Page 253 - A Jacobite Exile

regiments, suffered so heavily that they left the field. The Swedish foot
now advanced all along the line, and in the centre destroyed several

battalions of Saxons.

But the Swedish right was attacked so vigorously by the Saxon left, under
Field Marshal Steinau, that for a time the conflict was doubtful. The
Swedish horse guards and other cavalry, however, charged with such

determination that the Saxon horse on this flank were also defeated, and
driven off the field, while the Swedish infantry, advancing without firing,

drove several battalions of Saxon foot into a village, where, being
surrounded, almost all were killed or taken prisoners.

The Saxon horse, gathering once more, attempted bravely to retrieve the
fate of the day, and engaged the Swedish horse with such desperate valour,

that a considerable portion of the Saxon infantry were enabled, under cover
of the conflict, to draw off, cross the morasses, and make their escape.

The battle lasted four hours, and had been, throughout, severely contested.
The Saxons lost four thousand killed and wounded, and three thousand

taken prisoners, while the Swedes had eleven hundred killed and wounded.
Forty-eight cannon were captured by the victors, together with all the
baggage and waggons. The death of the Duke of Holstein, a gallant prince

who was exceedingly popular with the army, and beloved by the king, cast
a gloom over this great victory, which virtually laid Poland at the feet of the

victors, and insured the fulfilment of the object for which Charles had
persisted in the war.

Jamieson's regiment had been on the left wing, but, as it had been held in
reserve, to strengthen the line at any point at which it might give way, the

Scotch had taken but a small share in the fighting, and had but thirty men
killed and wounded by the shot and bullets that passed over the heads of the
fighting line.

The captain of one of the companies was among those killed, and Charlie,

who had, since he rejoined the regiment, been doing duty as lieutenant, now
took the vacant place.