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
watched the Russians, without coming to strokes at all. A spectacle
growing gradually intolerable to the King, though he tries to veil his
feelings.
Neither was Fouquet's plan of procedure well seen by Friedrich in the
distance. Ever since that of Regiment Manteuffel, which was a bit of
disappointment, Loudon has been quietly industrious on a bigger scale.
Privately he cherishes the hope, being a swift vehement enterprising
kind of man, to oust Fouquet; and perhaps to have Glatz Fortress taken,
before his Russians come! In the very end of May, Loudon, privately
aiming for Glatz, breaks in upon Silesia again,--a long way to eastward
of Fouquet, and as if regardless of Glatz. Upon which, Fouquet, in dread
for Schweidnitz and perhaps Breslau itself, hastened down into the Plain
Country, to manoeuvre upon Loudon; but found no Loudon moving that way;
and, in a day or two, learned that Landshut, so weakly guarded, had been
picked up by a big corps of Austrians; and in another day or two, that
Loudon (June 7th) had blocked Glatz,--Loudon's real intention now clear
to Fouquet. As it was to Friedrich from the first; whose anger and
astonishment at this loss of Landshut were great, when he heard of it in
his Camp of Schlettau. "Back to Landshut," orders he (11th June, three
days before leaving Schlettau); "neither Schweidnitz nor Breslau are in
danger: it is Glatz the Austrians mean [as Fouquet and all the world now
see they do!]; watch Glatz; retake me Landshut instantly!"
The tone of Friedrich, which is usually all friendliness to Fouquet, had
on this occasion something in it which offended the punctual and rather
peremptory Spartan mind. Fouquet would not have neglected Glatz; pity he
had not been left to his own methods with Landshut and it. Deeply hurt,
he read this Order (16th June); and vowing to obey it, and nothing but
it, used these words, which were remembered afterwards, to his assembled
Generals: "MEINE HERREN, it appears, then, we must take Landshut again.
Loudon, as the next thing, will come on us there with his mass of force;
and we must then, like Prussians, hold out as long as possible, think of
no surrender on open field, but if even beaten, defend ourselves to the
last man. In case of a retreat, I will be one of the last that leaves
the field: and should I have the misfortune to survive such a day,
I give you my word of honor never to draw a Prussian sword more."
[Stenzel, v. 239.] This speech of Fouquet's (June 16th) was two days
after Friedrich got on march from Schlettau. June 17th, Fouquet got to
Landshut; drove out the Austrians more easily than he had calculated,
and set diligently, next day, to repair his works, writing to Friedrich:
"Your Majesty's Order shall be executed here, while a man of us lives."
Fouquet, in the old Crown-Prince time, used to be called Bayard by his
Royal friend. His Royal friend, now darker of face and scathed by much
ill-weather, has just quitted Schlettau, three days before this recovery
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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