Churchill's men, intermingled with the horse near Oberglau, threw in their volleys with great effect upon the advancing cavalry of the enemy. It was only by their well-timed aid that a fatal rout was prevented before the horsemen could form on the opposite side. They could not, however, extend their succor far. Near Blenheim the dragoons were forced back in disorder to the very edge of the morass by the charges of French cavalry, aided by the terrible fire from the batteries at that village; and it was only by great exertions, and constantly supporting the worsted squadrons by fresh troops as they were successively got across, that Marlborough succeeded in preventing an entire repulse in that quarter. But while the conflict was maintained with difficulty between Blenheim and Oberglau, a serious disaster had occurred on the British right, where Prince Holstein, with his Hanoverians, was directing the attack on Oberglau, and the presence of the com-mander-in-chief was loudly called for to prevent entire ruin in that quarter.* Prince Holstein had no sooner crossed the stream at the head of eleven battalions, and ere his men had time to form in good order on the opposite side, 47. Rout of Prince Holstein in the attack on than he was charged with great vigor by the French infantry in Oberglau, nine thousand strong, including the Irish brigade, who debouched with loud shouts out of the village. This brave body of veterans, who had become admirable troops from the superinducing of French discipline and guidance on native Irish valor, charged with such vehemence, and threw in volleys so quick and well directed, that the prince's men were utterly routed, he himself taken prisoner, and the center of the allies entirely broken through. There was not a moment to be lost, for the communication with Prince Eugene and the right wing of the army was on the point of being cut off. But Marlborough was at hand to repair the disaster; and he not only did so, but converted it into an advantage to his own side, which proved decisive. GalCoxE, i., 404, 405. CAPEFIGUE, V., 218. * Marl. Disp., i., 403, 404. loping instantly to the spot, he led up in person some squadrons of British cavalry, closely followed by three battalions which had not been engaged. With the horse he charged the Irish, who, with the inconsiderate ardor of their nation, were pursuing their advantage in disorder, and quickly threw them into confusion. The infantry he posted so advantageously that their fire raked the column as it recoiled from the charge, and occasioned dreadful slaughter. The Irish were by this double attack driven back into Oberglau, while some squadrons of horse, whom Marshal Marsin sent up to their relief, were repelled by the fire of a battery which Marlborough brought forward from Weilheim, and a powerful body of Imperial horse which he stationed on its flank. By this welltimed vigor, affairs were entirely re-established in the center, and the communication with Prince Eugene was completely recovered.* 48. Operations of Eugene on the right. Having achieved this great advantage, Marlborough returned to his cavalry between Oberglau and Blenheim, and found it all firmly established on solid ground, on the other side of the Nebel. Meanwhile, Eugene had been actively engaged on the extreme right, where he, too, had crossed the Nebel, in front of Lutzingen. His first attack with the Danes and Prussians carried a battery of six guns, and the Imperial horse broke the first line of French cavalry; but, having advanced somewhat in disorder against the second line, they were not only repulsed, but driven back across the Nebel, and the guns were retaken. The victorious infantry were now isolated in the midst of enemies, and being charged vehemently on each flank, at the same time that a heavy fire in front shook their line, the Prussians and Danes were thrown into confusion, and with difficulty regained their original ground on the other side of the river. Nothing daunted by this reverse, Eugene rallied his cavalry, and led them again to the charge; but though at * HARE's Journal. Marl. Disp., i., 404-406. CoxE, i., 404, 405. KAUSLER, 110, 111. first successful, they were at length checked by the stout Bavarian horse, bravely headed by the elector, and recoiled in disorder. A third time Eugene re-formed his horsemen, and led them to the attack, himself heading the charge. But this time the onset was feeble; the men were daunted by their double repulse; their line was speedily broken, and they again fled, completely routed, across the Nebel. In utter despair, Eugene left the Prince of Hanover and Duke of Wirtemberg to rally the horse, and galloped off to put himself at the head of the infantry, which had also advanced with the cavalry. That brave body of men, admirably disciplined, and encouraged by the presence of their general, stood their ground with heroic resolution. But they were charged with desperate hardihood by the enemy. Eugene himself was in the most imminent danger of being shot by a Bavarian dragoon, who was cut down while deliberately taking aim at him within a few paces. The admirable steadiness of the Prussians, who on this occasion gave tokens of what they were to become under the great Frederic, prevented a total defeat in this quarter. Immovable, they stood their ground amid the thundering charges of horse, the front rank kneeling, and the rear maintaining a ceaseless rolling fire, till at length the enemy, wearied with fruitless efforts, drew off, leaving the ground covered with their wounded and dying.* Grand and Marlborough, however, had now gained firm footing both with his infantry and cavalry on the other side of 49. the Nebel, and had made his dispositions for a gen- decisive eral attack between Blenheim and Oberglau. The charge by Marlborough cavalry were drawn up in two lines directly in front in the center. of the enemy; the infantry immediately in their rear, chiefly to the left, to make head against the numerous battalions which occupied Blenheim. Tallard, seeing the weakness of his line from want of infantry, had drawn nine battalions from * MEM. DE TALLARD, ii., 234–241. CoXE, i., 407, 408. HARE's Journal, Marl. Disp., i., 406, 407. : the reserve, and posted them near the center, between Blenheim and Oberglau, behind the horse. Marlborough brought up three Hessian battalions to front them, and then, drawing his sword, ordered the trumpets to sound the advance, he himself leading them on. Indescribably grand was the spectacle which ensued. In compact order, and the finest array, the allied cavalry, mustering eight thousand sabers, moved up the gentle slope in two lines-at first slowly, as on a field day, but gradually more quickly, as they drew nearer, and the fire of the artillery became more violent. The French horse, ten thousand strong, stood their ground firmly the first and bravest of their chivalry were there: the banderoles of almost all the nobles in France floated over their squadrons. So hot was the fire of musketry and cannon when the assailants drew near, that their advance was checked: they retired sixty paces, and the battle was kept up for a few minutes only by a fire of artillery. Gradually, however, the fire of the enemy slackened, and Marlborough, taking advantage of the pause, led his cavalry again to the charge. With irresistible vehemence, the line dashed forward at full speed, and soon the crest of the ridge was passed. The French horsemen discharged their carbines at a considerable distance with little effect, and immediately wheeled about and fled. The battle was gained; the allied horse rapidly inundated the open space between the two villages; the nine battalions in the middle were surrounded, cut to pieces, or taken. They made a noble resistance, and the men were found lying on their backs in their ranks as they had stood in the field.* cess on the The consequences of this great disaster on the right were 50. speedily felt along the whole French line. MarEugene's suc- sin's cavalry, now entirely uncovered on their flanks, rapidly fell back to avoid being turned, and rendered the position of the infantry in front of Eugene no longer tenable. That skillful general, perceiving the rout of right. * KAUSLER, 109, 111. COXE, i., 408, 409. HARE's Journal. Marl. Disp., i., 406, 407. the enemy on his left, and correctly judging that they could no longer maintain their ground, prepared his troops for a fourth charge, and soon issued forth at their head. The impulse of victory was now communicated to the whole line. After an arduous struggle in the plain, the enemy fell back at all points toward Oberglau and Lutzingen. Soon the flames, which burst forth from their buildings, announced that they were about to be evacuated. At this sight, loud cheers arose from the whole right, and the Danes and Prussians rushed forward with irresistible vigor against the burning villages. After an obstinate conflict, Lutzingen was carried, and the Bavarians were driven to a fresh position in rear, behind the streamlet of the same name. They still preserved their ranks, however, and faced about fiercely on their pursuers; but Marsin, having lost the pivot of his left, and seeing his flank entirely uncovered by Marlborough's advance, and the center driven back in disorder, gave orders for the general retreat of his wing.* 51. Total rout of Tallard, who oner. is made pris Meanwhile Tallard was bravely exerting himself, but in vain, to arrest the disorder in the right and center. He drew up the remains of his cavalry in battle array, behind the tents of his camp, in a single line stretching toward Blenheim, in order, if possible, to extricate the infantry posted in that village, which were now wellnigh cut off. At the same time, he sent pressing requests to Marsin for assistance. But, ere succor could arrive, or time had even been gained for the delivery of his messages, the hand of Fate was upon him. Marlborough, observing that the line. was unsupported in rear, and uncovered on its right, gave orders for a general charge of all his cavalry. When the trumpet sounded, seven thousand horsemen, flushed with victory, bore down with irresistible force on the now dispirited and attenuated line of the enemy. The immense body of the French force broke without awaiting the shock, and the allied cavalry rapidly piercing their center, they were divided into two · * KAUSLER, 113. CoxE, i., 412. HARE's Journal. Disp., i., 407, 408. › |