Their approach was entirely unobserved, and they
effected an entrance into the town.
Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three
hundred Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel
Gratz, son of the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them.
Taken by surprise the Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly,
and eighty of the Scots fell under the fire of their musketry. But
the pikemen charged home; Colonel Gratz was killed, with many of
his men, and the rest taken prisoners. Hepburn marching on behind
heard the din of musketry and pressed forward; before reaching the
town he found a place in the swamp sufficiently firm to enable his
men to march across it, and, turning off, he led his troops between
the town and the redoubt, and then attacked the latter in the rear
where its defences were weak, and after three minutes' fighting
with its surprised and disheartened garrison the latter surrendered.
The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a
lodgment in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by
the force of Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry
under Marshal Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro
to say that he was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The
drummer was sent to Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should
be allowed to march away with the honours of war, taking their
baggage and effects with them.
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