The Battle of Seneffe - Sources - Part 4 - Beschreibung der Schlact

 

Beschreibung der Schlact, contemporary print of the Battle of Seneffe, 1674.

This is a translation of a German broadsheet entitled Beschreibung der Schlacht about the Battle of Seneffe in 1674, the fourth in a series of posts about sources for the battle. First, a translation of William of Orange's letters. Second, a selection from Quincy's Histoire Militaire. Third, a selection from Aumale's Histoire des Princes de de Condé. This document was translated using a mixture of Google and ChatGPT. Because I am not confident in the quality of the translation, and because I do not know how long Barry Lawrence Rudderman will continue to host the original image on their website, I also include a transcription of the German text.

German Text

Relation des zwischen der Kaiserliche Spanischen und Hollandischen, und der Franzosischen Armee unterm Prinzen von Conde, den 1/11 Augusti ben Mariemont gehaltenen blutigem Treffen, so auss einem Schreiben, welches ein hoher Officier, so selbst mit und darben gewest, genommenworden.

Den 9. Dieses. Ist die samptliche Kaiserliche Spanischen und Hollandische Armee biss auff eine Stund an dess Feindes Lager gerucht; weiln aber wegender Lands Situation, da man fast alle Augenblicht defiliren muss, als auch wegendess Feinds avantagiosen posto nicht an ihn zu fommen gewest. Ist den 10 dieses eine Conferens. Daben ich mich auch eingefunden, gehalten, und resolvirt worden, dass man uber Mons, Valenciennes, und Cambrai den Marche Gegen Frankreich zu nehmen, und daselbst andenen Frontieren einen oder andern Ort attaquiren solte, damit man hierdurch einen vesten Fuss in Frankreich sezen, und den Prinzen auss seinem vor theilhafften Posten bringenfonte, nicht zweifflend, dass dardurch Er Prinz Conde zu einer Battallie obligiret, und Sedes belli n Frankreich gebracht warden wurde. Als man nunden 11 darauff, den March gegen Mons zugenommen, hat der Feind auss seinem lager besagten Marche, welcher zwar in drenen Columnen incaminirt, jedoch wegen Bielheit der Munition. und Proviant-Wagen ztemblich erstachtet gewesen, observirt, (in Betrachtung, dass die Avantgarde, welchedamahls die Kaiserliche Armee gefuhret, wegen Enge der Passen, die retrograde, so die HHn. Spanier und Hollander gehabt, nicht succurriren fonnen) und die Resolution gefasset, die retrograde anzugreiffen, gestalten dann auch geschehen und er Prinz Conde mit seiner volligen Armee um zwei uhr nachmittag, die Hollander mit solcher furie angefallen dass nach starcfem Gefecht die Hollandishe und Spanische Armee in confusion gerathen also dass es ein soblechees Aufsehen  gehabt, wann nicht der Herr Feld Marschal de Souches, welcher in dieser occasion seinen Valor absonderlich erzeigt, mit dem lincten Flugel, so der Herzog von Lothringen und Chauvignac commandiret. Hernachmahls aber mit der samptlichen Infanterie dieselbe succurrirt hatte da es dann zu einem sochen scharffen Gefecht gerathen welches von drei uhr nachmittags bis drei stund nach mitternacht gewahret. und wir (ungeacht der Prinz Conde mit den besten Soldern seiner Armee die unserigen attaquirt) den Posto mit foldem Valoir sustiniert und behauptet, dass man nicht eine hand breit dess Feldes verlohren, sondern uber all deu feind mit grossen Berlust abgerrichen.

Immittelst weilen General Spork bereits mit der Avantgarde in das lager ancommen gewesen, ist sur gut befunden worden, dass er zu Bersicherung der Artillerie so auch schon im lager arriviert, und den Grund, so von dess Feines lager bis an das unsergesich erstredet zu observiren , an seinem Ort verbleiben solle; nachdem ich aber wahr genommen, dass der feind unsere Infanterie, und den lincten flugel, durch einen dicten Wald so an unserer lincten hand gewefen, hindergehen, und also denfelben vom rechten flugel abzulchneiden suchte, habe ich solches den Herr Feld-Marschal erinnert, worauff dann die Dragoner dahin commandiert worden; weiln aber sieder grossen macht mit welcher der feind dahin gedrungen nicht resistieren fonnen, als hat manden Herr Obristen Harrant mit dem Monteccucolischen Regiment von dem rechten flugel detaschiert, welcher dann opportune und eben zurechter Zeit dahin angelangt, und den feind, so erliche unsere Squadronen in disorder gebracht, und bereit erliche Stück ersbert gehabt, mit solcehm Valoir reposissirt, dass er die Stück wieder verlassen mussen, und den unsertgen Zeit gegt, sich zu recolligiren. und ist nicht gnugsam zu ruh men, wie resolviert und tapffer dieser occasion das Montecuculische Regiment gefoghten, ben welchem dann (da offenssere Connestables, foben denen schon verlohrnen, und wieder recuperierten Stücken gewest, todt oder verlauffen waren) sich zween Reuter gefunden, welch die Stück gegen dem feind mit solchem Ruzen gebracht, dass ihme dadurch nicht ein geringer Schade zugefuget worden.

Nach diesem hat der Herr Feld-Marschal den Herrn Graff Lessle mit seinem Regiment auch dahin commandirt, welcher sich dann eines holen Wegs, den der Feind zubehaupte suchte, impatronirt, und den Posten biss auffslekte manutenirt.

Was nun in dieser occasion von der Kaiserliche Armee gelieben, beschadigt oder gefangen worden, ist auss hierbentommender Lista, so viel man noch zur Zeitwissen fan, zu ersehen.

Sonsten hat das Fussvolk uberauss wohl gefochten, welches der Furst Pio mit grosser Tapfferteit angefuhret, aber gleich im Anfang beschadigt worden. Graff von Stahrenberg, Marquis de Grana, und alle Commendanten der Regimenter haben ihren Valor, und die zu Ihr. Kaiserl. Majest. Dienst tragende devotion mit Ruhm bezeuget, der Stahrenbergische Obr. Leutenant, nachdem er schon drei Schuss gehabt hat dannoch seinen Batallion, nicht verfassen wollen, biss er endlich durch den vierdten, und eine Stund bernach verschieden.

Von der Cavallerie hat sich, wie vorgemeldt, das Montecuculische, wie auch Spork, und Dunewaldische Regiment, sehrwohl gehalten. Der Herzog von Holstein hat seinen Valor gleichfals signalirt, indemer mit seinen Squadronen dreimahl getroffen, und allezeit den Feind repoussirt. Der Herzog von Lothringenso nebenst dem Graff en von Chavignac den linchten Flugel commandirt, ist ins Haupt verwundet, der Feld-Marschall Leutenant Chavignac aber harinden Kopff, und in die Seiten einen Schuss befommen, welche aber so favorabel gewesen, dass feiner davon burchgangen.

Hierauss nun is zu ersehen, dass die Kaiserliche Armee mit hochster Reputation die Alliirten succurrirt, und die Wahlstatt, wiewohl nicht ohne ziemblichen Verlust, manutenirt, allermassen der Feind gegen Mitternacht stillschweigend davon gangen, und sich in sein lager retirirt; Waranff bei anbrechendem Lagder Herr Feld-Marschall auch mit gutes Ordre die Armee abgefuhrt, und dieselbe an dem Ort, wo sie sonst campiren sollen, gestellet. Der Prinz von Uranien bat in dieser occasion gewisslich seine Prudens und Valor bezeuget, und allezeit seinen tapffern Muth der gestalt erwiesen, dass er die behohrigen Befehl ohne alteration ereheilet, und uberall selbssten, wo es vonnorhenwar, assistirt. Seiner Seits ist der Graff von Waldeck, als Feld-Marschall verwundet, ein Prinz von Nassau, nebenst 4. O bristen gefangen, und seine ganse Armee verlohren gangen. An Seiten Spanien ist der Feld-Marschall Marquis  d’Assentar todeblieben, der Furst von Hollstein verwundet und gefangen, der Graff Merode aber todt gefunden worden. Von dess Feindes Berluft, welcher sehr gross ist, bat man bissher seine engentliche Nachricht haben tonnen, auffer was der Graff Magni, so vom Feind gefangen, und heut Nacht sich salvirt, mitgebracht, dass nehmitch der Duc de Luxemburg, und Fourille todt, dem Montal der Schenkel mit einem Stuck abgeschoffen, der Rochefort und Navailles auff den Todt, der Duc d’Anguin in den Arm blessirt worden, und wie sie selbst gestehen, uber 600 Officirer, und 6000 Mann verlohren, absonderlich aber sll das Konigliche Hauss sehr gelitten haben.

English Translation

Account of the bloody encounter held between the Imperial Spanish and Dutch forces and the French army under the Prince of Condé on 1/11 August at Mariemont, taken from a letter written by a high-ranking officer who was personally present and involved.

On the 9th of this month, the entire Imperial Spanish and Dutch army approached the enemy's camp until within one hour's distance. However, due to the challenging terrain of the land where one must maneuver almost every moment, and also due to the enemy's advantageous position, it was not possible to reach them. On the 10th of this month, a conference took place. I also attended, participated, and it was resolved that a march towards France should be taken via Mons, Valenciennes, and Cambrai. At those frontiers, one should attack one or another location so that a solid foothold could be established in France. By doing this, it is expected that the Prince's advantageous position could be disrupted, with no doubt that as a result, Prince Condé would be compelled to engage in battle, leading to the shifting of the theater of war into France.

On the 11th thereafter, as the march towards Mons was being undertaken, the enemy observed this movement from their camp. The march proceeded in separate columns, but it was considerably hindered due to shortages in ammunition and provisions. (It's noteworthy that the vanguard, which at that time was leading the Imperial army, couldn't provide assistance to the Spanish and Dutch forces due to the narrowness of the passes, through which they had retreated.) And the decision was made to counterattack in a retrograde manner. Thus, it happened that at two o'clock in the afternoon, Prince Condé, with his entire army, fiercely attacked the Dutch forces. After a fierce battle, the Dutch and Spanish armies fell into confusion, causing such a commotion that it would have been even more chaotic if not for Marshal de Souches, who, in this instance, displayed his valor distinctly on the left wing, which was under the Duke of Lorraine and M. de Chauvignac's command. Subsequently, however, the entire infantry came to its aid, and this led to an intense battle that lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon until three hours past midnight. Despite the fact that Prince Condé attacked our forces with his best soldiers, we defended and held our position with great valor. We didn't lose a hand's breadth of ground but rather repelled the enemy with significant losses throughout the field.

Meanwhile, as General Spork had already arrived at the camp with the vanguard, it was decided that he should remain in place to secure the artillery, which had also arrived in the camp. He was to observe the terrain from the enemy's camp to ours. However, after I had noticed that the enemy, by means of a dense forest on our left, was attempting to obstruct our infantry and left wing, thus attempting to isolate them from the right wing. I notified Feld-Marschal de Souches about this, and subsequently the dragoons were ordered to that location. However, since the great force with which the enemy pressed forward could not be resisted, Colonel Harrant with the Monteccucoli Regiment was detached from the right wing. He arrived at the opportune and precisely the right time. He encountered the enemy, who had put our squadrons into disarray and was about to capture some of our artillery pieces. With such valor, he counterattacked and recaptured the cannons, forcing the enemy to abandon them and giving our forces time to regroup. And it is not enough to praise how resolute and brave the Montecucoli Regiment fought on this occasion, in which (since most officers, including those who commanded the previously lost and recaptured cannons, were either dead or gone) two riders were found who held the cannons against the enemy with such determination that considerable damage was inflicted upon them as a result. After this, Marshal de Souches ordered Count Leslie with his regiment to that location as well. Count Leslie then positioned himself on a crucial path that the enemy was attempting to take control of. He secured the position and maintained it steadfastly until the end.

What the Imperial army has suffered killed, wounded, or captured in this battle can be seen from the enclosed list, as far as is currently known. Otherwise, the infantry has fought remarkably well, led with great valor by Prince Pio, although he was injured at the beginning. Count Stahrenberg, the Marquis de Grana, and all the commanders of the regiments have demonstrated their courage and their devotion to the service of His Imperial Majesty with distinction. The Lieutenant-Colonel of the Stahrenberg Regiment, despite having already received three shots, did not want to leave his battalion until finally, after the fourth shot, he passed away an hour later.

Regarding the cavalry, as previously mentioned, the Monteccucoli, Spork, and Dunewald Regiments have performed admirably. The Duke of Holstein has also displayed his valor by engaging with his squadrons three times, and each time repelling the enemy. The Duke of Lorraine, along with M. de Chauvignac, commanding the left wing, has been wounded in the head. The Leutnant-Feld-Marschal, Chauvignac, was struck in the head as well and received a shot to the side, which fortunately was of such a nature that it did not pass through.

From this, it can be observed that the Imperial army has provided utmost assistance to the Allies, and the battlefield has been maintained with the highest reputation, although not without considerable loss. The enemy silently withdrew towards midnight and retreated to their camp. As dawn broke, Feld-Marschal de Souches led the army away in good order and stationed it at the location where they were meant to camp. In this situation, the Prince of Orange undoubtedly demonstrated his prudence and valor, always proving his courageous spirit in such a manner that he obeyed the given orders without hesitation and personally assisted wherever it was needed. On his side, Count von Waldeck, serving as a Field Marshal, was wounded, a Prince of Nassau was captured, and along with them, four colonels were taken prisoner. His entire army has suffered defeat. On the Spanish side, Field Marshal Marquis d’Assentar has passed away, the Duke of Holstein is wounded and captured, and Count Merode has been found deceased. As for the losses suffered by the enemy, which are quite significant, exact information has been gathered so far. From what Count Magni, who was captured by the enemy and managed to escape tonight, has brought back, it's reported that the Ducs de Luxembourg and Fourille are deceased. Montal had a leg struck off with a cannonball, Rochefort and Navailles have been mortally wounded, and the Duke d’Anguin was injured in the arm. As they themselves admit, they have lost over 600 officers and 6000 men, with significant casualties notably suffered by the Maison du Roi.

Imperial Order of Battle

The document also provides a list of casualties suffered by each regiment which reveals how the Imperial forces were organized at Seneffe. By comparing this list with the information found in Bruno Mugnai's book (cited below), I was able to construct the following Order of Battle for the Imperials:

Feldmarschall Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches

16,500 men (9,000 horse and 7,500 foot)

Colonel	Year raised	Uniform (detail)	Strength
Left Wing Horse – Duke of Lorraine
Lothringen	1636	Buff coats (red)	5 squadrons
Heister	1655	Buff coats (pink)	5 squadrons
Rabatta	1657	Buff coats (d. red)	5 squadrons
Jung-Holstein	1662	Buff coats (red)	5 squadrons
Dünewald	1663	Buff coats (d. red)	5 squadrons
Carafa	1672	Buff coats (brown)	5 squadrons
Infantry - Feldmarschall Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches
de Souches	1629	D. Grey (crimson)	2 battalions
Savoyen	1642	D. Grey (red)	2 battalions
Grana	1656	D. Grey (vermillion)	2 battalions
Starhemberg	1661	D. Grey (d. red)	2 battalions
Leslie	1662	D. Grey (blue)	2 battalions
Right Wing Horse – M. de Chavaignac
Montecuccoli	1632	Buff coats (blue)	5 squadrons
Sporck	1634	Buff coats (blue)	5 squadrons
Alt-Holstein	1634	Buff coats (crimson)	5 squadrons
Harrant	1672	Buff coats (red)	5 squadrons
Gallas	1672	Buff coats (d. red)	5 squadrons
Trauttmansdorff (dragoons)	1672	Red (red)	5 squadrons

Cavalry are cuirassiers unless otherwise mentioned. For numbers, I estimated battalions at 750 men each, and squadrons 150 men each.

 

 Works Cited

Mugnai, Bruno. Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV, Volume 2: The Imperial Army, 1657-1687. Warwick: Helion & Company, 2019.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!