Noon
But as I was not present in that calamitous Battle , I shall relate it , as I received it from an Officer then in the Duke 's Army . To bring the Lord _ Galway _ to a Battle , in a Place most commodious for his purpose , the Duke made use of this Stratagem : He ordered two _ Irishmen _ , both Officers , to make their way over to the Enemy as Deserters ; putting this Story in their Mouths , that the Duke of _ Orleans _ was in a full March to join the Duke of _ Berwick _ with twelve thousand Men ; that this would be done in two Days , and that then they would find out the Lord _ Galway _ , and force him to Fight , where-ever they found him . Lord _ Galway _ , who at this Time lay before _ Villena _ , receiving this Intelligence from those well instructed Deserters , immediately rais 'd the Siege ; with a Resolution , by a hasty March , to force the Enemy to Battle , before the Duke of _ Orleans _ should be able to join the Duke of _ Berwick _ . To effect this , after a hard March of three long _ Spanish _ Leagues in the heat of the Day ; he appears a little after Noon in the face of the Enemy with his fatigu 'd Forces . Glad and rejoyc 'd at the Sight , for he found his Plot had taken ; _ Berwick _ , the better to receive him , draws up his Army in a half Moon , placing at a pretty good Advance three Regiments to make up the Centre , with express Order , nevertheless , to retreat at the very first Charge . All which was punctually observ 'd , and had its desired Effect ; For the three Regiments , at the first Attack gave way , and seemingly fled towards their Camp ; the _ English _ , after their customary Manner , pursuing them with Shouts and Hollowings . As soon as the Duke of _ Berwick _ perceiv 'd his Trap had taken , he order 'd his right and left Wings to close ; by which Means , he at once cut off from the rest of their Army all those who had so eagerly pursu 'd the imaginary Runaways .