82 PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



signed by a British native engineer; and in those of the celebrated 

 Duke of Cumberland, so late as 1760, there was only one that came 

 from an Englishman. 



The commisariat of those days was likewise slow, and often in- 

 efficient; every thing necessary to be done required separate orders. 

 Cannon, bullets, powder, &c. ; and, among the allies more especially, 

 consultations and negociations with the civil departments. Some- 

 times refusals of the most obviously necessary stores, and always 

 delays in their production, were to be witnessed. The furnishing of 

 bread was an everlasting impediment to the movements, and, as 

 the tents experienced the want of great coats for the men, sick- 

 ness was too prevalent in the camps. At head quarters the march 

 of affairs was usually in a still worse plight : the commanders in 

 chief were not supported by a well organized and well educated 

 staff; they were restricted by orders from their courts, even in trivial 

 movements, and not enabled to take advantage of the faults of their 

 opponents. In the allied camp there were, moreover, Dutch field 

 deputies, true Dutch burghers, perfectly ignorant of war, ever anxi- 

 ous for a battle when there was no chance of one, and obstinately 

 opposing the resolution to fight when a proper opportunity offered. 

 Marlborough had indeed much more trouble with the ministry at 

 home, and his Dutchmen at head quarters, than with the hostile 

 army; Eugene had crossings with the hard headed Aulic council of 

 Vienna, and Yillars with the old women and frightened administra- 

 tion of Louis XIV.'s court. 



Having minutely described the various movements and manoeuvres 

 of the contending parties, the lecturer gave the result of this impor- 

 tant conflict, which, as we have previously intimated, we shall give 

 more at length in a future number. 



The allies, exhausted with fatigue, halted at a short distance be- 

 yond the field of battle; having captured 10 pieces of cannon, 20 

 stand of colours, 26 standards, and some kettle drums. With the 

 exception of about 300, the prisoners were all wounded. These, 

 amounting to 3,000, the enemy was allowed to take away, upon con- 

 dition, that they should be accounted prisoners of war until exchanged. 

 This circumstance has caused several writers to overlook the num- 

 ber of prisoners. 



The loss in both armies was variously estimated ; and in most 

 cases overrated. St. Helaire, who commanded the French artillery, 

 states that of the allies at 25,000 men, and the French at 14,000. 

 But from a concurrence of several accounts, deduced from returns, 

 the confederates had 5,544 killed, and 12,706 wounded, making a 



