Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-16
GALES aud Sketehts.
DEATH OF GUsrAvUs ADOLPHUs

DEATH OF GUSTAvUS ADOLPHUS
AT THE MEMORABLE BATTLE OF LUTzEN,
AS DESCRIBED BY HON. JOHN L. STE
VEINS IN HIS HISTORY OF GUsTAvUs
ADOLPHUs AND HIS TINES.
The Swedish annalists differ consider
ABLY as to the number of troops in battle
at Lutzen on the two sides. While abso-
lutte data on which to fix the number are
not attainable, the best-considered esti-
mate does not make the number of troops
under Gustavus Adolphus at Lutzen above
twenty thOusand,-less than those of the
Duke of Friedland prior to the arrival OF
the cavalry regiments of Pappenheim
early in the afternoon. Gustavus estimat-
ed the force of his enemy-under the re-
nowned commander Wallenstein, - ar
ranged in order of battle before the fight
began, at thirty thousand. 1t was prob
ably about twenty-five thousand prior to
being Joined by the troops at Pappenheim,
of which there were not less than nine
thousand in all, though the infantry regi-
ments did not arrive until the battle was
lost to the imperialists.
Inc hight pIUCccuiHS tHC oootiO wa.
very dark, and daylight. usually late at
| this season, was more in delay this morn
ing in consequence OF the thick fog which
covered the plains of Lutzen, rendering it
impossible for the Swedish army to move
to the attack very early, as the king had
intended. In the mean while he was ac-
tive in seeing that every thing was in
proper order. His army engaged in pray
er, and sang the song Of Luther, Our
God is for US strong fortress. after
which the king struck up another relig-
ious hymn, composed by himself.-"Fear
not, little flock" He was urged to put
on his armor, but he refused. The wound
which he had received at Dirscnau still
rendered the cuirass painful to him; and,
besides, he had become averse to its use,
regarding it, because of it's heaviness, a
relic of the Middle Age, which he had
nearly suppressed in his army. To the
advice for him to put it on now tor the
hot work before him he remarked, "God
is my cuirass," and, mounting his horse
without taking any refreshments, passed
through the ranks, and addressed his
Swedish soldiers.
| He then rode to the German regiments,
and addressed them.
Wallenstein made no harapgue to his
troops. He had adisagreeable voice, an
in the language of the "Memoirs" of
Richelieu. "by his sole presence, and the
severity OF his silence, seemed to make his
usual custom he would recompense them
or chastise them" In the morning he
caused mass to be celebrated before the
whole army. Very early he assembled
his generals before his carriage and gave
them his orders for the battle, in which he
reckoned to maintain his strong position.
For short time he rode his horse, but
his govt soon obliged him to be carried in
a sedan chair to the distant regiments. He
gave as the battle cry of his army the old
Catholic watchwOrds Jesus and Mary"
the same as at Breltenfeld by lilly.
The Swedes had for their battle words
God with u.s." Every soldier and officer
in the two armies cared for the success and
honor of their great commanders. All
were inflamed by warlike ardor, and
moved by the enthusiasm of religious
faith, the hope of distinction or the desire
of pillage. Never were two hostile ar
mics in presence more completely imbued
with all the varied passions and senti-
ments which render war terrible and give
it some tinge of glory. During most of
the forenoon the thick mist concealed from
each other the enemies who were about to
engage in the struggle for life or death
The light cavalry here and there on the
outskirts engaged in skirmishes until elev-
en- o'clock. when the fog began to dissi-
pate. Gustavus Adolphus could no longer
restrain his Impotence. Looking up to
heaven he exclaimed. Now. in the name
of God, onward! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
make us fight to-day for the glory of thy
holy name.' He then waved his sword
above his head and cried Forward I" He
let the cannon OF Duke Bernhard, on the
left wing open the fight. By the order of
Wallenslein the village of Lutzen was set
on fire to prevent his army beng out
tlanked on that side and to render the
smoke annoying to his enemy. Gustavus
himself led the Stenbock regiment of cav
airy to the attack, the whole line moving
forward at the same time. Received by a
tremendous fire from the imperial artil-
lery and the musketeers in the bitches,
they pressed forward with undaunted
courage, drove the musketeers from their
positions, passed the trenches of the Leip-
sic road. captured the battery. turned it
against the enemy and carried confusion
into the compact masses of the imperial
infantry. BY this irresistible onset of the
Swedes, three Of the five imperial br-
gades were routed; but, in the impetu-
osity of their movement, the Swedes
neglected to keep their ranks completely
closed. Wallenstein saw his danger. and
eXerted himself with wonderful rapidity
to save his imperiled infantry brigades
Aided by three regiments of cavalry, he
formed anew his disorganized troops, and
pressed vigorously into the Enclosed lines
of the victorious Swedes, retook the can
non, and after a desperate hand-to-hand
fight with sword, pike, and club, drove
the exhausted and outnumbered enemy
back over the trenches and the Leipsic
road. Thus after fearful slaughter the
two parties held positions at the centre
precisely as before the first assault was
made. While this bloody work had been
going on at the centre, the right wing of
the Swedes, led by the king himself, had
attacked the imperial left. The impetu-
GUS onset of the Finald cavalry quickly dis
persed the mounted Croats and Poles. and
these helped spread terror and confusion
among the rest of Wallenstein's cavalry
on that wing. As soon as the king had
received the intelligence of the recol of
his infantry at the centre, and also that his
left wing, under the sweeping fire of the