Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XI. Reign of Charles X Gustavus, 1654–1660 - D. Second War with Denmark, 1658–1660
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194 A History of Sweden
This time the king did not follow Dahlberg’s advice,
but adopted the fatal plan of formally investing the
city.
At the opening of the year 1659, when the cold had
closed the sea to the fleets, he decided to storm the
place. It was a hazardous attempt as the defenders
were superior in numbers to the besiegers. The soldiers
were shrouded in white robes to make them less con-
spicuous against the snow. Silently they approached
the walls. Everything seemed to go well as had been
planned. Scaling ladders were placed against the icy
walls, and soldiers began climbing up, when suddenly
cannons flashed from the walls. The plan had been
revealed to the Danes, and they were ready for the de-
fense. The besiegers were met with a deadly musket
fire, volleys of stones rained down upon them and
streams of scalding water drenched them. Beneath
the walls were heaps of dead and dying. "That night
the Danish people performed their greatest military
achievement in historic times," says a celebrated Dan-
ish historian.
Finally Charles Gustavus was compelled to give the
signal for retreat. But those who supposed that he had
given up his plans deceived themselves. After some
time he repaired to Sweden and called a Riksdag to
meet in Gothenburg, to secure new levies and appro-
priations for the war. Having arrived in Gothenburg,
he was suddenly seized .with a fever and was snatched
away in the flower of his age, February 13, 1660. To
the last moment he worked as untiringly as in the days
of his health. In vain his physicians advised him to
rest. Fearlessly he met death, which he had so often
faced on battle fields.
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