Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/35

 succeeded in getting their dragoons in good order some distance away, but in passing through a narrow defile a bold effort was made by some French hussars to cut them off from the rest of the troops. In the close struggle which ensued Raby and Cadogan were hustled into a ditch together. Lord Raby's horse sprang quickly out again, and bore him away, after a little more fighting, to a place of safety, where he rallied his men and soon beat the hussars back ; but, in the mean time Cadogan, who had fallen off his horse, had been taken prisoner. General Webb, with a regiment of foot, also marched up to the rescue; but the hussars, satisfied with their little success, soon put themselves and their prisoners beyond reach in Tournay. An interesting letter, written by Cadogan when still a prisoner to his brother general, has been preserved, and may be quoted at length : —

��" My dear Lord,

" I received with all the pleasure imaginable the hvinour of your Lordship's obliging letter. I assure your L ^rdship the greatest pain I had when I was taken was my apprehension for your Lordship's safety, which I was not assured of till my Trumpet came in the evening. I was thrust by the crowd I endeavoured to stop into a ditch on the right of the way we passed ; with great difficulty I got out of it, and with greater good fortune escaped falling into the hussars' hands who first came up with me. A little resistance I persuaded some few of the dragoons I had before made alight {sic), and who could not get to their horses, saved them and me, since it made us fall to the share of the French carabiniers, who followed their hussars and dragoons, from whom we met with quarters and civility, bating their taking my watch and money. My Lord Duke has been so extremely kind as to propose exchanging the Marquis de Croissy for me, so I hope my prison will not be of very long continu- ance. My most humble services to Comte Maffey. I cannot end my letter without repeating how much joy I had to hear of your Lordship's being well, and 'tis a very sensible satis-

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