“ At last Gustavus, having made an unsuccessful attempt to storm the position of the enemy, retired toward the upper Danube, and in November entered Saxony, where Wallenstein was spreading carnage and desolation. On the 5th he found himself face to face with the enemy at Lützen, with 12,000 foot and 6,500 horse under his command; Wallenstein's army is believed by good authorities to have been considerably superior in numbers. The night was spent in preparation for battle. The morning of the 6th broke foggy, and when the mists rose, about 10 o'clock, the Swedes were seen kneeling in their ranks. ”

“ This signal victory over a general never vanquished before, which displayed the superiority of the king's mode of fighting, based on boldness of attack and celerity of movement, at once established his reputation as a general. The Protestant states now hailed him as their leader. The elector of Saxony carried the war into Bohemia, while Gustavus marched into Franconia and the Palatinate, defeated Tilly again at Würzburg, and wintered at Mentz. ”

“ He owed his success in battle to strict discipline and the ardor with which he inspired his soldiers. His magnanimity, clemency to the vanquished, and respect for the religious opinions of others, compelled the esteem of his enemies. ”