Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/147

 tunately surprised in a dark night, by a small body of the enemies troops in that province, and the Frenchman pursuing his blow, was attended with some success: this affair called off the attention of the Duke from the southern parts, and pointed out the necessity of first reducing all the northern provinces. Instead therefore of marching to Lyons, he moved with his army towards Flanders. The French army although elated with their success, did not dare to stand their ground: the Commander very prudently gave up all thoughts of keeping the field against the Duke, and conjecturing that his Grace would not make so long a march, without attempting to reduce the country, he divided his troops into small parties, and threw them into the strong towns in the Flemish provinces. The sea coast was already in the hands of the English, quite to Blankenburgh, with the whole pro-