A numerous French army, commanded by Marshals Villars and Boufflers, took up a position at _Malplaquet_, and strengthened the post by entrenchments and other works of art. The Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene had confidence in the valour and perseverance of the troops under their orders, and they attacked the enemy's formidable position on the 11th of September, on which occasion the heroic valour of the troops was conspicuous; the enemy's entrenchments and _abatis-de-bois_ were stormed with distinguished gallantry, the determined resistance of the French was overcome, and another trophy was acquired; but with the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, including the Colonel of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, Brigadier-General DE LALO, who was killed at the head of a brigade, and his fall was much regretted. In addition to the loss of its Colonel, the regiment had also Captains Monroe, Wemys, and Farley killed; Captains Montressor and Lowther wounded. After the death of Brigadier-General de Lalo, Viscount Mordaunt was re-appointed on the 4th of September to the colonelcy of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Twenty-eighth regiment. The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of _Mons_, which was terminated by the surrender of the garrison on the 20th of October; when the regiment marched into quarters. [Sidenote: 1710] On the 14th of April, 1710, the regiment marched out of its winter-quarters towards the frontiers of France, and was engaged in the movements by which the French lines were passed at _Pont-à-Vendin_: it was afterwards selected to take part in the siege of _Douay_, where it performed much severe service. It was employed in carrying on the approaches, in storming the outworks, and other duties connected with the siege, and sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded. The garrison beat a parley on the 25th of June, and afterwards surrendered the fortress. After the capture of Douay, the regiment was employed in covering the siege of _Bethune_, which place was surrendered in August. The regiment was also with the covering army during the sieges of _St. Venant_ and _Aire_; the former place surrendered on the 30th of September, and the latter on the 9th of November. Viscount Mordaunt died this year, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Meredith, from the Thirty-seventh regiment. This officer was succeeded, in December, by Major-General the Earl of Orrery, from a newly-raised regiment, which was afterwards disbanded. [Sidenote: 1711]