accordingly took the Oaths and a Correspondency in the Army being discovered to be held with the Rebels Lientenant Collonel Levingston and other Officers were seized and made Prisoners so that a timely Discovery defeated the whole Design and being brought upon their Tryals before a Council of War and severally confessed their Crime throwing themselves upon the King's Mercy and a Proclamation published for apprehending the Viscount Dundee and others his Associates with a Reward of a 8000 Marks Scotch Money to such as should apprehend Dundee and deliver him to any of His Majesties Officers dead or alive and indeed he survived not long after for on the 26th of July major-Major-General Mackay marching from St. Johnstoun with about 4000. Foot and 40 Troops of Horse and Dragoons Two Mile on this side the Blaye of Athol came within sight of the Enemy and drew up his Men to attack them and on the 27th the Fight began about Five in the Afternoon and continued very hot for some time so that being exceeded in number some of our Regiments gave way however Dundee Charging furiously at the head of the Highlanders to encourage them was slain by a Shot although he had Armour which so discouraged his Party that they suddenly retreated and after that Collonel Cannon who had been sent out of Ireland with some Forces took upon him the Command and rallied the scattered Rebels As for the Body of the Viscount Dundee it was afterward exposed in Blaire Church and then decently buried and with him his Party lost the Prime of their Courage never after being able to make any considerable Head though the Earl of Dumferling and others undertook to manage them for many of the Highlanders scattered and went home and some of the Heads of their Clans submitted During these Transactions in Scotland the Army in England marched from all parts towards Chester and Highlake to embark on the Ships appointed under the Command of the Duke of Schomberg consisting of between Five and Twenty and Thirty Thousand effectual Men great Stores of Ammunition Provision and considerable quantities of Moneys were Shipped off and his Majesty appointed a Camp to be on Hounslow-Heath on the 14th of August to be composed of such Forces as remained but it continued not above three or four days and in the mean time a Declaration of War against France was published in Scotland During these Transactions the Iniskilling-men being in Arms made many Incursions into the Enemies Quarters beat several of their Party and possessed themselves of a great deal of Plunder and upon notice that one Maccarty was abroad with a strong Detachment marching towards Lisnaskea Lieutenant Collonel Berry early the next day marched out with 8 Troops of Horse 2 of Dragoons and 3 Companies of Foot but upon a serious search finding the Enemy with whom another Party was joyned much superiour in Number he sent to Collonel Woosly at Iniskilling for Relief and after a brisk Encounter killing a considerable Number put the rest to flight but they rallying again upon new Reinforcements another hot Engagement happened near Newtown Butler where having posted themselves advantageously they gauled our Horse with their Cannon but our Foot and dragoons passing the Defiles drove them from their Posts and seized their Cannon whereby the Horse having advantage to come up the Enemies Horse upon the first charge deserted the Foot and they finding themselves in a great strait fled likewise many being killed and taken insomuch that that Party that had so long hazâ—rded the Country was by this means quite broken and disordered 3000 being computed to be killed and lost in the Lough into which they desperately threw themselves to escape the Sword London-Derry was a place extreamly aimed at and not doubted to be won yet they found themselves mistaken in their Account as in the Relation of that Siege though but briefly will even to a wonderful Providence be manifested indeed upon the first Approach they made themselves Master of the Castle of Culmore where were only 3 pieces of Cannon and the Garrison distressed for Water and although they made Conditions to march out with their Swords yet were they plundered by the Irish And now to wave Interruption in the Thread of History though many things intervened take a brief Account of this famous Siege the greatest considering the Situation and weakness of the place against a numerous Army that has been perhaps in many Ages This City was built by divers Companies of the City of London upon their Settlement of Collonies in Ireland as a Fortress against the Incursions of the Irish and named by its Original Founders London-Derry and so prosperously is succeeded that it has hitherto baffled their most strenuous Attempts and as if Providence had so ordered to defeat the Councils of Tyrconnel Upon the first News of the Invasion all the Irish Forces were drawn out of it being mostly Papists and sent into England to assist the late King insomuch that the Protestants without much Difficulty took Possession of it when they were forced from other places and when Collonel Lundy and others despaired of holding it as a place not Tenable against such a numerous Army as drew down against it though considerable Forces were sent from England and safely arrived under the Commands of the Collonels Richards and Cunningham it being abandoned by those Commanders the enraged People resolved to defend it against the utmost Efforts of the Enemy and thereupon proceeding to choose Mr. George Walker a Minister and Major Baker their Governours during the Siege they chose Colonels and Regimented their men in all amounting to 117 Companies each Company consisting of 60 men the total 7020 Soldiers and 341 Officers and then a View being had of the Stores and necessary Orders given all Offers made by the Enemy of Favour and Protection were refused so that finding a defence was resolved upon they drew up a Demi-culverin within 118 Pearches of the Town and played without any considerable Damage unless to the Market-house whereupon a Sally was made and 200 of the Enemy killed together with Mamow the French General and other Officers of note and although the Enemies Horse came up furiously yet no more of our side than four private Soldiers and Lieutenant Mac Phedris were killed but the Besiegers not seeing this available planted four Demi-culverins at the lower end of an Orchard and those playing Incessantly hurt divers People in their Houses and other places but the Cannon playing as furiously from the Town killed a great many of their men and several Officers of note as Lieutenant Fitz Patrick Lieutenant Collonel Oneas c. together with two Fryars who were zealous in the Cause And to make more effectual work they placed some Mortars and threw in divers Bombs which did little or no Execution but to prevent further mischief â—he Besieged made another vigorous Sally and killed several of the Enemy at Penniburn-Hill in which Action they lost only 2 men and had
time put a stop to that so unnecessary and unprofitable Wickedness too much reigning amongst Officers and Souldiers and the Army was supplyed with Provisions and Stores from England bearing the Ill conveniencies of the Weather which were great without the least Regret though several died of the Distempers of the Country Wherefore to keep them in Action the better to prevent it about the middle of February upon Advice the Enemy was in motion near Dundalk he drew out a strong Party and marched to Dramore whilst Collonel la Melionere and Sir John Lanier who advanced as far as Carlingford returned with an Account that only three Regiments of the Enemy were at Dundalk that Garrison as likewise Drogheda containing their former Garrisons without any Reinforcement upon which most of our Troops were commanded back only a flying Party of 500 Horse and Dragoons with a like number of Foot were sent abroad to observe the Motions of the Enemy and keep them from plundering the Country between whom and the Out-Parties some Skirmishing happened The General being returned to his head Quarters at Lisburn received an Account from Collonel Woosly of a great defeat he had given the Enemy at the Town of Cavan the Particulars were That Marching from Belturbat with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 700 Foot he passed the River at Night two Miles beyond Calyhay's but it was not done so secretly but the Enemies Scouts discovered it and gave the Alarm by firing their Muskets and making a great fire upon the Hill However notwithstanding the badness of the Ways he got to the. Town about half an hour after day-break when contrary to expectation he found the Duke of Berwick arrived that Night with 2500 men making with the Garrison about 4000 drawn up in good order near the Fort but the Collonel disposing of his men as the Ground would give a Conveniency he charged the enemy and after an hours hot dispute beat them out of the Field in which Action the Duke of Berwick had his Horse shot under him and Collonel O Rely Governour of Cavan was killed on the spot with two Lieutenant-Collonels and divers others of Note Whereupon our men entered the Town and fell to plundering which the Enemy perceiving made a strong Sally from the Fort and had cut off a great many of them in that Disorder had not the Collonel came opportunely in with a fresh Reserve of about 250 Foot and 80 Horse and to get his Souldiers out of the Town he found himself constrained to set it on Fire and having quitted it and joyned those that were fighting the Enemy about 150 strong were beaten into the Fort with considerable loss but the Army being tired out in the Action it was not thought convenient to attack it at that time and this firing the Town proved very disadvantageous considering the Plunder that might have been had for all the Houses were full of Bread Meal Oats Beans and the like Stores to suffice the Garrison for six Months And here it was reported by the Prisoners that the Duke of Berwick was to command a Body of 10000 men to be detached out of all the Regiments and so to make Incursions as he saw Opportunity but by this defeat the design was frustrated for all the Ammunition that was in the Town was blown up In this Action we lost about twenty men and amongst them Major Trahern Captain Armstrong and Captain Mayo with one Captain La Maugere a French reformed Officer and Captain Blood an Engenier were wounded though the loss of the Enemy is computed at no less than 300 and amongst the others four Captains five Lieutenants two Ensigns one Quartermaster and about 200 taken Prisoners and those that fled the Field were many of them desperately wounded and scattered all the way with the Arms they threw down for the greater speed and pushing on this Success Many other Places of Note were gained and good Booties of Cattle daily brought in by the flying Parties though the Season proved somewhat sharp and intemperate About this time the Queen of Spain being on Board under a Convoy of a Squadron of English-men of War and being upon our Coast the Duke of Norfolk was sent to Complement her Majesty in the Name of Their Majesties of England and it was performed with much Ceremony and Grandeur and the Wind soon after coming about fair she arrived safe in the Groin and so passed to Madrid and the English Ships after having this Honour were dismissed with liberal Gratitude to the Commanders And now Elections for Members of Parliament went on apace every one contending to chuse Loyal and worthy Gentlemen to undertake a Trust on which the welfare and safety of the Nation depends and the King put out a Proclamation for a General Fast to implore the Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of his Majesties Sacred person and Prosperity of his Arms in Ireland and the Naval Forces to begin the 12th day of March and be Religiously observed every Third Wednesday in the Month and accordingly it was observed till his Majesty returned from Ireland Crowned with Victory and Success and then it was turned into a Day of Thanksgiving On the 20th of March the Parliament Pursuant to his Majesty's Writs of Summons met at Westminster and his Majesty being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne in the House of Peers attended with the usual Solemnity the Commons were sent for by the Black-Rod who attended at the Bar of the Lords Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer by his Majesties Command signified to them That they should forthwith proceed to the Choice of a Speaker and present him to his Majesty the next Morning after which they returned to their House and made Choice of Sir John Trevor Knight and the next Morning he was approved by his Majesty and his Majesty proceeded to make a very Gracious Speech telling them amongst other things his Resolution was to go foâ— Ireland his Presence being necessarily required for the Reducing that Kingdomâ— further signifying his Presence to leave the Government in the Queens handâ—â— during his absence and accordingly before his Departure an Act passed to that end and the Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther-House Baron Vice-Chamberlain to his Majesty's Household Richard Hambden Esquire Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer Sir Stephen Fox Knight and Thomas Pellam Esquire were appointed Lords Commissioners of the Treasury And now the rest of the Danish Forceâ— Landing in Ireland our Army grew very formidable so that the Garrison of Charlemont being Blocked up Collonel Cullimotte possessed himself of a small Village within a mile of it upon notice of which the Enemy came out with about 300 men yet were repulsed with considerable Loss and the next day our men cast up Works to stop the Sallies the Enemy was obliged to abandon their Out-Works and Collonel Cullimotte marched with a party of his Regiment and
the Ford and were posted over against the Enemy commanded three Attacks to be made the First at a good Ford before a small Village which was advantagiously possessed by the Enemy at the Second the Foot waded to the Armpits and at the Third the Horse was forced to Swim The Dutch Regiment of Foot-Guards passed over first wading to the middle sustaining all the Enemies Fire and not returning it till they came up close whereupon all that were in the Village and behind the Ditches gave back but before the Third Battalion of that Regiment had passed the Ford five of the Enemy's came up at the dâ—â—stance of a Pikes length to beat 〈◊〉 back but our men Fired so thick upoâ— them that they were forced to retreaâ— in disorder with the loss of many meâ— and one of their Colours but our meâ— advancing beyond the Village weâ—â— twice vigorously attacked by the Enemies Horse but to no purpose 〈◊〉 the mean time the Danes came up tâ— the Left as also the Brigades of Haâ—more and Melionere on the Right thâ— first was attacked only by the Dragoons and the other by the Horse but neither of them could do much by reason they had no Pikes In the mean time 30 of the Officers anâ— others of the Enemies Life-Guard comâ—ing fiercely up were all killed but 〈◊〉 who endeavouring to escape through the Village unluckily met with thâ— Duke of Schomberg who was there killed with a Pistol-shot in the Neck anâ— divers Cuts over the Neck with Swordâ— falling form his Horse without speaking a word and a French Captain who alighted to relieve him waâ— Shot in his Arm he had not above 300â— behind him when the Enemies Horse made a desperate Charge in which he received two Cuts in the Forehead but not very considerable the French beâ—ind him Firing very furiously it is thought he received from one of them the Wound of which he died and yet more to allay the Glory and Joy of Victory so near at hand Doctor Walker who behaved himself so gallantly in defence of London-Derry having passed the Ford received a Shot in the Belly of which he died Upon this the King marched with the few Horse he had about him and 17 Battalions of Foot to the Assistance of those Troops that were engaged with the Enemy who in the mean time had not advanced much towards the Right Wing whom his Majesty re-inforced with 12 Battalions of Foot and 9 Squadrons of Horse and with them marched against the Enemy who without staying his Approach retired before him in much Confusion and our Horse pressed on to overtake them in such haste that they left the Foot behind them taking only 5 Field-pieces which did some Execution after which our Dragoons backed by the Horse attacked their Rear-Guard at which time the King appearing with his Troops upon the Mountains they all fled and the Country being full of Bogs and narrow Passes they the more easily escaped our Foâ—â— pursued them but to Duleek four Milâ— from the place of Battel where thâ— King stayed but the Horse followed thâ— Chace four Miles further till Nighâ— came on and parted them and theâ— the King sent to Command them to return to the place where the Foot remained and sent to the Camp at Drogheda for Tents and Baggage intending tâ— encamp there and rest his Troops for a day most of the Enemies Baggage feâ— into the hands of our Men as Chariots Tents Cannon Ammunition Arms and the Arms of one whole Regiment was found Regimentally laid the Owners being run from them without striking a stroke the number of the Slain was very considerable not being accounted less than three or four thousand and amongst them many of Note Lieutenant General Hamilton was taken Prisoner Upon this great Defeat of the Enemy the King sent Collonel De Melionere to summon Drogheda and let them know that if they forced him to bring his Cannon they must expect no Quarter which so terrified the Governour that he renâ—â—ed up the place The late King retreating with part of â—â—is broken Army staid not till he reached Dublin where sending for the Maâ—istrates and calling a Council he told â—â—em that he had a very good Army in England which had deserted him when â—â—e expected most from it altho' they â—â—ad not quite deserted him yet their not â—â—anding for the greater part of them a â—ingle Charge but cowardly flying had â—urned it much to the same effect as to â—is Interest saying amongst other Expressions He would never trust himself â—t the Head of an Irish Army again and that now he must shift so must they but Commanded them not to fire the Town â—s had been before deliberated in Council in case things came to extremity and having staid there one Night filling the place with Fear and Confusion he went away the next Morning with the Duke of Berwick the Earl of Tyrconnel and the Marquess of Powis The Count de Lauzun who Commanded the French Horse had not left with him above 3500 the rest being killed and wounded As soon as the late King had quitteâ— Dublin the Protestants were releaseâ— who possessing themselves of the Militâ— Arms which were easily yielded to them and with the assistance of the Bishops oâ— Meath and Limerick formed a Committee to take care of things senâ— Letters to the King to give him an Account of what had passed and humbly to pray his Majesty to Honour the City with his Presence for most of the considerable Papists upon News of the Defeat and the hasty departure of the late King fled from Dublin and we afterwards had an Account that the late King having discharged a great part of his menial Servants went to Bray and so along by the Sea to Waterford where he took shipping for France and got out to Sea but was driven in again yet continued restless till he got clear off so that the Terrour of Popish Cruelty which they had a long time apprehended vanished from the Protestants yet some disorders happened by the Rabble's getting together and had perhaps ended in the plundring and pulling down the Papists Houses and outraging their Persons had not Captain Fitz-Gerald and others stayed their Fury by Threats and Entreaties getting together some well affected persons to secure the Castle and guard the Stores for the King's use and kept things in good order till a Troop of Dragoons entered who were received with unspeakable Joy by the Protestants and on the 4th of July the Duke of Ormond and Monsieur Overkirk where sent by the King with Nine Troops of Horse and his Majesty following after and encamping near Finglas came to St. Patrick's Church the Sunday following and heard a Sermon Preached by Dr. King the Substance being about the Power and Providence of of God in protecting his People and defeating their Enemies Sermon ended His Majesty went back to his Camp to Dinner suffering only his Guards and some prime Commanders to enter
to work with and about a 11 in the Morning the Ground growing dry a great many distressed Protestanta came thither with their Cattle to hinder which a Party of the Enemiea Horse came to the opposite Shoar but as they attempted to pass the Strand they were beaten back and Lieutenant Collonel St. John's coming in with 200 fresh men they retired and 〈◊〉 men having fresh Assistance and Supplies fortified themselves in that Island raising a Battery of four small Pieces which kept the Enemies Horse at a distance they having posted 5 Troops of Dragoons as if they intended to make an Attack upon the Works before they could be brought to perfection and a Ketch was sent to Fern Lough to setch off 40 Irish Protestants who were retired into a small Island and Cattle taken from the Enemy sent to the Fleet in Lough Derry and on the 12th some of the Enemies Troops of Horse came upon the Strand and made a halt about half way drawing up likewise on the other side Three Troops of Horse and Dragoons but our men drawing up Tow Field-pices and Firing amongst them they divided and fell into a strange disorder and by this means they were beaten to the foot of the Hills so that more Forces coming Time was allowed to finish the Batteries and Redoubts joyning them by Lines of Communication and in a while Ten Companies were compleatly formed and the Duke of Berwick with 1500 Horse attempting a Party of our men at Ralfemullin they Barrocaded the Streets and so stoutly de fended themselves that he was beat off with the Loss of 240 men and on our fide Lieutenant Cuningham and an Ensign was wounded and now the Enemy having for several days past made motion of attacking our men were nevertheless kept in awe by our Guns and still our Works were vigorously carried on and Forces increased The French General Rosne upon his approach was wounded in the Leg and his Horse in the Body Stones were beaten up by a Cannon Bullet and Two Troopers near him killed and Parties daily sent out brought in so many Cattle that in that small Island they had no less than a 1000 Head and subsisted in spight of the many Attempts that were made upon them the miserable People flowing from all Parts for Succour and Refuge On the 13th of August the Duke of Schomberg Landed at Carickfergus with all the Forces under his Command and sent Two Regiments to Belfast and after a reasonable Refreshment of himself and his Army proceeded to settle the Affairs of that disordered Kingdom passing on by slow Marches after he had secured the Passes and caused the Enemy to retire before him so that the Country came in on all hands to bring Provisions for the Army and offer their Services amongst the Enemy so that a great many Gentry and others were Listed and Entertained Provision appearing to be very plentiful and the Town of Carrickfergus wherein the Irish had Garrison refusing to surrender Seven Regiments of Foot were commanded to invest it and the Cannon was brought before it the Ground broke c. which the Enemy seeing desired to come to a Parley but that granted and they requiring time to know the late King's Pleasure and have his Leave to surrender it broke off and the Cannon and Bombs played against the place battering the Lord Dungal's House where the Besieged had planted Two pieces of Cannon as likewise against the Half Moon and the Trenches were carried on with great Diligence very fierce Firings of great and small Shot being continued on both sides in which we lost a Captain and a Lieutenant with some few Soldiers and on the 22 of August 50 Ships came into the Lough having on Board four Regiments of Foot and one of Horse and the Siege being vigorously carried on the Besieged on the 23d desired another Parley agreeing to surrender it if they might march with part of their Baggage but no other Conditions than to be made Prisoners of War would be granted so that after a very great Havock made with the Cannon and Bomb which beat down and set several places on Fire they on the 27th hung out a White Flag and surrendred on the Condition to march on to the next Irish Garison and kell their marching out Sir Henry Ingol was Regiment was put into the Townly that the Army being augmented by mor Forces from England marched towards Belfast and on the Second of September were Two miles beyond Lisnegarny whilst the Enemy in their retreat set divers places on Fire which so incensed the General that he sent to let them know if they desisted not he would give them no Quarter which caused the saving Dundalk for the Enemy abandoned it without setting Fire to it on whose Plains our Army incamped expecting the heavy Cannon and other necessaries whilst the Enemy between 40 and 50000 strong fortified themselves with Trenches about Ardee Flying Parties being now abroad a Body of the Enemy about Conaught to the number of 5000 Horse and Foot intending to make themselves Masters of the Town of Sligo Collonel Lloyd drew up the Iniskilling-men and other Forces to the number of 1000 Horse Dragoons and Fooâ— and lining the Hedges of the Lane of Boyle with his Foot posted his Horse on a rising Ground Charged the â—â—emy so sudden and unexpectedly that 〈◊〉 a hot Dispute they were put o 〈◊〉 and the Collonel taking a Cirâ—â—â—erence with his Horse and Diagoons got unto Boyle Through which the Enemy needs must pass and Charged them in the Front whilst the Foot fell in their Rear so that after a Bloody and obstinate Fight about 700 were killed on the place and near half as many taken Prisoners amongst which O Kelly who commanded them and 40 other Officers and the Plunder was very great for besides Arms and Ammunition 8000 Head of Cattle were taken from them which they had taken from the poor Country People This Victory created such Joy in the Camp that the Guns by Order of the General were Fired round During this Success in Ireland the Affairs in England and Scotland were carried on very prosperously several very Loyal Addresses were presented to their Majesties the People every where chearfully expressing their Resolutions to oppose the Enemy with their Lives and Fortunes And as our Arms were Successful against the Rebels in Ireland so were they in Scotland for on the 22d of August a Party of the Rebels assisted by the Athlone-men came towards Dunkell where the Lord Angus's Regiment was posted who received them so warmly that they were driven back to the Hills with the Loss of 115 killed and several taken Prisoners on our side Lieutenaâ—â— Collonel Cleeland was killed with 7 meâ—â— and Major Henderson with about 14 moâ—â— wounded upon which Major-Generaâ— Mackay resolved to march into Athoâ—â— This smart Encounter put such aâ— effectual stop to the Incursions of thâ— High-landers that many of them oâ—â— of Love with their Trades dispersed anâ—
went home and Collonel Cannon retired with his men to Loughabar the Laird James Murray and the young Laird oâ— Ballacan demanded the Benefit of the King Indemnity for themselves and the Father of the latter and many of the Marquess of Athol's Vassals came in with their Cattle and Substance submitting themselves and taking the Oaths Whereupon Collonel Cannon who made the only Figure for the late King retreated towards the Isle of Mull doubtful whether be should continue longer or go to Ireland and the Major-General the better to keep those parts under put a Garrison in the Castle of Blaire and upon his March Northward most of the Leading men of the Highland Clans came in and took the benefit of the Indemnity and delivered up their Arms upon which he returned to Edenburgh accompanied with the Earl of Argyle and the Lords of Levingston and Duffus with the Earl of Collendar were set at Liberty having together with the Earls of South-Esk Brodalbane and the Lord Strathmore c. taking the benefit of the Indemnity and gave sufficient Sureties for the Securities of the Peace so that several Troops of the King's Forces in that Kingdom were embarked for Ireland and the Face of things appeared very Calm and Serene in that Kingdom so that on the 1st of October a Proclamation was published for the Adjournment of the Parliament from the 8th of October to the 20th of December ensuing and the Major General took great care to view the Garrisons in the North to be the better provided in the Spring against any Commotions that might happen by new Insurrections On the 20th of September the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to a late Adjournment where his Majesties Pleasure was signified that they should Adjourn further to the 19th of October ensuing and that he intended they should then sit whereof he had ordered Notice to be given by Proclamation and accordingly the Two Houses Adjourned and about this time we had a very good Account from the Western Plantations that the English stood upon their Guard and had in most Places gotten the better of the French driving them off the Islands and possessing themselves of many Important Places in the Particulars of which we shall be somewhat large hereafter During the glorious Success of our Arms in Ireland there wanted not a treacherous Design but it was happily discovered for a Captain of one of the French Regiments being informed that four Souldiers and a Drummer who were Papists designed to go over to the Enemy he caused them to be secured and found Letters about one of them to Monsieur D' Avaux and upon strict Examination he declared he had the Letters from one Du Pleshy aâ—â—apist who served as a private Souldier in one of the French Regiments though he had been formerly a Captain of Horse in France from whence he was forced to retire upon the Account of a Murther and this Person being seized he did confess that he had written to the late King and D' Avaux giving them an Account that there were divers Papists in the French Regiment and promising to bring them over to the Irish Camp upon Condition he might have the Command of them and his Pardon in France upon which Confession he and his Accomplices were tryed before a Council of War and being Sentenced were accordingly Executed After which the three French Collonels made strict enquiry what Papists were in their Regiments and found about an 150 which by the Generals Order were secured and sent Prisoners to England most of them having this Summer deserted the French Service and came for England by the way of Holland upon notice such Regiments were raising but what their further Intentions were remains doubtful however if Treachery was their design of entering the Service it was by this timely discovery defeated and frustrated The beginning of November a Party of the Army decamped from the Plains of Dundalk where they had lain about eleven weeks and soon after the Duke of Schomberg marched away with the remainder to Lisnegarny and so to Lisburn no extraordinary Action happening in the Field during this Incampment the Enemy declining giving any opportunity of that kind though their Army was near one half superiour in Number Yet soon after they sent out a select Party to Newry as soon as the day began to dawn in hopes to surprise some of our advanced Parties but the greatest Execution they did was to kill the Out Centinels though they gave warning by two Discharges and although they got into the Town they were soon beaten out by a Party of Collonel Ingoldsby's Regiment in which dispute a Captain and six or seven Souldiers were lost and a Lieutenant and an Ensign wounded Yet soon after they rallied and got over the Bridge but again they were beaten and divers slain they carrying off several Officers dead to prevent their loss coming to our Knowledge And now the Garrison of Charlemont being a curb upon those Parts some Parties were sent out to view the Place but found all the Hedges and advantageous Passes lined by the Enemy yet they were forced from thence by our Men and several of them killed and soon after Brigadie Stewart receiving notice that some Parties of the Enemy were scouting about with a design to surprise the Town and Pass at the Newry he drew out the Horse and Foot he could hastily get together making about 250 and at the head of them attacked the Enemy so vigorously that they fell into rout and disorder thirty being killed on the Place and 17 or 18 taken Prisoners of which five were Officers And by this Defeat a considerable Booty of Cattle were taken Nor were other of our Parties idle for Collonel Woosly commanding a Party of the Iniskilling-men marched with much secresie in the Night to Belturbat which brought such a Terrour upon that Garrison as made them surrender upon the first Summons agreeing to be conducted to the next Garrison Whilst these things were doing a strong Party of the Irish went out to plunder and possess themselves of the Lady Newcomen's House of which she having timely notice fortified it against them with a Garrison of her Tenants only and beat off the Enemy in several Attacks till such time as they brought Bombs and Field-pieces to play upon it and then aâ—ter some further resistance capitulated That she and her Servants should continue in the House without molestation but that the Garrison should march out to Eisnegarny with their Arms and Baggage And now a further Eye being had upon Charlemont the General went to view it with a small Party and without any Opposition brought away 50 Horses that were feeding under the Carmom of the Garrison And for the better ordering the Army and that a more immediate Blessing might be upon it the General caused his Proclamation to be published forbidding Cursing Swearing and Prophaneness in Commanderâ— and Souldiers under pain of Displeasure and other Punishments This for a
many other necessary Orders were given and upon some buzzings abroad by Disaffected Persons to raise ajealousie of the Commanding Officers in the Fleet as if there was some Design to betray it to the Enemy A very Loyal Address was signed by them and sent to the Queen promising all Constant Fidelity and Loyalty which much rejoyced her so that she was pleased to say the had always this Opinion of the Commanders but was glad this was come to satisfie others And indeed they made good their Promise for our Fleet being well Mann'd and timely getting out under the Command of Admiral Russel Sir John Ashby Sir George Rook Sir Cloudsly Shovel Mr. Carter c. being joyned by the Dutch Squadron under Admiral Allemond On the 19th of May out Scouts gave the Signal for seeing the Enemy and very early in the Morning we made the French Fleet in a Line Cape Baresleur bearing South-west and by South so that about Eleven a Clock they bore down and Engaged Admiral Russel at some distance Tourville commanding as Chief on their side and the Engagement continued with great Fury till Three in the Afternoon and something more at what time the French began to bean away then it grew calm till six at what time a Fresh Gale springing up the Blew Squadron renewed the Fight and continued it till Ten at Night during the Engagement three Ships were heard to blow up concluded to be French because we wanted not one of ours then It was calm all the Night and foggy next Morning but about eight of the Clock clearing up the French were discovered about Two Leagues off very much lessened not above Thirty Six Men of War who were flying and so closely they were pursued that running on their own Coast Vice-Admiral Delaval burnt under Cape H. the Royal Sun wherein Tourville was Embarqued carrying 104 Guns being the bravest Ship that ever Sailed from France Also the Admirable his Second of 102 Guns the Conquerant of 80 Guns and 3 of lesser Rates The Prisoners declared That during the Fight four or five of their bigger Ships were destroyed In the mean while Admiral Russel came before le Hogue into which many French Men of War were gotten and sent Vice-Admiral Rook in with his Boat who burnt six of them as also the next Morning seven more with seven Transport Ships and Ammunition Vessels 6 of them being of 3 Decks and afterward many others were destroyed so that their Loss was very great viz. about 36 Capital Men of War besides many of small Note some thousands of the Enemy perishing in the Fight and Waves to avoid the Flames and this was done in the sight of the Late King and Land Forces that were to make the Invasion We lost not one Ship and not many Men of Note only Colonel Hastings who Commanded a Marine Regiment and Rear Admiral Carter who failing the Expectation of the French fell on with great Fury and having his Leg shot off dyed through the great Effusion of Blood This Glorious Victory made King James send a Melancholy Letter to his Brother Lewis the Fourteenth excusing it on his hard Fortune that his Forces fighting in his Interest had caused the Current of his Victories to turn against him desiring that himself and his might retire to any Corner of the World that upon the account of his Ill Starr'd Fortune that an always before Victorious Monarch might not have his Glory ecclips'd but the French King by a surprizing Advantage having in thirty days taken the Town and Castle of Nâ—mure was so puffed up that he seemed to lay little stress upon this great Loss and Disappointment in his Expectations of carrying England by Invasion and therefore sent the Late King a Consolating Letter to raise his drooping Spirits However there was great Joy in England and all the Confederate Countries for this Seâ— Victory and the great Disappointments our Enemies lay under by it The King of England soon after their taking Namure being desirous to engage the French to Battle pressed them to it often but they used all possible means to avoid it but his Majesty being informed that the Duke of Luxemburg was upon the point of Marching to Enguien he decamped from Genappe thinking to prevent him but did not so that Luxemburg being first there posted himself in such a manner between Enguien and Sâ—eenkerken that his Majesty thought he might be able to attack him and on the second of August he put all things in a readiness so the Execution of the design and about one in the Afternoon our Men were fully Engaged with the Enemy so that the Duke of Wirtemberg pushed them so vigorously with his Infantry that he seized on several pieces of Cannon in the mean time some of our fresh Foot coming up there began a terrible Fight for some hours so that many were slain on both sides and many brave Commanders fell especially in the marrow way where the Enemy flanked our Men through the Hedges and behind cast up Banks so we lost Lieutenant General Macay who had before Reduced the Rebels in Scotland the English and Scotch Colonels Douglass and the Lord Angus Colonel Gees who commanded the Regiment of Nassaw and others of note the Enemy doing the like on their side The King in this brave undertaking exposed his Penson amidst the Firing from the beginning to the end riding continually in the hottest of the fight to give every where the necessary Orders and having led on himself several Battalions against the Enemy he was also the first at the head of the Troops and the last in the Rear upon the retreat so that his preservation was looked on as a Miracle and had not the disadvantage of the Ground hindered the French had been certainly beat out of their Camp however we took several Colours and Prisoners of note Yet against this brave and generous Prince who has so often outbraved their Swords and Fire in the head of his Army a place where Lewis the Fourteenth never appeared in Fight they had again bent their Treachery to take away his Life by base and Cowardly ways which in the Field they Trembled to Assault The Scene of Villany was laid at the French Court and divers Desperados bribed and maintained to take an opportunity of Assassinating his Majesty when he should ride out of his Camp or otherwise as they found it convenient The chief under Agent in the wicked Conspiracy was a French Knight of desperate Fortune viz. the Sieur Grandval But the managers of greater Rank as the Marquiss of Barbesieux the French Kings Secretary of State who no doubt moved by his Masters directions this Wretch upon the design being discovered by one of his Confederates was apprehended and Examined where there being a strong Proof against him he was brought to his Trial before a Court Martial at his Majesties Camp at Limbeck where divers Noble-men and great Commanders being assembled it was charged against him that he
the Streights to favour the Duke D' Nouailes Warring in Catalonia the English Admiral joyned by divers Dutch Men of War followed and blocked Tourville up in Touloâ—n altogether disappointing him of his Design In the mean while the Lord Barky with a Squadron and some Land Forces on Board Commanded by Lieut. General Talmash made a Descent at Cameret Bay under the favour of 7 Men of War battering the Fort but the French being strongly entrenched with Horse and Foot they were constrained to Retreat the Lieut. General being wounded in the Thigh which gangreening he dyed of that Wound soon after at Plymouth yet our Canon ruined the Enemies Batteries and killed them a great many men But about the middle of July Diep a considerable Sea-Port in Normandy was bombed by the English and Dutch almost all consumed by Fire the great Magazine being blown up and some Ships in the Harbour were burnt On the 17th of July they came before Hacerdegrace an other eminent Sea-Port Town and found the Shoars strongly guarded and although the Enemy fired furiously from their Batteries the Bomb Boats stood in and burnt with their Bombs a great part and the rest had followed the same fate had not the Sea grown high by reason of a strong Wind. The next day the Lord Berkley sailed towards La Hogue alarming all the French-Coast Towns in his way and soon after he made an Attempt upon Dunkirk with a great Machine filled with Bombs and Carcasses which being fired rent and shattered their Out-works in a dreadful manner and afterward bombed Callis not any of the French Men of War daring to stir out of the Harbour Whilst things passed thus at Sea the King took Huy in Flanders and Prince Lewis of Balen Commanding the Imperial Army on the Rhine together with the Saxon Troops entered the French Countries forced their Army to a Retreat cutting off many in the Rear and brought away a great Booty having put the Country for many miles under Contribution and to strengthen the Alliance the Elector of Bavaria Marryed the King of Poland's Daughter After this happened many Skirmishes by Parties during the Campaign in which the Enemy for the most part were put to the worst â—nd many of the French deserted and came over with Horse and Arms declaring the great Scarcity that was in the French Camp The French this year set upon the Island of Jamaica but were beaten off again by the Inhabitants after they had surprisingly committed some Outrages hoping at this time for success upon the Account of the ill condition they supposed the Island to be in by the shocks of a violent Earthquake that had ruined Port-Royal and destroyed many People and the Vaudois in the Valley of Lucern and other places falling on the French that came to surprize them killed many and took more Prisoners The Turks and Tartars that came with a great Convoy to the Relief of CÃ menic were overthrown by the Poles losing 5000 Men and 5000 Wagons laden with Oyl Rice and other Provisions Our Fleet in the Streighâ—s pressed hard on the French blocking them up in their Harbours so that they could not get out to sail for Brest the great Ships were disarmed and the Seamen compelled to travel over Land leaving only a few to Man some Cruizers And thus as to Material Action this Summer ended and the King returning by way of Holland having received the Thanks of the States General returned for England and was met by the Queen with unexprerssible Joy But as all things on Earth are Transitory so this hâ—ppened But in the mean while the Parliament sitting the King told them among other things that a stop had been this Year put to the Torrent of the French proceedings which had altogether put them to a stand and was a happy Omen of Future Success and that nothing might be wanting on his part to oblige his loving Subjects an Act passed for the frequent meeting of Parliaments to the high satisfaction of the Kingdom But now a sad and Melancholy Cloud of Sorrow Over-spread the Nation for on the 22 of December the Queen was taken with a Vomiting and Pain in her Back and Head which soon after turned to the Small-Pox of the worst sort upon which she was Prayed for in the Churches and Chapples But the prevaling Disease to Rob three Nations of so Vertuous and Pious a Princess deriâ—ing Art she much lamented Died on the 28 of the same Month and was laid in State at White-Hall her Corps being brought thither from Kinsington and a considerable time after was with all Funeral Pomp conveyed to King Henry the Seventh's Chappel and Intrered among her Royal Ancestors a stately Mausoleum being raised for her Remembrance in the Abby of Westminster where it was observed that a Bird called a Robin-Red-Breast perched daily on it and at certain Hours Sung Melodiously to the Numerous Spectators and to shew their Affection to the Deceased Queen not only ours and most People of note in the Nation went into Mourning but all the Courts of the Confederates In the beginning of the Year 1695. the Parliament having given the King Liberal supplies greater Preparations than the last were made and the Confederates were in a considerable Posture so that the King early in the Spring went by the way of Holland to Flanders attended with divers Nobles and put the Army in such a Posture as not to fear the Attacks of the Enemy but rather to seek them and dare them to Battel Indeed the Duke of Luxenburg was dead however the French King Nominated the Duke de Villeroy in his stead as General of his Army in Flanders though wanting his Experience in Martial Affairs Therefore the French Court doubting the success of their Arms in the open Field underhand Treatchery at the beginning of the Campagne was used Dixmâ—yde and Demse was thereupon surrendered to them contrary to the Minds of his Garrison Officers and Soldiers in General for which Monsieur D' Ellenburg was afterward Beheaded and others concerned in so base an Action suffered disgrace However the French for a time retaind the Garrison Soldiers and compelled most of them to Enter into their Service against their minds This much dissatisfied the King of England and thereupon after many Skirmishes that happened between Parties he laid Seige to Namure a City that Commanded a large Province where the French had geathered great Riches and accordingly on the third of July it was Invested and the Siege carried on with all imaginable Vigor by the Duke of Bavaria and other Princes so that the City was taken but then the Marsschal de Boufflers who had thrown himself into it retired to the Castle on the other side the River upon Articles signed the fourth of August by the Elector of Bavaria and Count Guiscard Governour of the place a Second Siege in a manner was laid to the Castle being very strongly Fortified and in it a numerous Garison yet such was the Courage
18 wounded and farther to recompence it from a shot of one of the Bastions a Gunner of theirs was killed and one of their Guns broken whereupon they proceeded to draw a Trench cross Windmill-Hill from the Bog to the River raising another Battery but a Sally being made from Ferrey-Gate about four in the Morning one part of the Assailants beat the Enemies Dragoons from the Hedges and the other possessed themselves of the Trenches and possessed themselves of an advantageous Ground with considerable Booty killing in this Sally 200 of the Enemy and wounding 500 of which many dyed with the loss of 3 men and 20 wounded and so barbarous were the Enemy that having taken in these or other frequent Sallies Lieutenant Douglas and Captain Coningham after Quarter given basely put them to the Sword and for a farther Mark of their Treachery having allured Mr. Walker the Governour to a Treaty upon hanging out a white Flag they fired at him about a 100 shot even upon the Proposals of the Treaty but he saved himself by the shelter of an Adjacent house and they not finding their Attacks succeed they removed their main Body and pitched their Tents upon Belly Vgry-hill two miles from the Town yet kept it straitly besieged and possessing themselves of the Wells of Water much Blood was shed in Sallies to recover them On the 4th of June the Besieged made an Attack at a Windmill work with a Body of Horse and Foot the former being mostly composed of Gentlemen had bound themselves in an Oath to mount the Besiegers Line but although they came on in good Order with loud Huzzas they were beaten off and although the Foot had Faggots and after those failed them they took up dead Bodies to defend them against the Besieges and the Horse had mostly Armour yet 4000 of them were killed with the loss of about 6 on our side and Captain Butlers being taken Prisoner by too eagerly pressing after the Enemy and some few killed by their great Shot from the other side the Water but in the Night-time the Enemy played their Bombs of 273 pound weight which in their fall ploughed up the Streets and broke down several Houses and killed several sick People that were not capable of leaving their Houses and in the day-time their great Guns thunderâ— upon the Walls so that by this tiâ—â— through Sickness more than the Shot 〈◊〉 the Enemy the Garrison was reduceâ— to 6185 men and now there being 〈◊〉 multitude of useless People in the Towâ— Famine which no Walls can keep ouâ— began to stare them in the Face and many dyed through want yet there yeâ— remained hope for on the 15th of June they discovered a Fleet of 30 Sail in thâ— Lough and had notice it was the Fleeâ— sent from England under the Commanâ— of Major General Kirk with Men Provision and Ammunition for their reliefâ— but though some Ships attempted to comâ— up the River yet they were at that timâ— hindred by the Fire of the Enemy from the Shoar they having raised severaâ— Batteries as also by Bombs made oâ— Timber Chain and Cable laid a-crosâ— in the narrow passage and fastened from Shoar to Shoar where the Forts werâ— strongest and therefore for some time only Signs passed between the Town anâ— the Ships and no Communication cousâ— be had but by such as privately Swaâ— the River in the night-time or made other private Attempts for great Rewards in which some were intercepted and others lost and by this means Maâ—or General Kirk sent this Letter to Mr. Walker to incourage him in a stout â—esistance SIR I Have received yours by the way of Inch I writ to you a Sunday last that I â—ould endeavour all the ways imaginable for â—our Relief and I find it impossible by the River which made meâ—sond a Party to Inch â—â—hether I am going my self to try if I can â—â—at off their Camps or divert them so that â—â—ey shall not press you I have sent Officers Ammunition Arms Great Guns c. to â—niskilling who have 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons that â—as promised to come to their Relief and at the same time I will attack the Enemyby Inch. I expect 6000 men from England every Minute they having been shipt these â—8 days I have store of Victuals for you and â—m resolved to relieve you England and Scotland are in a good posture and all things very well settled be good Husbands of your Victuals and by God's help we shall overcome these barbarous People Let me hear from you as often as you can and the Mesâ—enger shall have what Reward he will I have several of the Enemy has desertedâ— me who all assure me they cannot stay loâ—â— I hear from Iniskilling the Duke of Beâ— wick is beaten I pray God it be true 〈◊〉 then nothing can hinder them from joyniâ— you or me In the mean time Famine raged exceedingly and though many Attempâ—â— were made to reach the Ships by thâ— River yet the Boats could not enduâ—â— the Fire of the Enemy and Major Bâ—ker falling ill Collonel Michelburn waâ— was chose as Assistant Governour tâ—â— Mr. Walker The Enemy seeing hoâ—â— little their Force prevailed Couzard 〈◊〉 Rosen the French Marshal General newlâ— arrived at their Camp swore by thâ— Belly of God he would demolish thâ— Town and bury the Besieged in thâ— Ruines with other the like Rhodomantaâ— does but neither these not his cunninâ— Insinuations availed and although thâ— Iron Bullets were spent the Besiegeâ—â— cast Balls of Brick over with Lead tâ— the like weight and indeed it was timeâ— for this French General began to stiâ— himself in running a Line placing morâ— Mortars and Culverines and making divers formal Approaches but by the vigilence of the Besieged they succeded not 〈◊〉 his purpose and in that Attempt a â—â—eat many men were lost and upon a â—esperate Sally the Lord Clancarty was â—eaten out of the Trenches with the loss 〈◊〉 an 100 of his best men and several â—â—fficers and Souldiers were wounded â—â—ho died of those Wounds though the â—rish bore themselves mightily upon this â—â—ord in consideration of a Superstitiâ—â—us Prophecy saying That a Clancarty â—â—ould knock at Derry Gate On the 30th of June Major Baker dyed much lamentâ—d of the whole Garrison and about â—â—e same time Lieutenant General Hamilton came to offer Conditions but was â—ejected with Reproach and Scorn as â—aving betrayed his trust in revolting to â—he Enemy Upon which General Rosne â—ent a Letter to this Effect That if the Besieged did not deliver the Town to him â—y six of the Clock in the Afternoon on â—he first day of July he would dispatch his Orders as far as Balishanny Charlemont â—elfast and the Barrony of Inishowen and â—lunder all protected as well as unprotected Protestants that were either related to the Besieged or their Faction and that they should be driven under the Walls of Derry where they should perish if not relieved by that Town
a Detachment of Collonel St. John's making in all about 20 Officers and 80 Soldiers whom he caused to embark in Three Boats when being come within half a mile he Landed and leaving a Guard with the Boats marched bravely to the Town though they were discovered at a good distance the Moon then shining yet they passed the Ditch and made themselves Masters of the main Guard dividing themselves in two Parties one marching towards the Gate of the Castle to hinder the Enemy from Sallying and the other to attack a Redoubt that covered their Bridge within Thirty paces of the Counterscarp being guarded by 15 men and a Serjeant and after some resistance entred killing Six and taking the rest Prisoners and whilst this was doing Monsieur de la Borde took another Redoubt with 30 men and plundered and burnt the Houses as far as Armagh which the Enemy had abandoned but day coming on our men retired with much Booty their Drums beating and Colours flying and in this Enterprize the Enemy lost 50 men besides wounded and taken Prisoners on our side Major la Borde was killed with a Cartridge-Shot of the last Cannon Two more Officers wounded and one Soldier killed nor were other Parties idle so that several small places were taken and other Blocked up till the Season grew more ripe for Action In Scotland Affairs went pretty well the Rebels since the Death of Dundeâ— and the defeat of his Party daily dwindled insomuch that those who had been concerned in it began to think of making their escape and the Heads of the Highland Clans grew so discouraged that they laid down their Arms and dismissed their Followers making an Interest to have the Benefit of the King's mercy and under Promise and Obligation to live peaceably and obedient to their Majesties and their Government many of them obtained it however several that were making their escape to the late King in Ireland were taken amongst which were the Two Sons of the Provost Bell of Glasgow one Forrester a Clergy-man and one Dunbar that had been a Gunner in the Castle of Edenburgh but upon their Submission and Promise of discovery were admitted to Bail or other ways set at Liberty and the Countess Dowager of Arrol removed at her Request to â—enburgh Castle the Lord Bellcarrus was likewise Bailed with many others that submitted and made a Resolution to be obedient to the Government so that those restless People seeing their Error in disturbing the Government under which they may live peaceably will no doubt give over their Pretensions to defend they know not what and we may expect to hear that Kingdom free from Broils and Incumbrances of War so that Matters being at this pass his Majesties High Commissioner and the Lords of the Privy Council in pursuance of his Majesties Pleasure signified to them by his Letter issued out a Proclamation about the latter end of March for continuing the Adjournment of the Parliament from the 27th of March to the 15th of April ensuing Certifying all the Members that the Parliament would then Sit. Many of our Ships being abroad tho' no considerable Action yet a great many considerable Prizes were brought in and great Preparations madefor Stores and Manning of the Ships a great number of Voluntier Seamen coming in or entring themselves on Board and the Land Forces were recruited with great diligence sp that the Face of things appeared very active and chearful and now the Season advancing the Army in Ireland moving towards the Enemy they retreated so that Collonel Tiffuny Commanding at Ballishannon taking the advantage sent out 200 Fire-Locks of his own regiment and 20 Dragoons Commanded by his Lieutenant Collonel with Orders to advance within two miles of Sligo where the Enemy kept all their Cattle and accordingly they arrived there before day and brought away Cattle Sheep and Horses to the value of 2000 Pounds but the Enemy taking the Alarm pursued them and disputed it for a time but having lost a Captain and 16 Soldiers they retired in disorder and our men went off with the Booty The Parliament of England now sitting at Westminster his Majesty came to the House of Lords with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes seated on the Throne and the Commons attending he passed an Act For Granting their Majesties a Subsidy for Tonage and Poundage and other Sums payable upon Merchandize Exported and Imported An Act For Enabling the Sail of Goods distrained for Rent in Case the Rent be not paid in a reasonable time An Act To Enable Algernoon Earl of Essex to make a Wife a Joynture and for raising of Monies for the Payment of 60000 Pounds borrowed to make up the Lady Morpeth's Portion and to make a Settlement of his Estate on his Marriage An Act To make some Provisions for the Daughters and younger Sons of Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury with several other private Acts of the like Nature His Majesty in his Princely Wisdom considering that the Trade from England to Ireland was necessary to such parts as we possessed was pleased to pass this Order in Council viz. It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council that the late Embargo be and it is hereby suspended and taken off from all Vessels Trading along the Coasts of this Kingdom and from all Ships with provision bound for such parts of Ireland as are under Obedience to their Majesties the respective Masters and Owners of such Vessels given security to the Officers of the Customs in the Ports from whence they shall set Sail not to Trade under pretence of this Liberty unto any Foreign parts or into any part of Ireland that is not now under Subjection to their Majesties This greatly encouraged industrious Persons to send over such Necessaries as wonderfully relieved the Army and put it in heart for vigorous Action insomuch that the Enemies advance parties were beaten and forced to quit several advantagious Posts but leaving this Kingdom a while and return to Scotland to consider the Affairs of that Nation not yet thoroughly quieted from the Attempts of some restless men who resolved to be buried in the Ruins of their tottering Fortunes and so it happened that on the 4th of May the Lords Commissioners and the Privy Council received from Sir Thomas Levingston Governour of Inverness an Express of the defeat of the Highland Rebels who were drawn together to make a descent into the Lowland Country as follows Sir Thomas Levingston being informed that the Rebels had appointed their General Randezvous at Siratspey and that Collonel Buchan and Collonel Cannon were already arrived there with 2000 men and that they expected within four days to be four Thousand strong he thereupon drew together his own Regiment of Dragoons Two Troops of Horse Commanded by Captain Hays and Captain Burnet Six Companies of the Laird of Grant's Regiment 400 men of Sir James Lesley's and a Company of Highlanders commanded by Captain Mackay and with these Forces he marched towards the
in France surprised at Dundalk yet this gave the Protestants an apprehension of their Houses being burnt and plundered in case the Irish Army was worsted of whose Success they had not the least thought as knowing their Cowardice where they came upon equal terms for they had neglected at all times to fortifie the place and on the 19th when the late King was gone to encamp the Governour ordered all People walking the Streets without Bayonets or Swords to be taken up for the Papists had a secret notice not to go without them so that this fell upon the Protestants only and accordingly many were secured out of which they culled those they suspected and sent them to divers Prisons and then they put out a Proclamation That not above Five Protestants should meet in any place above the Family upon pain of Death and thereupon the Churches were shut up which by an extraordinary Providence had been kept open except Christ-Church and frequently twice every day at Prayers for although the Protestant Clergy that remained there had lost their Subsistance by an Act of the Irish Parliament yet the People voluntarily contributed with great Zeal and Diligence so that they acquitted themselves bravely being particularly influenced by the Bishop of Meath and Dr. King Dean of St. Patricks but the latter was on the 24th of June made Prisoner in the Castle and many other Protestants of note in the College now made a Garrison and other publick places The Galloway Protestants being about 200. having been those of Sir Tho. Southwell's Party brought up in order to be exchanged were removed from White Fryars to the Round Church and all the Newgate Prisoners were put to them where they were almost stifled as for those that had been made Prisoners of War they were brought from Kilmainham to St. John's Church insomuch that the liberal Contributions raised every Sabbath-day for their relief was intercepted and they reduced to great Extremity few Protestants daring to walk the Streets This was the Case of the Citizens of Dublin before the Battel of the Boyne and it was given out That the late King resolved as much as in him lay to avoid Fighting designing to weary out the English by walking them along the River supposing it was impossible for them to pass it seeing his Forces as he thought were sufficiently strong to defend the Banks at such a disadvantage and after he had done that to cross the Country to Limerick However as it appeared he distrusted the Issue for to provide against the worst he sent to Sir Patrick Trant first Commissioner of the Revenue and another Gentleman for Waterford there to prepare Ships for carrying him off if the Army was defeated as apprehending by reason of the violent pushing on of the English towards Dublin he could not prevent coming to a Battel within Ten days unless he abandoned the defence of that City which he then seemed resolute to defend yet soon after advancing further and changing his Measures divers Councils were held to various purposes Some light Skirmishes happened in divers parts of the Kingdom and our Party abroad brought in considerable Booties the main Body of the Army still watching the motion of the Enemy so that they had little rest and every day grew nearer to a Battel so that nothing was wanting to draw it on but the Enemies standing a Field which was wished by our Soldiers full of Courage and Vigour bearing the fatigue of much Duty and frequent Marches promising in their Looks and Behaviour a prosperous Event Now the Enemy being encamped at Dundalk and having secured it as likewise the Bridge called Four-mile-Bridge which made it difficult for our Army to force the passage it was resolved the Forces should March to Market-Hill and from thence to fall into the great Road that leads from Armagh to Dundalk whereupon his Majesty ordered Major Scravemore with a Detachment of 300 Horse and 200 Dragoons to observe the Road and visit the Passes also to find out a convenient place to Encamp in approach as near as possible to Dundalk to discover the posture of the Enemy which succeeded so well that a small Party of the Enemy seeing this Detachment marching early towards Market-Hill supposed it had been the Vanguard of our Army and gave that Account whereupon the Enemy immediately decamped and marched off their whole Army and a Party of 25 Dragoons and 50 Troopers went so near as to discover all their Motions and see them set fire to their Camp and returned with that News which was so surprizing that it not easily gained Credit however it being confirmed His Majesty thought fit to change the March and Orders were sent immediately to the Forces at Armagh and Tenargee to begin their March by the great Road towards Dundalk and a Detachment of 50 Dragoons and 200 Foot going from the Newry towards Dundalk were drawn into an Ambush of 500 Horse which the Enemy had laid for them between whom a sharp Encounter happened and in it we had 20 of our Men killed or wounded and the Enemy lost as many with the Officer that Commanded their Party whose Horse our Men brought back with them And now the King resolving to push oâ— and oblige the Enemy to fight or retreaâ— marched on the 13th of June by breaâ— of day from his Camp at Ardee towards Drogheda where he found thâ— late King's Army encamped along thâ— River Boyne above the Town but it being late before the Foot and Artillerâ— arrived his Majesty could do no moâ—â— that day than visit the posture of the Enemy and the Fords thereabouts which he found to be very difficult to pass whereupon he encamped his Army with in reach of their Cannon which had almost given us the must fatal blow iâ— the World his Majesty receiving a Shâ—â— on his right Shoulder with a Six Pounder the Wound was large but not deepâ— rasing only the Skin and as soon as 〈◊〉 was Dressed he took Horse and continued on Horse-back four hours and iâ— the Evening Commanded Count Schomberg with the Right Wing of Horse and two Regiments of Dragoons of the Left Wing Trelawney's Brigade of Foot and 5 small Field-pieces to go early in the Morning to Two or three Fords about Three miles beyond the Camp and there endeavour to find a passage and either attack the Enemy in the Flank or oblige them to decamp The Count upon his arrival found 8 Squadrons ready â—o receive him but in a little time without much resistance he be at them off passed the Ford driving them before him and drew up his men on the other side ready to march towards the Enemy so soon as he should receive the King's Orders to whom he had sent the News of the advantage he had gained Upon this the Enemy detached a great number of their Troops who put themselves in order as if they would give Battle which his Majesty perceiving and that the Right Wing had passed
the City upon his approach to the City he had been presented with two Loyal Addresses the one by the Bishops of Meath and Limerick in the name of the Clergy and the other by the Magistrates in the name of themselves and the Citizens expressing an extraordinary sense of Gratitude and Joy for so great a Deliverance having a little before been Prisoners and every hour in danger of their Lives This great Defeat and scattering of the Enemies Forces brought a sear upon the Garrisons they had left and the Town of Wexford being deserted by its Governour it declared for the King which happened in this manner Collonel Butler Lord Lieutenant of the County passing after the late King upon his Flight sent for his Son to follow him into France as likewise to Captain O Kelly who Commanded the Castle to set it on fire and bring away his Company but this Letter falling into a Protestant Gentleman's Hands he concealed the firing part of the Letter so that the Castle escaped and after this Company was withdrawn the Protestants rose and disarming the Papists sent to the King to acquaint him with what had passed who thereupon sent to secure it and many other places followed its Example And now the King to give the poor deluded People that had been drawn into this War an assurance of his Protection put forth his Declaration of Pardon to the Irish Commonalty that returned to their Allegiance and would live peaceably and look after the Harvest to get it in for a Winter Supply being ordered to pay those Rents held from Protestants to the Proprietors but to keep the Rents of such as had been in Rebellion in their hands till they had notice from the Commissioners of the Revenue to whom they should be accountable but as for the Ringleaders of the Rebellion they were exempted the benefit of this Declaration During this glorious Success in the Kingdom of Ireland it was something clouded nearer home for the French King to favour his Design in Ireland in the beginning of June set forth the greatest Fleet that ever saluted the Ocean from France and stood to our Coast to make a shew to fight our Fleet then under the Command of the Earl of Torrington our Admiral who on the 24th of June sailed from St. Hellens the Wind at North East and stood towards the French Fleet which was seen the Evening before off of Fresh water-gate in the Isle of Wight in order as it was expected to fight them but the Wing taking them short he came to an Anchor off of Dunnose within Five Leagues of the French who at Eight the next Morning were at Anchor in Compton-Bay so that every one was big with the Expectation of an Engagement the French no ways seeming to decline it and our Men were full of Courage and desirous of nothing more than to be at it and that Afternoon their Majesties Ship the Lyon and several Dutch men of War joyned our Fleet and many other additional Strengths were joyned by such Ships coming in as had been cruzing abroad and on the 30th of June off of Beechy the two Fleets drew up in Lines and about Nine in the Morning the Dutch that had the Vanguard fell on and fought very bravely as likewise some of the English but not being seconded by reason of the Admiral 's unexpected standing away several of the Dutch Ships were burnt and sunk and the English that sought much battered though not without doing considerable damage to the Enemy this Fight continued till towards the Evening when the French bear away and came afterwards to an Anchor The principal Officers killed were the Dutch Rear-Admiral Jan Dick Rear-Admiral Brackle and Captain Nordle Of the English Captain Botham and Captain Pumroy with two Captains of the Marine Regiments and Captain Goes lost his Ship as to the particulars of the Enemies Loss no certain Account is yet come to our hands their Fleet consisted of 82 Men of War besides Fireships and Tenders keeping the Coast and moving their Galleys near Torbay and at last that they might have something to talk on when they came home they sent their Boats ashore at Tinmouth a little Village of Fisher's Cots and set it on Fire as also two or three small Vessels in the Harbour but they durst not abide the coming down of the Militia who were up in those parts but stealing a few Sheep and some small Plunder they retired to their Ships and having lain some time on the Coast to no further purpose returned to Brest with the story of a vast Expence A further Account of this Action we have from a very good Hand which take for your better Satisfaction viz. Before the arrival of Admiral Evertsâ—â— who was to Command the Dutch it was agreed between the two Nations that the Hollanders should have the Vanguard which in all likely hood was to do them Honour but after they had been under Sail about three Hours they were obliged to come to an Anchor by reason of the Fogs and bad Weather but soon after they perceived the French Fleet to bear up towards them with the Wind at East and immediately they weighed Anchor and endeavoured to gain the Weather-Gage viz. the Dutch which they did with that Success that the Earl of Torrington gave the â—ignal for the first Squadron to engage but the French thought fit to retire and for four days after the two Fleets were always in view of each other but in regard the French Fleet was much the stronger both for number and bigness of Ships it was judged not fit to fight in the open Sea and the Earl of Torrington did his part so well that he avoided engaging till he was come to Bevesire which was favourable for his purpose and there it was that he received the Queen's Orders not to delay engaging if the Wind and Weather would permit which was the reason that we went to seek the Enemy who expected us in order of Battel and so about Nine in the Morning the Engagement began between the blue Squadron of the French and the Vangaurd of the Dutch and both sides fired desperately for three hours till the French Squadron not liking their Entertainment bore away with all the Tack they could make but about One there happened a Calm which not only prevented the Hollanders pursuit but put them into a little disorder upon which the French which the same Calm hindred from getting away were constrained to begin the Fight again which lasted till Five of the Clock in the Evening with an extraordinary Fury As for the English but a few Vessels fought and those were carried on by the Courage of the Captains as 't is said against Torrington's Will the rest stood â—ookers on so that the main Body of the French fell into the Rear of the Dutch so that having fought from Morning till Evening and having defended themselves so long against such a prodigious number of the Enemy that assailed
When we reflect says he upon the horrible Methods put in practice by this Embroiler of Christendom meaning as we suppose by the foregoing Paragraphs the French King to rid himself of those he fears there are to be found in all the Steps of all Illustrious Life some of the brightest Rays of Benign Providence that in an especial manner watches over Kings If a certain great man says he late in their Majesties own hearing had not given a hint of a singular piece of Villany designed against their wonderful Life I should not have ventured to mention it here though acquainted with it before Yes to the Eternal Infamy of the Apollion of Europe be it said That sacred Life was in equal hazard from the Cannons and from the Poniard and from a Poniard employed and payed by France what all the Engines of Death were not able to do in the field was to be supplied by an Assassinate at home and the thred of a glorious Life which stood proof against all Efforts of open War was designed to be cut off by a secret Treachery Let then this designed Parricide be ranked amongst the rest of the inglorious Actions of a Reign fatal to its own Subjects to its Neighbours and to Mankind in general and if there be any knowledge of Humane Affairs in another World let the Manes of the Illustrious Duke of Lorain rest satisfied with the approaching Revenge of a Prince his Friend upon their common Enemy that had doomed them both tho' with different Success to the same dismal Fate And thus far this Author in this Matter to whose judicious Papers in other cases we refer the Reader as approved and applauded by most By this we may see the persons of good Kings are Sacred and above common Danger the Eyes of Providence ever watching over them and the Guardian-Angels ever hovering round about them that they may remain in safety even when the greatest Dangers threaten About this time the Dutch English Privateers made great prize of the French three Dutch Privateers arriving on the 16th of September with seven Prizes at Mounts-Bay where they had been cruising and some of the French Privateers thinking to fetch them up and recover the Prizes were put to flight upon the appearance of Sir Clously Shovel with the Squadron of English Men of War under his Command who sent two of his Frigates to give them the Chace and three Flushing Privateers one of 20 another of 16 and the third of 14 Guns brought into the same Port Nine Prizes several of them laden with Sugars Indico and Tobacco from the West-Indies and some with Wines and Brandies and the rest were bound for Ireland with Necessaries and Provisions for the supply of the Enemy and Captain Young in the Graefton Frigat having notice that a French Privateer of six Guns and two Pattereroes and fifty Men had taken about Portland a Vessel belonging to Pool he immediately sailed out of the Harbour of Weymouth and being got up with the Frenchman after some dispute took him and carried him into Dartmouth and a Dutch Caper brought in a French Vessel of Forty Tun and soon after the Grafton Sloop brought into Dartmouth a French Privateer of six Guns and two Pattereroes with forty eight Men belonging to Dunkirk which she took after running Fight of three hours in which the French had nine Men killed and as many wounded and on our side only four wounded so that by this we may see if so many be taken in a short space the French Trade and Piracies at Sea are in likelihood in a fair way to be weakened and in a short time may be brought to nothing though their Confederacies on the Coast of Barbary so often sollicited should joyn with them in all their Designs to interrupt the Trade of the two Nations All this while the Affairs of Scotland went on very prosperously and the face of things of that Kingdom looked very pleasantly the King's Forces prevailing in all places and even those that headed the Rebels were disheartned upon notice the French Fleet was gone home and that no Commotions happened in England to favour their Design but that which disquieted them most was the disappointments of Ammunition and Provision without the latter especially they knew they could not subsist the Rocks Mountains afforded little the barren Islands less to which they had reserved their last Retreat in hopes to be fetched off but when they were certainly informed that the late King and the French had left Ireland and Boisleau the Governour of Limerick had quitted that place many threw away their Arms and went to their Habitations resolving to live privately others who were sensible their Characters would make them be taken notice of came in and submitted They had notice our Fleet was abroad upon some extraordinary Design and knew not but it was to attack them in the Rear and by that means they should be barred of any Retreat but the Design of the Fleet which made many wonder to think whereto it would tend was otherways disposed for it stood away to the Coast of Ireland so unexpectedly to those that were in Arms there for the late King as to startle and put them into Confusion especially on the Sea-Coast and immediately roused those out of their Security whose incredulity only imagin'd it at first a Fantom or a Fleet in the Clouds only Imaginary and not Substantial but the loud roaring of the Cannons to give notice of their coming to our Forces Quartered thereabouts soon convinced them of their Mistake The Lord Marlborough arriving with the Fleet in Cork Harbour resolving to attack that place Major-General Scravenmore with 1200 Horse and Dragoons who together with Major-General Tetteau and two Battalions of Danes who were posted near the black Water marched to joyn him and soon after several Detachments out of the Dutch and French Regiments which with those Danes the Prince of Wirtemberg Commands in Person made a Body of about 4000 Foot and although a strong Party of the Enemy were gathered under the Duke of Berwick who stiled himself General Commander of Ireland they upon the News of this important Conjunction of our Sea and Land-Forces retreated from Bri and were followed by Lieutenant General Douglas with a resolution to attack them but were hindred in that design by the Bogs and Defiles that covered the Enemies Camp And about this time we had notice that the Earl of Tyrconnel and the Count De Lauzun were gone for France with the French Forces as despairing of maintaining the Interest of King James in Ireland having set sail two days sooner than was designed upon notice that a squadron of English Ships were coming that way and therefore their hasty flight occasioned them to leave many of their Sick in the Suburbs of Galloway The Fleet as is said arriving the 21st of September before Cork Harbour came to an Anchor the Floud being down and little Wind and the next day
entered the Harbour receiving some Shot from a Battery of eight Guns but having sent two or three Armed Boats on shore the Enemy were forced from their Guns and they being dismounted their Carriages were thrown into the Sea the following day about four in the Morning the greatest part of the Land-Forces were sent up to the Passage six Miles from Cork the rest marching in the Afternoon so that the 24th between 5 and 600 Seamen Gunners and Carpenters were Detached to be employed in mounting and placing the Cannon to batter the Town and then before day divers Boats with Armed Men were sent up to assist in attacking the place Stores and Provisions for their Subsistance arriving from Waterford and upon our encamping within a Mile of the Town the Enemy drew out but upon our Firing some small pieces of Cannon upon two Troops of their Dragoons they all retired and that Evening 1000 Men were detached with Orders to possess themselves of several Advantagious Posts within Musquet-shot of the Town upon which the Enemy set Fire to the Suburbs and thereupon the Earl of Marl borough with several Officers went to take a nearer view and found the Enemy had quitted a place called Catts-Fort of which an advanced Detachment immediately took Possession and then the Camp advanced within Musquet-shot on the South and the Danish Forces under the Command of the Prince of Wirtemberg did the like on the North so that on the 26th of September our Guards were advanced unto the Ruins of the Suburbs played upon the Old Fort from two Batteries and the next day made a Breach in the Wall from Two Batteries of 24 Pounders and Three 18 Pounders so that fearing our men would enter by Storm they beat a Parley in the Evening sending out an Officer to Capitulate and Hostages were exchanged but the Enemy not agreeing to the Terms proposed on the 8th in the Morning Four Regiments were appointed under the Command of Brigadier Churchill to pass to the Island lying near the Wall where the Breach was made which passing through the Water they performed with great Courage although at Low-tide it was up to the Armpits the Granadiers Commanded by the Lord Colchester having the Van marched forward exposed to all the Enemies Fire through the Island within 20 Yards of the Town-wall Among the Voluntiers who went on with the first Detachment were the Duke of Grafton who was dangerously wounded with a Shot of which soon after he died the Lord O Brian Collonel Granville Captain Cornwall Captain Leighton Captain Fairborne Captain Neville and several other Sea-Officers and immediately after this the Enemy beat a Second Parley but the Lord Marlborough would allow them no other Conditions than to be Prisoners of War and to that they agreeing the Capitulation was Signed And was to this Effect viz. That the Garrison should be received Prisoners of War that there should be no prejudice done to the Officers Soldiers or Inhabitants that the General would use his endeavour to obtain his Majesties Clemency towards them that they should deliver up the Old Fort within an hour and the Two Gates of the City the next day at 8 in the Morning that all the Protestant Prisoners should be immediately released that all the Arms of the Garrison and Inhabitants should be put into a secure place and that an exact Account should be given of the Magazines as well Provision as Ammunition and accordingly the same Night we put 200 men into the Old Fort and the next Morning took Possession of the Town the Garrison which consisted of between 4 and 5000 men being made Prisoners of War according to the Articles of Agreement among whom of Note were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone Collonel Maâ—gillicot who was Governour with several other Officers and in the taking this Important place on our part not above 50 men were killed Upon this great Success the Enemies flying Army retired farther and a Detachment of Horse and Dragoons were sent out of our Camp to Summon the Town and Forts of Kingsale a very advantagious Sea-Port and things being put in order here the Army soon followed for on the 1st of October the Earl of Marlborough marched out of Cork to Five-mile-Bridge and the next day came near the Town which was possessed by an advanced Detachment who prevented the Enemy from burning it in their retreat to the Forts and towards the Evening he encamped and took his Posts about the new Fort and Major General Tetteau was ordered with 800 men to attack the Old Fort in which the Deserters and others reported there were but 150 in order to which he passed the River in Boats he found there which prevented his going ten miles about and by break of day on the 3d. of October stormed the place making a shew of attacking it where it was weakest whilst in the mean time he a caused Detachment to make an Assault in another place where the Enemy least apprehended it and this succeeded so well that our Men all at once gained the Bastions at what time several Barrels of Powder took fire and blew up above 50 of the Enemy and many others were killed by our men the rest flying into an old Castle in the midst of the Fort for instead of 150 as had been reported there were about 450 men in the place of which about 220 were killed and blown up and the rest submitting were made Prisoners During this Consternation some endeavouring to escape to the New Fort by Water and the Tide being against them they were mostly killed in their Boats by our Shot from the Shoar as for the Governour of this Fort and several Officers they were found dead upon the Ramparts and our Soldiers got a great deal of Plunder This Fort being intirely won the Lord Marlborough sent to Summon the New Fort that yet held out to which the Governour sent word that it would be time enough to Talk of that a Month hence whereupon the heavy Cannon coming up two Attacks were ordered to be made by the English on the Right and the Danes on the Left and continued from the Batteries raised to play against the place with great fury Whilst these breathing Thunders were shaking our Enemies out of their strong Holds a thing very unusual in these parts a terrible Earthquake happened at Dublin and in divers parts of England giving at one and the same instant very terrible shocks On the 5th of October the Trenches were opened against the new Fort and on the 9th they had advanced them to the Counterscarp but the ill Weather hindered the coming up of our Cannon â—ill the 11th at what time part of it arrived and on the 12th in the Morning Six pieces were mounted at the Danes attack and two Mortars at the English which Fired all that day on the 13th Two 24 Pounders were placed on the same Battery and on the 14th the rest of the Cannon arrived three of which were placed
Correspondence with him and engaged him by Letters of April 20th 25th and 12th of May to meet him at Vden in order to make their final Resolution That the Prisoner Leefdale and Chamlays agreed on the manner to perpetrate the Assassination viz. That when the King should pass along the Line or ride our to take a View of the Army or when the Army should decamp Dumont should lye in Ambush and when the King should come within 100 paces he should fire upon him and that Chamlays should be ready with 3000 Horse to bring him off This may be supposed to have encouraged him on but whether he had come off or not 't is ten to one whether the French Court had ever regarded so that they had got their wicked Ends which God forbid by sacrificing a desperate Villain But nearer to the purpose That Leefdale and the Prisoner left Paris the 17th of April last and soon arrived at Mons where they stayed for Chamlays but he failing they resolved to go to the place of the general Meeting but the Business having took air Grandval and Leefdale were made Prisoners at Eynhoven All the Matters maturely deliberated and considered the Court adjudged the Prisoner guilty of High Treason and sentenced him to be Drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd his Eâ—tate to be Confiscated and to bear the Cost and Charge of the Tryal which Sentence was pronounced in the Head Quarters of the Army by the Earl of Athlone President General Van Scravenmore Lieuâ— General Talmash and divers other great Officers After this he was on the 13th of August 1692. Executed according to Sentence in the Camp owning the Fact and desiring the Prayers of such Roman Catholicks as were present for his Souls Health appearing by dying very sensible of his Crime and expressing some Reluctancy for undertaking it In Prison he drew up two Petitions to the King wherein he declared That he Acted by Barbesieux and Chamlays Orders and being told the former would be sure to dissown what was said He Reply'd He had an Original under his hand which was lodged with a Friend who would deliver it to none but himself and in that it was plainly made out The Morning before the Execution he wrote to Madam Jure to go to the Arch Bishop of Rheims to get him prayed for and let him know it cost him his Life for obeying Barbesieux Orders The Malice of the French Court being thus happily defeated by a Miraculous Providence it will not be amiss to remark another signal Preservation of His Majesty's Royal Person and the Care Heaven has over it viz. On the 8th of September this year an Earthquake happened almost general throughout Europe giving a considerable shock in England This happening between two and three in the Afternoon His Majesty was then at Dinner in an old decayed House in Flanders which shaking with great Violence not a Tile fell from it till His Majesty at the Persuasion of his Nobles were retired from the danger and soon after concluding this years Campaign and giving necessary Orders for Winter Quarters he came by the way of Holland for England where he was received with great demonstrations of joy and found all things in a good settlement by the prudent care and management of his Royal Consort whom the City by the hands of Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council had humbly Addressed with Thanks for the Princely Regard she had to secure their Trade abroad and at home in ordering a Committee of Council to hear all Complaints and Grievances relating to Abuses in Trade and to redress them as far as in them lay The Parliament likewise thanked her for the prudent Management of Affairs The Winter passing over and the Parliament giving large Supplies towards the carrying on the War for the year 1693. His Majesty sent over his Orders and hastened to make an early Campaign going on the 30th of March for Gravesend where he embarqued and sailed for Holland and the Elector of Bavaria being by the King of Spain appointed Governour of Flanders during his Life he sent the Duke of Arco to Congratulate His Majesty's safe Arrival at the Hague and to open the Campaign with Action 80 French were taken Prisoners by 100 Newburghers to a Village called Maltern yet this did but lead on to greater Actions For the Vadois in the Valleys fell upon the French and killed a great Number of them taking many Prisoners of Note and a great Convoy going to Pignerol however the French getting their Forces together in the Palatinate ravaged and burnt divers places as Frankendale Spires and the Famous Town of Heydleburg hlowing up the Castle and demolishing the Fortifications ravaging the Country and plundering the Poor Inhabitants in all places where they came but the Governor of Heydelburg for cowardly surrendering it no sooner arrived in Prince Lewis of Badens Camp on the Rhine but he was put under an Arrest and the French finding the Spaniard strong in Flanders to prevent his sending any more Forces made a War in Catalonia where with much difficulty the Duke De Nouailles took Roses but in the mean while the Duke of Wirtemberg with a Considerable Detachment of Horse and Foot from the King's Army in Flanders forced the French Lines and marching without Opposition put the Country under Contribution raising a Million of Livers sacking divers small places and taking very much Booty Whilst these things happened at Land Fortune was something unfavourable to us at Sea for our Streights and Turkey Fâ—eet convoyed by Sir George Rook with about 20 Men of War Dutch and English near Lagos-Bay sell in with the French main Fleet but whilst some of the Men of War disputed it most of the Merchants creeping under the shoar got into divers harbours as Cadiz Alicant Lagos and some into the Tagus so though the Enâ—my's Design was fairly laid yet in the main miscarryed and our Men of War being of the lesser Rates finding they were unable to resist so great a Fleet made a safe Retreat and Returned into the Channel The Campaign in Flanders passing over in Bickering and Skirmishes taking some small Places and Booties on both sides a bloody Scene of War came on for the French commanded in chief by the Duke of Luxemberg being privately reinforced by suddainly draining their Garrisons and they having Notice That a good part of our Army was absent with the Duke of Wirtemberg framed a Design to Attaque the Confederate Camp near Landen and accordingly they prepared for a secret March all night on the _____ of _____ The King had by his Scoutâ— notice of their March with a Resolution to attack the Considerate Camp so that the Foot were ordered to their Arms and the Troopers to Mount in which Poâ—â—ure they remained all Night At break of day the Enemy appeared in two Lines upon the higher Grounds of St. Gratruden-Landen and an other Body advanced towards our Retrenchments on the side of Winden at Sun rise they
advanced nearer and our Cannon began to Play so that for about two hours they made no Motion but about six they came down from the high Ground in several Lines and when they were within the reach of our Cannon they left the middle of the Plain and caused their Infantry to File off to the Right towards Winden and Larre and on the Left towards near Landen sustained by Horse marching on both sides of the Plain causing a Body to pass on the other side of the Rivulet of Landen to make a shew as if they would fall on our Left Wing whilst they should make the greatest Effort on our Right Which about seven hours after they Attacked The Fight for several Hours Lasted with doubtful Success the Enemy advanced and were three times repulsed and some Squadrons that got over the Rivulet below Larre and came into our Camp were mostly cut off whilst these things passed the Elector of Bavaria gave order to the Right Wing to charge advantageously so that thereupon the Enemy gave way and were driven into the Plain and Brigadeer Ramsey who had been forced to give Ground regained his Post as did the duke of Hanover with his Infantry also the Prince of Brandenburg with his Foot The French never theless remained in some parts of the Village of Winden but finding they could not force the Right Wing they Attacked near Landen on our Left where having been beaten back after a very furious Fight they renewed their Attack with fresh Troops which obliged the King to come from the Right to give the necessary orders at the Left where the Fight was Renewed every warmly with small shot which continued about an hour and then we became Masters of the Village so that the Enemy beaten out carried their Troops to their Left and our Right yet keeping part of the Village of Winden and the Hedges of the rising Ground which laied the Flank of our Retrenchement open to them The King who was in every place where his presence would be useful after having given necessary Orders on the Left returned to Winden and brought up twice to our Retrenchments the English and Scotch Foot where they behaved themselves as they had done every where else with great resolution and Courage The Elector of Bavaria the mean while disposed two Battalions on the Enemies Left Flank whilst three others Attacked them in the Front but before this could be put in Execution the Enemy strengthned with new Forces became masters of the Passage into the Village and made an overtur through which the Horse began to pass sustained by the Foot that lay behind the Hedges the Horse that passed that first were beaten back but our Foot at the Retrenchment not being able any longer to endure the Fire in their Flank retired and our Cannon on that side abating its Fire the Enemies Horse crouded through the passage and began to extend them towards their Left all along the Hedges which were possessed by their Foot As soon as they had formed their Squadron they Attacked the Troops of Hanover and Brandenburg on the Left of the Right Wing and forced them to retire by taking the advantage of the Motion of part of them as also they did the Spanish Troops and Hanover Horse His Majesty to rectify these disorders caused part of the Left Wing to Advance but being far off the Enemy did not give them time to form themselves but having beat the Dutch Horse on the Left before the English had got into the Line they after having fought desperately were quire Encompassed So that the King finding the Enemy over-powered us himself this day having led up nine times the Battalions and Squadrons to Fight and wonderfully Preserved among showres of Bullets He sent Orders to the Generals of Foot and those of the Left Wing to retire to Leewen a Fort near the Camp and the King's Dragoons and Granadiers made their Retreat through Dormel the Foot and part of the Horse Right Wing by Orsmel The King by this time having given the necessary Orders and finding himself in a manner Encompassed on all sides thought fit to go over the River and passed with great difficulty the Bridge that had been made near Hespen where he found his Guards and other Troops Rallied by the Elector of Bavaria In this great and long Continued Battle the Enemy lost about 13000 Men of their best Officers and Soldiers many Persons of great note our loss being Computed about 6000. The Renowned Duke of Ormond was taken Fighting Valiantly and we took the Duke of Barwick for whom he was afterward Exchanged and so our Army retired towards Brussels Upon this Retreat the Duke of Wirtemberg was immediately sent for with the Forces under his Command and other Recruits coming in the Army was made up to near 80000 Men so that the French having had a fatal Experience of English Valour durst attempt nothing further on that side yet in Savoy Monsieur Catinat gave Battle to the Dukes Army where in an obstinate sight of 7 hours a great many of the French Nobility were slain and some on our side especially the Valiant Young Duke of Schomberg who being perswaded to retire would not leave the Head of his Battalion but charging into the thickest of the Enemy and doing wondrous Acts of Chivalry was at last over-powered with Numbers and slain and though the Duke of Savoy's Army retired from the Field the French bought the Bloody Victory at a dear rate and in repassing the Mountains late in the Season many thousands of them perished in the Snow with some Waggons Canon and Ammunitiou-Carriages And thus as to what is memorable concluded the Campaign of the year 1693. In the opening the Campaign 1694. the Enemy by reason of their great Losses and Diseases among their Horses were slower than usual in taking the Field so that the Confederates had time to get together and become very formidable and his Majesty on the 5th of May embarqued Fubs Yacht attended by 8 Dutch Men of War and sailed for Holland and from thence passed to the Army in Flanders where he was joyfully received About this time the Elector of Saxony dyed at Dresden by whose Death the French gave out they should reap great â—â—nefit but were disappointed for Prince Frederick Augustus his Brother succeeding him in that Principality confirmed to the Confederates all the deceased Elector had agreed to and entred into a strict League with them and the great Master of the Teutonick Order who stood in Competition with Prince Lewis of Bavaria for the Bishop of Liege dying the French Party at Rome endeavoured to hinder the Confirmation of the lâ—tter But the Pope to whom it was referred declared in favour of that Prince and our Naval Forces being abroad under the Command of Admiral Russel destroyed a great Fleet of French Ships in conquest Bay laden with Corn and Naval Stores from Sweden Denmark c. and the French main Fleet being gone into