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
The general landscape is scrubby, littery; ill-tilled, scratched rather
than ploughed; physiognomic of Czech Populations, who are seldom trim at
elbows: any beauty it has is on the farther side of the Dobrowa, which
does not concern Prince Leopold, Prince Karl, or us at present. Prince
Leopold's camp lies east and west, short way to north of Chotusitz.
Schuschitz Hamlet (a good mile northward of Sbislau) covers his left,
the chain of Lakelets covers his right: and Chotusitz, one of his
outposts, lies centrally in front. Prince Karl is coming on, in four
columns, from the Hills and intricacies south of Czaslau,--has been on
march all night, intending a night-attack or camisado if he could;
but could not in the least, owing to the intricate roadways, and the
discrepancies of pace between his four columns. The sun was up before
anything of him appeared:--drawing out, visibly yonder, by the east
side of Czaslau; 30,000 strong, they say. Friedrich's united force, were
Friedrich himself on the ground, will be about 28,000.
Friedrich's Orders, which Leopold is studying, were: "Hold by Chotusitz
for Centre; your left wing, see you lean it on something, towards
Dobrowa side,--on that intricate Brook (Brtlinka) or Park-wall of
Schuschitz, [SBISLAU, Friedrich hastily calls it (_OEuvres,_ ii.
121-126); Stille (p. 63) is more exact.] which I think is there; then
your right wing westwards, till you lean again on something: two lines,
leave room for me and my force, on the corner nearest here. I will
start at four; be with you between seven and eight,--and even bring a
proportion of Austrian bread (hot from these ovens of Kuttenberg) to
refresh part of you." Leopold of Anhalt, a much-comforted man, waits
only for the earliest gray of the morning, to be up and doing.
From Chotusitz he spreads out leftwards towards the Brtlinka
Brook,--difficult ground that, unfit for cavalry, with its bog-holes,
islands, gullies and broken surface; better have gone across the
Brtlinka with mere infantry, and leant on the wall of that Deer-park of
Schuschitz with perhaps only 1,000 horse to support, well rearward of
the infantry and this difficult ground? So men think,--after the action
is over. [Stille, pp. 63, 67.] And indeed there was certainly some
misarrangement there (done by Leopold's subordinates), which had its
effects shortly.
Leopold was not there in person, arranging that left wing; Leopold is
looking after centre and right. He perceives, the right wing will be his
best chance; knows that, in general, cavalry must be on both wings. On
a little eminence in front of his right, he sees how the Enemy comes
on; Czaslau, lately on their left, is now getting to rear of them:--"And
you, stout old General Buddenbrock, spread yourself out to right a
little, hidden behind this rising ground; I think we may outflank their
left wing by a few squadrons, which will be an advantage."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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