A TRUE AND AMPLE RELATION OF ALL SUCH OCCURRENCES AS HAVE happened in the Palatinate since the first of june. 1622. Stilo Antiquo.  
Truly Related in a Letter, received from Doctor Welles the tenth of june. 1622.  
And now Printed the 14 of june. 1622.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by I. D. for john Bartlet, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the gilt Cup in Cheapside, in the Goldsmith's Row. 1622.   

  

A TRUE COPY OF A LETTER Sent from Doctor Welles, Relating all such Occurrences, as have happened in the PALATINATE of Late.  
Received this 10. of june. 1622.  
I Do not write this Letter with any desire of publication, because the best Compositers are subject to the worst censures, or willingness to traduce, and countermand such Pamphlets, as are rather framed out of conjectural brains then honest intelligence, but merely to satisfy my Friends, especially such as are friends of the cause of the Pallatinate, and find their hearts affected to the true understanding of the business. For if in supplying the Press there is a kind of commenditory zeal and honest wellwishing manifested; much more shall the truth itself receive grace and favour, and be well come to all Religious hearts; as for such as are otherwise addicted, it matters not to satisfy them, for Charms will not move Adders out of their holes. And Pharoahs' heart was hardened, till he saw the judgements of God. To conclude this Preface, if you mean to divulge any thing I writ, I pray you give the world notice, that it is against my will; and Letters written in haste are not fit for curious overlooking, or judicious examination. As for extractions, and culling out (as I may say) the principal points, it will be the better, if there be way given, whereby the Work may be justifiable, and the world made acquainted with information of the Truth; and so to the purpose.  
Since the Kings coming into the Pallatinate, and joining with Count Mansfeild, there hath been many skirmishes, I will not call them all Battles, in all which it hath pleased God to give him happy success, yea, in that unfortunate Disaster of the Powder, in the Marquis of Badens Camp, the issue tended to the glory of God, and the King's eternal Honour, for he recovered more than he lost, and gave them all a worthy testimony of his valour and Horoick Demeanour, so that if you will give me leave by way of Transcision, to exemplify some particulars, and I will by God's grace speak nothing but the Truth, and so dull and abate all the sharp and keen edges against Him, which desire to cut the life of Reputation, did not Virtue in despite, like a Sun dispelling the vapours, quite dissolve and vanish the morning dew of calumniation.  
Know then, that in these Conflicts, his Majesty hath still been in person, and so forward, that he hath many times shown sufficient testimony of his own particular valour, discharging his Pistol at the very first Encounter, in the face of the Enemy; and many times Adventuring with the foremost, when there was great reason and cause that he should have been more chary of his person. Besides, He is a comely and handsome Gentleman, and so complete, that I know not whither I should prefer the workmanship of God, in his composure of body, or well qualifying his mind, for he is and ever hath been, for any thing I can hear or see, of extraordinary good Demeanour in all his affairs, as both his speeches and actions do manifest, neither dejected with Adversity, nor lifted up with Prosperity. Fair and temperate, neither given to the common vice of the Dutch Nation, which is drunkenness, nor yet the English, although he have well learned the English Tongue, wherewith the most do learn the English Oaths: He is so moderately conditioned, that there is a pleasure to behold Him, and a delight to converse with Him; the truth is, I never heard his worth sufficiently spoken of before his coming to us, so can I not sufficiently demonstrate the same, now he is amongst us. I have incisted the longer upon this my poor Discovery, because Malice heretofore hath imputed the loss of Prague to his negligence, or ignorance; and wickedness, even at this present, doth dare to lay some aspersions upon Him: But to go forward.  
After the recovery of the marquis of Baden, and the taking of Laden-burge, there was a work to take out the provision therein, and bring it to the King's store at Mainhem. For it was great and much more than was expected, so that the whole Army was the better refreshed: after which another business of great importance proposed itself, and the King's Army in as great speediness marched over the Rhine at Mantem bridge towards Haggenaw in Alsatia, before which Leopoldus the Emperor's brother had lain some ten days, as resolved to surprise and besiege the same by way of recovery of some of his losses: but hearing of the King's approach, and fearing the sally of the town, which was extraordinary manned with 5000 of mansfield's soldiers, he prepared to draw a way about the 8 of May by your account, and took an order with his army to shift for themselves, as he very fortunately made his own escape: but the King's army followed him so close, and pursued him so fare, that they cut off most of his baggage, and seized on his carriages, where contrary to expectation was found above 26000. l. weight of powder, all his plate and much good furniture beside, ere they ended the business, both Colonel and Captain, with a regiment of foot and six troops of horse, were most of them taken, and reduced to his Majesty's service, for very few were slain at this time: this was done when they were passing a bridge, which as some say was broken, and others say was overthronged with numbers; but the former is likeliest, because two pieces of ordnance was drowned, and the King took two or three more; but how ever it was, or that men may vary in some petty circumstances, we repute it a greater defeat than that which they speak of, that the Marquis of Durlach had, for though he lost more ordnance, yet not half so many men: beside, that loss is doubled by so many troops as are gone over to our side, and God be praised are most willing to serve his Majesty. This, as we hear, is already printed amongst you, but in a roving manner, and fare from sufficient intelligence; and therefore I thought it good, as in the rest, to certify you in the very truth, which howsoever many men may suppose superfluous, and that still they hear but one and the same thing, yet sure there is great contentment in honest confirmation of such businesses, or true relating the matter. So I go forward.  
The said Marquis of Durlach named in your copies the Marquis of Baden, is again on foot, and hath altered the manner of his sequestering himself in a camp alone, so that now being seven thousand foot and 1200 horse, as we may say, he is joined with the King and Count Mansfield, being all together, to abate a little the lavishes of rumour 20000 in a running army, which is continually on foot, as the cause requireth, and business importeth; for of late they have been seven days together in the Country of Dermstrat, hard by Frankford, the Prince whereof Landgrave Lodowick hath always been a strait enemy to our affairs, and a public professed friend to his Imperial Majesty: for it was he that the last year laboured the accord between the Princes of the Union and Marquis Spinola, it was he that gave way and assistance to all the Spanish marches, it was he that hath so much extolled and magnified the house of Austria, it was he that hath taken great pains all this Winter to dissuade the Marquis of Durlach and other Princes from taking up arms in our assistance, under pretence of desire of peace, and avoiding effusion of Christian blood: it was he that gave ear to the jesuites and Priests in their blasphemous railings and filthy calumniations against God, his Church, and the King of bohemia's business. To conclude, it was he (Gods holy name be praised) that the King took prisoner in his own country, and keeps him still in his custody. His country hath neither strong towns nor fortifications, but is soon subject to a violent enforcement, and so was as soon overcome by our armies affording a great supply of provision, the hungry soldier was well cheered, and our distressed garrisons wonderfully relieved with good muttons and beefs, that all this Winter have been afflicted with great scarcity and wants, hunger and cold: but now there is a new face of comfort and contentment appeareth on every side. For my Lord Chichester is safely and opportunely arrived at Manheim, to our hearts rejoicing and the King's satisfaction. For although Monsieur Tilly our grand enemy be again strengthened from Bohemia, Bavaria, and Leopoldus, yet whether war or peace, the King is able to encounter with him, and prepareth with resolution to oppose all his enemies, let them increase never so fast, as I must confess they are many; Tilly of himself is esteemed 14000 strong, and as our intelligence is, hath 6000 more from the Duke of Bavaria in his passages and Gone saloes as he can spare from his garrisons, so that in the end of May he marched full 20000. towards the King, whose transcendent name with me is predominant.  
After my Lord of Belfast or Chichester was welcomed and entertained of all sides, the King and Count Mansfield departed to the army, and as we had certain intelligence upon Monday the 27 of May he marched to a town of the Bishop of Ments above Frankford, called Ausburge, to meet with the Duke of Brunswick there, who was now marching into Franconia; but before he could get to the Main, a river over which he must be transported, General Tilly with his great strength and whole army was got before him, so that he must of necessity fight or retire, for Brunswick was not yet come up to the river, nor had any notice of the Kings being so near, more than that he would come to meet him.  
In brief, to fight upon so great disadvantages, was not thought convenient. For the Country being spoilt, and victuals scarce could afford them no relief: the enemy being strong and provided of purpose, might hazard the Army. For you must consider, besides Tillyes own forces, he had Gensalers' horse which came to him from Openham, from the Archduches horse, so extraordinarily armed; that they exceeded the Dutch far and may well be compared to those strong Cataphracts of the Romans', which were armed from head to foot; therefore it was thought convenient to make a Retreat, which was done in so good order, that to his everlasting praise, the King must be remembered: for not with standing, all they could do, the enemy followed so hard that he over took them, and the horse gort such way through & about the woods that skirmish they must, and skirmish they did, so that the King returned from the Van, to be an actor in the same.  
This fight lasted in a manner two days, May 30. 31. and was at last ended so well, that while the Horse encountered on both sides: the foot retreated towards Manheym, wherein was lost not above on 100 of either side, but the Horse had a sorer conflict and a sorer continuance, wherein the King as he had done in his first battle with General Tilly, demeaned himself so courageously well, that his example drew on others to noble performances and remarkable encounters: for amongst many Gent. whose names did not at this time fall to my proportion of knowledge, among those that were noted to fight most bravely were Colonel Ouertront Commander of the Palsgrave's horse, one Sir john Maynard of Kent Captain of a troop of Count mansfield's horse, were worthy and remarkable. Count Mansfield had one of his kinsmen, called Count Philip, of Mansfield taken prisoner, as overcharged with numbers; diverse others might be remembered to their perpetual fame. Many were slain, wounded, and taken prisoners on both sides. The report goeth, the loss was 200 on both sides, the loss being equal keepeth rumour from too lavish boasting of pevailing, only the King returning to Manheim that might be said he was glad it was no worse, considering the accident or chance of war. God had dealt mercifully with him in affording him so good an escape and deliverance from such eminent peril.  
On our side was Colonel Galstein General of the Marquis of Durlacks' horse slain, a worthy brave soldier, and a Rinegrave taken prisoner.  
On the Emperor's part a Colonel in complete armour, was shot into the face, as he lifted up his beaver to take the air: and sundry other officers were subject to the overmastering forces of their Adversaries; some killed, some wounded, some suppressed, and they were glad at the last to part upon equal terms; and (as we hear) Monsieur Tilly had no great cause too much to rejoice: for the horse that escaped left much Armour, and the men were bruised exceedingly. But concerning ourselves we esteemed it a blessing, exceeding Report, that in a retreat of thirty or forty miles we have lost no baggage at all, nor more men than the enemy, although their joy exceeded, and Report had made the matter amongst the Bishops so famous; yet there is but one truth, and as near as ever I can, you have it: and therefore spare not to tell to both your friends and foes, that our business doth thrive well, and by God's gracious assistance, we shall make a happy progression, though I must confess, the enemy is very strong, and looketh for great supplies from out of diverse Countries.  
The same night his Majesty returned to Maynheim, and supped cheerfully with General Vere; assuring that the Duke of Brunswick is twenty thousand strong, and increaseth his Army daily in his marches. Now if any ask where were the scouts on all sides, where was the mistaking, either of the Rendezvous, or the day of brunswick's approaches? where was the oversight that Monsieur Tilly did lodge himself without any fear (as it were) between the Armies? for if Brunswick had come forward, how could a dangerous battle have been prevented? I answer for all as well as my poor understanding will serve me, these things might be without impeachment of martial Policies, or true Discipline. For, concerning the King of Bohemia, he was resolved to fight, and careless of any forces his enemy could have, so far forth as he might join with Brunswick, who had formerly sent him Letters of assurance, he would come to the river of maine such a day. Besides, it was a probable conjecture, that Tilly could not so suddenly be so strong, considering his former defeature, and Leopoldus raising his Camp; but the truth is, most of the Archduke Leopoldus forces meant directly to join with Tilly: and he took advice with Gonsales de Cordua with what expedition to go forward: Concerning Tilly himself, he had reason to prevent the mischiefs, apprehending an irrecoverable danger, if the King of Bohemia and Brunswick did meet: beside, he took notice that Brunswick and more Carriages and ordnance mounted which must be the cause of slow marches, and bring along with him some impediments: last of all, that he must pass over the River, and whether by boat or bridge, if he could get thither afore him, he was sure to hinder his landing, and procrastinate his journey. Concerning Brunswick, he could not be so confident to limit his time to a certain day, because an army in long marches are many times pulled back from speed and celerity by circumstances, accidents and casual events, as hath formerly been apparent in memorable Expeditions, where the breaking of a carriage, or the dismounting of a Cannon hath hindered an Army from a whole days march. To conclude, let there be no impeachment of a Soldier's credit in the business of the war, except apparent cowardice, folly and treason step in; but let every man endeavour to do his best, and when disasters happen, be ready rather absolutely to say, It was the will and pleasure of God; or with modesty to conclude as the common Proverb is, It was the fortune of war.  
Thus fare have my Letters extended in the business of the Pallatinate, and if you long now to hear of the King and brunswick's meeting, or of mansfield's forward marching, I assure you I long as much to give you notice of the same and make no question, but my next Letters shall not only advertise you how my Lord of Belsaft or Chichester proceeds in his Commission, but send you the happy tidings of some worthy exploit or other, either tending to the discharging the Pallatinate of her intolerable burdens and grievous enemies or the thriving of the cause in a fare better manner than many hollowhearted would have it, but because things are dubitable, and the secrets which belong to God unsearchable, I leave it to his direction and preservation that knoweth what is best for his own glory, and the propagation of true Religion. Just now as I am ready to seal up my Letter, comes a Letter from Colonel Golsteme his own hand, whom we took to have been slain, that he is yet living a prisoner, which made much joy.   
FINIS.