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
On express from Vienna, Daun did bestir himself; cautiously got on foot
again; detached, across the River, an expert Hussar General ("Be busy
all ye Loudons, St. Ignons, Ziskowitzes, doubly now!"),--expert Hussar
General, one item of whose force is 1,100 chosen grenadiers;--and
himself cautiously stept southward and eastward, nearer the Siege Lines.
The Hussar General's meaning seemed to be some mischief on our Camp
of Neustadt and the outposts there; but in reality it was to throw
his 1,100 into Olmutz (useful to the Commandant); which--by ingenious
manoeuvring, and guidance from the peasants "through bushy woods and
by-paths" on that east side of the River--the expert Hussar General,
though Ziethen was sent over to handle him, did perfectly manage, and
would not quit for Ziethen till he saw it finished. Which done, Daun
keeps stepping still farther southward, nearer the Siege Lines; and, at
Prossnitz, morning of June 22d, Friedrich, with his own eyes, sees Daun
taking post on the opposite heights; says to somebody near him, "VOILA
LES AUTRICHIENS, ILS APPRENNENT A MARCHER, There are the Austrians; they
are learning to march, though!"--getting on their feet, like infants in
a certain stage ("MARCHER" having that meaning too, though I know not
that the King intended it);--they have learned a great many things,
since your Majesty first met them. Friedrich took Daun to be, now at
last, meaning Battle for Olmutz, and made some slight arrangements
accordingly; but that is not Daun's intention at all; as Friedrich will
find to his cost, in few days. That very day, Daun has vanished again,
still in the southerly direction, again under veil of Pandours.
Meanwhile, in spite of all things, the Siege makes progress; "June
22d, Balbi's sap had got to their glacis, and was pushing forward
there,"--June 22d, day when Daun made momentary appearance, and the
reinforcement stole in:--within a fortnight more, Balbi promises the
thing shall be done. But supplies are indispensable: one other convoy
from Troppau, and let it be a big one, "between 3 and 4,000 wagons,"
meal, money, iron, powder; Friedrich hopes this one, if he can get it
home, will suffice. Colonel Mosel is to bring this Convoy; a resolute
expert Officer, with perhaps 7,000 foot and horse: surely sufficient
escort: but, as Daun is astir, and his Loudons, Ziskowitzes and
light people are gliding about, Friedrich orders Ziethen to meet this
important Convoy, with some thousands of new force, and take charge of
bringing it in. Mosel was to leave Troppau June 26th; Ziethen pushes
out to meet him from the Olmutz end, on the second day after; and, one
hopes, all is now safe on that head.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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