midnight
Had he continued his march he would have reached the summit of the Weinberg unopposed , and the fate of the battle on the following day would have been changed . But the Imperialist leaders , Gallas and Cardinal Infanta Don Fernando , had not been unmindful of the commanding position of the hill upon which Horn was marching , and had given orders that it should be occupied before daylight by four hundred Spaniards . The commander of this force was as over prompt in the execution of his orders as Horn was over cautious . He reached the top of the Weinberg before midnight , and at once set his men to work to intrench themselves strongly . As soon as daybreak enabled Horn to see the fatal consequences which had arisen from his delay he ordered his men to advance . 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 .