeares a youth-like bodily strength he was zealous in the service of his Princes and a very great defender of the Roman Catholicke Religion for he was often heard to say he would rather run hazard of his life then shun the occasion of well doing his devotion in all his actions was admirable he never went about any action before he had humbly on his knees begged of God that the event might be answerable to his divine will 't is said that if a man may live a Religious life in warre he did so All the workes of this Generall were commended by the Souldier and admired by the people his very enemies not undervalluing him The only thing that might fully his pious fame was the cruelty and barbarousnesse committed by his Souldiers at the taking of Newbrandeburg and Magdeburg which was such as the Romanists themselves were scandalised at the report thereof many were of opinion that this his want of compassion cryed for vengeance from God Almighty who is not pleased with cruelty though exercised against Infidels and Barbarians and that the chastisement which useth to fall upon wise men to wit the infatuation of their wisedome happened unto him for that moderation for which in all his other actions he was admired being suffocated by his too great daring he came presumptuously to the Battaile of Leipsick which was the break neck of all his glories for had he therein carryed himselfe according to his wonted warinesse many are of opinion he could not have missed the glory of happy successe and for that one misfortune treads in the heels of an other as though he had beene unwilling to out live this losse he ended his life in the bosome of glory writing in Characters of his owne bloud to posterity his eternity of merits from the Duke of Bavaria and pointing out unto them the way which leades generous mindes to immortallity In Walesteines Court his death seemed rather to cause joy then sorrow and this for that all Courtiers fawning or frowning as do their Lords their Masters knew that Walestein envying this warriers good conditions and the renowne which by the Victories in so many Battailes he had wonne loved not to see this great tree over-shadow the branches of his ambition and the occasion hereof was for that 't is impossible for him to love the Servant that hates the Master so Walesteine not caring for the Duke of Bavaria as suspecting that it was he who had perswaded the Emperour to take from him his former place and make use of Tilly who was thought to be fitter then he for so great an employment did no lesse despise and emulate the actions of the servant then those of the Master The Duke of Bavaria not thinking himselfe safe now in Monaco the place of his residence which was only walled about with old wals conveyed speedily all his most pretious movables to Saltsborg belonging to the Archbishop thereof an Ecclesiasticall Prince and one of the most potent and richest of all Germany this City is seated in a pleasant Country upon the River Zalza a Towne lately fortifyed with two Castles upon two hils which command the River on both sides hee with the remainder of his Army did wisely retire himselfe
booty and reputation Walesteine being a wise Commander having found the Kings designes and foreseen that making use of Pappenheime's absence hee would force him to a Battaile upon the successe wherof the Sum. Total lay and having many and various thoughts hereupon weighing duly all that made against him that he might go upon secure grounds he resolved to advise with his Astrologer whom he used to trust with his greatest secrets who found that the Constellations of that Month were not answerable to the Kings former fortune or rather that the Planets seemed to have an ill aspect towards him Grounding much hereupon for imitating the ancient Romans he had an opinion of Aâ—guries and was wont to governe his actions by Astrologicall science which he had studied very diligently he resolved to see whither the Starres which had befriended him at other times would now tell truth or no he then secretly agreed with Pappenheim that hee should temporise and that each of them should advise the other when the King should advance by the shot of Cannon set purposely in fitting places and should by speedy messengers acquaint one another with the Kings proceedings and that in this case he should speedily returne to his men towards Lutzen for hee would entertaine the Swedes with skirmishes and so afford him opportunity to come time enough The King having made haste with his marches towards Lutzen Walesteine gave quickly the signe agreed upon by a three-fold Cannon-shot to Pappenheimes Centinels who were placed at fitting distances to that purpose and by speedy messengers gave him notice thereof and this meane while fearing lest the King might advance further then he desired he should he wrought all night in the digging of a Ditch whereby he advantaged his station and filling it with Muskettiers which were flanked by Cannon he stood expecting the comming of the Swedes who arguing by this their paines that the Imperialists were afraid became the bolder This meane while divers skirmishes were made between the Swedish Horse and Isolani his Crabats with equall losse and herein was passed all the night the King being by the breake of day as it were Master of the field for Walesteine keeping himselfe close within his Ditch would not quit his advantage till Pappenheime should be come to him The King stay'd all night armed in the field not minding what his body suffered and being desired by his Captaine to repose himselfe and take some rest he answered That the example of the Generall sweetens the suffering of the Souldier that to forgoe his vigilancy would shew his care over his men to be but small and make it seeme he did it that he might not feele the incommodities of his owne life which they who doe respect ought not to be in the Saddle with foot in stirrope but at their owne homes upon their downe-beds that the troubles of many suited not with the peace and rest of one alone that the world appertained to the industrious not to the sloathfull that rest was the daughter of idlenesse and peace labour the mother of glory and achievements Thus calling his chiefe Commanders about a little sire which he had caused be made to moderate the ridgednesse of the night he in a sprightly and couragious manner acquainted them with his intentions of joyning Battaile with Walesteine Some there were that advised him hee might doe well to stay for the Forces of Saxony and Lunenburg and others who were upon their march not farre from him with the which hee might the more boldly assault the Enemy that the Swedes being as well in numbers as in situation short of the Imperialists they ought not to hazard the Victories of so many Moneths upon the event of one day that Walesteine commanded an Army who coveted Battaile incited thereunto by necessity and out of a desire that they might injoy the fruits of so many Victories which they had not yet forgotten and driven thereunto by despaire seeing themselves onely subject to sufferings that fortune was unconstant and oft-times a friend to the desperate that Walesteine had Commanders under him desirous of revenge obedient Souldiers and who more apprehended their Generalls frowne then the Swedes Swords that Pappenheim was not so farre off but that if he came not time enough to the Battaile he might come soon enough at least to fall upon the wearied and so totally oppresse them that hee had people with him ancient in experience and advise but young in respect of their daring and ambition and that fortune was obliged to pay tribute to his valour that respect ought to be had to the comming up of the Saxon Forces without which they should fight upon unequall tearmes These reasons though strongly maintained were notwithstanding confuted by the King with lively Arguments made good by the heat of his desire and by his will Too much presuming upon a mans selfe-darkens the wisedome of the wisest Hee replyed that Pappenheime was very farre off that Walesteines Army was now dismembred both of Men and Commanders and that it did not exceed the number of 30000 fighting men that this might be said to be an occasion offered by fortune which ought to be taken by the foretop setting upon the Enemy before he should be more incouraged by accesse of greater Forces for that Walesteine being beaten they might be sure to beat Pappenheime that to expect the comming of the Saxons and Lunibergheses was a certaine losse of time and an appearance of fearing the Enemy that the same time which went to the bringing of them unto the Swedes did not inhibit Pappenheime and others from joyning with the Roman-Catholiques so as they should be still upon the same tearmes that in warre occasion was not to be fore-slowed that Fortune was painted with a lock in the fore-head to shew she ought to be layd hold off that there was no fitter time to set upon an Enemy then when he was discovered to be apprehensive that Walesteine was so who by fortifying himselfe indeavoured to shunne giving Battell that he himselfe would shew the way to any one that should be backward that temporising was then good when advantage might be had by delay that when an Enemy hath put on feare he must not be suffered to dis-robe himselfe thereof and on the contrary when ones owne men are incouraged the time which timely shewes it selfe ought not to be let slip These speeches comming feelingly from a King kept all his Commanders from opposing them and for that it was a nationall custome for Subjects to suit with the inclination of their Princes they durst say no more in opposition either not to seem cowards by disswading from a businesse that bore danger with it or lest the King should take the more notice of such as did oppose his reasons Therefore everyone applauding what he had said they speedily withdrew themselves to their Colours to order their Battaglions and to incourage their people Wherefore the King hasting upon the first entrance
furiously set upon the Citie Walls commanding their Musketiers who were placed upon the edge of the Counter-scarffe to shoot incessantly to keepe them off that should come to the Parrapits and that the Souldiers appointed thereunto should Scale the Walls which on all sides was punctually observed But no breach being made and it proving very hard for the Souldiers to Scale those high Walls with their Ladders they being likewise so well flanked with opposite Bulwarks they were forced to give over with no little losse Popenhaine notwithstanding who knew by the intelligence he had that the place he was to assault was the weakest and worst man'd egg'd on his Souldiers assuring them of Rich Booties and threatning those that should give back and though many tumbled from off the Ladders into the Ditches yet their places were continually supplied by fresh men who inraged at the difficultie they met withall and the succour not being yet come which sent by Falckenbridge they got unto the top of the Parrapet and raysed up an Ensign whereat their companions much encouraged cryed out Victory Victory and Scaling the Walls a vye by whole Squadrons and covering themselves with earth by the meanes of their Mattocks and Spades they turned the Cannon upon the Citie and at last got further ground For after a long and obstinate resistance they wonne into a street and followed by the other Souldiers who were the more eager for that they had been beaten back they without any mercy slew the Defendants and Citizens and the Citie was in short time sacked and burnt to ashes which hapned by the carelesenesse of a Souldier who throwing aside his Musket with the Match lighted to get up the stairs in a Drugsters house the Match set fire on a barrel of Brimstone and this taking hold of other cumbustable matters the fire did so dilate it selfe as the houses being built of wood all was destroyed The cruelties used by the Souldiers in the sacking of this Citie was such as is fearefull to say or write Let it suffice that good men were of opinion that God was then so incensed against the Roman Catholiques as that he permitted that fire to the end that they might not enjoy the wealth which with more sobrietie and humanitie they might have possessed themselves of The end of the first Book DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM The Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE II. BOOK The Contents of the Second Booke In the Second Booke is contained what confusion the losse of Magdenburg caused amongst the Protestants The King of Swedes advancing to the succour of Saxony The Protestant Electors declaring of themselves in favour of the King Their joyning of their Forces and their resolutions to fight with the Imperialists The Battell of Lipsick and the Swedes vistory The Damages the Austrians sustained hereby Their condition after the Battell What perplexity the Austrian Councell was in touching the chusing of a new Generall of the Army The differenâ—s in opinion betweene the Germans and the Spaniards The Emperours declaring himselfe for Walesteine to be Generall The meanes used by Walesteine to recruit the Army His great policy The Imperialists negotiation with the Pope and other Princes Vselesse Charles Duke of Lorrayne his declaring of himselfe for the Austrian Party His putting himselfe into Armes prejudiciall to his State The Austrians comming to rayse new troubles in France Their Treaties with the Duke of Orleans Their ends The King of Swedes advancement into the Palatinate and upon the Reine Treaties of Peace moved by Walesteine with Saxony The taking of Mentz THe taking of Magdenburg and the usage there as it was to all men unexpected so was it of great griefe to the Protestants who well weighing this event began to lessen their high pitcht thoughts wherein they had formerly framed unto themselves such vast designes for they argued that if the Romanists had with so little labour taken so strong a City and of such defence they would more easily take others which partooke of much imperfection The Swedes and their King were in particular very much grieved hereat the King himselfe was more vext then any other at the losse of this City that since it did so freely declare it selfe for him he should suffer it to be lost in the sight even as it were of his so victorious an Army he struck his foot against the ground and vowed to revenge and to serve them the same sauce who had used themselves so inhumanly he more particularly resented the behaviour of the Souldiers of the League who had been more barbarous in their usage then the rest And least the other Cities which were ready to side with him might by this successe be deluded so stagger in their resolutions as doubting his assistance he published in Print the reasons causes of this losse and why he had not formerly succoured it That the fault lay in the Citizens themselves who not valuing his Counsell and not seeking to obviate the treachery of their Magistrates had of themselves pulled this ruine upon them that he had played the part of a good friend by the taking of many almost impregnable places that the Electors of Brandenburg and Saxony had denyed him passage that he neither could neither ought he to march foure Leagues in an Enemies Country with so many Cities at his backe and on all sides of him by which his Army might without fighting been utterly lost that the best he could do was to take in Franckfort Landsperg and other places which made for his advancing and that he had spared no labour nor pretermitted any diligence to relieve it Tilly stayed sixe daies after this about Magdeburg where he caused Te deum to be sung and tooke order for the recruiting of his Army and leaving Philip Count Mansfield there in place of Commissary and Governour and for that he was informed that the King of Sweden was come unto Tangermund a Towne not farre from thence watered by the Elbe where he had throwne over a Bridge and provided for his safety by cutting of two strong Trenches on both sides the River he thought it was now time to provoke him to battel upon the Victory whereof the re-establishment of affaires did depend he therefore marched with his Army towards these parts intending to fight with him But the King knew himselfe not to be in case with those few Forces he had to joyne battell with an Army versed in victories and this the rather for that he had sent Gustavus Horne away with part of his Army to the taking in of Gripswould he therefore stayed within his Trenches yet seemed not at all to feare the Enemy but kept in play with frequent skirmishes both of Horse and Foot And being desirous to recrute his Army he arose from before Tangermund and leaving strong Garrisons in Franckfort Landsperg and other parts thereabouts he came to Stettin to raise fresh Troopes and that he himselfe might
planted his Campe before Brandenburg and having sent Collonell Ranzaw a man of an undaunted courage and perfect valour with some of his Forces on the other side of the Elb he with a Petard surprized Tangermund by which his way was open into the lower Saxony and to the Bishopricke of Magdeburg He with great Force set upon Werben upon the Elb seated in no contemptible place fortified after the ancient manner and defended by about One Thousand Two Hundred men part Souldiers part men of the Country he forced it to yeeld where leaving some Souldiers for a guard giving order for necessary Fortifications for the defence of it and throwing a Bridge of Boates over the River he Quartered himselfe betweene that and Havell Here he gave in charge to Bannier to go before Havelbergk of the said Province seated upon the River Havell and not far from Elb who presently placing his Batteries against it and having made his approaches even to the wals which being weake and unperfectly built did not long hold out after nine dayes the Inhabitants knowing they could no longer withstand the Swedes assaults yeelded themselves 800 Souldiers marching out of the Towne part of which tooke entertainment from the King By these prosperous successes of the Swedes and by the newes that the Queene of Sweden was already landed at Wolgast with 6000 fighting men and by reason of divers other preparations made by the King in divers places the minds of the Romanists were extremely disquieted and the Swedes encouraged whereupon the King very desirous to recover Magdeburg that he might draw nearer to the Duke of Saxony whose declaring of himselfe he knew to be of all things else most necessary for him as likewise to divert Tilly from invading the Landsgraves Countrey who presently wheeled about and came to Wolmerstat a Towne above Magdeburg where he stayed and quartered his Army dispersing his Horse about the Neighbouring Villages that he might observe what course the King would take But the Swedes advertised of these Designes and having moreover certaine Intelligence how that two of the Imperialists Regiments of Horse who had quartered themselves in the Village Kolbits foure leagues distant from Tangermund did much neglect their Guards he thought he might defeat them rising therefore privately to this purpose from a Towne upon the Elb between Werben and Tangermund on the 10th of Iuly two houres before day with 3000 Horse and 500 Dragoones he speedily marched towards the Imperialists Quarters And that he might the better know their condition and position he sent Count Ortenbergs Serjeant Major before with an hundred Horse who was afterwards followed by the rest of the Body of Horse so as before the Austrians could get their Horses out of their stables and prepare for defence the greatest part of them were slaine and taken prisoners by the Swedes who likewise marched on an other side towards the Regiment of one Holâ—k a Caesarian Colonell who was lodged at Borch stal a Village not far from Tangermund and who with his Forces endeavoured to resist the Swedes yet the Swedes charging in very good order it behooved him to quit the Field and betake himselfe to his heeles with the losse of three Cornets and about three hundred Horse In this surprisall the Count Otto Lodovico Ryngrave did together with his souldiers gallantly behave himselfe this Gentleman was of much esteeme amongst the Dutch and of the best bloud of Germany and in former times his Auncestors had great possessions about the River of Rhyne but through the evilnesse of times having lost all and remembring the former greatnesse of his Family he together with his Brother Count Philip put himselfe into the Kings service and being under so fortunate a guide they fed themselves with undoubted hopes of vast designes The King encouraged by these favourable accidents and interpreting them as preludiums to greater glory marched forward with the remainder of his Army and with his Cannon and incamping himselfe between the Villages of Belgen and Steindall between the Elb and the Bise he resolved to stay a while in that advantagious situation to observe what Tillies intentions were who awakened by such advertisements and thinking that he suffered not a little in his reputation in that the Swedish Forces which he so undervalued had such happy successe he rose from Wolmerstat and having regained Tangermund he was got too before the Trenches of Werben where some of the Swedish Regiments were incamped who by reason of Tillies moving were by the King in diligence sent thither for the maintenance of that place was of great moment so as aswell in respect of the reputation of those Forces which did defend it as for that the City being won by the Roman Catholiques the King was to retreat many leagues backward and his entrance into the Townes upon the Ohre would be hereby hindered Ohre is a River which taketh its beginning from the Confines of the State of Lunenburg towards the County of Danneberg ioynes it selfe with the Elâ— not far from Magdeburg for it was not likely he would undertake the taking of them untill he should be sure of a safe refuge whereto upon occasion he might retreat he for these respects raised the Imperiall batteries against Werben which were likewise played upon by the reciprocall shot of the Swedish Artillery and by constant Sallyes but the Imperialists violence growing greater and greater the Defendants being neither able longer to defend themselves against them nor yet any place being left for the Kings supply to boote that it was not time to hazard all upon one dayes worke upon which the summa totalis lay they resolved to forgoe the place lest by articling they might seeme to be overcome and this they so ingeniously did leaving many women and children to defend their Works as unperceived by the Imperialists they had time enough to retreat in safety before the others were aware of their Stratagem Tilly comming thither afterwards and making his Army immediately to advance after them he was by frequent skirmishes seen to draw neare the Kings Quarters inviting him to battell But the King who knew it was not yet time to try his fortune with an Enemy that was stronger then himselfe and who was fraught with victory and confidence bridled his desires and not budging from the advantage he had inforced Tilly who finding himselfe now in a wasted Countrey suffered no little scarcitie of Forrage to think upon an unpleasing retreat so as raising his Army from the Quarters where they were and going from thereabouts he marched towards his former Quarters This Retreat did more imbolden the Kings Officers which was afterwards allayed by an unwary resolution of theirs For according to their usuall wont couragiously assaulting the Imperialists in the Reare they were valiantly by them opposed and the Romanists having at last the better many of the Swedes were cut in peeces and some of their Cornets lost yet returning againe to face Tilly
discontented and that many things were wanting in his Army which were requisite to a complete Battell that they ought not to way the Austrians past fortune for that she changes daily and when shee seemest fullest of haire becomes soone bald that by how much more eminent the fame and valour of the Enemy was so much more glory was to be wonne by beating them that he had forgon the safe and pleasing quiet of a Court and entred into the troubles of warre to no other end but to raise againe that liberty which suppressed by the Imperialists under the specious pretence of Religion kept those people under the yoake of Tyranny who in all respects were worthy to be eased thereof that the valour of that nation was now in question which not imbaced by the harmfull idlenesse of peace had in her vigor enough to tame the fiercest nations of Europe that finally he built his safety upon the honourable behaviour of his men and the experience of his Commanders from whose swords honour and reward was to be expected that hee would lead them the way they were to follow that no evill was lesse to be born withall then what was occasioned by ones owne default Septemb. 17. By breake of day he made his horse advance in sight of his Enemies squadrons and the Army being incouraged by the sound of warre-like Instruments diverse skirmishes were begun On the other side Tilly wholly composed of confidence and boldnesse in respect of his Souldiers whose valour he had tryed in so many Battailes did infinitely desire to try himselfe with this King for as his name and fame was great so greater would be the glory which the victory over him in battaile would bring with it Having summoned his chiefe Commanders together he acquainted them with his purpose That now the time was come to reap the fruite of so many worthy actions and give a glorious end to their past victories that they might afterwards in perfect quiet enjoy the renowne glory and riches which they had wonne he shewed them that the Kings forces were new men and much terrified at the fame of that valour which they in so many victories had wonne that they ought to thank God and receive these occasions as gifts from Heaven that so they might conquer the persecutors of the holy Church and by worldly conquests gaine Heaven That the Swedes were not stronger then those who being so often made a sacrifice to their swords had made men know of what force the justice of the cause and the valour of Ferdinand the seconds Souldiers were that the bodies of base and cowardly men were followed with fearfull shadowes not the mindes of such as were couragious That the apprehension of dangers and feare of shot was banish'd by experience That doubt belonged to the unexperienced assurance to such as were capable of it that the Swedes happy successes were to be tearmed the treasons of subjects the fomentions of Rebels not the valour of Souldiers worth of Commanders and force of armes Here some being of opinion that such undertakings as are pursued with certainty are most praise-worthy and these knowing that to fight without the addition of Aldringers men would not be so safe who were all old Souldiers and who within six dayes might joyne themselves with their Army and by which assistance the King might be fought withall upon better advantage and with almost assured victory they advertised Tilly thereof But he growing still more couragious and governed by his owne confidence would not listen to their perswasions being of opinion it was not glorious to win upon such advantage He said that the reputation of their armes was too farre advanced that delay was a manifest shew of feare and an increase of courage in the Enemy That there was nothing more prejudiciall in the art of warre-fare then the appearing to feare the Enemy That great enterprises became great Commanders and that the more difficult they were the more glorious were they That to expect Aldringers comming would be but losse of time for that if by such delay their Army should receive any increase the same would befall the Kings Army towards whom many Troopes were already on their march from Brandenburg Saxony Mechelburg and the other adjacent Provinces in all which places the Drums did continually beat and Souldiers were taken into pay Drawing therefore his Army forth into the fields of Leypzik under the village Tanger hee formed his Army which consisted of 34000. Souldiers in this manner On the right flancke just over against the said village were placed five Regiments of Crabats commanded by Colonell Isolan a brave subject and much experienced in warre they were all well horst and armed with Harguhibuses Pistols and Simiters after these followed six great squadrons of Horse under 70. Standerds of severall Colours with severall impresses amongst the which one was a great Imperiall Eagle which held in her right Tallents a Pontificiall Crowne and in her left the Imperiall Scepter the word was Pro Ecclesia et pro Imperio these belonged to the Regiments of the Colonels Schamburg Cronenburg Braungarten Baldiron Valmirode Detrusteim Ghetts Blancort and the Duke of Holesteime all of them subjects of great bloud and great experienced Commanders they were all mounted on stately Horses armed with strong Curases and richly adorned in their apparrell the Vanguard of Foot consisting of 8000. old Souldiers followed next which was divided into foure great bataglions under 48. Ensignes of diverse Colours and with severall inscriptions Over these Shamburg Commanded in chiefe who was Serjeant Major Generall of the Army a gentleman much verst in warre in their front stood 20. field pieces and upon the flanckes of those 16. great pieces so ordered as that they might from a farre off flanke upon the Swedish squadrons Upon the left flanke and upon the backe of the Vanguard of Foot 5000. Horse marched all well mounted and arm'd which were the Regiments of Coronino Rangoni and Gonsago Noblemen of Italy and of Spor Diffart and Arracourt Germans of good account and over these Count Popenheime commanded in chief upon a brown-bay horse and accompanied with about 20. Voluntiers all of them gentlemen of stranger nations After these followed the maine battaile consisting of 10000. foot which were disposed into six battaglions and were the severall Brigadoes of the Duke of Sas of Count Bortholed Walestein Duke Sâ—â—velly Merrodes Popenheime Fistemburg and Strozzi over which Fistemburg commanded in chiefe they all marched in the head of their Squadrons upon little nags and afterwards lighting they tooke each one their Pikes in hand The Battaile was upheld on the right flanke by 2000 horse belonging to the Regiments of Tersica Breda Prior Aldobrandim Rochimberg Mancini Bonbaglion Fiston and others the Sieur D' Harcourt commanded the right wing and the Sieur de Cornemberg the left both of them Serjeant Majors Generall of the Army behinde these followed the Rear-guard placed upon the rise of a hill
the said Peroni for having brought a vertuous or man of worth to serve him for so small wages saying you Florentines had best exercise those your good husbandries with Italians and not with me who abhor to have the learned at so cheap a rate So great a friend was hee to unaccustomed greatnesse hee gave order hee should have forthwith paid unto him for his journy which was but ten Dutch Leagues 400 Dollers and that he should be furnished with a Coach and six Horses and gave unto him a stipend of 2000 Crownes a year to be paid him before hand his Coach and all other requisites being maintained to his hand He so inamored all men with these his magnanimous actions as it was noted he had got unto him the most famous men in all sciences that our age produced and many a privat Souldier for doing some one remarkable act hath been by him in one day preferred to a Captaines place and they have had monies assigned unto them sufficient to maintaine them in that dignity wherby hee did not onely make those observant of him who were so raised by him but did by their examples attract others out of hopes of faring alike so as all his Souldiers strove who should most please him by their worthes and valours not by flatteries and other indirect meanes whereby the good will of many in these corrupt times are wonne By equall rewarding valour he allayd the pretensions of such as were of great birth wonne the good will of the people and making those his favourites who had particular dependency upon him he made himselfe be the more reverenced and bridled the ambition of great personages for to conferre favours onely upon such as are nobly discended makes the meaner sort dispaire To this purpose he had wont to say that worth and vallour did not consist in a spruce-beard in a well-ordered head of haire nor yet in titles of birth and greatnesse but in a dauntlesse spirit and ready hand Hee perfectly detested Ceremonies and feigned Complements too much used now adayes in Courts and therefore he had wont to laugh at those who would bow too low and cringe unto him and mocking them would say this would do well at Rome where a man may catch a cold with standing an houre bareheaded with his hat in his hand upon Indeed Sir it shall be yours Hee also liked not many words used by Lords or other novices in warre in the proffering of their service insomuch as at last he denyed to give audience to any such letting them know that valiant and faithfull actions were the meanes whereby to please a Prince and that thererefore in their service they shoud testifie their valour which would be the most pleasing visit they could make to him yet failed he not to make his Officers welcome all forreigne Cavaliers with much civillity and to reward their good service Neither did he this so much for the aforesaid reasons as for that he very well knew how great an enemy familiarity is to respect and particularly in his case who having formerly had much acquaintance and many comerades who thought themselves therein now to be happy he could not but say that domestickenesse cancelling respect did detract from the splendor of his place and from such observance as his eminency required and that he had rather his commands should be observed by his Officers as Counsels then as orders of his power He severely punished every least default which though it got him the name of cruell yet he valued it not saying this was the true way not to mischiefe his men for he who saw a small fault punisht would the more apprehend the punishment of a greater and this feare becomming the rudder whereby the ship of their actions was steered kept the course therof streight upon the Haven of obedience and of their Masters favour he caused one that waited on him in his Chamber to be hang'd for waking him contrary to his order he banished a Souldier out of his Army for having no bootes on this his severity seemed to many to be tyrannicall and barbarous cruelty but in the hidden secrets of his maximes 't was found to be a discreet piece of wisedome for such events were the Trumpets which banish't Cowards from his Camp and was so wholsome an electuary to the fearefull as many lest they should meet with death through their owne negligence became hardy and one feare drove out another yet did he moderate this bitternesse of his government by the sweet of his rewards of the which he was as liberall as he was prodigall of punishment The end of the third Book The Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE IV. BOOK The Contents of the Fourth Booke Duke Weymar in Swabenland affrights Tiroll withdrawes and joynes himselfe with the King before Nurenberg Charles Duke of Loraine being environed by the French promises to forbeare taking up Armes for the Austrians His consultation He secretly holds intelligence with the Spaniard adheres to the Duke of Orleance conspiracy against the King his Brother Duke Momerancy is routed tane prisoner and beheaded Ernestus Count Montecuculi is dispatcht away to defend Alsatia is routed by the Swedes The Duke of Wirtenberg not satisfied with the Austrian Ministers of State declares himselfe for the King of Swedes His reasons and resolutions Horne goes to the enterprise of Alsatia His proceedings The Imperialists enter Lusatia their proceedings The Duke of Orleans perswaded by his Favorit Pilleran flyes out againe from the obedience of the King his Brother and retires to Flanders Treveres is taken by the French The Hollanders in the siege of Mastricke defend themselves valiantly against the endeavours of Pappenheims Army and take the Townâ— The proceedings of George Duke of Lunenburg in the Dukedome of Brounswyck The Swedish and Imperialists Armies keep still before Nurenberg fight fiercely in their Trenches Treason discovered in the Roman Catholique Camp The King of Swedes rises from before Nurenberg Walesteine doth the like their proceedings Gustavus Horne from Alsatia enters Bavaria the Duke thereof and Aldringer hasten to the defâ—nce thereof The Country people in the upper Austria make insurrection The King of Swedes at Erfart his counsels conceptions and resolutions he marches towards Walesteine desires battell which is not by the Romanists refused both Armies come to a pitcht field before Letzen the King dyes BOth the Chieftaines of the Armies remained constant in their opinion of confounding their Enemies Walesteine desired to raise the King and to besiege Nurenberg The King resolved to maintaine it and to raise the Romanists Army they each entertaine other dayly with skirmishes and other slight incounters when Duke Weymar having indeavored the taking of Lindaw in Swabenland being come even to the gates of Vbberlingen and Cell Townes seated upon the Bodem Sea in the uttermost easterne parts thereof failing in his intentions which was to surprise the said Fort and thereby
faile them or that they should meet with any obstacle not to be overcome he might returne to his former station The Count De Susa a Gentleman well â—ryed in Warre who a good while before had received Orders from the King of France to march into the Elector of Trevers Territories and cease upon that Citie and to force the Chapter if the Arch-Bishop would not be perswaded to acknowledge him for his Lord and Master past over the Mosell with a good strength of people and drew neere to the Walls thereof the Garrison whereof not yeelding to his desires but making some resistance were forced upon Articling to receive in the French forces which had hindred the Count Isemburgh Master of the Field of the Spanish Army from comming to their succour and yet the Austrians not thinking it yet time to come to an open breach with the French did not much apply themselves to defend that State Triers or Trevers is seaâ—ed upon the banks of the Mosell betwixt the Duchy of Luxenburg and the lower Palatinat upon the confines of the Countie of Barrois towards the West It is no strong Citie being barely Walled about nor is it very faire as being too narrow and â—ot having in it many faire buildings 't is onely tane notice of in History because from thence the Electorat takes it's name Maestrichâ— was at this time streightly besieged by the Hollanders a place of no small moment The River Maes runnes through the midst of it which taking its head from the furthest parts of Lorayne toâ—wards France after a long course falls into the Lake of Don in Holland it is perfectly well Fortiâ—ied and lying betweene the Countries of Liege Iuliers and Brabandâ— it is knowne to be the Key which opens and shuts the ingresse from Germany to the United Provinces The Spaniards fearing this Citie should be besieged not being of themselves able to succour it and force the quarters of the Hollanders which had quite surrounded it perswaded themselves that if Count Pappenheim who was neerer those parts then any other of the Emperours Commanders would joyne himselfe with the Spanish Forces they should be able to relieve it They therefore made their desires knowne to the Emperour and to Walesteine who yeelded thereunto and the more to hearten Pappenheim they promised him the Order of the Golden Fleece and 100000 Crownes to boot upon condition hee would rayse the Siege and relieve the Citie These tydings being therefore brought to the Hage my Lords the States were not slack in providing with all possible diligence for their Fortifications They therefore reinforced their quarters they put the Elector of Coln who had profest himselfe to stand a Neuter in mind that he should observe his promise and doe nothing that might be prejudiciall to them But 〈◊〉 availed but little for the Elector making faire excuses suffered Pappenheim to passe and to refresh his men in the Townes of the Arch-bishoprick who quickly joyning with the Spaniards marched on to the designed enterprise The Prince of Orange resolute not â—o rise from before the Towne having provided all things fitting for his Quarters and ordered Count William of Nassaw to advance with a good strength of men prepared to resist the Imperiallists Invasion which hapned luckily for the Hollanders for the Austrians were bravely fought withall and beaten back and though Pappenheim madded at the difficulty he found by the obstinate defence of the besiegers nor yet being according to promise seconded by the Spaniards turned again to renew his assault upon the English Quarter and though all meanes possible were used from the Citie by sallying out yet was he forced to retreat with the losse of about one thousand of his Duch-men the which when the besiged saw dispairing of any further succour and wanting Ammunition and Victualls they capitulated and surrendred the Town to the unspeakable sorrow of the Spaniards and all the Roman Catholiques thereabout Pappenheim being gone from Westfalia George Duke of Lunenburg had faire opportunitie to over-runne that Countrey and to beset and take Duderstat and Eimbeck walled Towns in the Dukedom of Braunswick and likewise to besiege Wulfenbuttell the Garrison whereof being strong and well provided of all necessaries did by their many sallyes much infest the Neighbouring parts but this Siege lasted but for a while for Pappenheimes returne made the Duke desist from that enterprise two of his Regiments being hardly dealt withall by Pappenheimes men who set upon them at unawares in their quarters not farre from the Citie The King of Swethland and Walesteine stayd all this while in the Fields before Nurenburg watching over each others wayes the Famine grew greater and greater in both Armies as well for Man as Horse so as each of the Generalls apprehending that by being the first should rise they might meet with some disadvantage in the open Field which might oblige them to a Battel upon bad tearms and wheron the fortune of both Crownes consisted both of them sent for their Souldiers from their Garrisons and Townes of greatest importance The King as he whose forces were weakest desirous to get out of those streights and come into the Field had not onely sent for Waymer and Bannier to come back but likewise for all those Forces which lay in Swabenland in the Bishoprick of Erbipoli and of Bamberg Walesteine likewise dispatched away Orders to Montecuculi that he should come speedily to his Campe before Nurenberg not thinking that had happened which hath beene said in Alsatia for the Duke of Wirtenbergs march and the comming of Gustavus Horne was unexpected The Count departed but first by sundry Posts informed Walesteine of the small number of his men which came not to 2000 Foot and 1500 Horse and what need Alsatia stood in of Forces being assaulted by great numbers of the Enemy and whil'st he staid expecting other Orders from the Generall he met with a new Commission not to stirre from Brisack The King having his Army increased by the accesse 12000 Souldiers brought unto him by Waymer and Bannier went out of his Trenches in Battell Array thinking to storm Walesteines quarters by the intelligence held with two Souldiers sent by him a little before to that purpose into the Enemies Campe the one being Master Sadler to Waymer and the other a Sutler the Sadler entred Walesteines Campe under pretence of his Trade and the Victualler feigning to be of Auspech a Towne not farre from those quarters was brought by the meanes of Colonell Cornembergs Stewart to be a Sutler to the said Colonells Regiment When the Swedes were to give the assault the Sadler promised to give fire to the Ammunition and the Sutler to the Quarters but they failed in this their Conspiracy God not suffering such a scourge to fall upon the Romanists for the Sutler having stolne a piece of Plate the day before out of the said Cornembergs Buttery and endeavouring to go out of the Trenches as he past through a Court de
deprived of his Revenue Thus on the 24th of September they tooke possession of it and 6000 Foot entred the Towne with straight charge to use the Inhabitants no otherwise then if they were the Kings Subjects and the Duke returned much incensed to Remiremont and much more desirous to depend still upon the Caesarian Partie Whilst these businesses were in hand the Duke of Fearia made every day more haste then other whereby he made the French-men fear that the Spaniards designe was to passe into Loreyne when they should have freed Alsatia and to make Saint Deâ—y which was a very fitting place their Magazine of Armes and so advance to further conquests But the Marshall de la Force prevented them in the seising thereon which being notwithstanding contrary to the Articles of agreement made with the Duke the Marshall excused himselfe with coulorable pretences as having onely done it to hinder the Spaniards designes not to bereave the Duke thereof and did at the same time demand many other Townes and places whereinto he apprehended the Austrians might enter and put Garrisons which were all granted unto him by the Duke who knew hee was not able to detaine them from him The Ringrave hearing of the Loreyners motion towards Hagenaw rose from before the Siege of Brisach with his Regiment of Horse and with 1500 Foot of the neighbouring parts and marched speedily towards Pfalsberg upon the Confines of Alsatia but as soone as he had set footing on those Frontiers 't was said the French wished him to forbeare any hostility against those Townes that belonged to the Duke for that they neither required nor stood in need of his Forces to damnifie him This advice did more confirme the opinion of those who openly shewed their jealousies of the French conceiving that they did not greatly desire the Crowne of Swethland should get any greater power nor that that flourishing Kingdome was well pleased with the Neighbourhood of that warlike nation needy and desirous to injoy such commodities as their own Country did not afford them as likewise for that they were of a Religion which not long since had been â—o pernicious to France The severall Sieges of Brisach Hagenaw Filisburg and Vilenhem foure places of good consideration were all this while continued which might rather be tearmed Sieges permitted by reason of the far distance of the Austrian Forces then caused by the Swedish Armes for there were not 20000 men in all before these foure places The Spaniards prepared to passe over the Mountaines when Horne resolving to encounter with them and at the very first to disturbe their designes before they should get footing in Swabenland went from Bavaria 4000 Horse and 6000 Foot and comming into the Territories of Mimingen and Kempten indeavoured though in vaine to surprise some of those Townes The Castle of Keisersperg seated upon a hil between Colmar Sclestat and defended by 200 Loreyners which had been a litle before besieged by Colonell Harf compounded took in the Swedes the Garrison went home to look to their own vintage being all of them boars of Loreyne The besieged within Brisach desisted not this meane while from making continuall Sallyes and surprising some quarters aswell to molest the Swedes as to seeke what they stood in need of and to defend the Fort. Amongst many of their Sallyes they made a very fierce one both on this and on that side the Rhyn on the first of September wherein their Cannon did so thunder as that the Swedes knew not what to thinke of the novelty but the next morning 't was known that this was done to the end that the Swedes keeping their stations might not hinder the passing of a Barke loaded with Salt which was brought to the Towne along the Rhyn by a Bargeman of Basel who was often wont to bring commodities to the Swedes Camp to which purpose he had a passe from the Ringrave and the Marquesse Turlach whereby he abused the Centinels who thought he would have staid in their quarters as he was wont and therefore let him passe They againe Sallied forth on the 9th of the same Moneth with a considerable boldnesse upon the quarters of Colonell Chamare from whence being repulsed with losse about 20 of them were slaine and many taken Prisoners who reported that the City was in a very bad condition there not being allowed above three pounds of bread for every two dayes two measures of wine a spoonfull of salt the eight part of a pound of oyle and three pound of flesh every weeke and that many in the Towne were sicke and wounded who perished for want of looking to The Prisoners were sent backe againe into the Town it being no policy in warre to weaken those places in their numbers of men which they intend to take by Famine The Duke of Berchenfield who as we have said went with part of his men to indammage Lorayne set upon Dacsten a place maintained by the Lorayners which place having indured eight dayes batteries yeelded the Garrison marching forth with the sole safe-guard of their lives The besieged within Hamelen a strong and considerable place seated along the Vesser between the Dukedome of Braunswich and the Landgrave of Hesses Country began now to taste the incommodities of a siege being wearyed with continuall duties and weakned by want of Victuals when Count Cronesfield and Merodes who seemed to be much troubled that so important a place should be lost which was the Magazine of all the adjacent parts and the onely support of all the adjacent parts and the onely support of all the other Townes which yet held out for the Romanists in those Provinces after long consultation how to bring succour thereunto and to keep that City from the Swedes did joyntly and deliberatly resolve to march thitherwards and carry with them requisite reliefe having therefore joyned their men with those of the Bishop of Onaspruch Benicausen the Elector of Coln of Mentz and all the Souldiers which they could draw out from the neighbouring Garrisons they marched thitherwards The Duke of Lunenburg and Milander the Lieutenant Generall upon advice what was to be done in this case of importancy hearing how the Roman-Catholiques were marching towards them left some Regiments for defence of their quarters before the City and to repulse the Sallies which upon such an occasion the besieged might make and resolved to meet the Austrians with the rest of their Army and if occasion should serve to give them Battaile upon the best advantage they could The Trumpets sounded the Drums beat Melander ordered the Van-guard and began to advance towards the Enemy and hearing that they were already come to Seghelhont and that there as in an advantagious place they had haulted and intrenched themselves he advanced to Oldendorp a Towne some halfe a League distant from Segheâ—hont whither the Duke of Lunenburg also came and Marshall Chinepansem with the rest of the Army composed of 22 Regiments of
Horse and Foot and drawing their men into Battaile-array upon the rise of a little Hill they made Trenches for the better safety of their Campe and disposed of their Cannon in the fittest place that there they might observe what the Austrians did who shewed their courage in divers skirmishes making as if they prepared for Battaile whereupon the Swedes resolved to advance and encounter them before they should draw neer to Hamelen in the taking whereof the Swedes were no lesse concerned then the Romanists were in the losse Therefore on the eighth day of Iuly in the morning their Battaglions of Foot being ordered and their Horse drawne out into Squadrons they thus composed themselves upon the right hand of Oldendorp and underneath the Hill in a place between the Village and Seghelhont stood the Protestant Army in a long but close forme the left horne of the Van-guard consisted of 3500 Horse of the Regiments of the Colonels Stallans Soope Abelton Sakhe Bergeanson Ritemb Lenes and Milander with 35 Standards of severall Colours and divided into five Bodies which were led on by Milander himselfe who marched in their Front armed with a Cuirace upon a gallant sorrell horse upon the Flankes of these followed two Regiments of Dragoones being in number 2000 the one belonging to Ragge the other to Bellins 4000 Foot divided into three Battaglions belonging to the Regiments of Lunenburg and Kniphausen marched in good order in the Front of the Battell under 28 Banners of Blew and Yellow after which followed the Body of the Battell composed of other 4000 Foot divided into three Battaglions consisting of the Regiments of the Colonells Lanstrells Count Erbesteime and the Landsgrave under 36 Banners of Orange Colour and Greene which were commanded by the Duke of Lunenburg armed with a Cuirace and mounted upon a Daple-gray Horse on the right Horne led on by Kniphausen were the Horse Regiments of Colonell Catberg Brunch't Sicherich Rosteim and Colonell Del-vich divided into foure Squadrons under 32 Cornets which were back't by 500 Dragoones the Cannon was thus disposed of upon the left Wing 15 Field-pieces 17 great pieces were in the Front of the Battell and 10 pieces of Cannon stood upon the Hill on the right side The Army being thus ordered and having sung some of Davids Psalmes the Souldiers being incouraged with great hopes of booty which was said to be in that Citie and exhorted to fight with their wonted valour the signe of Battell was given and they began to march towards Segelhont forth of which Village Merodes Cronesfield Benecausen and the Baron Harmortin their Artillery being disposed of ordered their men which were about 14000 as followeth On the Vanguard were three great Squadrons of Horse all Cuirasseers composed of the Regiments of the Coloâ—ells Baron D'Ast Muffter Merodes Cronisfield and Benicawsen under 24 Standards led on by Count Cronisfield after which followed in the Front of the Battell 6 bodies of Foot of the Colonels Flormesin Renech Ghelans Westreiholt Leid Orst and Waldech under 40 Ensignes commanded by Generall Merodes upon the back whereof on the left Wing stood Merodes his Regiments of Dragoones the Cuirasseers of Colonell Ovald Ruffean and Westhall and upon the right Wing the Horse of Biland Bort and Cronisfield which were commanded by Marshall Benicawsen after which followed three other Regiments of Foot and after these the Reare-ward composed of the Regiments of the Colonells Oor Bort Guas Pari and the Regiments of Coln and Westfalia before which went 13 piece of Cannon and 16 on each side of the Flanks Both the Armies being thus ordered each Generall having call'd together his chiefe Commanders and consulted upon what was to be done though Merodes condiscended not to give Battell but rather to force the Enemy to abandon the Siege by temporizing and keeping them from Victualls yet Cronisfield who was therein followed by all the rest of the Commanders made the necessitie of fighting appeare the resolution was taken which was unanimously expected by the Swedes who it may be fore-saw their future Victory Whereupon each Army saluting other with many Vollies of Cannon and Staâ—ousems Soopes Iansons Catburgs and Bruncht's Regiments of Horse advancing bravely against the Squadrons led on by Cronisfield the skirmish grew very hot where the Swedes giving back being much indammaged by the Romanists Cannon Melander gave on so couragiously with the Regiments of the left Flank as that the Regiments of Baron D'Ast Viper Muster and Valteberg who were with his Sword in hand led on by Merodes charging them with no lesse valour the bickering grew so fierce as after the first charge of Horse the Foot Battaglions advancing in due distance the Field pieces loaded with Musquet-bullets playing and the Musquets continuing to haile downe shot the Battell betweene Fronts of each Vanguard was so well fought as from three a clock after Sunne-rising till noone though great slaughter were made Fortune seemed to leane to neither side But Kniphausen comming in with the Regiments of Ragges and Bellins and two Squadrons of Horse where Mâ—rodes fought stoutly with the Enemies horse and letting flye 12 piece of Cannon which were concealed amongst his Squadrons before the Caesarians could adjust themselves their Files being dril'd through and their Squadrons disordered Hasseos Horse came in so furiously and some Finlanders led on against the Romanists by Colonell Vich as that charging them home before they could give fire to their great Gunnes and making themselves Master of the station where the Artillery was placed which being loaded and ready to be discharged they turned upon the Regiments of Vestriolt Leid Valdech and Orst which came to succour Merodes and after this charging upon the Imperialists Pikes where for a good while they were bravely withstood by the Foot of Flormesin Renech and the abovesaid Vestriolt Leid Valdech and Orst Merodes being at last mortally wounded and many other Captaines slaine and at the same instant newes being voyced that the Duke of Lunenburg had broken and routed the Romanists Horse on the other side where they fought no lesse couragiously and hereunto being added that through that dayes excessive heat the Horse were so harrassed as they were no longer able to keepe upon their legs and the wearied Souldiers throwing away their Armes the Roman Catholiques began to fly Whereupon Milander finding the advantage gave on againe couragiously upon the Enemy broke their Pikes and trod their Foot underfoot and charged the Romanists Battaglions twice through and through who though they were afterwards indeavoured to be rallyed by Cronisfield and other Commanders all purpled over with bloud they could not keepe their Souldiers from flying as also some of the Officers who throwing away their Armes some here some there sought to save themselves by their feet The Protestants Horse pursuing them did such execution as that for three miles space the ground was covered with dead Carkasses and about 2000 prisoners taken many whereof were wounded The Romanists lost in
fighting maintaining their opinions by alledging That they were come into Germany with their Armes to make use thereof not to let slip the opportunitie of winning renowne that there was a necessitie of fighting when not to doe so was prejudiciall and did imbasse the Souldiers that all delay was then harmefull when diligence was advantagious that the Souldiers were already sensible of the inconveniencies they under-went by the Countries being destroyed that they wisht rather to dye fighting with hope of Victory then dispairing of their enterprise to live in feare that the Neopolitan Horse began to be destroyed the Italian Companies to lessen and the Enemy to grow stronger that it was better to encounter the Swedes whilst the Souldier was strong and willing to fight then not to be able to shun fighting when the Souldier should be discontented and brought low that the honour of the Spanish Armes consisted in this Victory as likewise the suppressing of the Enemy and so did the Austrian greatnesse that it was true the Enemy was strong in Horse but weaker in Foot and differing in opinions that all the expectations of such as were well affected were lost and the reports of their rivalls augmented when effects did not correspond with hopes and with what hath publiquely beene divulged that the magnificency of Spaine was envied every going lesse whereof would be a heartning to those that fear'd them On the other side those who inclined more to worke their ends with wisedome and circumspection said That they ought to consider what was the chiefe end of all their endeavours aimed at and that if their principall drift were to succour Brisach they should chearfully intend that that the Victory is said to be had when the thing indeavoured is accomplisht if the getting into Alsatia were the thing they desired they must bethinke themselves by what way and with what greatest securitie they mought get thither that the losse was greater which they should receive by fighting with the Swedes who were experienced Souldiers and greedy of Victory if they should be by them beaten then any advantage they should get if they should beat the Swedes that they very well knew the difficultie of re-assembling an Army the teares shed by the Neopolitans the hardnesse they had suffered in Lumbardy and how prejudiciall the sending out of men was to Spaine which was too much uninhabitated and uncultivated that they were to make much of those men which being once lost could not be so easily renewed that the Swedes had the Forces of the Ringrave of Wirtenberg others at the Siege of Filisburg and many Garrisons from whence they might draw out Souldiers and adding thereunto the rest who were scattered abroad in Alsatia they might though beaten recruit themselves and oppose the Spanish Army which though Victorious would be by that Victory weakned that it behoved them not to hazard those Forces wherein the honour and reputation of Spaine consisted and to the maintaining and good condition whereof all their endeavours tended that it was better for them to compasse their ends by wiles and stratagems then by relying only upon their strength hazard the not being of it The Duke of Feria who was a Gentleman of quicke foresight and very wise in his resolutions examining precisely the present conjunctures and reflecting likewise upon the publique good as also upon the reputation of himselfe and his Commanders that he might not seeme fearefull in refusing to fight resolved hee would not be thereunto averse on such tearmes notwithstanding as he might make use of the advantage he had over the Enemy in Foot nor yet that he would be lesse diligent in venting and practising Military stratagems Hee shewed great courage and much desire to fight he came to Vberlinghem appeared in Battaile array made his Horse advance even to before the Swedish quarters made divers skirmishes with his Horse and shewed that he was come into Germany to deale blowes This resolution being perceived by Waymer and the Swedish Commanders who were still desirous to end the Quarrell in the Field they called a Councell to resolve whither they were to fight or contenting themselves with their advantagious station to indeavour the Enemyes prejudice rather by streightning them in their Provisions then by joyning Battaile with them in the event whereof the whole affaire consisted There wanted not some who were of opinion that it was wisely and maturely to be considered whether they ought to fight or no or to hazard the danger of a Battaile that resolutions which were onely Counselled by hardinesse and the extraordinary ardour of too forward spirits ranne often hazard of danger that it was to be considered upon what disadvantage they play who hazard the whole against a part that the Crowne of Swethland could not receive a greater blow then by the losse of those Forces which were knowne to be her vitall pulse the maintainer of her greatnesse and assistance that on the contrary side the Spanish Army was an addition to Caesars strength rather intended against the jealousies of France then to suppresse the Swedes and peradventure the maintaining of them would be lesse prejudiciall to them then their overthow that the Dutch lost little by losing of them nay their losse might be argued to be an addition to the others strength that Walesteine was not ignorant of the injury he suffered by their arivall whereby his authority was lessened that it was well knowne he was over-ruled by ambition and netled by the Spaniards pretension wherewithall he being more vexed then by the Swedes Sword they might hope well in the feigned correspondency of those two Chiefetaines and in their intestine hatred which would prove as pernicious to them as advantagious to the Swedes their Enemies that it was to be believed by how much better the Spaniards successe should be by so much lesse would Walestein their rivall oppose himselfe to the Saxons that it had formerly been knowne what mischiefe had been occasioned by not giving satisfaction to Officers and their dissonancy in affection that Feria was not onely well armed but swolne with ambition to aprove himselfe a worthy Commander that his Souldiers were either fresh Spaniards or Italians a Nation which unacquainted with that Country not knowing how else to save themselves otherwise then by Victory would be resolute in their fighting and the maintaining of their Rankes since they knew not where to escape for that the Woods were full of barbarous Country-people who slew as many as flew from their Colours that it was to be believed they would onely prove constant in resolution of Victory that the Germans who were in the Enemies Army were old Souldiers and lead by experienced Commanders that they knew how short they were of the Enemy in Foot by which it is that enterprises are effected and Victories got that therefore their opinion was that they should deferre giving Battaile and rather endeavour to destroy the Enemy by their selfe selfe sufferings who being entered into
of Ratisbon and the King of Hungary appeared likewise on the other side Waymer who was much troubled that so famous a purchase which he to his great renowne had wonne should be lost passing over the Danube at Kelchaine a place above Ratisbon neer to the said River entred the City and marching with wonderfull admiration in the sight of the Enemies whole Army hee put thereinto a recruit of about a thousand Souldiers and some barrels of Powder But the Imperialists setting upon the Towne on all sides Waymer presently advertised Horne thereof and desired that he would come and joyne Forces with him that they might defend that City the losse whereof would much impaire the fame and honour of the Swedish Forces lessen their credit with the rest of their confederates and greatly incourage the Enemy Horne having first put Garrisons into such places as he had taken in Swabenland and particularly in Bucorne went towards Auspurg and in his comming to Leech he understood that Laâ—shut a strong and considerable place being seated upon the Iser in the midst of Bavaria was unprovided of things necessary for the defence thereof and this being a place of importance for the reliefe of Ratisbon though he were by reduplicated letters earnestly desired by Waymer to come and joyne with him yet wisely considering that by such a diversion hee might cause much trouble to the people of Bavaria and that it was more expedient to let the Imperialists still go on in losing of their men in the taking of Ratisbon where daily they lost the flowre of their Army he resolved by temporising not to let slip the opportunity of taking Lanshut he therefore marched thitherward with an Army conâ—isting of 6000 Foot and 4000 Horse with which Waymer not being well pleased it might from his speeches be gathered that he thought Horne did envy his valour being displeased at Waymers being made Generall That he did not joyne Forces with him because he could not obey him that hee intended by the taking of Lunshut to inhaunce his owne glory and by the losse of Ratisbon to obscure his Duke Waymer and Count Cratz who being fled some moneths before from Iugulstat was made master of the Field in the Swedish Army as hath been said that they might divert the Imperialists from Ratisbon set downe before Fortheime where having spent some time to little purpose and yet desirous to succour Ratisbon by diversion Waymer left the aforesaid Cratz with 5000 fighting men before Fortheime and returned himselfe to his first station that he might joyne with Horne and joyntly raise the Imperialists Harnem having received a recruit of 5 Regiments which were sent him into Slesia from Bannier passed with his Army towards Olaw the Governour whereof finding himselfe not able to resist the Enemy wanting sufficient Garrison to maintaine rampired Wals set fire on the City and betooke himselfe to the Castle wherein being besieged and not receiving any succour after 20 dayes suffering he submitted to the discretion of the besiegers The Siege of Ratisbon continued against the which the Imperialists thundred Cannon-shot hailed Musket-bullets and used Granadoes and other artificiall fires to effect their desires wherein though they found much more of difficulty then they at first imagined yet did not they quite lay aside their hopes but this being the first enterprise undertaken by an Army commanded by a King in person who was come into the field with so great Forces wherein if he should not prevaile all his credit would be lost and the Enemy inheartned they imployed all their might to overcome whatsoever difficulties The Swedes and Inhabitants were no lesse vigilant in defending themselves with equall valour molesting the Imperialists with continuall Sallies and hindering their approaches by great and small shot wherewithall many were slaine for the besieged not having their wals rampired whereby to resist the Enemies briske Assaults it behoved them by their frequent shooting to keep them aloofe off the which was done with much diligence as that through the smoake and fire of Cannon shot the Towne seemed to be all on fire when Aldringer by order from the King went with 15 Regiments to succour Lanshut which was streightly beset by Horne and as he thought to enter in by one Gate the Swedes being let in by the other whilst he was upon the Bridge ready to enter the Towne he was slaine with a Musket-bullet not without suspition that this had happened unto him from his owne side in revenge of some injuries done unto them for such was his severity as hee was rather feared then beloved by the Souldier Amongst other Sallies the Swedes made one gallant one on the Eleventh of Iune wherein withstood by the Imperialists who were led on by their chiefe Commanders though they were faine to give backe yet did they much indammage the Caesarians and slew some Gentlemen of good estimation amongst which Colonell Prainer whose losse was very considerable for hee was a Dutch Gentleman for his worth very much beloved both by the Emperour and King and for his valour in Military affaires well esteemed of by the Souldiers Aldringer being slaine at whose death not onely the Emperour but the Duke of Bavaria and all the Commanders of the Aâ—my were very much grieved Colonell Iohn Wert was chosen to succeed in his place a Souldier of knowne valour and great experience this man was sent with some Regiments towards Rain to recruit those Troopes which were gone with Aldringer to succour Lanshut and meeting with some Swedish Companies which scoured those neighbouring parts he fought with them and brought away many prisoners some Cornets of Horse and defeated above 500 of Horse Souldiers by which good successe hee did not onely purchase the good will of the King of Hungary but of the Duke of Bavaria and every other Commander and soone opened the way to have a greater valuation put upon him But for that to proceed further on and to bury Aldringers conditions in silence would not onely be an injury to his desert but offend the curiositie of him that reads I will make the memory of his fame survive his life He was a native of Lucemberg of meane birth having past his child-hood moved thereunto by his naturall genius and sprightly desire he put himselfe in service with some Noblemen who travelled into France to study whereunto he likewise applyed himselfe and became the Master of many Languages and intelligent in many affaires from thence passing into Italy he was entertained for Auditor by Count Madrucci from thence he went to Trent and by his Pen wrought himselfe into the Prince his Auditory where having studied a while at last were it either his fortune or by reason of the malignitie of the times he was envyed by many and being much scandalized with the actions of some of his Colleagues he resolved to be gonne and not certaine what course to take he went towards Inspruch resolving to follow the occupation that he should
withstood and gallantly repulsed and the businesse grew now to be so hot as that many hard incounters were made and many fierce skirmishes but because the Swedes could not Charge so well by reason of the disadvantage of their situation and not being able to get into their Trenches the Imperialists growing more and more upon them they were inforced to indeavour a retreat but being ingaged a little too forward though Horne had here shewed all the worth of wit and industry that ever was shewen by the undaunted discretion of any ancient experienced Commander the successe was not good Horne made all his Horse advance against the Caesarians and gallantly Charged them that he might have time whilst these were at handy blows with the enemy to draw off his Cannon which was too far advanced and likewise to recover his Foot about a little Towne called Neresham which lies in the vallie between the Hill where the action was and the above named Arensperg and which extends it selfe to a little River hee likewise hoped that his Van-guard should take their station together with the Cannon on the other side the said Towne so as the Reare-ward which was pursued by the Austrians might retreat under the safe-guard of the Artillery and being thus gotten into a place of advantage his Troopes might face about and joyntly with Duke Waymer make head against the Caesarians till the Ringrave who was not farre off might bring opportune succour But the Battaglions of the left Wing tired and worne out with the labour of eight houres continued fight and being charged by reserves and other fresh Troopes of the Caesarians turned their backs and running hastily to save themselves under the shelter of Hornes Vanguard they broke the files thereof and totally discomposed it At the sight hereof Horne and Cratz came in and facing their Regiments ceased not to exhort them to turne head but it was in vaine and impossible to bring them againe into order and the feare of death being more prevalent then the comfort of life deafened and blinded through confusion they ranne with loose reines some here some there as fast as their Horses could carry them Whereupon Horne provoked by honour and by the words which Offcherchen had let fall resolved not to live to be the spectator of so great a misfortune but it not standing with Gods good will that he should then perish he was taken prisoner as was likewise Cratz who being wounded by a Musquet-shot could not escape falling into the Enemies hands This battell lasted from the break of day on the 7th of September till two in the afternoone in the which the Swedes left dead upon the field about 6000 Souldiers the greatest part whereof were Foot lost all their Cannon and Baggage and that which most imported they likewise lost the reputation of their Armes and fortune which favouring all their actions till this instant had made their fame terrible to all Europe and brought them to be so conceited of as that it was thought by the wisest nothing but discords and emulation betweene themselves could have rendred them conquerable Almost all the Horse retreated with Waymer into the Dukedome of Wirtenberg and from thence to Franckfort and some Foot companies retyred to Vlm with Offcherchen who was also wounded This battell was given by the Swedes too unadvisedly and out of too much courage for not being above 20000 fighting men they had the boldnesse to provoke an Army composed of three Armies wherein were above 40000 Souldiers and in place of such advantage as did move laughter in the Romanists many whereof thought that they did it out of dispaire or for want of wit in the Swedish Commanders The Kings Majestie and the Illustrious Infanta wonne immortall glory in this battell Princes who to the wonder of all men were alwayes amidst the Musquet-shot voyd of feare nor would they be withdrawne from thence for any Counsell could be given them but replyed that such Princes as are afear'd ought to keepe themselves in their Royall Pallaces not come into any Army The greatest actions in this battell were performed by the Spaniards and Italians in so much as the Swedes themselves were astonished to see it who set upon their quarters thinking to affright them as being but new Souldiers and yet they found by all they did they had no paragons the Spaniards notwithstanding of all others fought most miraculously with their foot fixt gave testimony of their Valour and Fidelitie in so much as the Dutch-men may confesse it was by their meanes that they received any comfort for doubtlesse without their inforcements and undauntednesse together with this battell they would have lost all meanes of ever gathering head againe Of their Commanders the Marquis of Liganes was by the Swedes themselves accounted worthy of all glory and to be esteemed a gallant Commander yet are not the rest to be forgotten for every one to whose share it fell to fight discharged his dutie as became him Of the Swedes Horne and Cratz were immortallized not so much for the valour shewed by their Swords as for the solid wisedome of their counsells wherein if they had beene followed by the rest they would not doubtlessely have split upon this Rock yet did Waymer Vistum and the rest behave themselves valiantly but the advantage of the ground and the imparitie of Forces tooke off the edge of their fiercenesse Horne being brought prisoner into the Spanish Tents the King and Infanta were desirous to see that man whose valour had made his fame immortall and therefore he was brought to their Lodgings where as he would have prostrated himselfe before his Majestie and the Infanta they like worthy Princes and indued with extraordinary goodnesse raysed him up and receiving him in a curteous and friendly manner told him they were much satisfied in having so worthy and so valiant a prisoner to which Horne replyed and I am proud to be in the hands of so great Princes He was from thence sent backe into the quarters where he was visited by all the Commanders of the Army and the King gave order that he should be treated with all respect and civilitie such as is usually given to men of merit by great and magnanimous Princes Whilst the Austrians were busie in bringing their ends about in Germany and Italy the French were not idle for the great Cardinall Richelieu wisely fore-seeing where the blow prepared by the Spanish braine was to fall used his best industry not to suffer his King to stand a fruitlesse spectator in this controversie and therefore the taking of Bitsch and La Motta was the more plyed both which were surrendred the one through the weaknesse of its Garrison the other by the death of the Governour who as he was comming into the Town from forth a halfe Moone that was without the gates was slaine by a Musquet-shot upon the Draw-bridge The Castle of Vildesteime in the Voghese Mountaine upon the confines of
The raising of the Siege from before Valenza caused much murmure between the French chiefe Commanders and the other Colleagues in their argumentations what had inforced them thereunto Some openly complained of the Duke of Savoy as the authour and abettor thereof others blamed Crequi saying he cared not to end the worke but onely that the Warre should bee prolonged for his owne interest and others accused the French Commanders in generall for that not caring how their Companies diminished they little minded the preservation of their Souldiers so as their Army lessening and the Spaniaâ—ds increasing in their Forces they were necessitated to forgo the enterprise which if it had been wisely handled there were very strong arguments to prove that the Towne could not have been maintained By this confusion of the Colleagues the Spaniards hopes began to bud againe which were well-nigh withered out of feare of losing that Towne Though Celada's death who died within the Town of a malignant Feaver much lessened the contentment which every one had in the victory for this young Gentleman had upon this occasion given such proofe of his worth as had filled all men with much expectation from him After having returned thankes to God with great demonstration of joy they thought that since the French had failed in their taking of Valenza they should be prosperous in their intended purpose of driving Rohan out of the Valteline Egg'd on therefore by this desire which usually accompanies hope they resolved thereupon The enterprise was therefore agreed upon with Serbellone and Robustelli one of the chiefe men of that valley and who depended upon Spaine both which being ambitious to have their share in so great glory were too lavish in their counsells and reasons and coveted by whatsoever meanes to free the afflicted valley and drive out the French who were already dejected by their compagnions retreat from Valenza All such Souldiers and Provisions as were thought requisite for such a businesse were sent therfore away towards Fort Fuentes But because Rohan was then at Tirano about the building of a Fort there for his keeping of that valley Serbellone wisely as became a good and experienced Souldier would first be informed in what condition the French Army was in and what they did before he would advance further Hee therefore sent a friend of Robustelli's from Morbegno thitherward that hee might discover and accordingly advertise them what the Enemy did that so they might governe themselves as they should see occasion This man when he came to Tirano at his entrance in at the Gate were it either by his pale lookes or by the uncertaine answers he gave unto the Guard who according to the Military fashion asked him whence he came and whether hee went was laid hand of and brought to Rohan who like a wise man after having very curteously received him said unto him My friend I know wherfore you are come hither conceale therefore nothing but tell the truth which if you doe I promise you not onely to save your life but to send you safe backe whence you came He not knowing how to answer to such questions as one convinc'd kneeling downe acquainted him with all the affaire and with the Spaniards designe Whereupon imbracing the present occasion which he thought very opportune and not to lose time he called his Commanders and chiefe Officers together and acquainting them with the Spaniards designe incouraged them all by calling to minde their past victories and putting them in hopes of more which seemed like a flash of fire that had made its way through some inclosed place for all doubt and fear of the enemy vanishing immediately from out the hearts of those CoÌ„manders he speedily marched towards Sondrio a Town in the midst of that valley whether he came before the Spaniards knew that hee was gone from Tirano where having refresht his men who lay all night in the fields for he would not suffer them to come into the Towne for the gaining of time and being advertised that the Spaniards Cannon was not yet parted from Delibio a place between the Lake and the River Lesina beneath Fort Fuentes nor yet the Souldiers who were there to guard them hee advised with his Councell of Warre what was best to be done who all joyned in opinion to advance forward and without any delay to set upon the Spaniards that were about Morbegno Serbellone hearing of the French-mens approach would not give one foot backe but in all haste made the Count S. Secondo advance with his Horse on the right hand unto the foot of a Mountaine behinde a little Church dedicated to S. Peter Trivultio's Brigado placed it self towards the Ada having the advantage of a little Fenne not farre from the said Church and the Spaniards staid in the Reere upon the plaine of the Parish of Morbegno Rohan advancing by the Champian of Talemona made Monsieur de Vandy's Regiment march forward to possesse himselfe of Bit Bridge but not comming time enough he found the Spaniards had prevented him Rohan finding these difficulties resolved to make his Horse advance wherin he trusted most but the straightnesse of the place and narrow wayes would not suffer him so to doe wherefore fearing lest they might fall upon some Ambush he coÌ„manded them to retreat made Monsieur de Lecas his men to advance which was composed of new men He was notwithstanding fought withall by the Italians and with no little losse to the French repulsed Rohan being hereat mightily incenst marcht himselfe in person in the head of Frideliera's Regiment and gave upon the Spaniards who with equall valour withstood their fury after an houres very hot service and wherein they fought Sword to Sword the French-men charging with great obstinacy at whose head stood 100 Souldiers lighted from off their Horses Trivulsio's Regiment was at last forc't to forgoe the Fenne and consequently to retreat which being confusedly done by those Souldiers the greatest part of them being new men who had never seene the face of an Enemy before as the other Spaniards had usually done they fled from the French and lost many of their Souldiers and Officers of importance and amongst others the Count S. Secondo This losse made the Austrians perceive how the difficultie of getting the Valteline grew every day greater and greater Yea after Serbellone was routed a body of Dutch advancing towards the Bathes of Bormio so to enter the Valley was likewise routed and driven backe Hereupon they bethought themselves how they might bring the Emperours aide into the state of Milan And lastly knowing no other way but by the Switzers they communicated their desires to the Canton of Lucerna and other Papists Cantons with promise of good store of money who allured by profit suffered them to passe through their Townes Thus by their dexterious behaviour did the Spaniards overcome those difficulties by their moneys which they could not so easily have done by their Sword The great Duke of Tuskany
Imperialists after their Horse had skirmished a while and entertained the Enemy whilst their Foot might get under the shelter of the Cannon of their other Sconces they betook themselves to their heeles to their no little losse for being pursued by the grosse body of the Imperialists many of them were slaine and many taken prisoners Waymer having at the same time received a new recruit of French-men who at the newes of these the Imperialists preparations were come in to his succour being much netled at this blow for he was full of courage and one who coveted Battell he sent all his Forces on this side Rhyn and having ordered his Army was ready to fall upon the Enemy But the Duke of Rohan who desirous to see the end of this Siege was for his pastime come from Zurick to Waymer being knowne to be extreamely good at Military stratagems by the powerfull reasons alledged and which were approved of by the Swedes with-held Waymer from coping with the Enemy he thought it better for Waymer to conceale his courage and by seeming rather fearefull to make the Austrians the more vaine-glorious who it being usuall for confidence to produce presumption whereby enterprises are oft-times lost seeing the Swedes retreat and concluding thereby that they were not in a condition to resist would conceive greater hopes in their advancing Rohans advice was therefore imbraced which was That the Swedes seeming to feare the Iâ—pirialists assault and quitting their first stations whilst the Enemy should too boldly pursue them they should by a great Ambush stop their course and the whole Army facing about they should charge home upon them But Wert who was an old and an experienced Commander advancing advisedly did temporise lest he might fall upon the Ambush he haulted that he might the better informe himselfe of the Swedes proceedings who now retreating contrary to their custome made him believe they had some stratagem on Foot And that hee might the better discover the Swedes condition and prevent their cunning he advanced with part of his Army and all his Chiefe Commanders At last being abused by his Spies and unexpectedly set upon by Waymer Rohan and the whole Army the Austrians behaved themselves valiantly and had the better of the Swedes at the first for to boot with having broke divers of their Ranks they tooke Rohan prisoner Waymer at the newes hereof gave forward himselfe in person on the head of his Troopes and making his way with his Sword through the Enemies Battaglions he fell upon Echendorphs Regiment who had Rohan away prisoner routed it recovered Rohan and tooke Echendorph prisoner And Rohan getting upon a brave Gennet which Waymer furnisht him withall he together with Waymer on the Front of the Squadrons of the Ringraves and the French Horse gave on upon the Caesarians who being set upon by Schiavalischi and Calambac's Horse fought stoutly but the residue of the Romanists Horse not comming in time enough who notwithstanding made all the hast they could to come in to succour the Imperialists Generalls having used their utmost power and valour and being invironed on all sides by the Enemy and abandoned by their own men they were compelled to demand quarter and yeelded themselves prisoners to Waymer with the losse of the greatest part of their best Souldiers of their Baggage and such Cannon as they had Iohn de Wert Savell and Speureter were brought to Valdshut where they were with all civilitie entertained by Waymer as famous and renowned Commanders But Savell through intelligence held with some upon the place and by corrupting the Guard made an escape to Waymers great resentment who was much troubled at the losse of this Prince as he severely shewed upon his complices Rohan who in this skirmish was lightly hurt with a Musquet-shot in the Leg was much importuned by Waymer who exceedingly loved him to withdraw himselfe and have his wound drest but he esteeming it but a small hurt it at last gangrend in so much as he dyed thereof not many dayes after to the great griefe of Waymer and all the other Commanders and of all the Protestants For he was a very wise man and who governing his actions more by his considerate discretion then by his daring force had gotten many Victories And had he beene a Romanist so as the King of France might without any suspition of his loyaltie or scandall of his other Roman Catholique Subjects have intrusted him with the managing of his most important affaires what might have beene expected from him commanding a powerfull Army who with the weake power of the Protestants had alwayes maintained himselfe against the King in France it selfe Rohan was a French Prince Duke and Peer of France being bred up and educated in the Warres under Henry the great he attained to such experience as following the opinion and partie of the Protestants he was by them chosen to be their Generall in which charge he alwayes worthily behaved himselfe till such time as he got the Kings pardon He was civilly behaved courteous in his entertainment and of a very sweet condition which made him much approved of by such as had dealings with him He had a sharpe wit was wary in his proceedings and advised in his Counsells He was not proud nor seemed he to be ambitious nor were there any reprehensible faults knowne in him He was noble in his expences and despised increase of wealth a gallant part in a compleat Commander And when any discourse was offered upon this point by any who were straight-handed and had betaken themselves to the War onely for lucre sake he had wont to say that such men ought to be abhorred by all Princes because where particular interest militats the glory of the publick keeps not the field and good will dwells not where Avarice keeps house that that soule wants the freedome of sacrificing it selfe to glory which is fettered by Gold that nothing of worth nor generousnesse can be expected from him who studies onely how to acquire riches He was alwayes diligent in what concerned businesse infinitly inquisitive after novelties desirous of correspondency with men of worth he used such subtlety in all his actions as that he atchieved his ends more thereby then by his Forces he spared not for Mony in rewarding Intelligencers which he kept in all parts and affirmed that such were the eyes of an Army he was so suspicious as where he held a bad opinion he feared even truth it selfe he was of such an impression as where once he fixt his minde even reason could hardly alter him He discoursed willingly spoke with all men was very inquisitive and would know every the meanest matter whereupon hee had wont to say that as ever hearb hath its vertue so every man hath his saying and that oft times that was learned from the meaner sort which was not had from the greatest and hee added that those Princes were of no great worth that were not the subject of the peoples chat
loaded with Glory and Triumphes having made himselfe knowne to be a King worthy of so valiant a People Then making a little pause and finding the affection of all the standers by by the cheerefulnesse of their Aspect for as if they had been immoveable they could not sufficiently shew their approbabation of what he had so well said hee invited them to follow him promising that he would not onely be their Lord and King but their Brother and Companion Dismissing the Councell he employed the ensuing days in hastening the provisions of Victualls Munition and Artillerie till such time as answer being returned from my Lords the States of Holland by whose Intelligence all these Machinations were made and encouraged every day more by that Common-wealth which of all other Principalities as well in respect of the Interest of State as also of Religion was desirous of this noveltie and invited thereunto and heartned therein by Letters from France and England having recommended the leavying of eight thousand other Souldiers to Auxilius Oxasterne Lord Chancellour of that Kingdome and taken order for all things that concerned the good government of the Kingdome which in his absence he left under the protection of the Queen his Wife with the unspeakable applause of all the Nobility and People who in great numbers floct to bid him farewell He imbarqued himselfe and all his Army on the thirteenth of June 1630. in 70 Men of Warre and 200 lesser Barques and directing his course Southward he sailed toward Rugen with intention to surprize it Rugen is an Island in the Baltique Sea bounding upon Pomerania from which it is divided by a Gulfe some few miles broad and is seated just over against Stralshond a Haunce Towne situated upon the Sea side which hath in it a good and much frequented Haven and is environed with strong Rampards and Bulwarks with the chief Magistrates whereof though surrounded with Austrians the King held good Intelligence He sayled from the said thirteenth of June till the foure and twentieth of the same and being happily come to Stralshond hee and his Army came to shore at Rugen they set upon the Imperialists who were placed there in certaine little Forts rather for Guard then for Defence they soon made themselves Masters of it sacking it and plundring it which much pleased the Souldiers as if this so happy a beginning did presage their greater Conquests The King leaving 500 Foot in this Island and two men of War for the safeguard of the Passage and having made it a Store house for his owne Militarie Provisions he took Ship againe on St. Peters day the 29. of the same Moneth and with a good Winde came to Vsedon an Island dis-joyned from the firme Land of Pomerania by two Armes of a Lake or Moorish ground called Frish Haffe into which the Odor bisburthens it selfe where there not being Foot able to withstand the on-set of a strong and fresh Enemy the Imperialists who were there in Garrison resolved to abandon it that they might not come to triall with the Swedish Forces leaving onely two hundred Foot for the defence of certaine Sconces They got to Wolghast a City not contemptible for its situation and fortifications standing upon that Arme of the Channell which divides the said City or Island on the West side from Pomerania called the River Pene by the making good whereof it had been no hard matter to have driven away the Swedes from Vsedon and the adjacent Sconces weakly situated and not well fortified But the King let slip no time wherein the Roman Catholiques found themselves much straightned and by consequence their Forces were weak and their Counsells confused their hope of succour uncertaine and the effects of so suddaine an Incursion full of fears and frights For at this very time at the Diet which was held at Ratisbone for the affaires of the Empire instead of providing for this new Warre with the King of Swethland whom they esteemed a petty Prince the aime of all the Electors tended onely to the disarming of the Emperour and the putting the hatefull and insufferable Walestein out of his charge which they did effect For about this very time the Emperour was unadvisedly perswaded to write to Walestein that having considered that the Generall was in the power of the Souldier and that he himself was in the power of the Generall his pleasure was that he should 〈◊〉 himselfe into his owne Countrey Walesteine being thus dismiss'd readyly laid aside his staffe of Command and writ back a respectfull Letter to the Emperour wherein hee told him that his Imperiall Majestie was not in the power of his Generall but in the hands of his treacherous Ministers of State and so foretelling all the ruine just as it fell out he betook himselfe to a private life in Bohemia The King being minded to make himselfe Master of some Fort which might serve for a Retreat for his Army in case of need before Resolutions and Counsells should bee taken for the defence of their Provinces by fresh Forces having advanced some of his Forces towards Vsedon he without any manner of contestation took almost all the Townes thereof which were plundered by the souldiers and the people that were therein were without respect put to the sword The King at the beginning used much severity to his Enemies for that well knowing of what force punishment is with those that are unable to defend themselves it was not to bee doubted but that the souldiers despairing of all hope of succour and affrighted by their owne danger would lay aside all stubbornnesse which flattered by good usage doth oft-times grow the greater Leaving a thousand Foot there for a Guard and for the recruiting of some weakned places he forth-with re-imbarqued and came into the River of Pand where unshipping his Armie he instantly sate downe before the Walls of Wolghast against the which he planted foure Batteries hee invested it on three sides by speedy Approaches and caus'd so much feare in the Defendants as forsaking the City at the first on-set which being full of Protestants made the Imperialists jealous of the defence thereof and retiring themselves into the Castle wherein for six dayes they resisted the Swedes Assaults at last despairing of succour they yeelded upon Condition of comming forth with their Armes and Baggadge these souldiers were so well pleased with the Kings dealing with them who used much Clemency towards them that as benefits where unexpected are most welcome they thought they got more by losing then they did by overcomming and therefore resolved rather to try the acts of Clemency then blowes of Adversity many of them invited by the Kings new fortune forsook the Imperiall Banners and listed themselves under the Swedish The taking of Wolghast did so dishearten the Austrians that overcome more by their owne beliefe then the Enemies Armes and wanting the necessaries of Warre they were in great confusion so as the King in six dayes more without
of Gustavus Horne to take in Dam a place not far from Stettin standing upon a little River called Plana which being manned by five hundred Austrians and wanting moderne Fortifications compounded upon the first sight of the Swedish Cannon and went himselfe in person with the rest before Newgarten a little Towne walled about upon the side of a little Lake derived from the River Hamerbeck and wherein were about foure hundred Souldiers in Garrison he in two dayes made himselfe Master of it then running over that slip of land which lies betweene the aforesaid River of Hamerbeck and the River Meltanne he tooke Criffenburg a Towne watered by Rega and Triptoe seated on the utmost parts of Pomerania towards the sea upon the banks of Meltanne which without any contestation yeilded on the other side Gustavus Horne repassing over the Oder quickly tooke in Costin Freinwalt Anchan and Ockermand all of them walled Townes of Pomerania beyond the Oder towards the West and all of them guarded by Imperiall Garrisons which being only fortified by ancient Rampiers and high Towers suddenly compounded and the greatest part of those Souldiers who amazed at the prosperous successe of the Swedes knew not whether to flye for safety enrolled themselves under the Swedish Colours passing from hence he likewise won Passevalke Barth and Grimmen places which though of small defence yet for the Imperialists to retreat unto Then considering that if the prop of Griffenhaghen should be taken from the Imperialists the rest of the Townes which were held in those parts by the Romanists would be much weakned he came before Honigsberg a Town walled about after the ancient manner and guarded by five hundred Souldiers seated in the furthermost part of Pomerania upon the Confines of Maria nova he took it in three dayes There came in moreover to his obedience Lippin by the side of a little Lake from whence the River Mizaell takes its rise Arsnsnalde a Towne upon the shore of Ina Bernsheine a Towne upon the same River and Bâ—rwalde which lyes betweene Mizell and Ronigsberg all of them weakely walled about after the ancient manner and of small resistance The fame of the Swedes proceedings being this meane while spread abroad in France and England whereat these two Crownes did much rejoyce The King of Great Brittaine whom the restitution of the Palatinate much concerned solicited the promised Levy which being begun by foure thousand Foot destined for the King of Swethlands service and furnishing him with good summes of Money he tyed himselfe in streighter bonds or friendship with him the French likewise who for the interest of State coveted this diversion by the which they might the more easily succour Montferrat and which was the proper way to moderate the Spaniards greatnesse which growing more powerfull did more and more covet the Universall Monarchie and filled all the Potentates of Europe with Jealousie sent Mounsieur de Carnace Embassadour to the King of Swethland as well to congratulate his happy entry as to make good what he had promised him before his marching which Embassadour was by the King received with great alacrity and after some short negotiations a League was concluded betweene these two Crownes the 22. day of January in the yeare 1631. in the Campe at Barwalde the grounds whereof were That the Princes who were oppressed by the Austrian Faction should be restored to their former States Townes and liberty and that for the maintenance of this War his most Christian Majestie would pay every yeare foure hundred thousand Dollars This agreement being of no small support to the Swedish affaires as well for the reall assistance as for the reputation got by the friendship of so puissant a King to the which many German Princes as also Forreners ought to have had respect before they should have undertaken to have assisted the Imperialists was magnificently solemnized with the greatest demonstrations of joy and jubile which by the Swedes could be exprest great Bonfires were made aswell in the Campe as in the Cities and Forts which they had won The Cannon was heard to go off incessantly for three nights together feasts and banquets were celebrated with all expression of joy the generall satisfaction caused by this new amity was every where easily to be discerned The King having likewise at the same time received three hundred thousand Dollars from the King of England and having notice how the people that were raised for his service to the number of two thousand Foot were under saile in the Haven of Dover under the conduct of the Marquesse Hamilton to go for Pomerania and finding his Army much inforced by many Leavies made by his Commanders in the neighbouring Provinces from which many of the Enemies Souldiers fled away he saw he was not now to refuse his good fortune but to march forward with his Forces to new Conquests his Army then being Mustered at Stettin in the presence of the French Embassadour was found to consist of about twenty thousand gallant Souldiers all well Disciplin'd and though the Imperiall Forces in Gratz Greffinhaghen did much oppresse Pomerania insomuch as he was desired by the Inhabitants to ease them of that burthen yet not approving to turne into those parts he held it better to passe with his Army into the Dutchy of Mechelburg and to get footing also in those parts aswell that he might draw neare the Landgrave of Hessen who having declared himselfe for the Swedish Party and made offer of his life and fortune unto the King gave pay unto eight thousand Souldiers as likewise that he might hold intelligence with Lubeck Hamburg and other Haunce towns which having driven the Imperialists from them he might much advantage himselfe by them for they were stored with people and with Money and 〈◊〉 many Protestant Princes had withdrawne themselves thither for shelter from the fury of the Imperialists who had then seized upon their Provinces where together with those helpes he should receive no little advantage by the rising of those Inhabitants who for the publique liberty would not refuse to spend such wealth as they should bring with them which they could not better lay out then for the recovery of their Countrey and the maintenance of the publique quiet Hereunto was added that the Dutchy of Mechelburg coasting upon Pomerania and the Marquessat of Brandenburg the latter was thereby the more secure and the Elector taking pretence from the Armies at hand of the King his Brother in Law thereby to free himselfe from Caesars obedience he sound it would be no hard matter to get him to declare himselfe the King was moreover hereunto moved by the alliance of the Dukes his Nephews of that name for being dispossest by the Imperialists and their States conferred upon Walesteine a private Subject it was a thing that could not be suffered either by the King or by the Princes nor by the Haunce Townes He therefore imbarqued his Army at Stettin the sixth of September
and was composed of 6000. Foot belonging to the Regiments of Gratz Contras Holia Offâ—nts Montecucoli and Differt which were all lead on by the Sieur D'Offcutz upon a dapple-gray horse behinde these Foot and behinde the baggadge which came in the Rear marched the Regiments of the Colonels Montecka Michna and others which were commanded by the Counts of Mansfield and Fucari great men in Germany Tilly as the soule of the body kept himselfe in the midst of the Army accompanied by many Gentlemen of quality stiled Voluntiers he rod on a chesnut horse had on him a gray sute and was armed back and brest The Imperialists Army being thus ordered and placed in a very advantagious place upon which all the great pieces of Ordnance were raised they stood waiting to see what the King would doe but hee having advanced the Saxon horse against the Crabats and the Curaseers which guarded the left flanke of the Emperors Army and the Crabats charging fiercely upon the Swedes being back't by the body of the armed horse the fight was very hot about three houres after Sunne-rising where after the discharging of their Pistols and their incountring with their swords the Saxon horse gave backe being charged in the front and on the flanke by the Imperialists Vanguard of horse lead on by Shamburg and Cronemberg who with their Swords in hand prest hard upon them who falling foule upon the Electors squadrons in this confusion and hurley burley opened the way to the Caesarian horse to do no small execution on them The King seeing what prejudice the Saxons received commanded Bannier to advance with his horse of the right wing against the left wing of Tillyes Army which being lead on by Count Fistemberg did in close order couragiously set forward to meet the Enemy Hee likewise set forwards two great squadrons of Swedish Horse seconded by a squadron of Foot and lead on by Hebron against the Crabats who boldly advanced to discharge their Carabines opening the horse files and there being faced by Muskettiers they to their great losse received a sore salute of Musket-shot and some field pieces charged with bags of Musket-bullets did so powre downe shot amongst them as many of them being put out of their rankes and many unhorst they caused much mischiefe to their squadrons Yet notwithstanding not abating their courage they amidst the bloud which in all places flowed apace and the smoake and fire which lightned round about them gave on undauntedly and with much violence upon the Saxon horse who being drill'd through by the uncessant shot of certaine Culverings and likewise charged by some squadrons lead on by Tilly's selfe who being followed by some of the bands of the most ancient stoutest and best experienced Souldiers as likewise by many Voluntiers charged through them they were routed and began to be scattered on all sides leaving the field to the Conquerour The King seeing this confusion and the eminency of danger the Elector not being able to stay his men from running away neither by threates nor yet by intreaties hee advanced some Squadrons of the Findlanders Horse which were kept for a reserve and he himselfe with his sword in hand hasted to the place where the Imperialists Artillery was placed which he found guarded but by a few men the greatest part of them being run to the Pillage of the Saxons who were run away and made himselfe master of it and straightway turning the Cannon upon the Enemy made them play upon the flanke of the Caesarians who prosecuting their victory laid load upon the Foot Regiments of Colonell Steinack Halli and Hebrun who being sent by the King to incourage the Saxons did there desperately defend themselves with their Pikes and Muskets Hee then caused some Horse to advance against certaine battaglions of Foot who came from the Imperialists Reare-guard unbackt by Horse which caused such feare in them as setting upon them in divers parts with Curasiers mixt with some few Muskets though the enemy made good their ground for about an houres space the old Souldiers not ceasing with incredible undauntednesse to fight though lam'd and wounded they were at last routed their Pikes cut in pieces on all sides their Foot trod underfoot and their Rankes broken then seeing what impression his men made amongst the enemy he commanded Gustavus Horne with part of his Horse and some Foot to make good the Artillery which he had wonne and that he should withstand Popenheime who with the Imperialists Horse of the Battaile and foure battaglions of Foot came hastily on to succour his side Then observing how the Imperialists crying Victory Victory were run to the Baggage and were intent thereupon as if the Battaile had been ended hee couragiously placed himselfe in the head of 4000. choice Horse followed by 4000. good Muskettiers and 800. Dragoons and crying out follow me and feare not he with his sword in his hand charged the Imperialists giving in upon them with so much violence mingling his men amongst theirs and killing many of them with his owne hand as though they indeavoured to rally themselves together and make head against him yet their Souldiers being scattered some here some there and some of them busie in pillaging the Carriages they could not resist the Swedes invading them who charging afresh with more fury and force had in the space of an houre slaine the greatest part of them Tilly was mad to see this unwonted confusion of his men he solicitously indeavoured to get his men in order againe and to re-assume the fight to him Popenheime hasted with Squadron of reserve though sorely wounded in two places the blood gush't from him apace but being pursued by Bannier and Horne with whom till then he had been a fighting and by this time the grosse of both Armies being gotten likewise thither the scuffle began againe the Cannon thundred from every side some loaded with great bullets some with bags of small ones there was nothing seen but smoake fire and bloud some of the most couragious without mercy trod under the horses feet and members torne from the body by the Cannon flying in the aire Then was the Battaile renewed on all sides on Flanke Front and Reare amidst this horror the King with some able and resolute squadrons charged in and with his sword made way through the thickest of the Caesarian squadrons Here the Findlanders Horse shewed such assurednes and resolution as cheerfully incouraging each other with their voices they charged Tillyes squadrons through and through so as the Imperialists no longer able to defend themselves against these men who had banished all feare of death who were inheartened with the opinion of winning the day and had likewise got the advantage of the winde which with a briske gale blew the smoak and powder into the enemies eyes they in disorderly retreat fell foule upon the squadrons of their owne Foot which being by them opened and broken began to run Tilly observing this confusion
Imperiall Crowne they therefore differd from the others in opinion alleadging that great provisions were to be made for a Kings setting out aswell for what belonged to the decency of his person as to the maintenance of a King-like Army That the treasury was well exhausted by past expences that the ancient reputation in Armes of an Austrian King ought not to be matched with a new fierce and fortunate enemy That the peoples hopes would be much thrown down by any the least prejudice that might incurre unto him and although these considerations were qualified by the Spaniard who offered great sums of mony these notwithstanding with all the Art their owne interests could infuse into them which was to be commanded by one of their owne nation propounded Albertus Walesteine Duke of Fridland in whom there was great reason to hope well they made it appeare that to obviate the eminent danger at the present no man was fitter to take upon him the command of the Army then he who had formerly to their advantage exercised the same place and that this their proposition was grounded upon the surer foundation for that he had heaped up so much riches by his past victories as no man was fitter then he to assist in the new levyes of men and in providing all things requisite for the Army Necessity which out-weighs reason drew the Spaniards to yield unto the Dutchmen who overcome by what had been said and not having yet got good footing in Germany they came over to their opinion the execution whereof was presently resolved upon But Walestein who was then at Zenam in Moravia ten leagues from Vienna and was gone thither by reason of the Saxons Armies arrivall in Bohemia was not minded to come unto the Court for that he expected to be received and treated as a soveraigne Prince which he arrogated to himselfe by vertue of his title of Duke of Michelberg for which the tearm of highnesse was given him The Count of Verdemberg was first sent to acquaint him with this Election and afterwards the Baron of Questemberg and the Prince of Echenberg though he were sicke of the gout three of the Emperours prime Counsellours and Walesteines great friends who dexterously overcomming an apparence of deniall made by him in respect of the great griefe of soule he suffered for being formerly turned out of the same charge they by their flatteries the true sauce to the bitternesse of passion did so sweeten his distaste that at last he yielded He resolved notwithstanding as then not to receive such imployment for longer then foure moneths though these his friends used their best eloquence to perswade him to accept of this command absolutely without any such restriction The opinions of men concerning this were various some thought he did it that he might not hazard his honour and reputation in times of so great calamity and for that he had to doe with a victorious and fortunate King others because he would not oblige himself to overcome difficulties which leaned upon impossibilites others thought this was but cunning for that he being exceeding vainglorious desired the rather to accept of this command upon condition that so he might not onely oblige the Emperour but also the King of Spaine by both whose Majesties he desired to be intreated to accept of that which he underhand did mainly indeavour to have conferred upon him not foreseeing the slipperinesse and danger of the path his ambition lead him unto drunke with an over-weaning estimation of himselfe neither remembring that Princes will have their servants to be obedient and not masters Having accepted the command of this Army hee sent for all the Colonels aswell those who kept their places as those who had been casheered and for that affability is a great advantage to reputation hee received them all with a pleasing countenance as prouder Princes use to doe when they have need of Souldiers To those that had but onely the title he gave a sutable command inviting them with faire and specious words to lay out what they had gotten in former warres and promising great things unto them and helped such as he knew to be needy with monies where-with to raise men Hee then cheered them up with the undoubted hopes of profit and honour He with big and grave words canonized their precedent actions neither could he keep himselfe from using some exaggerations against them who had been the originall of the Empires ruine he moreover informed them that the present adversity ought not to be of force enough to distemper the valour of those whose resolution stood in no need of comfort That this great ship of the Empire had been agitated by tempest and yet by wise goverment had escaped running upon the Rockes He remembred them of their past victories bad them be confident of the like againe and told them how he would reward those that should be faithfull unto him Hee afterwards gave in charge to the Colonels and Captaines who were uncasheered that they should compleat their Companies and knowing that those who were verst known among the people and in good esteem amongst them have better meanes to raise men then those who are novices in warre he underwrit their Patents for more Companies allowing some fewer some more as hee found them capable of imployment he comforted them all with gracious speeches which gave so much the more contentment because formerly his words were wont to be composed of pride and to intimate servitude he afterwards sealed up all he had to say with civill intreaties that they would upon this emergency give proofe of that worth and ingenuity which kept in continuall exercise should not apply it selfe to be carryed to victories by the prosperous windes of fortune but by cutting through the waves of difficulty amidst the rocks of adversity assisted therein by the sounding line of wisedome He promised them likewise Imprest monyes and good winter quarters from which Commanders reape no little advantage since that the peoples daily contributions to the Souldier falling into the hands of the Officers are not onely alienated from their full number but in a good part from the remaining Souldiers who being permitted to run over the Countrey and goe a free-booting care not much for the Contributions and hence it is that afterwards the Souldiers growing licentious treat the good Subjects no otherwise then they would doe the enemy Estimation which is the daughter either of feare or love imprinted these words of Walesteins in the hearts of those that heard them for many of them possessing goods and lands purchased in the Empire and in Bohemia during the late Rebellion forgot not that it concerned them in their owne particuler to doe what they were able aswell to maintaine what they already had as to better their estates and conditions every one betook himselfe therefore to the worke and much valuing his favour who where he wanted not in affection was not sparing in greatnesse and liberality they
by nourishing the differences between the Princes of the bloud and thereby to affoord fuell to the flames of Ambition to kindle a new intestine warre sufficient to disturbe the Forces of that great King aswell by deviating them from his intentions upon the State of Milan which in this conjuncture was much feared as to withhold from thence that assistance which the Protestants expected To this purpose 't is said they sent some of their trustiest creatures concealedly to treate with the Duke of Orleans and other chiefe men that were discontented with the government of the Ministers of State in France not letting slip any thing that might hurle the French into those straights whereunto they were leaning for many were afraid that if the French had declared themselves in this so calamitous time after a hostile manner all their preparations would doubtlesly have been much perplext if not totally shipwrackt but for that when God extends his hand of protection over a crowned head all the plots and hatreds of their envyers are rendred uselesse many considered that the Emperour Ferdinand the second had not a little merited from Heaven whilest Princes and people jealous of the Austrian greatnesse and conspiring together to suppresse the same in stead of embracing an opportune occasion of laying the Emperour upon his backe betooke themselves to things of uncertainty and which concerned their private interests so those armes which openly joyned together would have ruined the Empire being unresolved and expecting what the event of others would be stayed from declaring themselves till such time as the prevailing Forces of the Swedes growing weaker and the Imperiall power in time gathering force they should finde it a hard matter to abate the edge of that strength which was inheartned by the experience of Armies and was made more stable by being shaked Rome increasing under Romulus had the good fortune that whilest she was fought withall by diverse Nations she was not set upon by all at once And whereas being all united they had overcome her they severally were by her overcome and by their ruine affoorded leisure to lay the foundations of the Roman Monarchy It is a truth not to be doubted of that if the French not inferiour in strength to the Austrians and who knew the Imperiall greatnesse ought to have been suppressed had followed the King of Swedes fortune and openly have drawn their swords as afterwards they were inforced to doe they would either have brought the Imperiall dignity to make peace upon their owne conditions or else have led it to some great exigency That fire that is not quencht by a little water gathering more strength and breaking forth in greater flames will not afterwards give way to greater store of water Whence it may be gathered that when a Prince may by his advancing prejudice his Enemy whilest his Enemy is busied on one side he ought not to stand idle on the other for 't is well knowne that those Forces which have overcome their first withstanders made wiser by experience grow keener and better edged against the second Knowing moreover that the only Austrian Forces was not sufficient in such an emergency as this to withstand the evils threatned by the victories and well conducted Armies of the Swedes and of so many other enemies whose numbers by their greatnesse and command was increased they sent first the Cardinall d' Arach Walesteines kinsman to the Pope and after him Duke Savell who being found innocent was absolved of the faults laid unto his charge by Tilly out of some private ill will that he bore him with pressing and earnest desires of being from his Holinesse assisted with good store of monies and newes was brought that the Pope had voted a considerable summe of money to be sent the Emperour though it were demanded with too much pretensions by the Austrian Ministers of State and advised for the interest of their Countrey by some Cardinals of the Spanish Faction and that they knew his Holinesse to be very carefull of the good of Christendome whilest by continuall exhortations he had endeavoured the safety of Lombardy against the fury which the Forces bent without regard upon the destruction of Mantua threatned by whose example the Christian Princes very well perceived that to foment the greatnesse of puissant Princes was nothing else but to nurse up a Serpent in ones bosome which at last would poison its benefactor as it would have proved in past times if the French and Swedes diversions had not recalled those Forces from Italy which neither the prayets exhortations nor protestations of the Pope could prevaile withall to make them turne backe they also sent to other Potentates and Princes of Italy the Count Rabata then Governour of Gradisca no lesse powerfull with his pen then with his sword a gentleman of singular understanding in any affaire who was very much welcomed by them all with many complements but their expeditions proved unusefull When the Enemy watches we must not be asleep therefore if Walesteine did by these new inventions recruit his Army that he might in the Spring appeare in the Field The King of Sweden growne hardy by his victory and other happy successes sent newes of this his prosperous proceedings to such Princes States and Cities as were his friends and disswading the Hauns Townes and Princes of the Empire from assisting his Enemy he did not sit still in this his prosperity but printing a Declaration wherein was contained that he would take aswell Roman Catholiques as Protestants into his protection that he might not lose time but make use of his fortune he resolved forthwith to march with his Army into Franconia This Province extends it selfe on the West and South side to the Confines of the upper and lower Palatinate on the East to Bohemia and Misnia and on the North side to Thuringia so as it may be called the Center of Germany it is partly plaine and partly adorned with pleasant hills of a fruitfull soile though in some parts sandy 'T is watered by the Rivers Mayne Aisah Ridnits Bints Stray Tawber and others to the no little advantage of the Inhabitants The King agreed with the Elector of Saxony how he should behave himselfe in the Kingdome of Bohemia he left Bannier and Tod Marshals of the Field with other great Officers behinde aswell that they might drive from the Confines of Pomerania such of the Emperours Garrisons as yet remained there as likewise that they might endeavour to win Magdeburg and other Townes held by the Caesarians in the lower Saxony and he himselfe parted from Hall upon the River of Sall towards Erfurt the chiefe City of Thuringia This Province is seated between the Rivers Sall and Wesser by which it is much enriched 't is well peopled abounding in Corne Hay and many sorts of Beasts it bounds on the South side upon Franconia on the West upon the Landsgrave of Hessen his Country on the North it is covered with the Herecinian Wood
it is to be beleeved that the rest of the Cities betweene Mâ—lda and Danube would have done the like had not the Saxons themselves set a period to the progresse of their victories for being carelesse and idle in Praga and the adjacent parts though the King had by many redoubled Letters advised and desired the Elector not to affoord Walesteine leasure to apply remedies unto their wounds they gave themselves over to the delights of those parts and gave the Imperialists opportunity to recruite their Army and affoorded Galas meanes to come with good store of Forces to Pilsâ—m a place of great importance in that Kingdom very strongly seated by the which afterwards those Territories were secured The King did not a little rescent this as appeared by his Letters wherein he reproved the Elector of negligence though many of the wisest found it to be done out of cunning for it was apparently seene that fearing by his assistance to raise the Swedish Forces to too great a power and eminency and considering that in such a case he must be subject to their Lawes he temporized that he might affoord the Austrians leisure to counterpoise this greatnesse which weighed down too much on the Swedes side beleeving himself now to be in such a condition as that he at his pleasure might upon advantagious tearmes be reconciled to the Emperour and re-assumed into his former friendship and correspondency whilest the King reaped the fruit of his owne propitious fortune his Cosen the Duke of Mechelberg and Marshall Tod laid seidge to Rostock and tooke it 3000 Foot and 300 Horse marched out of it with their Armes and Baggage the surrender of this Towne was caused by reason of the scarcity of Victuals for so great a number as were there for a great many of the neighbouring Inhabitants had with-drawn themselves thither as likewise many Souldiers that were quartered in the townes thereabouts Bannier came with a fresh Army of about 8000 men into Pomerania and used such diligence in the investing of Vansleber as the Imperialists that were therein unexpectedly surprised straightned in time to put themselves in a defensive posture and having no hopes of escaping for they were surrounded on all sides came to agreement submitting themselves to the Swedes Conditions by whom the Common Souldiers were inforced to inroll themselves under their Colours and the Captaines and Officers were permitted to go into their owne Armies Bannier knowing how advantagious the taking of Magdeburg and the neighbouring Townes would be to the Swedes march'd forwards into that Episcopacy whither also went Benecausem with 5000 Imperialists to ballance the Swedes designes and to relieve the City which 't was feared might be by them taken he fought with the enemies Horse where the Swedes were worsted he notwithstanding beset Magdeburg more straightly into which a succour of 14 Companies of the Romanists Foot were put who by their frequent Sallies did much annoy the Swedish quarters which were thereabouts Auxillius Oxesterne Lord Chancellor of Sweden who had raised men in that Kingdome and in Prusia to re-inforce the Kings Army came much about this time to the Camp with 6000 Foot and 800 Horse so as the King not onely inriched by so many Victories but his Army being increased by the addition of these men had his thoughts hightened and aymed at greater enterprises Wherefore being informed that the Duke of Bavaria made extraordinary preparations for warre and that he had not onely made the greatest part of the country-people guirt swords about them but also sent for Tilly with the Army of the League to protect the upper Palatinat which were manifest tokens of feare whereby the Enemy is oft times invited to further undertakings hee resolved to hinder those preparations and not to afford him time to salve the wound he had received But thinking it first requisite to know the resolution of the Hauns Townes who intended to be but lookers on at this sport not siding with either party he resolved to found their intentions wherefore he acquainted them of Noremberg with his meanings he made knowne unto them the foundation and drift of his Forces and desired they would openly declare themselves either as friends or enemyes and that they would not take any long time to doe it for if they should demurre upon their answer or colour it with any appearing excuses he would take it as an expresse denyall for he liked not neutrallity nor would he take notice of any more then two parties friends or enemies These resolute words of a victorious King were of great efficacy especially amongst the Protestants who coveted much to see their Religion propagated and were ambitious of novelty The States of Noremberg after much debate judged it would be best for them openly to declare themselves as friends unto the King the which they did whereat Tilly was so incensed as though those of Noremberg sent Deputies into the Campe unto him to informe him of the necessity that had enforced them thereunto and so plead their excuse for so doing they could not prevaile with him nor keep him from expressing his rage anger which was the greater by how much greater the losse was that this declaration occasioned by beating his feet against the ground pulling his Muschatoes biting his fingers ends and vowing he would study some way of revenge he forthwith marched towards Rotemberg and Oxemfert two Townes in the midst of Franconia and surprized divers other places of the said Province which could neither be maintained nor succoured in time he likewise endeavoured the taking of Vertheim a strong City seated upon the Maine and in the mouth of Tawber but here he missed his marke for the King having early notice thereof gave the Governour of the Towne so timely advertisement as he furnished it with all requisite provisions he therefore turned his course towards Noremberg resolving to chastise the Governour thereof for his breach of faith but here he likewise missed of his errand for the Citizens having timely provided themselves of all things necessary and the Imperialists not having sufficient Force for such an enterprize and having the Swedes on his backe who gallantly marched after him after having feelingly exprest his resentments to the chiefe Magistrate of the Towne and with great fervency exhorted him not to be failing in his due allegeance to the Emperour he quitted his quarters and tooke his way towards the upper Palatinate recommending Lauffe and Hasperg places belonging to the jurisdiction of the said Noremberg to the care of One Thousand Foot and One Hundred Horse which he left there for their defence he distributed his Troopes part for the Marpuessate of Anspack in the upper Palatinate and part for Suetia The King who very well knew how much it made for his vast designes aswell to make himselfe Master of the Towns upon the Rheine as to bereave the Austrians of the helpe which they might have from thence and that he might turne himselfe towards
present affaires so as calling together his chiefe Councellours and the Prime Commanders of his Army and joyntly weighing the interests of their Forces there were some seconded in their opinion by Benard Waymar who persisted in their advise that they should turne their Forces to the utter subversion of the Roman Catholique Army they made good their opinions with these reasons That the field Forces being scattered Germany being a large and open Country the winning of Townes would be no hard matter which being weake in defence and abandoned by their Armies would strive rather to captivate the Kings good will by ready obedience than draw his anger upon them by their unwise pertinency that they should not do well to lose so much time in the taking in of places of small moment whilest the Enemy recruited and re-inforced his Army that the Austrians had no better friend then time that they had alwayes repaired their losses when either by cunning or otherwise they could fence themselves from the first violence that though the Emperours owne men and monies were well exhausted yet by the assistance of Spanish Gold and by recruites from Italy a Nation by experience knowne to be advantagious to Germany he might remit himselfe into his former condition that the Elector of Bavaria who was much concerned in the Austrians welfare wanted not a stocke of money and territories sufficient from whence to draw out Souldiers and regaine what he had lost And which was of greatest importance that the Generals place was conferred upon Walesteine who having gathered a mass of riches in the past warres being excessively ambitious of glory and great actions would not be failing in any thing that he knew might make him remarkable upon this occasion that they had the French on that side for friends who bringing their Forces upon their frontiers would hinder the Romanists from doing any thing prejudiciall to the Swedes that therefore they should leave off those machinations and rub the soare againe before it be healed But these reasons though they had much of influence upon all the Commanders and drew many of them to be of this opinion yet the King weighing them in the ballance of his wisedome was for his own interest sake inforced to oppose them saying That the Empire hung upon two strings the one composed of the selfe Austrian Forces the other of the Roman Catholique and Ecclesiasticall powers that they were to consider which of these two were to be tane away to overthrow this Chaos that he granted the reasons concerning the Spanish Gold Bavaria and Walesteine were very valid but that they were not to throw behinde their backes but rather intentively to looke upon the aid from Flanders the assistance of the Electors and Ecclesiastickes and of the Duke of Lorayne who being desirous of warre could not hereafter expect a better occasion then this to put himselfe in Armes that these men though they were new and not accustomed to warre yet were they so inheartened by their Princes courage and hope of good successe as seeing us retire they would resume the more courage and cause unto us such prejudice as usually is received from Enemies strengthened by strong impressions that it was requisite to extinguish the fire which increasing would not be so easily supprest before they should carry the Cumbustion elsewhere that the Spanish succours from Flanders was more considerable then from Italy for that compleat Arming would be found hard in Italy A Kingdome impoverished in people and the numbers whereof would be much lessened before they should passe over the Mountaines for that the rigid Climate of Germany and the Germans severe manner of lying in the field did not well agree with that Nation nurc'd up in the delights of Peace that for their money they might have men enow in the Low-Countryes that he knew the Treasury and Forces of the Elector of Bavaria was very considerable but that on the other side he knew he was not so lavish in laying out his monies nor his men so ready to take up Armes that Walesteine was a humerous Foole a fantasticall braine fit for Comedies reverenced for his wealth and fortune not for his wisedome and proper valour that he was envied by many a corrivall with Bavaria and not well thought of by the discreet Don for what concerned their hopes upon the French it was to be granted it would be advantagious to them if Princes were not ambitious of inlarging their dominions But since France was knowne to be no lesse intent to this then whatsoever other Kingdome he could not promise himselfe that the French would invert the proceedings of the Duke of Loraine and of the Ecclesiasticks against the Swedes but rather that leading their Forces upon their Frontiers and entring either as protectors of the one or arbitrators of the other he foresaw they would rather put in for themselves through the disagreement of the Swedes and Imperialists then assist the Protestants in their proceedings moreover that they ought to feare least if they once should get footing here they should following the policy of Princes who are friends as long as it makes for their owne good moderate the greatnesse of others and dissolve the League at any time when they should see the Swedes power grow to an excessive greatnesse Tod and Tuball would be sufficient to hold Tiffenbech and Ghetz play in Slesia that the Elector of Saxony being entred into Bohemia it would be no hard matter to disturbe Walesteines designes and that Bannier was sufficient to watch over Bavarias wayes that therefore they ought to secure themselves on this side for what was on their backs which being done the victory on the other side would easily be affected These reasons alleadged by the King made the Commanders aware that Councels then succeed best when they proceed from the hidden reasons of interests and that no resolution ought to be built upon the faire shewes of Princes the ground-worke of their demonstrations not being composed of any sound materials but coloured over as best seemes pleasing to the eye of the present conjuncture All of them therefore forgoing their first opinions they unanimously condescended to the King who seeing what need they had of a good Sanctuary whereunto upon any ill successe they might safely retreate as likewise how necessary it was to fence Franconia after he had diligently suryeyed all the nighbouring situations could find none more commodious then that Angle which is placed betwixt the Rhene and that part of the Mayne which is over against Mentz on the side of the Palatinate he therefore made a designe be there drawne in his owne presence of a Fort consisting of seven Royall Bulwarkes a Seat so availeable as lying in the midst between the State of Mentz and the Palatinate upon the sides of two Navigable Rivers it might be said to be the Key which opens and shuts the entrance and outgoing on both sides of the Rhene whereby he might continually
bridle the Inhabitants aswell of the one as of the other circle moreover besides the securing of what he had already wonne there was hereby a way opened to ends not yet knowne He gave it the name of Gustavemborg though through the Souldiers playing upon the Roman Catholiques it came to be called the Priests scourge alleadging thereby that being seated in the sight of Mentz and in the very midst of the Electorate it was fit to keep the neighbouring Prelates in obedience and under the yoake of the Swedish Forces Having left order for the perfecting of this Fabricke and for the preservation of Mentz he with his Army marched in Ianuary against Spier the Magistry whereof endeavoured though in vaine to keep Newters for the King having declared himselfe to be an Enemy to that name this Towne accorded as did likewise Wormes Landaw and Weissenburg Cities beyond the Rhen in the lower Palatinate beguiâ—t only with ancient walls these submitted themselves unto the King quartered some of the Swedish Regiments and parted with some monies to free themselves from the insolency of the souldiers Franckendal and Heidelberg Townes well provided with men victuals and Fortifications were the only two places that held out against the King For though they were at this time set upon with much violence they undauntedly defended themselves and rendred the attempts of the Enemy vaine who held it not fit to lose time before such Forts since they were Masters of the Field and consequently might over-run whole Provinces and hinder the new recruiting of the Enemyes Army Franckendal lyes in an open Countrey between Spier and Wormes surrounded with gallant Bulwarkes Ditches and Rampiers it was anciently the chiefe strength the Elector Palatine had but since the overthrow in Bohemia it was held by the Austrians Heidelberg is seated upon the Nâ—cker in the mouth of two Mountaines upon which the Palace and Castle stands and here the Count Palatine had wont to keep his residence before the Emperor bereft him of his state At the same time that the Swedish Forces meeting with lesse opposition did over-run the Countrey that lyes upon the Rhen and Franconia Popenheime having drawne out the greatest part of the Garrisons from the places upon the Wesser and out of the Countrey of Brounswyck they being knowne to be little available to the preservation of those places weake in situation and Fortification and having gathered together a Body of men to about 10000 Souldiers he recovered Barleben upon the Elb which made no great resistance from thence he passed towards Magdeburg to relieve the besieged for being beleaguerd by Bannier they were reduced to some necessity and herein his successe was good For Bannier understanding his approach and thinking the Romanists Army to be much greater then his withdrew himselfe aside to Kalbe upon the banks of Elb. Here he tooke up his Quarter in an advantagious Seat shunning to fight for the King having given generall directions to all his Commanders who were disjoyned from the Army that himselfe led that without great advantage and certainty of victory they should shun comming to a generall conflict he temporised betaking himselfe only to such enterprises as agreed with the Kings instructions whose ends was to keep the Imperialists Forces severed in sundry places that he might have the more freedome to make his desired Conquests and to beat the maine Body of the Roman Catholiques which when he should have done the members thereof would be of no use Pappenheim having thus raised the siege though he failed in some intentions he had of falling upon the Swedes Quarters who had withdrawne themselves further off entred Magdeburg and straightway sent his Van-guard towards Gomeren a place belonging to the jurisdiction of the Bishop thereof upon the Confines of Saxony but hee began no sooner to march then he was advertised that George Duke of Lunenburg a Protestant Prince and who adhered to the Swedes was drawing neere to Wolfenbuttell a place of great moment which made him thinke it requisite to turne his march thitherward for this Towne standing in the Center of the territories of Brounswyck and being strongly seated upon the River Alre being likewise the place of refuge for the Imperialists and the Arsenall of their Army by meanes whereof their Forces in those parts did wholly subsist if it should have fallen into the Swedes power either by holding intelligence or otherwise it would have been a great advantage to the Protestants Forces and a very great blow unto the Roman Catholiques hee therefore drew out the Garrison from Magdeburg and knowing it would be a difficult matter to maintaine it he slighted it breaking downe the Wals in sundry parts to the end it might not be of service to the Swedes hee advanced toward Sechenser and Wolfenbuttell about the end of Ianuary Bannier had newes hereof who being certified of truth that the Imperialists were departed returned suddenly to Magdeburg where he left good order for the repayring it judging it a place of no small importance for the affaires of Swethland hee from thence marched after Pappenheime and wonne Steimbruck intending thereby to streighten the enemies Army for this being a passe of some importance upon the River Obroe and very commodious for the Imperialists the Swedes might here have fought with much advantage against their enemies but Pappenheime did so gallantly acquite himselfe as though he was beset on both side by the Protestants he without any losse came to Beterloo a strong place not farre from the River Glien between the territories of Heye and the Bishoprick of Hildeskeim having brought under Contribution the Townes of Brounswyck and Lunenburg rich Provinces which lye between the Wesser and the Elb bordering on the South upon Misnia and Thuringia on the North upon the Lower Saxony hee at last recovered the Confines of Hamelen that hee might make use of that City and of the Wesser aswell for the safeguard of his owne Forces as for the preservation of such Townes as had not yet revolted from Caesar wherein his successe was so happy that by this occasion he had meanes to shew how advantagious in war it is to have undaunted wise and valliant Commanders and which is of greatest concernment such as understand their profession hee defended he maintained himselfe and with a few men stopt the enemies advancing who knowing him to be resolute and industrious durst not come to handy-blowes with him effects which are not onely occasioned by mens fearfull apprehensions whose losse takes its rise from selfe beliefe but particularly by the valour of other men which begets feare and admiration even in the Enemy High mindes are alwayes verst about great matters the King being gone from Mentz considered the importancy of Creutsbag a Towne seated upon the River Nayle which takes its head from a little Lake in the state of Swibrechen called Scheidambergerway'd fals into the Rhyn at Binghem by the taking hereof he should secure unto himselfe the possession of
the neighbouring parts he should drive the Spaniards from those Frontiers and should open the way to the winning of the Townes upon the Mosel belonging to the jurisdiction of Triers and thereby not onely keep those people under but fortifying himselfe on that side from being injured by the Spaniard he should bring his Forces there into a good condition for it was a place invironed with good Ditches and strong Wals he forthwith beset it and planted three great Batteries against it and without delay began to assault those fortifications from the which he by the Defendants was by reciprocall resolution kept off they exercising the utmost of Military art as being the most of them Spaniards a faithfull Nation much adicted to the service of their Prince and in the sufferings of warre of all others the most resolute and constant The King in his owne person came before this place not without danger of his life for approching according to his custome neere the Wals that hee might more inhearten his Souldiers and know what was requisite to the enterprise being much grieved for the reputation of his Armes and for his owne interest sake to linger so long before such a Towne a Page who at that instant presented him with a letter was slaine by a Musket-shot upon which accident Mounseir de Pauch Embassadour from the States of Hâ—lland who was then with him could not forbeare entreating his Majesty to have more care of his Royall Person the preservation whereof like that of the soule in the body was the maintaining of the publique liberty to the which he smilingly replied My Lord Embassadour Cities are not taken by keeping in Tents the Scholler when his Master is a farre of shuts his booke so the Souldier without my presence slaken their handy blowes my houre is written in Heaven it cannot be altered on earth then turning himselfe to a Colonell who being somewhat deteyned under the Barbers hands came to receive his Commands he said unto him I marry this is a gallant Cavalier and by my faith a valiant one in womans warres he is longer in trimming of his Beard then I am in taking in a Towne Having said these things pleasantly he advanced yet more forward giving order to streighten the Towne yet a little more the which was done with such diligence as upon like occasions is requisite in execution of the orders of their Lord and Master whence it is to be observed how available the presence of a Prince is in Military affairs After it had indured three fierce Assaults and had been pelted with above 1700 Cannon-shot at fourteen dayes end he inforced the Defendants to beg Articles of him which were granted unto them no lesse favourable then those of Mentz and thus he made himselfe Master of the Towne to the admiration of many who knowing how the Towne was seated what number of men it had in it and how it was provided thought it not a worke to be effected with foot in stirrup He then dispatch't away Horne and Duke William of Waymar Elder Brother to Duke Bernard into the Bishopricke of Bamâ—berg which is a space of ground in Franconia lying between Bohemia and the Mayne appertaining to the Bishop thereof who is aswell a Temporall as a Spirituall Lord that they might set upon that City and by the taking thereof divert Tilly and Count Aldringer who were diligent in recruiting their Forces in those parts Hee himselfe with the rest of his Army having provided themselves with all things requisite for Victuals with a great Trayne of Artillery and Ammunition having left fitting order for the maintaining of the Townes along the Rhene tooke his way towards Steinham and Ascheburg entring thereby into Franconia being come to Schewinfurt and from thence to Gelterseym hee againe recalled the Forces of Gustavus Horne designing to go himselfe in Person with the grosse of his Army against the Army of the Roman Catholiques and indeavour to bring them to a new Battaile the Victory whereof was the bounds of his vast desires turning therefore upon the right hand he bent towards Kitzing betwixt Erbipoli and Bamberg a Randezvouz for Tillyes Forces but found that he being diffident of his strength as both in number and in courage much inferiour to the Swedes had retreated into the upper Palatinat that he had re-inforced the Garrisons of Forcheim and Granach two of the best Townes in Franconia by the preservation whereof hee hoped not onely to make good the Imperiall Forces in that Province but thereby retarding the Swedes proceedings he thought he should be able when his Army should be recruited from all parts that appertained to Caesar to face his enemy againe and regaine his losse in the Battaile of Leipsick The King incouraged hereupon believed that as it is usually he that flies feares and hoping to drive him quite beyond the Danube and beat him in the field he sent Gustavus Horne towards Winsheim which lyes between Nurenberg and Erbipoli and from thence to Habersdorfe and Shennabach places of that Country who marched with such diligence as though the enemy in their retreate had broken downe the bridges burnt and destroyed all that might be serviceable to the Kings Army that they might streighten him in Victuals incommodate him and stop him till such time as the Forces which they expected from Bavaria and Walesteine were come unto them the King notwithstanding arived about the midst of February in the fields of Nurenberg beyond the expectation of the Imperialists Hee there mustered his Army and found it to consist of 130 Cornets of Horse 86 Foot Ensignes and 28 pieces of great Cannon which having againe ordered he pursued his way towards Dunawert upon the Danube where there is a Bridge over that River which makes it a place of great Consequence for by the getting thereof the way was opened to the Swedes for their entrance into Bavaria one of the chiefe Provinces of Germany between the Danube and Inn an open Country not having any place of strength within it unlesse it be Ingolstat He came before Vitsborg a Fort belonging to the Marquisat of Anspach he sent to the Governour to Surrender the Towne otherwise he denounced his anger against him and therewithall the losse of his life but such threates did no wayes trouble the undaunted Commander who preparing for defence the Kings threates were of no availe for it made not for the King to stay there since thereby he should have given time to the Roman Catholiques as was desired by Tilly to provide for the defence of Danube hee therefore marched forward in the beginning of March and with his Army drew nigh to Dunawert where the Imperialists had built a Fort upon the hill which hee set upon and finding nothing to withstand him in those yet imperfect workes hee forced the defendants to retire into the Towne which being played upon by the Kings Cannon which thundred on all sides and assaulted round about the Wals not
wanted Munition and other things fitting to defend themselves against so great an Army Walesteines selfe marched towards Letomerits and finding the Saxons removed from thence he passed over the Elb and made a hault about Melnick a walled Towne upon the same River where after many skirmishes had past between his Crabats and the Saxon Horse wherein the Saxons came off alwayes with the worst hee againe propounded the Treaty of agreement with the Duke and seemed much grieved at the delay for that the totall ruine of the Swedes depended upon this peace For the Frontiers of Bohemia being secured on this side and the Souldiers who did defend those Frontiers being joyned to his men and his Army doubled by the Electours Forces he would not onely have exceeded the Swedes in numbers sufficient to drive him out of the field but consequently the greatest part of the Princes of the Empire who were in League with the King following such an example might take such courses as they should thinke fittest for them Hee againe sent Colonell Spor with new donatives and larger offers who though he used his best discretion in mannaging the affaire yet was he as formerly entertained onely with words and complements so as he dispaired of effects for the King being advertised of Walesteines proceedings and how he intended to invade Saxony which he had promised as a reward unto his Souldiers and fearing lest the Elector being pursued by the Austrians might finde some pretence to breake his word and comply with the Emperour which would have beene much to his prejudice was already parted from Bavaria and was come with all his Army neere Nurenberg resolving to set upon the Imperialists both Flanke and Back when they should be engaged in Misna or Saxony The King marched on the eighth of Iune to Dunawert with 8000 Horse and 14000 Foot 60 peece of Cannon and with a well furnished Baggage leaving the Mashall Bannier behinde him who after the taking of Magdeburg being retired into Swabenland waited upon the Bavarians and did all he could to hinder their attempts as likewise the attempts of other Souldiers that were raised in Tirroll and he sent Duke Weimar towards Swabenland to take in Lindow a considerable place upon Lake of Costantz on the Confines of Helvetia and Tiroll which being a Peninsula and invironed with strong Bulwarkes and Wals after the moderne fashion is accounted for one of strongest places in all Germany This might have easily been effected had not the designe been discovered for Weymar having made 2000 of his Foot descend a steep and craggy mountaine with hooks of yron underneath their feet to keep them from tumbling down whilest they thought to have surprised the Towne and have effected their designe they found the Imperialists acquainted with their intentions and with their weapons in their hands by whom they were valiantly and with their no little losse repulsed Weymar perceiving this undertaking to be vaine faced about to Mimmingen the chiefe Towne in Swabenland numbred amongst the Hauns Townes in Germany placed in a fruitfull Countrey and watered by a little streame of Isler and having brought his Army before it and raised his batteries the Garrison and Citizens beleeving that they had done what became their loyalties he got the Towne upon agreement that they should be suffered to goe out with their Armes and baggadge and their liberty of conscience to be preserved to them By the winning of this place though of no great moment the Swedes were to receive great advantage for it being a very fruitfull Countrey and therefore convenient to refresh their Army not only by depriving the Austrians thereof but by thereby accommodating themselves it would be very beneficiall to them and prejudiciall to their enemies and it fell out that by getting footing in these parts Wirtenberg being surrounded the Duke thereof would easily be brought to an agreement with the Swedes when he should see the Caesarians farre from him whereby the profit would be considerable in respect of the taking in of Alsatia contiguous to this State Walesteine understanding the Kings removall and fearing lest if he should advance further into Saxony the King might easily hinder his return or else reduce him upon some disadvantage to be undone by famine or by Battell entertaining himselfe on this side the Elb he marched towards Egra aswell that he might joyne himselfe with the Duke of Bavaria and together with him defend the upper Palatinat and that part of Bohemia from being invaded by the Swedes as to try some other enterprize leaving Don Baltisar de Mafredas with 8000 souldiers at Letomeritz to hinder any alteration which in his absence Harnem might endeavour Whilest these parties floated thus up and downe in Bohemia the Landsgrave of Hessen opposing himselfe to Pappenhaime some of his Troops had ill successe for fighting with some other Caesarian Troops about Wolfembuttell they were ill dealt withall the Landsgrave himself was forced to retire to Gottingen a Town between the two Rivers of Ruma and Verra whereupon Pappenheim making incursions even unto Northeim by the side of the River Helme belonging to the jurisdiction of the County of Hobensteime did without any obstacle make himselfe Master of the Castle putting them that there kept it to the sword whose example taught some Cities thereabouts and amongst the rest Gosâ—ar a Towne standing neare the River Onnare betwixt Halberstat Hedelsein and Lunenburg to demand Garrisons of the Swedish Generals to secure themselves from the said Pappenheim who wholly intent upon the glory of Warre and upon the Emperours service with a great deale of boldnesse though but with small Forces kept about the circuit of the Rivers of Wâ—sser and Elb Provinces of great consideration for the interest of both parties For many Ecclesiasticall Principalities lying therein if for want of being sustained by the Austrians they should fall into the Protestants hands to boote with the losse of a rich and opulent Countrey whereby the way was opened to greater Conquests the enemies party growing stronger and all the adjacent Protestant Princes and great men freed from the feare of the Emperours Forces and discovering their dislike of the Papists it would without doubt redound much to the prejudice of the Popish jurisdictions for the Landsgraves Army being augmented by the forces of that Country he being a spritful Prince inclined to War having in a short space either subdued the Ecclesiastickes of those parts or brought them to a prejudiciall agreement he would without any other impediment have brought his Army into the Emperours owne patrimoniall Territories and those of his confederates Tod Marshall of the Field who had raised the body of an Army in those parts for the Kings service was not now idle for setting upon Boxtchude which is seated upon the banks of that River not farre from the Elb betwixt the State of Bremer and the Dukedome of Lunenburg and playing upon it incessantly with two Batteries he in twelve dayes
from Swabenland into Bavaria aswell to guard those places which were threatened by the Swedes as to stop the forwardnesse of the Austrian Country people about Lintz who making use of the Imperialists taking up Armes against the King of Swede and of their Princes troubles tooke the liberty to take up Armes and by way of insurrection to hinder the navigation upon the Danube by rifling the Barkes yet this their insurrection lasted but for a while for they no sooner knew that Iohn Went Colonell of the Catholique League was comming against them with foure Caesarian Regiments then as is usuall to basely minded people they laid downe their Armes and peaceably retired to their owne homes terrified at the Chastisement inflicted upon some of the heads of the sedition so as Walesteine seeing himselfe much weakened and totally overcome by the misfortune of warre for want of fitting accommodation in those Territories he resolved to go from thence towards Coburg to take that Towne and the Castle which were very considerable for it was seated in Franconia upon the Confines of Thuringia begirt with ancient Wals and in some places fortified with Rampiers and Ditches upon the River Asch which taking its rise from within that Province towards Thuringia after having made a small course fals into the Mayne whereby he might hinder the Swedes from setting upon him on the Flanke where at any time he should advance into Misnia to joyne with Holke and Gallasse The King was now at Newstat neere the Straij a River which taking its head from the County of Henneberg after having watered part of Franconia fals into the Mayne when hee was advertised that Walesteine having raised his Camp from the territories of Nurenberg and being parted from the Duke of Bavaria bent towards Coburg that afterwards he might proceed to prejudice Misnia wherein Holke had already taken some Townes as Gallasse had likewise done on the other side therefore having an eye to the Imperialists proceedings and finding that their end was to lead their Forces into Saxony thereby to force the Elector to accept of peace since they could not prevaile by their words and Treaties hee commanded Duke Waymer to march with part of the Army towards Sindlypach not farre from Nurenberg and that he should watch over Walesteines proceedings and not lose sight of him and that he should likewise have an eye to the comming of Pappenheim who being thereunto solicited by continuall expresses from Walesteine was returned from Flanders and was likewise gone towards Franconia and Misnia to set upon them on the other side The King having left the Duke of Beâ—kinfelt with a body of men raised by the said Duke of 5000 Foot and 2000 Horse to guard the Townes neer Bavaria marched with his Army towards Nurenberg where being advertised by the Citizens what dammage the Country thereabouts suffered by the Imperialists Garrison left by Walesteine in Lauff belonging to the jurisdiction of that Senat upon the Pignitz hee resolved by suddenly setting upon it to drive the Enemies Forces from thence he therefore came before it with his Cannon and set upon it which though at the first it seemed resolute to stand out in its owne defence yet at last resolved to submit to the Swedes discretion there still remained the Fort of Listenaw between Nurenberg and Fortheim but this proving a difficult businesse as being conveniently well fortified by Art strong by nature and well garrisoned so as some time would go to the winning of it the King thought it not good to make any stay there and lose his men whil'st his enemies were in the field strong in men and resolution Leaving therefore Colonell Sperater with 3000 men in those parts for satisfaction of the Senat of Nurenberg which began to conceive amisse of the Swedes proceedings that Citie being little lesse then destroyed for their sakes he led on his Army to Erfurt the Metropolitan of Thuringia divided by the River Iera which takes head in that Province and falls into Vnstrutz there to prevent Pappenheim before he should execute his designe of taking it in who having left Count Gronsfield in the Bishoprick of Hidelsheim a Country which extends it selfe from the River Glien to the Fuse in the Province of Braunswyck with 7000 Souldiers to besiege Newburg a strong place seated upon the side of Abre used much diligence in his marching away with the remainder of his men finding how irreparable an other Battell would be by reason of the being at hand of so great forces and for the scarcitie of Victualls in those parts unmanured for want of Inhabitants and abandoned by the Enemy who could not any longer suffer the incommodities thereof Great was the diligence that this Count used to prevent the Kings arrivall at Erfurt yet not such as could out-doe the King in speedy march for fearing the prejudice he might receive if he should therein be prevented by the Romanists he made his Vanguard march by day and his Rereguard by night loosing no more time then what was requisite in some sort to refresh the Souldier The King stayd two dayes in Erfurt to comfort his Army and more particularly his Foot who were very weary with so long marches in which time he understood how that Walesteine had wonne Coleburg how his Cannon playd upon the Castle to render his Forces the more secure by the taking thereof as likewise those of Pappenheim who was marching to joyne with him and what progresse Holke and Gallasse made to the prejudice of Saxony The Kings Forces and Waymars being joyned he call'd a Councell of Warre where he with his Chiefe Commanders consulted upon what course was best to be taken Wherein some wisely weighing the present condition of affaires were of opinion It was not fitting for them to bring themselves to such a passe as that they could not shunne a Battell upon disadvantagious termes that the Imperialists had a considerable greater number of Souldiers then they who were ambitious to win by their Swords Walesteines good opinion who was a large rewarder of gallant actions a thing worthy of consideration that the Enemy was protected by favourable situations fit places to retreat unto that the Swedes on the contrary were an Enemies Country and that devasted there being no appearance of Provisions sufficient for them to keep the Field against the Imperialists who were furnished with all things necessary from Bohemia that there was not any more commendable resolutions to be had in warfairing then such as did secure the keeping of what was already got and did maintaine the Souldier in strength and vigour that to doe so was more praise worthy in a Commander in Chiefe then the gaining of Townes that such resolutions were alwayes blamed and prejudiciall as were undertaken without having an eye to the event that the whole ought never to be endangered for a part that in the losse of one Battell the downfall of all their already wonne renowne their ruine their being
of Lutzen fields did thus order his Army The plaine of Lutzen extends it selfe for the space of one League from the North to the South and is girt about from the West to the North by certaine Woods which divide it from another plaine towards the North-side thereof is the Village Cursits which amidst the descent of a pleasant Strond that runnes in Crookes sometimes more sometimes lesse is rather an Ornament then hinderance unto it Amidst certain Hills there lyes another space of ground towards the South-East which parteth Cursits and Lutzen on the East-side stands Lutzen from whence a plaine arising the space between the East and South is back't by a delightfull ascent of Hills The broadest part of the plaine falling downe betweene the West and the South affords a Prospect not bounded by the eye About a League from Lutzen lyeth a ridge of Hills environed by a little Rivolet thence from West to East there runs a Trench almost demolish't at the end whereof not farre from the Village stands a little house which serves for a shelter to the Inhabitants of four Wind-mils seated on the ridge of those Hills Upon the left wing of the Vanguard led on by his Majestie who kept before it with some of his Domestick Servants not attired like a Prince but clad in plaine Spanish Leather upon a dapple gray Horse were 3000 Horse all Gothes and Findlanders old Souldiers divided into six Squadrons under the Colonells Vansleben Ruthen and Wistumb Gentlemen of tryed experience amongst which were mingled five Rankes of Musquetiers betweene the one and the other Flank to play upon the Enemies Horse before they should come within Pistol-shot All these were well mounted armed with Curasses Pistols and broad Swords like Faulchions which being drawn and held up by them in their bridle-hand did by the reflection of the Sunne adde to the lustre of their Squadrons and to the terror of the lookers on These were followed by foure Battaglions of Dutch and Swedish Foot who marching in equall distances from the one Flanke to the other were appoynted for the reserve part of them in black Cassocks part in Yellow under 28 Ensignes all garnished with the Kings Armes to which were joyn'd the Regiments of Vincher Reglingem and Duke Waymer led on by Vildesteime under 18 Ensignes these were all commanded by Count Waissemburg a Duch-man who marched with his Pike in his hand foure paces before them In the Battle it selfe other foure Bodies of Foot marched with a large Front and these marched after the former so as they might without confusion enter into the voyd place of the one or the other Flanks they belonged to the Regiments of Stechnits Breesteime Lunisteime Steimbech and Hanalt all of them chiefe heads of the Army under 34 Ensignes led on by these Commanders clothed in glittering apparell an observation had in time of Battell that they might be the better knowne with each of them a Pike in his hand On the left Flank were other 3000 Dutch Horse divided into six Squadrons furnished with Curasses Pistols Swords and Pole-axes which had on the one side a Hammer and on the other a wreathen poynt of Iron wherwithall to throw Troopers off Horseâ—back pulling them therewithall either by their clothes or by the buckles of their Armour These were led on by Duke Bernard Waymer who rid before them on a Sorrell Horse with a Curasse on his back accompanied with two Cornets of Gentlemen of worth who desirous to learne the art of warfare kept neer him and amongst these were five Ranks of Musquetiers mingled for the aforesaid purpose amongst which were the Regiments of the Kings Guard under 22 Standards of the Colonells Coleberg Curlander Branghells Wishawsem and Corfilice Afore the right Flanke were 20 pieces of field Cannon placed and as many before the left to shoot bags of Bullets the greater Artillery to the number of 26. Being placed in the mid'st of the Front of the Foot Battaglions Marshall Kniphausen led on the Reare mounted on a browne Bay composed of English Scottish and French Regiments belonging to the Colonells Milaâ—i Chrestorfe Torre Hassia Kniphausen Offckercken and Duke William of Waymer under 52 Ensignes divided into foure Bodies soure in a square forme foure with a long Front and often Squadrons of Horse and Dragoones five upon the right hand commanded by the Colonells Oemens Bosse Isalers and Agafelt before which Armed at all pieces did the Baron Offckercken march and amongst these divers Rankes of Musquetiers The left Wing likewise conteined five Squadrons of Horse belonging to the Regiments of Peckerman Balarches Galdesteim Plato and Duke William of Waymers on the Front whereof marched these Gentlemen followed by some of their Comrades very well Armed and Horst His Army being thus ordered and having called before him all the chiefe of his Army and acquainted them with what orders he intended to have kept that day commanding Psalmes to be sung throughout the whole Campe and Prayers to be made to God for Victory he got upon an ambling Nag spotted blacke and white and twice rode about and surveyed all his Squadrons enlivening them all with his affable behaviour sweetnesse of speech and cheerfull countenance telling them how confidently he relyed upon their knowne valour how weake the Enemy was incouraging them through the hope of bootie this being the end of all their labours the perfection of their glory and the accomplishment of their greatnesse which when they should obteine nothing could stand betweene them and the Crowne of Victory whereunto being by all of them answered with joyfull acclamations it was observed that some as if they had presaged what was to insue said unto him Oh Sir have a care of your Person and feare not us to which he answering My Valiant and beloved Compagnions wee have hitherto had but our first course courage now we are to expect the banquet and making the Baggage women and boyes who were mingled amongst the Troopes to be set a farre off he himselfe being got upon a dun Horse the Army moved enheartned by the sound of warlike instruments and with cheerfull martiall-like phrases whereby every one was incouraged and thus he advanced towards the Caesarians Neither was Walesteine wanting in vigilancy but having received newes that Pappenheim had faced about and was marching apace towards him having calculated the time aright and finding that he would come in very opportunely he advised with his chief CoÌ„manders whether he should resolve to give the King Battell or keepe undeneath Leypzig and indeavour to overcome the Enemy rather by Famine then by Sword They all resolved upon fighting and that they should in no wayes turne their backe upon the Swedes who would thereby be the more incouraged seeing their King march't resolutely in their Front He therefore upon the breake of day drew forth his Army likewise and appeared in Battell array before the Swedish Vanguard who with their Field Cannon were now in sight and towards noone
trampled upon them making it thereby be seen that the apprehension of death accompanies not valiant Souldiers to their grave But the Swedish Horse being by this time come in to second their Companions and the King supplying the fight with new Battaglions of Foot and the Imperialists being no lesse diligent on their sides the Battaile grew hotter then before one Battaglion fighting with another not onely with Muskets but with Pikes yea single Swords Whil'st on this side blowes were thus dealt about the Duke of Waymer appeared no lesse hardy on the other side nor the Imperialists lesse couragious for Levisteimes Steimbechs and Bristeimes Foot being advanced against Granas Fucari Holke and Prainers Regiments led on by Gallasse the hurley burley was no lesse violent on this side then on the right Flanke For the Swedish Foot giving on in close Rancks upon the Millers houses and the Ditch manfully made good by the Romanists and the Caesarian Cannon from the Wind-mills and the Swedish Cannon which were planted just against them playing reciprocally one upon another though the Imperialists shot playing upon the Swedes on the Flanke did them small hurt yet were they so withstood by Musquet shot and by the valour of the Austrian Commanders as Waymer seeing he was not able to effect his intended designe left Caleburgh Corlander and Theishansem for a Conduct to the Foot whilst he in the head of Corfilier and Franghels Regiment seconded by Vildesteimes Regiment of Foot facing about to that part which lyes betweene Lâ—â—zen and the Wind-mills fell upon the Imperialists on the flanke and so renewed the fight which grew so hot on all sides as nothing but clouds of smoake and lightnings of fire were to be discerned At this time when the victory though very bloudy appeared most on the Swedish side the King being advertised that Pappenheimes men began now to appeare and had already charged some of the light Horse of the Rear-guard surprised at this unexpected accident and madded to see so much time spent in passing the ditch Walestein had made which he thought not would have been of such use galloped to the Front of the Rear and having given the Commanders charge what orders they should keep in fighting with these fresh Forces of Pappenheim longing to know their state and condition though the Baron Offchercheim Lieutenant-generall of the Horse cryed out unto him more then once I beseech you Sir set not so small a value upon your owne life I beg it here of you in the midst of all your Army and do it for the common good of all your Souldiers and Servants leave the care of discovering the Enemies condition to me and to this Sword yet not weighing his words nor the supplications of the rest but spurring forward with some of his domesticke Servants and with the Regiment of Horse which was then his owne Guard having discryed the Enemy and being with some few advanced to discover them a certaine Troop of Horse of Piccolominies Regiment being sent before with other bands of Horse to hasten Pappenheimâ— to come and joine with them to discover the Country and learne the Swedes condition meeting with him who went in the head of his Regiment and at their very first discharging of their Pistols fortune would so have it as that one Bullet hit the King on the arme and another underneath the right shoulder wherewith falling from off his horse he forthwith dyed That this was the end of so brave a King no greater certaintie is knowne then from the mouth of a Page which was then with him there being at that time but onely two more with him who ran the same fortune as the King did for he was so far before the Squadron that followed him as that they could not see how the mischiefe happened The newes of this so great losse being presently noysed throughout the Army was likely to have bred some disorder but Waymer cloaking the businesse by suffering his body to lye in the Field and giving it out that he was not dead but that he was taken Prisoner and that it became his Souldiers to fight manfully that they might rescue him the Swedes were so exasperated thereby and the Commanders so incensed as not thinking any death more glorious then that wherein they should accompany their Lord Master They placed themselves in the heads of their Regiments Duke Waymer in particular placed himself in the head of the Blew Regiment recoÌ„mending the fight about the Wind-mils to Ruthen and Waisemberg advanced towards Pappenheim So likewise did all the other Commanders against Walesteines Squadrons who though they were with equall valour withstood by the Imperialists yet were the Imperialists thereby much indammaged Pappenheim who in the head of his Vangard flew upon the Swedes that were led on by Kniphausen in the beginning of the conflict was wounded with a Cannon-shot whereof he shortly after dy'd as he was carryed in a Coach towards Stalla to be cured The losse of this Commander was no lesse direfull to the Caesarian Campe then was the losse of the King to the Swedes wherefore Walesteine dispatched suddenly a Piemontesse Captaine to Major Generall Rinoch with order that he should charge with the Horse that was kept for reserve suddenly upon the Swedes who were in some confusion by reason of their Kings death which Waymer could not keep concealed The Piemontesse inquired of Rinoch how affaires went who answered very ill-favouredly for that Pappenheim had received his deaths wound and the Battell was lost which though he said it onely to him yet was it suddenly noysed abroad through the whole Campe who were thereat struck with feare So as Rinoch that he might not hazard his men but upon some ground and that he might see what the issue of the Battaile would be kept his station observing which way the fortue of the day would incline before he would further ingage himselfe and instead of falling upon the Enemy forbore further advancing which was a great cause of the Swedes safety for many of the Roman-Catholique Commanders and Souldiers being hereby cast downe and afraid they began to give back leaving the field to the Enemies Horse which desperatly pursued them Walesteine perceiving how his Souldiers ran towards Lutzen to save themselves fired the Towne aswell to obviat the disorder as for his farther security on that side and he himselfe came to the head of his men to make them fight again with threatning punishment and promising reward but it was impossible for him to make them stand such feare had Pappenheime's death infused into them and a rumour that said the Battaile is lost we are all undone Piccolominy seeing the confusion and facing the Enemy though he had tired foure horses and was now upon the fift and though his bloud ran downe through the wounds he had received and that he was desired by the other Commanders to retire himselfe to whom he answered that bloud shed upon such
carriage the good repute his very Enemies had of him published his ineffable worth to be without spot his estimation and renowne were the Trumpets of his valour and experience Germany hath not produced a privat Gentleman of so mature an understanding of so diligent a mind of so sprightly a wit nor one so generous he never undertooke any enterprise before he had well weighed what the event and consequence thereof might be he met with no difficulty which he found not some meanes to overcome hee prised not any preferment profit or interest wherein his particular person was concerned he was held to be in all things zealous to his masters service desirous of reputation and ambitious of glory he had wont to say to some of his friends who would perswade him to be more sparing of the monyes that were paid him that to deserve well of a Prince did not consist in having ones chests full of Gold that Souldiers loved not there where their Captaines were too mindefull of themselves that a faithfull Servant could have no more glorious title then that of Banckrout in fine he had a soule to which nothing was wanting but a body of Soveraignty that therein might be seen whatsoever of good wise courteous or conscious may be desired in a Prince hee was renowned by his Souldiers admired by his Companions he gratified Princes and deserved very well of the Roman-Catholique League and of all the house of Austria The Imperialists being gone from Leypzig Offchirch hasted with three Regiments of Horse and presented himselfe before the gates thereof the Inhabitants received him quickly within their wals aswell out of the duty they ought to the Duke of Saxony their naturall Prince as out of the love they bore to those of the Protestant party In the Castle there was a Garrison of the Imperialists wherefore Offchirch sent a Trumpet to the Governour thereof threatning fire and sword if he would not surrender but he not failing in his loyalty being an experienced Souldier and well verst in warre refused to doe it and prepared to defend it whereupon the Swedes drawing that very night neer the ditch raised up workes of earth and the next morning began to play upon the wals thereof with their Cannon In an other part some Companies of Saxon Horse and some others of the Duke of Lunenburg who came to re-inforce the Swedish Army thinking to come time enough to the Battaile understanding that not many of the Emperours Souldiers were left in Chemnitz a Towne seated upon the River Chemnitz which comming sorth from the furthermost bounds of Bohemia towards the South fals into Mulda another River of the said Province which taking its beginning from the Mountaines of Voitland a part of Bohemia waters Misnia and then falls into the Elb and not thinking it safe to leave that Towne behinde them they turned their march towards it and with little disturbance placing their Artillery against it they in a few houres perswaded the Inhabitants who knew the weakenesse of the place to parly and to agree to quit the Towne marching out onely with their Swords which they did to the number of 400 Foot and 70 Horse This Towne being taken Kniphausen the Swedish Marshall of the Field went with six Regiments of Foot and Horse to joyne with Tuball who stayd with 3000 Souldiers before the Castle of Leypzig and he quartered the rest of his Forces about Aldenburg a walled Towne with weake and ancient Fortifications neere Pleis betweene Borne and Zwika The Imperialists stoutly answered the enemies out-rage from the Castle when the Wind mills which were for the service of the Garrison being beâ—ten downe and Kniphausen being come up unto the Enemy the Castle was more narrowly beset whereupon the besieged seeing themselves neere lost resolved to parly promising to surrender the place if they were not succoured within ten dayes this Proposition was entertained by Tuball but no succour appearing and the ten dayes being expired they surrendred the Castle to the Swedes the Imperialists comming forth on the 12 of December with their Swords onely to the number of 300. The Saxons hereby incouraged to new enterprises they bethought themselves of the taking in of Zwika a place well fortified upon the side of Mulda to the end that they might not suffer that Garrison of the Imperialists to grow greater which might afterwards be likely to disturbe their proceedings in those parts Therefore Kniphaâ—sen taking with him those Souldiers which he found there about Leypizg which were some 5000 Foot and 1600 Horse marched towards Aldenburg and the Saxons being advertised of the great preparations made by the Austrians in Sletia to oppose their designs here divided themselvs faced about towards that Province The Governour of Zwika perceiving the comming of the Swedes resolved valiantly to defend it he therfore fired all the houses which stood about the Ditch which might serve the Enemy for a blind he withdrew into the Citie all that the time would permit him to doe he disposed of his Cannon in the fittest places and made it appeare he was resolved not to fayle in the dutie of his charge and performance of his loyaltie Kniphausen being come within the sight of the walls and finding it very hard to get earth by reason of the excessive Frosts built some Gabions of great pieces of Wood and filled them with earth and made such use thereof to secure his Batteries as that serving himselfe thereof to purpose and the besieged understanding that Walesteine was retreated from Saxony seeing little hope of timely succour after thirteene dayes holding out parlyed and surrondred the Towne upon more honourable conditions then in like case is usually received from a conquering Enemy marching forth with 700 Foot and 100 Horse Gustavus Horne this meane while made divers progresses in Alsatia in particular he took Benfield one of the most important places of that Province guirt about with five Royal Bulworks though not very great ones with Ditches and halfe Moones in a spacious open Country not farre from the Rhyne upon the side of Ill a River which comming from the Mountains of Helvetia fals into the Rhyn beneath Strasbourg This place being in two moneths taken he marched towards Ebersmunster the Inhabitants whereof knowing themselves not able with their imperfect walls to resist the Swedish Forces who were above 10000 fighting men and 22 piece of Cannon that they might shun the dangers and incommodities which those receive who foolishly undertake impossibilities accorded upon the first summons and received into quarter 200 Horse and 600 Foot The taking of this place facilitated the Swedes advancing to before Silistat a chiefe Citie of Alsatia betweene Benfield and Brisach fortified with strong Parapets where playing upon it with 12 peice of Cannon for the space of three weeks Colonell Breitembach who commanded in the Towne after having gallantly defended himselfe dispairing of succour by reason of the sew Austrian Forces that were in that
themselves he being already past the Bridge of Strasburg as farre as Sclestat and calling to minde these wicked actions got on horse-backe with all his followers which were 1000 Horsemen all of them either Gentlemen or experienced Souldiers for he was so desirous of being well served as that besides his faire carriage towards them he laid not out his mony so willingly upon any thing as in entertaining such as had fair repute in wars and together with some Troops of Colonell Harfe he hasted straight wayes towards those parts and overtaking them that were in Mulbausen not farre from Basel he flew upon them with his Dragoones and firing the first houses of the Village the Country people astonished at this unexpected accident being base and not wonted to see angry countenances and drawne Swords betooke themselves to their heeles and fled towards the hils of Tan but the Swedes spurring their horses apace after them some of them were hew'd in pieces and the rest of them burnt for they thought it not fitting to give quarter to those that had so inhumanely betrayed their Companions The Ringrave hearing againe after this how that Montecuculi with a great many of Armed Country-men was about Berfort upon the Confines of Lorayne hee marched thitherwards but Montecuculi knowing by experience that little trust was to be put in a rablerout without either order or discipline who were taken from the Mathook thought it not fitting to encounter with the Swedes he therefore retreated with eight Companies of Horse which he had with him and one of Dragoones into Brisach and left the Country people in Dameschirch a little Village two Leagues distant from Basel where the Enemy ariving and they not knowing how to put themselves in defence but basely running away the greatest part of them were cut in pieces and 700 that were taken prisoners in recompence of the inhumanity they had used towards the Swedes were tyed together by seven and seven with wit hs of willowes set in the open fields and in this posture the Horse were commanded to fall upon them and put them all to the Sword the which they did leaving thirty of the chiefest of them hung by the heeles upon trees In Alsatia affaires went thus when Walesteine resolving upon the continuance of the warre and foreseeing what the prejudice might be which would result to the Imperiall Crowne aswell as to his owne particular interest if he should be dispossest of the Townes in Swabenland and of such a Province a good part of the jurisdiction of his Dukedome of Glagaw and Sagan which if it should fall into the power of the Protestants would sever the annexion held with the States of Poland from whence in fitting time he hoped for a considerable succour the King thereof inclining very much to the Caesarian partie as well in respect of their ancient hatred borne to the Swedes as for the succours they had received from the Emperour in the Warre of Liefland as also for that a brute ran that there might be some hopes of a marriage with that house he therefore charged Gallasse to go with part of his Army and with some pieces of Artillery to divert the Saxons designes whil'st he himselfe stayed in Bohemia to re-inforce his Army by Monies and to contrive Counsels Intelligence Diversions and fitting Instruments for the worke wherein hee was concerned He therefore went by Brawn neere Stein and within a few dayes space got into that Province where he surprised many places which wanted necessaries for warre and had hee indeavoured the taking of Sweinitz a City of some importance not farre from Breslaw hee might easily have done it though he was advised to the contrary only out of a false opinion of meeting with great difficulties for though it were surrounded with ancient Wals and Rampiers of Earth yet in respect of the weaknesse of the Garrison and for want of Ammunition it was greatly afraid to be set upon and was rather in a condition of demanding Articles then of preparing for defence Two thousand Saxons being this meane while advertised that some Troopes of Caesarian Horse belonging to Tersica were quartered in Goltz upon the Weistriz thought to surprise them so as making thitherward they no sooner approached neere Olaw but that they fell upon them who being risen from their former quarters over-runne the Country they charged so closely home as the Caesarians though not inferiour in number fled losing not above thirty of their Souldiers In this interim Colonell Guets was come with 1000 Horse and 800 Foot neer Brieg between Olaw and Oppelen upon the side of Oder hee desired passage from the Prince thereof who desirous to stand neuter denyed it him whereupon he betooke himselfe to Force but finding that the Citizens were ready for defence and that the enterprise was somewhat briske he returned to his quarters at Neisse Harnem hearing hereof who was with the greatest part of the Saxon Army at Nanstaw a Towne beyond Breslaw and fearing left Brieg might fall into the Caesarians hands which would be very prejudiciall to the Elector found there a Passage over the Oder in the heart of that Province passing over the which he made towards it that hee might secure it by putting thereinto a Saxon Garrison which notwithstanding was denyed by the Prince who persisted in his neutrallity but Harnem howsoever resolved to secure the Towne brought Cannon thither which when the Inhabitants saw who were more inclined to peace then to warre and foresaw the dammage and troubles occasioned by warre they perswaded their Prince to grant Harnems request as after two dayes treaty he did Harnem having gathered his men together and being joyned with Tuball made a generall Muster wherein he found 14000 fighting men wherewithall hee matched towards Strelen and Wansen Townes lying upon Ola where the Imperialists at the first appearing of the Saxons put themselves in Battaile-array seeming as if they would not refuse to fight with them but finding afterwards the disadvantage they left part of their Forces in Strelen forsooke Wansen and retreated with the grosse of their Army to Grotkaw and Neiâ—se which when Harnem saw he prepared to take in Strelen the Garrison whereof knowing themselves not able to defend it and having directions left with them to quit it if the Enemy should face the Towne indeavoured though in vaine to fly for being incompassed by the Saxon Horse the greatest part of them were made prisoners and brought to Olaw The taking of Strelen incouraged the Swedes to the taking in of Grotkaw betweene Neisse and Brieg where as soone as the Imperialists saw the Enemies Scouts they forwent the place and retreated to Neisse not caring much to fight that they might not hazard their men in a Battaile since they shortly expected such recruits as that they might without being incountered drive their Enemies from those places though they should have a thousand men for their Garrisons but the Saxons not slipping the
by their continuall excursions and the harme they did was so much the more remarkable as that the Towns thereabouts belonging to the jurisdiction of this Duke the Inhabitants thereof could not stirre out without being indammaged or much afrighted by that Garrison for having made their fortunes by the misfortune of warre like so many banisht men without any manner of dread or feare they made use of all occasions to surprise their Enemies so as no wayes fearing the Wirtenberghers but rather making merry with them as Country-people not accustomed to warre they with frequent and bold Sallies made them keep aloofe off and to their no small renowne kept the Fort in obedience to Caesar. The Marquesse of Bada hearing that Rinfelden was Surrendred and that the Ringrave was marching towards him immediately removed his quarters from Malhausen and Kerbin retiring with his Foot to Constantz and from thence past along the Lake of Lindaw passing his Horse to Vberlinghen and from thence to Ravensparg and Mimingen there to attend and joyne with the Army which was preparing in Lombardy Montecuculi being on all sides surrounded by the Enemy was not notwithstanding any whit dismaid but as a stout and valiant Cavalier surprised two Companies of Swedish Horse where they were quartered in Bossinghom cut the most of them in pieces and returned to the Towne with some Carriages and 40 Prisoners who were afterwards set at liberty that they might not consume the Provisions which were to be spared for the defendants Colambac Lieutenant Colonell to the Count of Nassaw being left to keep Colmar incensed at the ill usage of his men resolved upon revenge and drawing neer Brisach with 400 Horse and 700 Foot he placed them in some thicke woods not farre from thence then feigning to convey some Marchants of Sclestat he made part of his men appeare in sight of the Imperialists Centinels much about noon on the 16th of May when Montecuculi was at dinner with Schamburg where well pleased with the good successe they had at Bossinghem they according to the Dutch manner were making merry Montecuculi hearing of this appearance egg'd on by his couragious heart and incouraged by his late good successe streight-way went forth accompanied with the greatest part of his Commanders and took with him 200 Foot and as many Horse wherewithall he boldly Charged the Swedes who retreating that they might bring him within their ambush whereinto he so farre ingaged himselfe as that those that lay in ambush issuing out and the way for his retiring being block't up with Carts brought thither on set purpose by Souldiers disguised in Country-mens apparrell they flew upon him so furiously as that though the Count did whatsoever a valiant Commander could doe in his owne defence he was borne by his Horse into a waterish meadow and having received three Musket shot and two wounds with a Sword he was taken prisoner and brought to Colmar where wounded yet more with griefe to see himselfe in that condition where not long before he had commanded in Chiefe and seeing small hopes of ransome he departed this life the 17th of Iune following This defeat and losse of so gallant a Commander was cause of sorrow to the City and Souldiers and was much resented by Caesars selfe and his whole Court nay the Swedes themselves were sorry for it and in particular Colambac who proud that he had one of the Emperours best Commanders prisoner said he would have redeemed his life with some of his owne blood Ernestus Montecuculi was of one of the best Families of Modena who from his youth having passed through all the degrees of a Souldier was arived at the place of Generall of the Artillery to Ferdinand the second and chiefe Commander of his Forces in Alsatia he was of a pleasing aspect and sweet behaviour insomuch as whosoever had conversation with him must needs confesse he was beholding to him no Commander in Germany would have out-done him in understanding had fortune been favourable unto him Colambac being hereat puft up drew neer the Fort and quartered himselfe with 600 Foot and 400 Horse at Beissen not farre from Brisach the like did the Marshall Turlach who taking the Swedes pay and being then Governour of Brisconia came with as many men as he could draw out of the neigbouring Garrisons and quartered himselfe between Frisberg and Rotelen Here began the first Siege that the Swedes laid to Brisach The Ringrave having made himselfe master of the forenamed Townes and the Castle of Stofell remaining yet untaken came before it tooke it in two dayes and to gratify the Duke of Wirtenberg made it be pull'd downe then thinking how advantagious it might be to the Swededs to take Villinghen which was besieged by the Wirtenberghers since besides the incumbrance it was to the parts therabouts it hindrered the Wirtenbergers joyning with the Townes that were towards the Rhyn he marched thitherwards thinking to effect his designe and then to make use of the men that were imployed in that service elsewhere but whil'st hee was upon his march hee was by fresh advertisement called backe into Alsatia for feare of the Duke of Lorayne so as he speedily went with all his men to re-inforce the Marshall Turlach The like did his Brother Count Phillipe with Forces that he had drawne out of the neighbouring quarters and Garrisons The Wirtenberghers this meane while hasted to accomplish the taking of Vilinghon who they said had cunningly prolonged the taking thereof for that if they had ended that siege there remaining nothing else wherein to imploy themselves in those parts they should have been necessitated to have gone to re inforce the Swedish Army and not onely submit themselves to be commanded by the Generall thereof but as it is usuall to put men of least respect upon the most toylsome actions they would have been subjected to heavy dutyes to the dishonour of their Prince The Forces which were raised in Milan by the Spaniards being in a readinesse to passe into Germany to the succour of Alsatia and the French-men fearing lest if they should not passe through the Valteline they might indeavour to possesse themselves of the passages of Rhetia through intelligence had with some that were well wishers to the Austrian party and minded their owne profit 32 Companies of French Foot and two of Horse were with diligence sent to those parts which the Switzers permitted to passe to the end that the preservation of those passes or passages might be minded by such re-inforcements for the French who were no wayes pleased with such Leagues did much apprehend lest either surprised by the Spaniards or drawne by friendship they might be drawne to side with them the free accesse of the Grisons to fall upon any occasion into the Valteline and to shut out from the State of Milan that Connexion which it here makes with Germany being of great importance After these was moreover sent Henry Duke of Rohan a well
Alsatia a wasted Country which wanted necessaries for the maintenance of Armies and being moreover on all sides invironed by Swedes it was easily to be foreseen that they must either thinke upon returning or else destroy their men which were not accustomed to labour and hunger nor to the climate of Germany which in Winter was excessive cold so as their vigorous Foot being extenuated they might the more easily be overcome These efficatious Arguments and Considerations were much listned unto by Horne and the Major part of the other Commanders but Waymer Offchirchin and others who above measure coveted to give them Battaile not able to see that Army which not long before boasted it selfe to be invincible and able to make its way through the strongest oppositions which the Austrians could make give backe for the onely neighbourhood of a Nation which they held in no esteem answered that it was not unknowne how available the reputation of Armes was to a Prince by which greater Victories are oft-times achieved then by Force alone that this was of very great consideration to whosoever hath the Command and Government of an Army that hereby Enemies were possest with feare ones owne men heartned and dominion was preserved that on the contrary side scorne and undervaluation was the beginning and product of ruine that reason granted Walesteine who envied Feria's greatnesse might for this forfeit his loyalty but that it could not be denyed that the Spaniards praise whereby their Souldiers were incouraged was likely much to diminish the opinion of the Swedes not onely amongst their owne men but over all the world that it was evidently known if Feria prospered in his endeavours Walesteine could not so justly blame the Caesarian Councells but rather by commending them be obliged as his rivall to out-doe him by some new enterprise that the Spanish Authority in Germany grew greater that subjects did more patiently endure Imperiall impositions that the preservation of these guests would not so openly be refused and every one being emboldned with hopes and having their hearts raised the people of Germany would thereby be occasioned to contemne the Swedes and to set a greater estimation upon the Austrians that the businesse of Brisach was curiously looked upon by all the world it being of so apparant importance that they were now at their last gaspe and ready to yeeld that they should not abandon that fortune which hitherto had been favourable and propitious unto them till they should see themselves by her abandoned that the Victory of this Battaile brought with it the winning of all Alsatia the securing of Wirtenberg the preservation of the Townes in Swabenland that it was the ruine of the Spanish honour and which yet imported more it was the eternizing the good opinion of the Swedish Armies and the evident suppression of Bavaria For Walesteine who would be glad to see the bad successe of the Emperours Councels which were resolved on without his advice and were set on Foot by Bavaria blaming the unadvisednesse of the Officers and rejoycing at the ill event thereof would by drawing them upon his backe be rather like to foment their ruine then to repaire it so as Alsatia would be secured and the French-mens threats when they should see the Swedes power grow over-great would hereby be provided for for they would find hard passing the Rhyn when it should be secured on these parts that they might safely hope to march with their Forces into Austria and compasse their ambition aspired unto of crying up Emperour whom they pleased that therefore they ought to fight and rather hazard themselves upon so great an enterprise then with losse to shun a danger and thereby pull upon them another more irrepairable that if their Army were weak in Foot it was the stronger in Horse that indeed Alsatia was much impoverished of all such necessaries as were requisite for the aboad of an Army but that it was neer Helvetia the Inhabitants whereof would make use of this advantagious occasion and willingly to vent their commodities supply the Spaniards for their pay These conceipts of Waymer though they were acknowledged by all to be too adventurous yet were they taken into consideration and the emergent occasion being maturely weighed the result of the Councell was that they would imbrace both propositions that is to incommodate Feria by cutting off his Victuals and temporising and yet to fight couragigiously when they would doe it in such a position of place as might be advantagious for their Horse They therefore ordered their Battaglions and planted their Cannon in most convenient places and with part of their Horse made towards the Austrians believing firmly to come to a Battaile with them but they being favoured in their situation by a little Hill which they lay under and by a contiguous Wood would not be drawne from thence though provoked thereunto by divers skirmishes but sent secretly their Vanguard towards Mulen with intention to winne the passage at Dutling and to enter on that side into the Dukedome of Wirtenberg wherein if they had prospered as they wisely endeavoured it it was that which would have fully satisfied them Horne fore-seeing the disorders that might hereupon ensue faced presently about that way and went streight towards Engen where he stayd that night and hearing the next day which was on the sixth of October that the Duke of Feria continued his march he passed over his Army at Dutling a Towne belonging to the jurisdiction of Wirtenberg watered on the North-side by the Danube which runnes there very slowly The Swedish Commanders understanding here that the Austrians were advanced to the top of the Hill they had put themselves in Battell-Array in a plaine betweene two neighbouring Woods Horne thinking now for certaine that Feria was resolved to fight he hasted with his Horse to the top of the Hill which is above Dutling on Engens side and whilst he gave orders to the Foot he sent Monsieur Ville-Franch's Regiment of Horse to fall upon the Enemy and by skirmishing with them to towle them out into the plaine but this tooke not effect for the Spaniards keeping themselves in their advantagious position entrench't there and being short of the Swedes in Horse they would not draw out into the Field but make use of such places as were convenient for their Foot But the Swedes were told by their informers that the Imperialists had refused to give them Battell the day before onely by reason of Aldringer who had received order from Walesteine not to fight nor to hazard his men which in case he should loose he should likewise lose his imployment and for that Walesteine not well pleased with Ferias comming desired his reputation might be blur'd by some unluckie encounter believing notwithstanding that Feria would agree in opinion with Aldringer as well grounded upon reason that he should fight before his Freshmen should be wearied with their duties in the Field where hunger was their greatest Enemy The
Swedes kept their men all that night long in Battell-Array and the Generalls though they had conveniency to rest themselves in their Coaches did notwithstanding dismisse them saying It was not fitting they alone should enjoy their ease where so many friends and fellow Souldiers suffered hardnesse they therefore were content to lye that night which was very cold and snowy upon the naked earth neere the rest of the Souldiers An example which ought to be followed by such Commanders as desire to winne the Souldiers love for there is no greater cause of murmuring then inequalitie and to enjoy a mans owne ease whilst his Companions are in misery If King Gustavus did Acts of wonder with a few men this was one of the chiefest causes thereof for he thereby gave others reason to imitate and follow his example The Swedes the next morning perceiving the Spaniards did not advance as they expected they should doe and that they could not draw them into the open Field and Horne being moreover advertised that they began to march towards Sigmering a place which though it were upon the Danube lyes yet more lower towards Bavaria And fearing least Feria and Aldringer who were wise Commanders and of a refined understanding should winne the hand of them and get into Wirtenberg by Balings side which was but two Leagues off where the Imperialists yet kept the strong Castle of Solerme situated upon a craggy Mountaine and which was then besieged by the Wirtenbergers and that they might passe from thence to Filisberg to relieve that Fort and so getting over the Rhyn recruit Haghenaw runne over the Palatinate joyne themselves with the remainder of the Lorayne Forces and with those that were rays'd in Burgundy and advance prosperously on the other side the River to Brisach they went from Dutling and tooke the same way and lodged that very night in Drussing where the newes being that Feria was upon his march and it was moreover confirmed that he had throwne a Bridge over the Danube at Shamering Horne sent 500 Horse under the Conduct of the Lieutenant Colonell of the Finlanders who was well practised in such like affaires to discover the Enemies Designe and to take some prisoners by whom he might learne what condition their Army was in This man went boldly on and as he thought to surprise a quarter wherein were 1000 of the Enemies Horse he found them ready to entertaine him as having had notice of his intention he was unexpectedly set upon by them and himselfe with many of his men taken prisoners The newes still continuing that the Caesarians were upon their march the Swedish Commanders advanced to Baling to hinder their entrance on that side into the aforesaid Dukedome and there they stayd But being againe informed that the Duke of Feria was parted from Aldringer and that he marched with onely 12000 towards Brisach and that Aldringer being sent for backe by Walesteine returned with the rest into Bavaria Horne gave order to follow them and therefore Weymar marched with his Forces towards Ebing Horne and Berchenfield towards Newstat that they might meet together before Brisach to re-inforce that Campe and preventing the Spaniards force them to depart from thence but as soone as they had begun this their march there came certaine newes that the speech of their parting was not true but that it was a stratagem of theirs by leaving their Baggage intrench't in Miskerck and that they were in hast gone towards the Rhyn and were already at Egen The Swedish Generalls advising what was hereupon to be done they resolved to follow them and to leave their Baggage at Rutuile a priviledged Citie upon the Frontiers of Wirtenberg and which was with good correspondency with the Switzers that they might make the more speedy march and overtake them Weymar therefore returned back and together with Horne and Berchenfield returned to Shemburg and marching all that night they were the next morning at Drussing Whilst the Souldiers very weary with their long marches rested themselves in this Village Horne was advertised by Letters from Scafhause that the Imperialists were past by the Townes of that Canton of which they had burnt two whereat the Protestant Switzers being much inraged had taken up Armes that many thousands of them were gathered together intending to proceed in hostile manner with those they should find had provoked them thereunto that therefore wanting Horses to backe them in the Field while they should revenge this Out-rage done unto them they desired his assistance therein This advice did much amuse Weymar and Horn though they gave not much credit to the Letters knowing that the Switzers who were divided in their opinions doe not so easily put on such resolutions of declaring themselves Enemies to a great Prince They resolved notwithstanding that they might let their friends know they never abandoned good neighbours to send Berchenfield with part of the Army to Newstat that Horne should keepe about Rotevile and that Weymar with 40 Companies of Horse should goe to know what those of Scafhause wanted When Horn was come to Rotevile Weymar came hastily to him from his quarters and brought with him certaine Letters from Oxesterne which were directed to Horne which when they were opened and a secret Commission found therein they soone changed their former orders for Weymar leaving his intention of going to Scafhause tooke the way of Franconia that he might againe come into Bavaria to the enterprise of Ratisbone to the which he was invited by secret advertisements given him by the Elector of Saxony and other Protestant friends that it was now time to thinke upon some action that was unexpected by the Caesarians for Walesteine who was distasted seemed very desirous that somewhat of mis-fortune might befall the Spanish Army and the Duke of Bavaria as he who had beene the cause that the Spaniards had passed over the Mountaines with a power independent and that Aldringer too joyned with them and that it was verily conceived that if the Swedes would endeavour the ruine of Bavaria he would not budge one foot to succour them and just so it proved as shall be said hereafter Berchenfield was left with the residue of the Army to goe to Offemberg to watch the Spaniards proceedings beyond Brisack and Marshall Horne tooke his way with 2000 Horse towards Eneding from whence he sent away a Trumpet to acquaint the Magistrates of Scafhause with his comming and so went himselfe to Bergher a little Village belonging to that Canton where he found the Deputies of the said Citie fuller of Wine then resolution for the preparations which were said to be made by the Protestant Switzers were found not be such as was given out there being onely 1000 Foot sent by the Canton of Zurich under the command of Colonell Vldrich for the defence of that Citie and to no other purpose neither did they conclude any thing but stood with their Glasses in their hands till two houres within night at which time
Horne being informed by a Lieutenant of Crabats who was taken prisoner as he lighted upon the Swedish Centinells which he tooke to be Caesarians that there was not farre from thence 500 Carriages of Ammunition for the Austrian Army with some Crabats for their Convoy he presently got on horse-back and pursued them though in vain for they being advertised by some of the Lieutenants Companions got by the favour of the night which was very dark to Mulen This happened after he had tane his leave of the said Deputies having been very instant with them to use their authority with the Canton of Basel that they should not assist the Spaniards neither with Victuals nor Ammunition as he feared they would At the same time that Oxensternes Commissions came to Horne and Waymer there were other Commissions sent to those who were before Brisach which commanded the Ringrave to raise his Forces from the Siege of Colmar and to joyne with Colonell Ransaw and the Souldiers that were quartered in Alsatia to the end all of them together making up the Body of an Army and strengthned by the Garrisons of that Province they might have an eye to the Duke of Feria's designes Berchenfeilt for the better strengthning of the Ringrave and to secure the Towns in Alsatia went over the Bridge at Strasbourg marcht likewise toward Colmar But for that if the Spaniards should come to Brisach they might easily by the advantage of the River passe and repasse over the Bridge and Horne fearing lest they might by that way indeavour to enter into Wirtenberg a Country wherein they might that yeare have easily wintered he incamped himselfe about Horneberg upon the Frontiers of that State a place not onely able to receive him but very fitting to molest the Romanists Army whensoever they should passe backe againe into Bavaria as 't was thought they would suddainly doe aswell to hinder Waymers proceedings as also that so many people could not subsist in those parts which were totally consumed and for that the most part garrisonized by the Swedes The Spaniards this meane while advanc'd to Waldshut not meeting with any obstacle and making themselves masters thereof as also of Sichemghem and Leuffemburg all which yielded upon Articles they at last set upon Rinfelden the Garrison whereof defending themselves with constancy and obstinacy hoping to be quickly succord and not able to resist a gallant Assault which the Spaniards made they were all put to the Sword From hence they passe to Basel the Citizens whereof were it either out of feare or for their owne interests received Feria curteously who notwithstanding would not enter into the City but they made much of Cōmissary Ossa of Count Iohn Serbolone and Col. Ieri who entring thereinto had what they could desire for their mony The Siege was likewise raised from before Veling by the Wirtenbergers and the Militia in Roteville was committed to the charge of Colonell Agafield to prevent the insurrection of the Romanists thereabouts which they might indeavour being imboldned by the comming of that Army All the thoughts and designes of the other Imperialists aymed at the Saxon Army they bent all their wits how to weaken it of which they were so jealous The greatest preparations for warre which in so short a time and in the present conjuncture could be was made in Bavaria to save themselves from their Enemies threatning Forces which lay towards Ratisbone and in Alsatia the Councels of the one side and of the other were imploy'd in measuring their owne strength and the like of their companions and in plotting how they might get the Victory upon the which by reason of the consequencies which depended thereupon all the Eyes of Christendome were fixt When Walesteine still more and more desirous to conclude a peace with the Elector of Saxony the which he would have been the gladder of for that without it he could not easily compasse that which he desired to doe to the new Spanish Army made new proffers and conditions drawne out of the necessity whereinto he was brought and whereby he went lesse in honour for they were so large as that his reputation was thereby prejudiced but not being such as gave satisfaction to the pretences of that Prince neer whom were some Counsellors that were partiall to the Crowne of Swethland and very ill affected to the Romanists nor the Swedish Armes being as yet so great as that they needed a moderator nor yet so much declined as that they ought to shelter themselves from the Emperours indignation nor yet the Emperour being willing to grant him what he then demanded in honour of those Forces which were by him fomented he went so warily to worke as neither to incense the Swedes nor yet exasperate the Emperour but proceeding with each of them so as he conceived made most for his owne advantage and the suspension of Armes for other three weeks being now out he tooke in divers places in Misnia and set downe before Leypzig Walesteine perceiving that the Saxons removed their Forces from Slesia a noble Province he followed them and cut many of them in pieces and seeing it was not now time to set in order other mens affaires whilst his owne were in hazard he withdrew himselfe along the Elb to Laitmeritz from whence Gallasse being gone with 10000 Souldiers towards Dresden hee advanced once more to Braig the which he tooke as likewise many other places formerly held by the Saxons not for that his minde was bent upon such acchivements for they were of no great importance but that he might appeare to be imploy'd in these parts and to shun occasion of going to the succour of Bavaria as likewise by feare of Armes to invite the Elector to sence himselfe by Peace against the molestations of Warre From thence being gotten neerer Glogaw and understanding that Harnem was marching thitherward to succour it and disturbe his designe and that the Count De Towrs was then in the Swedish Camp in Armes with the title of Commissary generall and that he and Colonell Tuball were with 5000 men about Victenaw where he was informed that the said Count was a man rather fit for politicke imployments then mannaging of Armes for though he understood Military affairs yet was he of so easie a disposition as wanting vivacity of spirit and ready resolution parts requisite in a perfect Commander his adversaries might easily by their cunning worke upon the sweetnesse of his minde He applyed himselfe to this enterprise thinking to set upon them unexpectedly and to work some impression in them having therefore through his wonted cunning whereby he miraculously governed all his actions when fortune favoured him given secret order to his Commanders that they should make as if they went towards Harnem altering his course on the suddaine he on the 11th of Octob. fell so unexpectedly upon the Saxon quarters that he was upon their backes before they could retreat in safety either to Vratislavia Krossen or Glogaw all
still waited upon them on the Frontiers of Wirtenberg fearing lest they might enter thereinto and doe what they had formerly purposed they left some thousands perish't by cold Famine and flight The two Armies of Austria and Swethland marched the one on this side the other on that side the Danube not without some blowes sometimes to the advantage sometimes to the losse of either of them when Colonell Calambac Governour of Colmar resolving to take the Castle of Zulech seated upon a Hill some six Leagues from Colmar towards Lorayne addrest himselfe thitherward with foure Companies of Foot and two of Horse and prospered in his designe For feigning to be of the Emperours side and framing certaine Letters under falâ—e Characters signed with Schamburgs seale who as then commanded in chiefe in Brisach he sent them to the Governour who thinking them to be true let him into the Castle where he took the Governour Prisoner brought him to his quarter with about 160 Souldiers which were with him who all entered themselves under his Banners But the keeping of this place of so small weight not standing with his good and fearing the Marquesse of Bauden who marched after him he instantly quitted it carrying from thence all that was good which some who had retired themselves thither not dreading the Protestants had brought into it an accident which did not a little perturbe the Austrians for discovering the feare or were it the incapacitie of government of their Officers they doubted lest they might run the like prejudice in other places more subject to jealousie Waymer having taking Strawbing and Dechendorf was incurraged to greater enterprises particularly to the taking of Passaw and he was the more heartned herein for that at the same time some Boores of Austria stirred up by these proceedings and by the Swedes neighbour-hood forbare not againe to unsheath together with their Swords their treacherous minds He therefore tooke his march thitherward with 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse pick't out of the grosse of the Army which by the accesse of divers Troopes from sundry parts was grown to consist of 15000 fighting men but the Emperour and Duke of Bavaria well knowing how much the taking of that Citie would import them as that which commanding the Danube and Inn was the proper passage to let in the Enemy into Caesar patrimoniall estate into Austria into Bavaria and Bohemia which wanted strong holds on that other side to defend them and would doubtlessely have caused strange feare in all the people of those Provinces did with all diligence indeavour to prevent this blow and so withstand the Swedes herein Iohn D'Wert was therefore ordered to come from his quarters in Bavaria with foure Regiments of Foot to defend it As likewise on the other side the Danube other 2000 Foot and 700 of the Imperialists Horse came to the defence thereof which were formerly quartered in the Confines of Bohemia towards the Palatinate Walesteine was likewise commanded to march instantly that wayes with all his Army and received divers orders to that purpose that he might looke to the further proceedings of the Enemy to allay the Rebellion of the Austrians and to the recovery of Ratisbon which was not out of hopes of being regained for that the Swedes had not yet had time to fortifie it as it ought to be nor to furnish it sufficiently with Victualls and Ammunition which they tooke no great care for for they rather turned all to their peculiar service then to the publique good not thinking after their Kings death that they had any other interest then in their owne particulars as not knowing what would be the issue of their labours nor who should bee Master of what they should get Thus are affaires handled where commands are confusedly given and where there is not a Supreame head of whom men ought to stand in feare and from whom to hope for good Walesteine at the newes hereof though he desired nothing but ruine to the Spaniards and Bavarians that he might bring them to be in need of him and to trust all their affaires to his guidance as is usuall to the ambition of such who being raysed from a low to a high fortune are so dazled with the splendor thereof as that though they want not the spectacles of wisedome yet they know not how neere so great an ascent is to a precipite and that the higher the glory be exalted the downefall is the deeper yet deeming it to be too rash an action not to obey his Master and so prove himselfe hatefull and ungratefull after he had commanded Gallasse to stay in Saxony with 10000 Souldiers to watch over the Electors proceedings he himselfe with the rest of his Army marched towards Ratisbon but made so slow haste as his intention of succouring Bavaria might be discerned to be very infirme the which was the more confirmed when he was no sooner come into the Palatinate but that palliating himselfe with pretence that the Saxons being advanc't to the Frontiers of Bohemia it more behoved the Emperour to maintaine that Kingdome then to lose it by succouring others he faced about and returned to his former station The Duke of Bavaria being advertised that Walesteine was upon his march towards him guthered together all the Militia that he could get in that Country and from the Garrisons thereabouts and advâ—ncing towards Danube Charged some of the Swedish Troopes and having slaine about 200 of the Enemy did with much boldnesse and to the great terrour of the adversary come neere to Ratisbon and was ready to Assault it on that side whensoever Walesteine should set upon it on the other that so he might divert Waymer's Army from the impression it might make in the Romanists but when he heard that Walesteine was retreated to Bohemia without having given him any the least notice thereof he that hee might not further ingage himselfe with his Forces returned likewise to his quarters and being much incenst against Walesteine he suddainly dispatcht away his Chancellour to Vienna to awaken his Caesarian Majesty and make him have an eye to the actions of his Generall which did not correspond with the duty of a faithfull servant and that he might take some order for his assistance if otherwise that when necessity should inforce him he must thinke upon some other course for his owne good He complained hereof likewise to the King of Spaines Ministers of State Resident then at Vienna and in Ispruch inviting them to mediate with Caesar that some resolution might be tane to assist him and that it might be taken into consideration how much the Emperour and all the Catholique League might suffer by the sinister proceedings of their Generall that it was not unknowne to his Majesty how firmly he had adheared unto the League whilst others like so many lightnings ranne to the destruction of the Empire what great and profuse expences he had been at in maintaining of the Armies what propositions made unto him
to shelter themselves there Walesteine being returned into Bohemia that he might honest his retreat from the businesse of Ratisbon advanced againe into Saxony and routed divers of the Electors Troopes of Horse making some other little inrodes in those parts of no great moment But because he had no minde to doe any thing to purpose instead of continuing his proceedings there though there were no great difficulty in it his Army being strong and desirous of new imploymenâ—s he feigned an excuse how that to keep in Saxony where there was such scarcity of Victuals and whereof the Enemy did for a good part hinder him and being obliged to be perpetually in readinesse to fight in the Winter-season wherein it was more requisite to refresh the Army then to consume it It belonged not to a wise Commander to be unmindfull of these things and therefore upon these reasons he returned to Bohemia and divided his Army in that Kingdome and in Moravia a Province comprehended in the said Kingdome of Bohemia confining upon Austria Sletia and Hungaria populous fruitfull and abounding witâ— all things requisite for humane sustenance making it be noysed abroad that he this meane while prepared to come into the field with Forces able to effect his designes this was notwithstanding onely that his evill intention to that Kingdome might appeare and that he might breake the necke of the Imperiall Authority against whose Ministers of State as it is usuall with those that conceive themselves injured to be more incensed against a friend then against a stranger Walesteines minde and industry was more bent to ruine his counterfeit friends then his open enemies The Duke of Feria having made some aboad in the parts about Fussen knowing how hard a matter it would be for him to keep his Army in that Country where was great want of Victualls and Forradge since his men were not accustomed to the German labour and toyle where contrary to the practise of Italy and Flanders the Country being spacious and having but few Forts in it the Souldier doth for the most part keep the Field and is more accustomed to Field-Battailes then to besieging strong holds resolved to go into Bavaria and winter in that Country wherein was great store of Corne and Hay He therefore spoke thereof to the Duke who though he desired not more Forreiners in his Country by whom subjects usually receive nothing but losse yet he being a very religious Prince and who kept still loyall to the Emperour setting aside all particular respects where the common cause came in question would make it appeare how firme his heart stood to the service of the Roman-Religion and the house of Austria he was moreover the sooner drawne to yield to this request by reason of the need he stood of helpe against the Swedes and for that the Spaniards assistance was requisite to suppresse Walesteine whose indeavours tending onely to his ruine had brought him to a hard condition He therefore was contented to receive him into his dominions which happened to the greater satisfaction of his subjects then was imagined for they much apprehending the Swedish excursions were very well pleased with this comming of the Spaniards who kept very good order in their treating the people nay they so civilly comported themselves as that the former feare they had of the name Spaniard they being by such as dreaded them and were envious of the glory of that Nation given out to be proud insolent and greedy of what belonged to others they now found that nation as civilly behaved and full of curtesie as the extent thereof is large in Command and to be more lovingly quiet and more to be borne withall then any other so as they were very well contented with their company and so much the more as that monies being currant the Country-people injoyed that by war which oft-times they want in peace Walesteines retreat from Saxony did not more trouble his jealous Competitors then did his negligence in comming to succour Ratisbon and in the after recovery of it For thereby it was firmely conceived the scope he aimed at was how he should withdraw himselfe from his obedience to Caesar and to necessitate the Dutch-men to unkennell the Spaniards as well from out of the Provinces of the Empire as out of the Court at Vienna that so he might rest absolute in his command and in the authoritie which he was more ambitious of then was his Master therefore were the Spaniards the worse inclined towards him for as it is usuall for diffidence to feare every shadow so did these men aime at nothing else nor did they in their secret Councell commune about ought save how to humble him And though his actions were in some sort justifiable by the Maximes of Warre by which it seemed he did well in retreating into Bohemia out of the feare he might have of Harnem who was desirous to quarter his Forces in that Kingdome yet because what the mind is once possest of is not easily extirpated this impression was by these reasons so radicated as it began to make even those doubt him who till then had stood very partiall in his defence who wanting now meanes how to maintaine his proceedings lest they might partake in blame with him for offences of high Treason are of so catching a condition as that they infect even the innocence of such as doe protect the guiltie faced about and began rather to respect their owne offices and places which they held under the Emperour then to consider their sickly and unstable hopes in him whose onely name made such hatefull as pleaded in his defence Wert having in vaine indeavoured to surprise Olims his quarters joyned himselfe with the Baron of Sois a Colonell of the Roman League and marched to Vilshoven upon the Danube betweene Possaw and Straubing and Duke Waymer finding the enterprise of Possaw to be difficult as well by reason of the naturall situation thereof as for that all the Militia that was thereabouts came in to the defence of it parted from thence and leaving 4000 Foot betweene Straubing and Ratisbon passed all his Force beyond the Danube and the Swedes perceiving that the multiplicitie of Commanders of severall Nations and differing opinions in an Army would not suffer their enterprises to take any good effect whilst envy was a hindrance to opportunities whilst glory ranne too head-long into ambition and self-interest was mixt in all their actions one Captaine disliking what another did and every one thinking himself fitter then his Companion for the charge conferred on his Colleague to avoyd these inconveniencies a generall assembly of the United States and Cities was called to re-establish the League of all the Confederates and to resolve upon such Provisions as were behofefull for the Warre or else to put on a last resolution of Peace And moreover for that it was necessary to have a Generalissime who should command in chiefe the Protestant Forces they maturely consulted hereupon
the season the difference of climats the inhumanitie of the Countrey people and the unexperience of fresh Souldiers then by the Sword of the Enemie The Duke of Bavaria Duke of Feria Aldringer and many other principall men did in their frequent counsels examine the present condition and did in their wisedomes weigh what was fittest and most needfull for the publique good and their owne particular honours The Count D'Ognata a deeply intelligent Minister of state being at Vienna failed not in observing what prejudice might be caused by Walesteines infidelity in taking order how it might be obviated and in soliciting Caesar to take some expedient meanes for the preservation of his owne authority In Lombardy the Infanta was diligent in taking men into pay and in indeavouring Monies and Foot from Spaine whereby to re-inforce the Army and thereby to maintaine the power of Spaine in Germany assistance for the present occasions was indeavoured at Naples the Magazine whereby the Spanish greatnesse is re-inforced by imposing new grievances upon the Subject new impositions upon Salt and upon the incomes of Fines or Amerciaments Customes and the Kingdomes Revennues and to boot with the continuall issues of Souldiers which went from that Kingdom 6000 Foot were entertained by Prince San Severo and other Brigadoes under Don Carlo de Gatta Lucius Boccapivola Iohn Baptista Orsino Caesar Caracciolo and divers others and the Drums beat through all the other Dominions of the King of Spaine and assessements were made for the supply of Men and Monies for the German warre upon the which the Spaniards were as intent as if it had been their own businesse At Rome the Spanish Embassadours prest much upon the Pope to assist the Romanists in Germany and did much exasperate the sinister behaviour of the French Creqiri aboad in the Court to moderate the Spanish conceptions and to interest the Pope in behalfe of his King the Pope by some supply of Monies did wisely satisfie the Spaniards entertained the French in civill manner and consolated Christendome with plenary indulgencies and in fine the eyes of all Europe were fixt upon what would be the event of the Spanish preparations when Feria after having been some few dayes sicke of a Feaver died and for that after he had been in a faire way of recovery he fell into a relapse some suspected his death might be occasioned by poyson and that it was done by Walesteines privacy for he greatly hated and envied the Spaniards who being faithfull to their Prince could not permit that people should live in feare of him who ought to dread his Master nor that the Imperiall Ministers of state should be so foolish as to admit of defence or listen to the justification of one guilty of high Treason Yet was there no appearance of ground for this conceipt The Duke of Feria's death as it was gladsome to Walesteine and some other Dutch Ministers of state who were not pleased that the Spanish authority should get further possession in Germany so was it very much lamented by the Emperour the King of Spaine all the Austrians Spaniards and Italians the Crowne of Spaine having lost in him one of the worthiest servants it for the present had or had had in many yeares before He was none of the famous cryed-up Commanders for being alwayes imployed in state affaires hee was not accustomed to Armes and he was arrived at the hight of perfection in state government as that Spaine did bost it selfe and Italy glorified never to have been in a more flourishing condition then under the fortunate guidance of this Prince He was excellent in all generall knowledge and upon all occasions shewed himselfe worthy of the place he bore his opinions free from flattery and now acknowledged to be void of weaknesse proved that true borne Spaniards are not such as through envy they are divulged to be By the preferring the good of his King before his owne good he taught us that how much the richer a servant is in deserts the nakeder hee is in his owne privat designes his diligence in resolutions his sincerity in opinion his order and judgement in treating made it appeare that though Spaine be not barren in producing men of this science yet had shee few that did surpasse him in having served his King with a more vigorous spirit with more ready parts or with a better appointed judgement he governed Milan many yeares was beloved by the people well esteemed by the Souldiers admired and feared by Forrayners he though streightned in time did dexterously raise an Army did wisely guide it did with much successe succour Alsatia and did with so miraculous constancy indure the injuries of the weather and the sterillity the Countries as his good government and the good orders he took were acceptable to the Souldiers supportable to the Subject and commended by the Enemy Those who possest with an evill opinion of the Spaniards were afraid at his first comming and who more offended by words then deeds eschewed him did by experience prove that his picture was not drawne according to the life that the civillity of Spaniards was tolerable and the behaviour of their Commanders worthy to be reverenced the very Swedes themselves commending his actions said they admired the Spaniards good demeanour the affability of that Nation the modesty of his proceedings and by seeing that these men though so powerfull dealt not like others who as soone as they have got footing in another mans possession make it lawfull to satisfie their desires they knew that the detractions which they suffered under were onely the effects of feare and weapons used by the weakest not merited by their actions and they did further adde that if all Spaniards were so behaved they should rather conforme and joyne themselves with them then with any other Nation To say truth he was a Gentleman of great dexterity full of affability over-flowing in curtesie and most universall in all those indowments which are required in a generous prudent gentile and most-esteemed-of great state Officer to a great King hee left his Wife much afflicted having two Sonnes and one daughter Walesteines actions were now the generall discourse throughout all Vienna yet did the Court for many dayes wisely dissemble their opinion of him dexterously concealing the plot laid against him that they might goe upon sure grounds for such Officers as are grown to too great an authority and have the meanes to be dangerously harmfull to their Masters ought to be seized on with dexterity and to have their wings clipt before they can bethinke themselves or let loose the reines to their infidelitie Walesteine being by his Friends advertised of all that past and fearing lest his designes might perish amidst these stormes he sent for the Colonells Tersica his Cousin and Chinschi his Kinsman and Illo his favourite into his private Closet where he was much agitated with intestine passion which on the one side layd before him his reputation and the infamous
consider his fortune the quality and numbers of his Commanders and Souldiers will see that no Emperour since Charles the firsts time had a more flourishing Army greater store of Souldiers more able Commanders nor more absolute experience leaving out many who betooke themselves to serve other Princes after his charge was taken from him at the Dyet at Ratisbon I cannot omit to put you minde of what might be hoped for from the valour of Godfrey Pappenheim Iohn Aldringer Philip Mansfeild Baron Cronemberg Holch Offcuts Schamburg Tiffembec Festemberg Ghets Merodes Fuchari Harnem D'Harcourt Asfelt Benecawsem and other Dutch Gentlemen each of which was worthy to lead an Army and governe a Province as likewise from the vertue and beyond humane intelligence of a Mathias Gallasso Ernestus Montecuculi Octavius Picolomini Hanniball Gonsagâ— Peter Ferari Iames Stozzi Ralphe Collâ—redo Marques Grana Duke Savell Chiesa Isolanâ— and others all fit for chiefe Commanders besides an infinit number of other hopefull and worthy Colonels The Austrian jealousies being buried with Walesteine the Caesarian Court and Spanish Counsellours began to thinke of choosing another Generall The Spaniards desired the place of Generalissimo might be conferred upon the King of Hungary who they hoped would be advised by them as also that they doe not willingly submit to be commanded by any of another Nation contrary and to the shame of many other Countries who for base lucre hire themselves out to serve this or that man and oft-times beare Armes against their naturall Prince They did this likewise for that by his Majesties marching into the Field many of the Nobility of Hungary Bohemia and Austria would be invited to follow him and fall to raising of Souldiers This Election was put to the Vote and jointly agreed upon by the whole Councell whereupon great hast was made in giving a beginning to the businesse and in raising Forces aswell in all the Territories belonging unto the Emperour as also in Italy so to bring the Army into a better condition for the Spaniards who had the whole mannaging of this affaire were diligent in making their Counsels prove advantagious and that they might impede all murmurings which might easily arise from hence they purposed to be in such a condition at their appearing in the field as that they might do some-what which he had not yet done whose ruine they were said to have been and therefore they made use of their Forces and advice knowing that if after Walesteines death the affaires of the Empire should impaire all the blame should be laid upon them the people would have occasion to complain of their behaviours and be inforced to withdraw themselves to their owne affaires in Germany that Walesteine would be declared to have been an honest man since things are so carried in the world as men never looke to the good intentions wherewith ought is done but onely to the good or bad effects which result from thence and mens eyâ— are onely set upon such things as are of profit and advantage and not upon such from which though without any fault of the agents any harme or prejudice is received The Baron Offcuts Serjeant-Major-Generall of the Battaile Colonell Spor and other Commanders and Officers were afterwards arrested as complices with Walesteine who upon hearing such as were found guilty were punished and the innocent set at liberty In Slesia this meane while Landsperg which was besieged by the Saxons after the Imperialists returne into Bohemia being inforced by want of victuals threw open the gates to the Enemy and on the first day of Aprill 1300 Foot and 350 Horse marched out of it Some Troops of the Imperialists kept in Rinfield under the CoÌ„mand of Colonell Mertij who scouring the Country and molesting such as were quartered in those parts did not a little indammage them when Count Philip Ringrâ—ve thinking to free himselfe of this trouble resolved to bring his Forces before it which though there were no great appearance that it would make any great defence yet the bodies of valiant Souldiers being that which oft-times makes the trenches the Caesarians did here so valiantly withstand the Swedes onset and the Governour shewed so much resolution and judgement as that making use of such defences as would have served others rather for a cause of feare then confidence he made continually new intrenchments digging up new grounds filling houses up with earth making Palisadoes and Wood-workes where any breach was made in the Wals by the Swedish Artillery as when the Enemy thought to enter the Towne through any such breach they then found greater hinderances for these their inward trenches being furnished with coragious valiant Muskettiers with Morter-pieces loaded w th bags of Bullets and with Pikemen whilst the Swedes got upon the battered Wals ready to leap into the Towne they received such salutations of Musket-shot as they were forced to retreat and thinke of some other meanes how to advance and win ground in the which they lost so much time so many men as that the Imperialists did bravely and as I may say almost beyond example make their party good from the 4th of Aprill till the 18th of August At last more overcome by Hunger then by the Enemy they capitulated and Martij marched forth with 400 Foot and 30 Horse to his unspeakable glory in having so long defended so weake a hold But if the Swedes made these proceedings in Alsatia the Duke of Bavaria was not the meane while idle who having made all requisite Provisions for the recovery of Ratisbon by which he was not a little incommodated he marched with an Army of 14000 Souldiers towards Strawbing the last day save one of March against the which he planted his Cannon and the Swedish Garrison having for some dayes made stout resistance they articled at last and threw open their Gates unto his Highnesse On the other side Horne in upper Swabenland having well-weighed the Austrians proceedings and knowing that Miminghen would bee a place fitting for his purpose to make there an Arsenall of Armes and a Magazine of all fitting Provisions that he and his Forces might keep in those parts he resolved to try the taking of it whereupon comming before it and beginning gallantly to play upon it with 14 piece of Cannon the Imperialists under the coÌ„mand of Count D'Arcus having couragiously maintained the Assault wanting succour and not being above 700 Foot to defend so great a circuit of Wall were at last inforced to yeeld and upon Articles to open the Gates to the Conquerour The Duke of Lorayn who at this time kept in the Vogesan Mountains which border upon the uttermost parts of Lorayne towards Burgundy and Germany perceiving by the French-mens surprisall of Lorayne by their Garrison in Nancy by other places possest by their Forces and by the King of France's anger occasioned by Duke Charles his sinister behaviour and chiefely by reason of his Brothers marriage who married the Princesse Margueret at
first meet withall Before he came to the Bridge of Lenis he met with a Souldier of Milan who comming from Germany into his owne Countrey and speaking with him concerning the Souldiers craft he resolved to take it upon him he therefore received pay of the Emperour and at first trayled a Pike shortly after he got a Halbert and won the love of his Captaine and all his fellow Souldiers for being good at his Pen the casting up of the accompts of that Company and the answering of such Letters as were sent to his Captaine were recommended to his charge and behaving himselfe still worthily in this place and his Captaine through the assistance he received from Aldringers wisedome being made Serjeant Major and his Lieutenant Captaine in his place Aldringer was made Lieutenant with the applause of all the Officers and Souldiers in which place he continued to give signes of his more then common understanding He had the keeping of a place in the upper Palatinate not farre from Egra committed to his charge by which the Protestant Army was to passe which with bare 50 men by the meanes of barricadoed Trenches and Pallizadoes of great interlaced Trees he so gallantly maintained against the Enemies whole Army without any other succour as that to the fame of his wisedome he purchased the addition of being held greatly valiant Thus in a short space of time he was much desired by many Colonells and had offers made him of divers Companies Being at the instance of his maintainer perswaded to comply with the Arch-Bishop of Salsbergs Nephew a young man who needed such an instructer he by his Souldiery and by his Learning did so much insinuate himselfe into the good will of that Colonell and his associates as that Aldringer making him seeme gray-headed for wisedome who was but greene in yeares he thought he could recompence him with no meaner a reward then in default of his Serjeant Major to conferre that place upon him Being raysed to a place of this imployment and thereby having occasion to be knowne to the Generalls and to negotiate sometimes with one sometimes with another of them he so won upon the good likings of every one as that he got the repute of being a better Souldier then any one that did officiate that charge and being favoured by Fortune and confirmed in every ones good liking he was raysed to the degree of a Lieutenant Colonell and from thence to be a Colonel still refining his judgement by the experience and mannaging of Martiall affaires till he was found worthy to succeed to the command of the Emperours Forces before Mantua where commanding over the body of an Army he executed the authoritie of a Generall though not under that Title Aldringer was of a lively spirit of mature wisedome of a refined understanding and of a valour levelled to enterprises His Councells were accompanied with the freedome of Voyce with past examples and fore-sight of the future in so much as in all Consultations held they were preferred before the advice of any others The informations of his Pen proportionably displayed opened the gates to capacitie inlightned the understanding to make resolves and were most gratifying to the curiositie of his Master and Masters Officers the divers Countries he had beene verst in the divers maximes he had observed the inclinations of many people traced out by him made him so wary in all his actions as no Italianised Spaniard could out doe him He was in â—ine growne to so great a hight of perfection in what belonged to a valiant wise and experienced Commander as there was nothing more to be desired in him had he not beene so much swaide by avarice and severitie He was so great a husband as that he was as much intent to the service of his Prince as to his owne particular interest uncompassionate towards the Subject being excessive in laying on Contributions very straight-handed in letting the Souldier partake thereof or in bearing with them so as he was not much beloved by them his austeritie in this kind particularly at Mantua where 't is reported he got such spoyle and bootie as that none of Caesars Commanders ever parted from thence with greater riches made him hatefull to the people not beloved by the Souldier and contumacious towards God Almightie And this did presage that the promoters of that Warre would make good the proverb That riches ill got are not usually long enjoyed Whilst the Imperialists were busie in besieging of Ratisbon and that with equall constancy and reciprocall offence and fighting the one indeavoured the taking the other the defending of that place the Saxons taking their advantage at the absence of those Forces out of Slesia by which they were formerly held in great feare lest they might all have joyntly bent their course upon their state and Misnia as had beene oft-times discoursed of in the Imperiall Councell made divers advancements in those parts for to boot with having given the Imperialists a great blow neere Lignitz as hath beene said they likewise tooke Crossen and Glogaw the Garrisons whereof were not in condition to defend themselves without present succour nor to maintaine those holds streightned on all sides by the frequent quartering of the Enemy The passage of Iser being opeâ—ed unto the Swedes by the taking of Landshut they accosted Alcka watered by the Par a place of no great consideration begirt onely with bare Walls without Rampiers or defence some Bavarians betaking themselves to defend it thought the Swedes could not keepe long before it the maine body of the Romanists not being farre from thence but not able to resist a faire assault which the Enemy desirous of bootie made the Towne was taken and sackt After which Horne keeping still in Bavaria pursued in making inrodes and taking of such places as could make no resistance and though he was informed by reiterated Letters from Waymer how great the necessitie was that he should come towards Dunawert joyn with him that so both of them might indeavour to succour Ratisbon yet would he not budge a foot but seemed as if he slighted his counsell for Horne being of a contrary opinion and not minding to hazard his men in a battell against the fresh and numerous Army conceived that Waymer was rather to come and joyne with him that they might with a brave and compleat Army proceed on to prejudice Bavaria by which diversion he pretended either to get more then the Imperialists should doe by the getting of Ratisbon or else to necessitate them to come and defend their owne and consequently to abandon the Towne or at least to weaken the Siege thereof the which he conceived feacible since it was likely the Duke of Bavaria for the getting of Ratisbon would not suffer his own state to be lost and his Subjects to be undone and the Towne was so well victualled as if it were not the streightlier besieged it might hold out for six moneths But Waymer who was
Gate where he spoke with the Governour and perswaded him to persist in his defending the Towne promising him sudden and opportune succour which being done he returned to his quarters not meeting with any encounter This meane while Colonell Libesteime was come unto them with two of the Duke of Wirtenbergs Regiments and one of Ransawes and Schavalischi with three other Regiments two of Horse and one of Foot the Swedish Horse the Ringrave and Cratz not comming unto them could not move from the advantage of their seat without either giving battell or making a prejudiciall retreat for if they should once part from thence it would be very hard for Cratz ever to joyne with them who ran manifest danger of being left to the mercy of the Imperialists much complaint was made for want of Forrage for it being to be fetcht afarre off many of their Horse came short home which were cut off by the Crabats and the Citie which was continually playd upon by the Cannon from divers of the Enemies batteries by making of severall great fires gave notice of what extremitie it was reduced unto Waymer perswaded by these reasons and by his owne generous heart which still excited him to try a battell with the Enemy and who desired nothing so much as to be in the Front against a contrary Army so to beare away the Victory which he affirmed to be a pleasure which did farre exceed all other earthly contentment began againe to perswade Horne that they were obliged to succour the Citie since they had given them their word so to doe that every day they lost in so doing made the Confederate Cities lesse confident for when they should see Ratisbon Dunawert and Norlinghen lost in the face of the Swedish Army their Colleague which not long before had boasted not to feare what Fortune could doe nor any Forces the Imperialists could make they would have but small hopes of being defended especially when that Army which dauntlessely had in triumph advanced to beyond the Danube should now be seene to give back and suffer Confederate Cities recommended to the care thereof to be lost whilst it looked on He added that great undertakings were actions which became great Commanders that boldnesse made much for victory that Iulius Caesar with a few Souldiers beat Pompeyes great Army that the prâ—ffers of fortune were not to be refused which to make the Protestants victories more glorious had given them an occasion to immortallise their fame by bringing them to fight against a King a Cardinall and an Elector of the Empire assisted by Polaches Hungarians Dutch Italians and Spaniards the gallantest Nations of Europe that the taking any one of these Princes prisoners would be a weighty circumstance that there could not be a fitter time then this desired by Souldiers for by overcomming fresh men rich and well appointed they were to change their fortune together with their apparrell that the Findlanders Horse long'd to have a bickering with the Neapolitans and to change horse with them that great numbers begat confusion and that danger ought not to be thought of where mens mindes are conscious of no such thing But these reasons prevailed nothing with Horne who governing himselfe with wisedome and solidity was not carried away with the vapours of desire for the businesse in hand being weighty he would by no meanes consent to what had been moved but his advice was to know the opinions of all the chiefest Officers before they should come to such a resolution who being called together and much argumentation being had hereupon it was the generall opinion that the Infanta's Army being that day joyned with the Kings and the Swedes succour being yet afarre of they neither could nor ought undertake any thing which would be but to precipitate themselves into ruine Horne said and was followed in what he said by the greatest part of the Commanders that in a businesse of so great weight men ought to be very advised in their resolutions and to foresee the event of running greedily upon a businesse the difficulties whereof were not so slight as their desires would make them appeare that the Austrian Army was conducted by valiant Captaines and who were desirous in presence of their Prince to demonstrate such valour as might make them seem worthy of the places conferred upon them that the Dutch wanted not courage the greatest part of them being the remainders of those Armies who had so often looked the Enemie in the face that the Italians though new men were yet knowne to be agile and soon made capable of the businesse desirous of honour who not being acquainted in the Country it was to be believed that they would joyntly resolve rather to die overcoÌ„ming then by flying away become a prey to the barbarous Country-people that the Spaniards being ambitious of glory of the fame of being cried-up for the preservours of the Imperiall greatnesse being resolute in fighting a wise Nation and very valiant it was not to be imagined that they would turne their backes that the Kings being present ought not to be contemned though but a young man for that it was a great furtherance to an Army and all Commanders desirous together with his yeares to increase in his Majesties favour they were by manifestation of their gallantry to indeavour a place in his affection but that which of all things else ought to be duly weighed was that they were very weake in men in comparison of the Enemy and that they were not to passe by one consideration that if they should be worsted at this time he knew not how they should ever get together againe since the Crowne of Swethland could not disburse monies for new levies and the Captaines not caring whether their Companies were full or empty that therefore the chiefe thing to be indeavoured was the preservation of those people without the which the Swedish power would be annihilated and that they must rather thinke how to overcome their Enemies by Wit then by Weapons and that if they would needs try a Battaile they must of necessity attend the comming of one at the least of their two expected re-inforcements So as to give Waymer notwithstanding satisfaction they resolved to lay aside any resolution of giving Battaile till Cratz at least were come to them who was by this time not farre of they fell notwithstanding to bethinke how they might indeavour to succour the Towne with any appearance of good successe and divers were the consultations in this behalfe Some were of opinion that their best course was to seat themselves at Vallesteine some halfe a League distant from Nordlinghen as the neerest place unto the City and from whence they might bring such succour as was requisite but this was not approved of for that to effect this a great space of champian Country being to be passed over they consequently afforded the Enemy opportunity to give them Battaile when the Swedes should not be able to retreat
at their pleasure and the Caesarians being at liberty to over-run the state of Wirtenberg and the Territories of Vlm they would not onely have thence all things requisite for their Army but they would necessitate them to forgoe that place for feare of being beaten thence and consequently the City not receiving necessary succour would surrender it self in sight of their Army Others advised that they should withdraw their Army for their better security sake a little further from the Caesarians till the arrivall of their expected succour but neither was this thought fitting for their retreat would have invited the Enemy to follow them and to plunder the state of Wirtenberg and the recruits expected from Franconia could not without great difficulty and evident danger come to the Swedish Army So at last their joint opinions was to succour Nordlinghen but in such sort as the Army should not want victuals from the Dukedome of Wirtenberg nor that that state should be left to the discretion of the Imperialists and though this resolution was likewise upon well-grounded reasons withstood by Cratz who was then newly come as one who was better acquainted with the Country and the Enemies Forces amongst whom he had long commanded publickly protesting that so rash an attempt ought not to be made against a fresh victorious Army and so recruited without a further addition of Forces which was to be expected by the Ringraves arrivall who was by this time nigh at hand and by some other Troopes likewise not farre off and Horne was likewise of this opinion adding that an Army consisting of great numbers and those new Souldiers ought rather to be fought withall by keeping them busied and molested then by the Sword for not being able to keep themselves long in an impoverished Country they must of necessity either perish or begone just as befell the Duke of Feria the yeare before yet for that both Cratz and Horne were willing to please Waymer and Offcherchen who as none of the wisest would in jeasting manner say that these their Counsells and Advises partooke of feare they were so much incenst at these speeches which reflected so much upon them as they concluded to put in execution and to be themselves the first that should prosecute this resolution They therefore raised their Camp the first day of September which consisted of 12000 Foot and 8000 Horse and 28 piece of Cannon There was a Hill neer the City called Arensperg upon the which if they should have incamped themselves the besieged would have thereby beene much comforted and the Caesarians so much incommodated as they would for certaine have beene inforced in a short time to raise their Siege The Swedes therefore marched towards that Hill to effect what they had agreed upon the Imperialists heard of this their motion but not being able to imagine what their designe might be not dreaming that ever they would make so hard an attempt they moved not from their quarters till they saw them neer their Corps de guarde which they had re-inforced with some Regiments of Horse finding afterwards some bands of Swedish Muskettiers belonging to Waymer which were the Vanguard and drew after them some pieces of Cannon made towards them not willing to contest the Field with them they gave them way and retired themselves to the aforesaid Hill Arensperg the place which the Swedes had designed to incamp themselves in Duke Waymer with a great Body of Horse set upon the said Corps de guarde and though they were with equall valour withstood by them and Sadlers and Cratz his Regiments beaten backe at last being overborne by the Swedish Horse which furiously and in a joynt body Charged them they and such other Troopes as were sent in to their succour were inforced to give backe with the losse of many of the Austrians and in particular Prior Aldobrandini perish't there a valiant Gentleman and deservedly beloved of all The like befell another passage guarded by 400 Spaniards which was by force of Armes taken by Colonell Vistem after a stout defence made by the Enemy and for that that station was of so great moment onely for as long as the wood continued neer unto which it was and the end whereof extended to where the Imperialists were incamped in Battaile-array they were so farre advanced and their Muskettiers so ingaged as that they were necessitated to indeavour likewise the gaining of the plaine But Waymer being confronted by a gallant Body of Caesarians and he not having men enough to set upon them Horne who though he still were of the same minde which was to keep upon Arensperg and make himsele master thereof on that side which extends it selfe to the left hand that he might there expect the Ringrave who was within two little dayes march and had with him about 8000 of the bravest and best experienced Souldiers of all the Army since he saw that to proceed like a wiseman was esteemed a token of Cowardise by those who by reason of their former good successes despised the Enemy and would come to a Battaile to shew that he likewise wanted not courage and that hee knew not what feare meant hee furiously fell upon those trenches which were made by the Spaniards and giving upon two Battaglions of Foot though they had much adoe to get unto a halfe moone which stood upon the very beginning of the height yet Charging them through after a bloody fight wherin the Count de Solmes and Colonell Verms were slaine who had the charge to defend it with their Regiments they entred thereinto where instead of haulting and making good the station as Horne commanded them they advanced to set upon the Squadrons of the Spanish Army which was placed in Battaile-array where being Charged by the Austrian Horse and the rest of the Swedes not being able to succour them for that the Trenches were not to be pasâ— by horse and much pester'd with smoake occasioned through the firing of the Imperialists Ammunition they fled away in great confusion so as the Spaniards might easily advance and regaine that important station which proved afterwards the ruine of the Swedes This rout given to the Protestants would not have proved so prejudiciall if the Horse which was appointed to backe them had advanced in due time opened the fences as Horne had commanded them They say this omission was occasioned by the incumbrance of some Carriages over-turned in the Woods which contrary to the orders they had received advancing before the said Horse was a cause of detaining them for a while and this was the reason why that advantage was lost which afterwards 't was impossible to recover for whilst the Swedish Foot advanced forwards into the Trenches not being backt by their Horse the greatest part of them were cut in pieces by the Austrian Horse The fight was valiantly performed for some while not onely here but likewise on the left wing with the Caesarian Horse whose Charges the Swedes valiantly
any time the Austrians should indeavour to put Duke Charles into his Countrey againe This caused no small muttering in Oxensternes Court where it was publique discourse that the French did onely desire to reduce the Swedes to a necessitie of imploring their succour by which meanes they might fully compleat their ends which were to possesse themselves of all the Townes of those Provinces without waging Warre that so they might not onely enlarge the Confines of their great Kingdome but secure it by the Rhyn from being invaded by the Dutch and by bringing their Forces at their pleasure against them inforce the Germans weakned by so many Warres to submit themselves to their protection and to depend upon the Lawes of France and so to keepe the Imperiall Forces in perpetuall motion fomenting the Protestants to divert them from such assistance as they might bring to Flanders and Italy when the French should move with their Forces into those parts All reasons drawne from sound Consequences and approved of by reall Arguments yet did their principall object make against it which would not permit them without greater occasion to breake with the house of Austria and counterveene such Articles as they had sworne and subscribed unto especially in a time when the Duke of Orleans was out of France This comming of the French into Alsatia and the newes of the delivery of Filisburg by the Swedes into their hands was so briske a gust of wind as it quite over-turned many of the Austrians designes which they had formerly resolved upon in so much as though in reason they should have pursued their Victory and not have suffered the Swedes to recruit they did notwithstanding curbe in their proceedings which shewed they had no mind to make the Swedes desperate and so force them to fly for protection to France and joyne their Forces with those of so puissant a King delivering up unto him such strong holds as they were possest of upon the Rhyn which when they should be in the hands of the French they would meet with more difficulty in recovering them And moreover the Austrians were very unwilling to breake the peace with so great a King For these Townes lying upon the Confines of Lorayne which the French were new possest of they should consequently have Alsatia annext to their Dominions from whence they might without any obstacle issue out with such numerous Forces as that Crown is famous for render vaine the indeavours of whatsoever more then reasonable Army And so by the ruine of their Enemies Forreyners should get further footing in their Territories and whilst they should beat the Tree others should gather the Fruit. And the French should without losse of blood be Master of those Cities which would hardly be regained by puissant Armies 'T was observed that from this time forward the Austrians began to proceed more slowly being contented to undertake such enterprises from the event whereof they could not expect any absolute benefit The Landgrave of Hessen had better successe then his other Confederates who was at this time at the siege of Myndem the Garrison whereof by continuall fallying out did much prejudice the besiegers for in one sally they slighted two of their batteries and tooke three piece of Cannon which they brought into their Citie and tooke many prisoners Yet did this little availe them for duties and famine daily increasing and having no hopes of succour they were forced to yeeld the Towne unto the Landgrave who freely gave them leave to march out with their Armes Baggage and two piece of Cannon on the 24th of November The Duke of Orleans who had absented himselfe from the King his Brothers Court being wrought upon to that purpose by the perswasions of his Counsellours who through the desire of bettring their conditions and blinded by lying hopes believed by this dis-agreement of the Royall Brothers to make the King withdraw his affection from those Ministers of State whose greatnesse they envyed and to advance themselves being incouraged by the Queene his Mother who was then in Flanders and allured by faire promises which were said to be made unto him by the Spaniards was at this time in Brussells where at last better bethinking himselfe of his owne affaires wisely discovering the cunning of those that were his advisers and growing very apprehensive for it was said by those that were skilled in State-affaires that the Spaniards intended under some specious pretence to secure his person and dexterously to allure him into Spain where they might afterwards keepe him as an Hostage for the jealousies they might have of the great powers of the most Christian King from all which they might rest secure by having this pawne in their hands for hardly would the French have taken up Armes against their Kings Brother since their King wanting Issue his Scepter was to fall into his Brothers hand not was it likely they would ingage themselves in a Warre against their Kings onely Brother and put the Kingdome to so much cost and grievance since from thence they could expect nothing but the ruines usually occasioned by Warre Moreover any advantage the French could have made hereby would have come short of a ransome for their King in case the Crowne should have fallen to the said Duke of Orleans These impressions growing strong in Monsieur and he moreover reflecting much upon the Infanta's arrivall who was to take upon him the command of those Provinces the which indeed did most of all trouble him To these considerations was likewise added secret intelligence held betweene the Cardinall Richelieu and Monsieur de Pilloran who as is usuall with the sprightlinesse of the French annoied with the Spanish gravity desirous to alter his purpose and to injoy those mighty promises which were made unto him by the King And having moreover forgone his love which he bore to the Princesse of Phalsberg for new affection taken to Madame de Chimay tooke upon him to be a meanes aswell of the returne of his Master and of the reconciling him with the King as hee had beene of withdrawing him out of France Other excellent practises of the Cardinall who as a faithfull servant of that Crowne was much troubled at this disagreement between his two Masters were used to effect this As likewise the wholsome advice of some others who were ingaged as good Frenchmen to undeceive him and free him of such suspitions as were imprinted in him by those that envied the greatnesse of France These conceptions put together were so available as discovering at last the cinders under which the fire lay hid which he feared might breake forth into some great flame he resolved to have speedy recourse to the waters of mercy of his most Christian Majesty wherewithall to wash away all his faults He therefore under pretence of hunting an exercise wherein he usually spent his leasure times agreed with those he affided in of what safest shortest way he was to take
successe of this Warre and that since he was not in a posture of doing what he pleased he could not chuse but ratifie the Articles agreed upon formerly with the King of France at Lusa and Pinarollo yet howsoever he would endeavour so to governe himselfe as should testifie how well he was disposed towards the Crowne of Spaine This meane while Crâ—qui having obteined leave from the Duke of Savoy to passe through Piemont and all necessary Provisions for his Army he advanced to Montferrat so as Armes being taken up in all parts of the state of Milan all the Militia of the Territories of Pavia in Lomellina beyond the Goyna was suddenly put in readinesse Three Companies of Foot were sent as a Garrison into Villata a Town upon the Confines of Montferrat the Spaniards made moreover a bridge upon Boats over the Goyna that upon occasion they might easily passe over men into Montferrat to waite upon the proceedings of the French who entertaining themselves in Treaties and negotiations with Savoy and Parma desiring that they might joyne all their Forces together and set joyntly at one and the same time upon the state of Milan spent so many dayes therein as that the Spaniards got advantage thereby and tooke such breath as afterwards preserved them in greater vigour These so many reports from France being brought to the Court of Spaine did much trouble the King and his whole Councell yet it being the propertie of wisemen to make wisedome their buckler in adversitie they were not slow in applying themselves to such expediencies as were most behofeful for the safetie of their dominions Many Companies of Foot were therefore raysed and entertained with all carefulnesse in all parts and men and moneyes were shipt away for Milan 'T was noysed abroad that the King would goe himselfe in Person to Barcellona that he might be neerer at hand to assist his Dominions and that if need should be he would passe into Italy yet this was given out more to comfort the people then that the King or his Counsellours had any such intention The Fleet which was before Naples consisting of 32 Gallies 13 Galliouns and other armed Barques was commanded to be in a readinesse to goe whether occasion should require and though at the very parting from Naples it met with such a storme as that a good part thereof was broken and scattered yet recovering the Haven at Longone in the Island of Elbe all that was amisse was in a short time repaired and amended And because the government of Milan was no longer thought fitting to be intrusted to a Cardinall but to some good experienced Souldier the Marquis of Leganes had the charge thereof given him he who being with the Infanta in Flanders wonne immortall Fame in the Battell at Nordlinghen and who by new orders from the King was returned to Spaine to acquaint his Majestie with the affaires of Flanders and Germany Though the Emperour in these perplexities by reason of his late Victories and the peace with Saxony had an Army on foot not onely able to defend himselfe but to goe upon any other undertaking yet fore-seeing that the Protestants being back't by the French might easily breake out to new commotions he made his Embassadour at Rome desire the Pope to send him good store of money to bring this Warre with the Heretiques So my Author is pleased to tearme them to an end by the which the holy Church should receive no lesse advantage But the Pope thinking that libertie of conscience granted by the Emperour to the Haunse Townes and to the Elector of Saxony did not correspond with the zeale which Caesar shewed to the Roman Religion bound up his answer in succinct tearmes and excused himselfe in civill manner and yet could not forbeare to say he did not fight directly against Heretiques since he permitted them their libertie of conscience In briefe Drums were beaten up in all parts and convenient Provisions were not omitted to withstand the current of so great a Warre But as the French-men began on this side so were they not unmindfull of what they had to doe towards Flanders for having gotten an Army together in Picardy of 20000 men under the command of Marshall Schatillione and the French themselves weighing well the importancy of their owne interests which consisted chiefely in keeping themselves from being invaded by the Spaniards as they might be in Picardy it being an open Province and fitter for such a purpose then any other bounding upon Artois a Countrey held by the Spaniards wherein are many strong holds from which invasion if they could once socure themselves they might the easier and upon better foundation march with their Forces towards the Rhyn and other places The King went himselfe in Person to Amiens the Metropolitan of Picardy and having first agreed upon the manner how to joyne his Forces with those of the Hollanders which lay in great numbers about Maestricht and which could not be done unlesse passing through Lucemberg and so crossing through the Country of Leige he should joyne with the Prince of Orenge on the other side of the Maze Marshall Schatillione and Marshall Bresse both of them Marshalls of France began to march with their Forces thether-wards The which being understood at Brussels though the Spaniards had not beene idle whilest the French were making such preparations but were provided with all things necessary to withstand so numerous Forces yet the Infanta mustered the old Army of those Provinces one part whereof was about the Fort Philippine which they indeavoured to take but in vaine and divided it into two bodies the one of which consisted of about 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse with 16 piece of Cannon which hee sent under the conduct of Prince Thomas of Savoy to oppose the French Army and hee sent the other in face of the Hollanders who lay about Maestricht thinking therewithall to resist the French Army which was likely to have suffered much of incommodity in Legnoise For 't is likely the people thereof being in Armes for the King of Spaine would not have helped them to any Provisions save what they could get by the Sword and Prince Thomas following them in the Flancke and on the Reere would have inforced them to keep close together and consequently to meet with greater difficulties But the Spaniards were not successefull in their designes for the Prince being arrived with his Army between Namure and Marche two Townes upon the Mesa and that they might not pretermit any occasion of damnifying of the Enemy having made his men advance to surprise the French Vanguard which was in a little Village not farre from thence and who as the Prince was falsly advertised were carelesse in keeping their Guards and the French being by their Spies advertised of the Spanish designe and being all close together in a Body ready to receive them made their Horse advance in the sight of the Austrian Army and to the end the Dutch might not
know that they had all their Forces together in that place they made the greatest part of their men retreat behinde a little Hill and seeming to take another way they unexpectedly Charged Buckoyes Horse who no lesse valiantly advanced with his Squadrons against the French but they giving upon the Flemish Troopes who had not got to the place of advantage that they determined to have done came so furiously upon them as that opening their files and breaking their Squadrons they put them to rout as they did likewise the Foot who seeing themselves not backt by their Horse betooke themselves to their heeles and ran towards a little River where being overtaken by the French a great many of them and many of their Officers were cut in pieces some Ensignes lost and the greatest part of their Baggage The Prince who could not rally his men though to that effect he did what could be expected from a brave Commander retreated with such of his Souldiers as hee could get together towards Andem and Namours The Infanta who was parted from Brussels and marched towards Tirelemont with such Forces as he covld gather together understanding by the way that his side was routed how strong the Enemy was and that those of Leige who had taken up Armes in his behalfe had laid them downe againe not intending to contest against the victor sent letters full of civility to Prince Thomas wherein he comforted him and promised present succour to incourage the cast-downe spirits of his Souldiers Hee accompanied these letters with advertisement that the French Army led by Marshall de la Force being routed by the Duke of Lorayne the French would be inforced to give over the enterprise and seeke to defend their owne Country Wherewithall the Souldiers as is usually occasioned by hopes being much inheartned though the newes was but artificially coyned it wrought so good effect that their scattered Souldiers re-united themselves and relying upon succour from Germany which was already marching apace towards them under the conduct of Picolominy and upon the Neighbourhood of other people of those Provinces they resolved to intrench themselves neer Tirelemont upon the bankes of a little River that runs into Demer and there to make head against the French But hearing afterwards that they were joyned with the Hollanders neer Maestricht and that having past the Mosa they marched merrily towards them they resolved suddainly to begon from thence lest they might be ingaged in a Battaile by the losse whereof they might hazard too much and not greatly advantage themselves by the Victory and so they did retiring themselves to Loeven a place of great advantage where they might be ready to defend the City as also if occasion should serve to succour Namours Malines Breda and other places thereabouts The French hearing that the Spanish Camp was retired from Tirelemont advanced thitherwards where they were manfully withstood by 400 Spanish Foot who were left for a Guard there but being too weake to resist so great a Force upon a briske Assault made by two Armies they were to their infinite glory all of them cut in pieces by the Enemy The taking of Tirelemont was followed by the like of Diest Aerschot and Sichem Townes upon the Demer which compounded upon the first appearance of the Enemy being so ordered to doe by the Spanish Commanders who would not imploy their Forces in defence of such places which they knew would hardly be maintained From thence they marched towards Loeven intending to take that City which was of no small moment being situated in the heart of Flanders between Brussels and Aerschot But the French Commanders thinking they should not do well in sitting down before a well-munitioned Towne and so afford the Spaniards leasure to re-unite themselves but that it would be better for them to go straight toward Brussels and take that and then to Termanda in Flanders and breake the Dikes of Callo and so divide Flanders from Brabant They thought this the best course to take therefore seeming to passe over Demer to enter into Champaigne or make the Spaniards believe they would fall upon Malines they wheeled about on the left hand and turned towards Brussels The Spaniards having notice hereof got thither before the French and incamped themselves in the fittest places about that City rendring thereby vaine the French designe The Prince of Orenge who knew how difficult a thing it would be to compasse this affaire had Counselled the contrary and thought it better to returne to Loeven and set upon that Towne the taking whereof would be very prejudiciall to Flanders for thereby the greatest part of the Country would be brought under composition and other Achievements would bee furthered Though this opinion were good and given by so wise a Commander yet some thought there was cunning in it for 't was thought the Hollanders did well enough approve of correspondency with the French so farre as they might be the better by them but that they desired not their neighbour-hood nor increase of power for whilst those Provinces were under the obedience of a Crowne whose power was farre off and dis-united they were sufficient and able as experience shewes to defend their liberties which it would be harder for them to maintaine when they should have to doe with a Potentate whose Forces and Dominions were united and did border upon them They resolved notwithstanding to follow this advice and approâ—ched the walls of the Towne on that side where the Spaniards had not yet finished their Fortifications The Baron Gravendon who commanded there in chiefe did behave himselfe with such undauntednesse and so strongly entrencht himselfe according as the short time allowed and necessity required as he entertained the French and so valiantly he haved himselfe that he kept them from accosting the wals whereupon the French after some dayes finding the enterprise difficult that their Army was daily lessened by the death and running away of their Souldiers that 1000 Spanish Foot were landed at Dunkâ—râ— to whom were joyned about 1000 Dutch Horse from Cullen and that Picolominy with succour from the Emperour consisting of 4000 Horse and 6000 Foot was come to Namours whereby the people had cast away their foâ—er feare they resolved to raise their Siege and to retreat to between Dâ—meâ— and the River which runs through that City quitting Tirelemont Sichem and Aâ—â—schot The Spanish Army being re-inforced by so many recruits sent to it from all parts and being inheartned at the French-mens retreat marched towards Diest wherein the Hollanders had left a good Gurrison They so fiercely Assaulted it as the defendants not finding themselves in a Condition to make head though they had promised the Prince of Orenge to make good the Towne for some time were inforced to surrender it marching out with their Armes and Baggage Whereupon the Spanish Commanders re-assuming their former confidence and the hopes which were conceived by the French failing 't was evidently seen that that
offer the Duke would have accepted as it was thought being inclined to Armes and no lesse to monies if he had believed the Mony would have been sent him and that the Venetians and the Pope would have assisted him in procuring of Men Victuals and Ammunition in their flourishing dominions without which he could not possibly undertake such an imployment From thence hee came about the end of August to Venice to move that Republicke to breake with Spaine and assist France upon which the French not without reason built very great hopes for if that State should have declared it selfe the Spaniards would certainly have lost Milan But because that wise and pious Senat intended not the perturbation but preservation of the publicke quiet of Italy the Embassadour had civill audience was magnificently received with such decorum as is usually practized by that splendid Republick to those who represent so great a King but carried no answer away save words full of courtesie and such as tended to the publicke quiet The French this meane while did straightly beset Valenza and plaid upon it on all sides and Crequi who thought he had brought it to an ill passe summoned the Towne threatning fire and Sword if it would not yeeld yet did these words little availe to abate the Spaniards daring who more couragious then ever answered the Trumpeter that brought the summons that the Spaniards used not to surrender any place for threats that they could not give way to bravadoes that the French should doe well instead of words to use deeds wherein they should be answered and should be taught that the Governour of Valenza had learnt from his Ancestors that threats never prevaile with well-borne Gentlemen At the time of this summons the Spaniards who knew it was requisite to bring them speedy and opportune succour before the French should have possest themselves of their out-Workes to the preservation whereof good numbers of men were requisit and that the losse of them would bee very prejudiciall to the Towne and much impede the succouring thereof resolved to advance and resolutely to indeavour the bringing in of men Don Carlo Colombo was therefore commanded to march thitherward and to indeavour to seat himselfe in Frescarolo about two miles from Valenza who comming with 4000 Foot and 10 Companies of Horse on the seventh of October to Pieue del Cairo staid there till the tenth of the same moneth Where hearing that the French having past the Poe advanced both with Horse and Foot with intention to take the said Frescarolo and by the taking thereof which was not possest by the Spanish Army having onely some sicke men and Sutlers in it to fortifie themselves in the Castle which was walled about with good old Wals and so make the Spaniards quit the fields who lay round about every where hoping to relieve the Towne and the Marquis of Terracusa who was then without any command in the Spanish Camp perceiving the French-mens drift and learning moreover that some few files of Foot with two Sakers were already on their march thitherward advertised Colombo thereof by whom hee was held in good esteem as one who had borne great offices in Flanders they immediately tooke counsell how to governe themselves upon this occasion Whereupon the next day the Horse moving from their former station and being backt with some files of Muskettiers hee possest himselfe of the way by which the Enemies Foot advanced where they fell to skirmish and the Neapolitans bravely withstood the Enemies Charge and broke their designe for at the same time the Spaniards that were led by the aforesaid Terracusa to whom for his greater honour the government of that affaire was that day commited set upon a Battaglion of the Savoyards who by order from their Duke hee being in person in the French Camp began to retreat and re-passing over the Poe without fighting as they might have done they returned to their former quarters whether the said Dukes Horse did likewise retreat being pursued by the Spanish Horse which upon this occasion were commanded by the Count de Sora a Spaniard who likewise served as a Voluntier under Colombo So as staying there three dayes on the 15th of the said October they luckily succoured the Towne with all things necessary to the great resentment of Crequi and the French Commanders who though it behoved them at the present not to take notice thereof yet could not Crequi forbeare saying to the Duke of Savoy My Lord Duke if it be your Highnesse pleasure to suffer Valenza to be succoured we need not trouble our selves in keeping any longer before it The French perceiving by the entrance of this reliefe that their hopes of winning the Towne were vaine their men being wearied and much lessened in lying before it and that any longer delay proved much to their disadvantage for whilest they to little purpose entertained themselves in that Siege the Spaniards augmented their numbers in Naples Cesely Germany and other places they with a joynt consent raised their Siege on the 26th of October the French and Duke of Parma retiring to Saint Salvadore and the Duke of Savoy with his men towards Satirana whereupon Colombo who kept in his quarters at Frescarolo to hinder any foraging upon the Kings Land on this side Poe and any further inrodes into the Country as likewise to make use of such occasion as fortune should offer him to incommodiate the confederates finding the French Campretreated went to his former quarters of Pieue del Cairo and watched there over the Enemies proceedings who to colour this their retreat gave out that they were to joyne with some Forces of Dolpheny that were comming towards Piemont and that being so joyned they intended to set upon the Spaniards in the fields for that they knew them to be too good at the defending of Wals. But this was but the opinion of the vulgar who alwayes talke of things not as they are but as they would have them For the French being much cast downe by the miscarrying of their enterprise whereby they suffered much in honour were not yet growne so confident as to venter upon another which was uncertaine and dangerous And the good which they had promised unto themselves appeared much more unlikely for the Duke of Savoy the originall of all their mischiefe not liking that they should get footing in the State of Milan did so craftily behave himselfe and was so well able to cloake his feigned intent as the French who trust more to their Sword then to their judgement not aware of his cunning threatned much but did little 'T was afterwards suspected that the Duke of Parma was contented Valenza should be relieved for hee finding all Crequies formerly said instances quite contrary to what hee expected was not very well pleased but beginning to doubt 't was said he made his complaints to Crequi foreseeing that the Spaniards being victorious in their defence might undertake some-what to his prejudice
likewise who was very affectionate to the house of Austria to boot with the Brigado of Foot which he raysed at his owne costs in Helvetia did upon this occasion likewise assist the state of Milan with 300 Horse under the command of Marquis Cosimo Richardi Whereupon Beliviere leaving Venice came to Florence not out of any intention to make the great Duke side with the Crowne of France but at least to moderate the evill opinion which the Princes of Italy might have taken of that Crowne by reason of the French-mens falling into Italy and to keepe the great Duke as much as possibly he could from assisting the Spaniards And because the opinion grew stronger every day that the Duke of Savoy held secret intelligence with the Spaniards 't is said that to moderate in some sort this report the King of Spaines Agents held it fit to dismisse the Abbot Torre who was the Duke of Savoyes Embassadour from Milan under pretence that considering the breach made by his Master against the King of Spaine it was not fitting a Minister of his should keep with those against whom he had declared himselfe an open Enemy At this time Don Franchesco di Mello a man of great esteeme sent as extraordinary Embassadour from Spaine to the Emperour tooke Milan in his way and staid there it being reported he was to have beene made Governour thereof The Spaniards this meane while building very much upon the Duke of Modena's declaring himselfe for them as well for the assistance they might expect from that Prince of warlike people as for the credit of being reverenced by such an Italian Potentate not respecting the right of discent in the Prince of Correggio mediated with the Emperour therein in the behalfe of the Duke of Modena that the true Prince might be deprived thereof and the other invested thereinto as it insued upon the promise of disbursing 200000 Dollars The Elector of Saxony having after some dayes stout defence made by the Swedes taken the Castle of Hall knew it was requisite for him to joyne with the Imperiall Troopes who were then in good numbers about Franckfort upon the Oder that they might joyntly invade those Townes which were by them pretended unto and were held and gainsaid them by the Swedes He therefore marched towards Berlin a Citie of Brandenberg upon the Hault where the Swedes were who were much grieved at the uniting of those Forces as making much against that which they intended and being hereof advertised Bannier thought it expedient to remove from thence Therefore having brought his Souldiers neere Ratzaw and having quickly taken Verbeâ— which not being in a condition to stand out immediately Articled the small Garrison which guarded it marching out with their Bagge and Baggage he left therein a good guard for it was a place of some moment for him and then marched with his Army towards the Enemy where some Regiments of the Swedish Horse meeting with some Squadrons of the Saxons which scoured the Countrey they so evilly treated them as that they made them runne away to the Electors head-quarters The Elector of Brandenburg was much troubled with this Hostility betweene the Swedes and Saxons who confining upon them both if he should declare himselfe for either side he should bring the Warre home to his owne doores So was likewise the Duke of Mechelberg who could expect nothing but much prejudice from this their falling out Therefore an accommodation betweene the Swedes and Saxons being very much desired by those two Princes they were not wanting in their best indeavours to compose those differences but they could doe no good therein for the Swedish Commanders being particularly offended by the Elector and incited through a deâ—ire of Warre whereon their greatnesse did consist for they thereby much inriched themselves held the businesse in suspence upon very small hopes and at last all the differences consisting in a declaration which contained that before they would proceed further they would be repossessed of all that they did possesse the yeare 1634. the Treaty fell to the ground The French-men fayling in their intentions of taking Valenza which for the reasons formerly alledged they much desired seeing that the numbers of the Spaniards did dayly increase in the state of Milan by the assistance of other Princes their friends for now the Dutch began to march towards them under the command of Prince Borso of Este and Colonell Giledas together with other Switzers to boot with many Foot that were raysed in the state of Modena and in Tuscany and those that every day were landed from Spaine and Naples thought it fitting to ease the quarters of Montferrat which began to be very burthensome to those people by sending backe the Duke of Parma's Forces into their owne Countrey But because their numbers were much lessened in lying before Vabenza and that they could not without evident danger passe through the Territories of Tortona and so enter into Piacenza without being back't with greater Forces and when they should be luckily arrived there they were not able to defend their state from the Spaniards who were expected to invade them they indeavoured all they might to make the Duke of Savoy joyne his Generall the Marquis Villa with those of Parma who with the Savoy Horse might back the Duke of Parma till he should come to his own home where when he should be they would then bethinke themselves of new resolutions to which the Duke gave way though he suspected that the French did this to weaken his Forces that they might have him the more at their beck for by his suffering Valenza to be succoured the French had renewed the former jealousies they had of his actions Villa therefore left his quarters and marching towards Tortona began to doe as was agreed upon but the Spaniards who had heard hereof sent speedily away 3000 Foot and 10 Companies of Horse to Tortona whither they came on the 23th of December and lodged in the Suburbs of the Citie from whence they sent out Scouts to discover the Enemies proceedings and understanding that Villa with his Horse appeared already in very good order upon the Territories of that Town they thought it expedient to foord over the Sâ—rivia a Torrent not far from thence and send some Horse towards the Savoyards seconded by divers Files of Musquets intending to set upon them on the Flanke and by fighting with them to make the Colleagues alter their intentions But the Spaniards finding themselves not strong enough to encounter them though they were somewhat advantaged by the protection of the Citie and the Cannon thereof which playd upon the Enemies Horse being come within their reach they kept their stations forbearing to make any further attempt so as while this was a doing the Foot which marched on the other side came successefully to the new Castle of Scrivia not having so much as one Musquet-shot made at them though there were some Spanish and Neapolitan Foot there and
sent towards Piemont The consequences which were concerned in the intelligence held betweene the Duke of Parma and the French being vanished by his late peace made with Spaine that diversion being taken away which occasioned the keeping of a great part of the Spanish Army on that side and the succession of the Empire being provided for in the person of the Sonne of the late Ferdinand by the Election of the King of the Romans no greater contentment could in these present emergencies befall the Austrians nor was it possible for them to become more famous then by having overcome three such difficulties which had not a little troubled them These successes did therefore so exalt the Austrians hopes as they thought it not onely an easie matter to drive the French to the other side of the Mountaines and to secure Flanders but also to beat back the Swedes beyond the Baltique Sea And to effect these vast designes Piccolomini and Wert were sent for back into Flanders the one or them Generall to the Emperour the other to Bavaria who a little before were come from the Low-Countries for the affaires of the Empire to their Masters Dominions so to guard those Provinces the better from being invaded by the French as likewise if Fortune should prove propitious to undertake somewhat in France and to get some of the Forts of Lorayne which the Spaniards could not indure should be in the power of the French For besides that France was thereby increased by the addition of a good Dukedome lying betweene Burgundy and Flanders those Provinces were consequently much weakned by that division They therefore sent Foot and Horse by the way of Navarre against France to re-inforce the Siege before Bayon intending if not to proceed further at least to divert the Army of France from that side After the fight and rout given to Azfelt Bannier advanced cheerfully towards Turingia where he had already taken Mansfelt and Erfurt and other places of those Provinces wherefore Ghets and Glissing who were then with about 10000 men in France were commanded when the Forces should be gotten together which were in the Hercinian Woods to joyne themselves with the Saxons Army which after the taking of Magdeburg was about Marsburg and Halla to refresh it selfe for the sufferings it had indured before that Towne and to oppose the Enemies proceedings And because Orenghell also over-runne Slesia with a great strength of Swedes to the great prejudice of those people the Caesarian Commanders who had the charge of guarding that Province were commanded to take what men they could from the neighbouring Garrisons and joyne with other Souldiers who were already on their way from Moravia and with all diligence to oppose Orenghells furthers proceedings So as the Austrians thought they had done reason on this side by the assistance of the Forces of the Electors of Saxony and Brandemburg and of those other people which they had sent to those parts the rather to keep those Electors in their loyaltie then totally to drive the Swedes from such places of theirs as they were possest of By reason whereof some more speculative then others gave out that the Austrians intentions were grounded upon a strong reason of state to keepe the Warre still on foot in this part for that the mischiefes thereof being nourished in the State of Saxony the Duke whereof was a Protestant Prince and at the present one of the powerfullest of all the Empire his Countrey having preserved it selfe better then any other from the miseries of Warre by which all other places had beene greatly wasted it was likely his strength might be weakned and that afterwards the businesse of Italy and France being compounded the Emperour might easily bring all Germany to his obedience the Princes whereof by reason of their past-sufferings would not be able to weigh against the Austrian power and as it is usuall for the weakest to tollerate more the actions of great ones so it would behove them to respect Caesars authoritie more then formerly And the Spaniards chiefe aime being to preserve Alsatia and Flanders and to drive the French from Montferrat having thus provided for the urgencies of Germany they set themselves wholly upon the getting of Piemont Those people therefore being drawne out who after the retreat from Piacenza were quartered in the Territories of Pavia and Lodiggian and a new inforcement of some Companies which came from Spaine and Naples being come to the State of Milan Leganes resolved when he should have perfected the Fortifications spoken of about Lumello a Bridge should be throwne over the Tessine at Sesto a Towne neere the greater Lake that he might make use thereof in the more speedy leading of the Switzers and Dutch which were expected from Switzerland and Swabenland into the Territories of Vercelles at any time when he should betake himselfe to the taking in of that place where in the neighbouring Townes he resolved to lodge them And therefore advancing with a part of his Army to Pavia he commanded Emilius Ghedini who was in the parts of Allessandria with some Dutch Companies belonging to Ghelidas his Regiment and some other Italian and Spanish Troopes to advance to before Ponsone a Castle situated in the Langhe between Savoy and Allessandria and that he should indeavour to take it as a place of much consideration upon the present occasions for he thereby the better secured the communication of the Havens of Vado Finale and Codoretto with the State of Milan At the appearing of these men the Towne suddenly yeelded which wanting fitting Fortifications could not hold out the French retired themselves into the Castle which being incompassed with great Towers and seated on high suffered not the Sapniards at the first to advance further whereupon Ghedini staying in the Towne and making himselfe master of such passes by which Crequis men might come to the succour of that Castle he speedily advertised the Governour of Milan thereof who likewise fearing that it might be succoured by the French for the losse hereof would be a greater detriment to them for the aforesaid reasons sent Don Martin d' Aragona Generall of the Artillery thither with such Forces as he had with him about Pavia upon the arrivall of which strength the Spaniards presently planted their Cannon against the Castle which after some days defence no relief appearing yeelded and the Spaniards were masters thereof to Crequi's great griefe who was come from Cassalle to Turine expecting the resolves of his King which by reason of the agreement made by Parma he thought might be altered and fore-seeing that the Spaniards emboldened by their successes following their good fortune might easily fall upon some greater enterprise before the French could receive fresh supplyes he sent the Marquis Villa with 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse to observe the Spaniards proceedings in those parts And because for want of pay his Souldiers did daily disband and those that remained with him were discontent and greatly
beset Selinghestat between Franckfort and Ashburg wherein was a Swedish Garrison and having throwne downe the walls and the defendants having valiantly withstood two Assaults they would not try their fortune in the third which was preparing to bee given them but upon agreement yeelded it upon condition of marching forth without the beat of Drum or Matches lighted but they kept not this condition for in their march one of their Drummers rather out of forgetfulnesse then for any reason there was thereof beat up his Drum at which the Imperialists as those who when they finde an advantage imbrace any occasion whereby they may honest their actions making this their pretence took forthwith all the Swedes prisoners pillaged the Captaines and Officers and mixt the Souldiers amongst their owne Companies Whence it may be observed how requisite solidnesse and wisedome is in Military affaires without which all indeavours are in vaine Passing after this over the Mayne they invironed Hannaw on all sides and presently indeavouring to surprise a little Fort which the Swedes had built without the Gates they were so briskly received as that with the losse of 50 men they were inforced to retreat in such disorder as the Governour perceiving it he made the Garrison fall upon them who had time before the others could beat them backe into the City to get some Corn and bring it into the Fort. Yet this their gallandise was soone quelled for Wert advancing in person himselfe hee drew his lines neerer the Fort and securing them with perfect Trenches hee used the businesse so as the Swedes prospered not in their sallies as they did before for they alwayes came off with the worst and were forced to retreat with losse of honour Duke Waymer hearing of Iohn de Werts proceedings and how he had besieged Hannaw hee presently rose from his quarters which were about Remiremont in Lorayne and was desirous to succour this Fort which had alwayes kept faithfull to the Swedish party whilest all the rest either basely or voluntarily yeelded to the Caesarians and therefore it deserved to be succoured To this purpose hee came to Haggâ—naw and whilest he thought to passe over the Rhyn at the Bridge at Strasburg the Passage was denied him by the Magistrate of that City under pretence that those Citizens intending to keep neutrals and not to declare themselves either for the one or the other side they would shun the occasion of being prejudicialll to either of them At which Waymer very much wondring for upon all other occasions hee had received all manner of helpe from that City hee desired to know what the alteration might be which had made them put on this resolution But the communality of that City desirous peacefully to preserve the liberty which they for so many yeares had enjoyed wisely foresaw that if the French should get the upper hand of the Austrians and should drive them farre from the Rhyn their City should run a hazard of losing its Franchise and they therefore desired that neither the French should grow stronger in those parts nor the Austrians weaker for their Towne being free as in the midst between too great extreams would alwayes be defended by the one of them against the injuries that should be offered her by the other and each of them being to receive advantage from her situation they would both of them strive who should most win her good will Waymer failing herein and it not being now time to shew how ill hee tooke it hee returned to his former quarters in Lorayne and marched from thence towards the Bishopricke of Basill intending to passe the Rhyn there and then to doe what he should thinke fittest to make Wert leave Hannaw by way of diversion or else to doe somewhat himselfe that might counterpoise the losse of that Towne But the Duke of Lorayne who had with him some seven or eight thousand men for the preservation of the rest of the Country foreseeing this studied how he might hinder Waymer in this his voyage Hee to this purpose went to meet the Swedes and indeavouring to withstand them with more courage then force hee at the first encounter lost about 400 men and the rest being fearfull he found his designe vaine so as quitting the field unto the Swedes left hee might meet with greater losse he betooke himselfe to strong holds Whereupon Waymer by reason of this so happy incounter changing his purpose of falling into Alsatia haulted and sent his Horse to Pillage the Towns of the County and he with all his Army incamped himselfe not farre from Bisanson intending to take that City but neither did his purpose take effect here for not being able for want of Victuals to keep longer there it behoved him to retreat and pursue his former voyage towards the Rhyn At which the Imperialists of that Province were so afraid as that presaging their ruine and not thinking themselves safe in their owne Country they forsook all the neighbouring Townes some of them flying to Strasburg some to Basill placing their best moveables and Armes in Brisack the preservation of which Fort made whatsoever the Swedes got besides in Alsatia last but a little Thus did affaires proceed in Alsatia when the Elector of Saxony every houre more molested then other by the incursions of the Swedes as much his Enemies now as formerly his friends not having competent Forces to resist these Souldiers long verst in the mischiefes of Warre did strongly presse the Court at Vienna that according to established agreements the Emperour might thinke of assisting him and 't was given out that from these delayes wherewith he was fed by the Austrians some prejudice might ensue to the Imperiall Crowne as doubtlessely it would have hapned if that Elector had reconciled himselfe with the Swedes and joyned Forces with them So as his succour could no longer be delayed though the Austrians principall scope and willing desire was to have the War maintained and nourished in Saxony for that all other parts having beene visited sometimes by their friends sometimes by their Enemies and consequently destroyed and ruinated if Saxony should likewise be in the same manner weakned the Imperiall dignitie would at last be the more secured Hereupon Gallasse received orders that having first provided for the places of greatest importance in Wirtenberg where his men were then quartered he should march with the rest of his Army which came to about 10000 towards Saxony and that joyning with Azfelt who not long before was gone in succour of the Elector he should not only have a care to defend Saxony but should indeavour to suppresse the Swedish Army and to recover such places as were fallen into the Enemies hands Which Gallasse readily obeying he went after Bannier who was about Torgaw and charged him with such dexteritie as though Bannier behaved himselfe gallantly in his retreat being farre inferiour to the Imperialists in number yet for all his warinesse when the Austrians Vanguard came up to
He loved and acknowledged himselfe beholding to a pen that could write without paine to an easie pen and hee held that those Princes were happy in this behalfe who were reverenced by an ingenious writer hereby said he the understanding is inlightned doubts are expounded mens mindes are cleered and Counsells are strengthned hee thought notwithstanding there were but few that were good at the knowing remembring and writing what they had seen and heard and on the contrary he pittied those who were guided by a presumptuous information by a false signification by an ill grounded judgement for by these Counsels doe miscarry wisedome is confounded resolutions are perverted Hee oft-times interpreted things quite amisse and was so resolute in what he conceited that he thereout framed to himselfe assured confidence he was so great an Enemy to the Spaniards as hee hated even those that spoke well of them and when his King had not as yet any warre with them his antipathy was such unto them as he indeavoured their mischiefe as much as in him lay and would say that the Spaniards love nor esteem not any Nation but their own so all men knowing their affections to be feigned ought to hate them he left no heirs male behind him had onely one Daughter who as is reported is one of the fairest Ladies in all France Those of Rinfeild being strangely cast downe by this defeat failing now of the hopes they had of being succoured and being more and more pursued by the Swedes who desirous to proceed to further enterprises did sorely torment them they resolved to treat and to surrender up the place which insued upon their permission to march out with their Armes and Baggage and to be convoyed to Brisack Waymer being incouraged by these prosperous successes to thinke upon greater enterprises advanced forward tooke Chitzenghem and Triburg and to the great griefe of all the Romanists who much dreaded this affaire he sat downe before Brisack and began to make exact workes and redoubts for his owne defence and to put an end to that siedge And that the Army might not want munition nor any thing necessary to boot with the provisions made by the French in Colmar Waymer chose Rinfield for the Magazine whether all things requisit to effect the worke was to be brought These proceedings of Waymer together with the defeat and imprisonment of Iohn de Wert as they were of great importance so was the Duke of Bavaria the more troubled thereat who being a wise Prince foresaw what prejudice might redound to his Dominions if the French should nestle themselves in Alsatia and particularly if by the losse of Brisack they should together with this place of refuge have the Passage free over the Rhyn whereby his state would ly open to their invasion and might easily become a prey unto the Enemy or else he must be inforced to keep a great Army to defend it which would be very grievous to his Subjects Hee substituted Ghets in the place of Iohn de Wert and made him Generall of all the Forces of the League and commanded him to raise what few Forces he could in the Dukedome of Wirtemburg that hee might have an eye to Waymers proceedings and use his best skill for the preservation of Brisack Now to returne to the other side the Marquis Leganes who had provided all things necessary in the state of Milan not onely for the maintaining of that Dukedome but was so increased in numbers by fresh recruits from Spaine Naples and Germany as that he had an Army on Foot able in respect of the weaknesse of the French to undertake any thing not willing to temporise any longer and thereby whilest the Enemy proceeded so prosperously in Alsatia afford his enviers occasion of murmuring against him but so to behave himselfe that what the Austrians lost in one place they might get in another hee therefore whilst Waymer was busie about Brisack brought his Army to the Territories about Valenza disposed of all things necessary for a Camp in the neighbouring Townes tooke some pieces of great Ordnance from the Castle of Pavia and provided hay for the Horses so as all Italy stood expecting what the Spaniards intentions were And diverse were the discourses and considerations that were had hereupon Some who weighed the importancy of Brisack wondred not a little that at a time when the Spaniards ought to preserve that Fort which was the key of those Provinces and the sanctuary of their subsistance in those parts they should onely minde the agrandizing of themselves in Italy and that instead of succouring a place of such importance with Forces from Italy as at other times they had done they should demand and take men from those Provinces the more to strengthen their Army in Lombardy Others said that the Spaniards now saw how hard a matter it was to raise men in Italy as also elsewhere by reason of the so continuall drawing forth of Souldiers consumed in so many and so long Warres that therefore Germany being of a contrary climat to Italy it was a bad businesse for them to deprive themselves of that strength of Militia which upheld the Spanish greatnesse in Italy Others affirmed that the Spaniards did not greatly mind those parts because they little feared the French Forces should make any great progresse there aswell for that neither the Swissers nor Dutch were well-pleased that so great a King should extend his power to their Frontiers as also that they thought the people of Bavaria and Burgundy and the Emperours Forces sufficient to succour that Towne and they hoped that the jealousie the Dutch had of the French who by antipathy are not greatly liked of them would make them thinke of a meanes to moderate their excesse of greatnesse But those who thought they could dive deepest into the Spaniards bosome said that the Spaniards did so much value the state of Milan and were so desirous to Lord it in Italy as they did more consider that then all the world besides For the King of Spaines possessions in Italy being the greatnesse of his Crowne and the Dukedome of Milan of it selfe and for reasons of State the most considerable place he was Master of there consequently the Spaniards intentions were not onely to preserve it but to increase it and because the Spaniards were of all things else most vext that the French had opened the way into Italy and concentred themselves in the most important Fort of Casall flanking upon their Dominions whereby their power was much diminished and the power of the French increased to their so much griefe as they were formerly content to see themselves the one Arbitrators of affaires in those parts So as not regarding any other interest in comparison hereof they chiefely indeavoured to drive the French out of Montferrat to remit themselves into their former Authority and to make themselves be more reverenced intending afterwards when they should be victorious in Italy to recover the places they
And their intentions being to cut the Dikes which keepe in the water that so they might drowne the Territories about Antwerpe and thereby facilitate the surrender of the City they passed forward and tooke the Forts of Hemband and Trarembacke and came with their Trenches before the Fort of Saint Mary but here Count Nassaw found not such fortune as hee desired For the Marquesse of San Federato comming into the succour thereof with many troopes of Souldiers and the Hollanders not being able to raise their Batteries by reason of the low scituation of the place they were on and being continually plaid upon by thirty piece of Cannon from the Fort of Saint Mary it behooved them to retreat And as usually retreates beget feare and confusion so did the souldiers shew lesse fervour in their actions now then when they were enheartned by successe Count Nassaw notwithstanding would not quit the Enterprize but hoped when hee should receive the addition of men which hee expected hee might easily compasse his desires which did so frighten the people as forsaking their owne houses they hastily fled into the strong holds and the Citizens of Antwerpe were not lesse afraid strongly suspecting least the enemie might hold intelligence with some of the City But this enterprize conteining in it considerable consequencies and being of very great importance caused the comming in of the Spaniish Forces led in by the Infanta against the Hollanders accompanied by Picolomeny Isemburg Bucquoi and Feria with other chiefe Captains of Warre who comming boldly on after a long dispute the Spaniards prevailed and being encouraged by the Infanta's presence who did by his owne example invite his men to fight and the Hollanders being much the weaker and not able to make head against the Austrians who came still upon them with great strengths they thought it best not to joyne Battell but to keepe themselves within the advantage of their own stations till such time as the Prince of Orange being acquainted with their condition and they being re-inforced by timely succours they might undauntedly fate the Spaniards For the chiefe of all other directions which the States give unto their Captaines being that they should have a care to the preservation of their men and not hazard themselves upon any uncertain Battell since one bad encounter would very much endanger those Provinces it not being so easie for them to raise new Forces which are not to be had without much labour and great expence of money William of Nassaw who had taken upon him the guidance of that affaire not thinking it fitting time to exceed his Masters Commission kept himselfe within the advantage of his position hoping that by his keeping there till the arrivall of the Prince hee might easily have repulsed the Spaniards But as it oft times chances that things fall not out according to fancy the Spaniards falling on without delay upon the Hollanders who were not able to withstand their violence being invironed on all sides and the Bridge which they had throwne over the Scheld being at the same time broken by the great presse of people the greatest part that were on this side the River were either slaine or taken prisoners The Romanists pursuing their victory recovered ther former Forts and rendred the attempt vaine on which the Hollanders had built so great hopes The Siege before Brisacke continued all this while and Duke WEYMAR confident of good successe continued his Workes and Trenches as well against the Towne as against the succour whereat the Austrians being not a little grieved and in particular the Duke of BAVARIA who had mustered a great many men under the Conduct of Ghets all the Imperiall Commanders were charged that they should come up to the Bavarian Army that they should then passe over the Danube at Dutlinghem and doe their utmost to remove WEYMAR from that Siege Ghets thought it a difficult businesse to set upon the Sweedes on this side the Rhene where the Enemies greatest strengths were wherefore he past over the Rhene to try whether he could get into Brisacke on that side or no. But WEYMAR who was much concerned in the taking of this place as well in his reputation as in his worldly respect being faithfully informed of all things that past by his Spyes and by some Protestants of Wertemberg who hated the Romanists and Austrians threw a Bridge over the Rhene betwetne Brisacke and Brussells and was very vigilant in observing the Imperiallists wayes who for want of Forrage being to enlarge their quarters afforded the Sweedes occasion to surprize one of their quarters and to evill intreate the Regiments of the Collonels CORPUS HOORST and REIGOTOCH who being set upon at unawares and not able to draw out in good order lost about five hundred Souldiers and fourteen Colours and made Ghets know that this was not the way to succour that Towne but that keeping quiet till the arrivall of more Forces his best course would be to try the other side of the Rhene where he might be much advantaged by the sallyes which those within the FORT might make at the same time and by the Cannon from the Towne which commanded the fields round about He therefore rose from his Quarters hee was in and passing backe againe over the Rhene hee encamped himselfe neare Offemberg with intention to keepe there till by new Orders and fresh recruites hee were made able to effect the necessary and desired succour The Spaniards having planted their Cannon against VERCELLES and drawing by their covered Workes nere unto the Walls though they were replyed upon by the besieged with reciprocall valour and stout sallyes yet the Cardinall of VALETTE knowing that strong places are oft times lost for lacke of succour and wisely weighing in his Councell of Warre the difficulties hee should meete withall in bringing succour thereinto hee bethought himselfe how hee might effect his desires by stratagem To this purpose he sent eight hundred Foote under the name of one of their Leaders who were willingly received as a party of their owne which passing by some Sconces carelesly looked unto by the Spanyards they meeting with nothing to hinder them conveyed about 600. Foote into the Citie Whereat Leganes was much incensed and by reason thereof caused two Coronets of Horse to be be-headed the one belonging to the Company of Don Diego Menesses the other to Vincenza Della Marra But these being but a few men in regard of the many the Town needed whose walls were of a large precinct the French advanced towards the Sesia and possessed themselveâ— of a little Island in the midst thereof and raising there a greaâ— Plat-forme they plaid continually upon the Spanish Quarters with 14. piece of Cannon Leganes finding that without speedy and fitting remedie hee should be hereby much gauled and forced to quit the enterprize he considered what best course was to be taken and found there was none likelier to take effect then diversion He therefore caused a great body
the Ottoman and mannaging all these affaires to their best advantage Signieur Luigi Contarini a Gentleman much verst in the affaires of Princes and who had purchast much glory in passing through all those first Embassies conferred by his Country did so stoutly behave himselfe with so much zeale to his Common-wealth that at last to the universall content of Christendome and to the great honour of the Common-wealth and her Agents the differences were agreed and the former Article betweene the grand Signieur and the State of Venice again ratified And the Venetians to boot with their taking the 17. Gallies gained the subscription to a new Article wherein it was expresly declared that it might be lawfull for the Venetian Gallies without any manner of respect to pursue such Pirats as should enter into their Sea even into the Havens of the Grand Signieur and underneath his Forts Duke Weymar this mean while strongly besieged Brisack by new forces received from France he secured the field defences which shewed he meant to end that siege with profit so as what the issue of that affaire would be was plainly discerned unless the Imperiallists within the Fort who for want of necessaries began already exceedingly to suffer should receive speedy oportune succour Ghets who had the superintendency of the Papists Army confer'd upon him by the Duke of Bavaria being continually prest by the Duke to raise the Siege endeavoured how hee might with content satisfie the expectation of all the Empire Therefore after having maturely sifted the danger and difficulties of overcomming the Enemies Trenches Savell and Golts both of them Sergeant-Major Generalls of the Battell were of opinion that they should in good order set upon the Sweeds Trenches that the most couragious amongst them should throw themselves headlong upon Weymars Works whereby they doubted not but to beate the Enemie and to free the Citie and they offered to give on themselves in the first ranke But Ghets upon whom the whole burthen of the businesse lay and upon whom the blame would be laid if any evill should happen as it is usuall to impute the success be it good or bad to the Commander in chiefe very well foreseeing the difficulties which doubtless they were to meete withall differed in opinion from them alleadging that Duke Weymars Army was stil the same which not long before had defeated their Army when commanded by Wert a gallant Commander That it was not to be doubted they would hope for the like victory for that victorious souldiers fight with as much courage as the losers doe with feare That it was very well known what a Commander Weymar was resolute in what he took in hand that hee would rather dye gloriously then run away that they were not to undervalue the enemies forces who were assisted by strong troops of old and experienced French led on by worthy Captaines and which imported most fortified in covered Trenches That wise prudent Princes ought chiefly to have a care to the safety of their men not build upon uncertain hopes which are oft times overthrowne by fickle fortune That therefore his opinion was rather to endeavour succour by stratagem then by force that he should like it better to bring their Army neer unto the Enemies Camp in good covered Trenches and then making use of some favourable occasion to set unexpectedly upon them But as all men though of the same Genius differ in their effigies so did these Commanders differ in their opinions Savell and Golts adhered to their former opinion which was boldly to fight and buckle with the Enemy which could not hope for greater advantage then to see the Romanists rather beaten with their owne fear then by their weapons they approved of the reasons alleadged to weigh the difficulty and not presumptuously to precipitate their forces together with their fame but said that delay was the greatest enemy to any enterprize when it is not grounded upon some great piece of cunning that bold enterprizes were favoured by fortune and that great spirits were encouraged by the enemies fear What will our enemies say said they if they shall see us who pretend to be so strong both in numbers in courage lie encamped and not draw neer them what hope wil our Enemies have if it being once noised among them that we are afraid of them they fight with us possest of such an opinion but what wil they say at Vienna and Monacho when they shall see the fruits of our fair promises to be amazement before we see the enemies sword The prolonging of resolution profiteth not when all delays are harmfull If the field Fortifications be now unpenitrable what will they be when by the addition of others they shall be perfected and that the Forces which intend to march from Piemont and other pars shall be come up unto the enemy and have made them so much stronger and in conclusion they protested to Ghets that the occasion was now fitting and that it was not by any meanes to be let slip Ghets finding himselfe hereby to be between two rocks that he must needs give against one of them For if he should keep to his first resolution of temporizing they would blame him of Cowardise and if any mischiefe should ensue they would say they fore-told it and so lay the blame upon him and if he should fight he clearly fore-saw the little advantage he was to reap thereby so as choosing the least danger of the two he resolved to be governed by them Order was given how they should behave themselves upon this occasion Golts leading on the Van was to invade the Sweedish quarters with part of the Army Ghets was to follow them with the Rear to be in readiness to assist them when they should be gotten into the trenches or if they should be beaten backe to make good the retreate This being resolved upon Savell and Golts on the 9 of August in the head of 5 of their best Regiments fell upon the Sweeds works which were with like courage defended whilst the battle was stoutly fought by both sides and the Imperiallists had they been succoured by Ghets who was more then once desired to advance with his fresh men doubted not the victory Weymar came himselfe in person on this side with 4. French Regiments and 2 Dutch so as the Battle was again very hotly begun the Sweeds constantly defending themselves and the Imperiallists worthily behaving themselves hoping still to be succoured by Ghets and here Weymar was like to have lost his life for his horse rising up before startling at the fire of a Pistoll fell backewards with him to the ground where some souldiers came in and fighting miraculously between him and the enemy afforded him time to get upon another horse wherewith he was readily furnisht whereupon going upon a full trot in the head of two gallant French Squadrons hee charged upon another body of Dutch led on by no lesse courage
canon-shot sailed from thence towards Ligorn to provide themselves of Galli-slaves and other things necessary for their putting again to Sea This blow being heard of in Spain and Naples great was the grief occasioned thereby in those people and Officers and they were the more vext for that they professing to have the prerogative and dominion of those Seas and to be the Arbitrators of all such ships as saile thereon they could not endure that the French should Lord it there and inlarge their power as well by Sea as Land Applying themselves therefore to the consideration thereof the Spanish Ministers of State forth-with began to make new preparations They gave out new Patents for Foot to whosoever would undertake to raise them the number of Artificers in their Arcenals were encreased they hired Merchants ships and were diligent how to repaire their loss to put themselves into a condition of not meeting with the like misfortune which was prejudiciall to that reputation which the Spaniards pretend to wear upon their swords point And they pursued their affairs the hotter because they feared lest the State of Genoa being on all sides invironed by the French forces might in processe of time come to some capitulation with that Crown which they knew to be one of the greatest mischiefs that could befall the Monarchy of Spain whose greatness in Italy depending upon the Genoea's as well for the borrowing of moneys as for the fitnesse of their scituation to succour the State of Milan by Sea if this were taken from them those who understood any thing of State affairs verily believed they would have been very much strieghtned as on the contrary by the friendshipip of Genoa they might strongly maintaine themselves in Lombardy Now when the Spaniards had taken Vercelles and having since then till now kept quiet vvithin their quarters not only to recruit their men and Councells but to put themselves in a readinesse for new enterprizes to see where the French would fixe their thoughts which was said would be upon the recovery of Vercelles when they should have received the succour they expected from Dolpheny Leganes seeing how the preparations of the French were much less then what they were given out to be for not above 2000. foot and those ill appointed were as yet past the Alpes he resolved not to suffer the winter coming on without some further atchievement After many consultations had between Leganes Don Francisco de Melo Vasques other chiefe Commanders they resolved to goe for Montferrat and taking Alba to proceed forward into Piemont as well the better to secure the passages of the Lange as that by meanes of this place they might winter all their army in the enemies Country and thus besieging Cassall at a distance they might by little little so strengthen it as bringing their forces afterwards about it before the French could come into the succour of it they might reduce it to their obedience so as giving out they would take St. Ia a strong fort in the Territories of Vercelles which being possest by the French hindred the assembling together of a great part of those Territories The Spaniards rose on the 4th of Sept. from their quarters with 10000. foot 3000. horse under the command of Don Francisco di Melo for Leganes was not then very well in health came to the Town of Candia in the Lumellina and here mustering his men he past over the Poe at Brem and divided his Army into two bodies with the one he himselfe came before Poma a Castle between Cassall Valenza and Don Martin d' Aragona marched with the other towards Acqui that he might afterwards come before Alba. The French awakened by this the Spaniards march called a Councel of Warr wherein wisely examining what the Spaniards drift might be and considering upon fitting remedies some were of opinion that leaving a convenient Garrison in Cassall the main body of the army should immediatly march towards Alba and endeavour to light upon the Spaniards whilst thus disjoyned which when they should have beaten they should have so weakned the rest of the Spaniards as they might afterwards freely keep the fields and look to the preservation of Alba a place at this time of great importance for if they should once have gotten this they might easily afterwards bring their army before Carmagneola a Fort in Piemont between the Poe and Tanare from whence succour might be brought to Montferrat so as if they should likewise become Masters thereof they possessing Asty Verna Trino should almost have invironed Cassall which being in midst the Spanish forces not so easily to be succoured by the French it might at last be inforced to yield But the Duke of Candalle being otherwise minded and being therein seconded by his brother the Cardinal of Valette and by Count Guiscia 't was concluded that Alba not being then in any danger as well provided of all things they should goe to disturb the Spaniards designs on the other side and to scour the countrey for when they should once have beaten these as it would not be hard to doe since they were disjoyned they might easily afterwards dispatch the rest Whereupon the French came part of them to Trino and part to Pontestura throwing a bridg over the Sesia they presently came upon the Territories of Lomellino with intention to force out the Spanish armie and if they might not fight with them upon advantage they might at least for want of victuals and forrage compell them to abandon their design But this advice availed not for being infested on all sides by the Garrisons of Lumello and Carasona and being reduced to great necessity of victuals particularly wanting forrage for their horse wherein their greatest strength consisted they quit their design returned to their former quarters The Spaniards the mean while assaulted Poma took the Town by storm whereupon the Castle afterwards yeilded upon discretion and the Spaniards knowing of how little vantage it would be to them to have this place to retreat unto they undermyned it and gave fire unto the Myne which wrought so wel as that all the walls thereof were blowne into the aire and thrown down They then went all from thence towards Aich there to take fitting resolutions upon the present Emergencies Oxesternes arrivall at this time in Pomerania with a great strength of men raised in Swabenland Livonia and elsewhere made Bannier begin to hope wel againe who for want of men had receded many Leagues from Gallasse so as mustering his souldiers together who were disperst in the neighboring quarters he appeared in the field not so much out of his being well armed and provided of all things necessary as out of a desire to fight and recover any reputation he might be conceived to have lost Whereupon Gallasse finding how troublesome a matter it would be to lye in the fields in those parts impoverished through long wars and yet not
ways wrought upon by these the Spaniards fetches but answering their Civilities with as much courtesie thanked his Majestie for the honours he had received and took his leave of the Court the King having notwithstanding declared him to be his General of his Navy at Sea that by that title he might keep him as a servant to that Crown The Duke came by gally to Genoa to the great contentment of his Subjects who by his absence and because of the report that hee was to change his State for Sardinia were much sadded And his Councell not thinking it fit for him to deny the raising of 2000. men out of his Dukedome to the King of Spaine who had shown so much affection to his Highness it was concluded it should be done that he might thereby witness his gratitude to his Majesty of Spain for the honours he had received from him yet were not the Spaniards suffered to carry away full 2000. men for that the reason of State shews that Principalities may be termed poor which are poore in Subjects The French all this time continued their siege of Fonterabbia which as it made much for their affaires so was it very prejudiciall to the Spaniards since great consequences arising from the loss of this place all the neighboring parts would have run hazard of falling under the dominion of the French Therefore the Admirall of Castile with an army that he had got together prepared to assail the enemies Camp The which he did on the 7. of September and obteyned his ends For the French who were before the Town being much lessened in their numbers and who were desirous to tarry no longer where they suffered so much did not behave themselves according to their accustomed valour And though the Prince of Conde and other chief Commanders behaved themselves with such courage as becomes men that are ambitious of glory and did endeavour to withstand the Spanyards yet were they not able to doe it for the souldiers villified rather with their being there inclosed then by their enemies valour were so confused and fought so coldly as they were fain to raise the siege which was joyfull news to the Spaniards and as unpleasing to the French and in particular to the King who not thinking that Conde had behaved himselfe answerable to the expectation that was had of him the Prince began to be ill thought of at Court though when the businesse was maturely scand those lost their first impressions who immediately surprized at the appearance of evill stop their eares and will not let in truth But if the French were sad for their no better successe before Fonterabbia the Dolphins birth which was on the fifth of September caused such joy among them and gave such generall contentment throughout all France as they every where exprest such Jubilies and rejoycings as it very well became them to do for so great a blessing from God They who by reason of their Queenes barrennesse for the space of 22. years had given over all hopes of seeing any Issue by their King and who therefore much feared the mischief that might befall the Crown by change of Successor in an instant cleared up their countenances and were greatly consolated at this so great mercy from Heaven The King being piously given threw himselfe upon his knees before a Crucifix humbly returned thanks and acknowledgments to God Almighty for his so great goodnesse towards him The Duke of Orleans who till now was in nature of the Kings Eldest Son next heir unto the Crown came in all hast and with great respect unto the King and humbly acknowledging the Dolphin beg'd of his Majestie that as he had hitherto held him for his son his Majesty would now love him as his Cadet The King taking him up in his armes and imbracing him witnessed his neernesse of blood and the tendernesse of his affection All France was full of jollity as they expressed by their voyces gestures and actions bon-fires abounded every where In briefe as Marriners are comforted by the change of a crosse winde into a favourable gale so did this sterrility being turned to fruitfulnesse make the French rejoyce wherein such as depended on them did share but their enemies were hereat displeased The Count Palatine of Rhene whom my Author must give me leave to call Prince Elector had at this time what with 4000. Foot from England and other forces which by moneyes from the King of England he had raised Collonel Kings men being likewise therein comprehended who was Serjeant Major Generall of the Sweedish army and who had orders to joyne with the Prince Elector about Munster got together a body of men amounting to about 10000. wherewith he was advised by his Captaints friends to joyn with Melander Generall of the Hassian Forces which after the Lansgraves death continued still in service of the Crowne of Swethland that so during the Emperours being held in play by the Sweeds French he might by way of arms enter into the Palatinate and recover that which being so oft put for and desired of the Emperour was still denyed or at least fruitlesly deferr'd But before their undertaking any greater business 't was adjudged fit by men of understanding not to leave any Towns behind their backs which were possest by those of the League since thereby they might easily bring the Imperiallists to great scarcity of victuals if their Army should unadvisedly engage it selfe The Prince Elector therefore by the disbursment of some moneyes got Asnapruch and Mindell to be assigned over to him by the said King to the end he might have places to retreat unto when hee should lye with his army in the fields in those Provinces so as it seemed hee began to proceed on fortunately in those parts But Azfelt being solicited from Vienna to have an eye to the proceedings of these new Forces and the rather for that the Elector of Mens and other Ecclesiasticall Princes had very earnestly desired and accompanied these their desires with protestations that the War might not be suffered to be made upon their Territories hee came thither made towards these new souldiers with about 8000. good men drawn out of Garrisons whose places he supplyed with new men taken out of the Arch-bishopricke of Cullen The Prince Elector being therefore brought to great scarcity of victuals and not able to endure that his men should perish as they daily did through discommodiousness which was very prejudicial to the English who taken from the commodiousness of their own country are usually at their first entrance more sensible of sufferings in the field then are other Nations resolved to fight whereunto he was also inticed by his Captains who troubled that they should find their hopes fail them desired rather to hazard their lives in atchieving an honourable victory then poorely to die through sufferings Both the armies joyned therefore together in battle betweene the Vesser and the County of Osnapruch on the
imprisoneth divers confederates of the said Princes By meanes of these forces the people of Piemont are much confused many jealousies arise betweene the Spanish Ministers of State and those of the Emperour but they are covertly husâ—t up The King of France makes exceeding great preparations towards Artoise beseidgeth Theonuille Hesden and Salsa in Spaine and Salins in Burgondy Marcini with the Caesarians opposeth Bannier but is routed The Spaniards march to before Turin and and luckly take it by storme The French retake Chinas their other proceedings in Italy Duke Longeville comes into Piemont to assist the Cardinall De Vallette Picolomeni succors Theonuille and routes the French taking Monseiur de Fischieres prisoner Hesden Salsa and Salins yeild unto the King of France Duke Weymar dyeth at Newrenberg upon the Rhâ—ne Turin is surprised through intelligence by Prince Thomas The Frenchmen from the Cittadell offend the City very much great mortallity ensues on both sides A truce is concluded for fourescore dayes THE Cardinall of Savoy parting from Rome upon the hopes and great promises made unto him by the Spaniards returnes to the Frontiers of Piemont thinking that being now neerer to the succession the subjects would the easiler be brought to desire him to be neere them so to shun in case the young Duke should dye those dangerous occurrences which use to happen through such confusions particularly the state being betweene the forces of two great Potentates upon these informations Leganes who at this very time was confirmed in the government of Millan Don Francisco di Melo who as it was thought should have the charge thereof committed unto him being destined to be Vice-roy of Cicely Thinking it now time to try occasions and to make experience of the offers that those made who depended upon the Cardiâ—all went with his forces towards the parts of Allessandria and being come together with Melo Spinola the Lord high Chancellor Aragon and Vasques into Icqui not farr from Alessanâ—ria many councells were there held with the Cardinall of Savoy the result whereof was that his highnesse making use of the Spanish forces should indeavour to enter into some part of Piemont wherby he might the easiler afterwards advance further And because Asti was nearest them and not hard to be taken by reason of the good intelligence which they held therein they applyed themselves thereunto The Army being therefore removed from where it was on the Sixteenth of November and assigned over unto the Cardinall great was the expectation which was had thereof But the Embassadour of Savoy who was resident at Rome gessing by the Cardinales hasty departure that he had some secret designe upon Piemont gave speedy advertisment thereof unto the Dutchesse And the French being no lesse vigilent so great was the suspition caused thereby in the Dutchesse and her faithfull servants as not knowing whom to trust nor what to promise unto herselfe under pretence of mustering the Militia of Turin she brought in thither 1000. French-foote and securing thereby the Citty and her owne person she began to provide against the secret and treacherous machinations of her officers And because the Spanish forces which were brought to the territories of Allessandria though their outward appearance was to winter in those parts made those Frontiers feare they had some other end by order from the Cardinall de Vallette the Duke de Candalle made many companyes of French advance to those confines and having an eye to the proceedings of the Dutchesse of Mantoa's officers he dismist the Marquis Vallis and Count Gabionetto who was president of that Magestracy from Cassalle and made it be knowne by publique Proclamation that under paine of incurring his Kings indignation none should dare to hould any practice or intelligences with the Marquis Alfonso Guerriere Governour of the Port of Mantoa it being thought that by his meanes all the affaires of such like intelligence was continued The guarrison of Asty was strengthened and all things provided for that might prove harmefull they likewise sent back for some men who were already on their way to assist Weymar before Brisack And the Dutchesse beleiving more and more that she was betrayed imprisoned many of her subjects in Turin amongst which Colonell Renso the Secretary Clareois the Cardinalls favorit Don Silvio the Governour of Carmagneola Valerio Rossio and every other body of whom there was the least shaddow of suspition that they should be adheerers unto or depend upon her Brother in Law She moreover brought into the Cittadell a brigade of French called the Dutchesse Regiment and suspecting the Governours loyalty she suddainly removed him from thence and in his stead gave the custody of the Cittadell to the Marquis of St. Iermane whereupon the Cardinall finding his plot discovered seeming as if he had no such intention went to Nizza della Paglia and within a few dayes after came from thence to Certosa di Pavia that he might speake with Melo with whom after many consultations it was agreed upon that Prince Thomas should in all hast be sent from Flanders because he being trained up in Warre well liked of by the people of Piemont vallued and feared by the Nobility and being well reputed of in Warre might peradventure doe more by his owne experience and assist more by his credit then the Cardinall For those who thought not the Cardinall able to defend them with the sword would peradventure have liked well enough of Prince Thomas who was thought capable of taking upon him the weight of a Principality and to governe it by Armes By reason of Ghets his aforesaid defeate the Austrean affaires were not onely frown'd on by fortune in Alsatia but which imported more they ran to ruin by reason of the contention emulation of the cheefe Commanders for such as were enemyes to Ghets and rejoyced at his restraint laid all the blame of what had happened amisse upon him and his friends and such as would patiently give eare to sound reasons were grieved at and complained upon the actions of his evill wishers yet did they this but covertly and under hand since there are but few that will publiquely take upon them the defence of such faults as have no other protector but God and truth So as the actions of Ghets being publiquely declaimed against by some and other some privatly insinuating into the mindes of many their evill opinions of his accusers the more his enemies did outwardly expresse the rancor against him the more did they inwardly burne with anger that did defend him whereupon the desire of doing well and gallantly being supprest their own strength decreased and the enemies power increased the time was wholly spent in councells in hopes and in laying of badly sustained foundations for Brisack languishing every day more then other was now brought to her last will and Testament Duke Savell notwithstanding upon these great emergencyes seemed though with small hopes of any good effects willing to extrinsicate his desire in a business
which so much conceirned his Prince He therefore marched towards Burgondy to joyne with some of the Duke of Loreynes troopes that yet remained in that Province and then joyntly with the remainder of the Caesarian Army to indeavour the recovery of that reputation which if it were not altogether lost was little better But whilest he indeavoured to execute his intention with 1000. horse and 1500 foote Monseiur de Ficchiers being advertised thereof who with part of the French army kept upon the Frontiers of Loreyne which lay towards Germany that he might be ready to march wheither occasion should require went forthwith to encounter Savell as fortune doth not so easily turne to favour those whom shee hath once turned her back upon when they were come to Blowes the Imperialists being on all sides invironed by the French who were many more in number then they Savell with much adoe saved him selfe and his horse leaving the Foote to the discretion of the Enemy who tooke many of them prisoners and got about 80. Carriages of Victualls and Baggadge which when Reynock who was Governour of Brisack understood knowing that his last hopes were vanisht away in smoake and seeing it was decreed by the Fates that that place should be lost which was brought to its last gaspe and there being neither force nor industy that can fight against hunger he condiscended to yeild the Towne up to Weymar and to receive those honourable conditions that were offered him he therefore on the eighteenth of December marched out with Banners flying with Armes and baggadg and other such accustomed ceremonyes Thus were the Austerians deprived of this so important a place to the great displeasure of the Caesarian Court and very great resentment of the Duke of Bavaria who having long before foreseene the businesse and the ruine that was likely to ensue had given exact information thereof to the Emperour and his Ministers of state and thought the Emperours officers had failed much in their duty in taking no greater care for the preservation of a place which was the very soule of all those Provinces for they might easily have victualled and munitioned it for a longer time And the Spaniards leaving sufficient forces for their Warre in Itally and Flanders might easily have succord it and have kept afflicted Germany from those new wounds which that they might heale their owne they suffered her without compassion to receive Bavaria was moreover greived at this losse because it being the key of Alsatia a Province which serves for an out Bull-worke to his states more perticularly to the Palatinat his Enemies being got in thither would keep his dominions in perpetuall feare and agitation And though some saw that this place being to remaine free in Weymars possession it might easily hereafter be either made to have no dependency upon France or else returne againe into the Austreans hands either by composition or stratagem yet the feare least before this should happen the French might get footing there which when they should have done they would not so easily be driven out was a thing infinitly considerable in reason of State By how much therefore the Imperialists were hereat afflicted the French were as much pleased and Weymar who blowne up with glory in having wonne a place of such importance before the face of so many forces conspired against him 't was feared he might inlarge his thoughts and afflict the remainder of those states noe lesse then the King of Sweden had done whereof he was debar'd by his suddaine death as in its proper place shall be said Weymar having placed a Guarrison in this Towne and all things necessary or requisite for the defence thereof he left Collonell Erlack for the Governour thereof a Swise by nation and marched with his Army into Burgondy that he might winter there and be at the King of France his disposall whereat his first entrance he tooke many places amongst the rest the Castle of Ioux and Collonell Rosa staied to take in Tan that he might deprive the Enemy of that place of retreate and the better secure the passage from Burgondy into Flanders Passing forwards from Ioux Weymar made himselfe Master of Ponterlin which was no strong place of Nosaret another weake place towards the River Daime and being tould that some of the Enemyes troopes were quartered about Ornans a Towne upon the River Lonne he over run all those neighbouring Townes but to little purpose for upon the newes of his coming the Burgonians had forsaken them and were got into Bisansonne Banniers forces being now increased by the accesse of the people which the Swedish Ministers of State sent him in from all sides and Gallasse on the contray being inforced to retreate through the want of victualls and of money and by reason of his Armies being much diminished by sufferings and by the plague did without any manner of feare keep the feilds in those parts where finding he was dreaded and knowing the power of daring when the adversary gives back he advanced to make further acheevements and continued firme in his opinion of bringing all the Warre upon the Enemyes Country and of easing those Provinces which being quartered upon now by the one now by the other side the people which yet remained therein were brought into great want He therefore rose from his winter quarters in the one and the other Marca and in Brunswick and having mustered his Army which he found to be about 26000. fightingmen he in good order marched towards Turingia a bould undertaking but rendred feasible by reason of the confusion and paucety of the Imperiall forces in those parts The newes whereof coming to Dresden and to Prage and this neighbour-hood being very prejudiciall to that Duke and to the Bohemians convenient provisions were earnestly demanded of the Emperour who no lesse fearing these proceedings held daily Councels touching the present Emergencies Orders were sent to Azfelt who was yet about Westfalia having an eye to the proceedings of King and the Prince Elector who endeavoured all they might to rally their Forces to march with part of his souldiers towards Fulda and to discover what the Sweeds intentions were The people who were quartered in the Bishopprick of Munster and others in those Provinces were sent towards the Wesser that they might come to Gallasse in Bohemia who being indisposed in body but much more in minde by reason of Azfelts prosperous fortune who began publiquely to say hee would no longer be subordinate or subservient to him desired to withdraw himselfe to a private life At which the Caesarian Councell being not a little troubled he was comforted with good words and had leave given him to tend the recovery of his health but not to quit his charge obliging him as soone as hee should be recovered to reassume the employment which in his absence was committed to Colonell Slich But Gallasse thinking that these appearances proceeded not from the heart because he saw that together
suspicion so as the Imperiallists and Saxons being come to the defence of their owne Frontiers the other Swedish Commanders might the more easily proceed on in Slesia and else where And because Brandeis stood a litlle higher neere the Elbe also it being a place whereby Prague might the easilyer be assayled and entrance be made into the center of the Kingdome the importancy of which place being known Offchercheim was gon thither with a good body of men who was now become one of the Duke of Saxons chiefe Commanders having left the Sweedes Bannier desirous to make himselfe Master of this place also went from Melnick with 7000. Souldiers on the side of Elbe towards Prague and sent Plato with 5000. more on the other side the River with directions that at the same time when Bannier should set upon Brandeis he should on the other side invest the Trenches made by the enemy on the other side the Bridge and which were kept by Colonell Salasar a Spaniard upon advertisment hereof Offchercheim no wayes abasht but as he was suddaine in his actions readily issuing out of the Town came to encounter with the Sweedes hoping to fight and if he should finde them too hard for him to shelter his foote by his horse and so bring them safe underneath the Walles which he intended to defend but some squadrons of Swedish horse issuing out from the rest of the body and a skirmish being began rather to discover the scituation number and position of the Imperiallists then for any thing else and this skirmish growing hotter by the comming in of another company at last Bannier gave on himselfe in the head of 2000. horse resolving to charge through the Enemies troopes whereupon Offchercheim commanded a retreate to be sounded which was done in such confusion as passing from a trot to a Gallop and from a gallop to a down right running away till they came to Brandeis they left their foote to be trampled upon by the Swedish horse Offchercheim indeavoured to remedy this accident but t' was now no more time to doe so for t is very hard to stop the Cariere of feare therefore to save himselfe he swam over the River Elbe but fared not the better for it for having escaped the Sweedes on this side he fell into the hands of the other Sweedes who were on the other side the River to set upon the bridg and was by them ta'ne prisoner as was likewise the Marquis Sforza Palavesnie five foote Captaines and other officers so as together with the battle the Towne was lost eight Standards and 3000. Souldiers great was the confusion and astonishment which was seen every where by reason of these the Sweedes prosperous proceedings the whole Imperiall Army was likely to be lost had not Count Slich and Gallasse by their wisedome prevented it for their army being much discontented for want of pay and taking now the greater liberty by reason of the Sweedes approach it grew so to mutiny as the souldiers were ready to throw away their Armes and to turne over to the Enemie but Slich and Gallasse finding credit for monyes wherewithall to give them two payes they thereby prevented the mischiefe which was likely to ensue and which would have redounded greatly to the prejudice of the whole affaires of the Empire Bannier knowing the Imperiallists constancy and imagining he should doe no good by going further into Bohemia as wel for wanting of victuals as for the numerous forces of the Caesarians who were much incouraged by Azfelts coming into Egra with 6000. souldiers haulted at Brandeis and began to fortifie there thinking so to amuse the Austrians on this side as that Stallans who was with some Sweedish regiments towards Landsperg might this mean while effect some-what as also Colonel Orans who being entered Slecia with 2000 horse 4000. foote did much molest that Province wherein though the Imperialists that guarded it were strong in minde and will yet were they weake in numbers and not well beloved by the inhabitants the greater part whereof were Protestants there passed therefore frequent and hot skirmishes between the Sweedes and Caesarians neere Prague and Brandeis for the horse of both sides going forth for forradge met divers times together and fought The seige of Trino being made more easie for the Spaniards by the taking of Moncalvo for this place being in the midst between Verna Vercelles and Pontestura it was hard for the French to releive it unlesse they should first master some of these other places and Leganes considering that this place was very proper to streighten Cassalle yet the more and being at this instant informed by the Sergeant Major of Trino who was fled from thence and come to serve Prince Thomas how that there was but a small quantity of victualls in the Towne and fewe souldiers for the French fearing to loose Cassall had removed much of their provision and many of their Guarrison thither being by this newes much more confirmed in his opinion he left Don Ferrante de Monte about Lantia to the end that he with the Dutch horse might guard the passes of Doira nor suffer any thing to be brought in thither and he himselfe tooke up his quarterâ— round about Trino upon the hearing hereof the Marquis Villa who was ordered to releive Santia which being on all sides invironed by the Spaniards was reduced to some scarcity of victuals made suddainly thetherward with a 1000. horse and as many Musquetiers taken up behind the horse men intending to effect his desire and having conveyed some foote without any withstanding into Lantia he indeavoured to put 700. foote and two companyes of horse into Trino But Don Ferrante finding his drift laid an Ambush for him and crost his designe For Villa being aware of the Spaniards vigilancy he forbare coming on and returned towards his former quarters at which the others grounding good hopes they forthwith made works dug Trenches raised 18. Cannon of Battery and began to play fiercely upon those Fortifications Count Montecelli a Subject of Piemont and Colonell Merolles a French-man who commanded within the Fort though they had not much above 1000. Foote too small a number to defend a place of so great circuite no wayes frightned at the Spaniards threats as in particular Montecelli was not at Prince Thomas his protestations who sent him word that in case he would not surrender the Fort his head should pay for it as guilty of High Treason to which he replyed that it would be treason in him to surrender up a Fort of the Duke of Savoyes into any other hands then such as should be by the Duke appointed they made a gallant Sally and put many Spaniards to the sword But being afterwards drawne neere unto on all sides and it behoving them to employ their men in the defence of their walls and not in Sallies wherein the most couragious are alwayes lost a great prejudice to a strong hold which hath but a weake