They went forward with great speed and eagerness, for they were
burning to retrieve their cowardly conduct at Marienthal. They
carried the intrenchments Merci had thrown up at the mouth of
the pass, and, heedless of the firing of the guns, rushed at the
village. Here, however, they were received by so heavy a fire of
musketry from the infantry posted there, who had loopholed all the
walls and houses, that they came to a stop, and, being shot down
in great numbers, turned and fled. The Count de Marsin was himself
dangerously wounded. The Duc d'Enghien sent the Marquis de la Moussaie
forward with a reinforcement of several regiments, but these, too,
fell back before the Imperialists' fire. The Duc d'Enghien then
rallied the infantry, added to them all those not yet engaged, and
himself led them to the charge. Merci on his part brought forward
his main body to the village.

The battle was now a desperate one. Enghien seemed to lead a charmed
life. He was ever where the fight was hottest, encouraging the
soldiers and setting them an example. His clothes were shot through
in many places. Two horses were killed under him, and he received
a contusion in the thigh. Merci on his part showed equal valour
and intrepidity; but he was less fortunate, for he was struck by a
musketball and killed. The news of his fall excited his soldiers
to fury, and, hurling themselves on their assailants they cut the
greater part of the infantry to pieces.

The French on the right had done no better, for the Bavarian cavalry
charged them with such impetuosity that although they fought
sturdily they were broken and routed. De Gramont did all that a
leader could do to check their flight and lead them back to the