September, 1531. From all quarters came in reports of warlike
preparations and movements in the Five Cantons. Schwyz and Uri at last
consented to join the others in an attempt to carry off the food denied
them, by force of arms; the Catholic _landvogt_ in the free bailiwicks
had already seized on a wagon of salt at Bremgarten. A troop of
auxiliaries, obtained by Luzern through the mediation of the Nuncio and
paid by the Pope, was known to be on the march from Italy. In a long
manifesto, addressed to the Confederates, and especially her own
subjects in city and country, the government enumerated her just
grievances against the Five Cantons, replied, as far as she was able,
to their complaints against Zurich, offered once more to accept the
_Landfriede_, in the sense in which she understood and could only
interpret it, and to raise the prohibition, as soon as the insolent
calumniators were punished, absolved herself, if this were not done,
from all the consequences, and concluded with these words: "We live in
the firm and assured hope, that you, our dear subjects, will be equally
concerned with us about the above-named scandal, abuse, contempt and
despising of our faith and of the Divine Word, and other injuries done
us, contrary to the federal compact and the _Landfriede_, and that you
will honestly and fairly fulfill, as a loyal people, the offers and
promises you have made us; moreover, do not doubt that we, your lords
and rulers, will act toward you in all honor, friendship, fidelity,
love and kindness, and not forsake you in the hour of need; because we
are not seeking our own advantage, but the honor of God, and after
that, of the Common Confederacy, of our city and canton, and then the
honor, fame, profit and welfare of you all." Rudolf Lavater, _landvogt_
of Kyburg, was appointed commander-in-chief, called into the city and
full authority given to him, the banneret Schweizer and T[oe]nig,
captain of the artillery, to admit, if they saw fit, others into their
council, to call out the soldiery, and to march to battle, as soon as
they found it necessary; in short, to do everything needful "to protect
and save the interests and honor of the canton." A commission to this
effect was handed over to Lavater. But with that effort all power
seemed to be exhausted. As if with the commission all responsibility
had been shifted from their shoulders to those of others, neither
firmness, promptitude, nor unanimity were to be found in the Councils.
Indeed there existed traces of actual treason. Scarcely did an order go
forth from one side to the rural districts, before it was followed by a
countermand from the other. Troops, who were summoned, received on the
way notice to return home. Unwilling to see himself frustrated at
every point, Lavater retired, for a while, to Kyburg. The inhabitants
of the frontiers toward Zug and Luzern, were partly intimidated and
partly incensed by a flood of disparaging reports, which were sent
thither. Petitions from Bern, not to be too rash, not to make the
first attack, were continually arriving. These were supported by a
majority of the members of both Councils, who, paralyzed by fear, by a
criminal regard to their own private interests, or buoyed up by a
haughty self-confidence, affected to consider the step taken by the
adverse party as a mere show, or as greatly exaggerated by public
rumor. A hearing was granted to the ever-busy advocates of peace, whose
numbers were now swelled by a delegation from Strassburg; and through
their entreaties and promises, every decisive measure was postponed.
Meanwhile, the courage of the Five Cantons so increased, in view of the
helplessness of their opponents, that early in October, their deputies
assembled in Brunnen, in order to take final action. Here the treaties
were first read, and then all were questioned, upon oath, by the
bailiff Richmuth of Schwyz, whether they had been so violated by Zurich
and Bern, that war could be lawfully declared against them. It was
decided unanimously in the affirmative, and on the 9th of October,
after a long explanation of all the motives that prompted them to this
course, the campaign was begun.
On the same day, 600 Luzerners and 50 volunteers from each of the other
cantons reached Hochdorf, and from thence, strengthened by 400 men from
the upper free bailiwicks, advanced to Hitzkirch. From the latter
place, the commander Von Muelinen fell back upon Bremgarten, and sent
call after call to Zurich for aid. On the 10th, the chief force of the
Five Cantons, each division under its own _landamman_ and
_schultheiss_, advanced to Zug, where they waited for the approach of
the Zurichers. They brought with them a challenge against Zurich, to
the following effect:
"We, the captains, bannerets and commons-at-war of the Five old
Christian Cantons make known to the Councils and commons of Zurich, by
this our letter: For a long time now, as regards our fair and honorable
rights and desires, contrary to sworn treaties and the _Landfriede_
concluded between us, contrary to Christian discipline and unity,
contrary to Confederate loyalty, love and friendship, and contrary to
all natural law and equity, have we been violently deprived and
dispossessed of our just rights in the government of St. Gall and the
bailiwick in the Rheinthal, not by you and your adherents only, but by
our own people also, whom in defiance of God, honor and law, you have
seduced from their allegiance. Not satisfied with the attempt to create
disunion amongst us by cunning and intrigue, to drive us from our old,
true Christian faith, you pretend that we are not willing to hear the
Word of God, nor to suffer the Old and New Testaments to be read, and
therefore call us ungodly, malicious sellers-of-flesh and perfidious
reprobates; and because we do not attach ourselves to your newly
invented religion, you refuse to sell us provisions, and undertake to
crush us by hunger, and not us alone, but to destroy the very child in
its mother's womb. You grudge us this, though God gives it, and it has
not grown up as yours, nor upon your soil; for what good, honest people
would gladly send us, you will not suffer to pass through your
territories, which is an open and wanton violation of the federal
compact and the _Landfriede_. And though we have made every reasonable
offer for the sake of peace, quiet, and the perpetuation of our common
Confederacy, and for this end appealed for aid to the other cantons,
yet neither have you acknowledged our rights, nor has any one shown a
disposition to help us, and for a long time now we have been obliged to
suffer and endure this oppression and injustice; and since there
appears to be no end to overbearing and violence, and we can look for
neither right nor fairness, we are driven to complain to God's worthy
Mother, to all the heavenly host, and to all good men, who love justice
and equity. If we and ours were to suffer such scandal, shame,
contempt, blasphemy and arrogance any longer, we would stand recreant
before God and the world. Wherefore, for the honor of religion and
truth and the glory of God's Holy Name, we are forced, by the aid of
Heaven, to put down such crime and tyranny, compelled to take
vengeance; and so much and so far as God gives us power, grace and
strength, will we chastise you by the edge of the sword and no longer
abide such haughty oppression and constraint; and we hereby boldly
proclaim, that, against you and your abettors, we will uphold our own
honor and that of our allies."
This decided movement on the part of the Five Cantons produced the
greatest confusion in Zurich. The commander elect, the head of the
board of war, was absent; the Councils were wavering and split into
factions, the majority of the people without confidence or sympathy;
and Zwingli, although calm, to the last moment true to the call of
duty, full of unshaken faith in the justice of his cause, and certain
that a better future would dawn upon his fatherland, had yet no hope
for the present; none for a speedy victory; none for himself. Four days
before his death, he said in the pulpit: "Our only true possession is
the friendship of God, from whom, neither death nor any earthly power
can sunder us;" and then again: "They achieve the most glorious
victory, who are actors and not spectators merely. Hence, courage amid
the perplexities and dangers through which the holy cause of the Gospel
must be upheld! May others enjoy the fruit of our labors! We will find
rest in Heaven."
In such a frame of mind, he was not surprised by the reports of his
friend Bullinger, abbot of Cappel, whom Lavater had sent to the Five
Cantons as a trusty spy. These were of the same tenor and spoke of the
fixed determination of the enemy, the first step already taken, and the
distress and prayers for help on the frontiers. At his request, or by
order, of the government, Lavater returned to Zurich on the 9th of
October; but just as the character of the news varied, an immediate
dispatch of troops was talked of in the Council, or its order already
communicated, recalled. Nothing was done that day, but to send several
members to Bremgarten and Cappel, to reconnoiter. A restless night was
passed; new warnings had arrived. On the morning of the 10th, the
pastor of Rifferschweil and the landlord of the Albis made their
appearance; the one an eyewitness of the flight of the people before
the invading Catholics, the other, a messenger from the deputies of the
government, with pressing entreaties to hasten the departure of the
army. The Small and Great Councils were called together, but the
meeting was by no means full. Perplexity, hesitation, and even secret
joy at the confused state of affairs kept a portion of the members at
home. Lavater had also summoned to the senate-house Zwingli, the
banneret Schweizer, William T[oe]nig and Hans Dæniker, to whom the
conduct of the baggage train was committed. They all agreed, that the
alarm should be sounded immediately, and first in the more remote
districts, so that their inhabitants might assemble under the banner
simultaneously with those who dwelt nearer. They notified the
councillors of their resolution, but again found opposition among them.
In vain did Lavater appeal to his commission. The dispatch of some 100
men, under George G[oe]ldli, was only effected about noon, and that
with the injunction, to venture on nothing decisive, but to secure a
good position. The artillery, which ought to have gone with them, was
not fully underweigh until evening. At last, as night set in, about
seven o'clock, permission was given to sound the alarm, which was now
done very irregularly throughout the canton, varying in proportion as
they, who were appointed to the service, were well-disposed, or had,
perchance, here and there, received secret counter-orders. About
midnight Peter Fuessli reached the summit of the Albis with the
artillery, for the draught of which he had found it difficult to
procure teams. According to his narration, the alarm was sounded in
several "_kilchh[oe]renen_" (parishes); commotion reigned in nature.
Tschudi tells us of an earthquake on that night, "which mightily shook
the canton, even mountain and valley." On the morning of the 12th,
about six o'clock, the banner was hung out of the senate-house. But the
commander-in-chief had to wait some time before any soldiers collected
around it. There was nothing like regular division into companies or
mustering beforehand. Whoever had courage to come as a volunteer,
placed himself in the ranks. They were scarce 700 men, all told,
councillors, clergy, and gray haired fathers in part, along with fiery
youths; and so they hurried off, for word was brought, that G[oe]ldli
had already engaged the enemy on the other side of the mountain.
Zwingli also, responding to the summons of the Council, of his own
accord joined the departing troops. He had taken leave of his wife and
children and of his friends in such a way, that, as Bullinger remarks,
"they perceived he expected never to return home again." Even his horse
seemed to have a foreboding of evil. He shied, as Werner Steiner
relates, and as many saw with terror, backwards. Too sagacious not to
observe that he must encounter contradictory measures, the lukewarmness
of allies, and secret treachery, which he more than once predicted; too
manly to retire now in the hour of need; too full of confidence in God,
not to believe that He would protect His own Gospel, though it should
for the moment call for its martyrs, he acknowledged the duty of
abiding by his Zurichers, whose temporal and eternal welfare he desired
from the bottom of his heart, in the defence of their native soil, even
unto death; of proving by his own blood, that it was no mere selfish
ambition or love of revolution, which had prompted him to speak and
act, as in their blindness, his raging enemies had asserted. Not in
sullen stupefaction, not in a fit of frenzy or of recklessness did he
march forth, but with the earnestness of a man, who knows what may
happen, and, not girding himself with his own hands, relies on the arm
of Him, who is best acquainted with the human heart, and pardons the
multitude of our errors, if only redeemed by faith, love, and a spirit
of self-sacrifice. A Winterthurer, Hans Maaler, who rode one rank
behind him, narrates that he heard him pray for himself and especially
for the church of Christ with great fervency.
On the summit of the mountain the wearied soldiers were obliged to rest
for a while. From the valley below, the thunder of cannon was
distinctly heard in the neighborhood of Cappel. But how few in numbers,
how motley was the host that here assembled once more around the
banner! A part, consisting of the heavy-armed and the aged, were still
climbing upward, and the artillery, again delayed for want of horses,
lingered far behind. There was little to encourage a prudent general to
venture rashly, with such fragments of an army, from ground, which he
could hold even with these, down into the open field; at least, whilst
he could count with certainty on a considerable increase in the course
of a few hours, and could employ the interval in the most needful
instruction and arrangement of his troops. There was reason also to
hope, from the tenor of the commands, which he had received, that
G[oe]ldli, as soon as he could no longer defend himself at a distance
with his cannon, would rather fall back upon the mountain. It was,
therefore, military experience, and not cowardice, which led William
T[oe]nig to advise a halt, till the arrival of those in the rear. But
Zwingli, whose thoughts dwelt only upon his last duty, and the distress
of his neighbors, attacked by an invading force and anxiously waiting
for help, immediately replied: "I will go down to the good people in
God's name; to die with them, or to aid in their deliverance." Lavater,
already perhaps despairing of success, but resolved to maintain his
reputation for personal courage, likewise spoke in favor of haste,
whilst the gray-haired banneret, T[oe]nig, withdrew his proposal to
halt. "I am as stout as you," said he, "and you will find it so." The
event soon proved his saying true.
It was three o'clock in the afternoon, when the banner reached Cappel.
Only a few of the most active entered the battle-field with it. The
rest of the soldiers followed in great disorder. For some time,
G[oe]ldli and his men, strengthened by the inhabitants of the
surrounding country, had sustained, with trifling loss, the fire of the
enemy's artillery, and answered it with their own. Just as Lavater,
Zwingli and the other leaders came up, a pause ensued, in consequence
of a council of war in the hostile camp, which resulted in a change of
position. The Zurichers also met to deliberate. The challenge of the
Five Cantons was produced by G[oe]ldli and handed over to Zwingli. It
was now evening. A renewal of the battle was no longer anticipated.
Peter Fuessli proposed that the cannon on hand should be removed to a
hill, lying somewhat in the rear, and a secure position taken behind
it. The others, though differing in opinion, went along with him to
look at the spot; but just at this most unfavorable moment, when
deprived of their best leaders, the Zurichers saw themselves threatened
by the enemy, who were close upon them. For whilst the Catholic
captains were discussing their affairs to little purpose, and their
main forces lay in the back-ground, the _vogt_ Jouch of Uri had slipped
unperceived with a number of marksmen into a little grove, which
commanded the flank of the Zurichan army. Volunteers from the Five
Cantons, Unterwalden especially, advanced in front. Against these, all
of the Zurichers, who were most eager for the fray rushed, without
waiting for orders, and never dreaming of an ambuscade. Then an
irregular conflict arose. Lavater, Zwingli and the greater part of
their companions returned to take their place in the ranks, as soon as
they heard of it. At this very moment, the rest of the Catholics
pressed forward, and all at once Jouch and his marksmen opened fire.
The peril of the Zurichers was manifest. "How is it, Master Ulric,"
said Leonhard Burkhard, a member of the baker's guild, who were not
friendly to the Reformer, "are the turnips salted? Who shall eat them?"
"I," said he, "and many an honest man here with me, in God's hand,
whose we are living and dead." "And I along with you, though it cost me
my life," added the former. He too fell a victim. Lavater, seizing a
lance, marched to the thickest of the fight. "Remember" cried he, "the
honor of God and Zurich; quit yourselves like men." The banneret
Schweizer did the same, and Zwingli, requested by Bernhart Spruengleir
to encourage the soldiers, spoke with a loud voice: "Fear not; if we
suffer, it is for God's sake. Call on Him. He will strengthen us and
ours." In fact he inspired in the bosoms of the noblest among them
courage to remain true to their convictions unto death, and leave
behind for future generations an example of duty fulfilled and honor
saved.[1] After a short and furious struggle, the half of the Zurichers
present lay stretched upon the field of battle; the fourth part of whom
either expired immediately, or afterward died of their wounds. Zwingli
whilst in the act of speaking to a soldier falling at his side, was
struck with such violence by a stone (as appeared from the deep dinge
in his helmet, which was brought to Luzern as a trophy of war) that he
also sunk down. In this prostrate condition he was stabbed a number of
times in his legs. "The body they can kill; the soul not." These are
said to have been his last words. Around him lay eighteen others of the
most distinguished of the clergy--among them, Diebold von Geroldseck,
who had formerly called him to Einsiedeln, Wolfgang Joner, abbot at
Cappel, and the commander Conrad Schmid in the midst of 39 men of
Kuessnacht. Seven members of the Small and nineteen of the Great
Council had fallen. Besides these, there were sixty-five burghers of
the capital, eleven of Winterthur, and 410 men of the canton. The
banner, defended by Schweizer till he fell, was saved by the heroic
exertions of Hans Kambli, Adam Ræf and Ulric Denzler. By nightfall the
Catholics had achieved a decided victory. They refrained from pursuit,
and, collecting on the meadows near the houses, knelt down to offer up
a prayer of thanksgiving. Many of them then sallied forth, torch in
hand, to visit the scene of carnage, but with different ends in view;
some to secure the clothing and the weapons of the slain; others,
inspired by revenge or fanaticism, to deal a finishing stroke on those
of the wounded, against whom they bore a grudge; but many also,
prompted by the nobler motive of comforting and bringing help where it
was yet possible. Salat of Luzern thus gloried in his fanaticism:
"Some, when asked, as they lay struggling in the agonies of death,
whether they wished to confess and receive the holy sacraments,
answered. Yes! and were thus preserved, according to Christian usage,
and died as good Christians. Others, when so asked, made the sign of
No! These were then left to die like _infidel dogs_, or finished,
perchance, by a stab or blow, _so that they might the sooner he led off
to the Devil, as they were fighting on all fours_." Bullinger praises
the humanity of the enemy in the following words; "On the contrary,
there were not a few among the Five Cantons, who deeply deploring this
sad business as a great misfortune, treated the captive Zurichers in a
friendly manner, caused their wounds to be bound up, and placed them
beside their campfires; for the night was cold, and a heavy frost lay
upon the ground. They regretted that the prohibition of the export of
provisions (without which the common people could not have been induced
to take up arms) had been laid, and that such great injury had resulted
from it, and honest Confederates set in hostile array against each
other. A party of those who were searching through the field of
battle, came upon Zwingli. He lay with his face to the earth. They
turned him around and asked him, like the others, to confess. He
repeatedly shook his head, by way of denial. 'Die then, stiff-necked
heretic!' cried Captain Vokinger of Unterwalden, and gave him his
death-blow. The news that his body was found, soon spread among the
Catholics. Numbers went out to look at it--among them, Bartholomew
Stocker of Zug, who had known and esteemed the Reformer in his
lifetime. He often afterward said, that 'in the form and color of his
face he did not appear to be dead, but alive, and, to his great
surprise, looked just as he did when he preached.' Hans Sch[oe]nbrunner,
formerly, the head of the convent at Cappel, could not refrain from
tears. 'Whatever thy faith was,' said he, 'I know that thou wert an
honest Confederate. God be merciful to thy soul!' But rage prevailed
among the majority, who demanded that the body should be divided into
five pieces, and one sent to each of the Five Cantons; others wished it
to be burnt. _Schultheiss_ Golder and the _amman_ Thoss exhorted them
to leave the dead rest, and judgment to God. They were overpowered by
loud cries, and withdrew. At the tap of the drum an inquisition was
proclaimed, sentence passed and the corpse quartered by the executioner
of Luzern, burned, and its ashes mixed with those of a dead hog." What a
religion, that could fancy such frenzy would be pleasing to God!
Terrible beyond description was the effect produced by the fearful
reports, which now reached Zurich, blow after blow. Some, like Anna
Reinhart, who received in succession the sad tidings of the death of a
husband, a son, a son-in law, a brother, and a brother-in-law,
submitted with Christian resignation.--Others acknowledged in the
calamity a judgment upon their own sins, on account of the too little
respect paid to the rights of their Confederates, the violation of
treaties and the forcible introduction of reforms, which can only rest
upon a sure basis, when the result of conscientious persuasion. These
views were uttered in louder or softer tones. The most vulgar, cowardly
and passionate gave vent to their secret hatred against certain
individuals. But then also, not a few were found, who, instead of
giving way to despondency, encouraged their neighbors, called for
redoubled exertions and cast themselves into the breach. The government
was roused. Directly after the receipt of the first news, then about
midnight, and again in the morning, Bern was written to for speedy aid
and the collective cities of the Christian _Buergerrecht_ for an
auxiliary force. As Lavater did not appear for a time, other leaders
were sent to the heights of the Albis, in order to collect the
fugitives and place them in the ranks of the new troops, who were
coming up. It would have been yet possible to recover everything and
wipe out the disgrace of defeat, by resolution and concord. Of the
former there was enough; of the latter not. Indeed, the army of Bern,
which approached, was strong in numbers. It had set out on the same day
in which the battle of Cappel was fought, but under a leader, the
_schultheiss_ Diessbach, who, swayed by his personal dislike to the
Reformation, wavered in his purpose and did not push forward with zeal
and activity.