This Stratagem thus miscarrying, all Things were immediately got ready for a general Storm, at the main Breach in the Town; and the rather, because the Prince of Orange had receiv’d incontestable Intelligence, That Duke Schomberg, at the Head of the French Army, was in full march to relieve the Place.  But before every Thing could be rightly got ready for the intended Storm (though some there were who pretended to say, that a Dispute rais’d by the Spaniards with the Dutch, about the Propriety of the Town, when taken, was the Cause of that Delay) we heard at some distance several Guns fir’d as Signals of Relief; upon which we precipitately, and, as most imagin’d, shamefully drew off from before the Place, and join’d the grand Army under Prince Waldeck.  But 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 got together what Forces he could, all in Dutch Pay, and marching forward with all speed, resolv’d, even at the Hazard of a Battle, to attempt the Raising the Siege.  Upon his appearing the Duke of Orleans,