He
was at once challenged, and, shouting "Sweden!" sprang with his men
on to the end of the drawbridge. The Imperialists tried in vain to
raise it; before they could succeed some companions of the Swedes
ran up, and, driving in the guard, took possession of the outer
court.
Almost at the same moment Ramsay's and Hamilton's regiments commenced
their assault on a strong outwork of the castle, which, after two
hours' desperate fighting, they succeeded in gaining. They then
turned its guns upon the gate of the keep, which they battered
down, and were about to charge in when they received orders from the
king to halt and retire, while the Swedish regiment of Axel-Lilly
and the Blue Brigade advanced to the storm.
The Scottish regiments retired in the deepest discontent, deeming
themselves affronted by others being ordered to the post of honour
after they had by their bravery cleared the way. The Swedish
troops forced their way in after hard fighting; and the Castle of
Marienburg, so long deemed impregnable, was captured after a few
hours' fighting. The quantity of treasure found in it was enormous,
and there were sufficient provisions to have lasted its garrison
for twenty years.
Immediately the place was taken, Colonel Sir John Hamilton advanced
to Gustavus and resigned his commission on the spot; nor did the
assurances of the king that he intended no insult to the Scotch
soldiers mollify his wrath, and quitting the Swedish service he
returned at once to Scotland.
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