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
Hardly above six hours after taking Glatz, swift Loudon, no Daun now
tethering him (Daun standing, or sitting, "in relief of Dresden" far
off), was on march for Breslau--Vanguard of him "marched that same
evening (July 26th):" in the liveliest hope of capturing Breslau;
especially if Soltikof, to whom this of Glatz ought to be a fine
symbol and pledge, make speed to co-operate. Soltikof is in no violent
enthusiasm about Glatz; anxious rather about his own Magazine at Posen,
and how to get it carted out of Henri's way, in case of our advancing
towards some Silesian Siege. "If we were not ruined last year, it was
n't Daun's fault!" growls he often; and Montalembert has need of all
his suasive virtues (which are wonderful to look at, if anybody cared
to look at them, all flung into the sea in this manner) for keeping the
barbarous man in any approach to harmony. The barbarous man had, after
haggle enough, adjusted himself for besieging Glogau; and is surly to
hear, on the sudden (order from Petersburg reinforcing Loudon), that it
is Breslau instead. "Excellenz, it is not Cunctator Daun this time, it
is fiery Loudon." "Well, Breslau, then!" answers Soltikof at last, after
much suasion. And marches thither; [Tempelhof, iv. 87-89 ("Rose from
Posen, July 26th").] faster than usual, quickened by new temporary
hopes, of Montalembert's raising or one's own: "What a place-of-arms,
and place of victual, would Breslau be for us, after all!"
And really mends his pace, mends it ever more, as matters grow
stringent; and advances upon Breslau at his swiftest: "To rendezvous
with Loudon under the walls there,--within the walls very soon, and
ourselves chief proprietor!"--as may be hoped. Breslau has a garrison of
4,000, only 1,000 of them stanch; and there are, among other bad items,
9,000 Austrian Prisoners in it. A big City with weak walls: another
place to defend than rock-hewn little Glatz,--if there be no better than
a D'O for Commandant in it! But perhaps there is.
"WEDNESDAY, 30th JULY, Loudon's Vanguard arrived at Breslau; next day
Loudon himself;--and besieged Breslau very violently, according to his
means, till the Sunday following. Troops he has plenty, 40,000 odd,
which he gives out for 50 or even 60,000; not to speak of Soltikof,
'with 75,000' (read 45,000), striding on in a fierce and dreadful manner
to meet him here. 'Better surrender to Christian Austrians, had not
you?' Loudon's Artillery is not come up, it is only struggling on from
Glatz; Soltikof of his own has no Siege-Artillery; and Loudon judges
that heavy-footed Soltikof, waited on by an alert Prince Henri, is a
problematic quantity in this enterprise. 'Speedy oneself; speedy
and fiery!' thinks Loudon: 'by violence of speed, of bullying and
bombardment, perhaps we can still do it!' And Loudon tried all these
things to a high stretch; but found in Tauentzien the wrong man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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