Good nevves out of Flanders. The coppy of a letter sent from the most victorious his Highnesse the Prince of Orange his leaguer before Sasse of Gent; by a commander there, unto an eminent person at present in England. Concerning the taking and surrender of that inpregnable place Sasse of Gent, Wednesday the 7th. of September, 1644. new stile, the 40. day it was beleaguered.

Good Nevves out of FLANDERS.

SIR,

BY my former Letter I have ad∣vertised you of the beginnings, proceedings, and condition of the siege of Gent. But now God be thanked, I shall hereby give you notice, that most happily it is sur∣rendred into the hands of that unparal∣leld Champion his Highnesse the Prince of Orange, to the wonder and amazement of all that knowes by sight, or relation the place, as strongly situated, and well fortified as Art and nature could make it.

His Highnesse, according to his day∣ly custome, (a custome not so pleasing unto us, being too ventersome and de∣sperate for such a Generall, whose life un∣der God, is the preservation of our Church and State) I say, hee being in person upon Munday the first of Sep∣tember in the approaches, to view the Gal∣laries which were to bee brought over the Mote of Rapenburch, as then not fi∣nished; and that under the favour of twelve Demi-Canons constantly playing, and innumerable Musquet shot, having beene there three houres, was about to goe away: when upon a suddain a great shout was made by the enemy, casting up their hats and crying for a Parley.

Whereupon His Highnesse, remaining in the unfinished Gallarie; presently two Captaines of the enemy, one a Spaniard, bearing the Order of Christ, the other an English-man, were sent out Hostages un∣to his Highnesse, and a Dutch Captaine under the Regiment of Colonell Ferens, and a French Captaine under the Regi∣ment

of Colonell de Straides, (having at that time the guard) were sent by his Highnesse reciprocall Hostages into the Towne; and that very same night the Ar∣ticles were on both sides agreed upon, ac∣cording to which the Towne and Forts should be surrendred.

The Hostages being demanded what the reason was they delivered over the Town so soon, and so suddainly, gave no other Answer; But that when wee first entred the Town, we should see they had just reasons so to doe. But some others an∣swered, that although they might have kept it ten or twelve dayes longer; yet that time should but adde unto their mise∣ry, that must see before their eyes the un∣succourable extremities of their sick and maimed souldiers, destitute of Chyrurgi∣ons and Chyrurgiry and Medicaments, be∣ing without all hope of any reliefe.

But the most able said, it was because they wereso aftonish'd to see the Prince of Orange was in so short a time so far advan∣ced; and that accordingly, they feared

to bee on a suddaine surprized.

His Excellency of Brederoede, Marshall of the Field, had also that night taken two Sconces, which separated the Town from the Sconce St. Anthony.

So that every one doth wonder, and it is no wonder they should wonder, that so strong a place, being situated in the midst of Flanders, and Dedicated unto the Vir∣gin Mary, and therefore called Propug∣naculum inex pugnabile, (The inexpugnable Fortresse) as they themselves doe write in the Volume of Flanders, in which all their Towns and Fortresses are delineated should be taken in so short a time. But it is the very hand of God, and that through indefatigable Vigilancy, Industry, the vast Wisedome, and incomperable Valour of his Highnesse the Prince of Orange, which hath brought this work about.

During the time of Treaty, and after, we shewed unto the Earle of Megen, as also unto divers French Officers of know∣ledge and experience, that were come hi∣ther to that purpose, our Approaches, and

all the out-works: which they blessed themselves, and admired at; and con∣fessed never to have seen the like; such strong works, and made in so short a time.

The Enemy marched out Wednesday the seventh of September, new stile, with about 1080 men, with forty Colours, be∣ing three Regiments, that of Don Stepha∣no de Gomero, the Earle of Megen, and Col: Royers; the rest were of the ordinary Garrison, besides the sick and others upon Waggons, amounting in all to 1500.

We found within the Town above 50 left behinde most miserably burnt and maimed, so that they could not be trans∣ported: unto whom his Highnesse (as Mereifull as Martiall) being this day in the Towne, sent his Chyrurgions to dresse and cure them.

We are most bound to render all due thanks and praise for this great and unex∣pected Victory unto the Almighty, the Lord of Hosts.