"Our Will and Pleasure is that this Establishment for our Scots Forces hereafter mentioned, do commence from the First day of November, in the 4th year of our Reigne, and continue during their stay in England."
"Our Will and Pleasure is that this Establishment for our Scots Forces hereafter mentioned, do commence from the First day of November, in the 4th year of our Reigne, and continue during their stay in England."
*****
James the Second's Commission dated 30th March, 1685.Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all our Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
James the Second's Commission dated 30th March, 1685.Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all our Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
James the Second's Commission dated 30th March, 1685.
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all our Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.Field and Staff Officers.PER DIEM.PER ANNUMColonel as Colonel27315Lieut. Col. as Lt. Col.1645Major who has no troop, for himself and servants365Adjutant915Chirurgeon 4s., and a horse to carry his chest, 2s.10910One Troop.Capt. 8s., and 3 Horses 3s.20015Lieut. 4s., and 2 Horses 2s.10910Cornet 3s., and 2 Horses 2s.915Quarter Master for himself and Horse 4732 Serjeants each 18d., and 2 for Horses9152 Drummers each 12d., and 2 for Horses7349 private soldiers at 18d.each per diem147176Two Corporals each at 12d., and 2s.for Horses73Five Troopes more at the same rates and numbers£10265126Total1849968
The next entry is under the 1st of May, 1689, in William the Third's Establishment for England. On page 78 is recorded Sir Thomas Levingston's Regiment of Dragoons.
The numbers and pay appear as before, except for these additions:—
Chaplain£134Gunsmith 4s., and his servant 1s.915
Also for each Troop are added:—
Two Hoboys each 12d., and 2s.for horses, £73; and 60 privates in each troop.
The second volume begins with April, 1692, and on page 11 the Dragoons are recorded with the same numbers and pay, as before.
The Establishment for Land Forces and Garrisons, 1694, opens on page 75 with an interesting list of Regiments and their commanding Officers:—Under Dragoons one entry is "Lord Tiviot's."
After the 1694 Establishment comes that for the 26th March, 1699. On page 133, Dragoons are recorded. There is no mention of a gunsmith. There is one "Hoboy" 2s.per diem.
Then on page 161 we reach the Establishment of Guards and Garrisons, 25th April, 1700.
The Dragoon Regiments, as detailed on page 168, had only 40 private soldiers to each troop.
The 1st of June (1702) Establishment gives the Dragoons 54 private soldiers to a company.
The following relates to the title of the Regiment:—
William and Mary, by the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, &c., &c. Whereas that Regiment of Dragoons to which our trusty and most beloved Councillor, Sir Thomas Livingstone, Brigadier-General of our Army, is Colonel, hath been formerly designed the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, and so, reposing special confidence in the said regiment, we do, hereby, appoint and ordain the same to be designed our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons,' and we require all general officers and others in our army so to design that regiment; and to give the full title and honour that is due to our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons.' Given under our royal hand and signet, at our Court at Breda the seventh day of May, 1692, and of our reign the fourth year."By His Majesty's command,"J. O. Dalrymple."
William and Mary, by the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, &c., &c. Whereas that Regiment of Dragoons to which our trusty and most beloved Councillor, Sir Thomas Livingstone, Brigadier-General of our Army, is Colonel, hath been formerly designed the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, and so, reposing special confidence in the said regiment, we do, hereby, appoint and ordain the same to be designed our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons,' and we require all general officers and others in our army so to design that regiment; and to give the full title and honour that is due to our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons.' Given under our royal hand and signet, at our Court at Breda the seventh day of May, 1692, and of our reign the fourth year.
"By His Majesty's command,
"J. O. Dalrymple."
On 31st May, 1694, the Regiment landed at Williamstadt, in North Brabant, and on June 16th was reviewed by King William before occupying cantonments near Arschot. No general engagement took place this year: but the Regiment was twice engaged in skirmishes with the French cavalry, and in October marched into cantonments in the villages near Ghent. Coming out of winter quarters in April, 1695, the Regiment proceeded to Dixmude, in West Flanders, and thence to join the Army encamped at Arseele, and on 31st May were reviewed by King William with the rest of the Army. During the progress of the siege of Namur the Regiment formed part of the Army under the Prince of Vaudemont which manœuvred so as to protect the troops employed before the town. The Regiment was encamped a short time between Genappe and Waterloo; it afterwards occupied, together with the Regiment of Foot of Holstein-Ploen, an important post at Masy, and after the surrender of the citadel of Namur marched into winter quarters in West Flanders.
Warrant of William and Mary, 1692,Confirming the Title "Our Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons."
Warrant of William and Mary, 1692,Confirming the Title "Our Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons."
Warrant of William and Mary, 1692,
Confirming the Title "Our Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons."
His Excellency John Earl of Stair, Field Marshal, General and Commander in Chief of his Majesties Forces & General of the Hanoverian and Hessian Armies in the Service of Great Britain, His Majesties Ambafsador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces.
His Excellency John Earl of Stair, Field Marshal, General and Commander in Chief of his Majesties Forces & General of the Hanoverian and Hessian Armies in the Service of Great Britain, His Majesties Ambafsador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces.
His Excellency John Earl of Stair, Field Marshal, General and Commander in Chief of his Majesties Forces & General of the Hanoverian and Hessian Armies in the Service of Great Britain, His Majesties Ambafsador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces.
In May, 1696, they encamped near Bruges and for some months were stationed behind the canal between Ghent and Bruges, their duty being to observe the motions of the French Army commanded by Marshal Villeroy, which was encamped on the opposite side of the canal. In October they marched into winter quarters in the villages behind Bruges. In the spring of 1697 negotiations were opened for a general peace. They were encamped for a short time between Brussels and Aeth, afterwards between Vilvorde and Burntbridge, on the Brussels canal; and when the peace of Ryswick was concluded they marched to Bruges. Before the end of December the Regiment embarked for England and landing at Harwich early in January, 1698, marched at once to Scotland. The establishment which, during the war, had been 8 troops and 590 officers and men was ordered to be reduced to 6 troops and 294 officers and men.
In 1701 the accession of the Duke of Anjou to the throne of Spain caused war to be declared again on May 15th. The two troops were again added, and early in 1702 the Regiment embarked for Holland.
The Regiment formed part of the guard for the English artillery train at Breda, with which it joined the allied army under John Churchill, Earl of Marlborough.
In the autumn of 1702 the Greys were engaged in covering the sieges of Venloo, Ruremonde and Stevenswaert. The following is taken from those most interesting records, Marlborough's own correspondence and despatches:—
Sutendal, 21st September, 1702. The castle of Venloo was carried by storm last Monday, so that they hope to be masters of the town by Sunday or Monday. My Lord Cutts commanded at one of the breaches, and the English grenadiers had the honour of being the first that entered the fort. We are making all preparations we can for the attack of Ruremond and Stevenswaert, and I think no other enemy but ill weather can hinder us from taking them.2 October. Our batteries began to play upon Stevenswaert on Saturday last, and continued firing without intermission till about 10 last night, when, the besieged having abandoned the counterscarp, and our men being ready to mount the breach, they beat the chamade, and desired to capitulate.9 October. On Saturday at 3 in the morning, his Excellency the Earl of Marlborough received an express from Ruremond, that our batteries having begun to play upon the town on Friday morning, about 6 the same evening the besieged had desired to capitulate. The garrison, consisting of near 2000 men, are to march out this day, and to be conducted, with two pieces of cannon, to Antwerp. We found in the place 30 pieces of cannon....
Sutendal, 21st September, 1702. The castle of Venloo was carried by storm last Monday, so that they hope to be masters of the town by Sunday or Monday. My Lord Cutts commanded at one of the breaches, and the English grenadiers had the honour of being the first that entered the fort. We are making all preparations we can for the attack of Ruremond and Stevenswaert, and I think no other enemy but ill weather can hinder us from taking them.
2 October. Our batteries began to play upon Stevenswaert on Saturday last, and continued firing without intermission till about 10 last night, when, the besieged having abandoned the counterscarp, and our men being ready to mount the breach, they beat the chamade, and desired to capitulate.
9 October. On Saturday at 3 in the morning, his Excellency the Earl of Marlborough received an express from Ruremond, that our batteries having begun to play upon the town on Friday morning, about 6 the same evening the besieged had desired to capitulate. The garrison, consisting of near 2000 men, are to march out this day, and to be conducted, with two pieces of cannon, to Antwerp. We found in the place 30 pieces of cannon....
The Regiment was also present at the taking of Liege, on October 23rd. Before going into winter quarters one squadron acted as a body-guard to Marlborough in visiting Venloo and Ruremonde. The Regiment wintered in Dutch Brabant. Before the end of April, 1703, the Regiment took the field again and encamped near Hamont, in the province of Limburg, from whence they marched to Lardner Heath, afterwards to Château D'Horn, near Ruremonde, and on May 7th they reached near to Tongres. In the meanwhile a party of English cavalry, escorting a quantity of specie for the Army, was attacked and defeated by a detachment of French troops, who captured the treasure. The Greys were instantly ordered out, and dashing across the country intercepted and defeated the French troops and returned with the specie in triumph back to camp.
Next the Regiment was sent towards Bonn, then being besieged. After the taking of Bonn it joined the main army near Maestricht on May 21st.
The Regiment was engaged in the siege of Limburg, which fell on September 28th.
When the famous campaign of 1704 opened Lord John Hay, son of the Marquis of Tweeddale, became, by purchase, Colonel in succession to Viscount Teviot.
During the operations under Marlborough on the Dutch frontiers a body of French troops passed the Black Forest and, joining the Bavarians, gained several advantages over the Austrians, endangering the Imperial throne.
In April, 1704, the Greys, joined by a remount from Scotland, marched to Bedburgh on the Lower Rhine, where they were reviewed by Marlborough, and on May 19th began its march on that important expedition. To keep the enemy in suspense, the troops proceeded towards the Moselle, but on the 25th May changed theirroute, and marched to Coblentz. Having crossed the Rhine and the Moselle, Marlborough pushed forward in advance with the cavalry for the Danube, ordering the infantry to follow. Continuing their march through the States of Germany, the regiments crossed the Necker in the early part of June, while the rapidity of their movements and the secrecy of their design filled all Europe with wonder and anxiety, and the enemy appeared confused and lost in doubt and conjecture.
The British Regiments joined the forces of the Emperor, commanded by the Margrave of Baden, when the new line of battle was formed and the brigade, consisting of the Royal Scots and Royal Irish Dragoons, was posted on the left of the first line. Marlborough wishing to possess Donawerth as a place of arms, decided to attack a division commanded by the Count D'Arco, posted on the lofty heights of Schellenberg, on the north of the Danube commanding the passage of that river at Donawerth, and the Greys formed part of the force chosen for this service. After marching, on July 2nd, through a country intersected with rivulets and other obstacles the troops came near to Schellenberg. At 6 in the evening the attack was ordered, and the British infantry going forward with firm and resolute step assaulted the entrenchments, while the Greys and other cavalry moved forward in support. In a few moments a storm of bullets assailed the ranks of the Bavarians, and the thunder of the British fire echoed in the valley below. The post was valiantly defended, and a fierce fight had gone on for some time when the Greys were ordered to dismount, form as infantry, and assault the trenches. The regiment instantly obeyed, and led by its gallant Colonel, Lord John Hay, advanced boldly to the attack and mixed fiercely in the conflict. At this instant the enemy gave way on all sides, and the cavalry rushing forward sabred many as they fled towards the Danube; whilst the Count D'Arco, and other officers escaped by crossing the river.
The post won and the enemy's baggage, artillery, and many standards captured, the Royal Scots Dragoons remounted. The Regiment lost in the action Captain Douglas and 7 men killed, two officers, and 17 men wounded. Donawerth was occupied on the following day.
The next great event to refer to is the Battle of Blenheim, in thevalley of the Danube, fought on August 13th. The following words are Sir Edward Creasy's:—"Like Hannibal, Marlborough relied principally on his cavalry for achieving his decisive successes, and it was by his cavalry that Blenheim, the greatest of his victories, was won. The battle had lasted till five in the afternoon. Marlborough had now 8,000 horsemen drawn up in two lines, and in the most perfect order for a general attack on the enemy's line along the space between Blenheim and Oberglau. The infantry was drawn up in battalions in their rear, so as to support them if repulsed and to keep in check the large masses of the French that still occupied the village of Blenheim.
"Tallard now interlaced his squadrons of cavalry with battalions of infantry, and Marlborough, by a corresponding movement, brought several regiments of infantry and some pieces of artillery to his front line at intervals between the bodies of horse. A little after 5 Marlborough commenced the decisive movement, and the allied cavalry, strengthened and supported by foot and guns, advanced slowly from the lower ground near the Nebel up the slope to where the French cavalry, 10,000 strong, awaited them. On riding over the summit of the acclivity the allies were received with so hot a fire from the French artillery and small arms that at first the cavalry recoiled, but without abandoning the high ground. The guns and the infantry, which they had brought with them, maintained the contest with spirit and effect. The French fire seemed to slacken; Marlborough instantly ordered a charge along the line. The allied cavalry galloped forward at the enemy's squadrons, and the hearts of the French horsemen failed them. Discharging their carbines at an idle distance they wheeled round and spurred from the field, leaving the nine infantry battalions of their comrades to be ridden down by the torrent of the allied cavalry."
The Greys lost several men and horses wounded but none killed.
Extracts from a journal of the 1704 campaign kept by Mr. Hare, chaplain to the Duke, and afterwards Bishop of Chichester:—
"Being thus resolved to attack the enemy, they gave orders that the Army should march before break of day, and range itself in order of battle upon the plain, between Grenhiern and Orklau. The whole army as it was now(Brigadier Baldwyn and several other parties not being yet come in) consisted of 66 Battalions and 160 Squadrons on the right wing, under Prince Eugene, there were the seven Danish and eleven Prussian Battalions, which were all the Foot his Highness had under his command; he had also 74 Squadrons composed of the Imperial and Prussian Troops, with those of Swabia, Franconia, Wurtemberg, and other Troops of the Empire."On the left wing against Marshal Tallard were 48 Battalions (viz.) 14 English, 14 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 13 of Hanover, Luxembourg, Zell, and Swiss; also 86 Squadrons (viz.) 14 English, 22 Danes, and 18 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 25 of Lunenbourg, Hanover, and Zell. This Army marched directly towards the enemies (which were then about 4 miles distant) before break of day in the following order."The Imperial Army filed off to the right in 4 columns (viz.) two of Infantry and two of Cavalry. The Infantry marched to the right of the Cavalry upon a rising ground, close by a wood which came down to the River Kessel before mentioned. The two lines of Cavalry marched to the left of them; the English and Dutch army filed off also in 4 such Columns, having on their right the 2 Columns of the Imperial Cavalry, and on their left the villages of Dapsheim, Schwening and the Danube. Major General Wilkies and Brigadier Rowe, with 9 Battalions that were left in Dapsheim, to maintain that post all the last night, now marched to the left of all by themselves, next the Danube. The Imperial Artillery followed the Infantry of that wing, and the English and Dutch artillery and Pontoons marched through the villages of Erlinghoffen, Dapsheim and Schweingen; and all the baggage was sent back to Rittingen near Donawert, where it was to be drawn up till further orders."His Grace caused the whole Army to halt, and then detached 11 Battalions out of both lines of the left wing to be joined to the 9 already detached under Major General Wilkie near the Danube. The whole twenty were to be commanded by the Lord Cutts, and under him Major General Wilkies and St. Paul, and Brigadier Ferguson, Rowe and Hulson. Major General Wood and Brigadier General Ross were ordered with 15 squadrons of Dragoons to sustain the Lord Cutts. These Battalions and squadrons being joined with the other nine, made a ninth column which marched upon the left of all, by itself, next the Danube, the Lord Cutts being ordered with this detachment to attack the village of Blenheim, which joined to that River."This being done the Army moved forwards, His Grace and Prince Eugene advancing before all, with some squadrons of the Grand Guard to take a view of the enemy; they discovered their advanced parties before 6 in the morning, which parties as our squadrons came up retired by degrees into their camp. About 7 our Generals stood and took a full view of the enemies' camp upon a rising ground over against Overklau, on our side the Rivulet; it continues to run intwo Branches till within a few paces before it falls into the Danube, the meadows between them being soft and marshy. One of the Branches had two mills upon it, at both which there was an easy passage over the Rivulet."His Grace saw all this very plainly at half-a-mile distance, but he was more particularly informed of the nature of this ground by Major General Nazemere, of the King of Prussia's troops, who had been wounded the year before in the defeat of Count Styrum by the Elector of Bavaria and Monsieur Dupon upon the very place. All this while, the morning being a little hazy, the enemy might think we had only little parties abroad and not know that our whole Army was in motion. However it was they lay quiet in their camp, and two deserters from them gave his Grace a particular account how their troops were encampt."Our Columns began to appear a little after 7 in the morning, both officers and soldiers advancing very cheerfully and shewing a firm and glad countenance and persuading themselves of a victorious day."All this while the village of Blenheim had been incessantly attacked by the Lord Cutts, who having found it impracticable to enter that place sword in hand, as the enemy were posted, had altered his method and attacked with his fire only. The first of his lines (which was posted near the enemy's entrenchments) continually discharged in Platoons, and the other lines relieved this and each other successively."Notwithstanding all which it held out still, and now gave work to all our Infantry. For the moment that our Cavalry had beaten that of the enemy and cleared the field of them, General Churchill marched both the lines of Foot and laid them upon this village in two different places, so that it was now quite surrounded and there was no getting out of it but through the Danube, and to prevent their escaping that way the Queen's Regiment (commanded by Brigadier Webb) took possession of a little Barrier the enemy had made to cover their retreat and was posted to the right of all fronting to the street which led down to the Danube. By this means several hundreds of the enemy endeavouring to get of that way were made Prisoners by that Regiment which besides this service, has the consideration due to it, that the Horses belonging to the dismounted Regiments of French Dragoons were at their Piquets close by this Regiment, yet there was not a man stirred out of his rank to take one of them but they all fell a booty to other soldiers. Prince George's Regiment (commanded by Colonel Byton) was posted next the Danube to the left, on the other side of the Town; so that all those of the enemy which came out that way were either taken prisoners, killed, or forced into the Danube; some of them endeavoured to break out in two other places of the village,but Major-General Wood (who was left with only the Lord John Hayes's Regiment of Grey Dragoons)perceiving it immediately advanced towards them, and taking the advantage of a rising ground, amused them, and made them believe he had more squadrons behind him and so drew up and stopped them there."Brigadier Ross (who was ordered to sustain Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby) did the like on the other side of the Town with 5 squadrons of Dragoons and 3 squadrons of Horse which Lieutenant-General Lumley had sent from the pursuit for this purpose; two of which he soon after sent back again, upon order he had received from the Duke of Marlborough to bring all the squadrons he could to the right, where the Elector was marching off."It was now betwixt 3 and 4 o'clock when General Churchill sent word to the Lord Cutts that the Duke of Marlborough had beaten the enemies Horse out of the field. He also let him know that he himself was going to attack the same village in Flank and Rear, and therefore desired his Lordship to make another attack at the same time in the front, if his troops were not too much spent, or at least to make a feint of doing it. This was effectually executed at once on all sides. The Earl of Orkney and Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby entered the village at two different places at the Head of their respective Lines, but not being able to make a front equal to what the enemy had in the village, especially in the Churchyard which had high walls round about it, they were forced to retire. However this, and the frequent attacks the enemy had sustained in their front for several hours together; the damage they suffered by our Cannon which played all the afternoon furiously upon them within musket shot, the great disorder they were put into by a Battery of Howitzers, whose shells set all the Barns and Houses on fire, and especially Monsieur Clerambaut their commander being fled and as they were told, drowned in the Danube, and being quite surrounded, and obliged to stand another attack at a time when they had no hopes of relief, the Cavalry which was to sustain them, being drove quite out of the Field: all these together put them into so great consternation, that they demanded a cessation, which being allowed, General Churchill sent orders to the Lord Cutts to cease attacking in the Front, and the Lord Orkney immediately sent in Captain Abercromby his Aid du Camp on one side as Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby did Lieutenant-Colonel Belville of the Tell regiment of de Beial on the other side. After a very little time their Lieutenant-Colonel returned with Monsieur Hautefeuille and Monsieur Blansac, and the Lieutenant-Colonel's own Brother, who was Captain in Nasseys Regiment of Dragoons, then dismounted in the Town. The Lord Orkney had also met with the Marquis Desnouville, who commanded the French regiment Royal and was already made prisoner, but was suffered to go into the Town again, upon his parole to return immediately. This he did bringing with him to the Lord Orkney several French generals. And as they were all capitulating, General Churchill came up and told the French Generals that he had no time to lose, (it being now past 7 in the evening), and that if they did not lay down their arms immediately he would renew the attack, upon this they thought fit to submit, and they, with all their regiments, were made Prisoners at discretion."
"Being thus resolved to attack the enemy, they gave orders that the Army should march before break of day, and range itself in order of battle upon the plain, between Grenhiern and Orklau. The whole army as it was now(Brigadier Baldwyn and several other parties not being yet come in) consisted of 66 Battalions and 160 Squadrons on the right wing, under Prince Eugene, there were the seven Danish and eleven Prussian Battalions, which were all the Foot his Highness had under his command; he had also 74 Squadrons composed of the Imperial and Prussian Troops, with those of Swabia, Franconia, Wurtemberg, and other Troops of the Empire.
"On the left wing against Marshal Tallard were 48 Battalions (viz.) 14 English, 14 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 13 of Hanover, Luxembourg, Zell, and Swiss; also 86 Squadrons (viz.) 14 English, 22 Danes, and 18 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 25 of Lunenbourg, Hanover, and Zell. This Army marched directly towards the enemies (which were then about 4 miles distant) before break of day in the following order.
"The Imperial Army filed off to the right in 4 columns (viz.) two of Infantry and two of Cavalry. The Infantry marched to the right of the Cavalry upon a rising ground, close by a wood which came down to the River Kessel before mentioned. The two lines of Cavalry marched to the left of them; the English and Dutch army filed off also in 4 such Columns, having on their right the 2 Columns of the Imperial Cavalry, and on their left the villages of Dapsheim, Schwening and the Danube. Major General Wilkies and Brigadier Rowe, with 9 Battalions that were left in Dapsheim, to maintain that post all the last night, now marched to the left of all by themselves, next the Danube. The Imperial Artillery followed the Infantry of that wing, and the English and Dutch artillery and Pontoons marched through the villages of Erlinghoffen, Dapsheim and Schweingen; and all the baggage was sent back to Rittingen near Donawert, where it was to be drawn up till further orders.
"His Grace caused the whole Army to halt, and then detached 11 Battalions out of both lines of the left wing to be joined to the 9 already detached under Major General Wilkie near the Danube. The whole twenty were to be commanded by the Lord Cutts, and under him Major General Wilkies and St. Paul, and Brigadier Ferguson, Rowe and Hulson. Major General Wood and Brigadier General Ross were ordered with 15 squadrons of Dragoons to sustain the Lord Cutts. These Battalions and squadrons being joined with the other nine, made a ninth column which marched upon the left of all, by itself, next the Danube, the Lord Cutts being ordered with this detachment to attack the village of Blenheim, which joined to that River.
"This being done the Army moved forwards, His Grace and Prince Eugene advancing before all, with some squadrons of the Grand Guard to take a view of the enemy; they discovered their advanced parties before 6 in the morning, which parties as our squadrons came up retired by degrees into their camp. About 7 our Generals stood and took a full view of the enemies' camp upon a rising ground over against Overklau, on our side the Rivulet; it continues to run intwo Branches till within a few paces before it falls into the Danube, the meadows between them being soft and marshy. One of the Branches had two mills upon it, at both which there was an easy passage over the Rivulet.
"His Grace saw all this very plainly at half-a-mile distance, but he was more particularly informed of the nature of this ground by Major General Nazemere, of the King of Prussia's troops, who had been wounded the year before in the defeat of Count Styrum by the Elector of Bavaria and Monsieur Dupon upon the very place. All this while, the morning being a little hazy, the enemy might think we had only little parties abroad and not know that our whole Army was in motion. However it was they lay quiet in their camp, and two deserters from them gave his Grace a particular account how their troops were encampt.
"Our Columns began to appear a little after 7 in the morning, both officers and soldiers advancing very cheerfully and shewing a firm and glad countenance and persuading themselves of a victorious day.
"All this while the village of Blenheim had been incessantly attacked by the Lord Cutts, who having found it impracticable to enter that place sword in hand, as the enemy were posted, had altered his method and attacked with his fire only. The first of his lines (which was posted near the enemy's entrenchments) continually discharged in Platoons, and the other lines relieved this and each other successively.
"Notwithstanding all which it held out still, and now gave work to all our Infantry. For the moment that our Cavalry had beaten that of the enemy and cleared the field of them, General Churchill marched both the lines of Foot and laid them upon this village in two different places, so that it was now quite surrounded and there was no getting out of it but through the Danube, and to prevent their escaping that way the Queen's Regiment (commanded by Brigadier Webb) took possession of a little Barrier the enemy had made to cover their retreat and was posted to the right of all fronting to the street which led down to the Danube. By this means several hundreds of the enemy endeavouring to get of that way were made Prisoners by that Regiment which besides this service, has the consideration due to it, that the Horses belonging to the dismounted Regiments of French Dragoons were at their Piquets close by this Regiment, yet there was not a man stirred out of his rank to take one of them but they all fell a booty to other soldiers. Prince George's Regiment (commanded by Colonel Byton) was posted next the Danube to the left, on the other side of the Town; so that all those of the enemy which came out that way were either taken prisoners, killed, or forced into the Danube; some of them endeavoured to break out in two other places of the village,but Major-General Wood (who was left with only the Lord John Hayes's Regiment of Grey Dragoons)perceiving it immediately advanced towards them, and taking the advantage of a rising ground, amused them, and made them believe he had more squadrons behind him and so drew up and stopped them there.
"Brigadier Ross (who was ordered to sustain Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby) did the like on the other side of the Town with 5 squadrons of Dragoons and 3 squadrons of Horse which Lieutenant-General Lumley had sent from the pursuit for this purpose; two of which he soon after sent back again, upon order he had received from the Duke of Marlborough to bring all the squadrons he could to the right, where the Elector was marching off.
"It was now betwixt 3 and 4 o'clock when General Churchill sent word to the Lord Cutts that the Duke of Marlborough had beaten the enemies Horse out of the field. He also let him know that he himself was going to attack the same village in Flank and Rear, and therefore desired his Lordship to make another attack at the same time in the front, if his troops were not too much spent, or at least to make a feint of doing it. This was effectually executed at once on all sides. The Earl of Orkney and Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby entered the village at two different places at the Head of their respective Lines, but not being able to make a front equal to what the enemy had in the village, especially in the Churchyard which had high walls round about it, they were forced to retire. However this, and the frequent attacks the enemy had sustained in their front for several hours together; the damage they suffered by our Cannon which played all the afternoon furiously upon them within musket shot, the great disorder they were put into by a Battery of Howitzers, whose shells set all the Barns and Houses on fire, and especially Monsieur Clerambaut their commander being fled and as they were told, drowned in the Danube, and being quite surrounded, and obliged to stand another attack at a time when they had no hopes of relief, the Cavalry which was to sustain them, being drove quite out of the Field: all these together put them into so great consternation, that they demanded a cessation, which being allowed, General Churchill sent orders to the Lord Cutts to cease attacking in the Front, and the Lord Orkney immediately sent in Captain Abercromby his Aid du Camp on one side as Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby did Lieutenant-Colonel Belville of the Tell regiment of de Beial on the other side. After a very little time their Lieutenant-Colonel returned with Monsieur Hautefeuille and Monsieur Blansac, and the Lieutenant-Colonel's own Brother, who was Captain in Nasseys Regiment of Dragoons, then dismounted in the Town. The Lord Orkney had also met with the Marquis Desnouville, who commanded the French regiment Royal and was already made prisoner, but was suffered to go into the Town again, upon his parole to return immediately. This he did bringing with him to the Lord Orkney several French generals. And as they were all capitulating, General Churchill came up and told the French Generals that he had no time to lose, (it being now past 7 in the evening), and that if they did not lay down their arms immediately he would renew the attack, upon this they thought fit to submit, and they, with all their regiments, were made Prisoners at discretion."