The battle was now a desperate one.  Enghien seemed to lead a charmed life.  He was ever where the fight was hottest, encouraging the soldiers and setting them an example.  His clothes were shot through in many places.  Two horses were killed under him, and he received a contusion in the thigh.  Merci on his part showed equal valour and intrepidity; but he was less fortunate, for he was struck by a musketball and killed.  The news of his fall excited his soldiers to fury, and, hurling themselves on their assailants they cut the greater part of the infantry to pieces.

The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry charged them with such impetuosity that although they fought sturdily they were broken and routed.  De Gramont did all that a leader could do to check their flight and lead them back to the battle; and when he saw that he was powerless to do this he put himself at the head of two regiments that had not yet been engaged, received the Bavarian horse with a heavy volley, and leading his troopers to the charge, broke into them, but advancing too far was surrounded and taken prisoner.  John de Werth then fell on the reserve, broke them, penetrated the baggage, which was plundered, and then pursued the fugitives far away from the field of battle.  Had he, instead of allowing his troops and himself to be carried away by their ardour, brought them round and attacked the French left in the rear, the Imperialist victory would have been complete.

Here for a time the conflict was doubtful.  Turenne, in spite of the fire of the Imperialist artillery, led his troops in good order up the hill of Weinberg.  His horse was shot under him and his cuirass was struck, but not pierced, by a musketball.  On gaining the top of the hill a terrible fight took place between the Weimar and Hessian troops on one side, and the Austrians and Bavarians on the other.  The former showed valour in strong contrast with the conduct of their French allies; and after repeated volleys had been exchanged infantry and cavalry rushed upon each other and fought with bayonet and sword.  At last the first line of Imperialists gave way, but General Gleen brought up the second line and threw Turenne’s first line into disorder, although they still maintained their ground.  At this moment Conde, seeing that his centre was destroyed and his right utterly dispersed, came up and joined Turenne, and placing himself at the head of the Hessians, who formed the second line, brought them forward.  The enemy’s squadrons were broken, and the infantry defeated.  The guns were then turned upon the Imperialists on the slope of the hill leading down to the village, and when they were shaken by the fire Turenne’s squadron charged down upon them and completed their defeat.  General Gleen was taken prisoner, and Turenne’s troops, descending the hill, took the village in flank.