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
Of the retreat there could be much said, instructive to military men
who were studious; extremely fine retreat, say all judges;--of which
my readers crave only the outlines, the results. Daun, it was thought,
should have ruined Friedrich in this retreat; but he did nothing of harm
to him. In fact, for a week he could not comprehend the phenomenon at
all, and did not stir from his place,--which was on the other, or wrong,
side of the River. Daun had never doubted but the retreat would be to
Silesia; and he had made his detachments, and laid himself out for doing
something upon it, in that direction: but, lo, what roads are these,
what motions whitherward? In about a week it becomes manifest that
the retreat, which goes on various roads, sometimes three at once, has
converged on Leutomischl; straight for Bohemia instead of Silesia; and
that Daun is fallen seven days behind it; incapable now to do anything.
Not even the Magazine at Leutomischl could be got away, nor could even
the whole of it be burnt.
Keith and the baggage once safe in Leutomischl (July 8th), all goes in
deliberate long column; Friedrich ahead to open the passages. July 14th,
after five more marches, Friedrioh bursts up Konigsgratz; scattering any
opposition there is; and sits down there, in a position considered, he
knows well how inexpugnable; to live on the Country, and survey events.
The 4,000 baggage-wagons came in about entire. Fouquet had the first
division of them, and a secondary charge of the whole; an extremely
strict, almost pedantic man, and of very fiery temper: "HE, D'OU
VENEZ-VOUS?" asked he sharply of Retzow senior, who had broken through
his order, one day, to avert great mischief: "How come you here, MON
GENERAL?" "By the Highway, your Excellency!" answered Retzow in a grave
stiff tone. [Retzow, i. 302.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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