No suasion of Montalembert,
"Lacy, and Daun Embassies, backed by diamond-hilted
"swords, and splendour of gifts from Vienna itself, able to
"prevail on the barbarous people.
"Lacy, and Daun Embassies, backed by diamond-hilted
"swords, and splendour of gifts from Vienna itself, able to
"prevail on the barbarous people.
Thomas Carlyle
)
"In consequence of which, August 28th, Soltikof and his
"Russians and Austrians got under way again; southward,
"but only a few marches: first to Miillrose, then to Liebe-
"rose: -- whom, the instant he heard of their movements,
"Friedrich, August 30th, hastened to follow; but had not to
"follow very far. Whereupon ensues
"Encampment Second (Waldau, till September I5th.
"August 30th, Friedrich, we say, rose from Fiirstenwalde;
"hastened to follow this Russian movement, and keep within
"wind of it: up the valley of the Spree; first to Miillrose
"neighbourhood" (where the Russians, loitering some time,
"spoiled the canal locks of the Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal, if
nothing more), -- "thence to Lieberose neighbourhood;
"Waldau, the King's new place of encampment, -- Waldau,
"with Spree Forest to rear of it: silent both parties till Sep-
"tember 15th, when Soltikof did fairly march, not towards
"Berlin, but quite in the opposite direction. "
By the middle of September, when the Russians
did get on foot, and moved eastward; especially on and
after September 25th, when Henri made his famous
March westward; then it will behove us to return to
Friedrich and these localities. For the present, we
must turn to Saxony, where, and not here, the scene
of action is. Take, farther, only the following bits of
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 195
16th Aug. -- 15th Sept. 1759.
Note, which will now be readable. First, these Utter-
ances to D'Argens; direct glimpses into the heavy-laden,
indeed hag-ridden and nearly desperate inner man of
Friedrich, during the first three weeks after his defeat
at Kunersdorf:
The King to Marquis D'Argens (at Berlin): Six Notes.
10. "Madlitz" (road from Reitwein to Fiirstenwalde),
"16th August 1759. We have been unfortunate, my dear
"Marquis; but not by my fault. The victory was ours, and
"would even have been a complete one, when our infantry
"lost patience, and at the wrong moment abandoned the field
"of battle. The enemy today is on march to Miillrose, to
"unite with Haddick" (not to Miillrose for ten days yet;
Haddick had already got united with them). "The Russian
"infantry is almost totally destroyed. Of my own wrecks,
"all that I have been able to assemble amounts to 32,000
"men; with these I am pushing on to throw myself across
"the enemy's road, and either perish or save the Capital.
"That is not what you" (youBerliners) "will call a deficiency
"of resolution.
"For the event I cannot answer. If I had more lives than
"one, I would sacrifice them all to my Country. But if this
"stroke fail, I think I am clear-scores with her, and that it
"will be permissible to look a little to myself. There are
"limits to everything. I support my misfortune; courage
"not abated by it: but I am well resolved, after this stroke
"if it fail, to open an outgate for myself" (that small glass-
tube which never quits me), "and no longer be the sport of
"any chance. "
2o. Fiirstenwalde, 20th August. ** "Remain at Berlin, or
"retire to Potsdam; in a little while there will come some
"catastrophe; it is not fit that you suffer by it. If things
"take a good turn, you can be back to Berlin" (from Pots-
"dam) "in four hours. If ill-luck still pursue us, go to
"Hanover or to Zelle, where you can provide for your
"safety.
"I protest to you that, in this late Action, I did what
"was humanly possible to conquer; but my people" -- Oh,
your Majesty!
13*
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? 196 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
16th Aug. --15th Sept. 1759.
3o. Filrstenwalde, 21st August. * * "The enemy is in-
"trenching himself near Frankfurt; a sign he intends no
"attempt. If you will do me the pleasure to come out hither,
"you can in all safety. Bring your bed with you; bring my
"Cook Noel; and I will have you a little chamber ready.
"You will be my consolation and my hope. " --
This day, -- let readers mark the circumstance, --
Friedrich, in better spirits, detaches Wunsch with some poor
6,000, totry if he can be of help in Saxony; where the Reichs
Army, now arrived in force, and with nothing whatever in the
field against them, is taking all the Northward Garrison-
Towns, and otherwise proceeding at a high rate. Too pos-
sibly with an eye towards Dresden itself! Wunsch sets out,
August 21st. * And we shall hear of him in those Saxon
Countries before long.
4o. Filrstenwalde, 22d August. "Yesterday I wrote to you "to come; but today I forbid it. Daun is at Kotbus; he is
"marching on Ltiben and Berlin" (nothing like so rash! ). --
"Fly these unhappy Countries! -- This news obliges me
"again to attack the Russians between here and Frankfurt.
"You may imagine if this is a desperate resolution. It is the
"sole hope that remains to me, of not being cut off from
"Berlin on the one side or the other. I will give the dis-
"couraged troops some brandy" -- alas! -- "but I promise
"myself nothing of success. My one consolation is that I
"shall die sword in hand. "
5? . Same place and day (after a Letter from D'Argens).
"You make the panegyric, mon cher, of an Army that does
"not deserve any. The soldiers had good limbs to run with,
"none to attack the enemy. " (Alas, your Majesty; after
"fifteen hours of such marching and fighting! )
"For certain I will fight; butdon*t flatter yourself about
"the event. A happy chance alone can help us. Go, in
"God's name, to Tangermunde" (since the Royal Family
went, D'Argens and many Berliners are thinking of flight),
"to Tangermunde, where you will be well; and wait there
"how Destiny shall have disposed of us. I will go to
"reconnoitre the enemy tomorrow. Next day, if there is
"anything to do, we will try it. But if the enemy still holds
* Tempelhof, in. 211.
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 197
16th Aug. --15th Sept. 1759.
"to the Wine-Hills of Frankfurt, I shall never dare to attack
"him.
"No, the torment of Tantalus, the pains of Prometheus,
"the doom of Sisyphus, were nothing like what I suffer for
"the last ten days" (from Kunersdorf till now, when destruc-
tion has to be warded off again, and the force wanting).
"Death is sweet in comparison to such a life. Have com-
"passion on me and itj and believe that I still keep to myself
"a great many evil things, not wishing to afflict or disquiet
"anybody with them; and that I would not counsel you to
"fly these unlucky Countries, if I had any ray of hope.
"Adieu, mon cher. "
Four days after, August 25th, from this same Fiirsten-
walde, the Russians still continuing stagnant, Friedrich de-
spatches, to Schmettau, Commandant of Dresden (by some
industrious hand, for the roads are all blocked), a Second
Letter, "That Dresden is of the highest moment; that in
"case of Siege there, relief" (Wunsch, namely, and perhaps
more that may follow) "is on the road; and that Schmettau
"must defend himself to the utmost. " Let us hope this
Second Missive may counteract the too despondent First,
which we read above, should that have produced discourage-
ment in Schmettau! * -- D'Argens does run to Wolfenbiittel;
stays there till September 9th. Nothing more from Friedrich
till 4th September, when matters are well cooled again.
6? . Waldau, 4th September. "I think Berlin is now in
"safety; you may return thither. The Barbarians" (Russians)
"are in the Lausitz; I keep by the side of them, between
"them and Berlin, so that there is nothing to fear for the
"Capital. The imminency of danger is past; but there will
"still be many bad moments toget through, before reaching
"the end of the Campaign. These, however, only regard
"myself; never mind these. My martyrdom will last two
"months yet; then the snows and the ices will end it. "**
Thus at Fiirstenwalde, then at Waldau, keeping
guard, forlorn but resolute, against the intrusive Russian-
Austrian deluges, Friedrich stands painfully vigilant
* Second Letter is given in Schmet tait's Lebcn, pp. 436, 7.
** (Enures de Frideric, six. 78, 82, 83, 85, 86.
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? 198 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED, [book XIX.
22d Aug. 1759.
and expectant, -- still for about a fortnight more. With
bad news coming to him latterly, as we shall hear. He
is in those old moorland Wusterhausen Countries, once
so well known under far other circumstances. Thirty
years ago, in fine afternoons, we used to gallop with
poor Duhan de Jandun, after school-tasks done, to-
wards Mittenwalde, Fiirstenwalde and the furzy en-
virons, far and wide; at home, our Sister and Mother
waiting with many troubles and many loves, and Papa
sleeping, Pan-like, under the shadow of his big tree:
-- Thirty years ago, ah me, gone like a dream is all
that; and there is solitude and desolation and the Rus-
sian-Austrian death-deluges instead! These, I suppose,
were Friedrich's occasional remembrances; silent al-
ways, in this locality and time. The Sorrows of Werter,
of the Giaour, of the Dyspeptic Tailor in multifarious
forms, are recorded in a copious heart-rending manner,
and have had their meed of weeping from a sympathetic
Public: but there are still a good few Sorrows which
lie wrapt in silence, and have never applied there for
an idle tear! -- Let us look now into Daun's side of
things.
Daun, after Negotiation, has an Interview with Soltikof (at
Guben, August 22d). -- "Daun, who had moved to Priebus,
"with a view to be nearer Soltikof, had scarcely got his tent
"pitched there (August 13th), when a breathless horseman
"rode in, with a Note from Loudon, dated the night before:
"' King of Prussia beaten, to the very bone, beyond mistake
"'this time, --utterly ruined, if one may judge! ' Whata
"vision of the Promised Land! Delighted Daun moves for-
"ward, one march, to Triebel on the morrow; to be one march
"nearer the scene of glory, and endeavour to forge this
"biggest of the hot irons to advantage.
"At Triebel Soltikofs own account, elucidated by oral
"messengers, eye-witnesses,
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? CHAp, V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 199
22d Aug. 1759.
"spectus of this ever-memorable Victory, await the delighted
"Daun. Who despatches messengers, one and another;
"Lacy, the first, not succeeding quite: To congratulate with
"enthusiasm the most illustrious of Generals; who has beaten
"King Friedrich as none else ever did or could; beaten to
"the edge of extinction; -- especially to urge him upon "trampling out this nearly extinct King, before he gleam
"up again. Soltikof understands the congratulations very
"well; but as to that of trampling out, snorts an indignant
"negative: 'Nay, you, why don t you try it? Surely it is
'"more your business than my Imperial Mistress's or mine.
"'We have wrenched two victories from him this season. Kay
"' and Kunersdorf have killed near the half of us: go you in,
"'and wrench something! ' This is Soltikofs logic; which
"no messenger of Daun's, Lacy or another, aided by never
"suchmelodies and suasionsfromMontalembert and Loudon,
"who are permanently diligent that way, can shake.
"And truly it is irrefragable. Howcan Daun, ifhimself
"merely speculative, calculative, hope that Soltikof will con-
"tinue acting? Men who have come to help you in a heavy
"job of work, need example. Ifyou wish me to weep, be
"grieved yourself first of all. Soltikof angrily wipes his
"countenance at this point, and insists on a few tears from
"Daun. Without metaphor, Soltikof has shot away all his
"present ammunition, his staff of bread is quite precarious
"in these parts; and Soltikof thinks always, 'Is it my busi-
"'ness, then, or is it yours? '"
"Soltikof has entrenched himself on the Wine-Hills at
'' Lo. ssow, comfortably out of Friedrich's way, and contiguous
"to Oder and the provision-routes; sits there, angrily deaf to
"the voice of the charmer; nothing to be charmed out of
"him, but gusts of indignation, instead of consent. A proud,
"high-going, indignant kind of man, with a will of his own.
"And sees well enough what is what, in all this symphony of
"the Lacys, the Montalemberts, and surrounding adorers. "Montalembert, who is here this season, our French best man
"(unprofitable Swedes must put up with an inferior hand), is
"extremely persuasive, tries all the arts of French rhetoric,
"but effects nothing. 'To let the Austrians come in for the
"finishing stroke, -- Excellence, it will be to let them gain, in
"History, a glory which is of your earning. Daun and
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? 200 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
23d Aug. 1759.
"Austria, not Soltikof and Russia, will be said to have extin-
"guished this pestilent King; whom History will have to
"remember! '* 'With all my heart,' answers Soltikof; 'I
"make the Austrians and History perfectly welcome!
"Monsieur, my ammunition is in Posen; my bread is fallen
"scarce; in Frankfurt can you find me one horse more V' In-
"dignant Soltikof is not to be taken by chaff; growls now
"and then, if you stir him to the bottom: 'Why should we,
"who are volunteer assistants, take all the burden of the
"work? I will fall back to Posen, and home to Poland and
"East Preussen, if this last much longer. "
"Austria has a good deal disgusted these Soltikofs and
"Russian Chief Officers; -- who are not so stupid as Austria
"supposes. Austria's steady wish is, 'Let them do their
"function of cat's-paw for us: we are here to eat the chestnuts;
"not, if we can help it, to burn our own poor fingers for
"them! ' After every Campaign hitherto, Austria has been
"in use to raise eager accusations at Petersburg; and get the
"Apraxins, Fermors into trouble: this is not the way to con-
"ciliate Russian General Officers. Austria, taught probably
"by Daun, now tries the other tack: heaps Soltikof with
"eulogies, flatteries, magnificent presents. All which Soltikof
"accepts, but with a full sense of what they mean. An un-
"manageable Soltikof; his answer always; -- 'Your turn
"now to fight a victory! I will go my ways to Posen again, if
"you dont. ' And, in these current weeks, in Soltikofs
"audience-room, if anybody were curious about it, we could
"present a very lively solicitation going on, with answers
"very gruff and negatory.
No suasion of Montalembert,
"Lacy, and Daun Embassies, backed by diamond-hilted
"swords, and splendour of gifts from Vienna itself, able to
"prevail on the barbarous people.
"Daun at length resolves to go in person; solicits an In-
"terview with the distinguished Russian Conqueror; gets it,
"meets Soltikof at Guben, half-way house between Frankfurt
"and Triebel; select suite attending both Excellencies
"(August 22d); and exerts whatever rhetoric is in him on the
* Cboiseul's Letter (not Due de Choiseul, but Cmnle, now Minister at
Vienna) to Montalembert, "Vienna, 16ttftAugust;" and Montalembert "s
Answer, "Lieberbausen" (means Liberote), "31st August 1759:" in Mont-
alembert, Correspondance, u. 58-65.
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 201
22d Aug. 1759.
"barbarous man. The barbarous man is stiff as brass; but
"Daun comes into all his conditions: 'Saxony, Silesia, --
"Excellenz, we have them both within clutch; such ourex-
"quisite angling and manceuvering, in concert with your im-
"mortal victory, which truly gives the life-breath to every-
"thing. Oh, suffer us to clutch them: keep that King away
"from us; and see if they are not ours, Saxony first, Silesia
"next! Provisions of meal? I will myself undertake to
"furnish bread for you' (though I have to cart it from
Bohemia all the way, and am myself terribly off; but fixed to
do the impossible); "ration of bread shall fail no Russian
"man, while you escort us as protective friend. Towards
"Saxony first, where the Reichs Army is, and not a Prussian
"in the field; the very Garrisons mostly gone by this time.
"Dresden is to be besieged, within a week; Dresden itself is
"ours, if only you please! Come into the Lausitz with us,
"Magazines are there, loaves in abundance: Saxony done,
"Dresden ours, cannot we turn to Silesia together; besiege
"Grlogau together (I am myself about trying Neisse, by
"Harsch again); capture Glogau as well as Neisse; and
"crown the successfullest campaign that ever was? Oh, Ex-
"cellenz--! "' --
In a word, Excellenz, strictly fixing that condition
of the loaves, consents. Will get ready to leave those
Frankfurt Wine-Hills in about a week. "But the
loaves, you recollect: no Bread; no Russian! " Daun
returns to Triebel a victorious man, -- though with an
onerous condition incumbent. Tempelhof, minutely
computing, finds that to cart from Bohemia such a
cipher of human rations daily into these parts, will sur-
pass all the vehiculatory power of Daun. *
* Tempelhof, in. 225,
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? 202 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book HS.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
The "Reichs Army" so-called has entered Saxony, und/r
fine Omens; does some Feats of Sieging (August 7th-23d)
-- with an Eye on Dresden as the crowning one.
The Reichs Army, though it had been so tumbled
about, in Spring, with such havoc on its magazines
and preparations, could not wait to refit itself, except
superficially; and showed face over the Mountains al-
most earlier than usual. The chance was so unique: a
Saxony left to its mere Garrisons, -- as it continued
to be, for near two months this Year. On such golden
opportunity the Reichs Army, -- first, in light mis-
chievous precursor parties, who roamed as far as Halle
or even as Halberstadt; then the Army itself, well or
ill appointed, under Generalissimo the Prince von Zwei-
briick, -- did come on, winding through Thiiringen
towards the North-western Towns; various Austrian
Auxiliary-Corps making appearance on the Dresden
side. Eight Austrian regiments, as a permanency, are
in the Reichs Army itself. Commander, or part Com-
mander, of the eight is (what alone I find note-worthy
in them) "Herr General Thomas von Blonquet:" Irish
by nation, says a footnote;* -- sure enough some ad-
venturous "Thomas Plunket" visible this once, soldier-
ing, in those circumstances; never heard of by a sym-
pathetic reader before or after. It was while the King was
hunting the Haddick-Loudon people in Sagan Country
in such vehement fashion, that Zweibriick came trum-
peting into Saxony, -- King, Prince Henri, and every
body, well occupied otherwise, far away!
The Reichs Army has a camp at Naumburg (Ross-
bach neighbourhood): and has light troops out in Halle
neighbourhood; which have seized Halle; are very
* Seyfarth, n. 831 n.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 203
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
severe upon Halle, and other places thereabouts, till
chased away. August 7th, the Reichs Army begirt
Leipzig; summoned the weak garrison there. It is a
Town capable of ruin, but not of defence: "Free-with-
drawal," proposes the Reichs Army,--- and upon these
terms gets hold of Leipzig, for the time being. Leipzig,
Torgau, Wittenberg; in a fort-night or less, all the
Prussian posts in those parts fall to the Reichs Army.
Its marchings and siegings, among those North-western
places, not one of them capable of standing above a
few days' siege, are worth no mention, except to Parish
History: enough that, by little after the middle of Au-
gust, Zweibruck had got all these places, "Free-with-
drawal" the terms for all; and that, except it be the
following feature in their Siege of Torgau, feature
mainly Biographic, and belonging to a certain Colonel
Wolfersdorf concerned, there is not one of those Sieges
now worth a moment's attention from almost any mortal.
This is the Torgau feature, -- feature of human nature,
soldiering under difficulties:
Colonel von Wolfersdorf beautifully defends himself in
Torgau (August 9th-14th). Two days after Leipzig was had,
there appeared at Torgau a Body of Pandours, 2,000 and
more; who attempted some kind of scalade on Torgau and
its small Garrison (of 700 or so), -- where are a Magazine, a
Hospital and other properties: not capable, by any garrison,
of standing regular siege; but important to defend till you
have proper terms offered. The multitudinous Pandours, if I
remember, made a rush into the Suburbs, in their usual
vociferous way; but were met by the 700 silent Prussians, --
silent except through their fire-arms and fieldpieces, -- in so
eloquent a style as soon convinced the Pandour mind, and
sent it travelling again. And in the evening of the same day
(August 9th), Colonel Wolfersdorf arrives, as new Com-
mandant, and with reinforcements, small though considerable
in the circumstances.
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? 204 FRIEDMCH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book m.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
Wolfersdorf, one dimly gathers, had marched from Wit-
tenberg on this errand; the whole force in Torgau is now of
about 3,000, still with only field-cannon, but with a Captain
over them; -- who, as is evident, sets himself in a very earnest
manner to do his utmost in defence of the place. Next morn-
ing Keichs General Kleefeld (" CloverfiekT), with 6 or 8,000
Pandour and Regular, summons Wolfersdorf: "Surrender
instantly; or -- I "We will expect you! " answers Wolfers-
dorf. Whereupon, same morning (August 10th), general
storm; storm No. 1: beautifully handled by Wolfersdorf; who
takes it in rear (to its astonishment), as well as in front; and
sends it off in haste. On the morrow, Saturday, a second
followed; and on Sunday a third; both likewise beautifully
handled. This third storm, readers see, was "Sunday,
August 12th:" a very busy stormful day at Torgau here, --
and also, for some others of us, during the heats of Kuners-
dorf, over the horizon far away! Wolfersdorf tumbles back
all storms; furthermore makes mischievous sallies: a de-
structive, skilled person; altogether prompt, fertile in ex-
pedients; and evidently is not to be managed by Kleefeld.
So that Prince von Stolberg, Second to supreme Zweibriick
himself, has to take it in hand. And,
Monday 13th, at break of day, Stolberg arrives with a train
of battering guns, and 6,000 new people; summons Wolfers-
dorf: "No," as before. Storms him, a fourth time; likewise
"No," as before: attacks, thereupon, his Elbe Bridge, and
his Redoubt across the River; finds a Wolfersdorf party rush
destructively into his rear there. And has to withdraw, and
try battering from behind the Elbe Dam. Continues this,
violently for about two hours; till again Wolfersdorf, whose
poorfieldpieces, the only artillery he has, "cannot reach so
far with leaden balls" (the iron balls are done, and the
powder itself is almost done), manages, by a flank attack, to
quench this also. Which produces entire silence, and con-
siderable private reflexion, on the part of indignant Stolberg.
Stolberg offers him the favourablest terms devisable: "With-
draw freely, with all your honours, all your properties; only
withdraw! " Which Wolfersdorf, his powder and ball being
in such a state of ebb, and no relief possible, agrees to; with
stipulations very strict as to every particular. *
* In Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 350) the Capitulation, "August 14th,"
given in cxtenso.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 205
7th-23d Aug. 1757.
Colonel von Wolfersdorf withdraws, also beautifully (August
15th). Accordingly, Wednesday August 15th, at eight in the
morning, Wolfersdorf by the Elbe Gate moves out; across
Elbe Bridge, and the Redoubt which is on the farther shore
yonder. Near this Redoubt, Stolberg and many of his
General Officers are waiting to see him go. He goes in state;
flags flying, music playing. Battalion Hessen-Cassel, fol-
lowed by all our Packages, Hospital convalescents. King's
Artillery, and whatever is the King's or ours, marches first.
Next comes, as rearguard to all this, Battalion Grollmann; --
along with which is Wolfersdorf himself, knowing Grollmann
for a ticklish article (Saxons mainly); followed on the heel by
Battalion Hofmann, and lastly by Battalion Salmuth, trusty
Prussians both of these.
Battalion Hessen-Cassel and the Baggages are through
the Redoubt, Prince of Stolberg handsomely saluting as
saluted. But now, on Battalion Grollmann's coming up,
Stolberg's Adjutant cries out with a loud voice of proclama-
tion, many Officers repeating and enforcing: "Whoever is a
brave Saxon, whoever is true to his Kaiser, or was of the
"Reichs Army, let him step out: Durchlaucht will give him
"protection! At sound of which Grollmann quivers as if
struck by electricity; and instantly begins dissolving; -- dis-
solves, in effect, nearly all, and is in the act of vanishing like
a dream! Wolfersdorf is a prompt man; and needs to be so.
Wolfersdorf, in Olympian rage, instantly stops short; draws
pistol: "I will shoot dead every man that quits rank! "
vociferates he; and does, with his pistol, make instant ex-
ample of one; inviting every true Prussian to do the like:
"Jagers, Hussars, a ducat for every traitor you shoot down! "
continues Wolfersdorf (and punctually paid it afterwards):
unable to prevent an almost total dissolution of Grollmann.
For some minutes, there is a scene indescribable: storm of
vociferation, menace, musket-shot, pistol-shot; Grollmann
disappearing on every side, -- "behind the Redoubt, under
the Bridge, into Elbe Boats, under the cloaks of the Croats;"
-- in spite of Wolfersdorf's Olympian rages and efforts.
At sight of the shooting, Prince Stolberg, a hot man, had
said indignantly, "Herr, that will be dangerous for you (das
wird nicht gut gehn). '" Wolfersdorf not regarding him a whit;
regarding only Grollmann, and his own hot business of
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? 206 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XII.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
coercing it at a ducat per head. Grollmann gone, and Bat-
talion Hofmann in due sequence come up, Wolfersdorf, --
who has sent an Adjutant, with order, "Hessen-Cassel, halt"
-- gives Battalion Hofmann these three words of command:
"Whole Battalion, halt! -- Front! -- Make ready! " (with
due simultaneous click of every firelock, on utterance of that
last); -- and turning to Prince Stolberg, with a brow, with a
tone of voice: "Durchlaucht, Article 9 of the Capitulation is
express on this point; '. All desertion strictly prohibited; no
"deserter to be received either on the Imperial or on the Prussian
"side'! " (Durchlaucht silently gives, we suppose, some faint
sniff. ) "Since your Durchlaucht does not keep the Capitula-
"tion, neither will I regard it farther. I will now take you
"and your Suite prisoners, return into the Town, and again
"begin defending myself. Be so good as ride directly into
"that Redoubt, or I will present, and give fire! "
A dangerous moment for the Durchlaucht of Stolberg;
Battalion Salmuth actually taking possession of the wall
again; Hofmann here with its poised firelock on the cock,
"ready" for that fourth word, as above indicated. A General
Lusinsky of Stolberg's train, master of those Croats, and an
Austrian of figure, remarks very seriously: "Every point of
the Capitulation must be kept! " Upon which Durchlaucht
has to renounce and repent; eagerly assists in recovering
Grollmann, restores it (little the worse, little the fewer); wiu
five Wolfersdorf "command of the Austrian Escort you are to
ave," and every satisfaction and assurance; -- wishful only
to get rid of Wolfersdorf. Who thereupon marches to Witten-
berg, with colours flying again, and a name mentionable ever
since. *
This Wolfersdorf was himself a Pirna Saxon; serv-
ing Polish Majesty, as Major, in that Pirna time; per-
haps no admirer of "Feldmarschall Bruhl" and Company?
-- at any rate, he took Prussian service, as then offered
him; and this is his style of keeping it. A decidedly
clever soldier, and comes out, henceforth, more and
* Tcmpolhof, ni. 201-204; Seyfarth, II. 562n. , and Beylagen, n. 587;
Militair-Lcxikon, iv. 283.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 207
7th-:>3d Aug. 1759.
more as such, -- unhappily not for long. Was taken
at Maxen, he too, as will be seen. Rose, in after times,
to be Lieutenant-General, and a man famous in the
Prussian military circles; but given always, they say,
to take the straight line (or shortest distance between
self and object), in regard to military matters, to re-
cruiting and the like, and thus getting himself into
trouble with the Civil Officials.
Wolfersdorf, at Wittenberg or farther on, had a
flattering word from the King; applauding his effective
procedures at Torgau; and ordering him, should Witten-
berg fall (as it did, August 23d), to join Wunsch, who
is coming with a small Party to try and help in those
destitute localities. Wunsch, the King had detached
(21st August), as we heard already. Finck the King
finds, farther, that he can detach (from Waldau Country,
September 7th);* Russians being so languid, and Saxony
fallen into such a perilous predicament.
"Few days after Kunersdorf," says a Note, which should
be inserted here, "there had fallen out a small Naval matter,
"which will be consolatory to Friedrich, and go to the other
"side of the account, when he hears of it: Kunersdorf was
"Sunday, August 12th; this was Saturday and Sunday fol-
lowing. Besides their Grand Brest Fleet; With new flat
"bottoms, and world-famous land-preparations going on at
"Vannes, for Invasion of proud Albion ,i;all which are at
"present under Hawke's strict keeping, the French have,
"ever since Spring last, a fine subsidiary Fleet at Toulon,
"of very exultant hopes at one time; which now come to
"finis:
"Sea-Fight (properly Sea-Hunt of 200 miles), in the Cadiz
"Waters, August 18th-19th. The fine Toulon Fleet, which
"expected at one time, Pitt's ships being so scattered over
"the world, to be 'mistress of the Mediterranean,' has found
* Tempelhof, in. 211, 237.
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? 208 FKIEDRICH LIKE tQ BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
18th-19th Aug.
"In consequence of which, August 28th, Soltikof and his
"Russians and Austrians got under way again; southward,
"but only a few marches: first to Miillrose, then to Liebe-
"rose: -- whom, the instant he heard of their movements,
"Friedrich, August 30th, hastened to follow; but had not to
"follow very far. Whereupon ensues
"Encampment Second (Waldau, till September I5th.
"August 30th, Friedrich, we say, rose from Fiirstenwalde;
"hastened to follow this Russian movement, and keep within
"wind of it: up the valley of the Spree; first to Miillrose
"neighbourhood" (where the Russians, loitering some time,
"spoiled the canal locks of the Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal, if
nothing more), -- "thence to Lieberose neighbourhood;
"Waldau, the King's new place of encampment, -- Waldau,
"with Spree Forest to rear of it: silent both parties till Sep-
"tember 15th, when Soltikof did fairly march, not towards
"Berlin, but quite in the opposite direction. "
By the middle of September, when the Russians
did get on foot, and moved eastward; especially on and
after September 25th, when Henri made his famous
March westward; then it will behove us to return to
Friedrich and these localities. For the present, we
must turn to Saxony, where, and not here, the scene
of action is. Take, farther, only the following bits of
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 195
16th Aug. -- 15th Sept. 1759.
Note, which will now be readable. First, these Utter-
ances to D'Argens; direct glimpses into the heavy-laden,
indeed hag-ridden and nearly desperate inner man of
Friedrich, during the first three weeks after his defeat
at Kunersdorf:
The King to Marquis D'Argens (at Berlin): Six Notes.
10. "Madlitz" (road from Reitwein to Fiirstenwalde),
"16th August 1759. We have been unfortunate, my dear
"Marquis; but not by my fault. The victory was ours, and
"would even have been a complete one, when our infantry
"lost patience, and at the wrong moment abandoned the field
"of battle. The enemy today is on march to Miillrose, to
"unite with Haddick" (not to Miillrose for ten days yet;
Haddick had already got united with them). "The Russian
"infantry is almost totally destroyed. Of my own wrecks,
"all that I have been able to assemble amounts to 32,000
"men; with these I am pushing on to throw myself across
"the enemy's road, and either perish or save the Capital.
"That is not what you" (youBerliners) "will call a deficiency
"of resolution.
"For the event I cannot answer. If I had more lives than
"one, I would sacrifice them all to my Country. But if this
"stroke fail, I think I am clear-scores with her, and that it
"will be permissible to look a little to myself. There are
"limits to everything. I support my misfortune; courage
"not abated by it: but I am well resolved, after this stroke
"if it fail, to open an outgate for myself" (that small glass-
tube which never quits me), "and no longer be the sport of
"any chance. "
2o. Fiirstenwalde, 20th August. ** "Remain at Berlin, or
"retire to Potsdam; in a little while there will come some
"catastrophe; it is not fit that you suffer by it. If things
"take a good turn, you can be back to Berlin" (from Pots-
"dam) "in four hours. If ill-luck still pursue us, go to
"Hanover or to Zelle, where you can provide for your
"safety.
"I protest to you that, in this late Action, I did what
"was humanly possible to conquer; but my people" -- Oh,
your Majesty!
13*
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? 196 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
16th Aug. --15th Sept. 1759.
3o. Filrstenwalde, 21st August. * * "The enemy is in-
"trenching himself near Frankfurt; a sign he intends no
"attempt. If you will do me the pleasure to come out hither,
"you can in all safety. Bring your bed with you; bring my
"Cook Noel; and I will have you a little chamber ready.
"You will be my consolation and my hope. " --
This day, -- let readers mark the circumstance, --
Friedrich, in better spirits, detaches Wunsch with some poor
6,000, totry if he can be of help in Saxony; where the Reichs
Army, now arrived in force, and with nothing whatever in the
field against them, is taking all the Northward Garrison-
Towns, and otherwise proceeding at a high rate. Too pos-
sibly with an eye towards Dresden itself! Wunsch sets out,
August 21st. * And we shall hear of him in those Saxon
Countries before long.
4o. Filrstenwalde, 22d August. "Yesterday I wrote to you "to come; but today I forbid it. Daun is at Kotbus; he is
"marching on Ltiben and Berlin" (nothing like so rash! ). --
"Fly these unhappy Countries! -- This news obliges me
"again to attack the Russians between here and Frankfurt.
"You may imagine if this is a desperate resolution. It is the
"sole hope that remains to me, of not being cut off from
"Berlin on the one side or the other. I will give the dis-
"couraged troops some brandy" -- alas! -- "but I promise
"myself nothing of success. My one consolation is that I
"shall die sword in hand. "
5? . Same place and day (after a Letter from D'Argens).
"You make the panegyric, mon cher, of an Army that does
"not deserve any. The soldiers had good limbs to run with,
"none to attack the enemy. " (Alas, your Majesty; after
"fifteen hours of such marching and fighting! )
"For certain I will fight; butdon*t flatter yourself about
"the event. A happy chance alone can help us. Go, in
"God's name, to Tangermunde" (since the Royal Family
went, D'Argens and many Berliners are thinking of flight),
"to Tangermunde, where you will be well; and wait there
"how Destiny shall have disposed of us. I will go to
"reconnoitre the enemy tomorrow. Next day, if there is
"anything to do, we will try it. But if the enemy still holds
* Tempelhof, in. 211.
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 197
16th Aug. --15th Sept. 1759.
"to the Wine-Hills of Frankfurt, I shall never dare to attack
"him.
"No, the torment of Tantalus, the pains of Prometheus,
"the doom of Sisyphus, were nothing like what I suffer for
"the last ten days" (from Kunersdorf till now, when destruc-
tion has to be warded off again, and the force wanting).
"Death is sweet in comparison to such a life. Have com-
"passion on me and itj and believe that I still keep to myself
"a great many evil things, not wishing to afflict or disquiet
"anybody with them; and that I would not counsel you to
"fly these unlucky Countries, if I had any ray of hope.
"Adieu, mon cher. "
Four days after, August 25th, from this same Fiirsten-
walde, the Russians still continuing stagnant, Friedrich de-
spatches, to Schmettau, Commandant of Dresden (by some
industrious hand, for the roads are all blocked), a Second
Letter, "That Dresden is of the highest moment; that in
"case of Siege there, relief" (Wunsch, namely, and perhaps
more that may follow) "is on the road; and that Schmettau
"must defend himself to the utmost. " Let us hope this
Second Missive may counteract the too despondent First,
which we read above, should that have produced discourage-
ment in Schmettau! * -- D'Argens does run to Wolfenbiittel;
stays there till September 9th. Nothing more from Friedrich
till 4th September, when matters are well cooled again.
6? . Waldau, 4th September. "I think Berlin is now in
"safety; you may return thither. The Barbarians" (Russians)
"are in the Lausitz; I keep by the side of them, between
"them and Berlin, so that there is nothing to fear for the
"Capital. The imminency of danger is past; but there will
"still be many bad moments toget through, before reaching
"the end of the Campaign. These, however, only regard
"myself; never mind these. My martyrdom will last two
"months yet; then the snows and the ices will end it. "**
Thus at Fiirstenwalde, then at Waldau, keeping
guard, forlorn but resolute, against the intrusive Russian-
Austrian deluges, Friedrich stands painfully vigilant
* Second Letter is given in Schmet tait's Lebcn, pp. 436, 7.
** (Enures de Frideric, six. 78, 82, 83, 85, 86.
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? 198 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED, [book XIX.
22d Aug. 1759.
and expectant, -- still for about a fortnight more. With
bad news coming to him latterly, as we shall hear. He
is in those old moorland Wusterhausen Countries, once
so well known under far other circumstances. Thirty
years ago, in fine afternoons, we used to gallop with
poor Duhan de Jandun, after school-tasks done, to-
wards Mittenwalde, Fiirstenwalde and the furzy en-
virons, far and wide; at home, our Sister and Mother
waiting with many troubles and many loves, and Papa
sleeping, Pan-like, under the shadow of his big tree:
-- Thirty years ago, ah me, gone like a dream is all
that; and there is solitude and desolation and the Rus-
sian-Austrian death-deluges instead! These, I suppose,
were Friedrich's occasional remembrances; silent al-
ways, in this locality and time. The Sorrows of Werter,
of the Giaour, of the Dyspeptic Tailor in multifarious
forms, are recorded in a copious heart-rending manner,
and have had their meed of weeping from a sympathetic
Public: but there are still a good few Sorrows which
lie wrapt in silence, and have never applied there for
an idle tear! -- Let us look now into Daun's side of
things.
Daun, after Negotiation, has an Interview with Soltikof (at
Guben, August 22d). -- "Daun, who had moved to Priebus,
"with a view to be nearer Soltikof, had scarcely got his tent
"pitched there (August 13th), when a breathless horseman
"rode in, with a Note from Loudon, dated the night before:
"' King of Prussia beaten, to the very bone, beyond mistake
"'this time, --utterly ruined, if one may judge! ' Whata
"vision of the Promised Land! Delighted Daun moves for-
"ward, one march, to Triebel on the morrow; to be one march
"nearer the scene of glory, and endeavour to forge this
"biggest of the hot irons to advantage.
"At Triebel Soltikofs own account, elucidated by oral
"messengers, eye-witnesses,
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? CHAp, V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 199
22d Aug. 1759.
"spectus of this ever-memorable Victory, await the delighted
"Daun. Who despatches messengers, one and another;
"Lacy, the first, not succeeding quite: To congratulate with
"enthusiasm the most illustrious of Generals; who has beaten
"King Friedrich as none else ever did or could; beaten to
"the edge of extinction; -- especially to urge him upon "trampling out this nearly extinct King, before he gleam
"up again. Soltikof understands the congratulations very
"well; but as to that of trampling out, snorts an indignant
"negative: 'Nay, you, why don t you try it? Surely it is
'"more your business than my Imperial Mistress's or mine.
"'We have wrenched two victories from him this season. Kay
"' and Kunersdorf have killed near the half of us: go you in,
"'and wrench something! ' This is Soltikofs logic; which
"no messenger of Daun's, Lacy or another, aided by never
"suchmelodies and suasionsfromMontalembert and Loudon,
"who are permanently diligent that way, can shake.
"And truly it is irrefragable. Howcan Daun, ifhimself
"merely speculative, calculative, hope that Soltikof will con-
"tinue acting? Men who have come to help you in a heavy
"job of work, need example. Ifyou wish me to weep, be
"grieved yourself first of all. Soltikof angrily wipes his
"countenance at this point, and insists on a few tears from
"Daun. Without metaphor, Soltikof has shot away all his
"present ammunition, his staff of bread is quite precarious
"in these parts; and Soltikof thinks always, 'Is it my busi-
"'ness, then, or is it yours? '"
"Soltikof has entrenched himself on the Wine-Hills at
'' Lo. ssow, comfortably out of Friedrich's way, and contiguous
"to Oder and the provision-routes; sits there, angrily deaf to
"the voice of the charmer; nothing to be charmed out of
"him, but gusts of indignation, instead of consent. A proud,
"high-going, indignant kind of man, with a will of his own.
"And sees well enough what is what, in all this symphony of
"the Lacys, the Montalemberts, and surrounding adorers. "Montalembert, who is here this season, our French best man
"(unprofitable Swedes must put up with an inferior hand), is
"extremely persuasive, tries all the arts of French rhetoric,
"but effects nothing. 'To let the Austrians come in for the
"finishing stroke, -- Excellence, it will be to let them gain, in
"History, a glory which is of your earning. Daun and
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? 200 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
23d Aug. 1759.
"Austria, not Soltikof and Russia, will be said to have extin-
"guished this pestilent King; whom History will have to
"remember! '* 'With all my heart,' answers Soltikof; 'I
"make the Austrians and History perfectly welcome!
"Monsieur, my ammunition is in Posen; my bread is fallen
"scarce; in Frankfurt can you find me one horse more V' In-
"dignant Soltikof is not to be taken by chaff; growls now
"and then, if you stir him to the bottom: 'Why should we,
"who are volunteer assistants, take all the burden of the
"work? I will fall back to Posen, and home to Poland and
"East Preussen, if this last much longer. "
"Austria has a good deal disgusted these Soltikofs and
"Russian Chief Officers; -- who are not so stupid as Austria
"supposes. Austria's steady wish is, 'Let them do their
"function of cat's-paw for us: we are here to eat the chestnuts;
"not, if we can help it, to burn our own poor fingers for
"them! ' After every Campaign hitherto, Austria has been
"in use to raise eager accusations at Petersburg; and get the
"Apraxins, Fermors into trouble: this is not the way to con-
"ciliate Russian General Officers. Austria, taught probably
"by Daun, now tries the other tack: heaps Soltikof with
"eulogies, flatteries, magnificent presents. All which Soltikof
"accepts, but with a full sense of what they mean. An un-
"manageable Soltikof; his answer always; -- 'Your turn
"now to fight a victory! I will go my ways to Posen again, if
"you dont. ' And, in these current weeks, in Soltikofs
"audience-room, if anybody were curious about it, we could
"present a very lively solicitation going on, with answers
"very gruff and negatory.
No suasion of Montalembert,
"Lacy, and Daun Embassies, backed by diamond-hilted
"swords, and splendour of gifts from Vienna itself, able to
"prevail on the barbarous people.
"Daun at length resolves to go in person; solicits an In-
"terview with the distinguished Russian Conqueror; gets it,
"meets Soltikof at Guben, half-way house between Frankfurt
"and Triebel; select suite attending both Excellencies
"(August 22d); and exerts whatever rhetoric is in him on the
* Cboiseul's Letter (not Due de Choiseul, but Cmnle, now Minister at
Vienna) to Montalembert, "Vienna, 16ttftAugust;" and Montalembert "s
Answer, "Lieberbausen" (means Liberote), "31st August 1759:" in Mont-
alembert, Correspondance, u. 58-65.
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? CHAP. V. ] SAXONY WITHOUT DEFENCE. 201
22d Aug. 1759.
"barbarous man. The barbarous man is stiff as brass; but
"Daun comes into all his conditions: 'Saxony, Silesia, --
"Excellenz, we have them both within clutch; such ourex-
"quisite angling and manceuvering, in concert with your im-
"mortal victory, which truly gives the life-breath to every-
"thing. Oh, suffer us to clutch them: keep that King away
"from us; and see if they are not ours, Saxony first, Silesia
"next! Provisions of meal? I will myself undertake to
"furnish bread for you' (though I have to cart it from
Bohemia all the way, and am myself terribly off; but fixed to
do the impossible); "ration of bread shall fail no Russian
"man, while you escort us as protective friend. Towards
"Saxony first, where the Reichs Army is, and not a Prussian
"in the field; the very Garrisons mostly gone by this time.
"Dresden is to be besieged, within a week; Dresden itself is
"ours, if only you please! Come into the Lausitz with us,
"Magazines are there, loaves in abundance: Saxony done,
"Dresden ours, cannot we turn to Silesia together; besiege
"Grlogau together (I am myself about trying Neisse, by
"Harsch again); capture Glogau as well as Neisse; and
"crown the successfullest campaign that ever was? Oh, Ex-
"cellenz--! "' --
In a word, Excellenz, strictly fixing that condition
of the loaves, consents. Will get ready to leave those
Frankfurt Wine-Hills in about a week. "But the
loaves, you recollect: no Bread; no Russian! " Daun
returns to Triebel a victorious man, -- though with an
onerous condition incumbent. Tempelhof, minutely
computing, finds that to cart from Bohemia such a
cipher of human rations daily into these parts, will sur-
pass all the vehiculatory power of Daun. *
* Tempelhof, in. 225,
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? 202 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book HS.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
The "Reichs Army" so-called has entered Saxony, und/r
fine Omens; does some Feats of Sieging (August 7th-23d)
-- with an Eye on Dresden as the crowning one.
The Reichs Army, though it had been so tumbled
about, in Spring, with such havoc on its magazines
and preparations, could not wait to refit itself, except
superficially; and showed face over the Mountains al-
most earlier than usual. The chance was so unique: a
Saxony left to its mere Garrisons, -- as it continued
to be, for near two months this Year. On such golden
opportunity the Reichs Army, -- first, in light mis-
chievous precursor parties, who roamed as far as Halle
or even as Halberstadt; then the Army itself, well or
ill appointed, under Generalissimo the Prince von Zwei-
briick, -- did come on, winding through Thiiringen
towards the North-western Towns; various Austrian
Auxiliary-Corps making appearance on the Dresden
side. Eight Austrian regiments, as a permanency, are
in the Reichs Army itself. Commander, or part Com-
mander, of the eight is (what alone I find note-worthy
in them) "Herr General Thomas von Blonquet:" Irish
by nation, says a footnote;* -- sure enough some ad-
venturous "Thomas Plunket" visible this once, soldier-
ing, in those circumstances; never heard of by a sym-
pathetic reader before or after. It was while the King was
hunting the Haddick-Loudon people in Sagan Country
in such vehement fashion, that Zweibriick came trum-
peting into Saxony, -- King, Prince Henri, and every
body, well occupied otherwise, far away!
The Reichs Army has a camp at Naumburg (Ross-
bach neighbourhood): and has light troops out in Halle
neighbourhood; which have seized Halle; are very
* Seyfarth, n. 831 n.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 203
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
severe upon Halle, and other places thereabouts, till
chased away. August 7th, the Reichs Army begirt
Leipzig; summoned the weak garrison there. It is a
Town capable of ruin, but not of defence: "Free-with-
drawal," proposes the Reichs Army,--- and upon these
terms gets hold of Leipzig, for the time being. Leipzig,
Torgau, Wittenberg; in a fort-night or less, all the
Prussian posts in those parts fall to the Reichs Army.
Its marchings and siegings, among those North-western
places, not one of them capable of standing above a
few days' siege, are worth no mention, except to Parish
History: enough that, by little after the middle of Au-
gust, Zweibruck had got all these places, "Free-with-
drawal" the terms for all; and that, except it be the
following feature in their Siege of Torgau, feature
mainly Biographic, and belonging to a certain Colonel
Wolfersdorf concerned, there is not one of those Sieges
now worth a moment's attention from almost any mortal.
This is the Torgau feature, -- feature of human nature,
soldiering under difficulties:
Colonel von Wolfersdorf beautifully defends himself in
Torgau (August 9th-14th). Two days after Leipzig was had,
there appeared at Torgau a Body of Pandours, 2,000 and
more; who attempted some kind of scalade on Torgau and
its small Garrison (of 700 or so), -- where are a Magazine, a
Hospital and other properties: not capable, by any garrison,
of standing regular siege; but important to defend till you
have proper terms offered. The multitudinous Pandours, if I
remember, made a rush into the Suburbs, in their usual
vociferous way; but were met by the 700 silent Prussians, --
silent except through their fire-arms and fieldpieces, -- in so
eloquent a style as soon convinced the Pandour mind, and
sent it travelling again. And in the evening of the same day
(August 9th), Colonel Wolfersdorf arrives, as new Com-
mandant, and with reinforcements, small though considerable
in the circumstances.
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? 204 FRIEDMCH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book m.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
Wolfersdorf, one dimly gathers, had marched from Wit-
tenberg on this errand; the whole force in Torgau is now of
about 3,000, still with only field-cannon, but with a Captain
over them; -- who, as is evident, sets himself in a very earnest
manner to do his utmost in defence of the place. Next morn-
ing Keichs General Kleefeld (" CloverfiekT), with 6 or 8,000
Pandour and Regular, summons Wolfersdorf: "Surrender
instantly; or -- I "We will expect you! " answers Wolfers-
dorf. Whereupon, same morning (August 10th), general
storm; storm No. 1: beautifully handled by Wolfersdorf; who
takes it in rear (to its astonishment), as well as in front; and
sends it off in haste. On the morrow, Saturday, a second
followed; and on Sunday a third; both likewise beautifully
handled. This third storm, readers see, was "Sunday,
August 12th:" a very busy stormful day at Torgau here, --
and also, for some others of us, during the heats of Kuners-
dorf, over the horizon far away! Wolfersdorf tumbles back
all storms; furthermore makes mischievous sallies: a de-
structive, skilled person; altogether prompt, fertile in ex-
pedients; and evidently is not to be managed by Kleefeld.
So that Prince von Stolberg, Second to supreme Zweibriick
himself, has to take it in hand. And,
Monday 13th, at break of day, Stolberg arrives with a train
of battering guns, and 6,000 new people; summons Wolfers-
dorf: "No," as before. Storms him, a fourth time; likewise
"No," as before: attacks, thereupon, his Elbe Bridge, and
his Redoubt across the River; finds a Wolfersdorf party rush
destructively into his rear there. And has to withdraw, and
try battering from behind the Elbe Dam. Continues this,
violently for about two hours; till again Wolfersdorf, whose
poorfieldpieces, the only artillery he has, "cannot reach so
far with leaden balls" (the iron balls are done, and the
powder itself is almost done), manages, by a flank attack, to
quench this also. Which produces entire silence, and con-
siderable private reflexion, on the part of indignant Stolberg.
Stolberg offers him the favourablest terms devisable: "With-
draw freely, with all your honours, all your properties; only
withdraw! " Which Wolfersdorf, his powder and ball being
in such a state of ebb, and no relief possible, agrees to; with
stipulations very strict as to every particular. *
* In Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 350) the Capitulation, "August 14th,"
given in cxtenso.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 205
7th-23d Aug. 1757.
Colonel von Wolfersdorf withdraws, also beautifully (August
15th). Accordingly, Wednesday August 15th, at eight in the
morning, Wolfersdorf by the Elbe Gate moves out; across
Elbe Bridge, and the Redoubt which is on the farther shore
yonder. Near this Redoubt, Stolberg and many of his
General Officers are waiting to see him go. He goes in state;
flags flying, music playing. Battalion Hessen-Cassel, fol-
lowed by all our Packages, Hospital convalescents. King's
Artillery, and whatever is the King's or ours, marches first.
Next comes, as rearguard to all this, Battalion Grollmann; --
along with which is Wolfersdorf himself, knowing Grollmann
for a ticklish article (Saxons mainly); followed on the heel by
Battalion Hofmann, and lastly by Battalion Salmuth, trusty
Prussians both of these.
Battalion Hessen-Cassel and the Baggages are through
the Redoubt, Prince of Stolberg handsomely saluting as
saluted. But now, on Battalion Grollmann's coming up,
Stolberg's Adjutant cries out with a loud voice of proclama-
tion, many Officers repeating and enforcing: "Whoever is a
brave Saxon, whoever is true to his Kaiser, or was of the
"Reichs Army, let him step out: Durchlaucht will give him
"protection! At sound of which Grollmann quivers as if
struck by electricity; and instantly begins dissolving; -- dis-
solves, in effect, nearly all, and is in the act of vanishing like
a dream! Wolfersdorf is a prompt man; and needs to be so.
Wolfersdorf, in Olympian rage, instantly stops short; draws
pistol: "I will shoot dead every man that quits rank! "
vociferates he; and does, with his pistol, make instant ex-
ample of one; inviting every true Prussian to do the like:
"Jagers, Hussars, a ducat for every traitor you shoot down! "
continues Wolfersdorf (and punctually paid it afterwards):
unable to prevent an almost total dissolution of Grollmann.
For some minutes, there is a scene indescribable: storm of
vociferation, menace, musket-shot, pistol-shot; Grollmann
disappearing on every side, -- "behind the Redoubt, under
the Bridge, into Elbe Boats, under the cloaks of the Croats;"
-- in spite of Wolfersdorf's Olympian rages and efforts.
At sight of the shooting, Prince Stolberg, a hot man, had
said indignantly, "Herr, that will be dangerous for you (das
wird nicht gut gehn). '" Wolfersdorf not regarding him a whit;
regarding only Grollmann, and his own hot business of
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? 206 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XII.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
coercing it at a ducat per head. Grollmann gone, and Bat-
talion Hofmann in due sequence come up, Wolfersdorf, --
who has sent an Adjutant, with order, "Hessen-Cassel, halt"
-- gives Battalion Hofmann these three words of command:
"Whole Battalion, halt! -- Front! -- Make ready! " (with
due simultaneous click of every firelock, on utterance of that
last); -- and turning to Prince Stolberg, with a brow, with a
tone of voice: "Durchlaucht, Article 9 of the Capitulation is
express on this point; '. All desertion strictly prohibited; no
"deserter to be received either on the Imperial or on the Prussian
"side'! " (Durchlaucht silently gives, we suppose, some faint
sniff. ) "Since your Durchlaucht does not keep the Capitula-
"tion, neither will I regard it farther. I will now take you
"and your Suite prisoners, return into the Town, and again
"begin defending myself. Be so good as ride directly into
"that Redoubt, or I will present, and give fire! "
A dangerous moment for the Durchlaucht of Stolberg;
Battalion Salmuth actually taking possession of the wall
again; Hofmann here with its poised firelock on the cock,
"ready" for that fourth word, as above indicated. A General
Lusinsky of Stolberg's train, master of those Croats, and an
Austrian of figure, remarks very seriously: "Every point of
the Capitulation must be kept! " Upon which Durchlaucht
has to renounce and repent; eagerly assists in recovering
Grollmann, restores it (little the worse, little the fewer); wiu
five Wolfersdorf "command of the Austrian Escort you are to
ave," and every satisfaction and assurance; -- wishful only
to get rid of Wolfersdorf. Who thereupon marches to Witten-
berg, with colours flying again, and a name mentionable ever
since. *
This Wolfersdorf was himself a Pirna Saxon; serv-
ing Polish Majesty, as Major, in that Pirna time; per-
haps no admirer of "Feldmarschall Bruhl" and Company?
-- at any rate, he took Prussian service, as then offered
him; and this is his style of keeping it. A decidedly
clever soldier, and comes out, henceforth, more and
* Tcmpolhof, ni. 201-204; Seyfarth, II. 562n. , and Beylagen, n. 587;
Militair-Lcxikon, iv. 283.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 207
7th-:>3d Aug. 1759.
more as such, -- unhappily not for long. Was taken
at Maxen, he too, as will be seen. Rose, in after times,
to be Lieutenant-General, and a man famous in the
Prussian military circles; but given always, they say,
to take the straight line (or shortest distance between
self and object), in regard to military matters, to re-
cruiting and the like, and thus getting himself into
trouble with the Civil Officials.
Wolfersdorf, at Wittenberg or farther on, had a
flattering word from the King; applauding his effective
procedures at Torgau; and ordering him, should Witten-
berg fall (as it did, August 23d), to join Wunsch, who
is coming with a small Party to try and help in those
destitute localities. Wunsch, the King had detached
(21st August), as we heard already. Finck the King
finds, farther, that he can detach (from Waldau Country,
September 7th);* Russians being so languid, and Saxony
fallen into such a perilous predicament.
"Few days after Kunersdorf," says a Note, which should
be inserted here, "there had fallen out a small Naval matter,
"which will be consolatory to Friedrich, and go to the other
"side of the account, when he hears of it: Kunersdorf was
"Sunday, August 12th; this was Saturday and Sunday fol-
lowing. Besides their Grand Brest Fleet; With new flat
"bottoms, and world-famous land-preparations going on at
"Vannes, for Invasion of proud Albion ,i;all which are at
"present under Hawke's strict keeping, the French have,
"ever since Spring last, a fine subsidiary Fleet at Toulon,
"of very exultant hopes at one time; which now come to
"finis:
"Sea-Fight (properly Sea-Hunt of 200 miles), in the Cadiz
"Waters, August 18th-19th. The fine Toulon Fleet, which
"expected at one time, Pitt's ships being so scattered over
"the world, to be 'mistress of the Mediterranean,' has found
* Tempelhof, in. 211, 237.
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? 208 FKIEDRICH LIKE tQ BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
18th-19th Aug.
