The FOURTH HORSE were called from their cantonments in the spring of 1692, to engage in active operations; and they formed part of the army commanded by King William in person, which advanced to the relief of Namur, when that fortress was besieged by the French. But on arriving at the banks of the Mehaine, that river was found impassable from heavy rains; the enemy arriving on the opposite bank, the two armies viewed each other across the river, but no action took place; and while the army was thus delayed, Namur fell into the hands of the enemy. The FOURTH HORSE were subsequently engaged in several manœuvres; and they took part in the attack of the French in their position near _Steenkirk_, on the 3rd of August. On this occasion they formed part of the leading column which, after passing along several narrow defiles and through some woody grounds, deployed on a small plain in front of the enemy, and commenced the attack in gallant style; but not being sustained by the main army, the corps in advance, after gaining considerable advantage and displaying great valour, were obliged to retire. The FOURTH HORSE, after driving back some French squadrons, had advanced to the right skirts of a wood on the left wing, and their gallant bearing, under a heavy fire which thinned the ranks, was conspicuous; but they were eventually forced from their ground by the torrent of superior numbers which came pouring down upon their front. The King ordered a retreat, and the troops performed the difficult operation of retiring through a broken country in presence of an army of superior numbers, in fine order. After several marches and changes of position, the regiment proceeded to Ghent, where it was joined by a draft of men and horses from the Princess Anne's Horse, commanded by Colonel Francis Langston,--a regiment which, having suffered severely at Steenkirk, was discontinued on the establishment of the army, and the few remaining men and horses were transferred to other corps.[17] [Sidenote: 1693] Leaving their cantonments in the spring of 1693, the FOURTH HORSE again took the field, and were with the army in Park camp,--a strong post which covered Louvain, Malines, and Brussels,--and the occupation of this ground enabled King William to defeat the designs of the enemy on Brabant. The FOURTH HORSE were subsequently engaged in several manœuvres, designed to insure the preservation of the bishopric of Liege, and to raise the siege of Huy,--a strong town, pleasantly situated in a valley on the Maese; but this fortress was surrendered while the troops were marching to its relief, and the governor was brought to trial for surrendering it.