to raise the siege; alleging what danger it was to the Crown of France
to hazard a battle, within so strait a country, full of canals and
ditches of water: further alleging that if the enemy came upon the
Bank, they would cut between Marshal TURENNE's and Major-General
MORGAN's camps, and prevent their conjunction.
Two of the Lieutenant-Generals ran along with the _Mareschaux de Camp_;
and shewed the same reasons.
But Major-General MORGAN (finding that it was high time to speak,
and that otherwise it would go round the board [_table_]) rose
up, and desired, though out of course, that he might declare his
mind in opposition to what the _Mareschaux de Camp_ and the two
Lieutenant-Generals had declared.
Marshal TURENNE told him, "He should have freedom to speak his
thoughts."
Then Major-General MORGAN spoke, and said that "The reasons the
_Mareschaux de Camp_ and the two Lieutenant-Generals had given for
raising the siege, were no reasons: for the straitness of the country
was as good for the French and English as for the enemy." And whereas
they had alleged that "If the enemy came on the Bank between Furnes and
Dunkirk, they would cut between Marshal TURENNE's and Major-General
MORGAN's camps." Major-General MORGAN replied, "It was impossible,
for they could not march upon the Bank above eight a breast; and that
Marshal TURENNE's artillery and small shot would cut them off at
pleasure." He added, "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 a half; and cross their army on to the sands of Dunkirk,
to offer Marshal TURENNE battle." Further, Major-General MORGAN did
allege, "What a dishonour it would be to the Crown of France! to have
summoned the city of Dunkirk, and broke ground before it, and run away!
And he desired the Council of War would consider that, if they raised
the siege, the alliance with England would be broken the same hour."
Marshal TURENNE answered that, "If he thought the enemy would offer
that fair game; he would maintain the siege on the Newport side; and
Major-General MORGAN should march, and make conjunction with the French
army, and leave the Mardyke side open."
Upon Marshal TURENNE's reply, Major-General MORGAN did rise from the
board, and, upon his knees, begged a battle; and said that "he would
venture the Six Thousand English, every soul!"
Upon which, Marshal TURENNE consulted the Noblemen that sat next to
him; and it was desired that Major-General MORGAN might walk a turn or
two without the tent; and he should be called immediately.
After he had walked two turns, he was called in. As soon as he came
in, Marshal TURENNE said that "He had considered his reasons; and that
himself and the Council of War resolved to give battle to the enemy,
if they came on; and to maintain the siege on the Newport side: and
that Major-General MORGAN was to make conjunction with the French army."
Major-General MORGAN then said, "That, with GOD's assistance, we should
be able to deal with them!"
* * * * *
The very next day, at four in the afternoon, the Spanish army had made
a bridge of boats, crossed their army on the sands of Dunkirk, and
drew up into _battalia_ [line of battle], within two miles of Marshal
TURENNE's lines; before he knew anything of them.
Immediately, all the French horse drew out to face the enemy at
a mile's distance; and Marshal TURENNE sent immediate orders to
Major-General MORGAN to march into his camp, with the Six Thousand
English and the French Brigade of Horse. Which was done accordingly.
The next day, about eight o'clock, Marshal TURENNE gave orders to break
avenues on both the lines, that the army might march out in _battalia_.
Major-General MORGAN set his soldiers to break avenues, for their
marching out in _battalia_ likewise. Several Officers being with
him, as he was looking on his soldiers at work; Ambassador LOCKHART
comes up, with a white cap on his head, and said to Major-General
MORGAN, "You see what condition I am in! I am not able to give you any
assistance this day! You are the older soldier, and the greatest part
of the work of this day must lie upon your soldiers!" Upon which, the
Officers smiled. So he bade "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 saw him till we were in pursuit of the enemy.
When the avenues were cleared, both the French and English armies
marched out of the lines towards the enemy.
We were forced to march up in four lines [? _columns_] (for we had not
room enough to wing [? _spread out into line_] 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 rising hills of sand; and having more room
took in [? _spread out_] two of our lines.
Major-General MORGAN seeing the enemy plain, in _battalia_, said,
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 echo betwixt the sea and the canal.
Thereupon, the Marshal TURENNE came up, with above a hundred Noblemen,
to know what was the matter, and the reason of that great shout?
Major-General MORGAN told him, "It was a usual custom of the redcoats,
when they saw the enemy, to rejoice."
Marshal TURENNE answered, "They were men of brave resolution and
courage."
After which, Marshal TURENNE returning to the head of his army; we put
on to our march again.
* * * * *
At the second halt, the whole Brigade of English gave a shout, and cast
up their caps into the air; saying, "They would have better hats before
night!"
Marshal TURENNE, upon that shout, came up again, with several Noblemen
and Officers of the army, admiring the resolution of the English, at
which time, we were within three-quarters of a mile of the enemy in
_battalia_.
Marshal TURENNE desired Major-General MORGAN that, at the next halt,
he would keep even front with the French; for says he, "I do intend to
halt at some distance, that we may see how the enemy is drawn up; and
take our advantage accordingly."
Major-General MORGAN demanded of his Excellency, "Whether he would
shock the whole army at one dash; or try one wing first?"
Marshal TURENNE's reply was, "That as to that question, he could not
resolve him yet, till he came nearer the enemy."
Major-General MORGAN desired the Marshal, "not to let him languish for
orders!" saying that "oftentimes opportunities are often lost, for want
of orders in due time."
Marshal TURENNE said, "He would either come himself, and give orders;
or send a Lieutenant-General."
And so Marshal TURENNE parted, and went to the head of his army.
In the meantime, Major-General MORGAN gave orders to the Colonels and
Leading Officers [_i.e., Captains and Lieutenants_], to have a special
care that, when the French came to a halt, they kept even front with
them: and further told them, that, "if they could not observe the
French, they should take notice when he lifted up his hat," for he
marched still above three score [yards] before the centre of the Bodies.
But when the French came to halt, it so happened that the English
pressed upon their Leading Officers, so that they came up under the
shot of the enemy; but when they saw that Major-General MORGAN was in
a passion, they put themselves to a stand. Major-General MORGAN could
soon have remedied their forwardness, but he was resolved that he would
not lose one foot of ground he had advanced; but would hold it as long
as he could.
We were so near the enemy, the soldiers fell into great friendship. One
asking, "Is such an Officer in your army?" Another, "Is such a soldier
in yours?" And this passed on both sides.
Major-General MORGAN endured this friendship for a little while; and
then came up to the centre of the Bodies, and demanded, "How long that
friendship would continue?" and told them further that "for anything
they knew, they would be cutting one another's throats within a minute
of an hour!"
The whole Brigade answered, "Their friendship should continue no longer
than he pleased!"
Then Major-General MORGAN bade them tell the enemy, "No more
friendship! Prepare your buff coats and scarfs! for we will be with
you, sooner 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 Major-General immediately sent 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 Adjutant-General not to stay, but to acquaint Marshal
TURENNE that we were under the enemy's shot, and had received some
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 (observing the enemy mending faults, and opening
the intervals of the Foot to bring the Horse in, which would have made
our work more difficult) called all the Colonels and Officers of the
Field [_Field Officers, as distinguished from Leading Officers_],
together before the centre of the Bodies, and told them, "He had sent
the Adjutant-General for orders; but when he saw 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 400 Firelocks which were in the intervals of the French Horse;" and
wished all the Field Officers to be ready at their several posts.
Major-General MORGAN gave orders that "The other five Regiments should
not move from their ground; except they saw the Blue Regiment, the
White, and the 400 Firelocks shock the enemy's right wing right off the
ground:" and further shewed the several Colonels, what Colours they
were to charge; and told them moreover that, "If he were 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 last man! or to be killed,
taken prisoner, or drowned!" And further, that "The honour of England
did depend much upon their gallantry and resolution that day!"
The enemy's wing was posted on a sandy hill, and had cast the sand
breast-high before them.
Then Major-General MORGAN did order the Blue Regiment and the 400
Firelocks to advance to the Charge. In the meantime, knowing the
enemy would all bend upon them that did advance; he removed the White
Regiment more to the right, that it might be in the flank of them by
that time, the Blue Regiment was got within push of pike.
His Royal Highness, the Duke of YORK, with a select party of Horse, had
got into the Blue Regiment, by that time the White came in, and exposed
his person to great danger. But we knew nobody at that time.
Immediately, the enemy were clear shocked off their ground; and the
English Colours flying over their heads, the strongest Officers and
soldiers clubbing them down.
Major-General MORGAN, when he saw his opportunity, stepped to the other
five Regiments, which were within six score [yards] of him; and ordered
them to advance and charge immediately.
But when they came within ten pikes' length, the enemy perceiving they
were not able to endure our charge, shaked their hats, held up their
handkerchiefs, and called for "Quarter!"
But the Redcoats cried aloud, "They had not leisure for Quarter!"
Whereupon the enemy faced about, and would not endure our charge; but
fell to run: having the English Colours over their heads, and our
strongest soldiers and Officers clubbing them down. So that the Six
Thousand English carried ten or twelve thousand Horse and Foot before
them.
The French army was about musket shot in the rear of us, where they
came [_had come_] to a halt; and never moved off their ground.
The rest of the Spanish army, seeing the right wing carried away, and
the English Colours flying over their heads, wheeled about in as good
order as they could. So that we had the whole Spanish army before us!
and Major-General MORGAN called out to the Colonels, "To the right! as
much as you can!" that so, we might have all the enemy's army under the
English Colours.
The Six Thousand English carried all the Spanish army [before it] as
far as from Westminster Abbey to St. Paul's Churchyard, before ever a
Frenchman came in, on either wing of us. But then, at last, we could
perceive the French Horse come powdering [_scattered_] on each wing
with much gallantry: but they never struck one stroke; and only carried
prisoners back to the camp.
Neither, did we ever see the Ambassador LOCKHART till we were in
pursuit of the enemy; and then, we could see him amongst us, very
brisk; without his white cap on his head, and neither troubled with
gravel or stone.
When we were at the end of the pursuit, Marshal TURENNE and above a
hundred Officers of the army came up to us, quitted their horses,
embraced the Officers, and said, "They never saw a more glorious action
in their lives! and that they were so transported with the sight of
it, that they had no power to move, or to do anything." And this high
compliment, we had for our pains! In a word, the French army did not
strike one stroke in the battle of Dunkirk; only the Six Thousand
English!
After we had done pursuing the enemy, Major-General MORGAN rallied his
forces, and marched over the sands to where he had shocked them at
first, to see what slaughter there was made. But Ambassador LOCKHART
went into the camp as fast as he could, to write his letters for
England, of what great service he had done! which was just nothing!
* * * * *
Marshal TURENNE and Major-General MORGAN brought the armies close to
invest Dunkirk again, and to carry on the approaches.
The Marquis DE LEIDA happened to be in the Counterscarp, and received
an accidental shot, whereof he died: and the whole garrison, being
discouraged at his death, came to capitulate in a few days.
So the town was surrendered, and Ambassador LOCKHART marched into it,
with two Regiments of English for a garrison: but Major-General MORGAN
kept the field with Marshal TURENNE, with his other four Regiments of
English.
* * * * *
The next siege was Bergen St. Winock, six miles from Dunkirk; which
Marshal TURENNE beleaguered with the French army, and the four
Regiments of English: and, in four or five days' siege, it was taken
upon capitulation.
Marshal TURENNE did rest the army for two days after; and then resolved
to march through the heart of Flanders, and take what towns he could,
that campaign.
The next town he took was Furnes, the next Menin; after that,
Oudenarde: and, in a word, eight towns besides Dunkirk and Ypres. For
so soon as the Redcoats came near the counterscarps, there was nothing
but a capitulation, and a surrender presently. All the towns we took
were towns of strength [_i.e., fortified_].
* * * * *
The last siege we made, was before the city of Ypres, where the Prince
DE LIGNY had cast himself in before, for the defence of that city,
with 2,500 Horse and Dragoons. Besides, there were in the city, 4,000
burghers, all proper young men, under their arms. So that the garrison
did consist of 6,500 men.
Marshal TURENNE sent in a summons; which was answered by a defiance.
Then Marshal TURENNE broke ground, and carried on two approaches
towards the Counterscarp. Major-General MORGAN went into the approaches
every night, for fear of any miscarriage by the English; and came out
of the approaches every morning at sunrising, to take his rest: for
then the soldiers had done working.
The fourth morning, Major-General MORGAN went to take his rest in
his tent; but, within half an hour afterwards, Marshal TURENNE sent
a Nobleman to him, to desire him to come to speak with him. When the
Major-General came, there were above a hundred Noblemen and Officers of
the army walking about his tent. And his Gentlemen had decked a room
for his Excellency with his sumpter cloths; in which homely place,
there were about twenty Officers of the army with him: but as soon
as Major-General MORGAN came, Marshal TURENNE desired all of them to
retire, for he had something to communicate to the Major-General.
The room was immediately cleared, and Marshal TURENNE turned the
Gentlemen of his Chamber out, and shut the door himself. When this was
done, he desired the Major-General to sit down by him; and the first
news that he spake of was that "he had certain intelligence that the
Prince of CONDÉ and Don JUAN of AUSTRIA were at the head of 11,000
Horse and 4,000 Foot, within three leagues of this camp: and resolved
to break through one of our quarters, to relieve the city of Ypres,"
and therefore he desired Major-General MORGAN to have all the English,
under their arms, every night, at sunset; and the French army should be
so likewise.
Major-General MORGAN replied, and said, "The Prince of CONDÉ and Don
JUAN of Austria were great Captains; and that they might dodge with
Marshal TURENNE, to fatigue his army:" and, further, that "If he did
keep the army three nights to that hard shift, they would not care who
did knock them on the head!"
Marshal TURENNE replied, "We must do it, and surmount all difficulty!"
The Major-General desired to know of his Excellency, "Whether he was
certain, the enemy was so near him?"
He answered, "He had two spies just come from them."
Then Major-General MORGAN told him, "His condition was somewhat
desperate!" and said that "A desperate disease must have a desperate
cure!"
His Excellency asked, "What he meant?"
Major-General MORGAN did offer him, to attempt the Counterscarp upon
[_by_] an assault; and so put all things out of doubt, with expedition.
The Major-General had no sooner said this; but Marshal TURENNE joined
his hands, and looked up, through the boards, towards the heavens, and
said, "Did ever my Master, the King of France, or the King of Spain
attempt a Counterscarp upon an assault: where there were three Half
Moons covered with cannon, and the ramparts of the town playing point
blank into the Counterscarp?"
Further, he said, "What will the King, my Master, say of me, if I
expose his army to these hazards?" And he rose up, and fell into a
passion, stamping with his feet, and shaking his locks, and grinning
with his teeth, he said, "Major-General MORGAN had made him mad!"
But, by degrees, he cooled, and asked the Major-General, "Whether he
would stay to dinner with him?"
But the Major-General begged his pardon, for he had appointed some of
the Officers to eat a piece of beef at his tent that day.
His Excellency asked him, "If he would meet him at two o'clock, at the
opening of the approaches?"
The Major-General said, "He would be punctual, but desired he would
bring none of his train with him (for it was usually a hundred Noblemen
with their feathers and ribands); because if he did, he would have no
opportunity to take a view of the Counterscarp: for the enemy would
discover them, and fire incessantly."
His Excellency said, "He would bring none but two or three of the
Lieutenant-Generals."
* * * * *
Major-General MORGAN was at the place appointed, a quarter of an hour
before his Excellency: who then came with eight Noblemen, and three
Lieutenant-Generals, and took a place to view the Counterscarp.
After he had looked a considerable time upon it; he turned about, and
looked upon the Noblemen and Lieutenant-Generals and said, "I don't
know what to say to you! Here is Major-General MORGAN has put me out
of my wits! for he would have me attempt yonder Counterscarp upon an
assault."
None of the Noblemen or Lieutenant-Generals made any reply to him; but
Count SCHOMBERG, who said, "My Lord! I think Major-General MORGAN would
offer nothing to your Lordship, but what he thinks feasible: and he
knows he has good fighting men."
Upon this, Marshal TURENNE asked, "How many English he would venture?"
The Major-General said, "He would venture 600 common men, besides
Officers; and fifty pioneers."
Marshal TURENNE said, "600 of Monsieur LA FERTÉ's army and 50 Pioneers;
and 600 of his own army and 50 Pioneers more, would make better
[_more_] than 2,000 men."
Major-General MORGAN replied, "They were abundance to carry it, with
GOD's assistance."
Then his Excellency said, "He would acquaint the King and his Eminence
that Major-General MORGAN had put him upon that desperate design."
Major-General MORGAN desired his pardon, "For it was in his [_the
Marshal's_] power to attempt it, or not to attempt it."
But in the close, Marshal TURENNE said to the Major-General that "He
must fall into Monsieur LA FERTÉ's approaches, and that he should take
the one half of Monsieur LA FERTÉ's men; and that he would take the
other half into his own approaches."
Major-General MORGAN begged his pardon, and said "He desired to fall
on with the English entire by themselves, without intermingling them."
Marshal TURENNE replied, "He must fall on out of one of the approaches!"
The Major-General replied that "He would fall on in the plain between
both approaches."
His Excellency said that "He would never be able to endure their
firing; but that they would kill half his men before he could come to
the Counterscarp."
The Major-General said that "He had an invention, that the enemy should
not perceive him, till he had his hands upon the stockadoes."
Next, his Excellency said, "For the signal, there shall be a captain of
Monsieur LA FERTÉ's, with 20 Firelocks: who shall leap upon the Point,
and cry, _Sa! Sa! Vive le Roi de France!_" and upon that noise all
were to fall on together.
But Major-General MORGAN opposed that signal, saying, "The enemy would
thereby be alarmed, and then he should hardly endure their firing."
His Excellency replied then, that "He would give no signal at all!
but the Major-General should give it!" and he would not be persuaded
otherwise.
Then the Major-General desired his Excellency that he would give order
to them in the approaches, to keep themselves in readiness against
sunset; for at the shutting of the night he would fall on. He likewise
desired his Excellency that he would order a Major out of his own
approaches, and another out of Monsieur LA FERTÉ's approaches to stand
by him, and when he should be ready to fall on, he would despatch the
two Majors into each of the approaches, that they might be ready to
leap out when the Major-General passed between the two approaches with
the commanded English.
* * * * *
Just at sunset, Marshal TURENNE came himself, and told the
Major-General "He might fall on, when he saw his own time."
The Major-General replied, "He would fall on just at the setting of the
night, and when the dusk of the evening came on."
The Major-General made the English stand to their arms, and divided
them into Bodies; a Captain at the head of the Pioneers, and the
Major-General and a Colonel at the head of the two Battalions.
He ordered the two battalions and the pioneers, each man, to take up a
long fascine upon their muskets and pikes; and then, they were three
small groves of wood!
Immediately the Major-General commanded the two Majors to go to their
approaches; and that they should leap out so soon as they should see
the Major-General march between their approaches, and did order the
two battalions that when they came within three score [yards] of the
stockadoes to slip [off] their fascines, and fall on.
But it so happened that the French never moved out of their approaches,
till such time as Major-General MORGAN had overpowered the enemy.
* * * * *