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
Russians to the amount of 20,000, Czernichef Commander; Tottleben Second
in command, a clever soldier, who knows Berlin: these are to start from
Sagan Country, on this fine Expedition, and to push on at the very
top of their speed. September 20th, Tottleben, with 3,000 of them as
Vanguard, does accordingly cross Oder, at Beuthen in Sagan Country; and
strides forward direct upon Berlin: Lacy, with 15,000, has started from
Silesia, we saw how, above a week later (September 29th), but at a
still more furious rate of speed. Soltikof,--theoretically Soltikof,
but practically Fermor, should the dim German Books be ambiguous to
any studious creature,--with the Main Army (which by itself is still a
20,000 odd), moves to Frankfurt, to support the swift Expedition, and
be within two marches of it. Here surely is a feasibility! Berlin, for
defence, has nothing but weak palisades; and of effective garrison 1,200
men.
And feasible, in a sort, this thing did prove; indisputably delivering
Daun from strangulation in the Silesian Mountains; filling the Gazetteer
mind with loud emotion of an empty nature; and very much affecting many
poor people in Berlin and neighborhood. Making a big Chapter in Berlin
Local History; though compressible to small bulk for strangers, who have
no specific sympathies in that locality.
"FRIDAY, 3d OCTOBER, 1760, Tottleben, with his hasty Vanguard of 3,000,
preceded by hastier rumor, comes circling round Berlin environs; takes
post at the Halle Gate [West side of the City]; summons Rochow [the same
old Commandant of Haddick's time];--requires instant admittance; ransom
of Four million Thalers, and other impossible things. Berlin has been
putting itself in some posture; repairing its palisades, throwing up
bits of redoubts in front of the gates, and, though sounding with alarms
and uncertainties, shows a fine spirit of readiness for the emergency.
Rochow is still Commandant, the same old Rochow who shrunk so
questionably in Haddick's time: but Rochow has no Court to tremble for
at present; Queen and Royal Family, Archives, Principal Ministries,
Directorium in a body, went all to Magdeburg again, on the Kunersdorf
Disaster last year, and are safe from such insults. The spirit of the
population, it appears, even of the rich classes, some of whom are
very rich, is extraordinary. Besides Rochow, moreover, there are,
by accident, certain Generals in Berlin: Seidlitz and two others,
recovering from their Kunersdorf hurts, who step into the breach with
heart admirably willing, if with limbs still lame. Then there is old
Field-marshal Lehwald [Anti-Russian at Gross Jagersdorf, but dismissed
as too old], who is official Governor of Berlin, who succeeded poor
Keith in that honorable office: all these were strong for defence;--and
do not now grudge, great men as they are, to take each his Gate of
Berlin, his small redoubt thrown up there, and pass the night and the
day in doing his utmost with it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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