spread about Paris His friends fearing to be involv'd in his Misfortune fled their Ways some into Normandy Others into Guienne in hopes of Causing those two Provinces â—o revolt But the Queens forecast render'd all their Designs Abortive so as that there wou'd not have been the least Bustle or Commotion if the Viscount de Turenne who had receiv'd new Outrages from the Cardinal His Eminency having refus'd him the Government of Avergne after having promis'd it him had not Repair'd to Stenay a Place giv'n to the Prince of Condé as a Reward for his Services He had so little Money when he left Paris that he had not wherewithall to perform his Journey But in Champagne he met with a Gentleman at his Devotion who gave him Six Hundred Golden-Lewisses The Dutchess of Longueville arriv'd at Stenay in a few days after with her Jewels which she offer'd the Viscount de Turenne to raise Forces and ' for the more efficacions endeavouring the Freedom of her Brothers and her Husband As the Money that cou'd be rais'd upon them was not sufficient for so great a Design they resolv'd upon sending an Agent to the Arch-Duke But while they were in expectation of his Answer the Viscount de Tu enne not being proof against the Charms of that Princess fell in Love with her Highness She was of a Complexion extremely tender and of which several Persons neither of his Merit nor Quality had had Instances But some reason I know not of rendring him more Unhappy than others she was not contented with being Cruel to him but she also past railleries upon his Passion with la Moussaye Governour of Stenay so as that instead of continuing to love her he slighted her extremely At length came th' Arch-Duke's Answer and being conformable to expectation the Viscount de Turenne departed with some Troups that were at his disposal to go joyn the Body of an Army the Arch-Duke was to commit to his Conduct They Conferr'd and Consulted together what Course they had best to take and having laid their measures the Viscount de Turenne entred France while that the Duke of Lorrain who had Correspondencies in his own Country advantag'd himself of so promising a juncture The Marquis de la Ferte Seneterre was sent against the Duke of Lorrain while that the Mareschal du Plessis who had been sent for from Italy march'd against the Viscount de Turenne This Prince's Design was to draw as near as he cou'd to Paris to seize on the Passes of the Rivers and to advance with Two Thousand Horse as far as Vincennes from whence he pretended easily to free the Princes And indeed he had already got Possession of all the Passes as far as Vela-Ferté Milon when by the Treachery of the Count de the Arch-Dukes Favourite who had a Pension of a Hundred Thousand Livres from the Cardinal and to whom the Arch-Duke had reveal'd the Secret the Princes were remov'd to Marcoussis and from thence to Havre de Grace This Count had also Correspondence at the Court by the means of the Dutchess de Chevreuse with whom he had had a Charming Engagement at the time of her being at Bruxelles under the Reign of the Late King and she had procur'd him this Pension in Acknowledgement for the Pleasant Pastime he had procur'd her during her abode in Flanders But tho' this Pension was so considerable the Cardinal did not grudge his money after having receiv'd so wholesome an Advertisement The Viscount de Turenne having miss'd his Aim brush'd back the the same way he came and went and posted himself near Sompais where the Arch-Duke was arriv'd in Person The Mareschal du Plessis had Coasted him in his Retreat and the two Armies Skirmish'd dayly without daring to Engage in a Battle for on th' one side th'Arch-Duke was afraid that if he lost the Day he shou'd find it difficult to make his Retreat and on th' other the Mareschal du Plessis left the very Heart of the Kingdom for a Prey if Fortune prov'd adverse to him While that such weighty Considerations with-held both sides Cardinal Mazarin repair'd to the Mareschal du Plessis's Army and giving him order to Fight he staid in the Camp where he lay upon the bare Ground without fearing to fully his Purple He made some largess to the Souldiers to oblige them to do their Duties and having spent the Night under some disquiet for th' event Break of day was no sooner come than that the Mareschal du Plessis drew-up his Troups in Battle-array The Arch-Duke and the Viscount de Turenne did the like on their side and the two armies being separated only a Musket-Shot from one another quickly came very furiously to Blows The Success was equal on both sides at the first brush the Arch-Duke's Right Wing where he was in Person was put to Rout while the Viscount de Turenne Commanding the Left broke the Mareschal du Plessis's Right Wing The Viscount thinking to improve the advantage he had to compleat the Battle at a blow attack'd the Enemies left Wing but this being in good order made such a Defence as gave the Right leisure to rally and the Arch-Duke having not been able to do the like with his the Viscount de Turenne was quickly encompass'd on all sides He did wonders to dispute the victory but having been forsaken by the Arch-Duke nay and by a part of those that fought under him he was forc'd to Court his safety in his flight He had not gone a League when he perceiv'd himself pursu'd by a Squadron which made him say to those about him that there was no other Course to take than to face about upon the Enemies These his followers being all Officers and men of great Courage having declar'd to him they were ready to do all he thought expedient they marchall'd themselves in order and the Viscount de Turenne leading them forthwith to the Charge they utterly routed this Squadron the most of whose Troupers were kill'd upon the Spot Having thus got rid of this importunate Attendance they continu'd their way with the more freedom but to this inconveniency there Succeeded another which though not so dangerous was not the less pressing Hunger and Thirst began to distress them in such manner that it was impossible for them to support them any longer At lengâ—h the Viscount de Turenne pitying them more than he did himself made up to a Wood with whose least Paths he was acquainted and having bid em â—ollow one that led 'em to a Spring he alighted off his Horse and having unbridled him hâ— held him to graze himself while his men went to squench their Thirst One of whom brought him water in his hat and having found it in this manner the most delicious Beveridge in the world he mounted again on Horse-back and march'd untill he saw a light He went directly thitherwards and found it to be a Mill where some of his Men that had timely made use of their Heels
at two a clock after midnight and endeavour'd to get to them before they had notice of his march Without a continual Rain which lasted all the night and all the day following he had effected his Design but his Army not coming till five a Clock in the evening upon the Hills of Moltzheim the Enemies had time to precaution themselves and to prepare for Battle Tho' his Men were very much fatigated he made them possess themselves of the out-Posts without suffering them to breath and having stood to their Arms all the Night he led them to the Battle at Break of Day It was more obstinate on Both sides than any that had been yet fought and as it was the Viscount de Turenne's Opinion that when a General had five and twenty thousand Men he had nothing to fear he did not mind as I said before that the Enemies had twice as many However tho' that the two Armies were drawn-up in Battalia they fought only by Detachment and what was considerable pass'd in a Wood that was between Both and where the Enemies had intrench'd themselves that they might be able to take us in the flank They did Wonders to Defend it but our Infantry and our Dragoons render'd themselves Masters of it after a long Conflict Nay and kept it tho the Duke of Lorrain Enter'd it with the Cavalry fthe Left Wing The Horse of the Right Wing seeing that all but they were engag'd fell upon our Left which it overturn'd upon the Body of Reserve Insomuch that with one single Charge it broke us entirely But the Viscount de Turenne having an eye to all caus'd the Infantry to advance and it again sav'd the Cavalry as it had done at the Battle of Seintzeim The Viscount de Turenne had a Horse Wounded under him as he pass'd from one Battallion to another to give his Orders and the Night having interrupted the Battle he retir'd with Ten Cannons he had taken in the Wood. The Enemies were â—â—rely vex'd they had not been able to speed with such considerable Troups and they resolv'd after having try'd his Valour not to engage in any Enterprize 'till the Marquis of Brâ—ndonboâ—rg was come up His Electoral Highness being come at length they fancy'd the Viscount de Tarenne had no other Course than to retreat iâ—â—o his Mountains and that they might go where-ever they pleas'd But his Excellency meaning to shew them that he feared them not the more for their having augmented their Number he provided Savern and Haguenaw under their very Nose then Posted himself so to advantage that he was in a Condition to Crosbite all their Designs They made a shew of Aiming to Besiege those two Places to oblige him to quit his Posts but he looking upon all their Motions as so many Snares which they laid for him he so tyr'd them out by his Patience that they fell to contriving how to enlarge themselves into upper Alsace where they had not met with any Fortify'd Place they were oblig'd to take this Course because that so great an Army could not Subsist alltogether The Marquis of Brandenbourg was on the side of Colmar with the Troups of Brunswic and those of the Other Allies took their Quarters on both sides the River d'Ill The Viscount de Turenne feigning he would follow their Example caus'd his Troups to march towards Lorrain but instead of distributing them up and down he cross'd that Province wherein he had giv'n order to have Oats and Hâ—y ready for his Horse By that means he put it into a reasonable good posture Insomuch that it was hardly sensible of so long a March In the mean while not a Man dreamt whither he was going and the World was far from imagining he was Marching against the Enemies but having seen him direct his Way for Beâ—fort they began to suspect the Bus'ness and at the same time enter into Admiration The Enemies who had been farr from Shrifting into his Design had spread themselves still more since his Departure nay and some of 'em were come as farr as Remiremont and to Espinal in Lorrain These were the first he attacqu'd but escaping by flight they carry'd to the Rest the tydings of what Occur'd The Alarum was great among them and they endeavour'd to defend the Passage of the River d'Ill The Viscount de Turenne did suspect that wou'd be the Course they would take for which reason quitting the Main Body of the Army with all Expedition did he advance with three thousand Horse he beat some Squadrons that were posted upon the Bank of the River and they were so Surpriz'd that they never thought of giving Notice to some of their Garrisons that were Scatter'd up and down in Castles The Army being come beyond the River he detach'd Great Parties to cut off those that were abroad and we took a great Number of Prisoners However tho' we pass'd in fight of several Places wherein still Troups were yet would not we attack them for fear of losing too much time By this means was the Marquis of Brandenbourg Surpriz'd as well as the Rest which was perceiv'd by the fault he committed in abandoning Turquem which is upon the Canal of Colmart The Viscount de Turenne being come thither seiz'd on 't and his Troups were no sooner in the Place but that the Enemies return'd to drive them thence this Occasion'd a Sharp dispute wherein many Men were lost on both sides But the Night coming on without the Enemies having been able to drive us thence they took that time to make their Retreat and repass'd the Rhin at Strasbourg In the mean while they were not twenty thousand strong on the Other side and all the rest perish'd either in the foregoing Engagements or in this Occasion Tho the Success the Viscount de Turenne had had against so numerous an Army had surpass'd as I may say the hopes of the Court yet was it not without apprehensions thro' the fear of the like danger For we were from all parts inform'd that the Germans made Extraordinary Preparations to return more powerfull then Ever The Viscount de Turenne being repair'd to Court the King made him so favourable a Reception as cou'd have no Addition and having shut himself up with him in his Closet he wou'd needs know all that had Occur'd during the Campagn and cou'd not sufficiently admire a Conduct that had Screen'd the Kingdom from many Calamities The Viscount de Turenne would have laid hold of that Occasion to have made his Complaints of the Marquis de Louvoy who had often sent him Orders he had reason to Complain of pretended that all the Generals should obey him as if he had had more Skill in Martial Affairs than they but knowing that the Prince of Conde had no less resentment than he himself had against this Minister by reason of certain Discourses he had held after the Battle of Senef he resolv'd to see him first and if possible to act in Concert
The Duke of Orleans being Exasperated at his Execution so much the more that Bullion had promis'd him his pardon from the King withdrew anew into Lorrain where he found the same Retreat he had found some time afore For the Duke of Lorrain as faithless as Ever desired nothing better than to foment Broiles and Cumbustions notwithstanding the losses he had suffer'd hoping that if fortune was once adverse to the Cardinal a time wou'd not only come for him to recover what he had lost but likewise to make some Other Conquests But the King not thinking fit to give him time to prepare for his Defence departed immediately from Paris and went and laid Seige to Nancy where the Duke of Orleans was in no wise minded to Stay his Coming The Regiment of Turenne was at first Commanded on this Expedition but having receiv'd a Counter-order two Days after this Prince who had particularly pleas'd himself with the Expectation of signalizing himself in the Kings presence march'd away for Alsace whither Troups were sent against the Duke of Feria there at that time with an Army of Germans and Spaniards In the mean while a Great Viciscitude had happen'd in Germany The King of Sueden after having reduc'd the Emperour to the bare Hereditary Provinces forc'd the Duke of Bavaria out of his Capital City and extended his Reputation ev'n beyond his hopes At last fortune grown weary of favouring him had terminated so many gallant Actions by his Death The Emperour seeing himself as low as he had seen himself Exalted a little while afore attributing so great a Change to the fault he Committed in having divested Wallestein of the Command of his Armies and being rosolv'd to restore it him had Caus'd such advantageous Conditions to be offer'd him that a man might say he had with him shar'd the Empire for Wallestein had the Power of making Peace and Warr of disposing of Conquests of the Booty of Winter Quarters and of all that Soveraigns are wont to reserve to themselves for fear of giving too much Credit to their Generalls Wallestein having thus on these Conditions taken the Command on him again had no sooner caus'd his Drum to be Beat than that flocking there was from all sides to list under him for Martial Men knowing his Liberal humour and the Kindness he had for Souldiers reckon'd it unworthy to dissolve in repose while that he they look'd on as their father should Expose himself to hardships Dangers Thus he had quickly brought on foot a New Army compos'd of Veteran Officers and Veteran Souldiers and tho' the Imperial Court had great faith in him yet could it not refrain being Surpriz'd at the Suddainness with which he had accomplisht so difficult a matter Fortune that had ever favour'd this Captain till such time as the Duke of Bavaria had depos'd him out of Jealousy seem'd then to make him a Reparation for that Injury For this Duke being distress'd by the King of Sueden dispatcht to him divers Courriers to intreat him without remembring what was past that he wou'd march to his Relief But Wallastein being very glad to Mortify him contented himself with giving him fair Promises and marching sometimes slowly and sometimes stopping on purpose at Paultry Borroughs he had the pleasure to see him reduc'd to such an Extremity that he was already become a Fugitive and just upon the Point of Emploring his Enemies Mercy Thinking it then Glorious to Succour this Unhappy Prince he turn'd his Arms against Nurembourg expecting the King of Sueden to abandon Bavaria to run to the Defence of that Place The Bavarians joyn'd the Troups of Wallestein and having render'd themselves still the more formidable by this Means the King of Sueden March'd against him with Design to give him Battle The two Armies being but a League and half distant from one another Wallestein retrench'd himself in his Camp and the King of Sueden's thoughts were only how to lure him thence to decide their Quarrel in one Day But Wallestein rather using the Skin then the Sword stopp'd the fury of his Enemy Insomuch that the Two Armies remain'd some days gazing upon one another All Peoples Eyes were in the mean time turn'd upon these Two Great Generals to see on which side fortune would declare her self But the King of Sueden thinking that after so many Victories it tended to his Prejudice to remain so long without any Performances undertook to force his Camp and gave the Orders Necessary for the Execution of that Design The First Successes were answerable to his hopes The Bavarians whose Quarter he had attack'd were forc'd after a Vigorous Defence But just in the Nick when he thought he had won all Wallestein with his own Troups ran to Succour his Men and not only re-establish'd things by his Presence but likewise made them Change face so that the King of Sueden after having left three Thousand Men on the Spot was constrain'd to retreat The Duke of Bavaria re-conquer'd his Dominions after this Advantage and having put a Garrison into Ratisbone the Empire that had groan'd so long began to breath again In the mean while Wallestein being minded to be reveng'd on the Duke of Saxony one of the King of Sueden's Principal Buttresses entred his Territories through which he Shot Terrour and Consternation The King of Sueden durst not oppose this Torrent before he had encreas'd his Army with some Succours brought him by his Lieutenants her there dispers'd for divers Conquests But when he saw himself strong enough as not to be under any fear he March'd against the Enemy who had attack'd Leipsik and was become Master of that Place before he cou'd get up to it's Relief The Experience of the Commanders and the Valour of the Souldiers render'd the two Armies allmost Equal and as Both sides were Cock-a-hoop to fight they came to Blows near Lutzen a little Village of small renown before but made famous by so great a Battle The Fight began at Break of Day and the Beginnings were favourable to Gustavus who drove away the Enemies from Certain Ditches that Separated the two Armies took Six of their Cannon and turn'd 'em against 'em which put 'em into Great disorder However the German Cavalry being come up before the Suedish could fill up their Ditches for their Passing it drove away the Enemies in it's turn retook four Canons and seiz'd on the Posts the infantry had Newly lost The Germans being now become fierce and haughty with this Success pass'd then the Ditches which hinder'd them from joyning the Suedes and now no more Impediment intervening the Designs of either side Both Parties fell in Pell-Mell with one another Each demonstrating a Great Passion for Victory The King of Sueden being in the Right Wing of his Army and his Presence augmenting the Courage of his Men routed all that stood in Opposition but being minded to go from One Wing to the Other to see how matters went he encounter'd Picolomini in
the Mid'st of the Way with Eight hundred Cuirassiers who stopp'd him when he least Expected it for there was so great a fogg that day that a Body saw not to a ten foot 's Distance The King endeavour'd to defeat this New Troup with the Regiment of Finlanders he was at the head of But having by a Pistol-shot been wounded in the Arm which put him to great pain he retired to be dress'd in his Retreat receiv'd a Musket Bullet behind which made him fall from off his Horse He was at the same time trod under the Horses feet of those who pursu'd him without being known by any Body Insomuch that his Men as little inform'd of his Destiny as the Enemies continu'd the Combat with the same Resolution and finisht the Victory he had rough-drawn However the Duke of Weyman knew his Horse that was running up and down and had some Suspicion of the truth But being cautious of showing it they were all in an inconceivable joy for the Success of that Day when the King of Suedens Death Chang'd their Contentment into a Sadness beyond Expression This Battle lasted from Break of Day till ten a Clock at Night but not so furious as it had been in the day time for the fogg having continu'd all the Day long augmented towards the Evening Each being afraid of attacking his Companion instead of the Enemy and thus the German Infantry Scap'd which otherwise it would have been Easy to have defeated Papenheim was kill'd in fighting generously But not a Man distinguish'd himself more than Picolomini who having seen all those of his side abandon their Ranks he with his Regiment only stood firm tho' he had already receiv'd several Wounds Wallestein who valu'd virtue and not wont to leave it without Reward sent him a Present of twenty thousand Crowns and gave him besides the Praises due to his Merit Tho' the Imperialists had lost many Men in this Battle with some Captains of Renown they thought they had gain'd much by the Death of him who had vow'd the ruine of the Empire and had sped so well in that Design Wallestein retreated to Leipsik but not believing himself there in Safety he pass'd on into Bohemia where he labour'd to repair the wrecks of his Army His flight having afforded the Suedes the means to disperse for the Embracing the more Conquests they render'd themselves Masters of severall Considerable Posts and the Duke of Saxony still in their Allyance had time to recover Leipsik In the mean while the News of his Death being come into France was receiv'd with more Satisfaction than would have been Expected for his Conquests began to Create a Jealousy for this Cause did the Cardinal de Richelieu's Enemies publish that he had been kill'd by his Contrivance and Appointment and that he had posted a Man on purpose to Commit such an Enormous Crime but 't is not just to give Credence to so high an Imposture and coming from so suspected a Place In the mean while the Emperour was not content with Wallestein's Retreat who if he had been minded might have improv'd the advantages offer'd him by the Death of so considerable an Enemy but as he had no inclination to have the War so suddainly ended he was fall'n into Silesia under the Pretence of driving thence some of the Duke of Saxony's Troups committing Disorders in that Province This Conduct made the Emperour fear he had put the Command of his Armies into the hands of a Man that meant to abuse the trust and this suspicion having strongly possest his mind was still augmented by the Enemies of Wallestein whom they saw Exalted above them and in a posture of wreaking his revenge whenever he went about it The taking of Ratisbone by the Duke of Weymar who since the King of Sueden's Death had obtain'd the Command of his Army Exasperated the Emperour the more against him and having sent him positive orders to march to the Succours of the Duke of Bavaria who became thereby Expos'd to great Distresses it was the General Doubt whether he wou'd obey or not And indeed instead of Executing punctually what had been order'd him He made his Troups return into Bohemia nay and Garrison'd some of them in Austria under Colour that the Enemies might come on that side But the Insolence of the Souldiers to whom he gave full License quickly render'd the Remedy more insupportable than the Mischief Insomuch that there began to be a General Murmuring against him But he little minded all these Complaints His Army might at his beck go to Vienna nay and the Emperour had fears inculcated into him that this General had some Designs upon his Person As it is a Crime sufficiently great in a Subject to give matter of Apprehension to a Sovereign the Emperour vow'd his Destruction joyn'd to this that he had newly been inform'd that he had made a Secret Treaty with Arnheim General of the Troups of Saxony by which they had promis'd mutual Assistance to one another to re-establish the Son of the Electour Palatine newly Dead of Grief for what had befall'n the King of Sueden and at length to compel the Emperour to make a disadvantageous Peace and to Banish the Jesuites out of all the Empire The Spaniards were his most powerfull Enemies because he had also agreed by the same Treaty that they should be driven out of Germany Thus the Count of Ognate their Embassadour to the Emperour insinuated into this Prince to dispatch Wallestein at any Rate and with the soonest to Employ Steel or Poyson for that Purpose The one seem'd difficult as being passionately belov'd by his Souldiers and the other was no less so being Equally cherish'd by his Servants to whom he was ever most Benevolent In the mean while the Imperial Court had Galas and Picolomini then in the Army sifted but they after having refus'd to take upon them this Crime they offer'd however to Separate themselves from him and carry along with them part of the Troops over whom they had a great Ascendant The thing was executed according to Promise and Wallestein fearing the being abandon'd by still a greater Number retreated to Egra from whence he dispatcht his Greatest Confidents to the Duke of Weymar with Great Promises if he wou'd assist him But the Emperour hast'ning to prevent his Despair whose effects might be Extremely fatall gain'd Count Lesley Captain of his Guards with Colonel Butler Gordon and these having invited Torsica Lislo to Dinner the one Wallestein's Brother in Law and the Other his Intimate Friend and who cou'd Both Oppose their Designs they began the Scene with these whom they Assassinated after having pretented a Quarrel with them in drinking From thence they went to Wallestein's Apartment who upon the first noise ran to the Window to call for help But his Guards in the Hall having quickly been dispatcht and his Chamber Door broak open he was kill'd with Hallebards but not without having made a
who had Money gave his Captain Twenty Gold Lewisses to suffer him to go list himself under the Viscount This fellow who had serv'd a long while and had a sightly Presence presenting himself to him and being ask't how much he requir'd Extremely Surpriz'd the Viscount de Turenne when after he had told him he would have no Money he on the contrary had giv'n a Sum to capacitate him to come into his Regiment The Viscount de Turenne took instantly out his Purse and restoring him his Twenty Gold Lewisses gave him also Twenty more with a Promise of remembring in time and place the kindness he bore him And indeed having found him upon Occasion to be a very Brave Man he advanc'd him in his Regiment and wou'd still have done more for him if this Souldier had not been kill'd five or six years after The Disorder Cardinal de la Valette was in was not the only Misfortune we lay under Besides that the Prince of Condé by having ill taken his Measures or according as some have believ'd by having been too Self-Interress'd had rais'd the Siege of Dole after having lost a Part of his Army Galas was enter d Burgundy where he laid All in Fire and Blood All went so ill upon the Frontier of Picardy that the Parisians fancy'd the Enemies to be already at their Gates for after having taken la Capelle and le Catelet not without some suspicion that the Governours might have made a better Defence if they had minded they besieg'd Corbie in the heart of that Province and from whence they might make inroads to the Metropolis of the Kingdom Before the Success of this Enterprize was known they hasten'd to break down the Bridges on the River d'Oize the only River that cou'd obstruct their coming to Paris But the Consternation before very great was now augmented when the Parisians heard that this Place was fall'n into their hands and that they were likewise become Masters of the City of Roye To remedy such Cogent Disorders the Ban and Arrieban was Conven d and to appease the Discontents of the Princes of the Blood who complain'd they were had in no Account the Forces of the Kingdom were put into their hands The Duke of Orleans with an Army full of the Nobles recover'd Roye and march'd against Corbie but Cardinal Richelieu being jealous of the honour he was going to gain by this Conquest caus'd the King to remove thither who accomplisht it's Reduction The Count of Soissons was not so happy in his Enterprizes but nevertheless was not wanting to serve usefully for after having been a little worsted near de la Fere he prevented the Enemies that meant to besiege ` Doullens Insomuch that having put succours into that Place he retired without doing any thing further None but Galas now gave any trouble he lay Encamp'd near Fontaines Francoise from whence his Parties made remote Excursions Dijon with some Other Cities of Burgundy had already contributed and not one of 'em was there in a Condition to Sustain a Siege but good luck would have it that he having turn'd his Arms against St. Jean de Laone Rantzan got into the Town and his Valour affording Cardinal de la Valette leisure to assemble Thirty Thousand Men he march'd against him with Design to give him Battle Galas having contrary Orders rais'd the Siege without staying his coming Insomuch that all this great Storm which seem'd to threaten us with utter Destruction was reduc'd to the loss of some Cattle the Enemies had taken out of the open Field True it is that they had still a foot left in the Kingdom by the means of the Isles Sainte Honorat and Sainte Marguerite Surrendred to them by the Cowardize of the Governours but being separated from the rest of France and easy to be remedy'd no Disquiet was entertain'd on this Account and bating the Charges necessary for their Recovery they were not of Concern And in effect the Count de Harcourt being enjoyn'd with this Expedition accomplisht it with as little trouble as was expected but with a little more Danger for he found the Spaniards had Shipt an Army to dispute him his Passage and he saw himself oblig'd to fight it or to avoid so doing by taking a long Circuit The success having been favourable to him the rest of the Expedition was also so Insomuch that he render'd the Realm Serene again that had been in Danger by so many Unhappy Occasions These troubles having been thus appeas'd the King in his turn carry'd the War into different Provinces of the Spaniards and was fortunate in certain places and unfortunate in others In the mean while the Services done him by the Viscount de Turenne with the things said to his Advantage and which he himself acknowledg'd obliging him to distinguish him he made him a Mareschal de Camp and was not deceiv'd in this his Choice The Cardinal de la Valette having this young Prince in his Army setting forward for Alsatia and desiring to make a Diversion in favour of the Suedes whose Affairs far from being flourishing were in a bad Posture besieg'd Saverne in conjunction with the Duke of Weymar while the Imperialists attack'd Coblentz and Hermestein Saverne was not so strong a place but there was a good Garrison in it which render'd the taking of it the more Difficult In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne thinking himself oblig'd to do more than ordinary to shew himself worthy of the employment the King had giv'n him expos'd himself extraordinarily in sundry Assaults wherein we were ever repuls'd At length he found the means to seize on the Upper Town which cut off the Communication of the Lower Town with the Castle Afterwards they rais'd their Attacks on the side of the Lower Town which the Enemies still defended with so much Valour that before they cou'd be brought to Yield they kill'd several Officers of note nay and wounded the Viscount de Turenne As his wound was but slight he did not withdraw out of the Fight 'till the Enemies were compell'd to demand Quarter nay and wou'd needs render an Account to the Generals of all that occurr'd in that occasion afore he 'd seek after Remedy But as he fancy'd either he might be accus'd of Ostentation or that they wou'd not give him a hearing if they perceiv'd his Wound he wrapt his Arm up in his Handkerchief and as long as his Relation lasted he knew so well how to keep all conceal'd that they suspected nothing of the matter Thus when the Generals were afterwards inform'd of his being wounded they inquir'd how that came about imagining it to have been since they had seen him The Castle of Saverne surrendred quickly after the Two Towns and the Viscount de Turenne's wound did not hinder him from being present in all occasions where requir'd by the Duty of his Charge However he was not absolutely Cur'd when he laid aside the scarf he had put on to sustain his
of with the French she might enjoy in Quiet her Territories and the Guardianship of her Children These Assurances were Charming to a Woman little acquainted in Affairs of Warr and whose misfortune was to have her Country Scituated 'twixt the States of two Princes who pretended both to give the Law But finally she in a short time perceiv'd all these fine Words were only to amuse her for Leganes to the Prejudice of all his Promises approach'd Verceil after having Sack'd all the places in his Passage As there had been much imprudence in her to listen after this to any of his Propositions She had recourse to the King her Brother of whom she Earnestly requested a Succour conformable to the Exigency of the present posture of her Condition But the concerns of Blood being a small matter among Princes in Comparison of their Interest they ty'd and hamper'd her so to purpose that she had now nothing left but the Name of Sovereign under Colour of Preserving Piemont for her we Garrison'd it's strongest places and from which the Capital only was exempt but as all the rest was nothing without our getting this into our Clutches so many Distrusts were injected into this Princess's mind that dayly imagining her self upon the point of being seiz'd she of her own accord was the first to demand we wou'd introduce Troups into the Town Yet it was to be fear'd the Inhabitants would shut up the Gates if they had the hint of this Design This made it thought convenient to manage the thing so Dextrously as that it cou'd not miss For this purpose Troups were order'd to draw up hard by under the pretence of a Review and the Principal Persons being gone out for sight-sake it was easy to seize on the Town by keeping in their hands those who might make Resistance Every one was not content with this proceeding and many now favour'd Prince Thomas that without this wou'd not have thought of him The Dutchess of Savoy having thus thrown her self into the King her Brother's Arms it was now his part to espouse her Interests being henceforward become his own In the mean while the great Affairs he had on all sides hindering him from doing all he willingly wou'd he cou'd only send her Eighteen Thousand men under the Conduct of Cardinal de la Valette And indeed we were very much perplex'd in Flanders where we had with not overmuch consideration under taken the Siege of St Omar under the Beard of a Powerful Army But the Grudging we had to that Place making us pass over all things Provision was made of Men and Mony Yet cou'd we not hinder the Spaniards from putting Succours into the Place and this Misfortune having befall'n us twice this so chill'd our Souldiers Courage and flush'd that of our Enemies that as much as ours dreaded fighting so much theirs desir'd it The two Armies coming to Blows with Dispositions so little favourable to Us the Success was adverse to Us. They forc'd our Lines beat a Quarter and at length having put a new Succours into the Town they Compell'd us to raise the Siege This Disgrace was rewarded by taking du Catelet but as it was a poor pittance in Comparison of what we had miss'd of taking it prov'd no great Subject of Consolation add to this that the Prince of Condé was oblig'd to raise the Siege of Fontarabia where strange things occurr'd For this Prince designing to reinforce the Quarter by which he knew the Spaniards were to come those that were there already took up Arms against those that came to their Assistance and thus so well-favour'd the Enemies Design that they entred the Town without striking a blow It was necessary to look out in the mean time to what wou'd happen in Germany and in Italy where the War was wag'd with no less intent and Application Certainly tho' we came by the Lee in Flanders and Navarre Fortune made us a great Reparation in Alsace where the Duke of Weymar did Wonders This Prince having been beaten as I have said the Year afore in endeavouring to relieve Hanau and undergone other more Disgraces for having pretended to retaliate upon Bezanson where he had some Correspondence he had miss'd his Aim◠From thence after having giv'◠some repose to his Army and encreas'd it with some Succours he went and attack'd Rhinfeldt a Town scituated upon the Rhine and one of the four Forrest-Towns This Place being well Garrison'd made a brave Defence and gave the Duke de Savilly and Jean de Wert time to run in to it's Succours The Duke of Weymar having with him the Duke of Rohan and holding himself secur'd by the Presence of so great a Captain did not stick to accept the Battaile offer'd him by the Enemy But fortune to make him the better relish the Advantages she was preparing him in the sequell turn'd her back upon him still and the Duke of Rohan fighting with the same Courage he had so often fought receiv'd a Wound of which he dy'd in a few days after He was doubtless a great man and had all the Parts of an Excellent Captain but wou'd have seem'd much greater if he had been in a State where the Prince had been of his Religion or He of the Religion of his Prince for this occasion'd the Conferring on him only difficult Commands and wherein was design'd rather this Ruin than his Fame He liv'd with the Amity of the People of the Reform'd Religion to whom he render'd great services as well as the Duke of Soubize his Brother but only carry'd along their Esteem at his Death being suspected of having abandon'd them for his Interests After the loss of this Battaile the Enemys meaning to make advantage of their Victory pursu'd Weymar who was retir'd towards Offembourg and reduc'd him to the necessity of fighting a new Battail or of ruining his Army by a new flight the one seeming more glorious than the Other he recall'd the Courage of his men who seem'd stun'd and having let 'em know the necessity there was of Conquering or of Dying they unanimously demanded an Engagement with the Enemy He was too knowing to suffer their Courage to Cool and having taken them at their word at the very same moment he began the Charge himself and was the first that broak in up the Enemy The Conflict was Sharp and obstinately fought on Both sides but Weymer performing Wonders with his Arms as well as with his Head encourag'd his men in such manner that all the Resistance the others cou'd make prov'd in vain The Duke de Savelly after having several times been helter-skelter among the Suedes was forc'd to be take himself to flight abandoning Jean de Wert who maintain'd his Ground still a while but seeing himself surrounded on all sides he layd down his Arms to save his Life Weymar having repaired by so great victory the misfortunes that had befall'n him return'd before Rhinfeld which Submitted to his Obedience from thence after having
those they in the Town had so long Suffer'd This Capitulation in which Mazarin who had been sent by Cardinal Richelieu on purpose into Italy had a great share gave great Umbrages to Leganez And indeed he knew this Minister had made Sundry Propositions to Prince Thomas nay and that this Prince had giv'n 'em so farr a hearing that he had promis'd to put himself under the Kings Protection with his Wife and Children provided he might have left to him the Places he possess'd They say too he had promis'd to joyn his forces with those of the Count de Harcourt to wage Warr in Conjunction upon the Spariards but whether it be so or not oâ— that he cou'd not perform this Design before he had got his Wife out of their Hands who was at Madrid as I say'd afore he enter'd into New Engagements with them and continu'd his Hostilities as he formerly had done Nevertheless he made a Truce with his Sister in Law during Endeavours which were us'd to reduce him to his former sentiments by offering him still greater advantages both for himself and for his Adherents but he still wav'd Complyance on the score of his Wife who was narrowly guarded in Spain as a sure Pledge of his fidelity And indeed the Spaniards having without much difficulty got the Wind of these Negociations which we were not over-Exact in Concealing on our side that so we might render him suspected fancy'd this to be the only means to keep him Close to their Combination The Success of Turin and the raising the Siege of Cazal gave not only reputation to the Count de Harcourt but allso to the Crown which had been sufficiently slighted 'till then in Italy but seeing it to have the Alpes open by the means of Pignorol and its Pow'r mightily augmented by the Possession of Cazal all Princes with Emulation courted its Protection and the Amity of the first Minister to whom they attributed so many prosperous Events Yet this did not hinder his particular Enemies from declaring against him I have before said how that the Count de Soissons was withdrawn to Sedan with other Persons of Consideration and there was br 〈◊〉 ng a Rebellion then just upon the point of breaking-out Mr de Bouillon had been tampering very far in these Practices and besides several Leavies he had made he had allso sent to the Enemies who had promis'd him great Succours The Duke of Lorrain to whom part of his Dominions had been newly restored combin'd allso with these Malecontents and they all prepar'd for War As it was impossible but that this must be come to the Viscount de Turenne's Knowledg he lay under an unconceiveable Apprehension and dayly Expected such sad news from all these things that he had not one Moments repose At length the Design broak out by the Troups Lamboy put into the City of Sedan and as this Town was under the Kings Protection which Monsieur de Bouillon by this means renounc'd the Cardinal having for a while conniv'd at Passages of this nature seeing he cou'd no longer do it at least without betraying Weakness caus'd an Army to march under the Conduct of the Marschal de Chatillon The Count de Soissons to whom as Prince of the Blood the Duke de Bouillon had deferr'd the Command assembled his on his side and being come in sight of one another they fought and the Battaile provâ—d fatal to Both Partys For after the Count de Soissons had entirely broaken the Mareschal de Chatillon a certain Person calling out to him at some distance that the Enemies rally'd again he lift up the vizor of his Helmet with his Pistol either to take air or view the man that brought him this tydings But the Pistol going off he kill'd himself to the great Grief of all his Party Others say he was kill'd by a Trouper of the Company of Orleans and some by the hand of an Assassinate hired for that purpose by the Cardinal but I have heard it affirm'd by Persons then present and among Others by Lamesan who dy'd Sub-Lieutenant of the Kings Gendarmes that he killâ—d himself in the manner I have now related Thus I think it more fitting to credit those then upon the Spot than such as speak out of passion or upon the testimony of Persons at that time far remote His Death did not Change the face of the Battle but wrought a great Change in the affairs of his Party whom this accident having plung'd into amazement or rather Consternation gave the Mareschal de Chattillon time to bring his Army again on foot The Cardinal being rid of so dangerous an Enemy sent this Mareschal more fresh Troups and the Mareschal drawing near Sedan after having giv'n out the report that the King himself was going to follow with another Army the Duke de Bouillon had recourse to Supplications and Prayers and obtain'd by this Marschal his Kinsman's Intercession a Pardon for all that had pass'd As for the Duke of Lorrain he was devested anew of his Dominions and pitty'd by none as ever occasioning his own misfortune The Cardinal after having so happily terminated this Affair seeing himself above all had a design to be reveng'd on the Prince of Conde Whom he accus'd of having Clandestinely Conspir'd his Ruine and as he never wanted a Pretext when he meant to use one he resolv'd to revive the Business of Fontarabia and Dole which had been discourst to that Princes disadvantage The Prince of Conde having an infinite deal of Wit entertain'd some suspition of what was in agitation and attributed it to the Coldness he had shew'd to a Proposal that had been made him on this Cardinal's behalf touching a Match with his Eldest Son But going one day to make him a visit he converted his suspicions into Certainty when he observ'd at his going away Guards had been set to secure him he mounted up again immediately and pretending he had forgot something he return'd into the Cardinals Chamber with whom he discourst of a marriage of his Son with his Niece This Proposition mollify'd the Cardinal having at the very instant sent orders to the Guards to withdraw he reconducted the Prince of Conde to the very Door of his Antichamber giving to understand by this Civility which none receiv'd from him that a great Change was wrought in his Mind The Viscount de Turenne whom his Brother's Concern had Extremely ruffl'd being again at rest thro' the Upshot it had had thought himself oblig'd to make his Acknowledgements to the King who had the goodness to declare it to have been in consideration of him that he abated of his justice He also wrote to the Cardinal upon this matter and this Minister having a particular value for the Viscount and willing to Wedd him to his fortune had him offer'd by the Count de Harcourt to marry one of his Kinswomen But this Prince having more Disposition to a Single Life than to Matrimony wav'd the Match upon
much trouble the World believ'd this to be capable of making the Viscount de Turenne go serve in some Foreign Countrey But this Prince seeing his family Extremely under the Hatches on the Contrary redoubl'd his Zeal for the Crown hoping in time to oblige the King to distinguish it However he had great Mortifications for his Brother having lost his Sovereignty it seem'd as if his rank wou'd have been disputed which he had acquir'd by his Birth Such as gave him the hand before pretended now to take Place of him or at least to be consider'd as his Equals These Contests arose principally at Court so as that he staid there the least he could for at the Army the rank was regulated by the Charges and he did not look on it as strange to Obey a Mareschal of France it ever having been the Practise However he found much had not yet been done for him since Bodys apart had been giv'n to Persons of neither more merit nor more Service He above all wisht to Command in Germany where it seem'd to him War was better made than in any other Place whatever But tho' the Court had born him some good will yet what had newly befall'n him must needs discard all his hopes And indeed they were far from considing in him such a Command as that after so fresh a fault Yet he desir'd it that he might signalize his fidelity and told his Friends this to be the principal reasonâ— that made him desire it As it cou'd not be but that he must have some Pique against the Cardinal of whom he had not so kind an Opinion but that he imputed to him the misfortune of his House it goar'd him to the very Heart to be oblig'd to remain under the Command of the Mareschal de Meilleraye who was another Cardinal to the Viscount He wonder'd that the King notwithstanding the suspicions he had against this Minister left all his Armies under the Command of his Relations as if there had been none in the Kingdom capable of that Employment for the Count de Harcourt commanded one as I have allready said the Mareschal de Grammont who had marry'd one of his near Kinswomen another and tho' he had behav'd himself so ill at the Battle of Honnecourt as has been before observ'd this did not prove sufficient to deprive him of his Charge But the point the most extraordinary in all this is that the King himself knew that during his illness before Perpignan all these Generalls had made Cabals in their Armies to maintain their Kinsman in the Ministry so as by that his Majesty might judge how fast they were link'd to the Cardinal's Service since to the prejudice of all Tyes and Duties their whole Endeavours had been how to preserve the Authority their family stood possess'd of Not but that he did justice to Each sutably to his Deserts he was the first to say that the Mareschal de Grammont had a great deal of Wit that la Meilleraye understood sieges to Perfection and that the Count de Harcourt tho' None of the Most Consummated of all Men in the Trade had a Courage that render'd him recommendable above the Greatest Captains And indeed this Prince had still done things in this Campagne which had been very glorious tho' not allways attended with a prosperous Success He Commanded in Flanders as I have already said and had found it somewhat a difficult Province to resist Don Francisco de Melo General of the Spanish Armies who had double his Number of Men However he had with his Courage supply'd that want and tho' France had been in great danger especially after the Mareschal de Grammonts Defeat he had hinder'd the Enemies from making advantage of their Victory and had Confin'd their Conquests to so Scanty a Bus'ness that we were hardly sensible of them The truth is Melo had been faulty being not to be prevail'd with to joyn the Imperiall Troupes that acted towards the Rhine But this did not at all lessen this Prince's Glory who had ever Exerted the same steddyness and who not being in a posture to venture a Battle had done so much by his Address that he ruin'd the Enemies Army and recover'd from it before the year Expir'd all that it had been able to take during the Compagne Thus we may say that this year was a most Glorious one to France as having reduc'd the Princes of Savoy to the Obedience they ow'd their Sovereign conquir'd Roussillon preserv'd Catalonia dissipated Domestick troubles carry'd it's Arms into the very Kingdom of Arragon and in fine augmented it's Reputation in Germany without so many successes having been Clouded with any considerable loss unless that of the Mareschal de Grammonts But this Defeat was nothing in Comparison of that of General Lamboy to whom the Count de Guebriant who began to render himself famous in Germany had deliver'd Battle after having render'd himself Master of Orlinghen tho' he saw himself threatned on another side by General Haâ—field who endeavour'd to coop him up between Lamboy and himself The Benefit derived from this Victory was the taking of Nuitz of Kempen and of some Other Towns of less Moment joyn to this that the Imperialists had been forc'd to give breathing time to the Suedes whom before they follow'd without intermission The Count de Guebriant had also derived thence particular advantages for his own fortune For besides some benefits he had received from the King he was made Mareschal of France But as Fortune does often grow weary of favouring one and the same Person he was compell'd sometime after to raise the Siege of Lekenik He quickly reveng'd himself for this little Disgrace by the Defeat of Jean de Wert who had like to have drawn him into an Ambuscade wherein he himself was caught The Suedes revengâ—d him also wonderfully well for having decoy'd the Duke of Saxâ—-Lawemburg into a Trap they laid for him most of his men were then kill'd and he himself so dangerously Wounded that he hardly surviv'd his Defeat Then they took Schuwiâ—z and Olmutz and wou'd have pusht their Conquests further if the Arch-Duke Leopold having joyn'd with Picolomini had not compeli'd them to raise the Siege of Briâ—g which they had undertaken after the Conquest of O'multz However the same misfortune befell the Arch-Duke's men in a while after who had undertaken to recover Olmutz and had also beleaguer'd Groslgloglaw for they were forcâ—d to retreat from before both places which so encourag'd the Suedes that they besieg'd Leipsick where the Canon made so great a Breach that they resolv'd to give the assault But not prospering in that they rais'd the siege to go meet the Arch-Duke who advanc'd with Design of relieving that Place The two Armies met near Briteâ—field and having Both a Desire to come to Blows they fought it out Briskly the beginning of this Battle threatned the Suedes with a total Defeat for while their Right Wing fought with an Equall advantage
for it and indeed he ever sold it him as Dear as possible he could for as he was considerable of himself and gain'd dayly more and more regard by the Merit of the Duke d'Anguien he fancy'd all things were due to him The Cardinal saw himself in truth at the head of Affairs but was reduc'd to such an Exigency that all the pains he took was for Others And indeed the Duke d'Anguien himself prompted perchance by these Examples or perhaps allso because his Father was not over-Liberal had not been so strongly affected with Glory to which nevertheless he was very sensible as to be prevail'd with to be gone without that Ministers having giv'n him wherewithall to supply to a Great Expence Thus all the Treasures were for these Three Princes and as the Cardinals own affairs were not in over-good terms and that he had as good an Appetite as Others he on his side appropriated to himself all he could Insomuch that the finances being thus unprofitably Squander'd away recourse was to be had to Edicts which made the People Clamour and render'd his Ministry Extremely Odious Not a man of 'em besides the Viscount de Turenne who Neglecting his own Interests only Study'd those of the Crown tho' the Consideration he was in might have made him hope as well as Others to have gain'd by the Weakness of the Ministry for the Grandees after the Example of the Princes set their Services at a Price and in Case the least Neglected they fell into Caballs which made the Cardinal quickly recall them with a grant of still more than they had demanded The Duke d'Anguien after having obtain'd what he desir'd was departed for the Army and having caus'd it to pass the Meuse he joyn'd the Count de Marsin who brought him a Considerable re-inforcement General Bek being to observe his Motions retreated from before him and being under apprehensions for the Towns in Luxemburg he provided them with Men But this Princes Design was not to stop so near at hand and he had reasons which oblig'd him to pass on The Imperialists to give the Suedes work had set upon them their Ancient Enemies the Danes who having no want of Pretexts to declare Warr against them made so powerfull a Diversion of their forces that hardly any of 'em were left in Germany Thus the Viscount de Turenne found no small Difficulty to resist with Six or Seav'n thousand Men the forces of Bavaria and Lorrain that were joyn'd together for as to those of the Emperour the Prince of Transilvania had been rais'd up against them and he gave them Sufficient Employment Thus the Warr was extended into so many Parts that one wou'd have said Men had been bent upon Worrying one another In the mean while the Hollanders gain'd dayly by these Disorders and by little and little setled their State which we have since seen so flourishing As for Us besides Domestique troubles some Sparkes of which were already perceiv'd the Affairs of Germany began to render us uneasy The Viscount de Turenne with all his Experience and Capacity found himself so weak as has been allready hinted that he was oblig'd to retire upon the Rhin and put himself under the Shelter of Brisac while the Bavarians and Lorrainers being puft up with some petty Advantages they had gain'd march'd with displaid Ensignes against Fribourg As their Forces were Numerous in Comparison of those of the Viscount de Turenne he durst not venture a Battail but neglecting nought of what cou'd serve for the Defence of Fribourg he provided it with men Provisions and Ammunition and keeping hovering himself he sent to the Duke d'Anguien to advance with all speed This young Prince naturally coveting Glory but whose hands itch'd still more than usuall since his victory of Rocroy march'd day and night to come up in time But the Garrison not having made the Resistance Expected he found the Town taken at his Arrival which provok'd him to a high degree against the Governour Being however a thing for which there was no Remedy he conferr'd with the Viscount de Turenne to see what course was thereupon to be taken and Comforting one another in that it was neither of their faults they went together to view the Enemies who upon the rumour of the Duke d'Anguien's arrival were Encamp'd upon two Mountains whose Accesse though Difficult of itself was render'd still more so by several Retrenchments and by the Trees they had fell'd to Embarasse the ways But all these Empediments having rather Whetted than paul'd their Courage the Duke d'Anguien sent Marsin order with whom he had left his Army to bring it him with all Expedition Hardly would he allow it a day or two's Rest after so long a March and as if he had been afraid the Enemies shou'd have scap'd him he lead it himself on to the Battle which was long and obstinate on both sides The Enemies trusting in the strength of their Retrenchments and Scituation of their Camp seem'd at first to make a mock of the efforts he made but coming to perceive that the Viscount de Turenne after having made himself Master of a Wood which they had lin'd with Infantry came to attack them thorough a Place not so difficult they caus'd their Horse to march which Stop'd our foot that had pass'd sooner than our Cavalry by reason the Wood was fill'd with trees and Ditches that hamper'd the ways The night coming on hinder'd things from proceeding farther The Viscount de Turenne spent that time in passing the Cavalry which he had drawn up in Batalia at Break of Day But the Enemies making use of the Darkness to Conceal their Rerreat abandoned their Camp without having had time to break their Baraques or Carry away a thousand Conveniences we found there both for Men and Horses The Duke d'Anguien having suffer'd his Army there to rest after being Extreamly tyr'd and harrass'd with the Business of the day before by reason of the Continuall Rains departed again at Break of day with a resolution to pursue the Enemies who were retreated near to Fribourg He found they had Chosen an Advantageons Post which caus'd him to make a halt before he attack'd them But as he was Squaring his Measures by the Viscount de Turenne's and some Other Officers Advice the Souldiers fell a Skirmishing and had so far engag'd into a Battle as wou'd have render'd it impossible to have avoided it if the Viscount de Turenne to hinder the Disorder which began to appear among our men had not plac'd himself at the head of the Regiment of Flexâ—eim with which he repell'd the Enemies The vigour wherewith he broke in among them made them return into their Retrenchments out of which they came in hopes of an impending victory Things being thus retriev'd as well as cou'd be desir'd the Resolution was to attack them in their very Camp But we found the Passes so well intrench'd that after having fought on till night Our men were oblig'd
to leave them at Quiet Yet was this of no long Duration For the Duke d'Anguien who delighted in Bloud and was not daunted at the loss he had suffer'd in that Occasion thinking it a lessening of his Glory if after having prosper'd so well in the Beginning he desisted for so small a matter he remov'd his Camp to Landeslinghen that so by cutting-off their victualls they might quit so advantageous a Post His hopes were not abortive the Enemies coming quickly to be under all soâ—â—s of wants wou'd seek out a Place where they might live with more Conveniences But the Duke d'Anguien falling upon them on the one side while the Viscount de Turenne attack'd them on the other they were constrain'd to abandon their Canon and make their Escape into the Mountains The Duke d'Anguien having thus disperst their Army would have retaken Fribourg provided with a strong Garrison But the Viscount de Turenne remonstrating to him that the Enemies had left unprovided all the Other Places to Secure that persuaded him to go rather to Philipsbourg which being stronger by its â—c 〈◊〉 tuation and Outworks must afford him more Honour This was a sufficient hint to a Prince who valu'd nothing so much as things of great Renown to Wing him to this Enterprise He forthwith drew near that Place and having beleaguer'd it he had it surrender'd to him after the Trenches had been twelve days open This Conquest having been put into a Good Posture the Viscount de Turenne Advanc'd towards Worms and after having beaten part of General Bek's Cavalry he caus'd that Town to be Summon'd which submitted without striking a Blow From Worms he march'd against the City of Mayence whose Electour had Embrac'd the Enemies side and after having on his way reduc'd Oppenheim he came before Mentz allready invested by part of his Troups The Electour neither whose Will nor Character led him to be in a Town besieged had timely left it to retire to Cologne He had Carry'd along with him if it may be said the Courage of the Garrison so as the Chapter that besides had its Interests apart from those of the Electour sent a Deputation to the Viscount de Turenne to desire him not to ruine so fine a Town when just ready to open its Gates to his Exeellency The Viscount de Turenne in his Answer told those Deputies that he must allso have put into his hands the City and Castle of Binghen which the Chapter had under its Protection and seeing that after some Consults they had had with those of the Town they had at length thereunto consented he gave notice of all to the Duke d'Anguien that being greedy of Honour he might himself repair to the Camp that the World might presume his Highness to have made this Conquest The Enemies were retreated to Heilbron where they endeavour'd to re-inforce their Army But the Succours came in so slowly to them that before they were in a posture of forming any Enterprize the Viscount de Turenne had taken allso Landaâ— and Baccarach with several Castles which secur'd all those Conquests But the hast the Duke of Anguien was in to go to Court to receive fresh Applauses having occasion'd many to leave the Army it became so Weak that the Enemies were no longer afraid to show themselves Whereupon they began to march after so long a repose and having attack'd Manhein that had no more than Two Hundred Men in Garrison they carry'd it with Ease This Succes having puff'd up their Courage they conceiv'd a Design upon Spire which open'd it's Gates to us before the Siege of Philipsbourg But as this had been Suffering Philipsbourg to be block'd up on that side the Viscount de Turenne did not content himself with putting Succours into that Place but having also lin'd the Banks of the Rhin with his Infantry he hinder'd the Passage of some Boates that by the means of Certain Traytors in the Town thought to have been receiv'd therein upon sight He likewise sav'd Baccarach threatned with such another Enterprize and as the Governour by his valour had afforded him time to come to it's Succours he gave him two hundred Pistols of his own money and Writ to Court in his behalf for this Prince had no greater Pleasure than in procuring favours for those whom he found Worthy of them but he did these kind of things without affectation vanity or attributing to himself honour as most others do so as that many found themselves by him rewarded without knowing to whom they had the obligation Thus he rarely promis'd but nevertheless employ'd his Offices as much as if he had promis'd for he said that those who promis'd with so much Earnestness seem'd to Engage to bring that about which they had promis'd which ought not to be done unless it depends on one's self He said further that a man that had been amuz'd with specious Promises oftner blam'd him that had engag'd to be his Intercessor than him in whose Disposall the favour he demanded lay that this proceeded from the fault of a Certain Number of Persons whose Character was to promise lightly or not to remember what they had promis'd In the mean while the Enemies having miss'd of Spire and Baccarach as I have newly said attempted Creusenach which the Viscount de Turenne had in like manner reduced to his Obedience But he being on his march to relieve it they pass'd the Mein and went and beleaguer'd Hochst a small Place in Possession of the Lantgrave of Hesses Arms a Prince in our Allyance The Viscount de Turenne being afraid it was not in a Posture of making a Defence hasten'd to its Relief but having Notice on the Way of its being allready Surrender'd he turn'd his Arms against Gernsheim which compensated him for that loss He wanted nothing more now to Compleat so Glorious a Campagne than to Encounter the Enemies again which he wisht above all things as Phancying whatever Glory he had acquir'd at the Defeat of the Bavarians and Lorrainers the Duke d'Anguien had robb'd him of part of it being Commander in Chief of the Army Nothing did it avail his telling himself that that Prince being still Young and with small Experience the World would do him so much Juâ—lice as to believe that he had Contributed at least as much as his Highness to so many Great Successes but this was not capable of Satisfying him he told himself also at the same time that this Prince was one of the bravest Princes in the World and that his Bravery had perhaps produc'd all these Great Events he remember'd to have seen him all Cover'd with Fire in the Midst of the Enemies and he had often been more afraid for him in those Perils he saw him Expose himself to than he could hope to see him come Happily off For as he was one that most admir'd that Young Princes Virtue the Affection he had ever had for his Highness was improv'd to so high a Pitch that he
Duke of Orleans had the Mareschal de Gassion for his Lieutenant-General and being drawn near the Fort of Mardyk he Won it after a Siege wherein he lost some men The Prince of Orange was in the mean while upon the Wing to Awe and Create jealousy in the Spaniards and one while making a shew as if he meant to attacque Bruges and another some Other Place he gave the Duke of Orleans all so the leisure to take likewise the Fort of Link and Bourbourg The Army standing in need of some Repose after these last Conquests at fifteen days end they took the field again and the Prince of Orange still favouring our Designs we took Bethune Lislers St. Venant and Armentieres The Duke of Orleans being after this enclin'd to take a Turn to Court being either dispos'd to it of himself or by his favourite who had a mind to wrest some new kindness from the minister left his Army in the hands of Gassion and Rautzau who had been lately made Mareschal of France and these two Generals to return the Prince of Orange his Complement open'd to him the Passages for his going to besiege Hulst which he compell'd to Capitulate As for the New Army going into Germany the Cardinal put it under the Command of the Duke d'Anguien as he had done the Year afore But tho' Affairs were pressing on that side this Duke had order to favour the Enterprizes of the Marquis of Villeroy then busy'd in reducing some Places in Lorrain that still Obey'd their Natural Prince For the Duke of Lorrain being asham'd to suffer so many brave Men to Perish without giving them Succours he remounted all along the Meuse thinking that nothing wou'd oppose his Passage but having met with the Duke d'Anguien advantageously Encamp'd he was forc'd to stop on a Suddain and the Marquis de Villeroy in the mean while render'd himself Master of La Mothe whose Governour had acquir'd much Honour by his Defence This Affair being thus compleated the Duke d'Anguien continu'd his Way and was Urg'd to make the more hast by the bad News which arriv'd every Moment For besides that the Imperialists had retaken Gernsheim the Viscount de Turenne having joyn'd the Suedes and the Troups of Hesse after the Disaster that had befall'n him was continually sending him Word that he was ready to be abandon'd by Both Especially by the Count de Coningsmark who being wont to give much License to his Souldiers could not keep them in Discipline which the posture Affairs were in at that time did nevertheless require them to Observe All these things were sufficient enough as a man may say to give Wings to the Duke d'Anguien Having thus march'd Day and Night he us'd so much Diligence that he was but one days journey from the Viscount de Turenne who on his side drew near the Nekre where they were to joyn The Viscount de Turenne secur'd Wisloc on his Way and having Conferr'd with the Duke d'Anguien they resolv'd to pass the River tho' the Enemies allready appear'd on the Other side But Coningsmark refusing to fight under the Pretence of his being oblig'd to give Tortenson Succours who was Encompass'd with two Armies the Troups of Hesse after his Example demanded in like manner to retreat which occasion'd the Enterprize to be deferr'd The Rest of the Day and a good part of the Night was spent in gaining over Coningsmark and the Officer that Commanded the Troups of Hesse but Coningsmark having shown himself inexorable Ours durst not attempt the Passage of the River tho' the Troups of Hesse offer'd to stay The Duke d'Anguien was vext beyond imagination the Viscount de Turenne no less so tho' of a much more Temperate Humour for he hoped this Occasion would afford him the means of Retaliation But in short there being no Remedy they took leave of Coningsmark and after that squar'd their Measures otherwise Coningsmark being gone they beleaguer'd Wemphem and by taking it which the Enemies could not prevent became Masters of a Pass upon the Nekre by which they intended to make themselves a way into Bavaria The Enemies needing their Forces to defend the entrance of their Country dreading the fortune of the Duke d'Anguien wou'd not accept of the Battle he offer'd them and having put some Troups into Dunkespiel they retreated near to Norlinguen The Duke d'Anguien whom that Place had already afforded so much Glory hoping that it was still destin'd to acquire him fresh Lawrells after having taken Rotembourg march'd to Dunkespiel being willing to insinuate into the Enemies that he meant to fasten upon that Place But passing on all of a Suddain he would have Surpriz'd them if they had not happily met with a marsh behind which they drew themselves up in Battalia The Duke d'Anguien whose Courage was above all sorts of Difficulties wou'd needs fall upon that Post whatever the Danger in attacking them But the Viscount de Turenne having made him sensible that they could not stay long there temper'd the furies of his Youth so as that he resolv'd upon driving them thence by famine In the mean while he Caus'd his Canon to advance and the Enemies having also pointed theirs this Din lasted till night and two or three hundred men were kill'd on either side At the long run the want of provisions having as the Viscount de Turenne had well foreseen oblig'd the Enemies to discamp the Duke de Anguien fell upon their heels and having overtaken them before they could reach Norlinguen they drew up their Army in Batalia after having seiz'd on a village wherein there was a Competent strong Castle they put into 't a good part of their infantry and having plac'd their Cavalry behind they Phancy'd themselves so much the more in safty as that their Camp was upon two Mountains of Difficult access by reason of a Marsh on the one side and a Wood on the Other The Duke de Anguien after having view'd all these things gave the Command of his Right Wing to the Mareschal de Grammons and that of the Left to the Viscount de Turenne and having resolv'd to Cause the village to be attack'd he caus'd a Detachment to march thither led on by Marsin that was repuls'd with great loss Marsin himself having been dangerously Wounded was oblig'd to retreat and la Moussaye who had order to take his Room had not a better fortune The Duke d'Anguien imagining all things were to Square with his Courage march'd himself to see what was the matter they went not better But his Horse having been kill'd under him and having also receiv'd a Bruise the Battle began to cool when the' Viscount de Turenne found the means to pass between the village and a Mountain the Enemies Cavalry Seeing him coming endeavour'd to stop him that he might remain expos'd to the firing of the village which took him in the Flank but the Viscount de Turenne after having Chang'd his Horse his first having been wounded receiv'd 'em
so bravely that he quickly made them betake themselves to flight Gleen Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army was taken in that Occasion But General Mercy 's Destiny was still more Unhappy for as he endeavour'd to sustain the Battle with the Right Wing that had not yet buckl'd he was kill'd stone Dead upon the Spot The Officers Disaster drew on that of the Souldiers These wanting Leaders to Conduct them fought now no otherwise then in Disorder so as it was rather a Slaughter than a Battle their Ordnance with most of their equipage was the Booty of the victours and the Duke d'Anguien not being of a humour to let the fruit of his victory slip Seiz'd on Norlinguen and Dunkespiel The Duke of Bavaria whose states were left as a Prey after the loss of the Battail had recourse to the Emperour of whom he demanded Succours with great importunity and the Emperour fearing he might proceed to an accomodation with the enemies who made him some Proposals caus'd Immediately the Arch Duke Leopold with Galas to march away by this means Tortenson found himself freed from fear and continu'd with the more repose but not with the more Success at the Siege of Brin The Coming of Arch-Duke Leopold and of Galas gave Bounds to the Duke d'Anguien's Conquests who falling sick besides had been Oblig'd to cause himself to be carry'd to Philipsburg Before his Departure he Commanded the Mareschal de Grammont and the Viscount de Turenne to whom he left the Conduct of the Army to stand only upon the Defensive either that he had secret Orders from the Court or that hoping to be Suddainly cured he meant to reserve all enterprizes to himself But tho' he had not giv'n them these Orders yet Prudence requir'd their not following any other Course For the enemies were much stronger than we so as that there was no other way to play the Game then that he directed Thus after having put Men into Dunkespiel and the Other Places we had taken the Mareschal de Gramount and the Viscount de Turenne march'd away for Philipsburg and the Arch Duke thinking to engage them in a certain Occasion that was favourable to him offer'd them Battle which they were far from accepting Seeing he could not oblige them to it he himself drew near Philipsburg but having found the place in too good a Posture to dare to Beseige it and all the Passes on the Rhine so well guarded that he could not enter into Alsatia he wheel'd about and bent his Arms another way The French Leaguer being no longer under any Apprehensions for Philipsbourg Separated into two under the Conduct of the Mareshal de Grammont and of the Viscount de Turenne and this Prince though weak unwilling to lose time went and took Trier while the enemies attack'd Dunkespiel and Rotembourg they also made themselves Masters of Wislâ—k and Wimphem so as fortune seem'd to take delight in favouring sometimes one side and sometimes t'other In Catalonia only was it where she appear'd the least inconstant for the Count de Harcourt advancing into the Plain d'Vrgel to stop the enemies while the Count du Plessis perform'd the Siege of Roses she declar'd her self so far in his favour that a man wou'd have said she had wedded his Party In the mean while the enemies being very strong cou'd hardly brook to be thus Check-mated and made diverse Attempts and not being paul'd by ill Success in the Beginnings dayly undertook new matters The King of Spain was still at Saragossa from whence he press'd his Generals to open him the Passages and as he distrusted his fortune he had not dar'd to come himself into his Army for fear of receiving some Affront His Generals seem'd to participate in his fears and seeing His Catholique Majesty so wary they were also the more Circumspect in their Enterprizes So as that the Count du Plessis availing himself of their delays oblig'd the Town to Capitulate The King to whom this Count had already render'd manyfold services made him Mareschal of France sent him back into Italy to stop Prince Thomas his Complaints he not being over-well satisfy'd to be left thus without Succours In the Interim the Count de Harcourt after having in this manner ascertain'd the taking of Roses resolv'd to Cross the Segra whose passage the enemies defended But as it was difficult to compass that Design in their Presence he sent a detachment towards the mountains where they were not upon their Guard and this Detachment having pass'd the River upon a Bridge of Boats intrench'd it self on the Other side till the Rest of the Army was come up The enemies having had notice that part of the Army was already pass'd march'd that waywards and having begun a Brush to hinder the Rest from passing they were repuls'd and pursu'd ev'n into the Plain of Liorens the two Armies being there in Battalia the Conflict that had been only manag'd by Detachment became Generall But the Spaniards having again been beaten betook themselves to their heels and made their escape by favour of the night The Count de Harcourt being encourag'd by so many happy Successes layd Siege to Belaguier which had been Surrender'd to the enemies the year afore and after having re-taken it he return'd to Barcelona by reason of a Conspiracy fram'd by the Baroness d'Alby a Woman of Great Beauty with which she allur'd many People into her Interests The Spaniards seeing themselves worsted in so many Places endeavour'd to retaliate in Portugal and in Italy But the Marquis de Leganez having made an Invasion upon the Dominions of his Portugheze Majesty found more Difficulty than he had foreseen and the Governour of Milan that had hoped to have had Prince Thomas at a cheap rate saw himself frustrated of his expectation by the arrival of the Mareschal du Plessis However the Governour not yet despairing of being able to impede their Junction posted himself upon the River of Mora and having possess'd himself of Certain Posts made head against Prince Thomas while that on another side Endeavours were us'd to stop the Mareschal du Plessis But that Prince labouring under a want of Provisions made an Effort to get open the Passage and behav'd himself so Valiantly in that occasion that the Spanish Troups were put to the Rout. After this there being nothing more to hinder his joyning with the Mareschal du Plessis he met him on the Way this Mareschal having on his side done all in his Pow'r to come up to share with him in the fortune of that Day The War that was spread in so many Places during the year afore ceas'd in some by the Peace made between the Emperour and the Prince of Transylvania and between Sueden and Denmark But it continu'd with more force in other Places because that the Troupes of the Emperour and of the King of Sueden being re-united Each to their Party several Bodies of them were formed which carry'd the War into so many
Recommendation in his behalf that they shou'd not engage him in it in case their affair was ticklish in the least The Treaty above-mention'd being concluded with the Duke of Bavaria the year 1647. was allready far spent when that the Suedes having no mind to evacuate the Places they held were not in a humour to ratify the Treaty unless they might be left in Possession of what they then had in their hands In the mean while the Prince of Condé Dy'd before the Year was finisht and the Duke d'Anguien assum'd his Name so as when I shall henceforward mention the Prince of Condé I shall mean that Duke The Contests that arose between the Suedes and the Duke of Bavaria occasioned the Viscount de Turenne to remain still sometime upon his Territories where he fought a short and smart Battle for having Notice that the Enemies were marching towards the Rhin he attack'd them Vigorously and pursu'd them to the very Gates of Newbourg he also took several small Cities of of his Electoral Highness's Country for to oblige him to give all manner of Contentment to the Suedes it became him to exert still the same heat In the mean while as Affairs spun-out into a Length a Part of the Army advanc'd towards the Lake of Constance and alarum'd the Cantons by the taking of Bregens and of some other places They sent Deputies to the Viscount de Turenne to know his Intentions but this Prince having assur'd them that the King his Master had not the least thoughts of making any Innovation in their Regard they return'd very well satisfy'd as being persuaded he would not have giv'n them this assurance if he meant afterwards to Violate it And indeed those who knew him knew that for any thing in the world he wou'd not have been prevail'd with to deceive any body And it was also a Common saying of his that there was a great Difference between the Stratagems of War and Cheats and forasmuch as a man was esteem'd who knew how to put the former in practice so much ought he to be blam'd who made use of the later to bring about his Designs that a man's word ought to be inviolable as well to Enemies as to Friends and that if they were to be surpriz'd 't was not to be by promising them what a man never meant to perform At lâ—st the Treaty before-mentioned being made the Suedes having been thereunto oblig'd by the French harbour'd a Secret Resentment in their Hearts of which they were not long without giving them Instances During these Transactions the Viscount de Turenne having left Bavaria turn'd his Arms against the Electour of Mayenz and the Landâ—grave of Darmstadt from whom he recover'd the Cities of Aschaffemburg Sclingenstadt and some Others for while he was busy'd on the One side the Enemies Acted on the Other and sometimes in one and the same Campagn a Town Charg'd its Party three or four times He allso took the City of Darmstadt the Capital of the Landtgrasts of that name's Dominions and having Cast a Terrour into the Electorate of Cologne he oblig'd those Princes to demand a Neutrality All these Treatys would have startl'd the Emperor if he had believ'd them any thing long-liv'd but he expected what in effect happen'd that the Duke of Bavaria having left his Principal Towns in the hands of the Suedes and being Constrain'd to remain Armed could not Subsist any longer without endeavouring to affranchize himself from their Slavery that this wou'd rather make him Chuse the hazzards of War than Moulder away by little and little For which reason he resolv'd to try if he cou'd induce him sooner to the Rupture than he wou'd have fall'n to 't of himself In the Interim his Circumstances were so low that all his Credit seem'd lost in Germany For we were Masters of the Bancks of the Rhin from Colin to Basel and as the means to pierce into the Countrey We had also reserv'd to our selves Heilbronn and Lawinghen which afforded us a free Passage as far as into the Hereditary Countreys On another side the Suedes possess'd an infinite Number of Places in the heart of the Countrey but the Emperour hoping to avail himself of the strangeness between them and Us since the Treaty of Bavaria expected not only to recover what he had lost but also to sustain with some sort of Repute the Affairs of Flanders that were under great Decadency since the taking of Dunkirk For considering that if the King cou'd once render himself Master of those Provinces he wou'd be capable afterwards to give Laws to all the Empire he fancy'd that tho' he had not so much Interest therein as the King of Spain he ought nevertheless to Espouse it as his own Bus'ness For this purpose he sent the Arch-Duke Leopold thither that so the Grandees being Excited by the Grandeur of his Birth might rid themselves of a certain jealousy to which he attributed the Unhappiness of the foregoing Campagns The Arch-Duke being accompany'd with Numerous and well-disciplin'd Forces and being desirous to Signalize his Arrival in Flanders by some Considerable Exploit he lead his Army against the City of Armentieres whose Governour made a Valiant Defence but after having held out about three Weeks without the prospect of any Considerable Succours it at length Surrender'd upon Honourable Conditions From Armentieres the Arch-Duke March'd against Landrecies where he had Intelligence with the Marquis d'Haudicourt Commanding in that Place Thus having taken it with much Ease the French Leaguer then Marching to its Succours was oblig'd to turn its Arms another way To repair these Losses it took Dixmuyden and La Bassée but it kept the former of these Two Places so little a while that 't is not worth the pains to boast of it for the Arch-Duke laid Siege to 't immediately while the Mareschal de Gassion Attack'd Lens At the siege of this fastness was it that this Captain who had acquir'd great Renown in all his Enterprizes receiv'd a Musket-shot of which he dy'd he was much Lamented by his Men esteem'd by the Enemies and his Relations who were great Losers by his Death nevertheless lost still less by it than the State did to which he was more than ever capable of rendering great Services In the mean while the Arch-Duke's Army still Augmenting and the Court being afraid it might make advantage of Gassion's Death sent Orders to the Viscount de Turenne who staid upon the Banks of the Rhin to Secure his Conquests to repass it on to this side But by taking Care of the Affairs of this side those on that fell into Decay for the Emperour improving this Diversion drove the Suedes from several Posts For a Height of Misfortune Colonel Rose who serv'd in the Viscount de Turenne's Army being gain'd and egg'd-on by his Country-men who as I said before were Exasperated at the Treaty of Bavaria made Caballs in his Regiment and in that of some Suedes that serv'd as well as
his Reputation which had suffer'd some blemish by raising the Siege of Lerida he of his Person did Wonders and after having defeated their Left Wing He fell upon their Right which the Mareschal de Grammont had attack'd with less Success The Disorder was great among the Arch-Dukes Troups and this Prince was never able to rally them whatever Peril he himself confronted for the setting them an Example Rantzau taking the Advantage of this Victory went and Attack'd Frondatte who with a small Body of Spaniards Cover'd the Places on the Sea-side and after having beaten him into his very Retrenchments he beleaguer'd Furnes whither the Prince of Condè repair'd He receiv'd there a Musket-Shot on the Reins but the Bullet being flatted by his Buff that happen'd to lye in folds he came off with a Bruise These losses so allarum'd the Spaniards that they resolv'd to pass o'er all Considerations that had thitherto hinder'd 'em from coming to a Conclusion with the Hollanders and the Treaty having been sign'd they imagin'd they might be in a Capacity to take their Revenge However their Concerns went not only ill on that side but they had been also compell'd to raise the Siege of Flix in Catalonia and the Mareschal de Schomberg had taken Tortose from them they had likewise been oblig'd in Italy to abandon some Islands they had possess'd themselves off upon the Po and the Duke of Modena having the Command of the Army by reason of some Discontent Prince Thomas had giv'n the Court had besieg'd Cremona in the State of Milan with an Army of Fifteen Thousand Men. They apprehended the Event of that Siege as a thing fatall to their Grandeur The Duke of Modena us'd all possible Care and Industry in this Occasion as well as the Mareschal du Plessis and the Marquis Ville who particularly had the Whole Care of the Attacks but the latter having been been wounded by a Cannon shott of which he dy'd two days after seem'd to carry all Good luck away with him In effect the Duke of Modena having Suffer'd some Losses in diverse Sallies thought it became him not any longer to prosecute that Enterprize and though he had lost Men and time in 't he made less reflexion on the Shame that wou'd redound from raising the Siege than on the Obligation he was under to save the Rest of his Men. The joy the Spaniards receiv'd from raising the Siege of Cremona was preceeded by another Event to which they had been still more sensible and indeed the thing was of much greater Consequence to them and as I have not yet Spoke of it I shall here drop a Word or Two since the Occasion serves The Vice-Roy they had at Naples having displeas'd the People as well as the Nobless a General revolt there was against him the Night afore and fearing least the King of Spain might inflict an Exemplary Punishment they call'd in His most Christian Majesty to their Succours who sent them the Duke of Guise a Person to them acceptable This Duke being brave sustain'd things for some time with great Vigour but being addicted to his Pleasures he suffer'd himself to be led away by his Temper without considering the humour of the Nation jealous ev'n to fury Thus they not pardoning him some little Amours that had made but too much noise they fram'd severall Conspiracies against him nay and render'd him so suspected to the King that his Majesty left him as it were to himself In so great an Exigency he wou'd have open'd to himself a Passage to introduce Provisions into the Town then labouring under great want of them but going out himself imprudently those that had a Design against him deliver'd a Gate to the Spaniards who on another side seiz'd on his Person Now this Event was to them of too Great a Consequence for them to refrain entertaining an Extraordinary joy but it wou'd have been still much greater without what occur'd in Germany I have said before that the Duke of Bavaria having broke his Treaty the Viscount de Turenne was march'd away again for Germany by order from the Court and as this Prince knew the necessity there was to make hast he march'd long Days journeys till he had pass'd the Rhine He joyn'd the Suedes whose great occasions for him from them extorted great excuses for having receiv'd his Mutinous Troups and having offer'd to put them again into his hands to Chastize them as he pleas'd his answer was that all thoughts shou'd be laid aside of what was pass'd and that provided they were more Obedient he willingly pardon'd them This Affair being thus terminated without there appearing any bitterness on either side the Army march'd directly to the Danube where the Enemys waited with thirty thousand men as if they meant to give Battail but upon the Tydings they had that the Viscount de Turenne drew near they march'd to Donawert where they pass'd the River The Viscount de Turenne perceiving by this that they had no Intention to fight design'd to force them to an Engagement by passing it himself at Lawinghen and to make the more hast he left there his sick aud his Baggages Melander who commanded two years afore the Troups of Hesse but out of some Discontent had sided with the Emperour thought it not yet fitting to accept of the Battail and thinking to reach the little River of Armuth he was much Surpriz'd to see that his Rier attack'd before he cou'd pass Sommerhawen He immediately repair'd thither to put things in the best posture he cou'd but in his striving to stop the enemy that pusht him briskly he receiv'd a Pistol-shot in his Reins He easily perceiv'd the Wound to be Mortal but being a man of Great Courage he told those that were very earnest to give him help that they shou'd only think of saving the Army and having commanded them to press it on as much as they cou'd he Surrender'd his Soul in uttering these Words Advance Gentlemen Adv-a-n-ce The Rier had much adoe to pass the River and a great Number of them were kill'd upon the Bancks but the rest having at length got over they broke down the Bridges and still pursu'd their way In the mean while the Duke of Wirtembourg posted himself in a Meadow with twelve hundred Horse sustaining two Batallions plac'd to impede our Passage and he behav'd himself so valiantly in this imploy that a Man cannot say too much to his Honour And indeed though he had lost above the half of his Men they being kill'd by our Canon he stood firm in his Post untill Night when he made his Retreat The Darkness made the Viscount de Turenne not dare to pass in his Pursuit but at break of day the Army began to work upon the Bridges while the Cavalry were seeking out a Ford. At length having found the means to pass in less than three hours space it fell a tracing the Enemies who fled towards Lek As they had got a nights start
Pow'r that in Process of time wou'd not have brook'd Dependency The juncture of things oblig'd the Cardinal to dissemble these Enterprizes but laying them not the heart he dispatch'd away to the Respective Places Shrewd Persons and in whom he put great Confidence and these agents won so well upon the Garrison of Baisac that the Governour left there by the Count de Harcourt going out of the Town upon a March of Hunting the Gates were shut against him when he wou'd have come in again They Secur'd Philipsbourg allmost in the same manner and this Province having thus been reduc'd to Obedience the next Design was to besiege Bâ—tfort which the Count de la Suse pretended himself Lord of He being a Person that Espous'd th' Interests of the Prince of Condé As it is a Pass Bordering upon Lorrain this Commission was giv'n to the Mareschal de la Ferté the Governour of that Dukedom and who in the beginning of the Campagne had joyn'd his Troups to those of the Viscount de Turenne But their two Humours did not Cotten the Mareschal de la Ferté was of an Extraordinary Violent Temper and so self-conceited of his mean parts that he wou'd feign have had the World thought him to have been th' only Man of Universal Knowledge In the Campagne afore a thousand little piques had Occur'd between them But the Viscount de Turenne had so order'd matters by his Wisdom that all came to be appeas'd without making a Noise However the Mareschal de la Ferté dayly found a thousand Occasions for his jealousy of him for as much as his fiery Humour made him hated by the Officers so much did that of the Viscount de Turenne that was opposite to it gain him the Love of all sorts of People And in the Truth the Mareschal de la Ferté knew so well the hatred they bore him that he never Engag'd in any Battle without first going to ask Pardon of those he had Offended for he fear'd them more than he did th' Enemies he did nevertheless these sorts of things by way of Derision I mean in regard of those who saw him do it for in regard of others he did it heartily I remember how that one day when the Battle was just ready to begin some body having ask'd him whither he was going because he remov'd from his Post he made answer that he was going to seek th'Amnesty a word extremely in use at time on th' account of the Motions before related and for which People were often compell'd to have recourse to it All th'Officers smil'd at these kinds of Whims and knowing the Reason the Viscount de Turenne had not to bear him any good will they sometimes delighted to discourse of 'em in his presence But this Prince not taking any Pleasure in hearing any body spoke Ill of minded them at the same time of the Respect they ow'd a Person of the Rank of the Mareschal de la Ferté and thus took his part that goar'd him on all occasions for when ever the Viscount happen'd to be the Subject of the Discourse the Mareschal de la Ferté never fail'd of Darkening the lustre of his Actions or of his Virtue of objecting that he had born Arms against the King from thence pretended that All that he cou'd do wou'd never be capable of repairing what he had done The Viscount de Turenne to whom these Discourses were told again far from being in Anger answer'd gravely that he was very much oblig'd to him for putting him in mind of his fault that it was however needless because he had it ever present to his Imagination not that he pretended to make the Juncture of Times his Excuse on which many People would have rejected All that Occurr'd that nothing cou'd Excuse a Subject for his Disobedience and that it was also only in the Mercy of God that he hop'd for his Pardon So Worthy so Handsome and Moderate an Answer shou'd one wou'd have thought have made the Mareschal de la Ferté abstain thence-forward from such like Discourses But this was far from rendring him Discreet if I may say so of a Mareschal of France his Violences were but the greater and proceeded ev'n to extremity For one day finding one of the Viscount de Turenne's Guards out of the Camp he askt him who had sent him thither and whether he knew not that it was forbidden to pass the Guards and without giving him a hearing Can'd him to some purpose The Guard made his Complaints to the Viscount de Turenne But this Prince calling immediately for the Captain of his Guards bid him go from him to the Mareschal de la Ferté and tell him that since the Guard must needs have very much offended him to make him do what he had he sent him him to compleat his Punishment and that he wou'd also Discard him if he thought fitting and that he needed only to give him the hint to be obey'd At the same time the Mareschal de la Ferté who after having made Reflexion on what he had done knew not how to Clear himself in the world was still the more surpriz'd at this Complement he endeavour'd to Excuse himself the best he could but having dismiss'd the Captain of the Guards he told such as were then present that the Viscount de Turenne's manner of receiving this Offence gave him much more Confusion than if he had shewn Resentment and the dint of Truth compelling him to divest himself of Self-Love to do his Adversary Justice he cou'd not forbear saying that the Viscount de Turenne was as Discreet as he was Passionate However tho' all this came to the Cardinals Knowledge it was not capable of procuring them a Command apart For it was one of this Minister's Maxims to foster in the Grandees a Continual Jealousy of one another being withall unwilling to give so much Credit to the Viscount de Turenne as that he might abuse it We shall nevertheless see in the Process of this History that this Maxim was none of the best and there-thence ensu'd Inconveniencies as were sufficiently considerable as to induce him to change it The Prince of Condé would in the Interim have made Advantage of so Propitious a Juncture if the Spaniards had not harbour'd a Diffidence of his Conduct for they saw him still irresolv'd whether or not he shou'd come to an Accommodation with the Cardinal who to render him the more suspected still amus'd him with new Treatiâ—s this Prince had besides quitted several little acquaintances in the Kingdom that held him by the Heart and tho' it seem'd that so great a man as he ought to be but little sensible to such sâ—rts of things yet they sufficiently possess'd him as to make him regret what he had forsaken More especially he had a Jealousy of the Prince of Conti who meant to build his Fortune on his Ruines and he cou'd not think of his being upon the point of going to fatten
Turenne having signify'd to him to have a Care of his Quarters that were Separated from his by a Canal which was impossible to fill and on which there were Bridges for the having Communication together he took this advertisement as an Injury and refus'd to receive four or five Regiments of Re-inforcement which the Viscount offer'd him for his Security The Viscount de Turenne having notice by his Spies that he was to be attack'd in the Night did not desist for this forc't Refusal and having sent him Word that the Kings Service requir'd his making him once more the same Offers he Expected his Answer but that having been no more favourable to him than the former he stood upon his own Guard and left th' other to do as he pleas'd The Night being come the Enemies did not fail of approaching under the Conduct of the Prince of Condé and of Don Juan who had us'd their utmost Contrivances for the Relief of so considerable a Place and thinking to have a better hand o're the Mareschal de la Ferté than of the Viscount de Turenne they attack'd his Lines with so much Vigour that they were forc'd after a Conflict but meanly disputed The most part endeavour'd to scape o're to the Viscount de Turenne's side But the Waters which the Enemies had caus'd to disgorge on purpose after having ruin'd some Bridges upon the Dyke and the others were so over-burden'd by the great Numbers of men that fled away that some of 'em broke The Viscount de Turenne caus'd Men to march immediately that Way-wards to hinder the Enemies from mingling among the Runaways but this being a difficult matter to accomplish by reason of the darkness and Disorder he caus'd the remaining Bridge to be broke down and thereby took away all hopes of safety from the Vanquish'd After this it was nothing but a Slaughter many were drown'd in the Dyke in endeavouring to avoid perishing by the hand of the Enemies th' Others were kill'd fighting and the rest were taken Prisoners and among others the Maresehal de la Ferté who was led to Rocroy the Waggons Tents and Baggages were the Booty of the Conquerours But meaning to push on their Victory further they endeavour'd to repair the Bridge to Pursue the Viscount de Turenne in his retreat to Quesnoy In the mean while having Seiz'd on an advantageous Post he staid in Battalia for the Fugitives and there came a much greater Number than cou'd be Expected considering the Mighty Disorder that had been But the Night had often confounded a French-man with a Spaniard and the later for fear of destroying a friend had often sparâ—d an Enemy This Unhappy Success amaz'd the Court that glory'd a little too much afore in all the advantages it had gain'd However putting a great Confidence in the Viscount de Turenne's Prudence and Conduct he had sent him a re-inforcement of some Troups with which he durst not only keep the Field but likewise perform Enterprizes In effect seeing that the Enemies had Attacqu'd St. Guilain he went and took La Capelle and then march'd to give them Battle The Enemies judg'd it not convenient to stay his Coming and having rais'd the Siege he revictuall'd the Town The Court having been afraid of some new Blow was strangely Surpriz'd at this Wonderfull Performance and the Cardinal thinking he had too great an Obligation to the Viscount de Turenne to remain without giving him Instances of his Acknowledgment promis'd him many things But this Prince placing all his Ambition in serving well the King demanded no other Recompence but that he might never more be coupl'd with the Mareschal de la Ferté which was granted him This Year pass'd thus in Flanders with a fortune Intermix'd with Good and bad while that in Catalonia we stood upon the Defensive and that in Italy we beleaguer'd Valence This Siege was long and doubtfull for th' Enemies having Assembl'd all their forces and drawing near our Lines thought to put us under the Constraint of raising it after having got some succours into the Town but the Duke of Modena commanding our Army obstinately persevering notwithstanding this Unhappy success minded his Bus'ness more narrowly and having shut up the Passes better than he had before he at length reduc'd the Beseig'd to so great an Extremity that they were oblig'd to capitulate This was a great Mortification for the Spaniards who began to tremble for the Land of Milan that had been so successfully set upon In the Interim they endeavour'd to revenge themselves on Roses which we still held in Catalonia but we so well broak all their Measures that they durst not come nearer than two Leagues from the Town All these Prosperities made the Cardinal forget the vexation he had had for the Mareschal de la Fertè's Defeat But fortune being willing to put him in mind that he shou'd be Expos'd when she pleas'd to her Caprices made him feel a New Afliction by the loss of Madam de Mercoeur his Niece after some few days illness This Grief being particularly only to his family was follow'd by another wherein the Publique shar'd which was the taking of Saint Guilain of which the Spaniards made themselves Masters what ever Precautions were us'd on our side Nay and Suddainly after this too we under went a New Disgrace which was the raising the Siege of Cambray whither the Viscount de Turenne had march'd with all his forces This Place whose Conquest was of such importance to the repose of Picardy having only a Weak Garrison the Viscount de Turenne fancy'd a more propitious time cou'd not be taken for the reducing it to Obedience for which reason he made haste to invest it and to work upon the Lines of Circumvallation But Fortune that breaks when she pleases the justest measures popt the Prince of Condé in his way which disappointed his Enterprize The Prince without foreseeing this Siege had appointed his Horse to Rendezvouve near Kâ—urain to see what Condition it was in before it was commanded to leave its Winter-Quarters As he was marching to this Rendezvouze attended only by some Servants Chance made him meet with a Man whom the Governour of Cambray sent to Bruxelles to give notice of his being Besieg'd and the Person having told him the News which he wou'd hardly believe at first he caus'd his Horse forthwith to march tho' they had neither Provisions nor Equipages they all hoping to return to their Quarters after the Review and having bated them on the Way and taken a Guide to pass the Wood he came at Night within a Musket-shot of the Viscount de Turenne who had not yet finisht his Lines of Circumvallation Thus the way being all Smooth he pass'd without any Obstacle and march'd very close untill that having been discover'd by some Squadrons that march'd against him with Sword in hand they fell just upon that his Highness led where were most of his Servants and having routed it several were taken so as
for Misery had rais'd Revolts in Spain as well as in France which did but too much manifest the need there was of Peace The Cardinal had already a Year or two past caus'd some Proposals to be made to Don Antonio â—imentel at his passing thro' Paris in his return from Sueden where he had been th' Ambassadour of Spain but they had been ill receiv'd at Madrid because at the same time was propos'd the King's Marriage wiâ—h th' Infanta of Spain the Presumptive Heiress of the Crown Thus the Council of his Catholique Majesty had judg'd with some sort of Reason that all the Offers that were made of causing the King to renounce her Succession would hold good no further than this Young Prince shou'd please since by the Laws Establish'd in his Kingdom he was acquitted whenever so minded of what was to his Prejudice These things putting thus an Impediment to the Peace the King resolv'd to push on his Conquests in Flanders and to oblige the Viscount de Turenne to serve him still with the more Affection he gave the Charge of Lord High Chamberlain to the Duke of Bouillon for which however the Duke of Guise that had it afore had some sort of Compensation After the Viscount de Turenne had thank'd the King and taken his leave of him he repair'd to the head of his Army that assembl'd upon the frontier of Boulonnois and being entred into the Country he caus'd Cassel to be attack'd that was guarded by five hundred Men Ours wou'd not receive them otherwise than at Discretion after which th' Army approach'd Dunkirk which was invested by four thousand Horse The English on their part according to the Convention before mention'd shut up the Passages of the sea with a Good Fleet and the Viscount de Turenne Expecting the Enemies wou'd spare nothing to relieve a Place of This Consequence made hast to press on his Works and Attacks But the Garrison being good retarded both by it's saillies at length th' Enemies had time to take the field The Mareschal d'Hocquincourt had Expos'd their Party upon some affront he pretended to have received from the Cardinal and of which having demanded Reparation without having been able to obtain it he had run to that Extremity in hopes of meeting with an Occasion to Wreak his Revenge As he was a Soldier he meant to Signalize his Coming by some Action that might make him noted by both Parties Whereupon he advanc'd to view us but having been wounded at the same time with a Musket-shot his hopes ended two hours after with his Life His Disaster was a fatal Presage for those of his Party but as Brave Men are not startled at such like things the Prince of Condé and Don Juan pursu'd their enterprize The Viscount de Turenne to spare them the pains of coming to attacque his Lines march'd out of them at the Head of his Army leaving however in the Trenches as many men as were necessary to guard them They drew-up in Battalia as soon as they were out and the Enemies having done the like the Battle began very obstinately on both sides But th' Enemies having been overwheIm'd by numbers gave ground by little and little after this their Ranks growing still more and more thin the Disorder was still the Greater Insomuch that they were put totally to slight None but the Prince of Condé who at the head of some Squadrous he had rally'd and where all those Brave men plac'd themselves that follow'd his fortune that endeavour'd to make any further Resistance But the most part having been either Kill'd or taken Prisoners he was very happy in having a good Horse to save himself The Victory cou'd not be more signal than it was for us the Enemies fled away 'till Night without facing about and far from being in a Condition of returning to Dunkirk they cou'd hardly bring six thousand men together all the Rest of the Campagne After the Viscount de Turenne had giv'n the Orders necessary for the pursuing them he returned into his Lines where he was no sooner come but that he made known the Success of the Battle to the Besieged that so they might take their Measures accordingly They pretended not to be in any wise daunted and in Effect made several Sallyes more But the Viscount de Turenne having shut 'em up by little and little and taken all their Out-works at length he render'd himself Master of the Town by Composition This Conquest wou'd have occasion'd Great joy thro' all the Kindgom if we had not been bound by the Treaty made with the English to put it into their hands However in a few days after we were in no Condition to make that Reflexion by an Accident of a far greater Moment The King whose Inclination was all Warlike being not to be prevail'd with for two or three Years last past to abstain from repairing into his Armies he came during this Campagne to visit the Fort of Mardyk an Unhealthfull hole of it self but whose Infection was still the Greater thro' the Garrisons way of Living that Eating only Fruits and filthy things was for the most part sick However this Prince being Young and not knowing the Danger must notwithstanding needs stop there that he might see All and having taken-in the Ill Air he return'd to Calice with the Sun on his head which complicated his misfortune Whereupon he began to undergo great pains but having conceal'd his Malady for two days for fear they shou'd oblige him to keep his Bed at last on the third he found himself so weak that he cou'd no longer dissemble it on the fourth he was still worse which alarum'd the Court and especially the Cardinal who saw his Fortune lost if this Young Prince happen'd to dye for tho' his Majesty had a Brother he cou'd not promise himself that he shou'd have his favour as he had the Kings The Queen-Mother was also under an Affliction that 's beyond expression But it was quite another thing at some days end for it was not only believ'd he couâ—d never scape but the very Curtains were drawn the Physicians having declar'd him Dead Some Courtiers being deceiv'd by these words went to pay their Homages to the Duke of Anjou his Brother but they had occasion to rue it for as those sorts of things are rarely pardon'd the King look'd on them with an ill eye when he had recover'd his health In the mean while the Queen never leaving him day or night seeing he was abandon'd by his Physicians caus'd one to come from Abbeville whom she had heard well spoken off and he having giv'n him two Potions of Emetique wine being not yet in use at that time freed him from his illness to the Courtiers great Satisfaction whose hearts this Young Prince had won by manners alltogether Engaging They alone did not rejoyce at this happy Success the People shar'd in it as deeply as became them and gave a thousand testimonies of their gladness But not a
Command of the Count de Soucheâ— The rest passâ—d into the Palatinate under the Orders of the Duke of Lorrain and Count Caprara But as they were to be suddenly follow'd by the Duke of Bournonville the Marquis of Brandenbourg and the Princes of Brunswick the Duke and Count were only to be entrusted with the Command 'till their Arrival For this reason had Montecuculi an Old and Crafty Captain desir'd the Emperour to dispense him from coming that Year upon the Rhin for as he wou'd have been likewise oblig'd to obey he consider'd that the Honour of the Good Success wou'd redound to the Marquis de Brandenbourg to whom the Command was to be giv'n up and that on the Contrary if thing sped ill he wou'd be tax'd as a Person that having more Experience ought to regulate all by his Councels Besides these two Armies that were Numerous the Enemies made still flying Camps on Several sides One of which Rabenhaut Commanding attack'd Graves a Place whence we too much gall'd the Enemies for them to forbear endeavouring to take it from us As it was the most Expos'd we had not fail'd to provide it in due manner thus Rabenhaut not meeting there the facilities he had Expected Chang'd as I may say his Siege into a Bloccade that is he thought much more of saving his Men than of Exposing them for he hop'd that having two Armies of his Party upon their Wings as strong as were those of the Duke of Bournonville and the Prince of Orange they wou'd quickly have so favourable a Success that they wou'd be in a Condition to relieve him As the Viscount de Turenne plainly foresaw all this he wou'd not give the Enemies time still to encrease and as they every Moment expected the Duke of Bournoville without reckoning the Troups of Brunswick and of Brandenbourg he resolv'd to give them Battle before all these Succours were arrriv'd The Duke of Lorrain and Caprara were Men of too much ability to concurr to his Design wherefore they no sooner suspected it but that they contriv'd to elude it by a speedy Retreat And this was indeed the only means to prevent the Purpose But the Viscount de Turenne having made as much way in Six days space as they had done in Twelve oblig'd them to face about at Seintzeim from whence they pretended to reach Wimphem or Hailbron to pass the Nekre They were Surpriz'd at this Diligence so much the more as that they had left some Garrisons on his Passage which they thought must have stop'd him But the Viscount having foreseen that this might make him miss of his Enterprize did not spend his time on them well knowing that they wou'd quickly be oblig'd to surrender if he cou'd but gain the Victory However tho' that Seintzeim where the Enemies Infantry was intrench'd was no more than a Village that is to say tho' it had not any fortifications yet did it nevertheless give them a great Advantage it shelter'd their Horse posted beyond it upon a Mountain of so Difficult Access that there was no coming at it but by Defiles and these too in a very small Number for the way was fac'd with hedges and Vineyards and broaden'd gradually as you grew near so as that when we should have taken the Town they had still the Advantage of a large Front which is considerable for the winning of a Battle The Viscount de Turenne having been long acquainted with the ground was not daunted by these Difficulties but caus'd his Army to file off along the way of Wisloc and not doubting but that the Enemies had lin'd the hedges near the Town with Infantry he sent Dragoons thither that dislodg'd them thence they forthwith retreated with the Rest of the Garrison and with it making fire they for some time kept our Dragoons in Awe But the Viscount de Turenne having caus'd them to be sustain'd by the Infantry the Enemies durst no longer shew their heads and firing thence forward only at Rovers and much higher than was requisite our Men advanc'd to the very foot of the Walls and sought to force some Gate or Other The Cavalier d'Hocquincourt a son of the late Mareschal of that Name whom we have heretofore mention'd that was a Colonel of the Queen's Dragoons having found one where they had not had time to lay Dung as they had done to the Rest had it Cutt and Burst open and seeing that the Enemies throng'd from all sides to drive him back he was afraid of being overwhelm'd with the Multitude and Caus'd his Men to enter the Houses on the Right and Left which he caus'd immediately to be boar'd He from thence not only stopp'd them but gave also time to those that follow'd him to enter the Town so as that the Enemies seeing they cou'd resist no longer retired to their Cavalry The Town being taken in this manner the Viscount de Turenne caus'd on his side some Bridges to be laid over a River which render'd the way impracticable for the Horse nay and for the very foot for it reaches round a kind of Mocrass which even in the greatest heats of Summer renders the ground so soft that those of the Place are oblig'd to seek Paths He caus'd his foot to pass o're these Bridges for he was afraid lest they shou'd break under the Cavalry for which reason it fil'd thro' the Town The Enemies prepar'd to receive us and had put Foot and Dragoons into the Vineyards and Places that were most favourable to them which oblig'd the Viscount de Turenne to Post Infantry upon a Hill that stood a little beyond Seintzeim from whence it fir'd upon that of the Enemies But it suffer'd much from their Canon that was plac'd to advantage and hardly made one useless shot As there was no Advancing the Cavalry without its Succours there was a Necessity of leaving it there and according as our Squadrons drew near the Viscount de Turenne had them follow'd with Balls which serv'd them extremely The Enemies Horse had 'till then contented themselves with beholding all that was done yet by their Countenance manifested they only waited Orders to March In effect being not willing to give ours time to form a larger Front it Charg'd us Vigorously and put us in Disorder Saint Abre a Lieutenant General that was at our Head was Mortally Wounded in this Occasion which still augmented our Disorder so as that without the Infantry which had drove away that of the Enemies out of the Vineyards and fir'd continually it had been impossible for us to rally The Viscount de Turenne who after such fair beginnings was in Despair to see his Cavalry so hardly us'd went nevertheless from rank to rank to exhort them to do better in a Second Charge that was preparing But the Enemies being Arm'd Breast and Back and having besides each a Crescent in his Hat having to do with People that were stark naked put us into so ill a condition that they thought we should
great Honour if the Post he was in would allow him to Embrace it but that his Electoral Highness knew better than any man under what obligations he lay through his Employ that he could not flatter himself that the King would give him the Permission that it wou'd be oâ— too pernitious a Consequence and that for his part he would not expose himself to his Denial These reasons though very pertinent were not capable of easing that Princes Resentment he being dayly more and more Exasperated by the ruine of his Country But what overwhelm'd him with Greif was to see the slowness of his Allies who with such numerous Troups durst not venture upon any enterprize Rabenhaut was just as much advanc'd as at the first day before Grave and the Prince of Orange though he had not yet been joyn'd by the Count de Montorey did nothing but eat up Flanders out of House and Home though his Army was above fifty thousand men The Prince of Condé was ever at the side of him and they had often been within a League of one another without any considerable matter occuring This the Duke of Lorrain found fault with as well as the Prince Palatine and though fortune had left some difference between them since the one still enjoy'd his Dominions and that the other was despoyl'd of his yet as they were Both in tribulation they jump'd allmost altogether in their sentiments However when they mutter'd most against all these Transactions the Prince of Conde engag'd an Occasion wherein he might have acquir'd much Glory if he wou'd have contented himself with the Advantages fortune at the first offer'd his Highness The Prince of Orange march'd towards Le fay a woody Country as is most part of Flanders and the Ground obliging his Highness to leave some Interval between the Van and the Reer or rather the Van being not able to joyn the Rear but by passing several Defiles the Prince of Conde who was prompt to Conceive resolv'd to cut it off For this purpose he caus'd the King's Houshold to march of which the right wing of his Army was compos'd which having totally defeated some Troups nearest at hand so startled those that were most advanc'd that without thinking any longer of joyning the Van they put themselves into the Church of Senef and into other places where they expected most resistance to be made thus they abandoned some Carriages that were forthwith plunder'd but this having not hinder'd our Troups from doing their Duty All those Places were forc'd and a number of Prisoners were taken and many men kill'd This Good Success had not cost us a hundred men whereas the Enemies had lost full three thousand in the Action besides the Equipages I have mention'd This was Sufficient to content another General than the Prince of Conde but his Highness thinking his Victory Imperfect if he did not render it greater caus'd the enemies to be pursu'd who had drawn themselves up in Batalia behind le Fay after having garnish'd all the Avenues with Infantry and Dragoons He pusht there after a Surprizing manner to drive away those Dragoons and that Infantry but the Enemies having the Advantage of the hedges over us they kill'd us so great a number of men that in less than a moment all the field of Battle was Cover'd with the Dead The Prince of Condé began to be in Despair that he had so lightly engag'd in so great a Peril But the Affair being embark'd he wou'd needs see if there was no means to come Happily off He caus'd fresh Troups to Advance but the Enemies having done the same his New Efforts only serv'd to make him try New Disasters he lost an infinite Number of Officers and the end of the Battle was so disâ—dvantageous to his Highness that it defac'd the Honour he had acquir'd in the Beginning In short the two Parties being Paul'd with so many Charges ceas'd firing upon one another and tho' the Night that had overtaken them had not been capable of Separating them Labour and Weariness did what Night had not been able to Effect However the two Armies remain'd in One Anothers view till Eleven a Clock at Night which made it presum'd that at break of Day they wou'd re-ingage The Prince of Condé being quite spent as well as the rest had laid himself down upon a Cloak at the corner of a Hedge where his mind being full of Care and Disquiet he knew not how to repair the loss he had undergone and still less how to reincourage his men who seem'd quite dejected in effect the enemies meaning to retreat spread a Universal fear and terrour among our men by a discharge they made to hinder us from penetrating their Design Insomuch that had they charg'd at the same time instead of be taking themselves to a Retreat all our Army had undoubtedly been put to flight The Prince of Conde was overjoy'd at the Course they had taken and his Troups having had time to recover Courage he observ'd the enemies who had a Design to beseige some Place not one was there but what was afraid some Governours manifested so much weakness as prov'd sufficient to depose them In fine after having made all Flanders tremble they fell upon Oudenarde wherein the Prince of Condé had newly put the Marquis de Rannâ—s Colonel-General of the Dragâ—ons This Prince knowing some Discourses were held to his Prejudice since the Affair of Senef hardly allow'd himself time to stay for some Succours that the Mareschal de Humieres was to bring him to March against the Enemies and breaking up as soon as Ever it was come not a man but imagin d that as his Highness was full of Resentment a great Slaughter was impending The Diligence he us'd did not permit the Enemies to take the Place before his Arrival and the Counts de Souches and Monterey having been of Opinion not to hazard their Troups which the Circumvallation held Sever'd from one Another the Prince of Orange was forc'd to Conform himself thereunto tho' his Opinion lay rather to leave something to Chance than receive this Affront The Siege of Oudenard having been rais'd in this manner the Enemies Troups resolv'd to Separate and the Prince of Orange seeing that Rabenhaut who was still before the Grave wou'd remain there a long while unless he was Succour'd went thither himself with his Forces The other Enemies made also a great Detachment with which they directed their way towards the Meuse where they took the City of Dinan and that of Huy both scituated upon that River Impossible was it for the Prince of Condé to oppose these Enterprises for as much as that a part of his Troups had been drawn out to be sent to the Viscount de Turenne who every Moment saw those Encreas'd that made head against him This had at length oblig'd him to retreat on this side the Rhin and as there was reason to believe that the Enemies could not pass that River
brief his Reputation alone retain'd them rather than his Forces and indeed there was little likelyhood that a Town having Eight or Nine Thousand men in Garrison should quake before an Army that often was hardly more numerous It was not Strasbâ—urg alone that had so much fear Montecuculi knew not what Course to take to Supply and keep on foot his Army which no longer deriv'd from Strasbâ—urg all the Succours it was wont to receive thence He Sought for field ou all sides where he might find Forrages that were not Common in a Country where War had so long been made Besides this it became him to find an advantageous scituation where he might be shelter'd from the Viscount de Turenne who still coasted him In short he saw himself reduc'd to fight or dye of Hunger when a Fatal day happen'd for us I mean that Unhappy day wherein we lost the Viscount de Turenne He had never been seen more gay and joyfull nor more Content he fancy'd that the Enemies cou'd no longer Escape him and tho' it was not his Custom to say any thing to his own Advantage he cou'd not forbear blazing the then present State of things nay he Signify'd it to the King But during these Occurrences meaning to go view a Hill on which he might erect a Battery he receiv'd a Canon-shot which hit him in the Breast and made him fall Dead upon the Spot St Hillaire the Lieutenant of the Artillery whom he had brought with him having been wounded at the same time his son began to make Complaints conformable to the misfortune that was befallen him But St Hillaire melting all into tears shew'd him the Viscount de Turenne's Body adding that if any thing ought to grieve him it ought to be the loss they had newly suffer'd of so great a man this news was forthwith divulg'd throughout our Army and occasion'd so great a Consternation that one wou'd have said that every man had been Condemn'd to Death After Silence for a while they fell a Sobbing nor more nor less than if they had lost each Individual his own Father the new Soldiers as well as the Old broak-out into Skreams and Howlings capable of Softening the most harden'd hearts it was a Won ' er to see that People that had so little a time to know him were as sensible as those that had been often graâ—ify'd with his favours In the Camp nothing more but Lamentations were heard the Soldiers cry'd to one another what our Fathers then Dead What shall we do Who shall bring us o'er the Rhine again in safety nay when we have pass'd it under whom can we Serve from whom we may expect the like Treatment Each Individual then took Delight in relating the Obligations he had to him but notwithout interrupting his story with abundance of tears that bedew'd his face Yet wou'd every one see the â—â—dy of his General But this Spectatle renew'd their Crys and their Wailings In so general a Sadness it was impossible to discern the Relations from strangers so reall was the Grief Nor indeed was it without Reason that the Soldiers call'd him their father since that they bore him the same Affection as if he had been really so The Count de Lorges his Nephew being then at the Army suspended for some Days the tokens of his Grief for fear it might be capable of daunting the Troups that remain'd under his Conduct After this fatal Accident he made them direct their march toward the Rhine and knowing that the Enemies were brushing after him he Mareshall'd his Army in Battalia for fear of being Surpriz'd The Enemies perceiv'd plainly by his Countenance that matters wou'd not go 〈◊〉 Swimminly on their side as they had Expected But being wholly possesâ—'d with the thought that the Viscount de Turenne's Death must needs afford them a Great Advantage they made up to the Count with a Resolution to fight him Then was it necessary for the Couâ—t de Lorge to put in Practice the Lessons his Uncle had see him he prepar'd for Battle did it in so much order as spoke him to be a great Proficient The Battle was long and doubtfull but the Enemies having throughout found an Extraordinary Opposition they judged more Convenient to retreat than to fasten any longer upon a thing that had been less usefull than Damageable The Count de Lorges no longer finding any Impediment in passing the Rhine Conducted his Troups into Alsace where he resolv'd to wait the Kings Orders to whom he had dispatcht a Courier In the Interim being willing to pay his last Duties to his Uncle he had him a Service perform'd whereat if Prevention had not been us'd Every man of all the Troups wou'd have assisted For the least Soldier being hurry'd-on by the Affection he had for his Memory thought himself no less oblig'd than the Count to be at this Ceremony Not one was there however that Contented himself with wearing Mourning in his heart Every Individual wou'd needs by outward marks shew his Affliction and if as much Crape cou'd have been got as they wou'd have had we shou'd have seen what perhaps had been never seen in any Army that is to say All the Soldiers in Mourning in Reality they did not mind what it might cost and he that cou'd get any thought it a great favour of Fortune The King having receiv'd the Count de Lorge's Courier was so very much Afflicted that he wou'd not see any Body for several days together he said publiquely that he had lost the Wisest Man of his Kingdom and the Greatest of his Captains and fearing that after this the Enemies might easily enter into the heart of his Dominions he sent the Prince of Condé into Alsace and this Prince found the Means to stop them The whole Court was sensible to this loss as well as the King saving only the Minister who was not so very sorry tho' he durst not let it outwardly appear The Arch-Bishop of Reims his Brother was not alltogether so Circumspect he did such things to shew his joy as displeas'd his father who being one of the Wisest Courtiers of the Age reprimanded him for this Carriage Nevertheless what ever Grief was shewn at Court yet was it still much less than that of the Parisians who tho' Commonly sufficiently tenacious wou'd willingly have given the half of their fortunes to have redeem'd his Life several Instances did they give of this their Affection by the Consternation the whole Town was in at this News and by their Lamentations for his Death They were not afraid to say that after the loss the Kingdom had newly had it was in great Danger In effect the King being of the same Opinion was very willing to make sure of the Grandees by conferring New favours on them he made Eight Marshals of France tho' there were those of the List that were not in over-great Esteem the Duke of Vivonne was of this Number that gave Occasion â—o a
and that besides fear gave them Wings the Viscount de Turenne cou'd not overtake them and being come to the Banck of the River he saw them on the other side a making intrenchments He brought up his Canon that made not disorder enough to oblige them to give ground so as that he turn'd toward Rhain where there was a Bridge he had a mind to surprize The Garrison defended it for some time with reasonable Courage but fearing to be forc'd they set fire to 't which ours immediately extinguish'd After we had repair'd it the Army pass'd o'er and entring into the heart of Bavaria spread there such a Consternation that the Duke did not think himself there in Safety Feign wou'd he have brought the Treaty again on foot but as there was no trusting him since his former behaviour they wou'd not so much as give him a hearing Being thus debarr'd the ways of Accommodation his Electoral Highness departed from Munik with all his Family and 't was a thing worthy of Compassion to see such a great Prince as his Electoral Highness fly away at the Age of Seaventy Eight Years old after having been 'till then so Potent that he had often Created a Jealousy in the Emperour He Embark'd upon the Iser and for a Retreat repair'd to the Bishop of Salzburg But Fortune being minded to make him sensible of her Pow'r in his own regard before his eyes caus'd a Boat to sink containing a part of his Adherents and Servants This Duke having thus abandon'd his Territories they were giv'n up to Plunder and the Souldier had matter to sate his Avarice Nevertheless the Viscount de Turenne had a grudging to pursue the Enemies who had made their Retreat towards Passaw but Wrangel oppos'd it under pretence of some Correspondence he had in Low'r Austria having a mind to Invade that Province The Viscount de Turenne not prevailing with this General to be of his mind was oblig'd to follow his least thro' a Separation the Enemies might fall upon his back Thus away they march'd towards the River d'Inn where after having in vain attempted the Castle of Wasserbourg they fell to making a Bridge but the Waters encreas'd so in the Night that they carry'd away all the Boats After they had been got together again they sought out another place where they fancy'd they might with more ease effect their purpose But the Commons being assembl'd from all parts and presenting themselves on the Bank of the River they needed only to second the furious Impetuosity of the Water which already put a sufficient obstacle to our Passage As Wrangel was fully bent upon his Design he was not paul'd by all these Difficulties and we still sundry times attempted to make a Bridge Thus having lost much time to no manner of purpose the Enemies had the means giv'n them to call for Succours from several parts During these Transactions Koningsmarck surpriz'd the little side of Prague where he got an Inestimable Booty and which for his own share only was said to mount to above Twenty Millions and as he had a Design to render himself Master of the rest of the Town he Besieg'd it in the forms This Success whose Sequels were of great Consequence for the Imperialists made them think of forcing the Passages to go to the Succours of the Besieged So as that the Viscount de Turenne caus'd a Bridge to be laid at Neufburg that in case they pass'd in any Place he might Cut 'em off on the Way The Business of Prague plung'd the Duke of Bavaria into utter Despondency for as the Emperour abandoned all other Designs to attend this His Countrey remain'd Expos'd as a Prey without hopes of being able to save it However Picolomini whom the Emperour had sent in the Head of his Forces had some regard for his Electoral Highness and for fear that Dispair might Compel him to Conclude some disadvantageous Treaty he made head against the Viscount de Turenne then Eating Bavaria out of House and Home while the Suedes press'd Prague Thus came they dayly to Blows but without Engaging all their Forces which they husbanded on both sides thro' the inconveniencies that were inevitable if any considerable loss befell them However they were not sometimes so absolutely Masters of their Souldiers but that their Courage hurry'd them beyond their Orders and in one of those Occasions did the Enemies lose the Duke of Wittenburg who had signaliz'd himself so Gloriously as I said afore in Defence of the River of Armuth To comfort them for this loss they had some petty Advantage Two or Three days after but as these Conflicts were properly speaking only Skirmishes they decided nothing The World daily Expected some Considerable Event when all of a Sudden the Peace was known to be concluded at Munster between the Emperour and France wherein their Allyes were comprehended with exception however to the Spaniards It had been Usher'd as I said before by that of the Hollanders who had hereby incurr'd the Blame of the Potentates that had any Allyance with them but as they had their Reason as is before related they let Others talk their fill and in the mean while enjoy'd the Advantages they had thereby procur'd As this News was quickly confirm'd by several Expresses dispatch'd on purpose to Both Armies they stopp'd all Hostilities so as that the Leaders having nothing more to do 'till such time as the Ratification of the Peace should come courted such amuzements as were conformable to their Inclinations The Viscount de Turenne made divers Matches of hunting with the Principal Officers of his Troups but being one day at that sport with Wrangel who on his side was attended by all the Considerable Officers of his Party Jean de Wert pass'd the Iser at Munic and drew near a Place that was the only inlet into the Forrest In a trice did he cut off some Dragoons that had been posted there more for form's sake than out of any Suspicion and having cast such a terrour among all these Officers as that there was not one of them but imagin'd himself lost he was preparing to take the Advantage of his Enterprize when God rouz'd a Buck that shew'd 'em a Way in the midst of a Marsh Surrounding the Forrest on all sides An Officer having try'd whether there was any safety in following him found it to his desire and they all following his Traces thank'd God for the Miracle he had that day perform'd on their Behalf In the mean while the Ratifications being come the Armies retreated But we on Our side were in no good Estate to enjoy the fruits of the Peace Dismal troubles arose in France and tho' they were ev'n to Extremity did nevertheless continue tho Violent things are said to be of no long Duration I have allready remark'd that the Squandering away of the finances compell'd the making of New Edicts This occasion'd Murmurs in the Populace but as they cou'd do nothing without the Succours