History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
For the present, let readers take their Map, and endeavor to fix the
following dates and localities in their mind. Here, in summary, are the
King's various Marches, and Two successive Encampments, two only,
during those Six Weeks of forced inaction, while he is obliged to stand
watching the Russians, and to witness so many complicacies and disasters
in the distance; which he struggles much and fruitlessly to hinder or
help:--
ENCAMPMENT 1st (Furstenwalde, August 18th-30th). Friedrich left Reitwein
AUGUST 16th; 17th, he is at Madlitz [Note to Wunsch written there, which
we read]; 18th, to Furstenwalde, and encamp. Furstenwalde is on the
Spree, straight between Frankfurt and Berlin; 25 miles from the former,
35 from the latter. Here for near a fortnight. At first, much in alarm
about the Russians and Berlin; but gradually ascertaining that the
Russians intend nothing.
"In effect, all this while Soltikof lay at Lossow, 10 miles south of
Frankfurt, with his right on Oder; totally motionless, inactive, except
listening, often rather gloomily, to Daun's and Montalembert's suasive
eloquences and advices,--and once, August 22d, in the little Town of
Guben, holding Conference with Daun [of which by and by]. In consequence
of which, AUGUST 28th, Soltikof and his Russians and Austrians got under
way again; southward, but only a few marches: first to Mullrose, then
to Lieberose:--whom, the instant he heard of their movements, Friedrich,
August 30th, hastened to follow; but had not to follow very far.
Whereupon ensues,
"ENCAMPMENT SECOND (Waldau, till September 15th). AUGUST 30th,
Friedrich, we say, rose from Furstenwalde; hastened to follow this
Russian movement, and keep within wind of it: up the valley of the
Spree; first to Mullrose neighborhood [where the Russians, loitering
some time, spoiled the canal-locks of the Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal, if
nothing more],--thence to Lieberose neighborhood; Waldau, the King's new
place of encampment,--Waldau, with Spree Forest to rear of it: silent
both parties till September 15th, when Soltikof did fairly march, not
towards Berlin, but quite in the opposite direction."
By the middle of September, when the Russians did get on foot, and moved
eastward; especially on and after September 25th, when Henri made his
famous March westward; then it will behoove us to return to Friedrich
and these localities. For the present we must turn to Saxony, where, and
not here, the scene of action is. Take, farther, only the following
bits of Note, which will now be readable. First, these Utterances to
D'Argens; direct glimpses into the heavy-laden, indeed hag-ridden and
nearly desperate inner man of Friedrich, during the first three weeks
after his defeat at Kunersdorf:--
THE KING TO MARQUIS D'ARGENS (at Berlin): Six Notes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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