History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20 — John Shaqi
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
AUGUST 1st, Friedrich crossed the Elbe at Zehren, in the Schieritz
vicinity, as near Meissen as he could; but it had to be some six miles
farther down, such the liabilities to Austrian disturbance. All are
across that morning by 5 o'clock (began at 2); whence we double back
eastward, and camp that night at Dallwitz,--are quietly asleep there,
while Loudon's bombardment bursts out on Breslau, far away! At Dallwitz
we rest next day, wait for our Bakeries and Baggages; and SUNDAY, AUGUST
3d, at 2 in the morning, set forth on the forlornest adventure in the
world.
The arrangements of the March, foreseen and settled beforehand to the
last item, are of a perfection beyond praise;--as is still visible in
the General Order, or summary of directions given out; which, to this
day, one reads with a kind of satisfaction like that derivable from
the Forty-seventh of Euclid: clear to the meanest capacity, not a word
wanting in it, not a word superfluous, solid as geometry. "The Army
marches always in Three Columns, left Column foremost: our First Line of
Battle [in case we have fighting] is this foremost Column; Second Line
is the Second Column; Reserve is the Third. All Generals' chaises,
money-wagons, and regimental Surgeons' wagons remain with their
respective Battalions; as do the Heavy Batteries with the Brigades to
which they belong. When the march is through woody country, the Cavalry
regiments go in between the Battalions [to be ready against Pandour
operations and accidents].
"With the First Column, the Ziethen Hussars and Free-Battalion Courbiere
have always the vanguard; Mohring Hussars and Free-Battalion Quintus
[speed to you, learned friend!] the rear-guard. With the Second Column
always the Dragoon regiments Normann and Krockow have the vanguard;
Regiment Czetteritz [Dragoons, poor Czetteritz himself, with his lost
MANUSCRIPT, is captive since February last], the rear-guard. With the
Third Column always the Dragoon regiment Holstein as head, and the ditto
Finkenstein to close the Column.--During every march, however, there
are to be of the Second Column 2 Battalions joined with Column Third; so
that the Third Column consists of 10 Battalions, the Second of 6, while
on march.
"Ahead of each Column go three Pontoon Wagons; and daily are 50
work-people allowed them, who are immediately to lay Bridge, where it is
necessary. The rear-guard of each Column takes up these Bridges again;
brings them on, and returns them to the head of the Column, when the
Army has got to camp. In the Second Column are to be 500 wagons, and
also in the Third 500, so shared that each battalion gets an equal
number. The battalions--" [In TEMPELHOF (iv. 125, 126) the entire
Piece.]... This may serve as specimen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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