Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe

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For I well remember, on Receipt of an Express from the Duke of _Savoy_
(as he frequenly sent such to enquire after the Proceedings in _Spain_)
I was shew'd a Letter, wrote about this time by the Earl of _Peterborow_
to that Prince, which rais'd my Spirits, though then at a very low Ebb.
It was too remarkable to be forgot; and the Substance of it was, That
his Highness might depend upon it, that he (the Earl) was in much better
Circumstances than he was thought to be: That the _French_ Officers,
knowing nothing of the Situation of the Country, would find themselves
extreamly disappointed, since in case the Siege was rais'd, their Army
should be oblig'd to abandon _Spain_: Or in case the Town was taken,
they should find themselves shut up in that Corner of _Catalonia_, and
under an Impossibility of forcing their Way back, either through
_Aragon_ or _Valencia_: That by this Means all _Spain_, to the _Ebro_,
would be open to the Lord _Galoway_, who might march to _Madrid_, or any
where else, without Opposition. That he had no other Uneasiness or
Concern upon him, but for the Person of the Arch-Duke, whom he had
nevertheless earnestly solicited not to remain in the Town on the very
first Appearance of the intended Siege.

_BARCELONA_ being thus reliev'd, and King _Philip_ forc'd out of
_Spain_, by these cautious Steps taken by the Earl of _Peterborow_,
before we bring him to _Valencia_, it will be necessary to intimate,
that as it always was the Custom of that General to settle, by a Council
of War, all the Measures to be taken, whenever he was oblig'd for the
Service to leave the Arch-Duke; a Council of War was now accordingly
held, where all the General Officers, and those in greatest Employments
at Court assisted. Here every thing was in the most solemn Manner
concerted and resolv'd upon; here Garrisons were settled for all the
strong Places, and Governors appointed: But the main Article then agreed
upon was, that King _Charles_ should immediately begin his Journey to
_Madrid_, and that by the Way of _Valencia_. The Reason assign'd for it
was, because that Kingdom being in his Possession, no Difficulties could
arise which might occasion Delay, if his Majesty took that Rout. It was
likewise agreed in the same Council, that the Earl of _Peterborow_
should embark all the Foot, not in Garrisons, for their more speedy, as
well as more easy Conveyance to _Valencia_. The same Council of War
agreed, that all the Horse in that Kingdom should be drawn together, the
better to insure the Measures to be taken for the opening and
facilitating his Majesty's Progress to _Madrid_.

Accordingly, after these Resolutions were taken, the Earl of
_Peterborow_ embarks his Forces and sails for _Valencia_, where he was
doubly welcom'd by all Sorts of People upon Account of his safe Arrival,
and the News he brought along with it. By the Joy they express'd, one
would have imagin'd that the General had escap'd the same Danger with
the King; and, in truth, had their King arriv'd with him in Person, the
most loyal and zealous would have found themselves at a loss how to have
express'd their Satisfaction in a more sensible Manner.

Soon after his Landing, with his customary Vivacity, he apply'd himself
to put in execution the Resolutions taken in the Councils of War at
_Barcelona_; and a little to improve upon them, he rais'd an intire
Regiment of Dragoons, bought them Horses, provided them Cloaths, Arms,
and Acoutrements; and in six Weeks time had them ready to take the
Field; a thing though hardly to be parallell'd, is yet scarce worthy to
be mentioned among so many nobler Actions of his; yet in regard to
another General it may merit Notice, since while he had _Madrid_ in
Possession near four Months, he neither augmented his Troops, nor lay'd
up any Magazines; neither sent he all that time any one Express to
concert any Measures with the Earl of _Peterborow_, but lay under a
perfect Inactivity, or which was worse, negotiating that unfortunate
Project of carrying King _Charles_ to _Madrid_ by the roundabout and
ill-concerted Way of _Aragon_; a Project not only contrary to the solemn
Resolutions of the Council of War; but which in reality was the Root of
all our succeeding Misfortunes; and that only for the wretched Vanity of
appearing to have had some Share in bringing the King to his Capital;
but how minute a Share it was will be manifest, if it be consider'd
that another General had first made the Way easy, by driving the Enemy
out of _Spain_; and that the French General only stay'd at _Madrid_ till
the Return of those Troops which were in a manner driven out of _Spain_.

And yet that Transaction, doughty as it was, took up four most precious
Months, which most certainly might have been much better employ'd in
rendering it impossible for the Enemy to re-enter _Spain_; nor had there
been any Great Difficulty in so doing, but the contrary, if the General
at _Madrid_ had thought convenient to have join'd the Troops under the
Earl of _Peterhorow_, and then to have march'd directly towards
_Pampelona_, or the Frontiers of _France_. To this the Earl of
_Peterborow_ solicited the King, and those about him; he advis'd,
desir'd, and intreated him to lose no time, but to put in Execution
those Measures resolv'd on at _Barcelona_. A Council of War in
_Valencia_ renew'd the same Application; but all to no Purpose, his Rout
was order'd him, and that to meet his Majesty on the Frontiers of
_Arragon_. There, indeed, the Earl did meet the King; and the _French_
General an Army, which, by Virtue of a decrepid Intelligence, he never
saw or heard of till he fled from it to his Camp at _Guadalira_.
Inexpressible with the Confusion in this fatal Camp: The King from
_Arragon_, The Earl of _Peterborow_ from _Valencia_ arriving in it the
same Day, almost the same Hour that the Earl of _Galoway_ enter'd under
a hasty Retreat before the _French_ Army.

But to return to Order, which a Zeal of Justice has made me somewhat
anticipate; the Earl had not been long at _Valencia_ before he gave
Orders to Major-General _Windham_ to march with all the Forces he had,
which were not above two thousand Men, and lay Siege to _Requina_, a
Town ten Leagues distant from _Valencia_, and in the Way to _Madrid_.
The Town was not very strong, nor very large; but sure the odliest
fortify'd that ever was. The Houses in a Circle conneftively compos'd
the Wall; and the People, who defended the Town, instead of firing from
Hornworks, Counterscarps, and Bastions, fir'd out of the Windows of
their Houses.

Notwithstanding all which, General _Windham_ found much greater
Opposition than he at first imagin'd; and therefore finding he should
want Ammunition, he sent to the Earl of _Peterborow_ for a Supply; at
the same time assigning, as a Reason for it, the unexpected Obstinacy of
the Town. So soon as the Earl receiv'd the Letter he sent for me; and
told me I must repair to _Requifia_, where they would want an Engineer;
and that I must be ready next Morning, when he should order a
Lieutenant, with thirty Soldiers and two Matrosses, to guard some Powder
for that Service. Accordingly, the next Morning we set out, the
Lieutenant, who was a _Dutchman_, and Commander of the Convoy, being of
my Acquaintance.

We had reach'd Saint _Jago_, a small Village about midway between
_Valencia_ and _Requina_, when the Officer, just as he was got without
the Town, resolving to take up his Quarters on the Spot, order'd the
Mules to be unloaded. The Powder, which consisted of forty-five Barrels,
was pil'd up in a Circle, and cover'd with Oil-cloth, to preserve it
from the Weather; and though we had agreed to sup together at my
Quarters within the Village, yet being weary and fatigu'd, he order'd
his Field-Bed to be put up near the Powder, and so lay down to take a
short Nap. I had scarce been at my Quarters an Hour, when a sudden Shock
attack'd the House so violently, that it threw down Tiles, Windows,
Chimneys and all. It presently came into my Head what was the Occasion;
and as my Fears suggested so it prov'd: For running to the Door I saw a
Cloud ascending from the Spot I left the Powder pitch'd upon. In haste
making up to which, nothing was to be seen but the bare Circle upon
which it had stood. The Bed was blown quite away, and the poor
Lieutenant all to pieces, several of his Limbs being found separate, and
at a vast Distance each from the other; and particularly an Arm, with a
Ring on one of the Fingers. The Matrosses were, if possible, in a yet
worse Condition, that is, as to Manglement and Laceration. All the
Soldiers who were standing, and any thing near, were struck dead. Only
such as lay sleeping on the Ground escap'd, and of those one assur'd me,
that the Blast remov'd him several Foot from his Place of Repose. In
short, enquiring into this deplorable Disaster, I had this Account: That
a Pig running out of the Town, the Soldiers endeavour'd to intercept its
Return; but driving it upon the Matrosses, one of them, who was jealous
of its getting back into the Hands of the Soldiers, drew his Pistol to
shoot it, which was the Source of this miserable Catastrophe. The
Lieutenant carry'd along with him a Bag of Dollars to pay the Soldiers'
Quarters, of which the People, and the Soldiers that were say'd, found
many; but blown to an inconceivable Distance.

With those few Soldiers that remain'd alive, I proceeded, according to
my Order, to _Requina_; where, when I arriv'd, I gave General _Windham_
an Account of the Disaster at St. _Jago_. As such it troubled him, and
not a little on account of the Disappointment. However, to make the best
of a bad Market, he gave Orders for the forming of a Mine under an old
Castle, which was part of the Wall. As it was order'd, so it was begun,
more _in Terrorem_, than with any Expectation of Success from it as a
Mine. Nevertheless, I had scarce began to frame the Oven of the Mine,
when those within the Town desir'd to capitulate. This being all we
could aim at, under the Miscarriage of our Powder at St. _Jago_ (none
being yet arriv'd to supply that Defect) Articles were readily granted
them; pursuant to which, that Part of the Garrison, which was compos'd
of _Castilian_ Gentry, had Liberty to go wherever they thought best, and
the rest were made Prisoners of War. _Requina_ being thus reduc'd to the
Obedience of _Charles_ III a new rais'd Regiment of _Spaniards_ was left
in Garrison, the Colonel of which was appointed Governor; and our Supply
of Powder having at last got safe to us, General _Windham_ march'd his
little Army to _Cuenca_.

_CUENCA_ is a considerable City and a Bishoprick; therefore to pretend
to sit down before it with such a Company of Forragers, rather than an
Army, must be plac'd among the hardy Influences of the Earl of
_Peterborow_'s auspicious Administration. On the out Part of _Cuenca_
there stood an old Castle, from which, upon our Approach, they play'd
upon us furiously: But as soon as we could bring two Pieces of our
Cannon to bear, we answered their Fire with so good Success, that we
soon oblig'd them to retire into the Town. We had rais'd a Battery of
twelve Guns against the City, on their Rejection of the Summons sent
them to come under the Obedience of King _Charles_; going to which from
the old Castle last reduc'd, I receiv'd a Shot on the Toe of one of my
Shoes, which carry'd that Part of the Shoe intirely away, without any
further Damage.

When I came to that Battery we ply'd them warmly (as well as from three
Mortars) for the Space of three Days, their Nights included; but
observing, that in one particular House, they were remarkably busy;
People thronging in and out below; and those above firing perpetually
out of the Windows, I was resolv'd to have one Shot at that Window, and
made those Officers about me take Notice of it. True it was, the
Distance would hardly allow me to hope for Success; yet as the
Experiment could only be attended with the Expence of a single Ball, I
made it. So soon as the Smoak of my own Cannon would permit it, we could
see Clouds of Dust issuing from out of the Window, which, together with
the People's crouding out of Doors, convinc'd the Officers, whom I had
desir'd to take Notice of it, that I had been no bad Marksman.

Upon this, two Priests were sent out of the Place with Proposals; but
they were so triflingly extravagant, that as soon as ever the General
heard them, he order'd their Answer in a fresh Renewal of the Fire of
both Cannon and Mortars. And it happen'd to be with so much Havock and
Execution, that they were soon taught Reason; and sent back their
Divines, with much more moderate Demands. After the General had a little
modell'd these last, they were accepted; and according to the Articles
of Capitulation, the City was that very Day surrender'd into our
Possession. The Earl of _Duncannon's_ Regiment took Guard of all the
Gates; and King _Charles_ was proclaim'd in due Form.

The Earl of _Peterborow_, during this Expedition, had left _Valencia_,
and was arriv'd at my Lord _Galway's_ Camp at _Guadalaxara_; who for the
Confederates, and King _Charles_ in particular, unfortunately was
order'd from _Portugal_, to take the Command from a General, who had all
along been almost miraculously successful, and by his own great Actions
pay'd the Way for a safe Passage to that his Supplanter.

Yet even in this fatal Place the Earl of _Peterborow_ made some
Proposals, which, had they been embrac'd, might, in all Probability,
have secur'd _Madrid_ from falling into the Hands of the Enemy; But, in
opposition thereto, the Lord _Galway_, and all his _Portugueze_
Officers, were for forcing the next Day the Enemy to Battle. The almost
only Person against it was the Earl of _Peterborow_; who then and there
took the Liberty to evince the Impossibility of coming to an Engagement.
This the next Morning too evidently made apparent, when upon the first
Motion of our Troops towards the River, which they pretended to pass,
and must pass, before they could engage, they were so warmly saluted
from the Batteries of the Enemy, and their small Shot, that our
Regiments were forc'd to retire in Confusion to their Camp. By which
Rebuff all heroical Imaginations were at present laid aside, to consider
how they might make their Retreat to _Valencia_.

The Retreat being at last resolv'd on, and a Multiplicity of Generals
rendering our bad Circumstances much worse, the Earl of _Peterborow_ met
with a fortunate Reprieve, by Solicitations from the Queen, and Desires
tantamount to Orders, that he would go with the Troops left in
_Catalonia_ to the Relief of the Duke of _Savoy_. It is hardly to be
doubted that that General was glad to withdraw from those Scenes of
Confusion, which were but too visible to Eyes even less discerning than
his. However, he forebore to prepare himself to put her Majesty's
Desires in execution, as they were not peremptory, till it had been
resolv'd by the unanimous Consent of a Council of War, where the King,
all the Generals and Ministers were present. That it was expedient for
the Service that the Earl of _Peterborow_, during the Winter Season,
should comply with her Majesty's Desires, and go for _Italy_; since he
might return before the opening of the Campaign, if it should be
necessary. And return indeed he did, before the Campaign open'd, and
brought along with him one hundred thousand Pounds from _Genoa_, to the
great Comfort and Support of our Troops, which had neither Money nor
Credit. But on his Return, that noble Earl found the Lord _Galway_ had
been near as successful against him, as he had been unsuccessful against
the Enemy. Thence was the Earl of _Peterborow_ recall'd to make room for
an unfortunate General, who the next Year suffer'd himself to be decoy'd
into that fatal Battle of _Almanza_.

The Earl of _Peterborow_, on his leaving _Valencia_, had order'd his
Baggage to follow him to the Camp at _Guadalaxara_; and it arriv'd in
our little Camp, so far safe in its way to the greater at _Guadalaxara_.
I think it consisted of seven loaded Waggons; and General _Windham_ gave
Orders for a small Guard to escorte it; under which they proceeded on
their Journey: But about eight Leagues from _Cuenca_, at a pretty Town
call'd _Huette_, a Party from the Duke of _Berwick's_ Army, with Boughs
in their Hats, the better to appear what they were not (for the Bough in
the Hat is the Badge of the _English_, as white Paper is the Badge of
the _French_) came into the Town, crying all the way, _Viva Carlos
Tercero, Viva_. With these Acclamations in their Mouths, they advanc'd
up to the very Waggons; when attacking the Guards, who had too much
deluded themselves with Appearances, they routed 'em, and immediately
plunder'd the Waggons of all that was valuable, and then march'd off.

The Noise of this soon reach'd the Ears of the Earl of _Peterborow_ at
_Guadalaxara_. When leaving my Lord _Galways_ Camp, pursuant to the
Resolutions of the Council of War, with a Party only of fourscore of
_Killigrew's_ Dragoons, he met General _Windham's_ little Army within a
League of _Huette_, the Place where his Baggage had been plunder'd. The
Earl had strong Motives of Suspicion, that the Inhabitants had given
Intelligence to the Enemy; and, as is very natural, giving way to the
first Dictates of Resentment, he resolv'd to have lay'd the Town in
Ashes: But when he came near it, the Clergy and Magistrates upon their
Knees, disavowing the Charge, and asserting their Innocence, prevail'd
on the good Nature of that generous Earl, without any great Difficulty,
to spare the Town, at least not to burn it.

We march'd however into the Town, and that Night took up our Quarters
there; and the Magistrates, under the Dread of our avenging our selves,
on their part took Care that we were well supplied. But when they were
made sensible of the Value of the Loss, which the Earl had sustain'd;
and that on a moderate Computation it amounted to at least eight
thousand Pistoles; they voluntarily presented themselves next Morning,
and of their own accord offer'd to make his Lordship full Satisfaction,
and that, in their own Phrase, _de Contado, in Ready Money_. The Earl
was not displeas'd at their Offer; but generously made Answer, That he
was just come from my Lord _Galway's_ Camp at _Chincon_, where he found
they were in a likelihood of wanting Bread; and as he imagin'd it might
be easier to them to raise the Value in Corn, than in ready Money; if
they would send to that Value in Corn to the Lord _Galway's_ Camp, he
would be satisfy'd. This they with Joy embrac'd, and immediately
complied with.

I am apt to think the last Century (and I very much fear the Current
will be as deficient) can hardly produce a parallel Instance of
Generosity and true public Spiritedness; And the World will be of my
Opinion, when I have corroborated this with another Passage some Years
after. The Commissioners for Stating the Debts due to the Army, meeting
daily for that Purpose at their House in _Darby_ Court in _Channel Row_,
I there mentioned to Mr. _Read_, Gentleman to his Lordship, this very
just and honourable Claim upon the Government, as Monies advanced for
the Use of the Army. Who told me in a little Time after, that he had
mention'd it to his Lordship, but with no other Effect than to have it
rejected with a generous Disdain.

While we stayed at _Huette_ there was a little Incident in Life, which
gave me great Diversion. The Earl, who had always maintain'd a good
Correspondence with the fair Sex, hearing from one of the Priests of the
Place, That on the Alarm of burning the Town, one of the finest Ladies
in all _Spain_ had taken Refuge in the Nunnery, was desirous to speak
with her.

The Nunnery stood upon a small rising Hill within the Town; and to
obtain the View, the Earl had presently in his Head this Stratagem; he
sends for me, as Engineer, to have my Advice, how to raise a proper
Fortification upon that Hill out of the Nunnery. I waited upon his
Lordship to the Place, where declaring the Intent of our coming, and
giving plausible Reasons for it, the Train took, and immediately the
Lady Abbess, and the fair Lady, came out to make Intercession, That his
Lordship would be pleas'd to lay aside that Design. The divine Oratory
of one, and the beautiful Charms of the other, prevail'd; so his
Lordship left the Fortification to be the Work of some future
Generation.

From _Huette_ the Earl of _Peterborow_ march'd forwards for _Valencia_,
with only those fourscore Dragoons, which came with him from _Chincon_,
leaving General _Windham_ pursuing his own Orders to join his Forces to
the Army then under the Command of the Lord _Galway_. But stopping at
_Campilio_, a little Town in our Way, his Lordship had Information of a
most barbarous Fact committed that very Morning by the _Spaniards_, at a
small _Villa_, about a League distant, upon some _English_ Soldiers.

A Captain of the _English_ Guards (whose Name has slip'd my Memory, tho'
I well knew the Man) marching in order to join the Battalion of the
Guards, then under the Command of General _Windham_, with some of his
Soldiers, that had been in the Hospital, took up his Quarters in that
little _Villa_. But on his marching out of it, next Morning, a Shot in
the Back laid that Officer dead upon the Spot: And as it had been before
concerted, the _Spaniards_ of the Place at the same Time fell upon the
poor, weak Soldiers, killing several; not even sparing their Wives. This
was but a Prelude to their Barbarity; their savage Cruelty was only
whetted, not glutted. They took the surviving few; hurried and dragg'd
them up a Hill, a little without the _Villa_. On the Top of this Hill
there was a Hole, or Opening, somewhat like the Mouth of one of our
Coal-Pits, down this they cast several, who, with hideous Shrieks and
Cries, made more hideous by the Ecchoes of the Chasm, there lost their
Lives.

This Relation was thus made to the Earl of _Peterborow_, at his Quarters
at _Campilio_; who immediately gave Orders for to sound to Horse. At
first we were all surpriz'd; but were soon satisfy'd, that it was to
revenge, or rather, do Justice, on this barbarous Action.

As soon as we enter'd the _Villa_ we found that most of the Inhabitants,
but especially the most Guilty, had withdrawn themselves on our
Approach. We found, however, many of the dead Soldiers Cloaths, which
had been convey'd into the Church, and there hid. And a strong
Accusation being laid against a Person belonging to the Church, and full
Proof made, that he had been singularly Industrious in the Execution of
that horrid Piece of Barbarity on the Hill, his Lordship commanded him
to be hang'd up at the Knocker of the Door.

After this piece of military Justice, we were led up to the fatal Pit or
Hole, down which many had been cast headlong. There we found one poor
Soldier alive, who, upon his throwing in, had catch'd fast hold of some
impending Bushes, and sav'd himself on a little Jutty within the
Concavity. On hearing us talk _English_ he cry'd out; and Ropes being
let down, in a little Time he was drawn up; when he gave us an ample
Detail of the whole Villany. Among other Particulars, I remember he told
me of a very narrow Escape he had in that obscure Recess. A poor Woman,
one of the Wives of the Soldiers, who were thrown down after him,
struggled, and roared so much, that they could not, without all their
Force, throw her cleaverly in the Middle; by which means falling near
the Side, in her Fall she almost beat him from his Place of Security.

Upon the Conclusion of this tragical Relation of the Soldier thus saved,
his Lordship gave immediate Orders for the Firing of the _Villa_, which
was executed with due Severity: After which his Lordship march'd back to
his Quarters at _Campilio_; from whence, two Days after, we arriv'd at
_Valencia_, Where, the first Thing presented to that noble Lord, was all
the Papers taken in the Plunder of his Baggage, which the Duke of
_Berwick_ had generously order'd to be return'd him, without waste or
opening.

It was too manifest, after the Earl's arrival at this City, that the
Alteration in the Command of the _English_ Forces, which before was only
receiv'd as a Rumour, had deeper Grounds for Belief, than many of his
Friends in that City could have wish'd. His Lordship had gain'd the Love
of all by a Thousand engaging Condescensions; even his Gallantries being
no way prejudicial, were not offensive; and though his Lordships did his
utmost to conceal his Chagrin, the Sympathy of those around him made
such Discoveries upon him, as would have disappointed a double Portion
of his Caution. They had seen him un-elated under Successes, that were
so near being unaccountable, that in a Country of less Superstition than
_Spain_, they might almost have pass'd for miraculous; they knew full
well, that nothing, but that Series of Successes had pav'd a Passage for
the General that was to supersede him; those only having removed all the
Difficulties of his March from _Portugal_ to _Madrid_; they knew him the
older General; and therefore not knowing, that in the Court he came
from, Intrigue was too often the Soul of Merit, they could not but be
amazed at a Change, which his Lordship was unwilling any body should
perceive by himself.

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