Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/249

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To the Reign of Sigmund.
239

given to the cavalry, while the infantry regulated the motion of the wagons. As soon as the enemy was near enough, the wagons were ordered to be let down upon them, and these wagons coming down broke their ranks. At this moment the cannon, were fired and the rest of the troops rushed to the assault. Against this mode of warfare the usual military tactics were found to be useless, for the retreating troops, meeting with the rest, pushed them back before them in confusion. And thus Žižka won the battle, and the arms, wagons and provisions; and this while he was blind in both eyes.”

Among the persons of note that had fallen in this battle is mentioned Andrew of Dub, Žižka’s son-in-law, and this is the only record that gives any intimation that he had a son-in-law, who belonged to the nobility.

After this battle, Žižka turned against Kuttenberg, which he captured without much difficulty. By this victory he deprived the city of Prague of its chief source of income. From Kuttenberg he went to Kaurim, then to Bohemian Brod, and finally to Nimburg, all these cities surrendering without much opposition. Leaving these cities, Žižka went to attack Pilsen, but the people had made such ample preparations for their defense that he was obliged to raise the siege without accomplishing anything.

The continual dissensions among the Bohemians would have wrought their ruin had not similar dissensions kept the German princes from any united action against them. Indeed, Sigmund was charged with lukewarmness in putting down Hussitism in Bohemia, and some went so far as to charge him with