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
One fault, the unique military man, intensely pondering, discovers that
it has: it is too small for Daun; not area enough for manoeuvring 65,000
men in it; who will get into confusion if properly dealt with. A most
comfortable light-flash, the EUREKA of this terrible problem. "We will
attack it on rear and on front simultaneously; that is the way to handle
it!" Yes; simultaneously, though that is difficult, say military judges;
perhaps to Prussians it may be possible. It is the opinion of military
judges who have studied the matter, that Friedrich's plan, could it have
been perfectly executed, might have got not only victory from Daun,
but was capable to fling his big Army and him pell-mell upon the Elbe
Bridge, that is to say, in such circumstances, into Elbe River, and
swallow him bodily at a frightful rate! That fate was spared poor Daun.
MONDAY, 3d NOVEMBER, 1760, at half-past 6 in the morning Friedrich is
on march for this great enterprise. The march goes northward, in Three
Columns, with a Fourth of Baggage; through the woods, on four different
roads; roads, or combinations of those intricate sandy avenues already
noticed. Northward all of it at first; but at a certain point ahead (at
crossing of the Eilenburg-Torgau Road, namely), the March is to divide
itself in two. Half of the force is to strike off rightward there with
Ziethen, and to issue on the south side of Siptitz Hill; other half,
under Friedrich himself, to continue northward, long miles farther,
and then at last bending round, issue--simultaneously with Ziethen, if
possible--upon Siptitz Hill from the north side. We are about 44,000
strong, against Daun, who is 65,000.
Simultaneously with Ziethen, so far as humanly possible: that is the
essential point! Friedrich has taken every pains that it shall be
correct, in this and all points; and to take double assurance of hiding
it from Daun, he yesternight, in dictating his Orders on the other heads
of method, kept entirely to himself this most important Ziethen portion
of the Business. And now, at starting, he has taken Ziethen in his
carriage with him a few miles, to explain the thing by word of mouth.
At the Eilenburg road, or before it, Ziethen thinks he is clear as to
everything; dismounts; takes in hand the mass intrusted to him;
and strikes off by that rightward course: "Rightward, Herr Ziethen;
rightward till you get to Klitschen, your first considerable island
in this sea of wood; at Klitschen strike to the left into the woods
again,--your road is called the Butter-Strasse (BUTTER-STREET); goes
by the northwest side of Siptitz Height; reach Siptitz by the
Butter-Street, and then do your endeavor!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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