YOu may see in this Map sent ouer from the Iland, by a Gentleman of quality, a true Description of the Cit­tadell or Fort, seated neere to the Towne of St. Mar­tins, in the Ile of Ree, beleaguered at this present by the the English Armie, vnder the commaund of the most illu­strious Prince, the Duke of BVCKINGHAM. This place (which is now held by Monsiur Thorax, and 1500. Frenchmen appointed for that Seruice) is almost of a perfect Quadrangular forme, euerie point flanking one another, according to the precisest rules of Fortification. The Caualier or Keepe it selfe, is made of free stone, and hath without it a Counterscarfe of earth, the Rampiers whereof are about 18. foote high. Vnder this there lyes three halfe Moones, the points whereof are directed to­wards another Counterscarfe, which being the vttermost of all, is also made of stone, and serues for a circumuallation vnto the rest of the workes, being about an English mile in compasse. The ground vpon which it is seated, is for the most part sandie, onelie to the North side it stands on a hard rocke, which being enuironed with the Sea, makes the Fort vnapproachable of that side. The English en­trench themselues vpon the three other Auenues, from the land side, and hauing drawne their approaches within the distance of Musket shot at point blanke, they haue raised diuers batteries vpon seuerall platformes to answere the Counterbatteries of the Enemies, vpon which the besie­ged haue planted tenne or twelue whole Cannons, besides manie other Peeces of Ordnance of the lesser size. And al­though our men seuerallie doe their duties, both Officers and common Souldiers three or foure dayes in a weeke, by watching in the Trenches, Approaches, and Batteries, yet they gaine ground still of the French, and thinke no labour too much, nor taske to heauie which may tend to the pub­lick good, and to the seruice of their King and Countrie. Wherein they are encouraged by the presence of their Ge­nerall, who carries a Cudgel in one hand, and Coyne in the other, to punish the sloathfull, and to reward the vertuous. Most nights his Excellence walkes the first round perso­nallie himselfe, and if hee findes anie man negligent in his dutie, he causeth him to suffer according to the qualitie of his offence for the good example of others. Monsieur Tho­rax the Gouernour of the Cittadell, offers to cleare him­selfe of the horrible complot against the Duke, by seeking to murther him (by his Minister) with a Rauilliacke Knife. But notwithstanding all his Appologies and excuses the common suffrage of opinion hath found him guiltie of that ignoble crime. The French that are besieged hold in their hornes, and though they were verie daring at our first land­ing; yet euer since they haue shewed themselues no hote­spurres, for they haue suffered themselues to be surrounded with our Intrenchments, and yet neuer made as much as one sallie. They are much distressed for want of Water, euer since their Conducts were cut off, so that they hang vp sheetes in the ayre, to take the raine-water that falls downe. Their prouision of victualls within is not great, and if wee may beleeue those Fugitiues which runne from them daily, the better sort of them eate horseflesh for great dainties. And which is worse, they are not like to be releeued in hast, all the Land-passes being quite blockt vp, and the Sea being so carefully kept by our Fleete, that a Skiffe or long-Boate cannot passe in without discouerie and surprisall: So that there is great hope (if wee fasten our iudgements on probable coniectures) that Famine or the Sword will mai­ster this place, notwithstanding all reports and coniectures to the contrarie.

• B Is our Batteries.
• G Is our Gardens, or Vineyeards.
• T Is our Trenches.
• R Is our Redoubts
• E Is the Enemies Stone-workes, and Trenches from the Fort.
• S Is the Seas.
• W Is the Well which they liue by.

The Fort hath 1500 Men, beside Women and Children.