Frederick Schiller - The Other Historical Essays

Vieilleville fortified very much Verdun, only that to his greatest embarrassment, people learned that Duke of Alba would not come there, but rather has started the siege of Metz. He undertook, in that respect, to keep the imperial army which, despite its great size, must still be very active, so much as possible in the open air and then, to encircle it narrowly.

He did hence many damages to the enemy through some surprise attacks. He learned that the city of Estain in Lorraine, which was declared for neutral by the Emperor and the Frenchs, actually provided the imperial armies with many food supplies, and in that respect, he decided to conquer Estain. He went before the gates, accompanied only by twelve noblemen on horse, who each had a new servant by himself; he himself had four soldiers dressed as servants beside him. He left a small corps in a remote place, with the order of rushing close to him, at the trumpet call. Before the gates, he called for the Mayor and the officer, and reproached them that they supported the enemies of the Crown. They excused themselves by saying that they must be doing what their superiors ordered them, and were doing the best for their subjects by enabling them to sell their local products with some advantage to other people. “And can we also purchase something with our money?” said Vieilleville.“Oh! Why not!?” they replied. “Now, go in,” he ordered to the servants, “and pick for us and for our horses supplies worth six Thalers! In the meantime, may the trumpeters play a joyous little piece, for soon they will do something good for themselves!”.

The few lancers whom the officer has beside himself, wanted in truth to prevent the access of the gate to the servants; however, they would be badly pushed. The four soldiers climbed immediately on the portcullis which could not be lifted down. The twelve horses were already in the gate, and then the corps also came in, broke out into the city and hence, became master of the same city. Ten to twelve Spaniards, among whom a relative of the Duke of Alba, who were by an officer's and have nevertheless heard the noise, have escaped away from the city by jumping over the walls. Vieilleville was so irritated about this incident that he hanged the officer's nephew who has helped them.

Six days after this expedition, he attacked the village of Rougerieules in which were stationed five companies of lancers, and equally as many cavalry squadrons. The Germans in the village would be attacked and would either be killed or made prisoner. In the morning, at seven o’clock, everything was over, and Vieilleville was already, again, on the road, so that when a part of Margrave Albert of Brandenburg's army advanced towards the village, they found only an empty nest.

Vieilleville went back to Verdun to give his people and himself some rest, for in severe cold, he has not slept in a bed for three weeks; has also not changed his clothes ever since. It pleased him very much as he walked in the main church of Verdun, to see hanging on his left and right, in two lines, the flags which he has taken from the enemies and sent to Marshall Saint Andrew. He added to these the last eleven conquered flags and standards, and hence, twenty two pieces would be sent over to the King.

Hardly have eight days passed, when a courier from the King came to Vieilleville, through whom he received the order to go to Toul by the Duke of Nevers, and to assist him because it was feared that the Emperor who could not conquer Metz, would besiege Toul. He wanted to take with himself, as much as possible, the people he had in Verdun to strengthen the Duke, but could not do so, without weakening very much Marshall Saint Andrew, for it was not yet known specifically whichever of the two places was most in danger. Vieilleville took only a few men with him, and left the most experienced Captains with the Marshall.

Immediately the next day, the council with the Duke of Nevers took place, during which it would be decided to defeat by any possible manner the Albanians and the Italians who were in very strong number in Pont-a-Mousson, and to make an end to their rambles. Vieilleville and his troops from Verdun offered to open the hostilities, and promised to compensate richly them with the robs which this garrison has committed. He sent secretly to Pont-a-Mousson, immediately, for a high priority mission of information gathering, one of his trusted men and spies, two of whom were by his side, a man very knowledgeable about whatever to answer to the questions which people could ask him, and about whatever kind of information he has to notice carefully.

He should pretend to belong to the House of the widowed Duchess of Lorraine, Christine, a niece of the Emperor, and performing commissions for her at the imperial camp. He went in there late in the day using as a valid excuse, that he could not travel further on this day, hence giving himself in advance an occasion to observe the strengths of the enemies, and whatever they could be preparing. This skilful and decisive man put himself hence on his way, without anyone noticing, with his yellow banner which was the sign of neutrality in Lorraine; and arrived in less than three hours before the gates of Pont-a-Mousson. People asked him where he came from, where he would go to, what he intended to do and if had letters with him. He demanded to be led to the commanders; certainly, was the answer given to him. As he advanced before them (these were Don Alfonso of Arbolancqua, a Spaniard, and Fabricio Colonna, a Roman), he knew to answer so skilfully to all their questions, that they could not be discovering his very specific mission. He then asked the permission to retire in his place and inquired whether they have something to recommend to His Imperial Majesty. He hoped to be by him the next morning, and would do for them such faithful services.

They asked him, when he travelled through Toul, if he knew that troops from Verdun have come there, led by a certain Vieilleville. He then answered: ”Oh! These damned french frogs! He recently left Estain which he attacked, hanged one of my brothers, who was with my uncle and was officer there, because he has helped the Spaniards escape over the city walls. May he be plagued! If it did not cost me my life, I would have revenged myself against him; for the injustice committed was too great! We are all bound to do anything to serve our Lord, as it is our case with the Emperor and my Duchess. For if two of these Lords were captured; hence, people may learn about many secret actions to be done for His Imperial Majesty. And this enraged man has killed my poor brother, and he could not hide his bad deeds otherwise than by breaking the neutrality. May he be damned eternally!”

Fabricio Colonna and Don Alfonso who knew very well about Vieilleville’s expeditions and knew particularly this last detail, praised him highly. They took him aside and promised him to avenge the death of his brother, if he would do whatever they will ask to him. He answered, that he would not spare his life in that respect; however, he previously asked them to see the Emperor to bring him over the message from his Duchess. They asked him why he did not have any letter. “Because,” he said, “my message contained certain state secrets about the King of France. If I do not care now about transmitting the content of these letters; hence, I could put the whole province in jeopardy, for if I am caught, such letters would constitute a breach of neutrality, and I would also run the danger of being hanged, or at least, tortured!?”. They allowed themselves to be content with such explanation, and as they already believed to have won him to their cause, they had him led back to his place of stay, with the order to open him the gate of Metz at the earliest morning, without inquiring further about his occupations.