did lie almost dead in the field divers Officers of Colonell Lodowicke Leslie his Regiment were also hurt having behaved themselves well being for the most part old expert Officers and old beaten blades of Souldiers In this Battaile as was thought were killed nine thousand men besides those were hurt whereof many thereafter dyed of their woundes such as on the Emperours side Grave Berherthold Fon Walestine Colonell Comargo Colonell Browner the old Colonell Viltzleben and others On the Swedens side also dyed of his wounds after the Battaile Generall Major Grave Neeles After his Majesties death there was great and extraordinary griefe and sorrow over the whole Armie yet they never suffered the same to be seene outwardly but prosecuted still the enemie more vehemently and more cruelly than before For the Duke of Wymar and thâ— rest of the Cavalieres of the Armie understanding the great misfortune of his Majestie death resolved all alike it was better to dye on the place with his Majestie than to retire one foote of ground which resolution was the cause that in the end they did crowne the lamentable death of the Kings Majestie with a stately and heroicall Victorie so that his Majestie in the highest degree of glorie may be imagined before any King or Emperour to have dyed and his life doth eternize alike both his prayse and glorie being victorious before death in his death and after death The Duke of Fridland Walestine after the losing of this Dattaile retired with his scattered Armie towards Leipsigh and having had no time to continue there he was forced to take his retreate further unto the Hill's of Bohemia and thereafter Leipsigh was freed from the enemies forces by the Duke of Lunenburg and the Saxons that were comming with succours unto his Majestie before the Battaile whose march was too slow their succours being come but after the stroaks were given The Castle of Leipsigh called Plassenburg having holden out long was taken againe together with which all other partes in Saxon that the Empertalists had taken were freed againe by the Swedens the second time as Camnits Fryburg c. For which service the Swedens were evill recompensed by the ungratefull Saxon whose unthankfulnesse to the Crowne of Sweden will never be forgotten In all this time the Swedens Felt Marshall Gustavus Horne did prosper very fortunately in Alsas not onely in taking in the strong and fast Episcopall Strength Bennenfeld in spight of the Emperialists who had pressed to relieve it after a long Siege of two moneths time The Feltmarshall did take it in by Accord As also the Townes Schletstad Colmare Haggeno Molshen and almost whole upper Alsas in a short time he brought under his Contribution and power The fortieth Observation HIS Majestie at this time though a great deale weaker in strength than the enemy notwithstanding he was loath to delay time finding Walestine once removing from him Papenhaim being also absent with the Armie of the League his Majestie resolved as best to embrace the occasion not giving time to his enemy either to take more advantage or yet to recollect the Forces which were scattered from him thinking it was best to deale with one before another and he knew it was a kinde of madnesse to stay till his enemies Forces were augmented seeing occasion taken in warres doth often profit more than courage it selfe Therefore we see there was a necessitie laid on his Majestie to fight this Battaile in time seeing the enemy coming together was twice stronger than he and then his Majestie had no place of Retreate within ten miles which would not onely ruine his Armie but also discourage his friends and Confederates for whose reliefe he did come Walestine retired from his Majestie of purpose to put off time till Papenhaim had come to him or till they might draw his Majesties Army between them which his Majestie fore-seeing adventured the Combat in seeking first unto Walestine before Papenhaims coming It is needlesse to reason more of his Majesties resolution since all counsells and advisements are allowed of as they happen to succeede which is most unjust Here also we see what a great charge is laid on him that leads an Armie and of all charges the greatest is to fight a Battaile well with a weake Army against a strong Wherein is requisit a wise and a couragious Commander for when a Battaile is to be fought it is dangerous for a King the Head and the Heart of an Armie with the danger of his whole Armie to hazard himselfe and his Kingdome to the decision or arbitrement of variable Fortune or to enterprize difficult matters setting all his estate in hazard seeing the safetie of the whole depends on him alone for there is nothing more fearfull to a Commander and with all diligence to be eschewed than that he doe not at one time and one moment commit his whole estate and Kingdome unto the decision of Chance without great advantage offered Neither ought a King to fight with all his Forces at once except he could perceive a sure overthrow to be seene cleerely unto himselfe or to his enemies and if then he resolve to fight for eschewing of factions let one supreame Commander command which is ever best since many wits in Command doe but breed confusion Therefore it is most requisit that one command and the rest obey as was done here at Leitzen and the best way of Command is to keepe men in awe of dutie not so much with crueltie as many base Generalls doe as with a moderate severenesse for alwayes Commanders ought to doe as wise Marriners not to steere their course still one way but sometimes to give way to the tempest which being past let him follow his course gaine even so wise Commanders should moderate their Commands according to the time For as in a calme sea any fellow may steere but in a great tempest a skilfull and a wise Marriner is requisit even so in Command when a Battaile is to be fought a wise and a stout Commander is requisite for no man can command well who did not learne to obey Therefore it is the most difficult thing in the world to command well either our selves or others and he that would command well must not shew himselfe cruell in words or strokes but if possible he ought to bring men to his minde with intreaty and friendly exhortations shewing himselfe grave majestique and benevolent gaining of others his inferiours reverence feare and munificence with due obedience and this is the only best way to command and to keepe men in obedience which qualities were all plentifull in the Lyon of the North the invincible Gustavus who after this manner incouraged his owne countrimen and subjects to fight as also in a brotherly manner of love incouraged the Dutch being his sworne servants Who would not obey such a Commander to fight well being assured under his fortunate conduct after travell and paine to obtaine Glory and honour here and
travells and wisdome Amongst others the Crowne called Obsidionall was ordained for those that entred first the besieged places being of the most esteeme of all crownes which was made of the Roote of the Herbes or graine that had taken Roote within the place besieged also those that first scaled the walls were wont to get a crowne of the Herbe Woodbinde or Parietaria Pellitory growing on the walls and those that first entred the enemies Ports by force had also a crowne given unto them And the crowne Castean was ordained for him that first entred the enemies Trenches and brake the Palesades making way to enter unto the enemies Leager Also a crowne was given unto those of the Navall Armie that first entred the Enemies Gallies or ships on Sea this Crowne was made of gold representing the Combat and the Generall a foote being victorious had given him a crowne made of Hats and Miters and triumphing in a chariot he carried a Hat made of Lawrell At last these crownes were made of Gold laid over with pretious stones They had also given them for recompence of their travels Chaines and Bracelets all to the end they might accustome themselves to vertue and to the discipline and toyle of warres Who then would not desire to be of this society to get a crowne for well doing On the contrary Cowards Poultrons and Effeminate persons were disdained degraded and put off charge while the valiant were honoured advanced and recompenced as the Turke doth practise to this day to the disgrace of Christians neglecting discipline till they are overthrowne It should then be the duety of brave Generalls to make choice of brave and vertuous Commanders not asking of whom they come but where and how long have they practised to be vertuous Then we see here what was the custome of the Ancient Romans in choosing the vertuous that had past their prentiship and not Novices to be Commanders for we see that the love of the Publique brings honour pleasure and profit to the vertuous who thinke on it sincerely But those that would raise their fortunes by the ruine of others shall never prosper The reason of our coming to this passe of Owldenburgh was to have stayed there in safety from our enemies till we might joyne with our friends but the Enemy prevented us in coming betwixt us and our friends then there was no remedy but to hold him up at the passe till our Army might joyne with us and of this intention we resolved for best to maintaine the passe as we did till Ammunition grew scant and then we were forced to retire to our ships This King is powerfull by Sea and is mightily well furnished of all things necessary for warres of Armes Artillery Ammunition victualls money and what else is requisit to set forwards a warre and which is more a noble and a liberall Master as ever I did serve Here also I observe the slownesse of our Generall that did not patronize the passe some few dayes before the Enemies coming that it might have beene fortified for it was no time for us to fortifie the passe in the night when the enemie came before us and the next day we were not suffered to worke being otherwise imployed Another oversight was that our Generall did not know certainly how we were provided of Ammunition for though we had Lead in abundance we wanted Bullets in the time of need Whereupon the Generall was accused after our comming into Denmarke and the blame was found in the Commissary that had the charge of the Artillery Et jure for they were all Rogues and deceived his Majestie that trusted them too much Neverthelesse I cannot excuse the Generall of being ignorant of the provisions ordained for the Armie seeing he was certaine of the enemies comming for it is most sure if we had been provided of Ball we were sufficiently bastant to have kept the passe against our Enemy since it came not in the Enemies power till we had left it voluntarily in the night The enemy also retiring from us hearing the Rhinegraves forces were coming behinde him of intention to joyne with us I observed also that the Generall was too slow in the encouragement of his Officers and Souldiers having delayed his exhortation to the very time of our going on service And it is easie at such time to Prognosticate by the countenance going on service how they are affected But never men went on service with more chearfull countenances than this Regiment did going as it were to welcome death knowing it to be the passage unto life especially fighting in a good Cause against the enemies of the Daughter of our King the Queene of Bohemia for whose sake our Magnificke and Royall Master did undertake the warres and for her sake we resolved to have followed such a couragious Leader as the Earth this day affords none stouter as mine eyes did witnesse divers times And for her sake I perswade my selfe our noble Colonell did ingage his estate and adventured his person to have â—on her sacred Majesty good service I did also observe this day that the best way to eschew danger is not to perceive it for a man well resolved perceives no danger neither doth any thing seeme difficult unto him that may import his credit And the best Commanders in my opinion as they are in measure remisse not seeming prodigall of their lives though resolutely adventurous and for me I love a man that is modestly valiant that stirres not till he must needs for he that is conscious of his inward courage is confident to shew it to the world when he will but a man prodigall of life oft-times indangers himselfe and others for though he have courage to lead them on he lacks wit and discretion to bring them off in case of eminent danger And at such times as I condemne him that runnes away first I cannot allow of him that out of ostentation will stay after all his Camerades are gone till he yeeld himselfe prisoner or die unnecessarily there where he might have preserved himselfe with honour for a better occasion I have also observed that a base fellow hath been killed running away when a valiant Souldier stood to it and came off with credit I did also remarke the invincible courage and resolution of that worthy Gentleman Lievtenant Rosse who having lost his legge wished for a woodden or Treen legge lying on the ground as the example of pittie that he who was indued with such courage and Christian resolution had not time in the warfare to have given the world greater proofe of his valour Here also I must condemne those arrogant Spirits who contemne God and Fate that while as being on service and being hurt may retire with credit and on the contrary will be so foolishly valiant as to stay on a second hurr worse than the first as became that day of a young Gentleman of my name and kindred who being shot in the Arme with a musket
as lieth in our power And we must not preferre the safety of our owne bodies to the publique weale of our Camerades and countrimen dead or living but we ought with the hazard of our owne lives to bring off the dead and hurt An example of this duety we have in the person of the President of Chassangne treating of the Iewes law that did command that the bodies of their dead enemies should not lie unburied Casar caused to be buried the head of his enemy Pompey and wept at his death as Valerius Maximus reports in his fift booke and sixt Chapter Hercules is thought to have bin the first that ordained to bury the bodies of those killed on service and David calls them blessed that were so thankefull as to have buried Saul Iudas Macchabie did cause to bury the bodies of the enemy killed in battaile and Alexander restored unto the mother of Darius the dead bodie of her sonne Hanniball did burie the body of his enemy Marcellus as Valerius affirmes It is also expedient for the common-weale that the bodies of the dead be buried and Leonard Darez reports that Cyrus Alexander and Caesar did recommend their funeralls to their friends as Lievetenant Rosse did his to his Captaine and me which we performed in the best manner we could for the time If Pagans had such regard to their burialls Christians should be more carefull whose bodies sometimes were the receptacles of the holy Spirit and of the immortall soule created to Gods owne Image Here also I would report the commandement that we reade in the second chapter verse 23. of the fourth booke of Esdras Where thou findest the dead put them in the grave with a certaine marke and I will give thee the first seate in my resurrection and the wise Ancients said men should looke unto the end My exhortation then is to all my worthy countrimen and women that were interessed in our losses in this dayes service to consider that when these gentlemen and Cavaliers were borne that they were marked and ordained to die honourably fighting in the good cause and for the liberty of our Kings daughter the Queene of Bohemia and her distressed Royall Issue under the magnanimous King of Denmarke our Master who for her Majesties libertie did hazard not onely his life but his crowne let them then that are interessed as said is in this our losse consider againe that they died with great honour and reputation seeing they live eternally in their fame having laid downe their lives as servants of the publique if not for their country yet at least as cannot be denied for the liberty of their Kings Royall Issue It then became them well to have died standing Therefore those mothers friends or Sisters are to be condemned that mourne for them that live after their death in their fame and though their griefe be great let them shed no teares for feare it become of them as became of that Ancient woman called Vicia mother to Futius Geminus who was killed at Rome for having wept at the death of her sonne that had lost his life in the publique service as reporteth Tacitus in his 6 booke of his Annals and our Saviour in the Evangelist Saint Luke doth forbid the widdow to weepe for her sonne that was dead and St. Paul writing to the Thessalonians saith Brethren I would not have you ignorant of the estate of those that are asleepe to the end you do not over-mourne as those do that are without hope Therefore let us forbeare all teares for those departed and if we should mourne let us mourne with teares even those most pretious teares for sinne these are the Christian teares that should be shed from our hearts to reconcile us unto God those teares are as the bloud of the soule hurt and wounded with the sense and feeling of our sinnes before God these are the teares that drawe Gods mercy upon us as David cried unto God in the 56 Psalme Thou hast counted my wanderings and put my teares in thy bottle are they not in thy Register Therefore though we be grieved at the losse of our friends and at the losse of the day Yet ô God make us thankfull unto thee for our deliverance that we may rejoyce at our owne safety The seventh Dutie discharged of our Retreat from Owldenburg unto Assens in Denmarke by Sea HAving thus past the day at Owldenburg the night the friend of Cowards coming on what we durst not have done by day being favoured by the mooneshine when all were wearied with hot service and toyle in the day begun to take rest and refreshment by their fires in the Leager all Guards relieved and centries set out being all of us after a great storme in a quiet calme we begin to take our retreat to the water our Generall being full of feare and suspition goes before and our Colonell also we follow having the avant-Guard according to our Orders for going a ship-board which orders were willingly obeyed perceiving the danger was to follow and in consideration that long before the Lievetenant Colonell Sr. Patrick Mac-Gey and Captaine Forbesse being hurt had retired for their safeties towards the Isle of Feamor and from thence to Denmark to be cured I supplying the place of the Major our Regiment orderly retiring from the enemy Captaine Mac-Kenyee and my brother Obstell who before were companions in the day of danger in the night did march together leading off the Regiment to be secured and I bringing up the Reare accompanied with some other Officers we had no doubt of our safe retreate the whole army being behind us made us halte the oftner taking paines to bring up our hurt and sicke men we marched but softly Py a Pyano at last by ten a clocke of the night we arrived on the shore and drew up in battell attending the Colonells command for shipping who had gone himselfe unto the Roade amongst the ships to provide shipping but could get no obedience the feare was so great amongst the marriners having heard the roaring and thundring of cannon and muskets in the day feare so possest them all that they lacked hands to worke and hearts to obey and the Colonell coming a shore without bringing of ships to receive us we made use of the time our Camerades the horsemen having come before us who ever begin confusion were without orders forcing ships to take in their horses and had already possessed the whole Bulworke and shipping with their horse I asking my Colonells leave drew our whole Colours in front and our Pikes charged after them our musketiers drawne up in our reare by divisions fortifying our reare in case the Enemy should assault us in our Reare and then I advanced with our Colours alongst the peere our Pikes charged we cleered the Peere of the Horsemen suffring them to save themselves from drowning where they found the Channell most shallow and advancing thus to the end of the Peere we seazed upon one ship with
oft into calamity except they take heede unto themselves IX These spirits are bentest on ambition that are of great and sharpe wits and of high minds being ready to thinke on great matters and to undertake them but Heroicke spirits on the contrary considering the worthy acts of others are stirr'd up unto vertue while as others with glory of succession becoming more insolent and negligent make Tragicall ends being oppressed with small things they die unworthily X. The duty of a good man is to reserve himselfe for the well and use of his country and friends being wary lest he should be lost rashly as my deere and only Brother was who did not neglect his duty neither in word nor deede but to his death served God in his calling though his death was sudden being the condition of mortall men that are still subject unto such changes that oftimes in their greatest prosperity comes adversity and from their adversity their prosperity againe God hiding the cause of both from us It were better then to prevent a wound then out of time to seeke remedy for in the middest of evill is not the time to be merry and those hurts are most which we receive unlooked for Therefore it were much better to prevent then to suffer and it were much better to enter in danger being guarded then out of time to grow pale Vaine then are the counsells of mortall men when we see no humane happinesse to be permanent since the Roots are taken up before they come to maturity except they be confirmed by the divine providence And chiefely in warres as being most uncertaine as we see by the untimely death spoken of but no man can forbid Gods decree Neverthelesse men that through age and long experience have obtained wisdome before they enter in a businesse they should looke unto the event and unto that which by all expectation may happen for it is ever the greatest wisdome to use the presenâ— time best we ought then on all occasions we are employed on to strengthen our minds with vertue that we may be fase overcoming all incumbrances that once we have condemned in the judgment seate of wisdome which alwayes is accompanied with praise and glory when we not only equall our selves with those that excelled in vertue but also presse to goe before them XI Wisdome goeth before all other things in esteeme as the most pretious Iewell we can possesse being spread she is gathered given away shee returneth being published groweth greater by her the Noble treasure of conscience is spread unto the secrets of the minde the fruit of inward joy by her is attained unto this is the Sunne wherewith the light of the minde doth shew it selfe and appeare in darknesse being the eye of the heart the delightfull Paradise of the soule the Heaven upon Earth immortall changing man into God through knowledge deifying him this fellow is invincible against all strokes he stirres not a foote for poverty griefe ignominy paine he is afraid of nothing and is ever full of joy merry pleasant and untouched living like a God Who desireth then to be wise and partake of this goodnesse that is so excellent they must not use themselves to vanity but they must thinke on that which is most profitable for them being not forbidden to use bodily exercise moderatly they may become wise first by thinking what is past and in whose time of their Predecessours things were best governed Secondly he must diligently observe the good to come what can be profitable for him and what not that he may eschew the evill to come and embrace the good Thirdly he should observe the good customes and lawes past being provident mindfull understanding reasonable diligent tractable expert and cunning and he must consider foure good things What is his aime The way and manner he aimes at The person aiming And those he governes XII A Souldier without letters is like a ship without a Rudder or like a bird without feathers but having letters he findes wherewith he can be made wiser finding out by letters courage and many other great helpes to governe and direct those aright whom he commands neither is that fortune in the world to be had where out of letters his knowledge may not be bettered if he be but painfull for being lettered he can strictly keepe under the cruell and defend lawes without terrour temperating them to his minde the meeke also he can civilly admonish and the deceitfull he can wisely goe about and the simple he can handle with lenity shewing his prudency in all his actions foreseeing all dangers which may happen Therefore we see that science to a man of warre is a brave Mistresse teaching him to doe all things as they did in old times XIII It is a hard matter when the diligent and industrious Souldier is disappointed of his hire and that he is rewarded with injury who did merit better This of all evills is most insufferable that he who deserveth a reward should be frustrate of his hopes for reward is due unto valiant Captaines and Souldiers that were instruments in chiefe of victory glory and honour as Sir Iames Ramsey and Sir Iohn Hamilton were in forcing the passage to the Castle of Vertzberg who neverthelesse were frustrate of reward and therefore I cannot but allow of the resolution of Sir Iohn Hamilton being no Souldier of Fortune that tooke his Passe of the Sweden for being frustrate of the reward of his vertue seeing those disdained that did merit best Where we see that a gentle heart being crossed contrary to reason doth presently resent his wrongs pointing out to the world that he is not the man that can suffer or swallow a seene injury done to him and his Nation XIIII It is better to feare evill preparing our selves for danger then through too much security and contempt of the enemy to suffer our selves to be overcome for it is dangerous to have to doe with a desperate body seeing necessity maketh those that are fearefull to become stout and those who feare no dangers are easily lost as witnesseth the death of the Invincible King of Sweden and those dangers ought to be eschewed from whence ariseth greatest evill and experience hath taught us that nothing is more dangerous in warres then to fight great battailes on unequall termes as witnesseth the dolefull battaile fought at Nerling in August 1634. After which losse those that should have fought for their country their wives and children did prove seeble cowards viz. the German Princes Saxon Brandeburg Lunenburg with the rest of the Gentrie giving occasion to others that came to helpe them for to leave them It is no wonder then they be plagued themselves wishing helpe another time when justly they cannot have it having rewarded their helpers so ill as they have done and through their covetousnesse and niggardly sparing bin the cause and instruments of their owne overthrowes and of the losse of the cause being I feare the fore-runners
òf their Successours punishment which I wish may not happen XV. Before the fall of Kingdomes arise dissensions that overthrow the confederates more than their enemies as it happened here in our late warres of Germanie after the death of his Majestie of Sweden the Dutch Princes especially Saxon slighting his Excellencie the Rex-chancellour of Sweden and his Directorium as Supreame calling him disdainfully a Pedant or a Penman So that wee see that dissension or discord amongst the Superiours was the first cause of the suddaine losse of Nerling Next wee see that the Countrie was destroyed not onely for their sinnes but also for not punishing of sinne For after his Majesties death what punishment was to be seene in our Armie none at all when our owne horsemen plundered their friends not being punished they began to intercept Letters and to robbe the common Poste and to hinder the Countries correspondencie and common traffique which being overseene and winked at by our Generalls they begun then to plunder the Chancelours owne waggons abusing his servants and taking his baggage thereafter the strongest amongst themselves set the weakest party to foote taking away their horses till at last the whole Armie refused to obey the Director and his Concilium formatum lying idle for three moneths in Donavert Leaguer suffering the enemie to over-runne the Countrie and all because that the Officers alleadg'd after his Majesties death that the Scriveners who followed the Chancelour were in better esteeme than the Cavaliers that had done notable good service unto his Majestie so that through this jealousie the Armie came in disorder being the first change and the rest piece and piece did follow till at last the whole Armie was lost through the number of wrongs that went before in the end custome and use of wrongs infected the nature it selfe and the lacke or want of punishment and the libertie and freedome which was given to offend at last the ruine of families that were famous did follow for not punishing of sinne We see then when a potent King and Heroique as Gustavus was in the time hee did live all things florished in a good order but he once gone the Cōmon-wealth was punished for their former sinnes committed in time of their plentie and peace when they had their heaven upon earth as other Nations have now who ought to looke unto themselves in time lest that the Lord raise not up an other Heroique to make them to be punished as other Nations have bin to the eversion of great Cities as Magdeburg and divers others for when the publique burthens doe grow then Governements doe change as was seene here for lawes being cast away and discipline put in fetters then suddenly did follow change and great ruine after the Kings death of worthy memorie XVI Nothing loses more as we see the common cause than the want of authoritie in one person as was formerly said of the Saxons jealousie over the Rex-chancelors Governement Also the same fault was seene in the Armie under Commanders as at Nerling betwixt Supreme Officers as also betwixt their inferiours who for want of one Supreme Commander as Gustavus was they could not agree among themselves Likewise the dissension and jealousie betwixt Duke Barnard and the Rhinegrave helpes nothing to the furtherance of the good cause being both brave Commanders though seldome seene command in one place and it is to be pitied how the Rhinegrave after the losse of Nerling not being bastant against the enemie was forced to swimme the Rhine on horse-backe and dyed soone thereafter who was a renowned valourous Cavalier as ever I was acquainted with of the Dutch Nation serving in those warres all these mischiefes were caused through the want of one Supreme Leader to conduct them as the enemie had Which should teach all men to submit themselves to authoritie lest by doing otherwise they procure their owne ruine XVII To repent a thing when it is done is most foolish which might have beene prevented with counsell for none that doe repent counsell can be esteemed wise Therefore a Counsellour should bee very faithfull never counfelling his friend for his owneayme lest he that is counselled perceive not his drift and then be deceived But counsell is taken from necessitie and follow'd And a good Commander deserves prayse as well for his wisedome as for his valour But evill counsell is a plague or judgement from the Lord yet those counsells are ever safest that come from him that will be partaker both of the danger and of the counsell Therefore it is not good rashly to use the counsell of a Traitor nor of an enemie but wee should rather examine and shift counsells and not trust easily and bee deceived Counsell then we see is the chiefeground to governe matters well being secret true and free without flatterie or respect of persons just and holy casting aside all private gaines and utilitie foreseing the publique weale and if thou wouldest be truly counselled thou must take heed to those Caveats first that the speech be wholesome and unreproveable his counsell profitable his life honest his sentence pleasant not wavering like a childe or unconstant neither ought you aske many what you would doe but shew it to a few and trustie friends which are rare to be found and when thy neere friends cannot resolve thee flee to those for their counsells whose daily experience is approved for their wisedome in their owne affaires and then you shall doe well XVIII Militarie discipline is lost when the crueltie and avarice of Officers is extended in detaining of Souldiers meanes and Supreme Officers neglecting to content Cavaliers make the whole Armie turne rebellious as at Donavert The Concilium formatum and their Treasurer having not given the Armie one monthes meanes complet of the whole contribution they had collected the yeere after his Majesties death but payed themselves and their Secretaries dulie which raised great envie against them the Armie having mutined for want of pay which made them afterward want both the contribution and the Country through misgovernement of their Consilium XIX It is in vaine for a Cavalier to feare any thing but God and the offence of his Supreme Officer for being honest modesty hindering his flight makes him victorious in middest of danger and of his enemies as chanced me and my Collegues at Rugenwoulde in Pomeren having escaped danger by Sea were come to Land in danger of our enemies but the Lord and the dutie we ought our Maister made us abide the danger of our enemies which the Lord turned to our best giving us victorie and freedome Shall I then distrust this God having had this time and divers times before great experience of his mercies God forbid No I will still trust in him doe to mee what he will for I know his mercies goe beyond all his workes and they endure for ever XX. A man unjustly hurt as many were that served the Sweden once escaped their Commanders are now their
the whole Towne and the onely poste pursued by the enemy which our Lievetenant Colonell made choice of being the most dangerous for his Countries credit where we watched fortie eight houres together till we were relieved againe by the other Division and so Singulis noctibus per vices during six weekes time that my cloathes came never off except it had beene to change a suite or linnings The fifteenth Observation THis Towne of Trailesound being hard beleager'd by the Emperialists they desired humbly the protection and assistance of his Majestie of Denmarke which was willingly granted unto them having accorded on their Conditions his Majestie made choice of our Regiment to be sent thither having had sufficient proofe of our former service in his Majesties presence and under command of others his Majesties Generalls So that before others we were trusted on this occasion where we did come with a timely reliefe to those Burgers that were wearied and toyled with watching and also hurt by their enemies whom they had beaten from their walles twice before our coming In this accident which hapned in Zeland betwixt the Boores and our Souldiers we may see the Antipathy that is betwixt Souldiers and Boores where the one cannot with patience indure the sight of the other without some present jarre so that it were impossible to make them agree together if Military Discipline were not strictly observed and the transgressours exemplarily punished Here also I cannot omit the over-sight committed by those Belly-gods the Cōmissaries that serve the publique State worst yet are oft-times best recompenced whose neglect on this March was the cause of shedding the innocent bloud of the poore Labourers and of the Souldiers also and it was pittie such a King should entertaine so many of this sort of belly-gods that studied nothing so much as to fill their own Coffers and to raise their houses without any care had of the Publique Weale Here also I cannot allow of that vaine custome amongst the Officers that will make a bad choice for a little ostentive credit having the good in their election to make choice of the worst for in occasions against our enemies we should rather take all advantages as of strength of ground of Sunne and winde and shall he not be thought yet unwiser who may be the Instrument to save his people on service that willingly will make choice of a place to lose them No menagrie in my opinion comparable to that which spares the lives of men from losing and I perswade my selfe I need not insist in this reprehension seeing the actor though out of time was sorrowfull enough for his evill choice Here also I did observe that frequent danger doth encourage the feeblest Souldier who by daily dangers and the familiaritie made with death in stepping every day over the bodies of dead men who perhaps never before had seene one die naturally much lesse to see daily and hourely examples of violent death learning wit by by-past losses and experience had in the exercise of our Calling being hardned with toyle and travell Therefore in my judgement no man is more worthy of the name of a Souldier than he that indures best wearisome toyle and travell in this honourable Calling not withdrawing the shoulder but by pushing it forwards couragiously having once begun for though in all affaires of this kinde the beginnings seeme hard and difficult yet soone after we finde it lighter according to the measure of our advancement and reward in the end we enjoy still the greater contentment as became of me the first time my friends led me up a steepe hill when my breath begun to faile me looking behinde and seeing what way I had put by the rest to the top of the hill seemed nothing unto me being so neare the end of my travell but was pleasant rather than tedious And therefore we use to say He that beginneth well hath halfe ended At our entry in this Towne our travell and toyle once begun continued night and day for six weekes till we grew hard with travell yet not hard as many of the Dutch that are hard against the Musket Bullet this proofe we lacked He that shews himselfe honest in his calling and Travells the Travell passeth the honestie remaineth But on the contrary when we have taken delight in evill the delight passeth and the evill remaineth Happie therefore are those who travell in well-doing for when the paines are gone then doe they enjoy the pleasure We reade of Cincinnatus brought from the plough to the Senate to be made Consull for his Travell the like we reade of Quintus taken from his plough to be Consull also a great change No wonder then to take a man from the plough to be a Souldier as the Porter of Fowles called Mac-Weattiche who in this Towne of Trailesound did prove as valiant as a sword fearing nothing but discredit and the down-looke or frowne of his Officers lest he should offend them The sixteenth Dutie discharged of our Watches and Accidents that occurred in this Towne before the Enemy did storme our Workes THE twenty-eight of May 1628 not without danger both by water and from land we entred the Towne of Trailesound the Emperiall Armie lying before it having their batteries neere the water at our in-coming they shot our Mast having grounded before our in-coming we ranne the hazard both of drowning and killing but being againe without hurt come off our Camerades wearied of watching immediatly after our entry we relieved the watch at Franckendor being the onely Poast in the Towne most pursued by the enemy The order of our watch was after this manner of the seaven Companies one Company watched still on the Island before the Towne called the Hollomne the other three Companies were ordained by foure a clocke afternoone to parade in the Market place and afterwards to march to their Poast at Franckendor without the walles on scurvie outworkes which were but slightly fortified with a dry Moate the enemy lying strong before us and approaching neare we fearing a sudden on-fall those that were relieved of the watch by five of the clocke were ordained againe to meet by nine of the clocke at night and to watch againe on the by-watch till foure of the clocke in the morning whereof the one halfe were appointed to he in readinesse at their Armes without the Port neere the workes while as the other halfe were appointed also to lie in readinesse at their Armes on the Market place to attend all occasions of Alarums either within or without the Towne and thus we watched nightly relieving one another for the space of six weekes The rest of the Postes above the walles were also beset by the Dutch but none had the halfe of our duties to discharge by reason the whole approaches were made by the Enemy to us as being the weakest part Notwithstanding of this our great nightly watch and dutie kept the Burgers of the Citie did prove very ungratefull and unthankfull
served well 72 T. A Cavalier ought patiently to attend his preferment 3 B. Continency in all things is most necessary for a Souldier 25 X. Men ought patiently to undergoe their Crosses and not to despaire as some did in Denmarke 86 He that thinkes on deaths Casuality ought neither to be carelesse nor covetous 86 V. Cowards may be compared to dogs that doe barke more then bite 70 P. The Cruelty was great the enemy used in harming the dead and innocent 40 K. D. It is a worthy and brave enterchange when men attaine unto eternall fame and glory after Death for a temporall Death 41 L. The strictnesse of Discipline is the conservation of an Army 36 G. It were impossible to make Boores and Souldiers agree together without the strictnesse of Military Discipline 62 F. It is never good in plenty to Disdaine Souldiers lest in adversity they may prove unusefull 2 A. The observance of Discipline is the maintaining of Kingdomes Cities and Common-wealths 69 O. Dumbarre renowned in despite of envy 13 L. It is the Duty of valorous Commanders to care for the buriall of the slaine though their enemies 25 Y. We are Drowned in the mud of vice and slothfulnesse while we want businesse and have no foe to awe us 46 T. E. An English Cavalier being deadly wounded retired bravely at Keel 55 B. Ensignes six of Scots shot at Ouldenburg 18 Q. A rare Example of strength and courage in Ensigne David Monro 21 S. Emulation of Superiours by example groweth amongst inferiours 37 H. The whole Officers were hurt except one Ensigne Ihonston 68 M. He that wilfully continues an Enemy teacheth his enemy to doe him a mischiefe if he can 77 A. Though the Enemy be unworthy reconcile with him to be freed of his scandalous tongue 77 A. The Enemy studies all the plots of our ruine and the danger is ever most that is least seene 77 Experience teacheth that neither Fly Bee nor Waspe can harme those that are healed of the sting of Scorpions 22 T. The best Exhortation a Leader can give Souldiers is to shew himselfe valorous 23 W. Enemies prove oftimes good pedagogues setting both death and judgment before us 66 K. F. Feare doth put us in a more horrid habit then any enemy can doe 22 F. It is not good to Feele the ill of the sturdy popular having once loosed the reine 48 W. Friends that are trusty the best companions of danger 14 M. To be a Follower of the popular sort is a vaine thing 50 Y. The Foote is alwayes more usefull in warres and lesse chargable then Horse 23 W. Fortune having crossed his Majesty of Denmarke in his warres abroade brought the sword of his enemies within his owne Kingdome 29 A. G. The Germans are commonly friends to the victorious et e contra 16 O. Germans of old did sing going on service 70 P. Those that thirst after Gold let them bring it valiantly from afarre to supply the poore at home or to decore and enrich their Country 72 S. A man is glad to come off with credit being hurt as I was at Trailsound where I thought to be slaine 75 Y. Ill Gotten gaines is farre worse then losses with preserved honesty 31 D. Gentlemen three of my Colonells Company slaine at Trailsound Gordon Stewart and Tullough 68 M. H. Honour compared to a chaste made 31 D. Happie are those that travell in well-doing for when the paines are gone then doe they enjoy the pleasure 63 G. Hugh Murray his brother being slaine would not carry him off till he had beene revenged and then himselfe shot in the Eye the Bullet came out at his Nose 23 V. Hector Monro being shot in one foot would not retire till first he emptied his Bandeliers and being shot then through the other foote was carried off by others 23 V. We ought never to glory too much in peace or prosperitie as the Holsteners did but rather to prevent the worst 28 The Highland Souldier his predictive Dreame seene at Trailsound 75 Z. I. A just cause and a just deputation is that which gives the minde securitie And he dyeth well that dyeth fighting for a just cause 53 Iustice the strictest that is observed amongst Souldiers 44 S. An Isles Gentleman being deadly wounded did swimme with his Cloaths and wounds to escape the fury of his Enemies 32 D. K. As forraine Kings make use of Cavaliers in their need so they ought with reason if not rewarded make their retreat to their King and Master being disdained without respect 25 X. Our Knowledge is of none effect without assurance in God through Christ 5 E. The King of Denmark deserved praise for enterprising the warre though the successe was not answerable 30 B. The King of Denmark commended for his care 32 E. The King of Denmark contrary to feare through his valour did cast a kinde of honour upon God confiding in his care onely 35 F. The King of Denmark did establish his Throne in despite of his Enemies 35 F. Kings are but servants though more splendid for the Common-wealth 35 F. The Kings Majestie of Denmark commended 43 O. The King of Denmark did comfort his Officers after their losse sustained before KEEL 29 A. Kings are kept and guarded from eminent danger by the Lord. 29 A. A King or a Prince that undertakes toyle and travell in his body for the safetie of his people is commendable 59 D. L. Lievetenant Colonell Arthur Forbesse dyed in Holstein 1 A. A Leaders dutie set downe at large 8 G. Lievetenant Martin killed at Bisenburg-Skonce 11 I. Lievetenant Hugh Rosse having lost his leg wished he had a woodden Leg. 17 P. Lievetenant Colonell Seaton shot at Ouldenburg 18 Q. A Lievetenant and thirteen Souldiers killed with one shot of Cannon 65 K. The Love of horses wonderfull to their Masters 30 C. Lievetenant Colonell Seaton commended for keeping strict Discipline 66 L. Lindesey of Bainshow a valorous Cavalier received three dangerous wounds at Trailsound 78 C. Lievetenant Lumsdell in time of hot service desired Colonell Holk being retiring to stay and to see if the Scots durst fight 79 D. M. Major Dumbar his custome commendable going on service 40 L. The Majestie of a King ought never to be denyed by his subjects in things indifferent 1 A. Major Wilson his over-sight in making his Accord lost his Colours 12 K. The meanest things doe helpe against the Enemy as the casting of sand and Bee-hives 13 L. Murdo Poulson killed at Ouldenburg by the Cannon 18 Q. Mutiny should ever be detestable in all estates as amongst Souldiers 48 W. The multitude tumultuous hath more changes than the deepe Sea in a tempest hath waves 24 X. The Makelesse the Sweden Ship by report did carry two hundred pieces of Ordnance 56 C. No Menagrie comparable to that which spares the lives of men 63 G. N. A Nation being enemies to vice and glad in their povertie they may haply remaine unconquered 72 S. O. Officers
going in their best Apparell and Armes to be painted where nothing was defective the eye could behold This shew seene by his Majestie and his Officers his Majestie returning the Duke with his followers did convey his Majestie to the sight of our Armie which being called to their Armes having lyen over-night on a parcell of plowd ground they were so dusty they looked out like Kitchin-servants with their uncleanely Rags within which were hidden couragious hearts being old experimented blades which for the most part had overcome by custome the toyle of warres yet these Saxons gentry in their bravery did judge of us and ours according to our out-sides thinking but little of us neverthelesse we thought not the worse of our selves The ceremony past we were all remitted to take rest for that night in our former quarters the next morning by breake of day we were called up to march where both our Armies were ordained to march on severall streets one Randezvouz being appointed for us at night within a mile and a halfe of the enemies Armie where being come to our Randezvouz by foure a clocke in the after-noone and drawne up in battaile our guards drawne out to watch were directed to their Postes and then we resting by our Armes as we were in battaile we slept lying where we stood that in case of a Alarum we were not to be found in disorder being ready to fight where we stood Immediately after the Armie was setled in Quarters newes was come to his Majestie in poste that the Castle of Leipsigh was given over by accord to the enemy As also that Generall Tilly with a mightie and strong Armie was come a mile from Leipsigh and was preparing for a Fight which newes did no wayes alter his Majesties countenance being resolved before for the like to have sought him to Fight So that being both willing and so neare it was easie bringing them together our baggage was appointed to goe backe to Diben our horse and foote watches were strengthened and we were in readinesse and refreshing first our bodies with victualls we slept till the next morning The fifteenth Observation NOthing earthly is more pleasant to be seene than to see brethren in Christ conjoyned against Gods enemies for advancing of the glory of God in promoting of his Gospell and for setting at libertie those poore soules our brethren in Christ that were kept long under the yoke and tyranny of the house of Austria and the Catholique League their mortall enemies Who would not then for their liberties that were banished that they might one day retire to their possessions who would not I say be willing yea more who would not rejoyce having such a Leader as Gustavus was to hazard their lives for the weale of the publique yea more for the promoting of Christs Gospell Surely for mine owne part I was most willing and wished long to have seene a day wherein I might hazard my life in this quarrell in being one of the number of Fighters before I did come at it for many reasons but especially for the libertie of the daughter of our dread Soveraigne the distressed Queene of Bohemia and her Princely Issue next for the libertie of our distressed brethren in Christ and thirdly for my better instruction in the profession of Armes which is my calling for having before seene many occurrences that did belong to our Calling I longed to have seene a Battaile fought in the Fields in such a quarrell being led by such a magnanimous King of Heroick spirit that had much more on hazard that day than I had who had onely to hazard but my life and credit while as he a King was to hazard his life his Crowne his reputation and all for strangers Having thus the night before meditated I found a motion rejoycing my heart in making mee resolute to fight in this Cause being tied in dutie not onely for my person but also tied to give Counsaile and direction as the Lord did enable mee by giving instruction good heartning and good example to others who were bound to follow mee as I was bound to follow my Master the King seeing the Lord by his providence had brought mee thither with a number of my friends to follow and obey him as they were bound by oath to obey mee And then I thought with my selfe after I had awaked from sleepe going on to march that my life was much like a tale and that we should not care how long this life of ours should last but that wee should bee carefull how well our life should bee acted for it is no matter where wee end if wee end well and we should not aske when or where but we ought to bee ever mindfull how wee are prepared going to fight Nature did beget us miserable we live over-burthened with cares and like a flower wee vanish soone away and dye Our hunting then here and our care should bee onely for a perpetuall good name to leave behind us that so being absent wee are present and being dead wee live The sixteenth Duty discharged on our Fight at Leipsigh AS the Larke begunne to peepe the seventh of September 1631. having stood all night in battaile a mile from Tillies Armie in the morning the Trumpets sound to horse the Drummes calling to March being at our Armes and in readinesse having before meditated in the night and resolved with our Consciences we begunne the morning with offering our soules and bodies as living Sacrifices unto God with Confession of our sinnes lifting up our hearts and hands to Heaven we begged for reconciliation in Christ by our publique prayers and secret sighes and groanes recommending our selves the successe and event of the day unto God our Father in Christ which done by us all we marched forwards in Gods name a little and then halted againe till the whole Armie both the Dukes and Ours were put in good Order our Armie marching on the right hand and the Dukes on the left our commanded Musketeres marching in the Van-Guarde being in one bodie before the Armie consisting of three Regiments whereof two of Scotts and one Dutch all Musketieres led by three Scotts Colonels men of valour and courage fit for the Commaund concredited unto them being made choice of as men that could fight Exemplarie to others viz. Sir Iames Ramsey called the Blacke Sir Iohn Hamilton and Robert Monro Baron of Fowles we marched thus both the Armies in Battaile Horse foote and Artillerie till about nine of the Clocke in the morning wee halted halfe a mile distant from the Emperiall Armie that were attending us in Battaile consisting of fortie foure thousand men horse and foote our Armie consisting of thirtie thousand men whereof to my judgement His Majesties Armie were eight thousand foote and seven thousand horse The Duke also would be eleven thousand foote and foure thousand horse having refreshed our selves with victuals leaving our Coaches behind us The whole Armie did get greene Branches on their heads
in riches and as their service to his Majestie was faithfull and loyall so his Majestie was liberall and bountifull in advancing them to titles of honour As also in bestowing on them Cadoucks and casualties to inrich them more than others whose fortunes were not to be so rewarded though their deservings were no lesse so that being rich in credit they care not for the want of abundance of externall things being inwardly contented through their vertue Here also we see that as his Majestie was circumspect for his retreate even so he was fore seeing for the safetie of his Armie in not hazarding to ingage it too farre with disadvantage against the Dukes Armie and the strong Citie of Engolstat being the best Strength for one within the Empire Neverthelesse having once recognosced the Citie he would not leave it till he had showne his resolution and left his intrenchment as the tokens of his worth in hazarding to beleaguer it having an Armie to second them and while as his Majesties horse was shot under him he said it did put him in minde he was but mortall and subject to mischances as others and therefore he knew no better remedie but to resigne himselfe and all his to the providence of the Almightie and that he was perswaded that though God should call him out of the world yet the Lord would not abandon his owne Cause being so just but he was assured God would stirre up some other worthier than he to put a period to those warres for the libertie of Gods service in Dutchland and withall he tooke God to witnesse he had no other intention in prosecuting those warres but onely to pull downe the tyranny of the house of Austria and to obtaine a solid and a setled peace unto all men that were interessed in the quarrell Where by this his speech we see that as he was a brave and a valourous King so he was wise at this time in preserving himselfe and his Armie from losing them before such a strong Citie As also we see that the Conditions of mortall men have their changes common unto them that oft-times they are crossed by contrary fortunes as formerly they did prosper and the Lord doth hide the causes of both from us to spurre us ever to seeke to his Majestie in doing good and those good of themselves as this just King was who notwithstanding had need of Gods direction in all his wayes and enterprises which should make us all earnest in seeking the Lord to direct us in all our wayes seeing of our selves we are not able to doe any thing that is good neither ought we to ascribe any thing of our prosperous successe or fortune unto our selves being but the Lords servants and instruments he useth as weake meanes of his glory and the well-fare of his Church on earth Our daily delight should be then to learne wisedome out of the actions of others and like the Bee that makes the honey to converse amongst good company that we may savour at least of their goodnesse following the footsteps of this Heroick and godly King fructifying ever during our life times unto all sort of well-doing till such time as we may end with glory living after death Moreover here we see his Majestie though on a march not neglective to discharge that last and honourable dutie to the corps of that noble and worthy Cavalier the Markgrave of Turlagh and Bawden by making the whole Armie to give two Salves of Cannon Musket and Pistoll in comely order as the Custome is at such times where it is to be regrated how oft-times death doth prevent the expected goodnesse of many a brave fellow as this young Cavalier was the worthy sonne of a worthy Father who carried divers times the title of a Generall Here also I would exhort by the way all worthy Souldiers who aime at credit never to give themselves to mouze or plunder aside from the Armie lest they be punished in dying ignominiously by the hands of cruell tyrants as the ignorant Papist-Boores that have no more knowledge of God than to tell over their Beads being taught as their best devotion and knowledge of the mysteries of God tending to salvation to glory in their ignorance which makes many of them to commit any wickednesse what soever to winne damnation to themselves being once commanded by a Priest that can make the poore ignorant beleeve that to doe wickedly is the way to heaven Who cannot then see how detestable this Doctrine is that gives people libertie to commit all villany and then to assure them of pardon for it The use then we should make of this who professe another truth is to abhorre their examples of life as we doe their doctrine seeing wee should know that no crime before God is so abominable as to glory in sinne for where sinne groweth there groweth also the punishment And he that sinnes openly with an out-streched necke as these villaines did in Wisenburg in sight of God and before the Sunne and the world they offended double teaching others by their example to sinne Happie therefore is the man who delights not in sinne but happier is he that glories not in sinne yea happiest of all that continues not in sinne but repenteth of the evill done and ceaseth to doe so any more The thirty one Duty discharged of our Expedition unto Munchen and of our abode there BEing retired from Landshut a pretty little Towne and Castle in Bavaria lying on the Eiser we continued our march after his Majesty and marched towards Frising where we joyned with his Majesty and incamped over night in the fields where his Majesty had intelligence that Wallestine with a strong Army was on his march towards the upper Paltz which made his Majesty make the greater haste to visit Munchen the Duke of Bavaria his chiefe Towne of residence having made the Bishop of Frising pay fifty thousand Dollers and promise contribution beside out of the whole Bishopricke and continuing our march the sixth of May towards Munchen on our way the Commissioners from Munchen did come and salute his Majesty offering all kinde of submission for to spare from plundering of their City and from ruinating of their houses and policy His Majesty lying over night in the fields within halfe a mile of the City his Majesty commanded Colonell Hepburne with our Briggad to march away and to make the Circuit of the Towne to lie over-night at the bridge that went over the Eiser with his Briggad to guard the bridge that none should passe or repasse till his Maiesties coming to the Towne which accordingly we obyed and guarded the bridge till the next morning his Maiesty encamped the whole Army without the Towne marching in with our Briggad alone where Colonell Hepburnes Regiment had the watch on the market place and the guarding of the Ports his Maiesty of Sweden and the King of Bohemia being lodged on the Castle I was commanded with our Regiment and my
lay our chiefe dependance on God and our cause being good the lawfull meanes used as was done here by the Lyon of the North the Invincible King of Sweden in defence of Nurenberg the libertie of Dutch-land and freedome of Christs Gospell then I say the event must needs be answerable to the ground laid to wit the freedome of this Citie and the preservation of his Majesties Armie both which we see by this separation where the enemy had not the heart to pursue us having Gustavus and his Fortunes with us Notwithstanding of their powerfull and mightie Armie which the Papists themselves did set and esteeme to be threescore thousand men being then of opinion that that Summer they were able to over-swimme the whole Empire and all their enemies yet with all their bragging they durst never present themselves in the Fields with one Cornet Colour or Regiment before Gustavus being terrified at his presence which did prove their valour was not correspondent to their power in Armes otherwise they had given us greater reason to have esteemed better of their Conduct so that wee see there is neither wisedome force or power of counsell that can prevaile against that cause the Lord defends and who can thinke those could prosper better who formerly pressed by their crueltie to have subverted the truth of Religion by banishing the Gospell and Ministers of it forcing Commons against Conscience either to forsake their Country and possessions or to renounce the truth they professed persecuting those that would not conforme themselves to their Devilish Traditions what wonder then those Generalls could not prosper against the truth or against him that tooke the defence both of truth and people against the Tyranny of the house of Austria and their cruell Generalls that were not onely cruell to their enemies but also to their servants and Souldiers whom they left bleeding behinde them in their Leaguer destitute of all comfort not so much as once to cause to dresse their wounds that they received honourably for their safeties Truly I dare be bold to say the Lord will not suffer the negligence and inhumane crueltie of such Commanders to be unpunished that left unchristianly those poore Souldiers which were bould to open their brests to receive wounds for the safetie of those that had no compassion on them in their extremities O crueltie of all cruelties when we see a valiant Souldier naked hungry or pined with his wounds bleeding for our sakes and then to leave them destitute of helpe to the mercy of their enemies especially when we are not compelled to leave them This fault of all faults in a Commander or Souldier in my minde is most unpardonable which is too common Therefore I conclude such persons to be unworthy Command that preferre any thing before the health of those who were willing to give their lives for the safetie of their Commanders Sith then we see that the greatest part of humane happinesse doth consist in vertue let him that would prove wise fix his eyes and minde to judge other mens actions to the end he may grow the more circumspect and prudent pressing to doe good by continuance of time if he but observe the varieties of chances incident unto all estates from the Crowne to the lowest Cottage in the end through their examples he may learne to better himselfe and become wise in his profession for a diligent servant to such a Master as Gustavus was might in a few yeares time observe many things belonging to the knowledge of a Commander though I grant never attaine unto the perfection of his Calling for the accidents of warres being infinite the knowledge of them can never be limited But we must alwayes be learning of new things till we become more prudent though not perfectly wise in our calling being infinite and though many thinke a man may be wise and not couragious seeing the wise fore-sees all dangers truely I will thinke he that is circumspect and wise in this kinde may be called a stout Commander for to a wise man we say nothing comes wrong and he that cannot be surprized in this kinde must needs be both wise and stout To conclude then this Observation out of the separation of the Marquesse and his Country-men at our leave-takings and at the parting of Colonell Lodowicke Lesly and his Regiment from Spence his Regiment going with Duke Barnard unto Saxonie from us which separation was like to the separation death makes betwixt friends and the soule of man being sorry that those who had lived so long together in amitie and friendship as also in mutuall dangers in weale in woe fearing we should not meet againe the splendour of our former mirth was obnubilated with a cloud of griefe sorrow which vanished and dissolved in mutuall teares of love severing from others as our Saviour did from his Disciples in love and amitie wishing one another the mutuall enterchange of our affections as Souldiers and not as Complementing Courtiers in the way of love and courtesie we wished againe and againe being loath to depart from others the accomplishment of all happinesse here and of eternall glory else-where The thirty-eight Dutie discharged of our March from Newstade towards Winchene HAving come unto the fields the Armie being drawne up and divided Duke Barnard of Wymar was directed to march on Kitchen on the Maine and the rest of the Armie on Vinzeine and his Majestie with a strong partie marched backe unto Nurenberg to see the enemies Leaguer and the unhappie Castle on the old hill where so many brave fellowes were lost From thence his Majestie returned on Outzback at which time on the march some new levied men that were come from Switzerland joyned with the Armie at Winchene where we rested two dayes I being cruelly tormented with a burning Ague contracted with neglecting of my wound received at Nurenberg Walestine his Feltmarshall Holke at this time with his little Armie did dominier in Saxonie using barbarous crueltie in burning scalding and plundering of Townes Flecks and Dorpes murthering and cutting downe the Inhabitants that it was pittie to heare of such barbaritie in a civill land to be used by one of their owne profession making no conscience of Religion he shewed lesse compassion then the Papists did for their villany whom he led was so great that after abusing the women in satisfying their filthy lusts they did burne them and their families their hearts thus hardned that it was evident that the judgements of the Lord were not farre from them and those he commanded having suffered such tyranny to have been used to Christians before a moneth was past he died raging of the plague and those who followed him were also rewarded of God for their crueltie The eighteenth of August Holke tooke in Zincko by accord promising unto the Burgers the freedome of their Religion and liberties providing they would take in a Garrison of two hundred Emperialists then Gallas and Holke being joyned soone
an immortall Crowne after death for fighting well the Battells of the Lord As his Majesty went about his enemies with wisdome and courage so Walesline went about his with craft and policy casting a ditch before our forces to fall in which was made the buriall place of his owne Souldiers being fallen in the ditch they had prepared for others I confesse there is nothing more commodious in warre then to deceive an enemy and oftimes through deceit men obtaine victory yet the wisdome of Gustavus seasoned with infinite courage could not be trapped with a Fowlers grinne but brake through it with the assistance of God till he was victorious over his crafty enemies This Magnanimous King for his valour might have bin well called the Magnifique King and holden for such who while as he once saw appearance of the losse of the day seeing some forces beaten backe and some flying he valorously did charge in the middest of his enemies with hand and voice though thrice shot sustained the fight doing alike the duty of a Souldier and of a King till with the losse of his owne life he did restore the victory to his eternall credit he died standing serving the publique Pro Deo et Religionetuenda and receiving three Bullets one in the body one in the Arme and the third in the head he most willingly gave up the Ghost being all his life time a King that feared God and walked uprightly in his calling and as he lived Christianly so he died most happily in the defence of the truth and to witnesse all this was true I could take Heaven and Earth Sun and Moone mineralls c. to witnesse that his Colours ever florished and spred in the name of the Lord and that his confidence was not set on the Arme of man though he was a warriour from his youth up he was the Captaine over Iraell whose fingers the Lord taught to fight and to leade his people He had the heart of a Lyon that by Gods helpe had done such things that those that had seene and heard it as I did must needs have faid that it was the Lord that did it and not he being it was the Lords worke But our adversaries and their damned crew of Iesuits and Monkes will say that it was their power and might and the goodnesse of their cause that made his Royall Maiesty to fall But we may say with Salomon in the twenty-eighth of the Proverbs and twenty-one verse It was for the sinnes of the Land and our sinnes that he was taken from amongst us and from those poor Cavaliers that did follow him for his Maiestics love and the love of the cause He was shot with three Bullets dead with the last for our sinnes and the sinnes of the Land And what he did before his death for the liberty of Dutch-land and freedome of the Gospell none but knowes it he left his owne Kingdome to bring strangers to freedome in theirs he set light by his owne life for Dutch-land that they might keepe theirs he waked and cared day and night for them as a father for his children that at last he might bring peace for them to sleepe sound he brought the keyes and opened their Church doores that were closed up by the Antichristian Idolaters that the Devills doctrine was banished againe out of the Paltz and Christs Gospell preached and the Sacraments duely administred which I saw and was partaker of singing thankes unto God for their deliverance He it was and none other under God who helped them to their liberties He it was and none other releeved Israell Notwithstanding whereof the unthankfulnesse of the people was so great that with my eares divers times I did heare some of them say he might as wel have stayed in his own country till they had sent for him so great was their unthankfulnesse Likewise they said if he had had much at home he had not come unto them over seas such a farre Iourney Was not this to recompence good with evill Was not this right the chiefe Butlers part that did not remember Ioseph but forgot him Was not this Ioas his part to Ichoida his Father O then this was the poisonable bullet of ingratitude of the people for which our King and Master was taken away Oh would to God the people had never bin so unthankfull that our King Captaine and Master had yet lived Moreover as these people were unthankfull so they were Godlesse many of them in the time of their troubles as I did behould oftimes with mine eyes a carelesse security amongst them thinking their victories were so frequent and their owne power so great they needed not the assistance of the Swedens nor of strangers and their pride was so great that disesteeming of strangers in their pride they led a life very insolent and deboist being given to the workes of the flesh adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse idolatry c. In a word it was even amongst them as it was in the dayes before the flood as if the Lord had forgotten them or could not see their villany so it behooved God to have punished them by his Majesties death For in their hearts they said there was no God so that their mischiefe came on them unawares and this the peoples carriage caused his Majesties untimely death being shot the second time O would to God they had done otherwise and served God more truely that we might have had the presence and conduct of our Magnanimous King longer till the pride of Austria had bin more humbled and the whore of Babylon brought unto repentance of her Idolatries O would to God I could enough lament his death As also lament my owne sinnes and the wickednesse of the people that was the cause of this untimely death through their sinnes And his Majesties selfe also being a sinner as he himselfe oftimes confessed wishing that God would not lay to his charge the greate respect and reverence the best sort of the people did give unto him being but a sinfull man as they were for which he seared the Lord was angry with him shewing by his cōfession he did glory in nothing but in the Lord ascribing ever all his victories unto God and nothing presuming of himselfe For I dare be bould to say he was a man according to Gods minde if there was one on earth Such was our Master Captaine and King As was Abraham the Father of many so was our Master Captaine and King Was Noah in his time unreproveable So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iob in his sufferings patient So was our Master Captaine and King Was Ionathan true and upright in keeping his word So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iehosaphat in his warres penitent and busie craving the helpe of the Lord So was our Master Captaine and King Was Simeon good and full of the spirit So was our Master Captaine and King Was young Tobias mindfull all his dayes of the Lord in his
heart and his will not set to sinne So was our Master Captaine and King like unto a stone most precious even like a Iasper cleere as Christall ever and ever And truely if Apelles with his skill in painting and Cicero with his tongue in speaking were both alive and pressed to adde any thing to the perfection of our Master Captaine and King truely the ones best Colours and the others best Words were not able to adde one shaddow to the brightnesse of his Royall Minde and Spirit So that while the world stands our King Captaine and Master cannot be enough praised Alas then it was our sinnes and the sinnes of the Army and the Land was the cause of our punishment in losing of him with that unhappy last bullet of the three shot through his head who was the head of us all under God our Father in Christ that did undoe us it was we I say that sinned against the Lord and his Anointed It was our misdeedes did thus grow over our heads that made us lose our Head and Leader Woe woe then to us that left the Lord till we made the Lord take him from us that was our guard and comforter under God in all our troubles What then ought we to doe that one day we may raigne with him in glory While it is to day we must cast off the workes of darknesse and embrace the light in newnesse of life repenting of the evill and turning away from our wickednesse by repentance not like unto Cain not like unto Saul not like unto Achitophell not like to Iudas Iscariot who all doubted but like those of Nineve in dust and ashes to fast and pray beleeving in the Lord and with David to say We have sinned against thee and against the Heavens be mercifull unto us o Lord like unto Peter let us ô Lord Weepe bitterly let us then repent and beleeve the Gospell beleeve yea and turne to the Lord with all our hearts with fasting and praying and mourning with Saul that said Thou art more righteous then I in shewing me good for evill much more ought we to life up our voices and with teares of repentance mourne for the losse of our Master Captaine and King through our sinnes and unthankfulnesse Therefore to day while we have time let us acknowledge our sinnes before the Lord and repent lest a worse come unto us and that then we be cast into prison till that we pay the last farthing for if the Lord spared not his owne Sonne who was blamelesse and without sinne while he tooke on him our sinnes what shall then become of us No otherwise but except we turne from our sinnes we must also die the death Let us not then close our eares as at Meriba and at Massa in the wildernesse but with the forlorne Child cry Father we have sinned against thee and against heaven and are not more worthy to be called thy Sonnes Lord therefore be mercifull unto us and enter not into judgment with us Then let us all weare mourning and lament the death of the valiant King Gustavus Adolphus while we breath Yet what helpe Res est irrevocabilis et quod factum est insectum fieri nequit what is done cannot be recalled and should we mourne like unto those who have no hope Farre be it from us seing it cannot helpe us in this life or in the life to come Let us then say with Micha let it be with us as it pleaseth God and let us say with David It is good for us o Lord that thou hast chastened us with thy Rod thou canst also helpe us and bring us to an happy end of all our miseries the Lord will not suffer us nor our seede to lacke bread and the Lord our God did ever give unto the people of Israell at all times Rulers Iudges and Kings and Iael though a woman despised was strong enough to drive a naile in the right cause Shall not then the Lord on our repentance sturre up one yet to take his cause in hand who are also Israels and the Lords people and inheritance being also christened in the Lords name And as a Mother doth not forget her Child so will not the Lord forget us but in place of our Master Captaine and King will yet give unto us a valiant Leader come I hope of the valiant Bruce of the first King of the Stewarts of the Issue of Elizabeth the Queene of Bohemia and Iewell of her sex the most splendid in brightnesse of minde for a woman that the Earth doth affoord From her I wish the Leader to come into the field to fight with goodlucke victory with strength power with wisdome and understanding c. against her enemies and our enemies alwayes well furnished and prepared the Lord will give him an Horne of Iron and feete of Brasse to beate his enemies in peeces the Lord will list up his hand upon his adversaries and cut off all his enemies and to conclude he will make him treade the Devill under his feete The Lord of his infinite mercy grant unto us such a Leader in place of our valiant Master Captaine and King of never dying memory the Lyon of the North the invincible King of Sweden so shall we not neede in any manner of way to doubt of a wished happy end both to the warre and to our selves being victorious over all our enemies temporall and spirituall Amen The fourty-one Duty discharged at the intaking of Landsberg on the Leake and the reliefe of Rhine PALSGRAVE Christian being left by his Majesty to command the Army in Bavier having left Rhine with foure Companies of Swedens commanded by Colonell Worbran his Major he brake up with the Army towards Aichstade in Bavier and having taken it by Accord he continued his march towards Landsberg on the Leake Where having arrived within halfe a mile of the Towne we quartered for a night till preparation were made of victualls and furniture convenient for the beleaguering which being made the next day we marched towards the Towne in Battaile drawing up within reach of Cannon to the walles in the safest part they thundering with cannon amongst us our foote Army was divided in Briggads and directed to severall Posts our horsmen were also divided Some were commanded out to scoure the fields on that side the enemy was to come others were appointed to remaine beside the Infantry to second us against the out-falling or otherwise to second us against the reliefe that might come to the Towne The rest of our Horsemen were directed to Quarters having left Ordonance Rutters to bring them intelligence The Towne being beleaguered on all Quarters a Bridge was made over the River where a strong Guard of horse and foote were sent to hinder both their supply and escape on that side Likewise the approaches were begun and orders were given in haste for making the Batteries And the Guards being set both to the Cannon and to those that
wrought in the Trenches the Colonells were Recognosceing about the walls before their severall Postes Where at the first Colonell Fowle was shot through the thigh with a Musket who immediatly was sent to Ausburg to be cured Before night a second partie of Horse were sent forth for Intelligence lest any mis-fortune might befall the first partie whereby we might not be surprized by the Enemy being strong together at Minchen Spence his Regiment and mine were appointed to attend on the Generall at his Quarter my Lievetenant Colonell commanded the Guards on the Battery and the Trenches on our Quarter And the Generall Major Ruthven his Briggad being on the other Quarter next the water there grew a contrestation of vertue betwixt the Officers of both Briggads who should first with their approaches come to the wall but those of Ruthvens Briggad were forced notwithstanding of their diligence to yeeld the precedency unto us being older blades than themselves for in effect we were their Schoolemasters in Discipline as they could not but acknowledge So being they were trained up by us from Souldiers to be inferiour Officers and then for their preferments and advancement they went from us with our favours towards the Generall Major such as Captaine Gunne Lievetenant Brumfield Lievetenant Dumbarre Lievetenant Macboy Lievetenant Southerland Ensigne Denune and divers more which were preferred under Ruthvens Regiment till in the end they did strive in vertue to goe beyond their former Leaders Neverthelesse we kept ever that due correspondence together that where ever we did meet we were but one not without the envie of others This strife amongst us furthered so the victory that before the next morning from our Battery where Sinclaire did command there was a breach shot in the Skonce without the Towne as also from the Generall Major his Quarter there were two Officers of the enemies killed on the wall their Cannon dismounted and a great breach made in the wall So that the enemy perceiving he had two breaches to defend he tuck 't a Drumme desiring to parlé Which being granted the Accord went on and they were suffered to march out with their Armes seeing the Generall had intelligence their Armie was comming to releeve them he was glad to grant them any Conditions before he were forced to rise from the Towne by the Enemy being so neare for reliefe of it The enemy being marched out and convoyed away the Generall directed Generall Major Ruthven into the Towne with a strong partie of foote to beset all the Posts and then to take notice of all provision and goods that were in the Towne such as Corne Wine Artillery Amunition Horses and all other goods or cadducks in generall to be used at their pleasure Which being done the foote Armie were directed to their former Quarters to rest till further Orders The Horsemen were directed also to Quarters and then there were Quarters made in the Towne for the Generall and the Hoofstaffe as also for the Colonells of horse and foote during the Generall his further pleasure Diverse of our foote Souldiers were hurt on the Batteries and Trenches which got Quarters in the Towne being allowed to have Chirurgians to cure them And the Towne was incontinent beset againe with foure Companies of Colonell Hugh Hamilton his Regiment being new levied men out of Switzerland and his Major being an Irish-man commanded the men But another Dutch Major called Mountague was left to Command the Garrison Where those that entred first the Towne did make good bootie of horses and other goods But the most part was seazed upon by the Generall Persons taking the benefit unto themselves though not the paine Where we did first finde missing of our former Leader the invincible Gustavus who not onely respected Cavaliers of merit at such times but also was ready to reward them by his bountie allowing Cadducks unto them as he did unto Lievetenant Colonell Gunne The next day a partie of a thousand Horse with eight hundred Musketiers were commanded out toward Minchen to get intelligence of the Enemies designes getting Orders to fall into their Quarters if conveniently they could But beside their expectation the Enemy being together and in readinesse in a Wood unawares our partie was ingaged amongst them so that with difficultie having lost prisoners they were forced to retire and the Enemy getting intelligence that the Towne was given over to prevent us they continued their march towards Rhine on the Leacke to take it in in compensation of the losse of Lansberg The partie being retired and the Generall understanding the Dukes Army had marched on Rhine he brake up with our Armie and marched on the other side of the Leacke towards Ausburg And fearing the Skonce at Rhine and the bridge might be taken by the Enemy he did direct Captaine Iames Lyell with two hundred Musketiers as a supply to the Skonce being ordained at his comming thither to take the Command of the Skonce on him Who being come finding Colonell Wornbran there shewing his Orders he was made welcome by the Colonell being hard pressed by the Enemy and mightily afraid so that the Captaine had no difficultie in getting the command which he gladly accepted being more ambitious of credit than of gaines directly opposit to the Colonels humour The Armie having come in time for the reliefe our Horsemen were left on the side of the River next to Donavert except my Cosen Fowles his Regiment which marched over the Bridge with the Infantry being ordained the first nights watch to second the foot And immediatly after our over-going there were five hundred Musketiers of supply sent unto the Towne in despite of the Dukes Armie And then we begun to make up our Batteries and to run our lines of approach towards the Towne advancing our Redoubts and Batteries as our approaches were advanced The second night our Batteries being readie there were mutuall interchanges of Cannonading amongst us where Ensigne Murray was shot dead with the Cannon his thigh bone being broken who was much lamented being a daintie Souldier and expert full of courage to his very end On Sunday in the afternoone the Enemy having heard certaintie of his Maiesties death they drew up their whole Armie Horse Foote and Cannon before the Towne and rejoycing at the Newes they gave three salves of Cannou Musket and Pistoll Which we not understanding made us admire the more Neverthelesse the Generall resolved to get some prisoners of them to cause to make an out-fall the next morning and to that effect five hundred Commanded Musketiers were sent under the Command of Lievetenant Colonell Lesly who had Orders to fall out before day upon the Enemy Which he did and beating them from their Posts there were above threescore killed and thirtie taken prisoners which revealed the reason of their salve As also by them it was found the Armie had been broken up at midnight and crossed the Danube having made over a Ship-bridge thinking with expedition to haste unto
Saxonie to supply the Imperialists that were retiring after their defeat at Leitzen unto Boheme Notwithstanding of the advantage we had to prosecute the Enemy being divided by the River our Generall would not suffer to pursue them though Generall Major Ruthven with the whole Officers offered to doe good service The Generall fearing they might be brought to fight through despaire he would not permit to follow them but choosed rather to lose a golden opportunitie Within three dayes afterwards we marched towards Ausburg where we lay two moneths in open Feilds in the extremitie of cold without houses or buildings which undid the Army being idle without hostile imployment our Generalls giving time to our Enemies to gather strenth to beat us againe out of the Country which formerly we had subdued by his Majesties valour and good Conduct During this time I remained on my Muster place at Webling Cloister giving out patents to my Officers and money to recrue and strengthen their Companies But the enemy having taken-in the Passe and Towne of Landsberg which was given over upon accord by Colonell Hugh Hamilton who was prisoner and kept almost three yeares so the enemie getting the Passe unto Schwabland they marched towards Menning and from thence to Brandenburg on the Eler and chased mee over the Danube Being forced to quit a good Muster place we retired unto Ausburg having set the Danube betwixt us and the enemie where on our march unfortunately my horse fell on my leg and being six weekes under cure I continued still with the Armie on all occasions commanding on horse-back being unable to travell a foote The next day after our comming to Ausburg Generall Bannier did breake up with the Armie to march towards Vlme on the Danube there to joyne with the Felt-marshall Gustavus Horne who was to come with a strong partie of horse foot and Artillerie from Elsas with whom was come Major Sidserfe and the whole Musketiers of Sir Iames Ramsey his Regiment who being valourous and expert old Soldiers they were commanded on all exploits of importance being conducted and led by a discret Cavalier their Major The enemie before our joyning with the Felt-marshall had taken in Landsberg Kaufbeyre Kempten and Menning where their Armie did lie while as we joyned with the Felt-marshall at Vlme Palsgrave Christian being directed to command the Armie on the Rhine Generall Bawtishen having left them voluntarily to goe for his wedding unto Denmark Generall Bannier being also sickly not yet fully cured of his hurt that he did get at Nurenberg he was directed to the Steifft Madeburg to collect new Forces there to joyne with the Duke of Lunenburg and the Saxon who all this time after his Majesties death were pursuing hard the Imperialists conjunctis viribus assisting the Duke of Wymar and the Swedens Armie At which time the Rex-chancellour Oxestern made offer after his Majesties death to the Duke of Saxon to be made and chosen Directour of the Armies who was neither willing to accept it himselfe nor yet willingly would condescend to be directed by any other so that their division did by timefully ruine the Armie and almost lost the good cause few or none looking to the weale of the publique but all pleasing their owne fancies suffering the enemie to take advantage every one looking to their particular commodities which did occasion the meeting at Hailbrun The fourty-one Observation AFter his Majesties departure unto Saxony our Briggad which formerly on all occasions followed his Majestie being often the Guard of his person as at his crossing the Rhine and at Miniken were left behind which then we thought very hard as if thereby we had beene lost which may be was the meanes of our safetie for as some flying from danger meet with death others doe finde protection in the very jawes of mischiefe and some others in their sleepe are cast into fortunes lap while as others for all their industrie cannot purchase one smile from her Wee see then that man is but meerely the ball of time being tost too and fro is governed by a power that must be obeyed and we know there is a providence ordering all things as it pleaseth him for which no man is able to finde or give a reason we must therefore beleeve St. Ierome saying Providentiâ Dei omnia gubernantur quae putatur poena medicina est In vaine then we murmur at the things that must be and in vaine we mourne for what we cannot remedie Therefore let this be our chiefe comfort that we are alwayes in the hands of a Royall Protectour what ever then befalls us we must be contented not strugling against power We see also there is nothing more dangerous for Commanders in warres then to be thought once by their fellowes Officers and Souldiers to be greedy of the evill of gaine which opinion once received by inferiours may mightily crosse the fortunes of their Leaders for when Officers and Souldiers conceive an evill opinion of their Leaders no eloquence is able to make them thinke well of them thereafter for a supreme Officer being once remarked to keepe the meanes of those that served them they are without doubt thereafter despised by their followers And therefore he is never worthy the name of a glorious Commander that doth not preferre the vertue of liberalitie before the love of perishing gold otherwise in his teeth he will be aswell despised by the common Soldiers as by his betters for a brave Commander ought never to make an Idol of the moneys which should satisfie Souldiers but he should rather looke unto that which may follow to wit his overthrow or at least his contempt Therefore I would advise Cavaliers that command and leade others to entertaine the affection of those that have served bravely and truly lest being unjustly disdained they might turne their Armes the contrary way Wee see also the emulation of vertue betwixt friends commendable in striving who should force the enemy first unto a parlé where the diligence and valour of Major Sinclaire is praise-worthy who feared nothing but discredit where we see that the enticement to great travell and paines is glory and honour And we see all Arts and sciences are attained unto with diligent exercise So that it is not time or number of yeares that makes a brave Souldier but the continuall meditation of exercise and practise For Souldiers should be frequented in running not to runne away as some doe but on the contrary that with the greatest celerity they may prosecute their enemies taking time in overtaking their flying enemies and that they may the better releeve their friends for more come to be good Souldiers by use then by nature Here also I did see our Generall following Guischardin his counsell that wished to make a silver bridge to let passe our enemies but if the enemy on his retreat would grow carelesse and amuse himselfe once on booty then it were a fit time to medle with him being loaden