A Copy of a Letter written from His Majesties Camp at Gerpines, by an Officer, to a Friend of his in London, dated July 31. New style. 1691.  

licenced,  
July 29. 1691. J. F.   
THE two Camps keep still their old Posts. The King has sent out several Detachments to brave the French, and does all that can be expected from a Great and Experienced Captain, to provoke them to a Fight, but all in vain: Yet it is reasonably hoped that at last the Duke of Luxemburg will be forced to it, or to Retreat, by reason of several advantageous Posts we have rendered ourselves Masters of. A Detachment of Brandenburgers and Spaniards was lately sent out to possess themselves of the Castle of Klooster, in which there was a garrison of 300 French, but they found it deserted by them upon their Approach. They found between 60 and 70 Silver Dishes in the place, with several other Plates, several Horses, and other cattle, with 400 pair of Shoes, and other Booty, which they immediately distributed amongst themselves.  
The Prince of Vaudemont was sent Yesterday with a considerable Detachment,( 4 Men being drawn out of each Company and Troop in the whole Army, making a Body of between 13 and 14 thousand Men) to render himself Master of Thuin and beaumond, two strong Places, especially the latter, in which there was a Garrison of 300 French. The French being terrified by the Approach of this brave Prince, deserted Cowardly both places, and the Prince immediately secured them by strong Garrisons. By the taking of these two places we have entirely cut off the Communication of the Duke of Luxemburg's Camp with Mons and Maubeuge, and have put the French to great straits, insomuch that they must either March off, or resolve to Fight, the thing in the World we most desire.  
We have had several Skirmishes with the French, and have always got the better on't, killed many of them, and made seveeal Prisoners. Major-General Tilly, with 7 Squadrons under his Command, met 3 French Squadrons near Bois-sle-duc, killed 8 of them, and brought 25 Prisoners into our Gamp, amongst which there was a Captain of a Troop of Horse, a Lieutenant, two Cornets, and a Quarter-Master. His Majesty has ordered four Bridges to be laid over the River ever, viz. two between Berse and thou le Chasteau, and two others near Hauseureuse, over which a great many heavy Guns are brought to our Army from Namur, in order to Salute the French, who begin to be mighty uneasy; and it is certain that there is a great want of all manner of Provisions amongst them; Dinant and Philipville being in no condition to furnish much longer so great an Army. On the contrary, we have a very gallant Army, full of Courage and Bravery, and the greatest Plenty imaginable of all sorts of Provisions; and all this by the Indefatigable Care His Majesty cheerfully takes for the very lowest man in his Army: And on the other hand, he is so infinitely beloved from the highest to the lowest, that I dare conndently assure you, that there is no man in the whole Army who would not be exceeding glad to sacrifice his Life for so Great, Good, and Generous a Prince. A Famous French Engeneer, who has deserted from Dinant, is taken into the King's Service. He has delivered His Majesty an exact draft of the Fortifications of that place, and we generally believe it will be Besieged at last; nay, there is a confident Report as if it was invested since yesterday. Out of Piedmont we have daily fresh Accounts of the brave and undaunted behaviour of the Vandois. They were lately Attacked by the French from three sides, whereupon they secured the Rear to Retreat in case of Necessity, and fell so heavily upon the French, who to the number of 1100, were commanded by Larreé and de Vins, that they killed 300 upon the spot, and put the rest to flight, who would not have escaped them neither, if they had not been secured by a great Mist that is very common in those Valleys. The Vaudois did not lose one Man. They have also strenuously repulsed a Party sent out of Pignerol by Mons. De Herbeville, in order to Attack the Valley of St. Lucern. Another French Party, who Attacked for three several times La Monta, were beaten off, and forced to Retreat, leaving 300 upon the Spot behind them, amongst whom there is a Lieutenant of the Granadiers: And to Grown all, 6000 of them have lately made great Incursions into Dauphiné, whereupon all the Country People are retired into the strong Placer, insomuch that for several Leagues together, there is not one Man to be found in the Villages.   

London: Printed for J. Smith in Fleetstreet. 1691.