It is to him, alone, that the defeat at Oudenarde is due.

The French soldiers fought as well as ever, and it was the position in which they were placed, and not the superior fighting powers of the enemy, that caused their defeat." "But how is it," the baron asked, "that with, as I hear, one hundred and ten thousand men, Vendome does not raise the siege of Lille?
It seems incredible that, with so great a force, he should remain inactive while the enemy are carrying out their works for the siege." "That I cannot tell you, sir.

We heard all sorts of rumours at Amiens, but it seems that Marlborough had taken up a strong position, and entrenched himself there with seventy thousand men, while Eugene is conducting the siege operations." "I don't understand it," the baron said, irritably.

"There must be more ways of marching to Lille than one.

If one road is barred, why not advance by another?
The Duke of Burgundy is not with the army now, so the blame cannot be put on him." "No, sir; but Berwick's army is still, as I hear, under his independent command, and the duke, excellent soldier as he is, is not one to be easily led.