Oxenstiern was alarmed by the receipt of the mutinous demands of the
troops on the Danube, and was disgusted when he saw those demands
virtually supported by their general. His first thought was to
dismiss Duke Bernhard from the Swedish service; but he saw that if
he did so the disaffection might spread, and that the duke might
place himself at the head of the malcontents and bring ruin upon
the cause. He therefore agreed to bestow at once the Franconian
bishoprics upon him, and gave a pledge that Sweden would defend
him in that position.
He declined to make him generalissimo of all the armies, but appointed
him commander-in-chief of the forces south of the Maine. The duke
accepted this modification, and had no difficulty in restoring
order in the ranks of his army. But precious months had been wasted
before this matter was brought to a conclusion, and the month of
October arrived before the duke had completed all his preparations
and was in a position to move forward.
While the delays had been going on Altringer, having been joined
by the army of the Duke of Feria, quitted the line of the Danube,
in spite of Wallenstein's absolute order not to do so, and, evading
Horn and Birkenfeldt, marched into Alsace. The Swedish generals,
however, pressed hotly upon him, and finally drove him out of
Alsace. Ratisbon being left open by Altringer's disobedience to
Wallenstein's orders, Duke Bernhard marched upon that city without
opposition, and laid siege to it.
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