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
"The French," says another of my Notes, "who did the subsidying all
round (who paid even the Russian Subsidy, though in Austria's name), had
always an idea that the Swedes--22,000 stout men, this year, 4,000 of
them cavalry--might be made to co-operate with the Russians; with them
or with somebody; and do something effective in the way of destroying
Friedrich. And besides their subsidies and bribings, the French
took incredible pains with this view; incessantly contriving,
correspondencing, and running to and fro between the parties: [For
example: M. le Marquis de Montalembert, CORRESPONDANCE AVEC &c., ETANT
EMPLOYE PAR LE ROI DE FRANCE A L'ARMEE SUEDOISE, 1757-1761 ("with the
Swedish Army," yes, and sometimes with the Russian,--and sometimes on
the French Coasts, ardently fortifying against Pitt and his Descents
there:--a very intelligent, industrious, observant man; still amusing
to read, if one were idler), A LONDRES (evidently Paris), 1777, 3 vols.
small 8vo. Then, likewise very intelligent, there is a Montazet, a
Mortaigne, a Caulaiucourt; a CAMPAGNE DES RUSSES EN 1757; &c. &c.,--in
short, a great deal of fine faculty employed there in spinning ropes
from sand.] but had not, even from the Russians and Czarish Majesty,
much of a result, and from the Swedes had absolutely none at all. By
French industry and flagitation, the Swedish Army was generally kept
up to about 20,000: the soldiers were expert with their fighting-tools,
knew their field-exercise well; had fine artillery, and were stout
hardy fellows: but the guidance of them was wonderful. 'They had no
field-commissariat,' says one Observer, 'no field-bakery, no magazines,
no pontoons, no light troops; and,' among the Higher Officers, 'no
subordination.' [Archenholtz, i. 158.] Were, in short, commanded by
nobody in particular. Commanded by Senator Committee-men in Stockholm;
and, on the field, by Generals anxious to avoid responsibility; who,
instead of acting, held continual Councils of War. The history of their
Campaigns, year after year, is, in summary, this:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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