of the Truth, whereby it may appear, that as it cannot be denied, this Enterprise
for the present hath misca[unr]ede by reason of the extream desperate defense
of the Enemy, who doubtless had timely notice of this our design, by
some of their Spies here with us, and so the more leasure to put themselves in
a readiness) yet the loss on our side is not of so great consideration and consequence,
as perhaps the other party may apprehend. The true account of the
business is this; His Majesty after mature deliberation with the present Senators
of the Kingdom of Sweden, and all his Generals, having taken a final resolution
on to make an Attempt upon the city of Coppenhaguen, and for that purpose
caused divers Brigadoes to be transported from Sweden into the Leagure, makeing
all necessary preparations for the design, his Majesty gave order for taking
a full view of that part of the Castle between the Western Gate, the Kings
Stable, the private passage and Brew-house; Whereupon it was found, that
the River which runneth betwixt the Isle of Amack and Sealand, was in depth
all over but two or at most three foot of water, whence it was conceived that,
the water being so shallow, it must needs freeze to the ground by reason of the
cold Winter season, which was found so accordingly. And that no time might
be lost all the Brigadoes advanced at night from the eighth to the ninth of this
instant nearer the Town into a village called Walby; but the Enemy having
(to one great disadvantage) placed a man of War and a great Lighter with
eight guns mounted in the middle of the said River, on that side where the
principal assault was to be made, out of which they could play upon onr Flanks
when we should give the on it, his Majesty caused beforehand the said
Lighter to be [unr]el upon by some commanded men, who having flung
the guns that were upon it into the river, afterwards fired the Lighter, which
action took up so much time, that it began to be almost day, so that it was impossible
to range the Battalions in order before day light muchless to enter into
any action, which made his Majesty resolve to defer the Execution of this design
untill the day following, commanding the Infantry again should be placed in
their former station at Walby. But because his Majesty would be sure to know
whether the enemy had remounted the said Lighter (which was not q[unr]ie burnt)
with other peices of Cannon (as it was reported) and his Majesty being desirous
to be fully informed concerning the firmness of the Ice which the enemy
had broken and opened in several places, he commanded Lievtenant Colonel
Gennock with 200 men to fall upon the said Lighter, and to trie the Ice on that
side by the private way, which was done accordingly, but the Lighter was
sound empty. Now when the morning approached, so that his Majesty judged
it not convenient to attaque the enemy, it being sooner day, (although the Brigadoes
were advarced as far as the old Works over against the Queens garden)
he gave order for the Infantry to draw off to the Leaguer.
On the 10, order was given to summon all the Brigade's unto their place of
Rendevous, that his Majesty might be able to enter into action at midnight,
where they were drawn up in good order, under the reach of the enemies
Cannon, and every one expected the signal of the On-set, having for their distinction
a bush of Juniper and straw, and their word was Help us God. When
all things were thus ready and prepared, they presently set fire on two Barrels
filled with pitch, chips, and powder, and his Majesty who was in this action
from the beginning to the and, commanded a captain with 50 Musketiers to
still upon the next Ravelin, which he did. On his right hand advanced Lieut.
Col. Genneke with 200 commanded men, just betwixt the private way and the
Rampire; On his left hand Col. Delwigs Brigade advanced upon the half Bulwark
and the crooked Line. Again on the right hand of Lieut. Col. Gennek
marched Maj. Gen. Fersen his Brigade, and those of the Paltsgraves Regiment
On the lest hand the Haisterish and English Brigades sell upon a Bulwark which
was cast up between the private way and the kings Stable; On their righ,