CHAPTER XVI. 



Early part of Eighteenth Century. — Campaigns 

 OP Marlborough and Prince Eugene. 



The Duke of Marlborough and his friend and ally 

 Prince Eugene of Savoy were two of the most celebrated 

 generals in the history of war, and both made a very 

 effective use of their cavalry in action. The most 

 important and decisive battle of the time was won by 

 their combined efforts at Hochstadt, or Blenheim, on the 

 13th of August, 1704. 



This battle was decided almost altogether by the 

 judicious use of the cavalry of the allied army, which 

 was very numerous, and of a very fair quality. It is 

 computed that in Marlborough and Eugene's combined 

 army there were 32,000 infantry, and about 20,000 

 cavalry ; while in the French army there were 82 

 battalions, and 152 squadrons, making in all 56,000 

 troops. Marshal Tallard, who commanded the French 

 forces, drew up his army in a strong position behind the 

 river Nebel, while his right was posted in the village of 

 Blenheim, and so rested on the river Danube. His 

 centre lay on sloping ground, and was composed almost 

 altogether of his cavalry, which to the number of about 

 fifty squadrons held the line from Blenheim to Ober- 

 glaugh. The cavalry of the Elector's army, being placed 

 on the right, brought nearly all of that force together in 

 the centre. The infnntry were placed in great force in 

 the village of Blenheim, which Tallard evidently con- 

 sidered the key of the position. The army was drawn 



