mile off observing their movings The Marquess seeing that he had to do with the Enemy upon the Plain and upon the skirts of the Mountains sent a good Band of men against those that defended the Mountains and with the rest charged the Dukes right wing where the Neapolitans were who assisted by the Piemontese Horse made stout resistance insomuch as the Assailants not being able to stand before them were forced to give back A thousand of them seeing it was impossible for them to force their way waded thorow the River and getting upon a little hill put themselves there in order The others advancing by the skirts of the Mountains assaulted the Dukes men who seeming to give back drew them into an ambush which they had prepared falling wherinto those of the Ambush fell upon them with such violence as being forc'd to retreat they were afterwards put to flight with a great loss of men Those who were sent at first against them on the hill ran a fortune not much unlike to this for the Prince observing the wind which blew full in their face caused some little Cottages to be set on fire the smoak whereof affording him to send men into some ambushes without being discerned the French men light upon them and were severely dealt with and slain and being also struck with stones which were tumbled down from the higher places they began to run The Conflict lasted from morning to night and the Dukes men were so well disposed of and divided as not any one of them stood idle The Fâ—…ench seemed that night as if they would retire but as the effects shewed they resolved to try their fortune once more which the Prince having learnt by one that was run away he presently sent for fresh supplies of men to the Duke which whilst they were expected the greatest part of the French â—…id themselves that night behind certain Trees and the rest upon break of day appeared in a large but very thin and ill-composed Squadron shewing themselves to the Prince to the end that allured by the hopes of Victory he might assault them and so fall into an ambush which they had prepared for him that very night The Prince who expected a re-inforcement stirr'd not so as those who were in the ambush came out and entred into the Squadron seeming as if they would fight with more Forces then they had done the day before but the Prince still keeping in expectation of succour from his Father moved not till finding not long after that the Enemies Squadron was much diminished by the retreating of many of their men he assaulted those that remained who not being able to resist were put to flight and pursued with much slaughter even to the Confines of France whither being come he with held out of observance of the Kings Confines hâ—…ving gotten much baggage and many Arms which the French threw away as they fled After this Victory the Duke and Prince march'd presently towards Pinarolo lest the French being beaten from hence might attempt that pass from whence hearing that they went towards Savoy where Prince Thomaso was the Duke sent most of his men thither but it was superfluous for the French were so confused and dissipated by the discomfiture as hardly any four of them were together in this retreat The Duke won as much reputation by this happy success with the Spaniards as he ever had purchased the contrary before He was publickly acknowledged to be the Kings right hand the bulwark of his Affairs in Italy by this action all offences were cancelled and no reward was equivalent to so great merit the King himself hearing the news said in publick That he would have accounted it a great happiness to have been found with a Pike in his hand by the Duke his Uncles â—…ide And the Conde Duca chief Author of the reconciliation boasted not a little that the King and Court began now to taste the fruit of his counsels and negotiations But the more favour the Dukes merits found in the Court the more jealous were the Genoeses who saw their own declination joyn'd to the exaltation of their Enemy An as the Dukes satisfaction seemed to consist in the Affairs of Genoa and the reward equal to his vast expectation and to his implacable hatred to the Genoeses which every day grew greater in him so such a great conjunction of will and so general a disposition as was found to be in that Court to gratifie him made it be much apprehended that some great mischief would redound thereby to the prejudice of the Common-wealth This suspition was encreased by the Conde Duca his not caring for the Genoeses the affronts given to the Embassadors of that Common-wealth and the rigorous proceedings with others of that Nation the upbraiding of the Conspiracy and of other accidents which had hapned at Genoa which accidents might by the connexion of Affairs redound to the prejudice of Italy did very much perplex the Statists of that Court. To these things wherein the publick Interests were concern'd other sinister demonstrations were added which touched the Fortunes and Interests of private men the rigorous Decrees of the preceding year the difficulty in exacting the Revenues the introducing of other Nations to contract with the King to the shame and exclusion of the Genoeses and the continual extorting of monies from those Genoeses who remained yet in Court enforcing them to contribute great sums of monies for the urgent occasions of the Crown by which accidents the face of that Court being totally changed towards the Genoeses both in publick and in private from what it had used to be they put the Common-wealth into some anxiety of their own safety And these Novelties and Commotions being known in Italy they first filled all the Princes of Italy with admiration and then with suspition what the sequel of so great and unexpected an alteration would prove These suspitions had also an influence upon other Nations which being intent upon all occasions did not pretermit their wonted artifices to make the rent greater to the end that they might thereby reap such advantage as might not conduce a little to the conduct of their Affairs and Interests And amongst others a Spanish Courier being intercepted in the Seas of Provence who was sent to their Officers of Italy the French gave out that they had found very strange Negotiation in those Dispatches which past between that Court and the Duke to the prejudice of the Common-wealth which Dispatchâ—…s being sent from the Court of Paris into Italy to the Duke of Nevers and by him participated to the Pope they were by both of them made known to the Common-wealth to the end that growing apparently to distrust they might ioyn with them in the common Cause which might procure the lessening of the Spanish Affairs and the advancement of the Common Cause of Italy And to this purpose they offer'd with arms thrown abroad to receive them into their protection
it necessary to possess himself of that Wood before he should master the Hill not content therefore with having got the first Wood he would take the other that very night to make way for taking the Hill which he reserved for the next morning the Infanta was quartered upon some other little Hill neer this which were to be taken but somewhat more inward and not so high and he and his Captains having considered the siâ—…uation of the higher Hill they had sent â—…ome men thither and in order thereunto they had sent Francisco l' Escovar Serjeant-Major of a Brigade with 200 Spanish Musketiers and not long after 200 Burgondians with some Troops of Horse to guard the little Wood which was at the foot of the same Hill and thinking they had sufficiently provided for the defence of both these places they did no more therein But Weymer who was firmly resolved to make himself master of the Hill sent much greater Forces to assault that little Wood against which though l' Escovar fought valiantly yet the assailants remained masters of that second Wood that very night as they had been of the other before took l' Escovar prisoner and slew many of his men not without much loss of their own blood this being the second bait which fortune laid to entice the enemy on to battle made the Cesareans more wary and more diligent in defending the upper Hill for they saw the enemy did their utmost to take it placing their chief hopes therein of that Victory which they thought themselves sure of wherefore the Infanta ceased not to send redoubled forces all night to defend it and to secure it from assault which he was sure would be given the next morning he therefore sent several Regiments both of Foot and Horse thither some whereof were placed on the Front some on the sides where the assailants were expected and after these other Regiments were orderly distributed who were to re-inforce the former upon occasion they lâ—…kewise sent Artillery thither and made Trenches for the better defence thereof which were perfected before the assault was given though the situation was stony and wanted earth nor prepared they less for Battle on the Plain then on the Hill expecting that the enemy would undoubtedly sally out there from the Wood which which they had taken The Army was thus ordered in that Plain on the right wing was the Duke of Lorrein General of the Catholick Leagues Army and his Lieutenant Iohn de Vert with all the Cavalry of that League on the left was the Imperial Horse in the Battle which was placed in the midst was Marquess Spinola General of the Spanish Horse and with him was his Lieutenant Paolo Deutici behind these were the Emperours light Horse a good part whereof were Croats The Infanta's quarters were over all these upon a little Hill wherein was Artillery placed and a good strength of men to succour and defend the Troops tâ—…at were upon the Plain at last the morn appeared on the sixth of September wherein the enemy were seen to come in very good order towards the well munited and well garrison'd Hill against which the whole force and conflict of the Battle plaid little being done upon the Plain for Wâ—…ymer who was to assault the Cesarean Camp kept within the Wood being more intent to send forth new recruits to the Hill then to advance and confront the Enemies Army thinking and not without reason that that station being overcome the Army on the Plain would undoubtedly be vanquished The whole concern touching the Catholick Religion and the safeâ—…y of the Empire was disputed upon that Hill the geâ—…ting up unto it was very steep Horne with 4000 Horse and 5000 Foot the most whereof were Swedes and the choâ—…cest men of the Army was one that led on the assault and Count Graâ—…z was the other with almost an equal number of Combatants it was defended by Don Martine d' Idiaques with his Brigade of Spaniards Don Gasparo Toralto with his Neapolitans Gerardo Gambacorta with the Neapolitan Horse by Salma Vormes and Leister with the Dutch Horse by the Counts of Torre and Alberg with the Burgondian Horse and all these were to receive the first assaults behind these were many Brigades of reserve amongst the rest two Brigades of the Lombardy the one led on by Carlo Guasco the other by Count Panigarvola Picolominy and Serbellone were appointed to order this defence to whose valour and experience the whole defence of the Hill was intrusted the Generals Gallasso and Leganes had no certain place appointed them but went every where providing for and disposing of all things requisite for that days work The assailants mounted the Hill in very good order and with a setled and constant pace the first that were assaulted were the Neapolitan Horse and Foot and the Dutch and so fierce was this first assault as though the Neapolitans resisted stoutly the Dutch faced about and began to run but they were presently turn'd back by the Officers and Souldiers of the other Brigades who were behind them who with their Pikes and Swords withstood them and did not only force them to forbear flying but to re-assume their abandoned stations wherein Gambacorta did much service with his Horse who by Serbellones order fell upon the Flank of the Enemies Horse who had already possess'd themselves of the station abandoned by the Dutch and forc'd them to forego it and to quit it to Dutch who were driven back by his men but Toralto's Foot speedily discharging their Muskets disordered the Enemies Horse who came on so furiously as many who escaped the Musket-shot were thrown to the ground by the Pike-men and the Foot who followed them assaulted with no less sury behaving themselves gallantly but were but ill handled by some Piles of Musketiers who assaulted them on the Flank and yet answering them stoutly a great conslict began which grew at last to a fierce Battle and continued a long time equal wherein the Dutch Horse after some resistance being again repuls'd they forsook their station one of their Leaders was mortally wounded and the other which was Vormes slain right out and they sled some of them falling foul upon Toralto's Brigade other upon that of Idiaques by whom being again made to stand by their Pikes and Swords they did not at all disorder their ranks and the assailants possessing themselves of the Dutch mens station were masters of their Cannon and began to turn them upon the enemy and had certainly occasioned great disorder and prejudice had not Serbellone prevented it who made Idiaques advance with his Brigade which was composed not only of brave and gallant Souldiers whosevalour had been upon several occasions tried formerly and who had been exercised in Military Offices and Commands but was also adorned with many of the Nobility who were all placed in the first Files these passing through a thousand deaths sacrificing their lives for their Religion for their Prince and for
the fervency of the whole Camp who desired nothing else This order being published Sarmiento's battaglion which was the Van marched towards the Hills and through the Souldiers fervour a little more speedily then they ought to have done And as he passed along having discovered some French quarter'd underneath the skirts of the Hills some Neapolitanes were sent to drive them from thence Here the fight begun for Onofrio Muti a Roman Gentleman and Commissâ—…ry General of the Dukes Horse came in to the relief of the French with a great Squadron of Horse which as if they had abandoned the Dukes party past over to amongst the Enemy crying Viva la Spagna Viva la Spagna whereby they did so deceive the Neapolitanes as coming close up to them without receiving any harm and being by them friendly received they immediately drew forth their Swords and wounded some slew other some till such time as being relieved by Gambaloita who seeing what was done from the second Squadron advanced with his men and forc'd the Enemies Horse to retreat And at the same time the Neapolitanes and the rest of the first Squadron clambe up by those streight paths against the thundâ—…r of Cannon and hail of Musket-shot and fighting as they came up the Hill they at last got to the Plain where being back'd by two pieces of Artillery which were conveniently placed they press'd so home upon the French as beginning first to wave and afterwards shamefully to turn their backs they fled into Asti The Duke though in vain sent Monsieur Limogione Lievtenant to Prince Thomaso to assist them that he might set upon and oppose the Enemy with his Horse and he himself turning to the Swissers on the other Hill on whom all his hopes lay began to encourage them to make that station good shewing them That the first Hill was lost not through the valour or number of the Enemy but by the cowardise of the French that they might make amends for the shame and repair the loss Wherefore they had an excellent occasion to shew how much the Swissers did exceed the French in valour and to boast that it was the Swissers that had preserved his reputation and the state of the House of Savoy He therefoâ—…e wished them to make head and face the Enemy not only by keeping them from that station but by beating them also from the other which the French had so basely abandoned That he himself would hazzard his life amongst them to whose valour and worth he had trusted his honour State and reputation that he was therefore ready to keep with them and run the same fortune and fighting valiantly with a pike in his hand either dye there or bear away a plenary and glorious victory from the Enemy That therefore they should fight as valiantly for the defence of that station as they would do for the very walls of Turin and let the world know that the Swissers had not lost the ancient gallantry of their Fore-fathers whereby they had won so many and so famous Victories with so much glory wherein he did not in vain confide nor yet so many other Princes preferring the Swissers worth in the defence of things of greatest importance before that of all other Nations But all these words were spoke in vain for Giovan Bravo who followed Sarmiento having this mean while wheeled about with the second Squadron on the side of the first Hill and got upon the second and together with him Gamboloita and Don Alphonso Pimontello Limogione could do not only not do any thing of moment but the Swissers seeing themselves set on on so many sides turn'd their backs more basely then the French had done without or fighting or shewing their face to the adversary and though the Duke and Prince Thomasâ—… indeavoured to make head with some Squadrons of Horse and to detain the Swissers which not being able to do they themselves withstood the coming on of the Enemy as much as might be yet his men running faster and faster away and the Enemy coming faster and faster on they were forced to yield and to leave five piece of Cannon in the Enemies hands two of which being thrown into a ditch towards the City were by night recovered by the same Swissers This was that which hapned on the Hills of Asti on the 21th of May wherein though Sarmiento's Squadron fought more then any of the others and particularly Spinello's and Caracciolo's Neapolitans to whom therefore the praise of the Victory was little less then wholly due yet because their too great fervour and fury wherewith they charged the Enemy was a hindrance to their companions and to the Kings other Squadrons who proceeded in a more orderly and Miliâ—…ary manner so as they could not come time enough to the fight therefore these coming up after the French were routed their action was not so advantagious as it would have been if they had made a joynt assault for then doubâ—…lesly the Dukes men would have been totally beaten The number of the slain as is usual is diversly related yet was it less then was to have been expected from such a conflict and no wonder since they minded flying more then fighting The Neapolitans received some loss being deceived by the Dukes Horse who were they only that may be said to have laid about them and to have made some resistance whereas the Kings Horse did little or nothing nor were there many taken prisoners of the Spaniards the only man of account that was taken was Don Francesca di Silva brother to the Duke of Pastranâ—… who going out a picchering alone out of his ranks and entring with too much youthful spirit amongst the Enemy was wounded and died not many days after a prisoner in Turin Those of quality who fell on the Dukes side were Monsieur di Crepagna Serjeant Major-General and six other Captains on the Kings side six Captains and some other under-Officers Great was the reputation which the Kings Forces won by these successes who were brought very low by the former and very much the suppression of the Dukes party whose affairs were hereby thought to be reduced to so low an ebbe as the news of the loss of the Battle bâ—…ing brought to Turin and the Dukes writings and things of greatest consequence being sent thither men betook themselves to such courses as in times of greatest extremity is usual they carried the Jewels and best of the Courthoushold-stuff into the Castle and as if the Enemy had been before the Walls the people fell to fortifie them to furnish them with Sentinels and Corps de guarde and the women clothed in sackcloth went bare foot in procession to the Churches and sacred places of the City and yet little was the advantage that was got by the Victory For contrary to the common custom of War the Kings affairs did from thence begin to decline in power and reputation and on the contrary those of the Duke grew daily better and more
sickness and Medici's absence foorded over the River 〈◊〉 then before and came even to underneath Mariano prejudicing the Venetians very much Count d' Ampier went out of Gradisca with two Troops of Horse and fell by night upon Garuggio a Town within two miles of Palma where he utterly routed a company of Curassiers who were quartered there And Don Baldassar Marradas in emulation of him went out also by night out of the same Town and assaulted the quarters of Chiopris and did much prejudice them and not many days after the Garrison of Gradisca led on by Strasoldo Governour of the Town came by night to Ceruiggiano a River not far from Palma took and fired some neighbouring Towns and especially the chiefest which takes its name from the River and is called Ceruiggiano which if it had been fortified by the Austrians as it was by them abandoned Palma would have been excluded from maritime commerce with Vâ—…nice Wherefore the Venetians finding the danger fell immediately to fortifie it and put therein a gallant Garrison At last General Medici came to the Camp who presently fell to order such things as he found out of order And afterwards being very desirous to do some thing which might be worthy of his name and of the expectation which was had of him was much vex'd to find that things were not prepared for his designs He found out daily more and more the corruption of Military discipline which was fomented by the avarice of some of the Venet an Captains and Gentlemen Officers of the Common-wealth who being more intent to inrich themselves then to fight gave too much license to the Souldiers contrary to military rules He was yet more distasted for that being by the Common-wealths Letters Patents to be superiour over all except the Commissary General he found at first the execution thereof in the Camp difficult Amidst which difficulties the enemy sent Monsieur de la Foglia a French Captain with a Troop of Horse beyond the River against some light-Horse which guarded a ceâ—…tain Trench upon the Bank of Lisonzo and both sides being succour'd the Skirmish grew almost to be a Battel wherein Trautmistorft passing over the River and Trivigiano coming with many men from Luciniso the business was manfully disputed but the Venet ans light-Horse not being able to resist the solid order of the Dutch Horse whilst they would have retreated did so confound themselves with their Curassiers which were on their backs the one and the other of them were charged and chased quite thorow their own Foot which were come in to their succour who were therefore wholly disordered by their own Horse and slain by those of the enemy In this scuffle many Corsicks were slain and Seâ—…geant Major Raffaâ—…le Son to the dead Iustiniano was taken prisoner and Giovan Dominico da Ornano a very valiant Corsick Commander Nor was this the worst for the Venetians who retreated not thinking themselves safe in the Trenches of Luciniso were minded to get into the Castle which was above had not some Commanders stoutly withstood them who keeping their own men several ways from running and particularly by shutting the Gates upon them hindered their flight incouraged them and making them stand preserved those Quarters and Luciniso which otherwise had been abandoned and left in the power of the enemy who fearing the Artillery of Luciniso repast back over the River and went to their wonted quarters having lost but few of their men though their General and Matradas were sleightly wounded and Foglia who advanced too â—…ar slain Though Trivigiano shew'd great courage upon this occasion yet did he deserve to be reprehended by the Commissary and by Medici for having ingaged himself and so many others in that action of his own will and without their knowledge The sickness still increased in the Camp which made the Souldiers still run faster away and especially those of the Country and the best Souldiery were yet more consumed by Skirmishes Wherefore the scarcity of men 〈◊〉 the Commissary and Medici indeavoured by all the means they could to perswade the Switzers and Grisons that were in the Camp to fight against the Archduke which they being prohibited to do by the League which they have with the House of Austria had not as yet done having only served as Garrisons to defend such Towns as were possess'd by the Common-wealth which having at last obtained it increased their numbers for a while they being 1500 in number but it made their scarcity of men greater soon after for the Grisons Country being for this respect prohibited more strictly from having any commerce with the State of Millain the chief Rulers amongst the Grisons that they might have that Decree revoked recalled all those of their Nation home who were in service for the Common-wealth and forbad passage through their State to all Forreigners who went to serve the Venetians By this increase Medici hoped to surprise St. Martino in Crusca especially knowing how few there were there in Garrison He therefore departed about midnight in very good order from Vipulciano where he had mustered those who he intended for that enterprise and got before day near the Castle but a certain whisper arising amongst his men and a small light being discovered in the Castle the Souldiers fell into so horrible dread and confusion as they immediately ran away shamefully without being pursued which Medici lighting off horseback seeking to obvâ—…ate even by exposal of his own person he was thrice thrown down and almost trod under fooâ—… At this time Antonio Lando came to the Camp who succeeded Priuli in the place of Commissary-general who seeing that the whole success of the war consisted in taking Goritia and that this was not to be done without passing over Lizonso he first built some Forts and made some Trenches about Gradisca to hinder excursions and then bethought himself how he might pass over the River And both he and Medici holding it impossible to pass over between Goritia and Gradisca by reason of the enemies opposition they learned that there was a certain Bridge over the Channel of Ronzina which was but weakly guarded and though it were very hard to get thither they being to pass through the enemies Country and yet harder to fall down by the Ronzina into Goritia yet thinking they should have done much if they should pass the River they would put it to a trial Which that they might the better effect they resolved to assault the enemy in six other places to the end that being assaulted in so many other places at once they might not be able to keep them from passing over the Bridge at Ronzina which designe though it were very well laid and for the most part well executed yet had they not good success therein except at St Floriano which was taken by Count Nicholo Gualdo by a Petard and which being upon their backs and not far from the Fort of the wood whereat the Common-wealths Commanders aimed
not above six miles distant from the City The Governour who as hath been said was there sent Lodovico Guasco though he were not yet well cured of his wounds received before Vercelles with 200 Horse to discover the Enemy and if it were possible to withstand his violence as also to back the Countrey people who retreated into the City who coming near the Enemy had some sleight Skirmishes with them but being assaulted by a body of Horse he was forced to flye being charged to even underneath the Walls of the Town This put the City into much terrour and confusion seeing the Enemy advance so couragiously whilst many of Castellazzo Bosco and of all the parts thereabouts not thinking themselves safe in that City sent their Wives and Goods into the Towns of Genoa And the Alessandrians putting themselves in arms stood to defend the Walls hourly looking to be assaulted by the Enemy and truly there not being in that City above 6000 Foot and some Horse Companies there being also but little victuals thereâ—…n nor in the parts thereabouts and the honour of the Spanish Forceâ—… lessening through ill Government as also the peoples inclination to them who were weary of so troublesome a War the State of Millain was much endangered All the Forces of Montferrat were therefore sent for to defend that City and were quartered thereabouts Wherefore Giovan Ieronimo Doria their Commander having immediately given order that they should all meet in Cuccaro except those who were to guard the Towns of Montferrat march'd out himself with 2500 Foot and 400 Horse and not tarrying for others who were coming to him resolved to put himself into Alessandria But the Duke and the Marshal having notice thereof endeavoured to meet him upon the way and to fall upon him with all their Forces and defeat him As they were in pursuit of him they understood he was past on so leaving their Foot behind them they advanced with their Horse and about evening got up unto him Doria was not affrighted when he saw himself assaulted at a distance nor lost he either courage or counsel but fortifying himself upon a plain neer a little hill which was fenced on the front by a great ditch and by some lesser ditches on the sides he placed the Foot there and left the Horse without that they might first receive the encounter which if they could not sustain that then they might withdraw themselves into the plain The Horse resisted gallantly but not being able to hold out against so great a number they retreated in good order to the Foot whereinto whilest the Duke and Marshal endeavoured to penetrate they were so fiercely saluted by volleys of Musket-shot which were so opportunely discharged as though wheeling about on all sides they strove to break in upon them they could never do it but after the death of many of the assailants and the imprisonment of some amongst which Monsieur di St Andres de Vius a Gentleman of Provence was one the night coming on already apace they retreated and Doria came the same night to â—…u and from thence by the way of St Salvadore to Allessandria where he was received by the Governour with much honour and applause The Governour was then by reason of the diversity of his Officers opinions very much confused and unresolved what to do some would have him go out with those men which he already had and with others who were coming and to encounter the Enemy in the field others that he should keep within the Walls and defend the City Doria was for his keeping in the City telling him that the French could not keep the field long nor do any thing against any of the chief Towns for that they were well munited and that the Enemy not being able to keep together long for want of moneys would quickly moulder away and being reduced to a smaller number would be assaulted upon better advantage and overcome with less danger and because they feared Valenza upon the Poe it not being very well Garrisonn'd Doria took upon him the defence thereof and entred thereinto with about a thousand Horse The Duke despairing to do any good upon the City whereinto many men were entred and did still enter set fire on Felizzano and the places thereabouts and went against Annone a strong place and which was guarded with about 2000 Foot but ill provided of powder or ammunition Those within came out against him but were soon made to retreat back into the Town by Termes The Cannon being afterwards mounted they came to battery and from thence to assault which being luckily made on three sides the defendants not being able to resist long for want of Ammunition retreated tumultuously into the Castle which not being better provided of Ammunition than was the Town and much 〈◊〉 with victuals for so great a multitude and being little and incapable of so many men whereas with a proportionable Garrison it might have defended it self it became undefendible through the multitude of defendants and was forced to treat of surrender the sooner as not having wherewith to feed so many people it was therefore agreed That they should march forth with their Arms and that they should be convoyed to the Kings Territories which Agreement being afterwards too sophistically interpreted by the Duke they were sent to the County of Burgony which was then under the King of Spain that they might serve no more in this present War they then went speedily by the Bridge which was cast over the Tannaro to Arazzo which was immediately abandoned by the Garrison consisting of 1500 Foot who seeing the Bridge thrown over and the Dukes men march over it retired into Alessandria but being pursued by Termes and Monsieur della Bâ—…rsce they were assaulted on the Rere where were 300 Swissers who after no long dispute basely yielded their lives but not their Arms being saved in which in erim the rest of the Garrison who march'd on without ever turning back upon the Enemy or succouring their companions had time to get safe into Alessandria wherefore the Governour who was ill counselled and whose Forces were but weak not thinking it safe to march out into the fields and to expose his men whereon the defence of the State of Millain did wholly and solely depend to the uncertainty of Battle stood looking on whilst his Country was burnt and destroyed his Garrisons slain and his Towns taken by that Enemy whom though once superiour to him in Forces he could not overcome because he knew not how to use the Victory But perhaps the Dukes destiny is to be raised up when he is at the lowest and to be opprest when he is at the greatest height to the end that never keeping in the same condition he should be a singular example to the world both of good and bad fortune The Governour complained and protested under his hand to Cardinal Lodovisio that he was assaulted by the Duke and by the French with the
any further and to protest unto him that if he should be further charged by the Enemy he would send him no more help then what he had already done because according to the common sence he would not indanger a general battle He notwithstanding endeavoured with the Horse which Imperiale brought to defend those stations which were reinforced by Foot So as the skirmish being maintained valiantly and in good order on this side it continued for full four hours neither side sending out any more men For Colonna would not as it was agreed upon ingage himself in a general combat and the Colleagues Army which esteeming the Enemy to be far inferiour to them in Forces was gon out with an intent to fall upon them and defeat them utterly seeing how Affairs were ordered and that the Enemy without coming out of his Trenches sent a good strength of men out against him conjectured that the Enemy was stronger then he thought at first he was so as he cared not much to inforce the first encounters any more but kept on the fight with sleight skirmishes till night coming on he retreated to his quarters from whence he was with such fervour come Though some will have it that there was no good correspondency between the Duke of Savoy the Marshal which was the cause why things were not acted as it was agreed they should be Torrecuso seeing that the defendants had the better and having received orders not to advance any further retired also into Frascarvolo more like a Conquerour then conquered and to observe his orders he with-held his men from pursuing the Enemy as they were desirous to do But the Spanish Commanders being aware that by the coming over of many of their men to that part the Camp before Valenza was much lessened and the Trenches but badly guarded order was given that 500 Foot should come from Allesandra to Valenza with good store of match which the Town wanted much These were led on by the Camp-master Lodovico Guasco being guided by Maximiliano Stampa Count di Monte Castello nephew to Guasco who knew those ways very well and passing on succesfully between the Duke of Parma's quarters and those of the Montferrians they were not at all disturb'd by the enemy that side being open without Trenches and almost abandoned but they ran danger in approaching the fortification of their friends for as they drew near Fort Rosario a Fort which stood towards the Mountain and which had been bravely defended all the time of the siege by Ottaviano Sauli a Gentleman of Genoa and the fore-runners or Scouts not having given the true watch-word whereby they were to have been admitted and received but had given the last nights watch-word Sauli doubted that some treachery might lie hid under that false word and therefore made them keep aloof off with his Musket shot wherewith some of them were slain but when Guasco and other Captains who were very well known to Sauli began to parly they were soon known and let in by this happy success another better fortune followed for Cricky and the Duke of Parma â—…earing that this relief was brought into Valenza which was reported to be greater then it was they began to apprehend the safety of their own Trenches quarters Artillery and Baggage in case they should be assaulted by those that brought in the succour for knowing in what woful condition they had left them they verily believed they would have been taken and sack'd with the loss not only of their honour but of their Artillery and with the destroying of their Fortifications and the loss of those few men that were left to defend them so as they thought good to return speedily to their first Quarters This so sudden resolution of the Colleagues facilitated the bringing in of the whole relief by the Lomellina for the Spanish Army being encouraged by the preceding days success and seeing that the Enemy had abandoned the field knew they were absolute Masters on this side the Poe and saw not any thing that could keep them from relieving the Town leaving therefore all their Militia with half their Foot under the command of Camp-master Boccapianola to guard their Quarters they went out early in the morning with the rest of their men and marched towards the upper bank The Horse which was commanded by the Count di Sora marched on the right wing within sight of the Piedmontese Quarters to the end that the Foot which were divided into three Squadrons being sheltred by them might advance safely towards the same side and with them the munition and three Troops of Horse went before the Foot Van. The convoy of relief went on the other side towards the place that was chosen on the lower bank led on by the Marquess Lunato and Colonel Frederick Imperiale to whose charge the whole business was committed Two pieces of Cannon went before them with some Foot and behind came a competent number of Carriages loaded with Boats and with all things requisite for relieving the Town In this posture did the Army march being favoured by a thick mist which kept them from being seen by the Enemy and whilst the Scouts went without any opposition to the other side Don Iohn di Garrai who having better considered the windings of the Poe and finding by the manner of the Enemies proceedings that no Forces would come from the Piedmontese Quarters which might any ways make him apprehend a general Battle having first agreed with Colonna that the succour would come safe between the aforesaid Quarters and the Fort he ordered Lunato and Imperiale that they should go thitherward and towards the place which was first proposed by Imperiale to execute their Commission The new Order was obeyed forthwith so as the succour wheeling about behind the Fort it drew neer the bank which was above it where it was playd upon by Musket shot which came in abundance from the said Fort and by two pieces of Cannon which play'd from the top of the opposite shore but the Cannon shot though it were dreadful yet being made but seldom they did more terrifie then endammage and to the hail of musket-shot which came from the Fort no readier nor fitter remedy could be found out then to assault the Fort Wherefore Colonel Imperiale who attending still upon the succour saw how necessary it was to provide against this inconveniency sent to advertise Colonna how affairs went and how requisite it was to assault the Fort whereupon Colonna forthwith commanded some Companies of Spaniards and Italians that they should assault that Fort who going boldly on took it for they did no sooner skirmish then scale it The Marquess Torrecuso was the first man who having moved l'Imporiale a little before to favour the putting of the Boats into the River was intent upon the passing of them over it being the action of most importance when he saw the Foot advance to give the assault leaving the whole care of the relief
got thither which made this resolution dangerous yet their necessity of getting into a place of safety and their hopes that by their industry orderly marching and by their valour they might overcome all difficulties they resolved to advance the rather for that being better informed they knew that the Duke was not yet come thither with all his men but that the Van was only there under Marquess Villa they therefore made their Horse advance under Lisao their Conductor and after them Gil de Hays with his Dutch which made the Van and then Sotelo's Spaniards with the Artillery and Munition who was followed by Prince Borso with his Regiment of Dutch the Rere was brought up by Colonel Leymer with his Regiment of Dutch Horse back'd by two Companies of Dragoons Marching in this order when they were come neer Monbaldone they saw some armed men in certain Inns against which Don Martin made two Files of Musketiers advance to possess himself of those Inns and drive away the Souldiers which were there These Orders were succesfully followed for the Musketeers drove the others out and made themselves Masters of their habitations This mean while the Horse were commanded to halt and to face the Enemy who kept still at Monbaldone and the Foot coming up at the same time they made a Squadron and caused the Artillery to advance with a sufficient Guard â—…he Squadron from which Files of Musketeers continually issued forth and skirmished marched but slowly giving the Artillery time to advance and get to a place of more safety where they were afterwards to halt and entertain the Enemy till the Artillery were come to Bistagno Those who had formerly taken the Inns seeing that the Artillery and the Foot were well pass'd on and got into a place of safety they likewise would retreat and went to joyn with the Horse who stood upon the plain and 〈◊〉 the Foot who when they should have marched were also to râ—…eat but on a sudden they might see Marquess Villa fall down with the Horse from Monbaldone and charge the Foot which being in plain open field were abandon'd by the Horse which not making any resistance began to fly so shamefully as the enemy leaving the Foot began to pursue them and cut them with their swords and afterwards falling upon the Foot did so disorder the Squadron as some flew one way some another in great confusion and the Artillery and Munition being abandoned fell into the enemies hands The Duke of Savoys coming with the rest of the Forces to Monbaldone made much for the happy â—…ssue of this action for coming when the fight was begun he assisted in getting the Victory many Spaniards were slain in this conflict and many taken prisoners amongst which some Commanders it was thought that if Lisao who commanded the Horse and was the first that began to run had made head and charged the enemy the Foot would have had time to have charged their Muskets again and to have rallied so as all might have succeeded happily and that this march might have equal'd the succour which but a little before was given to the Rocca d' Arazzo Lisao who was justly blamed for this default alledged for himself that he had told Don Martino it was impossible for him where had placed him if the enemy should assault him and Don Martino complain'd of the Governour who when he sent him into those parts promised he would fall upon the Territories of Vercelli so to divert the Duke from the Langhe which promise he had not made good with this Victory Duke Victorio ended his life just a moneth after he had gotten it he died in Vercelli where the Marshal also was and it was commonly enough said that he was poysoned though the Physitians who cut him up said that there appeared no signs thereof in his bowels This suspition was occasioned by an invitation which was made by the Marshal some few days before the Duke died to the Duke Marquess Villa and Count Verrua where after having been sumptuously feasted they fell all three immediately sick the Marquess mended within four days but the Duke and Count died within 8 or 10 days it was notoriously known that great hatreds diffidencies detractions and imputations pass'd reciprocally between the Duke and Marshal which made that to be suspected which befell the Duke and the Count who was most inwardly acquainted with the Dukes ends and intentions The Duke was of an accurate understanding he foresaw the manifest ruine of his Principality by this war if the French should beat him they would be his Masters if they should be beaten they would be his enemies it behoved him therefore to carry the business so as that he migâ—… not be oppress'd by Victory nor ruined by the loss of it and chieâ—…y so as the Spanish Empiâ—…e which was his only support in Italy against the French might not be weakned so as though he did many things to the Spanish prejudice yet he never endeavoured their ruine and destruction by which artifices he made the world suspect that not being able to do less he shun'd the danger which he saw did threaten him so as his not being able to manage the common aâ—…ms freely as it rendred his actions doubtful of double dealing so did it make them excusable but these were divulged opinions without any proof or certainty only that the Marshal published them he embraced many enterprises and had many designs a little before his death he treated with Don Andrea Fossa Abbot of St. Theodoro di Genoa who was after chosen General of the Cannons of Laterane to joyn in League with the Commonwealth of Genoa seeming to value her very much and professing himself to be as well affected to her as his Father was the contrary he therefore gave him Order to lay some foundation for this but his death which ensued soon after put an end to this and to all his other negotiations he died on the 7th of October the year 1637 in the 50th year of his age besides Daughters he left two Sons behind him Francisco Giacinto the eldest who died a year after his Father in the sixth year of his age and Charles Emanuel who succeeded him and was not above four years old This Prince his death was believed to be very prejudicial to the Crown of Spain for as whilst he lived the King of Spain might assure himself he would never be absolutely against him so being dead and the Government of the State falling upon the Dowager Dutchess who was Sister to the King of France all men thought she would be absolutely guided by him and people were generally much troubled to think that if the young Duke should die who seemed not then to be over healthful the States of Piedmont and Savoy would fall unto the Crown of France and it was forthwith seen that the French did greedily aspire after them for the Duke being dead the Marshal who was in Vercelli endeavoured to bring a
in the Castle of Voghera he sent Forces to drive them out which was done without any difficulty for the French at the very sight of the Spanish Colours surrendred the place and retired as the rest had done to the â—…renches about Tortona all on this side the Scrivia towards Tortona being taken and the Governour being master of the Field he betook himself wholly to relieve the Castle the Condition whereof he could by no means hear so diligently weâ—…e all the Avenues guarded which made him much doubt the preservation thereoâ—… not knowing how long it could hold out and it was given out by the Enemy that it would soon be surrendered And yet because he would not be failing to himself nor leave any thing undone which might make for the presesvation of so important a place he was very diligent in getting provisions whereby to keep the Castle from â—…urrendring wherefore he hasted to relieve it he knew he could not effect his design by any way but by that of the Mountain wherein he was to meet with two great difficulties the first that the Enemy foreknowing it would fortifie the Trench on that side the more strongly and would place his whole Forces there since he could not apprehend fear in any other place The other difficulty proceeded from the inconveniencies which were found in the scituation of the Mountain The Castle of Tortona stands upon the top of a Hill which being severed from higher Hills declines gently for the space of three miles on the East side of the City which lies just at the Foot thereof so as the Governour if he would relieve the Castle was to begin from the highest and furthermost tops of the Hills and by the ridge thereof approâ—…ch the well munited Trenches which shelter the Castle on the Hills side Nor was this all the difficulty about a mile before you come to the line of Circumvolution the Hill declining by degrees shapes out a gutter which falls into a Valley whither he who will advance must fall down and then climb up again to the opposite top This gutter or slit was very incommodious and dangerous if the Enemy should have munited the edge thereof as it was probable they had done therefore the resolution of bringing relief was fuller of danger then hope But the Governour who thought the loss of this Castle to be the worst of evils that could befal was resolved to try his Fortune he therefore took up two quarters on the very top of the Hill and possessed himself of Montgualdone and Sarzano and falling down from thence he came without any opposition to the Gutter or Slit where he found Longueville and his men on the opposite height well prepared to defend that Pass nor herewithall content he fortified himself with a good Trench and with Artillery upon the edge of the top of his hill so as from thence he commanded all the Enemies Troops and all the avenues by which he might be assaulted The Governour being come to the slit began also to fortifie the top of his hill and contemplating the Enemies advantagious position he began to find that he could not send to assault it but by ways which by the fall of waters were made slippery and which were so 〈◊〉 as but a few could march on front so as to attempt an assault against a long stout well munited row of men would be a great piece of folly there remained but one thing to be done that he might not seem to have moved in vain and to have done thus much to no purpose which was to send some men to try an assault upon some Corps de guard which were without the Trenches placed upon the hanging of the slit neer a little solitary Chappel which was there to see whether the Enemy being provoked thereby would forego his advantages and fall rashly down into the Valley whereby fighting in an equal place way might be made for the intended succour as this conceâ—…t was idle so proved it unuseful for though Marquess Villa came out of the Trench with his Horse back'd with some Squadrons and falling upon the assaulters beâ—…t them back to a certain little house which they had formerly possest themselves of and which stood in the middle between the two Camps yet no more was done but all the Corps de guard being sent for back returned to the Trench and the French Commandeâ—…s shewed themselves more wary in maintaining the advantage of their 〈◊〉 then ready to hazard the unceâ—…tainty of Baâ—…tle either upon equal or unequal terms and therefore the Governour finding that the Enemy was not minded to forego his advantage he attempted but in vain to put 300 men by night into the Castle Both the Armies kept their stations that night the next day the rain increased so as the Spanish Army not being able to convey in their Victuals and their Souldiers being exposed to the rain the Governour was forced to think of retreating he therefore made his Horse advance and left Don Vincenzo Gonzaga with a good strength of Horse and Foot to keep the station where his Army was quartered till his Souldiers might be march'd off who met with many great obstacles in their retreat for being to passe over the Gru a little rivulet at other times but which ran now with very much violence being much swollen by the fall of waters they were fain to climb up a hill beyond it and to draw up their Artillery by it which by reason of the rain was become hardly passable wherefore they resolved to march both Horse and Foot by the current of the Gru wherefore the General of the Horse Marquess Caracena sent some Horse that night to guard the lower part of that rivulet to defend the Army in its march by whom he was afterwards informed that many Horse were come out of the City of Tortona marching towards Vighizvolo by which the Army was to pass with their Artillery wherefore the Marquess doubled the aforesaid Guards charging them to mark well the Enemies way and to give notice of every the least proceeding The Guards returned averring their former advertisement and moreover that the Horse and Foot marched toward the same stations that the Spanish Army had left whereupon the Spanish Army haulted to consult upon what was to be done the joynt opinion was that they should continue their begun march for that the advertisement might be false and if otherwise they might by continuing their march get to Vighizvolo before the Enemy only Caracena opposed the general resolution averring that the Horse which marched in the Rere should be so long held skirmishing by the Enemies Horse which advanced by the Valley as the rest of the Enemies Horse which marched by the hill might come up unto them and fall upon them and that not being able for want of Foot to defend themselves they the Spaniards would be routed that the Enemy would pursue their Victory and advancing forwards would also rout the