Monthly Mercury in London, Middlesex

Siege Preparations and Night Assault Tactics in August 1693

The report details a plan to besiege enemy lines with 600 Bavins for battalions and 300 for squadrons to mislead both armies. Due to bad weather the night march was delayed to August 28. Luxembourg moves with stealth in six columns, crossing rivers and hedges, posting troops to guard bridges, and erecting entrenches to secure the camp while King William uses darkness to maximize the seizure of positions. The English observer notes the enemy’s rapid accumulation of forces and Luxembourg’s countermeasures, including feints, bridges, and selective assaults on Wanven to expose the enemy flank.