Monro his expedition vvith the vvorthy Scots Regiment (called Mac-Keyes Regiment) levied in August 1626. by Sr. Donald Mac-Key Lord Rhees, colonell for his Majesties service of Denmark, and reduced after the Battaile of Nerling, to one company in September 1634. at Wormes in the Paltz Discharged in severall duties and observations of service; first under the magnanimous King of Denmark, during his warres against the Emperour; afterward, under the invincible King of Sweden, during his Majesties life time; and since, under the Directour Generall, the Rex-chancellor Oxensterne and his generalls. Collected and gathered together at spare-houres, by Colonell Robert Monro ... for the use of all worthie cavaliers favouring the laudable profession of armes. To which is annexed the abridgement of exercise, and divers practicall observations, for the younger officer his consideration; ending with the souldiers meditations going on service.

The thirty-fourth Observation.

WEE reade in Dion, that after Caesar had wonne the Battaile of Pharsalia, amongst the honours the Senate had ordai∣ned to be given unto him, they commanded to dresse for him a Triumphing Chariot, which was set opposite to Iupiter within the Capi∣toll, and that he should stand on a Globe, representing the world, with the inscription, Semi-Deus est: Even so the Lords of Nurenberg in conside∣ration of the great respect they carried unto his Majesty of Sweden, at the first entering their City, after the Battaile of Leipsigh, they presented two Globes unto his Majesty, a Terrestiall and a Coelestiall, in signe of their love and obedience unto his Majesty, and his Majesty againe by his Royall word; promised, under God to defend and protect them against all mortalls; and being thus engaged unto them, their enemies menacing their ruine, with a mighty and a strong Army, being minded to overcome them with the sword, or to make them starve by hunger, having closed up as they thought all passes, where through succours could come unto them, by planting of a wonderfull strong Leaguer about them, of intention to blocke them, and his Majesties Army both within them, being then but weake within their Trenches and walles.

His Majesty againe like a wise Generall, pondering and considering how weighty his enemies enterprizes were, in seeking to overcome Nuren∣berg, and knowing, if that once they did get Nurenberg on their side, the rest of the great Cities would follow, in regard whereof his Majesty resol∣ved, the safest course for him and the Towne both was, to set downe his Leaguer strongly betwixt the Towne and the enemy, aswell to hin∣der their correspondence, in case of their unconstancy, as for their defence, in case of their loyalty. For his Majesty knew well there was as great vertue in keeping of a conquest, as in getting of it: And therefore at this time, as formerly at Statin, Werben and at Wertzburg against Tilly, he resolved to take him to a defensive warre, with the spade and the shovell, putting his Army within workes, having the supply of such a back-friend as Nuren∣berg was, to assist him with men, meate and Amunition, untill such time as he might weary his enemy, as formerly he had done, or that succours might come to him, that he were bastant for them in the fields▪ and having thus happily resolved, both the Armies strongly intrenched before others, they did bring the eyes of all the Potentates in Europe upon their actions, and [ E] designes, to see how the end would prove, and who should be thought wisest of both. But you shall see that he that was at this time the terrour of the world, the subduer of Sweden, the daunter of Pole and Denmark, and

the hope of Britaine, Holland and Germany, was able even unto his death to suppresse the pride and Tyranny of the house of Austria, and of his Ministers and Servants, being all but Novices in warres, in comparison to the Lyon of the North, the invincible Gustavus, who in glory and dignity did farre surpasse all his enemies, as is cleered by his former wisdome, in Govern∣ing his victories, and hereby his great care and diligence in preserving his friends from the fury of their enemies, exercising his Army within a close Lea∣guer, to handle their Armes well, after his owne new discipline, being taught to keepe their faces to their enemies in retiring as in advancing, never turning backs on their enemies as of old.

It is also to be admired the great provision this City was provided with, being no Sea-towne, as of victualls and Amunition, where it was reported that they had oates, which was distributed to the Army, that had bin kept a∣bove a hundred yeares, and this City was ever from the beginning re∣nowned for their wisdome and policy in counsell, more then for their force in Armes, from whence did come the Dutch Proverbe, that he who had the wit of Nurenberg, the money of Vlme, the pride of Ausburg, with the power of Venice, might doe much in this world.

Here then at Nurenberg, as at a safe bay, his Majesty like unto a wise [ F] Master of a ship perceiving the storme coming on, casts out his best Anc∣kers, riding out the storme till it blowes over, and then finding the Gale to favour him, he lanches forth to looke for his enemies. For his Majesty knew well when it was time to give a blow, as he did know the surest way to ward and hold off a blow: and we see here his Majesties counsell was of much worth to the good of the City, as his power in Armes; so that his very enemies did not only praise his wisdome, but oftimes did admire it, and as the enemy did strive to starve us, his Majesty knew well, that such a strong Army as they were in the dogge-dayes, lying in the Leaguer in time of so great infection, betime would become neere as weake as we were. As also his Majesty knowing the evill that is incident to all Armies through idlenesse, he pressed to keepe us still in handling and exercising our Armes; for he knew well, mans nature was like Iron, that did rust when it was not used, and on the contrary, he knew that well exercised Souldiers, as he had, would desire to fight, when Novices (as his enemies had) would be afraid to stirre out of their Leaguers: for oftimes it is not the multitude doth the turne, but it is Art begets victory.

Having spoken in the discharge of this duty of the actions of some wor∣thy personages, I minde here to observe somewhat in commemoration of the persons worths that did leade them.

First then we see, that the Spaniard divers times was forced with little credit to retire out of the Paltz, and that in respect he never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faces about in making use of ground, Cannon, Pike or Musket▪ which proves his re∣treates to have bin dishonourable, and the Leaders to have bin no Souldiers. For we presuppose, in foure dayes retreat the defender could once have made choise of ground, where making use of his Cannon, his enemies would be glad they had not advanced so 〈◊〉〈◊〉; but rather that they had suffered them to passe: but an enemy once feared never fights well, except extre∣mity make him desperate, and then it is not safe to deale with him.

Likewise we see here, as they were not all Spaniards, that ••••ed, so they [ G] were not all Swedens, that followed; so that we finde there are some good of

all Nations: but it is certaine that at such times the worth and valour of a Leader is best knowne, not only in fighting examplary to others, but spe∣cially in directing others.

We see here, that the turbulent insurrection of the Boores in Schwabland is soone stilled, when they want a head to leade them, where we see, the giddy-headed multitude doth ever wagge like the bush: for though some∣times they grow pale for feare, they are so impudent, that they never blush at their faults, though oftimes they are well corrected for their errors.

Here also we see, the valour and policy of Duke Barnard much to be commended, as a prudent Commander in all his enterprizes, overcoming more by wit and policy, then by dint of Armes. For though resolution ne∣ver failes, yet by stratagems he overcomes more, then by killing; and be∣ing victorious he did shew his clemency, that another time his enemies might yeeld the sooner unto him, seeing he had used these well, whom formerly he had subdued: and this Cavalier being noble, according to his birth, he knew that the strength of victory consisteth in the using of it well, which made hime ever give the better quarters; for as he was noble, to make him the more noble, he was indued with reason; so that he conjoined Nobili∣ty with Vertue, which made his worth much esteemed of, and though he was descended of noble Progenitors, yet his minde raised him above his con∣dition, he being fit to command Armies, and his birth did beget the grea∣test obedience next unto his Majesty over the whole Army, being resolute, noble, and prudent withall.

In the former discourse had of the acts of that noble and worthy Cavalier, [ H] though our enemy Papenhaim, his name merits to be inregistred, for his va∣lorous courage, extraordinary diligence in his expeditions, and the fortunate successe, that did accompany his valorous conduct at divers times, even unto his death. This noble Cavalier was so generous, that nothing seemed difficult unto him, fearing nothing, not death it selfe, once resolved, and as he was valiant, so he was most diligent in all his expeditions; for while he lived, those Armies next unto him were never suffered to sleepe sound, which made his Majesty of Sweden esteeme more of him alone, then of all the Generalls that served the Emperour, wishing one day he might rancoun∣ter with him, to try his valour, whom he honoured so much, though his enemy.

This valorous Captaine after the Battaile of Leipsigh, was the first that adventured, with a single Convoy, to passe through his Majes••ies Armies, unto the neather Saxon Creitz to put life in the cause, being come againe be∣twixt his Majesty of Sweden and home, desirous to gaine credit, he delaied no time, but on the contrary used all diligence, till he got an Army of old Souldiers together out of the Garrisons, and then began to take advantage of his enemies, catching them unawares, like a valiant Captaine and Chief∣taine, he suffered no grasse to grow where his Army did tread, but traversed from one place to another, adding and augmenting still to his owne credit, but diminishing and substracting from the reputation of other Generalls, till he obtained the name and fame of the most valiant, and most vigilant Gene∣rall that served the Emperour, being in effect more furious sometimes in his conduct then requisit for a Generall, fearing nothing but the indignation of his Superiour, whom he served valianty and truely. This kinde of bould∣nesse, though haply it doth prosper for a time, yet sometimes in others, it

may overwhelme all the good fortune that formerly they attained unto. For nothing is lesse to be allowed of in a Commander, then bouldnesse without reason, though sometimes things happen to succeed well, being pregnable for such daring men, as the King of Sweden and Papenhaim was, being both truely couragious. Neverthelesse, this daring is not to be made a custome of; so being oftimes the example is as faulty, as the deede in an Army.

This Papenhaim in his attempts, so farre as I could learne, was unblame∣able in his carriage, as a Leader, except at Mastreicht, where he was blamed for too much forwardnesse with disadvantage, having lost more men then the attempt proved credible.

As this valiant Cavalier strived to doe notable service unto the Emperour, [ I] even so Felt-marshall Gustavus Horne, being a valiant Cavalier, without either gall or bitternesse (as they say) but on the contrary he was wise, valiant, sober, modest, vigilant and diligent, striving in all his actions to please God, and his Master the King of Sweden.

And as Papenhaim was thought bould, and heady in his resolutions; The other Gustavus Horne was remisse in advising, but very resolute and couragi∣ous in the execution; partes most worthy praise in a Commander, being Subalterne to anothers command, as he was unto his Majesty of Sweden, who could never enterprize of himselfe, more th••n was allowed unto him by his instructions had in writing, so as he attempted nothing rashly, he feared no danger, once being entred, and he was so meeke in his command, that with love he obliged the Cavaliers that followed him, to obedience, more then an∣other could doe by austerity: being the best meanes to conquer with, and the safest way to maintaine reputation and credit; Thus beloved of all men, he was very wise, and silent, keeping a Dec••rum in his actions and gestures, be∣ing to my judgment powerfull to command himselfe, as he did command others.

Here also we have occasion to praise the wise and valorous conduct of the [ K] Felt-marshall Arnheim in Silesia, where he obtained great victory over his ene∣mies, being indued with a singular gift befitting a great Commander, in giving every man that was under his command, his due meanes allowed to him by his Superiour, a rare quality in a great Commander, being one of the speciall points that is powerfull to oblige the love of Officers, and Souldiers unto their Superiours, making them refuse nothing against their enemies they are com∣manded unto: in the greatest extremity Souldiers can feare no danger, be∣ing well paied by their Superiours.

This vertue Iustitia Distributiva includes many other vertues under it, pro∣per to a great Commander, as his actions in Silesia doe witnesse, having ob∣tained severall victories there over the Emperialists.

As for the vices of men of this quality, making profession of Armes, being my Superiours, duty will not permit me to speake, but reverently of them; And therefore what faults they have (as none lives without some) they shall be better divulged by some other tongue then mine: Nam quod tibi fieri non vis, alteri nefeceris