History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 18Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 18
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
No Battle to be had from these Austrians. And it would have been so
infinitely convenient to us: Reich's Army and Soubise's French are now
in the actual precincts of Erfurt (August 25th, Soubise took quarter
there); Royal Highness of Cumberland is staggering back into the Sea;
Richelieu's French (not D'Estrees any more, D'Estrees being superseded
in this strange way) are aiming, it is thought, towards Magdeburg, had
they once done with Royal Highness; Swedes are getting hold of Pommern;
Russians, in huge force, of Preussen: how comfortable to have had our
Austrians finished before going upon the others! For four days more
(August 20th-24th), Friedrich arranges his Army for watching the
Austrians, and guarding Silesia;--Bevern and Winterfeld to take command
in his absence:--and, August 25th, has to march; with a small Division,
which, at Dresden, he will increase by Moritz's, now needless in the
Pirna Country; towards Thuringen; to look into Soubise and the Reich's
Army, as a thing that absolutely cannot wait. Arrives in Dresden,
Monday, August 29th; and--Or let the old Newspaper report it, with the
features of life:--
"DRESDEN, 29th AUGUST, 1757, This day, about noon, his Majesty, with a
part of his Army from the Upper Lausitz, arrived at the Neustadt here.
Though the kitchen had been appointed to be set up at what they call The
Barns (DIE SCHEUNEN), his Majesty was pleased to alight in Konigsbruck
Street, at the new House of Bruhl's Chamberlain, Haller; and there
passed the night. Tuesday evening, 30th, his Majesty the King, with his
Lifeguards of Horse and of Foot, also with the Gens-d'Armes and other
Battalions, marched through the City, about a mile out on the Freiberg
road, and took quarter in Klein Hamberg. The 31st, all the Army
followed,"--a poor 23,000, Moritz and he, that was all! ["22,360"
(Templehof, i. 228).]--"the King's field-equipage, which had been taken
from the Bruhl Palace and packed in twelve wagons, went with them."
[Rodenbeck, p. 316; Preuss, ii. 84 n; Mitchell's Interview (_Memoirs and
Papers,_ i. 270).]
Chapter VI.--DEATH OF WINTERFELD.
Before going upon this forlorn march of Friedrich's, one of the
forlornest a son of Adam ever had, we must speak of a thing which befell
to rearward, while the march was only half done, and which greatly
influenced it and all that followed. It was the seventh day of
Friedrich's march, not above eighty miles of it yet done, when
Winterfeld perished in fight. No Winterfeld now to occupy the Austrians
in his absence; to stand between Silesia and them, or assist him farther
in his lonesome struggle against the world. Let us spend a moment on the
exit of that brave man: Bernstadt, Gorlitz Country, September 7th, 1757.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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