These, however, stood as firmly as their comrades in the centre
had done; and the Scottish musketeers, six deep, the three front
ranks kneeling, the three in rear standing, poured such heavy
volleys into the horsemen that these fell back in disorder; the
more confused perhaps, since volley firing was at that time peculiar
to the Swedish army, and the crashes of musketry were new to the
Imperialists.
As the cavalry fell back in disorder, Gustavus led his horse, who
had just returned from the pursuit of Pappenheim, against them.
The shock was irresistible, and Furstenberg's horse were driven
headlong from the field. But the Imperialist infantry, led by
Tilly himself, were now close at hand, and the roar of musketry
along the whole line was tremendous, while the artillery on both
sides played unceasingly.
Just as the battle was at the hottest the Swedish reserve came up
to the assistance of the first line, and Sir John Hepburn led the
Green Brigade through the intervals of the Swedish regiments into
action. Lord Reay's regiment was in front, and Munro, leading it
on, advanced against the solid Imperialist columns, pouring heavy
volleys into them. When close at hand the pikemen passed through
the intervals of the musketeers and charged furiously with levelled
pikes, the musketeers following them with clubbed weapons.
The gaps formed by the losses of the regiment at New Brandenburg and
the other engagements had been filled up, and two thousand strong
they fell upon the Imperialists.
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