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
Broglio is in boundless flurry; nothing but spectres of attack looming
in from Karl, from Khevenhuller, from everybody; and Eger hardly yet
got. [19th April (_Guerre de Boheme,_ ii. 77-81.) Fine reinforcement,
25,000 under a Due d'Harcourt; this and other good outlooks there are;
but it is the terrible alone that occupy Broglio. And indeed the poor
man--especially ever since that Moravian Business would not thrive in
spite of him--is not to be called well off! Friedrich and he are in
correspondence, by no means mutually pleasant, on the Prince-Karl
phenomenon. "Evidently intending towards Prag, your Majesty perceives!"
thinks Broglio. "If not towards Chrudim, first of all, which is 80 miles
nearer him, on his rode to Prag!" urges Friedrich, at this stage: "Help
me with a few regiments in this Chrudim Circle, lest I prove too weak
here. Is not this the bulwark of your Prag just now?" In vain; Broglio
(who indeed has orders that way) cannot spare a man. "Very well,"
thinks Friedrich; and has girded up his own strength for the Chrudim
phenomenon; but does not forget this new illustration of the Joint-Stock
Principle, and the advantages of Broglio Partnership.
Friedrich's beautiful Encampment at Chrudim lasted only two days.
Precursor Tolpatcheries (and, in fact, Prince Karl's Vanguard, if we
knew it) come storming about, rifer and rifer; attempting the Bridge of
Kolin (road to our Magazines); attempting this and that; meaning to
get between us and Prag; and, what is worse, to seize the Magazines,
Podiebrad, Nimburg, which we have in that quarter! Tuesday, May 15th,
accordingly, Friedrich himself gets on march, with a strong
swift Vanguard, horse and foot (grenadiers, hussars, dragoons),
Prag-ward,--probably as far as Kuttenberg, a fine high-lying post, which
commands those Kodin parts;--will march with despatch, and see how that
matter is. The main Army is to follow under Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau
to-morrow, Wednesday," so soon as their loaves have come from
Konigsgratz,"--for "an Army goes on its belly," says Friedrich often.
Loaves do not come, owing to evil chance, on this occasion: Leopold's
people "take meal instead;" but will follow, next morning, all the same,
according to bidding. Readers may as well take their Map, and accompany
in these movements; which issue in a notable conclusive thing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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