AFter that the King of Sweden had posses­sed himselfe of the Palatinate of Ma­rienburge, and by crossing the riuer of Wyzel in Pommerellia, had incamped at Dersove, where he might with most safety and aduantage proceed in his Treaty of Neutrality with those of Dantzicke: And (by some Forts cast vp at Hovet and Dersove) to be more able to keepe the riuer fauourable and secure for stopping the attempts of the enemies.

At length the King of Poland in person, with the Prince his sonne, (accompanyed with a great part of the Poloni­an Nobility) marcheth with an army consisting of Polo­nians, those of the Duchy of Spruce, Lituanians. Germanes, and Livonians, which he doth fortifie at Grudent, he pas­seth the riuer, and commeth to Niewburghe, and from thence goeth on. And vpon the 7 of September 1626. he besiegeth the towne of Meve, lying vpon the riuer of Wyzel: The towne hath a Castle compassed about with an old wall after the ancient manner of the townes in Ger­many. The towne was distant foure miles from our Kings Campe, and was defended by a garison of 150 Swethen [Page 4] footmen, hauing 60 inhabitants ioyned with them. The Polonian (being encamped on the west side) makes him­selfe master of a hill, where there was a village, and there he doth strongly entrench himselfe, especially in that place where the passage towards Meve did lye most open, and thereafter he beginnes to batter the towne with his ord­nance.

Hereupon the King of Sweden (knowing how vnable the place was to resist the inuasion of an aduised and reso­lute enemy) did resolue of nothing else, but that (he being shortned of time to enforce the raising of the siege) the towne would shortly bee rendred: the best encourage­ments our King had depending either vpon an expecta­tion of a scarcity of victuals, or other conueniences wher­with the enemies army might bee pinchod, or otherwise vpon the constancy and resolution of the souldiers besie­ged, who by defending themselues valiantly, might giue some hope that the siege might bee prolonged : And to the end that neither the valour of the besieged should proue their ouerthrow, nor that the enemy should attri­bute our Kings delay to feare, it was resoluted that the ar­my should dislodge and encampe neerer the enemy and the towne.

Vpon the 11 of September our King did remoue his Campe three miles neerer the enemy, and encampeth at Falkenow, where hee did prepare himselfe with his army for some encounter, expecting that the enemy would offer some occasion of seruice that day: Notwithstanding the enemy did not stirre out of his quarter, but onely sends forth eight troopes of Cossackes, who did ouerrunne the fields about Falkenow: That day was spent in light skir­mishes with Colonel Banneer, who was appointed for the guard of the point of an Iland where the two riuers of Wyzel and Noga [...]t doe diuide themselues.

The place where our King did encampe, was betwixt the riuer of Wyzel and a great bank of earth or dyke lying [Page 5] over against the riuer: for the riuer hath a high and large dyke artificially raised for holding out the great land­floods, whereby about the Spring time the country people doe sustaine great losses: The King did make this high banke to serue for a trench, where at the further [...]nd of the quarter he did draw a ditch from the great dyke to the riuer, and thereby did fortifie his Campe.

The next day being the 12 of September, our King (vp­on some consultation had of the most expedient courses for the reliefe of the towne) thought it necessary to make choice of some aduantageous place where he might haue the full view of all: And then he drawes forth 1000 horse, with 2000 foot, and presents himselfe in full sight of the enemy, hauing the riuer of Wyzel on his left, and the great dyke on his right hand: At length (aduancing forward for the space of one halfe mile) he seeth the enemy drawing themselues forth vpon the hill neere to their trenches where (there lying a plaine field betwixt both Campes) some few horsemen did enter in skirmish. There was not farre from thence a wood of oakes hauing groues of hazell wood on euery side, which did stretch it selfe to the hill possessed by the enemy, and to the riuer side.

Our King being desirous to see this wood, and to try whether the place would offer any good aduantage to force a passage to the hill or to the castle, did giue order that 500 musquettiers, with 100 dragonnes should be sent forward: The King did follow himselfe with 300 horse, imagining that the enemy would march towards the wood with great forces: The King sent for Colonell Mus [...] ­champe, whom he commanded with 200 musquettiers to put himselfe in the way, if the enemy should fall downe from the dyke. In the meane time the enemy had sent the musquettiers from the hill, and there after sent fiue troops of Lanciers and Cossackes: so that our foot-men skirmishing with the enemy, did force them to a retrait. It being vncertaine whethar this did proceed from the [Page 6] cowardice or policie of the enemy, intending to draw on our men to some ambuscadoe.

Our foot aduancing too farre, were disordered by the Polonian horse, and some were killed. Not many of these had escaped, vnlesse our King himselfe (seeing one of his souldiers put hardly to it by one of the enemy) had not ad­uanced himselfe for the rescue of his souldier, and laid the Polonian dead vpon the ground. By which rare example his cauallery was much encouraged to giue on furiously vpon the enemy who were all beaten backe to the hill quiting the wood to our men, whilst both the enemy and▪ ours were thus in fight, Colonell Muschampe marched on to the foot of the hill neere the great dyke, where hee stayed the whole time of the seruice, not suffering the ene­my to fall out any more in that quarter. The King did call for the rest of the army, and that the Cannon should bee brought in the wood within the great dyke, which when the Polonian did perceiue that the King did bend directly towards the wood, he sends downe the greatest part of his Infantery from the hill another way, that beating our men from thence he might be master thereof: And with­all he sends 20 troops of Lanciers and Cossackes to lye be­twixt the great dyke and the hill in a plaine field, which was done as well to hold our King enuironed, as thereafter to fall vpon our troopes, which they thought could not be very strong, and so by that meanes (as they did ima­gine) the warre might shortly be brought to an end.

The enemies foot did cary themselues well, striuing for the Dyke with our men: Their Cauallerie did show them­selues vpon the plaine field, whereof some finding the pas­sage nothing difficult, did leape ouer. In the meane time our King puts his armie in order, planting his Artillery in a place where the wood was thinnest: hee commands 3 troopes of horse to attend in the front neere the trench who should be ready to attend the enemy, if they should issue forth out of that quarter. [Page 7] After that foure troupes of Lanciers had put themselues in a grosse squadron, to giue a charge, they seeing our Ca­vallery placed in the front, ready to abide their choake, they giue backes towards the plaine field, forsaking the great Dike: It was much debated whether this place were necessary to be maintayned, and whether the whole Ar­my should be brought there: But when our forces being (howsoeuer) the weaker in numbers, were separated, and that the souldiers were not provided of victuall, nor the horse-men of forrage and other conveniences. It was concluded that the maine dessigne should not be altered, but that the forces there imployed should march backe a­gayne to their old quarter, and thereafter to goe on reso­lutely for the reliefe of the b [...]siedged: The enemy was to bee remoued at what rate soeuer, who was lying strong vpon the pass [...]ge towards [...]he Towne. The King giues order to his Marshall of the field Herman Vrangle to draw forth of the Army foure Companies of foote, with two fielde peeces; the Marshall was to giue on vppon the trenches: A [...]ter that the Artillery had played once or twice, and that some of our musquettiers (by leaping o­uer the dike) had begun the charge, both horse and foot did retire themselues to the hill, quiting the great D [...]ke: As the bri [...]t did goe, there was killed of the enemies 150 a­mongst whom was the Captayne Deuhoffe with some o­thers: So that they did retire to their Campe in that same order and way they came: The enemy looking on, with­ou [...] adventuring further: There was some of ours woun­ded, and about 20. killed.

The day following, our King (causing himselfe to bee transported in a little Boate) did take a full view of the Islands of the river of Wizel, and of their approaches to­wards the Towne, to the end that (before hee should at­tempt any further) hee might know the best advantages, how to enforce the raysing of the siedge, or the most toyle­some difficulties to impeach the same.

The King himselfe approaches to the foote of the hill, having placed [...] musquettiers vppon [...]he [...] Duke. [Page 8] Hee giveth 600. musquettiers to the Count of Torne, and 500. Sweden foote to Colonell Mustchamp: The one be­ing commanded to stay vpon the right hand, at the foote of the hill: The other at the left hand: both were ordered that they should presse (by the steepness [...] and precipice of the hill) to keepe their men in greater safety, from the violence of the enemies sh [...]t. The King commanded that neyther of them should st [...]rre without directi­on or signe given: There was at the side of the VV [...]od, a great precipice or steepnesse planted with little Trees which covered those that we [...]e lying in ambuscade, and h [...]lped also those that were to giue the charge. There was a roade or path-way leading towards the hill, scarse pas­sable for horse-men, which path-way did lye betwixt Colonell Mustchampe, and the Count of Torne. Co­lonell Mustchamp was commanded to enter this path on horse-backe, with some of his musquettiers, that hee might learne what countenance the enemy kept on the hill, and to es [...]ye the best meanes hee could of beating them from thence. As the Colonell doth advance him­selfe, hee is charged with a Troupe of Germaine horse, and beaten backe to the road way: Some musquettiers strayning to desengage their Colonell being killed, and some taken prisoners, the remainder did with-draw them­selues the same way they went. But the nature of the place and passage being discovered, the Count of Torne and Colonell Mustchampe doe charge resolutely, and partly breaking through the roade way, and partly by the precipice of the hill at length they gayne the top there­of: In the meane time, the enemy drawes all his forces to­gether, the foot [...]-men from the qua [...]ter and forts, the horse-men from the field, and charge our men forcibly to beate them from the top of the hill: The King and Prince of Poland beeing spectators: it was long foughten with much courage, eagernesse and noyse: The Germain hor [...]e-men beeing seconded by their foote and the Hayduckes, charge Mustchampe but were repulsed with great losse.

In the meane time out men lying discouered are beat­ten [Page 9] with their Canon from their forts, neyther was there any thing left vnattempted, to make all our enterprise in-effectuall. At length, after two houres fighting, our men defending themselues valiantly, and gayning ground of the enemy, some Troupes of the Polonian horse, Lan­ciers, Cassackes and Germaines mixed together (partly be­ing stricken with shame) partly being animated with the presence of the King and Prince, promising rewards to the best deservers, did furiously and in great disorder charge the Count of Torne, who (perceiving what they intended) did make his Musquettiers fall low on their knees, that nothi [...]g could bee seene but only their heads, whereby (the violence of the horse-men being deluded) hee stood firme: Th [...]y beeing disabled to follow their poynt in regard of the precipice of the hill, scarce fauo­rable to a charge on horse-backe, and there hee stayes, their first heate with his musquets lying so low; and when the Cavallery did beginne to wheele about, they were shrewdly galled with our musquettiers.

VVhen the enemy had thus charged our men with great numbers, the last rushed forward so violently vp­pon the first, that neyther o [...] them was able to rejoyne their troupes together, where by many in that disorder were kil [...]ed, and the hill filled with dead men and horses.

Colonell Mustchampe who did lye vppon the one side of this path-way, did much mischiefe to the enemy, by beating them in flanque with his musquettiers: So that there was such a faintnes and dejection of spirits amongst them, that the Lanciers did throw downe to the ground, three of their Cornets at the feete of our souldiers, and basely did forsake them.

Afterward, all was in disorder in the enemies Campe, neyther (as it was there after knowne) could they resolue what course to take. The Infantecy did altogether quite their trenches and fo [...]ts, lying against the Towne without any resolution to adventure further.

Hereupon the King of Poland dispairing to be able any longer to defend the Hill, Forts, or his Campe; and being [Page 10] zealous that his Cannon might be in some hazard to bee lost, if he should giue any further time to approach nee­rer him; and seeing our men fortifying themse [...]ues vppon the great Dike, whereby hee m [...]ght perceiue they were resolved to go on.

Vpon the 14. of September, the Ea [...]le of Torne comes to the King with three Regiments of Germaine foot, which had served in Live-land.

The Army being reinforced with this new supply, to­geth [...]r with a Regiment of Swedens, vnder the Conduct of Colonell Kodwin, a bridge being layd over the [...]z [...]l, not farre from our Campe; and a strong Fort b [...]ded at the end of the bridge, where there was a competent gar­rison placed, to secure the passage vnto the Island for the souldiers, and the victualls of the Campe, which were left behind: The King vppon the 19. of September dis­lodgeth, and encampeth neere the enemy, about 300 paces from the place which the enemy ha [...] kept strongly fortified betwixt the Campes. Our King did resolue that hee had gayned enough that day, to haue put his new campe in defence, by making the great Dike lesse passa­ble, framing it after the manner of a rolling Trench, whereby the great banke and new trench being enclosed, the King might aswell be lesse subject to any suddaine sur­prize or assault of the enemy, as more able to put his de­termined resolutions in execution by assailing the enemy, with the more security of his owne men.

The King sends the Earle of Torne with 400 Germaine Musquettiers, to the end he [...]ld possesse and make good that part of the Dike, which did streach it selfe from the Campe to the hill.

He sends Colonell Mustchampe with 300. Sweden foot for the defence of the Towne of Groenhoffe, which did lye aboue the Campe, over against the plaine field. The enemy (seeing vs in campe so neere them) drawes his whole forces vpon the hill, he plants his artillery, and played vpon our men, but all in vaine, the bullets ey­ther over-flying the Campe, as being shot from an high [Page 11] hill or did fall short and beat vpon the great Dike, with­out any hurt done.

In end, the enemy sends forth a great number of Cos­sackes, Lanc [...]ers, and Germaine troupes of horse, with his whole Infanttry from the hill, intending thereby not onely to beate the Count of Torne from the great barke, but also Colonell Mustchampe from the defence of Gro­enho [...]e, and there after to giue a generall assault vppon our quarter: But every wher [...] their labour was lost by the courage of our souldiers, defending themselues valiantly and pressing vppon the enemy with much animos [...]ty and resolution.

Our Artillery in lik [...] manner, which was planted [...]eere the trench, did so beate vpon the enemy, that the plaine field lying over agai [...]st the Dike, was spread over with dead men and horses: At length towards night, the Polo­ni [...] did with-draw himselfe to his trenches on the hill: The day following was quiet and nothing attempted on eythe [...] side.

[...]ur King (having buil [...]ed fiue forts) made himselfe master of the great Dike and playne fielde, and did pre­pare his passage to the h [...]ll, where the enemies was en­trenched, to the end hee might stoppe the enemies sallies from the hill, whereby they might giue any annoyance to his Camp [...]. The enemies in like manner (that he might more freely domineer with his Canon along the plaine field, and be more firmely fortified against all our enter­prises; and also that bee might be longer able to hold out the hill) did erect two forts, one vppon the right hand of the way, the other on the left hand: In the one hee plan­ted 3 peeces of great Ordnance : in the other, some lesser peeces, whereby he might stop our comming vp the Hill.

The 21. September, our King consulteth with his Coun­cell of Warre, how the enemy might be beaten from the hill▪ and how a passage might bee opened towards the Towne: And seeing his Campe (aswell by scituation as industry) defensible, and safe against all hostill invasion; and (the sallies of the enemies being cut off) [...] [Page 12] to the foote of the h [...]ll was not very dangerous: Hee lea­veth his Marshall of the field, with the greatest part of the Army in the Campe; and goeth in person, entring the Wood with one Regiment and a halfe of foote, some troupes of horse, and 1500 choyce musquettiers.

Hee layeth the foote and horse troupe, in ambuscade a­mongst the trees, that they might bee as safe from the voll [...]es of the enemies shot, holding the top and length of the hill, where diuers fortes were erected with fielde peeces in them, as that they might bee ready to receiue and repell the enemy, if our men employed in service should be beaten backe from thence.

Hee thought it not safe to stay any longer, but did cause to draw out his Ordnance, with a great deale of difficulty and confused hast. He did giue order to burne the Village where hee had beene intrenched and fortified vppon the hill. Our souldiers did enter the trenches and forts. The King and Prince of Poland looking vppon them. Our King was vppon the hill, and would haue willingly (in the confused d [...]straction of the enemy) haue attempted vppon the Artillery; but finding that the pas­sage were too straight, that hee could not (to the terrour of the enemy) charge them with his front inlarged; and finding the enemy vnpe [...]ed with bagage, betwixt the trenches and the campe: the hill being forsaken, the forts in his owne power: three of the enemies Comets left as pledges of their confusion; and aboue all the Towne and Castle of Mewe relieued, which was the cause of this expedition. The King did resolue hee had gayned honor enough for that day; and that the way was prepared to inforce the enemy to abandon his Campe, if hee should stay longer: Therefore he thought it not fit (the passages not beeing fully knowne, betwixt the trenches and the Campe) to expose a certayne Victory in the valour of his souldiers to an vncertayne event.

The enemy being perplexed what to do, keepes him­selfe close within his Campe. To forsake it, it was to flye away, which was shamefull. To remaine longer, he [Page 13] could expect nothing but further mischiefe: Because our Army (commaunded the hill) could beate them out of their Campe onely with our Ordnance. The enemy passed over that night with great astonishment, standing in order of battle▪ expecting that our Army should haue fallen vppon their Campe, as it was after-wards knowne by some Prisoners: At length about the first VVatch of the night, they sent away their bagage.

The King himselfe by the dawning of the day, mar­ches away with gr [...]at silence, without signe of Trum­pet, Drum, or phipher.

The Troupes were seene by our Sentinells at the Mo­nastery of Weul [...], lying a mile and a halfe from our Campe.

Th [...] King of Poland had left some Cossackes to ob­serue if our men should attempt any thing vppon their confused retreate: And afterwards (when they should vnderstand that the King was any thing advanced in his journey) they had order to burne their quarter.

This was the issue of the besiedged and relieued towne of Mewe.

Our King knowing that the enemy was gone, entred the Towne and Castle, extolling the constancy, fidelity, and merit of the Souldiers, and the inhabitants with much prayse, thankes-giving and revvard, and presently did giue order, that a day of publicke thankes-giving to God, should bee solemnely kept for this Victory.

Thereafter hee changed the Garrison with fresh souldiers, and furnished the Castle and Towne with munition and Victualls, and stayed in his Campe some few dayes, vntill hee might discover whether the ene­my vvould bend his course, or vvhat hee vvould attempt further.

[Page 14] In these three dayes [...]rvice, there was killed of ours about 30. The losse of the enemy cannot bee certainely related, by common fame and discourse, with some prisoners, there is aboue 500. killed and many wounded, who are sent to the further parts of Spruce.

It is credible that the losse hath beene g [...]eater, since it is not very probable that the King would haue abandoned the si [...]dge of a little Towne sca [...]se well fortified, with so much dim [...]nution of his owne h [...]nour, and that of the Polonian Nobility, vnlesse the losse had bin greater.

Heere it must also bee remembred, that the enemy had cast a bridge over the River of Wizel a halfe mile a­boue Mewe, whereby the inroades vppon the Territo­ries of Stum and M [...]rnenbourg might bee lesse difficult. And that the P [...]lonian Souldiers, who ranged vp and downe through the Bishopricke of Ʋlormditt might haue free passage to the Campe.

The enemy had committed the charge of this bridg [...] (which was made o [...] Shippes that carried Corne vp and downe the River) to 300. Cossackes. But after th [...] [...]ar­ting of the Army (whether by neglect or feare) the b [...]i [...]ge was abandoned: The K [...]ng did send a Cap [...]ayne with some Musquettiers, who [...]aue brought away the Ships with all their furniture and provi­sion, whereof the Army hath made very good vse.