THE advance of the confederates towards the camp of the
enemy indicated the development of the plan to secure
Donawerth as a place of arms for the invasion of Bavaria.
The Gallo-Bavarian army occupied a formidable position
between Lawingen and Dillingen, with the Danube in the
rear, and the front strongly fortified and covered with inun-
dations. To secure the passage leading through Donawerth,
the elector detached General d!Arco, with 10,000 infantry
and 2500 cavalry, to occupy the Schellenberg, a commanding
height north of the Danube. By this skilful disposition, he
hoped to cover his own dominions, and hold the confederates
in check, till he could receive the additional reinforcements
which he expected from France.

Marlborough penetrated the design, and became doubly
anxious to realise his plan. After a conference with the
margrave, he extorted his consent to advance with the army,
and resolved to profit by the alternation of the command on
the ensuing day, to attack the troops on the Schellenberg,
before they could be still farther strengthened. On the first
of July, therefore, the whole army, under the direction of the
margrave, defiled before the electoral camp, the avenues of
which were watched by General Bulow, with a body of
cavalry. Directing their march towards Donawerth, the
confederates encamped in the evening, between Amerdingen
and Onderingen, about fourteen miles from the foot of the
Schellenberg.

So bold an enterprise as that which Marlborough prepared
to execute might have daunted a spirit less determined and
persevering. He had yet a long march to make, encumbered
with a heavy train of artillery, and over roads drenched by
incessant rains. With these disadvantages, he was to attack
a position of formidable strength, and defended by an ample
force. He was conscious, however, that if he failed to
accomplish his purpose, while invested with the temporary
command, the ensuing day would be wasted by his colleague
in deliberation, and that a delay of twenty-four hours would
enable the enemy to receive reinforcements and mature

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