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 a calmer mood he would, with a fine scientific gusto, have taken his
advantage.
Friedrich pours incessant southward; cavalry parallel to infantry and
a certain distance beyond it, eastward of it; and they have burnt the
Bridges; which is a curious fact! Continually southward, as if for
Tamsel:--poor old Tamsel, do readers recollect it at all, does Friedrich
at all? No pleasant dinner, or lily-and-rose complexions, there for
one to-day!--Some distance short of Tamsel, Friedrich, emerging, turns
westward;--intending what on earth? thinks Fermor. Friedrich has been
mostly hidden by the woods all this while, and enigmatic to Fermor.
Fermor does now at last see the color of the facts;--and that one's
chief front must change itself to southward, one's best leg and arm
be foremost, or towards Zorndorf, not towards the Mutzel as hitherto.
Fermor stirs up his Quadrilateral, makes the required change, "You, best
or northern line, step across, and front southward; across to southward,
I say; second-best go northward in their stead:" and so, with some other
slight polishings, suggested by the ground and phenomena, we anew await
this Prussian Enigma with our best leg foremost. The march or circular
sweep of these Prussian lines, from Damm Bridge through the woods and
champaign to their appointed place of action, is seven or eight miles;
lines when halted in battle-order will be two miles long or more.
Friedrich pours steadily along, horse and foot, by the rear cf
Wilkersdorf, of Zorndorf,--Russian Minotaur scrutinizing him in that
manner with dull bloodshot eyes, uncertain what he will do. It is eight
in the morning, hot August; wind a mere lull, but southernly if any.
Small Hussar pickets ride to right of the main Army March; to keep the
Cossacks in check: who are roving about, all on wing; and pert enough,
in spite of the Hussar pickets, Desperado individuals of them gallop up
to the Infantry ranks, and fire off their pistols there,--without reply;
reply or firing, till the word come, is strictly forbidden. Infantry
pours along, like a ploughman drawing his furrow, heedless of the
circling crows. Crows or Cossacks, finding they are not regarded, set
fire to Zorndorf, and gallop off. Zorndorf goes up readily, mainly
wood and straw; rolls in big clouds of smoke far northward in upon the
Russian Minotaur, making him still blinder in the important moments now
coming.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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