in 



CHAP. XI.] 



THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR. 



263 



history. The main action began by a desperate cavalry 

 combat which took place on the right of the Swedish 

 army, where Gustavus Adolphus and Pappenheim, at 

 the head of the rival masses of horsemen, charged 

 furiously against each other. After close hand-to-hand 

 fighting, Pappenheim and his heavy cuirassiers were 

 di'iven headlong from the fio]d. Gustavus, wheeling 

 from the pursuit, captured the Imperial artillery and 

 turned their fire upon the heavy masses of his infantry 

 in the centre. 



In the meantime, Furstenburg, at the head of the 

 Imperial right wing, had defeated the Saxon army of 

 allies, which was formed upon the Swedish left, and 

 drove them, completely beaten, in confusion from the 

 field. Tilly could not restrain his troops in the pursuit, 

 and Gustavus, taking advantage of their absence, 

 attacked the uncovered flank of the enemy's centre and 

 routed it. Furstenburg soon rallied his victorious troops, 

 and returned with about 8,000 men to fall upon the 

 Swedish left. The second line was moved up to support 

 the flank and placed en potence, and the reserve also 

 arriving to their assistance, the battle was restored in 

 that ^art of the plain. By this time the day was fast 

 waning. The Imperial centre was broken, its left wing 

 driven from the field, and the victory w^as almost won. 

 The fighting was however gallantly maintained by the 

 Imperial cavalry. Four troops of cuirassiers at this 

 crisis charged up to the very heads of the Swedish pikes, 

 and, with their pistols, picked off" every ensign in Lums- 

 den's regrn'.ent ; but it was all in vain. The Swedes 

 doubled thv. ''- front by moving up the three rear ranks 

 between the i,hree front, so that the infantry assumed a 

 formation three deep, and the first rank kneeling, the 

 second stooping, and the third standing erect, they 

 poured in a heavy and well-sustained fire, while the 

 cavalry attacked the flanks and rear of the veteran troops 

 which still maintained the fight along the enemy's 

 position.* 



It was a most decisive victory ; the loss in Tilly's 



' Chapman, 263. 



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