YOu may see in this Map sent ouer from the Iland , by a Gentleman of quality , a true Description of the Cittadell or Fort , seated neere to the Towne of St. Martins , in the I le of Ree , beleaguered at this present by the the English Armie , vnder the commaund of the most illustrious Prince , the Duke of BVCKINGHAM . This place ( which is now held by Monsiur Thorax , and 1500. Frenchmen appointed for that Seruice ) is almost of a perfect Quadrangular forme , euerie point flanking one another , according to the precisest rules of Fortification . The Caualier or Keepe it selfe , is made of free stone , and hath without it a Counterscarfe of earth , the Rampiers whereof are about 18. foote high . Vnder this there lyes three halfe Moones , the points whereof are directed towards another Counterscarfe , which being the vttermost of all , is also made of stone , and serues for a circumuallation vnto the rest of the workes , being about an English mile in compasse . The ground vpon which it is seated , is for the most part sandie , onelie to the North side it stands on a hard rocke , which being enuironed with the Sea , makes the Fort vnapproachable of that side . The English entrench themselues vpon the three other Auenues , from the land side , and hauing drawne their approaches within the distance of Musket shot at point blanke , they haue raised diuers batteries vpon seuerall platformes to answere the Counterbatteries of the Enemies , vpon which the besieged haue planted tenne or twelue whole Cannons , besides manie other Peeces of Ordnance of the lesser size . And although our men seuerallie doe their duties , both Officers and common Souldiers three or foure dayes in a weeke , by watching in the Trenches , Approaches , and Batteries , yet they gaine ground still of the French , and thinke no labour too much , nor taske to heauie which may tend to the publick good , and to the seruice of their King and Countrie . Wherein they are encouraged by the presence of their Generall , who carries a Cudgel in one hand , and Coyne in the other , to punish the sloathfull , and to reward the vertuous . Most nights his Excellence walkes the first round personallie himselfe , and if hee findes anie man negligent in his dutie , he causeth him to suffer according to the qualitie of his offence for the good example of others . Monsieur Thorax the Gouernour of the Cittadell , offers to cleare himselfe of the horrible complot against the Duke , by seeking to murther him ( by his Minister ) with a Rauilliacke Knife . But notwithstanding all his Appologies and excuses the common suffrage of opinion hath found him guiltie of that ignoble crime . The French that are besieged hold in their hornes , and though they were verie daring at our first landing ; yet euer since they haue shewed themselues no hote-spurres , for they haue suffered themselues to be surrounded with our Intrenchments , and yet neuer made as much as one sallie . They are much distressed for want of Water , euer since their Conducts were cut off , so that they hang vp sheetes in the ayre , to take the raine-water that falls downe . Their prouision of victualls within is not great , and if wee may beleeue those Fugitiues which runne from them daily , the better sort of them eate horseflesh for great dainties . And which is worse , they are not like to be releeued in hast , all the Land-passes being quite blockt vp , and the Sea being so carefully kept by our Fleete , that a Skiffe or long-Boate cannot passe in without discouerie and surprisall : So that there is great hope ( if wee fasten our iudgements on probable coniectures ) that Famine or the Sword will maister this place , notwithstanding all reports and coniectures to the contrarie .

The Fort hath 1500 Men , beside Women and Children .