ies of
Genoa. The duke himself forsook his capital in order to put himself at
the head of his cavalry; and was pursued from place to place by five
and forty squadrons, under the command of the count d'Aubeterre.
Notwithstanding the very noble defence which was made by the garrison of
Turin, which destroyed fourteen thousand of the enemy during the course
of the siege, the defences were almost ruined, their ammunition began to
fail, and they had no prospect of relief but from prince Eugene, who
had numberless difficulties to en-counter before he could march to their
assistance. The duke de Vendome, before he left Italy, had secured all
the fords of the Adige, the Mincio, and the Oglio, and formed such lines
and intrenchments as he imagined would effectually hinder the Imperial
general from arriving in time to relieve the city of Turin. But the
prince surmounted all opposition; passed four great rivers in despite of
the enemy, and reached the neighbourhood of Turin on the thirteenth day
of August. There, being joined by the duke of Savoy, he passed the Po
between Montcalier and Cavignan. On the fifth day of September they took
a convoy of eight hundred loaded mules: next day they passed the Doria,
and encamped with the right on the bank of that river before Pianessa,
and the left on the Stura before the Veneria. The enemy were intrenched,
having the Stura on their right, the Doria on their left, and the
convent of Capuchins, called Notre Dame de la Campagne, in their centre.
When prince Eugene approached Turin, the duke of Orleans proposed to
march out of the intrenchments and give him battle; and this proposal
was seconded by all the general officers, except Marsin, who, finding
the duke determined, produced an order from the French king commanding
the duke to follow the mareschal's advice. The court of Versailles was
now become afraid of hazarding an engagement against those who had so
often defeated their armies; and this officer had private instructions
to keep within the trenches. On the seventh day of September the
confederates marched up to the entrenchments of the French in eight
columns, through a terrible fire from forty pieces of artillery, and
were formed in order of battle within half cannon-shot of the enemy.
Then they advanced to the attack with surprising resolution, and met
with such a warm reception as seemed to stop their progress. Prince
Eugene perceiving this check, drew his sword, and putting himself a