another.  And this was more remarkably evident on the Part of the Prince of Orange, whose Valour and Vigour having led him into the Middle of the Enemy, and being then sensible of his Error, by a peculiar Presence of Mind, gave the Word of Command in French, which he spoke perfectly well.  But the French Soldiers, who took him for one of their own Generals, making Answer, that their Powder was all spent, it afforded Matter of Instruction to him to persist in his Attack; at the same Time, that it gave him a Lesson of Caution, to withdraw himself, as soon as he could, to his own Troops.

However, the Day after the Prince of Orange thought proper to march to Quarignan, a Village within a League of Mons; where he remain’d some Days, till he could be supply’d from Brussells with those Necessaries which his Army stood in need of.

From thence we march’d to Valenciennes, where we again encamp’d, till we could receive Things proper for a Siege.  Upon the Arrival whereof, the Prince gave Orders to decamp, and march’d his Army with a Design to besiege Aeth.  But having Intelligence on our March, that the Mareschal De Humiers had reinforc’d that Garrison, we march’d directly to Oudenard, and immediately invested it.

This Siege was carried on with such Application and Success, that the Besiegers were in a few Days ready for a Storm; but the Prince of Conde prevented them, by coming up to its Relief.  Upon which the Prince of Orange, pursuant to the Resolution of a Council of War the Night before, drew off his Forces in order to give him Battle; and to that purpose, after the laborious Work of filling up our Lines of Contravallation, that the Horse might pass more freely, we lay upon our Arms all Night.  Next Morning we expected the Imperial General, Count Souches, to join us; but instead of that, he sent back some very frivolous Excuses, of the Inconveniency of the Ground for a Battle; and after that, instead of joining the Prince, marched off quite another way; the Prince of Orange, with the Dutch and Spanish Troops, marched directly for Ghent; exclaiming publickly against the Chicanery of Souches, and openly declaring, That he had been advertis’d of a Conference between a French Capuchin and that General, the Night before.  Certain it is, that that General lay under the Displeasure of his Master, the Emperor, for that Piece of Management; and the Count de Sporck was immediately appointed General in his Place.

The Prince of Orange was hereupon leaving the Army in great Disgust, till prevail’d upon by the Count de Montery, for the general Safety, to recede from that Resolution.  However, seeing no likelihood of any Thing further to be done, while Souches was in Command, he resolv’d upon a Post of more Action, though more dangerous; wherefore ordering ten Thousand Men to march before, he himself soon after foliow’d to the Siege of Grave.