he removed to the Village of Laos upon the River Deulle with his Troops taking up all betwixt Laos as far as Helesme where the Marquis of Humieres had taken up his Next the Lorrainers took their quarters towards the River of Marque and next them the Marquis of Bellefons with his Troops lay from the Lorrainers to the River Deulle towards the Abby of Marquet And last of all the Count of Duras took his post on the other side of the River whose Camp reacht to the Village of Lambersart and coming â—ack to the River again made a compleat Ring of the Circumvalâ—ation Things being thus disposed the eleventh at night about nine a clock all the Army stood to their armes every Troop having his Tools ready they advanc't 800 paces towards the Town where to secure their Camp against the Sallyes of the Enemy out of the Town which is one of the biggest in the Low Countries and without comparison most populous of any in subjection to the King of Spain for they were reported to be 20000 men bearing arms in the Town besides the Garrison they began to entrench but this was not finisht the first night but within two nights after was so compleat they planted thirteen small Field-peices upon them to secure the line and restrain the besieged from sallying which they had no mind to at all for without any interruption to our work they contented themselves with firing their great Guns into our Camp and especially into the Kings quarters where they saw most people The siege then being of great importance on which side soever it is considered the King to put himself into a condition of compassing his designes and to furnish himself with all manner of provisions before he opened his trenches Commands in all the country about to assist in his Line Severall Convoys are sent to Arras Bethune Tournay and Doway for Canon Powder Bullets and match in short all things were ordered to be had that were necessary in so great a siege About this time it was the King understood the Queens discomposure for his absence and the indisposition of the Dauphin However he concealed the trouble he had for that as well as other misfortunes he had received at the beginning of this siege there it was he heard the Prince of Ligne had fallen upon 300 Horse of the Garrisons of Charleroy and Phillippeville had routed them and taken the Marquis of Vaubrun-nogent who Commanded the party Prisoner with most of his Officers besides what were left upon the place there it was he had notice that the Garrison of Cambray Valencien to give him some diversion had been abroad had Plundred and burnt Riblemont Marle other considerable Houses about Capelle and that then Marsin was marching to Ipre to give him interruption both in his Camp and towards the Sea in both which places he was noâ— provided over well Here it waâ— also he was advertised that thâ— Enemy appeared about Oudenard and it was to be feared they might recover that place with as much ease as we had taken it for which reason Beauveze was Commanded out with a party of Horse to discover who found it nothing and gave the King notice the Enemy had drawn together at Alost but were retired to Dendremond with out leaving any Garrison there Besides all these the King was troubled after four or five dayes with an exceeding pain in his teeth which could by no means be lessened whilst he continued at his lodging at Bioüvac where he lay every night exposed to all the mists and fogs that were constantly occasioned by the extraordinary heat of that season Notwithstanding all which perplexities he must of necessity attend the conservation of what he had gained which nothing but so brave a Person as he could have done to that end he gave all Orders himself daily and without any other regulation of the controversie betwixt the Marshal General of the Camp and the other Marshals of France touching priority of Command he sends away the Marshal d' Aumont with the residue of his Forces to encamp about Tournay His Army was then but small he having drawn out two Regiments of Foot to the Leaguer at Lille that is to say the Regiment of du Plessis and a Regiment of Harcourt in exchange of which he only sent them the Regiment of Alsatia which the Campagne had exceedingly weakned most of the Germans of which it consisted being either sick or run from their colours as most of the new Regiments that come from that Nation into the French service do besides the Comte de Lorges Marshal to that Army of de Aumonts had drawn out a thousand Horse for the visiting of Lille and was not returned the King having Commanded his Troops for the securing of the River Lis as also Varneton Comene and Menene least by that way the enemy should attempt to put relief into the Town insomuch as the Marshall had not above four or five hundred Horse left with him There were four Companies of the French Guards and three Swiss Companies in the Garrison drawn out of Tournay so as the charge of that Town lay upon his Foot besides that he was to have an eye upon At h to secure the passes over the Sceld and the Scarp as also Mortaigne S. Amand and Marchienne whither he was was fain to send several of his Army In short it lay almost wholly upon him to defend all that was at any distance and to look to the security of the Campagnia the Marquis of Crequy not being yet come up with his Troops out of Luxemburg where he had been imployed all this while But to returne to the siege of Lille the King Commanded that all the while betwixt the tenth and the eighteenth should be spent in fortifying their Leaguer both against the Town and without and in furnishing the Camp with all Provisions both of Victuals and Ammunition they should have need of The Marquis of Louvoy a person of great activity had the care of all and in particular of the Artillery in which he took great pains that nothing might be wanting for in this siege the King was resolved to use all his Force as if his reputation all over Europe had been at stake this bout all that he had done hitherto having been an effect rather of the terror of his Armes then any real experiment of his strength Moreover in all Armies but especially where there be many Courtiers as there was alwayes about his Majesty there wants not such as will never approve any Councels of which they have no part themselves and who constantly decry all enterprises that appear doubtfull as this of Lille did to the end that if it miscarried the greatness of their judgments might appear or at least they might for a while lessen the reputation of him that had the charge And of this sort there are many who by the mischief they doe that way redouble the care that is
were but 200 Souldiers in the Town and that the principal Inhabitants had already resolved to deliver up the Town and attended only his Majesties appearance with his Army to surrender it into his hands But both these opinions were disappointed in the event for the Army which was then incampt at Helchin some three leagues from Courtray four from Oudenarde and four or five from Lille on a sudden on the 30th of that moneth marcht cleer back again the King having the day before Commanded out the Count de Duras with two Brigades of Horse and the Comte de Lillebonne with all the Lorrainers in order to a design upon Doüay and these Troops being advanced to strengthen it al the Army followed with great marches so as on the second of July the Town was besieged on all sides The King at first would take up his quarters at Barbieres a Village upon the Scarpe neer the Road betwixt Doüay and Arras but this Town being too far off and it being believed the Town would require circumvallation he removed and lodged himself in la Mottes quarters nearer the Town and more capable of being fortified Whilst they were ordering the Camp the King having din'd at a Villedge of Esquierchin perceived as he was getting a Horseback some of the Enemy drawing out of the Town and advanc't to a little Chappel some 7 or 800 paces without their Counterscarpe which gave him a great desire of seeing them nearer hand he Commanded out presently a small party of the Colonels Regiment that was then by to charge them and take some Prisoners if they could Mazel Master of the Horse to the Vicompte de Turenne with some others putting themselves in with this party and having ordered two Squadrons of the Guards to relieve them they advanc't and without so much as stopping at their Vollies they advanced to their Turne-pike behind which the Enemy being retired our Forces were open to all their shot both Canon and Musquet Notwithstanding which there were not above two or three wounded amongst whom Lestang an Ensigne of the Guards of Turenne was one and another Named S. Rut. Some persons of quallity stole away from the King also to be present at this action and amongst the first of them was the Comte de Soissons and the Comte de Avergne It is no great matter to guess the Reasons that brought his Majesty before Doüay For this Town being of very great consequence in those parts being situate upon the Scarpe some five leagues below Arras and capable of receiving great numbers of men and the yeilding great supply of Provision for the Army we could not take in any thing of more importance or that could contribute more to the keeping of Tournay which without the communication of this Town was not easily to be kept Besides he had advice the Town was but ill man'd and not like to hold out long and that the Scarpe Fort which is a Fort consisting of five Bastions built in that Marsh which makes the River and gives it its name about a Cannon shot below the Town was also very ill provided and upon these reasons the King resolved to attaque them both at one time as well to astonish them within as to take away all hopes of relieving them without which would have been very easie another time in respect the place was of that extent it would require a vast line of circumvallation and without that it was impossible to attempt either the Town without the Fort or the Fort without the Town at least to block them up so as to prevent their reliefs but in spight of the strength or feebleness of the Enemy the Vigilance of the King and his Captains overcame all difficulties For on the third at night our Trenches were opened by fourteen Companies of the Regiments of Guards where Marshall Grammont their Colonel was present as sick as he was as he had been before at Tournay The Guards began their works as they had design'd to attaque the Ravelin before the Gate towards the Village of Esquierchin and the Regiments of Picardy and the Kings on the other side began theirs towards the half Moon that looks towards Quinchy There happened nothing singular in these attaques saving that the Trenches being very large and deep they raised a battery the same night of ten peices of Canon betwixt the works which was in condition to play by four a clock in the morning Le Renché a Captain was wounded here but very slightly and scarce one man lost The fourth at night the French Guards were relieved by the Swiss Guards that is to say by seven Companies of them and the Count of Soissons Generall of all the Swiss in the French service at the head of them They entered the Trenches about seven at night exposed to all the Canon of the Town which was a great number and perhaps as well planted as ever any were The King visiting the Trenches approved very much what they had done but he had much more reason to commend them the next day when he understood that the 400 paces of Ground remaining betwixt the head of their Trenches and the Ditch of the Counterscarp was secured by the works they had thrown up that night and that all the Trenches were in a good condition by six a clock in the morning Nor was this all the Marquis d' Humieres Lieutenant General that da◠having proposed to the Comte de Soissons to attempt the ditch to sound it and throw in some Faggots in order to their advancing the next night The Swisses animated by the example of their General who was present all the while would shew no weariness for what was past but having begun a mine by eight in the morning they peirc't their ditch by noon though they had neither plancks nor blinds nor any thing necessary in such an Enterprise There were two Officers that Commanded in the Trenches one was Aspremont a Captain in the Regiment of Guards who mannaged all the works and exprest himself in that a man of more then ordinary understanding the other was S. Fere a Captain of Horse who had put himself then amongst the Voluntiers that accompanied the Marquis de Humieres These two Officers desiring to signallize themselves by some action extraordinary proposed to the Commanders in the Trench to swim over the ditch and lodge themselves on the other side as well to render the structure of the Bridge the more easie as to make it the more formidable when it should be done and by the boldness of the enterprise to frighten the Enemy perhaps from the point of their work their proposal was applauded though contrary to the rules of so great a siege And having chosen a certain number of souldeirs that could swim they stript themselves upon the Spott and S. Fere with seven Swisses only without other Arms then their Pickaxes and shovells swam over the ditch and placing themselves on the other side they
fell to their work to shelter themselves as well as they could but S. Fere having the curiosity to stand right up and peep over their blind received a shot from a Musquet in his body and dyed within a quarter of aâ— houre Aspremont in the mean time was with some of his Voluntiers and Swisses in the ditch labouring to fill it up as much as possible and of the seven that swam over one of them only was killed the other six made their work defensible and the Bridge being by five in the morning so finisht that they might pass over dry they sent over from the other side a Sergeant with twelve Souldiers well arm'd to make good what their six comrades had thrown up All this affaire both in the night and day cost about 40 Souldiers and two Officers slain or wounded but amongst the Voluntiers there were several persons of quality ill handled the Marquis de Noisy Maupeou was wounded that night by a Musquet shot in his head of which he recovered though it was judg'd mortall at the first The Comte du Broutay sometimes Camp-master to the Regiment of Navarre received a shot under the Arm-pit and died a few days after The Marquis de Termes was wounded in the thigh the Comte de Combourg on his foot Monmont in the shoulder and a little before the Trench was raised the Comte de Blin received a shot with a facileon bullet on the top of his arme which brake the bone so as it was believed he would dye of it as he did in the conclusion There was several others wounded with their Canon but the Prince d' Espinoy who was shot in the Arme and Brissac a Lieutenant in the Guards are all I can remember As to the approaches of the Regiments Picardy was relieved by the Regiment of Auvergne but not being there I can give no further relation then that Vauban Captain in the Regiment of Picardy that commanded in that work received a Musquet shot in his face For the same reason I shall pass by what was done on the Comte de Duras his side having heard no more then that being encampt with his Forces on the other side of the Town towards Cambray and Valecienne and desirous that his Forces also should have their share in the honour he beg'd of the King that he might make his effort on his side also whither having drawn up the Regiment du Saut on the fourth at night and having found no great resistance with no great difficulty he lodged himself the same night on the Counterscarp Insomuch as the Enemies seeing themselves overlaid on every side and perswaded otherwise by the reasons of the Comte de Gramont whom the King had sent to summon them they demanded a parly and obtained a cessation of Arms that very fifth at night at least on the Guards side for on the side the Regiments of Lyonnois and Louvigny were on who were apparently ignorant of the Truce they past the two ditches and lodged themselves upon the half-moon which proved to no great purpose the Hostages being given before All the rest of the night was spent in making their termes which were that all the Souldiers consisting of about 300 Foot pittifull fellowes and ill provided with three Troops of Horse of about 120. should march out with their Armes and Baggage but no Canon which was performed the seventh of the same month and they conducted to Valencienne The Scarp Fort was attempted distinctly by the Count de Lillebonne and some other Troops Commanded by le Bret Marshal de Camp to whom the King had given the Charge of that affaire They opened their Trenches on the fourth at night by the Regiment of Champagne which having began its approaches along the Marsh carried them on within twenty paces of their Counterscarp without the loss almost of one man The next day this Regiment was relieved by the Regiment of Castelnau who observing the small resistance that was made past over the ditch before the Counterscarp and in two several places lodged themselves at the very foot of the Pallisadoes of their False-Bray and forc't the Enemy to leave their main Guards and in short all their out Guards insomuch as they beat a parley and their Articles being made they marcht-out with their Arms and Colours but not Canon and were conducted to Valencienne So that Doway which never durst for the space of five and twenty years after the gaining several Battels be attempted was taken in three dayes and its Fort which was believed impregnable by reason of the water and â—lâ—â—es with which they could drowned all about both the Fort and the Town The King made Aspremont Governour who had been so instrumental in the 〈…〉 taking it and gave him eight Companies of the French Guards and six of Swisses Commanded by Sury Captain of that body but no Horse in respect that all his Family the most part of the Equipage of the Court were then at a distance whilst the King who was then departing for Compiegne began his journey But the reason why the King left the Army at that time is not yet come to my ears all that I can say is that there were several marcht off with him that never thought it necessary to come back All this while the Marshal d' Aumonts Army was at Armentieres where to prevent idleness they had began to repair the old works But judging the small Garrison left there would be in no great security the Marshall removed from thence and brought his Troops nearer Lille encamping about Hautbourdin some two leagues from the Town to the end he might block up that Garrison that made its constant excursions either upon our Convoy or to the very Gates of Tournay But for the father incommodity of this great Town they put fire to all the Windmills that were near it which amounted to near 50 or 60 which could not be performed without some â—kirmishes without outting off some particular persons by their Canon About this time it was â—he Foot Regiment of Normandy and the Queens Regiment having met in the night without discovering one another they charged and as was reported in the Kings Quarters could not be got off till 30 or 40 men were slain in the place The 9th of this moneth the Marshal General of the Camp remaining sole Master as it were he rose from before Doway and encampt about two leagues from that place near an Abby of Nuns called Flines just upon the Road to Lille and on the their side the Army advanc't to Cautice about half a league distance from Orchies where their design was to attend the returne of the King During the 15 dayes the Army â—emained incamped there was no great matter past the Enemy having no great party of Horse in the Field they conâ—ented themselves to sally now â—nd then out of the Town in â—mall bodies to incommode us in our forraging and convoys from which they seldome
returned without some prize Lamezan somtimes Ensign of the Gens d' armes belonging to the King with three or four Voluntiers and their equipage going from Arras to Dourlens fell unluckily into their hands Lamezan was kill'd there and another Voluntier called Bretoncelles was wounded and the young Villarceaux taken in a Waggon in which he lay sick But this party were near doing a greater exploit for the Duke d' Euguien the comte de Armagnac the Duke de Bouillon and other persons of quallity returning into France with the King and hearing at Court the Army was lying down before Courtray and that their several Regiments were drawn out upon that design that is to say the Duke de Enguin's Regiment with the Brigade of Bissy of which that was a part and the Duke of Bouillons with the Brigade belonging to the Comte de Roy they resolved upon any termes to return into Flanders and accordingly taking the Road to Arras without any other convoy then their own Servants and some officers of the Army that would need accompany them they were in great danger within two or three leagues of Dourlens of being taken by some Troops that seemed to come from Arras And had it not been for de Roche a Captain in the Prince of Condy's Guards who went out to discover them supposing them at first sight a convoy sent for the Duke of d' Enguien from Arras but finding them Enemies he suffered himself to be taken to preserve the rest which if he had not done they had doubtless run the same fortune I forget to mention how the King before his departure had resolved the Marshal de Aumonts Army that had done nothing these two sieges should be imployed upon some place or other of importance to which end he sent him four Regiments of Foot out of the main Army viz. the Regiment of Champagne the Royal Regiment and the Regiments of Orleans and Roussillon and three Brigades of Horse all under the Command of the Marquis de Paguilin Marshal de Camp who carried eight great peices of Canon along with him the Marshall d' Aumont having none before A while after we understood that on the 12th of that moneth the Marshal had raised his Camp and was gone from Pont-à -Tresin near Lille with Peguilin recrutes towards Courtray where they were well informed the Garrison was very weak At this time also the Marshal Turenne drew out five Brigades of Horse under the Command of the Marquis de Bellefons Lieutenant General and sent them for sureness sake to the reinforcement of the siege they tooke their post at Harlebec a Town upon the Lis about a league below Courtray they left about Doüay also two Brigades of Horse and the Alsatia Regiment of Foot to attend the King in case the Enemy should draw into a body and constrain our Army to march to the relief of the besiegers but they had already put in what force they were able the Barron of Limbec with 300 Horse having conducted some Foot in the 13th of that moneth which was the day before our Troops were set down before it But as he was making his retreat the Marquis of Bellefons having got newes of his march pursues and overtakes him in a Town as he was refreshing some four or five leagues off it fell out very luckily for the Enemy for the Town had Barriers and could not easily be entred whereby they having opportunity to get to Horse and some of them having got to a Bridge we must of necessity pass into the Town they repelled the formost of our Troops and after a short dispute retired towards Gaunt without any considerable loss Courtray being besieged in this manner the 14th and the Trenches opened the 15th at night without making any lines the Regiment of Campagne had the honour of the first attaque as being the antientest Regiment in the Army having been six moneths longer standing then the Regiment of Navarre but these Troops and the other on the other side meeting no no great resistance from the Town they took the out-works the first night and the next day the Townsmen treated and yeilded The Souldiers retreated into the Cittadel where on the 17th they were besieged also on which day we threw up two works one in the Plain on the side the Town lyes and the other on the other side But notwithstanding this Cittadel was in a good condition and indifferently well provided with men it defended it self not much longer then the Town for the next day it surrendred and 400 or 500 men that were in it were sent down the River to Gaunt according to the Articles in Boats About this time the King was returned from Campiegne and the Queen with him whom his Majesty had a desire should have a sight of his Conquests and to let her understand that as he had undertaken her interest so he was able to do her reason by by force of Arms when the untractableness of the Spaniard could not be brought to it otherways Perhaps also he would have his new subjects see a Princess of the house of Austria who coming in person to demand her Rights become one with his Majesty now by her Marriage might take away their regret at the changing the Government and leave them without just reason of complaint She was brought at first to Doway where she was received with all possible acclamations which made him desirous she should see Tournay also as well to prevent any exception that Town might take for having been less considered then Doway as also to demonstrate to all the world that he was absolute Master of the Field neither the Queen nor any of her Train having received the least allarme nor heard one Gun goe off in all their march And although they past in the sight of Lille and very near the Isle of S. Amont which was certainly the Enemies they sent away the Court Harbingers on the 25th to take up lodgings for the King and Queen the next day at Tournay but the way being long from one place to the other and very incommodious for an Army to pass especially with so great a Train all the Court came that night to the Camp at Cautice some two leagues higher then the Road they should have come What past that night being no matter of War is not to be expected in this journall nor to be written by a person so little acquainted with the affairs of the Court I shall only say this that all they that had houses in the Kings Quarters made tender of them to the Ladies The King and the Queen making choise of no other then the lodgings belonging to the Vicomte Turenne The next morning by 10 of the clock they arrived at Tournay where the people gave all the expressions of joy imaginable Two days they past there without any thoughts but of their divertisment after which the Queen returned to Doüay in her way to Arras where she was to attend the Kings
stopt their journey they contenting themselves with the firing all the Cannon and Musquets they had upon all that appeared in the Plaine The fifth at night the Trenches were relieved those of the Guards by the Regiments of Lions and of Louvigny and those of Picardy by the Regiments of Saux and Harcourt these Regiments advanc't still having but few Offices hurt and not many Souldiers The sixth the Kings Regiment relieved the Regiments in the Guards Trenches but they could proceed but little because they came at a way that was paved and as it were fortified with the ruines of Houses which made the work very difficult however they found when it was day they were not far from the Counterscarp because they had several officers wounded and many Souldiers kill'd On the left hand the Kings Regiment and the Lorrainers entered the Trenches which they carried on within twelve or fifteen paces of the Counterscarp without any considerable loss amongst people of note there was only the Chevalier de Signac slain a young Gentleman and a Voluntier who would needs assist every night in carrying on the works exposing himself always as much as was possible in these sorts of imployments I do not always observe the names of the General Officers that Commanded in the Trenches it is sufficient to tell you there were in the Kings Army four Liuetenant Generals that is to say the Marquis de Bellefons the Marquis de Humieres the Comte de Duras and Pradelle and four Marshalls of the Camp the Marquis of Vivonne the Marquis of Peguilin Podwits and le Bret of which two viz. one Lieutenant General and one Marshall de Camp were daily in the Trenches and gave orders for the security of the Camp which when they had done they gave constantly their account to the King or the Marshall Generall and then betook themselves to such places as had most need of them There was every day also one of the Aides of the Kings Camp that went to the Trenches to overlook what was done continued there as long as the Troops he came with all there were six of them 〈◊〉 all who relieved one another by turnes that is to say the Comte de Lude the Marquis de Soyecourt the Comte de Chamilly the Marquis de Villars Biscarras and the Baron de la Garde of which number the Marquis de Soyecourt falling sick at that time the Marquis d'Arcy-Martel was by the King deputed in his place The Marshall de Aumonts Troops being disperst in several places during the siege of of Lille the Count de Lorges Marshall of his Camp was drawn out to assist against Lille from whence he was Commanded to the Lis to secure the passage there but the necessity they had of having more Horse in the Line made him be Countermanded and that day the Regiments of Saux and Harcourt were in the Trenches he was there and received a shot in the lower part of his reines and was the only General Officer was wounded for that touch that le Bret received who was a Marshal de Camp likewise was but inconsiderable Whilst things in the Camp were at this pass there came intelligence from all parts that the Enemy was drawing together out of all his Garrisons to form a body and put some relief into the place which occasioned a message to the Marquis de Crequy to march away with his Horse and Dragoons only so as to be in the Camp the 23d of August in the morning being ordered for the more expedition to leave his Foot behind with his Baggage Powder and Ammunition to come along after him under the Command of Espence who was Marshal de Camp to his Army The King thought good to keep only some of his Regiments of Horse and 500 of his Dragoons send him away with the rest to Comene a passage upon the Lis where they were most fearfull the Enemy would encamp for that being but three Leagues from our Camp they might give great disturbance to the quarters of Duras Bellefons and the Lorraines whose Troops were weakest for otherwise coming from a greater distance they did not apprehend they could come near our Lines but we should hear of them Besides this we had intelligence of their march every day from At h we had news they were coming that way and it was probable might attempt that place wherein there were very few Forces though it were but to restore the courage of the people who believed themselves utterly abandoned seeing no effort made either for their protection or defence From Courtray we had advice the Enemy were passing to Gaunt and so to take the Road to Burges towards the Sea where our Garrisons were but small and our Towns in an ill condition inasmuch as there was good reason of suspecting some enterprise or other was in hand Especially they imbarking Cannon upon the Canal at Gaunt to be sent to Burges But all these alarms and the murmurings of several persons about the King could not alter the Vicomte de Turenne's pace in the siege who opposed all their Counsels that advised to deal a little more roundly with the besieged but all that he prest with vehemence to the Regiments when they went into the Trenches was that they should work well and securely not regarding how little they advanc't so that on the seventh day they had fifteen or twenty paces to the Counterscarp left which not agreeing with the impatience of the Frâ—nch several persons took the liberty to decry him for making so great a business of this Town and saying that if they had handled this as they had done Tournay and Doway it had been ours before then the Garrison being no stronger then in those places seeing all the resistance they could make was only with the Musquet and that principally by vollies and those most commonly without aime 'T is true the Cannon they had within was well disposed but it was only against our batteries where we had twenty-eight peices of great Cannon to silence the Enemies if those that were to mannage them would ply them hard that in respect of those five or six peices upon their Bastion on the right where as I have said our Batteries could not play it was an easie matter to make them unserviceable by planting five or six of ours upon a little rising before the Lorraine quarters that was open to the back of that Bastion and from whence they might easily dismount their Guns But all the design these people had was but to lessen the Marshal General whom they asperst with protracting the War for no other end but to continue his own greatness and Authority And through most quarters of the Army this was the only discourse which was intended only to hasten the siege But the French Guards and the Regiment of Picardy having retaken their turn upon the 7th at night it was imagined they might fall upon the Counterscarp that night and accordingly the Marquis de
Guards who with the Chevalier Cauvesson and Captain Camisson were drawn out thence and made a good post which they kept till the next day about ten or eleven a clock when the Swisses came to relieve them The Enemy seeing the half-moon on the left hand was lost also they beat a parly and desired to capitulate This last half-moon was stormed by the Regiments of Auvergne and Roussillon and by 200 commanded men out of the Kings Regiment of whom all the Officers almost were wounded and some of the other Regiments also there were some Sergeants kill'd and Souldiers a good number there was at the other storm some seven or eight of the Kings Musquetiers kill'd and fifteen or twenty wounded but of Officers there was only Colbert Captain of the second Company that received a shot and that but slight too There were several Voluntiers hurt and amongst the rest the Marquis of Bourbonne lost an eye The Guards also lost some Souldiers but they had never an Officer kill'd but Arcis Catinat a Captain who was shot in the knee with a Musquet Bullet and died in a few dayes after In short cessation of Arms concluded the News was carried with all speed to the King about Saturday noon and certainly it was as acceptable as could have come for the Foot began to be weary of the service and of the ill weather which for the five or six last nights had been very bad however the Trenches were reinforc't with more exactness then before because we understood very well the Enemy was at Ipre and it was of highest reputation to his Majesties honour that they should put in no relief now it was so near a surrender Upon this consideration he left his quarters at Loos and removed to the Marquis of Humieres at Helesme whither he brought all his Guards de Corps and two Battallions of French Foot and Swisses that being the convenientest place to give relief to all quarters but especially the Lorrainers where they had no other Foot then the two Lorrain Regiments in whom they had no great confidence as well for their number as that they were ill armed Besides the King was there at the foot as it were of the Trenches and had intelligence every moment and his presence made all things be executed with more care and expedition The Enemy having demanded parley they sent out the Marquis of Richebourg with their propositions who was received by the Marquis de Bellefons that day Lieutenant General and conveyed to the King of whom he at first desired two or three dayes time in expectation of relief engaging if they came not to surrender upon reasonable conditions but these proposals not answering the impatience the King was in of perfecting his conquest he sent him back immediatly and commanded the Marquis of Bellefons to renew the Batteries and ply their Guns as fast as they could But some of them that attended Richebourg back having told him his Propositions were unreasonable in the Condition the Town stood then all their out-works being taken and the Rampart that remained being hardly defensible that it would bring the safety of the Town and the prudence of the Governour in question who had mannaged his affairs so honourably hitherto if by delaying for a few hours they should incense his Majesty and make his own condition worse and expose the people to the hazard of being plundred and all the calamities of a Sack Moreover that he had been overseen not to bring some of the chief Citizens along with him who were a considerable body to have a care of their interest in the Capitulation Now whether he was by these arguments effectually perswaded or whether he had Order from the Governour to abate of his former demands he condescended to propose that some small time might be allowed him to return and confer with the several interests In short after some going to and fro which continued till eight a clock at night all things were agreed The Governour and the Citizens having joyntly sent out their Hostages the Regiment of Castelnau which was then in the Trenches on the left side was about eleven that night put into possession of one of the Gates of the Town and about eight or nine in the morning the Garrison marcht out with Armes and Baggage their Horse consisted of six Companies of the Regiment of Maciet of four of Erbais of three of Gavelans two of Richebourg and some others I know not whose the whole number might be about 7 or 800. The Infantry consisted of 300 natural Spaniards or thereabouts drawn out of several Terces and near as many from Naples but not so good Souldiers about as many English and some 150 Irish proper men and who had the appearance of old Souldiers There was also besides these a part of the Regiment of Rache which were reported to be but six Companies but they made up above 600 men which made it be believed that they being composed of Walloons as they were the most part of the Curlins of the Town and their new Levies had put themselves into those Companies because there was not found one person of that kind though we were informed during the siege that there was 1500 of them within And this with the Governours Company consisting of 30 men was the whole number of their Foot and all these by an inferior Officer with twenty of the Guards only conducted to the Ipre the Count de Broüay not being perswaded to go any-where else because it was rumour'd in the Army they would attempt this place again Whilst in this manner the Garrison marcht out and the Champagne Brigade and two other of Horse viz. that of Bissy and that of Resnel entered the Town the King gave order that the Army should march to see if by any means he could ingage the Enemy It is remarkable that from the time the King understood they parlied in the Town all his trouble was to find out a way to give the Enemy Battel whilst they were together Having to that end had conference with the Marshal Turenne he made the Marquis of Crequy with his Horse and Dragoons to march that very night being Saturday he gave order also to the Comte de Lillebonne with his Lorrainers that he should follow the Marquis as fast as was possible Insomuch as these Troops having refresh't a little at Menene were the next day encamp't beyond Harlebec and having from thence past the Lis at Deinse were advanc't as far as the Canal betwixt Bruges and Gaunt The King having only past through Lille as it werre and stay'd the time of singing a Te deum marcht himself on Sunday after dinner but it being late he could march that night not above three quarters of a League which was near the Abby of Marquette The next day being Monday the 29th he marcht very early in the morning with a design to encamp also at Harlebec where the two Brigades of Horse belonging to Choiseul
he might have some inclination to attend and see what effect his Manifesto might have upon the spirits of the people the War not being yet so far gon but that if they had given any assurance of satisfaction he could have hearkned to their conditions and have saved those Provinces from all the calamities and devastations hath been since brought upon them by his Army But whatsoever was the reason we spent there fifteen dayes in reparing the ruines as well as we could the whole Army working all the while with all diligence imaginable The War being thus begun and no enemy appearing in the Field there was not much Hostility committed the King keeping his Army in as strict a discipline as if they had been in his own Dominions However they did not forbear the prosecuting the War from the time it marcht from about Chasteau de Cambresy and Pilois Camp-Master to the Horse was Commanded out with 500 Horse to fall into the Country for intelligence and to discover if there were any preparation making against them The most part of the persons of quality offered themselves as Voluntiers in this Expedition but the King would permit but some few of which the most considerable were the Duke d' Enguien the Counte de S. Paul and the Duke de Boüillon but their design proved to little purpose for after they had been abroad four or five dayes they returned to the Camp without opportunity of doing any thing During the stay of the Army at Charleroy the Queen as I have said returned to Compiegne but she came back as far as Avesne to enjoy the presence of the King who was there and to take the advantage of that little time he would spare from the care he would needs take to see the place accommodated himself The day she was to arrive the King went out with a good body of Horse some two or three Leagues to meet her and during the four or five days they were together Monsieur who remained in the Camp gave out all necessary orders Some there are that will say that that which carried the King into this part of the Country was not only the designe upon Charleroy which he knew was demolisht before he set out But having a long time maintained a correspondence in Namur and Luxembourg he had hastned his march to encourage that enterprise but I am not so well informed of the intrigues of Government to know the certainty this I only know they were favourers of the house of Austria that spred the report to make the conduct of the King the more odious to the people In short they put Charleroy into such a condition of defence that they left all the great Guns they had in the Camp there and put the Regiment of la Ferte in Garrison and other Companies drawn out of several battalions which they formed into another called the Dauphins Regiment and gave the Command of it to Phisica somtimes Lieutenant Colonel in the Regiment of Turenne the Government of the Fort was bestowed upon Montal with order to continue the fortifications without intermission They left also 300 Horse about Charleroy for their farther security after which marcht the King up into the Country to make his advantage of the consternation his great Army had brought upon the Provinces On the 15th of June he discamp't and marching towards Brussels he took up his quarters about Nivelle whither having at the entreaty of the inhabitants sent two of his Guards to secure them they were notwithstanding contrary to all honour and equity carried Prisoners to Brussels where they lay above two moneths From Nivelle the Army marcht a little above Mons towards Braine-le-Comte and after some days march they came to At h a little Town situate almost at the head of the River Dendre without any fortification but so capable of it that the King resolved to leave a Garrison there and made des Landes who had formerly served the Prince of Condy the Governour Out of divers Regiments there were some Companies drawn out in all about 400 Foot and 100 Horse which were left on purpose to infest and alarm the Towns thereabouts and particularly Brussels which was but eight leagues distant there being no considerable Rivulets betwixt them All this progress was made without any other impediment then from the badness of the wayes the Enemy not daring to shew themselves any where only a Party of their Cravatts earnest upon plunder fell upon our bagage But Rommecour Lieutenant of the Company of the Gardes de Corps being by accident with a Party of Horse near Enchoit upon a design which was the place where this business began he charged them so home he constrained them to leave their prize though they had slain some of our men not without loss certainly to themselves This I am sureof the Comte de S. Geran who served then as Aide de Camp and the Marquis de Bellefont were both very much wounded The Army staid not so long there as it had done at Charleroy they left the Garrison only some pallisadoes to begin their fortifications withall and the King discampt and marcht to the siedge of Tournay a place of great importance but very ill provided with Souldiers and the inhabitants who were very numerous bearing no great animosity to the French under whose Dominion they had lived long for it is scarce an age since they submitted themselves to the house of Austria Besides the King perceived the taking of this Town would be a considerable acquest in respect of its situation upon the River Sceld betwixt Conde and Oudenarde and might especially perplex that part of Flanders is called the Wallonne Country of which that is a Member as also Hainault and Brabant On the 20th of June they began their march but before that he gave order to Comte de Lillebonne a Prince of the house of Lorrain who Commanded the Troopes the Duke of Lorraine had sent to the King and who being not as yet joyned to the Army was quartered about Arras that he should immediately joyne himself with Artagnan who was thereabouts also and that passing the bridge at Avendin he should march away immediately and block up Tournay on that side next Lille which was executed accordingly and the Bridges for communication being finished the King past the River next day with most of his Army and took his Quarters up at the Town of Foryenne having left on the other side of the water the Marquis Humieres and the Comte de Duras with such Troops as were thought necessary for the beleaguering the Town on that side next to Hainault and Brabant and without giving further time to the beseiged to recollect themselves it was resolved they should that very night begin their approaches The place being surveyed we began our approaches on the side of certaine Windmils which are plac't upon a little eminence not far from the banke of the River as you go into the Town The
and Fourilles were drawn out under the Marquis de Bellefons to march towards Gaunt and to follow the steps of the Marquis de Crequy and the Lorrainers The next day the Army past the Lis at Deinse where the King took up his quarter his Troops encamping upon the way whereby they might upon all occasions relieve the Marquis of Crequy if there should be any necessity and the same night he sent away Podwits Marshall de Camp with the two Horse Brigades of Arâ—agnan an Montauban to joyn with the Marquis de Bellefons but they hearing the Marquis had already past the Canal near the Village called Vinderhout some three quarters of a League from Gaunt at a Bridge the inhabitants had made for the convenience of their commerce they followed the same way and found them encampt in two Villages about a League and a half on the other side of the Bridge The Marquis of Crequy being alwayes about half a League before to interpose and stop them in case the Enemies design were to return to Gaunt as the King and the Marshall General conceived they would in which they found afterwards they were not much deceived for Marcin who was at Ipre having no news on Sunday noon that Lille did capitulate and considering there were no Forces left in Gaunt Brussels nor generally in all Brabant nor Hinault he saw plainly all diligence was to be used to retire with his Troops to the relief of those places that might be in great necessity for want of them so as he discampt within an hour after he had received the news marching directly for Bruges and from thence for Gaunt but with his Horse only because he judged the Foot would not be able to follow so fast which obliged him to send them down the River from Ipre to Dixmude by water Marcin being with the greatest diligence he could marcht to Bruges understood there by the people of the Country that the Marquis of Crequy had past the Canal and that he was got into a Country very inconvenient for Horse where he would have much a doe to get off should he advance against him Upon this he immediately sounds to horse putting himself at the head of about 40. divisions he marcht along the way to Gaunt without any delay to the place where he heard our Troops were in which expedition he spent most part of that night but coming near them and having taken some Prisoners he found the Marquis was not alone that Bellefoâ—s was not far off 〈◊〉 at last that the King had past 〈…〉 at Deinse all his Troops 〈…〉 along continually on that 〈…〉 know not well how wel 〈…〉 this news was to him but 〈…〉 rtain a party of his of a 〈…〉 100 came up to the Marquis his out Guards about two a clock after midnight and only giving them an allarme retired The Marquis of Crequy who had kept those Guards on Horse-back all night commanded out a Cornet with 25 Horse which was the Guard aforesaid to follow them immediatly either bring him some Prisoners or be taken himself which was performed happily enough for within an hour he returned with some Cavaliers Prisoners which eased the Marquis of the disquiet he was in by informing him who they were had given him the allarme and accordingly at the same instant he gave order to all his Troops to march keeping before him only that Regiment that had the Guard which was that day the Kings Regiment Commanded by the Comte de Torigny Matignon and which was the first of the Marquis de Rouvrays Brigade He had scarce past a League or such a matter in this order but he overtook three of the Enemies Troops who made a head and took up all the Ground they could possible in that place our forelorns charged immediately but having to doe with those that were drawn and stood firme in a good place which is great advantage in an inclosed Country they could move them but little and there could have been nothing but Skirmishing at a distance had not the Marquis dismounted 100 of his Dragoons commanded by Ranqueil who being drawn upon the right and left hand of the way and giving their Volleys at a convenient distance the Enemy was so startled that the Marquis with the Marquis Peguilin who was sent to him with some Troops from the Marshal d' Aumont the Comte de Torigny the Marquis du Rouvray with ten or twelve Officers besides that were next them having charged that Troop that had possest it self of the way they break it so that all they that made head at first took to their heels and fled in spight of all their Officers could do and were pursued by our Horse above a League where some of them made a stand but 't was but for a short time for they were routed again and pursued above two Leagues more and not one person fac't about unless some Officers who pay'd dear for their valour There were many kill'd many of the most considerable wounded and taken Prisoners amongst the rest the Chevalier Vielleneuve Commissary General of their Horse the Prince of Salme the young Rhingrave Vaudemont and other Officers I know not their names there were also two pair of Kettle-drums and three or four Colours taken with many Horse and about 3 or 400 men insomuch as the Enemy was chased into the Territories of Holland We lost there some persons of condition amongst the rest the Marquis of Crequy's Master of the Horse Gassay Matignon and some others were wounded and the Marquis of Crequy and Peguilin had both of them their Horses shot under them On the other side the Marquis of Bellefons who as we said following four Brigades of Horse considering with himself that he was in the Rear of all and that following their steps that were before he should never see the Enemy not being able to pass either of one hand or other by reason of the hedges and inclosures on each side and conceiving moreover in the confusion they were then in the Enemy must needs retire to Bruges he leaves the Troops of Crequy and the Lorrainers to pursue that way and facing about with his own he marches about two Leagues to the right hand without meeting with any thing when turning again a little to the left he had not marcht long but he fel upon the heels of Marcin who was marching away with 3000 Horse after he had seen the Van of his Troops disordered he leâ—t the way open for such as did run and in good order retreaâ—s towards Bruges having left his Cravates and the Holstein Regiments which he had great Confidence in being most old Souldiers and the Collonel a Dane who not finding his conditions so good under the Emperour had made a better bargain with the King of Spain to bring off the Rear Bellefons Van coming up to the Rear Guard they charged them immediately with the Queens Company and Mousieurs the first under Villiers Command the other
under Valseme who were at the head of the Brigade of Choiseul whose forelorne being well received they durst not pass a little Bridge the Enemy had before them but the gross of our Troop comming up this Holstein Regiment though it received the charge very well and rally'd often was at last constrain'd to give Ground and run but not with that confusion as they did on Crequy's side There was 150 Prisoners and amongst them some considerable Officers as Don Antonio de Cordove Lieutenant General of their Horse besides Kettle-drums and Colours On our side also there were some slain and particularly of the two Companies of the Queen and Monsieur who had been in the Van all the while and some Officers wounded as la Salle Cornet to Monsieurs light Horse It was not long they were ingaged before the news arrived at the Camp of which Pradelle advertising his Majesty though it was not five a clock in the morning his Majesty who was then at Deinse was on Horse-back before most of his party understood the occasion And in full Gallop taking his way that lead to the Canal his Troops had some trouble to keep pace when he came near the Bridge he put himself at the head of Rocehforts Brigade and having taken up for a while to give time for his train to come up he made an Alt attending some news from the Vicomte Turenne who having already past with the Regiments of Monclar and Desfourneaux was advanc't as far as the Village where the Lorrainers lay to be always in readiness for the relief of those should have most need of them Monsieur and almost all the persons of quality of the Court were in this party and several Voluntiers with them But because the passage was strait and dangerous by reason of an old Channel over which there was a Bridge of Stone the Vicomte Turenne would not suffer his Troops to pass till he had first had certain news of the Marquis de Crequy so as they continued there till two in the afternoon before they learnt by the Prisoners that were carried by that the Enemy was routed our Troops returning to their Camp which occasioned them all to repair to his Majesty who was then at the Canal who after consultation with the Marshall General resolved to stay where he was till he had news of the Marquis de Bellefons also for whom he was in great trouble he not coming in till night Resolution was then taken to encamp near Gaunt and the King Commands 3000 Foot from the Guards Brigad from Denise having with him no Infantry at all but some select parties drawn out of the Queens Regiments and de Sourches which the Marquis of Crequy had with him to dispose here and there as he saw occasion In the mean time there were some proposed to his Majesty to summon Gaunt alledging that the Town being great and having only a Garrison of 200 men in the Castle and seeing the Troops that were comming to their releif broken and repelled they might in probability enter into a new Treaty under the protection of France which was reported to have been already proposed by some of the principal inhabitants adding moreover that we were to make use of our time not neglect such opportunities which hapned but seldome and that there could be no inconvenience at all in the attempt but the King gave no ear to those propositions but made answer that he was not in a condition to do it at that time notwithstanding this expedient was found out the Comte of Chamilly as of himself should desire to speak with some of his acquaintance in the Town it being impossible but he had gained some in the time of his residence there with the Prince of Condy and under this pretence give them notice of his Majesties intention and sound them what effect the taking of Lille and the routing of Marcin had had upon their spirits But this trade lasted not long for the Governour would not suffer Chamilly to come into the Town nor speak with any particular person so as he went as he came and they thought no more of the Conquest of Gaunt The next morning which was the last of August the King returned with his Army to Deinse from whence he went to Lille the first of September leaving the Camp with the Marshall General with whom he was agreed what course they should steer It was reported a resolution was taken to attempt no more that year but to put their Troops into their Winter quarters the latter end of October and as many as they could in the places newly conquered that they might have some refreshments after the tediousness of the Campania which began earlier then ordinary and was more troublesome by reason their great marches had put them into an ill condition most of them after a seven years peace having been unaccustomed to the incommodities of War The Vicomte Turenne remained at Deinse and the King went from Lille to Arras where the Queen attended him from Arras both their Majesties went on to Peronne and from thence arrived the sixt of September at S. Germans After which the Marshall Geral having news about the ninth or tenth of the same month that the Enemy was returned to Alost and fortifying apace he marcht immediatly and in three days coming before the Town they within refusing to open the Gates he stormed them the same day he arrived without any intrenchments at all the French Guards and the Regiment of Picardy with some select men fell on on two or three several places but found more resistance then they expected They lost several out of Picardy which had thirteen or fourteen Officers wounded and many Souldiers slain of the Guards there was one Ensign kill'd and some Souldiers and Bartillac a Lieutenant was with a Musquet-shot shot into the body However the next morning the Enemy surrendred and marcht out with their Armes according to Articles and presently after we fell a demolishing the works which though at that time could be of no advantage to us would have very much incommoded us had the Enemy had time to have maintained them the Army continued here some time and from thence went and encampt at Likerque where there was a Castle made some show of holding out but not long Here the Army rested some time that is as long as they found any forrage and afterwards they changed their quarters and marcht to Gamerage between At h and Brussels that they might at once keep what they had got and eat up the Enemies Country At length the time being come for drawing into Winter quarters every Officer General that was designed to any Command went to the quarter appointed him The Marquis de Bellefons should have Commanded Lille Orchies Doway Courtray and Armentieres but whether that imployment pleased him not or whether he had other designes on Foot he came to the Court himself and begged of his Majesty he might be permitted to