Bevern lies with his main body about Gbrlitz, in
and to westward of Gorlitz, a pleasant Town on the
left bank of the Neisse (readers know there are Four
Neisses, and which of them this is), with fine hilly
country all round, bulky solitary Heights and Mountains
rising out of fruitful plains, -- two Hochkirchs {High- Kirks), for example, are in this region, one of which
will become extremely notable next year: -- Bevern
has a strong camp leaning on the due Heights here,
with Gorlitz in its lap; and beyond Gorlitz, on the
right bank of the Neisse, united to him by a Bridge,
he has placed Winterfeld with 10,000, who lies with
his back to Gorlitz, proper brooks and fencible places
flanking him, has a Dorf (Thorp) called Moys in his
lap; and, some short furlong beyond Moys, a 2,000 of
his grenadiers planted on the top of a Hill called the
Moysberg, called also the Holzberg (Woodhill) and
Jakelsberg, of which the reader is to take notice.
and to westward of Gorlitz, a pleasant Town on the
left bank of the Neisse (readers know there are Four
Neisses, and which of them this is), with fine hilly
country all round, bulky solitary Heights and Mountains
rising out of fruitful plains, -- two Hochkirchs {High- Kirks), for example, are in this region, one of which
will become extremely notable next year: -- Bevern
has a strong camp leaning on the due Heights here,
with Gorlitz in its lap; and beyond Gorlitz, on the
right bank of the Neisse, united to him by a Bridge,
he has placed Winterfeld with 10,000, who lies with
his back to Gorlitz, proper brooks and fencible places
flanking him, has a Dorf (Thorp) called Moys in his
lap; and, some short furlong beyond Moys, a 2,000 of
his grenadiers planted on the top of a Hill called the
Moysberg, called also the Holzberg (Woodhill) and
Jakelsberg, of which the reader is to take notice.
Thomas Carlyle
hathitrust.
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? 140 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book. XVIII.
30th July 1757.
"affecting words: 'His Majesty commands me to inform your
"Koyal Highness, That he has cause to be greatly discon-
"tented with you; that you deserve to have a Court-martial
"held over you, which would sentence you and all your
"Generals to death; but that his Majesty will not carry the
"matter so far, being unable to forget that in the Chief
"General he has a Brother! '"*
The Prince answered, He wanted only a Court-
martial; and the like, in stiff tone. Here is the Letter
he writes next day to his Brother, with the Answer:
Prince of Prussia to the King.
"Bautzen, 30th July 1757.
"My dear Brother, -- The Letters you have written me,
"and the reception I yesterday met with, are sufficient proof
"that, in your opinion, I have ruined my honour and reputa-
tion. This grieves, but it does not crush me, as in my own
"mind I am not conscious of the least reproach. I am perfectly
"convinced that I did not act by caprice: I did not follow the
"counsels of people incapable of giving good ones; I have
"done what I thought to be suitablest for the Army. All your
"Generals will do me that justice.
"I reckon it useless to beg of you to have my conduct in-
"vestigated: this would be a favour you would do me; so I
"cannot expect it. My health has been weakened by these
"fatigues, still more by these chagrins. I have gone to lodge
"in the Town, to recruit myself.
"I have requested theDuke of Bevern to present theArmy
"Reports; he can give you explanation of everything. Be
"assured, my dear Brother, that in spite of the misfortunes
"which overwhelm me, and which I have not deserved, I shall
"never cease to be attached to the State; and as a faithful
"member of the same, my joy will be perfect when I learn the
"happy issue of your Enterprises. Ihave the honour to be,"--
August Wilhelm. **
* Schmettau, pp. 384-5.
** Main de Maitre, p. 21.
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? CHAP, v. ] FRIEDRICII AT LEITMERITZ.
30th July 1757.
King's Answer, the same day.
"Camp near Bautzen, 30th July 1757.
"My dear Brother, -- Your bad guidance has greatly
"deranged my affairs. It is not the Enemy, it is your ill-
"judged measures that have done me all this mischief. My
"Generals are inexcusable; either for advising you so ill, or
"in permitting you to follow resolutions so unwise. Your ears
"are accustomed to listen to the talk of flatterers only. Daun
"has not flattered you; -- behold the consequences. In this
"sad situation, nothing is left for me but trying the lastex-
"tremity. I must go and give battle; and if we cannot conquer,
"we must all of us have ourselves killed.
"I do not complain of your heart; but I do of your incapa-
city, of your want of judgment in not choosing better
"methods. A man who"" (like me; mark the phrase, from such
a quarter! ) "has but a few days to live need not dissemble. I
"wish you better fortune than mine has been; and that all the
"miseries and bad adventures you have had may teach you to
"treat important things with more of care, more of sense, and
"more of resolution. The greater part of the misfortunes
"which I now see to be near comes only from you. You and
"your Children will be more overwhelmed by them than I.
"Be persuaded nevertheless that I have always loved you,
"and that with these sentiments I shall die. -- Friedbich. ' *
As the King went off, to the Heights of Weissen-
berg, Zittau way, to encamp there against the Austrians,
that same evening, the Prince did not answer this
Letter, -- except by asking verbally through Lieutenant-
Colonel Lentulus (a mute Swiss figure, much about the
King, who often turns up in these Histories), "for
leave to return to Dresden by the first escort. " -- "De-
pends on himself; -- an escort is going this night! "
answered Friedrich. And the Prince went accordingly;
and, by two stages, got into Dresden with his escort
on the morrow. And had, not yet conscious of it, * Main de UaUre, p. 22.
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? 142 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [bOOK Xvni.
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
quitted the Field of War altogether; and was soon about
to quit the world, and die, poor Prince. Died within
a year, 12th June 1758, at Oranienburg, beside his
Family, where he had latterly been* -- Winterfeld was
already gone, six months before him; Goltz went, shortly
after him; the other Zittau Generals all survived this
War.
The poor Prince's fate, as natural, was much pitied;
and Friedrich, to this day, is growled at for "inhuman
treatment" and so on. Into which question we do not
enter, except to say that Friedrich too had his sorrows;
and that probably his concluding words, "with these
sentiments I shall die," were perfectly true. Main de
Mmtre went widely abroad over the world. The poor
Prince's words and procedures were eagerly caught up
by a scrutinising public, -- and some of the former
were not too guarded. At Dresden, he said, one morn-
ing, calling on a General Finck whom we shall hear
of again: "Four such disagreeing, thin-skinned, high
"pacing (uneinige,piquirte) Generals as Fouquet, Schmet-
"tau, Winterfeld and Goltz, about you, what was to be
"done! " said the Prince to Finck. **
His Wife, when at last he came to Oranienburg,
nursed him fondly; that is one comfortable fact. Prince
Henri, to the last, had privately a grudge of peculiar
intensity, on this score, against all the peccant parties,
King not excepted. As indeed he was apt to have, on
various scores, the jealous, too vehement little man.
Friedrich's humour at this time I can guess to have
been well-nigh desperate. He talks once of "a horse,
on too much provocation, getting the bit between its
* Preuss, n. 60 (ib. 78). ** lb. n. 79 n. : see ib. 60, 78.
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? CHAP. v. ] PRIEDRICH AT LEITMT3RTTZ. 143
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
teeth; regardless thenceforth of chasms and precipices:"* -- though he himself never carries it to that length;
and always has a watchful eye, when at his swiftest!
From Weissenberg, that night, he drives-in thePandours
on Zittau and the Eckartsberg; but the Austrians don't
come out. And, for three weeks, in this fierce neces-
sity of being speedy, he cannot get one right stroke at
the Austrians; who sit inexpugnable upon their Eckart's
Hill, bristling with cannon; and can in no way be ma-
noeuvered down, or forced or enticed into Battle. A
baffling, bitterly impatient three weeks; -- two of them,
the worst two, he spends at Weissenberg itself, chasing
Pandours, and scuffling on the surface, till Keith and
the Magazine-train come up; -- even writing Verses
now and then, when the hours get unendurable other-
wise!
The instant Keith and the Magazines are come, he
starts for Bernstadt; 56,000 strong after this junction: -- and a Prussian Officer, dating "Bernstadtel" (Bern-
stadt on the now Maps), "21st August 1757," sends
us this account; which also is but of preliminary na-
ture:
"August 15th, Majesty left Weissenberg, and marched
"hither, much to the enemy's astonishment, who had lain
"perfectly quiet for a fortnight past, fancying they were a
"mastiff on the door-sill of Silesia: little thinking to be
"trampled on in this unceremonious way! General Beck, when
"our hussars of the vanguard made appearance, had to saddle
"and ride as for life, leaving every rag of baggage, and forty
"of his Pandours captive. Our hussars stuck to him, chasing
"him into Ostritz, where they surprised General Nadasti at
"dinner; and did a still better stroke of business: Nadasti
"himself could scarcely leap on horseback and get off; left all
* Letter to Wilhelmlna, "Linay, 22d July" (cited above).
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? 144 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XVin.
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
"his field-equipage,coaches,horses,kitchen-utensils, flunkies
"seventy-two in number, -- and, what was worst of all, a
"secret box, in which was found certain Dresden Cor-
"respondences of a highly treasonous character, which now
"the writers there may quake to think of;" --if Friedrich, or
we, could take much notice of them, in this press of hurries! *
Next day, August 16th, Friedrich detached five
battalions to Gorlitz; -- Prince Karl (he calls it Daun)
still camping on the Eckartsberg; -- and himself, about
4 p. m. , with the main Army, marched up to those
Austrians on their Hill, to see if they would fight. **
No, they wouldn't: they merely hustled themselves
round so as to face him; face him, and even flank him
with cannon batteries if he came too near. Steep
ground, "precipitous front of rocks," in some places.
"A hollow before their front; Village of Wittgenau
"there, and three roads through it, one of them with width
"for wheels;" Daun sitting inaccessible, in short. Next
day, Winterfeld, with a detached Division, crossed the
Neisse, tried Nadasti: "Attack Nadasti, on his woody
knoll at Hirschfeld yonder; they will have to rise and
save him! " In vain, that too; they let Nadasti take his
own luck: for four days (16th-20th August) everything
was tried, in vain.
No Battle to be had from these Austrians. And it
would have been so infinitely convenient to us: Reichs
Army and Soubise's French are now in the actual pre-
cints of Erfurt (August 25th, Soubise took quarter
there); Royal Highness of Cumberland is staggering
back into the Sea; Richelieu's French (not D'EstreWs
any more, D'Estre'es being superseded in this strange
way) are aiming, it is thought, towards Magdeburg,
? Helden-Geschichte, rr. 596-599. ? * (Emret de Fridiric, iv. 137.
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? CHAP. v. ] FKIEDRICH AT LEITMERITZ. 145
25th-31at Aug. 1757. ;
had they once done with Royal Highness; Swedes are
getting hold of Pommern; Russians, in huge force, of
Preussen: how comfortable to have had our Austrians
finished before going upon the others! For four days
more (August 20th-24th), Friedrich arranges his Army
for watching the Austrians, and guarding Silesia; --
Bevern and Winterfeld to take command in his absence:
-- and, August 25th, has to march, with a small Di-
vision, which, at Dresden, he will increase by Moritz's,
now needless in the Pirna Country; towards Thiiringen;
to look into Soubise and the Reichs Army, as a thing
that absolutely cannot wait. Arrives in Dresden, Mon-
day, August 29th; and -- Or let the old Newspaper
report it, with the features of life:
"Dresden, 29th August 1757, This day, about noon, his
"Majesty, with a part of his Army from the Upper Lausitz,
"arrived at the Neustadt here. Though the kitchen had been
"appointed to be set up at what they call The Barns (Die
"Scheunen), his Majesty was pleased to alight inKonigsbruck
"Street, at the new House of Briihl's Chamberlain, Haller;
"and there passed the night. Tuesday evening, 30th, his
"Majesty the King, with his Lifeguards of Horse and of Foot,
"also with the Gens d'Armes and other Battalions, marched
"through the City, about a mile out on the Freiberg road,
"and took quarter in Klein Hamberg. The 31st, all the Army
"followed," -- a poor 23,000, Moritz and he, that was all! * --
"theKing's field-equipage, which had been taken from the
"Briihl Palace and packed in twelve wagons, went with
"them. "**
* "22,860" (Tempelhof, I. 228).
** ROdonbeck, p. 816; Preuss, n. 84n. ; Mitchell's Interview (Memoirs
and Papers, i. 270).
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. X. 10
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? 146
SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XTCH.
7th Sept. 1757.
CHAPTER VI.
DEATH OP WIKTERPELD.
Before going upon this forlorn march of Fried-
rich's, one of the forlornest a son of Adam ever had,
we must speak of a thing which befel to rearward,
while the march was only half-done, and which greatly
influenced it and all that followed. It was the seventh
day of Friedrich's march, not above eighty miles of it
yet done, when Winterfeld perished in fight . No Win-
terfeld now to occupy the Austrians in his absence; to
stand between Silesia and them, or assist him farther
in his lonesome struggle against the world. Let us
spend a moment on the exit of that brave man: Bern-
stadt-Gorlitz Country, September 7th, 1757.
The Bevern Army, 36,000 strong, is still there in
its place in the Lausitz, near Gorlitz; Prince Karl lies
quiet in his near Zittau, ever since he burnt that Town,
and stood four days in arms unattackable by Friedrich
with prospect of advantage. The Court of Vienna can-
not comprehend this state of inactivity: "Two to one,
and a mere Bevern against you, the King far away in
Saxony upon his desperate Anti-French mission there:
why not go in upon this Bevern? The French, whom
we are by every courier passionately importuning to
sweep Saxony clear, what will they say of this strange
mode of sweeping Silesia clear? " Maria Theresa and
her Kriegs-Hofrath are much exercised with these
thoughts, and with French and other remonstrances
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? CHAP. vI. 1 DEATH OP WtNTEEPELD. 147
7th Sept. 1757.
that come. Maria Theresa and her Kriegs-Hofrath at
length despatch their supreme Kaunitz, Graf Kaunitz
in person, to stir up Prince Karl, and look into the
matter with his own wise eyes and great heart. Prince
Karl, by way of treat to this high gentleman, deter-
mines on doing something striking upon Bevern.
Bevern lies with his main body about Gbrlitz, in
and to westward of Gorlitz, a pleasant Town on the
left bank of the Neisse (readers know there are Four
Neisses, and which of them this is), with fine hilly
country all round, bulky solitary Heights and Mountains
rising out of fruitful plains, -- two Hochkirchs {High- Kirks), for example, are in this region, one of which
will become extremely notable next year: -- Bevern
has a strong camp leaning on the due Heights here,
with Gorlitz in its lap; and beyond Gorlitz, on the
right bank of the Neisse, united to him by a Bridge,
he has placed Winterfeld with 10,000, who lies with
his back to Gorlitz, proper brooks and fencible places
flanking him, has a Dorf (Thorp) called Moys in his
lap; and, some short furlong beyond Moys, a 2,000 of
his grenadiers planted on the top of a Hill called the
Moysberg, called also the Holzberg (Woodhill) and
Jakelsberg, of which the reader is to take notice.
Fine outpost, with proper batteries atop, with hussar
squadrons and hussar pickets sprinkled about; which
commands a far outlook towards Silesia, and in marching
thither, or in continuing here, is useful to have in hand,
-- were it not a little too distant from the main body.
It is this Jakelsberg, capable of being snatched if one
is sudden enough, that Prince Karl decides on: it may
be good for much or for little to Prince Karl; and, if
even for nothing, it will be a brilliant affront upon
10*
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? 148 SEVEN-YEARS WAE EISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XvIII.
7th Sept. 1757.
Winterfeld and Bevern, and more or less charming to
Kaunitz.
Winterfeld, the ardent enterprising man, King's
other self, is thought to be the mainspring of affairs
here (small thanks to him privately from Bevern, add
some): and is stationed in the extreme van, as we see;
Winterfeld is engaged in many things besides the care
of this post; and indeed where a critical thing is to be
done, we can imagine Winterfeld goes upon it. "We
must try to stay here till the King has finished in
Saxony! " says Winterfeld always. To which Bevern
replies, "Excellent, truly; but how? " Bevern has his
provender at Dresden, sadly far off; has to hold Bautzen
garrisoned, and gets much trouble with his convoys.
Better in Silesia, with our magazines at hand, thinks
Bevern, less mindful of other considerations.
Tuesday, September 6th, Prince Karl sends Nadasti
to the right bank of the River, forward upon Moys, to
do the Jakelsberg before day tomorrow: only some
2,000 grenadiers on it; Nadasti has with him 15,000,
some count 20,000 of all arms, artillery in plenty;
surely sufficient for the Jakelsberg; and Daun advances,
with the main body, on the other side of the River, to
be within reach, should Moys lead to more serious con-
sequences. Nadasti diligently marches all day; posts
himself at night within few miles of Moys; gets his
cannon to the proper Hills (Gallows Hill and others),
his Croats to the proper Woods; and, before daylight
on the morrow, means to begin upon the Moys Hill
and its 2,000 grenadiers.
Wednesday morning, at the set hour, Nadasti, with
artillery bursting out and quivering battle-lines, is at
work accordingly; hurls up 1,000 Croats, for one item,
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? CHAP. VI. l DEATH OF WINTERFELD. 149
7th Sept. 1757.
and regulars to the amount of "forty companies in three
lines. " The grenadiers, somewhat astonished, for the
morning was misty and their hussar-posts had come
hastily in, stood upon their guard, like Prussian men;
hurled back the 1,000 Croats fast enough; stubbornly
repulsed the regulars too, and tumbled them down hill
with bullet-storm for accompaniment; gallantly foiling
this first attempt of Nadasti's. Of course Nadasti will
make another, will make ever others: capture of the
Jakelsberg can hardly be doubtful to Nadasti.
Winterfeld was not at Moys, he was at Gorlitz,
just got in from escorting an important meal-convoy
hither out of Bautzen; and was in conference with
Bevern, when rumour of these Croat attacks came in
at the gallop from Moys. Winterfeld made little of
the rumours: he had heard of some attack intended,
but it was to have been overnight, and has not been.
"Mere foraging of Croat rabble, like yesterday's! "
said Winterfeld, and continued his present business.
In few minutes the sound of heavy cannonading con-
vinced him. "Haha, there are my guests," said he;
"we must see if we cannot entertain them right! "
sprang to horseback, ordered on, double-quick, the
three regiments nearest him, and was off at the gallop,
-- too late; or, alas, too early we might rather say!
Arriving at the gallop, Winterfeld found his grenadiers
and their insufficient reinforcements rolling back, the
Hill lost; Winterfeld "sprang to a fresh horse," shot
his lightning glances and energies to this hand and
that; stormfully rallied the matter, recovered the Hill;
and stormfully defended it, for, I should guess, an
hour or more; and might still have done one knows
not what, had not a bullet struck him through the
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? 150 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XVIII.
7th Sept. 1757.
breast, and suddenly ended all his doings in this
world.
Three other reasons the Prussians give for loss of
their Hill, which are of no consequence to them or to
us in comparison. First, that Bevern, on message
after message, sent no reinforcement; that Winterfeld
was left to his own 10,000, and what he and they
could make of it. Bevern is jealous of Winterfeld,
hint they, and willing to see his impetuous audacity
checked. Perhaps only cautious of getting into a
general action for what was intrinsically nothing?
Second, that two regiments of Infantry, whom Winter-
feld detached double-quick to seize a couple of villages
(Leopoldshayn, Hermsdorf) on his right, and there-
from fusillade Nadasti on flank, found the villages
already occupied by thousands of Croats, with regular
foot and cannon-batteries, and could in no wise seize
them. This was a great reverse of advantage. Third,
that an Aide-de-Camp made a small misnomer, mis-
report of one word, which was terribly important!
"Bring me hither Regiment Manteuffel! " Winterfeld
had ordered. The Aide-de-Camp reported it "Grenadiers
Manteuffel:" upon which, the grenadiers, who were
posted in a walled garden, an important point to Winter-
feld's right, came instantly to order; and Austrians
instantly rushed in to the vacant post, and galled
Winterfeld's other flank by their fire. *
Enough, Winterfeld lay bleeding to death, the Hill
was lost, Prussians drawing off slowly and back-
foremost, about two in the afternoon; upon which the
* Abundant Accounts in Seyfarth, n. IBeylagen), 162-183; Helden-Ge-
tehichte, iv. 615-633; Retzow, i. 216-221.
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? CHAP. VI. ] DEATH OP WINTERFELD. 151
7th Sept. 1757.
Austrians also drew off, leaving only a small party on
the Hill, who voluntarily quitted it next morning.
Next morning, likewise, Winterfeld had died. The
Hill was, except as bravado, and by way of comfort to
Kaunitz, nothing for the Austrians; but the death of
Winterfeld, which had come by chance to them in the
business, was probably a great thing. Better than two
pitched battles gained: who shall say? He was a
shining figure, this Winterfeld; dangerous to the
Austrians. The most shining figure in the Prussian
Army, except its Chief; and had great thoughts in his
head. Prussia is not skilful to celebrate her Heroes,
-- the Prussian Muse of History, choked with dry
military pipeclay, or with husky cobwebbery and aca-
demic pedantry, how can she? -- but if Prussia can
produce heroes worth celebrating, that is the one im-
portant point. Apart from soldiership, and the outward
features which are widely different, there is traceable
in Winterfeld some kinship in soul to English Chatham
his contemporary; though he has not had the fame of
Chatham.
Winterfeld was by no means universally liked; as
what brave man is or can be? Too susceptible to
flattery; too this, too that. He is, one feels always,
except Friedrich only, the most shining figure in the
Prussian Army; and it was not unnatural he should be
Friedrich's one friend, -- as seems to have been the
case. Friedrich, when this Job's-message reached him
(in Erfurt Country, eight days hence), was deeply
affected by it. To tears, or beyond tears, as we can
fancy. "Against my multitude of enemies, I may
"contrive resources," he was heard to say; "but I shall
find no Winterfeld again! " Adieu, my one friend,
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? 152 SEVEN- YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT. [BOOK XVIII.
Ah Sept. 1757.
real Peer, sole companion to my lonely pilgrimage in
these perilous high regions.
"The Prince of Prussia, contrariwise" (says a miserable
littleNote, which must not be withheld) "brightened up at the
"news: 'I shall now die much more content, knowing that
"' there is one so bad and dangerous man fewer in the Army! '
"And, six months after, in his actual death-moments, he ex-
"claimed: 'I end my life, the last period of which has cost me
"so much sorrow; but Winterfeld is he who shortened my
"days! "' * -- Very bitter Opposition humours circulating, in
their fashion, there as elsewhere in this world!
Bevern, the millstone of Winterfeld being off his
neck, has become a more responsible, though he feels
himself a much-delivered man. Had not liked Winter-
feld, they say; or had even hated him, since those bad
Zittau times. Can now, at any rate, make for Schlesien
and the meal-magazines, when he sees good. He will
find meal readier there; may he find other things
corresponding! Nobody now to keep him painfully
manoeuvering in these parts; with the King's Army
nearer to him, but meal not
.
On the third day after (September 10th), Bevern,
having finished packing, took the road for Schlesien;
Daun and Karl attending him; nothing left of Daun
and Karl in those Saxon Countries, -- except, at
Stolpen, out Dresden-wards, some Reserve-post or
Rearguard of 15,000, should we chance to hear of
that again. And from the end of September onwards,
Bevern's star, once somewhat bright at Reichenberg,
shot rapidly downwards, under the horizon altogether;
and there came, post after post, such news out of
Schlesien, -- to say nothing of that Stolpen Party, --
as Friedrich had never heard before.
* Preuss, n. 78; citing Retzow.
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? CHAP. VH. ] PRIBDRICH IN THttRINGEN.
81st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
CHAPTER VII.
FRIEDRICH IN THflEINGEN, HIS WORLD OP ENEMIES ALL
COME.
The Soubise-Hildburghausen people had got rendez-
voused at Erfurt about August 25th; 50,000 by account,
and no Enemy within 200 miles of them; and in the
Versailles circles it had been expected they would pro-
ceed to the "Deliverance of Saxony" straightway.
What is to hinder? -- Friedrich, haggling with the
Austrians at Bernstadt, could muster but a poor 23,000,
when he did march towards Erfurt. In those same
neighbourhoods, within reach of Soubise, is the Riche-
lieu, late D'Estr^es, Army; elated with Hastenbeck,
comfortably pushing Royal Highness of Cumberland,
who makes no resistance, step by step, into the sea;
victoriously plundering, far and wide, in those countries,
Hanover itself the Headquarter. In the Versailles
circles, it is farther expected that Richelieu, "Conqueror
of Minorca," will shortly besiege and conquer Magde-
burg, and so crown his glories. Why not; were the
"Deliverance of Saxony" complete?
The whole of which turned out greatly otherwise,
and to the sad disappointment of Versailles. The Con-
queror of Minorca is probably aware that the con-
quering of Magdeburg, against one whose platforms
are not rotten, and who does not "lie always in his bed,"
as poor old Blakeney did, will be a very different
matter. And the private truth is, Marechal de Riche-
lieu never turned his thoughts upon Magdeburg at all,
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? 154 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book Xvm.
31st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
nor upon any point of war that had difficulties, but
solely upon collecting plunder for himself in those
Countries. One of the most magnificent marauders on
record; in no danger, he, of becoming monitory and a
pendulum, like the 1,000 that already swing in that
capacity to rear of him! And he did manage, in this
Campaign, which was the last of his military services,
so as to pay off at Paris "above 50,000/. of debts;
"and to build for himself a beautiful Garden Mansion
"there, which the mocking populations called 'Hanover
"Pavilion (Pavilion d'JJanovre);''" a name still sticking
to it, I believe,* Of the Richelieu Campaign we are
happily delivered from saying almost anything: and
the main interest for us turns now on that Soubise-
Hildburghausen wing of it, -- which also is a suf-
ficiently contemptible affair; not to be spoken of,
beyond the strictly unavoidable.
Friedrich with his 23,000 setting out from Dresden,
August 30th, has a march of about 170 miles towards
Erfurt. He may expect to find, -- counting Richelieu,
if Royal Highness of Cumberland persist in acting zero
as hitherto, -- a confused mass of about 150,000 Ene-
mies, of one sort and other, waiting him ahead; not
to think of those he has just left behind; -- and he
cannot well be in a triumphant humour! Behind,
before, around, it is one gathering of Enemies: one
point only certain, that he must beat them, or else die.
Readers would fain follow him in this forlorn march;
him, the one point of interest now in it: and readers
shall, if we can manage, though it is extremely difficult
.
For, on getting to Erfurt, he finds his Soubise-Hildburg-
* Barbier, ni. 256, 271.
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? CHAP. TO. ] FRIEDRICH IN TFICRINGEN. 155
81st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
hausen Army off on retreat among the inaccessible Hills
still farther westward; and has to linger painfully there,
and to detach, and even to march personally against
other Enemies; and then, these finished, to march back
towards his Erfurt ones, who are taking heart in the
interim: -- and, in short, from September 1st to November
5th, there are two months of confused manoeuvering and
marching to and fro in that West-Saxon region, which
are very intricate to readers. November 5th is a day
unforgettable: but anterior to that, what can we do?
Here, dated, are the Three grand Epochs of the
thing; which readers had better fix in mind as a pre-
liminary:
1? . September 13th, Friedrich has got to Erfurt
neighbourhood; butSoubise and Company are off west-
ward to the Hills of Eisenach, won't come down;
Friedrich obliged to linger thereabouts, painfully waiting
almost a month, till
2? . October 11th, hearing that "15,000 Austrians"
(that Stolpen Party, left as rearguard atStolpen; Croats
mainly, under a General Haddick) are on march for
Berlin, he rises in haste thitherward, through Leipzig,
Torgau, say 100 miles; hears that Haddick has been
in Berlin (16th-17th October) for one day, and that he
is off again full speed with a ransom of 30,000'. , which
they have had to pay him: upon which Friedrich calls
halt in the Torgau country; -- and would have been
uncertain what to do, had not
3? . Soubise and Company, extremely elated with
this Haddick Feat, come out from their Hills, intent
to deliver Saxony after all. So that Friedrich has to
turn back (October 26th-30th) through Leipzig again;
towards, -- in fact towards Rossbach and November 5th,
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? 140 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book. XVIII.
30th July 1757.
"affecting words: 'His Majesty commands me to inform your
"Koyal Highness, That he has cause to be greatly discon-
"tented with you; that you deserve to have a Court-martial
"held over you, which would sentence you and all your
"Generals to death; but that his Majesty will not carry the
"matter so far, being unable to forget that in the Chief
"General he has a Brother! '"*
The Prince answered, He wanted only a Court-
martial; and the like, in stiff tone. Here is the Letter
he writes next day to his Brother, with the Answer:
Prince of Prussia to the King.
"Bautzen, 30th July 1757.
"My dear Brother, -- The Letters you have written me,
"and the reception I yesterday met with, are sufficient proof
"that, in your opinion, I have ruined my honour and reputa-
tion. This grieves, but it does not crush me, as in my own
"mind I am not conscious of the least reproach. I am perfectly
"convinced that I did not act by caprice: I did not follow the
"counsels of people incapable of giving good ones; I have
"done what I thought to be suitablest for the Army. All your
"Generals will do me that justice.
"I reckon it useless to beg of you to have my conduct in-
"vestigated: this would be a favour you would do me; so I
"cannot expect it. My health has been weakened by these
"fatigues, still more by these chagrins. I have gone to lodge
"in the Town, to recruit myself.
"I have requested theDuke of Bevern to present theArmy
"Reports; he can give you explanation of everything. Be
"assured, my dear Brother, that in spite of the misfortunes
"which overwhelm me, and which I have not deserved, I shall
"never cease to be attached to the State; and as a faithful
"member of the same, my joy will be perfect when I learn the
"happy issue of your Enterprises. Ihave the honour to be,"--
August Wilhelm. **
* Schmettau, pp. 384-5.
** Main de Maitre, p. 21.
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? CHAP, v. ] FRIEDRICII AT LEITMERITZ.
30th July 1757.
King's Answer, the same day.
"Camp near Bautzen, 30th July 1757.
"My dear Brother, -- Your bad guidance has greatly
"deranged my affairs. It is not the Enemy, it is your ill-
"judged measures that have done me all this mischief. My
"Generals are inexcusable; either for advising you so ill, or
"in permitting you to follow resolutions so unwise. Your ears
"are accustomed to listen to the talk of flatterers only. Daun
"has not flattered you; -- behold the consequences. In this
"sad situation, nothing is left for me but trying the lastex-
"tremity. I must go and give battle; and if we cannot conquer,
"we must all of us have ourselves killed.
"I do not complain of your heart; but I do of your incapa-
city, of your want of judgment in not choosing better
"methods. A man who"" (like me; mark the phrase, from such
a quarter! ) "has but a few days to live need not dissemble. I
"wish you better fortune than mine has been; and that all the
"miseries and bad adventures you have had may teach you to
"treat important things with more of care, more of sense, and
"more of resolution. The greater part of the misfortunes
"which I now see to be near comes only from you. You and
"your Children will be more overwhelmed by them than I.
"Be persuaded nevertheless that I have always loved you,
"and that with these sentiments I shall die. -- Friedbich. ' *
As the King went off, to the Heights of Weissen-
berg, Zittau way, to encamp there against the Austrians,
that same evening, the Prince did not answer this
Letter, -- except by asking verbally through Lieutenant-
Colonel Lentulus (a mute Swiss figure, much about the
King, who often turns up in these Histories), "for
leave to return to Dresden by the first escort. " -- "De-
pends on himself; -- an escort is going this night! "
answered Friedrich. And the Prince went accordingly;
and, by two stages, got into Dresden with his escort
on the morrow. And had, not yet conscious of it, * Main de UaUre, p. 22.
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? 142 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [bOOK Xvni.
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
quitted the Field of War altogether; and was soon about
to quit the world, and die, poor Prince. Died within
a year, 12th June 1758, at Oranienburg, beside his
Family, where he had latterly been* -- Winterfeld was
already gone, six months before him; Goltz went, shortly
after him; the other Zittau Generals all survived this
War.
The poor Prince's fate, as natural, was much pitied;
and Friedrich, to this day, is growled at for "inhuman
treatment" and so on. Into which question we do not
enter, except to say that Friedrich too had his sorrows;
and that probably his concluding words, "with these
sentiments I shall die," were perfectly true. Main de
Mmtre went widely abroad over the world. The poor
Prince's words and procedures were eagerly caught up
by a scrutinising public, -- and some of the former
were not too guarded. At Dresden, he said, one morn-
ing, calling on a General Finck whom we shall hear
of again: "Four such disagreeing, thin-skinned, high
"pacing (uneinige,piquirte) Generals as Fouquet, Schmet-
"tau, Winterfeld and Goltz, about you, what was to be
"done! " said the Prince to Finck. **
His Wife, when at last he came to Oranienburg,
nursed him fondly; that is one comfortable fact. Prince
Henri, to the last, had privately a grudge of peculiar
intensity, on this score, against all the peccant parties,
King not excepted. As indeed he was apt to have, on
various scores, the jealous, too vehement little man.
Friedrich's humour at this time I can guess to have
been well-nigh desperate. He talks once of "a horse,
on too much provocation, getting the bit between its
* Preuss, n. 60 (ib. 78). ** lb. n. 79 n. : see ib. 60, 78.
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? CHAP. v. ] PRIEDRICH AT LEITMT3RTTZ. 143
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
teeth; regardless thenceforth of chasms and precipices:"* -- though he himself never carries it to that length;
and always has a watchful eye, when at his swiftest!
From Weissenberg, that night, he drives-in thePandours
on Zittau and the Eckartsberg; but the Austrians don't
come out. And, for three weeks, in this fierce neces-
sity of being speedy, he cannot get one right stroke at
the Austrians; who sit inexpugnable upon their Eckart's
Hill, bristling with cannon; and can in no way be ma-
noeuvered down, or forced or enticed into Battle. A
baffling, bitterly impatient three weeks; -- two of them,
the worst two, he spends at Weissenberg itself, chasing
Pandours, and scuffling on the surface, till Keith and
the Magazine-train come up; -- even writing Verses
now and then, when the hours get unendurable other-
wise!
The instant Keith and the Magazines are come, he
starts for Bernstadt; 56,000 strong after this junction: -- and a Prussian Officer, dating "Bernstadtel" (Bern-
stadt on the now Maps), "21st August 1757," sends
us this account; which also is but of preliminary na-
ture:
"August 15th, Majesty left Weissenberg, and marched
"hither, much to the enemy's astonishment, who had lain
"perfectly quiet for a fortnight past, fancying they were a
"mastiff on the door-sill of Silesia: little thinking to be
"trampled on in this unceremonious way! General Beck, when
"our hussars of the vanguard made appearance, had to saddle
"and ride as for life, leaving every rag of baggage, and forty
"of his Pandours captive. Our hussars stuck to him, chasing
"him into Ostritz, where they surprised General Nadasti at
"dinner; and did a still better stroke of business: Nadasti
"himself could scarcely leap on horseback and get off; left all
* Letter to Wilhelmlna, "Linay, 22d July" (cited above).
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? 144 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XVin.
30th July -- 25th Aug. 1757.
"his field-equipage,coaches,horses,kitchen-utensils, flunkies
"seventy-two in number, -- and, what was worst of all, a
"secret box, in which was found certain Dresden Cor-
"respondences of a highly treasonous character, which now
"the writers there may quake to think of;" --if Friedrich, or
we, could take much notice of them, in this press of hurries! *
Next day, August 16th, Friedrich detached five
battalions to Gorlitz; -- Prince Karl (he calls it Daun)
still camping on the Eckartsberg; -- and himself, about
4 p. m. , with the main Army, marched up to those
Austrians on their Hill, to see if they would fight. **
No, they wouldn't: they merely hustled themselves
round so as to face him; face him, and even flank him
with cannon batteries if he came too near. Steep
ground, "precipitous front of rocks," in some places.
"A hollow before their front; Village of Wittgenau
"there, and three roads through it, one of them with width
"for wheels;" Daun sitting inaccessible, in short. Next
day, Winterfeld, with a detached Division, crossed the
Neisse, tried Nadasti: "Attack Nadasti, on his woody
knoll at Hirschfeld yonder; they will have to rise and
save him! " In vain, that too; they let Nadasti take his
own luck: for four days (16th-20th August) everything
was tried, in vain.
No Battle to be had from these Austrians. And it
would have been so infinitely convenient to us: Reichs
Army and Soubise's French are now in the actual pre-
cints of Erfurt (August 25th, Soubise took quarter
there); Royal Highness of Cumberland is staggering
back into the Sea; Richelieu's French (not D'EstreWs
any more, D'Estre'es being superseded in this strange
way) are aiming, it is thought, towards Magdeburg,
? Helden-Geschichte, rr. 596-599. ? * (Emret de Fridiric, iv. 137.
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? CHAP. v. ] FKIEDRICH AT LEITMERITZ. 145
25th-31at Aug. 1757. ;
had they once done with Royal Highness; Swedes are
getting hold of Pommern; Russians, in huge force, of
Preussen: how comfortable to have had our Austrians
finished before going upon the others! For four days
more (August 20th-24th), Friedrich arranges his Army
for watching the Austrians, and guarding Silesia; --
Bevern and Winterfeld to take command in his absence:
-- and, August 25th, has to march, with a small Di-
vision, which, at Dresden, he will increase by Moritz's,
now needless in the Pirna Country; towards Thiiringen;
to look into Soubise and the Reichs Army, as a thing
that absolutely cannot wait. Arrives in Dresden, Mon-
day, August 29th; and -- Or let the old Newspaper
report it, with the features of life:
"Dresden, 29th August 1757, This day, about noon, his
"Majesty, with a part of his Army from the Upper Lausitz,
"arrived at the Neustadt here. Though the kitchen had been
"appointed to be set up at what they call The Barns (Die
"Scheunen), his Majesty was pleased to alight inKonigsbruck
"Street, at the new House of Briihl's Chamberlain, Haller;
"and there passed the night. Tuesday evening, 30th, his
"Majesty the King, with his Lifeguards of Horse and of Foot,
"also with the Gens d'Armes and other Battalions, marched
"through the City, about a mile out on the Freiberg road,
"and took quarter in Klein Hamberg. The 31st, all the Army
"followed," -- a poor 23,000, Moritz and he, that was all! * --
"theKing's field-equipage, which had been taken from the
"Briihl Palace and packed in twelve wagons, went with
"them. "**
* "22,860" (Tempelhof, I. 228).
** ROdonbeck, p. 816; Preuss, n. 84n. ; Mitchell's Interview (Memoirs
and Papers, i. 270).
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. X. 10
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? 146
SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XTCH.
7th Sept. 1757.
CHAPTER VI.
DEATH OP WIKTERPELD.
Before going upon this forlorn march of Fried-
rich's, one of the forlornest a son of Adam ever had,
we must speak of a thing which befel to rearward,
while the march was only half-done, and which greatly
influenced it and all that followed. It was the seventh
day of Friedrich's march, not above eighty miles of it
yet done, when Winterfeld perished in fight . No Win-
terfeld now to occupy the Austrians in his absence; to
stand between Silesia and them, or assist him farther
in his lonesome struggle against the world. Let us
spend a moment on the exit of that brave man: Bern-
stadt-Gorlitz Country, September 7th, 1757.
The Bevern Army, 36,000 strong, is still there in
its place in the Lausitz, near Gorlitz; Prince Karl lies
quiet in his near Zittau, ever since he burnt that Town,
and stood four days in arms unattackable by Friedrich
with prospect of advantage. The Court of Vienna can-
not comprehend this state of inactivity: "Two to one,
and a mere Bevern against you, the King far away in
Saxony upon his desperate Anti-French mission there:
why not go in upon this Bevern? The French, whom
we are by every courier passionately importuning to
sweep Saxony clear, what will they say of this strange
mode of sweeping Silesia clear? " Maria Theresa and
her Kriegs-Hofrath are much exercised with these
thoughts, and with French and other remonstrances
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? CHAP. vI. 1 DEATH OP WtNTEEPELD. 147
7th Sept. 1757.
that come. Maria Theresa and her Kriegs-Hofrath at
length despatch their supreme Kaunitz, Graf Kaunitz
in person, to stir up Prince Karl, and look into the
matter with his own wise eyes and great heart. Prince
Karl, by way of treat to this high gentleman, deter-
mines on doing something striking upon Bevern.
Bevern lies with his main body about Gbrlitz, in
and to westward of Gorlitz, a pleasant Town on the
left bank of the Neisse (readers know there are Four
Neisses, and which of them this is), with fine hilly
country all round, bulky solitary Heights and Mountains
rising out of fruitful plains, -- two Hochkirchs {High- Kirks), for example, are in this region, one of which
will become extremely notable next year: -- Bevern
has a strong camp leaning on the due Heights here,
with Gorlitz in its lap; and beyond Gorlitz, on the
right bank of the Neisse, united to him by a Bridge,
he has placed Winterfeld with 10,000, who lies with
his back to Gorlitz, proper brooks and fencible places
flanking him, has a Dorf (Thorp) called Moys in his
lap; and, some short furlong beyond Moys, a 2,000 of
his grenadiers planted on the top of a Hill called the
Moysberg, called also the Holzberg (Woodhill) and
Jakelsberg, of which the reader is to take notice.
Fine outpost, with proper batteries atop, with hussar
squadrons and hussar pickets sprinkled about; which
commands a far outlook towards Silesia, and in marching
thither, or in continuing here, is useful to have in hand,
-- were it not a little too distant from the main body.
It is this Jakelsberg, capable of being snatched if one
is sudden enough, that Prince Karl decides on: it may
be good for much or for little to Prince Karl; and, if
even for nothing, it will be a brilliant affront upon
10*
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? 148 SEVEN-YEARS WAE EISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XvIII.
7th Sept. 1757.
Winterfeld and Bevern, and more or less charming to
Kaunitz.
Winterfeld, the ardent enterprising man, King's
other self, is thought to be the mainspring of affairs
here (small thanks to him privately from Bevern, add
some): and is stationed in the extreme van, as we see;
Winterfeld is engaged in many things besides the care
of this post; and indeed where a critical thing is to be
done, we can imagine Winterfeld goes upon it. "We
must try to stay here till the King has finished in
Saxony! " says Winterfeld always. To which Bevern
replies, "Excellent, truly; but how? " Bevern has his
provender at Dresden, sadly far off; has to hold Bautzen
garrisoned, and gets much trouble with his convoys.
Better in Silesia, with our magazines at hand, thinks
Bevern, less mindful of other considerations.
Tuesday, September 6th, Prince Karl sends Nadasti
to the right bank of the River, forward upon Moys, to
do the Jakelsberg before day tomorrow: only some
2,000 grenadiers on it; Nadasti has with him 15,000,
some count 20,000 of all arms, artillery in plenty;
surely sufficient for the Jakelsberg; and Daun advances,
with the main body, on the other side of the River, to
be within reach, should Moys lead to more serious con-
sequences. Nadasti diligently marches all day; posts
himself at night within few miles of Moys; gets his
cannon to the proper Hills (Gallows Hill and others),
his Croats to the proper Woods; and, before daylight
on the morrow, means to begin upon the Moys Hill
and its 2,000 grenadiers.
Wednesday morning, at the set hour, Nadasti, with
artillery bursting out and quivering battle-lines, is at
work accordingly; hurls up 1,000 Croats, for one item,
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? CHAP. VI. l DEATH OF WINTERFELD. 149
7th Sept. 1757.
and regulars to the amount of "forty companies in three
lines. " The grenadiers, somewhat astonished, for the
morning was misty and their hussar-posts had come
hastily in, stood upon their guard, like Prussian men;
hurled back the 1,000 Croats fast enough; stubbornly
repulsed the regulars too, and tumbled them down hill
with bullet-storm for accompaniment; gallantly foiling
this first attempt of Nadasti's. Of course Nadasti will
make another, will make ever others: capture of the
Jakelsberg can hardly be doubtful to Nadasti.
Winterfeld was not at Moys, he was at Gorlitz,
just got in from escorting an important meal-convoy
hither out of Bautzen; and was in conference with
Bevern, when rumour of these Croat attacks came in
at the gallop from Moys. Winterfeld made little of
the rumours: he had heard of some attack intended,
but it was to have been overnight, and has not been.
"Mere foraging of Croat rabble, like yesterday's! "
said Winterfeld, and continued his present business.
In few minutes the sound of heavy cannonading con-
vinced him. "Haha, there are my guests," said he;
"we must see if we cannot entertain them right! "
sprang to horseback, ordered on, double-quick, the
three regiments nearest him, and was off at the gallop,
-- too late; or, alas, too early we might rather say!
Arriving at the gallop, Winterfeld found his grenadiers
and their insufficient reinforcements rolling back, the
Hill lost; Winterfeld "sprang to a fresh horse," shot
his lightning glances and energies to this hand and
that; stormfully rallied the matter, recovered the Hill;
and stormfully defended it, for, I should guess, an
hour or more; and might still have done one knows
not what, had not a bullet struck him through the
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? 150 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book XVIII.
7th Sept. 1757.
breast, and suddenly ended all his doings in this
world.
Three other reasons the Prussians give for loss of
their Hill, which are of no consequence to them or to
us in comparison. First, that Bevern, on message
after message, sent no reinforcement; that Winterfeld
was left to his own 10,000, and what he and they
could make of it. Bevern is jealous of Winterfeld,
hint they, and willing to see his impetuous audacity
checked. Perhaps only cautious of getting into a
general action for what was intrinsically nothing?
Second, that two regiments of Infantry, whom Winter-
feld detached double-quick to seize a couple of villages
(Leopoldshayn, Hermsdorf) on his right, and there-
from fusillade Nadasti on flank, found the villages
already occupied by thousands of Croats, with regular
foot and cannon-batteries, and could in no wise seize
them. This was a great reverse of advantage. Third,
that an Aide-de-Camp made a small misnomer, mis-
report of one word, which was terribly important!
"Bring me hither Regiment Manteuffel! " Winterfeld
had ordered. The Aide-de-Camp reported it "Grenadiers
Manteuffel:" upon which, the grenadiers, who were
posted in a walled garden, an important point to Winter-
feld's right, came instantly to order; and Austrians
instantly rushed in to the vacant post, and galled
Winterfeld's other flank by their fire. *
Enough, Winterfeld lay bleeding to death, the Hill
was lost, Prussians drawing off slowly and back-
foremost, about two in the afternoon; upon which the
* Abundant Accounts in Seyfarth, n. IBeylagen), 162-183; Helden-Ge-
tehichte, iv. 615-633; Retzow, i. 216-221.
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? CHAP. VI. ] DEATH OP WINTERFELD. 151
7th Sept. 1757.
Austrians also drew off, leaving only a small party on
the Hill, who voluntarily quitted it next morning.
Next morning, likewise, Winterfeld had died. The
Hill was, except as bravado, and by way of comfort to
Kaunitz, nothing for the Austrians; but the death of
Winterfeld, which had come by chance to them in the
business, was probably a great thing. Better than two
pitched battles gained: who shall say? He was a
shining figure, this Winterfeld; dangerous to the
Austrians. The most shining figure in the Prussian
Army, except its Chief; and had great thoughts in his
head. Prussia is not skilful to celebrate her Heroes,
-- the Prussian Muse of History, choked with dry
military pipeclay, or with husky cobwebbery and aca-
demic pedantry, how can she? -- but if Prussia can
produce heroes worth celebrating, that is the one im-
portant point. Apart from soldiership, and the outward
features which are widely different, there is traceable
in Winterfeld some kinship in soul to English Chatham
his contemporary; though he has not had the fame of
Chatham.
Winterfeld was by no means universally liked; as
what brave man is or can be? Too susceptible to
flattery; too this, too that. He is, one feels always,
except Friedrich only, the most shining figure in the
Prussian Army; and it was not unnatural he should be
Friedrich's one friend, -- as seems to have been the
case. Friedrich, when this Job's-message reached him
(in Erfurt Country, eight days hence), was deeply
affected by it. To tears, or beyond tears, as we can
fancy. "Against my multitude of enemies, I may
"contrive resources," he was heard to say; "but I shall
find no Winterfeld again! " Adieu, my one friend,
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? 152 SEVEN- YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT. [BOOK XVIII.
Ah Sept. 1757.
real Peer, sole companion to my lonely pilgrimage in
these perilous high regions.
"The Prince of Prussia, contrariwise" (says a miserable
littleNote, which must not be withheld) "brightened up at the
"news: 'I shall now die much more content, knowing that
"' there is one so bad and dangerous man fewer in the Army! '
"And, six months after, in his actual death-moments, he ex-
"claimed: 'I end my life, the last period of which has cost me
"so much sorrow; but Winterfeld is he who shortened my
"days! "' * -- Very bitter Opposition humours circulating, in
their fashion, there as elsewhere in this world!
Bevern, the millstone of Winterfeld being off his
neck, has become a more responsible, though he feels
himself a much-delivered man. Had not liked Winter-
feld, they say; or had even hated him, since those bad
Zittau times. Can now, at any rate, make for Schlesien
and the meal-magazines, when he sees good. He will
find meal readier there; may he find other things
corresponding! Nobody now to keep him painfully
manoeuvering in these parts; with the King's Army
nearer to him, but meal not
.
On the third day after (September 10th), Bevern,
having finished packing, took the road for Schlesien;
Daun and Karl attending him; nothing left of Daun
and Karl in those Saxon Countries, -- except, at
Stolpen, out Dresden-wards, some Reserve-post or
Rearguard of 15,000, should we chance to hear of
that again. And from the end of September onwards,
Bevern's star, once somewhat bright at Reichenberg,
shot rapidly downwards, under the horizon altogether;
and there came, post after post, such news out of
Schlesien, -- to say nothing of that Stolpen Party, --
as Friedrich had never heard before.
* Preuss, n. 78; citing Retzow.
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? CHAP. VH. ] PRIBDRICH IN THttRINGEN.
81st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
CHAPTER VII.
FRIEDRICH IN THflEINGEN, HIS WORLD OP ENEMIES ALL
COME.
The Soubise-Hildburghausen people had got rendez-
voused at Erfurt about August 25th; 50,000 by account,
and no Enemy within 200 miles of them; and in the
Versailles circles it had been expected they would pro-
ceed to the "Deliverance of Saxony" straightway.
What is to hinder? -- Friedrich, haggling with the
Austrians at Bernstadt, could muster but a poor 23,000,
when he did march towards Erfurt. In those same
neighbourhoods, within reach of Soubise, is the Riche-
lieu, late D'Estr^es, Army; elated with Hastenbeck,
comfortably pushing Royal Highness of Cumberland,
who makes no resistance, step by step, into the sea;
victoriously plundering, far and wide, in those countries,
Hanover itself the Headquarter. In the Versailles
circles, it is farther expected that Richelieu, "Conqueror
of Minorca," will shortly besiege and conquer Magde-
burg, and so crown his glories. Why not; were the
"Deliverance of Saxony" complete?
The whole of which turned out greatly otherwise,
and to the sad disappointment of Versailles. The Con-
queror of Minorca is probably aware that the con-
quering of Magdeburg, against one whose platforms
are not rotten, and who does not "lie always in his bed,"
as poor old Blakeney did, will be a very different
matter. And the private truth is, Marechal de Riche-
lieu never turned his thoughts upon Magdeburg at all,
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? 154 SEVEN-YEARS WAR RISES TO A HEIGHT, [book Xvm.
31st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
nor upon any point of war that had difficulties, but
solely upon collecting plunder for himself in those
Countries. One of the most magnificent marauders on
record; in no danger, he, of becoming monitory and a
pendulum, like the 1,000 that already swing in that
capacity to rear of him! And he did manage, in this
Campaign, which was the last of his military services,
so as to pay off at Paris "above 50,000/. of debts;
"and to build for himself a beautiful Garden Mansion
"there, which the mocking populations called 'Hanover
"Pavilion (Pavilion d'JJanovre);''" a name still sticking
to it, I believe,* Of the Richelieu Campaign we are
happily delivered from saying almost anything: and
the main interest for us turns now on that Soubise-
Hildburghausen wing of it, -- which also is a suf-
ficiently contemptible affair; not to be spoken of,
beyond the strictly unavoidable.
Friedrich with his 23,000 setting out from Dresden,
August 30th, has a march of about 170 miles towards
Erfurt. He may expect to find, -- counting Richelieu,
if Royal Highness of Cumberland persist in acting zero
as hitherto, -- a confused mass of about 150,000 Ene-
mies, of one sort and other, waiting him ahead; not
to think of those he has just left behind; -- and he
cannot well be in a triumphant humour! Behind,
before, around, it is one gathering of Enemies: one
point only certain, that he must beat them, or else die.
Readers would fain follow him in this forlorn march;
him, the one point of interest now in it: and readers
shall, if we can manage, though it is extremely difficult
.
For, on getting to Erfurt, he finds his Soubise-Hildburg-
* Barbier, ni. 256, 271.
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? CHAP. TO. ] FRIEDRICH IN TFICRINGEN. 155
81st Aug. -- 13th Sept. 1757.
hausen Army off on retreat among the inaccessible Hills
still farther westward; and has to linger painfully there,
and to detach, and even to march personally against
other Enemies; and then, these finished, to march back
towards his Erfurt ones, who are taking heart in the
interim: -- and, in short, from September 1st to November
5th, there are two months of confused manoeuvering and
marching to and fro in that West-Saxon region, which
are very intricate to readers. November 5th is a day
unforgettable: but anterior to that, what can we do?
Here, dated, are the Three grand Epochs of the
thing; which readers had better fix in mind as a pre-
liminary:
1? . September 13th, Friedrich has got to Erfurt
neighbourhood; butSoubise and Company are off west-
ward to the Hills of Eisenach, won't come down;
Friedrich obliged to linger thereabouts, painfully waiting
almost a month, till
2? . October 11th, hearing that "15,000 Austrians"
(that Stolpen Party, left as rearguard atStolpen; Croats
mainly, under a General Haddick) are on march for
Berlin, he rises in haste thitherward, through Leipzig,
Torgau, say 100 miles; hears that Haddick has been
in Berlin (16th-17th October) for one day, and that he
is off again full speed with a ransom of 30,000'. , which
they have had to pay him: upon which Friedrich calls
halt in the Torgau country; -- and would have been
uncertain what to do, had not
3? . Soubise and Company, extremely elated with
this Haddick Feat, come out from their Hills, intent
to deliver Saxony after all. So that Friedrich has to
turn back (October 26th-30th) through Leipzig again;
towards, -- in fact towards Rossbach and November 5th,
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