mmanded by Marshal de Gramont, should attack
the enemy's position in front and on their right flank, and the other,
called the army of Weimar, of five thousand foot and as many horse,
under Turenne, should move round by a narrow pass and attack the enemy
on the left flank. Merci's army occupied an almost inaccessible hill
whose summit was strongly fortified, and it was against this that de
Gramont's army was to hurl itself. The entrance to the valley by which
Turenne was to fall upon their left flank was closed at its mouth by
very strong intrenchments, and it was behind this that the main body of
horse was posted.

To gain his point of attack Turenne had to make a very wide circuit,
and started at break of day on the 3rd of August. It was arranged that
Enghien, who remained with de Gramont, should not attack until three
hours before sunset, in order to give Turenne time to attack at the same
hour. At the time agreed upon, Enghien sent forward two battalions to
begin the attack. The regiments of Conde and Mazarin were to follow,
while the duke held two others in reserve. In order to get at the enemy
the assailants were forced to climb a very steep ascent, and cross a
vineyard intersected by many walls four feet high facing the terrace
on which the vines grew. These were occupied by the Bavarians, but the
French attacked with such vigour that the enemy were driven back. When,
however, the latter reached the great cheval-de-frise, formed by
felled trees, in front of the intrenchments, they could make no further
progress, so heavy was the fire maintained by the enemy.

Enghien, seeing this, dismounted, placed himself at the head of the
regiment of Conde, and led them forward, while Marshal Gramont and
the officers did the same. Encouraged by this example, the troops were
filled with enthusiasm, and, following their leaders unfalteringly, made
their way through the cheval-de-frise, and, pressing forward without a
pause, obtained possession of the intrenchments, driving the Bavarians
into the woods behind. The battle had lasted three hours, and had cost
the Bavarians three thousand men, while the French suffered at least
equally.

Turenne's force had been as hotly engaged. Merci, the best general in
the Austrian army, had foreseen that an attempt might be made through
the defile, and had posted strong bodies of infantry among the trees on
either side.

As soon as Turenne entered the defile he was encountered by a heavy