ing ourselves
with leaving a force sufficient to keep the garrison in check.

"The Spaniards, however, are slow to change their tactics, good soldiers
as they are. The consequence is that, although greatly superior in
force, last year they made no offensive movement against us. We have had
several regiments join us since we arrived here, and although I believe
the enemy's force to be twice as strong as our own, I have no doubt that
the Count d'Harcourt will as soon as he arrives decide upon taking the
offensive. You see our position here, guarded as it is on both flanks by
the line of mountains, is as favourable for offence as defence, for we
can advance either through Carignano on our right or Chivasso on our
left; and however the enemy may dispose themselves they are vulnerable
on one side or the other."

This anticipation was justified. D'Harcourt arrived three days later.
A council of war was held, and it was decided that an advance should at
once be made against the enemy. The main body of the Spanish troops were
posted in a fortified camp at Villanova, halfway between Asti and Turin.
Leaving only a small body of troops to guard the lower valley of
Susa from an attack by the Spaniards at Turin, the army advanced
to Carignano, and thence towards Villanova. The Spaniards, however,
although nearly twice as strong as the French, were so much surprised
at the boldness of this proceeding that instead of marching out to give
battle they contented themselves with strengthening still further
the defences of their camp, and in order to force them to come out
d'Harcourt advanced to Chieri--called by the French Quiers--a town
situated between Villanova and Turin, and about two leagues distant from
each.

Turenne was in command of the cavalry, and took post between Chieri and
Villanova. The Spaniards, however, made no effort to relieve the town,
which capitulated after a resistance of only two or three days. While
the siege was proceeding, a large convoy of provisions succeeded,
unmolested, in making its way to Casale, and thus placed the garrison
there in a position to hold out for several weeks to come. But a very
small store of provisions was found in Chieri, and the army was forced
to fall back towards Carignano to obtain food from the stores collected
there. The Marquis of Leganez, whose headquarters were at Asti, knowing
that the French had sent all the stores they had brought with them to
Casale, had foreseen that thi