_August 14._--Before the battle was quite done yesterday, I writ to my
dearest soul to let her know that I was well, and that God had blessed
her majesty's arms with as great a victory as has ever been known; for
prisoners I have the Marshal de Tallard, and the greatest part of his
general officers, above 8,000 men, and near 1,500 officers. In short,
the army of M. de Tallard, which was that which I fought with, is quite
ruined; that of the elector of Bavaria and the Marshal de Marsin, which
Prince Eugene fought against, I am afraid, has not had much loss, for I
cannot find that he has many prisoners. As soon as the elector knew that
Monsieur de Tallard was like to be beaten, he marched off, so that I
came only time enough to see him retire. As all these prisoners are
taken by the troops I command, it is in my power to send as many of them
to England as her majesty shall think for her honour and service. My own
opinion in this matter is, that the Marshal de Tallard, and the general
officers, should be sent or brought to her majesty when I come to
England; but should all the officers be brought, it would be a very
great expense, and I think the honour is in having the marshal and such
other officers as her majesty pleases. But I shall do in this, as in all
things, that which shall be most agreeable to her. I am so very much out
of order with having been seventeen hours on horseback yesterday, and
not having been able to sleep above three hours last night, that I can
write to none of my friends.... Had the success of Prince Eugene been
equal to his merit, we should in that day's action have made an end of
the war.