Page 148 - A Jacobite Exile

The Swedish regiments, which were the first to cross, took their places at
once in the boats, the king himself accompanying them. In a quarter of an

hour the opposite bank was gained. Marshal Steinau, an able general, had
called the Saxons under arms, and was marching towards the river, when

the wind, freshening, lifted the thick veil of smoke, and he saw that the
Swedes had already gained the bank of the river, and at once hurled his
cavalry against them.

The Swedish formation was not complete and, for a moment, they were

driven back in disorder, and forced into the river. The water was shallow,
and the king, going about among them, quickly restored order and
discipline, and, charging in solid formation, they drove the cavalry back

and advanced across the plain. Steinau recalled his troops and posted them
in a strong position, one flank being covered by a marsh and the other by a

wood. He had time to effect his arrangements, as Charles was compelled to
wait until the whole of his troops were across. As soon as they were so, he
led them against the enemy.

The battle was a severe one, for the Swedes were unprovided with artillery,

and the Saxons, with the advantages of position and a powerful artillery,
fought steadily. Three times Marshal Steinau led his cavalry in desperate
charges, and each time almost penetrated to the point where Charles was

directing the movements of his troops; but, at last, he was struck from his
horse by a blow from the butt end of a musket; and his cuirassiers, with

difficulty, carried him from the field. As soon as his fall became known,
disorder spread among the ranks of the Saxons. Some regiments gave way,
and, the Swedes rushing forward with loud shouts, the whole army was

speedily in full flight.

This victory laid the whole of Courland at the mercy of the Swedes, all the
towns opening their gates at their approach.

They were now on the confines of Poland, and the king, brave to rashness
as he was, hesitated to attack a nation so powerful. Poland, at that time, was

a country a little larger than France, though with a somewhat smaller
population, but in this respect exceeding Sweden. With the Poles