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 stayed hardly one day in Neissen Country; Silesia, in the jaws
of destruction, requiring such speed from him. His new Series of Marches
thitherward, for the next two weeks especially, with Daun and Lacy, and
at last with Loudon too, for escort, are still more singular than
the foregoing; a fortnight of Soldier History such as is hardly to be
paralleled elsewhere. Of his inward gloom one hears nothing. But the
Problem itself approaches to the desperate; needing daily new invention,
new audacity, with imminent destruction overhanging it throughout. A
March distinguished in Military Annals;--but of which it is not for us
to pretend treating. Military readers will find it in TEMPELHOF, and
the supplementary Books from time to time cited here. And, for our own
share, we can only say, that Friedrich's labors strike us as abundantly
Herculean; more Alcides-like than ever,--the rather as hopes of any
success have sunk lower than ever. A modern Alcides, appointed to
confront Tartarus itself, and be victorious over the Three-headed Dog.
Daun, Lacy, Loudon coming on you simultaneously, open-mouthed, are a
considerable Tartarean Dog! Soldiers judge that the King's resources of
genius were extremely conspicuous on this occasion; and to all men it is
in evidence that seldom in the Arena of this Universe, looked on by the
idle Populaces and by the eternal Gods and Antigods (called Devils), did
a Son of Adam fence better for himself, now and throughout.
This, his Third march to Silesia in 1760, is judged to be the most
forlorn and ominous Friedrich ever made thither; real peril, and ruin
to Silesia and him, more imminent than even in the old Leuthen days.
Difficulties, complicacies very many, Friedrich can foresee: a Daun's
Army and a Lacy's for escort to us; and such a Silesia when we do
arrive. And there is one complicacy more which he does not yet know of;
that of Loudon waiting ahead to welcome him, on crossing the Frontier,
and increase his escort thenceforth!--Or rather, let us say, Friedrich,
thanks to the despondent Henri and others, has escaped a great Silesian
Calamity;--of which he will hear, with mixed emotions, on arriving at
Bunzlau on the Silesian Frontier, six days after setting out. Since the
loss of Glatz (July 26th), Friedrich has no news of Loudon; supposes
him to be trying something upon Neisse, to be adjusting with his slow
Russians; and, in short, to be out of the dismal account-current just at
present. That is not the fact in regard to Loudon; that is far from the
fact.
LOUDON IS TRYING A STROKE-OF-HAND ON BRESLAU, IN THE GLATZ FASHION, IN
THE INTERIM (July 30th-August 3d).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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