these Self-sacrificers repair to the great Church, the bloodier the
better; there they throw themselves, in a Condition too vile for the Eye
of a Female, before the Image of the Virgin _Mary_; though I defy all
their Race of Fathers, and their infallible holy Father into the
Bargain, to produce any Authority to fit it for Belief, that she ever
delighted in such sanguinary Holocausts.
During the whole Time of _Lent_, you will see in every Street some
Priest or Frier, upon some Stall or Stool, preaching up Repentance to
the People; and with violent Blows on his Breast crying aloud, _Mia
Culpa, mia maxima Culpa_, till he extract reciprocal Returns from the
Hands of his Auditors on their own Breasts.
When _Good Friday_ is come they entertain it with the most profound Show
of Reverence and Religion, both in their Streets and in their Churches.
In the last, particularly, they have contriv'd about twelve a-Clock
suddenly to darken them, so as to render them quite gloomy. This they do
to intimate the Eclipse of the Sun, which at that time happen'd. And to
signify the Rending of the Vail of the Temple, you are struck with a
strange artificial Noise at the very same Instant.
But when _Easter_ Day appears, you find it in all Respects with them a
Day of Rejoicing; for though Abstinence from Flesh with them, who at no
time eat much, is not so great a Mortification as with those of the same
Persuasion in other Countries, who eat much more, yet there is a visible
Satisfaction darts out at their Eyes, which demonstrates their inward
Pleasure in being set free from the Confinement of Mind to the
Dissatisfaction of the Body. Every Person you now meet greets you with a
_Resurrexit Jesus_; a good Imitation of the primitive Christians, were
it the real Effect of Devotion. And all Sorts of the best Musick (which
here indeed is the best in all _Spain_) proclaim an auspicious
Valediction to the departed Season of superficial Sorrow and stupid
Superstition. But enough of this: I proceed to weightier Matters.
While we lay at _Valencia_, under the Vigilance and Care of the
indefatigable Earl, News was brought that _Alicant_ was besieg'd by
General _Gorge_ by Land, while a Squadron of Men of War batter'd it from
the Sea; from both which the Besiegers play'd their Parts so well, and
so warmly ply'd them with their Cannon, that an indifferent practicable
Breach was made in a little time.
_Mahoni_ commanded in the Place, being again receiv'd into Favour; and
clear'd as he was of those political Insinuations before intimated, he
now seem'd resolv'd to confirm his Innocence by a resolute Defence.
However, perceiving that all Preparations tended towards a Storm, and
knowing full well the Weakness of the Town, he withdrew his Garrison
into the Castle, leaving the Town to the Defence of its own Inhabitants.
Just as that was doing, the Sailors, not much skill'd in Sieges, nor at
all times capable of the coolest Consideration, with a Resolution
natural to them, storm'd the Walls to the Side of the Sea; where not
meeting with much Opposition (for the People of the Town apprehended the
least Danger there) they soon got into the Place; and, as soon as got
in, began to Plunder. This oblig'd the People, for the better Security
of themselves, to open their Gates, and seek a Refuge under one Enemy,
in opposition to the Rage of another.
General _Gorge_, as soon as he enter'd the Town, with a good deal of
seeming Lenity, put a stop to the Ravages of the Sailors; and ordered
Proclamation to be made throughout the Place, that all the Inhabitants
should immediately bring in their best Effects into the great Church for
their better Security. This was by the mistaken Populace, as readily
comply'd with; and neither Friend nor Foe at all disputing the Command,
or questioning the Integrity of the Intention; the Church was presently
crouded with Riches of all sorts and sizes. Yet after some time
remaining there, they were all taken out, and disposed of by those, that
had as little Property in 'em, as the Sailors, they were pretended to be
preserv'd from.
The Earl of _Peterborow_ upon the very first News of the Siege had left
_Valencia_, and taken Shipping for _Alicant_; where he arrived soon
after the Surrender of the Town, and that Outcry of the Goods of the
Townsmen. Upon his Arrival, _Mahoni_, who was block'd up in the Castle,
and had experienced his indefatigable Diligence, being in want of
Provisions, and without much hope of Relief, desired to capitulate. The
Earl granted him honourable Conditions, upon which he delivered up the
Castle, and _Gorge_ was made Governor.
Upon his Lordship's taking Ship at _Valencia_, I had an Opportunity of
marching with those Dragoons, which escorted him from _Castile_, who had
received Orders to march into _Murcia_. We quarter'd the first Night at
_Alcira_, a Town that the River _Segra_ almost surrounds, which renders
it capable of being made a Place of vast Strength, though now of small
Importance.
The next Night we lay at _Xativa_, a Place famous for its steadiness to
King _Charles_. General _Basset_, a _Spaniard_, being Governor; it was
besieg'd by the Forces of King _Philip_; but after a noble Resistance,
the Enemy were beat off, and the Siege raised; for which Effort, it is
supposed, that on the Retirement of King _Charles_ out of this Country,
it was depriv'd of its old Name _Xativa_, and is now called _San
Felippo_; though to this day the People thereabouts much dissallow by
their Practice, that novel Denomination.
We march'd next Morning by _Monteza_; which gives Name to the famous
Title of Knights of _Monteza_. It was at the Time that Colonel _O
Guaza_, an _Irish-man_, was Governor, besieg'd by the People of the
Country, in favour of King _Charles_; but very ineffectually, so it
never chang'd its Sovereign. That Night we quarter'd at _Fonte dalas
Figuras_, within one League of _Almanza_; where that fatal and
unfortunate Battle, which I shall give an Account of in its Place, was
fought the Year after, under the Lord _Galway_.
On our fourth days March we were oblig'd to pass _Villena_, where the
Enemy had a Garrison. A Party of _Mahoni's_ Dragoons made a part of that
Garrison, and they were commanded by Major _O. Rairk_ an _Irish_
Officer, who always carried the Reputation of a good Soldier, and a
brave Gentleman.
I had all along made it my Observation, that Captain _Matthews_, who
commanded those Dragoons, that I march'd with, was a Person of much more
Courage than Conduct; and he us'd as little Precaution here, though just
marching under the Eye of the Enemy, as he had done at other Times. As
I was become intimately acquainted with him, I rode up to him, and told
him the Danger, which, in my Opinion, attended our present March. I
pointed out to him just before _Villena_ a jutting Hill, under which we
must unavoidably pass; at the turning whereof, I was apprehensive the
Enemy might he, and either by Ambuscade or otherwise, surprize us; I
therefore intreated we might either wait the coming of our Rear Guard;
or at least march with a little more leisure and caution. But he taking
little notice of all I said, kept on his round March; seeing which, I
press'd forward my Mule, which was a very good one, and rid as fast as
her Legs could carry her, till I had got on the top of the Hill. When I
came there, I found both my Expectation, and my Apprehensions answered:
For I could very plainly discern three Squadrons of the Enemy ready
drawn up, and waiting for Us at the very winding of the Hill.
Hereupon I hastened back to the Captain with the like Speed, and told
him the Discovery I had made; who nevertheless kept on his March, and it
was with a good deal of Difficulty, that I at last prevail'd on him to
halt, till our Rear Guard of twenty Men had got up to us. But those
joining us, and a new Troop of _Spanish_ Dragoons, who had march'd
towards us that Morning, appearing in Sight; our Captain, as if he was
afraid of their rivalling him in his Glory, at the very turn of the
Hill, rode in a full Gallop, with Sword in Hand, up to the Enemy. They
stood their Ground, till we were advanc'd within two hundred Yards of
them, and then in Confusion endeavoured to retire into the Town.
They were obliged to pass over a small Bridge, too small to admit of
such a Company in so much haste; their crouding upon which obstructed
their Retreat, and left all that could not get over, to the Mercy of our
Swords, which spar'd none. However narrow as the Bridge was, Captain
_Matthews_ was resolved to venture over after the Enemy; on doing which,
the Enemy made a halt, till the People of the Town, and the very Priests
came out to their Relief with fire Arms. On so large an Appearance,
Captain _Matthews_ thought it not adviseable to make any further
Advances; so driving a very great flock of Sheep from under the Walls,
he continued his March towards _Elda_. In this Action we lost Captain
_Topham_, and three Dragoons.
I remember we were not marched very far from the Place, where this
Rencounter happen'd; when an _Irish_ Dragoon overtook the Captain, with
a civil Message from Major _O Rairk_, desiring that he would not
entertain a mean Opinion of him for the Defence that was made; since
could he have got the _Spaniards_ to have stood their Ground, he should
have given him good Reason for a better. The Captain return'd a
complimental Answer, and so march'd on. This Major _O Rairk_, or _O
Roork_, was the next Year killed at _Alkay_, being much lamented, for he
was esteemed both for his Courage and Conduct, one of the best of the
_Irish_ Officers in the _Spanish_ Service. I was likewise informed that
he was descended from one of the ancient Kings of _Ireland_; the Mother
of the honourable Colonel _Paget_, one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber
to his present Majesty, was nearly related to this Gallant Gentleman.
One remarkable Thing I saw in that Action, which affected and surprised
me; A _Scotch_ Dragoon, of but a moderate Size, with his large
basket-hilted Sword, struck off a _Spaniard's_ Head at one stroke, with
the same ease, in appearance, as a Man would do that of a Poppy.
When we came to _Elda_ (a Town much in the Interest of King _Charles_,
and famous for its fine Situation, and the largest Grapes in _Spain_)
the Inhabitants received us in a manner as handsome as it was peculiar;
all standing at their Doors with lighted Torches; which considering the
Time we enter'd was far from an unwelcome or disagreeable Sight.
The next Day several requested to be the Messengers of the Action at
_Villena_ to the Earl of _Peterborow_ at _Alicant_; but the Captain
return'd this Answer to all, that in consideration of the Share that I
might justly claim in that Day's Transactions, he could not think of
letting any other Person be the Bearer. So giving me his Letters to the
Earl, I the next Day deliver'd them to him at _Alicant_. At the
Delivery, Colonel _Killigrew_ (whose Dragoons they were) being present,
he expressed a deal of Satisfaction at the Account, and his Lordship was
pleased at the same time to appoint me sole Engineer of the Castle of
_Alicant_.
Soon after which, that successful General embark'd for _Genoa_,
according to the Resolutions of the Council of War at _Guadalaxara_, on
a particular Commission from the Queen of _England_, another from
_Charles_ King of _Spain_, and charged at the same time with a Request
of the Marquiss _das Minas_, General of the _Portugueze_ Forces, to
negotiate Bills for one hundred thousand Pounds for the use of his
Troops. In all which, tho' he was (as ever) successful; yet may it be
said without a figure, that his Departure, in a good measure, determin'd
the Success of the confederate Forces in that Kingdom. True it is, the
General return'd again with the fortunate, Fruits of those Negotiations;
but never to act in his old auspicious Sphere: And therefore, as I am
now to take leave of this fortunate General, let me do it with Justice,
in an Appeal to the World, of the not to be parallel'd Usage (in these
latter Ages, at least) that he met with for all his Services; such a
vast variety of Enterprizes, all successful, and which had set all
_Europe_ in amaze; Services that had given occasion to such solemn and
public Thanksgivings in our Churches, and which had received such very
remarkable Approbations, both of Sovereign and Parliament; and which had
been represented in so lively a Manner, in a Letter wrote by the King
_of Spain_, under his own Hand, to the Queen of _England_, and
communicated to both Houses in the Terms following:
Madam, my Sister,
I should not have been so long e'er I did my self the Honour to repeat
the Assurances of my sincere Respects to you, had I not waited for the
good Occasion which I now acquaint you with, that the City of
_Barcelona_ is surrendered to me by Capitulation. I doubt not but you
will receive this great News with intire Satisfaction, as well, because
this happy Success is the Effect of your Arms, always glorious, as from
the pure Motives of that Bounty and maternal Affection you have for me,
and for every Thing which may contribute to the Advancement of my
Interest.
I must do this Justice to all the Officers and common Soldiers, and
particularly to my Lord _Peterborow_, that he has shown in this whole
Expedition, a Constancy, Bravery, and Conduct, worthy of the Choice that
your Majesty has made of him, and that he could no ways give me better
Satisfaction than he has, by the great Zeal and Application, which he
has equally testified for my Interest, and for the Service of my Person.
I owe the same Justice to Brigadier _Stanhope_, for his great Zeal,
Vigilance, and very wise Conduct, which he has given Proofs of upon all
Occasions: As also to all your Officers of the Fleet, particularly to
your worthy Admiral _Shovel_, assuring your Majesty, that he has
assisted me in this Expedition, with an inconceivable Readiness and
Application, and that no Admiral will be ever better able to render me
greater Satisfaction, than he has done. During the Siege of _Barcelona_,
some of your Majesty's Ships, with the Assistance of the Troops of the
Country, have reduc'd the Town of _Tarragona_, and the officers are made
Prisoners of War. The Town of _Girone_ has been taken at the same time
by Surprize, by the Troops of the Country. The Town of _Lerida_ has
submitted, as also that of _Tortosa_ upon the _Ebro_; so that we have
taken all the Places of _Catalonia_, except _Roses_. Some Places in
_Aragon_ near _Sarrogosa_ have declared for me, and the Garrison of the
Castle of _Denia_ in _Valencia_ have maintained their Post, and repulsed
the Enemy; 400 of the Enemies Cavalry have enter'd into our Service, and
a great number of their Infantry have deserted.
This, Madam, is the State that your Arms, and the Inclination of the
People have put my Affairs in. It is unnecessary to tell you what stops
the Course of these Conquests, it is not the Season of the Year, nor the
Enemy; these are no Obstacles to your Troops, who desire nothing more
than to act under the Conduct that your Majesty has appointed them. The
taking of Barcelona, with so small a Number of Troops, is very
remarkable; and what has been done in this Siege is almost without
Example; that with seven or eight thousand Men of your Troops, and two
hundred Miquelets, we should surround and invest a Place, that thirty
thousand _French_ could not block up.
After a March of thirteen Hours, the Troops climb'd up the Rocks and
Precipices, to attack a Fortification stronger than the Place, which the
Earl of _Peterborow_ has sent you a Plan of; two Generals, with the
Grenadiers, attack'd it Sword in Hand. In which Action the Prince of
_Hesse_ died gloriously, after so many brave Actions: I hope his Brother
and his Family will always have your Majesty's Protection. With eight
hundred Men they forc'd the cover'd Way, and all the Intrenchments and
Works, one after another, till they came to the last Work which
surrounded it, against five hundred Men of regular Troops which defended
the Place, and a Reinforcement they had receiv'd; and three Days
afterwards we became Masters of the Place. We afterwards attack'd the
Town on the Side of the Castle. We landed again our Cannon, and the
other Artillery, with inconceivable Trouble, and form'd two Camps,
distant from each other three Leagues, against a Garrison almost as
numerous as our Army, whose Cavalry was double the Strength of ours. The
first Camp was so well intrench'd, that 'twas defended by two thousand
Men and the Dragoons; whilst we attack'd the Town with the rest of our
Troops. The Breach being made, we prepar'd to make a general Assault
with all the Army. These are Circumstances, Madam, which distinguish
this Action, perhaps, from all others.
Here has happen'd an unforeseen Accident. The Cruelty of the pretended
Viceroy, and the Report spread abroad, that he would take away the
Prisoners, contrary to the Capitulation, provok'd the Burghers, and some
of the Country People, to take up Arms against the Garrison, whilst they
were busy in packing up their Baggage, which was to be sent away the
next Day; so that every thing tended to Slaughter: But your Majesty's
Troops, entering into Town with the Earl of _Peterborow_, instead of
seeking Pillage, a Practice common upon such Occasions, appeas'd the
Tumult, and have say'd the Town, and even the Lives of their Enemies,
with a Discipline and Generosity without Example.
What remains is, that I return you my most hearty Thanks for sending so
great a Fleet, and such good and valiant Troops to my Assistance. After
so happy a Beginning, I have thought it proper, according to the
Sentiments of your Generals and Admirals, to support, by my Presence,
the Conquests that we have made; and to shew my Subjects, so
affectionate to my Person, that I cannot abandon them. I receive such
succours from your Majesty, and from your generous Nation, that I am
loaded with your Bounties; and am not a little concern'd to think that
the Support of my Interest should cause so great an Expence. But, Madam,
I sacrifice my Person, and my Subjects in Catalonia expose also their
Lives and Fortunes, upon the Assurances they have of your Majesty's
generous Protection. Your Majesty and your Council knows better than we
do, what is necessary for our Conservation. We shall then expect your
Majesty's Succours, with an entire Confidence in your Bounty and Wisdom.
A further Force is necessary: We give no small Diversion to _France_,
and without doubt they will make their utmost Efforts against me as soon
as possible; but I am satisfy'd, that the same Efforts will be made by
my Allies to defend me. Your Goodness, Madam, inclines you, and your
Power enables you, to support those that the Tyranny of France would
oppress. All that I can insinuate to your Wisdom, and that of your
Allies, is, that the Forces employ'd in this Country will not be
unprofitable to the public Good, but will be under an Obligation and
Necessity to act with the utmost Vigour against the Enemy. I am,
With an inviolable Affection,
Respect, and most
Sincere Acknowledgment,
Madam, my Sister,
Your most affectionate
Brother,
CHARLES.
And yet, after all, was this noble General not only recall'd, the
Command of the Fleet taken from him, and that of the Army given to my
Lord _Galway_, without Assignment of Cause; but all Manner of Falsities
were industriously spread abroad, not only to dimish, if they could, his
Reputation, but to bring him under Accusations of a malevolent Nature. I
can hardly imagine it necessary here to take Notice, that afterward he
disprov'd all those idle Calumnies and ill-invented Rumours; or to
mention what Compliments he receiv'd, in the most solemn Manner, from
his Country, upon a full Examination and thorough canvassing of his
Actions in the House of Lords. But this is too notorious to be omitted,
That all Officers coming from _Spain_ were purposely intercepted in
their Way to _London_, and craftily examin'd upon all the idle Stories
which had pass'd tending to lessen his Character: And when any Officers
had asserted the Falsity of those Inventions (as they all did, except a
military Sweetner or two) and that there was no Possibility of laying
any thing amiss to the Charge of that General--they were told, that they
ought to be careful however, not to speak advantagiously of that Lord's
Conduct, unless they were willing to fall Martyrs in his Cause--A Thing
scarce to be credited even in a popish Country. But _Scipio_ was
accus'd--tho' (as my Author finely observes) by Wretches only known to
Posterity by that stupid Accusation.
As a mournful Valediction, before I enter upon any new Scene, the Reader
will pardon this melancholy Expostulation. How mortifying must it be to
an _Englishman_, after he has found himself solac'd with a Relation of
so many surprising Successes of her Majesty's Arms, under the Earl of
_Peterborow_; Successes that have lay'd before our Eyes Provinces and
Kingdoms reduc'd, and Towns and Fortresses taken and reliev'd; where we
have seen a continu'd Series of happy Events, the Fruits of Conduct and
Vigilance; and Caution and Foresight preventing Dangers that were held,
at first View, certain and unsurmountable: to change this glorious
Landskip, I say, for Scenes every way different, even while our Troops
were as numerous as the Enemy, and better provided, yet always baffled
and beaten, and flying before the Enemy till fatally ruin'd in the
Battle of _Almanza_: How mortifying must this be to any Lover of his
Country! But I proceed to my Memoirs.
_ALICANT_ is a Town of the greatest Trade of any in the Kingdom of
_Valencia_, having a strong Castle, being situated on a high Hill, which
commands both Town and Harbour. In this Place I resided a whole Year;
but it was soon after my first Arrival, that Major _Collier_ (who was
shot in the Back at _Barcelona_, as I have related in the Siege of that
Place) hearing of me, sought me out at my Quarters; and, after a
particular Enquiry into the Success of that difficult Task that he left
me upon, and my answering all his Questions to satisfaction (all which
he receiv'd with evident Pleasure) he threw down a Purse of Pistoles
upon the Table; which I refusing, he told me, in a most handsome Manner,
his Friendship was not to be preserved but by my accepting it.
After I had made some very necessary Repairs, I pursu'd the Orders I had
receiv'd from the Earl of _Peterborow_, to go upon the erecting a new
Battery between the Castle and the Town. This was a Task attended with
Difficulties, neither few in Number, nor small in Consequence; for it
was to be rais'd upon a great Declivity, which must render the Work both
laborious and precarious. However, I had the good Fortune to effect it
much sooner than was expected; and it was call'd _Gorge's_ Battery, from
the Name of the Governor then commanding; who, out of an uncommon
Profusion of Generosity, wetted that Piece of Gossiping with a
distinguishing Bowl of Punch. Brigadier _Bougard_, when he saw this Work
some time after, was pleas'd to honour it with a singular Admiration and
Approbation, for its Compleatness, notwithstanding its Difficulties.
This Work, and the Siege of _Cartagena_, then in our Possession, by the
Duke of _Berwick_, brought the Lord _Galway_ down to this place.
_Cartagena_ is of so little Distance from _Alicant_, that we could
easily hear the Cannon playing against, and from it, in our Castle,
where I then was. And I remember my Lord _Galway_, on the fourth Day of
the Siege, sending to know if I could make any useful Observations, as
to the Success of it; I return'd, that I was of Opinion the Town was
surrender'd, from the sudden Cessation of the Cannon, which, by our News
next Day from the Place, prov'd to be fact. _Cartagena_ is a small
Sea-Port Town in _Murcia_; but has so good an Harbour, that when the
famous Admiral _Doria_ was ask'd, which were the three best Havens in
the _Mediterranean_, he readily return'd, _June, July_, and _Cartagena_.
Upon the Surrender of this Place, a Detachment of Foot was sent by the
Governor, with some Dragoons, to _Elsha_; but it being a Place of very
little Strength they were soon made Prisoners of War.