Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
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page 25 of 250 (10%)
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it was Matter of yet greater Surprize to most on the Spot, that when the
Armies were so joyn'd, we did not stay to offer the Enemy Battle. The well known Courage of the Prince, then Generalissimo, was so far from solving this Riddle, that it rather puzzled all who thought of it; however, the prevailing Opinion was, that it was occasion'd by some great Misunderstanding between the _Spaniards_ and the _Dutch_. And Experience will evince, that this was not the only Disappointment of that Nature, occasion'd by imperfect Understandings. Besides the Number of common Soldiers slain in this Attack, which was not inconsiderable, we lost here the brave _Rhingrave_, a Person much lamented on account of his many other excellent Qualifications, as well as that of a General. Colonel _Ralph Widdrington_, and Colonel _Doleman_ (who had not enjoy'd _Widdrington's_ Commission above a Fortnight). Captain _Douglas_, Captain _Barnwell_, and Captain _Lee_, were of the Slain among the _English_; who, indeed, had born the whole brunt of the Attack upon the _Dauphin_'s Bastion. I remember the Prince of _Orange_, during the Siege, receiv'd a Shot through his Arm; which giving an immediate Alarm to the Troops under his Command, he took his Hat off his Head with the wounded Arm, and smiling, wav'd it, to shew them there was no danger. Thus, after the most gallant Defence against the most couragious Onsets, ended the Siege of _Maestrich_; and with it all that was material that Campaign. Early in the Spring, in the Year 1677, the _French_ Army, under the Duke of _Orleans_, besieged at once, both _Cambray_ and _Saint Omers_. This last the Prince of _Orange_ seem'd very intent and resolute to relieve. In order to which, well knowing by sad Experience, it would be to little purpose to wait the majestick Motions of the _Spaniards_, that Prince |
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