e assault the troops had been at work
cutting bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing
a floating causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell
the men were set to work laying down the causeway, and when this was
finished the column advanced to the attack. It consisted of 250 pikemen
under Colonel Munro, and the same number of the dragoons under Colonel
Deubattel. Hepburn with 1000 musketeers followed a short distance behind
them.

The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway without
difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under the feet of the
cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed to get across. Their
approach was entirely unobserved, and they effected an entrance into the
town.

Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three hundred
Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel Gratz, son of
the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. Taken by surprise the
Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, and eighty of the Scots fell
under the fire of their musketry. But the pikemen charged home; Colonel
Gratz was killed, with many of his men, and the rest taken prisoners.
Hepburn marching on behind heard the din of musketry and pressed
forward; before reaching the town he found a place in the swamp
sufficiently firm to enable his men to march across it, and, turning
off, he led his troops between the town and the redoubt, and then
attacked the latter in the rear where its defences were weak, and after
three minutes' fighting with its surprised and disheartened garrison the
latter surrendered.

The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a lodgment
in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by the force of
Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry under Marshal
Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro to say that he
was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The drummer was sent to
Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should be allowed to march away
with the honours of war, taking their baggage and effects with them.
Accordingly at eight o'clock the Count of Gratz at the head of his
soldiers marched out with colours flying and drums beating, and retired
into Silesia. A garrison was placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith
appointed burgomaster of the town. Landsberg fell on the 15th of April,
and on the 18th the force marched back to Frankfort.

CHAPTER VII