History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 12Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 12
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
These symptoms are not hidden from Schwerin. His own ammunition, too, he
knows is running scarce, and fighters here and there are searching the
slain for cartridges:--Schwerin closes his ranks, trims and tightens
himself a little; breaks forth into universal field-music, and with
banners spread, starts in mass wholly, "Forwards!" Forwards towards
these Austrians and the setting sun.
An intelligent Austrian Officer, writing next week from Neisse,
[_Feldzuge der Preussen_ (above cited), i. 38.]' confesses he never
saw anything more beautiful. "I can well say, I never in my life saw
anything more beautiful. They marched with the greatest steadiness,
arrow-straight, and their front like a line (SCHNURGLEICH), as if they
had been upon parade. The glitter of their clear arms shone strangely
in the setting sun, and the fire from them went on no otherwise than a
continued peal of thunder." Grand picture indeed; but not to be enjoyed
as a Work of Art, for it is coming upon us! "The spirits of our Army sank
altogether", continues he; "the Foot plainly giving way, Horse refusing
to come forward, all things wavering towards dissolution:"--so that
Neipperg, to avoid worse, gives the word to go;--and they roll off at
double-quick time, through Mollwitz, over Laugwitz Bridge and Brook,
towards Grotkau by what routes they can. The sun is just sunk; a quarter
to eight, says the intelligent Austrian Officer,--while the Austrian
Army, much to its amazement, tumbles forth in this bad fashion.
They had lost nine of their own cannon, and all of those Prussian nine
which they once had, except one: eight cannon MINUS, in all. Prisoners
of them were few, and none of much mark: two Field-marshals, Romer and
Goldlein, lie among the dead; four more of that rank are wounded. Four
standards too are gone; certain kettle-drums and the like trophies,
not in great number. Lieutenant-General Browne was of these retreating
Austrians; a little fact worth noting: of his actions this day, or of
his thoughts (which latter surely must have been considerable), no hint
anywhere. The Austrians were not much chased; though they might have
been,--fresh Cavalry (two Ohlau regiments, drawn hither by the sound
[Interesting correct account of their movements and adventures this day
and some previous days, in Nicolai, _Anekdoten,_ ii. 142-148.]) having
hung about to rear of them, for some time past; unable to get into the
Fight, or to do any good till now. Schwerin, they say, though he had
two wounds, was for pursuing vigorously: but Leopold of Anhalt
over-persuaded him; urged the darkness, the uncertainty. Berlichingen,
with their own Horse, still partly covered their rear; and the
Prussians, Ohlauers included, were but weak in that branch of the
service. Pursuit lasted little more than two miles, and was never hot.
The loss of men, on both sides, was not far from equal, and rather in
favor of the Austrian side:--Austrians counted in killed, wounded and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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