marched presently with the greatest part of their Army towards Thuringen thinking to entrap the Swede at his passage over Sala Divers probable reasons induced the Imperiall Commanders to undertake that course they knew him well fortified and victualled where he lay that it was vaine to attempt to raise him by force that no victory could be expected there but by attending upon time that by long continuance they should spend themselves sicknes beginning to be rife in their own Campe and therfore such an opportunity offering it selfe to put a finall period to this long warre by a generall overthrow given the Swede at one blow they resolved not to slip it yet the last conclusion being grounded upon false premisses they failed in all and lost the bird which they had in their hands to take him again in a lime bush where he neither did nor meant to pearch The Swede having thus fortunately set the wheels of his project agoing the more to amuse the Imperialists and draw them farther off from the Elue Iune 18 28 early in the morning dispatched out 4000 horse out of severall quarters of his Army as upon designe with order to take their way towards Eylenburg and upon descrying the least motion of the Enemy to return The old Souldiers who had perfectly learned to obey followed his directions in all not varying a tittle from the words of the Commission and Banniere in the interim first having furnished his Campe with 2000 tuns of Wine and Beere from the Cellars of the Citizens each Souldier with two commisse or provant loaves out of the store belonging to the inhabitants and his Army with pioners drawn out of the City two out of each Family with a pretence that he should use them for the enlarging of his Trenches strengthning his Fortifications but with a purpose to entrench himselfe upon the way if he should hap to be put to it by the Enemy he made a short Oration to his Souldiers wherin after be had extolled them generally for their great fidelity courage patience and true affection to the Crown of Sweden and himself their Generall knowing that his grosse body consisted of divers Nations English Scots Swedes and high Germans he dealt with them severally as the Macedon did before that fatall battaile with Darius with his Army screwing himself further into their hearts and kindling their desire with repetition of their former gotten glory and prizes Encourageth his own men the remembrance of their acts the implacable enmity betwixt them and the Caesareans of his late conquest in Pomerania the desolation they had brought already upon the Saxons Territory his hope of advancing farther yet into Germany of the French friendly auxiliaries who being already upon their march towards the Empire were resolved to proceed and that their proceedings must needs give him breath and facilitate the way to a future victory in the end concluding that now his intent was to bring them into a Country where after their hard labours and dangerous adventures they might repose themselves quietly and get richesenough in a short space he spake so effectually that Vox diversa sonat populorum est von tamen una the severall Nations and Languages which served under his colours crowned his Oration with a generall acclamation testifying their loyalty and readinesse to doe whatsoever hee should please to command them and the Generall in a short reply delivered to confirme them in their affection expressing the tokens of true thankfulnesse to their loving respectfull answere again reattributed to their love all the glory of his former atchievements But it was no season to stand upon complement his Oration and the Souldiers acclamation was no sooner over but the same Evening about nine of the clock he sent his infantery over the bridge at Torgaw with 90 peeces of Artillery and all his baggage and the next Morning very early giving the signall with two Canons shot to the foure Regiments which he had sent abroad to return upon their comming in which was immediately after hee demolished the greater part of the Mils belonging to the Citie spoyled all which might be usefull to the Enemy except 1000 sacks of Corn and some other provisions of which he furnished them for their money burnt the two bridges which lay over the River the one made of boats and the other of timber fastned to Pikes nayled and broke eight peeces of Canon which were in the Fort and then followed with his whole Cavallary after the foot-forces which were gone before spurring on to Hertzberg where he passed the Elster thence to Lucka in Lusatia thence to Luben where he passed the River of Sprew thence to Furstenberg where he passed the Oder thence to Brosen and in the end to Landsberg Gallas not stirring out of his Campe at Pretsch till 12 full houres after the Swedes Cavallary was gone from Tongaw Marcheth to Landsberg the Generall Banniere having so deluded him that he knew not of the Swedes removall sooner But thâ—n the Imperiall Commander understanding the Birds he looked for were flown to hinder his conjunction with Wrangell took a shorter cut passed the Elster at Iessen the Sprew at Beskaw and the Oder at Castrein whither he came before Banniere could and encamped betwixt the two Swedish Generals to hinder their conjunction At Landsberg a victory rather cast upon him then gotten ennobles his retreat Iâ—â—s the Swedish Colonell was come with the avantguard consisting of three Regiments two of Horse and one of Dragoons upon the back of Marazini Marazini defeated by the Swedâ—s at Landsberg who then lay before it ere hee was aware and though he was not ignorant that the Imperiall Commander exceeded him in number hee then commanding eight Regiments yet encouraged by his Enemies preparednesse to fight and knowing that the body of the Swedish Army was not farre behinde fell upon him defeated him put the greater part of his forces to the sword surprized his baggage and for the present relieved the besieged City But what avayled this small victory The vigilant Gallas had cut off the passage betwixt Banniere and his Colleague besides his own eight Regiments Ghleen Goëtz and Hatzfield with their Imperiall forces and the Saxons Brandenburghers and the Lantgrave of Darmstadts forces were come up to his Campe for the Swede to make his way thorough theÌ„ was in all appearance impossible the adverse host being almost 40000 strong Gallas posteth after him to go back as disadvantageous as dishonorable to encampe at Landsberge could neither profit nor secure him no way was left but one to use the Foxes skin seeing the Lions would not serve to effect that by slight which he could not by might and that course hee took and compassed his desire successefully To free himself of all incumbrances which might hinder his speed he burnt up the most part of his baggage nayled and broke in pieces foure Demicanons re-enforced the Garrison at Landsberge and setting
to surrender upon conditions that the common men should depart with white staves and the Officers with the swords at their sides and that only which was granted and they marched thence to Mommedy an halfe league distant The Caesarcan Generall had no commission to sight there he was expected in the Netherlands and thither he advanced with such speed and privacy that hee had brought his Auxiliaries to Mons in Haynalt two days before the French Commanders who were still about the River of Sambre understood it He carried it wisely they expected and lay in wait for him and Chastillon with two whole Regiments of French three Companies of Crabats which for pay served under his Colours though against the Austrian and three squadrons of horse hearing of his retreat from Mommedy pursued after him to have assaulted the Reare but his speed prevented all their designes the Cardinall de la Valette never set eye on him and Chastillon only overtooke 25 Cavalliers which loytered behind the Army Piccolominie'â— arrivall ac Montz and were not so well mounted as the other Piccolomini with the rest of his men that night Iuly 19 29 reaching to Neufchastell in Ardennesse and within two nights after to Mons where hee spent some time to fortifie himselfe and refresh his weary Army Landrecey being taken in the Cardinall de Valette first took order to repair the breaches to renew the old Fortifications and to confirme the inhabitants of that City and Chasteau Cambresi in their Allegiance to the Crown of France by gentle usage demeaning himselfe so fairly and managing the businesse so discreetly that most of them who had fled thence into Cambray Quesnoy Valenciennes and Mons for refuge sent their Trumpeters with petitions to have liberty to return to their habitations Then Iuly 20 36 hee sent Rambures the Field-marshall with 2500 horse to visit the Enemies Country about Bavez Saint Guillin and Monts The party which went abroad was dignified with the society of the Gallantry of the French Army the Marquesse of Preslin Camp-master for the light horse Gassion the fortunate and daring Colonell the Count of Nause A fortunate enterprize undertaken by the French neer Monts Captaine of the Gens d'ermes Arnault campe-master for the Carabins S. Agnan Captaine of the light horse the Marquesse of Pisani and the Vicount Monthaz and returned not to the Campe without the spoyles of the enemy the trophies of their honour Notice was given them that 300 horse were come out of Montz and to repulse them if not vanquish them they divided their Army into three parts passed over at three armes of the River to encounter them charged them so impetuously that upon the first meeting the Spanish souldiers were forced to flye being pursued to the Barriers of the towne where the Vicount Mont-bas was hurt in the face arme and belly but without danger and this adventure happened out so successefully to the French that though they were intermingled with their enemies in the suburbs not a man of them was lost and they slew thirty Spaniards who discharged upon them their Canonad o's at randome and vainlye because at randome from the wals of the City This fortune though it cannot be called a victory stood them in further stead then for the present it cleared the country exposed the high wayes and open dorps to pillage for ten leagues space and thence they brought back to the camp 800. horse of all sorts 1500. oxen and kine 3000. muttons seven or eight hundred prisoners of all conditions the booty being increased by the Caroaches in which most of them were taken besides the Priests the religious persons women and children which were sent backe in safety being used all the time of their captivity according to their severall ranks and qualitie nor was the enterprize meerely rewarded with this gaine but ennobled with honour The defeat of two companies of the Train-band of the Province and one company of the Spanish Cavallary both which they met upon their return towards the camp the first in the open fields and the last neere a passage over the River which being preoccupated by the Cardinall Dukes brigade sent thither by Preslin to keep it were enclosed on the other side by Gassion and the most part being put to the sword the rest became prisoners of warre Another atchievement waited upon the former the Marquesse Grand Master of the Artillery drew out 1500 foot out of his French and Helvetian regiments and 200 horse which under the conduct of the Marquesse de la Forte-Imbault the Field-marshall he sent to enforce the Tower and Castle of Busigni Aug. 1. new stile a place of much importance and such as while it was in the Spaniards hands hindred all commerce betwixt Saint Quintins and Landrecey The Marquesse at his first arrivall tooke up his quarter neere the counter-scarpe whither having brought also foure pieces of Canon he so astonished the Governour who was but soldat de Fortune a voluntary and one which served without pay that he presently sent to capitulate His agent was the Licentiate of the place who was appointed to conferre with one Cyrill a Recollect The Castle of Basigni yeelds upon strange composition of the new order of Franciscan Fryers a man as fit to serve in an Army as at an Altar and these two military Priests having a while conferred together in the hearing of the Captaines of the Campe Cyrill entred with him into the Fort and the Governour presently unacquainted and unversed in such negotiations came out himselfe in person unto the Army to make his composition The French Commanders could not but smile at his simplicity which before he had made his peace would entrust himselfe without caution with an adversary yet they neither used him ignobly by demanding hard tearmes nor refused those he offered which were that he might depart with those 50. men which he commanded in the Castle with his drum beating their Armes and baggage By the unadvisednesse of an unskilfull Commander It was a place of strength and sufficiently manned for the bignesse the wals were seven foot and foure inches high so fortified with earth that it would have spent time to take it by force the Canon having no power against them it was freely offered them and it had bin vanity to refuse it The conditions were granted when the Governour thinking to returne to acquaint the Souldiers with the particulars of his transaction was stayed as a prisoner by command of the Marquesse de la Ferte who commanded him to be kept under arrest till the garrison was departed and then promised to set him at liberty Aug. 3. new stile the presidiaries came forth with many women which had then fled thither for safety which with the Governour were conducted to Cambray three leagues thence The Marquesse upon their departure entred the Fort where finding a large quantity of provisions brought in by the Country people thirty families of the
no other termes then the lives of the souldiers to be spared with an expresse remonstrance that they should all without exception be made prisoners of war and the preservation of the womens honours they being to be protected from ravishment and other violence which hard conditions were accepted by the Garrison and all the males the old and diseased persons only excepted the Curat in the mean time in tokeÌ„ of joy for his prosperous negotiation in the womens preservation making a solemne procession and clevating the Pix attended with the Matrons married wives and Damosels of the Fort whom the Count shut up in a place of safety by themselves the Count prohibiting his people to do them any violence either in their persons or the wealth they had about them whilst himself and men seized of the horses kine cattle and other wealth which was then in the Fort and manacled the men whom he intended to carry captives to Corbie Miserere jam victor Galle parce tandem Is not this captivity a sufficient trophee of the Conquerours glory thus the Genius of the place did seeme to plead in the faces of the disconsolate women But rasech the Citadell which were not so much revived by their owne freedome as dejected by their friends bonds and restraint But the fate of the place was not yet come to be actuated thirty Musquetiers were laid in by the Count to keep it till his return from Fovillier which hee next intended to attempt the finall sentence and the execution therof being reserved untill that Enterprize was brought to perfection Thither hee came the next morning and soon forced it to accept the same termes as the other had done and then the French Commander loden with spoyls inriched with a booty of above 200 kine and horses and other baggage and giving the Law to above 200 prisoners The Castle oâ— Fovillier yieldeth to the French discharged his petite Garrison of 30 Musquetiers which he had left at Ebuterne demolished and razed the Forts down to the ground that they might no longer be offensive to the Kings subjects in Picardie and returned to Corbie with his own retinue booty and prisoners As in a glasse face answereth face or the eccho replyes to the voice so the conquests of the French in Artois and Haynault were seconded by the victories of the Marshall Chastillon in the Dukedome of Luxenburgh the places of note there which before the warre Anno 1542 betwixt the French and the house of Austria were thought impregnable being so shattered then that though they have since bin refortified yet they never attained to their former strength and so facilitated the Marshall's designes Assoone as Ivoy was taken in the French Generall observing some â—â—te directions sent unto him from his Majesty by Aiguebonne the Field-marshall for advancement of the Kings Affaires and unwilling to omit any advantage which might further his attempts August 6 16 lent his Lievtenant Feuquiers with 2000 horse and 3000 foot to blocke up Danvilliers and to cleere the wayes from Metz to Verdun by taking in some small Forts which being Garrisoned by the Enemy hindred the free commerce betwixt the two Cities and the Colonell Bovillon with 300 horse and 200 foot to take in the Fort of Cheney situated upon the River of Semoy asmall place but of good consequence being new fortified by the Enemy and guarded with 200 men Feuquiers did his part happily Roquepine Lievtenant Governour for the Cardinall de Valette having brought the Forts to his hand and Danvilliers only left to his care and so did the Colonell Bovillon too Divers small Forts surrendred to Chastillon in Luxemburgh though not with such speed as the other he finding more opposition yet with as much glory He summoned the Citadell and was refused played upon it with his Ordnance and was answered from thence in the same Dialect till the Garrison supposing that the Marshall was comming in person thitherwards with the mayn body of his Army and Artillery surrendred it upon these termes that the two Captaines and their Lievtenants which commanded there should have liberty to depart with their swords by their sides and the souldiers with white staves only which done the Colonell judging the place to be too strong a piece to be left to the Kings enemies having occasion to imploy these troops which he had elsewhere burnt down the houses and demolished the Fort to make it unserviceable Whilest these Forts were taken in The Spaniards make an attempt the grosse of the French Army lay encamped along the River of Chier each regiment being disposed of in a severall quarter The light horse of Angoulesme Polie and Buzanoye were lodged at a village called Olizy where having barricadoed up the townes end to keep the enemie from making any sudden incursions upon them they kept a carelesse watch neither having any corps du guard without nor any sentinels upon the advenues A souldier is least secure when he is most secure The Spanish party by their scouts were made acquainted with their negligence and hasted to them not as friends to reprove or chastise them but as enemies to surprize them Foure companies of horse 300. Arquebusiers and 200. Musquetiers of the Spanish traine band in that Dukedome Aug. 10 20 set out from Arlon a place about 30 English miles from Olizy and came that night to Mommedye where they reposed themselves whilest 200. other Musquetiers were drawen out of that garrison to accompany them in this expedition and then marching all night an houre before day they arrived within a Carabins shot of the Village where the French Cavillary lay without any discovery The manner how to carry the businesse Vpon the French quarter at Olizy was resolved on by the way as they came it now remained onely to put their counsell into action The directions given by the Leaders to the common Souldiers in private were as good and more usefull then any charge could have been which was to be given from the longlowd throats of the Trumpets or sonorous bellies of the military Pythons the drums without any alarme they surrounded the Village removed the barricadoe and then having slaine some of the French Cavalliers they placed the Musquetiers in divers places of the Village whose frequent charging and discharging in the street brought no small amâ—â—ement to the French Cavallieres when their thought being as full of confusion as the Village was of horror knew not how to behave themselves to stand upon their guard being surprized so unexpectedly The Count of Polie was the first which mounted on horse-backe to rallye up his dispersed squadron and something he did by fortune which assisted him for his own and some of his souldiers preservation though nothing to offend the enemy One of the Spanish troups of horse came in by a by lane into the Village with them he intermingled his owne men not as an enemy for thereof he made no shew by giving
surprized a Convoy of a hundred Malters of Corn designed for the use of the great Provost His project the Baron of Meternich then residing at Mentz This prize the Commander intended to make use of for the reliefe of the French Garrison projecting to carry it downe to the Rhine by amusing the Frankforders and the other Imperiall Cities and Forts upon the River with a colour of restitution to the Dum-Provost it being the rather credible because there was at that time a treaty of truce betwixt the Governour and the Electour of Mentz and Letters were drawn to that purpose subscribed with his hand sealed with his seale and directed to the Elector and Baron and a Passe for the Bottome as from Metternichy May 15 25 was designed for putting the stratagem forward A vessell capacious of that burden and more was laden and foure Souldiers only that there might be no suspition of fraud appointed to carry the Barke thither Towards Evening the Skippers with their charge were descryed upon the Mayn neer Frankford and there being summoned produced their Passe and Letters which being entertained as authenticalâ— and true gave them free liberty to go forward withoul any further questioning them Hoechst was the next place where they feared any molestation and there they found some trouble but such as being once over rather incouraged then disheartned them The Commander there suspecting a pad in the straw Et metuens Danaos donaferentes began to sift them more narrowly and grounding his resolve rather upon suppositioÌ„ then any pregnant proofs instantly disarmed the souldiers and stayed them till morning when thinking these Gibeonites to have dealt sincerely with him he restored their Armes and gave them a free liberty to proceed The favour of the stream and winde brought them soon after below the Castle of Keltzersbach where upon a necke of Land covered with sedge and made almost for such a designe some other Hanovian troups attended them with six Waggons laden with Bacon Fails Butter Granadoes and other Ammunition and fifty souldiers whom they took into the Bark deeming that this fortunate beginning must needs be crowned with an happy ending and happy it might have been if it had not been discovered casually This glorious morning was soon overcast a small cloud that seemed empty burst out into a storm a peasant unhappily espied their action and hope and feare hope of reward from the Commander and fear of injury by the Hanovers adding wings to his speed made him slie to Hocchst and acquaint the Governour with what he had seen The Commander stayed not to call a counsell to advise what was to be done but knowing the cause to require expedition nor deliberation instantly sent Post upon Post to Mentz Bingen and other places to looke out and stay these adventurers The adviso was no sooner come but a watch was charged and sundry Boats disoatched to the Mayne and the Rhine some to way-lay them and some to pursue after them At Bingen the Scouts discovered them and the Austrian souldiers neere the Tower de Rats or Mouse-steeple grappled with them after a small conflict in which they slew six of the Hanouers mastered the rest took the ship and burden detained the Captaine and the rest of the souldiers prisoners threw the Granadoes and other military instruments into the Rhine and sent the provision to the Elector of Mentz who for a gratification to the Governour of Bingen bestowed upon him the prisoners and their ransomes Ramsey who was rather angry Ramsey threatens to be avenged and puts his menace into execution then grieved for this losse no sooner heard of it but sent a menacing letter to the Elector of Mentz the purport wherof was that if he did not restore him the prisoners and town which he had lost before Bingen in the ship hee sent towards Hermerstein then hee would burne all his towns in the Rhingaw and to his word joyned his hand immediatly plundering the Cloyster at Selingerstat a Citie properly belonging to the Moguntine but then under the Hanovers carried the Monks into Hanow detained them as prisoners of warre till they had satisfied his losse sent a party towards Frankford whence it brought back great store of cattell and pillaged the countrey therabouts and seized himself of the towne of Vrsel which he fortified as a place best fitting his intention for the further proseqâ—ution of that designe to all which the Elector like a man of warre answered as resolutely that himselfe would come in person and block him up in Hanaw if he stood upon those tearmes all the neighbouring States being formerly bound and now in a readinesse to assist him in that siege if the Hanawers did not speedily submit But nothing was done against him till afterwards Yet all the vicinage began then to be filled with horrour The extraordinary Embassador of Denmarke pillaged by some of John de Werths souldiers the high-ways were become unpassable the Hanovian or Bavarian souldiers without respect of persons pillaging all they met The Count of Pentz Embassadour for the King of Denmarke to the King of Hungary and States of Germany had been at Mentz with the Elector and there received honorably but upon his return thirty horsmen at first supposed to have been of Ramseys Regiment but proved afterwards to be Bavarians and under the command of Iohn de Werth without regard either of his own condition or the dignity of the persons from whom and to whom hee was sent after they had slaine his Steward and wounded some other of his servants laid violent hands on him robd him of all his money and jewels and in a miserable plight turned him on the way toward Aschafemburgh where his wants were supplyed by the Elector of Mentz with necessaries for his journey and a safe conduct towards Wertzburg The Garrison in Hermenstein by this beganne to see their own and Ramseys danger Ramsey being unable to relieve them any more or they to hold out long against the Bavarian The CommaÌ„der in Hermenstein begins to treat who had threatned to surround Hanaw with his Army as soon as he had taken in Hermanstein Hitherto that City in the Weteraw had succoured the Fort upon the Rhine and the Fort been as a strong Bulwark to that City the forces of the enemy which menaced the City being engaged there and the City though sometimes blocked up yet never besieged The Die was cast the chance seemed ill and the Governour laboured to mend it with his play It is wisedome to take time by the foretop and to seek a remedy before mischief can come to extremity The French Commander as yet was provided of a moneths victualls and whilst his store lasted knew that hee could keep the Fort but that once gone then he must surrender it his ayme was only how to doe it honorably To this purpose about the end of May hee sent his Agents to the Elector of Colen offâ—ring to surrender it
stables burnt them downe with the horses in them had done more mischief had not the people plyed their hands faln close to their water works A turret of the Dukes place his jewel-house wherin his rarities of great value were reserved was suddenly on a flame but there the people with much a do extinguished it with that determined their feare the Duke could not be unsensible of some losse by that accident yet his losse else-where was greater another of his Castles named Leichtenberg neer Landsberg about three weeks before was set on fire by lightning and in three dayes all which time the raging Vulcan could not be appeased was made an heap of rubbage The Castle of Lichtenbergâ— strangely burnt to the ground But these private and particular accidents were nothing to the common terrours abroad in Hessenland Lusatia Misnia and other places of the Empire The Card. Infant began to be oppressed in the Netherlands by French Armies in Artois and Haynault the States forces in Brabant and for his relief Picolomini with his Regiments was called down to Hennegow Duke Bernhard with his Almayns and the French forces were come by this time as farre as Montbeliard toward the Rhine and Isolany first and Forgatz after him with their Brabats the first with foruteen and the last with eleven Regiments were sent to assist Iohn de Werth against him the high-ways were filled with bands of men and whilest these men of Armes were upon their march the Cities by which they were to passe though they had no reason to feare or suspect any injury by such as were their Confederates durst not be too confident Colen especially which was neere the rode of these passengers where the Magistrate mustered up 2000 men and added them to the old Train-band to have them in a readinesse upon all occasions The Almayne Duke of Saxon Weymar whose brave exploits in the French County must be referred to their proper head about the midst of Iune dividing his Army for the speedier execution of his designes sent Hallier with the one part D. Beruh of Sax. Weymar at Browstat by the way of Porrentruy towards Alsatia with an injunction to meet him at Browstat neer Mulhausen the first of Iuly new stile the day and place designed for the common Randevouz and himselfe followed by the way of Danne whither before with an able Convoy hee had sent two Waggons laden with money for payment of his Army Neither of them failed in the least circumstance and both meeting at the time and place appointed a Counsell oâ— Warre was called and according to the conclusion there resolved of some few days after the Lieutenant Generall marched towards Basil with one part of the Army to conferre with the Magistrate there about the present occasions and his Highnesse having stayed a while in the Campe with Manicampe the Field-marshall and Lieutenant Governour Generall for the King in Alsatia and particularly Commander of Colmar who came to visit him Adviseth with his Counsell of Warre for passage over the Rhine and tender him his service put forward Iuly 3 13 to besiege Ensisheim a town of consequence and the Parliamentary seat of Alsatia where he gave order to the Rhinegrave his Lieutenant Generall of the Cavallary to assault it and departed thence with Manicampe to Colmar to advise with him for the passing of his Army over the river To this end the next morrow he drew out six Companies of Musquetiers commanded them to march night and day directly towards Benefielt and himselfe the 5 15 attended with Manicampe who carried with him five hundred old French Souldiers drawn out of the Garrisons of Colmar Schlestat and Guemar and his own company of light-horse followed them and found there certaine Boats laid upon the carriages made ready for his service by Moquell the Governour resident for the Crown of Sweden there Here another Counsell of Warre was called for prosecution of the Dukes designe and the Commanders differing in their particular opinions it not being disputed what was to be done but how according to their severall intelligences of the posture gesture of the Enemy the Duke commanded the valiant Schonbeck the Colonell who had formerly so bravely defended Cazel-outre with three hundred men forty waggons and forty 〈◊〉 all Boats to attempt the passage His valiant heart could not disobey though in probability those vessels of so litle bulk could be of as little avayle for the transporting of an Army The Colonell had no sooner put his hand to work but good fortune seldome a foe to an hardy man furnished him with what he wanted Three great Bottoms loaden with Merchants goods were tugging up the streame from Strasburg to Basil those he seized of He passeth the River and with them he transports his forlorn hope to the other side The Duke had speedy intelligence of his good successe and posting thither found the vessels there at his arrivall entring into them with the Marquesse of Dourlach the Dukes of Wirtemberg Manicampe and other Commanders passed over to the other side his Army being conducted after him in the smal vessels which were brought from Benefieldt and some others which came downe the small Cut which runneth from Schlestat into the Eltzer and were so brought into the Rhine for that service An happy beginning it was and almost beyond the Dukes expectation but Commencement n'est pas fuseé as it is in the French Proverbe it is not the first Scene but the last Act that deserves a plaudite now began the busie season and to come off well or goe forward successively was the Generals mayn intention Hee had with him but a part of his Army was landed in the Enemies Country was not ignorant of the preparations against him and as it behoved him for his better safety he was bound to fortifie his Campe to have a strong place of retyring upon occasion He provided for both entrenching himself till his forces could come in and fortifying a small Isle made by the Elster and the Rhine Is foure times assaulted by Iohn de Weâ—th is still victorious for his retirement The Baron of Werth not willing to give him a breathing time foure severall times assaulted him with the strength of his Army which consisting at the first of 4000 horse and as many foot was then engrossed with three Companies of horse by Rhinacker Governour of Brissack but was still repulsed with losse and in the end forced to Offenbach with the losse of above 1000 men in these Encounters 500 dead corpses being found dead upon the place and many horsemen carrying away their dead Comerades behinde them and all the Officers of one whole Regiment slain except one Corporall and the Duke with the losse of 130 men got a happy victory The Rhinegrave in the mean time was as successefully imployed at Ensisheim his Ordnance having made a breach on the one side his forces Ensisheim taken
of mishap it was faln retired again to its Fortifications being pursued by the Duke who had another Squadron of horse in readinesse to second him and cut off five troups of his horse and forced him back to his Trenches One mishap seldome comes alone Iohn de Werth was then in want both of Amunition for warre and provision of meat for his Army with the first he was to be supplyed from Vdenheim and with the last from Brissack A Convoy of Jo. de Werth defeated by the Rhinegrave yet the last could not be brought unto him without a sufficient Convoy To furnish his Camp with victuals Munday August 7 17 hee addressed one of 600 horse towards the named Magazine Notice of this was brought by the Scouts to the Rhinegrave who with expedition said an aâ—nbush on the way by which these Cavalliers should passe All washusht nor was there any appearance of a rub which might offend the Gallanta in their course when the Avantguard comming within reach of the Rhine-graves Musquets a volley of shot startled the first adventurers and put them to a confused flight and so they escaped better then the grosse body of that small Army which the Rhinegrave charged and discharged upon immediatly putting some to the sword and bringing sixty prisoners to Duke Bernhards Camp amongst were two of the Bavarian Barons Pages which scaped not scot-free and without wounds in this Encounter Forgatz August 8 18 arrived at the Bavarian Camp with his Regiments of Crabats the Duke of Lorrain was upon the way to joyn with him also but the news of Bleterans stopd his journey and deprived the Bavarian of those long expected and promised Auxiliaries Notwithstanding the fire which for some days had been coopt up in the dark wombe of a thick and foggy cloud gan now to break out impetuously with thunder and lightning Duke Bernhard by his Bridge of Boats at Rhinaw had conveyed over all his Ordnance beyond the Rhine and appeared daily in the field as challenging the Bavarian to set battell but his often and many affronts done to the wary Baron not prevayling he left the major part of his Infantry in a fortified place and marched August 19 29 with his Cavallary directly towards the Castle of Molberge and the Towns of Ettenheim and Endenguen places situated betwixt Wittenweir and Offenburg before the last wherof John de Werth had his head Quarter his other Regiments being enquartered along the Kentzinguer Valley because if he should hap to be hard put to it by the Duke Dâ—bernb besiegeth Kentzâ—ngâ—n he intended to retire into the Dukedome of Wirtenberg At Molberg he stood not still but the same night summoned and afterward assaulted the Castle which being taken in the fury was made so exemplary to the neighbour Cities that Ettenheim and Endingen fearing to be made a spoyle to the Conquerour voluntarily submitted and accepted fair terms of composition The Cities were well stored of provision and afforded good relief to his Army which being well refreshed with the viands there found he sent a strong party out to discover the manner of the Bavarians encamping which haply met with some troops of Bavarians Cuirassiers whom they fought withall vanquisht and brought sixty of them prisoners to the Dukes Army The Baron for all this stirred not but keeping close in his Earthy Fortifications rather watched his own advantage then ministred occasion of any to his Enemy and something must be done to make him rise or remove hee would not Sundry projects offered themselves to the Dukes consideration but which was most likely to take effect though he might conjecture he could not determine At last his thoughts were fixed Keutzingen the surprisall wherof must needs intercept all commerce betwixt the City of Bryssack and the Bavarians Campe if surrounded by his Forces he conceived and was not mistaken in his judgment would make the Baron move and thither Sept. 4. new stile hee marched with 600 Foot and drew his Canon Iohn de Werth advertised by his Espials of the Dukes designe So draweth the Bâ—vâ—râ—an 〈◊〉 battaile followed him presently with part of his own Forces and 24 Corners of Crabats commanded by Isolani to relieve it The Duke had planted his battery upon an Hill against the City before but now seeing the Bavarian at his back turned them from the I own point-blank upon the Army and de Werth perceiving that if he went forward he must needs march against the Canons mouthes partly to prevent that hazard and partly to draw the Almayne Duke from his advantage changed his station and incamped in a mown-ground and severed from the Dukes Army by a great and deep River only 25 foot broad but having the banks so high raised that it could not be passed but by a bridge of stone which adjoyning to a Mill which the Baron had seized of and planted there a battery of 10 peeces of Ordnance What will not the earnest desire of performance apprehend as easily feasible The Duke had a longing desire to exchange some blows with the Bavarian and now though he should give him oddes he conceived he might grapple with him advantageously This conceit made his Highnesse withdraw from the Hill and pitch down directly over against the Baron the River only being betwixt them though reason still guiding his will moved and prevayled with him to do it cautelously and without exposing his person and forces to apparant jeopardy By a stratagem The Bavarian seeing his posture straight beat an alarm and his Officers partly to shew their readinesse to conforme their actions to his directions but more incited by the looks of the Dukes Souldiers the true picture of fear with her staring and distracted looks trussing up her trinkets being pourtrayed in their faces ran when he bad them go to make ready against the united French and German forces The face is not alwayes the mirrour of the heart they which judge by the outward appearance are not seidome mistaken The Dukes Souldiers were not possessed with any reall fear but personated disheartned men and that so well that for the time no Pantomime could excell them And obtaines a victory It was their Generals project that they should thus counterfeit and they acted it to the life though it cost the lives of many of their adversaries The Bavarians promising themselves a glorious victory came on cheerfully with their Commander before them who having brought over the Bridge two Brigades of his Infantery all Crabats and Dragoons and foure Regiments of Cuirassiers his excellencie concluded that enough of his adversaries were within reach of his shot and willing to engage himselfe with too great a number least therby he should make the battaile doubtfull gave the signall to his Army for charging upon them which were come over the Bridge and to hinder the other part of the Bavarian forces to follow them His directions and actions were like theirs of one birth the signall was
and then returned loaden with the spoyles of their Enemies A well regulated fortune crowned him with happy successe in another Enterprize Iune 6 16 Meurer Lieutenant Colonell to Sleintz lying as the Governour of the Saxon presidiaries in Meyssen the Metropolis of Misnia sent certain Companies of his own Foot-regiments with thirty Waggons abroad on forraging Banniere who earst had a designe upon the place was then casually abroad with 3000 Horse 600 Musquetiers and 200 Dragoons and attended with this retinew lighted upon those Saxon purveyors Meyssen surprized by Bannier by a stratagem enclosed them with his Army and put them all to the sword not leaving one to carry news of his fellows misfortune This done hee arrayeth some of his souldiers in their clothes and then loading the carriages with hay and corn covered some other of his men and their arms therwith causing the metamorphosed people to drive the Waggons to the City Their disguises deceiving the Corps du guard which kept the gate the port was opened and the Carters and their loads let in It was not required that the imposture should be long concealed nor was it the Actors exprest themselves to the Guard and the Inhabitants neer the gate in bloudy characters they which lurked under the coverlets of hay discovered themselves and with their swords imprinted their minds in the flesh of the Warders mayntayning the Gate till Banniere who attended close after them came in with his Cavallary and six peeces of Canon who by this device not unlike the Turf-boat at Breda Anno 1590 made himselfe master of the City putting all to the sword some few only excepted which saved themselves in the great Church of humb and Castle with Mewrer the Governour Banniere left not thus but prosecuting his new atchievement began to batter the Castle with his Canon and thundred upon it by the space of two houres and then hearing that the Imperiall succors were marching against him discreetly considering that it was rashnes not valour to stake his honour upon unequall termes or hazard the spoyls he had gotten there which amounted to the moiety of what he had gotten before at Lucka marched back to his Campe more comforting his souldiers with sight of his presence upon whose well being the well being of the Army consisted then his waggons loaden with viands though the last could not be unwelcome being the true restaurative of dejected spirits in time of need The Sun and the Swedes glory seemed at once to be both in the Summer Solstice the Planet was then looked upon by the Northern Nations with admiration the long days which he brought and short nights made some ignorant people which knew no other apprehend it for a Deity but soon afterwards declined Southward and changed the length of light and the season and perhaps the darknesse of the night hapning by its annuall retrait might teach them reason the Swede was by this successe grown terrible to the Commons of the Empire some accounted him as an authorized executioner of divine justice upon the Saxon whose jugling dealing had brought this misery upon his Dukedome others perceiving the Imperialists growing in strength and seeing the Swede ingaged though disadvantageously conjectured that all this was but a cloud which might easily be dispersed or dissolved by the Swedish Sunne others concluded and here rightly that his fortunes were then declining and yet but conjecturally that he being so long acquainted with the extrem frosts of the frozen Islands and surviving them a good winter souldier good because hardy would recover all and return with the Sunne when the Planet had reached his Winter station and retire he did but whether with a mind and power of returning future time may this History cannot discover The King of Hungary was certified in the interim of the Swedes proceedings and how the Dukedome of Saxony being almost laid desolate by their invasion his own Dominions which were by him challenged as an inheritance and suffered to passe with that title by the Triumvirall Treaty at Prague the Kingdome of Bohemia and Dukedome of Moravia The King of Hungary at Prague were like to be ruined by the same Enemies if more Forces were not raised and imployed with all haste to oppose them The news interrupted his repose in Austria where he stayed after his progresse towards Gratz whitherward he went to conduct his mother the Empresse and Widow Dowager of his Father and removed his Court from Vienna to Prague he having assigned that royall Citie as a place of meeting with the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg to advise with them and his Councell of warre for a timely and speedy course to be taken against the Swedes who notwithstanding the powers of two great Armies were already imployed against them though they went not on victoriously were as yet no losers And here whilest hee was taking care for the preservation of his new Confederates estates In danger to have bin murdered by a traytour his owne life was endangered not by an open Enemy but the Diabolicall practice of a murthering assassinate an Italian Bandito who armed with pistoll and sword had crept secretly into the Kings lodgings where hee was apprehended with those instruments of death about him and after severall tortures many of which he indured with a kind of Stoicall unsensiblenesse in the end confessing that an old woman had given him a draught which he no sooner took but his fancy was troubled with horrid conceits of murther and the delusion wrought so powerfully that he found no rest till he had undertaken that execrable course for murdering his Majesty upon which he was sent to Vienna to be proceeded against juridically Heaven abhorres treason and will not suffer those miscreants to thrive nor doth the murder of a private man ever escape the divine justice though mans justice perhaps may not punish it The Generall Gallas attending the King at Prague his Majesty being gone to Brandys on hunting made a Feast for the Commanders which attended at Prague to know the Kings pleasure and receive instructions from him and amongst the rest invited Gordon Lesle Anderson and some other of the assasinates whose hands were dipped in the bloud of Wallenstein at Egra Their hearts being warmed with wine and stomacks well filled with meat the grinders being wearied Gordon â—â—ain Lesle Andersâ—n dangerously wounded at a Feast their tongues began to walke the table-talke was of Wallenstein and his fatall end where Gordon Lesle and Anderson as proud of that action ascribing the glory of it to themselves after they had well drunk Gallas and Gordon first fell to words and afterwards to blows and in the conflict the servants of the Generall comming in Gordon was slain outright as is written and parts being taken Lesle was mortally wounded and Anderson hurt in two severall places the people ascribing all this to the Justice of Heaven the wisdome wherof had sodisposed of each particular circumstance
that the end of the assasinates did quadrate with their wicked act against their late Generall to whom they had given an Oath of allegeance and fidelity they which had slain him at a feast perishing by the sword at a feast in the same Territory It was no season for the King to proceed in the way of legall justice against those military men The King of Hungary consults with Gallas Picolomini and de Grana by whose commotion this effusion of bloud was caused he had need of their service both in counsell and action The Electors though often sent to nor did nor could attend him and Gallas Picolomini and the Marquesse de Grana were used both for advise and prosequution of the conclusions in the consultation Gallas was with all speed to return to the Rhine and Dukedome of VVittenberge to fetch up his eight Regiments which had wintered there and to adde those forces to those under Hatzfield and Goëts and the Saxons in Misnia Gallas made Generaliss of the Imperiall army to the end that with this great Army wherof hee was made the Generalissimo Banniere might be blocked up in his Fortifications at Torgaw The Generalissimo winged with desire of atchieving a new conquest mounted presently on Horsebacke plyed his spurres more then his rains and returned into Misnia with his auxiliaries as speedily as could be hoped The Confederate Imperiall and Saxon Armies had prepared the way before his comming it now remayned for him only to polish the work which they had already scabled Pomica the Governour in Hall for the Elector and the Garrison of Wittemberge undertooke the siege of the Fort Morizburg at Hall and that being undertaken there was no impediment there to hinder him Furstemberg with 3000 Crabats attending him lay higher upon the Elve to stay the Swede from breaking out that way the Ship-bridge which lay before Wittemberge over the Elve was presently after the surrendry of the great Sconce removed higher to Pretch though not without strong opposition Banniere with his Ordnance so playing upon it that hee sunk a great ship in the day time and the Imperiall Army being forced to repair that losse in the night Laboureth to take Baâ—nicre at Torgaw they did it so effectually that the next day the Infantery passed the Elue by the bridge whilst the Cavallary did the like by a Ford they lay encamped from Pretch as farre as Leichtenberge within a league of Torgaw the Swede was already blockt up and there wanted nothing but proseqution of what was so happily begun And now Pendentem summâ capream derupe videbant Casuram sperant decipit illa canes The Northern Rat which like that of Egypt had shot himselfe through the jaws of the Crocodile into his bowels and there torn the entrails of Germany was concluded to be caught in a trap which could not be avoided the supposed captives and their ransomes were staked and played for upon the Drum heads The Almayn Armies were dividing the spoyles of which they had not got possession but with a successe not altogether unlike that of Sisera in his mothers expectation dividing the prey of the Hoast of Barak the Swede neither flying nor fighting against them but playing with them and in a wise mediocrity deluding their hopes Ludere cum liceat currere pigritia est Keeping his Fortifications which they durst not attempt till constrained for want of forrage for his horse the chief strength of his Army when his head as full of policy as his heart was of valour found out the means for his safe retreat Bannierâ— resulving to discamp from Torgaw which in fine he put in practice and performed not without victory It is related thus Banniere who in Aprill had possessed himselfe of the Citie soon after caused all the Burgesses and inhabitants that he might weaken their hands and disable them from taking armes against him to bring their armes to the Guild-hall or State-house and afterwards having thus subjected them to his will extracted from them severall summes of mony 12000 Rix-dollers to spare the City from pillage 48000 Rix-dollers to maintain his retraits and other monies upon severall occasions and in the end determining to leave the place gave the wealth thereof as a spoyle to his souldiers Pillageth the City who spared not to load themselves with the baggage they had thus gained But what availed this largesse what could the goods thus gotten profit them which had not assurance to hold them Banniere provides for all and though all wayes for his escape were intercepted Marazini with eight Regiments keeping the passage at Landsberg Klitzing the Brandeburghish Chieftaine preoccupating his way by the Oder with 12 of the Electors Regiments Danben the Saxon with the Saxon Regiments re-enforced with Swartzemburghs Crabats cutting off the way into Thuringen whilst Hatzfield and Goetz blockt him up on the one side of the Elue and Gallas and Ghleene on the other by a stratageme he made his way when his sword could not hew it out amuzing the Imperiall armies with a delusive finesse first and then in a wel ordered and quick march hasted towards Wrangell that by their united forces he might be better strengthened against those swarmes of Enemies His processe was thus Two Letters were indited by him and directed to the Governour of Ertford Devisethâ— stratâ—gen to word the Impertal the purport wherof was that he intended to leave Torgaw and come by the way of Thuringen to relieve that City which was daily threatned with a siege and that done to advance into Hessen and conjoyne his army with the Lantgrave These notes of instruction so expressed as if they had bin resolved of by the Generall Councell of Warre were sealed up closely and put into the bellies of a couple of Ducks and delivered to two Boores or rather souldiers in the habits of Boores which were sent out three severall ways and from sundry quarters of his Campe. His device was hitherto something like that of Harpagus in Iustine conveying his Epistle to Cyrus in the belly of a garbaged Hare but the severall intentions made them dislike Harpagus used that trick to conceal his papers Banniers purpose was to have his come into the hands of the Imperialls and so disposed his project in each circumstance that by a counterfeit privacy he might be thought desirous to have them passe undiscovered and by their discovery might bee supposed by the Adversaries to have had his plot prevented yet took such order with his messengers that they must needs be surprized by the Imperialists and their Letters made Patent to each perfunctory inquisitor the souldiers when once apprehended were taught to fall down and beg mercy and before they could be searched to offer upon conditions of sparing their lives to reveale that secret with which they were entrusted by their Generall Puts it in practice deludes the Generaliâ—â— and did their parts so well that the over-credulous Imperiall Commanders
them in the Frontiers towards the Spanish Provinces in the Netherlands and Hennegow some places in Picardy being still in the Cardinall Infants hands and those to be reduced to the Kings obedience About the end of May the French Cardinall and the Duke his brother set forward towards Amiens and blocking up la Capelle marched on to invade Hainaut and sate down before Landrecy whither the grand Master of the Artillery The Cardinal de Valette marcheth towards the Netherlands brought up his forces also to hasten their proceedings The Card. Infant was not so soon in the field nor had strength then to oppose them yethe omitted nothing that was requisite for preservation of his Country He sent divers expresses to Piccolomini to make haste and come down with his Regiments fortified his Frontiers and brought down all the strength he had of horse and foot to Mons in Hainaut and Mabenge to oppose them but wanting strength he thought it fitter to let them spend some time before the City the siege giving him liberty to re-enforce himself then by encountring them with that handfull of men to endanger his Army and so expose the Provinces under him to further ruine Iune 9 13 the French Cardinall tooke up his head-quarter at Faveri a Village halfe a league from the City Sits down before Landrecay before which though he lay till Iuly 3 13 he lost not his time a flying Army under the command of Colonel Gassion and Rambures Governour of Dowlens doing good service to the Christian King and giving much offence to the Enemy and other his Confederates emulating their associates atchievements in a laudable ambition affecting and deserving an equall wreath of Ho. Monsieur the Marquesse of Melleray Kinsman to the Cardinall Richilieu and great Master of the French Artillery marching up to the Cardinall de la Valette as hee was upon his way cast his eye upon the Castle and Towne of Bohain situate upon the high-way betwixt Saint Quintin and Chastean Cambresie He saw it and divers perswading arguments induced him upon the view and site therof to assault it The King his Master lost it the yeere and it stood with his honour not to leave it in the possession of an Enemy The Castle of Iohain taken by the Marq of Milleray it blocked up the way betwixt Saint Quintin and the French Armies it was a mote in his eye and hee would assay to remove it In a word it was lost before miserably through want of men to hold it and fortifications to preserve the small number within it and hee meant to regain it honourably encountring with difficulties neither disheartned with sight of the new works made by the Spaniards to defend it nor the proportionable number of presidiaries which were left to maintain it His conceit was actuated without further dispute First to observe the military method he summoned it when his oratory was not so powerfully perswasive and effectuall as to make the Garrison yield without delay he planted and levelled 16 peeces of full Canon against it and that sight being terrible to the Spanish Garrison they which to avoid the dishonorable title of Cowards before would not hearken to a treaty began to crave it and procured it and in conclusion surrendred the Towne and Castle upon condition meerly to depart with their lives and to leave behind them whatever they had gotten by pillage from the poore neighbouring Villages and so saved themselves from the fury of the Army though they escaped not the rage of the Peasants who having been spoyled by them formerly hearing of their departure and the manner of it without convoy or offensive weapons assembled together to the number of 400 men way-layed them as they were on their march to Cambray sel upon them with all their strength which was then doubled by their spleen slue most of them upon the place some few only escaping into the Woods which saved them from the peasants fury it was a purchase of good value of use both for the souldiers and the country people the first finding there good store of victuals and Amunition and the last by this prize recovering their moveable goods beds linnen pewter brasse and other utensils for house-keeping which had been taken from them by the plundering Garrison and were now restored unto them by the Conquerour The flying Army under Gassion and Rambure designed to scoure the Country and prevent the Enemy if he should any thing privatly either against the Camp at Landrecey or the places in the Kings obeysance in Picardy according to order given by the Generall went abroad with six foot Companies and eight of horse and ranged over that Territory till within a league of Mons the chiefe City of that Province without any adventure there they heard of one worth their care A rich convoy surprized by Gâ—ssion a Convoy of foure Companies of Infantry and as many of Cavallary attending some number of Waggons loaden with the best things of Cambray and Valenciens the inhabitants there feaâ—ing that the French after the prize of Landrecey would besiege those Cities transporting the best of their baggage into Flanders for its preservation It was needlesse to bid the Commanders or common men to stirre they were acquainted with each particular both the way which the Convoy should passe the houre of its comming and the strength which attended it and seeing what a booty was offered them addressed themselves to receive it Rambure with the one moiety of the troops with as much privacy as he could retires backward to a Wood called by the inhabitants Bois de la Fournilhire three leagues from Mons South-ward there he layes an Ambuscadoe concealing the greatest part of his forces but shewing the fag-end of his men to the Convoy which encouraged by perceiving the smalnesse of their number made up to them and prepared to assault them when sodainly Gassion who lurked behind an Hill to conceal himself till convenient time upon the first Musquetado spurred up to his Friends succour and Rambure appeared on the other side with his men then risen from the Ambush and both together charged the Convoy so furiously that they slue 500 upon the place and sorely wounded divers others the rest which were best mounted saying their lives by their horses legs and leaving 24 waggons as a prize to the French who for all their Ambuscado advantage they had in the fight came not off shot-free but left 17 dead behinde them and had 40 desperatly wounded The waggons were driven to the Campe at Landrecey and there the Cardinall de Valette to incourage his Souldiers for the like adventure if occasion should so happen and sweeten the peasants which gave notice of the Convoy to his Campe volant divided the spoile to the common men whose valours their leaders had commended and some the peasants widows whose husbands were slain or wounded in the conflict A like accident and more glorious though not
one offensive blow and escaped undiscovered in that hurly-burly Surprize it with the remnant of his troupe by the blinde lane through which the Spaniards came in having onely his face besmeered with the powder of their pistols when he was in the middle of them Brosse Captaine of the company of Angoulesme and Buzancy shewed themselves braver men but not so wise they mounted too and stood upon their defence yet being over-layed with the unequall number of adversaries Buzancy was slaine in the conflict and Brosse dangerously wounded was made a prisoner to the Spaniards who by this being absolute Lords of the Village broke open the houses seysed of the baggage and equipage of the French Officers and pillaged them Here if these adventurers had stayed they had done the Catholike King good service and gone off honourably but the action was not well regulated they stayed too long in seeking after the spoyle and their deluded covetous eyes frustrated what their daring heart had undertaken and thus farre happily perfected Some of the furniture which was found in the Officers lodgings was rich stuffe and while they stayed to pick out the best and to fit the horses which they had gotten from the French with their caparisons themselves became a prey to some other French men Are againe surprized which as if they had bin shot out of an Engine fell upon them unexpectedly The Count de Lignon was lodged at Villy but halfe a league from Olizy with his brigade of light horse and he receiving some information of his friends estates there mounted to horse immediately and attended with 300 Cavallieres and five French Captains spurred up thither-wards to relieve them He made haste and reached thither by the dawning of the day yet his speed was not so good as to bring him to the whole Spanish party the greater part was gone with some luggage and prisoners some stayed behinde intending to poast after their fellowes when they had made up their fardels them he found there he put to the sword and then dividing his troops into two squadrons himselfe with the one leading on the right hand way and Sirock to whom he deputed the other the left hand way and pursued the other party so diligently that they overtooke the maine body thereof at a Ford neer Moville and assaulted them so lively and sprightfully that after a short conflict wherein 120. and upwards of the Spanish forces were slaine the rest were rowted being pursued to the foot of the hill whereon Mommedy stands the sword doing as great slaughter upon the Spaniards in their flight as it had done at the battell neere Moville It was an honourable atchievement whereby besides that Brosse was recovered from the clutches of his enemies the boâ—ty regained which the foe had gotten at Ozily with a new accruit of 142. horses which were taken from the Spanish Cavallarie the ransomes of 22. prisoners most of them Officers and men of quality With great losse which were brought to the Camp the better part of the Cavallary which the Catholike King had in the Dukedome being also slaine or dispersed some men of note were found amongst them which fell by the sword by name Longuevall a Captaine of a troop of horse another Captain of the Cavallary who was thought to be Ramee two Lieutenants of the troops of horse and some other Officers whose faces were so mangled that their names could not be taken though their habits discover their condition Feuquieres according to the Generals order had in the meane time blocked up Danvillieres expecting the time when the Marshall of France would bring up the body of the Army Darvillieres in Luxenburgh is blockt up and besiege it The time of his expectation was not long Aug. 21 32. the Armies were joyned and Chastillon Feuquieres and Aiguebonne with other of the French hoast went to view the City and measured out the lines of the intended circumvallation in despight of three great Canons which playedupon them from the Towne though one of them by an unlucky shot had taken off the head of the Lieutenant Colonell Streife a valiant and expert German The Commander within a man of a stout and resolved spirit saw their preparations and could not be ignorant of their intentions yet undauntedly prepared for his owne defence and preservation of the City committed to his trust but in testimoniall that he desired fair play on both sides and that all their proceedings might be regulated according to the lawes of warre Besieged he sent to demand quarter for all the prisoners which the French had taken there already or might take hereafter promising to doe the like with the Camp and this faire proposition being entertained by the French Generall it was confirmed by reciprocall escripts in the forme ensuing Faire quarter granted and confirmed by Chastillon The Count of Choligny Lord of Chastillon Marshall of France Generall of the Kings Army VPon the proposition made by the Governour of Danvilliers to Monsieur Feuquieres Lieutenant generall of this Army for giving quarter to all that already are and hereafter may be prisoners on the one side or the other either Officers or Souldiers and for the releasing of them upon the ransome of a moneths pay according to the stipend they receive in the Armies each man according to his severall condition and quality We declare and promise that the said rule of quarter shall be kept and observed unviolably of our part and not be declined in any sort or upon any pretence whatsoever In testimony whereof we have signed these presents with our owne hand sealed them with our seale of Armes and cansed them to be contresigned by one of our Secretaries Given at the Campe before Danvillieres Sept. 1. new stile 1637. Signed Chastillon and contresigned de la Haye The writing was short and full resembling the Majestie from whom the Marshall had received his Authority and was entertained respectfully by the Governour who replyed Charles de Stassin Lord of Brandenburg Esche Gaerlang Counsellour of warre and Field marshall to the King of Spaine and Governour in Danvillieres Vâ—on the resolution of Monsieur de Chastillon Generall of the Army of France for granting quarter to the prisoners which the fortune of warre shall put into the enemies and releasing them each man according to his severall condition and quality following the assurance which wee have received from him this day We promise that on our part the said order shall be kept inviolably without doing any thing to the contrary Jn testimony whereof wee have signed this writing at Danvilliers the first of Septemb. 1637. Signed Charles de Stassin And Charle Stassin the Goveâ—nour This siege began with a martiall complement and was continued with plying the instruments of warre to their proper end the assiegeants and the besieged both striving for nonour and summoning up their forces to advance the Princes affaires for whom they stood ingaged without any
Sept 14 24 encountred betwixt Quesnoy and Aimaries with 300 Spanish horsmen well armed and imployed as a Convoy to 260 wagons loaden with corn beere and cheese for the use of the Infante's Army charged upon them and assaulted them so furiously that they slue upon the place 42 of the best souldiers the Captain and his Lievtenant wounded above 60 dangerously took many prisoners and routing the rest got possession of that prize It was too great for them to carry away they seized on the best corrupted the rest and broke their wagons in pieces carrying away a great and rich booty of 300 horsloads besides the gold and silver which they found there with which they supplyed their Confederates whom they met ranging abroad to the same purpose as they had done and brought into the Campe above 200 Pistolets Another party the day following hearing that the Cardinall Infant had sent another company to the Castle of Aymaries went to field with three companies of souldiers amounting to about 120 men at Armes Two Companies of the Gatrison at Câ—mbray defeated with an intention to surprize it but that being brought into the Castle before they could overtake it that they might not return without some testimony of their activity they marched up towards Cambray and there to tempt the Garrison to come abroad they sent some few vant Curriers towards the City hiding themselves in an ambuscado for their better advantage The bait took the Commander seeing the French colours in the field so neer his wals and the small number of men that gâ—aâ—ded them with an intention to chastise their insolency drew out a few of his souldiers and sent them in two Companies under Maugray his Lievtenant Colonel against them the number of the Spanish adventurers was not above 150 besides some officers of foot which thrust themselves into the action their imagination had already presented these French Cavaliers unto them as a prey and toward them they posted speedily the French knew how to tread their measure and paced according to the Musique that played they had their cue and observing a proportionable distance from the enemy they fled before him adding more wings to their speed when they came neer the Ambuscado whither where the Spaniards pursuing them were so violently assaulted by the French that rose from their lurking places that 100 of them were slaine upon the place among which was found one Lievtenant of the Infantery and all the rest wounded except certain few men which were taken prisoners It was a fortunate exploit and both advantageous and honorable for the undertakers who besides their captives returned to their garrisons of Ham and Saint Quintin with a booty of above 50 horse gotten in this enterprize Ferte-Imbault the Field-marshall the same day that La Capelle was surrounded by the French Army was commanded by the Great Master of the Artillery with 500 horsmen in 10 Companies Gleon a Castle taken by the Fr. Freldmar Ferte-Imbault without blows drawn out of the Regiments of the Vidame of Amiens and de la Marine 3 Canons to lay siege against two Castles distant from La Capelle about six English miles The one of them called Glaon appertained to the Countesse of Isanguin and without blowes upon the bare sight of the French Army yielded but the other named Trelon situated in a Borough of 400 Families being guarded by 300 men and 14 peeces of Ordnance well mounted though not well levelled for offence would not surrender though it was summoned to the ruine of the village their care for keeping the Castle bringing the Dorp to a quicke destruction without any advantage to the more hardy then discreet defendants The towne was not fortified at all but lay open to the mercy of the Master of the field who enraged with the affront done him by the Governour in denying to yeeld first burnt the Village to the ground and then planted his three great Gunnes point blanke against the Castle His shot was returned from the Citadell with the advantage of 10. for one He spent but thirty volees against the Fort the garrison let flye with the 14 pieces above 200 severall times upon the Army but neither was the camp much endammaged thereby nor the Castle The Field-marshall intended not to make much more use of his Canon seeing he had spent so many bullets to so small purpose and applyed himselfe to his Bombards and great Granadoes which wrought so effectually their shivers flying and bounding in the lodging chambers that the Mar quesse de Trelon who commanded in person within the Castle which properly appertained unto him sent out his Almner with a semblance of desiring to treate but in truth onely to descry the French forces and he at his comming intreated tearmes of composition Trelon a Castle surrendred to Ferle Imbaul upon composition but his eye being noted by the Field-marshall to have been more busie in viewing the French postures and preparations then his tongue in propounding the conditions required by the besieged or his eares in attending to the French Commanders offers and in the end desirous to returne without concluding any thing concluded the project was discovered though he personated a Commissioner he was apprehended as a spye and Ferte Imbault sent a trumpeter to the besieged with this expresse that if they made one shot more against the Camp he would cause him to be trussed up before their eyes The Almner was a man beloved by the Marquesse and he to preserve his faithfull and endeared servant from such an ignominious death like himselfe an honourable minded man wisely preferring the life of a discreet and faithfull Counsellour so he reputed him who had formerly done him good service both by directions and actions before that pile of earth and stone the Castle which in all probability he could not hold above eight or tenne dayes longer capitulated and upon conditions of life saved and departing with his baggage surrendred the Fort to the Field-marshall who found in it besides the 14 pieces the least whereof carried a bullet of eight pounds 40 Harquebusses with fire-locks 1200 pounds of powder sixe Muids of bread corne each Muid containes 5 quarters and 5 bushels of London measure thirty Muids of Oates with other commodities and because it was a place of some importance distant but two leagues from Vervin sited in the middle of a wood he put in the Vidames regiment to garrison it For these two Forts he had expresse commission another there was which offered it selfe to his eye Argon comes in by president the Castle of Argon within halfe a league of Trelon and that he resolved to take in too though it might seeme a worke of supererogation he was not long about it the presidiaries there were few in number and not well provided for defence they surrendred upon the summons with the conditions granted to the Castle at Trelon He put in 60. of his owne men to keep
it and then returned to the Campe before la Capelle Never did Merchant with a faire trade-wind make his voyage with more expedition then attended the French forces under the Cardinall de Valette and his confederates in Picardie in their conquests of Cities and Citadels and bringing the townes in subjection to the Christian King S. Previll his designe upon Rumingnan in Artoys The designe of Saint Previll Governour of Ardres upon the Castle of Rumingnan in Artoys had some time of hammering but was soone polished and perfected when it came to the file d'espee it was of long projection but speedy execution The Castle is situated upon the River which comes from Bourbourg to S. Omer it was a place of some consequence being a meanes to restraine and bridle up all the principall Forts of the frontiers of Flanders without the assistance whereof S. Omers could not subsist and the French being possessed thereof might truely say that they had gotten one of the principall keyes and in-lets to Flanders The French Commander therfore for many a day past had used all meanes possible both by private intelligence and otherwise to be surety at all times of the state thereof that he might either get it by assault onslat or some other way or if he fayled in the attempt The carriage of his project to come fairely off and without dammage of dishonour The expected houre was come newes and certaine too at last was brought him that one part of the wall was so weake that he might easily surprize it thereby there needed no more he resolved to assay it and providing himselfe of workmen Masons and barres of iron intended if he could to digge through the wall it being but of bricke knowing that if he could carry that one piece of the Mure he might easily command the Citadell The businesse was managed as discreetly as valiantly the project before the conquest being carried with all secrecy his copaâ—tners and fellow adventurers in the designe not knowing what he intended and all things necessary for the work being carried with him even to two vessels intended to transport his men over the River if it was not wadeable which he layd upon two wagons and covered with their sayles that they might not be discovered by the enemy and his care for keeping the place after the conquest appearing so manifestly that his wisdome therein was to be seen as plainly as his valour in the archievement He beat up the drum in Ardres Sept. 10 20. called the garrison together told them that his intent was to goe abroad and see what straggling parties of the enemy were abroad wisht them which were willing to accompany â—im to arme and attend him but never mentioned the intended enterprize His speech done the gallantry of the garrison de Riviere Licutenant Colonell of the regiment de Estrees Revoule Mafor of the same regiment Cassale chiefe Captaine of the regiment de Miossens Largenterie Larre de Towre and Saint Laurent all Captaines and divers other officers offered him their service He accepts them and then taking out his owne company of light horse and 100. Musketiers with the Masons whom he had deputed to this service sending before him the fore-runners of this little army himselfe and his associates marched away immediately after and forrunately arrived within a Musquet shot of the Castle at 11 the same night neither being re-encountred upon the way nor discovered by any enemy There was no need of the boats the River was then wadeable and through the water he dispatched foure Masons to digge through the bricke wall if it was fâ—asible It was no work of difficulty the workmen undertook it and in short space made so large an hole in the wall that first ten men under the conduct of Largenterie entred thereby A breach made in the wall then twenty others under Lorre and last forty Musketiers under La Toure and Saint Laurent In they were and on they would but the way they knew not some guesse they had of it by the generall notions of their intelligence but no certaine remonstrance Fortune helps a daring spirit and conducted them right to the corps du guard which they fell upon courageously their Musketiers doing them no meane service in this adventure S. Previll who had an open eare and listened after the reports of his Musquets was still with the rest of his Army which he ordeted to surround the Castle that neither the souldiers nor the peasants which lodged there being more in number then the souldiers might escape and upon the first cracke of the Muskets flew into the Castle came up to his men enlivened them to the worke both by word and exemplary actions put to the sword as many as made resistance which were about 30 in number The Fort taken the place being guarded with 60 souldiers and more peasants to the great terror of the rest who hearing his name cast down their Armes and begged quarter quarter he gave them but it was for life not liberty for he took them as prisoners of warre and the next morning sent them away to Ardres with an Alferes which commanded them in the absence of the Captaine whom they found securely sleeping in his bed This was his project S. Previll provided to keepe it and thus it was performed But his discretion was more conspicuous in the Forts conservation then the acquisition One hundred of Musketiers he placed therein under the command of an expert souldier de la Tour a Captaine of the regiment de Estrees to keep it a guard sufficient for the Fort had not the spaniards an eye over it to regaine it orif they had it was but sufficiently fortified He concluded that as sure as the Sunne would returne againe from the West where it set at night to the East in the morning so certainly the enemy would re-visit it and to secure the garrison from any injury by the adversary resolved to appeare in the field the next day with such a proportionable number of men as might be able to deale with the neighbour garrisons there was no Army thereabouts if they should offer to enforce it His conjecture faâ—led not the Spaniards from Graveling and the neighbour garrisons hearing of this losse assembled the next day and marched towards the Castle thinking to recover it but S. Previll whose working braine would not permit him to sleep or slip his advantage by his care prevented their designe the victory atchieved he went to the Count of Charrost Governour of Callice acquainted him with each particular in the name of the Christian King commanded his assistance and they joyntly endeavouring themselves in the businesse brought into the Fort the same day an hoast more able then the adverse party upon that short warning could raise conveniently Mars and Mercury An Ambuscadoe layed for the French appeared together in the Spanish Camp not as in opposition but conjunction they neither wanted offensive Armes nor
with their lives and the rest finding a frown from their Generall for leaving a fortified City to seeke safety in his Army The Captaine which remayned with so small an handfull of men to keep the City withdrew into the Castle A noble act of a Swâ—thsh Captain whence though once summoned he would not out till he had given the Eylenburgers and Hatzfieldt good testimony of his loyalty to the Crown of Sweden and enmity with the Saxon by casting severall fire-balls into the City and then unable to hold out longer yielded to the Victors mercy or fury who being thus possessed of this City consulted for the recovery of Hall and the Sconce at Wittenberge first and then for conquest of the Swedish Army Ghleen who was called out of Westphalia and Hessen purposely to assist Hatzfieldt and his Colleagues against the Swedes by the way had an eye at Ertford the greatest City in Thuringen taken by Banniere the year last past Ertford besieged by Ghlein and determined to besiege it The Imperiall Councell of Warre had decreed to recover it the Elector of Saxony ceased not to incite them to it and though all the Princes and neighbour-states of that great Citie foreseeing the inevitable ruine which attended their own Estates though they were of the Imperiall party if that City should be besieged were earnest suitors to the Elector that it might not be beleaguered they could not divert him from that resolution no not to forbeare it for a season till harvest was over and they had gotten in the fruits of the ground upon which the hopes of that Province almost made desolate by famine then consisted Ghleen therefore authorized by him and the Imperiall Councell of Warre being come within a league and half of the City in a Bailiwick properly belonging to Duke Bernhard of Weymar neere the Cloyster of Icterhausen measured out severall quarters to lodge his Army fortified his Campe with Retrenchments and lines of communication able to receive 15000 men made hutes for his souldiers and had prepared for the siege when sodainly a Courier came unto him posting from the Electo of Saxony who had changed his mind not upon the entreaty of his neighbour Princes but a designe upon the Swedes in Misnia with order to the Baron to rise from thence The siege suddenly rayâ—ed and with a speedy march to haâ—â—e to Eylenburg Banniere whose provident eye was not fixt only upon his own Campe at Torgaw but looked after his Confederates in all places had notice of Ghleens designe and to relieve the City drew out of his Army five Regiments of Horse and a 1000 Dragoons committed them and the busines to the care of the Generall Lesle who brought them as farre as Eisleben but there being certified that Ghleen had raised his siege and was gone towards Saxony stayed his journey and marched after them to observe their posture and intention The Baron being joyned with the other Imperiall Commanders the desigue against the great Fort at Wittemberge was first put into execution The Sconce at Wittenberg The Fort was guarded by 400 men who for a time defended themselves bravely spent divers shot upon the Campe made out sundry sallies omitted nothing that could be expected from besieged resolute men But the Imperiall Army which was before it with its ful strength and the Saxon-vitzdumb who commanded in the City returturning 20 Canonadoes upon the Fortfor one so battered it that May 1â— 301 the Garrison was brought to capitulateâ— and upon condition to depart with baggage and armes about 10 in the Evening they marched out yet the common men were constrained to take service under Hatzfield and the Officers only were dismissed Colonell Osterling who commanded there for the Swede and was a native of Hall being carried as a prisoner to Dresden The Sconce was no sooner surrendred but a Swedish Musquetier came with tydings of succours from his Generall to the late Governour the purport wherof was that 10 Squadrons of horse by Land and five ships loaden with Musquetiers by water were come to relieve him and come indeed they did though too late to that service yet time enough to embroyle the Imperialists in a new adventure The Imperiall Generall had notice of theiâ— comming and prepared to receive them he knew they were come to the black Elster planted eight Ordnances against them upon the Elue kindled great fires along the way which they were to passe the better to discover them commanded Lieutenant Colonell Wache to expect them in the field and sent out strong parties to succour him yet fayling in one particular circumstance either of intelligence or direction Besieged and taken by the Imper. this Avantguard thus sent out was no better then a foâ—lorn hope though they escaped with out that losse to which their Generall confessed afterwards they had been exposed upon his better information The Swedes march was not like that of an Enemy but a Friend they met the Imperialists and saluted them by the names of fellows in Armes Friends Comeradoes profest themselves to be Saxons that they came to tender their respects to the Imperiall Generall to congratulate his good fortune at Eylenburg and to assist him against the Swedes the Enemies of their Prince and Country at Wittemberge and with these oily words having deluded the first watch surprized them suddainly and went on in confidence of this auspicious beginning But Omnia in se redeunt fictam personam nemo potest ferre diu though this fucus served them as a Gyges ring to make them invisible to the first the second watch discovered them but they giving notice to Wache by discharging their Musquets of the Swedes approching advertized the Swedes also to make a fair retreat as they did and so escaped the trap which was laid for them Wittemberge Sconce was lost yet Banniere neither lost his judgment credit or fortunes therby He accounted it but as a piece of Copper for besides the place which he had made use enough of for impoverishing the Saxons subjects about it he lost there but eight Ensignes and three peeces of Ordnance and got a piece of Gold for it a convoy of wine A convoy of provision surprized by Banniere and other provision was sent from Dresden to Hatzfields Army that hee surprized put the Guard to the sword and retained the store It had been a good purchase if hee had wanted it but his wants were supplyed otherwise and that more abundantly and more gloriously Lucka a Citie of note in the lower Lusatia Lucka sutendred to Lesle the Magazine of that Province was about the same time surrendred to the Field-marshall Lesle and the Generall Pfal whom his Excellency had sent thither to make provision for his Army and there they being furnished with more then the whole Swedish Campe could well spend in three moneths besides what they got in the Villages and divers other Market Townes which they pillaged and spoyled
face as if himselfe would go into Poland sent 400 Waggons towards Bosna The Earle of Gallas was informed by his spyes of each particular the Swede had done yet stirred not till he understood of Banniers discamping and then imagining that he had him cock-sure sent his carriers with Letters of assurance to the King of Hungary and Elector of Sanony to acquaint them with the Swedes desperate estate and then advanced with his Army towards the Coasts of Poland to surprize him before he could reach any place of shelter Ille animosque tuos operamque eludit inanem The Generalissimo's augury fayled him Intends again to surprize him and again he escapeth Banniere had designed to steere another course and not to touch at Poland and whilest the Earle is expecting him upon the Frontiers of that Kingdome he returns to the Oder by the way of Drosen passes the River with his Cavallary Artillery Infantry and baggage above Custrin and July 4 14 arrived safely at Newstadt in the Vekker-mark a small days journey from the Fort of Swhedt whither Wrangell was come before Iuly the ninth old stile with 4000 horse and 8000 foot and where the two Generals the same day conferred mouth to mouth and conjoyned their Armies to the great admiration of the Imperiall Commanders at the prudent carriage of the Swedish Generall And joynes with Wrangell at Newstadt and the patience and industry of his souldiers who in so short a space without murmure or mutiny had marched 270 English miles and yet their greater indignation seeing their hopes thus milked and expectations frustrated So many dangerous and hard adventures being past the union of the two Generals and happy conjunction seemed as a festivall and Wrangell in token of the joy which hee felt by meeting with his fellow Consull in that forrain Land presented his Army in battaile array and exprest himselfe by the lowd throats of 48 peeces of Canon which in token of a bien-venu to Banniere he caused to be oft-times discharged triumphantly Worldly prosperitie might have some plea for title to our humane happinesse if it was certainly permanent But there is a vicissitude of passions and fortunes nor was the Swedâ—s jovissance of long continuance Gallas returning from the Polonian Frontiers Lâ—â—â—bog surrendred to the Imperialists sate downe before Landsberg and the Swedish Garrison there seeing the Imperiall powers begirting them though they had lately received a new accreut of seven Companies of foot surrendred the place upon composition and accorded to serve under his colours This losse was not for all that of such consequence as might make their fortunes desperate Towns might be recovered but lives cannot The Swedes though supplyed with new forces by the Baltick Sea which they providently kept open for their use were not strong enough to maintaine the Cities and Forts which they were possessed of upon the Elve Southward but left them to the care of the presidiaries placed thâ—rin but for conservation of their men beingthen 24000 strong effective no care was omitted no labour thought too much nor cost spared and first with indefatigable pains they fortified themselves neer Custrin on the one side of the Oder Gallas doing the like on the other yet neither Swede nor Caesarean for some few days attempting any thing against the other to the astonishment of the inhabitants in the Electorate of Brandenburg who seared the like cloud of desolation hanging over their heads which fell so lately like a Cataclysâ—e â—n the Duke dome of Saxony so many spoyling bands being at once seared in their Territories Austria all this time enjoyed the sweet blessings of peace no invading Enemy appeared in the Arch-dukes Dominion the Court reassumed its former luster by the return of their Prince from Prague which had bin a little obscured by his absence and to make its glory full a Marriage was concluded betwixt Caecilia Renata â—â—ter to the present Arch-duke and daughter to the deceased Emperour The gallantry of Poland Iuly 13 21 came to Vienna Cacilia Râ—â—aâ—â— the Archduchesse married to the King of Polaâ—d to conduct their new Queen into the Kingdome to the number of 4000 men and had not they contended amongst themselves for precedency the sword had not been seen there unsheathed and yet the controversie was rather a brawle then any serious contestation the windy ambition of some arrogant Poles blew the coal which was kindled and that was sodainly again extinguished by the Arch-dukes care who sent his Guard for conservationof the publike peace and so ended the quarrell without drawing bloud The disorderly carriage of these Poles hindred not Hymen in doing his office betwixt the two Princes Iuly 30 9 their nuptiall Ceremonies were accomplished in the Augustines Church at Vienna Prince Casimire by a proxie supplying the place of his brother the King when after Saint Ambrose his Song and the Canons of the City discharged three severall times a magnificent Supper was made to attend these Nuptials in the great Hall belonging to the Imperiall Knights for the King of Hungary the Polonian Prince Casimire the Queen of Poland the Princesse Claudia Archdutchesse of Tiroll lately come thither the Arch-duke Leopold William of Austria and the Polish Embassadours and two days after Goeth into the Kingdome the late married Queen attended with her brethren and Lords of Poland went first to visit the Empresse Dowager at Lavenbourg whither she was come from Gratz in Styria to take the aire of whom shee took her leave August 12 2 and set forward for Poland the King of Hungary accompanying her to Znaim in Bohemia the Archduke Leopold William to Nicholasburg in Moravia and the Archdutchesse Claudia into her new Kingdome The Alliance betwixt the King of Poland and the house of Austria was renewed by this marriage but the truce betwixt the Pole and the Swedes was nathâ—esse continued 1500 Pollacks entertained by Banniere and whilest the Courtiers were in their gallantry at Vienna 1500 Poles good horsmen and old souldiers offered themselves to Banniere who entertained them and to give them assurance of his true affection made them of his life-guard and now the military men on both sides began to tread a Pirrhick measure after the Musique of Drums and Trumpets each party so ordering it selfe that it neglected nothing which might advantage it self and offend the other The late united Swedish Armies by consent of their Generals for preservation of their Towns about the Elue and the Oder are again separated Wrangell re-enforced with a new Regiment of Swedes under the conduct of Thuro Oxenstieru marching to Anclam neer Mecklebourg and Banniere toward Stetin Gallas did the like and sent one part of his Army towards Newstadt and the other into the Vekkermark watching the opportunity to imploy them fortunately Banniere hoped by time to waste the Imperiall Army whose provisions were fetched from farre and at first seemed rather to provide for a defensive then offensive warre demolished
the Fort at Swhedt that it might not be serviceable for his Enemies repaired the old Fortifications made by the deceased King of Sweden at Stetin yet in fine seeing that Gallas advanced towards him and got ground hee took the weapons of offence too and used them not altogether vainly Neither Army stood any longer idle all betook themselves to their Armes shunned no danger nor spared no pains to promote the cause of that severall and respective Prince and Country for which they stood ingaged August the first new stile the Swedish Colonell Charles Gustavus Wrangell a Kinsman to the Field-marshall being advertised that in the new Brandenburg lay ten Companies of Imperiall Dragoons making in all about 700 horse under the command of their Colonell Debroll Ten Compaâ—â—es of Dragooâ—s and 300 horse entirely by Charles Wâ—angell and 300 other horse commanded by Winzen drew out 800 of the most valiant Cavallieres in the Army at Anclam marched directly against them surprized and slue the major part of them in the first assault 300 common men only escaping with life but not with liberty with three Lieutenant Colonels two Rit-masters and three Captains whom to honour his victory he brought as prisoners of warre to the Camp with two Cornets gained in the battaile which hee reserved as monumentall remembrances of that Victory Schlang the Swedish Colonell the day following was attended with the like good fortune notice was given him in the Campe of Banniere by Stetin that two Regiments of foot levied in Prussia One Brandâ—â—burg Regin 〈◊〉 of foot defeated by Sâ—â—lang for the service of the Brandenburgher were already upon their journey in the lower Pomerania under the conduct of Dobitz or Dorbitzer their Colonell and thither hee presently marched in the head of his own Regiment and some other borrowed troopes with so good speed that at night having found one of the Regiments neere Schiffelbein he surprized them sodainly defeated them totally put them all to the sword except 100 whom he made captives and some few which saved themselvs by flight from the fury of the Conqueror It was enough which he had done already for the accomplishment of his designe there needed no blowes to dissipate the ther Regiment the report of the sate which befell their consorts made them disband Another dâ—â—bandâ—th and the officers taken with the like feare had not courage to conduct them further on but returned with the common men to their dwelling places The Pollacks which were so lately entertained by the Swede A party of Imperiall horse defeated by the Poles about the same time began as auspiciously to do him service a party of the Imperiall Cavallary then lodged at Stargard in low Pomerland was by them encountred and rowted with the losse of 150 men whom they slue upon the place and these happy beginnings gave life again to the Swedes but such a life as is the neutrall state of man neither in sicknesse nor in health the Imperiall Army presently employing all its power to recover these losses either in specie with the bloud of the Swedes or in value by surprizing the Towns of which these Northern strangers held the possession in the Empire Gallas the Generalissimo who was then encamped at Angermond was yet Commander over a vast and numerous hoste many hands were ready for action when he but held up his finger of direction and he intended to set them all to work in several places at once that so dividing his own he might separate the Swedes which now being so neer each other and so well fortified were able to hold him play though they were far inferiour to him in number only he wanted victuals for his Army Banniere in his passage over the Oder having cut off many Sutlers which followed his Campe the Marquisate not able to provide for him and himself having no other provision then what the Imperiall Commissary Generall the Baron of Pesh-witz had sent him by shipping down the Oder from Silesia yet in this distresse he layes all his Irons in the fire at once and his industry found out the meanes to relieve his necessitie His first designe was the repaire of the Fort at Swhedt which though he attempted first by dispatching Coloredoe thither with 500 common Souldiers five peeces of Ordnance Pioners Canon-baskets and other materials required in such an Expedition and afterwards with the strength of his Army taking up his head quarter there to that purpose yet could not effect it Stalhanse who lay in the New marke with 32. regiments of horse beating off Coloredoe and Banniere who lay entrenched about Damb and Stetin stâ—fâ—ly opposing the Generalissimo and spending some shot not idly upon the Ship-bridge which he would have layed over the Oder there for the perfecting of his project His next designe was against Ratenaw and those places upon the Elve which yet held out for the Crowne of Sweden and there he went on thrivingly both carrying the places and furnishing himselfe from thence with such provisions as the Swedes had laid up there in abundance as in a Magazin for their owne provision Kliezing was appointed his Lievetenant Generall for these expeditions who with 13. regiments came first before Ratenaw summoned it and after one assault which the garrison beat off Ratenew surrendred to the Imperialists Havelberg taken by assault had it surrendred upon faire tâ—armes of composition Havelberg was the next which he tooke by assault put all the Germans he found therein to the sword but gave the Swedes quarter upon a promise made him by the late Governour the Colonell Thomas Thomason who undertooke that the Commander in Werben being an officer of his regiment should surrender upon the first summons though herein he fayled the Governour there flatly denying the proposition when it was moved and affirming that he ought him no obedience being now a prisoner to the Caesarcans Gentler words and sharper actions would have done better His tongue spake as loud as his Canon and did no more harme then a piece of ordnance charg'd onely with powder the windy content made a roaring noyse the solid materiall for battery was wanting and the cracke might terrifie but no otherwise endammage his enemy Werben besieged by Klizing The Commander spake words of defiance and it was conjectured that so strong a piece as Werben was so well manned so well victualled so well guarded by an able and valiant society of Presidiaries so well mannaged by a daring and braving Commander would have caused a longer step to Klitzings victorious and hasty and no lesse victorious then hasty proceedings then attended it the braving Governour whose exploits kept no proportion with his words after a short siege without a breach made without fear of enforcingnecessity being sufficiently provided of ammunition superabundantly of stomachichall provision surrendring it to the enemy upon dishonourable tearms the condition of his owne and the souldiers liberty and baggage saved despicable