"This will be an eternal trophy to your most serene queen in Upper Germany, whither the victorious arms of the english nation have never penetrated since the memory of man.” *

* Translation from the original in the Blenheim Papers-also Lediard, vol. i. p. 419.

CHAPTER 24.

1704.

Consequences of the victory on the Schellenberg.—The gallobavarians commence their retreat to Augsburg.—The allies Occupy Donawerth-Pass the Danube and Lech, and capture Rain, Aicha and Friedburgh.-The gallo-bavarians take post under the walls of Augsburg.-Negotiation with the elector of Bavaria-His country given up to military execution.-A principality of the empire again offered to Marlborough.-Application on the subject from the emperor to the queen.

HAPPILY the apprehensions which Marlborough had expressed in one of the preceding letters, that the enemy would defend Donawerth to the last extremity, proved groundless. For the elector, after witnessing the defeat of his troops from the farther bank of the Lech, hastily rejoined the army, and commenced his retreat towards Augsburg, in which position he hoped to impede the operations of the confederates, at the same time that he preserved the communications which would enable him to receive succours from France. As the possession of Donawerth was inconsistent with this system of defence, he directed the garrison to withdraw, after setting fire to the magazines and bridge. But they were not sufficiently prompt in the execution of this order; for the confederates entered the town

at the moment of their retreat, and extinguished the conflagration before it had produced the intended effect. Marlborough was highly gratified by this unexpected success, as we find from a letter to the duchess, dated Donawerth, July 4.

"I writ to my dearest soul yesterday, giving her an account of God's having blessed us with a victory the day before, the effect of which has been, that we are now masters of this town, which will be of great advantage to us; since it will oblige the elector to retire into his own country, and give us the opportunity of posting ourselves between him and the french troops he expects. We should not have taken this place in ten days, if the garrison had not been frightened by the action they saw two days ago; for the bavarians were under the shot of their cannon, when we forced them.

"I am in great hopes we shall succeed, which will be for the eternal honour of her majesty; for not only the country, but the generals and soldiers all own their being saved, to her generous proceedings; as in truth it is very plain, that if her majesty's troops had not been here, the elector of Bavaria had been now in Vienna.

"Since this action, I have hardly had time to sleep, for lieutenant-general Goor helped me in a great many things, which I am now forced to do myself, till I can find some other officer I can rely on for it."

Bridges having been prepared, the army traversed the Danube in five columns on the 5th of July, and seized the greater part of the pontoons belonging to the enemy, together with a consider

able quantity of meal, which had been abandoned in the confusion of the retreat. On the following day the confederates advanced as far as Heischeim, and took post between the Zusam and the Schmut

At the same time the danish horse arriving, were incorporated in the line of battle; and thus the whole army, which had marched in so many different divisions, was united without the loss of a single corps. From this camp Marlborough explains to Godolphin his situation and views.

July 6. N. S.We are now taking care for a passage over this river of Lech, and then we shall be in the heart of the elector's country. If he will ever make propositions it must be then. The marshals de Villeroy and Tallard are separated. The latter is to join the elector of Bavaria, and the duke de Villeroy is to act on the Rhine. Prince Eugene will be obliged to divide his army; so that he may observe each of their motions. As for his person, it will be with that army that is to observe M. Tallard.

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*

By all the intelligence we have, our last action has very much disheartened the enemy, so that if we can get over the river to engage them, I no ways doubt but God will bless us with the victory. Our greatest difficulty is, that of making our bread follow us; for the troops that I have the honour to command cannot subsist without it, and the germans that are used to starve, cannot advance without us. The duke of Wirtemberg has sent orders to his country for two hundred waggons, to help bring on our stores, and I have promised to pay

them for a month, which time I hope will finish our business in this country."

As the Lech was deep, broad and rapid, and the enemy had taken the precaution of destroying the bridges, considerable attention was necessary to secure a passage. Colonel Cadogan having selected. a proper point near Gunderkingen, was supported by a detachment of 4000 men and 12 pieces of cannon, while laying the pontoons. This operation was effected on the 7th; and the same evening the sustaining corps with an additional force of 6000 men, took post on the opposite bank. The views. of the confederates being thus developed, the bavarian garrison of Neuburg retired to Ingoldstadt; the place was immediately occupied by a body of horse; and a detachment of 3000 men, which had been left on the other side of the Danube, under the imperial general d'Herbeville, was ordered to. advance and secure so important a point of com

munication.

As the elector, by halting at Augsburg, had now evinced his design of sacrificing all other considerations, for the sake of the succour expected from France, a resolution was taken to turn the tide of war into his unfortunate country. The confederates accordingly moved on the 8th to Gunderkingen, and passing the Lech during the following day, encamped on the 10th between Stauda and Mittelstetten. According to the order of battle; their force amounted to 73 battalions and 174 squadrons.

Information of these proceedings was transmitted to Godolphin.