Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

126 LIFE OF COL. BLACKADER. CHAP. VI.
the Geete, had he chosen to avoid an engagement,
which he was advised to do, by the Electors and
other Princes of the army : But he was resolved to
give battle, hoping to make up for deficiency of num-
bers, by courage and perseverance. During night he
caused, with incredible speed, a deep trench to be
dug, from the one village to the other, which covered,
as with a parapet, his whole front. By day-break
the works were finished; and between four and five
in the morning, the cannonading on both sides began.
The havoc became more terrible the nearer they ap-
proached, but without abating the resolution of either
party.
About eight, the attack upon Nerwinden com-
menced. The carrying of this point was of the great-
est importance to the enemy, as they could not ap-
proach the entrenched front of the allies, while their
flank was exposed to the galling fire of this village.
It was therefore vigorously assaulted, and carried in
a short time. But the assailants were not long mas-
ters of it, until it was regained. The defendants in
their turn, were again dislodged, and the enemy once
more obtained possession of the place. In this man-
ner, it was taken and retaken three or four times ;
and such were the desperate efforts made by William
to retain this post, that after redoubled exertions, he
had the pleasure of seeing it again recovered by the
valour of the British Infantry, which he had twice
led on to the attack in person. * This obstinate and
* Voltaire takes notice that in one of these attacks, was the regiment
of Ruvigni, wholly composed of French refugees, all gentlemen, whom
the terror of the dragoons, and the fatal revocation of the Edict of