Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 1.djvu/366

 from thence, and is going to the king in Flanders.” “Deal, 4th May. — Lord Galway is arrived here, and goes on board the Greenwich frigate for Holland.” “May 11th. — The Lord Galway is gone to his Majesty for instructions about the descent, on whose return that matter depends.”

But once in the field, he remained there, and was conspicuous at the battle of Landen on the 19th July. Voltaire relates that William had only the hours of the previous night to prepare for action: “They attack him at break of day. They rind him at the head of Ruvigny’s regiment, entirely composed of French gentlemen, whom the fatal revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the dragonnades had compelled both to quit and to hate their native country. Upon that country they revenged the intrigues of the Jesuit La Chaise, and the cruelties of Louvois. William, followed by troops thus animated, overthrew at the first the opposing squadrons, till his horse was shot under him, and he was overthrown himself. He got up, and continued the combat with the most obstinate efforts.” Later in the day, according to Smollett, “The Hanoverian and Dutch Horse being broken, the king in person brought the English cavalry to their assistance. They fought with great gallantry, and for some time retarded the fate of the day. The infantry were rallied and stood firm until their ammunition was expended.” King William’s biographer says, as to the brave though unsuccessful attempt to relieve our right wing: “The king himself charged at the head of my Lord Galway’s regiment, which distinguished itself very much on this occasion.” Macaulay mentions the traditions of old soldiers concerning this regiment at Landen, how King William sometimes led them in person to the charge, dismounting at times to animate the infantry.

According to King William’s biographer, “The king, seeing the battle lost, ordered the infantry to retreat to Dormal, upon the brook of Beck; and finding that the enemies were surrounding him on all sides, his Majesty ordered the regiments of Wyndham, Lumley, and Galway to cover his retreat over the bridge of Neerhespen, which he gained with great difficulty.” It was now that Lord Galway greatly signalised himself, being left in command at this point. Professor Weiss, while recording this, gives a singular anecdote, on the authority of the Due de St. Simon, who fought in the French army, and either witnessed the exciting incident or heard of it at the time: “At the battle of Nerwinden, Ruvigny kept at bay, almost unsupported, the entire force of the French cavalry. He was made prisoner for a moment; but the French officers let him go, their chief affecting not to perceive it, and he continued to cover the retreat of the English, fighting like a hero.” There is reason to believe that he was wounded in this action. For not only was there a report that he was killed, but we are informed that he came from Namur to the king’s camp on August 13th, while other officers remained at Namur, not being recovered of their wounds.

Every one will concur in Macaulay’s tribute to the noble generosity of the French officers who set Lord Galway at liberty; but we must differ from the historian as far as he endorses Voltaire’s imputation of “a true refugee hatred of the country that had driven him out” to the truly noble lord. In fighting with such intense valour he was animated by love for William of Orange, and for the Protestants of Europe. Besides, he was always in earnest in a battle-field, and evidently was a splendid cavalry officer. As for his views of France, they were statesmanlike, and not diseased. French domination was to be checked, that the extinction of the Protestantism of Europe might be prevented, and that liberty might extend its reign. As to personal matters, Lord Galway habitually maintained a dignified and unaffected self-command.  

Lord Galway was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and sent to Piedmont. Luttrell says: “1st September 1693. — Lord Galway goes to Savoy, to command his Majesty’s troops there, in the room of Duke Schomberg, deceased.” And “1st December 1693. — The Lord Galway has received his credentials to go Ambassador to the Duke of Savoy, and next week he sets forward with a considerable sum of money for the Vaudois and the French refugees.” He embarked from England for Holland, and thence travelled by land to Piedmont about the middle of December. It is well known that Victor Amedeo was already treacherous to his allies. He was ready to be bribed by Louis with honours and territory. During the greater part of this war his winters were spent in secret negotiations. The operations during the summers consisted of either postponements or the mere