Folios 171-181. Maximilian Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, to the King, dated at Ninove....

Folios 171-181. Maximilian Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, to the King, dated at Ninove. Encloses letters relative to operations against Charleroi: two letters of Castillo and two others that a French officer taken in the siege of Namur had on him. Hopes that while Charleroi continues to defend itself and the bad weather persists, the enemy will not try anything in Flanders. Also sends a letter that Monsieur de Louvigny wrote to his Counsellor of State Mayr on Italian affairs. Enclosures: (1) [Folios 172-173] Francisco del Castillo Fajardo, 2nd Marquis of Villadarias, dated at Charleroi on 24 September 1693. Reporting on events since the enemy appeared before Charleroi; that day at three o'clock the enemy launched three barques on one side, while the other side had already suffered a large breach. Provides details of the ongoing siege/attack and hopes that messengers he has sent to the Elector will return with news from him. (2) [Folios 174-175] Francisco del Castillo Fajardo, 2nd Marquis of Villadarias, dated at Charleroi on 26 September 1693. Further updates on the state of affairs in Charleroi: the enemy has advanced their trench from la Garenne to the opening of the ditch of the demi contregarde facing Paste; they continue to seek to chase them from that position; there are already three large and growing breaches of the bastions St Philipe and St Francois; expectations of the enemy attack around the Bastion of Darme. (3) Letter from [Quenau?] to Monsieur Filley the director of fortifications of the Meuse at Namur dated 26 September 1693 at the camp before Charleroi. Takes advantage of the visit of Monsieur Aubra to send news of the siege of Charleroi: they have taken the redoubt and breached two bastions; within the last hour they have attacked the redoubt of Darme and shortly await a great fire of musketry; the weather is so bad that they cannot see two steps in front of themselves; there were some 150 men in the redoubt and they killed few as they asked for quarters; there are few killed or injured on the French side. (4) [Folios 178-181] Letter from [Pernot?] dated at the field before Charleroi on 24 September 1693 at 8 in the morning, sent via Monsieur Aubras. Details the attacks on the redoubt and Darmee with the loss of very few men as the enemy surrendered after a few shots from the redoubt. [Folios 179-180 appear to belong to a different enclosure, possibly (3): speculates that Charleroi cannot hold out for more than another 8 days; invites the recipient to visit shortly after it is captured to attest to his joy before the 'patron'; speculates as to who will be given command of Charleroi and Mezieres and other military matters.]