A FULL ACCOUNTED OF THE LATE Siege and Surrender OF THE City of Mon● WITH THE Number of the Slain and Wound●● As well within the City, as in the French 〈◊〉 To which is added, The Articles of Surrend●● WITH The Dauphin, and Monsieur Vauban's Entr● the City: The manner of the Governor's March and his Speech to the Dauphin: With the French Behaviour ●…ment of the Inhabitants of Mons, and the Towns and Villages. And several other Material Occurrences, that has happened since.  
LICENCED, J. Fraiser. 1691.  
LONDON, Printed for Robert Hayhurst at the Axe in 〈◊〉 Britain. 1691.   

An Impartial Account of the Late Famous Siege, and most Noble Defence of MONS, etc.  
MONS, as it hath been the Miracle of the Age, and Wonder of its Enemies (for unparalled Courage and Resolution) ought now to be the Work of each Ingenious Writer, and Discourse of every Martial Man. Fame has already spoke sufficient in the praise of that undaunted City, whose Actions I now mean to particularise.  
But before I enter upon the particulars of the Siege, I shall give the Reader an Account of the Province of Hanault, and situation of Mons. Hanault is so named of the River Hayne, which runs through it. It is the chief of the Walloon Provinces, it bordereth on the North with Brabant and Flanders, belonging to the King of Spain, on the South with Champain and Piccardy, two Provinces belonging to the French, on the East with the Province of Namur, and on the West with the shield, and part of Flanders Gallican. It is twenty Leagues long, and sixteen broad; the Air is wholesome, and the Soil good, by reason that the Country is watered with many Rivers, as the Scheld, the Sambre, the Tender, and many other small Rivulets: There are also in it many Lakes, Marshes, Ponds, Pools, Fountains, goodly Woods and pleasant Forests. It aboundeth with fragrant and fair Pastures and Meadows for all kind of Cattle, with good Fruits and profitable Trees, and is replenished with great plenty of good Corn. In some part of it are Iron-Mines, Led, and Quarries of Stone, for all kind of Buildings, with great Store of White-lime and Coal.  
In this Country are Twenty Four Walled Towns; namely, Mons, Valenciennes, Bouchain, Quesnoy, Conat, Landressy, Amesnes, Chimay, Mariemburg, Segny, Brain le Compte, Eughien, Halle, Lesme, Cheure, Ath, St. Guisline, and Leaze. There are also 950 Villages, with many Castles and Signiories. Many of the Villages are great and fair, and have Titles of Honour annexed to them; as, Pequicourt, fountain, Laling, Montigny, Antonig, Barlamon, Barbauson, Aimeries, and many others.  
The City of MONS, or Berghen, receives its Name from its Situation, which latter, in their Language, signifies a Mountain or Hill; but the rise of the Earth there is so gentle, as it cannot be said to be Mountainous.  
The City is strong, as well by natural Situation, as the mutual Industry of Fortifications. It is cut through on the lower side by a little Rivulet called Trulla, which as soon as it goes out of it, falls into another somewhat bigger, called Hayne, which crossing through the Province, before it be gotten quite out, falls into the Scheld; and on this side is a Moras, the Earth here being very Spongy: It's Fortified likewise round about with strong and excellent Walls Turrets, and Gates; to which are joined many Regular Works, according to the Modern way, as Horn-works, Halfmoons, Counterscarps, Bastions, Redoubts, etc. there are likewise three large deep Ditches or Moats, with a strong Castle or Citadel, very good Ramparts, and a River running by the Fortifications.  
The Buildings of the City, both private and public, were very fair and beautiful; here is the noble Nunnery of St. Valdrude; their Churches are Built after the Ancient manner of Architecture, with sumptuous Arches, and goodly Pillars of Marble and Porphyry; the Stadt Heuse or Town-Hall is of excellent Workmanship. This City was surprised by the French Huguenots in the Year 1572. who got in great quantities of Arms in Fats, under pretence of Merchandise; and having seized on the Gates, they let in the Army of Count Lodowick of Nassau, Brother to a William Prince of Orange, but it was soon after retaken for the King of Spain, by the Duke of Alva. The Prince de Bergh, who was the late Governor, has his Title from the Place, and most, or all his Estate lies in the Province, he is related to the House of Nassau.  

The First Letter.  
THe French King having had a longing desire to bring this City to his Subjection, resolved, by an early Campaign, on the attempting of it this Spring, pursuant to which Resolutions, he caused to be laid up this last Winter in Valenciennes, Cambray, and other Frontier Places, vast and almost Incredible quantities of Hay, Oats, and other Forage for a numerous Army of Horse: And having given Orders to his Generals to draw his Troops from their several Quarters, as well on the side of the Rhine, as in Flanders, sending the very Troops of his Household, Grand Musqueteers, Gens d' Arms, and Light Horse, etc. On the 14 of March, New-Stile, the French Army, Commanded by the Duke of Luxenburgh, and the Marquis de Boufflers, etc. directed their March towards Mons. On the 15th, their Cavalry, consisting of 42 Squadrons, began to Invest it in a formal manner. The 16th and 17th was spent chief in the Marching up of the Foot, and the Regular placing them in their several Posts. On the 18th the Marquis de Boufflers sent a Summons to the Prince de Bergue, to Surrender the Town on Honourable Conditions, telling him, The King, the Dauphine, and all the flower of France would be there to oblige him to it: But the Prince rejected his Proposals, telling him, That he was glad to hear that so great a King would be there in Person, to be witness of the Gallant and Brave Defence he was resolved to make; at the same time, as well Burghers as Regular Troops, with an unanimous Voice and undaunted Resolutions, resolved to defend it to the utmost of their Lives and Fortunes; which Answers, not suiting with the French desire, nor the hopes they had of an early Surrender, made them prepare for Action. This Evening the Garrison made a Sally on the Enemy, with 1800 young Men of the Town on Foot, and Four Squadrons of Horse and Dragoons, Commanded by Colonel Harcourt; and in this Action they cut off 500 of the French. The 19th the French began to work on their Line of Circumvallation, having forced in near 20000 Boors or Country People that Inhabit in the Neighbourhood of Mons, employing them as well in working on their Lines, as diging drains for the Marshes, which rendered the Town inaccessible on the side towards France; and for the mor● effectual draining of the Moras, the● brought along with them new Invente● Machine's, likewise great Planks so● their Cannon: They worked very har● in their Trenches, the 19th, 20th, an● 21st. On the other side, the Garrison was not Idle: On the 20th, the Inhabitants made a great Fire to destroy the Blinds of the Enemy: And on Sunday the 21st, they made a great Sall● in order to demolish a Fortified Mi● near the Counterscarp; in which Action 200 French were Killed and Drowned. On the 22d, the French Kin● came into the Camp in Person, bein● accompanied with the Dauphin, th● Duke de Charles, the Prince of Cond● etc. and as the French gave out, Tha● the King brought with him Seven Mi●lions in Gold, to distribute among suc● as should signalise their Valour in th● Siege: It was thought that th● Trenches would have been opened thi● day, but not being ready, the French King made very little stay in the Camp but returned to St. Guislain, where h● has his Quarters; and the Dauphin to his Quarters at Maubeuge. The French King thinking himself so sure of reducing the Place immediately, that whil● he was in the Camp, he gave the Government of it to the Sieur de Ruben●ton, a Colonel of his Guards.   

The Second Letter.  
THe Garrison of Mons was Composed of 6 Regiments of Dutch, of Germans, 2 of Walloons, one of spaniards, and 800 Spanish Horse, ●●aking in all about 6500 Men; and ●he Burghers that bore Arms in the ●own were about the same Number, ●ost of them Disciplined and well experienced Men; the Garrison, to pre●ent their being incommoded by the enemy's Bombs, immediately applied themselves to uncover their Houses, ●nd unpave their Street; the Regular Garrison had generally the Command ●f the Out-Works, and the Burghers, ●hat of the Ramparts, and in the ●own the Magazines; it being their ●wn voluntary desire, and there was ●●ways a great Harmony and good ●nderstanding between the Burghers ●nd the Regular Troops; there was a treasonable practice discovered in the ●own to have blown up the great Magazine of Powder, which was very ●ear taking effect, the lighted Match ●eing found within few Inches of the ●rain, several of the Conspirators were sized, (proving to be French Spies;) ●ut the Principal who was an Advocate, and out of whose Garden the ●ine was made, made his Escape to the French Army. On the 24th. Colonel Branaccio, and several other considerable Officers got into the Town; At the same time the Prince de Beigne, the Governor, sent a Gentleman to the Marquis de Castanaga Governor of Flanders, to Inform him of the State and Condition of the Town. On the 25th. Monsieur Lovis sent a Bravado Message to the Magistrates and Burghers of Mons, that in consideration the King had been there in Person, for every day they held out, they should pay One hundred Crowns.  
On the other Hand, A Gentleman got into the Town, with a Message from the Governor of Flanders, wherein he acquainted the Magistrates and Burghers, that they should be freed from Taxes for twenty Years if they defended the Place till Relief came; At a Council of War in the French Camp, at which were the Famous Monsieur Vaubon, and four other Engineers, they assured the King that he should take the Place in 10 Days, from the time of his Troops first appearing before it; Public Prayers were made at Paris, and in all the French Conquests for the Success of the French Army at this Siege.   

The Third Letter.  
ON the 26th. about Eleven a Clock at Noon, the French opened their Trenches with three Batteries, with which they began to play on the Town; their Lines of Circumvallation were of a vast Circuit, extending at least four Leagues, their Trenches were eight Foot deep, and twenty two Foot broad. In the Afternoon of the same Day, the French began to play on the Town, from three Batteries, one near the Gate of Barlemont, the other betwixt the Gates of Havery and Nimy; they continued for three Days, successively, to Fire very furiously, and threw into the Place great Numbers of Bombs, many of which were of 500 l. weight; they continued to Batter the Place with 150 pieces of Cannon, most of which were 48 pounders. The French King, at his Arrival in the Camp on the 22th. took a Review of his Army, which was then increased to 48000 Foot, and 20000 Horse, without Reckoning the Army under the Marshal de Humeirs, which lay 4 Leagues from Mons, and consisted of 20000 Men, being designed to observe the Confederates on the Coast of Lisle, and, if occasion were, to join the French Army. The French Bombs on the first and second days after the opening the Trenches, set several Houses on Fire in the Town; but by the indefatigable Industry of the Burghers they were soon Quenched; one 〈◊〉 their first Batteries, by reason of th● looseness of the Earth, sunk in, tha● their Balls could hardly reach the Wal● of the City; they kept playing fro● Morning till Night, and by Night s● forward their Approaches. The Enem● on the 27th. made several Attacks o● the Outworks, but particularly on 〈◊〉 Windmill Hill, and a Redoubt● which stands near the Suburbs, on th● River; but were as often, with gre● Bravery, Repulsed by the Garrison with the loss of 800 Men, amon● which were several considerable Of●cers: But, with their fourth Attack 〈◊〉 the Evening, they made themselv● Masters of it. But the next Morning the Besieged retook it, who not bei● able to keep it, blew up the Mill, a● retired into the Town: In these fo● Assaults the French lost 2000 Men.  
On Thursday the 29th, early in t● Morning, the Enemy made a gre● and Vigorous Attack upon an Ha● Moon, which was the Outwork th● covered the Hornwork that's next t● Gate of Barlemont, (on which 〈◊〉 chief they Attacked the Town,) 〈◊〉 were received by the Besieged, wi●● great Resolution and Bravery; and ●ter a very sharp Dispute, the Fre● were beaten back with a great Slaughter; and soon after the Besieged made three very successful Sallies; In which, and in the Attack the French just before made on the Horn-work, they killed above 1200 Men, with little loss on the side of the Besieged; The French were likewise observed to carry away above 60 Wagon-Loads of their Wounded Men, to the Camp.   

The Fourth Letter.  
ON the 30th, the French Troops were observed to be in a continual Motion from one side of their Camp to the other, which plainly discovered their uneasiness, for fear Relief should come to the Town; the next day they ordered a Camp to be Marked out, for ●0000 Chosen Men, Commanded by ●he Dauphin; at the same time they ordered great Numbers of the Boars to ●e employed in Cutting down Timber-Trees, to be assistant to them, in baricading up the covered Road that ●ads to brussels. April the first, the enemy's Cannon having widened the ●reach in the Half-Moon, of the Hornwork that's next to the Gate of Bar●mont, they gave order for the Storm●g of it a third time, which they did ●ith 7000 chosen Men, a great part 〈◊〉 which were Swissers; and after a ●arp Dispute, wherein they had kil●d a great many Men, they carried ●e Fort; the French had killed and ●ounded in these three several Assaults, ●s the Deserters give account) above ●00 Men, among which were many officers of Note; the first Attack ●ey made was with 4000, the second with 6000, and this last with 7000. By Deserters, that lately Arrived in the Town, we understood that the French Army were increased to a vast Body, there being the chief Force and Flower of France, as likewise most of the English Gentlemen and Officers, who were Retainers on the late King James; that the French were judged to be in the whole, that is, in the Trenches before the Place, in their Camp, and upon the Lines in Flanders, about 85 Battalions, and 200 Squadrons; that is, about One hundred thousand Men, of which there was already killed, Sick and Wounded about twelve thousand: That the Marquis de Boufler's Headquarters were at the Abbey of St. Dennis; and those of the Marshal de Luxenburg, the same he had in the year 1678, when the Prince of Orange obliged him to quit the Bloccus of Mons: That the great Officers of the French-Army, were mightily surprised at the Vigorous Defence made by the Besieged; for that when they first set down before it, they expected to have carried the Place in few days: That besides Bouflers and Luxenburg, there was in the Camp the Marshal de Duras, and la Fevillade, who Commanded as Generals; and under them Commanded the Prince de Soubize, the Marquis de Foyeuse, the Sieur du Rubantel, the Duke de Vendesme, and the Sieur Rose, as Lieutenant-Generals; and the Marquis de Villars, the Marquis de Congis, the Duke de Bourbon, the Prince de Conti, the Duke de Maine, the Grand Prior of France, and the Count de Mont Cheurevil, as Marshals de Camp.   

The Fifth Letter.  
HIS Britannic Majesty, having received an Account at Loo, by an Express from the Marquis de Castanaga, That on the 15th passed, the City of Mons was Invested by the French Cavalry, prepared for his speedy Return to the Hague; and in the mean time gave Orders for the drawing together, with all possible diligence, the Troops of Holland, Brandenburg, Liege, etc. and that they should March directly to the Neighbourhood of Brussels. On the 21st, in the Evening, the King Arrived at the Hague: Prince Waldeck waited on His Majesty that Night; and having received His Orders, 〈◊〉 the next day to Brussels. On the 26th, the King left the Hague, taking his Journey to Flanders, by the way of Breda: The Duke of Zell followed His Majesty on the 27th, accompanied with the Baron de Chauvet, of the Lunenburg Forces. His Majesty, before His departure from the Hague, declared the Count de Solms General of the Foot; the Earl of Portland, Monsieur Overkirk, Monsieur Opdam, and Monsieur Zulestine, Monsieur Holsoppel, Count Tilly, and Monsieur Ittersum, Major Generals of the Horse; and Count Walraet of Nassau, Monsieur Zobel, Monsieur du Tell, and Count Noyelles, Major Generals of Foot. On the 26th, in the Evening, the King Arrived at Breda, where he was received with all possible demonstrations of Joy & Respect: His Majesty continued there till Sunday-Morning; at which time He set forward for Vilvoord, in his way to Hall, in order to put himself at the Head of the Confederate-Army, that was Rendezvouzing there; which Place is about six English Miles from Brussels, in the Road to Mons. On Saturday the first of April, the King set forward for Vilvoord, and Arrived there late that Night. On Monday His Majesty viewed, and on Tuesday Mustered His Army, and Encamped in the Neighbourhood of Brussels. On Wednesday the Army Marched to Hall, where they expected the coming up of the Troops that had not joined them, as well as part of the Artillery. On Thursday the 6th, about Three in the Afternoon, at which time, all the Troops and Artillery were not come up; but the King viewed then 30000 Foot, and 15000 Horse: The Train of Artillery is composed of 71 Pieces of Cannon, and 14 Mortars. This Evening the Scotch Regiments of Infantry, and the Spanish Cavalry, Arrived in our Camp, to the Number of about 7000 Men. Great numbers of Swissers daily Desert, and come into our Camp from the French Army; they give an Account of the hard Treatment they have received in this Siege, from the French King; That they were always forced on the most desperate Attacks, and yet refused the Exercise of their Religion: They likewise tell us, that a most Malignant Flux raged much in the French Camp, great number of Wagons, with Sick and Wounded Men, going daily from the French-Gamp to the adjacent Towns; and likewise, That the French had lost many of their best Officers and Engineers in the Siege.   

The Sixth Letter.  
BY Deserters that lately come into the Town, from the French-Camp, we received an Account, That the Sieur Megrim, a Famous Engineer, having been Wounded in both his Arms, the French King had given Orders for his immediate carrying to Tournay, and given directions for some of his own Surgeons to take care of him: That the King had forbid all the great Officers of the Army to quit their Posts; not being without his Fears, that he should be Attacked by the King of Great Britain: He likewise Commanded the Duke de Chartres, not to go into the Trenches without his Order: That on the 18th some of our Deserters came into the French-Camp; who assured them, That we had abundance of all things in the City; and that every day some entered the Town, by the Marshes; and that we were daily in expectation of Succours: on which they ordered the Marshes to be more narrowly Guarded; and that they would make their utmost Efforts, for the more speedy carrying the Place: that the Duke de Maine, and the Grand Prior of France, were killed in the Trenches; and that the Marquis de Boufflers, and the Duke de Vendos●, were dangerously Wounded: That it the several Attacks they made on the Half-Moon of the Horn-Work, they had lost above 6000 Men. We cannot sufficiently express the Courage o● the Besieged; the Parents could scarce keep their Children, the Wives their Husbands, and those of the most Wealthy of the Inhabitants, from running into the greatest dangers, through Fire and Power. And as the Garrison consisted of divers Nations, they strove with a kind of Emulation, every one to signalise himself for the Honour of his Country.  
Last Saturday Night, the Enemy made a great Assault upon that part of the Counterscarp, that lies between the Horn-work, and the Two Halfmoons, but were beat back with very great loss; having besides 2000 private Sentinels and Subalterian Officers, Fifteen Captains Killed, out of Twenty that Commanded the Party.   

The Seventh Letter.  
WE doubt not but the News of the Surrender of Mons will be very Surprising to you, considering the Vigorous and Obstinate Defence they for some time made, and the many and great Successes they had gained on the Enemy, particularly in the Attack they made on the Seventh at Night, upon the Counterscarp that covers the Hotn-work of Barlemont-Gate.  
Mons Capitulated on the Eighth instant, notwithstanding the Garrison was not in the least Distress, wanting neither Ammunition nor Provisions; the main Body of the Soldiers were likewise strong and hearty, having not lost, during the whole Siege, above 500 Men of their Number, and some Sick and Wounded, and had baffled and grievously Slaughtered the Enemy in all their Assaults, in as much that the French Officers were forced to drive on their Men, with their Swords in their hands, to the Attacks; and the Swissers, (who were never used to turn Tail) being Commanded to renew an Attack, where the Garrison had Foiled them before, refused the same, and many of them Deserted into the Town and elsewhere: Upon all which bad Successes, as divers Deserters report, the French King, despairing of his Conquest, designed in a day or two to Raise the Siege, and March off with his Army; besides, his numerous Body of Horse had spent all his Magazines of Forage, etc. But during this Success of the Garrison, and Despair of the Enemy, the French King's Plot took effect in the Town, for the Priests raised a Mutiny among the Burghers, by this Argument, viz. That they being good Catholics, ought not to Defend a Town that was to be put into the Hands of Heretics; upon which the Burghers, accompanied with their Wives, etc. got together, and were headed by Two Prelates (who, without doubt, are to be made French Cardinals, or at least, to have Fat Bishoprics given them in France) who Marched before the Mob to the Governor; who, understanding their Errand, refused to see them, but Commanded them immediately to be gone: Upon which the Burghers went forthwith upon the Walls, and beat a Parley; the Garrison Fired upon them, and Killed Four or Five: But the Disorder increasing, and the whole Body of the Burghers being Alarmed, and more numerous than the Garrisons, the Governor was constrained to Capitulate; which was too surprising to the French, that the King himself could not believe it, until he had entered the Trenches, to see the Flag of Truce, which was hung out on Sunday the Eighth instant; and a Cessation of Arms being agreed on, and Hostages exchanged on both sides, the Articles of Capitulation were Signed about Two in the Afternoon.  
The Articles were such as the Governor desired: The Chief of which was as followeth.    

The Articles of Capitulation, for the Surrender of MONS, April the Eighth, 1691.  

I.  
THE Garrison, both Horse and Foot, with the Persons thereunto belonging, consisting of what Nation soever, shall, according to the Military Custom, March out with Colours Flying, Drums beating, completely Armed, with Bullets in their Mouths, and lighted Matches, Bag and Baggage; and shall be Conducted to the Camp near Hall.   

II.  
That for the conveniency of carrying away their Baggage, and what else they please, they shall be allowed Thirty covered Wagons, Fifty Persons to March out on Horseback in Masques, Six Pieces of Cannon, and Two Mortars.   

III.  
The Sick and Wounded, that think fit, may remain there till they are well, and be accommodated according to their Condition.   

iv  
Every one may Bury his Dead where he pleases.   

V  
Those that fled into the Town from the Neighbouring Villages (as well Gentlemen as Peasants) may return to their Habitations, and freely enjoy the same.   

VI  
That the Garrison shall be Conducted by a Convoy of Sixty Squadrons of French Horse, to the Camp near Hall.   

VII.  
That the Garrison shall be allowed Forty Eight Hours to prepare for their March.   

VIII.  
Immediately after the concluding the Accord, the Gate of Barlemont, with the two Halfmoons and Counterscarp shall be delivered up to the French King.   

IX.  
This Accord shall be inviolably observed, and Execute● in all its points.   

On Tuesday the 10th, the Garrison Marched out 4500 Strong: As they passed by, the Dauphin took a Review of them, and observed, that the Walloons and Spaniards were very ill Mounted and Equipt; but the Troops of Holland and Brandenburg were otherwise. The Governor, who was Magnificently Vested and Mounted, made Three Salutes to Monsignieur, with his Sword in his hand, and declared his Trouble that the Burghers had obliged him to Surrender; saying, That he had much rather have trusted to the Courage of the Officers, and Soldier's of the Garrison. Brigadi● Fagel, that Commanded the Dut● Troops, refused to Sign the Capitulation, and declared his Grief to th● Dauphin at their Dishonourable Surrender. Monsieur Vauban, the Famous Engineer, first entered the Town and gave the necessary Orders. Twelv● Thousand Men are ordered for to Garrison the Town; and Monsieur Ve●tillack, a Swiss Colonel, is made Governor. The Inhabitants are Commanded to provide 12000 good Beds for the Garrison, tho' they before would scarce allow Straw for 2000 of the Dutch; they have likewise demanded of the Burghers 200000 Florins, towards the repair of the Fortifications of the Place; and the French King is resolved to Build a Citadel, on purpose to bridle the Inhabitants, having already Disarmed the Chief of ●he Burghers; they have likewise begun to exact Contributions in the several Towns and Villages, in the Neighbourhood of Mons.  
The Prince de Berge, the Governor, at his Arrival in the Camp, assured ●he King, That he would have maintained the Town Eight or Ten days ●onger in spite of all the Power of France; and that the Garrison wanted ●o manner of Necessaries for its De●ence.  
The King had drawn together an Army of 50000 Men, and designed, on that day the Place was Surrendered, to have advanced so near the French Army, as either to have immediately put in Relief into the Place, or else to have given Battle the next Morning, tho' the Enemy had broken up all the Roads, and Fortified the Avenues that led to their Camp. The French, after they had Garrisoned the Town, separated their Army; the one Part made a show as if they designed 〈◊〉 Invest Charleroy, but Marched off; a● the French King went for Versailes.  
His Majesty, King William, on Today, took a Review of His Army; ●mediately after which, they went 〈◊〉 to Quarters, the Foot in the Front● Towns, and the Horse in the Neighbouring Villages.  
On the 16th the King returned 〈◊〉 the Hague, in his way for England.   
FINIS.