th all his strength
towards Nordlingen. Trumpets at once sounded to recall the troops from
the trenches, a meal was hastily cooked, and at sunset the army marched
for Nordlingen. All night they pushed on through the forest, and just
as the leading squadrons emerged from it on to the plain, Merci's forces
were seen issuing out from the forest facing them. Both armies at once
formed in order of battle.

Enghien, anxious to attack, rode forward with Turenne, de Gramont, and
Geis to reconnoitre the ground. It was found that between the armies
there was a small river, with great pools and swamps on either side,
and that the only approaches were by narrow and winding paths where two
horsemen could scarcely ride abreast. Even Enghien felt that it would
be madness to venture upon an attack. His artillery opened fire, that of
the Bavarians replied, and the cannonade was continued till nightfall,
inflicting a certain amount of loss on either side but in no way
altering the position. Seeing that a battle could not be brought on
here, Enghien marched two hours before daybreak for Nordlingen. At nine
the army came down on to the great plain in front of that town, but he
found that Merci had been beforehand with him, and had already taken up
a strong position two leagues away, and between him and the city, and
that his troops were already at work throwing up intrenchments. The
prince ordered all the baggage to be left behind, and at once marched
against the enemy. At four o'clock they were facing each other. Merci
had, as usual, chosen his position with great judgment. In the middle
of the plain rose two little hills about a thousand yards apart. On the
hill on his left stood the castle of Allersheim, and here Merci's left
wing, under General John de Werth, was posted; while at Weinberg his
right, commanded by General Gleen, took up its station. The main body of
the army, under Merci himself, lay behind a village a couple of hundred
yards beyond the hills, and at the head of the passage between them. He
had his cavalry on his two wings, his infantry in the centre, and had
thrown forward some regiments to hold the village. On the two hills he
had planted his cannon, sheltered by intrenchments, and in a position to
sweep the entrance to the valley.

His army consisted of between fourteen and fifteen thousand men, that of
Enghien of seventeen thousand. After examining the position a council
of war was held. Turenne was strongly against