Select passages from the diary and letters of the late John Blackader, Esq.

102 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1709.
in fafety. I blefs the Lord, I was never
more ferene and eafy. I hope it is faith.
3 r . This day is one of the greater! Ebe-
nezers in my life. We have fought a
battle, and by the mercy and goodnefs of
God have obtained a great and glorious
victory. We attacked the enemy in their
camp, a ftrong camp, and ftrongly en-
trenched by two days working*.
The battle began about feven in the
morning, and continued till about three
in the afternoon. It was the moft deli-
berate, folemn, and well ordered battle
that ever I faw — a noble and finedifpoii-
tion, and as nobly executed. Every one
was at his port, and I never faw troops en-
gage with more cheerfulnefs, boldnefs
and refokuion. In all the foldiers faces
* This is the battle of Malplaquet or Blairegnies,
the moil bloody which took place during the war.
The allies fuftained prodigious lofs, not lefs, it was faid,
in killed and wounded than 18020 men. John Duke
of ArgyTe and' Major General Cadogan, greatly dif-
tinguifhed themfelves on one fide, and the Pretender
on the other. Prince Eugene was wounded. The
Prince of Orange and the Duke of Argyle had each
two horfes (hot under them, and the lofs in officers
was very great. Mons furrendered October % ill.