For he was still 〈◊〉 Horseback not above Thirty Yards distance from the Enemies Entrenchments So that of Twenty Men that were about his Person there was not one that did not carry away some marks of the danger to which he was expos'd The Duke himself had the Pommel of his Saddle taâ—en off with a Canon Bullet and the Scabbord of his Sword was broken with a Musket Shot Grammont had his Horse kill'd under him and all the rest were wounded Nevertheless this Accidenâ— did no way dishearten the Prince so that he only alter'd the design of this Attack and instead of making his greatest Onseâ— upon the Lines as he had resolvd in the Morning he order'd the most furious Onset to be given upon the Entrenchment of Trees To that purpose D' Aumont was commanded to keep the Bavarians in Play with the Souldiers which had fought already causing a Diversion thereby in the same place where the first Onset had ill succeeded The Duke and Turenne with the whole Body of the Infantry lead by Mauvilli supporâ—ed by the Gensd'armes and Roze's Cavalry march'd directly to the Entrenchment of Trees Scarce were the foremost Ranks of this new Atâ—ack enter'd into the Wood but the Bavarians fir'd with an extraordinary fury nevertheless the French advanc'd in very good Order with a Resolution to try whether they could force the Entâ—enchments of Trees or no. And the fight was so obstinate that after they had been driven back severâ—l times and several times had repuls'd the French at length Gasper de Mercy Major General of the Cavalry was forc'd to make his Horsemen alight to second his Infantry that began to give Ground Upon that the Dispute grew hotter then before and both Parties firâ—d with so much Fury that the Noise and the Smoâ—k put all things into â—onfâ—sion so that they could not distinguish one another but by the Flashes of the Artillery and Small Shot All the surrounding Woods and Forests bâ—llow'd forth most dreadful Eccho's and augmented the Horrour of the Battel The Souldiers were so bloodily eager the one to force the other to defend the Entrenchment that if Night had not parted 'em there had been one of the most deadly Slaughters thaâ— had been in our days The French Gendâ—râ—eriâ— perform'd a very noble Exploit at that time They were commanded by Boulay who led on the Squadrons to the very brink of the Entrenchmenâ— and maâ—gâ—e the Enemies furious firing fought a long time within Pistolâ— Shot Never was so desperate a Combat where without grappling Hand to Hand so many fell upon the spot on both sides The French in this Conflict lost Maâ—villy and the Bavarians Gaspaâ—â—â— Meâ—cy their General 's Brother After this the Duke having brought back his Army into the Camp layd aside all other thoughts but those of cutting off the Bavarians Provisions to the end he might enforce 'em to quit so Advantageous a Post. To that purpose he gave his Men four days time to refresh themselves and the woâ—nded of which there was a great number wâ—re sent away to â—risach that there might be nothing left in the Camp which might retard the Design which the Duke had contriv'd in his Mind The Mountains of the Black Forest derive their Original from the Mountains of Switzerland and follow the Course of the Rhim till they join with the Hills that lye upon the Banks of the Neâ—â—â— These Mountains are very long and more or less broad according to the Countries where they â—xtend themselves but their widest breadth is from Friburgh to Filinghen about ten or twelve Leâ—gâ—es There is no way of Communication between these two Cities but through a Vally which is very narrow and very Incommodious for the marching of an Army Nevertheless this was the Part through which Mercy in all probability would make his Retreat Which nevertheless he would not presume to do in view of the French Army â—o that the Duke of Enguien was of Opinion that 〈◊〉 intercepting this way between Friburgh and Fiâ—inghen he should cut him off from his Provision and Forâ—ge and thereby câ—nstrain him to a General Battel or to retreâ—t in Disorder With this Resolution the Ninth of August the Prince caus'd his Army to march toward Langsdelinghâ—n a Village â—eated in the most easie place of Aâ—â—ess in all those Mountains This Place was very proper to annoy the Bavarians or to fight 'em in their Retreat For as for the Duke he could have Provisions from Brisack in case he advanc'd any fâ—rther among the Mountains But the Road which gave him entrance into this Valley was extremely difficult by reason of the Boggs of which the Woods are full Besides that the Front of the Army being once engagd in these Woods and having pass'd the Rivolet that runs along by 'em the Rear-guard would be expos'd to the Bavarians without any possibility of being reliev'd by their own Men. The Dâ—ke therefore took all the Precaution which the Advantages of the Ground and the Presence of a vigilant Enemy requir'd To this purpose in regard the Horse could not march but one and one and for that many times the men were forc'd to alight and lead their Horses the Prince order'd a great body of Infantry at the Tayl of the Army to support the Rear of his Cavalry he also plac'd little Bodies of Musketeers upon the Wings to defend the Passes through which the Bavarians might come to charge ' em By break of day Turenne set forward with his Army which compos'd the Vanguard that day The D. took care to bring up the Rear and kept himself in view of Mercy 's Army till all his Men were past and after he had in this manner cross'd the Woods and Boggs rejoin'd his Vanguard at Langsdelinghen the Bavarians not making the least attempt to dispute his Passage over the River or his Entrance into the Wood. Mercy observing the March of the French readily apprehended their design and as he was one of the most politick Generals in the World he presently judg'd that his safety consisted in preventing the Duke and not in disputing the Incumbrances of the Pass Nor indeed had he more then just so much time to retreat before the foremost Troops of the French Vanguard could overtake him and doubtless this was that which hinderd him from falling upon their Râ—â—r Therefore so soon as he saw the French upon their March he decampd his Army keeping the top of thâ— Mountains and ordering his Baggage to be conducted through St. Peter's Valley which leads toward Filinghen Upon notice of Mercy 's March the Duke hasten'd his own as much as it was possible But he had Mountains almost inaccessible to cross that he might shorten his way besides that his Men were extreamly tir'd For which reason he was enforcd to deâ—ach Roze with all speed only with eight hundred Horse to amuse the Bavarians and disturb 'em in their Retreat while the rest of his Army pass'd the Defiles Roze perform'd his
so that they lay half in the Durt the Wind caus'd 'em to catch great coldsâ— nor had they â—ires sufficient 〈◊〉 dry themselves the terrible blasts blew the small Sand among their Victuals and in their Eyes amidst all these hardships together with their Military Duties in the Guaâ—d of the Trenches and Camp there was a necessity of continually repairing the Breaches which the Sea made in their Fences or in the Slucesâ— and emptying the Moats of the Lines which the Wind filld with Sand which redoubld their Toylâ— Ill Stabling and bad food for the Horses reduc'd 'em into a very bad Condition and sickness began to seize both Men and Beasts These vast Inconveniencies nothing dismay'd the Prince who had seen 'em all present in his thoughts from the very moment that he form'd the Design and who as we have already said had from that time so well taken his Measures that by his extraordinary Dilligâ—nce and Industry his Army might support it self longer then he judg'd it necessary to take the Town by force For in regard it was to be fear'd that if they went about to Storm the Town with those Securities and Defences usually prepard for other Souldiers leâ—â— after they had spent a long time in raising Works the approaching Winter might render all their Labour Fruitless and an ensuing mortality consume the Army the Prince took up his first Resolution which was to make Tryal of the quickness of Execution and Judiciously perswaded himself that it was the Preservation of the Souldiers to hazard a small number in Glorious Attempts for the Safety of the rest By that means he prov'd a good Husband of time the loss of which is never to be recover'd He satisfi'd the desire of the whole Army impatient of their Suâ—ferings and brought to pass this renowned Enterprize maugre all the Opposition of Men and Nature having this to comfort him That whatever happen'd his Honour would retain entire not only because it did not depend upon hazard against which he had fortifi'd himself as much as it was possibleâ— but the rather because his Virtue had rais'd him above the reach of ill Fortune With these thoughts the very same day that the Entrenchments were finishâ—d he went to view the Place together with Gassion and Ranzau and after he had well considerd it he resolv'd upon two Attacks tâ—e one upon the last Bastion the other upon the Hornwork against it He order'd the first onset to be made by his own Army which he reinforc'd with two Battallions which he took by turns from both the Marshals leaving the more easie Attack to the two Brigades that were to relieve ' emâ— They attack'd the Bastion in the Face next the Sea and the Hornwork on that side which was most exposd to the Bastion In the Evening the Trenches were open'd and a great Redoubt was rais'd at the beginning of each and between the two Redoubts they rais'd a Battery of 15 Great Guns This was done without any Disorder the Besieged never molesting the Workmen whether it were that they thought that what was yet done would do 'em but little harm or whither they believ'd it more necessary to employ themselves in finishing certain Out-works which they had already begun and to surround 'em with Pallisado's The Marshals Attack was the first place where any fighting happen'd to be For between the Pallisados and the Besiegers Trenches there was an indifferent high Hill which the Enemy possess'd and from whence they were to be driven before the French could carry on their Works Therefore Noirmanstier being upon the Guard that day with ten Companies of the French Guards of Ranzau's Brigaâ—e receiv'd orders to make himself master of that Down Thereupon having drawn out a Company of choice Men under the command of Saujon Chailâ—y and Rousille seconded by the rest of the Body which Courcelles lead he fell on with great Resolution The Souldiers were daring the Oâ—ficers prudent and as it happens in the first Action of Sieges every one strove with Emulation to signalize himself So that the Attack was undertaken with so much Vigour and in so good Order that the Enemy astonishd at the fury of the first Onset gave ground without much resistance not being able in their Confusion to consider the number of the Assailants nor to make the best of those Advantages which the Light of the Moon and the white Sands over which the French advancâ—d without any shelter might have given ' em However they did not suffer the Attackers to rest long For all of a suddain as soon as they had recollected themselves they return'd to the Charge Three times they came on again and were three times repuls'd In the mean time Niormâ—nstier tho he ran up and down where ever the Exigency of Command and Danger summon'd him had broke ground with so much speed that maugre those Attacks he had finishd a Lodgement upon the Down which he had gaind and they had join'd it by a Line of Retreat a hunderd and fifty paces in length with the Works of the French Nevertheless the Work was not brought to full Perfection for want of Bavins when about six a Clock in the Morning the Dunkirkers resolvd to drive the Besiegers out of their Lodgment Noirmonstier immediately ran with Courcelles and the other Captains to the Head of the Work by their presence and Conduct to encourage the Combatants At the same time the Enemy threw a great number of Granados the breaking of which did the Besiegers the more mischief in regard there was not one that fell in vain among the Souldiers that were thick crowded together The Besieged were in hopes that their Granado's would have put the French in Disorder and that afterwards they might be repelld with more ease But when they saw the Officers resolute and accustom'd to Discipline succeeded one another when any one was wounded and that fresh Souldiers took the place of those that fell then hopeless to see the small effect of their Granado's they came to Handiblows with the Besiegers This encounter which lasted 3 hours was very bloody the manner of Combat augmenting their Fury The Fortune of the Day also waver'd for a long time the French not willing to abandon their Victory and the Spaniards striving with all their might to regain it But at length the Spaniards recoyl'd and tho they made 3 other Attacks with the same obstinacy they were still repuls'd and the Lodgement made capable beforâ— Night to contain above 300 Men. The Besiegers lost a great number of Men they had 10 Serjeants kill'd Porcheux a Captain of the Guards Mondebise a Lieutenant and two other Officers wounded Nor was the Enemies Loss less considerable On their side there dy'd a Volunteer of the House of Croâ—y and of the French Barrouliere an Ensign of the Guards Saujon Chailly Rousille Loignac Genlis Campagnole and du Voulch Officers of the same Regiment did signal Service chiefly Courcelles who next to
Anger of his Father and that Chamber is still adorn'd with the Arms of France and Burgundy The Country about Furnes is pleasant in Summer chiefly that which extends to the East and South by reason of the Meadows and Woods but the Mershes render it very noysome at other Seasons 'T is true that this Inconvenience is amply recompenc'd by the fertility of the Pasturages which is the reason that in several places they neglect all the care of good Husbandry and by the great number of Canals which are infinitely advantageous for Trade Nevertheless there is good store of Plough'd Land which bears plenty of Corn and in a word the Riches of these Parts is such that Charles the V. was wont to say That if the rest of Flanders were but like that corner of the World it would be more worth then the Indies The Foundation of it is very ancient for we find in the year 958. Baldwin Count of Flanders fortifi'd it with out-works of Earth against the Invasions of the Normans After that notwithstanding it â—ad been several times ruin'd by Fire by Domesticâ— Seditions Civil Wars and the funy of the French Arms â—nder Robert of Arraâ— and Philip de 〈◊〉 yet still it has recover'd it self after so many Disasters and was then in a flourishing condition when the French took it So that besides the necessity the French had of it in order to their design upon Dâ—nkirk they had reason to preserve it for the sake of it self So that the Prince after he had consider'd the Situation and the nature of the Place resolv'd to environ it with several Half-Moons a Hornwork and a Counterscarp having no other defence at that time then a Wall flankd with Towers and a Moat full of Water To this purpose he distributed the Foot into those places where he intended to break Ground divided and appointed the Quarters of the Regiments orderd a Camp-Master to every Quarter to take care of the Work settl'd the Hours of Rest nam'd the Bodies which were to relieve one another and methodizd all things with so much equality that there might always be a good number of Souldiers at work all day long In the mean time the Cavalry were order'd to cut Wood and every Troop brought Piles to make Palisadoes and Stakes for the Use of the Fortifications He had also before this commanded the Magistrates of Furnes to order the Peasants through the whole extent of their Jurisdiction to gather Foâ—age and bring it into the City He sent for Boats from all parts to facilitate the Transportation of it and appointed an Officer to receive it as they hundled it up and store it up in the Magazines Never was seen so much Diligence and so much Order both at the same time The Fortifications were rais'd the City furnish'd with Provisions the Cavalry Infantry Burgesses Peasants Sea-men every Body quick and without Confusion in the performance of what was enjoin'd ' em All this while the Prince was every where giving Directions and shewing that he had a perfect Understanding of Military Oeconomy Which to me seemd so much the more worthy of Applause because Valour is common to the meanest private Souldier whereas Fore-sight and Knowledge in the Art of War are the distinguishing Qualities of Great Men. So that it appear'd in a short time how much the Prâ—sence and Ability of a General puts all things in forwardness For in the space of 14 days the Fortifications were fiâ—ishd and the Magazines well filld Now these great Preparations not being unknown to the Spaniards for the Flemmings spurr'd on with that Affâ—ction which People reserve a little while for the Masters they have lost gave them continual Intelligence they readily câ—njecturd that the French had a design to attack Dunkirk Caracena who lay nearest to the French was the first who dispatch'd away advice of it to Castle Rodrigo Governour of the Low Countries at Brussels He sent him Information of what he learnt day by day and by redoubld Couriers deâ—ir'd his Counsel and Assistance in a Matter of so high Importance as this The chief Commanders of the Flemmish Armies after they had shar'd among 'em the defence of these Countries were at that time seaprated in Posts remote from one another Their Generalissimâ— Charles of Lorrain was drinking Waters at the Spaw and his Men lay quarterd upon the Frontiers of Holland as was also Beck with his Body of Flemmings and Walloons Picolomini with the principâ—l strength of the Country was encampâ—d upon the Scheldt near Dendermonde Curacena lay at Newport commanding the Royal Army of Spaniards and Italians as also the Germans and the Liedigeois which the Emperour had sent at the beginning of the Campaigne while Lamboy General of those Forces constrain'd by Sickness to quit the Service for some time was gone for the Recovery of his Health to one of his Houses in the County of Liege This Disposal of the Spanish Forces seem'd absolutely necessary to Castiâ—rodridgo for the security of the Provinces which he govern'd and upon the sole conjecture of Appearances usually false frequently fraudulent he durst not disfurnish those Places which they possess'd for fear of exposing 'em to the Armies of the French or Hollanders But tho there were not so much reason to be afraid of the Hollanders for that they carry'd on the War more remissly since their Plenipotentiaries had begun a Negotiation of a Truce with the K. of Spain in the Assembly at Munster where the Ministers of the Christian Princes met to settle Peace over Europe yet it was plain that tho both the Armies of Flanders should have joyn'd there was no likelyhood they would come to encamp near Dunkirk so long as the French lay at Furnes for that being depriv'd both by Sea and Land of all Communication with Newport it would have been their visible ruine and to have been expos'd an easie Prey to the French all Flanders being depriv'd of their Veterane Bands which till then had hinder'd 'em from hastning their Destruction Thus Castelrodridge being â—â—opt by these Considerations and the slow manner of acting customary to that Nation who wait upon time which they often loose in hopes that either the Season or the Places would either hinder or ruine the French deemd it suâ—ficient to keep in a Readiness what he thought necessary for the Relief of Dunkirk when the Town should be Besieg'd To the end therefore that nothing might be omitted which he thought might be serviceable to him in this important necessity he resolv'd to try whither he could excite the Parliament of England against the French in regard they seem'd to look upon it as their Interest not to let Dunkirk fall into their Hands To this purpose after he had imparted his Resolutions to the Generals he dispatch'd an Express to the Spanish Ambassadour at London to the end he might be inform'd of his Designs and make use of his Credit which was very great with the Republicans at that
in four days notwithstanding the continual Rains and Winds all the Fortifications of the Camp were finishd and the Sluces prevented from doing any more harm The Downs also that were fortifid for defence lookt like so many great Bastions and surpriz'd the Eyes of those that beheld ' em Nay even they that fortifi'd 'em could not but wonder how such prodigious Works could be brought to perfection in so short a time Surely if we consider â—eriously all the Circumstances of those Works which I have so faithfully describ'd and afterwards examine those which are to be found in the Greek and Roman Histories which we never read without astonishment will find by a just Comparison that the Prince has hardly been out done While they were working at the Entrenchments the Prince receiv'd news that the Orders which he had sent for securing the Places which the French held upon the Lis had been punctually obey'd That La Ferte Seneterre together with Rovigny and de Piennes were departed from Bethune with all their Men to put in a Convoy of 500 measures of Corn and some bundles of Match into Courtray which that Place stood in need of And it was said that because they would make the more haste and for that they understood that the Enemy had thrown Trees cross the High-ways they left the Wagons and loaded the draught Horses which they unspang'd from the Wains beside that every Horseman was order'd to carry a Sack behind him and so crossing the Enemies Country in the Night got safe to Courtray where they left 500 Men of the Regiments of Antragnes Tavanes Lamberte and the Swiss Guards and Provision enough for two months for 3000 Souldiers Lastly that they were return'd to Armentiers from whence they could send all ther Men to the Prince At the heels of this came other News no less acceptable Tourville return'd from Holland and gave a better account of the Success of his Negotiation then the Inclination of that Republick seem'd to promise Frederick Henry Prince of Orange whose Authority till then had constrain'd the United Provinces to continue the War then lay labouring under a lingring Distemper which had much enfeebld the Vigour of his mind and renderd him less capable of Business In the mean time the Deputies of the States taking the Government into their hands several among â—em sway'd by their old Inclinations to Peace others corrupted with the Gold of Spain and deeply concern'd for their want of Trade had set forward their Treaty with the Spaniards and the Catholick King granting almost all their demands 't was much to be fear'd thâ—t the Treaty would be concluded which happen'd to be an â—â—seasonable Conjuncture for the French in regard they could expect no succour from Hollaâ—d â— However Tourville had so dextrously follow'd his Instructions which the Prince had given him that in spite of all these troublesome Obstacles the Dutch not only promis'd to break the Trace but engagâ—d to make a great Diversion in Brabant and to undertake the Siege of Liere or Malines Now tho the Prince built no great hopes upon these Promises of the Hollandâ—â—◠◠〈◊〉 pompous then realâ— nevertheless becâ—â—se he made no question but their Army would be 〈◊〉 Motion were it only to make some show of fulfiâ—â—ng their Promises he thought he should get advantage eâ—â—ugh by their March since it would oblige 〈◊〉 Spaniards to divide their Forces and in regard they that lay at Newport were too feeble to fight him alone he should the more easily accomplish the Siege While things thus pass'd in the Camp the Enemies Generals no longer doubting but that Dunkirk was besieg'd assembl'd at Newport which was the next place to the Siege and therefore most Commodious for Conference and Execution Picolominy â—â—amboy were there being come to joyn Caracena who had never stirr'd since the taking of Furnes Beck was also expected who was hastning thither with long Marches These Captains being of several Nations and having various Interests pretending to be Independant one from the other tho Picolominy had some Authority above the Rest frequently retarded the welfare of their Party through their private and particular Passions and many times while they opposd those Counsels which were not giv'n by themselves their own misunderstandings frustraâ—ed good designs At this time the Importance of the thing being joynd with the loss of their Reputation which the continual Victories of the French had very much lessend oblig'd 'em to give their opinions generously and to bethink themselves of an entire Union and which way to force the French to raise their Siege Nor were they at the bâ—ginning without hopes They found themselves more numerous then the French promising themselves as they desir'd and not without great probability that the Hollanders by a quick conclusion of the Peace would leave 'em at liberty to draw out their Frontier Garrisons and oppose the D. with very great Forces Besides the Inconveniencies of the D's being encamp'd in such a place and the badness of the Season gave 'em hopes that they might defeat the French Army full of Diseases and tyr'd and enclos'd between their Forces and â—he Town besides that they lay open toward the Sea were but badly entrench'd along the Downs For they could not imagine that in so fâ—w days it had been possible to fortifie the Sea-shore nor to raise in the Sand such good Defences as the French had done Nevertheless not being willing to hazard any thing rashly and because Beck was not yet come to Newport to take the most certain measures they concluded to draw out of all their Bodies a good number of Horse to take Prisoners and to inform themselves the best they could of the state of the French Camp They also thought it necessary to prepare at Newport as many Frigates as they could get ready to the end that if their Negotiation with England succeeded they might assist the English Men of War to force the Confederates Fleet or if they miss'd of Forraign Ayd that they might attempt the putting in Relief into Dunkirk by the Favour of Wind and Tyde In the mean time the Prince resolvd to carry the Place by main Force for being a Person of a deep Fore-sight he rightly conjectur'd that only the length of the Siege could ruine his Design Victuals came with great diâ—ficulty to the Camp the Sea grew tempestuous and ran high and the Sea-men being forc'd out of Calais and not daring to venture for fear of losing their Vessâ—ls kept themselves within the Canal of Mardike with so much obstinacy that the Officers of that Fort were constrain'd to let fly with their Great Guns upon 'em and to sink one of the Beelands to terrifie the rest and cause â—em to bear away to the Camp Nor was the Shore more favourable to 'em then the Sea many of their Vessels being thrown against the Sands and stav'd to pieces Moreover the Rain continually falling soak'd into the Souldiers Hutts
mounted the two Trenches and resolvd together whatever it cost 'em to make themselves Master of the Counterscarp To which purpose Laval Commanded the Regiments of Eng. and Conty with some Polanders He divided to the Right and Left the Officers Soldiers which he resolv'd should begin the attack taking the mâ—ddle with those which he had had maâ—e choice of for himself and fell on pell mell upon three Places at once Presently there was nothing to be seen but Fire and Smoake and the Counterscarp of the Bastion was gain'dâ— but when they began to cover themselves Laval himself working hard among the Soldiers as he was placing a Barrel he was lay'd upon the Ground with a Musquet Bullet that took him in the Head and dy'd some few days after of his Wound His loss was generally lamented by the whole Army and the Prince in particular was deeply sorrowful for his Death He was a Young Gentleman of an Illustrious Family ambitious of Honour and capable to have advanc'd and vex'd to the Soul to see Dunkirk lost before their Eyes that they might omiâ— nothing which was to be done resolv'd notwithstanding the Wind was still against â—em to try what they could do by Sea and by the meâ—ns of several small Boats which they had got ready knowing that the Seamen were perfectly acquainted with the Coast to put in a considerable Succour by Water whiâ—h design if it succeeded they were in hopes that the bad weather and the Inconveniencies of the Encampment would constrain the French to raise the Siege or at least that by ruining their Men the taking of the City would cost 'em their Army To this purpose they hir'd 30 Beelands at Newport which they fill'd with their bravest Commandâ—rs and stoutest Souldiers and which they set to Sea under the Conduct of their most experieâ—c'd Pilots This Fleet put to Sea in stormy weather every Body being resolv'd to surmount all difficulties partly ambitions of Honour partly covetuous of Reward and spurr'd on by all those other Incitements that usually inspire Men with Contempt of Danger However the Success no way answerd their fruitless promises and the joy of the Dunkirkerâ— thaâ— from the top of their Walls beheldâ— the Beelanders coming soon turn'd to sorrow For so soon as the Spaniardâ— saw that they were discover'd by the Hollanders and that the Sea-men perceiv'd that Trump was preparing tâ— make up to 'em whither it were that fear depriv'd 'em of their Judgement or that they could not withstand the Wind and the Sea as afterwards they said they betook themselves to flight and without making the least Effort to weather the Storme they made all the speed they could to Newport whither Aâ—donville chasd 'em with the French Frigates All Men well skill'd in Sea Affairs unanimously agreed that tho many of the Beelands might have been taken or sunk yet had they ventur'd some might have escap'd and got into the Place but it had been to litâ—le purpose For the Town was then so sorely press'd thaâ— it mâ—st have been a very considerable Succour that could have preservd it The Mine that had been a delving under the Horn-work aâ—l Night and all the next Morning was found to be 15 Fâ—ot deep and there was no douâ—t but the effect of it would be very great in a place so proper as that was By consequence the Horn-work could hold out no longer and after the loss of tâ—aâ— Fortiâ—ication the Dunkirkers securd only by the Walls of their old City and being incapable of defending themsâ—lves would be constrain'd to Surrender And Fortâ—nâ— in this seconded the common Opinion and soon reduc'd the Bâ—sieg'd to the utmost Extremity For abâ—ut two of the Clock in the Afternoon the Mine was sprâ—ng and such was the violence of the Powder that of a suddain it carryd away the Earth and the Wall â—hat were next the Mine and leâ—t a great breach in one of the sides of the Hornwork Some lazie Souldiers surpriz'd by the Fury of it wâ—re blown up into the Ayr and fell down half dismember'd overwhelm'd with Stones and wrapt up in Dust and Smoak Preâ—ently Clanleu orderd Molondine's Swisses to the Breach who finding it without any defenâ—e began a Lodgement And they had already plac'd 40 Barrels when the Besieged powring out from behind two Traverâ—es where they had retir'd till the Mine was sprung â—inding there was nothing more to be afraid of then the ordinary Risco's of War fell on desperately and mangre all the Resistance of the Besiegers drave 'em from the top of the Hornwork where they had entâ—ench'd themselves The Switzers full of Indignation retuâ—nâ—d to the Charge and continud fighting a long time with dubious Fortuneâ— At length they fell to Handy-strokes which prov'd a cruel and desperate Conflâ—ct the Besieged having been accustom'd to Victory and 〈…〉 knowing themselves lost if they lost 〈…〉 All the while the Smoak of the 〈…〉 from the Trenches and the Town 〈…〉 and noise occasion'd by the Conflict having darkend the day and depriv'd the Combataâ—â—s of the knowledge of one another all of a suddain both Parties that believâ—d being each in the same Confusion that their Enemy had the Advantage retreated on both sides and left the Lodgement in the middle between 'em quite abandon'dâ— and this great Disorder lasted for two hours But at length the Skie being clear and all things in a Calm the Besiegers first began to recover themselves Clanleu then led 'em on again to the Breach where that he might act with more security and have his Orders eâ—ecuted without Confusion he was willing they should regaâ—n the top of the Lodgement Barrel after Barrelâ— and step by step And thus he spent the rest of the day the Enemy not daring to disturb him till Miossans reliev'd him and found the Lodgement almost brought to Perfectionâ— In this Encounter the Besiegers lost a Captain two Lieutenants were wounded and fiftyâ— Souldiers either slain or disabl'd the loss of the besieged being equalâ— Nor must we omit the Death of Semur the more to be pityâ—d for the oddness of the accident and for that his Generosity prov'd fatal to him while he lost his own to preserve the Life of his Friend Belloy and he did the Duty of Serjeants of Battel and with their Pikes in their hands sustainâ—d the fury of the Enemies Sally They had both an Esteem for each other and there was no less Emulation between ' em Neither of â—em would be first that fled from danger nor be the first that â—orsook his Companion Honour and Courage stopt â—em in the midst of Peril In this Noble Contest Belloy was struck down with a Stone Semur â— never minding his own Preservation but running to help him up again receivd a Musket shot in his Thigâ—â— of which â—e dy'd sometime after But Belloy return'd to the Fight and the next day was in a Condition to do Service At the same time that they so warmly engag'd at
remained in his Camp insomuch that Montecuculi thought of nothing farther than to fortifie himself in Alsatia where he made some small Conquests However in order â—o raise some Jealousie in the Prince of Conde he caused Savernâ— to be besieged but the Prince was no wise moved at it knowing that the place was very well fortified and that the Governor would make a brave Defence And indeed they were oblig'd to raise the Siege The Marquess of Bade Dourlak who commanded the Siege after the raising of it march'd into the Country of Brisgaw which obliged 4000 Horse the Prince of Conde had sent thither to make a Diversion to reâ—ire to the main Army Thus ended the Campaign of 1675. in Germany and all those of the Prince of Conde The loss of Monsieur de Turenne was exceeding sensible to the King of France for several Reasons But had it only been for the Good of the Kingdom he could never regret that General too much And indeed there were so few persons capable of filling up his place that when the King had examin'd iâ— he could hardly fix upon one among all the Princes and Marshals of France The Prince of Conde was generally the only man whose Valour and Merit was known to every body but Mons. de Louvois was not his Friend and the King did nothing without the Advice of that Minister No body can imagine what reason Mons. de Louvoiâ— had to complain of the Prince but yet it is most certain that he did not love him and that he disswaded the King as much as in him lay from giving him the Command of the Army in Germany He acknowledged indeed that the Prince of Conde was one of the greatest Capâ—ains of the Age and that no body could deny him a Glory he had acquir'd by an infinite number of Battels he had won but at the same time he said that he was too fiery and too undertaking that it was evident by the Battel of Senefâ— that he preferred his own Glory to the Good of the Kingdom that a wiser General would have gain'd an entire Victory and preserved those Forces which he lost by his own Fault after the first Advantages he had obtain'd over the Enemies and that he durst not answer that that Prince was as well affected as he had promis'd to beâ— when he made his Peace with his Maâ—esty Whatever Monsieur de Louvois could say to oblige the King not to give the Command of his Army to the Prince of Conde that Monarch was so well perswaded of his Capacity Prudence and Gallantry as well as of the Fidelity he had proâ—isâ—d him that at that time he had no regard to hâ—â— Ministers Remonstrances But the Prince deâ—â—red himself of that Command which was offered him by the Conditions he would make with tâ—e King He desired the Duke d' Enguiâ—is might â—â—â—mand the Army jointly with him promising â—â—at he should do nothing without his Order and thaâ— it was only to have the satisfaction to see his Son whom he lov'd entirely in a condition to acquire Glory But the King who had no great â—indness for the Duke d' Enguiris being moreover of a temper to bestow his Favours freely without compulsion would not hearken to that Proposition Insomuch that the Marquess of Luovois taking the advantage of that Conjuncture propos'd the Duke of Luxemburg who was accepted that very moment As soon as the Duke of Luxemburg had receiv'd his Orders he went away for Alsatia which was the Rendezvous of the Army which had never been so â—ine nor so numerous But all the Officers soon found that the King had given him an Employment he was not capable of and that the Prince of Conde was the only man fit to discharge that Command with Honour in that conjuncture of Affairs The Proof of this soon appear'd when the Duâ—e of Lorrain besieg'd Philipsburg That Place hâ—ld out four months and yet the Duke of Lâ—xembâ—rg was not in a Condition to relieve it tho' at the head of an Army of 50000 men The King was vâ—ry much troubled when the news of the taking of that place was brought him that he had not sent the Prince of Conde to command in Germany but there was no Remedy However he ask'd him what should have been done to save that place Sir answer'd the Prince the Duke of Luxemburg should have hinder'd the Duke of Lorrain from besieging it and since â—e â—ad committed that fault he should have ventur'd the Army and have gone to force the Enemy in his Retrenchments to the hazard of a thousand lives if he had had as many That was the only way Altho' the War continued and that with all the Vigour imaginable Conferences were held at Nimnegen for a Peace the which was concluded in the manner every body knows MEMOIRS OF THE Prince of Conde BOOK VII AFter the Peace of Nimwegen the Prince of Conde resolv'd to desire the King's Leave to retire to Chantilly He told the King in a submissive respectful manner That his Age and Indispositions oblig'd him to entreat his Majesty to consent to that Retirement The King having granted it the Prince quitted the Court and repaired to that House there to lead a private life Divers Reasonings were us'd upon the Motives that had induc'd so great a Prince to lead a life so contrary to his Rank in a Country House Some imagin'd that his Indispositions had put him upon that Resolution and that it had made him apprehensive not only that his Health would still be more impair'd in the Agitations of the Court but also that as it might hinder him from making his Court to the King regularly his Majesty miâ—ht impute that sometimes to a want of Consideration and Respect which only proceeded from Infirmity Others conceiving no other Idea's of the motives of that Hero's Retreat but such as were noble and sublime said That after having acquir'd so so much Glory in Motion and in Action he was willing to acquire a new sort of Glory in Rest and Solitude That after so many Battels and the tumult of Arms he was desirous to taste those peaceable Virtues and that qâ—iet Glory that is neither â—o be shar'd with the Souldiers nor with Fortune in which all is charming and nothing dazzles which is beheld without being troubled with the sound of Trumpets or with the noise of Guns nor by the Cries of the Wounded in which a Hero reduc'd to himself and possessing himself appears as great and is as much respected as when he commands Armies when all moves at his nod when he combats and gains Victories Others alledg'd that the Prince of Conde receiv'd from time to time at Court Malifications from the Kingâ— who remembring what he had done formerly gave him sometimes marks of a secret Resentment and of an Aversion that had never been absoluâ—ely remov'd That the Prince of Conde being very sensible of it had wisely resolv'd to remove an