A short distance in his front was the village of Podelwitz. Behind
his position were two elevations, on which he placed his guns,
forty in number. In rear of these elevations was a very thick wood.
The Imperialist right was commanded by Furstenberg, the left by
Pappenheim, the centre by Tilly himself. Although he had yielded
to his generals so far as to take up a position on the plain, Tilly
was resolved, if possible, not to fight until the arrival of the
reinforcements; but the rashness of Pappenheim brought on a battle. To
approach the Austrian position the Swedes had to cross the little
river Loder, and Pappenheim asked permission of Tilly to charge them
as they did so. Tilly consented on condition that he only charged
with two thousand horse and did not bring on a general engagement.
Accordingly, as the Scottish brigade under Sir James Ramsay crossed
the Loder, Pappenheim swept down upon them.
The Scots stood firm, and with pike and musket repelled the attack;
and after hard fighting Pappenheim was obliged to fall back,
setting fire as he retired to the village of Podelwitz. The smoke
of the burning village drifted across the plain, and was useful to
the Swedes, as under its cover the entire army passed the Loder,
and formed up ready for battle facing the Imperialists position,
the movement being executed under a heavy fire from the Austrian
batteries on the hills.
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