This step, if successful, would place in the power of the republic and her ally a city of great importance and strength.

In every event the attempt would probably compel Farnese to raise the siege of Berg.
Leicester, accordingly, with "his brave troop of able and likely men"-- five thousand of the infantry being English--advanced as far as Doesburg.

This city, seated at the confluence of the ancient canal of Drusus and the Yssel, five miles above Zutphen, it was necessary, as a preliminary measure, to secure.

It was not a very strong place, being rather slightly walled with brick, and with a foss drawing not more than three feet of water.

By the 30th August it had been completely invested.
On the same night, at ten o'clock, Sir William Pelham, came to the Earl to tell him "what beastly pioneers the Dutchmen were." Leicester accordingly determined, notwithstanding the lord-marshal's entreaties, to proceed to the trenches in person.