and the FOURTH HORSE took many prisoners, with the STANDARD[33] AND KETTLE-DRUMS OF BAVARIAN GUARDS, and the Elector and Marshal Villeroy narrowly escaped.[34] After this noble exploit the FOURTH HORSE, having detached a party to the rear with the prisoners and cannon, continued the pursuit throughout the night until two o'clock of the following morning, making additional captures of men, artillery, and ammunition waggons, until the troopers and their horses were exhausted with the extraordinary exertions and fatigues they had undergone. Thus was one of the best-appointed and most gallant armies which France ever brought into the field nearly destroyed, and the reputation of the British troops and their distinguished leader exalted; while the result of the victory was the deliverance from the power of the enemy of an extent of territory exceeding the most sanguine expectation. After a few days' repose the FOURTH HORSE were detached with other troops to summon several towns and fortresses in the Spanish Netherlands; many places surrendered immediately, and renounced their allegiance to the Duke of Anjou; other towns, overawed by French garrisons, stood short sieges, but were captured before the end of the campaign, when the regiment went into quarters. [Sidenote: 1707] Early in the spring of 1707 the losses of the FOURTH HORSE during the preceding campaign were replaced by a remount of 60 men and 94 horses from England;[35] at the same time the regiment was again supplied with ARMOUR,[36] and when it took the field it once more appeared as a corps of CUIRASSIERS. In the early part of the campaign it was encamped on the banks of the little river Sienne, and subsequently near Meldert. It was employed in several manœuvres designed to bring on a general engagement, which the French cautiously avoided. They ventured, for a short time, to encamp in front of the fortified lines which had served for a defence to their frontiers during the preceding war; but they made a precipitate retreat upon the advance of the allies, who continued in the field until the autumn, when they separated into quarters. [Sidenote: 1708] The winter having been passed by the FOURTH HORSE amongst the hardy Belgians, they left Flanders in May, 1708, and proceeding to the vicinity of Brussels were formed in brigade with the Duke of Schomberg's regiment (now Seventh Dragoon Guards), commanded by Brigadier-General Sybourg. They were afterwards engaged in several operations in Brabant and Hainault; while the enemy, taking advantage of the absence of the troops from Ghent and Bruges, obtained possession, by treachery, of these two towns, which had been the winter quarters of the English forces. A series of movements at length brought on the battle of _Oudenarde_, which was fought on the 11th of July in the inclosures near the banks of the Scheldt.