CHAP. XI.] 



THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR. 



265 



king's line.' Being unsupported in time, however, by 

 their cav ahy, wliich had been decayed 1 )y the obstructions 

 of the ground, they were obliged to fall baek. 



The braA^e Swedish king, at the head of the cavalry of 

 his right wing, had already attacked and dispersed the 

 lightly mounted Poles and Croats, who were posted on 

 the enemy's left, and their disorderly flight had carried 

 confusion among tlie remainder of the cavalry. At this 

 moment he was informed of the repulse of his infantry 

 in the centre, and committing to General Horn the con- 

 duct of the pursuit of the hostile horsemen, he at once 

 led the regiment of Steinbock cuirassiers to the support 

 of his centre and left, which were being hardly pressed. 

 lie outstripped his followers, and arriving at the decisive 

 point, rode forward to reconnoitre the best place to 

 attack. Unfortunately he advanced too close to the 

 enemy's ranks, and was wounded in the left arm. Soon 

 after, a second shot l)rought him down from Lis horse, 

 and a body of Croats charging, killed him as he lay 

 mortally wounded upon the ground.^ 



The Swedes, inflamed with rage at the loss of their 

 dearly loved monarch, attacked with such fury that the 

 whole Imperial army was being pressed back at every 

 point, and the victory was almost decided. At this 

 important crisis, Pappenheim, the fiery cavalry officer, 

 the hardest fighter in the Austrian service, appeared 

 upon the field with his cuirassiers and dragoons. He 

 was at Halle, a considerable distance from the field of 

 battle, the evening before, when he received a despatch 

 from Wallenstein to hurry up with all speed to the scene 

 of action. On receipt of the order, his men were en- 

 gaged in sacking the town. He instantly sounded " to 

 horse," and set out at speed at the head of his cavalry, 

 ordering the infantry and artillery to follow as fast as 

 they could be got together. 



His arrival in the battle at once changed the aspect 

 of affairs. He rallied the fugitives, and led them again 

 to the charge, aided by his own horsemen. His im- 

 j)etu(ms bravery carried him furiously into the thickest 



' Chapman, .375. 



■^ Schiller, 238. 



