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
loud weeping, pulled off his wig, showed ice-gray hair; 'I am in my 68th
year!' But it seems nothing would have steaded them, had not Gotzkowsky
been busy interceding. By virtue of whom there was pardon privately
in readiness: to the ice-gray Editor complete pardon; to the junior
quasi-complete; only a few switches to assert the principle, and
dismissal with admonition." [_Helden-Geschichte_, vi. 103-148; Rodenbeck,
ii. 41-54; Archenholtz, ii. 130-147; Preuss, UBI SUPRA: &c. &c.]
The pleasant part of the fact is, that Gotzkowsky's powerful
intercessions were thenceforth no farther needed. The same day,
Saturday, October 11th, a few hours after this of the GASSEN-LAUFEN,
news arrived full gallop: "The King is coming!" After which it was
beautiful to see how all things got to the gallop; and in a no-time
Berlin was itself again. That same evening, Saturday, Lacy took the
road, with extraordinary velocity, towards Torgau Country, where the
Reichsfolk, in Hulsen's absence, are supreme; and, the second evening
after, was got 60 miles thitherward. His joint dominion had been of
Two days. On the morning of Sunday, 12th, went Tottleben, who had
businesses, settlements of ransom and the like, before marching.
Tottleben, too, made uncommon despatch; marched, as did all these
invasive Russians, at the rate of thirty miles a day; their Main Army
likewise moving off from Frankfurt to a safer distance. Friedrich was
still five marches off; but there seemed not a moment to lose.
The Russian spoilings during the retreat were more horrible than ever:
"The gallows gaping for us; and only this one opportunity, if even
this!" thought the agitated Cossack to himself. Our poor friend Nissler
had a sad tale to tell of them; [In Busching, _Beitrage,_ i. 400,
401, account of their sacking of Nussler's pleasant home and estate,
"Weissensee, near Berlin."] as who had not? Terror and murder,
incendiary fire and other worse unnamable abominations of the Pit. One
old Half-pay gentleman, whom I somewhat respect, desperately barricaded
himself, amid his domestics and tenantries, Wife and Daughters
assisting: "Human Russian Officers can enter here; Cossacks no, but
shall kill us first. Not a Cossack till all of us are lying dead!"
[Archenholtz, ii. 150.] And kept his word; the human Russians owning it
to be proper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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