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nearly every point； formed themselves in several lines on the side to
which they crossed； and then extended themselves at their ease； without
receiving the slightest opposition。 This is exact truth； but without any
appearance of being so； and posterity will with difficulty believe it。
It was nearly eight o'clock before all these dispositions； which our
troops saw made without moving； were completed。 Prince Eugene with his
army had the right； the Duke of Marlborough the left。 The latter thus
opposed to the forces of Tallard； and Prince Eugene to those of Marsin。
The battle commenced； and in one part was so far favourable to us that
the attack of Prince Eugene was repulsed by Marsin； who might have
profited by this circumstance but for the unfortunate position of our
right。 Two things contributed to place us at a disadvantage。 The second
line； separated by the quagmire I have alluded to from the first line；
could not sustain it properly； and in consequence of the long bend it was
necessary to make round this quagmire； neither line； after receiving or
making a charge； could retire quickly to rally and return again to the
attack。 As for the infantry； the twenty…six battalions shut up in
Blenheim left a great gap in it that could not fail to； be felt。 The
English； who soon perceived the advantage they might obtain from this
want of infantry； and from the difficulty with which our cavalry of the
right was rallied； profited by these circumstances with the readiness of
people who have plenty of ground at their disposal。 They redoubled their
charges； and to say all in one word； they defeated at their first attack
all this army； notwithstanding the efforts of our general officers and of
several regiments to repel them。 The army of the Elector； entirely
unsupported； and taken in flank by the English； wavered in its turn。
All the valour of the Bavarians； all the prodigies of the Elector； were
unable to remedy the effects of this wavering。 Thus was seen； at one and
the same time； the army of Tallard beaten and thrown into the utmost
disorder； that of the Elector sustaining itself with great intrepidity；
but already in retreat； and that of Marsin charging and gaining ground
upon Prince Eugene。 It was not until Marsin learnt of the defeat of
Tallard and of the Elector； that he ceased to pursue his advantages； and
commenced his retreat。 This retreat he was able to make without being
pursued。
In the mean time the troops in Blenheim had been twice attacked； and had
twice repulsed the enemy。 Tallard had given orders to these troops on no
account to leave their positions； nor to allow a single man even to quit
them。 Now； seeing his army defeated and in flight； he wished to
countermand these orders。 He was riding in hot haste to Blenheim to do
so； with only two attendants； when all three were surrounded； recognised；
and taken prisoners。
These troops shut up in Blenheim had been left under the command of
Blansac； camp…marshal； and Clerembault； lieutenant…general。 During the
battle this latter was missed； and could nowhere be found。 It was known
afterwards that； for fear of being killed； he had endeavoured to escape
across the Danube on horseback attended by a single valet。 The valet
passed over the river in safety； but his master went to the bottom。
Blansac； thus left alone in command； was much troubled by the disorders
he saw and heard； and by the want which he felt of fresh orders。 He sent
a messenger to Tallard for instructions how to act； but his messenger was
stopped on the road； and taken prisoner。 I only repeat what Blansac
himself reported in his defence； which was equally ill…received by the
King and the public； but which had no contradictors； for nobody was
witness of what took place at Blenheim except those actually there； and
they all； the principals at least； agreed in their story。 What some of
the soldiers said was not of a kind that could altogether be relied upon。
While Blansac was in this trouble； he saw Denonville； one of our officers
who had been taken prisoner； coming towards the village； accompanied by
an officer who waved a handkerchief in the air and demanded a parley。
Denonville was a young man； very handsome and well made； who being a
great favourite with Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne had become
presumptuous and somewhat audacious。 Instead of speaking in private to
Blansac and the other principal officerssince he had undertaken so
strange a missionDenonville； who had some intellect； plenty of fine
talk； and a mighty opinion of himself； set to work haranguing the troops；
trying to persuade them to surrender themselves prisoners of war； so that
they might preserve themselves for the service of the King。 Blansac； who
saw the wavering this caused among the troops； sharply told Denonville to
hold his tongue； and began himself to harangue the troops in a contrary
spirit。 But it was to late。 The mischief was done。 Only one regiment；
that of Navarre； applauded him； all the rest maintained a dull silence。
I remind my readers that it is Blansac's version of the story I am
giving。
Soon after Denonville and his companion had returned to the enemy； an
English lord came； demanding a parley with the commandant。 He was
admitted to Blansac； to whom he said that the Duke of Marlborough had
sent him to say that he had forty battalions and sixty pieces of cannon
at his disposal； with reinforcements to any extent at command； that he
should surround the village on all sides； that the army of Tallard was in
flight； and the remains of that of the Elector in retreat； that Tallard
and many general officers were prisoners； that Blansac could hope for no
reinforcements； and that； therefore； he had better at once make an
honourable capitulation； and surrender； himself with all his men
prisoners of war； than attempt a struggle in which he was sure to be
worsted with great loss。 Blansac wanted to dismiss this messenger at
once； but the Englishman pressed him to advance a few steps out of the
village； and see with his own eyes the defeat of the Electoral army； and
the preparations that were made on the other side to continue the battle。
Blansac accordingly； attended by one of his officers； followed this lord；
and was astounded to see with his own eyes that all he had just heard was
true。 Returned into Bleinheim； Blansac assembled all his principal
officers； made them acquainted with the proposition that had been made；
and told them what he had himself seen。 Every one comprehended what a
frightful shock it would be for the country when it learnt that they had
surrendered themselves prisoners of war； but all things well considered；
it was thought best to accept these terms； and so preserve to the King
the twenty…six battalions and the twelve squadrons of dragoons who were
there。 This terrible capitulation was at once； therefore； drawn up and
signed by Blansac； the general officers； and the heads of every corps
except that of Navarre； which was thus the sole one which refused。
The number of prisoners that fell to the enemy in this battle was
infinite。 The Duke of Marlborough took charge of the most distinguished；
un