So furious was their charge that
the greater part of the defenders of the battery were cut down.
The guns were spiked, and the cavalry, having accomplished their
purpose, charged down the hill, cut their way through the suburb,
and regained the town.
This gallant exploit deranged the plans of the Swedes. Gustavus
reconnoitred the town accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, and by the
advice of that officer decided upon a fresh plan of operations.
Hepburn pointed out to him that by taking possession of the angle
formed by the confluence of the Wermitz and Danube to the west of
the town the bridge crossing from Donauworth into Bavaria would be
completely commanded, and the garrison would be cut off from all
hope of escape and of receiving relief from Bavaria.
The plan being approved, Hepburn drew off his brigade with its
artillery, and marching five miles up the Danube crossed the river
at the bridge of Hassfurt, and descended the opposite bank until he
faced Donauworth. He reached his position at midnight, and placed
his cannon so as to command the whole length of the bridge, and
then posted his musketeers in the gardens and houses of a suburb
on the river, so that their crossfire also swept it.
The pikemen were drawn up close to the artillery at the head of
the bridge. Quietly as these movements were performed the garrison
took the alarm, and towards morning the duke, finding his retreat
intercepted, sallied out at the head of eight hundred musketeers
to cut his way through; but as the column advanced upon the bridge
the Green Brigade opened fire, the leaden hail of their musketeers
smote the column on both sides, while the cannon ploughed lanes
through it from end to end.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205