wrapped up in fortunes lap Page 174 Letter M. Intelligence the good of it most necessary to an Army Page 179 Letter Y. K. Kinphowsen affirmed that one ounce of good fortune was better then a pound weight of wit Page 10 Letter O. The King of Sweden doubted never to let put in execution what he once commanded Page 16 Letter Y. The King of Sweden i◠extremity of cold being all wet did eate before he changed clothes Page 21 Letter D. The King of Sweden though stout was seene to stoope for a Cannon Bullet Page 22 Letter D. The King of Sweden did outshoote old Tilly in experience Page 25 Letter I. The King of Sweden did discharge the duty of a Generall Major before Francfurt Page 31 Letter T. The King of Sweden when his Army was weakest he digged most in the ground Page 41 Letter H. The King of Sweden at Berlin forced the Duke of Brandenburg to quit the Saxon. Page 43 Letter M. The King of Sweden was alike ready to governe the State as to fight his Enemies Page 46 Letter Q. The King of Sweden caused draw his great Cannon through the River of the Elve on their Carriage Page 49 Letter W. The King of Sweden his order in defending his Leaguer worthy observance Page 51 Letter The King of Sweden seekes advice of his chiefe Officers at Verben Page 52 Letter B. The King of Sweden with a strong party chased the Emperialists within their Army Page 54 Letter F. The Kings prudency and wisdome in command answerable to the dignity of his Majesticke person Page 57 Letter I. When a King fights a battell he puts much on hazard Page 62 Letter Q. The King of Sweden makes merry with the Duke of Saxon at Hall Page 74 Letter L. The King of Sweden for the advancement of the warre made a like use of Protestants and Lutherans Page 77 Letter R. Kings or Princes have no other charters then their sword and the oath of fidelity Page 77 Letter S. The King of Sweden to march over Duringvault did divide his Army Page 78 Letter T. The King of Sweden caused publish and Edict in Franconia Page 85 Letter D. The King of Sweden considering the weakenesse of his Army at Wertzburg gave out some monies Page 86 Letter H. The King of Sweden steered his course aright at Wertzburg Page 87 Letter H. The King of Sweden alike able tam arte quà m Marte Page 87 Letter I. The King of Sweden marched through Francfurt as in a solemne precession for order Page 89 Letter L. The King of Sweden Patriot and Protector of Religion in Germany Page 90 Letter P. The King of Bohemia wonderfully well liked of by the Cities and Commonalty in Germany Page 91 Letter R. The King of Sweden made no difference of seasons to pusue his Enemies Page 92 Letter V. The King of Sweden in six monthes freed the Paltz of all the Enemies Page 94 Letter Y. The King of Sweden for his Sisters sake the Queene of Bohemia in one night did anger the King of Spaine the Emperour and the King of France Page 93 Letter Y. The King of Sweden and his Chancellour sate whole dayes at Counsell Page 100 Letter H. The King of Sweden his peremptory answer to the French Ambassadour at Mentz Page 100 Letter K. The King of Sweden did grant a stil stand on a condition Page 105 Letter P. The King of Sweden entertained foure whole Armies at once Page 107 Letter A. The King of Bohemia his discourse with the Scots Briggad at Vinchen Page 110 Letter D. The King of Sweden and the King of Bohemia nobly received by the Lords of Nurenberg Page 111 Letter F. The King of Sweden gives God thankes in Saint Annes Church at Ausburg Page 117 Letter R. The K. of Swedē his speech cōsiderable his horse being shot under him Page 123 Letter D. The King of Sweden a good shepherd Page 130 Letter O. The King of Sweden finding the Enemy strong gave some contentment unto his weake Army Page 131 Letter Q. The King of Sweden and the Emperiall Army had the eyes of all Europe fixed on their Actions Page 140 Letter E. The King of Sweden rides at Anchor as at a Bay under Nurenberg Page 140 Letter F. The King of Sweden defeats a party of the Emperialists at Bosbore in the upper Paltz Page 145 Letter M. The King of Sweden ever enemy to idlenesse Page 151 Letter X. The King of Sweden divideth his Army in Bavier to march into Saxony Page 159 Letter I. The King of Sweden having thanked the Scots Briggad left them in Bavaria to be strengthened Page 159 Letter M. The King of Sweden on his march to Saxony did cut off with a party three hundred Emperialists Page 160 Letter N. The King joyned his Army with Duke Bernard of Wymar in Duringlang Page 160 Letter N. The King of Sweden leaving the Queene at Erford made a speech to the Counsill Page 160 Letter O. The King of Sweden crossed the Leake with the Army and marched to Nawmberg Page 161 Letter P. The King of Sweden caused to throw off the Bridges on the Sale Page 161 Letter P. The King of Sweden as a Souldier troubled with a double care Page 161 Letter Q. The King of Sweden his exhortation to the people Page 161 Letter R. The King of Sweden compared to the Sunne Page 162 Letter S. The King of Sweden his exhortation at Leitzen to fight well Page 163 Letter T. The King of Sweden having charged bravely his enemies being thrice wounded fell at Leitzen Page 164 Letter W. A King ought never to endanger himselfe his Crowne and Country on a day of battle Page 166 Letter The King of Sweden at Leitzen discharged alike the duty of a King and of a Souldier Page 167 Letter A. The Oppression done to the poore causeth the unfortunate events of warlike enterprises Page 48 Letter V The Order his Majesty appointed to be kept at Verben Leaguer is worth the observance Page 51 Letter The Order his Majesty placed the Army unto at Leipsigh is worth the observance Page 64 Letter S. To Obtaine Victory art and skill in handling the weapons of our warfare are requisite Page 69 Letter An Outfall well repulsed by push of pike Page 162 Letter S. Opportunity of time a swift Eagle Page 129 Letter N. Oxensterne the Chancellour appointed by the King of Sweden to have the direction at Nurenberg Page 153 Letter A. The Office of a Generall a great charge Page 137 Letter A. An Outfall made at Rhine by Lievetenant Colonell Iohn Lesly Page 100 Letter I. P. The Plague or Postilence though raging among Souldiers ought not to hinder them from going freely on their duties Page 10 Letter O. The Pest raging at Statin fewer Scots died then of other Nations causâ incognitâ Page 12 Letter R. Princes that are absolute should have way given unto them in things indifferent Page 13 Letter T. A Prentiship well
hot sundry were killed of us but three for one of the enemy which finding himselfe resisted with valour being relieved by a fresh supply of another thousand men set on more furiously then before where sundry of our Officers were shot as Lievetenant Beaton Ensigne Dumbarre Lievetenant Arburthnot quarter Mr. Bruntfield my selfe divers others were killed as Sergeant Mac-kenyee Sergeant Young MoÌ„sieur Gordon Monsieur Stewart Monsieur Tullough all gentlemen of my Colonells company with divers more and Captaine Mac-kenyee was also shot favourably a thwart the Belly and I being wearied and growne stiffe with my wounds being helpt off did meete a fresh reliefe coming to us led by Lievetenant Andrew Stewart a valorous gentleman and of good conduct Brother to the noble Earle of Traquare I did exhort them en passant to carry themselves well they answered me cheerefully as became resolute Souldiers who were desirous to vindicate their camerades bloud against their enemies the reliefe being come the service went on a frâ—sh on both sides the enemy storming againe with the third reliefe which continued so long till a number of our Officers more were killed and hurt as Lievetenant Stewart Ensigne Seaton Ensigne Ennis Captaine Armes Andrew Monro and divers more were hurt During this time our Lievetenant Colonell was busied within the Towne in commanding the reliefes and in sending orders to the other Poasts to looke unto themselves who would not misse one man to succour or helpe us in our greatest neede Notwithstanding that the whole force of the enemies was imployed against us alone The second reliefe that came to our Poast was led by Colonell Frettz newly come to Towne with some Swedens who though not admitted to Command out of his generositie being accompanied with his Lievetenant Colonell Mac-Dougall and his Major called Semple with fourescore Musketiers voluntarily did come to succour and helpe our Nation who at his first coming received deaths wounds whereof he died shortly after His Lievetenant Colonell also was taken prisoner and was missing for six monâ—ths we not knowing whither he was dead or alive The Major also was killed instantly at his first coming to service so that the last time and on the last storme by the breake of day the enemy was once entred our workes and was beate backe againe with great losse with swords and pikes and butts of Muskets so that the day cleering the enemy was forced to retire having lost above a thousand men and we neare two hundred besides those who were hurt He that was on this nights service from the beginning to the ending being in action might avouch he did escape danger The enemy forsaking our workes unconquered the grasâ—e filled with their dead bodies equall to the bancks the workes ruin'd in the day time could not be repair'd which caused the next nights watch to be the more dangerous The seventeenth Observation THE Emperour Alexander Severe had reason to say that Military Discipline did conserve and maintaine the Estate And so might the magnanimous King of Denmarke say of this service and the Towne of Trailsound the Citizens of it before this time being sluggish dissolute cowards spend-thrifts and voluptuous are now by this Discipline made active menagers valiant sparing and honest the thankes whereof they owe unto our Nation whose bones lie in their ground and to our Country-man who since hath beene their Governour for the reward of his vertue was appointed by his Majestie of Sweden of worthy memory and set to Command over them and their Citie And it is most sure that the observance of good discipline is the maintaining of Kingdomes Cities and Common-wealths making them to flourish where discipline is well kept as it was here during our beleagering for then we had no thought of gathering of money but of gaining of credit here were no Novices but expert Souldiers to resist both the craft and valour of their enemies who did feele the smart of their valourous resistance in heaping their dead bodies one upon another in the graffe During the time of this hot conflict none that was whole went off at the coming of the reliefe but continued in the fight assisting their Camerades so long as their strength served ever esteeming more of their credit than of their safetie through the desire they had to be revenged of the losses sustained by their Camerades On the other part it was reported of Walestine that he was so eager to get in the Towne that his Officers retiring off servce being hurt he caused to shoot them dead calling them Cowards for retiring with so small hurt Here also I purpose to speake somewhat of the Emperialists custome entring on service shouting like Turkes as if crying would terrifie resolute Souldiers No truely we were more encouraged having long expected for their coming being all of us well resolved for the Combat we were greedie of honour and therefore we longed to try our enemies valour Seeing we were more overjoyed of their coming than any wise terrified and we received them with Volees of Cannon and Musket in their teeth which faire and well come was hard of digestion unto some of them and it might be well said of them as the Proverbe is amongst the Bactrians that the dogges did barke more than they did bite especially the Fleete Curres for true courage consists not in words neither ought we to looke for much courage where we heare many boysterous words But on the contrary true valour doth consist in the greatnesse of courage and in the strength of the valiant Arme and not in the Tongue and the first people that did practise this lowde crying of martiall resolution and of rejoycing in battell were the Israelites who in the most part of their fighting used those cryes as testimonies of their faith and of their earnest calling for the helpe of the Almightie And a Lord of Africke being to fight against the Portugalls his Troopes ready to fight he said unto them they should not cry but strike hard for saith he those men whom you see are not accustomed to be afraide with words nor voyce for it is not in cryes but in valour that men should establish the hope of Victory Neverthelesse we reade in Histories that the Romanes and other warlike Nations were wont in Battells as to this day in approaches even as in fields to cry alowd and therefore we say among our selves at home that he is to be pittied that is surprized with the cry of his Enemies We reade also of the Savages whom the French doe call Tokniambous that before they come within halfe a mile they cry like Devills at the first sight of their enemies redoubling their cryes coming neare hand sounding their hornes lifting their Armes here and there in a boasting manner fighting so long as they are able to move hand or foote never giving ground or turning backe till they die Tacitus reports that the Germanes of old did sing going to fight and wee reade of Cato the
Randezvouz with the foure Companies commanded by me of our Regiment his Majesties intention being to ship at Rubie to fall on the Enemy upon the Isle of Feamer as being too neere in neighbourhood unto Denmarke for preventing of their evill his Majestie resolved to visit them before they should visit his Country and in the extremitie of a bitter frost we were all shipped in open Skouts or Boats where we lay three dayes with contrary winds in the Road very much perplext and troubled with the extremitie of cold weather being hard frost and snow the storme continuing we were appointed to come ashoare and to retire to our former quarters till orders were sent us to rise againe so that the sixt of Aprill we shipped againe And on the eighth we anchored before the Island where the enemy with diligence planted Ordnance for hindering of our landing But was repayed againe by our Ordnance ten for one During which service we were landing our Souldiers with small Boats by twenties and thirties The enemy with Cannon and musket giving continuall fire on us till at last seeing a strong body of Souldiers landed and he having no horsemen to second his foote he was compelled to retire his Cannon making his Retreat to a strong Fort they had built of purpose on the Island leaving the rest of the Island and the Cities at our mercy the Townes being of no strength Before it was darke we were all landed with our Cannon and Amunition incamping for that night in the Fields keeping strong Guards and diligent watch The enemy being discouraged we had not so much as one Alarum The next morning his Majestie marched towards the Fort with his Forces and Artillery and having himselfe recognosced or spied the Fort retired giving orders for our severall quarters Our Souldiers were entred to worke the approaches which were ordained and assigned to us to approach on The enemy being scarce of victualls and knowing of no reliefe resolved as his best course to Parlé and having sent forth a Drummer which being received and the Parlé granted pledges being delivered Hinc inde the accord goes on and is presently agreed upon The conditions granted to the enemy were somewhat hard viz. that they should leave their Armes Baggage and Amunition within the Fort and that they should come forth in his Majesties reverence of mercy or of none which accordingly they did undergoe But before their out-coming there was a prohibition given to all our Souldiers that no man should wrong or injure them Neverthelesse at their comming out the Country Boores ever cruell to Souldiers remembring the hard usage of the Souldiers to them in the Winter time seeing them come forth unarmed ranne violently upon the Souldiers knocking them pittifully downe they caused great disorder so that in the fury the Count of Mongomrie Colonell to a French Regiment was knockt to the ground and left for dead being taken for a Walloone or one of the enemies Officers This insolency of the Boores continued in killing the poore Souldiers till by his Majesties charge I was commanded â—o put my Souldiers to Armes to suppresse the Boores which was presently obeyed by my Souldiers who againe robbed the Boores of that they had taken from the enemy and withall were well knockt The Tumult appeased the enemies were sent away by Boats to Holsten where they were put ashoare and left his Majestie then refreshed his Troopes for three dayes during which time the Island was brought under Contribution to his Majestie and a Governour with a Garrison being left on the Island to keepe them in obedience and to hinder the enemies returne we were commanded to be in readinesse for a second Expedition The eleventh Observation SCipio said we were most in danger when we wanted businesse for while we want businesse and have no foe to awe us we are readie to drowne in the mudde of vice and sloathfulnesse So our Regiment having laine six moneths in idlenesse and sloath eating and drinking and sometimes doing worse for lacke of employment in our Callings falling out amongst our selves unnecessarily and without reason abusing both Burgers and Boores so that when we lacked employment then was the Gavilliger and his Irons best employed insolency domineering so that when we came to endure hunger thirst and cold on our shippes we were growne so effeminate that we could not sleepe without a good bed our stomackes could not digest a Gammon of Bacon or cold Beefe without mustard so farre we were out of use till this Magnanimous King came to lead us who in a short time without the helpe of Physicke cured our cloyd stomackes hardned our effeminate sides in stead of a warme Chamber made us contented with a hole digged in the ground to let the winde and Bullets flee over us making hunger our best sauce giving us employment and to our Gavilliger rest and ease at home O how bright then doth the soule of man grow with use and Negotiation Now could our Souldiers having made a little bootie on this Island speake like Cleanthes when he had laboured and gotten some Coyne he shewes it his Companions that he then could nourish another Cleanthes even so our Souldiers shewing and telling their Camerades of their bootie they rejoyced the hearts of their Leaders whom before they had offended by their exorbitancy in their idlenesse bringing joy with profit when they were exercised in their Callings banishing mischiefe from themselves by their diligence for it is one of our greatest happinesse in our Calling to have a minde and love to vertuous exercises raising us daily to blessednesse and contentation for every one shall smell of that he is busied in and every noble Action addes sinewes to the vertuous minde where on the contrary surely he must be miserable that loves not to be diligent in his Calling when he ought to employ himselfe for if he growes no better yet sure it keeps him from doing worse not having time by his idlenesse to entertaine the Devill When our enemies least looked for us then came we with Bellona summoning him to the Combate but he obeyes not and for his cowardize we degrade him of his Armes and banish him to some other corner to lurke in seeing he lacked the courage to have made us sport at our landing or to have given us an Alarum in our Quarters to have once tryed what for Souldiers we were or what resolution or conduct we had for he ought to have busied us at our landing as well with the spade and the shovell as with the Pike and the Musket and so we could have said we had an Enemy as we had not but a flying dastard or coward This Fort was scurvily given over which any resolute Commander could well have kept for three dayes during which time he had added to his owne reputation and substracted doubtlesse from ours by diminishing of our number which at last would have made him get better Conditions of Quarters and a more
three dayes march to relieve it and to the end they might shew good example to others they were commanded with their fellowes being all Musketiers to crosse the Bridge and to beate the enemy from the water side and then to force a passage for the rest of the Armie towards the Castle the orders were as hard as the passage was difficult yet Cavaliers of courage being daring men and once resolved nothing could seeme difficult unto them to gaine honour and credit to themselves and Country especially being made choice of by a King out of his Armie to give testimony publikely in view of the whole Armie of their valour and resolution exemplary forcing their enemies to give ground for them and theirs having had not one foote of ground on that side of the water till they should gaine it at their landing for I was none of the actors nor yet of the spectators till I had viewed it the next day being informed particularly by my Camerades of the manner of their on-falling The bridge lay over the Maine with six Arches in length being a very faire and spatious bridge over which sixtie men could well march in front lying open unto the Castle batteries and workes the middle Arch whereof being broke a plancke was set over where with difficultie strong-headed Souldiers might crosse one after another under mercy of Cannon and Musket and while as they could but file over the enemy could receive them with full bodies of pikes and muskets which was a great disadvantage and the distance betwixt the water and the plancke would terrifie any to venter over for feare of drowning though he were in no feare of an enemy so that many who went with resolution to passe over returned againe choosing rather to crosse alongst the water in small boates Notwithstanding the enemy would emptie Salves of muskets on them before their landing Neverthelesse Sir Iames Ramsey and Sir Iohn Hamilton in obedience to his Majesties commands with a few Souldiers adventured to crosse the River with small Boates their Souldiers giving fire before their landing and in their landing against their enemies and being happily once landed and beginning to skirmish their Souldiers they left behinde them who before durst not adventure to crosse alongst the plancke seeing their Officers and Camerades ingaged with the enemy to helpe them they ranne over the plancke one after another so fast as they could runne till at last they past all and made a strong head against the enemy till by the valourous Conduct of their Leaders and their following they forced the enemy to give ground retiring unto their workes Their Leaders desirous to gaine further honour and reputation pursued the enemy so hard till they had beaten them out of a Torne they had fled unto At which time Sir Iames Ramsey was shot lame in the left arme and then his Camerade Sir Iohn Hamilton succeeding him both in command and courage notwithstanding of the enemies strength and great fury used against them having disputed with long service for the ground at last it was made good by Sir Iohn and his followers till such time his Majestie had set over after them the most part of the Armie so that they were blocked up on all quarters and forced to remaine within their workes till that against night the service being ceased we with the rest of the Armie were come from Carlstat and quartered that night without the Towne on the other side of the Maine His Majestie before day gave Orders to the Swedes and some Dutch Regiments to storme the enemies workes who having kept slight watch were unawares surprized by some Swedes that had entered with ladders over the wall so that a panick feare having possessed them they retired in disorder from their Poste and the Swedes and Dutch followed so hard that they had not time to draw up their draw-bridge neither yet to let downe the Portcullis of their inward Ports being so amazed our people flocking in after them cut them downe as they were found giving no quarters at all so that they that entred first made the best booâ—â—e though least service Here fortune favoured his Majestie miraculously at this time beyond mens expectation as formerly having got here a great deale of riches as also many Cannon and great store of Amunition and of all sort of victualls abundance The fury past his Majestie set a Governour on the Castle and a Garrison which was strong and he gave Orders presently to beginne to repaire the workes seeing Generall Tilly with his Armie were drawing neere and his Majestie having got intelligence that they were quartered within two miles off Wurtzburg according to his accustomed manner his Majestie with a partie of Horse and Dragoniers fell upon their neerest quarters in the night and defeated foure Regiments of their Horse and retired the next night unto Wurtzburg attending when the enemy would seeke for his revenge The twentieth Observation HIs Majestie at this time as formerly used great expedition in marching unto Franconia knowing it was one of the Circles of the whole Empire that was of most importance for the enemy being a straite and a strong Country by reason of the strengths within it And therefore it was that he divided his Armie in crossing the Vault at divers places that his Artillery might passe the sooner through For he knew who ever was Master of Wurtzburg he commanded the whole River of the Maine and consequently whole Franconia which fortunately happened according to his Majesties deliberation Here also we see the evill that comes of greedinesse in making generall Commanders to be hated by those that follow them for Bawtizen having got a great summe of money of these Townes by the helpe and service of the foote it became him according to right and discretion to have shared with the Colonells who commanded the Briggads and Regiments but seeing his want of discretion in not acknowledging them they being once joyned againe to his Majesties Army would never consent to be commanded by him a foot-step afterwards for ought his Majestie could doe having dealt so niggardly with Cavaliers of their worth so that his Majestie was forced to direct him to command elsewhere This greedinesse is the most pestiferous roote that ever grew in a generall Commander for on this march Souldiers were usually commanded to lie in the Fields and not suffered to quarter in the Townes which they had taken for feare to hinder the payment of the moneys imposed on them so that publique employment is ill bestowed upon a greedy person and this greedinesse in a man of warre to gather riches may losâ— him all his fortunes and avarice hath beene the losse of many Armies and of many Kingdomes also for no vice is more pestiferous in the extraordinary use than this to bring a man to be disdained of others especially of those would follow him Here also we see that of old our Nation was much esteemed of abroad especially the Clergie
dayes attending what the Emperiall Armie would undertake having still an eye in our necke-pole We got intelligence that the Duke of Fridland Walestine and the Duke of Bavere did breake up with their Armies taking their march through Furt towards Boocke and then to Forcham burning off all the dorpes that lay nearest Nurenberg being all the valiant deedes they had done the whole Summer and the fourteenth of September being quite gone divers Burgers and Souldiers of the Nurenbergers with the Countrie Boores in all haste ranne unto their Leaguer where they found a thousand waggons besides those were burnt which they transported to Nurenberg together with a great quantitie of Iron above tenne thousand Centeurs of waight and a great quantitie of meale corne and flesh which all in foureteene dayes was not brought unto the Towne after their going whereat many did wonder The enemie also left behind them many sicke and wondâ—d Souldiers uncured amongst whom all that time death was very frequent aswell of men as of beasts for thousands of horse and cattell were lost Likewise in the Swedens Leaguer about the Citie were fallen above foure thousand horse and cattell and within the Citie were also many dead As Walestine was come to Forcham he directed Generall Major Galasse with some horse and foote unto the Woigkeland who in his march by Nurenberg did deale very slightly with Lawffe Griffenberg Welden and Harchbrook which he tooke in and Griffenberg he burnt and in the rest he caused to cut off divers Burgers and Souldiers making many poore men with plundering and cruell exactions of mony and from thence in Woiteland towards Egger and further till he joyned with Holke being both as Simeon and Levi continuing their march towards the Elve taking in Kemnets Friberg Meissen and divers other partes exacting great contribution and borneshets or compositions pressing an infinite deale of money out of the Duke of Saxons hereditary lands using great and extraordinary enormities over the whole lands belonging to the Saxon by reason the Dukes Armie lay then farre off in Silesia not being possible for him to releeve his owne Countrey Walestine also from Forcham marched towards Saxonie and the Duke of Bavaria to quench the fire that was already kindled there by the Swedens marched to Bavere The Emperiall Armie thus separated his Majestie laie still at Newstad till such time as he saw their severall intentions and then disposing of his Armie accordingly First the Marquesse of Hamilton was gratiously dismissed by his Majestie taking his journey from thence towards France unto Brittaine and having taken leave of his Majestie at Newstad his Excellence was most honourably conveyed by the whole Officers his Country-men that served the Swedens who having taken leave of his Excellence a mile from the Leaguer they returned and his Excellence accompanied with Sir Iames Hamilton of Priestfield Colonell Sir Iames Ramsey called the Faire Colonell and Sir Iohn Hepburne Colonell having taken good night of all their Noble Camerades they continued their journey unto Brittaine and we returned to prepare our selves for a march and a separation which immediatly the next day did follow his Maiestie having given orders to call in all Safe-guardes and the next morning to be in readinesse to march The thirty-seventh Observation THE separation of these two mightie Armies was wonderfull without shot of Cannon Musket or Pistoll the like we can hardly finde in any Historie We see then here that when the foundation of mans actions is laid sure by vertue the building hardly can faile especially when we lay our chiefe dependance on God and our cause being good the lawfull meanes used as was done here by the Lyon of the North the Invincible King of Sweden in defence of Nurenberg the libertie of Dutch-land and freedome of Christs Gospell then I say the event must needs be answerable to the ground laid to wit the freedome of this Citie and the preservation of his Majesties Armie both which we see by this separation where the enemy had not the heart to pursue us having Gustavus and his Fortunes with us Notwithstanding of their powerfull and mightie Armie which the Papists themselves did set and estâ—â—me to be threescore thousand men being then of opinion that that Summer they were able to over-swimme the whole Empire and all their enemies yet with all their bragging they durst never present themselves in the Fields with one Cornet Colour or Regiment before Gustavus being terrified at his presence which did prove their valour was not correspondent to their power in Armes otherwise they had given us greater reason to have esteemed better of their Conduct so that wee see there is neither wisedome force or power of counsell that can prevaile against that cause the Lord defends and who can thinke those could prosper better who formerly pressed by their crueltie to have subverted the truth of Religion by banishing the Gospell and Ministers of it forcing Commons against Conscience either to forsake their Country and possessions or to renounce the truth they professed persecuting those that would not conforme themselves to their Devilish Traditions what wonder then those Generalls could not prosper against the truth or against him that tooke the defence both of truth and people against the Tyranny of the house of Austria and their cruell Generalls that were not onely cruell to their enemies but also to their servants and Souldiers whom they left bleeding behinde them in their Leaguer destitute of all comfort not so much as once to cause to dresse their wounds that they received honourably for their safeties Truly I dare be bold to say the Lord will not suffer the negligence and inhumane crueltie of such Commanders to be unpunished that left unchristianly those poore Souldiers which were bould to open their brests to receive wounds for the safetie of those that had no compassion on them in their extremities O crueltie of all cruelties when we see a valiant Souldier naked hungry or pined with his wounds bleeding for our sakes and then to leave them destitute of helpe to the mercy of their enemies especially when we are not compelled to leave them This fault of all faults in a Commander or Souldier in my minde is most unpardonable which is too common Therefore I conclude such persons to be unworthy Command that preferre any thing before the health of those who were willing to give their lives for the safetie of their Commanders Sith then we see that the greatest part of humane happinesse doth consist in vertue let him that would prove wise fix his eyes and minde to judge other mens actions to the end he may grow the more circumspect and prudent pressing to doe good by continuance of time if he but observe the varieties of chances incident unto all estates from the Crowne to the lowest Cottage in the end through their examples he may learne to better himselfe and become wise in his profession for a diligent servant to such a Master
Guards admonishing them to be carefull against out-falls on the Trenches Batteries or Guards giving orders to the Captaine of the Watches to receive the enemie falling out with a strong bâ—die of Pikes and Muskets closse together to beate them backe being received with Pikes charged bravely flancked and lined with shot which being done to advance their workes againe night and day till the enemy be forced to Accord In the night also a sufficient Sergeant being seconded by another stout fellow should creepe to the Graffe with two halfe-Pikes for to wade through to know the shallowest parts being helpt thereto by some knowne Boore who might give certaintie of the enemies strength within and of their defects they have of victualls Amunition fire or water As also to know their private sorting-Ports to watch their out-commings he ought also to learne what draw-bridges are within and what Portcullis and what store of victualls or Amunition is to be had within in case the Strength be pregnable that he may the better make his Accord Also he ought to learne what Artillery or Armes are within and what Caducks or what number of Horses pertaining to the enemie and what other riches they have and where kept or if otherwise the Towne be not taken by Accord or strength of hand we must strive to force it to yeeld by hunger or by lacke of fire or water or otherwise by throwing Artificiall fire amongst them with Cannon or with other fiery Engins fiering their houses or spoyling their Watches on their Posts or Guards as also we must deale by fraud to convey private Letters unto them for deboysing the Inhabitants to resist the Garrison in making either Port or Post good while as the pursuer intends to fall on on storme oâ— breach Likewise the pursuer had neede to dispose well of his owne watches without that he be not surprized his hooffe-watch particular watches reserves or by-watches are to be still in readinesse to attend the enemies out-falling lest he may cut off his Guards or spoyle his Cannon by nayling of them or by burning their Carriages or Amunition being disgracefull in the highest manner as oft-times hath hapned to unprovident and sluggish Commanders who have unwisely despised their enemies An enemy being in the Field either with a strong partie or Armie a sufficient Commander must be carefull in recognoscing the Field about him for taking his advantage of the ground in advancing to an enemie as also in spying his advantage in case he be put to a Retreat that he may the better retire in order not being put to rout as our Armie was at Nerling which never hapned unto them before during the time I served the Sweden As also being in the Field he ought to observe where most conveniently he can plant his Ordnance as Generall Tillie did at Leipsigh and as the Emperialists did on the Hill at Nurenberg as also at Nerling For Ordnance being planted with advantage is oft-times the winning of the Field and the losse of Artillery is ever reputed and holden for a defeate although both foote and horse be preserved There is also advantage of ground very requisit to be taken by foote against foote as the advantage of hights passages woods hedges ditches as also the advantage of Sunne and Winde with you and against your enemie which his Majestie of worthy memory did strive to get at Leipsigh against the Emperialists Likewise it is a great advantage of ground when one of both the Armies is brought to that inconvenience that they cannot come to fight but the one Armie may be forced to come up but by Divisions while as the other by advantage of the ground may receive them with full Battailes of horse and foote the one to second the other and this advantage Gustavus Horne did get of the Emperialists while as he retired before them unto Vertenberg-land in March 1633. the enemy not being able to pursue our Armie but with great disadvantage which freed us of them for that time he being stronger than we and afterward the Rhinegraves Forces come from Alsas being joyned with us we made the Emperialists againe retire over the Danube unto Schwaland at the passe of Munderken where we came within Cannon-shot yet they getting the passe retired in safetie as they did another time from us out of Schwabland unto Bierland having got the passe before us at Kempten and afterward over the Eler in Schwabland having I say got the passe before us they were safe and we frustrate So that the advantage of ground is of great importance in warres as I have often knowne by experience especially before the Hill at Nurenberg Likewise a wise Commander being defender must observe all Circumstances as he did in pursuing for his owne safetie he must also being defender beset well all passes and frontier Garrisons whereupon the enemie must passe to come unto him having timely recognosced the same that it may either be beset by him or otherwise being found more advantagious for the enemie it would then be timely demolished As also your enemies Armie or strong partie being drawne up in the field you are to recognosce both his strength and order by the sight of your eye before you intend to pursue him where you are to consider how he can advance to you or you to him without disorder but doe you never pursue except with advantage though you shall be deemed by others to be remisse but rather suffer him to be gone than to take the disadvantage of pursute since time will alter any thing and he that preserves an Armie will doubtlesse finde a convenient time to fight And it had beene good for the Evangelists in Dutchland that this point had beene more wisely lookt unto at Nerling than it was for they might have saved their Armie and Countrey both had they not presumed with disadvantage in their owne strength and courage where GOD the disposer of hearts made their pride suffer a great fall A short Observation to be observed in Garrison ENtering the place before all things you are to visit the Posts and being duely recognosced the round or circuit should be measured and then the Posts to be dealt proportionably according to the severall strengths that no man have just cause to complaine The posts then orderly and well beset there should be orders given for by-watch or reserve where to stand in readinesse whether on the Market-place or some other convenient part having sufficient Officers ever to command them who must be kept to strictnesse of dutie left they should be to seeke when honour were to be maintained while as on Alarum they were to repaire to poste street or wall to resist the enemie and to succourse the weaknesse of any accident might befall by pursute or fire or to resist enemies within or without being as well on continuall Guard against the Inhabitants in case of uproares or treacherie as against their outward enemies since no enemy is so