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
September 2d, Friedrich, leaving all that, had marched for Saxony;
his presence urgently required there. Daun ought to be far on with the
conquest of that Country? Might have had it, say judges, if he had been
as swift as some.--At Zorndorf, among the Russian Prisoners were certain
Generals, Soltikof, Czernichef, Sulkowski the Pole, proud people in
their own eyes: no lodging for them but the cellars of Custrin. Russian
Generals complained, "Is this a lodging for Field-Officers of rank!"
Friedrich was not used to profane swearing, or vituperative outbursts;
but he answered to the effect: "Silence, ye incendiary individuals. Is
there a choice left of lodgings, and for you above others!" Upon
which they lay silent for some days, till better suited; in fact, till
exchanged,--and perhaps will soon turn up on us again.
Chapter XIV.--BATTLE OF HOCHKIRCH.
So soon as Friedrich quitted Bohemia and Silesia for his Russian
Enterprise, there rose high question at Vienna, "To what shall our Daun
now turn himself?" A Daun, a Reichs Army, free for new employment; in
Saxony not much to oppose them, in Silesia almost nothing in comparison.
"Recapture of Silesia?" Yes truly; that is the steady pole-star at
Vienna. But they have no Magazines in Silesia, no Siege-furnitures; and
the season is far spent. They decide that there shall be a stroke upon
Dresden, and recovery of Saxony, in Friedrich's absence. Nothing there
at present but a Prince Henri, weak in numbers, say one to two of the
Reichs Army by itself. Let the Reichs Army rise now, and advance through
the Metal Mountains from southeast on Prince Henri; let Daun circle
round on him, through the Lausitz from northeast: cannot they extinguish
Henri between them; snatch Dresden, a weak ill-fortified place, by
sudden onslaught, and recapture Saxony? That will be magnanimous to our
august Allies;--and that will be an excellent scaffolding for recapture
of Silesia next year. And cannot Daun leave a Force in the Silesian
vicinities,--Deville with so many thousands, Harsch with so
many,--to besiege one of their Frontier Places; Neisse, for example?
Siege-furnitures to come from Mahren: Neisse is not farther from Olmutz
than Olmutz was from it.
That was the scheme fallen upon; now getting executed while Friedrich
is at Zorndorf well away. And that, if readers fix it intelligently in
their memory, will suffice to introduce to them the few words more that
can be allowed us here upon it. A very few words, compressed to the
utmost,--merely as preface to Hochkirch, whither we must hasten;
Hochkirch being the one incident which, except to studious soldiers, has
now and here any interest, out of the very many incidents which, then
and there, were so intensely interesting to all mankind. To readers who
are curious, and will take with them any poorest authentic Outline
of the Localities concerned, the following condensed Note will not be
unintelligible.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account