Brunswick the 18. 18. of Ian.

YEsterday the Ambassadours of Augustus Duke of Brunswick went from hence againe to Goslar to car­ry thither the ratification of the treaty; the Duke of Luneburg is said to be of the same opinion, but the Citizens at Hildesheim we heare are exceeding much disconten­ted, which have sent hither their Commissioners, and are to goe likewise from hence to Goslar, meane while Archduke Leopold William hath sent his Chancellor Doctor K [...]ldsmith to Vienna to fetch from thence in like manner the Imperiall ratification: The Ambassadours of the Electour of Collen have preferred a firme protestation against the Imperiall Ambassadours, whether now the Bishop of Collen and the Duke of Bavaria will obtaine any thing against the conclusion of the Electorall Coledge time will shew. In these parts preparations are now made to send a Brunswicke garrison into the City of Wolfenbuttle. Archduke Leopold William will be at Halberstat either to day or to morrow. The Swedish Generall Major Coningsmarcke hath beene with a strong party in the Bishopricke of Magdeburg, pillaged many pla­ces, driven away a great number of cattell, and brought great store of provision into Wolffsburg.

Hamborough 18. 28 of Ian.

From Hanover they write, that the treaty betwixt the Imperiall, Brunswicke and Luneburgish Ambassadours at Goslar is now come to an end, where they have agreed, that next weeke the Im­periall governour of Wolffenbuttle is to depart from thence with his garrison, and the said City to be delivered up againe to Augu­stus Duke of Brunswick, on the other side the Duke of Luneburg is to restore againe the new Bishopricke, as namely the City of [Page 3] Hildesheim, Peina, Manerberg and Steyerwaldten, together with all that belongs unto it, and all things shall bee performed this weeke, and be put againe into the same state and condition, as they have beeene in the yeare 1627.

Duringen 20. 30. of Ian.

The Imperialists have sent away from their Army all the sicke and dismounted souldiers, and the other day broke up with the maine Army from Querfurt, and Franckenhausen, and tooke their way towards Eisleben and Quedlenburg, and from thence towards Ashersleben, Groningen and Halberstat to advance against the Swedes, with a full resolution either to fight with them, or to make them retire over the Kiver of Elve, which lie now about Garleben and Saltzwedel in the old Marquisate of Brandenburg in a moorish and advantagious place, and it is certaine, that Gene­rall Major Coningsmarck is with a strong party of horsemen in the Bishopricke of Magdeburg and pilladged many places: But the Crabats and some troopes of the Dutch horsemen were presently commanded against him, and made him retire againe as farre as Wolffsburg, the prisoners which the Crabats tooke say unani­mously, that the Swedes are resolved to expect the comming of the Imperiall Army: Some Imperiall troopes continue the siege before the strong Castle of Mansfeld, which they beginne now to undermine.

Coblentz 20. 30. of Ian.

In the Castle of Hermerstein happened a great mischance, for fifty hundred weights of gunpowder standing in an upper roome of the steeple by the negligence of some souldiers happened on fire, wherby the upper part of the steeple was blowne up into the aire.

Switzerland 22. of Ian. the 1. of Feb.

In these parts they continue still to take up fresh forces for the King of France, onely those of Lucerne and Freyburg will not permit it in their dominions: The inhabitants about the Fort of Hohenwiel are commanded by their Magistrate to depart from [Page 4] their habitations, and leave the Country bare, so that the Swedes in it may get no provision more for the Country neare adjoyning unto it.

Calbe Ian. 23. Feb. 2.

The other day Archduke Leopold William arrived with the Im­periall army in and about Egelen, upon the Castle there the said Archduke tooke his head quarter. This day hee broke up againe from thence, and tooke his way towards Wantzleben and Mag­deburg, who intends to march directly against the Swedes, which are likewise resolved to stand and fight. This wet and windy wea­ther hindereth the Imperiall army very much in the bringing for­ward of their Artillery.

Another from Duringen, Ian 24. Feb. 3.

In these parts we are at this time freed from billetting, against our hope and expectation, because the whole Imperiall and Bava­rian Armie is gone downwards towards the Old Marquisate of Brandenburg, directly against the Swedes, yet for our informa­tion they sent us word, that as soone as they had done with the Swedes, they would then take up their quarters in these parts, and demand such summes of moneyes, the like whereof have not been demanded.

Vienna, Ian. 26 Feb 5.

The Palatine treaty we hope will take a good end, because the Duke of Bavaria continues in his former resolution, to restore both the upper and lower Palatin [...]te, but whether the Spanish Ambas­sadour will agree herein with the Duke of Bavaria, many doubt, and are of opinion that they doe but put it off one upon another.

Aaken, Ian 24. Feb. 3.

We live here in great danger because of the Weymarish Army, our Magistrates will suffer no Cit [...]zens nor any of their goods to goe away from hence, only the Clergy and Jesuits have sent their goods and Church ornaments away, and this day yet is such fly­ing hither of the inhabitants, that it pitties a man to see it, for no man by reason of the unrulines of the souldiers, dares stay at home, [Page 5] because they doe not spare neither Spirituall nor Temporall persons, insomuch that it is to be feared, that they will ruinate the whole Country: Our Magistrates are taking up 500. souldi­ers for the defence of this City, but this will helpe but little, be­cause there is no order, and the terror is too great: Fieldmarshall Hatzfeld with his forces lyes yet at Lintz, Hermerstein and o­ther places thereabouts; in Bonne lye 1800. men for a garrison: Bebert the Weymarish have likewise taken, and put two regi­ments into it, Berchem, Caster and Grevenbroeck they have likewise taken and put into every one of them a regiment, they keepe themselves close together lest they should be surprised: Colonell Oheim who is the chiefest in the Counsell of war, lies in Neys with 1500. men, and hath caused already new fortifica­tions to be measured out about the said City: Sons is likewise taken, wherein they have found a great store of provision: Duy­ren is come to a composition and remaines neutrall.

Wesel Ian. 24. Feb. 3.

The Hessish forces have taken the Castle of Oyt in the Coun­try of Kempen, and from thence they marched towards the Castle of Hulkenra [...]t being guarded by 300. Imperialists: Ners, Dick, Oldkerck, Wickerudt, Milen and Dungen they have l [...]kewise taken, and Iucken they have pillaged: Three daies agoe Colonell Rosa surprised at Newdeck 600. Hatsfeldish horsemen being sent abroad for spies, which he totally ruina­ted.

Leipzicke Ian. 26. Feb. 5.

From Magdeburg they write, that the Imperiall Army was arived at Tangermund, to morrow the Sipbridge that is made here is to follow the army, the Imperialists will try on both sides of the River of Elve to force the Swedes to a battell, which have set themselves in a posture neare Saltzwedel.

From the Hessish Campe before Kempen under the command of the Count of Eberstein, Ian. 27. Febr. 6.

We have now approached to the very Moat of the City; and yesterday we have battered downe from the wals one of the stee­ples, that the better we might get in betwixt the two Moats, and as soone as the breach is shot into the wall we intend to give a ge­nerall assault, which by all appearance will bee this day. During the siege there hath beene such bad weather, that the souldiers with much adoe could worke in the trenches, whereby many grew sicke: meane while the horsemen doe what they please up and downe in the Country, and ransacke the whole Country. The Castle of Oyt is not guarded by us, but by the Weymarians. We have intercepted Letters written by the Electour of Collen for the most part in characters, wherein he gives notice, that the Lor­raine troupes are at hand, and that the Bavarian troupes are expe­cted within few dayes, as also that the Spanish forces lye likewise ready to assist him: all hee feared was, that the States of Holland would likewise not sleepe, insomuch that by all appearance wee shall heare yet of great blowes in these parts.

Emmericke the 26. of Ian. the 5 of Feb.

On Saturday last all the Colours and Standards which are ta­ken from Lamboyes army, about a 140. in number passed in a ship by this City to be brought to Rotterdam, and from thence into France to present them to the King, seven Colours and Standards were sent to Cassel to present them to the Princesse of Hessen. The dead about Huckelmey have laine now above this forthnight since the battell was fought unburied. Yesterday wee received newes that the Weymarish have surprised 900. Spanish foote with fire locks, which had a designe in hand against one of the Weymarish quarters, and totally ruinated them; and wee heare also that some 1000. Hessish souldiers more are comming from East-Uriesland towards Wesell to joine with the Weymarish ar­my; insomuch that by all appearance the seat of warre will bee removed into the Bishopricke of Collen, and the next neighbou­ring [Page 7] Countries, and it is generally beleeved, that the Imperialists will not so soone get them againe out of those parts: The inhabi­tants of Gentrie on the other side of the River of Rhyne beginne now likewise to flye towards Dusseldorp, where a Cow is sold for a Rixdaller, and a Sheep for a quarter of a Rixdaller, because so many cattells are daily brought thither.

From the River of Rhyne Ian. 27. Feb 6.

The Commissioners of the Bishopricke of Collen, which were sent to the Weymarian army, are not yet come backe againe. Ye­sterday an Expresse came from Kempen to the Electour of Collen relating that the besiged held out yet, yet if so be that within few dayes they receive no succour, they would be forced to come to a composition. Fieldmarshall Hatzfeld his forces doe as much mischiefe as the Weymarish forces, and ruinate all where they come.

Bremen Ian. 27. Febr. 6.

The Swedish Generall Torstensohn hath surprised by night A­shersleben and Hadersleben, and hath ruinated in them three Impe­riall Regiments.

Wesel 31. of Ian. 10. of Feb.

The Hessish forces before Kempen have shot a breach, but be­ing more forces have got into the City for the reinforcing of the garrison, wherefore the Hessish have joyned with the Weyma­rish: This day a foote post came hither from the campe, who re­lates, that the Hessish forces have taken the City and batter now the Castle which will not be able to hold out long, the Count of Cronsfeld commands in it, who is commanded by the Electour of Collen upon paine of the highest disgrace to maintaine the place to the last drop of bloud: The Weymarish forces have pil­laged Glabeck and Dulken, and in Glabeck they have found a­bove 1500. horses that had beene sheltred there.

Collen the 2. 12. of Feb.

The overthrow of the remainder of Lamboyes army by Colo­nell Rosa consisting of 2000. men is most certaine: Colonell Rosa with his 2000. Weymarish horsemen lyes now at Binsfeld not farre from Duyren, which City he hath caused twice to be sum­moned, against which for want of Canons and Infantery he can use no force, he hath summoned all Villages and Towns as farre as the River of Mosel to come unto him and agree with him about the contribution.

The Commissioners of the Bishopricke of Collen are yet at Neys expecting there the Weymarish Generalls; yesterday our Citizens fetcht againe out of a ship 72. barrels of gunpowder which should have beene carried to Dusseldorp, and brought it into this City again, which causeth men to thinke strangely of it.

Frankford the 4. 14. of Feb.

The letters from Lyon bring newes that the King of France was arived there, and that he leads an army of 25000. men toward Catalonia, and the old army that is there yet is above 15000. strong, so that they will bring an army together in Catalonia of 40000. men. The Duke of Parma is excommunicated by the Pope: And the Princes of Savoy have now absolutely declared themselves for the King of Spaine, who allowes them yearely fifty thousand Crownes

Rome the 20. 30 of Jan.

The Pope causeth in all his Dominions, strong For­ces to be leavied; and those Forces which are in the field already, he causeth to march towards Lom­bardie, to besiege the City of Parma.

At Marsellies lie ready 22 Galleyes, and 12 Ships, with foot-Forces, which are to go for Catalonia with the first good winde; where the Spanish Garrison at Perpignano, hath intercepted and taken 100 French souldiers, and two pieces of Ordnance, which they in­tended to carry from Leucata, towards Elna.

Lower Saxony the 27 of Jan. the 6 of Feb.

The Swedish Generall Major Coningsmarck having lately been with some Regiments as farre as Magde­burg, and received intelligence of the coming of the Imperialists towards the Swedish Army, upon order and command which he received from Generall Tor­stensohn, set himself with 2 Regiments, on the passage neer Ficesfeld, but in the Moorasse and Woods there, called Tremlin, above 300 Boors, with their wives and children, and their best goods; gathered themselves; from whence they do great mischief to the souldiers with their fallying out, because no body can come at them: they misused also fearfully a Swedish Drummer that was sent unto them to know whether they would be foes or friends, and cut off his ears, nose, and fingers, and bid him to return again to the army. Assoon as Ge­neral Torstensohn had received intelligence of the coming of the Imperiall Army, he drew all his Forces together about Wolffsburg, and marched towards Salzwedel, being a Moorish and advantagious place, where he put himself in a posture, planted his Artillery upon the [Page 10] Gallows hill, took his Head-quarter in the Cloyster, and thereupon gave order, That at Bleckede all Ships and other necessaries for a Ship bridge, should be brought together: Being now both Armies lie so nigh one to another, we shall shortly hear of some blows.

Hamborough the 29 of Jan. the 8 of Febr.

Whereas lately a fiery sword stood in the ayr, over the Swedish Camp, which turned the point towards the Marpuisate of Brandenburg; and Generall Torstensohn heard of it, he caused himself (being he was then very lame of the Gout) to be carryed into the street, and looked upon it. It is reported, That Denmark, and the Dukedom of Holstein, hath undertaken to maintain for the King of Denmark, an Army of 14000 men, and 15 men of War; and at the last meeting at Kiel, they grant­ed 6000 men to be levyed; and have paid down pre­sently 150000 Rixdollers: wherupon the Kings Com­mission for levying of them, was presently given out. Norway also hath promised to set out 12 men of War. to what end those preparations are made, is not known.

From the Bishoprick of Collen the 31 of Jan. the 10 of Febr.

Whereas they have treated together for divers times, That upon the request of our Elector, a Coadjutor of this Archbishoprick and Electorate of Collen might be chosen; whereunto the Pope himself exhorted the Cha­piter of the Bishoprick; as also the Emperor himself shew'd weighty reasons: wherefore this day was made the election; and his Highnesse Maximilian Henry, Duke of upper and lower Bavaria, was chosen Coad­jutor, and future Successor of the Electorall Dignity, and Archbishoprick of Collen.

[Page 11] The French, Weymarish, and Hessish Forces proceed yet according to their old fashion in this Bishoprick, and ruinate the whole Countrey. At this instant we hear, That the City and Castle of Kempen is likewise surrendered unto them.

Wolffenbutle the 31 of Jan, the 10 of Feb.

The Swedish Army lies yet in the old Marquisate of Brandenburg, betwixt the Moorasses; and Generall Torstensohn, who is yet very sick of the Gout, hath his Head-quarter at Saltzwedel; his Forces lie about Sea-hausen, as farre as Denneberg and Osterburg: by rea­son of the many passages an Moorish grounds, the Im­perialists can hardly come at them. Piccolomini hath his Head-quarter at Tangermunde, and Generall Whal, with the Bavarian Army at Stendal.

Norimberg the 4. 14 of Febr.

What the 1. 11 of this Month was written of Gene­rall Piccolominies death, and that Arch-Duke Leopold William was shrewdly wounded, doth not continue, but what they write from Elisleben, is most certain, namely, That both Armies are marching one against the other, and intend to trie a pitch'd Battell very shortly, as men of great note do for certain write from those parts. The Swedish Army is compleat strong, 8000 Foot, and 10000 Horse; and with the said Army are Generall Torstensohn, Generall Wittenberg (both somewhat ill) Ax­el, Lillie, Wrangel, Coningsmark, and others: what now betwixt both Armies will passe, we shall shortly hear.

Leipzigk the 29 of Jan. the 30 of Febr.

Last week I certified you that I marched along with the Imperiall Army, as far as Eglen; on Sunday there­upon following, the whole Army broke up again, and [Page 12] advanced further towards the enemies of the Empire, whom I followed as far as Tangermunde; and as much as I could understand of Generall Piccolominies Secreta­ry, and of the prisoners that were taken, the Swedes have kept the same day generall randevouz about Saltzwedal, where Generall Torstensohn passed by all the Regiments, using these words; All ye Officers and Souldiers, I admonish you by the oath, whereby first of all ye are sworn unto God Almighty; then, for the pure Evangelicall Word; and lastly, for your Captain Generall, of glorious Memory, Gustavus Adolphus sake, that ye will stand joyntly by me, as honest and faithfull souldiers becometh and ought to do, being it can be no otherwise, but that we must at last fight with our ene­my: Whereupon all high and under Officers, as well as common souldiers, cry'd out joyntly with one voyce, Viva; and so the 24 of Jan. the Army broke up, and stood over against our Army in Battalia: whereupon Generall Sergeant Major Sperreutter with 4000 Imperi­all choice Horse men, was commanded against them; who, as we hear for certain, was averthrown by the Swedes, and his men totally routed and defeated him­self slain, and brought dead into Magdeburg: what now further will passe betwixt both Armies, we shall hear in time. It is reported, That 8 Bavarian Regi­ments shall be sent to succour Hatzfeld; but many be­lieve, that they will hardly be able to spare so many. Francis Albrecht, Duke of Saxon Sawenburg, with his Slesian Troops, is to joyn with Piccolominies Army; which Army, according to the List which I have seen, is already effective 16000 strong, both Horse and Foot, yet most Horse-men, and few Foot amongst them: but [Page 13] the Swedish Army confists of 9000 Horse, and 12 Bri­gards of Foot; unto which are come yet 1200 Horse-men of Generall Major Stollhons his Army, as also 1500 men more, which they have drawn out of the Garrisons in the Marquisate of Brandenburg, but Ge­nerall Major Stollhans himself, because he hath ruina­ted so much the Army, which he hath under his com­mand in Slesia, lies in arrest at Stetia. It is for certain reported, That Arch-Duke Leopold William, and Generall Piccolomini, are to go into the Low-Countreyes, and that upon the urging request of the States and Peers of the Empire, Generall Hatzfeld being a native German, shall command the Imperiall Army, and that hereafter not any out-landish Generall more, shall command the said Army: and Generall Gleen is to command Hatzfelds Army: and instead of the Count Shlick, the Count of Gallas shall be President of the the Councell of War.

Eyesleben the 2. 12. of Feb.

The Swedes lie at Luthen, and Oshersleben, and the Imperialists at Eglen: the other day the Swedes surpri­zed 8 of their Regiments betwixt Halberstat, and Ash­ersleben, and totally ruinated 4 Regiments of Horse, as namely, the Savellish, Soyish, Gonzagish, and another Regiment, being above a 1000 strong, which hath cau­sed great terror and fear in the Imperiall Camp.

Vienna the 2. 12 of Feb.

The Treaty betwixt the Emperour and the Dukes of Brunswick and Luneburg, which was concluded at Go­slar, the Emperour hath likewise ratified; wherewith Arch-Duke Leopold Williams Chancellor, Doctor Kalt­smith is returned by poste again to Goslar.

Aaken the 5. 15 of Febr.

[Page 14] We live here in a continuall great fear and danger because of the French, Weymarish, and Hessish Forces, which have taken the City and Castle of Kempen, and from thence are marched towards Duyren: assoon as they have taken the said place, they threaten to fall up­on this City, insomuch that our chiefest Towns-men flie from hence to Mastricht; in one day went from hence above 300 Waggons and Carts, laden with peo­ple and goods. At this instant we receive avisoes, that the Weymarish and Hessish Forces, after that they had taken the City and Castle of Kempen, passed by Col­len, and took their way towards Bonne, where the Ele­ctor and Bishop of Collens Court now is: what suc­cesse they will have before it, we shall shortly hear.

Emmerick the 5. 15 of Febr.

It reported that a Spanish Army of 10000 Horse and Foot shall be drawn together about Gulick, to hinder the Weymarish and Hessish Forces in their progresse; wherefore all the Cavallery of the Prince of Orange have order, as soon as they begin to stirre, to draw like­wise together. The Imperiall Garrison at Glabach is chased from thence by the Weymarish and Hessish For­ces, and for their safety returned Dusseldorp. The Weymarish Colonell Oheim, together with the yong Duke of Wirtenberg, hath been at Dusseldorp, where they conferred for a long time, with the Duke of New­burg. At Neys the Lutherans preached in the Town-Hall, and the Reformed in S. Marks House. Both the City and Castle of Kempen have yeelded unto the Weymarish and Hessish Forces upon discretion, and the Weymarish Forces lie now about Frechen, Breul, and other places threabouts, within 4 Dutch miles from [Page 15] Bonne; it is reported that they will besiege Bonne.

Wesel the 5. 15 of Feb.

After that the Citie of Kempen was surrendred unto Weymarish and Hessish, the Castle yeelded in like man­ner the tenth of this moneth new styles; the Garrison that lay in it, was forced to take pay under them, and when the Hessens had possession already of the City, there came 300. Spanish foot, with Firelocks; which being, they knew nothing of the surrendring of the said City, thought to break thorough, and to relieve the City, but the Hessens feigning as if they were Im­periallists, suffered half of them to come into the Citie, and then lock'd the Gate upon them, and knock­ed all down; mean while, the rest thinking to save themselves by flight, were intercepted by other troups, served in the same manner, and put all to the sword, insomuch, that not one of the 300. Spanish Souldiers escaped. Some of the Hessish forces lye now before the Castle of Lin.

Collen the 5. 15. of Febr.

In Glebeck the Weymarish and Hessish forces have got 1500. horses, and therewith mounted all those, that had a minde to serve; insomuch, that they are now about 20000. strong: The Clergy and Townsmen in the said City, were forced to pay a great summe of mony. Towards Mastricht is such fleeing, that many times a 1000. Carts and Wagons come in a day into the said Citie.

Collen the 6. 16. of Febr.

After that the City of Kempen, as heretofore was men­tioned had yeilded upon discretion the 7. of this month new style, the Castle did the like within 3. dayes after, the Garrison that lay in it, being 3. or 400. strong, was forced to take pay under the Weymarish & Hessish, it is [Page 16] not to be expressed, what store of all maner of provision they have found in it, a great deal more than they found in Neys: it is said, That a part of the Army lies now be­fore the Castle of Lyn, and another part of the Army before Hulckerath, which is reasonable strong: after the taking of those places, it is believed, they will fall upon Duyren, Aaken, and Bonne, especially those of Bonne are already very much afraid of a siege.

From Lower Hessen the 6. 16. of Febr.

The Imperiall and Bavarian Army hath laid a Ship­bridge over the River of Elve, at Tangermunde, and the Swedes another, as we hear at Lawenburg, and their main Army lies as far as Bleckee. And it is certain, that a bloody encounter hath passed betwixt the Impe­riall Generall Major Sperreutter, and the Swedish Gene­rall Major Coningsmark; in which, Coningsmark had the better, totally ruinated 4 Imperiall Regiments, and put 3 others to flight, and obtained 10 Standards; some lay that Sperreutter himself was slain, and brought dead to Magdeburg: notwithstanding we hear that the Imperi­alists are still resolved to fight a pitcht Battell; yet ma­ny believed, that they will be loath to hazard all upon one Battell, unlesse they be forced to do it.

From Amsterdam they write, That at C [...]llis are embarked 6000 French souldiers, which shall be transported into Holland, and then go by Land to the Weymarish Army, to joyn with the same. In Holland great preparations are made for the Queens entertainment. With the last Letters from Vienna they write, That since the over­throw of Lamboy, the Emperor comes somwhat neerer in the Palati­tine Treaty▪ the Electors of Mentz and Collen urge the restitution of the Palatinate very much, and tell the Emperour plainly, that no peace is to be looked for in the Empire, unlesse the Palat. restored.