Chapter 3

It was here that a _French_ Officer having his Pistol directed at the Breast of the Prince, Monsieur _D'Auverquerque_ interpos'd, and shot the Officer dead upon the Spot.

The Fight lasted from three in the Afternoon till Nine at Night; when growing dark, the Duke of _Luxembourg_ forsook his Entrenchments, into which we march'd next Morning. And to see the sudden Change of Things! that very Spot of Ground, where nothing but Fire and Fury appear'd the Day before, the yest saw solac'd with the Proclamation of a Peace.

About an Hour before the Attack began, the Duke of _Monmouth_ arriv'd in the Army, being kindly receiv'd by the Prince of _Orange_, bravely fighting by his Side, all that Day. The Woods and the Unevenness of the Ground, render'd the Cavalry almost useless; yet I saw a Standard, among some others, which was taken from the Enemy, being richly embroidered with Gold and Silver, bearing the Sun in the Zodiack, with these haughty Words, _Nihil obstabit eunte_. On the News of this unexpected Victory, the States of _Holland_ sent to congratulate the Prince; and to testify how much they valued his Preservation, they presented Monsieur _D'Auverquerque,_ who had so bravely rescued him, with a Sword, whose Handle was of massy Gold set with Diamonds. I forgot to mention that this Gentleman receiv'd a Shot on his Head at the Battle of _Seneff_; and truly in all Actions, which were many, he nobly distinguished himself by his Bravery. He was Father of this present Earl of _Grantham_.

_The Names of the English Officers which I knew to be killed in this Action_.

Lieut. Col. Archer, Capt. Pemfield, Capt. Charleton, Lieut. Charleton, Capt. Richardson, Lieut. Barton, Capt. Fisher, Ensign Colville. With several others, whose Names I have forgot.

Lieut. Col. _Babington_, who began the Attack, by beating the _French_ out of the Hop Garden, was taken Prisoner. Col. _Hales_, who was a long time Governor of _Chelsea College_, being then a Captain, received a Shot on his Leg, of which he went lame to his dying Day.

The War thus ended by the Peace of _Nimeugen_, The Regiment in which I serv'd, was appointed to be in Garrison at the _Grave_. We lay there near four Years, our Soldiers being mostly employ'd about the Fortifications. It was here, and by that Means, that I imbib'd the Rudiments of Fortification, and the practick Part of an Enginier, which in my more advanc'd Years was of no small Service to me.

Nevertheless, in the Year 1684, our Regiment receiv'd Orders to march to _Haren_, near _Brussels_, where, with other Forces, we encamp'd, till we heard that _Luxemburg_, invaded by the _French,_ in a Time of the profoundest Peace, had surrender'd to them. Then we decamp'd, and march'd to _Mechlin_; where we lay in the Field till near _November_. Not that there was any War proclaim'd; but as not knowing, whether those who had committed such Acts of Hostility in time of Peace might not take it in their Heads to proceed yet further. In _November_ we march'd into that Town, where Count _Nivelle_ was Governor: The Marquiss _de Grana_, at the same time, governing the _Netherlands_ in the Jurisdiction of _Spain_.

Nothing of any Moment happen'd after this, till the Death of King _Charles_ II. The Summer after which, the three _English_ and three _Scotch_ Regiments receiv'd Orders to pass over into _England_, upon the Occasion of _Monmouth's_ Rebellion; where, upon our Arrival, we receiv'd Orders to encamp on _Hounslow-Heath_. But that Rebellion being soon stifled, and King _James_ having no farther Need of us, those Regiments were order'd to return again to _Holland_, into the proper Service of those who paid them.

Tho' I am no stiff Adherer to the Doctrine of Predestination, yet to the full Assurance of a Providence I never could fail to adhere. Thence came it, that my natural Desire to serve my own native Country prevail'd upon me to quit the Service of another, though its Neighbour and Allie. Events are not always to direct the Judgment; and therefore whether I did best in following those fondling Dictates of Nature, I shall neither question nor determine.

However, it was not long after my Arrival in _England_ before I had a Commission given me by King _James_, to be a Lieutenant in a new rais'd Regiment under the Command of Colonel _Tufton_, Brother to the Earl of _Thanet_. Under this Commission I sojourn'd out two peaceable Campaigns on _Hounslow-Heath;_ where I was an Eye-Witness of one mock Siege of _Buda_: After which our Regiment was order'd to _Berwick_, where I remained till the Revolution.

King _James_ having abdicated the Throne, and the Prince of _Orange_ accepting the Administration, all Commissions were order'd to be renew'd in his Name. The Officers of our Regiment, as well as others, severally took out theirs accordingly, a very few excepted, of which Number was our Colonel; who refusing a Compliance, his Commission was given to Sir _James Lesley._

The Prince of _Orange_ presently after was declar'd and proclaim'd King, and his Princess Queen, with a conjunctive Power. Upon which our Regiment was order'd into _Scotland_, where Affairs appear'd under a Face of Disquietude. We had our Quarters at _Leith_, till the Time the Castle of _Edinburgh_, then under the Command of the Duke of _Gordon_, had surrender'd. After which, pursuant to fresh Orders, we march'd to _Inverness_, a Place of no great Strength, and as little Beauty; though yet I think I may say, without the least Danger of an _Hyperbole_, that it is as pleasant as most Places in that Country. Here we lay two long Winters, perpetually harrass'd upon Parties, and hunting of somewhat wilder than their wildest Game, namely, the _Highlanders,_ who were, if not as nimble footed, yet fully as hard to be found.

But General _Mackay_ having receiv'd Orders to build a Fort at _Inverlochy_, our Regiment, among others, was commanded to that Service. The two Regiments appointed on the same Duty, with some few Dragoons, were already on their March, which having join'd, we march'd together through _Louquebar_. This sure is the wildest Country in the _Highlands_, if not in the World. I did not see one House in all our March; and their Oeconomy, if I may call it such, is much the same with that of the _Arabs_ or _Tartars_. Hutts, or Cabins of Trees and Trash, are their Places of Habitation; in which they dwell, till their half-horn'd Cattle have devour'd the Grass, and then remove, staying no where longer than that Convenience invites them.

In this March, or rather, if you please, most dismal Peregrination, we could be very rarely go two on a Breast; and oftner, like Geeze in a String, one after another. So that our very little Army had sometimes, or rather most commonly, an Extent of many Miles; our Enemy, the _Highlanders_, firing down upon us from their Summits all the Way. Nor was it possible for our Men, or very rarely at least, to return their Favours with any Prospect of Success; for as they pop'd upon us always on a sudden, they never stay'd long enough to allow any of our Soldiers a Mark; or even time enough to fire: And for our Men to march, or climb up those Mountains, which to them were natural Champion, would have been as dangerous as it seem'd to us impracticable. Nevertheless, under all these disheartning Disadvantages, we arriv'd at _Inverlochy_, and there perform'd the Task appointed, building a Fort on the same Spot where _Cromwell_ had rais'd one before. And which was not a little remarkable, we had with us one _Hill_, a Colonel, who had been Governor in _Oliver's_ Time, and who was now again appointed Governor by General _Mackay_. Thus the Work on which we were sent being effected, we march'd back again by the Way of _Gillycrancky_, where that memorable Battle under _Dundee_ had been fought the Year before.

Some time after, Sir _Thomas Levingston_, afterwards Earl of _Tiviot_, having receiv'd Intelligence that the _Highlanders_ intended to fall down into the lower Countries, in a considerable Body, got together a Party of about five Hundred (the Dragoons, call'd the _Scotch Greys_, inclusive) with which he resolv'd, if possible, to give them a Meeting. We left _Inverness_ the last Day of _April_, and encamp'd near a little Town call'd _Forrest_, the Place where, as Tradition still confidently avers, the Witches met _Mackbeth_, and greeted him with their diabolical Auspices. But this Story is so naturally display'd in a Play of the immortal _Shakespear_, that I need not descend here to any farther Particulars.

Here Sir _Thomas_ receiv'd Intelligence, that the _Highlanders_ design'd to encamp upon the _Spey_, near the Laird of _Grant's_ Castle. Whereupon we began our March about Noon; and the next Day, about the Break thereof, we came to that River, where we soon discover'd the _Highlanders_ by their Fires. Sir _Thomas_ immediately, on Sight of it, issued his Orders for our fording the River, and falling upon them as soon after as possible. Both were accordingly perform'd, and with so good Order, Secrecy and Success, that _Cannon_ and _Balfour_, their Commanders, were obliged to make their Escape naked.

They were about one Thousand in Number, of which were kill'd about three Hundred; we pursued them, till they got up _Crowdale-Hill,_ where we lost them in a Fog. And, indeed so high is that Hill, that they, who perfectly knew it, assured me that it never is without a little dark Fog hanging over it. And to me, at that Instant of Time, they seem'd rather to be People receiv'd up into Clouds, than flying from an Enemy.

Near this there was an old Castle, call'd _Lethendy_, into which about Fifty of them made their Retreat, most of them Gentlemen, resolving there to defend themselves to the last. Sir _Thomas_ sent a Messenger to them, with an Offer of Mercy, if they would surrender: But they refus'd the profer'd Quarter, and fir'd upon our Men, killing two of our Grenadiers, and wounding another. During my Quarters at the _Grave_, having learnt to throw a Grenado, I took three or four in a Bag, and crept down by the Side of a Ditch, or Dyke, to an old thatch'd House near the Castle, imagining, on my mounting the same, I might be near enough to throw them, so as to do execution. I found all Things answer my Expectation; and the Castle wanting a Cover, I threw in a Grenado, which put the Enemy immediately into Confusion. The Second had not so good Success, falling short, and the Third burst as soon as it was well out of my Hand, though without Damage to my self. But throwing the Fourth in at a Window, it so increas'd the Confusion, which the first had put them into, that they immediately call'd out to me, upon their Parole of Safety, to come to them.

Accordingly I went up to the Door, which they had barricaded, and made up with great Stones; when they told me they were ready to surrender upon Condition of obtaining Mercy. I return'd to Sir _Thomas_; and telling him what I had done, and the Consequence of it, and the Message they had desir'd me to deliver (a great many of the _Highland_ Gentlemen, not of this Party, being with him) Sir _Thomas_, in a high Voice, and broad _Scotch_, best to be heard and understood, order'd me back to tell 'em, _He would cut them all to Pieces, for their Murder of two of his Grenadiers, after his Proffer of Quarter_.

I was returning full of these melancholy Tidings, when Sir _Thomas_, advancing after me a little Distance from the rest of the Company; _Hark ye, Sir_, says he, _I believe there may be among 'em some of our old Acquaintance_ (for we had serv'd together in the Service of the _States_ in _Flanders_) _therefore tell them they shall have good Quarter_. I very willingly carry'd back a Message to much chang'd to my Mind; and upon delivering of it, without the least Hesitation, they threw down the Barricado, open'd the Door, and out came one _Brody_, who, as he then told me, had had a Piece of his Nose taken off by one of my Grenadoes. I carry'd him to Sir _Thomas_, who confirming my Message, they all came out, and surrendered themselves Prisoners. This happen'd on _May Day_ in the Morning; for which Reason we return'd to _Inverness_ with our Prisoners, and Boughs in our Hats; and the _Highlanders_ never held up their Heads so high after this Defeat.

Upon this Success Sir _Thomas_ wrote to Court, giving a full Account of the whole Action. In which being pleas'd to make mention of my Behaviour, with some Particularities, I had soon after a Commission order'd me for a Company in the Regiment under the Command of Brigadier _Tiffin_.

My Commission being made out, sign'd, and sent to me, I repair'd immediately to _Portsmouth_, where the Regiment lay in Garrison. A few Days after I had been there, Admiral _Russel_ arriv'd with the Fleet, and anchor'd at St. _Hellen's_, where he remain'd about a Week. On the 18th of _May_ the whole Fleet set Sail; and it being my Turn the same Day to mount the Main Guard, I was going the Rounds very early, when I heard great shooting at Sea. I went directly to acquaint the Governor, and told him my Sentiments, that the two contending Fleets were actually engag'd, which indeed prov'd true; for that very Night a Pinnace, which came from our Fleet, brought News that Admiral _Russel_ had engag'd the _French_ Admiral _Turvile_; and, after a long and sharp Dispute, was making after them to their own Coasts.

The next Day, towards Evening, several other Expresses arriv'd, one after another, all agreeing in the Defeat of the _French_ Fleet, and in the Particulars of the burning their _Rising Sun_, together with many other of their Men of War, at _la Hogue_. All which Expresses were immediately forwarded to Court by Mr. _Gibson_, our Governor.

About two Months after this, our Regiment, among many others, was, according to Order, shipp'd off on a Secret Expedition, under the Command of the Duke of _Leinster_, no Man knowing to what Place we were going, or on what Design; no, not the Commander himself. However, when we were out at Sea, the General, according to Instructions, opening his Commission, we were soon put out of our Suspence, and inform'd, that our Orders were to attack _Dunkirk_. But what was so grand a Secret to those concern'd in the Expedition, having been intrusted to a Female Politician on Land, it was soon discover'd to the Enemy; for which Reason our Orders were countermanded, before we reach'd the Place of Action, and our Forces receiv'd Directions to land at _Ostend_.

Soon after this happen'd that memorable Battle at _Steenkirk_, which as very few at that Time could dive into the Reason of, and mistaken Accounts of it have pass'd for authentick, I will mention somewhat more particularly: The Undertaking was bold; and, as many thought, bolder than was consistent with the Character of the wise Undertaker. Nevertheless, the _French_ having taken _Namure_; and, as the Malecontents alledg'd, in the very Sight of a superior Army; and nothing having been done by Land of any moment, Things were blown into such a dangerous Fermentation, by a malicious and lying Spirit, that King _William_ found himself under a Necessity of attempting something that might appease the Murmurs of the People. He knew very well, though spoke in the Senate, that it was not true, that his Forces at the Siege of _Namure_ exceeded those of the Enemy; no Man could be more afflicted than he at the overflowing of the _Mehaigne_, from the continual Rains, which obstructed the Relief he had designed for that important Place; yet since his Maligners made an ill Use of these false Topicks, to insinuate that he had no Mind to put an End to the War, he was resolv'd to evince the contrary, by shewing them that he was not afraid to venture his Life for the better obtaining what was so much desired.

To that Purpose, receiving Intelligence that the Duke of _Luxemburg_ lay strongly encamp'd at _Steenkirk_, near _Enghien_ (tho' he was sensible he must pass through many Defiles to engage him; and that the many Thickets between the two Armies would frequently afford him new Difficulties) he resolv'd there to attack him. Our Troops at first were forc'd to hew out their Passage for the Horse; and there was no one difficulty that his Imagination had drawn that was lessen'd by Experience; and yet so prosperous were his Arms at the Beginning, that our Troops had made themselves Masters of several Pieces of the Enemy's Cannon. But the farther he advanc'd, the Ground growing straiter, so strait as not to admit his Army's being drawn up in Battalia, the Troops behind could not give timely Succour to those engag'd, and the Cannon we had taken was forcibly left behind in order to make a good Retreat. The _French_ had lost all their Courage in the Onset; for though they had too fair an Opportunity, they did not think fit to pursue it; or, at least, did it very languidly. However, the Malecontents at Home, I remember, grew very well pleas'd after this; for so long as they had but a Battle for their Money, like true _Englishmen_, lost or won, they were contented.

Several Causes, I remember, were assign'd for this Miscarriage, as they call'd it; Some there were who were willing to lay it upon the _Dutch_; and alledge a Saying of one of their Generals, who receiving Orders to relieve some _English_ and _Scotch_ that were over-power'd, was heard to say, _Dam 'em, since they love Fighting let 'em have their Bellies full_. But I should rather impute the Disappointment to the great Loss of so many of our bravest Officers at the very first Onset. General _Mackay_, Colonel _Lanier_, the Earl of _Angus_, with both his Field-Officers, Sir _Robert Douglas_, Colonel _Hodges_, and many others falling, it was enough to put a very considerable Army into Confusion. I remember one particular Action of Sir _Robert Douglas_, that I should think my self to blame should I omit: Seeing his Colours on the other Side the Hedge, in the Hands of the Enemy, he leap'd over, slew the Officer that had them, and then threw them over the Hedge to his Company; redeeming his Colours at the Expense of his Life. Thus the _Scotch_ Commander improv'd upon the _Roman_ General; for the brave _Posthumius_ cast his Standard in the Middle of the Enemy for his Soldiers to retrieve, but _Douglas_ retriev'd his from the Middle of the Enemy, without any Assistance, and cast it back to his Soldiers to retain, after he had so bravely rescued it out of the Hands of the Enemy.

From hence our Regiment receiv'd Orders to march to _Dixmuyd_, where we lay some time employ'd in fortifying that Place. While we were there, I had one Morning stedfastly fix'd my Eyes upon some Ducks, that were swimming in a large Water before me; when all on a sudden, in the Midst of a perfect Calm, I observ'd such a strange and strong Agitation in the Waters, that prodigiously surpriz'd me. I was at the same Moment seiz'd with such a Giddiness in my Head, that, for a Minute or two, I was scarce sensible, and had much a-do to keep on my Legs. I had never felt any thing of an Earthquake before, which, as I soon after understood from others, this was; and it left, indeed, very apparent Marks of its Force in a great Rent in the Body of the great Church, which remains to this Day.

Having brought the intended Fortifications into some tolerable Order, we receiv'd a Command out of hand to reimbarque for _England_. And, upon our Landing, Directions met us to march for _Ipswich_, where we had our Quarters all that Winter. From thence we were order'd up to _London_, to do Duty in the _Tower_. I had not been there long, before an Accident happen'd, as little to be accounted for, without a divine Providence, as some would make that Providence to be, that only can account for it.

There was at that Time, as I was assur'd by my Lord _Lucas_, Constable of it, upwards of twenty Thousand Barrels of Gun-powder, in that they call the _White-Tower_, when all at once the middle Flooring did not only give way, or shrink, but fell flat down upon other Barrels of Powder, together with many of the same combustible Matter which had been placed upon it. It was a Providence strangely neglected at that Time, and hardly thought of since; But let any considerate Man consult the Consequences, if it had taken fire; perhaps to the Destruction of the whole City, or, at least, as far as the _Bridge_ and Parts adjacent. Let his Thoughts proceed to examine, why, or how, in that precipitate Fall, not one Nail, nor one Piece of Iron, in that large Fabrick, should afford one little Spark to enflame that Mass of sulphurous Matter it was loaded with; and if he is at a loss to find a Providence, I fear his Friends will be more at a loss to find his Understanding. But the Battle of _Landen_ happening while our Regiment was here on Duty, we were soon remov'd to our Satisfaction from that pacifick Station, to one more active in _Flanders_.

Notwithstanding that fatal Battle the Year preceding, namely, _A.D._ 1694, the Confederate Army under King _William_ lay encamp'd at _Mont. St. André_, an open Place, and much expos'd; while the _French_ were entrench'd up to their very Teeth, at _Vignamont_, a little Distance from us. This afforded Matter of great Reflection to the Politicians of those Times, who could hardly allow, that if the Confederate Army suffer'd so much, as it really did in the Battle of _Landen_, it could consist with right Conduct to tempt, or rather dare a new Engagement. But those sage Objectors had forgot the well-known Courage of that brave Prince, and were as little capable of fathoming his Designs. The Enemy, who to their Sorrow had by Experience been made better Judges, was resolv'd to traverse both; for which Purpose they kept close within their Entrenchments; so that after all his Efforts, King _William_ finding he could no way draw them to a Battle, suddenly decamp'd, and march'd directly to _Pont Espiers_, by long Marches, with a Design to pass the _French_ Lines at that Place.

But notwithstanding our Army march'd in a direct Line, to our great Surprize, we found the Enemy had first taken possession of it. They gave this the Name of the _Long March_, and very deservedly; for though our Army march'd upon the String, and the Enemy upon the Bow, sensible of the Importance of the Post, and the Necessity of securing it, by double horseing with their Foot, and by leaving their Weary and Weak in their Garrisons, and supplying their Places with fresh Men out of them, they gain'd their Point in disappointing us. Though certain it is, that March cost 'em as many Men and Horses as a Battle. However their Master, the _French_ King, was so pleas'd with their indefatigable and auspicious Diligence, that he wrote, with his own Hand, a Letter of Thanks to the Officers, for the great Zeal and Care they had taken to prevent the Confederate Army from entring into _French Flanders_.

King _William_, thus disappointed in that noble Design, gave immediate Orders for his whole Army to march through _Oudenard_, and then ecamp'd at _Rofendale_; after some little Stay at that Camp we were remov'd to the _Camerlins_, between _Newport_ and _Ostend_, once more to take our Winter Quarters there among the Boors.

We were now in the Year 1695 when the strong Fortress of _Namur_, taken by the _French_ in 1692 and since made by them much stronger, was invested by the Earl of _Athlone_. After very many vigorous Attacks, with the Loss of many Men, the Town was taken, the Garrison retiring into the Castle. Into which soon after, notwithstanding all the Circumspection of the Besiegers, Mareschal _Bouflers_ found means, with some Dragoons, to throw himself.