down with a pleasant taste our lodging was in the Stables Thursday Aug. 1. We remained still in this place our Guards had determined to stay all this day to give us a day of rest In the morning they gave us each man a souse Loaf and at night just such a Supper as we had last night of such Flesh and Pottage so after Supper we were put up close into the Stables and a Guard kept at the door Friday 2. Early in the morning we made ready being soon drest to march receiving every man a souse Loaf before for breakfast and dinner so away we march'd for a Town call'd Egreville distant from Nants 12 Mile as we were upon the Road this day many of us suffered great drought for want of water the Road being very dusty neither did we pass by any Spring or Wells upon the Road when we came into the Village call'd Egreville we were put into two Stables and there we were served with Bread and as for Drink we had no other than what the Well afforded after our Supper was ended we were put up into the Stables to sleep this afternoon four of our men had contracted to run away if any opportunity presented the which thing they did accomplish this night Saturday 3. About six in the morning we were call'd out and counted as was their constant custome they mist four men then they began to count over again and so they did at least six times but when they found that four of our men had deserted themselves you would admire to hear how Jack French-man began to swear and to abuse all the rest Immediately Horses and Men were sent in pursuit several ways but none of them could have any intelligence of them in the mean time we were all carried into a close Barn and a Guard set over us all day about night our Guard a Marine came back and taking his Roll of our names call'd us over two by two and as they came out of the Barn they were sorely drubb'd until such time that he was quite weary and not able to drub more withal commanded them to tell where the four men were which had deserted themselves but alas no man was able of us to give that account for I believe poor men they did not know well themselves where they were But as for our parts we were all hand-cuft again and because they had lost some of their handcuffs they bound many of our men with Cords so away we were carried to the place where we lay last night having a great Guard over us all night giving us nothing but Bread and Water this day Sund. 4. Early in the morning we march'd out of this Town into a small Town whose name I have lost in this Town we were conducted to a close yard where we were served our Dinners which was brown bread and water after we din'd away we march'd to a Town which was distant from Egreville twelve miles call'd St. Saravan now the weather being very Rainy we went no farther than this Town but lodged all night in a Stable our supper was such as our Dinner bread and water so here we were well guarded all night by the Inhabitants of the place Monday 5. Early in the morning we were served with bread and water so away we march'd twenty miles to a Town call'd St. Vincean the Road very good but by reason of the dustiness of the Road and the want of water we suffered great drought when we came into Town we were drove into a great Inn in which was a great square Yard here they served us our Supper brown bread and water but here they gave us each man a small bit of Butter I am sure the Pot would not hold six pound that served two hundred the quantity and goodness were both alike for it had many colours and very nasty stuff not but that there is good Butter to be had here and enough After we had supp'd we went into the Stables to sleep where our Lodging was on the dung having very little or no Litter under us the House was also well guarded by the Inhabitants Tuesday 6. Early in the morning we made ready to march eating our Breakfast and Dinner both under one before we came forth which was brown Bread and VVater by the strength of which we were to march Twenty Miles before we were to eat any more In this Town several of the Towns-people came to me and very kindly asked me how I did and would if it had been possible have persuaded me that I was a French-man and born in this Village and therefore desir'd me to speak my Native Tongue to them they did not stick to swear that I was born here unto our Guards From hence we marched Twenty Miles to a Village called St. Jacque when we came into this Town we saw our Guard a Marine who left us at Egreville in pursuit of the four Men that deserted He told us that he had taken them and withal told us that he had beat them so long that he had broke three Sticks over their Backs which we after knew to be false for he pretended he had sent them to Rochefort before us which when we came there we found there was no such Men. In this Town they put us all into an empty House where our Lodging was on the bare Floor At our entrance into the Town they rang their Bells to larm the People who by the quantity that appeared would have gave a Man to think that there had lately been some Contagion that had swept all or most all away so few did the People appear Our Supper was here Bread and each Man a Glass of Wine and Water so after Supper was done we lay down to Sleep but were prevented by their beating a Drum at the Door all Night and so like to Negroes they beat and made a noise as if they had been the same The chief Man in this place was upon the Guard to Night and his Accoutrements were such that for want of a belt for his Sword he was forc'd to make it fast to him with a piece of an old Halter and this Man our Guard told me was the Mayor of the place Wednesday 7. About Noon we march'd out of this Town but before we went out of the Town we expected we should have some Food some of our Men asked the Guard a Marine if he would give us any Food for he told him our People were not able to March without he presently fell to whipping him with his whip and told them they should have none until Night So away we march'd twelve Miles to a Village call'd Shearone we cross'd over a River just by this Town in a Ferry-boat at twice all of us and when we came into the Town we were put some into a Barn and the rest into Stables very well Litter'd our Supper was here a piece of brown Bread and about half an Ounce of
a Blow over the back Thus are the People of this Country plagued by their King who Tarquin-like studies Torments for the Men Gallies and for the Women the new River so that he comes but little short of a Plague to all Mankind within his Verge About eight at Night we came into our Lodging where we found our Stables well littered with Straw but I suppose it was not done for us but for the Souldiers which past by here lately for the Straw was very louzy Our Supper was a small Loaf of six Deniers price and about half an Ounce of Cheese like the former and a Cup of sad Beverage With this and such like was our Fare very seldom exceeding the price of two pence half penny a day Tuesday 22. Before it was day we began our March every Man receiving a half penny Loaf as he past out of the Stables away we marched three Leagues to a Town called Porsarick we no sooner entred the Town but we were conducted into a large Stable where with our Loaf that was given us in the Morning and half an Ounce of Cheese and a Cup of Beverage we made up our Dinner Our Men this Afternoon began to be disturbed at their short Feeding they did protest to the Guards that served us they would go no farther neither were they able except they gave us more Food The Guards go and tell the Provost that the Prisoners would not march without more Victuals Presently in comes the Provost with some of the rest with Swords drawn and Pistols cock'd swearing he would be the Death of that Man that did but refuse to march up stands two Men and desired to be heard by the way of an Interpreter he seeing two Men speak he immediately cuts one of them over the Head and the other he takes away and commanded to be pinion'd So in fine both of them were pinioned and made fast to the Carts Arse and after this be began to display his Sword over the back of all near him I my self was one of the two that was made fast to the Carts Arse and Henry Robinson the other he had his Head cut and I was made fast with my back towards the Cart so close that I could not turn my Face but was forc'd to follow the Cart backwards and with the sudden fall of the Cart into Holes I thought verily with the Jerks it would at once have broken both my Arms and Back Moreover my Arms were pinioned so straight that my Veins in my Hand were ready to burst for the space of a League was I forced to walk backwards until we came to a small Town called Marcheletto When we came to the Town they loosed both me and the other Man so we were all put into a Stable sick and well together and for our Supper they gave us about an Ounce and half of brown Bread and that was the most of it with a Cup of Beverage and they pretended they could get no more but this was all great Lies for when they came to never so plentiful a place it did not much differ In this Stable was a door that opened into a Wine-Cellar which our Men found a way to open and so went in and filled all their Pots and Jars and had they not been discovered by chance by a Woman that came and catch'd a Man at it without doubt they had made clear work Wednesday 23. Before the Sun rising we began our March our sick and lame were put into two Carts but to those that were the most helpless the Beasts would lay them on stoutly in their getting up into the Cart. From hence we marched two Leagues to a Town called Traevis in which Town we were put into a Stable where we were served our Dinner a small Loaf and about half an Ounce of Cheese like the former with a Cup of musty Beverage far worse than Water From hence we marched one League farther to the Town of Carkasona And from thence we marched two Leagues farther to a Village called Villa Sancto in which Village we were put into a most loathsom stinking Stable Our Supper was a Piece of Bread and one Onion a Man and a Cup of sad Beverage so here we slept like so many Hogs in this stinking place At Night we were shut up so close that not one Man could go out to ease himself whatsoever Necessity he had this Priviledg we were not denied ever since we came from Toulon until now I suppose it was out of Revenge for yesterdays work at Porsarick in denying to march Thursday 24. About Eight this Morning we began our march according to our usual manner without Eating or Drinking Our Sick were put into two Carts many of them now almost famished with Hunger Away we marched towards Villa Picta two Leagues distant Upon the Road we met with a Flock of Sheep and so our Men managed their Business that they singled one Sheep from the rest and hove a Rug upon him and carried him away undiscovered both from the Shepherd and our Guards In our way also we met several fine Troops of Horse going towards Beasias When we came into Town we were put into a Stable and so well our Men managed their Mutton that it was not discovered tho the Men were told in one by one Now when they had the Sheep safely in they soon kill'd it and buried the Intrals in the Litter and so cut it into Quarters and shared it amongst those that were of the Cabal Our Dinner here was a piece of Bread and a cup of Beverage So away we marched three Leagues farther to a Town called Castlelador when we came into this Town it was so full of Souldiers that there were no quarters to be had so that after we had sat down on the Ground for the space of an Hour in the cold they got an order to put us into an Hospital without the Town Those Men of ours that were sick lay upon Beds here but as for the rest they lay on the cold Stones Our Supper here was a piece of Bread and two Sirdinasses with a Cup of Beverage a Man Our Men got some part of the Sheep drest here with several Pullets they pick'd up on the Road so the Broath they distributed amongst our poor sick Men. After we had supped we laid us down to sleep but were not able to lie long so up we got and walked about most part of the Night to keep our selves warm Mr. George Winshuft was a dying all this Night Friday 25. About eight this Morning we began to march every Man receiving half a Souse Loaf As we came out our sick Men we put into two Carts This Morning died Mr. George Winshuft as soon as he was put into the Cart. Away we marched three Leagues to a Village call'd Vinunut here we dined our Dinner was a Cup of very good Wine which was so extream cheap and no bad Wine to be had that they were in
trouble and weariness of Body when these things were collected together my right-hand being chained in which I held my Pen for thirty seven days together When all these things are considered rightly it will render me the more excusable Yet I have this to say Although it is not put into a lofty Stile as might have been done by another Man yet I am sure that what is in it is so true that it is able to contend with Truth it self and therefore I hope that Truth is not to be despised although she be but in a plain Dress I shall therefore desire you to take this notice as you read for your better understanding of some particulars which is not known to every Man The Sirdena signifies a small Fish a little bigger than a Sprat and as for Beverage that is meant Vinegar and Water or Wine and Water Denires is also spoken of very often which is the small Money of that Country of which Twelve makes one Souse or Penny English So wishing you more pleasure in the reading than I had in the writing I take my leave and subscribe my self Yours in all Love Richard Strutton Deptford 〈◊〉 June 21. 1690. A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE Cruelties and Barbarities OF THE FRENCH UPON THE ENGLISH Prisoners of WAR c. June 8. 1689. I Then being come from the Canaries in the Ship Merry Frigat Emanuel Dart Commander right off Portland we met a Privateer of St. Malo after what resistance we could well make many of our Men not shewing themselves so valiant as did become English-Men but on the contrary ran down into the Hold and left the Commander with only Three more to fight this Privateer which thing we did to our utmost endeavour killing them several Men Our Commander being dangerously wounded in the Shoulder and the Gunner shot in the Leg we were at last forced to yield to merciless Men who after we were taken treated us like themselves by striping us almost quite naked and wounding several of the Men. The Eleventh of this Month they put us ashore into the Prison of St. Malo the wounded were sent to their Hospital In this same filthy Prison we remain'd until the 25th of July and then they sent about 180 of us to Rochfort July 25. 1689. die Jovis About Ten in the morning came the Guard a Marine with his Company for to take us out of the Prison of Dinan he having a Roll of our Names call'd us over two by two and drove us into an Apartment where we were Hand-cuff'd two and two together with Hand-cuffs made of Leather and so lock'd with a small Padlock That being in this manner done to us all we Marched out of the Castle into the Town where we found a Hundred or more of our English which were the same day brought from St. Maloâ— all in the same order Handcuff'd two and two we no sooner met but away we marched towards Rochfort in a most miserable condition some almost naked and many barefoot and bare-legg'd in this manner we marched from Dinan to a Village call'd Bechereal fourteen Miles distant in this place they gave us that Victuals for Supper which we were to have had for Dinner in Dinan As for our Liquor it was Water so here we slept in the Stables and in Barns and many were forc'd to sleep in the open Yard in some Hay that lay there Friday 26. In the morning before we set forth several of our Men that were naked almost Spun Hay Ropes and so wrapped them about their Bodies Legs and Arms to keep them from the cold by night The Handcuffs galling the mens Hands were loosed many of them upon promise of their walking quietly and orderly and the scorching of the Sun by day after they had given us a small bit of Bread and Butter away we marched towards the City of Rhemes Nineteen Miles distant as we were on the way several of our Men fell lame and could not travel then were they forced to hire Carts for them By the way we saw two Country-men at work in the Field whom the Guard a Marine commanded to fetch their Horses to draw the Carts the two Men seeing the Belt by which he commanded ran away they being in the Fields and an high Bank between them thought to get clear of them but one of them dismounted and ran after them and so brought them into the Road where the Guard a Marine drub'd them so long that I believe he gave them at least Fifty blows so that I saw the Piss run out of the Knees of the Breeches of one of them and when that was done he made each of them down on their Knees and of them take a good lusty heavy Lad and carry him upon his back at least a Mâ—le When we came into the City we were brought into a close Yard belonging to an Inn where we were served with Bread and Water and our Lodging was in the Stables and many lay in the open yard for want of room The savage people many of them kept heaving of Stones over the Walls at us and those Soldiers that kept Guard over us would not let us sleep but kept singing of Songs all night about the Prince of Orange Saturday 27. About Nine in the morning they gave us our breakfast which was the Broath of the Meat they boiled this morning After our Drivers had bought them all new Whips to drive us along we began our March Marching through Two Companies of Soldiers who made a Lane for us and beat the Drum we Marched about Nine Miles until we came to a lone House where was a Well under a Hedge by the which we sat down and eat our Dinner which was but very small that done away we Marched Nine Miles farther to a Town called Polonia When we came near any Town then our Drivers would begin to smack their Whips and upon the least occasion in the World whip us too if we did not keep in even Ranks to very great exactness so that Lashes was dealt amongst us very plentifully insomuch that one of them which took great delight in this Exercise of Whipping we nicknamed Whipping Tom. When we came into the Village of Polonia the people appear'd very few so that immediately the Town was alarm'd by Ringing of the Church-Bells according to the manner of an Alarm then soon into the place where we were came all the people which lived within the noise of the Bells but truly Nine parts in Ten of the people that we saw was of the Female Sex and Children Inever saw a Country so thin of Men before which was contrary to what I did expect for it was usual in England to hear people speak much of the popularity of France When they had served us our Supper which was a piece of Black Bread and Water they put us some into a Stable and the rest into an empty House where we lay on the Brick-Floor the Country-people being
all in Arms to Guard us both within doors and without Sunday 28. Early in the morning we were carried out of our Lodgings into the streets where we all sate down on the ground Ten and Ten together for such were our Messes Now they served us our Breakfast and Dinner together which was Broth cut pretty thick with black course Bread which was so four that the major part of our Men thought they had put Vinegar into it until by the taste of the Bread by it self it was discerned The Meat that little there was they also gave us which was not considerable our Drink was Water When we had thus eaten away we marched nine miles to a Town called Beant Just as we came into this Town the People were all going to Mass so that we had a full sight of the major part of the people of this place which were but few in respect to the largeness of the Town and of those the most were Women and Priests Here our Guards made us sit down all on a row in the middle of the streets and so they commanded the Country-people with their Pails and Buckets to fetch us Water to drink After we had all drank away we marched nine miles farther to a Market-Town called Dervalle When we came into this Town we were ranged along the street for the people to behold us which were not many and of them the major part were Women and Children After this was over that the people began to return to their Houses being satisfied with the fight of so many English which I presume to think they never saw before they put us into two Stables and there served us a Supper a piece of brown or rather black Bread and a Cup of Water for each Man This black Bread was not given to us for the want of any better to be had for this Country aboundeth with plenty of good Corn such as Wheat Rye Barley c. but because they would not go to the Price of it although it was very cheap When we had supp'd we went to sleep on the Horse-dung not having so much as a little Litter to cover it Monday 29. Early in the morning we were ready to march each Man getting a Cup of Water but that was all so away we marched seven miles to a large Town called Nesce Now because there was not a Town upon the Road within less than twenty miles we continued here all day in an Inn whose Yard and Stables did contain us all They gave us here for our Dinner about an Ounce of Meat per Man with the Pottage it was boil'd in and at night they gave each Man a piece of brown Bread Water was brought in to us in a great Kettle so that we had enough of that and that was all our Drink At night we were put up close into Stables Weather fair and were guarded by the Country-people who brought their Arms along with them such as wooden Pitchforks some Hedging-bills and here and there one of the best of them had a Gun to some of them our Guards gave their Pistols and Carbines but alas many of them knew no more what to do with them than those that never saw one in their lives I saw one looking upon his Pistol holding the Muzzle in his hand and with the other hand he was tampering with the Lock I stood looking on him a good while thinking by and by to see the foolish Dog shoot himself and so he had if he had not been prevented by one of his Brother-Clowns who came to him and told him the danger of holding the Pistol in that manner and so shew'd him which end he should hold in his hand Another of them in the night I saw take the Candle and because it did not burn bright he was knocking the Candle into the Muzzle of his Carbine which if Fortune had not certainly favoured Fools he had without doubt shot himself Here our Lodgings were in two Stables indifferent well littered with Straw Tursday 30. Early in the morning we marched out of this Town the weather being fair and clear we marched twelve miles to a single House which was an Inn upon the Road. Here we dined we had here Meat and Pottage a pretty considerable quantity but no other Drink but Water When we had dined we marched eight miles farther to a small Village called Treverah When we came thither there was no Lodging to be had for us nor any thing else so here they got some of their Country brown Bread and gave every Man a bit and also they gave a Pot of Wine of about three English Pints amongst ten Men so we were all forced to lie down on the cold ground in this open Field having nothing over head saving the Heavens only whose Spangled Suburbs entertain'd our eyes for the most part of the night Here they also alarm'd this place that all the Country Boors came in with their Pitchforks and Bills to guard us Wednesday 31. By the rising of the Sun we began to March towards Nants which was distant ten Miles when we begun to come near the Town of Nants they began to exercise their Whips upon every loose occasion he that chanced but to stir out of the Ranks was sure to be lashed if any of the Guards were near them so that with their continual Whipping they had whipt all their new Whips to pieces that they bought at Reens and so here they bought more new Whips When we had past through great part of the Town we were brought to an Inn in the which place we were kept backwards in the Yards here they gave us each Man a penny Loaf of good white Bread and as for Water it was brought in by a Horse in Burreco's because the Water in the Inn was not fit to drink Here many People came to see us but none were admitted except they were known to be such as was like their Grand Master It happened that there was a Gentleman came into this Inn to drink which went up into an upper Room on purpose to speak to us out of the window but as soon as he was heard to speak English he was immediately hurried out of the House and withal threatned to be put in prison our Drivers had for a long time promised to us That as soon as we came for Nants they would give us a Hogshead of Wine but instead of giving a Hogshead they stop the Money that a Gentleman gave us enough to buy a Hogshead and then they gave a grand pot of sad sorry Wine betwixt ten men which was not above each man a glass towards night they went into the Market and bought up a great great deal of the Refuge Flesh in the Market such as Sheepsheads Bullocks Livers and Lights and the like so that for our Supper we had about an ounce and 2 1 per man with the Pottage this stuff was boil'd in our want made any thing to go
Butter per Man and our Drink was water Now we being near the Sea-side they were very fearful we should make our Escapes in some of their Burtoons which lay in sight for the preventing of which they got at least 30 Men very well arm'd with Firelocks to guard us all Night Thursday 8. Early in the Morning we began to march toward Rochel which was distant twelve Miles within six Miles of Rochel was a Town in the which they gave us Bread and several heads of Garlick which they heaved into the road amongst us to make us scramble in the dirt for it here they took off all our Mens handcuffs and loosed them because they should not be seen in that manner in the Town of Rochel About three in the afternoon we came into the Town of Rochel where we saw many of their Soldiers at work with other Artificers in building of Mud-walls and digging of Moats and laying out several Lines of Fortification As we passed by the Soldiers they left off their work and came running at us open-mouth'd calling us what ugly names they could and withal railing against the Prince of Orange most desperately until such time that their Officers came and drubb'd them to their work VVhen we got into the City we heard many of the people speak good English giving us their prayers to God for our Deliverance and all that could well come near us privately gave us their Charity VVhen they brought us to a round Tower next the water-side we sate down in the Street for the space of half an hour in the which time the good people of the place brought us a great quantity of pure white Bread and would have given us many things else but were hindred by those Rogues that guarded us After the half-hour stop as aforesaid we were all put into this round Tower Our Guards here gave us nothing to eat or to drink but the good people of this place got leave of the Men that belonged to the Town that guarded us to come in and relieve us and so they did for they brought us white Bread and Butter enough and a sufficient quantity of good VVine At night we lay all down to sleep on the cold Stones Friday 9. About Eight in the Morning we were brought out of this Tower and as we past along the Streets the People gave us their Charity Towards the further part of the Town we were ordered to sit down in the Street where we were served our Breakfast viz a six Denire Loaf and one Sirdena per Man that done away we marched towards Rochefort being distant Fifteen Miles some call it Twenty one Miles but by the way at a single Inn about half way between Rochel and Rochefort we sat down and were served with Bread and Water from hence we marched to Rochefort about Seven in the Evening we entred into the Town and so were carried to the Prison there we found about 200 of Dutch-Men which were seized upon and stopt at Bourdeaux This Prison of Rochefort is I believe as fine a Prison as any is in Europe for without doubt it was not designed for a Prison for the Rooms were very neatly laid out with very fine Chimneys and curious Glass Lash-lights It is said those Houses were built for the King's Officers to live in within the Gates of the Prison was a large Square Court which did not contain less than 140 Square Perches and all over-grown with Grass In this place when we came in we sat down on the ground and to every Seven Men we had a Loaf given and a Can of pretty good Wine after we had Eat and Drank we went into the Prison where we lay on the Floor The Dutch-men that were there before had Beds to lye on in very good order neither were they bare of Cloaths as we were by reason they had liberty to save both Cloaths and Money being only stopt and seized in the River of Bourdeaux and Sherant Saturday 10. About Ten in the Morning the Clerk came in and took our Names with the Ships Names we were taken in after which we Mest our selves seven and seven together Four days in the week they gave us Meat but it was but very little and at night Beans The other three days we had Fish but the quantity did not exceed an Ounce per Man and those nights we had Pease Three times a day we were served Wine about half a Pint per Man for a Meal and the VVine not much to be found fault with As for Bread we had about six Pound per day for seven Men. Every thing now was ten times better than it was when we came from Thoulon Our Lodging was on the Floor for the most part of us Saturday 17. Very near 200 more English-men were brought hither from Brest who came all the way in Irons They told us they far'd very well upon the Road in respect to us About thirty came also from Port-Lewis presently after Amongst those that came from Brest were two of those Men that deserted themselves from us at Egreville They told me They had been down at Penbeef and there lay a Dane they got on board of him but the Dane was so unkind to them he would not carry them out but put them ashoar again and would not entertain them and as they were wandring up and down they knew not which way they chanc'd to cross the Road just as these Men were passing by who came from Brest now because this Provost had lost some of his Men upon the Road he seizeth these two Lads and put them in Irons and brought them hither Friday 23. About Noon this day of English Scots Sweeds and Danes were mustered to the number of 200. and were drawn out of the Prison into a Close opposite to the Prison by twenty Couple together when we came there there was a strong Guard of Soldiers and with them several Smiths having all things for their purpose in readiness so we were forthwith all put into Irons Handcuff'd two and two together and after this was done to make us the more secure to them they made twenty Couple of us fast together by ranging a Rope and fastning it to each pair of Handcuffs giving us about three Foot space just to tread clear of one anothers Heels In this order we were all commanded to sit down in Rank on the Ground that done they gave Shoes to all such as wanted to perform this long Journey after this they gave us our Dinners Bread and Sirdena's with a Cup of sowr Beverage our Dinner being ended we began our march crossing the River of Sherant in the Ferry-boats so away we march to a Town three Leagues distant call'd St. Jan Englae on the outside of which Town was an old Castle and a great Farm adjacent in this Close we were all rang'd in rank on the ground so they served us our Supper which was one Egg and one Sirdena for a Man with
was on the cold Stones but to our sick Men they gave a little Straw too Here being in this Town now a great many Soldiers lying upon free Quarters two of them being Germans came to see us It so happened that we had a German amongst us who was not only one of their Country-men but was also born in the same Town where one of these two Men was born after some mixed ceremony was past between them both of Joy and Sorrow the one for Joy to see the other alive and the other with Sorrow to see his Country man in such a miserable state he asked of his Country-man how he came to be in Arms for the French King he thus replied Out of the desire I have to be in Germany for says he when it is Spring we shall be drawn out to go against the Emperor and then my design is to make my escape home He told his Country-man that when the Imperial Forces lay against Buda that he and several other being Scouts were taken by the Turks and so carried to Constantinople and from thence sent to Smyrna and from thence to Scanderoon and from thence to Grand Cairo and from Grand Cairo they came down to the Sea-side to Imbark for Constantinople but in their way they were happily met and took by a Maltese Gally and so got his freedom Afterwards he came over into Spain and there he listed himself in the Spanish Army and was in the Army when the Spaniards gave the French that Defeat I spoke of before and told us the number of Men in each Army and of the great loss the French had After we had taken our leaves of them both we went and laid down to sleep but what with the coldness of the Stones and of the Weather together we were forc't to walk all Night long to keep our selves warm Thursday 31. Early in the Morning by the break of Day we went aboard the Boats making no stop but as soon as we were all aboard put off so down we went towards Langoon the Morning very cold and foggy when we came opposite to Langoon they served us our Dinner which was a piece of Bread and one Onion with a bit of Pork like the former and a Cup of Beverage making no stop with the Boats at all by that time it was Night we came to a Town on the North-side of the River call'd Poeno Here we came to an Anchor but we remained in the Boat all night in great misery for want of room and by reason of the Cold. Our Supper was a piece of Bread and one Head of Garlick per man The Night was very foggy November Friday the First About eight in the morning it was here high-High-water and presently after we weighed and about eleven of the clock we came down as low as Burdeaux The Boats were brought to an Anchor here a good space off the Shore very near opposite to the middle of the Town They served us our Dinner here which was a small piece of Bread and about an ounce of fat Pork with a Cup of sour Beveridge For all that Wine is so extream cheap here yet could they not afford us any thing else but sour Stuff and the meer Lees and Trash Many People came off in Boats to us but the most part came to scoff at us We were told here That all our English Merchants were gone home that lived here We remained in these Boats until about five in the Afternoon about which time we were put aboard of three Burtoons in order for our Passage to Roan Our Supper was a piece of Bread and one Sirdena per man with Beveridge and our Lodging was on the Stone Ballast some had a little Straw to lie on but very few Saturday 2. This morning we had the Wind Easterly and the Weather fair and this morning died Edward Davis of Boston in New-England About seven of the clock we were under Sail and fell down about three Miles below Blois at the last quarter of the Ebb our Boat ran aground there and there we lay until the first of the Flood The other two Barks kept farther to the Southward and went clear As soon as we fleeted away we stood galing a head upon the Tide about High-water the Wind began to freshen at N.E. so away we went briskly About eleven at night we came down to Roan Our Dinner and Supper were both alike viz. Bread and Beveridge and one Sirdena per man so we remain'd in the Burtoons until morning Sunday 3. In the morning our Guards went ashore to Mass and at their return they gave us our Dinner a piece of Bread and a Sirdena with Beveridge as at other times after we had eat we went ashore the Boats lying dry They had provided two Carts to carry our Sick men which came to the Boat sides The People of this Place are in general poor Fishermen and Pilots and the like but great was their Love and Charity towards us whom they relieved with a bountiful Hand both with Money and Food but when the Rogues our Guard saw it they drubb'd the poor Women for giving and us for receiving for no other reason as I judge but because the People of this Town are known to be the major part Protestants From hence we marched three Leagues to a Town called Ogua in which Town we were lodged some in a Stable and the rest in a Bakehouse Our Lodging was on the cold Ground and our Supper was like our Lodging a piece of brown Bread and one Sirdena per man We that lay in the Bakehouse lay so cold all night that some of our men made a Fire and burnt all the Bakers Tools they could lay hands on Munday 4. This day being the last day that the Rogues our Guard expected to have us under their Jurisdiction they pretended to give us a very good Farewell so they bought a whole Sheep which they boil'd and gave us the Broth amongst us and the Meat they carried with them to the next Town where we were to dine this day Our Sick and Lame being put into two Carts away we marched two Leagues to a Town called St. Jan Anglia the major part of us got into this Town above an hour and half before the Carts came in with the Sick men by reason they were drawn by slow-paced Oxen in the mean time we remain'd in the Market-house where we found such Charity of the Inhabitants as was not expected for they gave us great quantity of Bread and Wine and Butter and such other things as they had in their Houses with a most liberal Hand They told us the Name of this Town was deriv'd from one of our own Country-men which was a Preacher in this Church when there was but one House built besides the Church and now it is a pretty large Town They also told us That for a hundred Years together there did not a Popish Priest preach in their Church They
small brown Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of sad sorry Wine Sunday 27. After our Guards and Provo had been at Mass they gave us our Dinner which was such as our Supper a small brown Loaf and one Egg with a Cup of sad stuff of Wine After we had eat and drank away we march'd four Leagues to a Town call'd Egreville the Way being very good but the Day very calm and hot When we came into this Village we were quarter'd at the same House we were quarter'd at in our passage to Rochfort at the Sign of the three Kings our Lodging was in a Stable our Supper was a small Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of poor Wine Munday 28. About eleven in the Morning we were all served our Dinner a small Loaf with one Egg and a Cup of sowre thick Wine that done away we march'd four long Leagues to the City of Nantes when we came into Town we were put into a close strong Prison where we were most desperately throng'd and our Supper was Bread and Eggs as before with the like Drink as before We heard that the Captain of the Portsmouth was kept here close Prisoner Tuesday 29. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner and Breakfast all under one as they used but now they gave each Man two Eggs and a small Loaf with a Cup of Wine the Morning was rainy and so it continued until about three in the Afternoon yet notwithstanding we march'd seven Leagues through all the Rain so that we were the most part of us as wet as well we could be and at the end of seven Leagues we came to alone Inn where we had very cold entertainment nothing but Bread and Water and very bad Lodging Wednesday 30. About six in the Morning we march'd four Leagues to a Town call'd Nosce where we remain'd all Day we lodged in the very same House we did when we went for Rochfort the Afternoon proving very rainy They gave us here a piece of Bread and a little bit of Butter so we remained in two Stables At Night they gave us the Flesh that they had long promised about a pound for ten Men and that was the most yet Meat was very reasonably cheap in this place they gave us to drink some nasty foul Cyder I should chuse rather to drink Water than it May Thursday the First The Mornin being Rainy we continued here until about ten of the Clock about which time the Weather began to clear up then were we served our Dinner just such a quantity of Meat as before as near as could be guest at with the same sort of Drink From hence we march'd seven Miles to a Town call'd Dervall and there we stopt an Hour or thereabouts and from thence we march'd five Miles to a Town call'd Fushgecea Here was a great Fair of Cattle in this Town and this Day we were carried through the Fair and so put into two Stables our Supper being a small Loaf and one Egg with Water our Lodging on the cold Ground Friday 2. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner a Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of foul nasty Cyder so away we march'd three Leagues to a Town call'd Beant and from thence to a poor Village call'd Polonia one League and a half further the Weather was showry to Day but the Road indifferent good the Land very hilly but all the Hills very fertile our Lodging in this place was very hard lying in an open Barn on the bare Ground the covering of the Barn was quite gone on the one side our Supper was a small Loaf and one Egg and Water for Drink Saturday 3. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner which was a small Loaf and one Egg per Man with Water so away we march'd six Leagues to the City of Reens where we lodged some in an empty Barn and some in Stables Our supper was a piece of Bread and one Egg per Man and Water to drink so we lay many of us like so many Pigs in a Stye Sunday 4. About eight we were served our Dinner viz. a small Loaf and one Egg per Man so away we march'd four Leagues and half to a Village call'd St. Chapell but by the way Three of our Men deserted us After they had given us our Supper which was a small bit of old Irish salt Beef with a Loaf and a little sowr Syder they began to miss those Men by this means we were all call'd out into the Close to be counted and after many times counting they mist Three of their number but good lack what a toss was Jack Provo in and his Hounds swearing and cursing These Men were Two of them Guernsey or Gersey and the other an English Man that they mist after this we went to sleep in the Stables Munday Five About Nine in the Morning they gave each Man about an Ounce of old Irish Beef with about half a Souse worth of Bread From hence we marched six long Leagues to the Town of Denan about Four in the Afternoon we came into the Town where we saw many Dutch Prisoners and this day they cleared Thirty six English Prisoners After we were rang'd in the Praid and counted we were call'd over by our names that done we were put into two close Prisons 100 in a Prison where we got neither bit nor sup for Supper in the Prison we found several small heaps of Straw on which we slept our hopes of getting clear was our greatest comfort In this Prison of Dinan were we kept for twenty days a hundred of us in one Prison and the other hundred in another Prison In the one of these Prisons we had the benefit of a little fresh Air but in the other none at all both of them being miserable stinking places under Ground in old Castles whose Walls were fifteen Foot thick and the Windows treble barr'd yet for all this place was so strong they kept Centinels within the Prisons night and day for fear we should break Prison and every day the Officers came and counted us for fear lest they should lose some of us The Wall of this Place was so thick that the Prison was very cold considering the time of the Year For our Lodging they gave us Straw and as for our Food it was very well considering the place we were in being far better than any we met with yet in France and our Liquor was only Water Those People that guarded us here were very civil not abusing any of us as they had done in other places Our greatest Annoyance in this place was the horrid stink of the Prison which did not only offend the Nose but make the Eyes smart also May the 24th Mr. John White Commander of the Betty being employed by the King to fetch and carry Prisoners of War came here to day and with a great deal of Prudence and Exactness