History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
In a word, from February 5th, when Friedrich, according to bargain,
rendezvoused his Prussians at Wischau to begin this Expedition, till
April 5th, when he re-rendezvoused them (at the same Wischau, as
chanced) for the purpose of ending it and going home,--Friedrich,
wrestling his utmost with Human Stupidity, "MIT DER DUMMHEIT
[as Schiller sonorously says], against which the very gods are
unvictorious," had probably two of the most provoking months of his
Life, or of this First Silesian War, which was fruitful in such to him.
For the common cause he accomplished nearly nothing by this Moravian
Expedition. But, to his own mind, it was rich in experiences, as to the
Joint-Stock Principle, as to the Partners he now had. And it doubtless
quickened his steps towards getting personally out of this imbroglio of
big French-German Wars,--home to Berlin, with Peace and Silesia in his
pocket,--which had all along been the goal of his endeavors. As a
feat of war it is by no means worth detailing, in this place,--though
succinct Stille, and bulkier German Books give lucid account, should
anybody chance to be curious. [Stille, _Campaigns of the King of
Prussia,_ i. 1-55; _Helden-Geschichte,_ ii. 548-611; _OEuvres de
Frederic,_ ii. 110-114; Orlich, ii.; &c. &c.] Only under the other
aspect, as Friedrich's experience of Partnership, and especially of his
now Partners, are present readers concerned to have, in brief form, some
intelligible notion of it.
IGLAU IS GOT, BUT NOT THE MAGAZINE AT IGLAU.
Friedrich was punctual at Wischau; Head-quarters there (midway between
Olmutz and Brunn), Prussians all assembled, 5th February, 1742. Wischau
is some eighty miles EAST or inward of Iglau; the French and Saxons are
to meet us about Trebitsch, a couple of marches from that Teutschbrod
of theirs, and well within one march of Iglau, on our route thither.
The French and Saxons are at Trebitsch, accordingly; but their minds
and wills seem to be far elsewhere. Rutowsky and the Chevalier de Saxe
command the Saxons (20,000 strong on paper, 16,000 in reality); Comte
de Polastron the French, who are 5,000, all Horse. Along with whom,
professedly as French Volunteer, has come the Comte de Saxe, capricious
Maurice (Marechal de Saxe that will be), who has always viewed
this Expedition with disfavor. Excellency Valori is with the French
Detachment, or rather poor Valori is everywhere; running about, from
quarter to quarter, sometimes to Prag itself; assiduous to heal rents
everywhere; clapping cement into manifold cracks, from day to day.
Through Valori we get some interesting glimpses into the secret humors
and manoeuvres of Comte Maurice. It is known otherwise Comte Maurice was
no friend to Belleisle, but looked for his promotion from the opposite
or Noailles party, in the French Court: at present, as Valori perceives,
he has got the ear of Broglio, and put much sad stuff into the loud
foolish mind of him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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