midnight
With their usual gallantry the Swedes mounted the hill and rushed at the intrenchment . It was defended with the greatest obstinacy and courage by the Spaniards ; but after desperate fighting the Swedes forced their way into the work at two points , and were upon the point of capturing the position when an ammunition wagon accidentally exploded in their midst , killing great numbers and throwing the rest into a temporary disorder , which enabled the Spaniards to drive them out and again occupy the intrenchments . Before the Swedes had fully recovered themselves the Spanish cavalry , which at the first sound of the conflict the cardinal had ordered to the spot , charged them in flank and forced them to a precipitate retreat down the hillside . Bitterly regretting his delay at midnight , Horn brought up fresh troops , and after addressing encouraging words to those who had been already repulsed , led the united body to the assault . But the Weinberg , which had been occupied in the early morning by only four hundred men , was now defended by the whole of the Spanish infantry . Vain now was the energy of Horn , and ineffectual the valour of his troops . Time after time did the Swedes climb the hill and strive to obtain a footing on its crest , each assault was repulsed with prodigious slaughter .