" By three different Gates,
I should think; -- mysteriously, in Three Directions,
known only to King Friedrich and his Adjutant-
General, all these Regiments in Berlin and elsewhere
* Helden-Geschichte, m.
I should think; -- mysteriously, in Three Directions,
known only to King Friedrich and his Adjutant-
General, all these Regiments in Berlin and elsewhere
* Helden-Geschichte, m.
Thomas Carlyle
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl.
handle.
net/2027/hvd.
hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www.
hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
? 236 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
July 1756.
since; and not the Old alone. Dietrich of Dessau is
now "Guardian to his Nephew," who is a Child left
Heir there. Death has been busy with the Dessauers:
-- but here is PrinceMoritz, "the youngest, more like
his Father than any of them. " Duke Ferdinand of
Brunswick, Moritz of Dessau, Keith, Duke of Bruns-
wick-Bevern: no one of these people has been idle, in
the ten years past. Least of all, has the Chief Cap-
tain of them, -- whose diligence and vigilance in that
sphere, latterly were not likely to decline!
Friedrich's Army is in the perfection of order.
Ready at the hour, for many months back; but the
least motion he makes with it is a subject of jealousy.
Last year, on those Russian advancings and alacrities,
he had marched some Regiments into Pommem, . within
reach of Preussen, should the Russians actually try a
stroke there: "See! " cried all the world; "See! " cried
the enlightened Russian Public. This year 1756, from
June onwards and earlier, there are still more fatal
symptoms, on the Austrian side: great and evident
War-preparations; Magazines forming; Camps in Bo-
hemia, Moravia; Camp at Konigsgratz, Camp at Prag,
-- handy for the Silesian Border. Friedrich knows they
have deliberated on their Pretext for a War, and have
fixed on what will do, -- some new small Prussian-
Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been;
paltry enough recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and
has been settled mutually, some time ago, this one,
but is capable of being ripped up again); -- and that,
on this cobweb of a Pretext, they mean to draw sword
when they like. Russia too has its Pretext ready.
And if Friedrich hint of stirring, England whispers
hoarse, England and other friends, "Wait, your Ma-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 237
July 1756.
jesty! Oh, beware! " To keep one's sword at its sharp-
est, and, with an easy patient air, one's eyes vigilantly
open: this is nearly all that Friedrich can do, in
neighbourhood of such portentous imminencies. He
has many critics, near and far; -- for instance:
Berlin, 31st July 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Ver-
sailles: * * "to give you account of a Conversation I have had,
''a day or two ago, with the Prince of Prussia" (August Wil-
helm, Heir-Apparent), "who honours me with a particular
"confidence," -- and who appears to be, privately, like some
others, very strong in the Opposition view. "He talked to me
"of the,present condition of the King his Brother, of his
"Brothers apprehensions, of his military arrangements, of the
"little trust placed in him by neighbours, of their hostile
"humour towards him, and of many otherihings which this
"good Prince" (little understanding them, as would appear,
or the dangerous secret that lay under them) "did not approve
"of. The Prince then said, -- listen to what the Prince
of Prussia said to Valori, one of the last days of July
1756,--
"There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in
"the passes we are got to, at present. Putting the case we
"might be attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the
"lateRothenburg was sent"(as readers know), "on the King's
"part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to know of him what, in such
"case, were the helps he might reckon on from France. Mi-
"lord enumerated the various helps; and then added" (being
a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue): "'Helps
'"enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, morbleu, if you deceive
"'us, you will be squelched (vous serez ierases)! ' The King
"myBrother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but,
"my dear Marquis, and the Prince turned full upon me with
a face of inquiry, "Can the thing actually come true? And
"do you think it can be the interest of your Master" (and his
Scarlet Woman) "to abandon us to the fury of our enemies?
"Ah, that cursed Convention" (Neutrality-Convention with
England)! "I would give a finger from my hand that it had
"never been concluded. I never approved of it; ask the Due
"de Nivernois, he knows what we have said of it together.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 238 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
July 1756.
"But how return on our steps? Who would now trust us? "
This Prince appeared to be "much affected by the King his
"Brother's situation" (of which he understood as good as
nothing), "and agreed that he," the King his Brother, "had
"well deserved it. *
This is not the first example, nor the last, of August Wil-
helm's owning a heedless, goodnatured tongue; considerably
prone to take the Opposition side, on light grounds. For which
if he found a kind of solacement and fame in some circles, it
was surely at a dear rate! To his Brother, that bad habit
would, most likely, be known; and his Brother, I suppose, did
not speak of it at all; such his Brother's custom in cases of the
kind. -- Judicions Valori, by way of answer, dilated on the
peculiar esteem of his Majesty Louis XV. for the Prussian
Majesty, -- "so as my Instructions direct me to do;" and we
hear no more of the Prince of Prussia's talk, at this time; but
shall in future; and may conjecture a great deal about the
atmosphere Friedrich had now to live in. A Friedrich under-
going, privately, a great deal of criticism: "Mad tendency to
war; lust of conquest; contempt for his neighbours, for the
opinion of the world;--no end of irrational tendencies:"**
from persons to whom the secret of his Problem is deeply un-
known.
One wise thing the English have done: sent an
Excellency Mitchell, a man of loyalty, of sense and
honesty, to be their Resident at Berlin. This is the
noteworthy, not yet much noted, Sir Andrew Mitchell;
by far the best Excellency England ever had in that
Court. An Aberdeen Scotchman, creditable to his
Country: hard-headed, sagacious; sceptical of shows;
but capable of recognising substances withal, and of
standing loyal to them, stubbornly if needful; who
grew to a great mutual regard with Friedrich, and
well deserved to do so; constantly about him, during
? Valori, n. 129-131.
*? See Valori, n. 124-151 ("July 27th--August 21at").
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. III. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 239
July 1726.
the next seven years; and whose Letters are among
the perennially valuable Documents on Friedrich's
History. *
Mitchell is in Berlin since June 10th. Mitchell,
who is on the scene itself, and looking into Friedrich
with his own eyes, finds the reiterating of that "Be-
ware, your Majesty! " which had been his chief task
hitherto, a more and more questionable thing; and
suggests to him at last: "Plainly ask her Hungarian
Majesty, What is your meaning by those Bohemian
Campings? " "Pshaw," answers Friedrich: "Nothing
but some ambiguous answer, perhaps with insult in it! "
-- nevertheless thinks better; and determines to do
so. **
* Happily secured in the British Museum; and now in the most perfect
order for consulting (thanks to Sir F. Madden "and three-years labour"
well invested); -- should certainly, and will one day, be read to the bot-
tom, and cleared of their darknesses, extrinsic and intrinsic (which are
considerable), by somebody competent. ** Mitchell Papers.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 240 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book xvn.
18th July -- 2Sth Aug. 1756.
CHAPTER IV.
FRIEDRICH PUTS A QUESTION AT VIENNA, TWICE OVER.
July 18th, 1756, Friedrich despatches an Express
to Graf von Klinggraf, his Resident at Vienna (an ex-
perienced man, whom we have seen before in old
Carteret, "Conference-of-Hanau" times), To demand
audience of the Empress; and, in the fittest terms,
friendly and courteous, brief and clear, to put that
question of Mitchell's suggesting. "Those unwonted
Armaments, Camps in Bohmen, Camps in Mahren, and
military movements and preparations," Klinggraf is to
say, "have caused anxiety in her Majesty's peacable
Neighbour of Prussia; who desires always to continue
in peace; and who requests hereby a word of assurance
from her Majesty, that these his anxieties are ground-
less. " Friedrich himself hopes little or nothing from
this; but he has done it to satisfy people about him,
and put an end to all scruples in himself and others.
The Answer may be expected in ten or twelve days.
And, about the same time, -- likely enough,
directly after, though there is no date given, to a fact
which is curious and authentic, -- Friedrich sent for
two of his chief Generals to Potsdam for a secret Con-
ference with Winterfeld and him. The Generals are,
old Schwerin and General Retzow Senior, -- Major-
General Retzow, whom we used to hear of in the Sile-
sian Wars, -- and whose Son reports on this occasion.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICh's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 241
ISth July--28th Aug. 1756.
Conference is on this Imminency of War, and as to
what shall be done in it. Friedrich explains in general
terms his dangers from Austria and Russia, his certainty
that Austria will attack him; and asks, Were it, or
were it not, better to attack Austria, as is our Prussian
principle in such case? Schwerin and Retzow, --
Schwerin first, as the eldest; and after him Retzow,
"who privately has charge from the Prussian Princes
to do it," -- opine strongly: That indications are un-
certain, that much seems unevitable which does not
come; that in a time of such tumultuous whirlings and
unexpected changes, the true rule is, Watch well, and
wait.
After enough of this, with Winterfeld looking dis-
sent but saying almost nothing, Friedrich gives sign to
Winterfeld; -- who spreads out, in their lucidest prear-
ranged order, the principal Menzel-Weingarten Docu-
ments; and bids the two Military Gentlemen read.
They read; with astonishment, are forced do believe;
stand gazing at one another; -- and to now take a
changed tone. Schwerin, "after a silence of everybody
"for some minutes," -- "bursts out like one inspired:
"'If War is to be and must be, let us start to-morrow;
'"seize Saxony at once; and in that rich corny Country,
"'form Magazines for our Operations on Bohemia! '"*
That is, privately, Friedrich's own full intention.
Saxony, with its Elbe River as Highway, is his indis-
pensable preliminary for Bohemia: and he will not, a
second time, as he did in 1744 with such results, leave
it in an wn-secured condition. Adieu then, Messieurs;
silent: au revoir, which may be soon! Retzow Junior,
a rational, sincere, but rather pipeclayed man, who is
Retzow, i. 39.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. IX. 16
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 242 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
18th July -- 28th Aug. 1756.
wholly to be trusted on this Conference, with his
Father for authority, has some touches of commentary
on it, which indicate (date being 1802) that till the
end of his life, or of Prince Henri his Patron's, there
remained always in some heads a doubt as to Fried-
rich's wisdom in regard to starting the Seven-Years
War, and to Schwerin's entire sincerity in that inspired
speech. And still more curious, that there was always,
at Potsdam as elsewhere, a Majesty's Opposition Party;
privately intent to look at the wrong side; and doing
it diligently, -- though with lips strictly closed for
most part; without words, except well-weighed and to
the wise: which is an excellent arrangement, for a
Majesty and Majesty's Opposition, where feasible in
the world! --
From Retzow I learn farther, that Winterfeld,
directly on the back of this Conference, took a Tour
to the Bohemian Baths, "To Karlsbad, or Toplitz, for
one's health;" and wandered about a good deal in
those Frontier Mountains of Bohemia, taking notes,
taking sketches (not with a picturesque view); and re-
turned by the Saxon Pirna Country, a strange stony
labyrinth, which he guessed might possibly be inter-
esting soon. The Saxon Commandant of the Konig-
stein, lofty Fortress of those parts, strongest in Saxony,
was of Winterfeld's acquaintance: Winterfeld called on
this Commandant; found his Konigstein too high for
cannonading those neighbourhoods, but that there was
at the base of it a new Work going on; and that the
Saxons were, though languidly, endeavouring to bestir
themselves in matters military. Their entire Army at
present is under 20,000; but, in the course of next
Winter, they expect to have it 40,000. Shall be of
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IT. ]' FRIEDRICH'S QUESTION AT VIENNA. 243
26th July 1756.
that force, against Season 1757. No doubt Winter-
feld's gatherings and communications had their uses at
Potsdam, on his getting home from this Tour to Toplitz.
Meanwhile, Klinggraf has had his Audience at
Vienna; and has sped as ill as could have been ex-
pected. The Answer given was of supercilious brevity;
evasive, in effect null, and as good as answering,
That there is no answer. Two Accounts we have, as
Friedrich successively had them, of this famed passage:
first, Klinggraf s own, which is clear, rapid, and stands
by the essential; second, an account from the other side
of the scenes, furnished by Menzel of Dresden, for
Friedrich's behoof and ours; which curiously illustrates
the foregoing, and confirms the interpretation Friedrich
at once made of it. This is Menzel's account; in
other words, the Saxon Envoy at Vienna's, stolen by
Menzel.
July 26th, it appears, Klinggraf, -- having ap-
plied to Kaunitz the day before, who noticed a certain
flurry in him, and had answered carelessly, "Audience?
Yes, of course; nay I am this moment going to the
Empress: only you must tell me about what? " -- was
admitted to the Imperial Presence, he first of many
that were waiting. Imperial Presence held in its hand a
snip of Paper; carefully composed by Kaunitz from the
data, and read these words: "Die bedenklichen Um-
"stande, The questionable circumstances of the Time
"have moved me to consider as indispensably necessary
"those measures which, for my own security and for
"defence of my Allies, I am taking, and which other-
"wise do not tend the least towards injury of anybody
"whatsoever;" -- and adding no syllable more, gave
16*
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 244 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [BOOK XVII.
2d Aug. 1756.
a sign with her hand, intimating to Klinggraf that the
Interview was done. Klinggraf strode through the
Antechamber, "visibly astonished," say onlookers,
at such an Answer had. Answer, in fact, "That
there is no Answer," and the door flung in your
face! *
Friedrich, on arrival of report from Klinggraf, and
without waiting for the Menzel side of the scenes, sees
that the thing is settled. Writes again, however
(August 2d, probably the day after, or the same day,
Klinggrafs Despatch reached him); instructing Kling-
graf To request "a less oracular response;" and
specially, "If her Imperial Majesty (Austria and Russia being, as is understood, in active League against him)
will say, That Austria will not attack him this year or
the next? " Draw up memorial of that, Monsieur Kling-
graf; and send us the supercilious No-Answer: till
which arrive we do not cross the Frontier, -- but are
already everywhere on march to it, in an industrious,
cunningly devised, evident and yet impenetrably mys-
terious manner.
Excellency Valori never saw such activity of mili-
tary preparation: such Artillery, "2,000 big pieces in
the Park here;" Regiments, Wagon-trains, getting
under way everywhere, no man can guess witherward;
"drawn up in the Square here, they know not by what
"Gate they are to march.
" By three different Gates,
I should think; -- mysteriously, in Three Directions,
known only to King Friedrich and his Adjutant-
General, all these Regiments in Berlin and elsewhere
* Helden-Geschichte, m. 772. In Valori, n. 128, Friedrioh's little Paper of Instructions to Klinggraf; this Vienna Answer to it, ib. 138: -- see ib. 138,
162; and Gesammelte Nachrichten, n. 214-221.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] friedrich's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 245
15th-29th Aug. 1756.
are on march. Towards Halle (Leipzig way); towards
Brietzen (Wittenberg and Torgau way); towards
Bautzen neighbourhood, -- towards Three settled
Points of the Saxon Frontier; will step across, the in-
stant the supercilious No-Answer comes to hand.
Are to converge about Dresden and the Saxon Switzer-
land; -- about 65,000 strong, equipped as no Army
before or since has been; -- and take what luck there
may be.
Briihl and Polish Majesty's Army, still only about
18,000, have their apprehensions of such visit: but
what can they do? The Saxon Army draws out into
Camp, at sight of this mysterious marching; strong
Camp "in the angle of Elbe and Mulde Rivers;" --
then draws in again; being too weak for use. And is
thinking, Menzel informs us, to take post in the stony
labyrinthic Pirna Country: such the advice an Excel-
lency Broglio has given; -- French Excellency, now
in Dresden; Mare'chal de Broglio's Son, and of little less
explosive nature than his Father was. Briihl and
Polish Majesty, guessing that the hour is come, are in-
finitely interested. Interested, not flurried. "Austrian-
Russian Anti-Prussian Covenant! " say Briihl and
Majesty, rather comfortably to themselves: "We never
signed it. We never would sign anything; what have
we to do with it? Courage; steady; To Pirna, if they
come! Are not Excellency Broglio, and France, and
Austria, and the whole world at our back? "
It was full three weeks before Klinggraf s Message
of Answer could arrive at Berlin. Of Friedrich in the
interim, launching such a world-adventure, himself
silent, in the midst of a buzzing Berlin, take these in-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 246 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
15lh-26tli Aug. 1750.
dications, which are luminous enough. Duke Ferdi-
nand of Brunswick is to head one of the Three
"Columns. " Duke Ferdinand, Governor of Magdeburg,
is now collecting his Column in that neighbourhood,
chiefly at Halle; whitherward, or on what errand, is
profoundly unknown. Unknown even to Ferdinand,
except that it is for actual Service in the Field. Here
are two Friedrich Letters (ruggedly Official, the first
of them, and not quite peculiar to Ferdinand), 'which
are worth reading:
The King to Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick.
"Potsdam, 15th August 1756.
"For time of Field-Service I have made the arrangement,
"That for the Subaltern Officers of your regiment, over and
"above their ordinary Equipage-moneys, there shall, to each
"Subaltern Officer, and once for all, be Eight Thalers"
(twenty-four shillings sterling) "advanced. That sum" (eight
thalers per subaltern) "shall be paid to the Captain of every
"Company; and besides this there shall, monthly, Two
"Thalers be deducted from the Subaltern's Pay, and be like-
"wise paid over to the Captain: --in return for which, He is to
"furnish Free Table for the Subalterns, throughout the Cam-
paign, and so long as the regiment is in the field.
"Of the Two Baggage-carts per Company, the regiment
"shall take only One, and leave the other at home. No Officer,
"let him be who or of what title he will, Generals not excepted,
"shall take with him the least of Silver Plate, not even a silver
"spoon. Whoever wants, therefore, to keep table, great or
"small (Tafel oder Tisch), must manage the same with tin uten-
"sils; -- without exception, be he who he will.
"Each Captain shall take with him a little Cask of Vinegar;
"of which, so soon as the regiments get to Camp, he must give
"me reckoning, and I will then have him repaid. This Vme-
"gar shall solely and exclusively be employed for this pur-
pose, That in places where the water is bad, there be poured
'into it, for the soldiers, a few drops of the vinegar, to correct
'the water, and thereby preserve them from illnesses.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] friedrich's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 247
15th-26tu Aug. 1756.
"So soon as the regiment gets on march, the Women who
"have permission to follow, are put under command of the
"Profoss; that thereby all plunderings and disorders may the
"more be guarded against. If the Captains and officers take
"Grooms (Jager) or the like Domestics, there can muskets be
"given to these, that use may be had of them, incase of an
"attack in quarters, or on march, when a Wagenburg (wagon-
"fortress) is to be formed. * * -- Friedrich. "-|-
Same to Same (Confidential, this one).
"Potsdam, 24th August.
* * "Make as if you were meaning to go into camp at
"Halle. The reason why I stop you is, that the Courier from
"Vienna has not yet come. We must therefore reassure the
"Saxon neighbourhood. * * I have been expecting answer
"from hour to hour; cannot suitably begin a War-Expedition
"till it come; do therefore apprise Your Dilection, though
"under the deepest secrecy.
"And it is necessary, and my Will is, That, till further
"order, you keep all the regiments and corps belonging to
"your Column in the places where they are when this arrives.
"And shall, meanwhile, with your best skill mask all this,
"both from the Town of Halle, and from the regiments them-
"selves; making, in conformity with what I said yesterday, "as if you were a Corps of Observation come to encamp
"here, and were waiting the last orders to go into camp. --
"FKIEDBICH. "tt
And in regard to the Vienna Courier, and Fried-
rich's attitude towards that Phenomenon, read only
these Two Notes:
1? . Friedrich to the Prince of Prussia and the Princess Amelia
(at Berlin).
Potsdam, "25th August" 1756.
"My deAr Brother, My deAr Sister, -- I write to you both
"at once, for want of time. I will follow the advice you are so t Preuss, n. 0, 7. tt Preuss, n. 7. 8.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 248 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
26th Aug. 1756.
"good as give me; and will take leave of the Queen" (our dear
Mamma) "by Letter. And that reading of my Letter may not
"frighten her, I will send it by my Sister, to be presented in a
"favourable moment.
"I have yet got no Answer from Vienna; by Klinggraf's
"account, I shall not receive it till tomorrow"(came this night).
"But I count myself surer of War than ever; as the Austrians
"have named Generals, and their Army is ordered to march,
"from Kolin to Konigsgratz"-- Schlesien way. "So that,
"expecting nothing but a haughty Answer, or a very uncertain
"one, on which there will be no reliance possible, I have
"arranged everything for setting out on Saturday next. To-
"morrow, so soon as the news comes, I will not fail to let you
"know. Assuring you that I am, with a perfect affection, my
"dear Brother and my dear Sister, -- Yours, -- F. "*
Answer comes from Klinggraf, that same night.
Once more, an Answer almost worse than could have
been expected. "The 'League with Russia against
you' is non-extant, a thing of your imagination: Have
not we already answered? "** Whereupon,
2? . Friedrich to the Prince of Prussia.
Potsdam, "26th August" 1756.
"MydeArBbother,--Ihave already written to the Queen;
"softening things as much as I could" (Letter lost). My
"Sister, to whom I address the Letter, will deliver it.
"You have seen the Paper I sent to Klinggraf. Their
"Answer is, 'That they have not made an Offensive Alliance
"' with Russia against me. ' The Answer is impertinent, high,
"and contemptuous; and of the Assurance that I required"
(as to This Year and next), "not one word. So that the sword
"alone can cut this Gordian Knot. I am innocent of this
"War; I have done what I could to avoid it; but whatever be
"one's love of peace, one cannot and must not sacrifice to
* (Euvres de Frederic, xxvi. 155.
** In GesammelleUrkunden, i. 217: Klinggraf s second question (done by
Letter, this time), "18th August;" Maria Theresa's Answer, "21stAugust. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] PRIEDRICh's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 249
26th Aug. 1756.
"that, one's safety and one's honour. Such, I believe, will be
"your opinion too, from the sentiments I know in you. At
"present, our one thought must be, To do War in such a way
"as may cure our Enemies of their wish to break Peace again
"too soon. I embrace you with all my heart. I have had no
"end of business (terriblement a faire). " -- F. *
The March into Saxony, in Three Columns.
Ahead of that last Note, from an earlier hour of
the same day, Thursday, 26th August, there is speed-
ing forth, to all Three Generals of Division, this Order
(take Duke Ferdinand's copy):
"I hereby order that Your Dilection (Ew. Liebden), with
"all the regiments and corps in the Column standing under
"your command, Shall now, without more delay,get on march,
"on the 29th inst. ; and proceed, according to the March-
"Tables and Instructions already given, to execute what Your
"Dilection has got in charge. " -- F.
The same Thursday 26th, Excellency Mitchell, in-
formed by Podewils of the King's wish to see him at
Potsdam, gets under way from Berlin; arrives "just
"time enough to speak with the King before he sat
"down to supper. " Very many things to be consulted
of, and deliberatively touched upon, with Mitchell and
England; no end of things and considerations, for Eng-
land and King Friedrich, in this that is now about to
burst forth on an astonished world! --Over in London,
we observe, just in the hours when Mitchell was
harnessing for Potsdam, and so many Orders and Let-
ters were speeding their swiftest in that quarter, there
is going forward, on Tower-Hill yonder, the following
Operation:
* (Enures, xxvi. '_116.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 250 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
26th Ang. 1756.
"London, Thursday, 26th August 1756. About five in the
"afternoon, a noted Admiral" (only in Effigy as yet; but who
has been held in miserable durance, and too actual question
of death or life, ever since his return:'Oh, yes, indeed f Hang
him at once,' -- if that can be a remedy! ) "was, after having
"been privately shown to many ladies and gentlemen, brought,
"-- in an open sedan, guarded by a number of young gentle-
"men under arms, with drums beating, colours flying, --to
"Tower-Hill, where a Gallows had been erected for him at
"six the same morning. He was richly dressed, in a blue and
"gold coat, buff waistcoat, trimmed, &c. in full uniform.
"When brought under the Gallows, he staid a small space,
"till his clergyman (a chimney-sweeper) had given him some
"admonitions: that done, he was drawn, by pulleys, to the top
"of the Gallows, which was twenty feet high; every person
"expressing as much satisfaction as if it had been the real
"man.
"He remained there, guarded by the above volunteers,
"without any molestation, two hours; when, upon a supposi-
tion of being obstructed by the Governor of the Tower, some
"sailors appeared, who wanted to pull him down, in order to
"drag him along the streets. But a fire being kindled, which
"consisted of tar-barrels, faggots, tables, tubs, &c. , he was
"consumed in about half an hour. " *
That is their employment on Tower-Hill, over yonder,
while Mitchell is getting under way to see Friedrich.
Mitchell continued at Potsdam over Friday; and
was still in eager consultation that night, when the
King said to him, with a certain expressiveness of
glance: "Bon soir, then; -- Tomorrow morning about
four! " And on the morrow, Saturday 28th, Mitchell
reports hurriedly:
* * "Amiust returned to Berlin, in time to write to your
"Lordship. This morning, between four and five, I took leave
"of the King of Prussia. He went immediately upon the
"Parade; mounted on horseback; and, after a very short
* Old Newpapers (. Gentleman's Magazine, xxvi. 409).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? cnAp. iv. ] priedrich's qttestion At Vienna. 251
i8lh Aug. --9th Sept. 1756.
"exercise of his Troops, put himself at their head; and
"marched directly forBelitz" (half way toBrietzen, Treuen-
brietzen,as they call it); "where, Tomorrow, he will enter the
"Saxon Territory," -- as, at their respective points, his two
other Columns will; and begin, who shall say what terrible
game; incalculable to your Lordship and me, with such Opera-
tions afoot on Tower-Hill!
? 236 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
July 1756.
since; and not the Old alone. Dietrich of Dessau is
now "Guardian to his Nephew," who is a Child left
Heir there. Death has been busy with the Dessauers:
-- but here is PrinceMoritz, "the youngest, more like
his Father than any of them. " Duke Ferdinand of
Brunswick, Moritz of Dessau, Keith, Duke of Bruns-
wick-Bevern: no one of these people has been idle, in
the ten years past. Least of all, has the Chief Cap-
tain of them, -- whose diligence and vigilance in that
sphere, latterly were not likely to decline!
Friedrich's Army is in the perfection of order.
Ready at the hour, for many months back; but the
least motion he makes with it is a subject of jealousy.
Last year, on those Russian advancings and alacrities,
he had marched some Regiments into Pommem, . within
reach of Preussen, should the Russians actually try a
stroke there: "See! " cried all the world; "See! " cried
the enlightened Russian Public. This year 1756, from
June onwards and earlier, there are still more fatal
symptoms, on the Austrian side: great and evident
War-preparations; Magazines forming; Camps in Bo-
hemia, Moravia; Camp at Konigsgratz, Camp at Prag,
-- handy for the Silesian Border. Friedrich knows they
have deliberated on their Pretext for a War, and have
fixed on what will do, -- some new small Prussian-
Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been;
paltry enough recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and
has been settled mutually, some time ago, this one,
but is capable of being ripped up again); -- and that,
on this cobweb of a Pretext, they mean to draw sword
when they like. Russia too has its Pretext ready.
And if Friedrich hint of stirring, England whispers
hoarse, England and other friends, "Wait, your Ma-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 237
July 1756.
jesty! Oh, beware! " To keep one's sword at its sharp-
est, and, with an easy patient air, one's eyes vigilantly
open: this is nearly all that Friedrich can do, in
neighbourhood of such portentous imminencies. He
has many critics, near and far; -- for instance:
Berlin, 31st July 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Ver-
sailles: * * "to give you account of a Conversation I have had,
''a day or two ago, with the Prince of Prussia" (August Wil-
helm, Heir-Apparent), "who honours me with a particular
"confidence," -- and who appears to be, privately, like some
others, very strong in the Opposition view. "He talked to me
"of the,present condition of the King his Brother, of his
"Brothers apprehensions, of his military arrangements, of the
"little trust placed in him by neighbours, of their hostile
"humour towards him, and of many otherihings which this
"good Prince" (little understanding them, as would appear,
or the dangerous secret that lay under them) "did not approve
"of. The Prince then said, -- listen to what the Prince
of Prussia said to Valori, one of the last days of July
1756,--
"There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in
"the passes we are got to, at present. Putting the case we
"might be attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the
"lateRothenburg was sent"(as readers know), "on the King's
"part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to know of him what, in such
"case, were the helps he might reckon on from France. Mi-
"lord enumerated the various helps; and then added" (being
a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue): "'Helps
'"enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, morbleu, if you deceive
"'us, you will be squelched (vous serez ierases)! ' The King
"myBrother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but,
"my dear Marquis, and the Prince turned full upon me with
a face of inquiry, "Can the thing actually come true? And
"do you think it can be the interest of your Master" (and his
Scarlet Woman) "to abandon us to the fury of our enemies?
"Ah, that cursed Convention" (Neutrality-Convention with
England)! "I would give a finger from my hand that it had
"never been concluded. I never approved of it; ask the Due
"de Nivernois, he knows what we have said of it together.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 238 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
July 1756.
"But how return on our steps? Who would now trust us? "
This Prince appeared to be "much affected by the King his
"Brother's situation" (of which he understood as good as
nothing), "and agreed that he," the King his Brother, "had
"well deserved it. *
This is not the first example, nor the last, of August Wil-
helm's owning a heedless, goodnatured tongue; considerably
prone to take the Opposition side, on light grounds. For which
if he found a kind of solacement and fame in some circles, it
was surely at a dear rate! To his Brother, that bad habit
would, most likely, be known; and his Brother, I suppose, did
not speak of it at all; such his Brother's custom in cases of the
kind. -- Judicions Valori, by way of answer, dilated on the
peculiar esteem of his Majesty Louis XV. for the Prussian
Majesty, -- "so as my Instructions direct me to do;" and we
hear no more of the Prince of Prussia's talk, at this time; but
shall in future; and may conjecture a great deal about the
atmosphere Friedrich had now to live in. A Friedrich under-
going, privately, a great deal of criticism: "Mad tendency to
war; lust of conquest; contempt for his neighbours, for the
opinion of the world;--no end of irrational tendencies:"**
from persons to whom the secret of his Problem is deeply un-
known.
One wise thing the English have done: sent an
Excellency Mitchell, a man of loyalty, of sense and
honesty, to be their Resident at Berlin. This is the
noteworthy, not yet much noted, Sir Andrew Mitchell;
by far the best Excellency England ever had in that
Court. An Aberdeen Scotchman, creditable to his
Country: hard-headed, sagacious; sceptical of shows;
but capable of recognising substances withal, and of
standing loyal to them, stubbornly if needful; who
grew to a great mutual regard with Friedrich, and
well deserved to do so; constantly about him, during
? Valori, n. 129-131.
*? See Valori, n. 124-151 ("July 27th--August 21at").
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. III. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 239
July 1726.
the next seven years; and whose Letters are among
the perennially valuable Documents on Friedrich's
History. *
Mitchell is in Berlin since June 10th. Mitchell,
who is on the scene itself, and looking into Friedrich
with his own eyes, finds the reiterating of that "Be-
ware, your Majesty! " which had been his chief task
hitherto, a more and more questionable thing; and
suggests to him at last: "Plainly ask her Hungarian
Majesty, What is your meaning by those Bohemian
Campings? " "Pshaw," answers Friedrich: "Nothing
but some ambiguous answer, perhaps with insult in it! "
-- nevertheless thinks better; and determines to do
so. **
* Happily secured in the British Museum; and now in the most perfect
order for consulting (thanks to Sir F. Madden "and three-years labour"
well invested); -- should certainly, and will one day, be read to the bot-
tom, and cleared of their darknesses, extrinsic and intrinsic (which are
considerable), by somebody competent. ** Mitchell Papers.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 240 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book xvn.
18th July -- 2Sth Aug. 1756.
CHAPTER IV.
FRIEDRICH PUTS A QUESTION AT VIENNA, TWICE OVER.
July 18th, 1756, Friedrich despatches an Express
to Graf von Klinggraf, his Resident at Vienna (an ex-
perienced man, whom we have seen before in old
Carteret, "Conference-of-Hanau" times), To demand
audience of the Empress; and, in the fittest terms,
friendly and courteous, brief and clear, to put that
question of Mitchell's suggesting. "Those unwonted
Armaments, Camps in Bohmen, Camps in Mahren, and
military movements and preparations," Klinggraf is to
say, "have caused anxiety in her Majesty's peacable
Neighbour of Prussia; who desires always to continue
in peace; and who requests hereby a word of assurance
from her Majesty, that these his anxieties are ground-
less. " Friedrich himself hopes little or nothing from
this; but he has done it to satisfy people about him,
and put an end to all scruples in himself and others.
The Answer may be expected in ten or twelve days.
And, about the same time, -- likely enough,
directly after, though there is no date given, to a fact
which is curious and authentic, -- Friedrich sent for
two of his chief Generals to Potsdam for a secret Con-
ference with Winterfeld and him. The Generals are,
old Schwerin and General Retzow Senior, -- Major-
General Retzow, whom we used to hear of in the Sile-
sian Wars, -- and whose Son reports on this occasion.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICh's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 241
ISth July--28th Aug. 1756.
Conference is on this Imminency of War, and as to
what shall be done in it. Friedrich explains in general
terms his dangers from Austria and Russia, his certainty
that Austria will attack him; and asks, Were it, or
were it not, better to attack Austria, as is our Prussian
principle in such case? Schwerin and Retzow, --
Schwerin first, as the eldest; and after him Retzow,
"who privately has charge from the Prussian Princes
to do it," -- opine strongly: That indications are un-
certain, that much seems unevitable which does not
come; that in a time of such tumultuous whirlings and
unexpected changes, the true rule is, Watch well, and
wait.
After enough of this, with Winterfeld looking dis-
sent but saying almost nothing, Friedrich gives sign to
Winterfeld; -- who spreads out, in their lucidest prear-
ranged order, the principal Menzel-Weingarten Docu-
ments; and bids the two Military Gentlemen read.
They read; with astonishment, are forced do believe;
stand gazing at one another; -- and to now take a
changed tone. Schwerin, "after a silence of everybody
"for some minutes," -- "bursts out like one inspired:
"'If War is to be and must be, let us start to-morrow;
'"seize Saxony at once; and in that rich corny Country,
"'form Magazines for our Operations on Bohemia! '"*
That is, privately, Friedrich's own full intention.
Saxony, with its Elbe River as Highway, is his indis-
pensable preliminary for Bohemia: and he will not, a
second time, as he did in 1744 with such results, leave
it in an wn-secured condition. Adieu then, Messieurs;
silent: au revoir, which may be soon! Retzow Junior,
a rational, sincere, but rather pipeclayed man, who is
Retzow, i. 39.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. IX. 16
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 242 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
18th July -- 28th Aug. 1756.
wholly to be trusted on this Conference, with his
Father for authority, has some touches of commentary
on it, which indicate (date being 1802) that till the
end of his life, or of Prince Henri his Patron's, there
remained always in some heads a doubt as to Fried-
rich's wisdom in regard to starting the Seven-Years
War, and to Schwerin's entire sincerity in that inspired
speech. And still more curious, that there was always,
at Potsdam as elsewhere, a Majesty's Opposition Party;
privately intent to look at the wrong side; and doing
it diligently, -- though with lips strictly closed for
most part; without words, except well-weighed and to
the wise: which is an excellent arrangement, for a
Majesty and Majesty's Opposition, where feasible in
the world! --
From Retzow I learn farther, that Winterfeld,
directly on the back of this Conference, took a Tour
to the Bohemian Baths, "To Karlsbad, or Toplitz, for
one's health;" and wandered about a good deal in
those Frontier Mountains of Bohemia, taking notes,
taking sketches (not with a picturesque view); and re-
turned by the Saxon Pirna Country, a strange stony
labyrinth, which he guessed might possibly be inter-
esting soon. The Saxon Commandant of the Konig-
stein, lofty Fortress of those parts, strongest in Saxony,
was of Winterfeld's acquaintance: Winterfeld called on
this Commandant; found his Konigstein too high for
cannonading those neighbourhoods, but that there was
at the base of it a new Work going on; and that the
Saxons were, though languidly, endeavouring to bestir
themselves in matters military. Their entire Army at
present is under 20,000; but, in the course of next
Winter, they expect to have it 40,000. Shall be of
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IT. ]' FRIEDRICH'S QUESTION AT VIENNA. 243
26th July 1756.
that force, against Season 1757. No doubt Winter-
feld's gatherings and communications had their uses at
Potsdam, on his getting home from this Tour to Toplitz.
Meanwhile, Klinggraf has had his Audience at
Vienna; and has sped as ill as could have been ex-
pected. The Answer given was of supercilious brevity;
evasive, in effect null, and as good as answering,
That there is no answer. Two Accounts we have, as
Friedrich successively had them, of this famed passage:
first, Klinggraf s own, which is clear, rapid, and stands
by the essential; second, an account from the other side
of the scenes, furnished by Menzel of Dresden, for
Friedrich's behoof and ours; which curiously illustrates
the foregoing, and confirms the interpretation Friedrich
at once made of it. This is Menzel's account; in
other words, the Saxon Envoy at Vienna's, stolen by
Menzel.
July 26th, it appears, Klinggraf, -- having ap-
plied to Kaunitz the day before, who noticed a certain
flurry in him, and had answered carelessly, "Audience?
Yes, of course; nay I am this moment going to the
Empress: only you must tell me about what? " -- was
admitted to the Imperial Presence, he first of many
that were waiting. Imperial Presence held in its hand a
snip of Paper; carefully composed by Kaunitz from the
data, and read these words: "Die bedenklichen Um-
"stande, The questionable circumstances of the Time
"have moved me to consider as indispensably necessary
"those measures which, for my own security and for
"defence of my Allies, I am taking, and which other-
"wise do not tend the least towards injury of anybody
"whatsoever;" -- and adding no syllable more, gave
16*
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 244 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [BOOK XVII.
2d Aug. 1756.
a sign with her hand, intimating to Klinggraf that the
Interview was done. Klinggraf strode through the
Antechamber, "visibly astonished," say onlookers,
at such an Answer had. Answer, in fact, "That
there is no Answer," and the door flung in your
face! *
Friedrich, on arrival of report from Klinggraf, and
without waiting for the Menzel side of the scenes, sees
that the thing is settled. Writes again, however
(August 2d, probably the day after, or the same day,
Klinggrafs Despatch reached him); instructing Kling-
graf To request "a less oracular response;" and
specially, "If her Imperial Majesty (Austria and Russia being, as is understood, in active League against him)
will say, That Austria will not attack him this year or
the next? " Draw up memorial of that, Monsieur Kling-
graf; and send us the supercilious No-Answer: till
which arrive we do not cross the Frontier, -- but are
already everywhere on march to it, in an industrious,
cunningly devised, evident and yet impenetrably mys-
terious manner.
Excellency Valori never saw such activity of mili-
tary preparation: such Artillery, "2,000 big pieces in
the Park here;" Regiments, Wagon-trains, getting
under way everywhere, no man can guess witherward;
"drawn up in the Square here, they know not by what
"Gate they are to march.
" By three different Gates,
I should think; -- mysteriously, in Three Directions,
known only to King Friedrich and his Adjutant-
General, all these Regiments in Berlin and elsewhere
* Helden-Geschichte, m. 772. In Valori, n. 128, Friedrioh's little Paper of Instructions to Klinggraf; this Vienna Answer to it, ib. 138: -- see ib. 138,
162; and Gesammelte Nachrichten, n. 214-221.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] friedrich's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 245
15th-29th Aug. 1756.
are on march. Towards Halle (Leipzig way); towards
Brietzen (Wittenberg and Torgau way); towards
Bautzen neighbourhood, -- towards Three settled
Points of the Saxon Frontier; will step across, the in-
stant the supercilious No-Answer comes to hand.
Are to converge about Dresden and the Saxon Switzer-
land; -- about 65,000 strong, equipped as no Army
before or since has been; -- and take what luck there
may be.
Briihl and Polish Majesty's Army, still only about
18,000, have their apprehensions of such visit: but
what can they do? The Saxon Army draws out into
Camp, at sight of this mysterious marching; strong
Camp "in the angle of Elbe and Mulde Rivers;" --
then draws in again; being too weak for use. And is
thinking, Menzel informs us, to take post in the stony
labyrinthic Pirna Country: such the advice an Excel-
lency Broglio has given; -- French Excellency, now
in Dresden; Mare'chal de Broglio's Son, and of little less
explosive nature than his Father was. Briihl and
Polish Majesty, guessing that the hour is come, are in-
finitely interested. Interested, not flurried. "Austrian-
Russian Anti-Prussian Covenant! " say Briihl and
Majesty, rather comfortably to themselves: "We never
signed it. We never would sign anything; what have
we to do with it? Courage; steady; To Pirna, if they
come! Are not Excellency Broglio, and France, and
Austria, and the whole world at our back? "
It was full three weeks before Klinggraf s Message
of Answer could arrive at Berlin. Of Friedrich in the
interim, launching such a world-adventure, himself
silent, in the midst of a buzzing Berlin, take these in-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 246 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
15lh-26tli Aug. 1750.
dications, which are luminous enough. Duke Ferdi-
nand of Brunswick is to head one of the Three
"Columns. " Duke Ferdinand, Governor of Magdeburg,
is now collecting his Column in that neighbourhood,
chiefly at Halle; whitherward, or on what errand, is
profoundly unknown. Unknown even to Ferdinand,
except that it is for actual Service in the Field. Here
are two Friedrich Letters (ruggedly Official, the first
of them, and not quite peculiar to Ferdinand), 'which
are worth reading:
The King to Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick.
"Potsdam, 15th August 1756.
"For time of Field-Service I have made the arrangement,
"That for the Subaltern Officers of your regiment, over and
"above their ordinary Equipage-moneys, there shall, to each
"Subaltern Officer, and once for all, be Eight Thalers"
(twenty-four shillings sterling) "advanced. That sum" (eight
thalers per subaltern) "shall be paid to the Captain of every
"Company; and besides this there shall, monthly, Two
"Thalers be deducted from the Subaltern's Pay, and be like-
"wise paid over to the Captain: --in return for which, He is to
"furnish Free Table for the Subalterns, throughout the Cam-
paign, and so long as the regiment is in the field.
"Of the Two Baggage-carts per Company, the regiment
"shall take only One, and leave the other at home. No Officer,
"let him be who or of what title he will, Generals not excepted,
"shall take with him the least of Silver Plate, not even a silver
"spoon. Whoever wants, therefore, to keep table, great or
"small (Tafel oder Tisch), must manage the same with tin uten-
"sils; -- without exception, be he who he will.
"Each Captain shall take with him a little Cask of Vinegar;
"of which, so soon as the regiments get to Camp, he must give
"me reckoning, and I will then have him repaid. This Vme-
"gar shall solely and exclusively be employed for this pur-
pose, That in places where the water is bad, there be poured
'into it, for the soldiers, a few drops of the vinegar, to correct
'the water, and thereby preserve them from illnesses.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] friedrich's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 247
15th-26tu Aug. 1756.
"So soon as the regiment gets on march, the Women who
"have permission to follow, are put under command of the
"Profoss; that thereby all plunderings and disorders may the
"more be guarded against. If the Captains and officers take
"Grooms (Jager) or the like Domestics, there can muskets be
"given to these, that use may be had of them, incase of an
"attack in quarters, or on march, when a Wagenburg (wagon-
"fortress) is to be formed. * * -- Friedrich. "-|-
Same to Same (Confidential, this one).
"Potsdam, 24th August.
* * "Make as if you were meaning to go into camp at
"Halle. The reason why I stop you is, that the Courier from
"Vienna has not yet come. We must therefore reassure the
"Saxon neighbourhood. * * I have been expecting answer
"from hour to hour; cannot suitably begin a War-Expedition
"till it come; do therefore apprise Your Dilection, though
"under the deepest secrecy.
"And it is necessary, and my Will is, That, till further
"order, you keep all the regiments and corps belonging to
"your Column in the places where they are when this arrives.
"And shall, meanwhile, with your best skill mask all this,
"both from the Town of Halle, and from the regiments them-
"selves; making, in conformity with what I said yesterday, "as if you were a Corps of Observation come to encamp
"here, and were waiting the last orders to go into camp. --
"FKIEDBICH. "tt
And in regard to the Vienna Courier, and Fried-
rich's attitude towards that Phenomenon, read only
these Two Notes:
1? . Friedrich to the Prince of Prussia and the Princess Amelia
(at Berlin).
Potsdam, "25th August" 1756.
"My deAr Brother, My deAr Sister, -- I write to you both
"at once, for want of time. I will follow the advice you are so t Preuss, n. 0, 7. tt Preuss, n. 7. 8.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 248 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
26th Aug. 1756.
"good as give me; and will take leave of the Queen" (our dear
Mamma) "by Letter. And that reading of my Letter may not
"frighten her, I will send it by my Sister, to be presented in a
"favourable moment.
"I have yet got no Answer from Vienna; by Klinggraf's
"account, I shall not receive it till tomorrow"(came this night).
"But I count myself surer of War than ever; as the Austrians
"have named Generals, and their Army is ordered to march,
"from Kolin to Konigsgratz"-- Schlesien way. "So that,
"expecting nothing but a haughty Answer, or a very uncertain
"one, on which there will be no reliance possible, I have
"arranged everything for setting out on Saturday next. To-
"morrow, so soon as the news comes, I will not fail to let you
"know. Assuring you that I am, with a perfect affection, my
"dear Brother and my dear Sister, -- Yours, -- F. "*
Answer comes from Klinggraf, that same night.
Once more, an Answer almost worse than could have
been expected. "The 'League with Russia against
you' is non-extant, a thing of your imagination: Have
not we already answered? "** Whereupon,
2? . Friedrich to the Prince of Prussia.
Potsdam, "26th August" 1756.
"MydeArBbother,--Ihave already written to the Queen;
"softening things as much as I could" (Letter lost). My
"Sister, to whom I address the Letter, will deliver it.
"You have seen the Paper I sent to Klinggraf. Their
"Answer is, 'That they have not made an Offensive Alliance
"' with Russia against me. ' The Answer is impertinent, high,
"and contemptuous; and of the Assurance that I required"
(as to This Year and next), "not one word. So that the sword
"alone can cut this Gordian Knot. I am innocent of this
"War; I have done what I could to avoid it; but whatever be
"one's love of peace, one cannot and must not sacrifice to
* (Euvres de Frederic, xxvi. 155.
** In GesammelleUrkunden, i. 217: Klinggraf s second question (done by
Letter, this time), "18th August;" Maria Theresa's Answer, "21stAugust. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] PRIEDRICh's QUESTION AT VIENNA. 249
26th Aug. 1756.
"that, one's safety and one's honour. Such, I believe, will be
"your opinion too, from the sentiments I know in you. At
"present, our one thought must be, To do War in such a way
"as may cure our Enemies of their wish to break Peace again
"too soon. I embrace you with all my heart. I have had no
"end of business (terriblement a faire). " -- F. *
The March into Saxony, in Three Columns.
Ahead of that last Note, from an earlier hour of
the same day, Thursday, 26th August, there is speed-
ing forth, to all Three Generals of Division, this Order
(take Duke Ferdinand's copy):
"I hereby order that Your Dilection (Ew. Liebden), with
"all the regiments and corps in the Column standing under
"your command, Shall now, without more delay,get on march,
"on the 29th inst. ; and proceed, according to the March-
"Tables and Instructions already given, to execute what Your
"Dilection has got in charge. " -- F.
The same Thursday 26th, Excellency Mitchell, in-
formed by Podewils of the King's wish to see him at
Potsdam, gets under way from Berlin; arrives "just
"time enough to speak with the King before he sat
"down to supper. " Very many things to be consulted
of, and deliberatively touched upon, with Mitchell and
England; no end of things and considerations, for Eng-
land and King Friedrich, in this that is now about to
burst forth on an astonished world! --Over in London,
we observe, just in the hours when Mitchell was
harnessing for Potsdam, and so many Orders and Let-
ters were speeding their swiftest in that quarter, there
is going forward, on Tower-Hill yonder, the following
Operation:
* (Enures, xxvi. '_116.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 250 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
26th Ang. 1756.
"London, Thursday, 26th August 1756. About five in the
"afternoon, a noted Admiral" (only in Effigy as yet; but who
has been held in miserable durance, and too actual question
of death or life, ever since his return:'Oh, yes, indeed f Hang
him at once,' -- if that can be a remedy! ) "was, after having
"been privately shown to many ladies and gentlemen, brought,
"-- in an open sedan, guarded by a number of young gentle-
"men under arms, with drums beating, colours flying, --to
"Tower-Hill, where a Gallows had been erected for him at
"six the same morning. He was richly dressed, in a blue and
"gold coat, buff waistcoat, trimmed, &c. in full uniform.
"When brought under the Gallows, he staid a small space,
"till his clergyman (a chimney-sweeper) had given him some
"admonitions: that done, he was drawn, by pulleys, to the top
"of the Gallows, which was twenty feet high; every person
"expressing as much satisfaction as if it had been the real
"man.
"He remained there, guarded by the above volunteers,
"without any molestation, two hours; when, upon a supposi-
tion of being obstructed by the Governor of the Tower, some
"sailors appeared, who wanted to pull him down, in order to
"drag him along the streets. But a fire being kindled, which
"consisted of tar-barrels, faggots, tables, tubs, &c. , he was
"consumed in about half an hour. " *
That is their employment on Tower-Hill, over yonder,
while Mitchell is getting under way to see Friedrich.
Mitchell continued at Potsdam over Friday; and
was still in eager consultation that night, when the
King said to him, with a certain expressiveness of
glance: "Bon soir, then; -- Tomorrow morning about
four! " And on the morrow, Saturday 28th, Mitchell
reports hurriedly:
* * "Amiust returned to Berlin, in time to write to your
"Lordship. This morning, between four and five, I took leave
"of the King of Prussia. He went immediately upon the
"Parade; mounted on horseback; and, after a very short
* Old Newpapers (. Gentleman's Magazine, xxvi. 409).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:32 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijh Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? cnAp. iv. ] priedrich's qttestion At Vienna. 251
i8lh Aug. --9th Sept. 1756.
"exercise of his Troops, put himself at their head; and
"marched directly forBelitz" (half way toBrietzen, Treuen-
brietzen,as they call it); "where, Tomorrow, he will enter the
"Saxon Territory," -- as, at their respective points, his two
other Columns will; and begin, who shall say what terrible
game; incalculable to your Lordship and me, with such Opera-
tions afoot on Tower-Hill!
