His personal bravery was famous, and never did he fight more gallantly than when he led his veterans to the attack of the Swedes.
For twenty minutes a furious hand to hand conflict raged, and the result was still uncertain when a shot from a falconet struck Tilly on the knee and shattered the bone, and the old general fell insensible to the ground.

He was carried off the field, and his troops, now without a leader, gave way, the movement being hastened by two bodies of Swedish horse, who, eager for action, swam their horses across the river and threatened to cut off the retreat.

By this time evening was at hand.

The Swedes had secured the passage of the river, but the Imperialist army still held its intrenched position in the wood behind the Lech.

Gustavus brought the rest of his army across and halted for the night.
The Imperialist position was tremendously strong, being unassailable on the right and covered in the front by the marshy ground.