through such narrow Defiles that in some places the Horse could not go but one after another encamped between Kisselbach and Richereda the Camp being posted all in a Line June 29. We decamped again and march'd near two hours through Defiles on the Hundsruck to a small River named Gildenbach which falls into the Nohe and the great Forest of Sohn which extends as far as Metz. The Army encamped there on two Lines June 30. The Army rested The same day came the old Foot Regiment of Count Staremberg with a Battalion of Auersberg who had pass'd the River on the Flying Bridge which had been brought from Coblence to Rudesheim July 1. We took that day our March through narrow Defiles which were very troublesom high Mountains and Woods which lasted above three hours we went and encamp'd between Schwabenhauson and Wald Labersheim two Villages that are distant in a direct Line two hours from Creutzenach and Scomberg 2000 Foot were commanded to hide themselves in the Wood to observe the Enemies Motion July 2. We were ready to decamp but because that Newbourg's and Palfi's Regiments of Horse and the Foot Regiments of Newbourg Wirtemberg and Erfâ— as also the Munster Regiment of Dragoons which had been left to cover the Baggage and the Artillery on a report that the Enemy had appear'd in a Party of 500 men were not yet return'd and that they joyn'd us in the Camp but towards three in the Afternoon the March was countermanded and the whole Army remain'd encamped in the same place July 3. That day we decamp'd and we took our March within an hour of Creutzenach the Camp being on two Lines between Creutzenach and Pretsenheim in this last place was found a Castle whose Jurisdiction is parted betwixt Lorrain and a certain Count of Velon that day we also work'd in the Construction of the Bridge of Boats which had gone up the River from Coblence that was done below Bingen a little beneath the fall of the River Nohe which cover'd the said Bridge another was also made close by on the River Nohe General Thungen who was commanded thither with a small Body causing some Forts to be rais'd to secure the first of the said Bridges Since that the Bridge of Boats of Bingen was taken away because that his Electoral Highness of Saxony whose Army was to pass over it desired that it should be remov'd a little higher Which was done accordingly conveying it gently near to the Army it was thought that it should be fix'd at Ingelheim His Highness the Duke of Lorrain not thinking it convenient to have it so near Mayence and thereby expos'd to the Enemies insults July 4. We encamped that day and a Detachment of 10 Battalions of Foot with a Regiment of Dragoons with 6 Pieces of Cannon and 4 Morters were sent to make themselves Masters of Eberbourg a Castle within three quarters of a mile of Creutzenach where the French had plac'd 150 men which the Duke of Lorraâ—â— with the General Officers had been to view a little before but those Troops were countermanded again after it had been consider'â— that the reduction of that place would require four days The same day came to the Army Caraffa's and Commercy's two Regiments of Horse who had pass'd the Rhine on the Bridge of Boats at Bingen July 5. This day the Army decamped and march'd one hour and half the Camp was on two Lines between Groltzheim and Sponheim within an hour of Bingen July 6. The Army being on two Collumns march'd during three hours through Ockenheim and Altzheim the Horse on the right and the Foot on the left not far from the Rhine and the Baggage being inclosed between the Two Collumns we made an Halt at Nider-Ingelheiâ—â— The Enemy made no great Fire with their Cannon with which they might have done much Damage the Squadrons having insensibly drawn too near to that place The Reason must be That most part of their Cannon was not yet mounted on the Rampert We did not unbridle all that Night July 7. Our Horse got a little further from that place before day to avoid the Enemies Cannon The Foot came that morning with the Baggage and the Artillery The Camp was on one single Line the Regiments of Horse and Foot being intermixed and fronting the â—ield The Camp was extended from the Rhine above the City to a Wood beneath the City but it wanted much yet from joyning the Rhine beneath seeing that the Contravallation extends it self near Two Hours and an half The Enemy made all the day long a great fire with their Cannon which kill'd during those Two Days but Twelve of our Men and some Horses Hitherto they made no Sallies They posted Three strong Horse-Guards within 2 of 300 Paces of the Counterscarp and they were seen to work diligently both at the Rampart and at the Glacis A Party of Twelve Masters of the Regiment of Pelfi who were gone to forrage having no other Arms but their Carbines brought that day to the Camp 18 Prisoners from Kira on the Notice of a French Party which was strong of 20 Fool. His Electoral Highness of Saxony came that Day to the Camp with his Marshal of Camp and a small Retinue The said Elector alighted at the Prince of Bareith's where the Duke of Lorrain went to give him a Visit They entertain'd one another for some time in private and after that in presence of Monsieur Flemming Marshal of Camp after which his Electoral Highness pass'd over the Rhine at Russelsheim July 8. That Day the Foot of Saxony pass'd the Rhine in Boats above Mayence The Horse which till then had encamped some time over-against Worms was to do the same presently after That Day there also came into the Camp of Lorrain Two Regiments of Foot of the Prince's of Saxony another of Horse being order'd to follow The Enemy fired greatly their Cannon on the General Quarters where it did some Mischief but of no great consequence That Day there also came into the Camp a great number of Peasants to work The Night of the 8th till the 9th some of the Army of Lorrain who had been commanded took their Post in a deep Valley near to a Mill and open'd the Trenches within 7 or 800 paces of the Counterscarp on the Right Upon this the Enemy sallied out and gave an Alarm but did soon retire again July 9 10 11. Nothing pass'd that was considerable except that the Trenches were much advanc'd on the Right Hand Monsieur Flemming the Camp Masters Baggage had almost been carried to the Enemies Fort on the Rhine through the Watermens imprudence but it was saved by those of Hesse The 10th is Highness of Bavaria name to the Camp for some Days His Highness the Duke of Lorrain went to meet him on Horseback with the Prince of Commercy The Night of the 11th till the 12th those of Saxony took their Post with 8oo Men near to the Convent of the Nuns beneath the Town near the
A JOURNAL OF THE Siege of Mentz Under the Command of His Serene Highnâ—â—â— THE Duke of Lorrain AND THE CONFEDERATE PRINCES Who Attack'd that Important Place on the 21. of June and took it on the 31. of August in the Year 1689. With all the Bravery Courage Resolution and Prudence as ever has been shewn in any Nation Written in the German Tongue by an Eminent Officer and Translated into English from a Manuscript sent to His Majesty King WILLIAM of GREAT BRITAIN LONDON Printed for R. Bentley and are to be sold by R. Baldwin in the Old-Baily 1689. TO THE READER THIS Brief and Exact Account of the Besieging and Taking of such an Important Place as the City of Mentz cannot but be acceptable to all sorts of Persons not excepting that Party that lost it For in it they will observe the Candor of a Generous Conqueror who gives all the Praises to his Enemies that they deserve He omits nothing of Importance that the Besieged did to defend themselves and he lays down the advantageous Articles upon which this Strong Place was surrender'd Here even Generals and Subordinate Field-Officers will have a full View of those Methods which those brave Hero's who attack'd it did observe The Inferiour Officers will see with what Courage and Valour they led on those Men which each commanded in their respective Posts The Common Centries will be fill'd with a Generous Envy and Emulation to imitate those that were employ'd in this Remarkable Siege And even such Persons as are not addicted to Arms will find a Delight in Reading with what Bravery it was Attack'd and Defended The rather because that this Relation of it has been transmitted to us by an Eminent Officer who had a great Share in the Action and that was an Eye-Witness of the greatest part of the whole Proceeding so far as the Considerable Employ which he had would permit him And where his Eye could not reach he made use of so exact an Inquisition from those who Commanded in their respective Posts that it will give sufficient Satisfaction In a word This is the most Exact Journal that could be made of such a Siege I shall no longer detain the Ingenious Reader from satisfying his Curiosity therein A DIURNAL c. Concerning the Siege and Reduction of Mentz June 21. HIS Serenissime Highness the Duke of Lorrain decamped this day from Mayen with the whole Army and having leâ— a Garrison of 2000 men in divers small Towns on the other side of the Mosel to cover the Country of Treves and the Towns of Cochheim Mayen Kayserseck Andernack and others and to fill some places situated on the Rhine in the Ringgaâ—â— near Coblence as also Konnigstein he marc'd that very day as far as Munster June 22. At Noon he took up his general Quarters towards _____ on the Mosel where he caus'd the Bridge of Boats to be brought which could be put up in three hours time and his Highness pass'd it that very day with all the Foot and one Regiment of Dragoons and encamped his Troops on the other side of the Mosel near Alcken the Artillery and all the Baggage passing the River in the night June 23. The Horse with the rest of the Dragoons pass'd the Bridge the resolution of fording the River over having been changed and the whole Army leaving on one side the Castle of Erenstein ruin'd by the French continu'd its March the same day over high Mountains and strait Passes where the Horse was oblig'd to file off The Camp was on a Line between Herwiesen and Buckholtz and they advanc'd but two hours March that day The Lunenberg Army encamp'd beyond Buckholtz where it was come the day before having taken its March on this side the Mosel over the Mountains The Imperialists left Wing did reach to it Towards night the Baggage which had taken another way joyn'd the Army June 24. The Duke of Lorrain's Horse and the Dragoons march'd first the Imperial Foot follow'd them and they march'd before the Army of Lanenberg which had plac'd it self near the way and whose Foot joyn'd that of the Imperialists and the Horse were to form the Reerguard The Camp was not far from Leuningen and it was upon two Lines June 25. That day the Army rested Till then there had been no talk of any considerable Motion of the Enemy and there was a Rumour that there was a great Consternation amongst them We had information that 14 Cornets were gone from Mayance or Mentz towards Homburg that the Enemies had carried away a great number of Waggons loaded with Baggage and Wine that they had reduc'd to ashes the Cities of Landau of Kim on the Nohe and Keyserlautern The Country-people told us also that on the 23d a Party of 50 Horse of the Enemy had advanc'd within two miles of this place But some Party of our Forces having been sent to get intelligence of the Eâ—â—mies Motions return'd without information Two Deserters from Mount Royal told us that that place was furnish'd with 12 Battalions but that the Garrison deserted in great numbers so that some Companies consisted but of 15 or 20 men they also inform'd us that a considerable Party of Dragoons had intrench'd themselves at Trarâ—ack under the Cannon of that Place and that they were working with all possible diligence on the Fortifications of Trarback and Mount Royal that they were already for the most part set in a posture of defence and that the Governour Montal did frequently send out Parties to burn the Country and that the Enemy had abandon'd the City of Treves without burning or plundering of it having lodg'd the Garrison that was in it in Mount Royal and Thionville Here follows an Account of the Field-Officers GENERALS General Lieutenant The Duke of Lorrain General Field-Marshal Count Starenberg The Foot is commanded by The Grand Master of the Tutonick Order General Souches Feldzeugmeister Sachsen Cobourg Major General â—â—â—tersdorff Major General The right Wing is commandâ—â— by his Highness the Margrave 〈◊〉 in quality of General of the Horse Under him The Field-Marshal Lieutenant Count of Thurn commands the Regiments of Horse belonging to Dunewald and Taffe The Field-Marshal Lieutenant Prince of Commercy commands the Regiments of Curassiers of Franconia and that of the Dragoons of Bâ—â—eith The left Wing is commanded by Count Palfi in quality of General of the Horse Under him The Field-Marshal Lieutenant Duke of Wirtemberg commands the Regiment of Horse of Palsi and of Newbourg The Count of Serau is to command in quality of General Major in both the Wings June 26 27. The Army remain'd those two days in the same Camp and there pass'd nothing of Remark according to Country-peoples Reports there had been seen near to Castellan not far from Creutzenach some French Parties considerable strong but some Imperial Parties which were sent after them commanded by the Prince of Câ—mmercy saw none of the Enemy June 28. The Army being on its March and having gone
design of it consists of 12 Foot thick near the Ditch 6 at the Berne 25 at the Platform and 15 behind August 6. We began again early in the Morning to Fire our Cannon and to cast Bombs from the Imperial Attack where the Two Generals Souches and Wallis with the Prince of Saxen Weissenfels this Day Commanding the Enemy have done the same They made two vigorous Sallies betwixt Twelve and One under the favour of a great Rain with 300 Horse and 1500 Foot they slided along from both the Gates of Altmunster and Gau towards our Men Attacking the first Line with great fury of which they easily made themselves Masters it being not yet in posture of Defence nor Lin'd with Small shot Our Men that were in the more remote Lines were diligent got out of the Trenches on the Right and Left and vigorously drove back the Enemy after a large half hours Combat with great loss so that for the most part they ran away on their Feet and Hands what was found of the Enemy at the head of the Trenches were presently cut to pieces the Soldiers Rage going so far that they set some Heads that had been cut off on Spikes before the Camp and cut Leather Thongs out of the Skins of their Backs which was afterwards forbidden by his Highness the Duke of Lorraine there was great Firing on both sides of Cannons and Bombs during the Combate The number of killed and wounded on our side amounts to 300 Men amongst the Dead are the Aid General and Major of the Granadeers the Baron Bressee who was sent some time since to his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg Captain Sicking Canon of Mentz as also Lunati Captain of the Granadeers After this Combat some of the Enemies wounded Officers that had remain'd on the place ask'd for Quarter from our Men. His Highness the Duke of Lorrain having been inform'd that the ground from the head of the Trenches to the top of the Glacis was cover'd with a great number of French Bodies Dead and Dying the last of which made such Cryes and Lamentations as mov'd Compassion His Highness the Duke of Lorrain sent a Drummer to the French at Mentz but they laught at it asking whether we had not something else to desire which oblig'd our Musketeers to dispatch the wounded Officers The Governour did this out of fear that the sight of so many Dead and wounded should imprint some coldness on the rest of the Garrison wherefore he thought it not fit to Correspond to the Duke of Lorrain's Humanity chusing rather to leave his Wounded and Dying Men amongst the Dead without help than to shew so sad a Spectacle to the Garrison and Towns-men But through a Christian Charity all those that have been found to the very foot of the Glacis have been taken up and Buried The number of the Dead and wounded of the Enemy ought to amount to 500 persons according to the Deserters reports and the List which they have brought to us thereof Amongst the first is said to be a certain Lieutenant Colonel who was highly consider'd amongst them and divers other Officers of the First Rank There was but little firing this Night on either side only ours did cast Bombs into the Town After this the Enemy made some shew of Sallying forth again as they did effectively with but few Men out of the Counterscarp doubtless with a design to carry away the Dead and Wounded which they found in great numbers heap'd up together round the Pallisado's but they were again repuls'd with the loss of some kill'd and wounded Some of our Musketeers going out of the Trenches by stealth to strip some of the Dead remaining on the place were made Prisoners by the Enemy There has been digg'd up at the Electoral Attack on the Right of the first Redoubt a large Well whence a Gallery is to be advanc'd under ground both to work about some Mines and to give vent to those which the Enemy may have made under the Glacis The Ditch of the Battery has been advanc'd some paces this Night but in the Morning it was found that they had distanc'd themselves too far from the Right Line and that consequently that work was expos'd to the Enemy because it might be man'd by them from their Defences August 7. This Day was but small Firing on either Side which has happen'd on our side because that we were busie in Raising a New Battery yet the Enemy Fired continually with their Small Shot all Night and we cast divers Bombs into the Town The Lunenburgers who were this Night in the Trenches lost some Officers and private Centries Some of the Enemies were made Prisoners that were endeavouring to carry off some of their Dead A new Line has been drawn on the left of the Imperial Attack we have labour'd Day and Night about the new Battery at the Electoral Attack the Wells have been made deeper which were made for the Mines conveying out of them the Water which was in them August 8. This day no more than yesterday has there been but little Firing on both sides the Reasons on our side were that the Batteries and the Mines were not yet brought to perfection A Deserter who came this day to us confirms the great loss that the Enemy has sustain'd in the Sally which they made the 6th pass'd He has also discover'd to us all the Mines of the Enemy and to what places they had been Conducted This Night another Redoubt and Battery has been rais'd at the head of the Gallows and a Line has also been drawn we cast all night long Bombs and Carcasses into the Town On the contrary the Enemy Fired fiercely their small shot from the Ramparts and the Countersâ—arp They also made a small Sally on the Imperialists who soon forc'd them to Retreat with the loss of 20 Men though of our side we had not a few kill'd and wounded that Night His Electoral Highness of Bavaria pass'd all the Night long in the Trenches and has caus'd a great Redoubt to be trac'd in a certain place which is very convenient to cover and defend that Battery which has been nam'd St. Emanuel and which is to be of 50 Paces in length on two sides the Work of the Battery has been carried on also and there has been rais'd at the left of the Trench a Traverse behind which the Guard of Horse of the Electoral Attack is to be Posted August 9. This Day our Cannon play'd smartly all along principally on the Tower of the Gate Gau and in the Night divers Bombs were cast into the Town The Enemy did likewise continually fire with their small shot all the Night long and cast also some Bombs into our Camp. We labour'd hard to set in defence the newly erected Battery the Lines on the Right of the Gibbet were finished also and new Lines were carried on towards the Glacis of the right and left We continued at the Electoral Attack to work
on the Battery and Redoubt before mention'd and on the Lines of Communication also August 10 11 12 13 and 14th These Days there pass'd no great Matters on either side We at the Imperial Attack joyn'd the Lines that were newly rais'd we also made some Embraces for 8 Pieces on the New Battery 6 of which are to batter the Enemies Bastions and batter in flank that Work which the Enemy newly rais'd near to the Gibbet There was a Well also made a little more advanc'd than the First and by that means we have carried on our Work to the Pallisadoes of the Counterscarp where we happily have discovered some of the Enemies Mines all that Work has cost us but very few Men no more than to the Lunenburgers who lost not 10 Men though that on the 13th at Night when they did Duty in the Trenches they forwarded much their work by Sapping The 14th at Night the Great Tower near the Gate Gan was beaten down with the Cannon from our New Battery Divers Deserters are come into our Camp but on the other hand divers of ours above all of the Elector of Bavaria's Guards and divers French went over to the Enemy On the 10th the above-mention'd Work was continu'd at the Electoral Attack This Night the French quitted the House of Stadian which is out of the Town and its Garden after they had burnt it It was observed in their Retreat that a small Body descended by the Cover'd way towards the water 't is probable to favour the Retreat of the rest The 11th the St. Emanuel's Redoubt was finish'd the Ditch was also advanc'd and we began to raise the Parrapet higher and to make Platforms the Miner being already got far under ground has advanc'd some paces under the Glacis Two Masters of Fire works being got to us from the Town Confirm'd that the number of kill'd and wounded encreases much that the Garrison was much decreas'd and that the Governour express'd a great impatiency for Succour That the Besieged did no longer take the Bavarian Attack to be feign'd seeing that they already perceiv'd it very much advanc'd towards them which had made them resolve to work a-new on the Mines of the Citadel and in re-inforcing with more Men the Post thereabouts The 12th His Electoral Highness's Bridge of Boats was taken away from the Lines of Circumvallation which is to be laid a little above the Village Weissenau His Electoral Highness of Bavaria besides the ordinary Workmen has Commanded a 1000 more to Raise the Battery whom he causes to be Paid he remain'd all this Night in the Trenches because that a Deserter had said that the Enemy would attempt a Sally He caus'd the Posts to be reinforc'd for that reason but the Enemy firing continually did not not disturb the said Labourers by any Sally The 13th We advanc'd with the Ditch and the Parrapet through these Labourers means to that place of the Battery which had been design'd The Right Flank of it was covered with a treble row of Gabions against the Island which the Enemy still possesses on the other side of the Rhine and we have drawn from the said Flank a Line of Communication which joyns the Redoubt call'd St. Margarets The 14th There was made on the Right of the Battery 18 Embraces we also design'd to â—â—nk the Ditch 14 Foot deeper and to Raise the Battery by 12. The Work of the sapping towards the Glacis of the two advanced Posts has â—een continued and in the Front some cover'd Lines have been finisheâ— to secure our felves the better against the Enemy His Electoral Higâ—ness of Bavaria Commanded also that the Trenches should be Re-inforced in the apprehension that it being St. Lewis's Day the French according to their Custom might attempt something that Night or the next in honour of their King's Name Chains have also been laid and an Estachado made on the Rhine a little above the Town that no succour should get into it by Water August 15. Prince Veldents was greatly wounded after Dinner with a Musket shot We continu'd at the Electoral Attack to Raise the Battery and to make more Embracings the work of the last has been carried on to 40 Paces on each side so that on the Right it is advanced to the Glacis At the Lorrain Attack we have not only begun this Night to draw the Parallel Line but to Raise a new Battery also which cost them 40 Men killed and wounded The Cannon of the Great Lorrain Battery play'd not so siercely as before that we may work with more security in the Mines yet have they with their small Battery Dismounted the Enemies two Cannons which they had planted on the Gibbet of which great part has been beaten down and by that means caus'd the Enemies Horse that had posted themselves there to Dislodge Some French Deserters among which is found a Horseman who say that the Governour having had Advite that the last night our Men would attempt an Assault on the Counterscarp he had Commanded thither all the Granadeers with 4 Men of each Company and that he had caus'd to be carried thither 500 Granadoes but that they had been Fired about Eleven at Night by one of our Bombs which had fallen there and had made such a havock that all flew into the Air. The same Deserters add that there are above 4000 reckon'd to be Wounded and Sick in the Town and that the Governour had Orders to hold out to this Day but that afterwards he was to attempt a good Capituiation that upon that the Governour had forbid any more Firing of the Cannon nor casting of Bombs without particular Orders wherefore for this Reason they of the Town had not Fired above 10 Cannon-shot a day nor cast above 8 Bombs in 8 Days time above all to kill no Dog neither within nor without the Town the Reason was that they believ'd that a Jewish Woman came in and out frequently under the shape of a Dog. August 16 Last Night about 8 of the Clock the Enemies Cannon began to play very hard which has been continu'd to this Morning A certain Deserter who came this day to us Confirms that there are a great number of Officers and Common Centries wounded in the Town that our Bombs and Carcasses did a world of damage â—â— the Enemies Defences especially in the cover'd way and t hat the Counterscarp had been reinforc'd with Mâ—â— searing every moment an Assault The two last Redoubts were this Night inclos'd with Pallisadoes at the Electoral Attack 20 Cannons have also been Planted on the Great Battery making the Embracements 2 pieces of Cannon being Planted against the Champion All the Night was employ'd in Fortifying the Parrapet of the Parallel Line at the Lorrain Attack which had been drawn the Night before and in enlarging the Trenches Digging in the Earth a great Vessel full of Ancient Medals was found August 17. This Day divers Deserters came into the Camp from the Town who
plenty in the Garrison and that there was there 5000 fighting men The Bavarians discharged five new Pieces of Cannon upon the Counterscarp The same day the Enemy sprung a Mine on the side of the Lunenberg Attack but it had very little effect having burst on the side because the Allies had countermined it An hour after they sent some Miners to sind it out there but they were forced to retire being half dead by reason of a horrible Smoak that came from it The French had began another Mine on the left side but we hoped that that which we had made very near it would be ready to spring before theirs The Saxons took a new Post near to the Counterscarp but yet they suffered a great loss having had at that time many men killed and wounded Adjutant Rothkirk was of the number of the first A Lieutenant in the Regiment of Schomberg was dangerously hurt in his Body with many others as Colonel Scot who was mortally wounded in the Trenches August 22. They continued this Day to fire their Cannon at the Garrison and we wrought all night at the great Parallel Line but we did not advance very much by reason of the Rocks that hindred us The Imperialists and the Hessians wrought all night at the Sap they took their Post 20 paces from the Pallisade on the left side and they maintained their Ground in despight of the cortinual firing of the Musqueteers and Granadeers of the Besieged and from the great quantity of Stones that were shot from their Mortars yet very sew of the Souldiers were killed or wounded They made again another great Sally and the Prince of Commercy was resolved to oppose it with his customary Force and succeeded who put himself at the Head of his Granadeers and beat them back after they had made their first shot even into their covert way He had on that occasion which was very hot four Horses killed under him and the fifth wounded His Master of the Horse his Adjutant General and Baron Charles D'Osterstein who followed the Prince had also every one their Horses killed under them One of his Trumpetters and one of his Grooms were killed with their Horses yet that did not hinder but the Prince failed not to make two Lodgments in the openings of the Glacis which the Furnaces had done and they maintained themselves there tho' the Besieged made their greatest Efforts to force them out We lost 100 men on this occasion and the Enemy suffered little less in number And as the great Officers mount the Trenches as well as the Souldiers Prince Christian of Sax-Hall was there also killed To congratulate the Victory that Prince Waldeck had gained of Mareshal d'Humiers we this day discharged all our Cannon four times August 23. The Lunenbergers alone relieved the Imperialists and the Hessians in their Trenches and advanced their Works on the right side as they had proceeded on the lest the night before so that they found themselves very near to the two sides and with an equal distance to the covert way The same day we seized on a Reformade Golonel who was suspected to have held Intelligence with the Governour of the Garrison August 24. Two Thousand Imperialists and as many of the Hesseans re-gained the Place of the Lunenbergers and advanced their Works by the Sapp within 20 Foot of the Heighth of the Glaciâ— The Enemy sprung again Two Mines which were very ineffectual except that we had one Soldier killed and two wounded August 25. The Imperialists and the Hessians got again into their Works continued the Sapp to the very heighth of the Glacis and made all necessary preparations to be able to open at the first Command There was also carried on this Day the Two Branches of the Trenches which they had begun to advance towards the Two sides to encompass behind the Redoubt which the besieged had raised to the Heighth of the Gallows very nigh to the Pallisade August 26. Four Thousand Lunenbergers mounted alone the Trench after their usual manner and advanced in the places of Arms with Faggots and an Instrument to open the Ground and with every thing that they had need to attack the Covert Way They used the same means at the Bavarian Attack and the Saxon Attack whose Batteries had fired without ceasing all the Days before against the Defences of the besieged and had not only ruined them but had also made very great Breaches in the Ramparts which facilitated their Appâ—â—aâ—hes Insomuch that the Trenches being also carried on above the Glacis there was great hopes that we should carry the Covert Way in this Attack in the same manner as the Imperialists had done theirs when they should come to make an Assault The Elector of Saxony having received at Franck fort the sad News of Duke Christian of Saxe Hall who was killed at the Approaches and being informed that the Army was advanced on all sides came back immediately to the Camp of Weissenau where was his General Quarter to take again the Command of his Troops which he had given him August 27. All the Army being disposed for a general Attack at the Covert Way and the besieged having attempted in vain to dislodge the Besiegers from their Works begun about Four of the Clock in the Afternoon to give an Assault with all Success that in Reason they could promise themselves by the Conduct and Experience of their Generals and their Officers and from the Valour and Undauntedness of the Soldiers They began then about Four of the Clock after the Signal of Three Cannons Discharged and One Bomb that broke in the Air They marched openly to the Assault with that extraordinary Courage and Boldness that the Enemy being not able to endure our Onset immediately gave way and quitted their Posts and the Covert Way as well at the Imperials Attack as that of the Saxons and the Bavarians In the mean time the Enemy having taken new Posts on both sides and in Front their firing was so very great and so lasting for 3 hours that it is impossible to apprehend not so much as the least Idea in relation to what has been done for there is no Parallel of the like in any former Siege We were near 2 hours exposed without Covert upon the Height of the Glacis joyned to the Pallisado's without being able to cover our selves by reason of the continual firing that was made and did endure it with the greatest Courage and Valour till at last the Besieged being broken and pressed on all sides were forced to give way to the Besiegers who took their Post at the very brink of the Ditch where they fell to work to cover themselves During the time of the greatest Attack the Enemy sprung a Mine which buried in its Ruines Four Colours and a great many men All the Night following was taken up in continual Skirmishes August 28. The next Day they sprung Two Mines more but instead of doing hurt their
with Four Officers followed with 60 Dragoons and 2 Officers 80 Foot with 10 Officers 8 Mules 6 Light Horsemen 12 Carts and 5 Horses loaden 50 Foot with 6 Officers 24 Carts 26 Horses loaden 54 Foot and 3 Officers 80 Horses loaden and 26 Carts 54 Foot with 3 Officers 83 Horses loaden 17 Carts and a Chariot 48 Foot with 6 Officers 37 Horses loaden and 12 Carts 49 Foot with 3 Officers 2 Mules 22 Carts 6 Officers 23 Horses loaden 49 Foot with 3 Officers 7 Mules 87 Horses loaden 37 Carts 50 Foot with 3 Officers 7 Mules 87 Horses loaden 37 Carts 50 Foot with 3 Officers 2 Light Horsemen 1 Chariot 1 Litter 49 Carts and 46 Horses loaden 57 Foot with 4 Officers 31 Horses loaden 32 Carts 9 Mules 1 Chariot with 2 Ladies 26 Carts 26 Horses loaden 64 Foot with 6 Officers 63 Horses loaden 11 Carts 66 Foot and 5 Officers 26 Horses loaden 10 Carts 1 Coach with six Horses another Coach with the Colonel of Dragoons who was wounded 2 Chariots 5 Mules 12 Carts 3 Light Horsemen Mr. De Vienbour 4 Halberdiers and 23 Foot with 5 Officers 44 Carts 76 Horses loaden 32 Foot 7 Officers 41 Dragoons with 2 Officers 32 Light Horsemen with 2 Officers The Marquess of Vxelles Governour of Mayence with a Train of 40 Horse 98 Dragoons 12 Officers with 2 Standarts 78 Dragoons 10 Officers with 2 Standarts 88 Dragoons 13 Officers and 2 Standarts and 9 Officers wounded 75 Horsemen 4 Officers and 2 Standarts 611 Foot of the Regiment of Dauphin with 6 Colours and 40 Officers 603 Foot of the Regiment of Anjou 28 Officers and 6 Colours 250 Foot 23 Officers and 3 Colours of the Regiment of Bretagne 267 Foot of the Regiment of Granadeers 31 Officers and 3 Colours 207 Foot of the Regiment of Jarsi 31 Officers and 3 Colours 379 Foot of the Regiment of Benois 32 Officers and 3 Colours 246 Foot of the Regiment of Orleans 16 Officers and 3 Colours 273 Foot of the Regiment of Maine 21 Officers and 3 Colours 339 Foot of the Regiment of Cursole 26 Officers and 3 Colours 311 Foot of the Regiment of Bourbignan 24 Officers and 3 Colours 43 Dragoons of the Regiment of Houte with 6 Officers 44 Horsemen with 5 Officers 76 Foot. 250 Foot Souldiers who marched about the Baggage 300 Horses belonging to the Officers Which amounts to in all 4572 Foot. 357 Officers 400 Dragoons 45 Officers 287 Horses 29 Officers 1000 Foot that marched on the sides of the Carts of the Horses of the Coaches and of the Horses laden So that the French who marched out of Mayence were to the Number of 6690 Men with 572 Horses loaded 334 Carts 31 Mules 45 Light Horsemen 6 Chairs 2 Coaches 1 Litter 36 Colours 10 Standarts Besides these there were embarked in several Boats which had been sent from Strasburg with Amunition for the Enemy 6 pieces of Cannon 2 Mortars 2 Haubitz and 1500 sick People where some were continually Dying which they threw over into the Rhine Our Loss amounted to almost 8000 Men. We may very well see that they carried away a great many things and a vast number of Goods besides the Money they had extorted from the Neighbouring Countries As the Marquess of Vxelles was going out of the Garrison he took his leave of the Duke of Lorrain of the Elector of Saxony and of Bavaria as also of all the rest of the Princes and Generals who had been very obliging to him And as the French are very perfidious and that they could not relye upon their words the Allies had reserved some French Officers to remain here as Hostages till all the Articles of Agreement had been punctually performed They assur'd us that the French Garrison did consist of 11000 fighting Men before the Siege They were constrain'd to surrender the Place because they wanted Powder for there were found but 600 weight of Powder The time of their departure out of the Garrison was from Seven a Clock in the Morning till Three of the Clock in the Afternoon After which time the Allies took possession of the City Our Bombs had done very little hurt to any of the Convents except a Nunnery yet there were a great many Houses whose tops were pierc'd like Sives They took out of St. Stephens Church many Cart-loads of Dead Bodies of the French which they threw into the Rhine There were a great number also that were not Buried and a great many in Holes and in Convents which lay not a foot deep in the Earth which caused a most horrid stinking smell in all those Places The Castle of the Elector which the French had turn'd to an Hospital was fill'd with Dead and Wounded among which there were many Sick who in three days had no kind of Refreshment The Enemies had wrought Day and Night in fortifying this Garrison in the time of Nine Months that they were Masters of it for they were so well advanced and so Regular that there remained little or nothing to be done But above all the Fort that is upon the Rhine is a Piece worthy Admiration The Peasants began to level the ways for our Approaches and to destroy the Mines All the Engineers who were in that Garrison were either kill'd or wounded And very few remain'd alive on our side FINIS