History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
Friedrich knows Pilzen, what an admirable post it really is; except only
that Schweidnitz will be between the enemy and him, and liable to be
besieged by them; which will never do! Friedrich, on the moment of that
news from Kunzendorf, gets on march, not by the east side (as
intended till the scouts came in), but by the west or exposed side of
Schweidnitz:--he stood waiting, ready for either route, and lost not a
moment on his scouts coming in. All upon the road by 3 A.M. August 20th;
and encamps, still at an early hour, midway between Schweidnitz and
Striegau: right wing of him at Zedlitz (if the reader look on his
Map), left wing at Jauernik; headquarters, Bunzelwitz, a poor Village,
celebrated ever since in War-annals. And begins (that same evening, the
earlier or RESTED part of him begins) digging and trenching at a most
extraordinary rate, according to plan formed; no enemy taking heed of
him, or giving the least molestation. This is the world-famous Camp of
Bunzelwitz, upon which it is worth while to dwell for a little.
To common eyes the ground hereabouts has no peculiar military strength:
a wavy champaign, with nothing of abrupt or high, much of it actual
plain, excellent for cavalry and their work;--this latter, too, is an
advantage, which Friedrich has well marked, and turns to use in his
scheme. The area he takes in is perhaps some seven or eight miles long,
by as many broad. On the west side runs the still-young Striegau Water,
defensive more or less; and on the farther bank of it green little
Hills, their steepest side stream-ward. Inexpugnable Schweidnitz, with
its stores of every kind, especially with its store of cannon and of
bread, is on the left or east part of the circuit; in the intervening
space are peaceable farm-villages, spots of bog; knolls, some of them
with wood. Not a village, bog, knoll, but Friedrich has caught up, and
is busy profiting by. "Swift, BURSCHE, dig ourselves in here, and be
ready for any quotity and quantity of them, if they dare attack!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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