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 bombarded for a day or two farther; cannonaded, out of more or
fewer batteries, for eight, or I think ten days more. Attacks from Daun
there were to be, now on this side, now on that; many rumors of attack,
but, except once only (midnight Pandours attempting the King's lodging,
"a Farm-house near Gruna," but to their astonishment rousing the whole
Prussian Army "in the course of three minutes" [Archenholtz, ii. 81 (who
is very vivid, but does not date); Rodenbeck, ii. 24 (quotes similar
account by another Eye-witness, and guesses it to be "night of July
22d-23d").]), rumor was mainly all. For guarding his siege-lines,
Friedrich has to alter his position; to shift slightly, now fronting
this way, now the other way; is "called always at midnight" (against
these nocturnal disturbances), and "never has his clothes off."
Nevertheless, continues his bombardment, and then his cannonading,
till his own good time, which I think is till the 26th. His
"ricochet-battery," which is good against Maguire's people, innocent
to Dresden, he continued for three days more;--while gathering
his furnitures about Plauen Country, making his arrangements at
Meissen;--did not march till the night of June 29th. Altogether calmly;
no Daun or Austrian molesting him in the least; his very sentries
walking their rounds in the trenches till daylight; after which they
also marched, unmolested, Meissen-ward.
Unfortunate Friedrich has made nothing of Dresden, then. After such a
June and July of it, since he left the Meissen Country; after all these
intricate manoeuvrings, hot fierce marchings and superhuman exertions,
here is he returning to Meissen Country poorer than if he had stayed.
Fouquet lost, Glatz unrelieved--Nay, just before marching off, what is
this new phenomenon? Is this by way of "Happy journey to you!" Towards
sunset of the 29th, exuberant joy-firing rises far and wide from the
usually quiet Austrian lines,--"Meaning what, once more?" Meaning that
Glatz is lost, your Majesty; that, instead of a siege of many weeks (as
might have been expected with Fouquet for Commandant), it has held out,
under Fouquet's Second, only a few hours; and is gone without remedy!
Certain, though incredible. Imbecile Commandant, treacherous Garrison
(Austrian deserters mainly), with stealthy Jesuits acting on them: no
use asking what. Here is the sad Narrative, in succinct form.
CAPTURE OF GLATZ (26th July, 1760).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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