difficulties in bringing them to perfection so as peradventure it might have been a more opportune advice for the affairs of his King and for the condition of the present times not to have provoked the Italians with such and so great a novelty who were already very much incens'd with the Spanish command who being become more jolly by reason of the successes in the late wars were ready to hold up their heads and to hazard the wholly laying aside all respect to the King of Spains authority and forgoing all fear of his Arms to turn the world upside down for the preservation of themselves and liberties rather then to suffer themselves to be inslaved as they were likely to be by the novelties attempted and so strongly indeavoured by Feria Neither was it likely that the French who did now incourage Feria to this enterprise would ever be content that he should reap full satisfaction therein for they having no other end then by vexing the Grisons to force them to have recourse unto their King for help it was more certain that they would indeavour by all means that that Valley might not remain possess'd by the Spaniards lest the Spanish Grandezza might be the more increased and the liberty of the Italian Princes might be by them oppress'd and lest that passage might be block'd up from those of their Nation by the Spaniards and besides that the precise Orders and Instructions of the Court of Spain did repugne such novelties the example of the Emperour Charles the Fifth and of Philip the Second might keep the Duke of Feria from such attempts which Princes though they knew how fitting a thing it would be to be masters of the Valtoline and would galdly have been so yet thinking it to be a business which would be hard to compass they were far from thinking of it and the example of the commotions which hapned in Count Fâ—…entes time was more fresh and of greater force when by building only that Fort within the Confines of the State of Millain he was likely to have caused such wars in Italy the French and Venetians having ingaged themselves meerly for the preservation of the Valtoline when the Spanish Forces were at the height of their reputation what could he then pretend or hope for upon this present occasion when the intire usurping of the Valtoline was in question by the preservation whereof the liberty of Italy and by the loss whereof her slavery did evidently result and yet Feria preferring the great good which would be gotten by joyning Italy to Germany before so many other respects entred couragiously upon the enterprise and plunged himself daily more thereinto thinking that the glory of this acquisition would be greater by how much the respects were the greater which had kept the Emperour and Philip the Second from endeavouring it he did not apprehend that any one could disturb him or bereave him of what he should have gotten when he should have joyned Germany to Italy by the Valtoline for having once secured the passage of the Dutch neither could the Italians have known how to resent it being bereft of forreign aid nor could forreigners have easily assaulted the State of Millain when it should be back'd by the neighbouring German Forces he was also the more incouraged and his hopes were the more heightned by the troubles in France the King being busied in besieging Montalban and Rochel which were thought would prove a tedious business and not to be effected so as holding it for undoubted that neither the French nor without them the Venetians nor other Italian Princes would stir he thought they would be content with it as they had been with the building of Fort Fuentes and that therefore he was not to abandon an occasion whereby he might signalize his Government beyond that of any of his Predecessours who though they had always had their eye upon it yet they never knew how to effect it But the Grisons who were not this mean while idle having by the Venetians moneys assembled about 6000 Foot tried once more to enter into the Valtoline by the way of Chiavenna and finding la Riva well fortified they took a great compass along the Mountains and fell down into the Country of Bormio which lies in the utmost part of the Valtoline where it joyns to Tirvolo Iovan di Medici Marquess of St. Angelo was entred into this Town with 600 of those Italian Foot who came in Threves from the State of Millain and had already begun a great Trench by which he thought to have shut up the mouth of a Valley whereby they come from the uppermost part of the Grisons but the Work not being yet finished and consequently remaining subject to be offended by the Enemy when coming upon their backs they should assault the defendants being therefore set upon on that side which lay yet open he forsook the Tâ—…ench and Bormio and withdrew with his men into Tirano a Town which lies more inward and almost in the midst of the Valley and the Grisons entring Bormio without any resistance sack'd it unworthily profaning the Churches and converting sacred things and what was consecrated to divine worship not only to prophane but to sacrilegious and scandalous uses being incouraged by this good success they fell down upon Tyrano assuredly hoping to take it with as much ease but they fared here otherwise for the Duke of Feria hearing what had hapned at Bormio gave order to Iovan Ieronymo Pimontello that leaving a sufficient Garrison in nella Riva he should go with all the men he could gather up in those parts into the Valtoline who taking as he marched some piecâ—…s of Artillery from Fort Fuentes and having gotten 14 foot Compâ—…nies in those parts came in four days march into Tyrano where there were already 2000 Foot and 500 Horse commanded by Iovan Bravo The Grisons were not above four miles from Tyrano when Pimontello came thither with his men and being discovered and with stood by some Troops of Horse they fought them and repuls'd them who being pursued by greater numbers retired into Tyrano but the Grisons keeping behind them with the whole body of their men Pimentello and Bravo resolved to go forth agaâ—…n into the Field with 1000 Foot part Spaniards part Italians and with 400 Horse and sencing themselves with some woful Wals but breast high which inviron the Gardens by which that whole Country is distinguished they staid waiting the coming of the Enemy who appeared upon the descent of a Hill divided into three Squadrons the first which consisted of 2000 Bernese and were led on by Colonel Nicolâ—… Muler a valiant and well experienced Commander advancing more furiously then the rest was so sorely plaid upon by Musket-shot when he drew neer the plain as being openly exposed to the vollies of shot he was but ill dealt with being afterward come upon the plain he received more prejudice by the Horse which was commanded by Ottaviano Governour of Gullara
materials upon any occasion which might happen when the Truce should be expired which notwithstanding he proceeded in but slowly by reason of the greâ—…t hopes he had of peace which being joyned to hâ—…s abhorrence of war and expences all provisions seemed superfluous These hopes accompanied and nourish'd with great desire had also made the Court of France negligent in making new recruits for Italy had not Cardinal Richelieu contrary to the opinion of the whole Council laboured to perswade the King to the contrary Shewing him that in case Peace should not be concluded in the time prefixt for Truce it would be necessary that the Citadel should be surrendred which being come into the Spaniards hands the state of affairs would be reduced to such a condition as it would be bootlesse to hope for any saâ—…sfaction or peace and that so the great expeâ—…ience the so great labour and troubâ—…e which they had been at for the maintaining of Cassalle would together with the reputation and honour of the Armes of France be lost the King being perswaded by these reasons gave order for the levying of as many Souldiers as could be whereof a body of 1200 being raised was sent to Pinarollo under Marshal Marigliack which was a good recruit to the French Camp it being much diminished The 15 of Octob. drew neer and no news being heard of Peace they treated of proroguing the Truce whereof Sancta Croce who naturally abhorr'd the thought of War and the Commanders and Council no less then he were desirous by reason of the confusion and difference of opinions and humours which was amongst them and for the distrust they had of the Duke and of Collalto which made them despair of good success but the French whose numbers were increased fearing that they might dissolve by delay and building very much upon the necessities and weakness of the Enemy refused it as did also the Duke and Collalto being displeased that the first suspension granted by them was ill resented Wherefore because the world thought and the Spaniards seemed assured that what they had done was a that time very seasonable they were now very backward to the end that the good of the former suspension might appear by the contrary effects and that so Sancta Croce and the rest who had blamed it might learn at their own cost to listen better in the future to their Counsels But the condition of affairs being much alter'd from what it was when the Truce was made made the present refusal be approved the French were then weak and despaired of relieving the Town by reason of the stout opposition the City Citadel were reduced to the utmost extremity for want of victuals by the advancing of the siege it was now clean contrary the French were very strong in Piedmont they met with little or no opposition the City and Citadel were that mean while maintained with victuals by the Spaniards and they had some provisions lay'd in for the future The fiege was much lessened their courage cooled preparations slackned and in fine the affairs of the Camp were much worse in Counsell Courage and Union and the reputation thereof was much diminished The Truce being expired and nothing that was done in Ratisbone being known in Italy the French betook themselves to relieve the Town but without victuals or any other provisions for sustenance of the Citadel which they were to relieve their whole Forces consisted of about 15000 Foot and 2000 Horse to boot with some 4000 which were left in Piedmont under Monsieur Di Tauanes to entertain or to give pretence to the Duke and to the Dutch who remained in Piedmont after the Truce to keep from joyning with Sancta Croce if he should oppose the succour and to infuse more terror into the Enemy they used many tricks and inventions to make their preparations appear greater and the number of their men more as well of those who remained in Piedmont as those who went to the relief There were three Marshals chose who were to manage the whole businesse Sforza Scomberg and Marigliack and these were to command every day by turnes the Duke demanded men from Sancta Croce to oppose them but did not obtain them were it either out of distrust or that knowing all the Dutch were in Piedmont would have the remainder for his own safety sake keep before Cassalle Wherefore seeing that neither the Dutch nor the Duke moved the French Army past over the Poe a little below Saluzzo without any opposition and came to Scarnafixo where they mustered on the fifth of Octob. and march'd on the next day having with them only six small pieces of Artillery The Duke of Momorancy being gone to France after the Truce was concluded was not present in this action The marching of this Army and the so constant resolution to relieve the Town afforded much discourse touching the Duke and Collalto whether they held private intelligence with the French or no it being thought that otherwise it was impossible three Marshals should take a journey of fourscore miles in an Enemies Countrey where they had no strong Holds for the safety of their march or upon any occasion for their retreat and therefore subject to be assaulted not without manifest danger and forc'd to fight in any disadvantagious place with a fresh nimble Army stronger then theirs Anâ—… say they had been sure to meet with no opposition or had had a safe Conduct sent them by the Enemy yet they might have supposed that they should meet with greater difficulties and dangers when they should be at the end of their march and be come within sight of the Enemies Camp For the Enemy being very well intrench'd munited with Artillery and being possess'd of the City and Castle of Casalle they must necessarily either assault them upon too much disadvantage within their Quarters or besiege them there either of which would certainly have been a desperate business but it was a no less dangerous and ill advised Enterprize to attempt the relief of a famish'd place without victuals which had more need of speedy food for nourishment then of men to defend them Whereinto if they should have gotten who sees not they must have surrendred the Town the sooner being to be the sooner famish'd by the entrance of so many men and would have stood in more need of victuals The Army being parted from Scarnafixo march'd to Raconiggi from thence to Somariva del Bosco then to Cerexola that they might from thence come into the County of Asti getting victuals from the neighbouring Towns Whilest they advanced apace and in good order without any opposition the others were nâ—…t idle before Casalle for having notice of the Enemies coming they began to make Trenches as well against the Citadel as against the coming of succour but more diligently on the side of the Hills by which way they thought they would march it being the higher and more advantagious they therefore placed many pieces
with the Governour who in a short time was able to muster 15000 Foot and 5000 Horse And whilst others were coming the Governour went with three Troops of Horse from Bigarassa to Tornavento the same day that the Enemy going from thence went towards the Lake The Marshall hearing this who marched on that side the River and was not advanced full twelve miles halted and advised with the Duke and they both resolved to return back and go to their former quarters of Tornavento and Brughera for it was very probable that those who marched on this side with the Marshal might be defeated if they should be pursued by the Enemy being divided by the River from their associates For the River which runs very swiftly from the Lakes mouth to Tornavento would not suffer them to throw over the Bridge there that so they might joyn their Forces together nor did the same swiftness of the River permit that the boats which were drawn against the Current could come time enough to peece with the others before the Enemy might come upon them Whereas on the contrary by returning back the Boats which were below would anticipately come to the former place so as the Bridge being speedily put together they might meet with their joynt Forces before they could be assaulted by the Enemy This Resolution was soon put on and executed and about the going down of the day the Duke and the Marshal came both of them to Tornavento the Duke on that side and the Marshal on this The Marshals chief care was to fortifie that place and the Dukes to cast over the Bridge speedily a little below Tornavento where the Enemy might advance there was a great ditch which had been formerly made by the French when they were masters of the State of Millain that they might bring the water of Tessino thereby and convey it elsewhere which ditch because it proved to no purpose and had cost much money was then and is yet called Panperduto which we may translate lost labour the Marshal made use of this ditch for a Trench and Parapet to his men For intending onely to stand upon defence he had left Monsieur Di Boisac Commissary of the Horse without with 300 Horse that he might flank Panperduto and playing upon the assailants on that side might keep them from being assaulted The rest of his men he kept within the ditch where on the Front and on the left side they were sheltred by the same ditch on the right side by the Naviglio and on the back by the Tessino and Tornavento Being thus securely seated the Marshal stay'd expecting the Governour who being returned before the Marshal from Tornavento to Bigarassa made his men advance to Constanzano within three miles of Tornavento that he might gaul the Enemy on the back in case he should continue his march towards the Lake and that he might fight him if he should tarry by the way The Governour came to Constanzano the same night that the Marshal was returned to Tornavento And notwithstanding that all those that were at the Trench nor other that he expected were not yet come to him and those that were already come were very weary by their long and speedy march yet placing his hopes of victory upon coming before the Bridge should be perfected which till it should be so kept the Enemies Forces un-united he was ready to go to assault them the rather for that two hours before day Gambacorta was come to him with part of the horse wherunto he was driven not so much out of the danger which delay might occasion by giving the enemy leasure to perfect the Bridge as for that his Army not being able to continue in the place where they were out of many reasons but especially for want of water he could not without much danger and without loss of honour retreat the enemy being so neer so as the choice was turn'd to necessity and the peoples murmuring made the necessity greater who being subject to such charges and to such trouble in quartering could not endure that the War should be spun out without hopes of ever seeing an end of their so many sorrows and calamities he therefore doubted that if he should delay fighting them now that they were so neer the people might go wild and perhaps produce some bad effect so as their opinions were not listned to who thought it rashness to go in the condition they were in to assault an Army well munited within its Works and which when the Bridge should be made would become more powerful but the peoples crying out for battle prevailed over these and many other considerations and the Governour inclining to give them satisfaction gave order to fight he had not now above 10000 Foot in his Camp for all the Foot were not yet arrived and between four and five thousand Horse who by reason of the streight situation were placed behind the Foot in nine Squadrons so as the Foot were to undergo the whole brunt of battle without receiving any help from the Horse Marquess Spinola was by the Governours side and Don Francisco di Melo who was come that very night from the Castle of Millain out of the great desire he had to be present at this action The conflict or rather the assault began four hours after Sun-rising on the second of Iune and endured till three of the night so as they fought fifteen hours without any intermission and was continued by the assailants with much valour and constancie though upon so many disadvantagious terms the enemies were very well shelter'd as hath been said on all sides and yet the assailants who gave the assault with naked breasts and in open field advanc'd so far as they came to push of Pike for all the hundred horse which were left without by the Marshal for though they turned at first to good purpose to keep the assailants aloof from the Trenches yet the Governour having sent Gambacorta against them with five hundred horse and after him another squadron of as many Curassiers commanded by Augustine Fiesco Gambacorta fell furiously upon the Enemy and drove them into a wood which was behind them whereinto when he with his men entered they were furiously played upon by musket shot from the Enemies Trench whereby some of them were slain amongst which Gambacorta who was shot through the body with two Musket bullets A death which was esteemed a great loss he being a gentleman of a stout heart good at Counsel and well vers'd in military affairs wherein he had given good proof of his valour wherefore his death was much resented by the whole camp the horse which entred the wood with him their captain being slain were forc'd to retreat and were pursued by the enemies horse which in this the others consternation had time to rally themselves they chased them till they came to Fiesco's squadron who did not onely make head against them but forc'd the French back into
impeached to have held private intelligence with the Duke of Savoy having spent four days in going with his Army from Alessandria to Nice which was but 12 miles seemed in effect to have consented to that delay which in resolute terms he had dénied to do in presence of his Captains to the Marquess of Neviglie who was sent to Alessandria to stop him And after those of Piedmont were gone from before Nice he under pretence that they might return when he should be gone left a Garison in the Town with the Kings Colours which seemed rather to have possest themselves thereof then to have freed it The Governour of Millain's self after having mustred the Army to the end that all things might be fully understood by him and by the King instead of forcing the Duke of Savoy to obey the Kings orders began to abhor Nevers his French men nor would he suffer the Tuscan succours to pass into the State of Millain and turning to the Mantuan Officers told them it stood not with the Kings honour that their Prince should make use of other assistance then his The Duke of Mantua thought it somewhat sore to bereave himself of their aid who were so readily come from so far of to assist him and to put himself absolutely into their hands which before he had so much distrusted especially since thereby he might have highly offended the Queen of France and have alienated that Nation from him a strong curb as all men thought to the avarice of the Spanish Ministers and to the small inclination which they had to him But since it becomes a man sometimes in urgent and great extremities to submit to anothers discretion Duke Ferdinando finding the French promises and aid to be far off and uncertain that the Pope was free of nothing but good will that he could make but little use of the Tuscan succour without the Governours good will who by denying them passage did not only make them of no uses to him upon the present occasion but a continual excessive charge that the Venetian aid were but weak and that they were not only as the Tuscans to depend upon the Governours good will but uncertain and not very safe For the fear being once removed that the Spaniards should possess themselves of Montferrat it made for the interest of that Common-wealth that the Duke of Savoy should make himself master thereof to the end that by weakning a neighbouring Prince a Potentate might be raised in Lombardy of almost equal Forces to the State of Millain whom by reason of the far distance of their Confines he had not only no reason not to fear but might be confident he might by powerful diversions be a security to him if at any time he should be assaulted or troubled by the Spanish Forces On the contrary he saw that the Spaniards of whom he was assured by the Queen of France were interested in this present Insurrection for ends contrary to those of the Venetians Having therefore cast up all things he knew that he and his affairs were so far ingaged as he must of necessity satisfie those in whose power it lay either speedily to suppress him or to raise him up wherefore he resolved at the last much to the dissatisfaction of the Duke of Nevers to adhere unto them Which resolution though it was not well approved of by the Italian Princes who thought it contrary to the safety of his Affairs yet it proved afterwards by the event good For the Governour not being able any longer to delay the execution of the Kings Commission and fearing the coming of the French which was much more spoken of by all men then was true and moreover being desirous to satisfie all the world and so many Princes as had conceived ill impressions of him he compel'd the Duke of Savoy to make restitution without any further delay On the other behalf the Duke of Savoy fearing to be taken between the Armies of France which he understood were stirring upon the Confines and the Governours Forces which were ready to compel him and having resolved by obedience to overcome the King and Court of Spain presupposing that this his so great and ready liberality would be recompensed by as great a â—…avour he at last gave way to the Kings will whereunto nothing did so much induce him as by way of compâ—…t he afterwards protested as the Governours word given unto him in the Kings name that his Grandchild should within a few days be 〈◊〉 unto him that he would obtain pardon for the Rebells and recompence for the losses and expences of the War and that finally his pretences to Montferrat should be decided within a short time And because the Duke for his honour sake hated to deliver over what he had taken directly into the hands of his adversary the business was thus carried that he should deliver it all into the hands of the Princes of Castiglionâ—… and Ascoll as State-Ministers the one of them of the Emperour and the other of the King of Spain to be disposed oâ—… to him that had most right thereunto that the said Princes should then immediately assign them over to the Duke of Mantua as to him to whom by the Laws they ought to be restored he having been bereâ—… thereof Thus did neither the Duke of Savoy prejudice his own interest by referring his cause to Justice nor the Duke of Mantua who was suddenly repossest of what was his suffer any damage or delay and the Kings Ordinances were obey'd being alter'd only in appearance not in substance The aforesaid Princes went each with an equall portion of men to Trino where the Gate was thrown open unto them by which whilst they and their people entred the Dukes Garison went out by another Gate after whom the Kings men went out at the same Gate who being but then entred and making no abode there left the Town in free possession to Prince Vicenzo who was entred with those of Mantua immediately after the Kings men The like was done three days after by Alba and Montcalvo and the other Towns of Montferrat and the Spanish Garison was likewise taken out of Nice as also the Siege from before San Damiano which held still for Duke Ferdinando Who within three moneths after the first assault was meerly by the Kings Authority almost without unsheathing a sword intirely put into possession of that State which he had almost totally lost The Italians were not a little pleased at this restitution wherein the King shew'd such celerity and constancy and as it is usual with men when they find themselves freed from what they had long feared to run headlong into the contrary affection so these being long possest with jealousies and fears it cannot be exprest how much they admired the Kings goodness and magnanimity Who preferring the justice and honesty of the Cause before all other respects would not yield that the assaulted Prince should be injured And it appearing to
concluded that it was by no means fitting to adventure the reputation of the Kings Forces which would sufficiently decline upon any the sleightest encounter and that since the safety of Novara might be cautiously provided for safe and secure resolutions ought to be preferred before such as were dangerous and uncertain The difficulty of foording over so small a River nor the danger of the Dukes coming upon them could not alter the Governour from his first opinion for the waters were not then very deep and the Duke being gone that very night for Novara he could not no not though he had flown have hindred their passage Yet one mans Authority prevailing over the universal opinion of the Council an opportunity was lost of overcoming and of putting an end to the war the very day that it was begun It was notwithstanding ordered according to the opinion of the Prince himself that the Army should returne the same way it had come that it should go to the Bridge of Villata and that repassing over the Sesia there it should go to relieve Novara but with express command to Don Alfonso Pimentello who led the Van not to fight upon any whatsoever occasion The Van had not well pass'd over the Bridge when the burning of certain little Cottages was seen from afar off and the noise of fighting heard wherefore 200 Horse were sent towards that part to discover what the matter was who light upon the Marquess Calusio who was sent as hath been said by the Duke to burn the Bridge and lay the Country waste and in a skirmish with 200 Horse which were sent by Pimentello he was forsaken by his Cavalry which at the first charge were routed and fled many of them together with Calusio himself being taken Prisoners and many slain some of the Foot when they saw the Horse run threw away their Arms ran away and were cut in pieces the greater part of them keeping close together and retreating in good order made use of the moorish scituation and of the banks through which the Enemies not being able to follow them they had opportunity to make head in fitting and advantagious places and to face Lodovico Guasco one of the Captains of the 200 Horse who with his Company of Curassiers followed them by oblique ways and was still upon their flanks and after having assaulted them more than once many of his men being slain and having his own horse slain under him he suffered them at last to get safe into Vercelles and though their number was lessened yet they wan more preys then their horse which fled at the very first onset without making any resistance This was the first incounter of the War of Piedmont and the first action that hapned therein The Spanish Army went to quarter at Candia a mile beyond Villata instead of going to Palestra a little higher upon the river whither they might better have gone for being neer the way which leads from Novara to Vercelles it had been a more convenient place to have hindred the Dukes return And this would have proved the better for that the Duke parted that very night from Novara and returned to the Confines of Piedmont and quartered there that night with his men very weary and tired with their march the preceding day and night Here the Governour had notwithstanding another occasion of worsting him had he been as mindful to imbrace it as fortune was favorable in presenting it For there was neither river nor other obstacle between him and the Duke so as he might commodiously and upon advantage have assaulted him there not being above a mile between the places where they were quartered The next day the Duke fired Palestra early in the morning to revenge the burning of Caranzana the night before by the Dutch and went for Vercelles without being molested nothing being done to impede him in his return Thus having freed his own State from the Enemies Army the very day that it entred thereinto and revenged the injury he had received in the same manner as was done to him he returned to Vercelles where he staid observing the Enemies proceedings The Governour being returned to the State of Millain began presently to build a Fort which he raised from the very foundation in the Territories of Novara a little distant from the Sesia and not much more then a mile from Vercelles which in honour of the Duke of Lerma he called the Fort of Sandoval He gave out that he built it to no other end but to secure Novara in case that when the Governour should enter again into Piedmont it should be re-assaulted by the Duke as in such case he threatned he would do But the Fabrick being great and capable of many men flanckt by five Bulwarks and neer upon a mile in compass it was not without good ground judged to be a building not begun for the occurrences of the present War but of long continuance and to fortifie the State of Millain on that side at all times from forreign Armies For this same thing was almost resolved upon many years before in Spain though it was not proceeded in to shun giving of jealousies to the Italian Princes and to the Duke who was then a friend to the Crown But now there being a manifest breach it was thought as indeed it was true that the Kings Officers made use of this occasion to put their former resolution in practise In this interim Prince Philiberto return'd from Naples with the Gallies wherein were between five and six thousand foot part Spaniards and part Neapolitans who being unbarked in the waters of Genua where he left also most of the Gallies he went with some few into Spain being honour'd and attended not only as Admiral but as the Kings Nephew but in reality being environed by Spanish Officers who were appointed to wait upon him by the Duke of Lerma he appeared rather to be kept as an Hostage his Navigation was to no great purpose for the Turkish Fleet which was much less then it was said to be after having appeared within sight of Sicely before the Prince his coming retreated to Navarino a Haven in Morea True it is that Don Diego Pimentello who was sent with two good Gallies very well appointed to discover them had the luck to take two of the enemies Gallies which being well man'd came also to discover the Christian Fleet and lighting upon them about Navarino he stoutly assaulted them and in a short space made himself master of them a Victory which was the more remarkable for that it hapned almost in view of the enemies Fleet which was not above 20 miles distant from where the fight was made But it is not to be exprest how all men were amazed and confounded with wonder in Lombardy and generally throughout Italy who expected mighty things from the Governours going into Piedmont when they saw him return so soon without doing any thing and as the resolution of returning would have made
glorious for the conquering Army which ought to have run with fervour to the ruine of the City which was full of men affrighted and confused through excessive fear and which was not likely to have held out long before so victorious an Army as was generally confess'd by all men did not only forbeâ—…r doing so but kept idle upon the Hills that they had won and as if they had been infatuated with stupidity busying themselves only in making Trenches and in fortifying their Quarters to defend themselves from the Enemy which they had beaten who after some days were passed began the Battery but so cold so leasurely so uncertain a one that the Bullets of the Artillery either did not hit at all or with very little damage though the Walls which they plaid upon were exceeding weak with age Wherefore the Duke who was also entred the Town in fear and astonishment and saw things in so desperate a condition by reason of his own Souldiers confusion prepared rather to abandon then to defend it taking courage at the so slow proceeding of the Enemy began to hope he might be able to defend it the which that he might do with the more honour and shew of valour he lodged his men between the Walls and the Trenches over against those of the Enemy and he did not only play upon the Enemies Camp from the Castle and from the Bulwarks and Platforms built without in convenient places but sallying often out of the Trenches with store of Musketeers even to the Enemies Banks and Works he molested them continually both by day and night and particularly on that part where as being most exposed to assaults Giovan Bravo and Lodovico Gamboloita stood to make defence who consequently underwent the burthen of all that enterprize The City was plentiful in Victuals and Ammunition which were daily brought to the Duke notwithstanding the 400 Horse which were sent to St. Damiano and the neerness of the same City afforded him convenience not only to quarter his men commodiously and under covert but also to refresh them for dividing his Souldiers between the Guards of the Walls and the Trenches and some succeeding other some in labour and in rest they recreated themselves and getting more strength by their rest and recreation they fell with more vigour to their labour again and made the longer resistance and though they were not over-well paid yet did they serve in that War with much affection and industry and were incouraged not so much by the Dukes presence and authority as by his civil comportment which won upâ—…n the Souldiers whom he accompanied in all their labours and dangers To this was added that he being naturally liberal to the Souldiers they knew he failed them not in their pay through avarice but impossibility so as every one esteeming the cause his own they laboured in the enterprize as for their own honour incited by their hatred to the Spaniards and by their desire of cancelling the fault which they had committed in the Battel and they fought the more fervently for that they saw the Enemies Army grow the less couragious Which not being only molested by continual labour as hath been said but afflicted with infinite wants and inconveniences and exposed to a thousand hardships in the Campagnia wasted and consumed miserably away as ice beaten on by the Sun for abounding in Victuals and in all other refreshments which was brought them from the States of Millain and Montferrat they grew unruly and ill-governed from whence infinite disorders did result they were quarter'd upon those barren Hills and without water the scarcity whereof was very great which they wanted not only for their refreshment and to keep them clean but even to drink for having none but what was brought on the backs of beasts from the Tanaro and Versa there was not sufficient for the Men and Horses to drink especially the neighbouring Cisterns of Certosa being immediately dried up by reason of the great concourse of people and a little rivulet which ran neer their Quarters through the small care they had of keeping cleansed from the immundities of the Army became so foul and loathsome as it was of no service So as the Souldiers were not only scorch'd up through heat but fell sick through sluttishness Moreover there being no habitations there 〈◊〉 save in the Covent of the Certosa the Souldiers for the most part lay without Tents or Shrouds naked upon the earth so as they were burnt by day by the Sun-beams which were at that time very hot and by night distempred by the blasting Evening-dew and cold Air. In many places you might have seen the Souldiers sitting on the ground under the shadow of a bough fixed in the earth thinking it a great refreshment to shelter their heads a little from the scorching heat of the Sun they took little care in burying the dead so as the air grew noisome through the stink of dead bodies sickness and other pollutions The Souldiers not being able therefore to bear with so much labour in War and inconveniences of body fell many of them daily sick who not being fitted with opportune remedy and the contagion still increasing the Camp within a few days became rather like an Hospital of sickmen then Military Quarters It behoved therefore to send for the Germans who were in the Garrison at Sandoval to supply the scarcity of people in the Camp wherein there were not enough able to supply the Guards and other usual Military Duties the rather for that the Governour having made a Trench to be digg'd towards the west by which way Victuals and Ammunion were brought into the City from Piedmont the Duke being aware of it caused another Trench to be made over against it wherewith he sheltered the way and on the head thereof made a Fort be built from whence the opposite Trench being furiously plaied upon by the Artillery the quarters about la Certosa were exposed to assaults it being therefore necessary for remedy to build another Fort opposite to it Thomaso Caracciola was deputed to have the custody theâ—…eof with his Brigade of Neapolitans and these not being sufficient for many of them diminished the Dutch who were come but a little before from Sandoval were sent thither The Governour continuing thus many days to oppose the Enemies Army which lay before the City and seeming neither willing nor resolute to assault it the Souldiers being oppress'd with so much labour and inconvenience could not be kept from murmuring not complaining so much of the effect as of the manner of the Governours suffering them who were willing to fight the Enemy to be so basely consumed by sufferings and that undergoing a thousand deaths hourly and running manifest ruine and destruction he would not suffer them to dye honourably by assaulting the City and the Dukes Quarters nor so much as send the Horse which lay there idle to divert the enemy from making defence or to pillage and over-run Piedmont
places which lying upon the Frontier of Savoy towards Burgony served as a gate to let in or to keep out the Governours men who were to enter by those parts under Diffe This Order being readily executed by Lanz rendered Nemours his business vain for he seeming as if he were coming with his men into Piedmont but indeed turning upon those Towns was repulss'd by the Dukes men wherefore forced to retire more inward towards Chiaromonte and Cleramonte his men out of meer necessity of livelihood and maintenance fell to sack the neighbouring Villages whilst Nemours kept idle in those parts expecting that the forces of Burgony should have come and have joined with him but it was in vain to expect that for Nissi and Remigli holding for the Duke and the Governours of Lyons Dolpheny and the Dutchy of Burgony discovering themselves forthwith to be for the Duke and soon after all the Princes of France moved thereunto out of consideration of the great prejudice which might thereby insue unto the Kingdom if the Spanish Forces entering into Savoy should more inviron the Confines of France Disse could not get to joyn with Nemours And Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria who as Lord of Flaunders and of the Low Countries governed the County of Burgony though he made use for the most part of the King of Spains Armies and Militia and of the Spanish Officers in the Government of those Provinces yet would he not by any means be brought to assist or consent unto that Enterprize were it either that he was unwilling to disturb the Peace between his men and the States of France or for that that enterpâ—…e not being either commanded or approved of by the King but only framed by the State Officers in Italy he did more value the neer interest of blood which he and the Infanta Arch-dutchess his wife and Daughter to the King whose Dowry those States were â—…ad with the Duke of Savoy and with his children born of a Sister of his Wives than he did the Governour of Millain's designs nay giving severe Orders to his Officers in Burgony that they should not countenance Nemours in any sort nor receive his men he was abandoned by all at the fairest of his play So the violence of that storm began suddenly to pass over which whilest it hover'd in the Air did much alter the Dukes Affairs which continued troubled for many moneths but for all this he did not give over the defence of Piedmont where having Garrisonned the Towns of Asti and Vercelles and made Count Guido Governour of the formeâ—… and the Marquess of Clausio who had escaped some few moneths before from the Castle of Millain where he was kept close prisoner Governour of the other he caused a Bridge to be made over the Poe between Verrâ—…a and Crescentino to the end that the Counties of Asti and Vercelles being thereby joyned they might more easily relieve one another in case they should be assaulted and having sent the remainder of the pay to Castiglione and the other Commanders who raised men for him he staid expecting him The Governour did the like in Pavia but with more fervency where breathing forth nothing but fire and sword and being impatient of any the least delay he hasted provisions that he might go into the field and giving out that he would be all August with his Army upon the Confines of Piedmont â—…he made his Artillery be Imbarqued upon the Poe took Order for many Pioneers and Bridges and disburst moneys in Montferrat and Millain for the raising of new Regiments and laying all the Civil Government of the State upon Don Sanchio di Luâ—…a Keeper of the Ciâ—…adel of Millain he was wholly intent in providing for War promising marvellous things unto himself from so great prepâ—…rations and the Nuntio being come to Pavia about the midst of August he gave him Audience boâ—…ted and spurr'd in which posture he used then to go thorow the City that it might be seen he was in a readiness to march and the Nuntio desiring a short suspension of Arms he would not grant it saying That he was come too late But all things were not so ready for going to the field as the Governour could have desired for neither were the Swissers come from their own homes nor were the Dutch come into the State of Millain and many draught-horses for the Artillery and many Arms which were expected from Germany for the use of the Army were not yet come Execution therefore not answering resolution and businesses not proceeding on so fast as was expected nay new difficulties arising every day the Governour began to slacken that vigour of mind wherewith till now he had with some violence been transported and beginning to know the difference between saying and doing he found also that the bad success of the last War was not wholly through his Predecessors fault His courage was also cooled by the bad success of the business of Savoy which was the chief ground-work of his designs wherein to boot with having spent above 300000 Ducats he had also consumed the Marquess of Disse his whole Regiment of Burgonians which had caused no less diversion to him than to the Duke He was not a little scandalized neither that the enterprize should be thought to have miscarried through the wickedness of his men corrupted by the Dukes moneys for his chief Secretary was imprisoned as guilty of having made the Letter written unto the King come unto the Duke of Savoy's hands and though nothing could be proved against him he was rigidly tormented He was likewise detained by continual remembrances from the Court that he should rather break off than imbrace any new occasions of new ruptures finding those Ministers of State more inclined to preserve that Authority and Greatness which they received privately and the Crown publickly from the tranquillity of peace then to advance it by perturbation of affairs chiefly when he called to mind that the Duke being desperate and extraordinarily exasperated not caring into whaâ—… danger he ran seemed to desire nothing but tumults and alteration of affairs which was contrary to the Crowns interest in Italy Of which opinion some of the State-ministers of the State of Millain seemed also to be those chiefly who out of a particular friendship to the Marquess Inoiosa and for good turns received from him thought it suited more with his reputation that either the peace made by him should be perfected or else the new war prove unfortunate And as for the aforesaid respect moneys were not provided in Spain so some State-ministers of the State of Millain not going along with the Governour in his opinions and ends but opposing as much as they might such provisions and resolutions as were to be made caused diffidence in him in his Counsels and impediments in the execution of what was resolved upon wherefore he who was almost surrounded with Competitors consulting in things of weightiest importance only with Vives who was then his Confident
fortified and leaving 4000 Dutch there in Garrison rather to free himself from the fear of their numerousness then out of any need of keeping it garrisoned the Governour went with his Camp to St. Germano where the Garrison having withstood the battery a while yielded on the third day and the Duke having burnt Bianza for that having dared to resist him one of his best Commanders was slain before it he went to Vinarie a place which stands on the way as you go from Trino to St. Germano from whence he hindred the Enemy from Victuals without abandoning Crescentino or bereaving himself of that refuge and hoping that his men would be constant in defending St. Germano he hoped to make the Governour rise from before it for famine wherefore to incourage the defendants and let them know that he was come he tarried there and fired his Cannon but all in vain for at the same time that he came to the Vinarie St Germano surrendred where at the Duke was so grâ—…eved as he put the Governour thereof to death because he had yielded the Town to the Enemy having promised to hold it out much longer And yet the Governour keeping three days in St. Germano had such scaâ—…city of Victuals as even his chief Commanders were fain to feed upon dead horse flesh for the Duke keeping his station kept the Enemy from Provision and the Governour who detested fighting resolved not to move from thence But at last inforc'd by famine or for shame to see himself as it were besieged he left Antonio Mastrillo Caracciolo's Serjeant-major in St. Germano with 500 Foot and marched towards the Duke Castelmerlino stands between Crescentino and le Vinarie a very little towards which the Army marched out of a double end that they might without disturbance receive Victuals there from Trino and to keep the Duke from Victuals who being excluded Crescentino by the loss of that place would be brought into the same streights whereinto he had a little before brought the Enemy and therefore moved by his disadvantage he marched to give battel to avoid the which when the Duke saw the Enemy coming he marched towards the Abby of Lucidio thinking to get beforehand into Crescentino but he could not march so fast but that the Spanish Van fell upon his Reer notwithstanding which skirmish the Duke march'd on till being overtaken by the night he was forced to lodge that night in the said Abby and the Governour in some small Cottages not far off where the Souldiers being famish'd for want of Victuals at St. Germano suffer'd also very much by cold that night The next day the Duke not being able to march so early as he intended by reason of some hindrances and not having with him above ten or twelve thousand Foot and about 1200 Horse he pursued his way in this manner the Artillery and Ammunition was placed in the Van the Baggage in the middle on the left hand where there was more field-room the Horse on the right hand where it was more wooddy the French Foot Regiments led on by Chricchy and Orfe the Reer led on by Count Guido was mixt of Italians Piedmontans and Savoiards and it had in it the best Souldiers and most experienced Commanders of the whole Army and the Country through which they march'd being full of bushes Count Guido placed Musketeers in some of them to the end that they might keep the Enemy from hindering them in their march if these Muskâ—…teers should be assaulted they were to retreat to othâ—…r bushes which were on their backs and thus to continue the fight that they might hold the Enemy play as long as possibly they might When the Governour knew what way the Duke marched he resolved to pursue him and sending part of his Cavalry before with 1800 Foot en Croupe to assault him on the Reer he himself followed after with the rest of the Army those who march'd before had much ado to drive the defendants out of the bushes yet overcoming them at the last they got up to the Reer for the Dukes Van being come to some narrow pâ—…ssages kept the rest of the Army from advancing so as he could not get to Crescentino without disturbance as he hoped to have done The Reer being assaulted made their part good against the Enemy and defending themselves honourably for a while did not only resist them with advantage but repulst them the Battaglions of the Spanish Army were this meâ—…n while advanced led on by Gironymo Pimontello and Gironymo Rho who though they saw that their men who were beaten back by the Dukes Reer could hardly keep the field yet having no precise order and the Governour being two miles behind they proceeded to fight buâ—… slowly when Don Alphonso Pimontello the Embassadour Vives and Cavalier Melzi coming in and not being able to indure that their men should be beaten for want of help they incouraged the Captains of the Battaglions to fall on without expecting any other orders assuring them that the Governour would approve thereoâ—… by whose words and authority being inheartned the Battaglions charged furiously and routed the Dukes Reer who not able to withstand so fierce a shock gave back and at the same time Count Sults not expecting any orders assaulted the French Regiments with his Dutch furiously on the Flank whose fear the Duke foreseeing he was come himself unto them earnestly exhorting them to stand fast to keep their ranks and incouraging them to fight but words prevailed not where valour was wanting Cricchi's Regiment made some resistance but Castiglions Regiment which was led on by Orfe not daring to look the Enemy in the face much less to stand the fierce and close assault of the Dutch threw away their Arms shamefully before they came to blows and ran and if instead of pursuing them the Dutch had fallen on upon the main body of the Battel the Dukes Army had not been only discomfited that day but wholly routed This success had the Battel of Lucedio which lasted for the space of five hours wherein there fell not above 100 of the Kings men and about as many were wounded Of the Dukes party there was above 400 slain and above 1000 sorely hurt amongst which 15 Captains and one French Collonel The Governours men took eleven Foot Colours and three Horse Ensignes and many of those who fled were miserably slain by the Country people of Montferrat So as though there were not many that dy'd by the Sword in the Conflict there were but few that kept with their Colours or who retreated with the Duke into Crescentino whither the Duke being gotten he was very diligent in assembling them together who were dispers'd abroad and had abandoned him Nor did his ill fortune cease here for the Marquess of Mortara entering the Langhe with 2000 Dutch with Cavalier Pecchios's Brigade and with the Alessandrian and Tortonesse Horse and Foot took Canelli Cortemiglia Calosso and other neighbouring places there being none to
they chose Giovan Ieronymo Doria Knight of St. Iago to be their Camp-master-general of whom mention hath been formerly made an ancient and experienced Commander but whose great age did diminish that vigour in him by which in his youth he had done much in the behalf of the Catholick Religion and of the Crown of Spain in the wars of France and of Flanders and they made Don Carlo Doria Duke of Turcis chief General for the defence of the City The Camp-master-general Doria being brought into the Senate to speaâ—… his opinion touching the total administration of the present war sheweâ—… that the chief defence of the City consisted in keeping the Enemy as long as they could beyond the Apenine for the City being situated much underneath the neighbouring Mountains and it being to be conceived by the great Train of Artillery which the Duke brought along with him that he meant to begin the Siege by Battery there was greaâ—… danger of terrour and confusion in the City not being accustomed to such furious noise of the Cannon so as not approving the former resolution of abandoning Novi and Ovada he moved for their defence for though they were not able of themselves to stand out yet they would afford time and commodity to make their Trenches already begun upon the Mountains and for the coming of succours from Naples and from the State of Millain 〈◊〉 The Commonwealth approved of this advice and sent Georgio Centurione and Henrico de Franchi two Senators to defend Savona with titles of Commissaries General and ordered Doria to defend the State beyond the Apenine furnishing them all with such men as they could spare without disfurnishing the City Doria passing over the Apenine sent his Nephew George Doria with some Forces to Novi and he in his own person undertook to defend Ovada the Enemy had not as yet appeared before any of these places only a Trumpet came some days before to Ovada to summon it to surrender and the scarcity of Oxen and Horses for the Train of Artillery together with some other impediments was such as not sufficing to conduct them they were forced to bring part of their Artillery some miles forwards and to send the same Cattle back to bring on the rest which occasioned much delay in their march and the deep Mire and Rivers which were swollen by the great fall of Rain retarded them much more and yet the Dorii finding neither Victuals Munition Artillery nor any manner of defence in either of these places for the Inhabitants finding that the Commonwealth had abandoned them had for the most part quitted those Towns and carried away the Artillery and Munition along with them which were impossible to be brought back the Enemy not being many hours march off when the Dorii entred Iovan Ieronymo was forced to abandon the enterprise and to retire to within the Trenches of Rossiglione which finding to be ill ordered and not defensible he writ unto the Senate advising them to remove the people from thence lest they might be lost and it being impossible to go with the Army and Artillery that way to Genoa he counselled that the whole defence should return to Gavio by which the Enemy must of necessity march and whither he would go with his men as he did going therefore to Ottaggio a great Town upon the same way five miles more inward then Gavio he thought to send aid from thence to Gavio and Novi which he held would assuredly be the first places which the Enemy would fall upon and by thus keeping them from entring by that way to keep the City from being assaulted and from the misfortune of the imminent war Doria was not well got out of Ovada when the Van of the enemies Army which was advanced not meeting with any obstacle entred thereinto and finding no resistance took it and the Count of Overgnia General of the French Horse advancing by the way of Gavio took Novi also upon surrender and the Enemies Army which came on lay idle for some days quartered in these two Towns and in the adjacent parts waiting for the rest of their men with the Artillery and Munition which came on but slowly by reason of the aforesaid difficulties The Duke being quartered in Cremolino a Town in Montferrat neer to Ovada was busie in taking the Trenches which guarded that Town and the Count d'Overnia who was quartered in Novi and in the Cottages thereabouts had his eye upon the Town of Gavio which was defended by Benedetto Spinola who upon this occasion was made Commissary-General beyond the Apenine a Souldier much imploi'd in the wars of Flanders in chief commands for a long time he had with him 1500 Foot most of them Country people and one Troop of Horse from the State of Millain he having speedily fortified the place withstood a fierce assault given by the General who going to surprise it with almost all his men but without Artillery was forced to retire with the loss of many of his men and some of the chiefest and also to abandon some stations which he had taken before the assault The Dukes men had no better success in an assault which they gave to the Trenches of Rossiglione for the station was manfully defended by Iacomo Spinola the head of 500 Souldiers of the Militia of Bisagno with no small loss of the assailants so as the people of the Commonwealth though for the greater part of the meaner sort having gotten the better in these two assaults and in some lesser attempts began to take heart and to think the face of the Enemy less formidable and the Commonwealth her self fearing before how her men would behave themselves seeing things succeed better then they expected and that the Enemies Army lay still idle doing nothing worthy the threats and same which was given out began to build more upon the difficulties the Enemy would meet with then upon the strength of their situations and of the valour of their own men wherefore they would not according to Doria's advice abandon the Fortifications of Rossigllone which they were told by others were not to be taken and hoping every day for better success they thought that the Enemy being streightned in those parts began to experience those difficulties whereinto they had unadvisedly brought themselves and this the rather for that Don Ieronymo Pimontello General of the Horse of the State of Millain being entred by order from the Governour into Torona with 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse stood observing their ways that he might fall upon them in the Reer if they should pass further into the Mountains of Liguria all this while the peace was not violated nor was there any breach of a war conceived to be made between the two Crowns though for the Duke of Guise his having seized on the 150000 Ducates as hath been said in Provence the King of Spain pretending an interest therein had made a reprisal of all the French goods that were in Spain and
were removed for levelling them at the Monastery and beating down the Steeple it slew many of the defendants with the fall thereof he infused such terrour into the rest who returned tumultuously into Pieve leaving that station in the Princes power their example was immediately followed by the rest of the Guards so as the Prince being master of the Field sate down presently before the Town which being by so unexpected a chance fuller of confusion then order and the Walls not being fit for battery the Captain began to Parley and having the word of one of the Dukes Captains given him that he might march out he not minding who it was that gave it or what power he had to give it was presently made Prisoner and it being given out amongst them that were within that for fear of troubling of the Treaty they should put out their Matches the Besiegers approach'd the Wall without resistance and beating down the Gate with a Beam of Wood they entred the Town and those within fled away by another little Gate that was towards the Sea but they mist of their design which was to escape for that other Gate being presently possess'd by the Princes Souldiers many of them throwing themselves down from the Walls which were not very high in that part were some of them slain by the Musketiers who were placed on the out side and other some perish'd in their falling down here was the greatest slaughter of the best men to the number of 200 but those that kept within the Town met with more mercy for the Town being taken whilst the surrender was in Treaty the Prince provided for the peoples safety and the Souldiers falling to plundeâ—… and their avaâ—…ice being greater then their cruelty none were troubled but those that withstood plunder many were taken Prisoners amongst which Camp-master Doria and four other Gentlemen of Genoa two others who were got into the Castle yielded not long after upon promise of safety of life and liberty which was readily observed Thus was Pievs taken Doria made Prisoner and the people of the Commonwealth who were destined to guard that part were defeated La Riviera having lost its Garrison and not hoping for relief â—…ell into the Prince his power all the Commonalty ran to receive him and brought him the Keys they â—…reed themselves by moneys from being sack'd and rendred obedience to the Prince being order'd by the Commonwealth to do so which minding only the defence of Genoa suffer'd them to complain with the times so to keep from being sack'd and from the violence of War Whereupon Albenga Alassio Porto Mauritio San Remo and the City of Ventiâ—…iglia the chiefest Towns upon the River together with Oneglia fell without any gainsaying into the Princes hands as did also all the weaker places unless it were Triora which being seated upon the top of a Mountain held out and kept still manfully for the Commonwealth and defended it self manfully against many attempts The Castle of Ventimiglia held also for the Commonwealth which resisted for some days after the Town was surrendred till the Prince having caused some Artillery to be brought from Nice by Sea began to batter it and also to make a Mine whereupon the Captain who was but little experienced in the Militia aâ—… the end of eight days surrendred it whereby the Prince became absolute master of the River which extends it self for the space of 70 miles from Finale to Monaco The Duke at the same time notwithstanding the Constables backwardness persisting in going for Genoa made many provisions in Gavio which were sent from Piedmont he brought Artillery to Ottaggiâ—… he caused Scaling-Ladders to be made â—…e assembled Pioneers to plain the ways upon the Mountains and having taken many Fee-farms which held of the Empire beyond the Apenine from several Gentlemen of Genoa in the Valley of Serivia he sent his natural Son Don Felice to take Savignone another Fee of the Empire a great Town distant only six miles from the City on the Noth side by which way being able without any impediment to fall into the Valley of Bysagnaâ—… he made way to assault the City on that side which was thought the weakest Don Felice succeeded therein happily and without resistance for the City being brought into great streights and anxâ—…ety was wholly intent upon fortifying herself and to keep off the danger which she saw drew every day neerer she was very diligent in making â—…renches in furnishing the Walls with Artillery in digging Ditches in making Plat-forms and Stockcadoes to fence the weakest places Thus the Affairs of Genoa were thought to be brought to the last period moreover the City was at this time in great want of Moneys for some Gallies being gone into Spain to fetch moneys durst not make the Voyage for fear of the Fleet at Marcelles they therefore made use of the Plate of private persons which being turn'd into money did in part supply the need but the expence being excessive â—…ame far short of what was requisite there weâ—…e not many men ready in the State of Millain to come into the Field the Germans not being yet come and some few that were already come were sent to desend la Riva which was so necessary for the preservation of that State and Don Ieronymo Pimontello not thinking himself safe in Tortona thought it better to retreat with those few men he had into Alessandria at which the Genoeses were not a little astonished who by the fear he shewed upon this occasion were not well pleased to see him go further from the City instead of drawing neerer to the relief thereof and the like scarcity of money being there as was in Genoa the Swissers who were much in Arreer for former pay seeing the great necessity of the Spanish Officers and being set on by the Princes of the League denied passage to the Germans who came to defend the States of Millain and Genoa The failing of the Genoeses credit insued the want moneys for their State being given for lost throughout Italy and all Europe it was thought that the private Fortunes of those Citizens would perish with the publick The fear which was had in Genoa of the English and French Fleets was of no small consideration and did much afflict the minds of all men it being hourly feared that they would appear in those Seas by reason of the continual news which they had of great preparations made both at Marcelles and in England and of moneys sent by the Duke and his Son when they were before Ventimiglia to the Guisans that they might put the Fleet in readiness and appear as soon as might be in the River of Genoa to which Fleets it was feared that 40 Frigots or men of War would joyn which being come from forth of Holland and it not being known whither they were bent all men thought they were intended for the Enterprise of Genoa great was the danger lest taking Corsica or some of those Havens
Recruits of men victuals and munition at the same time that they should come to Savona and that landing a great many men they would keep between Savona and Genoa out of a double end The one to keep relief from Genoa the other that they might play upon the City with their great Guns from Sea whilst it should be assaulted by the land Army and so to facilitate the surrender of Savona And to this purpose Prince Victorio had given the Duke of Guise 40000 Ducates when having taken La Riviera he was in Ventimiglia Upon these so sleight and weakly-laid foundations they would once more try their fortune Thus leaving their Quarters they marched through Montferrat towards Acqui whither they came within a few days without any disturbance For the Genoeses being more desirous to preserve Savona then to fall upon them in the Reer sent all their men thither Nor could the Governour of Millain who was come to Alessandria fall upon them as they retreated though he intended so to do For being got on Horseback to that end and being ready in Arms with his forces as he was saluted according to the Military manner by a Dutch Company his Horse rose up on end at the noise of the Musquet shot and threw the Governour who was somewhat corpulent down so as he was forc'd to keep his bed for some days Thus their Retreat proved fortunate though between two enemies Armies yet as the Reer was bringing up some small pieces of Artillery with about 800 Horse they had a bickering with some Troops of Horse which were quartered in Sesse a Town of Alessandria which is upon the way by which the Reer passed The Encounter was gallant and stoutly fought the Spanish Horse were fewer in number but coming to blows had the better of the enemy with little loss unto themselves for the French Horse had only breast-plates on and the Spaniards were armed at all pieces so as they slew and wounded the enemy without being hurt themselves Being at last dis-intangled and got loose they retreated commodiously The Army being come to Acqui and persevering in their intended march to Savona they destin'd Acqui though it were very weakly walled for a Rendezvouz for their Arms and for a safety on their backs wherefore leaving 3000 of their best Souldiers there in Garison with all the Ammunition and provision they could bring from Gavio they march'd on with the rest which were not above 8000 towards Savona When they were come to Spigno a Town which stands in the mid-way they made Prince Victorio and Marshal Crickey advance with part of their men to Cairo which was defended by 250 Neopolitans and playing upon it with some small Pieces of Artillery they after having made two shot took it upon Articles But the Governour having recovered his â—…all and finding that they march'd on still towards Savona held it now no longer time to stand idle nor to suffer that Town to be taken whilst he and his Army looked on which being of such importance to the State of Genoa was also a great concernment to the Crown of Spain Setting therefore all other respects aside he went out of Alessandria with 22000 Foot all very good men and with 5000 able Horse and marched towards Acqui whether being come he forthwith possest himself of all the eminent parts thereabouts and planted his Batteries which caused such terrour in the French who saw how weak their Rampiers were and that the Citizens would not for theâ—…r sakes run the hazard of being sack'd parleyed presently and agreeing to march out the Souldiers only with their Swords and Daggers and the Officers with their Horse and Baggage ' but upon obligation to return into France by the Country of the Vallesani lest they might return to the Army 2300 Foot marched out many who through great weakness were not able to go staying behind They found 17 Banners left there 500 Barrels of powder many Sacks of Victuals many Cannon Bullets Arms and artificial Fire-works and which was more remarkable the Dukes Wardrobe wherein were rich Liveries for Pages and Foot-men Saddles Bridles and other Furniture for Horses all very richly wrought and Moveables to a great value which the Duke had provided thinking assuredly to enter in triumph into Genoa So far had this Prince suffered himself to be transported by his aspiring imagination The Duke and Constable finding by the loss of Acqui which they heard of in Spigno the falshood of the Report that the Spanish Forces would not move for fear of disturbing the union and friendship of the two Crowns they were astonished seeing in what danger they were of being assaulted by two enemies Armies being inclosed between them amidst those Cliffs The Duke hearing the news got immediately on Horse-back and leaving the care of all things wholly to the Constable went with some few Gentlemen towards Piedmont The Constable seeing himself abandoned termed the Dukes departure down right running away and complained of his being left to manage the business himself alone and speedily calling back the Marshal from Cairo with whom came also Prince Victorio they went altogether to Bistagno where there being a Garison they were received without any withstanding But being aware that the Governour did advance with part of his forces to fall upon them in that place and that he had sent another part thereof to hinder their retreat and victuals they resolved to get out of those streights and to get into the open fields of Piedmont The Retreat being thus resolved upon the Constable and the Marshal heading the Van wherein were about 2000 Foot and almost all the Horse they parted early in the morning and marching apace they came without disturbance to Canelli The Prince kept in the Reer wherein were the bâ—…st men and making the Artillery advance he also retreaâ—…ed leaving the place to the enemy who ere he was well got out entred Bâ—…stagnano and pursued him without any intermission so fast as being got near unto him upon the going to of the day in the Valley of Munâ—…stero they faced one another within Musquet shot Some small Skirmishes passed here which the night parted without much loss or advantage to either side The mean time the Prince being careful of the Artillery and other incumbrances which he had much ado to get up the Mountains made great diligence be made in the climbing up and at the same time minced his own defence against the enemy who were at his heels But hearing that at last the Artillery was got to the Mountains top he also retreated thither without any trouble for the enemy having no order to fight nor to advance retreated to Bistagno and suffered them to retreat quietly into Canelli where he was received by his Father and by the Constable with great applause who had been in great anxiety for him The Governour would have made use of the present occasion and would have assaulted the Reer and taken away all the Artillery and
little resistance The City being unfurnished of the better part of her men would have run danger of being stormed had not the Venetians who were aware of the danger sent a thousand Foot thither immediately under Colonel Durante with some moneys the City of Mantua stands almost in the midst of a Lake made by the little River Mincio which comes from the Lake of Garda the Island whereupon it stands is joyned to the Continent by some Banks and Bridges whereof some are greater some less according to the distance of place at the end of the greatest Bridge stand the Suburbs of St George weakly walled and without any Plat-form to which when the Enemy drew neer with their Cannon Frederico Gonzaga who had the defence thereof committed to him began to treat of compounding in the Dukes name with Aldringer letting him know that Nevers being desirous to appear an obedient Vassal and to witness his respect and observance to the Emperour would not refuse to receive him and to allow him quarter in that Borough Aldringer who knew the place to be untenable would not accept it upon those terms since he saw that in all likelihood it could not escape his hands whereupon Gonzaga not being able to do any more yielded it unto him retaining only the Hold which is only a Gaâ—…e a little fortified which leads from the Lake to the City The Dutch being entred into St George a Truce for a few days was treated of and concluded during which time Nevers bâ—…ing desirous to asswage the Enemies fury by some act of submission offer'd Collalto who though not yet perfectly recovered caused himself to be brought from Lodi into the Mantuan Territories and lay in St Benedicts Monastery â—…he same Hold so as he would receive it only as a willing and honourable surrender but Aldringer replying that he offer'd a thing which could not hold out two hours assault the business proceeded no further the rather for that a new accident which hapned broke off both the Truce and all the Treaties for at the same time that Aldringer advanced to St Georg's Borough with the Van the Reer being led on by Frederick one of the House of Saxony went to quarter in Cireggâ—…e a Borough upon the Bank of the Lake wherein was no Garrison or any other defence but upon a bank which leads from the Borough to Mantua a Rampier was begun to be made in form of a Half-moon which opposed those who would pass that way into the City some of the Dutch coming to this Rampier which was basely abandoned by the Venetians who defended it they without any opposition became masters thereof and might easily make themselves masters of the Island of Te which was disjoyn'd from the City only by a large Ditch This caused great confusion in Mantua wherefore thinking themselves to be assaulted during the time of Truce the Town sent Colonel Durante immediately to defend that part fire was also given to the Cannon from the City against the Borough or Suburbs of St George and those who guarded the Hold hearing the noise shot off their Muskets against the Magazine of Arms which was beneath where many of the Captains and Officers of the Camp were sporting themselves trusting in the Truce and amongst them Colonel Coloredo was sorely wounded The Dutch being hereat moved who knew not what was done at le Gireggie nor the occasion thereof assumed their Arms and fell immediately upon those of the Hold which they soon made themselves masters of with the death of many of the defendants and then passing forwards took the Bridge till they came to the Draw-Bridge which being timely hoisted up by the Mantuans kept the Dutch from entring the City so as not able to get further they began to fortifie and to turn their Cannon upon the City and to play upon it whilst things went thus Mantua was again relieved with another 1000 Foot with ten pieces of Artillery and with 100 carriages of Victuals and Ammunion beside some moneys A succour which was sent by the Venetians to Goito and from thence to Mantua the Dutch perceived how fit a place Goito was to send relief being seated upon the Mincio before it falls into the Poe so as being to take it that they might streighten the City the more they sent the Baron Galasso to view it there was in it a good Garrison and it was sufficiently munited so as the cold season being considered it might have held out till the Spring but when Galasso came neer it with some few men he by some tokens found how base and fearful the defendants were wherefore hoping for good success and having seen some of those Barques which serve to bring in the Vintage in some of the neighbouring Cottages he made use of them and of some ropes to pass over the Mincio and to get neer the Town which whilst he successfully did those within began to parley and two pieces of Cannon which Galasso had sent for before he had past the River being come from the Camp they agreed to surrender the Town which accordingly was done and proved no little prejudice to the City being thereby deprived of so important a place for succour Goito being taken and the Dutch finding that the Battery of S. Georgiâ—… against the City by reason of the far distance did no good they â—…ell to expugne Porto which is another Town neerer the City reduced into a Fort with Walls Bulwarks and Ditches and partly secured by the neerness of the Lake from whence you go to the City by the Mill-bridge and by a bank at the head of the Bridge Being gotten by their approaches to the Ditch they would have drained it and then have come to Battery and to Assault which if they could once have done they had great hopes by reason of the Defendants cowaâ—…dize whereof they had had so many proofs and the Artillery being already prepared they were ready to begin Battery But the Winter coming on and the weather growing very cold the business began to appear to be longer harder then it was thought it would have been especially since the City being secured every where else might make use of all her men to defend this place To this was added the great scarcity of victuals and straw which grew daily greater in the Army and the plague whereof many in the camp dyed Wherefore altering their minds they resolved for that Winter to minde only the keeping of what they had got and distributing their Army in the neighbouring Towns to keep Mantua besieged at a distance and to possess themselves of the Avenues and Passes which were fittest for relief and they quarter'd their Horse so as they might scoure the Country and keep back relief Collalto went to winter in Reggio where he quarter'd one Regiment the Duke of Modena not knowing how to refuse them as being Feudatory to the Empire as neither could the other Feudatories of the Empire do some allowing
say by his great donatives for he favouring the Dukes Cause as if the Common Cause were concerned therein desired it might be taken into consideration in the first place so as to boot with the emulation which was already grown between them not only diversity of opinions but distastes arose upon this occasion from whence much prejudice did râ—…dound to the main affair which being distracted by the several interests and emulations of private men was subject to great hazards just like a Ship which is agitated by contrary windes so as Collalto not willing to be left alone to prosecute the business of Piedmont withdrew to the Army before Mantua saying publickly that if others would prefer their Prince his particular cause before what was the common concernment he was likewise obliged to prefer the business of Mantua wherein the Emperour was particularly interessed before that of Casalle or Piedmont The Legate being this mean while gone to Pinarollo had acquainted Cardinal Richelieu with what had been agreed unto in Alessandria by Spinola and San ' Croce he found him willing to yield to all save to what concern'd the restitution of Pinarollo which he said it was necessary for him to keep as well out of the pretences which the King of France laid thereunto as for the security of Nevers his affairs and of the peace which was to be concluded which having been violated many times as he said on the Spanish side he might justly fear it might meet again with some troubles when he should be past back over the Mountains but it was rather thought that he refused to restore Pinarolio out of private ambition for he was very proud of having gotten a place of such importance for the Kings affairs and as France was much grieved when Pinarollo was restored to the Father of this present Prince by Henry the Third King of France so being now as much pleased with the recovery thereof the Cardinal would not together with the advantage of the acquisition lose the perpetual glory of having done so great a benefit to the Crown or France but this being a point of such importance for the conclusion or exclusion of peace in which things belonging to others are usually restored the retaining thereof was now discuss'd only as being contrary to the title pretended unto by the Kings Forces wherein Richelieu mitigated the Proposal and reduced the retention thereof to the space of two years offering the Duke Montcalvo and some other Towns in Montferrat in pawn for the restoring of it but this being held to be yet too hard a condition wherein the observance of the agreement was reduced to the Arbitrement of the French who when Casalle and Mantua should be freed it was hard to say what they would have done it was finally proposed that the Dutch should keep the Towns taken from the Grisons and the French those of the Dukes till such time as the affairs of Italy should be adjusted within fifteen days which when they should be adjusted and composed whatsoever was retained should be by both sides restored Spinola listned to this Proposal which he thought to be more moderate insomuch as discoursing thereof in the presence of the Duke of Savoy and of the other Commanders he said that he would readily agree thereunto if the time of restitution might be prolonged for the space of two moneths the Duke who was already very much unsatisfied with Spinola could not give way to such a length of time but letting his anger burst out which till then he had kept in he exclaimed very much upon him as did Colalto also and it being discovered that there was speech of a meeting between the Cardinal and Spinola and that intelligence was held between them the jealousie grew greater both of them being found to be no well-wishers to the Duke This suspition was much fomented by the friendship which was contracted between them when Spinola in his passage from Flanders to Spain went to the Camp before Rochel to kiss the Kings hand where being received with unusual favours by the Cardinal the Cardinal was much commended by a relation which Spinola made to the King of the well ordering of that Siege and by his assuring him of happy and speedy success if the same course should be still taken and to all this it was added that a dispatch which was at this very time sent to Spinola being intercepted Richelieu sent it to him close sealed as it was and unbroken up which being known by the Duke afforded him much cause of jealousie Thus the Treaty of peace being broken preparation was made for war and the Duke resenting Spinola's usage sent the Abbot Scaglia to complain unto the King of Spinola's strange and rigorous proceedings tending not onely to the prejudice of him the Duke but to the dis-service of the Kings affairs and of the common cause which could receive no advantage by the Dukes dis-satisfaction and he made his Daughter in Law complain of the Cardinal in the Court of France but particularly to the Queen-Mother who though she had been very well pleased formerly with the Cardinals greatness began to be jealous of him now by reason of his too great authority and of the credit which he had won with the King so as it was in several manners ill spoken of some accusing him of too great hatred to the Duke that being ordered to deal friendly with him his only endeavours in this expedition had been to incense him and by his ill usage to alienate him from the Kings interest some accused him of want of experience in Military affairs some of injustice and violence who had turned those Forces which were destined to defend an injured Prince to oppress another who was so neer allied to the King a Friend and Confederate of the Crown to the great scandal of the Kings Forces to the danger of the enterprise and of that Army wherein were so many Lords and Commanders wherefore finding himself complained of and apprehending the Kings displeasure whereinto he might run by his absence he left the management of affairs in Piedmont with the Marshals dela Force and Scomberg and return'd with Cricky into France whither when he was come and had given an account of his action and of what streights the Duke had put him in he had much adoto clear himself from the faults which were laid to his charge by his ill-willers Thus went the Duke about to prejudice the Cardinals fortune by his endeavours which he could never overthrow by his Forces nor by his so many Plots and Stratagems Whilst the business of peace was debated in Turin Don Philippo Spinola was got neer Pontestura and had begirt it on all sides and began his Batteries the French had begun some unperfect Fortifications and those of Casalle that the longer that place held out the longer might they themselves be preserved they thought good to lessen their own Garrison and Provisions and imploy them in the
trench on the right hand to the Dutch and that on the left to the Italians and they were all ordered that if the Enemy should assault them before they were fortified they should retreat by the Bridge without making any resistance if after they were fortified that they should defend themselves They wrought two days quietly in their works without being troubled by the French who did but laugh at them but considering the consequence better afterwards and knowing what prejudice it would occasion when it should be perfected especially if they should be inforced to remove from where they were They sent for a good strength of men from Pancaleri and sallied on the sudden forcibly from Carignano to distribute them whilst the work was imperfect 1200 of the best and bravest French gave the first furious assault the Dutch making but bad resistance those very same who behaved themselves so bravely in the conflict at Avigliana began to quit their stations and fled without almost striking a stroke so as the half Moon which lay open on that side after a long and valiant resistance was lost together with many men Whereupon the other Trench made by the Italians who were not able to withstand the brunt was also abandoned nor could the Duke send any to succour them though he endeavoured it For the Bridge being too narrow to passe over many a-brest the succour was too slender for such an assault nay the confusion of those that came in to succour was prejudicial to themselves for thronging together upon the Bridge many of them fell into the water and were drowned those that dyed and were drown'd on the Dukes side were 500 foot those of quality that were slain were Don Alphonso Swasso Leiutenant to the Camp-Master General and some Foot Captaines Don Martin d'Aragona after given great trial of his Valour was sore wounded and taken prisoner Camp-Master Nicolo Doria being shot by a Musket dyed soon after 200 of the French were slain and yet both sides were equally affraid for each party cut the Bridge in two on their side The French feared another better regulated assault being very weak and having lost many men and hearing that the whole body of the Dutch who were before Mantua was come to the Enemies Camp And the Duke that the French passing over the Bridge in the heat of victory might cause great disturbance in the Camp which was full of fear and confusion Thus both of them being divided by the River both of them were Masters of the Field the French on that side the Poe which was towards the Alps the Duke on that side which lay towards Casalle the Armies increased almost at the same time for Collalto having taken Mantua came into Piedmont with 8000 Foot and 1500 Hose under Marshal Scomberg who being to passe thorow the vally of Susa Marshal De la Force and Momorancy after having tarried ten or twelve dayes in Carignano and having well refresh'd their men with the victuals which they found there went towards that valley to encounter them and the Duke when they weregon quitted his quarters and took up new between Turin and Moncaleri and having sent 2000 Foot to defend Turin he betook himself to defend the stone Bridge which was built over the Poe neer Moncaleri quartering 2000 Foot upon the Hill which overlook'd the Bridge on Moncaleri's side When the French Army was come to Viola it heard that Scomberg being come with new Forces from France had taken Avigliana whereinto he entred without any opposition finding it infected with the Plague and void of inhabitants as many other Towns in Piedmont were he came before the Castle which trusting to the strength of its scituation stood upon defence though the Plague was got amongst the garrison and though the Castle was onely fortified after the ancient manner the Duke would have advanced to relieve the Castle but he was perswaded to the contrary by Collalto who was not naturally given to love danger Collalto foresaw that by going to relieve the Castle they might perchance come to a battle wherein the Dukes men being discouraged by the unfortunate successe of the two last actions would not have behaved themselves better then before and ruine depending upon the loss he thought it would not be wisely done to adventure the main conceâ—…nment upon a battle So the Castle wanting relief and more streightned for want of water then by the Enemy it fell into the hands of the French This acquisition opened the way for the French into the Carevesa and from thence to Cassalle and it was not unlikely but that they might easily passe over the Poe over against that City where being under the shelter of the Cannon of that plâ—…ce and joyning with the garrison which was there they might easily pass the foord and consequently relieve Casalle which the Duke apprehending he sent Gambacorti with 400 Horse into the Canevese to the end that passing over la Dora they might master that way and Marquess Spinola fearing the danger munited the bank of Poe with a double Trench the one against the River the other against the City and Citadel before which they wrought continually bringing on their approaches insomuch as the Spaniards to whose share the taking of the Bulwark of San ' Croce fell were advanc'd so far as they were ready to fall into the Ditch and attempted the Wall and when by the strong oppugning and by the scarcity of Victuals the Town was not likely to hold out long the Siege defence and succour were delaied by a Treaty of Truce which being formerly begun was not long after perfected and that the original and progress of this Treaty of Truce and of another Negotiation of Peace which was at this time very hotly handled and not long after concluded in the Diet at Ratisbone may be the better known it will be necessary to take the business a little higher The Electors not being content to have made the Emperour lay down his Arms by cashiering Wallestein the Duke of Fritland and by dissolving that Army which was so formidable to all Germany they demanded that some order might be taken about the setling of the affairs of Italy especially those of Mantua and Montferrat they honested this their demand with the justice of Nevers his cause who as they said was not to be put out of possession of his Dominions unheard thâ—…y said likewise that it was a great prejudice to the jurisdiction of the Empire that the Spaniards under the name and authority of the Emperour should bereave a Vassall of the Empire of those States to make themselves masters thereof for if they should fall into their hands it would be hard to exercise the Cesarean authority against them and they would hardly be brought to acknowledge that they held them as in Fee from the Empire they likewise complain'd that Armies were sent into Italy without their knowledge or consent alledging that this was contrary to the ancient institutions of
drowsie or fast asleep The French placed a good number of their men behind a certain wall near the Church which they made use of as of a Trench to beat down a Bridge which was over a little River the rest fell upon the Dutch and slew many of them who being in disorder and not able to resist were forced not without much loss to retreat towards Molina a Town near Bormio at the foot of the Mountains where the Pass and Serra of the Bagni is They tarried there till Fernamont was returned from Tirvolo and had sent 1500 Foot and some Troops of Horse to take Mazzo a Bridge upon the Adda some few miles above Tyrano But Rohan hearing thereof went without losing any time toward the same Bridge by the Valley of Poschiano where meeting both of them almost at the same time they fiercely disputed the possession of it and the question was undecided till night and the decision was put off till the next morning both sides keeping quiet all that night and each side guarded the head of the bridge by which both parties strove to enter and to advance Fernamont came the same night to the Dutch with the Van and knowing the bridge and the Enemies Forces which were on the opposite shore he returned to Bormio and bringing the rest of his men thither the next day he encouraged his men with words and more Forces Wherefore Rohan fearing to be fallen upon on the back by Serbellone quitted the head of the controverted bridge and retreated to Tyrano and being ascertained afterwards that Serbellone was not ready to move he resolved to assault the Dutch who were quartered in a Town near Mazzo though he was inferiour in number but superiour in well armed Cavalry The assault was given so couragiously as after a long dispute the French had the better and put the Dutch to a direct rout be all the rewards all the fruits of Victory their 's the Territories which should be gotten by driving out the Spaniards all which he faithfully promised should be divided amongst them reserving only the praise and title unto himself of being the preserver of Italy and the quelleâ—… of the Spanish Empire therein by these and the like perswasions he tried them all and endeavoured to kindle such a fire in Italy against the Spanish Government as the King of Spain being entertained in the quenching thereof should forbear bringing the like into other mens houses or at least should not be able to extinguish that which being brought by him the King of France into Germany was endeavoured likewise to be continued and increased by him but these his designs though they were much laboured and negotiated by his Agents and adherents in Italy found not that correspondency in the Italian Princes which he had fansied to himself for the propounded plot the more plausible it was for the novelty thereof and for the desire that all men had and have of Liberty the harder of digestion it seemed to those who being indowed with more wisdom did foresee the mortal infirmities which the bad concoction thereof might cause to the imperfect health of this body in general and to the particular members thereof for though the Spanish Forces and commotions in these last wars of Mantua and Montferrat had been as hateful to the Italians as they were dangerous and the Arms and commotions of the French the more acceptable as being more advantagious for Italy at the present yet was not their hatred so much against the Spaniards nor their confidence so great in the French as to free themselves wholly from the fear of the Spaniards they would submit themselves to the arbitrement of the French as they foresaw they must do if their common Forces should prosper and though they were not displeased to see the French masters of Pinarvolo and Casalle since by the possession of these two places they curb'd the Spanish power and rendred it less formidable to Italy yet they could not be pleased nor think that it stood with the common interest that when the Spanish Forces should be totally subdued the French should succeed in their place and if they were to be accompanied by the Empire of one of them they rather chose the Spaniards company whose moderation being proved for the space of a hundred years if you will dispence with the arrogancy which is natural to that Nation made their Authority and Empire appear more tolerable they were therefore content seeing they thought it impossible to obtain absolute liberty to see the Spanish power lessened as it was at the present but not totally beaâ—…en down so as inclining to neutrality between the two Crowns their intention was so to counterpoize the Forces of both the Crowns by the Italian Forces as by the help of the French they might keep the Spaniards short and by joyning with the Spaniards they might not suffer the French to encrease in power too immoderately and so secure their own liberty by this equality as they might neither be suppress'd by the one nor lorded over by the other therefore the Venetians though to boot with their having opposed the Austrian Forces in the Mantuan wars they had also assisted the French in the Valtoline yet for what concern'd the remaining affairs of Italy in general and the State of Millain in particular they abhorred all novelty and seemed more inclined to preserve then to beat down the Spanish Empire nor did the Pope though he had always studied the Grandezza of France seem to persevere in his accustomed course of favouring and promoting the French interest but being content to see the Authority of France radicated in Italy he was not pleased that the roots should spread further The Duke of Savoy though he was necessitated to second the will and pleasure of the King of France yet the manifest slavery which he foresaw he should be subject unto if the French should be victorious in Italy made him unwilling for when the Spaniards should be driven out of the State of Millain he should be deprived of the prop which their Arms and Power in Italy was to the Liberty and Sovereignty of his Dukedom against the French Forces wherewith he was in danger to be overcome if the French should succeed in the State of Millain instead of the Spaniards whereby his Dominions would be imprisoned by the French Forces and he himself made absolutely subject to the arbitrement and will of the King of France and of his Agents The King of France was aware of this difficulty and that therefore he could not safely build upon the Duke though he should enter into the League and on the contrary having found by experience some years before that though Pinarvolo and Susa with other Towns of Piedmont and almost whole Savoy was possess'd by his Forces yet it was impossible for him to relieve Cassalle so much as with one succour without the Dukes permission and that consequently he should find it much harder the Duke
the same wood whence not daring to come forth any more the assailants when that impediment was removed had opportunity to advance unto the Trenches amidst all this toil and danger the heat was excessive great and there was no water thereabouts so as the souldiers hot with continual fighting having no shade to shelter them from the Sun which shone then excessive hotly nor water wherewith to quench their thirst they could no longer withstand the extream heat which consumed them both within and without Serjant Major Octaviano saw a Wind-mill somewhat far from the place of fight but well guarded by the enemy he went thither with a good many Musketeers and driving the Defendants away not without much contest he became master thereof and opened unto the thirst-burnt Souldiers a large vein of water who as soon as they heard thereof forsook their ranks and without any respect ran confusedly in crouds to refresh themselves therewith this refreshment enabled the army to continue the fight more vigorously and the Governour hearing what refreshment the Army had received ordered Sauli to have a great care of that station and not to abandon it without particular order from him but all this while the victory was far off the Duke of Savoy having re-made the Bridge past over with his fresh-men to this side the river and brought very seasonable succour to the French who were ready to forsake the field by whose coming though the defence was much strengthned yet did not the assailants fail to play their part but kept the field as before and therefore though the Dukes arrival took from them the glory of victory yet was it not sufficient to make them losers at last that which the night could not do the wearyness of the souldiers did which put an end to the assault three hours after Sun-set the assailants departed in good order not losing one man in the retreat being well back'd by the Cavalry but this was more then needed for not any of the enemy a thing noâ—… often read of came out of their Trenches to pursue them their end being onely to keep their quarters they thought they had done enough to keep from being driven from thence or peradventure the Gallantry shewed that day by the assailants made them keep in but because the place where the sight was was incapable of quarter being nothing but brush-wood without water save that of the Mill without Trees without fortifications or forradge for the Horse which had born armed men all that day without either food or rest they were forced to go quarter at Biagarassa which was fifteen miles off this business decided the difference between the Duke and the Marshal touching going to Millain and the Army that was assaulted had the honour though not the title of victory which was due to it by Military law for having kept it's station and it would have carried away entirely the title of Victory if the Duke of Parma who was the chief occasion and end of these conflicts had made use of the occasion of passing over the â—…rench at Tortona at the same time when it was abandoned by the Governour and had so past happily into his Dominions This Prince as you have heard was sent from Bremi to Nizza with a convoy of three thousand Foot and three hundred Horse to the end that the going of the Consederates army towards the territories of Novara being likely to draw the Governour with his men from defending the Trench to defend these parts the Duke might make his way by that Trench when it should be abandoned and pass securely into the Countrey of Piacenza The business succeeded as it was designed and better for the Governour being forced by the unexpected passage of the French over the Tessino hastily to forsake the French which he left guarded by Carlo della Gatta with onely five hundred foot too small a number by much for the large extent thereof and the weather being then very dry and the Scrivia very shallow it had been easie for the Duke to pass the Trench and come into his States and if as easily he might he had done so what greater glory could the Confederates have won then to have then put that Prince happily and honourably into his Dominions and that whereas to keep them from doing so the Governour would force them to fight with so much disadvantage against the Trench of Tortona they to effect it by better and more advised counsels had compelled him to abandon that Trench nor had their glory ended here for they might moreover have boasted to have almost totally freed the Dukes Dominions and to have brought his Convoy safe into the territories of Piacenza which being joyned to the forces which were there already might have defended that Prince from being injured by the Spanish forces which successes would assuredly have been glorious and memorable if the Duke of Parma had co-operated to perfecting of the common ends and Counsels the reasons which hindred the Duke of Parma from doing so may be guest at by a letter which he writ to the Duke of Savoy in answer to one written to him by the said Duke two days before the conflict at Tornavento wherein Parma was exhorted to advance and get into his Dominions by the Trench which the enemy had abandoned whereunto Parma answered the day after what had hapned at Tornavento that it was impossible for him to undertake that journey for want monyes that moreover he wanted victuals munition and carriages to convey his baggage though it were but little and that it was impossible for him though he should make never so much diligence to repair so many wants especially since he who was deputed to defray the expences had refused to pay a small sum of money which he had desired he also said that by the convoy which was given him he had no power to command nor to make the Souldiers obey him so as he could not make use of them who were become very contumacious for though at first they seemed very willing to serve him yet not long after they had altered their minds at the instigation of others who had suggested unto them that they should not be satisfied in their pay when they should be come into his Countrey wherefore perceiving that ill blood began to be bred amongst them and that this malady began to spread abroad in the multitude it had so infected them as many of them had run away that very night and that therefore he had given them leave to go unto the Camp to the end that his Majesties affairs might suffer no prejudice by their absence and parting that very night from Nizza with seven other horse he went towards the Sea whither being come about break of day he hired a little Vessel at Voltri and steering directly towards Lerici and passing incognito through the Luniggiana he came unknown and almost unaccompanied into the same City from whence he departed ten moneths before
Genoa with his own squadron and other Spanish Gallies understanding that the Enemies Fleet was come to anchor at Mentone a place not far off belonging to the jurisdiction of Monaco made towards them and appearing before them about break of day began to shoot at them and after having hit them with many Cannon shot returned to the Haven of Vai from whence he was come These Spanish Gallies kept still in some of the Havens in the Sea of Genoa to the number for the most part of 40 and though both the Fleets profess'd to bear all respect to the Common-wealth and not to do any act of Hostility against either other whilst they kept within the Havens of the Common-wealth and did effectually make good their professions yet not satisfied with the exact cautiousness of the Militia they attentively observed the wayes of one-another lest they might be taken unawares where they could not evade danger in so neer neighbourhood and more particulary the Spanish as being weaker both for number and quality of vessels and consequently more subject to misfortunes They therefore were extraordinarily diligent in learning the first motions of the Enemy and to this purpose to boot with much diligence on land they kept Feluccaes and other vessels at high sea by which by fires at night and by smoak in day time they were continually advertised which way the Enemy went And yet the Spanish Fleet was one day in very great danger of being sunk or taken This Fleet stay'd one whole night in the Haven at Vai knowing that the other lay in the Haven at Alassio not above thirty miles off from whence the French Fleet put to sea and favour'd by the darkness of the night undiscovered by the Sentinels they upon break of day appeared so neer Vai as had not the Spanish Gallies cut their Cables and speedily put to Sea the French Fleet could never have got a more famous victory They got away in so good time as they past all safe away and escaped the Enemies hands These two Fleets kept long neer one another in the bosom of the State of Genoa without coming to a dispute but the French finding at last that they got but little good and less honour by staying here that they might not return to France without having done any thing worthy so great a preparation and such threats they resolved to assault Sardignia whither they hoped to come unexpected and unlooked for by the Inhabitants so as they might do some good there And coming to land in the desolate Haven of Orestano a City no less desolate in Sardignia then was her Haven and little inhabited by reason of the malignity of the air they entred thereinto on the Saturday in the time of Carnivale when the Inhabitants dreaming of nothing less then of being assaulted by so many ships were more busie in feasting and revelling after the manner of the Carnivale then in defending themselves Wherefore being terrified they fled most of them to within land those who stay'd behind sent some to the ships to know what they did intend Answer was made that they intended to take the City and to keep it till such time as the King of Spain should restore the Islands which he had taken in Provence so they landed their men and entred the City the next day which was almost abandoned by those few Inhabitants which there remained where they refreshed themselves with those good things which they found ready there to make a good Carnivale But two dayes after armed men began to appear upon the neighbouring hills who skirmish'd with them and the French being therein worsted they fearing that the numbers of the Enemy might increase they retreated the second day of â—…ent not without some loss both of men and reputation to winter in Provence When the Commanders of the Spanish Fleet heard this they finding that Winter was already begun did also disband their Fleet sending some squadrons to winter in Spain some in Genoa some in Naples and Sicily till they might put to sea with more safety the next spring But the French Fleet about the beginning of March 1637. went together with many of the Nobility and Souldiery to recover the Islands and having possess'd themselves of the convenientest passes to keep off any succour that might be brought they might see a great ship which passing thorough with a fore-wind by the Fleet entred into the little neck of water which divides the two Islands and thinking to be safe there amongst Friends was the next night wholly burnt Count Monterei had sent it from Naples loaded with Victuals Munition and all things necessary for the maintenance of the Islands it brought also 40 peeces of Artillery for the Vice-roy being glad that the Kings Forces had at last got good footing there and hoping that the crown would be much advantaged and Provence much prejudiced thereby had a special care to keep them But Count Harcourt Generall of the Fleet fearing what was true despairing to recove the Islands if that ship should land her provisions sent one of the fiâ—…e-ships full of powder and artificial fire-works which was in the Fleet which entring by night where the ship was fasten'd her self with grapling-irons to the ship and giving fire to the train the Mariners got out of the fire-boat into a schiff which was behind her and retreated without any harm to the Fleet. The fire took soon hold and quickly devoured the ship and all that was in it some few escaping who threw them selves into the Sea So as the Garrisons in the Island missing of those supplies could continue defence the lesser while the which they notwithstanding drew out a long while by reason of the many Forts Trenches and other works which were well munited so as the French were to win them by inch-meal They assauted S ta Margherita first which resisted stoutly a long while The ships accosted it and with their Cannon beat down the first rampiers which were erected to keep them from landing they then landed their men but not without much effusion of blood and having taken some small works they came before Fort Monterei which was munited with four bastions together with their ditches and two half moons the French thought they should meet with stout resistance there and therefore wondred very much when they saw it abandoned ere assaulted for the Defendants were retired to a neighbouring Fort which was greater then all the rest and was called a Fort Royal and flanked with five Bulwarks in the midâ—… whereof was a Tower which in that Island served for a Fortification The French being Masters of Fort Monterei began to draw a trench cross the Island wherein they might the more safely lodge then coming before the Fort Royal and other smaller Forts they endeavoured to take them many were the assaults and many the Sallies which were made the oppugners behaved themselves like good Warriours and the Defendants like good Souldiers and that
thereof And when he saw the Defendants beaten back from the recovery of those places which his men had taken he made that part of the Island be better fortified and put more men into it by which the Enemy had got in and made all the batteries be doubled the approaches advanced and all things necessary prepared to give another general assault And because a squadron of Horse appeared beyond the River which turned towards the foot of the Bridge that was thrown over on the other side he ordered some Horse to go out against them who forc'd the Enemies Horse to retreat and slew many of them The French Army finding by these proceedings the impossibility of advancing with succour they fell to battery and placed 16 peece of Cannon on the side just opposite against the City which commanding the Island play'd furiously upon the fortifications wherewith it was munited The like was done from the City not so much by Cannon as by Musket-shot which being given fire unto neerer hand hurt many of the Garrisons of the neighbouring works and Trenches Those who defended the Island did not onely shelter themselves against these batteries but raised a counter-battery whereby they did much prejudice to some Regiments that were come to quarter neerer In this interim those of the City made out a good and gallant sally with 600 Musketeirs against a little Fort which was raised in the Island by which if it had been taken great relief might have been brought into the City And to this purpose Marquess Villa who held intelligence with those within the Town was come to the River side and was ready to introduce it but neither did this attempt succeed for those that defended the little Fort stood firm and with-stood the first affault till fresh Horse came in to their assistance who playing upon the Enemy on the flank forc'd them after a long and obsimate skirmish to retreat having slain above 50 of them and taken eight of their Captains whereof four dyed and four remained Prisoners by reason of this misfoâ—…tune and for because the Spanish Horse scouring the Country kept back victuals and keept the Enemies Camp from forraging the Cardinal and Duke of Vallette who had made the battery onely to satisfie the pressing desires of the Dowagers Commanders began to think upon giving over they were hereunto incited by the reinforcement of 4000 Swissers which were by the Governours orders newly come unto the Camp but they were compelled much more to abandon the enterprize speedily hearing that Cardinal Trivultio was come from Millain with 8000 good Foot and that he was upon his march to assault them in their works so as growing cautious and circumspect according to their custom they were resolved not to be entrapped between the Cardinal and the Governour who was now re-inforced with new men they therefore removed their Artillery and past back over the Sesia and going round the line by long marches they intended to fall upon the enemy on the opposite part of the line which was over against the Pralvolo which resolution as it occasioned great consternation amongst the besieged who thought themselves abandoned so did it much comfort the besiegers who were not long able to continue in that condition by reason of the prejudice they received by battery from which they could not well shelter themselves by reason of the stony gravelly earth and more by reason of the thunder of Cannon and hail of Musket-shot which absolutely impeded their works by day and beat down those which they could make in the nights which were now grown short and it was thought by the Piedmontese and by the Spanish Commanders that if that battery had been continued a little longer the Town would undoubtedly have been freed and the Victory gotten The Lords of Vallette being freed from Trivultio's imminent danger by passing over the Sesia sent some of their Horse a little lower to the end that being past over the Sesia at Palestre by which way victuals were brought to the Spanish Camp they might block up that Avenue Palastre was not onely taken but sack'd and great booty was gotten there these Horse quarter'd in the neighbouring Towns thinking that by their yet further keeping the Spanish Camp from Victuals it would the sooner be forced to raise the Seige they failed in this design as well because the Camp was already provided with as much as might serve them for a fortnight in which time the enemies horse would have been forced to seek new quarters as also that though the passage by Palastre was blocked up that of Novara was open by the enemies departure from the Abby which was more commodious for the conveying of Victuals There hapned many Skirmishes between these Horses and those who guarded the line on that part and it being known that the French Army though it was past over the Sesia would not give over the business but rather that being recruited by new Forces come from France they would quickly return and joyning with the Horse at Palastre would resume it with more vigour therefore the quarter by the Abby was better fortified whither that recruit of men were sent who did defend the Island when it was in greatest danger nor did their provisions cease here the Governour did greatly desire to make use of this advantage of the enemies being gone that he might the more safely give a general assault without danger of being fallen upon by the enemy on the back he therefore ordered all things with the greatest diligence that might be to this effect he sollicited all his men to throw galleries over the Ditch he made the battery by Cannon be redoubled to make breaches and provided for all other things necessary So as all their endeavours were to get to the walls by the shortest way though it were not very safe doing so and whilest they were intent hereupon they heard that the enemy would quarter the next day at Prarnold a Town on the right hand of the river under Vercelli not above a mile distant from the line wherefore though things were not very well in order the Governour gave directions for a general assault to be given the next day the Italians battery had not as yet made a sufficient breach in the Wall and the Spaniards though they had sprung a Mine between the Bulwark de Nobili and that of S. Andrea yet it proved uneffectual by a strange accident for twenty yards of the Wall which was blown up by the violence of the fire fell down entire and whole into the same place where it stood before and did so joyn as there appeared not any the least gap whereby they might enter the Dutch were onely in somewhat a better condition for they had made themselves masters not onely of the platform but also of a half Moon which was in the Tenaglia which they had gotten a little before these three Nations going by the Governours orders to the assault they fought with
more courage then fortune for the Italians who under Count Iovanni Boromeo coming with much courage to the breach which was made by the Cannon and which was not yet perfected were sorely gauled both on the Front and Flank by four pieces of Cannon by Musket-shot and by stones So as not being able so much as to get over the Ditch which was partly full of water and partly full of stiff Clay they were forced to go about by the Gallery at the Foot of the Wall and to go round about above fifty paces to find the breach to which not being able to get without much prejudice for they were every where exposed to the enemies Muskets Don Carlo Della Gatta resolved to fall with his Brigade upon the Bulwark from whence the assaulters were played upon this Bulwark was made of earth and Fagots and was environ'd with a dry ditch so as Gatta thought he might easily gain it which if he had done he held for certain that the impediment ceasing the breach might be easiy entred but he was deceived for being shot in the leg by a Musket he was forced to retreat and though his Serjeant Major Iovan Battista Brancaccio got with some of the hardiest of that Brigade beyond the middle of the Bulwark yet they were stoutly resisted and at last repuls'd as were they also who were gotten to the breach through so many dangers under Boromeo nor did the Spaniards do what they intended for having in vain attempted that place where the Mine had played to no purpose and failing of their hopes by reason of the green bulwark by which they were play'd upon on the Flank they sent 500 Foot to take it who having fought a long while they sometimes thought to gain it as they had done notwithstanding that it was stoutly defended had not the Governour Dogliano who saw the danger sent a body of French seasonably thither under Colonel S. Andrea a stout and understanding Commander of the same nation who though he fell being shot by a Musket yet having together with the rest discharged the part of a gallant man the Assailants were forced to retreat nor did the assault given by the Dutch prove more effectual who when they had gotten the plat-form and the half moon as hath been said went to assault the breach which they had made For though it was noysed that the Spaniards had scaled the walls which made them desirous to appear no less forward then they yet finding the Defendants very ready and resolute it was not possible for them to advance So as the Governour of Millain finding by the many disadvantages of the unseasonable assault and by the good order and resolution of the Defendants that it would be but loss of time to persevere in the enterprize and that it was impossible to do more after four hours fierce and obstinate fight he ordered a retreat to be beaten and that the assault should be given over by which there was nothing got but the plat-form and half moon which the Dutch had taken and the death of Colonel St. Andrea which was reputed a great loss by them within the Town But neither did the Dutch keep that long which they had gotten for they were driven from thence within a few hours being assaulted before they were fully fortified And notwithstanding that they resisted stoutly yet so furious was the assault as none coming to assist them they were but hardly dealt with and many of the chief of them were slain amongst which the Lieutenant of Prince Borso who commanded them The reason why no succour was sent was for that the Enemies Horse hearing that the assault was given came from Parvolo and by falling upon the Line endeavoured to assist the assaulted City at least by diversion by drawing the Enemy from assaulting the City to defend their own Camp as they necessarily must do The Assailants and Defendants having vied who should shew most Valour and Resolution the Marquess of Caracena with his Brigade of Spaniards began to sink a Mine under that wall which played and the Italians sunk another under the wall that was batter'd and the Dutch not being able to sit down by the affront which they had received endeavour'd the next day to regain the works which they had lost and going in a great body to assault them after a long contest they lodged in the half moons parapet advanced to the foot of the plat-form under which they sunk another great Mine And when fire was ready to be given and that they were prepared for a general assault the Marquess of Caracena as he was ready to give fire unto his Mine and to fall to an assault might hear a parly beaten from within the Town wherewith he presently acquainted the Governour who commanding that all offence should be forborne wish'd him to know of the Enemie what Articles they demanded they demanded that Hostages might be given and then that the treaty might begin which being granted the Treaty lasted long at last the difficulty was reduced to the time of surrender The Town demanded eight dayes and the Governour would give but two hours and both parties being stiff in their proposals and answers it was at last agreed that the Assailants should enter the works that were yet in the Defendants hands beyond the ditch at two hours before sun-set next day and that the Defendants should march out of the City at two of the clock the next day and deliver up the City to the Governour with leave to carry away the bones of Duke Victorio who was there slain and buried In performance of which agreement the works were presently quitted and afterwards the City was delivered up unto Marquess of Caracensa who took possession of it at the end of 40 dayes after the siege was begun The Souldiers marched out with their Arms and Baggage Drums beating Bullet in mouth Match lighted and Colours flying and carried with them three peeces of Cannon with a safe-conduct to convoy them and necessary carriages to St. Ia as was agreed upon by Articles And they marched out if not glorious for their gallant defence and keeping of the City at lest with much honour both to the Commanders and Souldiers for the singular Valour which they had shewed in defending the City The Dowager was much troubled at the loss of Vercelli she being thereby deprived at the beginning of her Regency of so noble and important a place the very Bulwark and Frontier of Piedmont and she was not well satisfied with the Cardinal of Valletta who being at the time of the surrender in Parvolo but two miles from Vercelli if he had behaved himself otherwise then he did it was thought the City might have been preserved for he was taxed commonly with coolness and irresolution in the whole carriage of this business Vercelli being surrendred the Spanish Army kept there busying themselves in demolishing the line and in repairing the walls which were beaten down by
the Dowager who was not now so well beloved by the people as she was before this innovation by reason of her so great dependency upon the King of France by her renewing the League and by her removing of the Garrison and Governour of the Citadel On the contrary the people did much compassionate the Princes by reason of the hard condition wherein they were being banish'd their Country deprived of their Revenues and kept as if they were publick enemies from the administration of those State Affairs wherein they were so much concern'd The Dukes unhealthfulness as it was given out and the small hopes of his life did much work upon the peoples affection on their behalfs as on those whom they expected should quickly succeed in the Principality and the rising Sun having already found many worshippers the generality of the people thought they had but small reason to place any hopes in the Dowager and were more inclined to the Government of the rising Princes then to that of hers which for the aforesaid reasons they thought would be quickly at an end they also doubted that very much which the Princes themselves gave out that in case the young Duke should sail the Dowager had resolved to make her Daughter Queen of France giving her the States of Piedmont and Savoy for her Dowry to the irreparable prejudice not only of the succession of the Princes but also to the peoples liberty wherein when the Ducal-house should be debar'd succession they ran manifest danger to be subjected to the French yoke and be made slaves thereunto wherefore thinking themselves more concern'd to adhere unto the Princes then to the Dowager they forsook her intrest and past violently over to the Princes party and yet many others confiding in the Dukes health and in the Dowagers authority adhered constantly to her the people of Piedmont were therefore no less confused and differ'd no less in opinion then were the Dowager and the Princes between whom no composition being to be made War must necessarily ensue The Governour of Millain did of all other things chiefly design to end a petty business which though it was but a small one was of no small consequence which was to take Cengio a little Castle in the Langhe seated on the back of Savona but strong fitly situated not only for the predomination of the Langhe but for the passage of Souldiers who landing at Finale go into the State of Millain and of those who upon occasion were to be sent from the State of Millain to Finale in relief of that Marquisate if it should be assaulted by the French Fleet as it was then doubted it would be the Governour thought also that the Princes would be much helped by this to enter Piedmont assisted by the King of Spains Forces for this Castle was very necessary to Piedmont for the keeping of the Langhe which the Duke of Savoy did formerly affect wherefore both the Governour and the Princes thought assuredly that the Dowager who would be forced to succour this place with all her forces would be necessitated to draw out the Garrisons from out the more inward parts of the State and would leave them undefended and open to be assaulted by the Princes Don Antonio Sotelo was therefore sent with some Brigades to clear the ways which led to that Castle and to keep it from having new Garrisons put into it and after him went Don Martind ' Aragona who was intended to be the chief Governour of this enterprise with a good body of men who at his first coming there as he was spying out the fittest places to plant his Artillery was shot in the head by a Musket whereof he immediately died in whose place Sotelo was chosen by the rest of the Captains who fell all of them very busily to effect this business but the Dowager and Cardinal Valletta hearing thereof were not slow in providing to prevent it The Cardinal marched with his French from Cassalle and Marquess Villa from Turin with almost all the Dowagers Forces and joyning together they came within sight of the Trenches which the Enemy had made who kept themselves patiently therein suffering the Bravadoes which were often made by the others but when the Enemy seemed to be weary and tyred they came unexpectedly with much fury out of their Trenches and after a long Fight routed the assaulters killing about 300 of them and having pursued them a while they retreated and those of the Castle seeing no more succour appear and finding the batteries already all in order and that the Enemy were prepared to give an assault they surrendred the Castle at the same time that the Governor sent to take Cengio Prince Thomaso went from Vercelli with 2000 Dragoons about Sun-set and having marched all night appeared about break of day before Chivazzo a great Town upon the left side of the Poe twelve miles from Turin he sent Count Serravalle before with eight Horse under pretence of carrying Letters to the Governour of that place kept there till the Prince who came after him with the Dragoons became easily Master thereof there was then no Garrison in this Town the gates were guarded onely by some few Towns men for though it was a place of great consequence yet being far from the confines of the State and almost within the bosom of Piedmont it was not judged to need a Garrison the rather for that some squadrons of Horse were placed to guard the banks of the Dora Baltea which were thought sufficient to guard all the places seated within that river but the Prince past a little below them so they were no hindrance to him but passing succesfully on he made himself Master of the Town at which unexpected accident the Inhabitants were much troubled but when they heard live Prince Thomaso cried they past from a great fear wherewith they were posses'd to great joy and gladness and flock'd unto him with much applause and were the first of the Piedmontese who rendred him ready obedience as Guardian of the young Duke the Inhabitants of Chivazzo were not they alone who seemed to rejoyce at this happy success but even those of Turin did the like wherefore it was the common opinion that if the Prince had presently marched thither he might likely enough have been received there with the same acclamation and applause and acknowledged for Gardian of the Duke and Governour of the State the rather for that that City was wholly unprovided of Souldiers they being all gone to succour Cengio the Dowager therefore apprehending danger sent in great haste for the Cardinal and Count Villa from the Langhe to provide for the hazardous condition of Turin which was much the occasion of the loss of Cengio for the relievers hearing of the Dowagers from Turin went with all speed thither and quitted the relieving of that Castle the Dowager when she heard of what had hapned at Chivazzo sent the young Duke and his sisters from Piedmont into
Turin whither they got safe and unpursued The French being come to Cheri were notlong in planting their Cannon against the walls but it was more then needed for those of Cheri seeing none appear to assist them and wanting men enough to defend the Town they feared to be plundred So as the same night without the consent of the Dutch Captain they by Marquess Villa's means articled to surrender the Town the next day Prince Thomaso who marched with his men towards Cheri might see the Dutch that were come out of Cheri come towards him and the Governour who had past over his in another part heard of the surrender They both were astonished at the news of so sudden a surrender and having lost the hopes of their expected victory they halted upon the Hills expecting to hear from one another what they were to do next But Harcourt hearing that the Governour advanced left his baggage artillery and all incumbrances behind in Cheri and march'd with his men into the field and advanc'd to fight him which when the Governour heard he made two squadrons of Horse and some Musketiers advance that they might fall upon the enemies Van and immediately ordered Don Iohn di Garrai to draw out the Souldiers in order and whilst the Horse which were sent before by the Governour skirmish'd with the enemies Van Carpano Captain of the Spanish Horse and Tavanes Serjeant Major of the French Army were hurt but Harcout hearing that Prince Thomaso was faln down from the hills and was come to assault him on the back lest he might be taken between them made his Reer his Van and with speed retreated to Cheri whose Inhabitants were doubly blamed upon this account First for having been too hasty in surrendring when two reliefs were so neer Secondly for not having advertised the Prince of the enemies going out of the Town when they went to encounter the Governour for then he might have advanced and might have recovered the Town might have taken the baggage and artillery which were left therein by the French and might have falne upon the enemy joyntly with the Governour The Governour when he saw the occasion was over went to Santena a Town within three miles of Cheri upon the way by which you go from Cheri to Carmagnuola and mustering all his men together he resolved to besiege the enemy from thence who were in Cheri And knowing by those that he had taken that they wanted victuals very much he made account that since they could receive none but either from Carmagnuola or Montcalleri he might hinder any from coming from Carmagnuola by his keeping at Santena and might also keep any from coming from Montcalleri by sending a Garrison of a thousand Foot thither and some Horse and that consequently the Town would quickly be relinquish'd for want of food which Harcourt foreseeing he thought by one and the same means to free his men from Famine and which was his main end to send relief to the Citadel of Cassalle which stood in great need thereof He therefore sent 400 Horse out of the Town with men en croup who passing by the hills of Montferrat which lead to Cassalle met with no opposition except at the village Gazzino where some Troops of Prince Thomaso's Horse were commanded by his General Don Mauritio who though they made some resistance yet the French made their way valiantly thorow them and got with little loss into Cassalle and Marquess Villa came forth also with almost all the Dowagers Horse and thereby not onely freed the Town from Famine which began to be very great but thought also to get food for the Town but he intended first to fall upon the Prince who over-ran the parts about Montcalleri and raised contribution And to the end that he might not be hindred by the Enemies Army the rest of the Horse march'd out at the same time and faced the Enemy thinking by this means to keep them within their quarters But being met by the Enemies Horse he was forced to retreat once more into Cheri nor did the same Horse fare more fortunately in the sally which they made out by night not long after with intention to fall at unawares upon the Horse quarter which being commanded by Gonzaga lay in Poirino a Town not far from Santena for the first Charge being stoutly withstood by Aisaldo who was Captain of the Horse guard the rest of the Horse had time to put themselves in order who charging the Assailants after a long dispute and much resistance put them to flight and took Aisaldo from them who being wounded in the head was carried away Prisoner by them And for all this those that remained in Cheri wanted bread so as the French were forced to go elsewhere to get victuals if they would keep there They therefore endeavoured to get some from Chiavezzo which though it was somewhat far off and divided from Cheri by the Poe yet the water being then so low as that it was foordable they thought that by great conducts they might secure the passage and because Cheri suffer'd more in want of Grist then Grain and Chiavezzo wanting Grain they sent Loads of Grain thither and brought as many Loads of Grist from thence whereby they thought they might sustain themselves and prolong the Siege which they might have done if a provision had not been found against it for the Governour had sent before to break down all the Mills of the parts thereabouts and placed Garrisons in the Towns neer the high-ways by which the Convoys pass'd and made the Countrey people be ready with their Arms in hand to oppose any of the Enemy that should passe that way so as the Convoys being often routed provision of bread grew very scarce in that Town yet Marquess Villa according to his promise brought some relief from Carmagnuola to the great Famine that was in Cheri which he did luckily and without oppotion for the Governour having removed his Quarters from Santena to Poirino the way which leads from Carmagnuola to Cheri was left almost open which whilest the Governour tarried at Santena was quite block'd up But this relief being but very slender it being no more then what was brought en croupe behind 600 Horse and the French having no hopes of any more from elsewhere it was impossible for them to tarâ—…y longer there especially in respect of straw which the horses wanted extreamly Almost all the French Horse which were in Piedmont were in Cheri which if they should be lost neither the Citadel of Turin nor Chiavezzo nor any Towns of Piedmont could be longer kept and the very Citadel of Cassalle was held as good as lost if these horses which were the sinews of the French Forces should be lost And many things made against the coming of new recruits from France for the King besides provisions made for the Wars of Flanders and Germany was wholly bent upon the Enterprize of Catalognia which was at that time in insurrection