30 Wallenstein
fought with some personal distinction at Gradisca, and while he was
not always with his regiment due to illness and other duties it is clear
that he must have seen action during 1619–20. In June 1619 his regi-
ment was with Bucquoy when he defeated Mansfeld at Záblatí, and it
was still with him during the retreat to defend Vienna in the autumn
of that year. Wallenstein took part in the withdrawal over the Danube
at Ulrichskirchen, where his regiment was reportedly assigned to pro-
vide defensive cover for the crossing and was one of the last over the
pontoon bridge. He was also in Vienna during the siege by Bethlen
and Thurn in November. High casualties accompanied so much action,
and disease also took its toll, so that Wallenstein had to recruit in the
Netherlands over the winter. Campaigning was confined to skirmishing
during the early part of 1620, a time when he was ill with gout in April
and with a severe fever in July, but he took part in the advance into
Bohemia later in the summer. His men fought at the battle of the White
Mountain, although Wallenstein himself had been detached for special
duties at that time.^8
Nevertheless the managerial side of a colonel’s responsibilities was in
many respects more important. A regiment was the biggest functional
military entity in this period, and it had to be self-sufficient and able to
operate on its own if necessary. Most were business enterprises which
for practical purposes belonged to the colonel, and he was engaged by a
prince, state or city as a military contractor to supply and maintain his
regiment as a fully operational unit. In return he received agreed rates
of payment for the number of men, horses and other items provided,
as well as allowances for himself and his staff. For a capable business-
man there were opportunities for substantial legitimate profits as well
as ways of supplementing these by various subterfuges, although there
were also financial risks as the colonel might have to make a consider-
able initial outlay and to provide extended credit to his employer before
obtaining reimbursement.
We may assume that Wallenstein quickly proved his organisational
competence, as along with authority to re-recruit at the end of 1619
he was shortly afterwards given a commission for a second regiment.
Second commissions were not unheard of but they were by no means
common, their most likely recipients being those of princely rank and
wealth who could advance a great deal of money, or senior staff offic-
ers with a track record of success and a purse well lined with the profits.
Wallenstein fell into neither category at this time, despite which not
only did he receive a second commission, but a double-sized one, for
2000 cavalry instead of the standard 1000. His reputation for loyalty