The History of the Thirty Years' WarSchiller, Friedrich
History
The History of the Thirty Years' War
Schiller, Friedrich
Europe -- History -- 1517-1648; Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
The mournful tidings soon ran through the Swedish army; but instead of
destroying the courage of these brave troops, it but excited it into a
new, a wild, and consuming flame. Life had lessened in value, now that
the most sacred life of all was gone; death had no terrors for the
lowly since the anointed head was not spared. With the fury of lions
the Upland, Smaeland, Finland, East and West Gothland regiments rushed
a second time upon the left wing of the enemy, which, already making
but feeble resistance to General Horn, was now entirely beaten from the
field. Bernard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, gave to the bereaved Swedes a noble
leader in his own person; and the spirit of Gustavus led his victorious
squadrons anew. The left wing quickly formed again, and vigorously
pressed the right of the Imperialists. The artillery at the windmills,
which had maintained so murderous a fire upon the Swedes, was captured
and turned against the enemy. The centre, also, of the Swedish infantry,
commanded by the duke and Knyphausen, advanced a second time against
the trenches, which they successfully passed, and retook the battery of
seven cannons. The attack was now renewed with redoubled fury upon
the heavy battalions of the enemy's centre; their resistance became
gradually less, and chance conspired with Swedish valour to complete the
defeat. The imperial powder-waggons took fire, and, with a tremendous
explosion, grenades and bombs filled the air. The enemy, now in
confusion, thought they were attacked in the rear, while the Swedish
brigades pressed them in front. Their courage began to fail them. Their
left wing was already beaten, their right wavering, and their artillery
in the enemy's hands. The battle seemed to be almost decided; another
moment would decide the fate of the day, when Pappenheim appeared on
the field, with his cuirassiers and dragoons; all the advantages already
gained were lost, and the battle was to be fought anew.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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