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
In short, Friedrich keeps possession of that Borne ridge of Knolls,
escorted by Cavalry in good numbers; twinkling about in an enigmatic
way:--"Prussian right wing yonder," think the Austrians--"whitherward,
or what can they mean?"--and keeps his own columns and the Austrian
lines in view; himself and his movements invisible, or worse, to the
Austrian Generals from any spy-glass or conjecture they can employ.
The Austrian Generals are in windmills, on church-belfries, here, there;
diligently scanning the abstruse phenomenon, of which so little can
be seen. Daun, who had always been against this adventure, thinks it
probable the vanished Prussians are retiring southward: for Bohemia and
our Magazines probably. "These good people are smuggling off (DIE GUTEN
LEUTE PASCHEN AB)," said he: "let them go in peace." [Muller, p. 36.]
Daun, that morning, in his reconnoitrings, had asked of a peasant, "What
is that, then?" (meaning the top of a Village-steeple in the distance,
but thought by the peasant to be meaning something nearer hand). "That
is the Hill our King chases the Austrians over, when he is reviewing
here!" Which Daun reported at head-quarters with a grin. [Nicolai,
_Anekdoten,_ iv. 34.]
Lucchesi, on the other hand, scanning those Borne Hills, and the cavalry
of Friedrich's escort twinkling hither and thither on them, becomes
convinced to a moral certainty, That yonder is the Prussian Vanguard,
probable extremity of left wing; and that he, Lucchesi, here at Nypern,
is to be attacked. "Attacked, you?" said one Montazet, French Agent or
Emissary here: "unless they were snipes, it is impossible!" But Lucchesi
saw it too well.
He sends to say that such is the evident fact, and that he, Lucchesi, is
not equal to it, but must have large reinforcement of Horse to his right
wing. "Tush!" answer Prince Karl and Daun; and return only argument,
verbal consolation, to distressed Lucchesi. Lucchesi sends a second
message, more passionately pressing, to the like effect; also with the
like return. Upon which he sends a third message, quite passionate: "If
Cavalry do not come, I will not be responsible for the issue!" And now
Daun does collect the required reinforcement; "all the reserve of Horse,
and a great many from the left wing;"--and, Daun himself heading them,
goes off at a swift trot; to look into Lucchesi and his distresses,
three or four miles to right, five or six from where the danger lies.
Now is Friedrich's golden moment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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