the Dukes-Wood but commonly being called the BUSSE And so this Citie builded a Townehouse a Court to entertayne the Duke likewise many Churches and in these latter times exceeding manie Monastaries And in the yeere of our Lord 1380. the foundation of the greate Church called Sainct Iohns Church was layde Also in those times the Cittie was enlarged and made greater and newe Walles moates and Bolwarkes and foure seuerall gates made to it vnder the commande of this citie at present doth belong Kempenlande Peellande Maselande and the Lande of Oosterwyke in which Landes are scituate foure chiefe Townes as Helmont Eyndhoven Megen and the Grave besides three score and twelue Villages wherein are one hundred and one Parish churches Through this citie of the Busse runneth a faire Ryver called the Diese it lyeth 2. leagues from the Ryver called the Mase 3. leagues frō Heusden and 12. leages frō Anwerpe This citie is marveillous strōg by reasō of the lande which lyeth roūde about it being verie lowe meddowes which almost continually are overwhelmed with water especially in the Winter season insomuch that none can assaulte it from without Besides the strong Fortification of this citie of high Bulwarkes very broad Moates Hornworkes halfe Moones It was strengthened with three greate and very strong Fortresses or Sconces twoo of them neare the Vuchter gate where some high grounde lyeth The greater and outwardmost is called the Fort Isabella The lesser which lyeth betweene that and the citie is called Sainct Antonio And the other which lyeth on the Eastside of the citie in a Morrace is called the Petler-Sconce Thus much touching the describing of the citie to you Nowe to returne to this present Siege the Prins of Orenge by order of the Lordes the States Generall did beginne very timely in the yeere sente vp some shipping with Ordinance Amunition and other warrelike necessaries to Nimmegen and to the Sconce of 's Gravenweert After this aboute the midst of Aprill Anno 1629. the Prins caused the most parte of his Forces to be raysed out of theire Garrisons taking theire Rendevous towardes the said Sconce And so with a greate Resolutenesse and courage on the 24. of Aprill early in the morning at 6. of the clocke his Eccellence departed out of the Hage with a braue Trayne of Valliant Commanders and Officers and went directly for Utrick from thence for Arnhem and so for 's Gravenweert Where his Eccellence finding his Troopes in readinesse instantly departed and marched to the Mokerheath and there the whole Army stood in Battell the 28. of Aprill and quartered that night vnder the Heavens Canopy The next morning at the breake of daye they marched forward to the citie called the Grave over the Bridge and so directly towardes the BVSSE where a Troope of Horse came that same euening And the next daye which was the 30. of April they viewed the Citie and in the afternoone aboute three a clock his Eccellentie came thither with his whole Armye enquartering himselfe with 134. Companies at Vucht a Village very neere to the twoo greate Sconces called Isabella and Anthonio and tooke his owne lodging in a faire ould building called Heymshouse The other chiefe Quarters his Excellence ordered in this manner Counte Ernst at Hintem with 50. Companies Counte William of Nassau the Governor of Heusden at Orten with 32. Companies The Lorde of Brederode aboute the Petteler-Sconce with 26. Companies and the Count of Solms at Engelen neere Crevecoeur for the safetie of our Victuall and Amunition Shipping which laye there And one the 11. of Maye Mons Pinsen came thither with 23. Companies and tooke his Quarter at Deuteren In the meane time all the Quarters being layd out and every Regiment and Companye hauing theire ground giuen them His Excell caused certaine thousandes of Husbandemen to come out of the Betuw the Tieler and Bommeler-Weerd and other places to the campe which with the helpe of the Souldiers did in few dayes entrench euery Quarter and being defensible as so many bees to theire hiues so each Souldier brings some thing to make himselfe a Hutt This being done his Excellence rides about to view the ground The Line of circumvallation being nigh 30. English Miles in circuit The Siege running thus from the right side of the Dam where a Riuer called the Dommel was stopt it ran along by Generall Cicills Regiment and so to Coronell Harwords from thence to the French and Walloones and along the Heath to the stone Gallowes Then a long to Deuteren from thence to the Busse-Sloate and so along the men of warre to Engelen and Crevecoeur and from thence on the other side of the Riuer called the Diese downe to Orten from thence to Hintem where Count Ernst his Quarter laye and so forward to Coudwater and to the Lord of Brederods Quarter and thence along the Uffrouws Sconce and Berkel-Sconce to the Dam where the out Line met againe The Governor of the BVSSE called Grobbendoncq hearing that our Army came marching towardes the Citie and seeing our Horsemen making a bravado in compassing and viewing thereof could not beleeue or be perswaded that it was intended to besiege him but that the plott was layd to besiege Breda Yea hee said playnlie that he did thinke the Prins was not so vnwise for to beginne such a foolish acte But presently after perceiuing that he setled his Quarters and his Army approching towardes the Citie and to annoye it hee began to ponder his owne negligence that he had not provyded the Citie sufficiently of Men Ordinance and Gunpowther although a little before he could haue had certaine thousand weight of powther from Luyke which for the couetuousnesse of monnie tooke noe effect This newes comming to Brussels and other places in Braband some set very light by it esteeming this Citie to bee invincible but others considering theire vnpreparednesse and wante of men and monnie were much amased The Archduchesse sent one Post after another for Spayne caused her chiefe Commanders of warre to assemble and beganne to laye theire witts togeather howe to rayse monnies for the paye of theire Souldiers that so they might gett them in feelde Grobbendoncq wrote in all hast for more men and powther and that the Archduchesse would vse some speedie meanes to releeue the Citie some of the Enemies cheefe Commanders when they heard of this as I am credibly informed sayd smylinglie that Grobbendoncq was one of those stout and valliant men which did not feare the Divel himselfe yea scoffed at him and as it were desyred to see hem As this Governor did often wish that the Prins would come and visit him but when he sawe him indeed he was as sore affrayde as the rest and desyred soonest to be rid of him His Excellence the first daye of Maye suffered divers Women Children Nunnes Maydservantes to departe out of the Citie The Troopes of Horsmen which laye in Garnison within the Citie thought also to passe out of the Citie without anie
consent of the Prins but were forced to returne in the Towne againe Betweene the 4. and 5. of Maye in the night there slipt into the Towne some 800. Men which came from Breda by the waye of Vlymen and along Deuteren where Monsieur Pinsens Quarters was afterward and from thence wading vp to the Armepitts in the water got into Sainct Iohns gate By reason whereof his Excellence did cause a Dyke to be made from the Vuchterheath to Pinsens Quarter over the drownedland by Grobbendoncks Koy and likewise along the Busse-Sloate as farre as to Engelen wrought all by Pesants which brought earth and Sande thither in boates with twigs of trees or brush to laye vnder and betwixt the earth that the water might not wash it awaye And so the whole Siege was compassed and shutt in 8. or 10. dayes Betweene the 11. and 12. of Maye Count Ernst did approche in his Quarter as farre as is noted in the Mappe from A to B and there made a Corps de guarde and bargayned with his Workemen to make him a Batterie there of sixe peeces of ordinance which Batterie within tenne or twelue dayes after was made being very neere within Musket shott of the Towne And by reason the water encreased there could be noe neerer approches made at that time because all the ground towardes the Citie stood blanke vnder water to which ende the Enemy in the Citie cut asunder the Cadyke going towardes the Orterdyke noted with the letter D. The 14. daye of Maye our men brought 40. flat Turfe Ships in the Camp to make Bridges The 15. the enemie sallied forth of the Petler vpon the Lord of Brederoods Quarter but were soone drouen backe againe The 16. they of Towne sallied forth of the Towne in boates vpon Count Ernst his Quarter but were faine to retraict not effecting any thing against vs. Aboute the 20. we began to make an out Line betwixt Engelen and Crevecoeur foâ— the safety of our Horse and all the Lines hauing twoo steps The bottome thereof being aboute 16. foote and the top 6. foote broade And by the Vlymer-Bridge his Excellence caused a Sconce to be made against the stragling Souldiers of Breda which was thought invincible The 22. Count William caused some Canon shot to be made into the Towne of 6. and 7. pound bullets and afterwardes hauing perfected a Batterie did continue in shooting with twoo halfe Cannons which sent in bullets of 24. pound and a little peece which shot 6. pound The 23. a Post ventured to get into the Towne but being descryed followed was drownde by the waye but neuerthelesse our people got him dead and brought his secrett Letters to the Prince The Outline of the Siege being thus finished and made defencible then the English and French which were in his Excellencies Quarter broake ground and each Nation striuing for his honour made towardes the Towne to wit the French towardes the greate Sconce Isabella with their Ingeners Mons Porcibal and his Sonne and the English towardes the lesser and farther Sconce called Sainct Antony with theire Ingeners Ian de Bos and Master Humphry The 28. Count Ernst commaunded to make shott into the Citie with three halfe Cannons and suddenly after his Batterie being finished did continue shooting with twoo halfe Cannons which shot Bullets of 24. pound and afterwardes with three peeces more of 12. pound shott The same daye in the night some 30. or 40. Muskettiers sallied forth of the greate Sconce Isabella and did discharge vnder the Ordinance of our Carabins and so retraicted not doeing any thing else The 29. Porcival made a Line which they of the greate Sconce broke in peeces and so was left The same daye Counte William caused shot to be made into the Towne from a second Batterie with three peeces of Ordinance which carryed Bullets of 24. pound and with other three peeces of 12. pound and his first Batterie with three peeces of 6. pound and one of 3. pound also continuing The 30. came forth of the greate Sconce Isabella 40. Muskettiers vnto our approches and discharging theire firelockes mayming some of our men returned againe The same daye those of the little Sconce sallied forth and killed an English Lieftenante and his man with Musket short hurting another Souldier and so were drouen in againe The first of Iune in the night they of the Towne fyred vpon the top of the Church steeple three times pulling vp the fire euery time thrise the French seeing this fell vpon some Workes which those of the greate Sconce had made chasing them out of theire Workes and got manie shouelles armes and other implements The English in the meane time making Waye and Passage towardes the little Sconce drawing neerer and neerer And by reason the water began to diminish fall at this time Count Ernst went forwarde with his approches and made the twoo Lines marked with C and E and made a Corps de guarde vpon F in the Hintemer-Waye This Corps de guarde was finished in fewe dayes after being made Canon proofe and guarded with Pallisadoes The same time the French wonne the Line of the greate Sconce which broke our Line which was made the 29. of Maye At that time were slaine a Leeftenant and a Volantarie likewise Monsieur de Vitre was shot in his shoulder and thigh neere to the Conterscharpe of the greate Sconce Betweene the second and third daye Count Ernst approched with the Lines which are marked G H I to some small millhills K and there made a Corps de guarde which afterwardes was changed and made a Batterie for twoo halfe Cannons On Whitsonday the 3. of Iune the French beganne to shoote with 6. peeces of 24. pound Bullets from a Batterie which was made in the Line of Communication passing from the English Workes to the French for the assistance of on another if need were The same daye at night they of the Towne drewe vp fire againe in the greate Church steeple The 6. and 7. of Iune And whereas the approaches and Corps de gardes in Counte Ernst his Quarter daylie were furthered so he approached from the said Millhills along the Line L and at M made a Corps de garde from whence his men went to the letter N the Line of Communication along the Kadyke to the Quarter of Counte William And the same night approached to the Stonebridge in the Hintemer-Way to the letter O and the 7. they began to sap ouer that Bridge and the night following made the Corps de garde which is marked with the letter P. And the dayes following they did sap towardes the Horneworke at the Hintemer-end along the little Waye on both sides thereof because the Lande laye vnder Water Insomuch that his Grace bargayned to make a Batterie there the 14. of Iune for 3. peeces of Ordinance at the letter Q. and afterwardes another Batterie of 2. peeces at the letter R. The 8. a French Captaine called Monsieur de Vittenval
the moate which wee presupposed they had prepared for the firing of our Gallerie To prevent this my Lord of Oxford got a Sloope which was brought about towards our Gallerie that on a suddaine tenne or twelue resolute Souldiers with short swords and Pistolls might chop into it to hinder the Enemie from fastning anie fireworkes vpon our Gallerie which the Enemie perceauing attempted nothing The Lorde of Oxford gaue order likewise that our Musketteirs from all flanks should continuallie be playeing and our Ordinance shooting vpon the top of their Bulwarke and their halfe Moone to keepe the Enemie from peeping over and giving fire vpon our Workemen This night although it was Moonelight the Brush and faggots were layd ouer to the left hand of the Bulwarke from the end of our second Gallerie in the Bleachfeelde and thanks be to God but one Man shot in layeing them over and another Souldier of Captaine Skippons shot which stood Centinell in our Long Gallerie My Lord Crauen whose worth and liberallitie was knowne heere extraordinarilie this night and the daye followeing as at other times he vsed to doe watched with my Lord of Oxford the next night with my Lord Cicills Companie and the third night with Generall Morgans Regiment My Lord of Doncaster and my Lord fielding trayled Pikes vnder my Lord Cicills Companie and went constantlie downe to the Approaches vpon anie service and exposed theire bodies both to danger and sicknesse My Lord of Oxford an houre before he was relieued had about with the Enemie vpon the lefte corner of the halfe Moone and my Lord Veres Musketteirs of Dort comming vp almost to the top of the halfe Moone gaue fire in the teeth of the Enemy and came to the push of Pike thorow the Blinds this startled them and made them throwe stones and Handgranadoes amongst our Men but his Lord caused a Souldier of Captaine Roockwoods Companie to cast 14. Handgranadoes among them into their halfe Moone which made them giue backe and cry Guarda Guarda The Granadoes being burst they came vp againe to the top of the halfe Moone and gaue fire vpon our Men but my Lord caused Musketteirs to be drawne to the top of our gards especiallie that of Captaine Clarke which was high they gaue fire apace vpon them fetcht some of them off which shewed their heads and bodies this peece of service being ended my Lord of Oxford being releeued drew awaye to his Quarter On Count Ernests side the 19. of August the Brush and Planks were layd ouer to the Enemies Horneworke and a Mine made into it This Mine being sprung the Scotsh and the Dutches fell on couragiouslie and they and the Enemie gaue fire apace one at another for three quarters of an houre our Ordinance playing from all Batteries as fast as they could charge and discharge in this time the Enemie stood out verie stoutlie three assaults with the losse of manie men But the Enemie gaue fire in such manner from the Wall of the Towne and out of the greate halfe Moone that our Men were forced to retreate into the mouth of their Gallerie and Works yet this advantage wee got that wee did sett vp some Musket-baskets and lodge some of our men vpon the right corner of their Horneworke from whence wee began a Sap and made Blinds towardes their halfe Moone which after another Mine was sprung caused the Enemie on the 21. of August to quit it and so retired in their halfe Moone In this fight were slayne Captaine Ramsey and twoo dayes after a Dutch Captaine called Captaine Hatton who carried themselues very worthilie And when as Count Ernest had strengthened the Betuw and all the Cities and places thereabouts as also along the River called the Yssel against all assaults of the Enemie for the furtherance of which the Prince sending him daylie more Forces as he could spare and raise them It happened that vpon the 20. daye of August these glad tydings came to the Prince to wit a Letter from that worthy and Valliant Commaunder Otto de Gendt and Oyen Lord of Dyden Gouernor of Emrick vnto the Prince of Orenge the tennor whereof followeth MY LORD THE bearer hereof my Cossen Merode is come to make reporte vnto your Excellentie of the good successe of the surprising of the Citie of Wesel The Enemie hath likewise quitted both the Sconces making not one shot against vs. Theire man of warre they haue sunke themselues and hauing a parcell of small shipping in the Ryne I did cause parte of them to be burnt I haue founde greate number of Ordinance heere and 13. or 14. Boates vpon Karts And for the better securing of this Citie I haue sent for more Companies out of Emmerick and Rees And if it please your Excellentie I should desire more strength Thus in hast I take my leaue WESEL the 19. of August 1629. In the morning betweene 4. and 5. of the Clocke Your Excellenties humble and faithfull OTTO OF GENDT AND OYEN The first Vndertakers of this Enterprise were Peter Mulder Richard Mulder his Brother and Iohn Rootleer all three Burgers of WESEL men of a meane condition but of a good spirit resolution This Peter Mulder divers times fayning to learne to swim had pilde the depth of the moate on that side which he intended the Citie should be assaulted and spying out all opportunities made a greate Iron hammer to beate downe the Pallisadoe which stood vpon the Bulwarke on the East side of the Towne wherewithall the Prince being aquainted as also of the possibillitie of this designe His Excellentie appointed the Lord of Dyden for the mannaging thereof The time and place being appointed the 18. of August Peter Mulder went out of WESEL at one Gate and his Brother out of another Gate about three houres before the shutting of the Gates Peter Rootleer followed a while after to avoyde all suspition all three meeting togeather in the darke at the place appointed And hauing called vpon the Name of the Lord of Hosts for his ayde assistance herein that thereby theire fellowe Brethren and Cittizens might be released from the bondage and vexation of theire Enemies The Lord of Dyden about midnight came vnto them with some sixteene hundred foote some muskettiers others firelockes and halfe pikes and eight Troopes of Horse Before they went on the Lord of Dyden to doe noe man wrong made the Captaines to drawe Billets who should fall on first And Peter Muller with his twoo Comrades went on before them couragiouslye But ere our Troopes came thither and that the Lord of Dyden had ordered the businesse thus it began to be light so that they imagined it was not practicable The Enemie likewise seeing the daye broke and that it began to be light drewe off their By-watch from that place and betooke themselues to their rest But God who is the disposer of all things and giues courage to men at last our men waded through the moate and entered the Bulwarke And
was shot in the Trenches looking betweene twoo Cannon Baskets and his Lieftennante succeeded in his place The same daye the French began to make Cannon shot of 24. pound vpon the Horneworke of the greate Sconce The 9. His Excellentie caused aboue 140. Cannō shot to be made vpon the little Sconce and into the Citie from the greate Batterie And the same daye some Souldiers came forth of the Towne towardes Pinsens Quarter to take some Horse and Workemen but were drouen backe againe Counte Ernst at this time was advised by his Ingener Matthijs van Voord to make a greate Gallerie directly vpon the Citie from the letter N. betweene the Hintemer-end and the Orter Bulwarke which should be made in this manner The plaine thereof should be a foote heigth aboue water and 12. foote broad betweene the Walles thereof on both sides which Walles should be Cannon proofe And at euery 8. or 10. foote length a Travers to be made also Cannon proofe Which his Excellentie and Count Ernst with the States Committies approoved of And so instantly order was giuen that it should be made To this end the twoo Batteries marked S and T were put forth to be made each of them for eight peeces of Ordinance The Wings or Hinderparte thereof closing togeather and hauing on the sides Corps de guardes for the safetie of the Batteries and so this greate Gallerie was begunne the 8. of Iuly by these Ingeners Matthijs van Voord and Iames Slip. And by reason the Place where this greate Gallerie was to be made was alltogeather a Morrace which was overflowne with Water at some places a mans heigth wee were faine to fill the Waye as we worked forward with brush and earth which was brought thither from afarre of in Cartes And for the more securitie of this Gallerie there were made the Batteries V and W. The same daye at night six Frenchmen went in Armour of Musket proofe to viewe the Conterscharfe of the Horneworke belonging to the greate Sconce but never a shot was made at them The same night the French advanced theire workes to the Conterscharfe of the Horneworke where they began to mine but stopped it againe The 11. came into Count Ernsts Quarter eleauen Companies more of Scotsh This daye the English began to make Cannonshot of 24. pound at the little Sconce from a Batterie that had twoo peeces which shot at the Sconce gate The same daye the French made shot from a Batterie which they made vpon the Conterscharfe of the Horneworke Dito Monsieur de Candale came into the Quarter and had the Watch in the Trenches The 14. the English began to shoote Granadoes out of 2. Morters into the greate Sconce Isabella and the little Sconce Sainct Antony whereof one fell into the Powther Roome of the greate Sconce and with a wondrous greate Noyse like a Thunder clap threwe as it were whole Houses in the Ayre to the admiration of diuers The same daye his Excellentie and the States went vpon the Batterie and sent some Granadoes into the little Sconce which made parte of the Walles to flie vp that wee could hardlie see the Sconce for Dust and Smoake The last night they in the Towne drewe vp fire againe in the Church steeple The same daye Count Ernst went forwarde with his sap along the smale Waye towardes the Hintemer-end raysing the passage with Brush and earth and advanced so much that the 19. the Corps de guarde Numero 1. and vpon the 28. the Corps de guarde Numer 2. were made And to advance the workes of the mayne Gallerie at Numer 3. and 4. twoo Batteries were made each of one peece of Ordinance The 15. His Excell commaunded to let the Water which was stopped at the Dommel to runne rounde about his Quarter And the same daye the English sent six Granadoes into the twoo Sconces whereof twoo made a fearefull stirre among them threw some of theire Hutts over the Walles Forcing the Enemye to saue themselues in the Out-workes vntill the Granadoes had done theire operatiō wee in the meane time playeing vpon them with Cannon and Musket shot as fast as wee coulde The 16. in the night the Enemie sallied forth of the Hintemer-gate and beate the Scotsh out of theire Trenches as likewise those of the greate Sconce in number some 50. or 60. Men came out with Treshing cudgels Pistolls and Clubs and beate the French out of theire Trenches and slewe some of the English which were employed there in making of the French approches The same night the English sent three Granadoes into the little Sconce and did greate endeavour to fill the moate of the halfe Moone with Brush and earth but they of the Sconce threw forth hookes and pulled out our Brush sometimes as fast as we did put it in and cast out firebrandes and Handegranadoes to burne it so that wee had hot worke to prevaile with them Likewise they of the greate Sconce threw forth Handegranadoes and Firebrandes to breake and burne the Gallerie which the French began to make towardes the Horneworke but neverthelesse they got vp that night three posts or ioynts of theire Gallerie The 17. the English were mynded to haue made an assaulte vpon the halfe Moone being they had made a passage over the moate but the Captaine of the Watch being hurte it was deferred The 18. the French began to make a Gallerie directlie vpon the middlewing of the Horneworke The 19. the English began to make a Gallerie towardes the halfe Moone of the little Sconce the 20. they worked forwarde with theire Gallerie by cleere dayelight and sent eight Granadoes into it which made the Enemye call vpon the name of the Ladye Mary most fearefullie and fled into theire Conterscharfes to save themselves The night following they drewe vp fire in theire high steeple againe The 21. were sent 8. Granadoes more into the little Sconse with many Cannonshot everie daye and instant The 20. the French began a second Gallerie on the right hand of the first And the same daye the French broake a myne into the Horneworke The 21. the English broake a myne into the halfe Moone of the little Sconce And began to make a second Gallerie on the right hand of the first The 22. in the night the English went couragiously forwarde with theire Gallerie but they of the Sconce sallied forth and set it on fyre The English neverthelesse watching an oppurtunity suddenlie fell vpon the Enemie insomuch that they had noe time to seeke and returne the same waye which they came forth And so divers of them being enforced to make speed or to be put to the sworde leaped into the moate and there were drowned The same night the English set fyre on theire myne and made an assaulte vpon each side of the halfe Moone but the myne operating contrary to theire expectation they beganne another myne and went forward with theire Galleries The French also gave fire to a myne but effected little At this
faithfull Frend HENRY COUNT OF BERKE From our Campe at Boxtel the 16. of Iuly 1629. The Superscription was thus To My Lord the Baron of Grobbendonk Knight of the Order of S. Iames Coronell of a Regiment of Walloons and Governor of the BUSSE But this Letter falling into the handes of his Excellentie he sent it to the Lordes the States Generall of these Unyted Low Countrye Provinces with his advyse and counsell what he thought fitting to be done against the Enemyes plot his Excellentie likewise ordered an Army of Foote and Horse out of his Campe vnder the commaund of Count Otto van Stierum to followe Count Henry and watch what he intended neverthelesse himselfe continueing the Siege before the BUSSE The 18. the Lord van Dieden Governor of Emmerick then commanding in the French Trenches hauing blowne vp a Myne in the greate Sconce which overwhelmed twoo of our men that stood too neere it The French entered finding noe resistance tooke the greate Sconce There were founde in it 16. Hogsheads of Wyne 24. Barrells of Beere greate quantity of Bread and Porke a Boy and a Dog with a Sellar of Yse to coole Wyne or Beere in the heate of the Summer The 19. of Iuly in the morning about three a clocke the Enemy likewise quitted the little Sconce wherein was founde seuerall Armes and Houshouldstuffe The same daye Coronell Harwood commaunding the English Trenches after he had taken the little Sconce went forward and likewise beate the Enemye out of a Traverse which they had made without the Sconce and so they fled to theire halfe Moone which was 250. paces from thence towardes the Towne The English and the French afterwardes releeued one another in approaching and sapping towardes the Towne euerie fourth night and the Dutch hauing the Watch after them one night And so his Excellentie caused some Batteries to be made by the little Sconce which shot vpon the Tenaille Vuchtergate and halfe Moone thereof wee in the meane time sapping forwardes towardes the Tenaille which was the next thing that laye in our waye The 20. Count Otto van Stirum departed out of our Camp with an Army of 1200. Horse and 4000. foote to followe the Enemy The 23. came newes to our Camp that Count Henry with his and the Emperours Forces were got over the Ryver called the Ysell into the Veluw which daunted vs much being the Enemye could runne vp from thence without passing over any more Waters even to the principall Cities of Hollande as he did partlie his dessigne being thereby to make vs breake vp the Siege of the BUSSE and to come to prevent his proceeding But his Excell seeing the Towne could not hould out long sent forth Count Ernst with Coronell Harwood and so many foote and Horse as he could spare out of his Camp to hinder the Enemys comming over the Ryne into the Betu as he afterwardes when he had brought his Forces into the Velu did oftentimes attempt which if he could haue effected would haue beene greatlie to our disadvantage The 26. the Sergeant Major of the French which then had the watch in the Trenches brought a bridge of rushes over the moate of the halfe Moone which laye before the Tenaille and making a Rempart in the halfe Moone the Enemye left it and fled to the Tenaille The 28. the Enemye sallied forth of the Towne in Boates and tooke divers Prisoners whereof some were Burgers that were gone too neere the Towne to see strange things The same daye came into our Camp the Yong Prins of Denmarke with a Regiment of Dutch The 3. of August a Bridge of rushes was brought over the moate of the Tenaille The 4. Monsieur Douchant hauing the Watch in the Approaches aboute noone sprong a Myne in the Tenaille after he had layd twoo Rush-Bridges over the moate thereof and about some 100. of the French went on verie furiouslie into the breach which the myne had made entering it with halfe Pykes But the Enemye resisted them verie stoutlie and slew many being most of them Volontaries and so put them backe by force which Combate his Excellentie sawe standing vpon the Bulwarke of the little Sconce The 6. of August Monsieur de Candale commanding the French Trenches made a sap on the right hand of the Tenaille which did the Enemye much harme afterwardes he caused a Corps de guarde to be made to make shot on the sideway and the daye after sent them manye of Granadoes The same daye Monsieur Pinsen made a Batterie verie neere the Citie from whence he cast them manie Granadoes The 8. Monsieur Maurice Coronell of the Walloones hauing the watch in the Trenches the Enemye left the Tenaille after twoo Mynes were sprong the third being readie and so was taken and a greate Batterie made of it of nine halfe Cannons On the 10. of August Grobbendonk in the night sent forth twoo Souldiers apparrelled like Countriemen with Letters to the Arch-Duchesse each of them hauing a paire of Doves which should haue beene cast vp and flie into the Towne with answer backe againe But their hartes failing them and fearing to be taken by our Men in passing the Line and Watches the one Souldier being more willing then the other drew out his Knife and threatned to kill the other if he would not goe along with him to the Prince and so calling to our Centinells the Guard receiued them in the contents of the Letters were that he could not hould out the Towne aboue three weekes longer and the Burgers for the sauing of their liues and goodes and shunning of sudden danger would force him to a composition and therfore required releife within that time or else it would goe verie hard with them of all which the Prince made good vse To goe on the Tenaille being ours we beganne a new sap from the right point thereof towardes the Enemyes halfe Moone without the Vuchter-Gate running the Approaches by oblique Lines windings and turnings till wee came to the verie brinke of the Moate of the Towne where the Dommell falleth into it making the moate and it aboue 300. foote over and euer as wee got ground so we advanced our Ordinance made Batteries Gards and Blinds for the safegard of our Men there began the first entrance of our mayne Gallerie into the moate to be put ouer into the Bulwarke on the right hand of the Gate on both sides of this Gallerie there were made for the defence of it a small Batterie of twoo halfe Cannon which beate vpon the bricke foundation of the Bulwarke and flankard our Gallerie on both sides the Ordinance likewise which were planted vpon the Tenaille playd vpon the Bulwarkes on each side of the Towne gate to dismount their Ordinance which shot vpon the end of our Gallerie and of our Workemen but the Enemyes Ordinance were so sunke that wee could not come at them From vnder the said Tenaille was also a planke Bridge layd over the Dommell and a Blinde made