in France surprised at Dundalk yet this gave the Protestants an apprehension of their Houses being burnt and plundered in case the Irish Army was worsted of whose Success they had not the least thought as knowing their Cowardice where they came upon equal terms for they had neglected at all times to fortifie the place and on the 19th when the late King was gone to encamp the Governour ordered all People walking the Streets without Bayonets or Swords to be taken up for the Papists had a secret notice not to go without them so that this fell upon the Protestants only and accordingly many were secured out of which they culled those they suspected and sent them to divers Prisons and then they put out a Proclamation That not above Five Protestants should meet in any place above the Family upon pain of Death and thereupon the Churches were shut up which by an extraordinary Providence had been kept open except Christ-Church and frequently twice every day at Prayers for although the Protestant Clergy that remained there had lost their Subsistance by an Act of the Irish Parliament yet the People voluntarily contributed with great Zeal and Diligence so that they acquitted themselves bravely being particularly influenced by the Bishop of Meath and Dr. King Dean of St. Patricks but the latter was on the 24th of June made Prisoner in the Castle and many other Protestants of note in the College now made a Garrison and other publick places The Galloway Protestants being about 200. having been those of Sir Tho. Southwell's Party brought up in order to be exchanged were removed from White Fryars to the Round Church and all the Newgate Prisoners were put to them where they were almost stifled as for those that had been made Prisoners of War they were brought from Kilmainham to St. John's Church insomuch that the liberal Contributions raised every Sabbath-day for their relief was intercepted and they reduced to great Extremity few Protestants daring to walk the Streets This was the Case of the Citizens of Dublin before the Battel of the Boyne and it was given out That the late King resolved as much as in him lay to avoid Fighting designing to weary out the English by walking them along the River supposing it was impossible for them to pass it seeing his Forces as he thought were sufficiently strong to defend the Banks at such a disadvantage and after he had done that to cross the Country to Limerick However as it appeared he distrusted the Issue for to provide against the worst he sent to Sir Patrick Trant first Commissioner of the Revenue and another Gentleman for Waterford there to prepare Ships for carrying him off if the Army was defeated as apprehending by reason of the violent pushing on of the English towards Dublin he could not prevent coming to a Battel within Ten days unless he abandoned the defence of that City which he then seemed resolute to defend yet soon after advancing further and changing his Measures divers Councils were held to various purposes Some light Skirmishes happened in divers parts of the Kingdom and our Party abroad brought in considerable Booties the main Body of the Army still watching the motion of the Enemy so that they had little rest and every day grew nearer to a Battel so that nothing was wanting to draw it on but the Enemies standing a Field which was wished by our Soldiers full of Courage and Vigour bearing the fatigue of much Duty and frequent Marches promising in their Looks and Behaviour a prosperous Event Now the Enemy being encamped at Dundalk and having secured it as likewise the Bridge called Four-mile-Bridge which made it difficult for our Army to force the passage it was resolved the Forces should March to Market-Hill and from thence to fall into the great Road that leads from Armagh to Dundalk whereupon his Majesty ordered Major Scravemore with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 200 Dragoons to observe the Road and visit the Passes also to find out a convenient place to Encamp in approach as near as possible to Dundalk to discover the posture of the Enemy which succeeded so well that a small Party of the Enemy seeing this Detachment marching early towards Market-Hill supposed it had been the Vanguard of our Army and gave that Account whereupon the Enemy immediately decamped and marched off their whole Army and a Party of 25 Dragoons and 50 Troopers went so near as to discover all their Motions and see them set fire to their Camp and returned with that News which was so surprizing that it not easily gained Credit however it being confirmed His Majesty thought fit to change the March and Orders were sent immediately to the Forces at Armagh and Tenargee to begin their March by the great Road towards Dundalk and a Detachment of 50 Dragoons and 200 Foot going from the Newry towards Dundalk were drawn into an Ambush of 500 Horse which the Enemy had laid for them between whom a sharp Encounter happened and in it we had 20 of our Men killed or wounded and the Enemy lost as many with the Officer that Commanded their Party whose Horse our Men brought back with them And now the King resolving to push oâ— and oblige the Enemy to fight or retreaâ— marched on the 13th of June by breaâ— of day from his Camp at Ardee towards Drogheda where he found thâ— late King's Army encamped along thâ— River Boyne above the Town but it being late before the Foot and Artillerâ— arrived his Majesty could do no moâ—â— that day than visit the posture of the Enemy and the Fords thereabouts which he found to be very difficult to pass whereupon he encamped his Army with in reach of their Cannon which had almost given us the must fatal blow iâ— the World his Majesty receiving a Shâ—â— on his right Shoulder with a Six Pounder the Wound was large but not deepâ— rasing only the Skin and as soon as 〈◊〉 was Dressed he took Horse and continued on Horse-back four hours and iâ— the Evening Commanded Count Schomberg with the Right Wing of Horse and two Regiments of Dragoons of the Left Wing Trelawney's Brigade of Foot and 5 small Field-pieces to go early in the Morning to Two or three Fords about Three miles beyond the Camp and there endeavour to find a passage and either attack the Enemy in the Flank or oblige them to decamp The Count upon his arrival found 8 Squadrons ready â—o receive him but in a little time without much resistance he be at them off passed the Ford driving them before him and drew up his men on the other side ready to march towards the Enemy so soon as he should receive the King's Orders to whom he had sent the News of the advantage he had gained Upon this the Enemy detached a great number of their Troops who put themselves in order as if they would give Battle which his Majesty perceiving and that the Right Wing had passed
a Detachment of Collonel St. John's making in all about 20 Officers and 80 Soldiers whom he caused to embark in Three Boats when being come within half a mile he Landed and leaving a Guard with the Boats marched bravely to the Town though they were discovered at a good distance the Moon then shining yet they passed the Ditch and made themselves Masters of the main Guard dividing themselves in two Parties one marching towards the Gate of the Castle to hinder the Enemy from Sallying and the other to attack a Redoubt that covered their Bridge within Thirty paces of the Counterscarp being guarded by 15 men and a Serjeant and after some resistance entred killing Six and taking the rest Prisoners and whilst this was doing Monsieur de la Borde took another Redoubt with 30 men and plundered and burnt the Houses as far as Armagh which the Enemy had abandoned but day coming on our men retired with much Booty their Drums beating and Colours flying and in this Enterprize the Enemy lost 50 men besides wounded and taken Prisoners on our side Major la Borde was killed with a Cartridge-Shot of the last Cannon Two more Officers wounded and one Soldier killed nor were other Parties idle so that several small places were taken and other Blocked up till the Season grew more ripe for Action In Scotland Affairs went pretty well the Rebels since the Death of Dundeâ— and the defeat of his Party daily dwindled insomuch that those who had been concerned in it began to think of making their escape and the Heads of the Highland Clans grew so discouraged that they laid down their Arms and dismissed their Followers making an Interest to have the Benefit of the King's mercy and under Promise and Obligation to live peaceably and obedient to their Majesties and their Government many of them obtained it however several that were making their escape to the late King in Ireland were taken amongst which were the Two Sons of the Provost Bell of Glasgow one Forrester a Clergy-man and one Dunbar that had been a Gunner in the Castle of Edenburgh but upon their Submission and Promise of discovery were admitted to Bail or other ways set at Liberty and the Countess Dowager of Arrol removed at her Request to â—enburgh Castle the Lord Bellcarrus was likewise Bailed with many others that submitted and made a Resolution to be obedient to the Government so that those restless People seeing their Error in disturbing the Government under which they may live peaceably will no doubt give over their Pretensions to defend they know not what and we may expect to hear that Kingdom free from Broils and Incumbrances of War so that Matters being at this pass his Majesties High Commissioner and the Lords of the Privy Council in pursuance of his Majesties Pleasure signified to them by his Letter issued out a Proclamation about the latter end of March for continuing the Adjournment of the Parliament from the 27th of March to the 15th of April ensuing Certifying all the Members that the Parliament would then Sit. Many of our Ships being abroad tho' no considerable Action yet a great many considerable Prizes were brought in and great Preparations madefor Stores and Manning of the Ships a great number of Voluntier Seamen coming in or entring themselves on Board and the Land Forces were recruited with great diligence sp that the Face of things appeared very active and chearful and now the Season advancing the Army in Ireland moving towards the Enemy they retreated so that Collonel Tiffuny Commanding at Ballishannon taking the advantage sent out 200 Fire-Locks of his own regiment and 20 Dragoons Commanded by his Lieutenant Collonel with Orders to advance within two miles of Sligo where the Enemy kept all their Cattle and accordingly they arrived there before day and brought away Cattle Sheep and Horses to the value of 2000 Pounds but the Enemy taking the Alarm pursued them and disputed it for a time but having lost a Captain and 16 Soldiers they retired in disorder and our men went off with the Booty The Parliament of England now sitting at Westminster his Majesty came to the House of Lords with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons attending he passed an Act For Granting their Majesties a Subsidy for Tonage and Poundage and other Sums payable upon Merchandize Exported and Imported An Act For Enabling the Sail of Goods distrained for Rent in Case the Rent be not paid in a reasonable time An Act To Enable Algernoon Earl of Essex to make a Wife a Joynture and for raising of Monies for the Payment of 60000 Pounds borrowed to make up the Lady Morpeth's Portion and to make a Settlement of his Estate on his Marriage An Act To make some Provisions for the Daughters and younger Sons of Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury with several other private Acts of the like Nature His Majesty in his Princely Wisdom considering that the Trade from England to Ireland was necessary to such parts as we possessed was pleased to pass this Order in Council viz. It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council that the late Embargo be and it is hereby suspended and taken off from all Vessels Trading along the Coasts of this Kingdom and from all Ships with provision bound for such parts of Ireland as are under Obedience to their Majesties the respective Masters and Owners of such Vessels given security to the Officers of the Customs in the Ports from whence they shall set Sail not to Trade under pretence of this Liberty unto any Foreign parts or into any part of Ireland that is not now under Subjection to their Majesties This greatly encouraged industrious Persons to send over such Necessaries as wonderfully relieved the Army and put it in heart for vigorous Action insomuch that the Enemies advance parties were beaten and forced to quit several advantagious Posts but leaving this Kingdom a while and return to Scotland to consider the Affairs of that Nation not yet thoroughly quieted from the Attempts of some restless men who resolved to be buried in the Ruins of their tottering Fortunes and so it happened that on the 4th of May the Lords Commissioners and the Privy Council received from Sir Thomas Levingston Governour of Inverness an Express of the defeat of the Highland Rebels who were drawn together to make a descent into the Lowland Country as follows Sir Thomas Levingston being informed that the Rebels had appointed their General Randezvous at Siratspey and that Collonel Buchan and Collonel Cannon were already arrived there with 2000 men and that they expected within four days to be four Thousand strong he thereupon drew together his own Regiment of Dragoons Two Troops of Horse Commanded by Captain Hays and Captain Burnet Six Companies of the Laird of Grant's Regiment 400 men of Sir James Lesley's and a Company of Highlanders commanded by Captain Mackay and with these Forces he marched towards the
the Streights to favour the Duke D' Nouailes Warring in Catalonia the English Admiral joyned by divers Dutch Men of War followed and blocked Tourville up in Touloâ—n altogether disappointing him of his Design In the mean while the Lord Barky with a Squadron and some Land Forces on Board Commanded by Lieut. General Talmash made a Descent at Cameret Bay under the favour of 7 Men of War battering the Fort but the French being strongly entrenched with Horse and Foot they were constrained to Retreat the Lieut. General being wounded in the Thigh which gangreening he dyed of that Wound soon after at Plymouth yet our Canon ruined the Enemies Batteries and killed them a great many men But about the middle of July Diep a considerable Sea-Port in Normandy was bombed by the English and Dutch almost all consumed by Fire the great Magazine being blown up and some Ships in the Harbour were burnt On the 17th of July they came before Hacerdegrace an other eminent Sea-Port Town and found the Shoars strongly guarded and although the Enemy fired furiously from their Batteries the Bomb Boats stood in and burnt with their Bombs a great part and the rest had followed the same fate had not the Sea grown high by reason of a strong Wind. The next day the Lord Berkley sailed towards La Hogue alarming all the French-Coast Towns in his way and soon after he made an Attempt upon Dunkirk with a great Machine filled with Bombs and Carcasses which being fired rent and shattered their Out-works in a dreadful manner and afterward bombed Callis not any of the French Men of War daring to stir out of the Harbour Whilst things passed thus at Sea the King took Huy in Flanders and Prince Lewis of Balen Commanding the Imperial Army on the Rhine together with the Saxon Troops entered the French Countries forced their Army to a Retreat cutting off many in the Rear and brought away a great Booty having put the Country for many miles under Contribution and to strengthen the Alliance the Elector of Bavaria Marryed the King of Poland's Daughter After this happened many Skirmishes by Parties during the Campaign in which the Enemy for the most part were put to the worst â—nd many of the French deserted and came over with Horse and Arms declaring the great Scarcity that was in the French Camp The French this year set upon the Island of Jamaica but were beaten off again by the Inhabitants after they had surprisingly committed some Outrages hoping at this time for success upon the Account of the ill condition they supposed the Island to be in by the shocks of a violent Earthquake that had ruined Port-Royal and destroyed many People and the Vaudois in the Valley of Lucern and other places falling on the French that came to surprize them killed many and took more Prisoners The Turks and Tartars that came with a great Convoy to the Relief of CÃ menic were overthrown by the Poles losing 5000 Men and 5000 Wagons laden with Oyl Rice and other Provisions Our Fleet in the Streighâ—s pressed hard on the French blocking them up in their Harbours so that they could not get out to sail for Brest the great Ships were disarmed and the Seamen compelled to travel over Land leaving only a few to Man some Cruizers And thus as to Material Action this Summer ended and the King returning by way of Holland having received the Thanks of the States General returned for England and was met by the Queen with unexprerssible Joy But as all things on Earth are Transitory so this hâ—ppened But in the mean while the Parliament sitting the King told them among other things that a stop had been this Year put to the Torrent of the French proceedings which had altogether put them to a stand and was a happy Omen of Future Success and that nothing might be wanting on his part to oblige his loving Subjects an Act passed for the frequent meeting of Parliaments to the high satisfaction of the Kingdom But now a sad and Melancholy Cloud of Sorrow Over-spread the Nation for on the 22 of December the Queen was taken with a Vomiting and Pain in her Back and Head which soon after turned to the Small-Pox of the worst sort upon which she was Prayed for in the Churches and Chapples But the prevaling Disease to Rob three Nations of so Vertuous and Pious a Princess deriâ—ing Art she much lamented Died on the 28 of the same Month and was laid in State at White-Hall her Corps being brought thither from Kinsington and a considerable time after was with all Funeral Pomp conveyed to King Henry the Seventh's Chappel and Intrered among her Royal Ancestors a stately Mausoleum being raised for her Remembrance in the Abby of Westminster where it was observed that a Bird called a Robin-Red-Breast perched daily on it and at certain Hours Sung Melodiously to the Numerous Spectators and to shew their Affection to the Deceased Queen not only ours and most People of note in the Nation went into Mourning but all the Courts of the Confederates In the beginning of the Year 1695. the Parliament having given the King Liberal supplies greater Preparations than the last were made and the Confederates were in a considerable Posture so that the King early in the Spring went by the way of Holland to Flanders attended with divers Nobles and put the Army in such a Posture as not to fear the Attacks of the Enemy but rather to seek them and dare them to Battel Indeed the Duke of Luxenburg was dead however the French King Nominated the Duke de Villeroy in his stead as General of his Army in Flanders though wanting his Experience in Martial Affairs Therefore the French Court doubting the success of their Arms in the open Field underhand Treatchery at the beginning of the Campagne was used Dixmâ—yde and Demse was thereupon surrendered to them contrary to the Minds of his Garrison Officers and Soldiers in General for which Monsieur D' Ellenburg was afterward Beheaded and others concerned in so base an Action suffered disgrace However the French for a time retaind the Garrison Soldiers and compelled most of them to Enter into their Service against their minds This much dissatisfied the King of England and thereupon after many Skirmishes that happened between Parties he laid Seige to Namure a City that Commanded a large Province where the French had geathered great Riches and accordingly on the third of July it was Invested and the Siege carried on with all imaginable Vigor by the Duke of Bavaria and other Princes so that the City was taken but then the Marsschal de Boufflers who had thrown himself into it retired to the Castle on the other side the River upon Articles signed the fourth of August by the Elector of Bavaria and Count Guiscard Governour of the place a Second Siege in a manner was laid to the Castle being very strongly Fortified and in it a numerous Garison yet such was the Courage
time put a stop to that so unnecessary and unprofitable Wickedness too much reigning amongst Officers and Souldiers and the Army was supplyed with Provisions and Stores from England bearing the Ill conveniencies of the Weather which were great without the least Regret though several died of the Distempers of the Country Wherefore to keep them in Action the better to prevent it about the middle of February upon Advice the Enemy was in motion near Dundalk he drew out a strong Party and marched to Dramore whilst Collonel la Melionere and Sir John Lanier who advanced as far as Carlingford returned with an Account that only three Regiments of the Enemy were at Dundalk that Garrison as likewise Drogheda containing their former Garrisons without any Reinforcement upon which most of our Troops were commanded back only a flying Party of 500 Horse and Dragoons with a like number of Foot were sent abroad to observe the Motions of the Enemy and keep them from plundering the Country between whom and the Out-Parties some Skirmishing happened The General being returned to his head Quarters at Lisburn received an Account from Collonel Woosly of a great defeat he had given the Enemy at the Town of Cavan the Particulars were That Marching from Belturbat with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 700 Foot he passed the River at Night two Miles beyond Calyhay's but it was not done so secretly but the Enemies Scouts discovered it and gave the Alarm by firing their Muskets and making a great fire upon the Hill However notwithstanding the badness of the Ways he got to the. Town about half an hour after day-break when contrary to expectation he found the Duke of Berwick arrived that Night with 2500 men making with the Garrison about 4000 drawn up in good order near the Fort but the Collonel disposing of his men as the Ground would give a Conveniency he charged the enemy and after an hours hot dispute beat them out of the Field in which Action the Duke of Berwick had his Horse shot under him and Collonel O Rely Governour of Cavan was killed on the spot with two Lieutenant-Collonels and divers others of Note Whereupon our men entered the Town and fell to plundering which the Enemy perceiving made a strong Sally from the Fort and had cut off a great many of them in that Disorder had not the Collonel came opportunely in with a fresh Reserve of about 250 Foot and 80 Horse and to get his Souldiers out of the Town he found himself constrained to set it on Fire and having quitted it and joyned those that were fighting the Enemy about 150 strong were beaten into the Fort with considerable loss but the Army being tired out in the Action it was not thought convenient to attack it at that time and this firing the Town proved very disadvantageous considering the Plunder that might have been had for all the Houses were full of Bread Meal Oats Beans and the like Stores to suffice the Garrison for six Months And here it was reported by the Prisoners that the Duke of Berwick was to command a Body of 10000 men to be detached out of all the Regiments and so to make Incursions as he saw Opportunity but by this defeat the design was frustrated for all the Ammunition that was in the Town was blown up In this Action we lost about twenty men and amongst them Major Trahern Captain Armstrong and Captain Mayo with one Captain La Maugere a French reformed Officer and Captain Blood an Engenier were wounded though the loss of the Enemy is computed at no less than 300 and amongst the others four Captains five Lieutenants two Ensigns one Quartermaster and about 200 taken Prisoners and those that fled the Field were many of them desperately wounded and scattered all the way with the Arms they threw down for the greater speed and pushing on this Success Many other Places of Note were gained and good Booties of Cattle daily brought in by the flying Parties though the Season proved somewhat sharp and intemperate About this time the Queen of Spain being on Board under a Convoy of a Squadron of English-men of War and being upon our Coast the Duke of Norfolk was sent to Complement her Majesty in the Name of Their Majesties of England and it was performed with much Ceremony and Grandeur and the Wind soon after coming about fair she arrived safe in the Groin and so passed to Madrid and the English Ships after having this Honour were dismissed with liberal Gratitude to the Commanders And now Elections for Members of Parliament went on apace every one contending to chuse Loyal and worthy Gentlemen to undertake a Trust on which the welfare and safety of the Nation depends and the King put out a Proclamation for a General Fast to implore the Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of his Majesties Sacred person and Prosperity of his Arms in Ireland and the Naval Forces to begin the 12th day of March and be Religiously observed every Third Wednesday in the Month and accordingly it was observed till his Majesty returned from Ireland Crowned with Victory and Success and then it was turned into a Day of Thanksgiving On the 20th of March the Parliament Pursuant to his Majesty's Writs of Summons met at Westminster and his Majesty being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne in the House of Peers attended with the usual Solemnity the Commons were sent for by the Black-Rod who attended at the Bar of the Lords Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer by his Majesties Command signified to them That they should forthwith proceed to the Choice of a Speaker and present him to his Majesty the next Morning after which they returned to their House and made Choice of Sir John Trevor Knight and the next Morning he was approved by his Majesty and his Majesty proceeded to make a very Gracious Speech telling them amongst other things his Resolution was to go foâ— Ireland his Presence being necessarily required for the Reducing that Kingdomâ— further signifying his Presence to leave the Government in the Queens handâ—â— during his absence and accordingly before his Departure an Act passed to that end and the Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther-House Baron Vice-Chamberlain to his Majesty's Household Richard Hambden Esquire Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer Sir Stephen Fox Knight and Thomas Pellam Esquire were appointed Lords Commissioners of the Treasury And now the rest of the Danish Forceâ— Landing in Ireland our Army grew very formidable so that the Garrison of Charlemont being Blocked up Collonel Cullimotte possessed himself of a small Village within a mile of it upon notice of which the Enemy came out with about 300 men yet were repulsed with considerable Loss and the next day our men cast up Works to stop the Sallies the Enemy was obliged to abandon their Out-Works and Collonel Cullimotte marched with a party of his Regiment and
the Ford and were posted over against the Enemy commanded three Attacks to be made the First at a good Ford before a small Village which was advantagiously possessed by the Enemy at the Second the Foot waded to the Armpits and at the Third the Horse was forced to Swim The Dutch Regiment of Foot-Guards passed over first wading to the middle sustaining all the Enemies Fire and not returning it till they came up close whereupon all that were in the Village and behind the Ditches gave back but before the Third Battalion of that Regiment had passed the Ford five of the Enemy's came up at the dâ—â—stance of a Pikes length to beat 〈◊〉 back but our men Fired so thick upoâ— them that they were forced to retreaâ— in disorder with the loss of many meâ— and one of their Colours but our meâ— advancing beyond the Village weâ—â— twice vigorously attacked by the Enemies Horse but to no purpose 〈◊〉 the mean time the Danes came up tâ— the Left as also the Brigades of Haâ—more and Melionere on the Right thâ— first was attacked only by the Dragoons and the other by the Horse but neither of them could do much by reason they had no Pikes In the mean time 30 of the Officers anâ— others of the Enemies Life-Guard comâ—ing fiercely up were all killed but 〈◊〉 who endeavouring to escape through the Village unluckily met with thâ— Duke of Schomberg who was there killed with a Pistol-shot in the Neck anâ— divers Cuts over the Neck with Swordâ— falling form his Horse without speaking a word and a French Captain who alighted to relieve him waâ— Shot in his Arm he had not above 300â— behind him when the Enemies Horse made a desperate Charge in which he received two Cuts in the Forehead but not very considerable the French beâ—ind him Firing very furiously it is thought he received from one of them the Wound of which he died and yet more to allay the Glory and Joy of Victory so near at hand Doctor Walker who behaved himself so gallantly in defence of London-Derry having passed the Ford received a Shot in the Belly of which he died Upon this the King marched with the few Horse he had about him and 17 Battalions of Foot to the Assistance of those Troops that were engaged with the Enemy who in the mean time had not advanced much towards the Right Wing whom his Majesty re-inforced with 12 Battalions of Foot and 9 Squadrons of Horse and with them marched against the Enemy who without staying his Approach retired before him in much Confusion and our Horse pressed on to overtake them in such haste that they left the Foot behind them taking only 5 Field-pieces which did some Execution after which our Dragoons backed by the Horse attacked their Rear-Guard at which time the King appearing with his Troops upon the Mountains they all fled and the Country being full of Bogs and narrow Passes they the more easily escaped our Foâ—â— pursued them but to Duleek four Milâ— from the place of Battel where thâ— King stayed but the Horse followed thâ— Chace four Miles further till Nighâ— came on and parted them and theâ— the King sent to Command them to return to the place where the Foot remained and sent to the Camp at Drogheda for Tents and Baggage intending tâ— encamp there and rest his Troops for a day most of the Enemies Baggage feâ— into the hands of our Men as Chariots Tents Cannon Ammunition Arms and the Arms of one whole Regiment was found Regimentally laid the Owners being run from them without striking a stroke the number of the Slain was very considerable not being accounted less than three or four thousand and amongst them many of Note Lieutenant General Hamilton was taken Prisoner Upon this great Defeat of the Enemy the King sent Collonel De Melionere to summon Drogheda and let them know that if they forced him to bring his Cannon they must expect no Quarter which so terrified the Governour that he renâ—â—ed up the place The late King retreating with part of â—â—is broken Army staid not till he reached Dublin where sending for the Maâ—istrates and calling a Council he told â—â—em that he had a very good Army in England which had deserted him when â—â—e expected most from it altho' they â—â—ad not quite deserted him yet their not â—â—anding for the greater part of them a â—ingle Charge but cowardly flying had â—urned it much to the same effect as to â—is Interest saying amongst other Expressions He would never trust himself â—t the Head of an Irish Army again and that now he must shift so must they but Commanded them not to fire the Town â—s had been before deliberated in Council in case things came to extremity and having staid there one Night filling the place with Fear and Confusion he went away the next Morning with the Duke of Berwick the Earl of Tyrconnel and the Marquess of Powis The Count de Lauzun who Commanded the French Horse had not left with him above 3500 the rest being killed and wounded As soon as the late King had quitteâ— Dublin the Protestants were releaseâ— who possessing themselves of the Militâ— Arms which were easily yielded to them and with the assistance of the Bishops oâ— Meath and Limerick formed a Committee to take care of things senâ— Letters to the King to give him an Account of what had passed and humbly to pray his Majesty to Honour the City with his Presence for most of the considerable Papists upon News of the Defeat and the hasty departure of the late King fled from Dublin and we afterwards had an Account that the late King having discharged a great part of his menial Servants went to Bray and so along by the Sea to Waterford where he took shipping for France and got out to Sea but was driven in again yet continued restless till he got clear off so that the Terrour of Popish Cruelty which they had a long time apprehended vanished from the Protestants yet some disorders happened by the Rabble's getting together and had perhaps ended in the plundring and pulling down the Papists Houses and outraging their Persons had not Captain Fitz-Gerald and others stayed their Fury by Threats and Entreaties getting together some well affected persons to secure the Castle and guard the Stores for the King's use and kept things in good order till a Troop of Dragoons entered who were received with unspeakable Joy by the Protestants and on the 4th of July the Duke of Ormond and Monsieur Overkirk where sent by the King with Nine Troops of Horse and his Majesty following after and encamping near Finglas came to St. Patrick's Church the Sunday following and heard a Sermon Preached by Dr. King the Substance being about the Power and Providence of of God in protecting his People and defeating their Enemies Sermon ended His Majesty went back to his Camp to Dinner suffering only his Guards and some prime Commanders to enter
the City upon his approach to the City he had been presented with two Loyal Addresses the one by the Bishops of Meath and Limerick in the name of the Clergy and the other by the Magistrates in the name of themselves and the Citizens expressing an extraordinary sense of Gratitude and Joy for so great a Deliverance having a little before been Prisoners and every hour in danger of their Lives This great Defeat and scattering of the Enemies Forces brought a sear upon the Garrisons they had left and the Town of Wexford being deserted by its Governour it declared for the King which happened in this manner Collonel Butler Lord Lieutenant of the County passing after the late King upon his Flight sent for his Son to follow him into France as likewise to Captain O Kelly who Commanded the Castle to set it on fire and bring away his Company but this Letter falling into a Protestant Gentleman's Hands he concealed the firing part of the Letter so that the Castle escaped and after this Company was withdrawn the Protestants rose and disarming the Papists sent to the King to acquaint him with what had passed who thereupon sent to secure it and many other places followed its Example And now the King to give the poor deluded People that had been drawn into this War an assurance of his Protection put forth his Declaration of Pardon to the Irish Commonalty that returned to their Allegiance and would live peaceably and look after the Harvest to get it in for a Winter Supply being ordered to pay those Rents held from Protestants to the Proprietors but to keep the Rents of such as had been in Rebellion in their hands till they had notice from the Commissioners of the Revenue to whom they should be accountable but as for the Ringleaders of the Rebellion they were exempted the benefit of this Declaration During this glorious Success in the Kingdom of Ireland it was something clouded nearer home for the French King to favour his Design in Ireland in the beginning of June set forth the greatest Fleet that ever saluted the Ocean from France and stood to our Coast to make a shew to fight our Fleet then under the Command of the Earl of Torrington our Admiral who on the 24th of June sailed from St. Hellens the Wind at North East and stood towards the French Fleet which was seen the Evening before off of Fresh water-gate in the Isle of Wight in order as it was expected to fight them but the Wing taking them short he came to an Anchor off of Dunnose within Five Leagues of the French who at Eight the next Morning were at Anchor in Compton-Bay so that every one was big with the Expectation of an Engagement the French no ways seeming to decline it and our Men were full of Courage and desirous of nothing more than to be at it and that Afternoon their Majesties Ship the Lyon and several Dutch men of War joyned our Fleet and many other additional Strengths were joyned by such Ships coming in as had been cruzing abroad and on the 30th of June off of Beechy the two Fleets drew up in Lines and about Nine in the Morning the Dutch that had the Vanguard fell on and fought very bravely as likewise some of the English but not being seconded by reason of the Admiral 's unexpected standing away several of the Dutch Ships were burnt and sunk and the English that sought much battered though not without doing considerable damage to the Enemy this Fight continued till towards the Evening when the French bear away and came afterwards to an Anchor The principal Officers killed were the Dutch Rear-Admiral Jan Dick Rear-Admiral Brackle and Captain Nordle Of the English Captain Botham and Captain Pumroy with two Captains of the Marine Regiments and Captain Goes lost his Ship as to the particulars of the Enemies Loss no certain Account is yet come to our hands their Fleet consisted of 82 Men of War besides Fireships and Tenders keeping the Coast and moving their Galleys near Torbay and at last that they might have something to talk on when they came home they sent their Boats ashore at Tinmouth a little Village of Fisher's Cots and set it on Fire as also two or three small Vessels in the Harbour but they durst not abide the coming down of the Militia who were up in those parts but stealing a few Sheep and some small Plunder they retired to their Ships and having lain some time on the Coast to no further purpose returned to Brest with the story of a vast Expence A further Account of this Action we have from a very good Hand which take for your better Satisfaction viz. Before the arrival of Admiral Evertsâ—â— who was to Command the Dutch it was agreed between the two Nations that the Hollanders should have the Vanguard which in all likely hood was to do them Honour but after they had been under Sail about three Hours they were obliged to come to an Anchor by reason of the Fogs and bad Weather but soon after they perceived the French Fleet to bear up towards them with the Wind at East and immediately they weighed Anchor and endeavoured to gain the Weather-Gage viz. the Dutch which they did with that Success that the Earl of Torrington gave the â—ignal for the first Squadron to engage but the French thought fit to retire and for four days after the two Fleets were always in view of each other but in regard the French Fleet was much the stronger both for number and bigness of Ships it was judged not fit to fight in the open Sea and the Earl of Torrington did his part so well that he avoided engaging till he was come to Bevesire which was favourable for his purpose and there it was that he received the Queen's Orders not to delay engaging if the Wind and Weather would permit which was the reason that we went to seek the Enemy who expected us in order of Battel and so about Nine in the Morning the Engagement began between the blue Squadron of the French and the Vangaurd of the Dutch and both sides fired desperately for three hours till the French Squadron not liking their Entertainment bore away with all the Tack they could make but about One there happened a Calm which not only prevented the Hollanders pursuit but put them into a little disorder upon which the French which the same Calm hindred from getting away were constrained to begin the Fight again which lasted till Five of the Clock in the Evening with an extraordinary Fury As for the English but a few Vessels fought and those were carried on by the Courage of the Captains as 't is said against Torrington's Will the rest stood â—ookers on so that the main Body of the French fell into the Rear of the Dutch so that having fought from Morning till Evening and having defended themselves so long against such a prodigious number of the Enemy that assailed
Rebellion Robbing Plundering c. as opportunity offers if there be a Mark or Footstep of Religion amongst them 't is that of the Roman Catholick and by some insinuating Persons of that perswasion amongst them with great Promises of speedy Aid and many false Stories of the Success of the late King in Ireland and a Revolt in England as also magnifying the Power of the French they were drawn to this for which as you have heard they severely smarted And now though what we are about to relate may seem a kind of Digression yet being pertinent to History of this kind it will not be out of the way to relate it After the late King left Ireland he hasted to St. Germains in France to give perhaps the first notice of his defeat at which the People exceedingly wondered for they could not apprehend the cause of his Return at a time when they were held in hand that the English were beat by Sea and Land for so the Rumour was spread to bear up their Courage fancying to themselves that following his Success and having subdued all Ireland he should rather have passed over into England where as it was hotly reported the People would receive him with open Arms this began to make the more thinking part of them imagine he was utterly defeated and his Forces had received the Foil and it was reported that the Irish had given Ground at the River Boyne but they easily comforted themselves for that inconsiderable Loss when it was told them that the Duke of Schomberg was dead and soon after the News spread of the Death of King William at this they were so over-joyed that they never enquired into the Proofs of it the Report of one of the late King's Lackqueys who got out of Ireland some few days after the Battel was sufficient to perswade the whole Court of the truth of it and it was about Midnight they received the News of King William's Death yet though it is not usual to make Bonfires for the Death of an Enemy before he is defeated in Battel the Commissaries immediately run about the Streets crying out to the People to rise and make Bonfires so that in less than two hours all Paris shined with Fires and nothing was to be heard but the Shouts of the People Drums Trumpets and Hoitboys after this the Rabble made the Effigies of King William and Queen Mary dragged them through the Streets and at last threw them into a Fire the Bells rung and the great Guns roared from the Bastile nor was any thing omitted that is usually done on such occasions This Rejoycing continued for several days and though the Dutch Gazette which they received some days after expresly told them that King William was in good Health and notwithstanding they had no Letters from Count Lauzun to confirm the first News yet they would not give over their Credulities and held it a Crime that any should question the truth of it the Physicians were likewise consulted who gave their Opinion that the Wound of a Cannon Bullet was mortal and they concluded because King William had received such a Wound he must of necessity be dead but now let us leave France to its mistake and folly and return to Ireland The King having secured the City of Duklin in trusty bands and appointed all things necessary for its safety and well being published for the greater Settlement of the People minds an Act of Oblivion to all that had submitted or should submit before the 11th of August which together with the Clemency used towards those who had already submitted wrought so effectually that a great number layed down their Arms and submitted his Majesty still appointing Sheriffs and other Officers as he passed through the Countries that yielded him obedience and to shew his extream Love to the Duke of Schomberg and how much he was troubled for his Death and sensible of the Services he had done him expressed both his Sorrow and Gratitude in the most obliging Terms to Count Menard his Son and as a Pledge of his future kindness gave him the place of Grand Master of the Artillery which was before possessed by his Father Thus this Successful Battel in a manner settled the Affairs of Ireland a great many considerable Towns Castles and strong Places surrendring so that his Majesty believing his Presence more useful in England resolved to repass the Seas but then understanding that things were Calm and in good Order and that there was no further fear of the French upon the Coast this Year he resolved to stay longer and having reduced Waterford Duncannon c. he caused the Army to advance towards Limerick where Tyrconnel and Lauzun had rallied and drawn together the late King 's broken Army and on the 19th of August our Forces came within sight of the Town and in the mean time General Douglas lay before Athlone where his men suffered very much especially the Cavalry for the Irish had wasted the Country and destroyed the Forage for ten miles round of which his Majesty being informed thought it convenient not to spend more time in that Enterprize whereupon General Douglas had Orders to quit Athlone and joyn the Body of the Army at a place appointed But no sooner did Tyrconnel and Lauzun understand the approach of the English Forces but leaving Monsieur Boisleau Governour they retired from the Walls of the City having furnished it as well as they could with all things necessary for defence and Tyrconnel retired with the main Body of the Irish several miles into the Country whilst Lauzun with his French expecting there to imbark for France but the Inhabitants instead of receiving them shut their Gates and would not let them enter insomuch that they were constrained to Encamp before that place and endure much Hardship till Tyrconnel prevailed by Letters to the Inhabitants for their Admittance where they committed divers Outrages and we are told some who at first had opposed their Entrance were put to Death When our Army came near Limerick the Enemy was posted about a mile from the Town on the othèr side of the River Firing from the Thickets and other places very furiously upon our men though without doing any considerable Damage and being beaten back the King though it was late resolved to pass the River and attack the Enemy in their Retrenchments and Posts on the other side but upon debate the Officers declared their Sentiments that it was now late and that his Majesty might do it with more conveniency the next Morning but by that time through sear the Irish had dislodged in such haste that they had left part of their Tents Arms and Baggage behind them so that the River proving at this time shallower than had been known for many Years the English passed without resistance and encamped within Cannon shot of the Town and raised Works to secure them from the shot of the great Guns yet they received some Damage by them
whereupon his Majesty sent to Summon the Commander 〈◊〉 to surrender and offered advantagious Conditions on that Consideration but he sent back word in a Letter to his Majesties Secretary because he would wave giving the King the Title of Majesty wherein he wrote that the Town was intrusted to his keeping by Persons whom he was obliged to obey and therefore that the P of Orange would have a very mean opinion of him if he should surrender before so much as a Gun was fired at him wherefore he was resolved to defend the place to the last Extremity whereby he hoped to gain his Highness's Esteem Upon this the Trenches were opened and the great Guns were impatiently expected at the Camp to batter the Walls but the Convoy that guarded them together with divers Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provision were surprized by a numerous Party under the Command of Collonel Sarsfield who killed several before they could put themselves into a posture of defence not sparing the Waggoners Wives and Children they brought in their Arms they likewise burnt some of the Waggons and Carriages of the Cannon nailing up some of the great Guns and broke others but the Allarm being taken by the English Forces lying there about the Chevalier Cunningham who Commanded the Iniskilling men having notice of it marched directly towards them with a considerable Party but the Enemy made a hasty retreat yet being pursued many of them were killed and a great Booty recovered about 20 of them being killed with a Major and a Captain and by a Party sent to aâ—tack Tyrconnel who lay hovering with his Forces about 7 miles from the City of Limerick he was obliged to march higher into the Country so that the 15th of August the King's Army encamping before Limerick laid hard Siege to the place having made themselves Masters of the Enemies Out Works and killed about 80 of their men yet for want of having Cannon some time was spent without making any considerable advances for the great Guns were to come from Waterford by Sea In the mean time the Besiegers made themselves Masters of a small Fort near Limerick called Clonmel the Garrison surrendring at Discretion and being all made Prisoners of War by which means they opened a Passage into a wide Campaign Country abounding with Forage which was the main thing they wanted By this time the great Guns being come up the Batteries were raised and all things made ready for making Breaches in the Walls on the 17th .... â—â—e Prince of Wirtemberg Lieutenant-General Major General Kirk and Petâ—au Sir Henry Bellasis Brigadiers with even Battalions entered the Trenches â—nd advanced 300 paces and took two Redoubts from the Enemy on the 18th â—hey were relieved by Lieutenant-General Douglas Lord Sidney and the Count â—f Nassau Major-Generals and Brigaâ—ier Stewart who approached another strong Redoubt of the Enemies On the 19th they were relieved by the Prince of Wirtemberg and others who continued to advance towards the said Redoubt and on the 20th Lieutenant Douglas c. being on the Gaurd the Sign was given by 8 Guns about two in the Afternoon forattacking the said Redoubt and our men detached for this Service being about 150 besides Officers immeately fell on with such extraordinary Vigour and Bravery that they entred the Fort and drove out the Enemy killing about 40 of them and a Deserter who made his escape told us that the Enemy lost about 300 men this day About half an hour after we had the Redoubt the Enemy made a great Sally with Horse and Foot but the next day we finished the Trenches so as to hindeâ— any more Sallies of that Nature and oâ— the 22d raised a great Battery against their high Towers and levelled them and in the Night-time threw several Bombs and Carcasses into the Town setting many Houses in a Flame which took up a considerable time to quench and on the 23d continued to throw Red-hot Balls and Bombs which did great Execution in Firing putting the Besieged into a mighty Consternation as being no where safe from the Force of these deadly Engines nor could they not extinguish the Fires in the space of Six hours On the 24th all our Battery were finished and 30 pieces of Cannon mounted on them and the Trenehes the next day advanced within 30 paces of the Ditch on the 26th the Shot widened the Breach that was made in the Wall they day before and beat down part of their Counter scarps and Palisadoes On the 27th the King ordered an Attack to be made on the Counterscarp which was begun about Three in the Afternoon a detached Party of Granadiers made the Onset and were seconded by other Detachments who with great Resolution gained they Counterscarp and a Fort the Enemy had under the Wall â—ut in the heat of Action instead of Lodging themselves as they were ordered seeing the Breach open they rashly attempted to enter the Town following the Run-away Irish that mounted the Breach so that the Besieged turning their Cannon on them with Cartridge-shot a great many of them were cut off and some blown up or hurt by a Mine sprung in the Ditch the Dispute lasted for the space of Three hours mostly against the Old French Soldiers and in it is supposed we had killed and wounded about 100 and of the Enemy though their Loss could not be known to us no doubt as many On the 28th at Night our Trenches were advanced about 20 Yards and we had enlarged the Breaches and every one was in Expectation of a general Assault but the Rains falling so excessively and the Rivers beginning to over-flow the Garrison being withal extremely strong this Siege proved not so Successfull as was expected for his Majesty to spare his men and avoid the many Ill conveniences he foresaw by reason of the Advancement of the Season thought fit on the 30th to send away the Cannon and heavy Baggage and the next day the Army decamped and marched off in good Order towards Clonmel from whence a strong Party was detached towards Cork and Kingsale And indeed there appeared on all hands a very great Reason for the raising this Siege for by reason of the Water his Majesties Forces could not attack it on all sides so that the Besieged were not constrained to divide their Forces and the Walls were of such an extraordinary Thickness and Hardness that the Cannon made the Breaches with much Difficulty and moreover Tyrconnel had taken Care before the coming of our Army to lay the Country as much Waste as he could for several miles round so that onâ— men were constrained to go a great way for Forage and Provision and the continual Rains and bad Weather that happened about that time had so moistened the Ground that the Camp was all in a Quagmire up to the Ancles anâ— to the Knees in some places a great deâ— of Water was in the Trenches anâ— the River Shannon began to swell anâ— overflow which afterward quite filleâ—
on the English Battery for the Danes on their side had made a reasonable large Breach and the Night following to disturb the Enemy they made a false attack on the 15th the Cannon played all the Morning and every thing was prepared to have laid our Galleries over the Ditch but at One a Clock the Enemy beat a Party and desired Hostages might be exchanged in Order to a Treaty about the surrender of the Fort which being done the Articles were Agreed and Signed about Midnight by which the middle Bastion was to be delivered up the next Morning and the Garrison consisting of about 1200 men to march out the next day after with their Arms and Baggage and to be conducted to Limerick in taking this place there were killed and wounded in the several attacks about 150 men and now there having been divers Persons made Prisoners of War at this place Cork and other places several of the Principal of them were sent Prisoners to England amongst others Collonel Ricaut who escaped out of the Tower of London but we hear since he was taken in Kent upon his applying himself to a Justice of Peace for a Pasport to go to Holland and recommitted to the Tower About this time we had a very full Account of the proceedings of ou◠Forces against the French in the West-Indies or Leeward Islands of which it will not be amiss to set down a brief Account for the Satisfaction of those that have Relations there or Trade thither viz. As soon as the Fleet commanded by Captain Lawrénce Wright arrived at Nevis the Governour raised the Forces of that Island and of Antigoa and Montferrat and Embarking set Sail towards St. Christopher's and came to Frigats-Bay with a Design to Land some Forces but finding the Coast Guarded by about One thousand men that had strongly intrenched it it was resolved that Sir Timothy Thornhill with between Four or five thousand men should Land the following Night in another small Bay about half a mile from that and fall upon the Backs of the Enemy in their Trenches and by that means facilitate the Landing of the rest at Frigats-Bay and accordingly about one in the Morning they were all Landed and were guided over the Mountains by a Negro and by break of day they met a Party of the Enemy but soon routed them and beat them to their main Body so that in this Consternation General Codrington Landed with about 600 men and attacked the Enemy on the other side who after a resistance of Two hours were beaten from their Trenches and put to flight and during the heat of this Action the rest of our Forces landed and pitched their Colours in the the French Trenches and being put in Order marched towards Backstar but in about 4 miles march they found the Enemy that had Rallied and posted between Two Hills so that a hot Dispute began but our men advancing close upon them after an hours fighting put them to flight and so marched to Backstar without Interruption whereupon Captain Wright weighed with his Squadron and Sailed down to Backstar Road with a Resolution to batter the Town and Fort but the Enemy spared him that trouble for they had abandoned them before his coming and fled to the Mountains leaving part of the Town on Fire and in the mean time the General continued his March with the Land-Forces and Lodged them on a plain about a mile beyond the Town near the Jesuites College having sent a Party to the Town to quench the fire which they quickly did In these Actions we had about 130 men killed and wounded and some of them of Note and of the Enemy about 200 were killed however the General resolved to follow the Enemy and the Fleet thereupon set Sail into Old Road near which the Land Forces then encamped and brought several Guns on shoar it was resolved that a Battery should be raised against a Fort the Enemy had there and after a considerable Battery and forcing the main Body of the Enemy to retire that then lay encamped at a small distance the Fort desired a Truce for Three days and the next Morning sent Articles about surrendering being allowed to march out with all the Baggage they could carry and about Forty Gentlemen with their Arms this Garrison at the beginning of the Siege consisted of 480 men but 60 were killed and wounded in the Siege Upon this Surrender Sir Timothy Thornhill with his Regiment marched to the Island of St. Eustacia where he Landed without any resistance they had in that Island a strong Fort which upon the sight of our Land-Forces and Fleet beat a Parley and though at first they came to no Agreement yet seeing our great Guns mounted they upon a Second Partly surrendered upon the Terms given those of St. Christopher's and in this Fort there were about 80 men so that the scattered Remains of the French Army seeing all lost fled to the Woods and Mountains having for the most part sent their Wives and Children to other Islands On this occasion so serviceable to the Crown of England General Codrington Captain Wright Admiral of the of the Fleet Collonel Holt Commander of the Duke of Bolton's Regiment Sir Timothy Thornhill who commanded the Militia of those Islands with all other Officers and Soldiers in general behaved themselves with great Conduct and Bravery in their respective Stations shewing great Resolution and Affection to their Majesties Service And now divers Addresses were presented to his Majesty to Congratulate his Safety and happy Return and the Parliament was not slow in considering ways to raise a considerable Fund of Money to carry on vigorously the War at Land and Sea for although a great part of Ireland was reduced by the Success of his Majesties Arms yet those that held out were not so contemptible but they might be doubted And indeed soon after the taking Kingsale the Enemy with 1500 Horse and Dragoons advanced to Macrone the rest of their Troops being reckoned in all between 8 and 10000 men not being above Five miles behind but upon notice that Lieutenant Ginkle was marching towards them with the Forces quartered about Cashel they decamped and hastened towards Limerick and in their retreat plundered and burnt several Towns and Villages though they wanted where with all to subsist On the 12th of October the Breda Frigat took fire in Cork Harbour and blew up so that most of the men were lost Captain Tennet the Commander was taken up alive and died within two hours after and of 26 Irish Officers and Soldiers who were Prisoners on Board not above 4 or 5 were saved soon after this we had the Account of Lieutenant General Douglas who had taken the Castles of Bahom and Rea in which Baldarock O Donnel had put a 100 men who were all made Prisoners of War so that by reducing these two important places the Irish were confined to the Province of Vlster yet they continued Roving about in Parties and
a Prisoner The Week following Mr John Ashton was Executed at Tyburn dying resolutely and appearing by Words and a Paper he delivered to justifie himself in the Wicked Undertaking But the Lord Preston on his humble Submission found gracious Mercy and Elliot also escaped Nor was this any shallow layed Plot many Persons of Note being concerned in it â—oâ— upon the Discovery of it Francis Turner late Lord Bishop of E'y fled as it 's thought beyond the Seas it since as credibly reported appearing he had writ a Letter to the Late King to encourage him to make an Attempt on the Kingdom as also did one Graham and others whereupon the King issued out his Proclamation to apprehend them and so for this time their Projects failed and the great Expences in managing the Plot were utterly lost This seems to have been earlier begun and consequently as deeply layd as their Policy cou'd contrive for a good while before one Mr. Crone a Retainer to the Late King was Tryed at the Old Baily for High-Treason and there it was proved against him That he with divers other wicked and disaffected Persons had held a Correspondence with the French to subverr the Government c. of which upon a fair Hearing he was found guilty of High Treason but Reprieved and so plain it early appeared That Heaven declared again â— the Enemies of this Nation and securely guarded His Majesty's Sacred Life as appeared by a wonderful Preservation for the King going early over in the Spring to give necessary Orders and head the Forces in Flanders the Season being advanced and he in the Field in sight of the Enemy as he stood under a Tree to view them they supposed by his Attendants it must be the King and therefore levell'd a Piece of Cannon against him taking the better Aim by the help of the Tree when to save the most Precious Life in the World Heaven so ordered it that it came into his mind to step from thence and give some necessary Orders which he had not done above a Minute before a Bullet came and split the Tree in the Place where he had stood So exceeding is the Care of Providence over Good Princes And now finding their main Designs would not take they began to practise small Games of Treachery for their Confederates the Turks being routed by Prince Lewis of Baden in Hungary Ten Pieces of their Canon taken with all their Baggage and Ammunition and about 23000 of them killed with the Loss of about 4000 Germans the Mareschal of Luxemburg finding his Success likely to be little this year in Flanders if he relyed on main strength proceeded to stratagem viz. To Bribe some of the Persons attending our Ammunition-Waggons to set them on fire and by that means destroy the Bombs and Powder and accordingly it was begun by Lighted Matches being put among the Bombs and Barrels of Powder but so timely prevented that only two or three Bombs went off and so luckily a Design of this Nature fell out that one of the Parties concern'd in it was apprehended who confessed he bad been a little before in the French Campaign was hired to do it by the Duke of Luxemburg and thereupon was sentenced to have his Right Hand cut off half strangled and then burnt Which Sentence was put in Execution to deter others from this or any such Treacherous Attempts After this the French sustained considerable Losses though no great Action by Land presently ensued But this discouraged not their Designs on England as longing to reap the Spoils of so fair a Harvest whereupon in the Year 1692 the late King was encouraged to make a Descent and in order to it he publish'd his Declaration dated at St. Germains the 20th of April wherein he promised great Advantages to the English that should submit to him yet excepted divers from the Lord to the Fisherman who misused him on his going from Whitehall to Feversham But on his departure conferred Honours on divers Persons Knighting the Pretended prince of Wales and inversing him with the Order of the Garter and so on the 24th of April arrived at Cane in Normandy where he stayed some days and so departed to Haverdegrace in the Company of the Mareschal d' Bellfonds The Randevouz of the Souldiers that were to embarque were appointed between Cherbourg and La Hogue which he found to be about 20000 Men 15000 of which were to make the Descent and the rest to Guard the Coast The Duke of Berwick Colonel Graham Buchanon Cannon and some Scotch Lords came to the Camp on the 29th and on the 30th the Souldiers began to Embarque but the Vessels that crossed from Haverdegrace to La Hogue meeting with foul Weather were many of them driven on shoar and suffered much damage yet the Forage Places were made for four Regiments of Horse counting into the Number one of Dragoons but they were not to set sail till D'Estres arrived with his Squadron and Monsieur Torville had fought some of our Squadrons of the Lesser Rates which they thought only abroad and that the greater Ships being deceived by their Advice could not get out in any considerable time They flatter'd themselves likewise with some part of our Fleet coming over to them and as it is said had a Dependance on Rear Admiral Carter on that occasion but he gave them an unexpected Welcome in the Language of his Canon as will appear hereafter Whilst these Projects were in hand D' Estres's Squadron was disabled by stress of weather and could not suddenly joyn them On the Third of May Tourville was in the Road of Bertaume not being able to stir out and other ships were forced to put into Bell Isle by stress of weather and the ship Le Mode Villete of an hundred Guns was so rudely handled by the Tempest that she was looked upon as unserviceable for that year Monsieur Nesmond being put to Sea with his Squadron was driven in again and two of his ships ran foul one losing her Boltsprit and the other her Mast so that they were constrained to put into Harbour and refit Two long Barks laden with Canon were funk and about Thirteen other Transport Vessels laden with Provision and Ammunition are said to be lost passing from Grandville to Haverdegrace insomuch that the Officers and others had Orders to leave the greatest part of Horse and Baggage behind them But this vast Preparation was disappointed by Heaven and came to nothing For though the King was Warring in Fâ—â—nders the Queen having the power of Governing in his Absence had no sooner the News of this intended Invasion but disdaining to fear she prepared to oppose it sensing Orders to all the Ports to hasten out the Fleet and to the Deputy Lieutenants to have the Militia in a readiness and six Regiments of Regular Troops not yet gone over Count râ—manded and Reinforcements sent to the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey to oppose the Enemies Attempts on that side and
many other necessary Orders were given and upon some buzzings abroad by Disaffected Persons to raise ajealousie of the Commanding Officers in the Fleet as if there was some Design to betray it to the Enemy A very Loyal Address was signed by them and sent to the Queen promising all Constant Fidelity and Loyalty which much rejoyced her so that she was pleased to say the had always this Opinion of the Commanders but was glad this was come to satisfie others And indeed they made good their Promise for our Fleet being well Mann'd and timely getting out under the Command of Admiral Russel Sir John Ashby Sir George Rook Sir Cloudsly Shovel Mr. Carter c. being joyned by the Dutch Squadron under Admiral Allemond On the 19th of May out Scouts gave the Signal for seeing the Enemy and very early in the Morning we made the French Fleet in a Line Cape Baresleur bearing South-west and by South so that about Eleven a Clock they bore down and Engaged Admiral Russel at some distance Tourville commanding as Chief on their side and the Engagement continued with great Fury till Three in the Afternoon and something more at what time the French began to bean away then it grew calm till six at what time a Fresh Gale springing up the Blew Squadron renewed the Fight and continued it till Ten at Night during the Engagement three Ships were heard to blow up concluded to be French because we wanted not one of ours then It was calm all the Night and foggy next Morning but about eight of the Clock clearing up the French were discovered about Two Leagues off very much lessened not above Thirty Six Men of War who were flying and so closely they were pursued that running on their own Coast Vice-Admiral Delaval burnt under Cape H. the Royal Sun wherein Tourville was Embarqued carrying 104 Guns being the bravest Ship that ever Sailed from France Also the Admirable his Second of 102 Guns the Conquerant of 80 Guns and 3 of lesser Rates The Prisoners declared That during the Fight four or five of their bigger Ships were destroyed In the mean while Admiral Russel came before le Hogue into which many French Men of War were gotten and sent Vice-Admiral Rook in with his Boat who burnt six of them as also the next Morning seven more with seven Transport Ships and Ammunition Vessels 6 of them being of 3 Decks and afterward many others were destroyed so that their Loss was very great viz. about 36 Capital Men of War besides many of small Note some thousands of the Enemy perishing in the Fight and Waves to avoid the Flames and this was done in the sight of the Late King and Land Forces that were to make the Invasion We lost not one Ship and not many Men of Note only Colonel Hastings who Commanded a Marine Regiment and Rear Admiral Carter who failing the Expectation of the French fell on with great Fury and having his Leg shot off dyed through the great Effusion of Blood This Glorious Victory made King James send a Melancholy Letter to his Brother Lewis the Fourteenth excusing it on his hard Fortune that his Forces fighting in his Interest had caused the Current of his Victories to turn against him desiring that himself and his might retire to any Corner of the World that upon the account of his Ill Starr'd Fortune that an always before Victorious Monarch might not have his Glory ecclips'd but the French King by a surprizing Advantage having in thirty days taken the Town and Castle of Nâ—mure was so puffed up that he seemed to lay little stress upon this great Loss and Disappointment in his Expectations of carrying England by Invasion and therefore sent the Late King a Consolating Letter to raise his drooping Spirits However there was great Joy in England and all the Confederate Countries for this Seâ— Victory and the great Disappointments our Enemies lay under by it The King of England soon after their taking Namure being desirous to engage the French to Battle pressed them to it often but they used all possible means to avoid it but his Majesty being informed that the Duke of Luxemburg was upon the point of Marching to Enguien he decamped from Genappe thinking to prevent him but did not so that Luxemburg being first there posted himself in such a manner between Enguien and Sâ—eenkerken that his Majesty thought he might be able to attack him and on the second of August he put all things in a readiness so the Execution of the design and about one in the Afternoon our Men were fully Engaged with the Enemy so that the Duke of Wirtemberg pushed them so vigorously with his Infantry that he seized on several pieces of Cannon in the mean time some of our fresh Foot coming up there began a terrible Fight for some hours so that many were slain on both sides and many brave Commanders fell especially in the marrow way where the Enemy flanked our Men through the Hedges and behind cast up Banks so we lost Lieutenant General Macay who had before Reduced the Rebels in Scotland the English and Scotch Colonels Douglass and the Lord Angus Colonel Gees who commanded the Regiment of Nassaw and others of note the Enemy doing the like on their side The King in this brave undertaking exposed his Penson amidst the Firing from the beginning to the end riding continually in the hottest of the fight to give every where the necessary Orders and having led on himself several Battalions against the Enemy he was also the first at the head of the Troops and the last in the Rear upon the retreat so that his preservation was looked on as a Miracle and had not the disadvantage of the Ground hindered the French had been certainly beat out of their Camp however we took several Colours and Prisoners of note Yet against this brave and generous Prince who has so often outbraved their Swords and Fire in the head of his Army a place where Lewis the Fourteenth never appeared in Fight they had again bent their Treachery to take away his Life by base and Cowardly ways which in the Field they Trembled to Assault The Scene of Villany was laid at the French Court and divers Desperados bribed and maintained to take an opportunity of Assassinating his Majesty when he should ride out of his Camp or otherwise as they found it convenient The chief under Agent in the wicked Conspiracy was a French Knight of desperate Fortune viz. the Sieur Grandval But the managers of greater Rank as the Marquiss of Barbesieux the French Kings Secretary of State who no doubt moved by his Masters directions this Wretch upon the design being discovered by one of his Confederates was apprehended and Examined where there being a strong Proof against him he was brought to his Trial before a Court Martial at his Majesties Camp at Limbeck where divers Noble-men and great Commanders being assembled it was charged against him that he
advanced nearer and our Cannon began to Play so that for about two hours they made no Motion but about six they came down from the high Ground in several Lines and when they were within the reach of our Cannon they left the middle of the Plain and caused their Infantry to File off to the Right towards Winden and Larre and on the Left towards near Landen sustained by Horse marching on both sides of the Plain causing a Body to pass on the other side of the Rivulet of Landen to make a shew as if they would fall on our Left Wing whilst they should make the greatest Effort on our Right Which about seven hours after they Attacked The Fight for several Hours Lasted with doubtful Success the Enemy advanced and were three times repulsed and some Squadrons that got over the Rivulet below Larre and came into our Camp were mostly cut off whilst these things passed the Elector of Bavaria gave order to the Right Wing to charge advantageously so that thereupon the Enemy gave way and were driven into the Plain and Brigadeer Ramsey who had been forced to give Ground regained his Post as did the duke of Hanover with his Infantry also the Prince of Brandenburg with his Foot The French never theless remained in some parts of the Village of Winden but finding they could not force the Right Wing they Attacked near Landen on our Left where having been beaten back after a very furious Fight they renewed their Attack with fresh Troops which obliged the King to come from the Right to give the necessary orders at the Left where the Fight was Renewed every warmly with small shot which continued about an hour and then we became Masters of the Village so that the Enemy beaten out carried their Troops to their Left and our Right yet keeping part of the Village of Winden and the Hedges of the rising Ground which laied the Flank of our Retrenchement open to them The King who was in every place where his presence would be useful after having given necessary Orders on the Left returned to Winden and brought up twice to our Retrenchments the English and Scotch Foot where they behaved themselves as they had done every where else with great resolution and Courage The Elector of Bavaria the mean while disposed two Battalions on the Enemies Left Flank whilst three others Attacked them in the Front but before this could be put in Execution the Enemy strengthned with new Forces became masters of the Passage into the Village and made an overtur through which the Horse began to pass sustained by the Foot that lay behind the Hedges the Horse that passed that first were beaten back but our Foot at the Retrenchment not being able any longer to endure the Fire in their Flank retired and our Cannon on that side abating its Fire the Enemies Horse crouded through the passage and began to extend them towards their Left all along the Hedges which were possessed by their Foot As soon as they had formed their Squadron they Attacked the Troops of Hanover and Brandenburg on the Left of the Right Wing and forced them to retire by taking the advantage of the Motion of part of them as also they did the Spanish Troops and Hanover Horse His Majesty to rectify these disorders caused part of the Left Wing to Advance but being far off the Enemy did not give them time to form themselves but having beat the Dutch Horse on the Left before the English had got into the Line they after having fought desperately were quire Encompassed So that the King finding the Enemy over-powered us himself this day having led up nine times the Battalions and Squadrons to Fight and wonderfully Preserved among showres of Bullets He sent Orders to the Generals of Foot and those of the Left Wing to retire to Leewen a Fort near the Camp and the King's Dragoons and Granadiers made their Retreat through Dormel the Foot and part of the Horse Right Wing by Orsmel The King by this time having given the necessary Orders and finding himself in a manner Encompassed on all sides thought fit to go over the River and passed with great difficulty the Bridge that had been made near Hespen where he found his Guards and other Troops Rallied by the Elector of Bavaria In this great and long Continued Battle the Enemy lost about 13000 Men of their best Officers and Soldiers many Persons of great note our loss being Computed about 6000. The Renowned Duke of Ormond was taken Fighting Valiantly and we took the Duke of Barwick for whom he was afterward Exchanged and so our Army retired towards Brussels Upon this Retreat the Duke of Wirtemberg was immediately sent for with the Forces under his Command and other Recruits coming in the Army was made up to near 80000 Men so that the French having had a fatal Experience of English Valour durst attempt nothing further on that side yet in Savoy Monsieur Catinat gave Battle to the Dukes Army where in an obstinate sight of 7 hours a great many of the French Nobility were slain and some on our side especially the Valiant Young Duke of Schomberg who being perswaded to retire would not leave the Head of his Battalion but charging into the thickest of the Enemy and doing wondrous Acts of Chivalry was at last over-powered with Numbers and slain and though the Duke of Savoy's Army retired from the Field the French bought the Bloody Victory at a dear rate and in repassing the Mountains late in the Season many thousands of them perished in the Snow with some Waggons Canon and Ammunitiou-Carriages And thus as to what is memorable concluded the Campaign of the year 1693. In the opening the Campaign 1694. the Enemy by reason of their great Losses and Diseases among their Horses were slower than usual in taking the Field so that the Confederates had time to get together and become very formidable and his Majesty on the 5th of May embarqued Fubs Yacht attended by 8 Dutch Men of War and sailed for Holland and from thence passed to the Army in Flanders where he was joyfully received About this time the Elector of Saxony dyed at Dresden by whose Death the French gave out they should reap great â—â—nefit but were disappointed for Prince Frederick Augustus his Brother succeeding him in that Principality confirmed to the Confederates all the deceased Elector had agreed to and entred into a strict League with them and the great Master of the Teutonick Order who stood in Competition with Prince Lewis of Bavaria for the Bishop of Liege dying the French Party at Rome endeavoured to hinder the Confirmation of the lâ—tter But the Pope to whom it was referred declared in favour of that Prince and our Naval Forces being abroad under the Command of Admiral Russel destroyed a great Fleet of French Ships in conquest Bay laden with Corn and Naval Stores from Sweden Denmark c. and the French main Fleet being gone into