somewhat more distant was the Cavallery ranged But Albertus that he might extend his Forces the middle Battel being commanded to march forward what before was the Van-Guard became now the Right Wing and the Rere-ward the left-Wing For putting his greatest confidence chiefly in the Spaniards and next them the Italians hoped the Enemy would not be able to sustain the Force of that double Band But the Prince opposed against the Enemy towards the Sea Sir Frances Vâ—res men and next to the Fields the French the rest he placed behind as Reserves And now the Enemy sent out from both Bands some small shot which as soon as it was perceived four Companies of French were drawn forth three of which were to fall on the Enemies left Wing for General Vere with some Select men of his own was set forward against the Right protesting to the Prince either by life or death to merit thanks that day Nor was he deceived for he fighting among the thickest and having beaten back the Musketiers and assayling a great stand of Pikes he received two wounds had his Horse killed under him and was mounted on another and upon the Arrivall of his Brother Sir Horace Vere with fresh Forces magnanimously brought his men safe off At this time the Enemies Horse which had been placed as Wings for strengthning the Foot violently falling into the Flank of the Statesmen made a great slaughter whereby it happened that the Spaniards Courages were encreased and the Nassavians began to faint upon which sight the Enemy falling on more violently suddenly a Panick fear and flight surprised all on that part of the Army with so inconsiderate trepidation that many of them for fear of the Enemies Sword ran into the Sea and there met a shameful and certain death But the constancy of the rest and the Prince himself who was careful of all things quickly restored that want of Courage The French came in opportunely to supply those that were in distress and for the better doing thereof were divided into two Bands by the care of the Count Solmes and the Captains Ommerville and Saul And these falling on at first at the push of Pike had good success by the help of the Musketiers who standing in the higher places powred their Bullets uncessantly upon the Enemies Pikes standing below which wounded and galled them infinitely And when an intire Body of Netherlanders and Irish Souldiers advanced against them Count Solmes commanded the Switzers and Souldiers of Fort-Andrew to give on upon them which they did with great Courage and while they were in the heat of Fight he sent both the Batavian Regiments to wit one of Utrecht the other of Holland to their assistance and last of all the Germane Souldiers put themselves into the Fight For Prince Maurice thought it convenient to assault the Enemy with shot and to renew the Fight in as many places as they could so as they that were tyred in the Fight might have time and place to retreat and fresh men still come to supply their places and this very thing broke the Enemies strength and made the other not to be Conquered for there was room reserved for recruiting the Forces in Fight so that the Enemy still encountred with fresh men as often as he offered unwarily to pursue any that fled But among the Hills there was one continued Fight especially where they grew less and also beyond by intervals the Fight was renewed When the Foot met at first Lewis of Nassaw with six Troops which were followed by three others fell in and routed the Enemies Horse At which time one Gentleman who Commanded the Princes Guards persuing those that were routed had passed all the Enemies Forces And three other Horse Commanders led their Troops against the Spaniards Nor did Count Lewis who was diligent to lay hold upon all occasions to get advantage neglect to take six Troops of Cuirassiers and with them to charge the Enemy afresh In many Conflicts this day did that great Commander shew his Valour until the Spanish Horse Rallying and comâ—g in on all sides had almost inclosed him being followed at that time by not above ten men of all his Company but the constancy of his own Resolution and the Captain of a Troop named Cloet came in season and saved him from that imminent danger In the mean time they who had formerly gone out of the Battel to be refreshed and comforted came in again and began the Fight anew whos 's both appearance and Fortune the Battel being in many places was various and different Sir Horace Vere in the Playn at the end of the Hills with six Companies fighting the Spaniards and others in other places as every one found or could get an advantage so that it seemed as if the Fight had been every where scattered and as fresh Forces or a new Enemy met on either side so did the Victory as yet continue uncertain now inclining to one party anon to the other But among the Horse the quarrel was sooner decided it easily appearing that the Mauritians would be Victors even from the Courage of the Commanders for the Enemies best Souldiers were absent as Contrera in Spain Landriano by reason of sickness And now the Spanish Lancters turning head sled to Newport the Nassavians pursuing them in the Rear yet for all this the Foot kept their ground and fought successfully enough even among the little Hills from whose tops they beat the Princes Men coming even to their Cannon which were placed upon a little Hill not far off as is before related Three hours did the Battell continue with equall Courage on both sides during all which time there was nothing seen but death represented in the most hideous shapes of horrour great effusion of blood and both near at hand and far off nothing but terrible spectacles of horrour and dying And then at length the fury began to abate and because at the beginning of the Fight most of the Souldiery was fighting through extremity of labours their Bodies began to grow faint onely the PRINCE infused Courage into his men from the hopes of Victory Here he busied himself in rallying such as were out of order there as often as any Enemy appeared to be made ready fresh Bands to encounter him and in another place he was not wanting to incite all undantedly to go through the residue of the fight At last towards evening he resolved to conclude the Battel with the Horse in that part of his Army being irresistable to this purpose he sent two Troops to stand upon the Sea-shore near the great Guns one of these belonging to Sir Frances Vere the other to Captain Bale These he directed to charge the Enemy nor did his hopes faâ—l him because from hence according as he fore-judged began the first appearance of Victory for the Enemy willing and earnestly desiring to put an end to the Fight came directly against them But the great Guns thundered upon them with that
new Regency be sent out some with Commissions both into England and into Germany to raise Four Thousand Foot and some few Horse These Souldiers supposed to be met by the Enemy at the Rhine though in vain marched safely and unknown to the Enemy But on the contray Ernestus his Musters were impeded by want of Money and other Casualties for the Regiment of Francis Saxon Lawrenburg assembling by little and little within the Territory of Munster part of them being slain by the Hollanders the rest melted away to nothing and Count Oldenburg denied passage to those that remain'd together of them through the Land The Lord of Cimace also gather'd Souldiers consisting of Flandrians and Waloons being partly promis'd that he should be put into Garrison But they that were Listed by Verdugo a great part of them ran away the rest were consumed either by Poverty or Diseases Another Regiment belonging to 〈…〉 tzenburg were kill'd partly by the Enemy and partly by the Boors about Carpen and Aquisgrave Others went aâ—â—y into Hungary to those Wars So that the new raised men being either dispersed or voluntarily departed and the old Souldiers disobedient and refractory all their hopes were 〈◊〉 frustrated and their boasting That they would divide 〈◊〉 Army of Thirty Thousand Men into two parts and thereâ—â—th at once make War on both sides the Rhine came to nothing Whereby Ernestus himself by how much he had raised mens Expectations of him by so much he fell into present Contempt especially when Leasure and Pleasure Idleness and Lust began to be seen as publike stains upon him So that he was lashed at by eminent and most bitter Invectives Besides he overcharged his Fame among the Netherlanders in that he would have imposed Spanish Garrisons upon several of their Cities And was with great Contumacy refused both by them of Namur and Lisle At the first beginning of the Spring marching into the Field Ambushes were laid but in vain for the surprize of two Ciâ—ies which would have been of great advantage Boisledue was the one which very seldom gave opportunity to such undertakings and now preserved by fortune for the Guards had no other notice of the Enemies approach than the falling down of a Stone Maestricht was the other and there also was a miscarriage by the fear of the Captains which the Prince had sent before in a Ship and because there were some Souldiers who unskilled in such Expeditions knew better to pillage than fight unless by chance sometimes we have no more power to command our Courage than Success when a fatall Cowardise and a suddain fear shall weaken and infatuate the Counsel and Courage of those who at another time are Sons of Valour and start back at no danger From hence Prince Maurice went beyond the Rhine resolving to set an end to all those great Enterprises formerly begun in Frizeland to which purpose not only Count William's strength but several new Companies were drawn into a Body leaving behind only Count Hohenlo with two Regiments to guard the Borders of Holland Not long before this Verdugoe's Souldiers while yet the Waters were all covered with Ice assaulted Delphzile a Castle scituate 〈◊〉 the River Ecnus they came on at first in a deep silence 〈◊〉 on a suddain made hideous out-cryes on purpose to reâ—â—â— the Defendants and they rushed on so unadvisedly that 〈◊〉 the Maritime Bank which by the unskilfulness of the Builders being carried beyond the Trench reached the Bulwark there was a sudden tumult and long dubious Fight untill a Neighbouring Ship coming in with Darts and Guns and the valour of the Defendants beat off the assaylants with great slaughter Then the Groeningers sent to Ernestus Gifts with humble Supplications that he would not defer forthwith to send the General and all the Strength of the Army so often promised to avert and prevent the common ruine and destruction of the City But the Prince knowing that he was feared in Brabant and therefore that part of the Enemies Forces stayd there and that another part was engaged in the French War sending before him Pioneers and Engineers as well to secure him in his march as in a Battel if need should be steers his course towards Coevorden He had ten thousand Foot divided into seven Bodies every of whose Flanks and Rere were guarded with Horse It was a new divised Policy that the Souldiers armed with Lances and Pikes and a few Engines or Guns in the Front should break the Enemies Troops for Verdugo put the greatest confidence in that part of his Forces and then the Cavallery being wearied would easily be routed Upon the left side were placed the Carriages and Wagons that brought Provisions to the Besieged with some of the best and stoutest Regiments At the right side they were â—nclosed with Artillery and the River Vidre Verdugo also had drawn up his men in Battel-Array before the Works as if he had desired to see the Strength and Courage of the Enemy knowing he could easily retire into the Coverts of his defences upon occasion Here the Prince took Counsel whether he should break through the Fortified Marshes to the Besieged or seek a more secure way to get to the Castle But 〈◊〉 Spaniard under the silence and covert of the night draws of his Regiments cruelly shattred with long penury and â—â—y to mutiny at the eminent danger together with the Duke of Parma's old Souldiers marching with them towards Oldenzeel there he pitched his Tents and suffered the Souldiers to glut themselves with prey instead of pay wasting the Fields of Germany robbing and stealing with so much more greediness for that they believed they should not stay long there for fear of the Enemy Some of these Souldiers were sent beyond the Eems to Lugen a Town under the King's Command Others were dispatched away to Groening that the common people who are naturally unstable might be kept in awe by them and any danger arising from sudden fear be prevented After the appearance of day had discovered the nocturnal slight and that the Castle was open and the deliverers and Besieged had with joy among themselves and extraordinary thinks to the Prince saluted one another the next thing in design was what had hitherto been aimed at to set upon Groening by force which in the former years they had so sorely teâ—tified Although it was very strongly fortified both with Walls and Bulwarks neither wanted any thing either as to Victuals or other Warlike preparations for defence And not a few of the chief Frizons had rather the City should have continued in the Enemies power than come into their own as believing it would draw the Trade from all parts thither However the Horse being sent away that they might stop all passages against the Enemy as well at Steenwic as at Coevorden and the Bourtange leaving only the Zuâ—phen Regiment to trouble and restrain the Enemy if need should be the great Guns were carryed by Sea The Prince at his
not fâ— off and would be a place of safety for them for no mâ—n oughâ— to be prodigal either of his Valour or Fortunes Wherewith and with Fear Count Warras being amazed agreeing That same last Counsels though both more dishonourable and dangerous prevail'd But it was too late since the Enemy was so near and although all things that might be Impediments to them were sent away before at the latter end of the Night and as soon as it was day they had with a selected party made shew rather of a March than a Flight yet they could not avoid but they would appear most valiant who follow'd Now was Silence commanded and no Noise heard either of Drum or Trumpet things probably in themselves vain but in Military Minds they prevailed much either to incourage or dishearten Of which the Prince having Intelligence he then no longer consulted of the Event of the Battel but all his care was that the Enemy might not escape 〈◊〉 and this the rather because he fore-saw that the Mooâ—ishness of the Fields and he Interposition of the River would delay him in his March he hasted early in the Morning with some Troops and the most Nimble Men picked out of the Regiments to the Number of Two Hundred into the Field commanding the Foot to follow a far off at a distance with the Cannon There was reâ—enâ— the Count Hohenlo then prepared for a Journey into Germany and although the Prince hâ—d omitted to call him yet he conjecturing the Reasons of this Preparation prefer'd the occasion of the good Management of that Affair before his own private Business And Eberhard Count Solms minding to wipe away the stain of his last years Dispute by new Merit There were also of English Sir Francis Vere and Sir Robert Sydney Governour of Flushing And of Netherlanders Marcellus Baxius a Captain of a most valiant Troop of Horse and one of the chief Counsellors of this Expedition besides many others Sir Francis Vere was sent with some light Foot to scoure the Woods and Hedges that no Ambushes might surprize them and coming to the River running by the Fields whose long and narrow Streights Fords were very troublesome to passe and there was but one Woodden little Bridge which was onely broad enough for one at once to go over a brest he drove away the Enemy by the force of his Shot which had been left at that place on purpose to hinder the pursuit Thence having overtaken a good Body of the Enemies he fell upon their Rear they being not far from a narrow Lane which being wooddy on both sides led to Herentals which if the Enemy had reached and the Carriages were already entred there could have been no place to fight In the interim Count Hohenlo to whom the Prince had given four hundred Horse to assist the Foot fell in upon the Enemies Flank But they could not yet come to close fight by reason of a Moorish Valley that lay between which yet was not so plain or large that a moderate Army could be drawn up therein The Regiments under the Command of the Count de Warras marched at a just distance in their nine and eleven Foot order The first was a Regiment of Germanes Commanded by Count Sulâ—yo The second of Walloons being old Souldiers formerly of Lamâ—tâ— and Coquelle but now led by Aschicurtio Barlot had the charge of another Regiment of the same Nation and the Neapolitans brought up the Rear which belonged to the Marquess of Trevigiana then absent in Italy On the left hand they were secured by continual Woods and a River that runs down to Turnhoult The Horse in three Bodies sometimes defended the Front other times the Right Flank Commanded by Bâ—stu and under him Drake Grobendon Gusman and others The place and Word being given for the Onter Hohenlo charging through the rest of the Enemies Forces â—uâ—â—ell on upon them At which time the Horse appointed to defend the Flank returning disorderly put their Foot into confusion Thus the Germans were easily routed Nor were the Italians able to abide the shake of Sir Francis Vere who was sent to fall on their Rear with part of the Horse which till then had remained with the Prince These being thus put to flight the middle Regiments with rare celerity were soiled in so much that the Conquerours marvailed to see the old Souldiers so easily quit the place But besides this the flying Horse had caused a generall terrour and the Regiments themselves were not advantagiously ordered for the great Bodies of Pikes made up out of all the Bands did not defend the rest but stood here and there thin and dispersedly so that the Nassavians might with ease break in among them and that the more safely because the Musketiers had discharged their shot not by turns and one after another but in a manner all at once And Basta afterwards accused that he had not rather maintained the Rear of the Foot shewed Count Warras his Orders to him Of the Nassavian Assaylants four onely were killed and six hurt this day yielding a Noble document of new fighting For Prince Maurice had not armed his Horsemen with Lance according to general Customs but with Carabines for so is that sort of Gun called Therefore the Darts which were first thrown being avoided before the Spearmen could get time and place for use of their Spears they were so suddainly and furiously wounded that they were neither able to weild their Arms or keep themselves in any order And when they were thus routed and brought into confusion they had no room to fly away because the Woods and Waters which were a defence to them fighting were turned to their great hindrance and prejudice as they fled so that the Victors by their too much confidence were like to have fallen into danger for while some of them continued the slaughter and others were fallen upon their Prey Basta accompanied with a few of his men understanding that all the narrow Streights and Passages of the wayes were stopped he feigned boldness out of necessity he turns his Bridle and runs back upon the Enemy This unexpected and sudden chance made many of the Nassavians who were wholly minding the spoyl and searching the Waggons to turn their backs and fly for that kind of People are for the most part full of fear But the chief Commanders of the Horse part of which had followed behind in a great and slow moving Body by Fortune then came in to stop those that fled and encourage those that were afraid threatning withall that unless they turned head upon their Enemies themselves would become their Executioners And with this fear some Prisoners who stood about the Prince begging for their lives doubting a change of Fortune were run through with Swords and killed But the Prince careful to prevent the like for the future had newly appointed as a safeguard to themselves and the Victory four Troops then before exempted from danger yet the
HUGO GROTIUS De Rebus Belgicis OR THE ANNALS AND HISTORY OF THE Low-Countrey-WARRS Wherein is manifested That the United Netherlands are Indebted for the Glory of Their Conquests to the Valour of the English under whose Protection the Poor Distressed States have Exalted Themselves to the Title of the HIGH and MIGHTY Faithfully Rendered into English by T. M. of the Middle-Temple London Printed for Henry Twyford in Vine-Court Middle-Temple and Robert Paulet at the Bible in Chancery-Lane 1665. Licensed March 13th 1664 5. ROGER LESTRANGE TO THE Right HONOURABLE CHARLES Viscount Fitz-Harding AND Earl of Falmouth MEN as the Philosopher saith Most Noble Sir are rude barbarous and worthy of nothing but Contempt unless their Natures be refined by Learning and Knowledg a main Instrument for the attaining whereof is History which as the Learned Livy saith Hoc illa praecipuè agit in rerum cognitione salubre et frugiferum omnis te exempli documenta in illustri posita monumento intueri unde Tibi tuaeque Reipub quod imites capias unde foedum incaeptu foedum exitu quod vites This I take to be meant by him in general of History which without offence of the more Learned I hope may be extended to the various Discourses of particular Countries especially such whose near vicinity as to Friendship or Enmity is requisite to be known as well in its greatness as mean beginning A Wise-man ought not to find fault with those things which he sees written because he doth not approve thereof but rather will set a high esteem thereon because others are experienced in those things whereof he is ignorant wherein the Candor of your Lordships Judgment appears glorious as using to try all things rather by the measure of unerring Truth than the deceitful Fancy of a byassed Judgment The famous Author Hugo Grotius though eminent for Learning in his Country and by his own Repute able to bear up against the Malevolent Blusters of Envy yet were his Posthume Works glad to crave the Protection of Superiours by whose Approbation they have gone through the World meriting the highest Applause And therefore I humbly hope the unworthiness of the Translator in his being unknown to your Honour will not in any measure lessen the well-known Repute of the Author whose Impartial Pen hath with that Candor deliver'd his Countrey-mens Actions as gives not the Credit of their Greatness to their own Policy or Strength but yields a deserved Lawrel to the honour of the English whose Aid was not onely as a Hand to uphold but a vivifying Medicine to a fainting Body that recals and gives new Spirit to a formless and cadaverous Lump I shall not trouble your Lordship with the Reasons inducing to this Translation at this time as well-knowing it would be too great an Intrenchment upon the full Occasions which hardly afford your Honour any time of Repose And therefore I humbly crave your Lordships Pardon for this bold Intrusion beseeching your favourable Respect to Patronize this Translation which I prostrate to you as the most hopeful Stem of Rising Nobility as being replete with all the Advantages flowing from a large and plentiful Fortune wherewith not onely your Body is enriched but your Mind copiously embelished with all the Helps both of Art and Nature Accept then hereof and make it receive a value if not from its own Worth yet from your Approbation Which that it may do is the Desire of MY LORD Your Lordships in all service to be commanded T. MANLEY To the READER IT is a Crime too incident to Humane Frailty to be finding fault though they undergo the Lash of the Satyrical Poet for it Turpe est Doctori cum culpae redarguit ipsum And I cannot expect to be free from such Calumniators But I hope better things from the Ingenious Readers who if I flatter not my self will be inforced to acknowledge That if I have not arrived at the highest Pitch of the Author's Fancy yet that I have not deviated from the same You have here the first Rise of the Quondam Poor Distressed States which as the Author confesseth was by a Revolt from their Lawful Soveraign And the Sacred Scripture parallels Rebellion to the Sin of Witchcraft But Success brought in that Pagan Principle Prosperum Scelus vocatur Virtus And from this Step they assumed the Title of High and Mighty Yet is it not forgot that Babel should have reach'd to Heaven but was destroyed Our Author as he ingeniously acknowledgeth the Rise and Growth so he often brings them forth with their Humble Suit for Aid and Assistance and afterwards with the Expressions of their humble and hearty Acknowledgments to Queen Elizabeth as their main Support in their most distressed Condition And with more Humble supplications to her Not to leave them to the Rage of their Enemies but to continue them under the Wings of Her Protection unto which Protection out of her meer Mercy and Compassion she admitted them Because of the Inhumane Cruelties committed upon them by the Bloody Duke D' Alva And though They in all humility offered unto her Submission as to their Prince such was their low Condition yet notwithstanding their Preservation by the English Nation so often acknowledged by Themselves they like the ungrateful Snake endeavour to destroy their Foster-Father forgetting all their Obligations to England and offering all the Violencies imaginable which with Amboyna shall not now be particularized These are the Wars which most Christian Princes were concerned in writ they have been by others but this the onely Protestant Writer whose Impartial Pen needs onely to be named to give in Credit And how seasonâ—ly Translated at this Juncture of Time their own Confessions in those past and their unjust Proceedings in the present Affairs will sufficiently testifie T. M. GROTIUS OF THE Affairs of the Netherlands The ANNALS of Hugo Grotius concerning the Dutch Affairs from the Departure of King PHILIP The Fâ—rst B 〈…〉 I Intend to Discourse the most famous Warre of our Times and which may no improperly be câ—lled Sociall or a Warre of Confederates while the Spaniard and Dutch People accustomed to live under one Government and who had as well been Victors as Companions in Arms differ between themselves nor wanteth Reason why it may not be termed a Civil War the Parties herein concerned under the several Title of the Pâ—ince and the Laws being Domestick And wheâ—her we mind the Policies either of Civil or Military Government we shall not find a more fertile Field of Examples nor in any Age more fierce and tedious Conflicts in such an unequal Quarrel You would admire how the Seeds of this Hostility were long before sown but after they began to grow up and appear it would even tire Curiosity to observe the great Mens Power and Craft the desperation of the meaner sort the new Leagues and immediately the Home-Discords and at last the unhappy endeavouring of Forraign Aid whereto in short time after were
of the Tubantes whither the Prince being come with part of his Army while the Camp and Leaguer were Fortifying he drove away the Spaniards with his Guns whose Horse rather than they would be Besieged there broke through the middle of the Enemies Here was kill'd by the Enemies shot Charles Levinus Famarsh who having for a long time taken the part of the Confederate Nobility at this time was General of the Ordnance a Man excellently skill'd as well in the understanding and management of doubtful and difficult Affairs as the most prosperous Now was a very handsom Sally made out of Coevorden wherein many were slain whose Bodies the Besieged desiring that they might have Christian Burial they were deliver'd to them Frederick Count Heremberg with six hundred Souldiers part of whom were sent to him through the Marshes defended the Castle but he burned the Town least it should defend the Enemy in their Battery and breaking down of the Walls or else should be burdensom to him to keep yet he seemed to maintain the Ground-plat thereof though onely out of design to protract time untill the Prince by digging entred it and beat out those who stayed to fight in defence thereof and then raising a Mount he planted his Cannon for battery The Works which were without the Trench round about the Castle being over-hasty deserted the Besieged themselves voluntarily set on fire the Bridge And now as soon as they were gotten to the Trench the Prince received Intelligence what plenty of all things the Besieged had onely they had but one Well of water to drink off so that in the night they were forced to come to the Trench for water the same environing the Castle with a very great deepness This he found might be dryed up with Engines and likewise the Springs of the Well be stopped or at least intercepted But at the beginning of the work it appeared that there was an encrease of Water under the ground through continual bubling Springs which according to the nature of that Element will follow whithersoever the Workman can design to draw it Not was it long before divers falling shoures yielded comfort to the Thirsty Besieged and put a stop to 〈◊〉 But the French which was fed by certain little Câ— brought from the Marishes was drawn dry and fill'd and 〈◊〉 more safe passage had placed thereon Devices made of â—ber and Hurdles so that the Souldiers might come safely 〈◊〉 the very Walls the Flanks and Fronts of the Builders 〈◊〉 secured either by the darkness of the Night or a Line 〈◊〉 beyond them Between which Coverts great Posts 〈◊〉 indifferent distance being fixed were cover'd with Plâ— and Earth cast thereupon to prevent the Enemies shot 〈◊〉 preserve them against fire Being thus conveyed they â—dermined the Rampire at the very Bottom but the Cannon from more convenient places had beaten down all the Curtain and driven away the Defendants While these things were doing here Mondragonia in the mean while furnish'd divers little Castles and Forts in the Country of Brabant by the taking and forcing of which the Hollanders for some years past had fetched thence aâ— well great Booty as exacted Tributes This was his 〈◊〉 Care while the main strength of the Government beyond thâ— Rhine was by the hands of Assailants and Defendants eveâ— almost destroyed But as soon as the Duke of Parma returned from France Verdugo was very earnest with him to carry his Army that way But the Souldier was over-â—ryed with Travail and besides required before he would stir any more the Pay that was due and in Arrear Yet nevertheless he obtained that Ten Thousand Foot should be drawn together from sundry parts and 7 Cornets of Horse should be deliver'd to him to undertake that Journey and if he saw convenient to fight the Enemy besides he was to be Recruited with Three Thousand more out of the Garrisons beyond the Rhine Prince Maurice receiving Intelligence of these preparations in regard the compass of the Leaguer was greater than he could safely make good against the Besieged and withall defend himself from an External Force that might come at his â—ack he therefore began new Works more inward leaving and dismantling the former There came also to him out 〈◊〉 the Regiment of Collonel Stolberg as a Supply for these Souldiers which the prosperous though not unbloudy Sâ— of Sâ—nic had consumed and wearied The English Regiments also returned and the Hollander's Auxiliaries which had been in the French Service Count Philip of Nassau being order'd to bestow the wearied men into Garrisons 〈◊〉 to draw out in their stead such as were fresh with which he should defend Gravewaert the Watch Tower for the Vâ—r and turn towards the Enemy if by chance he should châ—fe the Isle of Holland or either of the Coasts adjoyning or near thereto for the Seat of the War and to follow him whithersoever he went Also Frederick Count Heremberg either from Intelligence or Conjecture had conceived to him aforehand the hope of Relief that would suddainly come to him and therefore being required to deliver up the Castle he answer'd That they must stay yet some Moneths first A few â—ts before the English Regiments and the other Forces under Count Philip of Nassau did arrive at the Camp or Leagueâ— Verdugo having got past the Rhine by taking a long Circuit as far as Berck had pitched not far from Prince Maurice at a place called Emlichem prying with all diligence into the scite and manner of the Prince's Camp and not onely with his Eyes but by the Treachery of a Noble Person with whom the Prince at that time was very familiar whose fault also the Prince afterwards pardon'd though it were manifestly proved The Enemy had conceiv'd a hope of straitning the Prince's Army of Victuals but when they knew there were two ways to supply him and that the Marishes lay between them and because his Forces were not enough numerous to be divided he resolved to try the strength of his Weapons and Men in an intire Body Now were Fires seen frequently whereby he admonish'd the Besieged that they should not be wanting to his Design being altogether ignorant that they could not sally because their Bridge was broken down But Night drawing on apace the Spaniards notwithstanding the delay in their passage from the Bridge over the River Vecht assault the ouâ—eâ— Camp where the Prince had placed Stolberg with his Regiment and a strong party of Horse in a place very convenient for as well in regard of the Trees as the Waters The Enemy had chosen to assault this place because they guessed the Horse-Guards would not be over-diligent in their Watch and the new Regiment was hoped to be unskill'd in all things belonging to War and thereupon they began to creep oâ— the Trenches in every part to attempt to scale the Rampire and successively climbed up one in the Foot-steps of another But the Nassauians although they suspected that Night as if
them in Order of Battel yet hiding from the Souldiers the loss of the former Fight In the Van-Guard was Sir Francis Vere with a double Band of English and Frizons and two Ensigns more the one belonging to the Prince the other to Count Hohenlo who was absent being to guard Holland the Middle Ward or Battel was made up of French Switzers and the New Souldiers from Fort Andrew and of this Count Solmes had the Leading The Rereward consisted of Hollanders and Germans the last of which was all that remained of Count Ernestus his Forces There was also a Bard of Utrechers Commanded by Collonel Vctrembrouch The Horse were partly in the Front other part attended the Battel and some waited upon the Rear-Guard Thus the Prince order'd his Army according to the Antient Policy of famous Captains and then commanded the Ships to depart which by this time were in great Number come to him and to steet their Course to Ostend That the danger being equal to all so all hopes or causes of flight should be utterly taken away but they which had setled themselves in the Haven before could not presently obey that Order until they were assisted by the Tide Besides some Companies were left about Newport to keep in the Souldiers there that they might not break out on the Bank of the Prince's Men when they were engaged to fight And now the Morning being half pâ—ssed and Noon approaching the Enemies Horsemen going a great distance before their Battel came in sight and after some short Skirmishes with Pistols being driven from the Shore retreated to the Hills where a Band of Foot-men tarryed for them against whom moving in a slow pace towards the Sea the Cannon on both sides plaid very fiercely Some there were with Prince Maurice who advised at that time to meet the Enemy for that would inflame the Souldiers Valour and increase their Courage and Alacrity But others with more Wisdom that it was more fit to abide in the same place whereby they might repel the more easily the Enemies Fury after their long March over the difficulties of the Sands which when they had concluded and the Horse dispersed which had taken away the Prospect Prince Maurice from the Tops of the Hills which he had possessed for his Advantage in the Battel spyed the Enemy drawing nearer and in this manner ordered There were Three Battels according to Custom of which the Middleward being double fill'd the whole breadth of the Shore wherein were four great Bodies of Pikes to each of which were added as Wings both greater and lesser Shot which we call Musketiers and Bow-men They of Diest under many Captains having but one Standard made the first Battel wherein Mendosa was present The Right Wing of the second Battel which consisted all of Spaniards was commanded by Monteregio and Villars The Left made up partly of Italians was order'd by Sapena and Avilos Between these Two Bodies was a select Number of Horse which were the Arch-Duke's Life-Guard appointed to stand In the last place were the Netherlanders led by Barlotte and Bucquoy with Auxiliaries out of Ireland whose Captain was Bastuck The General of the Horse by reason of Landriano's infirmity was Peter Galen onely they of Diesl had their own Offiches whose power was no more over them than at pleasure And as they differ'd in Language or their Arms being either Lances Guns and Breast-Plates so were they drawn our and disposed into Troops The Day decaying as the Battels grew nearer each to other the wiser Spaniards thought fit to take Advice Whether they should engage in a general Battel and try the doubtful Chance of War For they did not find as was believed the Enemy hastning his slight into the Ships or running away but standing with Resolution to sell their Lives and revenge their Deaths Thus the Battels being prepar'd and all the Souldiers on both sides encouraged to fight That whoever was the Conquerour could not but expect great effusion of bloud They were to take care that they did not drive him to hope who being unawares fallen into so great Dangers was brought to such a condition that he could not fear or decline fighting That they had better besiege him since all the Countrey was theirs and the Enemy had no place of Retreat In the mean while the Souldiers should rest themselves being wearyed with long Journeys and one onely Fight But there were others of Opinion That they should make it their first care and business to recover the Fort Albertus before spoken of And besides the Minds of the Souldiers were so elate I with the success of the former Battel that they believed they were come thither rather to take Prey than to fight that old saying of the Spaniards being frequent in the Mouths of most The more are the Moors the more glorious the Victory Nay it was almost come to that That they would not go off without Battel though the Enemy seemed to decline the same And many of the Commanders thought that Alacrity of the Army and vehemency of their Minds was to be encouraged wherefore laying aside all further delay which was look'd upon rather as specious than advantagious They thought fit by Exhortations to raise the Souldiers Courage already inflamed That they would perfect the Victory already begun increase the Spoils already gotten and not onely slay the main Body but the very Remains of that Army begun to be Conquer'd by them That they themselves were men practised in Fights those ignorant and Rebels to God and their Prince till this time having received so great presumption as to pitch their Colours against Us on purpose onely to be destroy'd and are at this time ready to fight because they can find no means ready to fly Here are no Ditches to pass no Rampires to scale nor any Defences for Sloth or Cowardise but as Out-casts they come out of their lurking places having nothing but Arms and those depraved and made of no force by the guilt of their Consciences That it now lay in their viz. the Spanish Armies hands to make their Prince as great as they would have him for this one day would fully restore his Dominion to him if they would strive for the Victory nor should there be any further occasion of War for this would be the first and last Battel 'T is true indeed at Turnholt they kill'd some of the Spanish Army but what were they such as chose rather to run away than to meet the Enemy neither at that place was there either a Battel or an Army or a Prince whereas at this time he for them they fought should be a Witness of their Valour whose great Victories at Calais Hulst and Amiens they should call to Mind and each of them take Example from his Valour Constancy and Industry These were the general Exhortations used by the Nobles to all but to the Spaniards they were more particular repeating to them many famous Acts both of antient and