unded, they made
an excellent retreat towards Bavay, under the conduct of Boufflers, and
took post between Quesnoy and Valenciennes. The field of battle they
abandoned to the confederates, with about forty colours and standards,
sixteen pieces of artillery, and a good number of prisoners; but this
was the dearest victory the allies had ever purchased. About twenty
thousand of their best troops were killed in the engagement; whereas the
enemy did not lose half that number, and retired at leisure, perfectly
recovered of that apprehension with which they had been for some years
inspired and overawed by the successes of their adversaries. On the side
of the allies, count Lottum, general Tettau, count Oxienstern, and
the marquis of Tullibar-dine, were killed, with many other officers
of distinction. Prince Eugene was slightly wounded in the head;
lieutenant-general Webb received a shot in the groin. The duke of
Argyle, who distinguished himself by extraordinary feats of valour,
escaped unhurt; but several musket-balls penetrated through his clothes,
his hat, and periwig. In the French army, the chevalier de St. George
charged twelve times with the household troops, and in the last was
wounded with a sword in the arm. The mareschal de Villars confidently
asserted, that if he himself had not been disabled, the confederates
would certainly have been defeated.

MONS SURRENDERED.

Considering the situation of the French, the number of their troops, and
the manner in which they were fortified, nothing could be more rash and
imprudent than the attack, which cost the lives of so many gallant men,
and was attended with so little advantage to the conquerors. Perhaps
the duke of Marlborough thought a victory was absolutely necessary
to support his sinking interest at the court of Great Britain. His
intention was to have given battle before the enemy had intrenched
themselves; but prince Eugene insisted upon delaying the action until
the reinforcement should arrive from Tournay. The extraordinary carnage
is imputed to the impetuosity of the prince of Orange, whose aim
through this whole war was to raise himself into consideration with the
states-general by signal acts of military prowess. The French having
retired to Valenciennes, the allies were left at liberty to besiege
Mons, which capitulated about the end of October; and both armies were
distributed in winter quarters. The campaign on the Rhine produced
nothing but one shar