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
Seidlitz has his hussar pickets on the top, to keep him informed as
to their motions, and how far they are got. Seidlitz, invisible on the
south slope of the Polzen Hugel, finds about half-past three P.M. that
he is now fairly ahead of Dauphiness; Seidlitz halts, wheels, comes
to the top, "Got the flank of them, sure enough!"--and without waiting
signal or farther orders, every instant being precious, rapidly forms
himself; and plunges down on these poor people. "Compact as a wall, and
with an incredible velocity (D'UNE VITESSE INCROYABLE)," says one
of them. Figure the astonishment of Dauphiness; of poor Broglio, who
commands the horse here. Taken in flank, instead of taking other people;
intercepted, not in the least needing to intercept! Has no time to
form, though he tried what he could. Only the two Austrian regiments
got completely formed; the rest very incompletely; and Seidlitz, in the
blaze of rapid steel, is in upon them. The two Austrian regiments,
and two French that are named, made what debate was feasible;--courage
nowise wanting, in such sad want of captaincy; nay Soubise in person
galloped into it, if that could have helped. But from the first, the
matter was hopeless; Seidlitz slashing it at such a rate, and plunging
through it and again through it, thrice, some say four times: so that,
in the space of half an hour, this luckless cavalry was all tumbling off
the ground; plunging down-hill, in full flight, across its own infantry
or whatever obstacle, Seidlitz on the hips of it; and galloping madly
over the horizon, towards Freiburg as it proved; and was not again heard
of that day.
In about half an hour that bit of work was over; and Seidlitz, with
his ranks trimmed again, had drawn himself southward a little, into the
Hollow of Tageswerben, there to wait impending phenomena. For Friedrich
with the Infantry is now emerging over Janus Hill, in a highly
thunderous manner,--eighteen pieces of artillery going, and "four big
guns taken from the walls of Leipzig;" and there will be events anon.
It is said, Hildburghausen, at the first glimpse of Friedrich over
the hill-top, whispered to Soubise, "We are lost, Royal
Highness!"--"Courage!" Soubise would answer; and both, let us hope, did
their utmost in this extremely bad predicament they had got into.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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