Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/100

 At the moment of the formation of the provisional government he made no attempt to place himself at the head, but wished simply to command the army. The reason doubtless was that he had not fully mastered the language of the land. He but murdered Bohemian, could not carry the Landtag by any power of eloquence, was unable to sway the multitudes, and would therefore attempt to appear in no other character than that of a mercenary commander of troops with which he had begun his career in life. He was not, however, even capable of organizing for the contest the means which were at hand, and proved himself unequal to this task, which was still more fatal to the success of his work than his want of talents, which afterwards became evident, as a commander in the field.

Thurn received the title of lieutenant-general; Fels was made field-marshal. The election of these and other officers of the army was a blunder, for not one of them had enjoyed a theoretical or practical military education, as had, for instance, the imperial general, Count Buquoi, who had served with distinction in the wars of the Netherlands. The army to be enlisted was fixed at 16,000 infantry and cavalry. The Protestant Diet, having taken the action related above, and made provisions with reference to the money which would be needed, dissolved on the 28th of May.

Throughout the country the occurrences in Prague, and the action taken in reference to them, were approved, since but a very small portion of the population adhered to the Catholic Church. The only cities which did not join the revolution, but continued loyal to the Emperor in disregard of the attacks with which they were menaced from Prague, were Pilsen, Budweis, and Krummau.