YOu have with too much impatience, ex­pected the opening of this Campagne, to be any longer deprived of the Account of those prosperous beginnings which have already signalized it, wherein the Success of the King hath evidenced and asserted the Justice of his Arms. How­ever Historians must acknowledge they are obliged to a more then ordinary diligence, to be able to keep pace with that swift course of Victory that attends his Majesty. We scarce had heard, that this glorious Monarch was preparing to undertake an action of the highest reputation to his designs, but that we were immediately told he had gone through with it, with all the advantage imaginable; but I fear I do too long provoke your appetite, it is now time to satisfie it. I shall enter upon the matter with the particulars of the de­feat of a considerable part of the Garrison of Rhineberg, which was but a praeludium to the rest.

The Vicount de Turenne (being arrived the Twenty ninth of May with a Body of Horse, at a small Place scituate upon the Rhine, within a League of Keiserwart, belonging to the E­lector of Cologne, which they began to fortifie towards the River) went to see part of the Kings Troops, to the number of 10000 Men, who lay intrenched near the Head of a great Bridge of Boats which they had fitted up in that Place, be­sides another built over the Rhine, which is of a particular make, and is defended by a Floating Redoubt, that bears both Men and Artillery.

After having well viewed these Troops, which he found in excellent order, he appointed the Count Montal (that commanded them) to go the next night and discover the Coun­trey, in order to the Armies marching securely by Rhineberg, and Burick, up to Wesel. The Count set out to execute this Com­mand with 200 Horse, belonging to His Majesties Guards, under the Command of the Sieur Mombrun, Captain Lieute­nant of the second Company of the Kings Muskettiers, with the like number of Light-Horsmen under the Command of the Marquess of S. Gelais, Colonel of the Regiment of Dau­phine, and Thirty Dragoons.

After having marched all night, he arrived next morning by break of day at Abbaye de Camp, within a League of Rhine­berg, where he heard, That the Garrison of that Town went out very often to cut Wood, in the adjoyning Forest which belongs to the Elector of Cologne, for the making of their Pa­lisadoes, and desiring to make his advantage of it for the Kings service, he resolved to lay an Ambush for them about a League and an half from the Abbey. To that end, he went to a place which was shewed him by his Guides, but not find­ing that convenient, he would chuse one nearer to Rhineberg: so leaving his Troops there, he onely took with him three of the Guard, as many Muskettiers, and six Dragoons, with whom were the said Sieur de Mombrun the Count de Druy, the Chevalier de Bethune; these two serving as Adjutants, and the Sieur de Bois aid Major of Charle Roy.

Being come into a close Road, he discovered 150 Mus­quettiers which came from Rhineberg; whereupon (Fortune seeming so to favor his Design) he sent back the said Sieur de Mombrun in all hast to his Troops, to bring him a 100 Horsmen and the Dragoons, hiding himself in the mean while from be­ing seen. But the Enemy continuing their march on that side where he was, he commanded the three Muskettiers and six Dragoons that were with him to light off their Horses, and go in to a Ditch, hard by the way. But the Vantguard of the enemy, which marched near fifty paces distance from their Body, perceiving them, and crying out, Who are you for? they fired at them.

The Enemy immediately filled all the way, and discovered the Count of Montal, who was forced to charge them with those few people he had with him, who bravely broke through them, after having received great part of their shot, and got between two Hedges very thick, set with Bushes that grow all along on the sides of the Ditches.

The noise hastned forward the Sieur de Mombrun, with the [Page 5]Troop of Gensdarms, consisting of Fifty Men, who set up­on the Hollanders; but they (without being any way disorder­ed) going into the Ditches, shot so thick, that he was forced to cause all his Dragoons, Gensdarms, and the Kings Musket­tiers to light off their Horses.

The Enemy seeing that, and that the other Troop of Light-Horsmen came on, began to think of taking the safest course, which was to retreat cross a Corn Field, to other Hedges which were yet stronger; by the means of which, they might get into Rhineberg, not imagining that our people should have been able to pass a Ditch ten foot deep.

But Fortune presented a Passage to the Count of Mon­tal, which he leaped over with his Horse, being followed but by a few by reason of its difficulty; and those that were on foot, getting over in other places, the Hollanders saw the way was intercepted, and so were forced to return to their old post, whence they continued their shooting; but were imme­diately set upon by those that were on foot, and by the Fifty Light Horsmen, at the Head of which, was the Sieur St. Ge­lays, and at the same time the Count de Montal fell upon them in the way, where every one behaved himself so gallantly, that they came up to one another, till at last the Hollanders were forced to call for Quarter, after having had Fifty of their number killed. So the rest were made Prisoners, the greatest part of which were wounded, in which number were a Lieu­tenant, two Ensigns, a Lieutenant-Colonel, that commanded the party; the Governor of Rhineberg's Son in Law, who was wounded in the Body with two Musket shots. The Count de Montal, brought them that night to the Camp, where he found the Vicount de Turenne, and the Marquess de Louvoy, who were extreamly satisfied with the success they had against the Ene­my, who were almost equal in number to the Assailants, and had besides an unquestionable advantage of the Ground.

And one may justly say, That never did Soldiers fight with greater courage then these did on this occasion, as if they had represented to themselves, That it was the first exploit of the Campagne, and were thence encouraged to signalize in a par­ticular manner their Zeal and Valor. But the Sieur de Mombrun, the Marquess of St. Gelays, the Chevaliers de Bethune and de Mar­sillac, and several others, were prodigal of their persons, in imitation of the Count de Montal, who hath merited the great­er share of glory, by his wise conduct and forward valor in this Action: Which is so much the more memorable, in that there was killed on our side but two Private Soldiers, three of the Kings Muskettiers, one Guarde du Corps some [Page 6]Horsemen, and three Horses. There were two Dragoons wounded and the Chevalier de Marsillac Cornet of Light-horse, who was shot in the Body with a Pistol, but if he escape, we shall obtain a Victory an a very easie mate, and teach our Enemies not to dare to venture our while our Troops are abroad. But I shall leave this for to give an Account of the Conquest of Four Towns, which were almost as soon taken as attempted. I here send you the first Advices from the Camp, still expecting the farther particulars.

The King having resolved the 30th past to form these four Sieges, arrived the 2d. Instant about Nine in the Morning before Orsoy; that day being spent in observing the Scituati­on of the place, it was Resolved, to begin the Siege the night following: Which was put in execution about Ten at Night, according to the Orders of the Duke of Orleans, to whose care his Majesty had committed the Conduct of this Attack, whilst the Prince of Condé Besieged Wesel, the Viscount Tu­renne Burick, and the rest of the Troops Rhineberg, whither His Majesty was gone Himself to the Cavalry, Commanded to in­vest that place, and their several Posts, afterwards returned to Orsoy. It was Order'd to make two Reall, and two False Attacks, the former to be Commanded by the Duke of Roanez, Lieutenant-General, the Chevalier de Lorraine, Maistre de Camp, and the Marquis de Beringhen, Collonell; and the False Attacks to be made by Two Companies of the Kings Regi­ment, under the Conduct of the Count de St. Geran, and the Marquis de Moussy. The Assault was made with so much vi­gor and bravery, that they began to lodge their Men at the foot of the Counterscharpe, the Breach having been made at the head of it.

His Majesty, who no more spares Himself, than the least Of­ficer or Soldier of his Troops, Resolved, being accompany­ed by Monsieur, to observe Himself the Opening of this Breach, behind a small Battery, to preserve Him from the Canon of the Enemy, though with so little security, that the Chevalier d' Arquien was killed there upon the place.

As well the Besiegers as the Besieged, continued shooting very furiously all Night; the besieged not being wanting to make some Resistance to favour the Humour of the French, to whom no Action seems to Merit any Honor that is not accom­panyed with some Difficulty.

About Nine next Morning, Monsieur sent a Trumpetter with the Count of Grammont to Summon the Town, but not­withstanding that, he assured the Governor, that they could not hold out two dayes longer, and in case he deferred to [Page 7]Surrender the Place, that all the Garrison should be put to the Sword, and the Town left to the Pillage of the Soldiers: The said Governor answered with all the Courage possible, That the States-General had not entrusted to him that Post, to quit it so easily. But, notwithstanding this Dutch Bravado, he quickly cooled, and was obliged to surrender the Place, upon no other Termes, then that he and his Garrison should remaine Prisoners of War.

All those that were employed in this Attack, strove to out-doe each the other in performing wonders; The Count de Grancé, and the Sieur de St. Hilaire, were dangerously wounded with Musket-shot, the one in the Knee, and the other in the Reines. The Sieur de Beauviré Captain in the Dolphins Regiment was mortally wounded, the Count de Valin was killed, with a Lieutenant, and about Eight common Sol­diers, there having been onely Five wounded.

The Fourth Instant, the Viscount Turenne, who had opened the Trenches before Buricke the day before came early in the morning to acquaint His Majesty with the taking of that Place, on the same Conditions that Orsoy was; The same day the Prince of Condé sent likewise to give His Majesty an Ac­count of the Surrender of Wesel upon the first Attack they had made on the Fort on the Lippe, not farr from the said Place.

So that onely Rhynbergh remained untaken, where it was resolved to open the Trenches the next day, at night, but the loss of these three other places had so disheartened the Garrison of this, that not daring to expect an Attack, they Implored the Kings Mercy, who accordingly permitted the Garrison to draw out the next morning with Drums beating, Colours flying, and with their Baggage, having ordered a Con­voy to conduct them to Maestricht.

Thus Victory and Glory delight to heap their Crowns up­on the head of this great Monarch, who with so much ardor undergoes the Toiles of the Warr, that the seemes to Merit the Favors of the one and the other, having subjected under his Power Four Places, in so small a time, and with the Loss onely of 100 Men, who have been killed in these Actions.