Ramseys Musketiers fell on their Dragoniers and skirmished with them till they were forced to retire and being darke our Army having set out their horse and foote watches before them they stoode the whole night in battaile till it was day and the enemy being gone in the night the way thwart and deepe some of his Cannon being left behinde were buried burning their Carriages with their waggons as they did breake making them unprofitable for us We continued our march in the morning minding to attrap them so that by midday they having turned their Cannon on the Passe towards us they forced our Army to stand without reach of their Cannon trying on both hands of the Passe to win through but in vaine seeing there was no passage neere hand but at that one place where we did cannonade one against another for two dayes till the enemy retired their Cannon within Kempten and the rest of their Army unto Bavier having crost both the Leake and the Eler againe The enemy being gone we retired for want of victualls and forrage the country being spoyled we were forced to over-see the beleaguering of Memming for that time passing by it towards Mendelheim where we rested two dayes and then marched on Kauffbier where in two dayes we forced the Garrison to a composition being content to march away without Armes getting a Convoy to Landsberg on the Leake The weather being extremely cold under the snowy Alpes we refreshed our Army three dayes at Kauffbier and the fourth day marched towards the Eler where the water being small we made a bridge of our small Cannon with their Carrage being placed two and two alongst the River at an equall distance of eight foote asunder where we layd over Deales betwixt the Cannon passing over our whole Infantry alongst the bridge which being past and the Deales taken off the horses spanned before the Cannon led them away after the Army And quartering that night in the fields the next morning we beleaguered Kempten Having battered hard for three dayes together with Cannon at last the breach being made and the Towne almost brought to an Accord having lost divers Souldiers and Officers before it hearing the Duke of Bavier his Army was crost the Leake againe at Landsberg having gotten a strong supply and being made certaine they were to march unto the Duke of Vertenbergs Land the Felt-marshall after great paines taken was forced to quit Kempten and to march with the Army to be before them in Vertenberg The Dukes Army on their march by the way tooke in a Castle besides Koffbier where Captaine Bruntfield and Quarter-master Sandelens were taken Prisoners and were sent to be kept at Lindaw As also in their by-going they tooke in Koffbier and continued their march alongst the Eler till they crossed with their Army at Brandenburg we lying that night with our Army within a mile of them The next day we strived who might passe the Danube first for going to Vertenberg where it was our Fortune to get betwixt them and the passe having line at Monderkine while as they had crossed a mile below us on the River Which when we understood by our intelligence of their being so neere incontinent the Felt-marshall caused our Artillery and foote to march over in the night so that before day our Army advanced towards the Passe leaving Dragoniers behinde us to burne and to cast off the Bridge But the Bridge was no sooner set on fire but the enemies fore troopes did drive our Dragoniers after us they coming up full Squadrons of horse and foote driving up our Reare consisting of three Regiments of horse Colonell Daggenfield Colonell Cratzstein and Colonell Monro of Fowles being three valorous Barons who resolved amongst themselves Daggenfield should charge the enemy first which he manfully did and then retired who immediatly was rescued by Colonell Monro having charged the enemy retired being shot through the right foote with a Musket Bullet and Colonell Cratzstein rescuing him againe charged the enemy the last time keeping them up till the rest were safely retired and then retiring himselfe at the Spurres being last was pittifully cut over the head with a Poles-shable the enemy following them still till they were repulsed by our Dragoniers Neverthelesse they did get the most part of our baggage and a great number of the horsmens led horses servants and Coaches The Passe being narrow and we having the advantage of them being able to receive them with our whole army horse and foote while as they could not advance unto us but by divisions at most thirty in Front against a steepe hill where our Army was standing ready in battaile to receive them horse foote and Artillery Which they considering the great disadvantage they had to pursue us drawing their Army also in battaile they planted their ordinance against us where once begun we continued the whole day Cannonading one against another where neither foote nor horse could joyne to skirmish But the night comming on the Felt-marshall directed his great Cannon away before and leaving a strong Reare-guard of Horse and Dragoniers at the Passe getting orders to remaine there till midnight wee retired the rest of our Army unto Vertenberg land having five miles to march before day our retreate being in the night though safe was confusedly made The Enemy finding at mid-night that we were gone followed up our Rere-guard skirmishing a little in the end retired And the whole Armie crossed the Danube againe of intention to ruine all our Muster-places in Schwabland and in their way they tooke a French Marquesse prisoner on his Muster-place and Colonell Iohn Forbesse being both carelesse they were surprized in their Quarters and were kept prisoners for three yeares The Army quartered themselves in Schwabland and Tyroll alongst the Boden Sea setting Garrisons in Townes as in Costance Pybrach Vberling and divers more During this time our Armie was well entertained and refreshed in good quarters in Vertenbergland having secured them for that time from their Enemies we attended the Rhinegrave his comming with a supply from Elsas as also we did get a strong supply of Country Souldiers from the Duke of Vertenberg with a great deale of Amunition and a supply of Horse and Cannon The Rhinegrave being come finding our selves strong againe we resolved to search the Enemy for to make him retire unto Baviere againe which we effectuated within ten dayes After our up-breaking having crossed the Danube againe the Enemy being retired our Armie did settle themselves in a close Leaguer at Donavert for three moneths together attending the conclusion of the meeting at Hailbron resolving to enterprise no exployt or hostility against the Enemy till such time as they should know who should content them for their by-past service as also whom they should serve in times coming During which time I went to Hailbron to solicite my Regiments affaires with the Rex-chancellor and being there my Cosen Colonell Monro of Fowles dyed of his wounds at
not onely of one side but of both for in defence of this Skonce being so oft stormed that ever praise-worthy Captaine Learmond Brother to my Lord Balcomy being twice shot with a musket received deaths wound and after died at Hamburgh in perfect memory discharging his duety Christianly to God as he did during his life time both to God and man For his sake and in remembrance of his worth and valour the whole Officers of the Regiment did weare a black mourning Ribben in this conflict also was killed his Lievtenant called David Martin an old stout and expert Officer many other valourous fellows that were there carried the true markes of their valour imprinted in their bodies for their Countries credit There was also a Scottish Gentleman under the enemy who coÌ„ming to scale the walls said aloud Have with you Gentlemen thinke not now you are on the streets of Edenburgh bravading One of his owne Country-men thrusting him through the body with a Pike he ended there This Skonce so well maintained by our Country-men is to their prayse recorded at length in the Dutch Story of the Danes warres where the curious Reader may learne more of it The enemy finding this opportunitie to faile at another passe above this on the Elve watched by Dutch surprising the watch did come over the Elve the newes comming to his Majestie he presently sends Orders in the night to Major Dumbarre who commanded the Skonce to retire and to bring off his Cannon and to cut off the bridge and then to come by water with his troups to Lâ—venburgh and to beset the Castle thereof with two Companies and to retire with the rest to Lukstad which accordingly was done to their great credit Major Wilson being set with two Companies on the Castle of Loven the enemy falling downe Generall Tillie leading the Armie comming before the Castle doth summon it to render the Major refusing he is besieged the enemies Batteries having playd a little on the Castle the Major parlees for accord before the parle Generall Tillie is shot through the thigh pledges delivered the accord agreed on he should march out with bag and baggage Drummes beating Bale an Bouche with a Convoy granted to them to Lukstad the Accord subscribed but neither circumspectly nor wisely by the Major at his out-comming his Colours are taken from him having forgot to insert them in his Accord he complaining of the breach is bidden reade it and finding it was so was forced to march without Colours to Lukstad where for his over-sight he was set from charge with disgrace and the Company restored againe to the right Owner Captaine Duncan Forbesse and incontinent Major Dumbarre with foure Companies was commanded to beset Statholder Ransove his Castle of Bredenberg in Holsten the enemy having already falne into the Land Which discourse I must now leave and prosecute the continuance of our march towards Rapine After this service the renowne spread so abroad where ever we came that the Gentrie of the Country were ready meeting us providing all necessaries for us The Duke of Wymar the Dukes of Meclinburgh with a number of gallant Ladies did visit us in our March to congratulate with us the good fortune and good service done by our Camerades But if we should looke to the outside of Souldiers these foure Companies were the meanest of our Regiment to the outward appearance Our March continues to Rapine where we were to receive further orders of Generall Major Slamersdorffe our orders were to draw up in Battaile before the Towne of Rapine where the Generall Major would come and see us his intention being to bring the Towne under Contribution otherwise to fright them with inquartring of the Regiment his intention effectuated we were led in quarters or Dorpes for three dayes to rest us seeing our intentions were to march unto Silesia The fourth Observation IN this observation though the dutie be suddenly discharged wee have much to amplifie the observation first by reason of the dispute that did arise betwixt his Majestie and the Colonell for offering to Cashiere some of his Officers for alleaged insufficiency by the information of some malignant Spirits amongst our selves whose names I will suppresse and the reasons also letting some other tongue not mine divulge their shame At this time also before our rising to this expedition we were discontented of the division made of our Regiment being absolutely divided by his Majesties authoritie without the consent of our Colonell who would have been loath to have left Captaine Learmond behinde that had done him so many notable good offices and this noble Gentleman of famous memory at his leave-taking of his Colonell my brother and me being then his intirest Camerades with teares revealed unto us whom he thought was the plotter of his stay and withall did with griefe in a manner foretell his owne fall alleaging we should never meet againe Therefore for the love I bare to my deare Cammerade I will point at the heart of those who had a hand in the separation 〈◊〉 the Regiment I must therefore crave pardon a little to expresse my dutie for the losse of this noble and vertuous Cavalier whose heart and eyes were ever fixed upon vertue and upon his love to his deare friends He hates nor but with cause that is unwilling to hate at all And it is the end that shewes the difference betwixt vertue and vice Fie then upon those judgements that for their owne aymes hatch the Ruine of their Camerades in foâ—e-thinking and pursuing evill And as the discharge of my last dutie was Tragicall the reasons of it I will set downe obscurely pointing at some that every man may examine his own conscience that had any hand in plotting or hatching by villanous policie bred of envie the ruine of their Camerades the reward whereof doth still awaite them with shame in a killing ambush when the Lord of Hosts will bring to light the hidden plots of the malicious man Here I could make some to blush that I know plotted the fall of their Camerades But I will be dumbe doing by them as Ioseph thought to have done by Mary in seeking to cover blemishes with secrecie lest I should wound some so with my penne as to make them by their Camerades to be push't out of Company But I will rather shew my charitie to the delinquent by concealing of his fault and tell him of it in secret than openly to divulge his mischiefe seeing I wish his amendment before the world should know his amisse I will not therefore be too harsh or virulent hoping for his penitency wishing God may enlighten his conscience that while he hath time he may crave pardon for his hatched evill Being sorry for the losse of these two worthy Cavaliers of famous memory Learmond and Dumbarre for whose sakes with griefe I have pointed thus obscurely at the forger of these Cavaliers fall whose name I will suppresse though my heart knows him well and hoping
Randezvouz with the foure Companies commanded by me of our Regiment his Majesties intention being to ship at Rubie to fall on the Enemy upon the Isle of Feamer as being too neere in neighbourhood unto Denmarke for preventing of their evill his Majestie resolved to visit them before they should visit his Country and in the extremitie of a bitter frost we were all shipped in open Skouts or Boats where we lay three dayes with contrary winds in the Road very much perplext and troubled with the extremitie of cold weather being hard frost and snow the storme continuing we were appointed to come ashoare and to retire to our former quarters till orders were sent us to rise againe so that the sixt of Aprill we shipped againe And on the eighth we anchored before the Island where the enemy with diligence planted Ordnance for hindering of our landing But was repayed againe by our Ordnance ten for one During which service we were landing our Souldiers with small Boats by twenties and thirties The enemy with Cannon and musket giving continuall fire on us till at last seeing a strong body of Souldiers landed and he having no horsemen to second his foote he was compelled to retire his Cannon making his Retreat to a strong Fort they had built of purpose on the Island leaving the rest of the Island and the Cities at our mercy the Townes being of no strength Before it was darke we were all landed with our Cannon and Amunition incamping for that night in the Fields keeping strong Guards and diligent watch The enemy being discouraged we had not so much as one Alarum The next morning his Majestie marched towards the Fort with his Forces and Artillery and having himselfe recognosced or spied the Fort retired giving orders for our severall quarters Our Souldiers were entred to worke the approaches which were ordained and assigned to us to approach on The enemy being scarce of victualls and knowing of no reliefe resolved as his best course to Parlé and having sent forth a Drummer which being received and the Parlé granted pledges being delivered Hinc inde the accord goes on and is presently agreed upon The conditions granted to the enemy were somewhat hard viz. that they should leave their Armes Baggage and Amunition within the Fort and that they should come forth in his Majesties reverence of mercy or of none which accordingly they did undergoe But before their out-coming there was a prohibition given to all our Souldiers that no man should wrong or injure them Neverthelesse at their comming out the Country Boores ever cruell to Souldiers remembring the hard usage of the Souldiers to them in the Winter time seeing them come forth unarmed ranne violently upon the Souldiers knocking them pittifully downe they caused great disorder so that in the fury the Count of Mongomrie Colonell to a French Regiment was knockt to the ground and left for dead being taken for a Walloone or one of the enemies Officers This insolency of the Boores continued in killing the poore Souldiers till by his Majesties charge I was commanded â—o put my Souldiers to Armes to suppresse the Boores which was presently obeyed by my Souldiers who againe robbed the Boores of that they had taken from the enemy and withall were well knockt The Tumult appeased the enemies were sent away by Boats to Holsten where they were put ashoare and left his Majestie then refreshed his Troopes for three dayes during which time the Island was brought under Contribution to his Majestie and a Governour with a Garrison being left on the Island to keepe them in obedience and to hinder the enemies returne we were commanded to be in readinesse for a second Expedition The eleventh Observation SCipio said we were most in danger when we wanted businesse for while we want businesse and have no foe to awe us we are readie to drowne in the mudde of vice and sloathfulnesse So our Regiment having laine six moneths in idlenesse and sloath eating and drinking and sometimes doing worse for lacke of employment in our Callings falling out amongst our selves unnecessarily and without reason abusing both Burgers and Boores so that when we lacked employment then was the Gavilliger and his Irons best employed insolency domineering so that when we came to endure hunger thirst and cold on our shippes we were growne so effeminate that we could not sleepe without a good bed our stomackes could not digest a Gammon of Bacon or cold Beefe without mustard so farre we were out of use till this Magnanimous King came to lead us who in a short time without the helpe of Physicke cured our cloyd stomackes hardned our effeminate sides in stead of a warme Chamber made us contented with a hole digged in the ground to let the winde and Bullets flee over us making hunger our best sauce giving us employment and to our Gavilliger rest and ease at home O how bright then doth the soule of man grow with use and Negotiation Now could our Souldiers having made a little bootie on this Island speake like Cleanthes when he had laboured and gotten some Coyne he shewes it his Companions that he then could nourish another Cleanthes even so our Souldiers shewing and telling their Camerades of their bootie they rejoyced the hearts of their Leaders whom before they had offended by their exorbitancy in their idlenesse bringing joy with profit when they were exercised in their Callings banishing mischiefe from themselves by their diligence for it is one of our greatest happinesse in our Calling to have a minde and love to vertuous exercises raising us daily to blessednesse and contentation for every one shall smell of that he is busied in and every noble Action addes sinewes to the vertuous minde where on the contrary surely he must be miserable that loves not to be diligent in his Calling when he ought to employ himselfe for if he growes no better yet sure it keeps him from doing worse not having time by his idlenesse to entertaine the Devill When our enemies least looked for us then came we with Bellona summoning him to the Combate but he obeyes not and for his cowardize we degrade him of his Armes and banish him to some other corner to lurke in seeing he lacked the courage to have made us sport at our landing or to have given us an Alarum in our Quarters to have once tryed what for Souldiers we were or what resolution or conduct we had for he ought to have busied us at our landing as well with the spade and the shovell as with the Pike and the Musket and so we could have said we had an Enemy as we had not but a flying dastard or coward This Fort was scurvily given over which any resolute Commander could well have kept for three dayes during which time he had added to his owne reputation and substracted doubtlesse from ours by diminishing of our number which at last would have made him get better Conditions of Quarters and a more
I should fall on and relieve him and his as I did continuing the service till we made the enemy retire over a bridge that was hard by the Towne so that I was forced for our owne safeties having lost divers Souldiers that were killed with the Cannon to divide my Souldiers making the halfe of them to cast â—p a running Trench while as the rest were hot skirmishing with the enemy being in danger of boâ—h Cannon and Musket but my Souldiers once getting in the ground we fortified our selves against their Cannon and resolved in case of their out falling to maintaine the ground we had formerly wonne with the losse of our bloud having loâ—t in one halfe houre above thirtie Souldiers whereof six were killed with the Cannon The enemy finding the Skonce was lost and us so farre advanced on the strongest side Feltmarshall Horne with his Forces marching on the other side that was weakest they presently did send a Drummer on our side to parlé for quarters whom I received and being hood-wink't he was sent with a Convoy to his Majestie who condescended to the Treatie and pledges being delivered the Treatie went on the Accord subscribed his Majestie came and thanked Dowbatle and us for our good service where large promises were made unto us of reward and to Colonell Hepburne also for takiâ—g in of the Skonce The enemy being strong in the Towne and above twice our strength his Majestie resolved to send to Francford for more Forces both of horse and foote to come to him before the enemy was suffered to march out of the Towne to whom conditions were granted to transport foure pieces of Ordnance and the Souldiers to march out with full Armes bagge and baggage with Drummes beating and flying Colours and a Convoy of Horsemen towards Glogoe His Majestie having beset the Garrison as soone as they marched out having seene their strength we were ashamed of their carriage being the eldest Troopes and the choice by report of the whole Imperia'l Armie who cowardly did give over such a strong Towne being without necessitie and in hope of reliefe One of my Captaines called Dumaine having contracted a feaver here before Lansberg being râ—moved to Francford died there and being buried my Lievetenant David Monro was preferred to be Captaine of his Company and Ensigne Burton was made Lievetenant and Bullion his brother having taken his passe my Sergeant Andrew Rosse was made Ensigne to Captaine David and William Bruntfield was preferred to be my Lievetenant and Mongo Gray Ensigne This Towne being taken both Pomeren and the Markes of Brandenburg were cleered of the Emperialists being sent up unto Silesia The next Sabbath his Majestie that was ever ready to reward good servants for vertue he caused to make our guide the Black-smith being a stout fellow and a craftie Burgo-master of the Towne who did get from his Majestie two hundred Duckets besides His Majestie on the Sabbath day in the afternoone suffered the principall Officers of his Armie such as Generall Banier and Lievetenant Generall Bawtis and divers others to make merry though his Majestie did drinke none himselfe for his custome was never to drinke much but very seldome and upon very rare considerations where sure he had some other plot to effectuate that concerned his advancement and the weale of his State The ninth Observation THis Towne of Lansberg being a Frontier Garrison lying neare the borders of Pole on the Wert the having of it made Pomeren sure and the Marke giving unto his Majestie the freer passage unto Silesia and therefore it was that his Majestie did use the greater diligence and celeritie in obtaining of it with as great honour and reputation as could be imagined in respect of the inequalitie of strength betwixt us and our enemies As also in consideration of the situation of the place being on the one side fortified by nature yet beyond nature and probabilitie of reason This strong Garrison was forced to yeeld to Gustavus who was Mars his Minion and Fortunes Favourite or rather their Master as we see by his frequent Victories obtained against his enemies who though strongest are made to submit to the weakest partie where we may see that as industry is fruitfull so there is a kinde of a good Angell as it were waiting ever upon diligence carrying a Lawrell in his hand to crowne her And therefore it was that they said of old that Fortune should not be prayd unto but with hands in motion which made this valiant King love ever to be busied in vertues exercise befitting a Generall that carried a minde as this Invincible King did while he lived still rising to blessednesse and contentation It is commonly seene that those who feare least are commonly overcome as became of Francford on the Oder and this Towne also and though victory we see be from God yet to overcome an enemy the courage and skill of Commanders is very requisit and necessary And where good military discipline is observed as was done here there confidence doth arise perswading us we can doe what we please Of this opiâ—ion was our Leader and our Armie never doubted of their owne valour nor of their Leaders good Conduct which made our Victories the easier to be gotten Here also we see the goodnesse of intelligence for had his Majestie not gotten the Black-smith or some other like unto him to have beene intelligencer and guide to winne through the shallow Trinkets he led us to the Damme upon the head of their Watch who were surprized hardly could we have overcome this Towne on such a sudden for without this good of intelligence which is so necessary and of so great a moment in warres nothing or very little can be effectuated in unknowne places For good Intelligencers are so requisit in an Armie that no meanes ought to be spared on them providing they be trustie for one designe or secret of our enemies well knowne may bring all the rest we desire to a wished end or at least preserve us and ours from danger This Black-smith that was our guide in leading us towards our enemy at our first on-going on service the enemy playing hard with Muskets neverthelesse he went on without feare under-taking alike danger with our selves but finding in time of hot service some falling besides him our powder being a little wet and not giving so good report as the enemies did he then said he would returne to his Majestie and send us better powder yet I thinke though here there did appeare some lacke of constant resolution in him that time exercise and frequency of danger would make him a brave fellow being of a strong and a good able body but in my opinion the stoutest of men till they be a little acquainted with the furious noise of the Cannon will naturally feare and stoope at the first Likewise his Majestie was to be commended for his diligence by night and by day in setting forwards his workes for he was ever out of
to theirs The night coming on we begunne our approaches and prepared for making readie of our Battailes where according to custome men were ordained to make Cannon Baskets some to provide materialls some to watch some to worke some to guard the Artillery and some to guard the work-men and some to guard the Colours before the Briggad the day approaching having made ready the Batteries in the night as also having wrought in the approaching by day the service on both sides beginneth with Cannon and Musket so that our Cannon off the water and from the other side did shoot blancke within the Towne which made great terrour amongst the Inhabitants the Bishop being removed towards Cowblance he did leave two thousand Spaniards within the Towne who were in doubt of the Burgers fidelitie neither yet did they expect any reliefe and the Towne being wide of circumference more than they were able to beset they begun betimes to thinke on Accord yet they resolved to make it the more honourable their best was to prolong time Colonell Axallilly a Swede being come to visit his Majestie having had no employment in the beleaguering being at supper with Colonell Hepburne and me on our Poste by our Guard-fire being merrily discoursing that if a mis-fortune should happen unto him there what should be thought of it having had no charge he having foretold a mishap unto himselfe the next day after dinner hard by me the legge was shot from him with a Cannon Bullet who after that was carried by my folkes unto his lodging and being cured served after with a treene or woodden legge At this Siege our Briggad did sustaine more hurt than the rest of the Armie being most employed on all commands boâ—h in respect of their valour and of the good conduct and fortune followed them and their Leaders The third day the Skonce without the Towne being hard pressed and we having on our quarter approached to the walles and the Towne from the waâ—er and from the Landgrave side having sustained great losse by their Cannon The enemy finding there was no hope of reliefe he entered in a Treatie and gave up the Towne on accord being suffered to march out without Armes they were conveyed to Cowblance they being gone Quarters were made for the whole foote within the Towne where three dayes before Christmasse we were quartered and remained there being lodged in the extremitie of the cold with the Hopstaffe to the fifth of March 1632. The twenty-fourth Observation HIS Majestie of Sweden having crost the Rhine the Prisoners that were long banished being ten yeares out of the Paltz were then incouraged by their libertie attained unto through the valour and wisedome of his Majestie of Sweden who did bring the keyes of the prison and of their houses and the passe once opened they begunne to returne home and the strangers removed they rejoyced at their home coming in the entertaining of their friends that fought for them and they did perceive the terrour and feare of their enemies that drew all unto Franckendale as unto the strongest corner of their feeble hearts where it was evident to see their removing from all was drawing neere Franckendale being blocked up and victualls debarred from them it was impossible for them to subsist long I did observe here at the in-taking of Mentz that toyle travell danger and resolution were our best meanes in getting this Towne in three dayes time our Cannon having from the Hessen side so spoyled the Burgers on the streets and within their houses finding their owne hurt being stronger than the Garrison forced the Garrison to Accord by that meanes preventing their owne ruine and the losse of their goods if the Towne had beene taken by storme of hand And therefore for sparing of their Citie they promised his Majestie for keeping good order threescore thousand Dollers Likewise I did observe by Axallillies losse of his legge that many times hurt comes to men in that kinde as a presage of worldly lucke in getting as they say something to the sore foote for he before this being but meane in estate and employment was afterwards made rich by governements Divers others I could instance under our Armie were advanced to riches after receiving of meane hurts and on meane occasions of service as this was being but a looker on But for me let me have health and glad povertie with credit for riches I desire not if that I may have more of credit than othâ—rs and that shall be my prayer to keepe my minde in an invincible place that externall things move me not neither would I suffer fortune to be able with her threatnings to pierce me having tryed sharper that could not dare Let us then be content with our lot and though the meanes we should live on be detained from us yet let us wrong no body by oppression in conquering by unlawfull meanes and doubtlesse the Lord will conserve our healths and sustaine our bodies with sufficiency and so being honest we neede never be ashamed to be thought poore in mens esteeme being rich in Christ. Here also I did observe that oftentimes those that durst not lift up their heads in time of danger doe often better speed and thrive in worldly things than those that merit the best as was seene on those Briggads entred first into Mentz that did get both Prisoners and spoyle with the best Quarters when others that deserved better were worse quartered in emptie houses while as other Colonells and Souldiers of farre lesse deserving were making up of estates for their posteritie in better Quarters within the Paltz and Franckonie But on the contrary valourous men their labours and travells ought to be rewarded with honour and profit by those they did truely serve For if great undertakings in this kinde before Townes in extremitie of danger were nobly recompenced with great rewards that would incourage men againe to refuse nothing to be undertaken that was honourable and on the contrary nothing discontents worthy men more than to be rewarded like Cowards and those that stood out the danger like those that durst not lift head when the storme blew and when the hope of reward is the comfort of mens labours than all toyle seemes to be easie and it is a hard thing when the diligent and industrious is disappointed of his hyre and when he is rewarded with injury who did merit well this of all evills is most unsufferable when he must suffer losse that expected helpe for on the contrary it were more just that notable vertues should be notably rewarded with badges of honour to make all others treade in the glorious path of vertue and well-doing The twenty-fifth Dutie discharged of my March with a partie to the Mosell WHile we lay at Mentz his Majestie having heard that the Spaniard had set over a strong Armie at Spier of intention to fall on the Rhinegrave his Regiment of horse lying in the hinder Paltz betwixt Bachrach and the Mosell who
having no foote forces with him his Majestie made choice of me to be sent unto him with a partie of five hundred commanded Musketiers for to assist him in maintaining the Garrisons in those parts from the incursion of the Spaniard and his Majestie hearing of the Queenes coming towards Francford leaving orders with Duke Barnard of Wymar then Governour of Mentz and commander over the Armie in his Majesties absence to direct me away with the partie to the Rhinegrave his Majestie being gone I was sent for by the Duke to receive my Orders which were I should receive five hundred commanded Musketiers with sufficient victualls and Amunition and then to ship them at Mentz and to goe downe the Rhine towards Bachrach and there to send to the Rhinegrave for further orders but before my departing I took orders in writ from the Duke how to carry my selfe in obeying of the Rhinegrave his commands and immediately I went and received the partie being in readinesse on the market-place with Proviant and Amunition for the voyage and being shipt we went downe the Rhine towards Bingen on the Noe that runs by Creutznach through the Paltz into the Rhine at Bingen where Sir Iames Ramseys Regiment did lie in Garrison out of which there went with me of that Regiment a Captaine with a hundred Musketiers being shipped we continued our course towards Bachrach where being landed I desired from the Governour being a Captaine under the Red Regiment Quarters for my Souldiers till I got orders whether to march but the Captaine being discourteous closed the Ports using us unfriendly whereupon I desired to be let in to speake with him which being granted for me alone I entered and having spoke with the Captaine was refused of Quarters and of Proviant for my Souldiers whereupon I retired forth the Ports being closed againe I made our Souldiers make good fires of the driest wood without the Towne whereof there was no scarcitie and being darke the Towne lying alongst the River we getting intelligence there was a water-gate where there stood a Centry I tooke a small Boat and two Officers with me and entering the sallying Port the Centry suspecting no enemy we tooke him off swearing if he cryed we would kill him and bringing him to our Guard left him to their keeping and immediately I went in at the sallying Port accompanied with my Officers and some Musketiers and having set a Guard at the Port we went to the Captaines quarter and tooke in his lodging where we made good cheare jeering the Captaine till he was contented to send forth abundance of victuals for the whole party to make good quarters for our whole Officers within the Towne where they did get both meat money and beside I made all the Dorpes that were without the Towne belonging to it to pay a contribution of money to me my Officers for keeping good order w ch we did to repay the Captaines unthankfulnesse The next day leaving the partie to make good cheare I went to the Rhinegrave to receive his Commands who directed me to march to a Dorpe within two miles of Coblentz and to quarter there till further Orders I retired to the partie and forcing the Captaine to send fiftie Musketiers with me wee followed our Orders and quartered within two miles of Coblentz The Rhinegrave having gotten intelligence where some of the Spaniards did lie in quarters with his Regiment falling into their quarters he did defeat two Regiments of them that were come over the Mosell before the Armie The next day he advertised me he was to advance with his Regiment towards Spier neere the Mosell to attend the enemies coming and if he were distressed he would advertise me whereby I might timely beset the Strengths The Spaniard having set over his Army at Spier being ten thousand strong getting intelligence of the Rhinegraves Quarter they marched on it where he lay in open Dorpes in a manner trusting and reposing too much unto himselfe and his strength mis-regarding his enemies being a Cavalier who was both couragious and resolute who had also resolute and valourous Officers and Souldiers under him a sudden alarum had no power to fright him or his being his watch was commanded by Rutmaster Hume of Carrelside who was a Cavalier of courage and of good experience finding by intelligence the enemy was approaching on his Guard he advertised his Colonell timely to draw out on horse-backe and to expect his enemy in the field who did take no notice of the first advertisement till the Rutmaster rode to him and advertised him to draw to the fields he commanded him againe to retire unto his watch he knew his owne time the Rutmaster scarce returned when he with his watch were charged by three Troopes which charge he received and charged them againe and then retired on the Colonels quarter being so hard followed that by the Colonell was on horse-back he was invironed by three Regimēts of the enemies whom he bravely charged home with foure troops of his and making them to retire he did caracolle about from the enemy having suffered losse on the charge The young Grave of Nassaw then a Rutmaster being hurt and taken and divers more inferiours being retired he commanded Rutmaster Hume with the other foure Troopes to make a stand before the enemy to hold them off till such time he were retired The Rutmaster seeing the enemies strong coming up in full squadrons one after another he drew up very wisely his foure troops in the entry of a wood making a large and broad front whereby the enemy might judge he was stronger than he was as also that they might thinke he had Musketiers behinde him in Ambuscade for a reserve or hinderhalt which made the enemy give them the longer time and the better opportunitie to his Colonell to retire with ease The Rutmaster finding the enemy to fall off a little he retired his troopes at an easie trot till he overtooke the Colonell who thought before their coming they had beene all cut off Immediatly the Rhinegrave sent to me to beset the Garrisons as I did and then he sent Poste unto his Majestie acquainting his Majestie how all had past and of the enemies strength which his Majestie having knowne he drew his Armie together at Mentz with a resolution to fight with the Spaniard before he were suffered to relieve Franckendale but the enemy hearing of his Majesties preparation they retired over the Mosell againe and they being retired I was recall'd with the partie unto Mentz where having left a Captaine and a hundred Musketiers with the Rhinegrave to be disposed on having got orders to that effect from his Majestie which afterwards were all cut off by the enemy the rest of the partie dismist I retired to my Commands The twenty five Observation THE duty of an Officer leading a party is almost alike to the duty of a Generall leading an Army in fight in march in quartering in command and
lamented as being without gall or bitternesse Likewise at this time Lievetenant Hector Monro being also a stout and a valourous Gentleman died of a languishing Ague in Vertenberg being much lamented by his Camerades and friends We reade in the Roman Story That the memory of the dead was ever honourable and precious so that the Romans wore mourning for their dead friends above a yeare And the Athenians had an Order amongst them that all those who dyed bravely in warres their names should be inregistred and set in Chronicle as also frequent mention was ordained to be made of their names and of the exploits done by them in the publique meetings Moreover it was ordained by them to celebrate dayes in their remembrance wherein the youth should be exercised in divers exercises of body called Sepulchres whereby the people might be incouraged to follow Armes for to gaine honour to themselves to the end that disdaining death they might be encouraged to fight for the weale of the publique And Polemarche the Leader for those youths in time of their Exercise was wont to sing Verses and Songs made in praise of those that dyed valourously serving the publique and to incite others to the like magnanimitie The youths did sing them also before the people To conclude then this Observation since GOD hath made me poore by the want of my Friends I finde no other remedie but to inrich my selfe in being content with his will being perswaded as they have gone the way before me I must needs follow and then others by my example must learne to be contented to want me And though I leave them poore they can be rich in God being content For we are neither rich nor poore by what we possesse but by what we desire AN ABRIDGEMENT OF EXERCISE FOR THE Younger Souldier his better Instruction Wherein first we shew a complete Company and then we make twelve Companies to complete a Briggad TO make a complete Company of marching men under Armes there must be one hundred twentie six men in Armes being reckoned to twenty-one Rots each Rot being six men of which two are esteemed as Leaders being a Corporall a Rot-master or Leader and an under Rot-master being the last man of the six in field which also is sometimes a Leader when on occasion his Leader is made to be under Rot-master then in a Company you have twenty-one Leaders being six of them Corporalls and fifteene Rot-masters which to close the fields have allowed twenty-one men called under Rot-masters a Company thus consisting of twenty-one Rots is divided in six Corporall-ships whereof three being Pikemen and three Rot being eighteen men makes a Corporall-ship of Pikes Also there must be to complete this Company three Corporall-ships of Musketiers each Corporall-ship being counted twenty-foure men being foure Rots so that to make up the Company complete there must be nine Rots of Pikemen which have the Right hand and twelve Rots of Musketiers on the left hand being drawne in one Front they make a complete body of a Company without Officers This Company hath allowed them for Officers a Captaine a Lievetenant an Ensigne two Sergeants foure under-Beefeeles being a Captaine of Armes a furer of Colours a furrier and a Muster-schriver as also to serve the Company three Drummers are allowed and fourteen passe-volants with foure muster-youngs are allowed to the Captaine as free men unmustered to make up the complete number of one hundred and fiftie besides the Officers The Company being drawne up complete the Pikes on the Right hand and the Musketiers on the left hand then the Ensigne or his furer with a Drummer and three Rots of Pikes goes to bring out the Colours to be placed in Front of the Company before they march As also the Colours are to be conveyed againe in this manner at all lodging and dislodging The Company marching to Parad or watch with complete Officers the Captaine leads off six Rots of Musketiers his Drumme beating betwixt the second and the third Ranke then followes up after that division the oldest Sergeant leading up the first five Rots of Pikemen the Ensigne leading up the other Division of Pikes his Furer furing his Colours after him and the second Drummer beating betwixt the two Divisions then the Lievetenant leads up the last Division of Musketiers being six Rots also and coming in equall Front with the rest the Captaine making a signe for the Drumme beating they order their Armes the Captaine standing in Front on the Right hand the Ensigne on his left and the Lievetenant on the left hand of both with a Sergeant on each Flancke and the under-Beifells with halfe Pikes stand in the Reare of the Company Twelve Companies thus complete would make up three Squadrons every Squadron of Pikes and Muskets being drawne up severall apart after the former example of the lesse body Pikes and Colours on the right hand and the Musketiers on the left which three Squadrons thus drawne up and complete would make a complete Briggad of Foote to be divided as followes viz. eight Corporall-ships of Musketiers being thirty-two Rots divided in foure Plottons every Plotton being eight in front led off by a Captaine and every Division after him led up by a sufficient Officer till at a haulte all were drawne in even front after this Division should follow the thirty-six Rots of Pikes being twelve Corporall-ships with their Colours a Captaine leading off the first five Rots before the foure Colours should stirre where betwixt the second and third Ranke of the first Division of Pikes the Drummer should beate then the Ensignes should leade off the other Division their Furers with their Colours following them till they drew up in even Front with the first Division of Pikes which ought to be in one Front with the thirty-two Rots of Musketiers that make the right wing of the Briggad keeping their Armes orderly shouldered till they were commanded otherwise and their Sergeants ought to looke unto the Flanks till such time that the whole Squadron of Pikes being thirty-six Rots were drawne up in even Front with the Musketiers after this manner the other Squadron of Pikes being thirty-six Rots also which should make the Battaile of the Briggad ought to march by Divisions being led up in all respects and order after the manner of the former Squadron of Pikes till they were in even Front with the rest then the other thirty-two Rots of Musketiers belonging to that Squadron which are appointed to be the Battaile of the Briggad ought to be led up as the first Division of Musketiers were in all points which ought to draw up at a reasonable distance behinde their owne Squadron of Pikes appointed for the Battaile of the Briggad where their Sergeants on the Flancks ought to looke to their order and not to suffer them to stirre their Armes till they were commanded And after them should march up the last Squadron of Pikes in all respects observing the order of the former