"The morning of Rocroi." Topic

"The morning of Rocroi according to Sirot :

Thus it was decided that we would give battle if the enemy should resist and if the siege was not lifted at the arrival of our troops. Plans were laid for the battle to come and the battle array and the role of each was determined. Mr de Gassion would command the right flank, Mr de la Ferté-Senneterre, the left. The Duc d'Enghien, Maréchal de l'Hôpital, Mr d'Espenan and Mr de la Vallière were in the centre, and I was in command of the reserve consisting of two thousand infantry and a thousand cavalry.
As soon as the Duc d'Enghien and our generals passed safely through this point, they placed their forces in array, as had been decided, and they marched to a certain plateau which was close to the place where the enemy was lined up for battle. The town was behind them within range of cannon fire, and the two armies were only at a distance of two musket ranges from each other, and they remained thus for the entire day; but this was not without large skirmishes, and the cannon made much noise on all sides. Nevertheless, that of the enemy caused much more damage to our army than they received from us; for, besides the fact that it was better placed, it was also much better used, and their gunners were more expert and more skilful than ours. As a result, on that day, more than two thousand of our soldiers were killed or wounded in both the infantry and the cavalry.
Night was more favourable to our army than day; it gave us some respite, and our generals reorganised and strengthened our front line; for the Marquis de la Ferté had separated the left flank, which he commanded, by more than two thousand paces from the battle corps, which could have caused the loss of the battle. If the enemy had charged our troops, as they should have done, they would have defeated them. And neither the battle corps, nor I with the reserve, would have been able to assist them.
However, on May 19th, at daybreak, the enemy's army was still in the same position as ours, and seemed to be prepared for full combat. Indeed, our soldiers having slept in battle order with their weapons, they had only to rise, blow on their fuses, place them on their cannon and fire upon the enemy. And since their intentions were the same as ours, their troops found themselves in the same position. The battle began at four o'clock in the morning."

From main page with many good info about that Battle.
(en english too).

rohanturenne.blogspot.com.ar

Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

Very nice find!

Glad you had enjoy it my friend!!

Amicalement
Armand

Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

A votre service mon ami!.

Amicalement
Armand

Magnifique… malheur; mes impulsions de guerre de trente ans vont revenir…

Je suis content que vous avez aimé mon ami.

Amicalement
Armand