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
And then the Saxons, at Kromau or wherever they may be: no end of
trouble and vexation with these Saxons. Their quarters are not fairly
allotted, they say; we make exchange of quarters, without improvement
noticeable. "One fine day, on some slight alarm, they came rushing
over to us, all in panic; ruined, merely by Pandour noises, had not we
marched them back, and reinstated them." Friedrich sends to Silesia for
reinforcements of his own, which he can depend upon. Sends to Silesia, to
Glatz and the Young Dessauer;--nay to Brandenburg and the Old Dessauer?
ultimately. Finding Roth would not yield, he has sent to Dresden for
Siege-Artillery: Polish Majesty there, titular "King of Moravia,"
answers that he cannot meet the expense of carriage. "He had just
purchased a green diamond which would have carried them thither and back
again:" What can be done with such a man?--And by this time, early in
March, Hungarian "MORIAMUR PRO REGE" begins to show itself. Clouds of
Hungarian Insurgents, of the Tolpatch, Pandour sort, mount over the
Carpathians on us, all round the east, from south to north; and threaten
to penetrate Silesia itself. So that we have to sweep laboriously the
Morawa-Taya Valleys; and undertake first one and then another outroad,
or sharp swift sally, against those troublesome barbarians.
And more serious still, Prince Karl and the regular Army, quickened
by such Khevenhuller-Barenklau successes in the Donau Countries,
are beginning to stir. Prince Karl, returning from Vienna and its
consultations, took command, 4th March; [_Helden-Geschichte,_ ii. 557.]
with whom has come old Graf von Konigseck, an experienced head to advise
with; Prince Karl is in motion, skirting us southward, about Waidhofen,
where Lobkowitz lay waiting him with Magazines ready. Rumor says, the
force in those parts is already 40,000, with more daily coming in.
Friedrich has of his own, apart from the Saxons, some 24,000. Prince
Karl, with so many heavy troops, and with unlimited supply of light, is
very capable of doing mischief: he has orders (and Friedrich now knows
of it) To go in upon us;--such their decision in Secret Council
at Vienna, on the 25th of February last, That he must go and fight
us:--"Better we met him with fewer thrums on our hands!" thinks
Friedrich; and beckons the Old Dessauer out of Brandenburg withal.
"Swift, your Serenity; hitherward with 20,000!" Which the Old Dessauer
(having 30,000 to pick from, late Camp-of-Gottin people) at once sets
about. Will be a security, in any event! [Orlich, i. 221: Date of the
Order, "13th March, 1742."] To finish with Brunn, Friedrich has sent for
Siege-Artillery of his own; he urges Chevalier de Saxe to close with him
round Brunn, and batter it energetically into swift surrender. Is it not
the one thing needful? Chevalier de Saxe admits, half promises; does
not perform. Being again urged, Why have not you performed? he answers,
"Alas, your Majesty, here are Orders for me to join Marshal Broglio at
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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