An Exact ACCOUNT Of the Late Engagement Between the French King's Forces, and those of the Grand Signior before CANDIA, On the 25th of June 1669. As it came in a LETTER from the Duke de Navailles the French General. With a LIST of the SLAIN and WOUNDED. In the SAVOY, Printed by Tho. Newcomb, 1669. An Exact Account Of the late Engagement between the French King 's Forces, and those of the Grand Signior before Candia, on the 25th of June, 1669. THe Fleet appointed for the Transportation of the Succours sent by His Most Christian Majesty for the Relief of Candia, under the Command of the Duke de Navailles General of the Land-Forces, set Sail from Thoulon the Fifth of June 1669, about 4 in the Afternoon. The 17th following they were joined by 14 Venetian Ships having on board them Horses, etc. for that Expedition; and came all to an Anchor in the Bay of this City the 19th, where His Majesty's Fleet receiving the usual Salutes from the Town, answered them by the Admiral only. The Duke de Beaufort, the Duke de Navailles, Monsieur Colbert (Brother of the Minister of State) and other Officers of the Army Embarked themselves in a Chaloupe to discover the Enemy's Posts, which, as to the Situation of their Camp at the Sabionera, and St. Andre, they found to agree with the Draught sent thence to the Cou●t the April before; Save only that the Enemy had made some advance especially towards the side of the Bastion St. Andre, of which indeed they were now become Masters, and had raised a Battery of two Pieces of Canon, to annoy all Vessels passing in, or out of the Port. Whilst they were thus Viewing, and considering the Place, they could perceive a small Bark, with Venetian Colours come from the Port, and make towards the Fleet, which it seems had on board her the Sieur Castellan (Kinsman to him that Commands a Brigade in the Army, and now employed as an Engineer) especially of late; for the Defence of the Bastion of the Sabionera. He was sent by the Captain General of the Republic to Compliment the Admiral the Duke de Navailles, and the rest of the Officers of the Army in the Name of the Garrison, and to inform them of the true state of the Place, and the extremity it was reduced to; bringing also with him a Design of the same for better Demonstration. He freely declared, They had no other hopes of Preserving the Place, but the Expectation of these Succours; and, that he had express Orders from the Captain-General, to desire 3000 Men to Mount the Guard that very night, lest the Enemy, upon their Arrival, should resolve upon a General Assault, and carry the place, before their Forces could come a shore. This did a little surprise the Duke de Navalleis, who was loath to adventure the Landing of part of his Men, and therefore thought best, that himself, and some of the Principal Officers of his Army should first take a view of the Town that night, and afterwards as he saw occasion take care for the Landing his Men. This he Communicated to the Admiral, and accordingly about 11 of the Clock with Monsieur de Champ and some other Officers went on board the same Bark, that brought Monsieur Castellan, for his more particular information. On the Morrow morning being the 21th. The Duke de Navailles having well weighed all things, and finding the State of the Place to be no better than what Monsieur Castellan had reported, The Enemy entrenched, their Cannon mounted upon the Bastion St. Andre, whence they played continually upon the first Retrenchments which there being little ground left, was not in a Condition to make any considerable defence, and that the second Retrenchment which the besieged had begun to cast up behind it could not possibly be finished time enough to prevent their gaining a mine, (which he was assured was underneath the first Retrenchment) of which if the Enemy were once possessed, the whole place would lie open to them, and endanger the loss of the Garrison. This he thought might reflect upon the honour of the Arms of the King his Master, that the place should be taken in sight of the succours without attempting something towards its relief, (the Admiral concurring with him in the same opinion) they resolved upon a speedy Landing of all their forces, which they began to put in Execution that very night, so that in 2 or 3 days they had all their men ashore. The 22d 4 of the King's Musquetiers and a Quartermaster of Horse, who had orders to go and provide quarters in the Town, adventuring to enter the Port by day, 3 of the Musquetiers were killed by the Enemy's Canon from the Bastion of St. Andre, and the Quartermaster at the same time lost one of his hands. The 23d the Admiral entered the Town and viewed the Posts, the General's calling a Council of Officers concluded there was no other expedient for the preserving the Town, then by a General assault immediately to be made upon the Enemy, before they could receive any recruits from Morea or fortify themselves in their Trenches. Moreover by this means they might surprise them are they could gather their Cavalry together, which was now dismounted and dispersed up and down the Country. These considerations confirmed the resolution of the assault which was to be made upon the Sabionera side, as having a greater convenience of sallying out of that quarter then that of St. Andre, and accordingly on the 24th at night, or the 25th by break of day endeavour to beat the Enemy from their works and to raise them. This was the opinion of our General and Officers and approved of by the Venetians. It was thought nevertheless too great an undertaking for our strength alone, being from all hands informed the Enemy had 7 or 8000 men in that quarter, wherefore he required of the Captain General to furnish us with all the men he possibly could. The great desire our General had to prosecute this design, in order to the saving of the place, and the confidence he had of his own Forces, with their promise of a supply, encouraged him to set upon the Sabionera, though it were entrenched, and of greater strength than the body wherewith he intended to attempt it. And therefore desired the Captain General to assign him 5 or 600 Pyoneers to slight the Enemy's works, and nail down their Cannon, and that at the same time a brisk sally might be made upon the side of the St. Andre to keep them in play there, that they might not succour the Sabionera. All which the Captain General promised punctually to perform. The Admiral also who would needs have a part in this Action, engaged to land 1500 of his men from his Ships, and to lead them himself though he submitted to receive orders from the Generals (Monsieur Colbert being apppointed his Marshal of the Camp) and to cause his men of war to be brought within Musket shot of St. Andre and to keep playing upon the Enemy's Camp with his Cannon from their Ships, being unwilling to be a witness only to this glorious enterprise without running all the risks that should attend it. But the Venetians who at first promised us 4 or 500 horse and 3000 foot to join with ours, showing the impossibility of affording any, took upon them nevertheless to divert the Enemy at St. Andre, and by a stout sally which they would make under the favour of our Cannon from the Ships to enter the Fort itself. The 24th at night the Admiral having landed his seamen sent notice thereof to the Duke de Navailles assuring him of their good disposition, each Company being commanded by the Captain of that vessel out of which they were taken, and that now he wanted only orders to draw them out, and to fall upon the Enemy. The General returned him answer by the Baron de St. Mark that it was too great a danger for a person of his quality to expose himself to, whom he also desired to use all arguments to dissuade him, urging the great importance the safety of his person was to his Majesty's Service, and the particular good of the design now in hand, but all his instances could not prevail upon him to alter his resolution. That night the D. de Navailles went to take a view of the Rear of the Enemy's Camp, where he resolved to make his Onset, and in his return visited the Fort Demetrius, by which he intended to issue out his Troops, and having disposed his Battalia, he acquainted the Captain General, the D. of Beaufort, Monsieur S. Andre Montbrun with the Order, desiring they would with all freedom give their opinion upon it, (an affair of so great importance to Christendom, requiring to be well weighed,) which when understood, they unanimously approved it to have been so well laid, that there was nothing to be added or altered. It being now near day, the D. de Navailles began to draw out his men out of the Town, with the greatest silence imaginable in the Order agreed upon before, which was as follows. Four hundred men were drawn out of each body, 50 Grenadiers placed in the Front of them, and brought up by 3 Troops of horse commanded by Monsieur Dampier. These were followed by the Regiments of Gaures, Saint Valier, Lorraine, and Britain, 4 Troops of horse upon their wings, and brought up by the Regiments of Montague, Jonsac, and Grance. The Regiments of Harcourt, Conti, Lignieres, Momp●zat and Vendosme made up the Reserve commanded by Monsieur de Choiseville, 4 Squadrons of horse marching upon their wings, and were Posted between the Enemies two Camps, to cut off all relief that might come from S. Andre to the Sabionera, they were about to attack. There were also 50 of the King's Musquetiers and 100 reformed Officers placed between the first and second line to be ready upon any emergency. The Forces that came from on board the Ships were ordered to make their sally on the left side of the Trench of the Sabionera. Whilst the Army was drawing out the D. de Navailles caused two breaches to be made to sally out of the Trench, by one of which 500 men should attack them in the Front, the rest to divide themselves into two bodies, and flank the two Batteries, but with express Order not to stir till they knew the Camp was engaged, and in case they gained the Batteries, which in all likelihood they would, there to range themselves, and not to advance a foot without fresh Orders. After silence commanded, which was punctually observed, though in a strange and uneven Country, we marched in this excellent order till we came within a very small distance of the Enemy, and ranged ourselves in Battalia in a little place leading into their Camp, without ever being discovered. The day was also propitious to our designs, our last Troops being scarce come up to their Lines, when we could discern the enemies Camp. Our commanded men who were then within half Musket shot of the Enemy were fired upon by their Musquettiers, and our General discovering two Redoubts at the head of the Quarters, caused them to be set upon by the Forces commanded by Monsieur Dampier, who seconded by the Guards immediately carried them with great resolution, putting all to the sword that made any resistance. At the same time the Enemy's Lines were assaulted and taken by the Regiments of S. Valier and Lorraine, whilst the commanded men fell in upon the Rear of the Trench, Monsieur Castellan seconding them in the head of the Company of Guards under his Command, with infinite execution and slaughter of the Enemy, possessed themselves of them: here our Troops fell to plundering, though it were prohibited upon pain of death, and entering the enemy's Huts slew great numbers, whom they surprised before they could get into a posture of defence. Hitherto every thing succeeded according to our desires, though we had not above 300 men from on board the ships, and few or none of the Venetians, so that this handful of men routed this numerous enemy, amongst whom was so great consternation, that they threw themselves headlong into the Sea when they were Masters of the Batteries and Canon. The Enemy thus beaten from their Camp, drew up upon an Ascent on our right hand, whence viewing our small numbers on the left, scarce 300 Seamen advancing, notwithstanding all the importunity of the Admiral and Monsieur Colbert, with a hideous shout, rallied to charge us in those Trenches they had so lately abandoned; but our General perceiving their intent sustained the charge, and forced them twice to a confused retreat, not without a considerable loss; but they being a sort of people that quickly rally, were presently upon us again, with as much eagerness as formerly they fled: Our General then put himself in the head of the Company of Guards, and causing the Squadron of S. Esteve to follow, received them so warmly, that we became Masters of the upper ground they had taken. But then there happened an unlucky accident, the Powder Granades etc. of a Battery possessed by the Guards taking fire, the soldiers fearing there had been a Mine, dispersed the whole Battalion, running to the right and left in that disorder that Monsieur Castellan had much ado to make them to rally. The 300 from on board the Ships, terrified with this accident, deserted their Posts, and by all the endeavours could possibly be used would not be brought back to the fight. The General and Monsieur Colbert seeing this disaster came up with our first Battalions in the head of 50 of the King's Musquetiers on foot, where with this small body they performed things beyond all imagination. This misfortune gave such encouragement to the Turks that they attacked our men afresh with vigour enough, who were so shaken with the violence of the assault and number 〈◊〉 Enemy that the greatest part began to retreat without 〈…〉 and had not our General with great resolution in the head of a small troop of horse he had newly rallyed together, maintained a Curtain that favoured our retreat, the Enemy had prevailed upon this disorder to our very great disadvantage. In the mean time the body of the Reserve, was surrounded with several Companies, poured in upon them from St. Andre, between whom there was a slight skirmish but of no long continuance, which our men not being able to sustain, though infinitely Encouraged thereunto by the Messieurs le Bret and Choyseul, who had both their horses killed under them, Followed the Example of the Seamen, and made a disorderly retreat. This completed the loss of that Advantage, we so long had in our hands, and the Enemy fearing our retreat might betray them into an Ambush, had not Courage enough to pursue, retaining still such a dread of our forces though retreated in disorder, that our General assisted only by the Messieurs Tulladet, and Argellon, and 4 or 5 Gentlemen of his own family that never deserted him, made good so orderly a retreat, that the Enemy durst not attempt this small number, but discharging a great volley of small shot upon them, our General's horse was hurt in two places, and himself received a shot on his Armour but without hurt to his body. The Admiral the Duke de Beaufort abandoned by all his men fell in this action, without any person about him but what were killed or wounded; among the former was Monsieur Bourgneuf, the later Monsieur Hoquette, who had his Foot shot off at the Ankle by a Musket bullet. This glorious Action, So happily begun, and carried on with that excellent conduct, however unfortunate in the disorder, might nevertheless have been esteemed a successful and advantageous enterprise, were it not for the invaluable loss of our Admiral, and those other Noble persons that fell with him. The advice from the Enemy's Camp speaks the loss on their side to have been very considerable, above 1800 men having been killed, drowned, and taken Prisoners. A Particular List of the Slain and Wounded. Principal Officers Slain. THe Duke de Beaufort, Admiral of France. The Sieur de Rozan, brother to the Marquis Blanquefort, Master of the Camp. Marquis de Fabert, Master of the Camp. Monsieur de Bourgneuf, Aid de Camp. Principal Officers and Persons of note wounded. Monsieur Castellan dangerously. Monsieur Lignieres Mareshal of the Camp dangerously. Monsieur Molier Captain of the Cavalry. The Chevalier de Bovillon. Monsieur Montaigue Colonel. Monsieur de Cawisson. Monsieur le Gaure. Marquis d'Uxelles Aid de Camp. Monsieur de la Hoquette, Aid de Camp. Monsieur de Montbrun, not St. Andre Montbrun. Viscount de Casse 3 wounds on the head with a Cimitar. Du Cles, Captain of the Duke de Navailles Guards, wounded with an Arrow in his head. Mr. de la Moche d'Origni, Engineer. The Little Chevalier de Vendosme, received 3 shots in his Armour, the Bullets of two pierced to his very Shirt, without hurting him. Officers in the several Regiments killed and Wounded. In Monsieur Castellan's Brigade of Foot. 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, Monsieur Guenengau, Voluntier, killed. 1 Ensign wounded. In Mr. the Rozans Regiment. 1 Lieutenant wounded. In Mr. de Grances Regiment 1 Major, 1 Lieutenant, killed. 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, hurt. In Monsieur de Jonzac's Regiment 1 Major killed. 1 Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants ●u●t. In Monsieur de Vendosmes Regiment, 1 Lieutenant killed. 1 Major, 1 Captain hurt. In Monsieur St. Valier's Regiment. 2 Captains killed. Monsieur St. Valier, 1 Major, 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants hurt. In Mr. de Montpeyrouxes Regiment. 1 Lieutenant hurt. In Monsieur Dampiers' Regiment. 4 Captains hurt. In Monsieur de Harcourt's Regiment. 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant killed. 5 Captains, 2 Lieutenants hurt. In Monsieur de Conty's Regiment. 1 Lieutenant killed. 1 Captain hurt. Reformed Officers. In the Navarre Brigade. 1 Lieutenant killed. In the Lorraine Brigade. 2 Majors 〈◊〉 Captain killed. 3 Captains, 2 Lieutenant's hurt. In the Bretagne Brigade. 1 Captain killed. 1 Colonel, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant hurt. In the Piedmont Brigade. 2 Captains, 1 Lieutenant killed. In the Brigade of Normandy. 3 Captains, 1 Lieutenant killed. In the Brigade of Picardy. 4 Captains, 5 Lieutenants killed. Horse. In Monsieur de Choyseul's Brigade. 3 Captains, 3 Lieutenants hurt. In Monsieur de St. Esteue's. 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant hurt. In Monsieur de Sommieures. 2 Lieutenants killed. 2 Lieutenants hurt. Private Soldiers killed and wounded 5 or 600 Men, besides Prisoners. Of the Enemy were killed, drowned, and taken Prisoners, about 1800. FINIS.