The commentaries of Sr. Francis Vere being diverse pieces of service, wherein he had command / written by himself in way of commentary ; published by William Dillingham ...

The relief of RHINBERGH.

IN the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred eighty nine, the town of Bergh upon the Rhyne being besieged by the Mar∣quesse of Warrenbon, and distressed for want of victuals, I was sent to the Count Meurs, go∣vernour of Gelderland, by the States, with nine companies of English.

At my coming to Arnheim, where he lay in a storehouse of munitions, in giving order for things necessary for his expedition, the pow∣der was set on fire, and he so sorely burnt, that he died within few dayes after.

The States of that province called me be∣fore them, told me in what extremity the town was, the importance of the place, and facility in succouring it, desiring me to proceed in the enterprise; which I did willingly assent unto, and they appointed seven companies of their own nation to joyn with me, which were to be left in Bergh in lieu of so many other com∣panies to be drawn out thence.

To the Count Oversteyn (a young Gentle∣man, and then without any charge, as a kins∣man & follower of the Count of Meurs) they gave the command of twelve companies of horse. With these troops we passed to the fort Caleti, made by Skink over against Rees, where finding the carriages appointed for that pur∣pose ready laden with provisions, we march∣ed towards Bergh, taking our way through a

heathy and open countrey, and so with dili∣gence surprizing the enemie, who lay disper∣sed in their forts about the town, in full view of them put our provisions into the town, and so returned to the said fort by Rees, the same way we had gone.