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 Dannbe 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 Vlme where he was buried and there after my brother was killed by the insolency of some Dutch Souldiers which were of another Regiment not his owne who was also buried at Bachrach on the Rhine and his Lievetenant Colonell Iohn Monro discharging himselfe of the Regiment they were reduced at Heidelberg on the Neckar to two Companies under Captaine Adam Gordon and Captaine Nicholas Rosse which two Companies by the Chancellor his Orders I tooke from Palsgrave Christian his Armie and marched with them to Donavert where in Iuly 1633. I joyned them to my Regiment of whom I tooke leave leaving them under Command of my Lievetenant Colonell Iohn Sinclaire who immediatly afterward was killed at Newmark in the upper Palatinate and was transported to be buried at Donavert My Major William Stewart succeeded to the Lievetenant Colonell's place I being gone for a Recreut to my Regiment unto Britaine From that time to the Battaile of Nerling being a yeare they were led by Lievtenant Colonell Stewart brother to Claire And since I did not see the service I continue to speake of the last yeares Expedition till I be informed of those who did see the service as I did the rest The forty-two Observation being the last IN warres wisedome is of such worth that the spirit and skill of one Commander is sometimes better than thousands of armed men And nothing encourages an Enemy more than the foolishnesse and ignorance of their Enemies in warlike businesse But on the contrary he sleepes not sound that hath a wise enemy For a wise Leader doth all things wisely and it becomes not a Leader to use himselfe to vanitie or to intemperate appetites for how can he command others that never pressed to command his owne inordinate desires and brave Leaders of Armies and valourous Captaines should ever looke to their honour and renowne more than unto riches or pleasure spoyle or gaine quitting the spoyle of their Enemies to their Souldiers they ought to reserve the honour and fame for themselves for he wants not meanes but inriches his family that hath wonne credit and leaves it to his posteritie Our contestation then should be for honour and credit and not for unlawfull spoyle or gaine esteeming more of magnanimitie where ever it is found than of riches attained unto it may be through feeblenesse and cowardice lying in a Garrison having never seen an enemy or a man killed in the Fields when other Cavaliers did shew their valour before their enemies gaining more credit though lesse wealth which is of shortest continuance For we are not worthy the name of Souldiers if we glory as many doe more in gathering riches that perish faster than they come than we doe to get an immortall good name for we must thinke still that true honour doth consist onely in vertuous actions which should make us more ambitious of credit than of unlawfull gaine attained unto by avarice Here also we see great difference betwixt Leaders For after we had gotten Feltmarshall Horne to leade us we began by his valourous good Conduct to recover againe what others had suffered the Enemy to possesse and before he advanced he made his friends sure behind him as Vlme and the Duke of Vertenberg that alwayes in necessitie he might make a safe retreate as a wise Generall ought to doe looking what might happen So then we see that as Resolution is needfull Counsell is not to be despised coming from a stedfast minde for it is better to save our selves and others than to be the Instruments to lose both But when we have no time to resolve long in matters deplorable then resolution should have place
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 cōming 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 Lovenburgh 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 au 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 of 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 not 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 fore-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 time may change him to another man I will let him be his own Beadle and for his punishment I would not care though he were made to sing an Invective against himselfe But I pray God we may be freed of the like our selves and not to looke upon another with a Beam'd eye but rather to be our owne Antidot's against all the poyson that another is able to spit upon us Let us then have our eyes fixed upon vertue and we shall finde a beautie that will every day take us with some grace or other For the world hath nothing so
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 to 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 honourable Accord for in such a case I would choose before I came in my enemies Reverence without Armes rather to fight to the last man and if I chanced to be the last I had rather die being resolved with resolution having Armes in my hands than unawares being unprepared to be knockt downe miserably when I looked not for Death Here I did see the Ingenier that built this Fort who in time of working did oftentimes beate the Boores to make them worke for his crueltie he was most cruelly beaten againe and he running to his Majesties
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 opinion 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 bespared 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 patience till once they were done that he might see his Souldiers secured and guarded from their enemies for when he was weakest he digged most in the ground for in one yeare what at Swede Francford Landsberg Brandenburg Verbum Tannermonde Wittenberg and Wirtzburg he caused his Souldiers to worke more for nothing than the States of Holland could get wrought in three yeares though they should bestow every yeare a Tunne of gold and this he did not onely to secure his Souldiers from the enemy but also to keepe them from idlenesse When they were not employed on service they were kept by good discipline in awe and obedience and that with as great moderation love and discretion as could be And his Majestie knew well that our Nation was of that nature that they could take to heart the austere carriage of their Commanders were they never so good For while as sometimes through his Majesties impatiencie he would cause to imprison some of our Country-men without solicitation his Majestie was ever the first did minde their liberties for he knew their stomacks were so great that they would burst or starve in prison before they would acknowledge an errour committed against their Master except it were of negligence Moreover nothing can more discourage a Citie Fort or Strength that is beleaguered than when they see their secrets discovered and their passages from reliefe cut off as it was seene of those that yeelded up the Skonce to Sir Iohn Hepburne being contented to come in the Colonells mercy seeing themselves barred from all reliefe Likewise the dutie of Leaders that lead men on service ought to be limited with discretion and not to advance further than with conveniency they may retire againe if need be lest by too farre advancing they not onely indanger themselves but also ingage others for their reliefes to indanger all and a fault committed in this kinde through too much forwardnesse merits a harder censure than remissenesse with discretion seeing in the latter a man is but censured alone but committing the former errour he loseth himselfe and others Here also we found by experience that the spade and the shovell are ever good companions in danger without which we had lost the greatest part of our followers Therefore in all occasions of service a little advantage of ground is ever profitable against horse foote or Cannon And for this it was that the best Commanders made ever most use of the spade and the shovell and that in such ground as was found most commodious for their safeties We see also here his Majesties disposition in entertaining his Officers kindly after victory esteeming them not as servants but as companions in his mirth as a wise Master ought and should doe to those he findes obedient to his Commandements incouraging them another time to undergoe any service or danger for his sake that was so kinde and familiar with them joyning their hearts as well with his love as with his bountie for he knew well nothing was more able to bring victory next under God than good Commanders As also his Majestie knew that to be courteous unto his Officers was the way to triumph over his enemies The tenth Dutie discharged of our March to Berlin and from thence to Spandaw and backe to Botsaw THE eighteenth of Aprill 1631. the enemy being marched out of Landsburg towards Gloge his Majestie having beset Landsburg with a Garrison we marched backe to Francford on the Oder where we did rest us with the Armie till the twenty-ninth of Aprill during which time there were Ambassadours going mutually betwixt his Majestie and the Duke of Brandenburg at last having condescended on some points his Majestie brake up with the Armie and marched towards Berlin and were quartered by the way at a passe called Pance being
issue being under the Conduct of the Lyon of the North the invincible King of Sweden their Leader who was carelesse as he said himselfe that night to incurre the feude or the enmity and anger both of the House of Austria and King of Spaine to doe service to his Deere Sister the Queene of Bohemia Who would not then my deere Camerades Companions not of want but of valour and courage at such a time being the time we all of us longed to see who would not I say presse to discharge the dutie of valourous Souldiers and Captaines in sight of their Master and King having crossed the Rhine fighting for the Queene of Souldiers being led by the King of Captaines and Captaine of Kings who would not then as true valourous Scots with heart and hand sustaine the Fight discharging at once the dutie of Souldiers and valourous Captaines by that meanes so farre as in them lay restoring the Paltz contemning death striving to get victory over their enemies and freedome of Conscience to their distressed brethren long kept in bondage and under tyranny of their enemies the space of ten yeares till the coming of this magnanimous King and great Captaine who in six moneths time after did free the Paltz of all Spanish Forces setting them at libertie having brought the Keyes of all Goales with him and opened the doores not onely of all prisons but also of all houses and Churches in the Paltz that had beene closed ten yeares before through the banishment of the owners bringing them backe to their houses againe and having removed the Idolatrous worship of Papists out of their Churches suffered them againe to serve God peaceably in their former true undoubted and onely pure profession of the Faith of Christs Gospell The twenty-fourth Dutie discharged of our March to Mentz and of the intaking of it HIS Majestie having laien here at Oppenham some three dayes till the rest of the Armie were come over at Oppenham and at Stockstat the Armie being come over the Spaniards were afraid to stay in any place that was not wondrous strong and their feare being so great they quit Stagne setting it on fire as also the Lotterings Garrison did quit Wormes having first abused the Towne with plundering and other intolerable damage and hurt they retired all unto Frankendall being strong by fortification they made it strong of men having retired above eight thousand Spaniards within it who being blocked up had never the resolution or courage once to have falne forth on the Swedens Forces but kept themselves close within walles His Majestie taking his march towards Mentz which before was blockt up on the other side of the Rhine next to Francford with Shippes and with the Landgrave of Hessens Forces his Majestie about the middest of December in cruell tempestuous weather for frost and snow coming before it on a Sunday in the afternoone and having himselfe rode about the Towne on the Paltz side and recognosced both workes and walles the Armie standing in Battaile his Majestie having first commanded the Horsemen some to quarters and some on dutie The foote Briggads were commanded towards their severall Postes where Colonell Hepburnes Briggad according to use was directed to the most dangerous Poste next the enemy and the rest 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 both 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 water 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
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 astand 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 those he commands ought to give the like obedience unto him though strangers as if absolutly they were of his owne Regiment and his care for them should be as for himselfe He ought also at the undertaking of the command or charge over them to foresee to be sufficiently provided of all things necessary for such service as he is commanded on of Amunition spades shovels materialls for his Cannon and Pettards with his Guides to convey him from one place to another till he come to the end of his intended march doing all things by wise and deliberate stedfastnesse in Command without wavering not altering his Orders as he must answer to his Generall to whom he is to give account and his best is to have his Orders in writing that in case of variance betwixt Commanders Writing may beare him thorough when Orders by mouth will be denied neither ought he in his command to be timorous or rash but rather resolute and remisse as occasion offers and on occasions apart when his Command must be relative to anothers direction that is but subordinate to a Generall he must deliberat wisely what to doe and he must foresee the best and worst of things but having once deliberated let him be as resolute in the execution as he can Likewise here we see in the Rhinegrave a rare example both of remisnesse and courage in one person For first being made foreseene of the enemies comming he shewed his remisnesse having refused to give eare to the severall advertisments till in th' end he was pursued unawares and then he did testifie his inward courage and resolution in charging the enemy being three Regiments with foure troopes putting them to a retreat Neverthelesse we see him alike beholden to the Rut-master for his advertisment as for his safe retreat having first and last suffered the dint of the enemies Armes on him and houlding it off his Commander A brave example to be imitated and followed of all Cavaliers that would gaine honour and reputation The twenty sixth Duty discharged of the accidents occurred in our warres during our lying in Mentz THIS following discourse being no direct part of the discharge of duty intended of the Regiment neverthelesse for lacke of emploiment in my calling at that time being idle in Garrison I remarked so farre as I could by report the actions of others as they occurred then being out of action my selfe yet I can affirme what I relate will be found true if not let me be no more blamed than those that gave the intelligence His Majesty having gone to meete the Queene being come from Leipsigh to Hanow the twenty second of Ianuary 1632. his Majesty conveyed the Queene to Francfurt where all the Cannons went off after their entries At this time also the Rex-chancellour Oxensterne came from Spruce conveyed by our countriman Sr. Patrick Ruthven then eldest Colonell of Scots under his Majesty being then Governour of Mariburg and Colonell of a Dutch Regiment lay there with whom did come fro Spruce Lievetenant Colonel Hugh Hamilton who was Lievetenant Colonell then to Sr. George Cuningham his Regiment of Scots that lay in Spruce Captaine Mongomery came also with them who soone after was made Lievetenant Colonell to a free Squadron of foote and after that was killed in combat on horsbacke by the Generall Quarter-master Bullion at first Captaine under me At this time also came with him Quarter-master Sandelence who afterwards was Captaine Major and Lievetenant Colonell having ascended by degrees according to worth and deserving The Chancellor being come his Majesty and he sat ordinarily all day in counsell treating on weighty matters At which time the Cullens Ambassadour was treating apart with his Majesty for neutrality affirming
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 Squadrons in their marching till they were led up in equall Front with the other Pikes and then march up the last thirty-two Rots of Musketiers in foure Divisions observing the order of the former Divisions till they were in equall Front with the whole Pikes and then they making up the left wing of the Briggad the Colonell of the Briggad ordaines the battell of Pikes being the middle Squadron of Pikes to advance in one body before the rest till they are free of the Musketiers and Pikes which makes the wings of the Briggad and then the battaile of Pikes standing firme the thirty-two Rot of Musketiers which were drawne up behinde them march up till they fill up the voide betwixt the Squadrons of pikes standing right behinde their owne pikes that is the battaile of the Briggad and then the Colonell making a signe to the Drummers they beate all alike till the Briggad in one instant doth order their Armes all Officers of the Briggad standing on their stations according as they were directed then the superplus of the three Squadrons of musketiers being fourty-eight Rot are drawne up behinde the Briggad having also Officers to command them they attend orders which they are to obey being commanded out as pleaseth their Officers either to guard Cannon or Baggage or to be Convoyes to bring Amunition or victualls to the rest A direction to Traine single Souldiers apart HAving thus formed a Company and showne the manner to draw up a complete Briggad for the younger Officer his better understanding being a Novice to this Discipline I will set downe briefely the best way suddenly to bring a young Company to be exercised which in my opinion would be thus First since every Rot of the twenty-one whereof the Company doth consist hath allowed a Corporall or a Rot-master as the Leader of the other five which Leader is supposed to be more expert in handling of Pike or Musket then the other five who make up the Rot and the under Rot-master is supposed to be more expert in handling his Armes than the other foure so that he is appointed as a second to the Leader being sometimes a Leader himselfe then after the company is made up for the first weeke I would have every Corporall of the six and the fifteene Rot-masters being Leaders with the helpe of their under Rot-masters in a weekes time to make the other foure as expert in handling of Pike and Musket as themselves or to be punished with Irons in case of their neglect which the Sergeants should see done as they should answer to the Lievetenant the Lievetenant to the Captaine and the Captaine to the Major the Major to the Lievetenant Colonell and they all to the Colonell which they ought to practise in the fields apart till the Rot were acquainted every one with his Leader from the first to the last and while as the under Rot-master should turne Leader then all the followers before were then Leaders also and then the Rot being apart the middle man of the Rot should be taught to double to the Front till their deepe were three that was six before and in falling off againe the middle man should turne to the contrary side or hand he came up upon carrying their Armes handsomly free from others without making noise in their retiring to their former station and orders Likewise I would have the Corporall Rot-master or Leader being a Musketier having his Rot once expert in handling severally the Musket well then to discharge their Muskets in winning ground advancing to an enemy the Leader having discharged his musket standing still to blow his panne and prime againe
and no more sometimes without Townes we had quarters given to Briggads apart in Dorps Randez-vouz being appointed for us the next morning to draw upon for to joyne with the Army and while as we quartered in Dorps being drawne up without the Dorpe first we sighted the passes and the guards placed in the fields on the Avenues lest the enemy unawares might enter the quarters the Centries duely set our Colours were conveyed with a Troope to their lodging or quarter their furriers shuts leading them aright till the Colours were quartered and guarded then the rest showne unto their quarter men were appointed to goe meete the Baggage to leade them to their quarters Orders given every man entertained another as they had best reason and all being setled parties of horse were sent forth to scoure the fields for intelligence and lest they might be trapped by the enemy a second party was sent out after them both getting orders how farre to ride and upon what streets being commanded where to hault and forrage as also being admonished to have still a party on horsbacke to advertise the rest from being surprized which done Ordnance-Rutters of every Briggad were left to waite on the Generall at his Quarter for Orders the generall Randez-vouz for the Horse being appointed where to meete when ever they got Orders The fourth manner of quartering an Armie is in a fast Leaguer as at Statin Swede Brandenburg Verben Donavert Ausburg Engolstat Nurenberg which manner of quartering is most troublesome both for Officers and Souldiers who having builded Receptacles for themselves their charges and travels bestowed in vaine many times they leave their houses to their enemies yet the forme is commendable being under an Armie that is well payd where all things may be had for money and then the Leaguer being kept cleane and in good order it represents a Common-weale or a Citie defensible against all incumbrances which may occurre except it please the Lord to wagge his hand and then no counsell or strength can availe against Him who is the God of Hostes The use Cavaliers or Commanders have to make of this sort of quartering is that in case they happen to have Command themselves they may learne through this practise to command others as also through fore-sight they may timely take themselves to this kinde of defensive warre till they be able to come into the Fields as his Majesty of worthy memory did being forced to retire by the power of his enemies to the former Leaguers wherein there was discipline and good practice to be observed by Cavaliers where the Kings Majestie was made to dwell as the meanest Souldier being alike subject to the inconvenience as others which might happen of ayre sicknesse infection or of watching Thus farre then for the quartering of an Armie Of Artillerie an Observation ARtillery being the third part of an Armie without which no Armie can be gloriously led it is requisit then somewhat briefly to speake of the advantages we have by Artillerie being well foreseene and commanded as it was by the Captaine of Kings and King of Captaines Gustavus the Invincible who with as little Charge did as much as any King or Captaine could in doing of so great exploits as he did with his Artillery But lest I should be thought to neglect a part of my dutie in this point concerning Cannon I will set downe here when his Majestie made most use of Cannon to my knowledge which being rightly considered will be thought strange seeing in the whole course of his Majesties warres during his time I never saw or did learne he shot a breach in any place except at Garts though otherwise I knew well his Majestie made good use of his Artillerie as at Leipsigh the Leacke and at Leitzen where in all three he shewed himselfe Master of that Art But against either Towne or Fort I did never see in his Majesties time one breach shot or entred his fortune being such and his diligence so great that his enemies did ever Parlé before they would abide the furie of his Cannon as at Brandenburg Damaine Fransfurt Mentz Donavert Ausburg and divers more and in my opinion the terrour the Cannon breeds is as much to be feared as the execution that followes though it be great and Artillery in all Armies and things belonging thereto are of infinit moment on all occasions So that they may be called Sine quo nihil but supreame Officers of the Field are no more troubled with them but so farre as they direct others to doe the service their owne Officers being appointed to attend them as the Generall to the Artillerie his Colonells Lievetenant-Colonells Majors Captaines Lievetenants Constables and all other inferiour Officers needfull to attend who know and keepe their owne Turnes and Reliefes as other Officers doe theirs their furniture is great and their charges also in buying Horses to draw their Cannon and Amunition Waggons with Powder Ball Match Materials Fire-Engins Petards storming Ladders Artificiall Bridges carried on Waggons to passe over Rivers or Graffes In all quartering they are quartered next after the Hoffestaffe before any Briggad and the furniture and charges needfull to maintaine this third part of the Armie is extraordinary great there being alwayes something to be repaired while as the Armie doth rest and oft-times they must be provided of a great deale of new furniture and they lose yearely an extraordinary number of Horses of great price But his Majestie during his time was very fortunate in this as in other things for I never knew his Majestie lose any Ordnance but I have seene him get supply of Amunition and Cannon from his enemies as first at Garts and Grefenhaugne Damaine Francford Lansburg Glogo Leipsigh Vertsburg Mentz and Munchen besides the supply his Majestie did get for his Artillerie from Nurenberg Francfurt Ausburg Strasburg and Vlme and to discourse largely of this subject alone would take a volume of paper But when every Cavalier is commanded apart with a partie where he must make use of Cannon he would be before his departure with his partie very carefull to receive his Cannon with the furniture belonging unto it timely together with sufficient Officers for discharging that part of the dutie on his march he must command his partie as if it were a little Armie being ever well provided of Guides and of carefull wittie and painefull Intelligencers that he may leade and quarter his partie with assurance directing alwayes his Intelligencer before him being ever carefull to beset the passes and avenues well As also sufficiently to guard his Cannon Baggage and Amunition since many times great hurt doth come thorow the neglect of guarding the Cannon and Amunition which over-sights once committed are irrecoverable in regard whereof I must entreate the gentle Reader to pardon me a little here out of Historie for the younger Souldier his better instruction to discourse a little of the hurt and inconvenience hath happened many times by Cannon