THE EXACT AND TRUE RELATION OF THAT BLOODY BATTLE fought between his Royal Majesty of Swethland, and the Imperial Army the 5 and 6. of November 1632. In the which Battle his Majesty was killed. Besides Luelzen, two German miles from Leipseich: Written from Erdfoord by a worthy Captain the 12 of November, who was an eye witness to the Battle. Vos populi, moestos lessus, tristesque querelas Cernite; & arcani pectoris acre malum! EDINBURGH, Printed by john Wreittoun. 1633. THE EXACT AND TRUE RELATION OF THAT BLOODY BATTLE fought between his Royal Majesty of Swethland, and the Imperial Army the 5 and 6. of November 1632. In the which Battle his Majesty was killed. AFter his Royal Majesty of Swethland with his Army was the 30 day of the last month of October arreard at Naumbrugh, and the enemy being at Weiszenfolz, there was some probability that he would hold his stand: in regard there is a strong pass, and he lay in his advantage: his Majesty presently hath a leaguer and retrenchments caused to be made before Naumburgh, to discover and have a watch full eye upon the further intentions of the enemy, the which upon the 4 of November in a manner fled away from Weiszenfolz after first having pillaged Town and Castle: and turned himself towards Luelzen two miles from Leipseich: whereupon his Majesty presently upon the 5. of November three hours before day, arose with his Army from Naumburg, and encountered yet the same day the enemy about two of the clock in the afternoon, with playing of his small pieces upon him; he made give back, killing some of his men, and got a standard of the enemy's dragoners, on which Fortoun and the Roman Eagle was painted, which on our side was interpreted as a good omen and token, and if we had had yet 2. hours more day, the enemy would have been the most part ruined, but night and a thick mist befalling us, we began to be quiet on both sides. His Majesty continued this whole night in the field, standing in Battalzie intending to pursue and continue this happy beginning and to fall on upon the enemy 2. hours before day: but contrary to our hopes and expectation, there was again so thick a fog that nothing to the purpose could be effected, so that his Majesty was constrained to stay till it was fair day: the mist being dispersed by the Sun. In the mean while the enemy hath caused a trench to be cast up upon the float ditch, and expected us in his advantage. And after his Majesty had caused morning prayer to be said by Doctor Fabritius, and the Sun by little and little chase away the mist, and it being likely to be a fair day; his Majesty with most moving words exhorted all his Armies both horse and foot to fight bravely, and said to the Swedes and Finnis. My honest Brothers behave yourselves well this day, and fight bravely for the Word of GOD, and for your King: in doing this ye shall obtain grace and mercy with GOD, and honour before all the World: and I myself will reward you honourably; but if ye fail in so doing, I protest unto you that none of your bones shall come into Sweden again. To the Germans his Majesty said, And you my honest Dutch brothers, I beseech you in general to behave yourselves manfully: fight bravely with me, give no ground, I for my part set my life and blood at the stake for your good with you: will you stand to me bravely, without question it is to be hoped, GOD Almighty will give us the victory: and you and your posterity will enjoy the fruits thereof. But if you do not so, then is your Religion and liberty overthrown. After which he said, Now we will go on, GOD Almighty help us all. And with that cried with a loud voice to the Heavens, saying; jesus, jesus, jesus, help me this day to fight for the honour of thy Name: and advanced in this manner with the whole battle fasting, & went receiving either meat or drink upon the enemy: his Majesty leading the Vanguard himself, and between 9 and 10. of the clock in the forenoon the fight began, and caused the enemy at the same instant time the Town Luelzen to be put on fire in two places, because we might not fall upon him in that place. The Swedish blew and yellow regiment were advanced, and 5. shot of great Canon discharged upon the enemy, which had a fine double advantage of us, (we having but the plain fields) but the float ditch; their parapet, their musquetiers, their currasiers, and their Canon, out of which, he after our 5. shottes discharged 80. upon us: all which notwithstanding our men did so bravely, that they took the ditch & their Trench from them, and between and 5. of the clock 7. Pieces of Artillery, as also divers Colours and Cornets, and about all this the Encounter hath been so fierce on both sides, that a great many hath been slain: after we had recovered the the said 7. Pieces, the enemy with his carabats fell upon our baggage (which was but a few Wagons and Coaches, for all the rest were left behind in the Leaguer at Naumburg) but were repulsed with notable loss to themselves, yet withal this our Dutch cavalry lighted in some disorder: but just at the same instant a mist happening again was the cause the enemy took no notice of this disorder: which if he had perceaved, he might have charged us again in some other place, and occasioned greater confusion; but we were at last brought in order again, so that in my opinion the mist did us more good than harm: with this the enemy fell with all might and main upon us again, and took the said 7. Pieces from us again, and dispersed some regiments of cavalry which had given ground; upon which the charge was received with more earnestness than ever, and some fresh regiments (the first being weak and faint with so furious a combat) were by his Majesties command brought on, which behaved themselves so gallantly, that not only the 7. Pieces were recovered again between 2. and 3. of the clock, but also 13. more and all the enemy's munition with the loss of a great number of his people, all his cavalry, and especially his Cuirassieers remaining dead upon the place and the remainder, except 3. regiments which held themselves beside a Windmillne in a sconce all began to fly: which made us imagine the fight had been at an end and that we had absolutely the victory, and we left off shooting for half an hour, and all was quiet. After this the enemy turned about again to charge us and as we were afterwards informed by the prisoners, as also by the relation in writing of our commander at Hall, was Pappinhame just at the same time with sundry regiments of fresh folk arryved, which the day before Walsten not thinking that we would a have fallen on him, was gone towards Hall to attempt the same town, but upon this occasion in all hast commanded back. At this arryvall the fugitives did rely themselves again and charged again with the rest, where the fight was continued again until night, with such earnestness of both sides that there was nothing else to be heard or seen, but the thundering Canon, and the hail shot of Musket bullets, and this last encounter was more hard and furious than the first: yet at the last through the gracious help and assistance of the highest and the Heroical valour of his excellent Duke Bernhard of Saxon Weimer, which at this time his Majesty being dangerously and deadly wounded in the first encounter, commanded in chief, the victory is fallen upon our side, and the enemy took his flight toward Leipseich at 9 of the clock at night with few of his people, firing his Leaguer, and leaving behind some of his baggage, and three Pieces of Artillierie, which indeed he took along with him, but was not able to bring them forward, in regard of the dark night we were not able to pursue him, and the more, because it was thought he would stand again the next morning and expect another charge. This is indeed a glorious and exceeding great victory, for the which we are not able to render sufficient thankes to the Almighty GOD: For on the enemy's side by the confession of the prisoners, and the view of the place of the Battle, where dead men lay half a man's height one at the top of another: doth testify is slain and wounded the two third parts of his Army among them. Pappenhem himself, and most of the chief commanders, all their whole artillery and munitions taken from them, and the small remainder put to flight. Yet in consideration of the death of our most worthy of glory, most Christian, and in all the world most praised, and famous, nothing to be valved. His Majesty of most high and blessed memory being in the first encounter, was shot first of all in his Arm, afterwards behind in his back, and lastly with a Pistol into his head, and also rendered up his soul as a sacrifice to the LORD JESUS, and spent his Royal blood, and ventured his life and body with the Protestant Electors, Princes, and States of Germany, for the maintenance of your Religion, & the recovery of your lost liberties. Off our sides as fare as I know, is not any great commander slain but general Major Isler: yet there are a great many hurt, amongst which the Prince Anhault, Count Neils Colonel: Winchler Colonel, Walstein and others, but not deadly: but how many be slain of our men, cannot as yet be exactly known till we come to the general rendevouz: yet the Swedish blew and yellow regiments of foot, Duke Benherds' the Prince of Anhault, the Count Lewenstenis, and Colonel Brandestins regiment of Horse have suffered great damage. After all this his grace Duke Benhard of Weimer being general over the army which as yet consists of 15000. men, retreated himself with his people to Weiszenfolz, to rest there a little while, and to expect his highness the Elector of Saxon and Duke George of Lunenburgh with their forces, which were not present at this encounter and so jointly with them to pursuethe victory. The most Highest grant his grace that all the protestaut Electors, Princes, and States of Germany may take this business to heart, and thankfully acknowledge the deeds and great faithfulness of the most glorious King, and that holy work begun for Religion and liberty, which his royal Majesty of most highly blessed memory hath as it were given them into their hands, and brought to good terms, may in time to come with their wontedly hazarding together of lives, goods, and blood, and through the assistance of the power of GOD be brought to perfection; and that they may express themselves thankful towards the most desolate, most pious, and religious Queen, as also the Crown of sweden high and inferior officers, which are resolved to venture all with them. But if so be (the which God graciously avert) they should separate themselves, and suffer themselves to be divided by other counsels; then might that happen, which the most glorious King shortly before his death did prophesy: namely, that both their religion and liberty were overthrown. By this relation I cannot omit these ensuing words which his blessed most royal Majesty many times, and yet but three days before the battle did speak at Naumburgh to Doctor Fabritius. Good Master Doctor, the business standeth well, and all succeedeth according to our wishes, but I fear me: I fear me, because that every body doth so reverence, and magnify me, and hold me in a manner for a god, God will punish me one time or another for that cause: yet God knoweth that I am not pleased with it. Now let happen to me what my most loving God will be pleased. Sure I am, that he will perfect and bring to an end the business, because it concerneth the honour of his Name. Thus much the King. This I thought good in brief to relate to you, as much as myself could learn and inform of, which was myself present from the beginning to the end of this great capital battle, (in comparison of which the former battle of Leipsich is not to be esteemed) which lasted nine whole hours. I beseech the most High that he would be pleased to assist my gracious Queen, and all the Counsel and Officers of the Crown of Sweden with the spirit of comfort and consolation, that they in a Christian patience may after the loss of so great a Treasure as their King and Lord receive godly comfort in other ways. Out of all, this is manifest to perceive, that not we, but GOD Almighty is absolute master of all our wills, lives, thoughts and spirits: and indeed we may in so much the more patience comfort ourselves, because our King hath ended his course of life in the highest degree of immortal glory, being and remaining before his death, in his death, and after his death still victorious. His blessed Majesty his corpse is carried in a Coach with the Army in pursuit of the enemy, till further order come at his Queen's arrival, and the Chancellor Oxenstein. What further will happen I shall hereafter let you know: the royal Chancellerie is conveyed to Erdfoord, where they attend the Chancellor's coming. This is memorable that his grace Duke Bernhard of Saxon when Colonel Kniphansen brought him the post of the Kings (now blessed) decease, his grace very heroically answered then, I desire to live no longer, and with that charged the enemy with that courage and Heroical valour that it is not to be expressed. At the closing and sealing up of these, cometh news that the enemy hath quited Leipseich and left a garrison of two hundreth men in the Castle, taketh his march towards the mountains Zuickaw: whom Duke Bernhard & the Elector of Saxon his Army followeth FINIS. And now to conclude this tragical discourse, SHall Woes want words, shall sad sprung sighs want tears? Grieved souls deep groans? shall couldie sobs want fears? Or gushing grief lack source? shall humane eye Read this disaster, and not destiny: Nay hearts must melt, true Christian moans rebound, From tragic tune, a Mirmidonean sound, Whilst thus the angry fates, O grim despite! Have robbed stern Europe, of her great-growne light: That Martial Prince, Swedes North-bred matchless Star, That thundering Son of Mars, that life of War. CHRIST'S Champion here on Earth, Religion's sword, That Ioshua's type, ADOLPHUS in aword: Whom cruel Death, by three untimely shots In fatal field, sealed up best Soldiers lots: O Heavens! let mortal eyes dissolve in floods, Hills, Rocks, and Caves, resound with eachoing woods Our mourning cries, let whistling winds transport Our loves, his praise, to Fame's eternal Port: A Man Monarchick, a conquering Demigod, Bellona's stamp, whose hands did wield the Rod Of divine justice, Heaven's Marishell, and more Brave Soldiers Chiftane, Soldiers may deplore, And trail their Pikes, come hang their Muskets down, Whose loves have lost, the life of true renown. For whom that sovereign power, his Celia dear, May thunder sighs, and with sad sighs ateare: So Swethland may renew old Thebes song, Like was their grief, their loss, their fatal wrong: To rouse past Warriors worth, time bears record, That Castriot was for valour only Lord; Whose bones the Turks reserve, for a good sign, But more GUSTAVUS, should be our design, Whose Corpse, are with his Army still transported, Till his grim death be on his foes retorted. Whose heart, whose hand, whose courage, and whose mind Had never match, nor after times shall find. FINIS.