[The Lion of the North by G.A. Henty]@TWC D-Link bookThe Lion of the North CHAPTER III SIR JOHN HEPBURN 5/22
They were saluted by the army as they marched away to the nearest town held by the Austrians, and as they passed by Schiefelbrune Munro's command were drawn up and presented arms to the 1500 men who had for three months resisted every attempt to capture Colberg by assault. Nigel Graheme's wound was so severe that he was obliged for a time to relinquish the command of his company, which he handed over to Herries. As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would naturally have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his urgent request his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of good family who had fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished himself in both the contests.
Two others were also promoted to fill up the vacancies as ensigns. The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around which town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his preparations for his march into Germany.
While a portion of his army had been besieging Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the Imperialists out of the whole of Pomerania.
Landing on the 24th of June with an army in all of 15,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, and about 3000 artillery, he had, after despatching troops to aid Munro and besiege Colberg, marched against the Imperialists under Conti.
These, however, retreated in great disorder and with much loss of men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in a few weeks after the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and Demming held out.
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