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
Loudon's behavior, on being hurled back with his Reserve in this manner,
everybody says, was magnificent. Judging at once what the business was,
and that retreat would be impossible without ruin, he hastened instantly
to form himself, on such ground as he had,--highly unfavorable ground,
uphill in part, and room in it only for Five Battalions (5,000) of
front;--and came on again, with a great deal of impetuosity and good
skill; again and ever again, three times in all. Had partial successes;
edged always to the right to get the flank of Friedrich; but could not,
Friedrich edging conformably. From his right-hand, or northeast part,
Loudon poured in, once and again, very furious charges of Cavalry; on
every repulse, drew out new Battalions from his left and centre,
and again stormed forward: but found it always impossible. Had his
subordinates all been Loudons, it is said, there was once a fine chance
for him. By this edging always to the northeastward on his part and
Friedrich's, there had at last a considerable gap in Friedrich's Line
established itself,--not only Ziethen's Line and Friedrich's Line now
fairly fallen asunder, but, at the Village of Panten, in Friedrich's own
Line, a gap where anybody might get in. One of the Austrian Columns was
just entering Panten when the Fight began: in Panten that Column has
stood cogitative ever since; well to left of Loudon and his struggles;
but does not, till the eleventh hour, resolve to push through. At
the eleventh hour;--and lo, in the nick of time, Mollendorf (our
Leuthen-and-Hochkirch friend) got his eye on it; rushed up with infantry
and cavalry; set Panten on fire, and blocked out that possibility and
the too cogitative Column.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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