Inspirited
by the arrival of the reinforcements, and burning to turn what had
just appeared a defeat into a victory, the Imperialists advanced
with such ardour that the Swedes were driven back, the guns on
the hills recaptured, and it seemed that in this terrible battle
victory was at last to declare itself in favour of the Imperialists.
It needed only the return of Pappenheim from the pursuit of the
Swedish right to decide the day, but Pappenheim was not to come.
Though driven back by the first impetuous charge of the Imperial
cavalry, the Swedes under Stalhaus, reinforced by the Scottish
regiments under Henderson, stubbornly opposed their further attacks.
While leading his men forward Pappenheim fell with two musketballs
through his body. While lying there the rumour for the first time
reached him that Gustavus had been killed. When upon inquiry the
truth of the rumour was confirmed, the eyes of the dying man lighted
up.
"Tell Wallenstein," he said to the officer nearest to him, "that I
am lying here without hope of life, but I die gladly, knowing, as
I now know, that the irreconcilable enemy of my faith has fallen
on the same day."
The Imperialists, discouraged by the fall of their general, could
not withstand the ardour with which the Swedes and Scottish infantry
attacked them, and the cavalry rode from the field. Elsewhere the
battle was still raging.
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