Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Reduction thereof gave Marfhall Turenne an Opportunity afterwards to march and relieve Ardres.

The next Place Marshal Turenne befieged was Mardyke, taken, in twice eight and forty Hours, by the English and French. After the taking whereof, Major-general Morgan was fettled there, by Order of the French King and Oliver, with two Thousand English and one Thousand French, in order to the beleaguering Dunkirk the next Spring.

The reft of the English were quartered in Borborch. For the Space of four Months, there was hardly a Week, wherein Major-general Morgan had not two or three Alarms by the Spanish Army: He anfwered them all, and never went out of his Cloaths all the Winter, except to change his Shirt.

The next Spring Marshal Turenne beleaguered Dunkirk on the Newport Side, and Major-general Morgan on the Mardyke Side, with his fix Thousand English, and a Brigade of French Horfe: He made a Bridge over the Canal, betwixt that and Bergon, that there might be Communication betwixt Marshal Turenne's Camp and his. When Dunkirk was close invested, Marshal Turenne fent a Summons to the Governor, the Marquis de Leda, a great Captain, and brave Defender of a Siege; but the Summons being answered with Defiance, Marfhal Turenne immediately broke Ground, and carried on the Approaches on his Side, whilft the English did the fame on their's; and, it is obfervable, the English had two Miles to march every Day, upon relieving their Approaches. In this Manner the Approaches were carried on, both by the French and English, for the Space of twelve Nights; when the Marshal Turenne had Intelligence, that the Prince of Conde, the Duke of York, Don John of Auftria, and the Prince de Ligny, were at the Head of thirty Thousand Horfe and Foot, with Resolution to relieve Dunkirk.

Immediately upon this Intelligence, Marshal Turenne, and feveral Noblemen. of France, went to the King and Cardinal at Mardyke, and acquainted his Eminence therewith; and defired his Majefty, and his Eminence the Cardinal, to withdraw their Perfons into Safety, and leave their Orders: His Majesty anfwered, that he knew no better Place of Safety than at the Head of his Army; but faid it was convenient the Cardinal fhould withdraw to Calais. Then Marshal Turenne and the Noblemen made Anfwer, They could not be fatisfied, except his Majefty withdrew himself into Safety; which was affented to; and the King and Cardinal, marching to Calais, left open Orders with Marshal Turenne, That, if the Enemy came on, he should give Battle, or raise the Siege, as he fhould be advised by a Council of War.

The Enemy came to Bruges, and then Marshal Turenne thought it high Time to call a Council of War; which confifted of eight Noblemen, eight Lieutenant-generals, and fix Marfhals du Camp ; but never fent to Ambassador Lockhart, or Major-general Morgan. The whole Senfe of the Council of War was, That it was great Danger to the Crown of France, to hazard a Battle in that ftreight Country, full of Canals and Ditches of Water;

and

and, feveral Reasons being fhewn to that Purpose, it ran through the Council of War, to raise the Siege, if the Enemy came on. Within half an Hour after the Council of War was rifen, Major-general Morgan had the Refult of it in his Camp, and went immediately to Ambaffador Lockhart, to know if he heard any Thing of it: He faid he heard nothing of it; and complained, that he was much. afflicted with the Stone, Gravel, and fome other Impediments. Major-general Morgan afked him to go with him the next Morning to the Head-quarters: He faid he would, if he were able."

Next Morning Marshal Turenne fent a Nobleman to Ambaffador Lockhart and Major-general Morgan, to defire them to come to a fecond Council of War. Immediately, therefore, Ambaffador Lockhart and Major-general Morgan went with the Nobleman to Marshal Turenne's Camp; and, by that Time they came there, the Council of War was ready to fit down in Marshal Turenne's Tent.

Marshal Turenne fatisfied the Council of War, that he had forgot to fend for Ambaffador Lockhart and Major-general Morgan to the firit Council of War, and therefore thought fit to call this, that they might be fatisfied; and then put the Question: Whether, if the Enemy came on, he should make good the Siege on the Newport-fide, and give them Battle; or raife the Siege? And required they should give their Reasons for either. The Marfhals du Camp ran away with it clearly to raise the Siege, alledging what Danger it was to the Crown of France, to hazard a Battle within fo ftreight a Country, full of Canals and Ditches of Water; farther alledging, that, if the Enemy came upon the Rock, they would cut between Marihal Turenne's and Major-general Morgan's Camps, and prevent their Conjunction. Two of the Lieutenant-generals ran along with the Marshals du Camp, and shewed the fame Reasons But Major-general Morgan, finding it was high Time to speak, and that otherwife it would go round the Board, rofe up, and defired, though out of Course, that he might declare his Mind, in Opposition to what the Marshals du Camp and the two Lieutenant-generals had declared. Marshal Turenne told him he should have Freedom to fpeak his Thoughts. Then Major-general Morgan spake, and faid, That the Reasons the Marfhals du Camp and the two Lieutenant-generals had given for raising the Siege, were no Reafons; for the Streightness of the Country was as good for the French and English, as for the Enemy: And, whereas they alledged, That, if the Enemy came on the Bank between Furnes and Dunkirk, they would cut between Marfhal Turenne's and Major-general Morgan's Camps; Major-general Morgan replied, It was impoffible, for they could not march upon the Bank above eight a-breaft; and farther he alledged, That Marshal Turenne's Artillery and fmall Shot would cut them off at Pleasure: He added, That that was not the Way the Enemy could relieve Dunkirk, but that they would make a Bridge of Boats over the Channel, in an Hour and half, and cross their Army upon the Sands of Dunkirk, to offer Marshal Turenne Battle.

This Man had married Cromwell's Niece.

Farther,

Farther, Major-general Morgan did alledge, What a Difhonour it would be to the Crown of France to have fummoned the City of Dunkirk, and broke Ground before it, and then raife the Siege, and run away; and he defired the Council of War would confider, that, if they raised the Siege, the Alliance with England would be broken the fame Hour.

Marshal Turenne anfwered, That, if he thought the Enemy would offer that fair Game, he would maintain the Siege on Newport-fide; and Major'general Morgan fhould march, and make Conjunction with the French Army, and leave Mardyke-fide open." Upon Marthal Turenne's Reply, Major-general Morgan did rife from the Board, and, upon his Knees, begged a Battle; and faid, That he would venture the fix-thoufand English, every Soul. Upon which, Marfhal Turenne confulted the Noblemen that fat next him, and it was defired, that Major-general Morgan might walk a Turn or two without the Tent, and he fhould be called immediately. After he had walked two Turns, he was called in; as foon as he came in, Marshal Turenne faid, That he had confidered his Reasons, and that himself and the Council of War refolved to give Battle to the Enemy, if they came on, and to maintain the Siege on Newport-fide; and that Major-general Morgan was to make Conjunction with the French Army.' Major-general Morgan then faid, That, with God's Affiftance, we fhould be able to deal with them.

The very next Day, at Four in the Afternoon, the Spanish Army had made a Bridge of Boats, croffed their Army on the Sands of Dunkirk, and drew up into Battalia, within two Miles of Marshal Turenne's Lines, before he knew any Thing of them. Immediately, all the French Horfe drew out to face the Enemy at a Mile's Distance; and Marshal Turenne fent immediate Orders to Major-general Morgan, to march into his Camp, with the fixThousand English, and the French Brigade of Horfe; which was done accordingly.

6

The next Day, about Eight of the Clock, Marfhal Turenne gave Orders to break Avenues on both the Lines, that the Army might march out in Battalia. Major-general Morgan fet his Soldiers to break Avenues for their Marching out in Battalia likewife. Several Officers being with him, as he was looking on his Soldiers at Work, Ambaffador Lockhart comes up, with a white Cap on his Head, and faid to Major-general Morgan, You fee what a Condition I am in, I am not able to give you any Affiftance this Day; you are the older Soldier, and the greatest Part of the Work of this Day muft lie upon your Soldiers.' Upon which the Officers fimiled; and fo he bid God be with us, and went away with the Lieutenant-general of the Horse, that was upon our left Wing; from which Time we never faw him, till we were in Purfuit of the Enemy. When the Avenues were cleared, both the French and English Army marched out of the Lines towards the Enemy. We were forced to march up in four Lines (for we had not Room enough to wing, for the Canal between Furnes and Dunkirk, and the Sea) till we had marched above Half a Mile; then we came to a Halt on rifing Hills of Sand, and, having more Room, took in two of our Lines.

Major

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

6

Major-general Morgan, seeing the Enemy plain in Battalia, faid, before the Head of the Army, See! Yonder are the Gentlemen you have to trade withal.' Upon which the whole Brigade of English gave a Shout of Rejoicing, that made a roaring Eccho betwixt the Sea and the Canal. Thereupon, the Marshal Turenne came up, with above an hundred Noblemen, to know what was the Matter and Reafon of that great Shout. Major-general Morgan told him, It was an ufual Cuftom of the Red-coats, when they faw the Enemy, to rejoice.

[ocr errors]

Marshal Turenne anfwered, They were Men of brave Refolution and 'Courage.' After which, Marshal Turenne returning to the Head of his Army, we put on to our March again. At the fecond Halt, the whole Brigade of English gave a Shout, and caft up their Caps into the Air, faying, They would have better Hats before Night. Marshal Turenne, upon that Shout, came up again, with feveral Noblemen and Officers of the Army, admiring the Refolution of the English, at which Time we were within three Quarters of a Mile of the Enemy in Battalia. Marshal Turenne defired Major-general Morgan, that, at the next Halt, he would keep even Front with the French; for, fays he, I do intend to halt at some Distance, that we may fee how the Enemy is drawn up, and take our Advantage accordingly. Major-general Morgan demanded of his Excellency, Whether he would fhock the whole Army at one Dafh, or try one Wing first?' Marthal Turenne's Reply was, That, as to that Question he could not refolve him yet, till he came nearer the Enemy. Major-general Morgan defired the Marfhal not to let him languifh for Orders, faying, That oftentimes Opportunities are loft for Want of Orders in due Time.' Marfhal Turenne faid, he would either come himself and give Orders, or fend a Lieutenant-general; and fo Marshal Turenne parted, and went to the Head of his Army. In the mean Time, Major-general Morgan gave Orders to the Colonels and Leading Officers, to have a special Care, that, when the French came to a Halt, they keep even Front with them; and farther told them, if they could not obferve the French, they should take Notice when he lifted up his Hat (for he marched ftill above threescore before the Center of the Bodies:) But, when the French came to halt, it fo happened, that the English preffed upon their leading Officers, fo that they came up under the Shot of the Enemy: But, when they faw that Major-general Morgan was in a Paffion, they put themselves to a Stand. Major-general Morgan could foon have remedied their Forwardnefs, but he was refolved he would not lofe one Foot of Ground he had advanced, but would hold it as long as he could. We were fo near the Enemy the Soldiers fell into great Friendship; one afking, Is fuch an Officer in your Army? another, Is fuch a Soldier in yours? and this paffed on both Sides. Major-general Morgan endured this Friendship for a little while, and then came up to the Center of the Bodies, and demanded, How long that Friendship would continue; and told them further, that, for any Thing they knew, they would be cutting one another's Throats, within a Minute of an Hour. The whole Brigade. anfwered, Their Friend

ship

ship should continue no longer than he pleased. Then Major-general Morgan bid them tell the Enemy, No more Friendship: Prepare your Buff coats and Scarfs; for we will be with you fooner than you expect us. Immediately after the Friendship was broke, the Enemy poured a Volley of Shot into one of our Battalions, wounded three or four, and one dropped. The Majorgeneral immediately fent the Adjutant-general to Marshal Turenne for Orders, Whether he should charge the Enemy's right Wing, or whether Marshal Turenne would engage the Enemy's left Wing, and advised the Adjutantgeneral not to stay, but to acquaint Marshal Turenne, that we were under the Enemy's Shot, and had received fome Prejudice already; but there was no Return of the Adjutant-general, nor Orders. By and by the Enemy poured in another Volley of Shot, into another of our Battalions, and wounded two or three. Major-general Morgan, obferving the Enemy mending Faults, and opening the Intervals of the Foot, to bring Horfe in, which would have made our Work more difficult, called all the Colonels and Officers of the Field together, before the Center of the Bodies, and told them, he had fent the Adjutant-general for Orders, but, when he faw there was no Hope of Orders, he told them, If they would concur with him, he would immediately charge the Enemy's right Wing: Their Answer was, They were ready whenever he gave Orders.' He told them, He would try the right Wing with the Blue Regiment, and the four-hundred Firelocks, which were in the Interval of the French Horfe; and wifhed all the Fieldofficers to be ready at their feveral Pofts. Major-general Morgan gave Orders, that the other five Regiments fhould not move from their Ground, except they faw the Blue Regiment, the White, and the four-hundred Firelocks fhocked the Enemy's right Wing off of their Ground, and, farther, shewed the several Colonels what Colours they were to charge, and told them moreover, That, if he was not knocked on the Head, he would come to 'them.' In like Manner, as fast as he could, he admonished the whole Brigade, and told them, They were to look in the Face of an Enemy who had violated, and endeavoured to take away their Reputation, and that they had no other Way, but to fight it out to the laft Man, or to be killed, taken Prisoners, or drowned; and farther, that the Honour of England did depend much upon their Gallantry and Refolution that Day.

[ocr errors]

The Enemy's Wing was posted on a fandy Hill, and had caft the Sand Breast-high before them: Then Major-general Morgan did order the Blue Regiment, and the four hundred Firelocks, to advance to the Charge. In the mean Time, Major-general Morgan, knowing the Enemy would all bend upon them that did advance, removed the White Regiment more to the Right, that it might be in the Flank of them, by that Time the Blue Regi ment was got within Pufh of Pike.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, with a felect Party of Horfe, had got into the Blue Regiment, by that Time the White came in, and expofed his Perfon to great Danger: But we knew no Body at that Time. Immediately the Enemy were clear fhocked off of their Ground, and the English VOL. III.

Y

Colours

« ZurückWeiter »