Army or make an Honourable â—etreat he advanc'd without losing time to the Body which Grammont commanded and calling the principal Officers of the Army together to consult what course to take it was resolv'd that they would fight the Enemy and whatever hazard they ran not to quit their Resolution This being concluded the Prince told 'em with a sedate Coâ—ntenance That there was no way but either to Vanquish or Dye and then began to encourage his men Never General shew'd so great a Resolution as did the Prince at that time yet through the midst of this Heroick Resolution and Undaunted Bravery you might discern a Sedateness of Mind and a Contempt of Danger which is the Character of a Hero He never appear'd less concern'd tho perhaps he had never been more provok'd He gave out all his Orders and had so well rang'd his men for the Combat that he openly declar'd He would get the day were he but never so little seconded This Great Prince who never appear'd so great as when the Greatest Dangers threaten'd him took upon himself the Command of the Right Wingâ— The First Line of which Wing consisting of Nine Squadrons was commanded by Villequier Lieutenant-General The Second compos'd of Eight by Normoutier and Beaujeu had Orders to lead on the Cavalry The Left Wing was led by Grammont â— and the First Line of that Wing consisting of Nine Squadrons was commanded by Seneterre Lieutenant-General the Second compos'd only of Seven was led on by du Plessis Belliere and St. Maigrin perform'd the Duty of Camp Marshal to the First of these Lines As for the Main Battel which consisted of Ten Battalions it was commanded by Chatillon and Five Squadrons which made the Body of the Reserve were under Herlack's Orders and Cossâ— had the Charge of the Artillery All things being thus dispos'd the Prince rode through all the Lines encouraging the Soldiers to Fight he put 'em in mind of their Victories at Rocrâ—y and Norlinguen He told 'em He would be the first that would engage in the greatest Dangers and that they needed no more then follow his Example And after he had laid before 'em the Honour which the French Nation would acquire if they won the day he prepar'd to give the Signal of Battel but a certain Movement of the Spaniards stopt him For he perceiv'd that the Spanish Cavalry open'd instead of Advancing and believing there was some Mystery in it he kept his Ground that he might discover the meaning of that Movement of which he was soon inform'd by his sight for he saw the void spaces between the Horse fill'd up with Footâ— which made him easily conjecture that it was the Main Battel which he understood the Duke had design'd to Command believing the Victory sure The Design of the Spanish Army was no sooner known but the Prince took his Measures accordingly He ordered Cosse to march with the Cannon and play upon the Enemy and at the same time that the Artillery play'd the Squadrons and Battalions advanc'd with such an undaunted Courage as astonish'd the Enemy The Count de la Sala who was at the Head of the First Line of the Spanish Left Wing advanc'd with a singular Bravery and gave the Enemy a dreadful Volley of Pistol Shot The French never fir'd at all but so soon as de la Sala had made his last discharge they fell on with their Swords upon the Squadron which was before 'em with so much Resolution being seconded by some other Troops of the same Wingâ— that they quite disorder'd the first Line of the Enemies Army Which the Arch-Duke beholding order'd the second Line to advance and then both Lines being join'd the Combat began to be very bloody But the Spanish Troops being superior to the Prince's Villequier and Moussay were beaten and taken Prisoners But then Noirmoutier advancing in the nick of time drave the two Spanish Lines beâ—ore him with such an undaunted Force that he soon depriv'd 'em of the Honour which they had like to have got and which seem'd to portend 'em the Victory On the other side the Prince who was every where having rally'd the Troops that gave way sent 'em again to fight afresh And those Troops tho half terrify'd flew upon the Enemies Lines with so much Fury and Courage that the Spanish Cavalry began to totter But being vigorously seconded by their Reserve the two Lines that were almost broken took Courage and reâ—urn'd once more to the Charge At what time Herlack appear'd at the Head of the Dutch Squadrons and fell upon the Lorainers with such an impetuous Violence that not being able to withstand the shock they betook themselves to their Heels and carry'd all the rest along with them Grammont who commanded the Left Wing of the French and Bucquoy who led the Right Wing of â—he Spaniards had not yet struck a Blow But then they began to engage and fought with equal advantage for some time but at length Fortune declar'd in favour of Grammont At the same time Beck and Chatillon led the two Main Bodies of the Foot and tho the Victory was a great while very dubious yet the Prince relying upon the Measures he had taken and the Stoutness of his Men made no question of winning the Battel However in regard Beck's Regiments were supported by a strong Body of Horse they made the French give ground But the Gendarmerie no less active at the end then at the beginning seconded the Foot so well that they rally'd again resum'd fresh Courage and then both sides fought with more obstinacy then before for three hours together at what time the Prince obtain'd the Victory The Spanish Army was so numerous and had so advantageoâ—sly posted themselves that the French were somewhat out of heart at the beginning of the Battel but being encourag'd by the Presence of their General there was no Obstacle no Hardship which they did not surmount no Danger which they did not willingly meet to purchase the Honour of the Dâ—yâ— The Prince himself outbrav'd the Enemies fiâ—inâ— like the meanest Soldier and expos'd himself so frequently thâ—t he was at length hit with a Musquet â—â—â—let upon the Reines but the Bullet meeting with the resistance of his Buffâ—coat he was discharg'd 〈…〉 small Contusion only Of the French Army not â—boâ—e siâ— hundred were slain and twelve hundred tâ—ken Prisoners and wounded whereas the Spaâ—iâ—rdâ— besides the loss of their Cannon and Baggage had above eight thousand kill'd and above fifteen hundâ—ed taken Prisoners among whom was General Beck the Prince of Ligny and the Count of St. Amour General of the Artillery The Duke of Chatillon who had signaliz'd himself in the Battel was made choice of by the Prince to carry the Tidings of so great a Victory to Court where so considerable a Success was look'd upon as a Testimony of Celestial Favour for which all the People shew'd a more then ordinary Joy And for which Te Dâ—â—m was sung in
main Causes of its Ruine by an Act of Violence which was like to have destroyed all those that chanc'd to be in â—he Town-House or Hostel de Ville and made the Prince lose all the advantages he had gain'd by the Battle of St. Anthony I cannot tell who was the Author of so pernicious a Design all having equally disown'd it but in fine while the Assembly was held a Croud of all manner of Men in Arms appeaâ—'d at the Town-House Gates crying That they should not only do all things according to the Prince's Mind but moreover that they should instantly deliver all those that were Cardinal Mazarin's Friends At first this Noise was only look'd upon as an ordinary effect of the Common People's Impatience but seeing that the Croud and Tumult increas'd and that not only the Souldiers but even the Officers were concern'd in the Riot the Gates being set on fire and the Windows shot at all the Members of the Assembly thought themselves equally undone Many of them to avoid the Fire expos'd themselves to the Fury of the People and abundance of Persons of all Qualities and of all Parties were kill'd It was generally believ'd that the Prince had sacrific'd his Friends in order not to be suspected of having destroy'd his Enemies The Duke of Orleance was not in the least suspected of having any share in that Business the Odium and Hatred thereof being wholly cast upon the Prince of Conde As for my part I am of Opinion that both of them had employ'd the Duke of Beaufort in it to frighten such Members of that Assembly as were not on their side tho' at the same time I am perswaded that neither of them had the least Intention of hurting any body However they soon appeas'd the Disorder but they could not race out the Impression it had made in the Peoples Mind Afterwards it was propos'd to create a Council compos'd of the Duke of Orleance of the Prince of Conde the Chancellor of France the Princes Dukes and Peers Marshals of France and General Officers of the Party Two Presidents a Mortier were to assist at it from the Parliament the Lord Mayor or Provost des Merchands from the City to Judge definitively and without Appeal of all Military Causes and whatever related to the Government of the City This Council augmented the Disorder instead of diminishing it about the Pretentions of the Rank that was to be held in it the sequel of which as well as of the Assembly prov'd very Fatal for the Dukes of Nemours and of Beaufort being already at oâ—ds about past differences or about some Ladies quarrel'd about Precedency in the Council and 〈◊〉 with Pistols the Duke of Nemours was kill'd by the Duke of Beaufort his Brother-in-law All those who knew that Prince were mov'd with Grief and Compassion at his Death even the Publick had cause to lament him for besides his great and lovely Qualifications he contributed as much as in him lay to promote a Peace and both he and the Duke de la Rochefoucault hâ—d relinquish'd the Advantages the Prince was oblig'd to procure them by the Treaty in order to facilitate the Conclusion thereof But the Death of the one and the Wound of the other afforded the Spaâ—iards and Madame de Longueville's Friends all the Liberty they could desire to draw the Prince away They now suppos'd it would be easie â—o perswade the Prince to go into Flanders they dazled him with hopes and Madame de Chatillon seem'd to appear less Charming to him because he no longer found an Illustrious Rival to Combat in her Heart However he did not at first reject the Propositions of a Peace but taking his measures to continue the War he offer'd the Duke of Nemours's Employment to the Duke de la Rochefoucault who coâ—ld not accept it by reason of his Wound for which Reason he gave it afterwards to the Prince of Tarente Paris was more divided at that time than ever it had been The Court daily gain'd Ground in the Parliament and among the People the Murder committed at the Town-House having struck every body with Horror The Army durst not keep the Field and their abode in Paris exasperated the People the more against the Prince In â—ine his Affairs were reduc'd to the greatest Extremity when the Spaniards who were equally desirous of preventing his Ruin and his Elevation in order to perpetuate the War caus'd the Duke of Lorrain to March to Paris for the second time with a sufficient Body to stop the King's Army Nay moreover he kept it invested at Villeneuve St. George and sent word to Paris that the Enemies would be constrain'd to come to a Battle or to starve in their Camp This hope flatter'd the Prince and he imagin'd he should draw great Advantages from the Event of that Action although in reality the Marshal of Turenne never wanted Provisions nor the Liberty of retiring to Melun withouâ— hazarding a Combat He did it accordingly without meeting any Opposition whilst the Duke of Lorrain was gone to Paris where the Prince lay sick of a Fever Palluau's Forces at that time joyn'd the King's Army after having taken Montrond The Marquess of Persan had been block'd up in it from the beginning of the War by Count Palluau with an inconsiderable Army But when the Garrison was weaken'd by Hunger and Diseases he attack'd it by Force and took it with less Resistance than could be expected from such brave Men in one of the strongest Places in the World had nothing been wanting in it The loss thereof prov'd so much the more sensible to the Prince by reason that it was occasion'd by his Neglect since he might easily have succour'd Montrond whilst the King's Army was towards Compiegne whereas his Forces in ruining the Country round about Paris increas'd the Inhabitants Hatred against him The Prince was neither happier nor better serv'd in Guienne where the Division between the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville serv'd for a Pretence to those who had a mind to quit his Party Several Cities following the Example of Agâ—â— had open'd their Gates to the King's Forces and the Inhabitants of Perigueux had stabb'd their Governoâ—r and driven out the Garrison Villeneuve â— ' Agenois in which the Marquess of Terbon had thâ—own himself was the only place that resolv'd to defend it self and it was done with so much Vigour 〈◊〉 Count d' Harcourt was forc'd to raise the Siege He did not tarry long in Guienne after that small Disgrace and whether he was really diffident of the Court or that he thought that making himself Master of Brisac Philipsburg and Alsatia he should lay the Foundation of a certain and independent Establishment he went away from his Army like a Man who dreaded his being made a Prisoner in it and repair'd to Philipsburg with all the speed imaginable During these Transactions the Prince of Conde's Ilness increas'd yet tho' it was very violent it
fought not with the same Success for having gallopp'd his Horse upon the Enemy they were out of Breath before they came to join The Spaniards therefore stood firm to receive 'em and broke the French upon the first Encounter The Marshal after he had fought with an extraordinary Valour had his Arm broken with a blow of a Pistol and had the Misfortune to see all his Wing betake themselves to headlong flight The Spaniards follow'd their Blow vigorously cut some Battallions of Infantry to pieces gain'd the Canon and never stay'd till they came within sight of the Reserve which put a stop to their Victory While the two Wings fought with such unequal Success the French Infantry march'd against the Spanish And already some Battallions were engaged But Espenan who commanded the Foot understanding the Misfortune that had befallen the Left Wing and seeing that all the Spanish Infantry stay'd for him in good Order and with a more then ordinary fierceness in their Countenances thought it convenient not to be too rash but to hold the Enemy in play with light Skirmishes till he saw which of the two Cavalries had the better In the mean time the Duke of Enguien had overthrown all the Walloon and German Foot and the Italians had betaken themselves to flight when he perceiv'd the Rout of the Marshal Then the Prince clearly saw that the Victory depended wholly upon the Troops which he had with him and therefore giving over the pursuits of the Foot he march'd behind the Spanish Battallions against their Cavalry which gave Chase to the Left Wing of the French Army and finding the Enemy Disorder'd by the pursuit he easily put 'em to a total Rout. La Ferte Seneterre who was taken Prisoner in the Rout of the Left Wing where he fought with an extraordinary Courage was found wounded in several places and rescu'd by the Duke Thus the Right Wing of the Spaniards enjoy'd their Victory but a short time They that pursu'd were now forc'd to flie themselves and Gassion meeting 'em in their flight put the greatest part of 'em to the Sword Of all Melos's Army there now remain'd only the Spanish â—oot and they were serrid in one Body together near the Canon More then that the good Order which they kept and their sower Looks shew'd that they would sell their Lives at a dear Rate They were commanded by the Count of Fontaines who was one of the greatest Captains of his Time and tho he were forc'd to be carry'd in a Chair because of his Infirmities yet he would be every where giving Orders But the Duke understanding that Beck was Marching with Six Thousand Foot toward the Entrance of the Wood never stood to consider whither he should Charge the Infantry or not tho' he had but a small number of Horse with him The Count of Fontaines also stood him with a brave Resolution not suffering his Men to Fire till the Fernch were within Fifty Paces of him But then his Battallion open'd and of an Instant a Discharge of Sixteen Canon laden with Cartouches saluted the French Infantry which was accompany'd with a showre of small Shot as thick as Hail This was such a terrible welcome that the French were not able to brook it so that if the Spaniards had had but Horse to have follow'd their Blow the French Foot could never have been rally'd But having no Horse to disturb 'em the Duke soon rallyd 'em again and brought 'em on to a second attack which had the same Success as the former and in short he charg'd those Veterane Spaniards Three times without being able to break ' em But then the Body of the Reserve came up and several Squadrons returning from the pursuit of the Spanish Horse re-joyn'd the Princeâ—s Body And then the Spanish Infantry being surrounded on every side and overlayâ—d with Multitude was constraind to give way to Number So that the Officers layd aside all Thoughts of any longer defending themselves but by the motion of their Hats made a sign of calling for Quarter Upon this the Prince advancing to receive their Parole and give them his the Spanish Foot thought that the Prince had been going to make another Attack upon 'em and upon that mistake discharg'd a full Volly at him which was the greatest danger he was in during the whole bloody Work of the Day Which his men perceiving and attributing it to the Treachery of the Spaniards chargd 'em on every side without expecting any Orders and reveng'd the Risco which their General had escapd with a most dreadful Slaughter of the Spaniards The French pierc'd into the midst of the Spanish Battallion killing all that stood in their way and notwithstanding all that the Duke could do gave Quarter to none but more especially to the Switzers who are usually more Merciless then the French The Prince flew about every where calling to the Souldiers to give Quarter The Spanish Officers also and likewise the Common Souldiers crowded about him for shelter and Don George de Castelui Camp-Master was taken by his own hand In short all that could escape the Fury of the Souldiers ran in heaps to beg their Lives of him and beheld him with Admiration So soon as the Prince had given Orders for securing the Prisoners he made it his Business to â—ally his Men and to put himself in a Condition â—o fight Beck if he should happen to worst Gassion â—r if he should adventure to engage him in the â—lain But Gassion returning from the pursuit of â—he Fugitives told the Duke that Beck made no haste to come out of the Forest only contented himself to pick up the shatterd Wrecks of the Defeat That he had done it in so great Disorder and with so little Knowledge of the Advantages he might have made of the narrow Passes of the Forest that any one might plainly perceive that the Terrour of Melos's Men had struck his Souldiers with the same dismay In a word after he had savd some remnants of the Spanish Army he retreated with an incredible precipitancy leaving behind him two pieces of Canon The Duke finding his Victory absolutely secure fell upon his Knees in the midst of the Field of Battel commanding all his Men to do the same and gave God Thanks for his great Success And certainly all France was no less obligd to pay her Thanksgivings to Heaven and her Thanks to Him For assuredly it may be said that for many Ages France had never won a Battel more Glorious nor of greater Importance And indeed great Actions were perform'd on both Sides The Valour of the Spanish Infantry can never be sufficiently applauded For it is a thing but rarely heard of that after the Rout of an Army a Body of Foot deprivd of Cavalry ever had the Resolution in open Field not only to stand One but Three Attacks without being so much as stirr'd and it may be truly said that if the Reserve had not come up the Prince
their Winter Quarters At last he return'd to Court having in one Summer gain'd a Famous Battâ—l won a Town of great Importance and carry'd a considerable Reinforcement into Germany The Battel of Rocroy was attended with several other Conquests but chiefly with the taking of Tâ—â—â—nville the reducing of which place was of extraordinary Moment For it was a place that secur'd Mets and the Pays Messin from the Incursions of â—uxemburgh it made the French Masters of the Moselle it assâ—rd a Communication between France and the Electorate of Treves which it behov'd the French to be no less chary of then of their own Country by reason of the Elector who with an extraordinary Zealâ— and incredible Resolution had espous'd the Interests of France And lastly it was a Barricado for the French between Luxemburgh and the Lower Palatinate where the Spaniards were then powerful Cardinal Mazarin had a long time had it in his Head to attempt this Siege for the Reasons alledg'd He had caus'd it to be twice propos'd to Lewis the XIII by Marshal de â— Hospital who was much in his Favour But the Design would never take in his Life time However the King was no sooner Dead but the Cardinal proposd the same thing to the Queen who seeing the Success of the Battel of Rocroy surrender'd her self wholly to the Cardinals Counsels and withstood the open Opposition and secret Thwartings which lay iâ— her way in reference to the design of this Siege which others would by no means have to go forward because most People believ'd that the Cardinal was sway'd by a Spirit of Jealousie and that because he began to suspect the growing Favour and Glory of the Duke of Engâ—ien his main end was that he should miscarry before Thionvilâ—â— However it were ever after this Campagne the Duke was lookâ— upon as a great Captain no less formidable in Sieges then in Battels And here observe one thing in a Young Victorious Prince no less great then the Victory it self The Court which had prepar'd against his Arrival those Applauses which he deserv'd was surpriz'd at his manner of receiving of 'em as if he had been insensible of the Honour which they did him He rejected their Encomiumsâ— as if they had been affronts and as one indocible to Flattery he gave them to understand that he was afraid even of the shadow of it Such was the Niceness or rather the Solidity of this Prince In like manner he observ'd this for a Maxim that it was for a Person of Honour only â—o mind well-doing and to let Glory follow Vertue While these things were transacting in Flanders the Queen turns out of Favour those who had had the greatest share in the management of Affairs The Bishop of Beauvoise who had been in Credit was enforc'd to retire to his Diocess Desâ—uyers and Chavigny were excluded and Mazarine taken into the chief Ministry The Queen who was willing to shew that 't was none of her fault that the War between France and Spain was not brought to a Conclusion by fair and moderate ways gave ear to the Propositions of Peace that were made her and to that Effect the Court appointed two â—lenipotentiaries the Counts lâ— Avâ—â—â—â— de Serviers with Orders forthwith to repair to Munster where the Peace was to be negoâ—â—â—â—ed But certain Broyles that happen'd between the Swedes and Danes prevented the good Success of that Assembly which was the reason that nothing more was thought of but to make the best of the Advantages they had gaind upon the Spaniards Flandeâ—s therefore was to be the Theatre of the Warâ— during the Campaigne of the next Year 1644. and the Command of the Army was given to the Duke of Orleans who designâ—d to Pesiege Gravelin Now in regard that Prince had no mind that his Enterprize should be known he divided his Army into three Bodies The Marshal de Meilleray as Lieutenant General commandd one part with Orders to enter Flanders on that Side next Amâ—ens the Count of Ranzaw commanded another part as Sub-Lieutenant General with Instructions to enter on that Side next to Abbeville And as â—or the Duke he reserv'd a longer March for himself and the most hazardous that is to say through Peronne and Bapaume where the Marshal Gassion who commanded a separate Body was to join him And in regard there were several Forts that might obstruct the Siege of Gravelin Gassion after he had laid a Bridge over the River Aa posâ—est himself of Bajetteâ— Afterwards the Forts of La Capelle and St. Folquin were taken in to faciliâ—ate the great Work In a Word Gravelin was besiegd the Town was taken and the French made themselves Masters of Sas de Gand and of all the Forts that could impede their Entrance into Flanders Now at the same time the Duke of Orleance was acting in Flanders the Duke of Enguien Signaliz'd himself in Germany whether he was gone to Succour Friburgh which the Bavarians had besieg'd To which purpose he order'd his Forces to March with all the speed imaginable but all his haste prov'd Fruitless For that City was in so bad a Condition to hold out that it was Surrender'd before he arriv'd However this Accident which the Duke did never expect no way disheartend him for since he could not relieve the Town he was now in hopes to join and Fight the Enemy and no less confident of Victory He had no Design however to retake the Place nor to force the Imperialists for that his Forces were not strong enough to undertake those Enterprizes But he thought he might repair himself by a Battel for the Loss of a Town which he had not time to rescue The Design was great and hazardous and there was something more formidable that presented it self to his Eyes then at Rocroy He had not only to Fight against Men but inaccessible Mountains against Innundations and Precipices on the one Side on the other against an impenetrable Wood at the bottom of which was a large Bogg against Rivers and Prodigious Entrenchments against Forts rais'd up and down in every Place against Timber Trees cut down and laid athwart most deep and dreadful Roads and in a Word against one of the Greatest Captains of the Age. Nevertheless not all these Obstacles together were sufficient to daunt this Youthful Hero Nothing would content him but a Battel wherein he prov'd Victorious tho the Victory was not so considerable for the Number of the Slain as for the Importance of the Conquests that ensu'd For the Field of Battel as barren as it was in appearance was worth whole Provinces to France through the Conduct of this General so well he understood to make the best of his Advantages Which is that we are going to make out by the following Relation of the Campaign of Friburg The Battel of Rocroy and the taking of Thionville had restor'd the Reputation of the Arms of France in the Low-Countries
Grounds and Turenne at the same time entring the Plain Mercy would not be able to withstand ' em So soon as the Forces were all arriv'd the Duke gave Order that they should prepare over Night to fight the next Morning and Turenne having a great Compass to fetch set forward before break of day but the Difficulties which he met with in his March retarded the Onsets which both Armies should have made at the same time The Duke dispos'd of his Men in this manner His Infantry was compos'd of Six Battallions each consisting of Six hundred Men. Espenan Camp-Marshal was commanded to make the first Assault with two Battallions of the Regiments of Persan and Enguien The Count of Tournon put himself at the Head of the Regiments of Conti and Mazarine to Second Espenan The Duke reserv'd two Regiments to himself to be imploy'd as occasion shall require and Marshal Grammont Martin L' Eschelle and Mauvily remain'd about his Person Palluau Seconded the whole Attack with the Regiment of Horse of Enguien and the Gentlemen were posted at the Entrance into the Plain in a very close Place to hinder the Bavarians from flanking the Infantry To come at the Enemy there was a necessity of clambring up a very steep side of a Place cross a Vineyard wherein were Walls at such a distance about four foot high that serv'd the Bavarians instead of Entrenchments However the commanded Men got up into this Vineyard and drave the Bavarians into their Entrenchments of Firr-Trees behind which they fir'd with more then ordinary fury Nor could the French Infantry force those Trees so entangl'd one within another as they were without loosing a great many Men and breaking their Body The Duke therefore who was advanc'd to 〈◊〉 the Effect of the Onset observ'd that the firâ—â— Line of his Men gave ground and that they weâ—â— got part within the Entrenchments of Firr-Treeâ—â— and part without neither flying nor moving forward They began also to slide along the Bavarian Camp toward the Right hand and fall upon â—em at the top of the Mountain But the Prince who had observ'd before that that same part was not to be forc'd rightly judg'd that the Success of his Enterprise depended more upon carrying the Enemies Line in the middle For that reason he resolv'd to renew the Assault with what remaind of the first Regiments tho he had no more then two with him self and those discourag'd by what they had seen then Fellowâ— suffer And indeed at first it seem'd a piece of Rashness with two thousand repuls'd Men to attempt the forcing of three thousand well Entrench'd and puft up with the Advantage theâ—â— had got But it was impossible otherwise to disingage and bring off those that had got beyond the Entrenchment of Fir-Trees For in abandoning them the Duke must have been forc'd to have retreated with Vexation to have fail'd in his Enterprise and Sacrific'd in vain the best part of his Infantry Besides that all the Bavarian Army would have fallen upon Turenne not having any other to oppose The Prince consider'd all these things in an Instant alights from his Horse and putting himselfâ— at the Head of Conti's Regiment march'd directly against the Enemy Tournon and Castelnau-Maâ—â—villiere did the â—ame with the Regiment of Mazarine Grammont Martin L' Eschelle Mauvilly La Moussaye Ierze the Chevaliers Chabot and Graâ—mont Isigny Meâ—lles La Baulme Tourville Barbantane Disbrotteaux Aspâ—emont Viange together wiâ—h all the Officers and Volunteers alighted 〈◊〉 this Action gave new Life to the Souldiers 〈◊〉 the Duke being the first that pass'd the Enâ—â—enchment of Firr-Trees all the rest following 〈◊〉 Example throng'd over the Entrenchment 〈◊〉 they that defended the Line fâ—ed into the Wood by the favour of approaching Night After this first Advantage won the Duke mounâ—ed into a Redoubt which he found quittedâ— but the Condition he was in was no less dangerous â—hen the Action he had perform'd One part of his Infantry was kill'd the rest had broken their Order in pursuit of the Fugitives The Enemy 〈◊〉 held the Fort where they had planted their Artillery and Mercy was in a Posture able to Charge the Prince in this Confusion but it may be the Night which drew on a pace hinder'd him from making the best of his Advantage Therefore while there remaind as yet some glimmerings of day the Prince rally'd his â—â—otâ— fortifi'd the Redoubts which he had won and notwithstanding the Diâ—â—iculty of the way caus'd his Cavalry to mount to the top of the Hill which he possess'd And after he had got all his Men together he order'd all â—is Trumpets to sound and all the Kettle-Drums to beat that so he might give Turenne notice that he had gain'd the Top of the Hill and then prepar'd every thing ready to renew the Conflict the next Morning Tiâ—â—nne on his side had with great Vigour attack'd the Trees that were layd in the Vally between the Mountainâ— which the Duke had carry'd and that which lay near Friburgh But Mercy not dreaming they could force his Camp on that side next the Mountain considering how it was fortifi'd hâ—d sent away his Principal Strength to defend the Vally and this is that which usually happens in the attacking of Lines that those parts which are deem'd to be the strongest are soonest taken The Place was wide enough behind his Entrenchment to draw up his Men in order of Battel so that when Turenne's Men had driven back the Infantry which defended the Entrance into it all the Bavarian Cavalry were ready and in a Capacity to second their Foot without breaking their Squadrons which was the Reason that Turenne meeting with so vigorout a Resistance could by no means force the Bavarians Sometimes he gain'd some Posts then he lost 'em again so that Turâ—nne's Attack was nothing but continual Skirmishing without being able to break into the Enemies Entrenchments thâ— he did all that the Courage and Conduct of a Great Captain could do to surmount the Disadvantages of Ground and Number The Duke of Enguien had heard from the Top of the Mountain the Noise of this Attack and prepared for another Onset the next Morning And his Design was to March over the High Groundsâ— to the Bavarian Camp on purpose to make the Enemy turn one part of their Fâ—rces against himâ— to â—acilitate Turenne's Entrance into the Plainâ— and every body prepar'd for this Enterpâ—ise as it they had been assur'd of Victory it being impossible that Mercy should sustain Two Onsets at the same time one from aâ—ove and in the Rear of his Army while the other assail'd him every where else Nevertheless Mercy would not run such a dangerous Risco but got away as fast as he couldâ— To that purpose he drew off his Men from the Top of the Mountain next to â—riburgh and before day sent away his Canon that was under the Dukeâ—s Armâ—â— ere the French Generals had notice of it So that they were surpris'd the
prepar'd themselves for a stout Defence but they were constraiâ—d to give way to the Vigorous Onsets of the Besâ—egers and surrender'd upon Composition While Erlac made these lesser Progresses Turenne acted with Success against the Imperialists 'T is true that the Advantages which he won at the beginning of the Campaigne were attended with a sad Event for in regard he thought he had no reason to fear his being attack'd by those he had so vigorously driven before him and that he thought 'em a great way off he was all of a suddain assail'd by Mercy who was one of the most experienc'd most vigilant most piercing and most politick Captains that ever were Mercy then surprisâ—d Marshal Turenne near Mariendal where the Kingâ—s Quarters were and the Marshal was beaten before he could joyâ—n his Men. But certain it is that if Turenne committed a fault in suffering himself to be surpriz'd he made amends for it with as much Honour as it was possible For by that presence of Mind which made him find out Remedies in Conjunctures more difficult and more imminent Dangers he made a very Honourable Retreat still defending himself with a Heroick Bravery and Conduct till he got to the Passage of the Rhine and fighting rather like a Victor then Vanquishd But the loss which France sustaind by that Ill Success was more Advantageously repair'd by the D. of Enguien who was sent into Germany in Iune The Prince's Presence gave new Confidence to the French who were something terrifi'd and infus'dâ— into 'em that Courage that Boldness and Resolution as prepar'd 'em for the most difficult Undertakings and put 'em into the greatest Hopes So soon as he arriv'd he possess'd himself of several Places which gave a free Passage over the Rhine and made himself Master of Wimphen a little City seated upon the Necker And at this time it was that he fought the Battel of Norling according to the following Account The Loss which the French had sustain'd by the Battel of Mariendal was soon repair'd by the Duke of Enguien who was sent into Germany a little while after The Presence of the Young Prince who had won so many Victories not only enlivend the Courage of the French but so hotly alarum'd the Imperialists that at first they knew not what Course to take and the Prince made the best of the Terrâ—ur which he had struck into the Enemy Immediately he seiz'd upon the most considerable Places upon the Rhine and cast the Enemy into a perfect Consternation by the taking of Wimphen and Roâ—tambuâ—gh But in regard he design'd a Nobler Expeditionâ— to make himself Master of Heilbrun he thought it behov'd him to do all he could to weaken the Bavarian Army which would â—e still opposing his Enterprises So that without consulting any farther after he had prepard every thing ready he fell upon the Enemy who lay Encamp'd upâ—n several Hillocks between Wending and Norling Marshal Grammont commanded the Right Wing where was the French Cavalry with Arnaut Camp-Master General of the Carbines Turenne leâ— the Left Wing where was all the German Cavalry Beltenâ—ve Marsin and the Marquiss of Castelâ—aâ— commanded the Foot between the Wings Major General Geis and â—câ—in commanded the Second Line compos'd of two Regiments of Turenne's six of Foot and twelve of Horse that were all Hessians which were reunited with the Dukes And the Body of the Reserve was commanded by Chabot The Bavarians who as I have already said were Posted upon several rising Grounds no sooner perceiv'd the Approach of the D's Army but they placed themselves very advantageously under a Mountain for on the one side they had a Village that stood in the Plain and on the other a Castle where they had already put their Canon and some Infantry Now in regard that from the Village to the Mountain there was an easie Ascent for an Army embattell'd the Duke had a Design in the first place to make himself Master of that Post as soon as an opportunity should present it self Nevertheless the Enterprise was not so easie for there was a necessity of passing between the three Flanks of the Mountain the Castle and the Village which he design'd to take But being resolv'd upon it whatsoever Risco he ran he undertook to make an Onset with the Infanâ—ry only to the end that as he drave the Enemy from the Place he had an Eye upon the two Wings which march'd towards their Cavalry might receive no Annoyance from the Bavarians but that on the other side they might advance under the Favour of their own Men's Firing There was also another Inconvenience which was to be remedy'd for there was a necessity of assayâ—ing the Village in Flank and it was to be fear'd leaâ—t the Men who made the Onset should be beaâ—en by those that stood at the top of the Mountain of the Bavarians so that they push'd forward into the Plain and were going to fall upon the French Baggage when a German Regiment not only 〈◊〉 'em but gaveâ— em chase The French also were in a kind of Disorder iâ—somuch that 't was greatly to be fear'd tâ—ey 〈◊〉 loose the Victory The Right Wing was uâ—terâ—y broken in regard they had made no Resâ—stâ—â—â— being vanquish'd almost without striking a 〈◊〉 But Turenne with the first Line of the Lâ—ft Winâ— which he commanded broke into the â—irst â—iâ—e of the Enemies Right Wing tho much more nâ—â—erous then his which had been extremely 〈◊〉 by the continual firing of the Bavâ—riâ—n Inâ—anâ—ry and by that means he made amends in some sort â—or the Cowardice of the French Souldiers The sâ—coâ—â— Line of the Enemies put themselves at the saâ—â— Instant in a Condition to second their â—irâ—t aâ—â— chargd some Squadrons in the Flank but aâ—â—â—his nothing terrifid Turenne In the mean time 〈◊〉 Enemies began to make their best of some little Advantage which they might have had if Tureâ—ne hâ—d been left to himself But the Duke having spyd him in that Condition advanc'd all of a suddain with his second Line and having rally'd the â—irst with all the speed imaginable He and Turenne charg'd the Enâ—my both at the same time and having broken soâ—e of their Squadrons put all their Troops in Disordeâ—â— Here the Duke having perform'd all the Dâ—ties of a private Souldier as well as of a great Captainâ— was shot in the Elbow with a Pistol Bâ—llet which however did not hinder him from actâ—ng It may be said that till then there had been only some slight Skirmishes tho there had already beeâ— a great deal of Blood spilt and a great many Oâ—â—icers of Note Slain on both Sides But because they found it necessary to come to a General Battelâ— the Bavarians having brought down their Body of Reserve and the Troops which had broken the Right Wing that Turenne seconded the Duke order'd the Heâ—sians to advance together with his own Infantry and Cavalry and march'd himself at the Head of 'em â—â—ainst the Enemy The
Dispute was obstinate and bloody for two hours together and during that time there was no Quarter given on either side They â—â—ught on both sides with so much valour and equality of Advantage that it was a difficult thing while the heat of the Combat lasted to judge which way the Victory would encline but at last it fell to the Duke One part of the Enemy was cut to pieces the other routed and put to flight The Baâ—arians lost four thousand Men in this Battel â—Tis true that it cost the Duke fifteen hundred counting in the wounded but withal he got fifteen pieces of Canon took forty Colours and a great number of Prisoners of which He was forcâ—d to release the greatest part because he could not keep 'em without great Inconvenience to his own Army But that which compleated this Victory was the taking of Gleen General of the Imperial Army who was afterwards exchang'd for Marshal Grammont and the Death of General Mercy one of the greatest Captains oâ— his Age. That very Mercy of whom the Duke himself and Turenne gave that Honorable Testimony that it was he alone who for along time sustain'd the tottering Imperial Troops that he had never been surpriz'd in any Irregular Motionâ— that he had never lost a favourable opportuniâ—y nor ever fail'd of preventing the taking of any as if he had been present in their Councils In a word this Loss of the Bavarians was so great that it seemd at first as if the Prosperity of their Army had expir'd with their General And certain it is that that same Body which had so many times signaliz'd themselves never after that mov'd as it wâ—nt to do day with his and the D. of Enguien march'd another way with his men toward the General Rendevoâ—z The D. of Lorrains Army had already passd the Scheld with a Resolution to oppose the Designs of the D. of Orleance and D. of Enguien But so soon as he understood that the three Bodies of the French Army were marching directly toward him he repass'd the River at Montagne in expectation of Pâ—colomini Beck and Sambry that were to join him But tho that Army were five and twenty thousand strong tho it coasted all along in view the March of the French Army and that it were already posted along the River under the Walls of Tournay the French however forbore not to advance a little below the same place and to seize upon a Pass over the Scheld over against Trinity Mount That Pass gave the French an easie opportunity to attack Tournay or Oudenara But the difficulty was how to pass the River in view of a powerful Army which in all probability would not sit still and look on Nevertheless at a Council of War all the General Officers concluded that there was necessity for 'em to attempt the Passage The only difficulty they met with was to secure the Convoys but the D. of Engâ—iâ—â— had already found out a Remedy for that For he had attack'd the Castle of Lannoy seated between Tournay and L'â—â—â—â— and took it in a days time Which being done all their Conveys were securd and they had no more to do but to put their Resolutions in Execution But upon a suddain the D. of Orleance alterd his Design and concluded upon the Siege of Courtray First of all the two Brigades led by Gassion and Ranzau got before the Place and invested on both sides the Riâ—er 〈◊〉 upon which it was seated till the D. of Eâ—guien came up with his Army on that side next â—o Moncouron and Rolingue But the little Care they â—ook to Invest it â—etimes gave the Enemy leisure to put a considerable Succour into the Town Delponâ—â—â— a 〈◊〉 in great â—epute for holding out of Townsâ— got in with his own Regiment and twelve Companys of Footâ— however all this did but animate the French Generals so much the more The next day the Trenches were open'd but the Neighbourhood of the Enemy so near the Trenches was the reason that the Besiegers were in continual fears of being surpriz'd The Enemy also made some motions And the Duke of Enguien gave notioâ—â— the same day that the Trenches were open'd that the Spanish Army was advanc'd very near his Camp with a design to fight him Thereupon one part of the French Army drew off and prepard to meet the Spaniards who were constrain'd to retreat a long by the Scheldt into their first Entrenchments After their Retreate Enguien joyn'd Gasson and Ranzau to the end they might invest the Town with more ease and assurance All the French Forces being reunited the Circumvallation was begunâ— and finish'd in less then four days tho it took up almost five Leagues in Compass in reguard that both Horse as well as Foot were set to work Orleans with Ranzaâ—'s Men took up his Quarter beyond the Liâ— and on that side next to Flanders from one end of the City to the other and he had his Communication with the Quarters of Enguien and Gassâ—on by means of several bridges laâ—'d over the River Enguien took up his Quarter on this side the River from Orleance's Quarter to Gassion's on that side next Tournay and Gassion from Enguien's to Orleancâ—'s on that side next Audenard and Gand. The Circumvallation as I have already said was so vast that the French Armies were not numerous enough to guard the whole extent of it so that there were many void â—paces through which the Spaniards might have put Reâ—ieâ— into the Town had not the spaces been inâ—loâ—'d with a Line supported and dâ—fended with a great number of Redoubts 'T was thought by the Besiegers that by this means they had removed the Enemy so far off that it would be impossible for him to come on But Charles the IV. Duke or Lorrain in a sit of Dispair usual with unfortunate Heros advanc'd with all his Army leaving his Baggage behind him and posted himself within Canon Shot of the French Camp making a shew as if he would attack ' em And had they march'd directly against the Duke of Lorrain as it was Enguiens advice they had doubtless given him a total Defeat But Orleance did not relish that Counsel whose opinion it was that they should only mind reducing the Town without running any hazard So that every Quarter entrench'd themselves and went on with the Siege tho very slowly by reason that Lorâ—ain's Army gave fresh Alarums every moment In the mean time Lorrain being forcd to retreat upon the news which was brought him that the Hollanders had taken the Field and his Presence was necessary in the Neighbourhood to those Quarters where they were drawn together endeavour'd before his departure to put some considerable relief into the Town But the attempt prov'd fruitless and cost him also a World of Men which extreamly abated the Courage of the Besieged who flatter'd themselves with being reliev'd At the same time Gassion attack'd a Half-Moon and carryd it Enguien also having open'd his
should embrace being as yet unresolv'd In this irresolution he began a Commerce of Letters with the Prince and writ enough to him to make him believe that he only design'd to save Appearances and that he wouâ—d deliver it into his hands at the approach of a Siege This hope rather than the state of the Prince's Forces which at that time were very inconsiderable made him resolve upon Marching towards Coignac He was sensible that the success of his Enterprizes depended upon the Reputation of his Arms but at the same time he likewise knew that wanting Forces and all things necessary to form a Siege this was the only one he could pretend to succeed in So that grounding all his hopes upon that Governour he caus'd the Duke de la Rochefoucault to go from Bourdeaux to Assemble whatever Forces he had on Foot which only amounted in all to three Regiments of Foot and Three Hundred Horse and to Invest Coignac where the Prince of Tarente was to repair with what Forces he had The Report of their March being spread in the Country whatever could be remov'd out of the Fields was carry'd into Coignac and abundance of the Nobility retir'd there also to express their Zeal for the King's Service and chiefly to Guard themselves what they had caused to be transported there This considerable number of Gentlemen easily kept the Inhabitants in awe and made them resolve to shut up their Gates in hopes of being soon reliev'd by Count d' Harcourt General of the King's Forces who was advancing towards them And whereas they had but little Confidence in the Count of Ionsac whom they equally suspected of Weakness and of being gain'd by the Prince they watch'd him so narrowly that one may say that he resolv'd to defend the place because the Power of Surrendring it was taken from him This was the only thing in which the Gentry shew'd any Vigour for during Eight days that the Prince's Men tarry'd before Coignac without Arms without Ammunition without Officers and without Discipline being at the same time fatigu'd by continual Rains which broke the Bridge of Boats they had made over the Charante for the Communication of Quarters those within never made the least use of those Disorders and kept close within the Town with the Inhabitants only firing from behind the Walls However the Prince being inform'd that the Town was upon the point of Surrendring departed from Bourdeaux and came to the Camp with the Duke of Nemours The day after his Arrival the Count d' Harcourt receiving Intelligence that the Bridge of Boats was broken and that Major-General Nort was retrench'd in a Suburb on the other side of the River with 500 Men without any possibility of being succour'd march'd against him with 2000 Foot compos'd of the French and Suitz Guards and with the King's Gendarmes Chevanx-Legers and Guards and some Gentry He forc'd Nort's Quarter without hardly meeting any resistance and thus reliev'd Coignac to the Prince's Face who was lodg'd on the other side of the River Count d' Harcourt was satisfy'd with having Reliev'd the place and suffer'd the Prince to retire without following of him Notwithstanding this Success was not very considerable in it self yet it increas'd Count d' Harcourt's Hopes and gave a Reputation to his Arms. Nay moreover he judg'd himself in a condition to make some Progresses and knowing that the Marquess d' Estissac had reduc'd Rochel to its former Obedience excepting the Towers which shut the Port he resolv'd to march thither relying upon the good-will of the Inhabitants and their hatred to Count du Doignon their Governour He had caus'd those Towers to be fortify'd and kept a Garâ—ison of Switzers in them being diffident almost of every body and expecting to find more Fidelity among that Nation than in his own But the sequel soon made him sensible that he had taken â—alse Measures for Fear and Interest which are as powerful over those People as over others gave the Switz a pretence for doing yet more than he had fear'd from the French It is most certain that this Diffidence of the Count du Doignon prov'd the Ruin of the Prince's Party who otherwise would at first have march'd with all his Forces to Rochel to re-build its Ancient Fortifications there to fiâ— the Seat of the War with all the Convenience that such a Situation could afford him Whereas in order to sooth the Jealous uncertain Temper of that Man he was forc'd to remain useless at Tonay-Charante and to suffer Rochel to be lost without so much as daring to propose the Relief thereof I must confess that the small Resistance the Garrison of the Towers made hardly afforded him time enough to form the Design of it For Count d' Harcourt being arriv'd with his Forces at Rochel and assisted by the Marquess d' Estissac lately invested with the Count du Doignon's Governments he found â—he Inhabitants dispos'd to afford him all the Assistance he could expect from them However the Towers might have held out some time had the Switzers prov'd as brave and faithful as that Count had expected But instead of answering his Expectation they resolv'd to Redeem themselves by a piece of Treachery and after a Resistance of three days Count d' Harcourt having sent them word that he would allow them no Quarter unless they stab'd Basse their Commandant they made no scruple of executing this horrid Order But Basse expecting to meet more Compassion from Count d' Harcourt than from his own Men flung himself wounded as he was from the top of the Towers into the Port where that General caus'd him to be dispaâ—ch'd in his presence without being mov'd either by the Officers Entreaties who beg'd his Life nor by so pitiful a Spectacle The loss of that place prov'd very prejudicial to the Reputation of the Prince's Arms for it was imputed to his being diffident of his Forces whereas it only proceeded from his regard to the Jealousie of the Count du Doignon He was sensibly concern'd at the News of it and imagining that all the other Garrisons would follow that Example hâ— reâ—iâ—'d to Broâ—age where he remain'd altogether 〈…〉 had made his Treaty with the Court whiâ—â— apparently he has had cause to repent Coâ—â—t d' Harcourt being encourag'd by these good Successes and strengthen'd by â—ome Forces thâ—t hâ—d joyn'd his Army resolv'd to march up to the Prince who was at Tonay-Charante But the Prince judging by the Number and the want of Discipline of his Forces that he was much inferiour to the King's Army did not think it fit to expect it in that place and therefore crossing the River in the Night upon a Bridge of Boats he retiâ—'d to la Bergerie which is not above half a League distant from Tonay-Charante The Enemies contenting themselves with having defeated two Squadrons the day before allow'd him all the time that was necessary to blow up the Tower of Tonay-Câ—arante and to retire to
the Seine Without doubt he would not have done it had he followed his own Inclination and it had been much safer and much easier to leave the River Seine on the left hand and to march by Meudon and Vaugirard to Encamp under the Fauxbourg St. Germans where perhaps he should not have been attack'd for fear of Engaging the Parisians in his Defence But the Duke of Orleance would by no means consent to it not only as was represented to him out of fear of a Combat he might see from the Windows of his Palace of Luxemburg but also because some perswaded him that the King's Artillery would make a continual Fire against it to force him to quit it Thus the Opinion of an imaginary Peril made the Duke of Orleance expose the Prince of Conde â—s Life to the greatest danger he had ever been in He caus'd his Army to march at the beginning of the Night on the first of Iuly and expecting to reach Charenton before his Enemies could come up to him he march'd through the Cours of the Queen-Mother and round about the City from the Gate of St. Honoré to the Gate of St. Anthony in order to â—arch from thence to Charenton He did not desire leave to March through Paris for fear of a denial which at that time would have discover'd the ill Condition of his Affairs Besides he was afraid that having obtain'd it his Forces would disperse themselves in the City and that it would be difficult to force them out of it in case of Necessity The Court soon receiv'd Intelligence of his March and the Marshal of Turenne follow'd him immediately with what Forces he had in order to stop him until Marshal de la Ferté who â—ollow'd with is Army could come up to him In the mean time the King was sent to Charonne to behold from that place as from a Theatre that Action which according to appearances was like to prove the absolute Overthrow of the Prince and the end of the Civil War but in Effect that which prov'd one of the boldest and most perillous Occasions that ever was seen in War and that in which the Prince of Conde's great Endowments appear'd to the best Advantage Fortune it self seem'd to be reconcil'd to him in that Occasion and would have a share in a Success of which both Parties have imputed the Glory to his Valour and Conduct For he was attac'd precisely at a time in which he could make use of the Retrenchments the Inhabitants of the Suburb of St. Anthony had made to secure themselves from being pillag'd by the Duke oâ— Lorrain's Forces and it was the only place in all the March he design'd that had any Retrenchments and in which he could avoid being absolutely defeaâ—ed nay even some Squadrons of his Rear were charg'd in the Suburb of St. Martin by some Men the Marshal of Turenne had detach'd to amuse him they retir'd in disorder in the Retrenchment of the Suburb of St. Anthony in which he had plac'd himself in Battalia He had but just so much time as was necessary to that end and to garnish those Posts through which he could be attack'd with Foot and Horse He was forc'd to place the Baggage of the Army upon the side of the Ditch of St. Anthony because the Parisians had refus'd to receive it Moreover some Carriages had been plunder'd and those of the Court-Party had contriv'd Affairs so that the Event of that Business should be seen from thence as from a Neuter place The Prince of Conde preserv'd about him such of his Attendants as happen'd to be there and such Persons of Quality as had no Command the number of which amounted to about Thirty or Forty The Marshal of Turenne dispos'd his Attacks with all the Diligence and Confidence of a Man who thinks himself certain of Victory His detach'd Men being come within 30 Yards of the Retrenchment the Prince came out upon them with the Squadron I have mention'd and charging them with Sword in hand defeated their Battalion absolutely took some Officers Prisoners carry'd away their Colours and retir'd to his Retrenchment On the other hand the Marquess of St. Mesgrin attack'd the Post that was defended by Count de Tavannes Lieutenant-General and Languais Mareschal de Camp who made so brave a Resistance that the Marquess of St. Mesgrin finding that his Infantry flinch'd being hurry'd on by Heat and Anger advanc'd with the King's Troop of Chevaux Legers in a Street shut up with Barricado's where he was kill'd with the Marquess of Nantouillet Le Fouilloux and some others Mancini Cardinal Mazarin's Nephew was wounded and dy'd of his Wounds some time after The Attacks were continu'd on all sides with great Vigour and the Prince of Conde charg'd the Enemies a second time with an equal Success to the first he appear'd every where in the middle of the Fire and Combat and gave his Orders with that calmness of Mind which is so necessary and yet so seldom met with on those Occasions Finally the King's Forces having forc'd the last Barricado of the Street call'd du Cours which leads to Vincennes they entred in Order of Battle as far as the Market-place of the Suburb of St. Anthony whereupon the Prince ran thither charg'd them and destroying whatever oppos'd him regain'd that Poâ—â— and forc'd the Enemies out of it Nevertheless they were Masters of a second Barricado which was in the Street that goes to Câ—arenton the which was Forty Yards beyond a very large Square adjoyning to the said Street The Marquess of â—oâ—illes had made himself Master of it and in order to keep it the better he had caus'd the Houses to be pierc'd through and had plac'd Musquetiers in all those before which they were oblig'd to pass to come up to the said Barricado The Prince of Conde did design to go with some Infantry to cause other Houses to be pierc'd to force them to retire by a greater Fire which indeed was the best way but the Duke of Beaufort who chanc'd not to be near the Prince at the beginning of the Attack being somewhat Jealous at the Duke of Nemours having been there all along press'd the Prince to cause the said Barricado to be attack'd by Infantry that was already tyr'd and discourag'd the which instead of going up to the Enemy kept close to the Houses and would not Advance At the same time a Squadron of the Forces from Flanders that had been posted in a Street which butted in one of the corners of the Square on that side where the Houses were being no longer able to â—arry there for fear of being surrounded as soon as the Houses thereabouts should be taken came back into the Square and the Duke of Beaufort believing that they were Enemies propos'd to the Dâ—kes de la Rochefoucault and Nemours who arriv'd there at that time to Charge them and they being follow'd by all the Persons of Quality and Voluntiers they march'd up to
Steeples in sign of Peace and to distinguish themselves from the Hormeâ—sâ—s whose Colours were Red in sign of Warâ— and to shew that they were ally'd to Spain All this oblig'd the Factious to lay down their Armâ— All things being dispos'd thus to a good Peace Notice was given thereof to the Duke of Vendôme â— who immediately dispatch'd his Secretary to know the real Sentiments of the Bordelois Monsieur de Marsin endeavour'd to create Jealousies about that Envoy to the end that he might receive no Audience But Three Hundred Citizens went out to meet him to Conduct him to the Exchange where he deliver'd his Credentials and the same day two Citizens were sent to the Duke of Vendôme with Aâ—ticles of â—eâ—ce And whereas those Deputies observ'd that Marsin likewise sent two Officers to the Duke to make Propositions in his Name which might hinder the Effect of the Negotiation they acquainted that Prince in private with the Intentâ—ons of those who had sent them in so much that the Treaâ—y of Peace was concluded and sign'dâ— After which the Duke of Vendôme and the Duke of Candale entred into Bordeaux where their Presence made an end of dissipating all the Factions The Parliament that had been transfer'd sometimes to Agen and sometimes to Reolle because it favour'd the Prince of Conde's Party was re-establish'd in Bordeaux And as soon as the Peace was Proclaim'd Colonel Balâ—â—zar was order'd to quit the City with his Forces the Prince of Conty retir'd first to Cadillac and from thence to Pezenas The Princess of Conde went to her Husband in Flanders and the Dutchess of Longuâ—ville was order'd to retire to Montreuil-Bellay The Disorders of Bordeaux being thus terminaâ—â—â— to the King's Advantage all the Province of 〈◊〉 was soon restor'd to a perfect Tranquility 〈◊〉 is reported that in the beginning of the Troubâ—â—s and Seditions of that Province Marsin who Commanded the Forces there under the Prince of Câ—â—ty sent some very able Men to Cromwel to â—â—dâ—â—vour to draw that Protector of England into the Prince of Conde's Party but he refus'd to engage in â—t or to send any Succours whether he judg'd thâ—â— his Authority was not as yet sufficiently Establish'd or whether he were persuaded that that Seâ—ition would not succeed and that the King would soon be able to bring them back to their Allâ—â—iance or lastlâ— whether he was to maintain a considerable War against Holland In the mean time the Prince of Conde who had â—â—â—â—â—er'd himself that the Sedition excited in Guienne would be greatly seconded and that it would be very lâ—sting and moreover that it would be an Examplâ— to all the other Provinces of the Kingdom propâ—â—â—d to himself to make some Expedition on his side upon the Frontier of Picardy and in order to succeed the better he implor'd the Assistance of the King of Spain who sent him Forces under â—he Conduct of the Count of Fuensaldagne The Prince intended to seize the Town of Han but being doubtful of the Sucâ—ess he turn'd his Arms â—owards Roye which he caus'd to be invested by the Lâ—â—roâ—â—ers Commanded by the Chevalier of Guise The Gentry thereabouts being retiâ—'d into that Town declar'd when it was Summon'd to suâ—â—â—â—â—d That they were resolv'd to defender themâ—â—â—ves to the utmost Extremity But whereas Roye is not sufficiently fortify'd nor had a sufficient â—â—rrison to resist long against an Army of 15000 Men it suâ—render'd upon Articles after having repuls'd the Efforts of the Enemies as long as possible they could During these Transactions the French Army besieg'd Mouson and took it after some Resistance The Generals press'd that Siege with great vigor in order to succour Rocroy which was besieg'd by the Enemies but Rocroy was taken before the French Forces arriv'd The Marshal du Plessis Pralin to make amends for that Loss besieg'd St. Menehoult in the Month of November the which did not resist long The Prince of Conde tho' sick at that time of a Quartan Ague us'd his utmost Endeavours to prevent that Conquest But the Vigour wherewith the Siege was press'd and the Attacks given oblig'd it to yield The King's Presence who was not far from thence also contributed much towards the Reduction of that Place In the mean time the King finding that the Prince of Conde remain'd still among the Enemies of France order'd the Parliament of Paris which is the Company or Body of the Peets to impeach him That Prince was accordingly inform'd against at the request of the King's Attorney-General and the Parliament summon'd the said Prince to appear within a Fortnight after the Publication of the Decree in the great Chamber there to answer to all the Articles exhibited against him But the Prince no-wise designing to appear there the King dispos'd of his Governments He gave his Place of Lord Steward of the Houshold to Prince Thomas Commissioners were appointed to manage his Estates and the King being come to the Palais on the 28 th of April the Contents of the Informations given against the Prince were read and Judgment pronounc'd against him whereby he was declar'd guilty of High-Treason The Ceremony of the King's Coronation was perform'd at Reims in the Month of Iune and there the Court resolv'd to besiege Stenay The Siege was form'd about the beginning of Iuly under the Command of the Marquess of Fabert Governour of Sedan and the King assisted at it in Person The Spaniards imagining that all the French Forces were employ'd at that Siege resolv'd to besiege Arras That Enterprize was no sooner resolv'd on but the Arch-Duke assembled his â—oâ—ces about la Basseé feigning to have a Design â—pon that place after which he march'd directly to Arras The Spaniards who flatter'd themselves with the taking of that Town soon ended their Circonvalation although it contain'd above fix Leagues Circumference and then they open'd their Trenches but whereas they open'd them on that side which was strongest that oversight cost them near 3500 Men in the Attacks and after above two Months Siege they found themselves only Masters of a small Half Moon and some inconsiderable Works Count Mondejeu who commanded in Arras was over joy'd to see himself attack'd on that side He had been surpriz'd and had but a weak Garrison he dreaded two Attacks at once which would have confounded him but the Spaniards soon rid him of that fear for not being oblig'd to divide the small Number of Men he had he defended himself with Success In the mean time Marshal de Turenne approach'd the Sâ—anish Lines with an Army of 15 or 16000 Men in order to keep them in awe and to improve all the occasions that might incommode their Camp until he had receiv'd greater Forces to succour the Place The Count of Ligneville being sensible that the Neighbourhood of that Army would prove of ill consequence to them in case they allow'd the French time to retrench themselves declar'd That it was
Duke of Enguien who aspir'd to a higher Alliance shewed at first a Reluctancy to match himself into the Family of that Minister and that he stood upon his Punctilioes like a Person of great Honour and Gallantry But in regard that Cardinal Richlieu to speak properly was then King some there are who say that Lewis XIII gave him to understand that 't was his Pleasure to have the Match concluded unless he had a mind to incur his Anger and that the Cardinal whose will was a Law had layd a Contrivance to have him arrested under some specious pretence if he should hesitate never so little upon the Proposal which was made him nay if he did not make the first steps of Courtship to the Lady However it were the Duke of Enguien went to visit the Cardinal who at that time was at Ruel So that the Match was concluded at that Visit and the 11 th of February the Nuptial Ceremonies were perform'd with Royal Magnificenâ—e War as I have already said being the prevailing Passion that sway'd the Duke of Enguien no sooner the French took the Field in the Year 1641. but he accompani'd Marshal de Meilâ—eray into Elanders and was at the Siege of Aire which was a most remarkable Siege and where he signaliz'd himself with no less Gallentry then in the Trenches of Arras Aire Surrender'd upon Composition but the Spanish Garrison was hardly march'd out of the Town before the Spaniards made themselves Masters of Lilâ—ers and immediately after were resolv'd to fall upon the French in their Lines or to starve 'em in their Entrenchments if they refus'd to fight General Lamboy's Army which the Spaniards had brought into Alsatia puft up with the Victory which they had won at La Marfee near Sedan march'd just before the Van-guard in the very Face of the French Army Of which so soon as Marshal Gassion had Intelligence he Salli'd out of the Camp with a part of his Regiment to observe the March of the Enemy and to Charge 'em in the Rear if they pass'd forward But he was so surpriz'd to see so numerous an Army making towards him that he retreated about a Mile and made a stand upon a Rising Ground at the corner of a little Copse where he stood secure But that which stopt the Marshal de Gassion could not stop the Duke of Enguien who being mounted a Horseback in Company with Marshal de la Meilleray and about three or fourscore Lords and some Volunteers to view the Enemy advanc'd so far that all of a suddain they found themselves environ'd with two great Squadrons of Horse from which they had much ado to free themselves but at length they did get rid of 'em in such a manner as redounded highly to their Honour For after a short but very hot Conflict for the time they regain'd their Linâ—s without much loss and particular Commendations were bestow'd upon the Young Duke for the Bravery and undaunted Courage which he had shew'd upon that Occasion In the Year 1642. Lewis XIII being desirous to make himself Master of Perpignan he order'd the Marshalls de Schombâ—rg and Meilleray to besiege it and that great Monarch was present in Person at the Siege for some time Nor could the D. of Enguien who follow'd the King fail of Employment in an Enterprize of that Nature He commanded the Gentry and Nobility of Languedoc and behav'd himself with so much Honour that the Town being constrain'd to yield aâ—ter a Resistance of four Months believ'd she could not make a more glorious Surrender then by delivering the Keys of her Gates to the Young Prince How many Lives would those Marks of Valour have suffis'd to Honour which the Duke of Enguien gave in his first three Campaignes He shew'd an Ability to Command so extraordinary moâ—e especially at the Siege of the last Place that Lewis XIII who in part had been a Witness of his great Actions thought he could not do France a greater piece of Service then to put him at the Head of his Armies After the taking of Perpignan which was attended with the Surrender of Salces and the total Reduction of the whole Country of Roussillon Cardinal Richlieu dy'd upon the 4 th of December 1642. All People imagin'd that upon the Death of that Minister the Face of Affairs would have strangely alter'd and that Lewis the XIII who had been as it were a Slave for twenty Years together would take that opportunity to break his Chains But through a strange Fatality not easie to be parallel'd that Prince who had boasted upon the News of the Câ—rdinals Death that now he should begin to be a King had not however the Courage to shake off so base and ignominious a Yoke and notwithstanding the aversion he had for the Memory of that Cardinal he saw himself constrain'd through his own Cowardliness not only to dissemble one part of his Sentiments but to authorize the Disposal which that Minister had made by his last Will of the Principal Employments and most important Preferments in the Kingdom In a word the Kindred and Favourites of Cardinal Richlieu enjoy'd all the Advantages which he had procur'd 'em altogether as peaceably after his Death as they did in his Life-time And Cardinal Mazarin who was the only Person of all his Creatures in whom he most confided and who was most deeply engag'd in his Interests was made choice of to Succeed him in the Government of Affairs Buâ— according to all probability there was some Prospect of a suddain Change For Lewis XIII had so long labour'd under a decaying and languishing Distemper that there was no hope of any Cure and then all People believ'd that so soon as the Queen or the Duke of Orleance camâ— to the Regency that Richlieu's Party would be utterly discarded but they flaâ—ter'd themselves in vain For Cardinal Mazarin who fore-saw every thing that could happen and who moreover had very powerful Reasons to side with the Queen and preserve his Authority by that means made use of all his Power over the King to infinuate into his mind that it behov'd him of necessity to declare that Princess Regent The King was no way dispo'd to follow the Cardinals Advice For besides the little Kindness which he had for the Queen he was so ill satisfi'd with her Conduct in regard of the Tyes which he believ'd she had with the Spaniard by the Mediation of the Dutchess of Chevreuse who was fled for Sanctuary to Brussels and he was otherwise so preposess'd that out of the design which the Dutchess had to Marry the Duke of Orleans she had had a hand in the Conspiracy of Chalaes Grand Master of his Wardrobe who would have assassinated him that tho' he gave great Credit to the Cardinals Advice yet he would not give him any positive Answer touching that Matter And indeed the King was at a great loss which way to turn himself There was no Body could
pretend to the Regency if the Queen were Excluded or oblig'd to have a Partner and both the Queen and the Duke of Orleans were equally hateful to him But Cardinal Mazarin would not be so put off For in regard he sooth'd the Queen with every thing that could flatter her Hopes he lost no time either in solliciting the King or causing him to be importun'd in Favour of that Princess And the better to bring about his Design and that at the same time he might have the greatest part himself in the Management of Affairs he took a Resolution to propound Conditions so little to the Queens Advantage that Lewis XIII who saw himself just dropping into his Grave thankt him for having disingag'd him out of that Irresolution wherein he had hesitated so long For in short altho' he consented at last that the Queen should be declar'd Regent yet the Power which he gave her was extreamly limited that Princess not being able to undertake any thing of her self without first imparting the Business to the Counsel of which the Cardinal was to be the Chief and where things were to be carrid by Plurality of Voices But how disadvantageous soever these Conditions were to the Queen the King however thought he had done enough and the Queen and the Cardinal who had their Prospects and their Ends were highly satisfid that Things were brought to that point Nevertheless in regard the Business was not concluded and for that the Kings mind might alter the Cardinal left nothing omitted to keep the King steady in the Resolution he had taken while the Queen on her side labour'd to win to her Party all the considerable Persons in the Court of which number was the Duke of Enguien and it was a long time before she thought of him But the Duke de la Roche Foucaut who had always an Antipathy against Cardinal Richlieu and sought all Opportunities to be serviceable to the Queen having one day put it into her Head that it would be of great Advantage to her to gain this Young Prince she took it for good Advice And the Duke of Enguien who was glad of an opportunity to oppose the Authority of the Duke of Orleans who aspir'd to the Regency willingly accepted the Queens offer The Queen promis'd to prefer him before the Duke of Orleans not only by the Mark of her Esteem and Confidence but also in all Employments from whence it lay in her Power to Exclude the Duke of Orleans by such ways as they two should agree upon together and which mighâ— not provoke that Prince to a Rupture with herâ— On the other side the Duke of Enguien promis'd to be inseparably devoted to the Queens Interest and to be beholding to her alone for all the Favours which he desir'd at Court And now the Queen thought her self strong enough when she saw her self assur'd of the support of this Young Prince and therefore relying on the other side upon the Cardinal she waited for the Kings Death with a great deal of Confidence About that time the Duke of Enguien departed to Command the Army in Flanders and lay the Foundations of those great Things which he performed with so much Honour Lewis the XIII also dy'd within a short time after that is to say the 14 th of May in 1643. the very same day that he began his Reign After the Death of this Monarch there happen'd one thing which perhaps never happen'd before in France where there is a greater regard had to the Kings Pleasure then in any other Monarchy that the Parliament of Paris which according to the Institution of it is the Trustee and Guardian of all the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom and which derives its Jurisdiction only from the King cancell'd the Declaration of Lewis XIII by which as has been already said he order'd a Councel for the Regency to the end the Queen whom he thought incapable to manage the Government might be under a kind of Tutelage For the Queen Four days after the King's Death went to the Parliament and there did what she pleas'd her self in a manner so Advantageous to her self that â—here could nothing more be done the whole Asâ—embly testifying that they desir'd nothing with so â—uch fervency as that her Authority should be â—bsolute In short the Queen was confirm'd Reâ—ent by a Declaration of Parliament bearing date â—he 18 th of May. This Digression was absolutely necessary as you â—ill find by what ensues Now therefore to return â—o the Duke of Enguien while these things were â—hus transacted in France and that they were preâ—aring to carry the King's Body to St. Denis the â—paniards besieg'd Rocroy and so vigorously press'd â—he City that it was greatly to be fear'd it would â—all into the Enemies hands unless it were speedily â—uccour'd But the Duke of Enguien who was alâ—eady set forward to Command the Army in Flanâ—ers resolv'd to relieve the Place and no less â—riskly to attack the Enemy who seem'd as willing â—o come to a Battel and he perform'd what he â—ndertook as he had laid his Design This Prince was then not above Two and Twenty Years of Age and one of his Panegyrists has said and that not without doing him Justice that he had form'd â— Design which was above the reach of the Old Experienc'd Hoary-headed Captains but which Victory however justifi'd The Enemies Army â—as much more numerous then that which he Comâ—anded It was compos'd of those Old Bands of Walloons Italians and Spaniards which never had â—een broken before but all that could not make â—he Young Duke desist from his Enterprize Don â—rancisco de Melos stay'd his coming with a firm Resolution to engage him He was a Captain formidable for his Consummate Experience and for â— great many Victories which he had won and beâ—ides all that he lay entrench'd among Woods and â—oggs All the Forces of the Kingdom were â—ow to be ventur'd in one single Combat Upon that day depended the good or bad Fortune of the Regency For in short had the Duke lost that Battel it would have been impossible for France to have stopp'd a Torrent which would certainly have delug'dall Champaigne Picardy and the Neighbourhood of Paris The Consideration of so many Dangers would have terrify'd any other Person but the Duke of Enguien However never did any General appear more Sedate or more Undaunted He lay the Night preceding that famous Battel as if he had not thought of any such thing as fighting and slept so soundly that they were forc'd to wake him the next Morning This Prince who by that Battel open'd the way for so many others upon that Occasion acted not only like a Man of his Birth but like a Common Officer He was in all places where danger appear'd He receiv'd several Shot in his Cloaths and in his Boots he had a Horse wounded under him with Two Musket Bullets and he underwent all the Hazards and Fatigues of Combat
together The place which the Duke made choice of for the field of Battel was wide enough to range his whole Army in the same order as he had contriv'd before The ground was there somewhat more raisd then in the parts adjoyning and extended it self insensibly into all the rest of the Plain There was a great Bogg upon the lefthand and the Wood not being very thick in that part was no hindrance to the Squadrons from drawing into Order Just opposite to that Eminency which the Duke possessd there was another rising Ground almost resembling it where the Spaniards planted themselves and made the same Front as the French and between the two Battels a hollowness ran along in the nature of a Valley By the situation of this place 't is easie to judge that neither of the two Parties could attack each other without ascending Nevertheless the Spaniards had this advantage that upon the declension of their rising ground and before their Left Wing there grew a Cops of Underwood which descended a good way into the Valley where it was an easie thing for them to plant Musketeers to gall the Duke as he marchd toward ' em The Two Generals labour'd with extraordinary Diligence to Marshal their Troops as they came severally up and instead of Skirmishing as is usual when Two Armies meet they spent their whole time in ordering their Men. All this while the Spanish Canon annoy'd the Frâ—nch much more then the French Canon did the Spaniards because they had a greater number more advantageously planted and better ply'd Thâ—refore still as the Duke extended the Wings of his Army the Enemy play'd furiously with their Canon that had it not been for their extraordinary Resolution the French could never have kept the Ground which they posess'd There were above three Hundred Men that day slain and woundded by the Canon Shot among whom the Marquiâ—s of Persan Camp-Master of a Regiment of Infantry receiv'd a Shot in his Thigh About Six a Clock in the Evening the French Army had pass'd the Defile and the Body of the Reserve being got clear of the Wood advanc'd to the Ground which was assign'd it The Duke also unwilling to give the Spaniards any longer time to secure their Posts prepar'd to begin the Fight and the Order of March was given throughout the whole Army when an unlucky Accident not to be foreseen had like to have put all into an extream Confusion and given the Victory to Melos La Ferte Seneterre alone commanded the left Wing in the Absence of the Marshal de l' Hospital who was with the Duke That Wing of the Army was defended by a Bogg on the one side so that the Spaniards could not attack it and therefore la Ferte had nothing to do but to keep â—irm in his Post and expect the signal of Battel The Duke had never quitted the right Wing where while the Oâ—ficers were ranging the Squadrons in their proper Places he made it his chief Business to observe the Countenance of the Enemy and in what places it would be most to his Advantage to Charge ' em But then it was that la Ferte perhaps by some secret Order of the Marshal or else out of Emulation and Envy to Gassion to Signalize himself by some extraordinary Exploit would needs be trying to put a considerable Reinforcement into the Town And to that purpose order'd all the Cavalry to pass the Marsh together with Five Battalions of Foot by the sending away of which Detachment the Left Wing became naked of Horse and much weaknd by the want of a great Body oâ— Foot But so soon as the Duke had Intelligence of itâ— he order'd both Horse and Foot to make a halt and flew to the Place where the Confusion call'd him At the same time also the Spanish Army mov'd forward their Trumpets sounding a Charge as if Melos had design'd to take his Advantage of the Disorder But the Prince having supply'd the void space of the first Line with some Troops of the second the Spaniards stopt which shew'd that they had no other intent then to gain Ground to range their second Line There are certain Critical Minuits in War that flie away with the winged swiftness of Lightning if a General has not a piercing Eye to watch 'em and a presence of Mind to seize upon the Opportunity Fortune never sends 'em again nay many times she turns with Indignation against those that were so blind as not to lay hold of her Favours The Duke of Enguien therefore sent to Command la Ferte back again so that the Detachment re-pass'd the Bogg with all speed and before Night the whole Army was re-settl'd in their appointed Posts Thus this Accident did but only delay the Battel and wrought no other Inconvenience only that it gave the Spaniards time to spread themselves more at large and put themselves into somewhat better Order then they were before The Night was very dark but the Forest being near the Souldiers kindl'd such a vast number of Fires as enlightn'd all the Plain and both Armies were surrounded with an Enclosure of Wood as if they had been to â—ight in a Box. Their Corps du Guards were so near each other that there was no distinguishing the French Fires from the Spanish and both Camps seem'd to be but one So soon as it was Day the Duke gave the signal to March and the Duke himself at the Head of his Cavalry charg'd a Thousand Musqueteers which the Count of Fontaines had lodg'd in the Wood and tho' they fought in a place as it were intrench'd by Nature and advantageous for Foot the Attack was so Vigorous that they were all cut to pieces upon the Place However for fear the Squadrons should be Disorder'd and Broken by crossing the rest of the Wood where that Infantry was Defeated the Duke with the second Line of the Cavalry turn'd to the Left and commanded Gassion to lead the first Line about the Wood upon the Right Thereupon Gassion extended his Squadrons marching under the Covert of the Wood and Charg'd the Enemies Cavalry in Flank while the Duke attack'd 'em in Front All this while the Duke of Albuquerque who commanded the Left Wing of the Spaniards knew nothing as yet of the first Action nor had he foreseen that he might be Attack'd in two places at once For he rely'd upon the Musqueteers that were lodg'd in the Wood and cover'd his first Line to that finding himself in some Disorder upon this Attack he thought it proper to oppose some Squadrons against Gassion by whom he was ready to be surrounded But there is nothing so dangerous for a General as to make great Motions before a Potent Enemy just ready to assail him For those Squadrons already tottering were broken at the first Charge and all Albuquerques's Troops overturn'd one another The Duke seeing 'em flie commanded Gassion to pursue 'em and turn'd short against the Foot Marshal de l' Hospital
as Victorious as he was over the rest of the Army could never have broken that stout and Courageous Infantry One extraordinary Action of the Regiment of Velandia was remarkable In the first Onset which the Duke made on that Regiment the Musketeers being cut in pieces and the Body of Pikes being surrounded on every side by the French Horse they made a â—low retreat in a Body to the Gross of the Spanish Infantry When the Left Wing of the French was broken Word was brought to Sirot that he should save the Body of the Reserve and make his escape that there was no other remedy in regard the Battel was lost To which he answer'd without being mov'd in the least 'T is not yet lost because Sirot and his Companions have not yet fought In short his Courage contributed very much to the Victory But by the report of the Spaniards themselves nothing appeard so worthy of Admiration as the Presence of Mind and Sedateness of the Duke in the hottest Fury of the Battel particularly when the Enemies left Wing was broken for instead of greedily following the pursuit he presently turnd upon their Infantry By which reserv'dness he kept his Men from breaking their Order so that he was in a Condition to assail the Spanish Cavalry who thought themselves Victorious Gassion won Eternal Honour and the Duke gave him great Marks of his Esteem For upon the Field of Battel it self he promisd to procure him a Marshal of France's Battoon which the King granted him some time after Of Eighteen Thousand Foot of which Melos's Army consisted there were above Eight Thousand slain upon the Place and near Seven Thousand Prisoners The Count of Fountaines Camp-Master General was found dead near his Chair at the Head of his Men. The Loss of him was a long time after bewaild by the Spaniards The French applauded his Courage and the Prince himself said That if he â—ould not have got the Victory he woâ—ld â—â—ve dy'd as he did Valandia and Vâ—lalva underwent the same Fate All the Officers were either taken or slain The Spaniards also lost Eighteen Pieces of Canon and Six Battering Pieces Two Hundred Colours of Foot and Sixty of Horse The Pillage was great for that besides the Booty of the Baggage there was the Money of a whole Mâ—steâ— which the Army was to have receivd after the taking of Roâ—roy Of the French were kill'd in all about Two Thousand but very few Officers or Persons of Quality The D. lodgd his Army in the Enemies Camp and after he had given Order for the wounded enteâ—'d a Victor into Rocroy The next day he understood that Melos retird out of the Battel upon the rout of the right Wing of his Army and never minded the rallying of the Fugitives till he was got under the Canon of Philipâ—ille His Cavalry re-join'd him in the same Place but the Foot were utterly ruind and the following Campaigns made appear the Vastness of the Loss which Spain could never yet repair So true it is that a good Army of Foot cannot be too carefully preservd whether in War or Peace seeing it is not in the power of the greatest Kings in a long time to recover a lost Body of Old Officers and Souldiers accustom'd to fight together and endure the Fatigues of War The Duke after he had stayd at Rocroy Two days led his Army to Guise the same way that he came There he rested some days during which the Prince prepard every thing ready to enter the Enemies Country For in regard the Magazines had been only provided for the Defensive part there was a necessity of Storing up Provisions and Ammunition in the most advancd Places of the Frontiers Flanders lay open on every side which way soever the Duke had a Design to Lead his Victorious Army there was nothing to oppose his Passage He might either attack Mets or the Towns upon the Scheldt or the Moselle There was also great probability that all these Enterprizesâ— might prove extreamly Beneficial But the winning of the Sea-Towns seemd the most Advantageous which would not only be an Assistance to the Hollanders but deprive the Low-Countries at the same time of the most speedy Succours which they receiv'd from Spain But the Duke of Enguien knew that the Hollanders were afraid of nothing so much as of having the French to be their Neighbours and that they would rather make a Peace and Confederate themselves with the Spaniards tho their Natural Enemies then endure that France should extend her Conquests over those Places which serve as Barricades between the Spanish Territories and those of the Vnited Provinces Moreover it was impossible to take either Gravelin or Dunkirk without a Fleet Nor were the Kings Fleets in a Condition to keep the Sea So that there wanted both Time Money and Negotiations to vanquish the Mistrusts and Jealousies of the States-General and engage em to lend their Ships so that the Duke gave over that Design There remainâ—d Two other Places the Scheldt and the Moselle The first was very difficult in regard the Remains of the shatter'd Spanish Army were got thither besides that the French had no Magazines on that side The last Design was of great Importance toward the Conquest of Flanders because Thionville and all the other places upon the Moselle opend an Entrance for the German Armies into Flanders So that the Duke not being in a Condition to take Sea Towns could not undertake any thing more Advantageous then the Siege of Thionville to the end that by possessing himself of this Place he might hinder the Enemies Communication between Germany and Flanders and by this Conquest settle the posture of his Affairs against the next Campaign for greater Enterprizes It was easie to furnish his Army with Subsistance on that side next Champaign All Preparations necessary for a great Siege had been Stord up there during the Winter The Deceasd King had caus'd Provision and Ammunition to be transported thither with a Design to carry the War into Frâ—nche Conte and Marshal de Meilleray was to have undertaken that Enterprize But the Kings Death having overturnd all those Projects and the Army in Italy being too weak to keep the Field Meilleray's Forces were parted into Two Bodies One part pass'd the Alps under Viscount Turenne and the other commanded by the Marquiss de Gesvres servd under the Duke Nevertheless it requir'd time to fetch out of Burgundy and Champaign all the Ammunition and Train of Artillety And therefore the Duke would not encline toward Thionville for fear General Beck should reinforce it with Men. The Prince therefore Marchd into the middle of Flanders on purpose to alarum the Principal Cities and to oblige the Enemy to strengthen the Garisons his Designs being to return the same way he came and to sit down unexpected before Thionville To this purpose he dispatchd away St. Martin Lieutenant of the Artillery with Order to bring Ammunition to the Frontiers of Champaign
and he wrote to the Intendant of that Province to provide great quantities of Corn and Provision for the Subsistance of the Army and then marchd toward Hanault through Landrecies Emery and Barlemont Surrender'd after some few Discharges of the Great Guns and Mauberge open'd her Gates without Resistance He mov'd forward as far as Binch which the Enemy had reinforc'd with some Men and that he might still carry on his Counterfeit show he attackd that small Place which Surrendeâ—'d the same day at Discretion There the Prince stay'd Fifteen days without undertaking any thing till the Preparations for the Siege of Thionville were all ready On the other side as the Prince foresaw the Spaniards were retir'd with their Cavalry under the Guns of the fortifi'd Towns and the remainder of their Infantry was disperc'd into the Cities adjoining to the French Army So that 't was easie for the Prince to get before 'em by wheeling of a suddain toward Thionville He sent strong Parties from Binch to the Gates of Brussels and struck a Terror into the Cities that lay most remote But at length word being brought him that every thing was ready in Champaign for the Siege and that the Marquiss of Geseres was arrivd with the Body under his Command the Duke set forward from Binch and return'd by the way of Barlemont and Mauberge re-entring into the Plain of Roeroy through the same Pass thorough which the Spaniards retreated after the loss of the Battel Upon his departure he sent away dâ— Aumont with Twelve Hundred Horse to join the Marquiss of Gesvres and invest Thionville Sicot was order'd to convoy the heavy Artillery by the way of Toul and Mets while the Infantry with some Field-pieces marchd toward Thionville All these things were executed according to the Duke's Orders Nevertheless d' Aumont and de Gesvres did not arrive before Thionville till Two days before the Prince For notwithstanding the great falls of Rain and the Hardships which the Foot suffer'd in their March he was but Seven days marching between Binch and Thionville choosing some of his way through the Country of France the more to conceal his Design and passing the Meuse at Sâ—dan he cross'd Luxemburgh and sate down the Seventh day before Thionville This Town is Seated upon the Banks of the Moselle on Luxemburgh side not above Four Leagues below Metz. The Plain where it is Seated is very fertile and Border'd on Two sides with little Hills cover'd with thick Woods The Advantage of the Place and Beauty of the Country was the reason that great Expence and Art had been bestow'd upon the Fortifications of it It had been all along in the Possession of the House of Austria only when it was taken by the Duke of Guise in the Reign of Henry the II. till the First Treaty of Vâ—rvins at what time it was restor'd to the Spaniards The Misfortune that befel Fâ—quieres in 1639. had render'd it Famous during the last Wars and every Body lookt upon it as a Conquest of Importance but which would cost dear The Moselle secures it wholly on the one side so that on that side there is only one Rampart terminating in a right Line The remaining Circuit is fortifi'd with Five great Bastions lin'd with Free-Stone and Two Demi-Bâ—stions at the Two Ends that re-join the River The Mote is large deep and full of Water The Counterscarp is very broad and the Courtins cover'd with Five Half Moons and before the Gate on that side next to Cirque stands a great Horn-work The Country round about it is so plain and level that there is no approaching the Town without being expos'd to great and small Shot and the adjoining Hills command the Plain in several Parts which makes the raising a Circumvallation difficult There were Eight Hundred Foot in the Town and Store of Ammunition and Provisions when the Duke sate down before it So soon as the foremost Troops began to enter the Plain he caus'd the Commander Grancy to pass the River with the Cavalry to hinder the Entrance of any Relief before the Quarters were assign'd This Grancy had commanded at the First Siege in 1639. and was â—ully acquainted with the Situation of the Places and Passes through which the Spaniards could steal in Relief But many things happen in War which all the Prudence of a General and his Principle Officers cannot prevent While Grancy pass'd the River the Prince stay'd in the Plain and as his Forces came up order'd 'em to be posted in all the Avenues which were most to be suspected referring till the next day the Appointment of their several Quarters and the Settlement of the Camp The whole Army also stood to their Arms all that Night without hearing the least News of the Spaniard Yet by break of day word was brought to the Duke that a Reinforcement of near Two Thousand Men was got into the Town through the Count of Granâ—y's Quarters Nevertheless the Count had plac'd his Corps du Guard with all the Care imaginable besides that he visited all the Posts himself with an extraordinary Vigilance Nor had he had any Alarum all the Night long However an Hour before day one of his Parties brought Two Country-Men to him who affirm'd that some Spanish Troops had pâ—ss'd the River at Cirque and that they march'd along the Bank of the River and got into Thionvilâ—e and they told their Story with so many Circumstances and so much Probability that Grancy believ'd ' em At the same time therefore he chang'd the Order of his Guards and leading all his Forces to that Place which the Peasants had describ'd to him he left but Two Regiments to Guard the Post toward Mets. In short Two Thousand Men had pass'd the River at Cirque but they took another way then that which the Peasants Information mention'd For instead of keeping close to the River they had taken a compass round about the Wood to enter into the Plain on that side next Metz. And indeed the Spantards perform'd their Business with extraordinary Diligence and Courage so that by peep of day they were discover'd marching directly to the Half-Moon so that the French Guards astonish'd at this Alarum Charg'd the Relief too late and with some Disorder And whether the Spaniards perform'd any Exploit more remarkable then usual or whether the Guards were remiss in their Duty that Reinforcement enter'd Thâ—onville without any loss The Duke was not a little displeas'd at the News he saw it would much retard the taking of the Place and by Consequence delay those other Conquests which depended upon this if it did not quite put 'em off till the next Campaign A place like Thionville well fortifi'd and defended by a numerous Garison could not be carry'd in a small time nor without a great Loss of Men. But all these Inconveniencies did not hinder the Prince from continuing the Siege On the contrary he apply'd himself to it with so much the more Diligence
next Morning to see the Bavarian Entrenching themselves upon the Mountain next to Friburgh the Camp deserted and the Fort quitted The Duke seeing that Turenne's Men had spread â—hemselves over the Plain came down with his Army but no sooner had he a near view of the â—everal Places but the thundring from the Bavaâ—iâ—ns new Camp gave him to understand that they â—ad wholly possess'd themselves of the Mountain â—djoining to Friburgh Thereupon the D. not a little â—exed to have miss'd in his Enterprise order'd his Army to be drawn up in Battalia notwithstandâ—ng it had Rained hard all that Night But finding his Men wearyd with their hard Duty the day before and the bad Weather he deferr'd driving the Enemy from their new Entreâ—chments till the next day Soâ— that the Army had all that day and the next night to rest themselves Upon the Right Hand of Friburgh coming from â—â—isack lies a Mountain which is not so extreamly rugged for above the third part of the Highth but afterwards becomes very steep Yet when you come to the Top there is a wide space of level Ground sufficient for the drawing up Three or Four Thoâ—sand Men in good Order of Battel At the end of this little Plain stood also certain Ruins of a Tower at the Foot of which the Highest Mountain of the Black Forest rises insensibly But in regard that as it rises it runs very far backward the Highest part of it commands but very little over the Plain Mercy had posted the greatest part of his Infantry in the Parts adjoining to the Tower the rest was Encamp'd behind a Wood approaching to Friburgh His Cavalry was planted all along from the Wood to the Walls of the City In short that General had as well managd the Advantages of his Ground in that Place as the former He had also added for the Defence of it all the Inventions which the Art of War and the Conveniâ—â—cies of the Wood could afford him in so little time The Lines which he had cast up during thâ— Siege serv'd him in part to enclose his new Camâ— so that he had no need of â—ortifying any more 〈◊〉 that part which lookt toward the Vally where 〈◊〉 layd rows of Trees with their Bows entangleâ— one within another and his choicest Infantry laâ— behind this Entrenchment supported by his Cavalrâ— the Squadrons of which possess'd all the Ground beâ—tween the Row of Trees and the City So soon as it was Day the Duke advanc'd to thâ— Foot of the Mountain where Mercy lay entrench'd and in his March took in some Redoubts which were still guarded in the Vally by the Enemies Dragoons Turenne's Army had the Vanguard that day and was to make the greatest Onset D' 〈◊〉 Lieutenant General commanded the Infantryâ— L' Eschelâ—e march'd at the Head of all the rest with a Thousand Musketeers drawn out of both Armies and his Buâ—iness it was to attack the entrance that cover'd the biggest Body of the Bavarian Footâ— next the ruin'd Tower which was the place most easie of Access to get at ' em For which reasonâ— Turenne caus'd all the Canon of the Weymarians to be drawn on that side The Dukes Body of Infantry commanded by Espenan was commanded to force the Trees Between these two Attacks also there was a false Assault to be made with a few Men only to favour the real Onset Marshal Grammont had likewise Orders to keep himself drawn up in Battel array in the Plain with the Cavalry to act as the Success should direct him The Bavarians Camp afforded 'em great Advantages whither it were to defend themselves or attack the Enemy One of their Wings was supported by the Canon and Small-Shot of the Cityâ— the other was posted upon a Mountain the Heighthâ— of which alone was sufficient to secure the Forces â—â—at poâ—sess'd it But they had too large an exâ—â—nt of Entrenchment to defend that the Infantry â—â—ch weakn'd by the Hardships of the Siege and 〈◊〉 preceding Combats was not sufficient to guard 〈◊〉 Camp â— ' Eschelle began already to play with the Artiâ—â—â—â— of his Attack never staying for the Arrival 〈◊〉 the Rear-â—uard or the Signal of Battel tho 〈◊〉 Duke had commanded that all the Attacks and â—nsets should be given together Besides that â— ' Eschelle had Orders not to March up to the Eneâ—y till he heard the noise of the Musquets toward â—â—e Treâ—s and toward the false Attack in the midle But an Accident not to be fore-seen as freâ—uently it happens in the best consulted Contriâ—ances of Warâ— overturned all the Dukes Orders â—nd sav'd the Bavarians from a Total Defeat For while the Rear-guard was expected which â—ould not come up so soon by reason of the badâ—ess of the ways the Duke attended by Turenne â—nd Gâ—aâ—ment was got up to the top of the highest â—ountain to discover the Rear of the Enemies â—rmy and observe their Order of Battel In his â—bsence Espenan detach'd some men to make a â—alse Attack upon a small Redoubt that lay in hâ—s â—ay to the Enemy And tho he sent but very few â—en at first both sides were insensibly engag'd in a â—oody â—ight while the Bavarians seconded those â—hat defended the Fort and Espenan reliev'd those â—hat attack'd it insomuch that it came to a very 〈◊〉 Câ—nflict in that part Upon the noise of which â— ' Eschelle thought it high time for him to begin his â—ssault and his Errour ranvers'd all the Designs of â—he Day The Duke beholding the Enemies firing from the â—op of the Mountain rightly judgd that Espenan â—nd L' Eschelle had made a mistake and that his â—rders had not been obey'd So that he ran into the very thickest of the Engagement where 〈◊〉 found L'Eschelle slain and his men neither darinâ— to fight nor retreat â—or remedy of this Disorder he commanded Tournon to put himself at the 〈◊〉 of the astonish'd Souldiers and to assuâ—e â—em thaâ— he himself would second 'em with a Powerfâ—â— Succour Thus the Preâ—ence of the Prince giving new Lifâ— to the Souldiers the Baâ—â—rian Infantry began 〈◊〉 totter two Battallions and that which defendeâ— the Entrenchment began to Face about with theiâ— Colours and giâ—e all the marks of men that weâ—â— just ready to beâ—â—ke themselves to their Heels Buâ— they that were next the Line fir'd so furioâ—sly thâ—â— the Frâ—nch Infantry were quiâ—e dishearten'd they that were farâ—hest off began to retreat the 〈◊〉 were in a terrible fright and the Officers also began to give ground In vain the Generals told 'em of the Disorder which they beheld in the Bavarian Camp they press 'em threaten 'em and drag 'em back to the Fight But when a panick dread has once seiz'd upon a Souldier he neither seeâ— nor hears any longer either the Example or the Orders of his Generalâ— so that the Duke was forc'd to give over the Attack and draw off his Men and in this Action the Prinâ—e and all that attended him were in very great danger
For he was still 〈◊〉 Horseback not above Thirty Yards distance from the Enemies Entrenchments So that of Twenty Men that were about his Person there was not one that did not carry away some marks of the danger to which he was expos'd The Duke himself had the Pommel of his Saddle taâ—en off with a Canon Bullet and the Scabbord of his Sword was broken with a Musket Shot Grammont had his Horse kill'd under him and all the rest were wounded Nevertheless this Accidenâ— did no way dishearten the Prince so that he only alter'd the design of this Attack and instead of making his greatest Onseâ— upon the Lines as he had resolvd in the Morning he order'd the most furious Onset to be given upon the Entrenchment of Trees To that purpose D' Aumont was commanded to keep the Bavarians in Play with the Souldiers which had fought already causing a Diversion thereby in the same place where the first Onset had ill succeeded The Duke and Turenne with the whole Body of the Infantry lead by Mauvilli supporâ—ed by the Gensd'armes and Roze's Cavalry march'd directly to the Entrenchment of Trees Scarce were the foremost Ranks of this new Atâ—ack enter'd into the Wood but the Bavarians fir'd with an extraordinary fury nevertheless the French advanc'd in very good Order with a Resolution to try whether they could force the Entâ—enchments of Trees or no. And the fight was so obstinate that after they had been driven back severâ—l times and several times had repuls'd the French at length Gasper de Mercy Major General of the Cavalry was forc'd to make his Horsemen alight to second his Infantry that began to give Ground Upon that the Dispute grew hotter then before and both Parties firâ—d with so much Fury that the Noise and the Smoâ—k put all things into â—onfâ—sion so that they could not distinguish one another but by the Flashes of the Artillery and Small Shot All the surrounding Woods and Forests bâ—llow'd forth most dreadful Eccho's and augmented the Horrour of the Battel The Souldiers were so bloodily eager the one to force the other to defend the Entrenchment that if Night had not parted 'em there had been one of the most deadly Slaughters thaâ— had been in our days The French Gendâ—râ—eriâ— perform'd a very noble Exploit at that time They were commanded by Boulay who led on the Squadrons to the very brink of the Entrenchmenâ— and maâ—gâ—e the Enemies furious firing fought a long time within Pistolâ— Shot Never was so desperate a Combat where without grappling Hand to Hand so many fell upon the spot on both sides The French in this Conflict lost Maâ—villy and the Bavarians Gaspaâ—â—â— Meâ—cy their General 's Brother After this the Duke having brought back his Army into the Camp layd aside all other thoughts but those of cutting off the Bavarians Provisions to the end he might enforce 'em to quit so Advantageous a Post. To that purpose he gave his Men four days time to refresh themselves and the woâ—nded of which there was a great number wâ—re sent away to â—risach that there might be nothing left in the Camp which might retard the Design which the Duke had contriv'd in his Mind The Mountains of the Black Forest derive their Original from the Mountains of Switzerland and follow the Course of the Rhim till they join with the Hills that lye upon the Banks of the Neâ—â—â— These Mountains are very long and more or less broad according to the Countries where they â—xtend themselves but their widest breadth is from Friburgh to Filinghen about ten or twelve Leâ—gâ—es There is no way of Communication between these two Cities but through a Vally which is very narrow and very Incommodious for the marching of an Army Nevertheless this was the Part through which Mercy in all probability would make his Retreat Which nevertheless he would not presume to do in view of the French Army â—o that the Duke of Enguien was of Opinion that 〈◊〉 intercepting this way between Friburgh and Fiâ—inghen he should cut him off from his Provision and Forâ—ge and thereby câ—nstrain him to a General Battel or to retreâ—t in Disorder With this Resolution the Ninth of August the Prince caus'd his Army to march toward Langsdelinghâ—n a Village â—eated in the most easie place of Aâ—â—ess in all those Mountains This Place was very proper to annoy the Bavarians or to fight 'em in their Retreat For as for the Duke he could have Provisions from Brisack in case he advanc'd any fâ—rther among the Mountains But the Road which gave him entrance into this Valley was extremely difficult by reason of the Boggs of which the Woods are full Besides that the Front of the Army being once engagd in these Woods and having pass'd the Rivolet that runs along by 'em the Rear-guard would be expos'd to the Bavarians without any possibility of being reliev'd by their own Men. The Dâ—ke therefore took all the Precaution which the Advantages of the Ground and the Presence of a vigilant Enemy requir'd To this purpose in regard the Horse could not march but one and one and for that many times the men were forc'd to alight and lead their Horses the Prince order'd a great body of Infantry at the Tayl of the Army to support the Rear of his Cavalry he also plac'd little Bodies of Musketeers upon the Wings to defend the Passes through which the Bavarians might come to charge ' em By break of day Turenne set forward with his Army which compos'd the Vanguard that day The D. took care to bring up the Rear and kept himself in view of Mercy 's Army till all his Men were past and after he had in this manner cross'd the Woods and Boggs rejoin'd his Vanguard at Langsdelinghen the Bavarians not making the least attempt to dispute his Passage over the River or his Entrance into the Wood. Mercy observing the March of the French readily apprehended their design and as he was one of the most politick Generals in the World he presently judg'd that his safety consisted in preventing the Duke and not in disputing the Incumbrances of the Pass Nor indeed had he more then just so much time to retreat before the foremost Troops of the French Vanguard could overtake him and doubtless this was that which hinderd him from falling upon their Râ—â—r Therefore so soon as he saw the French upon their March he decampd his Army keeping the top of thâ— Mountains and ordering his Baggage to be conducted through St. Peter's Valley which leads toward Filinghen Upon notice of Mercy 's March the Duke hasten'd his own as much as it was possible But he had Mountains almost inaccessible to cross that he might shorten his way besides that his Men were extreamly tir'd For which reason he was enforcd to deâ—ach Roze with all speed only with eight hundred Horse to amuse the Bavarians and disturb 'em in their Retreat while the rest of his Army pass'd the Defiles Roze perform'd his
Orders vigorously and began to Skirmish with the Bavarians near St. Peter's Abbyâ— and so soon as he had overtaken the Bavarians â— he gave notice to the Duke that he was at their Heels In the mean while the French Army passd File after File through a very narrow Valley at the end of which they were to ascend to the top of a very high Mountain and withal so steep and cover'd with Wood that there was no going forward but for one single Man at a time Nevertheless the Duke surmounted all these difficulties and his Vanguard was no sooner got to the top of the Mountain but he discover'd the Bavarians in Battaliâ— and Roze close at the Heels of their Rear Now to go from the Mountain where the Head of Eâ—gâ—in's Army stopp'd to the place where the Bavâ—â—â—â—ns were posted there was a necessity of passing two Defiles in the midst of which was a space widâ— enough to contain four Squadrons but before â—ou could get at it there was a Descent through a â—ery narrow Hollow way and then an Ascent again more difficult then the former which gave an Enâ—rance into the Plain where Roze skirmisâ—'d with the Enemies Rereguard Mercy no sooner discover'd the foremost Battallion of the French Vanguard upon the top of the Mountain but he rightly judg'd that the whole Army was behind And in regard that Roze very much disturb'd the hindmost part of his Rear he resolv'd to make a push for it that he might rid himself of so great an Incumbrance before the Duke got any nearer to him and had Men â—now to second him and that he might do his Business all at once he whell'd about to the Right with his whole Army and marchd directly against Roze's Cavalry But Roze instead of retiring speedily into the Defile rally'd his Squadrons togeâ—her and daringly stood the whole Bavarian Army in the Plain He had the Enemies Army and the Plain before him on the Right Hand the Great High Road to â—â—lingâ—en crowded with the Bavarian Baggage upon the Left a vast Precipiâ—e and behind him the Defile through which he was to rejoyn the Duke Presently Roze detach'd one of his Squadrons to cut the Harness of the Horses that drew the Carriâ—ge Waggons and with the rest he advanc'd to charge the foremost Squadrons of the Bavarian Army But to preserve the Defile open and free to himself he left four Squadrons to guard it behind the Rear of which he retreated after he had made-three Chargâ—s upon the Enemy Those four Squadrons sustain'd the shock of the Bavarians till the rest of their Cavalry enter'd Pell Mell into the Defile At length Roze left no more then two of the four Squadrons to defend the Pass who after an incredible Resistance seeing their Fellows out of danger threw themselves into the Precipice upon the Left Hand through Places that never had been pass'd before by Men nor Horses This was a vigorous Action of Roze and manag'd with all the Art which it was possible to puâ— in practice in so great a danger But it was impossible for him to have escap'd if Mercy had noâ— discover'd upon the Neighbouring Mountains the Bodies that drew into Order by degrees and that the Duke was advancing to second Roze's Cavalry For in regard he was afraid of nothing so much as of coming to a General Battel he rather chose to let those Squadrons escape then enter too far into the Defile In a word the Duke observing from the Top of the Hill this valiant Action of Roze and what a Condition he was in had rally'd as many Men as he could get together about his Person with a Resolution to bring him off He was already got within the space of enclos'd Ground between the two Defiles at what time Rozâ— rejoyn'd him And thus the Resolution of the Duke and the Prudence of Mercy were in part the cause of that Honour which Roze acquir'd by his Retreat Mercy at the same instant began to make his Retreat likewise but withal that good Order which could be expected from a Great Captain who would never be constrain'd to a Battel and understood how to take his Advantages when opportunity offer'd ' em Nevertheless he quitted his Artillery and his Baggage and leaving some Dragoons to dispute the Passage out of the Defile hâ—â— march'd with that speed throâ—â—h the High Road to Filinghen that the French Army lost sight of him in a moment While Mercy thought of nothing else but to hasten and secure his Retreat the Duke rally'd his Men together with a Resolution to follow him but it prov'd a thing so difficult to do that before he could get his Army in a Body together the Bavarian had gaiâ—'d above a League of Ground before him There is a Mountain between St. Peter's and Filinghen much higher then any of the rest at the top of which there is a level sufficient to contain an Army drawn up in Battalia and which commands all the Hills round about The Water the Pastâ—â—â—ge and the Fertilty of the Soyl which is every wherâ— manur'd under that place both very Commodious and very Secure to Encamp in They who were acquainted with the Country made no question but Mercy would have pitch'd his Tents thereâ— which made the Duke to hasten his March with all Dilligence Nevertheless when the Advanc'd Curriers of the French Vanguard were got to the top of Holgâ—â—ve for so the place is call'd they found that the Bavarians after they had only broke Ground in Order to Entrench were advancd farther with more haste then the French could follow ' em Thereupon the Duke being quite out of hopes to overtake 'em return'd the same way he came and â—ncampd at St. Peter's Abby His Men were so tird that he was constraind to let 'em rest the next day while they burnt the Bavarians â— Baggage and brought away their Canon and two Morters which the Bavarians left behind ' em The next day he took in a little Castle seated upon the Mountaiâ—s and which might prove serviceable to his Designs and sent the Count of Tournon to convey the Artillery to Brisack Thus the Retreat of Coll. Roze was the last remarkable Action perform'd at the Battle of Friburgh which is more properly to be call'd a series of several bloody Conflicts then a pitch'd Battel On the one side was to be observ'd a Courage which not being to be daunted either with the badness of the Weather nor the disadvantages of Ground hazards all for Victory and proves Victorious at length On the other side behold a Prudence which nothing could shake that made the best of every thing for defence yet still accompany'd with extraordinary Valour It is a difficult thing to judge which of the two merited most Honourâ— Whither he that attackt an Army entrench'd in places almost inaccessible and forc'd â—em to quit their Holds or He that preserv'd a resolute and undaunted Judgement in a long Retreat in view of a
Restless Urging and Victorious Enemy and at length made choice of a Post from whence he could never be forc'd However this may be truly said that a General who quits his Artillery and Baggage may be said to be beaten and that the Honour of the Retreat cannot be thought to be compleat unless he saves all It may be also said that all Mercy 's Prudence could never have preservâ—d him from a Total Rout had it not been for the Error which Espenan and L' Eschelle committed in the Execution of the Duke's Orders In short it so falls out for the most part that an Army which Vigorously Attacks an Enemy in his Trenches has generally the Advantage of him that defends ' em After the Duke of Enguien had sent away the Count of Tournon he return'd toward Landsdelinghen where his Cannon and Baggage stay'd for him And then he thought of nothing more then of what Advantages he might make by Mercy 's Retreat 'T was the opinion of the Principal Officers that he should retake Friburgh that their March into Germany was only to relieve that Place and consequently it ought to be the first Fruits of their Victory That the Bavarians had not been able to level their Lines that they were already far remote that there was but a slender Garrison in the Place ill provided of all things and terrifi'd with the ill Success of the Combats which they had beheld from their own Ramparts But the Duke was of Opinion that 't was of greater Consequence to undertake the Siege of Philipsburgh the other Design not appearing Great enough at the end of a Campaign which it behov'd him to crown with some Exploit much more Illustriousâ— Besides that by bounding his Conquests with the taking of Friburgh the Arms of France would be no farther advancd into the Country and would be also constraind to repass the Rhine to take up their Winter Quarters in Alsatia Not but that the Siege of Philipsburgh was extremely difficult in regard it requir'd a long March to lie down before it because the Infantry was much lessend in number and for that their Mony was spent and Provisions were to be brought a great way but the Duke contemning these Difficulties the Siege of Philipsburgh was resolvd upon To that purpose he sent Champlastreux the Intendant of his Army to Brisack to bring away ten battering Pieces in Boats which would be also farther serviceable to lay a Bridge over the Rhine Champlastreux who was both Active and understood his Business soon dispatchd away those Preparations and the Prince set forward from Langsdelinghen the 16 th of August with his whole Army and March'd along by the Rhine after he had sent Tuâ—al before with one part of the Weymarian Cavalry some Musqueteers and some Dragoons Roze followâ—d Tubal with the remainder of the Weymarians the Duke reserving to himself the leading of the Infantry of both Armies and the French Cavalry In this Order he march'd toward a Castle seated five or six Miles from Strasburgh fortifi'd with Towers after the ancient manner and defended with a good Moat full of Water which he took by the way to secure himself of a Communication with Strasburgh From thence he advanc'd to Kupenheim which Roze had taken as he march'd alongâ— Tuball had also possess'd himself of Ethinguen Forsen Bretten Durlack Baden Pruessel and Willock small Villages enclos'd with Moats the most of which had Castles also belong'd to ' em And Turenne went on and invested Philipsburgh it â—elf with three Thousand Horse and seven Hundred Foot and the Duke arriv'd before the Place in ten days March from Langsdelinghen Philipsburgh is Seated near the Rhine upon the Confines of the Dutchy of Wirtemberg and in the lower Palatinate three Leaguâ—s fâ—om Spire From Brisack to Hermestein there is not any strong Hold but Philipsburgh It was formerly calld Vdenheim and was the Seat belonging to the Bishops of Spire and the Troubles of Germany insensibly constrain'd the Bishops to fortifie it But when they had put it into a condition to defend it self it remain'd no longer in their Hands For the Imperialists and afterwards the Swedes made themselves masters of it the French also possess'd it for some timeâ— but afterwards it returnd under the Emperors Dominion To this Town belongs a Fort which commands the Rhine and which Communicates with the City by means of a Causey six foot broad and eight hundred foot long Over against Philipsburgh the River forms a large Elbow and causes a great many Boggs round about half the Place The Fortiâ—ication is only of Earth but the Ramparts are very thick It is surrounded with large and deep Moats nor is there any more then one way to aâ—â—roach it and the Body of the Place is composd of sevenâ— Bastions almost regular The Berm is so large that it serves for a false Bray and this Bâ—â—â— is secur'd by a Quick-set Hedge very thick The Moat is full of Water two hundred foot wide and four fadom deep with a Counterscarp well Pallisado'd On that side next the Elbow which the Rhine makes there is only a Bogg cover'd with Wood in some parts on the other side the Ground is somewhat higher and intermix'd with Heath Wood and Ploughd Fields When the Duke invested it Bamberg was Governourâ— the Garrison was compos'd of two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot there were a hundred pieces of Canon mounted and Ammunition sufficient for a long Siege After the Duke had view'd the most Advantageous Places to secure his Circumvallation he spent the rest of the day in taking his Posts and appointed the Night for attacking the Fort upon the Rhine The French Army took up their Quarters from Kâ—audenheime to a River that Waters the Plain half-way from Rheinhausen and the German Army was posted from the River to Rheinhausen Night being come the Souldiers prepar'd to Storm the Fort. The Duke march'd thither through the Woods while Tuâ—ennne approachd it over small Damms that are rais'd athwart the Mersh But the Duke could not get thither till break of day because the way he had chose was long and difficult Bamberg not having Foot sufficient sent for into the Town both the Men and every thing else that was provided for the defence of the Fort so that Turenne finding it quitted took Possession of it and fortifid it with all things necessary against the Attacks of the City After that the Duke minded nothing but to secure his Circumvallation He caus'd Forts and Redoubts to be rais'd in all places where the Ground was proper and cut down the Trees in the Boggs to stop up the High-ways Turenne met not with so many Obstacles in the Fortifying his Quarters for he made use of a great Flood of Water that ran along from one end of his Camp to the other which he made a good defence by adding a Parapet to it So that the Circumvallation was finish'd in four days and the Camp enclosd on all
Canon from the Flanks But the Besieged planted so many upon the Faces of the Bastions the Rampart of which was very low that they ruin'd those of the Besiegers For which reason the Duke was constrain'd to raise Shoulderings to hide his Batteries and cover the Faces of the Bastions By which means his Canon got the Mastery and the Besiegers labour'd with more security to perfect their Bridge Then Bamberg found that it would not be in his Power to hinder the Mâ—at from being fill'd up and therefore knowing his Garrison to be but weak he thought it not convenient to stay till the Miners were set to work in hopes before that to make a more Advantageous Capitulation Thereupon he beat a Parley Hostages were given on both sides and the Garrison march'd out the twelfth of September to the number of five Hundred Men with two Pieces of Canon The Duke put Persan's Regiment into the Town and made Espenan Governour The winning of this Place tho more easie then the Prince foreâ—saw or expected gave great Reputaâ—ion to the Arms of France insomuch that several Cities sent their Deputiesâ— Nor did 〈◊〉 till D'Aumont summon'd 'em but sent Commissioners with their Keys to the D. who receiv'd 'em Honourably and after he had confirm'd their Priviledges sent 'em back with Order to dismiss the Imperialists and receive a French Garrison which a' Aumont had Instructions to put into the Town But the Duke could not reap himself the Fruits of the taking of Philipsburgh nor could he remove from thence before he had repair'd the Fortifications For the Enemy was at hand his Men were much lessen'd and weary'd his Canon had made great Ruins which were to be repair'd nor was the Prince in a Condition to stand Mercy who had both refresh'd and recruited his Army since his retreat from Friburgh So that all the Duke could do was to settle his Quarters in the Places along the Rhine in such a manner that the Enemy could neither regain what he had won nor force him to a General Battel He had the River on the one side the City on the other the Fort of Rhine before him and the Mersh and the Woods behind him His Army being thus Advantageously Posted he detach'd Turenne to go and attack Wormes This City is not Inferiour either in Dignity or number of Inhabitants to any of the Cities of Germany being Seated upon the Bâ—nks of the Rhine and fortifid as much as the Largeness and Situation of it would permit Duke Charles of Lorrain kept Garrison there and since the Loss of his Territories he had hardly any other Place of Retreat but that Turenne sent away the Foot his Canon and all other things necessary for his Design by Water Which done he march'd through the Palatinate with two thousand Horse and defeated six hundred Mâ—n which General Beck had sent to Frankendale The Inhabitants of Wormes also open'd their Gates and sent away the Lorrainers Thereupon Turenne continu'd his March toward Mayence and detach'd away Roze to take in Oppenheim a little City seated in a Pain ill fortifi'd but defended with a very good Castle Roze found no Resistance there and Turenne at the same time presented himself before Mayence and Lodging himself in the Subburbs sent a Trumpeâ— to those that commanded in the City with Offers of Honourable Conditions Mâ—yâ—nce is the Seat of an Archbishop who is one of the Electors and one of the Principal Cities of Germany besides that it is Large Populous and well Built considering that it lyes in a Country where good Architecture was never much known or practis'd The Situation renders it considerable being seated just opposite to the mouth of the Mein which washes one part of the Walls On the Land side it is defended by a Citadel with four Bastions But as it is usual in great Cities the Fortifications had been long neglected so that the Principal defence of the Town consisted in the number of Inhabitants not in the strength of the Ramparts At the lower end of the City upon the Bank of the Rhine stâ—nâ—s a Magnificent Câ—stle which is the Residence of the Elector In the time that this City was under the Power of the Swedes the King had caus'd a Fort of six Bastions call'd Gustawburgh to be built in that part where the two Rivers meet But the Imperialists having at length retaken Mayence the Fort was quitted by the Swedes and the Electors let it run to ruine When Vicount Turenne enter'd the Subburbs there was in thâ— Town an Imperial Garrison of eight Hundred Men Nevertheless the Elector not believing he could remain there in safety was retir'd to Hermestein so that the Chapter which has all the Authority of the Government in the Absence of the Arch-bishop caus'd all the Bodies of the City to meet together and after several Deliberations they resolv'd to send their Commissioners to the Duke of Enguien and to present the Keys of the Town to himself to make their Capitulation the more Honourable by the Quality of the Person that receiv'd ' em Turenne sent this Answer to the Duke who lay still with his Army near to Philipsburgh who thereupon departed with a Convoy of four Hundred Horse and came to Mayence in a day and a half And while both sides were drawing up the Articles of the Surrender Mercy lay posted upon the Hills between Hailbrun and Neckersulm leaving the Necker before him Hailbrume is not above fourteen Leagues from Philipsburgh and Mâ—rcy pretended from thence to put a stop to the Progress of the Duke To which purpose he detach'd Wolfs a famous Collonel among the Bavarians with two hunder'd Horse and five Hunder'd Drâ—goons to put himself into Mayence tho Wolfs could not get thither above a quarter of an hour before the Duke of Enguien So that the Trumpet which the Duke sent to give the City notice of his coming found Wolfs harangâ—ing the Townsmen and encouraging them to stand upon their own defence offering the Reinforcement which he had lefâ— on the other side of the Rhine as also the Assistance of the whole Bavarian Army which would follow him in a little time But the Inhabitants who knew the Duke was in their Subburbs stood to their Word which they had given to Turenne and after they had dismiss'd Wolfs out of the City sent their Deputies to the Duke to conclude their Treaty of Capitulation The Chapter also oblig'd themselves to send out the Garrison which they kept in Binghen a small City and to admit the French The Duke gave thâ— Government of Mayence to the Count of Courval and put a strong Garrison into the Town with all things necessary to repair the old Fortifications and make new ones Turenne likewise took Creussnack in his March and d' Aumont invested Landau with twelve hundred Foot and fifteen hundred Horse This is a City seated in a Plain four Leagues from Philipsburgh well Peopl'd and having a Rampart flank'd by two
Lamboy and Caracena and taken the City of Furnes he could not consent to retreate the Winter being yet at some distanceâ— but form'd designs befitting his Reputation and his Fortune For so long as the Spaniards who knew that the loss of a General Battle would be the total Ruine of Flanders refus'd to put it to the venture and that there was no other way to continue the War but by Seiges the Prince resolv'd to undertake one more this Year and to that purpose calld his Council together to consult which place he should fall upon and all opinions were reducd to two either Menene or Dunkirk Menene is a Town seated upon the Lis between Armentiers and Courtray in a Fertil and Pleasant Country famous for the Trade it drove formerly in Coâ—â— and â—eer and which boasts her Original 〈…〉 and we had fortunately won 〈…〉 Gassion afterwards thought fit to 〈…〉 and by his care it was put into a Condition able to â—â—stain the Siege of a great Army when Câ—â—â—cena surprizd it rather through the weakness of the Garrison then for any defect of the Place They who were for regaining it alledg'd That was absolâ—tely necessary to joyn those places which we held uâ—on the Lisâ— That Menene being in the Enemies hands 〈◊〉 Convoys to Courtray could never go saâ—e that it woâ—ld râ—quire a whole Army to bridle that one City On the other side that if we had it in our own hands Provisioâ—s might be â—arryd up the River with little danger and expenceâ— that we should be in a condition to make farther Proposalsâ— without leaving any thing behind to give us annoyance that Armentieres and Courtray would facilitâ—te the conveâ—iâ—ncies of the Siege that it was not fitting to suffer an Enemy in the midst of our strong Holds and lastly that it was for the Honour of the Nation to preserve by our Armsâ— what our Arms had acquir'd us These Reasons were plausible and solid in appearance but they who did not approve 'em argu'd after this manner That the Siege of Menene requir'd the crossing of several Countries and to undertake a hasty march to prevent the Enemies Diligence and to be at leisure to entrench themselves before the whole Army could joyn which appear'd the less feasible because their Forces encamp'd about Newport near Furnes they were always restless to know our designs and that they were ready to follow us which way soever we bent our march Moreover the Siege of Courtray accomplishd in view of the Enemy with continâ—â—l hardships the Succours sent away to the Hollanders during a violent heat beyond the Nature of the Climate in a Country open and without water unless that of Câ—nals and stinking Mershes bitter and noysome our qâ—ick march toward the Sea Coast the taking of Berguen the Siege of Mardike the Expedition against Furnes had almost render'd the Army unfit for Service On the other side the Enemy having undertaken no Siege keeping themselves the best part of the Summer under the shelter of their City abounding in all sorts of conveniencies and Provisions were as fresh as when they first quitted their Garrisons and were in a condition rather to get before us to Menene then to follow us but tho we were assur'd of getting there before 'em and putting our Lines in a posture of defence yet the River of Lis running round the Place would oblige us not only to make a large Circumvallation but moreover to divide our Army into two parts and this Army would be so lâ—ssen'd as it happens alwâ—ys at the end of a Campaign where the Souldiers have suffer'd great Hardships that we shall not have Souldiers anow to defend our vast Entrenchments much less sufficient to carry on the Siege On the other side the Enemy will have the Advantage with all his Forces to assail the half of ours and afterwards to defeat the remaindeâ— if their fiâ—st attempts succeed More especially since the Return of the Infantry which had repassd the Sea would not admit 'em the least hopes of any Diversion from the Hollanders tho the Prince had sent Tourville to 'em to perswade 'em if he could to sit down before some Town were it only to divide the Spainsh Forces consequently to dream of taking Menene considering the Condition they were in was visibly to hazard for a Town of small Importance the Honour of so many Victories the Reputation of the Prince and the Loss of the Army Add to this that after the Siege of Mardike the first Advice was to regain Menene which tho then it seem'd good nevertheless the Surrender of Furnes which was as it were a Blockade upon Dunkirk and opend a way to that nobler Expedition ought to make 'em alter their Counselâ— and therefore that of the two designs they were to make choice of that which promis'd most Profit most Honour These Considerations having made 'em lay aside that Enterprize which few People contested after the taking of Furnes they fell to examine the Attempt upon Dunkirk where they could not expect to meet with fewer Difficulties For tho the Situation render'd the Circumvallation more easie and that it were but a small March for the Army yet there were so many Obstacles to obstruct the Design that it was morally impossible to surmount There is a necessity said they that one part of the Army must Encamp upon some Hills and the other among standing Pools and muddy Grounds There was no Wood in all the Neighbourhood nor any Straw for the Souldiers Hutts no convâ—nience for Lodging the Cavalry no Forrage for their Subsistance One part of the Country desert and untilldâ— the War had ruin'd the rest So that there was no likelyhood that the Army could subsist there one day much less continue a Siege The trouble of procuring Victuals was also as great which could be brought no way but by Calais or by Sea But the Dunkirkers might easily drown so much Ground as to deprive 'em of any Communicatâ—â—n by Lâ—nd and the way by Sea was no less hazardous because of the Flaâ—s and Shoals and want of Ports and altogether impossible in stormy weather So that if it should happen to be bad weather and that chance to continue but a little we must either famish or be forc'd to raise the Siege with the Ignominy of having attempted it without foresight Moreover as it was a most difficult thing to force Dunkirkâ— so long as her Port was open so there was no probability that the great Dutch Ships that had lain in the Road ever since the taking of Mardike could be able to come to an Anchor near the Shoare if the Winds began to blow so furiously as they had done more especially in the Engl. Channel where the Waves are short and the Sea runs high in bad weather And when the Dutch are forc'd to keep out at Sea the Enemy with their small Vessels will run all hazards to fetch Relief for the Besieged They farther observ'd that during the
September Tides that swell'd high 't would be a hard thing to hinder the Barks from Newport or Ostend from creeping along the Shoar and getting with the Tyde of Flood himself confirm'd in his desire to aâ—tack it by this that the Enemies Generals would hardly hazard the event of a Battel so long as it appearâ—d to them uncertain for which reason he might the more daringly undertake what he pleas'd and that there was no fear of those whom their own Interests held to be half vanquish'd already Thus then the desire of the publick Benefit join'd with the hope of more then ordinary honour having made him resolve to fall upon Dunkirk he determin'd to vanquish all manner of Obstacles and to overcome Nature her self that oppos'd his great Design Nevertheless to testifie his Moderation in an Action of so great Importance and to avoid as much as in him lay the effects of envy the inseparable Companion always of great Atchievements he caus'd the Opinions which had been debated in Council to be written out and without imparting his mind publickly to any Body sent away La Moussaye to Court to inform Ann of Austria who during the Minority of Lewis the XIV her Son successfully govern'd our Empire in Expectation of her Orders with a Submission so much the more acceptable to her that he might have Permission to act without consulting the rest of the great Ministers Now in regard he had so order'd his Message that he made no question but that the Queen would leave all things to his Management and that she would permit his Prudence to take the Liberty of his choice he resolv'd while he stay'd for her Approbation to employ his time in getting all things which he thought necessary in such a Readiness that when the Answer came from Court there was nothing to retard his going forward Four things chiefly put him to a great deal of Trouble the bad condition of his Men that lessen'd every day and which however he design'd for new hardships greater then those they had already undergone the barrenness of the Place whither he was to lead 'em the difficulty of hindring the Dunkirkers from communicating with Ostend and Newport and the weakness of Furnes which left him expos'd to the Enemy if he drew off his Army After he had for some time debated with himself the mâ—ans to remedy these Inconveniencies his Prudence at last furnishd him with such as prov'd effectual La Ferte Seneterre remain'd upon the Lis with a volant Camp of eight hunder'd Horse and fifteen hunder'd Foot with a design to secure the French Conquests and if the Enemy made any Diversion to march where necessity calld him The Prince also gave him Directions with all speed to fortifie those Places which the French held in those Quarters and to put â—em into such a Condition that if he sent for him he might have 'em well secur'd He wrote likewise to the Vidame of Amiens the King's Lieutenant in Picardy to draw out of the Frontier Garrisons as many Men as possibly he could and to bring 'em to the Camp He sent Villequien into Boulonnois to rally the Milâ—tia of the Country that were return'd home after the taking of Mardike And foreseeing that the French Infantry which had follow'd Grammont into Holland and which were to return into France in two of the States Vessels might Land at Mardike a little before he marchd for Dunkirk he designd to make use of those Men and order'd that as soon as they Landed they should be distributed into Mardike Bourbourgh and Berghen to the end they might refresh themselves a little after the Inconveniencies of the Sea and be ready so soon as there should be any occasion for 'em at the Siege He order'd also the Polish Regiments of Priamski and Cabree to take some rest in the Neighbourhood to Calais Those Foreigners were above seventeen hundred in all and were newly come into France under the Leading of Sicot After he had taken those just Measures that he might bring together when he pleas'd as many Men as were sufficient to fight the Enemy should they resolve to fall upon him rather then suffer the Town to fall into his hands and to carry on all the Labours of the Siege his next care was to provide for their Subsistence To which purpose he dispatch'd the Intendant Champestrâ—ux to Callais to make Provision of Ammunition and Victuals and told him which way he would have 'em brought notwithstanding the Inconveniency of the Season and the deepness of the Roads remitting to him the performance in general of what he orderd him in particular Now tho that the Dutch Admiral Trump a Man famous for Sea Affairs and whose valour had rais'd his Fortune was come by the States Order with ten Men of War to an Anchor in Dunkirk Road and that number were sufficient to block up the Port while the French Navy found the Spaniards Employment in the Mediterranean nevertheless in regard the small Vessels of the Enemy might creep along the Coast and slip into the Place the Prince thought it convenient to send for some few Frigates from the French Ports So that Montigny sent away twelve from Dieppe Villequier two from Bologne which were join'd by one from Calais together with some Beelanders which they pickt up upon the Coast. Beelands are small Vessels longer and narrower then Hoys which they very much resemble and much in use among the Flemings for the conveniency of their Trade and all these small Vessels were under the command of Andonville There was nothing more now to be done but to put Furnes in a Condition to stop the Enemy while Dunkirk was taken and to furnish it with Forrage for the Subsistance of the Horse which the Prince took care of in Person to the end his presence might make 'em more diligent to hasten their work and to see that they spent no more time then what was necessary in finishing the Fortifications and supplying the Magazines Furnes is seated between Newport and Dunkirk at some distance from the Sea tho it may be conjectur'd that formerly it was very near it when the Ocean driven by the violence of the North Winds overflow'd all the Land about it if not stopp'd by the Mounds that lye in the way For Fueren or Wueren as the Flemings now pronounce it signifies to Navigate and Naeâ—wueren to arrive in Port as if Furnes had formerly been a Haven for Ships and that it had deriv'd the name of it from thence And as a mark of this the Vicount of Furnes holds the first Rank among the Castellâ—ns of Flanders who are call'd Riverians in regard it was their Business to guard the Coasts A great number of Churches and considerable Edifices render the City very beautiful There is the Chamber still to be seen where Lewis the XI kept himself close when being Daâ—phin he retir'd to Charles the VII and that the D. of Burgundy protected him from the
time to obtain a considerable Succour This was the posture of Affairs on both sides when the Answer from the Court was brought to the Prince It was written in such a manner that tho the Ministers started some difficulties in the Entâ—rprise of Dunkirk 't was easie to perceive that they inclin'd to the Design of Attempting it rightly judging that if it succeeded the taking of that place would prove a great Honour to the Queens Regency Thereupon they referr'd it again to the Prince to consider whither he would undertake the Enterprize or no. The design therefore being resolv'd upon there was nothing more in the Princes Thoughts but going to work and to make the best of the Season Winter drawing on a pace and already beginning to pinch the Army For the security therefore of Furnes the Prince left Bosquet Governour with a Garâ—ison of 1200 Foot and 100 Horse with Instructions to send continually to the Camp Corn Hay and Straw All the Souldiers hâ—d orders then to be ready to March and the 19th of September the whole French Army set forward from Furnes to Dunkirk consisting of between nine and ten thousand Foot and five thousand Horse without any Baggage or that Rabble of useless People that usually follow great Armies Gassion and Ranzan Marshalls of France commanded under the Prince The first having pass'd through all the Degrees of Warfare had attaind by his own Merit to be chief in the Princes Favour The other a Native of Germany but long devoted to France found his Services recompenc'd with the greatest Honour to which the French Nobility could aspire These two had under 'em for Lieutenants Villequier la Ferâ—e Imbrand Chastillon la Moussaye Arnauld Palluaâ— Lavat Chabot Castelnau and Marsin Campâ—Marshals to the Prince Quince Roaneâ—te and Miossans were the same under Gassion Normantier Sicot and Clanleu under Ranzau They had under them very good Officers few Volunteersâ— but amongst those that were was the Duke of Rets â— whose Diligence near the Person of the Prince during the whole Campaigne made him to be greatly taken notice of and Montauzier who rode Post to wait upon the Prince upon the first Rumoâ—r of the Siege The Country between Furnes and Dunkerk is intercut with several Canals between the New River and the Colme beyond which toward the North the Downs extend themselves and the Sea-Sands The Prince therefore resolv'd to divide the Army into three Parts as well to possess himself of this Country as to invest Dunkirk so soon as he was got out of Furnes This Disposal render'd his March more easie and swift and by this means all the three Bodies which he had separated might arrive before the Town all at the same time He chose that side next the Town as the most dangerous by reason of Newport where the Enemy lay encampt He had with him the Regiments of Persâ—n Enguien Conti Albert and Mazarâ—n Vattevilâ—e's Regiment of Switzers and the Battallions of English under Tilliot Hacquins and Hansfers His Cavalry consisted of the Queens Gendarmes those of Conde Enguien Longâ—eville de l' Hospital and Grammont the Light Horse of Conde and Enguien the Royal Regiment those of Enguien Mazarin Grammont Sceaux Meille Marsin Binse and four Troops of Arnauds Carabines The most part of these Bodies had always serv'd under him and the Tryals he had put 'em upon gave him such reason to confide in 'em that it was much to their Honour Gassion took the Left Hand of the Princeâ— along the River that runs from Furnes to Dunkirk with the Companies of French Guâ—rds six Companies of Swiss Guards the Regiments of Picardy and Navarr one of Walloons under Borrnonville one of Switzers under Guy and a Battallion of English under Rocpy For his Cavalry he had his own Regiment with those of Coasâ—in de la Fueilâ—ade Villequier Rocheguyon Coeuvres Bergere Strefâ— Tillar and Bussyalmoru Ranzau march'd thorough the Country that lies on the other side of the New River with six Companies of the French Guards the Regimeâ—ts of Piemont and Orleance and the Switzers of Molondin His Cavalry consisted of the Regiments of Orleance dela Ferte Imbaud Roquelaure Beaujeau Eclinvilliers Noirlieu â— with his own together with the Fuselâ—ers and Cravates The Artillery commanded by Cosse St. Marsin Chouppes and le Bordeâ— consisted of fifteen heavy Canon some Middling and small Pieces some Bombs and a great number of Granadoes After a March of six Hours the whole Army arriv'd before Dunkirk not having met with any considerable Obstacle Only Ranzau was constrain'd to drive the Enemy from four Redoubts which they held upon the Canal that leads from Dunkirk to Bergues through which he pass'd Nor would it have been an easie thing to have forc'd 'em in some hours would they have held out till their Canon could have been brought up which could not have been done so soon by reason of the deep and miery ways which the Rain had broken But whither they wanted Resolution or whether they thought to spare their Souldiers they quitted the three first Redoubts so soon as they saw the Bridges layd to get at 'em and retreated to the fourth which was defended by the Canon of the Town and immediately a hunderd and fifty Horse fallâ—'d out of Dunkirk and put themselves behind the Fort as it was thought with a design to dispute it But afterwards it appeard that their Intention was only to favour the Retreat of their Foot which was there engag'd For Noirmonstier who was commanded to take in the Forts and who had already possest himself of the rest was marching to fall upon the latter At the same time he also caus'd the first Squadron of the Regiment of Orleance to advance and order'd Genlis to take a hunderd Musketeers of the French Guards and seize upon certain old Ruines that lay between the Fort and the Town But that struck a fear into the Enemy lest we should hinder their return and made 'em judge it was dangerous for 'em to stay any longer so that they made away after a slight Skirmish and the French Van Curriers drave 'em to their very Counterscarp Dunkirk is seated among the Downs that rise up with their white Heads on the North side from Eschelle to Calais On the East it is bounded by Furnes and Newport Southward it looks toward Berguen and Flanders Mardike lies to the West of it and the Sea washes it to the North. The Territory that belongs to it is very small and almost every way enclos'd by that of Berguen The largeness and strength of it proceeds from the convenience of the Seaâ— St. Eloy preaching the Gospel built a Chappel there in former Ages of which there are some Remains still to be seen near the Towers of the City from whence it derives both Name and Original Dunkirk signifying no more then the Church upon the Downs and it seems that for that Reason they have built the Steeple of St. Eloy â—s Church so
high that the rising of the Hills does not hinder it from being seen out at Sea and from the Platform at the top you may discover in a serene day the Mouâ—tains of Dover and the Coast of Englanâ— â— At first Dunkirk was only a poor Hamlet compos'd of Fishermens Hutts erected for the conveniency of the Haven Afterwards Antiquity and Carelessness having spoil'd the Harbour of Mardike famous at that time it became considerable by the Ruine of that Port. Baldwin Count of Flanders Sirnamd the Young made a City of it in the Year nine hundred four score and sixteen Afterwards it was peopled by the Favour of Philip of Vermandois who endowing it with several Immunities drew great numbers of Inhabitants to it It would require a particular History to relate how often it has changd Masters how often it fell in Partition to Robert de Cassel how it past to Robert de Barr â— who by the Marriage of his Daughter he fix'd it into the Family of St. Pol how it fell afterwards to the Families of Vendosm and Bourbon afterwards under the Dominion of the Spaniards It would be also no less Delightful to understand the various Misfortunes it has undergone how the English burnt it in the Year 1388. how it was surpriz'd by the French a long time after under the Marshal Termes what are the Priviledges of the Lords of it what are the Laws it is govern'd by what is the Trade which it drives what is the Supream Marine Council which is there settl'd what is their Herring-fishing and the great vâ—nt they have for that Commodity and what the Priviledges wherewith the Emperor Charles the V. endowd â—em But in regard our Design is only to write the Siege of this place without intending any other Divertisement for the Reader we shall only give an account of the State of the City at the time when the Prince's Army sate down before it 〈…〉 divided into two Cities the old and 〈…〉 The old is seated upon the Sea-shore en 〈…〉 hick Wall after the ancient man 〈…〉 a great many large Towers sup 〈…〉 a spâ—cious Rampart accompany'd with 〈…〉 with Brick above 26 foot wide and 〈…〉 Colme Water which swells in that 〈…〉 Tides are higher or lower On Mardike 〈…〉 Sea runs up into the Land and extending 〈…〉 the Wall of the old City forms a Ha 〈…〉 to contain 200 great Ships however 〈…〉 it is very narrow and dangerous by 〈◊〉 of the Shelves and Sands that lye full in the 〈…〉 it Within the Canal which is no less 〈◊〉 then the Haven above a hundred Vessels may â—ide 〈◊〉 safety Out of this Haven sayl'd the 〈…〉 blockd up the mouths of our Rivers and were â—â—câ—me so formidable upon all the Westeâ—◠〈…〉 France Antiquity never knew Men 〈…〉 pon the Sea then the Dunkirkers And indeed iâ— iâ—â— thing hardly to be believ'd that this Câ—â—y aloâ—e should have almost spoil'd the Trade of 〈…〉 potent Kingdoms of Europe and 〈…〉 Dâ—tch Fleets that Sail to the New World ◠〈…〉 from the Spaniards whole Provinces 〈…〉 were not our Merchants Losses as Fa 〈…〉 Scandalous Testimony of their Fury and â—alour Oâ— that side next to France from the 〈…〉 against the Walls of the old City the Hâ—veâ— is defended by the Fort de Leon built upon the 〈◊〉 and by consequence ill flank'd by reaso◠〈◊〉 the Inconvenience of the Place otherwise small but strongly Pallisadâ—'d and furnish'd with a 〈◊〉 of great Canon On the other side of the Haven rises â— Causey which running 5 or 600 Paces 〈◊〉 the Sea covers it on Flanders side and juts upon a small wooden Fort planted with some Canon The new City joyns to Fort Leon and enclosing the rest of the Harbour afterwards enlarges and extends it self about the Old one beyond the way that leads to Newport It is environ'd with an enclosure of 12 Bastions of Earth with a Moat full of Water and a Counterscarp and two Hornworks fill up the whole space that remains between the hind most Bastion and the Causey that shoots into the Sea Toward the South three large Canals run out of Dunkirk and afford the advantage and convenience of transporting in their Beelands these Commodities which they vend up and down the Country These Canals fall into the Haven and serve either to cleanse it or to drown the Parts adjoyning to the City as they pull up or let down their Sluces The first leads to Bergâ—â—n the second to Honsâ—otte the third to Furnâ—s Newport and then to Brugeâ— The Magistrates having begun this latter in the year 1640. and having finish'd it the next year gave it the name of the New River the other two are very Ancient Dunkirk was guarded within with two thousand six hundred Foot in a 11 Regiments and without by the Armies of Caracena and Lamboy In those Regiments the number of Officers equall'd almost that of the Souldiers There were also in the Town 300 Horse and 2000 Seamen accustom'd to Sea Fights the fury of which makes 'em contemn all other dangers the Fortifications were well provided with Artillery and as we have said already there was nothing wanting in the City that might serve for the defence of it So soon as the Army came before the City the Prince assign'd the Quarters and resolv'd to dispose of his Men in such a manner that if the Enemy should attempt to raise the Siege they could not be able either to succour the Town nor force his Camp On the East side of him there was a space of Ground which separates the New River from the Sea This space of Ground is cover'd in part with unequal Hills or Downs both in regard of their Situaâ—ion and Heighth and perfectly extends it self into a Plain which is water'd by the New River and then runs on as far as the Canal of Honscotte From this Canal going to Mardike there are two Mershes which are cut out of the Canal of Berguin and some other Rivers To the West you meet with a Plain opposite to the former other Downs and then the Sea Shoar These laâ—ter Places seem'd sufficiently defended by the Canals and the Mershes which made the Access very difficult to those that were not Masters of 'em as also by the Neighbourhood of Mardike and Berguen which secur'd â—em The greatest danger was toward the East for that the Enemy setting fâ—rward from Newport which is but â—5 Miles from Dunkirk might come to the Camp in a few Hours without any Molestation which obligâ—d the Prince to make sure of that place To which purpose he caus'd Gassion to encamp with his Brigade from the Sea Shore to the middle of the Downsâ— the rest he took up himself and all the Plain as far as the New River There he lodg'd the Men which he himself lead and that he might wholly fill up the Place that remain'd void along thâ— Caâ—al of Furnes he joyn'd to his own Men ten Companies of French Gendarmes and
Beaujeu â—s Regiment of Horse which were of Ranzau's Brigade From the New River drawing toward the Canal of Bergâ—en Ranzau had Order to Line the rest of the Plain with the Bodies of Horse and Foot which the Prince had left him The Places which the French possess'd and the inconvenient Situation of the Country serv'd for the rest of the Circumvallation Only upon the Downs which lye to the West the Prince plac'd Villequier with the Militia of Boulogne his own Regiment of Horse and that of Rocheguyon to the end that the Spaniards if they should pass the Câ—lme after they had drawn together at St. Omers to put in Succour into the Town between Berguen and Mardike meeting with that Obstacle might be quite out of hopes By Sea the Dutch Ships and the French Frigates blockt up the Port and thus was Dunkirk enclos'd on every side Moreover a Bridge was layd over the Canal of Furnes for the Communication of Quarters and two more over the Canals of Honscotte and Berguen for the Carriages to come over that brought Victuals from Calais to the Camp The next day the Circumvallation was begun at which the whole Army wrought The Prince undertook to cut and sink a Moat six Foot deep and twelve Foot wide from the Downs next the Sea to the Canal of Furnes and to consolidate the Work and hinder the Sand from falling into it he orderâ—d the Lines which were to be Canon Proof to be lin'd with Turf Then he mark'd out the most easie Places for the Attacks and to secure 'em with Pallilado's and Turnpikes and about 30 or 40 Paces beyond the Moat he drew out another of an â—qual bigness Now in regard the risings of the Downs were unâ—qual and for that there were some along the Lines that might annoy the Army he was constraind to possess himself of all those upper Grounds to fortifie 'em and extend his Works a great way chiefly toward Newport Road and Gassion's Quarter There was one of these Hills which being much higher then the rest commanded the Camp from the top of which the French were to be seen drawn up in order of Battel and it was dangerous to let the Enemy be Masters of it so as to plant their Cannon upon it The Prince therefore to obviate all Annoyances resolv'd to possess it and whatever pains it cost him to environ it with two Lines which should joyn to those of the Circumvallation to raise a Fort at the top of it and to plant a Battery upon it The Sea Shore still remain'd to be fortifid But by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea there was no probability of working in the Sand without being able to fix it and besides the shortness of time would not permit the casting up of Mounds Nevertheless the rest of the works were insignificant if such a space of Sandy Ground should be left unguarded during low Water The Prince therefore resolv'd to plant a kind of Rail well fortifi'd with Stakes anow to put a stop to the Enemy for some time and easie to repair if the Tyde should carry any part of it away He order'd therefore Piles of Wood to be driven in by main force the better to sustain the fury of the Waves and to range 'em so close one to another that there might be no room to go between 'em yet still at such a distance as to give way to the violence of the Sea and break the strength of the Innundation Nor did he employ less Industry to defend himself from the Water which the Dunkirkers had let into the Highways from the New River to Mardike which were overflow'd in such a manner that the Wagons that came with Victuals from Calais could not pass But tho when the Prince thought of the Siege he had provided against this Inconvenience by ordering Champlastreux to cause a great quantity of Ammunition Bread to be bak'd at Berguen from whence it was brought down the Canal to the Camp and to send for all the Provision he could in Boats that crept along the Coasts from Calaiâ— Nevertheless because this way was uncertain and troublesome and for that the Army was still in fear of want â—he thought it necessary to clear the High-ways by turning away the Water And first they thought to stop the Sluces with Planks rampar'd with Earth which would be easily done and take up but little time But the Fury of the Waves which with a wonderful Rapidness drives back the stream of Rivers when the Tyde flows in having twice carry'd away all their Toyl and Labour therefore they determin'd with great pains to drive in great Piles near the Hollowness of the Sluces thorough which the Sea rowlâ—d in and to fortiâ—ie the Piles with great Stones and throw in a vast quantity of Earth till at length the Sluces were stopp'd At the same time also that he entrench'd himself against the Enemies Forces and the Obstacles of Nature the Prince with no less Prudence provided for the Necessities of the Army He sent away out of the Camp all the Baggage Horses and a thousand of those that belong'd to the Troopers which were most harass'd to recruit themselves in the Pasturages about Calais The Forage which the Barrenness of the Place the difficulty of Carriage render'd scant was very sparingly distributed taking the pains himself to go twice a day to the place where the Forrage was Landed to see it equally shar'd At the same time he commanded Roanette to fetch the Infanâ—ry that return'd from Holland and sent Ramburâ—'s Regiment to Villequier's Post the better to secure it and for that purpose the Companies of the Garrison of Lorrain and Havre and Grammonâ—'s Regiment took Furnes Road. Those of Noirmonstier and Fâ—bert stay'd at Berghen with Directions to come in their Turns and serve in the Camp by mounting the Guards of the Trenches He also orderâ—d Sicot to bring the Polonians within the Lines In the place where he encamp'd he retain'd the Battallions of Cabree and sent the Third which Priamiski commanded to reinforce Gassion's Quarter That Nation contemns danger which their Natural Fierceness is ignorant of The Nobility however are Civil and Ingenious but Haughty as are all the rest of the Northern People Now in regard the Polanders know little what belongs to Sieges the most part of their Wars being carry'd on in the Field they came into the Camp without any conveniences for the making of Hutts Nor did the Place which was Barren enough of it self afford 'em any so that they were constrain'd like Beasts to dig themselves holes in the Sand to shelter themselves from the weather During all this variety of Labour and Toyl the Prince was up and down every where leaving nothing exempted from his Care yet still appearing with that Sedateness of Mind which was easie to be discern'd in his Countenance So that the Souldiers imitating the Example of his Chearfulness and redoubling their Labour with the same Alacrity
Noirmonstier might well assume to himself the greatest part of the Honour of that Action On the other side at the Principal Attack where Aubeterre was wounded with a Musket Shot the Approaches were briskly carryd on Chatillon in a little time had advanc'd the Works so far that there was not much ground to be gaind to come at the Counterscarp all things went on prosperously and the speed of the work answer'd the Prince's expectation In the mean time Intelligence came that the Enemies Armies were set forward out of Newport to â—ight the Besiegers and that the foremost Squadrons of their Vanguard appeaâ—'d between Furnes and Dunkirk This Intelligence was grounded upon the Advantageous Rumours which the Spaniards causâ—d to be spread about of great Succours which they were preparing and of their assurance to force the French Lines and all this to chear up the dejected Minds of the People Which Reports the Vâ—lgar believing had encreas'd 'em with great Additions according to Custome and the Cavalry that appear'd seemd in some Measure to confirm ' em However the Prince being inform'd that the Forces of Flanders were drawing together about Newport and desirous to know the truth of the Rumour of their March that he might prepare for all Accidents sent out for News and dispatcht away Orders to La Ferte Seneterre to approach with his Flying Camp The next day the French Scouts brought word that the Cavalry which had alarum'd the Peasants and the Spies was nothing else but a great Parâ—y sallyâ—d out of Newporâ— which fell upon the French Foragers and that having taken some of 'em they were retir'd again in hast Now tho this Report of Relief had spread it self among the Besiegers yet it wrought no disturbance There was no Alteration made in the Guard of the â—amp which was still dispos'd in the same manner as if the Enemies Army had been in view the works aâ— the Trenches and the attack of â—he Bastion went oâ— and Arnaud and Marsin were advancâ—d almost to the Foot of the Counterscarp but with some trouble and danger the Difficulties encreasing â—s they drew nearer and nearer to the Enemies defeâ—ces At length La Moussayâ— coming in his turn undertook to make a Lodgement He mounted the Guard with the Battallion of Switzers under Molondin 〈…〉 ring their great 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 fore with extraordinary Fury 〈…〉 who were altogether expos'd by 〈…〉 workmen â—ighting with disadva◠〈…〉 had already receiv'd two morâ—â—l 〈…〉 most daring of his men not wil 〈…〉 but preferâ—ng deâ—th before igno 〈…〉 by him The Tâ—mult the Night the 〈…〉 Arms the Groâ—ns of the Wounded 〈…〉 Combatants caus'd a hidioâ—s 〈…〉 the news of this disorder waâ— carrid 〈…〉 who immediately flew into the 〈…〉 the daâ—ger and by his Preâ—ence settl'd all 〈…〉 order again he caus'd the Men to 〈◊〉 â—o tâ—e Works which La Moussaye repair'd 〈…〉 on with the same Couragâ— as he had 〈…〉 surviv'd some days the Honour 〈…〉 ervice but Death depriv'd him of all 〈…〉 ut the praises of Posterity At 〈…〉 on the Marshals side the Tumult was 〈…〉 nor the Combat no less furious For 〈…〉 carry'd on the Trenches and Chanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 possess'd the place of a Fortification 〈…〉 sieged had begun near theiâ— Counter 〈…〉 mounting the Guard after them had 〈…〉 Pâ—llisadoes one of which lookt toward tâ—e â—ea the other coverd the Hornwork whither the â—esiâ—ged were carrying on their Wâ—rks The 〈…〉 of Navarr had attack'd the first and the 〈…〉 Picâ—râ—y the other Now the Spaniards 〈…〉 while they defend any strong Hold thâ—â— when once the Garrison is distributed to the 〈…〉 most likely to be aâ—tack'd they never change 〈◊〉 dâ—ring the Siege When the Besiegers have 〈…〉 Outwork the Men that defended it retreat to 〈◊〉 Guard of the next Entâ—enchment Now 〈…〉 had been all along oppos'd to the 〈…〉 from the beginning of the Sieâ—e And ever since the opening of the Trenches tho always at Handâ—blows with the Assailants had defended their Outworks with Resolution and Valour But now tir'd with watching and hardship they quitted their Pallisadoes to the Besiegers almost without any Contest The Besiegers were Masters of em for some hours and had finish'd their Lodgments when Leda bringing along with him two Companies of natural Spaniards which he took out of Fort Leon and animating â—he Walloâ—â—s with this Succour and his Personal Presence made a Sâ—lly at the head of â—em tho fruitless as to the Decision of the main Business yet prosperous at the beginning He regain`d the Pallisâ—do with an extraordinary fury which led to the Counterscarp of the Hornwork and overthrew all that oppos`d him Grave Blancafort and Poix Officers of the Regiment of Picardy were wounded in sustaining the Assault and Breaute was kill`d The Death of the latter added to the Mournful Examples of the Misfortâ— ne of his Ancesâ—ors of which the French Histories are full and confirm`d the common opinion that the Destiny of the Wars of Flanders is always fatal to those of that Family La Vieuville Camp-master of the Regiment of Picardy assisted Miâ—ssans under whom he mounted the Guard He perceiving that the Souldiers gave ground and that the Commands of the Officers were not at all regarded and not broâ—king while he liv`d that his Regiment should receive an affront ran with some of his Men where the Conflict was hottest and throwing himself into the thickest of the Enemy put a stop to their Victory by his daring Boldness His Souldiers also spurr`d on by his danger and his Example returnd to the Onset with so much fury that they layd the Spaniards sprawling and regain`d the Lodgement which Miâ—ssans brought to Perfection without any Opposition This was the Posture of things in the Attacks of the Place In the mean time Beck arriv'd at Neâ—port and joynâ—d the rest of the Armies with three thousand Foot and five and twenty Corâ—â—â—s of Horse He found the affairs of his Party in very great Disorder and that there was no possiâ—â—lity of succouring Dunkirk For their Spies and the French Prisoners which they had taken had inform'd 'em of the strength of the Besiegers Lines and they judg'd the work so compleat that they â—oâ—ld not without extream rashness undertake to force 〈◊〉 They knew the Prince who defended 'em to be a Person accustom'd to Victory prudent in Danger and that success attended his Wisdom So that altho their Armies consisted of above twelve thousand Men that number was not sufficient to accomplish the Enterprize where multitude only could overlay the Valour of the Bâ—siegers and which is of great moment in maâ—ters of War the Reputation of the Prince had imprinted such a violent Terrour in the minds of the Soldiers that they dispair'd of Victory had they been to fight him in the open Field much less to force him out of Entrenchments that were fortifâ—â—d and better guarded As for their Negotiations in England they had mâ—t with little success in ' em They could obtain
regard the City of Ypre is of a large Extent he resolv'd that it should be attack'd in four parts Grammont posted himself next to Armentiers and Varnetin the Roads and Avenues from Aire and St. Omers were stopp'd up by Ranzau those from Dixmude and Bruges by Palluau and the Prince of Conde took his Post upon the Avenues from Menene The Circumvallation was three large Leagues in compass Now while the French were busied in making their Entrenchments the Arch-Duke attempted to force their Lines But in regard the Circumvallation was finish'd and for that the Besiegers had almost made three Lodgments he was forc'd to retire The Spanish General therefore vexâ—d that he had fail'd of his Enterprize with an Army so considerable and being desirous besides to repair the Loss which they were like to make immediately laid siege to Courtray and took it by Assault After that he besieg'd the Castle where there was a Dam or Water-stop made of Piles which join'd to the Ramparts of the City and having drain'd the Moat they presently fell on and the Soldiers that kept the Citadel being only raw Recruits refusing to make any great Resistance were all made Prisoners of War together with all the Officers Ypre surrender'd presently aâ—ter not having held out above thirteen days The Queen had promis'd to give the Government of Ypre to Chatillon and a King's Lieutenant was already made choice of to Command in the absence of the Governor But when the Prince least expected any such thing a Courrier brought him a Letter from the Queen wherein she signify'd her trouble that she could not gâ—ant the Government of the place to the person for whom he had solicited and to whom she had promis'd it because she was oblig'd to give it to Palâ—uau in regard that Courtray had not been lost by his fault This News surpriz'd the Prince so that there being no body in the room when he receiv'd the Letter but Grammont and another Officer he fell into a most terrible Fury and inveigh'd with an extraordinary Passion against Mazarine but Prudence made him conceal some part of his Resentment The Arch-Duke not satisfy'd with the taking of Courtray resolv'd to attack Le Catelet and to invest Peronne but these two Enterprizes fail'd however having laid siege to Furnes he carry'd the Town and also the Castle of Eterre Three weeks after the Spaniards had taken Furnes and that the Forces which lay round that place were drawn off the Prince of Conde resolv'd to retake it and to that purpose he order'd Marshal Ranzaâ— to besiege it The season was so far spent that he made some scruple to undertake it but receiving a second Order he obey'd it upon which the Place was immediately Invested Thither also the Prince advanc'd from Le Catelet and going to the Trenches so soon as he arriv'd he receiv'd a Musket-Shot in his Thigh and had it not been for the folding of his Buff-Coat which was made at the end of the slit behind his Thigh had been broken and he had been in great danger The same day the Town surrender'd and all the Officers and Soldiers were made Hostages of War to be exchang'd for the Prisoners which the Spaniards had taken during the last Campaign The Prince whose Wound was not very conâ—iderable return'd and carry'd back the men which he brought along with him and some time after was fought the Battel of Lens famous for every thing for which a Victory could be valu'd Lens is a City in Antois which Gassion had tak'n in the last Campaign and was the last Expedition which that great Captain made for that having been wounded at that Siege with a Musket-Bullet in the Headâ— he dy'd of his Wound the next day The Spaniards lay before that Place and pusht on the Siege with extraordinary Vigor On the other side the Prince of Conde to whom nothing appear'd difficult resolv'd to force their Lines and venture a Battel to relieve the Place however he would not rashly engage himself He stay'd therefore till General Herlack join'd him with the Forces under his Command but so soon as that Reinforcement arriv'd he was forthwith for fighting the Enemy Now in regard the Place was able to have held out for some time he flatter'd himself that he should come time enough to succour it but the day before he set forward the Town surrender'd This unexpected News caus'd him to alter his Measures so that he took some time to consider what Enterprize to undertake But at length perceiving that the Spaniards were posted much more advantageously then he himself by his own observation had thougt 'em to be and besides that there was no Water where he lay with his Men nor any Forage but in the parts that lay next the Enemy he resolv'd to quit his Statioâ— Therefore that he might retreat in good order and in a condition to defend himself if the Enemy should attack him he had a Body of a Reserve which he made his Van-guard and immediately commanded to march He drew up all his Cavalry in two Lines and order'd the second to follow the Reserve The Infantry was plac'd behind this second Line having all the Artillery of the Army before it The Spaniards perceiv'd this Retreat but at first they never stirr'd to attack either the Reserve or the second Line or the Artilery which made the Prince believe they would not stir at all However after these Forces were advanc'd at a good distance off some Regiments of Croaâ—es and Lorrainers that compâ—â—'d the Left-Wing of the Arch-Duke's Aâ—my begaâ— to fall upon the first Line of the French with an extraordinary Fury and the Troops of that Line sustain'd the first shocks of the Enemâ— with much Bravery but at length the Spaniards briskly broke into their Body so that finding themselves unable to fight with any Order they had been entirely defeated iâ— Chaâ—ellon with the Gendarmerie which he commanded had not hasten'd to their Succor He presently and all of a sudden thunder'd in among those great Squadrons of Croates and Lorrainers and without giving them time to recollect themselves drave 'em so vigorously before him that if those Troops as victorious as they thought themselves had not been seconded by all the Arch-Duke's Cavalry they had been cut in pieces so that it may be said That the French Gâ—ndarmerie wrested the Victory out of the Spaniards hands But it being impossible that they should withstand all the Enemies Cavalry they were at length forc'd to give way And they were no soonâ—â— broken but eight Squadrons which were advantageously posted to second 'em forsook their Ground and betook themselves to a shameful Flight The Prince who was not accustom'd to see the meâ— that fought under him recoil before the Enemy was extremely surpriz'd at the Cowardise of his Hoâ—se But in regard there was no remedy and that there were now but two things to be done either to rouâ— the Spanish
make little or no Resistance His Passion caus'd him to approve these Reasons for strong and undeniable so that he undertook to be Captain of the Enterprize under the Orders of the Duke of Orleans But the Duke at first oppos'd the Design till the Importunities and the Persuasions of the Abbot de la Râ—vâ—â—re over-rul'd his Judgment and got the upper hand of his Calmer Sentiments Immediatly the Prince and Marshal de la Milleray propos'd the seizing of St. Louis's Island St. Antony's Gate the Arsenal and the Bastille and to lodge their Majesties in the Bastille But whether this Proposal were not sufficiently supported or whether they were afraid of exposing the person of the King the Court resolv'd to quit Paris and really to besiege the City So that in the Evening before Twelf-day the King retir'd from Marshal Grammont's House to the Cardinal's Palace and the next Morning about Three of the Clock â—e departed without any noise or bustle for St. Germans 〈◊〉 â—â—ye The same day the King sent a Letter seal'd with his Privy Signet to the Provost of Merchants and the Sheriffs of Paris wherein his Majesty declar'd that he was forc'd to leave the City to the â—nd â—e might not be expos'd to the pernicious Designs of some Officers of Parliament who held secret Intelligence with the Enemies of the State Adding withal That he hop'd the Citizens would continue faithful â—o his Service and prove stedfast in their Duâ—â—â—â— and that in a few days they should farther understand his pleasure Howâ—verâ— The Citizens no sooner understood that the King was gone but the Tumult began to wax very great in Paris They exclaim'd after a most dreadful manner against the Cardinal against the Prince against the Queen and against all that carry'd away the King For the Parisâ—ans took his going away for a Force that had been put upon him But they were so enrag'd when they heard that the same day the King was carry'd to St. Germains that it had been resolv'd in Council to block up Paris that far from being consternated they shew'd an extraordinary Resolution and declar'd themselves prepar'd for all manner of Events But the Parliament who more readily foresaw the dismal Consequences of a Civil War were not so resolute as the People And therefore the first time they met which was upon the 7th of Ianuary they sent the King 's immediate Servants with their Submissionsâ— and very Advantageous Offers But those Commissioners were sent back without being heard which extreamly exasperated their Minds So that the Parliament meeting again upon the 18 th declar'd Mazâ—â—iâ— an Enemy to the State and order'd him to depart the Kingdom in Eight days with full liberty after that for all the King's Subjects to fall upon him where-ever they met him And at the same time they deliver'd out Commissions for the raising of Soldiersâ— and took all the Precautions needful upon such Occasions In the mean time the Prince with about six or seven thousand men which were the Remains of the Army last Summer block'd up Paris seizing upon Lagni Corbect St. Cloud St. Denis and Charenton On the other side the Duke d' Elbocut his Three Sons the Duke of Brissack â— and the Marquis de la Boulays went and offer'd their Services to the Parliament and after thatâ— the Prince of Conâ—i the Duke of Longueville the Prince of Marsellac and Monsieur de Noimouster did the same The Parliament nominated the Prince of Conâ—i for Generalissimo and the Duke d' Elbocut for General and afterwards join'd the Duke of Bouillon and Marshal de la Mothe in equal Commission with ' em As for the Duke of Longueville he would not accept of any Employment because he could have none that was conformable to his Rank or none but such as equall'd him with his Inferiorsâ— so that he was only present at the Prince of Conâ—i's Councils to give his Advice When the Prince understood that Conti and Longueville had privately left St. Germans in the night and were got into Paris he went from Charenton to the Court where he thunder'd most terribly against ' em But that was no impediment but that the Parisian Party bâ—gaâ— to grow numerous having now got among 'em a Prince of the Blood and another Prince almost absolute in his Government of Normandy De la Mothe also was become considerable in the Armies but the Duke of Bouillon much more For besides that he was deeply known in the Affairs of the World that he was stout and understood the Art of War to perfection he was endow'd with an easie fluent natural and insinuating Eloquence he had a neat Wit fertile in Expedients and proper to maintain the most difficult Affairs a clâ—â—r Sâ—nse and a discerning Judgment And besidesâ—â—e was engag'd in a strict Tye with Marshal Tâ—â—eâ—ne his Brother who at that time commanded the Army in Germany Thereupon the Prince who look'd upon these two Brothers to be his Friends and Persons of great weight wrote to the Duke of 〈◊〉 â— that he was afraid he took it for granted thâ—t the Prince believ'd he had a hand in Conti and Longâ—evill's with drawing from the Court for which reason he was desirous to disabuse him and then conjâ—r'd him to return to St. Germains where he would procure him all manner of satisfaction touching his particular Interests But the Duke of Bouillon caus'd the Letter to be read in Parliament So that the Court finding they could not depend upon him and being moreover inform'd of Turenne's disaffection to theiâ— Cause the King and the Prince who was in great Reputation among the German Troops wrote to the several Collonels not to acknowledge him any longâ—r for General but to quit him which they did The Duke of Beaufort also who had been wandring about in the Provinâ—es upon the Loire ever since his Esâ—ape from Vincennes got to Paris in the time of the Troubles and offer'd his Service to the Parliament whâ—â—lear'd him of the Accusation of having conspir'd against Mazarin's Life receiv'd him as a Peer of France and made him one of their Generals In the mean time the King's Forces possess'd all â—he Posts round about Paris and though the Parliament's â—â—my was more numerous their Generals â—â—ver stirr'd to open any Passage so that Provisions could noâ— get into the City but with great difficulty from 〈◊〉 in regard that the Prince could not put a Garison in Bâ—â—ys Conte-Robert for fear of dividing his Forcesâ— and for that he had quitted Charenton which Câ—nâ—â— had made himself master of â—ut the Prince consâ—â—eâ—ing the Importance of thâ—â— Post which securâ—d the Pâ—â—isia◠〈…〉 and â—or that he long'd to begin wiâ—â— some Action â—hat might render his Forces formidableâ— He resolâ—'d to attack itâ— though the Parisiâ—n had put tâ—ree thousand Men into it Advancing thereâ—ore with the Duke of Oâ—leâ—nâ— and all the Princes and Lords of thâ— Courtâ— upon the 18th of February he committed
the Aâ—tacking of the Post to the Duke of Chatillon â— and advanâ—'d with the Cavalry upon a rising ground 〈◊〉 hinder the Parisians from succouring the Place Châ—tillon perform'd the Princeâ—s Orders with all the Conduct and Valour imaginabâ—eâ— but when he had driven the Enemy to the last â—arricado he receiv'd a Musquâ—â— shot quite through his Body of which he dy'd the next day in â—he flower of his Age lamented by both Parties for his Noble Qualities and for being slaiâ— just at the time when he was ready to have obtain'd those Dignities which his great Servicâ—s had perfoâ—m'd The taking of Charenton was much to the dishonour of the Parliament's Generalsâ— and Forces and no less to the honour of the Prince of Conde For in short The Prince carry'd that Pâ—â—â— in view of the Enemy's Army and at the Gates of Paris out of which he had march'd in the sight oâ— Ten thousand men who seem'd to have taken the Field merely â—o be Witnesses and Spectators of so great an Action This Conflict and these of Bois de Vinâ—nnes Lagâ—y and Bâ—â—y-Conâ—eâ— Robert all to the disadvantage of the Paâ—isians and in one of which the Young Duke of Robaâ— â— approving himself the worthy Inheritor of his Father's Vertue lost his Life made 'em begn to think of Peace But the diversity of Interests was an Obstacle difficult on surmount On the other side the Court who were puâ—t up with their Success and who were in greater hopes by reason of the Princes successful Atchievements would needs impâ—se too Rigorous Conditions upon the Contrary Parâ—yâ— So that if both Parties were so 〈…〉 was bâ—cause that a Civil War 〈…〉 qually displeasing to both For this Reâ—son upon the 20th of Fâ—bâ—â—aâ—y the King sent a Herald of 〈◊〉 accompany'd wiâ—h two 〈◊〉 who coming to the Gate of St. Hâ—nore 〈…〉 he had three Pacquets of Letters one â—or thâ— Prinâ—â— of Conâ—â— the other for the Parliament â—nd a third for the City Of which the Parliament 〈◊〉 â—â—fâ—â—m'd took the matter into consideration 〈…〉 a Decreeâ— That they should neither admit 〈◊〉 â—â—ceive the Herald but send the King 's Servâ—â—â—â—â— that is to say â—alon Meliand and Bignon to 〈◊〉 Qâ—een to let her know That if they had refus'd 〈…〉 the Herald it was not for want of duty 〈…〉 because Heralds were never sent but to Soveâ—â—ign Princes or States that were in hostility with the Kingdomâ— but that neither the Prince of Conti 〈…〉 Parliament nor the City were either Soverâ—igns 〈◊〉 Enemies and therefore they besought her Majeâ—â—y that they might understand her pleasure â—rom 〈◊〉 own Lips Those Commissioners were well 〈◊〉 â—y the Queen who told â—em she was satisfy'd with â—â—â—ir Excuse and their Submissions that when â—he Parliament should return to their dutyâ— they shouldâ— find the effects of her Favour and Goodâ—willâ— aâ—d that aâ—â—or private Persons they should all of 'em 〈◊〉 oâ—e find all manner of security both for thâ—iâ— Persons and estates in their submission and the Dâ—â—e of Orleanâ— also and the Prince gave 'em th◠〈…〉 Now thâ— bâ—â—h Parties most ardently desir'd Peace 〈…〉 concluded without a great deal of dif 〈…〉 several Deputations and various Conâ—eâ—â—â—cesâ— wheâ—e it was a hard matter to content so 〈…〉 whose Interests were so nice and so differenâ—â— But at length it was concluded at St. German◠◠〈…〉 March and afterwaâ—â—â— the King 's De 〈…〉 for this so necessary Peace was verify'd in â—ool Parliament who order'd that Thanks should be return'd to their Majesties for the Peace which they had restor'd to their Subjects No sooner were the Flames of Civil War extinguish'd by this Peace but they were re-kindl'd in a short time after and spread it self with more Violence into the principal Provinces of the Kingdom for the Reasons which I am going to tell ye Considering what the Prince had done in the preceding War in favour of the Court and the Cardinal it was a difficult thing for them to make him those acknowledgments which his great Services deserv'd or that the Prince should contain himself within the bounds of Modâ—sty out of a desire of Domination and Superiority in demanding the most considerable Employments whether for himself or for those whom he had a mind to favoâ—r And in regard the Cardinal had chiefly reap'd the benefit of the Prince's Assistance he was the most expos'd to his Demands his Complaints his Threatnings and his Bad Humour And indeed during the Parisian War there had been some Misunderstandings between the Prince and the Cardinal For as there was at that time a strict and diligent Correspondence between 'em and for that for the most part Familiarity lessens Esteem the Respect which the Prince had for the Cardinal was very much abated and the Cardinal who percâ—iv'd it had look'd upon those great Virtues which the Prince had made so gloriously appear in the time of the Civil Troubles as no other then the Effects of Fear and Aversion Moreover during that time the Cardinal plotted to bring the Odium of the People upon the Prince by endeavouring to make him the Author of all the Mischiefs to which they were expos'd The Prince also after the Peace thought it behov'd him to thwart the Cardinal and to shew the Alienation of his Kindness for him that he might regain the Affection of the people and of a great 〈◊〉 oâ— considerable persons which he had lost for protecting a person so generally hated Calling to mind alâ—o the submissiveness of the Cardinal during the last Disorders he was persuadedâ— That if he should put him in fear and scorn him it would be sâ—â—â—â—cient to draw upon him new Troubles and to oblige him to sneak a second time to him and to have â—he â—ame dependance upon him as before He might also perhaps imagine by reason of the Kindness â—hich the Queen shew'd him at St. Germains that iâ— woâ—ld not be impossible for him to make that Princess sensible of the Cardinal's Defects and to have all the Authority next her himself after he had laid the Cardinal aside On the other hand the Cardinal had found that he could build no solid Foundation upon the Prince's â—â—iendship who was sway'd rather by Capricio then by Reason or his own Interests and that time did buâ— augment his scornful humourâ— so that he began to meditate his Ruin To which we may add that Concord and Reputation being incompatible between two persons in the same place the Cardinal could no more brook a Superior at Court then the Prince could endure an Equal And that which contributed considerably to dissolve the Knot was this That the Cardinal was â—â—rongly convinc'd that he could not engage the â—â—ince to persevere in his Interests but by the probabilâ—â—y of new Establishments which either he proposâ—d Himself to him or by his Creaâ—ures only to 〈◊〉 him and with a â—ull rotent afterwards to evade 〈◊〉 â—is Offers and his Promises All which the 〈◊〉 peâ—ceiv'd and was extremely
were come to join ' em The Prince during his Imprisonment at Vincennes had written a long and elegant Discourse to justifie his Innocency to all France and to all the world and to display the Malice of his Grand Enemy The beginning of this Discourse was put into the hands of a considerable person by a Soldier who being won by 〈◊〉 â— was wont to bring News how the Duke did and â—hen the Princes were carri'd to Marcoussy anothâ—r Soldier that escap'd in the hurry brought the Remiâ—der The Piece is nervously and eloquently compil'd and justifies that the Illustrious Author knew more then how to manage his Sword Had it not beeâ— so long as it is we would have inserted it in this History but it would almost compose a Tome of iâ— self 'T is enough to let you know That the Prince all along keeps within the Bounds of Respect to their Majesties and that without murmuring at theâ—â— Orders he discovers the Malice of those who had rais'd so great a Persecution against him and gives admirable and home Answers to all their false Accusations But thaâ— you may the better see both the Accusations â—â—d the principal Answers we shall here insert the King's Letter to the Parliament of Pâ—ris concerning the Prince's Imprisonment and another from a private person to the Parliament which answers the King's Letter very home without omitting any thing essential And this last Letter which appear'd some time before their Removal induc'd the Paâ—liâ—ment to seek all the most proper ways to releasâ— the Princes from such an Unjust Captivity The King's Letter to the Parliament of Paris touching the Imprisonment of the Princes THE Resolution which we have been forc'd to take by the Advice of the Queen Regent our mâ—sâ— Honour'd Lady and Mother to secâ—re our Persoâ—s from our Cousins the Princes of Conde and Conti and the Duke of Longueville is of that Importance for the Welfare of our Service that altho we owe to God alonâ— the Account of our Actions and oâ— the Administration of our Kingdom we thought however that we could not let both you and the Publick know too soon the Motives that induc'd 〈◊〉 to it to the end that all our Subjects being informâ—â— of the absolute Necessity which through the ill Conduct of those Princes and the Duke constrain'd us to proceed with so much Rigor to prevent the irreparable Mischiefs that threaten'd this Monarchy may all redouble their Affection and concur so far as lies in their power with us in that aim which we propose to our selves to establish a firm Tranquility within our Kingdom as having understood by experience to bring our Enemies to reason whose opposition to Peace proceeds from no other cause but only in hopes that the Divisions which have for some time vex'd this Kingdom will at length turn all things Topsie-turvie which by the Assistance of God we hope to prevent We promise our selves that the Remembrance which all Christendom will resume of the Moderation and Mildness of our Counsels which we have follow'd since our coming to the Crown which has been such that often what has proceeded from our natural Indulgence or Prudence for other stronger Reasons has been imputed to the weakness of our Government will convince every body That we had not had recourse to this last Remedy till after we had found all others were of no force And in truth when we were to deliberate upon the Arresting a Prince of our Blood whom we have always tenderly lov'd and who is otherwise highly to be valu'd for his many Noble Qualities a Prince so often victorious over his Enemies against whom he has so frequently signaliz'd his Courage Certain it is that tho he soon made an ill use of that Honour which we gave him the opportunity to purchase and that his proceedings in divers Enterprizes have given us just occasion from time to time to 〈◊〉 his Deâ—igns we could not without extreme 〈◊〉 determine his Imprisonment and we â—â—uld have wink'd at all the Imprudences of his evil Câ—â—â—â—ct but only the imminent danger that the Kiâ—gdom was in to be torn in piecesâ— and unless we 〈◊〉 palpably discern'd that considering the way which the said Prince took and wherein he made large steps every day one of these two mischiefs was inevitable Either the utter destruction or the Diâ—â—olution of this Monarchy by the ruin of our Authority upon the preservation of which principally dâ—pends the Tranquility and Happiness of the people which God has submitted to our Obedience It is so nâ—tural to all men to love their own works and to desire as much as in 'em lies the kind acceptation and merit of 'em that there is no body witâ—out doubt but will presume in regard we have afforâ—â—d opportunities to our Cousin by means of those Military Employments wherewith we have entrusted him to acâ—uire a high Reputation and for that we have â—eap'd upon his Family and his own Person Favours of all sorts no body we dare say will believe that unlâ—ss Necessity had compell'd us we would hâ—â—e been willing to have lost the fruits of all our Favoursâ— and to have depriv'd our selves of the Services which our Cousin might have done us both by his Counsels and Performances in times of difficulty such as are those of a long Minority had he not deâ—iated so far as he has done from the Path of his Dutyâ— or if he could have satisfy'd his Ambition with living the Richest Subject this day in Christendom And câ—â—tâ—inly upon due consideration of the vast Settlements that belong to his Family either in Employments or Governments of Provinces or great Towns in Lands or Ready-Money or Church Reâ—â—nues it must be acknowledg'd that so many Favourâ— nor so considerable as we have conferr'd upon our said Coâ—sin were never in so short a time bestow'd upon any one Family not to reck'n in ouâ—â—rants to his Relations and Friends at his Requesâ— and out of the Respect we had for him He cannot deny but that he holds at this day from our Bounty solely all that he enjoys of Places or Governments in regard all became vacant upon the Death of our Dear Cousin his Father and that it was in our full Power to have dispos'd of 'em to such other persons as we should have thought sit to have preferr'd before him But to go a little higher every body may call to mind how that so soon as the Queen Regent our most Honour'd Lady and Mother foresaw the Misfortune wherewith Heaven was about to afflict France by the loss of the Deceased King our most Honour'd Lord and Father and that there was no longer any hopes of recovering a Health so precious to the Kingdom she apply'd her self to obtain the good will of our said Cousins giving order so soon as she was design'd Regent in the King 's â—houghts to those in whom that Great Prince put greatest Confidence to make it their business to perswade him to confer
several Favours upon that House Her Orders were happily obey'd tho the King thought he had already done enough having but a little before made the Duke of Anguien General of his principal Army To which at first he had so great a reluctancy that he had once resolv'd to order his retiring into Burgundy They also persuaded him to confer an Honour upon our deceased Cousin the Prince of Conde which he had long desir'd which was to make him President of his Council and some few days after he was made Grand Master of France tho the King was resolv'd to have utterly supprest it The Queen afterwards at the very beginning of her Regency bestow'd upon him in our Name the Houses of Chantilli and Dampmaâ—tin which was the Noblest Present that ever any King made to one person He was also 〈◊〉 to purchase the Estate of our Deceased 〈◊〉 the Duke of Bellegarde wherein the Town of 〈…〉 comprehended which considering the 〈…〉 oâ— the Place it self and the Scituation of 〈…〉 of our Cousins other Governments lay 〈◊〉 â—ost convenient for him of any of the Kingdom 〈…〉 so many Favours and those extraordinary 〈◊〉 granted to the Father were no less advantaâ—â—â—â— to the Son who enjoy'd the benefit of 'em 〈…〉 was still so Gracious as to confer consideâ—â—â—â—â— Fâ—â—ourâ— on the Person of the D. of Enguien Our 〈…〉 Mâ—rshal de L'Hospital had the Government of 〈◊〉 given him in Recompence of his Services 〈…〉 was rewarded with the Government 〈…〉 Toâ—n and Citadel of Stenay yet both the 〈◊〉 day â—â—ven to the Duke Upon the Death of 〈…〉 we bestow'd in one day upon his Family 〈◊〉 â—â—ployment of Grand Master of France the 〈…〉 of Three Provinces Burgundy Bresse 〈…〉 besides that of Champaigne which he had 〈◊〉 and three strong Towns the Castle of Dijon 〈…〉 and Bourges besides Bellegard and 〈◊〉 which he had in possession And we have 〈◊〉 to believe that there never was any Greediâ—â—â—â—â— afteâ— large Possessions and soaring Greatness so 〈◊〉 but would have been fully gorg'd by 〈◊〉 an Eâ—fuâ—ion of Benefits and Favours of all sorts 〈◊〉 our said Cousin then gave us formal Assurances That he would never desire any thing more for the 〈◊〉 â— confessing and acknowledging That whatâ—â—â—â— Seâ—vices he had done or whatever he could do 〈◊〉 Kingdom he could not in reason demand any 〈◊〉 â—â—â—n what had been done already for him Neâ—â—â—â—heleâ—â— in a little time after he set a foot other 〈◊〉 Clâ—ims under precarious and unjust Pretences 〈◊〉 the beâ—ter to attain his Ends renewing his forâ—â—â—â— Discontents because we had given to our most 〈◊〉 Lady and Mother the Disposal of the place of Lord High Admiral and Superintendent of the Maritime Affairs vacant by the Death of our Cousin the Duke of Breze his Brother-in-Law as if he had had a particular Privilege to make Hereditary in his Family all the Offices which his Kindred had possess'd during their Lives forgetting that he had positively promis'd to demand nothing more of us after we had gratify'd him with so many others upon the Death of his Father who dy'd presently after the D. of Breze Nevertheless we resolv'd upon one trial more to give him satisfaction in hopes that Age would moderate his Excesses and temper the exorbitant heat of his Ambition and to the end we might once for all deprive him of any Necessity and Excuse for demanding any more we heap'd up the Measure to the top and upon his renew'd Promises never to make any farther Demands we granted him a new Favour which surpass'd all the rest by adding to the Towns of Burgundy which he had already and to Stenay that of Clermont with a Gift of all the Demeasnes belonging to it as also to Stenay and Iamets which are worth near a Hundred thousand Livres a year After that we admitted the Prince of Conti into our Councils at Twenty years of Age tho his Brother and his Brother-in-Law had a Pension there already of a Hundred thousand Livres and Danvilliers's Employment for which he was to give a Recompence to the Sieur Danevoux and had settl'd upon him in our Name divers Bodies of Horse and Foot We omit several other Favours which we have conferr'd upon our Cousin the Prince of Conde which alone were sufficient to satisfie any reasonable mind besides considerable Sums of Money which we have bestow'd upon him every year and all the Augmentations of Pensions for him or his Family and Relations for whom he desir'd em We speak not of the respect which we always had for his Requests â—or Patâ—ents for Dukes for the Promotions of Maresâ—hals of Frâ—nce and a world fo Military Employâ—eâ—ts and others of all sorts as Abbots Bishops and â—overâ—meâ—ts of Places bestow'd at his Recommendaâ—â—â—â—â—pon persons at his Devotion Lastly we call God to witnâ—ss That there is no sort of study or inâ—â—â—try which we have not put in practice as well toward himself as with his most familiar Confidents â—o â—ix his mind and give him satisfaction And upâ—n this account we are oblig'd to testifie That our mâ—st deâ—r and most beloved Uncle the Duke of Orâ—â—â—ce pâ—eferring the Tranquility of the Kingdom and the Good of our Service before any other parâ—iculâ—r â—nterest or Consideration has all along persâ—â—ded us to these Sentiments and by that means highly contributed to the advantages of the said Pâ—â—â—ce and the satisfaction of all his Demands But all in vain no Favour no Application no Confiâ—ence having hitherto been able to limit his irregular Amâ—iâ—ion The nature of the several pretensions which he has set on foot from time to time and from which he has eâ—deavour'd to exempt himself with â—ildness and Prudence may easily evince to the world that they were the Sentiments and Transports of such a mind Sometimes he has vehemently insisted to have the Command of an Army for the Conquest of Frâ—nche Conte upon condition that he might have the Sovereign Possession of it In the midst of the last Campaign while our Army was advanc'd into Flanders and that it could not be enfeebled without running the Risco of some great Blow laying aside all other thoughts which way to annoy the Enemy even to the hazard of exposing our Fâ—ontiers and Strong Holds to the Assaults of our Enemies he would needs have a Detatchment of a â—reat Body of Horse drawn out to go to Liege â— to support the Design which he had to help his Brotheâ—â—he Prince of Conti to the Coadjutorship of that Biâ—â—oprick by that means to render more conâ—iderable the places which he holds upon the Mense and in his Government of Champaigne besides another great Establishment wâ—ich he projected to erect on that side as we shall afterwards make appear All which clearly shews by many remarkable Circumstances to what a degree he was possess'd with a desire of Sovereignty An Imagination the more dangerous in a Mind all Fire like his because we are moreover well inform'd That among his intimate
once turn'd into Exhalations and enclos'd within the Clouds being attracted thither by the heat of the Sun they seldom get out of them again unless it be to strike the most elevated Places and to overthrow the 〈◊〉 Sumptuous Buildings and to cause terrible Disoâ—â—â—â—â— So likewise the Prince of Conde's Valour and Courage before his Imprisonment were only employ'd for the Good of the Kingdom and the Glory of his Soveraign but after his being put at Liberty all those Heroical Qualities were employ'd on very different Uses and whereas before he had been the Hope Support and Joy of the State he became the Terror of it all on a sudden he attack'd the Royal Authority and kindled a Civil War which caus'd great Disorders as will appear by the sequel of this History After the return of the Princes to Paris their Imprisonment was declar'd unjust by the Parliament and a new Decree was given against Cardinal Mazarin This Decree of the Parliament was terrible it condemned that Minister to a perpetual Banishment and commanded all Frenchmen to fall upon him if ever he appear'd in the Kingdom and at the same time confiscated all he hadâ— During these Transactions the Queen passionately desir'd the Cardinal's return and try'd all means to dispose the Prince to consent to it To that end she offer'd him by the Princess Palatin all manner of Advantages for himself and for his Friends But â—e only answer'd those fine offers with Complements which engag'd him to nothing But yet in the sequel the Queen being very pressing to oblige him to express himself he promised to Treat whether it were that he had no mind to break so soon with the Queen and had a mind to carry until things were more favourably dispos'd in his favour to have a more plausible pretence of breaking publickly or whether he were really dispos'd to treat in hopes of obtaining for himself and for his Friends the most considerable Employments and Governments â—nd thereby put himself in a condition of doing whatever he pleas'd However he desir'd the Treaty might be kept secret and so did the Queen The Queen fear'd to augment the Diffidence of Monsieur and of the Froâ—deâ—rs and to swerve too soon and without the least pretence from all the Declarations she had just granted the Parliament against the Cardinal's return The Prince on his side was afraid his Friends would be angry at his Treating without their participation that the Duke of Bouillon and the Marshal of Turenne would quit his Interests that the Frondeurs and the Dutchess of Chevreuse would grow his irreconcileable Enemies and that the Parliament and the People would on a sudden reflect on the dreadful Image of the last War of Paris Therefore they us'd all the Cautions imaginable to Treat secretly The Prince went to the Princess Palatin whom the Queen had chosen to manage the Treaty She was of the House of Mantua and Sister to the Queen of Poland The Count of Servient and Monsieur de Lionne likewise met there from the Queen The Prince would have the Duke de la Rochefoucault present and did nothing without the consent of the Prince of Conty his Brother and the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister The first Project of the Treaty which was propos'd by the Princess Palatin was That Guienne should be given to the Prince and that the Lord Lieutenancy thereof should be given to whatever Friend of his he should be pleas'd to choose That the Prince of Conty should have the Government of Provence And that Gratifications should be made to such as had been engag'd in the Prince's Interests That nothing should be desir'd of him but barely to retire into his Government with whatever Forces of his own he should think fit for his own Security That he should remain there without contributing to Cardinal Mazarin's return but that he should not oppose the King's Endeavours in order thereunto anâ— that whatever happen'd the Prince should be free to be his Friend or Enemy according as his Conduct should give him cause to love or hate him Those Conditions were not only confirm'd but augmented by Messieurs de Servient and de Lionne For at the Prince's desire that the Government of Blaye might be added to the Lord Lieutenancy of Guienne for the Duke de la Rochefoucault they gave him all the hopes of it he could desire They only desir'd time to treat with the Duke d' Angouleme about the Government of Provence and to dispose the Queen to grant Blaye But apparently it was only to give the Cardinal an Account of what past and to receive his Orders He was at that time at Brueil in the Arch-Bishoprick of Cologne and the Queen consulted him as an Oracle This Affair remain'd some time without being discover'd but he who had been chosen to conclude it soon occasion'd an entire breach and drove things to the utmost Extremities Monsieur de Chavigny who was lately recall'd and plac'd into the Ministry again was a Mortal Enemy to the Cardinal and being at that time the Prince's chief Confident soon dispos'd him to break off the Treaty with the Queen against the Advice of Madame de Longueville the Princess Palatin and the Dukes de Bouillon and de la Rocâ—efoucault Messieurs de Servient and de Lionne at the same time were imbroil'd on both sides about this Negotiation and afterwards were both turn'd out The Queen deny'd her having ever hearken'd to the Proposition about Blaye and accus'd Servient of having made it on purpose to raise the Prince's Demands so high that it should be impossible for her to grant them As for the Prince his Complaints against the Count of Servient were That he had treated with him from the Queen about Conditions that were unknown to her or that he had made so many vain Propositions to him to amuse him under pretence of a sincere Treaty which in effect was only a premeditated Design to Ruin him Although the Count of Servient was suspected on both sides it did not lessen the Animosity which began to arise between the Queen and Prince it was almost equally fomented by all those who came near them Some represented to the Queen that the Division between the Prince and Madame de Chevreuse about the breach of the Marriage between the Brother of the one and the Sister of the other would certainly reconcile the Frondeurs to the Cardinal's Interests and that all things would be soon reduc'd to the state they were in when the Prince was seiz'd He on the other hand was induc'd to break with the Court by many different Interests He found no longer any Safety with the Queen who did nothing without the Cardinal's consent and he dreaded to be involv'd into his former disgraces again Madame de Longueville was sensible that the Cardinal had made an irreconcileable Breach between her Husband and her and that after the impressions he had given him against
their Revolâ— That she could no longer dissemble the Prince's Ill Designs who himself inclin'd the disaffected to a Revolt by his publick want of Respect to the King's Person not having seen him above once and as it were only out of Ceremony in above a Month's time since his being in Paris That he continually spread Libels against the Government in order to make the People Rise and to lead them from their Allegiance That he had already laid in Stores and fortify'd the Garrisons that were in his Power rais'd Forces in the Provinces he had gain'd and dispos'd all things so well towards a Revolt that the Factious only expected his Orders to take Arms. That to that end he had a continual Commerce at Brâ—ssels with the Spaniards and that far from performing the chief Condition on which he was set at Liberty which was to remove the Garrison the Enemies of the State had plac'd in Stenay he kept it still there by their Advice in order still to have that Post at his Command during the War he design'd to kindle in the heart of France That the Forces he had assembled at Marle acknowledg'd no Superiour but his Highness and had no Discipline besides a cruel License of Pillaging Picardy and Champagne as an Enemy's Country to the dishonour and prejudice of the King's Army which was daily observ'd to diminish considerably by the great number of Deserters that License brought over into the Prince's The Queen concluded saying that those dismal pressing Extremities deserv'd to be taken into Consideration by the House in order to apply proper Remedies thereunto by declaring themselves absolutely against the Authors thereof and that if they had still the least Affection and Kindness for the King they could never approve it better than at that time now His Majesty was going to enter into his Majority at which time according to Law they were to give him an Account of the Government After the Reading of this Paper a general Silence reign'd in the House none offering to express their thoughts about it excepting the Prince of Conty who declar'd pretty coldly That all this was only a vain Artifice of his Brother's Enemies and that he would find means to destroy and confound themâ— However at that time there was a great deal of reason to fear the contrary by reason of the then disposition of the Parliament But an Incident interven'd which soon alter'd the Dispositions of that August Assembly which enabled the Prince happily to execute what the Prince of Conty had so boldly advanc'd in his favour against the Complaints of the Court. And thus it happen'd As the Parliament was going to deliberate upon these Complaints News was brought that the Duke of Mercoeur was privately retir'd to Cologne to the Cardinal and moreover that he had marry'd his Niece of Manciny to which the Queen had secretly given her Consent Upon which the Parliament who together with the Prince had already sufficiently declar'd their dislike of the said Match express'd a great deal of Resentment against it and judg'd that his Highness was not altogether so much to blame as was imagin'd in complaining still against Mazarin after his retreat out of France and look'd upon that Match as an undeniable Proof of the excessive Power wherewith that Cardinal still rul'd the Court. Therefore The Prince looking upon this as a very favourable Conjuncture to clear himself from the Aspersions that had been cast upon him presented a Declaration to the Parliament written by the hand of Monsieur the King's Uncle wherein he declar'd That the Forces the Prince had at Marle were kept there by his Royal Highnesses Approbation That it was by his Order they tarry'd there in a Body and moreover that he had sent le Sieur Valons to Command them joyntly with his own in the room of la Ferté Sennetterre who was a perfect Mazarin That as to the Foreign Garrison that was in Stenay he was satisfy'd that the Prince had usâ—d his utmost Endeavours to remove them from thence either by Force or Composition That in a word he thoughâ— himself oblig'd to Testifie for his Highness that he had ever known him to be a Person of an Upright Generous Soul entirely devoted to the King and State And that therefore he declar'd he had not the least hand in the precipitated Resolution of the Court to have him Impeach'd of High Treason for pretended Correspondencies with the Enemies of the Crown The Prince had no need of any further Apology after this Declaration of the Duke of Orleance Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom especially since the Parliament was sufficiently inclin'd to believe him Innocent Nevertheless the more to confound his Enemies and to hinder them from doing of him any prejudice by their Accusations he added a kind of Maniâ—esto to his Royal Highnesses Declaration in Answer to all the Heads of their Accusations against him He declar'd in the said Manifesto that he possess'd no other Estate in France than what his Father the late Prince of Conde had left him That the Cities of Stenay and Clermont had been given him in compensation for the Place of Lord Admiral which was to be his by Right of Succession after the Decease of Marshal de Breze his Father-in-law That after having undergone an Imprisonment of Thirteen Months without a Cause his being put at Liberty should not have been call'd an Act of Grace but a piece of Justice That a Prince of the Blood whose Father had been declar'd Head of the Council by the late King's Testament could not be excluded from it That it was very well known that he had no Strong Holds in the Kingdom to Second his pretended Designs of a Revolt whereas Mazarin was still in possession of them all by his Creatures That the Court was to blame to envy those few Men he had at Marle since France was particularly indebted to them for the best part of its last Victories and that besides they were only assembled there by his Royal Highnesses Order who was the Absolute Master thereof That the only Reason for which he had desir'd the Court to exchange his Government of Burgundy for Guienne was to Relieve that poor Province from the Misery it was reduc'd to under the proud and violent Domination of the Duke d' Espernon whose Excesses were but too well known in the World That if he had reserv'd any Places in Burgundy it was because they were his the late Prince his Father having bought them by His Majesty's Leave and Approbation and that for that Reason he had a Right to keep them especially since no others had been given him in exchange in Guienne That it was true that he had abstain'd for some time from seeing the King and from assisting at the Council but that no Man of Sense could blame him for it since his most inveterate Foes being most in Her Majesty's favour he had reason to suspect them and to avoid
falling for the second time in the same Snare That since his coming out of Prison he had been most sollicitous to drive the Spanish Garrison out of Stenay â— and that that was the only end of all that pretended Commerce with the Enemies of the State which made so much noise and that therefore it was a shame to see a Prince of the Blood under such a Pretence pursu'd as being guilty of High Treason and that at the Queen's sollicitations That the Authors of that outragious Undertaking ought to be inform'd against and constrain'd either to justifie their Calumny or to be prosecuted according to Law That notwithstanding he submitted his Estate and Person to the disposal of the Parliament and to whatever they should be pleas'd to determine The Prince finding that this Paper had made strong Impressions in his favour and that all things tended to his Justification in the Parliament went thither himself to renew his Complaints Viva Voce and to demand reparation for the enormous Calumnies level'd against his Honour pointing at the same time at the Author 's thereof He said among several other things whereby he design'd the Coadjutor of Paris that nothing could be more odious than to see Persons whose main business should tend towards the maintaining of Peace apply themselves unfortunately to the disturbing of it by outragious Falsities which an implacable Hatred had made them invent The Coadjutor justly applying that Discourse to himself finding himself seconded by the Queen's Authority and Protection rising at the same time answer'd That all he had done was design'd for the Publick Good and what could be expected from a Man of Honour whose Loyalty was untainted That his Enemies could not accuse him of having broken his Promises and that few Persons at that time were free from that defect I wonder reply'd the Prince who possess'd himself more in that Occasion than he was wont to do that any body should be so bold in this place as to dare to cope with a Prince of the Blood and to contest with him I know Sir reply'd the Coadjutor what is owing to a Prince of the Blood like you But every body is free in this place in which none but the King can expect a perfect Obedience The First President then assuming the Discourse told them that the Place in which they were was not a place of Quarrel or Conâ—estation but a place of Majesty And seeing besides that the whole Palace was fill'd on the behalves of the Prince and Coadjutor with armed Men ready to Charge each other and that even Swords glitter'd on all sides he desir'd the Prince and the Coadjutor to cause their Men to retire in order to allow the Gentlemen of the House the Liberty of their Opinions After this he turn'd towards the Prince and told him Your Highness is to shew by your Example the Honour and Respect that is due to this Assembly The Prince yielding to that Advice immediately sent the Duke de la Rochefoucault to Command his People to retire out of the Palace The Coadjutor at the same time went out of the great Room to desire his to retire also The Duke de la Rochefoucault walk'd seven or eight steps behind him and was still within the Usher's Bar when the Coadjutor appear'd in the great Hall At sight of this Prelate all those of his Party drew their Swords and the Prince's Friends did the same Every one sided with the Party he serv'd and in a moment both Troops joyn'd within reach of their Swords and yet among so many brave Men animated by such different hatreds none offer'd to make a Pass or shoot off a Pistol The Coadjutor seeing so great a Disorder offer'd to retire into the great Room again but coming to the Door which goes from the Hall to the Usher's Bar he found that the Duke de la Rochefoucault had seiz'd it However he endeavour'd to open it with force but whereas it only open'd half and that the Duke de la Rochefoucault held it that Duke at the instant the Coadjutor was entring push'd it in such a manner that he stopt it just as that Prelate's Head was pass'd on the side of the Bar and his Body still in the Hall That occasion might have tempted the Duke de la Rochefoucault to kill the greatest Enemy of the Prince's Party and to Revenge the Shame and Affront a Prince of the Blood had just receiv'd in full Parliament He contented himself however with securing him that his Life might answer for the Event of the Disorder Thus the Duke de la Rochefoucault unwilling to commit an Act of Cruelty and the Prince's Attendants who at that time were near that Duke being unresolv'd in a case of that Consequence gave time to Monsieur de Champlatreux Son to the first President to arrive with Order to dis-engage the Coadjutor and to draw him out of the greatest peril he was ever expos'd to This proceeding of the Duke de la Rochefoucault towards the Coadjutor prov'd a new Subject of Hatred and Envy amongst them and their Friends which without doubt would have occasion'd great Disorders had not the Duke of Orleance compos'd all by an Expedient he invented which was That for the future the Coadjutor should no longer assist at the Assemblies of the Parliament and that the Prince should only be attended there by a small number of his ordinary Attendance During these Transactions the Queen perceiving that the Parliament daily declar'd more and more in favour of the Prince and that she should expose her Authority in vain in pursuing his Condemnation any further on a sudden relinquish'd her pursuit and declar'd that she desir'd nothing so much as his Justification And some days after it the Prince of Conde at her Majesty's Intreaty obtain'd a Decree from the Court by which the Accusations and Complaints exhibited against him were declar'd false and without ground as having been contriv'd on purpose to animate the People and to increase Divisions After so many Obstacles were happily remov'd there was reason to expect that all things would soon be reduc'd to a Calm But the Storm soon rose again about the Barbons Thus they call'd Monsieur de Châteauneuf President Mole and Monsieur de la Vieville by reason of their long Beards Those three Old Men whom the Prince look'd upon as the Cardinal's Slaves had insinuated themselves so far into the Queen's favour and had engag'd so far into the Intrigues of the Court since the removal of Messieurs de Servient Le Tellier and Lionne that Monsieur de Chateauneuf was publickly design'd First Minister President Mole Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal in Monsieur Seguier's room from whom it was to be taken and Monsieur de la Vicville Super-Intendant of the Exchequer The Prince was so much the more offended thereaâ— because the first had as it were declar'd himself an Enemy to his House and Blood by the
〈◊〉 Bergerie without attacking of him Count d' â—arcourt at that time lost a fair occasion of falling upon his Rear when he was half over The very same day he met with a faireâ— yet which he had not the wit to improve for the Prince confiding absolutely on a Major-General who was commanded by him to burn or break the Bridge of Boats on that assurance posted his Men in divers Quarters some being a League and a half distant from his own without fear of a surprize the River lying between him and the Enemy But this Officer only loosen'd the Boats and let them float down the stream of the River in so much that Count d' Harcourt's Men having stopt them the Bridge was re-built in an hours time and he caus'd Three Hundred Horse and some Foot to cross over it to guard the head of the said Bridge This News being brought to the Prince at La Bergerie he concluded that Count d' Harcourt would march into the middle of his Quarters in order to destroy them one after another as in Prudence he ought to have done This oblig'd him to dispatch Orders to his Foâ—ces to quit their Quarters and to repair instantly to La Bergerie and immediately he march'd himselâ— towards Tonay-Charante with the Dukes of Nemours and de la Rochefoucault his Guards and whatever Officers and Voluntiers happen'd to be about him at that time to discover the Designs of the Enemies in order to amuse them until those of his Men which were most distant from him were come up to him He found the Advice that had been given him to be true and the Three Hundred Horse were in Battalia in the Meadow next to the River But at the same time he found the Enemies had not bethought themselves of what he fear'd or had lost the Opportunity of putting it in execution since that not being pass'd while they could do it without hindrance there was no likelyhood they would attempt it in his Presence Some Skirmishes past for some time without any considerable loss on either side and his Infantry being arriv'd he caus'd a long Retrenchment to be made over against the Bridge leaving the Meadow and the River between Count d' Harcourt and him The two Armies remain'd above three Weeks in the same place without undertaking any thing contenting themselves with living in a Fertil Country where all things were plenty In the mean time the Duke of Bouillon's delays and all his Conduct convinc'd the Prince that he was no longer to expect any thing from him or from Monsieur de Turenne and for that Reason he exclaim'd and acted against them with all the Passion imaginable altho' their Engagements had been different For it is most certain that the Duke of Bouillon had made an Agreement with the Duke de la Rochefoucault and afterwards with Monsieur Laisné upon the Conditions heretofore related Monâ—ieâ—r de Turenne on the contrary had entirely â—â—â—ndon'd the Prince's Inteâ—ests from the very moment he came out of Prison and as he has declaâ—'d sâ—nce was absolutely ignorant of the Duke of 〈◊〉 's Engagements The Prince being under the necessity of sending 〈◊〉 body without delay to â—ill up the Post he 〈◊〉 design'd for Monsieur de Turenne cast his Eyes upon the Duke of Nemours whose Birth and great â—â—â—our might in some mâ—nner stand instead of Monsiâ—ur de Turenne's Capacity He dispatch'd him â—mmediately for Flanders but he not being able to sâ—pport the Inconveniencies of the Sea was conâ—â—â—â—in'd to go by Land with a great deal of danger and loss of time by reason of the Forces which brought back the Cardinal into France He likewise sent the Dake de la Rochefoucault back to Boâ—rdeaux to dispose the Prince of Conty to go to Agâ—n to confirm the Peoples Minds which began to waver upon the new Progress of the King 's Arms. He likewise engag'd him to make a Proposition to the Parliament of Bourdeaux to consent to the putting of the Baron of Batteville and the Spaniards in possession of the City and Castle of Bourg which they offer'd to Fortifie During these Transactions Fontrailles was sent from the Duke of Orleance to the Prince to see the state of his Affairs and to inform him that the Parlâ—ament of Paris was ready to joyn with his Royal Higness to oppose Cardinâ—l Mazarin's return and that his said Highness was desirous to Act joynâ—ly with him in that Affair Fontrailles likewise propos'd to him a Reconciliation with the â—oadjutor saying that the Duke of Orleance deâ—ir'd it earnestly The Prince made no positive Answer to that Article whether it were that he could take no certain Measure with the Coadjutor or whether he thought that those he should take would not be approv'd by Madame de Longuevillâ— and by the Duke de la Rochefoucault to whom 〈◊〉 had made a Promise never to be reconcil'd to thâ— Coadjutor without their Approbation Howeveâ— he told Fontrailles that he would do what the Dukâ— of Orleance desird when those Affairs should bâ— somewhat riper and when that Reconciliaâ—ioâ— might be of use for the Common Good of thâ— Party At this very time Count Marsin joyn'd the Princâ— at La Bergerie and brought along with him a Thouâ—sand Foot and Three Hundred Horse of the besâ— Forces he had in the Army of Catalonia which hâ— commanded Many have blam'd this Action and look'd upon it as a piece of Treason For my part without taking upon me to condemn or defend it I shall barely relate that Marsin having long been devoted to the Prince's Service had receiv'd the Government of Bellegarde which place belongâ—d to him from him and that afterwards he had not only protected him in the Service but by his Credit he had obtain'd the Vice-Roy-ship of Catalâ—nia and the Government of Tortose for him in which he serv'd the King with great Loyalty and good Fortune And when the Prince was made a Prisoner Marsin who was taken up at the same time was tax'd with no other Crime than being his Creature Nay more his Government of Tortose being given to Launay Gringelinere he suffer'd it to be taken soon after Marsin's Confinement lasted as long as the Prince's and after his being put at Liberty he remain'd some time without any Employment But the Affairs of Catalonia being in an ill Posture and the Court being at a loss to find a Person capable to redress them Marsin was propos'd for the second time by the Prince and the Duke de la Rochefoucault made the overture of it to Monsieur Le Tellier without Marsin's solliciting in the least for 〈◊〉 It was impossible for him to defer his Journey â—nto Catalonia to expect the issue of the doubtful things that pass'd at the Court which were more likely to be decided by an Accommodation than by a Civil War Therefore he set forward towards his new Employment for which he was solely oblig'd to the Prince who had likewise lately given him
a strong Garrison And therefore he resolv'd to throw the Regiment of Foot of Conty into it and to take possession of one of the Gates of the City in order to oblige the People to receive a Garrison But whereas this Design was not kept secret it was soon rumour'd throughout the City Upon which the Inhabitants immediately betook themselves to their Arms and made Barricadoes The Prince of Conde being inform'd therewith got on Horse-back to stop the Tumult by his Presence and to remain Master of the Gate of Grave until the aforesaid Regiment had taken possession of it But the arrival of the Souldiers increas'd the Disorder instead of appeasing it They entred and made a halt in the first Street and tho' the Prince of Conde the Prince of Conty and all the Officers endeav'd to appease the Disorder they could not hinder the Streets from being barricado'd in a moment However the People still preserv'd their Respect towards the Prince of Conde and towards all the General Officers but at the same time the Animosity increas'd in all places where his Presence was wanting It was impossible that things should remain long in that condition the Souldiers as I have already related had taken Possession of the Gate of Grave and half the adjoyning Street The People were in Arms all the Streets were barricado'd and Corps â—e Guards plac'd every where Night drew on which would have increas'd the Disorder and the Prince of Conde found himself necessitated either to quit the Town shamefully or cause it to be pâ—ilag'd and burnt either of which apparently would have ruin'd his Affairs For if he quitted the Town the King's Forces would be receivd into it and if he burnt it it would occasion the Revolt of the whole Province against him Those Reasons induc'd him to endeavour an Accommodation which in appearance might save his Authority and serve for a pretence to Pardon the Inhabitants of Agen. The Duke de la Rochefoucault spoke to some of the most considerable Citizens and prevail'd with them to go to the Town-Hall there to Depute some among them to the Prince to beg his Pardon and to intreat him to come to their Assembly there to prescribe the means to preserve Agen in the Submission and Loyalty they had sworn to him The Prince accordingly went thither and told them that it had always been his Intention to preserve their Freedom entire and that the only end for which he had sent Souldiers thither was to ease them and help them to Guard the City but that since they did not desire it he was willing to remove them provided the City would raise a Regiment of Foot at their own Charge and give him the Names of the Officers These Conditions were easily agreed to the Barricado's were remov'd the Souldiers march'd out again and the City remain'd in appearance as quiet and full of Submission as it was before the Sedition The Prince of Conde who could not confide in those Appearances remain'd some time in Agen to put the City in its former state again at which time he receiv'd the News that the Army from Flanders Commanded by the Duke of Nemours and the Duke of Orleance's Forces Commanded by the Duke of Beaufort were joyn'd and on their March towards the River Loire This Joy was notwithstanding mix'd with some Disquiet On the one hand he saw an Army from Spain he had so long expected in the middle of the Kingdom which might come to the Relief of Montroâ—d or to joyn with him in Guienne But at the same time he was also inform'd that the Dukes of Nemours and of Beaufort could no ways agree and that their Division was grown to a very dangerous pitch Their Armies being separate it was impossible for them to keep the Field before the King's Army Commanded by the Marshals of Turenne and Hoquincourt reinforc'd by the Troops â—he Cardinal had brought along with him besides the Neighbourhood of the Court The Duke of Nemours's Orders were to cross the River of Loire in order to relieve Montrond and to March immediately towards Guienne whereas the Orders the Duke of Beaufort daily receiv'd from the Duke of Orleance were directly opposite Monsieur could not consent that the Army should march away so far from Paris fearing lest the People or the Parliament should alter their minds seeing the Duke of Nemours's Army march into Guienne while the King 's remain'd in their Neighbourhood The Coadjutor of Paris in whom Monsieur confided most at that time seconded this Advice and augmented the fear and Natural Iâ—resolutions of that Prince By keeping the Army on this side the River Loire he made it of no use to the Prince of Conde whose Enemy he was and made himself more considerable at Court by shewing that being Master of Monsieur's Conduct it was in his power to advance or keep back the Progress of the Army and thus omitted no means to obtain a Cardinal's Cap. Chavigny on his side harbour'd as great Designs he expected to govern Monsieur by making him senâ—â—â—le that â—e govern'd the Prince and flatter'd himâ—â—â—â— to become Master of the Prince's Conduct by shewing him he was Master of Monsieur's His Projects did not stop there from the very beginning of the War he had taken his Measures to become â— Negotiator of Peace and had united himself to the Duke of Roâ—an believing that he might be equally useful to him with Monsieur and with the Prince He likewise thought he had taken all necessary precautions towards the Cardinal by means of Fabret Governour of Sedan and whereas he â—ut no Bounds to his Ambition and his Hopes he did not question but in making a particular Peace he should be chosen with the Cardinal to conclude the General Peace He fancy'd moreover that making use of the Credit the Prince of Conde could give him among the Spaniards he should have all the Credit of the Good Successes and the Cardinal on the contrary all the Shame and blame of â—he ill Events And that thus he should enter into the Ministry of Affairs again either with the Glory of having concluded the Peace or with the Advantage of laying the blame of it on Mazarin in case it should not be effected In order thereunto he writ several times to the Prince to press him to quit Guienne he represented to him how necessary his Presence was in the Army that in suffering it to be destroy'd he would lose his last Stake but that in making Progresses in the heart of the Kingdom and in the King's sight he would not only immediately retrieve his Affairs in Guienne but all the rest of his Party The Prince of Conde suffer'd himself easily to be perswaded by Chavigny's Reasons but the principal Motive which induc'd him to it was his desire of quitting Guienne at a time when the weakness of his Army oblig'd him continually to fly before Count d' Harcourt He communicated his Design to the Duke de la Rochefoucault
Yes or No since they could not desist from any of them That they desir'd to Act sincerely and consequently that they would Promise nothing but what they were willing to perform and that for that Reason they would be certain of what the Court should Promise 2. That they desi'd Cardinal Mazarin should immediately quit the Kingdom and repair to Bouillon 3. That the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Conde should be impowr'd forthwith to Treat about a General Peace 4. That to that end Just and Reasonable Conditions should be agreed upon and that the Prince should be allow'd to send into Spain in order to agree upon a place for the Conference 5. That a Council should be made compos'd of unsuspected Persons which should be agreed upon 6. That there should be no Superintendent and that the Revenue Taxes Impositions c. should be regulated by a good Councilâ— 7. That all such who had serv'd Monsâ—â—â—â— or the Prince should be restor'd to their Estates and Places Governments Pensions and Assignations which should be assign'd upon good Funds and the like for Monsieur and for the Princes 8. That Satisfaction should be given to the Duke of Orleance upon those things he might desire for himself and for his Friends 9. That the Forces and Officers that had follow'd the Princes should be treated as they were before and should possess the same Ranks they had before 10. That the Court should grant the Inhabitants of Bordeaux those things they desir'd before the War and for which they had Deputies at Court 11. That the Taxes should be diminish'd in Guienne according as it should be agreed upon sincerely 12. That the Prince of Conty should have leave to Treat with Monsieur d' Angoulesine about the Government of Provence and to give him the Government of Champayne in exchange or else to sell it to whoever he should think fit to give him the Money of it and that for the overplus he should be assisted with such a Sum of Money as should be agreed upon 13. That the Government of Auvergne should be given to the Duke of Nemours 14. That leave should be given to President Viole to Treat about a place of President a Mortier or of Secretary of State upon Promise that it should be the first vacant and a Sum of Money in present to facilitate the obtaining of it 15. That the Court should grant the Duke de la Rochefoucault the Breviate he desir'd equal to that of Messieurs de Bouillon and Guienne and the Government of Angoumois and St. Tonge or the Sum of Sixscore Thousand Crowns and leave to Purchase the said Government or any other he should have a mind to 16. That the Prince of Tarente should have a Breviate about his Rank equal to the Duke of Bouillon's and that he should be put in Possession of it and that he should be reimburs'd for the Losses he had sustain'd by the taking and demolishing of Taillebourg according to the Account he should deliver about it 17. That Messieurs de Marsin and du Doignon should be made Marshals of France 18. That Monsieur de Montespan should be made a Duke 19. That the Duke of Rohan should be restor'd to his Governments of Anjou and Anger 's and that the Pont de Ce together with the Jurisdiction of Saumur should be granted him 20. That the Government of Bergerac and Sainte Foy should be given to Monsieur de la Force and the survivance to his Son the Marquess of Castelnau That the Marquess of Sillery should be certain of being made Knight of the Order of the Holy Ghost at the first Promotion or Instalment and that a Breviate should be given him for it together with the Sum of 50000â— Crowns to Purchase a Government Upon which Conditions they would engage to lay down their Arms and to consent fâ—eely to any Advantages for Cardinal Mazarin and to his Return into France within the space of three Months or at the time when the Prince having adjusted the Articles of a general Peace with the Spaniards should be at the place of Conference with the Ministers of Spain and have given an Account of the Peace's being ready to be sign'd the which he would not Sign until the said Cardinal were actually return'd But that the Money mention'd by the Treaty should be paid before his Return The Cardinal hearken'd to Gourville's Propositions and seem'd not to dislike them whether it â—ere that he really was inclin'd to grant them or that he was willing the Difficulties should arise â—â—se where But the Duke of Bouillon who dreaded â— Peace should be concluded on without his having the Dutchy of Albret which the Prince was 〈◊〉 Possession of in order to make him a Recompence in part for Sedan told the Cardinal That â—â—nce he thought it fit to favour all the Prince's Friends who were his sworn Enemies he thought it was yet more reasonable to do Justice to his Friends who had assisted him and maintain'd him against the Prince That he found no fault with what was design'd for the Dukes of Nemours and de lâ— Rochefoucault Marsin and the others but that at the same time he could not but think that having so considerable an Interest as the Dutchy of Albret was nothing should be concluded on withâ—â—â— obliging the Prince to satisfie him in that Point Whatever induc'd the Duke of Bouillon to use these Arguments it is most certain that they hindred the Cardinal from proceeding any farther and he sent back Gourville to the Prince in order to remove that Difficulty But whereas in all great Affairs delays are commonly very dangerous they were much more so in this which was not only compos'd of so many different Interests and view'd by so many opposite Cabals which endeavour'd to break it but was moreover manag'd by the Prince of Conde on one side and by Cardinal Mazarin on the other who tho' very opposite in some things yet were alike in many others particularly in Treating about all manner of Affairs without any limited Pretentions which is the Reason that when their desires are granted they still flatter themselves with obtaining more perswading themselves to that degree that all things are due to their good Fortune that the Balance can never be kept sufficiently even between them nor can ever remain long enough in that condition to afford them time to resolve upon a Treaty and to conclude it Other Obstacles were joyn'd to these It was the Cardinal of Rets's Interest to prevent the Peace by reason that if it were made without his participation the Duke of Orleance and the Prince being united with the Court he would remain expos'd without any Protection On the other hand Chavigny being disgusted with the Court and with the Prince after the ill Success of his Negotiation concluded that it was better to break the Treaty than suffer it to be made by any but himself I cannot tell whether the Conformity of Interests
that happen'd to meet at that time between the Cardinal of Rets and Chavigny made them joyn to hinder the Prince's Treaty or whether either of them prevail'd with the Duke of Orleance to do it but I have been inform'd since by a Person I must Credit that while Gourville was at St. Germans Monsieur sent the Duke d' Anville to Cardinal Mazarin to desire him not to conclude any thing with the Prince because he design'd the Court should be solely oblig'd to him for a Peace That he was ready to go to the King and thereby to give an Example which should be follow'd by the Inhabitants and by the Parliament of Paris It was very probable that such a Proposition should be hearken'd unto preferably to all others And in effect whether by this Reason or by the other I have alledg'd before about the Prince and Cardinal Mazarin's Minds or whether as I always believ'd it the Cardinal was never inclinable to a Peace and only made use of Negotiations for a Snare in which he could surprize his Enemies In fine all things were entangled to that degree that the Duke de la Rochefoucaulâ— no longer would suffer his People to meddle with Negotiations which â—â—in'd his Party and charg'd Gourville to get a positive Answer from the Cardinal the second time he was sent to St. Germans with Orders never to return thither again In the mean while besides that the Prince's Inclinations were not constantly fix'd on a Peace he was continually combated by the divers Interests of those who endeavour'd to disswade him from it Cardinal Mazarin's Enemies did not think themselves reveng'd while he remain'd in France And the Cardinal of Rets was sensible that in case the Prince should come to an Accommodationâ— it would ruin his Credit and expose him to his Enemies Whereas the War continuing it would certainly ruin the Prince or banish Cardinal Mazarin â— by which means he remaining alone near the Duke of Orleance might render himself considerable at Court whereby he propos'd very considerable Advantages On the other hand the Spaniards offer'd whatever might tempt the Prince and us'd all their Endeavours in order to prolong the Civil War his nearest Relations his Friends nay even his very Attendants seconded the same out of Self-Interest In fine all People were divided in Cabals to make a Peace or continue the War No Arguments or Politicks were omitted to perswade the Prince to embrace either of these Parties when the Dutchess of Chatillon rais'd a desire of Peace in him by more agreeable means She imagin'd that so great a good was only to be promoted by her Beauty and mixing some Ambition with the desire of making a new Conquest she resolv'd at once to Triumph over the Prince of Conde's Heart and to draw from the Court all the Advantages of that Negotiation Those were not the only Reason that inspir'd those thoughâ—s in her Vanity and Revenge contributed more towards it than any thing else The Emulation which Beauty and Gallantry often produces among Ladies had occasion'd great Jealousies between the Dutchess of Longueville and Madame de Chatillon They had long conceal'd their Sentiments but at last they appear'd publickly on both sides Madame de Chatillon putting no Bounds to her Victory not only obligd the Duke of Nemours to break off all his Engagements with Madame de Longueville in a very disobliging manner but at the same time resolv'd to take from her all the knowledge of Aâ—fairs and to be the sole disposer of the Conduct and Interests of the Prince The Duke of Nemours who had great Engagements with her approv'd her Design and believd that since it was in his power to Regulate the Dutchess of Chatillon's Conduct towards the Prince she would inspire him with whatever Sentiments he pleas'd and that thus he should dispose of the Prince's Mind by the power he had over the Dutchess of Chatillon's The Duke de la Rochefoucault at that time had the greatest share of any body in the Prince's favour and at the same time had very strict Engagements both with the Duke of Nemours and with Madame de Chatillon He was very sensible of the Prince's Irresolutions towards a Peace and fearing as it happen'd since that the Spanish and the Dutchess of Longueville's Cabals would joyn in order to remove the Prince from Paris where he might daily Treat without their Participation he imagin'd that the Dutchess of Chatillon's Design would be able to remove all the Obstacles that oppos'd a Peace and for that Reason induc'd the Prince to engage with her and to give her Merlou for her self He likewise prevaild with her to behave her self so prudently towards the Prince and the Duke of Nemours as to preserve them both and perswaded the Duke of Nemours to approve of this Engagement which he ought not to be Jealous of since he was acquainted therewith and that it was only design'd to place him at the Helm of Affairs This Intrigue being manag'd and regulated by the Duke de la Rochefoâ—cault gave him almost an absolute Power over all those that compos'd it And thus those four Persons being equally advantag'd thereby it would certainly have had at last the Success they had propos'd had not Fortune oppos'd it by a World of unavoidable Accidents In the mean time the Dutchess of Chatillon being desirous to appear at Court with all the Advantages she deriv'd from her new Credit She went thither with so absolute a Power from the Prince that it was look'd upon rather as an Effect of his Complaisance towards her and a desire of flattering her Vanity than a real Intention of coming to an Accommodation She came back to Paris with great hopes but the Cardinal only reap'd solid Advantages by that Negotiation he gain'd Time he augmented the Suspicions of the opposite Cabal and amus'd the Prince at Paris by the hopes of a Treaty while they took Guienne and his Towns from him and while the King's Army commanded by the Marshals of Turenne and Hoquincourt held the Field and his was retir'd in Estampes Moreover it did not remain long there without receiving a considerable Loss which was this The Marshal of Turenne being inform'd that Mademoâ—sâ—lle passing through Estampes had been desirous to see the Army in Battalia he caus'd his Forces to March and arriv'd in the Suburb of Estampes before those which compos'd the Army that was lodg'd there could be in a condition to defend their Quarter It was forc'd and pillag'd and the Marshals of Turenne and d' Hoquincourt retir'd to theirs after having kill'd 1000 or 1200 Men of the Princeâ—s best Forces and carry'd away abundance of Prisoners This Success rais'd the hopes of the Court to that degree that they design'd to Besiege Estampes and all the Army that was in it Whatever Difficulty seem'd to attend that Enterprize it was resolv'd upon in hopes to meet with Astonishment in the Men and Division in the Commanders a Town
open in several parts unprovided and without probability of Succours from any but the Duke of Lorrain with whom the Court thought a Treaty had been made Moreover it is my Opinion that the Event of the Siege was not so much consider'd as the Reputation so great an Undertaking would afford the King's Arms For tho' at the same time the Negotiation was continud with great earnestness and that the Prince was then very desirous of a Peace yet it could not reasonably be expected until the Success of Estampes had regulated the Propositions thereof During these Transactions the Court-Party made use of that Conjuncture to gain the People and to form Cabals in the Parliament and tho' at that time the Duke of Orleance seem'd closely united with the Prince he notwithstanding daily had particular Conferences with the Cardinal of Rets who made it his chief business to destroy whatever Resolutions the Prince put him upon The Siege of Estampes continu'd still and tho' the Progresses of the King's Army were inconsiderable yet nevertheless the Reports that were spread up and down the Realm were advantageous to the King And Paris look'd for the Succours that was expected from the Duke of Lorrain as the only thing that could saâ—e the Party It arriv'd at last after many delays and no small Suspicions of an Accommodation between the King and him however his Presence dissipated that Opinion for a while and he was receiv'd with extream Joy his Forces were Encamp'd near Paris and the Disorders they committed were suffered without complaining At first there happen'd some Disputes between the Prince and him about their Rank but he finding that the Prince would not desist relinquish'd his Pretentions so much the rather because he had only insisted upon it in order to gain time to make a secret Treaty with the Court to raise the Siege of Estampes without hazarding a Combat Nevertheless as People are never so easily surpris'd as when they are projecting to deceive others it happâ—n'd that the Duke of Lorrain who expected to derive great advantages from and to secure himself by his continual Negotiations with the Court tho' very unjust was on a sudden â—â—rpris'd by the Marshal of Turenne who marched up to him with all his Army and required him forthwith to reâ—ire and march back for Flanders The Duke of Lorrain's Forces were not inferiour to the King 's and a Man who had only valued his Reputaâ—ion might easily have hazarded a Combat But whatever Reasons the Duke of Lorrain had for it he retired with Shame and submitted to what the Marshal of Turenne was pleas'd to impose upon himâ— he neither acquainted the Duke of Orleance nor the Prince with what pass'd and the first thing they heard was that their Forces wâ—re marched out of Estampes that the King's Army was remov'd from thence and that the Duke of Lorrain was marching back for Flanders pretending to have fully perform'd the Orders he had receiv'd from the Spaniards and his Promise to Monsieur This nâ—ws surpris'd every body and made the Prince resolve to go to his Army fearing the King's might fall upon it in the way He went out of Paris accompany'd only by 12 or 15 Horse whereby he expos'd himself to be taken by the Enemies Parties however he joyn'd his Army and led it towards Ville Iuive Afterwards he marched to St. Cloud where he made some stay during which the Haâ—vest was not only quite spoil'd but almost all the Country Houses were burnt This began to disgust the Parisians and the Prince had like to have received fatal Marks at the Battel of St. Anthony During these Transactions Gaucourt had secret Conferences with the Cardinal who sâ—ill express'd to him an earnest desire for a Peace he had already agreed upon the main Conditions but the more he insisted on the least the more it was apparent that he had no design to conclude Those Uncertainties gave new Vigour to all the Cabals and consequently to the divers Reports that were dispersed abroad Paris never was in greater Agitation and never was the Prince's mind more divided to resolve upon Peace or War The Spaniards endeavour'd to remove him from Paris to hinder a a Peace and the Dutchess of Longueville's Friends contributed to that Disign in order to remove him from the Dutchess of Chastillon Moreover Mademoiselle at once design'd the same things with the Spaniards and with the Dutchess of Longueville for on the one hand she desir'd the Continuation of the War to be reveng'd on the Queen and Cardinal who had hindred her Marriage with the King and on the other she was desirous to get the Prince from the Dutchess of Chastillon and to have a greater share in his Confidence and Esteem than that Duâ—chess And therefore in order to gain him by that which was most sensible to him she rais'd Forces in his Name and promis'd him Money to raise more 〈◊〉 Promises being joyn'd to those the Spaniâ—â—â—â— maâ—e and to the Aâ—tifices that were us'd by â—he Duâ—chess of Longueville's Friends remov'd from 〈◊〉 Prince all the thoughts he had of a Peace Thaâ— which in my Opinion likewise contributed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rably to it was not only the small Confiâ—â—ncâ— he thought he could repose in the Court but â—â—â—â—ng which will hardly be credited from a Person of his Quality and Merit it was a violent desire of imitating the Duke of Lorrain in many things and particularly in his behaviour towards his Soldiers and Officers and he perswaded himself that since the Duke of Lorrain being dispossess'd of his Dominions his Circumstances not being near so advantageous as his had notwithstanding rendeâ—'d himself so considerable by his Army â—nd by his Money his own Qualifications being inâ—â—niâ—ely superiour to his his Progresses would proâ—e suitable thereunto and that in the mean time he sâ—ould lead a Life altogether conformable to his own Humour This has been look'd upon as the true Motive that engag'd the Prince among the Spaniards and for which he renounc'd whatever his Birth and Serâ—ices had acquir'd him in the Kingdom However he conceal'd his Sentiments as much as possible he could and still express'd the same desire for a Peace the which was still in vain in Agitation The Court at that time was at St. Denis and the Marshal de la Ferté had joyn'd the King's Army with the Forces he had brought from Lorrain The Prince's Army which was weaker than the least of the two that were oppos'd to him had till then kept its Post at St. Cloud in order to make use of the Bridge to avoid an unequal Combat but the arrival of Marshal de la Ferté enabled the King's Army to divide into two Bodies and to attack St. Cloud on both sides by making Bridges towards St. Denis the Prince resolv'd to remove from St. Cloud in order to march to Charenton and to Post himself in that nook of Land which makes the Conjunction between the River Marne and
them and expos'd themselves to no purpose to all the Shot of the Barricado and of the Houses of the Square for in joyning they knew themselves to be all of the same Party But at the same time perceiving some astonishment in those who guarded the Barricado the Dukes of Nemours Beaufort de la Rochefoucault and the Prince of Marsillac charg'd them and forc'd them to quit it After which they alighted and guarded it themselves the Infantry that was Commanded refusing to second them The Prince of Conde stood firm in the Street with those that had rally'd about him In the mean time the Enemies who were possess'd of all the Houses of the Street seeing the Barricado guarded only by four Men would certainly have re-taken it had not the Prince's Squadron hindred them but there being no Infantry to hinder their Firing from the Windows they began to Fire again from all sides and saw the four who kept the Barricade side-ways from head to foot The Duke of Nemouâ—s receiv'd Thirteen Shot upon his Armour the Duke de la Rochefoucault likewise receiv'd a Musquet-shot in the Face above the Eyes by which he losing his sight the Duke of Beaufort and the Prince of Marsillac were oblig'd to retire with these two wounded Lords The Enemies pursu'd them but the Prince of Conde advanc'd to dis-engage them and gave them time to get on Horse back in so much that they were again oblig'd to abandon to the King's Forces the Post they had just taken from them Almost all those who had been with them in the Square were kill'd or wounded among others they lost the Marquesses of Flamarin and de la Rocheguiffard the Count of Castres the Count de Bossâ—â— Desfourâ—eaux La Martiniere La Motte Gayonne Bercenes Captain of the Guards to the Duke de la Rochefoucault de L' Huilliere who likewise belong'd to him and many others whose Names cannot be set down here In fine the Number of the Dead and Wounded was so considerable on both sides that both Parties seem'd rather intent to repair their Losses than to attack their Enemies This kind of Truce however was most advantageous to the King's Forces who were disgusted by so many Attacks in which they had still been â—eaten and repuls'd for during those Transactions the Marshal de la Ferte march'd with all speed and was preparing to make a new Effort with his fresh and entire Army when the Parisians who till â—hen had been Spectators of so great an Action declar'd in favour of the Prince of Conde They had been so much prejudic'd by the Arts of the Court and of the Cardinal of Rets and had been perswaded to that degree that the Prince had made a Peace by himself without minding their Interests that they did look upon the beginning of that Action as a Play that was acted between him and Cardinal Mazarin to blind them The Duke of Orleance confirm'd them in that thought by his giving no Orders in the City to Succour the Prince The Cardinal of Rets was with him who still augmented the Trouble and Irreâ—olution of his Mind in proposing Difficulties to whatever he would undertake On the other hand St. Anthony's Gate was guarded by a Regiment of the Train-bands whose Officers being gain'd by the Court almost equally hindred People from going out or coming into the City Finally all things were ill dispos'd to receive the Prince and his Forces there when Mademoiselle making an Effort upon her Father's Mind drew him out of the Lethargy in which he had been kept by the Cardinal of Reâ—s She went to the Town-House to order the Citizens to take Arms and at the same time commanded the Governour of the Bastille to fire his Ordnance upon the King's Forces and coming back to St. Anthony's Gate she not only dispos'd all the Ciâ—izens to receive the Prince and his Army but moreover to March out and to make some Skirmishes while his Forces were entring That which made an end of moving the People in the Prince of Conde's behalf was to see so many Persons of Quality carry'd back both dead and wounded The Duke de la Rochefoucault being willing to improve that favourable Conjuncture for the Advantage of his Party although his Wound made both his Eyes almost come out of his Head went on Horse-back from the place where he was wounded to the Fauxbourg St. German exhorting the People to assist the Prince of Conde and for the future to distinguish better the Intention of those who had accus'd him of having treated with the Court. This for a while had the Effect he desir'd and Paris was never better affected to the Prince than it was at that time In the mean time the noise of the Canon of the Bastille produc'd at one and the same time two very different Sentiments in Cardinal Mazarin's Mind for at first he believ'd that Paris was Declaring against the Prince and that he was going to Triumph over that City and over his Enemy But finding that instead thereof they fir'd upon the King's Forces he sent Orders to the Marshals of France to retire with the Army and to March back to St. Denis That Day prov'd one of the most Glorious of the Prince of Conde's Life his Valour and his Conduct never had a greater share in any of his Victories and it may be said with Truth that so many Persons of Quality never made a smaller number of Men fight The Colours were carried to Notre Dame and all the Officers were put at Liberty upon their Parole Notwithstanding this the Negotiations were continued every Cabal was desirous to make the Peace or to hinder the others from doing it and the Prince and Cardinal were absolutely resolv'd not to make it Chavigâ—y had made his Peâ—ce 〈◊〉 the Prince in Appearance but it would be difficult to tell what his Sentiments had been â—ill then by reason that his natural Levity daily inspired him with such as were directly opposite he was for pushing things to Extremity when ever he had any Prospect of destroying â—he Cardinal and of enâ—ring into the Ministry of Affairs again and he was for begging a Peace whenever he imagined his Lands should be Pillag'd and his Houses pâ—ll'd down Nevertheless at that time he chanc'd to be of Opinion with the rest that it would be proper to profit of the good Disposition the People was in and to propose an Assembly â—t the Townâ—House in order to resolve to have the Duke of Orleance acknowledge'd Lieutenant General of the Crown of France That they should enter into an inseparable Union to procure the removal of the Cardinal and that the Duke of Beaufort should be invested with the Government of Paris in the room of the Marshal de L' Hospital that Broussel should be made Prevost des Merchands or Lord Mayor in the room of Le Febure But that Assembly in which they expected to find the safety of the Party prov'd one of the
anew the following year to which the Governor of the Netherlands the Marquess of Ceracene and the other Generals having consented they march'd straight to that place and took it on the 22d of March Soon after it they made themselves Masters of Conde Marshal de Turenne being vex'd at the Conquests the Spaniards made resolv'd to be revenged upon Cambrai for the Losses the Frâ—nch had sustain'd To that end having placed himself one night at the Head of a small Body of Men without imparting his Design to any body he went to invest that place in which there were no Forces besides the Mortepaye and fifty Horse or thereabouts Nay moreover that which happen'd worse for the King of Spain was that the Governor and his Inhabitants did not agree The Town being invested on all sides and thâ— remainder of the French Army being come up thâ— Bridges of Communication were made and at thâ— same time all necessary things to work speedilâ— about the Lines were delivered to the Army The Prince of Conde soon received Intelligencâ— of it and knowing that there was but a very weaâ— Garrison in Cambray and that the Spanish Army was not ready to march to the relief of it he march'd thither himself with all his Horse which consisted of 18 Squadrons Being oblig'd to pass through Valenciennes as soon as he came within two or three leagues of it he went before to enquire from those who commanded in the Town whether they could give him any intelligence of the French Army They answer'd That they could not but that within 24 hours they had heard abundance of Canon shot towards Cambray I am perswaded answer'd the Prince that that Town is besiâ—ged but I will endeavour to relieve it before the Enemys have made an end of their Lines After which he desired the Governor to prepare a passage for his Forces Although those of Valenciennes were not used to suffer Forces to pass through their City yet they â—aid that they were ready to grant him a Passage if he desired to march through it The Prince accepted it and caused his Forces to march through that Cityâ— He caused those to refresh themselves that pass'd first Those being got a quarter of a league out of Town he caused the others to march a little further and those having refresh'd themselves he took those who had pass'd first and advanc'd with Five hundred Horse upon a Rising from whence he perceived the Camp and the Lines of the French Moreover he saw that they were at work Being convinc'd by his own Eyes that Mons. de Turenne had besieged Cambray he came back to his men and calling all the Officers he told them That if they tarried three days without relieving the Town the Lines the Enemies were making with all the speed imaginable would be 〈◊〉 the being forc'd That the Spanish Army was 〈◊〉 too great a distance to stay for it and that â—â—nce there was no other Remedy he was resolv'd to enter into that Town and that to that end he would march thither between seven and eight at night He had no sooner imparted his Design but he dispos'd his Horse in three Lines each of them consisting of six Squadrons He took the command of the second himself and the hour appointed to march being come Monsieur de Guitaut who commanded the first advanced with a design to force whatever should oppose him and make the least resistance but it fell out luckily for him that he â—ell into the Guard of the Regiment of Palluau who coming up to the Prince's Forces crying out Qui vive suffered them to pass believing that they answered Palluau instead of Guitaut by reason of the termination of those Names The Prince of Conde followed with the second Line and found that the Enemies had closed again yet he forced his way and passed also The last Line passed likewise and entred with the loss of some Officers after which they marched up to the Pallisade and entred the Counterscarp The French Horse were so surprized and frightned that they did not so much as offer to pursue them Insomuch that Day being come Monsieâ—r de Turenne vex'd at what had happen'd said That he would have the Army retire And accordingly order'd a Retreat to be sounded and while the Army was disposing to march he dispatch'd a Coureer to the Court to inform them that the Prince of Conde was entred in Cambray with eighteen Squadrons and that he was going to raise the Siege This place was invested about the end of May. The Cardinal finding that the Siege of Cambray had not succeeded sent Orders to Monsieur de la Ferte who had an Army towards the Frontiers of Champagne to invest Montmidi which he did and took it While Montmidi was besieged the Spaniards made an attempt upon Calis but were obliged to retire Besides Montmidi they lost St. Venant and were forced to raise the Siege of Ardres The French likewise took Bourbourg Mardik La Mothe aux-Bois and some other places The French had also resolved upon the Siege of Dunkirk the preceding year and in order thereunto had seized all the advantagious Posts that could defend the Avenues thereof to facilitate the taking of it Monsieur de Turenne blockt it up by Land on the side of the Canal which looks towards Mardyk and on the other as far as the Downs The English Army composed of eighteen or twenty Ships invested it by Sea and hindred the Entrance The Circumvallation being made they began to open the Trenches on the fifth of Iune The â—irst days the Besieged made vigorous Sallies but were always repulsed The Spaniards being sensible of the importance of that place put themselves in a posture to relieve it The Prince of Conde was already advanced but Marshal de Turenne who omitted nothing for the success of his Enterprize kept so well upon his Guard that it was impossible to surprize him The Besieged made several other Sallies in which abundance of Men and Officers were lost on both sides In the mean time Monsieur de Turenne while the Siege went on was informed That Don Iohn of Austria the Prince of Conde and the Marshal de Hoquincouâ—â— who had embraced the Spanish Party were 〈◊〉 from Ypres to Newport and were resolved to hazard all to relieve Dunkirk And accordingly News was brought the next day being the 11th that they were encamp'd in the Downs near the Abby and that they were preparing to attack the Besâ—egers Marshal d' Hoquincourt detach'd himself with threescore Horse to view the French Lines but being come too near a Redoubt where some Souldiers lay conceal'd he was wounded with five or six Musquet-shot of which he died within two hours The French perceiving that the Spaniards were resolv'd to engage them and that it was impossible to avoid it offerâ—d them Battel on the 14th Their Right-wing commanded by Monsieur de Turenne was oppos'd by the Prince of Conde
Battle The Prince of Conde who did not love him replied in a disdainful manner That he did not ask his Advice To which he added That he had never been deceiv'd in his Opinion of him which was that he was much fitter to advise and reason than to fight These Words stung this Officer to the quick who certainly was very brave He march'd away that very moment without a Reply and pass'd a Defily in order to charge the Prince of Orange's Horse which stood in Battalia and executed the Prince of Conde's Orders but he lost his Life by it as well as most the Officers that follow'd him He liv'd but one Hour after it and a Moment before he died he declar'd That he did not regret his Life since he died for the Service of his Prince but that he should have been very glad to live a few Hours longer to see what would become of the Prince of Conde 's Undertaking or rather to see him perish In the mean time the Prince of Orange was marching to the Relief of the Spaniards and of the Squadrons he had detach'd but he found himself immediately hem'd in by the Run-aways whom he could never stop either by Words Blows Promises or Reproaches The Germans being inform'd of what pass'd came in time to reinforce the Dutch at which time the Battle engag'd and began with great fury on both sides The Prince of Conde having occasion'd the loss of many brave Men was animated to that degree that he exposed himself like the meanest Sâ—â—ldiers The Dutch made a very brave resistance But the Prince of Orange perceiving that he was in danger of losing his Post made three Battallions advance to sustain those that were Before he could post them his Men being press'd by the Prince of Conde retir'd to Fay a Village that stood close by them fortify'd with a Castle and a Church and surrounded with Hedges The Prince of Conde who had no longer any regard for his Men without minding the Losses he had sustain'd in the two preceding Actions order'd Foâ—ces to march that way and having met the three Battalions we have mention'd that had not yet joyn'd the others he put them to flight The next thing was to force the Prince of Orange out of Fay but that did not prove easieâ— that Prince who gave so many proofs of Bravery and Prudence in that occasion being cover'd on oâ—e side by a Marsh and on the other by a Wood which he had lin'd with Infantry But as nothing appear'd impossible to the Prince of Conde hâ— sent the Duke of Luxemburg towards the Wood while he undertook to force the Village with his bâ—st Forces but he met with a brave Resistance oâ— all sides The Duke of Luxemburg was forc'd to retire with the loss of his best Officers and Souldiers and the reason why the Prince did not do the same was that he was resolv'd to overcome at any rate to make Attonement for the loss of so many brave Men he had expos'd without any necessity The remainder of the Officers seeing the first Prince of the Blood expos'd to the utmost Pâ—rils resolv'd to share them with him Never did People expose themselves with more fury noâ— ever was a braver Resistance made The â—â—ench being repuls'd every where made new Efforâ—s 〈◊〉 drove two Battallions of Infantry into a 〈◊〉 which they had posted themselves and charg'd through the Squadrons that sustain'd them but they lost so many Men in that Action that they had no reason to boast of the Advantages they had obtain This dreadful Combat lasted eight Hours by Day-light and two Hours by the Light of the Moon which did set to the extream Grief of the two Generals The Prince of Orange while this Action lasted gave all necessary Orders with an admirable Prudence He neglected no Advantage he could improve and charg'd the French several times at the Head of his Squadrons with that Bravery and Courage he has demonstrated in so many occasions He oppos'd his own Men that were defeated and feâ—â— upon him as well as his Enemies who pursu'd their Victory with great vigour and remain'd engag'd for above six Hours during the greatest heat of the Combat until he was forc'd away by the Runaways He rally'd them several times and charg'd with them afresh In fine he expos'd himself as well as the Prince of Conde to more dangers than the meanest Souldier insomuch that Count de Souches in one of his Letters to the States-General upon that Subject declar'd That during all the time of the Combat that Prince had shown the Conduct of an old General and the Valour of a Caesar â— His Allies and Friends in giving him the Praises and Glory he deserv'd did no more than his very Enemies allow'd They said that the Prince of Conde had multiply'd himself during the Combat and that he had met the Prince of Orange every where But the greatest Testimony he receiv'd of it and that which was most glorious was that which the Prince of Conde gave himself who speaking of that great Monarch said That he had behav'd himself in every thing like an old Captain excepting only his exposinâ— himself to too many dangers wherein he had 〈◊〉 like a young man Nevertheless the Prince of Conde as old as he wasâ— had committed the same fault For as we have already noted he expos'd himself that day as much as the youngest man in the Army when he perceiv'd that the Battel grew bloody and that all was at stake so uncertain the Success did appear The Combat was obstinate on both sides and the two Generals expos'd themselves to that degree that it was evident they had much rather dye than lose the Battel The number of the two Armies being pretty equal at the beginning of the Battel it was computed that the number of the Slain proved also partly equal on both sides and that about 15 or 16000 men had been killed but the French lost more Officers than the Confederates Night having parted the two Armies rather 〈◊〉 the Weariness or Weakness of the Combatâ—â—â—â—â—s the French retir'd to their Camp and two â—â—urs after the Prince of Orange repaird to that which he had design'd for his Army the day beâ—â—reâ— The Confederates pretended the Victoryâ— becauâ—e they remain'd Masters of the Field of Battel and theâ— French challeng'd it by reason that they took a greater number of Prisoners and Standards But without deciding who had the Honour of the Day we may say that the Prince of Orange goâ— a great Victory in not being vanquish'd by the Prince of Conde and the Prince of Conde's Glory 〈◊〉 as greatâ— in not being oveâ—come by the Prince oâ— Orâ—nge After the two Armies had refresh'd themselves and had repair'd as much as they could the Damages they had sustain'd in that bloody Battel they â—â—arched into the Field again and kept the World in expâ—â—tation of a second Engagement before the end of the Campaign The Prince
remained in his Camp insomuch that Montecuculi thought of nothing farther than to fortifie himself in Alsatia where he made some small Conquests However in order â—o raise some Jealousie in the Prince of Conde he caused Savernâ— to be besieged but the Prince was no wise moved at it knowing that the place was very well fortified and that the Governor would make a brave Defence And indeed they were oblig'd to raise the Siege The Marquess of Bade Dourlak who commanded the Siege after the raising of it march'd into the Country of Brisgaw which obliged 4000 Horse the Prince of Conde had sent thither to make a Diversion to reâ—ire to the main Army Thus ended the Campaign of 1675. in Germany and all those of the Prince of Conde The loss of Monsieur de Turenne was exceeding sensible to the King of France for several Reasons But had it only been for the Good of the Kingdom he could never regret that General too much And indeed there were so few persons capable of filling up his place that when the King had examin'd iâ— he could hardly fix upon one among all the Princes and Marshals of France The Prince of Conde was generally the only man whose Valour and Merit was known to every body but Mons. de Louvois was not his Friend and the King did nothing without the Advice of that Minister No body can imagine what reason Mons. de Louvoiâ— had to complain of the Prince but yet it is most certain that he did not love him and that he disswaded the King as much as in him lay from giving him the Command of the Army in Germany He acknowledged indeed that the Prince of Conde was one of the greatest Capâ—ains of the Age and that no body could deny him a Glory he had acquir'd by an infinite number of Battels he had won but at the same time he said that he was too fiery and too undertaking that it was evident by the Battel of Senefâ— that he preferred his own Glory to the Good of the Kingdom that a wiser General would have gain'd an entire Victory and preserved those Forces which he lost by his own Fault after the first Advantages he had obtain'd over the Enemies and that he durst not answer that that Prince was as well affected as he had promis'd to beâ— when he made his Peace with his Maâ—esty Whatever Monsieur de Louvois could say to oblige the King not to give the Command of his Army to the Prince of Conde that Monarch was so well perswaded of his Capacity Prudence and Gallantry as well as of the Fidelity he had proâ—isâ—d him that at that time he had no regard to hâ—â— Ministers Remonstrances But the Prince deâ—â—red himself of that Command which was offered him by the Conditions he would make with tâ—e King He desired the Duke d' Enguiâ—is might â—â—â—mand the Army jointly with him promising â—â—at he should do nothing without his Order and thaâ— it was only to have the satisfaction to see his Son whom he lov'd entirely in a condition to acquire Glory But the King who had no great â—indness for the Duke d' Enguiris being moreover of a temper to bestow his Favours freely without compulsion would not hearken to that Proposition Insomuch that the Marquess of Luovois taking the advantage of that Conjuncture propos'd the Duke of Luxemburg who was accepted that very moment As soon as the Duke of Luxemburg had receiv'd his Orders he went away for Alsatia which was the Rendezvous of the Army which had never been so â—ine nor so numerous But all the Officers soon found that the King had given him an Employment he was not capable of and that the Prince of Conde was the only man fit to discharge that Command with Honour in that conjuncture of Affairs The Proof of this soon appear'd when the Duâ—e of Lorrain besieg'd Philipsburg That Place hâ—ld out four months and yet the Duke of Lâ—xembâ—rg was not in a Condition to relieve it tho' at the head of an Army of 50000 men The King was vâ—ry much troubled when the news of the taking of that place was brought him that he had not sent the Prince of Conde to command in Germany but there was no Remedy However he ask'd him what should have been done to save that place Sir answer'd the Prince the Duke of Luxemburg should have hinder'd the Duke of Lorrain from besieging it and since â—e â—ad committed that fault he should have ventur'd the Army and have gone to force the Enemy in his Retrenchments to the hazard of a thousand lives if he had had as many That was the only way Altho' the War continued and that with all the Vigour imaginable Conferences were held at Nimnegen for a Peace the which was concluded in the manner every body knows MEMOIRS OF THE Prince of Conde BOOK VII AFter the Peace of Nimwegen the Prince of Conde resolv'd to desire the King's Leave to retire to Chantilly He told the King in a submissive respectful manner That his Age and Indispositions oblig'd him to entreat his Majesty to consent to that Retirement The King having granted it the Prince quitted the Court and repaired to that House there to lead a private life Divers Reasonings were us'd upon the Motives that had induc'd so great a Prince to lead a life so contrary to his Rank in a Country House Some imagin'd that his Indispositions had put him upon that Resolution and that it had made him apprehensive not only that his Health would still be more impair'd in the Agitations of the Court but also that as it might hinder him from making his Court to the King regularly his Majesty miâ—ht impute that sometimes to a want of Consideration and Respect which only proceeded from Infirmity Others conceiving no other Idea's of the motives of that Hero's Retreat but such as were noble and sublime said That after having acquir'd so so much Glory in Motion and in Action he was willing to acquire a new sort of Glory in Rest and Solitude That after so many Battels and the tumult of Arms he was desirous to taste those peaceable Virtues and that qâ—iet Glory that is neither â—o be shar'd with the Souldiers nor with Fortune in which all is charming and nothing dazzles which is beheld without being troubled with the sound of Trumpets or with the noise of Guns nor by the Cries of the Wounded in which a Hero reduc'd to himself and possessing himself appears as great and is as much respected as when he commands Armies when all moves at his nod when he combats and gains Victories Others alledg'd that the Prince of Conde receiv'd from time to time at Court Malifications from the Kingâ— who remembring what he had done formerly gave him sometimes marks of a secret Resentment and of an Aversion that had never been absoluâ—ely remov'd That the Prince of Conde being very sensible of it had wisely resolv'd to remove an
The Spanish Infantry was quite Ruin'd terrour and dread had seiz'd the Enemies Forces the greatest part of the Cities of â—landers were in no Condition to hold out long and a General might do what ere he pleasd with good Success and the Duke of Orleance had taken upon himself to manage the War in those Parts In Germany the Service was not so easie for after the Duke of Enguien had led a Reinforcement thither the Marshal de Guebriant was Slain before Rowil and the Army had no other Chieftains but Ranzan and Roze Ranzan was a Person of great Courage and Wit he was also endâ—'d with a certain Natural Eloquence which was very perswasive in Councils of War and which drew others to be of his Opinion but his Conduct did not always answer his Elegant Discourses for Wine causd him to commit great Errors and many times put him out of being in a Condition to Command He had Quarter'd the Foot at Tutlinghen without taking any Care to prevent their being Surprizd and he had embroyl'd himself with all the German Princes So that the Bavarians and Lorrainers fell upon him before he had the least Intelligence of their March and Iohn de Wert having enforc'd him to Surrender with all his Men all the Officers were Prisoners of War The German Cavalry being dispiers'd into several Parts retir'd toward Brisack under the Command of Raze and took up their Winter Quarters in Lorrain and Alsatia As soon as the News of this arriv'd at Court Turenne had Orders to rally together the shatter'd Remnants of that Army and take upon him the Command of it and he spent all the Winter in bringing it into better Order but notwithstanding all his Care it was not in a Condition to oppose the Bavarians whose Army was become more Numerous after Ranzan's Defeat Mercy therefore who commanded it seeing himself Master of the Field invested Friburgh which was not in a Condition to hold out a long Siege The Duke of Enguien had Intelligence of it at Amblemont near Mouzon and receiv'd Orders from the Court to joyn the German Army and endeavour the Relief of the Town To that purpose he March'd the 20 tith of Iuly to Mets where his Forces past the Moselle and left their heavy Baggage Which done in thirteen Days he marchd threescore Leagues and came to Brisack with Six thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse By the way the Prince understood that Friburgh was Surrender'd to the Bavarians that Turenne was Encamp'd not far from em and that Mercy made no shew of having any design to change his Station Upon this Advice he March'd toward Tâ—renne with Marshal Grammont and gave Orders to Martin to cross the Rhine at Brisack with the Army which he did the 13 th of August The Duke stayâ—d no longer in Turenne's Camp then to observe the Post where the Bavarians lay and to consider where to attack ' em So that he returnd to his Army the same day that it crossâ—d the Rhine and the next day he March'd to put in Execution the Enterprize which he and Turâ—nne had consulted and contriv'd together Friburgh is Seated at the Fort of the Mountains of the Black Forest. They enlarge and open themselves in this part of the Country in the Form of a Crescent and in the middle of this space you may discover near to Friburg a Plain bounded on the Right Hand by very high Mountains and surrounded on the Left by a Boggy Wood. This Plain is watered with a Râ—volet which glides along by the Wood and afterwards falls upon the Left of Friburgh into the Hollow of a Narrow Valleyâ— interâ—nt with Woods and Marshes They that Travel from Brisack cannot enter into this Plain but through narrow Lanes and close Passes at the Foot of a Mountain almost inaccessible which commands it on every side and the other ways that lead into it are much more difficult Merâ—y was Posted in a place thus Advantageous and in regard he was one of the greatest Captains of his time he had omitted nothing to make the best of the Situation His Army consisted of Eight thousand Foot and Six thousand Horse He had extended his Camp all along the Rivolet but besides that Defence and the Advantage of the Woods and Boggs he had fortifi'd it toward the Plain with a large Entrenchment Nor was there any way to get at him but by the road that leads from Brisack to Friburgh and by consequence there was a necessity of passing by the Foot of that Mountain which defended the best part of his men And for that reason this great General had employ'd all his Industry to secure that part of his Camp from being forc'd Upon the sloping of the Mountain toward the Plain he had rais'd a Fort with Pallisadoes wherein he had put Six hundred Men together with his Artillery by which means he assur'd himself of that part of the Mountain which was most easie of Access From thence he carry'd on a Line a long a Wood of Firr-Trees still ascending to the top where it was impossible to be past This Line was defended by Redoubts at the distance of two hundred Paces one from the other and to give those that design'd to molest him still more trouble he had laid all the whole length of the Line a great Number of Fir-Trees the Branches of which were half cut and inter-twisted one within another and were as Effectual for the same use as Friesland Horses Between this Mountain which the French Army met with upon the Right Hand and another that lay nearer Friburgh there was a Hollowness which gave entrance into the Bavarian Camp but to come at it there was a necessity of going a great way about and to pass through Places which had never been view'd This part was naturally fortifi'd by a large and deep Innundation of Water and Mercy thought it sufficient to cut down a great number of Trees and lay athwart that Inundation In short never was an Army Encamp'd in a stronger Situation and better Entrenchd Nevertheless the Duke of Enguien was resolv'd to drive Mercy out of it and he prepar'd for his Attack in this manner He march'd with all his Army against the Line at the top of the Mountain that ran along the Wood of Firr-Trees leaving the Fort upon the Left hand and making it his sole business to carry the Redoubts that defended it to the end that having gain'd the top which commanded all the rest he might make himself Master of the Fort and so descend in Battel Array into the Bavarian Camp Turenne was to make his Onset where the Trees lay that defended the Vally and provided that both Onsets were made at the same time there was great Hopes that the Enemy being busied in two Places at once would be hard put to it to defend themselves and that if they should happen to be forc'd on that side next the Water the Duke coming down from the High