No More Learning

Magdeburg now wishes that she had done
yet more for her defense; but prudence
often comes too late, and after the whole
evil is accomplished. "
It was with such feelings of confidence
and mutual sympathy that they prepared
to receive the enemy. And they waited not
long. But instead of attacking the city,
Wallenstein established his camp opposite
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? 152 GusTAvus Adolphus.
to it, at less than a league's distance from
that of the Swedes, and in an impregnable
position. "Up to the present we have
had enough battles," said he; "I wish to
teacli the King of Sweden another mode
of warfare. "
He hoped to conquer the Swedes by
starving them. He was ignorant of the
resources that the city had furnished for
its defenders, and had not foreseen that he
and his army might be the first to suffer
from the scourge which he wished to draw
upon the enemy. The inhabitants of the
country around had fled, and borne all
away with them. The Duke of Friedland,
not findiug any thing for the feeding of his
army, was obliged to send to his ally, the
Elector of Bavaria, for provisions. In
order to supply their daily wants, the im-
perials disputed with the Swedes the little
provisions that yet remained in the coun-
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 153
try. Hence there followed frequent skir-
mishes, in which there was but little profit,
and a loss of time and men. The two
armies were thus exhausting themselves in
these fruitless struggles. Want began to
be felt on both sides, and contagion fol-
lowed in its train. So, only a few days
after the arrival of a re-inforcement of
forty thousand men, sent by Oxenstiern,
August 24, Gustavus Adolphus resolved
to attack the imperials in their camp, since
they refused battle. He hoped thus to
escape that slow agony which had been
diminishing the strength of his valiant
army for three months.
But the heights occupied by Wallen-
stein hurled out death by the mouths of
several hundred cannon, while . the assail-
ants made the most desperate efforts to
pass over that barrier of bullets and fire.
Exposed on all sides to the fire of an
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? 154 GusTAVus Adolphus.
enemy admirably sheltered beliind its in-
trenchments, the Swedes gained no inch
of space except to lose it a moment after.
The combat was terrible. Wallenstein had
his horse killed from under him, and a
cannon-ball grazed the sole of the boot
of the king. The battle raged with fury
until night. Gust ay us had two thousand
men less, and Wallenstein yet held his
position. The Swedish troops withdrew
in good order, the enemy not daring to fol-
low them.
The war of famine began afresh ; and
the laws of discipline were broken, even in
the Swedish camp. The German troops
first set the example, and the rest of the
army found the aggravation of their suffer-
ings sufficient reason for imitating them.
On hearing, through the complaints of the
maltreated peasantry, that his soldiers were
tarnishing their ancient reputation, and
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 155
causing the name Swede, which had ever
before been so much loved, to be now
hated, Gustavus was grievously afflicted,
and his displeasure fell upon the first au-
thors of these disorders. He called too;ether
the German princes and their officers. He
then talked to them with an extraordinary
measure of severity :
" Complaints are coming to me from all
sides," said he. " concernino^ the conduct of
our troops. The peo|)le say that their
friend, the King of Sweden, is doing them
more evil than their implacable enemy,
Wallenstein. The Swedes, say they, make
war like the Croatians. These reproaches
afflict my heart above all, knowing the
fact that they are only too well founded.
However, I am innocent of these disorders
-- I have ever forbidden them and severely
punished them. It is you, you miserable
Germans, who ravage your own country,
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? 156 GusTAvus Adolphus.
rob your fellow-citizens, and urge on to
despair your brethren in the faith, whom
you have sworn to protect ! Your pres-
ence recalls to me all vour infamies, and
my heart is stirred with indignation. You
horrify me ! If you were true Christians
at all, you would strive to do your duty
to your country and your brethren, and
you would recall to mind what I have
done for you. It is for you that I risk my
life and sacrifice my ease. It is for you
that I have depopulated my kingdom and
emptied my coffers. I have spent for you
immense sums of gold, and I have not re-
ceived of you, nor of all Germany, enough
to purchase a doublet. x\ll that God has
given me, I have given you without re-
serve, nor do I demand any thing of you
in return ; for I would rather return home
poor and naked than to enrich myself at
your expense.
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 157
" If you murmur, if you forget God and
honor enough to abandon me, I will sur-
round m3^self with my Swedes and my
Fins; we will defend ourselves to the last,
and the whole world shall see that, as a
Christian king, I would rather lose life
than sully by crime the sacred work
which God has intrusted to me. I pray
you, in the name of divine mercy, to look
within yourselves, to question your own
consciences. Kemember that you must ren-
der an account to God for your conduct,
and that you must one day appear before
the tribunal of that Judge who sees all
things. "
The situation of his army was no longer
tolerable. For a long time, the two armies
had been in presence of each other, and
Wallenstein remained ever within his in-
trenchments. The losses on both sides
were immense. The heat of dog-days in-
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? 158 GusTAvus Adolphus.
creased the general distress. The corpses
in both camps sent forth an infectious
odor, and provisions became every day
more rare. Deprived of food, and breath-
ing a pestilential air, the soldiers seemed
all condemned to perish, conquered by
disease and famine.
Gustavus could not impose so inglorious
and cruel death upon so many brave men.
On September 8, 1632, he left the territory
of Nuremberg, leaving a garrison in the
city sufficient to protect it from a surprise.
He passed slowly before the Austrian
camp, and awaited the enemy for four
hours. But Wallenstein stirred not. Ac-
customed to easy victories, he put off, as
long as possible, the meeting in battle with
that one whom he himself proclaimed to
be tlie hravest warrior and tlie most sMll-
ful general of the world. Himself, a man
without principles, whose onlv God and
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 159
law were cupidity and ambition, he made
war as a player, who, a long time success-
ful, fears to risk his whole fortune at a
single throw -- he was insolent to the feeble,
but timid before the strong.
Gustavus, despairing of bringing him
out, directed his course toward Windsheim
in Bavaria, in order to complete the con-
quest of that country, and penetrate far-
ther into Austria. Scarcely had he turned
his back than Wallenstein broke np his
camp, after having, according to his cus-
tom, marked his way by the burning of
several villages, and so manifested by this
terrible leave-taking what barbarous de-
signs he had had toward Nuremberg.
Of the sixty thousand men of which his
army was composed, he had only thirty-
six thousand left, of whom the Bavarians
formed a fourth part. The Swedes were
reduced to thirty thousand, and had left
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? 160 GrusTAvus Adolphus.
twenty thousand dead under the walls of
Nuremberg.
In order to insure the success of his
operations in Bavaria, Gustavus Adolphus
went to lay siege to Ingolstadt, hoping to
repair his former check, and to take from
Maximilian his surest asylum. Suddenly,
he learned that Wallen stein was laying
Saxony waste, and making it pay dearly
for its sympathy with the Swede. At
this news he again put aside the execution
of his plan and flew to the succor of his
ally.
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? CHAPTEK VII.
The Close of the Liee of Gustavus
Adolphus.
Eeturn of the Swedes into Saxony -- Victory and Death of Gus-
tavus Adolphus at Lutzeu -- His Administration in Sweden.
AFTER having joined his troops with
those of Bernard de Weimar, the
Kino; of Sweden marched ao:ainst the Duke
of Friedland, following the route of the
previous year, but in the opposite direc-
tion. Twenty thousand men, experienced
in former campaigns, were under his com-
mand. Every-where the people were hap-
py to see him again, and gave him a hearty
welcome. They never ceased admiring the
battalions in their imposing martial array,
with Gustavus at their head, riding in the
profoundest silence upon his large white
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? 162 GusTAvus Adolphus.
steed, not distinguishing himself from the
simple soldier, save by the long white
plume of his small gray hat, made after
the Swedish fashion.
When this valiant army stopped for
repose anywhere no disorderly conduct
whatever was observed. Men and their
possessions were every-where respected.
In Franconia and Thuringia the Swedes
prayed, morning and evening, with their
hosts and thanked them for their hospi-
tality. The Germans of these countries
looked upon the soldiers as members of
their own family, and separated from them
in tears.
A trifling event contributed particularly
to add to their appreciation of the good-
ness of the King of Sweden, and was looked
upon as a good omen for the future. Nor
is it forgotten among them to this day.
As he was passing through a certain sec-
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? GusTAVus Adolphus. 163
tion of the country, the king saw a bird
of prey pursuing a lark. Just as his atten-
tion was attracted to the scene, the little
persecuted bird flew down and lighted
upon his bosom. The king smilingly took
it, held it tenderly in his hands, and said,
"Poor little bird, may God protect you;"
then, when the bird of prey was flown
away, and the lark out of danger, he set it
free, thanking God for giving him even
this small opportunity for saving one of
his innocent creatures from persecution.
In this trifling event was plainly symbol-
ized the work which Gustavus Adolphus
accomplished. Austria, for Protestant Ger-
many, was a bird of prey, ready to devour
it ; and it was into his hands that it cast
itself, in order to recover its liberty.
At Erfart, Gustavus found the queen,
who was awaiting him there. She was so
anxious to see him that she hastened out
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? 164 GusTAvus Adolphus.
to meet Mm, which she did, in one of the
public squares of the city. But their re-
joicing could be but of short duration, for
Wallenstein was only a little way off from
Erfurt.
The next day, October 28, 1632, Gus-
tavus Adolphus called together the magis-
trates of the city, and addressed them in
the following words :
"I now confide to your care that which
I hold most precious upon earth, the queen,
my beloved wife. You know, sirs, that
every thing in this world is subject to vi-
cissitudes, and above all, war, that scourge
which God uses to chastise the perversity
of men. Just as to any other, some mis-
fortune may fall to my lot, perhaps death.
If such should be the will of God concern-
ing me, have, for my cherished wife, the
fidelity and devotion of which you have
ever given me the proofs. "
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? Gustavus taking leave of his Queen.
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 167
As the queen burst into tears, he pressed
her to his heart, and said to her, "Be of
good courage, we shall see each other
again ; if it may not be in this life, it will
at least be, sooner or later, in the abode
of eternal blessedness. "
He kissed her a last time, flew to his
horse, and rejoined his troops who were
just setting out.
Pressing ahead of the corps which Wal-
lenstein had sent to seize upon Naumburg,
he entered there, November 1, 1632. The
people were transported with joy, and vied
with each other for the honor of first
touching his garments. They knew not
how, worthily, to show their gratitude to
their protector. Several cast themselves
at his feet. Gustavus raised them imme-
diately, and, turning to one of the ofl&cers,
said, with a melancholy air, " Might it not
be said that this people believe me a God !
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? 168 GusTAvus Adolphtjs.
Our affairs are now prosperous, but I
mucli fear lest God punish them for their
idolatry, and prove to them, only too soon,
that I am only a man, weak and mortal,
even as they. "
The Austrian army arrived too late to
take Naumburg, and camped less than a
half-league from this city, at Weissenfels.
Twice as numerous as the Swedes, they
counted upon an easy victory as soon - as
an occasion should offer. But Gustavus
Adolj^hus , following the same tactics as at
Nuremberg, strongly intrenched himself
outside of Naumburg, and then awaited
the arrival of the re-inforcements that he
expected from Lower Saxony.
Wallenstein again shrank from attack-
ing the Swedish camp, convinced that it
was impregnable. Pappenheim, not being
able to endure inaction, asked and ob-
tained permission to lead eleven thousand
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 169
men to the succor of Cologne. The sep-
aration between the two generals and their
troops took place at Lutzen, not far from
Leipsic, where Wallen stein intended to
make his winter-quarters, supposing that
the enemy would do the same at Naum-
burg. As soon as Gustavus Adolphus was
advised of the departure of Pappenheim,
he said, " I believe truly, that God is giv-
ing the enemy into my hands," and, with-
out the loss of a moment, he set out in
pursuit of Wallenstein, and in one day
reached him, before Lutzen. But it was
already night and, greatly to his regret,
the battle had to be postponed until
morning.
At day-break, Gustavus Adolphus sum-
moned his chaplain, and passed one hour
with him in prayer. He then attended
the regular religious services, held every
morning, for the soldiers. It was remarked
11
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? 170 GusTAvus Adolphus.
that, contrary to ordinary custom, lie re-
mained upon his knees during the whole
service. He was engaged in the profound-
est devotion. He gave orders to sing the
celebrated battle hymn which he himself
had composed, and which greatly warmed
the hearts of his soldiers before the battle.
"Notwithstanding the tumult and the
threatening cries which resound around
you, fear nothing, little flock. Your ene-
mies rejoice in your destruction, but their
joy shall be of short duration. Let not
your courage fail you.
" Your cause is the cause of God ! ac-
complish your mission, place yourselves in
the hands of God, and you shall fear no
danger. He will find another Gideon to
defend the people and the Word of God.
"We hope that at the name of Jesus,
the violence and snares of the wicked will
turn against them. They will thus become
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 171
an object to be despised. God is with us,
we are with bim ; victory belongs to us. "
It was the 6th of November, 1632. A
thick fog covered the plain on which the
bloody struggle was to take place. Even
the troops nearest the foe were unable
to see them. The singing of psalms,
now and then broken in upon by Wallen-
stein's cannon, announcing the near attack,
was all that could be heard. Gustavus
Adolphus, while awaiting the rising of the
sun, placed his army in battle-array, and
gave the ancient word of command, " God
is with us. " He was mounted and with-
out armor. The need of protecting his
body from the shot of the enemy was
pressed upon him, above all, on such a day
as was now expected. He replied, "The
Eternal One is my armor. " He then passed
along his lines in order to encourage his
men. At first he addressed himself to the
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? 172 GusTAVus Adolphus.
Swedes. " My dear compatriots and friends,''
said he, " the day has arrived on which you
are to show what you have already learned
in war. You have before you the enemy
which we have so long sought, and he is
no longer sheltered behind formidable in-
trenchments or high mountains. He is in
the plain which lies open before us. It is
not willingly, nor because he is sure of
victory, that he accepts battle to-day, you
well know. It is because it is impossible
longer to avoid meeting us and our arms.
So, hold yourselves ready; conduct your-
selves as worthy soldiers; fight valiantly
for your God, your country, and your
king. "
Then he passed to the left wing of the
army, formed of the German allies, and
said to them, " My brothers and loyal com-
rades, I beseech you, in the name of a
Christian conscience and of your honor, to
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? GusTAVus Adolphus. 173
do your duty to-day, as you have done
heretofore. A year ago, and not far from
here, you fought the old Tilly and his
hosts. I trust that the enemy that is now
before you will share no better fate than
he and they. March with courage ! you
will fight not under my orders, but with
me and by my side. I myself will show
you the way. I am ready to risk my life
and to shed my blood with you. Follow
me, have confidence in God, and bear away
a victory whose fruits you and your pos-
terity will gather forever. Kemember that
if you are defeated, your religion and your
liberty are at an end. "
The soldiers replied with shouts of joy
and enthusiasm to the words of their chief.
The king, far from sympathizing with their
transports, was graver than was his wont,
and seemed even sad. He had taken every
measure as a man preparing to die. He
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? 174 GusTAVTJs Adolphus.
had designated the duke, Bernard de
Weimar, to take command in his place if
he should fall during the battle. The sad-
ness of his face was only an index of the
solemn thoughts that agitated him within,
and of the last regrets for the lawful affec-
tions of earth, before yielding himself up
to God without reserve and forever.
Toward eleven o'clock the fog was dis-
sipated ; the sun brilliantly illuminated the
field of Lutzen. When the two armies
came in sight Gustavus Adolphus once
more inclined his head and prayed men-
tally, with an astonishing fervor. Then
raising his eyes toward heaven, clasping
his hands upon the hilt of his sword, he
cried aloud, " Jesus ! Jesus ! be thou my
help this day, while I battle for the glory
of thy sacred name. " He then brandished
his sword above his head and added, " For-
ward now, in the name of the Lord ! "
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? ? D 1
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 177
The king was surrounded by Francis Al-
bert, Duke of Lauenburg, by the Marshal
of the palace of Breitsheim, by his page,
Leubelfingen, by several officers, and by
two servants.
The cannonadins: bes^an on both sides,
and the Swedish troops threw themselves
upon the enemy. Several bullets fell near
the king, but did not prevent him from
placing himself at the right wing of his
army, by passing along the road from
Lutzen to Leipsic, back of which were the
Austrians. They had dug trenches from
which they hurled a murderous fire against
the Swedes, without being in turn exposed
to the fire of the other army. Gustavus
had commanded his infantry to cross these
ditches, and as they did not advance fast
enough to suit him, he descended from his
horse and went with them to set them an
example and give them a renewed ardor.
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? 178 GusTAvus Adolphus.
The soldiers begged him to remount, which
he did, and then hastened to the head of
the cavalry. The trenches were passed.