fortified and leaving 4000 Dutch there in Garrison rather to free himself from the fear of their numerousness then out of any need of keeping it garrisoned the Governour went with his Camp to St. Germano where the Garrison having withstood the battery a while yielded on the third day and the Duke having burnt Bianza for that having dared to resist him one of his best Commanders was slain before it he went to Vinarie a place which stands on the way as you go from Trino to St. Germano from whence he hindred the Enemy from Victuals without abandoning Crescentino or bereaving himself of that refuge and hoping that his men would be constant in defending St. Germano he hoped to make the Governour rise from before it for famine wherefore to incourage the defendants and let them know that he was come he tarried there and fired his Cannon but all in vain for at the same time that he came to the Vinarie St Germano surrendred where at the Duke was so grâ—…eved as he put the Governour thereof to death because he had yielded the Town to the Enemy having promised to hold it out much longer And yet the Governour keeping three days in St. Germano had such scaâ—…city of Victuals as even his chief Commanders were fain to feed upon dead horse flesh for the Duke keeping his station kept the Enemy from Provision and the Governour who detested fighting resolved not to move from thence But at last inforc'd by famine or for shame to see himself as it were besieged he left Antonio Mastrillo Caracciolo's Serjeant-major in St. Germano with 500 Foot and marched towards the Duke Castelmerlino stands between Crescentino and le Vinarie a very little towards which the Army marched out of a double end that they might without disturbance receive Victuals there from Trino and to keep the Duke from Victuals who being excluded Crescentino by the loss of that place would be brought into the same streights whereinto he had a little before brought the Enemy and therefore moved by his disadvantage he marched to give battel to avoid the which when the Duke saw the Enemy coming he marched towards the Abby of Lucidio thinking to get beforehand into Crescentino but he could not march so fast but that the Spanish Van fell upon his Reer notwithstanding which skirmish the Duke march'd on till being overtaken by the night he was forced to lodge that night in the said Abby and the Governour in some small Cottages not far off where the Souldiers being famish'd for want of Victuals at St. Germano suffer'd also very much by cold that night The next day the Duke not being able to march so early as he intended by reason of some hindrances and not having with him above ten or twelve thousand Foot and about 1200 Horse he pursued his way in this manner the Artillery and Ammunition was placed in the Van the Baggage in the middle on the left hand where there was more field-room the Horse on the right hand where it was more wooddy the French Foot Regiments led on by Chricchy and Orfe the Reer led on by Count Guido was mixt of Italians Piedmontans and Savoiards and it had in it the best Souldiers and most experienced Commanders of the whole Army and the Country through which they march'd being full of bushes Count Guido placed Musketeers in some of them to the end that they might keep the Enemy from hindering them in their march if these Muskâ—…teers should be assaulted they were to retreat to othâ—…r bushes which were on their backs and thus to continue the fight that they might hold the Enemy play as long as possibly they might When the Governour knew what way the Duke marched he resolved to pursue him and sending part of his Cavalry before with 1800 Foot en Croupe to assault him on the Reer he himself followed after with the rest of the Army those who march'd before had much ado to drive the defendants out of the bushes yet overcoming them at the last they got up to the Reer for the Dukes Van being come to some narrow pâ—…ssages kept the rest of the Army from advancing so as he could not get to Crescentino without disturbance as he hoped to have done The Reer being assaulted made their part good against the Enemy and defending themselves honourably for a while did not only resist them with advantage but repulst them the Battaglions of the Spanish Army were this meâ—…n while advanced led on by Gironymo Pimontello and Gironymo Rho who though they saw that their men who were beaten back by the Dukes Reer could hardly keep the field yet having no precise order and the Governour being two miles behind they proceeded to fight buâ—… slowly when Don Alphonso Pimontello the Embassadour Vives and Cavalier Melzi coming in and not being able to indure that their men should be beaten for want of help they incouraged the Captains of the Battaglions to fall on without expecting any other orders assuring them that the Governour would approve thereoâ—… by whose words and authority being inheartned the Battaglions charged furiously and routed the Dukes Reer who not able to withstand so fierce a shock gave back and at the same time Count Sults not expecting any orders assaulted the French Regiments with his Dutch furiously on the Flank whose fear the Duke foreseeing he was come himself unto them earnestly exhorting them to stand fast to keep their ranks and incouraging them to fight but words prevailed not where valour was wanting Cricchi's Regiment made some resistance but Castiglions Regiment which was led on by Orfe not daring to look the Enemy in the face much less to stand the fierce and close assault of the Dutch threw away their Arms shamefully before they came to blows and ran and if instead of pursuing them the Dutch had fallen on upon the main body of the Battel the Dukes Army had not been only discomfited that day but wholly routed This success had the Battel of Lucedio which lasted for the space of five hours wherein there fell not above 100 of the Kings men and about as many were wounded Of the Dukes party there was above 400 slain and above 1000 sorely hurt amongst which 15 Captains and one French Collonel The Governours men took eleven Foot Colours and three Horse Ensignes and many of those who fled were miserably slain by the Country people of Montferrat So as though there were not many that dy'd by the Sword in the Conflict there were but few that kept with their Colours or who retreated with the Duke into Crescentino whither the Duke being gotten he was very diligent in assembling them together who were dispers'd abroad and had abandoned him Nor did his ill fortune cease here for the Marquess of Mortara entering the Langhe with 2000 Dutch with Cavalier Pecchios's Brigade and with the Alessandrian and Tortonesse Horse and Foot took Canelli Cortemiglia Calosso and other neighbouring places there being none to
circumstances of the Country some few men were only sent to guard the Passes and to re-inforce some of the neighbouring Hills and news coming to Genoa that for certain the Duke would make himself master of Ottaggio before he would attempt Gavio as well for the Victuals which he was confident he should find there as that the enemies being driven out of those quarters might be no hindrance to the taking of Gavio they only staid expecting the next days light to give necessary orders and make requisite provisions only they argued that night whether if the Duke should advance they should do better to wait for him within the Town or meet him in the Field Camillo Cattaneo was for keeping within to defend the Town and Caracciola that they should go out but supposing that the Duke could neither have Cannon nor be prepared for an assault they thought they should have time enough to do what should be best so as it would be superfluous to talk thereof now hoping that time the proceeding of the Enemy and the next days light would counsel them what they had best do Ottaggio is great and populous situated at the foot of the Apenine towards Lombardy upon the left hand of a rivulet which falls from the Mountain and runs along the Plain on which the Town stands which is weak and almost open for the ancient walls are ruinated in many places on the top of it there stands a little Castle much decay'd by time and standing upon the high-wâ—…y which leads to Genoa it was rich and populous through the Merchandize and passage which went and came continually from Lombardy and the Genoâ—…ses thinking that it might be made very tenable by reason of the situation if it should be fortified they made many Trenches in several parts as well to defend the way as the neighbouring Mountain the chiefest were one made to defend a little Bridge called Frasso half a mile beyond the Town the other a long Trench which extending from the foot of the Mountain to the rivulet sheltred the Town and the whole Campagnia on the front by these Works they thought they might be able long to withstand the oppugning of Ottaggio and keep the Enemy from entring by that way not considering on how many sides an Army may make its way The Duke who expected the speedy arrival of his Artillery resolved not to march that day so as the Commonwealths Captains might have had better conveniency to provide for defence but Monsieur Di San Anna being sent by the Duke with some Forces about break of day to discover the way and the first Fortications took the Fortifications of Frasso almost before he had discover'd them which were the first and were basely abandoned at the first appearance of the Enemy he sent forth with to acquaint the Duke with this his happy beginning the Duke was in doubt whether he should keep behind with all or with part of his men or make them retire from the place he had taken and whilst he knew not what to resolve upon he might hear a Skirmish which had hapned between his men and 400 Foot which were sent from Ottaggio to recover the abandoned place he was advertised of what was done and was sent to for succour for that his men were in great danger so seeing himself ingaged contrary to the orders he had given he commanded his men to advance crying out aloud and with much confidence this is a day of Victory going forth with all his men into the Field and sending part of his people by the Hills beyond the water who should seem as if they went to assault that Town on the back he disposed his Cavalry a long the River and kept the rest on this side and went with a large Front to assault the Plain and the Hills which stood over them The Genoese Commanders betook themselves to defence with no less courage though with worse order and fortune for Caracciola's power prevailing they march'd into the Field and whilst the 400 Foot which went to recover Frasso entertain the Duke they ordered their men thus The Plain which lies between Ottaggio and Frasso is divided on the left side whereof which is under the Hills they disposed of the Foot wherein were comprehended Guasco's men who were come but very then weary and wet in the way that lies neerest the River they placed 80 Horse divided into four small Squadrons they sent some to re-inforce those that were to defend the Hills by which the Enemy might advance the mean while the Duke having not only defended and kept Frasso which St. Anna had taken but repuls'd the 400 Foot that went to recover it he pursued them though not without trouble and difficulty for they retreated slowly still resisting and fighting and continuing thus for some hours the Duke came at last within sight of the Plain of Ottaggio where he might see the Commonwealths Forces in order and prepared for defence and staying his march a while that he might form his Squadrons and give fitting orders he sent to assault them on all sides those who defended the Hills were the first that gave back who being pursued by much a greater number retreated towards the Plain whither being come they disordered their friends Files who being justled by their friends and assaulted by the Enemy which pursued their friends they could not resist and the 80 Horse which they had placed in another part wheeling about at the first appearance of the Enemies Horse without striking one stroke the flight and confusion grew greater every where then the fighting so every one endeavouring their safety by retiring towards the Town the Field was forsaken and Caracciola who fought there manfully with a Pike in his hand and Agostino Spinola were taken Prisoners great was the slaughter of the Genoeses especially at a Portcullies which they found shut for there being here a great press of those that pursued and those that were pursued and little or no resistance made the Dukes men had opportunity to kill many yet this slaughter was not without revenge for the Portcullies being beaten down and the Dukes men entring the Town were very hardly dealt withall not only by Musket-shot from the windows but by two Barrels of powder to which fire being seasonably set many of the Dukes Souldiers perish'd amongst which many of the chiefest both for Birth and Valour yet that first part of the Town was taken by the Duke who without giving any time of respite fell upon the main Town which was divided by a little rivulet from the Suburbs which were taken where also the falling on was not only great but also the resistance and the oppugners received most prejudice who remaining an open mark to the shot of the defendants for there were neither Trenches nor cover'd approaches they fought for the space of three hours the defendants playing upon them from the Windows and tops of Houses yet the oppugners increasing every moment
to oppose their proceedings but not succeeding herein the French failed not to continue the works which they had begun and brought them on to Morbengo and Trano the best Towns of the Valtoline the latter being seated on the right hand the other on the left of Adda And joyning with the Duke of Rohan who was already gotten to those Towns on the upper side they sent 400 Horse and 27 French Foot Colours into the Towns which lay lower towards the Lake striving to block up the Avenues to the Valtoline on that side and to keep out the Spaniards from whom they being then quartered in the Towns about Fort Fuentes they in vain endeavoured to secure themselves The French proceeded the better in their works for that Serbellone being then sick could not for many dayes oppose them so as necessarily Affairs proceeded but slowly on this side But greater and more speedy oppositions came from Germany which had they been so fortunate as they were valiantly brought on or had they not been defeated by Rohans better fortune they would assuredly have put an end to the woes that that Country suffered long under Seven thousand Foot sent by the Emperour under the Baron Fernamont who had woon much honour in the recovery of the great Fort Filsburg upon the Rheine met at Tyrvolo near the Confines of the Valtoline who falling down with them into the Vally of Munister he to succour himself on his back built a Fort above the Town Sancta Maria Then marching towards the Mountain Ombraglio that he might enter the Country of Bormio he was kept out by Rohan who had diligently prepossess'd the passes or Rohan hearing of great moving on that side and foreseeing the danger which might thence arise he feared and not withouâ—… reason that all his precedent actions would prove to no purpose unless he should secure himself well on this side Parting then from Morbegno he marched speedily to Bormio carrying many of his men with him and finding la Serra de Bagni which is the usual way to pass from Germany to the Valtoline sufficiently fortified and garrisoned he feared lest the Dutch not being able to enter by that way would come in by the lower way of Agnedina leaving therefore his men in Bormio he went with some few to Agnedina which is a part of Rhetia and by the assistance of those Inhabitants who are bitter Enemies to the Dutch he soon block'd up and munited those Passes and put the Agnedini in a defensive posture assuring them that he would still defend them with his Forces which lay not â—…ar off in Bormio in case they should be assaulted on that side This being done he returned to Bormio where taking fit order for all things he returned to Morbegno fearing that the Fortifications were not there well finished and that they might be assaulted by Serbellone but he cast his accounts amiss for Fernamont who having well munited the new Fort of S. Maria was passed over the Mountain Ombraglâ—…o seeming as if he would send men to assault the Bagni went to assault the Sconce Fraelle and having taken it he went from thence by unaccustomed ways and having the good luck to meet with excellent guides he came to a certain place where playing upon those that defended la Serra de Bagni on the Flank the defendants were forced to quit the Serra to the Dutch who much beyond either their own or their adversaries expectation became immediately masters thereof by which loss the French did not only abandon the Bagni but the Serra and the Town of Bormio and left the whole County at the disposal of the Dutch who in a short space march'd on victoriously even to Tirano in the midst of the Valtoline and Rohan judging it impossible to resist so great a fury abandon'd the Valtoline and fled with all his men from Morbegno to Chiavenna burning the Bridges of Adda to keep from being pursued by the Enemy But this his diligence was more then needed for Fernamont being come without any opposition to Tirano and understanding that Count Montosi was with a thousand Foot in the Valley of Lovigno which was on his left hand he feared that he might pass from thence to Bormio and block up the Gate of Germany which he had opened wherefore he forbore pursuing Rohan and turning upon Montosi came to Lovigno where he found all that Valley also abandoned for all the French which were with Montosi were retreated to the Mount in tops and passing from thence to Agnedina were come to joyn with Rohan who was come to the same Agnedina by the County of Chiavenna Thus far the affairs of the Valtoline went as well for the Austrians and as ill for the French as was possible and if Fernamont leaving Montosi had pursued his victory through the Valtoline or had gone to Riva 〈◊〉 Chiavenna or if Serbellone had advanced with his men to Tirano when the Dutch fell down to Bormio or had he advanced to Riva when the French began to flye doubtlesly they might have carried the whole business But though the necessity of securing the Pass of Bormio may excuse Serbellone's slow proceeding admits of no excuse Fernamont's second errour was greater he might have returned to the Valtoline when he found himself safe behind by Montosi's flight and joyning with Serbellone might have gone to Riva or Chiavenna which being almost abandoned he might easily have made himself Master of them entring into the Countrey of the Grisons by the Valley of Lovigno he might have encounter'd Rohan who in his flight past that way he might have fallen down upon Chiavenna by the Grisons Countrey and might have made himself Master thereof it being inclosed between his and Serbellone's Forces But not doing any of these things any of which if he had done he might have been sure of Victory he left his men in Lovigno and went privately to Tirvolo only to provide victuals for his Army that he might maintain them without incommodating the Countrey a resolution which though it was commendable for the piety thereof was to be blamed by reason of War for Rohan going to Coira and assembling the Inhabitants together he encouraged them the best he could to re-assume the business of the Valtoline which if it should fall into the hands of the Dutch they might despair of ever regaining it whereas he faithfully promised to restore it to them as soon as it should be recovered and said that he had Orders from the King so to do The Grisons abhorr'd that the Valtoline should fall into the hands of the Dutch wherefore they chose as the lesser evil to go immediately to the recovery thereof with those very French who but a little before had appeared so desirous to retain it for themselves they therefore joyned all their Forces with those of Rohan and fell down into the Valley of Lovigno and coming at unawares upon the Dutch before Sun-rising who looked for nothing less but were
fortifications before the resolution should be put in practice but because there was some difference in opinion between Aragon and Garrai about the manner how the succour should march towards the river and about choosing the place where the whole Army might be safely quartered as also where they were to put the Boats into the water which were to conveigh in the succour they were both of them ordered that taking along with them Colonel Frederick Imperiale Vincenzo Monsury and the Count Trotti they should go to discover the Country and choose out both the safest places having with them a Convoy of four troops of Horse they viewed all the parts thereabouts narrowly not without some opposition made by the enemy who met them with the like number of Horse so a Skirmish hapned between them with some advantage to the discoverers who effected what they went about they found a place neer a Chappel between Frascarvolo and the Poe as fit as might be for their purpose being far from the enemy munited before by a deep way and behind by a rivulet of cleer water which served not onely for a ditch and safety but for drink for the Camp and which was of more concernment the place was almost fortified of it self they found it a harder business to choose the other place for conveying the boats over by reason of the Fort which being first built to defend the head of the bridge belonging to Valenza towards Lomellina and which as hath been said was afterwards taken by Marquess Villa was still held by the enemy and commanding both the upper and the lower side kept them from all hopes of compassing their intents and the less for that though the retaking of that Fort was a thing not difficult of it self yet was it dangerous to put for for fear lest the attempting of it would draw all the Enemies Forces to defend it in which case they must either go thither with their whole Camp and come to a battle or not coming quit the business the one of which was contrary to the resolution they had taken the other of little honour and less advantage For their design being discovered by the attempt they would fortifie the bank better they therefore out of these respects left thinking of taking the Fort and therewith the discovery of the upper bank which lying between the Fort and the Piedmonteses quarters they could not well do and went to discover the lower side where they observed a place which being far enough off was out of the Forts reach and fit to bring relief So as they all approved it except Imperiale who said that the same distance which rendred that place free from being offended by the Fort made it also too far off for bringing relief since it answer'd not just upon the banks of Valenza but between Valenza and the Parma quarters so as the boats which should be put in there would be necessarily carried lower by the current of the River and falling towards the Parma quarters would not relieve the place besieged but the besiegers He therefore was for bringing succour by the bank above the Fort where the current would carry the boats to the very side of Valenza and that to keep them from being endangered by the Piedmonteses quarters the body of their Army should advance and by its interposition keep the succour from being offended But this was not then neither approved as being contrary to the resolution of avoiding being compelled to fight they therefore continued their choice in both these places and the Camp master General had notice given him thereof that he might advance with the Army The Army marched and being come to the place near the Chappel they made a flying squadron of 800 commanded foot of several Nations which being led by Marquess Torrecuso a Neapolitan was sent to Frasearvolo which was the nearest place to the Enemies quarters that lie might keep there and secure those who wrought upon the Trenches and that he might be ready to receive and withstand the first incounters The rest of the Camp staying at the Chappel there made up the body of an Army and immediately giving out Mattocks Pales and Spades fell to fortifie and perfected their works in one night and day and having brought thither the provisions which had been diligently provided by Senator Arias they stood expecting what the Enemy would do in this so great alteration of Affairs They were not long in comprehending that counsels and resolutions which are taken in common are better acted then discours'd of for the Marshal and Duke of Parma fearing Villa's quarter and that relief would undoubtedly be brought if they did not pass over the Poe went with the greatest and best part of their men to the Piedmont quarter where the Duke who was come but a little before from Verselli was and thinking it now time to fall to work they marched out in ranks into the field to assault the succouring Army they were about 4500 Foot who all obeyed the Duke of Savoy the General of the Colleagues they advanced on the left hand towards Frascarvolo having sent some Troops of Horse before and some Foot towards the right hand near Poe to hold those Forces in play and to oppose them which should come from the left wing of the Spanish Camp Torrecuso march'd out with his men from Frascarvolo against the Enemies Army when he saw it march toward him and putting his men into a squadron advanced with certain Files of Musketeers and posses'd himself of a great hedge which was before him Under the shelter whereof he very seasonably let fly a shower of Musket-shot against the Enemies van which approached whereat the Spaniards who were at dinner stood to their Arms and put themselves in a defensive posture The General was in his quarters which were between the Artllery and the body of the Army he ordered his Foot and Horse to draw out into ranks the Foot within the Trenches and the Horse at the place appointed for the Magazine and in this interim the skirmish grew hot between Torrecuso and the Enemies Camp The Generall wholly intent how Affairs should be governed in this onset and knowing Torrecuso wanted Horse commanded Don Alvaro Quinones Leiutenant General of the Neapolitan Horse to go speedily and receive or withstand him with three Troops of Horse which were then upon the guard and sent Don Iohn di Garrai first to him with a strength of Musketiers and some carts of Ammunition and afterward Don Martin of Aragon Quinones finding Torrecuso alreâ—…dy much ingaged kept in a place a little distant from the skirmish and Garrai with Aragon advancing re-inforc'd some stations which they held to be convenient to maintain the skirmish which when the General saw it grew greater then was thought it would have done and that Quinones stir'd not he sent Colonel Imperiale with two Troops of Horse to assist the fight with directions to tell Torrecuso that he should not ingage
made at him and he was saluted by some Dragoons but received no prejudice at all by them The night coming on the Spaniards thought that the Enemy had found such difficulties in the Plain as he would forbear attempting any thing and they thought themselves safe enough on the Hills side for the Reasons already said Wherefore thinking that the Enemy despairing of any good success would attempt nothing they consequently held themselves sure of Victory and applauding the Governour for his wisedom and military wariness they approved of his counsel who had chosen to sit still and overcome so they minded nothing but reciprocal congratulations But Harcourt not at all deterr'd by any difficulty he found on the Plain after some consultations thought to assault the French towards the Plain on three sides that very night a good part whereof being spent in consultations and in ordering their marches and one of the Guides bâ—…ing run away who was to have guided them to the furthest place where they intended to fall on at last when day began to clear up changing his resolution Harcourt resolved to try whether the natural difficulties of the Hills would not be more easily overcome then the oppositions upon the Plain he therefore made a Bridge be thrown over the Gattola about break of day in that Valley by which beginning his course he afterwards made his men pass over the Bridge before day thinking to make them ascend the opposite hill and there to re-attempt the enterprise which design being soon discover'd the Governour sent the Dragoons with some Foot Companies to desend that hill which the enemy strove to get up but the provision was but weak and in vain for Harcourt finding that he must either mount there or shamefully give over the enterprise advanced almost all his Forces against those Dragoons and succeeding therein drove them after a long dispute from the station which they had taken but a little before and being master thereof endeavoured to make twelve pieces of Cannon be drawn that way The Governour by the bad success of his men began to fear the worst and going from his quarter he commanded Don Mauricio to advance with half his Horse to defend a certain station beyond the line seated upon the hanging of a hill behind an Hermitage where 400 Musketiers were placed that he might oppose the enemy who was to ascend by that way and not suffer him to get any higher Harcourt when his Artillery was got up the hill made four batteries of them wherewith he began from Sun-rising to play upon the opposite Plain with much prejudice to the quarters which lay below and to the enemies Squadrons then leaving the Piedmontese Horse and Foot under Villa and Pianezza to the end that holding the enemy play there they might diver them from succouring the hill when the French should ascend he march'd by the climbing of the hill in this order il Signore della Motta Odencourt mounted on the left side with six Regiments of Horse and as many Foot together with some Troops of Dragoons Harcourt himself got up with the rest of the Foot on the right hand the rest of the Horse under the Vicount of Turin march'd up in the Rere they all got well up having not only overcome the difficulties of the situation which the Governour thought was not to be done but the opposition which was made at the Hermitage which was abandoned at the very first assault and then that of the Horse under Don Mauricio which were placed behind the Hermitage which not being back'd by any Musketiers after some resistance made was at last forced to retreat so Harcourt having overcome this impediment also pursued his march the more freely and got to above the Trenches The hills were but badly fortified for the line of circumvolution not arriving at the height thereof it was commanded by the part above it and the Work was made in such haste and disorder as both the line and the ditch which munited it were in many places overlooked by the ground that was without and there were but few defendants for the Governour as hath been said thought that part sufficiently secured by its situation but some of the chiefest Spanish Commanders thought that the enemy would not adventure an assault even from hence so much did they confide in their own Forces and made so little account of the enemy amongst which was Don Antonio Sarmiento one of no small authority but better at the Gown then Sword and yet he did not only meddle in giving Counsel but in issuing out Orders in the Camp and thinking that Harcourt durst not give an assault but that he endeavoured by feigned attempts to divert the Camp from that side by which he thought to steal in the succour he persisted so much in this opinion as he would not alter his mind though he saw Harcourt gotten to the top of the hill And seeing a certain lower part of the line subject to be damnified and not caring to defend it he sent the Souldiers that had the guard thereof into the field and placed them in an eminent part without the line thinking that defence might be better made there but he was mistaken and it proved to be of very bad consequence Harcourt being gotten to the top of the Hill and seeing his advantages and the disadvantages of the Enemy he began to hope well and that he should be Conquerour that day wherefore he cheerfully disposed of his men for an assault and he himself and Count de Plessis Pralin who commanded that station went to assault the upper part of the Trench who having chased away those who were placed by Sermiento to guard the more higher outward part they went to assault the upper part of the line hoping to have the like success there but it proved otherwise for two Brigades of veterane Spaniards who were long accustomed to War being set to defend that place the Assailants were thrice repuls'd but at the fourth assault which was more fierce then the former the Defendants were forced to yield and at the same time that part of the lower Trench which was unfurnish'd of Defendants by Sermiento as hath been said being assaulted by Turenna was easily broke through so as the line being thrown open in two parts the French like a swift Torrent which having broken down the bank doth overflow the fields burst in into the Spaniards quarters and at the same time Villa and Pianezza did not onely assist by way of diversion in the plain as they were ordered but valiantly advancing they also broke into the Trench in the plain which was much better munited then that upon the hill a Fort munited with a good ditch stood opposite to them which without any defence made was taken by the Foot So as they having forc'd the line below at the same time that the other had broken into that upon the hill they entred the line and speedily making a Bridge with materials
in Moncalleri The Prince had order from Cesar to threaten him with an Imperial Bando or an Edict of the Emperour against him unless he should instantly restore the places he had taken and forbear further offending Montferrat with Arms which was a State held in fee-Farm from the Empire but the Prince not thinking it a seasonable time to exasperate the Duke mitigating his Embassie and turning the Threat into Exhortations perswaded him to pursue his pretentions by Law and not by Arms. It was sore for the Duke to interrupt this so fortunate way which he was in and to withdraw when he was almost possess'd of Victory He therefore bethought himself to take occasion by this present stop of justifying his Cause and not refraining his proceedings to propose such Articles as not being likely to be accepted by his Adversary might necessiâ—…ate him to declare a difference in the King of Spain and might consequently win himself more favour from that Crown His Answer was That he was ready to desist from the Enterprise and referring the whole difference to Cesar and the King that he would deposite the Towns of Montferrat into their hands which was no more then to put them absolutely into the hands of the King and of his State-Ministers of whom Ferdinando was jealous for the aforesaid Reasons which jealousie was increased in him by this his Adversaries so great confidence For Cesar having no Forces in Italy would not in likelihood make any use of the trust imposed in him but by way of colour And yet the Prince of Castiglione who was not diffident of the Court of Spain as the Duke was was not displeased with the proposal especially as the present condition of affairs stood He therefore went for Mantua believing certainly to perswade the Duke thereunto but he found himself absolutely averse were it either out of the aforesaid Reasons or for that Cesar had by Letters exhorted him not to admit of any middle way without being first fully possessed of all things or that he began to be of better hopes finding that he was favoured by the Venetians and great Duke and that he began to find the King of France well inclined towards him In this Interim Montcalvo was surrendered to Count Guido who had plaâ—…d upon it with Artillery and made many assaults upon it in so much as those within finding themselves void of all defence did at the first Article to surrender if they were not relieved within three days And the Governour of Cassalle having in vain desired but only one thousand Foot from the Governour of Millain to put thereinto it would without all doubt have fallen into the Dukes hands within the time prefix'd had not the Cavalier Ottavio Valperga d'Conti di Rivara who came out of Pontestura with 500 of his men got safe into the Castle where leaving men and Ammunition he went out again the next night and passing through the Enemy with more prejudice to them then to his own men he returned to fâ—…om whence he went the day before This Relief did for a while delay but did not totally hinder the Surrender for Count Guido shut up all the avenues to the Castle by a continued Trench and making some Mines underneath the Bulwarks and beating down the Parapets he brought the Enemy to utmost despair who not being able to keep any longer upon the Walls and seeing no hopes of succour surrendeâ—…ed fifteen days after the beginning of the Siege Montcalvo being taken there did not any thing remain in the Duke of Mantua's obedâ—…ence in the upper Montferrat but Cassalle and Pontestura and what the Garisons of those places could defend Pontestura was not strong of it self but standing upon the Poe and very fit for the Enterprise of Cassalle it had been somewhat fortified at the begining of these Commotions and furnished with a reasonable Garison which Garison the Duke of Savoy intending peradventure to advance Cassalle summoned upon pain of life to surrender within a short time Prince Vicenzo was at this time in Cassalle with his Mantuans and the Duke of Nevers was there also but fearing lest they should leave the City unprovided or distrusting the valour of their men if in their going to succour Pontestura they should light upon the Dukes men who were incouraged by such success they would not send to assist it as was necessary they should have done but thought it better to secure Cassalle which was the chief place of the whole State and not to hazzard those men which were the prime forces that the Duke of Mantua could assemble at that time But on the other side the loss being too great which would be had if Pontestura should not be succoured they got leave of the Governour of Millain that some Companies of Spanish Foot should enâ—…er thereinto with the Kings Colours in reverence whereunto the Duke â—…orbore the Siege And thinking that to attempt Cassalle would be a weighty business and too great for his Forces especially since he had disposed of the most of his men in the Garisons of the Towns which he had already taken Therefore altering his resolution he turned to the lower Montferrat where the Country about Acqui had not as yet been touched by his Forces There was but two Towns therein which could dispute the whole Dominion thereof with him Nice and San Damiano for the City of Acqui was not able to make any long resistance and the other Castle of Ponzone which lay towards the Sea served rather to guard the Pasâ—… then to defend the Country And as for San Damiano though it was strongly situated and munited with Artillery and an extraordinary Garison yet being divided from Montferrat and invironed by the Territories of Montferrat it was not sufficient of its self to hinder his advancing The Duke was therefore content to annoy it with only a few Souldiers and some Pieces of Artillery not doubting but that when he should have possess'd himself of the other parts thereabouts it would fall into his hands He therefore went with all his Forces to the expugning of Nice as that which being placed upon the Frontiers of his Dominions hindered him from making himself Master of the parts about Acqui and of all the neighbouring Country This is a Town great enough situated in a Plain abounding in Victuals and capable of a great Garison The figure thereof is like a broken Pyramide by the side whereof a small River called Nizza runs on one side and on the other side the River Belbo somewhat greater which serve her for a great Ditch and these waters mingling together a little forwarder they finish the imperfect Pyramid of the said Town The Walls are very old and weak and as those of the antient form for the most part without Flanks or Bulwarks only on the point which looks towards Alessandria there is a Castle with some Towers but much ruinated by time The Basis which looks towards Piedmont is of a large extent
but by assaulting Finale or the River of Genoa he would have freed his own State for that year from the war wherewith it was threatned and would have forced the Governour to have made either his own Country or that of the friends and Confederates of the Crown the Seat of war He was therefore admired and exalted even to the Stars for his Courage Counsel and Conduct for that when he seemed to be placed in an abyss of ruine having such great forces ordained against him and being so sorely threatened he rose up more couragiously and with greater vigour and had reduced the affairs of so potent an enemy into so difficult and dangerous a condition and particularly those of Mortara who presuming more then any other Spanish Commander whatsoever hath several times vaunted and particularly in a Letter which he writ at his parting from Alessandria to Don Carlo Doria at Genoa that he was gone to take the Duke Prisoner But fortune which doth usually disturb well-weighed designs looked not with a favourable aspect upon this the Dukes enterprise for the greater Guns tarrying behind by reason of the Dukes speedy march towards Bistagno and his being hindered by the cragginess of the ways and the deepness thereof he lost his design so as not being able to do any thing of moment with only two small pieces especially by reason of the sacks full of earth and straw which the Defendants hung out upon ropes Mortara had leasure to hold him play till succour came which the Duke fearing and yet being resolved to do his utmost he came to the wall with Spade and Pick-Ax to throw it down and attempted in the dark of night to make a furious assault he at the same time made the Pyoneers approach and put for the ultimate tryal of his and the enemies fortune but the Defendants being incouraged by seeing how little effect the Dukes Artillery did resisted stoutly here also For having notice of the Dukes intention they were very vigilant in making defence and did so clear the darkness with Faggots and Granadoes which they threw into the Ditch as they might see to hit those that approach'd the walls and so rendered this the Dukes indeavour vain as they had done the rest This mean while the Governour of Millain hearing at Pavia what danger Mortara was in though there was no good intelligence held between them because Mortara was wont to detract from his actions and as if he understood the mystery of the Militia better then the Governour pretended to teach him how to fight and because his much importunity had made the Governour give way to this his going out yet howsoever preferring the publick good and the Kings Service before any private enmity he resolved speedily to relieve him and the other Commanders who were in the like danger He therefore marched with between four and five thousand Foot and some Troops of Horse which he had near at hand and having sent strict Orders to all Capâ—…ains and Camp-masters to follow him with their men he marched with incredible speed towards Bistagno and being come within three miles of it on the second day in Easter-week he lay all that night in Terzo The Duke the next morning after which was the fourth day after his arrival hearing of the coming of so strong a succour began to dis-lodge and leaving 2500 Foot and the Horse on the Plain he sent the rest of his men with the Artillery towards the Hill The Horse and Foot which were left on the plain followed afterwards by the same way leaving much Ammunition in their Quarters Arms and many sick Souldiers who were unfit to march besides 1000 which were slain in the assaults and actions He departed unmolested for Mortara being more afraid then was needful would not suffer his men to go out and the Governour did not follow him but coming into Bistagno almost at the same instant that the Duke removed away and having heard Mass advised with his Counsel what was to be done upon the present occasion some of the Captains alledged the disturbance by rain the narrowness of the ways and the difficult passes which were fit for Ambuscadoes and wherein they not being able to make use of all their men the enemy might with a few men resist a much greater number others alledged the weariness of their own Souldiers and some hours being past before the Consultation wherefore they thought the Enemy was so far advanced as it was impossible to overtake them it was resolved the Governour himself being of the same opinion that they should not follow the flying Enemy a resolution whereby the glory due unto him for so speedy and seasonable a succour whereupon the welfare of so many well deserving Commanders did depend was turned to as much shame and dishonour for he was not only much blamed for letting slip so rare an occasion of victory but was worse spoke of the manner and circumstances of the present action being considered some spoke against the way he took by Acqui being the further about and worse then that of Nice which was both the nâ—…erer and would also have been a hindrance to the Duke in his retreat others added that to make the Dukes retreat the more easie he had forbidden Don Alphonso d' Avalos to advance who was Governour of Montferrat and who marching from Cassalle with 3000 Montferrian Foot and 300 Horse had sent some of his men to the Castle Palafea which being a place upon the way was very opportune to have detained the Duke and hindred his retreat so as when the Spaniards should have been come upon him and he consequently taken in the midst he must of necessity have been defeated Others argued some secret Intelligence held between them by the Governours lying all night in Terzo so neer the Enemy when the besieged were in so great danger Nor were there those wanting who said they had seen Messengers pass and repass between the two Camps and thereby as also by other counter-signs argued that the Dukes retreat was secured to him Howsoever it is most certain the Duke must have received a great blow had he been quickly pursued without so much counsel and such affected delays for his men were in very bad condition by reason of their sufferings and the hunger they had undergone before Bistagno and fearing to be assaulted threw away their Arms and fled in disorder and on the contrary the Duke had that very morning within three miles space 14000 Foot and 1500 Horse those of the Langhe being comprehended men who in respect of the Enemy were fresh and who had rested most part of that night For Cordova Gamboloita and other Commanders appeared immediately from the Langhe with all the people of those parts as also Iovan Bravo Carlo Spinelli and Iovan Pietro Serbelloni appeared that very morning from the State of Millain with their Brigades to boot with those of the Country Bistagno being freed the Governour without looking
Garrison the Duke for the better security thereof chose out about a thousand of his best Musketiers and sent them under the command of Captain Odone Rovero of Asti and Monsieur d' Arlo a French man men of great courage and experience to possess themselves of and to fortifie a certain Hill which stood between the Castle and Bravo's Quarters but the Prince going with 4000 Foot two Troops of Light Horse and some Artillery to take in the Hill after a long dispute wherein Arlo Rovero and many of the Dukes chiefest Souldiers were slain got it at last by stout fighting for all that the Duke sent a great relief unto them by Count Guido from whence turning immediately to the expugning of Castiglione whether the Souldiers who escaped from the defence of the Hill fled he likewise easily took it for the Governour to the end that he by division might the more easily obtain the Hill having at the same time sent Don Alonso Pimontello to fall upon the Trenches towards the Tannaro which were defended by Prince Thomaso the Duke thinking that he had sufficiently provided for the defence of the Hillocks by those that he had sent thither under Rovero and Arlo went with the body of his Army to assist his Son so as not being able time enough to relieve Castiglione the Garrison of that Castle astonished at Prince Ascoli's great valour and through the fearful relations ' which were made by the Souldiers who were fled thither basely surrendred it when the battery was scarcely begun 500 Souldiers march'd out who were graciously sent by the Prince to the Duke not without the murmurs of the Spanish Army who by this acquisition remained absolute Masters of the Colline The Duke not being able to keep any longer upon the banks of the River those stations being lost quitted his Quarters and retired quietly unmolested to the City for the Governour keeping the Army back contrary to the opinion of many of the Captains expresly forbad Pimentello to advance who already moved with the Cavalry to fall upon his Rere being satisfied with taking the Hills and with having made the Duke forsake his Trenches he past with his Army beyond Versa where he tarryed three days to fortifie la Croce Bianca and some other places thereabouts This mean while those of Tuscany Urbane and Lucca came to the Camp and the Tuscans were sent to Sandoval that according to agreement with the great Duke they might be imployed only in defence of the State of Millain and the rest tarryed in the Camp With the addition of these and of other Souldiers who came to the Camp the Army was increased to the number of 30000 Foot and 3200 Horse 400 whereof were sent to St. Damiano a Town in Montferrat which stands on the back of Asti to keep back the victuals and munition which came from Piedmont The Captains of the Army consulted how they should assault the Duke and expugne the City and it was resolved to attempt it by the Hills near unto it as from a higher and more convenient place whereby they promised themselves the shorter and more easie success for that contrary to the opinion of all men they were neither garrisoned by the Duke nor fortified by Trenches though the slow Proceedings of the Enemies Army had afforded him sufficient conveniency to do it and the present occasion did necessarily require it Therefore the Governour leaving Zerbellone with his Brigade to guard the Fortifications made about Versa march'd with his Army in three distinct battaglions towards the Hills Don Piedro Sarmiento led on the first which was the Van composed of four brigades of Foot two Spanish two Neapolitans whereof the one was that commanded by Sarmiento the other by Don Ieronimo Pimontello the one under Thomaso Carecciolo and the other under Carlo Spinelli After this went the second battaglion led on by Giovan Bravo wherein was his own Brigade and the other two of Cordova and Gambaloita with some Troops of Horse according as the scituation would permit Between the one and the other of these were some Artillery brought and some carriages of Ammunition in the reere the two Brigades of Ieronimo Rho and of Cavalier Peccio followed with those of Urbane Parma and Lucca the first commanded by Count Horatio Carpegna the second by Don Francesco Farnese and the last by Francisco Cenami The Horse shelter'd as formerly the left wing of the Foot the baggage came last and a numerous Train of Artillery with the wonted Guard In this order did the Army march early in the morning in a thick mist which would neither suffer them to discern the Hills nor the Sentinels which were placed there to discover them The Duke having notice at last by his Scouts of the Enemies March and finding that they went towards the Hills he though too late was aware of the importancy of that station wherefore issuing immediately with all his men out of the City he went to pre-possess himself thereof which by reason of their nearness having easily done since he had not more sâ—…asonably fortified them he endeavour'd at least to arm them and furnish them so with Souldiers as the Enemy should not be Masters of them without much prejudice and effusion of blood He therefore having a mind to give battle placed six or seven thousand French on the least Hill and on that which was farthest off and talking to them on foot he encouraged them to fight proposing unto them the advantage of the scituation the valour of their Nation their hatred to the Spaniards the glory and great rewards of Victory and they being come for the most part rather to pillage then to fight it is said that pointing with his hand unto the Enemies Troops he should say to them give you me those Ranks disordered and I will give you the State of Millain and all Italy in prey to your valour and worth For all the Arms all the Forces that the Spaniards can put together being assembled in this Camp with what other people with what other Armies can they oppose you with what Arms with what Commanders can they bereave you of the reward and fruit of Victory Then seeming as if he were called away elsewhere he excused himself for not tarrying longer with them But seeming as if he did totally confide in their worth he told them that his presence was more requisite elsewhere then going from them he disposed 5000 Swissers on the Hill called Certosa where he also placed five pieces of Artillery with which scouring the Plain he also light upon the Enemies Squadrons and made way for the Horse partly on the side of the Foot partly in the Valley between the two Hills The Governour was advanced verily believing that the Duke would not stir out of the City and seeing him beyond all expectation encamp'd upon the Hills and prepared for fight he gave order for giving battle being thereunto much egg'd on by the entreaties of his men and by
not inhibit them nor punish them for it and would not only assault and make war upon that Country from whence their prejudice came but also upon that part of Friuli which belonged unto the Archduke thinking that the only way to provide a salve for this sore was to molest the patrimonial Territories of that Prince They therefore ordered Pompeo Giustiniano to goe into Friull with six companies of paid Foot which were destined for Candia and he carried thither also many other Souldiers most of them of the meaner sort of those parts and making the rendezvouz at Palma and Udine he commanded them to go against the Archdukes Country Francisco Erizzo govern'd Palma and the Militia of that Province but Giustiniano was to govern the war Having assembled together about 1200 Horse and some seven or eight thousand Foot he at unawares entred Friuli and possessing himself at the very first of many of the open Towns he also took and fortified Medea Meriano Chiopris Romanso Cormonso and Vilesso the chiefest Towns belonging to the Archduke and distributed his men therein At the same time the Territory of Monfalcone took up Arms and the Common-wealths Souldiers took Sagra one of the Archdukes Castles on the other side of the River over against Gradisca and munited it to defend the Country from the troubles it might receive from Gradisca The War being thus begun against the Archduke and footing being got in the Archdukes Country the Captains in the Camp and the Senators in Venice began to aspire unto greater things The two chief Towns and of most consideration were Goritia and Gradisea the former which is as it were the Metropolis of the Archdukes Country on this side of the Mountains is situated beyond LIsonzo at the foot of the Alpes which was by the Antients called Giulie very strongly situated and defended by a Castle hard to become at The other lies lower towards Palma and Udine upon the right hand of the Lisonzo which washing the walls thereof on the East side serves it for a Rampier and it is secured on the other three sides by large and deep ditches The passage over the River made against the expugning of the former as also the danger that the Souldiery being too far entred into the enemies Country they might be molested and peradventure much prejudiced if Gradisca should remain behind them on their backs in the enemies hands and the expugning of the other was withstood by her Fort and by her being easily relieved by the succour which might easily be convâ—…yed to her every day by the neighbouring River from Goritia especâ—…ally the Archdukes men being incamped as they were on the left shore Between these two lay the third less difficult enâ—…erprise of Lucino a great Town on this side of Lisonzo in the mid'st between Goritia and Gradisca near the stone-Bridge which leads to Goritia neither so strong nor so easily to be succour'd as Gradisca as lying somewhat farther from the River and not so far within the Archdukes Country as Goritia Commissary Erizzo resolved therefore to attempt it and sent Giustiniano thither with some men who took it and sack'd it meeting with no resistance and quit it the same day as not thinking it a safe place to â—…arry in but nothing was so great a hinderance to the Venetians nor did so much detain their resolutions as the want of experience discipline and valour in their men the greater part whereof being unorderly who being by force taken by the Magistrates from their houses and imployments kept the Campagnia unwillingly and did unwillingly serve in those exercises whereunto they were not bred up nor accustomed nor led unto by their genius So as their Captains not being able to rely upon them they were not only kept from attempting new enterprises but from bringing them into the field or imploying them in any Action The whole Arch-Dukes Country being therefore by reason of these Commotions up in arms and Adamo Baron of Trautmistorfe being sent from Germany into Friuly who was General of Croatia and Captain of the Emperours Guard and who though but young yet of try'd valour was made the chief in this war by the Arch-Duke with Title of Captain-General He had also brought along with him between two and three thousand Veteran Souldiers long trained up in the wars in Hungary and Garisonizing such places as were fittest to hinder the enemies progress he often-times scoured the Campagnia assaulting to some purpose the Venetians Stations and men who not being able to stand before the Dutch were sometimes shrewdly beaten Therefore the Common-wealths Commanders were forc'd to keep themselves within their Works till they were furnished with better Souldiers True it is that Daniel Francol coming out of Gradisca with some few Horse was taken in an Ambush that was laid for him and with some 30 of his men was slain by some Troops of the Albanesses and Ferdinando Scotto who had the custody of the County of Monfalcone routed some of the Archdukes forces who were come to plunder and infest that Country and made them retreat into Goritia But the Common-wealth which entered into this war with more servour then preparation began to meet with many great difficulties for having in all former times made use of paid-men in their Militia as being more useful and less suspitious to that Government they had made less esteem of their natural subjects and according to the condition of those ages when the Militia of Italy served any Prince under famous Commanders she as being richer and abounding more in monies then any other Prince had better conveniency of furnishing her self with the valiantest Souldâ—…ers and most experienced Commanders by whose means and valour she made notable atchievements and signal progress on Terra ferma augmenting her State and bringing it to that Grandezza which now she injoys But now the condition of times being changed the Italian Militia being reduced under the command of their natural Princes and Forreigners depending in a great part upon the King of Spain and House of Austria the Common-wealth found her self to be at the same time deprived of her natural forces and totally unfurnished of Forreigners Wherefore indeavouring to get Souldiers and Commanders she found not so much difficulty in getting them from amongst Italian Princes from the Switzers and Grisons as to get passage for those that came to serve her out of France and the Low-Countries the former not being willing to disfurnish themselves of their best Souldiers in so turbulent times and the others being loth to deprive themselves of the Commerce of the State of Millain so necessary for theiâ—… maintenance and none of them being greatly desirous to offend the House of Austria upon which they in divers respects have antienâ—… dependence and noâ—… to incense the King of Spain who they knew would favour the House of Austria Nor could she hope for any assistance from â—…omama or 〈◊〉 Ancona from whence the Venetians had wont to be
furnish'd with so many Foot and Commanderâ—… as did supply their ordinary Garrisons as well in their Forts in the Levant and in Dalmatia aâ—… on Tâ—…ra forma for the Pope professing to be outwardly a Neuâ—…er in all these Occurrences but being in effect very much unsatisfied with the Venetianâ—… by reason of the great disgusts between him and them in the beginning of his Popedom he was more fevere then any other Prince in prohibiting his subjects to assist them Wherefore the Duke of â—…arma were it either in respect of the Popes Orders of whom he held in â—…ee or out of the near interests and intelligence which he held with the Crown of Spain being offendâ—…d with his Son Don Ottaviâ—… whom he loved dearly though he was illegitimate condemned him to perpetual imprisonment for his forwardness to serve the Venetians The Duke of Modena shewed little less anger against his second Son Luigi whom he banish'd for going to serve the Venetians against the Dominions which were under the 〈◊〉 Empire whereof he was a Feudatory And the Duke of Urbiâ—… who had formerly received great pay from the Common-wealth for being their Captain General upon occasion of war as his Ancestors had been having of late years found some difference in geting his stipend the Common-wealth growing weaty of that continual charge now that they believed well in the peace of Italy had some years beâ—…ore sided with the Crown of Spain from whence he received better and readier day so as they could not build upon him in their present â—…ed In this great difficulty and streights of men and mony the Common-wealth was forced to call in her Feudatoris and all other her subjects who were in service under any other Princes and to pardon all their Banditti though for whatsoever heâ—…nous offence but that which seemed more uneasie and of greater importance these Provisions being very scarce and far short of the present occasions they placed the Traâ—…ed-Bands of their Country in their Garrisons in Terra forma towards the Sâ—…ate of Millain and drew out the best Souldiers fâ—…om thence to make use of them in the Camp to the no little wonder of all that knew that that Commonwealth which was formerly wont to be careful in Arming their Confine upon the State of Millain whensoever they â—…ard the least news of Arms in that State and to recruit those very Garrisons with Forreigners and to provide so well for tâ—…at part of their 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 it had been undoubtedly to be assaulted should now 〈◊〉 â—…ey knew there was an Army on foot in the State of Millain and tâ—…at 〈◊〉 Spaâ—…ards threatned â—…o interest themselves in that war on the Arcâ—…dukes behalf unfurnish that Frontier of their best Souldiers and should trust tâ—…e defence of those places of such importance in the hands of their Country Milâ—…a or Trained-Bands which were unexperienced in war Next all this not being sufficient to serve their needs they betook themselves to Albania Morea and to Braccio di Maino seeking to get from thence at great rates as many men as possibly they could And for their last refuge these not sufficing they were at a very great charge in taking a Regiment of 4000 Hollanders into pay who were to be brought by shipping to Venice which provisions being couragiously ordered and executed with no less expence and even to the end of that war constantly and by general consent increased though they witnessed the unanimity of their minds and the readiness of that Government to uphold the publick dignity and enterprises resolved upon by publick Authority yet so great a scarcity of Souldiers did not only prejudice the conceived reputation of the Venetian power being so necessitated at the beginning of the war to borrow mony of Forreigners and not finding much that way to ingage her self to her own Citizens in little more then one year for above a Million of monies did not a little lessen the opinion which was commonly held of their publick Treasure which was held to be the richest of all Italian Princes though to preserve their credit they gave out that they would rather spare the publick monies even at the greatest need and at the present take up at interest from private men then by wasting it when they might make use of other mens monies be forced afterwards to depend upon the will of others which though it was not then believed was afterwards proved to be true by the event For the Common-wealth having had many occasions of vast expences in this war yet she contrary to the opinion of all men found means to supply all the necessities which came upon her with the publick monies wherein she was never found to withdraw from not only what was necessary but from what was useful or fitting for any whatsoever difficulties or want of ready monies and it was affirmed by those who were well experienced in their affairs that the Common-wealth upon this occasion spent above 14 Millions of Duckets True it is that their Taxes and Impositions were very great throughout the whole State which grew thereby much indebted and that all that not sufficing the whirepool of war they ran her in debt afterwards for more then eight Millions These were the preparations for the war of Friuli but not being able otherwise to provide against the danger of the Spanish forces upon the confines of Millain they did it by making a 〈◊〉 League with the Duke of Savoy who standing more in need of mony then of men to boot with many provisions which they furnished them withal they lent him great sums of mony to the end that persisting still in his pretention of not laying down Arms he might inforce the Governour to disarm or that if he would not disarm they might keep him so imploy'd as he should not be well able to assault theâ—…r Confines They also caused monies to be paid to the Marquess of Castiglione in France to bring him in to assist the Duke in Piedmont with 4000 Foot and 4â—…0 Horse though because the execution of the Treaty at Asti was not totally off the hooks it was noised abroad that Castiglions French men were raised to assist the Venetians not the Duke of Savoy And though these provisions by reason of delay could not ease the present need of the Camp for it was said that powerful aids were preparing in Germany by the Germane Princes to assist the Archduke yet the Common-wealths Army being somewhat increased the Senate that it might not lye idle but that it might attempt somewhat worthy of the Forces and honour of Venice ordered it to go and expugne Gradisca This place was governed by Count Richard Strasoldo and by him fortified and though Captain Iohn Peirino a Walloon was entered thereinto with 300 Curassiers and Dragoons as soon as the enemy drew near it General Trautmistorft entered by the River with about 1200 Musqueteers and having incouraged the Souldiers and Citizens with promises of daily succour he
The Duke finding himself to have with these Recruits and with those that were come out of Vercelles about 20000 Foot and between 3 and 4000 Horse was once more become Master of the Field And on the contrary the Governour having consumed many men first in the besieging and then in the Garrisoning of Vercelles and having quartered the rest of his Army which was much lessened in several places far from the Confines of Piedmont he was once more exposed to tâ—…e Dukes injuries who after Vercelles was lost was become more powerful then he and who being desirous to re gain if not Vercelles at least his Reputation for the loss thereof and to revenge himself for the losses and affronts which he had received had now opportunity to do it not only by the increase of his own Forces and by the Governours negligence but he had also many about him who incited him thereunto though he needed no inciters For the Commanders who were come from France being desirous of Novelties to allay the reputation of the Spanish forces and to make the Duke an amends for the losses he had suffered by their so long delay approved of his distrust as just and reasonable and said They would never go out of Iâ—…aly till they should see the Duke repossess'd of Vercelles The Popes Nuntio and the French Embassadour going to Allessandria to treat with the Govâ—…rnour desired him that he would either restore Vercelles or deposite it into the Popes hands or into those of the King of France or into the hands of some other Prince that he might confide in whilst the Duke should really disarm and should observe the whole remainder of the Treaty of Peace But the Governours distrust was no less who thinking that the Duke had not the first time proceeded siâ—…cerely in point of disarming thought he might justly doubt he would much less do it when Vercelles should be restored So as he would not depend therein upon the wills of others nor thought he that it suited with his own reputation nor with the dignity of the Kings Forces not to reap any good by the so much labour and so much monies spent in the taking of that City and he likewise was loth to hazzard it lest when the Duke should have regained Vercelles and being so well provided of Forces he might aspire after greater things but then considering how strong the Duke was grown by his new Recruits and that other Souldiers were marching to side with him on this side the Mountains he did not openly refuse to consent to the propounded propositions but pretending sometime to advise with his Councel sometimes that since there was question touching the alteration of the Articles of Asti by which disarming was to precede â—…estitution the Nuntio nor Embassadour had no power from their Princes to alter them he was ambiguous in his answers that he might delay the conclusion as much as he might thinking by this ambiguity and irresolution to make the Duke suspend his intentions as well as his Forces which being collectitious and made up of many Nations it was probable they would crumble away especially since the Duke had not monies any ways sufficient to pay them Whereas on the contrary his men being refreshed and lately increased in numbers he hoped to have the better Wherefore seeing the Duke so strong he had already given order for making new Levies of men in several parts and sent for a great part of his Army into Alessandria and the parts thereabouts But the Duke and the French more then he finding by these tergiversations and windings about but small inclination in the Governour to part with Vercelles they did distrust him the more and therefore being unwilling to be â—…ed with vain hopes or to wait till the Governours Forces being augmented he might treat of agreement upon advantage and as having the upper hand might prescribe them Laws in the making of peace being moreover desirous not to return to France without leaving some memory of their actions in Italy they instigated and encouraged the Duke who was desirous of revenge and to revenge himself for what he had lost to assault some Towns in the State of Millain Which opinion as many thought wrought upon the French Embassadour upon whose Authority the Forces of that Nation and their Actions did depend and this general opinion was grounded not only upon the eager inclination of so many Commanders of his Nation who were continually by him for leave to assault some of the King of Spains Towns but also upon his not being satisfied with the Proceedings he met with in Alessandria concerning composure of differences Count Guido his re-admittance which was constantly denied by the Duke of Mantua was also no little hinderance to the businesses of Italy The Duke being therefore resolved to make use of the present occasions went from Asti upon the coming on of night with his two Sons Victorio and Thomaso upon pretence that the Governour by his recalling of his men from Alessandria threatned to assault that Town and he carried along with him about 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse the Mâ—…rshalled on the Van with whom was Monsieur di Termes and upon break of day they came to Filizzano a great Town belonging to the King but open and without walls where about 1500 Trentinians were quartered who refusing upon any whatsoever condition to surrender the Town Prince Victorio and Prince Thomaso came up with the main body of the Battle and gave an assault wherein it was bravely fought on both sides the Assailants were thrice repuls'd but at last those within having no way to defend themselves but by setting their Carts and Carriages cross the way they were overcome at the fourth assault and all of them put to the Sword together with many of the Town of all sexes and ages some few whereof were taken Prisoners and the Town together with nine Colours of the Trentinians and two Colours of the Townsmen fell into the Dukes power Refrancore was surrendeâ—…ed to Count Guido by the Garrison which were 100 Swissers who as being Confederates with the Duke were sent home unprejudiced Ribaldone also and some other Towns beyond the Tannaro being terrified at what had befallen Filizzano surrendered whereby Nizza Acqui and Bistagno together with all the Langa even to the Sea being in a manner cut off from Alessandrino were much endangered lest the Duke should possess himself of them to hinder the passage of those who were expected to come to the State of Millain from beyond Sea and particularly 500 Spanish Foot who were at that very time landed at Savona But the Duke and the French it is not known for what reason leaving that Enterprize of greater consequence advanced to Quattordici where there were two Companies of Trentinians who having leave to march out with a Cane in their hands yielded the Town unto the Duke who marched farther on to take Solleri and Corniento in the County of Alessandrino
Foot between Radolfo Pianta Head of the Grisons that were of the French Faction and Cavalier Robustelli the chief of the Valtoline Faction was much fomented by Feria but with so much secresie as it was not known to any of the Princes Agents that were in Millain This Insurrection of the Valtolinians began the year 1620. The pretence was that they being anciently Confederates with the Grisons the Grisons being the stronger had turn'd their Confederacy into Command and exercised too great Tyranny over them not only over their persons and fortunes but over their Consciences and would therefore introduce the poyson of Calvinism and withdraw the people from their Fore-fathers Religion which they had suck'd in with their milk For after they had driven out those that sided with the French the Grisons as hath been said made their Preachers Arbitrators of their affairs who began to prohibite Indulgences in the Valtoline and to preach Calvinism to possess themselves of Churches and Monasteries and to make Colledges thereof for the breeding up of youth in their Sect to the end that they might totally root out the Catholick Religion And that this might the more easily be effected they put some of the chiefest and most religious of thaâ—… Valley to death Having therefore by Feria's assistance shaken off the servitude suffer'd by the Grisons they put all the Heretical Officers and Preachers to death that they could lay hands on Afterwards the better to maintain the begun Insurrection they possess'd themselves of the Passes whereby the Grisons might fall down upon them and vanquish them and fell to munite them with men and Fortifications wherein they were the more fortunaâ—…e for that Count Iohn Serbellone having by Orders from Feria assembled about 2500 Foot without the beating up of Drum was entred into the Valtoline to assist them But the Grisons preventing these designs fell speedily down with a great many men into the Valley of Chiavenna and from thence environing the upper part of the Lake they woond about into the Valtoline where having taken and fortified some convenient places to keep out relief from the State of Millain they went to Troana a great Town in the Valtoline and coming from thence to the Bâ—…idge caâ—…led Ganda upon the Adda they fortified it and made themselves Masters of Sondrio By which successes the Valtolinians 〈◊〉 the Grisons made more open recourse to the Duke of Feria for more powerful succour in this their so great danger Feria was not deaâ—… to their 〈◊〉 nor backwards in subministring succour for seeing the Proceedings of the Enemy and fearing greater 〈◊〉 commanded Gil de l'Arena to endeâ—…vour the securing of the affairs of the Valtoline who had fortified himself in Morbegno with those men who came in threeves into the Valtoline which he having happily done and recovered the bridge Ganda with the death of the Garrison who opposed him the Grisons forsook Sondrio and retreated towards Chiavenna But to the end that they might not enter another time by that way into the Valtoline Feria ordered Don Ieronimo Pimontello General of the Light-Horse of the State of Millain who by his directions was drawn neer the Confines of the Valtoline with some Companies of Horse and Foot to possess himself of the Shore of Chiavenna which being scituated upon the Head of the Lake lies in the mid-way by which people pass conveniently from Chiavenna into the Valtoline This Shore or Bank was well fortified by some of the Grisons who resenting the Spaniards attempts in the Valtoline were fallen down into the State of Millain and had given upon some of the neerest Towns thereof and carried away some Pillage Pimontello sent about 500 Souldiers in Barques to assault that Garrison which consisted of 300 Foot who landing not far from the Garrison went towards the bank intending to assault it But the Garrison being affrighted at their coming abandoned that Station and not staying to be assaulted fled into Chiavenna so as the bank fell without any disputing into Pimontello's hands which he forth with fortified By such like demonstrations as these the Duke of Feria had plainly declared that he had sufficiently ingaged not only the King of Spains Forces but his name in this Enterprise being moved chiefly thereunto out of two reasons The one because he saw the Heretick Swissers and the Venetians had openly ingaged themselves in the Grisons cause and in recovery of the Valtoline that Senate having sent money into those parts to raise two Brigadoes the one Swissers the other Grisons wherewith to go to the recovery of the Valtoline The other because the King of France his Agents by order from their King who was offended with the Grisons did not only consent unto but had a hand in the Valtoline insurrection and desired Feria to protect them All this was endeavoured from France to the end that the Grisons being molested on that part might have the more reason to have recourse to their King and their King by that means might govern them as he listed and causing them to abandon the Venetian Confederacy might recover his ancient Authority with that Nation wherefore Feria taking courage from the consent and intercession of the French and pretence from the Venetians intermission to meddle in that Affair thought it might be likely to succeed well whereby such conveniencies and safety would redound to his Kings Affairs He notwithstanding clâ—…aked his designs with the mantle of Religion as if he would have it believed that it was rather his zeal to the Catholick Faith and to Gods service than the conveniencies and interest of State and of his King which had made him embrace a business of that importance professing himself thereâ—…ure to be a better Catholick than Polititian he sent Priests of holy and devout life into those parts to preach the Word of God and to convert souls to the Catholick Religion He aggravated the wicked and detestable actions of the Calvinists committed against those of the Valtoline to force them to receive Calvin's Heretical Doctrine and the danger of that disease being diffused abroad in the neighbouring parts of Italy and State of Millain might infect all Italy with the contagion thereof Nor herewithal content he acquainted the Pope with the whole business intreating him and exhorting him by particular Letters not only to approve of but to concur in his actions in so pious and Catholick a business The pretence was very just and the colours very lively and apparent to justifie so great an action nor could there be a fitter occasion to effect it but the slavery of Italy which lay hidden under these religious pretences spoil'd all the glory and good which adorned this action and it being not probable that so many Princes whose liberty was concern'd in this business would ever suffer that the Duke of Feria should insnare their States and Liberties with such conceits as these it might upon better grounds be supposed he would meet with very many
mile off observing their movings The Marquess seeing that he had to do with the Enemy upon the Plain and upon the skirts of the Mountains sent a good Band of men against those that defended the Mountains and with the rest charged the Dukes right wing where the Neapolitans were who assisted by the Piemontese Horse made stout resistance insomuch as the Assailants not being able to stand before them were forced to give back A thousand of them seeing it was impossible for them to force their way waded thorow the River and getting upon a little hill put themselves there in order The others advancing by the skirts of the Mountains assaulted the Dukes men who seeming to give back drew them into an ambush which they had prepared falling wherinto those of the Ambush fell upon them with such violence as being forc'd to retreat they were afterwards put to flight with a great loss of men Those who were sent at first against them on the hill ran a fortune not much unlike to this for the Prince observing the wind which blew full in their face caused some little Cottages to be set on fire the smoak whereof affording him to send men into some ambushes without being discerned the French men light upon them and were severely dealt with and slain and being also struck with stones which were tumbled down from the higher places they began to run The Conflict lasted from morning to night and the Dukes men were so well disposed of and divided as not any one of them stood idle The Fâ—…ench seemed that night as if they would retire but as the effects shewed they resolved to try their fortune once more which the Prince having learnt by one that was run away he presently sent for fresh supplies of men to the Duke which whilst they were expected the greatest part of the French â—…id themselves that night behind certain Trees and the rest upon break of day appeared in a large but very thin and ill-composed Squadron shewing themselves to the Prince to the end that allured by the hopes of Victory he might assault them and so fall into an ambush which they had prepared for him that very night The Prince who expected a re-inforcement stirr'd not so as those who were in the ambush came out and entred into the Squadron seeming as if they would fight with more Forces then they had done the day before but the Prince still keeping in expectation of succour from his Father moved not till finding not long after that the Enemies Squadron was much diminished by the retreating of many of their men he assaulted those that remained who not being able to resist were put to flight and pursued with much slaughter even to the Confines of France whither being come he with held out of observance of the Kings Confines hâ—…ving gotten much baggage and many Arms which the French threw away as they fled After this Victory the Duke and Prince march'd presently towards Pinarolo lest the French being beaten from hence might attempt that pass from whence hearing that they went towards Savoy where Prince Thomaso was the Duke sent most of his men thither but it was superfluous for the French were so confused and dissipated by the discomfiture as hardly any four of them were together in this retreat The Duke won as much reputation by this happy success with the Spaniards as he ever had purchased the contrary before He was publickly acknowledged to be the Kings right hand the bulwark of his Affairs in Italy by this action all offences were cancelled and no reward was equivalent to so great merit the King himself hearing the news said in publick That he would have accounted it a great happiness to have been found with a Pike in his hand by the Duke his Uncles â—…ide And the Conde Duca chief Author of the reconciliation boasted not a little that the King and Court began now to taste the fruit of his counsels and negotiations But the more favour the Dukes merits found in the Court the more jealous were the Genoeses who saw their own declination joyn'd to the exaltation of their Enemy An as the Dukes satisfaction seemed to consist in the Affairs of Genoa and the reward equal to his vast expectation and to his implacable hatred to the Genoeses which every day grew greater in him so such a great conjunction of will and so general a disposition as was found to be in that Court to gratifie him made it be much apprehended that some great mischief would redound thereby to the prejudice of the Common-wealth This suspition was encreased by the Conde Duca his not caring for the Genoeses the affronts given to the Embassadors of that Common-wealth and the rigorous proceedings with others of that Nation the upbraiding of the Conspiracy and of other accidents which had hapned at Genoa which accidents might by the connexion of Affairs redound to the prejudice of Italy did very much perplex the Statists of that Court. To these things wherein the publick Interests were concern'd other sinister demonstrations were added which touched the Fortunes and Interests of private men the rigorous Decrees of the preceding year the difficulty in exacting the Revenues the introducing of other Nations to contract with the King to the shame and exclusion of the Genoeses and the continual extorting of monies from those Genoeses who remained yet in Court enforcing them to contribute great sums of monies for the urgent occasions of the Crown by which accidents the face of that Court being totally changed towards the Genoeses both in publick and in private from what it had used to be they put the Common-wealth into some anxiety of their own safety And these Novelties and Commotions being known in Italy they first filled all the Princes of Italy with admiration and then with suspition what the sequel of so great and unexpected an alteration would prove These suspitions had also an influence upon other Nations which being intent upon all occasions did not pretermit their wonted artifices to make the rent greater to the end that they might thereby reap such advantage as might not conduce a little to the conduct of their Affairs and Interests And amongst others a Spanish Courier being intercepted in the Seas of Provence who was sent to their Officers of Italy the French gave out that they had found very strange Negotiation in those Dispatches which past between that Court and the Duke to the prejudice of the Common-wealth which Dispatchâ—…s being sent from the Court of Paris into Italy to the Duke of Nevers and by him participated to the Pope they were by both of them made known to the Common-wealth to the end that growing apparently to distrust they might ioyn with them in the common Cause which might procure the lessening of the Spanish Affairs and the advancement of the Common Cause of Italy And to this purpose they offer'd with arms thrown abroad to receive them into their protection
Commonwealths Souldiers were gone but finding by the firing of the Ammunition in Valleggio that the enemy had abandoned the Town he altered his mind and return'd upon Valleggio whither being come and finding it forsaken he fell immediately â—…o pursue the enemy and advanced a little towards Peschiera before he was come half way he got to the Reer which was led on by Candale wherein most French were and after that Candale had fought and made some resistance at last being forsaken by his men part whereof yielded part fled he was forced to retreat with the rest some of which got to Peschiera part to Castel nuovo and others to Garda strong Towns of the Venetians were no further pursued by the Dutch about 4000 Venetian Souldiers died in this conflict Gallasso sent 26 Colours four of which bore the French Lillies and three Coronets of Curassiers to Colalto who lay sick in Marignano upon the greaâ—…er Lake the Prisoners were many amongst which Valletta the number of those that were slain and wounded on the Dutch side amounted not to 400 amongst which the Serjeant-major to Frederick of Saxony great was the reputation of the Dutch after this success answerable to the great depression into which the Venetians fell upon which almost all the hopes of the Mantuans depending were totally lost and there not being any in the field who could defend that City her condition was thought to be sad her safety being reduced to this point whether the besieged or besiegers could longer suffer or resist the hardships of the Siege for the former had no hopes of relief nor courage to â—…ree themselves nor had the others hopes of taking the City or of ending their enterterprise by reason of the Cities strong situation Famine Pestilence and Military actions had reduced the defendants to so small a number as they had not enough to supply the Guards of the City there was no good intelligence between the Duke of Mantua and the Venetian Resident The Duke required many things and the Resident limiting many of the demands and of the needs that the City was in related them to the Commonwealth much lesser then they were so as the Commonwealth did not sufficiently provide for the urgent extremities of the City it was therefore necessary to give over much of the defence which the enemy perceiving and minding their business they watched all occasions to make themselves masters of the ill guarded and worse provided City and to end their enterprise by surprisal wherein they had good success for having caused six Barques to be brought upon Carts from the greater Casalle a Town in the State of Millain to St. Georgio they put them into the Lake and put some fourscore Souldiers into them which making a little before Sun-rising towards the Gate of the Castle which answers upon Sâ—… George where little fear being had by reason of the water there was but little or no guard kept and an assault being furiously given at the same time on the opposite part of the City the Souldiers in the Barques clap'd a Peâ—…ard to the Castle Gate which being ill kept and worse defended was soon beaten down and master'd where whilst they were fortifying St. George his Bridge which as it hath been said was cut in sunder in the midst was cross'd over by great Planks brought to that purpuse over which the Dutch Horse pass'd and entred by the Gate which was opened and possess'd but a little before meeting with no resistance the Dukes Palace was presently taken which was neer that Gate and as rich formerly in Jewels and Houshold-stuff as any other Princes Palace in Italy though for some late years the continual wars had wasted much of her precious things what was left was sack'd together with the whole City the Princess got into the Fort di Porto whither the Princess Mary was forc'd to fly with her tender Babe the assault given lasted till the 14th hour but the defendants yielding at the last who heard that the Dutch were entred on the other side were pursued by the assailants to the Church of St. Agnese and those who could get into the same Porto which when they saw the City lost they strove to make good by some works which they made toward the City but wanting both Counsel and Provisions and the defendants being dismaid they listned willingly to Articles of Agreement which were quickly propounded by the Dutch who were desirous to compleat the enterprise which Articles being agreed upon the Fort was delivered up to the Imperialists The Duke and his Son with some of their followers as also the Marquess di Coure who as Agent for the King of France had â—…arried always in Mantua were suffer'd to come forth and being waited upon by some Troops of Horse they according to Articles retreated to Ferrara The City was miserably sack'd Military cruelty avaâ—…ice and lust had room enough to vent themselves it would be tedious to relate the monstrous effects and execrable examples which were theâ—…e acted as also to describe the miseries afflictions and indignities which the miserable Mantuans underwent we will therefore pass by them as being matter for a Tragical Poem rather then for an Historical relation it was really a miserable thing and much to be compassionated and of great consideration that that City which was by reason of its situation thought impregnable and by experience â—…ad proved to be so for so many ages for it is not known that it was ever taken before should fall into the hands of the oppugners within less then one year This loss was very ill resented by the Princes of Italy who had not much endeavoured to defend it by reason of the multiplicity of Forreigners that were then in Italy nay it became odious to to the Spaniards who had so much endeavour'd it and been at such expence in fomenting it by reason of the concurrence of authority and precedency of place the news thereof coming to Casalle and Piedmont did equally afflict both the Duke of Savoy and Spinola the latter not so much for his Kings Interests for which it made not that the Dutch should get so much footing in Italy as for the emulation he bore to Collatto who proving more successful in what he took in hand then he had done he much maligned that fortune should be so favourable to him in a much harder business then that of Casalle and the Duke of Savoy for that judging that the fury of the Forreigners would turn upon Piedmont he foresaw that his State by becoming the seat oâ—… the war would be exposed to the like calamities and barbarisâ—…s by the same Nations and that he being every where invironed by armed Forreigners who had no dependency upon him he should become the mark wheâ—…eat not only his enemies blows should aim but even the like to his friends injuries and supercharyes he was also troubled to foresee the certain loss of Casalle wherein he was forc'd to co-operate
all that had been taken from him and moreover satisfaction and recompence for his pretences to Montferrat for the King of France finding what difficulty and danger there would be in relieving Casalle by reason of the Dukes opposition laboured to win him over from the contrary party and if the Duke could be safely re-possess'd of his own by peace wherefore should he wait for the recoveâ—…y thereof by the uncertain and ruinous events of war moreover by favouring the business of Casalle he made fetters for his own slavery since then by preserving that place he might recover his own State and have satisfaction for all his pretences what reason had he to endeavour the getting of it with so much loss to his Subjects and prejucice to his own Dominions but these practices met with these difficulties the Duke would not part from the Cesarean and Spanish side without being effectually restored to all that had been taken from him and the King would keep it as a pledge for the restitution of Mantua already lost and of Cassalle if for want of relief it should chance to be lost Yet this treaty being on foot made the Duke more remisse in his joyning with Spain and desirous to handle the businesse so as that the Spaniards should desire a general peace whereby he was sure to be restored to his former condition and that Cassalle should not fall into the Spaniards hands yet he wisely cloked these his ends with several artifices He answerâ—…d the French who promising speedy possession of all that he had lost earnestly prest him to declare for their King that â—…e could not in honour passe so suddenly from the friendship of the King of Spain to enmity with him and that it would be too great an indignity that the same Sun which at his rising saw him a Friend to that King should at his setting finde him his Enemy That there should some time be allowed between the one and the other as Summer turnes not suddenly to Winter without the interposing of Autumn nor Winter to Summer without the like interposal of the Spring he offerâ—…d notwithstanding to declare himself neutral for a while till businesse might be brought to some reasonable composition and that in case the Spaniards should fail of doing what became them he would be ready to declare for France and to oppose those who would oppose reason These were the points discus'd in these present negotiations but neither was Collalto right to the King of Spain's cause for though now that his rival Spinola was removed it appeared that he might more favour the enterprize of Cassalle had it been for nothing else but that the easinesse of the success wherein he had cooperated might double the glory which he pretended to by the taking of Mantua yet through the hate which he bore to the name of Spain he held better intelligence with the new Duke then with the Spaniards and persisting in his first resolution of minding the defence of Piedmont and the opposing of the French more then the taking of Cassalle he would not afford any help thereunto This his ill will proceeded not from the aversion of the Cesarean Officers to those of Spain but from ill offices done him by the Spanish Agents to the Emperour for thinking that he bore no good will unto the King they had used all the means they could to remove him from his charge and that he might be sent for back into Germany and eertainly it had been done had it not been for his Wife whose favour with the Emperour defended him against the endeavours of the Spaniards The Duke being therefore inclined to the French for the recovery of his State or to the preservation of Cassalle for his own indempnity and knowing that the losse of that Town would mar the general peace which was the onely thing which could put him into his former condition and Collalto being totally inclined to favour the Dukes interest and Sancta Croce not being of so warlike a disposition as was Spinola but being rather mild and remiss and much addicted to civil negotiations much lesse to the troubles and dangers of war it was necessary that those that looked asquint upon the taking of Cassalle having more field-â—…oom allowed by the weaknesse of the present Government should openly vent their dissatisfaction and shew the greater resentment The first action of want of respect towards Sancta Croce and of great prejudice to the main affair was the Truce and suspension of Arms which Spinola refused and which was now accepted of by the Duke in favour to the French and by Collalto in favour to the Duke which had it been never so little a while delay'd the City and Citadel of Cassalle would certainly have been surrendered This suspension being by them accepted and subscribed without Sancta Croce his knowledge nay contrary to his will was presently sent to Sancta Croce to be by him subscribed This appeared to Sancta Croce and to the other Commanders to be an action as indeed it was so proud and arrogant as if the Duke and Collalto did thereby arrogate unto themselves the supream arbitracy of things even about Croce's self Yet wanting Courage to contradict it or to resent it he unwillingly gave way unto it and the fear of the Dukes and Collalto's alienation prevailing over his dignity he subscribed the Truce and suspension of Arms For had he done otherwise the common cause being by them abandoned or indeed cross'd might be reduced inâ—…o great streights The Truce being thus by common consent accepted the King of Spain's Forces quit Piedmont retreated to the State of Millain Collalto staying behind with the Cesarean Forces Those who were before Cassalle retired likewise into the State of Millain to refresh themselves after the labour which they had taken in the siege except 2000 who entred the City the Castle which by the Articles of Truce were assigned over to Sancta Croce and some few Foot who stay'd to guard the Artillery and quarters Sancta Croce spake with the Duke and with Collalto in Pontestura after that the Truce was subscribed They seemed to be both of them willing to refer all things belonging to the management of the war to him and by respectful and reverent behaviour sought to mitigate his anger and to excuse what they had done it was not known whether they did this really to make satisfaction for what they had done or to draw money from him which they very much prest for for they were known to be in truth otherwise minded Yet so weak of counsell was he as he did not onely take all in good part but sought to buy their good wills with ready moneies whereof though he himself were in great streights he disburs'd 200000 Ducates part whereof the Duke received part Collalto And because by the Articles of Truce all making of Fortifications was forbidden Sancta Croce imploy'd himself in making provision of faggots and of other
their own glory did not only recover the lost station but made it good against many assaults which were given one after another and afforded the fugitive Dutch occasion of rallying once again and of re-entring the Battle Toralto's Neapolitans were already wearied and lessen'd by long fighting who no less valiantly then the Foot had fought valiantly for a while and maintain'd their Ranks and had slain many of the enemies whose Forces plying upon this part the Imperialists were likely not to have been able to defend it much longer which Gallasso and Leganes being aware of they sent thither a re-inforcement of a thousand Horse and a great many choice Musketiers out of the Brigade which were for a reserve and the hostile violence still encreasing they sent thither afterwards Guasco's and Panigarvolo's Lombard Brigades which entring with great courage sustain'd the Battle which by the Neapolitans weakness began to give ground these entred so couragiously as the Fight seemed to be renewed and the defence revived which was almost given over and though Panigarvelo after having long maintain'd fight was slain by a Musket-shot in the throat and that Guasco wounded with two Musket-shot in the thigh and with one in the right hand endeavour'd still to fight yet not being able longer to keep on foot nor to manage his sword he was forc'd to retreat but notwithstanding that one of their Commanders were slain and the other withdrawn the subordinate Officers and Souldiers of these two Brigades failed not in doing their duties but fighting still couragiously and in good order they made good their station and maintained themselves still stoutly against the Enemy as if no harm had befallen their Captains It would require much time to relate punctually all the actions all the assaults and resistances which were made for the defence and for the taking of that Hill how now these pursued how those gave now back how the one party did sometimes abandon their station then repulsing the oppugners regained them it would be long to relate what dangers were run to name what Captains and Officers signalized themselves that day by fighting some by dying some by overcoming The final end was that at the end of seven hours fierce bickering the like to which was hardly ever heard or read of the defendants after several likelihoods of being conquered remained conquerers the occasion of this Victory was the happy success that the Cesarean Army had on the Plain for Weymer finding it impossible to overcome the defence which was made upon the Hill after having lost the best men of his Camp by sending continuaally strong re-inforcement thither went desperately out of the Wood and in his weak condition went to fall upon the Cesarean Camp which being well marshal'd in Squadrons expected him and having fought unfortunately for he was bravely withstood and repuls'd by the Duke of Lorrein by Iohn de Vert and by Marquess Spinola he was forced to give back and being pursued by the Duke of Lorrein with the Cavalry of the League and by Marquess Spinola with those the Infanta and after these by the Croates who afterwards advancing possess'd themselves of the passes by which the conquered were to seek their safety those who fought still obstinately upon the hill seeing that Weymer did directly fly with their chiefest strength and that the way whereby they were to escape was prepossess'd by the enemy they began to doubt that if they should persist any longer in the enterprise they should be assaulted on the backs and that not being able to escape they should be undoubtedly cut in pieces and that though they should have the better upon the Hill it would be to no purpose since the body of their Army was discomfited abandoned the fight and gave over the enterprise and left the Victory to the Cesareans which certainly would have proved their own if when they had taken the second Wood they had immediately fallen upon the Hill whilst it was ungarded for being masters thereof they would have unlodged the enemy who were incamped below who being forced to retreat could not have escaped utter ruine and there being no other Forces then in the Field to sustain the Empire and the Austrian Grandezza they would have been the Arbitrators of Germany On so sleight accidents do the victories or overthrows of Armies and the preservation or ruine of Empires and Monarchies often depend Almost all the Imperial Cavalrie which were on the plain followed those that fled and made great slaughter of them more particularly in a certain boggy place which those that fled light upon where both Horse and Foot being plung'd up to the knees they could not acquit themselves but being unable either to fly away or to defend themselves were miserably slain The Duke of Lorrein advanced and took Horn and Crats prisoners and many others of the chief of the Army Weymer by means of a fleete Horse fled towards Ulms accompanied with not above eight men which City hearing how he had been routed shut the gates upon him so as being deprived of that Refuge â—…he fled still through the Country of Vertemberg and had the good fortune to recover Francfort the number of the slain in the battle is variously calculated Some will have it that 8000 were slain and as many taken prisoners as they fled so as what with those that were slain and those that were taken prisoners and dispers'd there hardly remained 2000 under Colours This Victory was the more remarkable by the little loss of the Conquerours blood all that were slain or wounded on their side not being full 2000 the Artillery to the number of 84 peeces of Cannon all the Munition all the baggage and 300 Horse and Foot Colours fell into the Enemies hand not above the third part of the Conquerours Army fought in this battle For the Imperial Army and that of the League stood in squadrons with the Infanta's Cavalry on the plain being little more then spectators of what was done upon the Hill And the encounter which hapned after on the plain from whence the victory first began was very sleight being rather a victory then a combat for the Cesateans and for the conquered rather a flâ—…ght then a fight The Infanta's Army fought most and but a part thereof neither and by the confession of the Dutch generally and of Horn himself the victory was to be wholly acknowledged from the Infanta's Army and particularly from the Spaniards Neopolitans and Lombards upon whom the whole battle wâ—…s charged And such was their confidence and ambition as they would not communicate the glory of the victory with any other Nation by calling them in to defend the Hill in so much as the Duke of Lorrein being advanc'd with some of his Regiments from the plain where he could not tarry any longer idle looking on as he end avoured to climb the Hill and assist the defendants he was with-held by his own men and kept from going any further
got thither which made this resolution dangerous yet their necessity of getting into a place of safety and their hopes that by their industry orderly marching and by their valour they might overcome all difficulties they resolved to advance the rather for that being better informed they knew that the Duke was not yet come thither with all his men but that the Van was only there under Marquess Villa they therefore made their Horse advance under Lisao their Conductor and after them Gil de Hays with his Dutch which made the Van and then Sotelo's Spaniards with the Artillery and Munition who was followed by Prince Borso with his Regiment of Dutch the Rere was brought up by Colonel Leymer with his Regiment of Dutch Horse back'd by two Companies of Dragoons Marching in this order when they were come neer Monbaldone they saw some armed men in certain Inns against which Don Martin made two Files of Musketiers advance to possess himself of those Inns and drive away the Souldiers which were there These Orders were succesfully followed for the Musketeers drove the others out and made themselves Masters of their habitations This mean while the Horse were commanded to halt and to face the Enemy who kept still at Monbaldone and the Foot coming up at the same time they made a Squadron and caused the Artillery to advance with a sufficient Guard â—…he Squadron from which Files of Musketeers continually issued forth and skirmished marched but slowly giving the Artillery time to advance and get to a place of more safety where they were afterwards to halt and entertain the Enemy till the Artillery were come to Bistagno Those who had formerly taken the Inns seeing that the Artillery and the Foot were well pass'd on and got into a place of safety they likewise would retreat and went to joyn with the Horse who stood upon the plain and 〈◊〉 the Foot who when they should have marched were also to râ—…eat but on a sudden they might see Marquess Villa fall down with the Horse from Monbaldone and charge the Foot which being in plain open field were abandon'd by the Horse which not making any resistance began to fly so shamefully as the enemy leaving the Foot began to pursue them and cut them with their swords and afterwards falling upon the Foot did so disorder the Squadron as some flew one way some another in great confusion and the Artillery and Munition being abandoned fell into the enemies hands The Duke of Savoys coming with the rest of the Forces to Monbaldone made much for the happy â—…ssue of this action for coming when the fight was begun he assisted in getting the Victory many Spaniards were slain in this conflict and many taken prisoners amongst which some Commanders it was thought that if Lisao who commanded the Horse and was the first that began to run had made head and charged the enemy the Foot would have had time to have charged their Muskets again and to have rallied so as all might have succeeded happily and that this march might have equal'd the succour which but a little before was given to the Rocca d' Arazzo Lisao who was justly blamed for this default alledged for himself that he had told Don Martino it was impossible for him where had placed him if the enemy should assault him and Don Martino complain'd of the Governour who when he sent him into those parts promised he would fall upon the Territories of Vercelli so to divert the Duke from the Langhe which promise he had not made good with this Victory Duke Victorio ended his life just a moneth after he had gotten it he died in Vercelli where the Marshal also was and it was commonly enough said that he was poysoned though the Physitians who cut him up said that there appeared no signs thereof in his bowels This suspition was occasioned by an invitation which was made by the Marshal some few days before the Duke died to the Duke Marquess Villa and Count Verrua where after having been sumptuously feasted they fell all three immediately sick the Marquess mended within four days but the Duke and Count died within 8 or 10 days it was notoriously known that great hatreds diffidencies detractions and imputations pass'd reciprocally between the Duke and Marshal which made that to be suspected which befell the Duke and the Count who was most inwardly acquainted with the Dukes ends and intentions The Duke was of an accurate understanding he foresaw the manifest ruine of his Principality by this war if the French should beat him they would be his Masters if they should be beaten they would be his enemies it behoved him therefore to carry the business so as that he migâ—… not be oppress'd by Victory nor ruined by the loss of it and chieâ—…y so as the Spanish Empiâ—…e which was his only support in Italy against the French might not be weakned so as though he did many things to the Spanish prejudice yet he never endeavoured their ruine and destruction by which artifices he made the world suspect that not being able to do less he shun'd the danger which he saw did threaten him so as his not being able to manage the common aâ—…ms freely as it rendred his actions doubtful of double dealing so did it make them excusable but these were divulged opinions without any proof or certainty only that the Marshal published them he embraced many enterprises and had many designs a little before his death he treated with Don Andrea Fossa Abbot of St. Theodoro di Genoa who was after chosen General of the Cannons of Laterane to joyn in League with the Commonwealth of Genoa seeming to value her very much and professing himself to be as well affected to her as his Father was the contrary he therefore gave him Order to lay some foundation for this but his death which ensued soon after put an end to this and to all his other negotiations he died on the 7th of October the year 1637 in the 50th year of his age besides Daughters he left two Sons behind him Francisco Giacinto the eldest who died a year after his Father in the sixth year of his age and Charles Emanuel who succeeded him and was not above four years old This Prince his death was believed to be very prejudicial to the Crown of Spain for as whilst he lived the King of Spain might assure himself he would never be absolutely against him so being dead and the Government of the State falling upon the Dowager Dutchess who was Sister to the King of France all men thought she would be absolutely guided by him and people were generally much troubled to think that if the young Duke should die who seemed not then to be over healthful the States of Piedmont and Savoy would fall unto the Crown of France and it was forthwith seen that the French did greedily aspire after them for the Duke being dead the Marshal who was in Vercelli endeavoured to bring a
means possible to perswade him not to give over the Treaty which was almost already brought to a conclusion shewing how much the King did not onely study to preserve the Dukes Grandezza but to encrease it Wherefore the Embassadour who was the King his Plenipotentiary ought not nor could not differ in opinion from his Majesty but was bound to observe it all these perswasions could not work upon the Embassadour who knew that the King would not permit that the Princes should have any thing to do in any of the Dukes Towns For this would not be to compose differences but to occasion greater dissentions to fortifie factions which the King thought made against his Nephew the Duke to foment discord and rather to encrease then to appeale War in Piedmont To shun which inconveniencies the King desiâ—…ed that the restitution should be made by himself and by the King of Spain into the Dowagers hands as sovereign Governess and Regent which being the ground-work wherein the Dukes Grandezza and safety did consist admitted of no allay much less of what was propounded by the Princes and held to be diametrically opposite to the safety of his Nephews Dominions Wherefore the Embassadour not thinking that the business would admit of a reply said that since the King of Spain would not restore the Towns into the Dowagers hands according to agreement the Prince was absolutely obliged to joyn with the King of France in the recovery of them He therefore parted from Nizza incens'd and with but little hopes that the agreed capitulations should take effect The Princes were not at all dismaid at his departure but as if they had had the better end of the staff and had justified to the world that the agreement had not been impeded by them they made use of the Embassadours backwardness and departure to justifie their inclination to peace to which purpose they published Manifestoes and endeavoured to lay the fault of breaking the agreement upon the Embassadour alledging that when the Spaniards made no mention of restitution the French were wholly for restitution but that as soon as the Spaniards mentioned restitution the French had nothing to say At last the Princes seeing the State of their Affairs reduced to the condition they desired thinking all Treaties broken with their advantage and to their reputation and all conventions made with the French abolished they agreed on the fifth of May the year 1641. in Nizza with the Embassadour Riviera and drew up in writing what they had spoken of the sum whereof was That the King should keep all the Towns he had in Piedmont till the geâ—…ral peace should be concluded which should not be made without including the Princes That Prince Thomaso should have an Army raised for him of 4000 Foot and 500 Horse whereunto he should be bound to adde 1500 Horse more and 2000 Foot of his own That the Prince should be General of this Army in the Kings name to whom he should take the same Oath that Generals use to do That this Army should be paid by the King by the hands of his Officers That the Prince should be bound with this Army to joyn with the Governour in defence of Piedmont the State of Millain and Montferrat That the Prince Cardinal should have a thousand Spanish Foot given him to defend the County of Nizza and 7000 Crowns a moneth allowed him for the maintenance of another thousand which the Cardinal should raise of his own men That neither of these Princes should treat directly nor indirectly with the French with the Dowager or any others without consent of the King or his Agents Together with many other Heads which concern'd their own private Interests This Agreement being confirm'd by Prince Thomaso with Count Sirvela in Segli a Village five miles from Genoa as the Prince returned from Piedmont was afterwards ratified on the 15th of April in Gaila a Town of the NOvarese by the same Sirvela who was chosen Governour of Millain The first point concerning the restitution of the Towns was moderated in a writing apart in point of the time of retention wherein it was agreed that in case the general peace should not be concluded within six years all the Towns except Vercelles should be delivered up to the Emperour who was to keep Dutch Garrisons therein until the general peace The change of the Governour of Millain did much good in the making of this agreement for whilst it was in treaty the Princes having made several complaints to the King of Spain against the Marquess of Leganes the King sent for him into Spain and had appointed Count Sirvela to succeed him in that Government who was as great a confident of the Princes as Leganes was the contrary and the Princes confidence being much encreased by the change of the Governour they betook themselves more heartily to the Spanish party and the rather for that at the same time Count Harcourt return'd to France and not long after Embassadour Mazzarini and l' Argenson all of them the Princes chiefest Enemies and after them many other Commanders so as the French Army in Piedmont was not onely much lessened in Authority but in Forces so as that fear ceasing in the Prince which had compel'd him to that Capitulation he thought he was now in a better condition of safety and liberty and that he might dispose better of himself and of his affairs he and his Brother being therefore resolved to joyn with the Spaniards who sustain'd them and to part from the agreement made with the French which reduced them to nothing Prince Thomaso gave over holding intelligence with the French about the end of the Truce who sollicited him to go to Paris and declared that he could no longer stand to the Capitulation out of many reasons particularly for that the things agreed upon were not kept secret they themselves having divulged it in the Court of Spain to the which he attributed the detaining of his Wife and Children and to aggravate their omissions the more he complained that that divulging was a trick used by them to the end that he the Prince being the more irritated against the Spaniards for that their denial might adhere the closer to the French but that the King of Spain being contented to restore the Towns notwithstanding the publication of what was to be kept secret as also to the restoring of his Wife and Children so as he would still adhere to him he could not forego such an occasion without offending the Laws of Nature which obliged him more streightly to so dear pledges then any thing else could oblige him to the King of France that it would certainly be too mad a resolution and for which he deserved to be for ever blamed if when he might re-have his Wife and Children and the Towns without any noise or trouble he should chuse to recover them by force of Arms by a thousand dangers and calamities by the tedious dangerous and uncertain delays
Conde Duca peâ—…ceiving he got the King to command the Constable to consent to the Marriage without reply which the Constable would not give way unto unless it were absolutely declared in the Matrimonial Covenants that he was compell'd thereunto by the Kings Command Nor did Olivares his vast ends and desires cease here for he was ambitious to introduce him into the management of the principal Affairs of the Crown albeit that his said sordidness and the incapacity of his Genius was unfit for any imployment So as at the very first step he destined him to be President of the Indies removing the Count of Castriglio a worthy Gentleman and meritorious State Minister of much Power and Trust from that place He aspired also to procure him the honour which the Spaniards call Aio del Principe to whom the Government of him that is to succeed to be King of so many Kingdomes and the instructing of him in noble and generous Sciences belongs Thus he by degrees aimed at the making him his Colleague and to succeed him in his place of Favourite which he could not believe that himself should ever fore-go no not when he was even upon his downfall an example very unlike to that of Cardinal Richlieu This Favourite being removed the King would take the Government of the Kingdom upon himself which though all men were infinitely glad of yet did not the change prove very happy but the remedy came too late apply'd to the malady with which it was already gangren'd and become almost incurable Let us now return to the Affairs of Italy which we have left off by so many digressions of Affairs in forreign Courts February in the year 1643. was not well begun when the Governour of Millain marchâ—…d into the field with his Army which consisted of 5000 Foot and 1500 Horse and going out of Alessandria went to quarter in Figarvolo and Bosco and sent the Marquess of Caracena from thence with 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse by Pozvolo to possess himself of the passes above Tortona who coming before day to the Scrivia over against Tortona advanced two files of Musketiers whereby he made himself Master of the Capuchins Covent which stands a little without the Gate that leads to Serravalle the French not being aware of him by reason of the thick mist which kept them from discovering the Enemy but finding when the mist was over that the place was taken they presently endeavoured the recovery thereof but in vain for Caracena advancing with 200 Horse and with some Musketiers drove them back into the City whither Don Iohn Vasques Coronado being come by the way of Castelnuovo with the other 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse he possess'd himself of some houses neer the opposite Gate which looks towards Millain and not long after the Governour came thither with his Guards and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga with the Neapolitane Horse here they called a Councel of Waâ—… whither Caracena was called for from his quarter which was on the opposite side in which councel they took not onely into consideration how they were to carry on the enterprize but whether they should begin it or no in both which points the Captains of the Army did disagree but the Governours desire prevailing and for that they had already proceeded so far as there was no away left to avoid it all other considerations were laid aside the rather for that Marquess Caracena opposing the difficulties and delayes which were objected touching only the taking of the Town cleared all that could be said by assuring them that he would give the City into their hands within less then two days The quarters were therefore disposed of that of the Capuchins which was already taken was assigned to Caracena and to Vasques that on the opposite side over against the Gate that leads to Millain to which two Spanish Brigades were added Caracena was also appointed to chuse a place for battery which being chosen he began to batter and a great part of the Wall being beaten down within two hours the City capitulated The Garrison which was left in the City by Longueville and Prince Thomaso were fifteen hundred Foot amongst which were many good Officers Monsieur di Frolenville Governour of the City commanded over them a Gentleman well experienced in Warre who not finding himself able to defend the City with so few men abandoned it and keeping the Covent of St. Dominico in his hands retreated into the Castle four Batteries were immediately erected by the Governour against this Covent from which the defendants not being well able to defend themselves they tried to free themselves of that trouble by sallies in one of which the assailants had well nigh taken that station of St. Eufemia from whence the Covent was most annoid but the frequent sallies did not incommodate the opposers so much as the season The Country was laid desolate by the former Siege from which no Forrage was to be had for horse for the space of twelve miles and there was great scarcity of all things necessary for humane life and moreover the store of rain that fell and the earth being cover'd with Ice and Snow hindred the making of provision and the excessive cold weather made the Souldiers unable to work they seemed to be more besieged by the season of the year then the enemy was by them besieged The Governour had foreseen these difficulties and had in a great part provided against them having made all things necessary be brought to the neighbouring places and brought them commodiously to the Camp by Mules which were provided on purpose he shelter'd the Souldiers from the cold by store of clothes which were already prepared for them he had made great provision of Hay and dry Straw for the Horses of Bread and Ammunition for the Souldiers and what was wanting in these provisions was supplied by the constant suffering of hardship which could not last long The Army was not a little comforted by provisions of Victuals and other things which they had from Novi from whence and from the State of Millain victuals were sent in more abundance then formerly as also from the State and City of Genoa which did much pacifie the anger of the Spanish Officers who complain'd of the Commonwealth for not keeping the like assistance from the French Army the year before and served to let them see that the Commonwealths good will was not lessen'd towards that Crown Wherein the dexterity and discretion of Gasparo Franzone sent in Commission at that time thither from the Common-wealth did much good who behaved himself to the satisfaction of all parties for the Spaniards were sufficiently provided with all things necessary from Novi and the French were also the like upon many occasions which they had of stealing succour into the Castle and upon many other occurrences they found the Commissary not averse to their Interests The Enterprise therefore though with many and infinite difficulties was continued till a better season which
any further and to protest unto him that if he should be further charged by the Enemy he would send him no more help then what he had already done because according to the common sence he would not indanger a general battle He notwithstanding endeavoured with the Horse which Imperiale brought to defend those stations which were reinforced by Foot So as the skirmish being maintained valiantly and in good order on this side it continued for full four hours neither side sending out any more men For Colonna would not as it was agreed upon ingage himself in a general combat and the Colleagues Army which esteeming the Enemy to be far inferiour to them in Forces was gon out with an intent to fall upon them and defeat them utterly seeing how Affairs were ordered and that the Enemy without coming out of his Trenches sent a good strength of men out against him conjectured that the Enemy was stronger then he thought at first he was so as he cared not much to inforce the first encounters any more but kept on the fight with sleight skirmishes till night coming on he retreated to his quarters from whence he was with such fervour come Though some will have it that there was no good correspondency between the Duke of Savoy the Marshal which was the cause why things were not acted as it was agreed they should be Torrecuso seeing that the defendants had the better and having received orders not to advance any further retired also into Frascarvolo more like a Conquerour then conquered and to observe his orders he with-held his men from pursuing the Enemy as they were desirous to do But the Spanish Commanders being aware that by the coming over of many of their men to that part the Camp before Valenza was much lessened and the Trenches but badly guarded order was given that 500 Foot should come from Allesandra to Valenza with good store of match which the Town wanted much These were led on by the Camp-master Lodovico Guasco being guided by Maximiliano Stampa Count di Monte Castello nephew to Guasco who knew those ways very well and passing on succesfully between the Duke of Parma's quarters and those of the Montferrians they were not at all disturb'd by the enemy that side being open without Trenches and almost abandoned but they ran danger in approaching the fortification of their friends for as they drew near Fort Rosario a Fort which stood towards the Mountain and which had been bravely defended all the time of the siege by Ottaviano Sauli a Gentleman of Genoa and the fore-runners or Scouts not having given the true watch-word whereby they were to have been admitted and received but had given the last nights watch-word Sauli doubted that some treachery might lie hid under that false word and therefore made them keep aloof off with his Musket shot wherewith some of them were slain but when Guasco and other Captains who were very well known to Sauli began to parly they were soon known and let in by this happy success another better fortune followed for Cricky and the Duke of Parma â—…earing that this relief was brought into Valenza which was reported to be greater then it was they began to apprehend the safety of their own Trenches quarters Artillery and Baggage in case they should be assaulted by those that brought in the succour for knowing in what woful condition they had left them they verily believed they would have been taken and sack'd with the loss not only of their honour but of their Artillery and with the destroying of their Fortifications and the loss of those few men that were left to defend them so as they thought good to return speedily to their first Quarters This so sudden resolution of the Colleagues facilitated the bringing in of the whole relief by the Lomellina for the Spanish Army being encouraged by the preceding days success and seeing that the Enemy had abandoned the field knew they were absolute Masters on this side the Poe and saw not any thing that could keep them from relieving the Town leaving therefore all their Militia with half their Foot under the command of Camp-master Boccapianola to guard their Quarters they went out early in the morning with the rest of their men and marched towards the upper bank The Horse which was commanded by the Count di Sora marched on the right wing within sight of the Piedmontese Quarters to the end that the Foot which were divided into three Squadrons being sheltred by them might advance safely towards the same side and with them the munition and three Troops of Horse went before the Foot Van. The convoy of relief went on the other side towards the place that was chosen on the lower bank led on by the Marquess Lunato and Colonel Frederick Imperiale to whose charge the whole business was committed Two pieces of Cannon went before them with some Foot and behind came a competent number of Carriages loaded with Boats and with all things requisite for relieving the Town In this posture did the Army march being favoured by a thick mist which kept them from being seen by the Enemy and whilst the Scouts went without any opposition to the other side Don Iohn di Garrai who having better considered the windings of the Poe and finding by the manner of the Enemies proceedings that no Forces would come from the Piedmontese Quarters which might any ways make him apprehend a general Battle having first agreed with Colonna that the succour would come safe between the aforesaid Quarters and the Fort he ordered Lunato and Imperiale that they should go thitherward and towards the place which was first proposed by Imperiale to execute their Commission The new Order was obeyed forthwith so as the succour wheeling about behind the Fort it drew neer the bank which was above it where it was playd upon by Musket shot which came in abundance from the said Fort and by two pieces of Cannon which play'd from the top of the opposite shore but the Cannon shot though it were dreadful yet being made but seldom they did more terrifie then endammage and to the hail of musket-shot which came from the Fort no readier nor fitter remedy could be found out then to assault the Fort Wherefore Colonel Imperiale who attending still upon the succour saw how necessary it was to provide against this inconveniency sent to advertise Colonna how affairs went and how requisite it was to assault the Fort whereupon Colonna forthwith commanded some Companies of Spaniards and Italians that they should assault that Fort who going boldly on took it for they did no sooner skirmish then scale it The Marquess Torrecuso was the first man who having moved l'Imporiale a little before to favour the putting of the Boats into the River was intent upon the passing of them over it being the action of most importance when he saw the Foot advance to give the assault leaving the whole care of the relief
to Colonel Imperiale he headed them with his sword in his hand and plucking the Stakes from out the Steccado wherewith the whole ditch was environed he was one of the first that got upon the Parapet all the rest moved by his example followed him so as most of the Garrison were slain and the Ensigne and Captain were taken prisoners The succour past on the mean while without any disturbance and advanced with their Boats which falling down the stream came happily to the Shore at Valenza and by them as much relief as was desired was conveyed in the Enemy looking on who endeavoured in vain to hinder it with their Cannon and Musket shot from the Capuchins Chappel By this succour the Town was not only well provided of all things needful but wholly freed from Siege for the Colleagues despairing to make further progress foreseeing that by the approaching winter the earth would become so spungie as it would not be to be wrought and that the Army being bemired and not able to receive any food would be besieged even in the open field they resolved after fifty days siege to give over the Enterprise and to retreat to the no little confusion of the Commanders in chief who being at variance within themselves and unsatisfied laid the fault of this ill-guided Siege one upon another The Duke of Parma parted not long after much discontented for France where he intended to give a clear and full relation unto the King how Affairs had been carried in this Enterprize and to desire to be protected by him and to be defended in his Dominions which when this business miscarried he apparently foresaw was exposed to the invasion of the Spanish Forces for his having sided with France But this happy success was a little overcast by the death of Colonna who through his extraordinary pains taken in this Siege died the day before the Town was relieved Valenza being freed the Colleagues Army dissolved The Duke of Savoy retreated with his men to Vercelli and the Marshal to Cassalle upon whom the Gates of the Town were shut upon pretence that there being scarcity of Victuals in that City it could not provide food for so great a number of men without evident danger of wanting necessary nourishment for them that were in the Town already wherefore he was forced to divide his men amongst the Towns of Montferrat which though they suffer'd the like want of victuals yet being weak and unable to refuse giving quarter they were forced to yield to the stronger power the remainder of the Duke of Parma's men were likewise distributed into the same Towns the Duke himself being retreated to Cassalle where he had the Castle given him for his lodging on the Spaniards side their Armies were also put into their Winter quarters except some of Serbellone's Brigades which were sent to recover the Valtoline for at the same time which was about the beginning of November Fernamont who had raised more men in Tirvolo prepared to pass the Mounâ—…ains once more to reduce the Valtoline into its former condition to this purpose he had sent to Millain and to Serbellone to agree upon the time when they should fall upon the French joyntly Serbellone on the State of Millains side and he by Tyrvolo that so they might effect their business the sooner and more safely but Rohan's speed prevented these designs who hearing how neer the Dutch were sent immediately 1000 Foot to Bormio whither not long after he himself came with the remainder of his men being come thither he found the Dutch fallen down by unknown ways into the Plain without any delay he once more assaulted them and not without loss on their side forced them to re-pass back over the Mountains to Tyrvolo they being gone Rohan leaving a Garrison in Bormio and fearing lest Serbellone might fall upon him on his back and hearing that many Grisons were come down to assist him he made the like haste as before and brought 4000 Foot with him amongst which 200 Zuricani he appeared unexpected at Morbegno about noon where Serbellone was with 3500 Foot and 200 Horse and not having heard of the rout given to Fernamont expected news of his coming to the end that according to appointment he might at the same time fall upon the enemy on the back but he fared no better then Fernamonte for whilst he was at dinner he unexpectedly was assaulted by Rohan and not having time to assemble his men who were dispers'd into the parts thereabouts he was soon overcome and routed many of his Captains being slain or taken prisoners amongst which the Count di San the second Captain of Horse and Count Valenza Nephew to Serbellone and Serbellone's self being pursued by the enemy fled to Fort Fuentes wounded in the arm and on the back such Souldiers as could save themselves fled some one way some another way to the neerest Towns of the State of Millain Thus Rohan having beaten the enemy the fifth time remained all that Winter master and peaceful possesser of the Valtoline of the Counties of Bormio and of Chiavenna and greatly rejoycing forc'd the Inhabitants to new agreements pretending that the Valtoline contrary to the Articles of Monsone was wholly and totally fallen into the arbitrement of the King of France and not being able to obtain of those Inhabitants though beaten by his Forces and several ways oppress'd any thing of what he demanded he began by strange rigour and extortion to tyrannize over them but they little confiding in the promises of liberty and maintenance of their Religion which were made them in the King of France his name patiently underwent their bad treating and would never forego the authority and protection of the Crown of Spain promising themselves and confidently believing to be preserved and maintain'd by the King of Spain in their intire Liberty and Religion according to his Promises and Decrees miserable and woful wretches whom you shall soon see abandoned to their former yoke of slavery by those in whom they so much trusted and for whose sake they suffer'd so much at the present The End of the Fourteenth Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK XV. The Contents THe King of Spain for the preservation of the State of Millain sends a new Governour new men and good store of money thither The Duke of Savoy returning thither with his men and with those of France takes Bremi and reduceth it to a Fort Royal and by frequent inroads troubles that side of the Country The Duke of Parma's Dominions are assaulted by the Spanish Forces after his going for France and are defended by Marquess Villa who is sent thither by the Duke of Savoy With a good strength of Horse and Foot and is defended by strong diversions till the Spring in the beginning whereof the Duke of Parma returns from France endeavours by means of the Colleagues Forces to get into his Country goes to Nizza Della Paglia being to throw down