Netherlands, and encouraged Marlborough to proHe extorted the consent of the

secute his success. States to attempt the reduction of Liege, which commanded the navigation of the Meuse above Maestricht. This enterprise he executed with his usual diligence and success. Apprised that Boufflers had examined the defences of the place, and was preparing to post himself under the walls, he suddenly broke up his camp, and marched with such celerity as to anticipate the enemy on the very ground which they intended to occupy. So secret and well combined was this movement, that the french commander approached within cannon-shot of the confederates, before he was conscious of his danger. His defeat would have been inevitable, had not the caution of the dutch deputies again become his safeguard. Taking advantage of the night, he on the 13th made a precipitate retreat to Orp-le-petit, and placed his camp between Lannuye and Landen. The city having opened its gates on the approach of the confederate army, preparations were instantly made to reduce the citadel, into which the french garrison had retired. On the 20th of October the batteries were opened, and on the 23d a breach was effected, and the approaches were sufficiently advanced for an attack on the covert way. In giving an account of the success to lord Godolphin, he says:

"I writ to you this morning in haste, and gave you an account that the counterscarp of the citadel was to be attacked, which was done this afternoon. After the french were beaten out of the counterscarp, our men attacked the breach, and after a

resistance of half an hour they carried it. The governor was taken in the breach by an english lieutenant, which shews that the queen's subjects were the first upon the breach. This has been an action of much vigour, so that it is impossible to say too much of the bravery that was shewn by all the officers and soldiers. The governor and great numbers of their officers are already brought to my quarters.*

Preparations were next made to attack the Chartreuse, a detached work on the opposite bank of the Meuse. But the garrison, being too much discouraged by the fate of their companions in the citadel to abide the consequences of an assault, surrendered Oct. 29, on the first fire from the batteries.

On this event the french retiring within their lines took up a position behind the Mehaigne, between Boneffe and the Josse. But as the season was too far advanced for ulterior operations, after the fatigues of the campaign, Marlborough distributed his troops into winter quarters, and prepared to return to England, where his presence was anxiously expected. +

* Camp before Liege, Oct. 12-23. eight at night.

For the account of this campaign I have consulted and compared Correspondence of the duke of Marlborough-Plans of the campaign Letters from Gueldermassen, the dutch deputy- Official letters and documents in the Gazette- Life of Marlborough, p. 38-44. — Lediard, p. 132-212.- Histoire du duc de Marlborough, t. i. p. 127-181.—Broderic's History of the war in the Netherlands, v. i. p. 13-55.— Military History of Eugene and Marlborough, v. i. p. 99— 107. History of Europe for 1702. - Memoires de Berwick, ad annum 1702.-Targe Histoire de l'Avenement de la maison de Bourbon, tom. ii. chap. 5.

CHAPTER 13.

1702.

Passage of Marlborough down the Meuse.-Captured by a french party. His extraordinary escape.- Arrival and reception at the Hague.-Remarks on the unfortunate expedition to Cadiz.

WHILE the british people were anxiously expecting the close of the campaign, they were on the point of losing the great commander who had raised their hopes and spread the glory of their arms. On the 3d of November he quitted Maestricht for the Hague, and with the dutch deputies descended the Meuse in a boat, accompanied by a guard of twenty-five men. At Ruremond he was joined on the following day by Cohorn, in a larger boat with sixty men, and an additional escort of fifty troopers attended them along the banks of the river. Such a force seemed fully sufficient to protect them against any enterprise from the french posts and garrisons in the vicinity; but in the night the horsemen lost their way, the larger boat outsailed the other, and Marlborough was left with only his slender guard of twenty-five men.

In this situation the boat was surprised by a French partisan from Guelder, who, with thirtyfive men, was lurking among the reeds and sedge. They suddenly seized the tow-rope, poured a volley

into the boat, and rushing on board, overpowered the guard.

The dutch deputies were furnished with french passes, but Marlborough had thought it degrading to solicit such a safeguard. The coolness and presence of mind, which never deserted him in the field, were, however, no less conspicuous in this inglorious yet imminent peril. One of his attendants * who had fortunately preserved a french pass granted to his brother, general Churchill, when obliged to quit the army from ill health, slipped it unperceived into his hand. Though aware that the date had expired, and that the most trifling scrutiny would detect the deception, he presented it to his captors with undisturbed confidence. His unruffled deportment, the darkness of the night, and the confusion of the moment, prevented a discovery. The adventurers, after pillaging the vessel, and extorting the customary presents, retained the escort as prisoners, and suffered Marlborough and his fellow travellers to proceed.

In an instant the disastrous tidings were spread that the general had fallen into the hands of the enemy; and the governor of Venloo led his garrison to Guelder, whither he supposed the illustrious captive had been conveyed, determined to effect his rescue, or perish in the attempt. At the

* Marlborough himself has enabled us to trace the name and circumstances of his attendant. In a letter to the duchess, dated Oct. 3. 1704, he observes," Stephen Gell whom you mention, is son to a man who was with me when I was taken. He was so far instrumental, as to give me a pass out of his pocket which I knew nothing of. The pass being for my brother, I passed for him. He has cost me £50 a year ever since."

Hague also the intelligence excited the utmost consternation. The States, who were then assem bled, passed a vote by acclamation, enjoining all their troops to march without delay, and constrain the garrison of Guelder to release their prisoner.

In the midst of the confusion and alarm, Marlborough himself appeared at the Hague. The transport of joy which burst forth on his arrival, proved the deep and general interest felt for his safety. The sedate and deliberative character of the natives was lost in the enthusiasm of exultation. Surrounded by enraptured crowds, and overwhelmed by tumultuous proofs of popular applause, Marlborough with difficulty reached the hotel destined for his reception accompanied by a cavalcade less pompous indeed, but far more gratifying than any which perhaps had ever graced the triumphal procession of a Roman general to the Capitol.

His friend, pensionary Heinsius, was deputed to compliment him in the name of the States. In this address the orator expressed the sentiments, not only of his countrymen, but of every friend to public liberty. "Your captivity," he said, "was on the point of causing the slavery of these provinces, and restoring to France the power of extending her uncontrollable dominion over all Europe. No hope was left, if she retained in bondage the man whom we revere as the instrument of Providence, to secure independence to the greater part of the christian world.”

A letter from the commander himself to Godolphin, shews the deep interest taken in his provi

VOL. I.