Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XV. CAMPAIGN EIGHTH. 341
success. We have two, perhaps, the hest Generals in
the world ; but we ought not to trust in prince's nor
in men's sons. We had a fatiguing march which con-
tinued from five in the morning till five at night, and
very bad roads.
June 16. We marched yester-night at eight o'clock,
all night; a wearisome fatiguing march till four
o'clock this day. We are also much surprised and
disappointed, for we believed all the night that we
were marching straight up to attack the French army,
or to take some pass upon them, so as to oblige them
to move and quit their strong retrenchments. But
instead of that, we are marching straight to Tournay,
and investing it to besiege it. For my own share I
would more heartily have gone to attack the enemy,
and was hopeful God would have delivered them into
our hands. I wish our Generals had seconded Pro-
vidence, when he gave us such a favourable opportu-
nity. We boast of 170 battalions, and 280 squadrons.
It may be as in Gideon's case, this is too many for
God to work by, lest we be proud and say, Our great
army brought us deliverance. I got very good ac-
commodation at night in a cottage.
June 20. This morning again vexed with the im-
morality and scandals committed by some in our so-
ciety. I immediately punished them so far as mili-
tary law allows. I know I get ill-will among many
of the officers for this way of dealing; but I will
glory in it. I bless God I hate no man's person, it is
only their vices. Lord, give me zeal for thee, and let
not passion, or humour, or any thing of self mix with
it. I went in the afternoon to view Tournay with
some company, pretty near their guards, and they
fired some cannon at us.