Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Breitenfeld, Second Battle (Thirty Years' War).

Fought November 2, 1642, between the Imperialists under the Archduke Leopold and Piccolomini, and the Swedes under Torstenson. The latter, who were in retreat, were caught by the pursuing Austrians at Breitenfeld, but turning upon them, they offered a desperate resistance, and finally drove them from the field, totally routed, with a loss of 10,000 men.