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Updated: June 1, 2025
Should Maurice consent to move away, Mondragon was ready to pledge himself not to pursue him, and within three days to leave his own entrenchments. The proposition was not granted, and very soon afterwards the Spaniard, deciding to retire, crossed the Rhine on the 11th October.
Mondragon, with a hundred musketeers and pikemen, was sent forward likewise as expeditiously as possible to Saint George. No one could be more alert. The battered veteran, hero of some of the most remarkable military adventures that history has ever recorded, fought his way on foot, in the midst of the fray, like a young ensign who had his first laurels to win.
And now from Stabroek, where old Mansfeid lay with his army, all the way across the flooded country, ran the great bulwark, strengthened with new palisade-work and block-houses, bristling with Spanish cannon, pike, and arquebus, even to the bank of the Scheldt, in the immediate vicinity of Fort Lille. That fortress and the whole line of the Kowenstyn were held in the iron grip of Mondragon.
Mondragon, after so stanch a defence, would soon be obliged to capitulate, unless he should promptly receive supplies. Requesens, accordingly, collected seventy-five ships at Bergen op Zoom; which were placed nominally under the command of Admiral de Glimes, but in reality under that of Julian Romero. Another fleet of thirty vessels had been assembled at Antwerp under Sancho d'Avila.
Affairs in Holland and Zealand Siege of Tergoes by the patriots Importance of the place Difficulty of relieving it Its position Audacious plan for sending succor across the "Drowned Land" Brilliant and successful expedition of Mondragon The siege raised Horrible sack of Zutphen Base conduct of Count Van den Berg Refusal of Naarden to surrender Subsequent unsuccessful deputation to make terms with Don Frederic Don Frederic before Naarden Treachery of Romero The Spaniards admitted General massacre of the garrison and burghers The city burned to the ground Warm reception of Orange in Holland Secret negotiations with the Estates Desperate character of the struggle between Spain and the provinces Don Frederic in Amsterdam Plans for reducing Holland Skirmish on the ice at Amsterdam Preparation in Harlem for the expected siege Description of the city Early operations Complete investment Numbers of besiegers and besieged Mutual barbarities Determined repulse of the first assault Failure of Batenburg's expedition Cruelties in city and camp Mining and countermining Second assault victoriously repelled Suffering and disease in Harlem Disposition of Don Frederic to retire Memorable rebuke by Alva Efforts of Orange to relieve the place Sonoy's expedition Exploit of John Haring Cruel execution of prisoners on both sides Quiryn Dirkzoon and his family put to death in the city Fleets upon the lake Defeat of the patriot armada Dreadful suffering and starvation in the city Parley with the besiegers Despair of the city Appeal to Orange Expedition under Batenburg to relieve the city His defeat and death Desperate condition of Harlem Its surrender at discretion Sanguinary executions General massacre Expense of the victory in blood and money Joy of Philip at the news.
Requesens was thus enabled to put in the late summer a considerable army into the field and among other successes to gain possession of the Zeeland islands, Duiveland and Schouwen. On September 27 a force under the command of the veteran Mondragon waded across the shallow channels dividing the islands, which fell into their hands.
The Grand Commander now divided the whole force into two parts: One half was to remain in the boats, under the command of Mondragon; the other half, accompanied by the two hundred pioneers, were to wade through the sea from Philipsland to Duiveland and Schouwen.
It will be recollected that, at the capitulation of Middelburg, it had been distinctly stipulated by the Prince that Colonel Mondragon should at once effect the liberation of Saint Aldegonde, with certain other prisoners, or himself return into confinement. He had done neither the one nor the other.
The patriots still languished in prison, some of them being subjected to exceedingly harsh treatment, but Mondragon, although repeatedly summoned as an officer and a gentleman, by the Prince, to return to captivity, had been forbidden by the Grand Commander to redeem his pledge. Saint Aldegonde was now released from prison upon parole, and despatched on a secret mission to the Prince and estates.
The siege was consequently raised; and Mondragon having attained his object, fell back to a position on the Rhine at Orsoy, above Rheinberg, whence he could watch the movements of the allied army encamped on the opposite bank at Bislich, a few miles below Wesel.
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