WI: Lennart Torstensson VS William Cadogan
The right hand men of their respective Generals, Lennart Torstensson served Swedish King Gustavas Adolphus and William Cadogan served British General John Churchill Duke Marlborough. The Size of forces is towards the bottom of the page.
Lennart Torstensson was given command of the Swedish artillery by King Gustavas Adolphus in 1629. Lennart Torstensson proved to be an invaluable subordinate throughout Adolphus’s campaigns. After the king’s death at the Battle of Lutzen in 1632, Torstensson filled the void and became a leading figure in the Swedish army. By 1642 he was commanding his own armies and in 1645 won the Battle of Jankau, which was one of the last battles of the Thirty Years War. One other thing to note about Torstensson is that after 1642 he has trouble walking due to some form of arthritis and has to be carried around most of the time.
William Cadogan, the great John Churchill Duke of Marlborough’s loyal subordinate and one of Britain’s ablest generals. Initially appointed quartermaster general, he helped to organize the march down the Danube and the decisive Battle of Blenheim. Later, in 1706, as commander of the 1st Foot Guards and Malbrough’s vanguard Cadogan preformed splendidly. His reconnaissance missions, pre battle planning, and brilliant maneuvers helped to ensure victory for British forces at the battles of Ramillies and Oudenarde. Personally brave he was wounded a number of times throughout the war. Overall Cadogan helped to ensure that his friend and commander Marlborough never lost a battle. One weakness he may have is that he was never given the opportunity to command a large force in the field; even so I’m positive he would have excelled at it.
Lennart Torstensson: Swedish army of the 1640’s
12,000 infantry, 3,500 cavalry, 90 guns
William Cadogan: British army of the early 1700’s
13,000 infantry, 3,800 cavalry, 66 guns
Who wins in this battle of the subordinates?
Source
Commanders by R.G. Grant
Battle by R.G. Grant