The soldiers in these returned the fire
with their muskets, and the smoke served as a cover to conceal them
from the enemy.
In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company
across the bridge. These, in spite of the fire, crossed the plank
over the broken arch and reached the head of the bridge, from whence
they kept up so heavy a fire upon the gunners and musketeers in
the lower works by the river that they forced them to quit their
posts, and so enabled Sir James Ramsay and Sir John Hamilton to
effect a landing.
Major Bothwell, his brother, and the greater part of his followers
were, however, slain by the Imperialists' fire from above. The
commandant of the castle now sallied out and endeavoured to recapture
the works by the water, but the Scotch repelled the attack and drove
the enemy up the hill to the castle again. The Scottish troops
having thus effected a lodgment across the river, and being protected
by the rocks from the enemy's fire, lay down for the night in the
position they had won.
Gustavus during the night caused planks to be thrown across the broken
bridge and prepared to assault at daybreak. Just as morning was
breaking, a Swedish officer with seven men climbed up the hill to
reconnoitre the castle, and found to his surprise that the drawbridge
was down, but a guard of 200 men were stationed at the gate.
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