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diff --git a/2120-h/2120-h.htm b/2120-h/2120-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e83776 --- /dev/null +++ b/2120-h/2120-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11552 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + History of Friedrich II Of Prussia, Volume 20, by Thomas Carlyle + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. +XX. (of XXI.), by Thomas Carlyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XX. (of XXI.) + Frederick The Great--Friedrich is not to be Overwhelmed: + The Seven-Years War Gradually Ends--25th April, 1760-15th + February, 1763. + +Author: Thomas Carlyle + +Release Date: June 13, 2008 [EBook #2120] +Last Updated: November 30, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF FRIEDRICH II. *** + + + + +Produced by D.R. Thompson and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HISTORY OF FRIEDRICH II OF PRUSSIA, Volume 20 + </h1> + <h2> + FREDERICK THE GREAT + </h2> + <h2> + by Thomas Carlyle + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <div class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>BOOK XX.—FRIEDRICH IS NOT TO BE + OVERWHELMED: THE SEVEN-YEARS WAR GRADUALLY ENDS—25th April, + 1760-15th February, 1763.</b></big> </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> + <b>Chapter I.—FIFTH CAMPAIGN OPENS.</b> </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0002"> <b>Chapter II.—FRIEDRICH BESIEGES DRESDEN.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> CAPTURE OF GLATZ (26th July, 1760). </a><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> DIALOGUE OF FRIEDRICH AND HENRI (from their + Private Correspondence: June 7th-July 29th, 1760). </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0006"> DUKE FERDINAND'S BATTLE OF WARBURG (31st July, + 1760). </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> <b>Chapter III.—BATTLE OF LIEGNITZ.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> LOUDON IS TRYING A STROKE-OF-HAND ON BRESLAU, + IN THE GLATZ FASHION, IN THE INTERIM (July 30th-August 3d). </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0009"> FRIEDRICH ON MARCH, FOR THE THIRD TIME, TO RESCUE + SILESIA (August 1st-15th). </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> BATTLE, + IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF LIEGNITZ, DOES ENSUE (Friday morning, 15th + August, 1760). </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> <b>Chapter IV.—DAUN IN WRESTLE WITH + FRIEDRICH IN THE SILESIAN HILLS.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> THE RUSSIANS MAKE A RAID ON BERLIN, FOR RELIEF + OF DAUN AND THEIR OWN BEHOOF (October 3d-12th, 1760). </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> <b>Chapter V.—BATTLE OF TORGAU.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> FIGHT OF KLOSTER KAMPEN (Night of October + 15th-16th); WESEL NOT TO BE HAD BY DUKE FERDINAND. </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> <b>Chapter VI.—WINTER-QUARTERS 1760-1761.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> KING FRIEDRICH IN THE APEL HOUSE AT LEIPZIG + (8th December, 1760-17th March, 1761). </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> + INTERVIEW WITH HERR PROFESSOR GELLERT (Thursday, 18th December, 1760). + </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> DIALOGUE WITH GENERAL SALDERN (in + the Apel House, Leipzig, 21st January, 1761). </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0019"> THERE ARE SOME WAR-MOVEMENTS DURING WINTER; + GENERAL FINANCIERING DIFFICULTIES. CHOISEUL PROPOSES PEACE. </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> <b>Chapter VII.—SIXTH CAMPAIGN OPENS: CAMP + OF BUNZELWITZ.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> OF FERDINAND'S BATTLE OF VELLINGHAUSEN + (15th-16th July); AND THE CAMPAIGN 1761. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0022"> THIRD SIEGE OF COLBERG. </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> <b>Chapter VIII.—LOUDON POUNCES UPON + SCHWEIDNITZ ONE NIGHT (LAST OF SEPTEMBER, 1761).</b> </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0009"> <b>Chapter IX.—TRAITOR WARKOTSCH.</b> </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> <b>Chapter X.—FRIEDRICH IN BRESLAU; HAS + NEWS FROM PETERSBURG.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> THE PITT CATASTROPHE: HOW THE + PEACE-NEGOTIATION WENT OFF BY EXPLOSION; HOW PITT WITHDREW (3d October, + 1761), AND THERE CAME A SPANISH WAR NEVERTHELESS. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0027"> TIFF OF QUARREL BETWEEN KING AND HENRI + (March-April, 1762). </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> BRIGHT NEWS + FROM PETERSBURG (certain, Jan. 19th); WHICH GROW EVER BRIGHTER; AND + BECOME A STAR-OF-DAY FOR FRIEDRICH. </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> + WHAT COLONEL HORDT AND THE OTHERS SAW AT PETERSBURG (January-July, + 1762). </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> <b>Chapter XI.—SEVENTH CAMPAIGN OPENS.</b> + </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> <b>Chapter XII.—SIEGE OF + SCHWEIDNITZ: SEVENTH CAMPAIGN ENDS.</b> </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0013"> <b>Chapter XIII.—PEACE OF HUBERTSBURG.</b> + </a><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK XX.—FRIEDRICH IS NOT TO BE OVERWHELMED: THE SEVEN-YEARS WAR + GRADUALLY ENDS—25th April, 1760-15th February, 1763. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter I.—FIFTH CAMPAIGN OPENS. + </h2> + <p> + There were yet, to the world's surprise and regret, Three Campaigns of + this War; but the Campaign 1760, which we are now upon, was what produced + or rendered possible the other two;—was the crisis of them, and is + now the only one that can require much narrative from us here. Ill-luck, + which, Friedrich complains, had followed him like his shadow, in a strange + and fateful manner, from the day of Kunersdorf and earlier, does not yet + cease its sad company; but, on the contrary, for long months to come, is + more constant than ever, baffling every effort of his own, and from the + distance sending him news of mere disaster and discomfiture. It is in this + Campaign, though not till far on in it, that the long lane does prove to + have a turning, and the Fortune of War recovers its old impartial form. + After which, things visibly languish: and the hope of ruining such a + Friedrich becomes problematic, the effort to do it slackens also; the very + will abating, on the Austrian part, year by year, as of course the + strength of their resources is still more steadily doing. To the last, + Friedrich, the weaker in material resources, needs all his talent,—all + his luck too. But, as the strength, on both sides, is fast abating,—hard + to say on which side faster (Friedrich's talent being always a FIXED + quantity, while all else is fluctuating and vanishing),—what remains + of the once terrible Affair, through Campaigns Sixth and Seventh, is like + a race between spent horses, little to be said of it in comparison. + Campaign 1760 is the last of any outward eminence or greatness of event. + Let us diligently follow that, and be compendious with the remainder. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich was always famed for his Marches; but, this Year, they exceeded + all calculation and example; and are still the admiration of military men. + Can there by no method be some distant notion afforded of them to the + general reader? They were the one resource Friedrich had left, against + such overwhelming superiority in numbers; and they came out like surprises + in a theatre,—unpleasantly surprising to Daun. Done with such + dexterity, rapidity and inexhaustible contrivance and ingenuity, as + overset the schemes of his enemies again and again, and made his one army + equivalent in effect to their three. + </p> + <p> + Evening of April 25th, Friedrich rose from his Freyberg cantonments; moved + back, that is, northward, a good march; then encamped himself between Elbe + and the Hill-Country; with freer prospect and more elbow-room for work + coming. His left is on Meissen and the Elbe; his right at a Village called + the Katzenhauser, an uncommonly strong camp, of which one often hears + afterwards; his centre camp is at Schlettau, which also is strong, though + not to such a degree. This line extends from Meissen southward about 10 + miles, commanding the Reich-ward Passes of the Metal Mountains, and is + defensive of Leipzig, Torgau and the Towns thereabouts. [Tempelhof, iv. 16 + et seq.] Katzenhauser is but a mile or two from Krogis—that + unfortunate Village where Finck got his Maxen Order: "ER WEISS,—You + know I can't stand having difficulties raised; manage to do it!" + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's task, this Year, is to defend Saxony; Prince Henri having + undertaken the Russians,—Prince Henri and Fouquet, the Russians and + Silesia. Clearly on very uphill terms, both of them: so that Friedrich + finds he will have a great many things to assist in, besides defending + Saxony. He lies here expectant till the middle of June, above seven weeks; + Daun also, for the last two weeks, having taken the field in a sort. In a + sort;—but comes no nearer; merely posting himself astride of the + Elbe, half in Dresden, half on the opposite or northern bank of the River, + with Lacy thrown out ahead in good force on that vacant side; and so + waiting the course of other people's enterprises. + </p> + <p> + Well to eastward and rearward of Daun, where we have seen Loudon about to + be very busy, Prince Henri and Fouquet have spun themselves out into a + long chain of posts, in length 300 miles or more, "from Landshut, along + the Bober, along the Queiss and Oder, through the Neumark, abutting on + Stettin and Colberg, to the Baltic Sea." [Tempelhof, iv. 21-24.] On that + side, in aid of Loudon or otherwise, Daun can attempt nothing; still less + on the Katzenhauser-Schlettau side can he dream of an attempt: only + towards Brandenburg and Berlin—the Country on that side, 50 or 60 + miles of it, to eastward of Meissen, being vacant of troops—is + Daun's road open, were he enterprising, as Friedrich hopes he is not. For + some two weeks, Friedrich—not ready otherwise, it being difficult to + cross the River, if Lacy with his 30,000 should think of interference—had + to leave the cunctatory Feldmarschall this chance or unlikely possibility. + At the end of the second week ("June 14th," as we shall mark by and by), + the chance was withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + Daun and his Lacy are but one, and that by no means the most harassing, of + the many cares and anxieties which Friedrich has upon him in those Seven + Weeks, while waiting at Schlettau, reading the omens. Never hitherto was + the augury of any Campaign more indecipherable to him, or so continually + fluctuating with wild hopes, which proved visionary, and with huge + practical fears, of what he knew to be the real likelihood. "Peace + coming?" It is strange how long Friedrich clings to that fond hope: "My + Edelsheim is in the Bastille, or packed home in disgrace: but will not the + English and Choiseul make Peace? It is Choiseul's one rational course; + bankrupt as he is, and reduced to spoons and kettles. In which case, what + a beautiful effect might Duke Ferdinand produce, if he marched to Eger, + say to Eger, with his 50,000 Germans (Britannic Majesty and Pitt so + gracious), and twitched Daun by the skirt, whirling Daun home to Bohemia + in a hurry!" Then the Turks; the Danes,—"Might not the Danes send us + a trifle of Fleet to Colberg (since the English never will), and keep our + Russians at bay?"—"At lowest these hopes are consolatory," says he + once, suspecting them all (as, no doubt, he often enough does), "and give + us courage to look calmly for the opening of this Campaign, the very idea + of which has made me shudder!" ["To Prince Henri:" in <i>Schoning,</i> ii. + 246 (3d April, 1760): ib. 263 (of the DANISH outlook); &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, by the end of May, the Russians are come across the Weichsel + again, lie in four camps on the hither side; start about June 1st;—Henri + waiting for them, in Sagan Country his head-quarter; and on both hands of + that, Fouquet and he spread out, since the middle of May, in their long + thin Chain of Posts, from Landshut to Colberg again, like a thin wall of + 300 miles. To Friedrich the Russian movements are, and have been, full of + enigma: "Going upon Colberg? Going upon Glogau; upon Breslau?" That is a + heavy-footed certainty, audibly tramping forward on us, amid these fond + visions of the air! Certain too, and visible to a duller eye than + Friedrich's; Loudon in Silesia is meditating mischief. "The inevitable + Russians, the inevitable Loudon; and nothing but Fouquet and Henri on + guard there, with their long thin chain of posts, infinitely too thin to + do any execution!" thinks the King. To whom their modes of operating are + but little satisfactory, as seen at Schlettau from the distance. "Condense + yourself," urges he always on Henri; "go forward on the Russians; attack + sharply this Corps, that Corps, while they are still separate and on + march!" Henri did condense himself, "took post between Sagan and Sprottau; + post at Frankfurt,"—poor Frankfurt, is it to have a Kunersdorf or + Zorndorf every year, then? No; the cautious Henri never could see his way + into these adventures; and did not attack any Corps of the Russians. Took + post at Landsberg ultimately,—the Russians, as usual, having Posen + as place-of-arms,—and vigilantly watched the Russians, without + coming to strokes at all. A spectacle growing gradually intolerable to the + King, though he tries to veil his feelings. + </p> + <p> + Neither was Fouquet's plan of procedure well seen by Friedrich in the + distance. Ever since that of Regiment Manteuffel, which was a bit of + disappointment, Loudon has been quietly industrious on a bigger scale. + Privately he cherishes the hope, being a swift vehement enterprising kind + of man, to oust Fouquet; and perhaps to have Glatz Fortress taken, before + his Russians come! In the very end of May, Loudon, privately aiming for + Glatz, breaks in upon Silesia again,—a long way to eastward of + Fouquet, and as if regardless of Glatz. Upon which, Fouquet, in dread for + Schweidnitz and perhaps Breslau itself, hastened down into the Plain + Country, to manoeuvre upon Loudon; but found no Loudon moving that way; + and, in a day or two, learned that Landshut, so weakly guarded, had been + picked up by a big corps of Austrians; and in another day or two, that + Loudon (June 7th) had blocked Glatz,—Loudon's real intention now + clear to Fouquet. As it was to Friedrich from the first; whose anger and + astonishment at this loss of Landshut were great, when he heard of it in + his Camp of Schlettau. "Back to Landshut," orders he (11th June, three + days before leaving Schlettau); "neither Schweidnitz nor Breslau are in + danger: it is Glatz the Austrians mean [as Fouquet and all the world now + see they do!]; watch Glatz; retake me Landshut instantly!" + </p> + <p> + The tone of Friedrich, which is usually all friendliness to Fouquet, had + on this occasion something in it which offended the punctual and rather + peremptory Spartan mind. Fouquet would not have neglected Glatz; pity he + had not been left to his own methods with Landshut and it. Deeply hurt, he + read this Order (16th June); and vowing to obey it, and nothing but it, + used these words, which were remembered afterwards, to his assembled + Generals: "MEINE HERREN, it appears, then, we must take Landshut again. + Loudon, as the next thing, will come on us there with his mass of force; + and we must then, like Prussians, hold out as long as possible, think of + no surrender on open field, but if even beaten, defend ourselves to the + last man. In case of a retreat, I will be one of the last that leaves the + field: and should I have the misfortune to survive such a day, I give you + my word of honor never to draw a Prussian sword more." [Stenzel, v. 239.] + This speech of Fouquet's (June 16th) was two days after Friedrich got on + march from Schlettau. June 17th, Fouquet got to Landshut; drove out the + Austrians more easily than he had calculated, and set diligently, next + day, to repair his works, writing to Friedrich: "Your Majesty's Order + shall be executed here, while a man of us lives." Fouquet, in the old + Crown-Prince time, used to be called Bayard by his Royal friend. His Royal + friend, now darker of face and scathed by much ill-weather, has just + quitted Schlettau, three days before this recovery of Landshut; and will + not have gone far till he again hear news of Fouquet. + </p> + <p> + NIGHT OF JUNE 14th-15th, Friedrich, "between Zehren and Zabel," several + miles down stream,—his bridges now all ready, out of Lacy's + cognizance,—has suddenly crossed Elbe; and next afternoon pitches + camp at Broschwitz, which is straight towards Lacy again. To Lacy's + astonishment; who is posted at Moritzburg, with head-quarter in that + beautiful Country-seat of Polish Majesty,—only 10 miles to eastward, + should Friedrich take that road. Broschwitz is short way north of Meissen, + and lies on the road either to Grossenhayn or to Radeburg (Radeburg only + four miles northward of Lacy), as Friedrich shall see fit, on the morrow. + For the Meissen north road forks off there, in those two directions: + straight northward is for Grossenhayn, right hand is for Badeburg. Most + interesting to Lacy, which of these forks, what is quite optional, + Friedrich will take! Lacy is an alert man; looks well to himself; warns + Daun; and will not be caught if he can help it. Daun himself is encamped + at Reichenberg, within two miles of him, inexpugnably intrenched as usual; + and the danger surely is not great: nevertheless both these Generals, wise + by experience, keep their eyes open. + </p> + <p> + The FIRST great Feat of Marching now follows, On Friedrich's part; with + little or no result to Friedrich; but worth remembering, so strenuous, so + fruitless was it,—so barred by ill news from without! Both this and + the Second stand recorded for us, in brief intelligent terms by Mitchell, + who was present in both; and who is perfectly exact on every point, and + intelligible throughout,—if you will read him with a Map; and divine + for yourself what the real names are, out of the inhuman blotchings made + of them, not by Mitchell's blame at all. [Mitchell, <i>Memoirs and Papers,</i> + ii. 160 et seq.] + </p> + <p> + TUESDAY, JUNE 17th, second day of Friedrich's stay at Broschwitz, + Mitchell, in a very confidential Dialogue they had together, learned from + him, under seal of secrecy, That it was his purpose to march for Radeburg + to-morrow morning, and attack Lacy and his 30,000, who lie encamped at + Moritzburg out yonder; for which step his Majesty was pleased farther to + show Mitchell a little what the various inducements were: "One Russian + Corps is aiming as if for Berlin; the Austrians are about besieging Glatz,—pressing + need that Fouquet were reinforced in his Silesian post of difficulty. Then + here are the Reichs-people close by; can be in Dresden three days hence, + joined to Daun: 80,000 odd there will then be of Enemies in this part: I + must beat Lacy, if possible, while time still is!"—and ended by + saying: "Succeed here, and all may yet be saved; be beaten here, I know + the consequences: but what can I do? The risk must be run; and it is now + smaller than it will ever again be." + </p> + <p> + Mitchell, whose account is a fortnight later than the Dialogue itself, + does confess, "My Lord, these reasons, though unhappily the thing seems to + have failed, 'appear to me to be solid and unanswerable.'" Much more do + they to Tempelhof, who sees deeper into the bottom of them than Mitchell + did; and finds that the failure is only superficial. [Mitchell, <i>Memoirs + and Papers,</i> ii. 160 (Despatch, "June 30th, 1760"); Tempelhof, iv. 44.] + The real success, thinks Tempelhof, would be, Could the King manoeuvre + himself into Silesia, and entice a cunctatory Daun away with him thither. + A cunctatory Daun to preside over matters THERE, in his superstitiously + cautious way; leaving Saxony free to the Reichsfolk,—whom a Hulsen, + left with his small remnant in Schlettau, might easily take charge of, + till Silesia were settled?" The plan was bold, was new, and completely + worthy of Friedrich," votes Tempelhof; "and it required the most + consummate delicacy of execution. To lure Daun on, always with the + prospect open to him of knocking you on the head, and always by your + rapidity and ingenuity to take care that he never got it done." This is + Tempelhof's notion: and this, sure enough, was actually Friedrich's mode + of management in the weeks following; though whether already altogether + planned in his head, or only gradually planning itself, as is more likely, + nobody can say. We will look a very little into the execution, concerning + which there is no dubiety:— + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, 18th JUNE, "Friedrich," as predicted to Mitchell, the night + before, "did start punctually, in three columns, at 3 A.M. [Sun just + rising]; and, after a hot march, got encamped on the southward side of + Radeburg: ready to cross the Rodern Stream there to-morrow, as if + intending for the Lausitz [should that prove needful for alluring Lacy],—and + in the mean while very inquisitive where Lacy might be. One of Lacy's + outposts, those Saxon light horse, was fallen in with; was chased home, + and Lacy's camp discovered, that night. At Bernsdorf, not three miles to + southward or right of us; Daun only another three to south of him. Let us + attack Lacy to-morrow morning; wind round to get between Daun and him, + [Tempelhof, iv. 47-49.]—with fit arrangements; rapid as light! In + the King's tent, accordingly, his Generals are assembled to take their + Orders; brief, distinct, and to be done with brevity. And all are on the + move for Bernsdorf at 4 next morning; when, behold,— + </p> + <p> + "THURSDAY, 19th, At Bernsdorf there is no Lacy to be found. Cautions Dorn + has ordered him in,—and not for Lacy's sake, as appears, but for his + own: 'Hitherward, you alert Lacy; to cover my right flank here, my Hill of + Reichenberg,—lest it be not impregnable enough against that feline + enemy!' And there they have taken post, say 60,000 against 30,000; and are + palisading to a quite extraordinary degree. No fight possible with Lacy or + Daun." + </p> + <p> + This is what Mitchell counts the failure of Friedrich's enterprise: and + certainly it grieved Friedrich a good deal. Who, on riding out to + reconnoitre Reichenberg (Quintus Icilius and Battalion QUINTUS part of his + escort, if that be an interesting circumstance), finds Reichenberg a + plainly unattackable post; finds, by Daun's rate of palisading, that there + will be no attack from Daun either. No attack from Daun;—and, + therefore, that Hulsen's people may be sent home to Schlettau again; and + that he, Friedrich, will take post close by, and wearisomely be content to + wait for some new opportunity. + </p> + <p> + Which he does for a week to come; Daun sitting impregnable, intrenched and + palisaded to the teeth,—rather wishing to be attacked, you would + say; or hopeful sometimes of doing something of the Hochkirch sort again + (for the country is woody, and the enemy audacious);—at all events, + very clear not to attack. A man erring, sometimes to a notable degree, by + over-caution. "Could hardly have failed to overwhelm Friedrich's small + force, had he at once, on Friedrich's crossing the Elbe, joined Lacy, and + gone out against him," thinks Tempelhof, pointing out the form of + operation too. [Tempelhof, iv. 42, 48.] Caution is excellent; but not + quite by itself. Would caution alone do it, an Army all of Druidic + whinstones, or innocent clay-sacks, incapable of taking hurt, would be the + proper one!—Daun stood there; Friedrich looking daily into him,—visibly + in ill humor, says Mitchell; and no wonder; gloomy and surly words coming + out of him, to the distress of his Generals: "Which I took the liberty of + hinting, one evening, to his Majesty;" hint graciously received, and of + effect perceptible, at least to my imagining. + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25th, After nearly a week of this, there rose, towards + sunset, all over the Reichenberg, and far and wide, an exuberant + joy-firing: "For what in the world?" thinks Friedrich. Alas, your Majesty,—since + your own messenger has not arrived, nor indeed ever will, being picked up + by Pandours,—here, gathered from the Austrian outposts or deserters, + are news for you, fatal enough! Landshut is done; Fouquet and his valiant + 13,000 are trodden out there. Indignant Fouquet has obeyed you, not wisely + but too well. He has kept Landshut six nights and five days. On the + morning of the sixth day, here is what befell:— + </p> + <p> + "LANDSHUT, MONDAY, 23d JUNE, About a quarter to two in the morning, + Loudon, who had gathered 31,000 horse and foot for the business, and taken + his measures, fired aloft, by way of signal, four howitzers into the gray + of the summer morning; and burst loose upon Fouquet, in various columns, + on his southward front, on both flanks, ultimately in his rear too: + columns all in the height of fighting humor, confident as three to one,—and + having brandy in them, it is likewise said. Fouquet and his people stood + to arms, in the temper Fouquet had vowed they would: defended their Hills + with an energy, with a steady skill, which Loudon himself admired; but + their Hill-works would have needed thrice the number;—Fouquet, by + detaching and otherwise, has in arms only 10,680 men. Toughly as they + strove, after partial successes, they began to lose one Hill, and then + another; and in the course of hours, nearly all their Hills. Landshut Town + Loudon had taken from them, Landshut and its roads: in the end, the + Prussian position is becoming permeable, plainly untenable;—Austrian + force is moving to their rearward to block the retreat. + </p> + <p> + "Seeing which latter fact, Fouquet throws out all his Cavalry, a poor + 1,500, to secure the Passes of the Bober; himself formed square with the + wrecks of his Infantry; and, at a steady step, cuts way for himself with + bayonet and bullet. With singular success for some time, in spite of the + odds. And is clear across the Bober; when lo, among the knolls ahead, + masses of Austrian Cavalry are seen waiting him, besetting every passage! + Even these do not break him; but these, with infantry and cannon coming up + to help them, do. Here, for some time, was the fiercest tug of all,—till + a bullet having killed Fouquet's horse, and carried the General himself to + the ground, the spasm ended. The Lichnowski Dragoons, a famed Austrian + regiment, who had charged and again charged with nothing but repulse on + repulse, now broke in, all in a foam of rage; cut furiously upon Fouquet + himself; wounded Fouquet thrice; would have killed him, had it not been + for the heroism of poor Trautschke, his Groom [let us name the gallant + fellow, even if unpronounceable], who flung himself on the body of his + Master, and took the bloody strokes instead of him; shrieking his loudest, + 'Will you murder the Commanding General, then!' Which brought up the + Colonel of Lichnowski; a Gentleman and Ritter, abhorrent of such + practices. To him Fouquet gave his sword;—kept his vow never to draw + it again. + </p> + <p> + "The wrecks of Fouquet's Infantry were, many of them, massacred, no + quarter given; such the unchivalrous fury that had risen. His Cavalry, + with the loss of about 500, cut their way through. They and some + stragglers of Foot, in whole about 1,500 of both kinds, were what remained + of those 10,680 after this bloody morning's work. There had been about six + hours of it; 'all over by 8 o'clock.'" [<i>Hofbericht von der am 23 + Junius, 1760, bey Landshuth vorgefallenen Action</i> (in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> + ii. 669-671); <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vi. 258-284; Tempelhof, iv. 26-41; + Stenzel, v. 241 (who, by oversight,—this Volume being posthumous to + poor Stenzel,—protracts the Action to "half-past 7 in the + evening").] + </p> + <p> + Fouquet has obeyed to the letter: "Did not my King wrong me?" Fouquet may + say to himself. Truly, Herr General, your King's Order was a little + unwise; as you (who were on the ground, and your King not) knew it to be. + An unwise Order;—perhaps not inexcusable in the sudden + circumstances. And perhaps a still more perfect Bayard would have + preferred obeying such a King in spirit, rather than in letter, and + thereby doing him vital service AGAINST his temporary will? It is not + doubted but Fouquet, left to himself and his 13,000, with the Fortresses + and Garrisons about him, would have maintained himself in Silesia till + help came. The issue is,—Fouquet has probably lost this fine King + his Silesia, for the time being; and beyond any question, has lost him + 10,000 Prussian-Spartan fighters, and a fine General whom he could ill + spare!—In a word, the Gate of Silesia is burst open; and Loudon has + every prospect of taking Glatz, which will keep it so. + </p> + <p> + What a thunder-bolt for Friedrich! One of the last pillars struck away + from his tottering affairs. "Inevitable, then? We are over with it, then?" + One may fancy Friedrich's reflections. But he showed nothing of them to + anybody; in a few hours, had his mind composed, and new plans on the + anvil. On the morrow of that Austrian Joy-Firing,—morrow, or some + day close on it (ought to have been dated, but is not),—there went + from him, to Magdeburg, the Order: "Have me such and such quantities of + Siege-Artillery in a state of readiness." [Tempelhof, iv. 51.] Already + meaning, it is thought, or contemplating as possible a certain Siege, + which surprised everybody before long! A most inventive, enterprising + being; no end to his contrivances and unexpected outbreaks; especially + when you have him jammed into a corner, and fancy it is all over with him! + </p> + <p> + "To no other General," says Tempelhof, "would such a notion of besieging + Dresden have occurred; or if it had suggested itself, the hideous + difficulties would at once have banished it again, or left it only as a + pious wish. But it is strokes of this kind that characterize the great + man. Often enough they have succeeded, been decisive of great campaigns + and wars, and become splendid in the eyes of all mankind; sometimes, as in + this case, they have only deserved to succeed, and to be splendid in the + eyes of judges. How get these masses of enemies lured away, so that you + could try such a thing? There lay the difficulty; insuperable altogether, + except by the most fine and appropriate treatment. Of a truth, it required + a connected series of the wisest measures and most secret artifices of + war;—and withal, that you should throw over them such a veil as + would lead your enemy to see in them precisely the reverse of what they + meant. How all this was to be set in action, and how the Enemy's own + plans, intentions and moods of mind were to be used as raw material for + attainment of your object,—studious readers will best see in the + manoeuvres of the King in his now more than critical condition; which do + certainly exhibit the completest masterpiece in the Art of leading Armies + that Europe has ever seen." + </p> + <p> + Tempelhof is well enough aware, as readers should continue to be, that, + primarily, and onward for three weeks more, not Dresden, but the getting + to Silesia on good terms, is Friedrich's main enterprise: Dresden only a + supplement or substitute, a second string to his bow, till the first fail. + But, in effect, the two enterprises or strings coincide, or are one, till + the first of them fail; and Tempelhof's eulogy will apply to either. The + initiatory step to either is a Second Feat of Marching;—still + notabler than the former, which has had this poor issue. Soldiers of the + studious or scientific sort, if there are yet any such among us, will + naturally go to Tempelhof, and fearlessly encounter the ruggedest + Documents and Books, if Tempelhof leave them dubious on any point (which + he hardly will): to ingenuous readers of other sorts, who will take a + little pains for understanding the thing, perhaps the following + intermittent far-off glimpses may suffice. [Mitchell, ii. 162 et seq.; and + Tempelhof (iv. 50-53 et seq.), as a scientific check on Mitchell, or + unconscious fellow-witness with him,—agreeing beautifully almost + always.] + </p> + <p> + On ascertaining the Landshut disaster, Friedrich falls back a little; + northward to Gross-Dobritz: "Possibly Daun will think us cowed by what has + happened; and may try something on us?" Daun is by no means sure of this + COWED phenomenon, or of the retreat it has made; and tries nothing on it; + only rides up daily to it, to ascertain that it is there; and diligently + sends out parties to watch the Northeastward parts, where run the Silesian + Roads. After about a week of this, and some disappointments, Friedrich + decides to march in earnest. There had, one day, come report of Lacy's + being detached, Lacy with a strong Division, to block the Silesian roads; + but that, on trial, proved to be false. "Pshaw, nothing for us but to go + ourselves!" concludes Friedrich,—and, JULY 1st, sends off his Bakery + and Heavy Baggage; indicating to Mitchell, "To-morrow morning at 3!"—Here + is Mitchell's own account; accurate in every particular, as we find: + [Mitchell, ii. 164; Tempelhof, iv. 54.] + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, JULY 2d. "From Gross-Dobritz to Quosdorf [to Quosdorf, a poor + Hamlet there, not QuoLsdorf, as many write, which is a Town far enough + from there]—the Army marched accordingly. In two columns; baggage, + bakery and artillery in a third; through a country extremely covered with + wood. Were attacked by some Uhlans and Hussars; whom a few cannon-shot + sent to the road again. March lasted from 3 in the morning to 3 in the + afternoon;" twelve long hours. "Went northeastward a space of 20 miles, + leaving Radeburg, much more leaving Reichenberg, Moritzburg and the Daun + quarters well to the right, and at last quite to rearward; crossed the + Roder, crossed the Pulsnitz," small tributaries or sub-tributaries of the + Elbe in those parts; "crossed the latter (which divides Meissen from the + Lausitz) partly by the Bridge of Krakau, first Village in the Lausitz. + Head-quarter was the poor Hamlet of Quosdorf, a mile farther on. 'This + march had been carefully kept secret,' says Mitchell; 'and it was the + opinion of the most experienced Officers, that, had the Enemy discovered + the King of Prussia's design, they might, by placing their light troops in + the roads with proper supports, have rendered it extremely difficult, if + not impracticable.'" + </p> + <p> + Daun very early got to know of Friedrich's departure, and whitherward; + which was extremely interesting to Daun: "Aims to be in Silesia before me; + will cut out Loudon from his fine prospects on Glatz?"—and had + instantly reinforced, perhaps to 20,000, Lacy's Division; and ordered + Lacy, who is the nearest to Friedrich's March, to start instantly on the + skirts of said March, and endeavor diligently to trample on the same. For + the purpose of harassing said March, Lacy is to do whatever he with safety + can (which we see is not much: "a few Uhlans and Hussars"); at lowest, is + to keep it constantly in sight; and always encamp as near it as he dare; + [Tempelhof, iv. 54.]—Daun himself girding up his loins; and + preparing, by a short-cut, to get ahead of it in a day or two. Lacy was + alert enough, but could not do much with safety: a few Uhlans and Hussars, + that was all; and he is now encamped somewhere to rearward, as near as he + dare. + </p> + <p> + THURSDAY, 3d JULY. "A rest-day; Army resting about Krakau, after such a + spell through the woody moors. The King, with small escort, rides out + reconnoitring, hither, thither, on the southern side or Lacy quarter: to + the top of the Keulenberg (BLUDGEON HILL), at last,—which is ten or + a dozen miles from Krakau and Quosdorf, but commands an extensive view. + Towns, village-belfries, courses of streams; a country of mossy woods and + wild agricultures, of bogs, of shaggy moor. Southward 10 miles is Radeberg + [not RadebUrg, observe]; yonder is the town of Pulsnitz on our stream of + Pulsnitz; to southeast, and twice as far, is Bischofswerda, chasmy Stolpen + (too well known to us before this): behind us, Konigsbruck, Kamenz and the + road from Grossenhayn to Bautzen: these and many other places memorable to + this King are discoverable from Bludgeon Hill. But the discovery of + discoveries to him is Lacy's Camp,—not very far off, about a mile + behind Pulsnitz; clearly visible, at Lichtenberg yonder. Which we at once + determine to attack; which, and the roads to which, are the one object of + interest just now,—nothing else visible, as it were, on the top of + the Keulenberg here, or as we ride homeward, meditating it with a + practical view. 'March at midnight,' that is the practical result arrived + at, on reaching home." + </p> + <p> + FRIDAY, JULY 4th. "Since the stroke of midnight we are all on march again; + nothing but the baggages and bakeries left [with Quintus to watch them, + which I see is his common function in these marches]; King himself in the + Vanguard,—who hopes to give Lacy a salutation. [Tempelhof, iv. 56.] + 'The march was full of defiles,' says Mitchell: and Mitchell, in his + carriage, knew little what a region it was, with boggy intricacies, + lakelets, tangly thickets, stocks and stumps; or what a business to pass + with heavy cannon, baggage-wagons and columns of men! Such a march; and + again not far from twenty miles of it: very hot, as the morning broke, in + the breathless woods. Had Lacy known what kind of ground we had to march + in, and been enterprising—! thinks Tempelhof. The march being so + retarded, Lacy got notice of it, and vanished quite away,—to + Bischofswerda, I believe, and the protecting neighborhood of Daun. Nothing + of him left when we emerge, simultaneously from this hand and from that, + on his front and on his rear, to take him as in a vice, as in the sudden + snap of a fox-trap;—fox quite gone. Hardly a few hussars of him to + be picked up; and no chase possible, after such a march." + </p> + <p> + Friedrich had done everything to keep himself secret: but Lacy has endless + Pandours prowling about; and, I suppose, the Country-people (in the + Lausitz here, who ought to have loyalty) are on the Lacy side. Friedrich + has to take his disappointment. He encamps here, on the Heights, + head-quarter Pulsnitz,—till Quintus come up with the baggage, which + he does punctually, but not till nightfall, not till midnight the last of + him. + </p> + <p> + SATURDAY, JULY 5th. "To the road again at 3 A.M. Again to northward, to + Kloster (CLOISTER) Marienstern, a 15 miles or so,—head-quarter in + the Cloister itself. Daun had set off for Bautzen, with his 50 or 60,000, + in the extremest push of haste, and is at Bautzen this night; ahead of + Friedrich, with Lacy as rear-guard of him, who is also ahead of Friedrich, + and safe at Bischofswerda. A Daun hastening as never before. This news of + a Daun already at Bautzen awakened Friedrich's utmost speed: 'Never do, + that Daun be in Silesia before us! Indispensable to get ahead of Bautzen + and him, or to be waiting on the flank of his next march!' Accordingly, + </p> + <p> + "SUNDAY, JULY 6th, Friedrich, at 3 A.M., is again in motion; in three + columns, streaming forward all day: straight eastward, Daun-ward. Intends + to cross the Spree, leaving Bautzen to the right; and take post somewhere + to northeast of Bautzen, and on the flank of Daun. The windless day grows + hotter and hotter; the roads are of loose sand, full of jungles and + impediments. This was such a march for heat and difficulty as the King + never had before. In front of each Column went wagons with a few pontoons; + there being many brooks and little streams to cross. The soldier, for his + own health's sake, is strictly forbidden to drink; but as the burning day + rose higher, in the sweltering close march, thirst grew irresistible. + Crossing any of these Brooks, the soldiers pounce down, irrepressible, + whole ranks of them; lift water, clean or dirty; drink it greedily from + the brim of the hat. Sergeants may wag their tongues and their cudgels at + discretion: 'showers of cudgel-strokes,' says Archenholtz; Sergeants going + like threshers on the poor men;—'though the upper Officers had a + touch of mercy, and affected not to see this disobedience to the Sergeants + and their cudgels,' which was punishable with death. War is not an + over-fond Mother, but a sufficiently Spartan one, to her Sons. There dropt + down, in the march that day, 105 Prussian men, who never rose again. And + as to intercepting Daun by such velocity,—Daun too is on march; gone + to Gorlitz, at almost a faster pace, if at a far heavier,—like a + cart-horse on gallop; faring still worse in the heat: '200 of Daun's men + died on the road this day, and 300 more were invalided for life.' + [Tempelhof, iv. 58; Archenholtz, ii. 68; Mitchell, ii. 166.] + </p> + <p> + "Before reaching the Spree, Friedrich, who is in the Vanguard, hears of + this Gorlitz March, and that the bird is flown. For which he has, + therefore, to devise straightway a new expedient: 'Wheel to the right; + cross Spree farther down, holding towards Bautzen itself,' orders + Friedrich. And settles within two miles of Bautzen; his left being at + Doberschutz,—on the strong ground he held after Hochkirch, while + Daun, two years ago, sat watching so quiescent. Daun knows what kind of + march these Prussians, blocked out from relief of Neisse, stole on him + THEN, and saved their Silesia, in spite of his watching and blocking;—and + has plunged off, in the manner of a cart-horse scared into galloping, to + avoid the like." What a Sabbath-day's journey, on both sides, for those + Sons of War! Nothing in the Roman times, though they had less baggage, + comes up to such modern marching: nor is this the fastest of Friedrich's, + though of Daun's it unspeakably is. "Friedrich, having missed Daun, is + thinking now to whirl round, and go into Lacy,—which will certainly + bring Daun back, even better. + </p> + <p> + "This evening, accordingly, Ziethen occupies Bautzen; sweeps out certain + Lacy precursors, cavalry in some strength, who are there. Lacy has come on + as far as Bischofswerda: and his Horse-people seem to be wide ahead; + provokingly pert upon Friedrich's outposts, who determines to chastise + them the first thing to-morrow. To-morrow, as is very needful, is to be a + rest-day otherwise. For Friedrich's wearied people a rest-day; not at all + for Daun's, who continues his heavy-footed galloping yet another day and + another, till he get across the Queiss, and actually reach Silesia." + </p> + <p> + MONDAY, JULY 7th. "Rest-day accordingly, in Bautzen neighborhood; nothing + passing but a curious Skirmish of Horse,—in which Friedrich, who had + gone westward reconnoitring, seeking Lacy, had the main share, and was + notably situated for some time. Godau, a small town or village, six miles + west of Bautzen, was the scene of this notable passage: actors in it were + Friedrich himself, on the Prussian part; and, on the Austrian, by degrees + Lacy's Cavalry almost in whole. Lacy's Cavalry, what Friedrich does not + know, are all in those neighborhoods: and no sooner is Godau swept clear + of them, than they return in greater numbers, needing to be again swept; + and, in fact, they gradually gather in upon him, in a singular and + dangerous manner, after his first successes on them, and before his + Infantry have time to get up and support. + </p> + <p> + "Friedrich was too impatient in this provoking little haggle, arresting + him here. He had ordered on the suitable Battalion with cannon; but hardly + considers that the Battalion itself is six miles off,—not to speak + of the Order, which is galloping on horseback, not going by electricity:—the + impatient Friedrich had slashed in at once upon Godau, taken above 100 + prisoners; but is astonished to see the slashed people return, with + Saxon-Dragoon regiments, all manner of regiments, reinforcing them. And + has some really dangerous fencing there;—issuing in dangerous and + curious pause of both parties; who stand drawn up, scarcely beyond + pistol-shot, and gazing into one another, for I know not how many minutes; + neither of them daring to move off, lest, on the instant of turning, it be + charged and overwhelmed. As the impatient Friedrich, at last, almost was,—had + not his Infantry just then got in, and given their cannon-salvo. He lost + about 200, the Lacy people hardly so many; and is now out of a + considerable personal jeopardy, which is still celebrated in the + Anecdote-Books, perhaps to a mythical extent. 'Two Uhlans [Saxon-Polish + Light-Horse], with their truculent pikes, are just plunging in,' say the + Anecdote-Books: Friedrich's Page, who had got unhorsed, sprang to his + feet, bellowed in Polish to them: 'What are you doing here, fellows?' + 'Excellenz [for the Page is not in Prussian uniform, or in uniform at all, + only well-dressed], Excellenz, our horses ran away with us,' answer the + poor fellows; and whirl back rapidly." The story, says Retzow, is true. + [Retzow, ii. 215.] + </p> + <p> + This is the one event of July 7th,—and of July 8th withal; which day + also, on news of Daun that come, Friedrich rests. Up to July 8th, it is + clear Friedrich is shooting with what we called the first string of his + bow,—intent, namely, on Silesia. Nor, on hearing that Daun is + forward again, now hopelessly ahead, does he quit that enterprise; but, on + the contrary, to-morrow morning, July 9th, tries it by a new method, as we + shall see: method cunningly devised to suit the second string as well. + "How lucky that we have a second string, in case of failure!"— + </p> + <p> + TUESDAY, 8th JULY. "News that Daun reached Gorlitz yesternight; and is due + to-night at Lauban, fifty miles ahead of us:—no hope now of reaching + Daun. Perhaps a sudden clutch at Lacy, in the opposite direction, might be + the method of recalling Daun, and reaching him? That is the method fallen + upon. + </p> + <p> + "Sun being set, the drums in Bautzen sound TATTOO,—audible to + listening Croats in the Environs;—beat TATTOO, and, later in the + night, other passages of drum-music, also for Croat behoof (GENERAL-MARCH + I think it is); indicating That we have started again, in pursuit of Daun. + And in short, every precaution being taken to soothe the mind of Lacy and + the Croats, Friedrich silently issues, with his best speed, in Three + columns, by Three roads, towards Lacy's quarters, which go from that + village of Godau westward, in a loose way, several miles. In three + columns, by three routes, all to converge, with punctuality, on Lacy. Of + the columns, two are of Infantry, the leftmost and the rightmost, on each + hand, hidden as much as possible; one is of Cavalry in the middle. Coming + on in this manner—like a pair of triple-pincers, which are to grip + simultaneously on Lacy, and astonish him, if he keep quiet. But Lacy is + vigilant, and is cautious almost in excess. Learning by his Pandours that + the King seems to be coming this way, Lacy gathers himself on the instant; + quits Godau, by one in the morning; and retreats bodily, at his fastest + step, to Bischofswerda again; nor by any means stops there." [Tempelhof, + iv. 61-63.] + </p> + <p> + For the third time! "Three is lucky," Friedrich may have thought: and + there has no precaution, of drum-music, of secrecy or persuasive finesse, + been neglected on Lacy. But Lacy has ears that hear the grass grow: our + elaborately accurate triple-pincers, closing simultaneously on + Bischofswerda, after eighteen miles of sweep, find Lacy flown again; + nothing to be caught of him but some 80 hussars. All this day and all next + night Lacy is scouring through the western parts at an extraordinary rate; + halting for a camp, twice over, at different places,—Durre Fuchs + (THIRSTY FOX), Durre Buhle (THIRSTY SWEETHEART), or wherever it was; then + again taking wing, on sound of Prussian parties to rear; in short, + hurrying towards Dresden and the Reichsfolk, as if for life. + </p> + <p> + Lacy's retreat, I hear, was ingeniously done, with a minimum of disorder + in the circumstances: but certainly it was with a velocity as if his head + had been on fire; and, indeed, they say he escaped annihilation by being + off in time. He put up finally, not at Thirsty Sweetheart, still less at + Thirsty Fox, successive Hamlets and Public Houses in the sandy Wilderness + which lies to north of Elbe, and is called DRESDEN HEATH; but farther on, + in the same Tract, at Weisse Hirsch (WHITE HART); which looks close over + upon Dresden, within two miles or so; and is a kind of Height, and + military post of advantage. Next morning, July 10th, he crosses Dresden + Bridge, comes streaming through the City; and takes shelter with the + Reichsfolk near there:—towards Plauen Chasm; the strongest ground in + the world; hardly strong enough, it appears, in the present emergency. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's first string, therefore, has snapt in two; but, on the + instant, he has a second fitted on:—may that prove luckier! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II.—FRIEDRICH BESIEGES DRESDEN. + </h2> + <p> + From and after the Evening of Wednesday, July 9th, it is upon a Siege of + Dresden that Friedrich goes;—turning the whole war-theatre + topsy-turvy; throwing Daun, Loudon, Lacy, everybody OUT, in this strange + and sudden manner. One of the finest military feats ever done, thinks + Tempelhof. Undoubtedly a notable result so far, and notably done; as the + impartial reader (if Tempelhof be a little inconsistent) sees for himself. + These truly are a wonderful series of marches, opulent in continual + promptitudes, audacities, contrivances;—done with shining talent, + certainly; and also with result shining, for the moment. And in a Fabulous + Epic I think Dresden would certainly have fallen to Friedrich, and his + crowd of enemies been left in a tumbled condition. + </p> + <p> + But the Epic of Reality cares nothing for such considerations; and the + time allowable for capture of Dresden is very brief. Had Daun, on getting + warning, been as prompt to return as he was to go, frankly fronting at + once the chances of the road, he might have been at Dresden again perhaps + within a week,—no Siege possible for Friedrich, hardly the big guns + got up from Magdeburg. But Friedrich calculated there would be very + considerable fettling and haggling on Daun's part; say a good Fortnight of + Siege allowed;—and that, by dead-lift effort of all hands, the thing + was feasible within that limit. On Friedrich's part, as we can fancy, + there was no want of effort; nor on his people's part,—in spite of + his complainings, say Retzow and the Opposition party; who insinuate their + own private belief of impossibility from the first. Which is not confirmed + by impartial judgments,—that of Archenholtz, and others better. The + truth is, Friedrich was within an inch of taking Dresden by the first + assault,—they say he actually could have taken it by storm the first + day; but shuddered at the thought of exposing poor Dresden to sack and + plunder; and hoped to get it by capitulation. + </p> + <p> + One of the rapidest and most furious Sieges anywhere on record. Filled + Europe with astonishment, expectancy, admiration, horror:—must be + very briefly recited here. The main chronological epochs, salient points + of crisis and successive phases of occurrence, will sufficiently indicate + it to the reader's fancy. + </p> + <p> + "It was Thursday Evening, 10th July, when Lacy got to his Reichsfolk, and + took breath behind Plauen Chasm. Maguire is Governor of Dresden. The + consternation of garrison and population was extreme. To Lacy himself it + did not seem conceivable that Friedrich could mean a Siege of Dresden. + Friedrich, that night, is beyond the River, in Daun's old impregnability + of Reichenberg: 'He has no siege-artillery,' thinks Lacy; 'no means, no + time.' + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, Saturday, next day after to-morrow,—behold, there is + Hulsen, come from Schlettau to our neighborhood, on our Austrian side of + the River. And at Kaditz yonder, a mile below Dresden, are not the King's + people building their Pontoons; in march since 2 in the morning,—evidently + coming across, if not to besiege Dresden, then to attack us; which is + perhaps worse! We outnumber them,—but as to trying fight in any + form? Zweibruck leaves Maguire an additional 10,000;—every help and + encouragement to Maguire; whose garrison is now 14,000: 'Be of courage, + Excellenz Maguire! Nobody is better skilled in siege-matters. + Feldmarschall and relief will be here with despatch!'—and withdraws, + Lacy and he, to the edge of the Pirna Country, there to be well out of + harm's way. Lacy and he, it is thought, would perhaps have got beaten, + trying to save Dresden from its misery. Lacy's orders were, Not, on any + terms, to get into fighting with Friedrich, but only to cover Dresden. + Dresden, without fighting, has proved impossible to cover, and Lacy leaves + it bare." [Tempelhof, iv. 65.] + </p> + <p> + "At Kaditz," says Mitchell, "where the second bridge of boats took a great + deal of time, I was standing by his Majesty, when news to the above effect + came across from General Hulsen. The King was highly pleased; and, turning + to me, said: 'Just what I wished! They have saved me a very long march + [round by Dippoldiswalde or so, in upon the rear of them] by going of + will.' And immediately the King got on horseback; ordering the Army to + follow as fast as it could." [Mitchell, ii. 168.] "Through Preisnitz, + Plauen-ward, goes the Army; circling round the Western and the Southern + side of Dresden; [a dread spectacle from the walls]; across Weistritz + Brook and the Plauen Chasm [comfortably left vacant]; and encamps on the + Southeastern side of Dresden, at Gruna, behind the GREAT GARDEN; ready to + begin business on the morrow. Gruna, about a mile to southeast of Dresden + Walls, is head-quarter during this Siege. + </p> + <p> + "Through the night, the Prussians proceed to build batteries, the best + they can;—there is no right siege-artillery yet; a few accidental + howitzers and 25-pounders, the rest mere field-guns;—but to-morrow + morning, be as it may, business shall begin. Prince von Holstein [nephew + of the Holstein Beck, or "Holstein SILVER-PLATE," whom we lost long ago], + from beyond the River, encamped at the White Hart yonder, is to play upon + the Neustadt simultaneously. + </p> + <p> + MONDAY 14th, "At 6 A.M., cannonade began; diligent on Holstein's part and + ours; but of inconsiderable effect. Maguire has been summoned: 'Will [with + such a garrison, in spite of such trepidations from the Court and others] + defend himself to the last man.' Free-Corps people [not Quintus's, who is + on the other side of the River], [Tempelhof, v. 67.] with regulars to + rear, advance on the Pirna Gate; hurl in Maguire's Out-parties; and had + near got in along with them,—might have done so, they and their + supports, it is thought by some, had storm seemed the recommendable + method. + </p> + <p> + "For four days there is livelier and livelier cannonading; new batteries + getting opened in the Moschinska Garden and other points; on the Prussian + part, great longing that the Magdeburg artillery were here. The Prussians + are making diligently ready for it, in the mean while (refitting the old + Trenches, 'old Envelope' dug by Maguire himself in the Anti-Schmettau + time; these will do well enough):—the Prussians reinforce Holstein + at the Weisse, Hirsch, throw a new bridge across to him; and are busy day + and night. Maguire, too, is most industrious, resisting and preparing: + Thursday shuts up the Weistritz Brook (a dam being ready this long while + back, needing only to be closed), and lays the whole South side of Dresden + under water. Many rumors about Daun: coming, not coming;—must for + certain come, but will possibly be slowish." + </p> + <p> + FRIDAY 18th. "Joy to every Prussian soul: here are the heavy guns from + Magdeburg. These, at any rate, are come; beds for them all ready; and now + the cannonading can begin in right earnest. As it does with a vengeance. + To Mitchell, and perhaps others, 'the King of Prussia says He will now be + master of the Town in a few days. And the disposition he has made of his + troops on the other side of the River is intended not only to attack + Dresden on that side [and defend himself from Daun], but also to prevent + the Garrison from retiring.... This morning, Friday, 18th, the Suburb of + Pirna, the one street left of it, was set fire to, by Maguire; and burnt + out of the way, as the others had been. Many of the wretched inhabitants + had fled to our camp: "Let them lodge in Plauen, no fighting there, quiet + artificial water expanses there instead." Many think the Town will not be + taken; or that, if it should, it will cost very dear,—so determined + seems Maguire. [Mitchell, iii. 170, 171.] And, in effect, from this day + onwards, the Siege became altogether fierce, and not only so, but fiery as + well; and, though lasting in that violent form only four, or at the very + utmost seven, days more, had near ruined Dresden from the face of the + world." + </p> + <p> + SATURDAY, 19th, "Maguire, touched to the quick by these new artilleries of + the Prussians this morning, found good to mount a gun or two on the leads + of the Kreuz-Kirche [Protestant High Church, where, before now, we have + noticed Friedrich attending quasi-divine service more than once];—that + is to say, on the crown of Dresden; from which there is view into the + bottom of Friedrich's trenches and operations. Others say, it was only two + or three old Saxon cannon, which stand there, for firing on gala-days; and + that they hardly fired on Friedrich more than once. For certain, this is + one of the desirablest battery-stations,—if only Friedrich will + leave it alone. Which he will not for a moment; but brings terrific + howitzers to bear on it; cannon-balls, grenadoes; tears it to destruction, + and the poor Kreuz-Kirche along with it. Kirche speedily all in flames, + street after street blazing up round it, again and again for + eight-and-forty hours coming; hapless Dresden, during two days and nights, + a mere volcano henceforth." "By mistake all that, and without order of + mine," says Friedrich once;—meaning, I think, all that of the + Kreuz-Kirche: and perhaps wishing he could mean the bombardment + altogether, [Schoning, ii. 361 "To Prince Henri, at Giessen [Frankfurt + Country], 23d July, 1760."]—who nevertheless got, and gets, most of + the credit of the thing from a shocked outside world. + </p> + <p> + "This morning," same Saturday, 19th, "Daun is reported to have arrived; + vanguard of him said to be at Schonfeld, over in THIRSTY-SWEETHEART + Country yonder which Friedrich, going to reconnoitre, finds tragically + indisputable: 'There, for certain; only five miles from Holstein's post at + the WHITE HART, and no River between;—as the crow flies, hardly five + from our own Camp. Perhaps it will be some days yet before he do + anything?' So that Friedrich persists in his bombardment, only the more: + 'By fire-torture, then! Let the bombarded Royalties assail Maguire, and + Maguire give in;—it is our one chance left; and succeed we will and + must!' Cruel, say you?—Ah, yes, cruel enough, not merciful at all. + The soul of Friedrich, I perceive, is not in a bright mood at this time, + but in a black and wrathful, worn almost desperate against the slings and + arrows of unjust Fate: 'Ahead, I say! If everybody will do miracles, + cannot we perhaps still manage it, in spite of Fate?'" Mitchell is very + sorry; but will forget and forgive those inexorable passages of war. + </p> + <p> + "I cannot think of the bombardment of Dresden without horror," says he; + "nor of many other things I have seen. Misfortunes naturally sour men's + temper [even royal men's]; and long continued, without interval, at last + extinguish humanity." "We are now in a most critical and dangerous + situation, which cannot long last: one lucky event, approaching to a + miracle, may still save all: but the extreme caution and circumspection of + Marshal Daun—!" [Mitchell, ii. 184, 185.] + </p> + <p> + If Daun could be swift, and end the miseries of Dresden, surely Dresden + would be much obliged to him. It was ten days yet, after that of the + Kreuz-Kirche, before Dresden quite got rid of its Siege: Daun never was a + sudden man. By a kind of accident, he got Holstein hustled across the + River that first night (July 19th),—not annihilated, as was very + feasible, but pushed home, out of his way. Whereby the North side of + Dresden is now open; and Daun has free communication with Maguire. + </p> + <p> + Maguire rose thereupon to a fine pitch of spirits; tried several things, + and wished Daun to try; but with next to no result. For two days after + Holstein's departure, Daun sat still, on his safe Northern shore; stirring + nothing but his own cunctations and investigations, leaving the + bombardment, or cannonade, to take its own course. One attempt he did make + in concert with Maguire (night of Monday 21st), and one attempt only, of a + serious nature; which, like the rest, was unsuccessful. And would not be + worth mentioning,—except for the poor Regiment BERNBURG'S sake; + Bernburg having got into strange case in consequence of it. + </p> + <p> + "This Attempt [night of 21st-22d July] was a combined sally and assault—Sally + by Maguire's people, a General Nugent heading them, from the South or + Plauen side of Dresden, and Assault by 4,000 of Daun's from the North side—upon + Friedrich's Trenches. Which are to be burst in upon in this double way, + and swept well clear, as may be expected. Friedrich, however, was aware of + the symptoms, and had people ready waiting,—especially, had Regiment + BERNBURG, Battalions 1st and 2d; a Regiment hitherto without stain. + </p> + <p> + "Bernburg accordingly, on General Nugent's entering their trenches from + the south side, falls altogether heartily on General Nugent; tumbles him + back, takes 200 prisoners, Nudent himself one of them [who is considered + to have been the eye of the enterprise, worth many hundreds this night] + all this Bernburg, in its usually creditable manner, does, as expected of + it. But after, or during all this, when the Dann people from the north + come streaming in, say four to one, both south and north, Bernburg looked + round for support; and seeing none, had, after more or less of struggle, + to retire as a defeated Bernburg,—Austrians taking the battery, and + ruling supreme there for some time. Till Wedell, or somebody with fresh + Battalions, came up; and, rallying Bernburg to him, retook their Battery, + and drove out the Austrians, with a heavy loss of prisoners. [Tempelhof, + iv. 79.] + </p> + <p> + "I did not hear that Bernburg's conduct was liable to the least fair + censure. But Friedrich's soul is severe at this time; demanding miracles + from everybody: 'You runaway Bernburg, shame on you!'—and actually + takes the swords from them, and cuts off their Hat-tresses: 'There!' Which + excited such an astonishment in the Prussian Army as was seldom seen + before. And affected Bernburg to the length almost of despair, and + breaking of heart,—in a way that is not ridiculous to me at all, but + beautiful and pathetic. Of which there is much talk, now and long + afterwards, in military circles. 'The sorrows of these poor Bernburgers, + their desperate efforts to wash out this stigma, their actual washing of + it out, not many weeks hence, and their magnificent joy on the occasion,—these + are the one distinguishing point in Daun's relief of Dresden, which was + otherwise quite a cunctatory, sedentary matter." + </p> + <p> + Daun built three Bridges,—he had a broad stone one already,—but + did little or nothing with them; and never himself came across at all. + Merely shot out nocturnal Pandour Parties, and ordered up Lacy and the + Reichsfolk to do the like, and break the night's rest of his Enemy. He + made minatory movements, one at least, down the River, by his own shore, + on Friedrich's Ammunition-Boats from Torgau, and actually intercepted + certain of them, which was something; but, except this, and vague + flourishings of the Pandour kind, left Friedrich to his own course. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich bombarded for a day or two farther; cannonaded, out of more or + fewer batteries, for eight, or I think ten days more. Attacks from Daun + there were to be, now on this side, now on that; many rumors of attack, + but, except once only (midnight Pandours attempting the King's lodging, "a + Farm-house near Gruna," but to their astonishment rousing the whole + Prussian Army "in the course of three minutes" [Archenholtz, ii. 81 (who + is very vivid, but does not date); Rodenbeck, ii. 24 (quotes similar + account by another Eye-witness, and guesses it to be "night of July + 22d-23d").]), rumor was mainly all. For guarding his siege-lines, + Friedrich has to alter his position; to shift slightly, now fronting this + way, now the other way; is "called always at midnight" (against these + nocturnal disturbances), and "never has his clothes off." Nevertheless, + continues his bombardment, and then his cannonading, till his own good + time, which I think is till the 26th. His "ricochet-battery," which is + good against Maguire's people, innocent to Dresden, he continued for three + days more;—while gathering his furnitures about Plauen Country, + making his arrangements at Meissen;—did not march till the night of + June 29th. Altogether calmly; no Daun or Austrian molesting him in the + least; his very sentries walking their rounds in the trenches till + daylight; after which they also marched, unmolested, Meissen-ward. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunate Friedrich has made nothing of Dresden, then. After such a June + and July of it, since he left the Meissen Country; after all these + intricate manoeuvrings, hot fierce marchings and superhuman exertions, + here is he returning to Meissen Country poorer than if he had stayed. + Fouquet lost, Glatz unrelieved—Nay, just before marching off, what + is this new phenomenon? Is this by way of "Happy journey to you!" Towards + sunset of the 29th, exuberant joy-firing rises far and wide from the + usually quiet Austrian lines,—"Meaning what, once more?" Meaning + that Glatz is lost, your Majesty; that, instead of a siege of many weeks + (as might have been expected with Fouquet for Commandant), it has held + out, under Fouquet's Second, only a few hours; and is gone without remedy! + Certain, though incredible. Imbecile Commandant, treacherous Garrison + (Austrian deserters mainly), with stealthy Jesuits acting on them: no use + asking what. Here is the sad Narrative, in succinct form. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAPTURE OF GLATZ (26th July, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + "Loudon is a swift man, when he can get bridle; but the curb-hand of Daun + is often heavy on him. Loudon has had Glatz blockaded since June 7th; + since June 23d he has had Fouquet rooted away, and the ground clear for a + Siege of Glatz. But had to abstain altogether, in the mean time; to take + camp at Landshut, to march and manoeuvre about, in support of Daun, and + that heavy-footed gallop of Daun's which then followed: on the whole, it + was not till Friedrich went for Dresden that the Siege-Artillery, from + Olmutz, could be ordered forward upon Glatz; not for a fortnight more that + the Artillery could come; and, in spite of Loudon's utmost despatch, not + till break of day, July 26th, that the batteries could open. After which, + such was Loudon's speed and fortune,—and so diligent had the Jesuits + been in those seven weeks,—the 'Siege,' as they call it, was over in + less than seven hours. + </p> + <p> + "One Colonel D'O [Piedmontese by nation, an incompetent person, known to + loud Trenck during his detention here] was Commandant of Glatz, and had + the principal Fortress,—for there are two, one on each side the + Neisse River;—his Second was a Colonel Quadt, by birth Prussian, + seemingly not very competent he either, who had command of the Old + Fortress, round which lies the Town of Glatz: a little Town, abounding in + Jesuits;—to whose Virgin, if readers remember, Friedrich once gave a + new gown; with small effect on her, as would appear. The Quadt-D'O + garrison was 2,400,—and, if tales are true, it had been well + bejesuited during those seven weeks. [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> v. 55.] + At four in the morning, July 26th) the battering began on Quadt; Quadt, I + will believe, responding what he could,—especially from a certain + Arrowhead Redoubt (or FLECHE) he has, which ought to have been important + to him. After four or five hours of this, there was mutual pause,—as + if both parties had decided upon breakfast before going farther. + </p> + <p> + "Quadt's Fortress is very strong, mostly hewn in the rock; and he has that + important outwork of a FLECHE; which is excellent for enfilading, as it + extends well beyond the glacis; and, being of rock like the rest, is also + abundantly defensible. Loudon's people, looking over into this FLECHE, + find it negligently guarded; Quadt at breakfast, as would seem:—and + directly send for Harsch, Captain of the Siege, and even for Loudon, the + General-in-Chief. Negligently guarded, sure enough; nothing in the FLECHE + but a few sentries, and these in the horizontal position, taking their + unlawful rest there, after such a morning's work. 'Seize me that,' eagerly + orders Loudon; 'hold that with firm grip!' Which is done; only to step in + softly, two battalions of you, and lay hard hold. Incompetent Quadt, + figure in what a flurry, rushing out to recapture his FLECHE,—explodes + instead into mere anarchy, whole Companies of him flinging down their arms + at their Officers' feet, and the like. So that Quadt is totally driven in + again, Austrians along with him; and is obliged to beat chamade;—D'O + following the example, about an hour after, without even a capitulation. + Was there ever seen such a defence! Major Unruh, one of a small minority, + was Prussian, and stanch; here is Unruh's personal experience,—testimony + on D'O's Trial, I suppose,—and now pretty much the one thing worth + reading on this subject. + </p> + <p> + "MAJOR ULZRUH TESTIFIES: 'At four in the morning, 26th July, 1760, the + Enemy began to cannonade the Old Fortress [that of Quadt]; and about nine, + I was ordered with 150 men to clear the Envelope from Austrians. Just when + I had got to the Damm-Gate, halt was called. I asked the Commandant, who + was behind me, which way I should march; to the Crown-work or to the + Envelope? Being answered, To the Envelope, I found on coming out at the + Field-Gate nothing but an Austrian Lieutenant-colonel and some men. He + called to me, "There had been chamade beaten, and I was not to run into + destruction (MICH UNGLUCKLICH MACHEN)!" I offered him Quarter; and took + him in effect prisoner, with 20 of his best men; and sent him to the + Commandant, with request that he would keep my rear free, or send me + reinforcement. I shot the Enemy a great many people here; chased him from + the Field-Gate, and out of both the Envelope and the Redoubt called the + Crane [that is the FLECHE itself, only that the Austrians are mostly not + now there, but gone THROUGH into the interior there!]—Returning to + the Field-Gate, I found that the Commandant had beaten chamade a second + time; there were marching in, by this Field-Gate, two battalions of the + Austrian Regiment ANDLAU; I had to yield myself prisoner, and was taken to + General Loudon. He asked me, "Don't you know the rules of war, then; that + you fire after chamade is beaten?" I answered in my heat, "I knew of no + chamade; what poltroonery or what treachery had been going on, I knew + not!" Loudon answered, "You might deserve to have your head laid at your + feet, Sir! Am I here to inquire which of you shows bravery, which + poltroonery?"' [Seyfarth, ii. 652.] A blazing Loudon, when the fire is + up!"— + </p> + <p> + After the Peace, D'O had Court-Martial, which sentenced him to death, + Friedrich making it perpetual imprisonment: "Perhaps not a traitor, only a + blockhead!" thought Friedrich. He had been recommended to his post by + Fouquet. What Trenck writes of him is, otherwise, mostly lies. + </p> + <p> + Thus is the southern Key of Silesia (one of the two southern Keys, Neisse + being the other) lost to Friedrich, for the first time; and Loudon is like + to drive a trade there; "Will absolutely nothing prosper with us, then?" + Nothing, seemingly, your Majesty! Heavier news Friedrich scarcely ever + had. But there is no help. This too he has to carry with him as he can + into the Meissen Country. Unsuccessful altogether; beaten on every hand. + Human talent, diligence, endeavor, is it but as lightning smiting the + Serbonian Bog? Smite to the last, your Majesty, at any rate; let that be + certain. As it is, and has been. That is always something, that is always + a great thing. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich intends no pause in those Meissen Countries. JULY 30th, on his + march northward, he detaches Hulsen with the old 10,000 to take Camp at + Schlettau as before, and do his best for defence of Saxony against the + Reichsfolk, numerous, but incompetent; he himself, next day, passes on, + leaving Meissen a little on his right, to Schieritz, some miles farther + down,—intending there to cross Elbe, and make for Silesia without + loss of an hour. Need enough of speed thither; more need than even + Friedrich supposes! Yesterday, July 30th, Loudon's Vanguard came + blockading Breslau, and this day Loudon himself;—though Friedrich + heard nothing, anticipated nothing, of that dangerous fact, for a week + hence or more. + </p> + <p> + Soltikof's and Loudon's united intentions on Silesia he has well known + this long while; and has been perpetually dunning Prince Henri on the + subject, to no purpose,—only hoping always there would probably be + no great rapidity on the part of these discordant Allies. Friedrich's + feelings, now that the contrary is visible, and indeed all through the + Summer in regard to the Soltikof-Loudon Business, and the Fouquet-Henri + method of dealing with it, have been painful enough, and are growing ever + more so. Cautious Henri never would make the smallest attack on Soltikof, + but merely keep observing him;—the end of which, what can the end of + it be? urges Friedrich always: "Condense yourselves; go in upon the + Russians, while they are in separate corps;"—and is very + ill-satisfied with the languor of procedures there. As is the Prince with + such reproaches, or implied reproaches, on said languor. Nor is his humor + cheered, when the King's bad predictions prove true. What has it come to? + These Letters of King and Prince are worth reading,—if indeed you + can, in the confusion of Schoning (a somewhat exuberant man, loud rather + than luminous);—so curious is the Private Dialogue going on there at + all times, in the background of the stage, between the Brothers. One short + specimen, extending through the June and July just over,—specimen + distilled faithfully out of that huge jumbling sea of Schaning, and + rendered legible,—the reader will consent to. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DIALOGUE OF FRIEDRICH AND HENRI (from their Private Correspondence: June + 7th-July 29th, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + FRIEDRICH (June 7th; before his first crossing Elbe: Henri at Sagan; he at + Schlettau, scanning the waste of fatal possibilities). ... Embarrassing? + Not a doubt, of that! "I own, the circumstances both of us are in are like + to turn my head, three or four times a day." Loudon aiming for Neisse, + don't you think? Fouquet all in the wrong.—"One has nothing for it + but to watch where the likelihood of the biggest misfortune is, and to run + thither with one's whole strength." + </p> + <p> + HENRI... "I confess I am in great apprehension for Colberg:"—shall + one make thither; think you? Russians, 8,000 as the first instalment of + them, have ARRIVED; got to Posen under Fermor, June 1st:—so the + Commandant of Glogau writes me (see enclosed). + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH (June 9th). Commandant of Glogau writes impossibilities: + Russians are not on march yet, nor will be for above a week. + </p> + <p> + "I cross Elbe, the 15th. I am compelled to undertake something of decisive + nature, and leave the rest to chance. For desperate disorders desperate + remedies. My bed is not one of roses. Heaven aid us: for human prudence + finds itself fall short in situations so cruel and desperate as ours." + [Schoning, ii. 313 ("Meissen Camp, 7th June, 1760"); ib. ii. 317 ("9th + June").] + </p> + <p> + HENRI. Hm, hm, ha (Nothing but carefully collected rumors, and wire-drawn + auguries from them, on the part of Henri; very intense inspection of the + chicken-bowels,—hardly ever without a shake of the head). + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH (June 26th; has heard of the Fouquet disaster).... "Yesterday my + heart was torn to pieces [news of Landshut, Fouquet's downfall there], and + I felt too sad to be in a state for writing you a sensible Letter; but + to-day, when I have come to myself a little again, I will send you my + reflections. After what has happened to Fouquet, it is certain Loudon can + have no other design but on Breslau [he designs Glatz first of all]: it + will be the grand point, therefore, especially if the Russians too are + bending thither, to save that Capital of Silesia. Surely the Turks must be + in motion:—if so, we are saved; if not so, we are lost! To-day I + have taken this Camp of Dobritz, in order to be more collected, and in + condition to fight well, should occasion rise,—and in case all this + that is said and written to me about the Turks is TRUE [which nothing of + it was], to be able to profit by it when the time comes." [Schoning, ii. + 341 ("Gross-Dobritz, 26th June, 1760").] + </p> + <p> + HENRI (simultaneously, June 26th: Henri is forward from Sagan, through + Frankfurt, and got settled at Landsberg, where he remains through the rest + of the Dialogue).... Tottleben, with his Cossacks, scouring about, got a + check from us,—nothing like enough. "By all my accounts, Soltikof, + with the gross of the Russians, is marching for Posen. The other rumors + and symptoms agree in indicating a separate Corps, under Fermor, who is to + join Tottleben, and besiege Colberg: if both these Corps, the Colberg and + the Posen one, act, in concert, my embarrassment will be extreme.... I + have just had news of what has befallen General Fouquet. Before this + stroke, your affairs were desperate enough; now I see but too well what we + have to look for." [Ib. ii. 339 ("Landsberg, 26th June, 1760").] (How + comforting!) + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH. "Would to God your prayers for the swift capture of Dresden had + been heard; but unfortunately I must tell you, this stroke has failed + me.... Dresden has been reduced to ashes, third part of the Altstadt lying + burnt;—contrary to my intentions: my orders were, To spare the City, + and play the Artillery against the works. My Minister Graf von Finck will + have told you what occasioned its being set on fire." [Schoning, ii. 361 + ("2d-3d July").] + </p> + <p> + HENRI (July 26th; Dresden Siege gone awry).... "I am to keep the Russians + from Frankfurt, to cover Glogau, and prevent a besieging of Breslau! All + that forms an overwhelming problem;—which I, with my whole heart, + will give up to somebody abler for it than I am." [Ib. ii. 369-371 + ("Landsherg, 26th July").] + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH (29th July; quits the Trenches of Dresden this night). ... "I + have seen with pain that you represent everything to yourself on the black + side. I beg you, in the name of God, my dearest Brother, don't take things + up in their blackest and worst shape:—it is this that throws your + mind into such an indecision, which is so lamentable. Adopt a resolution + rather, what resolution you like, but stand by it, and execute it with + your whole strength. I conjure you, take a fixed resolution; better a bad + than none at all.... What is possible to man, I will do; neither care nor + consideration nor effort shall be spared, to secure the result of my + plans. The rest depends on circumstances. Amid such a number of enemies, + one cannot always do what one will, but must let them prescribe." [Ib. ii. + 370-372 ("Leubnitz, before Dresden, 29th July, 1760").] + </p> + <p> + An uncomfortable little Gentleman; but full of faculty, if one can manage + to get good of it! Here, what might have preceded all the above, and been + preface to it, is a pretty passage from him; a glimpse he has had of + Sans-Souci, before setting out on those gloomy marchings and cunctatory + hagglings. Henri writes (at Torgau, April 26th, just back from Berlin and + farewell of friends):— + </p> + <p> + "I mean to march the day after to-morrow. I took arrangements with General + Fouquet [about that long fine-spun Chain of Posts, where we are to do such + service?]—the Black Hussars cannot be here till to-morrow, otherwise + I should have marched a day sooner. My Brother [poor little invalid + Ferdinand] charged me to lay him at your feet. I found him weak and thin, + more so than formerly. Returning hither, the day before yesterday, I + passed through Potsdam; I went to Sans-Souci [April 24th, 1760]:—all + is green there; the Garden embellished, and seemed to me excellently kept. + Though these details cannot occupy you at present, I thought it would give + you pleasure to hear of them for a moment." [Schoning, ii. 233 ("Torgau, + 26th April, 1760").] Ah, yes; all is so green and blessedly silent there: + sight of the lost Paradise, actually IT, visible for a moment yonder, far + away, while one goes whirling in this manner on the illimitable wracking + winds!— + </p> + <p> + Here finally, from a distant part of the War-Theatre, is another Note; + which we will read while Friedrich is at Schieritz. At no other place so + properly; the very date of it, chief date (July 31st), being by accident + synchronous with Schieritz:— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DUKE FERDINAND'S BATTLE OF WARBURG (31st July, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + Duke Ferdinand has opened his difficult Campaign; and especially—just + while that Siege of Dresden blazed and ended—has had three sharp + Fights, which were then very loud in the Gazettes, along with it. Three + once famous Actions; which unexpectedly had little or no result, and are + very much forgotten now. So that bare enumeration of them is nearly all we + are permitted here. Pitt has furnished 7,000 new English, this Campaign,—there + are now 20,000 English in all, and a Duke Ferdinand raised to 70,000 men. + Surely, under good omens, thinks Pitt; and still more think the + Gazetteers, judging by appearances. Yes: but if Broglio have 130,000, what + will it come to? Broglio is two to one; and has, before this, proved + himself a considerable Captain. + </p> + <p> + Fight FIRST is that of KORBACH (July 10th): of Broglio, namely, who has + got across the River Ohm in Hessen (to Ferdinand's great disgust with the + General Imhof in command there), and is streaming on to seize the Diemel + River, and menace Hanover; of Broglio, in successive sections, at a + certain "Pass of Korbach," VERSUS the Hereditary Prince (ERBPRINZ of + Brunswick), who is waiting for him there in one good section,—and + who beautifully hurls back one and another of the Broglio sections; but + cannot hurl back the whole Broglio Army, all marching by sections that + way; and has to retire, back foremost, fencing sharply, still in a + diligently handsome manner, though with loss. [Mauvillon, ii. 105.] That + is the Battle of Korbach, fought July 10th,—while Lacy streamed + through Dresden, panting to be at Plauen Chasm, safe at last. + </p> + <p> + Fight SECOND (July 16th) was a kind of revenge on the Erbprinz's part: + Affair of EMSDORF, six days after, in the same neighborhood; beautiful + too, said the Gazetteers; but of result still more insignificant. Hearing + of a considerable French Brigade posted not far off, at that Village of + Emsdorf, to guard Broglio's meal-carts there, the indignant Erbprinz + shoots off for that; light of foot,—English horse mainly, and Hill + Scots (BERG-SCHOTTEN so called, who have a fine free stride, in summer + weather);—dashes in upon said Brigade (Dragoons of Bauffremont and + other picked men), who stood firmly on the defensive; but were cut up, in + an amazing manner, root and branch, after a fierce struggle, and as it + were brought home in one's pocket. To the admiration of military circles,—especially + of mess-rooms and the junior sort. "Elliot's light horse [part of the new + 7,000], what a regiment! Unparalleled for willingness, and audacity of + fence; lost 125 killed,"—in fact, the loss chiefly fell on Elliot. + [Ib. ii. 109 (Prisoners got "were 2,661, including General and Officers + 179," with all their furnitures whatsoever, "400 horses, 8 cannon," &c.).] + The BERG-SCHOTTEN too,—I think it was here that these kilted + fellows, who had marched with such a stride, "came home mostly riding:" + poor Beauffremont Dragoons being entirely cut up, or pocketed as + prisoners, and their horses ridden in this unexpected manner! But we must + not linger,—hardly even on WARBURG, which was the THIRD and + greatest; and has still points of memorability, though now so obliterated. + </p> + <p> + "Warburg," says my Note on this latter, "is a pleasant little Hessian + Town, some twenty-five miles west of Cassel, standing on the north or left + bank of the Diemel, among fruitful knolls and hollows. The famous 'BATTLE + OF WARBURG,'—if you try to inquire in the Town itself, from your + brief railway-station, it is much if some intelligent inhabitant, at last, + remembers to have heard of it! The thing went thus: Chevalier du Muy, who + is Broglio's Rear-guard or Reserve, 30,000 foot and horse, with his back + to the Diemel, and eight bridges across it in case of accident, has his + right flank leaning on Warburg, and his left on a Village of Ossendorf, + some two miles to northwest of that. Broglio, Prince Xavier of Saxony, + especially Duke Ferdinand, are all vehemently and mysteriously moving + about, since that Fight of Korbach; Broglio intent to have Cassel + besieged, Du Muy keeping the Diemel for him; Ferdinand eager to have the + Diemel back from Du Muy and him. + </p> + <p> + "Two days ago (July 29th), the Erbprinz crossed over into these + neighborhoods, with a strong Vanguard, nearly equal to Du Muy; and, after + studious reconnoitring and survey had, means, this morning (July 31st), to + knock him over the Diemel again, if he can. No time to be lost; Broglio + near and in such force. Duke Ferdinand too, quitting Broglio for a moment, + is on march this way; crossed the Diemel, about midnight, some ten miles + farther down, or eastward; will thence bend southward, at his best speed, + to support the Erbprinz, if necessary, and beset the Diemel when got;—Erbprinz + not, however, in any wise, to wait for him; such the pressure from Broglio + and others. A most busy swift-going scene that morning;—hardly worth + such describing at this date of time. + </p> + <p> + "The Erbprinz, who is still rather to northeastward, that is to rightward, + not directly frontward, of Du Muy's lines; and whose plan of attack is + still dark to Du Muy, commences [about 8 A.M., I should guess] by + launching his British Legion so called,—which is a composite body, + of Free-Corps nature, British some of it ('Colonel Beckwith's people,' for + example), not British by much the most of it, but an aggregate of wild + strikers, given to plunder too:—by launching his British Legion upon + Warburg Town, there to take charge of Du Muy's right wing. Which Legion, + 'with great rapidity, not only pitched the French all out, but clean + plundered the poor Town;' and is a sad sore on Du Muy's right, who cannot + get it attended to, in the ominous aspects elsewhere visible. For the + Erbprinz, who is a strategic creature, comes on, in the style of + Friedrich, not straight towards Du Muy, but sweeps out in two columns + round northward; privately intending upon Du Muy's left wing and front—left + wing, right wing, (by British Legion), and front, all three;—and is + well aided by a mist which now fell, and which hung on the higher ground, + and covered his march, for an hour or more. This mist had not begun when + he saw, on the knoll-tops, far off on the right, but indisputable as he + flattered himself,—something of Ferdinand emerging! Saw this; and + pours along, we can suppose, with still better step and temper. And + bursts, pretty simultaneously, upon Du Muy's right wing and left wing, + coercing his front the while; squelches both these wings furiously + together; forces the coerced centre, mostly horse, to plunge back into the + Diemel, and swim. Horse could swim; but many of the Foot, who tried, got + drowned. And, on the whole, Du Muy is a good deal wrecked [1,600 killed, + 2,000 prisoners, not to speak of cannon and flags], and, but for his eight + bridges, would have been totally ruined. + </p> + <p> + "The fight was uncommonly furious, especially on Du Muy's left; 'Maxwell's + Brigade' going at it, with the finest bayonet-practice, musketry, + artillery-practice; obstinate as bears. On Du Muy's right, the British + Legion, left wing, British too by name, had a much easier job. But the + fight generally was of hot and stubborn kind, for hours, perhaps two or + more;—and some say, would not have ended so triumphantly, had it not + been for Duke Ferdinand's Vanguard, Lord Granby and the English Horse; + who, warned by the noise ahead, pushed on at the top of their speed, and + got in before the death. Granby and the Blues had gone at the high trot, + for above five miles; and, I doubt not, were in keen humor when they rose + to the gallop and slashed in. Mauvillon says, 'It was in this attack that + Lord Granby, at the head of the Blues, his own regiment, had his hat blown + off; a big bald circle in his head rendering the loss more conspicuous. + But he never minded; stormed still on,' bare bald head among the helmets + and sabres; 'and made it very evident that had he, instead of Sackville, + led at Minden, there had been a different story to tell. The English, by + their valor,' adds he, 'greatly distinguished themselves this day. And + accordingly they suffered by far the most; their loss amounting to 590 + men:' or, as others count,—out of 1,200 killed and wounded, 800 were + English." [Mauvillon, ii. 114. Or better, in all these three cases, as + elsewhere, Tempelhof's specific Chapter on Ferdinand (Tempelhof, iv. + 101-122). Ferdinand's Despatch (to King George), in <i>Knesebeck,</i> ii. + 96-98;—or in the Old Newspapers (<i>Gentleman's Magazine,</i> xxx. + 386, 387), where also is Lord Granby's Despatch.] + </p> + <p> + This of Granby and the bald head is mainly what now renders Warburg + memorable. For, in a year or two, the excellent Reynolds did a Portrait of + Granby; and by no means forgot this incident; but gives him bare-headed, + bare and bald; the oblivious British connoisseur not now knowing why, as + perhaps he ought. The portrait, I suppose, may be in Belvoir Castle; the + artistic Why of the baldness is this BATTLE OF WARBURG, as above. An + Affair otherwise of no moment. Ferdinand had soon to quit the Diemel, or + to find it useless for him, and to try other methods,—fencing + gallantly, but too weak for Broglio; and, on the whole, had a difficult + Campaign of it, against that considerable Soldier with forces so superior. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III.—BATTLE OF LIEGNITZ. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich stayed hardly one day in Neissen Country; Silesia, in the jaws + of destruction, requiring such speed from him. His new Series of Marches + thitherward, for the next two weeks especially, with Daun and Lacy, and at + last with Loudon too, for escort, are still more singular than the + foregoing; a fortnight of Soldier History such as is hardly to be + paralleled elsewhere. Of his inward gloom one hears nothing. But the + Problem itself approaches to the desperate; needing daily new invention, + new audacity, with imminent destruction overhanging it throughout. A March + distinguished in Military Annals;—but of which it is not for us to + pretend treating. Military readers will find it in TEMPELHOF, and the + supplementary Books from time to time cited here. And, for our own share, + we can only say, that Friedrich's labors strike us as abundantly + Herculean; more Alcides-like than ever,—the rather as hopes of any + success have sunk lower than ever. A modern Alcides, appointed to confront + Tartarus itself, and be victorious over the Three-headed Dog. Daun, Lacy, + Loudon coming on you simultaneously, open-mouthed, are a considerable + Tartarean Dog! Soldiers judge that the King's resources of genius were + extremely conspicuous on this occasion; and to all men it is in evidence + that seldom in the Arena of this Universe, looked on by the idle Populaces + and by the eternal Gods and Antigods (called Devils), did a Son of Adam + fence better for himself, now and throughout. + </p> + <p> + This, his Third march to Silesia in 1760, is judged to be the most forlorn + and ominous Friedrich ever made thither; real peril, and ruin to Silesia + and him, more imminent than even in the old Leuthen days. Difficulties, + complicacies very many, Friedrich can foresee: a Daun's Army and a Lacy's + for escort to us; and such a Silesia when we do arrive. And there is one + complicacy more which he does not yet know of; that of Loudon waiting + ahead to welcome him, on crossing the Frontier, and increase his escort + thenceforth!—Or rather, let us say, Friedrich, thanks to the + despondent Henri and others, has escaped a great Silesian Calamity;—of + which he will hear, with mixed emotions, on arriving at Bunzlau on the + Silesian Frontier, six days after setting out. Since the loss of Glatz + (July 26th), Friedrich has no news of Loudon; supposes him to be trying + something upon Neisse, to be adjusting with his slow Russians; and, in + short, to be out of the dismal account-current just at present. That is + not the fact in regard to Loudon; that is far from the fact. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LOUDON IS TRYING A STROKE-OF-HAND ON BRESLAU, IN THE GLATZ FASHION, IN THE + INTERIM (July 30th-August 3d). + </h2> + <p> + Hardly above six hours after taking Glatz, swift Loudon, no Daun now + tethering him (Daun standing, or sitting, "in relief of Dresden" far off), + was on march for Breslau—Vanguard of him "marched that same evening + (July 26th):" in the liveliest hope of capturing Breslau; especially if + Soltikof, to whom this of Glatz ought to be a fine symbol and pledge, make + speed to co-operate. Soltikof is in no violent enthusiasm about Glatz; + anxious rather about his own Magazine at Posen, and how to get it carted + out of Henri's way, in case of our advancing towards some Silesian Siege. + "If we were not ruined last year, it was n't Daun's fault!" growls he + often; and Montalembert has need of all his suasive virtues (which are + wonderful to look at, if anybody cared to look at them, all flung into the + sea in this manner) for keeping the barbarous man in any approach to + harmony. The barbarous man had, after haggle enough, adjusted himself for + besieging Glogau; and is surly to hear, on the sudden (order from + Petersburg reinforcing Loudon), that it is Breslau instead. "Excellenz, it + is not Cunctator Daun this time, it is fiery Loudon." "Well, Breslau, + then!" answers Soltikof at last, after much suasion. And marches thither; + [Tempelhof, iv. 87-89 ("Rose from Posen, July 26th").] faster than usual, + quickened by new temporary hopes, of Montalembert's raising or one's own: + "What a place-of-arms, and place of victual, would Breslau be for us, + after all!" + </p> + <p> + And really mends his pace, mends it ever more, as matters grow stringent; + and advances upon Breslau at his swiftest: "To rendezvous with Loudon + under the walls there,—within the walls very soon, and ourselves + chief proprietor!"—as may be hoped. Breslau has a garrison of 4,000, + only 1,000 of them stanch; and there are, among other bad items, 9,000 + Austrian Prisoners in it. A big City with weak walls: another place to + defend than rock-hewn little Glatz,—if there be no better than a D'O + for Commandant in it! But perhaps there is. + </p> + <p> + "WEDNESDAY, 30th JULY, Loudon's Vanguard arrived at Breslau; next day + Loudon himself;—and besieged Breslau very violently, according to + his means, till the Sunday following. Troops he has plenty, 40,000 odd, + which he gives out for 50 or even 60,000; not to speak of Soltikof, 'with + 75,000' (read 45,000), striding on in a fierce and dreadful manner to meet + him here. 'Better surrender to Christian Austrians, had not you?' Loudon's + Artillery is not come up, it is only struggling on from Glatz; Soltikof of + his own has no Siege-Artillery; and Loudon judges that heavy-footed + Soltikof, waited on by an alert Prince Henri, is a problematic quantity in + this enterprise. 'Speedy oneself; speedy and fiery!' thinks Loudon: 'by + violence of speed, of bullying and bombardment, perhaps we can still do + it!' And Loudon tried all these things to a high stretch; but found in + Tauentzien the wrong man. + </p> + <p> + "THURSDAY, 31st, Loudon, who has two bridges over Oder, and the Town + begirt all round, summons Tauentzien in an awful sounding tone: 'Consider, + Sir: no defence possible; a trading Town, you ought not to attempt defence + of it: surrender on fair terms, or I shall, which God forbid, be obliged + to burn you and it from the face of the world!' 'Pooh, pooh,' answers + Tauentzien, in brief polite terms; 'you yourselves had no doubt it was a + Garrison, when we besieged you here, on the heel of Leuthen; had you? Go + to!'—Fiery Loudon cannot try storm, the Town having Oder and a wet + ditch round it. He gets his bombarding batteries forward, as the one + chance he has, aided by bullying. And to-morrow, + </p> + <p> + "FRIDAY, AUGUST 1st, sends, half officially, half in the friendly way, + dreadful messages again: a warning to the Mayor of Breslau (which was not + signed by Loudon), 'Death and destruction, Sir, unless'—!—warning + to the Mayor; and, by the same private half-official messenger, a new + summons to Tauentzien: 'Bombardment infallible; universal massacre by + Croats; I will not spare the child in its mother's womb.' 'I am not with + child,' said Tauentzien, 'nor are my soldiers! What is the use of such + talk?' And about 10 that night, Loudon does accordingly break out into all + the fire of bombardment he is master of. Kindles the Town in various + places, which were quenched again by Tauentzien's arrangements; kindles + especially the King's fine Dwelling-house (Palace they call it), and + adjacent streets, not quenchable till Palace and they are much ruined. + Will this make no impression? Far too little. + </p> + <p> + "Next morning Loudon sends a private messenger of conciliatory tone: 'Any + terms your Excellency likes to name. Only spare me the general massacre, + and child in the mother's womb!' From all which Tauentzien infers that you + are probably short of ammunition; and that his outlooks are improving. + That day he gets guns brought to bear on General Loudon's own quarter; + blazes into Loudon's sitting-room, so that Loudon has to shift else-whither. + No bombardment ensues that night; nor next day anything but desultory + cannonading, and much noise and motion;—and at night, SUNDAY, 3d, + everything falls quiet, and, to the glad amazement of everybody, Loudon + has vanished." [Tempelhof, iv. 90-100; Archenholtz, ii. 89-94; HOFBERICHT + VON DER BELAGERUNG VON BRESLAU IM AUGUST 1760 (in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> + ii. 688-698); also in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vi. 299-309: in <i>Anonymous + of Hamburg</i> (iv. 115-124), that is, in the OLD NEWSPAPERS, extremely + particular account, How "not only the finest Horse in Breslau, and the + finest House [King's Palace], but the handsomest Man, and, alas, also the + prettiest Girl [poor Jungfer Muller, shattered by a bomb-shell on the + streets], were destroyed in this short Siege,"—world-famous for the + moment. Preuss, ii. 246.] + </p> + <p> + Loudon had no other shift left. This Sunday his Russians are still five + days distant; alert Henri, on the contrary, is, in a sense, come to hand. + Crossed the Katzbach River this day, the Vanguard of him did, at + Parchwitz; and fell upon our Bakery; which has had to take the road. + "Guard the Bakery, all hands there," orders Loudon; "off to Striegau and + the Hills with it;"—and is himself gone thither after it, leaving + Breslau, Henri and the Russians to what fate may be in store for them. + Henri has again made one of his winged marches, the deft creature, though + the despondent; "march of 90 miles in three days [in the last three, from + Glogau, 90; in the whole, from Landsberg, above 200], and has saved the + State," says Retzow. "Made no camping, merely bivouacked; halting for a + rest four or five hours here and there;" [Retzow, ii. 230 (very vague); in + Tempelhof (iv. 89, 90, 95-97) clear and specific account.] and on August + 5th is at Lissa (this side the Field of Leuthen); making Breslau one of + the gladdest of cities. + </p> + <p> + So that Soltikof, on arriving (village of Hundsfeld, August 8th), by the + other side of the River, finds Henri's advanced guards intrenched over + there, in Old Oder; no Russian able to get within five miles of Breslau,—nor + able to do more than cannonade in the distance, and ask with indignation, + "Where are the siege-guns, then; where is General Loudon? Instead of + Breslau capturable, and a sure Magazine for us, here is Henri, and nothing + but steel to eat!" And the Soltikof risen into Russian rages, and the + Montalembert sunk in difficulties: readers can imagine these. Indignant + Soltikof, deaf to suasion, with this dangerous Henri in attendance, is + gradually edging back; always rather back, with an eye to his provisions, + and to certain bogs and woods he knows of. But we will leave the + Soltikof-Henri end of the line, for the opposite end, which is more + interesting.—To Friedrich, till he got to Silesia itself, these + events are totally unknown. His cunctatory Henri, by this winged march, + when the moment came, what a service has he done!— + </p> + <p> + Tauentzien's behavior, also, has been superlative at Breslau; and was + never forgotten by the King. A very brave man, testifies Lessing of him; + true to the death: "Had there come but three, to rally with the King under + a bush of the forest, Tauentzien would have been one." Tauentzien was on + the ramparts once, in this Breslau pinch, giving orders; a bomb burst + beside him, did not injure him. "Mark that place," said Tauentzien; and + clapt his hat on it, continuing his orders, till a more permanent mark + were put. In that spot, as intended through the next thirty years, he now + lies buried. [<i>Militair-Lexikon,</i> iv. 72-75; Lessing's <i>Werke;</i> + &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRIEDRICH ON MARCH, FOR THE THIRD TIME, TO RESCUE SILESIA (August + 1st-15th). + </h2> + <p> + AUGUST 1st, Friedrich crossed the Elbe at Zehren, in the Schieritz + vicinity, as near Meissen as he could; but it had to be some six miles + farther down, such the liabilities to Austrian disturbance. All are across + that morning by 5 o'clock (began at 2); whence we double back eastward, + and camp that night at Dallwitz,—are quietly asleep there, while + Loudon's bombardment bursts out on Breslau, far away! At Dallwitz we rest + next day, wait for our Bakeries and Baggages; and SUNDAY, AUGUST 3d, at 2 + in the morning, set forth on the forlornest adventure in the world. + </p> + <p> + The arrangements of the March, foreseen and settled beforehand to the last + item, are of a perfection beyond praise;—as is still visible in the + General Order, or summary of directions given out; which, to this day, one + reads with a kind of satisfaction like that derivable from the + Forty-seventh of Euclid: clear to the meanest capacity, not a word wanting + in it, not a word superfluous, solid as geometry. "The Army marches always + in Three Columns, left Column foremost: our First Line of Battle [in case + we have fighting] is this foremost Column; Second Line is the Second + Column; Reserve is the Third. All Generals' chaises, money-wagons, and + regimental Surgeons' wagons remain with their respective Battalions; as do + the Heavy Batteries with the Brigades to which they belong. When the march + is through woody country, the Cavalry regiments go in between the + Battalions [to be ready against Pandour operations and accidents]. + </p> + <p> + "With the First Column, the Ziethen Hussars and Free-Battalion Courbiere + have always the vanguard; Mohring Hussars and Free-Battalion Quintus + [speed to you, learned friend!] the rear-guard. With the Second Column + always the Dragoon regiments Normann and Krockow have the vanguard; + Regiment Czetteritz [Dragoons, poor Czetteritz himself, with his lost + MANUSCRIPT, is captive since February last], the rear-guard. With the + Third Column always the Dragoon regiment Holstein as head, and the ditto + Finkenstein to close the Column.—During every march, however, there + are to be of the Second Column 2 Battalions joined with Column Third; so + that the Third Column consists of 10 Battalions, the Second of 6, while on + march. + </p> + <p> + "Ahead of each Column go three Pontoon Wagons; and daily are 50 + work-people allowed them, who are immediately to lay Bridge, where it is + necessary. The rear-guard of each Column takes up these Bridges again; + brings them on, and returns them to the head of the Column, when the Army + has got to camp. In the Second Column are to be 500 wagons, and also in + the Third 500, so shared that each battalion gets an equal number. The + battalions—" [In TEMPELHOF (iv. 125, 126) the entire Piece.]... This + may serve as specimen. + </p> + <p> + The March proceeded through the old Country; a little to left of the track + in June past: Roder Water, Pulsnitz Water; Kamenz neighborhood, Bautzen + neighborhood,—Bunzlau on Silesian ground. Daun, at Bischofswerda, + had foreseen this March; and, by his Light people, had spoiled the Road + all he could; broken all the Bridges, HALF-felled the Woods (to render + them impassable). Daun, the instant he heard of the actual March, rose + from Bischofswerda: forward, forward always, to be ahead of it, however + rapid; Lacy, hanging on the rear of it, willing to give trouble with his + Pandour harpies, but studious above all that it should not whirl round + anywhere and get upon his, Lacy's, own throat. One of the strangest + marches ever seen. "An on-looker, who had observed the march of these + different Armies," says Friedrich, "would have thought that they all + belonged to one leader. Feldmarschall Daun's he would have taken for the + Vanguard, the King's for the main Army, and General Lacy's for the + Rear-guard." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> v. 56.] Tempelhof says: "It is + given only to a Friedrich to march on those terms; between Two hostile + Armies, his equals in strength, and a Third [Loudon's, in Striegau + Country] waiting ahead." + </p> + <p> + The March passed without accident of moment; had not, from Lacy or Daun, + any accident whatever. On the second day, an Aide-de-Camp of Daun's was + picked up, with Letters from Lacy (back of the cards visible to + Friedrich). Once,—it is the third day of the March (August 6th, + village of Rothwasser to be quarter for the night),—on coming toward + Neisse River, some careless Officer, trusting to peasants, instead of + examining for himself and building a bridge, drove his Artillery-wagons + into the so-called ford of Neisse; which nearly swallowed the foremost of + them in quicksands. Nearly, but not completely; and caused a loss of five + or six hours to that Second Column. So that darkness came on Column Second + in the woody intricacies; and several hundreds of the deserter kind took + the opportunity of disappearing altogether. An unlucky, evidently too + languid Officer; though Friedrich did not annihilate the poor fellow, + perhaps did not rebuke him at all, but merely marked it in elucidation of + his qualities for time coming." This miserable village of Rothwasser" + (head-quarters after the dangerous fording of Neisse), says Mitchell, + "stands in the middle of a wood, almost as wild and impenetrable as those + in North America. There was hardly ground enough cleared about it for the + encampment of the troops." [Mitchell, ii. 190; Tempelhof, iv. 131.] + THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th, Friedrich—traversing the whole Country, but + more direct, by Konigsbruck and Kamenz this time—is at Bunzlau + altogether. "Bunzlau on the Bober;" the SILESIAN Bunzlau, not the Bohemian + or any of the others. It is some 30 miles west of Liegnitz, which again + lies some 40 northwest of Schweidnitz and the Strong Places. Friedrich has + now done 100 miles of excellent marching; and he has still a good spell + more to do,—dragging "2,000 heavy wagons" with him, and across such + impediments within and without. Readers that care to study him, especially + for the next few days, will find it worth their while. + </p> + <p> + Tempelhof gives, as usual, a most clear Account, minute to a degree; + which, supplemented by Mitchell and a Reimann Map, enables us as it were + to accompany, and to witness with our eyes. Hitherto a March toilsome in + the extreme, in spite of everything done to help it; starting at 3 or at 2 + in the morning; resting to breakfast in some shady place, while the sun is + high, frugally cooking under the shady woods,—"BURSCHEN ABZUKOCHEN + here," as the Order pleasantly bears. All encamped now, at Bunzlau in + Silesia, on Thursday evening, with a very eminent week's work behind them. + "In the last five days, above 100 miles of road, and such road; five + considerable rivers in it"—Bober, Queiss, Neisse, Spree, Elbe; and + with such a wagon-train of 2,000 teams. [Tempelhof, iv. 123-150.] + </p> + <p> + Proper that we rest a day here; in view of the still swifter marchings and + sudden dashings about, which lie ahead. It will be by extremely nimble use + of all the limbs we have,—hands as well as feet,—if any good + is to come of us now! Friedrich is aware that Daun already holds Striegau + "as an outpost [Loudon thereabouts, unknown to Friedrich], these several + days;" and that Daun personally is at Schmottseifen, in our own old Camp + there, twenty or thirty miles to south of us, and has his Lacy to leftward + of him, partly even to rearward: rather in advance of US, both of them,—if + we were for Landshut; which we are not. "Be swift enough, may not we cut + through to Jauer, and get ahead of Daun?" counts Friedrich: "To Jauer, + southeast of us, from Bunzlau here, is 40 miles; and to Jauer it is above + 30 east for Daun: possible to be there before Daun! Jauer ours, thence to + the Heights of Striegau and Hohenfriedberg Country, within wind of + Schweidnitz, of Breslau: magazines, union with Prince Henri, all secure + thereby?" So reckons the sanguine Friedrich; unaware that Loudon, with his + corps of 35,000, has been summoned hitherward; which will make important + differences! Loudon, Beck with a smaller Satellite Corps, both these, + unknown to Friedrich, lie ready on the east of him: Loudon's Army on the + east; Daun's, Lacy's on the south and west; three big Armies, with their + Satellites, gathering in upon this King: here is a Three-headed Dog, in + the Tartarus of a world he now has! On the fourth side of him is Oder, and + the Russians, who are also perhaps building Bridges, by way of a + supplementary or fourth head. + </p> + <p> + AUGUST 9th (BUNZLAU TO GOLDBERG), Friedrich, with his Three Columns and + perfect arrangements, makes a long march: from Bunzlau at 3 in the + morning; and at 5 afternoon arrives in sight of the Katzbach Valley, with + the little Town of Goldberg some miles to right. Katzbach River is here; + and Jauer, for to-morrow, still fifteen miles ahead. But on reconnoitring + here, all is locked and bolted: Lacy strong on the Hills of Goldberg; Daun + visible across the Katzbach; Daun, and behind him Loudon, inexpugnably + posted: Jauer an impossibility! We have bread only for eight days; our + Magazines are at Schweidnitz and Breslau: what is to be done? Get through, + one way or other, we needs must! Friedrich encamps for the night; + expecting an attack. If not attacked, he will make for Liegnitz leftward; + cross the Katzbach there, or farther down at Parchwitz:—Parchwitz, + Neumarkt, LEUTHEN, we have been in that country before now:—Courage! + </p> + <p> + AUGUST 10th-11th (TO LIEGNITZ AND BACK). At 5 A.M., Sunday, August 10th, + Friedrich, nothing of attack having come, got on march again: down his own + left bank of the Katzbach, straight for Liegnitz; unopposed altogether; + not even a Pandour having attacked him overnight. But no sooner is he + under way, than Daun too rises; Daun, Loudon, close by, on the other side + of Katzbach, and keep step with us, on our right; Lacy's light people + hovering on our rear:—three truculent fellows in buckram; fancy the + feelings of the way-worn solitary fourth, whom they are gloomily dogging + in this way! The solitary fourth does his fifteen miles to Liegnitz, + unmolested by them; encamps on the Heights which look down on Liegnitz + over the south; finds, however, that the Loudon-Daun people have likewise + been diligent; that they now lie stretched out on their right bank, three + or four miles up-stream or to rearward, and what is far worse, seven miles + downwards, or ahead: that, in fact, they are a march nearer Parchwitz than + he;—and that there is again no possibility. "Perhaps by Jauer, then, + still? Out of this, and at lowest, into some vicinity of bread, it does + behoove us to be!" At 11 that night Friedrich gets on march again; returns + the way he came. And, + </p> + <p> + AUGUST 11th, At daybreak, is back to his old ground; nothing now to oppose + him but Lacy, who is gone across from Goldberg, to linger as rear of the + Daun-Loudon march. Friedrich steps across on Lacy, thirsting to have a + stroke at Lacy; who vanishes fast enough, leaving the ground clear. Could + but our baggage have come as fast as we! But our baggage, Quintus guarding + and urging, has to groan on for five hours yet; and without it, there is + no stirring. Five mortal hours;—by which time, Daun, Lacy, Loudon + are all up again; between us and Jauer, between us and everything helpful;—and + Friedrich has to encamp in Seichau,—"a very poor Village in the + Mountains," writes Mitchell, who was painfully present there, "surrounded + on all sides by Heights; on several of which, in the evening, the + Austrians took camp, separated from us by a deep ravine only." [Mitchell, + ii. 194.] + </p> + <p> + Outlooks are growing very questionable to Mitchell and everybody. "Only + four days' provisions" (in reality six), whisper the Prussian Generals + gloomily to Mitchell and to one another: "Shall we have to make for + Glogau, then, and leave Breslau to its fate? Or perhaps it will be a + second Maxen to his Majesty and us, who was so indignant with poor Finck?" + My friends, no; a Maxen like Finck's it will never be: a very different + Maxen, if any! But we hope better things. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's situation, grasped in the Three-lipped Pincers in this manner, + is conceivable to readers. Soltikof, on the other side of Oder, as + supplementary or fourth lip, is very impatient with these three. "Why all + this dodging, and fidgeting to and fro? You are above three to one of your + enemy. Why don't you close on him at once, if you mean it at all? The end + is, He will be across Oder; and it is I that shall have the brunt to bear: + Henri and he will enclose me between two fires!" And in fact, Henri, as we + know, though Friedrich does not or only half does, has gone across Oder, + to watch Soltikof, and guard Breslau from any attempts of his,—which + are far from HIS thoughts at this moment;—a Soltikof fuming + violently at the thought of such cunctations, and of being made cat's-paw + again. "Know, however, that I understand you," violently fumes Soltikof, + "and that I won't. I fall back into the Trebnitz Bog-Country, on my own + right bank here, and look out for my own safety."—"Patience, your + noble Excellenz," answer they always; "oh, patience yet a little! Only + yesterday (Sunday, 10th the day after his arrival in this region), we had + decided to attack and crush him; Sunday very early: [Tempelhof, iv. 137, + 148-150.] but he skipped away to Liegnitz. Oh, be patient yet a day or + two: he skips about at such a rate!" Montalembert has to be suasive as the + Muses and the Sirens. Soltikof gloomily consents to another day or two. + And even, such his anxiety lest this swift King skip over upon HIM, pushes + out a considerable Russian Division, 24,000 ultimately, under Czernichef, + towards the King's side of things, towards Auras on Oder, namely,—there + to watch for oneself these interesting Royal movements; or even to join + with Loudon out there, if that seem the safer course, against them. Of + Czernichef at Auras we shall hear farther on,—were these Royal + movements once got completed a little. + </p> + <p> + MORNING OF AUGUST 12th, Friedrich has, in his bad lodging at Seichau, laid + a new plan of route: "Towards Schweidnitz let it be; round by Pombsen and + the southeast, by the Hill-roads, make a sweep flankward of the enemy!"—and + has people out reconnoitring the Hill-roads. Hears, however, about 8 + o'clock, That Austrians in strength are coming between us and Goldberg! + "Intending to enclose us in this bad pot of a Seichau; no crossing of the + Katzbach, or other retreat to be left us at all?" Friedrich strikes his + tents; ranks himself; is speedily in readiness for dispute of such + extremity;—sends out new patrols, however, to ascertain. "Austrians + in strength" there are NOT on the side indicated;—whereupon he draws + in again. But, on the other hand, the Hill-roads are reported absolutely + impassable for baggage; Pombsen an impossibility, as the other places have + been. So Friedrich sits down again in Seichau to consider; does not stir + all day. To Mitchell's horror, who, "with great labor," burns all the + legationary ciphers and papers ("impossible to save the baggage if we be + attacked in this hollow pot of a camp"), and feels much relieved on + finishing. [Mitchell, ii. 144; Tempelhof, iv. 144.] + </p> + <p> + Towards sunset, General Bulow, with the Second Line (second column of + march), is sent out Goldberg-way, to take hold of the passage of the + Katzbach: and at 8 that night we all march, recrossing there about 1 in + the morning; thence down our left bank to Liegnitz for the second time,—sixteen + hours of it in all, or till noon of the 13th. Mitchell had been put with + the Cavalry part; and "cannot but observe to your Lordship what a chief + comfort it was in this long, dangerous and painful March," to have burnt + one's ciphers and dread secrets quite out of the way. + </p> + <p> + And thus, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th, about noon, we are in our old Camp; + Head-quarter in the southern suburb of Liegnitz (a wretched little Tavern, + which they still show there, on mythical terms): main part of the Camp, I + should think, is on that range of Heights, which reaches two miles + southward, and is now called "SIEGESBERG (Victory Hill)," from a modern + Monument built on it, after nearly 100 years. Here Friedrich stays one + day,—more exactly, 30 hours;—and his shifting, next time, is + extremely memorable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BATTLE, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF LIEGNITZ, DOES ENSUE (Friday morning, 15th + August, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + Daun, Lacy and Loudon, the Three-lipped Pincers, have of course followed, + and are again agape for Friedrich, all in scientific postures: Daun in the + Jauer region, seven or eight miles south; Lacy about Goldberg, as far to + southwest; Loudon "between Jeschkendorf and Koischwitz," northeastward, + somewhat closer on Friedrich, with the Katzbach intervening. That + Czernichef, with an additional 24,000, to rear of Loudon, is actually + crossing Oder at Auras, with an eye to junction, Friedrich does not hear + till to-morrow. [Tempelhof, iv. 148-151; Mitchell, ii. 197.] + </p> + <p> + The scene is rather pretty, if one admired scenes. Liegnitz, a square, + handsome, brick-built Town, of old standing, in good repair (population + then, say 7,000), with fine old castellated edifices and aspects: pleasant + meeting, in level circumstances, of the Katzbach valley with the + Schwartz-wasser (BLACK-WATER) ditto, which forms the north rim of + Liegnitz; pleasant mixture of green poplars and brick towers,—as + seen from that "Victory Hill" (more likely to be "Immediate-Ruin Hill!") + where the King now is. Beyond Liegnitz and the Schwartzwasser, + northwestward, right opposite to the King's, rise other Heights called of + Pfaffendorf, which guard the two streams AFTER their uniting. Kloster + Wahlstatt, a famed place, lies visible to southeast, few miles off. + Readers recollect one Blucher "Prince of Wahlstatt," so named from one of + his Anti-Napoleon victories gained there? Wahlstatt was the scene of an + older Fight, almost six centuries older, [April 9th, 1241 (Kohler, + REICHS-HISTORIE).]—a then Prince of Liegnitz VERSUS hideous Tartar + multitudes, who rather beat him; and has been a CLOISTER Wahlstatt ever + since. Till Thursday, 14th, about 8 in the evening, Friedrich continued in + his Camp of Liegnitz. We are now within reach of a notable Passage of War. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's Camp extends from the Village of Schimmelwitz, fronting the + Katzbach for about two miles, northeastward, to his Head-quarter in + Liegnitz Suburb: Daun is on his right and rearward, now come within four + or five miles; Loudon to his left and frontward, four or five, the + Katzbach separating Friedrich and him; Lacy lies from Goldberg + northeastward, to within perhaps a like distance rearward: that is the + position on Thursday, 14th. Provisions being all but run out; and three + Armies, 90,000 (not to count Czernichef and his 24,000 as a fourth) + watching round our 30,000, within a few miles; there is no staying here, + beyond this day. If even this day it be allowed us? This day, Friedrich + had to draw out, and stand to arms for some hours; while the Austrians + appeared extensively on the Heights about, apparently intending an attack; + till it proved to be nothing: only an elaborate reconnoitring by Daun; and + we returned to our tents again. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich understands well enough that Daun, with the facts now before + him, will gradually form his plan, and also, from the lie of matters, what + his plan will be: many are the times Daun has elaborately reconnoitred, + elaborately laid his plan; but found, on coming to execute, that his + Friedrich was off in the interim, and the plan gone to air. Friedrich has + about 2,000 wagons to drag with him in these swift marches: Glogau + Magazine, his one resource, should Breslau and Schweidnitz prove + unattainable, is forty-five long miles northwestward. "Let us lean upon + Glogau withal," thinks Friedrich; "and let us be out of this straightway! + March to-night; towards Parchwitz, which is towards Glogau too. Army rest + till daybreak on the Heights of Pfaffendorf yonder, to examine, to wait + its luck: let the empty meal-wagons jingle on to Glogau; load themselves + there, and jingle back to us in Parchwitz neighborhood, should Parchwitz + not have proved impossible to our manoeuvrings,—let us hope it may + not!"—Daun and the Austrians having ceased reconnoitring, and gone + home, Friedrich rides with his Generals, through Liegnitz, across the + Schwartzwasser, to the Pfaffendorf Heights. "Here, Messieurs, is our first + halting-place to be: here we shall halt till daybreak, while the + meal-wagons jingle on!" And explains to them orally where each is to take + post, and how to behave. Which done, he too returns home, no doubt a + wearied individual; and at 4 of the afternoon lies down to try for an hour + or two of sleep, while all hands are busy packing, according to the Orders + given. + </p> + <p> + It is a fact recorded by Friedrich himself, and by many other people, + That, at this interesting juncture, there appeared at the King's Gate, + King hardly yet asleep, a staggering Austrian Officer, Irish by nation, + who had suddenly found good to desert the Austrian Service for the + Prussian—("Sorrow on them: a pack of"—what shall I say?)—Irish + gentleman, bursting with intelligence of some kind, but evidently deep in + liquor withal. "Impossible; the King is asleep," said the Adjutant on + duty; but produced only louder insistence from the drunk Irish gentleman. + "As much as all your heads are worth; the King's own safety, and not a + moment to lose!" What is to be done? They awaken the King: "The man is + drunk, but dreadfully in earnest, your Majesty." "Give him quantities of + weak tea [Tempelhof calls it tea, but Friedrich merely warm water]; then + examine him, and report if it is anything." Something it was: "Your + Majesty to be attacked, for certain, this night!" what his Majesty already + guessed:—something, most likely little; but nobody to this day + knows. Visible only, that his Majesty, before sunset, rode out + reconnoitring with this questionable Irish gentleman, now in a very + flaccid state; and altered nothing whatever in prior arrangements;—and + that the flaccid Irish gentleman staggers out of sight, into dusk, into + rest and darkness, after this one appearance on the stage of history. [<i>OEuvres + de Frederic,</i> v. 63; Tempelhof, iv. 154.] + </p> + <p> + From about 8 in the evening, Friedrich's people got on march, in their + several columns, and fared punctually on; one column through the streets + of Liegnitz, others to left and to right of that; to left mainly, as + remoter from the Austrians and their listening outposts from beyond the + Katzbach River;—where the camp-fires are burning extremely distinct + to-night. The Prussian camp-fires, they too are all burning uncommonly + vivid; country people employed to feed them; and a few hussar sentries and + drummers to make the customary sounds for Daun's instruction, till a + certain hour. Friedrich's people are clearing the North Suburb of + Liegnitz, crossing the Schwartzwasser: artillery and heavy wagons all go + by the Stone-Bridge at Topferberg (POTTER-HILL) there; the lighter people + by a few pontoons farther down that stream, in the Pfaffendorf vicinity. + About one in the morning, all, even the right wing from Schimmelwitz, are + safely across. + </p> + <p> + Schwartzwasser, a River of many tails (boggy most of them, Sohnelle or + SWIFT Deichsel hardly an exception), gathering itself from the southward + for twenty or more miles, attains its maximum of north at a place called + Waldau, not far northwest of Topferberg. Towards this Waldau, Lacy is + aiming all night; thence to pounce on our "left wing,"—which he will + find to consist of those empty watch-fires merely. Down from Waldau, past + Topferberg and Pfaffendorf (PRIEST-town, or as we should call it, + "Preston"), which are all on its northern or left bank, Schwartzwasser's + course is in the form of an irregular horse-shoe; high ground to its + northern side, Liegnitz and hollows to its southern; till in an angular + way it do join Katzbach, and go with that, northward for Oder the rest of + its course. On the brow of these horse-shoe Heights,—which run + parallel to Schwartzwasser one part of them, and nearly parallel to + Katzbach another (though above a mile distant, these latter, from IT),—Friedrich + plants himself: in Order of Battle; slightly altering some points of the + afternoon's program, and correcting his Generals, "Front rather so and so; + see where their fires are, yonder!" Daun's fires, Loudon's fires; vividly + visible both:—and, singular to say, there is nothing yonder either + but a few sentries and deceptive drums! All empty yonder too, even as our + own Camp is; all gone forth, even as we are; we resting here, and our + meal-wagons jingling on Glogau way! + </p> + <p> + Excellency Mitchell, under horse-escort, among the lighter baggage, is on + Kuchelberg Heath, in scrubby country, but well north behind Friedrich's + centre: has had a dreadful march; one comfort only, that his ciphers are + all burnt. The rest of us lie down on the grass;—among others, young + Herr von Archenholtz, ensign or lieutenant in Regiment FORCADE: who + testifies that it is one of the beautifulest nights, the lamps of Heaven + shining down in an uncommonly tranquil manner; and that almost nobody + slept. The soldier-ranks all lay horizontal, musket under arm; chatting + pleasantly in an undertone, or each in silence revolving such thoughts as + he had. The Generals amble like observant spirits, hoarsely imperative. + [Archenholtz, ii. 100-111.] Friedrich's line, we observed, is in the + horse-shoe shape (or PARABOLIC, straighter than horse-shoe), fronting the + waters. Ziethen commands in that smaller Schwartzwasser part of the line, + Friedrich in the Katzbach part, which is more in risk. And now, things + being moderately in order, Friedrich has himself sat down—I think, + towards the middle or convex part of his lines—by a watch-fire he + has found there; and, wrapt in his cloak, his many thoughts melting into + haze, has sunk ito a kind of sleep. Seated on a drum, some say; half + asleep by the watch-fire, time half-past 2,—when a Hussar Major, who + has been out by the Bienowitz, the Pohlschildern way, northward, + reconnoitring, comes dashing up full speed: "The King? where is the King?" + "What is it, then?" answers the King for himself. "Your Majesty, the Enemy + in force, from Bienowitz, from Pohlschildern, coming on our Left Wing + yonder; has flung back all my vedettes: is within 500 yards by this time!" + </p> + <p> + Friedrich springs to horse; has already an Order speeding forth, "General + Schenkendorf and his Battalion, their cannon, to the crown of the + Wolfsberg, on our left yonder; swift!" How excellent that every battalion + (as by Order that we read) "has its own share of the heavy cannon always + at hand!" ejaculate the military critics. Schenkendorf, being nimble, was + able to astonish the Enemy with volumes of case-shot from the Wolfsberg, + which were very deadly at that close distance. Other arrangements, too + minute for recital here, are rapidly done; and our Left Wing is in + condition to receive its early visitors,—Loudon or whoever they may + be. It is still dubious to the History-Books whether Friedrich was in + clear expectation of Loudon here; though of course he would now guess it + was Loudon. But there is no doubt Loudon had not the least expectation of + Friedrich; and his surprise must have been intense, when, instead of + vacant darkness (and some chance of Prussian baggage, which he had heard + of), Prussian musketries and case-shot opened on him. + </p> + <p> + Loudon had, as per order, quitted his Camp at Jeschkendorf, about the time + Friedrich did his at Schimmelwitz; and, leaving the lights all burning, + had set forward on his errand; which was (also identical with + Friedrich's), to seize the Heights of Pfaffendorf, and be ready there when + day broke, scouts having informed him that the Prussian Baggage was + certainly gone through to Topferberg,—more his scouts did not know, + nor could Loudon guess,—"We will snatch that Baggage!" thought + Loudon; and with such view has been speeding all he could; no vanguard + ahead, lest he alarm the Baggage escort: Loudon in person, with the + Infantry of the Reserve, striding on ahead, to devour any Baggage-escort + there may be. Friedrich's reconnoitring Hussar parties had confirmed this + belief: "Yes, yes!" thought Loudon. And now suddenly, instead of Baggage + to capture, here, out of the vacant darkness, is Friedrich in person, on + the brow of the Heights where we intended to form!— + </p> + <p> + Loudon's behavior, on being hurled back with his Reserve in this manner, + everybody says, was magnificent. Judging at once what the business was, + and that retreat would be impossible without ruin, he hastened instantly + to form himself, on such ground as he had,—highly unfavorable + ground, uphill in part, and room in it only for Five Battalions (5,000) of + front;—and came on again, with a great deal of impetuosity and good + skill; again and ever again, three times in all. Had partial successes; + edged always to the right to get the flank of Friedrich; but could not, + Friedrich edging conformably. From his right-hand, or northeast part, + Loudon poured in, once and again, very furious charges of Cavalry; on + every repulse, drew out new Battalions from his left and centre, and again + stormed forward: but found it always impossible. Had his subordinates all + been Loudons, it is said, there was once a fine chance for him. By this + edging always to the northeastward on his part and Friedrich's, there had + at last a considerable gap in Friedrich's Line established itself,—not + only Ziethen's Line and Friedrich's Line now fairly fallen asunder, but, + at the Village of Panten, in Friedrich's own Line, a gap where anybody + might get in. One of the Austrian Columns was just entering Panten when + the Fight began: in Panten that Column has stood cogitative ever since; + well to left of Loudon and his struggles; but does not, till the eleventh + hour, resolve to push through. At the eleventh hour;—and lo, in the + nick of time, Mollendorf (our Leuthen-and-Hochkirch friend) got his eye on + it; rushed up with infantry and cavalry; set Panten on fire, and blocked + out that possibility and the too cogitative Column. + </p> + <p> + Loudon had no other real chance: his furious horse-charges and attempts + were met everywhere by corresponding counter-fury. Bernburg, poor Regiment + Bernburg, see what a figure it is making! Left almost alone, at one time, + among those horse-charges; spending its blood like water, + bayonet-charging, platooning as never before; and on the whole, stemming + invincibly that horse-torrent,—not unseen by Majesty, it may be + hoped; who is here where the hottest pinch is. On the third repulse, which + was worse than any before, Loudon found he had enough; and tried it no + farther. Rolled over the Katzbach, better or worse; Prussians catching + 6,000 of him, but not following farther: threw up a tine battery at + Bienowitz, which sheltered his retreat from horse:—and went his + ways, sorely but not dishonorably beaten, after an hour and half of + uncommonly stiff fighting, which had been very murderous to Loudon. Loss + of 10,000 to him: 4,000 killed and wounded; prisoners 6,000; 82 cannon, 28 + flags, and other items; the Prussian loss being 1,800 in whole. + [Tempelhof, iv. 159.] By 5 o'clock, the Battle, this Loudon part of it, + was quite over; Loudon (35,000) wrecking himself against Friedrich's Left + Wing (say half of his Army, some 15,000) in such conclusive manner. + Friedrich's Left Wing alone has been engaged hitherto. And now it will be + Ziethen's turn, if Daun and Lacy still come on. + </p> + <p> + By 11 last night, Daun's Pandours, creeping stealthily on, across the + Katzbach, about Schimmelwitz, had discerned with amazement that + Friedrich's Camp appeared to consist only of watch-fires; and had shot off + their speediest rider to Daun, accordingly; but it was one in the morning + before Daun, busy marching and marshalling, to be ready at the Katzbach by + daylight, heard of this strange news; which probably he could not entirely + believe till seen with his own eyes. What a spectacle! One's beautiful + Plan exploded into mere imbroglio of distraction; become one knows not + what! Daun's watch-fires too had all been left burning; universal + stratagem, on both sides, going on; producing—tragically for some of + us—a TRAGEDY of Errors, or the Mistakes of a Night! Daun sallied out + again, in his collapsed, upset condition, as soon as possible: pushed on, + in the track of Friedrich; warning Lacy to push on. Daun, though within + five miles all the while, had heard nothing of the furious Fight and + cannonade; "southwest wind having risen," so Daun said, and is believed by + candid persons,—not by the angry Vienna people, who counted it + impossible: "Nonsense; you were not deaf; but you loitered and haggled, in + your usual way; perhaps not sorry that, the brilliant Loudon should get a + rebuff!" + </p> + <p> + Emerging out of Liegnitz, Daun did see, to northeastward, a vast pillar or + mass of smoke, silently mounting, but could do nothing with it. + "Cannon-smoke, no doubt; but fallen entirely silent, and not wending + hitherward at all. Poor Loudon, alas, must have got beaten!" Upon which + Daun really did try, at least upon Ziethen; but could do nothing. Poured + cavalry across the Stone-bridge at the Topferberg: who drove in Ziethen's + picket there; but were torn to pieces by Ziethen's cannon. Ziethen across + the Schwartzwasser is alert enough. How form in order of battle here, with + Ziethen's batteries shearing your columns longitudinally, as they march + up? Daun recognizes the impossibility; wends back through Liegnitz to his + Camp again, the way he had come. Tide-hour missed again; ebb going + uncommonly rapid! Lacy had been about Waldau, to try farther up the + Schwartzwasser on Ziethen's right: but the Schwartzwasser proved amazingly + boggy; not accessible on any point to heavy people,—"owing to bogs + on the bank," with perhaps poor prospect on the other side too! + </p> + <p> + And, in fact, nothing of Lacy more than of Daun, could manage to get + across: nothing except two poor Hussar regiments; who, winding up far to + the left, attempted a snatch on the Baggage about Hummeln,—Hummeln, + or Kuchel of the Scrubs. And gave a new alarm to Mitchell, the last of + several during this horrid night; who has sat painfully blocked in his + carriage, with such a Devil's tumult, going on to eastward, and no sight, + share or knowledge to be had of it. Repeated hussar attacks there were on + the Baggage here, Loudon's hussars also trying: but Mitchell's Captain was + miraculously equal to the occasion; and had beaten them all off. Mitchell, + by magnanimous choice of his own, has been in many Fights by the side of + Friedrich; but this is the last he will ever be in or near;—this + miraculous one of Liegnitz, 3 to 4.30 A.M., Friday, August 15th, 1760. + </p> + <p> + Never did such a luck befall Friedrich before or after. He was clinging on + the edge of slippery abysses, his path hardly a foot's-breadth, mere + enemies and avalanches hanging round on every side: ruin likelier at no + moment, of his life;—and here is precisely the quasi-miracle which + was needed to save him. Partly by accident too; the best of management + crowned by the luckiest of accidents. [Tempelhof, iv. 151-171; + Archenholtz, ubi supra; HO BERICHT VON DER SCHLACHT SO AM 15 AUGUST, 1760, + BEY LIEGNITZ, VORGEFALLEN (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> ii. 696-703); &c. + &c.] + </p> + <p> + Friedrich rested four hours on the Battle-field,—if that could be + called rest, which was a new kind of diligence highly wonderful. Diligence + of gathering up accurately the results of the Battle; packing them into + portable shape; and marching off with them in one's pocket, so to speak. + Major-General Saldern had charge of this, a man of many talents; and did + it consummately. The wounded, Austrian as well as Prussian, are placed in + the empty meal-wagons; the more slightly wounded are set on horseback, + double in possible cases: only the dead are left lying: 100 or more + meal-wagons are left, their teams needed for drawing our 82 new cannon;—the + wagons we split up, no Austrians to have them; usable only as firewood for + the poor Country-folk. The 4 or 5,000 good muskets lying on the field, + shall not we take them also? Each cavalry soldier slings one of them + across his back, each baggage driver one: and the muskets too are taken + care of. About 9 A.M., Friedrich, with his 6,000 prisoners, new + cannon-teams, sick-wagon teams, trophies, properties, is afoot again. One + of the succinctest of Kings. + </p> + <p> + I should have mentioned the joy of poor Regiment Bernburg; which rather + affected me. Loudon gone, the miracle of Battle done, and this miraculous + packing going on,—Friedrich riding about among his people, passed + along the front of Bernburg, the eye of him perhaps intimating, "I saw + you, BURSCHE;" but no word coming from him. The Bernburg Officers, + tragically tressless in their hats, stand also silent, grim as blackened + stones (all Bernburg black with gunpowder): "In us also is no word; unless + our actions perhaps speak?" But a certain Sergeant, Fugleman, or chief + Corporal, stept out, saluting reverentially: "Regiment Bernburg, IHRO + MAJESTAT—?" "Hm; well, you did handsomely. Yes, you shall have your + side-arms back; all shall be forgotten and washed out!" "And you are again + our Gracious King, then?" says the Sergeant, with tears in his eyes.—"GEWISS, + Yea, surely!" [Tempelhof, iv. 162-164.] Upon which, fancy what a peal of + sound from the ecstatic throat and heart of this poor Regiment. Which I + have often thought of; hearing mutinous blockheads, "glorious Sons of + Freedom" to their own thinking, ask their natural commanding Officer, "Are + not we as good as thou? Are not all men equal?" Not a whit of it, you + mutinous blockheads; very far from it indeed! + </p> + <p> + This was the breaking of Friedrich's imprisonment in the deadly + rock-labyrinths; this success at Liegnitz delivered him into free field + once more. For twenty-four hours more, indeed, the chance was still full + of anxiety to him; for twenty-four hours Daun, could he have been rapid, + still had the possibilities in hand;—but only Daun's Antagonist was + usually rapid. About 9 in the morning, all road-ready, this latter + Gentleman "gave three Salvos, as Joy-fire, on the field of Liegnitz;" and, + in the above succinct shape,—leaving Ziethen to come on, "with the + prisoners, the sick-wagons and captured cannon," in the afternoon,—marched + rapidly away. For Parchwitz, with our best speed: Parchwitz is the road to + Breslau, also to Glogau,—to Breslau, if it be humanly possible! + Friedrich has but two days' bread left; on the Breslau road, at Auras, + there is Czernichef with 24,000; there are, or there may be, the Loudon + Remnants rallied again, the Lacy Corps untouched, all Daun's Force, had + Daun made any despatch at all. Which Daun seldom did. A man slow to + resolve, and seeking his luck in leisure. + </p> + <p> + All judges say, Daun ought now to have marched, on this enterprise of + still intercepting Friedrich, without loss of a moment. But he calculated + Friedrich would probably spend the day in TE-DEUM-ing on the Field (as is + the manner of some); and that, by to-morrow, things would be clearer to + one's own mind. Daun was in no haste; gave no orders,—did not so + much as send Czernichef a Letter. Czernichef got one, however. Friedrich + sent him one; that is to say, sent him one TO INTERCEPT. Friedrich, + namely, writes a Note addressed to his Brother Henri: "Austrians totally + beaten this day; now for the Russians, dear Brother; and swift, do what we + have agreed on!" [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> v. 67.] Friedrich hands this + to a Peasant, with instructions to let himself be taken by the Russians, + and give it up to save his life. Czernichef, it is thought, got this + Letter; and perhaps rumor itself, and the delays of Daun, would, at any + rate, have sent him across. Across he at once went, with his 24,000, and + burnt his Bridge. A vanished Czernichef;—though Friedrich is not yet + sure of it: and as for the wandering Austrian Divisions, the Loudons, + Lacys, all is dark to him. + </p> + <p> + So that, at Parchwitz, next morning (August 16th), the question, "To + Glogau? To Breslau?" must have been a kind of sphinx-enigma to Friedrich; + dark as that, and, in case of error, fatal. After some brief paroxysm of + consideration, Friedrich's reading was, "To Breslau, then!" And, for + hours, as the march went on, he was noticed "riding much about," his + anxieties visibly great. Till at Neumarkt (not far from the Field of + LEUTHEN), getting on the Heights there,—towards noon, I will guess,—what + a sight! Before this, he had come upon Austrian Out-parties, Beck's or + somebody's, who did not wait his attack: he saw, at one point, "the whole + Austrian Army on march (the tops of its columns visible among the knolls, + three miles off, impossible to say whitherward);" and fared on all the + faster, I suppose, such a bet depending;—and, in fine, galloped to + the Heights of Neumarkt for a view: "Dare we believe it? Not an Austrian + there!" And might be, for the moment, the gladdest of Kings. Secure now of + Breslau, of junction with Henri: fairly winner of the bet;—and can + at last pause, and take breath, very needful to his poor Army, if not to + himself, after such a mortal spasm of sixteen days! Daun had taken the + Liegnitz accident without remark; usually a stoical man, especially in + other people's misfortunes; but could not conceal his painful astonishment + on this new occasion,—astonishment at unjust fortune, or at his own + sluggardly cunctations, is not said. + </p> + <p> + Next day (August 17th), Friedrich encamps at Hermannsdorf, head-quarter + the Schloss of Hermannsdorf, within seven miles of Breslau; continues a + fortnight there, resting his wearied people, himself not resting much, + watching the dismal miscellany of entanglements that yet remain, how these + will settle into groups,—especially what Daun and his Soltikof will + decide on. In about a fortnight, Daun's decision did become visible; + Soltikof's not in a fortnight, nor ever clearly at all. Unless it were To + keep a whole skin, and gradually edge home to his victuals. As essentially + it was, and continued to be; creating endless negotiations, and futile + overtures and messagings from Daun to his barbarous Friend, endless + suasions and troubles from poor Montalembert,—of which it would + weary every reader to hear mention, except of the result only. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, for his own part, is little elated with these bits of successes + at Liegnitz or since; and does not deceive himself as to the difficulties, + almost the impossibilities, that still lie ahead. In answer to D'Argens, + who has written ("at midnight," starting out of bed "the instant the news + came"), in zealous congratulation on Liegnitz, here is a Letter of + Friedrich's: well worth reading,—though it has been oftener read + than almost any other of his. A Letter which D'Argens never saw in the + original form; which was captured by the Austrians or Cossacks; [See <i>OEuvres + de Frederic,</i> xix. 198 (D'Argens himself, "19th October" following), + and ib. 191 n.; Rodenbeck, ii. 31, 36;—mention of it in Voltaire, + Montalembert, &c.] which got copied everywhere, soon stole into print, + and is ever since extensively known. + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH TO MARQUIS D'ARGENS (at Berlin). + </p> + <p> + "HERMANNSDORF, near Breslau, 27th August, 1760. + </p> + <p> + "In other times, my dear Marquis, the Affair of the 15th would have + settled the Campaign; at present it is but a scratch. There will be needed + a great Battle to decide our fate: such, by all appearance, we shall soon + have; and then you may rejoice, if the event is favorable to us. Thank + you, meanwhile, for all your sympathy. It has cost a deal of scheming, + striving and much address to bring matters to this point. Don't speak to + me of dangers; the last Action costs me only a Coat [torn, useless, only + one skirt left, by some rebounding cannon-ball?] and a Horse [shot under + me]: that is not paying dear for a victory. + </p> + <p> + "In my life, I was never in so bad a posture as in this Campaign. Believe + me, miracles are still needed if I am to overcome all the difficulties + which I still see ahead. And one is growing weak withal. 'Herculean' + labors to accomplish at an age when my powers are forsaking me, my + weaknesses increasing, and, to speak candidly, even hope, the one comfort + of the unhappy, begins to be wanting. You are not enough acquainted with + the posture of things, to know all the dangers that threaten the State: I + know them, and conceal them; I keep all the fears to myself, and + communicate to the Public only the hopes, and the trifle of good news I + may now and then have. If the stroke I am meditating succeed [stroke on + Daun's Anti-Schweidnitz strategies, of which anon], then, my dear Marquis, + it will be time to expand one's joy; but till then let us not flatter + ourselves, lest some unexpected bit of bad news depress us too much. + </p> + <p> + "I live here [Schloss of Hermannsdorf, a seven miles west of Breslau] like + a Military Monk of La Trappe: endless businesses, and these done, a little + consolation from my Books. I know not if I shall outlive this War: but + should it so happen, I am firmly resolved to pass the remainder of my life + in solitude, in the bosom of Philosophy and Friendship. When the roads are + surer, perhaps you will write me oftener. I know not where our + winter-quarters this time are to be! My House in Breslau is burnt down in + the Bombardment [Loudon's, three weeks ago]. Our enemies grudge us + everything, even daylight, and air to breathe: some nook, however, they + must leave us; and if it be a safe one, it will be a true pleasure to have + you again with me. + </p> + <p> + "Well, my dear Marquis, what has become of the Peace with France [English + Peace]! Your Nation, you see, is blinder than you thought: those fools + will lose their Canada and Pondicherry, to please the Queen of Hungary and + the Czarina. Heaven grant Prince Ferdinand may pay them for their zeal! + And it will be the innocent that suffer, the poor officers and soldiers, + not the Choiseuls and—... But here is business come on me. Adieu, + dear Marquis; I embrace you.—F." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. + 191.] + </p> + <p> + Two Events, of opposite complexion, a Russian and a Saxon, Friedrich had + heard of while at Hermannsdorf, before writing as above. The Saxon Event + is the pleasant one, and comes first. + </p> + <p> + HULSEN ON THE DURRENBERG, AUGUST 20th. "August 20th, at Strehla, in that + Schlettau-Meissen Country, the Reichsfolk and Austrians made attack on + Hulsen's Posts, principal Post of them the Durrenberg (DRY-HILL) there,—in + a most extensive manner; filling the whole region with vague + artillery-thunder, and endless charges, here, there, of foot and horse; + which all issued in zero and minus quantities; Hulsen standing beautifully + to his work, and Hussar Kleist especially, at one point, cutting in with + masterly execution, which proved general overthrow to the Reichs Project; + and left Hulsen master of the field and of his Durrenberg, PLUS 1,217 + prisoners and one Prince among them, and one cannon: a Hulsen who has + actually given a kind of beating to the Reichsfolk and Austrians, though + they were 30,000 to his 10,000, and had counted on making a new Maxen of + it." [Archenholts, ii. 114; BERICHT VON DER OM 20 AUGUST 1780 BEY STREHLA + VORGEFALLONEN ACTION (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> ii. 703-719).] Friedrich + writes a glad laudatory Letter to Hulsen: "Right, so; give them more of + that when they apply next!" [Letter in SCHONING, ii. 396, "Hermsdorf" + (Hermannsdorf), "27th August, 1760."] + </p> + <p> + This is a bit of sunshine to the Royal mind, dark enough otherwise. Had + Friedrich got done here, right fast would he fly to the relief of Hulsen, + and recovery of Saxony. Hope, in good moments, says, "Hulsen will be able + to hold out till then!" Fear answers, "No, he cannot, unless you get done + here extremely soon!"—The Russian Event, full of painful anxiety to + Friedrich, was a new Siege of Colberg. That is the sad fact; which, since + the middle of August, has been becoming visibly certain. + </p> + <p> + SECOND SIEGE OF COLBERG, AUGUST 26th. "Under siege again, that poor Place; + and this time the Russians seem to have made a vow that take it they will. + Siege by land and by sea; land-troops direct from Petersburg, 15,000 in + all (8,000 of them came by ship), with endless artillery; and near 40 + Russian and Swedish ships-of-war, big and little, blackening the waters of + poor Colberg. August 26th [the day before Friedrich's writing as above], + they have got all things adjusted,—the land-troops covered by + redoubts to rearward, ships moored in their battering-places;—and + begin such a bombardment and firing of red-hot balls upon Colberg as was + rarely seen. To which, one can only hope old Heyde will set a face of + gray-steel character, as usual; and prove a difficult article to deal + with, till one get some relief contrived for him. [Archenholtz, ii. 116: + in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> (vi.73-83), "TAGEBUCH of Siege, 26th + August-18th September," and other details.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV.—DAUN IN WRESTLE WITH FRIEDRICH IN THE SILESIAN HILLS. + </h2> + <p> + In spite of Friedrich's forebodings, an extraordinary recoil, in all + Anti-Friedrich affairs, ensued upon Liegnitz; everything taking the + backward course, from which it hardly recovered, or indeed did not recover + at all, during the rest of this Campaign. Details on the subsequent + Daun-Friedrich movements—which went all aback for Daun, Daun driven + into the Hills again, Friedrich hopeful to cut off his bread, and drive + him quite through the Hills, and home again—are not permitted us. No + human intellect in our day could busy itself with understanding these + thousand-fold marchings, manoeuvrings, assaults, surprisals, sudden + facings-about (retreat changed to advance); nor could the powerfulest + human memory, not exclusively devoted to study the Art Military under + Friedrich, remember them when understood. For soldiers, desirous not to be + sham-soldiers, they are a recommendable exercise; for them I do advise + Tempelhof and the excellent German Narratives and Records. But in regard + to others—A sample has been given: multiply that by the ten, by the + threescore and ten; let the ingenuous imagination get from it what will + suffice. Our first duty here to poor readers, is to elicit from that sea + of small things the fractions which are cardinal, or which give human + physiognomy and memorability to it; and carefully suppress all the rest. + </p> + <p> + Understand, then, that there is a general going-back on the Austrian and + Russian part. Czernichef we already saw at once retire over the Oder. + Soltikof bodily, the second day after, deaf to Montalembert, lifts himself + to rearward; takes post behind bogs and bushy grounds more and more + inaccessible; ["August 18th, to Trebnitz, on the road to Militsch" + (Tempelhof, iv. 167).] followed by Prince Henri with his best + impressiveness for a week longer, till he seem sufficiently remote and + peaceably minded: "Making home for Poland, he," thinks the sanguine King; + "leave Goltz with 12,000 to watch him. The rest of the Army over hither!" + Which is done, August 27th; General Forcade taking charge, instead of + Henri,—who is gone, that day or next, to Breslau, for his health's + sake. "Prince Henri really ill," say some; "Not so ill, but in the sulks," + say others:—partly true, both theories, it is now thought; + impossible to settle in what degree true. Evident it is, Henri sat + quiescent in Breslau, following regimen, in more or less pathetic humor, + for two or three months to come; went afterwards to Glogau, and had + private theatricals; and was no more heard of in this Campaign. Greatly to + his Brother's loss and regret; who is often longing for "your recovery" + (and return hither), to no purpose. + </p> + <p> + Soltikof does, in his heart, intend for Poland; but has to see the Siege + of Colberg finish first; and, in decency even to the Austrians, would + linger a little: "Willing I always, if only YOU prove feasible!" Which + occasions such negotiating, and messaging across the Oder, for the next + six weeks, as—as shall be omitted in this place. By intense suasion + of Montalembert, Soltikof even consents to undertake some sham movement on + Glogau, thereby to alleviate his Austrians across the River; and staggers + gradually forward a little in that direction:—sham merely; for he + has not a siege-gun, nor the least possibility on Glogau; and Goltz with + the 12,000 will sufficiently take care of him in that quarter. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, on junction with Forcade, has risen to perhaps 50,000; and is + now in some condition against the Daun-Loudon-Lacy Armies, which cannot be + double his number. These still hang about, in the Breslau-Parchwitz + region; gloomy of humor; and seem to be aiming at Schweidnitz,—if + that could still prove possible with a Friedrich present. Which it by no + means does; though they try it by their best combinations;—by "a + powerful Chain of Army-posts, isolating Schweidnitz, and uniting Daun and + Loudon;" by "a Camp on the Zobtenberg, as crown of the same;"—and + put Friedrich on his mettle. Who, after survey of said Chain, executes + (night of August 30th) a series of beautiful manoeuvres on it, which + unexpectedly conclude its existence:—"with unaccountable hardihood," + as Archenholtz has it, physiognomically TRUE to Friedrich's general style + just now, if a little incorrect as to the case in hand, "sees good to + march direct, once for all, athwart said Chain; right across its explosive + cannonadings and it,—counter-cannonading, and marching rapidly on; + such a march for insolence, say the Austrians!" [Archenholtz (ii. + 115-116); who is in a hurry, dateless, and rather confuses a subsequent + DAY (September 18th) with this "night of August 30th." See RETZOW, ii. 26; + and still better, TEMPELHOF, iv. 203.] Till, in this way, the insolent + King has Schweidnitz under his protective hand again; and forces the Chain + to coil itself wholly together, and roll into the Hills for a safe + lodging. Whither he again follows it: with continual changes of position, + vying in inaccessibility with your own; threatening your meal-wagons; + trampling on your skirts in this or the other dangerous manner; marching + insolently up to your very nose, more than once ("Dittmannsdorf, September + 18th," for a chief instance), and confusing your best schemes. [Tempelhof, + iv. 193-231; &c. &c.: in <i>Anonymous of Hamburg,</i> iv. 222-235, + "Diary of the AUSTRIAN Army" (3-8th September).] + </p> + <p> + This "insolent" style of management, says Archenholtz, was practised by + Julius Caesar on the Gauls; and since his time by nobody,—till + Friedrich, his studious scholar and admirer, revived it "against another + enemy." "It is of excellent efficacy," adds Tempelhof; "it disheartens + your adversary, and especially his common people, and has the reverse + effect on your own; confuses him in endless apprehensions, and details of + self-defence; so that he can form no plan of his own, and his overpowering + resources become useless to him." Excellent efficacy,—only you must + be equal to doing it; not unequal, which might be very fatal to you! + </p> + <p> + For about five weeks, Friedrich, eminently practising this style, has a + most complex multifarious Briarean wrestle with big Daun and his + Lacy-Loudon Satellites; who have a troublesome time, running hither, + thither, under danger of slaps, and finding nowhere an available mistake + made. The scene is that intricate Hill-Country between Schweidnitz and + Glatz (kind of GLACIS from Schweidnitz to the Glatz Mountains): Daun, + generally speaking, has his back on Glatz, Friedrich on Schweidnitz; and + we hear of encampings at Kunzendorf, at BUNZELWITZ, at BURKERSDORF—places + which will be more famous in a coming Year. Daun makes no complaint of his + Lacy-Loudon or other satellite people; who are diligently circumambient + all of them, as bidden; but are unable, like Daun himself, to do the least + good; and have perpetually, Daun and they, a bad life of it beside this + Neighbor. The outer world, especially the Vienna outer world, is naturally + a little surprised: "How is this, Feldmarschall Daun? Can you do + absolutely nothing with him, then; but sit pinned in the Hills, eating + sour herbs!" + </p> + <p> + In the Russians appears no help. Soltikof on Glogau, we know what that + amounts to! Soltikof is evidently intending home, and nothing else. To all + Austrian proposals,—and they have been manifold, as poor + Montalembert knows too well,—the answer of Soltikof was and is: + "Above 90,000 of you circling about, helping one another to do Nothing. + Happy were you, not a doubt of it, could WE be wiled across to you, to get + worried in your stead!" Daun begins to be extremely ill-off; provisions + scarce, are far away in Bohemia; and the roads daily more insecure, + Friedrich aiming evidently to get command of them altogether. Think of + such an issue to our once flourishing Campaign 1760! Daun is vigilance + itself against such fatality; and will do anything, except risk a Fight. + Here, however, is the fatal posture: Since September 18th, Daun sees + himself considerably cut off from Glatz, his provision-road more and more + insecure;—and for fourteen days onward, the King and he have got + into a dead-lock, and sit looking into one another's faces; Daun in a more + and more distressed mood, his provender becoming so uncertain, and the + Winter season drawing nigh. The sentries are in mutual view: each Camp + could cannonade the other; but what good were it? By a tacit understanding + they don't. The sentries, outposts and vedettes forbear musketry; on the + contrary, exchange tobaccoes sometimes, and have a snatch of conversation. + Daun is growing more and more unhappy. To which of the gods, if not to + Soltikof again, can he apply? + </p> + <p> + Friedrich himself, successful so far, is abundantly dissatisfied with such + a kind of success;—and indeed seems to be less thankful to his stars + than in present circumstances he ought. Profoundly wearied we find him, + worn down into utter disgust in the Small War of Posts: "Here we still + are, nose to nose," exclaims he (see Letters TO HENRI), "both of us in + unattackable camps. This Campaign appears to me more unsupportable than + any of the foregoing. Take what trouble and care I like, I can't advance a + step in regard to great interests; I succeed only in trifles.... Oh for + good news of your health: I am without all assistance here; the Army must + divide again before long, and I have none to intrust it to." [Schoning, + ii. 416.] + </p> + <p> + And TO D'ARGENS, in the same bad days: "Yes, yes, I escaped a great danger + there [at Liegnitz]. In a common War it would have signified something; + but in this it is a mere skirmish; my position little improved by it. I + will not sing Jeremiads to you; nor speak of my fears and anxieties, but + can assure you they are great. The crisis I am in has taken another shape; + but as yet nothing decides it, nor can the development of it be foreseen. + I am getting consumed by slow fever; I am like a living body losing limb + after limb. Heaven stand by us: we need it much. [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xix. 193 ("Dittmannsdorf, 18th September," day after, or day of finishing, + that cannonade).]... You talk always of my person, of my dangers. Need I + tell you, it is not necessary that I live; but it is that I do my duty, + and fight for my Country to save it if possible. In many LITTLE things I + have had luck: I think of taking for my motto, MAXIMUS IN MINIMIS, ET + MINIMUS IN MAXIMIS. A worse Campaign than any of the others: I know not + sometimes what will become of it. But why weary you with such details of + my labors and my sorrows? My spirits have forsaken me. All gayety is + buried with the Loved Noble Ones whom my heart was bound to. Adieu." + </p> + <p> + Or, again, TO HENRI: Berlin? Yes; I am trying something in bar of that. + Have a bad time of it, in the interim." Our means, my dear Brother, are so + eaten away; far too short for opposing the prodigious number of our + enemies set against us:—if we must fall, let us date our destruction + from the infamous Day of Maxen!" + </p> + <p> + Is in such health, too, all the while: "Am a little better, thank you; yet + have still the"—what shall we say (dreadful biliary affair)?—"HEMORRHOIDES + AVEUGLES: nothing that, were it not for the disquietudes I feel: but all + ends in this world, and so will these. ... I flatter myself your health is + recovering. For these three days in continuance I have had so terrible a + cramp, I thought it would choke me;—it is now a little gone. No + wonder the chagrins and continual disquietudes I live in should undermine + and at length overturn the robustest constitution." [Schoning, ii. 419: + "2d October." Ib. ii. 410: "16th September." Ib. ii. 408.] + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, we observe, has heard of certain Russian-Austrian intentions on + Berlin; but, after intense consideration, resolves that it will behoove + him to continue here, and try to dislodge Daun, or help Hunger to dislodge + him; which will be the remedy for Berlin and all things else. There are + news from Colberg of welcome tenor: could Daun be sent packing, Soltikof, + it is probable, will not be in much alacrity for Berlin!—September + 18th, at Dittmannsdorf, was the first day of Daun's dead-lock: ever since, + he has had to sit, more and more hampered, pinned to the Hills, eating + sour herbs; nothing but Hunger ahead, and a retreat (battle we will not + dream of), likely to be very ruinous, with a Friedrich sticking to the + wings of it. Here is the Note on Colberg:— + </p> + <p> + SEPTEMBER 18th, COLHERG SIEGE RAISED. "The same September 18th, what a day + at Colberg too! it is the twenty-fourth day of the continual bombardment + there. Colberg is black ashes, most of its houses ruins, not a house in it + uninjured. But Heyde and his poor Garrison, busy day and night, walk about + in it as if fire-proof; with a great deal of battle still left in them. + The King, I know not whether Heyde is aware, has contrived something of + relief; General Werner coming:—the fittest of men, if there be + possibility. When, see, September 18th, uneasy motion in the Russian + intrenchments (for the Russians too are intrenched against attack): + Something that has surprised the Russians yonder. Climb, some of you, to + the highest surviving steeple, highest chimney-top if no steeple survive:—Yonder + IS Werner come to our relief, O God the Merciful!" + </p> + <p> + "Werner, with 5,000, was detached from Glogau (September 5th), from + Goltz's small Corps there; has come as on wings, 200 miles in thirteen + days. And attacks now, as with wings, the astonished Russian 15,000, who + were looking for nothing like him,—with wings, with claws, and with + beak; and in a highly aquiline manner, fierce, swift, skilful, storms + these intrenched Russians straightway, scatters them to pieces,—and + next day is in Colberg, the Siege raising itself with great precipitation; + leaving all its artilleries and furnitures, rushing on shipboard all of it + that can get,—the very ships-of-war, says Archenholtz, hurrying + dangerously out to sea, as if the Prussian Hussars might possibly take + THEM. A glorious Werner! A beautiful defence, and ditto rescue; which has + drawn the world's attention." [Seyfarth, ii. 634; Archenholtz, ii. 116: in + <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> (vi. 73-83), TAGEBUCH of Siege.] + </p> + <p> + Heyde's defence of Colberg, Werner's swift rescue of it, are very + celebrated this Autumn. Medals were struck in honor of them at Berlin, not + at Friedrich's expense, but under Friedrich's patronage; who purchased + silver or gold copies, and gave them about. Veteran Heyde had a Letter + from his Majesty, and one of these gold Medals;—what an honor! I do + not hear that Heyde got any other reward, or that he needed any. A + beautiful old Hero, voiceless in History; though very visible in that + remote sphere, if you care to look. + </p> + <p> + That is the news from Colberg; comfortable to Friedrich; not likely to + inspire Soltikof with new alacrity in behalf of Daun. It remains to us + only to add, that Friedrich, with a view to quicken Daun, shot out + (September 24th, after nightfall, and with due mystery) a Detachment + towards Neisse,—4,000 or so, who call themselves 15,000, and affect + to be for Mahren ultimately. "For Mahren, and my bit of daily bread!" Daun + may well think; and did for some time think, or partly did. Pushed off one + small detachment really thither, to look after Mahren; and (September + 29th) pushed off another bigger; Lacy namely, with 15,000, pretending to + be thither,—but who, the instant they were out of Friedrich's sight, + have whirled, at a rapid pace, quite into the opposite direction: as will + shortly be seen! Daun has now other irons in the fire. Daun, ever since + this fatal Dead-lock in the Hills, has been shrieking hoarsely to the + Russians, day and night; who at last take pity on him,—or find + something feasible in his proposals. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE RUSSIANS MAKE A RAID ON BERLIN, FOR RELIEF OF DAUN AND THEIR OWN + BEHOOF (October 3d-12th, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + Powerful entreaties, influences are exercised at Petersburg, and here in + the Russian Camp: "Noble Russian Excellencies, for the love of Heaven, + take this man off my windpipe! A sally into Brandenburg: oh, could not + you? Lacy shall accompany; seizure of Berlin, were it only for one day!" + Soltikof has falleu sick,—and, indeed, practically vanishes from our + affairs at this point;—Fermor, who has command in the interim, + finally consents: "Our poor siege of Colberg, what an end is come to it! + What an end is the whole Campaign like to have! Let us at least try this + of Berlin, since our hands are empty." The joy of Daun, of Montalembert, + and of everybody in Austrian Court and Camp may be conceived. + </p> + <p> + Russians to the amount of 20,000, Czernichef Commander; Tottleben Second + in command, a clever soldier, who knows Berlin: these are to start from + Sagan Country, on this fine Expedition, and to push on at the very top of + their speed. September 20th, Tottleben, with 3,000 of them as Vanguard, + does accordingly cross Oder, at Beuthen in Sagan Country; and strides + forward direct upon Berlin: Lacy, with 15,000, has started from Silesia, + we saw how, above a week later (September 29th), but at a still more + furious rate of speed. Soltikof,—theoretically Soltikof, but + practically Fermor, should the dim German Books be ambiguous to any + studious creature,—with the Main Army (which by itself is still a + 20,000 odd), moves to Frankfurt, to support the swift Expedition, and be + within two marches of it. Here surely is a feasibility! Berlin, for + defence, has nothing but weak palisades; and of effective garrison 1,200 + men. + </p> + <p> + And feasible, in a sort, this thing did prove; indisputably delivering + Daun from strangulation in the Silesian Mountains; filling the Gazetteer + mind with loud emotion of an empty nature; and very much affecting many + poor people in Berlin and neighborhood. Making a big Chapter in Berlin + Local History; though compressible to small bulk for strangers, who have + no specific sympathies in that locality. + </p> + <p> + "FRIDAY, 3d OCTOBER, 1760, Tottleben, with his hasty Vanguard of 3,000, + preceded by hastier rumor, comes circling round Berlin environs; takes + post at the Halle Gate [West side of the City]; summons Rochow [the same + old Commandant of Haddick's time];—requires instant admittance; + ransom of Four million Thalers, and other impossible things. Berlin has + been putting itself in some posture; repairing its palisades, throwing up + bits of redoubts in front of the gates, and, though sounding with alarms + and uncertainties, shows a fine spirit of readiness for the emergency. + Rochow is still Commandant, the same old Rochow who shrunk so questionably + in Haddick's time: but Rochow has no Court to tremble for at present; + Queen and Royal Family, Archives, Principal Ministries, Directorium in a + body, went all to Magdeburg again, on the Kunersdorf Disaster last year, + and are safe from such insults. The spirit of the population, it appears, + even of the rich classes, some of whom are very rich, is extraordinary. + Besides Rochow, moreover, there are, by accident, certain Generals in + Berlin: Seidlitz and two others, recovering from their Kunersdorf hurts, + who step into the breach with heart admirably willing, if with limbs still + lame. Then there is old Field-marshal Lehwald [Anti-Russian at Gross + Jagersdorf, but dismissed as too old], who is official Governor of Berlin, + who succeeded poor Keith in that honorable office: all these were strong + for defence;—and do not now grudge, great men as they are, to take + each his Gate of Berlin, his small redoubt thrown up there, and pass the + night and the day in doing his utmost with it. + </p> + <p> + "Rochow refuses the surrender, and the Four Millions pure specie; and + Tottleben, about 3 P.M. in an intermittent way, and about 5 in a constant, + begins bombarding—grenadoes, red-hot balls, what he can;—and + continues the s&me till 3 next morning. Without result to speak of; + Seidlitz and Consorts making good counter-play; the poor old 1,200 of + Garrison growing almost young again with energy, under their Seidlitzes; + and the population zealously co-operating, especially quenching all fires + that rose. What greatly contributed withal was the arrival of Prince Eugen + overnight. Eugen of Wurtemberg [cadet of that bad Duke] had been engaged + driving home the Swedes, but instantly quitted that with a 5,000 he had; + and has marched this day,—his Vanguard has, mostly Horse, whom the + Foot will follow to-morrow,—a distance of forty miles, on this fine + errand. Delicate manoeuvring, by these wearied horsemen, to enter Berlin + amid uncertain jostlings, under the shine of Russian bombardment; ecstatic + welcome to them, when they did get in,—instant subscription for fat + oxen to them; a just abundance of beef to them, of generous beer I hope + not more than an abundance: phenomena which, with others of the like, + could be dwelt on, had we room. [Tempelhof, iv. 266-290; Archenholtz, ii. + 122-148; <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vi. 103-149, 350-352; &c. &c.]' + </p> + <p> + "Tottleben, under these omens, found it would not do; wended off towards + his Czernichef next morning; eastward again as far as Copenik, Prince + Eugen attending him in a minatory manner: and, in Berlin for the moment, + the bad ten hours were over. For four days more, the fate of things hung + dubious; hope soon fading again, but not quite going out till the fifth + day. And this, in fact, was mainly all of bombardment that the City had to + suffer; though its fate of capture was not to be averted. Is not Tottleben + gone? Yes; but Lacy, marching at a rate he never did before (except from + Bischofswerda), is arrived in the environs this same evening, cautious but + furious. The King is far away; what are Eugen's 5,000 against these? + </p> + <p> + "On the other hand, Hulsen, leaving his Saxon affairs to their chance,—which, + alas, are about extinct, at any rate; except Wittenberg, all Saxony gone + from us!—Hulsen is on winged march hitherward with about 9,000. 'How + would the King come on wings, like an eagle from the Blue, if he were but + aware!' thought everybody, and said. Hulsen did arrive on the 8th; so that + there are now 14,000 of us. Hulsen did;—but no King could; the King + is just starting (October 4th, the King, on these bad rumors about Saxony, + about Berlin, quitted the attempt on Daun; October 7th, got on march + hitherward; has finished his first march hitherward,—Daun gradually + preparing to attend him in the distance),—when Hulsen arrives. And + here are all their Lacys, Czernichefs fairly assembled; five to two of us,—35,000 + of them against our 14,000. + </p> + <p> + "Hulsen and Eugen, drawn out in their skilfulest way, manoeuvred about, + all this Wednesday, 8th; attempted, did not attempt; found on candid + examination, That 14,000 VERSUS 35,000 ran a great risk of being worsted; + that, in such case, the fate of the City might be still more frightful; + and that, on the whole, their one course was that of withdrawing to + Spandau, and leaving poor Berlin to capitulate as it could. Capitulation + starts again with Tottleben that same night; Gotzkowsky, a magnanimous + Citizen and Merchant-Prince, stepping forth with beautiful courageous + furtherances of every kind; and it ends better than one could have hoped: + Ransom—not of Four Millions pure specie (which would have been + 600,000 pounds): 'Gracious Sir, it is beyond our utmost possibility!'—but + of One and a Half Million in modern Ephraim coin; with a 30,000 pounds of + douceur-money to the common man, Russian and Austrian, for his + forbearance;—'for the rest, we are at your Excellency's mercy, in a + manner!' And so, + </p> + <p> + "THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th, about 7 in the morning, Tottleben marches in; + exactly six days since he first came circling to the Halle Gate and began + bombarding. Tottleben, knowing Friedrich, knew the value of despatch; and, + they say, was privately no enemy to Berlin, remembering old grateful days + here. For Tottleben has himself been in difficulties; indeed, was never + long out of them, during the long stormy life he had. Not a Russian at + all; though I suppose Father of the now Russian Tottlebens whom one hears + of: this one was a poor Saxon Gentleman, Page once to poor old drunken + Weissenfels, whom, for a certain fair soul's sake, we sigh to remember! + Weissenfels dying, Tottleben became a soldier of Polish Majesty's;—acceptable + soldier, but disagreed with Bruhl, for which nobody will like him worse. + Disagreed with Bruhl; went into the Dutch service (may have been in + Fontenoy for what I know); was there till Aix-la-Chapelle, till after + Aix-la-Chapelle; kindly treated, and promoted in the Dutch Army; but with + outlooks, I can fancy, rather dull. Outlooks probably dull in such an + element,—when, being a handsome fellow in epaulettes (Major-General, + in fact, though poor), he, diligently endeavoring, caught the eye of a + Dutch West-Indian Heiress; soft creature with no end of money; whom he + privately wedded, and ran away with. To the horror of her appointed Dutch + Lover and Friends; who prosecuted the poor Major-General with the utmost + rigor, not of Law only. And were like to be the ruin of his fair + West-Indian and him; when Friedrich, about 1754 as I guess, gave him + shelter in Berlin; finding no insupportable objection in what the man had + done. The rather, as his Heiress and he were rich. Tottleben gained + general favor in Berlin society; wished, in 1756, to take service with + Friedrich on the breaking out of this War. 'A Colonel with me, yes,' said + Friedrich. But Tottleben had been Major-General among the Dutch, and could + not consent to sink; had to go among the Russians for a Major-Generalcy; + and there and elsewhere, for many years coming, had many adventures, + mostly troublesome, which shall not be memorable to us here. [Sketch of + Tottleben's Life; in RODENBECK, ii. 69-72.] + </p> + <p> + "Lacy, who, after hovering about in these vicinities for four days, had + now actually come up, so soon as Eugen and Hulsen withdrew,—was + deeply disgusted at the Terms of Capitulation; angry to find that + Tottleben had concluded without him; and, in fact, flew into open rage at + the arrangements Tottleben had made for himself and for others. 'No + admittance, except on order from his Excellency!' said the Russian Sentry + to Lacy's Austrians: upon which, Lacy forced the Gate, and violently + marched in. Took lodging, to his own mind, in the Friedrichstadt quarter; + and was fearfully truculent upon person and property, during his short + stay. A scandal to be seen, how his Croats and loose hordes went openly + ravening about, bent on mere housebreaking, street-robbery and insolent + violence. So that Tottleben had fairly to fire upon the vagabonds once or + twice; and force on the unwilling Lacy some coercion of them within + limits. For the three days of his continuance,—it was but three days + in all,—Lacy was as the evil genius of Berlin; Tottleben and his + Russians the good. Their discipline was so excellent; all Cossacks and + loose rabble strictly kept out beyond the Walls. To Bachmann, Russian + Commandant, the Berliners, on his departure, had gratefully got ready a + money-gift of handsome amount: 'By no means,' answered Bachmann: 'your + treatment was according to the mildness of our Sovereign Czarina. For + myself, if I have served you in anything, the fact that for three days I + have been Commandant of the Great Friedrich's Capital is more than a + reward to me.' + </p> + <p> + "Tottleben and Lacy, during those three days of Russian and Austrian joint + dominion, had a stormy time of it together. 'Destroy the LAGER-HAUS,' said + Lacy: Lager-Haus, where they manufacture their soldiers' uniforms; it is + the parent of all cloth-manufacturing in Prussia; set up by Friedrich + Wilhelm,—not on free-trade principles. 'The Lager-Haus, say you? I + doubt, it is now private property; screened by our Capitulation;'—which + it proves to be. 'You shall blow up the Arsenal!' said Lacy, with + vehemence and truculence. A noble edifice, as travellers yet know: fancy + its fragments flying about among the populous streets, plunging through + the roofs of Palaces, and great houses all round. Lacy was inexorable; + Tottleben had to send a Russian Party (one wishes they had been Croats) on + this sad errand. They proceeded to the Powder-Magazine for explosive + material, as preliminary; they were rash in handling the gunpowder there, + which blew up in their hands; sent itself and all of them into the air; + and saved the poor Arsenal: 'Not powder enough now left for our own + artillery uses,' urged Tottleben. + </p> + <p> + "Saxon and Austrian Parties were in the Palaces about,—at Potsdam, + at Charlottenburg, Schonhausen (the Queen's), at Friedrichsfeld (the + Margraf Karl's), some of whom behaved well, some horribly ill. In + Charlottenburg, certain Saxon Bruhl-Dragoons, who by their conduct might + have been Dragoons of Attila, smashed the furnitures, the doors, cutting + the Pictures, much maltreating the poor people; and, what was reckoned + still more tragical, overset the poor Polignac Collection of Antiques and + Classicalities; not only knocking off noses and arms, but beating them + small, lest reparation by cement should be possible. Their Officers, Pirna + people, looking quietly on. A scandalous proceeding, thought everybody, + friend or foe,—especially thought Friedrich; whose indignation at + this ruin of Charlottenburg came out in way of reprisal by and by. At + Potsdam, on the other hand, Prince Esterhazy, with perhaps Hungarians + among his people, behaved like a very Prince; received from the Castellan + an Attestation that he had scrupulously respected everything; and took, as + souvenir, only one Picture of little value; Prince de Ligne, who was under + him, carrying off, still more daintily, one goose-quill, immortal by + having been a pen of the Great Friedrich's. + </p> + <p> + "Tottleben, with no feeling other than Official tempered by Human, was in + great contrast with Lacy, and very beneficent to Berlin during the three + days it lay under the TRIBULA, or harrow of War. But the Tutelary Angel of + Berlin, then and afterwards for weeks and months, till all scores got + settled, was the Gotzkowsky mentioned above." Whom we shall see again + helpful at Leipzig; a man worth marking in these tumults. "If Tottleben + was the temporal Armed King, this Gotzkowsky was the Spiritual King, PAPA + or Universal Father, armed only with charities, pieties, prayers, ever + shiningly attended by self-sacrifices on Gotzkowsky's part; which averted + woes innumerable (Lager-Haus only one of a long list); and which + 'surpassed all belief,' write the Berlin Magistracy, as if in tears over + such heroism. Truly a Prince of Merchants, this Gotzkowsky, not for his + vast enterprises, and the mere 1,500 workmen he employs, but for the still + greater heart that dwells in him. Had begun as a travelling Pedler; used + to call at Reinsberg, with female haberdasheries exquisitely chosen + ('GALLANTERIE wares' the Germans call them), for the then Princess Royal; + not unnoticed by Friedrich, who recognized the broad sense, solidity and + great thoughts of the man. Of all which Friedrich has known far more since + then, in various branches of Prussian commerce improved by Gotzkowsky's + managements. A truly notable Gotzkowsky; became bankrupt at last, one is + sorry to hear; and died in affliction and neglect,—short of the + humblest wages for so much good work done in the world! [Preuss, ii. 257, + &c. &c.; GESCHICHTE EINES PATRIOTISCHEN KAUFMANNS (Berlin, 1769, + by Gotzkowsky himself).] + </p> + <p> + "Gotzkowsky's House was like a general storeroom for everybody's + preciosities; his time, means, self were the refuge of all the needy. In + Zorndorf time, when this Czernichef [if readers can remember], who is now + so supreme,—Czernichef, Soltikof and others,—had nothing for + it but to lodge in the cellars of burnt Custrin, Gotzkowsky, with ready + money, with advice, with assuagement, had been their DEUS EX MACHINA: and + now Czernichef remembers it; and Gotzkowsky, as Papa, has to go with + continual prayers, negotiations, counsellings, expedients, and be the + refuge of all unjustly suffering men Berlin has immensities of trade in + war-furnitures: the capitals circulating are astonishing to Archenholtz; + million on the back of million; no such city in Germany for trade. The + desire of the Three-days Lacy Government is towards any Lager-Haus; any + mass of wealth, which can be construed as Royal or connected with Royalty. + Ephraim and Itzig, mint-masters of that copper-coinage; rolling in foul + wealth by the ruin of their neighbors; ought not these to bleed? Well, + yes,—if anybody; and copiously if you like! I should have said so: + but the generous Gotzkowsky said in his heart, 'No;' and again pleaded and + prevailed. Ephraim and Itzig, foul swollen creatures, were not broached at + all; and their gratitude was, That, at a future day, Gotzkowsky's day of + bankruptcy, they were hardest of any on Gotzkowsky. + </p> + <p> + "Archenholtz and the Books are enthusiastically copious upon Gotzkowsky + and his procedures; but we must be silent. This Anecdote only, in regard + to Freedom of the Press,—to the so-called 'air we breathe, not + having which we die!' Would modern Friends of Progress believe it? + Because, in former stages of this War, the Berlin Newspapers have had + offensive expressions (scarcely noticeable to the microscope in our day, + and below calculation for smallness) upon the Russian and Austrian + Sovereigns or Peoples,—the Able Editors (there are only Two) shall + now in person, here in the market-place of Berlin, actually run the + gantlet for it,—'run the rods (GASSEN-LAUFEN'), as the fashion now + is; which is worse than GANTLET, not to speak of the ignominy. That is the + barbaric Russian notion: 'who are you, ill-formed insolent persons, that + give a loose to your tongue in that manner? Strip to the waistband, swift! + Here is the true career opened for you: on each hand, one hundred sharp + rods ranked waiting you; run your courses there,—no hurry more than + you like!' The alternative of death, I suppose, was open to these Editors; + Roman death at least, and martyrdom for a new Faith (Faith in the Loose + Tongue), very sacred to the Democratic Ages now at hand. But nobody seems + to have thought of it; Editors and Public took the thing as a 'sorrow + incident to this dangerous Profession of the Tongue Loose (or looser than + usual); which nobody yet knew to be divine. The Editors made passionate + enough lamentation, in the stript state; one of then, with loud weeping, + pulled off his wig, showed ice-gray hair; 'I am in my 68th year!' But it + seems nothing would have steaded them, had not Gotzkowsky been busy + interceding. By virtue of whom there was pardon privately in readiness: to + the ice-gray Editor complete pardon; to the junior quasi-complete; only a + few switches to assert the principle, and dismissal with admonition." [<i>Helden-Geschichte</i>, + vi. 103-148; Rodenbeck, ii. 41-54; Archenholtz, ii. 130-147; Preuss, UBI + SUPRA: &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + The pleasant part of the fact is, that Gotzkowsky's powerful intercessions + were thenceforth no farther needed. The same day, Saturday, October 11th, + a few hours after this of the GASSEN-LAUFEN, news arrived full gallop: + "The King is coming!" After which it was beautiful to see how all things + got to the gallop; and in a no-time Berlin was itself again. That same + evening, Saturday, Lacy took the road, with extraordinary velocity, + towards Torgau Country, where the Reichsfolk, in Hulsen's absence, are + supreme; and, the second evening after, was got 60 miles thitherward. His + joint dominion had been of Two days. On the morning of Sunday, 12th, went + Tottleben, who had businesses, settlements of ransom and the like, before + marching. Tottleben, too, made uncommon despatch; marched, as did all + these invasive Russians, at the rate of thirty miles a day; their Main + Army likewise moving off from Frankfurt to a safer distance. Friedrich was + still five marches off; but there seemed not a moment to lose. + </p> + <p> + The Russian spoilings during the retreat were more horrible than ever: + "The gallows gaping for us; and only this one opportunity, if even this!" + thought the agitated Cossack to himself. Our poor friend Nissler had a sad + tale to tell of them; [In Busching, <i>Beitrage,</i> i. 400, 401, account + of their sacking of Nussler's pleasant home and estate, "Weissensee, near + Berlin."] as who had not? Terror and murder, incendiary fire and other + worse unnamable abominations of the Pit. One old Half-pay gentleman, whom + I somewhat respect, desperately barricaded himself, amid his domestics and + tenantries, Wife and Daughters assisting: "Human Russian Officers can + enter here; Cossacks no, but shall kill us first. Not a Cossack till all + of us are lying dead!" [Archenholtz, ii. 150.] And kept his word; the + human Russians owning it to be proper. + </p> + <p> + In Guben Country, "at Gross-Muckro, October 15th," the day after passing + Guben, Friedrich first heard for certain, That the Russians had been in + Berlin, and also that they were gone, and that all was over. He made two + marches farther,—not now direct for Berlin, but direct for Saxony + AND it;—to Lubben, 50 or 60 miles straight south of Berlin; and + halted there some days, to adjust himself for a new sequel. "These are the + things," exclaims he, sorrowfully, to D'Argens, "which I have been in + dread of since Winter last; this is what gave the dismal tone to my + Letters to you. It has required not less than all my philosophy to endure + the reverses, the provocations, the outrages, and the whole scene of + atrocious things that have come to pass." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xix. 199; "22d October."] Friedrich's grief about Berlin we need not + paint; though there were murmurs afterwards, "Why did not he start + sooner?" which he could not, in strict reason, though aware that these + savageries were on march. He had hoped the Eugen-Hulsen appliances, even + should all else fail, might keep them at bay. And indeed, in regard to + these latter, it turned only on a hair. Montalembert calculating, vows, on + his oath, "Can assure you, M. l'Ambassadeur, PUIS BIEN VOUS ASSURER COMME + SI J,ETAIS DEVANT DIEU, as if I stood before God," [Montalembert, ii. + 108.] that, from first to last, it was my doing; that but for me, at the + very last, the Russians, on sight of Hulsen and Eugen, and no Lacy come, + would have marched away! + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's orderings and adjustings, dated Lubben, where his Army rested + after this news from Berlin, were manifold; and a good deal still of + wrecks from the Berlin Business fell to his share. For instance, one thing + he had at once ordered: "Your Bill of a Million-and-half to the Russians, + don't pay it, or any part of it! When Bamberg was ransomed, Spring gone a + year,—Reich and Kaiser, did they respect our Bill we had on Bamberg? + Did not they cancel it, and flatly refuse?" Friedrich is positive on the + point, "Reprisal our clear remedy!" But Berlin itself was in alarm, for + perhaps another Russian visit; Berlin and Gotzkowsky were humbly positive + the other way. Upon which a visit of Gotskowsky to the Royal Camp: + "Merchants' Bills are a sacred thing, your Majesty!" urged Gotzkowsky. + Who, in his zeal for the matter, undertook dangerous visits to the Russian + Quarters, and a great deal of trouble, peril and expense, during the weeks + following. Magnanimous Gotzkowsky, "in mere bribes to the Russian + Officials, spent about 6,000 pounds of his own," for one item. But he had + at length convinced his Majesty that Merchants' Bills were a sacred thing, + in spite of Bamberg and desecrative individualities; and that this + Million-and-half must be paid. Friedrich was struck with Gotzkowsky and + his view of the facts. Friedrich, from his own distressed funds, handed to + Gotzkowsky the necessary Million-and-half, commanding only profound + silence about it; and to Gotzkowsky himself a present of 150,000 thalers + (20,000 pounds odd); [Archenholtz, ii. 146.] and so the matter did at last + end. + </p> + <p> + It had been a costly business to Berlin, and to the King, and to the poor + harried Country. To Berlin, bombardment of ten hours; alarm of discursive + siege-work in the environs for five days; foreign yoke for three days; + lost money to the amounts above stated; what loss in wounds to body or to + peace of mind, or whether any loss that way, nobody has counted. The + Berlin people rose to a more than Roman height of temper, testifies + D'Argens; [<i> OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. 195-199: "D'Argens to the + King: Berlin, 19th October, 1760,"—an interesting Letter of + details.] so that perhaps it was a gain. The King's Magazines and + War-furnitures about Berlin are wasted utterly,—Arsenal itself not + blown up, we well know why;—and much Hunnish ruin in Charlottenburg, + with damage to Antiques,—for which latter clause there shall, in a + few months, be reprisal: if it please the Powers! + </p> + <p> + Of all this Montalembert declares, "Before God, that he, Montalembert, is + and was the mainspring." And indeed, Tempelhof, without censure of + Montalembert and his vocation, but accurately computing time and + circumstance, comes to the same conclusion;—as thus: "OCTOBER 8th, + seeing no Lacy come, Czernichef, had it not been for Montalembert's + eloquence, had fixed for returning to Copenik: whom cautious Lacy would + have been obliged to imitate. Suppose Czernichef had, OCTOBER 9th, got to + Copenik,—Eugen and Hulsen remain at Berlin; Czernichef could not + have got back thither before the 11th; on the 11th was news of Friedrich's + coming; which set all on gallop to the right about." [Tempelhof, iv. 277.] + So that really, before God, it seems Montalembert must have the merit of + this fine achievement:—the one fruit, so far as I can discover, of + his really excellent reasonings, eloquences, patiences, sown broadcast, + four or five long years, on such a field as fine human talent never had + before. I declare to you, M. l'Ambassadeur, this excellent vulture-swoop + on Berlin, and burning or reburning of the Peasantry of the Mark, is due + solely to one poor zealous gentleman!— + </p> + <p> + What was next to follow out of THIS,—in Torgau neighborhood, where + Daun now stands expectant,—poor M. de Montalembert was far from + anticipating; and will be in no haste to claim the merit of before God or + man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V.—BATTLE OF TORGAU. + </h2> + <p> + After Hulsen's fine explosion on the Durrenberg, August 20th, on the + incompetent Reichs Generals, there had followed nothing eminent; new + futilities, attemptings and desistings, advancings and recoilings, on the + part of the Reich; Hulsen solidly maintaining himself, in defence of his + Torgau Magazine and Saxon interests in those regions, against such + overwhelming odds, till relief and reinforcement for them and him should + arrive; and gaining time, which was all he could aim at in such + circumstances. Had the Torgau Magazine been bigger, perhaps Hulsen might + have sat there to the end. But having solidly eaten out said Magazine, + what could Hulsen do but again move rearward? [<i>Hogbericht von dem + Ruckzug des General-Lieutenants von Hulsen aus dem Lager bey Torgau </i> + (in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> ii. 755-784).] Above all, on the alarm from + Berlin, which called him off double-quick, things had to go their old road + in that quarter. Weak Torgau was taken, weak Wittenberg besieged. Leipzig, + Torgau, Wittenberg, all that Country, by the time the Russians left + Berlin, was again the Reich's. Eugen and Hulsen, hastening for relief of + Wittenberg, the instant Berlin was free, found Wittenberg a heap of ruins, + out of which the Prussian garrison, very hunger urging, had issued the day + before, as prisoners of war. Nothing more to be done by Eugen, but take + post, within reach of Magdeburg and victual, and wait new Order from the + King. + </p> + <p> + The King is very unquestionably coming on; leaves Lubben thitherward + October 20th. [Rodenbeck, ii. 35: in <i>Anonymous of Hamburg</i> (iv. + 241-245) Friedrich's Two Marches, towards and from Berlin (7th-17th + October, to Lubben; thence, 20th October-3d November, to Torgau).] With + full fixity of purpose as usual; but with as gloomy an outlook as ever + before. Daun, we said, is now arrived in those parts: Daun and the Reich + together are near 100,000; Daun some 60,000,—Loudon having stayed + behind, and gone southward, for a stroke on Kosel (if Goltz will permit, + which he won't at all!),—and the Reich 35,000. Saxony is all theirs; + cannot they maintain Saxony? Not a Town or a Magazine now belongs to + Friedrich there, and he is in number as 1 to 2. "Maintain Saxony; + indisputably you can!" that is the express Vienna Order, as Friedrich + happens to know. The Russians themselves have taken Camp again, and wait + visibly, about Landsberg and the Warta Country, till they see Daun certain + of executing said Order; upon which they intend, they also, to winter in + those Elbe-Prussian parts, and conjointly to crush Friedrich into great + confinement indeed. Friedrich is aware of this Vienna Order; which is a + kind of comfort in the circumstances. The intentions of the hungry + Russians, too, are legible to Friedrich; and he is much resolved that said + Order shall be impossible to Daun. "Were it to be possible, we are + landless. Where are our recruits, our magazines, our resources for a new + Campaign? We may as well die, as suffer that to be possible!" Such is + Friedrich's fixed view. He says to D'Argens:— + </p> + <p> + "You, as a follower of Epicurus, put a value on life; as for me, I regard + death from the Stoic point of view. Never shall I see the moment that + forces me to make a disadvantageous Peace; no persuasion, no eloquence, + shall ever induce me to sign my dishonor. Either I will bury myself under + the ruins of my Country, or if that consolation appears too sweet to the + Destiny that persecutes me, I shall know how to put an end to my + misfortunes when it is impossible to bear them any longer. I have acted, + and continue to act, according to that interior voice of conscience and of + honor which directs all my steps: my conduct shall be, in every time, + conformable to those principles. After having sacrificed my youth to my + Father, my ripe years to my Country, I think I have acquired the right to + dispose of my old age. I have told you, and I repeat it, Never shall my + hand sign a humiliating Peace. Finish this Campaign I certainly will, + resolved to dare all, and to try the most desperate things either to + succeed or to find a glorious end (FIN GLORIEUSE)." [<i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> xix. 202 ("Kemberg, 28th October, 1760," a week and a day + before Torgau).] + </p> + <p> + Friedrich had marched from Lubben, after three days, settling of affairs, + OCTOBER 20th; arrived at Jessen, on the Elbe, within wind of Wittenberg, + in two days more. "He formed a small magazine at Duben," says Archenholtz; + "and was of a velocity, a sharpness,"—like lightning, in a manner! + Friedrich is uncommonly dangerous when crushed into a corner, in this way; + and Daun knows that he is. Friedrich's manoeuvrings upon Daun—all + readers can anticipate the general type of them. The studious military + reader, if England boasts any such, will find punctual detail of them in + TEMPELHOF and the German Books. For our poor objects, here is a Summary + which may suffice:— + </p> + <p> + From Lubben, having winded up these bad businesses,—and reinforced + Goltz, at Glogau, to a 20,000 for Silesia's sake, to look towards Kosel + and Loudon's attempts there,—Friedrich gathered himself into proper + concentration; and with all the strength now left to him pushed forward + (20th October) towards Wittenberg, and recovery of those lost Saxon + Countries. To Wittenberg from Lubben is some 60 miles;—can be done, + nearly, in a couple of days. With the King, after Goltz is furnished, + there are about 30,000; Eugen and Hulsen, not idle for their own part, + wait in those far Western or Ultra-Wittenberg regions (in and beyond + Dessau Country), to join him with their 14,000, when they get signal. + Joined with these, he will be 44,000; he will then cross Elbe somewhere, + probably not where Daun and the Reich imagine, and be in contact with his + Problem; with what a pitch of willingness nobody need be told! Daun, in + Torgau Country, has one of the best positions; nor is Daun a man for + getting flurried. + </p> + <p> + The poor Reichs Army, though it once flattered itself with intending to + dispute Friedrich's passage of the Elbe, and did make some detachings and + manoeuvrings that way, on his approach to Wittenberg (October 22d-23d),—took + a safer view, on his actual arrival there, on his re-seizure of that + ruined place, and dangerous attitude on the right bank below and above. + Safer view, on salutary second thoughts;—and fell back Leipzig-way, + southward to Duben, 30 or 40 miles. Whence rapidly to Leipzig itself, 30 + or 40 more, on his actually putting down his bridges over Elbe. + Friedrich's crossing-place was Schanzhaus, in Dessau Country, between + Roslau and Klikau, 12 or 15 miles below Wittenberg; about midway between + Wittenberg and the inflow of the Mulda into Elbe. He crossed OCTOBER 26th, + no enemy within wind at all; Daun at Torgau in his inexpugnable Camp, + Reichsfolk at Duben, making towards Leipzig at their best pace. And is now + wholly between Elbe and Mulda; nothing but Mulda and the Anhall Countries + and the Halle Country now to rear of him. + </p> + <p> + At Jonitz, next march southward, he finds the Eugen-Hulsen people ready. + We said they had not been idle while waiting signal: of which here is one + pretty instance. Eugen's Brother, supreme Reigning Duke of Wurtemberg,—whom + we parted with at Fulda, last Winter, on sore terms; but who again, + zealous creature, heads his own little Army in French-Austrian service, in + still more eclipsed circumstances ("No subsidy at all, this Year, say your + august Majesties? Well, I must do without: a volunteer; and shall need + only what I can make by forced contributions!" which of course he is + diligent to levy wherever possible),—has latterly taken Halle + Country in hand, very busy raising contributions there: and Eugen hears, + not without interest, that certain regiments or detachments of his, pushed + out, are lying here, there, superintending that salutary work,—within + clutch, perhaps, of Kleist the Hussar! Eugen despatches Kleist upon him; + who pounces with his usual fierce felicity upon these people. To such + alarm of his poor Serenity and poor Army, that Serenity flies off homeward + at once, and out of these Wars altogether; where he never had other than + the reverse of business to be, and where he has played such a + farce-tragedy for four years back. Eugen has been heard to speak,—theoretically, + and in excited moments,—of "running such a fellow through the body," + were one near him:: but it is actually Eugen in person that sends him home + from these Wars: which may be counted a not unfraternal or unpatriotic + procedure; being of indisputable benefit to the poor Sovereign man + himself, and to everybody concerned with him. + </p> + <p> + Hearing that Friedrich was across, Daun came westward that same day + (October 26th), and planted himself at Eilenburg; concluding that the + Reichsfolk would now be in jeopardy first of all. Which was partly the + fact; and indeed this Daun movement rather accelerated the completion of + it. Without this the Reichs Army might have lived another day. It had + quitted Duben, and gone in all haste for Leipzig, at 1 in the morning (not + by Eilenburg, of which or of Daun's arrival there it knows nothing),—"at + 1 in the morning of the 27th," or in fact, so soon as news could reach it + at the gallop, That Friedrich was across. And now Friedrich, seeing Daun + out in this manner, judged that a junction was contemplated; and that one + could not be too swift in preventing it. October 29th, with one diligent + march, Friedrich posted himself at Duben; there, in a sort now between + Daun and the Reichsfolk, detached Hulsen with a considerable force to + visit these latter in Leipzig itself; and began with all diligence forming + "a small Magazine in Duben," Magdeburg and the current of the Elbe being + hitherto his only resource in that kind. By the time of Hulsen's return, + this little operation will be well forward, and Daun will have declared + himself a little. + </p> + <p> + Hulsen, evening of October 30th, found Leipzig in considerable emotion, + the Reichsfolk taking refuge in it: not the least inclined to stand a + push, when Hulsen presented himself. Night of 30th-31st, there was + summoning and menacing; Reich endeavoring to answer in firm style; but all + the while industriously packing up to go. By 5 in the morning, things had + come to extremity;—-morning, happily for some of us, was dark mist. + But about 5 o'clock, Hulsen (or Hulsen's Second) coming on with menace of + fire and sword upon these poor Reichspeople, found the Reichspeople wholly + vanished in the mist. Gone bodily; in full march for the spurs of the + Metal-Mountain Range again;—concluding, for the fourth time, an + extremely contemptible Campaign. Daun, with the King ahead of him, made + not the least attempt to help them in their Leipzig difficulty; but + retired to his strong Camp at Torgau; feels his work to lie THERE,—as + Friedrich perceives of him, with some interest. + </p> + <p> + Hulsen left a little garrison in Leipzig (friend Quintus a part of it); + [Tempelhof, iv. 290.] and returned to the King; whose small Magazine at + Duben, and other small affairs there,—Magdeburg with boats, and the + King with wagons, having been so diligent in carrying grain thither,—are + now about completed. From Daun's returning to Torgau, Friedrich infers + that the cautious man has got Order from Court to maintain Torgau at all + costs,—to risk a battle rather than go. "Good: he shall have one!" + thinks Friedrich. And, NOVEMBER 2d, in four columns, marches towards + Torgau; to Schilda, that night, which is some seven miles on the southward + side of Torgau. The King, himself in the vanguard as usual, has watched + with eager questioning eye the courses of Daun's advanced parties, and by + what routes they retreat; discerns for certain that Daun has no views upon + Duben or our little Magazine; and that the tug of wrestle for Torgau, + which is to crown this Campaign into conquest of Saxony, or shatter it + into zero like its foregoers on the Austrian part, and will be of + death-or-life nature on the Prussian part, ought to ensue to-morrow. + Forward, then! + </p> + <p> + This Camp of Torgau is not a new place to Daun. It was Prince Henri's Camp + last Autumn; where Daun tried all his efforts to no purpose; and though + hugely outnumbering the Prince, could make absolutely nothing of it. + Nothing, or less; and was flowing back to Dresden and the Bohemian + Frontier, uncheered by anything, till that comfortable Maxen Incident + turned up. Daun well knows the strength of this position. Torgau and the + Block of Hill to West, called Hill of Siptitz:—Hulsen, too, stood + here this Summer; not to mention Finck and Wunsch, and their beating the + Reichspeople here. A Hill and Post of great strength; not unfamiliar to + many Prussians, nor to Friedrich's studious considerations, though his + knowledge of it was not personal on all points;—as To-morrow taught + him, somewhat to his cost. + </p> + <p> + "Tourists, from Weimar and the Thuringian Countries," says a Note-book, + sometimes useful to us, "have most likely omitted Rossbach in their + screaming railway flight eastward; and done little in Leipzig but endeavor + to eat dinner, and, still more vainly, to snatch a little sleep in the + inhuman dormitories of the Country. Next morning, screaming Dresden-ward, + they might, especially if military, pause at Oschatz, a stage or two + before Meissen, where again are objects of interest. You can look at + Hubertsburg, if given that way,—a Royal Schloss, memorable on + several grounds;—at Hubertsburg, and at other features, in the + neighborhood of Oschatz. This done, or this left not done, you strike off + leftward, that is northward, in some open vehicle, for survey of Torgau + and its vicinities and environs. Not above fifteen miles for you; a drive + singular and pleasant; time enough to return and be in Dresden for dinner. + </p> + <p> + "Torgau is a fine solid old Town; Prussian military now abundant in it. In + ancient Heathen times, I suppose, it meant the GAU, or District, of THOR; + Capital of that Gau,—part of which, now under Christian or + quasi-Christian circumstances, you have just been traversing, with Elbe on + your right hand. Innocent rural aspects of Humanity, Boor's life, Gentry's + life, all the way, not in any holiday equipment; on the contrary, somewhat + unkempt and scraggy, but all the more honest and inoffensive. There is + sky, earth, air, and freedom for your own reflections: a really agreeable + kind of Gau; pleasant, though in part ugly. Large tracts of it are + pine-wood, with pleasant Villages and fine arable expanses interspersed. + Schilda and many Villages you leave to right and left. Old-fashioned + Villages, with their village industries visible around; laboring each in + its kind,—not too fast; probably with extinct tobacco-pipe hanging + over its chin (KALT-RAUCHEND, 'smoking COLD,' as they phrase it). + </p> + <p> + "Schilda has an absurd celebrity among the Germans: it is the Gotham of + Teutschland; a fountain of old broad-grins and homely and hearty rustic + banter; welling up from the serious extinct Ages to our own day; + 'SCHILTburger' (Inhabitant of SCHILDA) meaning still, among all the + Teutsch populations, a man of calmly obstinate whims and delusions, of + notions altogether contrary to fact, and agreeable to himself only; + resolutely pushing his way through life on those terms: amid + horse-laughter, naturally, and general wagging of beards from surrounding + mankind. Extinct mirth, not to be growled at or despised, in Ages running + to the shallow, which have lost their mirth, and become all one snigger of + mock-mirth. For it is observable, the more solemn is your background of + DARK, the brighter is the play of all human genialities and coruscations + on it,—of genial mirth especially, in the hour for mirth. Who the + DOCTOR BORDEL of Schilda was, I do not know: but they have had their + Bordel, as Gotham had;—probably various Bordels; industrious to pick + up those Spiritual fruits of the earth. For the records are still abundant + and current; fully more alive than those of Gotham here are.—And + yonder, then, is actually Schilda of the absurd fame. A small, + cheerful-looking human Village, in its Island among the Woods; you see it + lying to the right:—a clean brick-slate congeries, with faint + smoke-canopy hanging over it, indicating frugal dinner-kettles on the + simmer;—and you remember kindly those good old grinnings, over good + SCHILTBURGER, good WISE MEN OF GOTHAM, and their learned Chroniclers, and + unlearned Peasant Producers, who have contributed a wrinkle of human Fun + to the earnest face of Life. + </p> + <p> + "After Schilda, and before, you traverse long tracts of Pine Forest, all + under forest management; with long straight stretches of sandy road (one + of which is your own), straight like red tape-strings, intersecting the + wide solitudes: dangerous to your topographies,—for the finger-posts + are not always there, and human advice you can get none. Nothing but the + stripe of blue sky overhead, and the brown one of tape (or sand) under + your feet: the trees poor and mean for most part, but so innumerable, and + all so silent, watching you all like mute witnesses, mutely whispering + together; no voice but their combined whisper or big forest SOUGH audible + to you in the world:—on the whole, your solitary ride there proves, + unexpectedly, a singular deliverance from the mad railway, and its iron + bedlamisms and shrieking discords and precipitances; and is soothing, and + pensively welcome, though sad enough, and in outward features ugly enough. + No wild boars are now in these woods, no chance of a wolf:"—what + concerns us more is, that Friedrich's columns, on the 3d of November, had + to march up through these long lanes, or tape-stripes of the Torgau + Forest; and that one important column, one or more, took the wrong turn at + some point, and was dangerously wanting at the expected moment!— + </p> + <p> + "Torgau itself stands near Elbe; on the shoulder, eastern or Elbe-ward + shoulder, of a big mass of Knoll, or broad Height, called of Siptitz, the + main Eminence of the Gau. Shoulder, I called it, of this Height of + Siptitz; but more properly it is on a continuation, or lower ulterior + height dipping into Elbe itself, that Torgau stands. Siptitz Height, + nearly a mile from Elbe, drops down into a straggle of ponds; after which, + on a second or final rise, comes Torgau dipping into Elbe. Not a shoulder + strictly, but rather a CHEEK, with NECK intervening;—neck GOITRY for + that matter, or quaggy with ponds! The old Town stands high enough, but is + enlaced on the western and southern side by a set of lakes and quagmires, + some of which are still extensive and undrained. The course of the waters + hereabouts; and of Elbe itself, has had its intricacies: close to + northwest, Torgau is bordered, in a straggling way, by what they call OLD + ELBE; which is not now a fluent entity, but a stagnant congeries of dirty + waters and morasses. The Hill of Siptitz abuts in that aqueous or quaggy + manner; its forefeet being, as it were, at or in Elbe River, and its + sides, to the South and to the North for some distance each way, + considerably enveloped in ponds and boggy difficulties. + </p> + <p> + "Plenty of water all about, but I suppose mostly of bad quality; at least + Torgau has declined drinking it, and been at the trouble to lay a pipe, or + ROHRGRABEN, several miles long, to bring its culinary water from the + western neighborhoods of Siptitz Height. Along the southern side of + Siptitz Height goes leisurely an uncomfortable kind of Brook, called the + 'ROHRGRABEN (Pipe-Ditch);' the meaning of which unexpected name you find + to be, That there is a SERVICE-PIPE laid cunningly at the bottom of this + Brook; lifting the Brook at its pure upper springs, and sending it along, + in secret tubular quasi-bottled condition; leaving the fouler drippings + from the neighborhood to make what 'brook' they still can, over its head, + and keep it out of harm's way till Torgau get it. This is called the + ROHRGRABEN, this which comes running through Siptitz Village, all along by + the southern base of Siptitz Hill; to the idle eye, a dirtyish Brook, + ending in certain notable Ponds eastward: but to the eye of the inquiring + mind, which has pierced deeper, a Tube of rational Water, running into the + throats of Torgau, while the so-called Brook disembogues at discretion + into the ENTEFANG (Duck-trap), and what Ponds or reedy Puddles there are,"—of + which, in poor Wunsch's fine bit of fighting, last Year, we heard mention. + Let readers keep mind of them. + </p> + <p> + The Hill Siptitz, with this ROHRGRABEN at the southern basis of it, makes + a very main figure in the Battle now imminent. Siptitz Height is, in fact, + Daun's Camp; where he stands intrenched to the utmost, repeatedly changing + his position, the better to sustain Friedrich's expected attacks. It is a + blunt broad-backed Elevation, mostly in vineyard, perhaps on the average + 200 feet above the general level, and of five or six square miles in area: + length, east to west, from Grosswig neighborhood to the environs of + Torgau, may be about three miles; breadth, south to north, from the + Siptitz to the Zinna neighborhoods, above half that distance. The Height + is steepish on the southern side, all along to the southwest angle (which + was Daun's left flank in the great Action coming), but swells up with + easier ascent on the west, earth and other sides. Let the reader try for + some conception of its environment and it, as the floor or arena of a + great transaction this day. + </p> + <p> + Daun stands fronting southward along these Siptitz Heights, looking + towards Schilda and his dangerous neighbor; heights, woods, ponds and + inaccessibilities environing his Position and him. One of the strongest + positions imaginable; which, under Prince Henri, proved inexpugnable + enough to some of us. A position not to be attacked on that southern + front, nor on either of its flanks:—where can it be attacked? + Impregnable, under Prince Henri in far inferior force: how will you take + it from Daun in decidedly superior? A position not to be attacked at all, + most military men would say;—though One military man, in his extreme + necessity, must and will find a way into it. + </p> + <p> + One fault, the unique military man, intensely pondering, discovers that it + has: it is too small for Daun; not area enough for manoeuvring 65,000 men + in it; who will get into confusion if properly dealt with. A most + comfortable light-flash, the EUREKA of this terrible problem. "We will + attack it on rear and on front simultaneously; that is the way to handle + it!" Yes; simultaneously, though that is difficult, say military judges; + perhaps to Prussians it may be possible. It is the opinion of military + judges who have studied the matter, that Friedrich's plan, could it have + been perfectly executed, might have got not only victory from Daun, but + was capable to fling his big Army and him pell-mell upon the Elbe Bridge, + that is to say, in such circumstances, into Elbe River, and swallow him + bodily at a frightful rate! That fate was spared poor Daun. + </p> + <p> + MONDAY, 3d NOVEMBER, 1760, at half-past 6 in the morning Friedrich is on + march for this great enterprise. The march goes northward, in Three + Columns, with a Fourth of Baggage; through the woods, on four different + roads; roads, or combinations of those intricate sandy avenues already + noticed. Northward all of it at first; but at a certain point ahead (at + crossing of the Eilenburg-Torgau Road, namely), the March is to divide + itself in two. Half of the force is to strike off rightward there with + Ziethen, and to issue on the south side of Siptitz Hill; other half, under + Friedrich himself, to continue northward, long miles farther, and then at + last bending round, issue—simultaneously with Ziethen, if possible—upon + Siptitz Hill from the north side. We are about 44,000 strong, against + Daun, who is 65,000. + </p> + <p> + Simultaneously with Ziethen, so far as humanly possible: that is the + essential point! Friedrich has taken every pains that it shall be correct, + in this and all points; and to take double assurance of hiding it from + Daun, he yesternight, in dictating his Orders on the other heads of + method, kept entirely to himself this most important Ziethen portion of + the Business. And now, at starting, he has taken Ziethen in his carriage + with him a few miles, to explain the thing by word of mouth. At the + Eilenburg road, or before it, Ziethen thinks he is clear as to everything; + dismounts; takes in hand the mass intrusted to him; and strikes off by + that rightward course: "Rightward, Herr Ziethen; rightward till you get to + Klitschen, your first considerable island in this sea of wood; at + Klitschen strike to the left into the woods again,—your road is + called the Butter-Strasse (BUTTER-STREET); goes by the northwest side of + Siptitz Height; reach Siptitz by the Butter-Street, and then do your + endeavor!" + </p> + <p> + With the other Half of his Army, specially with the First Column of it, + Friedrich proceeds northward on his own part of the adventure. Three + Columns he has, besides the Baggage one: in number about equal to + Ziethen's; if perhaps otherwise, rather the chosen Half; about 8,000 + grenadier and footguard people, with Kleist's Hussars, are Friedrich's own + Column. Friedrich's Column marches nearest the Daun positions; the + Baggage-column farthest; and that latter is to halt, under escort, quite + away to left or westward of the disturbance coming; the other Two Columns, + Hulsen's of foot, Holstein's mostly of horse, go through intermediate + tracks of wood, by roads more or less parallel; and are all, Friedrich's + own Column, still more the others, to leave Siptitz several miles to + right, and to end, not AT Siptitz Height, but several miles past it, and + then wheeling round, begin business from the northward or rearward side of + Daun, while Ziethen attacks or menaces his front,—simultaneously, if + possible. Friedrich's march, hidden all by woods, is more than twice as + far as Ziethen's,—some 14 or 15 miles in all; going straight + northward 10 miles; thence bending eastward, then southward through woods; + to emerge about Neiden, there to cross a Brook (Striebach), and strike + home on the north side of Daun. The track of march is in the shape + somewhat of a shepherd's crook; the long HANDLE of it, well away from + Siptitz, reaches up to Neiden, this is the straight or wooden part of said + crook; after which comes the bent, catching, or iron part,—intended + for Daun and his fierce flock. Ziethen has hardly above six miles; and + ought to be deliberate in his woodlands, till the King's party have time + to get round. + </p> + <p> + The morning, I find, is wet; fourteen miles of march: fancy such a + Promenade through the dripping Woods; heavy, toilsome, and with such + errand ahead! The delays were considerable; some of them accidental. + Vigilant Daun has Detachments watching in these Woods:—a General + Ried, who fires cannon and gets off: then a General St. Ignon and the St. + Ignon Regiment of Dragoons; who, being BETWEEN Column First and Column + Second, cannot get away; but, after some industry by Kleist and those of + Column Two, are caught and pocketed, St. Ignon himself prisoner among the + rest. This delay may perhaps be considered profitable: but there were + other delays absolutely without profit. For example, that of having + difficulties with your artillery-wagons in the wet miry lanes; that of + missing your road, at some turn in the solitary woods; which latter was + the sad chance of Column Third, fatally delaying it for many hours. + </p> + <p> + Daun, learning by those returned parties from the Woods what the Royal + intentions on him are, hastily whirls himself round, so as to front north, + and there receive Friedrich: best line northward for Friedrich's behoof; + rear line or second-best will now receive Ziethen or what may come. Daun's + arrangements are admitted to be prompt and excellent. Lacy, with his + 20,000,—who lay, while Friedrich's attack was expected from south, + at Loswig, as advanced guard, east side of the GROSSE TEICH (supreme pond + of all, which is a continuation of the Duck-trap, ENTEFANG, and hangs like + a chief goitre on the goitry neck of Torgau),—Lacy is now to draw + himself north and westward, and looking into the Entefang over his left + shoulder (so to speak), be rear-guard against any Ziethen or Prussian + party that may come. Daun's baggage is all across the Elbe, all in wagons + since yesterday; three Bridges hanging for Daun and it, in case of adverse + accident. Daun likewise brings all or nearly all his cannon to the new + front, for Friedrich's behoof: 200 new pieces hither; Archenholtz says 400 + in whole; certainly such a weight of artillery as never appeared in Battle + before. Unless Friedrich's arrangements prove punctual, and his stroke be + emphatic, Friedrich may happen to fare badly. On the latter point, of + emphasis, there is no dubiety for Friedrich: but on the former,—things + are already past doubt, the wrong way! For the last hour or so of + Friedrich's march there has been continual storm of cannonade and musketry + audible from Ziethen's side:—"Ziethen engaged!" thinks everybody; + and quickens step here, under this marching music from the distance. Which + is but a wrong reading or mistake, nothing more; the real phenomenon being + as follows: Ziethen punctually got to Klitschen at the due hour; struck + into the BUTTER-STRASSE, calculating his paces; but, on the edge of the + Wood found a small Austrian party, like those in Friedrich's route; and, + pushing into it, the Austrian party replied with cannon before running. + Whereupon Ziethen, not knowing how inconsiderable it was, drew out in + battle-order; gave it a salvo or two; drove it back on Lacy, in the + Duck-trap direction,—a long way east of Butter-Street, and Ziethen's + real place;—unlucky that he followed it so far! Ziethen followed it; + and got into some languid dispute with Lacy: dispute quite distant, + languid, on both sides, and consisting mainly of cannon; but lasting in + this way many precious hours. This is the phenomenon which friends, in the + distance read to be, "Ziethen engaged!" Engaged, yes, and alas with what? + What Ziethen's degree of blame was, I do not know. Friedrich thought it + considerable:—"Stupid, stupid, MEIN LIEBER!" which Ziethen never + would admit;—and, beyond question, it was of high detriment to + Friedrich this day. Such accidents, say military men, are inherent, not to + be avoided, in that double form of attack: which may be true, only that + Friedrich had no choice left of forms just now. + </p> + <p> + About noon Friedrich's Vanguard (Kleist and Hussars), about 1 o'clock + Friedrich himself, 7 or 8,000 Grenadiers, emerged from the Woods about + Neiden. This Column, which consists of choice troops, is to be Front-line + of the Attack. But there is yet no Second Column under Hulsen, still less + any Third under Holstein, come in sight: and Ziethen's cannonade is but + too audible. Friedrich halts; sends Adjutants to hurry on these Columns;—and + rides out reconnoitring, questioning peasants; earnestly surveying Daun's + ground and his own. Daun's now right wing well eastward about Zinna had + been Friedrich's intended point of attack; but the ground, out there, + proves broken by boggy brooks and remnant stagnancies of the Old Elbe: + Friedrich finds he must return into the Wood again; and attack Daun's + left. Daun's left is carefully drawn down EN POTENCE, or gallows-shape + there; and has, within the Wood, carefully built by Prince Henri last + year, an extensive Abatis, or complete western wall,—only the north + part of which is perhaps now passable, the Austrians having in the cold + time used a good deal of it as firewood lately. There, on the northwest + corner of Daun, across that weak part of the Abatis, must Friedrich's + attack lie. But Friedrich's Columns are still fatally behind,—Holstein, + with all the Cavalry we have, so precious at present, is wandering by + wrong paths; took the wrong turn at some point, and the Adjutant can + hardly find him at all, with his precept of "Haste, Haste!" + </p> + <p> + We may figure Friedrich's humor under these ill omens. Ziethen's cannonade + becomes louder and louder; which Friedrich naturally fancies to be death + or life to him,—not to mean almost nothing, as it did. "MEIN GOTT, + Ziethen is in action, and I have not my Infantry up!" [Tempelhof, iv. + 303.] cried he. And at length decided to attack as he was: Grenadiers in + front, the chosen of his Infantry; Ramin's Brigade for second line; and, + except about 800 of Kleist, no Cavalry at all. His battalions march out + from Neiden hand, through difficult brooks, Striebach and the like, by + bridges of Austrian build, which the Austrians are obliged to quit in + hurry. The Prussians are as yet perpendicular to Daun, but will wheel + rightward, into the Domitsch Wood again; and then form,—parallel to + Daun's northwest shoulder; and to Prince Henri's Abatis, which will be + their first obstacle in charging. Their obstacles in forming were many and + intricate; ground so difficult, for artillery especially: seldom was seen + such expertness, such willingness of mind. And seldom lay ahead of men + such obstacles AFTER forming! Think only of one fact: Daun, on sight of + their intention, has opened 400 pieces of Artillery on them, and these go + raging and thundering into the hem of the Wood, and to whatever issues + from it, now and for hours to come, at a rate of deafening uproar and of + sheer deadliness, which no observer can find words for. + </p> + <p> + Archenholtz, a very young officer of fifteen, who came into it perhaps an + hour hence, describes it as a thing surpassable only by Doomsday: + clangorous rage of noise risen to the infinite; the boughs of the trees + raining down on you, with horrid crash; the Forest, with its echoes, + bellowing far and near, and reverberating in universal death-peal; + comparable to the Trump of Doom. Friedrich himself, who is an old hand, + said to those about him: "What an infernal fire (HOLLISCHES FEUER)! Did + you ever hear such a cannonade before? I never." [Tempelhof, iv. 304; + Archenholtz, ii. 164.] Friedrich is between the Two Lines of his + Grenadiers, which is his place during the attack: the first Line of + Grenadiers, behind Prince Henri's Abatis, is within 800 yards of Daun; + Ramin's Brigade is to rear of the Second Line, as a Reserve. Horse they + have none, except the 800 Kleist Hussars; who stand to the left, outside + the Wood, fronted by Austrian Horse in hopeless multitude. Artillery they + have, in effect, none: their Batteries, hardly to be got across these last + woody difficulties of trees growing and trees felled, did rank outside the + Wood, on their left; but could do absolutely nothing (gun-carriages and + gunners, officers and men, being alike blown away); and when Tempelhof saw + them afterwards, they never had been fired at all. The Grenadiers have + their muskets, and their hearts and their right-hands. + </p> + <p> + With amazing intrepidity, they, being at length all ready in rank within + 800 yards, rush into the throat of this Fire-volcano; in the way + commanded,—which is the alone way: such a problem as human bravery + seldom had. The Grenadiers plunge forward upon the throat of Daun; but it + is into the throat of his iron engines and his tearing billows of + cannon-shot that most of them go. Shorn down by the company, by the + regiment, in those terrible 800 yards,—then and afterwards. Regiment + STUTTERHEIM was nearly all killed and wounded, say the Books. You would + fancy it was the fewest of them that ever got to the length of selling + their lives to Daun, instead of giving them away to his 400 cannon. But it + is not so. The Grenadiers, both Lines of them, still in quantity, did get + into contact with Daun. And sold him their lives, hand to hand, at a rate + beyond example in such circumstances;—Daun having to hurry up new + force in streams upon them; resolute to purchase, though the price, for a + long while, rose higher and higher. + </p> + <p> + At last the 6,000 Grenadiers, being now reduced to the tenth man, had to + fall back. Upon which certain Austrian Battalions rushed dawn in chase, + counting it Victory come: but were severely admonished of that mistake; + and driven back by Ramin's people, who accompanied them into their ranks + and again gave Daun a great deal of trouble before he could overpower + them. This is Attack First, issuing in failure first: one of the stiffest + bits of fighting ever known. Began about 2 in the afternoon; ended, I + should guess, rather after 3. Daun, by this time, is in considerable + disorder of line; though his 400 fire-throats continue belching ruin, and + deafening the world, without abatement. Daun himself had got wounded in + the foot or leg during this Attack, but had no time to mind it: a most + busy, strong and resolute Daun; doing his very best. Friedrich, too, was + wounded,—nobody will tell me in which of these attacks;—but I + think not now, at least will not speak of it now. What his feelings were, + as this Grenadier Attack went on,—a struggle so unequal, but not to + be helped, from the delays that had risen,—nobody, himself least of + all, records for us: only by this little symptom: Two Grandsons of the Old + Dessauer's are Adjutants of his Majesty, and well loved by him; one of + them now at his hand, the other heading his regiment in this charge of + Grenadiers. Word comes to Friedrich that this latter one is shot dead. On + which Friedrich, turning to the Brother, and not hiding his emotion, as + was usual in such moments, said: "All goes ill to-day; my friends are + quitting me. I have just heard that your Brother is killed (TOUT VA MAL + AUJOURD'HUI; MES AMIS ME QUITTENT. ON VIENT DE M'ANNONCER LA MORT DE VOTRE + FRERE)!" [Preuss, ii. 226.] Words which the Anhalt kindred, and the + Prussian military public, treasured up with a reverence strange to us. Of + Anhalt perhaps some word by and by, at a fitter season. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after 3, as I reckon the time, Hulsen's Column did arrive: choice + troops these too, the Pomeranian MANTEUFFEL, one regiment of them;—young + Archenholtz of FORCADE (first Battalion here, second and third are with + Ziethen, making vain noise) was in this Column; came, with the others, + winding to the Wood's edge, in such circuits, poor young soul; rain + pouring, if that had been worth notice; cannon-balls plunging, boughs + crashing, such a TODES-POSAUNE, or Doomsday-Thunder, broken loose:—they + did emerge steadily, nevertheless, he says, "like sea-billows or flow of + tide, under the smoky hurricane." Pretty men are here too, Manteuffel + Pommerners; no hearts stouter. With these, and the indignant Remnants + which waited for them, a new assault upon Daun is set about. And bursts + out, on that same northwest corner of him; say about half-past 3. The rain + is now done, "blown away by the tremendous artillery," thinks Archenholtz, + if that were any matter. + </p> + <p> + The Attack, supported by a few more Horse (though Column Three still + fatally lingers), and, I should hope, by some practicable weight of + Field-batteries, is spurred by a grimmer kind of indignation, and is of + fiercer spirit than ever. Think how Manteuffel of Foot will blaze out; and + what is the humor of those once overwhelmed Remnants, now getting air + again! Daun's line is actually broken in this point, his artillery + surmounted and become useless; Daun's potence and north front are reeling + backwards, Prussians in possession of their ground. "The field to be + ours!" thinks Friedrich, for some time. If indeed Ziethen had been + seriously busy on the southern side of things, instead of vaguely + cannonading in that manner! But resolute Daun, with promptitude, calls in + his Reserve from Grosswig, calls in whatsoever of disposable force he can + gather; Daun rallies, rushes again on the Prussians in overpowering + number; and, in spite of their most desperate resistance, drives them + back, ever back; and recovers his ground. + </p> + <p> + A very desperate bout, this Second one; probably the toughest of the + Battle: but the result again is Daun's; the Prussians palpably obliged to + draw back. Friedrich himself got wounded here;—poor young + Archenholtz too, ONLY wounded, not killed, as so many were:—Friedrich's + wound was a contusion on the breast; came of some spent bit of case-shot, + deadened farther by a famed pelisse he wore,—"which saved my life," + he said afterwards to Henri. The King himself little regarded it + (mentioning it only to Brother Henri, on inquiry and solicitation), during + the few weeks it still hung about him. The Books intimate that it struck + him to the earth, void of consciousness for some time, to the terror of + those about him; and that he started up, disregarding it altogether in + this press of business, and almost as if ashamed of himself, which imposed + silence on people's tongues. In military circles there is still, on this + latter point, an Anecdote; which I cannot confirm or deny, but will give + for the sake of Berenhorst and his famed Book on the ART OF WAR. + Berenhorst—a natural son of the Old Dessauer's, and evidently enough + a chip of the old block, only gone into the articulate-speaking or + intellectual form—was, for the present, an Adjutant or Aide-de-camp + of Friedrich's; and at this juncture was seen bending over the swooned + Friedrich, perhaps with an over-pathos or elaborate something in his + expression of countenance: when Friedrich reopened his indignant eyes: + "WAS MACHT ER HIER?" cried Friedrich: "ER SAMMLE FUYARDS! What have you to + do here? Go and gather runaways" (be of some real use, can't you)!—which + unkind cut struck deep into Berenhorst, they say; and could never after be + eradicated from his gloomy heart. It is certain he became Prince Henri's + Adjutant soon after, and that in his KRIEGSKUNST, amidst the clearest + orthodox admiration, he manifests, by little touches up and down, a + feeling of very fell and pallid quality against the King; and belongs, in + a peculiarly virulent though taciturn way, to the Opposition Party. His + Book, next to English Lloyd's (or perhaps superior, for Berenhorst is of + much the more cultivated intellect, highly condensed too, though so + discursive and far-read, were it not for the vice of perverse diabolic + temper), seemed, to a humble outsider like myself, greatly the + strongest-headed, most penetrating and humanly illuminative I had had to + study on that subject. Who the weakest-headed was (perhaps JOMINI, among + the widely circulating kind?), I will not attempt to decide, so great is + the crush in that bad direction. To return. + </p> + <p> + This Second Attack is again a repulse to the indignant Friedrich; though + he still persists in fierce effort to recover himself: and indeed Daun's + interior, too, it appears, is all in a whirl of confusion; his losses too + having been enormous:—when, see, here at length, about half-past 4, + Sun now down, is the tardy Holstein, with his Cavalry, emerging from the + Woods. Comes wending on yonder, half a mile to north of us; straight + eastward or Elbe-ward (according to the order of last night), leaving us + and our death-struggles unregarded, as a thing that is not on his tablets, + and is no concern of Holstein's. Friedrich halts him, not quite too late; + organizes a new and third Attack. Simultaneous universal effort of foot + and horse upon Daun's Front; Holstein himself, who is almost at Zinna by + this time, to go upon Daun's right wing. This is Attack Third; and is of + sporadic intermittent nature, in the thickening dusk and darkness: part of + it successful, none of it beaten, but nowhere the success complete. Thus, + in the extreme west or leftmost of Friedrich's attack, SPAEN Dragoons,—one + of the last Horse Regiments of Holstein's Column,—SPAEN Dragoons, + under their Lieutenant-Colonel Dalwig (a beautiful manoeuvrer, who has + stormed through many fields, from Mollwitz onwards), cut in, with an + admired impetuosity, with an audacious skill, upon, the Austrian Infantry + Regiments there; broke them to pieces, took two of them in the lump + prisoners; bearded whole torrents of Austrian cavalry rushing up to the + rescue,—and brought off their mass of prisoner regiments and six + cannon;—the Austrian rescuers being charged by some new Prussian + party, and hunted home again. [Tempelhof, iv. 305.] "Had these Prussian + Horse been on their ground at 2 o'clock, and done as now, it is very + evident," says Tempelhof, "what the Battle of Torgau had by this time + been!" + </p> + <p> + Near by, too, farther rightwards, if in the bewildering indistinctness I + might guess where (but the where is not so important to us), Baireuth + Dragoons, they of the 67 standards at Striegau long since, plunged into + the Austrian Battalions at an unsurpassable rate; tumbled four regiments + of them (Regiment KAISER, Regiment NEIPPERG,—nobody now cares which + four) heels over head, and in few minutes took the most of them prisoners; + bringing them home too, like Dalwig, through crowds of rescuers. Eastward, + again, or Elbe-ward, Holstein has found such intricacies of ground, such + boggy depths and rough steeps, his Cavalry could come to no decisive + sabring with the Austrian; but stood exchanging shot;—nothing to be + done on that right wing of Daun. + </p> + <p> + Daun's left flank, however, does appear, after Three such Attacks, to be + at last pretty well ruined: Tempelhof says, "Daun's whole Front Line was + tumbled to pieces; disorder had, sympathetically, gone rearward, even in + those eastern parts; and on the western and northwestern the Prussian + Horse Regiments were now standing in its place." But, indeed, such + charging and recharging, pulsing and repulsing, has there been hereabouts + for hours past, the rival Hosts have got completely interpenetrated; + Austrian parties, or whole regiments, are to rear of those Prussians who + stand ranked here, and in victorious posture, as the Night sinks. Night is + now sinking on this murderous day: "Nothing more to be made of it; try it + again to-morrow!" thinks the King; gives Hulsen charge of bivouacking and + re-arranging these scattered people; and rides with escort northwestward + to Elsnig, north of Neiden, well to rear of this bloody arena,—in a + mood of mind which may be figured as gloomy enough. + </p> + <p> + Daun, too, is home to Torgau,—1 think, a little earlier,—to + have his wound dressed, now that the day seems to him secure. Buccow, + Daun's second, is killed; Daun's third is an Irish Graf O'Donnell, + memorable only on this one occasion; to this O'Donnell, and to Lacy, who + is firm on his ground yonder, untouched all day, the charge of matters is + left. Which cannot be a difficult one, hopes Daun. Daun, while his wound + is dressing, speeds off a courier to Vienna. Courier did enter duly there, + with glorious trumpeting postilions, and universal Hep-hep-hurrah; + kindling that ardently loyal City into infinite triumph and illumination,—for + the space of certain hours following. + </p> + <p> + Hulsen meanwhile has been doing his best to get into proper bivouac for + the morrow; has drawn back those eastward horse regiments, drawn forward + the infantry battalions; forward, I think, and well rightward, where, in + the daytime, Daun's left flank was. On the whole, it is northwestward that + the general Prussian Bivouac for this night is; the extremest + SOUTHwestern-most portion of it is Infantry, under General Lestwitz; a + gallant useful man, who little dreams of becoming famous this dreary + uncertain night. + </p> + <p> + It is 6 o'clock. Damp dusk has thickened down into utter darkness, on + these terms:—when, lo, cannonade and musketade from the south, + audible in the Lestwitz-Hulsen quarters: seriously loud; red glow of + conflagration visible withal,—some unfortunate Village going up + ("Village of Siptitz, think you?"); and need of Hulsen at his fastest! + Hulsen, with some readiest Foot Regiments, circling round, makes + thitherward; Lestwitz in the van. Let us precede him thither, and explain + a little what it was. + </p> + <p> + Ziethen, who had stood all day making idle noises,—of what a fatal + quality we know, if Ziethen did not,—waiting for the King's + appearance, must have been considerably displeased with himself at + nightfall, when the King's fire gradually died out farther and farther + north, giving rise to the saddest surmises. Ziethen's Generals, Saldern + and the Leuthen Mollendorf, are full of gloomy impatience, urgent on him + to try something. "Push westward, nearer the King? Some stroke at the + enemy on their south or southwestern side, where we have not molested them + all day? No getting across the Rohrgraben on them, says your Excellenz? + Siptitz Village, and their Battery there, is on our side of the + Rohrgraben:—UM GOTTES WILLEN, something, Herr General!" Ziethen does + finally assent: draws leftward, westward; unbuckles Saldern's people upon + Siptitz; who go like sharp hounds from the slip; fasten on Siptitz and the + Austrians there, with a will; wrench these out, force them to abandon + their Battery, and to set Siptitz on fire, while they run out of it. + Comfortable bit of success, so far,—were not Siptitz burning, so + that we cannot get through. "Through, no: and were we through, is not + there the Rohrgraben?" thinks Ziethen, not seeing his way. + </p> + <p> + How lucky that, at this moment, Mollendorf comes in, with a discovery to + westward; discovery of our old friend "the Butter-Street,"—it is + nothing more,—where Ziethen should have marched this morning: there + would he have found a solid road across the Rohrgraben, free passage by a + bridge between two bits of ponds, at the SCHAFEREI (Sheep-Farm) of Siptitz + yonder. "There still," reports Mollendorf, "the solid road is; unbeset + hitherto, except by me Mollendorf!" Thitherward all do now hasten, + Austrians, Prussians: but the Prussians are beforehand; Mollendorf is + master of the Pass, deploying himself on the other side of it, and Ziethen + and everybody hastening through to support him there, and the Austrians + making fierce fight in vain. The sound of which has reached Hulsen, and + set Lestwitz and him in motion thither. + </p> + <p> + For the thing is vital, if we knew it. Close ahead of Mollendorf, when he + is through this Pass, close on Mollendorf's left, as he wheels round on + the attacking Austrians, is the southwest corner of Siptitz Height. + Southwest corner, highest point of it; summit and key of all that Battle + area; rules it all, if you get cannon thither. It hangs steepish on the + southern side, over the Rohrgraben, where this Mollendorf-Austrian fight + begins; but it is beautifully accessible, if you bear round to the west + side,—a fine saddle-shaped bit of clear ground there, in shape like + the outside or seat of a saddle; Domitsch Wood the crupper part; summit of + this Height the pommel, only nothing like so steep:—it is here (on + the southern saddle-flap, so to speak), gradually mounting westward to the + crupper-and-pommel part, that the agony now is. + </p> + <p> + And here, in utter darkness, illuminated only by the musketry and cannon + blazes, there ensued two hours of stiff wrestling in its kind: not the + fiercest spasm of all, but the final which decided all. Lestwitz, Hulsen, + come sweeping on, led by the sound and the fire; "beating the Prussian + march, they," sharply on all their drums,—Prussian march, + rat-tat-tan, sharply through the gloom of Chaos in that manner; and join + themselves, with no mistake made, to Mollendorf's, to Ziethen's left and + the saddle-flap there, and fall on. The night is pitch-dark, says + Archenholtz; you cannot see your hand before you. Old Hulsen's + bridle-horses were all shot away, when he heard this alarm, far off: no + horse left; and he is old, and has his own bruises. He seated himself on a + cannon; and so rides, and arrives; right welcome the sight of him, doubt + not! And the fight rages still for an hour or more. + </p> + <p> + To an observant Mollendorf, watching about all day, the importance and + all-importance of Siptitz Summit, if it can be got, is probably known; to + Daun it is alarmingly well known, when he hears of it. Daun is zealously + urgent on Lacy, on O'Donnell; who do try what they can; send + reinforcements, and the like; but nothing that proves useful. O'Donnell is + not the man for such a crisis: Lacy, too, it is remarked, has always been + more expert in ducking out of Friedrich's way than in fighting anybody. + [Archenholtz's sour remark.] In fine, such is the total darkness, the + difficulty, the uncertainty, most or all of the reinforcements sent halted + short, in the belly of the Night, uncertain where; and their poor friends + got altogether beaten and driven away. + </p> + <p> + MAP FACING PAGE 527, BOOK XX—— + </p> + <p> + About 9 at night, all the Austrians are rolling off, eastward, eastward. + Prussians goading them forward what they could (firing not quite done till + 10); and that all-important pommel of the saddle is indisputably won. The + Austrians settled themselves, in a kind of half-moon shape, close on the + suburbs of Torgau; the Prussians in a parallel half-moon posture, some + furlongs behind them. The Austrians sat but a short time; not a moment + longer than was indispensable. Daun perceives that the key of his ground + is gone from him; that he will have to send a second Courier to Vienna. + And, above all things, that he must forthwith get across the Elbe and + away. Lucky for him that he has Three Bridges (or Four, including the Town + Bridge), and that his Baggage is already all across and standing on + wheels. With excellent despatch and order Daun winds himself across,—all + of him that is still coherent; and indeed, in the distant parts of the + Battle-field, wandering Austrian parties were admonished hitherward by the + River's voice in the great darkness,—and Daun's loss in prisoners, + though great, was less than could have been expected: 8,000 in all. + </p> + <p> + Till towards one in the morning, the Prussians, in their half-moon, had + not learned what he was doing. About one they pushed into Torgau, and + across the Town Bridge; found 26 pontoons,—all the rest packed off + except these 26;—and did not follow farther. Lacy retreated by the + other or left bank of the River, to guard against attempts from that side. + Next day there was pursuit of Lacy; some prisoners and furnitures got from + him, but nothing of moment: Daun and Lacy joined at Dresden; took post, as + usual, behind their inaccessible Plauen Chasms. Sat there, in view of the + chasing Prussians, without farther loss than this of Torgau, and of a + Campaign gone to water again. What an issue, for the third time! + [Tempelhof, iv. 291-318,; Archenholtz, ii. 159-174; Retzow, ii. 299 et + seq.; UMSTANDLICHE BESCHREIBUNG DES &C, (in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> + ii. 823-848): in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> or in <i>Anonymous of Hamburg</i> + (iv. 245-300), the Daun DESPATCHES, the Lists, &c.]— + </p> + <p> + On Torgau-field, behind that final Prussian half-moon, there reigned, all + night, a confusion which no tongue can express. Poor wounded men by the + hundred and the thousand, weltering in their blood, on the cold wet + ground; not surgeons or nurses, but merciless predatory sutlers, equal to + murder if necessary, waiting on them and on the happier that were dead. + "Unutterable!" says Archenholtz; who, though wounded, had crawled or got + carried to some village near. The living wandered about in gloom and + uncertainty; lucky he whose haversack was still his, and a crust of bread + in it: water was a priceless luxury, almost nowhere discoverable. Prussian + Generals roved about with their Staff-Officers, seeking to re-form their + Battalions; to little purpose. They had grown indignant, in some + instances, and were vociferously imperative and minatory; but in the dark + who needed mind them?—they went raving elsewhere, and, for the first + time, Prussian word-of-command saw itself futile. Pitch darkness, bitter + cold, ground trampled into mire. On Siptitz Hill there is nothing that + will burn: farther back, in the Domitsch Woods, are numerous fine fires, + to which Austrians and Prussians alike gather: "Peace and truce between + us; to-morrow morning we will see which are prisoners, which are captors." + So pass the wild hours, all hearts longing for the dawn, and what decision + it will bring. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, at Elsnig, found every hut full of wounded, and their + surgeries, and miseries silent or loud. He himself took shelter in the + little Church; passed the night there. Busy about many things;—"using + the altar," it seems, "by way of writing-table [self or secretaries + kneeling, shall we fancy, on those new terms?], and the stairs of it as + seat." Of the final Ziethen-Lestwitz effort he would scarcely hear the + musketry or cannonade, being so far away from it. At what hour, or from + whom first, he learned that the Battle of Torgau had become Victory in the + night-time, I know not: the Anecdote-Books send him out in his cloak, + wandering up and down before daybreak; standing by the soldiers' fires; + and at length, among the Woods, in the faint incipiency of dawn, meeting a + Shadow which proves to be Ziethen himself in the body, with embraces and + congratulations:—evidently mythical, though dramatic. Reach him the + news soon did; and surely none could be welcomer. Head-quarters change + from the altar-steps in Elsnig Church to secular rooms in Torgau. Ziethen + has already sped forth on the skirts of Lacy; whole Army follows next day; + and, on the War-theatre it is, on the sudden, a total change of scene. + Conceivable to readers without the details. + </p> + <p> + Hopes there were of getting back Dresden itself; but that, on closer view, + proved unattemptable. Daun kept his Plauen Chasm, his few square miles of + ground beyond; the rest of Saxony was Friedrich's, as heretofore. Loudon + had tried hard on Kosel for a week; storming once, and a second time, very + fiercely, Goltz being now near; but could make nothing of it; and, on wind + of Goltz, went his way. [HOFBERICHT VON DER BELAGERUNG VON KOSEL, IM + OCTOBER 1760 (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> ii. 798-804): began "October + 21st;" ended "at daybreak, October 27th."] The Russians, on sound of + Torgau, shouldered arms, and made for Poland. Daun, for his own share, + went to Vienna this Winter; in need of surgery, and other things. The + population there is rather disposed to be grumbly on its once heroic + Fabius; wishes the Fabius were a little less cunctatory. But Imperial + Majesty herself, one is proud to relate, drove out, in Old Roman spirit, + some miles, to meet him, her defeated ever-honored Daun, and to inquire + graciously about his health, which is so important to the State. + [Archenholtz, ii. 179.] + </p> + <p> + Torgau was Daun's last Battle: Daun's last battle; and, what is more to + the joy of readers and their Editor here, was Friedrich's last,—so + that the remaining Two Campaigns may fairly be condensed to an extreme + degree; and a few Chapters more will deliver us altogether from this + painful element!— + </p> + <p> + Daun lost at Torgau, by his own account, "about 11,000 men,"—should + have said, according to Tempelhof, and even to neutral persons, "above + 12,000 killed and wounded, PLUS 8,000 prisoners, 45 cannon, 29 flags, 1 + standard (or horse-flag)," [Tempelhof, iv. 213; Kausler, p. 726.] which + brings him to at least 20,000 minus;—the Prussian loss, heavy enough + too, being, by Tempelhof's admission, "between 13 and 14,000, of whom + 4,000 prisoners." The sore loss, not so computable in arithmetic,—but + less sore to Daun, perhaps, than to most people,—is that of being + beaten, and having one's Campaign reduced to water again. No Conquest of + Saxony, any more than of Silesia, possible to Daun, this Year. In Silesia, + thanks to Loudon, small thanks to Loudon's Chief, they have got Glatz: + Kosel they could not get; fiery Loudon himself stormed and blazed to no + purpose there, and had to hurry home on sight of Goltz and relief. Glatz + is the net sum-total. Daun knows all this; but in a stoical arithmetical + manner, and refuses to be flurried by it. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, as we said, had hoped something might be done in Saxony on the + defeated Daun;—perhaps Dresden itself be got back from him, and his + Army altogether sent to winter in Bohemia again? But it proved otherwise. + Daun showed not the least disposition to quit his Plauen Chasm, or fall + into discouragement: and after some weeks of diligent trial, on + Friedrich's part, and much running about in those central and Hill-ward + parts, Friedrich found he would have to be content with his former + allotment of Saxon territory, and to leave the Austrians quiet in theirs. + Took winter-quarters accordingly, and let the Enemy take. Cantoned + himself, in that Meissen-Freyberg Country, in front of the Austrians and + their impassable Plauens and Chasms:—pretty much as in the past + Year, only that the Two Armies lay at a greater distance, and were more + peaceable, as if by mutual consent. + </p> + <p> + Head-quarter of the King is Leipzig; where the King did not arrive till + December 8th,—such adjusting and arranging has he had, and incessant + running to and fro. He lived in the "Apel House, NEW Neumarkt, No. 16;" + [Rodenbeck, ii. 65.] the same he had occupied in 1757, in the Rossbach + time. "ACH! how lean your Majesty has grown!" said the Mistress of it, at + sight of him again (mythically, I should fancy, though it is in the + Anecdote-Books). "Lean, JA WOHL," answered he: "and what wonder, with + Three Women [Theresa, Czarina, Pompadour] hanging on the throat of me all + this while!" But we propose to look in upon him ourselves, in this Apel + House, on more authentic terms, by and by. Read, meanwhile, these Two bits + of Autograph, thrown off incidentally, at different places, in the + previous busy journeyings over Meissen-Freyberg country:— + </p> + <p> + 1. FRIEDRICH TO MARQUIS D'ARGENS (at Berlin). + </p> + <p> + "MEISSEN, 10th November, 1760. + </p> + <p> + ... "I drove the enemy to the Gates of Dresden; they occupy their Camp of + last Year; all my skill is not enough to dislodge them,"—[Chasm of + Plauen, "a place impregnable, were it garrisoned by chimney-sweeps," says + the King once]. "We have saved our reputation by the Day of Torgau: but + don't imagine our enemies are so disheartened as to desire Peace. Duke + Ferdinand's affairs are not in a good way [missed Wesel, of which + presently;—and, alas also, George II. died, this day gone a + fortnight, which is far worse for us, if we knew it!]—I fear the + French will preserve through Winter the advantages they gained during the + Campaign. + </p> + <p> + "In a word, I see all black, as if I were at the bottom of a tomb. Have + some compassion on the situation I am in; conceive that I disguise nothing + from you, and yet that I do not detail to you all my embarrassments, my + apprehensions and troubles. Adieu, dear Marquis; write to me sometimes,—don't + forget a poor devil, who curses ten times a day his fatal existence, and + could wish he already were in those Silent Countries from which nobody + returns with news." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. 204, 205.] + </p> + <p> + 2. The Second, of different complexion, is a still more interesting little + Autograph, date elsewhere, farther on, in those wanderings. Madam Camas, + Widow of the Colonel Camas whom we knew twenty years ago, is "Queen's + OBER-HOFMEISTERINN (Lady in Chief),"—to whom the King's Letters are + always pretty:— + </p> + <p> + FREIDRICH TO MADAM CAMAS (at Magdeburg, with the Queen's Majesty). + </p> + <p> + "NEUSTADT, 18th November, 1760. + </p> + <p> + "I am exact in answering, and eager to satisfy you [in that matter of the + porcelain] you shall have a breakfast-set, my good Mamma; six coffee-cups, + very pretty, well diapered, and tricked out with all the little + embellishments which increase their value. On account of some pieces which + they are adding to the set, you will have to wait a few days; but I + flatter myself this delay will contribute to your satisfaction, and + produce for you a toy that will give you pleasure, and make you remember + your old Adorer. It is curious how old people's habits agree. For four + years past I have given up suppers, as incompatible with the Trade I am + obliged to follow; and in marching days, my dinner consists of a cup of + chocolate. + </p> + <p> + "We hurried off, like fools, quite inflated with our Victory, to try if we + could not chase the Austrians out of Dresden: they made a mockery of us + from the tops of their mountains. So I have withdrawn, like a bad little + boy, to conceal myself, out of spite, in one of the wretchedest villages + in Saxony. And here the first thing will be to drive the Circle gentlemen, + [Reichs Army] out of Freyberg into Chemnitz, and get ourselves room to + quarter and something to live upon. It is, I swear to you, a dog of a life + [or even a she-dog, CHIENNE DE VIE], the like of which nobody but Don + Quixote ever led before me. All this tumbling and toiling, and bother and + confusion that never ceases, has made me so old, that you would scarcely + know me again. On the right side of my head the hair is all gray; my teeth + break and fall out; I have got my face wrinkled like the falbalas of a + petticoat; my back bent like a fiddle-bow; and spirit sad and downcast + like a monk of La Trappe. I forewarn you of all this, lest, in case we + should meet again in flesh and bone, you might feel yourself too violently + shocked by my appearance. There remains to me nothing but the heart,—which + has undergone no change, and which will preserve, so long as I breathe, + its feelings of esteem and of tender friendship for my good Mamma. Adieu." + [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> XVIII. 144.]—To which add only this on + Duke Ferdinand, "whose affairs," we just heard, "are not in a good way:"— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FIGHT OF KLOSTER KAMPEN (Night of October 15th-16th); WESEL NOT TO BE HAD + BY DUKE FERDINAND. + </h2> + <p> + After WARBURG (July 31st, while Friedrich was on the eve of crossing Elbe + on new adventures, Dresden Siege having failed him), Duke Ferdinand made + no figure to the Gazetteers; fought no Battle farther; and has had a + Campaign, which is honorable only to judges of a higher than the Gazetteer + sort. + </p> + <p> + By Warburg Ferdinand had got the Diemel; on the north bank of which he + spread himself out, impassable to Broglio, who lay trying on the opposite + bank:—"No Hanover by this road." Broglio thereupon drew back a + little; pushed out circuitously from his right wing, which reaches far + eastward of Ferdinand, a considerable Brigade,—circuitously, round + by the Weser-Fulda Country, and beyond the embouchure of Diemel,—to + try it by that method. Got actually a few miles into Hanoverian territory, + by that method; laid hold of Gottingen, also of Munden, which secures a + road thither: and at Gottingen there, "ever since August 4th," Broglio has + been throwing up works, and shooting out hussar-parties to a good + distance; intending, it would seem, to maintain himself, and to be + mischievous, in that post. Would, in fact, fain entice Ferdinand across + the Weser, to help Gottingen. "Across Weser, yes;—and so leave + Broglio free to take Lippstadt from me, as he might after a short siege," + thinks Ferdinand always; "which would beautifully shorten Broglio's + communication [quite direct then, and without interruption, all the way to + Wesel], and make Hanover itself, Hanover and Brunswick, the central Seat + of War!" Which Ferdinand, grieved as he is for Gottingen, will by no means + consent to. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand, strong only as one to two, cannot hinder Broglio, though he + tries variously; and is much at a loss, seeing Broglio irrepressibly busy + this way, all through August and on into September;—has heard, + however, from Wesel, through secret partisans there, that Wesel, + considered altogether out of risk, is left in a very weak condition; weak + in garrison, weak even in gunners. Reflecting upon which, in his + difficulties, Ferdinand asks himself, "A sudden stroke at Wesel, 200 miles + away, might it not astonish Broglio, who is so busy on us just here?"—and, + September 22d, despatches the Hereditary Prince on that errand. A man + likely for it, if there be one in the world:—unable to do it, + however, as the issue told. Here is what I find noted. + </p> + <p> + "SEPTEMBER 22d, the Erbprinz, with a chosen Corps of 15,000, mostly + English, left these Diemel regions towards Wesel, at his speediest. + September 29th, Erbprinz and vanguard, Corps rapidly following, are got to + Dorsten, within 20 miles of Wesel. A most swift Erbprinz; likely for such + work. And it is thought by judges, Had he had either siege-artillery or + scaling apparatus, he might really have attacked Wesel with good chance + upon it. But he has not even a ladder ready, much less a siege-gun. + Siege-guns are at Bielefeld [come from Bremen, I suppose, by English + boating, up the Weser so far]; but that is six score miles of + wheel-carriage; roads bad, and threatening to be worse, as it is + equinoctial weather. There is nothing for it but to wait for those guns. + </p> + <p> + "The Erbprinz, hopefully waiting, does his endeavor in the interim; throws + a bridge over the Rhine, pounces upon Cleve garrison (prisoners, with + their furnitures), pounces upon this and that; 'spreads terror' on the + French thereabouts 'up to Dusseldorf and Koln,—and on Broglio + himself, so far off, the due astonishment. 'Wesel to be snatched,—ye + Heavens! Our Netherlands road cut off: Dusseldorf, Koln, our Rhine + Magazines, all and sundry, fallen to the hawks,—who, the + lighter-winged of them, might pay visits in France itself!' Broglio has to + suspend his Gottingen operations, and detach Marquis de Castries with (say + ultimately, for Castries is to grow and gather by the road) 35,000, to + relieve Wesel. Castries marches double-quick; weather very rainy;—arrives + in those parts OCTOBER 13th;—hardly a gun from Bielefeld come to + hand yet, Erbprinz merely filling men with terror. And so, + </p> + <p> + "OCTOBER 14th, after two weeks and a day, the Hereditary Prince sees, not + guns from Bielefeld, but Castries pushing into Wesel a 7,000 of additional + garrison,—and the Enterprise on Wesel grown impossible. Impossible, + and probably far more; Castries in a condition to devour us, if he prove + sharp. It behooves the Hereditary Prince to be himself sharp;—which + he undoubtedly was, in this sharp crisis. Next day, our Erbprinz, taking + survey of Castries in his strong ground of Kloster Kampen, decides, like a + gallant fellow, to attack HIM;—and straightway does it. Breaks, that + same night (October 15th-16th, 1760), stealthily, through woods and with + precautions, into Castries's Post;—intending surprisal, and mere + ruin to Castries. And there ensued, not the SURPRISAL as it turned out, + but the BATTLE OF KLOSTER KAMPEN; which again proved unsuccessful, or only + half-successful, to the Hereditary Prince. A many-winged, intricate + Night-Battle; to be read of in Books. This is where the Chevalier d'Assas, + he or Somebody, gave the alarm to the Castries people at the expense of + his life. 'A MOI, AUVERGNE, Ho, Auvergne!' shouted D'Assas (if it was + D'Assas at all), when the stealthy English came upon him; who was at once + cut down. [Preuss (ii. 270 n.) asserts it to be proved, in <i>"Miscellen + aus den neuesten auslandischen Litteratur</i> (1824, No. 3, p. 409)," a + Book which none of us ever saw, "That the real hero [equal to a Roman + Decius or more] was not Captain d'Assas, of the Regiment Auvergne, but a + poor Private Soldier of it, called Dubois"!—Is not this a strange + turn, after such be-PENSIONING, be-painting, singing and celebrating, as + rose upon poor D'Assas, or the Family of D'Assas, twenty years afterwards + (1777-1790)!—Both Dubois and D'Assas, I conclude, lay among the + slain at Kloster Kampen, silent they forever:—and a painful doubt + does rise, As to the miraculous operation of Posthumous Rumor and Wonder; + and Whether there was any "miracle of heroism," or other miracle at all, + and not rather a poor nocturnal accident,—poor sentry in the edge of + the wood, shrieking out, on apparition of the stealthy English, "Ho, + Auvergne, help!" probably firing withal; and getting killed in + consequence? NON NOSTRUM EST.] It is certain, Auvergne gave fire; awoke + Castries bodily; and saved him from what was otherwise inevitable. + Surprise now there was none farther; but a complex Fight, managed in the + darkness with uncommon obstinacy; ending in withdrawal of the Erbprinz, as + from a thing that could not be done. His loss in killed, wounded and + prisoners, was 1,638; that of Castries, by his own counting, 2,036: but + Kloster Kampen, in the wide-awake state, could not be won. + </p> + <p> + "During the Fight, the Erbprinz's Rhine-Bridge had burst in two: his + ammunition was running short;—and, it would seem, there is no + retreat, either! The Erbprinz put a bold face on the matter, stood to + Castries in a threatening attitude; manoeuvred skilfully for two days + longer, face still to Castries, till the Bridge was got mended; then, + night of October 18th-19th, crossed to his own side; gathered up his + goods; and at a deliberate pace marched home, on those terms;—doing + some useful fighting by the road." [Mauvillon, ii. 120-129: Tempelhof, ii. + 325-332.] + </p> + <p> + Had lost nothing, say his admirers, "but one cannon, which burst." One + burst cannon left on the field of Kloster Kampen;—but also, as we + see, his errand along with it; and 1,600 good fighters lost and burst: + which was more important! Criticisms there were on it in England, perhaps + of the unwise sort generally; sorrow in the highest quarter. "An + unaccountable expedition," Walpole calls it, "on which Prince Ferdinand + suddenly despatched his Nephew, at the head of a considerable force, + towards the frontiers of Holland,"—merely to see the country there?—"which + occasioned much solicitude in England, as the Main Army, already unequal + to that of France, was thus rendered much weaker. King George felt it with + much anxiety." [Walpole's <i>George Second,</i> iii. 299.] An + unaccountable Enterprise, my poor Gazetteer friends,—very evidently + an unsuccessful one, so far as Wesel went. Many English fallen in it, too: + "the English showed here again a GANZ AUSNEHMENDE TAPFERKEIT," says + Mauvillon; and probably their share of the loss was proportionate. + </p> + <p> + Clearly enough there is no Wesel to be had. Neither could Broglio, though + disturbed in his Gottingen fortifyings and operations, be ejected out of + Gottingen. Ferdinand, on failure of Wesel, himself marched to Gottingen, + and tried for some days; but found he could not, in such weather, tear out + that firmly rooted French Post, but must be content to "mask it," for the + present; and, this done, withdrew (December 13th) to his winter-quarters + near by, as did Broglio to his,—about the time Friedrich and Daun + had finally settled in theirs. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand's Campaigns henceforth, which turn all on the defence of + Hanover, are highly recommended to professional readers; but to the laic + sort do not prove interesting in proportion to the trouble. In fact, the + huge War henceforth begins everywhere, or everywhere except in Pitt's + department of it, to burn lower, like a lamp with the oil getting done; + and has less of brilliancy than formerly. "Let us try for Hanover," the + Belleisles, Choiseuls and wise French heads had said to themselves: + "Canada, India, everything is lost; but were dear Hanover well in our + clutch, Hanover would be a remedy for many things!" Through the remaining + Campaigns, as in this now done, that is their fixed plan. Ferdinand, by + unwearied effort, succeeded in defending Hanover,—nothing of it but + that inconsiderable slice or skirt round Gottingen, which they kept long, + could ever be got by the French. Ferdinand defended Hanover; and wore out + annually the big French Armies which were missioned thither, as in the + spasm of an expiring last effort by this poor hag-ridden France,—at + an expense to her, say, of 50,000 men per year. Which was good service on + Ferdinand's part; but done less and less in the shining or universally + notable way. + </p> + <p> + So that with him too we are henceforth, thank Heaven, permitted and even + bound to be brief. Hardly above two Battles more from him, if even two:—and + mostly the wearied Reader's imagination left to conceive for itself those + intricate strategies, and endless manoeuvrings on the Diemel and the Dill, + on the Ohm River and the Schwalm and the Lippe, or wherever they may be, + with small help from a wearied Editor!— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI.—WINTER-QUARTERS 1760-1761. + </h2> + <p> + A melancholy little event, which afterwards proved unexpectedly + unfortunate for Friedrich, had happened in England ten days before the + Battle of Torgau. Saturday, 25th October, 1760, George II., poor old + gentleman, suddenly died. He was in his 77th year; feeble, but not feebler + than usual,—unless, perhaps, the unaccountable news from Kloster + Kampen may have been too agitating to the dim old mind? On the Monday of + this week he had, "from a tent in Hyde Park," presided at a Review of + Dragoons; and on Thursday, as his Coldstream Guards were on march for + Portsmouth and foreign service, "was in his Portico at Kensington to see + them pass;"—full of zeal always in regard to military matters, and + to this War in particular. Saturday, by sunrise he was on foot; took his + cup of chocolate; inquired about the wind, and the chances of mails + arriving; opened his window, said he would have a turn in the Gardens, the + morning being so fine. It was now between 7 and 8. The valet then withdrew + with the chocolate apparatus; but had hardly shut the door, when he heard + a deep sigh, and fall of something,—"billet of wood from the fire?" + thought he;—upon which, hurrying back, he found it was the King, who + had dropt from his seat, "as if in attempting to ring the bell." King said + faintly, "Call Amelia," and instantly died. Poor deaf Amelia (Friedrich's + old love, now grown old and deaf) listened wildly for some faint sound + from those lips now mute forever. George Second was no more; his grandson + George Third was now King. [Old Newspapers (in <i>Gentleman's Magazine,</i> + xxx. 486-488).] + </p> + <p> + Intrinsically taken, this seemed no very great event for Friedrich, for + Pitt, for England or mankind: but it proved otherwise. The merit of this + poor King deceased, who had led his Nation stumbling among the + chimney-pots at such a rate in these mad German Wars for Twenty Years + past, was, That he did now stand loyal to the Enterprise, now when it had + become sane indeed; now when the Nation was broad awake, and a Captain had + risen to guide it out of that perilous posture, into never-expected + victory and triumph! Poor old George had stood by his Pitt, by his + Ferdinand, with a perfect loyalty at all turns; and been devoted, heart + and soul and breeches-pocket, to completely beating Bourbon's oppressive + ideas out of Bourbon's head. A little fact, but how important, then and + there! Under the Successor, all this may be different:—ghastly + beings, Old Tutors, Favorites, Mother's-Favorites, flit, as yet invisible, + on the new backstairs:—should Bute and Company get into the + foreground, people will then know how important it was. Walpole says:— + </p> + <p> + "The Yorkes [Ex-Chancellor Hardwicke people] had long distasted this War:" + yes, and been painfully obliged to hold their tongues: "but now," within a + month or so of the old King's death, "there was published, under Lord + Hardwicke's countenance, a Tract setting forth the burden and ill policy + of our German measures. It was called CONSIDERATIONS ON THE GERMAN WAR; + was ably written, and changed many men's minds." This is the famous + "Mauduit Pamphlet:" first of those small stones, from the sling of + Opposition not obliged to be dormant, which are now beginning to rattle on + Pitt's Olympian Dwelling-place,—high really as Olympus, in + comparison with others of the kind, but which unluckily is made of GLASS + like the rest of them! The slinger of this first resounding little + missile, Walpole informs us, was "one Mauduit, formerly a Dissenting + Teacher,"—son of a Dissenting Minister in Bermondsey, I hear, and + perhaps himself once a Preacher, but at present concerned with Factorage + of Wool on the great scale; got soon afterwards promoted to be Head of the + Custom-house in Southampton, so lovely did he seem to Bute and Company. + "How agreeable his politics were to the interior of the Court, soon + appeared by a place [Southampton Custom-house] being bestowed on him by + Lord Bute." A fortunate Mauduit, yet a stupidly tragical; had such a + destiny in English History! Hear Walpole a little farther, on Mauduit, and + on other things then resonant to Arlington Street in a way of their own. + "TO SIR HORACE MANN [at Florence]:— + </p> + <p> + "NOVEMBER 14th, 1760 [tenth night after Torgau].... We are all in guns and + bonfires for an unexpected victory of the King of Prussia over Daun; but + as no particulars are yet arrived, there are doubters." + </p> + <p> + "DECEMBER 5th, 1760. I have received the samples of brocadella.... I shall + send you a curious Pamphlet, the only work I almost ever knew that changed + the opinions of many. It is called CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PRESENT GERMAN + WAR, ["London: Printed for John Wilkie, at the Bible, in St. Paul's + Churchyard, 1761," adds my poor Copy (a frugal 12mo, of pp. 144), not + adding of what edition.] and is written by a wholesale Woollen-Draper + [connected with Wool, in some way] "Factor at Blackwell Hall," if that + mean Draper:—and a growing man ever after; came to be "Agent for + Massachusetts," on the Boston-TEA occasion, and again did Tracts; was + "President of the"—in short, was a conspicuous Vice-President, so + let us define him, of The general Anti-Penalty or Life-made-Soft + Association, with Cause of civil and religious Liberty all over the World, + and such like; and a Mauduit comfortably resonant in that way till he died + [Chalmers, BIOG. DICTIONARY; Nichols, LITERARY ANECDOTES; &c. &c.]; + but the materials are supposed to be furnished by the faction of the + Yorkes. The confirmation of the King of Prussia's victory near Torgau does + not prevent the disciples of the Pamphlet from thinking that the best + thing which could happen for us would be to have that Monarch's head shot + off. [Hear, hear!]— + </p> + <p> + "There are Letters from the Hague [what foolish Letters do fly about, my + friend!], that say Daun is dead of his wounds. If he is, I shall begin to + believe that the King of Prussia will end successfully at last. [Oh!] It + has been the fashion to cry down Daun; but, as much as the King of Prussia + may admire himself [does immensely, according to our Selwyn informations], + I dare say he would have been glad to be matched with one much more like + himself than one so opposite as the Marshal." + </p> + <p> + "JANUARY 2d, 1761. The German War is not so popular as you imagine, either + in the Closet or in the Nation." [Walpole, <i>Letters to Sir Horace Mann</i> + (Lond. 1843), i. 6, 7.] (Enough, enough.) + </p> + <p> + The Mauduit Pamphlet, which then produced such an effect, is still to be + met in old Collections and on Bookstalls; but produces little save + weariness to a modern reader. "Hanover not in real danger," argues he; "if + the French had it, would not they, all Europe ordering them, have to give + it up again?" Give it up,—GRATIS, or in return for Canada and + Pondicherry, Mauduit's does not say. Which is an important omission! But + Mauduit's grand argument is that of expense; frightful outlay of money, + aggravated by ditto mismanagement of same. + </p> + <p> + A War highly expensive, he says—(and the truth is, Pitt was never + stingy of money: "Nearly the one thing we have in any plenty; be frank in + use of that, in an Enterprise so ill-provided otherwise, and involving + life and death!" thinks Pitt);—"dreadfully expensive," urges + Mauduit, and gives some instances of Commissariat moneys signally wasted,—not + by Pitt, but by the stupidity of Pitt's War Offices, Commissariat Offices, + Offices of all kinds; not to be cured at once by any Pitt:—How + magazines of hay were shipped and reshipped, carried hither, thither, up + this river, down that (nobody knowing where the war-horses would be that + were to eat it); till at length, when it had reached almost the value of + bohea tea, the right place of it was found to be Embden (nearest to + Britain from the first, had one but known), and not a horse would now + taste it, so spoiled was the article; all horses snorted at it, as they + would have done at bohea, never so expensive. [Mauduit (towards the end) + has a story of that tenor,—particulars not worth verifying.] These + things are incident to British warfare; also to Swedish, and to all + warfares that have their War Offices in an imaginary state,—state + much to be abhorred by every sane creature; but not to be mended all at + once by the noblest of men, into whose hands they are suddenly thrust for + saving his Nation. Conflagration to be quenched; and your buckets all in + hideous leakage, like buckets of the Danaides:—your one course is, + ply them, pour with them, such as they are. + </p> + <p> + Mauduit points out farther the enormous fortunes realized by a swindling + set of Army-Furnishers, Hebrews mainly, and unbeautiful to look on. Alas, + yes; this too is a thing incident to the case; and in a degree to all such + cases, and situations of sudden crisis;—have not we seen Jew Ephraim + growing rich by the copper money even of a Friedrich? Christian + Protestants there are, withal, playing the same game on a larger scale. + Herr Schimmelmann ("MOULDY-man") the Dane, for instance,—Dane or + Holsteiner,—is coining false money for a Duke of Holstein-Plon, who + has not a Seven-Years War on his hands. Diligently coining, this Mouldy + Individual; still more successfully, is trading in Friedrich's Meissen + China (bought in the cheapest market, sold in the dearest); has at Hamburg + his "Auction of Meissen Porcelain," steadily going on, as a new commercial + institution of that City;—and, in short, by assiduously laboring in + such harvest-fields, gathers a colossal fortune, 100,000 pounds, 300,000 + pounds, or I will not remember what. Gets "ennobled," furthermore, by a + Danish Government prompt to recognize human merit: Elephant Order, + Dannebrog Order; no Order good enough for this Mouldy-man of merit; + [Preuss, ii. 391, 282, &c.]—and is, so far as I know, begetting + "Nobles," that is to say, Vice-Kings and monitory Exemplars, for the + Danish People, to this day. Let us shut down the iron lid on all that. + </p> + <p> + Mauduit's Pamphlet, if it raised in the abhorrent unthinking English mind + some vague notion, as probably it did, that Pitt was responsible for these + things, or was in a sort the cause or author of them, might produce some + effect against him. "What a splash is this you are making, you Great + Commoner; wetting everybody's feet,—as our Mauduit proves;—while + the Conflagration seems to be going out, if you let it alone!" For the + heads of men resemble—My friend, I will not tell you what they, in + multitudinous instances, resemble. + </p> + <p> + But thus has woollen Mauduit, from his private camp ("Clement's Lane, + Lombard Street," say the Dictionaries), shot, at a very high object, what + pigeon's-egg or small pebble he had; the first of many such that took that + aim; with weak though loud-sounding impact, but with results—results + on King Friedrich in particular, which were stronger than the Cannonade of + Torgau! As will be seen. For within year and day,—Mauduit and + Company making their noises from without, and the Butes and Hardwickes + working incessantly with such rare power of leverage and screwage in the + interior parts,—a certain Quasi-Olympian House, made of glass, will + lie in sherds, and the ablest and noblest man in England see himself + forbidden to do England any service farther: "Not needed more, Sir! Go + you,—and look at US for the remainder of your life!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + KING FRIEDRICH IN THE APEL HOUSE AT LEIPZIG (8th December, 1760-17th + March, 1761). + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich's Winter in the Apel House at Leipzig is of cheerfuler character + than we might imagine. Endless sore business he doubtless has, of + recruiting, financiering, watching and providing, which grows more + difficult year by year; but he has subordinates that work to his signal, + and an organized machinery for business such as no other man. And + solacements there are withal: his Books he has about him; welcomer than + ever in such seasons: Friends too,—he is not solitary; nor + neglectful of resources. Faithful D'Argens came at once (stayed till the + middle of March): [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. 212, 213. Sends a + Courier to conduct D'Argens "FOR December 8th;" "21st March," D'Argens is + back at Berlin.] D'Argens, Quintus Icilius, English Mitchell; these three + almost daily bore him company. Till the middle of January, also, he had + his two Nephews with him (Sons of his poor deceased Brother, the late + tragic Prince of Prussia),—the elder of whom, Friedrich Wilhelm, + became King afterwards; the second, Henri by name, died suddenly of + small-pox within about seven years hence, to the King's deep and sore + grief, who liked him the better of the two. Their ages respectively are + now about 16 and 14. [Henri, born 30th December, 1747, died 26th May, + 1767;—Friedrich Wilhelm, afterwards Friedrich Wilhelm II. (sometimes + called DER DICKE, The Big), born 25th December, 1744; King, 17th August, + 1786; died 16th November, 1797.] Their appetite for dancing, and their gay + young ways, are pleasant now and afterwards to the old Uncle in his grim + element. [Letters, &c. in SCHONING.] + </p> + <p> + Music, too, he had; daily evening Concert, though from himself there is no + fluting now. One of his Berlin Concert people who had been sent for was + Fasch, a virtuoso on I know not what instrument,—but a man given to + take note of things about him. Fasch was painfully surprised to see his + King so altered in the interim past: "bent now, sunk into himself, grown + old; to whom these five years of war-tumult and anxiety, of sorrow and + hard toil, had given a dash of gloomy seriousness and melancholy, which + was in strong contrast with his former vividly bright expression, and was + not natural to his years." [Zelter's <i>Life of Fasch</i> (cited in + PREUSS, ii. 278).] + </p> + <p> + From D'Argens there is one authentic Anecdote, worth giving. One evening + D'Argens came to him; entering his Apartment, found him in a situation + very unexpected; which has been memorable ever since. "One evening [there + is no date to it, except vaguely, as above, December, 1760-March, 1761], + D'Argens, entering the King's Apartment, found him sitting on the ground + with a big platter of fried meat, from which he was feeding his dogs. He + had a little rod, with which he kept order among them, and shoved the best + bits to his favorites. The Marquis, in astonishment, recoiled a step, + struck his hands together, and exclaimed: 'The Five Great Powers of + Europe, who have sworn alliance, and conspired to undo the Marquis de + Brandebourg, how might they puzzle their heads to guess what he is now + doing! Scheming some dangerous plan for the next Campaign, think they; + collecting funds to have money for it; studying about magazines for man + and horse; or he is deep in negotiations to divide his enemies, and get + new allies for himself? Not a bit of all that. He is sitting peaceably in + his room, and feeding his dogs!'" [Preuss, ii. 282.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTERVIEW WITH HERR PROFESSOR GELLERT (Thursday, 18th December, 1760). + </h2> + <p> + Still more celebrated is the Interview with Gellert; though I cannot say + it is now more entertaining to the ingenuous mind. One of Friedrich's many + Interviews, this Winter, with the Learned of Leipzig University; for he is + a born friend of the Muses so called, and never neglects an opportunity. + Wonderful to see how, in such an environment, in the depths of mere toil + and tribulation, with a whole breaking world lying on his shoulders, as it + were,—he always shows such appetite for a snatch of talk with + anybody presumably of sense, and knowledge on something! + </p> + <p> + "This Winter," say the Books, "he had, in vacant intervals, a great deal + of communing with the famed of Leipzig University;" this or the other + famed Professor,—Winkler, Ernesti, Gottsched again, and others, + coming to give account, each for himself, of what he professed to be + teaching in the world: "on the Natural Sciences," more especially the + Moral; on Libraries, on Rare Books. Gottsched was able to satisfy the King + on one point; namely, That the celebrated passage of St. John's Gospel—"THERE + ARE THREE THAT BEAR RECORD—was NOT in the famous Manuscript of the + Vienna Library; Gottsched having himself examined that important CODEX, + and found in the text nothing of said Passage, but merely, written on the + margin, a legible intercalation of it, in Melanchthon's hand. Luther, in + his Version, never had it at all." [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vi. 596.] A + Gottsched inclined to the Socinian view? Not the least consequence to + Friedrich or us! Our business is exclusively with Gellert here. + </p> + <p> + Readers have heard of Gellert; there are, or there were, English Writings + about him, LIVES, or I forget what: and in his native Protestant Saxony, + among all classes, especially the higher, he had, in those years and + onwards to his death, such a popularity and real splendor of authority as + no man before or since. Had risen, against his will in some sort, to be a + real Pope, a practical Oracle in those parts. In his modest bachelor + lodging (age of him five-and-forty gone) he has sheaves of Letters daily,—about + affairs of the conscience, of the household, of the heart: from some + evangelical young lady, for example, Shall I marry HIM, think you, O my + Father?" and perhaps from her Papa, "Shall SHE, think you, O my ditto?"—Sheaves + of Letters: and of oral consulters such crowds, that the poor Oracle was + obliged to appoint special hours for that branch of his business. His + class-room (he lectures on MORALS, some THEORY OF MORAL SENTIMENT, or such + like) is crowded with "blue uniforms" (ingenuous Prussian Officers eager + to hear a Gellert) in these Winters. Rugged Hulsen, this very season, who + commands in Freyberg Country, alleviates the poor village of Hainichen + from certain official inflictions, and bids the poor people say "It is + because Gellert was born among you!" Plainly the Trismegistus of mankind + at that date:—who is now, as usual, become a surprising Trismegistus + to the new generations! + </p> + <p> + He had written certain thin Books, all of a thin languid nature; but + rational, clear; especially a Book of FABLES IN VERSE, which are watery, + but not wholly water, and have still a languid flavor in them for readers. + His Book on LETTER-WRITING was of use to the rising generation, in its + time. Clearly an amiable, ingenious, correct, altogether good man; of + pious mind,—and, what was more, of strictly orthodox, according to + the then Saxon standard in the best circles. This was the figure of his + Life for the last fifteen years of it; and he was now about the middle of + that culminating period. A modest, despondent kind of man, given to + indigestions, dietetics, hypochondria: "of neat figure and dress; nose + hooked, but not too much; eyes mournfully blue and beautiful, fine open + brow;"—a fine countenance, and fine soul of its sort, poor Gellert: + "punctual like the church-clock at divine service, in all weathers." + [Jordens, <i>Lexikon Deutscher Dichter und Prosaisten</i> (Leipzig, 1807), + ii. 54-68 (Gellert).] + </p> + <p> + A man of some real intellect and melody; some, by no means much; who was + of amiable meek demeanor; studious to offend nobody, and to do whatever + good he could by the established methods;—and who, what was the + great secret of his success, was of orthodoxy perfect and eminent. Whom, + accordingly, the whole world, polite Saxon orthodox world, hailed as its + Evangelist and Trismegistus. Essentially a commonplace man; but who + employed himself in beautifying and illuminating the commonplace of his + clay and generation:—infinitely to the satisfaction of said + generation. "How charming that you should make thinkable to us, make + vocal, musical and comfortably certain, what we were all inclined to + think; you creature plainly divine!" And the homages to Gellert were + unlimited and continual, not pleasant all of them to an idlish man in weak + health. + </p> + <p> + Mitchell and Quintus Icilius, who are often urging on the King that a new + German Literature is springing up, of far more importance than the King + thinks, have spoken much to him of Gellert the Trismegistus;—and at + length, in the course of a ten days from Friedrich's arrival here, actual + Interview ensues. The DIALOGUE, though it is but dull and watery to a + modern palate, shall be given entire, for the sake of one of the + Interlocutors. The Report of it, gleaned gradually from Gellert himself, + and printed, not long afterwards, from his manuscripts or those of others, + is to be taken as perfectly faithful. Gellert, writing to his inquiring + Friend Rabener (a then celebrated Berlin Wit), describes, from Leipzig, + "29th January, 1760," or about six weeks after the event: "How, one day + about the middle of December, Quintus Icilius suddenly came to my poor + lodging here, to carry me to the King." Am too ill to go. Quintus will + excuse me to-day; but will return to-morrow, when no excuse shall avail. + Did go accordingly next day, Thursday, 18th December, 4 o'clock of the + afternoon; and continued till a quarter to 6. "Had nothing of fear in + speaking to the King. Recited my MALER ZU ATHEN." King said, at parting, + he would send for me again. "The English Ambassador [Mitchell], an + excellent man, was probably the cause of the King's wish to see me.... The + King spoke sometimes German, sometimes French; I mostly German." [<i>Gellert's + Briefwechsel mit Demoiselle Lucius, herausgegeben von F. A. Ebert</i> + (Leipzig, 1823), pp. 629, 631.] As follows:— + </p> + <p> + KING. "Are you (ER) the Professor Gellert?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Yea, IHRO MAJESTAT." + </p> + <p> + KING. "The English Ambassador has spoken highly of you to me. Where do you + come from?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "From Hainichen, near Freyberg." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Have not you a brother at Freyberg?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Yea, IHRO MAJESTAT." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Tell me why we have no good German Authors." + </p> + <p> + MAJOR QUINTUS ICILIUS (puts in a word). "Your Majesty, you see here one + before you;—one whom the French themselves have translated, calling + him the German La Fontaine!" + </p> + <p> + KING. "That is much. Have you read La Fontaine?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Yes, your Majesty; but have not imitated: I am original (ICH BIN + EIN ORIGINAL)." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Well, this is one good Author among the Germans; but why have not + we more?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Your Majesty has a prejudice against the Germans." + </p> + <p> + KING. "No; I can't say that (Nein; das kann ich nicht sagen)." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "At least, against German writers." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Well, perhaps. Why have we no good Historians? Why does no one + undertake a Translation of Tacitus?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Tacitus is difficult to translate; and the Frenoh themselves + have but bad translations of him." + </p> + <p> + KING. "That is true (DA HAT ER RECHT)." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "And, on the whole, various reasons may be given why the Germans + have not yet distinguished themselves in every kind of writing. While Arts + and Sciences were in their flower among the Greeks, the Romans were still + busy in War. Perhaps this is the Warlike Era of the Germans:—perhaps + also they have yet wanted Augustuses and Louis-Fourteenths!" + </p> + <p> + KING. "How, would you wish one Augustus, then, for all Germany?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Not altogether that; I could wish only that every Sovereign + encouraged men of genius in his own country." + </p> + <p> + KING (starting a new subject). "Have you never been out of Saxony?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "I have been in Berlin." + </p> + <p> + KING. "You should travel." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "IHRO MAJESTAT, for that I need two things,—health and + means." + </p> + <p> + KING. "What is your complaint? Is it DIE GELEHRTE KRANKHEIT (Disease of + the Learned," Dyspepsia so called)? "I have myself suffered from that. I + will prescribe for you. You must ride daily, and take a dose of rhubarb + every week." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "ACH, IHRO MAJESTAT: if the horse were as weak as I am, he would + be of no use to me; if he were stronger, I should be too weak to manage + him." (Mark this of the Horse, however; a tale hangs by it.) + </p> + <p> + KING. "Then you must drive out." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "For that I am deficient in the means." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Yes, that is true; that is what Authors (GELEHRTE) in Deutschland + are always deficient in. I suppose these are bad times, are not they?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "JA WOHL; and if your Majesty would grant us Peace (DEN FRIEDEN + GEBEN WOLLTEN)—" + </p> + <p> + KING. "How can I? Have not you heard, then? There are three of them + against me (ES SIND JA DREI WIDER MICH)!" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "I have more to do with the Ancients and their History than with + the Moderns." + </p> + <p> + KING (changing the topic). "What do you think, is Homer or Virgil the + finer as an Epic Poet?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Homer, as the more original." + </p> + <p> + KING. "But Virgil is much more polished (VIEL POLIRTER)." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "We are too far removed from Homer's times to judge of his + language. I trust to Quintilian in that respect, who prefers Homer." + </p> + <p> + KING. "But one should not be a slave to the opinion of the Ancients." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Nor am I that. I follow them only in cases where, owing to the + distance, I cannot judge for myself." + </p> + <p> + MAJOR ICILIUS (again giving a slight fillip or suggestion). "He," the Herr + Professor here, "has also treated of GERMAN LETTER-WRITING, and has + published specimens." + </p> + <p> + KING. "So? But have you written against the CHANCERY STYLE, then" (the + painfully solemn style, of ceremonial and circumlocution; Letters written + so as to be mainly wig and buckram)? + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "ACH JA, that have I, IHRO MAJESTAT!" + </p> + <p> + KING. "But why doesn't it change? The Devil must be in it (ES IST ETWAS + VERTEUFELTES). They bring me whole sheets of that stuff, and I can make + nothing of it!" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "If your Majesty cannot alter it, still less can I. I can only + recommend, where you command." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Can you repeat any of your Fables?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "I doubt it; my memory is very treacherous." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Bethink you a little; I will walk about [Gellert bethinks him, brow + puckered. King, seeing the brow unpucker itself]. Well, have you one?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "Yes, your Majesty: THE PAINTER." Gellert recites (voice + plaintive and hollow; somewhat PREACHY, I should doubt, but not cracked or + shrieky);—we condense him into prose abridgment for English readers; + German can look at the bottom of the page: [(Gellert's WERKE: Leipzig, + 1840; i. 135.)]— + </p> + <p> + "'A prudent Painter in Athens, more intent on excellence than on money, + had done a God of War; and sent for a real Critic to give him his opinion + of it. On survey, the Critic shook his head: "Too much Art visible; won't + do, my friend!" The Painter strove to think otherwise; and was still + arguing, when a young Coxcomb [GECK, Gawk] stept in: "Gods, what a + masterpiece!" cried he at the first glance: "Ah, that foot, those + exquisitely wrought toenails; helm, shield, mail, what opulence of Art!" + The sorrowful Painter looked penitentially at the real Critic, looked at + his brush; and the instant this GECK was gone, struck out his God of + War.'" + </p> + <p> + KING. "And the Moral?" + </p> + <p> + GELLERT (still reciting): + </p> + <p> + "'When the Critic does not like thy Bit of Writing, it is a bad sign for + thee; but when the Fool admires, it is time thou at once strike it out.'" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ein kluger Maler in Athen, + Der minder, weil man ihn bezhalte, + Als weil er Ehre suchte, malte, + Liess einen Kenner einst den Mars im Bilde sehn, + Und bat sich seine Meinung aus. + Der Kenner sagt ihm fiei heraus, + Dass ihm das Bild nicht ganz gefallen wollte, + Und dass es, um recht schon zu sein, + Weit minder Kunst verrathen sollte. + Der Maler wandte vieles ein; + Der Kenner stritt mit ihm aus Grunden, + Und konnt ihn doch nicht uberwinden. + Gleich trat ein junger Geck herein, + Und nahm das Bild in Augenschein. + 'O,' rief er, 'bei dem ersten Blicke, + Ihr Gotter, welch ein Meisterstucke! + Ach, welcher Fuss! O, wie geschickt + Sind nicht die Nagel ausgedruckt! + Mars lebt durchaus in diesem Bilde. + Wie viele Kunst, wie viele Pracht + Ist in dem Helm und in dem Schilde, + Und in der Rustung angebracht!' + Der Maler ward beschamt geruhret, + Und sah den Kenner klaglich an. + 'Nun,' sprach er, 'bin ich uberfuhret! + Ihr habt mir nicht zu viel gethan.' + Der junge Geck war kaum hinaus, + So strich er seinen Kriegsgott aus." +</pre> + <p> + MORAL. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Wenn deine Schrift dem Kenner nicht gefallt, + So ist es schon ein boses Zeichen; + Doch, wenn sie gar des Narren Lob erhalt, + So ist es Zeit, sie auszustreichen." +</pre> + <p> + KING. "That is excellent; very fine indeed. You have a something of soft + and flowing in your verses; them I understand altogether. But there was + Gottsched, one day, reading me his Translation of IPHIGENIE; I had the + French Copy in my hand, and could not understand a word of him [a Swan of + Saxony, laboring in vain that day]! They recommended me another Poet, one + Peitsch [Herr Peitsch of Konigsberg, Hofrath, Doctor and Professor there, + Gottsched's Master in Art; edited by Gottsched thirty years ago; now + become a dumb idol, though at one time a god confessed]; him I flung + away." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "IHRO MAJESTAT, him I also fling away." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Well, if I continue here, you must come again often; bring your + FABLES with you, and read me something." + </p> + <p> + GELLERT. "I know not if I can read well; I have the singing kind of tone, + native to the Hill Country." + </p> + <p> + KING. "JA, like the Silesians. No, you must read me the FABLES yourself; + they lose a great deal otherwise. Come back soon." [<i>Gellert's + Briefwechsel mit Demoiselle Lucius</i> (already cited), pp. 632 et seq.] + (EXIT GELLERT.) + </p> + <p> + KING (to Icilius, as we learn from a different Record). "That is quite + another man than Gottsched!" (EXUENT OMNES.) + </p> + <p> + The modest Gellert says he "remembered Jesus Sirach's advice, PRESS NOT + THYSELF ON KINGS,—and never came back;" nor was specially sent for, + in the hurries succeeding; though the King never quite forgot him. Next + day, at dinner, the King said, "He is the reasonablest man of all the + German Literary People, C'EST LE PLUS RAISONNABLE DE TOUS LES SAVANS + ALLEMANDS." And to Garve, at Breslau, years afterwards: "Gellert is the + only German that will reach posterity; his department is small, but he has + worked in it with real felicity." And indeed the King had, before that, as + practical result of the Gellert Dialogue, managed to set some Berlin + Bookseller upon printing of these eligible FABLES, "for the use of our + Prussian Schools;" in which and other capacities the FABLES still serve + with acceptance there and elsewhere. [Preuss, ii. 274.] + </p> + <p> + In regard to Gellert's Horse-exercise, I had still to remember that + Gellert, not long after, did get a Horse; two successive Horses; both + highly remarkable. The first especially; which was Prince Henri's gift: + "The Horse Prince Henri had ridden at the Battle of Freyberg" (Battle to + be mentioned hereafter);—quadruped that must have been astonished at + itself! But a pretty enough gift from the warlike admiring Prince to his + dyspeptic Great Man. This Horse having yielded to Time, the very Kurfurst + (grandson of Polish Majesty that now is) sent Gellert another, housing and + furniture complete; mounted on which, Gellert and it were among the sights + of Leipzig;—well enough known here to young Goethe, in his College + days, who used to meet the great man and princely horse, and do + salutation, with perhaps some twinkle of scepticism in the corner of his + eye. [DICHTUNG UND WAHRHEIT, Theil ii. Buch 6 (in Goethe's WERKE, xxv. 51 + et seq).] Poor Gellert fell seriously ill in December, 1769; to the fear + and grief of all the world: "estafettes from the Kurfurst himself galloped + daily, or oftener, from Dresden for the sick bulletin;" but poor Gellert + died, all the same (13th of that month); and we have (really with pathetic + thoughts, even we) to bid his amiable existence in this world, his bits of + glories and him, adieu forever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DIALOGUE WITH GENERAL SALDERN (in the Apel House, Leipzig, 21st January, + 1761). + </h2> + <p> + Four or five weeks after this of Gellert, Friedrich had another Dialogue, + which also is partly on record, and is of more importance to us here: + Dialogue with Major-General Saldern; on a certain business, delicate, yet + profitable to the doer,—nobody so fit for it as Saldern, thinks the + King. Saldern is he who did that extraordinary feat of packing the wrecks + of battle on the Field of Liegnitz; a fine, clear-flowing, silent kind of + man, rapid and steady; with a great deal of methodic and other good + faculty in him,—more, perhaps, than he himself yet knows of. Him the + King has sent for, this morning; and it is on the business of Polish + Majesty's Royal Hunting-Schloss at Hubertsburg,—which is a thing + otherwise worth some notice from us. + </p> + <p> + For three months long the King had been representing, in the proper + quarters, what plunderings, and riotous and even disgusting savageries, + the Saxons had perpetrated at Charlottenburg, Schonhausen, Friedrichsfeld, + in October last, while masters there for a few days: but neither in Reichs + Diet, where Plotho was eloquent, nor elsewhere by the Diplomatic method, + could he get the least redress, or one civil word of regret. From Polish + Majesty himself, to whom Friedrich remonstrated the matter, through the + English Resident at Warsaw, Friedrich had expected regret; but he got + none. Some think he had hoped that Polish Majesty, touched by these + horrors of war, and by the reciprocities evidently liable to follow, might + be induced to try something towards mediating a General Peace: but Polish + Majesty did not; Polish Majesty answered simply nothing at all, nor would + get into any correspondence: upon which Friedrich, possibly a little + piqued withal, had at length determined on retaliation. + </p> + <p> + Within our cantonments, reflects Friedrich, here is Hubertsburg Schloss, + with such a hunting apparatus in and around it; Polish Majesty's + HERTZBLATT ("lid of the HEART," as they call it; breastbone, at least, and + pit of his STOMACH, which inclines to nothing but hunting): let his + Hubertsburg become as our Charlottenburg is; perhaps that will touch his + feelings! Friedrich had formed this resolution; and, Wednesday, January + 21st, sends for Saldern, one of the most exact, deft-going and + punctiliously honorable of all his Generals, to execute it. Enter Saldern + accordingly,—royal Audience-room "in the APEL'SCHE HAUS, New + Neumarkt, No. 16," as above;—to whom (one Kuster, a reliable + creature, reporting for us on Saldern's behalf) the King says, in the + distinct slowish tone of a King giving orders:— + </p> + <p> + KING. "Saldern, to-morrow morning you go [ER, He goes) with a detachment + of Infantry and Cavalry, in all silence, to Hubertsburg; beset the + Schloss, get all the furnitures carefully packed up and invoiced. I want + nothing with them; the money they bring I mean to bestow on our Field + Hospitals, and will not forget YOU in disposing of it." + </p> + <p> + Saldern, usually so prompt with his "JA" on any Order from the King, looks + embarrassed, stands silent,—to the King's great surprise;—and + after a moment or two says:— + </p> + <p> + SALDERN. "Forgive me, your Majesty: but this is contrary to my honor and + my oath." + </p> + <p> + KING (still in a calm tone). "You would be right to think so if I did not + intend this desperate method for a good object. Listen to me: great Lords + don't feel it in their scalp, when their subjects are torn by the hair; + one has to grip their own locks, as the only way to give them pain." + (These last words the King said in a sharper tone; he again made his + apology for the resolution he had formed; and renewed his Order. With the + modesty usual to him, but also with manliness, Saldern replied:)— + </p> + <p> + SALDERN. "Order me, your Majesty, to attack the enemy and his batteries, I + will on the instant cheerfully obey: but against honor, oath and duty, I + cannot, I dare not!" + </p> + <p> + The King, with voice gradually rising, I suppose, repeated his + demonstration that the thing was proper, necessary in the circumstances; + but Saldern, true to the inward voice, answered steadily:— + </p> + <p> + SALDERN. "For this commission your Majesty will easily find another person + in my stead." + </p> + <p> + KING (whirling hastily round, with an angry countenance, but, I should + say, an admirable preservation of his dignity in such extreme case). + "SALDERN, ER WILL NICHT REICH WERDEN,—Saldern, you refuse to become + rich." And EXIT, leaving Saldern to his own stiff courses. [Kuster, <i>Charakterzuge + des General-Lieutenant v. Saldern</i> (Berlin, 1793), pp. 39-44.] + </p> + <p> + Nothing remained for Saldern but to fall ill, and retire from the Service; + which he did: a man honorably ruined, thought everybody;—which did + not prove to be the case, by and by. + </p> + <p> + This surely is a remarkable Dialogue; far beyond any of the Gellert kind. + An absolute King and Commander-in-Chief, and of such a type in both + characters, getting flat refusal once in his life (this once only, so far + as I know), and how he takes it:—one wishes Kuster, or somebody, had + been able to go into more details!—Details on the Quintus-Icilius + procedure, which followed next day, would also have been rather welcome, + had Kuster seen good. It is well known, Quintus Icilius and his Battalion, + on order now given, went cheerfully, next day, in Saldern's stead. And + sacked Hubertsburg Castle, to the due extent or farther: 100,000 thalers + (15,000 pounds) were to be raised from it for the Field-Hospital behoof; + the rest was to be Quintus's own; who, it was thought, made an excellent + thing of it for himself. And in hauling out the furnitures, especially in + selling them, Quintus having an enterprising sharp head in trade affairs, + "it is certain," says Kuster, as says everybody, "various SCHANDLICHKEITEN + (scandals) occurred, which were contrary to the King's intention, and + would not have happened under Saldern." What the scandals particularly + were, is not specified to me anywhere, though I have searched up and down; + much less the net amount of money realized by Quintus. I know only, poor + Quintus was bantered about it, all his life after, by this merciless King; + and at Potsdam, in years coming, had ample time and admonition for what + penitence was needful. + </p> + <p> + "The case was much canvassed in the Army," says poor Kuster; "it was the + topic in every tent among Officers and common Men. And among us + Army-Chaplains too," poor honest souls, "the question of conflicting + duties arose: Your King ordering one thing, and your own Conscience + another, what ought a man to do? What ought an Army-Chaplain to preach or + advise? And considerable mutual light in regard to it we struck out from + one another, and saw how a prudent Army-Chaplain might steer his way. Our + general conclusion was, That neither the King nor Saldern could well be + called wrong. Saldern listening to the inner voice; right he, for certain. + But withal the King, in his place, might judge such a thing expedient and + fit; perhaps Saldern himself would, had Saldern been King of Prussia there + in January, 1761." + </p> + <p> + Saldern's behavior in his retirement was beautiful; and after the Peace, + he was recalled, and made more use of than ever: being indeed a model for + Army arrangements and procedures, and reckoned the completest General of + Infantry now left, far and near. The outcries made about Hubertsburg, + which still linger in Books, are so considerable, one fancies the poor + Schloss must have been quite ruined, and left standing as naked walls. + Such, however, we by no means find to be the case; but, on the contrary, + shall ourselves see that everything was got refitted there, and put into + perfect order again, before long. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THERE ARE SOME WAR-MOVEMENTS DURING WINTER; GENERAL FINANCIERING + DIFFICULTIES. CHOISEUL PROPOSES PEACE. + </h2> + <p> + February 15th, there fell out, at Langensalza, on the Unstrut, in Gotha + Country, a bit of sharp fighting; done by Friedrich's people and Duke + Ferdinand's in concert; which, and still more what followed on it, made + some noise in the quiet months. Not a great thing, this of Langensalza, + but a sudden, and successfully done; costing Broglio some 2,000 prisoners; + and the ruin of a considerable Post of his, which he had lately pushed out + thither, "to seize the Unstrut," as he hoped. A Broglio grasping at more + than he could hold, in those Thuringen parts, as elsewhere! And, indeed, + the Fight of Langensalza was only the beginning of a series of such; Duke + Ferdinand being now upon one of his grand Winter-Adventures: that of + suddenly surprising and exploding Broglio's Winter-quarters altogether, + and rolling him back to Frankfurt for a lodging. So that, since the first + days of February, especially since Langensalza day, there rose suddenly a + great deal of rushing about, in those regions, with hard bits of fighting, + at least of severe campaigning;—which lasted two whole-months;—filling + the whole world with noise that Winter; and requiring extreme brevity from + us here. It was specially Duke Ferdinand's Adventure; Friedrich going on + it, as per bargain, to the Langensalza enterprise, but no farther; after + which it did not much concern Friedrich, nor indeed come to much result + for anybody. + </p> + <p> + "Strenuous Ferdinand, very impatient of the Gottingen business and + provoked to see Broglio's quarters extend into Hessen, so near hand, for + the first time, silently determines to dislodge him. Broglio's chain of + quarters, which goes from Frankfurt north as far as Marburg, then turns + east to Ziegenhayn; thence north again to Cassel, to Munden with its + Defiles; and again east, or southeast, to Langensalza even: this chain has + above 150 miles of weak length; and various other grave faults to the eye + of Ferdinand,—especially this, that it is in the form, not of an + elbow only, or joiner's-square, which is entirely to be disapproved, but + even of two elbows; in fact, of the PROFILE OF A CHAIR [if readers had a + Map at hand]. FOOT of the chair is Frankfurt; SEAT part is from Marburg to + Ziegenhayn; BACK part, near where Ferdinand lies in chief force, is the + Cassel region, on to Munden, which is TOP of the back,—still + backwards from which, there is a kind of proud CURL or overlapping, down + to Langensalza in Gotha Country, which greedy Broglio has likewise grasped + at! Broglio's friends say he himself knew the faultiness of this zigzag + form, but had been overruled. Ferdinand certainly knows it, and proceeds + to act upon it. + </p> + <p> + "In profound silence, namely, ranks himself (FEBRUARY 1st-12th) in three + Divisions, wide enough asunder; bursts up sudden as lightning, at + Langensalza and elsewhere; kicks to pieces Broglio's Chair-Profile, kicks + out especially the bottom part which ruins both foot and back, these being + disjointed thereby, and each exposed to be taken in rear;—and of + course astonishes Broglio not a little; but does not steal his presence of + mind. + </p> + <p> + "So that, in effect, Broglio had instantly to quit Cassel and warm + lodging, and take the field in person; to burn his Magazines; and, at the + swiftest rate permissible, condense himself, at first partially about + Fulda (well down the leg of his chair), and then gradually all into one + mass near Frankfurt itself;—with considerable losses, loss + especially of all his Magazines, full or half full. And has now, except + Marburg, Ziegenhayn and Cassel, no post between Gottingen and him. + Ferdinand, with his Three Divisions, went storming along in the wild + weather, Granby as vanguard; pricking into the skirts of Broglio. Captured + this and that of Corps, of Magazines that had not been got burnt; laid + siege to Tassel, siege to Ziegenhayn; blocked Marburg, not having guns + ready: and, for some three or four weeks, was by the Gazetteer world and + general public thought to have done a very considerable feat;—though + to himself, such were the distances, difficulties of the season, of the + long roads, it probably seemed very questionable whether, in the end, any + feat at all. + </p> + <p> + "Cassel he could not take, after a month's siege under the best of + Siege-Captains; Ziegenhayn still less under one of the worst. Provisions, + ammunitions, were not to be had by force of wagonry: scant food for + soldiers, doubly scant the food of Sieges;"—"the road from + Beverungen [where the Weser-boats have to stop, which is 30 miles from + Cassel, perhaps 60 from Ziegenhayn, and perhaps 100 from the outmost or + southern-most of Ferdinand's parties] is paved with dead horses," nor has + even Cassel nearly enough of ammunition:—in a word, Broglio, finding + the time come, bursts up from his Frankfurt Position (March 14th-21st) in + a sharp and determined manner; drives Ferdinand's people back, beats the + Erbprinz himself one day (by surprisal, 'My compliment for Langensalza'), + and sets his people running. Ferdinand sees the affair to be over; and + deliberately retires; lucky, perhaps, that he still can deliberately: and + matters return to their old posture. Broglio resumes his quarters, + somewhat altered in shape, and not quite so grasping as formerly; and + beyond his half-filled Magazines, has lost nothing considerable, or more + considerable than has Ferdinand himself." [Tempelhof, v. 15-45; Mauvillon, + ii. 135-148.] + </p> + <p> + The vital element in Ferdinand's Adventure was the Siege of Cassel; all + had to fail, when this, by defect of means, under the best of management, + declared itself a failure. Siege Captain was a Graf von Lippe-Buckeburg, + Ferdinand's Ordnance-Master, who is supposed to be "the best Artillery + Officer in the world,"—and is a man of great mark in military and + other circles. He is Son and Successor of that fantastic Lippe-Buckeburg, + by whom Friedrich was introduced to Free-Masonry long since. He has + himself a good deal of the fantast again, but with a better basis of + solidity beneath it. A man of excellent knowledge and faculty in various + departments; strict as steel, in regard to discipline, to practice and + conduct of all kinds; a most punctilious, silently supercilious gentleman, + of polite but privately irrefragable turn of mind. A tall, lean, dusky + figure; much seen to by neighbors, as he stalks loftily through this + puddle of a world, on terms of his own. Concerning whom there circulates + in military circles this Anecdote, among many others;—which is set + down as a fact; and may be, whether quite believable or not, a symbol of + all the rest, and of a man not unimportant in these Wars. "Two years ago, + on King Friedrich's birthday, 24th January, 1759, the Count had a select + dinner-party in his tent in Ferdinand's Camp, in honor of the occasion. + Dinner was well over, and wine handsomely flowing, when somebody at last + thought of asking, 'What is it, then, Herr Graf, that whistling kind of + noise we hear every now and then overhead?' 'That is nothing,' said the + Graf, in his calm, dusky way: 'that is only my Artillery-people + practising; I have bidden them hit the pole of our tent if they can: + unhappily there is not the slightest danger. Push the bottles on.'" + [Archenholtz, ii. 356; Zimmermann, <i>Einsamkeit,</i> iii. 461; &c.] + Lippe-Buckeburg was Siege-Captain at Cassel; Commandant besieged was Comte + de Broglio, the Marshal's younger Brother, formerly in the Diplomatic + line;—whom we saw once, five years ago, at the Pirna Barrier, fly + into fine frenzy, and kick vainly against the pricks. Friedrich says once, + to D'Argens or somebody: "I hope we shall soon have Cassel, and M. le + Comte de Broglio prisoner" (deserves it for his fine frenzies, at Pirna + and since);—but that comfort was denied us. + </p> + <p> + Some careless Books say, Friedrich had at first good hopes of this + Enterprise; and "had himself lent 7,000 men to it:" which is the fact, but + not the whole fact. Friedrich had approved, and even advised this plan of + Ferdinand's, and had agreed to send 7,000 men to co-operate at + Langensalza,—which, so far out in Thuringen, and pointing as if to + the Reichsfolk, is itself an eye-sorrow to Friedrich. The issue we have + seen. His 7,000 went accordingly, under a General Syburg; met the + Ferdinand people (General Sporken head of these, and Walpole's "Conway" + one of them); found the Unstrut in flood, but crossed nevertheless; dashed + in upon the French and Saxons there, and made a brilliant thing of it at + Langensalza. [<i>Bericht von der bey Langensalza am 15 Februar 1761 + vorgefallenen Action</i> in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 75; Tempelhof, + v. 22-27.] Which done, Syburg instantly withdrew, leaving Sporken and his + Conways to complete the Adventure; and, for his part, set himself with his + whole might "to raising contributions, recruits, horses, proviants, over + Thuringen;" "which," says Tempelhof, "had been his grand errand there, and + in which he succeeded wonderfully." + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of Ferdinand's Affair, Cassel Siege now evidently like to + fail, Friedrich organized a small Expedition for his own behoof: + expedition into Voigtland, or Frankenland, against the intrusive + Reichs-people, who have not now a Broglio or Langensalza to look across + to, but are mischievous upon our outposts on the edge of the Voigtland + yonder. The expedition lasted only ten days (APRIL 1st it left quarters; + APRIL 11th was home again); a sharp, swift and very pretty expedition; + [Tempelhof, v. 48-57.] of which we can here say only that it was + beautifully impressive on the Reichs gentlemen, and sent their Croateries + and them home again, to Bamberg, to Eger, quite over the horizon, in a + considerably flurried state. After which there was no Small-War farther, + and everybody rested in cantonment, making ready till the Great should + come. + </p> + <p> + The Prussian wounded are all in Leipzig this Winter; a crowded stirring + Town; young Archenholtz, among many others, going about in convalescent + state,—not attending Gellert's course, that I hear of,—but + noticing vividly to right and left. Much difficulty about the + contributions, Archenholtz observes;—of course an ever-increasing + difficulty, here as everywhere, in regard to finance! From Archenholtz + chiefly, I present the following particulars; which, though in loose form, + and without date, except the general one of Winter 1760-1761, to any of + them, are to be held substantially correct. + </p> + <p> + ... "'It is impossible to pay that Contribution,' exclaim the Leipzigers: + 'you said, long since, it was to be 75,000 pounds on us by the year; and + this year you rise to 160,000 pounds; more than double!'—'Perhaps + that is because you favored the Reichsfolk while here?' answer the + Prussians, if they answer anything: 'It is the King's order. Pay it you + must.'—'Cannot; simply impossible.' 'Possible, we tell you, and also + certain; we will burn your Leipzig if you don't!' And they actually, these + Collector fellows, a stony-hearted set, who had a percentage of their own + on the sums levied, got soldiers drawn out more than once pitch-link in + hand, as if for immediate burning: hut the Leipzigers thought to + themselves, 'King Friedrich is not a Soltikof!' and openly laughed at + those pitch-links. Whereupon about a hundred of their Chief Merchants were + thrown into prison,—one hundred or so, riddled down in a day or two + to Seventeen; which latter Seventeen, as they stood out, were detained a + good many days, how many is not said, but only that they were amazingly + firm. Black-hole for lodging, bread-and-water for diet, straw for bed: + nothing would avail on the Seventeen: 'Impossible,' they answered always; + each unit of them, in sight of the other sixteen, was upon his honor, and + could not think of flinching. 'You shall go for soldiers, then;—possibly + you will prefer that, you fine powdered velvet gentlemen? Up then, and + march; here are your firelocks, your seventeen knapsacks: to the road with + us; to Magdeburg, there to get on drill!' Upon which the Seventeen, + horror-struck at such quasi-ACTUAL possibility, gave in. + </p> + <p> + "Magnanimous Gotzkowsky, who had come to Leipzig on business at the time + [which will give us a date for this by and by], and been solemnly applied + to by Deputation of the Rath, pleaded with his usual zealous fidelity on + their behalf; got various alleviations, abatements; gave bills:—'Never + was seen such magnanimity!' said the Leipzig Town-Council solemnly, as + that of Berlin, in October last, had done." [Archenholtz, ii. 187-192.] + </p> + <p> + Of course the difficulties, financial and other, are increasing every + Winter;—not on Friedrich's side only. Here, for instance, from the + Duchy of Gottingen, are some items in the French Account current, this + Winter, which are also furnished by Archenholtz:— + </p> + <p> + "For bed-ticking, 13,000 webs; of shirts ready-made, 18,000; shoes," I + forget in what quantity; but "from the poor little Town of Duderstadt 600 + pairs,—liability to instant flogging if they are not honest shoes; + flogging, and the whole shoemaker guild summoned out to see it." Hardy + women the same Duderstadt has had to produce: 300 of them, "each with + basket on back, who are carrying cannon-balls from the foundry at + Lauterberg to Gottingen, the road being bad." [Archenholtz, ii. 237.] + "These French are in such necessity," continues Archenholtz, "they spare + neither friend nor foe. The Frankish Circle, for example, pleads piteously + in Reichs Diet that it has already smarted by this War to the length of + 2,230,000 pounds, and entreats the Kaiser to bid Most Christian Majesty + cease HIS exactions,—but without the least result." Result! If Most + Christian Majesty and his Pompadour will continue this War, is it he, or + is it you, that can furnish the Magazines? "Magazine-furnishings, over all + Hessen and this part of Hanover, are enormous. Recruits too, native + Hessian, native Hanoverian, you shall furnish,—and 'We will hang + them, and do, if caught deserting' [to their own side]!" + </p> + <p> + I add only one other item from Archenholtz: "Mice being busy in these + Hanover Magazines, it is decided to have cats, and a requisition goes out + accordingly [cipher not given]: cats do execution for a time, but cannot + stand the confinement," are averse to the solitary system, and object + (think with what vocality!): "upon which Hanover has to send foxes and + weasels." [Ib. ii. 240] These guardian animals, and the 300 women laden + with cannon-balls from the forge, are the most peculiar items in the + French Account current, and the last I will mention. + </p> + <p> + Difficulty, quasi-impossibility, on the French side, there evidently is, + perhaps more than on any other. But Choiseul has many arts;—and his + Official existence, were there nothing more, demands that he do the + impossible now if ever. This Spring (26th March, 1761), to the surprise + and joy of mankind, there came formal Proposal, issuing from Choiseul, to + which Maria Theresa and the Czarina had to put their signatures; + regretting that the British-Prussian Proposal of last Year had, by ill + accident, fallen to the ground, and now repeating it themselves (real + "Congress at Augsburg," and all things fair and handsome) to Britannic and + Prussian Majesties. Who answered (April 3d) as before, "Nothing with more + willingness, we!" [The "Declaration" (of France &c.), with the Answer + or "Counter-Declaration," in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 12-16.] + </p> + <p> + And there actually did ensue, at Paris, a vivid Negotiating all Summer; + which ended, not quite in nothing, but in less, if we might say so. + Considerably less, for some of us. We shall have to look what end it had, + and Mauduit will look!—Most people, Pitt probably among the others, + came to think that Choiseul, though his France is in beggary, had no real + view from the first, except to throw powder in the eyes of France and + mankind, to ascertain for himself on what terms those English would make + Peace, and to get Spain drawn into his quarrel. A Choiseul with many arts. + But we will leave him and his Peace-Proposals, and the other rumors and + futilities of this Year. They are part of the sound and smoke which fill + all Years; and which vanish into next to nothing, oftenest into pure + nothing, when the Years have waited a little. Friedrich's finances, copper + and other, were got completed; his Armies too were once more put on a + passable footing;—and this Year will have its realities withal. + </p> + <p> + Gotzkowsky, in regard to those Leipzig Finance difficulties, yields me a + date, which is supplementary to some of the Archenholtz details. I find it + was "January 20th, 1761,"—precisely while the Saldern Interview, and + subsequent wreck of Hubertsburg, went on,—that "Gotzkowsky arrived + in Leipzig," [Rodenbeck, ii. 77.] and got those unfortunate Seventeen out + of ward, and the contributions settled. + </p> + <p> + And withal, at Paris, in the same hours, there went on a thing worth + noting. That January day, while Icilius was busy on the Schloss of + Hubertsburg, poor old Marechal de Belleisle,—mark him, reader!—"in + the Rue de Lille at Paris," lay sunk in putrid fever; and on the fourth + day after, "January 26th, 1761," the last of the grand old Frenchmen died. + "He had been reported dead three days before," says Barbier: "the public + wished it so; they laid the blame on him of this apparent" (let a cautious + man write it, "apparent) derangement in our affairs,"—instead of + thanking him for all he had done and suffered (loss of so much, including + reputation and an only Son) to repair and stay the same. "He was in his + 77th year. Many people say, 'We must wait three months, to see if we shall + not regret him,'"—even him! [Barbier, iv. 373; i. 154.] So generous + are Nations. + </p> + <p> + Marechal Duc de Belleisle was very wealthy: in Vernon Country, Normandy, + he had estates and chateaux to the value of about 24,000 pounds annually. + All these, having first accurately settled for his own debts, he, in his + grand old way, childless, forlorn, but loftily polite to the last, + bequeathed to the King. His splendid Paris Mansion he expressly left "to + serve in perpetuity as a residence for the Secretary of State in the + Department of War:" a magnificent Town-House it is, "HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE, at + the end of the Pont-Royal,"—which, I notice farther, is in our time + called "Hotel de CHOISEUL-PRASLIN,"—a house latterly become horrible + in men's memory, if my guess is right. + </p> + <p> + And thus vanishes, in sour dark clouds, the once great Belleisle. + Grandiose, something almost of great in him, of sublime,—alas, yes, + of too sublime; and of unfortunate beyond proportion, paying the debt of + many foregoers! He too is a notability gone out, the last of his kind. + Twenty years ago, he crossed the OEil-de-Boeuf with Papers, just setting + out to cut Teutschland in Four; and in the Rue de Lille, No. 54, with that + grandiose Enterprise drawing to its issue in universal defeat, disgrace, + discontent and preparation for the General Overturn (CULBUTE GENERALE of + 1789)) he closes his weary old eyes. Choiseul succeeds him as + War-Minister; War-Minister and Prime-Minister both in one;—and by + many arts of legerdemain, and another real spasm of effort upon Hanover to + do the impossible there, is leading France with winged steps the same + road. + </p> + <p> + Since March 17th, Friedrich was no longer in Leipzig. He left at that + time, for Meissen Country, and the Hill Cantonments,—organized there + his little Expedition into Voigtland, for behoof of the Reichsfolk;—and + did not return. Continued, mostly in Meissen Country, as the fittest for + his many businesses, Army-regulatings and other. Till the Campaign come, + we will remember of him nothing, but this little Note, and pleasant little + Gift, to his CHERE MAMAN, the day after his arrival in those parts:— + </p> + <p> + TO MADAM CAMAS (at Magdeburg, with the Queen). + </p> + <p> + "MEISSEN, 20th March, 1761. + </p> + <p> + "I send you, my dear Mamma, a little Trifle, by way of keepsake and + memento [Snuffbox of Meissen Porcelain, with the figure of a Dog on the + lid]. You may use the Box for your rouge, for your patches, or you may put + snuff in it, or BONBONS or pills: but whatever use you turn it to, think + always, when you see this Dog, the Symbol of Fidelity, that he who sends + it outstrips, in respect of fidelity and attachment to MAMAN, all the dogs + in the world; and that his devotion to you has nothing whatever in common + with the fragility of the material which is manufactured hereabouts. + </p> + <p> + "I have ordered Porcelain here for all the world, for Schonhausen [for + your Mistress, my poor uncomplaining Wife], for my Sisters-in-law; in + fact, I am rich in this brittle material only. And I hope the receivers + will accept it as current money: for, the truth is, we are poor as can be, + good Mamma; I have nothing left but honor, my coat, my sword, and + porcelain. + </p> + <p> + "Farewell, my beloved Mamma. If Heaven will, I shall one day see you again + face to face; and repeat to you, by word of mouth, what I have already + said and written; but, turn it and re-turn it as I may, I shall never, + except very incompletely, express what the feelings of my heart to you + are.—F." [Given in Rodenbeck, ii. 79; omitted, for I know not what + reason, in <i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xviii. 145: cited partly in Preuss, + ii. 282.] ——— + </p> + <p> + It was during this Winter, if ever it was, that Friedrich received the + following Letter from an aspiring Young Lady, just coming out, age + seventeen,—in a remote sphere of things. In "Sleepy Hollow" namely, + or the Court of Mirow in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, where we once visited with + Friedrich almost thirty years ago. The poor collapsed Duke has ceased + making dressing-gowns there; and this is his Niece, Princess Charlotte, + Sister to the now reigning Duke. + </p> + <p> + This Letter, in the translated form, and the glorious results it had for + some of us, are familiar to all English readers for the last hundred + years. Of Friedrich's Answer to it, if he sent one, we have no trace + whatever. Which is a pity, more or less;—though, in truth, the + Answer could only have been some polite formality; the Letter itself being + a mere breath of sentimental wind, absolutely without significance to + Friedrich or anybody else,—except always to the Young Lady herself, + to whom it brought a Royal Husband and Queenship of England, within a + year. Signature, presumably, this Letter once had; date of place, of day, + year, or even century (except by implication), there never was any: but + judicious persons, scanning on the spot, have found that the "Victory" + spoken of can only have meant Torgau; and that the aspiring Young Lady, + hitherto a School Girl, not so much as "confirmed" till a month or two + ago, age seventeen in May last, can only have I written it, at Mirow, in + the Winter subsequent. [Ludwig Giesebrecht,—DER FURSTENHOF IN MIROW + WUHREND DER JAHRE 1708-1761, in <i>Programm des vereinigten Koniglichen + und Stadt-Gymnasiums</i> for 1863 (Stettin, 1863), pp. 26-29,—enters + into a minute criticism.] Certain it is, in September NEXT, September, + 1761, directly after George III.'s Wedding, there appeared in the English + Newspapers, what doubtless had been much handed about in society before, + the following "TRANSLATION OF A LETTER, SAID TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY + PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBERG TO THE KING OF PRUSSIA, ON ONE OF HIS + VICTORIES,"—without farther commentary or remark of any kind; + everybody then understanding, as everybody still. So notable a Document + ought to be given in the Original as well (or in what passes for such), + and with some approach to the necessary preliminaries of time and place: + [From <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> (for October, 1761, xxxi. 447) we take, + verbatim, the TRANSLATION; from PREUSS (ii. 186) the "ORIGINAL," who does + not say where he got it,—whether from an old German Newspaper or + not.]— + </p> + <p> + [TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF PRUSSIA (in Leipzig, or Somewhere. or + Somewhere). + </p> + <p> + MIROW IN MECHLENBURG-STRELITZ, Winter of 1760-1761.] + </p> + <p> + "Sire!—Ich weiss nicht, ob ich uber Ewr. Majestat letzteren Sieg + frohlich odor traurig sein soll, weil eben der gluckliche Sieg, der neue + Lorbeern um Dero Scheitel geflochten hat, uber mein Vaterland Jammer und + Elend verbreitet. Ich weiss, Sire, in diesem unserm lasterhaft + verfeinerten Zeitalter werde ich verlacht werden, dass mein Herz uber das + Ungluck des Landes trauert, dass ich die Drangsale des Krieges beweine, + und von ganzer Seele die Ruckkehr des Friedens wunsche. Selbst Sie, Sire, + werden vielleicht denken, es schicke sich besser fur mich, mich in der + Kunst zu gefallen zu uben, oder mich nur um hausliche Angelegenheiten zu + bekummern. Allein dem seye wie ihm wolle, so fuhlt mein Herz zu sehr fur + diese Unglucklichen, um eine dringende Furbitte fur dieselben zuruck zu + halten. + </p> + <p> + "Seit wenigen Jahren hatte dieses Land die angenehmste Gestalt gewonnen. + Man traf keine verodete Stellen an. Alles war angebaut. Das Landvolk sah + vergnugt aus, und in den Stadten herrschte Wohlstand und Freude. Aber + welch' eine Veranderung gegen eine so angenehme Scene! Ich bin in + partheischen Beschreibungen nicht erfahren, noch weniger kann ich die + Grauel der Verwilstung mit erdichteten Schilderungen schrecklicher + darstellen. Allein gewiss selbst Krieger, welche ein edles Herz und Gefuhl + besitzen, wurden durch den Anblick dieser Scenen zu Thranen bewegt werden. + Das ganze Land, mein werthes Vaterland, liegt da gleich einer Wuste. Der + Ackerbau und die Viehzucht haben aufgehort. Der Bauer und der Hirt sind + Soldaten worden, und in den Stadten sieht man nur Greise, Weiber, und + Kinder, vielleicht noch hie und da einen jungen Mann, der aber durch + empfangene Wunden ein Kruppel ist und den ihn umgebenden kleinen Knaben + die Geschichte einer jeden Wunde mit einem so pathetischen Heldenton + erzahlt, dassihr Herz schon der Trommel folgt, ehe sie recht gehen konnen. + Was aber das Elend auf den hochsten Gipfel bringt, sind die immer + abwechselnden Vorruckungen und Zuruckziehungen beider Armeen, da selbst + die, so sich unsre Freunde nennen, beim Abzuge alles mitnehmen und + verheeren, und wenn sie wieder kommen, gleich viel wieder herbei geschafft + haben wollen. Von Dero Gerechtigkeit, Sire, hoffen wir Hulfe in dieser + aussersten Noth. An Sie, Sire, mogen auch Frauen, ja selbst Kinder ihre + Klagen bringen. Sie, die sich auch zur niedrigsten Klasse gutigst + herablassen, und dadurch, wenn es moglich ist, noch grosser werden, als + selbst durch ihre Siege, werden die meinigen nicht unerhort lassen und, + zur Ehre Dero eigenen Ruhmes, Bedruckungen und Drangsalen abhelfen, welche + wider alle Menschenliebe und wider alle gute Kriegszucht streiten. Ich bin + &c." + </p> + <p> + "MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, "I am at a loss whether I shall congratulate + or condole with you on your late victory; since the same success that has + covered you with laurels has overspread the Couutry of MecklenburgH with + desolation. I know, Sire, that it seems unbecoming my sex, in this age of + vicious refinement, to feel for one's Country, to lament the horrors of + war, or wish for the return of peace. I know you may think it more + properly my province to study the art of pleasing, or to turn my thoughts + to subjects of a more domestic nature: but, however unbecoming it may be + in me, I can't resist the desire of interceding for this unhappy people. + </p> + <p> + "It was but a very few years ago that this territory wore the most + pleasing appearance. The Country was cultivated, the peasant looked + cheerful, and the towns abounded with riches and festivity. What an + alteration at present from such a charming scene! I am not expert at + description, nor can my fancy add any horrors to the picture; but sure + even conquerors themselves would weep at the hideous prospect now before + me. The whole Country, my dear Country, lies one frightful waste, + presenting only objects to excite terror, pity and despair. The business + of the husbandman and the shepherd are quite discontinued; the husbandman + and the shepherd are become soldiers themselves, and help to ravage the + soil they formerly occupied. The towns are inhabited only by old men, + women and children; perhaps here and there a warrior, by wounds and loss + of limbs rendered unfit for service, left at his door; his little children + hang round him, ask a history of every wound, and grow themselves soldiers + before they find strength for the field. But this were nothing, did we not + feel the alternate insolence of either army, as it happens to advance or + retreat. It is impossible to express the confusion, even those who call + themselves our friends create. Even those from whom we might expect + redress, oppress us with new calamities. From your justice, therefore, it + is that we hope relief; to you even children and women may complain, whose + humanity stoops to the meanest petition, and whose power is capable of + repressing the greatest injustice. + </p> + <p> + "I am, Sire, &c." + </p> + <p> + It is remarked that this Young Lady, so amiably melodious in tone, though + she might address to King Friedrich, seems to be writing to the wind; and + that she gives nothing of fact or picture in regard to Mecklenburg, + especially to Mecklenburg-STRELITZ, but what is taken from her own + beautiful young brain. All operatic, vague, imaginary,—some of it + expressly untrue. [In Mecklenburg-SCHWERIN, which had always to smart sore + for its Duke and the line he took, the Swedes, this year, as usual (but, + TILL Torgau, with more hope than usual), had been trying for + winter-quarters: and had by the Prussians, as usual, been hunted out,—Eugen + of Wurtemberg speeding thither, directly after Torgau; Rostock his + winter-quarters;—who, doubtless with all rigor, is levying + contributions for Prussian behoof. But as to Mecklenburg-Strelitz,—see, + for example, in SCHONING, iii. 30 &c., an indirect but altogether + conclusive proof of the perfectly amicable footing now and always + subsisting there; Friedrich reluctant to intrude even with a small request + or solicitation, on Eugen's behalf, at this time.] So that latterly there + have been doubts as to its authenticity altogether. ["Boll, <i>Geschichte + Mecklenburgs mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Culturgeschichte</i> + (Neubrandenburg, 1856), ii. 303-305;"—cited by Giesebrecht, who + himself takes the opposite view.] And in fact the Piece has a good deal + the air of some School-Exercise, Model of Letter-writing, Patriotic + Aspiration or the like;—thrown off, shall we say, by the young + Parson of Mirow (Charlotte's late Tutor), with Charlotte there to SIGN; or + by some Patriotic Schoolmaster elsewhere, anywhere, in a moment of + enthusiasm, and without any Charlotte but a hypothetic one? Certainly it + is difficult to fancy how a modest, rational, practical young person like + Charlotte can have thought of so airy a feat of archery into the blue! + Charlotte herself never disavowed it, that I heard of; and to Colonel + Grahame the Ex-Jacobite, hunting about among potential Queens of England, + for behoof of Bute and of a certain Young King and King's Mother, the + Letter did seem abundantly unquestionable and adorable. Perhaps authentic, + after all;—and certainly small matter whether or not. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII.—SIXTH CAMPAIGN OPENS: CAMP OF BUNZELWITZ. + </h2> + <p> + To the outward observer Friedrich stands well at present, and seems again + in formidable posture. After two such Victories, and such almost + miraculous recovery of himself, who shall say what resistance he will not + yet make? In comparison with 1759 and its failures and disasters, what a + Year has 1760 been! Liegnitz and Torgau, instead of Kunersdorf and Maxen, + here are unexpected phenomena; here is a King risen from the deeps again,—more + incalculable than ever to contemporary mankind. "How these things will + end?" Fancy of what a palpitating interest THEN, while everybody watched + the huge game as it went on; though it is so little interesting now to + anybody, looking at it all finished! Finished; no mystery of chance, of + world-hope or of world-terror now remaining in it; all is fallen stagnant, + dull, distant;—and it will behoove us to be brief upon it. + </p> + <p> + Contemporaries, and Posterity that will make study, must alike admit that, + among the sons of men, few in any Age have made a stiffer fight than + Friedrich has done and continues to do. But to Friedrich himself it is + dismally evident, that year by year his resources are melting away; that a + year must come when he will have no resource more. Ebbing very fast, his + resources;—fast too, no doubt, those of his Enemies, but not SO + fast. They are mighty Nations, he is one small Nation. His thoughts, we + perceive, have always, in the background of them, a hue of settled black. + Easy to say, "Resist till we die;" but to go about, year after year, + practically doing it, under cloudy omens, no end of it visible ahead, is + not easy. Many men, Kings and other, have had to take that stern posture;—few + on sterner terms than those of Friedrich at present; and none that I know + of with a more truly stoical and manful figure of demeanor. He is long + used to it! Wet to the bone, you do not regard new showers; the one thing + is, reach the bridge before IT be swum away. + </p> + <p> + The usual hopes, about Turks, about Peace, and the like, have not been + wanting to Friedrich this Winter; mentionable as a trait of Friedrich's + character, not otherwise worth mention. Hope of aid from the Turks, it is + very strange to see how he nurses this fond shadow, which never came to + anything! Happily, it does not prevent, it rather encourages, the utmost + urgency of preparation: "The readier we are, the likelier are Turks and + everything!" Peace, at least, between France and England, after such a + Proposal on Choiseul's part, and such a pass as France has really got to, + was a reasonable probability. But indeed, from the first year of this War, + as we remarked, Peace has seemed possible to Friedrich every year; + especially from 1759 onward, there is always every winter a lively hope of + Peace:—"No slackening of preparation; the reverse, rather; but + surely the Campaign of next Summer will be cut short, and we shall all get + home only half expended!" [Schoning (IN LOCIS).] + </p> + <p> + Practically, Friedrich has been raising new Free-Corps people, been + recruiting, refitting and equipping, with more diligence than ever; and, + in spite of the almost impossibilities, has two Armies on foot, some + 96,000 men in all, for defence of Saxony and of Silesia,—Henri to + undertake Saxony, VERSUS Daun; Silesia, with Loudon and the Russians, to + be Friedrich's heavier share. The Campaign, of which, by the one party and + the other, very great things had been hoped and feared, seemed once as if + it would begin two months earlier than usual; but was staved off, a long + time, by Friedrich's dexterities, and otherwise; and in effect did not + begin, what we can call beginning, till two months later than usual. + Essentially it fell, almost all, to Friedrich's share; and turned out as + little decisive on him as any of its foregoers. The one memorable part of + it now is, Friedrich's Encampment at Bunzelwitz; which did not occur till + four months after Friedrich's appearance on the Field. And from the end of + April, when Loudon made his first attempt, till the end of August, when + Friedrich took that Camp, there was nothing but a series of attempts, all + ineffectual, of demonstrations, marchings, manoeuvrings and small events; + which, in the name of every reader, demand condensation to the utmost. If + readers will be diligent, here, so far as needful, are the prefatory + steps. + </p> + <p> + Since Fouquet's disaster, Goltz generally has Silesia in charge; and does + it better than expected. He was never thought to have Fouquet's talent in + him; but he shows a rugged loyalty of mind, less egoistic than the fiery + Fouquet's; and honestly flings himself upon his task, in a way pleasant to + look at: pleasant to the King especially, who recognizes in Goltz a + useful, brave, frank soul;—and has given him, this Spring, the ORDER + OF MERIT, which was a high encouragement to Goltz. In Silesia, after Kosel + last Year, there had been truce between Goltz and Loudon; which should + have produced repose to both; but did not altogether, owing to mistakes + that rose. And at any rate, in the end of April, Loudon, bursting suddenly + into Silesia with great increase to the forces already there, gave notice, + as per bargain, That "in 96 hours" the Truce would expire. And waiting + punctiliously till the last of said hours was run out, Loudon fell upon + Goltz (APRIL 25th, in the Schweidnitz-Landshut Country) with his usual + vehemence;—meaning to get hold of the Silesian Passes, and + extinguish Goltz (only 10 or 12,000 against 30,000), as he had done + Fouquet last Year. + </p> + <p> + But Goltz took his measures better; seized "the Gallows-Hill of + Hohenfriedberg," seized this and that; and stood in so forcible an + attitude, that Loudon, carefully considering, durst not risk an assault; + and the only result was: Friedrich hastened to relief of Goltz (rose from + Meissen Country MAY 3d), and appeared in Silesia six weeks earlier than he + had intended. But again took Cantonments there (Schweidnitz and + neighborhood);—Loudon retiring wholly, on first tidings of him, home + to Bohemia again. Home in Bohemia; at Braunau, on the western edge of the + Glatz Mountains,—there sits Loudon thenceforth, silent for a long + time; silently collecting an Army of 72,000, with strict orders from + Vienna to avoid fighting till the Russians come. Loudon has very high + intentions this Year. Intends to finish Silesia altogether;—cannot + he, after such a beginning upon Glatz last Year? That is the firm notion + at Vienna among men of understanding: ever-active Loudon the favorite + there, against a Cunctator who has been too cunctatory many times. + Liegnitz itself, was not that (as many opine) a disaster due to + cunctation, not of Loudon's? + </p> + <p> + Loudon is to be joined by 60,000 Russians, under a Feldmarschall + Butturlin, not under sulky Soltikof, this Year; junction to be in Upper + Silesia, in Neisse neighborhood. We take that Fortress," say the Vienna + people; "it is next on the file after Glatz. Neisse taken; thence + northward, cleaning the Country as we go; Brieg, Schweidnitz, Glogau, + probably Breslau itself in some good interim: there are but Four + Fortresses to do; and the thing is finished. Let the King, one to three, + and Loudon in command against him, try if he can hinder it!" This is the + Program in Vienna and in Petersburg. And, accordingly, the Russians have + got on march about the end of May; plodding on ever since, due hereabouts + before June end: "junction to be as near Neisse as you can: and no + fighting of the King, on any terms, till the Russians come." Never were + the Vienna people so certain before. Daun is to do nothing "rash" in + Saxony (a Daun not given that way, they can calculate), but is to guard + Loudon's game; carefully to reinforce, comfort and protect the brave + Loudon and his Russians till they win;—after which Saxony as rash as + you like. This is the Program of the Season:—readers feel what an + immensity of preliminary higglings, hitchings and manoeuvrings will now + demand to be suppressed by us! Read these essential Fractions, chiefly + chronological;—and then, at once, To Bunzelwitz, and the time of + close grips in Silesia here. + </p> + <p> + "Last Year," says a loose Note, which we may as well take with us, + "Tottleben did not go home with the rest, but kept hovering about, in + eastern Pommern, with a 10,000, all Winter; attempting several kinds of + mischief in those Countries, especially attempting to do something on + Colberg; which the Russians mean to besiege next Summer, with more + intensity than ever, for the Third, and, if possible, the last time. + 'Storm their outposts there,' thinks Tottleben, 'especially Belgard, the + chief outpost; girdle tighter and tighter the obstinate little crow's-nest + of a Colberg, and have it ready for besieging in good time.' Tottleben did + try upon the outposts, especially Belgard the chief one (January 18th, + 1761), but without the least success at Belgard; with a severe reproof + instead, Werner's people being broad awake: [Account of itt, <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + vi. 670.] upon which Tottleben and they made a truce, 'Peaceable till May + 12th;' till June 1st, it proved, about which time [which time, or + afterwards, as the Silesian crisis may admit!] we will look in on them + again." + </p> + <p> + MAY 3d, as above intimated, Friedrich hastened off for Silesia, quitted + Meissen that day, with an Army of some 50,000; pressingly intent to + relieve Goltz from his dangerous predicament there. This is one of + Friedrich's famed marches, done in a minimum of time and with a maximum of + ingenuity; concerning which I will remember only that, one night, "he + lodged again at Rodewitz, near Hochklrch, in the same house as on that + Occasion [what a thirty months to look back upon, as you sink to sleep!]—and + that no accident anywhere befell the March, though Daun's people, all + through Saxony and the Lausitz, were hovering on the flank,—apprehensive + chiefly lest it might mean a plunge INTO BOHEMIA, for relief of Goltz, + instead of what it did." For six weeks after that hard March, the King's + people got Cantonments again, and rested. + </p> + <p> + Prince Henri is left in Saxony, with Daun in huge force against him, Daun + and the Reich; between whom and Henri,—Seidlitz being in the field + again with Henri, Seidlitz and others of mark,—there fell out a + great deal of exquisite manoeuvring, rapid detaching and occasional sharp + cutting on the small scale; but nothing of moment to detain us here or + afterwards, We shall say only that Henri, to a wonderful extent, + maintained himself against the heavy overwhelming Daun and his Austrian + and Reichs masses; and that Napoleon, I know not after what degree of + study, pronounced this Campaign of 1761 to be the masterpiece of Henri, + and really a considerable thing, <i>"La campagne de 1761 est celle ou ce + Prince a vraiment montre des talents superieurs;</i> the Battle of + Freyberg [wait till next Year] nothing in comparison." [Montholon, <i>Memoires + de Napoleon,</i> vii. 324.] Which may well detain soldier-people upon it; + but must not us, in any measure. The result of Henri being what we said,—a + drawn game, or nearly so,—we will, without interference from him, + follow Friedrich and Goltz. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich and Goltz,—or, alas, it is very soon Friedrich alone; the + valiant Goltz soon perishing from his hand! After brief junction in + Schweidnitz Country, Friedrich detached Goltz to his old fortified Camp at + Glogau, there to be on watch. Goltz watching there, lynx-eyed, skilful, + volunteered a Proposal (June 22d): "Reinforce me to 20,000, your Majesty; + I will attack so and so of those advancing Russians!" Which his Majesty + straightway approved of, and set going. [Goltz's Letter to the King, + "Glogau, 22d June, 1761," is in Tempelhof (v. 88-90), who thinks the plan + good.] Goltz thereupon tasked all his energies, perhaps overmuch; and it + was thought might at last really have done something for the King, in this + matter of the Russians still in separate Divisions,—a thing feasible + if you have energy and velocity; always unfeasible otherwise. But, alas, + poor Goltz, just when ready to march, was taken with sudden violent fever, + the fruit probably of overwork; and, in that sad flame, blazed away his + valiant existence in three or four days:-gone forever, June 30th, 1761; to + the regret of Friedrich and of many. + </p> + <p> + Old Ziethen was at once pushed on, from Glogau over the frontier, to + replace Goltz; but, I doubt, had not now the requisite velocity: Ziethen + merely manoeuvred about, and came home "attending the Russians," as Henri, + Dohna and others had done. The Russians entered Silesia, from the + northeast or Polish side, without difficulty; and (July 15th-20th) were + within reach of Breslau and of an open road to southward, and to junction + with Loudon, who is astir for them there. About Breslau they linger and + higgle, at their leisure, for three weeks longer: and if their junction + with the Austrians "in Neisse neighborhood" is to be prevented or impeded, + it is Friedrich, not Ziethen, that will have to do it. + </p> + <p> + Junction in Neisse neighborhood (Oppeln, where it should have been, which + is some 35 miles from Neisse), Friedrich did, by velocity and dexterity, + contrive to prevent; but junction somewhere he probably knows to be + inevitable. These are among Friedrich's famed marches and manoeuvrings, + these against the swift Loudon and his slow Russians; but we will not + dwell on them. My readers know the King's manner in such cases; have + already been on two Marches with him, and even in these same routes and + countries. We will say only, that the Russians were and had been very + dilatory; Loudon much the reverse; and their and Loudon's Adversary still + more. That, for five days, the Russians, at length close to Breslau + (August 6th-11th), kept vaguely cannonading and belching noise and + apprehension upon the poor City, but without real damage to it, and as if + merely to pass the time; and had gradually pushed out fore-posts, as far + as Oppeln, towards Loudon, up their safe right bank of Oder. That Loudon, + on the first glimpse of these, had made his best speed Neisse-ward; and + did a march or two with good hope; but at Munsterberg (July 22d), on the + morning of the third or fourth day's march, was astonished to see + Friedrich ahead of him, nearer Neisse than he; and that in Neisse Country + there was nothing to be done, no Russian junction possible there. + </p> + <p> + "Try it in Schweidnitz Country, then!" said Loudon. The Russians leave off + cannonading Breslau; cross Oder, about Auras or Leubus (August 11th-12th); + and Loudon, after some finessing, marches back Schweidnitz-way, + cautiously, skilfully; followed by Friedrich, anxious to prevent a + junction here too or at lowest to do some stroke before it occur. A great + deal of cunning marching, shifting and manoeuvring there is, for days + round Schweidnitz on all sides; encampings by Friedrich, now Liegnitz + head-quarter, now Wahlstadt, now Schonbrunn, Striegau;—without the + least essential harm to Loudon or likelihood increasing that the junction + can be hindered. No offer of battle either; Loudon is not so easy to beat + as some. The Russians come on at a snail's pace, so Loudon thinks it, who + is extremely impatient; but makes no mistakes in consequence, keeps + himself safe (Kunzendorf, on the edge of the Glatz Hills, his main post), + and the roads open for his heavy-footed friends. + </p> + <p> + In Nicolstadt, a march from Wahlstadt, 16th August, there are 60,000 + Russians in front of Friedrich, 72,000 Austrians in rear: what can he, + with at the very utmost 57,000, do against them? Now was the time to have + fallen upon the King, and have consumed him between two fires, as it is + thought might have been possible, had they been simultaneous, and both of + them done it with a will. But simultaneity was difficult, and the will + itself was wanting, or existed only on Loudon's side. Nothing of the kind + was attempted on the confederate part, still less on Friedrich's,—who + stands on his guard, and, from the Heights about, has at last, to witness + what he cannot hinder. Sees both Armies on march; Austrians from the + southeast or Kunzendorf-Freyberg side, Russians from the northeast or + Kleinerwitz side, wending in many columns by the back of Jauer and the + back of Liegnitz respectively; till (August 18th) they "join hands," as it + is termed, or touch mutually by their light troops; and on the 19th + (Friedrich now off on another scheme, and not witnessing), fall into one + another's arms, ranked all in one line of posts. [Tempelhof, v. 58-150.] + "Can the Reichshofrath say our junction is not complete?" And so ends what + we call the Prefatory part; and the time of Close Grips seems to be come!—Friedrich + has now nothing for it but to try if he cannot possibly get hold of + Kunzendorf (readers may look in their Map), and cut off Loudon's staff of + bread; Loudon's, and Butturlin's as well; for the whole 130,000 are now to + be fed by Loudon, and no slight task he will find it. By rushing direct on + Kunzendorf with such a velocity as Friedrich is capable of, it is thought + he might have managed Kunzendorf; but he had to mask his design, and march + by the rear or east side of Schweidnitz, not by the west side: "They will + think I am making off in despair, intending for the strong post of Pilzen + there, with Schweidnitz to shelter me in front!" hoped Friedrich (morning + of the 19th), as he marched off on that errand. But on approaching in that + manner, by the bow, he found that Loudon had been quite sceptical of such + despair, and at any rate had, by the string, made sure of Kunzendorf and + the food-sources. August 20th, at break of day, scouts report the + Kunzendorf ground thoroughly beset again, and Loudon in his place there. + No use marching thitherward farther:—whither now, therefore? + </p> + <p> + Friedrich knows Pilzen, what an admirable post it really is; except only + that Schweidnitz will be between the enemy and him, and liable to be + besieged by them; which will never do! Friedrich, on the moment of that + news from Kunzendorf, gets on march, not by the east side (as intended + till the scouts came in), but by the west or exposed side of Schweidnitz:—he + stood waiting, ready for either route, and lost not a moment on his scouts + coming in. All upon the road by 3 A.M. August 20th; and encamps, still at + an early hour, midway between Schweidnitz and Striegau: right wing of him + at Zedlitz (if the reader look on his Map), left wing at Jauernik; + headquarters, Bunzelwitz, a poor Village, celebrated ever since in + War-annals. And begins (that same evening, the earlier or RESTED part of + him begins) digging and trenching at a most extraordinary rate, according + to plan formed; no enemy taking heed of him, or giving the least + molestation. This is the world-famous Camp of Bunzelwitz, upon which it is + worth while to dwell for a little. + </p> + <p> + To common eyes the ground hereabouts has no peculiar military strength: a + wavy champaign, with nothing of abrupt or high, much of it actual plain, + excellent for cavalry and their work;—this latter, too, is an + advantage, which Friedrich has well marked, and turns to use in his + scheme. The area he takes in is perhaps some seven or eight miles long, by + as many broad. On the west side runs the still-young Striegau Water, + defensive more or less; and on the farther bank of it green little Hills, + their steepest side stream-ward. Inexpugnable Schweidnitz, with its stores + of every kind, especially with its store of cannon and of bread, is on the + left or east part of the circuit; in the intervening space are peaceable + farm-villages, spots of bog; knolls, some of them with wood. Not a + village, bog, knoll, but Friedrich has caught up, and is busy profiting + by. "Swift, BURSCHE, dig ourselves in here, and be ready for any quotity + and quantity of them, if they dare attack!" + </p> + <p> + And 25,000 spades and picks are at work, under such a Field-Engineer as + there is not in the world when he takes to that employment. At all hours, + night and day, 25,000 of them: half the Army asleep, other half digging, + wheeling, shovelling; plying their utmost, and constant as Time himself: + these, in three days, will do a great deal of spade-work. Batteries, + redoubts, big and little; spare not for digging. Here is ground for + Cavalry, too; post them here, there, to bivouac in readiness, should our + Batteries be unfortunate. Long Trenches there are, and also short; + Batteries commanding every ingate, and under them are Mines: "We will blow + you and our Batteries both into the air, in case of capture!" think the + Prussians, the common men at least, if Friedrich do not. "Mines, and that + of being blown into the air," says Tempelhof, "are always very terrible to + the common man." In places there are "Trenches 16 feet broad, by 16 deep," + says an admiring Archenholtz, who was in it: "and we have two of those + FLATTERMINEN (scatter-mines," blowing-up apparatuses) "to each battery." + [Archenholtz, ii. 262 &c.] + </p> + <p> + "Bunzelwitz, Jauernik, Tschechen and Peterwitz, all fortified," continues + Archenholtz; "Wurben, in the centre, is like a citadel, looking down upon + Striegau Water. Heavy cannon, plenty of them, we have brought from + Schweidnitz: we have 460 pieces of cannon in all and 182 mines. Wurben, + our citadel and centre, is about five miles from Schweidnitz. Our + intrenchments"—You already heard what gulfs some of them were!" + Before the lines are palisades, storm-posts, the things we call Spanish + Horse (CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE);—woods we have in abundance in our Circuit, + and axes busy for carpentries of that kind. There are four intrenched + knolls; 24 big batteries, capable of playing beautifully, all like pieces + in a concert." Four knolls elaborately intrenched, clothed with cannon; + founded upon FLATTER-mines: try where you will to enter, such torrents of + death-shot will converge on you, and a concert of 24 big batteries begin + their music!— + </p> + <p> + On the third day, Loudon, looking into this thing, which he has not minded + hitherto, finds it such a thing as he never dreamt of before. A thing + strong as Gibraltar, in a manner;—which it will be terribly + difficult to attack with success! For eight days more Friedrich did not + rest from his spadework; made many changes and improvements, till he had + artificially made a very Stolpen of it, a Plauen, or more. Cogniazzo, the + AUSTRIAN VETERAN, says: "Plauen, and Daun's often ridiculed precautions + there, were nothing to it. Not as if Bunzelwitz had been so inaccessible + as our sheer rocks there; but because it is a masterpiece of Art, in which + the principles of tactics are combined with those of field-fortification, + as never before." Tielke grows quite eloquent on it: "A masterpiece of + judgment in ground," says he; "and the treatment of it a model of sound, + true and consummate field-engineering." [Tielke, iii. BUNZELWITZ (which is + praised as an attractive Piece); OESTERREICHISCHER VETERAN, iv. 79: cited + in PREUSS, ii. 285.] + </p> + <p> + Ziethen, appointed to that function, watches on the Heights of Wurben, the + citadel of the place: keeps a sharp eye to the southwest. All round, in + huge half-moon on the edge of the Hills over there, six or more miles from + Ziethen, lie the angry Enemies; Austrians south and nearest, about + Kunzendorf and Freyberg. Russians are on the top of Striegau Hills, which + are well known to some of us; Russian head-quarter is Hohenfriedberg,—who + would have thought it, Herr General von Ziethen? Sixteen years ago, we + have seen these Heights in other tenancy: Austrian field-music and + displayed banners coming down; a thousand and a thousand Austrian + watch-fires blazing out yonder, in the silent June night, eve of such a + Day! Baireuth Dragoons and their No. 67;—you will find the Baireuth + Dragoons still here in a sense, but also in a sense not. Their fencing + Chasot is gone to Lubeck long since; will perhaps pay Friedrich a visit by + and by: their fiery Gessler is gone much farther, and will never visit + anybody more! Many were the reapers then, and they are mostly gone to + rest. Here is a new harvest; the old SICKLES are still here; but the hands + that wielded them—! "Steady!" answers the Herr General; profoundly + aware of all that, but averse to words upon it. + </p> + <p> + Fancy Loudon's astonishment, on the third day: "While we have sat + consulting how to attack him, there is he,—unattackable, shall we + say?" Unattackable, Loudon will not consent to think him, though Butturlin + has quite consented. "Difficult, murderous," thinks Loudon; "but possible, + certain, could Butturlin but be persuaded!" And tries all his rhetoric on + Butturlin: "Shame on us!" urges the ardent Loudon: "Imperial and Czarish + Majesties; Kriegshofrath, Russian Senate; Vienna, Petersburg, Versailles + and all the world,—what are they expecting of us? To ourselves it + seemed certain, and here we sit helplessly gazing!" Loudon is very + diligent upon Butturlin: "Do but believe that it is possible. A plan can + be made; many plans: the problem is solved, if only your Excellency will + believe." Which Butturlin never quite will. + </p> + <p> + Nobody knows better than Friedrich in what perilous crisis he now stands: + beaten here, what army or resource has he left? Silesia is gone from him; + by every likelihood, the game is gone. This of Bunzelwitz is his last + card; this is now his one stronghold in the world:—we need not say + if he is vigilant in regard to this. From about the fourth day, when his + engineering was only complete in outline, he particularly expects to be + attacked. On the fifth night he concludes it will be; knowing Loudon's + way. Towards sunset, that evening (August 25th), all the tents are struck: + tents, cookeries, every article of baggage, his own among the rest, are + sent to Wurben Heights (to Schweidnitz, Archenholtz says; but has + misremembered): the ground cleared for action. And horse and foot, every + man marches out, and stands ready under arms. + </p> + <p> + Contrary to everybody's expectation, not a shot was heard, that night. Nor + the next night, nor the next: but the practice of vigilance was continued. + Punctual as mathematics: at a given hour of the afternoon, tents are all + struck; tents and furnitures, field swept clear; and the 50,000 in their + places wait under arms. Next morning, nothing having fallen out, the tents + come back; the Army (half of it at once, or almost the whole of it, + according to aspects) rests, goes to sleep if it can. By night there is + vigilance, is work, and no sleep. It is felt to be a hard life, but a + necessary. + </p> + <p> + Nor in these labors of detail is the King wanting; far from it; the King + is there, as ear and eye of the whole. For the King alone there is, near + the chief Battery, "on the Pfarrberg, namely, in the clump of trees + there," a small Tent, and a bundle of straw where he can lie down, if + satisfied to do so. If all is safe, he will do so; but perhaps even still + he soon awakens again; and strolls about among his guard-parties, or warms + himself by their fires. One evening, among the orders, is heard this item: + "And remember, a lock of straw, will you,—that I may not have to + sleep on the ground, as last night!" [Seyfarth, ii. 16 n.] Many anecdotes + are current to this day, about his pleasant homely ways and affabilities + with the sentry people, and the rugged hospitalities they would show him + at their watch-fires. "Good evening, children." "The same to thee, Fritz." + "What is that you are cooking?"—and would try a spoonful of it, in + such company; while the rough fellows would forbid smoking, "Don't you + know he dislikes it?" "No, smoke away!" the King would insist. + </p> + <p> + Mythical mainly, these stories; but the dialect of them true; and very + strange to us. Like that of an Arab Sheik among his tribesmen; like that + of a man whose authority needs no keeping up, but is a Law of Nature to + himself and everybody. He permits a little bantering even; a rough joke + against himself, if it spring sincerely from the complexion of the fact. + The poor men are terribly tired of this work: such bivouacking, packing, + unpacking; and continual waiting for the tug of battle, which never comes. + Biscuits, meal are abundant enough; but flesh-meat wearing low; above all, + no right sleep to be had. Friedrich's own table, I should think, is very + sparingly beset ("A cup of chocolate is my dinner on marching-days," wrote + he once, this Season); certainly his Lodging,—damp ground, and the + straw sometimes forgotten,—is none of the best. And thus it has to + last, night after night and day after day. On September 8th, General Bulow + went out for a little butcher's-meat; did bring home "200 head of neat + cattle [I fear, not very fat] and 300 sheep." [Tempelhof, v. 172.] + </p> + <p> + Loudon, all this while, is laboring, as man seldom did, to bring Butturlin + to the striking place; who continues flaccid, Loudon screwing and + rescrewing, altogether in vain. Loudon does not deny the difficulty; but + insists on the possibility, the necessity: Councils of War are bid, + remonstrances, encouragements. "We will lend you a Corps," answers + Butturlin; "but as to our Army cooperating,—except in that far-off + way, it is too dangerous!" Meanwhile provisions are running low; the time + presses. A formal Plan, presented by the ardent Loudon,—Loudon + himself to take the deadlier part,—"Mark it, noble Russian + gentlemen; and you to have the easier!"—surely that is loyal, and + not in the old cat's-paw way? But in that, too, there is an offence. + Butturlin and the Russians grumble to themselves: "And you to take all the + credit, as you did at Kunersdorf? A mere adjunct, or auxiliary, we: and we + are a Feldmarschall; and you, what is your rank and seniority?" In short, + they will not do it; and in the end coldly answer: "A Corps, if you like; + but the whole Army, positively no." Upon which Loudon goes home half mad; + and has a colic for eight-and-forty hours. This was September 2d; the + final sour refusal;—nearly heart-breaking to Loudon. Provisions are + run so low withal: the Campaign season all but done; result, nothing: not + even an attempt at a result. + </p> + <p> + No Prussian, from Friedrich downwards, had doubted but the attack would + be: the grand upshot and fiery consummation of these dark continual + hardships and nocturnal watchings. Thrice over, on different nights, the + Prussians imagined Loudon to have drawn out, intending actual business; + and thrice over to have drawn in again,—instead of once only, as was + the fact, and then taken colic. [Tempelhof, v. 170.] Friedrich's own + notion, that "over dinner, glass in hand," the two Generals had, in the + enthusiasm of such a moment, agreed to do it, but on sober inspection + found it too dubious, [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> v. 125.] appears to be + ungrounded. Whether they could in reality have stormed him, had they all + been willing, is still a question; and must continue one. Wednesday + evening, 9th September, there was much movement noticeable in the Russian + camp; also among the Austrian, there are regiments, foot and horse, coming + down hitherward. "Meaning to try it then?" thought Friedrich, and got at + once under arms. Suppositions were various; but about 10 at night, the + whole Russian Camp went up in flame; and, next morning, the Russians were + not there. + </p> + <p> + Russian main Army clean gone; already got to Jauer, as we hear; and Beck + with a Division to see them safe across the Oder;—only Czernichef + and 20,000 being left, as a Corps of Loudon's. Who, with all Austrians, + are quiet in their Heights of Kunzendorf again. And thus, on the twentieth + morning, September 10th, this strange Business terminated. Shot of those + batteries is drawn again; powder of those mines lifted out again: no + firing of your heavy Artillery at all, nor even of your light, after such + elaborate charging and shoving of it hither and thither for the last three + weeks. The Prussians cease their bivouacking, nightly striking of tents; + and encamp henceforth in a merely human manner; their "Spanish Riders" + (FRISIAN Horse, CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE, others of us call them), their + Storm-pales and elaborate wooden Engineerings, they gradually burn as fuel + in the cold nights; finding Loudon absolutely quiescent, and that the + thing is over, for the present. One huge peril handsomely staved away, + though so many others impend. + </p> + <p> + By way of accelerating Butturlin, Friedrich, next day, September 11th, + despatched General Platen with some 8,000 (so I will guess them from + Tempelhof's enumeration by battalions), to get round the flank of + Butturlin, and burn his Magazines. Platen, a valiant skilful person, did + this business, as he was apt to do, in a shining style; shot dexterously + forward by the skirts of Butturlin; heard of a big WAGENBURG or Travelling + Magazine of his, at Gostyn over the Polish Frontier; in fact, his + travelling bread-basket, arranged as "Wagon-fortress" in and round some + Convent there, with trenches, brick walls, cannon and defence considered + strong enough for so important a necessary of the road. September 15th, + Platen, before cock-crow, burst out suddenly on this Wagon-fortress, with + its cannons, trenches, brick walls and defensive Russians; stormed into it + with extraordinary fury: "Fixed bayonets," ordered he at the main point of + their defence, "not a shot till they are tumbled out!"—tumbled them + out accordingly, into flight and ruin; took of prisoners 1,845, seven + cannon, and burnt the 5,000 provender wagons, which was the soul of the + adventure; and directly got upon the road again. [Tempelhof, v. 281-293; + <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vi. 643-649.] Detachments of him then fell on + Posen, on Posen and other small Russian repositories in those parts,—hay-magazines, + biscuit-stores soldiers' uniforms; distributed or burnt the same;—completely + destroying the travelling haversack or general road-bag of Butturlin; a + Butturlin that will have to hasten forward or starve. + </p> + <p> + Which done, Platen (not waiting the King's new orders, but anticipating + them, to the King's great contentment) marched instantly, with his best + speed and skilfulest contrivance of routes and methods, not back to the + King, but onward towards Colberg,—(which he knows, as readers shall + anon, to be much in need of him at present);—and without injury, + though begirt all the way by a hurricane of Cossacks and light people + doing their utmost upon him, arrived there September 25th; victoriously + cutting in across the Besieging Party: and will again be visible enough + when we arrive there. Indignant Butturlin chased violently, eager to + punish Platen; but could get no hold: found Platen was clear off, to + Pommern,—on what errand Butturlin knew well, if not so well what to + do in consequence. "Reinforce our poor Besiegers there, and again + reinforce [to enormous amounts, 40,000 of them in the end];—get + bread from them withal:—and, before long, flow bodily thitherward, + for bread to ourselves and for their poor sake!" That, on the whole, was + what Butturlin did. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich stayed at Bunzelwitz above a fortnight after Butturlin. "Why did + not Friedrich stay altogether, and wait here?" said some, triumphantly + soon after. That was not well possible. His Schweidnitz Magazine is worn + low; not above a month's provision now left for so many of us. The rate of + sickness, too, gets heavier and heavier in this Bunzelwitz Circuit. In + fine, it is greatly desirable that Loudon, who has nothing but Bohemia for + outlook, should be got to start thither as soon as possible, and be + quickened homeward. September 25th-26th, Friedrich will be under way + again. + </p> + <p> + And, in the mean while, may not we employ this fortnight of quiescence in + noting certain other things of interest to him and us which have occurred, + or are occurring, in other parts of the Field of War? Of Henri in Saxony + we undertook to say nothing; and indeed hitherto,—big Daun with his + Lacys and Reichsfolk, lying so quiescent, tethered by considerations (Daun + continually detaching, watching, for support of his Loudon and Russians + and their thrice-important operation, which has just had such a finish),—there + could almost nothing be said. Nothing hitherto, or even henceforth, as it + proves, except mutual vigilances, multifarious bickerings, manoeuvrings, + affairs of posts: sharp bits of cutting (Seidlitz, Green Kleist and other + sharp people there); which must not detain us in such speed. But there are + two points, the Britannic-French Campaign, and the Third Siege of Colberg; + which in no rate of speed could be quite omitted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OF FERDINAND'S BATTLE OF VELLINGHAUSEN (15th-16th July); AND THE CAMPAIGN + 1761. + </h2> + <p> + Vellinghausen is a poor little moory Hamlet in Paderborn Country, near the + south or left bank of the Lippe River; lies to the north of Soest,—some + 15 miles to your left-hand there, as you go by rail from Aachen to + Paderborn;—but nobody now has ever heard of it at Soest or + elsewhere, famous as it once became a hundred years ago. Ferdinand had + taken a singular position there, in the early days of July, 1761. Here is + brief Notice of that Affair, and of some results, or adjuncts, still more + important, which it had:— + </p> + <p> + "This Year, Ferdinand's Campaign is more difficult than ever; Choiseul + having made a quite spasmodic effort towards Hanover, while negotiating + for Peace. Two Armies, counting together 160,000 men, in great + completeness of equipment, Choiseul has got on foot, against Ferdinand's + of 95,000. Had a fine dashing plan, too;—devised by himself + (something of a Soldier he too, and full of what the mess-rooms call + 'dash');—not so bad a Plan of the dashing kind, say judges. But it + was marred sadly in one point: That Broglio, on issuing from his Hessian + Winter-quarters, is not to be sole General; that Soubise, from the + Lower-Rhine Country, is to be Co-General;—such the inexorable will + of Pompadour. This clause of the business Ferdinand, at an early stage, + appears to have guessed or discerned might, for him, be the saving clause. + </p> + <p> + "Now, as formerly, Ferdinand's first grand business is to guard Lippstadt,—guard + it now from these two Generals:—and, singular to see, instead of + opposing the junction of them, he has submitted cheerfully to let them + join. And in the course of a week or two after taking the field, is found + to be on the western or outmost flank of Soubise, crushing him up towards + Broglio, not otherwise! And has, partly by accident, taken a position at + Vellinghausen which infinitely puzzles Broglio and Soubise, when they rush + into junction at Soest (July 6th) and study the thing, with their own + eyes, for eight whole days, in concert.' What continual reconnoitring, + galloping about of high-plumed gentlemen together or apart; what + MEMOIR-ing, mutual consulting, beating of brains, to little purpose, + during those eight days!— + </p> + <p> + "Ferdinand stands in moory difficult ground, length of him about eight + miles, looking eastward; with his left at Vellinghausen and the Lippe; + centre of him is astride of the Ahse (centre partly, and right wing + wholly, are on the south side of Ahse), which is a branch of Lippe; and in + front, he has various little Hamlets, Kirch-Denkern [KIRCH-Denkern, for + there are three or four other Denkerns thereabouts], Scheidingen, Wambeln + and others; and his right wing is covered farther by a quaggy brook, which + runs into the above-said Ahse, and is a SUB-branch of Lippe. At most of + these Villages Ferdinand has thrown up something of earthworks: there are + bogs, rough places, woods; all are turned to advantage. Ferdinand is in a + strongish, but yet a dangerous position; and will give difficulties, and + does give endless dubieties, to these high-plumed gentlemen galloping + about with their spy-glasses for eight days. One possibility they pretty + soon discern in him: His left flank rests on Lippe, yes; but his right + flank is in the air, has nothing to rest on;—here surely is some + possibility for us? A strong Position, that of his; but if driven out of + it by any method, he has no retreat; is tumbled back into the ANGLE where + Ahse and Lippe meet, and into the little Town of Hamm there, where his + Magazine is. What a fate for him, if we succeed!— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"Ferdinand, by the incessant reconnoitring and other symptoms, judges +what is coming; concludes he will be attacked in this posture of his; +and on the whole, what critics now reckon very wise and very courageous +of him, determines to stand his chance in it. The consultations of +Broglio and Soubise are a thing unique to look upon; spread over volumes +of Official Record, and about a volume and a half even of BOURCET, where +it is still almost amusing to read; [<i>Memoires Historiques</i> (that is to +say, for most part, Selection of Official Papers) <i>sur la Guerre que les +Francais ont soutenue en Allemagne depuis 1757 jusqu'au 1762</i>: par +M. de Bourcet, Lieutenant-General des Armees du Roi (3 tomes, Paris, +1792);—worthily done; but occupied, two-thirds of it, with this +Vellinghausen and the paltry "Campaign of 1761"!] and ending in helpless +downbreak on both parts. Of strategic faculty nobody supposes they +had much, and nearly all of it is in Broglio; Soubise being strong in +Court-favor only. Exquisitely polite they both strive to be; and +under the exquisite politeness, what infirmities of temper, splenetic +suspicions, and in fact mutual hatred lay hidden, could never be +accurately known. 'Attack him, Sunday next; on the 13th!' so, at the +long last, both of them had said. And then, on more reflection, Broglio +afterwards: 'Or not till the 15th, M. le Prince; till I reconnoitre ye + and drive in his outposts?' 'M. le Marechal's will is always mine: +Tuesday, 15th, reconnoitre him, drive him in; be it so, then!' answers +Soubise, with extreme politeness,—but thinking in his own mind (or +thought to be thinking), 'Wants to do it himself, or to get the credit +of doing it, as in former cases; and bring me into disgrace!' Not quite +an insane notion either, on Soubise's part, say some who have looked +into the Broglio-Soubise Controversy;—which far be it from any of us, +at this or at any time, to do. Here are the facts that ensued. +</pre> + <p> + "TUESDAY, JULY 15th, 1761, Broglio reconnoitred with intensity all day, + drove in all Ferdinand's outposts; and about six in the evening, seeing + hope of surprise, or spurred by some notion of doing the feat by himself, + suddenly burst into onslaught on Ferdinand's Position: 'Vellinghausen + yonder, and the woody strengths about,—could not we get hold of + that; it would be so convenient to-morrow morning!' Granby and the English + are in camp about Vellinghausen; and are taken quite on the sudden: but + they drew out rapidly, in a state of bottled indignation, and fought, all + of them,—Pembroke's Brigade of Horse, Cavendish's of Foot, + BERG-SCHOTTEN, Maxwell's Brigade and the others, in a highly satisfactory + way,—'MIT UNBESCHREIBLICHER TAPFERKEIT,' says Mauvillon on this + occasion again. Broglio truly has burst out into enormous cannonade, + musketade and cavalry-work, in this part; and struggles at it, almost four + hours,—a furious, and especially a very noisy business, charging, + recharging through the woods there;—but, met in this manner, finds + he can make nothing of it; and about 10 at night, leaves off till a new + morning. + </p> + <p> + "Next morning, about 4, Broglio, having diligently warned Soubise + overnight, recommenced; again very fiercely, and with loud cannonading; + but with result worse than before. Ferdinand overnight, while Broglio was + warning Soubise, had considerably strengthened his left wing here,—by + detachments from the right or Anti-Soubise wing; judging, with good + foresight, how Soubise would act. And accordingly, while poor Broglio kept + storming forward with his best ability, and got always hurled back again, + Soubise took matters easy; 'had understood the hour of attack to be' + so-and-so, 'had understood' this and that; and on the whole, except + summoning or threatening, in the most languid way, one outlying redoubt + ('redoubt of Scheidingen') on Ferdinand's right wing, did nothing, or next + to nothing, for behoof of his Broglio. Who, hour after hour, finds himself + ever worse bested;—those Granby people proving 'indescribable' once + more [their Wutgenau also with his Hanoverians NOT being absent, as they + rather were last night];—and about 10 in the morning gives up the + bad job; and sets about retiring. If retiring be now permissible; which it + is not altogether. Ferdinand, watching intently through his glass the now + silent Broglio, discerns 'Some confusion in the Marechal yonder!'—and + orders a general charge of the left wing upon Broglio; which considerably + quickened his retreat; and broke it into flight, and distressful wreck and + capture, in some parts,—Regiment ROUGE, for one item, falling + wholly, men, cannon, flags and furniture, to that Maxwell and his Brigade. + </p> + <p> + "Ferdinand lost, by the indistinct accounts, 'from 1,500 to 2,000:' + Broglio's loss was 'above 5,000; 2,000 of them prisoners.' Soubise, for + his share, 'had of killed 24,'—O you laggard of a Soubise! + [Mauvillon, ii. 171-189; Tempelhof, v. 207-221; Bourcet, ii. 75 et seq. In + <i>Helden-Geschichte</i> (vi. 770-782-792) the French Account, and the + English (or Allied), with LISTS, and the like. Slight LETTER from Sir + Robert Murray Keith to his Excellency Papa, now at Petersburg, "Excellency + first," as we used to define him, stands in the miserably edited <i>Memoirs + and Correspondence</i> (London, 1849), i. 104-105; and may tempt you to a + reading; but alters nothing, adds little or nothing. Sir R. fights here as + a Colonel of Highlanders, but afterwards became "Excellency second" of his + name.] And it is a Battle lost to Choiseul's grand Pair of Armies; a + Campaign checked in mid volley; and nothing but recriminations, + courts-martial, shrieky jargonings,—and plain incompatibility + between the two Marechaux de France; so that they had to part company, and + go each his own road henceforth. Choiseul remonstrates with them, urges, + encourages; writes the 'admirablest Despatches;' to no purpose. 'How + ridiculous and humiliating would it be for us, if, with Two Armies of such + strength, we accomplished nothing, and the whole Campaign were lost!' + writes he once to them. + </p> + <p> + "Which was in fact the result arrived at; the two Generals parting company + for this Campaign (and indeed for all others); and each, in his own way, + proving futile. Soubise, with some 30,000, went gasconading about, in the + Westphalian, or extreme western parts; taking Embden (from two Companies + of Chelsea Pensioners; to whom he broke his word, poor old souls;—to + whom, and much more to the Populations there [LETTER FROM A FRENCH + PROTESTANT GENTLEMAN AT GRONINGEN; followed by confirmatory LETTER FROM + &c. &c. (copied into <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for 1761), give + special details of the altogether ULTRA-Soltikof atrocities perpetrated by + Soubise's people (doubtless against his will) on the recalcitrant or + disaffected Peasants, on the &c. &c.]),—taking Embden, not + taking Bremen; and in fact doing nothing, except keep the Gazetteers in + vain noise: a Soubise not in force, by himself, to shake Ferdinand; and + who, it is remarked, now and formerly, always prefers to be at a good + distance from that Gentleman. Broglio, on the other hand, keeps violently + pulsing out, round Ferdinand's flanks; taking Wolfenbuttel (Broglio's for + two days), besieging Brunswick (for one day);-and, in short, leaving, he + too, the matter as he had found it. A man of difficult, litigious temper, + I should judge; but clearly has something of generalship: 'does understand + tactic, if strategy NOT,' said everybody; 'while Soubise, in both + capacities, is plain zero!' [Excellency Stanley (see INFRA) to Pitt, + "Paris, 30th July, 1761:" in THACKERAY, ii. 561-562.] The end, however, + was: next Winter, Broglio got dismissed, in favor of Soubise;—rest + from shrieky jargon having its value to some of us; and 'hold of Hanover' + being now plainly a matter hopeless to France and us." + </p> + <p> + In this Battle a fine young Prince of Brunswick got killed; Erbprinz's + second Brother;—leading on a Regiment of BERG-SCHOTTEN, say the + accounts. [<i>"The Life of Prince Albert Henry</i> [had lived only 19 + years, poor youth, not much of a "Life"!—but the account of his + Education is worth reading, from a respectable Eye-witness] <i>of + Brunswick-Luneburg, Brother to the Hereditary Prince; who so eminently + &c. at Fellinghausen</i> &c. &c. (London, Printed for &c. + 1763). <i>Written originally in German by the Rev. Mr. Hierusalem"</i> + (Father of the "Young Jerusalem" who killed himself afterwards, and + became, in a sense, Goethe's WERTHER and SORROWS). Price, probably, + Twopence).] Berg-Schotten, and English generally, Pembroke's Horse, + Cavendish's Brigade,—we have mentioned their behavior; and how + Maxwell's Brigade took one whole regiment prisoners, in that final charge + on Broglio. "What a glorious set of fellows!" said the English people over + their beer at home. Beer let us fancy it; at the sign of THE MARQUIS OF + GRANBY, which is now everywhere prevalent and splendent;—the beer, + we will hope, good. And as this is a thing still said, both over beer and + higher liquors, and perhaps is liable to be too much insisted on, I will + give, from a caudid By-stander, who knows the matter well, what probably + is a more solid and circumstantially correct opinion. Speaking of + Ferdinand's skill of management, and of how very composite a kind his Army + was, Major Mauvillon has these words:— + </p> + <p> + "The first in rank," of Ferdinand's Force, "were the English; about a + fourth part of the whole Army. Braver troops, when on the field of battle + and under arms against the enemy, you will nowhere find in the world: that + is a truth;—and with that the sum of their military merits ends. In + the first place, their Infantry consists of such an unselected + hand-over-head miscellany of people, that it is highly difficult to + preserve among them even a shadow of good discipline,"—of + MANNSZUCHT, in regard to plunder, drinking and the like; does not mean + KRIEGSZUCHT, or drill. "Their Cavalry indeed is not so constituted; but a + foolish love for their horses makes them astonishingly plunderous of + forage; and thus they exhaust a district far faster in that respect than + do the Germans. + </p> + <p> + "Officers' Commissions among them are all had by purchase: from which it + follows that their Officers do not trouble their heads about the service; + and understand of it, very VERY few excepted, absolutely nothing whatever + [what a charming set of "Officers"!]—and this goes from the Ensign + up to the General. Their home-customs incline them to the indulgences of + life; and, nearly without exception, they all expect to have ample and + comfortable means of sleep. [Hear, hear!] This leads them often into + military negligences, which would sound incredible, were they narrated to + a soldier. To all this is added a quiet natural arrogance (UEBERMUTH),"—very + quiet, mostly unconscious, and as if inborn and coming by discernment of + mere facts,—"which tempts them to despise the enemy as well as the + danger; and as they very seldom think of making any surprisal themselves, + they generally take it for granted that the enemy will as little. + </p> + <p> + "This arrogance, however, had furthermore a very bad consequence for their + relation to the rest of the Army. It is well known how much these people + despise all Foreigners. This of itself renders their co-operating with + Troops of other Nations very difficult. But in this case there was the + circumstance that, as the Army was in English pay, they felt a strong + tendency to regard their fellow-soldiers and copartners as a sort of + subordinate war-valets, who must be ready to put up with anything:—which + was far indeed from being the opinion of the others concerned! The others + had not the smallest notion of consenting to any kind of inferior + treatment or consideration in respect of them. To the Hanoverians + especially, from known political feelings, they were at heart, for most + part, specially indisposed; and this mode of thinking was capable of + leading to very dangerous outbreaks. The Hanoverians, a dull steady + people, brave as need be, but too slow for anything but foot service, + considered silently this War to be their War, and that all the rest, + English as well, were here on their [and Britannic Majesty's] account. + </p> + <p> + "Think what difficulties Ferdinand's were, and what his merit in quietly + subduing them; while to the cursory observer they were invisible, and + nobody noticed them but himself!" [Mauvillon, ii. 270-272.] + </p> + <p> + Yes, doubtless. He needed to know his kinds of men; to regard intensely + the chemic affinities and natural properties, to keep his phosphorescents + his nitres and charcoals well apart; to get out of these English what they + were capable of giving him, namely, heavy strokes,—and never ask + them for what they had not: them or the others; but treat each according + to his kind. Just, candid, consummately polite: an excellent manager of + men, as well as of war-movements, though Voltaire found him shockingly + defective in ESPRIT. The English, I think, he generally quartered by + themselves; employed them oftenest under the Hereditary Prince,—a + man of swift execution and prone to strokes like themselves. "Oftenest + under the Erbprinz," says Mauvillon: "till, after the Fight of Kloster + Kampen, it began to be noticed that there was a change in that respect; + and the mess-rooms whispered, 'By accident or not?'"—which shall + remain mysterious to me. In Battle after Battle he got the most + unexceptionable sabring and charging from Lord Granby and the difficult + English element; and never was the least discord heard in his Camp;—nor + could even Sackville at Minden tempt him into a loud word. + </p> + <p> + But enough of English soldiering, and battling with the French. For about + two months prior to this of Vellinghausen, and for more than two months + after, there is going on, by special Envoys between Pitt and Choiseul, a + lively Peace-Negotiation, which is of more concernment to us than any + Battle. "Congress at Augsburg" split upon formalities, preliminaries, and + never even tried to meet: but France and England are actually busy. Each + Country has sent its Envoy: the Sieur de Bussy, a tricky gentleman, known + here of old, is Choiseul's, whom Pitt is on his guard against; "Mr. Hans + Stanley," a lively, clear-sighted person, of whom I could never hear + elsewhere, is Pitt's at Paris: and it is in that City between Choiseul and + Stanley, with Pitt warily and loftily presiding in the distance, that the + main stress of the Negotiation lies. Pitt is lofty, haughty, but very fine + and noble; no King or Kaiser could be more. Sincere, severe, though most + soft-shining; high, earnest, steady, like the stars. Artful Choiseul, + again, flashes out in a cheerily exuberant way; and Stanley's Despatches + about Choiseul ("CE FOU PLEIN D'ESPRIT," as Friedrich once christens him), + about Choiseul and the France then round him, and the effects of + Vellinghausen in society and the like,—are the liveliest reading one + almost anywhere meets with in that kind. [In THACKERAY, i. 505-579, and + especially ii. 520-626, is the Stanley-and-Pitt Correspondence: Stanley + went "23d May;" returned (got his passports for returning) "September + 20th."] Choiseul frankly admits that he has come to the worst: ready for + concessions, but the question is, What? Canada is gone, for instance; of + Canada you will allow us nothing: but our poor Fisher-people, toiling in + the Newfoundland waters, cannot they have a rock to dry their fish on; + "Isle of Miquelon, or the like?" "Not the breadth of a blanket,"—that + is Pitt's private expression, I believe; and for certain, that, in polite + official language, is his inexorable determination. "You shall go home out + of those Countries, Messieurs; America is to be English or YANkee, not + FRANGcee: that has turned out to be the Decree of Heaven; and we will + stand by that." + </p> + <p> + So that Choiseul soon satisfies himself it will be a hard bargain, this + with Pitt; and turns the more assiduously to the Majesty of Spain (Baby + Carlos, our old friend, who has sore grudges of his own against the + English, standing grievance of Campeachy Logwood, of bitter Naples + reminiscences, and enough else), turns to Baby Carlos, time after time, + with his pathetic "See, your Most Catholic Majesty!" And by rapid degrees + induces Most Catholic Majesty to go wholly into the adventure with Most + Christian Ditto;—and to say, at length, or to let Choiseul say for + him, by way of cautious first-step (15th July, a date worth remembering, + if the reader please): "Might not Most Catholic Majesty be allowed perhaps + to mediate a little in this Business?" "Most Catholic Majesty!" answers + Pitt, with a flash as if from the empyrean: "Who sent for Most Catholic + Majesty?"—and the matter catches fire, totally explodes, and Spain + too declares War; in what way is generally known. + </p> + <p> + Details are not permitted us. The Catastrophe we shall give afterwards, + and can here say only: FIRST, That old Earl Marischal, Friedrich's Spanish + Envoy, is a good deal in England, coming and going, at this time,—on + that interesting business of the Kintore Inheritance, doubtless,—and + has been beautifully treated. Been pardoned, disattainted, permitted to + inherit,—by the King on the instant, by the Parliament so soon as + possible; [King's Patent is of "30th April, 1760 [DATED 29th May, 1759], + Act of Parliament to follow shortly;" "August 16th, 1760, Act having + passed, is Marischal's public Presentation to his Majesty (late Majesty);" + Old GAZETTES in <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> (for 1760), xxx. 201, 392.]—and + is of a naturally grateful turn. SECONDLY, That in the profoundest + secrecy, penetrable only to eyes near at hand and that see in the dark, a + celebrated Bourbon Family Compact was signed (August 15th, 1761, ten days + before the digging at Bunzelwitz began), of which the first news to the + Olympian man (conveyed by Marischal, as is thought) was like—like + news of dead Pythons pretending to revive upon him. And THIRDLY, That, + postponing the Catastrophe, and recommending the above two dates, 15th + JULY, 15th AUGUST, to careful readers, we must hasten to Colberg for the + present. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THIRD SIEGE OF COLBERG. + </h2> + <p> + Readers had, some while ago, a flying Note, which we promised to take up + again; about Tottleben's procedures, and a Third Siege of Colberg coming. + Siege, we have chanced to see, there accordingly is, and a Platen gone to + help against it. Siege, after infinite delays and haggles, has at length + come,—uncommonly vivid during the final days of Bunzelwitz;—and + is, and has been, and continues to be, much in the King's thoughts. + Probably a matter of more concernment to him, before, during and after + Bunzelwitz (though the Pitt Catastrophe, going on simultaneously, is still + more important, if he knew it), than anything else befalling in the + distance. Let us now give a few farther indications on that matter. + </p> + <p> + Truce between Werner and Tottleben expired May 12th; but for five weeks + more nothing practical followed; except diligent reinforcing, + revictualling and extraordinary fortifying of Colberg and its environs, on + the Prussian part,—Eugen of Wurtemberg, direct from Restock and his + Anti-Swede business, Eugen 12,000 strong, with a Werner and other such + among them, taking head charge outside the walls; old Heyde again as + Commandant within: while on the Russian part, under General Romanzow, + there is a most tortoise-like advance,—except that the tortoise + carries all his resources with him, and Romanzow's, multifarious and + enormous, are scattered over seas and lands, and need endless waiting for, + in the intervals of crawling. + </p> + <p> + This is the Romanzow who failed at Colherg once already (on the heel of + Zorndorf in 1758, if readers recollect); and is the more bound to be + successful now. From sea and from land, for five weeks, there is rumor of + a Romanzow in overwhelming force, and with intentions very furious upon + Colberg,—upon the outposts, under Werner, as first point. Five weeks + went, before anything of Romanzow was visible even to Werner (22d June, at + Coslin, forty miles to eastward); after which his advance (such waiting + for the ships, for the artilleries, the this and the that) was slower than + ever; and for about eight weeks more, he haggles along through Coslin, + through Corlin, Belgard again, flowing slowly forward upon Werner's + outposts, like a summer glacier with its rubbishes; or like a slow + lava-tide,—a great deal of smoke on each side of him (owing to the + Cossacks), as usual. Romanzow's progress is of the slowest; and it is not + till August 19th that he practically gets possession of Corlin, Belgard + and those outposts on the Persante River, and comes within sight of + Colberg and his problem. By which time, he finds Eugen of Wurtemberg + encamped and intrenched still ahead of him, still nearer Colberg, and + likely to give him what they call "DE LA TABLATURE," or extremely + difficult music to play. + </p> + <p> + "It was on AUGUST 19th [very eve of Friedrich's going into Bunzelwitz] + that Romanzow,—Werner, for the sake of those poor Towns he holds, + generally retiring without bombardment or utter conflagration,—had + got hold of Corlin and of the River Persante [with "Quetzin and Degow," if + anybody knew them, as his main posts there]: and was actually now within + sight of Colberg,—only 7 or 8 miles west of him, and a river more or + less in his way:—when, singular to see, Eugen of Wurtemberg has + rooted himself into the ground farther inward, environing Colberg with a + fortified Camp as with a second wall; and it will be a difficult problem + indeed! + </p> + <p> + "But Sea Armaments, Swedish-Russian, with endless siege-material and + red-hot balls, are finally at hand; and this pitiful Colberg must be done, + were it only by falling flat, on it, and smothering it by weight of + numbers and of red-hot iron. The day before yesterday, August 17th, after + such rumoring and such manoeuvring as there has been, six Russian + ships-of-war showed themselves in Colberg Roads, and three of them tried + some shooting on Heyde's workpeople, busy at a redoubt on the beach; but + hit nothing, and went away till Romanzow himself should come. Romanzow + come, there is utmost despatch; and within the eight days following, the + Russian ships, and then the Swedish as well, have all got to their + moorings,—12 sail of the line, with 42 more of the frigate and + gunboat kind, 54 ships in all;—and from August 24th, especially from + August 28th, bombardment to the very uttermost is going on. [Tempelhof, v. + 311.] Bombardment by every method, from sea and from land, continues + diligent for the next fortnight,—with little or no result; so + diligent are Eugen and veteran Heyde. + </p> + <p> + "SEPTEMBER 4th. The Swedish-Russian gunboats have been much shot down by + Heyde's batteries on the beach; no success had, owing to Heyde and Eugen: + paltry little Colberg as impossible as Bunzelwitz, it seems? 'Double our + diligence, therefore!' That is Romanzow's and everybody's sentiment here. + Romanzow comes closer in, September 4th; besieges in form, since not + Colberg, Eugen's CAMP, or brazen wall of Colberg; and there rises in and + round this poor little Colberg (a 2,000 balls daily, red-hot and other) + such a volcano as attracts the eyes of all the world thither. + </p> + <p> + "SEPTEMBER 12th. News yesterday of reinforcement, men and provender, + coming from Stettin; is to be at Treptow on the 13th. Werner, night of the + 11th, stealthily sets out to meet it, IT in the first place; then, joined + with it, to take by rearward a certain inconvenient battery, which + Romanzow is building to westward of us, out that way; to demolish said + battery, and be generally distressful to the rear of Romanzow. At Treptow, + after his difficult night's march, Werner is resting, secure now of the + adventure;—too contemptuous of his slow Russians, as appeared! Who, + for once, surprise HIM; and, at and round Treptow, next morning, Werner + finds himself suddenly in a most awkward predicament. Werner, one of the + rapidest and stormiest of skilful men, plunged valiantly into the affair; + would still have managed it, they say, had not, in some sudden swoop,—charge, + or something of critical or vital nature,—rapid Werner's horse got + shot, and fallen with him; whereby not only the charge failed, but Werner + himself was taken prisoner. A loss of very great importance, and grievous + to everybody: though, I believe, the reinforcement and supply, for this + time, got mostly through, and the dangerous battery was got demolished by + other means. [Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 238; Tempelhof, v. 314.] + This is Romanzow's first item of success, this of getting such a Werner + snatched out of the game [and sent to Petersburg instead as we shall + hear]; and other items fell to Romanzow thenceforth by the aid of time and + hunger. + </p> + <p> + "In the way of storming, battering or otherwise capturing Eugen's Camp, + not to speak of Heyde's town, Romanzow finds, on trial after trial, that + he can do as good as nothing; and his unwieldy sea-comrades (equinoctial + gales coming on them, too) are equally worthless. September 19th [a week + after this of Werner, tenth day after Bunzelwitz had ended], Romanzow made + his fiercest attempt that way; fiercest and last: furious extremely, from + 2 in the morning onwards; had for some time hold of the important 'Green + Redoubt;' but was still more furiously battered and bayoneted out again, + with the loss of above 3,000 men; and tried that no farther. Impossible by + that method. But he can stand between the Eugen-Heyde people and supplies; + and by obstinacy hunger them out: this, added to the fruitless + bombardment, is now his more or less fruitful industry. + </p> + <p> + "In the end of September, the effects of Bunzelwitz are felt: Platen, + after burning the Butturlin Magazine at Gostyn, has hastened hither; in + what style we know. Blaten arrives 25th September; cuts his way through + Romanzow into Eugen's Camp, raises Eugen to about 15,000; [Tempelhof, v. + 350.] renders Eugen, not to speak of Heyde, more impossible than ever. + Butturlin did truly send reinforcements, a 10,000, a 12,000, 'As many as + you like, my Romanzow!' And, in the beginning of October, came rolling + thitherward bodily; hoping, they say, to make a Maxen of it upon those + Eugens and Platens: but after a fortnight's survey of them, found there + was not the least feasibility;—and that he himself must go home, on + the score of hunger. Which he did, November 2d; leaving Romanzow + reinforced at discretion [40,000, but with him too provisions are fallen + low], and the advice, 'Cut off their supplies: time and famine are our + sole chances here!' Butturlin's new Russians, endless thousands of them, + under Fermor and others, infesting the roads from Stettin, are a great + comfort to Romanzow. Nor could any Eugen—with his Platens, Thaddens, + and utmost expenditure of skill and of valor and endurance, which are + still memorable in soldier-annals, [<i>Tagebuch der Unternehmungen des + Platenschen Corps vom September bis November 1761</i> (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> + iii. 32-76). <i>Bericht von der Unternehmungen des Thaddenschen Corps vom + Jenner bis zum December 1761</i> (ibid. 77-147).]—suffice to convey + provisions through that disastrous Wilderness of distances and + difficulties. + </p> + <p> + "From Stettin, which lies southwest, through Treptow Gollnow and other + wild little Prussian Towns is about 100 miles; from Landsberg south, 150: + Friedrich himself is well-nigh 300 miles away; in Stettin alone is succor, + could we hold the intervening Country. But it is overrun with Russians, + more and ever more. A Country of swamps and moors, winter darkness + stealing over it,—illuminated by such a volcano as we see: a very + gloomy waste scene; and traits of stubborn human valor and military virtue + plentiful in it with utter hardship as a constant quantity; details not + permissible here only the main features and epochs, if they could be + indicated. + </p> + <p> + "The King is greatly interested for Colberg; sends orders to collect from + every quarter supplies at Stettin, and strain every nerve for the relief + of that important little Haven. Which is done by the diligent Bevern, the + collecting part; could only the conveying be accomplished. But endless + Russians are afield, Fermor with a 15,000 of them waylaying; the + conveyance is the difficulty." [<i>Bericht von den Unternehmungen der + Wurtembergischen Corps in Pommern, vom May 1761 bis December 1761</i> + (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 147-258). Tempelhof, v. 313-326. <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + vi. 669-708.] + </p> + <p> + But now we must return to Bunzelwitz, and September 25th, in Head-quarters + there. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII.—LOUDON POUNCES UPON SCHWEIDNITZ ONE NIGHT (LAST OF + SEPTEMBER, 1761). + </h2> + <p> + It was September 25th, more properly 26th, [Tempelhof, v. 327.] when + Friedrich quitted Bunzelwitz; we heard on what errand. Early that morning + he marches with all his goods, first to Pilzen (that fine post on the east + side of Schweidnitz); and from that, straightway,—southwestward, two + marches farther,—to Neisse neighborhood (Gross-Nossen the name of + the place); Loudon making little dispute or none. In Neisse are abundant + Magazines: living upon these, Friedrich intends to alarm Loudon's rearward + country, and draw him towards Bohemia. As must have gradually followed; + and would at once,—had Loudon been given to alarms, which he was + not. Loudon, very privately, has quite different game afield. Loudon + merely detaches this and the other small Corps to look after Friedrich's + operations, which probably he believes to be only a feint:—and, + before a week passes, Friedrich will have news he little expects! + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, pausing at Gross-Nossen, and perhaps a little surprised to find + no Loudon meddling with him, pushes out, first one party and then another,—Dalwig, + Bulow, towards Landshut Hill-Country, to threaten Loudon's Bohemian roads;—who, + singular to say, do not hear the least word of Loudon thereabouts. A + Loudon strangely indifferent to this new Enterprise of ours. On the third + day of Gross-Nossen (Friday, October 2d), Friedrich detaches General + Lentulus to rearward, or the way we came, for news of Loudon. Rearward + too, Lentulus sees nothing whatever of Loudon: but, from the rumor of the + country, and from two Prussian garrison-soldiers, whom he found wandering + about,—he hears, with horror and amazement, That Loudon, by a sudden + panther-spring, the night before last, has got hold of Schweidnitz: now + his wholly, since 5 A.M. of yesterday; and a strong Austrian garrison in + it by this time! That was the news Lentulus brought home to his King; the + sorest Job's-post of all this War. + </p> + <p> + Truly, a surprising enterprise this of Loudon's; and is allowed by + everybody to have been admirably managed. Loudon has had it in his head + for some time;—ever since that colic of forty-eight hours, I should + guess; upon the wrecks of which it might well rise as a new daystar. He + kept it strictly in his own head; nobody but Daun and the Kaiser had hint + of it, both of whom assented, and agreed to keep silence. + </p> + <p> + "On Friedrich's removal towards Neisse and threatening of Bohemia," says + my Note on this subject, "Loudon's time had come. Friedrich had + disappeared to southwestward, Saturday, September 26th: 'Gone to Pilzen,' + reported Loudon's scouts; 'rests there over Sunday. Gone to Sigeroth, + 28th; gone to Gross-Nossen, Tuesday, September 29th.' [Tempelhof, v. 330.] + That will do, thinks Loudon; who has sat immovable at Kunzendorf all this + while;—and, WEDNESDAY, 30th, instantly proceeds to business. + </p> + <p> + "Draws out, about 10 A.M. of Wednesday, all round Schweidnitz at some + miles distance, a ring, or complete girdle, of Croat-Cossack people; + blocking up every path and road: 'Nobody to pass, this day, towards + Schweidnitz, much less into it, on any pretext.' That is the duty of the + Croat people. To another active Officer he intrusts the task of collecting + from the neighboring Villages (outside the Croat girdle) as many ladders, + planks and the like, as will be requisite; which also is punctually done. + For the Attack itself, which is to be Fourfold, our picked Officers are + chosen, with the 20 best Battalions in the Army: Czernichef is apprised; + who warmly assents, and offers every help:—'800 of your Grenadiers,' + answers Loudon; 'no more needed.' Loudon's arrangements for management of + the ladders, for punctuality about the routes, the times, the + simultaneity, are those of a perfect artist; no Friedrich could have done + better. + </p> + <p> + "About 4 in the afternoon, all the Captains and Battalions, with their + ladders and furnitures, everybody with Instruction very pointed and + complete, are assembled at Kunzendorf: Loudon addresses the Troops in a + few fiery words; assures himself of victory by them; promises them 10,060 + pounds in lieu of plunder, which he strictly prohibits. Officers had + better make themselves acquainted with the Four Routes they are to take in + the dark: proper also to set all your watches by the chief General's, that + there be no mistake as to time. [In TEMPELHOF (v. 332-349) and ARCHENHOLTZ + (ii. 272-280) all these details.] At 9, all being now dark, and the Croat + girdle having gathered itself closer round the place since nightfall, the + Four Divisions march to their respective starting-places; will wait there, + silent; and about 2 in the morning, each at its appointed minute, step + forward on their business. With fixed bayonets all of them; no musketry + permitted till the works are won. Loudon will wait at the Village of + Schonbrunn [not WARKOTSCH'S Schonbrunn, of which by and by, and which also + is not far [See ARCHENHOLTZ, ii. 287; and correct his mistake of the two + places.]]—at Schonbrunn, within short distance; give Loudon notice + when you are within 600 yards;—there shall, if desirable, be + reinforcements, farther orders. Loudon knows Schweidnitz like his own + bedroom. He was personally there, in Leuthen time, improving the Works. By + nocturnal Croat parties, in the latter part of Bunzelwitz time; and since + then, by deserters and otherwise,—he knows the condition of the + Garrison, of the Commandant, and of every essential point. Has calculated + that the Garrison is hardly third part of what it ought to be,—3,800 + in whole, and many of them loose deserter fellows; special artillery-men, + instead of about 400, only 191;—most important of all, that + Commandant Zastrow is no wizard in his trade; and, on the whole, that the + Enterprise is likely to succeed. + </p> + <p> + "Zastrow has been getting married lately; and has many things to think of, + besides Schweidnitz. Some accounts say this was his wedding-night,—which + is not true, but only that he had meant to give a Ball this last night of + September; and perhaps did give it, dancing over BEFORE 2, let us hope! + Something of a jolter-head seemingly, though solid and honest. I observe + he is a kind of butt, or laughing-stock, of Friedrich's, and has yielded + some gleams of momentary fun, he and this marriage of his, between Prince + Henri and the King, in the tragic gloom all round. [Schoning, ii. + SOEPIUS.] Nothing so surprises me in Friedrich as his habitual inattention + to the state of his Garrisons. He has the best of Commandants and also the + worst: Tauentzien in Breslau, Heyde in Colberg, unsurpassable in the + world; in Glatz a D'O, in Schweidnitz a Zastrow, both of whom cost him + dear. Opposition sneers secretly, 'It is as they happen to have come to + hand.' Which has not much truth, though some. Tauentzien he chose; D'O was + Fouquet's choice, not his; Zastrow he did choose; Heyde he had by + accident; of Heyde he had never heard till the defence of Colberg began to + be a world's wonder. And in regard to his Garrisons, it is indisputable + they were often left palpably defective in quantity and quality; and, more + than once, fatally gave way at the wrong moment. We can only say that + Friedrich was bitterly in want of men for the field; that 'a + Garrison-Regiment' was always reckoned an inferior article; and that + Friedrich, in the press of his straits, had often had to say: 'Well, these + [plainly Helots, not Spartans], these will have to do!' For which he + severely suffered: and perhaps repented,—who knows? + </p> + <p> + "Zastrow, in spite of Loudon's precautionary Girdle of Croats, and the + cares of a coming Ball, had got sufficient inkling of something being in + the wind. And was much on the Walls all day, he and his Officers; scanning + with their glasses and their guesses the surrounding phenomena, to little + purpose. At night he sent out patrols; kept sputtering with musketry and + an occasional cannon into the vacant darkness ('We are alert, you see, + Herr Loudon!'). In a word, took what measures he could, poor man;—very + stupid measures, thinks Tempelhof, and almost worse than none, especially + this of sputtering with musketry;—and hoped always there would be no + Attack, or none to speak of. Till, in fine, between 2 and 3 in the + morning, his patrols gallop in, 'Austrians on march!' and Zastrow, + throwing out a rocket or two, descries in momentary illumination that the + Fact is verily here. + </p> + <p> + "His defence (four of the Five several Forts attacked at once) was of a + confused character; but better than could have been expected. Loudon's + Columns came on with extraordinary vigor and condensed impetuosity; + stormed the Outworks everywhere, and almost at once got into the shelter + of the Covered-way: but on the Main Wall, or in the scaling part of their + business, were repulsed, in some places twice or thrice; and had a + murderous struggle, of very chaotic nature, in the dark element. No + picture of it in the least possible or needful here. In one place, a + Powder-Magazine blew up with about 400 of them,—blown (said rumor, + with no certainty) by an indignant Prussian artillery-man to whom they had + refused quarter: in another place, the 800 Russian Grenadiers came + unexpectedly upon a chasm or bridgeless interstice between two ramparts; + and had to halt suddenly,—till (says rumor again, with still less + certainty) their Officers insisting with the rearward part, 'Forward, + forward!' enough of front men were tumbled in to make a roadway! This was + the story current; [Archenholtz, ii. 275.] greatly exaggerated, I have no + doubt. What we know is, That these Russians did scramble through, + punctually perform their part of the work;—and furthermore, that, + having got upon the Town-Wall, which was finis to everything, they + punctually sat down there; and, reflectively leaning on their muskets, + witnessed with the gravity and dignity of antique sages, superior to money + or money's worth, the general plunder which went on in spite of Loudon's + orders. + </p> + <p> + "For, in fine, between 5 and 6, that is in about three hours and a half, + Loudon was everywhere victorious; Zastrow, Schweidnitz Fortress, and all + that it held, were Loudon's at discretion; Loudon's one care now was to + stop the pillage of the poor Townsfolk, as the most pressing thing. Which + was not done without difficulty, nor completely till after hours of + exertion by cavalry regiments sent in. The captors had fought valiantly; + but it was whispered there had been a preliminary of brandy in them; + certainly, except those poor Russians, nobody's behavior was + unexceptionable." + </p> + <p> + The capture of Schweidnitz cost Loudon about 1,400 men; he found in + Schweidnitz, besides the Garrison all prisoners or killed, some 240 pieces + of artillery,—"211 heavy guns, 135 hand-mortars," say the Austrian + Accounts, "with stores and munitions" in such quantities; "89,760 + musket-cartridges, 1,300,000 flints," [In <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> (vi. + 651-665) the Austrian Account, with LISTS &c.] for two items:—and + all this was a trifle compared to the shock it has brought on Friedrich's + Silesian affairs. For, in present circumstances, it amounts to the actual + conquest of a large portion of Silesia; and, for the first time, to a real + prospect of finishing the remainder next Year. It is judged to have been + the hardest stroke Friedrich had in the course of this War. "Our strenuous + Campaign on a sudden rendered wind, and of no worth! The Enemy to winter + in Silesia, after all; Silesia to go inevitably,—and life along with + it!" What Friedrich's black meditations were, "In the following weeks [not + close following, but poor Kuster does not date], the King fell ill of + gout, saw almost nobody, never came out; and, it was whispered, the + inflexible heart of him was at last breaking; that is to say, the very + axis of this Prussian world giving way. And for certain, there never was + in his camp and over his dominions such a gloom as in this October, 1761; + till at length he appeared on horseback again, with a cheerful face; and + everybody thought to himself, 'Ha, the world will still roll, then!'" + [Kuster, <i>Lebens-Rettungen Friedrichs des Zweyten</i> (Berlin, 1797), p. + 59 &c. It is the same innocent reliable Kuster whom we cited, in + SALDERN'S case, already.] + </p> + <p> + This is what Loudon had done, without any Russians, except Russians to + give him eight-and-forty hours colic, and put him on his own shifts. And + the way in which the Kriegshofrath, and her Imperial Majesty the + Kaiserinn, received it, is perhaps still worth a word. The Kaiser, who had + alone known of Loudon's scheme, and for good reason (absolute secrecy + being the very soul of it) had whispered nothing of it farther to any + mortal, was naturally overjoyed. But the Olympian brow of Maria Theresa, + when the Kaiser went radiant to her with this news, did not radiate in + response; but gloomed indignantly: "No order from Kriegshofrath, or me!" + Indignant Kriegshofrath called it a CROATEN-STREICH (Croat's-trick); and + Loudon, like Prince Eugen long since, was with difficulty excused this act + of disobedience. Great is Authority;—and ought to be divinely + rigorous, if (as by no means always happens) it is otherwise of divine + quality! + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's treatment of Zastrow was in strong contrast of style. Here is + his Letter to that unlucky Gentleman, who is himself clear that he + deserves no blame: "My dear Major-General von Zastrow,—The + misfortune that has befallen me is very grievous; but what consoles me in + it is, to see by your Letter that you have behaved like a brave Officer, + and that neither you nor the Garrison have brought disgrace or reproach on + yourselves. I am your well-affectioned King,—FRIEDRICH." And in + Autograph this Postscript: "You may, in this occurrence, say what Francis + I., after the Battle of Pavia, wrote to his Mother: 'All is lost except + honor.' As I do not yet completely understand the affair, I forbear to + judge of it; for it is altogether extraordinary.—F." [<i> + Militair-Lexikon,</i> iv. 305, 306 (Letter undated there; date probably, + "Gross-Nossen, October 3d").] + </p> + <p> + And never meddled farther with Zastrow; only left him well alone for the + future. "Grant me a Court-Martial, then!" said Zastrow, finding himself + fallen so neglected, after the Peace. "No use," answered Friedrich: "I + impute nothing of crime to you; but after such a mishap, it would be + dangerous to trust you with any post or command;"—and in 1766, + granted him, on demand, his demission instead. The poor man then retired + to Cassel, where he lived twenty years longer, and was no more heard of. + He was half-brother of the General Zastrow who got killed by a Pandour of + long range (bullet through both temples, from brushwood, across the Elbe), + in the first year of this War. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX.—TRAITOR WARKOTSCH. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich's Army was to have cantoned itself round Neisse, October 3d: but + on the instant of this fatal Schweidnitz news proceeded (3d-6th October) + towards Strehlen instead,—Friedrich personally on the 5th;—and + took quarters there and in the villages round. General cantonment at + Strehlen, in guard of Breslau and of Neisse both; Loudon, still immovable + at Kunzendorf, attempting nothing on either of those places, and carefully + declining the risk of a Battle, which would have been Friedrich's game: + all this continued till the beginning of December, when both parties took + Winter-quarters; [Tempelhof, v. 349.] cantoned themselves in the + neighboring localities,—Czernichef, with his Russians, in Glatz + Country; Friedrich in Breslau as headquarter;—and the Campaign had + ended. Ended in this part, without farther event of the least notability;—except + the following only, which a poor man of the name of Kappel has recorded + for us. Of which, and the astounding Sequel to which, we must now say + something. + </p> + <p> + Kappel is a Gentleman's Groom of those Strehlen parts; and shall, in his + own words, bring us face to face with Friedrich in that neighborhood, + directly after Schweidnitz was lost. It is October 5th, day, or rather + night of the day, of Friedrich's arrival thereabouts; most of his Army + ahead of him, and the remainder all under way. Friedrich and the rearward + part of his Army are filing about, in that new Strehlen-ward movement of + theirs, under cloud of night, in the intricate Hill-and-Dale Country; to + post themselves to the best advantage for their double object, of covering + Breslau and Neisse both; Kappel LOQUITUR; abridged by Kuster, whom we + abridge:— + </p> + <p> + "MONDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 5th, 1761, The King, with two or three attendants, + still ahead of his Army, appeared at Schonbrunn, a Schloss and Village, + five or six miles south from Strehlen; [THIS is the Warkotsch Schonbrunn; + not the other near Schweidnitz, as Archenholtz believes: see ARCHENHOLTZ, + ii. 287, and the bit of myth he has gone into in consequence.] and did the + owner, Baron von Warkotsch, an acquaintance of his, the honor of lodging + there. Before bedtime,—if indeed the King intended bed at all, + meaning to be off in four hours hence,—Friedrich inquired of + Warkotsch for 'a trusty man, well acquainted with the roads in this + Country.' Warkotsch mentioned Kappel, his own Groom; one who undoubtedly + knew every road of the Country; and who had always behaved as a trusty + fellow in the seven years he had been with him. 'Let me see him,' said the + King. Kappel was sent up, about midnight, King still dressed; sitting on a + sofa, by the fire; Kappel's look was satisfactory; Kappel knows several + roads to Strehlen, in the darkest night. 'It is the footpath which goes + so-and-so that I want' (for Friedrich knows this Country intimately: + readers remember his world-famous Camp of Strehlen, with all the + diplomacies of Europe gathered there, through summer, in the train of + Mollwitz). 'JA, IHRO MAJESTAT, I know it!' 'Be ready, then, at 4.' + </p> + <p> + "Before the stroke of 4, Kappel was at the door, on Master's best horse; + the King's Groom too, and led horse, a nimble little gray, were waiting. + As 4 struck, Friedrich came down, Warkotsch with him. 'Unspeakable the + honor you have done my poor house!' Besides the King's Groom, there were a + Chamberlain, an Adjutant and two mounted Chasers (REITENDE JAGER), which + latter had each a lighted lantern: in all seven persons, including Kappel + and the King. 'Go before us on foot with your lanterns,' said the King. + Very dark it was. And overnight the Army had arrived all about; some of + them just coming in, on different roads and paths. The King walked above + two miles, and looked how the Regiments were, without speaking a word. At + last, as the cannons came up, and were still in full motion, the King + said: 'Sharp, sharp, BURSCHE; it will be MARCH directly.' 'March? The + Devil it will: we are just coming into Camp!' said a cannonier, not + knowing it was the King. + </p> + <p> + "The King said nothing. Walked on still a little while; then ordered, + 'Blow out the lanterns; to horseback now!' and mounted, as we all did. Me + he bade keep five steps ahead, five and not more, that he might see me; + for it was very dark. Not far from the Lordship Casserey, where there is a + Water-mill, the King asked me, 'Have n't you missed the Bridge here?' (a + King that does not forget roads and topographies which may come to concern + him!)—and bade us ride with the utmost silence, and make no jingle. + As day broke, we were in sight of Strehlen, near by the Farm of + Treppendorf. 'And do you know where the Kallenberg lies?' said the King: + 'It must be to left of the Town, near the Hills; bring us thither!' + </p> + <p> + "When we got on the Kallenberg, it was not quite day; and we had to halt + for more light. After some time the King said to his Groom, 'Give me my + perspective!' looked slowly all round for a good while, and then said, 'I + see no Austrians!'—(ground all at our choice, then; we know where to + choose!) The King then asked me if I knew the road to"—in fact, to + several places, which, in a Parish History of those parts, would be + abundantly interesting; but must be entirely omitted here.... "The King + called his Chamberlain; gave some sign, which meant 'Beer-money to + Kappel!'—and I got four eight-groschen pieces [three shillings odd; + a rich reward in those days]; and was bid tell my Master, 'That the King + thanked him for the good quarters, and assured him of his favor.' + </p> + <p> + "Riding back across country, Kappel, some four or five miles homeward, + came upon the 'whole Prussian Army,' struggling forward in their various + Columns. Two Generals,—one of them Krusemark, King's Adjutant + [Colonel Krusemark, not General, as Kappel thinks, who came to know him + some weeks after],—had him brought up: to whom he gave account of + himself, how he had been escorting the King, and where he had left his + Majesty. 'Behind Strehlen, say you? Breslau road? Devil knows whither we + shall all have to go yet!' observed Krusemark, and left Kappel free." + [Kuster, <i> Lebens-Rettungen,</i> pp. 66-76.] + </p> + <p> + In those weeks, Colberg Siege, Pitt's Catastrophe and high things are + impending, or completed, elsewhere: but this is the one thing noticeable + hereabouts. In regard to Strehlen, and Friedrich's history there, what we + have to say turns all upon this Kappel and Warkotsch: and,—after + mentioning only that Friedrich's lodging is not in Strehlen proper, but in + Woiselwitz, a village or suburb almost half a mile off, and very + negligently guarded,—we have to record an Adventure which then made + a great deal of noise in the world. + </p> + <p> + Warkotsch is a rich lord; Schonbrunn only one of five or six different + Estates which he has in those parts; though, not many years ago, being + younger brother, he was a Captain in the Austrian service (Regiment BOTTA, + if you are particular); and lay in Olmutz,—with very dull oulooks; + not improved, I should judge, by the fact that Silesia and the Warkotsch + connections were become Prussian since this junior entered the Austrian + Army. The junior had sown his wild oats, and was already getting gray in + the beard, in that dull manner, when, about seven years ago, his Elder + Brother, to whom Friedrich had always been kind, fell unwell; and, in the + end of 1755, died: whereupon the junior saw himself Heir; and entered on a + new phase of things. Quitted his Captaincy, quitted his allegiance; and + was settled here peaceably under his new King in 1756, a little while + before this War broke out. And, at Schonbrunn, October 5th, 1761, has had + his Majesty himself for guest. + </p> + <p> + Warkotsch was not long in riding over to Strehlen to pay his court, as in + duty bound, for the honor of such a Visit; and from that time, Kappel, + every day or two, had to attend him thither. The King had always had a + favor for Warkotsch's late Brother, as an excellent Silesian Landlord and + Manager, whose fine Domains were in an exemplary condition; as, under the + new Warkotsch too, they have continued to be. Always a gracious Majesty to + this Warkotsch as well; who is an old soldier withal, and man of sense and + ingenuity; acceptable to Friedrich, and growing more and more familiar + among Friedrich's circle of Officers now at Strehlen. + </p> + <p> + To Strehlen is Warkotsch's favorite ride; in the solitary country, quite a + charming adjunct to your usual dull errand out for air and exercise. + Kappel, too, remarks about this time that he (Kappel) gets once and again, + and ever more frequently, a Letter to carry over to Siebenhuben, a Village + three or four miles off; the Letter always to one Schmidt, who is Catholic + Curate there; Letter under envelope, well sealed,—and consisting of + two pieces, if you finger it judiciously. And, what is curious, the Letter + never has any address; Master merely orders, "Punctual; for Curatus + Schmidt, you know!" What can this be? thinks Kappel. Some secret, + doubtless; perhaps some intrigue, which Madam must not know of,—"ACH, + HERR BARON; and at your age,—fifty, I am sure!" Kappel, a solid + fellow, concerned for groom-business alone, punctually carries his + Letters; takes charge of the Responses too, which never have any Address; + and does not too much trouble himself with curiosities of an impertinent + nature. + </p> + <p> + To these external phenomena I will at present only add this internal one: + That an old Brother Officer of Warkotsch's, a Colonel Wallis, with + Hussars, is now lying at Heinrichau,—say, 10 miles from Strehlen, + and about 10 from Schonbrunn too, or a mile more if you take the + Siebenhuben way; and that all these missives, through Curatus Schmidt, are + for Wallis the Hussar Colonel, and must be a secret not from Madam alone! + How a Baron, hitherto of honor, could all at once become TURPISSIMUS, the + Superlative of Scoundrels? This is even the reason,—the prize is so + superlative. + </p> + <p> + "MONDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 30th, 1761 [night bitter cold], Kappel finds + himself sitting mounted, and holding Master's horse, in Strehlen, more + exactly in Woiselwitz, a suburb of Strehlen, near the King's door,—Majesty's + travelling-coach drawn out there, symbol that Strehlen is ending, general + departure towards Breslau now nigh. Not to Kappel's sorrow perhaps, + waiting in the cold there. Kappel waits, hour after hour; Master taking + his ease with the King's people, regardless of the horses and me, in this + shivery weather;—and one must not walk about either, for disturbing + the King's sleep! Not till midnight does Master emerge, and the freezing + Kappel and quadrupeds get under way. Under way, Master breaks out into + singular talk about the King's lodging: Was ever anything so careless; + nothing but two sentries in the King's anteroom; thirteen all the soldiers + that are in Woiselwitz; Strehlen not available in less than twenty + minutes: nothing but woods, haggly glens and hills, all on to Heinrichau: + How easy to snatch off his Majesty! "UM GOTTES WILLEN, my Lord, don't + speak so: think if a patrolling Prussian were to hear it, in the dark!" + Pooh, pooh, answers the Herr Baron. + </p> + <p> + "At Schonbrunn, in the short hours, Kappel finds Frau Kappel in state of + unappeasable curiosity: 'What can it be? Curatus Schmidt was here all + afternoon; much in haste to see Master; had to go at last,—for the + Church-service, this St. Andrew's Eve. And only think, though he sat with + My Lady hours and hours, he left this Letter with ME: "Give it to your + Husband, for my Lord, the instant they come; and say I must have an Answer + to-morrow morning at 7." Left it with me, not with My Lady;—My Lady + not to know of it!' 'Tush, woman!' But Frau Kappel has been, herself, + unappeasably running about, ever since she got this Letter; has applied to + two fellow-servants, one after the other, who can read writing, 'Break it + up, will you!' But they would not. Practical Kappel takes the Letter up to + Master's room; delivers it, with the Message. 'What, Curatus Schmidt!' + interrupts My Lady, who was sitting there: 'Herr Good-man, what is that?' + 'That is a Letter to me,' answers the Good-man: 'What have you to do with + it?' Upon which My Lady flounces out in a huff, and the Herr Baron sets + about writing his Answer, whatever it may be. + </p> + <p> + "Kappel and Frau are gone to bed, Frau still eloquent upon the mystery of + Curatus Schmidt, when his Lordship taps at their door; enters in the dark: + 'This is for the Curatus, at 7 o'clock to-morrow; I leave it on the table + here: be in time, like a good Kappel!' Kappel promises his Unappeasable + that he will actually open this Piece before delivery of it; upon which + she appeases herself, and they both fall asleep. Kappel is on foot betimes + next morning. Kappel quietly pockets his Letter; still more quietly, from + a neighboring room, pockets his Master's big Seal (PETSCHAFT), with a view + to resealing: he then steps out; giving his BURSCH [Apprentice or + Under-Groom] order to be ready in so many minutes, 'You and these two + horses' (specific for speed); and, in the interim, walks over, with Letter + and PETSCHAFT, to the Reverend Herr Gerlach's, for some preliminary + business. Kappel is Catholic; Warkotsch, Protestant; Herr Gerlach is + Protestant preacher in the Village of Schonbrunn,—much hated by + Warkotsch, whose standing order is: 'Don't go near that insolent fellow;' + but known by Kappel to be a just man, faithful in difficulties of the weak + against the strong. Gerlach, not yet out of bed, listens to the awful + story: reads the horrid missive; Warkotsch to Colonel Wallis: 'You can + seize the King, living or dead, this night!'—hesitates about copying + it (as Kappel wishes, for a good purpose]; but is encouraged by his Wife, + and soon writes a Copy. This Copy Kappel sticks into the old cover, seals + as usual; and, with the Original safe in his own pocket, returns to the + stables now. His Bursch and he mount; after a little, he orders his + Bursch: 'Bursch, ride you to Siebenhuben and Curatus Schmidt, with this + sealed Letter; YOU, and say nothing. I was to have gone myself, but + cannot; be speedy, be discreet!' And the Bursch dashes off for Siebenhuben + with the sealed Copy, for Schmidt, Warkotsch, Wallis and Company's behoof; + Kappel riding, at a still better pace, to Strehlen with the Original, for + behoof of the King's Majesty. + </p> + <p> + "At Strehlen, King's Majesty not yet visible, Kappel has great + difficulties in the anteroom among the sentry people. But he persists, + insists: 'Read my Letter, then!' which they dare not do; which only + Colonel Krusemark, the Adjutant, perhaps dare. They take him to Krusemark. + Krusemark reads, all aghast; locks up Kappel; runs to the King; returns, + muffles Kappel in soldier's cloak and cap, and leads him in. The King, + looking into Kappel's face, into Kappel's clear story and the Warkotsch + handwriting, needed only a few questions; and the fit orders, as to + Warkotsch and Company, were soon given: dangerous engineers now fallen + harmless, blown up by their own petard. One of the King's first questions + was: 'But how have I offended Warkotsch?' Kappel does not know; Master is + of strict wilful turn;—Master would grumble and growl sometimes + about the peasant people, and how a nobleman has now no power over them, + in comparison. 'Are you a Protestant?' 'No, your Majesty, Catholic.' 'See, + IHR HERREN,' said the King to those about him; 'Warkotsch is a Protestant; + his Curatus Schmidt is a Catholic; and this man is a Catholic: there are + villains and honest people in every creed!' + </p> + <p> + "At noon, that day, Warkotsch had sat down to dinner, comfortably in his + dressing-gown, nobody but the good Baroness there; when Rittmeister + Rabenau suddenly descended on the Schloss and dining-room with dragoons: + 'In arrest, Herr Baron; I am sorry you must go with me to Brieg!' + Warkotsch, a strategic fellow, kept countenance to Wife and Rittmeister, + in this sudden fall of the thunder-bolt: 'Yes, Herr Rittmeister; it is + that mass of Corn I was to furnish [showing him an actual order of that + kind], and I am behind my time with it! Nobody can help his luck. Take a + bit of dinner with us, anyway!' Rittmeister refused; but the Baroness too + pressed him; he at length sat down. Warkotsch went 'to dress;' first of + all, to give orders about his best horse; but was shocked to find that the + dragoons were a hundred, and that every outgate was beset. Returning + half-dressed, with an air of baffled hospitality: 'Herr Rittmeister, our + Schloss must not be disgraced; here are your brave fellows waiting, and + nothing of refreshment ready for them. I have given order at the Tavern in + the Village; send them down; there they shall drink better luck to me, and + have a bit of bread and cheese.' Stupid Rabenau again consents:—and + in few minutes more, Warkotsch is in the Woods, galloping like Epsom, + towards Wallis; and Rabenau can only arrest Madam (who knows nothing), and + return in a baffled state. + </p> + <p> + "Schmidt too got away. The party sent after Schmidt found him in the + little Town of Nimptsch, half-way home again from his Wallis errand; + comfortably dining with some innocent hospitable people there. Schmidt + could not conceal his confusion; but pleading piteously a necessity of + nature, was with difficulty admitted to the—to the ABTRITT so + called; and there, by some long pole or rake-handle, vanished wholly + through a never-imagined aperture, and was no more heard of in the upper + world. The Prussian soldiery does not seem expert in thief-taking. + </p> + <p> + "Warkotsch came back about midnight that same Tuesday, 500 Wallis Hussars + escorting him; and took away his ready moneys, near 5,000 pounds in gold, + reports Frau Kappel, who witnessed the ghastly operation (Hussars in great + terror, in haste, and unconscionably greedy as to sharing);—after + which our next news of him, the last of any clear authenticity, is this + Note to his poor Wife, which was read in the Law Procedures on him six + months hence: 'My Child (MEIN KIND),—The accursed thought I took up + against my King has overwhelmed me in boundless misery. From the top of + the highest hill I cannot see the limits of it. Farewell; I am in the + farthest border of Turkey.—WARKOTSCH.'" [Kuster, <i>Lebens-Rettungen,</i> + p. 88: Kuster, pp. 65-188 (for the general Narrative); Tempelhof, v. 346, + &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + Schmidt and he, after patient trial, were both of them beheaded and + quartered,—in pasteboard effigy,—in the Salt Ring (Great + Square) of Breslau, May, 1762:—in pasteboard, Friedrich liked it + better than the other way. "MEINETWEGEN," wrote he, sanctioning the + execution, "For aught I care; the Portraits will likely be as worthless as + the Originals." Rittmeister Rabenau had got off with a few days' arrest, + and the remark, "ER IST EIN DUMMER TEUFEL (You are a stupid devil)!" + Warkotsch's Estates, all and sundry, deducting the Baroness's jointure, + which was punctually paid her, were confiscated to the King,—and by + him were made over to the Schools of Breslau and Glogau, which, I doubt + not, enjoy them to this day. Reverend Gerlach in Schonbrunn, Kappel and + Kappel's Bursch, were all attended to, and properly rewarded, though there + are rumors to the contrary. Hussar-Colonel Wallis got no public promotion, + though it is not doubted the Head People had been well cognizant of his + ingenious intentions. Official Vienna, like mankind in general, shuddered + to own him; the great Counts Wallis at Vienna published in the Newspapers, + "Our House has no connection with that gentleman;"—and, in fact, he + was of Irish breed, it seems, the name of him WallISCH (or Walsh), if one + cared. Warkotsch died at Raab (THIS side the farthest corner of Turkey), + in 1769: his poor Baroness had vanished from Silesia five years before, + probably to join him. He had some pension or aliment from the Austrian + Court; small or not so small is a disputed point. + </p> + <p> + And this is, more minutely than need have been, in authentic form only too + diffuse, the once world-famous Warkotsch Tragedy or Wellnigh-Tragic + Melodrama; which is still interesting and a matter of study, of pathos and + minute controversy, to the patriot and antiquary in Prussian Countries, + though here we might have been briefer about it. It would, indeed, have + "finished the War at once;" and on terms delightful to Austria and its + Generals near by. But so would any unit of the million balls and bullets + which have whistled round that same Royal Head, and have, every unit of + them, missed like Warkotsch! Particular Heads, royal and other, meant for + use in the scheme of things, are not to be hit on any terms till the use + is had. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich settled in Breslau for the Winter, December 9th. From Colberg + bad news meet him in Breslau; bad and ever worse: Colberg, not Warkotsch, + is the interesting matter there, for a fortnight coming,—till + Colberg end, it also irremediable. The Russian hope on Colberg is, long + since, limited to that of famine. We said the conveyance of Supplies, + across such a Hundred Miles of wilderness, from Stettin thither, with + Russians and the Winter gainsaying, was the difficulty. Our short Note + continues:— + </p> + <p> + "In fact, it is the impossibility: trial after trial goes on, in a + strenuous manner, but without success. October 13th, Green Kleist tries; + October 22d, Knobloch and even Platen try. For the next two months there + is trial on trial made (Hussar Kleist, Knobloch, Thadden, Platen), not + without furious fencing, struggling; but with no success. There are, in + wait at the proper places, 15,000 Russians waylaying. Winter comes early, + and unusually severe: such marchings, such endeavorings and endurances,—without + success! For darkness, cold, grim difficulty, fierce resistance to it, one + reads few things like this of Colberg. 'The snow lies ell-deep,' says + Archenholtz; 'snow-tempests, sleet, frost: a country wasted and hungered + out; wants fuel-wood; has not even salt. The soldier's bread is a block of + ice; impracticable to human teeth till you thaw it,—which is only + possible by night.' The Russian ships disappear (17th October); November + 2d, Butturlin, leaving reinforcements without stint, vanishes towards + Poland. The day before Butturlin went, there had been solemn summons upon + Eugen, 'Surrender honorably, we once more bid you; never will we leave + this ground, till Colberg is ours!' 'Vain to propose it!' answers Eugen, + as before. The Russians too are clearly in great misery of want; though + with better roads open for them; and Romanzow's obstinacy is extreme. + </p> + <p> + "Night of November 14th-15th, Eugen, his horse-fodder being entirely done, + and Heyde's magazines worn almost out, is obliged to glide mysteriously, + circuitously from his Camp, and go to try the task himself. The most + difficult of marches, gloriously executed; which avails to deliver Eugen, + and lightens the pressure on Heyde's small store. Eugen, in a way + Tempelhof cannot enough admire, gets clear away. Joins with Platen, + collects Provision; tries to send Provision in, but without effect. By the + King's order, is to try it himself in a collective form. Had Heyde food, + he would care little. + </p> + <p> + "Romanzow, who is now in Eugen's old Camp, summons the Veteran; they say, + it is 'for the twenty-fifth time,'—not yet quite the last. Heyde + consults his people: 'KAMERADEN, what think you should I do?' 'THUN SIE'S + DURCHAUS NICHT, HERR OBRIST, Do not a whit of it, Herr Colonel: we will + defend ourselves as long as we have bread and powder.' [Seyfarth, iii. 28; + Archenholtz, ii. 304.] It is grim frost; Heyde pours water on his walls. + Romanzow tries storm; the walls are glass; the garrison has powder, though + on half rations as to bread: storm is of no effect. By the King's order, + Eugen tries again. December 6th, starts; has again a march of the most + consummate kind; December 12th, gets to the Russian intrenchment; storms a + Russian redoubt, and fights inexpressibly; but it will not do. Withdraws; + leaves Colberg to its fate. Next morning, Heyde gets his twenty-sixth + summons; reflects on it two days; and then (December 16th), his biscuit + done, decides to 'march out, with music playing, arms shouldered and the + honors of war."' [Tempelhof, v. 351-377; Archenholtz, ii. 294-307; + especially the Seyfarth <i>Beylagen</i> above cited.] Adieu to the old + Hero; who, we hope, will not stay long in Russian prison. + </p> + <p> + "What a Place of Arms for us!" thinks Romanzow;—"though, indeed, for + Campaign 1762, at this late time of year, it will not so much avail us." + No;—and for 1763, who knows if you will need it then! + </p> + <p> + Six weeks ago, Prince Henri and Daun had finished their Saxon Campaign in + a much more harmless manner. NOVEMBER 5th, Daun, after infinite rallying, + marshalling, rearranging, and counselling with Loudon, who has sat so long + quiescent on the Heights at Kunzendorf, ready to aid and reinforce, did at + length (nothing of "rashness" chargeable on Daun) make "a general attack + on Prince Henri's outposts", in the Meissen or Mulda-Elbe Country, "from + Rosswein all across to Siebeneichen;" simultaneous attack, 15 miles wide, + or I know not how wide, but done with vigor; and, after a stiff struggle + in the small way, drove them all in;—in, all of them, more or less;—and + then did nothing farther whatever. Henri had to contract his quarters, and + stand alertly on his guard: but nothing came. "Shall have to winter in + straiter quarters, behind the Mulda, not astride of it as formerly; that + is all." And so the Campaign in Saxony had ended, "without, in the whole + course of it", say the Books, "either party gaining any essential + advantage over the other." [Seyfarth, iii. 54; Tempelhof, v. 275 et seq. + (ibid. pp. 263-280 for the Campaign at large, in all breadth of detail).] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X.—FRIEDRICH IN BRESLAU; HAS NEWS FROM PETERSBURG. + </h2> + <p> + Since December 9th, Friedrich is in Breslau, in some remainder of his + ruined Palace there; and is represented to us, in Books, as sitting amid + ruins; no prospect ahead of him but ruin. Withdrawn from Society; looking + fixedly on the gloomiest future. Sees hardly anybody; speaks, except it be + on business, nothing. "One day," I have read somewhere, "General Lentulus + dined with him; and there was not a word uttered at all." The + Anecdote-Books have Dialogues with Ziethen; Ziethen still trusting in + Divine Providence; King trusting only in the iron Destinies, and the stern + refuge of Death with honor: Dialogues evidently symbolical only. In fact, + this is not, or is not altogether, the King's common humor. He has his two + Nephews with him (the elder, old enough to learn soldiering, is to be of + next Campaign under him); he is not without society when he likes,—never + without employment whether he like or not; and, in the blackest murk of + despondencies, has his Turk and other Illusions, which seem to be brighter + this Year than ever. [LETTERS to Henri: in SCHONING, iii. (SOEPIUS).] + </p> + <p> + For certain, the King is making all preparation, as if victory might still + crown him: though of practical hope he, doubtless often enough, has little + or none. England seems about deserting him; a most sad and unexpected + change has befallen there: great Pitt thrown out; perverse small Butes + come in, whose notions and procedures differ far from Pitt's! At home + here, the Russians are in Pommern and the Neumark; Austrians have Saxony, + all but a poor strip beyond the Mulda; Silesia, all but a fraction on the + Oder: Friedrich has with himself 30,000; with Prince Henri, 25,000; under + Eugen of Wurtemberg, against the Swedes, 5,000; in all his Dominions, + 60,000 fighting men. To make head against so many enemies, he calculates + that 60,000 more must be raised this Winter. And where are these to come + from; England and its help having also fallen into such dubiety? Next + Year, it is calculated by everybody, Friedrich himself hardly excepted (in + bad moments), must be the finis of this long agonistic tragedy. On the + other hand, Austria herself is in sore difficulties as to cash; discharges + 20,000 men,—trusting she may have enough besides to finish + Friedrich. France is bankrupt, starving, passionate for Peace; English + Bute nothing like so ill to treat with as Pitt: to Austria no more + subsidies from France. The War is waxing feeble, not on Friedrich's side + only, like a flame short of fuel. This Year it must go out; Austria will + have to kill Friedrich this Year, if at all. + </p> + <p> + Whether Austria's and the world's prophecy would have been fulfilled? + Nobody can say what miraculous sudden shifts, and outbursts of fiery + enterprise, may still lie in this man. Friedrich is difficult to kill, + grows terribly elastic when you compress him into a corner. Or Destiny, + perhaps, may have tried him sufficiently; and be satisfied? Destiny does + send him a wonderful star-of-day, bursting out on the sudden, as will be + seen!—Meanwhile here is the English calamity; worse than any + Schweidnitz, Colberg or other that has befallen in this blackest, of the + night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PITT CATASTROPHE: HOW THE PEACE-NEGOTIATION WENT OFF BY EXPLOSION; HOW + PITT WITHDREW (3d October, 1761), AND THERE CAME A SPANISH WAR + NEVERTHELESS. + </h2> + <p> + In St. James's Street, "in the Duke of Cumberland's late lodgings," on the + 2d of October, 1761, there was held one of the most remarkable + Cabinet-Councils known in English History: it is the last of Pitt's + Cabinet-Councils for a long time,—might as well have been his last + of all;—and is of the highest importance to Friedrich through Pitt. + We spoke of the Choiseul Peace-Negotiation; of an offer indirectly from + King Carlos, "Could not I mediate a little?"—offer which exploded + said Negotiation, and produced the Bourbon Family Compact and an + additional War instead. Let us now look, slightly for a few moments, into + that matter and its sequences. + </p> + <p> + It was JULY 15th, when Bussy, along with something in his own French + sphere, presented this beautiful Spanish Appendix,—"apprehensive + that War may break out again with Spain, when we Two have got settled." By + the same opportunity came a Note from him, which was reckoned important + too: "That the Empress Queen would and did, whatever might become of the + Congress of Augsburg, approve of this Separate Peace between France and + England,—England merely undertaking to leave the King of Prussia + altogether to himself in future with her Imperial Majesty and her Allies." + "Never, Sir!" answered Pitt, with emphasis, to this latter Proposition; + and to the former about Spain's interfering, or whispering of + interference, he answered—by at once returning the Paper, as a thing + non-extant, or which it was charitable to consider so. "Totally + inadmissible, Sir; mention it no more!"—and at once called upon the + Spanish Ambassador to disavow such impertinence imputed to his Master. + Fancy the colloquies, the agitated consultations thereupon, between Bussy + and this Don, in view suddenly of breakers ahead! + </p> + <p> + In about a week (July 23d), Bussy had an Interview with Pitt himself on + this high Spanish matter; and got some utterances out of him which are + memorable to Bussy and us. "It is my duty to declare to you, Sir, in the + name of his Majesty," said Pitt, "that his Majesty will not suffer the + disputes with Spain to be blended, in any manner whatever, in the + Negotiation of Peace between the Two Crowns. To which I must add, that it + will be considered as an affront to his Majesty's dignity, and as a thing + incompatible with the sincerity of the Negotiation, to make farther + mention of such a circumstance." [In THACKERAY, ii. 554;—Pitt next + day putting it in writing, "word for word," at Bussy's request.] Bussy did + not go at once, after this deliverance; but was unable, by his arguments + and pleadings, by all his oil and fire joined together, to produce the + least improvement on it: "Time enough to treat of all that, Sir, when the + Tower of London is taken sword in hand!" [Beatson, ii. 434. Archenholtz + (ii. 245) has heard of this expression, in a slightly incorrect way.] was + Pitt's last word. An expression which went over the world; and went + especially to King Carlos, as fast as it could fly, or as his Choiseul + could speed it: and, in about three weeks: produced—it and what had + gone before it, by the united industry of Choiseul and Carlos, finally + produced—the famed BOURBON FAMILY COMPACT (August 15th, 1761), and a + variety of other weighty results, which lay in embryo therein. + </p> + <p> + Pitt, in the interim, had been intensely prosecuting, in Spain and + everywhere, his inquiry into the Bussy phenomenon of July 15th; which he, + from the first glimpse of it, took to mean a mystery of treachery in the + pretended Peace-Negotiation, on the part of Choiseul and Catholic Majesty;—though + other long heads, and Pitt's Ambassador at Madrid investigating on the + spot, considered it an inadvertence mainly, and of no practical meaning. + On getting knowledge of the Bourbon Family Compact, Pitt perceived that + his suspicion was a certainty;—and likewise that the one clear + course was, To declare War on the Spanish Bourbon too, and go into him at + once: "We are ready; fleets, soldiers, in the East, in the West; he not + ready anywhere. Since he wants War, let him have it, without loss of a + moment!" That is Pitt's clear view of the case; but it is by no means Bute + and Company's,—who discern in it, rather, a means of finishing + another operation they have long been secretly busy upon, by their + Mauduits and otherwise; and are clear against getting into a new War with + Spain or anybody: "Have not we enough of Wars?" say they. + </p> + <p> + Since September 18th, there had been three Cabinet-Councils held on this + great Spanish question: "Mystery of treachery, meaning War from Spain? Or + awkward Inadvertence only, practically meaning little or nothing?" Pitt, + surer of his course every time, every time meets the same contradiction. + Council of October 2d was the third of the series, and proved to be the + last. + </p> + <p> + "Twelve Seventy-fours sent instantly to Cadiz", had been Pitt's proposal, + on the first emergence of the Bussy phenomenon. Here are his words, + October 2d, when it is about to get consummated: "This is now the time for + humbling the whole House of Bourbon: and if this opportunity is let slip, + we shall never find another! Their united power, if suffered to gather + strength, will baffle our most vigorous efforts, and possibly plunge us in + the gulf of ruin. We must not allow them a moment to breathe. + Self-preservation bids us crush them before they can combine or recollect + themselves."—"No evidence that Spain means war; too many wars on our + hands; let us at least wait!" urge all the others,—all but one, or + one and A HALF, of whom presently. Whereupon Pitt: "If these views are to + be followed, this is the last time I can sit at this Board. I was called + to the Administration of Affairs by the voice of the People: to them I + have always considered myself as accountable for my conduct; and therefore + cannot remain in a situation which makes me responsible for measures I am + no longer allowed to guide." [Beatson, ii. 438.] + </p> + <p> + Carteret Granville, President of said Council for ten years past, [Came in + "17th June, 1751",—died "2d January, 1763."] now an old red-nosed + man of seventy-two, snappishly took him up,—it is the last public + thing poor Carteret did in this world,—in the following terms: "I + find the Gentleman is determined to leave us; nor can I say I am sorry for + it, since otherwise he would have certainly compelled us to leave him [Has + ruled us, may not I say, with a rod of iron!] But if he be resolved to + assume the office of exclusively advising his Majesty and directing the + operations of the War, to what purpose are we called to this Council? When + he talks of being responsible to the People, he talks the language of the + House of Commons; forgets that, at this Board, he is only responsible to + the King. However, though he may possibly have convinced himself of his + infallibility, still it remains that we should be equally convinced, + before we can resign our understandings to his direction, or join with him + in the measure he proposes." [BIOG. BRITANNICA (Kippis's; London, 1784), + iii. 278. See Thackeray, i. 589-592.] + </p> + <p> + Who, besides Temple (Pitt's Brother-in-law) confirmatory of Pitt, Bute + negatory, and Newcastle SILENT, the other beautiful gentlemen were, I will + not ask; but poor old Carteret,—the wine perhaps sour on his stomach + (old age too, with German memories of his own, "A biggish Life once mine, + all futile for want of this same Kingship like Pitt's!")—I am sorry + old Carteret should have ended so! He made the above Answer; and Pitt + resigned next day. [Thackeray, i. 592 n. "October 5th" (ACCEPTANCE of the + resignation, I suppose?) is the date commonly given.] "The Nation was + thunderstruck, alarmed and indignant," says Walpole: [<i> Memoirs of the + Reign of George the Third,</i> i. 82 et seq.] yes, no wonder;—but, + except a great deal of noisy jargoning in Parliament and out of it, the + Nation gained nothing for itself by its indignant, thunderstricken and + other feelings. Its Pitt is irrecoverable; and it may long look for + another such. These beautiful recalcitrants of the Cabinet-Council had, + themselves, within three months (think under what noises and hootings from + a non-admiring Nation), to declare War on Spain, ["2d January, 1762," the + English; "18th January," the Spaniard (ANNUAL REGISTER for 1762, p. 50; or + better, Beatson, ii. 443).] NOT on better terms than when Pitt advised; + and, except for the "readiness" in which Pitt had left all things, might + have fared indifferently in it. + </p> + <p> + To Spain and France the results of the Family Compact (we may as well give + them at once, though they extend over the whole next year and farther, and + concern Friedrich very little) were: a War on England (chiefly on poor + Portugal for England's sake); with a War BY England in return, which cost + Spain its Havana and its Philippine Islands. + </p> + <p> + "From 1760 and before, the Spanish Carlos, his orthodox mind perhaps + shocked at Pombal and the Anti-Jesuit procedures, had forbidden trade with + Portugal; had been drawing out dangerous 'militia forces on the Frontier;' + and afflicting and frightening the poor Country. But on the actual arrival + of War with England, Choiseul and he, as the first feasibility + discernible, make Demand (three times over, 16th March-18th April, 1762, + each time more stringently) on poor Portuguese Majesty: 'Give up your + objectionable Heretic Ally, and join with us against him; will you, or + will you not?' To which the Portuguese Majesty, whose very title is Most + Faithful, answered always: 'You surprise me! I cannot; how can I? He is my + Ally, and has always kept faith with me! For certain, No!' [<i>London + Gazette,</i> 5th May, 1762, &c. (in <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for + 1762, xxxii. 205, 321, 411).] So that there is English reinforcement got + ready, men, money; an English General, Lord Tyrawley, General and + Ambassador; with a 5 or 6,000 horse and foot, and many volunteer officers + besides, for the Portuguese behoof. [List of all this in Beatson, ii. 491, + iii. 323;—"did not get to sea till 12th May, 1762" (<i>Gentleman's + Magazine</i> for 1762, p. 239).] In short, every encouragement to poor + Portugal: 'Pull, and we will help you by tracing.' + </p> + <p> + "The poor Portuguese pulled very badly: were disgusting to Tyrawley, he to + them; and cried passionately, 'Get us another General;'—upon which, + by some wise person's counsel, that singular Artillery Gentleman, the Graf + von der Lippe Buckeburg, who gave the dinner in his Tent with cannon + firing at the pole of it, was appointed; and Tyrawley came home in a huff. + [Varnhagen van Ense, GRAF WILHELM ZUR LIPPE (Berlin, 1845), in <i>Vermischte + Schriften,</i> i. 1-118: pp. 33-54, his Portuguese operations.] Which was + probably a favorable circumstance. Buckeburg understands War, whether + Tyrawley do or not. Duke Ferdinand has agreed to dispense with his + Ordnance-Master; nay I have heard the Ordnance-Master, a man of sharp + speech on occasion, was as good as idle; and had gone home to Buckeburg, + this Winter: indignant at the many imperfections he saw, and perhaps too + frankly expressing that feeling now and then. What he thought of the + Portuguese Army in comparison is not on record; but, may be judged of by + this circumstance, That on dining with the chief Portuguese military man, + he found his Portuguese captains and lieutenants waiting as valets behind + the chairs. [VARNHAGEN (gives no date anywhere).] + </p> + <p> + "The improvements he made are said to have been many;—and Portuguese + Majesty, in bidding farewell, gave him a park of Miniature Gold Cannon by + way of gracious symbol. But, so far as the facts show, he seems to have + got from his Portuguese Army next to no service whatever: and, but for the + English and the ill weather, would have fared badly against his French and + Spaniards,—42,000 of them, advancing in Three Divisions, by the + Douro and the Tagus, against Oporto and Lisbon. + </p> + <p> + "His War has only these three dates of event. 1. May 9th, The northmost of + the Three Divisions [ANNUAL REGISTER for 1762, p. 30.] crosses the + Portuguese Frontier on the Douro; summons Miranda, a chief Town of theirs; + takes it, before their first battery is built; takes Braganza, takes Monte + Corvo; and within a week is master of the Douro, in that part, 'Will be at + Oporto directly!' shriek all the Wine people (no resistance anywhere, + except by peasants organized by English Officers in some parts); upon + which Seventy-fours were sent. + </p> + <p> + "2. Division Second of the 42,000 came by Beira Country, between Tagus and + Douro, by Tras-os-Montes; and laid siege to a place called Almeida + [northwest some 20 odd miles from CUIDAD RODRIGO, a name once known to + veterans of us still living], which Buckeburg had tried to repair into + strength, and furnish with a garrison. Garrison defended itself well; but + could not be relieved;—had to surrender, August 25th: whereby it + seems the Tagus is now theirs! All the more, as Division Three is likewise + got across from Estremadura, invading Alemtejo: what is to keep these Two + from falling on Lisbon together? + </p> + <p> + "3. Against this, Buckeburg does find a recipe. Despatches Brigadier + Burgoyne with an English party upon a Town called Valencia d'Alcantara + [not Alcantara Proper, but Valencia of ditto, not very far from Badajoz], + where the vanguard of this Third Division is, and their principal + Magazine. Burgoyne and his English did perfectly: broke into the place, + stormed it sword in hand (August 27th); kept the Magazine and it, though + 'the sixteen Portuguese Battalions' could not possibly get up in time. In + manner following (say the Old Newspapers):— + </p> + <p> + "'The garrison of Almeida, before which place the whole Spanish Army had + been assembled, surrendered to the Spaniards on the 25th [August 25th, as + we have just heard], having capitulated on condition of not serving + against Spain for six months. + </p> + <p> + "'As a counterbalance to this advantage, the Count de Lippe caused + Valencia d'Alcantara to be attacked, sword in hand, by the British troops; + who carried it, after an obstinate resistance. The loss of the British + troops, who had the principal share in this affair, is luckily but + inconsiderable: and consists in Lieutenant Burk of Colonel Frederick's, + one sergeant and three privates killed; two sergeants, one drummer, 18 + privates wounded; 10 horses killed and 2 wounded [loss not at all + considerable, in a War of such dimensions!]. The British troops behaved + upon this occasion with as much generosity as courage; and it deserves + admiration, that, in an affair of this kind, the town and the inhabitants + suffered very little; which is owing to the good order Brigadier Burgoyne + kept up even in the heat of the action. This success would probably have + been attended with more, if circumstances, that could not well be + expected, had not retarded the march of sixteen Portuguese battalions, and + three regiments of cavalry.' [Old Newspapers (in <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> + for 1762, p, 443).] + </p> + <p> + "Upon which—upon which, in fact, the War had to end. Rainy weather + came, deluges of rain; Burgoyne, with or without the sixteen battalions of + Portuguese, kept the grip he had. Valencia d'Alcantara and its Magazine a + settled business, roads round gone all to mire,—this Third Division, + and with it the 42,000 in general, finding they had nothing to live upon, + went their ways again." NOTE, The Burgoyne, who begins in this pretty way + at Valencia d'Alcantara, is the same who ended so dismally at Saratoga, + within twenty years:—perhaps, with other War-Offices, and training + himself in something suitabler than Parliamentary Eloquence, he might have + become a kind of General, and have ended far otherwise than there?— + </p> + <p> + "Such was the credit account on Carlos's side: By gratuitous assault on + Portugal, which had done him no offence; result zero, and pay your + expenses. On the English, or PER CONTRA side, again, there were these + three items, two of them specifically on Carlos: FIRST, Martinique + captured from the French this Spring (finished 4th February, 1762): [<i>Gentleman's + Magazine</i> for 1762, p. 127.]—was to have been done in any case, + Guadaloupe and it being both on Pitt's books for some time, and only + Guadaloupe yet got. SECONDLY, King Carlos, for Family Compact and + fruitless attempt at burglary on an unoffending neighbor, Debtor: 1. To + Loss of the Havana (6th June-13th August, 1762), [Ib. pp. 408-459, &c.] + which might easily have issued in loss of all his West Indies together, + and total abolition of the Pope's meridian in that Western Hemisphere; and + 2. To Loss of Manilla, with his Philippine Islands (23d September-6th + October, 1762), [<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i> for 1762, xxxiii. 171-177.] + which was abolition of it in the Eastern. After which, happily for Carlos, + Peace came,—Peace, and no Pitt to be severe upon his Indies and him. + Carlos's War of ten months had stood him uncommonly high." + </p> + <p> + All these things the English Public, considerably sullen about the + Cabinet-Council event of October 3d, ascribed to the real owner of them. + The Public said: "These are, all of them, Pitt's bolts, not yours,—launched, + or lying ready for launching, from that Olympian battery which, in the + East and in the West, had already smitten down all Lallys and Montcalms; + and had force already massed there, rendering your Havanas and Manillas + easy for you. For which, indeed, you do not seem to care much; rather seem + to be embarrassed with them, in your eagerness for Peace and a lazy life!"—Manilla + was a beautiful work; [A JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF HIS MAJESTY'S + FORCES IN THE EXPEDITION TO MANILLA (<i>London Gazette,</i> April 19th, + 1763; <i>Gentleman's Magazine,</i> xxxiii. 171 et seq.). Written by + Colonel or Brigadier General Draper (suggester, contriver and performer of + the Enterprise; an excellent Indian Officer, of great merit with his pen + as well,—Bully JUNIUS'S Correspondent afterwards).] but the Manilla + Ransom; a million sterling, half of it in bills,—which the + Spaniards, on no pretext at all but the disagreeableness, refused to pay! + Havana, though victorious, cost a good many men: was thought to be but + badly managed. "What to do with it?" said Bute, at the Peace: "Give us + Florida in lieu of it",—which proved of little benefit to Bute. + Enough, enough of Bute and his performances. + </p> + <p> + Pitt being gone, Friedrich's English Subsidy lags: this time Friedrich + concludes it is cut off;—silent on the subject; no words will + express one's thoughts on it. Not till April 9th has poor Mitchell the sad + errand of announcing formally That such are our pressures, Portuguese War + and other, we cannot afford it farther. Answered by I know not what kind + of glance from Friedrich; answered, I find, by words few or none from the + forsaken King: "Good; that too was wanting," thought the proud soul: "Keep + your coin, since you so need it; I have still copper, and my sword!" The + alloy this Year became as 3 to 1:—what other remedy? + </p> + <p> + From the same cause, I doubt not, this Year, for the first time in human + memory, came that complete abeyance of the Gift-moneys (DOUCEUR-GELDER), + which are become a standing expectation, quasi-right, and necessary item + of support to every Prussian Officer, from a Lieutenant upwards: not a + word, in the least official, said of them this Year; still less a penny of + them actually forthcoming to a wornout expectant Army. One of the greatest + sins charged upon Friedrich by Prussian or Prussian-Military public + opinion: not to be excused at all;—Prussian-Military and even + Prussian-Civil opinion having a strange persuasion that this King has + boundless supply of money, and only out of perversity refuses it for + objects of moment. In the Army as elsewhere much has gone awry; [See + Mollendorf's two or three LETTERS (Preuss, iv. 407-411).] many rivets + loose after such a climbing of the Alps as there has been, through dense + and rare. + </p> + <p> + It will surprise everybody that Friedrich, with his copper and other + resources, actually raised his additional 60,000; and has for himself + 70,000 to recover Schweidnitz, and bring Silesia to its old state; 40,000 + for Prince Henri and Saxony, with a 10,000 of margin for Sweden and + accidental sundries. This is strange, but it is true. [Stenzel, v. 297, + 286; Tempelhof, vi. 2, 10, 63.] And has not been done without strivings + and contrivings, hard requisitions on the places liable; and has involved + not a little of severity and difficulty,—especially a great deal of + haggling with the collecting parties, or at least with Prince Henri, who + presides in Saxony, and is apt to complain and mourn over the undoable, + rather than proceed to do it. The King's Correspondence with Henri, this + Winter, is curious enough; like a Dialogue between Hope on its feet, and + Despair taking to its bed. "You know there are Two Doctors in MOLIERE," + says Friedrich to him once; "a Doctor TANT-MIEUX (So much the Better) and + a Doctor TANT-PIS (So much the Worse): these two cannot be expected to + agree!"—Instead of infinite arithmetical details, here is part of a + Letter of Friedrich's to D'Argens; and a Passage, one of many, with Prince + Henri;—which command a view into the interior that concerns us. + </p> + <p> + THE KING TO D'ARGENS (at Berlin). + </p> + <p> + "BRESLAU, 18th January, 1762. + </p> + <p> + ... "You have lifted the political veil which covered horrors and + perfidies meditated and ready to burst out [Bute's dismal procedures, I + believe; who is ravenous for Peace, and would fain force Friedrich along + with him on terms altogether disgraceful and inadmissible [See D'Argens's + Letter (to which this is Answer), <i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. 281, + 282.]]: you judge correctly of the whole situation I am in, of the abysses + which surround me; and, as I see by what you say, of the kind of hope that + still remains to me. It will not be till the month of February [Turks, + probably, and Tartar Khan; great things coming then!] that we can speak of + that; and that is the term I contemplate for deciding whether I shall hold + to CATO [Cato,—and the little Glass Tube I have!] or to CAESAR'S + COMMENTARIES," and the best fight one can make. + </p> + <p> + "The School of patience I am at is hard, long-continued, cruel, nay + barbarous. I have not been able to escape my lot: all that human foresight + could suggest has been employed, and nothing has succeeded. If Fortune + continues to pursue me, doubtless I shall sink; it is only she that can + extricate me from the situation I am in. I escape out of it by looking at + the Universe on the great scale, like an observer from some distant + Planet; all then seems to me so infinitely small, and I could almost pity + my enemies for giving themselves such trouble about so very little. What + would become of us without philosophy, without this reasonable contempt of + things frivolous, transient and fugitive, about which the greedy and + ambitious make such a pother, fancying them to be solid! This is to become + wise by stripes, you will tell me; well, if one do become wise, what + matters it how?—I read a great deal; I devour my Books, and that + brings me useful alleviation. But for my Books, I think hypochondria would + have had me in bedlam before now. In fine, dear Marquis, we live in + troublous times and in desperate situations:—I have all the + properties of a Stage-Hero; always in danger, always on the point of + perishing. One must hope the conclusion will come; and if the end of the + piece be lucky, we will forget the rest. Patience then, MON CHER, till + February 20th [By which time, what far other veritable star-of-day will + have risen on me!]. ADIEU, MON CHER.—F." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xix. 282, 283.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TIFF OF QUARREL BETWEEN KING AND HENRI (March-April, 1762). + </h2> + <p> + In the Spring months Prince Henri is at Hof in Voigtland, on the extreme + right of his long line of "Quarters behind the Mulda;" busy enough, + watching the Austrians and Reich; levying the severe contributions; + speeding all he can the manifold preparatives;—conscious to himself + of the greatest vigilance and diligence, but wrapt in despondency and + black acidulent humors; a "Doctor SO MUCH THE WORSE," who is not a + comforting Correspondent. From Hof, towards the middle of March, he + becomes specially gloomy and acidulous; sends a series of Complaints; also + of News, not important, but all rather in YOUR favor, my dearest Brother, + than in mine, if you will please to observe! As thus:— + </p> + <p> + HENRI (at Hof, 10th-13th March).... "Sadly off here, my dearest Brother.! + Of our '1,284 head of commissariat horses,' only 180 are come in; of our + '287 drivers,' not one. Will be impossible to open Campaign at that rate."—"Grenadier + Battalions ROTHENBURG and GRANT demand to have picked men to complete them + [of CANTONIST, or sure Prussian sort].... I find [NOTA BENE, Reader!] + there are eight Austrian regiments going to Silesia [off my hands, and + upon YOURS, in a sense], eight instead of four that I spoke of: intending, + probably, for Glatz, to replace Czernichef [a Czernichef off for home + lately, in a most miraculous way; as readers shall hear!]—to replace + Czernichef, and the blank he has left there? Eight of them: Your Majesty + can have no difficulty; but I will detach Platen or somebody, if you order + it; though I am myself perilously ill off here, so scattered into parts, + not capable of speedy junction like your Majesty." + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH (14th-16th March). "Commissariat horses, drivers? I arranged and + provided where everything was to be got. But if my orders are not + executed, nor the requisitions brought in, of course there is failure. I + am despatching Adjutant von Anhalt to Saxony a second time, to enforce + matters. If I could be for three weeks in Saxony, myself, I believe I + could put all on its right footing; but, as I must not stir two steps from + here, I will send you Anhalt, with orders to the Generals, to compel them + to their duty." [Schoning, iii. 301, 302.] "As to Grenadier Battalions + GRANT and ROTHENBURG, it is absurd." (Henri falls silent for about a week, + brooding his gloom;—not aware that still worse is coming.) King + continues:— + </p> + <p> + KING (22d March). "Eight regiments, you said? Here, by enclosed List, are + seventeen of them, names and particulars all given", which is rather a + different view of the account against Silesia! Seventeen of them, going, + not for Glatz, I should say, but to strengthen our Enemies hereabouts. + </p> + <p> + HENRI. "Hm, hah [answers only in German; dry military reports, official + merely;—thinks of writing to Chief-Clerk Eichel, who is factotum in + these spheres].... Artillery recruits are scarce in the extreme; demand + bounty: five thalers, shall we say?" + </p> + <p> + KING. "Seventeen regiments of them, beyond question, instead of eight, + coming on us: strange that you did n't warn me better. I have therefore + ordered your Major-General Schmettau hitherward at once. As he has not + done raising the contributions in the Lausitz, you must send another to do + it, and have them ready when General Platen passes that way hither."—"'Five + thalers bounty for artillery men" say you? It is not to be thought of. + Artillery men can be had by conscription where you are." Henri (in + silence, still more indignant) sends military reports exclusively. March + 26th, Henri's gloom reaches the igniting point; he writes to Chief-Clerk + Eichel:— + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur, you are aware that Adjutant von Anhalt is on the way hither. To + judge by his orders, if they correspond to the Letters I have had from the + King, Adjutant von Anhalt's appearance here will produce an embarrassment, + from which I am resolved to extricate myself by a voluntary retirement + from office. My totally ruined (ABIMEE) health, the vexations I have had, + the fatigues and troubles of war, leave in me little regret to quit the + employment. I solicit only, from your attentions and skill of management, + that my retreat be permitted to take place with the decency observed + towards those who have served the State. I have not a high opinion of my + services; but perhaps I am not mistaken in supposing that it would be more + a shame to the King than to me if he should make me endure all manner of + chagrins during my retirement." [Schoning, iii. 307.] + </p> + <p> + Eichel sinks into profound reflection; says nothing. How is this fire to + be got under? Where is the place to trample on it, before opening door or + window, or saying a word to the King or anybody? + </p> + <p> + HENRI (same day, 26th March). "My dearest Brother,—In the List you + send me of those seventeen Austrian regiments, several, I am informed, are + still in Saxony; and by all the news that I get, there are only eight gone + towards Silesia."—"From Leipzig my accounts are, the Reichs Army is + to make a movement in advance, and Prince Xavier with the Saxons was + expected at Naumburg the 20th ult. I know not if you have arranged with + Duke Ferdinand for a proportionate succor, in case his French also should + try to penetrate into Saxony upon me? I am, with the profoundest + attachment, your faithful and devoted servant and Brother." + </p> + <p> + KING (30th March). "Seventeen of them, you may depend; I am too well + informed to be allowed to doubt in any way. What you report of the + Reichsfolk and Saxons moving hither, thither; that seems to me a bit of + game on their part. They will try to cut one post from you, then another, + unless you assemble a corps and go in upon them. Till you decide for this + resolution, you have nothing but chicanes and provocations to expect + there. As to Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, I don't imagine that his Orders + [from England] would permit him what you propose [for relief of yourself]: + at any rate, you will have to write at least thrice to him,—that is + to say, waste three weeks, before he will answer No or Yes. You yourself + are in force enough for those fellows: but so long as you keep on the + defensive alone, the enemy gains time, and things will always go a bad + road." Henri's patience is already out; this same day he is writing to the + King. + </p> + <p> + HENRI (30th March).... "You have hitherto received proofs enough of my + ways of thinking and acting to know that if in reality I was mistaken + about those eight regiments, it can only have been a piece of ignorance on + the part of my spy: meanwhile you are pleased to make me responsible for + what misfortune may come of it. I think I have my hands full with the task + laid on me of guarding 4,000 square miles of country with fewer troops + than you have, and of being opposite an enemy whose posts touch upon ours, + and who is superior in force. Your preceding Letters [from March 16th + hitherto], on which I have wished to be silent, and this last proof of + want of affection, show me too clearly to what fortune I have sacrificed + these Six Years of Campaigning." + </p> + <p> + KING (3d April: Official Orders given in Teutsch; at the tail of which). + "Spare your wrath and indignation at your servant, Monseigneur! You, who + preach indulgence, have a little of it for persons who have no intention + of offending you, or of failing in respect for you; and deign to receive + with more benignity the humble representations which the conjunctures + sometimes force from me. F."—Which relieves Eichel of his + difficulties, and quenches this sputter. [Plucked up from the waste + imbroglios of SCHONING (iii. 296-311), by arranging and omitting.] + </p> + <p> + Prince Henri, for all his complaining, did beautifully this Season again + (though to us it must be silent, being small-war merely;—and in + particular, MAY 12th) early in the morning, simultaneously in many + different parts, burst across the Mulda, ten or twenty miles long (or + BROAD rather, from his right hand to his left), sudden as lightning, upon + the supine Serbelloni and his Austrians and Reichsfolk. And hurled them + back, one and all, almost to the Plauen Chasm and their old haunts; + widening his quarters notably. [<i>Bericht von dem Uebergang uber die + Mulde, den der Prinz Heinrich den 12ten May 1762 glucklich ausgefuhrt</i> + (in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii, 280-291).] A really brilliant thing, + testifies everybody, though not to be dwelt on here. Seidlitz was of it + (much fine cutting and careering, from the Seidlitz and others, we have to + omit in these two Saxon Campaigns!)—Seidlitz was of it; he and + another still more special acquaintance of ours, the learned Quintus + Icilius; who also did his best in it, but lost his "AMUSETTE" (small bit + of cannon, "Plaything," so called by Marechal de Saxe, inventor of the + article), and did not shine like Seidlitz. + </p> + <p> + Henri's quarters being notably widened in this way, and nothing but torpid + Serbellonis and Prince Stollbergs on the opposite part, Henri "drew + himself out thirty-five miles long;" and stood there, almost looking into + Plauen region as formerly. And with his fiery Seidlitzes, Kleists, made a + handsome Summer of it. And beat the Austrians and Reichsfolk at Freyberg + (OCTOBER 29th) a fine Battle, and his sole one),—on the Horse which + afterwards carried Gellert, as is pleasantly known. + </p> + <p> + But we are omitting the news from Petersburg,—which came the very + day after that gloomy LETTER TO D'ARGENS; months before the TIFF OF + QUARREL with Henri, and the brilliant better destinies of that Gentleman + in his Campaign. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BRIGHT NEWS FROM PETERSBURG (certain, Jan. 19th); WHICH GROW EVER + BRIGHTER; AND BECOME A STAR-OF-DAY FOR FRIEDRICH. + </h2> + <p> + To Friedrich, long before all this of Henri, indeed almost on the very day + while he was writing so despondently to D'Argens, a new phasis had arisen. + Hardly had he been five weeks at Breslau, in those gloomy circumstances, + when,—about the middle of January, 1762 (day not given, though it is + forever notable),—there arrive rumors, arrive news,—news from + Petersburg; such as this King never had before! "Among the thousand ill + strokes of Fortune, does there at length come one pre-eminently good? The + unspeakable Sovereign Woman, is she verily dead, then, and become + peaceable to me forevermore?" We promised Friedrich a wonderful + star-of-day; and this is it,—though it is long before he dare quite + regard it as such. Peter, the Successor, he knows to be secretly his + friend and admirer; if only, in the new Czarish capacity and its chaotic + environments and conditions, Peter dare and can assert these feelings? + What a hope to Friedrich, from this time onward! Russia may be counted as + the bigger half of all he had to strive with; the bigger, or at least the + far uglier, more ruinous and incendiary;—and if this were at once + taken away, think what a daybreak when the night was at the blackest! + </p> + <p> + Pious people say, The darkest hour is often nearest the dawn. And a dawn + this proved to be for Friedrich. And the fact grew always the longer the + brighter;—and before Campaign time, had ripened into real daylight + and sunrise. The dates should have been precise; but are not to be had so: + here is the nearest we could come. January 14th, writing to Henri, the + King has a mysterious word about "possibilities of an uncommon sort,"—rumors + from Petersburg, I could conjecture; though perhaps they are only Turk or + Tartar-Khan affairs, which are higher this year than ever, and as futile + as ever. But, on JANUARY 19th, he has heard plainly,—with what hopes + (if one durst indulge them)!—that the implacable Imperial Woman, + INFAME CATIN DU NORD, is verily dead. Dead; and does not hate me any more. + Deliverance, Peace and Victory lie in the word!—Catin had long been + failing, but they kept it religiously secret within the Court walls: even + at Petersburg nobody knew till the Prayers of the Church were required: + Prayers as zealous as you can,—the Doctors having plainly intimated + that she is desperate, and that the thing is over. On CHRISTMAS-DAY, 1761, + by Russian Style, 5th JANUARY, 1762, by European, the poor Imperial Catin + lay dead;—a death still more important than that of George II. to + this King. + </p> + <p> + Peter III., who succeeded has lang been privately a sworn friend and + admirer of the King; and hastens, not too SLOWLY as the King had feared, + but far the reverse, to make that known to all mankind. That, and much + else,—in a far too headlong manner, poor soul! Like an ardent, + violent, totally inexperienced person (enfranchised SCHOOL-BOY, come to + the age of thirty-four), who has sat hitherto in darkness, in intolerable + compression; as if buried alive! He is now Czar Peter, Autocrat, not of + Himself only, but of All the Russias;—and has, besides the complete + regeneration of Russia, two great thoughts: FIRST, That of avenging native + Holstein, and his poor martyr of a Father now with God, against the Danes;—and, + </p> + <p> + SECOND, what is scarcely second in importance to the first, and indeed is + practically a kind of preliminary to it, That of delivering the Prussian + Pattern of Heroes from such a pattern of foul combinations, and bringing + Peace to Europe, while he settles the Holstein-Danish business. Peter is + Russian by the Mother's side; his Mother was Sister of the late Catin, a + Daughter, like her, of Czar Peter called the Great, and of the little + brown Catharine whom we saw transiently long ago. His Holstein Business + shall concern us little; but that with Friedrich, during the brief Six + Months allowed him for it,—for it, and for all his remaining + businesses in this world,—is of the highest importance to Friedrich + and us. + </p> + <p> + Peter is one of the wildest men; his fate, which was tragical, is now to + most readers rather of a ghastly grotesque than of a lamentable and + pitiable character. Few know, or have ever considered, in how wild an + element poor Peter was born and nursed; what a time he has had, since his + fifteenth year especially, when Cousin of Zerbst and he were married. + Perhaps the wildest and maddest any human soul had, during that Century. I + find in him, starting out from the Lethean quagmires where he had to grow, + a certain rash greatness of idea; traces of veritable conviction, just + resolution; veritable and just, though rash. That of admiration for King + Friedrich was not intrinsically foolish, in the solitary thoughts of the + poor young fellow; nay it was the reverse; though it was highly + inopportune in the place where he stood. Nor was the Holstein notion bad; + it was generous rather, noble and natural, though, again, somewhat + impracticable in the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + The summary of the Friedrich-Peter business is perhaps already known to + most readers, and can be very briefly given; nor is Peter's tragical Six + Months of Czarship (5th JANUARY-9th JULY, 1762) a thing for us to dwell on + beyond need. But it is wildly tragical; strokes of deep pathos in it, + blended with the ghastly and grotesque: it is part of Friedrich's strange + element and environment: and though the outer incidents are public enough, + it is essentially little known. Had there been an AEschylus, had there + been a Shakspeare!—But poor Peter's shocking Six Months of History + has been treated by a far different set of hands, themselves almost + shocking to see: and, to the seriously inquiring mind, it lies, and will + long lie, in a very waste, chaotic, enigmatic condition. Here, out of + considerable bundles now burnt, are some rough jottings, Excerpts of Notes + and Studies,—which, I still doubt rather, ought to have gone in AUTO + DA FE along with the others. AUTO DA FE I called it; Act of FAITH, not + Spanish-Inquisitional, but essentially Celestial many times, if you + reflect well on the poisonous consequences, on the sinfulness and deadly + criminality, of Human Babble,—as nobody does nowadays! I label the + different Pieces, and try to make legible;—hasty readers have the + privilege of skipping, if they like. The first Two are of preliminary or + prefatory nature,—perhaps still more skippable than those that will + by and by follow. + </p> + <p> + 1. GENEALOGY OF PETER. "His grandfather was Friedrich IV., Duke of + Holstein-Gottorp and Schleswig, Karl XII.'s brother-in-law; on whose score + it was (Denmark finding the time opportune for a stroke of robbery there) + that Karl XII., a young lad hardly eighteen, first took arms; and began + the career of fighting that astonished Denmark and certain other Neighbors + who had been too covetous on a young King. This his young Brother-in-law, + Friedrich of Holstein-Gottorp (young he too, though Karl's senior by ten + years), had been reinstated in his Territory, and the Danes sternly + forbidden farther burglary there, by the victorious Karl; but went with + Karl in his farther expeditions. Always Karl's intimate, and at his right + hand for the next two years: fell in the Battle of Clissow, 19th July, + 1702; age not yet thirty-one. + </p> + <p> + "He left as Heir a poor young Boy, at this time only two years old. His + young Widow Hedwig survived him six years. [Michaelis, ii. 618-629.] Her + poor child grew to manhood; and had tragic fortunes in this world; Danes + again burglarious in that part, again robbing this poor Boy at discretion, + so soon as Karl XII. became unfortunate; and refusing to restore (have not + restored Schleswig at all [A.D. 1864, HAVE at last had to do it, under + unexpected circumstances!]):—a grimly sad story to the now Peter, + his only Child! This poor Duke at last died, 18th June, 1739, age + thirty-nine; the now Peter then about 11,—who well remembers tragic + Papa; tragic Mamma not, who died above ten years before. [Michaelis, ii. + 617; Hubner, tt. 227, 229.] + </p> + <p> + "Czar Peter called the Great had evidently a pity for this unfortunate + Duke, a hope in his just hopes; and pleaded, as did various others, and + endeavored with the unjust Danes, mostly without effect. Did, however, + give him one of his Daughters to wife;—the result of whom is this + new Czar Peter, called the Third: a Czar who is Sovereign of Holstein, and + has claims of Sovereignty in Sweden, right of heirship in Schleswig, and + of damages against Denmark, which are in litigation to this day. The + Czarina CATIN, tenderly remembering her Sister, would hear of no Heir to + Russia but this Peter. Peter, in virtue of his paternal affinities, was + elected King of Sweden about the same time; but preferred Russia,—with + an eye to his Danes, some think. For certain, did adopt the Russian + Expectancy, the Greek religion so called; and was," in the way we saw long + years ago, "married (or to all appearance married) to Catharina Alexiewna + of Anhalt-Zerbst, born in Stettin; [Herr Preuss knows the house: "Now Dr. + Lehmann's [at that time the Governor of Stettin's], in which also Czar + Paul's second Spouse [Eugen of Wurtemberg a NEW Governor's Daughter], who + is Mother of the Czars that follow, was born:" Preuss, ii. 310, 311. + Catharine, during her reign, was pious in a small way to the place of her + cradle; sent her successive MEDALS &c. to Stettin, which still has + them to show.] a Lady who became world-famous as Czarina of the Russias. + </p> + <p> + "Peter is an abstruse creature; has lived, all this while, with his + Catharine an abstruse life, which would have gone altogether mad except + for Catharine's superior sense. An awkward, ardent, but helpless kind of + Peter, with vehement desires, with a dash of wild magnanimity even: but in + such an inextricable element, amid such darkness, such provocations of + unmanageable opulence, such impediments, imaginary and real,—dreadfully + real to poor Peter,—as made him the unique of mankind in his time. + He 'used to drill cats,' it is said, and to do the maddest-looking things + (in his late buried-alive condition);—and fell partly, never quite, + which was wonderful, into drinking, as the solution of his + inextricabilities. Poor Peter: always, and now more than ever, the + cynosure of vulturous vulpine neighbors, withal; which infinitely + aggravated his otherwise bad case!— + </p> + <p> + "For seven or eight years, there came no progeny, nor could come; about + the eighth or ninth, there could, and did: the marvellous Czar Paul that + was to be. Concerning whose exact paternity there are still calumnious + assertions widely current; to this individual Editor much a matter of + indifference, though on examining, his verdict is: 'Calumnies, to all + appearance; mysteries which decent or decorous society refuses to speak + of, and which indecent is pretty sure to make calumnies out of.' Czar Paul + may be considered genealogically genuine, if that is much an object to + him. Poor Paul, does not he father himself, were there nothing more? Only + that Peter and this Catharine could have begotten such a Paul. + Genealogically genuine enough, my poor Czar,—that needed to be + garroted so very soon! + </p> + <p> + 2. OF CATHARINE AND THE BOOKS UPON PETER AND HER. "Catharine too had an + intricate time of it under the Catin; which was consoled to her only by a + tolerably rapid succession of lovers, the best the ground yielded. In + which department it is well known what a Thrice-Greatest she became: + superior to any Charles II.; equal almost to an August the Strong! Of her + loves now and henceforth, which are heartily uninteresting to me, I + propose to say nothing farther; merely this, That in extent they probably + rivalled the highest male sovereign figures (and are to be put in the same + category with these, and damned as deep, or a little deeper);—and + cost her, in gifts, in magnificent pensions to the EMERITI (for she did + things always in a grandiose manner, quietly and yet inexorably dismissing + the EMERITUS with stores of gold), the considerable sum of 20 millions + sterling, in the course of her long reign. One, or at most two, were off + on pension, when Hanbury Williams brought Poniatowski for her, as we + transiently saw. Poniatowski will be King of Poland in the course of + events.... + </p> + <p> + "Russia is not a publishing country; the Books about Catharine are few, + and of little worth. TOOKE, an English Chaplain; CASTERA, an unknown + French Hanger-on, who copies from Tooke, or Tooke from him: these are to + be read, as the bad-best, and will yield little satisfactory insight; + Castera, in particular, a great deal of dubious backstairs gossip and + street rumor, which are not delightful to a reader of sense. In fine, + there has been published, in these very years, a FRAGMENT of early + AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Catharine herself,—a credible and highly remarkable + little Piece: worth all the others, if it is knowledge of Catharine you + are seeking. [<i>Memoires de l'Imperatrice Catharine II., ecrits par + elle-meme</i> (A. Herzen editing; London, 1859)];—which we already + cited, on occasion of Catharine's marriage. + </p> + <p> + Anonymous (Castera), <i>Vie de Catharine II., Imperatrice de Russie</i> a + Paris, 1797; or reprinted, most of it, enough of it, A VARSOVIE, 1798) 2 + tomes, 8vo. Tooke, <i>Life of Catharine II.</i> (4th edition, London, + 1800), 3 vols. 8vo; <i>View of the Russian Empire during &c.</i> + (London, 1799), 3 vols. 8vo.-Hermann, <i>Geschichte des Russischen Staats</i> + (Hamburg, 1853 ET ANTEA), v. 241-308 et seq.; is by much the most solid + Book, though a dull and heavy. Stenzel cites, as does Hermann, a <i>Biographie + Peters des IIIten;</i> which no doubt exists, in perhaps 3 volumes; but + where, when, by whom, or of what quality, they do not tell me. A most + placid, solid, substantial young Lady comes to light there; dropped into + such an element as might have driven most people mad. But it did not her; + it only made her wiser and wiser in her generation. Element black, + hideous, dirty, as Lapland Sorcery;—in which the first clear duty + is, to hold one's tongue well, and keep one's eyes open. Stars,—not + very heavenly, but of fixed nature, and heavenly to Catharine,—a + star or two, shine through the abominable murk: Steady, patient; steer + silently, in all weathers, towards these! + </p> + <p> + "Young Catharine's immovable equanimity in this distracted environment + strikes us very much. Peter is careering, tumbling about, on all manner of + absurd broomsticks, driven too surely by the Devil; terrific-absurd big + Lapland Witch, surrounded by multitudes smaller, and some of them less + ugly. Will be Czar of Russia, however;—and is one's so-called + Husband. These are prospects for an observant, immovably steady-going + young Woman! The reigning Czarina, old CATIN herself, is silently the + Olympian Jove to Catharine, who reveres her very much. Though articulately + stupid as ever, in this Book of Catharine's, she comes out with a dumb + weight, of silence, of obstinacy, of intricate abrupt rigor, which—who + knows but it may savor of dumb unconscious wisdom in the fat old + blockhead? The Book says little of her, and in the way of criticism, of + praise or of blame, nothing whatever; but one gains the notion of some + dark human female object, bigger than one had fancied it before. + </p> + <p> + "Catharine steered towards her stars. Lovers were vouchsafed her, of a + kind (her small stars, as we may call them); and, at length, through + perilous intricacies, the big star, Autocracy of All the Russias,—through + what horrors of intricacy, that last! She had hoped always it would be by + Husband Peter that she, with the deeper steady head, would be Autocrat: + but the intricacies kept increasing, grew at last to the strangling pitch; + and it came to be, between Peter and her, 'Either you to Siberia (perhaps + FARTHER), or else I!' And it was Peter that had to go;—in what + hideous way is well enough known; no Siberia, no Holstein thought to be + far enough for Peter:—and Catharine, merely weeping a little for + him, mounted to the Autocracy herself. And then, the big star of stars + being once hers, she had, not in the lover kind alone, but in all + uncelestial kinds, whole nebulae and milky-ways of small stars. A very + Semiramis, the Louis-Quatorze of those Northern Parts. 'Second Creatress + of Russia,' second Peter the Great in a sense. To me none of the loveliest + objects; yet there are uglier, how infinitely uglier: object grandiose, if + not great."—We return to Friedrich and the Death of Catin. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Hordt, I believe, was the first who credibly apprised Friedrich of + the great Russian Event. Colonel Hordt, late of the Free-Corps HORDT, but + captive since soon after the Kunersdorf time; and whose doleful + quasi-infernal "twenty-five months and three days" in the Citadel of + Petersburg have changed in one hour into celestial glories in the Court of + that City;—as readers shall themselves see anon. By Hordt or by + whomsoever, the instant Friedrich heard, by an authentic source, of the + new Czar's Accession, Friedrich hastened to turn round upon him with the + friendliest attitude, with arms as if ready to open; dismissing all his + Russian Prisoners; and testifying, in every polite and royal way, how + gladly he would advance if permitted. To which the Czar, by Hordt and by + other channels, imperially responded; rushing forward, he, as if with arms + flung wide. + </p> + <p> + January 31st is Order from the King, [In SCHONING, iii. 275 ("Breslau, + 31st January, 1762").] That our Russian Prisoners, one and all, shod, clad + and dieted, be forthwith set under way from Stettin: in return for which + generosity the Prussians, from Siberia or wherever they were buried, are, + soon after, hastening home in like manner. Gudowitsh, Peter's favorite + Adjutant, who had been sent to congratulate at Zerbst, comes round by + Breslau (February 20th), and has joyfully benign audience next day; + directly on the heel of whom, Adjutant Colonel von Goltz, who KAMMERHERR + as well as Colonel, and understands things of business, goes to + Petersburg. February 23d, Czarish Majesty, to the horror of Vienna and + glad astonishment of mankind, emits Declaration (Note to all the Foreign + Excellencies in Petersburg), "That there ought to be Peace with this King + of Prussia; that Czarish Majesty, for his own part, is resolved on the + thing; gives up East Preussen and the so-called conquests made; Russian + participation in such a War has ceased." And practically orders + Czernichef, who is wintering with his 20,000 in Glatz, to quit Glatz and + these Austrian Combinations, and march homeward with his 20,000. Which + Czernichef, so soon as arrangements of proviant and the like are made, + hastens to do;—and does, as far as Thorn; but no farther, for a + reason that will be seen. On the last day of March, Czernichef—off + about a week ago from Glatz, and now got into the Breslau latitude—came + across, with a select Suite of Four, to pay his court there; and had the + honor to dine with his Majesty, and to be, personally too, a Czernichef + agreeable to his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + The vehemency of Austrian Diplomacies at Petersburg; and the horror of + Kaiserinn and Kriegshofrath in Vienna,—who have just discharged + 20,000 of their own people, counting on this Czernichef, and being + dreadfully tight for money,—may be fancied. But all avails nothing. + The ardent Czar advances towards Friedrich with arms flung wide. Goltz and + Gudowitsh are engaged on Treaty of Peace; Czar frankly gives up East + Preussen, "Yours again; what use has Russia for it, Royal Friend?" Treaty + of Peace goes forward like the drawing of a Marriage-settlement (concluded + MAY 5th); and, in a month more, has changed into Treaty of Alliance;—Czernichef + ordered to stop short at Thorn; to turn back, and join himself to this + heroic King, instead of fighting against him. Which again Czernichef, + himself an admirer of this King, joyfully does;—though, unhappily, + not with all the advantage he expected to the King. + </p> + <p> + Swedish Peace, Queen Ulrique and the Anti-French Party now getting the + upper hand, had been hastening forward in the interim (finished, at + Hamburg, MAY 2d): a most small matter in comparison to the Russian; but + welcome enough to Friedrich;—though he said slightingly of it, when + first mentioned: "Peace? I know not hardly of any War there has been with + Sweden;—ask Colonel Belling about it!" Colonel Belling, a most + shining swift Hussar Colonel, who, with a 2,000 sharp fellows, hanging + always on the Swedish flanks, sharp as lightning, "nowhere and yet + everywhere," as was said of him, has mainly, for the last year or two, had + the management of this extraordinary "War." Peace over all the North, + Peace and more, is now Friedrich's. Strangling imbroglio, wide as the + world, has ebbed to man's height; dawn of day has ripened into sunrise for + Friedrich; the way out is now a thing credible and visible to him. Peter's + friendliness is boundless; almost too boundless! Peter begs a Prussian + Regiment,—dresses himself in its uniform, Colonel of ITZENPLITZ; + Friedrich begs a Russian Regiment, Colonel of SCHUWALOF: and all is + joyful, hopeful; marriage-bells instead of dirge ditto and gallows ditto,—unhappily + not for very long. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Friedrich's feelings while all this went on, take the + following small utterances of his, before going farther. JANUARY 27th, + 1762 (To Madam Camas,—eight days after the Russian Event): "I + rejoice, my good Mamma, to find you have such courage; I exhort you to + redouble it! All ends in this world; so we may hope this accursed War will + not be the only thing eternal there. Since death has trussed up a certain + CATIN of the Hyperborean Countries, our situation has advantageously + changed, and becomes more supportable than it was. We must hope that some + other events [favor of the new Czar mainly] will happen; by which we may + profit to arrive at a good Peace." + </p> + <p> + JANUARY 31st (To Minister Finkenstein) "Behold the first gleam of light + that rises;—Heaven be praised for it! We must hope good weather will + succeed these storms. God grant it!" [Preuss, ii. 312.] + </p> + <p> + END OF MARCH (To D'Argens):... "All that [at Paris; about the + Pompadourisms, the EXILE of Broglio and Brother, and your other news] is + very miserable; as well as that discrepancy between King's Council and + Parlement for and against the Jesuits! But, MON CHER MARQUIS, my head is + so ill, I can tell you nothing more,—except that the Czar of Russia + is a divine man; to whom I ought to erect altars." [<i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> xix. 301.] + </p> + <p> + MAY 25th (To the same,—Russian PEACE three weeks ago): "It is very + pleasant to me, dear Marquis, that Sans-Souci could afford you an + agreeable retreat during the beautiful Spring days. If it depended only on + me, how soon should I be there beside you! But to the Six Campaigns there + is a Seventh to be added, and will soon open; either because the Number 7 + had once mystic qualities, or because in the Book of Fate from all + eternity the"—... "Jesuits banished from France? Ah, yes:—hearing + of that, I made my bit of plan for them [mean to have my pick of them as + schoolmasters in Silesia here]; and am waiting only till I get Silesia + cleared of Austrians as the first thing. You see we must not mow the corn + till it is ripe." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. p. 321.] + </p> + <p> + MAY 28th (To the same):... Tartar Khan actually astir, 10,000 men of his + in Hungary (I am told); Turk potentially ditto, with 200,000 (futile both, + as ever): "All things show me the sure prospect of Peace by the end of + this Year; and, in the background of it, Sans-Souci and my dear Marquis! A + sweet calm springs up again in my soul; and a feeling of hope, to which + for six years I had got unused, consoles me for all I have come through. + Think only what a coil I shall be in, before a month hence [Campaign + opened by that time, horrid Game begun again]; and what a pass we had come + to, in December last: Country at its last gasp (AGONISAIT), as if waiting + for extreme unction: and now—!" [Ib. xix. 323.]... + </p> + <p> + JUNE 8th (To Madame Camas,—Russian ALLIANCE now come): "I know well, + my good Mamma, the sincere part you take in the lucky events that befall + us. The mischief is, we are got so low, that we want at present all manner + of fortunate events to raise us again; and Two grand conclusions of Peace + [the Russian, the Swedish], which might re-establish Peace throughout, are + at this moment only a step towards finishing the War less unfortunately." + [Ib. xviii. 146, 147.]* + </p> + <p> + Same day, JUNE 8th (To D'Argens): "Czernichef is on march to join us. Our + Campaign will not open till towards the end of this month [did open July + 1st]; but think then what a pretty noise in this poor Silesia again! In + fine, my dear Marquis, the job ahead of me is hard and difficult; and + nobody can say positively how it will all go. Pray for us; and don't + forget a poor devil who kicks about strangely in his harness, who leads + the life of one damned; and who nevertheless loves you sincerely.—Adieu." + [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xix. 327.] D'Argens (May 24th) has heard, by + Letters from very well-informed persons in Vienna, that "Imperial Majesty, + for some time past, spends half of her time in praying to the Virgin, and + the other half in weeping." "I wish her," adds the ungallant D'Argens, "as + punishment for the mischiefs her ambition has cost mankind these seven + years past, the fate of Phaethon's Sisters, and that she melt altogether + into water!" [Ib. xix. 320 ("24th May, 1762").]—Take one other + little utterance; and then to Colonel Hordt and the Petersburg side of + things. + </p> + <p> + JUNE 19th (still to D'Argens); "What is now going on in Russia no Count + Kaunitz could foresee: what has come to pass in England,—of which + the hatefulest part [Bute's altogether extraordinary attempts, in the + Kaunitz, in the Czar Peter direction, to FORCE a Peace upon me] is not yet + known to you,—I had no notion of, in forming my plans! The Governor + of a State, in troublous times, never can be sure. This is what disgusts + me with the business, in comparison. A Man of Letters operates on + something certain; a Politician can have almost no data of that kind." + [Ib. xix. p. 329.] (How easy everybody's trade but one's own!) + </p> + <p> + Readers know what a tragedy poor Peter's was. His Czernichef did join the + King; but with far less advantage than Czernichef or anybody had + anticipated!—It is none of our intention to go into the chaotic + Russian element, or that wildly blazing sanguinary Catharine-and-Peter + business; of which, at any rate, there are plentiful accounts in common + circulation, more or less accurate,—especially M. Rulhiere's, + [Histoire ou Anecdotes sur la Revolution de Russie en l'annes 1762 + (written 1768; first printed Paris, 1797: English Translation, London, + 1797).] the most succinct, lucid and least unsatisfactory, in the + accessible languages. Only so far as Friedrich was concerned are we. But + readers saw this Couple married, under Friedrich's auspices,—a + Marriage which he thought important twenty years ago; and sure enough the + Dissolution of it did prove important to him, and is a necessary item + here! + </p> + <p> + Readers, even those that know RULHIERE, will doubtless consent to a little + supplementing from Two other Eye-witnesses of credit. The first and + principal is a respectable Ex-Swedish Gentleman, whom readers used to hear + of; the Colonel Hordt above mentioned, once of the Free-Corps HORDT, but + fallen Prisoner latterly;—whose experiences and reports are all the + more interesting to us, as Friedrich himself had specially to depend on + them at present; and doubtless, in times long afterwards, now and then + heard speech of them from Hordt. Our second Eye-witness is the Reverend + Herr Doctor Busching (of the ERDBESCHREIBUNG, of the BEITRAGE, and many + other Works, an invaluable friend to us all along); who, in his wandering + time, had come to be "Pastor of the GERMAN CHURCH AT PETERSBURG," some + years back. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT COLONEL HORDT AND THE OTHERS SAW AT PETERSBURG (January-July, 1762). + </h2> + <p> + Autumn, 1759, in the sequel to KUNERSDORF,—when the Russians and + Daun lay so long torpid, uncertain what to do except keep Friedrich and + Prince Henri well separate, and Friedrich had such watchings, campings and + marchings about on the hither skirt of them (skirt always veiled in + Cossacks, and producing skirmishes as you marched past),—we did + mention Hordt's capture; [Supra, vol. x. p. 315.] not much hoping that + readers could remember it in such a press of things more memorable. It was + in, or as prelude to, one of those skirmishes (one of the earliest, and a + rather sharp one, "at Trebatsch," in Frankfurt-Lieberose Country, "4th + September, 1759"), that Hordt had his misfortune: he had been out + reconnoitring, with an Orderly or two, before the skirmish began, was + suddenly "surrounded by 200 Cossacks," and after desperate plunging into + bogs, desperate firing of pistols and the like, was taken prisoner. Was + carted miserably to Petersburg,—such a journey for dead ennui as + Hordt never knew; and was then tumbled out into solitary confinement in + the Citadel, a place like the Spanish Inquisition; not the least notice + taken of his request for a few Books, for leave to answer his poor Wife's + Letter, merely by the words, "Dear one, I am alive;"—and was left + there, to the company of his own reflections, and a life as if in vacant + Hades, for twenty-five months and three days. After the lapse of that + period, he has something to say to us again, and we transiently look in + upon him there. + </p> + <p> + The Book we excerpt from is <i>Memoires du Comte de Hordt</i> (second + edition, 2 volumes 12mo, Berlin, 1789). This is Bookseller Pitra's + redaction of the Hordt Autobiography (Berlin, 1788, was Pitra's first + edition): several years after, how many is not said, nor whether Hordt + (who had become a dignitary in Berlin society before Pitra's feat) was + still living or not, a "M. Borelly, Professor in the Military School," + undertook a second considerably enlarged and improved redaction;—of + which latter there is an English Translation; easy enough to read; but + nearly without meaning, I should fear, to readers unacquainted with the + scene and subject. [<i>Memoirs of the Count de Hordt:</i> London, 1806: 2 + vols. 12mo,—only the FIRST volume of which (unavailable here) is in + my possession.] Hordt was reckoned a perfectly veracious, intelligent kind + of man: but he seldom gives the least date, specification or precise + detail; and his Book reads, not like the Testimony of an Eye-witness, + which it is, and valuable when you understand it; but more like some vague + Forgery, compiled by a destitute inventive individual, regardless of the + Ten Commandments (sparingly consulting even his file of Old Newspapers), + and writing a Book which would deserve the tread-mill, were there any + Police in his trade!— + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, 6th JANUARY, 1762, Hordt's vacant Hades of an existence in the + Citadel of Petersburg was broken by a loud sound: three minute-guns went + off from different sides, close by; and then whole salvos, peal after + peal: "Czarina gone overnight, Peter III. Czar in her stead!" said the + Officer, rushing in to tell Hordt; to whom it was as news of resurrection + from the dead. "Evening of same day, an Aide-de-Camp of the new Czar came + to announce my liberty; equipage waiting to take me at once to his Russian + Majesty. Asked him to defer it till the following day—so agitated + was I." And indeed the Czar, busy taking acclamations, oaths of fealty, + riding about among his Troops by torchlight, could have made little of me + that evening. [Hermann, <i>Geschichte des Russischen Staats,</i> v. 241.] + "Ultimately, my presentation was deferred till Sunday" January 10th, "that + it might be done with proper splendor, all the Nobility being then usually + assembled about his Majesty." + </p> + <p> + "JANUARY 10th, Waited, amid crowds of Nobility, in the Gallery, + accordingly. Was presented in the Gallery, through which the Czar, + followed by Czarina and all the Court, were passing on their way to + Chapel. Czar made a short kind speech ('Delighted to do you an act of + justice, Monsieur, and return a valuable servant to the King I esteem'); + gave me his hand to kiss: Czarina did the same. General Korf," an + excellent friend, so kind to me at Konigsberg, while I was getting carted + hither, and a General now in high office here, "who had been my + introducer, led me into Chapel, to the Court's place (TRIBUNE DE LA COUR). + Czar came across repeatedly [while public worship was going on; a Czar + perhaps too regardless that way!] to talk to me; dwelt much on his + attachment to the King. On coming out, the Head Chamberlain whispered me, + 'You dine with the Court.'" Which, of course, I did. + </p> + <p> + "Table was of sixty covers; splendid as the Arabian Tales. Czar and + Czarina sat side by side; Korf and I had the honor to be placed opposite + them. Hardly were we seated when the Czar addressed me: 'You have had no + Prussian news this long while. I am glad to tell you that the King is + well, though he has had such fighting to right and left;—but I hope + there will soon be an end to all that.' Words which everybody listened to + like prophecy! [Peter is nothing of a Politician.] 'How long have you been + in prison?' continued the Czar. 'Twenty-five months and three days, your + Majesty.' 'Were you well treated?' Hordt hesitated, knew not what to say; + but, the Czar urging him, confessed, 'He had been always rather badly + used; not even allowed to buy a few books to read.' At which the Czarina + was evidently shocked: 'CELA EST BIEN BARBARE!' she exclaimed aloud.—I + wished much to return home at once; and petitioned the Czar on that + subject, during coffee, in the withdrawing rooms; but he answered, 'No, + you must not,—not till an express Prussian Envoy arrive!' I had to + stay, therefore; and was thenceforth almost daily at Court",—but + unluckily a little vague, and altogether DATELESS as to what I saw there! + </p> + <p> + BIEREN AND MUNNICH, BOTH OF THEM JUST HOME FROM SIBERIA, ARE TO DRINK + TOGETHER (No date: Palace of Petersburg, Spring, 1762).—Peter had + begun in a great way: all for liberalism, enlightenment, abolition of + abuses, general magnanimity on his own and everybody's part. Rulhiere did + not see the following scene; but it seems to be well enough vouched for, + and Rulhiere heard it talked of in society. "As many as 20,000 persons, it + is counted, have come home from Siberian Exile:" the L'Estocs, the + Munnichs, Bierens, all manner of internecine figures, as if risen from the + dead. "Since the night when Munnich arrested Bieren [readers possibly + remember it, and Mannstein's account of it [Supra, vol. vii. p. 363.]], + the first time these two met was in the gay and tumultuous crowd which + surrounded the new Czar. 'Come, bygones be bygones,' said Peter, noticing + them; 'let us three all drink together, like friends!'—and ordered + three glasses of wine. Peter was beginning his glass to show the others an + example, when somebody came with a message to him, which was delivered in + a low tone; Peter listening drank out his wine, set down the glass, and + hastened off; so that Bieren and Munnich, the two old enemies, were left + standing, glass in hand, each with his eyes on the Czar's glass;—at + length, as the Czar did not return, they flashed each his eyes into the + other's face; and after a moment's survey, set down their glasses + untasted, and walked off in opposite directions." [Rulhiere, p. 33.] Won't + coalesce, it seems, in spite of the Czar's high wishes. An emblem of much + that befell the poor Czar in his present high course of good intentions + and headlong magnanimities!—We return to Hordt:— + </p> + <p> + THE CZAR WEARS A PORTRAIT OF FRIEDRICH ON HIS FINGER. "Czar Peter never + disguised his Prussian predilections. One evening he said, 'Propose to + your friend Keith [English Excellency here, whom we know] to give me a + supper at his house to-morrow night. The other Foreign Ministers will + perhaps be jealous; but I don't care!' Supper at the English Embassy took + place. Only ten or twelve persons, of the Czar's choosing, were present. + Czar very gay and in fine spirits. Talked much of the King of Prussia. + Showed me a signet-ring on his finger, with Friedrich's Portrait in it; + ring was handed round the table." [Hordt, ii. 118, 124, 129.] This is a + signet-ring famous at Court in these months. One day Peter had lost it + (mislaid somewhere), and got into furious explosion till it was found for + him again. [Hermann, v. 258.] Let us now hear Busching, our Geographical + Friend, for a moment:— + </p> + <p> + HERR PASTOR BUSCHING DOES THE HOMAGING FOR SELF AND PEOPLE.... "In most + Countries, it is Official or Military People that administer the Oath of + Homage, on a change of Sovereigns. But in Petersburg, among the German + population, it is the Pastors of their respective Churches. At the + accession of Peter III., I, for the first time [being still a young hand + rather than an old], took the Oath from several thousands in my Church,"—and + handed it over, with my own, in the proper quarter. + </p> + <p> + "As to the Congratulatory Addresses, the new Czar received the + Congratulations of all classes, and also of the Pastors of the Foreign + Churches, in the following manner. He came walking slowly through a suite + of rooms, in each of which a body of Congratulators were assembled. + Court-officials preceded, State-officials followed him. Then came the + Czarina, attended in a similar way. And always on entering a new room they + received a new Congratulation from the spokesman of the party there. The + spokesman of us Protestant Pastors was my colleague, Senior Trefurt; but + the General-in-Chief and Head-of-Police, Baron von Korf [Hordt's friend, + known to us above, German, we perceive, by creed and name], thinking it + was I that had to make the speech, and intending to present me at the same + time to the Czar, motioned to me from his place behind the Czar to + advance. But I did not push forward; thinking it inopportune and of no + importance to me."—"Neither did I share the great expectations which + Baron von Korf and everybody entertained of this new reign. All people now + promised themselves better times, without reflecting [as they should have + done!] that the better men necessary to produce these were nowhere + forthcoming!" [Busching's <i>Beitrage,</i> vi. ("Author's own Biography") + 462 et seq.] + </p> + <p> + For the first two or three months, Peter was the idol of all the world: + such generosities and magnanimities; Such zeal and diligence, one + magnanimous improvement following another! He had at once abolished + Torture in his Law-Courts: resolved to have a regular Code of Laws,—and + Judges to be depended on for doing justice. He "destroyed monopolies;" + "lowered the price of salt." To the joy of everybody, he had hastened + (January 18th, second week of reign) to abolish the SECRET CHANCERY,—a + horrid Spanish-Inquisition engine of domestic politics. His Nobility he + had determined should be noble: January 28th (third week of reign just + beginning), he absolved the Nobility from all servile duties to him: "You + can travel when and where you please; you are not obliged to serve in my + Armies; you may serve in anybody's not at war with me!" under plaudits + loud and universal from that Order of men. And was petitioned by a + grateful Petersburg world: "Permit us, magnanimous Czar, to raise a statue + of your Majesty in solid Gold!" "Don't at all!" answered Peter: "Ah, if by + good governing I could raise a memorial in my People's hearts; that would + be the Statue for me!" [Hermann, v. 248.] Poor headlong Peter!—It + was a less lucky step that of informing the Clergy (date not given), That + in the Czarship lay Spiritual Sovereignty as well as Temporal, and that HE + would henceforth administer their rich Abbey Lands and the like:—this + gave a sad shock to the upper strata of Priesthood, extending gradually to + the lower, and ultimately raising an ominous general thought (perhaps + worse than a general cry) of "Church in Danger! Alas, is our Czar + regardless of Holy Religion, then? Perhaps, at heart still Lutheran, and + has no Religion?" This, and his too headlong Prussian tendencies, are + counted to have done him infinite mischief. + </p> + <p> + HERR BUSCHING SEES THE CZAR ON HORSEBACK. "When the Czar's own Regiment of + Cuirassiers came to Petersburg, the Czar, dressed in the uniform of the + regiment, rode out to meet it; and returning at its head, rode repeatedly + through certain quarters of the Town. His helmet was buckled tight with + leather straps under the chin; he sat his horse as upright and stiff as a + wooden image; held his sabre in equally stiff manner; turned fixedly his + eyes to the right; and never by a hair's-breadth changed that posture. In + such attitude he twice passed my house with his regiment, without changing + a feature at sight of the many persons who crowded the windows. To me [in + my privately austere judgment] he seemed so KLEINGEISTISCH, so + small-minded a person, that I"—in fact, knew not what to think of + it. [Busching, <i>Beitrage,</i> vi. 464.] + </p> + <p> + HORDT SEES THE DECEASED CZARINA LYING IN STATE. "One day, after dining at + Court, General Korf proposed that we should go and see the LIT DE PARADE" + (Parade-bed) of the late Czarina, which is in another Palace, not far off. + "Count Schuwalof [NOT her old lover, who has DIED since her, poor old + creature; but his Son, a cultivated man, afterwards Voltaire's friend] + accompanied us; and, his rooms being contiguous to those of the dead Lady, + he asked us to take coffee with him afterwards. The Imperial Bier stood in + the Grand Saloon, which was hung all round with black, festooned and + garlanded with cloth-of-silver; the glare of wax-lights quite blinding. + Bier, covered with cloth-of-gold trimmed with silver lace, was raised upon + steps. A rich Crown was on the head of the dead Czarina. Beside the bier + stood Four Ladies, two on each hand, in grand mourning; immense crape + training on the ground behind them. Two Officers of the Life-Guard + occupied the lowest steps: on the topmost, at the foot of the bier, was an + Archimandrite (superior kind of ABBOT), who had a Bible before him, from + which he read aloud,—continuously till relieved by another. This + went on day and night without interruption. All round the bier, on stools + (TABOURETS), were placed different Crowns, and the insignia of various + Orders,—those of Prussia, among others. It being established usage, + I had, to my great repugnance, to kiss the hand of the corpse! We then + talked a little to the Ladies in attendance (with their crape trains), + joking about the article of hand-kissing; finally we adjourned for coffee + to Count Schuwalof's apartments, which were of an incredible + magnificence." That same evening, farther on,— + </p> + <p> + "I supped with the Czar in his PETIT APPARTEMENT, Private Rooms [a fine + free-and-easy nook of space!]. The company there consisted of the Countess + Woronzow, a creature without any graces, bodily or mental, whom the Czar + had chosen for his Mistress [snub-nosed, pock-marked, fat, and with a pert + tongue at times], whom I liked the less, as there were one or two other + very handsome women there. Some Courtiers too; and no Foreigners but the + English Envoy and myself. The supper was very gay, and was prolonged late + into the night. These late orgies, however, did not prevent his Majesty + from attending to business in good time next morning. He would appear + unexpectedly, at an early hour, at the Senate, at the Synod [Head + CONSISTORY], making them stand to their duties,"—or pretend to do + it. His Majesty is not understood to have got much real work out of either + of these Governing Bodies; the former, the Senate, or SECULAR one, which + had fallen very torpid latterly, was, not long after this, suffered to die + out altogether. Peter himself was a violently pushing man, and never + shrank from labor; always in a plunge of hurries, and of irregular hours. + In his final time, people whispered, "The Czar is killing himself; sits + smoking, tippling, talking till 2 in the morning; and is overhead in + business again by 7!" + </p> + <p> + CZARINA ELIZABETH'S FUNERAL, AS SEEN BY HORDT (much abridged). "At 10 in + the morning all the bells in Petersburg broke out; and tolled incessantly + [day or month not hinted at,—nor worth seeking; grim darkness of + universal frost perceptible enough; clangor of bells; and procession + seemingly of miles long,—on this extremely high errand!]—Minute-guns + were fired from the moment the procession set out from the Castle till it + arrived at the Citadel, a distance of two English miles and a half. Planks + were laid all the way; forming a sort of bridge through the streets, and + over the ice of the Neva. All the soldiers of the Garrison were ranked in + espalier on each side. Three hundred grenadiers opened the march; after + them, three hundred priests, in sacerdotal costume; walking two-and-two, + singing hymns. All the Crowns and Orders, above mentioned by me, were + carried by high Dignitaries of the Court, walking in single file, each a + chamberlain behind him. Hearse was followed by the Czar, skirt of his + black cloak held up by Twelve Chamberlains, each a lighted taper in the + OTHER hand. Prince George of Holstein [Czar's Uncle] came next, then + Holstein-Beck [Czar's Cousin]. Czarina Catharine followed, also on foot, + with a lighted taper; her cloak borne by all her Ladies. Three hundred + grenadiers closed the procession. Bells tolling, minute-guns firing, seas + of people crowding."—Thus the Russians buried their Czarina. Day and + its dusky frost-curtains sank; and Bootes, looking down from the starry + deeps, found one Telluric Anomaly forever hidden from him. She had left of + unworn Dresses, the richest procurable in Nature (five a day her usual + allowance, and never or seldom worn twice), "15,000 and some hundreds." + [Hermann, v. 176.] + </p> + <p> + HORDT IS OF THE NEW CZARINA CATHARINE'S EVENING PARTIES. "The Czarina + received company every morning. She received everybody with great + affability and grace. But notwithstanding her efforts to appear gay, one + could perceive a deep background of sadness in her. She knew better than + anybody the violent (ARDENTE) character of her husband; and perhaps she + then already foresaw what would come. She also had her circle every + evening, and always asked the company to stay supper. One evening, when I + was of her party, a confidential Equerry of the Czar came in, and + whispered me That I had been searched for all over Town, to come to supper + at the COUNTESS'S (that was the usual designation of the Sultana,"—DAS + FRAULEIN, spelt in Russian ways, is the more usual). "I begged to be + excused for this time, being engaged to sup with the Czarina, to whom I + could not well state the reason for which I was to leave. The Equerry had + not gone long, when suddenly a great noise was heard, the two wings of the + door were flung open, and the Czar entered. He saluted politely the + Czarina and her circle; called me with that smiling and gracious air which + he always had; took me by the arm, and said to the Czarina: 'Excuse me, + Madam, if to-night I carry off one of your guests; it is this Prussian I + had searched for all over the Town.' The Czarina laughed; I made her a + deep bow, and went away with my conductor. Next morning I went to the + Czarina; who, without mentioning what had passed last night, said smiling, + 'Come and sup with me always when there is nothing to prevent it.'" + </p> + <p> + FEBRUARY 21st, HORDT AT ZARSKOE-ZELOE. "On occasion of the Czar's birthday + [which gives us a date, for once], [Michaelis, ii. 627: "Peter born, 21st + February, 1728."] there were great festivities, lasting a week. It began + with a grand TE DEUM, at which the Czar was present, but not the Czarina. + She had, that morning, in obedience to her husband's will, decorated 'the + Countess' with the cordon of the Order of St. Catharine. She was now + detained in her Apartment 'by indisposition;' and did not leave it during + the eight days the festivities lasted." This happened at the Country + Palace, Zarskoe-Zeloe; and is a turning-point in poor Peter's History. + [Hermann, p. 253.] From that day, his Czarina saw that, by the medium of + her Peter, it was not she that would ever come to be Autocrat; not she, + but a pock-marked, unbeautiful Person, with Cordon of the Order of St. + Catharine,—blessings on it! From that day the Czarina sat brooding + her wrongs and her perils,—wrongs DONE, very many, and now wrongs to + be SUFFERED, who can say how many! She perceives clearly that the Czar is + gone from her, fixedly sullen at her (not without cause);—and that + Siberia, or worse, is possible by and by. The Czarina was helplessly + wretched for some time; and by degrees entered on a Plot;—assisted + by Princess Dashkof (Sister of the Snub-nosed), by Panin (our Son's Tutor, + "a genuine Son, I will swear, whatever the Papa may think in his wild + moments!"), by Gregory Orlof (one's present Lover), and others of less + mark;—and it ripened exquisitely within the next four months!— + </p> + <p> + HORDT HEARS THE PRAISES OF HIS KING. "Next day [nobody can guess what DAY] + I dined at Court. I sat opposite the Czar, who talked of nothing but of + his 'good friend the King of Prussia.' He knew all the smallest details of + his Campaigns; all his military arrangements; the dress and strength of + all his Regiments; and he declared aloud that he would shortly put all his + troops upon the same footing [which he did shortly, to the great disgust + of his troops].—Rising from table, the Czar himself did me the honor + to say, 'Come to-morrow; dine with me EN PETIT APPARTEMENT [on the SNUG, + where we often play high-jinks, and go to great lengths in liquor and + tobacco]; I will show you something curious, which you will like.' I went + at the accustomed hour; I found—Lieutenant-General Werner [hidden + since his accident at Colberg last winter, whom a beneficent Czar has + summoned again into the light of noon]! I made a great friendship with + this distinguished General, who was a charming man; and went constantly + about with him, till he left me here,"—Czarish kindness letting + Werner home, and detaining me, to my regret. [HORDT, i. 133-145, 151.] + </p> + <p> + The Prussian Treaties, first of Peace (May 5th), with all our Conquests + flung back, and then of Alliance, with yourself and ourselves, as it were, + flung into the bargain,—were by no means so popular in Petersburg as + in Berlin! From May 5th onwards, we can suppose Peter to be, perhaps + rather rapidly, on the declining hand. Add the fatal element, "Church in + Danger" (a Czar privately Apostate); his very Guardsmen indignant at their + tight-fitting Prussian uniforms, and at their no less tight Prussian DRILL + (which the Czar is uncommonly urgent with); and a Czarina Plot silently + spreading on all sides, like subterranean mines filled with gunpowder!— + </p> + <p> + HERR BUSCHING SEES THE CATASTROPHE (Friday, 9th July, 1762). "This being + the day before Peter-and-Paul, which is a great Holiday in Petersburg, I + drove out, between 9 and 10 in the morning, to visit the sick. On my way + from the first house where I had called, I heard a distant noise like that + of a rising thunder-storm, and asked my people what it was. They did not + know; but it appeared to them like the Shouting of a Mob (VOLKSGESCHREI), + and there were all sorts of rumors afloat. Some said, 'The Czar had + suddenly resolved to get himself crowned at Petersburg, before setting out + for the War on Denmark.' Others said, 'He had named the Czarina to be + Regent during his absence, and that she was to be crowned for this + purpose.' These rumors were too silly: meanwhile the noise perceptibly + drew nearer; and I ordered my coachman to proceed no farther, but to turn + home. + </p> + <p> + "On getting home, I called my Wife; and told her, That something + extraordinary was then going on, but that I could not learn what; that it + appeared to me like some popular Tumult, which was coming nearer to us + every moment. We hurried to the corner room of our house; threw open the + window, which looks to the Church of St. Mary of Casan [where an Act of + Thanksgiving has just been consummated, of a very peculiar kind!]—and + we then saw, near this Church, an innumerable crowd of people; dressed and + half-dressed soldiers of the foot-regiments of the Guards mixed with the + populace. We perceived that the crowd pressed round a common two-seated + Hackney Coach drawn by two horses; in which, after a few minutes, a Lady + dressed in black, and wearing the Order of St. Catharine, coming out of + the church, took a seat. Whereupon the church-bells began ringing, and the + priests, with their assistants carrying crosses, got into procession, and + walked before the Coach. We now recognized that it was the Czarina + Catharine saluting the multitude to right and left, as she fared along." [<i>Beitrage,</i> + vi. 465: compare RULHIERE, p. 95; HERMANN, v. 287.] + </p> + <p> + Yes, Doctor, that Lady in black is the Czarina; and has come a drive of + twenty miles this morning; and done a great deal of business in Town,—one + day before the set time. In her remote Apartment at Peterhof, this + morning, between 2 and 3, she awoke to see Alexei Orlof, called oftener + SCARRED Orlof (Lover GREGORY'S Brother), kneeling at her bedside, with the + words, "Madam, you must come: there is not a moment to lose!"—who, + seeing her awake, vanished to get the vehicles ready. About 7, she, with + the Scarred and her maid and a valet or two, arrived at the Guards' + Barracks here,—Gregory Orlof, and others concerned, waiting to + receive her, in the fit temper for playing at sharps. She has spoken a + little, wept a little, to the Guards (still only half-dressed, many of + them): "Holy religion, Russian Empire thrown at the feet of Prussia; my + poor Son to be disinherited: Alack, ohoo!" Whereupon the Guards (their + Officers already gained by Orlof) have indignantly blazed up into the fit + Hurra-hurra-ing:—and here, since about 9 A.M., we have just been in + the "Church of St. Mary of Casan" ("Oh, my friends, Orthodox Religion, + first of all!") doing TE-DEUMS and the other Divine Offices, for the + thrice-happy Revolution and Deliverance now vouchsafed us and you! And the + Herr Doctor, under outburst of the chimes of St. Mary, and of the jubilant + Soldieries and Populations, sees the Czarina saluting to right and left; + and Priests, with their assistants and crucifixes ("Behold them, ye + Orthodox; is there anything equal to true Religion?"), walking before her + Hackney Coach. + </p> + <p> + "On the one step of her Coach," continues the Herr Doctor, "stood Grigorei + Grigorjewitsh Orlow," so he spells him, "and in front of it, with drawn + sword, rode the Field-marshal and Hetman Count Kirila Grigorjewitsh + Rasomowski, Colonel of the Ismailow Guard. Lieutenant-General (soon to be + General-Ordnance-Master) Villebois came galloping up; leapt from his horse + under our windows, and placed himself on the other step of the Coach. The + procession passed before our house; going first to the New stone Palace, + then to the Old wooden Winter Palace. Common Russians shouted mockingly up + to us, 'Your god [meaning the Czar] is dead!' And others, 'He is gone; we + will have no more of him!'"— + </p> + <p> + About this hour of the day, at Oranienbaum (ORANGE-TREE, some twenty miles + from here, and from Peterhof guess ten or twelve), Czar Peter is drilling + zealously his brave Holsteiners (2,000 or more, "the flower of all my + troops"); and has not, for hours after, the least inkling of all this. + Catharine had been across to visit him on Wednesday, no farther back; and + had kindled Oranienbaum into opera, into illumination and what not. + Thursday (yesterday), Czar and Czarina met at some Grandee's festivity, + who lives between their two Residences. This day the Czar is appointed for + Peterhof; to-morrow, July 10th (Peter-and-Paul's grand Holiday), Czar, + Czarina and united Court were to have done the Festivities together there,—with + Czarina's powder-mine of Plot laid under them; which latter has exploded + one day sooner, in the present happy manner! The poor Czar, this day, on + getting to Peterhof, and finding Czarina vanished, understood too well; he + saw "big smoke-clouds rise suddenly over Petersburg region," withal,—"Ha, + she has cannon going for her yonder; salvoing and homaging!"—and + rushed back to Oranienbaum half mad. Old Munnich undertook to save him, by + one, by two or even three different methods, "Only order me, and stand up + to it with sword bare!"—but Peter's wits were all flying + miscellaneously about, and he could resolve on nothing. + </p> + <p> + Peter and his Czarina never met more. Saturday (to-morrow), he abdicates; + drives over to Peterhof, expecting, as per bargain, interview with his + Wife; freedom to retire to Holstein, and "every sort of kindness + compatible with his situation:" but is met there instead, on the + staircase, by brutal people, who tear the orders off his coat, at length + the very clothes off his back,—and pack him away to Ropscha, a quiet + Villa some miles off, to sit silent there till Orlof and Company have + considered. Consideration is: "To Holstein? He has an Anti-Danish Russian + Army just now in that neighborhood; he will not be safe in Holstein;—where + will he be safe?" Saturday, 17th, Peter's seventh day in Ropscha, the + Orlofs (Scarred Orlof and Four other miscreants, one of them a Prince, one + a Play-actor) came over, and murdered poor Peter, in a treacherous, and + even bungling and disgusting, and altogether hideous manner. "A glass of + burgundy [poisoned burgundy], your Highness?" said they, at dinner with + his poor Highness. On the back of which, the burgundy having failed and + been found out, came grappling and hauling, trampling, shrieking, and at + last strangulation. Surely the Devil will reward such a Five of his Elect?—But + we detain Herr Busching: it is still only Friday morning, 9th of the + month; and the Czarina's Hackney Coach, in the manner of a comet and tail, + has just gone into other streets:— + </p> + <p> + "After this terrible uproar had left our quarter, I hastened to the Danish + Ambassador, Count Haxthausen, who lived near me, to bring him the + important news that the Czar was said to be dead. The Count was just about + to burn a mass of Papers, fearing the mob would plunder his house; but he + did not proceed with it now, and thanked Heaven for saving his Country. + His Secretary of Legation, my friend Schumacher, gave me all the money he + had in his pockets, to distribute amongst the poor; and I returned home. + Directly after, there passed our house, at a rate as if the horses were + running away, a common two-horse coach, in which sat Head-Tutor + (OBER-HOFMEISTER) von Panin with the Grand Duke [famous Czar Paul that is + to be], who was still in his nightgown," poor frightened little boy!— + </p> + <p> + "Not long after, I saw some of the Foot-guards, in the public street near + the Winter Palace, selling, at rates dog-cheap, their new uniforms after + the Prussian cut, which they had stript off; whilst others, singing + merrily, carried about, stuck on the top of their muskets, or on their + bayonets, their new grenadier caps of Prussian fashion. [See in HERMANN + (v. 291) the Saxon Ambassador's Report.] I saw several soldiers, out on + errand or otherwise, seizing the coaches they met in the streets, and + driving on in them. Others appropriated the eatables which hucksters + carried about in baskets. But in all this wild tumult, nobody was killed; + and only at Oranienbaum a few Holstein soldiers got wounded by some low + Russians, in their wantonness. + </p> + <p> + "July 11th, the disorder amongst the soldiers was at its height; yet still + much less than might have been expected. Many of them entered the houses + of Foreigners, and demanded money. Seeing a number of them come into my + house, I hastily put a quantity of roubles and half-roubles in my pocket, + and went out with a servant, especially with a cheerful face, to meet + them,"—and no harm was done. + </p> + <p> + "SATURDAY, JULY 17th, was the day of the Czar's death; on the same 17th, + the Empress was informed of it; and next day, his body was brought from + Ropscha to the Convent of St. Alexander Newski, near Petersburg. Here it + lay in state three days; nay, an Imperial Manifesto even ordered that the + last honors and duty be paid to it. July 20th, I drove thither with my + Wife; and to be able to view the body more minutely, we passed twice + through the room where it lay. [An uncommonly broad neckcloth on it, did + you observe?] Owing to the rapid dissolution, it had to be interred on the + following day:—and it was a touching circumstance, that this + happened to be the very day on which the Czar had fixed to start from + Petersburg on his Campaign against Denmark." [Busching, vi. 464-467.] + </p> + <p> + Catharine, one must own with a shudder, has not attained the Autocracy of + All the Russias gratis. Let us hope she would once—till driven upon + a dire alternative—have herself shuddered to purchase at such a + price. A kind of horror haunts one's notion of her red-handed brazen-faced + Orlofs and her, which all the cosmetics of the world will never quite + cover. And yet, on the spot, in Petersburg at the moment—! Read this + Clipping from Smelfungus, on a collateral topic:— + </p> + <p> + "In BUSCHING'S MAGAZINE are some Love-letters from the old Marshal Munnich + to Catharine just after this event, which are psychologically curious. + Love-letters, for they partake of that character; though the man is 82, + and has had such breakages and vicissitudes in this Earth. Alive yet, it + would seem; and full of ambitions. Unspeakably beautiful is this young + Woman to him; radiant as ox-eyed Juno, as Diana of the silver bow,—such + a power in her to gratify the avarices, ambitions, cupidities of an + insatiable old fellow: O divine young Empress, Aurora of bright Summer + epochs, rosy-fingered daughter of the Sun,—grant me the governing of + This, the administering of That: and see what a thing I will make of it + (I, an inventive old gentleman), for your Majesty's honor and glory, and + my own advantage! [Busching, <i>Magazin fur die neue Historie und + Geographie</i> (Halle, Year 1782), xvi. 413-477 (22 LETTERS, and only + thrice or so a word of RESPONSE from "MA DIVINITE:" dates, "Narva, 4th + August, 1762"... "Petersburg, 3d October, 1762").]—Innumerable + persons of less note than Munnich have their Biographies, and are known to + the reading public and in all barbers'-shops, if that were an advantage to + them. Very considerable, this Munnich, as a soldier, for one thing. And + surely had very strange adventures; an original German character withal:—about + the stature of Belleisle, for example; and not quite unlike Belleisle in + some of his ways? Came originally from the swamps of Oldenburg, or Lower + Weser Country,—son of a DEICHGRAFE (Ditch-Superintendent) there. + REQUIESCANT in oblivious silence, Belleisle and he; it is better than + being lied of, and maundered of, and blotched and blundered of. + </p> + <p> + "Biographies were once rhythmic, earnest as death or as life, earnest as + transcendent human Insight risen to the Singing pitch; some Homer, nay + some Psalmist or Evangelist, spokesman of reverent Populations, was the + Biographer. Rhythmic, WITH exactitude, investigation to the very marrow; + this, or else oblivion, Biography should now, and at all times, be; but is + not,—by any manner of means. With what results is visible enough, if + you will look! Human Stupor, fallen into the dishonest, lazy and UNflogged + condition, is truly an awful thing." + </p> + <p> + Catharine did not persist in her Anti-Prussian determination. July 9th, + the Manifesto had been indignantly emphatic on Prussia; July 22d, in a + Note to Goltz from the Czarina, it was all withdrawn again. [Rodenbeck, + ii. 171.] Looking into the deceased Czar's Papers, she found that + Friedrich's Letters to him had contained nothing of wrong or offensive; + always excellent advices, on the contrary,—advice, among others, To + be conciliatory to his clever-witted Wife, and to make her his ally, not + his opponent, in living and reigning. In Konigsberg (July 16th, seven days + after July 9th), the Russian Governor, just on the point of quitting, + emitted Proclamation, to everybody's horror: "No; altered, all that; under + pain of death, your Oath to Russia still valid!" Which for the next ten + days, or till his new proclamation, made such a Konigsberg of it as may be + imagined. The sight of those Letters is understood to have turned the + scale; which had hung wavering till July 22d in the Czarina's mind. "Can + it be good," she might privately think withal, "to begin our reign by + kindling a foolish War again?" How Friedrich received the news of July + 9th, and into what a crisis it threw him, we shall soon see. His Campaign + had begun July 1st;—and has been summoning us home, into ITS + horizon, for some time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI.—SEVENTH CAMPAIGN OPENS. + </h2> + <p> + Freidrich's plan of Campaign is settled long since: Recapture Schweidnitz; + clear Silesia of the enemy; Silesia and all our own Dominions clear, we + can then stand fencible against the Austrian perseverances. Peace, one + day, they must grant us. The general tide of European things is changed by + these occurrences in Petersburg and London. Peace is evidently near. + France and England are again beginning to negotiate; no Pitt now to be + rigorous. The tide of War has been wavering at its summit for two years + past; and now, with this of Russia, and this of Bute instead of Pitt, + there is ebb everywhere, and all Europe determining for peace. Steady at + the helm, as heretofore, a Friedrich, with the world-current in his favor, + may hope to get home after all. + </p> + <p> + Austrian Head-quarters had been at Waldenburg, under Loudon or his + Lieutenants, all Winter. Loudon returned thither from Vienna April 7th; + but is not to command in chief, this Year,—Schweidnitz still + sticking in some people's throats: "Dangerous; a man with such rash + practices, rapidities and Pandour tendencies!" Daun is to command in + Silesia; Loudon, under him, obscure to us henceforth, and inoffensive to + Official people. Reichs Army shall take charge of Saxony; nominally a + Reichs Army, though there are 35,000 Austrians in it, as the soul of it, + under some Serbelloni, some Stollberg as Chief—(the fact, I believe, + is: Serbelloni got angrily displaced on that "crossing of the Mulda by + Prince Henri, May 13th;" Prince of Zweibruck had angrily abdicated a year + before; and a Prince von Stollberg is now Generalissimo of Reich and + Allies: but it is no kind of matter),—some Stollberg, with + Serbelloni, Haddick, Maguire and such like in subaltern places. Cunctator + Daun, in spite of his late sleepy ways, is to be Head-man again: this + surely is a cheering circumstance to Friedrich; Loudon, not Daun, being + the only man he ever got much ill of hitherto. + </p> + <p> + Daun arrives in Waldenburg, May 9th; and to show that he is not + cunctatory, steps out within a week after. May 15th, he has descended from + his Mountains; has swept round by the back and by the front of + Schweidnitz, far and wide, into the Plain Country, and encamped himself + crescent-wise, many miles in length, Head-quarter near the Zobtenberg. + Bent fondly round Schweidnitz; meaning, as is evident, to defend + Schweidnitz against all comers,—his very position symbolically + intimating: "I will fight for it, Prussian Majesty, if you like!" + </p> + <p> + Prussian Majesty, however, seemed to take no notice of him; and, what was + very surprising, kept his old quarters: "a Cantonment, or Chain of Posts, + ten miles long; Schweidnitz Water on his right flank, Oder on his left;" + perfectly safe, as he perceives, being able to assemble in four hours, if + Daun try anything. [Tempelhof, vi. 66.] And, in fact, sat there, and did + not come into the Field at all for five weeks or more;—waiting till + Czernichef's 20,000 arrive, who are on march from Thorn since June 2d. + Mere small-war goes on in the interim; world getting all greener and + flowerier; the Glatz Highlands, to one's left yonder (Owl-Mountains, + EULENGEBIRGE so called), lying magically blue and mysterious:—on the + Plain in front of them, ten miles from the final peaks of them, is + Schweidnitz Fortress, lying full in view, with a picked Garrison of 12,000 + under a picked Captain, and all else of defence or impregnability; and + Friedrich privately determined to take it, though by methods of his own + choosing, and which cannot commence till Czernichef come. Daun, with his + right wing, has hold of those Highland Regions, and cautiously guards + them; can, when he pleases, wend back to Waldenburg Country; and at once, + with his superior numbers, block all passages, and sit there impregnable. + The methods of dislodging him are obscure to Friedrich himself; but + methods there must be, dislodged he must be, and sent packing. Without + that, all siege of Schweidnitz is flatly impossible. + </p> + <p> + June 27th, Friedrich's Head-quarter is Tintz, Czernichef now nigh: + [Tempelhof, vi. 76.] two days ago (June 25th), Czernichef's Cossacks + "crossed the Oder at Auras,"—with how different objects from those + they used to have! JULY 1st, Czernichef himself is here, in full tale and + equipment. Had encamped, a day ago, on the Field of Lissa; where Majesty + reviewed him, inspected and manoeuvred him, with great mutual + satisfaction. "Field of Lissa;" it is where our poor Prussian people + encamped on the night of Leuthen, with their "NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT," five + years ago, in memorable circumstances: to what various uses are Earth's + Fields liable! + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, by degrees, has considerably changed his opinion, and bent + towards the late Keith's, about Russian Soldiery: a Soldiery of most + various kinds; from predatory Cossacks and Calmucks to those noble + Grenadiers, whom we saw sit down on the Walls of Schweidnitz when their + work was done. A perfectly steady obedience is in these men; at any and + all times obedient, to the death if needful, and with a silence, with a + steadfastness as of rocks and gravitation. Which is a superlative quality + in soldiers. Good in Nations too, within limits; and much a distinction in + the Russian Nation: rare, or almost unique, in these unruly Times. The + Russians have privately had their admirations of Friedrich, all this + while; and called him by I forget what unpronounceable vernacular epithet, + signifying "Son of Lightning," or some such thing. [Buchholz, <i>Neueste + Preussisch-Brandenburgische Geschichte</i> (1775), vol ii. (page + irrecoverable).] No doubt they are proud to have a stroke of service under + such a one, since Father Peter Feodorowitsh graciously orders it: the very + Cossacks show an alertness, a vivacity; and see cheery possibilities + ahead, in Countries not yet plundered out. They stayed with Friedrich only + Three Weeks,—Russia being an uncertain Country. As we have seen + above; though Friedrich, who is vitally concerned, has not yet seen! But + their junction with him, and review by him in the Field of Lissa, had its + uses by and by; and may be counted an epoch in Russian History, if nothing + more. The poor Russian Nation, most pitiable of loyal Nations,—struggling + patiently ahead, on those bad terms, under such CATINS and foul + Nightmares,—has it, shall we say, quite gone without conquest in + this mad War? Perhaps, not quite. It has at least shown Europe that it + possesses fighting qualities: a changed Nation, since Karl XII. beat them + easily, at Narva, 8,000 to 80,000, in the snowy morning, long since!— + </p> + <p> + Czernichef once come, and in his place in the Camp of Tintz, business + instantly begins,—business, and a press of it, in right earnest;—upon + the hitherto idle Daun. July 1st, there is general complex Advance + everywhere on Friedrich's part; general attempt towards the Mountains. + Upon which Daun, well awake, at once rolls universally thitherward again; + takes post in front of the Mountains,—on the Heights of Kunzendorf, + to wit (Loudon's old post in Bunzelwitz time);-and elaborately spreads + himself out in defence there. "Take him multifariously by the left flank, + get between him and his Magazine at Braunau!" thinks Friedrich. + Discovering which, Daun straightway hitches back into the Mountains + altogether, leaving Kunzendorf to Friedrich's use as main camp. His + outmost Austrians, on the edge of the Mountain Country, and back as far as + suitable, Daun elaborately posts; and intrenches himself behind them in + all the commanding points,—Schweidnitz still well in sight; and + Braunau and the roads to it well capable of being guarded. Daun's + Head-quarter is Tannhausen; Burkersdorf, Ludwigsdorf, if readers can + remember them, are frontward posts:—in his old imperturbable way + Daun sits there waiting events. + </p> + <p> + And for near three weeks there ensues a very multiplex series of rapid + movements, and alarming demonstrations, on Daun's front, on Daun's right + flank; with serious extensive effort (masked in that way) to turn Daun's + left flank, and push round by Landshut Country upon Bohemia and Braunau. + Effort very serious indeed on that Landshut side: conducted at first by + Friedrich in person, with General Wied (called also NEUwied, a man of mark + since Liegnitz time) as second under him; latterly by Wied himself, as + Friedrich found it growing dubious or hopeless. That was Friedrich's first + notion of the Daun problem. There are rapid marches here, there, round + that western or left flank of Daun; sudden spurts of fierce fighting, + oftenest with a stiff climb as preliminary: but not the least real success + on Daun. Daun perfectly comprehends what is on foot; refuses to take shine + for substance; stands massed, or grouped, at his own skilful judgment, in + the proper points for Braunau, still more for Schweidnitz; and is very + vigilant and imperturbable. + </p> + <p> + Kunzendorf Heights, which are not of the Hills, but in front of them, with + a strip of flat still intervening;—these, we said, Daun had at once + quitted: and these are now Friedrich's;—but yield him a very complex + prospect at present. A line of opposing Heights, Burkersdorf, Ludwigsdorf, + Leuthmannsdorf, bristling with abundant cannon; behind is the multiplex + sea of Hills, rising higher and higher, to the ridge of the Eulenberg in + Glatz Country 10 or 12 miles southward: Daun, with forces much superior, + calmly lord of all that; infinitely needing to be ousted, could one but + say how! Friedrich begins to perceive that Braunau will not do; that he + must contrive some other plan. General Wied he still leaves to prosecute + the Braunau scheme: perhaps there is still some chance in it; at lowest it + will keep Daun's attention thitherward. And Wied perseveres upon Braunau; + and Braunau proving impossible, pushes past it deeper into Bohemia, Daun + loftily regardless of him. Wied's marches and attempts were of approved + quality; though unsuccessful in the way of stirring Daun. Wied's Light + troops went scouring almost as far as Prag,—especially a 500 + Cossacks that were with him, following their old fashion, in a new + Country. To the horror of Austria; who shrieked loudly, feeling them in + her own bowels; though so quiet while they were in other people's on her + score. This of the 500 Cossacks under Wied, if this were anything, was all + of actual work that Friedrich had from his Czernichef Allies;—nothing + more of real or actual while they stayed, though something of imaginary or + ostensible which had its importance, as we shall see. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, in the third week, recalls Wied: "Braunau clearly impossible; + only let us still keep up appearances!" July 18th, Wied is in Kunzendorf + Country again; on an important new enterprise, or method with the Daun + Problem, in which Wied is to bear a principal hand. That is to say, The + discomfiture and overturn of Daun's right wing, if we can,—since his + left has proved impossible. This was the STORMING OF BURKERSDORF HEIGHTS; + Friedrich's new plan. Which did prove successful, and is still famous in + the Annals of War: reckoned by all judges a beautiful plan, beautifully + executed, and once more a wonderful achieving of what seemed the + impossible, when it had become the indispensable. One of Friedrich's + prettiest feats; and the last of his notable performances in this War. + Readers ought not to be left without some shadowy authentic notion of it; + though the real portraiture or image (which is achievable too, after long + study) is for the professional soldier only,—for whom TEMPELHOF, + good maps and plenty of patience are the recipe. + </p> + <p> + "The scene is the Wall of Heights, running east and west, parallel to + Friedrich's Position at Kunzendorf; which form the Face, or decisive + beginning, of that Mountain Glacis spreading up ten miles farther, towards + Glatz Country. They, these Heights called of Burkersdorf, are in effect + Daun's right wing; vitally precious to Daun, who has taken every pains + about them. Burkersdorf Height (or Heights, for there are two, divided by + the Brook Weistritz; but we shall neglect the eastern or lower, which is + ruled by the other, and stands or falls along with it), Burkersdorf Height + is the principal: a Hill of some magnitude (short way south of the Village + of Burkersdorf, which also is Daun's); Hill falling rather steep down, on + two of its sides, namely on the north side, which is towards Friedrich and + Kunzendorf, and on the east side, where Weistritz Water, as yet only a + Brook, gushes out from the Mountains,—hastening towards Schweidnitz + or Schweidnitz Water; towards Lissa and Leuthen Country, where we have + seen it on an important night. Weistritz, at this part, has scarped the + eastern flank of Burkersdorf Height; and made for itself a pleasant little + Valley there: this is the one Pass into the Mountains. A Valley of level + bottom; where Daun has a terrific trench and sunk battery level with the + ground, capable of sweeping to destruction whoever enters there without + leave. + </p> + <p> + "East from Burkersdorf Lesser Height (which we neglect for the present), + and a little farther inwards or south, are Two other Heights: Ludwigsdorf + and Leuthmannsdorf; which also need capture, as adjuncts of Burkersdorf, + or second line to Burkersdorf; and are abundantly difficult, though not so + steep as Burkersdorf. + </p> + <p> + "The Enterprise, therefore, divides itself into two. Wied is to do the + Ludwigsdorf-Leuthmannsdorf part; Mollendorf, the Burkersdorf. The strength + of guns in these places, especially on Burkersdorf,—we know Daun's + habit in that particular; and need say nothing. Man-devouring batteries, + abatis; battalions palisaded to the teeth, 'the pales strong as masts, and + room only for a musket-barrel between;' nay, they are 'furnished with a + lath or cross-strap all along, for resting your gun-barrel on and taking + aim:'—so careful is Daun. The ground itself is intricate, in parts + impracticably steep; everywhere full of bushes, gnarls and impediments. + Seldom was there such a problem altogether! Friedrich's position, as we + say, is Kunzendorf Heights, with Schweidnitz and his old ground of + Bunzelwitz to rear, Czernichef and others lying there, and Wurben and the + old Villages and Heights again occupied as posts:—what a tale of + Egyptian bricks has one to bake, your Majesty, on certain fields of this + world; and with such insufficiency of raw-material sometimes!" + </p> + <p> + By the 16th of July, Friedrich's plans are complete. Contrived, I must + say, with a veracity and opulent potency of intellect, flashing clear into + the matter, and yet careful of the smallest practical detail. FRIDAY, + 17th, Mollendorf, with men and furnitures complete, circles off + northwestward by Wurben (for the benefit of certain on-lookers), but will + have circled round to Burkersdorf neighborhood two days hence; by which + time also Wied will be quietly in his place thereabouts, with a view to + business on the 20th and 21st. Mollendorf, Wied and everything, are + prosperously under way in this manner,—when, on the afternoon of + that same Friday, 17th, [Compare Tempelhof, vi. 99, and Rodenbeck, ii. + 164.] Czernichef steps over, most privately, to head-quarters: with what a + bit of news! "A Revolution in Petersburg [JULY 9th, as we saw above, or as + Herr Busching saw]; Czar Peter,—your Majesty's adorer, is dethroned, + perhaps murdered; your Majesty's enemies, in the name of Czarina + Catharine, order me instantly homeward with my 20,000!" This is true news, + this of Czernichef. A most unexpected, overwhelming Revolution in those + Northern Parts;—not needing to be farther touched upon in this + place. + </p> + <p> + What here concerns us is, Friedrich's feelings on hearing of it; which no + reader can now imagine. Horror, amazement, pity, very poignant; grief for + one's hapless friend Peter, for one's still more hapless self! "The + Sisyphus stone, which we had got dragged to the top, the chains all + beautifully slack these three months past,—has it leapt away again? + And on the eve of Burkersdorf, and our grand Daun problem!" Truly, the + Destinies have been quite dramatic with this King, and have contrived the + moment of hitting him to the heart. He passionately entreats Czernichef to + be helpful to him,—which Czernichef would fain be, only how can he? + To be helpful; at least to keep the matter absolutely secret yet for some + hours: this the obliging Czernichef will do. And Friedrich remains, + Czernichef having promised this, in the throes of desperate consideration + and uncertainty, hour after hour,—how many hours I do not know. It + is confidently said, [Retzow, ii. 415.] Friedrich had the thought of + forcibly disarming Czernichef and his 20,000:—in which case he must + have given up the Daun Enterprise; for without Czernichef as a positive + quantity, much more with Czernichef as a negative, it is impossible. But, + at any rate, most luckily for himself, he came upon a milder thought: + "Stay with us yet three days, merely in the semblance of Allies, no + service required of you, but keeping the matter a dead secret;—on + the fourth day go, with my eternal thanks!" This is his milder proposal; + urged with his best efforts upon the obliging Czernichef: who is in huge + difficulty, and sees it to be at peril of his head, but generously + consents. It is the same Czernichef who got lodged in Custrin cellars, on + one occasion: know, O King,—the King, before this, does begin to + know,—that Russians too can have something of heroic, and can + recognize a hero when they see him! In this fine way does Friedrich get + the frightful chasm, or sudden gap of the ground under him, bridged over + for the moment; and proceeds upon Burkersdorf all the same. + </p> + <p> + Of the Attack itself we propose to say almost nothing. It consists of Two + Parts, Wied and Mollendorf, which are intensely Real; and of a great many + more which are Scenic chiefly,—some of them Scenic to the degree of + Drury-Lane itself, as we perceive;—all cunningly devised, and + beautifully playing into one another, both the real and the scenic. + EVENING OF THE 20th, Friedrich is on his ground, according to Program. + Friedrich—who has now his Mollendorf and Wied beside him again, near + this Village of Burkersdorf; and has his completely scenic Czernichef, and + partly scenic Ziethen and others, all in their places behind him—quietly + crushes Daun's people out of Burkersdorf Village; and furthermore, so soon + as Night has fallen, bursts up, for his own uses, Burkersdorf old Castle, + and its obstinate handful of defenders, which was a noisier process. Which + done, he diligently sets to trenching, building batteries in that part; + will have forty formidable guns, howitzers a good few of them, ready + before sunrise. And so, + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, 21st JULY, 1762, All Prussians are in motion, far and wide; + especially Mollendorf and Wied (VERSUS O'Kelly and Prince de Ligne),—which + Pair of Prussians may be defined rather as near and close; these Two + being, in fact, the soul of the matter, and all else garniture and + semblance. About 4 in the morning, Friedrich's Battery of 40 has begun + raging; the howitzers diligent upon O'Kelly and his Burkersdorf Height,—not + much hurting O'Kelly or his Height, so high was it, but making a + prodigious noise upon O'Kelly;—others of the cannon shearing home on + those palisades and elaborations, in the Weistritz Valley in particular, + and quite tearing up a Cavalry Regiment which was drawn out there; so that + O'Kelly had instantly to call it home, in a very wrecked condition. Why + O'Kelly ever put it there—except that he saw no place for it in his + rugged localities, or no use for it anywhere—is still a mystery to + the intelligent mind. [Tempelhof, vi. 107.] The howitzers, their shells + bursting mostly in the air, did O'Kelly little hurt, nor for hours yet was + there any real attack on Burkersdorf or him; but the noise, the horrid + death-blaze was prodigious, and kept O'Kelly, like some others, in an + agitated, occupied condition till their own turn came. + </p> + <p> + For it had been ordered that Wied and Mollendorf were not to attack + together: not together, but successively,—for the following reasons. + TOGETHER; suppose Mollendorf to prosper on O'Kelly (whom he is to storm, + not by the steep front part as O'Kelly fancies, but to go round by the + western flank and take him in rear); suppose Mollendorf to be near + prospering on Burkersdorf Height,—unless Wied too have prospered, + Ludwigsdorf batteries and forces will have Mollendorf by the right flank, + and between two fires he will be ruined; he and everything! On the other + hand, let Wied try first: if Wied can manage Ludwigsdorf, well: if Wied + cannot, he comes home again with small damage; and the whole Enterprise is + off for the present. That was Friedrich's wise arrangement, and the reason + why he so bombards O'Kelly with thunder, blank mostly. + </p> + <p> + And indeed, from 4 this morning and till 4 in the afternoon, there is such + an outburst and blazing series of Scenic Effect, and thunder mostly blank, + going on far and near all over that District of Country: General This + ostentatiously speeding off, as if for attack on some important place; + General That, for attack on some other; all hands busy,—the 20,000 + Russians not yet speeding, but seemingly just about to do it,—and + blank thunder so mixed with not blank, and scenic effect with bitter + reality, [Tempelhof, vi. 105-111.]—as was seldom seen before. And no + wisest Daun, not to speak of his O'Kellys and lieutenants, can, for the + life of him, say where the real attack is to be, or on what hand to turn + himself. Daun in person, I believe, is still at Tannhausen, near the + centre of this astonishing scene; five or six miles from any practical + part of it. And does order forward, hither, thither, masses of force to + support the De Ligne, the O'Kelly, among others,—but who can tell + what to support? Daun's lieutenants were alert some of them, others less: + General Guasco, for instance, who is in Schweidnitz, an alert Commandant, + with 12,000 picked men, was drawing out, of his own will, with certain + regiments to try Friedrich's rear: but a check was put on him (some + dangerous shake of the fist from afar), when he had to draw in again. In + general the O'Kelly supports sat gazing dubiously, and did nothing for + O'Kelly but roll back along with him, when the time came. But let us first + attend to Wied, and the Ludwigsdorf-Leuthmannsdorf part. + </p> + <p> + Wied, divided into Three, is diligently pushing up on Ludwigsdorf by the + slacker eastern ascents; meets firm enough battalions, potent, dangerous + and resolute in their strong posts; but endeavors firmly to be more + dangerous than they. Dislodges everything, on his right, on his left; + comes in sight of the batteries and ranked masses atop, which seem to him + difficult indeed; flatly impossible, if tried on front; but always some + Colonel Lottum, or quick-eyed man, finds some little valley, little + hollow; gets at the Enemy side-wise and rear-wise; rushes on with fixed + bayonets, double-quick, to co-operate with the front: and, on the whole, + there are the best news from Wied, and we perceive he sees his way through + the affair. + </p> + <p> + Upon which, Mollendorf gets in motion, upon his specific errand. + Mollendorf has been surveying his ground a little, during the leisure + hour; especially examining what mode of passage there may be, and looking + for some road up those slacker western parts: has found no road, but a + kind of sheep track, which he thinks will do. Mollendorf, with all energy, + surmounting many difficulties, pushes up accordingly; gets into his + sheep-track; finds, in the steeper part of this track, that horses cannot + draw his cannon; sets his men to do it; pulls and pushes, he and they, + with a right will;—sees over his left shoulder, at a certain point, + the ranked Austrians waiting for him behind their cannon (which must have + been an interesting glimpse of scenery for some moments); tugs along, till + he is at a point for planting his cannon; and then, under help of these, + rushes forward,—in two parts, perhaps in three, but with one impetus + in all,—to seize the Austrian fruit set before him. Surely, if a + precious, a very prickly Pomegranate, to clutch hold of on different + sides, after such a climb! The Austrians make stiff fight; have abatis, + multiplex defences; and Mollendorf has a furious wrestle with this last + remnant, holding out wonderfully,—till at length the abatis itself + catches fire, in the musketry, and they have to surrender. This must be + about noon, as I collect: and Feldmarschall Daun himself now orders + everybody to fall back. And the tug of fight is over;—though + Friedrich's scenic effects did not cease; and in particular his big + battery raged till 5 in the afternoon, the more to confirm Daun's rearward + resolutions and quicken his motions. On fall of night, Daun, everybody + having had his orders, and been making his preparations for six hours + past, ebbed totally away; in perfect order, bag and baggage. Well away to + southward; and left Friedrich quit of him. [Tempelhof. vi. 100-115: + compare <i>Bericht von der bey Leutmannsdorf den 21sten Julius 1762 + vorgefallenen Action</i> (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 302-308); <i>Anderweiter + Bericht von der &c.</i> (ib. 308-314); Archenholtz, &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + Quit of Daun forevermore, as it turned out. Plainly free, at any rate, to + begin upon Schweidnitz, whenever he sees good. Of the behavior of Wied, + Mollendorf, and their people, indeed of the Prussians one and all, what + can be said, but that it was worthy of their Captain and of the Plannings + he had made? Which is saying a great deal. "We got above 14 big guns," + report they; "above 1,000 prisoners, and perhaps twice as many that + deserted to us in the days following." Czernichef was full of admiration + at the day's work: he marched early next morning,—I trust with + lasting gratitude on the part of an obliged Friedrich. + </p> + <p> + Some three weeks before this of Burkersdorf, Duke Ferdinand, near a place + called Wilhelmsthal, in the neighborhood of Cassel, in woody broken + country of Hill and Dale, favorable for strategic contrivances, had + organized a beautiful movement from many sides, hoping to overwhelm the + too careless or too ignorant French, and gain a signal victory over them: + BATTLE, so called, OF WILHELMSTHAL, JUNE 24th, 1762, being the result. + Mauvillon never can forgive a certain stupid Hanoverian, who mistook his + orders; and on getting to his Hill-top, which was the centre of all the + rest,—formed himself with his BACK to the point of attack; and began + shooting cannon at next to nothing, as if to warn the French, that they + had better instantly make off! Which they instantly set about, with a + will; and mainly succeeded in; nothing all day but mazes of intricate + marching on both sides, with spurts of fight here and there,—ending + in a truly stiff bout between Granby and a Comte de Stainville, who + covered the retreat, and who could not be beaten without a great deal of + trouble. The result a kind of victory to Ferdinand; but nothing like what + he expected. [Mauvillon, ii. 227-236; Tempelhof, vi. &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + Soubise leads the French this final Year; but he has a D'Estrees with him + (our old D'Estrees of HASTENBECK), who much helps the account current; and + though generally on the declining hand (obliged to give up Gottingen, to + edge away farther and farther out of Hessen itself, to give up the Weser, + and see no shift but the farther side of Fulda, with Frankfurt to rear),—is + not often caught napping as here at Wilhelmsthal. There ensued about the + banks of the Fulda, and the question, Shall we be driven across it sooner + or not so soon? a great deal of fighting and pushing (Battle called of + LUTTERNBERG, Battle of JOHANNISBERG, and others): but all readers will + look forward rather to the CANNONADE OF AMONEBURG, more precisely + Cannonade of the BRUCKEN-MUHLE (September 2lst), which finishes these + wearisome death-wrestlings. Peace is coming; all the world can now count + on that! + </p> + <p> + Bute is ravenous for Peace; has been privately taking the most unheard-of + steps:—wrote to Kaunitz, "Peace at once and we will vote for your + HAVING Silesia;" to which Kaunitz, suspecting trickery in artless Bute, + answered, haughtily sneering, "No help needed from your Lordship in that + matter!" After which repulse, or before it, Bute had applied to the Czar's + Minister in London: "Czarish Majesty to have East Preussen guaranteed to + him, if he will insist that the King of Prussia DISPENSE with Silesia;" + which the indignant Czar rejected with scorn, and at once made his Royal + Friend aware of; with what emotion on the Royal Friend's part we have + transiently seen. "Horrors and perfidies!" ejaculated he, in our hearing + lately; and regarded Bute, from that time, as a knave and an imbecile both + in one; nor ever quite forgave Bute's Nation either, which was far from + being Bute's accomplice in this unheard-of procedure. "No more Alliances + with England!" counted he: "What Alliance can there be with that + ever-fluctuating People? To-day they have a thrice-noble Pitt; to-morrow a + thrice-paltry Bute, and all goes heels-over-head on the sudden!" [Preuss, + ii. 308; Mitchell, ii. 286.] + </p> + <p> + Bute, at this rate of going, will manage to get hold of Peace before long. + To Friedrich himself, a Siege of Schweidnitz is now free; Schweidnitz his, + the Austrians will have to quit Silesia. "Their cash is out: except prayer + to the Virgin, what but Peace can they attempt farther? In Saxony things + will have gone ill, if there be not enough left us to offer them in return + for Glatz. And Peace and AS-YOU-WERE must ensue!" + </p> + <p> + Let us go upon Schweidnitz, therefore; pausing on none of these subsidiary + things; and be brief upon Schweidnitz too. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII.—SIEGE OF SCHWEIDNITZ: SEVENTH CAMPAIGN ENDS. + </h2> + <p> + Daun being now cleared away, Friedrich instantly proceeds upon + Schweidnitz. Orders the necessary Siege Materials to get under way from + Neisse; posts his Army in the proper places, between Daun and the + Fortress,—King's head-quarter Dittmannsdorf, Army spread in fine + large crescent-shape, to southwest of Schweidnitz some ten miles, and as + far between Daun and it;—orders home to him his Upper-Silesia + Detachments, "Home, all of you, by Neisse Country, to make up for + Czernichef's departure; from Neisse onwards you can guard the + Siege-Ammunition wagons!" Naturally he has blockaded Schweidnitz, from the + first; he names Tauentzien Siege-Captain, with a 10 or 12,000 to do the + Siege: "Ahead, all of you!"—and in short, AUGUST 7th, with the due + adroitness and precautions, opens his first parallel; suffering little or + nothing hitherto by a resistance which is rather vehement. [Tempelhof, vi. + 126.] He expects to have the place in a couple of weeks—"one week + (HUIT JOUR)" he sometimes counts it, but was far out in his reckoning as + to time. + </p> + <p> + The Siege of Schweidnitz occupied two most laborious, tedious months;—and + would be wearisome to every reader now, as it was to Friedrich then, did + we venture on more than the briefest outline. The resistance is vehement, + very skilful:—Commandant is Guasco (the same who was so truculent to + Schmettau in the Dresden time); his Garrison is near 12,000, picked from + all regiments of the Austrian Army; his provisions, ammunitions, are of + the amplest; and he has under him as chief Engineer a M. Gribeauval, who + understands "counter-mining" like no other. After about a fortnight of + trial, and one Event in the neighborhood which shall be mentioned, this of + Mining and Counter-mining—though the External Sap went restlessly + forward too, and the cannonading was incessant on both sides—came to + be regarded more and more as the real method, and for six or seven weeks + longer was persisted in, with wonderful tenacity of attempt and + resistance. Friedrich's chief Mining Engineer is also a Frenchman, one + Lefebvre; who is personally the rival of Gribeauval (his old class-fellow + at College, I almost think); but is not his equal in subterranean work,—or + perhaps rather has the harder task of it, that of Mining, instead of + COUNTER-mining, or SPOILING Mines. Tempelhof's account of these two + people, and their underground wrestle here, is really curious reading;—clear + as daylight to those that will study, but of endless expansion (as usual + in Tempelhof), and fit only to be indicated here. [Tempelhof, vi. 122-219; + <i>Bericht und Tagebuch von der Belagerung von Schweidnitz vom 7ten August + bis 9 October, 1762</i> (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 376-479); + Archenholtz, Retzow, &c.] + </p> + <p> + The external Event I promised to mention is an attempt on Daun's part + (August 16th) to break in upon Friedrich's position, and interrupt the + Siege, or render it still impossible. Event called the BATTLE OF + REICHENBACH, though there was not much of battle in it;—in which our + old friend the Duke of Brunswick-Bevern (whom we have seen in abeyance, + and merely a Garrison Commandant, for years back, till the Russians left + Stettin to itself) again played a shining part. + </p> + <p> + Daun—at Tannhausen, 10 miles to southwest of Friedrich, and spread + out among the Hills, with Loudons, Lacys, Becks, as lieutenants, and in + plenty of force, could he resolve on using it—has at last, after a + month's meditation, hit upon a plan. Plan of flowing round by the southern + skirt of Friedrich, and seizing certain Heights to the southeastern or + open side of Schweidnitz,—Koltschen Height the key one; from which + he may spread up at will, Height after Height, to the very Zobtenberg on + that eastern side, and render Schweidnitz an impossibility. The plan, + people say, was good; but required rapidity of execution,—a thing + Daun is not strong in. + </p> + <p> + Bevern's behavior, too, upon whom the edge of the matter fell, was very + good. Bevern, coming on from Neisse and Upper Silesia, had been much + manoeuvred upon for various days by Beck; Beck, a dangerous, alert man, + doing his utmost to seize post after post, and bar Bevern's way,—meaning + especially, as ultimate thing, to get hold of a Height called Fischerberg, + which lies near Reichenbach (in the southern Schweidnitz vicinities), and + is preface to Koltschen Height and to the whole Enterprise of Daun. In + most of which attempts, especially in this last, Bevern, with great merit, + not of dexterity alone (for the King's Orders had often to be DISobeyed in + the letter, and only the spirit of them held in view), contrived to + outmanoeuvre Beck; and be found (August 13th) already firm on the + Fischerberg, when Beck, in full confidence, came marching towards it. "The + Fischerberg lost to us!" Beck had to report, in disappointment. "Must be + recovered, and my grand Enterprise no longer put off!" thinks Daun to + himself, in still more disappointment ("Laggard that I am!").—And on + the third day following, the BATTLE OF REICHENBACH ensued. Lacy, as chief, + with abundant force, and Beck and Brentano under him: these are to march, + "Recover me that Fischerberg; it is the preface to Koltschen and all + else!" [Tempelhof, vi. 144.] + </p> + <p> + MONDAY, AUGUST 16th, pretty early in the day, Lacy, with his Becks and + Brentanos, appeared in great force on the western side of Fischerberg; + planted themselves there, about the three Villages of Peilau (Upper, + Nether and Middle Peilau, a little way to south of Reichenbach), within + cannon-shot of Bevern; their purpose abundantly clear. Behind them, in the + gorges of the Mountains, what is not so clear, lay Daun and most of his + Army; intending to push through at once upon Koltschen and seize the key, + were this of Fischerberg had. Lacy, after reconnoitring a little, spreads + his tents (which it is observable Beck does not); and all Austrians + proceed to cooking their dinner. "Nothing coming of them till to-morrow!" + said Friedrich, who was here; and went his way home, on this symptom of + the Austrian procedures;—hardly consenting to regard them farther, + even when he heard their cannonade begin. + </p> + <p> + Lacy, the general composure being thus established, and dinner well done, + suddenly drew out about five in the evening, in long strong line, before + these Hamlets of Peilau, on the western side of the Fischerberg; Beck + privately pushing round by woods to take it on the eastern side: and there + ensued abundant cannonading on the part of Lacy and Brentano, and some + idle flourishing about of horse, responded to by Bevern; and, on the part + of Lacy and Brentano, nothing else whatever. More like a theatre fight + than a real one, says Tempelhof. Beck, however, is in earnest; has a most + difficult march through the tangled pathless woods; does arrive at length, + and begin real fighting, very sharp for some time; which might have been + productive, had Lacy given the least help to it, as he did NOT. + [Tempelhof, vi. 146-151.] Beck did his fieriest; but got repulsed + everywhere. Beck tries in various places; finds swamps, impediments, + fierce resistance from the Bevern people;—finds, at length, that the + King is awake, and that reinforcements, horse, foot, riding-artillery, are + coming in at the gallop; and that he, Beck, cannot too soon get away. + </p> + <p> + None of the King's Foot people could get in for a stroke, though they came + mostly running (distance five miles); but the Horse-charges were + beautifully impressive on Lacy's theatrical performers, as was the + Horse-Artillery to a still more surprising degree; and produced an + immediate EXEUNT OMNES on the Lacy part. All off; about 7 P.M.,—Sun + just going down in the autumn sky;—and the Battle of Reichenbach a + thing finished. Seeing which, Daun also immediately withdrew, through the + gorges of the Mountains again. And for seven weeks thenceforth sat + contemplative, without the least farther attempt at relief of Schweidnitz. + It was during those seven weeks, some time after this, that poor Madam + Daun, going to a Levee at Schonbrunn one day, had her carriage half filled + with symbolical nightcaps, successively flung in upon her by the Vienna + people;—symbolical; in lieu of Slashing Articles, and Newspapers the + best Instructors, which they as yet have not. + </p> + <p> + Next day the Joy-fire of the Prussians taught Guasco what disaster had + happened; and on the fifth day afterwards (August 22d), hearing nothing + farther of Daun, Guasco offered to surrender, on the principle of Free + Withdrawal. "No, never," answered Tauentzien, by the King's order: "As + Prisoners of War it must be!" Upon which Guasco stood to his defences + again; and maintained himself,—Gribeauval and he did,—with an + admirable obstinacy: the details of which would be very wearisome to + readers. Gribeauval and he, I said; for from this time, Engineer Lefebvre, + though he tried (with bad skill, thinks Tempelhof) some bits of assault + above ground, took mainly to mining, and a grand underground invention + called GLOBES DE COMPRESSION; which he reckoned to be the real sovereign + method,—unlucky that he was! I may at least explain what GLOBE DE + COMPRESSION is; for it becomes famous on this occasion, and no name could + be less descriptive of the thing. Not a GLOBE at all, for that matter, nor + intended to "compress," but to EXpress, and shatter to pieces in a + transcendent degree: it is, in fact, a huge cubical mine-chamber, filled + by a wooden box (till Friedrich, in his hurry, taught Lefebvre that a sack + would do as well), loaded with, say, five thousand-weight of powder. + Sufficient to blow any horn-work, bastion, bulwark, into the air,—provided + you plant it in the right place; which poor Lefebre never can. He tried, + with immense labor, successively some four or almost five of these "PRESS + BALLS" so called (or Volcanoes in Little); mining on, many yards, 15 or 20 + feet underground (tormented by Gribeauval all the way); then at last, + exploding his five thousand-weight,—would produce a "Funnel," or + crater, of perhaps "30 yards in diameter," but, alas, "150 yards OFF any + bastion." Funnel of no use to him;—mere sign to him that he must go + down into it, and begin there again; with better aim, if possible. And + then Gribeauval's tormentings; never were the like! Gribeauval has, all + round under the Glacis, mine-galleries, or main-roads for Counter-mining, + ready to his hand (mine-galleries built by Friedrich while lately + proprietor); there Gribeauval is hearkening the beat of Lefebvre's picks: + "Ten yards from us, think you? Six yards? Get a 30 hundredweight of + chamber ready for him!" And will, at the right moment, blow Lefebvre's + gallery about his ears;—sometimes bursts in upon him bodily with + pistol and cutlass, or still worse, with explosive sulphur-balls, + choke-pots and infinitudes of mal-odor instantaneously developed on + Lefebvre,—which mean withal, "You will have to begin again, + Monsieur!" Enough to drive a Lefebvre out of his wits. Twice, or oftener, + Lefebvre, a zealous creature but a thin-skinned, flew out into open + paroxysm; wept, invoked the gods, threatened suicide: so that Friedrich + had to console him, "Courage, you will manage it; make chicanes on + Gribeauval, as he does on you,"—and suggested that powder-SACK + instead of deal-box, which we just mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's patience seems to have been great; but in the end he began to + think the time long. He was in three successive head-quarters, + Dittmannsdorf, Peterswaldau, Bogendorf, nearer and nearer; at length quite + near (Bogendorf within a couple of miles); and wondering Gazetteers + reported him on horseback, examining minutely the parallels and + siege-works,—with a singular indifference to the cannon-balls flying + about ("Not easy to hit a small object with cannon!"), and intent only on + giving Tauentzien suggestions, admonitions and new orders. Here, prior to + Bogendorf, are three snatches of writing, which successively have + indications for us. KING TO PRINCE HENRI:— + </p> + <p> + PETERSWALDAU, AUGUST 13th, 1762 (King has just shifted hither, August + 10th, on the Bevern-REICHENBACH score; continues here till September + 23d).... "You are right to say, 'We ourselves are our best Allies.' I am + of the same opinion; nevertheless, it is a clear duty and call of prudence + to try and alleviate the burden as much as possible: and I own to you, + that if, after all I have written, the thing fails this time [as it does], + I shall be obliged to grant + </p> + <p> + MAP GOES HERE—FACING PAGE 152, CHAP XII, BOOK 20—— + </p> + <p> + that there is nothing to be made of those Turks."—"We are now in the + press of our crisis as to Schweidnitz. The Siege advances beautifully: but + Beck is come hereabouts, Lacy masked behind him; and I cannot yet tell you + [not till REICHENBACH and the 16th] whether the Enemy intends some big + adventure for disengaging Schweidnitz, or will content himself with + disturbing and annoying us." + </p> + <p> + PETERSWALDAU, 9th SEPTEMBER. Springs, water-threads coming into our mines + delay us a little: "by the 12th [in 3 days' time, little thinking it would + be 30 days!] I still hope to despatch you a courier with the news, All is + over! Your Nephew [Prince of Prussia] is out to-day assisting in a forage; + he begins to kindle into fine action. We are nothing but pygmies in + comparison to him [in point of physical stature]; imagine to yourself + Prince Franz [of Brunswick; killed, poor fellow, at Hochkirch], only + taller still: this is the figure of him at present." + </p> + <p> + PETERSWALDAU, SEPTEMBER 19th.... "Our Siege wearies all the world; people + persecute me to know the end of it; I never get a Berlin Letter without + something on that head;—and I have no resource myself but patience. + We do all we can: but I cannot hinder the enemy from defending himself, + and Gribeauval from being a clever fellow:—soon, however, surely + soon, soon, we shall see the end. Our weather here is like December; the + Seasons are as mad as the Politics of Europe. Finally, my dear Brother, + one must shove Time on; day follows day, and at last we shall catch the + one that ends our labors. Adieu; JE VOUS EMBRASSE." [Schoning, iii. 403, + 430, 446.]—Here farther, from the Siege-ground itself, are some + traceries, scratchings by a sure hand, which yield us something of image. + Date is still only "BEFORE Schweidnitz," far on in the eighth week:— + </p> + <p> + SEPTEMBER 23d. "This morning, before 9, the King [direct from + Peterswaldau, where he has been lodging hitherto,—must have + breakfasted rather early] came into the Lines here:—his quarter is + now to be at Bogendorf near hand, in a Farm house there. The Prince of + Prussia was riding with him, and Lieutenant-Colonel von Anhalt [the + Adjutant whom we have heard of]: he looked at the Battery" lately ordered + by him; "looked at many things; rode along, a good 100 yards inside of the + vedettes; so that the Enemy noticed him, and fired violently,"—King + decidedly ignoring. "To Captain Beauvrye [Captain of the Miners] he paid a + gracious compliment; Major Lefebvre he rallied a little for losing heart, + for bungling his business; but was not angry with him, consoled him + rather; bantered him on the shabbiness of his equipments, and made him a + gift of 400 thalers (60 pounds), to improve them. Lefebvre, Tauentzien + and" another General "dined with him at Bogendorf to-day." ["Captain + Gotz's NOTE-book" (a conspicuous Captain here, Note-book still in + manuscript, I think): cited in SCHONING, iii. 453 et seq.] + </p> + <p> + SEPTEMBER 24th, EARLY. "The King on horseback viewed the trenches, rode + close behind the first parallel, along the mid-most communication-line: + the Enemy cannonaded at us horribly (ERSCHRECKLICH); a ball struck down + the Page von Pirch's horse [Pirch lay writhing, making moan,—plainly + overmuch, thought the King]: on Pirch's accident, too, the Prince of + Prussia's horse made a wild plunge, and pitched its rider aloft out of the + saddle; people thought the Prince was shot, and everybody was in horror: + great was the commotion; only the King was heard calling with a clear + voice, 'PIRCH, VERGISS ER SEINEN SATTEL NICHT,—Pirch, bring your + saddle with you!'" + </p> + <p> + This of Pirch and the saddle is an Anecdote in wide circulation; taken + sometimes as a proof of Royal thrift; but is mainly the Royal mode of + rebuking Pirch for his weak behavior in the accident that had befallen. + Pirch, an ingenious handy kind of fellow, famed for his pranks and + trickeries in those Page-days, had many adventures in the world;—was, + for one while, something of a notability among the French; will "teach you + the Prussian mode of drill," and actually got leave to try it "on the + German Regiments in our service:" [Voltaire's wondering Report of him + ("Ferney, 7th December, 1774"), and Friedrich's quiet Answer ("Berlin, + 28th Dec. 1774"): in <i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xxiii. 297, 301. + Rodenbeck (ii. 198-200) has a slight "BIOGRAPHY" of Pirch.]—died, + finally, as Colonel of one of these, at the Siege of Gibraltar, in 1783. + </p> + <p> + SEPTEMBER 25th. "Morning and noon, each time two hours, the King was in + his new batteries; and, with great satisfaction, watched the working of + them. This day there dined with him the Prince of Bernburg [General of + Brigade here], Tauentzien, Lefebvre and Dieskau" (head of the Artillery). + </p> + <p> + The King is always riding about; has now, virtually, taken charge of the + Siege himself. "In Bogendorf, the first night, he dismissed the Guard sent + for him; would have nothing there but six chasers (JAGER):" an alarming + case! "After a night or two, there came always, without his knowledge, a + dragoon party of 30 horse; took post behind Bogendorf Church, patrolled + towards Kunzendorf, Giesdorf, and had three pickets." + </p> + <p> + SEPTEMBER 28th. "Gribeauval has sprung a mine last night;" totally blown + up Lefebvre again! "Engineer-Lieutenants Gerhard and Von Kleist were + wounded by our own people; Captain Guyon was shot:" things all going + wrong,—weather, I suspect also, bad. "The King was in dreadful humor + (SEHR UNGNADIG); rated and rebuked to right and left: 'If it should last + till January, the Attack must go on. Nobody seems to be able for his + business; Lefebvre a blockhead (DUMMER TEUFEL), who knows nothing of + mining: the Generals, too, where are they? Every General henceforth is to + take his place in the third parallel, at the head of his Covering-Party + [most exposed place of all], and stay his whole twenty-four hours there + [Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg is Covering-Party today; I hope, in his post + during this thunder!]: Taken the Place can and must be! We have the + misfortune, That a stupid Engineer who knows nothing of his art has the + direction; and a General without sense in Sieging has the command. + Everybody is at a NON PLUS, it appears! Not all our Artillery can silence + that Front-fire; not in a single place can Thirty stupid Miners get into + the Fort.' To-day and yesterday the King spoke neither to General + Tauentzien nor to Major Lefebvre; Lieutenant-Colonel von Anhalt had to + give all the Orders." An electric kind of day! + </p> + <p> + The weather is becoming wet. In fact, there ensue whole weeks of rain,—the + trenches swimming, service very hard. Guasco's guns are many of them + dismounted; no Daun to be heard of. Guasco again and again proposes + modified capitulations; answer always, "Prisoners of War on the common + terms." Guasco is wearing low: OCTOBER 7th (Lefebvre sweating and puffing + at his last Globe of Expression, hoping to hit the mark this last time), + an accidental grenade from Tauentzien, above ground, rolled into one of + Guasco's powder-vaults; blew it, and a good space of Wall along with it, + into wreck; two days after which, Guasco had finished his Capitulating;—and + we get done with this wearisome affair. [Tempelhof, vi. 122-220; <i>Tagebuch + von der Belagerung von Schweidnitz vom 7ten August bis 9ten October, 1762</i> + (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 376-497); Tielke, &c. &c.] Guasco + was invited to dine with the King; praised for his excellent defence. + Prisoners of War his Garrison and he; about 9,000 of them still on their + feet; their entire loss had been 3,552 killed and wounded; that of the + Prussians 3,033. Poor Guasco died, in Konigsberg, still prisoner, before + the Peace came. + </p> + <p> + Of Austrian fighting in Silesia, this proved to be the last, in the + present Controversy which has endured so long. No thought of fighting is + in Daun; far the reverse. Daun is getting ill off for horse-forage in his + Mountains; the weather is bad upon him; we hear "he has had, for some time + past, 12,000 laborers" palisading and fortifying at the Passes of Bohemia: + "Truce for the Winter" is what he proposes. To which the King answers, + "No; unless you retire wholly within Bohemia and Glatz Country:" this at + present Daun grudged to do; but was forced to it, some weeks afterwards, + by the sleets and the snows, had there been no other pressure. In about + three weeks hence, Friedrich, leaving Bevern in command here, and a + Silesia more or less adjusted, made for Saxony; whither important + reinforcements had preceded him,—reinforcements under General Wied, + the instant it was possible. Saxony he had long regarded as the grand + point, were Schweidnitz over: "Recapture Dresden, and they will have to + give us Peace this very Winter!" Daun, also with reinforcements, followed + him to Saxony, as usual; but never quite arrived, or else found matters + settled on arriving;—and will not require farther mention in this + History. He died some three years hence, age 60; ["5th February, 1766;" + "born 24th September, 1705" (Hormayr <i>OEster-reichischer Plutarch,</i> + ii. 80-111).] an honorable, imperturbable, eupeptic kind of man, + sufficiently known to readers by this time. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich did not recapture Dresden; far enough from that,—though + Peace came all the same. Hardly a week after our recovery of Schweidnitz, + Stollberg and his Reichsfolk, especially his Austrians, became + unexpectedly pert upon Henri; pressed forward (October 15th), in + overpowering force, into his Posts about Freyberg, Pretschendorf and that + southwestern Reich-ward part: "No more invadings of Bohemia from you, + Monseigneur; no more tormentings of the Reich; here is other work for you, + my Prince!"—and in spite of all Prince Henri could do, drove him + back, clear out of Freyberg; northwestward, towards Hulsen and his + reserves. [<i>Bericht von dem Angriff so am 15ten October, 1762, van der + Reichs-Armee auf die Kongilich-Preussischen unter dem Prinzen Heinrich + geschehen</i> (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 362-364). <i>Ausfuhrlicher + Bericht von der den 15ten October, 1762, bey Brand vorgefallenen Action</i> + (Ib. iii. 350-362). Tempelhof, vi. 238.] Giving him, in this manner, what + soldiers call a slap; slap which might have been more considerable, had + those Stollberg people followed it up with emphasis. But they did not; so + alert was Henri. Henri at once rallied beautifully from his slap (King's + reinforcements coming too, as we have said); and, in ten days' time, + without any reinforcement, paid Stollberg and Company by a stunning blow: + BATTLE OF FREYBERG (October 29th),—which must not go without + mention, were it only as Prince Henri's sole Battle, and the last of this + War. Preparatory to which and its sequel, let us glance again at Duke + Ferdinand and the English-French posture,—also for the last time. + </p> + <p> + CANNONADE AT AMONEBURG (21st September, 1762). "The controversies about + right or left bank of the Fulda have been settled long since in + Ferdinand's favor; who proceeded next to blockade the various French + strongholds in Hessen; Marburg, Ziegenhayn, especially Cassel; with an eye + to besieging the same, and rooting the French permanently out. To prevent + or delay which, what can Soubise and D'Estrees do but send for their + secondary smaller Army, which is in the Lower-Rhine Country under a Prince + de Conde, mostly idle at present, to come and join them in the critical + regions here. Whereupon new Controversy shifting westward to the Mayn and + Nidda-Lahn Country, to achieve said Junction and to hinder it. Junction + was not to be hindered. The D'Estrees-Soubise people and young Conde made + good manoeuvring, handsome fight on occasion; so that in spite of all the + Erbprinz could do, they got hands joined; far too strong for the Erbprinz + thenceforth; and on the last night of August were all fairly together, + head-quarter Friedberg in Frankfurt Country (a thirty miles north of + Frankfurt); and were earnestly considering the now not hopeless question, + 'How, or by what routes and methods, push to northwestward, get through to + those blockaded Hessian Strong-places, Cassel especially; and hinder + Ferdinand's besieging them, and quite outrooting us there?' + </p> + <p> + "This is a difficult question, but a vital. 'Sweep rapidly past Ferdinand,—cannot + we? Well frontward or eastward of him, dexterously across the Lahn and its + Branches (our light people are to rear of him, on this side of the Fulda, + between the Fulda and him): once joined with those light people by such + methods, we have Cassel ahead, Ferdinand to rear, and will make short work + with the blockades,—the blockades will have to rise in a hurry!' + This was the plan devised by D'Estrees; and rapidly set about; but it was + seen into, at the first step, by Ferdinand, who proved still more rapid + upon it. Campings, counter-campings, crossings of the Lahn by D'Estrees + people, then recrossings of it, ensued for above a fortnight; which are + not for mention here: in fine, about the middle of September, the + D'Estrees Enterprise had plainly become impossible, unless it could get + across the Ohm,—an eastern, or wide-circling northeastern Branch of + the Lahn,—where, on the right or eastern bank of which, as better + for him than the Lahn itself in this part, Ferdinand now is. 'Across the + Ohm: and that, how can that be done, the provident Ferdinand having laid + hold of Ohm, and secured every pass of it, several days ago! Perhaps by a + Surprisal; by extreme despatch?' + </p> + <p> + "Amoneburg is a pleasant little Town, about thirty miles east of Marburg,—in + which latter we have been, in very old times; looking after St. Elizabeth, + Teutsch Ritters, Philip the Magnanimous and other objects. Amoneburg + stands on the left or western bank of the Ohm, with an old Schloss in it, + and a Bridge near by; both of which, Ferdinand, the left or southmost wing + of whose Position on the other bank of Ohm is hereabouts, has made due + seizure of. Seizure of the Bridge, first of all,—Bridge with a Mill + at it (which, in consequence, is called BRUCKEN-MUHLE, Bridge-Mill),—at + the eastern end of this there is a strong Redoubt, with the Bridge-way + blocked and rammed ahead of it; there Ferdinand has put 200 men; 500 more + are across in Amoneburg and its old Castle. Unless by surprisal and + extreme despatch, there is clearly no hope! Ferdinand's head-quarter is + seven or eight miles to northwest of this his Brucken-Muhle and extreme + left; next to Brucken-Muhle is Zastrow's Division; next, again, is + Granby's; several Divisions between Ferdinand and it; 'Do it by surprisal, + by utmost force of vehemency!' say the French. And accordingly, + </p> + <p> + "SEPTEMBER 21st [day of the Equinox, 1762], An hour before sunrise, there + began, quite on the sudden, a vivid attack on the Brucken-Muhle and on + Amoneburg, by cannon, by musketry, by all methods; and, in spite of the + alert and completely obstinate resistance, would not cease; but, on the + contrary, seemed to be on the increasing hand, new cannon, new musketries; + and went on, hour after hour, ever the more vivid. So that, about 8 in the + morning, after three hours of this, Zastrow, with his Division, had to + intervene: to range himself on the Hill-top behind this Brucken-Muhle; + replace the afflicted 200 (many of them hurt, not a few killed) by a fresh + 200 of his own; who again needed to be relieved before long. For the + French, whom Zastrow had to imitate in that respect, kept bringing up more + cannon, ever more, as if they would bring up all the cannon of their Army: + and there rose between Zastrow and them such a cannonade, for length and + loudness together, as had not been heard in this War. Most furious + cannonading, musketading; and seemingly no end to it. Ferdinand himself + came over to ascertain; found it a hot thing indeed. Zastrow had to + relieve his 200 every hour: 'Don't go down in rank, you new ones,' ordered + he—'slide, leap, descend the hill-face in scattered form: rank at + the bottom!'—and generally about half of the old 200 were left dead + or lamed by their hour's work. 'They intend to have this Bridge from us at + any cost,' thinks Ferdinand; 'and at any cost they shall not!' And, in the + end, orders Granby forward in room of Zastrow, who has had some eight + hours of it now; and rides home to look after his main quarters. + </p> + <p> + "It was about 4 in the afternoon when Granby and his English came into the + fire; and I rather think the French onslaught was, if anything, more + furious than ever:—Despair striding visibly forward on it, or + something too like Despair. Amoneburg they had battered to pieces, Wall + and Schloss, so that the 500 had to ground arms: but not an inch of way + had they made upon the Bridge, nor were like to make. Granby continued on + the old plan, plying all his diligences and artilleries; needing them all. + Fierce work to a degree: '200 of you go down on wings' (in an hour about + 100 will come back)! In English Families you will still hear some vague + memory of Amoneburg, How we had built walls of the dead, and fired from + behind them,—French more and more furious, we more and more + obstinate. Granby had still four hours of it; sunset, twilight, dusk; + about 8, the French, in what spirits I can guess, ceased, and went their + ways. Bridge impossible; game up. They had lost, by their own account, + 1,100 killed and wounded; Ferdinand probably not fewer." [Mauvillon, ii. + 251; <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vii. 432-439.] + </p> + <p> + And in this loud peal, what none could yet know, the French-English part + of the Seven-Years War had ended. The French attempted nothing farther; + hutted themselves where they were, and waited in the pouring rains: + Ferdinand also hutted himself, in guard of the Ohm; while his people plied + their Siege-batteries on Cassel, on Ziegenhayn, cannonading their best in + the bad weather;—took Cassel, did not quite take Ziegenhayn, had it + been of moment;—and for above six weeks coming (till November + 7th-14th [Preliminaries of Peace SIGNED, "Paris, November 3d;" known to + French Generals "November 7th;" not, OFFICIALLY, to Ferdinand till + "November 14th" (Mauvillon, ii. 257).]), nothing more but skirmishings and + small scuffles, not worth a word from us, fell out between the Two Parties + there. That Cannonade of the Brucken-Muhle had been finis. + </p> + <p> + For supreme Bute, careless of the good news coming in on him from West and + from East, or even rather embarrassed by them, had some time ago started + decisively upon the Peace Negotiation. "September 5th," three weeks before + that of Amoneburg, "the Duke of Bedford, Bute's Plenipotentiary, set out + towards Paris,—considerably hissed on the street here by a sulky + population," it would seem;—"but sure of success in Paris. Bute + shared in none of the national triumphs of this Year. The transports of + rejoicing which burst out on the news of Havana" were a sorrow and + distress to him. [Walpole's <i>George the Third,</i> ii. 191.] "Havana, + what shall we do with it?" thought he; and for his own share answered + stiffly, "Nothing with it; fling it back to them!"—till some consort + of his persuaded him Florida would look better. [Thackeray, ii. 11.] Of + Manilla and the Philippines he did not even hear till Peace was concluded; + had made the Most Catholic Carlos a present of that Colony,—who + would not even pay our soldiers their Manilla Ransom, as too disagreeable. + Such is the Bute, such and no other, whom the satirical Fates have + appointed to crown and finish off the heroic Day's-work of such a Pitt. + Let us, if we can help it, speak no more of him! Friedrich writes before + leaving for Saxony: "The Peace between the English and the French is much + farther off than was thought;—so many oppositions do the Spaniards + raise, or rather do the French,—busy duping this buzzard of an + English Minister, who has not common sense." [Schoning, iii. 480 (To + Henri: "Peterswaldau, 17th October, 1762").] Never fear, your Majesty: a + man with Havanas and Manillas of that kind to fling about at random, is + certain to bring Peace, if resolved on it!— + </p> + <p> + We said, Prince Henri rallied beautifully from his little slap and loss of + Freyberg (October 15th), and that the King was sending Wied with + reinforcements to him. In fact, Prince Henri of himself was all alertness, + and instantly appeared on the Heights again; seemingly quite in sanguinary + humor, and courting Battle, much more than was yet really the case. Which + cowed Stollberg from meddling with him farther, as he might have done. Not + for some ten days had Henri finished his arrangements; and then, under + cloud of night (28th-29th OCTOBER, 1762), he did break forward on those + Spittelwalds and Michael's Mounts, and multiplex impregnabilities about + Freyberg, in what was thought a very shining manner. The BATTLE OF + FREYBERG, I think, is five or six miles long, all on the west, and finally + on the southwest side of Freyberg (north and northwest sides, with so many + batteries and fortified villages, are judged unattackable); and the main + stress, very heavy for some time, lay in the abatis of the Spittelwald + (where Seidlitz was sublime), and about the roots of St. Michael's Mount + (the TOP of it Stollberg, or some foolish General of Stollberg's, had left + empty; nobody there when we reached the top),—down from which, + Freyberg now lying free ahead of us, and the Spittelwald on our left now + also ours, we take Stollberg in rear, and turn him inside out. The Battle + lasted only three hours, till Stollberg and his Maguires, Campitellis and + Austrians (especially his Reichsfolk, who did no work at all, except at + last running), were all under way; and the hopes of some Saxon Victory to + balance one's disgraces in Silesia had altogether vanished. [<i>Beschreibung + der am 29sten October, 1762, bey Freyberg vorgefallenen Schlacht</i> + (Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 365-376). Tempelhof, vi. 235-258; <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + vii. 177-181.] + </p> + <p> + Of Austrians and Reichsfolk together I dimly count about 40,000 in this + Action; Prince Henri seems to have been well under 30,000. ["29 + battalions, 60 squadrons," VERSUS "49 battalions, 68 squadrons" (Schoning, + iii. 499).] I will give Prince Henri's DESPATCH to his Brother (a most + modest Piece); and cannot afford to say more of the matter,—except + that "Wegfurth," where Henri gets on march the night before, lies 8 or + more miles west-by-north of Freyberg and the Spittelwald, and is about as + far straight south from Hainichen, Gellert's birthplace, who afterwards + got the War-horse now coming into action,—I sometimes think, with + what surprise to that quadruped! + </p> + <p> + PRINCE HENRI TO THE KING (Battle just done; King on the road from Silesia + hither, Letter meets him at Lowenberg). + </p> + <p> + "FREYBERG, 29th October, 1762. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAREST BROTHER,—It is a happiness for me to send you the + agreeable news, That your Army has this day gained a considerable + advantage over the combined Austrian and Reichs Army. I marched + yesternight; I had got on through Wegfurth, leaving Spittelwald + [Tempelhof, p. 237.] to my left, with intent to seize [storm, if + necessary] the Height of St. Michael,—when I came upon the Enemy's + Army. I made two true attacks, and two false: the Enemy resisted + obstinately; but the sustained valor of your troops prevailed: and, after + three hours in fire, the Enemy was obliged to yield everywhere. I don't + yet know the number of Prisoners; but there must be above 4,000:—the + Reichs Army has lost next to nothing; the stress of effort fell to the + Austrian share. We have got quantities of Cannon and Flags; + Lieutenant-General Roth of the Reichs Army is among our Prisoners. I + reckon we have lost from 2 to 3,000 men; among them no Officer of mark. + Lieutenant-General von Seidlitz rendered me the highest services; in a + place where the Cavalry could not act [border of the Spittelwald, and its + impassable entanglements and obstinacies], he put himself at the head of + the Infantry, and did signal services [his Battle mainly, scheming and + all, say some ill-natured private accounts]; Generals Belling and Kleist + [renowned Colonels known to us, now become Major-Generals] did their very + best. All the Infantry was admirable; not one battalion yielded ground. My + Aide-de-Camp [Kalkreuth, a famous man in the Napoleon times long after], + who brings you this, had charge of assisting to conduct the attack through + the Spittelwald [and did it well, we can suppose]: if, on that ground, you + pleased to have the goodness to advance him, I should have my humble + thanks to give you. There are a good many Officers who have distinguished + themselves and behaved with courage, for whom I shall present similar + requests. You will permit me to pay those who have taken cannons and flags + (100 ducats per cannon, 50 per flag, or whatever the tariff was)—"By + all manner of means!" his Majesty would answer]. + </p> + <p> + "The Enemy is retiring towards Dresden and Dippoldiswalde. I am sending at + his heels this night, and shall hear the result. My Aide-de-Camp is + acquainted with all, and will be able to render you account of everything + you may wish to know in regard to our present circumstances. General Wied, + I believe, will cross Elbe to-morrow [General Wied, with 10,000 to help + us,—for whom it was too dangerous to wait, or perhaps there was a + spur on one's own mind?]; his arrival would be [not "would have been:" + CELA VIENDRAIT, not even VIENDRA] very opportune for me. I am, with all + attachment, my dearest Brother,—your most devoted Servant and + Brother,—HENRI." [Schoning, iii. 491, 492.] + </p> + <p> + To-morrow, in cipher, goes the following Despatch:— + </p> + <p> + "FREYBERG, 30th October, 1762. + </p> + <p> + "General Wied [not yet come to hand, or even got across Elbe] informs me, + That Prince Albert of Saxony [pushing hither with reinforcement, sent by + Daun] must have crossed Elbe yesterday at Pirna [did not show face here, + with his large reinforcements to them, or what would have become of us!];—and + that for this reason he, Wied, must himself cross; which he will + to-morrow. The same day I am to be joined by some battalions from General + Hulsen; and the day after to-morrow, when General Wied [coming by Meissen + Bridge, it appears] shall have reached the Katzenhauser, the whole of + General Hulsen's troops will join me. Directly thereupon I shall—" + [Schoning, p. 493.] Or no more of that second Despatch; Friedrich's LETTER + IN RESPONSE is better worth giving:— + </p> + <p> + "LOWENBERG, 2d November, 1762. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAR BROTHER,—The arrival of Kalkreuter [so he persists in + calling him], and of your Letter, my dear Brother, has made me twenty [not + to say forty] years younger: yesterday I was sixty, to-day hardly + eighteen. I bless Heaven for preserving you in health (BONNE SANTE," so we + term escape of lesion in fight); "and that things have passed so happily! + You took the good step of attacking those who meant to attack you; and, by + your good and solid measures (DISPOSITIONS), you have overcome all the + difficulties of a strong Post and a vigorous resistance. It is a service + so important rendered by you to the State, that I cannot enough express my + gratitude, and will wait to do it in person. + </p> + <p> + "Kalkreuter will explain what motions I—... If Fortune favor our + views on Dresden [which it cannot in the least, at this late season], we + shall indubitably have Peace this Winter or next Spring,—and get + honorably out of a difficult and perilous conjuncture, where we have often + seen ourselves within two steps of total destruction. And, by this which + you have now done, to you alone will belong the honor of having given the + final stroke to Austrian Obstinacy, and laid the foundations of the Public + Happiness, which will be the consequence of Peace.—F." [Ib. iii. + 495, 496.] + </p> + <p> + Two days after this, November 4th, Friedrich is in Meissen; November 9th, + he comes across to Freyberg; has pleasant day,—pleasant survey of + the Battle-field, Henri and Seidlitz escorting as guides. Henri, in + furtherance of the Dresden project, has Kleist out on the Bohemian + Magazines,—"That is the one way to clear Dresden neighborhood of + Enemies!" thinks Henri always. Kleist burns the considerable magazine of + Saatz; finds the grand one of Leitmeritz too well guarded for him:—upon + which, in such snowdrifts and sleety deluges, is not Dresden plainly + impossible, your Majesty? Impossible, Friedrich admits,—the rather + as he now sees Peace to be coming without that. Freyberg has at last + broken the back of Austrian Obstinacy. "Go in upon the Reich," Friedrich + now orders Kleist, the instant Kleist is home from his Bohemian inroad: + "In upon the Reich, with 6,000, in your old style! That will dispose the + Reichs Principalities to Peace." + </p> + <p> + Kleist marched November 3d; kept the Reich in paroxysm till December 13th;—Plotho, + meanwhile, proclaiming in the Reichs Diet: "Such Reichs Princes as wish + for Peace with my King can have it; those that prefer War, they too can + have it!" Kleist, dividing himself in the due artistic way, flew over the + Voigtland, on to Bamberg, on to Nurnberg itself (which he took, by + sounding rams'-horns, as it were, having no gun heavier than a carbine, + and held for a week); [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> vii. 186-194.]—fluttering + the Reichs Diet not a little, and disposing everybody for Peace. The + Austrians saw it with pleasure, "We solemnly engaged to save these poor + people harmless, on their joining us;—and, behold, it has become + thrice and four times impossible. Let them fall off into Peace, like ripe + pears, of themselves; we can then turn round and say, 'Save you harmless? + Yes; if you had n't fallen off!'" + </p> + <p> + NOVEMBER 24th, all Austrians make truce with Friedrich, Truce till March + 1st;—all Austrians, and what is singular, with no mention of the + Reich whatever. The Reich is defenceless, at the feet of Kleist and his + 6,000. Stollberg is still in Prussian neighborhood; and may be picked up + any day! Stollberg hastens off to defend the Reich; finds the Reich quite + empty of enemies before his arrival;—and at least saves his own + skin. A month or two more, and Stollberg will lay down his Command, and + the last Reichs-Execution Army, playing Farce-Tragedy so long, make its + exit from the Theatre of this World. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII.—PEACE OF HUBERTSBURG. + </h2> + <p> + The Prussian troops took Winter-quarters in the Meissen-Freyberg region, + the old Saxon ground, familiar to them for the last three years: room + enough this Winter, "from Plauen and Zwickau, round by Langensalza again;" + Truce with everybody, and nothing of disturbance till March 1st at + soonest. The usual recruiting went on, or was preparing to go on,—a + part of which took immediate effect, as we shall see. Recruiting, + refitting, "Be ready for a new Campaign, in any case: the readier we are, + the less our chance of having one!" Friedrich's head-quarter is Leipzig; + but till December 5th he does not get thither. "More business on me than + ever!" complains he. At Leipzig he had his Nephews, his D'Argens; for a + week or two his Brother Henri; finally, his Berlin Ministers, especially + Herzberg, when actual Peace came to be the matter in hand. Henri, before + that, had gone home: "Peace being now the likelihood;—Home; and + recruit one's poor health, at Berlin, among friends!" + </p> + <p> + Before getting to Leipzig, the King paid a flying Visit at Gotha;—probably + now the one fraction of these manifold Winter movements and employments, + in which readers could take interest. Of this, as there happens to be some + record left of it, here is what will suffice. From Meissen, Friedrich + writes to his bright Grand-Duchess, always a bright, high and noble + creature in his eyes: "Authorized by your approval [has politely inquired + beforehand], I shall have the infinite satisfaction of paying my duties on + December 3d [four days hence], and of reiterating to you, Madam, my + liveliest and sincerest assurances of esteem and friendship.... Some of my + Commissariat people have been misbehaving? Strict inquiry shall be had," + [To the Grand-Duchess, "Meissen, 29th November" (<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xviii. 199).]—and we soon find WAS. But the Visit is our first + thing. + </p> + <p> + The Visit took place accordingly; Seidlitz, a man known in Gotha ever + since his fine scenic-military procedures there in 1757, accompanied the + King. Of the lucent individualities invited to meet him, all are now lost + to me, except one Putter, a really learned Gottingen Professor (deep in + REICHS-HISTORY and the like), whom the Duchess has summoned over. By the + dim lucency of Putter, faint to most of us as a rushlight in the act of + going out, the available part of our imagination must try to figure, in a + kind of Obliterated-Rembrandt way, this glorious Evening; for there was + but one,—December 3d-4th,—Friedrich having to leave early on + the 4th. Here is Putter's record, given in the third person:— + </p> + <p> + "During dinner, Putter, honorably present among the spectators of this + high business, was beckoned by the Duchess to step near the King [right + hand or left, Putter does not say]; but the King graciously turned round, + and conversed with Putter." The King said:— + </p> + <p> + KING. "In German History much is still buried; many important Documents + lie hidden in Monasteries." Putter answered "schicklich—fitly;" that + is all we know of Putter's answer. + </p> + <p> + KING (thereupon). "Of Books on Reichs-History I know only the PERE BARRI." + [<i>Barri de Beaumarchais,</i> 10 vols. 4to, Paris, 1748: I believe, an + extremely feeble Pillar of Will-o'-Wisps by Night;—as I can + expressly testify Pfeffel to be (Pfeffel, <i>Abrege Chronologique de + l'Histoire d'Allemagne,</i> 2 vols. 4to, Paris, 1776), who has succeeded + Barri as Patent Guide through that vast SYLVA SYLVARUM and its pathless + intricacies, for the inquiring French and English.] + </p> + <p> + PUTTER.... "Foreigners have for most part known only, in regard to our + History, a Latin work written by Struve at Jena." [Burkhard Gotthelf + Struve, <i>Syntagma Historiae Germanicus</i> (1730, 2 vols. folio).] + </p> + <p> + KING. "Struv, Struvius; him I don't know." + </p> + <p> + PUTTER. "It is a pity Barri had not known German." + </p> + <p> + KING. "Barri was a Lorrainer; Barri must have known German!"—Then + turning to the Duchess, on this hint about the German Language, he told + her, "in a ringing merry tone, How, at Leipzig once, he had talked with + Gottsched [talk known to us] on that subject, and had said to him, That + the French had many advantages; among others, that a word could often be + used in a complex signification, for which you had in German to scrape + together several different expressions. Upon which Gottsched had said, 'We + will have that mended (DAS WOLLEN WIR NOCH MACHEN)!' These words the King + repeated twice or thrice, with such a tone that you could well see how the + man's conceit had struck him;"—and in short, as we know already, + what a gigantic entity, consisting of wind mainly, he took this elevated + Gottsched to be. + </p> + <p> + Upon which, Putter retires into the honorary ranks again; silent, at least + to us, and invisible; as the rest of this Royal Evening at Gotha is. + ["Putter's <i>Selbstbiographie</i> (Autobiography), p. 406:" cited in + Preuss, ii. 277 n.] Here, however, is the Letter following on it two days + after:— + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH TO THE DUCHESS OF SACHSEN-GOTHA. + </p> + <p> + "LEIPZIG, 6th December, 1762. + </p> + <p> + "MADAM,—I should never have done, my adorable Duchess, if I rendered + you account of all the impressions which the friendship you lavished on me + has made on my heart. I could wish to answer it by entering into + everything that can be agreeable to you [conduct of my Recruiters or + Commissariat people first of all]. I take the liberty of forwarding the + ANSWERS which have come in to the Two MEMOIRES you sent me. I am + mortified, Madam, if I have not been able to fulfil completely your + desires: but if you knew the situation I am in, I flatter myself you would + have some consideration for it. + </p> + <p> + "I have found myself here [in Leipzig, as elsewhere] overwhelmed with + business, and even to a degree I had not expected. Meanwhile, if I ever + can manage again to run over and pay you in person the homage of a heart + which is more attached to you than that of your near relations, assuredly + I will not neglect the first opportunity that shall present itself. + </p> + <p> + "Messieurs the English [Bute, Bedford and Company, with their + Preliminaries signed, and all my Westphalian Provinces left in a condition + we shall hear of] continue to betray. Poor M. Mitchell has had a stroke of + apoplexy on hearing it. It is a hideous thing (CHOSE AFFREUSE); but I will + speak of it no more. May you, Madam, enjoy all the prosperities that I + wish for you, and not forget a Friend, who will be till his death, with + sentiments of the highest esteem and the most perfect consideration,—Madam, + your Highness's most faithful Cousin and Servant, FRIEDRICH." [<i>OEuvres + de Frederic,</i> xzvii. 201.] + </p> + <p> + For a fortnight past, Friedrich has had no doubt that general Peace is now + actually at hand. November 25th, ten days before this visit, a Saxon + Privy-Councillor, Baron von Fritsch, who, by Order from his Court, had + privately been at Vienna on the errand, came privately next, with all + speed, to Friedrich (Meissen, November 25th): [Rodenbeck, ii. 193.] + "Austria willing for Treaty; is your Majesty willing?" "Thrice-willing, I; + my terms well known!" Friedrich would answer,—gladdest of mankind to + see general Pacification coming to this vexed Earth again. The Dance of + the Furies, waltzing itself off, HOME out of this upper sunlight: the mad + Bellona steeds plunging down, down, towards their Abysses again, for a + season!— + </p> + <p> + This was a result which Friedrich had foreseen as nearly certain ever + since the French and English signed their Preliminaries. And there was + only one thing which gave him anxiety; that of his Rhine Provinces and + Strong Places, especially Wesel, which have been in French hands for six + years past, ever since Spring, 1757. Bute stipulates That those places and + countries shall be evacuated by his Choiseul, as soon as weather and + possibility permit; but Bute, astonishing to say, has not made the least + stipulation as to whom they are to be delivered to,—allies or + enemies, it is all one to Bute. Truly rather a shameful omission, Pitt + might indignantly think,—and call the whole business steadily, as he + persisted to do, "a shameful Peace," had there been no other article in it + but this;—as Friedrich, with at least equal emphasis thought and + felt. And, in fact, it had thrown him into very great embarrassment, on + the first emergence of it. + </p> + <p> + For her Imperial Majesty began straightway to draw troops into those + neighborhoods: "WE will take delivery, our Allies playing into our hand!" + And Friedrich, who had no disposable troops, had to devise some rapid + expedient; and did. Set his Free-Corps agents and recruiters in motion: + "Enlist me those Light people of Duke Ferdinand's, who are all getting + discharged; especially that BRITANNIC LEGION so called. All to be + discharged; re-enlist them, you; Ferdinand will keep them till you do it. + Be swift!" And it is done;—a small bit of actual enlistment among + the many prospective that were going on, as we noticed above. Precise date + of it not given; must have been soon after November 3d. There were from 5 + to 6,000 of them; and it was promptly done. Divided into various + regiments; chief command of them given to a Colonel Bauer, under whom a + Colonel Beckwith whose name we have heard: these, to the surprise of + Imperial Majesty, and alarm of a pacific Versailles, suddenly appeared in + the Cleve Countries, handy for Wesel, for Geldern; in such posts, and in + such force and condition as intimated, "It shall be we, under favor, that + take delivery!" Snatch Wesel from them, some night, sword in hand: that + had been Bauer's notion; but nothing of that kind was found necessary; + mere demonstration proved sufficient. To the French Garrisons the one + thing needful was to get away in peace; Bauer with his brows gloomy is a + dangerous neighbor. Perhaps the French Officers themselves rather favored + Friedrich than his enemies. Enough, a private agreement, or mutual + understanding on word of honor, was come to: and, very publicly, at + length, on the 11th and 12th days of March, 1763 (Peace now settled + everywhere), Wesel, in great gala, full of field-music, military + salutations and mutual dining, saw the French all filing out, and Bauer + and people filing in, to the joy of that poor Town. [Preuss, ii. 342.] + </p> + <p> + Soon after which, painful to relate, such the inexorable pressure of + finance, Bauer and people were all paid off, flung loose again: ruthlessly + paid off by a necessitous King! There were about 6,000 of those poor + fellows,—specimens of the bastard heroic, under difficulties, from + every country in the world; Beckwith and I know not what other English + specimens of the lawless heroic; who were all cashiered, officer and man, + on getting to Berlin. As were the earlier Free-Corps, and indeed the + subsequent, all and sundry, "except seven," whose names will not be + interesting to you. Paid off, with or without remorse, such the exhaustion + of finance; Kleist, Icilius, Count Hordt and others vainly repugning and + remonstrating; the King himself inexorable as Arithmetic. "Can maintain + 138,000 of regular, 12,000 of other sorts; not a man more!" Zealous + Icilius applied for some consideration to his Officers: "partial repayment + of the money they have spent from their own pocket in enlistment of their + people now discharged!" Not a doit. The King's answer is in autograph, + still extant; not in good spelling, but with sense clear as light: "SEINE + OFFICIERS HABEN WIE DIE RABEN GESTOLLEN SIE KRIGEN NICHTS, Your Officers + stole like ravens;—they get Nothing." [Preuss, ii. 320.] Lessing's + fine play of MINNA VON BARNHELM testifies to considerable public sympathy + for these impoverished Ex-Military people. Pathetic truly, in a degree; + but such things will happen. Irregular gentlemen, to whom the world 's + their oyster,—said oyster does suddenly snap to on them, by a + chance. And they have to try it on the other side, and say little!—But + we are forgetting the Peace-Treaty itself, which still demands a few + words. + </p> + <p> + Kleist's raid into the Reich had a fine effect on the Potentates there; + and Plotho's Offer was greedily complied with; the Kaiser, such his + generosity, giving "free permission." We spoke of Privy-Councillor von + Fritsch, and his private little word with Friedrich at Meissen, on + November 25th. The Electoral-Prince of Saxony, it seems, was author of + that fine stroke; the history of it this. Since November 3d, the French + and English have had their preliminaries signed; and all Nations are + longing for the like. "Let us have a German Treaty for general Peace," + said the Kurprinz of Saxony, that amiable Heir-Apparent whom we have seen + sometimes, who is rather crooked of back, but has a sprightly Wife. "By + all means," answered Polish Majesty: "and as I am in the distance, do you + in every way further it, my Son!" Whereupon despatch of Fritsch to Vienna, + and thence to Meissen; with "Yes" to him from both parties. + Plenipotentiaries are named: "Fritsch shall be ours: they shall have my + Schloss of Hubertsburg for Place of Congress," said the Prince. And on + Thursday, December 30th, 1762, the Three Dignitaries met at Hubertsburg, + and began business. + </p> + <p> + This is the Schloss in Torgau Country which Quintus Icilius's people, + Saldern having refused the job, willingly undertook spoiling; and, as is + well known, did it, January 22d, 1761; a thing Quintus never heard the end + of. What the amount of profit, or the degree of spoil and mischief, + Quintus's people made of it, I could not learn; but infer from this new + event that the wreck had not been so considerable as the noise was; at any + rate, that the Schloss had soon been restored to its pristine state of + brilliancy. The Plenipotentiaries,—for Saxony, Fritsch; for Austria, + a Von Collenbach, unknown to us; for Prussia, one Hertzberg, a man + experienced beyond his years, who is of great name in Prussian History + subsequently,—sat here till February 15th, 1763, that is for six + weeks and five days. Leaving their Protocols to better judges, who report + them good, we will much prefer a word or two from Friedrich himself, while + waiting the result they come to. + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH TO PRINCE HENRI (home at Berlin). + </p> + <p> + "LEIPZIG, 14th JANUARY, 1763.... Am not surprised you find Berlin changed + for the worse: such a train of calamities must, in the end, make itself + felt in a poor and naturally barren Country, where continual industry is + needed to second its fecundity and keep up production. However, I will do + what I can to remedy this dearth (LA DISETTE), at least as far as my small + means permit.... + </p> + <p> + "No fear of Geldern and Wesel; all that has been cared for by Bauer and + the new Free-Corps. By the end of February Peace will be signed; at the + beginning of April everybody will find himself at home, as in 1756. + </p> + <p> + "The Circles are going to separate: indifferent to me, or nearly so; but + it is good to be plucking out tiresome burning sticks, stick after stick. + I hope you amuse yourself at Berlin: at Leipzig nothing but balls and + redouts; my Nephews diverting themselves amazingly. Madam Friedrich, + lately Garden-maid at Seidlitz [Village in the Neumark, with this Beauty + plucking weeds in it,—little prescient of such a fortune], now Wife + to an Officer of the Free Hussars, is the principal heroine of these + Festivities." [Schoning, iii. 528.] + </p> + <p> + LEIPZIG, 25th JANUARY, 1763. "Thanks for your care about my existence. I + am becoming very old, dear Brother; in a little while I shall be useless + to the world and a burden to myself: it is the lot of all creatures to + wear down with age,—but one is not, for all that, to abuse one's + privilege of falling into dotage. + </p> + <p> + "You still speak without full confidence of our Negotiation business + [going on at Hubertsburg yonder]. Most certainly the chapter of accidents + is inexhaustible; and it is still certain there may happen quantities of + things which the limited mind of man cannot foresee: but, judging by the + ordinary course, and such degrees of probability as human creatures found + their hopes on, I believe, before the month of February entirely end, our + Peace will be completed. In a permanent Arrangement, many things need + settling, which are easier to settle now than they ever will be again. + Patience; haste without speed is a thriftless method." [Ib. iii. 529.] + </p> + <p> + February 5th, the trio at Hubertsburg got their Preliminaries signed. On + the tenth day thereafter, the Treaty itself was signed and sealed. All + other Treaties on the same subject had been guided towards a contemporary + finis: England and France, ready since the 3d of November last, signed and + ended February 10th. February 11th, the Reich signed and ended; February + 15th, Prussia, Austria, Saxony; and the THIRD SILESIAN or SEVEN-YEARS WAR + was completely finished. [Copy of the treaty in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + vii. 624 et seq.; in Seyfarth, <i>Beylagen,</i> iii. 479-495; in ROUSSET, + in WENCK, in &c. &c.] + </p> + <p> + It had cost, in loss of human lives first of all, nobody can say what: + according to Friedrich's computation, there had perished of actual + fighters, on the various fields, of all the nations, 853,000; of which + above the fifth part, or 180,000, is his own share: and, by misery and + ravage, the general Population of Prussia finds itself 500,000 fewer; + nearly the ninth man missing. This is the expenditure of Life. Other items + are not worth enumerating, in comparison; if statistically given, you can + find the most approved guesses at them by the same Head, who ought to be + an authority. [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> v. 230-234; Preuss, iii. + 349-351.] It was a War distinguished by—Archenholtz will tell you, + with melodious emphasis, what a distinguished, great and thrice-greatest + War it was. There have since been other far bigger Wars,—if size + were a measure of greatness; which it by no means is! I believe there was + excellent Heroism shown in this War, by persons I could name; by one + person, Heroism really to be called superior, or, in its kind, almost of + the rank of supreme;—and that in regard to the Military Arts and + Virtues, it has as yet, for faculty and for performance, had no rival; nor + is likely soon to have. The Prussians, as we once mentioned, still use it + as their school-model in those respects. And we—O readers, do not at + least you and I thank God to have now done with it!— + </p> + <p> + Of the Peace-Treaties at Hubertsburg, Paris and other places, it is not + necessary that we say almost anything. They are to be found in innumerable + Books, dreary to the mind; and of the 158 Articles to be counted there, + not one could be interesting at present. The substance of the whole lies + now in Three Points, not mentioned or contemplated at all in those + Documents, though repeatedly alluded to and intimated by us here. + </p> + <p> + The issue, as between Austria and Prussia, strives to be, in all points, + simply AS-YOU-WERE; and, in all outward or tangible points, strictly is + so. After such a tornado of strife as the civilized world had not + witnessed since the Thirty-Years War. Tornado springing doubtless from the + regions called Infernal; and darkening the upper world from south to + north, and from east to west for Seven Years long;—issuing in + general AS-YOU-WERE! Yes truly, the tornado was Infernal; but Heaven too + had silently its purposes in it. Nor is the mere expenditure of men's + diabolic rages, in mutual clash as of opposite electricities, with + reduction to equipoise, and restoration of zero and repose again after + seven years, the one or the principal result arrived at. Inarticulately, + little dreamt of at the time by any by-stander, the results, on survey + from this distance, are visible as Threefold. Let us name them one other + time:— + </p> + <p> + 1. There is no taking of Silesia from this man; no clipping of him down to + the orthodox old limits; he and his Country have palpably outgrown these. + Austria gives up the Problem: "We have lost Silesia!" Yes; and, what you + hardly yet know,—and what, I perceive, Friedrich himself still less + knows,—Teutschland has found Prussia. Prussia, it seems, cannot be + conquered by the whole world trying to do it; Prussia has gone through its + Fire-Baptism, to the satisfaction of gods and men; and is a Nation + henceforth. In and of poor dislocated Teutschland, there is one of the + Great Powers of the World henceforth; an actual Nation. And a Nation not + grounding itself on extinct Traditions, Wiggeries, Papistries, Immaculate + Conceptions; no, but on living Facts,—Facts of Arithmetic, Geometry, + Gravitation, Martin Luther's Reformation, and what it really can believe + in:—to the infinite advantage of said Nation and of poor Teutschland + henceforth. To be a Nation; and to believe as you are convinced, instead + of pretending to believe as you are bribed or bullied by the devils about + you; what an advantage to parties concerned! If Prussia follow its star—As + it really tries to do, in spite of stumbling! For the sake of Germany, one + hopes always Prussia will; and that it may get through its various + Child-Diseases, without death: though it has had sad plunges and crises,—and + is perhaps just now in one of its worst Influenzas, the + Parliamentary-Eloquence or Ballot-Box Influenza! One of the most dangerous + Diseases of National Adolescence; extremely prevalent over the world at + this time,—indeed unavoidable, for reasons obvious enough. "SIC ITUR + AD ASTRA;" all Nations certain that the way to Heaven is By voting, by + eloquently wagging the tongue "within those walls"! Diseases, real or + imaginary, await Nations like individuals; and are not to be resisted, but + must be submitted to, and got through the best you can. Measles and mumps; + you cannot prevent them in Nations either. Nay fashions even; fashion of + Crinoline, for instance (how infinitely more, that of Ballot-Box and + Fourth-Estate!),—are you able to prevent even that? You have to be + patient under it, and keep hoping! + </p> + <p> + 2. In regard to England. Her JENKINS'S-EAR CONTROVERSY is at last settled. + Not only liberty of the Seas, but, if she were not wiser, dominion of + them; guardianship of liberty for all others whatsoever: Dominion of the + Seas for that wise object. America is to be English, not French; what a + result is that, were there no other! Really a considerable Fact in the + History of the World. Fact principally due to Pitt, as I believe, + according to my best conjecture, and comparison of probabilities and + circumstances. For which, after all, is not everybody thankful, less or + more? O my English brothers, O my Yankee half-brothers, how oblivious are + we of those that have done us benefit!— + </p> + <p> + These are the results for England. And in the rear of these, had these and + the other elements once ripened for her, the poor Country is to get into + such merchandisings, colonizings, foreign-settlings, gold-nuggetings, as + lay beyond the drunkenest dreams of Jenkins (supposing Jenkins addicted to + liquor);—and, in fact, to enter on a universal uproar of + Machineries, Eldorados, "Unexampled Prosperities," which make a great + noise for themselves in the very days now come. Prosperities evidently not + of a sublime type: which, in the mean while, seem to be covering the at + one time creditably clean and comely face of England with mud-blotches, + soot-blotches, miscellaneous squalors and horrors; to be preaching into + her amazed heart, which once knew better, the omnipotence of + </p> + <p> + SHODDY; filling her ears and soul with shriekery and metallic clangor, mad + noises, mad hurries mostly no-whither;—and are awakening, I suppose, + in such of her sons as still go into reflection at all, a deeper and more + ominous set of Questions than have ever risen in England's History before. + As in the foregoing case, we have to be patient and keep hoping. + </p> + <p> + 3. In regard to France. It appears, noble old Teutschland, with such + pieties and unconquerable silent valors, such opulences human and divine, + amid its wreck of new and old confusions, is not to be cut in Four, and + made to dance to the piping of Versailles or another. Far the contrary! To + Versailles itself there has gone forth, Versailles may read it or not, the + writing on the wall: "Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting" + (at last even "FOUND wanting")! France, beaten, stript, humiliated; + sinful, unrepentant, governed by mere sinners and, at best, clever fools + (FOUS PLEINS D'ESPRIT),—collapses, like a creature whose limbs fail + it; sinks into bankrupt quiescence, into nameless fermentation, generally + into DRY-ROT. Rotting, none guesses whitherward;—rotting towards + that thrice-extraordinary Spontaneous-Combustion, which blazed out in + 1789. And has kindled, over the whole world, gradually or by explosion, + this unexpected Outburst of all the chained Devilries (among other chained + things), this roaring Conflagration of the Anarchies; under which it is + the lot of these poor generations to live,—for I know not what + length of Centuries yet. "Go into Combustion, my pretty child!" the + Destinies had said to this BELLE FRANCE, who is always so fond of shining + and outshining: "Self-Combustion;—in that way, won't you shine, as + none of them yet could?" Shine; yes, truly,—till you are got to + CAPUT MORTUUM, my pretty child (unless you gain new wisdom!)—But not + to wander farther:— + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16th, Friedrich, all Saxon things being now settled,—among + the rest, "eight Saxon Schoolmasters" to be a model in Prussia,—quitted + Leipzig, with the Seven-Years War safe in his pocket, as it were. Drove to + Moritzburg, to dinner with the amiable Kurprinz and still more amiable + Wife: "It was to your Highness that we owe this Treaty!" A dinner which + readers may hear of again. At Moritzburg; where, with the Lacys, there was + once such rattling and battling. After which, rapidly on to Silesia, and + an eight days of adjusting and inspecting there. + </p> + <p> + WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30th, Friedrich arrives in Frankfurt-on-Oder, on the way + homeward from Silesia: "takes view of the Field of Kunersdorf" + (reflections to be fancied); early in the afternoon speeds forward again; + at one of the stages (place called Tassdorf) has a Dialogue, which we + shall hear of; and between 8 and 9 in the evening, not through the solemn + receptions and crowded streets, drives to the Schloss of Berlin. "Goes + straight to the Queen's Apartment," Queen, Princesses and Court all home + triumphantly some time ago; sups there with the Queen's Majesty and these + bright creatures,—beautiful supper, had it consisted only of cresses + and salt; and, behind it, sound sleep to us under our own roof-tree once + more. [Rodenbeck, ii. 211, 212; Preuss, ii. 345, 346; &c. &c.] + Next day, "the King made gifts to," as it were, to everybody; "to the + Queen about 5,000 pounds, to the Princess Amelia 1,000 pounds," and so on; + and saw true hearts all merry round him,—merrier, perhaps, than his + own was. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, +Vol. XX. (of XXI.), by Thomas Carlyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF FRIEDRICH II. *** + +***** This file should be named 2120-h.htm or 2120-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/2/2120/ + +Produced by D.R. 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