Gustavus called his generals together and informed them of the
news. Learning that Lutzen was but five miles distant -- as it
turned out, a mistaken piece of information, as it was nearly twice
as far -- he ordered that the men should take some food, and then
wheeling to the left, push on towards Lutzen.
It was not until some time later that Wallenstein learned from the
Imperial scouts that Gustavus was upon him. It was then nearly five
o'clock in the evening, and darkness was at hand. Considering the
heavy state of the roads, and the fact that Gustavus would have in
the last three miles of his march to traverse a morass crossed by
a bridge over which only two persons could pass abreast, he felt
confident that the attack could not be made until the following
morning.
Mounted messengers were sent in all directions to bring up his troops
from the villages in which they were posted, and in the meantime
the troops stationed around Lutzen were employed in preparing
obstacles to hinder the advance of the Swedes. On either side of
the roads was a low swampy country intersected with ditches, and
Wallenstein at once set his men to work to widen and deepen these
ditches, which the troops as they arrived on the ground were to
occupy. All night the troops laboured at this task.
In the meantime Gustavus had found the distance longer and the
difficulties greater than he had anticipated; the roads were so
heavy that it was with difficulty that the artillery and ammunition
wagons could be dragged along them, and the delay caused by the
passage of the morass was very great.
Pages:
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289