For a few minutes there was a
tremendous hand-to-hand conflict, but the valour and strength of
the Scotch 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.
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