A few boats were, however, obtained by the Swedes.
The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge had been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining across the chasm over the river 48 feet below.

The bridge was swept by the heaviest cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well nigh hopeless.

On the afternoon of the 5th of October the party prepared to pass, some in boats, others by the bridge.

A tremendous fire was opened by the Imperialists from cannon and musketry, sweeping the bridge with a storm of missiles and lashing the river to foam around the boats.

The soldiers in these returned the fire with their muskets, and the smoke served as a cover to conceal them from the enemy.
In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company across the bridge.