time Count Henry of Berck Mustered his Army at Turnhout being in number some 25000. Men foote and horse In the afternoone the French gave fire to twoo mynes more but avayled not The third made such a breach into the Wall of the Horneworke that wee could see the Enemie in it from top to toe And so they should have made an assaulte vpon them but by reason the springing of the myne cast so much earth into the Mouth of the Gallerie that they could not goe forth of it they were prevented and the breach suddenly stoppet againe The 24. and 25. wee did effect little The 26. there was a greate fire in three severall places of te Siege as namely in the Horse Quarter in the English Quarter and in Brederoes Quarter it was suspected to be villany of Traytors but we could not finde them out At this time Count Henry of Berch marching towardes vs lodged his Forces at Sprang Wallwyke Druynen and Loon. At the same time the King of Bohemia came vnto the Siege and went with his Excell into the Trenches and viewed our Approaches Batteries and other Workes The 27. the French passed ouer the moate of the Conterscharpe and made Cannon shott from a Batterie on the right hand of the Gallerie and made on each side thereof a small Batterie The same daye Count Henry of Berch came with his Army to Vlymen and appeared in our sight at seuerall places with his Horse which went vp and downe to viewe our Outworkes In the night they of the Towne caused an Alarme to be made which made vs thinke that the Enemie would haue fallen vpon vs from without and within but they attempted nothing The 28. Count Henry appeared with his Forces in the night neere the Hollands Dyke and by our greate Sconces called the 3. Sisters but we hauing sent them some 10. or 12. Cannonshot they retired backe Our whole Army neverthelesse standing in Battle all the night long The 29. many of the Enemies Souldiers came into our Quarters complayning of greate scarsitie hunger and hardnesse The 30. the Enemye laye themselues in Embuscado neere the Uffrou Sconce and tooke diuers of Waggons and Waggonmen which went forth for Brush Likewise they tooke the House of Hesop and Boxtel where we had some small strength of Souldiers which they let passe with theire Armes and Baggagie into our Camp In the morning came twoo of the Enemies Sloopes to the 3. Sisters and the Hollands Dyke to take measure of the depth of the Water which made our Army to rise in Armes Some more Souldiers of the Enemie comming to vs reported that in theire Campe Cheese was sould for 12. stiuers a pound and a Pot of Beere for 6. stiuers Insomuch that the common Souldiers were allmost famished for want of monnie and foode which caused them to flee from them The second of Iuly Monsieur Fama was shot and dyed of it The Enemye continually buzzing vp and downe sent some 4000. Horse and foote with 800. firelockes each hauing a leather bag of powther to put them into the Towne betweene the Petler Sconce and Count Ernst Quarter and brought along with them Spades Fagots and Plankes to fall vpon a Horneworke of ours not farre from Coudwater but being discovered by our men in the night which stood readie to receaue them the Alarme being giuen They were beate of some of them drowned and others being shot and wounded retreated and lefte some of theire powther baggs behinde them This failling he had other designes by the helpe of twoo treacherous Pesants for the cutting of our Damme The same night these Pesants as theire Guides brought his men along the little Dyke which runnes from the Dam to Boxtel by the Boores Houses but they in the night discovered Generall Cicills Tents which were newly sett vp their harts misgaue them thinking we knew of their plot and so retreated without attempting it parte of a Companie onely hauing the guarde at the poinct vpon the Dyke while the rest of the Companies were drawne to the Line vpon the Heath they might easilie haue effected it Our Men in the morning discouering them as they marched towarde Count Henryes Quarter the twoo halfe Cannons which laye vpon Cicills Batterie let fly at them and slew some of them But to preuent this the next daye his Excell caused abundance of Pallisadoes to be driuē into the Dyke and made a Batterie where they should haue come one and from thence to Berckel Sconce chayned boates togeather ouer the Water setting watch in them by night for the defence of the Damme Count Henry of Berke being then quartered at Boxtel Cromforde and Helforde within an English mile and a halfe of our Line wee were faine to make the nights our dayes and the dayes our nights expecting continually his comming vpon vs with maine Force which oftentimes he attempted but to little effect which lasted aboue three weekes togeather vntill hee left vs. In the meane time the Companies of all Nations beset the Line of Circumvallation some twoo hundred paces distant one from another round about the Army The Horse standing behind them in Battaile readie to receaue him His Excellentie euery night about midnight goeing the grand Round to answere all Alarmes The same night that he intended to put in these firelockes and their powther bags into the Towne and to haue cut the Damme and to haue let in a Sea of water vpon vs which ranne rownde about our Quarters returning from Vlymen with the grosse of his Army he discovered himselfe betimes in the morning assoone as it beganne to be light by the downes and had layd an Embuscado of Musketteirs in a ditch by some trees and behinde the downes he made a halte with his Horse and foote and sends out first some 10. or 12. Horse to entertaine a skermish with some of our Horse which stood readie in Armes without our Line vpon the Heath hauing the Outguarde The Trumpets sounde a Charge and our Cannōs roares from all the Batteries at the Enemye and as the skermish enceased so wee sent them the more Bullets which made divers of their Horsmen to turne vp theire heeles wee seeing oftentimes leggs and Armes flie vp and their Horse roule over one anothers At last there came three troope of Horse which changed Bullets with our Horsemen and still our Ordinance giuing fire among them and our Horse charging them towarde the foote of the downes the fayned a retreate to drawe on our Horse within their Embuscado Monsieur Mauue a French Captaine of a troope of Horse charging home his Horse from the Embuscado was slayne vnder him The Enemy falls out againe with more Horse and takes this French Captaine prisoner The Duke of Bullen seing him thus engaged chargeth with a troope or twoo for to rescue him and while twoo of the Enemyes men were a disputing whose prisoner he should be our Horse charges them againe and drives them to a retreate they not having
the moate which wee presupposed they had prepared for the firing of our Gallerie To prevent this my Lord of Oxford got a Sloope which was brought about towards our Gallerie that on a suddaine tenne or twelue resolute Souldiers with short swords and Pistolls might chop into it to hinder the Enemie from fastning anie fireworkes vpon our Gallerie which the Enemie perceauing attempted nothing The Lorde of Oxford gaue order likewise that our Musketteirs from all flanks should continuallie be playeing and our Ordinance shooting vpon the top of their Bulwarke and their halfe Moone to keepe the Enemie from peeping over and giving fire vpon our Workemen This night although it was Moonelight the Brush and faggots were layd ouer to the left hand of the Bulwarke from the end of our second Gallerie in the Bleachfeelde and thanks be to God but one Man shot in layeing them over and another Souldier of Captaine Skippons shot which stood Centinell in our Long Gallerie My Lord Crauen whose worth and liberallitie was knowne heere extraordinarilie this night and the daye followeing as at other times he vsed to doe watched with my Lord of Oxford the next night with my Lord Cicills Companie and the third night with Generall Morgans Regiment My Lord of Doncaster and my Lord fielding trayled Pikes vnder my Lord Cicills Companie and went constantlie downe to the Approaches vpon anie service and exposed theire bodies both to danger and sicknesse My Lord of Oxford an houre before he was relieued had about with the Enemie vpon the lefte corner of the halfe Moone and my Lord Veres Musketteirs of Dort comming vp almost to the top of the halfe Moone gaue fire in the teeth of the Enemy and came to the push of Pike thorow the Blinds this startled them and made them throwe stones and Handgranadoes amongst our Men but his Lord caused a Souldier of Captaine Roockwoods Companie to cast 14. Handgranadoes among them into their halfe Moone which made them giue backe and cry Guarda Guarda The Granadoes being burst they came vp againe to the top of the halfe Moone and gaue fire vpon our Men but my Lord caused Musketteirs to be drawne to the top of our gards especiallie that of Captaine Clarke which was high they gaue fire apace vpon them fetcht some of them off which shewed their heads and bodies this peece of service being ended my Lord of Oxford being releeued drew awaye to his Quarter On Count Ernests side the 19. of August the Brush and Planks were layd ouer to the Enemies Horneworke and a Mine made into it This Mine being sprung the Scotsh and the Dutches fell on couragiouslie and they and the Enemie gaue fire apace one at another for three quarters of an houre our Ordinance playing from all Batteries as fast as they could charge and discharge in this time the Enemie stood out verie stoutlie three assaults with the losse of manie men But the Enemie gaue fire in such manner from the Wall of the Towne and out of the greate halfe Moone that our Men were forced to retreate into the mouth of their Gallerie and Works yet this advantage wee got that wee did sett vp some Musket-baskets and lodge some of our men vpon the right corner of their Horneworke from whence wee began a Sap and made Blinds towardes their halfe Moone which after another Mine was sprung caused the Enemie on the 21. of August to quit it and so retired in their halfe Moone In this fight were slayne Captaine Ramsey and twoo dayes after a Dutch Captaine called Captaine Hatton who carried themselues very worthilie And when as Count Ernest had strengthened the Betuw and all the Cities and places thereabouts as also along the River called the Yssel against all assaults of the Enemie for the furtherance of which the Prince sending him daylie more Forces as he could spare and raise them It happened that vpon the 20. daye of August these glad tydings came to the Prince to wit a Letter from that worthy and Valliant Commaunder Otto de Gendt and Oyen Lord of Dyden Gouernor of Emrick vnto the Prince of Orenge the tennor whereof followeth MY LORD THE bearer hereof my Cossen Merode is come to make reporte vnto your Excellentie of the good successe of the surprising of the Citie of Wesel The Enemie hath likewise quitted both the Sconces making not one shot against vs. Theire man of warre they haue sunke themselues and hauing a parcell of small shipping in the Ryne I did cause parte of them to be burnt I haue founde greate number of Ordinance heere and 13. or 14. Boates vpon Karts And for the better securing of this Citie I haue sent for more Companies out of Emmerick and Rees And if it please your Excellentie I should desire more strength Thus in hast I take my leaue WESEL the 19. of August 1629. In the morning betweene 4. and 5. of the Clocke Your Excellenties humble and faithfull OTTO OF GENDT AND OYEN The first Vndertakers of this Enterprise were Peter Mulder Richard Mulder his Brother and Iohn Rootleer all three Burgers of WESEL men of a meane condition but of a good spirit resolution This Peter Mulder divers times fayning to learne to swim had pilde the depth of the moate on that side which he intended the Citie should be assaulted and spying out all opportunities made a greate Iron hammer to beate downe the Pallisadoe which stood vpon the Bulwarke on the East side of the Towne wherewithall the Prince being aquainted as also of the possibillitie of this designe His Excellentie appointed the Lord of Dyden for the mannaging thereof The time and place being appointed the 18. of August Peter Mulder went out of WESEL at one Gate and his Brother out of another Gate about three houres before the shutting of the Gates Peter Rootleer followed a while after to avoyde all suspition all three meeting togeather in the darke at the place appointed And hauing called vpon the Name of the Lord of Hosts for his ayde assistance herein that thereby theire fellowe Brethren and Cittizens might be released from the bondage and vexation of theire Enemies The Lord of Dyden about midnight came vnto them with some sixteene hundred foote some muskettiers others firelockes and halfe pikes and eight Troopes of Horse Before they went on the Lord of Dyden to doe noe man wrong made the Captaines to drawe Billets who should fall on first And Peter Muller with his twoo Comrades went on before them couragiouslye But ere our Troopes came thither and that the Lord of Dyden had ordered the businesse thus it began to be light so that they imagined it was not practicable The Enemie likewise seeing the daye broke and that it began to be light drewe off their By-watch from that place and betooke themselues to their rest But God who is the disposer of all things and giues courage to men at last our men waded through the moate and entered the Bulwarke And
Peter Muller with his Comrades broke downe the Pallisadoe and made an entrance The Officers and Souldiers seconded him brauelie and enters the Towne on Sundaye morning the 19. of August 1629. a little before Sun rysing after the guarde was drawne off And cutting off the twoo gardes next adjoyning to that place with small resistance bore vp stiffe to the Market place The Alarme was so suddayne that the Enemies men running too and againe to answere it knewe not our Men from their owne vntill it was to late for them for in the meane space Peter Muller got a smith and opened the Bruynish Gate and let in our Horsemen The Spaniards seeing the Cittie lost fled to the Sconces out of the Towne which they yeelded vpon Composition The brunt being over the Souldiers fell a plundering got into the Spaniards shops and into bitterest Papists and Iewes Houses ransacks the Nunneries breakes downe the Images and got an incredible booty as Count Henry of Berk his plate and chiefest Baggage Monte Cuculies monie and goodes which the Emperour had sent to him and the Riches which the Crawats had got in the Germane Warrs and left there behind them for safetie in their expedition for the Velu To conclude the Foote devyded the spoile and the Horsemen shared Bags and Barrells of Rijcxdollers by hatts full But that which was most remarkeable that Church which they had bolted vp against the Protestants that verie Sunday was made a Prisson for their Officers and Souldiers till on the morrow they were sent to Arnhem The Governor and Officers standing good for the ransom of 1042. Souldiers who the next daye were set ouer the Water with their Wiues and Children Three of the Enemies Captaines were slaine and about 70. Souldiers and we lost but 9. Men in all Besides this there was found in the Towne manie small Barrells of Pistolls and Rijcxdollers for the payment of the Enemies Army 46. peeces of Brasse Ordinance vpon the Walls and 2. in the Market place and 2. in the Magasin and 2. Morters Armes as Corselets Pikes Muskets and Firelockes to arme 5000. men aboue 1000. Barrells of Powther besides this greate store of meale abundance of Corne and other Victuall and provision for their Army which the Lord thus deliuered in our handes On the 24. of August wee had a generall thanksgiving and a triumph throughout the Army in acknowledgment of the greate goodnesse of God for the taking of WESEL The Triumph was made in this manner First the Musketteirs were drawne off from all our Guardes saving the Approaches and out of our Quarters and placed along the inward Line next the Towne some sixe foote distant one from another The Pikes were drawne to the Outline and Outguardes the rest stood by devisions in the Quarters euerie one of them having a Wisp of strawe vpon the head of his Pike to be sett on fire when the signall should be giuen The volley of Musketteirs should begin at Crevecoeur where the Princesse laye and so to Engelen from thence along the Men of warre and the Redoubts by the Busseslote to Monsieur Pinsens Quarter so the French Line the Approaches then to the English from thence to the Lord of Brederoes Quarter and so along to Count Ernests Quarter and so to Count Williams Quarter where it ended betwixt euerie volley the Cannon which laye vpon the Batteries of the Outline those which were drawne out of our Quarters to the heath by the stone Gallowes and those which were in all the Approaches should be shott off The signall was thus about tenne a clock in the night when a Granadoe was shott into the Towne then the first volley should begin and the Wispes of strawe vpon the heads of the Pikes should be sett on fire all which was done accordinglie and made a braue show The volley met with a stop at the first but when it came to the French Line to the Approaches to the English the Lord of Brederoes to Count Ernests Quarter and Count Williams Quarter it ranne well betweene the Volleyes there were about 300. peeces of Ordinance from Crevecoeur and round about our Army discharged Those of the Towne acknowledged afterward that shooting at once with so manie Ordinance out of our Approaches into the Towne did much amaze them and then they beganne to beleeue indeed that WESEL was Geux Though the Governor by all meanes laboured to conceale it from them The 25. of August the Enemie sallied forth into the Workes of Count Ernest and burnt aboute some 20. Posts of his Gallerie The 26. Newes came to vs in the Siege that the Enemye had left Amersford and that the States had layd 1500. Men in it The same daye went forth of our Army twoo Companies of Horse and 200. Firelocks which met with a Convoy of the Enemies goeing to Breda whereof our Men killed some and tooke 40. of them prisoners and some fourescore faire Horses with their Saddles and Pistolls and brought them with good store of munition and match into our Campe togeather with the Lieftennante and the Cornet or Ensigne bearer of the Enemies Troopes which became surtie for the value of the Waggons which our Men left behinde them The 30. A Pesant which had carryed Letters too and fro in and out of the BUSSE and had beene our Prisoner some tenne weekes was condemned and hanged in the Princes Quarter The first of Septemb. the Enemie quitted the Counterscharfe of their Halfe Moone which laye before the Vuchter-Gate The same daye our men attempted to make a Mine into the Bulwarke of the Towne Walls but could not effect it by reason of a peece of Ordinance which the Enemie had sunke wherewithall they slew manie of our Men at the end of the Gallerie The second of Septemb. Monsieur Stakenbrooke Lieftenant of our Horse and the Duke of Bullen with 1000. Horse three hundred Fire-locks and diuers English and French Muskettiers taken out of divers Companies and three halfe French Cannon toward euening were drawne out of our Quarters and marched that night to a small Towne and Castle in Braband called Endhouen some sixe houres going from the BUSSE where some 400. of the Enemies Wardgelders or as wee terme them freshwater Souldiers taken on by those of Flanders who laye lurking there to see if in the night they could haue cutt our Trench vpon the Outline and let in the water vpon vs which stood blanke without our Entrenchment by reason of the stoppage But his Excellentie having intelligence of them prepared this Camisado for them They having advertisement by some Countriemen their freinds of our Mens comming stole awaye in the night and trusted rather to their heeles then to their Armes Yet they were not gone so farre but the Duke of Bullen with his Horse overtooke them and rounds them in a Morrace and by a Ditch and charging vpon them slew about 70. of them the rest cryed out for quarter and because they were such Souldiers the Duke was in
time to carry their Prisonner away to end the dispute pistole him and so the Duke brought of his dead bodie This skirmish during a while after Count Henry marched awaye and we to our Quarters The 4. of Iuly in the night the Enemy came vpon our Army intending to breake the stoppage of the Dommel but were prevented and manie of them slayne At this time some Pesants were taken which had led the Enemy shewen them the way through the water howe to come vpon vs as they did seuerall times in the night Whereof twoo were hanged in his Excell Quarter Having made this digression I returne againe to our Approaches before the English came to the laying over of their first Gallerie There the Captaine of his Excell Guard got a dangerous shot in the forhead that he lost his eye Captaine Omkaes a worthy Ingener shewing his bodie too open was snapt of and slaine with a firelocke and Captaine Clarke shot through both his legs and hauing brought over their Gallerie they could not come to the moate of the little Sconce before they had beaten the Enemie out of twoo Traverses and a point which came out of the Conterscharfe in the forme of a halfe Moone on our right hand next the Dommel at the entrance of the Gallerie Over this first Water on the left hand they had a Batterie vpon which Coronell Harwood was shot through his hat The Lord of Oxford standing by The Gallerie being ouer they beganne to sap and made a mine in the Enemyes first Traverse that night which Sir Iacob Ashley commanded in the Trenches desirous of honour he was appointed with some 60. Pikes and Musketteirs to fall on after the Mine was sprong and Captaine Gouldwell as eldest Captaine to second him with more Men before the Mine was blowne vp he gaue the Enemy an Allarme to drawe them on towardes our Mine and the Mine being sprung set on with his Men and beate the Enemie to a retreate out of parte of theire Travers our Men the Enemye giuing fire brauelie one to another a good while but the English lyeing open to the Bulwarke of the little Sconce and their other Traverse were faine to retreate againe into the Mouth of their Gallerie This Mine tooke not well but sprang rather backward then forward and did more hurte to our Men then to the Enemye yet from this earth which was cast vp out of the Enemyes Travers they beganne to sap forwarde which the Enemye seeing at last they quitted it and so became Masters of it and getting a little more elbowe roome they advanced forward to the moate of the little Sconce making Guardes Batteries and Blindes till they came to the very brinke of it where they beganne a second Gallerie The 7. of Iuly in the euening aboute eleauen a clocke Monsieur Douchant Leeftenante to Coronel Chattillon commanding the French Trenches they of the Conterscharfe sallied forth in number about 100. Men and overcame by force of Armes twoo of our Corps de guardes and mayntained them against vs for the space of an houre and then being forced to leaue them in the retreate the Ensigne which commanded them was taken prisoner In the meane time some 200. Men of the Horneworke intended to sallie forth but being discouered returned backe againe The 8. the Enemye blewe vp a Mine vpon the English but did them noe harme The 9. Mons Chattillons Companie hauing the guard in the French Approaches fell vpon the Horneworke of the greate Sconce and founde but 7. or 8. Men in it which did not dispute the matter long quitted it and retired to their Conterscharfe where on their right hand they cut it off and made a small Travers in it whence they gaue fire with their Musketteirs and firelockes vpon them But the French hauing put their Gallerie ouer the moate of the Conterscharfe they came to the second moate of the greate Sconce where they likewise put over a Gallerie into the Faulsebray On the left hand of their Gallerie the Enemye had cut off their Faulcebray to hinder our Workemen and Miners by giuing fire from a small Travers vpon them The 11. his Excellencye caused an inwarde Line to be made towardes the Citie beginning at Pinsens Quarter and so passing by his Excellent Quarter came to Brederoes Quarter and went from thence to Count Ernsts Quarter being fortified with manie Redouts whereby those of the Towne were prevented to come forth vnto our Quarters The 12. Count Morris of Nassau was made Coronel in steede of Monsieur Fama The 14. his Excell gaue order for the repayring of the Watermills neere the Diese and appointed 21. Mathematicall Mills to be made there besides which drewe vp abundance of water from belowe sucking it vp with funnells and casting it vp dismist it selfe vpon the higher Lande making a new currant The Gallerie in Count Ernsts Quarter Numer 5. was appointed to be made the 8. of Iuly but not begonne before the 14. for want of earth vpon which Gallerie the Enemy shot verie hotlie both with Cannon and musketts insomuch that manie of the Workemen in the Mouth of this Gallerie were slayne The Gallerie being brought over the Enemy retired in those places which they had cut off noted in the Mappe Numer 8. 9. but in respect the Scotsh continually went forwarde with sapping along the side of the Horneworke the Enemy was forced likewise to leaue those places The 15. Count Henry of Berke raysed his Army and departed from Boxtel marching towardes the Graue and passed the Mase over the Moakerheath but first sent a Pesant to bring a Letter to the Gouvernor Grobbendonk in the Towne which Pesant was taken in our Army vpon some suspition and the Letter founde and brought to his Excellentie The tennor whereof was as followeth MY LORD Seeing it is vnpossible to overmaster the Enemy in his Workes with that strength which I haue at present in respect he hath fastened himselfe extraordinarily I haue thought good to rayse my Army and departe from hence and to joyne my Forces with those of the Emperours which nowe are readie in Armes and in greate number marching to Wesel as well Horse as Footemen intending to take in hand some remarkable thing whereby the Enemy shall be compelled to fight with vs and that it pleasing God to giue vs the Victorie therein the Citie shall be thereby releeued you in the meane time keeping it yet for a while which I thought fitting at present to giue you notice of Praying when you haue receaued this to drawe vp in the night a greate fire in the steeple of S. Iohns Church stirring it oftentimes and the next daye to let a greate smoke appeare aboue the steeple whereby I maye knowe this Letter was deliuered you and when this Messenger shall returne with your answere that you make the like signe in the night following and with smoke the next daye in the meane time I rest MY LORD Your affected and
to get into the Vuchter-end or bleach feelde In this patch of ground were made Blindes and Batteries to dismount the Enemyes Ordinance which playd vpon our Galleries and Workemen from the Bulwarke on the left hand of the Gate and a peece which they had suuke in their halfe Moone In this Feelde also we began to laye over a second Gallerie on the right face of the Bulwarke but the Enemyes Ordinance from the Bulwarkes on the further side of the Gate shot through it 8. or 10. times breaking some of the posts asunder at the entrance of it into the moate yet at the last our Batterie in that Feelde put them to silence and an English Captaine an excellent Cannonnier dismounted their halfe Cannon that daye the Lord of Oxford had the Guarde after which our Men working more safelie in both the Galleries The 13. manye Granadoes were cast into the Towne which threw downe manie Houses The 15. of August in the night the Enemye had a Stratagem to cutt our Trench by the little Mill and Coudwater betweene Count Ernst and Brederoes Quarter and so to haue let in the Water vpon our Approaches to put this into execution Grobbendonk sent out of the Towne some hundred and fiftie firelockes and spades which stole in the night betweene the Petler-Sconce and Count Ernsts Quarter through the inwarde Line where it was not finished and came to the little Windmill by our out Line and there hauing layd an Embuscado of some of their firelockes in a ditch and behinde some bushes fell to worke apace to cut our Trench some 30. foote broad betweene the Horneworke and the Redouts vpon the Line not farre from that place where Count Henry of Berks Men would haue attempted it before But parte of Captaine Brogs Companie hauing the gard in a Redoubt next vnto them gaue fire and the Alarme being giuen Our Horse which had the gard in a House not farre from thence came vp to charge them and giuing fire likewise from that Redoubt they lefte their worke and retreated backe to their Ambush leauing their Spades and a paire of ould Shoes behind them and as they retreated gaue fire vpon our Horse and slew a Corporall and hurte twoo or three more But by reason of the Morrace and the Ditches our Horsemen could not come to charge them neither durst our foote leaue their Guardes and so they retreated backe againe into the Towne some twoo English mile where they fell a cutting Surelie if they had stayd but one halfe quarter of an houre longer or cut the gap not so broad they had effected the busines they came for because the Water was not passing three ynches lower then the top of the Trench and so should haue let in an Inundation of Water vpon vs. The 16. of August newes came to our Campe that the Enemie had taken Amersford The 17. Count William then commaunding the Quarter and Workes of Count Ernst caused twoo Mines to be blowne vp which were made vnder the Horneworke of the Hintemergate also made twoo assaults vpon the Enemie but prevayled not The 18. in the morning the Enemie sallied forth of the Towne neere Pinsens Quarter and robbed some of the Victualers and so departed the night following the Leeftenant Coronell Sir Edward Vere had the commaund in the Trenches And on Sondaye his Excellence who oftentimes ventered his person very much came downe to the Gallerie to see the Approaches a little before the said Leeftenante Coronell was relieued hee went to shew the Prince the Workes and the Sap the Companies being relieued were drawne off as far as the little Sconce The said Leeftennante Coronell Vere hauing showen his Excellentie the Sap and taking his leaue of him walking off with Sir Thomas Conway being a Tall man came an vnhappie Musketshot through the Blind and shot him behind in his head that it perisht his braynes that night being brought to his Tent within some foure dayes afterwardes dyed whose extraordinarie vallour sufficiencie compleat abilities for a Commander as they were well knowne so was his losse exceedinglie lamented by his Excellentie and the Chiefes of our Army My Lord Generall Vere my Lord of Oxford many Captaines Officers Voluntaries and Gentlemen of quality who had beene at his funerall in Bommell returning home that night The English Regiment had the guard in the Approaches and a civill worthy Gentleman of my Lords Companie of Dort one M. Mollenax that bare the sword of the said Leeftenant Coronell before his corps goeing to see the sap was the first that night which followed him the waye of all flesh my Lord Generall Vere bestird himselfe had all his Officers and Souldiers in readinesse that vpon the first occasion if the Enemie had either sallied out vpon our Sappers or Workemen or if they should haue attempted the firing of the Gallerie they might haue beate them in againe Captaine Rookewood of my Lord Veres Regiment as eldest Captaine executed my Lords commaund with valour and discretion had his Granado-Men at hand and placed diuers Musketteirs vpon all flanks to playe vpon the Enemie and to keepe them vnder for shooting vpon the end of our Gallerie and our Workemen and now and then sent them some Cannon Bullets which shot vpon the topp of their Bulwarke and vpon their halfe Moone to keepe them vnder sometimes sending a Granado into the Towne and throwing Handgranadoes amongst them into their halfe Moone Towardes midnight the Enemie likewise did cast Handgranadoes vpon our Blind next to their halfe Moone and set fire on it which brake out into a greate flame but the vigilency of my Lord Vere was such fearing that the fire might take further hould he gaue order that some Souldiers should take shouells and spades from the Workemen and cast earth and water vpon it which caused it to slake and had twoo or three Granadoemen there which paid them with theire owne coine but sure it was good that the Wind blew Southwest for had the Wind blewe Northwest and had blowne stiff as it did it had not onelie endangered the firing of all our Blindes but also our Gallerie which would haue hindered our Approaches and cast vs a greate deale behinde hand And so this daye and night following the Gallerie and Workes were well advanced This daye Sir Harry Hungate got a marke of honour by a Bullet which shot him thorow his buffe Ierkin and grazed vpon his flesh Before our Regiment had the Watch againe in the Approaches the Gallerie was well advanced and they got about three Posts night and daye it was then my Lord of Oxfords turne to commaund who was made Leeftenante Coronell in Sir Edwarde Veres place deceased The Bridge being layd ouer the Ditch of the Enemies halfe Moone The English began to sap and lodged in the left corner of it because of the Trees that laye a crosse in it This night there was discouered an engine vpon a floate from the furthest parte of their halfe Moone by
a quandary whether he would giue them quarter or noe but at last by much entreaty he graunted them quarter and brought awaye about some eight score of them prisoners In the Castle of Endhouen which our Men tooke in to their possession we found foure Petars made of oken Planks some 5. Inches thick and the chamber or briche lined with yron these should haue beene charged with Powther and stones to haue beene discharged out of their sloopes vpon our Trench and so having made a rupture in our Line haue let a Sea of water to haue drowned and overflowne all our Approaches these engines were brought likewise in Karts to his Excellencie House in his Quarter The 3. wee began to mine vnder the Halfe-Moone of the Vuchter-Gate The 4. wee sprung a Mine in the Wall of the Halfe-Moone but neverthelesse wee were not able to lodge in it The same daye the Scotch which had the guarde in the Approaches of Count Ernest wonne the Raveline running betweene the Horne-worke and the Towne On the fifth of Septemb. the Trench and Faggots being layd from the end of our long Gallerie to the verie foundation of the Bulwarke The Miners began a Mine thorow the Brickes into it and discouered a Mine which the Enemie had made neuerthelesse taking theire course another waye verie skillfullie went forwarde being vndertaken by three Englishmen to wit Iohn Scot William Lee and especiallie Richard Pristman who had good skill in digging and vnderpropping of Colepits in England who performed it verie well This commendations one maye giue them that it tooke the best effect of any Mine which was euer sprung before the BUSSE Well then on the tenth of Septemb. being Mundaye betime in the morning Sir Iacob Ashly Lieftennant Coronell to Generall Morgans Regiment had the commaund that night in the Approaches and with much a doe a Mine was made in the Enemies halfe Moone before the Gate ere the Mine was sprung he sent a Sargeant with six Musketteirs to the top of the Halfe-Moone to giue the Enemye an Alarme to bring them on towardes our Mine and then for feare of endangering our men he was to retreate backe againe all which was done accordinglie The Myne then being blowne vp tooke but little effect and made noe greate entrance After this Sir Symon Harcourts Ensigne was commaunded to fall vp with some 30. Musketteirs to the top of the halfe Moone and to giue fire among the Enemye which he did The Enemye stood it out a good while thinking to drawe on our Men to twoo of their owne Mynes which were to be sprung nowe the Enemyes twoo Mynes being blowne vp Sir Iacob Ashly fell vp and gave order to Sir Symon Harcourt to fall into the Enemyes Halfe-Moone with 50. Musketteirs and Pikes more with his Ensigne and the said 30. Musketteirs The Enemye disputing it a good while but at last Sir Symon and his men beate them vp to their entrance into their halfe Moone by the moate side and there Changed bullets one with another and came to Push of pike and after they had maintayned that place a pretty while he droue them from thence along the moate side to a Traverse which was cast vp some 60. paces from the said entrance of the halfe Moone where following them close along the moate of the Towne Bulwarke and giving fire vpon them at last they bid him farewell and retreated into the Towne by Sainct Iohns gate This being done he himselfe with his men made a stand at the entrance into the halfe Moone where the Enemye stood it out till it began to be light and till our men were lodged in the top of the halve Moone in those places which might most offend the Enemye this was the first worke which was carryed awaye by force of Armes and really disputed In this fight Sir Symon Harcourt was fiue times thrust and shott through his clothes and yet ir pleased God he came of well and with honnor After the English had thus taken the Halfe-Moone his Excellencie came downe into the Gallerie and gaue the English extraordinary thanks for carryeing themselues so well and rewarded some of the Souldiers with monie And thus the Enemye on this side were shutt vp into the Towne The same night came on Sir Harry Harbourd Lieftennant Coronell to Coronell Harwood and relieued Sir Iacob Ashly he brought with him for the reliefe my Lord Veres Companye of Schoonhouen Sir Harry Harbourds owne Companie Captaine Gouldwells Captaine Abrihalls and Captaine Welsons Companies The Gallerie being gott over 91. Posts from the end of it the Brush and Planks and a Blind was layd to the Bulwarke and the Myne being readie the Powder was chambered and the trayne layed to it His Excellentie as mercifull as valliant to try what the Enemye would doe gaue order to Sir Harry Harbourd that on Tewsday morning after the Myne was sprung in the Bulwarke our men should fall on and though they should possesse the Bulwarke and be Masters of it yet they should retire into the Gallerie The myne being blowne vp tooke good effect and cast vp a greate deale of earth and stones into the ayre and shattred some twoo rodds of our Gallerie in peeces and made a breach mountable after this Sir Harry gaue order that Captaine Abrihalls Sargeant who was slayne goeing on should fall vp to the Breach with his Musketteirs that Captaine Welson should doe the like with 30. men more to second the Sargeant and Captaine Gouldwell to second them with the Pikes from the end of the Gallerie all which was done accordingly our men falling vp to the Breach gaue fire in the verie teeth of the Enemye and our other Musketteirs giving fire from all Guardes and Flanks and our Ordinance thundring from all Batteries did so amaze and startle them that they quitted the Bulwarke and retreated where it was cut off to the skirt of the Wall by the Vuchtergate This being done our men stayed a little while vpon the Breach till they discharged all their Bandeliers and till that Sir Harry caused them according to his Excellencie commaund to retreate againe into the Gallerie our men being drawne off the Enemy came againe to the Breach and cast vp a little defence of earth which the mine had blowne vp and Brush vpon it but our twoo halfe Cannon which laye vpon the right side of our entrance into the Gallerie beate the earth and Brush which they cast vp about theire eares and shore off the heads of the Souldiers Pikes which stood there for the defence of their Workemen This made a terrible Alarme in the Towne so that the Bells rung the Women and Children cryed the Burgers and Popish Priests by flockes ran to the Governor and tould him that nowe or never it was time to lissen to a seasonable and an honorable Composition for the safeguard of their liues and goods The Governor taking hold of this occasion strikes his saile and came with the Bishop Abbot and divers