motions, were not slow in taking measures
to anticipate his success. M. de Castries was detached after him with
thirty battalions, and thirty-eight squadrons; and, by forced marches,
arrived on the fourteenth day of October at Ehynberg, where the prince's
light troops were posted. These he attacked immediately, and compelled
to abandon the post, notwithstanding all the efforts of the prince, who
commanded in person, and appeared in the warmest parts of this short
but sanguinary affair. The enemy leaving five battalions, with some
squadrons, at Ehynberg, marched by the left, and encamped behind the
convent of Campen. The prince, having received intimation that M. de
Castries was not yet joined by some reinforcements that were on the
march, determined to be beforehand with them, and attempt that very
night to surprise him in his camp. For this purpose he began his march
at ten in the evening, after having left four battalions, and five
squadrons, under general Beck, with instructions to observe Rhynberg,
and attack that post, in case the attempt on Campen should succeed.
Before the allied forces could reach the enemy's camp, they were under
the necessity of overpowering Fischer's corps of irregulars, which
occupied the convent of Campen, at the distance of half a league in
their front. This service occasioned some firing, the noise of which
alarmed the French army. Their commander formed them with great
expedition, and posted them in the wood, where they were immediately
attacked, and at first obliged to give ground; but they soon retrieved
all they had lost, and sustained without flinching an unceasing fire of
musketry, from five in the morning till nine at night, when they reaped
the fruits of their perseverance. The hereditary prince, whose horse was
killed under him, seeing no prospect of success in prolonging an action
which had already cost him a considerable number of men, thought proper
to give orders for a retreat, which was not effected without confusion,
and left the field of battle to the enemy. His loss on this occasion
did not fall short of sixteen hundred choice men, killed, wounded, and
taken; and his loss fell chiefly on the troops of Great Britain, who
were always found in the foremost ranks of danger. All the officers,
both of infantry and dragoons, distinguished themselves remarkably, and
many were dangerously wounded. Among these, the nation regretted the
loss of lord Downe, whose wounds proved mortal: