prevailed, and the regiment was the first to burst its way through the
ranks of the Imperialists, and then pressed on to attack the trenches
behind, held by the Walloon infantry. While the battle was raging in the
plain the Swedish cavalry, after driving away Furstenberg's horse, swept
round and charged the eminence in the rear of the Imperialists, cutting
down the artillerymen and capturing the cannon there.

These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, who
thus, taken between two fires--pressed hotly by the pikemen in
front, mown down by the cannon in their rear--lost heart and fled
precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg's
infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the woods in
the rear of their position.

The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the
cloud of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable to see
ten yards in front of them. The pursuit was taken up by their cavalry,
who pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall. So complete was the
defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could only muster 600 men to
accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim could get together but 1400
of his horsemen. Seven thousand of the Imperialists were killed, 5000
were wounded or taken prisoners. The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons
about 2000.

The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great bonfires
of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades. A hundred standards were
taken. Tilly had fought throughout the battle with desperate valour.
He was ever in the van of his infantry, and three times was wounded
by bullets and once taken prisoner, and only rescued after a desperate
conflict.

At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw
themselves around him and bore him from the field. The fierce old
soldier is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding the
slaughter and defeat of his infantry. Hitherto he had been invincible,
this being the first defeat he had suffered in the course of his long
military career. Great stores of provision and wine had been captured,
and the night was spent in feasting in the Swedish camp.

The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to
congratulate Gustavus on his victory. The latter was politic enough to
receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services the
Saxons had rendered. He intrusted to the elect