CHAPTER 37.

1705.

enemy

Attempt of Marlborough to force the passage of the Dyle-Counteracted by the dutch deputies and generals-Conduct of Marlborough arraigned and vindicated-New design to march round the sources of the Dyle, and force the position of the on the Ische-Skilful manœuvres, and bold march to attain this object-Again thwarted by the same factious opponents, and disappointed of a certain victoryMalicious opposition of Slangenberg and his adherents-Anecdotes relating to the failure of this well combined manœuvre-Grievous disappointment of the commander in chief-Retreat to Lower Wavre-Correspondence.

THE factious adherents of the generals who had checked the advance of the duke, seized the opportunity to reproach him with the delay of which they were the cause. They accused him of negligence, in not intercepting the retreat of the enemy, and in not anticipating them in the strong camp of Parc, under the walls of Louvain, which would have ensured the conquest of Brabant. But these malicious detractions were silenced by the general exultation. General Overkirk in his official letter observes: "It is a justice I owe to the duke of Marlborough, to state that the whole honour of the enterprise, executed with so much skill and courage, is solely due to him." The States also in their letter of thanks to his grace, declare, our generals agree that this victory is entirely due to your excellency's care, prudence, and valour, who have overcome obstacles and difficulties, hitherto deemed insurmountable and invincible."

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A congratulatory letter from the king of Prussia, testified in stronger terms the satisfaction with which he had witnessed his

success, in forcing the lines behind which the french had taken refuge, at the mere news of his march.*

But it was from the court of Vienna, and from the new emperor that he received the most flattering marks of satisfaction and regard. To his adjutant, colonel Richards, who conveyed the news of the victory, Joseph publicly testified his gratitude, for the services of the duke, to the common cause in general, and to his family in particular, declaring that they were such as should never be forgotten by himself or his posterity. On the ensuing day an official letter of congratulation issued from the chancery, to which Joseph added a postscript, in his usual style of cordiality and attachment.

"I cannot refrain from testifying to you myself, the joy I felt at the fortunate success of your arms; not doubting its good effects for the common cause. I am much concerned that I am not able to place myself at the head of the army, to shew in person the particular esteem I have for you, and the confidence which I repose in you."†

In England the news of this almost bloodless success excited the most lively satisfaction. It was celebrated by a public Te Deum, like the battle of Blenheim, and the queen herself went in person to St. Paul's, to return thanksgiving for the victory.

Since the passage of the lines, no material change had taken place in the respective positions of the contending armies. The troops of Marlborough remained between Vlierbeck, and Corbeck Overloo, and the dutch, who formed the left, extending from Corbeck to the skirts of the wood of Murdael. On the other hand, the enemy distributed their force along the Dyle, from the Ische to Rosslaer, near the Demer, retaining Louvain as a central point, from whence they might succour either wing, which might be threatened with an attack.

Marlborough burned with impatience to follow up his success by an immediate attempt against the french position; but his

* King of Prussia to the duke, July 27, 1705.

+ From the original in the Marlborough Papers.

design was retarded by a succession of heavy rains, which fell for eight or nine days, and not only broke up the roads, but swelled into torrents the numerous streams with which the country is intersected,

To lord Godolphin he observes :

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July 12-23. The great rains we have had all Tuesday and Wednesday night, have drowned all the meadows, by which we were to have marched to have gone over the Dyle. The french were then in such a consternation, that if we could have marched yesterday morning, as was intended, I believe they would not have opposed our passage, nor do I think they really intend it. But most of our dutch generals are of another opinion, upon the french camping this day part of their troops over against the place where we should pass, when the waters will give us leave, though I think they are only come there to try if that may hinder us."

This suspense was attended with the most mischievous effects; for it gave the french time to recover from their panic, and to fortify the points which were most exposed, while it allowed the enthusiasm of the dutch to cool, and damped the ardour with which the troops were inspired by their recent success against the lines. It also again exposed the duke to unmerited obloquy, although his active mind was employed night and day in devising plans of offensive operation, to regain the advantage which he had been constrained to forego, and to drive the enemy from the Dyle. This unfortunate inactivity again called into action the malicious spirit of the discontented generals, and enabled Slangenberg to employ, with a sinister effect, his influence over the field deputies. But notwithstanding these machinations, and the multiplied obstacles which Marlborough had already encountered, he still persisted in his project, and hoped to accomplish it by the same secrecy and the same combinations which he had employed in the passage of the lines. of the lines. He accordingly again sent baron Hompesch to the Hague, and obtained the aquiescence of the States, provided the design was approved by the generals and deputies. By this impolitic restriction he was compelled to recur

to several councils of war, and to communicate a part of his plan to those by whom he had been constantly thwarted. The disclosure not only occasioned an injurious delay; but according to the opinion of an eye witness,* and even of Marlborough himself, his design was betrayed to the enemy; for notwithstanding the feints which he repeatedly made, to call the attention of Villeroy to the north of Louvain, the french commander was so far from being deceived, that he actually drew his troops from that quarter, to strengthen his right, which he well knew to be the real point

of attack.

After a suspense of several days, Marlborough extorted the acquiescence of the dutch deputies and generals in the attempt to pass the river, though it was clogged with the absurd proviso that no risk should be incurred. He hoped, however, as before, "to cheat them into success;" though unfortunately the troops who formed his left, and on whom he was principally forced to rely, were dutch, and consequently subject to the immediate control of their own officers. He therefore selected, for the leading detachment, a body of five battalions and nine squadrons of dutch, under general Heukelom, and another, from his own army, of twelve battalions and thirty-seven squadrons, under the duke of Wirtemberg and count Oxenstiern. The first was to pass the Dyle at Neer Ische, and the last at Corbeck; and the combined army was to march to their support, as soon as night should conceal the movement from the knowledge of the enemy.

These corps assembled in front of the lines, with the necessary implements and train of pontoons; and as in the passage of the lines each horseman was provided with a truss of forage, instead of a fascine. At five in the afternoon they moved in silence, reached their destined points at ten, and remained during the night under arms, to commence their operations before the dawn, which was considered as the most favourable moment for a surprise. About midnight the two armies also broke up and followed, marching without fires, and with the utmost precaution.

* Hare.

According to Milner this detachment was commanded by lord Orkney.

Two of the columns were bewildered in the darkness; but notwithstanding the accident, the dutch, at three in the morning, were sufficiently near to sustain the detachments, and the english were rapidly advancing.

The detachments now received notice to commence the passage. At Corbeck 500 grenadiers, forming the advance of the duke of Wirtemberg's corps, constructed a temporary bridge, and traversed the Dyle with little opposition; and at Neer Ische, Heukelom not only led over the whole of his foot, but drove three brigades of the enemy from the village. The point was now gained, had the detachments been promptly and effectually supported; for although the enemy had moved the moment they discovered the march of the allies, they were yet at too great a distance to obstruct the passage of the main army. At this crisis, however, a sudden suspence took place: for the dutch, though on the spot, not only refused to sustain the detachment at Corbeck, but even hesitated in maintaining the advantage which Heukelom had bravely obtained.

Marlborough, as he was advancing at the head of his own troops, was apprised of the unexpected demur on the left. He dispatched an aide de camp, urging the necessity of immediately succouring or recalling Heukelom, and soon followed himself, with all speed, in the hope that his presence would vanquish the indecision of the dutch commanders. Riding up to the spot, where they were holding a species of council, he was about to exhort them to support their detachment, when Slangenberg exclaiming "for God's sake my lord duke don't-" took him aside, and continued for some time to address him with much gesticulation, as if dissuading him from so hazardous an enterprise. During this colloquy, the dutch generals sent orders to Heukelom to retire without delay; and the duke had the mortification to see his plan frustrated, at the moment when, in his opinion, promptitude and vigour would have ensured success. For the french, instead of advancing with intrepidity and order, suffered severely from the artillery of the detachments, and kept at a cautious distance; and Heukelom was so little pressed, that he withdrew without the loss