ers.

being pretty well surfeited, made their tack; at the same time, that it gave him retreat. Nevertheless, to secure it by a a lesson of caution, to withdraw himself stratagem, they left their lighted matches as soon as he could to his own troops.” hanging in the hedges, and waving with After the peace of Nimeguen, the air, to conceal it from the confederate which was concluded in 1678, the army:

“ About two hours after, the confede- regiment in which the author served rate forces followed the example of their

was stationed on garrison duty at the enemies, and drew off. And though nei. Grave for nearly four years, the sol. ther army had much reason to boast, yet, diers being mostly employed in work. as the prince of Orange remained last in ing on the fortifications. It was there, the field, and the French had lost what he informs us, and on that occasion, they before had gained, the glory of the day fell to the prince of Orange; who,

that he imbibed the first rudiments although but twenty-four years of age,

of fortification, and the practical part had the suffrage of friend and foe; of of the engineer profession, which in having played the part of an old and ex- his more advanced years were of great perienced officer.

service to him. “ There were left that day on the field

On the breaking out of Monof battle, by a general computation, not less than eighteen thousand men on both

mouth's rebellion after the death of sides, over and above those who died of Charles II. the English and Scotch their wounds: the loss being pretty equal, regiments in the Dutch service were only the French carried off most prison- ordered over to England, and encamp

Prince Waldeck was shot through ed on Hounslow Heath. Mr. Carle. the arm, which I was near enough to be

ton had not thus been long returned an eye witness of. And my much lamented friend, sir Walter Vane, was carried

to his native land, when he received off dead. A wound in the arm was all

a commission from king James as a the mark of honour that I, as yet, could lieutenant in a newly raised regiment, boast of, though our cannon in the de. under the command of colonel Tuffiles had slain many near me.

ton, brother to the earl of Thanet. “ The prince of Condé, as we were

After James had abdicated the throne, next day informed, lay all that night under a hedge, wrapped in his cloak; and, and the prince of Orange had accepteither from the mortification of being dis- ed the administration of affairs in appointed in his hopes of victory, or from this country, the author was employ. a reflection of the disservice, which his ed with his regiment in Scotland, own natural overheat of temper had drawn chiefly in the Highlands; during upon him, was almost inconsolable many which service, having distinguished days after. And thus ended the famous battle of Seneff.

himself, he was, in consequence of “ But though common vogue has given

recommendation mentioning some it the name of a battle, in my weak opi- particulars of his conduct from sir nion, it might rather deserve that of a Thomas Levingston (afterwards earl confused skirmish ; all things having been of Tiviot) promoted to a company in forcibly carried on without regularity, or even design enough to allow it any higher brigadier Tiffin's regiment, lying in denomination. For, as I have said before, garrison at Portsmouth, to which notwithstanding I was advantageously sta- place he immediately repaired. About tioned for observation, I found it very of two months afterwards, this regiment, ten impossible to distinguish one party among many others, was shipped off from another. And this was more remarkably evident on the part of the princecret

expedition; the object of which,

under the duke of Leinster, on a seof Orange, whose valour and vigour ha

, ving led him into the middle of the ene

though unknown to the general himmy, and being then sensible of his errour, self, till he opened his commission by a peculiar presence of mind, gave the at sea, having been intrusted to a word of command in French, which he female politician on land, was soon spoke perfectly well. But the French

made known to the enemy; a cir. soldiers, who took him for one of their own generals, making answer that their

cumstance which rendered it necespowder was all spent, it afforded matter sary to countermand their orders, of instruction to him to persist in his at- before they reached the place of

their destination. They were accord- cannon we had taken was forcibly left ingly directed to land at Ostend ; and behind, in order to make a good retreat. not long after their landing, the fa- The French had lost all their courage in

the onset. For though they had too fair mous battle of Steenkirk was fought:

an opportunity, they did not think fit to of which, and of some remarkable pursue it; or, at least, did it very languidcircumstances attending it, captain ly. However, the malcontents at home, Carleton gives the following short I remember, grew very well pleased after and interesting account:

this; for, so long as they had but a bat“ Soon after this, happened that me.

tle for their money, like true Englishmorable battle at Steenkirk, which, as

men, lost or won, they were contented. very few at that time could dive into the

“ Several causes, I remember, were reason of, and mistaken accounts of it assigned for this miscarriage, as they

call it. Some there were who were wil. have passed for authentick, I will menbion somewhat more particularly. The ling to lay it upon the Dutch ; and allege undertaking was bold, and, as many

a saying of one of their generals, who, thought, bolder than was consistent with receiving orders to relieve some English the character of the wise undertaker.

and Scotch that were overpowered, was Nevertheless, the French having taken

heard to say: ' Damn them, since they Namur, and, as the malcontents ‘alleged, love fighting, let them have their bellies in the very sight of a superiour army,

full.' But I should rather impute the and nothing having been done by land of disappointment to the great loss of so

many of our bravest officers at the very any moment, things were blown into such a dangerous fermentation, by a malicious

first onset. General Mackay, colonel Laand lying spirit, that king William found nier, the earl of Angus, with both his himself under a necessity of attempting field officers, sir

Robert Douglas, colonel something that might appease the mur

Hodges, and many others, falling, it was murs of the people. He knew very well, enough to put a very considerable army though spoke in the senate, that it was

into confusion. I remember one particunot true, that his forces at the siege of lar action of sir Robert Douglas, that I Namur exceeded those of the enemy. No

should think myself to blame should I man could be more afflicted than he at

omit. Seeing his colours on the other the overflowing of the Mehaigne, from

side the hedge, in the hands of the enethe continual rains, which obstructed the my, he leaped over, slew the officer that relief he had designed for that important had them, and then threw them over the place ; yet, since his maligners made an

hedge to his company; redeeming his coill use of these false topicks, to insinuate

lours at the expense of his life. Thus, the that he had no mind to put an end to the

Scotch commander improved upon the war, he was resolved to evince the con

Roman general: for the brave Posthumius

cast his standard in the middle of the enetrary, by showing them that he was not afraid to venture his life for the better

my, for his soldiers to retrieve; but Dou. obtaining what was so much desired.

glas retrieved his from the middle of the “ To that purpose, receiving intelli

enemy, without any assistance, and cast gence that the duke of Luxemburg lay had so bravely rescued it out of the hands

it back to his soldiers to retain, after he strongly encompassed at Steenkirk, near

of the enemy Enghien (though he was sensible he must pass through many defiles to engage him,

Captain Carleton next went with and that the many thickets between the his corps to Dixmuyd, where he was two armies would frequently afford him for some time employed in fortifying new difficulties) he resolved there to at. that place; and after he had brought tack him. Our troops at first were forced the intended works into a tolerably to hew out their passage for the horse. And there was no one difficulty that his respectable state, the troops were imagination had drawn, that was lessened ordered to reembark for England. by experience; and yet so prosperous

On landing they marched to Ipswich, were his arms at the beginning, that our had their winter quarters in that troops had made themselves masters of town, and in the spring went to several pieces of the enemy's cannon. But the farther he advanced, the ground Hence the regiment was removed

London to do duty in the Tower. growing straiter, so strait as not to admit his armies being drawn up in batta

to Flanders. And captain Carleton's lia, the troops behind could not give description of and remarks on the tinrely succour to those engaged, and the prince of Vaudemont's retreat from

Watergaem are well calculated for at last, being sensible of the truth of it, conveying useful military instruc. he gave orders for our rear to be attack tion.

ed; but we kept firing from ditch to ditch, “ While king William was engaged in

and hedge to hedge, till night came upon

us; and so our little army got clear of the glorious and important siege of Na

its gigantick enemy with very inconsidermur, prince Vaudemont being posted at

able loss. However, the French failed Watergaem, with about fifty battalions, and as many squadrons, the mareschal not, in their customary way, to express Villeroy laid a design to attack him with pointment, with fire and sword in the

the sense of their vexation at this disapthe whole French army. The prince neighbourhood round. Thus prince Vau. imagined no less : therefore he prepared demont acquired more glory by that re. accordingly, giving us orders to fortify treat than an entire victory could have our camp, as well as the little time we had for it would permit. Those orders given him. And it was not, I confess, the

least part of satisfaction in my life, that were pursued; nevertheless, I must confess, it was beyond

the reach of my little myself had a share of honour under him, reason to account for our so long stay in

to bring off the rear at that his glorious

retreat at Arseel.” the sight of an army so much superiour

After the death of king William, to ours. The prince, in the whole, could hardly muster thirty thousand; and Vil. his successour and consort, queen leroy was known to value himself upon Anne, adhered to his counsels and having one hundred thousand effective pursued his measures. On the res men. However, the prince provisionally commendation of lord Cutts, who had sent away all our baggage that very morning to Ghent, and still made show as if distinguished himself at Venlo, Ru. he resolved to defend himself to the last remond, and Hochstet, and who, on extremity, in our little intrenchments.

his arrival from Germany was apThe enemy, on their side, began to sur- pointed general of all her majesty's round us ; and in their motions for that forces in Ireland; the earl of Peterpurpose, blew up little bags of gun powder borough carried captain Carleton with to give the readier notice how far they had accomplished it. Another captain, with him on his expedition to Spain. They myself, being placed on the right with first went to Lisbon; and the eari, one hundred men (where I found Mon- after having exchanged two regisieur Montal endeavouring, if possible, to ments of foot there, with the consent get behind us) I could easily observe, of lord Galway, received the archthey had so far attained their aim of en

duke of Austria and all who chose to compassing us, as to the very fashion of a horse's shoe. This made me fix my eyes

follow bim on board the fleet, and so intently upon the advancing enemy, transported them at his own expense that I never minded what my friends to Barcelona, for which he never rewere doing behind me; though I after- ceived any reimbursement or remuwards found that they had been filing neration. On leaving Lisbon, he sailoff so very artfully and privately, by that narrow opening of the horse shoe, that Cloudsley Shovel, which he met at

ed to join the squadron under sir when the enemy imagined us past a possibility of escape, our little army at once,

the appointed station off Tangier. and of a sudden, was ready to disappear. Having formed this junction, he There was a large wood on the right of made the best of his way towards our army, through which lay the road to

Gibraltar, where he staid no longer Ghent, not broader than to admit of more than four to march abreast. Down this

than to take two regiments on board the prince had slid his forces, except to

out of that garrison, in lieu of two that very small party which the captain which were sent on shore out of the and myself commanded, and which was fleet. And here he found the prince designedly left to bring up the rear. Nor of Hesse, who immediately took the did we stir till captain Collier, then aid resolution of accompanying the archde camp to his brother, now earl of Port.

duke on that expedition. more, came with the word of command for us to draw off.

It was an unfortunate circumstance “ When Villeroy was told of our re

for both of these princes, as well as treat, he was much surprised, as thinking for the service, that they accompait a thing utterly impossible. However, nied the earl of Peterborough; who,

had it not been for the counteraction not only fortified with bastions, but which he experienced from them, also secured on the eastern side by a and by orders from home in conse- horn work, and on the western by a quence of senseless representations very strong fortress called Monby Mr. Crow, the queen's agent in jouick. That it was a place of such those parts, in the prosecution of his extent, that thirty thousand men own wise measures, and for the ne- would scarcely suffice for forming cessity under which he felt himself the lines of circumvallation ; and that of most reluctantly carrying other it had actually resisted for many plans into execution, which he entire months an army of that force. On ly disapproved, would have infallibly arriving there, he found that the completed the business on which he boasted promises of assistance made was sent, and have placed the arch- by the prince of Hesse, and the reduke on the throne of Spain. Know- presentations by Mr. Crow of coopeing that king Philip and the royal ration on the part of the Catalans, family at Madrid had with them only were fallacious and delusive. Inde. a few horse, barely sufficient for ser. pendently of the strength of the ving as guards, and those in a bad place, its garrison was much more condition, it was his intention, after numerous than the little army with having secured Valencia and the which he was required to attack towns adjacent, which were all ready it. Under these circumstances, six to submit to and declare for king several councils of war rejected Charles, to commence his march the siege as impracticable, and a immediately for the metropolis; on species of madness; the Dutch which march he could have been sup- general in particular, declaring, plied not only with horses and mules " that he would not obey even in abundance, but also with the ne- the commands of the earl of Petercessary carriages for his artillery, borough, if he should order the sabaggage, and ammunition. Sensible crifice of the troops under him in of there being no forces in the mid- so unjustifiable a manner without the dle parts of Spain to oppose his

pro

consent of a council of war." gress, and that the principal part of Such was the perplexing situation their regular troops were in the city of this nobleman before Barcelona. of Barcelona, and the remainder on Impossibilities proposed; no expedi- . the frontiers of Portugal, he perceive ents to be accepted; the archduke ed that he could immediately drive and the prince of Hesse reproaching; Philip out of his capital, and reduce councils of war rejecting; and the him to the necessity of quitting Spain Dutch general declaring that he altogether, or of retiring either to- would withhold the assistance of his wards Portugal or Catalonia; in either troops. It was too late for him to of which last cases, lord P. would say that he never would have taken have the open country at his com- the archduke on board, or given him mand, and be enabled to prevent any

the least hope of ascending the Spacommunication between bodies so far nish throne, if he could have supposeparated from each other as the fron- sed it possible that he should not have liers of Portugal and Barcelona. The been left at liberty to pursue his own earl was obliged, however, to aban- designs according to his own judgdon this judicious plan of operations; ment; and, far from being of that and, in compliance with the repeated stubborn and unmanageable turn desires of the archduke, the impor. of mind which generally indicates tunities of the prince of Hesse, and ignorance, he was ever solicitous his instructions from England, to about the honour of his country. proceed to the bay of Barcelona : These difficulties, then, great as they though he knew that this city was were, instead of discouraging him,

a

any officer

set every faculty of his mind at work; rather choosing to reserve them as persons and his natural sagacity suggested to

most capable of giving advice and assisthim the only probable or even pos- dy, which yet must have been greater,

ance in the confusion, great enough alreasible means of success. His inten

if any accident had happened to himself. tions, however, he kept entirely un- And I have very good reason to believe, known to his friends as well as his that the motive, which mainly engaged enemies ; for he was as remarkable the earl of Peterborough in this enter. for secrecy, when necessary, as for prise, was to satisfy the prince of Hesse

and the world, that his diffidence proother eminent qualities.

ceeded from his concern for the troops If all circumstances, indeed, be ta. committed to his charge, and not for his ken into consideration, the attack and

own person. On the other hand, the capture of Monjouick and Barcelo- great characters of the two gentlemen na may justly be regarded as among just mentioned are so well known, that it the most singular achievements re

will easily gain credit, that the only way

the general could take to prevent their corded in history. And if

being of the party, was to conceal it from or other person, at all acquainted them, as he did from all mankind, even with the nature of military opera- from the archduke himself. And certainly tions and the difficulties attending there never was a more universal surprise them, will look at a plan of those than when the firing was heard next places while he is reading the fol. morning from Monjouick.

“ But I now proceed to give an exact lowing truly interesting account of

account of this great action; of which no the taking of the former of them, person that I have heard of, ever yet which was soon followed by the sur- took upon him to deliver to posterity the render of the latter, he will be at a glorious particulars. And yet the conse. loss whether to admire most the

quences and events, by what follows, will boldness of the enterprise, or the

appear so great, and so very extraordina. judgment and ability with which it their power, would have denied them.

any, it in was conducted.

selves the pleasure, or the world the sa“ The earl having made his proper dis. tisfaction, of knowing it. positions, and delivered out his orders, “ The troops which marched all night began his march in the evening, with along the foot of the mountains, arrived twelve hundred foot and two hundred two hours before day under the hill of horse, which, of necessity, were to pass Monjouick, not a quarter of a mile from by the quarters of the prince of Hesse. the outward works: for this reason, it That prince, on their appearance, was was taken for granted, whatever the de. told, that the general was come to speak sign was which the general had proposed with him; and, being brought into his to himself, that it would be put in exe. apartment, the earl acquainted him, that cution before daylight. But the earl of he had at last resolved upon an attempt Peterborough was now pleased to inform. against the enemy; adding, that now, if the officers of the reasons why he chose he pleased, he might be a judge of their to stay till the light appeared. He was behaviour, and see whether his officers of opinion that any success would be imand soldiers had deserved that character possible, unless the enemy came into the which he had so liberally given them. outward ditch under the bastions of the The prince made answer, that he had al- second enclosure ; but that if they had ways been ready to take his share; but time allowed them to come thither, there could hardly believe that troops marching being no palisadoes, our men, by leaping that way could make any attempt against in upon them, after receipt of their first the enemy to satisfaction. However, with fire, might drive them into the upper out further discourse, he called for his works; and following them close, with horse.

some probability, might force them, un“ Brigadier Stanhope and Mr. Methuen der that confusion, into the inward fortifi(now sir Paul) were the general's particu- cations. lar friends, and those he most consulted, “Such were the general's reasons then and most confided in ; yet he never im- and there given; after which, having proparted this resolution of his to either of mised ample rewards to such as discharged them ; for he was not willing to engage their duty well, a lieutenant, with thirty them in a design so dangerous, and men, was ordered to advance towards where there was so little hope of success; the bastion nearest the town; and a cap