These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, who thus, taken between two fires —­pressed hotly by the pikemen in front, mown down by the cannon in their rear —­ lost heart and fled precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg’s infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the woods in the rear of their position.

The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the cloud of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable to see ten yards in front of them.  The pursuit was taken up by their cavalry, who pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall.  So complete was the defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could only muster 600 men to accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim could get together but 1400 of his horsemen.  Seven thousand of the Imperialists were killed, 5000 were wounded or taken prisoners.  The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons about 2000.

The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great bonfires of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades.  A hundred standards were taken.  Tilly had fought throughout the battle with desperate valour.  He was ever in the van of his infantry, and three times was wounded by bullets and once taken prisoner, and only rescued after a desperate conflict.

At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw themselves around him and bore him from the field.  The fierce old soldier is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding the slaughter and defeat of his infantry.  Hitherto he had been invincible, this being the first defeat he had suffered in the course of his long military career.  Great stores of provision and wine had been captured, and the night was spent in feasting in the Swedish camp.

The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to congratulate Gustavus on his victory.  The latter was politic enough to receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services the Saxons had rendered.  He intrusted to the elector the task of recapturing Leipzig, while he marched against Merseburg, which he captured with its garrison of five hundred men.

After two or three assaults had been made on Leipzig the garrison capitulated to the Saxons, and on the 11th of September the army was drawn up and reviewed by Gustavus.  When the king arrived opposite the Green Brigade he dismounted and made the soldiers an address, thanking them for their great share in winning the battle of Leipzig.

Many of the Scottish officers were promoted, Munro being made a full colonel, and many others advanced a step in rank.  The Scottish brigade responded to the address of the gallant king with hearty cheers.  Gustavus was indeed beloved as well as admired by his soldiers.  Fearless himself of danger, he ever recognized bravery in others, and was ready to take his full share of every hardship as well as every peril.