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
"I beg a thousand pardons, dear Sister: in these three long pages I talk
to you of nothing but my troubles and affairs. A strange abuse it would
be of any other person's friendship. But yours, my dear Sister, yours
is known to me; and I am persuaded you are not impatient when I open
my heart to you:--a heart which is yours altogether; being filled with
sentiments of the tenderest esteem, with which I am, my dearest Sister,
your [in truth, affectionate Brother at all times] F." [_OEuvres de
Frederic,_ xxvii. i. 294, 295, 296-298.]
PRINCE AUGUST WILHELM FINDS A BAD PROBLEM AT JUNG-BUNZLAU; AND DOES IT
BADLY: FRIEDRICH THEREUPON HAS TO RISE FROM LEITMERITZ, AND TAKE THE
FIELD ELSEWHERE, IN BITTER HASTE AND IMPATIENCE, WITH OUTLOOKS WORSE
THAN EVER.
The Prince of Prussia's Enterprise had its intricacies; but, by
good management, was capable of being done. At least, so Friedrich
thought;--though, in truth, it would have been better had Friedrich gone
himself, since the chief pressure happened to fall there! The Prince has
to retire, Parthian-like, as slowly as possible, with the late Kolin or
Moritz-Bevern Army, towards the Lausitz, keeping his eye upon Silesia
the while; of course securing the passes and strong places in his
passage, for defence of his own rear at lowest; especially securing
Zittau, a fine opulent Town, where his chief Magazine is, fed from
Silesia now. The Army is in good strength (guess 30,000), with every
equipment complete, in discipline, in health and in heart, such as
beseems a Prussian Army,--probably longing rather, if it venture to
long or wish for anything not yet commanded, to have a stroke at those
Austrians again, and pay them something towards that late Kolin score.
The Prince arrived at Jung-Bunzlau, June 30th; Winterfeld with him, and,
at his own request, Schmettau. The Austrians have not yet stirred: if
they do, it may be upon the King, it may be upon the Prince: in three or
even in two marches, Prince and King can be together,--the King only too
happy, in the present oppressive coil of doubts, to find the Austrians
ready for a new passage of battle, and an immediate decision. The
Austrians did, in fact, break out,--seemingly, at first, upon the King;
but in reality upon the Prince, whom they judge safer game; and the
matter became much more critical upon him than had been expected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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