required on entering the real scene of action, and measures
were to be taken for securing the junction with Prince
Louis, as soon as the army should descend into the plains.
To add to the disquietude of the commander, th States-
general were alarmed by reports that Villeroy was returning
to the Netherlands, and earnestly reclaimed a part of the
auxiliary forces. News also arrived that Villeroy and Tal-
lard had held a conference at Landau, on the 13th, which
seemed to portend some enterprise of moment, and that the
elector of Bavaria, after sending his baggage to Ulm, was
pushing his army across the Danube, as if meditating an
attack on Prince Louis.

But the powerful mind of Marlborough seemed to gather
strength and resources even from difficulty and peril. To tran-
quillise the States, he sent orders for the collection of a suffi-
cient number of boats to facilitate the return of a large body
of troops down the Rhine. He employed the interval of his
halt in directing the formation of magazines at Heidelsheim
and Nordlingen. He also enjoined the Danish foot, who had
reached Frankfort, to direct their march towards Stolhoffen,
and place themselves at the disposition of Eugene; and hav-
ing pressed his brother, who had arrived with the infantry
at Blockingen, to hasten his progress, he prepared to lead
forward the cavalry and auxiliaries to the aid of Prince
Louis.

On the 20th he received the long-expected intelligence
that the German army was on the point of advancing to
Westerstetten. The heavy baggage was instantly directed
to move, under a strong escort, that it might not embarrass
the passage of the troops. The whole army gradually tra-
versed the defile without obstruction, and on the 22d the
camp was established, between Launsheim and Ursprung,
the right joining the left of prince Louis, who, in the interim,
had taken his position near Westerstetten.

The following day was spent in reviewing the troops and
forming a new line of battle. On the 24th, the confederates
advancing to Elchingen and Langenau, in the vicinity of the
Danube, the elector of Bavaria withdrew from his post at
Ulm, and retired to the strong intrenched camp between
Lawingen and Dillingen. The 25th the headquarters of
Marlborough were established at Langenau. On the 26th

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