Army that lay before Valenchienne, that the Enemy had not
only relieved the City, and raised the siege, but had Routed the
Army of de la Ferte Seneterre, slain many of his men, and
taken himself, being wounded in the Wr st, and a great number
more prisoners. This action was done on the 16. intent
stilo novo, being Sunday; the manner thus, Our Army was
divided into two [unr]odies, the one under the said Marshall, the
other under Marshall T[unr]eine, the River running between the
two Bodies; they nevertheless maintained Communication
with each other by means of a great Damm of Earth raised
for the purpose. A little before Don John and the Prince of
Conde gave the Onset, the Enemy within the Town [unr] loose
all the Slices at once, that the force of the inundation brake
down the Damm, and deprived the two bodies of our Army
from Commerce with each other, so that the one could not
come to assist the other. At the same time came down the
Spanish Army, and attempted the Trenches of Marshall de la
Ferte, who had about 10000 men in his body, who sustained
three gallant Assaults from the whole Spanish power, before
they could make their way. But being at length engaged,
they resolved to sell the Victory at a dear rate, fighting courageously,
till being over borne by numbers of the Enemy,
their Generall wounded, and Marshal Tureine standing as a
Spectator, being unable, for the reason aforesaid; to give
them any assistance, they were wholly routed. Some Letters
say we had 2000. men (others more) slain upon the place, beside
the wounded, and those that were taken prisoners, among
whom the Generall De la Ferte was one. The Enemy
also had a great loss; what number, is uncertain; But we have
lost many officers, and men of note, as the Chevalier De
Rohan, The Counts of Estree, De Mores, and Grandpre, the
Marquis De Vervins, De Riberpre, and others, together
with the Artillery, &c. Hereupon, Marshall Tureine drew
off his Body entire and marched away 12000. men, with his
baggage and Artillery towards Quesnoy, in good order, where
the next, morning came to him the 7000. Auxiliary Recruits,
who were upon their march towards Vakachienne, thinking