Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
page 71 of 250 (28%)
page 71 of 250 (28%)
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were so well disguis'd by our seeming Preparations for a Retreat, that
the very Night our Troops were in March towards the Attack of _Monjouick_, there were publick Entertainments and Rejoicings in the Town for the raising of the Siege. The Prince of _Hesse_ had taken large Liberties in complaining against all the Proceedings in the Camp before _Barcelona_; even to Insinuations, that though the Earl gave his Opinion for some Effort in public, yet us'd he not sufficient Authority over the other General Officers to incline them to comply; throwing out withal some Hints, that the General from the Beginning had declar'd himself in favour of other Operations, and against coming to _Catalonia_; the latter Part whereof was nothing but Fact. On the other Side, the Earl of _Peterborow_ complain'd, that the boasted Assistance was no way made good; and that in failure thereof, his Troops were to be sacrificed to the Humours of a Stranger; one who had no Command; and whose Conduct might bear a Question whether equal to his Courage. These Reproaches of one another had bred so much ill Blood between those two great Men, that for above a Fortnight they had no Correspondence, nor ever exchang'd one Word. The Earl, however, having made his proper Dispositions, and deliver'd out his Orders, began his March in the Evening with twelve Hundred Foot and two Hundred Horse, which of necessity were to pass by the Quarters of the Prince of _Hesse_. That Prince, on their Appearance, was told that the General was come to speak with him; and being brought into his Apartment, the Earl acquainted him, that he had at last resolv'd upon an Attempt against the Enemy; adding, that now, if he pleas'd, he might be a Judge of their Behaviour, and see whether his Officers and Soldiers had deserv'd that Character which he had so liberally given 'em. The Prince made answer, that he had always been ready to take his Share; but |
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