The Thirty Years' War - James Aitken Wylie

vengeance his compliance with the Swedish
monarch's wishes. Bogislaus begged to be
permitted to remain neutral. But Gustavus told him
that he must choose between himself and
Ferdinand, and that he must decide at once.
Influenced by the present rather than by the
remote danger, Bogislaus opened the gates of
Stettin, and the Swedish troops entered. Instead of
plundering their houses the soldiers went with the
citizens to church, and soon established a
reputation which proved second only to their valor
in its influence on their future success. The
occupation of this town was a masterly stroke. It
gave the king a basis of operations on the
mainland, it covered his rear, and it secured his
communication with Sweden.
Step by step Gustavus Adolphus advanced into
North Germany. His host swelled and multiplied
the farther his banners were borne. The soldiers
who had formed the armies of Count Mansfeld and
the Duke of Brunswick, and the corps disbanded by
Wallenstein, flocked in crowds to his standard, and
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