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
"Meanwhile, Serene Highness of Zweibruck, the Reichsfolk and some
Austrians with him, prefaced by Dombale more to westward, is wending
into Pirna Country; and, in spite of what Prince Henri can do (Mayor
and the Free Corps shining diligent, and Henri one of the watchfulest of
men), Zweibruck does get in; sets Maguire with Austrians upon besieging
Pirna, that is to say, the Sonnenstein of Pirna; 3d-5th SEPTEMBER,
gets the Sonnenstein, a thought sooner than was counted on; [In
_Helden-Geschichte,_ v. 223-228, account of this poor Siege, and of the
movements before and after.] and roots himself there,--'head-quarters in
Struppen' again, 'bridge at Ober-Raden' again, all as in 1756; which, if
nothing else can well do it, may give his Highness a momentary interest
with some readers here. Prince Henri is at Gross Seidlitz, alive every
fibre of him: but with Daun circling round to northward on his left,
intending evidently to take him in flank or rear; with Dombale already
to rear, in the above circumstances, on his right; and Zweibruck himself
lying here in front free to act, and impregnable if acted upon: what
is Prince Henri to do? It is for Henri's rear, not his flank, that Daun
aims: AUGUST 26th, Daun, who had got to Gorlitz, a march or two from
Zittau, started again at his best step by the Bautzen Highway towards
Meissen Bridge, a 70 or 80 miles down the Elbe: there Daun intends to
cross, and to double back upon Dresden and Prince Henri; who will thus
find himself enclosed between THREE fires,--if two were not enough, or
even if one (the Daun one itself, or the Zweibruck itself, not to count
the Dombale), in such strength as Prince Henri has!
"A lost Prince Henri,--if there be not shift in him, if there be not
help coming to him! Prince Henri, seeing how it was, drew back from
Gross Seidlitz; with beautiful suddenness, one night; unmolested: in
the morning, Zweibruch's hussars find him posted-- inexpugnable on the
Heights of Gahmig,--which is nearer Dresden a good step; nearer Dombale;
and not so ready to be enclosed by Daun, without enclosure of Dresden
too. Prince Henri's manoeuvring, in this difficult situation, is the
admiration of military men: how he stuck by Gahmig; but threw out,
in the vital points, little camps,--'camp of Kesselsdorf' (a place
memorable), on the west of Dresden; and on the east, in the north suburb
of Dresden itself across the River (should we have to go across the
River for Daun's sake), a 'strong abatis;' and neglected nothing; self
and everybody under him, lively as eagles to make themselves dangerous,
Mayer in particular distinguishing himself much. Prince Henri would
have been a hard morsel for Daun. But beyond that, there is help on the
road."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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