them surrendred presently upon fair tearms and so the Duke without blowes became Master of their forrest and free townes but under the protection of the House of Austria Yet here was not the period of his fortunes two companies of Imperiall horse which were sent though too late to re-inforce the Presidiaries in Lauffenburg came in unhappily for themselves to inlarge his victories They met him unexpectedly and were no sooner discovered than vanquished some being slaine others captivated and few escaping death or imprisonment as were also a Regiment of foot which followed them though with some difficulty the place of fight giving the Caesarian Infantery conveniency to fight advantagiously opportunity to retyre more conveniently though not securely in the end they were discomfited with some slaughter and pursued almost to Brisack by the victors which strewed the way with dead corpses and returned to the campe with about sixty prisoners It was an ingenious device of the old Romans to set the temple of Fortitude in so direct a way to the Temple of Honour that no man could come to the last but through the first Glory is not gained without danger The Dukes next designe was upon a strong city Rhinfelden Here he found a strong erreluctancie and by the issue added not few graines but many massy weights to his former gotten glory The Christian King had sent him money to pay his army and that supply gave his men fresh spirits but he wanted amunition and so might seeme to want ability to go forward with this great designe From Schaffehousen hee expected what hee wanted pouder which was sent him downe the Rhine but stayed by the Romish Cantons at Coblen yet hee proceeded in his course daringly not desperately being certified that the city was sick of the same maladie by some intercepted letters which hee found in the hand of a messenger sent from thence to Brisack whom hee apprehended and hung in the sight of the garrison souldiers Being also supplied from Benefeldt Colmar and other townes in the Alliance and under the command of the French King and now he raiseth batteries imployes his pioners to undermine it spares no more paines to subdue it than the city to defend it selfe When having with some small losse to his army got a good advantage upon the city his mines and batteries having broken an assailable gap in the walls and hee preparing to assault it his designe was thwarted by the report of a knowne enemy an army of old souldiers comming upon his backe under experienced leaders Iohn de Werth the Bavarian the Duke de Savelly the Austrian Generall and the Generall Majors Sperrhewther and Enkenfourdt And this for the time caused him to raise his siege to attend their arrivall February the 18 or 28 the Saxon duke began his expedition by that day the Imperial army was advanced into the Blacke forrest by the helpe of the Peasants who first informed the Generall de Werth of the Dukes actions and after cut out his way thorow the brambles and thicke under-woods with their Bills and hatchets to hasten the march of him and his confederats forces Vna cademque manus vulnus opemque tulit The same tongues which by their clamor drew the Caesarian army thither reported their comming and place of residence in the campe and mooved the Duke with six regiments of horse amounting in all to twelve hundred and three hundred musketiers and sixe field pieces to meet him in companie and to adventure the fortune of a battell The Imperialists under the command of Savelli were placed in the right Wing and the Bavarians led by Iohn de Werth in the left of that Army The Duke of Rohan which was casually come to the D of Weymars Camp and would make one in the fight commanded the left and Duke Bernhard himselfe the right wing of his forces And now the battels joyn the field-peeces play awhile at some distance but the adversaries in the end come neere together and then the Musquets and lesser Guns vomited bullets like hall-stones mingled with fire upon their dischargers Enemies It had been too violent a fight to have continued had not the carelesnesse of the souldiers in the left wing of the Dukes army which gave the first charge given the Imperialists opportunitie to renew the combat Wolff the Imperiall Colonell which led the Avant-guard was mortally wounded and taken prisoner with some other Officers and eleven Cornets by which the common souldiers judging that the battell was ended slackt their hands and fell on pillaging to the advantage of the Caesareans which rallyed again and joyned with the other part of the army intēding tobe avenged of the Dukes left wing as in part they were breaking its Ranks seizing of the D. of Rohan as their prisoner though he was presently rescued by a Major of the then Rhinegraves now the Count of Nassaws Regiment The Saxon Duke whose vigilant eye was over his Army and tooke notice of each losse and gain perceiving where his Enemies pressed hardest upon him drew up his foot-forces to make head against them but the Imperialist repulsed them too and got from him four peeces of Cannon and three Cornets The Duke as scorning this check without delay came in with his Cavallary and charged the Caesareans so furiously that he brok their Ranks and it came to pell mell in an horrid confusion upon both sides What slaughter might have followed this tumultuary combat a souldier can judge by experience and reason may informe us by the consequents three of the Dukes Colonels Schavelitzhi Dannenberg and Erdman or Erlach being thereby made prisoners of War and carried into Rhinefelden and 150 of his men sodainly slain as were also 300 of the Enemies But the night drew on and both the Generals sounded a Retreat unwilling to strike at randome Iohn de Werth taking his way towards Rhinefelden into which hee thrust 300 fresh men to strengthen the Garrison and Duke Bernhard yet keeping the field whence hee dispatcht a Messenger to the other side of the Rhine with a command to his Campe there to rise and meet him neer Seckvingen Feb. 19. March 1 where those 4 Regiments of Horse and five of Infantry which lay on the West side of the River met him at the time prescribed Some time was spent there by the Counsell of Warre but not much and some few houres to refresh himself but not many for the next day March 2 new stile himselfe marched with his Infantry and Artillery along the River toward Rhinfelden having sent his Cavallary before under the command of Tupadell through the blacke Forrest and both of them met again the next morning by seven a clock neere Biken the place designed for their common Randezvouz Counsell and Discipline doe more then strength The Duke used all he drew his Army into a close body to conceale its number and therby amused the wary Bavarian who being misinformed by his Scouts tooke the whole number but
the night seeme as glorious as day the great Ordnance thundred out a Proclamation of triumphant victory the souldiers and inhabitants kept Revels and feasting and as if there had been no enemy neer them and after their feeding lay downe to sleepe The Spanish Garrisons of Guelders Gennep Ruremund Venlo and other places upon the Maze conjecturing what the issue of that dayes froliking might be mustered up 1500 men and armed with Petards and such like instruments marched up thither-ward to surprize the City Each circumstance answered their hopes for execution of the Enterprize Undertaken upon good grounds the Lord of Wynbergen was the person to whose care the custody and government of the Towne was deputed He was then absent from his charge and his absence was no small encouragement to the undertakers Common men will assume more liberty when their prime Commander is away then they dare think of while he is with them The darknes of the night concealed their approches and the loud reports of the Canon and out-stretched shouts of the people their actions An artificiall bridge was laid over one part of the outward Moat and a pile of brush-wood and bul-rushes dammed up another the Canons were ready to play and the enemy to enter yet nothing was suspected much lesse perceived by the Garrison and inhabitants How happy a presage was this of their wished end their counsels hitherto found no reluctancy in a still silence they stood armed to give the assault till the triumphs being past and as still a silence in the Town as was observed in the Army gave the assaylants some evidence that then was their time for action The word was given Is prosecuted valiantly and each man conformed himself to an active obedience The assault was made with such violence that one of the gates which was made only for the ingresse and egresse of friends was therby become under the command of the enemies Heere only was the rub which stayed the race of their conquest the draw-bridge was up and that being wanting stopt them in their full carreer But it only hindred their speed and could not divert the resolved Spaniards from prosecution of this thus farre fortunate beginning True valour is not heartlesse upon each disadvantage and a right souldier accounts it his honour to encounter with difficulties Though the way was thus hedged up yet on they went but not with such speed as they intended nor with that happinesse which their hopes had promised The assault was discovered then by a Sentinell whose fear made the danger greater then it was his throat proclayming the state of the Town to be past danger as already in the absolute power of the Enemy The Citizens stood like amazed men and were ready to buy their lives with the voluntary surrendry of their goods to the victor only the Lievtenant Governours heart fainted not hee made good use of the little breathing time the yawne of the bridge had given him beat up the Alarum drew up his Companies together and wisely ordering his half distracted men who by his example took fresh courage fell upon the Enemy with an impetuous violence when having scaled the walls hee ganto cry victoria The end crowneth the work And disappointed happily had the conclusion bin answerable to the premises the Governour of Gelders the principall adventurer in this expedition had got much more profit by the Catastrophe then glory by his well advised Enterprize Wesell had bin blocked up though no Enemy appeared in the field the Spanish Garrisons had incircled it nor could it have received relief from the States conveniently The valour and vigilance of the Lievtenant Governour prevented al with his new awaked men he made an assault upon the over-watched adversary who neither prepared perfectly to defend himself nor offend the Garrison some of his men being upon the wal and rather seeking the way down into the City to endamage the defendants then tosecure themselves others got over the Moat and more expecting the assistance of their companions friends then affronts of their foes and in conclusion with the losse of his own life and 60 of his men repulsed the besieger with the slaughter of some hundreds of his men and many prisoners leaving the name of Wike so was he called more glorious after his death then it was in his life by dying victoriously Yet nor his valour nor fate was all to which the Town was obliged for this deliverance Some other accidents intercided which forwarded if not perfected it The Spanish Canon was not good two old Peeces were planted to scoure the streets when the Gate was laid open and those crasie things upon the first discharging fell on pieces and then the noyse of the Guns within the Town being heard at Wesell not above four English miles thence distant some companies were sent out with 3 Drums to assist their confederates which according to direction beating the marches of 3 severall Nations disheartented the Spaniards from presuming too far as not knowing what Enemy might be behinde them and so caused them to leave their weapons to save their persons their Petards Granadoes Pikes Halberts Harquebusses of crocks and other military instruments being thus made a prey to the victorious Hollander Stratagems in warre are like goodly houses in eminent Cities one is but the model of another This designe of the Spanish garrisons was the pattern of the like to the Statists of Mastricht against the little city of Hanuyit which was undertaken as advisedly as the other and ended more happily though not prosecuted so eagerly Their intentions were different as their issues these last adventurers had no designe upon the place which desired neutrality but upon four companies of Spanish foot and horse which were thrust upon the city as Presidiaries whom the duke of Bovillon intended to surprise by onslaught and to restore the city to its antient liberty To this purpose the fifth of November new stile Surprised at Hanuit withall the Cavallery and some fire-lockes drawne of each company in the garrison nine out of each companies under two Captaines three lievtenants and three ensignes armed with petards and hand granadoes hee marched about eight at night towards the city which lieth in little Brabant upon the frontiers of the Bishop of Liege and arrived there the next morning before day His approach was suspected by the sentinell but not knowne perfectly the Watchman heard a noyse and called his Corporall who comming from the Corps dugard and listning a while in vain for a better information the army upon the sentinels word keeping strict silence returned checking the scout for his vaine feare which he concluded to have troubled his fancy with an ungrounded suspition of an approaching enemy Facile credimus quod volumus Mens understandings are often fooled by their corruptible appetite which presenting things to the sence otherwise than they are deludeth the reason and by a false conception produceth a Phrygian
Buffones representing Don Quixote and his Quire Sancho Pancha the Reare consisting of the Pages Squires Footmen led horses six Knights whose leader Beavervard rode upon a Dromedary all being clothed fantastically like Mountebanks Their devises were thus For Monsieur de Beaverwert a Death with this in French Ie la donne aux autres For the Count of Horn. All instruments of incision in his Shield The word in Latine Seco mel ùs quam sano For the Baron de Pontasier who was dressed like a Don of Spain an Alembick with this word in Spanish Alli dame el fuego d'Amor For Monsieur Major a hand catching of Flyes The word in French Bienheureux quien echappe For Monsieur Monomaker A Fortune presenting a cup. The word in Spanish Non ti sidur For Monsieur de Fosse A hand holding out a bowle of wine The word in Latine Bacchica pocula praestant This was the preparation their action and fortunes followed thus The Challengers and the others repaired to one end of the List to make their course successively according to the order which they observed at their entry The issue of the Tournament All confusion was avoyded every man had his three courses but the prize of that day was carried away by de Lege whose fortune was more assisting to him then his art though he was not unskilfull in managing his horse and launce A Sun-shine day never seems long the inhabitants neere the Pole are said to expresse some griefe when their long day of almost three months continuance is buried in its first short darknesse and that this gallantry so full of delight might not be too soon finished the most excellent Princesse the Countesse Dowager of the Palatinate of the Rhine the illustrious and most high-borne Lady Elizabeth her eldest daughter and the Princesse of Orange give three other Rings to the honour of such as could winne them and prolonged the sport for three days two of which were wonne by Pontasiere and the third by Resear CHAP. III. A Relation of the late Battaile fought between Duke Bernhard Weymar Generall of the Swedish Forces and Iohn D'VVerth chief Generall of the Imperiall Forces March 1638. DUke Bernhard of Weymar who had not unhappily imployed his forces about the Rhine the last Summer and Autumne in the extremitie of Winter after he had victualled Ensisheim Angelstein and Pfefsinguen and left 800 men to guard the Forts which he had built upon the Rhine with an intent rather to abandon them honorably then maintain them desperatly they being not indefence repaired to the Valley of Delspery or Delmont in the Bishoprick of 〈◊〉 to refresh his weary Army where his active spirit would searce let him rest rowsed him again speedily upon the report of the victorious proceedings of his Enemy which made an advantagious the of his absence Let the Bavarian Baron tell his owne story and let his enemies pardon him if they imagine he doth it too gloriously Modesty is not a Souldiers but a womans ornament and let the Orator spare him if hee doe it not Rhetorically or smoothly hee professed not Arts but Arms could manage his sword better then handle his pen. Thus he exprest himselfe in a letter Dated at Offenburgh Novemb. 13 3. and directed 〈…〉 wee should rob him 〈…〉 part of his glory if since hee hath undertaken it we permit him not to be his own Historian Most Revorend Father and most gracious Elector and Lord die I cannot but withall submission certifie your Electorall Highnesse that assoone as I had received certain intelligence that the Duke of Weymar was gone towards Burgundy to take up his winter quarter and my self was able but to sit on horsbacke though the wound I received in the last battail be not yet prosectly recovered the bullet still lying in my body I thought it requisite to attempt and recover the bridge and sconces which the enemy had made over and upon the banks of the Rhine that so I might get a scoure hibernall station for my forces To this end Octob. 31 new stile I passed the Rhine at Brisack with the Alinger Horsmen a part of the foot forces and certain peeces of Ordnance marching speedily day and night with an intent to assault them both by water and land Novemb. 1 I arrived there and viewed the out-most Sconces and Retrenchments on the Burgundian side where perceiving that expedition was required principally for execution and that the foot forces by reason of the uncouth way could not follow so fast as I desired I caused my life-guard to alight and assault the first bridge and Sconce on foot which they did so sunously that they forced the defendants to flie and seek their safety elswhere This was our first enterprize which though it succeeded happily cleered not the way to our easie proceeding The Enemy had thrown off the bridge and so stopped the pallage that we had no other way to regaine it then by demolishing the Sconcs and making use of the timber to repaire it This stay was no small advantage to the Enemy who made use of his time and threw off another long bridge which lay over the second River and took his Posto there yet this losse was recovered by the industry of the horsmen who again assaulted and took in the two Sconces upon the next River and forced the Defendants to run away unarmed into the fourth Sconce where they threw off a great part of that bridge too and gave such fierce fire upon us that I was compelled to attend the comming in of my Musketiers and greal Guas before I could attempt farther against them At last they came and I planted them upon the banke of the River whence by playing continually upon the Iland and Scorce they did much slaughter though they did not break downe the bridge Another Engine I had devised for that service and used it happily Some old vessels filled with powder and fire-balls I caused to be bought from Brisack which being calried downe by the violence or the strcame falling upon the Enemies artificiall bridge tore it in sunder and so separated the Iland from the Reull Sconce which lay on the other side This was a hight-work The ensuing day presented mee with a new busines The Enemy had in the Iland two Sconces and there I perceived him fortifying and endrenching himself for his more safety To prevent him I commanded the horsmen and Dragoons to passe through an arme of the Rhine and the foot forces by boats which I had prepared for that purpose to make over into the Iland and assault the fourth Sconce lying behinde the locond bridge which they did faithfully obeying my directions and effectually not returning without the prize The fifth Sconce lay before the bridge of boats neer before the Reull loōee It was well manned with 200 men and to take it in I caused the Cannon to bee carried over the River and came my selfe in person before it The strong
for a party and as thinking the prey caught invironed them round with all his forces presuming that none should escape His order was thus He placed some choice men in a Spinny neere Rhinfelden with three of those peeces which hee had gotten in the former battell himselfe encamping with Wahls Regiment in the Forrest somewhat further off whiles his Cavallary was ranged in an adjacēt field giving order that at the signall they should all arise together and joyntly rush in upon the Weymarish fearing least otherwise they might attempt to save themselves by flight upon the view of his whole Army The Duke had his desire by his Enemies preparation against him suffered him to come on not discovering his strength till one part of the Caesareans which appeared upon their march the rest being laid in a ditch to conceale them came within 100 paces of them when sodainly the Duke unlocking his close body appeared in his true proportion discharged his Cannon crosse-ways thrice amongst the thickets where the Caesareans were lurking hee did much hurt amongst them and played with his small shot upon the rest The divine wisedome can at pleasure and often doth infatuate the best counsels of men The Bavarian Baron in all appearance to the eye of Reason had so ordered his troups that in probability hee might conclude of a certaine victory but what he imagined would make for him turned to be most against him an higher power to which the conquest must be ascribed so perverting his designes that what was intended for his helpe turned to his ruine and the sword of God in that battell might be apparantly seen above the sword of Gedeon Those Regiments of foot which were laid in Ambuscado for the Duke of Weymar were armed with those 3 peeces of Cannon which they had gotten two dayes before from him and great store of lesser Artillery Some troups of Cavallary were sent from the Bavarian Army towards the Dukes with order to fain a flight assoone as the Dukes forces should come neer them that so they might be allured to pursue them into the trap which was laid for them the project was hopeful yet proved harmfull to the Caesareans for the Weymarish Colonels Collembach Bodendorff pursued the Caesarean horsmen and made them change the nature of their flight from a counterfeit to a true one the Infantery which lay in Ambuscado not being able to relieve them or helpe themselves spending their powder vainly from so low a ground to the hils where the Swedes abode till they perceived the violence of the storme past and collected more then probably that their powder and shot was spent and then assaulting those poor unarmed foot men with all their power rowted them and regained 3 of the Cannons lost in the former battell The Bavarian Generall had ordered the Garrison of Rhinfelden to sally out assoon as the battell was joyned and to gall the Swedes in Flank yet this counsell was defeated to by the providence of the Duke who placed two troups of horse and one company of foot behind the hedges by which they were to march who looked to their charge carefully be haved themselves manfully and forced the garrison back into the City Tupadell all this while was charging upon the Imperiall Horse who stood the first and second shock bravely but fled at the third as unwilling to encounter with the Swede again The Bavarian Generall whose great heart knew not how to yield stil hoped that the fortune of the day might alter and with 1500 horse maintained the fight till 300 of them being slaine the rest fled leaving the lately victorious Generall with his Confederates to proove the vicissitude of fortune and become either examples of weaknesse by a timorous and confused flight or the spoiles of time by an immature death or sport of Fate by imprisonment and vassallage or patterns of inconstancy by changing their Copy and serving under the Colours of their late Enemy The totall of these two Battails I finde thus summed up On Duke Bernhards side in the first battaile were slain the Lievtenant Generall Rhinegrave Iohn Philip the Ritmaster Barsletter and 150 men common souldiers The Generall Commissary Schavelitzky the Colonell Dannenberg Colonell Erdman or Erlach and two Standards of Okeims Regiment were taken prisoners and carried into Rhinefelden The Colonell Keller Ritmaster Plech and Captain Kein were wounded dangerously In the second battaile Colonell Bodendorff two Ritmasters Vorbinger and Klepper yielded to fare with as many ordinary souldiers as fell in the first battaile On the Imperiall side in both battails these became prisoners of War The Duke de Savelli who escaped out of the fight but was pursued by Rosa and taken by Rosa though he had disguised himself in the habit of a Friar the Generalissimo of that Army Iohn de Werth The Count of Enkenfourt and Sperrhewter two Generall Majors of note Three Lievtenants Colonels the Baron de Zell Scharftenzel and Rouger 4 Colonels Neinecker Goldt Hinderson and Wollff 4 Majors Rivarius Anthony de Werth The Major of the Generals Regiment and Iohn Philip Ionas 17 Ritmasters 14 Captaines amongst which is a Count of Furstenburg 22 Lievtenants 32 Cornets 4 Ensignes two Aides de Camp seven Serjant Majors or Watch-masters 39 Corporals one paire of Kettle-drums 1800 foot which tooke service under the Duke of Weymar and twelve hundred horse all which almost did the like there were slaine upon the place in the first fight betwixt three and foure hundred and in the last six hundred and foure hundred upon the pursuite thus the sword was tincted in bloud that day yet as if the dye had not been in grain thirsted after more Three hundred Caesarean horse were gotten into Rhinefelden and so escaped but the next day perceiving the Dukes great preparations to re-besiege it and not thinking themselves secure there would have sought their safety elsewhere and attempted to go to Brisack but were surprized by the Swedes of the Dukes Army and in a generall defeat the Colonell Newhans Lamboy the Count Albert Lamboy the Count Albert of Furstenberg the Baron de Ferents and Newenstein the Commissary Generall of that Army were forced to crave quarter which was given them and they redeemed their lives by submitting to a necessitated captivity The Duke thus victoriously quit of the Army which had undertaken to stop his progresse makes preparation for a fresh siege but before hee put it into execution would first see his noble prisoners and dispose of them in their designed places To supper he invited them and entertained them with like fare generally but not a like aspect Iohn de Werth and Sperrheuter found themselves not so well reputed or nobly welcome as the rest The falutation betwixt his Highnesse and the Generall Werth was in an ironicall complement the Duke often jerking him with some private nippes by remembring some disrespective words which the Bavarian had oft spoke of his Highnesse and in fine placing him at
table below the Duke of Savelli to his greater griefe who looked for place above him in this his eclipsed fortune because he had a command above him whilest he was in his glory Hinc surgit orexis hinc stomacho bilis This passage mooved the Bavarian to such an indignation that his wounds fel fresh a bleeding and that he might dishonor the duke his fellow prisoner translated the losse of the day from himselfe to the others cowardise unskilfulnesse or carelesnesse It could not be grievous to the Saxon Duke to heare them retort injurious words yet as if hee had taken no pleasure therein hee advised them to give place to their fortunes sent for a Surgeon to dresse the Barons wounds and supper being done sent them to their lodgings committing the custody of their bodies to his intrusted Deputies Then he betooke him to bed but that gave him no rest something remained yet to be done before he undertook a new expedition he knew it was not his own arm which got the victory and to ascribe the honour to him to whom it was properly due hee ordained a publique thankesgiving to bee celebrated the next day at Sauffenburgh and his prisoners were not yet in that sphear of restraint to which he meant to confine them Order was taken for this too the General de Werth Enkenfourd and some others were to bee transmitted to Benfieldt the duke of Savelli to Lauffenburg and Sperrheuter Goldt and Hinderson to Hâ—henwiel a strong fort antiently appertaining to the duke of Wirtemberg but of late seised on by the king of Hungary and newly recovered by Duke Bernhard where they are under a strict watch and more closely restrained because the duke de Savelli had escaped from Lauffenburg and evaded their hands The manner of his escape is related diversly the excuse of his Guardians making way to this fable That a woman which waited on him to bring him victuals and dresse his chamber by night let him downe by a rope from the windows of his lodging and afterwards over the city wall The most probable is this The person to whose trust hee was committed had formerly served under the Imperial colours and now to make his peace with the King of Hungary offered his helping hand to the Dukes evasion upon promise that he should mediate with his master procure his pardon and restore him againe to grace which the Duke accepted vowed was dismissed secretly This report is the more probable not onely in respect of that aphorisme of the Politicians There is no trust to be given to a reconciled enemy but in regard of the juridicall proceedings which ensued it a criminall processe beeing sued out against a Major and two Sentinels of Schombecks regiment and three or foure of the Burgesses who were all convicted of conspiring or conniving at the Dukes escape and executed according to martiall law The Duke escaped out of prison by consent of his Keepers and Iohn de Werth was in hope to have been rescued before he was brought to prison by some of his friends in despight of his Convoy March 2 12. Io. de Wert sent to Brisack the Colonell Cullembach attended with three hundred horse was commanded by his Highnesse to carry the Bavarian Generall and some officers which were surprized with him in the last battail to Benfieldt The Garrison of Brisack of which the Baron was much honoured for the services hee had done formerly The Brissâ—kers attempt to rescue him upon the way had notice of each particular concerning that designe the day way and number of his Guardians only they knew not how well they were armed but supposed them light horsmen which were Equites cataphracti armed Cap-a pee made out a strong party to encounter with the Convoy and with hazard of their lives to attempt the recovery of the Generall The provident Colonell who expected such adventurers no sooner discovered them but guarded the Waggons wherin the captives were with 20 Carabins charging his prisoners not to stirre upon forfeit of their lives and his Souldiers which attended them without respect of persons to kill the first which should offer to moove in hope of liberty himselfe and the rest of his Retinue falling instantly with all their strength upon the Brissackers And are utterly defeated by Cullembach whom unable to endure that shock he rowted totally slaying some taking others to mercy and suffering a very small number to escape death or captivity The way thus cleered hee drove on without any obstacle delivered up his charge at Benfeldt and giving this instruction to the late Generall to endure patiently what was beyond his power to amend visited Ensisheim Colmar and Strasburgh which last City he furnished with many commodities returning in liew therof with store of powder bullets and four great Cannon to the Campe at Rhinefelden which he brought thither March 9 19. in 22 Waggons to hasten the period of that siege Duke Bernhard was now setled in his sphere of activity but the Generall de Werth cooped up and barred from action Til this their brains were equally working for honorable atchievements but now their thoughts are fastened upon divers objects Io. de Werth desires to be exchanged for Horn. the Bavarian is hammering out the way for his liberty either by ransome or exchange and sent a Trumpet towards Munchen March 5 15. with petitionary letters to the Duke his Master that he might be redeemed or exchanged for Gustavus Horne in which thoughts we must leave him and the Saxon Duke to prosecute his victory is again returning to Rhinefelden whither this Narration must follow him Assoone as hee had re-begirt the Towne with his Army it was bruited in the Campe that the Generall Goetz by a speedy march was comming to relieve it a report it was which carried some shew of truth there being then a cessation of Armes till the first of May new stile concluded of betwixt that Imperiall Commander and the Hessian Lievtenant Generall Melander And this something delayed the Fate of the Towne the Duke in person with 1500 horse and as many foot the rest of his Army being then disposed about Strasburgh and Brisack going to visit him But the journy was soon accomplished the grand Mountain brought forth a Mouse the Enemy was only a crew of ragged Crabats and undisciplined Boores which had entrenched themselves in the the Waldt-schwartz which before the Duke could reach them were rowted and defeated by the Ritmaster Benheuraiah which shortned his Highnesses Expedition and caused him to returne the next day to Rhinefelden The Leaguer was laid on both sides the River where batteries were raised and nothing omitted which might be any way available to endamage the defendants The Commander and Garrison within for five days expressed a brave resolution once fallying out and with losse of 80 of their owne men making some spoile amongst souldiers from whom they carried away a Lievtenant and a Serjant as prisoners
till his battell with Goetz the Generall of the Caesarian and Bavarian forces Kanofsky having according to the dukes directions commanded out a party towards Brisack 5 regiments of Butlers Infantery defeated by Kanossky sixe of his cavalliers spurring up before the avantgard fell upon the place where our Irish Butler newly come from the French County lay with his Infantery consisting of fifteen hundred men divided into 5 regiments lay intrenched neer Brisack The governor Rhinacker for want of provisions being unwilling to entertaine them they had thought to have amased them by a sudden alarme and unexpectedly to have surprised them but the project failed that place did not give them hope of glory but ministred cause of feare Yet their moderation crowned them with a victory whose rashnesse might have brought them not to losse onely but ignominy The Imperiallists kept a good watch were upon their gard and inforced the adventurers to fly so affrightedly that their countenances discovering their hearts the whole vantgard was possessed with the same cold passion and all the other cavalliers The troupes of Kanofskies horse were then upon a cosse-way hemmed in on both sides with Moorasse not able to turn to the right hand or left there was only one way for their safety which was with their faces about to return as soone as might be This course they tooke and the Caesarians supposing them to fly cowardly pursued them eagerly till having field roome and being not confined by the Moorasses they changed their posture and assaulting their enemies unexpectedly they flew three hundred of them and took no more than 26 prisoners amongst which were two Captaines 3 lievtenants and one ensigne for they would give no quarter to any but this small number Generall Major Tupadel about the same time had sent out a party after some Caesarians 120 Cuirassiers surprised by Tupadel but missing them they re-incountred with 30 cuirassiers neere Aurach in the dukedome of Wirtemberg which presently fled and were so pursued that the Saxons forces entred with them into Aurach so suddenly that they tooke the towne before the rest of the garrison being an hundred cuirassiers whom they put to the sword could have notice of their entry or betake themselves to the castle Roza at the same present was as active and fortunate as either of them he sent abroad 300 horse of his owne Regiment to descry the enemy and observe his posture who first met with 80 crabats the major part whereof fell by the sword that Nation seldome giving or desiring quarter and the rest were taken prisoners by whom hee was informed that another party followed him consisting of 120 cuirassiers 200 Crabats and 6 Companies of Dragons slain and taken by Rosa the certaine place where they lay was shewed him and thither hee posted in speed slew some and defeated the rest and being informed by his prisoners that eighty of their comrades were at Altkirken an Imperiall towne in the dukedome of Wirtemberg to conduct sixe companies of Dragons with their standards and baggage to the Barbarian Rendezvous neer Nordlingen he placed an ambuscado for them attended their comming foure and twenty houres when seeing them upon their march they charged them so roundly they they slew the most of them gained all their baggage amongst which were two carvaches and four standards The Major which commanded the regiment their Colonel Wolfe being slain at the first battell neer Rhinfelden escaped with much adoe beeing shot twice acrosse the body The Lievtenant Colonel and all the officers became prisoners of war and Rosa by this happy occasion master of Altkirken where hee refreshed his Dragons and reinforced his Regiment with a new accrewt of 400 men as did also most of his highnesses Colonells about the same time These checks the Imperiall and Bavarian Armies received before the battell Altkirken taken in which much abated their number whilest the Saxon Dukes forces encreased a new supply both of men and victuals being brought him out of France and Elsas Savern by the Count de Guebriant Many cares attend him which enjoyeth much Io. de Werth removed into France The Duke had now two things which required his vigilant eye the safe keeping of his prisoners Iohn de Werth and Erkenfourt and the anticipating of Goetz for his intended victualling of Brisack The first the Christian King tooke from him by sending for the prisoners and carrying them to Boys S. Vincents distant about three leagues from Paris The other burthen lay upon the Dukes shoulders who in the end of May understanding that Goetz lay incamped neere Rothywel and Villinguer marched thitherward with foure great Cannons twelve field pieces nine thousand foot and foure thousand horse to give him battell But Goetz who labored more to revictual Brisack before the battell than after being advertised of his march discamped presently and removed to the Schwartz-Waldt that he might more covertly performe his task lending his provisions through the valley of Kintzinguen and towne of Offemburgh And at that time hee relieved the Brisackers with corne enough for 4 or five dayes and no more only 150 of his Cavalliers entring into the towne each with a bag of meal behind him Goetz himselfe still delining the battell and shifting from place to place one part of the Imperiall army taking its way toward Constance the other following their Generall toward Hailbrunne The Saxon duke was busie all Iune in seeking his enemy 400 Crabats slain routed by D. Serub but could not find him but was in danger to have been found himselfe by 400 crabats who being advertised that the Duke was lodged in a small village named Brombach with a small retinue thought to have surprised his person But the Duke was not ignorant of their designe and sending incontinently to the grosse of his army which was not far off his succours came in so opportunely that he surrounded the wood where the crabats lurked put 200 of them to the sword and routed the rest utterly The enemy not yet appearing the Swedes made an inrode into the Blacke forrest and at one time brought to the campe 1000 oxen which the duke caused to be fed in the medows for his use But at length the opposite armies met and joined battell Iuly 9 new stile wherin the duke was crowned with a glorious victory The particulars whereof because they fall not within the prescribed time for this history I shall referre to another discovery wherin our Swedish Fabius Bannier who hath without blowes ruined the great Imperial and Saxon armies and the rest of those Heroes whose worthy acts are not here expressed shall be remembred at large and have their history continued to this present day Here I would make a concluding period but the siege of Fontarabie must have an abortive birth in the relation as it had a prodigious end in the action CHAP. IV. The siege of Fontarabie HOw uncertain the issues of War be if there
were no other Example left this story alone might sufficiently testifie never was Expedition undertaken more cheerfully the Nobles and Gentry of Guienne and the South of France engaging themselves therin voluntarily never was an adventure made more gloriously begunne more auspiciously nor continued more fortunately till the last Act and yet there is scarce a Record of any which ended more fearfully The Prince of Conde appointed by the Christian King as Generall accompanied with the Dukes d' Espernon de Valette de S. Simon the Marques de la Force other men of eminent note 18000 foot 7000 horse was to attend this businesse by land and the Archbishop of Burdeaux with a good Navy by Sea the Coast of Provence committed to the sole care of the Earle of Hartcourt and the Archbishoprick not engaged therin Two Dunkerks men of War taken at Port du passage Fortune at first attended them both by Sea and land the Admirall Iune 30. Iuly 10 took two Dunkerkers men of War transporting of souldiers to the Port du Passage kept the Bottomes for the King his Masters service and sent the prisoners to Bayon The Prince before that day had removed all the Remora's which might hinder him taken in Iron Viarson Renteria Loys the Port du passage Divers places taken by the Prince of Conde Charlon the Castle upon the Harbour where hee mounted his Cannon and began to play upon the Town Iuly 3 new stile which strook off a Pinacle from the Castle and beat downe some houses and then having sent a Trumpet to summon Bechare the principall Towne in the Valley of Seringueville he began his approches and Earthen Fortifications The Garrisons and Inhabitants tugged with death and danger to hinder their entrenching but could not Iuly 10 new stile they sallyed forth upon the Pioners and spent foure vollyes of Cannon shot upon the Campe but were forced to retire The next day there issued through the Sally-port 100 men well armed in battell array seconded by as many others with Pick-axes and Spades to rayse the Trenches but were surprized by a Regiment of French whose charge was to guard the labourers who slew above 120 of them and wounded many others constraining as many as could to fly in a disorderly cōfusion Bechare thus summoned Bechare summoned not yielding the inhabitans sent a a Drum to the Prince Iuly 4 14. to tell him that they had order from their Vice-roy to mayntayne the Town for the Catholike King and that they hourly expected the succours which hee had promised them His Excellency being fully resolved to relieve them The Prince incensed with this answer gave order instantly to the Duke De Saint Simon to draw 1000 foot and six Cornets of horse out of the body of the Regiments The Duke de S. Simon hath order to enforce it and with those troups and one piece of Cannon to compell them giving leave to the Souldiers to use them with all hostility that they might be exemplary to others The next day Iuly 5 15. the Duke Saint Simon marched from Iron with his designed troups of Horse and Foot these being commanded by Marin an Aide de Campe Mun Bevidu Beaupuy and Merinville Camp-masters and encamped at Sarra the last Town of France where hee met with Amon Grand Bayliffe of the Country de Labour who presensented him with 300 Basques ready for his service Here by advise of the Counsell of Warre hee appointed Amon to surveigh the ways and make them fit for the portage of his Cannon furnishing the Basques with Axes and other tools for that service and then himselfe with the Army marched after them No Enemy which could oppose him was yet expected Encounters 1200 Spaniards yet it was suspected that such an one there might be and Marine with a 100 foot Perdu's was sent to see if any such appeared He had scarce travelled half a league upon the Spanish ground but he spied two Battalions of the Spaniards upon a Mountain Estward from Bechara prepared to fight as hee judged by their orderly march and shouts like those which are usuall when battels joyne Nor did his conjecture faile him a selected party drawn out of the Spanish body which consisted of 1200 men came up to him roundly charged upon him furiously and were received bravely and after them followed the Grosse of the Army which had doubtlesse surprized him had not the Duke de S. Simon come in happily to his Rescue And here began an hot fight wherein the Commanders of both sides shewed both courage and dexterity Defeats them yet in the end came off with victory and though the Infantry was tired and some of their Cavallary as well as of the Spanish slaine they forced the Foe to flie over the Mountains where not knowing the wayes which of themselves are rough and uncouth they could not follow them This brunt being past 200 of his Basques were sent to burn and pillage Bechara Burneth Bechara which they did so expeditiously that in foure houres space the Town was burnt to ashes maugre the resistance of the inhabitants 300 Castilians which laboured to preserve it though these last were martiall men drawn out of the old Bands and the Nobility of the Frontier Towns The Duke thus rid of the Spanish forces and sufficiently avenged of Bechara intended to Rally up his forces and pursue the late Enemy into the Valley of Saque but understanding that the Grand Prior of Navarre was at Saint Estefe but half a league off with 3000 men hee changed his minde and marched to Challar and Sourgaramourdi where he summoned the inhabitants which came in supplyed him with victuals promised obedience to the Christian King and assured him that they of Saques had burned the Magazin which the Grand Prior of Navarre had erected there for the mayntenance of his forces and so returned to Sarra The Duke was no sooner disengaged of his charge abroad but the Prince of Conde was ingaged in another at the Campe before Fontarabie or Fuente Rabia Three thousand Spaniards were brought from Saint Sebastians by Sea in Pinnasses and Shallops and landed at the Port du passage but covered from the Garrisons eye by a Mountain betwixt the Sea and them their intention being to regaine the place as appeared afterwards by an Adviso found about their Commander from Madrid wherin hee was enjoyned to recover it if it were possible and to assault it 3000 Spaniards defeated neere Fontaraby in what state soever he found it It was a desperate attempt so neer an Army Royall to adventure with so few men upon a place of such consequence nor was the Chieftain insenfible of it his most familiar friend confessing after the French victory that upon the march hee rounded him in the eare saying we march to our death yet this taske was enjoyned him and he to shew his loyalty to his King and Country undertook But though the attempt was
desperate it was not unpossible hee might perhaps have attained his end if hee had not been discovered by 200 Saylours which were imployed by the Archbishop of Bourdeaux to mend the Vessels lately taken from the Dunkerkers who perceiving them climbe the Hill as they were at work fled presently and were pursued to the Barricadoes of the Campe which these Spanish troups assaulted in seven places till the Prince of Conde who was there in person drew his forces together which changing these Adventurers home slue 11 of their Officers above 600 common men wounded their Chieftain and took him prisoner forced the rest to use their heels pursued them to the Mountains and Cliffs of Saint Sebastian During this fight by land another happened by Sea where the Sea-men sped no better then their Land-men six Spanish Pionasses And two Spanish ships sunk and 12 Vessels of burthen fell upon eight ships which the French still kept before Fontaraby but after a fight of 2 houres two of the biggest Spanish Bottoms being sunk the rest hoysed saile and with the helpe of a faire winde recovered Saint Sebastians The Prince by this found no opposition abroad he had free liberty and freely used it to apply himself to the siege wherby hee brought the Town to extreme necessity but how successefull the Catastrophe was though the French will not a Spanish Capuchin by his Relation penned modestly like an Historian though with some interlarded superstition and printed at Madrid Sept. 2 12 will inform you The Siege of Fontaraby raised A Relation written from the Campe by Father Fryer Francis of Tarrazona Reader of the Arts in the Convent of Capuchins of Pampelona vnto Father Guardian of the Capuchnis of the Convent of Zaragosa FAther Guardian Seeing that the receipts of benefits are the pledges of thankfulnesse it could not seeme just in me if I should omit to amplifie my thankfulnesse to your Paternity by not declaring and imparting unto your knowledge so singular a blessing and so ful of divine mercies as was our late Victory whereof I have been an eye-witnesse and now shall make a plaine narration without complements addressing my selfe to truth only which shall be sufficient to incite your Paternity to exercise your devotion in a serious and affectionate thanksgiving The great strait and difficulty in which the French held the strong Towne of Fontaraby is not unknowne to your Paternity and how our Councell of Warre had resolved to relieve it so soone as sufficient forces might be raised to encounter with so great an Enemy though the execution was most dangerous Vpon Tuesday August 21 31. the Lord Admirall of Castile and the Marquis of Veles Generals of the Forces of Navarre and Guiapuscoa resolved to releeve it their Army consisting of 16000 Foot and 600 Horse which to that purpose being devided into 3 Squadrons the Lords Generals with the grosse of the Army marched to the descent of a hill which is scituated and runneth from the gate of the passage unto the Fort and there mounted 8. Pieces of Artillery in the place where the Marquis of Mirtaca was enquartered with the third part of the Conde Dukes Army and the Irish forces By the descent of the valley the Marquis of Torrecusa marched with a good Squadron of Soldiers and Don Piedro Giron with 2000 Foot marched towards Irun where the Enemy was fortified In this posture was the Army the 20 â—0 of August with purpose to relieve the besieged the next day following by 4 of the clock in the morning But it pleased the Almighty not without a mystery as it appeared afterwards to frustrate their resolutions by this occasion The night following was tempestuous with Lightning and thunder and the clouds dissolved into raine which fell without intermission the space of five dayes The valley was bare of wood and trees and neere the Sea and the toilsomnesse of that night is inexpressible our travell so much increasing that we could not secure our lodgings nor make Barracadoes but for want of wood we were forced to discampe the Generals compassionating the Soldiers licensing them to retire and refresh themselves in the places next adjoyning The Lord Admirall and the Marquis of Veles were in the Sally from Munday to Friday when the raine not ceasing and the waters descending to a place called Tezo they commanded the Artillery to retire that the Soldiers leaving their Tents in good order might be refreshed By which meanes the valley became so desolate that they much feared the Enemy would salley forth upon those which remained behind thus harazzed and wearied with the rigour and extreamity of the weather The foulnesse of the weather overjoyed the Enemy which thence concluded that God assisted them against the Spaniards arming the Heavens to crosse their intentions and to this purpose the Prince of Conde sent a Cartell to the Governor of Fontarabie the summe whereof was That to shew himselfe a mercifull and Catholick Prince hee advised him to render the place offering him that honorable Quarter which could no wayes impeach his Honor who had so long maintained the place and so valiantly and that the rather because all hope of succours was now taken from him the Generals being already retired and that hee was not ignorant of his want of Soldiers ammunition and Victuals by which the besieged should be enforced to yeeld which if they refused to doe of their owne accord they would be exposed to the edge of the Sword the Commander should be made shorter by the head and the rest used with such cruelties as happen in cases of assault the Officers not being able though willing to restraine the fury of their Soldiers Don Doming Leguia a Knight of Biscay then Governor of Fontarabie answered well in the courage of a great Souldier as the Gentilizza of a Courtier approving the advise and returning due thankes for the offered curtesie and counsell but in the point of impossibility of succours hee was not dis-harted there being nonecessity thereof nor himselfe being lesse confident to keepe the place then he was before being already provided and abundantly furnished of all things whereof his Excellency supposed him to be destitute and for the point of loosing his Head hee was confident no such disaster could befall him resolving rather to dye like a valiant Soldier then to become a Prisoner and have his head cut off and what hee believed impossible to winne he had no cause to feare his praesidiarie Soldiers being resolved to oppose the valour of the Besiegers The Prince of Conde being moved with this answere caused 3 assaults to be made in which divers of the French were slaine and vpon Saturday the 4. of September New stile they advanced so farre as within 30 foote of the height of the wall but they were all slaine two excepted which infected those which should have beaten them on and seconded them with such a contagion of feare that they forbare to assault the Garison The Admirall
the Archbishop of Burdeaux assisted with 30 other Bishops came thither also who hindred the importation of any succors into the City by Sea and hee seeing the place not surrendred after so many assaults told the Prince of Conde that he appear'd an unexperienced Souldier to make so many assaults from the Baletta with so small reputation intimating that he would have the place assaulted vpon the Birth of our Lady by 4 of the clocke in the morning but the Prince opposed saying that the Arch-bishop was Generall at Sea and that it did not concerne him to intermeddle with the affaires by Land Hereupon ensued more contention occasioned by the Duke and d' Espernon siding with the Archbishop and vpon the overture the Prince of Conde hasted to renew the assault for the respect he gaue the Archbishop but his Highnesse entring into a more serious consideration and judging not without reason of the various events of Warre especially our men being couragious and well fortified intending to disingage himselfe from the obligation wherin he was involved in an angry moode replyed to the Archbishop that being generall at Sea it did not concern him to giue the assault by Land and that he would not loose the glory of the assault which properly belonged to his place To appease all his Highnesse prepared a mine which he intended to spring vpon the Vigill of our Lady and placed therein 29. barrels of Gun-powder by which no doubt a great part of the wall would haue fallen it being torne by other mines and batteries To effect it the Archbishop commanded out the ablest Souldiours in the Nauy and promised 4000 Doblons should be destributed amongst the adventurous which should first make the assault the most couragiously and readily The assault was made in 4 places the French being confident that the Towne would be rendered when the mine was sprung by reason the defendants were but few and they grew weary by toyle and unable to hinder their approaches Hitherto God was pleased that wee should suffer but vpon Sunday at 5. of the clocke the raine ceased and the weather holding vp our Generals placed all their forces in the same posture wherin they had beene formerly ranged a League from the Enemy Vpon Munday at night the Generals assembled at the place called Lezo desirous to succour the Towne with all expedition for the day before some sallied out of it to certifie them that if they were not relieved within 3 dayes the French would bee Masters thereof and thereupon they resolved to assayle the Enemies vpon Tuesday the Vigill of our Lady The time did not then serve to muster the forces but it is supposed that 3000 were lost by the deluge of raine and waters Vpon Tuesday in the morning the troopes were devided into 3. squadrons By the descent of the hil which runneth from the passage to the City was the Marquesse of Mortara with 2000 of the Conde Duke the Irish and others 1000 Navarrois and Provincials who were so ordered and quartered that the right wing of the Vantguard should consist of a third part of the Conde Duke his Regiment The Battaile and Reare should take vp the other people amounting in all to 4000 with some Companies of Horse At the lowest part of the hill to the Southward lay the Lord Admirall of Castile and the Marquesse of Veles with the grosse of the Army with the Master of the Campe Generall the Marquesse of Torrecusa with 2000 selected and choyse Souldiours of Don Fausto de Ludioso The ablest Souldiours were disposed in the most eminent places that the Enemy might not bee able to cut off our forces On the other side of Irun marched Don Pedro Giron with 2000 men the most of them Castilians with the Campe-master Sebastian Granero Generall of the Artillery and a troope of Horse to possesse the most eminent places about Irun and to hinder the succours which might come from any of the French Quarters at Fontarabie We that were Capuchns devided our selves into 4 parts distributing our selves with our companies of the Religious which were then there In this posture we advanced towards the Enemy in front the same day by 4 of the clock in the afternoone and the Marquesse of Mortara immediately gayned the ascent of the hill whereof hee had beene Master before but had then willingly abandoned and now compassing the little hill above he gayned the eminent places untill he approched within Musket shot of the Enemies trenches from whence hee received some round charges The Horse and Irish wheeled to the left hand towards the Sea to secure themselves from the offence of the Enemy which lay behind the hill The Marquis of Torrecusa immediatly seated himselfe in the secure place below the Hill after hee had gained two Quarters from the Enemy over against a Redoubt scituated at the end of the Trench which was the greatest Fortification the Enemy had His troopes immediatly assaulted their Enemies some with Pikes others with Sword and Target and others with Muskets which brake into a troope of French Horse forcing them twice to recoyle But the Camp-Master Generall drawing up the Corslets caused his Companies to renew their charges and joyning their Musketiers together they charged the Enemy so forcibly that he was not able to endure the assault but gaue ground In this first encounter foure or 6 men entred the Redoubt fighting like Lyons but the Enemy overmatching them in number enforced them to retire But wee returned with such fury to the assault of the Redoubt that having killed many French wee regayned the place at the very point of the Fortification and though they were many and well defended with artificiall and intricate trenches and a ditch of very great depth yet they abandoned the place The Enemies Campe removed it selfe a Musket shot the Horse before and the Foote behind where they stood amazed whilst you will repeate the Creed 6 times determining as farre as wee could perceiue to beate us backe driving them back out of the Redoubt and assaulting us by troopes But our men being Masters of the place grew so couragious-instant they charged them so roundly that they were enforced to turne their backes with much losse at one instant none of the French appearing aliue in their Trenches but leauing many dead therein and some Canons of a middle size wherewith they had much endamaged us Our forces followed the chase Some of the Enemies that is the Cavallary flying towards Iran other towards the Sea the most whereof were drowned the Tide running with great force and more then ordinary because of the Land waters wee flew many of them when they were up to the middle in water when they who had entered the small Boates and could not row against the Tide rendred themselves and with folded hands and mournfull voices cryed Vive le Roy de Espagne God quarter for Gods sake Our Companies hastned towards the Sea in extreame danger to the judgement
of all beholders to doe our Christian duties in relieving the afflicted and it was our great good hap that in so great hazard wherein wee were involved our people having lesse resistance then the poore French wee exercised our Charity to the comfort of those that were at the point of death Those which fled towards Iran wee could not pursue but if wee had but stopped their way onely with 200 Musquetiers without doubt they had beene all cut in peeces or become our Prisoners which was impossible to fore-see we not imagining to have obtained so notable a Victory our counsels onely tending to relieue the Port not suspecting that so puissant an Enemy so well fortified in his Trenches would so soone turne his backe though many of them drowned themselves in the passage of Bobia Those of Fontarabie could not salley forth being reduced to so small a number which neverthelesse if they had done no doubt they had made a very great slaughter Our Generals met together about 5. of the clock in the afternoone and entred Fontarabie where they were received with incredible joy by a people which that day and before had endured so many broyles and toyles and had spent all the morning in viewing the Hills a farre off to see whether the expected succours would come and were almost past hope because they could descry no part of them The Lords Generals like most devout Catholike Princes went instantly to expresse their pious acknowledgement of so graat a Victory and sang Te Deum which though it was not attended with the greater Musicke was done with greater Zeale and affection Drummes Trumpets and Artillery beeing not necessary for such a Solemnity Their devotions ended the Lords Generals saluted the inhabitants with most loving embracements thanking them in the name of his Catholike Majesty for their constant Loyalty by which they had pleased God and defended their King and Country Don Pedro de Giron had order to make no assault vpon the French Campe till 4 of the clocke in the morning of our Lady Day but the Enemy fled that Night and concealed his flight by many false fires They left behind them much warlike provision ammunition apparell and riches not burning the baggage as they intended and Don Pedro might without resistance have possessed himselfe of Iran in the morning if hee had followed it Hee that did best for gayning this victory was the Marquesse De Torrecusa with the Navarroyes and Neapolitans Concerning the Particular Cavallieres I can say little most of them beeing unknowne to mee Some affirme that Don Francisco de Garro was the first which entred into the Enemies Trenches other say the Earle of Xaviers though he was beaten out againe by the blow of an Halbert which had undoubtedly slaine him had not his Gorget saved him Captaine Pedro de Maravidis Knight of the order of Saint Iames entred also into the same Redoubt whence he brought away a French Colours having slaine the Ensigne in sight of the whole Army others report the ficst that entred to have beene Don Iuan D' Eques a Knight of Navarre and that a Neapolitane of Valentia charged very brauely There were slaine of the French 1200 which were seene floating upon the Son most of them men of quality as it seemeth by their outward Habit wee lost not many the generall vote is not above thirty yet the Lord Admirall saith more nor had we many wounded The Prisoners taken that day were above 1000. and the number increaseth daily mamy which had hid themselves in Brakes and Thickets being compelled abroad by Hunger It is said there were 50 of the French Nobility wanting but that is scarce credible A French Trumpet came into our Army the Friday following who affirmed they had lost 6 thousand men and being demanded what the French conceived of the Spaniards hee answered the Spanish are Couragious and the French want Government which hee meant perhaps of those which betrayed the Cause by their feare and flight for they could not bee ignorant that their Forces then consisted of two and twenty thousand Foot 1000 Horse fifty good Ships well provided and that a re-enforcement of 6000 men was expected daily from Baiona the Spanish Army consisting onely of 3000 Foot and five hundred Horse more or lesse and the Enemy being fortified and wee having no place of strength how could so shamefull a flight and so glorious a Victory bee expected The Booty was great and the pillage was increased the Enemy vainely conceiving according to the relation of a Capuchin prisoner to winne ground upon Fontarabie and then to fall upon St. Sebastian a place of lesse importance and so to passe victoriously throughout all Spaine even to Madrill without resistance which was also beleeved by them as a matter of faith They came to the Siege very rich in Plate Gold costly Lodgings Pavillions very curiously wrought Cabinets and other precious furniture Wee seized the Wardrobe of the Prince of Conde wherein wee found much and very rich enamelled Plate and a most rich Ensigne of the Order which was of such estimation that the next day hee sent a Trumpeter to the Admirall of Castile intreating him to returne the Plate and the Golden Fleece and hee would allow the true worth thereof for the same The Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux wardrobe also they seized and part of his owne wearing Apparell and the foure thousand Doublous which hee promised to deliver amongst his Souldiers to encourage them to the assault It is thought hee was present in the Campe at the time of the skirmish and it is not knowne how hee escaped Because hee falls not downe towards the Sea it is thought hee betooke himselfe to the Cittadell of Saint Elmo from whence the next day it was observed the French vayled their sayles having given fire to their Cittadell cloyed it with Artillery Their Muskets Harquebuses and Pikes were all left in the place being too heauy to beare away and might hinder their escape Their cassocks of Skarlet and other of finest cloth with the orders of the Holy-Ghost were very many One of our Souldiours had 3 of them and sold one for 16. Royals which was then worth 100 Duckets The hangings were of unshorne greene Velvet broy dered with Gold embossed with Iewels and tufted with greene water Grograynes buttons of gold and rich galownes The Iewels chaines watches and many other rich ornaments were found vpon the dead bodies in the Sea In such Fishings the Irish were very skilfull diving under the waters to find them The Ensignes gained from the enemy were about a hundred though the Admirall had not so many many of them were in the hands of particular persons desirous to place them in their severall countreyes as Trophies of their Victory notwithstanding the old souldiers made no account of them saying they would only place in their Countreyes those which were taken and wonne from the hands of the enemy The pieces of Artillery which were left during the