So active and watchful were
the Croats that these enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to
enable his men to move with celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of
infantry on horseback. Thus they were enabled to get over the ground
quickly, and if attacked they dismounted and fought on foot.
To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so
useful were they found that the institution was adopted in other
armies, and dragoons became a recognized portion of every military
force. In time the custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was
gradually abandoned, and dragoons became regular cavalry; but in
modern times the utility of Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry
has been again recognized, and in all the small wars in which England
has been engaged bodies of mounted infantry have been organized.
Ere long mounted infantry will again become a recognized arm of
the service.
But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion
of the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness.
There was nothing to be done save to clean and furbish their arms
and armour; to stand on the ramparts and gaze on the distant heights
of the Alte Veste, to watch the solid columns of the Imperial army,
which from time to time Wallenstein marched down from his stronghold
and paraded in order of battle, as a challenge to the Swedes
to come out and fight, or to loiter through the narrow streets of
Nuremberg, and to talk to the citizens, whose trade and commerce
were now entirely at a standstill.
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