After the capture of Venloo, the regiment was employed in the siege of the fortress of _Ruremonde_, which was captured in a short time; and Stevenswart having also been reduced by a detachment from the covering army, the navigation of the Maese was thus cleared of the enemy up to Maestricht. Rejoining the main army after this achievement, the regiment advanced towards the city of _Liège_, the French forces retiring as the British approached, but leaving a strong garrison in the citadel and Chartreuse. The ROYAL IRISH regiment was employed in the siege of the citadel of Liège, and its grenadier company had the honour to take part in the capture of that fortress by storm, on the 23rd of October, when the British soldiers highly distinguished themselves. They were permitted to appropriate a large quantity of dollars and silver plate, captured on this occasion, to their own use. From the pleasant valley of Liège, the regiment commenced its march, on the 3rd of November, back to Holland, and passed the winter in garrison at Huesden. [Sidenote: 1703] Quitting its winter quarters in April, 1703, the regiment traversed the country to Maestricht, and was in position near that city when the French forces, under Marshals Villeroy and Boufflers, made a sudden advance to surprise the British troops in their quarters, but were defeated in their design. The DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH assembled the army near Maestricht, and the ROYAL IRISH regiment was formed in brigade with the eighth, thirteenth, seventeenth, and thirty-third, under its colonel, Brigadier-General F. Hamilton; and it advanced with the army towards Tongres, when the French quitted their post and eventually retired within their fortified lines, where the English General was desirous of attacking them, but was prevented by the Dutch commanders and field deputies. The services of the regiment were afterwards connected with the siege of _Huy_, which fortress was captured in ten days. The ROYAL IRISH regiment formed part of the covering army during the siege of _Limburg_, which was commenced on the 10th of September, and on the 27th of that month the Governor surrendered. Spanish Guelderland being thus delivered from the power of France, the Dutch were freed from the danger of an invasion. After taking part in these services the regiment marched to Breda: during the severe frosts of winter it proceeded to Bergen-op-Zoom, to reinforce the garrison of that fortress, and afterwards returned to Breda, from whence it detached three hundred men to Maestricht, to join the garrison of that city, while the Dutch soldiers were working at the entrenchments on the heights of Petersberg. [Sidenote: 1704]