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Prince of Hesse died gloriously, after so many brave Actions: I hope his Brother and his Family will always have your Majesty’s Protection. With 800 Men they forced the Covered Way, and all the Intrenchments and Works, one after another, till they came to the last Work which surrounded it, against 500 Men of regular Troops which defended the Place, and a Reinforcement they had receiv’d; and three Days afterwards we became Masters of the Place. We afterwards attack'd the Town on the side of the Castle. We landed again our Cannon and the other Artillery, with inconceiveable Trouble, and formed two Camps distant from each other three Leagues, against a Garrison almost as numerous as our Army, whose Cavalry was double the Strength of ours. The first Camp was so well intrench’d, that it was defended by 2000 Men and the Dragoons, whilst we attack'd the Town with our rest of the Troops. The Breach being made, we prepar’d to make a general Assault with all the Army. These are Circumstances, Madam, which distinguish this Action perhaps from all others.
Here has happened an unforeseen Accident: The Cruelty of the pretended Vice-roy, and the Report spread abroad, that he would take away the Prisoners contrary to Capitulation, provoked the Burghers and some of the Country People, to take up Arms against the Garrison, whilst they were busie in packing up their Baggage, which was to be sent away the next day; so that every thing tended to Slaughter: But your Majesty’s Troops, entring into the Town with the Earl of Peterborough, instead of seeking Pillage, a Practice common upon such Occasions, appeased the Tumult, and have saved the Town, and even the Lives of their Enemies, with a Discipline, and Generosity without Example.
What remains is, that I return you my most hearty Thanks for sending so great a Fleet, and such good and valiant Troops to my Assistance. After so happy a Beginning,
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