Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/128

 tria into Bohemia near Bystritz, while Khuen advanced, from the side of Moravia, in the direction of Polna; on his arrival at which place, Buquoi followed from Vienna, and took hasty measures to effect a junction of the separate commands, which was effected on September 9, near Deutschbrod. He then moved towards C̃aslauČaslau [sic] [Tchaslow], with design of offering battle to the Bohemian army which was concentrated there.

Nor had the Bohemians completed their enlistments, but had taken the field with only about 12,000 men. When the news of the approach of the imperial troops reached Prague, a great panic seized the Estates, then in session there. They regarded, and rightly too, the imperial troops as better and as commanded by officers more experienced than their own, and looked forward to defeat as probable. This calamity they might avert by an increased armament, and resolved to issue a general call for a levy in the country which should strengthen the army by an addition of at least from 20,000 to 30,000 men. In the discussion of this question, Adam von Waldstein, Chief Court Steward, took the Emperor’s side, and exhorted the Estates to reconciliation. His words did indeed find an echo in the hearts of a few individuals; but Thurn, Ruppa, and others met with passionate words every conciliatory feeling, and the Diet repelled the attempt at conciliation, and resolved upon the proposed call for troops. The prospect which the Palatinate held out of help was the chief cause of this unyielding sentiment in Prague.

Thurn, who in the meantime had joined the army, de-