ARTES
1187710
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
PLURIBUS UMUM
TUEHOR
SI·QUÆRIS-PENINSULAM·AMŒHAM
CIRCUMSPICE
THIS BOOK
FORMS PART OF THE
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
BOUGHT IN EUROPE
1838 TO 1839
BY
ASA GRAY
102
m95
n
6-23
2785
THE
ELEMENTS
OF THE
SCIENCE OF WAR;
CONTAINING THE MODERN, ESTABLISHED, AND APPROVED PRINCIPLES
OF THE
Theory and Practice
OF THE
MILITARY SCIENCES:
VIZ.
THE FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION OF AN ARMY, AND THEIR ARMS,
&c. &c.
ARTILLERY; ENGINEERING; FORTIFICATION; TACTICS; LOGISTICS;
GRAND TACTICS; CASTRAMETATION; MILITARY TOPOGRAPHY;
STRATEGY; DIALECTIC, AND POLITICS OF WAR.
ILLUSTRATED BY
SEVENTY-FIVE PLATES,
ON ARTILLERY, FORTIFICATION, &c. AND REMARKABLE
BATTLES FOUGHT SINCE THE YEAR 1675,
PRINCIPALLY THOSE DURING THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
For the Use of Military Schools and Self-Instruction.
DEDICATED TO THE KING,
WITH HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS PERMISSION.
VOL. III.
CONTAINING A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MOST REMARKABLE
OPERATIONS SINCE THE YEAR 1667.
BY WILLIAM MÜLLER,
LIEUTENANT OF THE KING'S GERMAN ENGINEERS, D. P. M. A. AND LATE FIRST
PUBLIC TEACHER OF MILITARY SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTTINGEN,
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME AND CO.; T. EGER-
TON; J. MAWMAN; AND BLACK, PARRY AND KINGSBURY.
1811.
Brooke, Printer, Paternoster Row, London.
INTRODUCTION.
THE third volume of the "Elements of the
Science of War," though solely intended to contain
an entire series of interesting relations of memo-
rable battles, remarkable sieges, and skilful
operations, will, however, only present to the
reader such as are most particularly worthy of
attention; the purposed limits of the work being
too bounded to comprise the extensive views of
general history, especially as the remarks relative
to the details selected will require considerable
space.
Of the many distinguished battles, operations,
and sieges, fought and conducted, from the year
1667 to the commencement of the seven years
war, or to the year 1757, those alone will be ad-
mitted that are distinguished by the manner in
which they were brought to issue; that tend to
shew how often apparently small events deter-
mine great losses, and the contrary; and that are
connected with the military occurrences of these
times, in as far as the modes of fighting, and
carrying on war then adopted, are likely to afford
instruction or establish rules, either in respect to
the principles on which wars are at the present
day made and directed, or to those according to
INTRODUCTION.
which conquerors ought to act, in order to gain
the utmost advantage by their successes.
Maps necessary to illustrate the operations,
as well as plans of the most celebrated fields of
battle, will be found annexed to this volume;
they amount in all to 41, sketches, which the
greatest care has been taken to render correct,
both in the original drawing, and also in the im-
pressions, which have been taken from the en-
gravings. Having had an opportunity, during my
my travels, of making ocular surveys of all the local
circumstances included in these delineations, and
of comparing the ground respectively with the his-
tory of the incidents themselves, I flatter myself that
the whole have attained to no ordinary degree of
accuracy, and will serve much towards the informa-
tion of every one desirous of becoming acquainted
with the most striking particulars in the accounts
of the battles, sieges, and operations, recorded
since the year 1667.
Feb. 15th, 1811.
W. M.
THE
"
ELEMENTS
7
OF
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MOST REMARKABLE
BATTLES, MEMORABLE SIEGES AND OTHER
MILITARY
1667 TO 1810.
OPERATIONS, FROM THE YEAR
REMARKS ON THE WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN,
IN THE NETIEKLANDS, A. D. 1667.
THE first enterprise determined upon in the war which com-
menced in the year 1667, was the siege of Charleroy. The
French army was assembled at Amiens; but that place be-
ing too far distant from the town against which the troops
were destined, both the men and their horses were worn out
before they arrived there; and this, added to the improper
manner in which the operations were planned and conducted,
not only protracted the war, but when it ended in 1672,
scarcely any thing had been gained on the side of France, and
the few advantages procured, were rather more than counter-
balanced by concomitant losses.
VOL. III.
B
CT
THE ELEMENTS OF
The principal causes of this war were the ill state of health
of Philip IV. King of Spain, who was very soon expected to
die, and the desire of Lewis XIV. to obtain the hereditary
parts of Brabant, which were, on the event of the approach-
ing death, to fall to the Queen of France.
Had Lewis collected a sufficient body of infantry before
Philip's demise, which he might easily have done, and had
his ordnance, and every preparation connected either with
them or the train, been completed in due time, he would have
undoubtedly conquered all the Netherlands with little diffi-
culty, and retained them in his possession, as well as the
small tract of ground ceded to him by the peace concluded at
Aix. As soon as the French army entered the Netherlands,
the towns required to be strongly garrisoned, and thus it was
impossible for the former to proceed; but the grand point
might still have been effected by an additional number of infan-
try, and directing a part of the operations towards Brussels.
The plan of operations of the French army was not, certainly,
so well formed as it ought to have been; nor, on the other
hand, was it executed with that energy which such cases
require.
ļ
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1672.
The French arms obtained such important advantages in
the year 1672 over the Dutch, commanded by the Prince of
Orange, that the latter made proposals for a peace, which
were however rejected by Lewis XIV. though very favour-
able to his interests. The Dutch immediately endeavoured to
bring Spain, Austria, and Prussia, into a triple alliance against
him, and so far suceeeded, that the war again began to rage in
full vehemence, soon after his refusal of the terms of pacifi-
cation.
Mareschal Luxemburg, who commanded the army which
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
CO
had taken all the Dutch fortresses on the Rhine, directly
advanced towards the Yssel, along which river the Prince of
Orange had established a fortified line; but this being too
extensive, the French army was soon able to penetrate it and
proceed farther; and, had not the ice been broken up, the
Mareschal would speedily have reached Amsterdam.
To strengthen the French position in general, and to secure
a position for their cavalry, an intrenched camp was formed
round Utrecht, and occupied by six battalions.
Though all offers of peace had been obstinately withstood,
Mareschal Luxemburg would not hazard advancing too
rapidly, but rather chose cautiously to observe the manoeuvres
of the Prince, and endeavour to subdue his army by taking it
unawares.
The Prince of Orange wishing on his part to act offen-
sively, made some false attacks on Naerden, Crevecour, and
Bommoel; but Verdun, a small fortress with a garrison of
about 2000 men, which covered Utrecht, and the passage to
Holland, he resolved regularly to besiege.
The Prince, immediately on advancing with his army,
ordered a strong intrenchment to be raised on the dike of
the old Rhine, and a section to be formed between Herme-
len and Voerden, which were accomplished in a short time,
and all the works surrounded with palisadoes and cheveaux-de-
frize. From the above intrenchment he commanded still
more works to be constructed, in order to increase the obsta-
cles to the advance of the enemy in case of an attack.
The canal from Kannerick to Voerden was also fortified in a
similar manner.
The Mareschal arrived with his army at Hermelen before
night-fall, and reconnoitred the fortifications raised on the
dike of the old Rhine; he then ordered some detachments
of cavalry merely to make a shew of attacking the fortifica-
tion of the dike near the canal from Kannerick, while he
hastened with his infantry through the inundation to take it
B 2
4
THE ELEMENTS OF
in flank, and reached Kannerick before the Prince had received
any information on the subject.
The French, finding the bridge at Kannerick neither defended
nor destroyed, defiled over it, and arrived three hours before
day-break on the other side of the canal. The first Dutch
fortifications in that quarter, situated on a small hill, were
immediately assaulted and taken; the infantry forming in the
inundation, which was not, however, more than two feet deep.
Some other fortifications, which the Dutch did not so stre-
nuously defend, were also assaulted in flank and subdued;
and thus the French army advanced, in spite of all the works
erected on the dike near Hermelen.
The fortifications successively fell after an unremitted attack
of four hours, during which time the Dutch lost about 5200
men in killed and wounded; and the French about 2900,
though the whole of their infantry only amounted to about
6000 men.
The Prince had scarcely invested Voerden for twenty-four
hours when he was in this manner forced to retire, although
the place would certainly have surrendered in the same time
after.
The errors committed by the Prince consisted in his not
occupying Hermelen, and particularly the church of that
village, which was furnished with a burying ground sur-
rounded by a high wall. Another of his faults originated in
not defending the defiles leading towards his position more
properly than he did, and in not reconnoitring the enemy,
who, without delay, endeavoured to avail himself of every
possible advantage.
Mareschal Turenne was during this campaign equally
as fortunate in procuring reinforcements from the Prince
of Condé, who was then in Brabant; with these he proceeded
towards Wesel, and passed the Rhine by a bridge esta-
blished there, without being perceived by the enemy. He
then passed the bridges as well as the defile near Birkenbaum,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
5
and attacked the Elector of Brandenburg, whom he forced
to retreat in great haste.
Turenne did not pursue him though he might have done
so to considerable advantage, but coutented himself with
taking up his winter quarters in Westphalia.
The troops were all quartered in walled towns along the
Rhine, and every battalion had its fixed route to the place of
rendezvous, so that the whole could be easily collected to-
gether, as soon as the Elector of Brandenburg threatened
to approach.
OPERATIONS AND REMARKS THEREON, FOR THE YEAR
1673.
Mareschal Turenne had crossed the Rhine with his army,
had begun to act on the offensive towards Austria, and taken
a position behind the Tauber, when Count Montecuculi
learning that he expected a large convoy from Wirtzburg,
the Bishop of which see provided the French army with pro-
visions, their baking ovens being erected in that city, entreated
the same ecclesiastic to allow him to pass through it.
Mareschal Turenne had only detached a small party to
cover his convoy; this was consequently soon dispersed and
the whole convoy taken. The nearest magazines from which
the French army could now receive supplies were at Philips-
burg, towards which place the Mareschal accordingly re-
treated. His advance into Franconia was frustrated by the
want of provisions. Montecuculi convinced of this, hastened
to join the Prince of Oranien who had collected all the
troops in his power from the Dutch and Spanish armies, and
who, his force being rendered by this means as strong as that
of Mareschal Luxemburg, forced the latter to retreat, and
took several fortresses on the approach of Montecuculi.
At this juncture it appeared necessary to reinforce Luxem-
burg's army, as it principally consisted of a numerous body
6
THE ELEMENTS OF
of infantry, and very few cavalry in proportion to the Prince's ;
Mareschal Schomberg therefore received orders to muster all
the horse in Flanders and Henegau for that purpose.
The Prince being however anxious to prevent the junction
of these troops, advanced towards them, but was deceived by
a manœuvre on the part of Luxemburg, who made feint to
march through the forest of the Ardennes, on the road to
Mezierres, which design the Prince of course, as soon as he
perceived it, would endeavour to obstruct; but by this means
the distance from Mastricht, where Schomberg lay, was aug-
mented, and Luxemburg turning on a sudden, was enabled
to join the cavalry under that officer, who then advanced to-
wards Tongern.
The junction of the Dutch and Austrian armies was not to
be prevented by the French, so that the capture of a single
convoy of provisions, completely turned the scale of the
campaign in favour of the allies.
Mareschal Turenne was howeyer undoubtedly not active
enough in pursuing Montecuculi, for which service a small
corps would have been quite sufficient, while the main army
might have remained at a short distance behind, on which the
troops in pursuit would have always had a sure replie.
A considerable part of the French army was totally inac-
tive, though much wanted to oppose the junction of the
Dutch and Spanish armies.
The allies obtained during this year unequivocal advan-
tages, which would have enabled them to take the field offen-
sively in the ensuing spring, had they not been reduced to
act on the defensive, by two battles which they successively
lost.
The Austrian army established its winter quarters between
the Rhine and the Maas.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
OPERATIONS AND REMARKS THEREON, FOR THE YEAR
1674.
The Dutch and Austrian armies could not be prevented
from uniting in the early part of this year, and nothing but the
battle of Seneffe could have enabled the French to act on the
offensive, though they had regained Franche Comte.
The error committed by the Prince of Oranier was conse-
quently very blameable, considering the many advantages he
lost by it, and that he exposed himself without any necessity
or ultimate prospect.
The marching off, of that Prince's army was not at all co-
vered, though executed in the vicinity of the enemy; and it
was equal as great a fault not to cover the passes of the defiles
near Seneffe.
Mareschal Conde directed only a part of the right of
his army to advance, covered by a mountain, and which
made the first attack. Had the whole of this force acted
directly against the Prince, he would have lost a great
deal more, but being only engaged nearSen effe, Tay, and the
Hopyards, and having placed his vanguard in order of battle
on the other side of the defile, the French did not gain any
important advantages.
Mareschal Conde was then enabled to act offensively.
Mareschal Turenne marched from Elsace, where he had
been in winter quarters, to Philipsburg, where he crossed
the Rhine, and thence proceeded to Sintzheim; here he
came up with the enemy on the opposite side of the river
Elsace.
Turenne had broken up his winter quarters, principally to
support the operations in Franche Comte, where the four
Waldstaedte (forest towns) reinforced by an Austrian army,
were adequate to obstruct the advances of the French.
The Austrians, under Prince Lothringen, aware that they
could not prevent the occupation of Franche Comte, formed
a camp near Sintzheim. (Plan XIII. B.)
B
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
When Turenne arrived near Sintzheim he immediately re-
connoitered the enemy's position, and perceived that the
right flank of his army was appuied on a hollow way, at the op-
posite side of which there was a castle, occupied by some
light troops. One thousand of the Austrian infantry defended
the gardens before Sitzheim, supported by 400 cavalry.
The Austrian corps on the eminences behind Sintzheim were
composed of 1500 infantry and 6000 cavalry.
The French attacked the gardens with 300 infantry and four
squadrons of dragoons.
The main army of the French formed near Sintzheim, and
consisted of 3500 infantry and 6000 cavalry.
The Austrian troops retired on being attacked by the
French, and formed on the fausse-bray of the town; but the
latter soon forced them back, and took possession of both of
the gates of the town.
Some Austrian infantry sent to support the troops in Sintz-
heim were also repulsed.
The French soon advanced to the castle and the hedges in
the field round it. The vineyards on the left wing of the
Austrian army were occupied by 200 of the French troops,
and the rest of this army defiled through Sintzheim; the ca-
valry forming afterwards at C. C. opposite to the Austrian
corps posted at A. A. whence they were forced to retire.
Since the Austrians were resolved to risk a battle, the fol-
lowing plan appears to be more advantageous than that
pursued on the occasion. Sintzheim and the castle behind, as
well as the hedges near it, should have been occupied by their
infantry, supported by some dragoons. The rest of the
dragoons should have been employed in defending the defile,
and the light cavalry might have been stationed between the
hollow way and the vineyards.
But the Austrians were too far distant from the defile, and
could not see the enemy's manoeuvres; they also did not at-
tack the enemy either soon enough or with sufficient brisk-
ness, so that he had really time to form his cavalry com-
pletely,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
9
The position taken by an army at the present day in the
same place, would, however, be very different.
If 8000 infantry in ten battalions, and 2000 cavalry in
twenty squadrons, were now to be posted with thirty-two
pieces of ordnance on the same ground, the following dispo-
sition would be the most favourable.
In Sintzheim ten guns and one battalion; in the castle one
battalion, and in the abbey before it 50 men and two cannons.
On the left wing one battery, another in the centre of the
army, and a third serving as a reserve.
One battalion would occupy the vineyards.
Three battalions would be placed in each line, and the 10th
support the right wing, the castle, and the town.
The cavalry would be stationed on the wings of the infantry,
with 600 behind the castle, and 200 in Sintzheim.
The defile should be occupied by light troops, and the ca-
valry behind the castle well supported to act on the enemy's
flank.
In such a posture it would have been absolutely impossible
for the French to have attacked or outflanked the Austrians, as
every part of their army would have been well supported and
appuied on.
The success of this battle replaced the force of Turenne
more on a footing with that of the Austrians.
The French army formed a camp near Wantzenau, and the
Austrians near Entzheim, where they awaited considerable
reinforcements from the Elector of Brunswick.
The only means of saving Philipsburgh and Brisach from
falling by the superior force of the Austrians, as soon as the
junction should be made, was to bring on a battle before that
could be effected.
Turenne marched in consequence towards Entzheim, where
the Austrians, commanded by General Bournonville, still held
their camp.
At day-break the French army, which had marched during
the whole night,crossed the Breusch and formed in order of battle,
10
THE ELEMENTS OF
The left wing of this army (Plan IX. A.) was appuied on
a bush occupied with infantry and some cannon, and the right
wing extended into the plain on the right of Entzheim.
The Austrian army was disposed as follows:
Two battalions garrisoned Entzheim.
(c) Three battalions posted on the right flank of this village.
(d) Eight squadrons.
(e) Nine squadrons.
(f) Dragoons behind a bush.
(g) Hussars and Kroats.
(h) Two battalions, together with some artillery, in a
hollow way.
(i) Two squadrons.
(k) Three battalions in a hollow way.
(1) Eight battalions, in two lines.
(m) (n) (0) Nine battalions.
(p) Cavalry, in two lines.
(q) Fifteen squadrons, in two lines.
(r) Second position of the French army.
(s) Austrian cavalry, for the purpose of reconnoitring.
The French army approached in front, and engaged at
nine in the morning. A heavy fall of rain prevented a slow
advance, and the firing could scarcely be kept up.
The left wing of the French army was soon repulsed, but
this disaster was as speedily remedied by the gallant behaviour
of the second line.
The troops in the centre could not advance quickly, nor
indeed almost use their arms.
The French infantry, and more especially the cavalry, on
the right wing, sustained a heavy fire, though they kept their
position. As soon as every thing was redressed on the left
wing, the Mareschal beat back the Austrians on the same
wing of their army; and the wood by which it was before
covered, became now the point of appuie for the right wing of
the French.
In the mean time some disorder was occasioned in their right
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
11
ما
wing, and this, together with the tired state of the troops,
induced the Mareschal to retreat to where he remained dur-
ing the night.
The Austrians on the other hand retired to Strasburg, that
they might not be again aunoyed.
Turenne took a position near Achenheim, and ordered his
bread to be furnished from Strasburg, but this town declaring
for the allies, none was provided for him, and as the stores of
flour from Zeibern and Lothringen had not arrived, he was
obliged to draw nearer to his magazines at Marlenheim.
念
​The Austrian army soon after this joined the Elector of
Brandenburgh's corps, and Turenne also received some rein-
forcements.
The Duke of Bournonville was advancing with sixteen
squadrons to reinforce the Austrians near Molsheim, which
induced Turenne to be very watchful at all points, and to send
several detachments towards the Austrian army to reconnoitre
and watch its movements.
The French camp was then fortified by the command of
Turenne; but the allied army only advanced and formed a
camp near Osthofen and Wirlenheim, five miles from Mor-
lenheim, in order to attack the enemy next day.
Turenne, however, retired to Dettwieter, having Labern
to the righ: and Hagenau to the left, and was consequently
enabled to advance parallel with the Austrians, according to
their movements.
The French rear-guard was slightly attacked, but without
success.
Thus the campaign ended without any important object
being obtained, and though the Austrians were stronger than
the French, they had been defeated and reduced to keep on
the defensive; they would, however, have been very blameable
if they had continued to do so after the junction of Branden-
burg's troops.
The allied army, when completely united, being about
60,000 strong, while that of Turenne did not amount to one
} 2
THE ELEMENTS OF
half of that number. He could not possibly prevent it from
taking the position in Elsace, but he sent large garrisons to
Philipsburg and Breisach, and proceeded with the rest of his
army by the way of Zabern to Lothringen, in order to refreshi
his soldiers, and by this means also the march of the troops
expected from the Netherlands was covered.
The allies were not at all attentive to the arrival of these
reinforcements. They were not inclined to besiege Breisach,
and only distributed their troops among the winter quarters
in Elsace; thus Philipsburg and Breisach were blockaded.
These corps were at last in expectation of being sent to assist
Franche Compte, where they were impatiently expected.
Mareschal Turenne, after having rested for some time and
receiving his reinforcements, marched to Tannes and Bedford,
where he arrived without attracting the enemy's notice, giving
it out that he did this in order to take up better winter quar-
ters in Elsace; but the Mareschal, as soon as he came near
the quarters of the allies, proceeded against them, before they
were properly informed of his movements.
The troops collected near Muhlhausen were attacked by
him; those on his rear he made prisoners, and proceeded to
the head-quarters of the Elector of Brandenburg; here all
the Generals of the allied armies were assembled to celebrate
a grand festival on the day of the Three Kings, but as soon
as intimation was received of Turenne's approach, every one
fled to the Rhine.
Almost all the baggage in Kolmus was lost, and the whole
army forced to fly back over the Rhine; thus all the plans of
the allies were annihilated by a single coup, and Turenne
gained the glory of being accounted a great warrior, who knew
how to attack his enemies, so as both to injure them the most,
and to procure the greatest advantages to himself.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
13
OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1675, AND REMARKS THEREON.
The war in Germany had already begun offensively on
the side of the French; but the consequent operations are
here purposely omitted.
Mareschal Turenne formed a new camp in July, near
Renchenloch, his left wing on the Rhine, and his right on
Bischen; in front there was a marshy forest stretching to-
wards the Renchen. The Austrians were stationed opposite
to his position, with their right wing on the Rhine, and their
left on a forest.
While matters remained in this state it was almost impos-
sible for a battle to take place, as the Rruchen and the moor
extending along its bauks had been rendered inaccessible by a
fortnight of incessant rain.
The French army could not long maintain itself in this
position on account of a deficiency in forage; Turenne there-
fore resolved to stretch along the Renchen, and act on the
Hanks of the Austrians.
As soon as the rains had abated for a few days, Turenne
ordered his determination to be executed.
As the Austrians were very remiss in their mode of guard-
ing the Renchen rivulet, Turenne resolved to cross it at a
ford near Renchenloch, which had been shown to him by a
shepherd; he accordingly proceeded there in person, on the
night of the 15th, with two guns, two squadrons, and five
battalions, commanded by Marquis Vaubrun and Count
Roye.
They first passed a piece of very moorish ground, then
an arm of the Renchen, afterwards a wood, and arrived
about midnight at the ford. Here a bridge and a tete-de-
pont to cover it, were constructed. This work being accom-
plished, 250 cavalry were immediately sent over, who took
about 60 men belonging to a foraging party.
Turenne then returned to Freystadt, and the succeeding
14
THE ELEMENTS OF
days were spent in putting this post in a still better state of
defeuce. It was occupied by two battalions, and two more
were stationed at the side of it.
This corps afterwards proceeded farther to the right oppo-
site Waghurst. Turcune marched himself on the 20th,
with five squadrons and 100 dragoons, passed the Renchen
near Waghurst, and occupied the castle there. A fasine dike
was raised across the rivulet to keep open the communication.
In the mean time a redoubt was built of trees on the right
bank, by Hamilton, who commanded the force stationed
there. In order fully to execute the project in view, and to
push the enemy to a greater distance from his magazines, it
was necessary that the French army should be still more weak-
ened by detachments, and yet remain strong enough to oppose
the allies advancing near Freystadt. The front of the French
camp was in the course of two days strongly fortified; almost
all the men on the island in the Rhine were recalled, and the
cavalry stationed near Newmuhl, as well as the infantry near
Wilstadt, rejoined the main body.
Count Lorgos and Lord Douglas remained with eight bat-
talions, six cannons, and 30 squadrons, in the camp near
Freystadt. Turenne went off with the remainder of the
troops to Waghurst, proceeded to Renchen castle, and thence
to a position near Waghurst, having his right wing on a
rivulet and the high road to Niederachern. Turenne recon-
noitred as far as the village of Gamshurst.
Mean while Montecuculi had resolved to attack the French,
in consequence of which, Capra received orders to proceed,
on the 23d at night, with 2000 infantry, four guns, and 1000
cavalry, to Waghurst; and on a signal being given to assault
the fortification, at the same time that the Duke of Lothrin-
gen, with 3000 cavalry, 1000 dragoons, and four pieces of
ordnance, was to attack the French camp in front: 4000 in-
fantry, and four cannons were also destined to attack Count
Hamilton; but the other corps, with Montecuculi at their
head, had it in direction to advance towards Freystadt.→
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
15
Turenne detached 50 dragoons to learn whether or not the
enemy had occupied Gamshurst; these met with the van-
guard of the Duke of Lothringen, retreated, and brought in-
formation of this circumstance to the dragoons stationed near
the Tuillerie.
Day-light became visible, but the morning mist prevented
General Vaubrun from being able to calculate the number of
the Austrians; the latter made an attack, Vaubrun was
wounded, and the French were forced to retreat, the Austri-
ans advancing till Turenne came up with four battalions.
The Duke of Lothringen was informed by the French
General Truci, whom he had taken prisoner, that Turenne
was present, upon which the Duke retreated with the loss of
about 40 in killed, and 100 wounded, Turenne did not,
however, pursue him; for the same fog which had caused the
latter to retreat, by keeping him ignorant of the French
force, concealed the real strength of the Austrians from the
formier.
Count Capra having arrived at Waghurst, and not receiv-
ing the appointed signal, thought that Montecuculi had
altered his design, and consequently retired to Offenburg.
Count Hamilton was not attacked, because the corps selected
for that service lost its way; and a similar accident happened
in respect to the attack on Freystadt. As soon as the fog
dispersed the French ariny marched to Waghurst, its right
wing being posted on the Achern, and its left on a rivulet.
Two battalions kept open the communication with Count
Hamilton's detachment.
Turenne advanced, on the 25th of July, to Gamshurst,
and perceiving that there were only 1100 men to protect this
post, which was of the utmost importance to the French, as
it commanded the banks of the Achern, he ordered twice as
strong a force, four guns, and some cavalry, to attack it.
The village itself was abandoned; but the churchyard, in
which 150 men were stationed, most obstinately defended.
16
THE ELEMENTS OF
Above 60 of the French were killed before this post surren-
dered.
Patrols were then sent out by Turenne on the right side of
the Achern; and six battalions, with two brigades of cavalry,
crossed the same rivulet and formed a camp near Gamshurst.
Montecuculi aware of his dangerous situation, and his army
becoming every day more and more in want of provisions, he
commanded Count Capra to march with his corps to Nieder
Sasbach, who passed the Achern during the night of the
25th, and took a position behind that rivulet; 100 infantry
being then ordered to occupy the church of Nieder Sasbach.
As soon as Turenne heard of this movement he determined
to follow Montecuculi, and having left two squadrons and
two battalions near Freystadt, joined Hamilton's detachment.
Both armies then proceeded to Nieder Sasbach.
The French army had here the misfortune to lose its com-
mander, who was killed by a ball while forming the plan of
attack upon the enemy. Its centre and the left wing were
already on the field of battle, so that it maintained its posi
tion; but the two Marschals, Marquis Vaubrun and Count
Lorgos, had, inmediately after the death of Turenne, a mis-
understanding about who should assume the chief com-
mand.
Montecuculi received instant intimation of Turenne's fall,
by a German servant who had deserted; he did not however
profit by the consequent tardiness of the right wing of the
French army, but rather chose to endeavour to drive the
whole back across the Rhine, and bring the scene of action
again to Elsace. Next morning he accordingly sent forward
Count Capra, with the cavalry of the left wing, who passed
the mountains in sight of the enemy, and marched to Offen-
burg and Wilstadt.
The French Generals perceiving the danger that menaced
them if Montecuculi should get possession of any one of
their convoys, or of the bridge near Altenheim, resolved to
march next night for that place.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
17
"
The Austrians were not made acquainted with the filing off
of the French army till early on the ensuing morning, by
which time almost the whole had crossed the brook near the
Achern; and thus the infantry of the French vanguard were
enabled to break down the bridges before they could be
reached by the Austrian croats and dragoons.
Montecuculi being desirous to have his army collected and
to conceal his manœuvres, did not order any attack to be made,
though the retreat of the French was a complete flight, for
the safety of which no particular precautions had been taken.
As the French army approached to the bridge near Alten-
heim, Mareschal Vaubrun ordered the whole to file over,
and only kept back the infantry to serve as a rear-guard,
which had, in fact, been the case during all the retreat. (Pl.
IX. A.)
The brigade of Champagne rested behind the Schutter,
while the second line of the army crossed the Rhine. Mon-
tecuculi now directed his attack against the above brigade,
which was thrown back; but as he did not sufficiently avail
himself of this circumstance, the second line of the French
army opposed him again, though not headed by any general.
The first French line having again formed, could now either
attack the Austrians or await the attack of the latter in per-
fect order. But the left wing of this army not extending to
the Rhine, allowed the Austrians to detach cavalry to assail
it in the rear, while it was every where attacked in front.
This body of cavalry was several times engaged in the
rear; but nothing decisive took place till the French cavalry,
arriving from the left wing, obliged it to retreat through one
of the battalions. About six o'clock in the evening the
second line of the French had time to form. The Austrians
still repeated their attacks but were always repulsed. Next
day both armies surrounded themselves with fortified lines.
Mareschal Vaubrun had been killed at the commencement
of the battle; and Count Lorgos was in consequence become
commander in chief.
VOL. III.
C
1
18
THE ELEMENTS OF
During this engagement the French subalterns and privates
had evinced much courage and skilfulness, and indeed it was
owing to this alone that Montecuculi gained so little ad-
vantage.
The affairs of the army commanded by Mareschal Crequi wore
quite as bad an aspect as those of the preceding. This officer con-
ceived that the bravery of his troops was sufficient to guarantee
him against ever losing a battle, in consequence of some little
superiority he had obtained over the allied army, which was
now only anxious to besiege Trier, a project, however, im-
practicable, as the Mareschal was near the Moselle.
Crequi was so situated as to be able to cover his army with
the Saar and Moselle, and thus evade a battle.
The allied army encamped behind a small eminence near
Consarbruck, that it might conceal its manoeuvres, while
Crequi stood on the other side of the rivulet, near the same
village. The bridge over this rivulet was not broken down,
and the tower not far distant was only garrisoned by about
20 men. The allied army advanced in consequence to the
rivulet, which they crossed by means of a bridge and a ford,
and there receiving intelligence that the enemy's cavalry were
foraging at the opposite side of a defile behind his army, they
pushed on so rapidly that they arrived on the field of battle
before Mareschal Crequi could form his troops. The effects
of this, combined with the circumstance relative to his cavalry,
who when ordered to return passed the defile in great confu-
sion, were that the French army gave way. (Pl. IX. B.)
Mareschal Crequi might easily have taken a stronger posi-
tion between the Saar and the Moselle, behind the defile, but
as it was, he ought at least to have detached a very strong post
to defend the bridge and the fords of the rivulet near Consar-
bruck.
Not only by the wrong choice of his position, but also by
dividing his force, he sustained considerable losses, that
were not confined to the bare misfortune of a defeat, but
forced him to seek refuge in Trier, which was soon after taken.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
19
Montecuculi, as well as the allied army near Consarbruck,
(principally by the siege of Trier) had obtained such advantages
over the French that the first was enabled to drive the last
from Alsace and out of Franche Compte; his movements
were, however, so slowly executed that he ultimately lost al-
most all that he had gained.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1676.
The Austrians commenced this campaign with offensive
operations, and endeavoured to force the Duke of Luxem-
burgh out of Alsace.
However this General took a strong position near St. Jean
de Choux, not far from Saverne, and procured by this means
some reinforcements sent by Lewis XIV. after the taking of
Conde and Bouchain,
This army it was impossible to bring to an engagement, and
Luxemburg might have prevented Prince Lothringen from
taking Philipsburg, or even Strasburg, but the Cabinet of
Paris would not agree to this mode of proceeding, and the
Austrians thus remained the stronger.
The capture of Trier and Philipsburg induced the Duke of
Lothringen to carry on the war offensively, intending to make
use of these places as points from which he might penetrate
into his territories on the Saar and Meuse, and the towns of
Philipsburg and Lauterburg, to assist his advancing into Upper
Alsace, on which expedition he had ordered a corps, com-
manded by the Duke of Saxe Eisenach.
The Magistrates of Strasburg, it was expected, would open
the gates to let him pass, and make use of the bridge over the
Phine.
The principal part of the army was now collected in the
neighbourhood of Trier, and almost at the same time that the
corps of the Duke of Eisenach crossed the Rhine, Mareschal
Ce
20
THE ELEMENTS OF
Crequi, who commanded the French forces in Germany, was
opposed to the Duke of Lothringen, and General Monteklar
to the Duke of Eisenach.
The most probable idea was, that the subjects of Lothrin-
gen would revolt and assist their Prince, but this did not take
place.
The Duke of Lothringen passed the Saar, and formed a
camp near Metz; Mareschal Crequi's operations on his rear,
and against his convoys, were, however, so successful, that
he was forced to relinquish his enterprizes in this quarter, and
act upon the Meuse.
He accordingly marched towards Mousson, but as Crequi
kept pace with him constantly, it was impossible for him to
obtain any decided advantage.
In this manner the whole campaign was consumed, with
marching and changing positions, by which both armies lost
a great deal of baggage, and an immense number of men and
horses.
The Duke of Lothringen retreated to Lower Alsace, in
hopes of coming up with the Duke of Eisenach, but he had
retired to one of the islands near Strasburg.
Several other enterprizes were executed during the course of
this year, such as taking Loo by surprize, and making a pri-
soner of Monteklar; but these are only mentioned here to
shew that every effort was conducted with sufficient energy,
secrecy, and skill, on the part of the soldiers so long as they
had good Commanders.
The Duke of Eisenach was freed afterwards from his
awkward situation, by a passport for himself and army being
allowed by Mareschal Crequi to return to Germany.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1677.
Early in 1677 a battle was fought near St. Omer. Louis
the XIVth, of France, having subdued Valauciennes, had un-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
21
dertaken the siege of Cambray, and his brother that of St.
Omer; when the Prince of Orange finding it impossible to
collect a sufficient army, either to support Valenciennes or
Cambray, turned his attention to St. Omer, and assembled his
forces near Ypern.
The King sent a considerable corps, under Mareschal Lux-
emburg, to support his brother; on the arrival of which it
was resolved only to leave the guard of the trenches, and to
attack the Prince with the rest of the army, including the re-
Pursuant to this intention the French advanced to
drive back the Dutch, who were stationed on a rising ground
covered with some brambles.
serve.
The right wing of the French army engaged a little too
soon, after having crossed the rivulet and occupied its bank.
The Dutch, seeing that this part of the enemy's force was
separated from the other, attacked it both with cavalry and
infantry, on which the French retreated in the greatest con-
fusion.
When order was again somewhat restored, the first French
line began to advance, and the centre, commanded by the king,
together with the left wing under Luxemburg, pushed forward
and arrived almost at the same time on the opposite side of the
rivulet, where they once more formed in line.
The Dutch were now obliged to retreat through Casal,
which misfortune may be wholly attributed to the bad order of
the Prince of Orange's troops, considering that such great ad-
vantages had been obtained by his left wing.
Had this Prince attacked the right wing and centre of the
French immediately on their attempting to cross the rivulet,
there is little doubt but that he would have routed the army
entirely, as the intervals and disorder already occasioned had
obliged the right wing to retreat with great loss.
As soon as the first line of the French army had fornied on
the other side of the rivulet, the second line followed, but the
Dutch, though retreating every moment more and more, were
not pursued, which was certainly a condemnable neglect.
42
THE ELEMENTS OF
The original intention of this Prince was well planned, viz.
to effect a movement with his right wing towards the Schan-
zenwarte, situated above St. Omer, by which means he would
have relieved that town without fighting a battle.
The Duke of Lothringen was opposed to Mareschal Crequi,
and kept him in check while the Duke of Eisenach marched
with 10,000 men through Alsace, after having passed the
Rhine near Philipsburgh, although General Monteklar had
his army quartered in the fortresses of that province.
The Duke of Eisenach established his camp near Basel,
procuring provisions from Walstadt. (Pl. XV. D.)
This position was near a large redoubt, situated on the spot
where Hunninguen was afterwards built, but having no depth,
being too close to the Rhine, and also commanded by heights,
forage could not be obtained from the other side of that river,
till General Monteklar advanced towards it.
After some affairs between the cavalry had taken place, the
Duke of Eisenach was completely surrounded; he therefore
fortified his camp, and mounted guns at several places to en-
filade the declivity of the eminences. The left flank was also
fortified, and here the camp could not be attacked without
passing through some parts of Basel; which, this being a
neutral canton, was not allowable. The right flank was more
weakly fortified, and by reason of an old dike of the Rhine
and some heights, could at the same time be more easily as-
sailed, and approached covered.
The heavy guns to cannonade the camp, and every thing
necessary for the attack were prepared, when, by the inexcusable
negligence of Monteklar, the Duke was permitted to cross the
river without any annoyance, though the noise of his waggons
and ordnance, as they passed over the bridge, was most dis-
tinctly heard, and though Monteklar had by far the stronger
force.
Although the French acted on many occasions very er-
roneously, they finished the campaign favourably for the ope-
rations of the ensuing year, from the astonishing blunders
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
23
committed by the Prince of Orange, and the inactivity of the
allied Commanders of the different armies.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1678.
In this year Gent was taken by storm by the French, which
would, however, have been impossible in sight of the Dutch
army, had this not conducted its operations in so indolent a
manner.
The French studiously concealed their attack upon Gent,
and Louis XIV. proceeded himself to Metz, in order to make
it appear that he intended to besiege Luxemburg or Namur,
while the army was actually marching towards Ypern.
The war ended during the same year with the ill-managed
attack of the Prince of Orange on St. Denain. (Plan XV.
C.)
The Dutch having signed the prelimenaries of a peace at
Nimeguen, in which the Spaniards were not included, they
persuaded the Prince of Orange to break it, by attacking
the French, though he was in hourly expectation of receiving
official notice of the treaty, or, as some pretend, after he had
really received this intimation, he being resolved to take ven-
geance on his late enemies.
Both armies were drawn up along a rivulet, which ran
through St. Denain and separated them, its banks being very
steep, so that a general attack was impracticable.
It was also impossible for the Dutch army to pass the two
defiles near the Villa of Castreau, as the French were formed
in line behind it. After a hot, but very short engagement, the
French took a position near Castreau, and the Dutch en-
camped in the vicinity of Sagnies.
The resolution of the Prince of Orange to give battle at
such an unfavourable place is extraordinary and unaccountable;
complete success could hardly have enabled him to pre-
vent the blockade of Mons, and the only advantage he could
expect must have consisted in the destruction of five bat-
}
24
THE ELEMENTS OF
talions and eight squadrons of the enemy. However, he ran
himself no risk in fighting at that time, except that of losing
about 1000 men, which disaster he was particularly careful to
avoid.
The various sieges carried on during this war were partly re-
markable in respect to the defence of the places, but almost
totally different from modern enterprizes of the same nature,
attended as they are now with so great a number of ordnance,
Storms were frequently conducted like regular sieges, and part
of a town, after having been formally invested, was sometimes
taken by assault.
1
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1688.
The Austrian Cabinet, though entangled in a war with
Turkey, endeavoured to make peace, that it might declare hos-
tilities against France, and have an opportunity of retaking
Strasburg.
As soon as this circumstence was made known to Louis
XIV. he ordered his army to be recruited and rendered com-
plete to take the field on the earliest occasion.
The French turned their operations towards Germany, took
Philipsburg, which they destroyed, Spire, Worms, Mayence,
Trier, and Cologne, and raised a considerable contribution,
which induced the whole Empire to take up arms against
them, though the war was originally confined to Austria...
The Austrians immediately looked out for allies, and made
a convention with Holland, Spain, and England, by which
William of Nassau became King of the last. The Prince
of Savoy also declared against France, after having entered
into a treaty with the above powers.
On the fall of Philipsburg a corps was sent to Heilbronn,
to station itself along the Neckar, and to levy contributions
in the country between the Main and the Danube.
Krusheim was taken through the stupidity of its Com-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
25
mander, and the singular behaviour of Feuquierres, who
having invited him out of the town, detained him a pri-
soner.
This sudden advance of the French into Germany, is only
to be ascribed to the want of troops; the Austrians were in
Hungary, and the soldiers of the Empire had not been called
to join their corps.
The French established their winter quarters on the left
banks of the Rhine and Neckar, from Tubingue to Man-
heim. The Austrians on their part had retreated to Ulm, so
that there was no considerable force within 200 miles of the
enemy.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1689,
The Marquis of Monteklar assembled his troops at an
early period of the season, having heard that a large Austrian
army was approaching; the report proved however deceitful,
and instead of advancing he remained for the present quiet
and immoveable.
The only enterprise undertaken consisted in raising some
contributions, during which time the French were only
opposed by the Austrian corps in Newenburg and Eutzwai-
hingen. Feuquierres took Newenburg by surprise and a
secret march.
Besides these operations, nothing further respecting the
campaign is thought worthy of mention, except that the allies
appeared seriously preparing to oppose the French; that they
became so much superior in number as to reduce the enemy
to defend his own frontiers; and that Mareschal Humieres,
by his ill-conducted operations, lost the battle of Wollcurt.
26
THE ELEMENTS OF
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1690.
In the beginning of this year the French were again driven
out of Germany, and even Mayence was retaken.
The army in Germany was commanded by Mareschal
Lorgues, and that in Flanders by Luxemburg. Prince Wal-
deck, who opposed him, was superior in force, but he was
obliged by the orders of his court to cover the fortresses
on the lower Rhine against a corps under M. Bouflers.
Prince Waldeck made afterwards several movements along
the Sambre, and formed a camp near Fleurus. Luxemburg
posted his corps on the other side of the Sambre, and directed
Bouflers to join him, which was effected without the know-
ledge of Waldeck. To mislead the Prince's attention, a
detachment of cavalry had crossed the Sambre, and engaged
with his corps.
Plan X. The right wing of the French army, com-
manded by the Prince in person, was stationed on the heights
near Vanghienes, and the left wing was appuied on villages
and castles, and the rivulet which runs from Wanglen to
St. Amand.
Fleurus was in front, but being too far distant was not
occupied; troops were however placed in the villages and
farmyards on the left. The artillery were advantageously
stationed, and their front covered by two rivulets. The
allied army was formed in three lines.
The French advanced in five columns to take a position
between Vanghienes and Fleurus; the two columns on the
left were to compose the left, and the two on the right the
right wing; the centre column consisted of infantry. They
arrived on the field of battle at about eight o'clock in the
morning, and immediately formed in line. The left wing
being the point of appui on which the army was to be formed,
was drawn up to the left of Fleurus in two lines, the infan-
try occupying the ground between it and Ligny, and the right
wing standing in columns near that town and Baignes.
I
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
27
The French had as great a force of infantry as the allied
army; but the former was inferior in cavalry. The Duke of
Luxemburg perceiving that the left wing was well appuied
thought to out flank the enemy by a great distance, and attack
him in the rear, while he was also attacked in front.
As it was necessary to execute this movement secretly, and
as the previous march was of considerable length, Luxem-
burg, to amuse the enemy, engaged slightly along his front,
but directed the troops to advance briskly to the attack, the
instant they arrived in the rear of the allies.
Prince Waldeck neglected the precaution of sending a
detachment to observe the motions of his adversaries, and
remained during the whole time in his position without mov-
ing.'
Fleurus was occupied by six battalions, and the rest of the
infantry of Luxemburg's army stationed along the rivulet
there. M. Gournay, who commanded the cavalry of the left
wing, advanced with those that had been posted beside Fleu-
rus to attack the allies on the right wing, as soon as the Duke
of Luxemburg should engage them in the rear.
General Babantel had orders to attack the centre at the
very same time, and the artillery were disposed along the
front.
The right wing of the French army crossed two bridges
near Ligny, towards the Trois Burettes Inn; but here a
piece of moorish ground prevented the forming of the cavalry;
the first line therefore passed it to the left, and the second to
the right, as quickly as possible, and then drew up in line.
The Prince of Luxemburg having arrived at this position,
was perceived by the allies, who found themselves obliged to
retreat.
The right wing of the enemy's army attacked them at the
same time as the centre, and was successful; the left wing
also engaged, and the allies were completely routed. They
suffered great loss on their flanks from the French batteries,
ร
28
THE ELEMENTS OF
which was increased by the cavalry of the left wing, when
they perceived the disorder thus occasioned.
The position of the allied army appears undoubtedly
strong, particularly as it commands the surrounding ground,
and the moor and villages seem to cover the left flank; but
on all occasions the motions of an enemy must be watched;
to neglect this was an irreparable fault. All the advantages
were confessedly on the side of the Prince, even in respect to
out flanking his opponents on their left flank; still, however,
determination and resolution were wanting to oppose him,
instead of which he had only to encounter observations inat-
tentively made.
The allied army was thus completely routed and fled;
while the French gained by this victory a decided superiority
throughout the whole campaign.
The Prince of Savoy had made war against France with-
out being prepared to prosccute it; the Spaniards would not
venture to quit Milan and march to Piemont, and no Ger-
man army could arrive there in less than three months.
Almost all the infantry and a part of the cavalry belonging
to the French army had already crossed the Alps; it was con-
sequently necessary for the whole to encamp near Turin be-
fore the Prince could fully collect his troops.
Had the French army, which was partly stationed near
Veillano and in the valley of Susa, marched to Mille-
fleurs, and joined the corps placed near Pignerol, all the
troops in Savoy might easily have been disarmed, and Turin
besieged; but instead of this, the whole army marched, after
resting one night at Millefleurs, to Pignerol; and the scattered
Savoyard soldiers had time to form a regular corps.
In this manner the campaign was conducted for three
months, and the French were almost obliged to abandon
Savoy, the Prince of that country having received reinforce-
ments from Germany. Catinat, who commanded the French
there, had a camp near Brillant, and the Prince had his near
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
29
Carignan; hence the former could not prevent the junction
of the German army, particularly as he dared not attack the
well fortified camp of the latter. Catinat was now obliged
to hazard a battle to adjust the balance of power, and there-
fore marched to Saluzzo, on the opposite side of the Po, with
the view of drawing the Prince out of his strong position
though this was a dangerous movement the allied army being
on his flank.
The Prince was desirous of cuting off convoys from Pig-
nerol, and marched to Staffarda.
Catinat from his position near Saluzzo bombarded this
town to induce the allied army to approach.
This officer, as soon as he received notice of the enemy's
movements, recalled the detachments near Saluzza; and having
heard that the enemy had passed the preceding night en-
camped in the plain of Staffarda, he immediately resolved to
attack him. This battle was fought almost at the same time
as that of Fleurus, and was attended likewise with similar
consequences.
The Prince, instead of attacking the French army, awaited
its attack, which was certainly disadvantageous, as he had
taken a worse position than he might have done, had it been
properly chosen.
The right wing should have been covered by the rivulet
which runs through Staffarda, and on its banks there were
cassines, or small stone buildings, into which the infantry might
have been thrown to cover the right wing of the army.
These cassines were indeed occupied; but the right wing
stood at too great a distance from them. The left wing
might also have been appuied on an old dike of the Po, and
used its saliant angle. At the left wing the ground was spa-
cious enough for the position, but too limitted for an attack,
and consequently an offensive enemy might here have been
always out-flanked.
The French infantry first attacked the left wing, and forced
it to retire behind the right. Their cavalry then occupied
30
THE ELEMENTS OF
the abandoned ground, and the infantry being of no use at
that quarter withdrew, joined the main body and, combined
with it, attacked the front of the position of the allies.
Had the Prince profited more by his position he would,
without doubt, have been ultimately successful, for the
French army was quite dispersed after the victory was deter-
mined; and Mareschal Quinson, who commanded the left
wing of the cavalry, proceeded so far to the left that he was
separated from the infantry, and could not assist for six hours
beyond the time that the battle was gained.
After these advantages had been obtained by the French,
Mareschal Catinat could, however, scarcely pursue the allies,
who retreated in good order.
Another enterprisc, executed during this campaign, was
the attack on the rock of Four Teeth, which happened before
the battle of Staffarda.
In the valley of Mary there is a stupendous rock called
from its figure the rock of four teeth, almost entirely sepa-
rated from all the surrounding mountains, with which it is
only connected by some deep hollow ways. This rock was
quite inclosed by troops, but in such a manner that though
they could almost converse with each other a junction could
hardly take place in less than eight hours, on account of the
ravines and vallies of the neighbouring mountains.
By two forest rivulets which contained but little water in
summer, this rock was on one side separated from the adjoin-
ing mountains. On the banks of these rivulets there were
parapets of stone, through which the Waldensers fired on the
French commanded by Fouquierres. At the other sides the
rock was separated by two small rivulets and almost impassa-
ble ravines.
An officer with a gun and a flag was stationed on another
very high rock, to make signals for the different attacks
which were all directed to take place at the same time. The
soldiers who were to compose the attack, which was to be
made covered by thick fascines from the enciny's fire, were
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
31
early in the morning stationed on the bank of the forest
rivulet.
Some light guns were also conveyed thither on sledges,
covered likewise by a parapet of fascines; these pieces were
to be placed against the stone parapets of the Waldensers.
In less than two hours the whole rock was taken, and all
its garrison killed, except 230 men, who escaped on one
side.
Had Feuquierres not laid before his troops, to a sufficient
extent, the danger of attacking such a post, or taken less
care than he did to put every thing in a proper train, he
would never have obtained possession of this extraordinary
place in so short a time.
At the end of the campaign the castle of Orbassano,
occupied by a company of the Prince's guards, was also
taken by Feuquierres, who marched with 800 horse and 500
foot in the night from Pignerol, and arrived at the castle
next morning, the gate of which was forced open by a
petard. Another coup-de-main was undertaken by Feuqui-
erres against Luzern, which likewise proved successful.
The campaign ended by the surrender of Susa to Cati-
nat.
Thus the French obtained in the whole the most prevail-
ing advantages over two superior armies, although the cam-
paign had commenced with an unfavourable aspect for the
operations of the former, whose troops were in general in-
ferior in point of force to those of their enemy,
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1691.
The first undertaking of Catinat, who commanded in Susa,
was directed against Veillano. This place is situated in the
valley of Susa, and might be attacked both from Susa and
Rivoli; but the two corps that were marching from Susa and
Pignerol to put the enterprise into execution, having no
32
THE ELEMENTS OF
•
means of communication, the attacks could not be conducted
at the same time. The attack under Feuquierres succeeded;
but Catinat lost a light gun, which retarded him so much
that the garrison received information of his design. The
Prince of Savoy arrived in the evening with succours, after
the assailants had been for some time masters of the town,
though not of the castle, and the French were forced to
retire. Feuquierres passed under the guns of the castle
during the night, and was scarcely able to fall back upon
Pignerol.
The French army which was to have besieged Turin in
the early part of this year was obliged to act on the defen-
sive, in consequence of a strong reinforcement having arrived
in Savoy, commanded by the Elector of Bavaria.
The French army proceeded afterwards to Saluzzo; and
that of Savoy, commanded by the Prince and the Elector
of Bavaria, marched into the plain of Revel, near the
Po. If this army had however crossed the river near
Meletto, and passed Suluzzo to encamp in the plain of
Scarnafigi, the French would, beyond all dispute, have had
to contend with great difficulties in retiring over the Old Po
and the Brompt. It would have been impossible for them
to procure forage near Saluzzo; and Catinat must unequivo-
cally have lost the garrison of Carmagniola, and a great pro-
portion of the baggage of his army.
Savigliano was at the end of the same year taken by
storm. Turenne, who commanded in Pignerol, and knew
the above town pretty well, ordered the attack to be made.
by 800 horsemen and 500 infantry. Savigliano was on the
other hand defended by four companies of gens d'armes and
some militia.
Turenne arrived two hours before day-break at the gate of
this place, whither he had previously dispatched a spy to
draw out the nails of the lock. The infantry then passed
over the frozen fosse, drew up in a line, inside of the wall
round the town, and opened one gate for the cavalry; the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
3$
}
place was immediately taken and all the troops found there
were made prisoners and conveyed to Pignerol, though the
Prince of Savoy could easily have frustrated this effort with
a force four times as great as that of the Mareschal's, if he
had received any intimation of the affair. The success of
this attack is, indeed, wholly to be ascribed to the quick and
well executed march of Turenne, his acknowledged skill,
and the inactivity of the Prince and of his troops then on
guard.
}
Louis XIV. early in this year proceeded with his army to
lay siege to Mons, to oppose which undertaking the Prince
of Orange assembled troops as soon as possible. He was
not, however, able to relieve Mons, for Mareschal Luxem-
burg knew well how to take such positions as to prevent him.
The King then ordered that the operations should be con-
ducted defensively in Piemont, and that magazines should
be established in Carmagniola.
+
The last incident of this campaign was the affair near
Lenzen. The Prince of Orange formed his camp near that
town, and Mareschal Luxenburg his near Dornick; the
distance from Lenzen to Dornick being about 16 miles, the
Prince expected no attack when he left his camp, and only
stationed some cavalry in front till his army should pass the
Catare rivulet; but he did not occupy the bridge with suffi-
cient infantry to protect his retreat over it.
Mareschal Luxemburg was very attentive to this ma
nœuvre, (of which he had been previously informed,) resolved
to attack the rear-guard, and pursuantly arrived at Lenzen
without being perceived by it. Above Leuse he advanced
very rapidly with his army and came up with the rear-
guard, which was only formed in columns to defile over the
rivulet.
The columns of the allied infantry now advanced again,
but could not attack the French on account of the rivulet.
The inertness and negligence of the Prince in not taking
the necessary precautions for security, were here most severely
VOL. III.
D
34
THE ELEMENTS OF
punished by a diligent General; an accurate knowledge of
the distance of the enemy and his manœuvres, alone deter-
mined this attack in favour of Mareschal Luxemburg.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1692.
Louis XIV. opened the campaign with the siege of
Namur, which he succeeded in carrying, though obstructed
by numerous obstacles, arising from the wetness of the weather
and the manœuvres of the Prince of Orange. Mareschal
Luxemburg received orders at this time to oppose the Prince
towards the Mehaigne, and there to conduct a defensive
The Prince was baffled in every attempt to cross the
Mehaigue, Luxemburg's marches being every where so well
directed; no fords were indeed to be found, but bridges
might have been easily established.
war.
The Prince endeavoured by all the means in his power to
bring on an engagement of infantry, which Mareschal Lux-
emburg always adroitly evaded, and employed his cavalry
to such advantage, that the Prince was never able to attack
him, and nothing prevented the conquest of Namur.
After the accomplishment of his purpose Louis XIV. left
the army, under the command of Mareschal Luxemburg, to
defend the territory already taken from the allies.
The right wing of Luxemburg's camp was formed near
Stcenkirk, and the left not far from Enghien.
The camp of the Prince was taken between St. Fourbis
and Arnelle, on very inclosed and intersected ground, which,
in a great degree, separated the opponent armies, and hence
it was thought that no battle would occur.
The Prince, however, discovering that one of his own
secretaries was the spy of Luxemburg, resolved to make
use of him to conceal his march towards the French army.
He accordingly put the secretary under confinement, and
obliged him to write to Luxemburg that the allied army in
1
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
35
$
}
tended to send out an extensive foraging party, on the other
side of the rivulet in front of the right wing of the French
camp, and that to cover this a strong corps of infantry
would file off in the same uight, for the defence of the defiles
which divided the two armies, that the foraging troops might
easily return to the camp.
The false information thus received from an old and faith-
ful spy, induced the Mareschal to neglect a different state-
ment given to him by a partisan, who assured him that the
defiles were covered with cavalry, infantry, and artillery; and
as he did not purpose to attack the foraging party, he re-
mained quiet in his camp till news was brought to him that
the enemy's army began to draw up in line, and that the right
wing of his own was severely attacked. The French soldiers
sprung instantly to arms, the right wing was amply supported,
the allied army was repulsed, the captured guns were retaken,
and thus the advantages soon became more equal on both
sides.
That part of the allied army which had been destined to
attack the French in flank, was stopped by the impracti-
cableness of the ground; and the time lost by this circum-
stance, and in sending succours to the various divisions in
want of support, was the cause of the allies giving way.
The first line of the French army having gained room
advanced, and the second was drawn up. The whole allied
corps, proud with the prospect of victory, were now attacked
by their opponents in line, and driven back into the defiles
which they had left but a short time before. The troops
directed to attack the left wing of the French army did not
arrive soon enough, which undoubtedly enabled Mareschal
Luxemburg to support the right more effectually.
The plan of attack on the French army was, without ques
tion, cleverly and skilfully contrived, though not only ill
executed in general, but in particular too slowly; instead of
forming in line, after having passed the defiles, the allied army
D2
}
36
THE ELEMENTS OF
ought to have immediately advanced and overwhelmed the
enemy.
This enterprise would certainly have succeeded completely
if it had been thus conducted, and the consequence would have
been the total rout of the French.
The faith which Luxemburg placed in the veracity of his
spy made him confident that the enemy would not endeavour
to surprise him, having received such different intelligence
from a person so trust-worthy and well informed.
The allied army lost about 6000 men, and afterwards
remained in its position. The French lost about 8000 men.
In the same year Mareschal Lorges had a corps in Ger-
many, for the purpose of covering Elsace, and subsisting as
much as possible at the expence of the enemy. But being
obliged to act chiefly on the defensive, he was careful not to
lose any advantage which seemed favorable to his views,
nor to run any risk without the most promising prospect of
accruing benefit; he did not, however, observe the vigilant
and skilful conduct necessary to turn the war into an offensive
one.
The campaign was opened in this quarter by Lorges,
near Mayence, where his army eat up all the provisions that
were to be found, and then returned to Pfalz.
The allied army, opposed to him, was divided into two
corps; one commanded by the Prince of Hesse, on the
opposite side of the Rhine, not far from Mayence; and the
other near the Neckar.
As soon as Lorges left the neighbourhood of Mayence, the
Prince of Hesse crossed the Rhine, nigh to the same town,
marched along the river, and attacked 6000 of the enemy
with one of his corps, but the former were well supported.
He afterwards took up a bad position, having an eminence in
front and the Rhine in the rear, which might have been
easily occupied by the French; but Mareschal Lorges wan
afraid to cross a small rivulet which lay between, lest the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
87
*
his
enemy should in the mean while come up upon army,
rather choosing to march round it and attack the position on
a different side. By this manoeuvre the whole day was spent,
and the Prince, seeing the danger of his situation, immediately
changed his position.
The allied army marched towards the conflux of the Neckar
and the Rhine, and built a bridge there in order to cross the
river.
Mareschal Lorges detached a small corps, consisting of nine
battalions and five squadrons, which encamped near Altrup,
to observe the allies; the rest of his army remained three
miles distant.
is.
But this
This corps was commanded by Feuquierres, who received
orders, as soon as he had informed the Mareschal of the in-
tention of the enemy, to retire to Philipsburg.
would have divided the French army into two parts.
***The allies advanced along the Landwher of Speyer, by
which Feuquierres was forced to retreat behind an arm of the
Spere rivulet, and amuse the enemy till he should receive rein-
forcements, which soon after arrived.
The allies crossed the Rhine with about 4000 men, and.
reached the Landwehr, but perceiving their dangerous situa-
tion, they again retired, without being attacked by Mareschal
Lorges, who might have completely destroyed their whole
army,
A third occasion on which Mareschal Lorges did not pro-
perly endeavour to ruin the allied army, and make good hist
winter quarters in a hostile country, occurred at the end of the
campaign. The French having forced the enemy to retire from
the Hagen rivulet, where a bridge had been constructed, the
latter marched towards the plain of Ethlingen, and after-
wards advanced again to Phortzheim. Mareschal Lorges
then attacked one part of the hostile army, consisting of 4000
horse, commanded by the Administrator of Wirtenburg; but
the Prince of Hesse being at this moment besieging Ebers-
38
THE ELEMENTS OF
burg, the Mareschal hastened to relieve that place, and gave
up all the advantages which he had obtained in Germany.
During this campaign several opportunities were let slip,
which, if Mareschal Lorges had been as attentive as Luxem-
burg, would not have failed to have given to the French a
decided superiority over the allied army.
The skill and knowledge of the art of war possessed by
the allied Generals were also far inferior to what ought to be
expected from men holding so high a rank, and they were con-
sequently not only always overcome when engaged with equal
force, but even with infantry, superior and more numerous
than the enemy's.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN 1693.
The war at the commencement of this year appeared to be
rather unfavourable for the army of the Prince of Orange,
Mareschal Luxemburg having collected a stronger force to
act offensively against him.
Offensive operations could no where be more advantage-
ously carried on by the Spaniards than towards the frontiers
of Champagne, and by passing the Meuse near Charleroi.
On this river they possessed Liege, which was well fortified
in itself, and also surrounded by a fortified camp, sufficient
for a whole army; but, above all, the citadel of this town had
been repaired and put into a tenable state.
The army collected near Gamblours, was the cause of the
Spaniards being apprehensive, both in respect to Charleroi
and Liege, as well as on account of their own troops and
Louvain. Liege provided the greater part of the allied corps
with arms.
The communication with the army of Germany could
only be accomplished by the Lower Rhine and the Meuse,
the French having likewise a strong force near Mastricht. It
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
39
appeared to be the intention of France to maintain an of-
fensive war in full vigor in Flanders, but nothing more than
defensive operations were expected in Germany on the part
of the former nation.
Two great armies were collected in Flanders, one of which
was commanded by Louis XIV. in person, and marched to
Gamblours; the other, under Luxemburg, was assembled
near Mons and Hiori.
The Prince of Orange had formed a camp near Park, and
the destination of both the French armies was to attack him
there. Mareschal Luxemburg was directed to execute this
plan, and every thing was accordingly prepared with his usual
skill, when large divisions of his army were suddenly or-
dered to join the corps in Germany, by which circunstance
he lost the best of his troops.
The plan of conducting the war was changed; Germany
was to be the offensive scene of action.
The drafts from Luxemburgh's army joined that of the
Dauphin, and marched into Germany, which again gave the
Prince of Orange a better prospect of managing an offensive
campaign. Had he been attacked and beaten near Park he
would have lost Malines, Antwerp, Brussels, and almost all
Flanders.
The loss either of Liege or Louvain would have been great to
the allied army, but that of the former town the greater. The
Prince of Orange, well aware of this, as also of the danger to
which his army was exposed, stationed the greater part of
his infantry close to Park, and occupied, with the rest the
camp near Liege, a position sufficiently well taken to enable
him to keep it till reinforcements, protected by the Demar,
should arrive.
This method of defending Liege was very inconvenient in
respect to covering the march of detached troops, and the
whole army was for this reason always obliged to advance,
while at the same time it kept at a distance from Louvain
and Flanders, contrary to the intention of the Spaniards,
}
40
THE ELEMENTS OF
The Prince of Orange, as soon as he perceived that Lux-
emburg's army was become so weak, determined to enter on
offensive operations, but the skill and genius of this General
knew well how to render the manoeuvres of the allies null,
and reduce them again to act on the defensive.
When Louis left the army Luxemburg immediately occu
pied the camp near Meldert, which was separated from the
camp of Park by the woods of Meerdahl. In this posi
tion the troops near Park were before, and those stationed
near Liege behind, Luxemburgh's army.
The allies could not leave the neighbourhood of Liege,
as the town would have been then easily taken by the French,
and these troops, during the march, in danger of being
attacked by a stronger force. Neither was it possible to
abandon the camp near Park and cover Louvain at the same
time.
The enemy's force near Park was still too strong for
Luxemburg, who therefore resolved to divide it more, but
not to act on the convoys of the allies.
Luxemburgh took accordingly apparent measures to attack
the camp ncar Liege, and commanded the Marquis of
Harcourt, who covered with a body of troops Luxemburg
and the nethermost countries, to approach to Namur, in
which place all the preparations necessary for a siege were
made. Luxemburg then marched himself towards Liege,
reconnoitred the entrenchments there, and ordered a quan-
tity of fascines to be made, in order to render it seemingly
probable that he intended to attack them.
The Prince of Orange being acquainted with all this, set
off from his camp near Park, to follow Luxemburg, and to
reinforce the troops in the vicinity of Liege by a corps that
was approaching behind the Deemar.
Luxemburg, as soon as he perceived these movements,
pressed the camp near Liege still harder, to weaken the
Prince's army, by obliging him to send more reinforcements
to that position,
:
蠶
​THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
41
च
|
The Prince having a greater number of troops than Lux-
emburg, reinforced it with another corps, and encamped
himself with his army behind the Landen rivulet, appuing his
right wing on the Gethe, and his left on Romsdorf, Neer-
winden remaining in front.
The Prince of Wirtenburgh was detached with 11,000
men to Cartrich, to raise contributions among the French
Castelanen territories, the, Prince believing that he could
not be attacked where he was; a supposition which Luxem
burg endeavoured to make appear more certain, by ordering
the second line of his army to advance, as if to succour the
Castelanen territories, but at the same time to halt at a fixed
place, while he himself, as soon as night began, marched
towards the Prince's position. The French arrived next day
in sight of the allied army, but rain and the badness of the
ground prevented them from attacking it immediately.
The camp of the allies was fortified wherever it was n
cessary to be so, but principally Neerwinden in front Be-
hind Neerwinden the first line of infantry was drawn up, and
both sides of it were appuied on various fortifications raised
along the front.
The village of Rumsdorf was also strongly occupied, and
the front fortified and appuied on the Landen rivulet. The
right flank was, besides, covered with thick brush, and along
the front of the army there was above one hundred pieces of
ordnance.
Mareschal Luxemburg arrived at three o'clock in the af
ternoon with his cavalry close to the allied camp; the rest of
his army came up about midnight. The Mareschal then ad-
vanced with his cavalry to the eminence of St. Gertrude,
where the plain grows somewhat narrower, and there the
troops were formed gradually as they arrived.
The first four battalions drove in the allies from Landen,
which village was to serve next day as the point of appui for
the French army. This place not being strongly occupied,
*
42
THE ELEMENTS OF
enabled the enemy to form during the night about forty bat-
talions between Rumsdorf and Oberwinden.
The left wing of the allied army was obliged to form in
the figure of a hook, the right flank to Rumsdorf, and the
left towards Loo and the Landen rivulet.
This position rendered the left wing of the cavalry of no
possible use.
The French cavalry remained on the eminences of St.
Gertrude, and sixteen squadrons of dragoons were placed
opposite to the left wing of the allies, to keep them in check,
and if possible to outflank their army.
Want of room forced the Mareschal to form during the night
in eleven lincs.
Between the hours of five and six in the morning, the centre
advanced under Luxemburg, and formed in two lines, while
the enemy was cannonading them.
Precisely at six the fighting commenced, with an attack
on the village of Neerwinden, which was taken in a short
time by the French. But the order given by Luxemburg,
that the right wing of his army should attack the centre and
left wing of the allies at the same time that the attempt on
Neerwinden succeeded, not having been executed, the French
were again driven back with a severe loss, and expelled from
the above village by a reinforcement arriving from the left
wing of the allied army.
The General on the right wing of the French army pro-
posed several attacks as soon as this was perceived, but none
were ever executed.
The French once more took Neerwinden, but were soon
after driven out a second time, by new reinforcements
coming up from the left wing of the enemy's army.
Neerwinden fell yet another time into the hands of the
French, the King's troops being on the right wing, and com-
manded by Luxemburg himself.
The allied army again adopted the erroneous plan of sup-
porting Neerwinden by the troops stationed on one side of
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
*
43
1
કુંડ
it, and leaving the fortifications there unoccupied. Feuquierres,
who commanded the French right wing, immediately ordered
these weak points to be attacked, which were indeed by this
time become truly feeble, from the numerous bodies that had
been ordered to succour Neerwinden, now attacked by the
Mareschal with a stronger force than before.
As soon as the allied infantry had left this position, the Mar-
quis of Crequi, who commanded the infantry, and Feuquierres,
Chief of the cavalry, advanced. The allied corps, seeing
that the French were approaching towards parts so poorly
defended, were anxious to return, but the time was too
short; Marquis Crequi had already attacked the fortifications,
and the French cavalry penetrated to charge a great square
formed by nine battalions.
The Prince then advanced with his right wing to retake
Neerwinden again, and Feuquierres, placed his cavalry so as to
be on the flank of the former, ready to attack him whenever
he drew near to the village.
Mareschal Luxemburg who had gotten information of the
success of the right wing of his army, immediately ordered
an attack with the left, and took his position between Neer-
winden and the front of the allied army.
The allied cavalry of the left wing perceiving that the
French had entered the fortifications, retreated towards Loo
in the greatest disorder. The Prince was likewise forced to
retire, being menaced in his flank, and exposed to be thrown
into the Gethe.
The allied army lost about 16,000 men in killed and
wounded, 104 guns, and several sets of colours and standards.
The loss of the French may be estimated at about 8000·
men, according to the number which was buried in and near
Neerwinden.
The faults committed by the Prince consisted in his not
having a stronger reserve, and in his not sufficiently con-
centrating his army to support Neerwinden. The left wing
44
}
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
of the allies was not at all engaged, and no where that the
enemy penetrated was he properly opposed.
}
The battle was so decisive that the French army main-
tained its superiority during the whole campaign; at the close
of which it besieged and took Charleroi, forced back the
Prince's army, and established winter quarters at the cost of
the enemy.
This campaign would, however, have ended very differently
had the Prince attacked Luxemburg as soon as the Dauphin's
corps proceeded to Germany, and so prevented him from
taking the position near Mildert, or had he not weakened
his army by sending so many detachments to Liege and
Flanders. The Prince was likewise inattentive to the move-
ments of the French army; he ought to have taken a
strong position behind the Gethe, instantly on the appear-
ance of Luxemburg's cavalry, and, in this case, he would
not certainly have sustained such a loss as he did, and been
able to effect a good retreat.
The intention of the French armies in Germany was ori
ginally to act on the defensive, a plan at the same time de-
termined on by the allied army in these parts. But the chief
force of that army was sent to Hungary and Piemont.
The Dauphin having joined Mareschal Lorges's army, in
order to attack the smaller force of the Prince of Baden, the
operations began to assume an offensive character.
The Prince of Baden no sooner peceived this than he re-
treated across the Neckar, and left all the provinces between
that river and the Rhine to the mercy of the French army.
Here, however, he resolved to oppose it, and collected all
his troops near Heilbron, which place was occupied with
infantry. His camp could scarcely be attacked, either from
Heilbron or Lauffen.
In order to attack it on the side of any one of these
towns, it was necessary that this should be previously taken;
but the French army might have passed the Neckar, near
Neckar's Ulm and Whimpfen, and attacked the camp in the
1
ร
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
45
rear. This was, however, neglected, and the attack from
Lauffen only attempted.
The French meanwhile marched into Wirtemburg, which
they most cruelly ravaged and plundered, and then re-
treated towards the frontiers, till strong reinforcements were
sent from it, to Mareschal Catinat in Piemont, to enable
him to give battle to the Prince of Savoy, in order to raise
the siege of Pignerol, and finally save that town.
Yuk
The inactivity of Mareschal Lorges, who rested too long,
in order to allow his troops to take their provisions in quiet;
and his ignorance of the enemy's movements, occasioned that
the position, which the Prince of Baden had taken, prevented
all further efforts on the side of the French army in Germany,
till it was again forced to act on the offensive, its reinforce-
ments having left it.
The war in Piemont was intended to have been conducted
defensively by Mareschal Catinat, but he altered this plan, not
believing that the Prince of Savoy purposed to penetrate
Dauphiny and abandon the fortresses in his rear.
}
Catinat divided his infantry thus: a considerable part oc-
cupied Pignerol; on the eminences of Rochecostel there was
a camp, and some battalions were marched into the valley of
Pragela, the passes of Dauphiny, the valley of Barcelonette,
and near the Varo. The cavalry remained in the camp ad-
joining Sablon.
Catinat judged that the Prince would not hazard, in sight
of a strong corps of hostile infantry, to depart from the
plain of Turin, and lay siege to Casal and Nizza, and that
all his intentions were merely directed against Pignerol and
Susa. The siege of Pignerol was covered by maintaining the
fort Brigitta, near the citadel of that place, but without
driving back the infantry near Rochecostel. To have kept
both in possession of the French, the camp near Rochecostel
should have had communication with Pignerol, and the Con-
vent of St. Peter been occupied.
The advancing of the Prince into the vallies of St. Martin
46
THE ELEMENTS OF
!
1
or Pragela could have produced no advantage, ner had any
influence on the siege of Susa; Briançon and Pignerol being
covered by Catinat's army stationed on mount Genlever.
The errors of Mareschal Catinat were soon discovered by
the Prince, who having penetrated with his army into Dau-
phiny, took the fort of Brigitta, drove the enemy's infantry
from Rochecostel, turned them towards Genua, and made
strong preparations to bombard Piguerol, which he would
have immediately executed, had not Louis XIV. detached,
with the utmost rapidity, a corps of cavalry from the army of
Germany, to enable Catinat to advance by the valley of Susa
into Piemont, and there give battle.
The Prince then advanced towards Catinat's army, but
still unwilling to give up the siege of Pignerol, though the
trenches were not yet opened. His plan was, if possible, to
rout the French army, and drive it back to Susa, during which
pursuit he trusted to be able almost intirely to annihilate it,
advance to Susa, take it, subdue all Savoy, and even pene-
trate to Lcon.
Savoy and Nizza, which were in the beginning of the cam-
paign in the possession of the French, had, as well as Casal
and Susa, strong garrisons. In Pignerol and other fortresses
there was great plenty of artillery and waggons.
The allics passed the plain of Piemont, and were, in re-
spect to cavalry, stronger, but in regard to infantry weaker
than their enemy. On the mountains, the cavalry were, how-
ever, of little use, and consequently the French line of defence,
which went along the passes of the plain of Piemont, could
not be easily crossed. The allies had Casal in the rear, and
Pignerol and Suza before them. The French had, on
the contrary, the plain of Piemont and the allied army in
front.
The French army was too much divided, but that of the
allies so well concentrated, that an attack at any point would
have succeeded. Catinat was besides too much inclined to
defensive operations to venture any great thing before he re-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR
47
ceived reinforcements, and nothing, in fine, but the indolence
of the Prince of Savoy, or of his Generals, saved him from
sustaining a severe loss prior to the battle of Marzaglia.
Catinat was driven by the Prince of Savoy into the valley
of Pragela, the fort of Brigitta had been taken, and Pignerol
was to be besieged; this the superior force of Catinat's in-
fantry might have prevented, but his defensive plans of war-
fare was differently ordered; and in the plain he could not
advance, on account of the paucity of his cavalry.
The position of the Prince forced Catinat to march by Ri-
voli to attack him. The Prince was now employed in keep-
ing Piguerol enclosed on the side of the valley of Pra-
gela, but having resolved to attack the French, he allowed
Catinat to get out of the valley of Suza.
Catinat seized this favourable opportunity to throw himself
between Turin and the Prince's army, and could he have
maintained this position, the allies would have had no place
from whence to be provided with subsistence.
The Prince, hoping to be the conqueror, intended, after
gaining the battle, to go over the Rumiano and Javen to the
valley of Suza, to prevent the junction of the French army,
and to pursue it, in order ultimately to become master of
Pignerol. Among other things, it was a fault in the Prince
to remain so long in the valley of Pignerol.
The position of the Prince was with his left on the heights
of Rosalk, which were not, however, occupied; and his
right wing towards the river Sangon, on the forest of Valvera,
occupied by some battalions.
Mareschal Catinat extended his army to the eminences of
Piosalk, and by this means outflanked the Prince's; the left
wing of which was thrown into confusion; the disorder spread
to the centre and right, the left wing retreated, and this made
place on the right for the formation of the enemy.
The loss of this battle is principally to be ascribed to not
occupying the heights near Piosalk, as these commanded the
surrounding country. This position being most probably not
48
THE ELEMENTS OF
taken, permanently to enclose Pignerol, gave rise to another
considerable error, seeing that only one chief object should
always be kept in view.
Mareschal Catinat, though master of the field at Marzaglia,
took up his winter-quarters in Dauphiny, being in want of a
sufficient supply of provisions.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1694.
The battles gained during the preceding campaign, and all
the advantages procured besides, were not able to allow
France to form any other than a defensive plan of operations,
even on her very frontiers.
The want of money, the poorness of the late crops, and
sickness, were the principal causes in which originated the
necessity of conducting the war so unfavorably.
Mareschal Luxemburg would not permit the Prince of
Orange to perceive that his operations were reduced to the de-
fensive and therefore ordered his army to advance to Ton-
gern, to excite a suspicion in the Prince that Liege would be
invested in case he should move to Flanders. By this means
the Mareschal also maintained his troops on the hostile
country.
The Prince, deceived by the above movement, only bent
his attention on covering Lonven, and remaining near the
French army to succour Liege, if needful, at the same time.
After long manoeuvring, the Prince resolved to make a
movement towards Cartrick. The French army was then near
Vigna, and the Prince's near Favrievres. The latter marched
suddenly for Cartrick, but Luxemburg, who conducted his
army by a different route, arrived with the heads of his
columus at Hauberive, on the Scheldt, two hours sooner
than the Prince, whose plans fell consequently all to the
ground.
1.
{
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
49
Mareschal Luxemburg established his foraging quarters
in the Castelaneyen territories, and the Prince was forced to
retreat.
The march of the Mareschal was thus quickly effected,
because he had previously sent advanced corps and patroles
before to prepare and keep open all the roads, through which
it was necessary to pass.
The Mareschal procured, during this campaign, all his
forage from the Castelaneyen territories, which were gained
by one rapid march.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1695.
Mareschal Luxemburg died at the commencement of this
year, and though the operations conducted by him were
rather offensive, they changed as soon as the army received
its new commander, Mareschal Villeroi. Luxemburg's army,
which had never attacked the enemy without conquering, and
the operations of which had hitherto been of the greatest con-
sequence, was suddenly reduced to act on the defensive.
Nor did the plan of operations for the whole campaign go
any farther than to retain the captured provinces.
New enterprises were never expected from Villeroi, al-
though under Luxemburg the same troops invariably gained
the day whenever engaged.
The Prince of Orange freed from so dangerous an oppo-
nent, strove to rise superior to his foes. He accordingly
determined to besiege Namur, and ordered strong reinforce-
ments to be sent on this account to the Spanish fortresses on
the coast and boundaries of Flanders, in order to divide the
attention of the French between Dunkirk, Ypern, Dornick,
and Namur.
Louis XIV. commanded the latter fortresses to be, on the
other hand, put into a state of defence, these places being
certainly of the utmost importance to him, as Dunkirk and
Namur were situated on the right and left wings of a country
VOL. III.
E
$
50
THE ELEMENTS OF
that was to be covered; Dornick on the Scheldt, and Ypern
on the Lege, between the two former.
Mareschal Boufler's army was, in consequence, ordered to
assemble near Mons, and to guard Namur. Mareschal
Villeroi, on the contrary, collected his forces between the
Scheldt and Lege to support Dunkirk, Ypern, and Dor-
nick.
Namur was furnished with a strong garrison, and Mr. De
Monteklar was directed to take the command of a small
corps, and form a camp near Loo, between Dunkirk and
De la Keroque. Feuquierres was ordered to defend Ypern;
Mareschal Crequi, Dornick; and Mareschal Bouflers to
throw himself into Namur with his cavalry, as soon as it
should be invested.
The Prince of Orange, who was actually desirous of tak-
ing Namur, concealed his intention by some false opera-
tions. Being superior in force, and aware that the French
would only act defensively, he appointed the Elector of Ba-
varia to the command of an army which assembled near the
Oberender, and afterwards stationed itself between the Lege
and Scheldt. This caused Mareschal Bouflers, who was
opposed to it, to advance somewhat more to guard the lines
of Cartrick.
The Prince of Orange also detached Mr. de Oberkirh to
place himself along the great road in the vicinity of Fleurus,
which openly shewed that the Prince's attention was fixed
either on Namur or Charleroi. The Prince marched with
his army to Barcebaer, whence he detached the Duke of
Wirtemberg with 22 battalions, and some squadrons, to ad-
vance by Dixmuden to La Kenaque and La Fintelle.
The Prince exposed himself to the danger of sustaining
a very great loss, by thus dividing his army, and not eveu
placing the different parts in the most advantageous situations,
all of which might have been easily attacked by the French,
as all their troops were almost assembled when Boullers
occupied the lines of Cartrick. And the 36 battalions and
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
51
:
20 squadrons, stationed between Ypren and La Kenaque,
could alone have attacked the Duke of Wirtemberg, without
any help from the other corps of the army, and with superior
advantages. From the laziness and negligence of the French
Generals, it however arose that none of these divisions were
separately attacked:
After having remained eight days in this dangerous situa-
tion, and when the necessary preparations for besieging
Namur were completely ready, the allied army was re-assem-
bled, and again crossed the Leve and Scheldt in a retrogade
direction, and the Elector of Bavaria united his
corps with
that of Oberkirch, in order to invest Namur. Meanwhile
the Prince of Orange occupied with his troops a position on
the opposite side of the Mehaign, in order to support the be-
sieging army whenever it should be necessary.
Prince Vaudemont was ordered back with above 60 batta-
lions and 50 squadrons to cover the fortresses in Flanders;
this corps formed a camp between the Lei and the Mandel,
near Deinse.
Mareschal Bouflers arrived at Namur with 20 squadrons
of dragoons, and delivered over the rest of his army to Vil-
leroi, except a small number of cavalry, destined to support
some neighbouring fortresses that protected the country be-
tween the Sambre and the Meuse, on that side of Dinant.
Villeroi took, with his numerous army, a position behind
the lines of Cartrick, nine miles distant from Vaudemont's
corps, and in this situation both armies were at the com-
mencement of the siege of Namur,
Vaudemont had placed himself in a very critical manner
near the French army, in consequence of which Villeroi de-
termined to attack him; and conducted his movements so
secretly that his army arrived at five in the morning, about
paces distant from the allies, without being discovered.
A small rivulet, which separated Villeroi's from Vaude-
mont's army, should have been passed by means of the
E 2
THE ELEMENTS OF
doors of the houses composing the adjoining villages. But
as soon as Villeroi drew near to the Mandel he commanded
it to be crossed five miles below, under pretence that a camp,
in flank of which an army was stationed in columns, could
not be attacked.
When the French arrived at Isengen, where the crossing of
the Mandel was effected, Vaudemont's troops got under
armis. Both Generals had endeavoured to commit the
greatest possible number of faults; but the blunders of Vil-
leroi obtained the laurels.
}
Prince Vaudemont having so narrowly escaped a very
pressing danger, it might be thought that he would now have
taken a very distant position; but, on the contrary, he only
removed his camp to the eminence of Arselle, the village of
Entorghen being in front, the left wing on the Mandel, and
the right on the Luel.
Mareschal Villeroi having crossed the Mandel, advanced
with the cavalry of his right wing, leaving the remaining part
of his army behind. The infantry were ordered to storm
some of the castles occupied by the Austrians. These being
taken, the French army remained in its position till the next
morning at two o'clock, and then moved towards the allied
camp, which it reached at six.
The front of Vandemont's army was well covered; but
the left wing might easily have been attacked by crossing the
Mandel, nor was the case much otherwise in respect to the
right wing. Every thing was prepared for the attack when
Villeroi suddenly commanded it to be delayed till the follow-
ing day; during the interval Prince Vaudemont rapidly re-
treated without being exposed to any engagement, farther
than a few skirmishes with the rear-guard.
Thus all the French armies acted, and although they often
uret with favourable opportunities of attacking their enemies,
they always neglected them, as well in Flanders and Germany,
as in Italy, till the peace of Riswick was signed; a short
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
53
time before which Ath and Barcelona were besieged. How-
ever, according to the articles of the treaty, these were to
be given back, if taken after the same was concluded.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1701.
The intention of Louis XIV. during this war, (the object
of which was to settle the Spanish succession with the
Roman Emperor), was only to act defensively, and it was
according to this disposition that Mareschal Catinąt, who
commanded in Italy, received his orders.
Prince Eugene, who conducted the Austrian army, was
not opposed in entering Italy; he stood in the plain of
Verona, and Mareschal Catinat could make no movement
forward on the Venetian territories..
Catinat, who was stationed on the left bank of the Etsch,
had not been allowed to prevent the Prince from defiling
through the mountains, and forming in the plain,
The main army of the former was placed opposite to
Verona, and small corps near Montebello and Rivoli, on
the left bank of the Etsch, to prevent the Austrians from
advancing between that river and the Garda lake.
The Venetians were neutral, but this was not very favour-
able to the Emperor; and Catinat had determined to frus-
trate the meditated entrance of the Austrians into Milan.
Eugene took a position along the Etsch, from Verona to
Abbadia; which induced Catinat to appui his right wing on
St. Peter, Larginago, and Carpi, without diminishing the
corps near Ricole, opposed by some of Eugene's infantry.
The course or figure of the river was an advantage on
Eugene's side, in respect to forming and rendering his army
complete for action; and he succeeded in turning the atten-
tion of Catinat to Rodrigo, while he himself was bent on
marching to Abbadia. The corps near there was strongly
"
54
THE ELEMENTS OF
reinforced, and consequently the garrisons of Carpi and St.
Peter could not undertake any thing against it. In Laigi
nago, adjoining St. Peter, the French cavalry were stationed
to support Carpi, or the troops opposite Verona, according
to circumstances.
In order to distract the attention of Catinat the more,
Prince Eugene ordered a bridge to be constructed near Fer-
rara, to make it appear that he here intended to cross the
Po. He also commanded a detachment of cavalry abso-
lutely to pass over and skirmish to the gates of Ferrara.
Mareschal Catinat, thus forced to divide his army yet
more, ordered a corps to proceed to the bridge of the Po,
in the neighbourhood of Soragio,
Eugene availed himself of the opportunity to march with
a body of troops to Carpi, and directed Prince Comerci to
cross the Etsch, at the same time, after he had subdued the
garrison,
The two Austrian corps were then to join and attack the
French force in Laiginago. When this corps was subdued
all the others along the Etsch to Rivoli would be separated
from the troops near Stellata, and the whole French army
beaten part after part.
Catinat took the false appearances held out by Eugene
for real intentions, and his army was divided into eight divi-
sions; while Eugene could have easily assembled his in two
corps,
An extraordinary fall of rain rendered the direct roads,
however, impassable, and the Austrian cavalry were obliged
to make a round of fifteen miles, and hence could not come
up for some hours after Carpi was taken, by which circum-
stance the garrisons of St. Peter and Laiginago had time
to support the unsuccessful defenders of the first mentioned
place, break up the camp, retreat to the nearest quarters
on the Merzo, and abandon the banks of the Etsch and
Rivoli,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
55
The loss of men in this engagement was trifling; but its
consequences were remarkable.
The Austrian army immediately crossed the Etsch; and the
French could only during a short pericd maintain their posi-
tion on the Menzo, as the Austrians also passed over this
pcar Monzabano. Catinat retired behind the Oglio and
Adda, to forbid the entrance of the Austrians into Brescia.
All the country between the Etsch and Adda, Mantua
excepted, was however soon taken possession of by Eugene.
The command of the proper French army was soon after
entrusted to Mareschal Villeroy; and that of the Spanish and
French conjoined army to the Prince of Savoy.
Catinat suspected this Prince, and revealed his opinions to
Villeroy; but the latter took no notice of the matter, and
agreed to make with him an attack on the camp near Chiari.
Eugene was well informed of the intentions of the French,
and the Prince of Savoy only continued the attack to encrease
their loss, Eugene having been perfectly prepared to receive
them.
By this victory the Austrians opened a plain way into
Italy, as well as to the destruction of the whole French
army.
These disasters obliged the latter to act completely on the
defensive, a plan of operation which was adhered to during
the remainder of the war, and by which Spain lost all her
possessions in Italy.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1702.
Mareschal Villeroi being recalled, Mareschal Vendome
was this year appointed to the command of the French army
in Italy, where the King of Spain was also present.
Mantua, which had been taken by the Austrians during
56
THE ELEMENTS OF
the preceding campaign, was now regained by the French,
as likewise Bersetto. Whereupon the Spanish and French.
army advanced to the Lower Po, to cut off Prince Eugene's
communication with Modena and Mirandola, which he had
established by bridges thrown over the Po, and a post in
Rovero.
Eugene, who was then with his army near Leraggio, de-
tached 3000 horse to the Kastrolo; the banks of this little.
rivulet being somewhat steep, the General who commanded
the Austrian corps in that quarter thought it quite secure,
but it was crossed by the French, and the Austrians retired.
Soon after this affair the French and Spanish army marched
to Luzara, a town situated at a short distance from where
the Austrians had their bridges over the Po, in order to cut
off their communication with Modena and Merandola; the
country being here very much intersected, the French army
marched in as many columns as possible, cavalry skirmishers
covering its progress.
No news had arrived of Eugene's army, and the French
General supposed it to be still near Seraggio; but this Prince
had already passed the Po, and taken his position in such a
manner, that his army was entirely covered by the dike of
Zero.
As soon as the French infantry approached near enough
for an effect to be made on them from the dike, the Austrian
infantry directed their fire against them, they being still in
column,
The Austrians proceeded to attack the enemy's army
slightly at several points; but were repulsed, the latter having
now completely formed,
On the right wing of the French army the ground was not
so enclosed as along the rest of its front, and here some
affairs of cavalry took place.
The engagement however ended on the arrival of more
French horse, and neither party could lay claim to victory.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
57
The French army then encamped about 2000 paces dis-
tant from the dike of Zero. Its position was fortified, and
Luzara and Guastalla were soon after taken.
The plan of Prince Eugene was certainly admirable, viz.
if he had not been discovered, to leave the French army to
take its camp, to allow the troops to form foraging and
victualling parties, and then to attack it on a sudden. An
adjutant posting his sentries, perceived the Austrians by
chance, as he ascended the dike to command a view of the
country on the opposite side, and immediately reported hist
discovery; the French took up their arms, and the attack of
the Austrians began and finished as above described, in a
very short time.
The grand French army was in this campaign stationed in
Alsace, and from it Mareschal Villars was detached to de-
fend some forts raised to protect the bridge near Huningue.
He chose his camp on the other side of that town, in order
to be better able to cover the forts, and make some stroke as
soon as the Austrian army should march off.
The latter occupied the plain between the Rhine and the
mountains opposite to the fort which more particularly
covered the bridge. The left wing of the same army ex-
tended to the country surrounding Basel, (Pl. .); and the
right wing to the village Friedlingen, near which a large
redoubt had been erected, to secure the country against the
ravages of the garrison of Huningen.
The Austrians separated their infantry from their cavalry,
and no attack being expected, the former proceeded upon the
eminences over which their route was to be directed. The
cavalry, on the other hand, marched off from the heights,
through the defile of Fredlingen, in front of which the re-
doubt was situated.
The moment that these movements were perceptible to
Villars, he ordered his troops to cross the Rhine, which was
immediately executed, and then his corps divided itself in a
manner similar to that of the Austrians The infantry moved
38
THE ELEMENTS OF
forward to the said eminences, climbed them with some
difliculty, and came up with the Austrian rear-guard; but
were here obliged to halt, and rest for a short period.
The Austrians let slip this opportunity of attacking the
French infantry, who were somewhat in disorder; but hur-
ried on, and were pursued as soon as possible by the latter,
however without being overtaken.
The French cavalry, commanded by General Magnat, ob-
tained, in the mean time, considerable advantages.
As the Austrians began their march the French horse
were seen crossing the Rhine; and the General commanding
the former conceived that it would be impossible for thein to
come up with his troops before these had passed the defile.
But the enemy advanced with great rapidity, and obliged the
Austrian dragoons to return from the defile and form. The
position that they then took was unfavourable, their flanks
being no where covered, which was occasioned by a false ma-
nœuvre of the French, who pretended to retreat.
The Austrians advanced on this appearance too far, and
formed in some disorder, so that the fire of the redoubt in
their flank became of no use; and an advantageous point was
afforded for the French to attack, which they immediately did,
and with such vigor and order, that the Austrian cavalry
were completely defeated, and forced to retire into the
defile.
This attack could by no means have succeeded, had the
Austrian infantry been stationed on the right wing, on the
mountains, to cover the retreat; and in this case the French
would have experienced great loss, at all events, in making
the attempt.
The operations conducted by the troops of France during
this campaign, were, on the whole, rather favourable for that
kingdom; but her armies never gained, notwithstanding, any
thing more than a very limited superiority over those of
Austria.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
59
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1703.
During this campaign Cremona was the place of arms of
the French army in Lombardy, and also the winter head
quarters of Mareschal Villeroi. This place had a consider-
able garrison, and was besides covered by a corps under Ma-
reschal Crequi, whose quarters were between the Oglio and
the Po, over which river there was a bridge below this
town.
Towards Modena and Parma it was provided with a tete
de pont, occupied by part of the garrison of Cremona, to
secure it against an Austrian corps in the latter duchy. Eu-
gene and the rest of his army were in winter quarters between
the Oglio, Adda, and Mainzo. From the situation of his
winter quarters, the reduction of Cremona must have ap-
pcared of the utmost consequence to Eugene, and certainly
this enterprise is one of the most extraordinary of the kind
ever undertaken.
The Prince was acquainted with certain inhabitants of the
town, who informed him, that although the General command-
ing the greater part of the army was present, the garrison
was nevertheless particularly indolent, and none of the
necessary precautions observed, either in or before the for-
tress.
General Count Reval was properly the Commander, but
besides him there was a Spanish Governor.
All rules of security in respect to patroles, vedetes, pick-
cts, &c. were neglected, so that every one might approach
at pleasure. A priest who officiated in a small neighbouring
church, lived near the rampart of the town, and close to his
cellar passed one of the drains which carried off the water
from it; of these drains there were several in Cremona, but
none furnished with iron bars at the mouth. The above
drain was used as a means of conveying about 600 men into
60
THE ELEMENTS OF
the place, who were meanwhile concealed in the priest's house
and the adjoining church.
In addition to these 300 more soldiers obtained an easy
admittance under the garb of farmers, and found quarters in
the dwellings of the other conspirators. A part of the latter
were provided with instruments for breaking open doors and
pulling down walls. Eugene chose two gates on the side of
the Oglio, through which he determined to penetrate.
The gate next the priest's house was secured and defended
by only eight or ten men stationed in a guard house, before
the door of which a centinel was seldom placed.
This guard was surprised and made prisoner, without any
noise, and as no patroles were going their rounds, the men
'were not discovered that made the passage practicable; the
other gate, which was open during the day, had a stronger
guard, but this also was forced, because here, as before,
there was no patroles, no sentry at the guard-house door,
nor any either at the interior or exterior of the town gate
itself.
Mareschal Villeroi, as he returned from the quarters of the
Upper Oglio by Milan, had received a vague intimation re-
specting some reported movements of Prince Eugene, in
consequence of which he came the night previous to the sur-
prise to Cremona, fearing nothing for the town, but desirous
to give timely notice of the matter to Mareschal Crequi, to
whom he accordingly wrote, for against him he supposed the
motions of the enemy were directed.
Mareschal Crequi assured him on the other hand, that he
had received the most certain information to the contrary.
Villeroi heard at the same time that the quarters in Modena
were in movement, but believing this to be the prelude to an
attempt on Florence, he only made the circumstance known
to the Duke of Parma.
Eugene, aware that no out posts were sent out from Cre-
mona, crossed the Oglio 18 miles from that place.
{
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
61
As the Austrians had only one bridge over this river, it was
undoubtedly a most egregious fault that patroles were never
dispatched to reconnoitre the enemy's movements near it; by
this supineness and negligence of the steps requisite to be
adopted for the sake of common safety, Eugene arrived in
uninterrupted secrecy, with 7000 men, at the gates of Cre-
mona.
The soldiers who had previously made good their way into
the town, gained one gate in perfect silence, and gave admit-
tance to a column of Austrian cavalry and infantry, that
directly proceeded to the market place, to seize a guard there,
which was also effected without any noise.
The second column of the Austrians penetrated by the
gate which had been walled up, but which was now laid
open, and capable of affording a passage to the infantry.
The latter were ordered to march along the rampart,
to take possession of the Po gate, and let in another corps
of Austrians, which was expected to arrive from Modena ;
and these troops had been commanded to attack the tete de
pont as soon as a signal should be given that the gate was
taken.
At this time 7000 men had entered Cremona, and secured
two of its gates; the cavalry had also formed, and were
marching through the streets without disturbance, when one
unfortunate occurrence alone hindered the complete success
of the plan. Marquis Crequi had joined Villeroi in Cre-
mona, in order next day to review a body of infantry, in
consequence of which some battalions had been ordered to
muster before day-break, to march out as soon as re-
quired.
The infautry detached to attacl. the Po gate happened to
meet them and fired, which was answered by the enemy's
battalions, though ignorant by whom or from where assailed;
a fight ensued, and by this accident the whole town was
awoke.
62
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
Some other battalions, which were to be inspected imme-
diately after the review of those just inentioned, had begun
to prepare for duty, and a detachment of cavalry under, orders
to advance to Placentia, was also ready to mount. The
Austrians, who were formed in the market places and other
spacious parts of the town, and who had taken the Mareschal
and the first people of the place prisoners, were now every
where attacked. General Crequi headed a party of infantry,
penetrated to the little market, contributed much to the as-
sembling and joining of the French troops, and considerably,
encreased their force.
The above, and several other field officers were wounded,
and some were made captives, so that nothing but the cou-
rage of the inferior soldiery could have saved the place,
but this availed, and the Prince was forced to retreat.
The General who commanded the infantry against the Po
gate was killed at the commencement of the skirmish, and
having entrusted the secret signal for the attack on the tete.
de pont to no other person, it was not given.
He who conducted the attack on the tete de pont was
likewise severely wounded, and the attack did not take place
at a proper time, by which means the Governor of the fort
had an opportunity to break down the bridge.
Eugene fearing, in addition to these disasters, to meet with
such a small force, Crequi and his whole army resolved to
abandon the town after having sustained a considerable loss.
He, therefore, commanded a retreat to be made to the two
gates which he had possession of, carried off with him Vil-
lcroi, the Intendant, and some other officers, and again arrived,
without any farther annoyance, at his quarters.
The French troops in Germany, commanded by Mareschal
Tallard, invested Landau, which was on the point of sur-
rendering, when the Austrian army crossed the Rhine below
Speyer, and advanced towards.the enemy.
Tallard, who did not choose to wait for the Austrians under
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
63
his present circumstances, left only the guard of the trenches
before Landau and advanced upon them, who had just passed
an arm of the Speyer rivulet, and were almost quite formed
in rder of battle.
Tallard determined to attack the Austrians before he had
joined the corps of Precontal, and even before his columns
were quite evolved.
Soon after the commencement of the engagement the ill
effect of this resolution were plainly perceptible. But the
Austrians, who did not return the attack, when the French
were in consequence repulsed, were again severely assailed on
the right wing, so that their line there was forced to retreat.
By this circumstance the French infantry gained more space,
and obliged the cavalry of their enemy to retire. An ad-
vantage, which, small as it was, allowed the French cavalry
to march forward and form at an equal height with the
infantry.
The Austrians were again attacked, and the general disorder
thus occasioned on their left wing extended to the right;
the left wing of the French army having now formed, and
being most favourably engaged, the Austriau cavalry were
pushed back, and rendered incapable of supporting the in-
fantry, who were then vigorously pursued.
This battle was merely gained by a singular mistake.
Mr. Vilack, seeing the Austrian cavalry move to outflank the
French, conceived it to be a demonstration of fear, and re-
ported the same to Mareschal Tallard, who immediately or-
dered an attack to be made from the right wing of his army;
this very attack was flanked by some Austrian battalions,
which were, however, soon driven back by a superior force,
and pursued like the rest.
The campaign was afterwards closed by some operations of
a rather defensive nature on the part of the French, al-
though they had beaten the Austrians. But Mareschal Tal
lard was short-sighted, and always used the eyes of other
64
THE ELEMENTS OF
men; and the correctness of his judgment did not hinder
him from failing, by listening to the advice of his counsel-
lors.
Winter quarters were forthwith taken by the contending
armies, and the Austrians soon repaired the losses they had
suffered, so as to be able to operate offensively in the suc
ceeding campaign.
Among the other operations of the year 1703, there is not
one so important or so remarkable as to claim a place in this
work. The quarrels of the Generals of one army, and their
inability to fulfil their duties, combined with the state of the
co-operating forces and the laziness of the superiors of these
corps, occasioned many opportunities to be passed by, which,
had they not been utterly neglected, would have produced
considerable advantages. The more meritorious and inge-
niously planned operations of later times, will, therefore,
with greater propriety fill up the space, which would other-
wise have been dedicated to the events of the year in ques-
tion.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1704.
The Elector of Bavaria, who was an ally of France, con-
ducted the war in Germany against the Emperor and the
whole Empire. But it being feared that this Prince would
soon lose his army, if not supported, Louis XIV. sent a force
of 20,000 men, commanded by the Mareschal Villars, to as-
sist him.
While Villars remained in Bavaria, the operations on the part
of the French were seldom defensive, but in general the con-
trary. The Elector and Villars could not, however, agree,
and Louis recalled the latter. Count Marsin was his suc-
cessor, a man who had been lately raised to the rank of
Mareschal, though one of the youngest Licutenant-Generab
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
65
}
in the service, and though the command of 500 horse had
never been confided to him.
This took place at the end of 1703, and therefore, the con-
sequences were not directly visible.
It being the object of the Emperor and his allies to subdue
all the possessions of the Elector of Bavaria, the army of the
Empire, commanded by Prince Eugene, and the Dutch army,
under the Duke of Marlborough, were assembled to co-ope-
rate in this endeavour.
Louis perceiving the disposition of the enemy, ordered
35,000 men, commanded by Mareschal Tallard, to reinforce
the corps in Bavaria, so that each army now contained about
80,000 combatants.
Some days previous to the battle of Hochstadt, the allies
had taken the fortified camp on the Schellenberg, and near
Donauwerth. (Pl. XVII. B.)
The places, as well above as below Donauwerth, on the
Danube, were beset with Bavarian troops, which army, having
joined with the French, stood near Dillingen; the garrison
soldiers in their respective fortresses, but the infantry, in ge-
neral, near Augsburg, in an intrenched camp.
The allies could not, however, gain a secure position with-
out advancing further, but their convoys might then have been
easily taken, before they reached Donauwerth, by the French
stationed in the Palatinate and places below Donauwerth. To
have kept the magazines in Nordlingen would have been still
more difficult for the allied army, since as soon as they crossed
the Danube, situated in an open town, they might easily have
been destroyed. These circumstances alone induced this corps
not to change its position, or at least not to advance.
Hence it does not appear to have been either skilful or wise
here to hazard a battle of uncertain consequences, as the ene-
mies of France must at all events have been forced to retreat
towards the Maine; and as this might, at any time, have been
brought about by acting on their convoys. In fact, it was the
very opposite, both of sagacity and good sense, to give battle
VOL. III.
F
66
THE ELEMENTS OF
under these circumstances, and expose the French army to the
chances of fortune. But this its Mareschals had ordered to
advance near Blenheim; and the allies, who were obliged to
risk an engagement, marched forward also, and looked out
for an advantageous opportunity of attacking the French as
soon as possible. (Pl. XII.)
On the right wing of the French army was the Danube,
and at a short distance, in front of the same, the village of
Blenheim was situated. Oberklaw was before the centre
nearly, and Luzingen on the left wing; all which villages
were beset with strong detachments of infantry.
In front there ran a rivulet, which could not be passed
in sight of the enemy's army, being besides very difficult to
cross.
The camp of the French was like that of two different
armies; the centre seeming as if composed of the cavalry of
the left of one, and of the right wing of the other corps.
The allies stood on the banks of the rivulet, their flank
appuied on the Danube, and the front covered by the rivulet
and hedges, which concealed their movements. Before the
right wing there was a small but thick wood.
The allied forces, perceiving from the disposition of the
French camp, that the passage of the rivulet could not be
defended, made an immediate advance, concealing their move-
ments as much as possible, in doing which they were greatly
favoured by the bushes and hedges in front of the left, and by
the little wood, and some infantry, before the right wing.
The French supposed that the wood on the right wing was
only occupied by the allied army to secure its march to-
wards the magazines in Nordlingen, and were very well pleased
with their advance to Blenheim, thinking that the enemy
would by this be obliged to elongate from the Danube.
Quite secure in imagination from any attack of the allies,
the French sent out a part of their cavalry to forage, and no-
thing was less regarded than the movements of their oppo-
uents during the night.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
67
Even the first manoeuvres of the allies to form their cavalry
on the outside of the wood, were considered as necessary to
cover their march to Nordlingen.
In this respect both of the French Mareschals coincided most
cordially; they were quite at ease, and congratulating them-
selves over the enemy's retreat from the Danube, when it was
discovered, all at once, that his right wing was moving on to
attack them. The French took up arms, and formed in front
of the camp, where they were soon attacked, but on this oc-
casion drove back the right wing of the allies towards the
little wood; here the latter again formed, and made a second
attempt, which succeeded no better than the first.
Both of the said attacks were made without the allies, at the
right wing of the French army, being perceived, but the former
crossed the rivulet, and afterwards formed, which the latter
could by no means prevent, though its banks were very steep.
The centre of the French army consisted, as before remarked,
of cavalry, and from this point the Bavarian infantry extended
on the left, and Mareschal Tallard's infantry were stationed
on the right. A great part of this corps had, however, been
ordered to occupy Blenheim, consequently cavalry only were
to be seen in the plain, and no where well supported by in-
fantry.
The allies perceiving the French order of battle, directed
the infantry and cavalry to cross the rivulet, and the first to
form in several lines with the cavalry in the rear.
The allies rightly judging that the French cavalry would
not resit the attack of their infantry, supported by their
horsemen, conceived that when these gave way, the hostile
infantry, occupying the villages, would abandon them to their
fate.
All these manœuvres were executed by the allies, without
any opposition on the side of the French. Mareschal Tal-
lard, seeing no enemy before the right wing, proceeded to the
left, and during his absence, the commanding Generals would
not venture to withdraw the infantry from the villages, which
F 2
68
THE ELEMENTS OF
would certainly have been of the utmost consequence, to at-
tack the allies.
Before Tallard returned the allies had already attacked
the right wing of his army, and even this was forced to re-
treat.
The cavalry on the left wing were also engaged and driven
back, they retreated towards the right wing, and by this move-
ment the whole army was separated, while the allies speedily
penetrated through the interval.
Tallard, whose sight was very weak, was taken prisoner
in returning to the right wing, by the allied cavalry, ad-
vancing between the two abovementioned villages.
Marsin, who commanded under the Elector of Bavaria,
and whose corps had attacked the enemy with success, afraid
of being taken in flank while forced to oppose Eugene's army
in front, only considered how best to retreat to Ulm, and left
the field without thinking that he might have marched to the
right, attacked the allied army, penetrated through both the
villages in flank, and thus occasioned his opponents a very
serious loss.
By such a manoeuvre he would undoubtedly have sup-
ported the infantry in the villages, and given time to Tallard's
corps to make another stand, and form again in the rear of
the right wing of the Bavarian army.
Instead of this, Marsin fled rapidly to Ulm, and abandoned
Tallard's troops; in this retreat he was not however pursued,
as the destruction of Tallard's force was alone sufficient to
crown the allies with decided superiority for the whole cam-
paign.
up.
In Blenheim only, 27 battalions and 12 squadrons, the
flower of the French
army, were
were shut
These troops would not have suffered much resistance, had
Marsin continued an hour longer in the scene of action, and
the remains of Tallard's army been collected, in attacking
the allies, who, from the plundering of the camp, were in the
greatest disorder.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
69
It was here proposed to the French that they should lay
down their arms, and this offer they accepted without mak-
ing any effort to be relieved, for which the ringleaders were
most graciously rewarded by their sovereign.
During this year no battle ought to have been fought by
the French in Germany, so long as it was possible to avoid
it; the intention of the allies being to act here with the bulk
of their force, and to carry on no very vigorous offensive
operations any where else.
Notwithstanding this occurrence the Emperor was placed
in a most dangerous situation; his allies could receive no
reinforcements from Germany, and the Dutch were forced,
in a short time, to fall back upon Flanders, to support the
operations conducted there.
The Elector of Bavaria was, on the other hand, master of
the Danube, from its source to the frontiers of Austria, into
which he could have entered without much difficulty.
Leopold, the Austrian Emperor, had, besides this, an un-
favourable task to execute in silencing the malcontents in
Hungary and Tyrol, and keeping open the communication
with Italy. In addition to all which Bohemia, little satisfied
with its government, might easily have been invaded by the
armies of the enemies of Leopold.
The Emperor's army never dared to move to any consider-
able distance from Nuremberg, doing which would undoubt-
edly have changed its system and been of great use to Bavaria.
This, together with the situation of the magazines of the
Austrian army in Nuremberg considered, it was almost im-
possible for it to penetrate far into Bavaria.
Mareschal Villeroi was with a considerable force near
Briel, which Eugene left, without the circumstance being
distinctly known to the former. Eugene's junction with
Marlborough afterwards, was, however, notorious enough;
but Villeroi never attacked the lines of Briel, though they
were only guarded by invalids.
This alone could have forced the allied army to retreat to
70
THE ELEMENTS OF
the Rhine, instead of molesting the Elector of Bavaria; on
the contrary, it would have enabled the latter to enter Austria,
and advance even to the gates of Vienna.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1705.
The brilliant occurrences which took place during the
campaign of 1704, were succeeded in 1705 by a series of
operations almost destitute of interest. Fortune was alike
fluctuating on the side of France as of Austria; but the
Prince of Savoy declared war against the former, and the
armies employed by both parties were yet more numerous
than those of the preceding campaign. New Mareschals
and Generals were appointed to the command of the French
armies.
The remarkable quietness of the season, during which all
possible means were adopted to encrease and strengthen the
contending armies, in order, as soon as possible, to bring to
issue a ruinous war, gave full scope to anticipate that great
events would mark the ensuing campaign, and supersedes the
necessity of farther remarks being here made on the opera-
tions of 1705.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1706.
Prince Eugene had, at the close of the last campaign,
quartered his army between the lakes of Garda and of Isev,
The most extensive and strongest quarters were in Calcinato
for the centre, in Capendolo on the right wing, and Manchi-
ardo on the left wing. Eugene afterwards set off for Vienna,
and left the command of the Austrian army to Count Raben-
claw.
The Duke of Vendome perceiving this arrangement, re-
solved to beat up the said quarters; but his force being very
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
71
inconsiderable he was obliged to wait till the arrival of rein-
forcements. He showed his plan to Count Modavi, who
was entrusted with the command of the quarters near the
Adda and Oglio. He departed to Paris; but came back
some days before Eugene was to return to the Austrian
army, which still remained in winter quarters.
#
Meanwhile, Modavi had ordered about 300 men of each
battalion to march by night into Castiglione, a small town,
situated in a plain, and about five miles distant from the
Austrian quarters already mentioned; in front of which the
French army was drawn up at day-break in order of battle.
But the time necessary to reach thein, and the obstructions
of the ground, gave the Austrians an opportunity of forming
on the heights extending from Carpendolo to Calcinato; and
in this position they sustained the first assaults of the French.
The right wing of the latter succeeded, however, in pene-
trating between the troops in Montechiaro and those on the
left wing, in such a manner that they were soon completely
separated, which caused the retreat of the Austrians, who
had every where else maintained their position.
This retreat was made in great disorder, and part of the
troops which had been engaged, as well as those that had not,
retired to Salo, while others fell back on the frontiers of
Tyrol, where they met Prince Eugene, on his way back from
Vienna.
Vendome did not profit by this affair, and neglected to
pursue the fugitive corps, which he might easily have done to
advantage, without being opposed.
Instead of destroying this army, and taking the post of
Roveredo, he marched to the enemy's quarters on the Adige
and Po, which were, however, abandoned by the Austrians
before Vendome could arrive at them.
1
}
Eugene, on the contrary, re-assembled his army near Salo
ard Roveredo, and by his exertions here, and by the help
of the German succours, was soon enabled to open the cam-
paign, though somewhat late, with a strong force. Hence
i
72
}
THE ELEMENTS OF
Eugene moved to the Adda, which he had determined to
cross. Vendome opposed him, and both armies having held
this position for a considerable time, Eugene ordered bridges
to be constructed over the Adda, near Paradis; but in a
direction as if he meant to cross at Pizzigthone.
Vendome followed him, making parallel marches; but the
ground being very favourable to the concealment of Eugene's
movements, Vendome extended his army too far, in expecta-
tion that he should be able to concentrate it, before any acci-
dent of consequence could take place, at least so as to be
able to oppose the enemy with equal force.
Several canals which had their entrance in the Adda, and
served to convey its waters through the surrounding country, in-
tersected the banks of this river; by that near Paradis, Ven-
dome's army was divided into three parts. This cut con-
nects a second time with the Adda, above the bridge of
Cassano, a little below which there is another that runs round
Lodi, and joins the Adda, near Pizzigthone.
}
Eugene seized this opportunity to attack the centre of the
French army; the Austrians approached very near to the
bridge of Cassano, without being, discovered by the enemy.
The bridge was then suddenly attacked, and some battalions,
which had already passed, also assaulted the French in flank,
by which they were thrown into the greatest disorder.
The Austrian infantry drove the French column that was
now advancing, farther back. On the borders of the canal
the French again formed, and marched forward against the
Austrians, who stood on the Adda, after crossing it with a
part of their army. The battalions of the former were broken
as soon as they reached the banks of the canal, and were
almost completely destroyed.
#
The Austrians, who had passed the bridge, wished to ex-
tend on both sides; but they were repulsed by the French
infantry that had formed below the castle of Cassano. These
fell upon the Austrians in flank, and were supported by the
rear-guard, which just arrived in good time to render the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
73
1
utmost service. All the Austrians across the bridge were thus
either killed or made prisoners, and Eugene was forced to leave
the field of battle with considerable loss.
This well concerted attack was only too soon executed ;
had Eugene waited till the greater part of the French army
had passed the bridge, he would not only have been able to
attack more advantageously, but also with superior force; the
certain result of which would have been his cutting off the
enemy from Milan, where a revolution in affairs would have
immediately followed.
The French army then undertook the siege of Turin, and
the Duke of Orleans brought reinforcements.
Mareschals Feullade and Marsin, who conducted the siege,
proposed to the Prince that they should await the joint efforts
of Eugene and the Duke of Savoy in the camp, which was
undoubtedly attended with bad consequences, as the Austrians
could thus attack the enemy where they pleased.
The Austians accordingly stormed the French lines round
Turin, penetrating on that side which was most deficient in
fortifications, to which they had come by crossing the Dore,
and assaulting the camp from Chivas, where the fewest troops
were also to be met with. The improper arrangement of the
works, and the ill-planned order issued to inclose an army,
stronger than its enemy, in an entrenchment surrounding a
fort in his power, were the reasons why the French were
obliged to give up this siege.
After the above affair, Mareschal de la Feullade again
shewed his want of judgment, in advising the Duke of Or-
leans, who was wounded, to march to Piguerol, where no
subsistence could be obtained, on which account the army
was forced to retreat soon after it came there.
Two days beyond that on which the siege was finally aban-
doned, the engagement near Castiglione was fought.
The Duke of Orleans broke up from the Lower Po to fol-
low Eugene, who hastened to raise the siege of Turin, and
74
THE ELEMENTS OF
General Modavi, of the French army, kept back to observe the
movements of the Prince of Hesse, left there by Eugene.
The corps of the Prince being stronger, by about 3000
men, than that of Modavi, he was resolved to attack him;
passed the Obermenzo, and laid siege to the castle of Sivierre,
to save which, Modavi determined to give his opponent
battle.
The ground on which it was fought is very flat, and lies at
the foot of the Alps, which extended here to Mozanbano and
Menzo, and close to the bottom of the same eminences
stood the castle of Sivierre.
As soon as Medavi approached, the Prince of Hesse pro-
ceeded into the plain, and there formed, which was also done
by his adversary.
The infantry of the right wing of the allied army pene-
trated the French infantry, but these were replaced by Spanish
troops of the same description. By this circumstance the
allied cavalry gained some advantages. As soon, however, as
the second line advanced to fill up the intervals of the first,
and to redress the disorder there, the slight confusion on the
left wing of the French army immediately ceased, its right
wing throwing the left of the allies considerably back.
The right wing of the French army advanced then more
and more, and the enemy retreated; about this time the
centre was also attacked and driven back, upon which the
whole allied army fled, and passed the Menzo near Ponti-
castelli.
Though the French had lost the battle of Hockstedt, yet
the war was now carried on with equal power, and both
armies were again near the Rhine.
In Italy the siege of Turin had been undertaken, as before
said. In Spain the charge of the operations rested with
Mareschal Berwick; after the raising of the siege of Barce-
lona, under the conduct of Mareschal Fesse, and in conse-
quence of this the war in Flanders, where Villeroi commanded,
was defensive.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
75
Villeroi was resolved to open this campaign with a battle,
the mastership in which should be productive of permanent
advantages, and render both of the operating armies of equal
strength.
Villeroi had raised the fortified lines of the Dolle, but he
resolved tò fight in front of them, and marched to Tirlemont.
Here, and towards the Dolle, he might have had a sufficient
supply of forage, but he was determined to advance yet
farther, this could not, however, be done without consulting
the Elector of Bavaria. As soon as the latter returned, Vil-
leroi proceeded to Ramilies, without having any information
respecting the allied army, which had assembled some days
before.
Villeroi received notice of the enemy's approach when the
heads of his columns were near the Geete, and immediately
after the columns were seen advancing towards the French.
Villeroi formed his troops, but had no idea that they would
be attacked, which, combined with the unfavourableness of
his situation, contributed certainly much to the loss of the
day.
The left wing of the French cavalry stood behind the
Geete, and the swamps on the banks of that rivulet. This
body of cavalry could not be attacked by the Austrians. (Pl.
XIV. C.)
The village of Ramilies, in the plain above the source of
the Geete, was before the right wing of the same army. The
village itself was occupied by some battalions, but they were
too far distant to be well supported; no communication was
established with it, and the troops within were badly disposed.
In addition to this, the very troops were ill disciplined and
foreign, though so much depended on the resistance of the
place.
The Austrians attacked the village, and carried it almost
instantly.
The village Favieres, on the Mehaigne, and on which the
right wing of the French army ought to have been appuied,
76
THE ELEMENTS OF
was occupied by a strong corps of infantry, supported by
some cavalry, and afterwards by two more battalions, which
were, however, repulsed by the Austrians.
The baggage which had not been removed, but kept near
the army between the two lines, caused afterwards great dis-
order.
The Austrians spent full five hours in altering their posi-
tion; but all the representations urged upon Villeroi to
change the position of his army were unavailing.
The Austrians reinforced their left wing to attack the right
of the French; the left of this army being unattackable.-
This, when reported to Villeroi, was heard with deaf ears.
The Austrians, after having taken their cavalry from the
right wing, supported them with a large body of infantry;
which, though told to Villeroi, made no impression on his
mind in respect to his position.
The Austrian infantry who had been drawn from the right
wing to attack Ramilies, and the right wing of the French,
formed in several lines before that village.
From the second line the Austrians took their infantry to
attack Favierres.
Villeroi, who perceived all that was going forward, and
who was frequently warned on the subject, continued obsti-
nate in retaining his position.
The Austrians having thus divided and formed their army,
advanced in four lines, with their cavalry towards the right
wing of the enemy.
During this advance the third and second lines of cavalry
were ordered to come up, to form one full and complete
line.
All these movements were performed so well, so speedily,
and at so short a distance, that the right wing of the French
had no time allowed to close; and that even the second line
could not fill up the spaces of the first; the baggage, how-
ever, principally hindered the requisite manoeuvres from being
very quickly executed.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
77
The right wing of the French army was therefore attacked
in a full line, through the intervals of which the Austrian
squadrons formed in one line, succeeded in penetrating, and
attacked the French in the rear.
Ramilies was stormed by the Austrians in four lines, as
before said; but as they approached it, they soon perceived,
that the first line of the enemy was too far distant to support
it properly, and that this village was not even very strongly
occupied.
Though almost all the French Generals were on the right
wing, this could not prevent the happy issue of the enemy's
movements. The wing in question soon retired; the disorder
spread to the centre and the left wing, and finally, the whole
army was forced to retreat, or rather to fly, and leave be-
hind all its baggage, and nearly all its ordnance and ammu-
nition.
Thus, after an engagement which did not last above an
hour, the French troops had totally quitted the field of battle,
and the Austrians were boldly advancing to pursue them.
But this pursuit was soon over, and the conquerors only
sought for booty, instead of using the superiority they had
gained to the ruin of the French force.
The latter had fled more panic-struck than actually routed;
and it is indeed only ascribable to the defective arrangements
of Mareschal Villeroi, that the Austrians remained such
complete masters of the ground, and that about 80 cannons
fell into their hands.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1707.
In Italy the allied army had obtained such advantages, that
Prince Eugene and the Duke of Savoy resolved to besiege
Toulon; but this enterprise was soon afterwards laid aside,
as Mareschal Fesse was advancing towards them. The re-
duction of Susa could not, however, be prevented.
78
THE ELEMENTS OF
•
In Spain, which was also a theatre of war, Mareschal
Berwick commanded the troops opposed to the allied armies
of England, Spain, and Holland.
The allies were in possession of Valencia, Arragon, and
Catalonia; but their intentions were bent on making an in-
road into New Castile, for the furtherance of which endea-
vour they purposed to profit by the reinforcements received
from England and Holland.
They accordingly passed the Xuar and approached Al-
manza. The Duke of Berwick also advancing in order of
battle.
The brave English infantry penetrated immediately the
centre of the French army; but this was soon steadied again.
The infantry of Portugal likewise attacked; but were re-
pulsed and pursued. The French cavalry then charged the
allies, who gave way; in consequence of which the whole
army was compelled to retreat.
Thirteen battalions had separated from the main body, and
were retiring over the mountains on the way to Valencia, by
Xucar, and these the French cavalry pursued; weakness,
from the want of provisions, obliged them to halt, and they
were overtaken before they could reach Xucar. At this junc-
ture the hostile infantry likewise came up, and the battalions
were forced to surrender.
The results of this battle were the conquests of the king-
doms of Arragon and Catalonia, which rapidly followed the
above events.
Mareschal Berwick was afterwards in Flanders, opposing,
în connection with the army commanded by Vendome, the
joint and collected forces of Eugene and Marlborough.
Eugene left the Rhine, and gained two days march on
Mareschal Berwick's army.
Vendome, who more particularly acted against Marlbo-
rough, should have kept him between Louvain and Brussels,
to compel Eugene to join, and, if possible, to unite himself
with Berwick's army before this could take place.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
79
Vendome, on the contrary, marched towards Genatz to
prevent the junction of the hostile armies, owing to which
manœuvre Berwick could not effect a coalition in time
enough to render his force superior to that of Marlborough.
Ghent and Bruges were, however, taken, and Ryssel likewise
saved.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1708.
Early in this year an engagement took place near Oudenard,
where the French were driven back and sustained a great loss,
principally in their retreat. The Duke of Burgundy retired
towards the camp between Bruges and Ghent, to cover these
two towns.
Count de la Motte commanded a corps stationed nearer
the sea to protect the convoys on the canal from Newport to
Bruges.
Berwick could not possibly arrive in Flanders before
Eugene had placed his infantry in the fortresses of the Hene-
gan, on the Scheldt, and in Artois. His cavalry was, there-
fore, requisite to support every part of the line which he
occupied with his infantry.
1
The allied army, under Marlborough, advanced to Meinen;
and Eugene's troops towards the Dender, to cover the places
in Brabant. A corps of the allied army, which was besieging
Ryssel, was straitened for ammunition, and obliged to pro-
cure this, as well as ordnance, from Holland, by the way of
Brussels, over an arm of the Scheldt. From Brussels the
conveyance was for 66 miles by land, and employed from
7000 to 8000 waggons, which were protected by about
15,000 men. This convoy arrived safe without having been
attacked by the French, which was certainly a capital neglect,
as the allies were now enabled vigorously to prosecute the
siege of Ryssel.
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THE ELEMENTS OF
The French army broke up from Lovendeheim and marched
towards the Dender, were it joined Berwick's corps. From
here this great force proceeded to Dornick, to force the allies,
if possible, by a general engagement, to abandon the siege of
Ryssel. The convoys of the latter were never attacked on
their way to Ryssel, where they all arrived in the utmost
security, and thus the siege was not obstructed.
The French army not finding a favourable occasion of
attacking the allies, retreated, in order to act upon their con-
voys, and compel them in this manner to raise the siege. In
consequence of which a large circle was formed round the
allied army.
The Duke of Burgundy and Vendome occupied Artois,
the Scarpe, and the country between Dornick and Ghent.
Count de la Motte was appointed to guard the space from
Ghent to Newport. And in the centre the allied army was
employed in endeavouring to procure stores of victuals and
ammunition. This corps not being able to obtain convoys
from Brussels, strove to get provisions from the neighbour-
hood of Artois and the Castellaneyan territories, and ammu-
nition from Ostend; which often caused that for an entire
day no one gun could be fired, without dangerously diminish-
ing the proportion requisite to resist an attack.
The allies had their ammunition easily brought to Ostend
from Holland or England; but its conveyance hence to Lef
fingen, (which was however in their own power), from Leffin-
gen again over land to the borders of the inundation caused
by the canal of Newport, then across the inundation, and
lastly, by land once more to Ryssel, was, indeed, a matter of
no ordinary difficulty in the vicinity of an enemy who was
well acquainted with the country.
La Motte, however, made no effort to obstruct the safe
arrival of the convoys; but was himself, on the contrary,
beaten back near Winnenthal by an inferior force.
Had La Motte approached near to Ostend, covered his
THE SCIENCE OF WAR,
81
position by the forts of Plassenthal and Newport, and ordered
the bridge near Leffengen to be broken down, he might
certainly have done much injury to the enemy's convoys.
Even the great convoy which was expected from Ostend,
and which La Motte was to have attacked with 36 batta-
lions, met with no annoyance, the French having taken such
bad measures not to intercept it.
La Motte directed his route through Oudenburg, along
the canal of Gistel, instead of advancing on the great road
to Winnigthal. When he arrived at the first mentioned
place, he found a corps of the allies, which had been de-
tached to protect the convoy, favourably placed on the en-
closed ground near the adjacent wood. Instead of falling
upon the convoy, La Motte turned his efforts against the
corps; which improper conduct was rewarded by a repulse,
and the free escape of the former.
The citadel of Ryssel soon after this surrendered; for
Eugene had taken such a firm position, that being now
well supplied with forage, victuals, and ammunition, the
place could not fail to be speedily reduced.
{
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1709.
Mareschal Villars opposed the allied army, penetrating into
Artois, along the sea coast, and all the means he employed
were crowned with success.
The allies in Flanders, this year, amounted to 80,000
effective troops, and besides the army of 10,000 men on the
Dender; there was another corps stationed to cover the siege
of Dornick, and the convoys from Brussels, Ath, and Oude-
not, thither. This corps was opposed by a French force
under Chevalier Luxemburg, posted near Conde.
The commander of the citadel of Dornick proposed a
capitulation on the 29th of August, to which Eugene return-
ed a very hard answer, supposing the garrison to be in want
VOL. III.
G
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THE ELEMENTS OF
of provisions. As soon as he thought it was likely that the
capitulation would be concluded, he ordered 12,000 men
to pass the Scheldt, to take the French lines on the Trouille,
and make a junction with the corps on the Dender.
But as his propositions had been in respect to the terms
of surrender too severe, they were not accepted by the
enemy, and the troops which had been detached the day
before, and were already arrived at Pervis, received orders
to halt.
Eugene's intentions on Mons were by this plainly disco-
vered, and two days after the first chamade, the same having
been beaten again, the capitulation was signed.
Eugene then commanded 36 battalions and some cavalry,
to cover his recent victories for a few days, and sent orders
to both of the above mentioned detached corps, that whilst
the French army was at Dornick, they should attack the
lines of the Trouille, by the Havre and Haine.
Eugene's main body proceeded between Dornick and Mon-
tagne over the Scheldt, and advanced most rapidly to reach
the Haine sooner than the French.
But
The quickness of this movement forced Mareschal Villars
to pass the Scheldt with his right wing, and to order his
left to occupy the position where the former previously stood,
till he received notice of the strength of the corps before
Dornick.
He then advanced with the right wing to Keavrain, and
detached General Legal, with a small corps, to support
Luxemburg.
The impossibility of procuring provisions from Valenci
ennes caused the loss of some days, during which time, how
ever, the left wing of the French army advanced and joined
the troops in the camp near Keavrain, to the south of Hon
neau.
Luxemburg, as he advanced to the lines of the Trouille,
met both of the allied corps which had been detached from
that army, and directed General Legal to reinforce him with
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
83
all speed; which not being, however, complied with, he
fell back upon Legal's force, and afterwards on the grand
army.
The allied army passed the Trouille, and took its position
near Pipli.
The above movements, and the junction of the French
army were accomplished on the 4th of September.
The 8th of September was fixed upon to rest the infantry
of the left wing, and distribute the bread. Towards night
all the baggage of the army was sent back, and it marched
off from the right as soon as it became dark.
The next morning, at nine o'clock, it arrived at the open-
ings of the forest, between the woods of Jansart, Laguierres,
Blagnies. (Pl. XIV.)
Eugene, who had passed the Trouille with all his army,
the corps near Dornick excepted, which had, however, been
on its march to join the main body since the 6th, would
have been justly alarmed had the French advanced directly
through the openings of the forest, and taken their position
on the other side of it.
Eugene, in order to effect this first, advanced boldly for-
ward to gain the ground before the French could arrive,
although their numbers were greater than his. The Prince
then placed himself between some small rivulets that issued
from the forest, ordered an immense quantity of ordnance to
be mounted, and forced the French, by a heavy cannonade
on the 9th, to keep their position.
The 10th was spent by the French in fortifying their front,
and covering the other parts along the forest with strong
abatis of great trees. The front being too small for the first
line, some infantry and all the cavalry of the left wing were
placed behind the forest. The same was the case in respect
to the infantry of the right wing; but the cavalry, drawn
from this, were stationed behind the infantry that occupied
the fortifications at the back of the openings, and the guns
were properly divided to defend the works.
G 2
84
THE ELEMENTS OF
#
The Austrian army stood with its right wing on the Haine,
and its left on the Trouille, behind Gevres and Sippli, the
Frouilli and Mons being in the rear.
The camp was enclosed by rivulets.
This position was not, certainly, advantageous for sustain-
ing an attack, as the army was separated, and if any one
part had been driven back, it could scarcely have been suc-
coured, but must have depended on its own strength.
Eugene soon perceived that he would not be attacked by
the French, and therefore determined to wait for the arrival
of the corps from Dornick.
The French army having no out-posts in the forest, on the
farther side of their abatis, could not learn the Austrian
movements; and, besides this, the Austrian troops occupied
a much larger space than the French, whom they could easily
have out-flanked. The latter might also have been without
difficulty attacked by means of the passes of the wood.
In front the Austrians had occupied a farm with a large
timber yard, very aptly situated, to attack the enemy before.
In front of the French army there were several hollow
ways, by which the Austrians could easily approach either
to the left wing or centre.
Eugene ordered his attack in a most favourable manner,
and was never engaged all along his front, though very atten-
tive to meet every assault. He advanced without running
the danger of losing much, if forced to retreat; and still
kept in view the possibility of attacking the enemy with the
larger front.
On the 10th, Villars perceived the defects of his position,
and directed all the front along the openings of the forest to
be more strongly entrenched; but this work was not yet
finished when Eugene advanced to attack him.
Eugene's army marched forward in several columns but
with an extended front, from which the French ought to
have concluded, that they would be assailed by a variety of
attacks. A number of columns were soon after seen on the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
85
left flank and rear of the French; but this did not hinder
them from keeping their position. The French infantry on
the left wing were early thrown back, and compelled to
retreat, The other troops of this wing, appuied on the
wood, likewise lost ground.
Mareschal Villars brought up fresh forces to support these
points, but by so doing weakened the centre. The left wing
then returned the attack, during which Villars was wounded.
The Austrians having already possessed themselves of the left
wing of the enemy's position, bent their efforts against the centre.
The Austrians afterwards attacked the right wing of the
French army, having previously taken the wood of Blaugies.
The centre and left wing of this corps were again driven
farther back; but the Austrian attacks were principally di-
rected on the centre. Their attempts against the right wing
only succeeded in part, and they were repulsed by some
French reinforcements.
The left wing, where Villars was wounded, retreated im-
mediately by Keuvrian; and when Mareschal Bouflers heard
that the command had devolved upon him, from Villars being
disabled, he ordered the right wing likewise to retire to Bavai.
Thus the French army totally abandoned the ground, after
having lost all its fortifications, and great part of its ord-
nance and baggage. The remainder of the French artillery
retreated by Hons, over the bridge there.
The engagement lasted till night, under covert of which
the French army retreated; so that the Austrians did not
perceive it before the ensuing morning, and it was then too
late for them to pursue, as the French were already far dis-
tant from the field of battle.
In addition to this, the forces of Eugene had suffered
much, and were actually unable to follow any part of the
fugitive army, wh.ch, considering that it had been worsted in
the fight, retired in good order. Some of the troops of the
centro were, however, exceptions; they fled in a most scandal-
ous manner, and were indeed the chief cause of the disasters
86
1
THE ELEMENTS OF
of the day, to which Mareschal Villars's wound, and Bouflers's
ignorance of the state of the French corps, contributed also
much.
REMARKS ON THE CAMPAIGN IN THE YEAR 1743.
The battle of Czazlau was fought in the year 1742, soon
after the commencement of the first Silesian war, and the tak-
ing of Silesia by the King of Prussia.
On the 11th of June, in the following year, and subsequent
to the junction of the Austrian, English, and Hanoverian armies,
a bridge was made over the Maine, and the whole combined
force, consisting of 43 squadrons and 46 battalions, crossed
the river, and encamped between Kelterskeim and Schwank-
heim ;
these troops fell back again, however, in a short time,
and took a position near Hochst; they afterwards arrived on
the 17th near Dittingen.
The French army arrived on the 12th between Aschaffen-
burg and Seeligenstadt. The allies were worsted about this
period in a reconnoitring affair, and George the Second hav-
ing joined the army, assumed the command, Lord Stair re-
turned soon after to England.
In order to preserve the communication with Hanau, the
position of the allied army was in some degree altered, and
the bridge of Aschaffenburg well fortified.
The French, commanded by Mareschal Noalles, kept their
camp till the 23d, but were in constant motion during the
three following days, for the purpose of misleading the allies.
On the 24th, a strong foraging party was sent out towards
Hanau,but it returned at midnight, without having been attacked.
A reinforcement of 12,000 Hanoverians and Hessians had
previously arrived in the neighbourhood of Dornick, but they
did not assist the main army during the battle.
Towards the evening of the 26th the allied army was or
dered to be in readiness to march at midnight. At sun-rise
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
87
the march began, the troops proceeding in one column and
the baggage in another. The army had, however, only been
an hour on its route when news was received that the enemy
had passed the Maine, and intended to make an attack from
Aschaffenburg.
At nine the troops continued to move on, as no attack was
then expected, but 16 squadrons and 12 battalions were de-
tached to cover the march. The column of baggage was im-
mediately after cannonaded by the enemy.
At noon the heads of both columns reached Dettingen,
where 40,000 French were found drawn up in order of battle,
between the Maine and the heights of Hirschstein. But the
Duke of Gramont, who commanded the latter, left his ad-
vantageous position, while the allies were forming under the
fire of their ordnance. (Pl. XVII. C.)
Brigadier Bruckman's battery, in particular, had such ef
fect, that the left wing of the French army was forced to re-
treat, though the English in the first line had been already
driven back.
The French cavalry, who attacked the Austrian infantry
on the right wing, had also penetrated, at some places; how-
ever, the second line of the allied army repelled the enemy,
after which the first line was restored to order.
The second attack made by the French gens d'armes was
repulsed by the English cavalry, and the guards fled then to-
towards the Maine.
Brigadier Bruckman's excellent conduct in stopping the
firing till the enemy approached to the distance at which
grape-shot begins to be destructive, and thus, enabling him-
self more effectually to enfilade the French lines, and to make
a more sudden impression, added to the bravery of the English
cavalry, alone gained the day.
The Hanoverian cavalry being in part detached, and the rest
too far behind to pursue the French army, which might other-
wise have been completely destroyed, the enemy was not
pursued, though he retreated in great disorder.
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THE ELEMENTS OF
The French lost about 5000 men, and the allies 2000. The
English army remained in the camp near Dettingen and Kahle.
The French occupied a position at the opposite side of the
Maine.
The allied army encamped next day near Hanau, where it
was reinforced by 12,000 men.
The battle of Fontenoy took place on the 30th of April,
1744. The army of the allies consisted of about 4000 Dutch
and 20,000 English troops, commanded by the Duke of
Cumberland; and the French, under Mareschal Saxe, were
120,000 strong. However, notwithstanding this disparity of
numbers, the latter were totally defeated, in the presence of
their King and the Dauphin, both of whom were indeed
nearly made prisoners.
The English soldiers covered themselves on this occasion
with immortal glory, but the particulars of the engagement are
too well known to require a minute description here. (Pl¸
XVI. A.)
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1746.
The French having reduced during the years 1744 and 1745
the fortresses of Ostend, Newport, Knocke, Ypers, Menin,
Oudenarde, Ath, and Tourney, the allies were compelled,
at the close of the latter campaign, to take up their quarters
in Antwerp, Brussels, and Louvain, their advanced posts
being stationed near Mons and St. Guilan.
Mareschal Saxe resolved to take Brussels in the course of
the winter, collected 28,000 men and 52 pieces of ordnance for
this purpose, and approached the town, about the end of Ja-
nuary, in three columns.
Louvain was taken and Mons menaced at the same time.
On the 7th of February ground was broken before Brussels;
11 days after which Prince Waldeck and the garrison surren-
dered themselves prisoners of war.
In the beginning of May the French army assembled in the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
89
neighbourhood of Brussels, Dendermonde, and Maubeuge;
but Prince Waldeck, thinking his force too weak, retreated on
the 8th across the Neethe, and fixed his head-quarters on the
12th at Terheide.
Antwerp was next besieged, and finally invested on the 20th.
The forts of Osterweit and Philip immediately surrendered.
The trenches were opened soon after the 25th, and by the
night of the 5th of June the sap was carried nearly forward to
the pallisades of the covert-way; next day the place surren-
dered, although only 14 guns had been mounted against the
citadel, which had a garrison of 1600 men.
Mons surrendered on the 16th, after a siege of 16 days,
and the allied army received at this time reinforcements.
Twenty-six battalions and 52 squadrons arrived on the 23d
at Helmont, the bulk of the allied forces having in the mean
time approached and taken a position near Peer.
The allied army, now commanded by the Duke of Lau-
raine, covered Namur.
Both armies stood on the 2d of August opposite to each
other, near Mazy. The allied army had made a rapid ad-
vance, to give countenance to Charleroi, but it arrived too
late, and the town surrendered on the 5th.
The French menacing the right flank of the allies, and also
threatening to cut off their convoys on the Meuse, the Duke
of Lauraine was forced to retreat in the night of the 27th over
this river, while a small corps covered him against an attack
from Huy, whither the French had sent off a detachment.
The allied army then drew near Macstricht, and on the
19th of September retired across the Maine; the French
continued aside of it and besieged Namur, where the trenches
had been opened on the 5th. It surrendered on the 30th.
This campaign ended with the battle of Liege or Rocoux.
The allied army, under the Duke of Lauraine, consisted of
200 squadrons and 100 battalions, and had about 120 picces
of ordnance. The French were about a fourth stronger, and
commanded by the Duke of Saxe.
On the 7th of October the allied army broke up from the
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THE ELEMENTS OF
position near Glan, and passed the Jaar. It then took ground
near Liege, appuied on Ance and Allear, and extending to
Hautain. The rear guard, about 8000 strong, remained near
the Jaar and in Schleuss. But being exposed to be enfiladed
and too hotly pressed by the enemy's fire, it was also forced
to retreat to Texhen. On the following day this corps re-
joined the main army, notwithstanding that it had received a
reinforcement of 10 battalions. (Pl. XV. B.)
his
The Dutch army defended Ance, and General Zastrow
was ordered to defend Rocoux and Liers. He soon saw that
corps was too weak, and demanded reinforcements, which
were granted. Still, however, aware that the force he com-
commanded was too small, he again required a further aug-
mentation of men, and received in answer instructions to keep
his post as long as possible, with a promise that the whole
army, should support him.
The enemy attacked Ance about one o'clock, and took it,
after a gallant defence by the troops stationed there. The
Dutch then retreated behind the great road leading to Tongern,
where they kept their ground for some hours.
Rocoux was also attacked and carried, after three repulsed
assaults by the French, who now took the Dutch in flank. :
A strong flank, formed by the Hanoverians and Austrians
behind Liers, however, prevented the French from advancing
farther, by which means the Dutch troops, and all the left wing
gained time to retreat in order, and only a few guns were lost
in Ance, owing to the badness of the roads.
The enemy's ordnance being heavier than that of the allies,
had principally occasioned the retreat of the latter from
Rocoux; but the flank mentioned above formed soon after,
and saved the left wing from being cut off. This wing had
not been long covered before the whole army began to fall
back.
The allies lost at this time about 4800 men, one third of
whom were wounded, as many killed, and the rest made
prisoners.
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91
The French scarcely lost 4000 men; the most of whom
were wounded in the assault on Rocoux.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1747.
When the Duke of Cumberland took the command of the
allied army its strength was 190 squadrons, 115 battalions,
and 11 free companies, besides a reserve of 77 squadrons
and 22 battalions, forming on the aggregate a force of 12,000
The French army was, on the other hand, 150,000
men.
strong.
The latter begar its operations on the 17th of April, and
Suis, Gant, Isendick, and Hulst, were taken, without sustaining
an attack by the allies.
In the beginning of June the French were between Lou-
vain and Mecheln, and the allies near Lier, both approach-
ing to Maestricht.
On the 1st of July the baggage of the allied forces was
sent under the guns of Maestricht, and the Duke of Cumber-
land, Field Marshal Bathiany, and Prince Waldeck, recon-
poitred. Scarcely, however, had they ascended the heights
of Herdern, when two columns of French cavalry were per
ceived. Lille and Great Spau were then occupied, and the
left wing of the allies was ordered to be supported on Wil-
dern. The cavalry were likewise stationed in the plains of
Herdern, to give time to the infantry to pass a defile, and the
march afterwards continued covered by eight squadrons.
The enemy drew a part of his infantry in the mean time to
the heights of Herdern, to cover the march of another body to
the right wing. Both wings of the allied army were then re-
inforced by some light troops and artillery, and the whole
army was formed at five o'clock in the evening in order of
battle. (Pl. XVI. B.)
The English artillery, posted to the right of Laffeld, imme-
{
92
THE ELEMENTS OF
diately cannonaded the French, who soon retreated, though in
great order.
The army remained during the night under arms, and pre-
served its position, which was, however, a little altered near
Laffeld.
At eight o'clock in the morning every thing bore an appear-
ance of quietness in the enemy's army, though he seemed willing
to attack the left wing of the allies, a conjecture which was
iu a little time confirmed by some movements being perceived
in that quarter. A number of French battalions soon after
formed opposite Laffeld, and at eleven o'clock this village
was cannonaded, and the infantry advanced, but were op-
posed by the force of the allied artillery.
Laffeld, though not forfeited, was attacked three times
without success, during which the Hanoverian artillery made
great havoc.
On the fourth assault the French penetrated.
The left wing of the allied army had in the interval been
reinforced, and advanced as the prospect of success began to
wear a more flattering hue by which means the right wing of the
French was thrown back. But the allied cavalry pursuing with
too little circumspection, were soon compelled, by the force
of the enemy's infantry and ordnance, to retire, and even the
fresh troops which came up to support them were likewise
obliged to fall back.
The centre and right wing of the allied army then ad-
vanced. The French cavalry in the mean time attacked 10
Dutch Squadrons near Laffeld, and the latter immediately
retreated. Two Hanoverian battalions, which had just ar-
rived to succour the left wing, opposed the enemy's horse, but
he succeeded in penetrating; and as the allied army ran, in
consequence, the risk of being separated at the centre, orders
were given to retreat.
The debouching of the French infantry through Laffeld was
prevented for a time by the Hanoverian artillery; but this became
quite impossible to hinder, on the latter being also attacked by
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
93
the enemy's cavalry. The body of artillery in question re-
treated afterwards with little loss, as the French cavalry were
afraid to advance too rapidly, or to too great a distance.
The heavy artillery, had already retreated to Maestricht, and
all the left wing immediately followed. The cavalry in front
of this wing, and a corps of infantry posted between Lonac-
ken and Ravensperg, afterwards obstructed the enemy's far-
ther approach.
$
The cavalry and baggage passed the Meuse near Maestricht,
but the infantry remained on the glacis.
The allies lost during these proceedings 6000 men, seven
colours and standards, and 23 guns; and the French 1500
men, three guns, and 23 standards and colours.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1756.
France had been already for a long time jealous of the
prosperity of the English colonies, and now only sought for
a place on which to wreak her malice. Hanover was sup-
posed to be the most proper, as its occupance seemed not
difficult to effect, and as in respect to the redeeming of this
country, towards which the King of England had always en-
tertained great affection, it was further expected, that the
French would there meet indemnification for the colonies they
had lost in America. The land force of France was very
powerful, amounting to about 220,000 men; and a war, which
could be conducted with little expence, was consequently re-
solved on; besides, the possession of the Elbe and Weser
rendered the French masters of Northern Germany, and en-
abled them to dictate laws to the Princes of the states
situated there.
France coalesced with the two courts of Petersburg and Vi-
enna, and ordered 100,000 men to prepare to take the field, of
these 20,000 were destined to defend the Maine, the rest to
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THE ELEMENTS OF
pass the Lower Rhine and advance towards Hanover. Mare-
schal D'Etrees was appointed to the chief command of this
army by the intrigues of the mistress of the French King.
The Empress of Austria still remembered the loss of Si-
lesia, and the more bitterly, because it was in the power of
a Prince to whom she bore personal hatred. She persuaded
the Empress of Russia and the King of Poland to join her
and attack Prussia; and these endeavoured to bring England
into their interest, and offered to hire her troops, but the king
of that nation preferred the alliance of Prussia, and declared
that he would hold all powers that sent troops into Germany
as enemies.
Since the hour that Silesia came under the subjection of
Prussia the Empress had been constantly anxious to repossess
it, and the year 1757 appeared to her to be a fit time for
commencing hostilities. The monarch of Prussia, though
he loved peace, and esteemed the welfare of his people above
every thing else, was always ready to enter into war as soon
as necessity demanded the sacrifice.
He was formidable by his military force as well as by
talents.
Vanity, and the desire to increase her power and revenue,
led the Empress of Russia to join the league, and that coun-
try remained the ally of Austria so long as the Turks con-
tinued to form a respectable empire. Sweden was always in
some degree under the control of Russia, and the general dis-
like entertained towards the Queen contributed also to its
adding another link to the confederation of Russia, Austria,
and France; while Denmark, yet an inconsiderable kingdom,
was scarcely made an object of regard, to which its geographical
situation likewise conduced.
England, a nation which foreign powers are ever anxious to
make a party in their quarrels, for the sake of profiting by
her wealth, had in this as famous a character to play as she
usually has in all continental wars, during the courses of which
she has never failed to evince her superiority over other Euro-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR
95
pean states, but principally that which springs from her
fleets.
The King of Prussia apparently strove to enter into a treaty
with the court of Vienna, in order to gain time; but his offers
being consequently rejected, he resolved, first to attack the
King of Saxony, whom he knew to be allied with Austria.
An army, consisting of 71 battalions and 80 squadrons,
advanced on the 29th of August, into Saxony. The first
corps, commanded by the Duke of Brunswick, marched from
Magdeburg through Halle, Leipsic, Borna, Chemnitz, Frei-
berg, and Dippolswalde, to Dresden. The centre, headed by
the King in person, passed Wittemburg, Torgau, Massen,
and Kesselsdorf, on its way to the same town. The third
corps proceeded from Frankfort to Elsterwerda, Bautzen,
Stolpen, and Lomen, and formed a camp opposte to Pirna.
Thus the whole Prussian army was collected in Saxony, by
the 6th of September.
About. 14,000 Saxon troops also encamped near Pirna.
At the same time that the King entered this electorate,
Mareschal Schwerin appeared in Bohemia with 33 battalions
and 55 squadrons, having marched from Nachod to Neu-
stadt.
As the Saxons were unwilling to listen to the propositions
of the King, a considerable corps under the Duke of Bruns
wick, and afterwards under Mareschal Keith, was detached
to Johannesdorf, in Bohemia. Scheverin received orders to
stop near Aujest and Konigsgratz, it being supposed that the
Austrians would oppose his troops, and not endeavour to set
the Saxons at liberty.
The Empress had not yet assembled any considerable
force; but as soon as she received notice of the King's move-
ments, she directed the Austrian troops to be collected, and
to form two camps, one under the conduct of Prince Pico-
lomini, the other commanded by Mareschal Brown, whose
orders were to deliver the Saxons.
The King took his position near Grosszedlitz, close to
2
}
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THE ELEMENTS OF
Pirna, and being unable to reduce the Saxon army by any
other means, he determined to do it by famine, so that before
the end of September it was in a most miserable situation.
The Empress then commanded Brown to advance with all
possible rapidity to relieve it.
Brown immediately broke up his camp near Kollin, and
formed another on the 23d of September, adjoining to Budin,
where he remained till the 30th, to prepare his ordnance,
pontoons, the park, &c. &c.; things were accordingly in this
state on the 28th, when the King and Keith were informed
that the Austrian army was ready to advance.
His Majesty ordered a rear-guard of six battalions, 11
squadrons, and 400 hussars, to march forward from the camp
near Johanensdorf, and take another position near Tirmitz,
on the opposite side of the river which flows along Aussing.
The Prussian corps under Keith received orders to proceed
to Tirmitz, which the King and the van-guard left on the
arrival of the head of this army, for the purpose of advanc-
ing to Welmina, where all the troops were come by the 30th,
at eight o'clock in the evening. The van-guard stood be
tween Radolitz and Welholen, and the main body between
Prisen and Worpna; but from the lateness of the time no
camp was formed. The Prussian army consisted of 26 bat-
talions, 56 squadrons, and 102 pieces of ordnance; it formed
on the 1st of October, between Tirmitz, Radaslitz, and Wil-
holen, the infantry in two, and the cavalry in three lines.
Soon after this the right wing advanced to the mountain,
known by the name of Homolka, which commands the neigh-
bouring country to Sulowitz. The centre was on the moun-
tain Lobosk, which slopes towards the plain of Lowositz,
and was on that side covered by vineyards enclosed with
walls. On the east side of this mountain there is a ravine,
only passable by a stone bridge.
The Austrian army was placed on the heights behind
Soluwitz and Lowositz, its right wing being at the back of
this town. The vineyards of Mount Lobosk were occupied
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
97
by about 1000 croats. The strength of the Austrian army
consisted in 52 battalions, 72 squadrons, and 98 pieces of
ordnance. Its cavalry stood afterwards in the plain of
Lowositz, which was fortified and occupied by a strong body
of infantry and artillery. The left wing was covered by the
marshes of a rivulet.
The position of the Prussians appears to have been well
chosen, except that some cavalry were wanting in the centre;
and the rapid march of this army must convince every one
of the necessity of having defiles behind a corps.
The Austrians should, on the other hand, have planted
some ordnance on the right shore of the Elbe, to take the
Prussians advancing to Lowositz, in flank.
The engagement commenced at seven in the morning with
irregular firing, and lasted till noon, when the weather,
hitherto hazy, began to clear up. The corps of cavalry
stationed beside Lowositz was now discovered; but no regu-
lar line being perceptible, It was taken for the rear-guard.
It was, however, attacked by some Prussian squadrons,
which drove it back; but they pursuing it to too great a dis-
tance, got into the fire of the guns placed in Lowositz and
Sulowitz, whereupon they retired behind the first line of the
infantry.
The fog was by this time quite dispersed, and the Austrian
army fully visible in its position.
The King was soon aware that the right wing of the Aus-
trian position was the weakest, being commanded by the
mountain Lobosk. His second line was then ordered to
form a part of the first line, and occupy the position from
mount Homolka to the rear of the last mentioned eminence.
In this manner the army advanced, keeping the left wing
somewhat back; it was then reinforced, and attacked the
Austrians in the vineyards, when a strong support coming up
soon made the croats give way.
On Lobosk being taken possession of the Prussians receiv-
ed orders to rally, and wait for their ordnance.
VOL. III.
II
98
THE ELEMENTS OF
Mareschal Brown, supposing that all would depend on the
occupation of Lowositz, threw a strong force into it, and
appuied his right wing on the same.
The Prussians still kept their left wing close to the Elbe,
and on Lobosk, in order that they might not suffer very much
from the Austrian battery.
The town of Lowositz was long the scene of action; but
being at last set on flames by the Prussians, they obtained
some advantages and expelled the Austrians.
Brown, on perceiving this, retired his own, but com-
manded the Prussian right wing to be attacked from Sulo-
witz. The thing was however impossible; the few troops
which passed the rivulet were not able to form under the bat-
teries of the mountain Homolke.
Brown made a movement to the right with his army to
occupy the ground behind Lowositz, and afterwards retreated
under the protection of his batteries, so that the Prussians
could not pursue him. The King then detached the Duke
of Bevern to Tschiskowitz, with a corps to make a shew of
enclosing the enemy between the Elbe and Eger.
The loss of the Austrians consisted in 19 officers and 420
rank and file killed; 115 officers and 1729 rank and file
wounded; besides 711 men missing, and 475 horses either
killed or wounded.
The Prussians had 16 officers and 704 rank and file killed;
81 officers and 1798 rank and file wounded; 13 officers and
686 rank and file taken prisoners. The Austrian General
Ricati; and the Prussian Generals Oertzeu, Luderitz, and
Quadt were killed; and General Kleist was wounded.
Brown now strove to relieve the Saxons on the right shore
of the Elbe, who were to cross that river on the 11th of
October, near Konigstein. He therefore resolved to make
an attack on the 12th near Ratmandorf and Borgsdorf. In
pursuance of which determination he passed the Elbe with
8000 men, and marched by Neustadt, Romburg, and Hein-
spach to Lichtenhain, where he formed a camp. The Saxons
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
99
I
eould not cross the Elbe before four o'clock in the morning
of the 13th.
The Prussians in the mean while sent a strong force to
occupy the mountains and defiles which the Saxons were
obliged to pass. Other places were fortifed.
The Saxons tried to form on Lillinstein, a high mountain
near that part of the Elbe at which they crossed; but it was
impossible from the want of space. They afterwards drew
up, rather in disorder, around Ebenheit.
The Prussians, who entered the same day into a camp
near Pirna, met with the Saxon rear-guard and baggage, both
of which were taken.
Brown, on the 14th, sent early notice to the Saxons, that
he had arrived at Lichtenhayn, but could advance no farther,
The Saxons, almost starved and frozen to death, resolved
then to capitulate.
None
The King of Prussia returned on the 14th from Bohemia,
and the Saxons surrendered. Of these 10 regiments accepted
Prussian uniforms, and went over into that service.
of the officers were ever to serve against the Prussians. The
King of Poland had permission to go back to his kingdom;
and Saxony remained in the hands of the victor.
The Prussian army now received orders to leave Bohemia ;
and Schwerin proceeded to Silesia and encamped near Zuck-
manted and Greifenberg. The army commanded by the
King took up its quarters in Saxony, from Eger to Pirna, and
through Lausitz to the river Quies.
The King of Prussia was undoubtedly blameable in not
beginning the campaign earlier in the year, though his army
was always in readiness to march. By this means he might
easily have dispersed the Austrians in Bohemia, taken Prague,
Olmutz, and Brun, and advanced towards Vienna, in time
enough to have hindered any reinforcements from proceeding
to the relief of that city.
Schwerin, who opposed Picolomini, might also have acted
offensively, and, in conjunction with the King, forced back the
Ho
100
THE ELEMENTS OF
Austrians; and then the Prussian army might have established
its winter quarters in Bohemia, or rather proceeded direct to
Vienna.
The conduct of the Austrians was still more faulty, in not
sending assistance to the Saxons, or at least a sufficient num-
ber of men to cover the defiles, and keep open the commu-
nication with these troops.
For the ensuing campaign great preparations were made on
both sides. The Empress ordered her corps in Hungary,
Italy, and Flanders, to march to Bohemia. All the regiments
of hussars were encreased to 1500 men each; and those of
cavalry were made 1000 strong. In addition to the above,
two new regiments of hussars and one of infantry were raised.
The Elector of Mentz, and the Archbishop of Wurzburg,
aided the cause with two subsidiary regiments and some
pulks*. The Austrian troops, thus collected, were com-
manded by the Duke of Lauraine, and formed an aggregate
of 180,000 effectives.
The King ordered four additional battalions of light in-
fantry to be levied; the enemy being very strong in this de-
scription of force, and it appeared afterwards necessary on the
side of the former, to make them yet more numerous.
During the winter some skirmishes took place between the
light troops; but these, though very useful and necessary at
the moment, had no influence on the operations at large.
Thus the campaign ended after a continuance of two months,
and left the greatest promises of future success to the
King, who had already gained such superiority over his
enemies.
The Hanoverian, Hessian, and Euglish army had, in the
mean while, been exposed to a long retreat, of which the
following are the most remarkable circumstances.
The French army was advancing under the cominand of
Mareschal D'Etries towards Bilefeld, when the allied army
One pulk contains about 800 men.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
101
fell back upon the Weser, and crossed this river near Reh-
men, between Minden and Rinteln.
Mareschal D'Etries contented himself with merely employ-
ing some detachments to observe it, and took his way by
Detmold and Holtzhausen, in the Archbishoprick of Pader-
born, passing the Weser near Holzminden on the 16th of
July. The train of provisions passed the same river at the
same time near Beverungen, bridges being there made for
that purpose.
On the 18th, it was currently reported that General Pc-
reuse had taken Gottingen, and 200 prisoners, and that the
allies were, to the number of 6000, somewhat advanced, this
corps having sent detachments to Amelunxborn and Olden-
dorf.
The above news coming to the ears of the Mareschal, he
ordered, on the 19th, a small detachment of 50 men to
advance towards Oldendorf, and these encamped for the night
in the forest of Sollinger, near Dierssen. Oldenburg, which
had been left the evening before by the allies, was then recon-
noitred by 20 grenadiers.
On the 20th the French army took a position near Erden-
dorf, on the Solling, while the Marquis D'Armentierres
occupied the heights in the vicinity of Reileffen, and Colonel
Russy the castle of Hehlen. Thus the French became
masters of the Weser from Forste to Polle, and of a narrow
pass named the Trome, which is the only one between the
Weser and the valley of Wickensen. The French bakers
and magazines were removed to Parderborn.
The allied army marched, during this period, from Minden
to Hamelen, and left seven battalions near Wickensen.
To observe the roads from Eimbeck towards Hanover,
General Dachenhausen was detached with two regiments of
dragoons, being first directed to take his position near Alfeld,
and afterwards near Elze, where it was intended to strengthen
his corps, if necessary, and to station it behind the Aller,
not far from Wulfingen to protect Hanover.
100
THE ELEMENTS OF
On the information of the French having encamped near
Oldendorf, the Duke of Cumberland commanded his second
line to extend to Halle, five miles from Wickensen, and
three from Hehlen.
The grenadiers being, however, found to be too much
exposed in this position, were remanded to Volkerhausen on
the left flank of the army.
The light troops, composed of four companies of foot and
as many troops of mounted hunters, chasseurs, some hussars,
and carabineers, were stationed on the heights of Lutjeberg
and Mittelpeile, between Bovice, Brockensen, and Trenke.
The left wing was appuied on the eminence of Ohnsburg,
northward, between Hastembeck and Vohremberg. (Pl.
XVII. A.)
Hastembeck was ucarly before the centre of this
camp; and
the right wing which stretched towards Hameln, terminated on
one of the heights of Sindelberg, opposite to the brick field,
and was covered by an inaccessible morass called the Lake.
The Duke of Cumberland set off on the morning of the
22d to Lutjenberg, it having been reported that a strong
body of French had passed Heine, to form a camp there,
This detached corps might easily have been beaten hack;
but the allied army was not ordered out, and the light troops
had it in charge to keep Borrie and Trenke.
Lutjenberg being thus abandoned, it was impossible to
maintain the position in the neighbouring valley, and the
allies were forced to retreat to Heseberg; their out-posts
occupying the country from Norden and Oehren to Borrie.
On the 22d, the French army marched from its camp
near Oldendorf, and formed a new one in the neighbourhood
of Wickensen and Halle, eight miles distant from Grolinde.
Its van-guard, commanded by D'Armentierres, encamped
near Heine, and its out-posts in the vicinity of Grohnde,
where a bridge was thrown over the Weser, and passed by
20,000 men, under Count Broglio, who was to encamp ou
the eminence of Steinkuhle.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
103
The French army encamped in several lines on the 23d,
in the plain between Heine, Grohnde, Borrie, Trenke, and
Brokensen.
The light troops of the allied army skirmished all day, but
kept their place; they, however, afterwards left Ilseberg, the
main body remaining in its camp near Afferde.
The Commander of the allied army certainly merited re-
prehension for not making an attack on the corps of Broglio,
by the means of a rapid march, and also for not acting on the
magazines of the French, which being at Paderborn, rendered
it very difficult to provide that army, as the conveyance was
through defiles and roads as bad as those of Amelunxborn, the
way by Holzminden being impracticable.
The bread for the French army was baked on the 26th,
`and had any effort been resorted to for the destruction of the
magazines at Paderborn, or of the convoys from that place,
it would without doubt have been forced to retreat towards
Minden.
}
On the 24th the corps of the Duke of Broglio was placed in
order of battle between Grohnde and Ohsen, on the left bank
of the Weser, fronting towards Buckeburg. At the same time
the French advanced to the right of the heights, occupied by
the allies, viz. the first columu marched to the right towards
Volkershausen, where General Hardenberg was placed with
the Grenadiers.
The Duke of Cumberland then ordered some regiments of
infantry to stand between the pickets and the grenadiers. The
jagars were afterwards dislodged from Lafferde, although the
French could not take possession of it,
The latter attacked the post between Tundern and Ohren,
and stationed themselves on the right bank of the Weser;
the Duke of Broglio again played his ordnance in vain against
the heights of Lafferde.
Near Volkershausen the firing was hotly maintained, but
the grenadiers, after a short time, succeeded in repulsing the
104
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
French; the allies then broke up from their old position, and
`took another near Hastembeck.
The rivulet Vohrenburg and the morass of Lake covered
the front, but the left wing was not covered at all, and com-
manded by a small height.
The situation in respect to the wood of Ohnsburg and
Huhnenkuhle was not favourable, as this eminence might have
been ascended, and mounted with guns.
The infantry stood in one line with the reserve, and the ca-
valry in the rear. The right wing was appuied on Sudelberg,
opposite the Tile-kiln, extending to the wood of Hastembeck.
The grenadiers retired a little more into the wood, and two
battalions were posted on Schoenenberg.
The corps of hunters was stationed on the eminences of
Huhnenkuhle.
Between the grenadiers and the left wing there was a small
eminence, on the farther side of the Ketsig ravine, and here a
battery was placed, flanked by another situated in front of the
grenadiers, both consisting of 12-pounders.
Another battery was seen to the right of Hastembeck, and a
fourth on Lindelburgh.
Hastembeck was occupied by a corps under orders to quit it
as soon as the French should press hard upon them.
At Wisperode 330 men were stationed.
General Zastrow commanded the right wing, General In-
hoff the left, and Dackenhausen and Einsidel the Hanoverian
and Hessian cavalry.
The French attacked the outposts at Hastenbeck on the
25th, at day-break, and two columns directed their march by
Volkerhausen, along the wood.
The greater part of the French army was advancing from
Tunder towards Ziegelhof, which was occupied by a strong
detachment of the allies.
The French only marched during the whole day; their ar
tillery, though far superior, scarcely acted at all on the left
wing of the allied army. The French retreated at five
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
105
o'clock, but maintained the heights of Volkerhausen, and
those near Ohsen. Colonel Breitenbach was sent with three
battalions to Wisperode, in order that nothing might be feared
from the French on the rear, and the remainder of the allied
army bivouaqued in the above position. Hastembeck was
again occupied, and the two regiments stationed near Elge,
joined the army. Two battalions and four squadrons were
likewise placed behind the Hamel, between the right wing of
the army and Hameln.
On the 26th, at day break, thick clouds of dust announced
the French to be in motion. At six o'clock the allied batte-
ries began to open on the points where the dust appeared
to be in the greatest quantities; at nine the firing was
kept up with the utmost violence, and the French proceeded
more to the right, to outflank the allies; the heads of the
columns of the former marched to Voremberg, halted in the
Ravine called the White Ground, and one column made an
attack on the battery at the opposite side of the Ravine, dis-
tinguished by the appellation Ketsch.
Another column of the French, meeting with no obstruc-
tion, marched by Butebrinck to Hahnenkuhle, and attacked
the hunters in the rear, who lost ground, though some rein-
forcements arrived.
The Duke of Cumberland was then on the left wing, and
detached three battalions to support the hunters, but hearing
that they were dislodged, and that the enemy was advancing
in the rear from the mountain, which was confirmed by a
strong discharge being audible, and by the loss of the grand
battery, he supposed that he would be attacked in the rear,
and consequently ordered a retreat. Four battalions were
now detached to bring Colonel Butenbach with his corps
back.
This officer attacked Chevert's troops with such determi-
nation and vigilance, that he repulsed them, and took 22
four-pounders.
106
THE ELEMENTS OF
Colonel Dackenhausen afterwards pursued the enemy with
his cavalry.
About this time the Duke of Brunswick also retook the
grand battery, after which the French resolved to retreat.
The allied army likewise retired, covered by its cavalry,
dispersed through the plain of Fastenbeck.
The Duke of Brunswick, who had so fortunately advanced,
was ordered again by General Imhoff to retreat, and thus
abandoned his booty a second time.
When the dust was a little subsided, the French were per-
ceived to be retreating, and the officer who brought the news
of Breitenbach's success, was detained, in consequence of
which only 11 guns were taken, there being a deficiency of
horses for the remainder.
The French did not attack at all, but were in the utmost
confusion, and allowed the allies to retreat without annoy-
ance over the Hamel, by the Watch Tower of Afferd.
The allied army then formed on the heights of Passberg
and Sweineberg, Hameln on the right flank, and the Hamel
in front *. But the position near Springe was too soon
after preferred to this.
The French also rallied and formed at this juncture, and
detached a corps into the valley of Hastenbeck, which pushed
forward its out-posts towards the Hamel, and fired some vol-
lies, without doing any injury.
The allied army retreated still farther on the following day,
and then it was, that the unhappy idea of finding refuge in
the quarter of Stade was acted upon. Hameln was left to
its own strength, and surrendered after having been invested
for eight days. Hanover and Brunswick were seized by the
French, and thus all communication between the Prussian
and Allied armies was cut off.
These unhappy events were soon after followed by the still
more unhappy capitulation of Zeven, the result of which
* Wm. Muller's Artillery, 2d Part, 2d Example.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
107
must have been the ultimate capture of almost all the allied
army, had not more fortunate circumstances in the next cam-
paign occasioned the French a series of disadvantageous offen-
sive operations.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1757.
The active strength of the federation formed against the
King of Prussia was considerable; the united armies of
Austria, France, Russia, Poland, the German Empire, and
Sweden, amounted to 700,000 men, to oppose whom, the
King and his allies could bring about 200,000 into the field.
The King determined to bend his first efforts against such of
his enemies as might be expected to appear earliest on the
scene of action, and these being the Austrians, he according-
ly prepared to begin his operations by attacking them.
The Empress, on the other hand, did not prognosticate so
soon to be assailed, but was putting her army in train for an
offensive war, of which the primary object was to retake
Saxony, but the grand and final aim, in conjunction with her
allies, included the abolishment of the Prussian Monarchy,
and the partition of her territory among the colleagued
powers.
The execution of these projects depended on a corps,
commanded by the Duke of Ahreuberg, collected near Eger;
another under the Field Marshal, in the vicinity of Budyn;
a third, having Count Konigsegg for its chief, not far from
Reichenberg; and a fourth, headed by Count Serbellony, in
Moravia.
The Field Marshal intended to cover Bohemia with the
troops committed more immediately to his charge, in such a
manner as to be able easily to assemble them at one point
either to resist an attack, or to carry on offensive operations.
The Austrian magazines, exclusive of that establised at
Prague, were all situated on the frontiers.
-
108
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
The King having resolved to penetrate into Bohemia, as-
sembled his army in four corps; one commanded by Prince
Moritz, near Chemnitz; the second by himself in person, in
the neighbourhood of Lokowitz; the third by the Duke of
Bevern, close to Zittau; and the last by Mareschal Schwerin,
in Silesia.
To evade the danger of being singly defeated, the two first
corps were to unite when beyond the narrow passes of the
mountains of Lowositz and Eger; a junction was also to be
made between the two latter on the Iser, near Turnau; and
the two armies, thus formed by the above troops, were both
to advance against Prague.
The King, apprehensive that the enemy would march for-
ward to defend the passes of Lowositz and Lokowitz, di-
rected Prince Moritz, in order to make the route as difficult
as possible, to penetrate the circle of Saatz, on account of
which the Austrians became in fear of being surrounded.
Prince Moritz proceeded according to this intention by
Zwikau, Plauen, and Eger; and to make it seem that the
Prussians purposed to enter Bohemia at this quarter, as also
to besiege Eger, a brisk engagement took place at Wildeshein,
after which the Prussians advanced towards Eger, where an
affair of hard fighting was also conducted.
Meanwhile Prince Moritz returned to Auerbach, and di
vided his corps into two columns, one of which advanced
by Erberstock and Schwartzenstock to Gottasgabe, Kupfer-
berg, and Kommotau, and the other to Schneeberg, Schlet
hence
tau, Annaberg, and Basberg, and finally to Kommotau;
Moritz proceeded by Bilin to Lenay, where he joined the
King's army on the 23d. His Majesty encountered likewise
no particular hindrances, as the Austrians had determined to
retreat whenever he advanced.
The camp near Budyn was very strong, and therefore
the King did not propose to attack it, but marched higher up
the river to cross the Eger there, which was effected on
morning of the 26th of April. The advanced guard met the
:
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
109
1;
light troops of the Duke of Ahremberg, but these retreated
immediately on perceiving the former.
Field Mareschal Brown, seeing that the Prussians had passed
the Eger, retired to Prague without any loss. The King
ordered the bridge near Budyn to be restored, and advanced
likewise towards Prague, before which he arrived the 2d of
May, on the White Mountain near the Moldau, the Aus-
trians having abandoned this position and retired to the other
side of the city. During this period the Duke of Bevern had
also begun his movements, and marched on the 20th of April
from Zittau to Beichenberg, where Count Konigsegy lay
with his corps, in a yalley of about three miles in breadth,
situated between very high mountains, and covered with thick
forests. Through the middle of this valley flows the Neisse,
into which several small rivulets from the mountains disem-
bogue.
The whole dale was occupied by the Austrian corps; the
right wing stood on a small eminence, covered by some re-
doubts and a piece of swampy ground on the banks of the
Neisse; the centre was on the left bank of the river, and also
covered by swampy ground and redoubts; between the centre
and the mountains on the left wing there was a little plain
where the cavalry were placed in three lines; the Duke of
Bevern had arrived in the evening near Parzdorf, and received
intelligence that General Macquire was advancing from Ga-
bel, with the view of destroying the convoys of his corps, and
attacking it in the rear; the Duke immediately sent back a
detachment of two battalions and five squadrons to frustrate
this attempt, by which means his army was now reduced to
15 battalions and 20 squadrons.
At day-break every thing was arranged for crossing the little
rivulet adjoining Parzdorf, which was cffected under cover of
the 1st regiment; the whole then defiled in two columns with
one battalion at the head, the ordnance followed, under the
fire of which all the corps formed in such a manner that the
cavalry drew up in two lines at the rear of the infantry, almost
110
THE ELEMENTS OF
all behind the right wing, except three squadrons of hussars,
that were still somewhat more to the left; during this time
the Duke reconnoitred the position of the Austrians, and soon
perceived that the foot of the mountain Jesken was covered by
some infantry on the left wing of their army.
It being impossible to attack the above position before the
infantry in the wood were driven back, they were covered by
several well made abatis; two battalions of grenadiers were
then ordered to attack the left wing, supported by the regi
ment of Prince Henry, and then soon succeeded in driving
the Austrians back.
The Duke, on perceiving this, ordered the 15 squadrons
also to charge, which was accomplished, and the enemy
forced to pass Franzenthal, but while pursuing, the Prussian
cavalry, got into the fire of the infantry in the wood, and this
occasioned some disorder, by which the Austrians profited to
form again and attack.
They then obliged the Prussian cavalry to retreat, but they
advanced too far, were taken in flank by the five squadrons of
hussars, and compelled in turn to give way; a new attack was
immediately made by the Prussian cavalry, and the Asutrian
horse were put to flight; meanwhile the Prussian infantry
had also advanced, and taken a position almost parallel to
that of the Austrians; the redoubt near Reichenberg was
thereupon assaulted and carried.
on
The Austrians seeing their cavalry beaten, and the right
wing pushed back, (while the fire of General Lascy's corps
the other side of Reichenberg scarcely bore at all on the
Prussian left wing), resolved to retreat, which was afterwards
done in some disorder; they again tried to form behind Fran
zenthal, but the Prussians advancing, prevented them.
General Lascy, of the right wing, now also retreated, but
without being molested; he again formed in a short time
after, though pursued by General Lestwitz, but seeing the
rest of the Austrians retreat yet more, he also followed.
The Duke pitched his camp after the battle near Henners-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
111
dorf rather to the right of that village, Aulicht being in front
and Rochlitz on the left wing.
General Lestwitz encamped to the left of Rochlitz.
The Austrians lost in this affair one General and 1000 men,
and the Prussians not much less.
The Austrians then retreated farther, to Liebenau, where
they formed their camp. General Lascy covered the rear with
his corps.
The Duke marched also to Liebenau, but the Austrian
camp being here very strong, he resolved not to attack it, till
the arrival of Field Marchal Schwerin's force should compel
the enemy to change his position.
Field Marshal Schwerin assembled his army on the 18th
of April, in the neighbourhood of Trautenau, and advanced
next day to Konigshoff, and passed the Elbe, in order to
unite with the corps of Bevern; the Austrians being forced to
retreat in consequence of Schwerin's movements, broke up from
their camp on the 24th, and went to Brandeis, where they
arrived on the 3d of May.
Schwerin having in the meanwhile heard of the battle of
Reichenberg, was in hopes of being able to cut off the Aus-
trians from Prague, but he came up too late, and only found
the magazine in Jung Bunglaw. He then joined the Duke of
Bevern, and advanced to Brandeis, where he remained till
the 4th of May, expecting news from the King, who having
ordered bridges to be constructed over the Moldau, near Pod-
bada, crossed this river on the 5th with part of his army, the
rest keeping in the old position.
At five o'clock in the morning of the 6th, Schwerin's corps
also arrived, upon which the King proceeded with the Mare-
schal to reconnoitre the enemy. (Pl. XVIII.)
His Majesty had sent an adjutant to inform Schwerin
where the armies were to join; this officer arrived, on the 5th
in the evening, at Schwerin's head quarters, and brought orders
for General Winterfeld to break up in the night, that the
heads of the columns might be at four o'clock in the morning
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on the Heights of Prositz, the king having determined to be
at the same time with his army in the vicinity of Tschemitz.
This command was punctually fulfilled, though four regi-
ments of cavalry were encountered on the Heights, and skir-
mished, but afterwards retreated.
The king reconnoitred the Austrian camp from the above
emiuences, which completely commanded it. The Austrians
perceiving this, directed a fire of great guns against them, but
without hurting any one.
The Austrian position was as follows: the left wing on the
mountain Ziska, and the right behind Kye, so that Maleschutz
was situated in the rear of the infantry. The camp was on a
chain of mountains from Hortlovzes to Prague; the moun-
tains were rocky and very steep, and before them there were
other eminences somewhat lower. Between both armies, and
at about two hundred paces in front, the mountains were so
shelving, that neither artillery nor cavalry could ascend them;
before these heights there is a little valley, which was beset
with Croats and some Hussars; the chain begins to grow
above Hestawitz gradually lower, and continues so to Sterba-
holly, where there were several fish ponds, almost green during
the summer, though inapproachable. The mountains in front
of the Prussian army were not so steep as those, nevertheless
the King resolved here to attack his enemy.
Schwerin represented to him reasons, shewing the imprac-
ticableness of his intention, the army being besides already
fatigued, in consequence of which, a more convenient place
was determined to be selected. Schwerin, upon this, gal
loped in front of the right wing of the Austrians, where the
declivity of the ground was less, and discovered a plain near
Meisitz, the meadow land of which could be passed by the
infantry, while the cavalry and artillery might proceed along
the dams and causeways raised there.
The Field Mareschal having inspected the said ground, and
made his report concerning it to the King, the three corps
received orders to march off to the left, which was executed
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
115
by half past ten, although the command was not issued till
nine, and the troops had to march about a mile.
At eleven the engagement began on the left wing of
the Prussians. All whose cavalry passed the dam as the
Austrians quitted the camp and struck their tents.
The Austrians did not think that the Prussians would attack
their right wing before two regiments of cavalry had formed
on the other side of the dam; their cavalry were therefore
directed to march from the left to the right. They quickly
arrived at the destined point, and formed in three lines on a
plain, at distances equal to the length of a squadron. This
manœuvre was so rapidly executed, that the Prussian cavalry
who had formed, so that the left wing, consisting of 65
squadrons, stood near Unter Nicholup, were ordered imme
diately to attack, to evade the danger of being outflanked, '
without even waiting for the coming up of the reinforcements
from the right, which had been destined to support them.
The charge was made in good order, and the Austrians
remained steady, till the Prussians were 50 paces distant,
when the former discharged their carabines, and afterwards ad-
vanced, on their opponents arriving within 30 paces of them.
The Austrians outflanked the Prussian cavalry with eight
squadrons, and beat them twice back. But on the third at-
tack the Stechow dragoons, commanded by General Ziethen
and Colonel Winterfeld, with 20 squadrons of Ziethen's and
Putkammer's hussars repulsed the Austrian cavalry, and
forced them to retreat by Sabietz to Michele, so that some
of them were even thrown on the grenadiers.
While these circumstances were taking place among the
cavalry, the Prussian grenadiers of the left wing, and the re-
giments of Fouquet, Kreutzen, and Schwerin, had been
forced to file through a narrow way, after having passed the
meadow, in order to join the Prussian line already formed.
soon as the grenadiers appeared they were received with a
violent discharge of great guns, repelled into the defile, and
then still farther pushed back in the greatest disorder, till the
VOL. III
As
I
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THE ELEMENTS OF
firing, becoming yet more tremendous, the grenadiers werę
obliged to retreat across the dam; the regiments of Fouquet
and Kreutzen followed them, and the 2d battalion of Schwe-
rin's was on the point of doing so likewise, when the Field
Mareschal snatched a colour from an ensign, and riding on in
front of his regiment to shew the example, strove to bring it
once more forward.
He drew the troops out of the defile, and began to advance
as orderly as possible; but hardly had he proceeded 12 paces,
when he was struck by five shots, one in the ear, one through
the heart, and three in the belly, so that he instantly fell down
dead from his horse. General Manteufel then returned the
colour to the ensign, and he no sooner received it than he was
also killed by a cannon ball. Immediately after this the
whole Prussian line advanced, and its artillery made dreadful
havoc. When the Prussians arrived within 60 paces of the
right wing of the Austrians, the utmost disorder was there
apparent, but the centre still kept its ground.
The Prussians were repulsed by the left, and pursued by a
part of the Austrian right wing, which formed a hook to
escape being attacked from behind; the closing and aligning
were to the right wing, but the columns forming it, having
marched too quick through the long defiles, the hook separated
from the rest of the Austrian line.
The King perceiving this, advanced with the right wing of
his army into the intervening space, which occasioned the
complete overthrow of the Austrians at that part.
The right wing of the latter was now quite in disorder, and
the Prussians, who had fled before it, stopped, formed again,
and immediately advanced. By this time the disorder of the
Austrian army had risen to the highest pitch, and principally
from the troops perceiving that the King had divided their
force, and occupied the very ground on which they had formed
before they advanced.
The left wing of the Austrian army was then likewise at-
tacked, but the redoubts there situated, resisted in particular for
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115
a considerable length of time. The Austrian army being, how-
ever, afterwards much annoyed by a Prussian battery, and
being on the right every where pushed back, a general
retreat was inevitable; the left wing accordingly retired to
Prague, and the right towards Mareschutz, after having been
completely vanquished by the Prussians. The Austrians tried
several times to make a stand; the Prussians, however, always
formed and beat them back, till the Prussian army arrived
near the invalid hospital, having its left wing near Wischradt.
Prince Moritz was then ordered to fall on the rear of the
Austrians, but not being able to construct bridges, this was not
executed.
The advantages resulting to the King from this victory
were not however great, the Austrians being near a fortress
large enough to contain their whole army.
Almost 50,000 men had retreated to Prague, under the
command of the Duke of Lothringen, and these His Ma-
jesty resolved to blockade, supposing that 60,000 soldiers in
so populous a city would soon surrender.
The blockade continued for six weeks, during which time
nothing more remarkable than the occupation of all places
and avenues through which supplies could be conveyed, and
several trifling engagements occurred.
The Prussian army was divided into two parts by the Mol-
dau, over which two bridges were built.
The Austrians never ventured to attack the Prussians, al-
though one of the bridges was carried away, and their army
so situated that it stood dispersed in a line, nearly 12 miles in
extent:
The King summoned Prince Charles to capitulate, but the
latter refused, and Mareschal Brown being consulted on the
subject of the propositions made, returned for answer, "Est
66
ce que sa Majeste croit que nous sommes tous de C-ll—ns ?
"Dites a mon Prince que mon avis est que son Altesse aille
"sur le champ, attaquer le M. Keith." At this time the
Mareschal was still ill of his wounds.
I 2
↓
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THE ELEMENTS OF
General Oldenburg and Colonel Mayer were then detached
to Saxony, to co-operate with the allied army there.
Mareschal Daun having received orders to join the army
before Prague, had accordingly advanced, and arrived on the
day of the battle at Bomish Brodt, about 18 miles from
the town in question.
Daun, whose force amounted to 40,000 men, having re-
ceived information of the battle, halted, in order to draw off
the remains of the army of Prague to his aid, and to give
Prince Charles an opportunity of escaping out of that place.
The King, fearing that Daun might obstruct his future ope-
rations on Prague, detached the Duke of Bevern against him,
with 25,000 men.
As soon as the Duke of Bevern advanced, Daun most sa-
gaciously retreated to Kollin, Kuttenberg, Golzjenkau, and
Haber, to insure a junction with all his reinforcements.
These having safely joined his corps he issued orders to the
troops to march again on the evening of the 11th of June.
The army broke up from its camp near Jenikau on the
12th, and went to Janovitzky. Next day General Nadasty
was attacked near Pikau, but being supported by the whole
Austrian force, the Prussians were repulsed.
Nadasty, after having received some reinforcements, was
directed to proceed by Maleschau to Suchdol, and keep com-
munication with General Beck, who occupied Kuttenberg
with 6000 horse. The Prussians left Suchdol to retire to
Kollin.
The Field Mareschal marched on the 14th to Ginitz, and
on the 16th to Kirchenau, where he formed his camp.
The King, on becoming acquainted with Daun's move-
ments, immediately commanded several detached corps to
join the Duke of Bevern, and marched with another
body of troops himself, for the same purpose, on the
14th to Schwarz, Kostelnitz, and Zdanits, intending to en-
camp near Malobitz. When arrived at his detsination
he, however, perceived a corps of Austrians marching on the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
117
opposite side of the Zassawa, and not being prepared to
give battle, he threw his infantry into Zdanits, and posted
his cavalry on the heights, there resolving to await the com-
ing up of the detachments ordered to reinforce him.
The Austrian camp could not be advantageously attacked,
and in consequence his Majesty resolved to occupy the heights
of Chotenitz, situated behind the Austrian left wing. To
execute which purpose the army marched on the 18th from
the left along the great road from Prague to Kollin. During
this march notice was received of the Anstrian army being in
motion, in order to change its position on the height where
the King had determined to encamp. The Prussians then
took a position with their right wing on Kaurziin, and their
left on Nimburg having Planian in front. The army re-
mained here during the 15th and 16th waiting for Prince
Moritz, and the waggons sent to Nimburg to procure
bread.
The numerous light troops attached to the Austrian army
hindered the Prussians from getting an exact knowledge of
its position, although Colonel Warnery was sent along the
Zassawa to that end, and only returned a few hours before the
engagement commenced.
The bread having arrived, was distributed on the 17th, and
the King determined that day to march to Suchdol. But as
Daun broke up at the same time from Ginlitz, the King took
his position in the evening on the eminences of Kirchenau.
His camp was with the, right wing, near Chotenitz, the left
being on Swoyschuetz.
The great road from Kauerzim to Suchdol passed through
the Austrian position, which the King perceiving, as also that
his way was by this means blocked up, altered his plan, and
marched off to the left, so that Planian now lay before his
left wing, while the right extended towards Kauezzim.
Daun believing that the King desired to outflank his right
wing, ordered it to proceed farther towards Creczor. Na-
dasty's corps was accordingly stationed there at day-break, the
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THE ELEMENTS OF
cavalry and hussars in three lines, to the right of the Oak wood,
and 1000 German horse and three regiments of Saxon cavalry,
on the left of it.
A morass separated this corps from the army. The wood
and Creczor were occupied by Croats, and protected by some
batteries.
General Nadasty directed General Nostitz to occupy all
the space between his corps and the army with the 1000
Germau horse, but the ground was too extensive, and not
adapted to cavalry.
Colonel Brown made this remark to Wastitz, and added,
that infantry were requisite, and the same observation was re-
peated to Nadasty, who hastened to Daun, to procure some
infantry from his post.
Daun immediately detached the force demanded, which
arrived on the spot at 11 o'clock. The German horse
kept their place, but the other cavalry posted there were or
dered to take a position farther back. The Austrian camp
was entirely broken up soon after.
The King, wishing to remove his camp to the neighbour-
hood of Suchdol, ordered the tents to be struck at six o'clock,
and the troops to march off from the left. General Ziethen,
with 55 squadrons, and General Hulsen, with three battalions
of grenadiers and two regiments of light infantry, directed
their route along the Emperor's road; this vanguard was fol-
lowed by the rest of the Prussian army in three columus, the
first consisted of the infantry of the first line, proceeding like-
wise along the above road. The second column marched to
the left, containing the second line; the third was composed
of the remaining cavalry.
The present appeared to the King a favourable moment for
battle. The army near Prague had been still more weakened
by the reinforcements sent to the corps at Kollin, and Prince
Charles himself was not unwilling to hazard an engagement,
which might force the Prussians to abandon the seige.
The King, perceiving that a battle was probable, ordered
#
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THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
119
the heads of the columns to halt near Namiest, and the van-
guard to advance to Slatislunz. Three battalions of grenadiers
left near Kauerzim were expected to support the attack of the
left wing. The King, in the mean time, reconnoitred and
made the disposition of the battle. General Ziethen was to
cover the left flank, and to advance to Kollin if Nadasty came
forward to attack it.
General Hulsen was to attack the post near Creczor with
three battalions of grenadiers and two regiments of light in-
fantry, supported by five squadrons; during which the bulk of
the army had it in command to march farther to the left to
support him.
As soon as Hulsen should attain his purpose, the left wing
was also to attack the right wing of the Austrians, but the
whole line was never to engage at one time, and by no means
to fire till it was close up to the enemy. The cavalry were all
ordered to the rear of the left wing, to support Ziethen's and
the other attacks. On the right wing 10 squadrons only re-
mained to oppose the Austrians, if they made any effort there,
which was however hardly to be expected, as the ground was
very disadvantageous.
According to his Majesty's orders the left wing was solely
to support Hulsen's attack, which was to be accomplished in
such a manner that only one battalion should be engaged at
a time, so that by this movement the right wing of the
Austrians would be outflanked, a circumstance equally fa-
vourable, either in the case of succeeding or retreating.
The commands of the Sovereign being issued to that pur
port, the whole army advanced in three columns on the Em-
peror's road.
General Nadasty perceiving this movement on the part of
the Austrians, marched forward with his cavalry to Kurtleirz,
but on the advance of General Ziethen he retired behind the
wood to the right of that place.
About two o'clock the Prussian attacking columns came
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THE ELEMENTS OF
in a line with the Austrian right wing, formed, and advanced
towards it.
The Austrians opened a strong fire from Creczor, which,
however, was not returned, as it did no injury. General Hul-
sen now advanced with his attacking column, mounted the
eminences, and assailed the Austrians so vigorously and ef-
fectually, that they quitted Creczor, and retreated in the
greatest disorder.
Some moments were now employed to restore order; Hul-
sen, afterwards perceiving a whole line of infantry drawn up
along the wood, was forced to extend his corps into one line.
He then halted and waited for the arrival of the rest of the
army, his artillery cannonading the Austrians during the in-
terval. In the meanwhile General Ziethen advanced on Na-
dasty's cavalry, and drove them back partly behind Kollin, and
partly behind Rodowitz, so that they did not appear again
during the battle.
In pursuing, the Prussian cavalry were obliged to pass the
Oak wood, and to present their uncovered flank to the Croats
and batteries placed there, by which they were stopped and
compelled to retire to Kurtlierz; the hussars, however, crossed
the rivulet, and pursued the enemy; the Norman dragoons
charged the Saxon infantry and dragoons, and took seven co-
lours; they also encountered the Saxon cuirassiers.
This attack, therefore, completely succeeded, but the
Croats, who molested the Prussian columns, were now to be
driven buck by one battalion. It was, however, unluckily
necessary for several others to follow this one, and a num-
ber of trifling attacks were meanwhile made on the Prussian
front near Cholemitz; these various attacks, all planned and
executed with the greatest courage, continued till sun-set.
During the above partial engagements, the battalions of the
right wing proceeded in their march to support the attack to
be made by the left wing, which movement occasioned a void
space,
The battalions of the left wing perceiving the success of the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
121
attacks already mentioned, now also advanced towards the
Austrian lines; none thinking of the difficulty of passing the
defiles and similar places which lay in their way, and through
which a platoon in front could scarcely march, though besides
these there were also steep mountains to be climbed. Some
of the battalions overcame all the obstructions that opposed
them, but they were not supported.
Four regiments of cuirassiers, and one of these battalions,
stationed themselves in the space opposite to Brzest.
General Hulsen, on the arrival of the fresh battalions, ad-
vanced again towards the Oak wood, and cleared it of Aus-
strians; the latter made a long resistance, and even once re-
pulsed General Hulsen's left wing. From this time the fire
of the cannon lasted for two hours, but after being reinforced
by two new battalions, Hulsen again advanced and pene-
trated through the Austrian left wing; before this flank was
compleatly defeated, a singular accident, however, occurred,
General Nastitz had ordered the Saxon regiments of cuiras-
siers to support the infantry, which, in consequence of a mis-
take, was only obeyed by two of them; the commander of ano-
ther went to Nastitz to ask if he should advance, Nastitz an-
swered "yes," but the former replying, that he trusted to be
able to effect something favourable against the Prussians at
the place were the regiment then stood, obtained permission
to remain there; as he galloped back to his men, he met an
officer with a billet, containing "the retreat is to Suchdol ;”
the Colonel requested the officer to keep its contents secret,
and proceed to General Nastitz; the Colonel found his regi-
ment labouring under some degree of fright, but he soon re-
stored firmness and order; Daun having had time to think of
the danger of losing the battle, and of the attack which the
Prussians were preparing to make, and which might enable
them to drive back his left wing, and then fall upon the army
in the rear, found that he had likewise evolved on very diffi-
cult ground. Combined with these unfortunate circumstances,
almost all the Prussian cavalry were between Kollin and Krec-
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THE ELEMENTS OF
zor, to obstruct the retreat of the Austrians; Daun being
hence aware, that if beaten, he would run the greatest risk in
retiring, gave a private order that the troops should be held in
readiness to retreat as soon as desired. One General in the
first rank in the Austrian army commanded a retreat the in-
stant he saw the said billet, which was written with a pencil,
but another refused to obey and stopped, and the Colonel of
the above-mentioned regiment of cuirassiers perceiving that
the fire of the Prussian infantry became slack, and that they
advanced slowly, followed his example; two regiments, never-
theless, still maintained a brisk fire, and filled up the intervals
of the others; the Austrians stood for some time steady, but
the regiment of Salm at last suddenly retreated, and could on
the first attempt by no means be recalled; the Lieutenant-
Colonel, however, after using every possible endeavour to
that purpose, succeeded in stopping it, on which it formed
and re-entered into the spaces of the left wing. While the
above officer was thus employed, he had the mortification to
see some Prussian squadrons advancing, to throw the batta
lion into irremediable confusion, but the commander of the
regiment of Saxon cuirassiers perceiving this also, advanced,
repulsed the enemy's cavalry in the greatest disorder, and
pursued them; these were followed in their retreat by the two
remaining Prussian regiments, and the 1000 German horse,
which occasioned the utmost confusion among the Prussian
cavalry in this quarter; the Saxons having now formed, saw
that they might attack the Prussian infantry in the rear, and
accordingly penetrated through the intervals, and came up be
hind the hostile battalions; they then charged several times,
in grand order, by platoons, till at length the three Prussian
regiments of Bevern, Heinrich, and Hulsen, attacked both in
the rear and front by the Austrian and Saxon cavalry, were
almost all either killed or made prisoners, but they sold the
victory very dearly.
Several battalions still maintained their order, and the re-
mains of the three above-mentioned regiments formed again
under the protection of the cavalry, commanded by the King
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
123
=
in person; but nothing could repulse the Austrians, and the
Prussians were obliged to retreat, though Ziethen's cavalry
kept their ground till nine o'clock in the evening, and though
a number of the battalions could not imagine that the battle
was lost.
On the side of the Prussians there were 13,773 men killed,
wounded, and missing, together with 1667 horses. The
Austrians on the other hand lost 6423 men in killed, wounded,
and missing, and 1262 horses; 20 field officers, and Mares-
chal Daun were wounded.
The Prussian army engaged in this battle contained 32 bat-
talions, and 118 squadrons, in all about 32,000 men. The
Austrian force consisted of 42 battalions, 38 companies of
grenadiers, 10,000 men commanded by Nadasty, and about
1000 Croats, &c. &c. amounting in the total to rather more
than 60,000 soldiers.
The King again left the army on the 19th, and returned to
Prague to raise the siege. The army stationed on the right
side of the Moldau broke up for Leutmeritz, and Field Ma-
reschal Keith proceeded by Welwarm to Budin, where he
passed the Eger, and formed a camp near Likowitz and
Lowositz. Thus both corps formed an army, only separated
by the Elbe, over which bridges were constructed, to keep
open the communication.
The rest of the Prussian army, consisting of about 30,000
men, commanded by the Prince of Prussia, took a position
in the neighbourhood of Bomish Leipa.
The Austrian army remained completely connected, and
advanced against the Prussians, in order to attack them, if
necessary, and with a superior force. In pursuance of this
intention, the Austrian army crossed the Elbe near Lissau on
the 1st of July, which town had been evacuated by the Prus-
sians, since the 26th of June.
Prince Charles detached General Nadasty to the right bank
of the river, to observe the Prussians near Leutmeritz, and to
cover the march of the army to Jung-Bunzlau.
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-
General Morocz was ordered, with a strong corps, to the
other side of the Iser, to watch the motions of the army of the
Prince of Prussia.
Nadasty's corps having posted itself between the King's and
the Prince's armies near Mschno; Morocz being likewise
stationed on the left flank of the latter, the King thought it
proper to quit the camp near Tschedlitz; he accordingly
treated to Hirschberg, Neuschloss, and Leipa, from which
General Putkammer was detached with four battalions and
500 hussars to occupy Gabel and the passage from thence to
Lausitz.
The Austrian grand armry advanced in the mean while from
Munchengraetz to Huhnerwasser.
The Prussian camp appeared difficult to attack, and there-
fore it was resolved to go round one flank and attack Gabel,
which would oblige the Prussians to retreat; General Mac-
quire was selected to execute this plan, and detached with a
corps for that purpose, supported by the van-guard of the
army, which was advancing to Nimes. Gabel was taken on the
15th, and the Austrian army then passed the Polz. The
Prince of Prussia, compelled by this movement to leave his
camp near Leipa, in order to keep open the communication
with Zittau, where there were a strong garrison and a large
magazine, found it necessary to make forced marches through
Cammitz, Kregwitz, Georgenthal, Romburg, and Unter Hen-
nersdorf, that he might arrive there sooner if possible than
the Austrians.
The Austrians immediately proceeded to Zittau, where
they came on the 19th, and directly began to bombard it;
but the town not being completely inclosed, the Prince was
enabled to save the greater part of the baggage and stores,
and having left only a small garrison behind, he retreated on
the 23d by Lobau to Bautzen. Hence not more than 200
men, among whom was Colonel Dierke, were either killed
or taken prisoners, although the place itself was nearly re-
duced to ashes.
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125
•
The Austrians now resolved to penetrate farther into Lau-
sitz to cut the Prussians off from Silesia, formed a camp in
consequence near Eckardsberg, and sent several detachments
to observe the movements of the Prussians, and to cover the
passes along the Neiss towards Silesia.
General Janus's corps had already entered Silesia, but it
was too weak to attempt any thing of importance.
The King remained quiet with 40,000 men near Leutine-
ritz, where the troops rested till after the taking of Zittau,
and till the enemy appeared to penetrate into Silesia,
where no other force had been left than a few weak garri
sons.
.
The King broke up from Leutmeritz, on the 20th, and
marched to Pirua, Bischofswerde, and Bautzen, and at the
last of these places joined the Prince, who did not long
survive that event. Field Mareschal Keith soon afterwards
joined his army, having left some troops in Saxony to cover
.it.
J
The King had now collected a considerable body of men,
and therefore determined to attack Daun, and endeavour to
re-establish the communication with Silesia. For this reason
he abandoned his position at Weissenberg, and marched, on
the 15th of August, to Bernstaedel. Some light troops ad-
vanced at this time to Ostritz, and attacked Nadacty's corps,
who lost all his equipage.
On the 16th, the King advanced to within the distance of
a gun-shot from the enemy; but not finding it a favourable
opportunity to attack, he remained there till the 20th, and
then returned to his old position near Bernstaedtel.
The communication with Silesia being again open, the
King resolved to maintain it so, with an army which he sta-
tioned there under the Duke of Bevern, while he himself
proceeded to Dresden to meet the allied army of Germany
which was advancing towards Saxony.
During these occurrences the army of the Empire was
>
E
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2
assembled, it consisted of S2 squadrons, 32 battalions, and
23 companies of grenadiers, and had 22 pieces of ordnance
attached to it.
With this army, another from France, 30,000 strong,
commanded by Soubise, was to unite, which was effected
at Erfurt, on the 21st of August. The destination of these
troops was to endeavour to re-possess Saxony.
This force marched along the Saale with the view of besieg.
ing Leipsic, in which enterprise it could easily be supported
by Richellieu's great army in Hanover, Westphalia, and
Saxony.
The King perceiving these dangerous movements, and that
Brunswick and Magdeburg would soon be besieged, except
this army was opposed, proceeded, on the 25th of August, to
Dresden, leaving behind him 40 battalions, and 70 squa-
drons, under the Duke of Bevern, to cover Silesia. In
Dresden an army was assembled without loss of time, which
his Majesty immediately led towards the Saale.
On the 12th of September he arrived at Erfurt, which the
allies suddenly abandoned, retreating to Eisenach. Here
the King, though previously determined to attack the allies,
found their position too favourable to hazard any attempt.
He therefore repaired to the banks of the Saale to procure
his troops better quarters, and more effectually to support
the detachments which he intended to send off.
The first of these corps was commanded by Ferdinand
Duke of Brunswick, and was to protect the neighbouring
provinces from being plundered. The second, with Prince
Moritz for its chief, was to be stationed between the Elbe
and Mulde, to cover that part of Saxony; the latter ad-
vanced to Buttstadt and then retreated back again to Neuem-
burg, where it arrived on the 20th of October.
The King's head-quarters were now at Dittelstadt; but on
the 15th, his Majesty, accompanied by all the hussars and
dragoons, advanced to Gotha, which had been left by the
}
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THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
allies on the 13th. He then stationed 10 squadrons in the
town, and five more between Erfurt and Gotha, and imme
diately returned to the army.
The allied Generals being resolved to take this corps,
ordered three regiments of hussars, and all the grenadier
companies and Croats of the army, together with two regi-
ments of cavalry, to execute that determination. The greater
part of the Generals themselves were eager to witness the
success of this glorious undertaking and attended the troops.
Seidlitz retreated in time, and the Generals paid their visits
to the court there; but just as they were preparing to dine
Seidlitz approached again with his hussars, and one regiment
of dragoons, the former being formed in a single line.
The French, believing that the whole Prussian army was.
advancing, and that no body of hussars would run the risk of
attacking a town without being supported by a sufficient
number of infantry, prepared to retreat, and Prince Saubiso
gave the signal "Sauve qui peut," upon which a general.
flight took place towards Eisenach.
General Seidlitz afterwards attacked the castle and forced
four companies of grenadiers to abandon it.
And thus did this intrepid officer, at the head of 1500
cavalry, without a single foot soldier, put 8000 men to
flight.
The result of this affair, in which six officers and 61 pri-
vates were taken prisoners, placed in the hands of the Prus-
sians an immense number of clerks, servants, commissaries,
priests, stage-players, hair-dressers, cooks, &c. &c. all of
whom were however returned; but besides these, booty of
another description, such as chests of lavender-water, of eau.
de mille fleurs, of eau de sans pareille, &c. with parasols,
frills, ruffles, dressing-gowns, pantofles, false-tails, parrots,
and things of a similar kind was found in superfluity.
Prince Charles, observing that the Prussian for cewas so
widely scattered, and the road towards Brandenburg quite
open, resolved to send a detachment to Berlin. General
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THE ELEMENTS OF
Mareschal was therefore ordered to proceed to the Elster to
cover this expedition, by which the Prince hoped to regain
the praise due to the valour of his arms, to make a diversion
in the allied army, to draw the King out of Saxony, and to
induce the Duke of Bevern to detach a strong corps to
oppose him, or, if possible, to force that commander to
leave his favourable position.
General Haddick marched in consequence to Berlin,
raised a heavy contribution, and returned again.
Prince Moritz having received notice of this undertaking,
arrived at Berlin just as Haddick was retreating towards
Lausitz.
The King, having also received information of the above
enterprise, left Keith with 6 or 7000 men on the Saale, and
departed from Leipsig on the 16th of October; on the 20th
he arrived at Annaburg, and there heard of Haddick's retreat.
Prince Moritz was then ordered to resume his position be-
tween the Elbe and the Fulde, and the King again returned
to Leipsig.
The Generals of the allied army determined to avail them-
selves of this fortunate opportunity and penerate into Saxony.
They accordingly crossed the Saale, on the 25th, and en-
camped on the 27th near Weissenfels.
Count Mailly was now sent to Leipsig to offer terms of
capitulation, but these Mareschal Keith refused.
The King arrived at this time with 10,000 men, and, to-
gether with Keith's, and Duke Ferdinand's corps, saw him-
self at the head of about 22,000 effective troops; and with
these he advanced to the allies who had likewise been rein-
forced a few days previous, by a corps under the Duke of
Broglio.
The allies were not, however, at present inclined to attack
the enemy, but desirous to defend the Saale; and on this
account they left 18 companies of grenadiers at Weissenfels,
and sent a strong corps, commanded by the Duke of Broglio,
to Merseburg.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
199
On the 30th, the King set off from Leipsig, and reached
Weisenfels, which was still occupied by the enemy, next
day. This place was attacked and speedily taken. The
allies retreated, burnt down the bridge, and left a great num-
ber of prisoners.
The allied army was divided into two parts; one com-
manded by the Prince of Hildburghausen, was placed oppo-
site to Weissenfels; and the other under Prince Soubise, near
Merseburg, to support Broglio.
The King aware that winter quarters could not possibly be
established near so large an ariny, decided upon offering bat-
tle, or endeavouring to drive the enemy so far back that there
should be nothing to apprehend from him. Agreeably to this
purpose bridges were constructed over the Saale, in the
neighbourhood of Merseburg and Halle, which were passed
by the Prussians in three columns, that afterwards joined near
Rosbach.
ہو
This was no sooner known than the French assembled their
army near Mucheln where they encamped.
Their position was reconnoitred by the King on the 3d,
who fixed the following as the day of attack. He therefore
advanced on the 4th with his cavalry, in order to take conve-
nient posts; but when arrived on the eminences of Schortau,
he perceived that the French had altered their position, their
right wing being now covered by some redoubts, and appuied
on a wood, and the left towards Mucheln.
The King then immediately ordered the troops to retire and
form a camp, having the left wing on Rosbach, the centre
behind Schortau, and the right wing on Bedra; the cavalry
being placed in the third line. (Pl. XX.)
The commanders of the allied forces conceiving this to be
a demonstration of fear, determined in turn, to attack the
Prussians on the following day, and finish the campaign by
obtaining safe winter quarters.
Next morning therefore they advanced with the Austrian
VOL. III.
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THE ELEMENTS OF
cavalry at the head, the infantry in the centre, and the French
horse bringing up the rear.
General St. Germain had, in order to form the van-
guard and cover the march, taken an advanced position with
his corps in front of the left wing, and rather to the left.
Early in the morning the King received notice that the
allied army was in motion; and at ten o'clock it was seen
advancing towards the left wing of the Prussians. As its
intention was not yet obvious, the Prussians remained
quiet.
At two o'clock it was known that the allies had passed the
left flank, and were proceeding towards Merseburg. The
King immediately ordered the cavalry to form to the left
behind the eminences, and to occupy the heights near Lun-
stadt and Reicherswerben, the infantry being also commanded
to follow the cavalry as soon as possible.
The allied Generals seeing that the King had quitted his
camp, imagined that he was retreating, especially as they
could not perceive any thing of his march, that being con-
ccaled by the eminences.
Afraid lest the flight of the Prussians would be too rapid,
they ordered their cavalry to advance with the utmost expedi
tion, so that the infantry could not keep up with them. The
object anticipated was the destruction of the Prussian rear-
guard.
Having arrived at Reicherswerben they beheld the Prussian
cavalry, whom they still supposed to be covering the retreat,
formed a little behind that village.
The French columns advanced; but some Prussian ord
nance, under the protection of which their cavalry had
formed, occasioned great loss and confusion among the allied
troops.
The Prussian cavalry had scarcely formed completely be-
fore they were ordered to charge, which was executed under
the command of General Seidlitz, with such effect that the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
131
enemy was thrown back in the greatest disorder to Busendorf,
where he made a new essay to form again. General Seidlitz
had out-flanked some regiments of Austrian cavalry that were
formed, and was in consequence able to attack them in front,
flank, and rear. The cavalry, in the act of forming in the
rear of these, were soon repulsed after the overthrow of the
part which had already formed prior to the attack.
The allies, trying to form near Busendorf, under the pro
tection of the infantry, were also repelled by General Seid-
litz, and six battalions that had arrived between Lunstadt
and Busendorf, while he was engaged in pushing them back,
for the first time, now advanced too, and forced the allies to
give way still more.
་
The Prussian infantry attacked at this moment, under the
covert of the artillery, while the cavalry out-flanked the right
wing of the allied army, and attacked it in front, flank, and
rear.
Prince Soubise, not believing that the fate of the day was
irreparably decided, ordered the cavalry of the reserve to
advance and support the forming of the infantry; but these
were likewise soon broken and pushed back, the infantry
being now quite isolated and exposed to a very heavy fire
from the Prussian infantry and artillery, were no longer able
to maintain their position, and far less to form a line, they
therefore retreated, but made afterwards a new attempt to
form again, assisted by the cavalry near Busendorf and Luff-
schiff, when the Prussians, advancing with fresh intrepidity,
and supported by their vigilant cavalry, the allies were once
driven back in terrible confusion.
more
Count St. Germain was now directed to cover the retreat ;
and the Prussians, contented with their complete victory, only
sent a few cavalry in pursuit of the enemy, and even these
soon returned,
The Prussians then encamped between Marchwerben and
Obschutz, having Storkau in front.
Their army was about 22,400 strong; and that of the
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THE ELEMENTS OF
allies contained above 55,000 men. The former lost in this
last affair about 300 killed. The latter had, on the other
hand, 800 men killed, and 6000 taken prisoners. Besides
these, 11 Generals, 300 inferior officers, 72 guns, and a
vast number of military trophies fell into the hands of the
conquerors.
The Duke of Bevern, who remained with a strong corps.
in Lausitz to observe Prince Charles, broke up from his
camp near Bernstaedtel, and formed another close to the
Landskrone, near Gorlitz.
General Winterfeld was ordered with a considerable body
of men, to scour the passes along the Neisse and Quics,
and the road to Silesia, being detached for this purpose
to Mays, situated between both of the above rivers near
Gorlitz.
Prince Charles advanced then to Bernstaedel, and sent
General Nadasty with a respectable force to Sicdenburg to
observe Winterfeld, and occupy some passes leading to
Silesia. Prince Charles, anxious as he was to advance to
Silesia, could not effect it so long as the Duke of Beveru
kept his position, and had he maintained it till the King's
return, no operations would have been carried on in that
Duchy.
Bautzen, which was still occupied by a powerful detach-
ment of Prussians, appeared necessary to be taken by Prince
Charles in order to cut off the communication of the Prus
sians with Saxony; and it also seemed proper to obstruct
their communication with Silesia.
In furtherance of this object, General Winterfeld was
attacked on the 7th of December by General Nadasty,
whose troops had been greatly reinforced.
The post on Holzberg was first assaulted, which the Prus
sians defended with determined courage, aided by reinforce-
ments from Winterfeld's corps. But the Austrians at last
advancing with superior force compelled them to abandon it
and they retreated to the camp.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
133
The Austrians next morning again departed from Holz-
berg, which had cost them the day before nearly 2000 men.
The Duke of Bevern being by this means deprived of his
communication with the King's army, and fearing at the same
time lest the Austrians should pass the Neisse, and block up
his way to Silesia, crossed that river himself near Gorlitz,
and the Queis near Nuremberg; General Winterfeld's corps,
commanded by General Fouquet, covering his march.
When: Prince Charles received notice of this movement, he
immediately advanced by Lauben, Lowenberg, Goldberg,
Hunsdorf, Jauer, and Nikolstadt to Greibing, where he arrived
on the 25th, having, by selecting this position, cut off the
Prussians from Breslau, Schweidnitz, and all Upper Silesia.
Barsdorf was taken on the same day, and the Prussians were
driven back by a cannonade, after setting the village on fire.
Charles resolved to attack the Duke, marched on the 27th
to Glogau, in order to pass the Oder there, but being pur-
sued by the Austrian vanguard, he took his route along the
right bank of the Katzbach to Parchwitz, and crossed the
Oder, near Lampersdorf, on the 29th, after which he kept
the right side of that river as far as Breslau, where he re-
crossed it, and then encamped behind the Lope, in couse-
quence of which, the communication with Upper Silesia was
again opened.
:
Charles being deficient in magazines, and supposing that
the Prussians would secure those near Glogau, marched to-
wards Breslau to possess himself of it, before the Prussians
could arrive.
On reaching the waters of Schweidnitz, he, however, ob-
served the Prussians standing between his army and the town.
Baffled in this endeavour, his mind next turned to the idea
of attacking Neisse, one of the fortresses of Silesia, and
thus preparing an easy opening for the next campaign; but on
inaturer deliberation, the consequent advantages appearing
few, and, as the roads to Bohemia continued always passable,
1
134
THE ELEMENTS OF
of little importance, this project was relinquished, and the de-
sign formed of falling directly on the Prussian army.
Here, however, as the reverse would have been as fatal to
the Austrian interest, as success would have been beneficial;
it was finally resolved, that the primary operations should be
bent against Schweidnitz. By the capture of this fortress,
almost all the Austrian troops might be quartered in Silesia,
a safe depot for provisions would be secured, several of the
passes towards Bohemia would be covered at the same time,
and the Duke of Bevern might ultimately be engaged in this
case without much hazard.
The execution of this plan was entrusted to Nadasty with
a formidable force, which the new reinforcements of Wirtem-
berg and Bavarian troops were likewise ordered to join.
Schweidnitz (Pl. XIX.) was, when first taken by the
Prussians, only surrounded with a rampart, but the King of
Prussia, to increase its strength, had constructed star forts
and redoubts around it.
Nadasty ordered two sides of the place to be attacked, and
on the night of the 27th, the trenches were opened. By the
11th of November, breaches were made good in three of the
above forts, and they were that night taken by storm.-
The commandant of Schweidnitz was by these means forced
to capitulate in the morning, with a garrison, consisting of
four generals and 6000 men.
Besides these a great quantity of provisions, and 50,000.
florins in specie, rewarded the assailants. During all this time
the Duke of Bevern and Prince Charles remained very calmly
in their camps near Breslau.
After the siege General Nadasty rejoined the Prince's corps
on the 17th, and the following days were spent in preparing
for the impending battle
The position of the Prussians between the Lope and Bres
lau was taken, as soon as they had passed that rivulet, the
night wing was appuied on Kosel, the left on little Mochbet,
the Lope, and the village of Plisnitz, Schmiedefeld, and
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
135
Hoefgen remained in front. The left flank was secured by
troops extending from Little Mochber to the suburbs of Ni-
chols. On the right wing there was an abatis from Pilsnitz
to the Oder, behind which all the hunters, and six battalions
of grenadiers were stationed.
Kosel was occupied by one battalion, and between there
and Little Mochber, the first line was placed, composed of
10 regiments.
In Pilsnitz there was one free battalion, in Schmidefelt one
regiment, and in Hoefgen the same.
In the left flank there were posted two battalions of grena-
diers, and five regiments, having Grabichen in front Forty
squadrons of cuirassiers were stationed between Kosel and
Little Mochber, and the dragoons and hussars were all as-
sembled in the left flank, except three squadrons stationed on
the right wing.
At the other side of Breslau there were stationed on the
Old Oder three battalions, 1000 infantry, one free battalion,
one regiment of hussars, and 500 dragoons and cuirassiers.
The whole camp, but principally Pilsnitz, was well forti-
fied. Between that place and Schmiedefeld four redoubts were
constructed, and between Schmeidefeld and Hoefchen two
more. This village was likewise fortified all round. Between
Hocfchen and Little Mochber there was one redoubt, and
the latter was enveloped with works. Before Grabichen there
stood one redoubt.
The Austrian army had its position between Little and
Great Masselwitz and Schrachwitz, the reserve was stationed
between Goldschmunohen and Stabelwitz; Newkirthen in
front was strongly fortified.
In this state both armies remained till the surrender of
Schweidnitz, which took place sooner than the Duke ex-
pected, who thought that it would at least have held out four
or five weeks.
Nadasty, after having possessed himself of Schweidnitz,
inmediatly returned with his army, and formed his camp on
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THE ELEMENTS OF
the Austrian right wing, his own right wing being on Beth-
lem, his centre behind Klettendorf, and his left before Op-
peraw.
The march of this corps was at the beginning directed upon
Breg, in consequence of which, the Prussians detached one
regiment there on the 17th, and likewise constructed some re-
doubts before the Ohlau suburbs to strengthen it the more.
General Ziethen's corps was afterwards ordered out against
Nadasty, and consisted of seven battalions, and all Ziethen's
and Werner's hussars.
Freiberg was occupied by one free battalion.
On the 22d, at day-break, the Prussians stood under arms,
and the Austrian troops crossed the Lope near Hartlieb, where
they formed in three lines. In pursuance of this intention bat-
teries had been raised the day before to cover the crossing, and
the pontons brought to the part where the rivulet was to be
passed. On the morning of the above mentioned day, the
whole
ariny accordingly proceeded towards the Lope.
The air was thick, and the situation of the Prussians could
not then be perceived; as noon approached the mist worę
off, and seven bridges were formed.
Prince Charles aud Daun were in Great Mochber, to which
one attacking column advanced.
The Austrian cavalry passed the Lohe somewhat more to
the left.
General Widdersheim was ordered, when the attack became
perceptible, from the Old Oder to the left wing, and General
Ziethen, on the Austrians being seen advancing to the right
flank, had it in cominand to occupy the left with his corps.
One regiment occupied the redoubt before Grabichen, an-
other the redoubt between Grabichen and Gubitz, supported
by two more. Seven battalions and 20 squadrons were placed
in the first line, and 30 squadrons in the second, before Neu-
dam and Herdam,
Between Grabichen and Little Mochber there were two re
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
137
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giments of infantry, and in the rear of these, two regiments of
cuirassiers.
Behind Hoefgen there stood five regiments of infantry, and
in the rear of these two regiments of cavalry. On the right
wing, behind Pilsnitz and before Kosel, one regiment and one
battalion were stationed, and between both redoubts there
were one regiment of cuirassiers, three squadrons of hussars
and one battalion in the rear of the second line. Pilsnitz
was afterwards re-inforced by two battalions.
The Austrians having in the meanwhile mounted several
batteries of heavy guns to cover their crossing the Lohe, viz.
Three batteries each of 12 guns to the right of Great Moch-
ber, one of 10 pieces near Neukirchen, and another opposite.
Pilsnitz, and prepared all their battalion ordnance for the same
purpose.
General Nadasty first crossed the rivulet, and took his po-
sition behind Kritern and Wayschwitz; the croats and some
of the infantry passed this village, but General Ziethen im-
mediately ordered them to be attacked, which was done with
success. During this time Kleinburg was attacked, and at
last evacuated by the Prussians.
The Duke of Bevern now bringing up one regiment in sup-
port, and two battalions more being ordered on the same duty,
a brisk engagement took place; two regiments of cavalry
were also sent to aid the first, and on their arrival Kleinburg
was retaken by the Prussians, together with four guns, though
they left 14 behind them.
General Nadasty did not again repeat the attack.
While Nadasty's corps, or rather nine battalions of it, were
suffering such a repulse as to be rendered iucapable of attack-
ing again during the whole battle. Prince Charles under-
took to cross the Lohe, opposite Little Mochber and Smiedi-
feld.
After the completion of the bridges, which could not be
prevented by the few Prussian guns that opposed it, the Aus-
trian infantry passed over, while two attacks made by the
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THE ELEMENTS OF
Prussians to obstruct them were likewise repelled, and a third,
conducted by the Prince of Prussia, met also the same fate.
The redoubt near Grabichen was soon after abandoned in
consequence of a mistake.
The Austrians had mounted some orduance there in order
to flank the Prussian lines; the soldiers composing the regi
ments stationed near Grabichen having been recruited in this
country would not advance again, and the Austrian battalions
were thus enabled to penetrate into Grabichen, and occupy
it.
During the passing of the bridge near Smicdfeld, the Aus-
trian regiments stationed there, and near Hoefgen, fred away
all their ammunition, and were therefore all compelled to re-
treat, which gave the enemy room to come into the flank of
the corps near Little Mochber.
General Lehwald was with his division at some distance
behind Hoefgen, but seeing the enemy advance he drove him
back again from Schmiedefeld, being however himself taken
in the rear, and some of his battalions thrown into disorder,
he retreated in turn.
The Austrians at the same time occupied Little Mochber,
and being determined not yet to quit the field, succeeded
in again forming 10 regiments of infantry, and some cavalry;
these advanced in order, and drove the enemy back to the
Lohe.
But the night approaching, and some regiments being in a
little confusion, the whole retrograded on the suburbs of Ni-
cholas, though no one could assign a reason for this rash e-
treat. The Duke met them here to his great surprise, as he
believed that Generals Lestwitz and Schultz would have taken
Little Mochber, and had consulted with Zeithen how best
to attack the enemy during the night.
On the right wing near Pilsmtz the Austrians never gained
any thing of importance. The division of Brandeis repulsed
every attempt made after dark against Pilsnitz, Kosel, and the
abatis, between these two villages. Pilsnitz was evacuated,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
139
and the Austrians passed through and formed on the other
side of it.
The fire of the redoubts now commenced, and the infantry
also directed theirs on the advancing enemy. The carabi-
ncers afterwards strove to push forward, but the ditches pre-
yented them; and it becoming quite dark in half an hour
from this time, the artillery and all the line of troops retreated
without being perceived by the Austrians.
The strength of the Prussian army may be estimated at
25,000 men, and that of the Austrians at 80,000, as is proved
by the details of the battle of Leuthen. The Austrians had
666 men killed, five generals, and 4620 of less note wounded,
473 men missing, and about 400 horses destroyed.
The loss on the part of the Prussians appears to have
amounted in all to about 5000 men.
The army retreated during the night to Breslaw.
On the 24th the Duke of Bevern was taken prisoner, while
reconnoitring, by some Austrian advanced posts. Having
waited a due time for his return, General Kyau assumed the
command, and the army left Breslau.
This town not being able to sustain a siege, was soon
taken, and General Lestwitz retreated with the garrison to
Glogau.
Money, ammunition, and a great quantity of stores were
here found by the Austrians, who, believing that the campaign
was now finished, began to prepare to take winter quarters,
when news was suddenly received that the King was advanc-
ing with a strong force towards Silesia.
Colonel Bulow was then detached with 3000 men to oc-
cupy Lignitz, by which means it was expected to stop the
King's movements.
Prince Charles likewise advanced and crossed the waters
of Schweidnitz on the 14th of December, in order to reach
Glogau, but the King's arrival obstructed his purpose, and
occasioned the battle of Leuthen.
The march of the King to Silesia began on the 22d of
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THE ELEMENTS OF
November, with 33 squadrons and 19 battalions from Leipsig,
and was continued through Eulenburg, Torgau, Muhlberg,
Bader, and Grossen Hayn, from which General Haddick
had just retreated to Konigsburg with 2000 men. Some
hussars whom he had left near Roder were driven back.
On the 18th the King reached Konigsberg, where a few
skirmishes again occurred, but the Austrians ere long fell back
to the rear of General Marshal's corps, who retired imme-
diately behind Lobau.
The King crossed, on the 20th, the Elstor, near Kaminz;
on the 21st the Spree, near Bautzen; on the 22d, the Spree
again, near Maltitz; and on the 23d he proceeded to Gor-
litz, whence Haddick's corps retreated to Bohemia.
On the. 24th the King passed the Quies, and marched to
Nauemburgh; on the 26th he pursued his route to Deut-
mansdorf; on the 27th to Lobethau; and on the 28th to
Parohwitz, where he arrived at six o'clock in the evening, and
where General Gersdorf had come but a short time before
with 1100 Austrians. The King ordered them to be attacked, in
consequence of which 80 were killed, 150 made prisoners, and
the rest dispersed.
The army then passed the Katzback, and remained for
some days at Parchwitz.
On the 1st of December the hussars of the Silesian army
joined the King's, and on the 2d of the same month the corps
of the Duke of Bevern arrived also.
On the 4th this army, which now consisted of about 29,000
men, marched to Newmark, which was occupied by Croats,
500 of these were killed and 600 taken prisoners; and after
surrounding the town a considerable supply of provisions and
two guns were likewise seized.
Information was then received that Prince Charles was ad-
vancing from Breslau to Lissau, and that his right wing stood
on Nipern, and his left on Gohlau, the waters of Schweid-
nitz being in front.
The King resolved to meet him, and at five o'clock in the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR./
141
morning the army began its march. At day-break a corps was
perceived on the heights of Borna, which was at first takçı
for the Austrian army, but soon after found to be only two
detached regiments.
The King's army was marched off (by wings) from the
right in the following order: the vanguard was composed of 10
battalions, all the Quarter-master foot hunters and free bat-
talions, all the hussars (exclusive of Wermer's, or 33 squa-
drons) and two regiments of dragoons; the leading column
consisted of the cavalry of the right wing, in each line 43
squadrons; the second column contained the infantry of the
same wing, in each line 16 battalions, with three battalions
as rear-guard; the third column included the infantry
of the left wing, in both lines 11 battalions, and Wer-
ner's hussars for a rear guard. One battalion occupied the
castle of Newmarkt, and two others remained there to protect
the baggage.
The Austrian advanced guard formed before Kemmendorf,
the cavalry composed of four regiments of hussars, being in
front of the infantry on the heights. They were immedi-
ately attacked by the Prussian vanguard, and 11 Officers and
540 privates were taken prisoners. During this time the van-
guard of the infantry formed in the woods before Polkendorf,
Lampersdorf, and Kaltau.
The main body advanced regularly in columns in the
greatest order, and then formed very quickly.
The enemy's advanced posts were met near Borne, and
driven in. (Pl. XXI.)
The Austrian position was with the right wing behind the
wood of Nipern, thence the front extended along the back of
Frobewitz and Leuthen to Sageschutz. Nadasty's corps joined
on the left wing, and formed a hook towards the lakes of
Gohlau.
The King was not long in discovering the enemy's weak
point, and ordered that the left wing of the army should not
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:
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+
engage. As soon as the columns arrived near Lobetinz, two
lines were formed by the heads of both wheeling.
The vanguard remained on the left, and was directed to
make the first attack. A little after 12 o'clock the
A little after 12 o'clock the army had
completely formed behind Lobetintz and Sageschutz, and in
front of Kartschutz.
The vanguard afterwards went on with the main body, and
formed on the right wing with six battalions in front; the ca-
valry were in three lines, and covered on the flank by six
battalions; four battalions and the cavalry then attacked,
under the protection of a 12-pounder battery on the left
wing.
General Nadasty had placed himself on the left wing, the
better to outflank the Prussian army. And this flank having
hardly formed when Nadasty appeared behind the wood, and
attacked the cavalry, it retreated very soon, but the Prussian
infantry fired with such effect on the Austrians, that the latter
immediately fled in the utmost disorder.
About 10 o'clock the firing of the ordnance and small arms
commenced.
The six battalions attacked the Wirtemberg troops stationed
behind the abatis, and pushed them back. General Wedel
then advanced with two regiments against the grand Austrian
battery, near Sageschutz, and took it after a slight resistance.
Nadasty's whole corps was now thrown into confusion, and
though his troops endeavoured to form again behind a ditch,
they were completely overthrown.
During this attack the Prussian main body was always ad-
vancing somewhat more to the right, and as the vanguard did
the same, the Austrians were continually outflanked. The
six battalions above mentioned kept also advancing in the
rear, so as to form a hook towards the enemy, and thus all
the troops that caine up to reinforce the left wing were in-
variably beaten back in endeavouring to form.
The Austrians being pushed back on their left wing, and
retreating in confusion, the King ordered the grand battery of
THE SCIENCE WAR
143
the vanguard to be drawn a little more to the left, and by this
manœuvre all the Austrians trying to form near or behind
Gohlau, were successively taken in flank, while the remainder
were attacked in front.
The cavalry of the Prussian right wing, hitherto obstructed
by hedges and brambles, found now an oppurtunity of ad-
vancing behind Glogau. Ziethen's hussars charged the Ba-
varian and Wirtemburg infantry, cut many of them down
and made 2000 prisoners.
The Austrian Generals were in the mean time employed in
forming the hook near Leuthen, and mounting all the ordnance
there that could possibly be procured.
Leuthen had not only been occupied from the beginning of
the battle, but a great number of cowards had thrown them-
selves into it since, and all appeared determined to defend
this post to the last.
The Prussians were, on the other hand, equally resolved to
take it, and three battalions, which advanced to that intent,
were instantly embroiled in a most murderous infantry en-
gagement; one battalion advanced after another, and thus
the left wing, which was at first injoined not to engage, re-
ceived new orders suddenly to advance, and support the attack.
The vanguard at last penetrated, and forced the Austrians
to retreat.
The conquest of this village added greatly to the ad-
vantages already gained by the Prussians, although the Aus-
trians were determined not yet to quit the field of battle.
They were, however, involved in the most complete con-
fusion, and even standing behind the windmills in tiles of 100
men, so that their fire had no effect.
During this attack General Driesen, at the head of the
Prussian horse of the right wing, assaulted the Austrian ca-
valry of the left, and though exposed to a heavy fire of grape-
shot, succeeded in driving them back. The dragoons of Bay-
reuth attacked at the same time in frout, and contributed much
to the issue of the exploit.
144
THE ELEMENTS OF
This body of cavalry then advanced, charged the Austrian
infantry of the said wing and made prisoners of entire batta-
lious.
On the right the Austrians had no better fate. Having
again formed near Leuthen, a hook backwards, the move-
ment was perceived by the Prussian cavalry, who still main-
tained their situation ncar Lobetinz; these immediately
charged the Austrian cavalry in full career, put them to flight,
and then turned upon the infantry.
Both charges had the effect to drive the Austrians from
Lenthen; and the Prussians constantly continuing to advance,
the former were perceived to be out-flanked on the right;
moreover their infantry in this quarter were soon deprived of
the support of cavalry, and an immense number of prisoners
were in consequence taken by the pursuers.
The Austrians thereupon retreated through Lissa and
Rathen, and by ponton bridges over the waters of Schweid-
nitz.
The Prussians took their last position, at night-fall, be-
tween Guckerwitz and Lissa.
The army having halted, the King rode along the front and
demanded if any of the battalious would follow him to Lissa,
and one regiment and two battalions volunteered their ser
vices. The houses of this town were still occupied by
Austrians. The King, nevertheless, attended by his suite,
and mounted on horseback, proceeded between two rows of
Austrian officers to the castle, where he had ordered an
apartment to be prepared for him. When the grenadiers
arrived they were fired on from all the houses; but they im-
mediately returned the salute, and cut down every one that
opposed them.
The Generals and Field-officers having now also come in,
the King went among them to receive their congratulations;
he remarked the necessity of rest after so great a work, and
thanked them and their regiments for the courage and intre-
pidity with which they had executed his commands.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
145
The Austrians relinquished the scene of battle and passed
the Lohe next day, in order, if possible, to re-assemble a
force in Breslau.
The Prussians marched on the 6th from the right, across
the waters of Schweidnitz.
The Austrian van-guard was then standing near Hofgen
and Little Mochber; but it soon retired. Prince Charles
set off at three o'clock in the afternoon towards Schweid-
nitz.
General Ziethen, was detached on the 7th, with three bat-
talions of grenadiers, three regiments of infantry, four of
hussars, five of dragoons, and two free battalions to pursue
the Austrians.
This battle, and its consequences, cost the Austrians about
6000 men. Their army, at the beginning of the engagement,
was 91,000 strong, while that of the Prussians did not cer-
tainly exceed 29,000 men.
The latter had 500 killed, and 2300 wounded. Besides
these, 21,000 men, 4000 waggons of provisions and bag-
gage, 116 guns, and 51 stands of colours were taken.
Breslaw was shortly compelled to capitulate; and here
again 17,146 Austrians were made prisoners. In addition to
whom 2000 more fell into the hands of General Ziethen.
The Austrians retreated with about 28,000 cavalry and
light troops, and 9000 infantry into Bohemia. Nearly 7000
deserters went also over to the Prussian army in a very little
space of time.
Regular trenches were carried on towards Breslaw; and
on the 16th a shell fell into a powder magazine which ex-
ploded, and blew the attacked bastion and 800 men into the
air. The commandant, General Sprecher, was in conse-
quence forced to surrender.
Lignitz was taken by General Driesen, the commandant
of which was allowed a safe retreat into Bohemia with his
garrison, consisting of about 3000 men.
VOL. III
L
146
THE ELEMENTS OF
General Keith's expedition to Bohemia against General
Marshal, then in Lausitz, was conducted with skill and
success; he destroyed all the magazines, burnt the bridge
near Leutmeritz, and returned to Saxony where he led his
troops into winter quarters.
The King, having received certain information that the
Empress of Russia had joined the league of Versailles,
ordered Field-Marcschal Lehwald to advance with 30,000
men towards the frontiers and oppose her army. Lehwald
assembled his troops in June, and proceeded to Insterburg,
from whence lie detached a corps towards Memel.
The Russian forces consisted of 62,000 infantry, 19,000
cavalry, and 16,000 Tartars, Kalmucs, and Cossacs. They
advanced in four columns, three by Poland, and the other
by Somogitia to Memel, commanded by General Fermor.
To facilitate the occupation of Memel, Admiral Lewis
had set out from Revel with a fleet, having 9000 troops on
board. Both armies arrived before the town in June, and
the capitulation was concluded on the 5th of August.
This fortress served as a place of arms for the Russians,
and was, consequently, of great importance.
The Russian army assembled afterwards under Field-
Mareschal Apraxin, and advanced to the Pregel. Upon this
General Lehwald retreated to Wehlau, from whence he again
advanced on the 28th to attack the Russians who were then
encamped near Great Faegerndorf, and took his position be-
tween Ranglack and Buschdorf. The forest had three passes
towards the Russian army; but the first, along the river, was
covered by the hussars of Malochowsky, and the two other
passes were only wide enough for one division in front. The
extremity of the forest, though not at all passable, was occu-
pied by some vedettes.
}
The Russian cavalry of the right wing were encamped
from the front of Weinotten to Miechullen. The right wing.
of the infantry was on Weinotten and thence to Schlossberg,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
147
•
so that the left appuied on the rivulet Auxine, the banks of
which were steep and impracticable. The cavalry of this
wing and the light troops, were stationed between Sitterfelde
and the forest of Nordkitter.
Soon after his arrival, Lehwald reconnoitred the Russian
position, but only obtained a view of some of the tents of
the Cossacs. In order, therefore, to procure better informa-
tion in this respect, Prince Holstein, and Generals Schor-
lemmer, Platen, and Ruesch, were sent to reconnoitre by All-
menhausen with two regiments of hussars, 15 squadrons of
dragoons, and two battalions of grenadiers. The grenadiers
were stationed at the end of the forest, and the cavalry ad-
vanced into the plain; the troops in the camp standing in the
meantime under arms.
The Russian position could not be properly reconnoitred,
and what was thought to be the left wing was only a camp of
light troops. The attack was, consequently, fixed for the fol-
lowing day; but the Field-Mareschal hearing that a number
of foraging parties had been seen towards the right, advanced
with some troops to reinforce General Schorlemmer. By
mistake the whole army followed, and formed on the other
side of the wood.
The Cossacs immediately perceived this movement, and
the Russians took up arms.
General Schorlemmer was then
cannonaded, but without suffering much injury.
Lehwald conceiving the enemy's left wing to be the
weakest, and that it might, at all events, be attacked with
more success, as the ground in front of the right was consi
derably intersected with lakes, resolved to direct his efforts
against it, on the succeeding day, the S0th of August.
The first column pursuantly marched to the left, and was
composed of seven battalions, five squadrons of dragoons,
and the artillery; the second column marched to the right,
and contained nine battalions, both columns afterwards ad-
L 2
]
148
THE ELEMENTS OF
vanced close together by the way of Allmenhausen. One
regiment of hussars had already proceeded before to cover
their forming in line. The third column consisted of 35
squadrons of hussars and dragoons.
n
As soon as the army left the wood it formed and halted for
a short time.
The enemy was still quiet; all his vedettes had retired into
the camp, as was usual on the signal of retreat, till they
should be again posted in the morning. But his position was
changed, and his left wing drawn somewhat nearer to Sitter
feld, where a strong battery was mounted. He had intended
to march to Allenstadt, on the 30th likewise; and General
Lieven was in consequence stationed with a corps near Sitter
feld.
Lchwald wishing to attack one wing, encountered there
fore the centre of the Russian ariny. The cavalry of the
right wing, meanwhile, penetrated the Russian cavalry, and
forced them to fall back upon the infantry.
One Prussian regiment even took a battery, and killed al
that it met. But the cavalry having eloigned too far from the
infantry, during this attack, could not be supported, and fe
squadrons more were, on this account, ordered to reinforce
them. These were not, however, sufficient, and the Pr
sian cavalry were compelled to retreat again.
In the interval the Russian infantry advanced and took
several batteries; but particularly the infantry of the left
wing, who made themselves masters of a great battery, an
pushed the enemy farther back.
They every where met with new batteries; and as Geneal
Romantzow advanced to support the attack, the Prussian
infantry became panic-struck, and began to retreat. The
disorder was encreased by the darkness and fogginess of the
weather, and still more so by the burning of Underballen
which the Russians had set fire, and by the smoke from th
ordnance and small arins.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
149
Some battalions moved too far to the right, and others too
far to the left, so that spaces were occasioned.
The cavalry of the left wing had also, in the early part of
the engagement, completely succeeded, and thrown the Rus-
sians back, but too eager in the pursuit, they encountered
the enemy's artillery, which compelled them to stop, and on
this they suddenly retreated; the centre or infantry being now
exposed to a flank attack, received orders to retire, which was
executed in the utmost regularity, and without being pursued.
The Russians sent constantly fresh troops into the field,
and by this means obliged the Prussians totally to retreat.
One Prussian regiment which had advanced on the second
line was not supported, and suffered much from this circum-
stance.
The Prussians lost about 3000 men, and the Russians had
800 killed and 4500 wounded.
The Prussians, after this affair, retreated to Wehlau, and the
Russians remained in their camp, near Morkitten, till the 7th of
November; they then made a movement to pass the Aller
near Friedland, but did not execute it; they next attempted
to effect a landing with their troops on the Curish Haff, but
here they were repulsed by the militia.
On the 11th they retrograded on the frontiers, and left only
10,000 men to garrison Memel,
The Swedes advanced 17,000 strong against the Prussians,
under the command of General Ungern Sternberg; this army
passed the Prene, took Demmin, Anklam, Usedom, and
Wollin, and advanced into Prussia, levying everywhere heavy
contributions; it found here no resistance, for the garrison
of Stettin consisting of 2000 men, had been ordered to quit
that place.
On the appearance of Lehwald's corps, the Swedes, how-
ever, abandoned all that they had gained, Anklam and the
Fort of Padermunden excepted, and retreated under the guns
of Sralsund.
Mareschal Richellieu succeeded after Mareschal d'Etries to
150
THE ELEMENTS OF
the command of the French army; the Duke of Cumberland
retreated towards Stade, and the famous couvention of Clos-
ter Zeven was concluded. According to this treaty all hosti-
lities were to finish in 24 hours or sooner, and the Hanove-
rian troops to be quartered in the territories of Lauenburg and
neighbourhood of Stade, but all the forces of the other Ger-
man Princes were to return to their respective provinces with-
out being disarmed; the choice of their quarters was, how-
ever, then to be amenable to the Court of Versailles.
The Duke of Cumberland, who concluded this convention,
did it principally to flatter Richellieu's pride, with the idea of
having disarmed a whole army, and to be better able after-
wards to direct his operations against Prussia; this conven-
tion, out of which new quarrels would inevitably soon arise
respect to the troops, appears to have been almost a ruse de
guerre, to lull Richellieu asleep, and to disperse the French
army, in order to act more suddenly and with more vigour
against it in future.
in
Every crime consequent to disorder, and the most methodi
cal robberies, were perpetrated or sanctioned by the Mares-
chal and his commissaries to maintain the supplies of the
army, but the soldiers gained little by this conduct, and
lived in the greatest poverty and want, depending latterly on
nothing except what was seized by the plundering and pil-
laging parties.
On the Hanoverians the most severe contributions were im-
posed, and all the money thus raised was put into the pockets
of the officers and commissaries. Even although the Dukes
of Randau and Armentiers prevented these mischievous prac-
tices and extortions wherever it was possible, still the country
in question was most shamefully treated, and the greatest
cruelties often committed on its inhabitants.
Mareschal Richellieu got so completely entangled with the
pillage and treasure which he was amassing, that he neglected
all those rules of security relative to which the King of Prus-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
151
sia had lately afforded him such an admonitory example in
disarming the Saxons.
The French, at length discovering their error, strove to ex-
plain the articles of the convention, as if it had been decided
that the troops, as soon as they reached their native territories,
were to lay down their arms.
After many fruitless attempts to this purpose, the ratifica-
tion arrived from Versailles a few days later than the battle of
Rosbach. The ratification of this convention was still ex-
pected from London, where it was, however, declared on the
16th of December to be void, as having been concluded with-
out the knowledge of the English cabinet, but that besides
this, it was impossible to accede to it, as the French had al-
ready surpassed the limits prescribed by the treaty, in so great
a degree. The repeated clamours for justice and the cry every-
where raised for protection against the exactions and outrages
of the French soldiery, alarmed likewise the feeling of all
patriotic men, while Hanover, Brunswick, and Hesse, were
almost completely and systematically plundered.
Instead of following the counsels of France and disarming,
the allied troops rose up at one moment to vengeance, and
the cabinet of Hanover justified their proceedings in a mani-
festo, dated the 26th of November.
Immediately on the conclusion of the convention, Richel-
lieu marched with his army into the country of Halberstadt,
and there remained perfectly idle except plundering the neigh-
bourhood around.
After having carried his ravages here to the utmost extent,
and consumed all the provisions that could be procured, he
ordered his troops to take up their winter quarters in Bruns-
wick.
Richellieu went himself on the 6th of November from Hal-
berstadt to Brunswick, where he received information of
Soubise's loss near Rosbach. Hearing also that the allied
army had not yet dispersed, he ordered a corps to be collected
near Solt u, which was to march under the command of Mar-
1
152
THE ELEMENTS OF
quis Villeme to Harburg, and proceeded in person with ano-
ther, suddenly assembled near Zelle, to Luneberg, where he
arrived on the 24th.
On the same day Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick reached
Stade, by the way of Hamburg, and took the command of the
allied army, which the Duke of Cumberland had left on the
5th of October to return to England.
The Duke of Brunswick immediately wrote a letter to Ri-
chellieu, intimating to him that he was appointed to the com-
mand of the allied army, and that he would endeavour to de-
serve his esteem.
Richellicu, on the receipt of this, thoroughly chagrined,
and absolutely thrown into despair, menaced every town, vil
lage, palace, &c, &c. that came within his power with de-
struction, the instant hostilities commenced.
The Duke of Brunswick returned nervous answers to his
threatenings with the sword, by destroying the straggling par
ties of the French dispersed throughout so many provinces.
On the 26th of November the Duke broke up from Stade
and invested Harburg, where he left General Hardenberg
with 2500 men, and detached General Diepenbroick with a
small corps to Verden and Bremen, advancing himself at the
head of 25,000 soldiers to Richellieu's head-quarters at Win-
sen, on the Luhc.
Richellieu, completely surprised, abandoned all his maga
zines between the Elbe and Aller, made an attempt at Zelle
to re-assemble his force, and quartered 15,000 men in that
town and the neighbouring villages, the right wing being at
Westerzell, and the left towards the sheep cots.
The Duke, beloved by all his soldiers, took Luneburg,
and arrived on the 13th of December at Altenhagen, where
the head quarters were established, the right wing of the
army stood near Garsten, and the left on Bastel.
The advanced guard immediately attacked the suburbs, and
Richellien retreated, having previously set fire to the town, as
well as to all the magazines, and the bridge over the Alles,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
153
and thus unequivocally characterised the cruelty of his dispo-
sition.
Both armies remained in their positions till the 24th, when
the Duke marched in the evening with his troops to Wig-
hausen and Ulzen. On the 28th the allied forces were be-
tween the latter place and Elsdorf. Harburg capitulated on
the 29th, and the garrison was allowed a safe convoy to
France, under the condition of not serving during the war
against England.
The Duke then ordered his troops into winter quarters
near Luneberg, and Richellieu followed his example, so that
the campaign ended with presenting a favorable prospect to
the allies in respect to the next.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1758.
The leagued powers endeavoured still more during this
year, by all possible means, to crush the King of Prussia, who,
with his allies, had succeeded in establishing an equilibrium of
force, by the fortunate occurrences already related.
Russia promised to co-operate with a stronger army than
in the last campaign. Field Marcschal Apraxin was recalled,
and General Fermor appointed to the chief command of the
Russian corps with directions immediately to occupy all
Prussia.
Fermor entered Konigsberg on the 22d of January, and
the King having withdrawn his army to oppose Sweden;
Prussia was entirely subdued by the end of the same month.
All the other Austrian allies engaged likewise to bring
greater armies into the field, and the Empress herself resolved
to employ a still more formidable force than during the sum-
mer. Three different armies were to attack Prussia; the first
under Field Mareschal Daun consisted of 64 battalions, 45
companies of grenadiers, and 17 regiments of cavalry; the
154
THE ELEMENTS OF
second, commanded by Field Mareschal Bothcowey, was
composed of 30 battalions, 28 companies of grenadiers, and
48 squadrons; and the last, having for its chief Field Mare-
schal Nadasty, contained six battalions, four companies of
grenadiers, and 24 squadrons. The light troops to be em-
ployed in this campaign, and not included in the above, con-
sisted of 40,000 Croats, 20,000 Raitzens, 10,000 Basmiaks,
600 Piedmontese, and 500 Tyrolese sharp shooters.
The Prussian army had been diminished by six grand bat-
tles and other engagements of the preceding campaign to one
third of its original strength, although again completed by the
beginning of April.
In addition to the four free battalions already raised, as
many more were organized, and though they were not much
to be depended on, they often rendered essential service to
the general cause, by plundering and procuring booty.
The allied army was principally supported by the extraor
dinary means resulting from the money of England, her nu-
merous men of war, and other effectual aids, always ready
wherever necessity required them.
in
The intention of England was to defend Hanover, as,
order to effect any thing of greater importance, offensive
operations were necessary to be carried on.
Richellicu's troops, scattered through very extensive winter
quarters, could not be collected for several days; the Weser and
Aller covered the front and left wing of his army. Zelle,
Brunswick, Wolfenbuttel, Hanover, and Hildersheim were in
the centre, and the right wing extended over Cassel Fulda and
Marburg to the Maine.
To cover the left wing somewhat better, Broglio was de-
tached to take Bremen, which was done on the 16th of Ja
nuary by a ruse de guerre. He was supported by the inlu-
man Marquis Voyer, who left this town in six days after,
having first exacted a contribution of 40,000 florins, and
exercised all his usual barbarities,
:
t
THE SCIENCE OF WAR..
155
Richellieu desired to relinquish his command, which had
been already decreed in Paris on account of the complaints
preferred against his cruelties, and he arrived in France
laden with booty obtained in the most scandalous and nefa-
rious manner.
Count Clermont succeeded him as commander of the army
which Richellieu left in a state very different from that in
which he received it.
The fruits of D'Etree's preparation had brightened the
prospects of his arrival, and he now departed from a body of
troops, reduced to such a condition, that his successor could
expect nothing but defeat.
Clermont arrived on the 14th of February in Hanover, at
the same time the allied army began its movements.
Three regiments of dragoons and two battalions of the
guards had passed Luneberg, and the Duke of Holstein
Gottorp was arrived in Pomerania with two regiments and
five squadrons of heavy horse and hussars.
The Duke of Brunswick went on the 17th to Amelinghau-
sen, where he established his head-quarters; and the troops
in the Dukedom of Bremen being collected, as well as those
of Prince Henery, formed together a corps of 10 battalions.
and 11 squadrons, to co-operate with him. The Duke's plan
was to occupy Bremen and cut off the enemy's troops in West-
phalia from the Weser.
The French had only weak detachments stationed either on
the shores of this river, or the Aller, and Kothenburg and
Otterberg were but poorly defended.
The Duke marched on the 18th towards Verden, and took
up his head-quarters at Schnecverdingen, he commanded the
vanguard himself, and General Zastrow followed with the
main body in two columns; the left flank of the army was
covered by four battalions, 10 squadrons, and all the hunters
and hussars.
General Wangenheim advanced towards Rothenburg, and
General Diepenbroik towards Bremen.
156
THE ELEMENTS OF
{
On the 19th the army arrived at Newenkirchen, and on the
20th at Visselhoevde.
General Wangenheim attacked on the same day the fort
near Rothenburg, in which 150 men surrendered. The fort
near Ottersberg was already evacuated, and afterwards taken
possession of by a small detachment from Wangenheim's
corps.
In the night of the 21st, the Hereditary Prince of Bruns-
wick was detached to join General Wangen and reduce Ver-
den; but the garrison of this town, commauded by General
Chamond, had also previously quitted it.
Clermont had commanded this retreat, which was certainly
too soon made. Perceiving, however, the intention of the
allies, he ordered all the regiments quartered in Westphalia
and to the south of Hartz, to reinforce Bremen and the posts
near Hanover; he also sent orders to Chamand on his retreat
to defend Verden as effectually as possible; but it was too
late, for the place was by this time abandoned.
The Duke was desirous to cross the Aller, but could not
accomplish his wish, as this river had risen so rapidly, that all
the neighbouring country towards Celte was completely in-
undated.
Another place more favourable to his purpose was on this
account sought for, and found between Hudemuhlen and
Ruthagen, opposite Ahlden. The van-guard then passed over
in boats and rafts, and occupied the castle.
At this time the Hereditary Prince received orders to take
Hoya, occupied by Count Chabot and a strong garrison.
The Prince crossed the Aller next morning with three re
giments, and was reinforced near Pterbergen by one squadrou
of dragoous, and Major Luckner with 50 hussars.
The army then marched to Hudemuhlen, when one part
of it advanced by Rethem and Hohemholz to Estrup, to
second the attempt on Hoya. The Prince procceded to Bar-
men, in order to pass the Weser at that place with a detach
ment, and to attack the French posted on the left bank.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
157
Scarcely, however, had one half of the detachment crossed
the river by some little boats, when a violent storm hin-
dered the progres of the rest. The Prince, notwithstanding,
resolved to attack, and ordered those that had crossed to ad-
vance.
The enemy's detachment, on the same bank of the river, en-
countered some infantry near Haseln, who retreated, and
this attracted his attention to that point.
The Prince arrived at six o'clock in the evening, with his
corps, near Hoya. He had commanded not a single shot to be
discharged, and the attack to be made with the bayonet only;
a patrole met near Wirglen was, however, fired at, but to re-
medy this neglect the enemy entered Hoya with intrepidity.
Here a brisk engagement took place in the streets, and all
hastened to defend the bridge. From this the Prince almost
cut the enemy off, who then retreated to the castle.
Chabot, perceiving his detachment to be inclosed by the
allics, who were advancing on both sides, thought proper to
capitulate, and was allowed a safe retreat. About 100 pri-
soners were taken in Hoya, together with almost all the ene-
my's luggage and magazines; while, by the conquest of this
post, the Duke opened to himself a way over the Weser.
During the same period the regiment of hussars of Polinsky,
having its quarters in Nord, Stattendrobber, and other villages
ou the Leine, was surprised by the Prussians, who crossed
the Aller at Hudemuhl, and the Colonel, two other Officers,
150 privates, 300 horses, and all the baggage of the regi
ment were taken.
Fisher's French hussars were also surprised on the same day
by Major Park, and lost about 40 men.
Prince Henery's troops advanced then towards the Ocker.
Count St. Germain quitted Bremen on the 25th, and retired
to Osnaburg. General Diepenbroik immédiately occupied
the former, left General Drewer there with two regiments
pursued the enemy, and made some prisoners.
The French army then received orders to leave Zelle, Ha-
nover, and Brunswick, and to assemble under the guns of
T
素
​}
158
THE ELEMENTS OF
Minden and Hameln, the consequences of which were, the
loss of all its magazines, a great part of its baggage, several
thousand sick, and a general desertion.
The Duke crossed the Aller on the 25th, near Riedhagen,
and advanced on the 26th to Rothewald and Wendebostel,
and on the 27th to Drakenburg, to cover the siege of Nien-
burg, where the Hereditary Prince had already opened the
trenches. It capitulated on the 28th.
Prince Henery crossed the Ocker, on the 27th, and on the
2d of March occupied the towns of Goslar, Brunswick, and
Wolfenbuttel, and also Hildesheim on the following day.
His light troops made a great deal of booty while pursuing
the enemy.
Major Bork attacked the enemy's rear-guard near Hilder-
sheim, with 500 dragoons, killed about 100, and took twice
that number of prisoners. He afterwards advanced with 120
men to attack the dragoons in Eldagsen; but on the other
side of this town he perceived Berchine's regiment of hussars,
the rear-guard of which he fell in with and gained some more
prisoners.
Minden was occupied by 4000 men, under the command
of General Morangies; but it being necessary that the Duke
should possess it, in order to command the shores of the We
ser, he resolved to attack it. However, as Clermont covered
the place with his whole army he was induced to go back to
Hameln, which he did after repassing the Weser, on the 3d
of March, Count Clermont likewise retreated farther.
On this the Duke again turned his mind to the reduction
of Minden. This town is situated in a plain, the roads lead
ing to which are all through defiles and difficult to pass.
Accordingly General Wangenheim was posted near Bucke-
burg, with eight battalions and eight squadrons, to cover the
defiles there, and the communication with Prince Henery, at
Hildesheim. On the left bank of the Weser, General Bruck
was placed with his brigade. Farther to the right, near Queb
beck, stood the Duke of Holstein, with four battalions and
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
159
10 squadrons to cover the right flank of the army; and the
road to Osnaburg was occupied by Count St. Germam, with
12 battalions and 12 squadrons.
The army encamped around Minden, with its head quar-
ters at Hartum; and Count Clermont remained a cold spec-
tator of all that passed, although his army was 80 battalions
and 10 squadrons strong.
The besiegers proceeded as successfully as could be ex-
pected; the trenches were opened on the 8th at night, and
by the 13th several batteries had already directed their fire ou
the ramparts.
Terms of capitulation were offered to General Morangies,
which he then rejected; but hearing afterwards some balls
whistling over his head, he thought it time to surrender and
demanded a free retreat. This being, however, refused, he de-
clared that he would rather see the town changed into a heap
of ashes, and starve with his garrison, than yield; neverthe-
less on the 14th he capitulated, and 4500 men were made
prisoners.
Count Clermont was quite astonished at this event, and
saw nothing around him but pictures of horror; his troops in
Westphalia were prisoners, his fortresses on the Rhine were
taken, and his communication was cut off. He gave up
Hameln, and all the places along the Wescr; issued orders
to evacuate Osnaburg, Munster, and Hesse, and directed
the troops to assemble in Westphalia.
East Friesland was suddenly evacuated, and almost all the
force which had occupied it fell into the hands of General
Wangenheim, who was already advancing to Lingen.
Clermont thinking himself not even secure in Westphalia,
although his army was always encreasing in strength, while
that of the Austrians diminished, in consequence of the nume-
rous garrisons detached from it, resolved to retrograde on the
Rhine.
He crossed this river in the beginning of April, near Dus
seldorf, and established his quarters on the frontiers, of Hol-
160
THE ELEMENTS OF
land, between the Roer, the Maas, and the Rhine. Brog
lio's army remained behind the Lohn, and garrisoned Frank-
fort and Hanau.
The allied army followed closely, but was not able to come
up with him; and the van-guard only had some advantageous
engagements.
Near Lippe, where the bridge had been burnt down,
Major Beust crossed the river by a ford, and took 10 guns,
their ammunition, and some baggage.
Soest was forced to surrender to the same detachment of
100 dragoons, in the sight of the French rear-guard, contain-
ing eight battalions and 10 squadrons, and 60 Austrian
hussars were made prisoners.
Never was a retreat marked with greater loss, and had not
the Rhine opposed a barrier to the pursuit, the French would
have suffered still more.
The Duke, contented with the fortunate issue of his enter
prises, took up his quarters in Munster, and ordered the
Duke of Holstein to proceed to Dulmen to watch the Freuch
fortresses. Thus Hanover, Hesse, and Westphalia were
cleared of a much stronger inimical force by a few move-
ments of the allied army, under the conduct of an able com-
mander.
The King, on the other hand, determined to besiege
Schweidnitz, where General Thierheim and 8000 men com-
posed the garrison. The works of this place were put into
complete order, the detached works were joined by a rampart,
and where this was not finished, abatis were substituted.
The garrison was fully provided with necessaries, and seemed
as if it would hold out for a long time.
Schweidnitz was immediately invested; and kept blockaded
during the whole winter, while all the requisite preparations
for carrying on a siege were making at Breslau.
So early as the beginning of March some regiments had
orders to assemble and march into cantonment in the neigh-
bourhood of Lanshut. By the 15th, all the army destined
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
161
J-
to cover the siege was collected at its post, and on the same
day the King left Breslaw, and removed his head-quarters to
Grissau. The quarters which the army took were as follow:
2 battalions of grenadiers, and 4 of light infantry were in
Landshut.
8 battalions were in Lower Zieder.
7
Gurtelsdorf.
Blasdorf.
Schonberg.
3.
1
4
3
1
2
4
2 2
1
1
2
1
Libau.
Shoenberg.
near
Liebersdorf.
Friedland.
Nendorf.
Tanhausen.
Simnitzdorf.
Dittersbach and Ullersdorf.
Wusten Giersdorf.
Raspenau and Dottersbach.
5 squadrons in Peterswalde.
10
5
5
10
10
10
5
Conradswalde.
Reisdorf, Schreibersdorf, and Borsdorf.
Leppesdorf and Vogelsdorf.
Pfaffendorf, Weisback, and Johnsdorf.
Langenwal, Torsdorf, and Giersdorf.
Leutmansdorf, and Kl. Heanersdorf.
Posenau and Raspenau.
By this position the enemy's way on one side was entirely
blocked up; but through Lugmantel and Panshau, there was
still an opening. To secure this the King resolved to expel
the
enemy from Glatz, which country, the town included,
was in possession of the latter.
Orders were issued to General Fouquet to execute that
plan, and the corps destined to act under him assembled at
Reichenberg, consisting of 16 battalions, and 15 squadrons
VOL. III.
M
1
I
162
THE ELEMENTS OF
of cavalry. This expedition against General Janus was com-
pletely successful. Fouquet retired, after having driven the
enemy back, from Reinerz, and quartered his troops in can-
tonment, between there and Wunschelburg, on the 30th
of April.
Meanwhile the preparations for the siege of Schweidnitz
were accomplished; the depot of artillery established at Fauer-
wick, that for materials near Sabishdorf, and the corps ap-
pointed to conduct the siege drew nearer to the town. It
contained 18 battalions and 35 squadrons, in all about 5932
infantry, and 3769 cavalry.
The trenches were opened during the night of the 17th,
by 2000 workmen, at about 450 paces from the glacis.
Colonel Balby, seeing that the siege would be protracted to
a considerable length, proposed to attack the place by as-
sault. The King consented, and the night of the 15th was
chosen for the execution of this enterprise.
Two columns were therefore ordered to proceed to the
banks of the waters of Schweidnitz, to hinder the enemy
from sending succours; and a third column had command to
penetrate between the forts numbered 1 and 2. This was
fully accomplished with the loss of 10 killed, and four officers
and 44 privates wounded, in about half an hour after, the
signal for attack was given.
After the reduction of this town, the King was at liberty
to direct his movements where he pleased; Moravia ap-
peared the most favourable, the frontiers were not there.
occupied by the enemy, the way thence to Vienna was easy,
the loss of a battle could not have been attended with
very dangerous consequences, and his army would be main-
tained at the enemy's expenc; but the Austrians had oc
cupied the passes towards Bohemia, whether the King
could scarcely have proceeded.
so as to
His Majesty, in consequence, altered his position,
be prepared for both cases. On the 19th of April, he left
Landshut to go into the neighbourhood of Schweidnitz.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
163
General Ziethen advanced at the same time with 12 batta-
lions, and 10 squadrons to the former place; and on the 25th
the King went forward to Neisse. Meanwhile he roads to
Glatz were repaired, several bridges constructed, and about
1000 waggons also collected to convey provisions from Neisse
to Glatz, to which place the King himself departed and ex-
amined it, as well as the frontiers of Bohemia; all which
was supposed by Daun to be merely done to bring him out
of his favourable position. He never thought that the King
intended to penetrate into Moravia, where he could not
possibly remain without being in possession of Olmutz, a
strong fortress and capable of the longest resistance.
The King had, however, at Neisse, a sufficient supply
of provisions for his army, to enable him to undertake an
operation which appeared now particularly promising, as it
would be yet a good while before the Austrians were ready to
oppose him.
The army with which the King had it in his power to enter
Morawa, consisted of 46 battalions, two free battalions, two
companies of hunters, 43 squadrons of cuirassiers, and 30 of
dragoons. The fortresses in Silesia were occupied by the
following garrisons :
In Casel there were
6 battalions.
1
Glogau
Breslau
6
Schweidnitz
4
Glatz
4
Brieg
1
9
Neisse
The army in Saxony consisted of 30 battalions, 40 squa-
drons, and three free battalions, commanded by Prince Henery;
besides the garrison regiments in Leipsig, Dresden, Torgau,
and Pirna.
The army in Pomerania, under Count Dohna, to oppose
the Russians, was comprised of 20 battalions and 35 squa-
drons.
M 2
164
THE ELEMENTS OF
In the allied army there were 15 squadrons, and, exclusive
of the above corps, those of Ziethen and Fouquet are to be
reckoned.
The King left Neisse on the 27th of April, with his van-
guard, containing 17 battalions and 33 squadrons, and march-
ed to Neustadt, followed by a great part of the baking, vic-
tualling, and ponton trains.
Next day his Majesty marched to Jagerndorf, and, on the
29th, to Troppau, where he was joined by five battalions and
25 squadrons, which had their position near Newkirchen,
This corps was commanded by the Prince of Wirtemburg,
and brought also a great train along with it.
Field Mareschal Keith's army first marched to Newstadt,
and, on the 29th, likewise to Jagersdorf, where an exchange
of prisoners was made.
The heavy ordnance, the treasury of the army, the com-
missariat, the rest of the pontons, and the whole train came
afterwards to the same town.
The King advanced, on the 1st of May, to Old Zeschdorf;
and the enemy's troops, commanded by General De Ville,
continued gradually to retire, after having destroyed all the
bridges over the Morawa. Keith's army moved also towards
that river, on the same day, and head-quarters were estab-
lished in Deschna.
On the 2d the King marched to Gebau, and Keith to
Bahn.
Next day the King ordered his corps to encamp near Star-
nau; Keith's proceeded to Stermberg, and the train and heavy
ordnance arrived at Hof.
Newstadt and Littau were taken on the 4th, and the King
then removed his camp to the other side of the Morawa.
•
On this Keith's army went into camp and cantonments, m
and between Newstadt, Littau, and Starnau; his baking
arrangements were made at Starnau, and the same was done
at Littau, for the King's troops.
When it was known that De Ville had entered Olmutz, aud
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
165
left some troops near Olschau, Colonel Werner was ordered
to drive him back, with a reinforcement of 10 battalions and
two squadrons; but De Ville retreated too soon to Prosnitz.
Of the movements of Daun's army no information had
hitherto been received.
Several skirmishes took place during this time with the
Austrian light troops.
Field Mareschal Daun ordered his army, on the 29th of
April, to take cantonments and assemble.
On the 3d of May he advanced by Wodierod and Chotzen
to Leutomischel, General Laudon covering his march with
5000 men.
General Janus had his position to the right of
Allerheiligen, near Muglitz; Laudon, near Konitz; and De
Ville, near Predlitz; but all these corps could not prevent the
King's army from procuring its provisions from Silesia.
His Majesty, having at length obtained information con-
cerning Daun's movement, ordered 25 battalions and 33
squadrons to encamp near Aschmeritz, eight battalions and
24 squadrons near Newstadt, nine battalions and 16 squadrons
near Starnau, two free battalions on Sternberg, and two bat-
talions and 30 squadrons near Prosnitz.
It appearing afterwards most likely that the Austrians
would advance upon Brun, the King directed 19 additional
battalions and 48 squadrons to form a camp near Prosnitz,
which was done on the 11th.
Field Mareschal Keith remained in the camp near Littau,
with 15 battalions and six squadrons, and his troops were so
disposed that they now occupied the very ground which the
King's had done before.
The communication between the Prussian army and Silesia
was by this time well secured, and a supply of flour sufficient
to serve till the middle of June had also arrived. From De
Ville's corps, which was near Predlitz, a strong detachment
could, however, be pushed forward to the Silesian frontiers
by the way of Prerau, Leipnick, and Fulweck, which might
render the communication very dubious; and, in consequence,
166
THE ELEMENTS OF
the King resolved to carry off all the provisions to be found in
that part of the country.
This undertaking directed in the first place against Lobis-
chau, was entrusted to General Seidlitz, with two regiments
of dragoons, 300 hussars, one bread waggon, and two bag-
gage horses, from each company of the left wing of the
army; and the whole immediately proceeded towards the
point of destination. To cover the said expedition one bat-
talion of grenadiers, one regiment of infantry, five of dra-
goons, and 500 hussars, commanded by the King himself,
marched towards Predlitz, in two columns.
General De Ville, perceiving that his right wing would be
attacked, drew the bulk of his troops at first there; but seeing
afterwards too formidable a force coming upon him, he retired
to Wisehau.
The King then returned, giving the command of the above
mentioned corps to the Prince of Wirtemberg; and a small
magazine taken from the enemy was likewise carried back to
the army. The Prince by and bye retreated again with his
corps to Prosnitz.
On the 14th, General Ziethen arrived with five squadrons
from Sternberg. General Fouguet left his quarters near
Glatz, on the 1st of May, and proceeded to Neisse, where
he found the battering train in readiness to march.
He then divided his troops into four divisions, which
marched on as many successive days, viz. they broke up on
the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th of May, and arrived in the neigh-
bourhood of Olmutz, on the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th, in
all 15 battalions and 10 squadrons.
As soon as this corps had fully come up, General Kleist
was ordered to conduct the siege, in pursuance of which, the
soldiers, appointed to this service, were quartered on the side
next Prosnitz.
The right wing was on the Morawa, Neustist in front, and
Nimbau in the rear. The left wing reached to Krenau, and
the head-quarters were at Schnabelin,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
167
In the country around Scharnaw, on the right side of the
Morawa, one battalion, 200 hunters, and 12 squadrons were
stationed, to keep open the communication with the froutiers
of Silesia, where two free battalions still remained.
The King was in the vicinity of Prosnitz at the head of
21 battalions and 88 squadrons, to cover the siege.
The baking train was at Drechowitz.
In the camp near Littau and Aschmeritz, where Prince Mo-
ritz commanded, who had succeeded to Field Mareschal
Keith, there were 15 battalions and 15 squadrons, and finally,
the camp of the Margrave Charles contained seven battalions.
and five squadrons.
The Austrian forces were also divided into several corps;
Daun, with the bulk of the army, was stationed near Luito-
mishel, General Harsch in the neighbourhood of Niekel,
Laudon not far from Konitz, Janus close to Muglitz, and De
Ville near Rausnitz, all which divisions of the Austrian army
were surrounded by innumerable light troops, that prevented
the enemy from reconnoitring their positions.
Between the King's army and that near Littau, there was a
considerable space, which favoured the operations of Laudon,
and was thus rendered dangerous to pass.
In order to remove this general, the King determined to
march into it in three columns, and the first had actually ad-
vanced to Blumau, the second to Premestowitz, and the last
to Namiest, when Laudon, too early informed of the ma-
nœuvre, retreated.
As soon as the arrival of the siege artillery was intimated
to Daun, he formed the plan of advancing upon the King,
and endeavouring to push him back, and marched accordingly
on the 23d from the Leutomischel to Gewicz, where he arrived
next day.
At the same time General Harsch advanced to Muglitz,
situated on the heights of Allerheiligen, and General Janus
posted his corps near Lostiz, by which movement he com-
pelled Prince Moritz to retreat a little.
168
THE ELEMENTS OF
"
General De Ville marched forward to Wisebran, Esterhazu,
and Jerin, and his advanced guard took its position near Ko-
nitz, to maintain a free communication with General Lau-
don.
General Marshal, on the other hand, ordered the works of
Olmutz to be repaired, and put into a complete state of de-
fence. In consequence of which, a great quantity of facines
and gabions were made, the suburbs levelled, wherever it was
found necessary, and that part of the town which lay towards
Headish, inundated.
The side on which Olmutz was to be attacked, was that
next Mount Tafel; Colonel Balby, who directed the siege,
having thus determined it, from an idea that the river forts
could not enfilade the trenches.
On the night of the 27th of May the trenches were
opened.
Colonel Balby, one major, one captain, four lieutenants
of the engineers, 15 miners, and 120 workmen, were to form
the first parallel, and establish the communication on the right
side of Tafel.
On the left side of the mountain an equal number of offi-
cers and workmen were employed to form the parallel there,
and in the middle; while, to prolong the same, as many regu-
far soldiers, and 300 peasants were used. The rest of the
workmen had to construct the batteries. The whole were
covered by four battalions, and 160 horse.
During this time General Rebentisch made an attack on
the monastery of Hradish, and carried it.
The first parallel was almost finished, when the commandant
ordered the fire of the place to be directed upon it. By the
30th of May it was completed, and 15 mortars, 12 twelve-
pounders, eight twenty-four-pounders, and four ten-pounder
howitzers were mounted
On the 31st the canonade commenced, but was of no ef
fect, the batteries being nearly 1700 paces distant from the
principal works.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
169
Ou the 4th of July the second parallel was finished, but
being enfiladed by the river forts, it was necessary to form
New batteries were likewise erected
some traverses in it.
here.
On the 8th the batteries of the left, and on the 12th the
grand battery of the right wing, were completed.
In the mean time the King and Field Mareschal Daun
were mutually advancing, and General Wedel had been de-
tached on the 25th to Salemon, which greatly decreased Ge-
neral Laudon's parties.
As soon as General Wedel should be attacked, the Mar-
grave Charles was ordered to join him, and the same was
to be done by the King, but, if possible, both corps were to
unite near Great Schenitz.
The convoys from Silesia always duly arrived without being
interrupted, but one near Subenhufen was intercepted on the
10th of June. Field Mareschal Daun marched on the 16th
from Gewicz to Produvanow, and General Harsch advanced
to Kunitz.
On the 17th the Austrian army encamped in the vicinity of
Ewanowitz and Predlitz, where General De Ville joined it
with his corps. This officer had previously detached General
St. Junon with four regiments, and one Pulk of Uhlans, who,
hearing that one regiment of Prussian cavalry was stationed
near Bustrowan, and two squadrons of hussars close to Wis-
tenitz, only supported by two battalions, resolved to surprise
them, and accordingly advanced against the said force on the
6th at night.
General Keith gave General Meyer timely notice of the
undertaking, but the latter, having drawn both of the battalions
together, and perceiving no appearance of any attack at half
past four in the morning, ordered the troops again into camp,
though none of the patroles had returned, and though some
of the officers imagined that they could see horsemen in the
wood in front; scarcely was this command obeyed before the
170
THE ELEMENTS OF
t
more;
enemy came up, made several men prisoners, and killed
the hussars alone retreated without any loss, not having un-
bridled prior to the attack.
General Meyer was then directed to retreat to Hollitz,
during which his cavalry being pursued were obliged to gallop
at full speed through a narrow pass, and were thus thrown into
confusion. Order was, however, soon restored, under the
protection of a well-directed fire of the battalion, which
supported them, and the Austrians were forced to retire.
Field Mareschal Keith crossed the Morawa too late to assist
Meyer's corps, and therefore returned to his position.
Prince Moritz and the Margrave Charles were immediate-
ly informed of Daun's movements, and ordered General
Schenckendorf to reconnoitre; he consequently broke up
from his camp, and marched on the 17th to Bauniowitz, and
on the 19th he was replaced by General Betzow. Prince
Moritz proceeded likewise more to the left, and took a new
position near Cholein, Littau being in the rear.
Little Schnitz was occupied by three battalions, and one
regiment of hussars was commanded to keep open its commu-
ication. The military treasury was sent to Horka, and
the baking train to Litz, the garrison of which refused to ca-
pitulate.
Meanwhile General Daun received orders from Vienna to
succor Olmutz.
The re-inforcement determined to be sent to this town was
given in charge to General Bulow, and consisted of about
1000 or 1200 men.
General Janus advanced in consequence of this arrange-
ment towards General Betzow, while Bulow, proceeding by
the foot-paths through Dolein and Lodenitz, arrived happily
at Olmutz. The garrison had likewise drawn Betzow's at
tention to Bistrowan, by a small corps which advanced
thither.
The King, being made acquainted with what had happened,
directed General Ziethen to second Betzow with three bat
|
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
171
talions and 18 squadrons. The former was also ordered to
pay attention at the same time to a convoy which was expected
from Silesia, and which had left Neisse on the 21st, with
eight battalions and 1100 cavalry. This convoy consisted of
about 4000 waggons, 818 of which were loaden with ammu-
nition for the siege.
Daun was, on the contrary, busily occupied in forming
schemes for the destruction of the same convoy, which would
have been to him of the utmost use.
With this view he ordered General Laudon to advance by
Muglitz to the road to Hoff, and intercepted it there.
On the other hand he directed General Ziskowitz to cross
the Morawa, join General St, Jignon, and remain covered
near Altliebe, till an occasion should occur of making an at-
tack, and in the mean time strove himself to distract the
King's attention to a variety of different points.
The Prussian camp was now often reconnoitred, and on the
27th the Austrians took a new position, with their right wing
on Klenowitz, and the left on Dobromveletz, during which,
General Buccow advanced to the right of the King's army,
in order to conceal the march of Ziskowitz.
Colonel Mosel arrived with the convoy near Bautzen on the
26th, but the roads being very bad, he was only able to ad-
vance slowly, and finally compelled to stop in that town on
the 27th, till the whole should come up, the convoy having
been separated by the circumstance already stated.
This accident afforded a most advantageous opportunity
for the accomplishment of Laudon's wishes, who arrived the
same day at Stenberg, and the next at Guntersberg, where he
posted his infantry on all the commanding grounds, and his
cavalry on the plain to the right.
Colonel Werner was sent to succour Colonel Mosel, but
he advanced no further than Gibbau on the 27th.
Colonel Mosel began to move again on the 28th, and soon
discovered the enemy, when he immediately formed three bat-
talions, and some reconvalescent soldiers on the other side of
172
THE ELEMENTS OF
the defile, and determined to attack the Austrians, who had
mounted a strong battery, which enfiladed his left wing.
The Prussian grenadiers succeeded, however, in pushing them
back, and took one gun, and 200 prisoners, after having occa-
sioned them a loss of 500 men in killed and wounded; Lau-
don then retreated to Bahren.
Mosel now re-assembled his convoy, which had been partly
plundered and had partly retreated to Troppau, and, as the Aus-
trians could not be pursued, he dispatched Colonel Beville to
inform the King of the occurrence, and advanced on the same
day to Newdarsel.
General Ziethen marched late on the 28th with his corps,
re-inforced by two battalions, and joined Colonel Werner the
following evening, and afterwards Colonel Mosel.
One half of the convoy was again forced to stop for a day,
and the other, which had fallen behind, was brought forward
by a strong escort of hussars.
By this obstruction General Ziskowitz gained time to place
his corps between Liebe and Domstaedtel.
On the 30th the convoy once more advanced, with the in-
fantry on the left, and the cavalry on the right.
Nearly 120 of the waggons were passing through a defile,
when the enemy suddenly appeared, killed some of the
horses by his fire, and in this manner threw the whole into
confusion. At that moment General Putkammer, however,
advanced upon him, took some of his guns, and repulsed seve
ral of his battalions.
Ziskowitz, nevertheless, succeeded in pushing forward to the
centre of the convoy, and played with his ordnance inces-
santly on the waggons, while General Laudon made at the
same time an attack from Bahren.
The Austrians, being now collected in greater numbers, pe-
netrated, after an engagement of two hours, and drove the
entire convoy into irremediable confusion.
Of the Prussian battalions a part retreated to Domstaedtel,
but General Ziethen was forced to retire to Troppau.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR
173
The Austrians afterwards attacked the remainder of the
waggons driven up in a square, and having first killed their
guards, occasioned the greatest disorder among them.
General Krokow was then compelled to march with the
remains of nine battalions and six squadrons, 500 hussars,
and about 300 waggons, towards Pistrowan, between which
place and the ponton bridge, he arrived in the evening.
The soldiers of the battalion of Ferdinand distinguished
themselves highly in this action, a very few of them, and these
wounded, only arrived at Troppau, 65 were made prisoners,
the rest fell the victims of bravery, although they all consisted
of recruits, from 17 to 20 years old, who had never faced an
enemy before in the field.
Daun was, during this enterprise, in constant dread of its
failing. On the 29th he advanced with a strong corps to
Prosnitz, at the same time that Buccow approached with the
Prussian hussars. The King then led out the regiment of
Lattorf in person, and hastened to aid the latter, and several
battalions having been ordered to follow; three regiments of
cavalry actually attacked the Austrians, but these retired, as
this was only a reconnoitring affair.
The King was now informed by Colonel Beville, that Zie-
then would soon join the convoy, which, together with the
preparations made by Daun to fortify his position, gave him
reason to judge that the Austrians expected an attack, but on
the 30th three bridges were built by them over the Morawa,
and Daun having crossed this river, arrived on the 30th with
his
army
on the heights of Finitz and Checowitz, about two
miles from Olmutz.
In order to conceal this movement, a close chain of light
troops circled round Daun's army, and Ziethen's hussars were
driven back by Buccow, who, at the same time, kept open the
communication with General Janus.
the
The King and Keith received news of the destruction of
convoy, on the 1st of July, almost at one moment, and
General Retzow was immediately detached with seven bat-
1
174
THE ELEMENTS OF
talions and 15 squadrons; but he could not then advance far-
ther than Dolein, and, of course, came up too late. As he
retired to rejoin Field Mareschal Keith he saw the Austrian
army in its camp. The bridge over the Morawa was broken
down as soon as he had passed it.
The remains of the convoy, and General Krokow and his
force, arrived on the same day at Keith's army.
Prince Henery, who supported the efforts of the allies in
Saxony, by driving the French back across the Rhine, went
again into winter quarters with his army, immediately on
the surrender of Minden.
On the 27th of March he proceeded to Dresden, his
troops then consisting of 22 battalions and 20 squadrons, a
very weak force in respect to that of the enemy.
His first attempt was against Hoff, in order to get 1000
men who occupied that place into his power, and four
battalions were detached for the purpose; but the enemy hav-
ing had notice of his design, too early, retreated, and left
behind only one general, four other officers, and 166 pri
vates, who were taken prisoners.
The winter quarters of the army of the German Empire
were so taken, that the left wing was stationed on the frontiers
of Thuringia, Hesse, and Fulda; and the right formed the
line of communication with the Austrians in Bohemia.
On the 19th of April, 15 battalions, 14 companies of
grenadiers, and three squadrons of cuirassiers, formed a camp
near Bayreuth, under the command of Field Mareschal
Klob.
Prince Henery afterwards ordered General Meyer to seize
several thousands of small arms, prepared for the enemy in
Sekla, which was successfully executed by one battalion sup-
ported by three others.
Having been joined by two battalions and 15 squadrons,
Prince Henery resolved to advance towards the enemy.
General Hulsen was therefore directed to remain with
seven battalions and 15 squadrons, near Freyberg, while the
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
175
f
Prince himself moved forward to Hoff, at the head of 18
battalions and 29 squadrons, and fixed his head-quarters, on
the 23d, in Laltiz.
The army of the Empire broke up on the 15th from its
camp, and arrived on the 19th at Eger, leaving two regiments
and 10 squadrons of cavalry to cover Bamberg.
From this place the Duke of Deuxpont advanced to
Saatz, where he came on the 28th, and joined a corps under
Count Althahn. The Duke then took the command of Gene-
rals Serbelloni's and Haddick's corps, and by this means
found himself master of an army containing 43 battalions,
41 companies of grenadiers, 36 of croats, 64 squadrons of
cuirassiers and dragoons, and 15 of hussars.
Prince Henery had now turned his views to the levying of
contributions on Bamberg, Wirzburg, and the magazines
there, in consequence of which, General Driesen was order-
ed to proceed, on the 20th, to the first-mentioned place,
with about 4000 infantry, four pieces of ordnance, and five
squadrons of hussars.
General Rosenberg, with two regiments of foot and one of
horse, fell back upon the same and occupied its suburbs.
One light battalion of Prussians came up soon after and
attacked the town, but could not penetrate.
General Driesen arrived in the afternoon, and Rosenberg
was summoned to capitulate; but he refused, after which the
suburbs were carried by storm, and the garrison forced to sur-
render. It was allowed a safe retreat, without being pursued,
for 24 hours; but all that remained in the town, the maga-
zines, &c. were delivered over to the Prussians. Heavy im-
positions were likewise exacted and immediately paid in part,
to the amount of 20,000 pounds sterling.
During these proceedings the light troops of the said corps
advanced somewhat farther; and those of the Prussian army
entered Bohemia, proceeded to Eger, Sandau, and Konigs-
warth, and retreated with some booty and prisoners.
General Driesen's retreat, as well as that of the light
176
THE ELEMENTS OF
troops, were, on this occasion, covered by several battalions
sent out to meet the respective corps.
The Duke of Deuxpont could not possibly strike any
blow; for Prince Henery, always entering upon new under-
takings, fixed his attention constantly on different objects.
General Asseburg was then detached with six battalions,
one regiment of cuirassiers, and some hussars, to take a posi-
tion near Zschoppau; and General Hulsen received orders to
join him, which was done on the 6th of June. Zschoppau
had been attacked on the Sd, and the enemy repulsed, upon
which Asseburg's corps encamped near Gornau, where Gene-
ral Hulsen joined it.
The army of the Empire still remained inactive near Saatz,
and seemed to await the issue of affairs in Morawa. Several
reconnoitrings and skirmishes had, however, taken place with
various success.
The troops of the Duke of Brunswick effected several
coups, and invariably maintained their superiority over the
French. The compleating of the allied army, and especially
the recruiting of light troops had, however, kept this corps in
its quarters till the middle of May.
The grand French army was quartered in the countries of
Juliers, Cleves, Gueldres, and Cologne; and Soubise's army
was stationed behind the Lahn, occupying Hanau and Frank-
fort.
Prince Ysenburg was detached to cover Hesse; and the
army itself received orders to advance in such a manner, that,
on the 26th of May, the van-guard should be at Koesfeld,
and the main body near Notteln and Dorsten.
On the 27th, the main army stood at Dulmen and Koesfeld.
On the 29th, the corps of the Hereditary Prince, at Bock-
holt; that of General Wangenheim, at Duisburg; and the
main army at Lembeck.
The van-guard reached Emmerich on the 30th, and the
Hereditary Prince, Vrasselt. General Spoerkens (who had
assumed the command during the absence of the Duke, who
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
177
was gone to the corps of the Hereditary Prince,) detached
General Wutgenau towards Wesel; Wangenheim advancing
to Rottingen.
Major Scheiter, who arrived on the 28th near Duisburg,
perceiving next day a strong battery close to Homburg, sup-
ported by 31 battalions, drew the attention of these troops
from the place where he had resolved to pass the Rhine, by a
great fire, and an uninterrupted discharge of musketry from
10 men, crossed this river, drove back the French, and took
the battery, consisting of six guns, of which five were brought
to Duisburg.
Kaiserswerth was occupied by the French; but, on the
approach of Scheiter's corps, and the town being summoned
to surrender, they retreated.
The Dukes of Randan and Villemur occupied the banks
of the Rhine; but they had very comfortable quarters. The
troops lay in the towns of Cleve, Calcar, and Xanten; and
posts were established between them to watch the enemy's
movements.
The Duke of Brunswick had, in the mean time, collected
the boats necessary for crossing the river, which was intended
to have been done on the 21st of May; but the boats not
being brought soon enough to the proper place, it was post-
poned till the following night, when, as soon as it became
dark, the van-guard advanced to Tollhuis, and before day-
break seven battalions and 15 squadrons had safely arrived on
the other side of the Rhine.
A patrole of five men was taken, a post of 50 men put to
the sword, another of 150 men surprised and driven in; and
the same was also the case with a regiment of cavalry.
The French then retreated and re-assembled at Cleves,
while the crossing of the river still went on.
The Duke of Holstein immediately advanced upon Cleves;
but not being able to proceed by the Spoygraben, behind
which a detachment of the enemy was placed, he took the
way of Rindetu; and Villeinur then speedily quitted Cleves.
VOL. III.
N
178
THE ELEMENTS OF
In the evening the bridge near Hervern was ready, and the
artillery of the allies crossed the river. The Duke of Hol-
stein marched forward to Goch, and compelled Villemur to
retrograde on Xanten. The allied army encamped in the
neighbourhood of Cleves and Griethhausen.
The bridge was now removed to Rees, where a more con-
venient communication across the Rhine could be kept up.
Clermont ordered the whole army to repair to Rheinbergen,
that it might appear as if he was resolved to oppose the
Duke of Brunswick. The Duke, on his part, had actually
determined to make an attack, the moment his force should be
great enough on Villemur, at all events; but this general
fell back on the 9th too quickly to Rheinbergen.
Meanwhile Generals Spoerken and Wutgenau had passed
the Rhine in order to form a junction with the grand army.
General Imhoff still remained near Meer.
The Duke found, on the 10th, that all the French army
could be collected at one point, which was the cause of his
advancing the same day to Sonsbeck.
The French had occupied the heights of Kloster Campen
in such a manner, that the Duke, who reconnoitred them,
was not able to discover their position.
The allied army stood opposite to them, near Alpen; and
the Duke of Holstein, between Issum and Stegen. Count
Clermont directly changed his position, which, though still
maintaining the post of Kloster Campen, was not, however,
far distant from the French army.
On the 11th of July, the allied army broke up during the
night, in order to attack the enemy, and at six o'clock next
morning, the whole army appeared formed in four lines be-
tween Alpen and Saalhoff. The French instantly began to
cannonade, but without effect.
Spoerken took possession of the entrance of the heath
near Eil, and ordered batteries to be mounted on the emi-
nences of Alpen, to obstruct the movements of the French
cavalry. The Hereditary Prince was then detached to occupy
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
179
t
the defiles near Saalhoff, and the village itself, as well as to
attack the French in flank, and support the attack on Cam-
pen.
The French did not retreat before the afternoon: during
the interval several severe engagements took place, and after-
wards the heights of Campen were carried, while the right
wing advanced beyond the convent; and the enemy's army
being seen in movement, the Duke determined to push still
farther forward.
1
The allied forces remained under arms all night, and then
encamped between Saalhoff and Alpen. At day-break the
Duke decided upon making an attack; but Clermont had
discovered his fault, and retreated to Moers, Creveld, Urden-
gen, and Nuys.
Clermont now resolved to act with vigour, and ordered St.
Germain to advance with 10,000 men to Creveld, whither
the whole army followed on the 19th.
·
The allied army marched to Ruerd, and encamped near
Altenkirchen. General Hardenberg was then detached to
Burich to watch the garrison of Wesel. General Wangen-
heim, on the contrary, joined the army, which now consisted
of 33 battalions and 52 squadrons.
Clermont, on perceiving the allied army, thought proper
to await its approach in his position behind the Landwehr,
(a large mount of earth with several passages cut through it,)
having Creveld before his right, and St. Antony before his left
wing. Along the side of the Landwehr there were several
small woods, gardens, and yards, in which farm-houses were
situated, and the whole country around was as much enclosed
as possible.
The French army was, in addition to this, covered on the
left by a wood, and on the right by a large and deep morass.
The Duke encamped on the plain in front of the French;
but as Clermont still seemed unwilling to strike the first
blow, he determined to make an attack himself, on the 23d
of July. His army was divided into three corps, viz. 16
N 2
180
THE ELEMENTS OF
battalions and 26 squadrons, commanded by himself, the
Hereditary Prince, and the Duke of Holstein; six battalions
and squadrons, under General Oberg; and 16 battalions and
20 squadrons, conducted by General Spoerken.
At one o'clock the army began its march. The corps.
commanded by the Duke and General Oberg advanced to the
rendezvous in the plain behind St. Antony, the former in four
columns, and the latter in one; and Spoerken's corps pro-
ceeded in two columns half way between Hulsen and Cre-
veld.
Clermont, advertised at 10 o'clock of the Duke's move-
ments, ordered his troops to occupy the Landwehr to the
farm of Stoecken. In the rear of the left wing, there was a
reserve of carabineers; in the rear of the right another, com-
posed of grenadiers; behind the centre, the brigade of Na-
varra was posted; and at the back of the infantry, the rest of
the cavalry stood in two lines. Before Anradt the King's
legion, and in Creveld 800 infantry were stationed; Anradt
was afterwards occupied but weakly.
The route of the Duke's army was particularly difficult; it
frequently lay through thick woods, hedges, and various in-
closures, over ditches, mounds, and similar obstacles, and
lastly through the defile of Borselbaum. At noon the army,
however, arrived at Anradt, drove in the enemy, and rested
for some minutes.
Clermont, now fully apprized of the Duke's design, ad-
vanced towards him with 15 battalions and 30 squadrons.
The army of the latter then formed in two lines, the cavalry
to the right. The battle now commenced by a sharp can-
nonade; and Oberg and Spoerken immediately made an at-
tack at the head of their corps. The French infantry were,
after a vigourous resistance of three hours, driven out of the
wood, when the allied cavalry were ordered to charge, and
three Hanoverian battalions detached to take the enemy in
flank.
Some new battalions passed a defile and formed, which
THE SCIENCE OF. WAR.
181
being observed by the French cavalry, they immediately ad-
vanced; but seeing the three battalions above-mentioned in
their flank, they turned and charged upon them. The whole
were, however, repulsed; only one of the French squadrons
penetrated, and almost all the men that composed it were
killed. In the meanwhile, the allied cavalry having passed the
defile in greater numbers, charged in turn, and the enemy
was by this means totally beaten.
General Oberg had advanced to Hukesmey, and General
Spoerken kept the enemy's right wing in check. The Freuch
infantry near Hukesmey were then taken in flauk, and
attacked at the same time in front.
The allied army afterwards endeavoured to form again, in
order to route the enemy complet ly; but Clermont pre-
vented the design by first retreating to Nuys and then to Woh-
ringen. The allied army declining to pursue him, as it was
already six o'clock, encamped on the field of battle.
The French lost in this engagement 7000 men, besides
Count Grisors, who died in the arms of the Hereditary
Prince, and with whom the latter became acquainted, when
on his travels.
As novel and remarkable as was the plan formed by the
Duke of attacking the enemy in three corps, with a force of
30,000 men weaker, as completely and fortunately did this
great and well-digested scheme succeed.
Scheiter's corps and the hussars pursued the French, took
the magazine at Nuys, and returned laden with booty.
The Duke of Holstein advanced with 13 squadrons to
Gladeback, and raised contributions as far as Zulick.
The Hereditary Prince led six battalions and six squadrons
forward to Roermund, which place fell into his hands on his
granting the garrison a safe retreat. He then advanced to
Wassenberg, to join the Duke of Holstein.
The Duke's army now proceeded to Osteradt to cover the
siege of Dusseldorp, conducted by General Wangenheim.
182
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
On the 29th, an armistice between the governor of
that place and the besiegers was, however, concluded.
On the 7th of the following month, the garrison marched
out, and the town was occupied by two regiments of Hano-
verians.
The Empress of Russia sent, during these proceedings, an
enormous army into the field against the Prussians. It con-
sisted of 10,748 regular cavalry, 1400 Cossacs, 2000 Cal-
mucs, and 77,332 infantry. But as a great deduction is to be
made from the above number for servants, the sick, and the
men entrusted with the care of the baggage, all the effective
soldiers of this force may be computed to have amounted
to about 70,000.
In February these troops began to move, and arrived duly
in Prussia.
General Fermor, the Russian commander, desired first to
secure the possession of the Vistula; and, in consequence,
detached General Soltikow, with a considerable corps, to
Elberg, and Prince Gallizin to Thorn. The latter being a
free town, would not, however, allow him to enter; a line of
conduct which was afterwards justified by the Polish Minister
at Petersburg.
The Russian army took up its winter quarters behind the
Vistula, the head-quarters being at Marienwerder; and
great quantities of provisions were then procured to supply it
during the course of its future operations.
Field Mareschal Lehwald, who had meanwhile invested
Stralsund, remained there till the beginning of May.
The Marquis de Montalembert endeavoured to persuade
the Swedes to join Richelieu's army, which he proved by
undeniable demonstrations might be easily done; but their
new Commander, Count Rosen, would not agree to it.
Here, however, nothing remarkable occurred, except the
taking of Anklam by the Russiaus; the occupation of
Rostock and Wismar, the investment of Schwerin, the levy-
t
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
183
ing of heavy contributions, and the reduction of Fort Pe-
namunden, on the part of the Prussians.
General Dohna succeeded Lehwald in command; and, on
the 15th of May, the army broke up from its winter quarters,
to form two camps near Stralsund, where it remained till the
middle of June.
The Russian army had, on the contrary, already crossed
the Vistula. Romanzow was stationed with 15,000 Cossacs
near Konitz, and the bulk of the army stood near Dirschau,
from which a corps was detached to Thorn.
On the 18th Count Dohna left Stralsund, and arrived on
the 3d of July at Retzien, and on the 6th at Schwedt, where
the army encamped.
Several cruelties were committed by the Russian light
troops; but small detachments being opposed to them, they
were always forced to retreat.
One the 27th General Fermor broke up, and advanced
with his army to Posen, where he encamped on the 1st of
July.
Dohna soon after detached Generals Kanitz and Ruesh to
the same neighbourhood to defend the country from the ra-
vages of the enemy; General Platen joined them on the 17th
near Landberg, and their corps then consisted of seven bat-
talions and 12 squadrons..
General Demikow sent about 1400 cavalry to take pos-
session of Driesen, which General Hordt now occupied;
but the enterprise did not succeed, and the Cossacs only
plundered the suburbs. General Fermor, enraged at this
disappointment, detached a strong corps to Wollenberg to
cut off the retreat of the Prussians, and another with a great
number of artillery to demolish the fort.
General Hordt receiving notice of this circumstance, thought
it right to retreat; at Friedeberg he encountered a strong
body of Cossacs, through whom, however, he cut his way,
although one half of his men deserted the moment he was
194
THE ELEMENTS OF
attacked. Soon after this he fell in with General Ruesch,
who was bringing up reinforcements.
General Dohna in the mean while broke up-from his old
position, and arrived on the 20th at Gusow; where, having
heard that the Russians were on their march to Frankfort, he
directed General Malachowsky to proceed to that town, and
join Colonel Belling; and the army removed on the 24th to a
camp near Letbus.
On the 26th a reinforcement arrived from the King, com-
posed of seven battalions and two regiments of cavalry.
The Russians advanced this day to Meseritz; and General
Malachowsky was, on the 2d of August, detached with one
battalion and 10 squadrons to watch their depredations, and,
if possible, to prevent them. General Dohna advanced on
the 6th to Frankfort, and Fermor then proceeded to Lands-
berg.
General Hamilton, who now commanded the Swedish
army, advanced from Stralsund, invested, besieged, and took
Fort Peinamunden, and then pushed farther forward, a small
Prussian detachment only being opposed to him.
While these events were occurring, the King's army sus-
tained, as already related, the loss of the convoy, and
was, by that disaster, compelled to give up the siege of
Olmutz. To retreat constituted now the sole alternative of
these troops; and this, in the presence of a stronger enemy,
was a most dangerous undertaking; but Daun had committed
a great act of negligence in leaving the road towards Bole-
mia open, and thither the King resolved to proceed.
On the 1st of July his Majesty assembled his field-officers,
recapitulated to them his losses, and informed them of his
determination. Agreeably to which Prince Moritz marched
with 10 battalions and 30 squadrons on the 3d to Nanniest,
joined General Wedel's corps, and then went on to Netziowa,
ne: Gewitz.
At four o'clock in the morning of the same day, the army
Likewise began its march for Birzeskow, where it encamped,
ARVIEN T
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
185
:
General Buccow perceiving this, hastened to reach Bohemia
before the King.
Field Mareschal Keith received, in the meanwhile, orders to
raise the siege of Olmutz; which being very difficult to effect
near Teinitz, was to be done with the greatest care. The firing
did not cease till all the batteries were ready to retire; and
no particular preparations having been perceived, all the or-
dnance, except five mortars and one 24-pounder, were saved
next morning.
On the 2d of July the artillery, and every thing appertain-
ing to it, advanced to Krenaw, and joined the rest of the
train, altogether consisting of about 4000 waggons, which
General Kleist was appointed to cover. The train and this
corps then fell back upon Littaw, where they crossed the
Morawa; the train proceeding in a line along the road to
Aresse. Next day it marched towards Ausse; but a re-
port being current that some Austrian troops had appeared
lately on the other side of the town, the whole, after ordering
a strong rear-guard of six battalions, 10 squadrons, and some
foot hunters to close the file, arrived safely at the heights of
· Muglau.
To the negligence of Daun and Ziskowitz the Prussians owed
the happy issue of this siege, as circumstances then stood;
for, had a superior force been instantly brought up when these
generals attacked the rear-guard, considerable advantages
must have resulted to the Austrians. Laudon was only sent
to Langendorf, and Ziskowitz to Eulenberg on the 2d
Both, however, advanced again on the 3d, the first to Ho-
henstadt, and the latter to Halbelschwert; Lascy's corps at
the same time crossed the Morawa, and encamped two miles
distant from Olmutz.
The King marched also that day to Fribau, to support
Keith; Prince Moritz's corps being directed to form the rear-
guard.
[
On the 4th the train set out likewise for Tribau, and ar-
rived there on the 5th at noon. Some Croats, that attacked it
1
186
THE ELEMENTS OF
in the evening, were repulsed. On the same day the King re-
connoitred the road towards Bohemia, by the Schonhengst ;
but finding that General Buccow's corps was stationed there,
he ordered Prince Moritz to advance by the other road
through Glasdorf, and the defile of Nikel, where the Prince
halted for some hours, and then proceeded to Leutomischel.
The large magazines there had been burned by the Austrians,
and only about 300 barrels of flour were saved.
The King followed next day with the army, drove back
some Croats who were endeavouring to render the defile im-
practicable, and left four battalions and one regiment to oc-
cupy it till General Keith arrived.
On the 6th he marched to Leutomischel, with six battalions
and the body guard.
Keith rested on the 5th, and Daun crossed the Morawa,
and placed the army near Olschaw; Lascy stood then in the
vicinity of Konitz; Buccow was not far from Prisau; Lau
don and Ignon had their position close upon Tribitz; and
Ziskowitz was stationed beside Tichelsdorf.
Keith, observing that his train was too large, divided it into
three parts: the first consisted of 12 battalions and seven
squadrons, commanded by General Fouquet; the second of
12 battalions and 17 squadrons, commanded by General
Wrede; and the third of 12 battalions, 12 squadrons, and
two companies of foot hunters, under General Retzow.
The miners were likewise told off in three divisions, and
marched at the heads of their columns.
General Fouquet moved on the 6th with his division to
Greiffendorf, and next day to Zevitau; but several waggons,
with the requisites for baking, proceeded to Leutomishel,
where new bread was to be made. Forcade's corps went
also to both of the above towns.
General Wrede marched next day, after having repelled the
Croats, first to Zuittair, and then to Leutomischel. Only
six waggons were left behind from the want of horses.
In the mean while Daun proceeded to Konitz; Lascy to
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
187
Guevioz; Laudon and Ignon to Willenschwerdt; and Zesko-
witz to Tiwerl.
Retzow being informed of the above movements, had al-
ready begun his march at one o'clock on the 7th. Lascy, how-
ver, advanced rapidly, and took possession of the heights of
Crenau, before Retzow's arrival, in consequence of which a
detachment, left in the defiles there by General Wrede, was
separated.
Retzow, perceiving Lascy as he approached to Krennau,
formed some of his regiments, and drove the Austrians back,
with the loss of 111 men.
Schenkendorf expelled the enemy from the wood; and the
road to Poler, and the defile of Greifendorf, were then oc-
cupied.
1
Lascy afterwards cannonaded the rear-guard, but this di-
vision arrived next morning at day-break on the other side of
the defile, near Guissodenburg.
The first division reached Leutomischel on the 8th at noon.
Retzow arrived there also, without being molested, on the
9th, having previously directed all the passes by which the
enemy might approach, to be rendered impracticable.
The King marched on the same day with 20 battalions and
five squadrons to Hohenmauth, and left the Margrave Charles
with 10 battalions and 30 squadrons in Leutomischel, his own
troops proceeding in three columus.
At Hohenmouth the ovens were constructed, and some
bread baked.
Keith, after joining the Margrave Charles, encamped be-
tween Nimschitz and Frescheck.
Laudon and Ziskowitz marched to Chotzen, and Daun to
Poliska, where he rested one day.
The King moved on the 10th in two columns to Holitz.
The heavy artillery first marched to Tignisko, and then joined
the King's army, to be employed at the siege of Konigsgratzi
General Buccow arrived the same day at this town, and the
King proceeded to it in two columns on the 11th.
2
**
188
THE ELEMENTS OF
Prince Moritz endeavoured, during his march, to attack him
in front, but the Croats being repulsed by grape-shot, the
Prussian cavalry immediately crossed the Alder, and charged
the Austrians, after which they retreated on their infantry.
Some bridges were then formed, and the whole Prussian
passed over the river.
corps
The King now wished to cross the Elbe by the bridge near
Wissowa, but finding it impassable, he stationed his corps be
tween Lothka and Trebesh, and ordered it to be repaired.
In the interval General Buccow retreated, and the regi
ments of hussars which were ordered to pursue him, could
not come up with him, having been detained too long in
crossing the Elbe.
General Retzow advanced on the same day to Holitz; but
having arrived with the head of his corps at Jaroslaw, he first
perceived some hussars, and soon after a strong body of Aus-
trians on the heights adjoining to Holitz, on which he imme-
diately ordered a square to be formed with the waggons, sur-
rounding them with his troops, and set Holitz in flames.
Keith marched to Tignisko, where, receiving information
respecting the Austrians, by whom Retzów's corps was op-
posed, he sent him four regiments of infantry and two of
hussars as a reinforcement, which arrived at nine o'clock near
the square.
On the 12th the baggage advanced by Rowen and Rezelize.
The enemy's hussars made several attacks on it, but were al-
ways repulsed, till at last Iguon arriving with his cavalry,
the attack was renewed with more vigour, and part of the
train dispersed. The Austrians then endeavoured only to
procure booty, during which time one regiment of hussars
came up and drove them completely back, after they had
sustained a loss of about 300 men, while that of the Prussians
did not amount to more than half that number.
Some other attacks were also met in a similar manner.
Keith, who heard the cannouading, arrived in time near
Holitz to reinforce the Prussians, by which means the
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​enemy's designs there were obstructed. Retzow afterwards
came up with his train in safety near Draskow, where a square
was again formed.
The report of the guns were also audible to the King, and
he likewise advanced; but having received news of the affair,
he resumed his old position.
}
Next morning General Retzow crossed the Alder, and en-
camped with his train near Konigsgratz.
Keith also formed a camp, not far from Frebesk on the
Johanisberg; and the King remained beside Rokitna.
On the 14th, when the whole army had crossed the Alder,
the bridges were broken down.
Daun marched on the 11th to Sebranitz, on the 12th to
Hoenmath, on the 13th to Funitz, on the 17th he crossed the
Elbe near Pardubitz, and, on the 18th, arrived at Doberzenitz.
This army, after the junction of Buccow's corps, contained
81 battalions, and 126 squadrons.
Laudon advanced to Opotschua, and pushed forward ad-
vanced posts to Newstadt.
The King soon obtained information of this circumstance,
and advanced with seven battalions and two regiments of
hussars to Dobrezechowitz, while Fouquet, with his corps of
18 battalions and 30 squadrons, and the train of provisions,
marched to Dobruska to cut off Laudon's retreat by New-
stadt.
Laudon's advanced posts no sooner perceived the King's
troops than they reported it; but the Prussian hussars charged
almost at the same time with success, when Laudon, seeing
Fouquet's corps also advance, retreated to Reichenau, and
next day proceeded to Nachod.
General Putkammer, at the head of four battalions and 17
squadrons, marched to Upper Schwelsdorf. Schenkendorf,
accompanied by five battalions, one regiment of hussars, and
two squadrons, proceeded to Reinerz. General Kreutz led
four battalions and three squadrons to Hummel, and Fouquet
moved with four battalions and five squadrons to Nachod,
190
THE ELEMENTS OF
to receive the train from Konigsgratz, with which he marched
on the 19th to Glatz.
Laudon and Janus received news of the convoy, and ad-
vanced to attack it, but Fouquet's dispositions were so well
planned, that they could carry nothing into effect.
Fouquet, after delivering up the train at Glatz, returned
with 300 waggons of flour, delivered this charge also on the
22d at Lattorf, and remained there with four battalions and
five squadrons.
Of the rest of the corps, four battalions and 50 hussars,
coinmanded by Golz, went to Hammelberg, and four batta-
lions and 50 hussars to the neighbourhood of Reinerz.
Daun solely amused himself with reconnoitrings till the
21st, when the grenadiers were ordered on to the heights near
Chlom, and Colonel Wehla to Breshrad. On the 22d Gene-
räl Kalchny advanced to Schmirsitz, and after these prepara-
tions Daun altered his camp, so that it was now between
Urbanitz and Chlom, very near the Prussian army.
Keith, on information of this movement, detached three
regiments of dragoons opposite Schmirsitz, to cover the con-
voy which was expected from Nachod,
The convoy arrived safe next day in the camp, and brought
with it a reinforcement of four battalions and three regiments
of cavalry; Prince Wurtemberg also joined the army on the
same day, and the King's force then consisted of 51 battalions
and 119 squadrons.
Dauu, having taken a very strong position, could not easily
be attacked; and the King, in consequence, resolved to act
against the Russians.
Rebentisch marched off on the 25th with the baking train;
the baggage was collected, together in the evening, and the
army received orders to march on the ensuing day.
Colonel Wehla was, however, sent to attack the Prussians
as soon as Daun perceived what was going on in their camp.
One battalion was in this affair surrounded, but it forced
its way through the enemy, with the loss of 33 men killed, and
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
191
two guns, and one howitzer taken. One regiment maintained
the town, till the whole army had moved off, and the bridge
was broken down; it then retreated to the mountain Croaten,
and remained there till all the army was on its march.
The Prussians directed their route to Jassena; and their
rear-guard was attacked by the enemy, who was repulsed on
this occasion with loss.
The Austrian corps of grenadiers encamped opposite to
the Prussians on the heights of Ezernilas, but Daun remained
quiet in his position.
During the march of the King's army, General Rebentisch
repaired with the bakerỳ to Nachod; and Fouquet, being afraid
the Austrian's would intercept this convoy, attacked them.
The train then proceeded by Nachod to Glatz, whence it
again returned with flour to the army.
The road through Nachod might easily have been ren-
dered dangerous by Laudon; on which account the King de-
termined to attack him with six battalions, two regiments of
infantry, and three regiments of cavalry, and afterwards to
encamp near Newstadt.
General Lattorf marched at the same time with two regi-
ments, and all the victualling train, to Nachozan, where he
delivered it over to General Rebentish. Next day the
treasury followed, and all the rest of the baggage proceeded to
Nahozon, and remained there.
The King resolved to lay an ambuscade for the hasty at-
tacks of Laudon, and posted two regiments of hussars in the
wood of Jassena. But a few Austrian hussars only appeared,
some of whom were killed and others taken prisoners. The
Prussians then passed the Milau, and encamped near Tosse-
nitz. General Lattorf marched the same day to Scalitz.
In order to put a stop to the annoyance occasioned by the
skirmishing parties of General Janus, several troops were de-
tached, on which he retreated to Eunel.
The above march, performing by the royal army, excited an
apprehension in Daun that the Prussians would gain the Elbe,
192
THE ELEMENTS OF
remain in Bohemia as long as they pleased, and even open
the communication with that kingdom, in consequence of
which a strong corps was ordered to Schmirsitz.
The King's army were now joined by General Ziethen
with four squadrons and 2000 convalescents.
Daun, always anxious to press the King out of Bohemia,
never intended directly to attack, nor to run the risk of being
attacked; but as soon as he heard that the King purposed to
alter his position, he sent orders to Laudon to station himself
near Welsdorf, and commanded Wehla's corps to be placed
in the neighbourhood of Rostock, while the grand army en-
camped near Jaromirs. The grenadiers, however, remained
in the camp near Hazenowes. Daun's army now consisted of
126 squadrons and 75 battalions.
The King marched next day to Telleny; General Retzow,
who covered this march, advanced the same day to Kostelitz,
and the train was assembled to march on the next morning
to Politz.
Laudon, who now expected to gain some advantages, sent
next day a small corps forward to hazard an attack, if any
benefit seemed likely to arise from it; this was, however, soon
repulsed, with the loss of 140 men.
The train marched afterwards for Politz, but only reached
Hochsiehl, where the regiments of dragoons and cuirassiers
joined it.
The King encamped near Nachod, the head-quarters being
at Wissoka.
The remaining part of the train was sent from Nachod to
Glatz. Next day all the baggage and the dragoons marched
to Politz, to which place the King followed them.
This march was conducted in two columns, and covered by
General Fouquet, who occupied the bridge over the Nakaw,
as well as the heights near Nachod, and then followed the
army.
Laudon then advanced to Wuskosteliz, and Kalnoky to
Nachod.
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THE SCIENCE OF WAR. ·
193
}
7
The King rested on the following day; but Ziethen pro-
ceeded to Wernersdorf, and was followed by Generals Ret-
zow and Foucade with the baggage to Wilksdorf.
On the 7th the King's army went to Wernersdorf and Po-
litz, where it encamped.
.: General Retzow was detached, with a strong corps to
Hermsdorf, on information being received that the enemy had
advanced to Schazelar; the King's army followed on the 9th,
when Retzow proceeded to Zieder.
The King destined 14 battalions and 58 squadrons to ob-
struct the movements and cruelties of the Russians, which
force left the army in Silesia on the 10th.
It was commanded by the Margrave Charles. General
Fouquet joined on the same day General Ziethen's corps near
Halbstadt.
Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, had, in the meanwhile,
driven the French as far back as possible, though his army did
not contain more than 30,000 men. He now occupied a
fertile space of country, which provided his army with neces-
saries; but he had no fortresses.
England sent a reinforcement of most excellent troops,
amounting in number to about 12,000, who were embarked
on the 26th July.
The French army, on the other hand, received a new com-
mander, Mareschal Contades, who soon knew how to restore
the loss sustained near Crevelt. His army got new recruits,
and was soon 80,000 strong.
He advanced towards the allied army on the 10th,
camped near Cologne.
and en-
The Duke of Brunswick had, on the contrary, intended to
attack the French, and ordered, for this reason, the Duke
of Holstein and the Hereditary Prince, to
cross the
Erft on the 13th; but seeing that much advantage could not
be gained from it, he gave up the idea, and retreated to Nuis.
His rear-guard was on this occasion attacked, but the enemy
met with a repulse.
VOL. III.
194
THE ELEMENTS OF
The allied army drew almost all its supplies of provisions
from the country lying along the Meuse, aid was consequently
under the necessity of maintaining the possession of that river;
from which the French, on their part, endeavoured to force
them. The Duke therefore, in order to oppose the efforts
of the latter, ordered his army more to the right, and removed
his head-quarters to the neighbourhood of Bedburdick.
After consuming all the victuals here, the Duke thought fit
to retreat, commanded Roermudt to be retaken, and on
the 25th proceeded to Wasserburg; on the 29th he sent his
baggage to Rocrmudt, escorted by General Wangenheim's
corps; and on the same day received the disagreeable news of
Broglio having re-occupied Hesse, and beaten the Prince of
Isenburg near Sangershausen.
The French army, commanded by Soubise, was originally
intended to co-operate with the troops in Bohemia; but
having been reinforced by a body of 6800 Wurtemburgers,
that general resolved to attack the Prince of Isenburg, who
was stationed with 5000 men near Marburg; Broglio was
detached to pursue him; his retreat lay towards Cassel, but
sceing no place where he could take a strong position, he de-
termined to endeavour to force the enemy back by an action.
Eight battalions and two companies of infantry, one regi
ment and two squadrous of horse, the Hessian and Hano-
verian corps of hunters, and 14 guns, composed the Prince's
force. Broglio, commanded on the other side 14 battalions,
14 squadrons, and 28 pieces of ordnance.
The Prince took his position between the Fulda and Ellen-
burg. Broglio drew his corps up in array, as soon as he had
passed Sangershausen, under the protection of his artillery.
The Prince then advanced with his first line; but Broglio,
as soon as he approached, ordered the troops that enfiladed his
right flank, to be fired upon. One part of Broglio's cavalry
now charged and was repulsed; and another division was
thrown into confusion by the fire of a regiment of infantry.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
195
The Hessian cavalry advancing too rapidly to pursue them,
were, in their turn, compelled to fall back.
Prince Isenburg formed at this moment the resolution of
outflanking the left wing of the French; the movement occa-
sioned some disorder, by which Broglio, who had actually out-
flanked his adversary, was not slow to profit. He imme-
diately repelled the Hessians, and the whole of Isenburg's
corps fled with the loss of 1000 men, first to Minden, aud
next to Eimbeck.
•
Broglio proceeded to Cassel, where Soubise's army soon
after arrived.
This victory was of the greatest consequence to the French;
it made them masters of all Hesse, and left no choice to Duke
Ferdinand between a retreat and a battle, which the French,
on their part, most studiously avoided. The retreat across the
Rhine was therefore preferred, though, in itself, a very dan-
gerous experiment, as that river was so swoln as to render the
bridge near Rees impassable.
To make the situation of the allied army, if possible, more
critical, General Chevert was detached by the enemy to at-
tack General Imhoff, who was stationed near Meer to cover
the above-mentioned bridge.
Chevert marched to Dusseldorp, and thence by Muheim
and Ruhr to Wesel, which he reached on the 4th of August.
In the interim, Contades strove to press the allied army more
towards the Meuse, to hinder reinforcements from being sent
to Meer.
The Duke, to prevent this, encamped near Dulken; and
the French, who had been resolved to occupy this position,
stopped on a sudden, and retreated to Gladeback.
On the Sd a disposition was made by the Duke to attack
the French army, but it retreated: the bakery of the allied
army was then again established at Roermund; orders were,
however, soon after given to remove it to Wachlendonk; the
army immediately followed, and the Duke of Holstein covered
the rear-guard.
09
196
THE ELEMENTS OF
Wachtendonk was taken by assault, and the army and bag-
gage passed through it next day.
Roermund was then evacuated, and the troops there, toge
ther with the rear-guard, crossed the Niers by Wachtendonk.
The main army marched on the same day to Rheinbergen,
and the rear-guard to Xanten, by which movement the French
were suddenly cut off from Wesel.
Chevert, meanwhile received reinforcements from Wesel, to
assist him in attacking Imhoff, whom the Duke, though he
had been informed of the circumstances, could not support;
Imhoff, however, aware of the views of the enemy, ordered
his corps to join and march to Rees.
On the 5th, at day-break, there was nothing to be seen of the
enemy; Imhoff doubted the truth of the reports made to him,
and, in consequence, returned to Mecr.
No sooner, however, had he arrived there, than his corps
was attacked by the troops of Chevert, amounting to 10,000
men. His camp was inaccessible, though favourably situated,
but Chevert came up too late to make an assault on it; neither
did Imhoff await the French in his position; he advanced
boldly and attacked their lines. Chevert, whose chief atten
tion was directed against the left wing of the allies, sent ca-
valry to outflank it; Imhoff perceiving, on the other hand, that
the enemy had his left wing quite unprotected, ordered a bat-
talion to outflank him without firing, and only to advance
when he should commence his vollies with fixed bayonets.
The French were in this quarter so well and so resolutely at-
tacked, that they soon took to flight, losing 11 guns and 600
men, of whom 24 officers and 384 privates were made pri-
soners.
By this fortunate and well managed affair, the allies ob-
tained great advantages: securing the bridge of Rees and the
magazines near Emerick, as well as the retreat of the army.
Had Chevert's corps been stronger, all that superiority ex-
pected to accrue from his success would undoubtedly have
been produced; but Contades would on no account expose
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
197
A
his army, and by this means lost, on the other side, objects
more beneficial than even a proper disposition of his force
could have attained. Again, had Chevert only pushed for-
ward a small detachmant to Rees, the bridge and magazines
must have been inevitably destroyed; and the issue of the cn-
terprize, which he was sent to accomplish, would, in all pro-
bability, have been prosperous.
The Duke, observing that Imhoff's situation was, neverthe-
less, still dangerous, detached General Wangheim to support
him. His army then encamped near Xantem, and the Duke
of Holstein's near Sonsbeck. Next day the march was re-
newed, and, on the 7th, the allied forces arrived near
Griethausen.
On the 9th and 10th the bridges, constructed over the Rhine
in the neighbourhood of Elten and Griethausen, were crossed.
On the 11th the army stood near the former place, and the
bridges were then broken down.
Contades did not afterwards annoy the Duke during the
whole period of his retreat. The latter marched on the 8th
to Altenkvichen, and arrived, on the 10th, at Sonsbeck. The
French army crossed the Rhine on the 11th, and occupied
Dusseldorp. The Duke of Armentiers passed the same river
by the way of Wesel, and joined the army.
The Duke of Brunswick was now anxious to form a junction
with the new troops from England, in consequence of which,
the allied army encamped on the 11th near Millingen. At
Bockholt 200 English soldiers made good their junction, and,
by the 21st, the rest had arrived at the army.
The inactivity of Soubise, in not advancing towards Hano-
ver, will account for the Prince of Isenberg remaining un-
molested in the position which he took near Eimbeck.
General Fermor crossed the Warthe and passed Landberg after
the occurrence of the above stated operations, so as to have
all his army on this side of Landsberg by the 10th of August,
when his light troops were detached towards Custrin, Stettin,
and Colberg. General Dohna, receiving information of this
198
THE ELEMENTS OF
circumstance, sent off General Schorlemmer, with four bat-
talions and 16 squadrons of cavalry, to observe the Russians
near Custrin,
General Manteufel then rejoined the Prussian army; and
the Russians advanced to Kamin, about four miles distant
from Custrin.
On the 15th a Russian corps was pushed forward to oc-
cupy Custrin, and the whole army followed to second it,
General Schorlemmer was soon driven back; his cavalry
passed through the town, but the infantry encamped on the
Glacis.
The town, set on fire by the third shell, was, at nine o'clock,
in one complete blaze. The Russians then continued to annoy
the enemy with their shells, though only one was thrown every
quarter of an hour.
General Dohna removed his camp on the 16th to the vici
nity of Reitwen.
An attempt on the part of the Russians to cross the Oder,
was also frustrated by General Manteufel, with four battalions
and one battery.
The town was canonaded during the whole day, and on
the following, a kind of parallel and two batteries were raised;
but all these preparations had little or no effect in respect to
the works, for the ordnance of the fortress still played with
more than oi dinary vigour.
• On the 17th a capitulation was offered, but not accepted;
and the firing then ceased almost entirely upon both sides.
General Dohna encamped near Gurgast, and General
Schorlemmer was detached to stop the depredations of the
Cossacs.
On the 20th the suburbs were burned; and, on the 21st, the
King arrived with his army.
General Konitz was then to proceed to Writzen, to receive
the boats requisite to form the bridges; and General Manteufel,
to march opposite Schaumberg, and batter the enemy's forts
there; while the King reconnoitred the banks of the river.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
199
Prince Moritz reached Dohna's army with his troops on
the 22d. Fermor, not thinking of a battle, was only occu-
pied in endeavouring to take Custrin.
To deceive the spies, orders were issued that the army would
rest next day; but all the lieutenant-generals were afterwards
called to head-quarters, and the troops marched, at ten at
night, to that part of the bank opposite to Gustebise.
The van-guard was then conveyed across the Oder in small
boats, and a bridge was soon constructed. The army im-
mediately crossed the river, and arrived in the evening at
Zellin.
General Melackowsky encountered some Cossacs on his
route, and took 20 of them prisoners; by which circumstance
General Fermor obtained information of the King's march.
The siege was soon after raised, and the Russian army en-
camped with its right wing, on the Mutzel, between Kutzdorf
and Quartschen, the left on Drewitz-heath, Zorndorf in the
rear, and General Braun, with the artillery, on the right
flank.
The King chose the camp for his army near Newdamm. The
old bridge over the Mutzel was repaired, and several new
column-bridges constructed.
The Prussians then advanced to Kutzdorf, and occupied
Darınutzel. The bridges near this place were destroyed
during the night.
Fermor, perceiving that the King was not inclined to attack
him on the side of Kutzdorf, ordered his troops to face about,
and Braun's corps, in particular, to draw nearer Wilkersdorf.
In the night, however, he again altered his position, and
formed a square between Quartschen, Zicher, and Zorndorf,
the first named village being in the rear. The cavalry and
baggage were inclosed in the square, but the Cossacs were
on the outside.
At half past four o'clock on the 25th, the King's army
began its march; the infantry crossed the Mutzel, near the
&
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3
200
ZOW.
THE ELEMENTS OF
mill, and the cavalry by the bridge of Kersten; both formed
then in three columns, and proceeded on their route to But-
Here the heads of all the columns wheeled to the
right; four columns were next formed, and in this order the
army moved to Zorndorf. At this time, skirmishing parties of
Cossacs appeared, and even discharged their pistols at the
columns, who were ordered not to return the fire.
The King, having reconnoitred, and discovered that an attack
could not be easily made on the right flank of the Russians,
resolved to direct his efforts against the right flank of the
square. The army almost instantly formed. The left wing
stood now behind Zorndorf, and the right about 800 paces
from Wilkersdorf: this space was filled up with two regiments.
of dragoons and hussars; but the rest of the cavalry were
posted on the right wing. (Pl.
The artillery were disposed along the front, and, at nine
o'clock, the whole army was in array.
The van-guard then immediately advanced; the guns were
mounted, and commenced their fire, which was answered by
the Russian ordnance.
The Prussian artillery directed a concentric discharge ou
the Russian right wing, behind which the baggage and ca-
valry were placed; these were soon thrown into confusion,
and afterwards drawn out of the square, and formed in the
rear of it.
11.
After cannonading for some time, the van-guard again ap-
proached; the whole Prussian line advanced in front of Zorn-
dorf, and two more regiments of cavalry were sent to the
left wing. The King's plan was, that the van-guard should
attack and be supported by the left wing, while the right was
kept back. But the left wing soon aligned with the van-
guard, which was now without support; the cavalry being
too far back, and its proper left wing also too much advanced;
so that, after a few rounds, it was enfiladed by the enemy.
'The Russian cavalry perceiving this, advanced, and drove it,
without difficulty, back upon Zorndorf. General Termor
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
201
f
now commanded the right wing likewise to pursue, which
was obeyed with loud shouts of victory; but the Russians
had not advanced more than 200 paces, when their lines
were thrown into confusion.
General Seidlitz perceiving this, and the retreat of the
left wing, immediately advanced, and repulsed the Russian
horse; another division of his cavalry attacked the infantry,
and forced it likewise to give ground.
The Prussian cavalry who had repelled that of the
Russians, now returned from the pursuit, and charged their
infantry in flank; the consequence of which was an immense
effusion of blood. A regiment of horse, that had been
ordered to the right wing, likewise returned, and assisted these
to drive the enemy's infantry farther back.
By this furious onset, during which no quarter was given,
the whole of the Russian right wing was killed, wounded, or
thrown back into the marshes of Quartschen, and there the
confusion, beyond description, was terrible, being every mo-
ment increased by the dust occasioned by the Prussian ca-
valry.
The disorder became still more dreadful, for when the Rus-
sians reached their baggage, whole barrels of brandy and other
spirits were broken open, and drunk by the soldiers. The
officers knocked out the bottoms of many of the casks that the
liquor might run to waste; but this did not restrain the soldiers,
they threw themselves on the ground, and strove in this manner,
to quench their horrid thirst. No command was obeyed,
some of the officers were killed; and the men, mad with
drink and despair, acted the part of demoniacs. To restore
order was utterly impossible; but the King's aim was ful-
filled the right wing of the enemy was thrown into irrepa-
rable confusion.
At one o'clock the Prussian cavalry returned to Zorndorf,
in order to form again.
Meanwhile the brigades of the right wing, which had scarcely
ever advanced, received orders to attack the enemy's left.
200
THE ELEMENTS OF
J
The left wing was then kept somewhat back, that it might
aligne with the right; and the ordnance recommenced their
fire.
The Russian cavalry having now formed once more, and
being anxious to avail themselves of the present occasion,
endeavoured to sieze the batteries, and actually succeeded in
becoming masters of one.
The drivers, in attempting to make off with their horses,
occasioned the utmost confusion in one of the Prussian bat-
talions; by this accident the Russian cavalry strove to profit,
but one platoon discharged its pieces so well that they were
forced to retreat,
In the interim, some cavalry came up to render assistance,
and soon drove the Russians back to Ziecher, and into the
morasses bebind it. The Prussian infantry of the right wing
advanced also in the mean time upon the Russians.
Some of the battalions of the left wing saw the Russian
cavalry now advancing towards Wilkersdorf, but they re-
treated like cowards.
General Seidlitz, perceiving their dastardly conduct, advanced
with his cavalry, drove the Russians back to Quartschen;
and thus again restored the equilibrium.
The infantry of the right wing were at this time no less
busy in opposing the Russians; they quickly broke their lines
and drove them towards the Prussian cavalry, who immediate-
ly charged and forced them again back on the bayonets of the
infantry. Friends and foes were now mingled promiscuously
together, and the sword and bayonet were the only means of
destruction used in the fight; but these murderous weapons
were employed with such animosity and rage as was never
before exercised by one civilized nation against another.
It is only indeed to be ascribed to the wonderful adroit-
ness exhibited by the Prussians, in forming for the second
tine, that they were again soon able to resume order, to ad-
vance once more upon the Russians, and to drive them
*
*
t
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
203
to Darmutzel, Quartschen, and Zorndorf. Two Prussian
regiments came up with the enemy's baggage and made great
booty.
During this time the right wing had wheeled to the left;
while its cavalry advanced to cover the field of battle, and
drive off the Cossacs, whose cruelty in murdering the wound-
ed was beyond description.
The Russians fled in masses, irregularly formed, through
the fields between Darmutzel and Quartschen to Zorndorf
and Drewitzer-heath. All the Russians hastened to the Mut-
zel; but, the bridge being broken down, they were obliged to
stop, which saved them from a complete defeat. Some of
them, supported by a few guns, formed on the Gallow
grounds, and others behind Hoffruck, between Darmutzel
and Quartschen.
The King, finding that the enemy was again forming,
ordered five regiments to advance and attack him in front,
while General Raitter was to take him in flank. As these
troops approached towards the thicket, they perceived that
the Russians were occupied in endeavouring to save their bag-
gage and ordnance; and were themselves received with a
brisk fire. At last, on advancing towards the heights, such a
discharge of grape-shot was poured down upon them, that
they were forced to retire. Several times was the attack
repeated; but the battalions, always advancing most courage-
ously, were as often repulsed, till the arrival of night, when
they were ordered back, and formed with the whole army
order of battle, so that the right wing stood behind Quarts-
chen, and the left towards Zorndorf, where the cavalry were
posted.
in
The army remained in this position for the night, during
which period the dispersed battalions were re-assembled.
In the night the Russians also collected their scattered
forces, and encamped behind the marshes of Quartschen,
with Drewitzer-heath in the rear.
At day-break, some regiments again endeavoured to form;
4
204
THE ELEMENTS OF
which, being speedily accomplished, the Russians took a posi-
tion extending from Zorndorf almost to the sheep-fold on
Drewitzer-heath.
General Fermor then requested an armistice to bury the
dead, but this was refused.
The King, on the dawn of morning, reconnoitred the
Russians, and seeing their position, ordered his army to
draw up in array, near the marshes of Quartschen, with the
left wing on Wilkersdorf.
The Russians then commenced a strong cannonade; but it
being as vigorously returned, they retreated a short time
after they had ceased firing. To this a perfect silence suc-
ceeded, and the Prussians having now received their baggage
from Newdam, encamped with their left wing somewhat
farther back, near Zicher.
The Russians lost, in this battle, 21,529 in killed, wound-
ed, and prisoners; and the Prussians 11,390. The latter
took 103 pieces of ordnance, 27 stands of colours, a great
quantity of baggage, and the enemy's war treasury; 26 guns,
and several stands of colours, fell into the hands of the
Prussians.
The strength of the Prussian army was 32,760 men; the
Russians bad, on the contrary, 51,529, exclusive of 4000
that guarded the baggage near Kamin.
Though General Fermor conceived himself to be the con-
queror, it is, nevertheless, an undoubted fact, that the King
had twice as many trophies to boast of as the Russians; while,
both the retreat of the latter, and the future operations con-
ducted on each side, prove the victory to have belonged to
the Prussians.
During the night of the 26th, the Russians fell back upon
Kamin. In the course of the same night the Cossacs also
made an attack, accompanied with a loud whoop, and in
some degree drove in the Prussian advanced posts: on this,
the whole army took up arms, but the noise ceasing shortly
after it again laid them down. Towards midnight con
!
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
205
fused cries were once more distinctly heard; the King
then reconnoitred, and found that the enemy was marching
to Kamin. Orders were now given to the cavalry to pursue,
and to the infantry to march in several columns.
The Russians, in order to give the Prussian cavalry a warm
reception, mounted a great.battery on the heights of Wilkers-
dorf, which forced them to retreat; and a thick fog came on
soon after, which was so favourable to the Russians, that
they effected their retreat without any farther loss.
The Russian baggage was then sent to Landsberg, and
the corps of General Romantzow again approached, which
prevented the execution of any enterprise against it.
The King now detached General Bredow, to stop the
cruelties of the Cossacs, with two regiments of cavalry; and
afterwards another body of men to Lausitz to meet General
Laudon's corps.
On the 31st, the Russians retreated to Landsberg, and the
King sent some cavalry and artillery in pursuit of them; but
no advantages were gained. His Majesty then selected 15
battalions and 33 squadrons to return with him to Dresden,
where Daun's army had appeared. General Dohna still
commanded 21 battalions and 35 squadrons, to oppose the
Russian force.
The army of the German Empire attempted, in the middle of
July, to enter Saxony; it broke up from its camp near Saatz,
on the 20th, and marched to Brix, Bilin, and Tornau.
Prince Henry, who was more particularly opposed to this
army, detached several regiments, as soon as he received
notice of its movements, to cover Chemnitz, Zwickau, Halle,
and Leipsig.
Field Mareschal Daun advanced at the same time towards
Dresden; and Prince Henry, in order to protect that town,
encamped near the Elbe.
The intrenchment in the vicinity of Parsburg, was attacked
by the Prince's corps, to shew that he was endeavouring to
make his way into Bohemia. The right wing only, was engaged
206
THE ELEMENTS OF
on this occasion; for the left could not come up in time,
all the roads having been made impassable; the troops were
therefore forced to retire, and the Prussians lost, by the
failure of this attack 132 men in killed and wounded.
Prince Henry encamped, on the 11th, near Dipplodswalde,
from which General Kobblock was detached to the heights
of Maxen; and General Hulsen then encamped near Hil-
bertsdorf.
Prince Henry, who was anxious to cover as large a part
of Saxony as possible, stationed different divisions of his
army at Pirna, Maxen, Dippoldswalde, and Hilbersdorf.
The Austrians, endeavouring to draw a closer line of
boundary around the Prince's corps, crossed the Elbe near
Ausig, and occupied Altemberg, Bauenstein, Falkenheim,
Schillershaus, Frauenstein, Sachssenfeld, Schmiedeberg, and
Chemnitz. The army of the Empire marched on the 17th
to Peterswalde and Schoenwalde, where it formed a camp.
Trautmansdorf and Haddick, however, took their positions
near Schandau and Cotta, after occupying the defiles in
the neighbourhood of Gishubel and Gotlaube.
Prince Henry now likewise changed his position for Great
Sedlitz, Dohna, Maxen, and Gamich.
Daun, on the 20th, arrived at the camp near Gorlitz, and,
in conjunction with the Imperial army, resolved on nothing
less than the complete destruction of all Prince Henry's
troops; but the Prince escaped by a ruse de guerre, sending
General Mitrowky back on his parole to the Austrians, with-
out letting him know any thing of the movements which
were to be executed as soon as he departed.
The enemy, in the meanwhile, took Sonnenstein and 1442
prisoners; this place was very badly defended by the com
mandant, especially as the Prince's ariny was so very near.
The Prince's troops then changed their position, and forti-
fied and occupied all the passes leading to their new one in
such a manner, that they could easily retreat to the other
side of the Elbe and to Dresden, as soon as Daun should
THE SCIENCE OF WAR,
207
1
make any effort against them, or cross the Elbe near Meissen.
As this did not, however, appear to be Daun's intention, the
Prince returned to his former camp near Dresden.
Daun, who had really determined to restore freedom to
Saxony, manœuvred slowly towards Lausitz, and the Mar-
grave Charles, who conceived that this was only a feint,
did not oppose his movements, but only sent some detach-
ments to observe and hinder him from entering Silesia. He
at last, when Daun's army appeared near Zittau, removed his
camp from Grissau to Landshut, which position, however, he
again left on the 28th of August, and marched to Fischbeck,
On the 23d this army arrived at Lowenberg; General Laudon
was then ordered to New Mark, but General Ziethen, who
was sent to oppose him, reached Lieberon on the 31st, and
thus covered New Mark,
Mareschal Daun had in the meanwhile determined to exe-
cute his plan in respect to Saxony, and to attack Prince Heury
in front; while the army of the Emperor should take him m
the rear.
When he arrived near Massen, however, he learned that
the Russians had been beaten, and that Laudon, opposed
by a great force, could not advance. It being impossible
for Daun to occupy Dresden in sight of Prince Henry's
army, he thought proper, under those circumstances, to give
up his plan of attacking him. The Prince, on his side, resolved
to march first to Radeberg, and then to Stolpen, of which
movement the Imperial army was duly informed.
The attack on Prince Henry's corps was now fixed for the
18th, but the Duke of Deux Ponts was not aware that this
corps would soon be joined by the grand army, and in con-
sequence the execution of this enterprize was postponed till the
11th, when news suddenly arrived that the "King approach-
ed:" this again afforded sufficient matter for reflection to
Daun, and again compelled him to change his determination,
to which effect, notice was immediately transmitted to the
Duke of Deux Pouts.
The King left Custin on the Sd of August, and arrived on
3
208
THE ELEMENTS OF
the 5th at Great Dobritz. On the 2d General Zeithen joined
Prince Francis's corps, and, on the 9th the King's army, near
Great Hain. In the night of the same day, the Margrave
Charles arrived there from Silesia. This corps had pursued
General Laudon on its march, and made about 260 prisoners.
The Prussian troops, commanded by Keith, under the in-
spection of the King, advanced from Reichenback, towards
Dresden; and it was then found necessary that Laudon, who
occupied the road through Bantzen, should be pushed back.
The King, therefore, sent Retzow to reconnoitre Laudon's
position, and proceeded to the other side of Dresden to
Prince Henry, from whom he returned in the evening.
He, next day, placed himself at the head of a corps, and ad-
vanced to Fischbeck, to attack Laudon in the rear. Retzow
marched at the same time to Little Roschdorf to take him in
flank, and the main army was ordered to follow as soon as
it might be requisite. Laudon, though he had just received
reinforcements, retreated towards Daun's left wing, so that
there were only 360 Croats taken prisoners.
After this attack nothing occurred, except a few slight skir
mishes with the Croats, and both armies remained quiet till
the 26th of September.
The operations in Silesia were, in the mean while very slowly
conducted by the Austrian generals, in regard to Fouquet's
corps, for though this was not above 4000 strong, nothing but
skirmishes took place.
Daun now determined to relinquish his designs on Dresden,
to assist the generals in Silesia, and to prevent the King from
supporting Fouquet. Orders were, therefore, issued to Ge-
neral Laudon to take a position near Pikau and Bischoffs-
werda; and to General Colloredo, to support him.
The King, who was not acquainted with this movement, re-
solved to encamp himself with his army near Bischoffswerda,
on the right flank of the Austrians.
Retzow formed the van-guard with his corps, in two columns,
and the King followed soon after in the same order. The lat
ter, finding that the position adjoining Bischosswerda was oc-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
209
cupied, took a camp near Haus, and Keith encamped close
upon Arensdorf, to defend the road to Dresden.
On the 17th the King recommoitred, and a slight engage-
ment occurred, but it soon terminated in a cannonade.
On the 28th the ammunition and bread waggons were
again sent to Dresden.
The King, still bent upon attacking Laudon, and re-opening
the road to Bautzen, ordered three corps to march out for that
purpose, but the Austrians retreated before they could come
near enough. His Majesty then encamped near Bischoffs-
werda, in four lines, and both armies in the vicinity of this
village were thus brought within half a mile of each other.
The following day, General Retzow was detached, with 14
battalions and 30 squadrons, to occupy Bautzen, which he
reached on the next.
The flank of Daun's army being placed in a rather danger-
ous situation, General O'Kelly was commanded to take pos-
session of the heights near Dribitz, with four battalions.
In the interval, the Imperial army stood quite close to
Pirna, and was endeavouring to procure a sufficient supply of
provisions.
General Retzow having arrived at Bautzen, General Wehla
immediately marched to Hochkirck to cover the road to Lo-
bau; General Retzow then changed his position, and posted
his corps on the right bank of the rivulet Lobau, having
Stromberg in front. This mountain, which is very exten-
sive, and commands all the surrounding country, was occupied
by cavalry posts and Croats, who used to fall back at night
upon the
camp.
Waggons were now sent to Dresden for flour, that the
troops might not be straitened while occupying the road to
Zittau, and endeavouring by this movement to force Daun
back into Bohemia.
Upon this Daun changed his position, and encamped on
the 5th near Krutzen, after receiving reinforcements from the
army of the Empire.
VOL. III.
P
1
210
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
{
General Bulow went on the 6th to Dresden, to fetch pro-
visions for nine days, and to establish magazines thereof in
Bautzen.
The King, who had obtained intimation of the Austrian
march, determined to attack the rear-guard; but the Prussians
were on this occasion repulsed by the Croats and some ca-
valry, with the loss of 700 men.
The King then marched to Bautzen, and was followed by
Keith on the 9th, and the convoy on the 10th.
On this day his Majesty moved likewise to Hochkirck in
four columns. The Austrians, who attacked his baggage, took
18 waggons, but they lost 31 men, besides a field officer.
The right wing of the King's camp in the neighbourhood of
Hochkirck stood on the heights to the right of that village, and
was inclosed by a deep morass. Three battalions formed the
right flank, and in front there were two light battalions and two
regiments of cavalry to cover that wing. The village was
occupied by three battalions; to the left of it followed four
regiments of cavalry and four battalions, and two other bat-
talious composed the left flank extending towards Rodewitz.
To these were added three additional battalions, which were
appuied as to their left on a defile.
At the other side of the defile five battalions were encamped,
two of which, and two companies exclusive, constituted the
left flank.
3
Two companies and one battalion were posted on the heights
of Old Kostiz, to maintain a free communication with Retzow's
corps. In Niethen there was one buttalion, and one likewise
in Kuppritz. The foot hunters were stationed in Lauseke,
one battalion occupied Walvitz, and another Rodewitz.
The rest of the cavalry were encamped in the second line.
The left wing was also covered by a morass.
General Retzow's corps still remained in the same position;
but he, having neglected to occupy Stromberg, was arrested
by the King. From this corps a squadron was drawn, and
stationed behind Lauscke.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
211
4.
3
The Austrian camp, opposite to the King's position, was
not only favourably situated, but likewise overlooked and com-
manded the royal army.
The right wing stood behind Nostitz, and thence extended
to Breitendorf, and the left at the back of Lehna, opposite
to Hochkirch. The Croats were posted in frout of the latter.
Stromberg was occupied by five battalions; General Ester-
hazi stood with his corps opposite to General Retzow, and all
the surrounding woods were beset with Croats.
An attack was first determined to be made on Stromberg;
but the enemy there being afterwards thought too strong, it
was postponed.
On the 11th, Keith arrived with his corps, and the convoy of
provisions in the camp of the royal army.
The Austrians, endeavouring to attack him, had been re
pulsed, with the loss of 2 or 3000 men.
Two battalions of Keith's corps were then quartered in
Pommeritz; two other battalions were ordered to the right
wing, and the dragoons encamped behind the cavalry, in the
third line.
Six battalions and five squadrons remained in Bautzen,
commanded by the Prince of Hesse.
Between the Imperial army, and Prince Henery's, the only
events that took place were, a few skirmishes, the capture of
about 200 prisoners, and the destruction of the magazine of
: Hilbersdorf by the Prussians.
During this time the Swedish troops, commanded by the
Duke of Hamilton, moved by Prenzlow towards the Oder, to
join the Russian army, but Montalembert, who was with him,
rather wished that he should join the French. Hamilton halted
on his route, and soon after heard of the battle of Zorndorf.
The want of provisions, and, indeed, every thing else re-
quisite for conducting vigorous operations, the orders which
the Swedish generals received from the councils of the Ein-
pire, their own ignorance of all military affairs, and the im-
politic arrangement which subjected every undertaking to the
5
P 2
212
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
decision of a council of war, are the leading reasons why the
Swedish army never accomplished any memorable enterprise.
It was at this time in its power easily to have plundered
Berlin, and levy heavy contributions, in consequence of which,
General Wedel was sent as soon as possible to oppose it. The
Swedish troops seized the magazines at Zehdenick, by which,
they were saved for some weeks from famine.
Three hundred Prussian dragoons expelled 2,500 Swedes
from this town; and a foraging party was afterwards taken,
without a single man escaping.
Some infantry that supported it, defended themselves, how-
ever, most courageously, and formed a square, which the
Prussian cavalry could not penetrate, though several of them
broke frequently through certain lines, and hewed down many
of the men that composed them.
At Fehrbellin, Wedel made 200 prisoners; but on the ar-
rival of reinforcements, he was forced to retreat, and had 80
of his men killed. The Swedish loss amounted to about 460
killed, wounded, and prisoners.
The Russian general, was in the meanwhile anxious to
shew, that in spite of the inactivity of his army after the
battle of Zorndorf, he knew how to profit by his victory, and
therefore resolved to reduce Colberg.
This town was well supplied with provisions, stores, and
ammunition, but it had only a garrison of 800 militia.
Dohna's army, which was not more than from 12 to 14,000
strong, could have scarcely prevented this blow, nor did he
receive notice of Fermor's march towards Colberg till the
25th.
General Palmbach was commanded to lay siege to Col
berg with about 300 men, 14 cannon, and six schuwalows
General
and his corps was covered by all the Russian army.
Dohna came up
with the latter near Passkrug, where a strong
cannonading took place, but the loss on both sides was very
small.
Two battalions, detached by the Duke of Revern to rein-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
213
force the garrison, were compelled to fall back upon Camin,
having been attacked by a superior force; the passage by wa-
ter was also impossible, on account of a Russian armed
vessel.
Palmbach took ground on the 3d, before Colberg, and sum-
moned the place to capitulate, which was refused.
The inhabitants offered, with great spirit, to take up arms,
and defended the town in the bravest manner: 130 of the
militia of the garrison were joined to the artillery, consisting
at first of only one commissioned, and four non-commissioned
officers, and 14 privates.
On the 4th, the enemy bombarded the town, and again pro-
posed terms of surrender, which being likewise rejected, the
trenches were opened in the following night.
The Prussians returned the fire with effect, and the enemy
sustained considerable loss.
Palmbach, however, received orders suddenly on the 8th of
October to raise the siege, although two regiments of infantry
and cavalry had been that day commanded to reinforce his
corps.
The town was then once more called upon in vain to accede
to the propositions made, and, after a heavy fire, the Russians
withdrew; but when they were about eight miles distant from
the place, General Jacoblef came up with reinforcements,
and ordered the siege to be continued.
The commander of the French army on the Rhine was,
during these transactions, desirous, after the arrival of the re-
inforcements at the allied army, to join Soubise's corps.
Contades marched on the 19th from the Wesel to Scherm-
beck, covering his movements as much as possible by detach-
ments, and sent at the same time directions to Soubise to
form a junction with the French army in Westphalia.
The Duke of Brunswick, as soon as he received notice of
this circumstance, advanced to Letthen, and pushed forward
corps to Hatten, Born, Reckum, and Lembeck.
214
THE ELEMENTS OF
Soubise advanced in the mean time to Zweeren, and Prince
Iseuberg on the 1st of September to Gottingen,
Here nothing particular occurred, except a few skirmishes
between the light troops, in which the allies generally gained
the advantage.
The French army afterwards received a reinforcement of
from 8 to 10,000 Saxons, commanded by Prince Xaver.
Soubise, not being at this time able to join Contades, en-
deavoured to draw the Duke from his position, and, therefore,
assembled a corps near Gottingen.
Ferdinand soon saw that Cassel was not sufficiently covered,
and made false operations towards Hameln to unite with
Isenberg's corps; this was, however, only carried into execu-
tion by a part of his troops, the rest marching to Warburg to
repel General Du Mesnel.
Soubise was speedily aware of his error, and fell back upon
Gottingen.
General Oberg arrived on the 26th near Cassel; but his
slow and protracted march, as well as his indolently conducted
operations, prevented him from accomplishing his design,
which could not indeed be soon done, as Soubise came also
the next day into the vicinity of the same town.
Contades receiving information of what had happened, de-
tached the Duke Fitzjames, with 31 battalions and 34
squadrons, to reinforce Soubise, and encamped near Ham.
Duke Ferdinand, who was not long in discovering the plan
of the French, marched on the 9th to Munster. General
Oberg, on the other hand, desirous to bring on an engage-
ment with Soubise, removed his camp to the neighbour-
hood of Sandershausen.
Soubise, in the mean time, only awaited his reinforcements,
which at last arrived on the 8th and 9th.
He then reconnoitred Oberg's camp, and perceiving that it
might be attacked in the rear, resolved to do so the next day.
General Oberg, aware of the design formed by the French,
retreated. Early in the morning, Broglio's corps had, how-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
215
ever, discovered this movement, and sent instant notice of it
to Soubise, detaching in the mean time six guns, and the gre-
nadiers, to attack the enemy.
Oberg then formed to oppose this attack: his right wing was
covered by the Fulda, but his left was exposed, and might have
been outflanked. The hunters of his corps, posted on the
left wing and in the woods, were first assailed, but they re-
pulsed the French.
Chevert marched at three o'clock in the afternoon to outflank
the allics on the left wing, and Oberg, perceiving his intention,
detached some troops immediately to frustrate it. The battle
commenced with a cannonade, and the two regiments on the
left wing of Oberg's corps were then attacked by Chevert.
Soon after the centre of the allied corps was likewise attacked,
and both efforts succeeded; but Oberg was able to retreat to
Munden before the other corps of the enemy's force could
come up with him. The arrival of night brought this en-
gagement to a close, in which the allies lost 1210 men, 28
guns, five colours, three standards, and a considerable quantity
of ammunition, and the French about 1500 men.
Daun, who had his position opposite to the King's, re-
solved to attack him, being further encouraged to execute this
project by Lacey, Laudon, and other generals, who likewise
presented to him a plan for surprising the Prussians.
The day prior to the impending battle, the King reconnoitred
the neighbourhood of Weissenburg, with the view of removing
his
camp thither by night, in two days after, or as soon as his
convoys should arrive.
The Austrian army moved on the 14th into its camp, but
marched off at sun-set in four columns, to reach, during the
night, a certain place, towards the right flank of the Russians.
Three columns were appointed to attack the right flank of the
Prussian army, and General Laudon, to make his assault from
Steindorsel. The left wing of the King's army, was to be at-
tacked by Prince Aremberg, and General Kolloredo, was
stationed with his corps behind Kohlwesa. Stromberg was
216
THE ELEMENTS OF
likewise strongly occupied, and two battalions and two squa
drons were posted near Plotzen, to prevent the Prussians from
attacking Daun's army in flank.
The Austrian light troops had regularly attacked the Prus-
sians every night, but they had also been invariably repulsed
by a few cannon shots,
On the 14th, a firing was heard from the Prussian light
battalions, which soon greatly increased.
Three other battalions immediately took up arms, and had
scarcely formed, when they were assailed in front and rear;
they, however, fought most courageously, and by this means
the whole army was alarmed, and formed directly.
Several regiments engaged, and repulsed the Austrians, but
being always taken in front and rear, they were, in turn, forced
to retire.
The Austrians afterwards attacked the heavy battery, and
had already gained the heights of Hochkirck and taken it,
when the King commanded three regiments again to advance.
In the mean time one battalion drew up in order in the
church-yard, another in the gardens of Hochkirch, a third
attacked the Austrians near the battery, which they had just
taken, and two more soon followed, commanded by Keith.
This attack succeeded; but the troops were, ere long, sur-
rounded, and compelled to force their way at the point of the
bayonet. At this movement, four regiments of cavalry ad-
vanced, and killed a great number of the Austrians; but the
horsemen of the latter being at the rear of the assailants, all
the regiments were quickly taken in flank.
Hochkirch was still defended, but Daun led against it se-
ven new regiments; and the Prussian battalions, having con-
sumed their cartridges, retreated.
7
of
Of the King's army, nine battalions and four regiments
cavalry, had hitherto only been engaged; the rest of the
horsemen were mounted, but could not perceive the enemy on
account of a thick fog.
The Austrians, who had taken Hochkirch, were again
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
217
+
attacked by two regiments of infantry, and obliged to leave
it, and three regiments of cavalry also charged with effect;
but yet the latter were not able to maintain the advantage,
fresh Austrian corps coming always on their flank, and driv-
ing them back, nor could the Austrian cavalry be prevented
from charging the two regiments of Prussian infantry.
Hochkirch was retaken by the enemy, and the King then
brought up two regiments in person to the attack: they ad-
vanced to the right of Hochkirch, were likewise taken in flank
and rear, and forced to retreat.
The fog was now dispersed, and the Austrian generals
endeavoured to collect their troops, which were marching
about in confused masses, in order to bring them into line.
Two battalions and one regiment of Prussians then receiv-
ed orders to occupy the heights near Dresa, which there was cer-
tainly time to do, that the King's retreat by that place might
not be cut off. Here the troops gradually assembled in
greater numbers, and the heights were maintained against the
attacks of the Austrians. The King afterwards formed a new
line extending from Dresa by Pemmeritz to Kupritz, in the
rear of which the cavalry were stationed. In this position' a
strong fire of artillery was established, and the King only
waited for Retzow's corps to attack the enemy again.
Daan, perceiving a well-formed army drawn up to oppose
him, gave the word "halt," and stood with his left wing
stretching from Hochkirch to Steindorsel, and the heights on
the left of that village, and his cavalry on the left wing, in
which position he quietly expected news of the attack of
Aremberg's and Durlach's corps.
Of the left wing of the Prussian army, one battalion was
posted on the heights of Radewitz, one covered the defile
near that village, one a battery of 22 guns, and the rest were
still in their former place when they were attacked. Arem-
berg's corps was 30 battalions strong: his first effort was to
pass the defile near Koditz with one column, but the Prus-
sians repelled him. The other column drove the Prussians
18
THE ELEMENTS OF
out of Lauseke by surprise. The two Prussian battalions
stationed before Rodewitz retired, and the enemy was thus
able to attack the great battery in the rear. The battalion
which covered it, and another which had joined this, were
then assailed on all sides. The Duke of Aremberg, who
had by this time passed Rodewitz, attacked a post occupied by
two battalions and one regiment of hussars; these retreated,
and the latter fell into the hands of the enemy, although sup
ported by a regiment of cavalry.
The hunters who had been in Luseke only escaped being
made prisoners; but their number did not exceed 80. The
enemy then attacked the two battalions posted near the great
battery; these retreated by Rodewitz, and thus the battery
was lost.
Prince Durlach, who should have attacked Retzow's
corps, received orders to join the King as soon as the enemy
appeared on his flank. Two regiments of his cavalry, how-
ever, charged the Austrians, and took 65 prisoners.
Prince Moritz retreated with the van-guard by Nechern
across the rivulet Lobau; and an attack made by the enemy to
hinder this movement was repulsed. His force being too
weak, either to form a junction with the King's, or to cut its
way through the enemy, he marched to Burschwitz. On
arriving there, he found the Austrian cavalry plundering the
baggage: he stopped their depredations, drove them back to
Steindorsel, and then placed his corps on the heights of
Dresa.
General Retzow, in the mean while, passed the Lobau near
Groeditz. His corps was pursued by Durlach's light troops;
but they, as well as the whole body of the enemy, were pre-
vented from advancing by the fire of the Prussian ordnance,
and retrograded on Weiche. Retzow, having passed the
Lobau, the King ordered a retreat, which was effected in
the best order; while the Austrians, in timid expectation,
were anxious to lose sight of the fugitives.
The cavalry covered the retreat of the Prussians behind
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
219
I
Little Bautzen and Burschwitz. Retzow's corps was rein-
forced by eight battalions, and then retreated likewise to the
Spitz mountains, where the whole Prussian army encamped.
Daun now retired to his camp at Kitlitz, and detached
Prince Durlach to Weissenberg, and a party of Croats and
horsemen to Dresa, Wurschen, and Kannewitz.
The King's army may be estimated as having amounted to
27,360 men, of whom 9000 were either killed or wounded.
The Austrians took 101 pieces of ordnance, 28 stands of
colours, two standards, almost the whole camp, and the
greater part of the Prussian baggage.
Daun employed himself, during the interval, in dispatching
'couriers to the various courts with the news of his brilliant
success.
The Empress of Austria honoured him, on the anniversary
of his victory, with a most gracious epistle, returned him
thanks for the glorious deposit of blood-stained colours with
which he had favoured her, and sent him a hat and sword
consecrated by the Pope, which were possessed of so remark-
able a virtue, that Daun never gained another battle from the
heretic, during the whole war.
In the midst of these rejoicings, this general, however,
forgot to pursue his advantages, and the consequence was,
that the King received his convoy from Dresden without its
having been ever attacked.
Daun ordered his camp to be more strongly intrenched.
The King endeavoured to restore his losses, and directed
Prince Henry to join him with five battalions, eight squa-
drons, and 12 heavy 12-pounders. On the 20th, he reached
Bautzen, with one column, and the other, which had marched
more to the left, and the baggage, arrived the same day
within eight miles of that place.
Meanwhile General Harsh made vigorous preparations for
the siege of Neisse. The Prussians left Pomerania and
Silesia, and arrived at Reetz, on the 18th; and the Swedeş
retreated, after the 11th, to Boitzenburg. The corps under
1
1
220
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
Dohna and Wedel could, therefore, now be recalled, and
only eight battalions were left to oppose the remaining
Swedes.
The King had now to give protection to Dresden as well
as Neisse; both fortresses being equally valuable in respect to
covering his operations and protecting his country.
The sick of the Prussian army were conveyed to Dresden,
and the baggage to Hoyerswerda and Glogau ;
the baking
train proceeded along the Spree to Kummerau. Daun, who
was informed of this circumstance, could easily conclude that
the King would soon march also, but where, it was more dif
ficult to conjecture; for he did not believe, that his Majesty
would march to Gerlitz, as the Austrians occupied that road.
On the 21st he, however, unexpectedly perceived the King's
army in the rear of his own, and in full possession of that
road. The march commenced on the evening of the sail
day, and in the evening of the following they arrived at the
camp near Ullersdorf. The baking train reached Jenkeudorf
at the same time.
The Austrians, immediately on the evacuation of Bautzen
by the Prussian army, occupied it, and found there several
wounded officers.
Daun merely sent a small corps to pursue the King's
troops, nor did he even detach General Esterhazy to observe
the movements of the Prussians till the next afternoon.
The King marched at three o'clock on the succeeding
morning towards Gorlitz, in order to gain this town before the
arrival of the Austrians. Near the Landknone he encountered
Esterhazy's corps, and ordered a regiment of hussars to engage
it till reinforcements should arrive, with which, when they
came up, he resolved to attack and surprise the enemy.
The Austrian horse grenadiers, the most courageous troops
of the Empire, made an immediate attack, and the hussars
gave ground, though they afterwards returned to the fight,
when the reinforcements assaulted the enemy in flank and
rear. The Austrians retreated at last, with the loss of 496
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
221
prisoners. The Croats, who occupied Gorlitz, abandoned it
likewise; and the King's army encamped with the left on that
place, and the right on Ebersbach.
Daun arrived, on the 26th, near Gorlitz, and thence de-
tached some corps to annoy the King as long as possible, and
to prevent the raising of the siege of Neisse. General Harsh
was also reinforced with nine battalions, ten companies of
grenadiers, and three regiments of cavalry.
The King's army crossed the Neisse in the night, by pon-
ton and pole bridges.
Laudon attacked the rear-guard, but did not succeed; nor
were he and General Wehla more fortunate, after they had
joined their corps.
The King, on arriving at Lauben, determined to divide his
army, and to conduct 29 battalions and 68 squadrons himself
to Neisse; while Prince Henry, with 21 battalions and 45
squadrons, was to march by Herschberg.
Laudon attacked the van-guard; but the King's army,
though it suffered a long cannonade, arrived at Lowenberg
without losing a man, and Prince Henry's troops as safely
at Greiffenberg. Next day the column of pontoniers was
attacked by Laudon's corps and about 70 men were killed.
The King reached Schweidnitz with his army on the 3d;
and Prince Henry arrived at Landshuth, the following day.
General Harsh, as soon as he heard of the approach of
the King's troops, ordered his heavy ordnance to be dis-
mounted, drawn out of the trenches, and conveyed to Zuck-
mantel; and his army, now consisting of 30,000 men, pre-
pared also to retreat.
The garrison made, in the mean time, a sally on the
trenches, and took 458 prisoners, losing only 27 men in
killed, wounded, and missing.
The King came on the 6th to Munsterberg, where he
received intelligence of Harsh's retreat; and also of the
march of General de Ville, with a strong corps, of 10 compa-
222
THE ELEMENTS OF
nies of grenadiers, 16 battalions of foot, six regiments of
cavalry, and two pulks of Ulans, to Troppau.
Daun, finding that he could not prevent the raising of the
siege of Neisse, resolved to retrograde upon Dresden and
reduce that town.
The Prussian corps in Saxony retired also, at this time, to
Dresden, to wait for the reinforcements of General Dohna.
The commandant of Dresden was informed of the inten-
tions of the enemy, and had his garrison reinforced, so that
it at present consisted of nine battalions and 500 convalescents.
The baggage was collected on the 9th, in the Osterweise,
from which a ponton bridge was made over the Elbe.
At two o'clock, Daun's troops began to move; and in the
meanwhile, the Prussian baggage passed the bridge, followed
by the army.
General Meyer opposed the advance of the enemy into the
suburbs, and retreated again.
The burning down of the suburbs had been several times.
notified, and was early in the morning of the 10th carried
into execution. Daun appeared surprised at the event, and
sent a messenger to General Schmettau, the commandant.
The general answered, that he would defend the town to the
utmost, and even reduce it, if necessary, to ashes.
General Dolina arrived on the 22d at Hargard; and Palm-
bach, who had again commenced the siege of Colberg,
began to construct galleries across the ditches, so early as the
25th.
Dohna detached immediately General Wopersnow, with
five battalions, one regiment of infantry, and three squadrons
of cavalry, to raise the siege: this detachment advanced to
Greifenberg, and took there 134 prisoners. On the 28th it
reached Golzlieb hagen and Spie. But Palmbach, having in
vain endeavoured to get the fortress into his power, both by
capitulation and assault, raised the siege, and retreated on
the 1st of November. The Russian army went on the 3d,
into winter quarters at Tempelburg.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
200
Dohna, after rejoining Wopersnow, arrived on the 1st of
November at Stettein, and thence proceeded to Berlin.
General Wedel surprised, in the mean time, a Swedish de-
tachment at Hazfeld, took 170 prisoners and 300 horses, and
then marched to Berlin, where he arrived on the 31st.
Daun detached General Haddick, during these procced-
ings, to reduce Torgau, where one of the largest Prussian
magazines was established.
The commandant, Colonel Grollman, advanced with 300
men towards Haddick, who, by this means, induced to halt,
sent notice of the circumstance to Wedel, which general was
only three miles distant from him.
Dohna's army arrived at noon at Eulenburg, where the
bridges had been broken down by the enemy: two regiments
of cavalry, however, crossed the Mulda by a ford, and occa-
sioned him a loss of 250 men; after which General Haddick
again retreated.
The King was, meanwhile, advancing to Dresden, the
siege of which place Daun had raised on the 16th. On that
day the royal army was at Gorlitz, and Ziethen was detached
to observe Laudon.
The King came on the 20th to Dresden, where the corps,
which had accompanied him, and which consisted of eight
battalions and three regiments of cavalry, arrived next day.
Daun fell back afterwards to Zwickau, having previously
destroyed the fortifications of Sonnensteim, near which place
the King's army took winter quarters.
General Fouquet, who commanded in Silesia, encamped
near Lindewise, after Generals Haddick and De Ville had
established winter quarters.
Kosel, which had been blocked up since July, was now
left
open by Fouquet, who, after a few skirmishes, with the
troops under De Ville, retired into winter quarters.
De Ville resolved to fix his quarters in Silesia, and cut off
Fouquet's supplies of forage; but, on the latter receiving some
224
THE ELEMENTS OF
reinforcements, the operations of the season were ended by
both parties.
General Dohna's army marched afterwards again from
Saxony, and arrived, on the 1st of December, at Ribinitz.
The Swedes were forced, after several skirmishes, in which
they lost a number of prisoners, to retreat to Stralsund,
Demmin was then taken, with 1775 prisoners; and
Anklam also, with 1411 men, who were made prisoners.
The Swedish army established its winter quarters in Rugen.
The French army now appeared to have regained all the
superiority over the allies, which had been formerly wrenched
from it by Oberg's loss. A little advantage was, however,
obtained on Chevert, whose corps, was to have been surprised
at Soest; but it saved itself by an early retreat, so that only
260 prisoners fell eventually into the hands of the allies.
Contades removed his camp from Ham to Wambeln; and
Oberg joined the allied army, which had taken so favourable
a position, that Contades, despairing of success, should he
attack it, resolved to endeavour to draw the troops out of it
by a diversion.
The Duke of Armentieres was detached to make an at-
tempt to take Munster by surprise; but he retreated again the
day after he reached it.
The Duke of Brunswick broke up from his camp, on the
25th, and arrived with all the allied army, on the 30th, at
Munster.
Contades, then retired to Wesel, and established his winter
quarters between the Rhine and the Meuse. The Duke fol-
lowed the example, and fixed the winter quarters of his army
in Munster, Paderborn, and Osnaburg. Soubise, after some
skirmishes, fell back with his troops upon Marburg, and took
up his winter quarters behind it.
Prince Isenburg then advanced, and occupied the towns
evacuated by the French.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
}
225
鄘
​REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1759.
The King had concluded an armistice with the Austrians, by
which it was decided, that skirmishing should not commence
before the 17th of March; and, in the mean time, the Prus-
sian army, which wanted 30,000 men, the Austrian army,
which was 36,000 short, and the allied army, were com-
plcted.
The King of Prussia received £700,000 subsidy from
England; and the Duke of Hesse engaged to maintain
12,020 foot, and 6992 horse, which rendered the allied
army altogether about 60,000 strong.
Soubise, in the mean time, took Frankfort by a stratagem,
and, being afterwards recalled to France, was there appointed
to the office of Minister of State, and was succeeded in the
command of the army by Broglio.
The Prussian army, in Saxony, took Erfurt, and advanced
as far as Fulda, raising, every where, heavy contributions.
Prince Isenburg sent, in the interim, some detachments of
his corps against the enemy, which took Vach and Hirsch-
feld, and then resumed their winter quarters.
General Wopersmau was likewise ordered to destroy the
Russian magazines in Polonia, Possen, Friedland, and along
the Wartha.
Duke Ferdinand was occupied in driving the French back
over the Rhine, and relieving Hesse. He now ordered the
Duke of Holstein's troops to join those of Prince Isenberg.
The former arrived, on the 20th, at Kassel, and, on
the 24th, Ferdinand, Holstein, and Isenberg, came there
also. The van-guard was detached next day; and the main
army marched, on the 26th, in two columns, to Melsungen;
Marburg, Fulda, and Giesfeld, were then carried.
To
prevent the imperial army from obstructing the plan of
operations, Prince Henry was directed to amuse it; and Ge-
neral Knoblauch, in consequence, was sent to Orlamunde, Ru-
VOL. III.
Q
7
226
THE ELEMENTS OF
dulstadt, and Saalfeldt. On which occasion this general
made several hundred prisoners.
The Hereditary Prince advanced, in the mean time, to Nel-
sungen and Wasungen; both which places, with about 800
prisoners, were the reward of his efforts. He then marched
against General Aremberg's corps, drove it back; and after-
wards proceeded, with his troops, and about 2000 captives,
to the allied army.
Broglio, perceiving that he was the object of the Duke of
Brunswick's attention, quartered his army in such a manner,
near Bergen, that it could be assembled in 48 hours.
As the situation of Broglio was rather dangerous, a rein-
forcement of nearly 10,000 men, under Count St. Germain,
was ordered to join him.
On the 8th, the Duke commanded Ulrichstein to be attack-
ed, but it was most bravely defended; the army then con-
tinued its march, and reached Windecken on the 12th of
April.
Broglio assembled his army between Bergen and Wilbel,
in a very strong position, where the troops were every way
- very favourably situated.
On the 13th, the Duke advanced towards the French force;
the light troops soon engaged, and the main army began to
form a little after eight o'clock.
The post of Bergen appeared to be the only one that could
be attacked to advantage. This assault was therefore re-
solved to be carried into execution by some brigades, and the
other wing of the army to be kept back till its success was,
in some measure, decided.
At 10 o'clock the attack commenced; but the ground
being particularly difficult, the Hessians, commanded by
Prince Isenberg, were not able to move the French; as soon.
however, as the Hereditary Prince came up, he perceived that
he could attack them in flank with more success, and having
advanced upon them rapidly in that quarter, they retreated.
Broglio, on observing the state of the contest, ordered some
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
927
troops to attack the Hessians in the left, and the corps, com-
manded by the Hereditary Prince, in the right flank. At this
time the allies, who had consumed all their cartridges, lost one
of their commanders; and Prince Isenburg's troops were
forced to retreat. The French pursued, but were soon stop-
ped by the allied cavalry; though the latter did not dare to
advance too far, either, lest they should be taken in flank
by the enemy's horse.
Duke Ferdinand now determined to resume his position
on the ground where he first formed, and the fire of the ord-
nance ceased. Nor did Broglio pursue him, though entreated
to do so by his generals.
The Duke's army soon moved forward again, and once more
the firing commenced; but as it was not intended to attack,
the allies retreated to Windecken.
Next day St. Germain arrived, and the French army be-
came 35,000 strong.
The Duke besieged Margburg, and tried all the means.
in his power to draw Broglio out of his position; but
nothing could induce the latter to adopt such a movement.
The allied army marched to Leydeck, Laubach, and Grun-
borg. General Blaizel advanced from Friedberg with 3000
men, in order to skirmish with its van-guard, joined General
Fisher near Echzel, and intercepted an officer with dispatches,
which discovered the route of the troops.
The French then attacked the rear-guard, but did not gain
much, only taking some baggage, and about 200 prisoners.
The allies continued to move forward; the head-quarters
were on the 27th at Ziegenhayn, and both armies went im-
mediately after into cantouments.
The Prussian force was this year divided into three grand
armies.
That in Silesia, commanded by the King, consisted of 50
ordinary battalions, four light battalions, 58 squadrons of ca-
valry, and 30 squadrons of hussars.
Under General Fouquet there were 17 ordinary battalions,
Q 2
228
THE ELEMENTS OF
one light battalion, 10 squadrons of cavalry, and as many of
hussars.
The army in Saxony, commanded by Prince Henry, was
composed of 40 ordinary battalions, three light battalions, 35
squadrons of cavalry, and 25 squadrons of hussars.
The army, commanded by General Dohna, contained 24
ordinary battalions, two light battalions, 20 squadrons of ca-
valry, and 15 squadrons of hussars.
In the middle of March, the Austrian and Prussian troops
took cantonments, and the former began to skirmish with the
advanced posts.
General Beck surprised a battalion quartered at Greiffen-
berg, and, having a superior force, made prisoners all the men
that composed it. The King reached the army on the 23d.
The Austrians marched to Braunau; the light troops were
then stationed near Zittau, and the main army drew nearer to
Fraulinau. The King approached Lanshut at the same time.
Ziethen's corps advanced towards the army, and established
its quarters between Lowenberg and Lahn; and, with Fouquet's,
which stood near Leobschutz, two other corps were detached
to Wartha and Frankenstein. The first was commanded by
General Manteufel, and the second by General Seidlitz.
Fouquet's corps was about 13,200 strong.
General De Ville quartered his corps in Moravia and Up-
per Silesia, along the road from Moravia to Niesse, by Wur-
bethal and Zugmantel. This body of troops was nearly
20,000 strong, besides the garrison of Olmutz.
The station of Laudon's corps, was between the Elbe and
the Silesian frontiers, as far as Trautenau and Schazlar.
General Beck's corps stood near Braunau.
General Harsch, was with his division near Nachod, and
the army under Daun had its position adjoining to Gitschen.
The operations of the campaign commenced by an effort,
on the part of General Fouquet and Prince Henry, to destroy
the Austrian magazines; and, with this view, the corps
of the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
029
R
former was reinforced, so as to make it consist of 24 battalions,
46 squadrons, and 40 pieces of ordnance.
The troops left their quarters on the 16th, and marched to
Troppau in three columns. The main body arrived the same
day near Baudewitz, and the van-guard near Blaaden.
Of the garrison in Troppau, 230 men were made prisoners.
Fouquet's corps then advanced towards Hoff; but falling in
with a considerable force stationed to defend the frontiers of
the Morawa, it retreated again to Silesia.
The magazines in Bohemia were covered by nine battalion,
and eight companies of infantry, together with 29 squadronss
all under the orders of General Gemmingen. Prince Henry,
who was resolved to attack them, sent two corps, one by
Peterswalde, and the other by Komuistau, into Bohemia.
On the 15th, the van-guard assembled near Liebestadt, and
marched to Toeplitz, where the magazines were destroyed
the same day.
General Wunsh proceeded, in the mean time, to Aussig, and
destroyed the magazines there.
Prince Henry immediately followed with the main army.
Next day the magazines at Lowositz and Lobokitz were
destroyed, and Prince Henry arrived with his whole force at
Linay, from which place the van-guard proceeded to Leutme-
ritz and Budin, where the magazines were burned.
The troops then returned, and arriving in Saxony again on
the 25th, established their head-quarters at Zedlitz.
General Hulsen's corps was not less fortunate; it took near
Sebastiansberg 52 officers and 1800 privates prisoners, who
were retreating in a square. Thence it advanced to Kommo-
tau, Postelberg, and Saats, destroying all the magazines,
wherever it came; after which it again marched to its old
quarters in Saxony, where it arrived on the 23d of April.
The enemy
lost by this expedition 35,846 barrels of flour,
293,600 pounds of bread, 136,800 bushels of oats, and
690,400 loads of hay, which would have supplyed 40,000
infantry, and 10,000 cavalry, for two months.
1
230
THE ELEMENTS OF
Fouquet was pursued on his retreat by De Ville's corps,
which he reported to the King, who directed him to retreat
farther for the present, but, after receiving reinforcements, to
attack the enemy.
The 1st of May was accordingly destined for the attack on
De Ville, but he retreated precipitately, and only 180 of his
men were made prisoners, and a few killed and wounded.
The army commanded by Daun was still inactive, though
it only waited for the Russians beginning their operations, to
co-operate with them, to cut off the King from the Mark, and
hem him in between two hostile armies.
The Duke of Deux Ponts had, in the meanwhile, arrived
at the army of the Empire, and, on the 4th of May, he fixed
his head-quarters at Kullmbach.
Generals Haddick and Macquire were detached to Monchs-
berg and Eger, aud General Kleefeld was stationed near
Hoff.
Prince Henry's army assembled in the neighbourhood of
Zwikau, and General Fink arrived with his corps on the 4th
of May at Waldkirh, and, on the 8th, near Asch, where he made
Prince Salm and 189 men prisoners.
General Knoblauch arrived with his corps at Auma on the
4th of May, and, on the 9th, at Newdorf, and passed through
the wood, after having compelled General Reid to retire.
Prince Henry's main body arrived the same day near Hoff,
and the van-guard at Birk.
General Finch, after reaching Weissenstedt, received some
reinforcements of cavalry on the 11th, to aid him in attacking
the corps under Macquire. The Prussians, however, only en-
gaged the rear-guard, and took about 330 prisoners.
The van-guard of Prince Henry's made prisoners, that day,
542 men, besides a whole battalion, and took four colours,
three standards, and two guns, near Himmelskrow.
t
A Kemmath, Macquire's corps received counter orders fron
Haddick to march to Nurnberg.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
231
The enemy, perceiving the Prussians advancing, began a
heavy fire, but did not injure a single mau.
General Finsh then marched to Bayreuth to join Prince
Henry.
General Knoblauch proceeded to Kronach, near which he
arrived on the 10th.
General Reid retreated, in the meanwhile, towards Kulni-
back, but sent reinforcements to Kronach.
This place was then invested, and a capitulation proposed.
Knoblauchi's corps, which had advanced rather too far, was
without any support, except Prince Henry's army, and this
was still three days march distant.
Knoblauch, therefore, sent out patroles to endeavour to ob-
tain information respecting the army, which he every day more
impatiently expected, as he was in want of provisions.
The enemy did not, however, make the slightest effort
during this period, but fell back from Kulmbach on the 12th,
being the same day that Prince Henry's arrived at Penk.
Knoblauch received orders to join Itzenpliz's corps at Bam-
berg, and both then marched to that place.
Geueral Fink joined the army with his corps on the above-
mentioned day near Bayreuth,
The magazines at Bamberg and Lictenfels were burned; but
some bread, flour, and oats, having been previously taken out,
this corps found itself, on a sudden, again plentifully provided
with the means of subsistence.
Prince Henry's army marched, on the 14th, to Holfeld.
On the 16th the corps, which had been sent to Bamberg,
arrived there, and some Croats, who were met at the main
bridge, having fired on it, occasioned several stables to be
plundered, and Knoblauch's van-guard to commit some
irregularities.
The magazines of Franconia supplied the Prussian army
all the time that it remained in that country, and some were
even afterwards destroyed. Heavy contributions were also
every where exacted.
232
THE ELEMENTS OF
'
The magazine at Hochstadt was taken on the 17th, and
the army of the Empire retired to the camp near Nurnberg,
The magazines of Scheweinfurth, Kitzingen, Cleve,
Markbreit, Oxenfurth, Etman, Zeil, Hasfurth, Eberach, &c.
soon after shared the same fate, on which occasions several pri-
soners were taken.
Prince Henry then began his retreat to Dresden, to cover
that town.
To keep open the communication with Saxony, General
Horn was left near Hoff, opposed to the troops commanded by
Gemmingeu.
General Schenkendorf's corps engaged with Brentano's,
but the Austrians always flcd precipitately.
Prince Henry having returned to Saxony, the Imperial
army encamped in the vicinity of Forcheim, but the Aus-
trian troops received orders, in a short time, to march to Bo-
hemia; upon which the Prince detached 10 battalions and
four regiments of cavalry to reinforce Dohna's army, and
likewise General Finck, to watch the Austrians on the Erz
mountains.
The King was, in the beginning of May, employed in ob-
serving Daun, and still kept his position between Lanshut and
Loebau.
Daun was, however, resolved not yet to attack him, but
rather to suffer the first demonstrations to be made by the
Prussians.
Dohna's army had been in cantonments since the 10th of
April, in the neighbourhood of Griefswald.
The Russian army also began its movements about this
time towards the Vistula, and Posen was again chosen as the
most proper depot for its provisions. This place was to have
been destroyed by General Wopersnau, but he received coun-
ter orders to march to Upper Lausitz, whither some other
corps were likewise detached; to oppose an Austrian force,
which, it was said, would advance towards the Mark. Dohna,
sent besides a body of troops to oppose the enemy in that
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
233
quarter; but he retreated as soon as he obtained information of
the march of these corps.
Daun received orders during this time to penetrate into
Silesia, which was begun by Laudon's corps advancing in
four columns towards Loebau.
The King then directed the corps from Lausitz and Fou-
quet's troops to approach the army, in consequence of which,
General Seidlitz took up quarters near Seidlitz, and General
Fouquet near Frankenstein.
The enemy's army being very strong, the King resolved only
to defend the principal positions.
De Ville detached 14 battalions to Daun's army, but they
were countermanded near Senftenberg. De Ville's principal
corps advanced in the meanwhile to Neisse, and had its head-
quarters in Wilscutz, and thus Glatz was completely surrounded
by Generals Harsh's and Beck's corps.
The King was not, however, to be deceived by these opera-
tions, and only reinforced Fouquet's corps, still maintaining his
own position.
General Fermor arrived with his army, at the end of this
month, in Marienwerder, and his van-guard reached Posen on
the 1st of June.
The second division of this army encamped near Nakiel.
The corps under General Froloss marched to Stargard, and
Prince Gallitzen's advanced to Posen.
The first division moved to Uscie, the second remained at
Nakiel, and both received orders to bake a sufficient supply of
biscuits for a month.
The Prussian grand royal army arrived, in the meanwhile,
near Stargard, a small corps having been left to oppose the
Swedish troops.
Dohna and Wopersnau, by the command of the King and
General Schlaberndorf, now joined this army, and arrived with
it, on the 14th, near the Warthe.
Here the army remained till the arrival of General Hulsen
with the reinforcements from Saxony; a delay of much advan-
"
な
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234
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
tage to Fermor, as it enabled him to collect his army near
Posen, which was fully effected by the 29th, being the same
day that General Soltikou assumed the command of the
Prussian forces.
Dolina arrived, on the 26th, at Birmbaum; on the 27th,
the troops rested, and Dohna received information that a
body of 1000 men had been, the day before, at Filuhne, which
he resolved to cut off. This corps was found in a camp near
Oberzykow.
The Prussian army advanced, on the 2d, to the Russian
camp; but the enemy retreated, on which all the army en-
camped there, except the van-guard, which proceeded to
Gotzlina, nine miles from Posen. The bakery had been
established at Driessen; but it was now ordered to be brought
to the army.
Dohna prevented the Russians from advancing as long as
he kept his position.
General Wopersnau was detached to demolish the enemy's
magazines; but a few at Bromberg, Rogono, Inin, &c. and
about 61,000 bushels of corn only, were destroyed.
Contades was still at Paris; when Broglio gained his victory,
however, he soon after departed from that city, and arrived,
on the 25th of April, at Frankfort, and, on the 4th of May,
at Krefeld. His army was then ordered to encamp near
Dusseldorp, Deutz, Burick, and Calcar.
Duke Ferdinand now directed his troops to proceed in two
columns, one of which arrived, on the 24th of May, at
Unna, and the other at Muhlheim, in Westphalia. The
English and Hanoverian forces advanced to Dulmen; and
General Imhoff, with his corps, to Fritzlar.
The grand French army was to advance to Hesse; while
Armentiers was to endeavour, with 20,000 men, to subdue
Westphalia.
The French troops assembled, early in June, in the neigh-
bourhood of Marburg, Giessen, and Friedberg, where large
magazines were likewise established.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
235
The Duke of Brunswick, not having yet collected his
army, directed the Hereditary Prince to make an attempt to
ruin the magazine at Cologue.
The Hereditary Prince went to Elbersfeld with 3000 men,
and made the garrison, consisting of about 150, prisoners;
he then proceeded to Medman, where the garrison, about
200 strong, shared the same fate as the former. This gave
the alarm to all the troops in the neighbourhood; and Armen-
tiers endeavoured to collect a sufficient force to oppose the
Prince, who, however, soon retired.
The loss of Contades did not obstruct the proceedings of
Broglio's corps; it arrived on the 9th, at Lower Urf, and the
whole army reached Sachsenberg on the Sth. General
Imhoff retreating the same day to Kassel.
Broglio's corps arrived on the 11th, at Essedes. The
French army advanced afterwards from Corboch to Stadberg,
and passed the defiles there. Meanwhile the Duke marched
to Soest, and joined Spoerken's and Sackville's corps, and
next day General Wutgenau's.
Contades endeavoured to cut off the allied army from
Minden and Hameln, and afterwards to seize the magazines
at Osnaburg and Munster. The Duke, on the other hand,
removed his camp, first to Marienfeld, and then to Dissum.
During this time several skirmishes took place, in which the
French were always worsted. Contades, next led his troops
to Bielefeld, from which place he resolved to push forward
and attack the allies. The Duke retrcated afterwards to
Osnaburg, covered by the corps of the Hereditary Prince's,
who soon followed,
Broglio employed the interval in trying to become master
of Minden.
A treacherous peasant pointed out to the French one of
the fords of the Weser, through which the cavalry passed,
and where a large barge was likewise procured. The French,
having thus crossed the Weser, could attack Minden on the
weakest side. The hay-magazine was immediately set on
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236
THE ELEMENTS OF
fire, as soon as Zastrow perceived the French to be on the
same side of the river with the town; but Broglio, drove
back the men who executed that service, mounted a battery,
and took the hornwork in the rear, so that the garrison was
obliged to retreat. The French instantly entered it, and
thence proceeded to the gates of the town, which they threw
open. The place was then taken by main force, and with it
27 officers, 1400 privates, and 22 pieces of ordnance.
With Generals Haddick's and Gemmingen's corps, some
affairs of posts only occurred during this time.
The Imperial army remained almost inactive.
The King was still near Landshut, as was also Fouquet.
Daun stood near Schuz, and all the other Austrian corps
in their old positions.
On the arrival of the Russians at Posen, Daun directly
marched in two columns to Silesia. General Harsch was
ordered to defend, with his corps, the confines of Bohemia.
On the 29th, the King made some prisoners at Schatzlar,
by whom he was informed of Daun's march. Unacquainted
with the enemy's intention, General Wedel was detached,
with eight battalions and 14 squadrons, to Schazlar, to join
General Rebentish's corps; and General Seidlitz, with eight
battalions and 15 squadrons, was posted on the flank of the
King's army, to attack the Austrians, if they should appear
there.
Daun now continued his march in three columns, and
arrived, on the 2d of July, at Reichenberg; Turnau's and
Laudon's corps came then also to Ulersdorf; and Harsch's to
Hennersdorf.
The King, already aware that the enemy designed to rein-
force the Russians with 15,000 men, on the 1st of July, was
prepared to oppose the Austrian army, which had now
received orders to advance to Lausitz. Seidlitz marched for
ward on the 3d to Lahn, at the head of 400 hussars, and
took about 100 prisoners from a reconnoitring detachment
commanded by Laudon, which was 2000 strong.
THE SCIENCE OF 237
•
WAR.
On the 11th, Daun's army moved to Mark Lissa, covered
from Prince Henry's troops, by Haddick's and Gummin-
gen's corps. Daun's camp here being far from favourable,
he resolved to cross the Quies; but perceiving afterwards, that
by doing so he would throw himself too near the King's
forces, it was decreed, in a council of war, that a position
should be taken on the heights of Lichtenau.
The King's army encamped, on the 11th, on the heights
near Schmotseifen; but, it being expected that Laudon's
corps would cross the Quies and take Wilkersdorf, his Ma-
jesty marched, in the evening, with 11 battalions and 63
squadrons, in three columns, to that village, the main army
remaining under arms.
Daun again received intimation from the Russians that they
were waiting for reinforcements, and Laudon's corps was, in
consequence, augmented to 30,000 men, in order to join
that army.
The King marched, on the 18th, to Zittau, and General
Harsch to Schomberg. Prince Henry afterwards advanced
to Bautzen, and, by this manoeuvre, Daun could neither have
advanced nor retired without giving battle, had not the good
fortune of the Russians extricated him from this awkward
situation.
The convoy in Poland, belonging to the Prussian army, was
taken by a party of Cossacs, from not having been warned
time enough to change its line of march.
The van-guard had a sharp engagement on the 7th. The
Russians marched, during this time, to Wienkowitza and
Tornowa, by which they came a day's march nearer to the
Silesian frontiers than Dohna's army. The latter immedi-
ately broke up and marched to Casimirz.
The enemy was to have been attacked next day; but the
weariness of the troops occasioned it to be postponed till the
14th.
The Russians, being desirous to gain the flanks of the
Prussian army, proceeded to the heights of Wilzinna, and
238
THE ELEMENTS OF
thus gained another day's march towards the Silesian frontiers
before Dohna's army. The Prussian army then encamped at
Butin and Mladoske.
Next day the Russians marched between Casimirz, and the
lake of Wienkowitz. They left a strong corps in their old
camp, which did not follow the main army till the latter had
encamped; but Dohna let slip this opportunity, and did not
attack it, though he immediately after took a more favourable
position for carrying his efforts against the enemy into effect.
Dohna kept constantly at the side of the Russians, and
they, fearful that he would cut them off from Laudon's
corps, dared not lose sight of it.
Dohna's army encamped, on the 18th, near Paradies, and
the Prussians near Babimost, from which position they de-
tached a corps to encamp near Zullichau. General Wopers-
now arrived in this town on the 20th, and drove the enemy
back. The army followed next day, and the Russians formed
their camp between Langmiel and Schmollen.
General Dohna went to Berlin, and General Wedel
assumed the chief command of the army.
Wedel reconnoitred the Russians, on the 23d, and found
them apparently quiet in their camp; but the truth was, that
the bulk of the army had marched in the morning to Krossen,
and only the baggage and rear-guard were left behind.
The Russians made this movement in order to join Lau-
don's corps, and to procure again a supply of provisions,
which was now become particularly requisite.
Towards noon, the heads of the Russian columns were,
however, perceptible, near the left wing of the Prussians.
General Wedel proceeded on observation, and being com-
manded by the King to obstruct the junction of the Austrian
and Russian forces, he determined to bring on au engagement
and marched to Kai. The heads of the cavalry columns
arrived there at three o'clock, and advanced to force the
pass; after this they charged the Russian horse, and threw
them back on the infantry.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
230
The main army, in the mean time, passed the defile near the
mill and formed; the cavalry then retired, and drew up in the
rear of the infantry.
:
The van-guard was repulsed; but the Prussian left wing
advanced on coming within range of the grape-shot,
it was, however, also forced to fall back with considerable
loss.
The Russians then formed a line, and outflanked every fresh
battalion that came up; and the Prussian cavalry, who had
charged with success, were also compelled to retreat, as no
infantry could support them.
These attacks continued till dark, when the Russians were
in confusion; and the Prussians retreated from the field with
the loss of about 6000 men.
Next day they crossed the Oder, near Tischezig, and en-
camped in the neighbourhood of Sawada, without being pur-
sued; they then took Crossen.
The King, on receiving information of the battle, com-
manded General Wedel to prevent the enemy from crossing
the Oder, and to join Prince Henry's corps, which had
directions to proceed to Sagon, where he arrived on the
20th; the same orders were given to the corps of the Duke
of Wirtemberg.
As soon as Daun received news of the Russian victory, he
ordered Haddick and Laudon to proceed directly to the
Russian camp. These generals united their corps at Pribus;
but declined advancing too quickly, lest they should encounter
Prince Henry's and Wedel's army at the same time; they
therefore stationed a chain of light troops from Sagan to
Spremberg, and were fortunate enough to reach Tribel and
Sommerfeld in safety.
On the 1st of August, General Bethlem was sent over to
the Russians to inquire where the two armies were to join;
and the Austrian corps, under Haddick and Laudon, marched
to Guben, and thence to Frankfort, which was taken posses-
ion of by the Russians.
240
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
The King arrived, on the 29th, at midnight, at Sagan, and
received notice next day of the march of the Austrians.
The army then proceeded towards Crossen; but hearing
that the enemy's force was there, the King marched to Som-
merfeld, and fell in with Haddick's cavalry, who were driven
back. Haddick intended to march, on the 2d, with his corps
to Anruth, in order to cross the Oder before the King arrived,
to facilitate which the Russians had prepared bridges near
Furstenberg; but after this affair he retreated across the
Neisse, towards Weissbach, on the 1st.
The King, having also received notice of the occupation of
Frankfort, ordered the troops under Wedel to Muhlrose,
and marched with his own to Makersdorf, on the 2d. Had-
dick's baggage was here attacked, and one battalion, several
waggons, and four guns, were taken by the Prussians. The
King arrived, on the 4th, at Muhlrose, where he joined
Wedel's corps on the 6th.
Finck's corps, which had been occupied in Saxony, endea-
vouring to drive back the army of the Empire, and which, if
it had always followed Haddick's manoeuvres, might, in con-
junction with the King's army, have attacked the enemy with
success, was also commanded to join his Majesty, which it
accordingly did, on the 9th, near Jesar.
General Harsch, having received orders to advance into
Silesia, arrived, on the 17th, near Leutmansdorf. General
Fouquet's corps, which was opposed to him, was stationed
near Reichenhennersdorf, and consisted of 23 battalions and 20
squadrons. The Austrian force was 33 battalions and 51
squadrons.
The Austrians took their position near Forste: and Fou-
quet, who received immediate information of the movement,
marched without delay to attack the rear-guard; but the
position was so favourable, that nothing farther than a can-
nonade occurred.
On the 22d, the Austrians encamped between Furstenstein
and Kunzendorf. A small body of about 200 men, who
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
241
had occupied Frankendorf, defended their retreat for eight
hours, against superior numbers; but, having spent all their
ammunition, they were at last compelled to surrender.
On the following day, a corps, commanded by Golz, took
40 waggons, and about 500 oxen, belonging to the enemy's
baggage; the rest of it having been ordered back to Eipel.
The Austrians advanced to Furstenstein, and were there,
soon convinced of the errors they had committed, as the
Prussians, who did not hinder them from arriving in Silesia,
now obstructed their leaving it. They, therefore, resolved to
retire to Friedland; but the Prussians had occupied all the
ways by which they were compelled to retreat.
The Austrians now advanced in two columns, by Old
Lassig, against the Prussians; but were soon forced to
give way. They then repeated the attack; but it again
failed.
The Prussians, on the other hand, made an assault upon
the enemy, and drove him behind Lassig. The Austrians
lost about 500, the Prussians 106 men, on these occasions.
General Janus afterwards received orders to storm the pass,
near Friedland, on the 28th; but in this affair, likewise, the
Austrians were repelled.
The Austrians being at the present time much straitened
for provisions, were under the most pressing necessity of
retreating, and determined to take the road to Braunau, by
Johannisberg.
፡
I
Fouquet immediately sent a detachment to annoy their
baggage; but, as they unexpectedly kept their position, it was
recalled.
"
The enemy then retreated, early on the 29th, in three
columns ;
but this movement having been concealed by Wol-
fersdorf's corps, Fouquet did not discover it till the following
morning. General Fouquet was bent on attacking the van-
guard; but General Dombastle retreated in such good order,
that no coup could be made. Fouquet then re-assembled his
troops, and took a position near Conradswalde.
VOL. III.
R
>
J
242
THE ELEMENTS OF
The Austrians encamped near Braunau and Wellersdorf, in
the neighbourhood of Friedland. Fouquet designed to sur
prise this corps, but it retreated before he could effect his pur-
pose, with the loss of some baggage, and 300 men only, 'to
Trautenau, where it remained.
Minden, which had been taken by Broglio, received suc-
cours on the 11th from the Hereditary Prince.
The Duke of Brunswick, obtaining notice of the surrender
of Minden, broke up from his position, and arrived with his
army on the 11th at Stolzenau.
Bremen was then taken by four regiments of infantry, by
a coup de main.
The rest of the magazine at Osnabrug now fell into the
hands of the French. Broglio's corps afterwards approached
Buckeburgh, and Contades crossed the Weser at Minden.
St. Germain was observing the garrison of Hameln; Fisher's
corps stood towards Hanover; Chevreuse invested Lippstadt
and Armentierres was besieging Munster.
The Duke assembled his army, and marched to Petershagen,
near Minden, resolving there to give battle; in consequence
of which the Hereditary Prince advanced on the 17th to oc-
cupy Thonhausen, Kuffenhausen, and Kemmern: the army
followed in nine columns, and took its position with the right
wing on Sudfield, and the left near Thonhausen.
The enemy, expecting a battle immediately, took up arms,
and Mareschal Broglio's corps received orders to join the
main army; but the Duke, perceiving that the enemy would
not quit his position, fell back upon Petershagen.
The allied army advanced afterwards more and more to
wards Minden. Munster, in the mean while, capitulated on
the 23d.
General Drewesre took Osnabrug, and then joined the corps
of the Hereditary Prince near Ryssel on the 29th.
Contades, having waited for some days longer, resolved to
attack the allies, and not let pass so favourable an opportu
nity of ruining their army, dispersed in different quarters.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
243
The Duke, who well knew all the designs of the enemy, di-
rected his generals to make themselves intimately acquainted
with the ground, in order that they might form, and act as
circumstances should require. (Pl. XXIV.)
Immediately after sun-set, the French army broke up from
its camp, and arriving at its place of destination, soon endea-
voured to form.
The allied army, on receiving notice of this circumstance,
was also ordered to be formed, which was accomplished by
six o'clock. But the French, who neglected to observe the
motions of their enemy, were not in order before eight, Brog-
lio's corps excepted, which had formed at five o'clock.
The enemy then commenced a cannonade, which was ef-
fectually returned by the allies; but Wangenheim's corps,
which did not retreat, could not be attacked by Broglio, who
went therefore to Contades, and requested reinforcements.
During this time the allied troops advanced, and perceiving
the French cavalry to be in the centre of the army, part of the
infantry of the former received orders to advance on them, and
afterwards on their infantry, while the rest of the foot, at-
tached to the allied forces, was to make an attack in front,
and Prince Anhalt another, on the left wing of the French.
The French cavalry, when they saw the hostile infantry ap-
proaching, advanced against them, and assailed them on all
sides; but were soon thrown back by the exertions of the
English and Hanoverian troops, whose behaviour was, on this
day valiant, and courageous to a degree, and never, perhaps,
exceeded.
Contades, on returning to the centre of his army, or-
dered a battery and some infantry to take the gallant body
of foot, alluded to above, in the rear; but neither these, nor
the charge of the French guards, could shake the firmness of
the English and Hanoverian heroes. The French geus d'armes
then made a charge upon them, and penetrated, but were
driven back by the second line, with an immense loss. After
this, Count Cologne's cavalry charged the same brave corps of
R 2
244
THE ELEMENTS OF
infantry again, and were likewise repelled. General Spoerken
now advanced with the allied cavalry, and the French were
driven completely back.
The enemy's centre and cavalry were thus thoroughly beaten,
and some horse only were wanting to the allies, to enable them
to follow up the victory.
General Sackville was intreated to advance, but he ap-
peared not to understand the Duke's wishes. In the mean
time, the French cavalry formed again, supported by the
Saxon infantry. Colonel Fitzroy was once more sent to
Sackville, to desire him to advance; but the uncivil, insubor-
dinate Sackville, whose haughty demeanour and unaccountable
conduct were carried to the highest pitch, appeared to do some-
thing, and did nothing.
In the second line stood Lord Granby, whom the Duke
directed to advance, which was immediately obeyed: he had
just marched off to the left, when Sackville commanded him
to halt, and went to communicate on the subject with the
Duke, who strove all in his power to persuade him to advance;
but neither his entreaties nor his orders were ever fulfilled,
although there was still time enough to have totally surrounded
all the French army near Minden.
The English infantry still advanced; the Saxon infantry
checked them for a moment, but were rapidly driven back:
the English, aided by the Hanoverian troops, were thus able
again to push forward with more vigour, and ultimately suc-
ceeded in repelling the French brigades, which supported the
Saxons, and in taking eight guns.
During this time the left wing of the allies advanced with
as much order and success. The Prussian and Hanove
rian cavalry principally distinguished themselves here; they
drove the French completely back, and made the men of an
entire brigade prisoners. They then advanced yet farther,
and even pushed back the reinforcements sent by Contades, as
also the troops posted to cover the retreat.
Broglio still cannonaded Wangenheim's corps. His infan
人
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}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
245
try had never been able to attack. His cavalry would have
seconded the corps of Coutades, but they were repelled by
the cavalry of the Prussians.
One French regiment directed its fire, at this period of the
engagement, on the latter; but they instantly turned, charged,
and took 10 pieces of cannon, and two colours. By 11
o'clock the whole French army was beaten, and Broglio's
alone remained in any degree of order; it, however,
corps
soon left the field, to cover the retreat of the rest, and was
pursued by the English horse artillery.
The allied army encamped on the scene of action, after the
retreat of the French, and summoned Minden to capitulate,
which it did next day.
The French had above 8000 men killed, wounded, or made
prisoners, in this engagement, and lost 25 guns, some stand-
ards, and colours.
The Hereditary Prince determined to attack the Duke of
Bussac, who was stationed near Gofoseld, on the 21st, and
made a movement to that effect, while the French, who had
anticipated his intentions by a counter resolution, advanced
also, and a cannonade commenced.
The French were repulsed, and retreated to Minden, where,
being opposed by General Bock, they were compelled to seek
refuge in the bushy grounds.
This blow rendered the affair of Minden fully decisive: the
French army, cut off from its magazines, had nothing left but
to retreat; Contades, therefore, purposed to pass Minden, and
then retrograde upon Cassels.
In
consequence of which arrangement, his troops arrived
on the 23d at Oldendorf. The train marched to Detmold,
but was next day taken by the allies.
Minden surrendered with 308 men.
All his generals received the thanks of the Duke; Genera!
Sackville, who was alone forgotten, excepted. This officer im-
mediately resigned his command, and returned to England,
246
THE ELEMENTS OF
where a court-martial being held on him, he was declared in-
capable of holding a place in his majesty's service.
Granby was appointed his successor; a man beloved by all
who knew him, as well for his manners as his actions.
When General Finck left Saxony, it was almost wholly
evacuated by the Prussians, and the Imperial army could never
have had a better opportunity of taking Dresden, which town
was the last that remained in the possession of the King.
On the 4th of August, Daun heard of the Russian victory,
near Palzig, as likewise that Laudon had joined the con-
querors, but that Haddick had been forced to retreat.
General Finck had, in the meanwhile, marched to Hoyers-
werda, where he arrived on the 6th. The King was approach-
ing to Frankfort.
Haddick again received orders to advance, and join the
Russians, and arrived on the 10th at Guben.
Daun also changed his position on the 12th to Gorlitz.
The King crossed the Oder on the 10th, near Reitwein,
by two bridges, one of boats, and the other of pontons.
The infantry then threw off their knapsacks, and the cavalry
their cloakbags, and marched to Bischoffsee, where they en-
camped, Finck's corps taking its position on the heights be-
hind Tretten.
The King's plan of attack on the enemy was, that Finck's
and Schorlemmer's corps should create as much noise and
bustle as possible, to lead him into a belief that he would be
attacked from that quarter likewise; the same troops were to
appear on the heights of their position out of the reach of the
guns; and the generals had it in command to proceed them-
selves to the heights nearest the enemy, that he might sup-
pose the King to be reconnoitring there. But at six, Finck's
corps was actually to march and support the King, who
would then make the attack.
If the enemy changed his position, the van-guard was to
move to Newendorf.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
247
General Schorlemmer was to watch the enemy, if he
should pass on this side of the hollow.
In the interim, the main army would advance in two lines;
Seidlitz, with his cavalry, moving in the front of the first
column, and Prince Wurtemberg bringing up the rear of the
The hussars were to be on the flanks, to outflank the
enemy's infantry; the right wing was always to be more ad-
vanced than the left.
same.
The camp of the Russians stood with the left wing on the
Jew mountains, and the right on the Mill mountains, the lat-
ter was also surrounded with intrenchments: the relative si-
tuation of the wings was, however, soon diametrically
changed.
The fortifications did not enfilade the defiles lying before
them, and Cunersdorf had been burned down, as soon as the
King passed the Oder. In front of the right and left wings
there were some abatis.
The Prussians occupied the fortifications only. General
Laudon's corps was posted near the Red Villa, and all the
cavalry in the low grounds.
During the 11th and 12th, Laudon remained on the ground,
situated at one extremity of the Jew mountains. The baggage
was placed in the Jew church-yard, and the waggons were
formed in a square, on the commencement of the battle, that
they might be conveyed across the Oder, as soon as it should
be necessary..
The King marched on the 12th, at three o'clock; his de-
sign was to attack the enemy's left wing in an oblique po-
sition, while Finck's corps should assail him in front. The
cavalry were afterwards to advance, and give the finishing blow
to the enemy's discomfiture.
The King unfortunately was not completely acquainted with
the nature of the ground; he did not know that lakes situated
between the wood and Cunersdorf would arrest the progress
of his army, which was, however, actually the case, and it was
suddenly obliged to turn about. His Majesty set forward to
248
THE ELEMENTS OF
endeavour to obtain the necessary local knowledge of the
country, and about 10 o'clock the army formed in the forest,
so that its left wing almost extended to the Russian left
flank.
The Russians did not expect the King on this side, and he
immediately ordered a battery to be mounted in the wood.
The whole attention of the former was, at this period, fixed
upon Finck, but the King's army was in a little time disco-
vered, and also the battery, which fired four shots too soon on
the enemy's light troops.
The Russians instantly returned the fire, but it was not
of long continuance, for as the Prussian guns had ceased, they
conceived that the discharges must only have proceeded from
a detachment.
Eight battalions were destined to assault the enemy's forti-
fications, and formed in two lines. The infantry were in the
rear of them, and the cavalry behind the left wing, there being
no place on the right.
The cannonade commenced at half past eleven, and was
seconded by a battery mounted in front of General Finck's
corps; a third battery meanwhile opened from the Seidlitz
mountains.
All these batteries directed their fire on the Russian left
wing, but they were too far distant, by about 1900 paces.
The above were answered, on the part of the enemy, by
nearly 100 pieces of ordnance, and an immense number of
grenados, which set fire to the abatis.
After this reciprocal cannonade had lasted for about half an
hour, the King ordered the attack to be made, and the eight
battalions immediately advanced very near to the fortifications,
though still beyond their reach, and also supported by all the
batteries. On coming within 100 paces of the works, they,
however, received a full discharge of grape-shot and small
arms, by which they sustained a great loss. They then ad-
vanced, fired twice, stormed, mounted the parapet, drove the
enemy back, and took about 70 guns, in 10 minutes, when all
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
249
the Russians of the left wing instantly fled, and could not be
restrained by their generals.
Had cavalry now been at hand to make a charge, the Rus-
sians would undoubtedly have lost a very great number of men,
and been driven back behind the cow-pastures and Frankfort.
A sufficient quantity of ordnance was also wanting to sup-
port the valiant grenadiers. Twenty or 30 light guns only
attached to these grenadiers would have utterly ruined the
Russians, the ground was so favourable to the effects of artil-
lery; but four pieces were not sufficient; their ammunition was
soon consumed, and their silence immediately followed.
The King then advanced with the right wing of his army, and
the grenadiers having been thrown a little into disorder, stopped
for a moment to form again. The Russians, by this means,
gained time to draw up once more, also; they were, however,
soon driven back, and Finck's corps advanced to support the
King's troops.
The Prussian infantry on the Mill mountains were then
standing in four lines, and occasioned some obstruction, which
obliged the main army again to resume order and form. The
same was the case in respect to Finck's corps.
During this time the Russians effected the second forma-
tion of their troops; Laudon's corps advanced to second them
in attacking, and a sufficient body of artillery came up also to
support the whole.
The Prussian ordnance then advanced, and this army again
made an attack; but the Russians did not retreat, til! General
Finck menaced to take them in the rear; upon which they
quitted Eunersdorf.
The Russian right wing, however, soon made another stand,
and the Prussian cavalry were then ordered to advance; they
passed the defiles between the lakes, formed under the ene-
my's fire, and moved forward; but as they had suffered much
during these movements, they took to flight as soon as the
Russian and Austrian cavalry appeared in their flank, and did
not form until they reached the rear of the infantry.
50
THE ELEMENTS OF
The infantry of the left wing now marched to Spitzberg,
according to the King's commands.
The right wing, under the King in person, endeavoured, at
this time, to pass the cow-pastures, and General Finck still
continued to proceed more to the rear. This piece of ground
was, however, utterly impracticable, and the consequent
slaughter immense, till the Prussians, after repeated trials,
were forced, at last, to retreat. The King then ordered the
cavalry to give support to this quarter, and they accordingly
quitted the left wing, and advanced; they also followed Prince
Wurtemberg, but soon after retired. The Prince himself was
wounded.
A reiterated attack likewise failed; and the Prussians, on this
occasion, almost evinced a certain degree of cowardice, al-
though they afterwards gave striking examples of the con-
trary.
About 18,000 of the Prussians being either wounded or
killed, all the remaining infantry made a retreat, which soon
assumed the appearance of a total rout, though they were not
pursued.
Wunsch, who remained with nine battalions, to protect the
baggage, endeavoured, in the meanwhile, to take possession of
Frankfort, eventually succeeded in making the garrison pri-
soners, and occupied the bridge; but the enemy offering, to-
wards evening, to capitulate, he again fell back.
In the affair just detailed, 20,000 Prussians were put hors
de combat, but of these, 18,000 were only slightly wounded.
The Russian loss was 2614 killed, 10,863 wounded. That
of the Austrians 2,185, though a third more may, on a mode-
rate computation, be added for the slightly wounded, and
missing.
The King's army, now remained about 28,000 strong, and
the enemy's nearly 42,000.
Next day, at noon, the Prussian troops were re-assembled,
and formed in order of battle near Bodelzeg and Rutwein. Ina
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
251
few days all the ammunition and ordnance were again reco-
vered from Custrin, and the army reinforced by General
Kleist's corps.
On the 16th, the King broke up from the above mention-
ed camp, and went to Modlitz. The same day, the Russians
crossed the Oder. The King's army marched, on the 18th,
to Furstenwald; and that of the enemy to its quarters, be-
tween Frankfort and Muhlrose. Both armies continued in
these positions till the end of August.
The imperial army made, in the mean time, great progress;
and General Klefeld besieged Torgau; but Colonel Wolfers-
dorf, having obtained an armistice, received succours in the
interval.
Klefeld, being also joined by a strong reinforcement, en-
deavoured to carry the town by assault.
Several efforts of this kind were, however, fruitlessly made,
till it was thought proper to grant the garrison a free retreat.
The soldiers of the garrison then filed through the lines of
the
army of the Empire; but the last battalion having been
enticed to desert, Wolfersdorf ordered the hunters and hussars
to kill every man that should leave his place, and set the
example by first putting a period to the existence of one him-
self.
A battalion was likewise commanded to front, and make
ready; Wolfersdorf declared that the treaty was violated; that
Prince Stolberg should be made prisoner, and that he himself
would retreat into the town.
General Luzinsky approaching at this moment, inquired what
was the cause of such unex ected disturbance, and said, on being
informed of the fact, that the articles of the capitulation
should be kept. Wolfersdorf then retired in to Wittemberg,
from which he was directed to proceed to Potsdam.
Wittemberg capitulated on the 21st, the commandant hav-
ing accepted the conditions of a free retreat.
The army of the Empire covered the places it had subdued,
and arrived, 15,000 strong, near Dresden, with the view of
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THE ELEMENTS OF
besieging it. These troops were soon after again reinforced
by 8000 Austrians, under St. André,
A summons, accompanied by some threats, was transmit-
ted to the garrison of Dresden; but here neither menace nor
proposal had any effect, and the town was declared in a state
defence.
On the 26th, an attack was made, but repulsed, on the
redoubt situated on Ziegelberg. The Prussians then con-
fined themselves to the defence of the old town.
vance.
On the 2d of the ensuing month, the court entreated that
the Austrians would propose a capitulation; but General
Schmettau assured them that he would burn both the
suburbs and the new town, as soon as the enemy should ad-
Three times did the Austrians endeavour to con-
clude a capitulation, but the commandant continued inflexible.
Schmettau's manly character still induced him to demand, that
all that belonged to the King should be taken away. General
Guaaso, however, offered, once more, terms of surrender, and
these were at last agreed to.
The principal reason of this treaty was the approach of
General Wunsh, with a corps, consisting of 10 battalions
and eight squadrons.
Wunsh was to occupy Torgau and Wittemberg, then to
join Wolfersdorf, and afterwards to march to Dresden.
The suburbs of Eulemburg were taken by force, and the
town, itself by capitulation.
General Wunsh, after having received some artillery from
Berlin, proceeded to Dresden.
Colonel Wolfersdorf reconnoitred towards this corps, and,
with about 50 men, made 68 prisoners.
The capitulation of Dresden was finally concluded at nine
o'clock in the evening of the 4th, after many severe struggles,
on the part of the Prussians, to retain it as long as possible
They, however, secured a free retreat, with all their ordnance
and ammunition, and every thing appertaining to the king.
Scarcely had the capitulation been signed, when Wedel ap-
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253
↑
proached (at five o'clock in the morning) to relieve the town.
He made an attack near the vine-yards, and drove the Austrians
back to the fish-houses; where, being reinforced, they again
formed, but were also repelled.
Wunsh summoned General Macquire to capitulate, who
informed him that he should soon receive an answer; on
which, the former, not knowing that the town had surrender-
ed, resolved to attack the suburbs. The two bridges, near
Ubingau and Lobschitz, were destroyed, to preclude the
danger of an attack in the rear; which piece of service was
performed by a detachment under the command of Colonel
Wolfersdorf. Wunsh then advanced, and drove back the
enemy; and night now coming on, the troops retired to rest,
after their long march and harassing duty.
Nothing having been heard of the besieged, and several
other circumstances, the general was at length led to believe,
that the garrison must have capitulated; his corps was there-
fore ordered back to Grossenhayn, where it encamped, in order
to rest after the fatigues it had undergone.
The commandant of Torgau sent a messenger to the King,
in the evening, to say, that if no succours should come up,
he would be obliged to surrender. The van-guard of Wunsh's
corps arrived there next day, and Colonel Wolfersdorf early
on the 9th.
The troops were drawn up, in order of battle, behind the
demolished houses. The havresacks and baggage having
been previously left on the bridge over the Elbe.
The
The enemy, soon after, proposed terms of capitulation
again; his camp was at Zimna, and inclosed on the left wing
by a rivulet, so that the cavalry there were not able to move.
enemy, perceiving that the Prussians had occupied
the gardens, took up arms, and began to play his ordnance,
which was, however, vigorously answered. His left wing
was now attacked by the Prussian infantry, thrown back, and
then pursued by the cavalry.
The Prussian left wing being advanced too far to the right,
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THE ELEMENTS OF
the enemy's cavalry resolved to make a charge upon it; but the
three squadrons posted there, attacked them with such
courage and dispatch, that they themselves were compelled
to fly; they afterwards endeavoured to form again, but were
too closely pursued, and therefore prepared to abandon the
field.
The Prussian cavalry next penetrated the enemy's infantry,
and took nine guns; on which the whole body of the enemy
fled, leaving behind the tents and the baggage, which the
Austrians, secure of victory, had allowed to remain in the
camp.
Daun, who was still near Tribus, received intelligence of
the Russian victory, on the 31st of August; and every method
was then tried to induce the Russians to advance still further,
and to persuade them that they would obtain great advantages
by such a line of conduct. But Soltikow declared that Daun
should follow the King, and commence more active service; in
consequence of which, Daun's army marched to Guben, for the
sake of procuring provisions with greater facility from Posen.
Daun, though he had an army of 100,000 men, was, how-
ever, still afraid of the King, and therefore resolved to secure
and maintain Saxony. Soltikow, being unwilling to accede to
any specific agreement, in respect to his operations, a rendez-
vous was proposed at Guben; and Daun, pursuantly to this
arrangement, marched, with 30,000 men, to Tribel.
Both generals now met; and, in their conference, it was
decided, that the Russians should remain in Silesia, and that
Daun should supply them with victuals and forage, till after
the reduction of Dresden, when the two armies were to
march to Saxony, and take winter-quarters there, if Neisse
fell that year.
Daun soon found himself unable to provide for two immense
bo dies of men, who required, every month, a fresh supply of
540,000 stone of flour, more especially as carriages had
not been collected for its transport.
The Russians im-
mediately began to regard this as a new subject for discontent,
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255
1
and to believe, more and more, that the Austrians wished to
reduce their force to nothing.
Prince Henry, who was yet master of about 40,000 men,
and General Fouquet, whose corps was 10,000 strong, con-
tinued to occupy Silesia, and to hinder the Austrians from
making any progress in that country.
On the 18th, the news of the King's losses transpired, and
soon reached the ears of Prince Henry, who, seeing that the
greatest dependance would now be on his troops, resolved to
open a communication with the King, and, at the same time,
to prevent the enemy from besieging Glogau. He accord-
ingly proceeded, with 14 battalions and 28 squadrons, by
Bunzlau, to Wiesau, where he encamped; and left a corps,
commanded by General Fouquet, at Schmotseifen.
From Wiesau he marched to Sagan, with the view of sur-
prising Esterhazy's corps; but this the latter prevented, by
an early retreat.
The Prince's army then went forward to Sprottau; and
Ziethen proceeded with his corps to Sorau.
General Haddick had, in the interval, taken Peitz, a little
fortress, garrisoned by 100 invalids; but his joy was soon
greatly damped on hearing that Prince Henry was marching
towards Sagen. Haddick merely saw a few of Ziethen's
troops, and directly fell back upon Moska, and joined Ge-
neral Buccow's corps. Daun, ere long, retreated further
towards Neisse, but advanced again when he was informed
of the strength of Ziethen's corps, on the 1st, to Tribel.
General Buccow rejoined the main ariny at the same
time.
The Russian force was ordered to Saxony, and arrived,
on the 30th, at Lieberose. General Haddick covered the
march, and reached Lambsfeld that day. Laudon also
rejoined the above army.
Daun, perceiving that the Russians were cut off by Prince
Henry, formed a plan to surprise Ziethen's corps; but a batta-
lion from the Prince's army, which he chanced to perceive
256
THE ELEMENTS OF
at Sorau, led him to believe that his design was discovered;
on which he halted; and though he soon after advanced again,
General Ziethen had, however, time to retreat.
The King arrived, on the 31st, at Waldan, (having previ-
ously been informed of Daun's approach); and another part
of his army near Shulen, at which place the bakery was
established.
Next day, an engagement took place between his light
troops and the enemy; but it proved of no consequence.
Daun hearing, on the 2d, of the surrender of Dresden,
ordered Haddick to proceed to Saxony, and secure that
country.
The King, who was not yet aware of the loss of Dresden,
sent off some reinforcements to Wunsh's corps.
General Finck was to watch Haddick's corps, which had
marched to Dresden, to proceed close upon it, and, if pos-
sible, to attack it.
Finck, however, received intelligence, on the 8th, of the
surrender of Dresden, which he immediately reported to the
King, and encamped next day near Grossenhayn.
An Austrian officer came to give notice of Schmettau's
departure, and was duly sent back. Soon after him a Prus-
sian captain brought the same information, and complained
of the imperfect execution of the points stipulated in the
capitulation.
Finck then joined General Wunsh's corps.
General Harsh advanced again as soon as he heard that
Fouquet had left the corps which opposed him, and encamped
with his troops, on the 28th, near Buchwald.
Harsh afterwards made an attack on the heights of Blar-
dorfer; but was repulsed, by the arrival of some reinforce-
ments.
Fouquet brought up fresh reinforcements, on the 1st of
September; and Harsh then retreated still farther.
Prince Henry, having no communication with the King's
army, resolved to make an incursion in the rear of Daun's,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
257
and, consequently, encamped, on the 5th, at Wilkersdorf,
whence he proceeded to Buntzelvitz, and compelled General
De Ville to retire to Gorlitz. Friedland was afterwards
taken, together with 800 prisoners, and the magazine there,
by General Sutterheim.
Prince Henry arrived the same day with his army at Lau-
ben. On the following, General Sutterheim marched to
Zittau; but this town was not taken, and about 200 waggons
of flour only fell into his hands.
The Prince, arrived with his army, on the 12th, at Gorlitz.
Daun encamped, the same day, near Spremberg.
On the 13th, intelligence was again received from the
King, as well as of the fall of Dresden.
During this time a courier arrived from Petersburg, to
make known the promotion of Soltikoff to the rank of field-
mareschal; and of Prince Gallizin, to that of commander in
chief. All the lieutenant-generals were now admitted into the
order of St. Andrew, every soldier received six months pay,
a sword was presented to General Laudon, and a donation
of 5000 rubles was given to each Austrian regiment.
Soltikoff was so highly gratified with his new honours,
that he resolved to besiege Glogau, if previously reinforced
by 12,000 men; but hearing, on the 13th, that Daun had
fallen back to follow Prince Henry, he, next day, ordered
his army to approach towards the Oder. The Marquis de
Montalembert, who was sent by the French Government to
accompany the Russian army, persuaded him, however, at
last to lay siege to Glogau, and to demand reinforcements.
Daun consented to let him have 10,000 men, though the
progress made by Finck's and Wunsh's corps was by no means
favourable to the affairs of that general in Saxony.
Leipsig was taken, with about 1800 prisoners, and the
Prussians advanced to Mutzen.
Soltikoff moved forward to Guben, on the 14th, and there
awaited the arrival of the reinforcements from Daun, and of
the heavy ordnance for carrying on the siege. Having, how-
VOL. I!I.
258
THE ELEMENTS OF
ever, received agreeable intelligence concerning the expected
troops, he marched, on the 18th, to Starzedel, next day to
Sommerfeld, and, on the 21st, to Christianstadt, where, two
days before, General Laudon had joined the reinforcements
sent by Daun, which marched on the same day to Freistadt.
The King arrived, on the 16th, at Veschau, and, on the
17th, at Rotbus; but, perceiving that the Russians intended
to make an attempt upon Glogau, he again marched to
Sagan, and wrote to Prince Henry and Fouquet, requiring
them to send him all the troops they could spare, in order
that he might, in turn, attack the Russians.
Daun was much surprised at the King's movement, by
which his communication with the Russians was quite inter-
rupted; and resolved, when he saw that the King did not
intend to seize the magazine at Bautzen, to press Prince
Henry again towards Silesia. Daun led his army, on the
23d, to Reichenbach, and sent strong detachments to Gor-
litz, to reconnoitre the Prince, whom he determined to attack
next day.
The Prince, after detaching six battalions to the King,
broke up from his position, on the 22d, and arrived, on the
24th, at Kletten, and the following day at Hoyerswerda.
General Wehla was stationed near this town, but by making
too late a retreat, 1813 of his men were taken prisoners.
Daun, who in the mean time supposed that the Prince
had marched to Silesia, to form a junction with the King's
troops, advanced, on the 25th, to Gorlitz; here, however,
receiving notice of the Prince having marched to Hoyers
werda, he ordered his army to proceed to Bautzen, where he
arrived, on the 26th, with the loss of 3000 descrters.
General Wunsh returned from Leipsig, after he had taken
it, to his former position; and Finck approached towards
Dresden,
The Duke of Deux Ponts then left 16 battalions in Dres-
den, and encamped, with the rest of his army, near Kesseldorf.
General Finck, who intended to attack him, found this
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
259
scheme too difficult to execute; upon which the Prussians
formed their camp near Korbitz.
On the 21st, the hostile army resolved to make an effort
against the Prussians; but the only result was a cannonade.
General Haddick, immediately after this attempt, drew up to
attack Finck's corps, on the side of Stroitschen, and a heavy
cannonade instantly commenced; after which the left wing of
the Austrians advanced to cut off the Prussians from Torgau:
all the grenadier battalions of the latter, were then ordered
to attack the enemy. The Prussian cavalry, likewise, ad-
vanced, and the attacks of both succeeded.
The enemy reinforced his troops by the whole cavalry of
the army; but these were also compelled to retreat, though
they formed again soon after and attacked the infantry.
Some infantry, sent as a reinforcement by Finck, drove the
cavalry once more back, on which occasion the hussars
made several prisoners.
The enemy's cavalry again advanced upon the Prussian
infantry; but did not succeed in their endeavours. The
Prussian dragoons were also attacked; but they quickly re-
pelled their assailants. The enemy then attempted to take
the Prussians in flank; which was prevented by setting fire to
Lothian, and, after this, the enemy put an end to the attack.
The Austrians lost in this affair about 1600 men; and the
Prussians about 800.
The Imperial army, next day, covered Haddick's retreat;
and then, on the 2d, retired to its old camp at Seligenstadt.
General Finck kept his position till the 30th of September.
The French army marched, on the 4th, to Hastenbeck;
and Armentierres was ordered to Warburg to cover Kassel.
The Hereditary Prince attacked the rear-guard of the
French, on the 7th, near Eimbeck, and took some prisoners.
The allied army marched, ou the 5th, to Paderborn.
The French army arrived again, on the 12th, at Kassel,
where Armentierres' corps, posted near Warburg, covered its
left flank.
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THE ELEMENTS OF
The Duke of Brunswick resolved to attack this corps, and
all his troops advanced, on the 16th, to carry his purpose
into effect. Armentierres was then so successfully engaged by
the corps of Wangenheim, and the Hereditary Prince, that
he retreated with great loss.
The Duke of Holstein, meanwhile, attacked some other
posts, and made about 380 prisoners.
Contades retreated, on the 18th, and arrived, on the 23d,
at Great Seelheim, where a camp was formed and well for
tified.
:
Kassel and Ziegenhayn were then carried in the former
400, but in the latter only 280 prisoners were found.
The Duke arrived, on the 21st, at Frankenberg, and, on
the 25th, at Munich, where he encamped with his army,
which was only separated from that of the enemy by the
Lahu.
General Wangenheim and the Hereditary Prince surprised
Colonel Fisher's corps, on the 28th, at Wetter, when it lost
about 400 meu.
Broglio, being now separated from the grand army, and
stationed opposite to the enemy, broke up from his camp on
the heights, and retrograded by Marburg to Wolfshausen.
On the 2d of September, the Hereditary Prince and
General Wangenheim crossed the Lahu, and encamped near
Elnhausen.
A French post, at Weimar, was surprised by Luckner, who
took 300 prisoners, and one gun: the French, lost in the
whole, about 600 men.
Waugeuheim then encamped near Weimar; the Hereditary
Prince, near Alma; and Prince Bevern, at Schwartzenborn.
Contades was now forced to leave his position, and, there-
fore, retired to Munzlar.
Nine hundred men remained in Marburg, though, when
besieged, it did not hold out above five days, and the whole
garrison was made prisoners.
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261
Contades encamped, on the 7th, near Giessen; and Broglio,
near Diedenhofen.
The Duke arrived with his army, on the 18th, at Salzbaden.
Luckner drove the enemy out of Wetzlar, and encamped
near Hermanstein.
The Duke marched, on the 19th, to Krosdorf.
General Imhoff, who had been detached to besiege Mun-
ster, did not succeed according to expectation, and was
obliged to blockade the town, till such tune as he could
receive reinforcements.
The Imperial armny, hearing of Prince Henry's arrival at
Hoyerswerda, encamped near the Plauensche grounds, and
prepared for an attack.
The garrison of Dresden was reinforced, and the works
there put in a complete state of readiness.
On the 29th, Prince Henry received certain news of
Finck's engagement, and resolved to join him; but hearing
also that Daun had reached Dresden, he altered his plan, and
determined not to pass the Elbe, but to march to Torgau,
where he arrived on the 2d of October.
In the interval Daun resolved to attack General Finck, on
the 2d; but the latter retreated, without being perceived by
the Austrians, before their design could be effected.
Next morning, Brentimo's corps again advanced; on which
account Finck sent off some reinforcements from his own
troops; but a heavy fog prevented the enemy from being
seen, and he retired as soon as it began to disperse.
On the same day, Prince Henry's as my crossed the Elbe,
and encamped near Belgen. On the following, it marched
to Strehlen, and joined General Finck's corps. This body of
men now consisted of 53 battalions and 103 squadrons.
Daun, marched this day, to Heida, and reconnoitred the
Prussian position, in order to attack it, if possible; he, how-
ever, preferred ultimately, rather to endeavour to force Prince
Henry out of his position, by acting on his supplies of provi
sions, than to make any direct effort against his army.
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THE ELEMENTS OF
The Prussian camp was, indeed, too strong to be openly
attacked with much success; but Daun sent Esterhazi, Bre-
tano, and Haddick, with their corps, to the rear of the
army,
and these drove in some detachments, which were posted there
to keep open the communication with Torgau.
The Prince was, in consequence, forced to fall back upon
that place, in the evening of the 16th, and arrived there next
day. General Finck was then detached to give supporrt to
Leipsig, with 12 battalions and 15 squadrons.
On the following day, Daun encamped near Streblen;
and, on the 19th, in the neighbourhood of Belgern. General
Tinck, after the 20th, rejoined the army, and the Prussian
camp was every where well fortified.
The Duke of Deux Ponts was directed, for the purpose of
attacking Prince Henry, to approach towards Torgau with
his army, and he accordingly arrived, on the 21st, at Grossen-
hayu. Daun encamped, next day, near Schilda.
Eulenburg was abandoned by the Prussians, and reinforce-
ments sent to Leipsig, to maintain it for the greatest possible
length of time.
Daun then resolved to surround the enemy, and therefore
ordered the Duke of Alremberg to proceed to Domnitish,
and General Gemmingen to Duben.
Prince Henry immediately commanded General Finck to
attack Ahremberg, who was driven, on this occasion, back to
Molitschen.
The corps of the same general having again advanced too
far, Prince Henry ordered Finck and Wunsch to make
another attack on it. Wunsch's corps accordingly marched
to Wittenberg, passed the Elbe there, and proceeded to fall
upon Ahremberg's troops in the rear.
General l'inck directed his route on the other side, to attack
them in front; but, when arrived at his point of destmation,
he found that the enemy had marched off some hours before
towards Wittenberg, so that he had only an
opportunity of
attacking the rear-guard, which, however, retreated very soou
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
263
General Wunsch encountered the Austrians, near Merk-
witz; the Prussian infantry immediately passed the defile,
and six pieces of horse artillery were mounted to cannonade
the Austrians.
Ahremberg, fearful that he was about to be attacked by the
whole Prussian army, retreated towards Duben. This re-
treat was made in large confused masses, and each battalion
strove to be the first to pass the bridge near Sackwitz. The
Prussian cavalry, perceiving this disorder, charged the enemy,
and took General Gemmingen, and 1430 men, prisoners.
Generals Wunsh and Rebentish encamped then near Mairo,
joined General Finck's corps, on the 30th, and arrived, next
day, at Duben, which the Austrians had evacuated, in order
to effect a junction with the army near Schilda.
Daun had, in the mean time, fortified his camp, to obviate
all risk of being attacked by the Prussians; and thus at once
abandoned both his intention of cutting-off the communica-
tion of the Prussians, and of giving them battle.
Soltikow, finding no magazines at Christianstadt, would
have marched to Crossen; but, on the entreaty of Montalem-
bert, he proceeded to Kollowarth. Laudon, who did not wish
to continue longer in such a state of inactivity, and was de-
sirous to separate himself from Soltikow, sent General Cam-
pitelly to express his sentiments to him on the subject. Mon-
talembert, however, obtaining information of this, met the
general, and requested him only to confer respecting the ma-
gazines.
Soltikow marched, on the 23d, to Freystadt; and Laudon
to Wendish Borau.
The King arrived, on the same day, with the army at
Sorau, and determined to defend the defile of Neustadtel.
The enemy advanced, on the 24th, to Karoloth; but, find-
ing the heights of Little Wirbitz occupied by the Prussians, a
heavy cannonade commenced.
The Russians reconnoitring, on the 25th, a cammonade
264
THE ELEMENTS OF
again ensued; they afterwards encamped between Roehl and
Neutonne, and the Prussians between Baume and Milkau.
Bridges were then constructed over the Oder, by the Rus-
sians, near Karolath, in order that they might continue their
operations on the other side of the river.
On the 27th, the reinforcements from Prince Henry arrived
at the King's army, as also General Queiff, with his corps,
by which the King was enabled to extend his camp to Neck-
ersdorf, and to render that town stronger.
The repeated demands made by Laudon, to know what
Soltikow was resolved to do, caused the Russians, at last, to
move, after many severe answers had been returned to Lau-
don, which so much strengthened his desire of leaving the
Russians, that he asked permission from Daun to that effect.
The Russians passed the Oder, on the 1st of June, and
rested next day. The King marched, at the same time, to
Glogau, to protect that town from a bombardment.
The Russian army then proceeded to Schwersen and
Schlichtingen, where it arrived on the 4th.
General Schmettau was detached, the same day, to Golgo-
witz, where his corps was cannonaded by the Russians; hav-
ing, however, quickly received some reinforcements, and
heavy ordnance, he next day returned their fire, and compelled
the Russians to abandon their camp.
On the 8th, the King arrived at Koben with his army,
crossed the Oder by a ponton bridge, and encamped near
Sopienthal.
Laudon and Soltikow quarrelled several times, but were
always again reconciled to each other by the good offices of
Montaleinbert, who did more serious injury to the King
than the Russian and Austrian armies united; thus, how-
ever, the march of the Russians to Posen was continually
delayed.
On the 20th, the quarter-masters were sent forward to
Schurnau, to provide quarters for the Russians, who were ad-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
265
vancing to Posen; but, on the evening, a courier arrived from
Petersburg, with orders that the operations should be removed
to Breslau, which was accordingly done.
The garrison was summoned to surrender, and refused.
Soltikow then ordered his ordnance to be mounted, and the
town to be set on fire; this command was soon executed,
but the battalion, which garrisoned the place, neither retreated
nor surrendered.
On this, a council of war was immediately held, where it
was decided, that the army should first march to Tribel, and
thence proceed to Poland.
The King then detached a corps to watch Laudon's
movements, another to Upper Silesia, and General Ziethen,
with a third, to Saxony.
Laudon, perceiving this, entreated Soltikow to return: the
latter then advanced to Rawitz, and sent Laudon forward to
Drachenberg, but with orders that he should advance no
farther.
On the 2d of November, the whole body of Russians re-
treated to the Vistula, to establish winter quarters, and Laudon
marched to Kalish,
Hulsen arrived, the same day, with his corps at Muska.
Daun, receiving information of this circumstance, resolved to
retreat, on the 4th, and actually reached the camp near Huritz
ou the 6th.
Prince Henry, who likewise broke up his camp on the 4th,
marched on the 6th to Strehlen, and on the 7th to Lomatisch,
and arrived, on the same day as General Hulsen, on the other
side of the Elbe at Grossenhayn.
General Finck was ordered, with his corps, to Nassau, to
drive the enemy farther back.
The King reached his army in Saxony on the 10th.
Daun was forced, by the movements of Finck's corps, to
retire, on the 14th, to Wilsdruf.
The King's army then marched to Krogis, and a detach-
ment was also sent to harrass the enemy on his retreat.
266
THE ELEMENTS OF
Finck, reinforced by General Wunch's corps, was now or-
dered to Dippolswalda to obstruct the enemy's retreat to Bo-
hemia. Finck started some objections to this service, and
went in person to represent them to the King, but he was, in
answer, charged to fulfil his commands, and march without de-
lay to Maxen.
On the 14th, General Finck arrived at Dippolswalda;
Wunch's corps then marched to Maxen, and the general
proceeded himself to Dohna; but this post was again aban-
doned in the evening. General Finck marched, next day, and
joined General Wunch, which was immediately reported to
the King.
Daun retired, on the 17th, to the Plauensche grounds.
The imperial army marched then to Cotta and Gishubel.
The King encamped on the above day near Lunbach, and,
on the following, near Wilsdurf, detaching General Ziethen
to Kesseldorf.
He also informed Finck, that he would do well to rejoin
his corps, and await the enemy at Maxen. He, however,
afterwards acquainted him with a report brought by Ziethen,
stating, that Brentano and Sincere intended to attack him, and
gave him notice, at the same time, that he might act as he
thought proper.
Finck maintained his position, and, believing that the King
would support him, resolved not to make too early a retreat;
but all his dispatches were, however, intercepted by the
enemy.
The King received no intelligence of his corps, while Daun
was, in the interval, preparing to attack it.
Sincere's corps was then given to O'Donel, who advanced
with it to Dippoldswalda on the 19th, when Finck discovered
it, as he was reconnoitring, after the dispersion of a thick fog;
Finck immediately detached General Jung Platen with three
battalions and 13 squadrons to Dippolswalda, to protect a
convoy which he expected, and then to retreat by Rhein-
hardsgrimma. The convoy arrived safe at Maxen, and Jung
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
267
Platen's detachment remained between Hansdorf and Rhein-
hardsgrimma.
Finck now received information that the enemy would at-
tack him with 30,000 men from Hausdorf on one side, while
the Imperial army did the same on the other, in conjunction
with Brentano's corps, from Dohna, Dornitz, and Witgendorf:
this piece of intelligence he immediately dispatched by dif-
ferent ways to the King, whom it reached on the 20th.
The Austrians advanced on the 20th, at seven o'clock. Daun
came up again with the heads of his corps, before they ar-
rived at Rheinhardsgrimma.
General Finck reconnoitred the same day, but finding the
enemy's advanced posts somewhat retired, he proceeded to
Bohrsdorf for the like purpose, and whilst yet at some dis-
tance from this place, perceived that Brentano's corps had al-
ready formed. Rheinhardsgrimma was then taken by the
Austrians, who next proceeded to Hausdorf, while high
mountains, situated between this village and the forest of
Rheinhardsgrimma, concealed their formation from Finck's
corps. A battery was afterwards mounted, almost on the
flank of the Prussians, when immediately, on the forming of
the troops, the cannonade commenced; and General Brentano,
who had, in the mean time, advanced from Dronitz, opened
also an effectual fire of ordnance on the allied army in that
quarter.
The Austrian army made a joint attack, after this cammonade
had lasted an hour, and then the cavalry attached to it passed
through Hansdorf, to take the Prussians in the right flank.
Some of the battalions and squadrons of the Prussian left
wing advanced likewise in the interval, attacked, and were
Iccessful; but the Austrians now pushed forward again, and
with such good fortune, that all the Prussians were compelled
to retreat to Maxen.
Brentano advanced, during this time, closer to Finck's
corps, and soon joined Daun; towards evening both ap-
>
268
THE ELEMENTS OF
proached nearer to the Prussians, and the engagement con-
tinued till it became dark.
General Wunsch was, mean while, occupied with Prince
Stolberg, but still kept his position near Dohna.
Finck had now nothing left but to cut his way through the
enemy; he therefore assembled his generals, and informed
them of his intention to attack him.
The battalions were then provided with fresh cartridges; but
as all the infantry consisted only of 2836 men, Wunsch pro-
posed to force his way, at the head of the cavalry, in a direc-
tion towards the King, by Sirsen, and, in consequence, ad-
vanced early on the 21st; but the route was so very dangerous,
that it scarcely appeared possible for him to proceed.
General Rebentish was, in the mean time, sent to Daun, to
offer terms of capitulation: the latter refused to hear of any
thing less than an unequivocal surrender of the whole force,
General Wunsch's corps included. Finck was obliged to ac-
cede, and thus all the troops were made prisoners of war.
The King had previously detached, as succours; General
Hulsen, with four regiments of infantry and two of cavalry,
reinforced by General Schlaberndorf, with nine battalions and
10 squadrons, which body of men arriving on the 21st, near
Dippoldwalde, Hulsen there obtained intelligence of the fate
of Finck's corps, retreated next day back to Kolmutz, and, on
the 23d, to Freyberg.
Colonel Klust was, during these proceedings, more fortu
nate in Bohemia, being there appointed to make reprisals, as
the Margrave Charles notified to Daun, for the great cruelties
exercised by the Russians and Austrians in Prussia.
Klust marched to Duo, levied heavy contributions, plun-
dered the convent of Ossech, and then returned safely to
Fryberg.
Daun's army went into cantonments on the 24th of No-
vember, and the same was done by the king's on the 29th.
On the other side of Meissen, six battalions and 1000 dra-
goons were also stationed, which Daun would have taken in
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
269
the same manner as Finck's corps; but they retreated in good
time, and the enemy only gained about 1000 prisoners, who,
from the quantity of ice on the Elbe, could not pass it with
rapidity sufficient to escape their pursuers.
The 20th of November was the day on which Finck's corps
was defeated; and that also on which Admiral Hawke ob-
tained a complete victory over the French fleet, under Con-
flans, off Bellisle; and Munster surrendered to the allies.
Munster was provided with provisions by Armentierres, on
the 12th and 27th of September; but, when Imhoff received
his reinforcements, in the beginning of October, Armen-
tierres immediately retreated towards Wesel. Early in No-
vember, the heavy ordnance for the siege arrived, and the
trenches were opened in the night, between the 8th and 9th.
Armentierres re-advanced, on the 16th, to Dorsten, next
day to Dulmen, and appeared near Munster, on the 20th;
but he soon retreated again, and the commandant then sur-
rendered. Armentierres fell back to Wesel, followed by
Imhoff, in a direction towards Dusseldorf.
Broglio and Contades remained, in the mean time, inactive;
the former went to Paris, whence he returned, on the 2d
of November, with the rank of commander in chief of the
army.
The
He then immediately detached a corps to occupy Marburg;
but it was prevented from doing so. Upon this Prince Wur-
temberg was instructed to cut off the communication with
Kassel; and advanced, in consequence, to Fulda.
Hereditary Prince was directed to drive the enemy back from
Fulda, near which town he arrived on the 29th, attacked
the post at Lauterbach, and next proceeded against the
main corps. The enemy's camp, had the river and the town
of Fulda in the rear, and heights in its front and flank.
The Hereditary Prince profited by the latter to approach
unseen, and form. He advanced, with the cavalry, between
Sulzberg and Helinback, while Prince Bevern took possession
of the eminences to the right of the enemy, who, now per-
270
THE ELEMENTS OF
ceiving the allies, fled to Fulda: this town was soon forced
and carried; 1940 prisoners were taken, and the rest of the
enemy completely driven back.
The Hereditary Prince returned, on the 2d of December,
to the army. The French army afterwards retired to the
camps at Friedberg and Butzbach.
Giessen was still blockaded at the end of the month; but,
on the Hereditary Prince being sent with 13 battalions and
19 squadrons to Saxony, the French resolved to advance.
again.
The blockade of Giessen was, in consequence, raised, and
several skirmishes ensued, with an issue generally favourable
to the allies.
The French corps of the Lower Rhine arrived, on the
3d, at the Dille. Herboim was then taken, and the castle of
Dillenberg blockaded.
The Duke of Brunswick, retreated on the 4th, his
baggage having been sent off two days before.
Dillenburg was now retaken by the allies, and the castle
relieved, on which occasion 300 prisoners were made.
After this the French took winter quarters in the neigh-
bourhood of Giessen, Friedberg, Bingen, Kreutzbach, and
Oppenheim, and in the villages between the Maine and the
Lahn.
The allied army followed the example, and established its
winter quarters near Marburg, where the head quarters were
fixed.
In Silesia, General Golz was opposed to General Beck,
and General Fouquet to General Harsh.
Fouquet, after receiving reinforcements from the King,
moved, on the 29th of October, to obstruct Laudon's march
into Silesia, and left the command to General Jung Platten.
He passed Breslaw, on the 5th, and arrived in Oelse, on
the 7th, thence he proceeded to Kosel, which he reached
the 12th.
on
General Laudon's corps had, in the mean time, diminished,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR,
271
and was now only 10,000 strong. Fouquet determined to
occasion it still greater losses by skirmishes, and therefore
detached Colonel Bulow, with a small body of troops, to
Prieskretsham, and General Werner to Troppau: the latter
was taken, and though the garrison made an early retreat, it
was pursued, and the Austrians lost 180 killed, and 393
prisoners.
Fouquet, being informed that Laudon was retreating by
Krakaw, marched, on the 30th, to Ratibor: Laudon, how-
ever, arrived, on that day, at Teschen. It was then mutu-
ally agreed that winter quarters should be taken; and Gene-
rals Golz and Harsh did the same.
The Swedes made no great progress in their undertakings,
during this campaign.
After the battle of Kunersdorf, several battalions were
formed of the slightly wounded at Berlin, and several skir-
mishes took place.
General Manteufel, who had lately received some rein-
forcements, likewise took Anklam; and then both armies
went into winter quarters.
The Hereditary Prince arrived with his reinforcements, on
the 25th, at Freyberg.
The Austrians, attempting to make some movements werc,
at this time, driven back, and all parties resumed their winter
quarters.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1760.
Both the Prussian and Austrian armies,, occupied a very
small space of ground, and might be said to have been in can-
tomments. The latter extended from Dicsden to Dippols-
walda, and was covered by impassable ground and fortifica-
tious.
The Prussian army stretched from Freyberg to Brusnitz and
Meissen.
L
972
THE ELEMENTS OF
General Zettuitz stood on the other side of the Elbe, near
Kosdorf, with two regiments of cavalry, to cover the commu-
nication with Berlin.
Generals Schmettau and Fouquet had their winter quarters
at Lauben, Naumburg, Lowenberg, Grieffenberg, Lahn,
Herschberg, and Landshut, to be ready to oppose any enter-
prise on the part of Daun towards the Mark.
General Manteufel had his quarters along the Peine, with
his head-quarters at Anclam, where some skirmishes occurred;
the town was afterwards retaken by surprise, and Manteufel
made prisoner.
The Hereditary Prince rejoined the Duke's army, with his
troops, on the 6th of February.
General Beck afterwards surprised Zettuitz, and took
some prisoners; but being opposed by Colonel Flang, who
had collected as large a force as possible, he soon retreated
again.
General Laudon endeavoured also to surprise General
Golz: he informed General Golz of his intention by a trum-
peter, and immediately began his march in four columns.
One regiment sustained several charges, and then retreated in
an oblong, with the loss of only 150 men, though attacked by
a far superior force of cavalry.
General Luzinsky surprised Zeitz, and made 198 prisoners;
a Prussian reinforcement was immediately sent off by the
King, but arriving too late, it again returned to the main
army.
The King, in the interval, strove to render his forces as
complete as possible; though, after all, he was not able to
oppose more than 90,000 to the Austrian army of 130,000,
the Russian of 120,000, the Imperial of 20,000, and the
Swedish of 10,000, which amounted, in the aggregate, to
280,000 effectives.
But the subsistence of such armies was a thing almost im
possible to effect; some of their generals were also, in a certain
, less skilful than the Prussian; and these reasons, added
J
i
1
t
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
273
to the slow dilateness of the Austrian commanders, made the
King's troops appear sufficiently strong to cope with their ad-
versaries.
Prince Henry was appointed to lead the army destined
against the Russians, consisting of 44 battalions, and 64 squa-
drons.
General Fouquet had to defend Silesia with 19 battalions
and 18 squadrons; and the Swedes were opposed by 12 bat-
talions and 15 squadrons, commanded by General Jung Sut-
terhein.
The King left his quarters, with his army, in the evening
of the 21st, and marched by Robschutz to Korbitz, where a
camp was formed.
}
The Austrian main army kept its position; but General
Berlichen advanced to Wiltzdurf, and General Uchazi to Frey-
berg, where some trifling skirmishes took place.
General Golz afterwards placed the corps under him in
Silesia, near Sagan; Schmettau, his near Laubau; and Fou-
quet, his along the Queis near Landshut.
Daun encamped near Dresden, on the 1st of June, in order
to commence his operations.
The Russian army had assembled in May, and was, by the
beginning of June, fully collected likewise at Posen.
The plan of operations was previously decided: Soltikow,
with 80,000 men, was to march to Glogau; Laudon to Upper
Lausitz; and Daun to keep the King's army, during this time,
in Saxony.
Laudon advanced about the latter end of May to Nimptsch,
and arrived there on the 8th of June. Fouquet was, in the
mean time, under considerable apprehension, not knowing how
to oppose him, his cominand being so very limited, and nei-
ther to be reinforced from the King's, nor Prince Henry's
army.
Fouquet, in this dilemma, thought it best to take a position
near Wurben; thence however, he retreated to Breslaw, to
cover that town.
VOL. III.
T
{
74
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
Laudon, during this time, advanced to Glatz, and invested
it instructions were then issued to Fouquet, to take post
again near Landshut, which it was necessary the enemy should
possess, in order to besiege Glatz with effect.
Fouquet advanced with the greatest part of his corps, in
two columns, to Hartmansdorf and Forste, and immediately
attempted a small detachment posted on Bochberg; but the
intervening heights obliged him to stop, and skirmishes only
ensued.
The enemy was now expecting reinforcements, to enable him
more certainly to attack Fouquet, who, in the meanwhile, saw
that the sooner he could anticipate the designs of the Austrians
by a counter effort the better; and, therefore, encamped on the
Blasdorf heights, towards Mount Memmel, occupying Lands-
hut at the same time; but his troops were rather too much
dispersed.
Laudon, on receiving intelligence of these movements, or-
dered Beck to join him, and advanced by Johannsberg to
Schwarzwalde.
A convoy for Fouquet from Sweidnitz arrived at this period
safe in his camp.
Fouquet, who was every day more closely pressed, sent fre-
quent dispatches to the King, and always represented his si-
tuation in strong colours.
Laudon received considerable reinforcements, so that his
corps now consisted of 42 battalions of infantry, 40 compa-
nies of grenadiers, and 75 squadrons, in all 31,000 men, while
Fouquet had only 10,680 soldiers.
Early in the morning the enemy's artillery were heard
moving, and deserters soon made known that it was his inten-
tion to attack.
Four grenadoes were thrown by the Austrians as the signal
of engagement: the cannonade commenced, and four attack-
ing parties advanced.
The left wing of the Prussians was soon thrown back, and
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
275
the Austrians broke into the line, at the same time that it was
assailed in the rear.
The right wing was likewise attacked, and so often repelled,
that the Prussians were here also forced to retreat.
The enemy, who had hitherto only been engaged with the
outermost posts, directed himself now against the Prussians
on Galgenberg, where they were collected in the greatest
bulk.
His endeavours at this quarter were likewise prosperous,
and Fouquet's corps finally compelled to give ground.
It was retarded in its flight by the Bober, which river was
at last happily crossed; but, when beyond Leppersdorf, Fou-
quet, perceiving that the enemy had already occupied his route,
formed a square, and in this order proceeded on his retreat.
Soon after this he was wounded, and fell from his horse; at
which unfortunate moment, the Austrian cavalry penetrated,
and cut down all the brave men, who had flocked round their
chief, in their anxiety to defend him. An Austrian colonel,
who heard Fouquet's servant exclaiming, "Will you kill the
commanding general?" rescued and carried him to Laudon,
The Prussian cavalry had likewise passed the Bober; but
they were soon dispersed, and of the whole corps not more
than 1500 men made good their retreat by Newmark to
Breslaw.
Ziethen retreated, after having thrown a large garrison into
Schweidnitz.
The King drew nearer to Silesia, as soon as he learned the
issue of Laudon'Anovements, and in order still to retain Sax-
ony, he resolved to direct his march in such a manner, that
Daun should be obliged to follow him.
Hulsen was left to oppose the Imperial army.
The Elbe was begun to be crossed near Torgau, on the
14th, at an early hour, and by two the following morning all
the infantry had passed over.
Daun did nothing more than reinforce Lasey's army, though
T2
276
THE ELEMENTS OF
the King's might, at this juncture, have been most favourably
attacked.
Arrived at Berbigsdorf, the King determined to attack
Lascy, and made the disposition of the enterprise known to
his generals; but Daun ordered his right wing precipitately to
retreat, and awaited the King within his fortifications.
On the 22d of June, the Imperial army arrived at Dresden,
and encamped behind the Plauenshe grounds.
On the 25th, information was brought of the loss sustained
by Fouquet; the King, not at all surprised at the accident,
gave orders for reducing Dresden.
Previously to this, however, he endeavoured to bring Dauu
out of his position, and retreated a little for that purpose;
but the Austrians maintained their camp, and their comman-
der only reconnoitred the King's position, that he might be
sue of his not arriving in Silesia sooner than himself.
The King then broke up from his encampment, and
marched to Quelsdorf; on the knowledge of whose movements,
Daun immediately detached Lascy to watch him. Lascy
marched to Lichtenstein, and but for a speedy retreat, would
have been attacked by the King.
Daun constantly followed the route of the King's army, and
made such fatiguing marches, that in one day 300 of his meu
fell sick, and 200 died, from the extreme changes of heat and
cold, to which they were exposed.
Daun hastened to reach Silesia before the King, and had, so
early as the 8th of July encamped, near Ottendorf, not far
from Nawemburg.
The King moved to Luchnam, and there, perceiving the
progress of Daun's march, determined to attack Lascy, and
then return by his former route to Saxony. In pursuance
of this plau, he encamped with his right wing on Burg, where
the army had its position after the battle of Hochkirh, and
by that means separated Lascy from Daun's army.
The Austrians frequently attacked the outposts of the
royal troops, and for this the King resolved to be revenged.
}
*
J
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
277
He accordingly advanced with a picquet, and made a few pri-
soners; but the enemy's cavalry soon appeared and repulsed
him. Two regiments of horse came up successively, and re-
stored an equality of combat; the King, nevertheless, deter-
mined to retire, when the enemy, repeating his charge, forced
him to face again, and both parties stood about 40 paces distant
from each other.
}
The King now decided in his own mind to wait for the
arrival of his infantry, but this proving too tedious an experi-
ment, he ordered his men to face about and retreat: the ene-
my immediately pushed forward, and drove them on to Wilke,
where one battalion was luckily met, which forced the Aus-
trians to retreat as quickly as they had advanced.
The King determined next day to attack Lascy, but was
prevented by the latter retiring too soon for the accomplish-
ment of his design.
The Prussian cavalry were sent in pursuit, and passed
Dresden on the succeeding day; being the same on which
the King encamped near Reichenberg, after having ordered, on
the preceding, the ammunition for the siege of Dresden to be
conveyed from Magdeburg,
General Hulsen also approached with his corps, and when
arrived at Mobschutz and Kaditz, two bridges were con-
structed over the Elbe, which the army passed early in the
morning of the 16th to drive back the Imperialists.
The latter retreated on the 12th, at night, to Dohna, leav-
ing 12,000 men to reinforce the garrison of Dresden, which
now consisted of 14,000 soldiers. This force the King re-
solved to surround, aud took a position, in consequence, round
Dresden, on one side of the Elbe, the Duke of Holstein
being posted on the other.
Lascy, instead of attacking the King, or obstructing his ap-
proach, had retreated with the Imperial army, and now only
kept him in view.
Dresden was, at this time, defended by General Maquire,
who, when summoned to surrender, refused.
278
THE ELEMENTS OF
On the morning of the 18th, a battery of eight, and another
of two guns, were ready to bombard the Pirna-gate.
Next night a small parallel was constructed near the stables
of the New Town, and a battery of 10 guns also established,
to prevent the enemy from effecting sorties.
guerre,
Daun, conceiving the King's to be only a ruse de
calculated to induce him to fall back, sent General Ried to
observe his Majesty, and followed with the army on the 15th,
two days after he had received intelligence of the crossing of
the Elbe by the royal troops.
On the 16th, the General Ried made an attack on the Duke
of Holstein's corps, but met with a repulse; and a like fate
attended the detachment sent to reinforce him from the gar-
rison.
The same day a breaching battery was made ready, to
effect an opening between the sea and Pirna-gates.
On the 18th, all the breaching and dismouuting batteries.
were fully prepared, and the bombardment began next day.
The besieged, in the meanwhile, made a sally, and set fire
to the suburbs.
The King, on obtaining information of Daun's approach,
immediately reinforced the Duke of Holstein; but he retreated
next day, having been previously attacked, and crossed the
Elbe, near Ubigau. The enemy conducted this affair with a
trifling force, and only about 700 prisoners and seven guns
were taken. The commandant at Dresden did not even se-
cond the enterprise, though its consequences might have been
fatal to the Prussians.
The garrison effected a sally, in the evening, on a battery,
and drove back a Prussian regiment which covered it. Some
reinforcements, however, speedily arrived, and the besieged
were finally repulsed.
The fire of the Prussian batteries was therefore rendered in
future twice as heavy by night as by day.
The King, learning that it was Daun's intention to make
an attack, marched forward to meet him, but soon retreated
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
979
again, and took a position near Dresden, a little different from
his former, where he remained, and continued to bombard the
town.
Daun lay quiet in his camp till the 21st, when some de-
tachments were sent to Torgau and Meissen, and the Austrians
constructed bridges to pass the Elbe. The King, receiving
notice of this circumstance, resolved to abandon the siege, and
oppose Daun's army.
The garrison, however, attacked the trenches, during the
night prior to the intended execution of his purpose, and
drove back the Prussians, till the arrival of reinforcements,
when the enemy was also repulsed, and compelled to give up
all the advantages he had gained.
The besiegers lost no ordnance, but 376 men were either
killed or taken prisoners. The loss of the Austrians exceeded
700 men.
On the 28th, the King sent all the baking train to Meissen,
and, on the same day, the Austrians made a bonfire, in honour
of the taking of Glatz.
Next day the baggage was collected near Plauen, and the
royal army marched late in the evening to Peterwitz, where
it arrived in the course of the night, and from this place it
proceeded to Meissen.
Daun reached Bichoffswerda on the 31st, and remained
there with his army, till he becane certain of the movements
of the King's troops; in the mean time, however, he ordered
all the roads leading to Silesia to be broken up.
Laudon waited nearly a month after the victory obtained
over Fouquet, before the siege of Glatz conumenced, though
his army had been since rendered by reinforcements 50,000
strong.
This delay may, however, be attributed to Daun, who de-
tained him, in order that he might meet the King, if the latter
should advance to Silesia.
Daun and Laudon had an interview at Ottendorf on the
9th, (their corps being then very near each other,) when the
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siege of Glatz was resolved upon, and the artillery, necessary
to conduct it, were ordered to be sent from Olmutz. These
arrived on the 16th, and General Harsch, who commanded
the siege, ordered ground to be broken in the night, between
the 20th and 21st. Laudon came up also on the 25th, and
the batteries being then ready to open, the firing commenced
next day,
The sentries of the covert-way having fallen asleep, during
the afternoon, no guard was perceptible in that work, which,
when reported to Laudon, he immediately ordered it to be
assaulted, and detached some reinforcements for that purpose
to Harsch. The old town was then taken, and the new one
afterwards surrendered at discretion.
The Russian army still continuing to move forward, Prince
Henry ordered his, for the present, into cantonments; but
afterwards marching to Frankfort, he arrived there on the
15th, and, on the 19th, at Landsberg and Driessen.
The Prince, in the course of a short time, issued a procla
mation to the Poles, shewing them by what right he entered
their kingdom; crossed the Wartha, on the 12th of July,
took camp, on the 14th, near Gleissen, and sent General
Golz, with eight battalions and 20 squadrons, to Paradies.
On the 17th, all the Russian columns were finally assem-
bled at Posen, aud composed an army containing 60,000
regular, and 18,000 irregular troops. Soltikow resolved to
begin his operations on the 24th, and march to Breslaw;
but as this would, under existing circumstances, have exposed
the magazines at Posen, Montalembert proposed to transport
them to Kalish and Soradien; in consequence of which, the
artillery horses being not yet arrived, the march was post-
poned till the 26th, on which day the army advanced to
Moszinna.
L.
Prince Henry reached Padligar, with his army, on the
29th, and then proceeded to Linden, where, hearing that
Laudon had taken Glatz, he resolved to pass the Oder, near
Glogau, and then move to Breslaw.
i..
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281
1
Laudon made, in the mean time, every endeavour to induce
Breslaw to surrender, and even strove to stir up a revolt
among the inhabitants; but all his efforts, including a bom-
bardment, which lasted from ten in the evening till midnight,
and set fire almost instantly to the palace, were vain.
Prince Henry, arrived early in the morning of the 3d of
August, at Parchwitz, and sent several detachments to drive
back some small Austrian corps, which were then advancing.
In the night of the 5th, the army arrived at Newmark,
and, on the 8th, at Breslaw, which Laudon had left on the
th.
Towards the evening the Russian forces arrived also near
the above town; but hearing of Laudon's retreat, they formed
au encampment near Great Wiegelsdorf.
General Laudon marched, next day, to Striegau.
The King reached Bautzen on the 7th, and the position of
the three armies could not then be changed, as the enemies.
of Prussia did not alter theirs.
The Prussians had, however, gained a remarkable point
in respect to the future success of the campaign; they had
destroyed the plan of operations by which the Austrians and
Russians were to have acted.
The allied and French armies were now both considerably
reinforced; 80,000 men were to be commanded by Broglio,
30,000 by Count St. Germain, and 15,000 by Prince
Xaver.
The allied force consisted, on the other hand, of 50,000
Hanoverian, Brunswick, and Buckeburg troops, 20,000
Englishmen, and 24,000 Hessians; but, after all, this army
did not actually amount to more than two third parts of that
already mentioned.
On the 20th, the Duke of Brunswick assembled his
troops near Fritzlar, the infantry excepted, who were in
camp; and Broglio, on the contrary, ordered his men to
go into cantonments, between Frankfort and Hannau. Dur-
ing the early period of the campaign, a number of skirmishes
Jor M
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were the only occurrences that took place, and these, in gene-
ral, ended favourably for the allies.
St. Germain was ordered to cross the Rhine, and encamp-
ed, on the 20th, near Dortmund; General Spoerken, who
opposed him, was stationed near Dulmen; Hardenberg,
near Werne; and the Prince of Bernburg, near Lipstadt.
Broglio was, in the mean time, advancing to Gotteshausen,
in the vicinity of which town he encamped on the 24th, and
on the following, between Dammerod and Niederklein.
The Duke advanced to attack the enemy; but finding hist
position too advantageous, he fell back, on the 26th, to
Schlaim. Broglio followed him next day to Neustadt and
Speckwinkel.
Marburg surrendered to the French, on the 30th of July;
and Frizlar likewise was investigated, but the allies were
driven back as soon as reinforcements arrived.
On the 4th, a heavy cannonade took place; but it was of
short continuance. Count St. Germain rejoined the grand
French army, with his corps, about this time, by the way of
Korbach. Broglio sent off his baggage, on the 7th, to
Frankenberg, and himself following, during the night occu-
pied the defile near Korbach.
fol-
The Duke, on being informed of this movement, immediate-
ly detached the Hereditary Prince to pursue the enemy,
lowed next afternoon in person, and encamped, the ensuing
day, near Wildungen.
On the 9th, the French were to have marched to Sachsen-
hausen; but could not reach Korbach. Count St. Germain
was already at Bazelar. Broglio joined the infantry carly on
the 10th, to take the heights of Korbach; and encountered
the Prince, whose corps, in conjunction with Kielmansegge's,
attacked him. Broglio retreated at the beginning of the
affair; but discovering the weakness of the force opposed to
him, he soon ordered St. Germain to return to the attack. The
allies were speedily driven back, with the loss of seven cammon
and three howitzers. The French cavalry, who, at this time,
t
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283
attacked the allied infantry, were, however, successfully
charged in flank, and compelled to give way, which allowed
the allies time to retreat in the best order to Sachsenhausen,
where the main army had previously arrived. The loss on both
sides was about 900 men; but the allies left besides 15 pieces
of ordnance behind them. Spoerken joined the army on
the 15th.
The Hereditary Prince, who had been wounded in the late
engagement, was scarcely recovered, when he surprised a
corps of the enemy encamped near Emsdorf and Exdorf;
General Luckner attacked in front, and the Prince in the
rear. The enemy, though he attempted to form, was soon
driven back, and lost about 500 men on his retreat; which
he made in a direction to Niederklein, where he was com-
pletely surrounded, and forced to surrender; on which occa-
sion the Prince of Koethen, General Glaubitz, 179 officers,
and 2482 men were taken, together with all the camp equi-
page, the baggage, five guns, and nine colours. Marburg,
however, was not regained; when General Luckner, who ad-
vanced to that place, found General Stainville approaching,
and the garrison fully prepared.
General Count St. Germain, though an officer of talents,
was soon after recalled, and entered the Danish service: he
was succeeded in the command by Du May.
Dillenburg having surrendered, Broglio resolved to force
the Duke to leave his position, which was effected by pressing
back several of the detachments of the allied army. The
Duke retreated to Wolfshagen, and thence to Immenghausen;
the Hereditary Prince to Wilmar, Wangenheim and Mun-
choff; Kielmansegge to Kasscl; and Luckner to Zevern.
The French encamped, on the 27th, near Volkmarsen, and,
on the 30th, at Zieremberg; Prince Xaver having his quarters
at Winterkasten, from which place Kielmansegge's position
was bombarded. Broglio being now too far distant from Du
May's corps near Warburg; the Hereditary Prince resolved
/
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to attack this detachment, and informed the Duke of his in-
tention, who undertook to support him with his army.
The French had, meanwhile, posted themselves behind
Warburg, from which some movement being visible in the
allied camp, De Kastries was sent on observation: this gene-
ral met Major Bulow, in the evening, and drove him back.
The Hereditary Prince then hastened with renewed rapidity
to reach the enemy, who was, by this time, under arms.
General Spoerken came up with his column, at half past one,
and instantly attacked. Colonel Huth, likewise, mounted
immediately three batterics, each consisting of four twelve-
pounders, which took the enemy in flank and rear. During
the period of their fire, the first column marched to a height
in the enemy's rear, which was directly occupied by Colonel
Beckwith and 100 grenadiers, who defended it most courage-
ously, and sent notice to the Prince of their situation.
The French advanced against this post; but two English
battalions arriving successively, sustained the attack of their
whole brigade, for a great length of time, and in the midst of
hard fighting, till Du May brought up three fresh brigades.
At this critical moment a battery opened its fire on the left
flank of the enemy, and some Hanoverian battalions reached
the scene of action; by which means, and an immediate.
attack, the heights were maintained. Two regiments of
English cavalry now made a charge, and took several pi-
goners; and soon after Lord Granby's horse appeared,
The French cavalry, however, retreated before the British
attacked, three squadrons only excepted, which kept their
ground, though these were also soon obliged to take to
flight.
The French infantry were then assaulted, and Zastrow's
column gained more room to form: the French then retreated
across the Dimel, the opposite bank of that rivulet being
already occupied. The retreat was
very disorderly, the
query being closely pursued.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
285
Fisher's corps was at the same time attacked, and driven
back on the swords of the English dragoons. The French
endeavoured, at this juncture, to form again; but the celerity
of the English artillery defeated the attempt, and the enemy
retired as soon as General Granby passed the Dimel with a
small corps. The French lost, in the above affair, 10 stands
of colours, 12 guns, and about 5000 men; and the allies
nearly 1200 men,
Kielmansegge, in the mean time, retreated to Imsen, and
Prince Xaver advanced to Munden; from whence he pro-
ceeded to Gottingen, when the allied corps retired by the
Weser. Ziegenheim surrendered on the 10th of August;
but the enemy could not advance farther without exposing
himself to too great danger.
The King, whose affairs appeared constantly to be grow-
ing worse, resolved to march to Silesia as soon as possible,
and ordered this movement to be made in three columns;
the first line forming the first column, the second the middle,
and the reserve the third.
Daun preceded the King's troops on their route, and Lascy
followed them in such a manner that all the three corps
seemed as if they belonged to one great army. The King
arrived, on the 8th, at a camp near Bautzen, and Daun at
Lowenberg.
From Bautzen his Majesty determined to proceed in four
columns by Lignitz to Tanor, and began his march at three
o'clock in the morning of the 9th, to reach Adelsdorf the
same day. At the heights of Goldberg, however, he met
Beck's corps, and a body of Austrian cavalry; in consequence
of which, and the enemy's main army being also in view, he
ordered a camp to be formed near Hohendorf.
Daun's
army continued its march, and afterwards encamped;
Bretano being between Konradsberg and Prausnitz, Laudon
between Konradsberg and Arnoldshoff, and Lascy near
Lowenberg.
Ou the 10th, the Austrian army again en-
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THE ELEMENTS OF
camped between Hochkirchen and Wahlstadt; Lascy having
his station between Seichau and Goldberg.
Soltikow, who had been, during the interval, entreated to
obstruct the junction of the King's and Prince Henry'
armies, resolved, at last, to cross the Oder with a small
by two bridges thrown over that river.
corps,
S
The King, perceiving the enemy's army to be in motion,
hastened to gain Lignitz, and pass the Katzbach; but being op-
posed by 90,000 men, and having only 30,000 under his im
mediate command, he determined to change his position every
night,and to open a communication with Schweidnitz. He,
therefore, marched, early on the 11th, towards Semmelwitz;
but when arrived at the Katzbach rivulet, he discovered Lascy's
corps on the heights of Prausnitz. Ile proceeded, in con-
sequence, by Goldberg; and the Austrians retreated, pro-
tected by the fire of their ordnance, with the loss of the
greater part of their baggage.
The royal camp was then formed on the heights of Scichau,
from which the King intended to march to Landshut; but
Daun detached Lascy thither, and the Prussians, believing
that they would be attacked, took up arms, but soou after
retired into their camp.
As it became highly necessary for the King to procure a
supply of provisions, he again retrograded across the Katz-
bach, and lost, on the occasion, two 12-pounders and 130
prisoners. Next morning his army proceeded to Lignitz;
but had scarcely arrived there, before Daun resumed his for
mer position near Hochkirh.
When the Russians marched, on the 9th, to Kuntzendorf,
Prince Henry sent a corps to support General Golz, and
Thadden to pursue the enemy. Prince Henry passed the
Oder himself, on the 14th, and encamped between Huneru
and Mahlen. Soltikof had already altered his camp, on
the 10th, and formed it near Oberning.
Laudon went, on the 13th, to Soltikof, and entreated him
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
287
to detach a corps across the Oder to watch Prince Henry;
the troops were ordered off to the Oder, but did not cross it,
the bridge having been driven away.
The King heard of Czernichef's march, and fixed the
night of the 14th for the removal of his camp; early on that
day, however, he perceived some movements making in the
Austrian camp, his tents were, in consequence, struck, and
the troops flew to arms; but the camp was soon after formed
again.
In the afternoon, his Majesty was informed, by an Aus-
trian officer, that Daun purposed to attack him; on which
account he proceeded to reconnoitre his opponent,
At night-fall the army was directed to march secretly to
the heights of Pfaffendorf; and this project was executed
without any molestation from the enemy.
A position was then occupied, as follows: the first line
was towards the wood of Humeln, with its left near Panten;
the second line, (which was an erroneous disposition,) march-
ed up and stood with the left wing also on Humeln, aud the
right behind Pfaffendorf. The first line marched now to the
right, the second line came in front of it; both then faced
towards each other, and the baggage was placed between
them. In order to prevent confusion, the first line had, after-
wards, instructions to form; the baggage was sent in its rear,
and the second line drawn behind it.
At break of day, Major Hund informed the King, that the
Austrians were approaching. His Majesty commanded
Hund to check the enemy as long as possible; mounted his
horse, and rode to the left wing, from which however, he
soon returned, and pointed out to Schenkendorf a small
height to be occupied, to prevent the army from being out-
flanked. Schenkendorf had scarcely arrived there, and
mounted 12 guns, when the enemy approached.
Laudon had, according to Daun's instructions, passed the
Katzbach, and intended to surprise the Prussian baggage;
but he was greatly astonished to find that the very ground ou
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THE ELEMENTS OF
which he had purposed to form, was occupied by his adver-
saries; he, therefore, made an immediate attack, and met with
a repulse. His column, which had advanced by Panten, was
panic-struck; the Prussians gained time and ground, and strong
reinforcements were placed in the rear of Schenkendorf's
corps.
The enemy's column advancing by Pohlschildern, drove
back the dragoons of Krokow; but it was soon after taken in
flank, and repelled in its turn.
Laudon, in the interim, collected his infantry, and ordered
fresh battalions to advance, and gain the Prussian left flank :
the attempt was, however, frustrated. He then made another
attack, but his foot were repulsed, and retreated in disorder,
of which the Prussian cavalry properly availed themselves,
and charged with success. The Austrian horse soon after
attacked some battalions, which were too far advanced; defeat
likewise attended these, and they fled in a direction to Beno-
witz, where they arrived in the utmost disorder.
The right wing of the Prussian army stood, during this
time, inactive, which occasioned a considerable space to be
left unoccupied, opposite to Panten; but the enemy did not
profit by it.
The Austrian generals consumed the period of action in
unavailing consultations, and only made the men of one pla
toon prisoners. This interval was soon filled up from some
of the Prussian regiments, and Panten, to which the enemy
would have advanced, was set on fire, after which the Austrian
troops in this quarter were likewise driven back. Laudon
made some more attempts, but they were as fruitless in their
results as the former, and he was finally forced to retreat to
Benowitz.
Eighty-six officers, 6000 men, 82 guns, and 23 stands of
col urs, fell into the hands of the conquerors.
In killed and wounded the Austrians lost 10,000 men, the
Prussians 3,500.
Daun's plan was to attack the King's camp in front, while
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
289
Lascy took it in the rear, and he, therefore, advanced in the
evening to Katzbach. At dusk the village of Schimmelwitz
was attacked; but the Austrians, finding it abandoned, they
did not hazard a farther advance.
Soon after, it was discovered, that the King had broken up
his camp, of which circumstance, information was given to
Daun at two o'clock in the morning. Laudon's engagement was
then supposed to have taken place, and the army ordered off
to assist him the contrary direction of the wind prevented
the report of the guns from being heard; but, at five o'clock,
the van-guard arrived, and a thick smoke was visible, which
threw Daun into some embarrassment: this general, always
exceedingly cautious in his actions, was long undecided what
to do; at last, he occupied the suburbs of Lignitz, sent some
squadrons across the Schwarze waters, and resolved to follow
himself. This detachment of cavalry was, however, can-
nonaded by Ziethen, and forced to retreat.
General Lascy was not able to pass the Schwarze waters
with the whole of his corps; some hussars alone made the
attempt, and attacked the Prussian baggage, but they did not
succeed.
The King raised a bonfire in honour of his victory, and
directed that the wounded should be put into the spare waggons,
the remainder of which were then broken up, and the horses
used for the artillery. The small arms were likewise not for-
gotten; each horseman being made to carry one. The march
was then directed to Parchwitz, where the Katzbach was passed,
and the route to Breslaw thus became open. Czernichef only
offered any obstruction to the way.
The King now sent dispatches to Prince Henry, informing
him that he had defeated the Austrians, and would next pro-
ceed against the Russians. Czernichef, who heard also news.
of a similar kind, retreated across the Oder from fear of
being attacked.
Daun detached two officers on the 16th to Soltikoff and
Prince Lowentern, and ordered General Beck to join Czer-
VOL. III.
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•
nichef. These officers having arrived at the Russian camp,
Soltikoff immediately commanded the bridges over the Oder
to be re-established, and Laudon's corps to be joined at
Newmark; but the King marched to that place on the 16th,
and drove back Neuendorf's corps, which was stationed there,
and also the van-guard of Beck's and Lowenstein's corps near
Newmark, which a little surprised him. His Majesty, how-
ever, saw no army near Newmark; but was informed of the
designs of the Austrians by a captive colonel, who, in the
heat of his temper, discovered all that he knew, to excuse
himself from being made a prisoner.
The prisoners and wounded were sent the same day to
Berna, and thence to Breslaw.
Laudon and Lascy marched to Striegau, and Soltikoff to
Peterwitz; but the latter, perceiving the King to be near New-
mark, resolved to retire into Poland, and, therefore, fell back
upon Koniga and Ujephuetz. Prince Henry marched to
Grossmietau, and the King to Hermansdorf. The Austrians
encamped at the same time, Daun near Stoken and Poseritz,
Lowenstein near Wurben, Brentano and Beck near Buckaw,
and Ried near Arensdorf.
The Imperial army, consisting of 35,000 men, encamped,
after the siege of Dresden, behind the Plauensche grounds,
when the Austrians, not thinking this force sufficient to expel
General Hulsen from Saxony, it was strengthened by the
troops under the Prince of Wurtemburg, but did not leave its
camp before the King had entered Silesia. The corps com-
manded by Hulsen was then soon obliged to retire.
Near Giesseg, Colonel Kleist would have attacked and sur
prised the corps stationed there under the orders of Prince
Stolberg; but perceiving the blaze of a number of fires, as
he approached, and ignorant of the cause, the enterprise was
abandoned, and the Prussians fell back. The enemy had ac
tually advanced to attack the Prussians, and Guasco's cavalry
even made a brisk assault, but they were soon forced to re-
treat, and drew towards the right.
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
291
Some troops were now sent to the mountains in that quar-
ter, and these immediately discovered the enemy, forming be-
hind the eminences; but four guns directing their fire against
him speedily compelled him to stop his movements.
General Guasco next advanced to Offenberg, and began to
cannonade the Prussian camp, but without effect.
Prince Stolberg was then advanced to the Windmill moun-
tain, and Guasco to Mount Duren.
The tents were sent back to the left wing. The Imperial
army passed the Delmet, but was opposed by an attack from
the Prussian cavalry on its flank.
The Austrian horsemen, who now advanced, were driven
quickly back, and the same fate attended General Klefeld; on
which the whole army again retreated.
General Hulsen marched to Torgau, to which place he
brought with him 1217 prisoners, of whom 39 were officers,
with one gun, and three colours, the spoils of the enemy.
་
F
The Prussians lost about 1056 men in killed, wounded,
and missing, and two guns. The Imperial army, though three
times as strong as Hulsen's corps, and though the plan of at-
tack was so well arranged in theory, did not gain the day, be-
cause its commanders wanted the skill and determination neces-
sary to have supported and carried the enterprise into effect.
Hulsen kept his camp at Torgau as long as he could, to
enable the King to finish his operations, before it should be-
come necessary to drive back the Imperial army,
Soltikoff was sick, but would not allow any one to assume
the command; and Daun received orders to send two new
plans of operations to Vienna.
The King, perceiving the retreat of the Russians, directed
24 battalions and 38 squadrons to reinforce his army, in order
to oppose the Austrians. General Golz, who commanded
the rest of this army, marched to cover Glogau. Daun, who
kept Schweidnitz very narrowly inclosed, was forced to retreat
as soon as the King moved towards his army, for fear of being
outflanked, and the King thus recovered his communication
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with Schweidnitz. He encamped, on the 3d of September,
at Buntzelwitz, and thence proceeded to Strigau.
Daun received orders from Vienna to besiege Schweidnitz,
while the Russians were to invest Glogau.
Daun dispatched an officer to make this known to Soltikoff,
and to promise him all the provisions and artillery requisite
during the siege of the fortress, together with Laudon, at the
head of 40,000 men, to cover the enterprise. Next day,
however, a message was sent that the artillery could not be
spared. Montalembert interpreted this to Czernichef, and he
at last brought Soltikoff to direct a march to be made towards
Breslaw; after some changes, occasioned by the unsteadiness
of Daun's intentions, the command was given to Fermor,
whose sentiments, in regard to co-operating with the Austrians,
like those of Daun.
were very
The King's army, which constantly endeavoured to press
the enemy farther back, had an engagement in the vicinity of
Bogendorf and Kuntzendorf, during which the Austrians
formed.
The Prussian army lost at this time about 1000 men, and the
Austrians nearly an equal number, besides 17 pieces of ord-
nance; but the communication between Daun's army and Glo-
gau, being almost entirely cut off, Daun was forced to fall
farther back.
Broglio, who had selected a position opposite to the Duke's
camp, strove invariably to keep open his communication with
Frankfort, and to subdue Hanover, that he might establish his
winter quarters in that country. In pursuance of this inten-
tention, he also sent Prince Xaver to that electorate, and
even after his corps had been forced several times to retire,
he still continued to detach thither strong reinforcements, and
resolved to fortify Gottingen.
The Imperial army, had been waiting for the reinforcements
of Prince Wurtemburg, and as soon as these arrived, it began
its operations. Its strength was now 40,000 men. This
force advanced, on the 24th, to Torgau.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
293
Hulsen expected several attacks, but nothing more than re-
connoitrings occurred. Indeed, it rather seemed to be the
intention of the enemy to hem in his corps, as was done to
the Saxons at Pirna. General Hulsen resolved, therefore, to
retire, and did not even wait till night; the consequence of which
was, that the enemy advanced, and commenced a heavy can-
nonade, which occasioned the retreat to be finally made in the
greatest confusion; and if the enemy had now attacked, the
whole corps would, in all probability, have been destroyed.
The bridge over the Elbe was then burned by the Imperialists,
and Torgau surrendered next day, with a garrison of about
2000 men; Hulsen retreated to Wittenberg, and resolved
to make a stand there.
On the 2d of October, a heavy cannonade commenced near
Fenchel, and the enemy's grenadiers advanced; but they were
soon forced again to retire, by the effect of the Prussian artil-
lery. Several attacks were afterwards made by General Lu-
zensky's corps; but they were all repulsed, though the last
took place after the main army had retreated, and was sup-
ported by Prince Wurtemberg. A heavy cannonade had been
kept up during almost the whole day, and yet the Prussians
did not lose above 226 men. The enemy lost about 400.
The latter having retreated, Hulsen resumed the position
which he had possessed prior to the engagement.
Luzinsky, next day, encamped near Simmilkensdorf and
Molkaw, by which Hulsen's retreat to Berlin was quite cut
off; Saxony was then evacuated, not excepting Leipsig; Wit-
tenberg only remained occupied, and this was immediately en--
closed by the Imperial army.
The Swedish army did not appear, during this campaign,
in the field before the 16th of August, when its operations
began, under the command of General Lattinghausen.
The Prussians were soon pressed back from the Peone by
the Swedes, who afterwards, advancing to Strasburg, forced
General Sutterheim to retreat to Pasewalk, and thence to
Prenzlow, and Zehdenick to cover Berlin.
In the meatu
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time several skirmishes took place, in which the advantages
were generally on the side of the Prussians.
The Swedes did not advance farther than Prenzlow, where
they awaited the close of the siege of Colberg, which had
commenced on the 29th. A Russian fleet blockaded this
town on the side next the sea.
A force arrived on the 18th, under General Werner, who
immediately insulted some of the Russian posts, and resolved
to attack the whole corps on the following day. The Rus
sians, however, retreated, leaving behind them all the guns in
the trenches. The fleet likewise disappeared on the 23d.
Thus General Werner, though not near so strong in num-
ber as the Russians, succeeded in repelling them, by the quick
ness of his movements, his adroitness, and his skill.
A Russian reinforcement was sent off from the main army
the same day that Colberg was relieved, but it returned as
soon as informed of the raising of the siege, which had cost
the Russians 39 guns.
General Werner, having allowed his troops some rest,
marched to Stettin, to oppose the Swedes: he drove in their
advanced posts, attacked the army itself near Pasewalk, and
strove to induce the whole force to surrender, which, being
tenaciously refused, he retreated with the loss of 300 men,
after having taken from the enemy eight guns, and 29
officers, and 600 men prisoners. In addition to the above,
the Russians lost 300 men in killed and wounded,
Prince Wurtemberg had joined Sutterheim's corps, with
some reinforcements, and assumed the chief command, to
wards the end of September.
The marching of this corps saved the Swedes from total
destruction. General Werner, indeed, forced them to retreat
to Anklam, but he was soon after called again into Pomera
nia, as the Russians were once more advancing to that pro-
vince.
The King still occupied the camp opposite to Daup's po
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
295
sition; but no engagements, except between the light troops,
had taken place.
His Majesty afterwards detached a corps to make demon-
strations on Moravia, which Daun sent another to oppose,
under General Beck; and General Lastig, at the same time,
was dispatch to Berlin, to co-operate with the Russians.
A Russian army also speedily approached Berlin. General
Tottleben arrived in the neighbourhood of this town, on the 3d.
Czernichef's corps came to Furstenwalde the saine day, and
the main army reached Lassow two days later. Tottleben sum-
moned Berlin to surrender. This city was by no means regu-
larly fortified, but merely surrounded on some of its sides by
a wall, and at other parts by palisadoes only. The conditions
proposed being refused, Tottleben ordered the town to be
bombarded, which was continued during two days; an attack
was also made, but repulsed. Tottleben then sent a detach-
inent to occupy Kopenich, the key of Berlin. The former
town surrendered after a bombardment, and Tottleben en-
camped near it, with the greater part of his troops, leaving
only a few regiments before Berlin.
Colonel Schewettinowitsch rejoined this corps in the even-
ing, after having destroyed the gun inanufactories at Potsdam.
Prince Wurtemburg and General Hulsen arrived there also
in the course of the following day, the 5th of October.
Tottleben, having received reinforcements, again advancod
towards Berlin, and bombarded it a second time he was,
however, repulsed, and fell back upon General Lascy's
corps.
:
Czernichef arrived during the engagement at Lichtenberg,
and was there attacked by Prince Wurtemberg.
On the 8th, the Russians again received fresh reinforce-
ments, as also reports from Lascy, purporting that Hulsen had
prevented his advance, and from Tottleben, stating that he
had been engaged with Colonel Kleist.
Czernichef, thinking the Prussians stronger than they actually
were, feared that Hulsen would unite with the Prince's corps,
296
THE ELEMENTS OF
;
and then attack him; he, therefore, assembled his generals
to consider how to act. Montalembert's advice to make an
assault was agreed to.
Lascy afterwards sent word that he would attack Hulsen
next day; but both the Prussian corps previously retired,
and left Berlin to its fate, in order to escape a defeat, to save
their men, and not to occasion the sacking of the town by
uselessly irritating the enemy.
The commandant sent an officer, in the same night, to
Tottleben, signifying his desire to capitulate. The capitula-
tion was soon concluded, and the Russians entered Berlin.
Lascy became jealous, and demanded an equal part of the
booty; but Tottleben said, that he would await the com-
mands of Fermor. Lascy declared, in return, that he would
protest against the capitulation, and requested Czernichef to
do the same. He, however, afterwards consented to receive
three of the gates into his possession, and then the Austrians
plundered Frederick's town.
Tottleben, to prevent the disorders which the troops were
committing, granted safe-guards, and by this means restored
some degree of tranquillity.
The Russians destroyed all that belonged to the King, and
carried away with them whatever it was possible to transport.
General Esterhazy fortunately obstructed the entrance of the
light troops, and this only prevented the city from being com-
pletely pillaged.
Berlin was compelled to pay a contribution of 100,000
dollars to Czernichef's and Lascy's corps, and 75,000 to
Tottleben, besides 25,000 to the third Russian division.
On the 11th and 12th, the Russians, however, retreated,
in consequence of the approach of the King's army, and
arrived, on the 14th and 15th, at Frankfort, whence they fell
back to Drossen.
To Moutalembert's conduct alone the successful pillage of
Berlin may be truly ascribed.
The King, as soon as he was informed of the joint enter
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
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HA
1
prise of Lascy and the Russians, immediately ordered Gene-
ral Wied to march with a corps and reinforce Breslaw and
Schweidnitz, and the main army followed next day, being
the 4th of October. It arrived, on the 11th, at Sagan.
Daun followed, and reached to Ulbersdorf, on the 12th; but
the King made towards Guben to cut off the Russian corps,
which had advanced to Berlin. On hearing that these had
retreated, he, however, changed his route to Lubben, where
he arrived on the 17th.
Prince Wurtemberg, who had, in the mean time, taken the
command of Hulsen's corps, was already arrived at Branden-
burg, on the 11th; but learning that the Russians had left
Berlin, he resolved to relieve Wittenberg: this place had,
however, previously capitulated. The Prince then waited for
the King's further orders, and reached Treuenbutzen, in con-
sequence, on the 19th.
Laudon endeavoured, during these proceedings, to reduce
Kosel; and General Golz was detached with a corps to
oppose him.
Daun, arrived with his army, on the 24th of October, at
Groswig. Prince Wurtemburg advanced, the same day, to-
wards Kothen, and pushed forward Colonel Kleist to attack
2000 men stationed there, belonging to his brother's corps.
Of the Wurtembergers, 700 were taken prisoners, and the
rest destroyed. The Duke of Wurtemberg retreated soon
after into his own territories, without having gained any im-
portant victory.
The Imperial army likewise retired, and began to look out
for winter quarters. The King passed the Elbe, and joined
the Prince of Wurtemberg, near Konitz.
His Majesty proceeded, next day, to the camp near Kem-
berg, and on his way there took 380 of the Austrian cavalry
prisoners, and killed about one-third more than that number.
Daun, having, in the interval, arrived at Eulenberg, fell
pow back again to Zinua, and Lascy to Schilde; where the
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THE ELEMENTS OF
Austrian camp was strongly fortified. The King marched
then to Eulenburg.
General Linden, was detached to Leipsig, at which place
the Imperial army lay; but the latter, supposing that it was
the King approaching with his corps, retreated; as did like-
wise the garrison of the town, which General Linden imme-
diately occupied with two battalions, himself retiring to
Eulenburg. The retreat of the Imperialists was directed on
Weichselburg.
To conquer Saxony, nothing was now wanting but to force
Daun back upon Torgau, where he had established a strong
and well fortified camp. The King, therefore, anxious to
drive Daun out of this position, advanced, on the 2d of
November, to Schilda, when all the Austrian van-guards
retreated towards Torgau.
Colonel Kleist fell in with the van-guard of Brentano's
corps, attacked it, and made about 400 prisoners. The King
encamped in the neighbourhood of Langen, Reichenbach,
and Schilde.
On the approach of the King, Daun changed his camp,
and placed the right wing on the Vine Mountains, and the
left on Zinna; Lascy's corps, near Groswig; Nordman's,
near Waidenhain; Ferrari's and Bethiany's, at Vogelsang;
and Reid, near Mockrena. The King, perceiving that the
enemy might now be most advantageously attacked, both in
front and rear, at the same time, resolved to direct his efforts
to that object.
His columns accordingly marched to Mockrena, and drove
the enemy's van-guard, first back to Wildenhain, and then to
Werdenhain. All the men composing a regiment of Austrian
cavalry, which was concealed in the wood, were either cut
down or made prisoners.
As soon as Daun discovered the direction in which the
King was moving, he ordered the front to be formed back-
t
wards; Normand's corps to station itself before the left wing;
F
}
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299
1
Ferrari's near Zinna; and Lascy's between that place and
Torgau. In front of the left wing there was an abatis, made
by order of Prince Henry, during the preceding year.
The King, arrived at the extremity of the wood, at 12 at
night, and the whole army by 10 in the forenoon. General
Zicthen was posted, at the same hour, near Enterfang. His
Majesty hearing the cannonade, which the Austrians had
opened on Ziethen's corps, hastened to engage them; and as
some battalions only had come up, he resolved to make an
attack with the grenadiers: he passed the Striegau, and then
formed in two lines, with one brigade, as a third, in the rear.
To these the other regiments joined successively, as they
arrived the formation was, however, executed very con-
fusedly, particularly as the batteries which were to have sup-
ported it, could not be brought up in due time. The grena-
diers were an exception; they regularly drew up in order, at
about 800 paces distant from the enemy's left wing, in reach
of his grape-shot, and advanced; but they were received with
such a terrible discharge, that the first brigade was either
totally killed or wounded; the second line met the same fate;
and the slender remains of both, made their retreat through
the abatis. Even the artillery could not play, from the loss of
the men that served them. The Austrian cavalry then charged,
and some of the regiments of infantry likewise advanced
from the heights near Spittitz, believing the victory to be fully
on their side a few of the Prussians regiments, however,
attacked the Austrians, and advanced to the above eminences;
and had the cavalry been now present to second them, the day
would have been gained. Daun saw this, and supported his
infantry with a proper number of horse; a charge was inme-
diately made, and the Prussians were again driven from the
heights, almost all their ordnance being left in the abatis,
through which the troops were also compelled to retreat.
The second line then arrived and attacked; one regiment
advanced too far, and was nearly cut to pieces, and the whole
Prussian infantry were driven back upon the wood.
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The Prussian cavalry coming up about half past three,
charged with success, restored the equality of the contest, and
took the enemy's right wing in flank. By the exertions of
this body of horse, all the first Austrian line was eventually
thrown back, and the former actually succeeded in taking its
ground; even the left wing of the Austrians was, in a little
time, repulsed.
The Prince of Holstein, who advanced on the right flank
of the Austrians, was prevented from attacking by a ditch,
and soon forced back by two guns, and the hostile cavalry,
who likewise pushed forward on his flank. At this time five
Prussian battalions, which had marched in rear of the cavalry,
brought up a battery of 12-pounders, and the Austrian horse
immediately retreated; the infantry, on the contrary, advanced
to the quarter, where the first attack occurred; the battery
was mounted, but as no enemy appeared, not a shot was fired.
The Duke of Holstein's cavalry then took the left wing, and
the other squadrons the right.
The Austrians were again seen about dusk, on the heights
of Spittitz, from which it was intended to drive them back.
A part of the King's left wing, which had been before thrown
back, formed accordingly, for the second time, and made an
attack on the eminences.
Ziethen's corps had now arrived between the heights of
Entenfang, and in front of Mount Spittiz; but his second
line was soon drawn away to form to the left, and his cavalry
to the right. Lascy then moved more to the right, and the
second line of Daun's army fronted towards Ziethen's corps.
The enemy then opened a heavy fire from his ordnance, which
was effectually answered by the Prussians.
Ziethen, finding the fire of the King's forces had ceased,
drew more to the left, took the port near Spittiz, and set fire
tɔ some neighbouring houses, so that his corps could not be
insulted: the attacking body, which had been pushed forward,
by the way of the forest, were then likewise compelled to
retreat,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
301
t
Ziethen's troops still continued to incline more towards the
left, and were ordered to occupy the heights and village of
Spittitz. This was immediately accomplished, and the vic-
tory rendered complete. Some battalions of the enemy
afterwards came up, but they were speedily beaten back.
When the fighting was entirely over, and darkness become
general, a few of the Prussian battalions fired, by mistake,
either on their own men, or on some other battalions ; a cir-
cumstance which Lascy perceiving, he advanced, but was re-
pulsed. Ziethen's corps had not suffered much, and could
easily have renewed the engagement. The dispersed bat-
talions were collected; and the King was not less prepared
than Ziethen again to attack the enemy, on the ensuing
day. The Austrians, however, retreated in order, without
being perceived by the Prussians.
During the darkness of the night, a great number of
troops, and even entire battalions, had been made prisoners;
but, at the dawn of morning, not an enemy was visible on
the field of battle, except an immense quantity of killed and
wounded, and, to the latter, assistance was given as early as
possible.
it
Ziethen was next detached to Torgau, which he took, and, as
was evacuated by the Austrians, occupied it with his troops.
The guns, left on the late scene of action, were then collect-
ed, and those, for which horses were wanting, sent to Torgau ;
52 pieces of ordnance and 8000 prisoners rewarded the toils
of the Prussians; their loss was 4000 prisoners and 9 or
10,000 killed and wounded. The Austrians lost, in all, about
20,000 men.
The remains of this army retreated to Dresden, under the
conduct of O'Donel, (Daun having been slightly wounded),
and encamped on the Plauensche grounds.
The King marched, on the 6th, to Wilsdruf, and then re-
moved his camp to the vicinity of Braunerick. On the 14th,
he formed again between Bambach and Greitish.
The Imperial army retreated on the Saale, and there esta-
902
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blished its winter quarters. General Hulsen, with his corps,
watched its movements.
The Prussian and Austrian armies went into winter quarters
on the 11th. Laudon had, in the meanwhile, invested Kosel,
and was bombarding it; but, on the 31st of October, Galz
advanced, and relieved it, and then proceeded to Breslaw.
Laudon raised the siege on the 1st of November. He soon
after left Silesia.; and a convention was then concluded
between the contending parties, that they should not molest
each other, so long as winter quarters were kept.
General Butturlin, joined the Russian army on the 6th of
November, and assumed the command. They then fell
back to Poland, and there took up winter quarters. The
Prince of Wurtemberg, who had been occupied in pursuing
General Tottleben, retired to Prenzlow, and fixed his winter
quarters at that place.
Duke Ferdinand, in order to drive Broglio back, had en-
camped, on the 29th of October, near Dorsten, after having,
on the 22d, detached from his camp, adjoining to Warburg,
15,000 men, commanded by the Hereditary Prince, to Wescl.
Several other detachments made different coups; and about
700 prisoners were taken at Rheinbergen and Emmerisch.
Broglio, as soon as he heard of this, detached Castries,
with a strong corps, to oppose the Prince. Castries speedily
arrived at Nuis; and the Prince, on the report of his ap-
proach, resolved to attack him; but Castries succeeded in
taking so firm a position, that his opponent altered his inten-
tion, and determined to watch an opportunity of effecting a
surprise. Fisher's corps was, about that time, surprised, and
all his men either killed or wounded.
The Prince's troops then advanced, and met the regiment
of Auvergne. An attack immediately commenced; at first
the allies were repulsed, but soon after made the enemy give
ground. Some of the English soldiers were, however, hardly
pressed, and, in a certain degree, fell back, while the French
pursued with loud cries. The allied cavalry availed them-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
303
1
selves of the disorder which ensued, charged, and drove the
ency again into his position; after which he did not repeat
his efforts to advance. The Prince now retreated also, cover-
ed by his reserve, without being pursued. The French lost
2542 men, in killed, wounded, and prisoners; and the allies,
about 1612 of their troops. The Prince now resolved to
raise the siege; and his bridge, near Wesel, having been car-
ried away, he ordered a new one to be constructed.
Castries, in the interval, advanced to make an attack, which
the Prince perceiving, he immediately marched forward to
meet him; and the French retired again, after a few exchanges
of cannon shot.
Duke Ferdinand passed the Weser, on the 21st of Novem-
ber, and inclosed Gottingen; but raised the blockade again
on the 13th, and directed his army to take winter quarters
near Gottingen, in Osnaburg, Paderborn, and Warburg.
The French then established their's between the Werna and
Fulda, head-quarters being at Kassel.
{
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1760.
Mareschal Broglio's first intention, at the commencement of
this campaign, was to maintain Gottingen as long as possible;
but, the allies having occupied Duderstadt and Worbis, he
afterwards resolved to employ a corps, under the Count, his
brother, in expelling them from these places. General Maas-
berg, who commanded at Duderstadt, withdrew, however,
too soon for his movement to be surprised; Mansfeld retired
to Silberberg, and proposed thence to proceed on his retreat;
but, unexpectedly receiving reinforcements, he again advanced;
and the French fell back. In consequence of which, the allies,
next day, resumed the possession of Duderstadt, and gained,
besides, about 600 prisoners into their power.
Broglio then ordered a line of strong posts to be establish-
ed from Wietzenhausen to Gottingen, along the villages,
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situated on both sides of the road leading to the latter place.
A plentiful number of horses were next collected, and Got-
tingen provided with 5000 sacks of flour; a quantity sufficient
to supply it for five or six months.
The French sent also small detachments to Turingen, to
skirmish with the allied troops there, and, if possible, to gain
some permanent advantage. These parties took several pri-
soners, and then retreated without striking any important
blow. Undertakings of a similar nature were directed towards
Paderborn, but did not succeed.
The Duke, in the mean time, formed a plan of surprising
the French in their quarters; to effect which, the King was
to support him by a corps, under Vach. The French quar-
ters extended from Gotha to Giesen, including Mullhausen,
Munden, Gottingen, Fritzlar, and Marburg.
The Duke's army was assembled in three strong corps, one
in the neighbourhood of Lippstadt and Rhuden, commanded
by the Duke, in person;, another on the Dymel; and the third
near Duterstadt, under General Spoerken; the whole were
provided with provisions for nine days.
The Prince began his march on the 9th of February, and
took ground on the 12th before Fritzlar, which, together
with Marburg, was insulted, but not carried.
The Duke advanced, on the 11th, to Kassel; Spoerken
had marched, with his division, on the 9th, towards the
Werra.
The Prussian corps, which was to aid the Duke's forces,
was now commanded by General Sybourg, and had arrived
so carly as the 8th, at Colleda. It then joined Colonel Los-
sow, and rendered his command 4000 strong. Count Solin's
and Stainville's corps were at this time attacked, and every
where forced to retreat to Eisenach, where they formed a june-
tion. Their loss exceeded 2000 prisoners, besides one colour
and 45 guns. The allies lost about 300 men.
The French had orders to retrograde on Vach, and thence
proceed to Millilsback, which was effected. Broglio had, in
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
305
T
ร
the meanwhile, retreated, with the bulk of his army, to Mel-
sungen, and left a strong garrison, commanded by the Count,
at Kassel.
At Melsungen, he received intelligence of the loss in
Saxony, and of the fall of Freising; he then reconnoitred the
allies, and ordered his troops to proceed on their retreat.
The magazines, at Hirschfeld and Friedberg, were set on
fire, which caused an immense loss to Prussia and her con-
federates.
The allied army afterwards advanced towards Ohm, on
the Schwalm, where it arrived on the 26th. The investitures
and sieges of Kassel, Marburg, and Ziegenhayn, were then
resolved upon.
The Duke fixed his head-quarters at Loewensberg, the
left flank being towards Lauterbach, and the right towards
Laubach. At Kassel, the trenches were not opened before
the 1st of March, and the cannonade only commenced on
the 10th. On the 7th, a strong sally was made, under Count
Broglio; on which occasion three mortars were taken, and
several guns destroyed; the French lost about 200, and the
allies about 300, men.
Mareschal Broglio, having received, at his post at Bergen,
some reinforcements, commanded by Du May, resolved
again to advance, which he did on the 11th; and the sieges
of Marburg and Ziegenhayn were immediately raised.
The corps of the Hereditary Prince was afterwards attacked
at Altenheim, by Stainville, and driven back, with the loss of
2000 men, 19 stands of colours, and 10 pieces of ordnance.
General Schuter, who was attacked at the same time, re-
treated, but without any loss.
The Duke then determined to fall back also, which was done
on the 24th, to Frizlar. During this retreat, several slight
engagements took place, for the most part advantagous to the
French.
Count Vaux likewise, made some incursions from Gottin
VOL. III.
X
t
306
THE ELEMENTS OF
gen, and took a number of prisoners in Eimbeck, Nordheim,
and Morungen.
меня
Mareschal Broglio, having opened a communication with
Kassel, advanced towards it, and the allies raised the siege of
that town on the 28th. The Duke fell farther back, and re-
sumed his former quarters near Marburg, on the 31st.
Laudon's convention, though still in force, was renewed to
the 26th of May. The only interruption that occurred, ori-
ginated in Prince Bernburg attacking the Austrians in Glaz,
where he seized eight guns, on account of which infraction,
Daun, when he returned from Vienna, ordered Frankentein to
be surprised.
General Golz did not, however, proceed farther in these
breaches of faith.
The King arrived at Leipsig on the 17th, and ordered his
army to be completed by men recruited in Saxony, Meck-
lenburg, and Silesia, detaching officers on that service to all
the great towns.
The plan of operations on the side of Austria was, that
Daun should join the Russian army, to maintain which, cer-
tain fortresses were to be taken from the allies; that General
Romanzow should besiege Collberg; the Imperial troops sub-
due Saxony; and Laudon remain quiet till the approach of the
Russian army.
Prince Wurtemberg was, on the other hand, opposed to
General Romantzow; Prince Henry had in charge the army of
Saxony; General Golz was to watch the Russians, and remaiu
near Glogau; and, if necessary, to be supported by Prince
Wurtemberg, Prince Henry, or the King.
General Syburg was sent on the 31st against the Imperial
army, and gained four guns, and two stands of colours. Near
Hoheneiche, four guns, four stands of colours, and about 400
prisoners were again taken from the enemy.
General Linden advanced by Alten Salza to Plauen, and
took a number of prisoners; but a square, on which a party
+
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
307
of hussars charged, maintained its order, and retreated in
safety.
The Prussians, having thus repelled the enemy, took their
quarters in the neigbourhood of Plauen and (elsnitz, but af-
terwards re-advanced, in order to procure as large a supply of
forage and provisions as possible. Schenkendorf's and Lin-
den's corps, however, retired in a little time.
The army of the Empire, again advancing, established its
quarters in Voigtland.
The Duke of Deuxponts, was soon after superseded by the
Austrian General Serbelloni,
Laudon informed Golz in Silesia that hostilities would again
commence on the 23d of April, and the Prussians went into
cantonments on the day before, from Kunzendorf to Zeisken-
berg.
Laudon advanced on the 23d, and took a position extending
from Waldenburg to Sittelwood, with his head-quarters at
Waldenburg. General Golz occupied the country around
Schweidnitz, and defended it till the arrival of the King. His
Majesty brought with him 33 battalions, 63 squadrons, and 82
pieces of ordnance. This army crossed the Elbe on the 4th
of May near Strehlen, on a ponton bridge: it was provided
with sufficient forage for three, and bread for 18 days, and
the deficiency of the former, was to be supplied in the vil-
lages on its march.
The same day on which it effected its passage over the
Elbe, it reached the camp of Wildenhayn, and thence pro-
ceeded by Bautzen and Gorlitz to Bunzlaw and Seifersdorf.
At the latter place, the King heard that Laudon was not only
retreating, but that he had actually begun to fall back on the
10th.
On the 14th, the King arrived, and encamped in the neigh-
bourhood of Schweidnitz. He then detached General Golz
to oppose the Russians, and General Treuenzien to take upon
himself the command at Breslaw. A new disposition of
battle was laid down to the army, and a particular plac of
Xe
$08
THE ELEMENTS OF
#
alarm pointed out to each battalion, where the men had or
ders to form, as soon as the beacons were at any time lighted,
The strength of the King's army consisted at present of
about 48,000 men, and Golz's corps of 1,000: with these
Golz was to oppose the Russian light troops, while the King
carried into effect his resolution to prevent the junction of the
Austrian and Russian forces.
In Saxony, 32,000 men were left under the command of
Prince Henry, who had taken his position on the heights ex-
tending from Schmettau to Miltitz.
This corps assembled on the 4th of May. General Hul-
sen set out' on the same day with his troops to Siebenlehn, and
was not at all molested by the enemy.
The Austrians still kept their position. Haddick was sta-
tioned near Dippolswalde, Lascy between Dresden and
Radeburg, and Guasco near Eger. Daun, although he had
sent off 30,000 men as a reinforcement to Laudon, was yet
superior in force to the Prince; besides this, the Imperial army
was 20,000 strong, but it remained inactive till November.
General Golz transmitted to the King a plan of attack on
the Russians, while they were near Posen, which was approved
of, and the general received, in consequence, a reinforcement
of 11 battalions, 24 squadrons, and 34 pieces of ordnance, by
which his army was madeab out 20,000 strong; but his death,
on the 30th of June, prevented him from putting his plan into
execution. Ziethen succceded him in the command, and
ordered the army immediately to advance, which, however,
took place two days later than proposed by Golz.
The Russian army advanced on the same day from its po-
sition, and its van-guard met that of Ziethen's corps near
Kosten they instantly engaged; the Russians were at first
forced back with some loss, but they finally succeeded in re-
pulsing the Prussians. Ziethen then encamped in the neigh-
:
bourhood of Kosten.
The immense number of light troops attached to the Rus-
sians, would not admit of any exact detail being obtained in
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
309
respect to their operations; a few of their movements only
were discovered; on which account Ziethen resolved to re-
treat, that he might run no more hazards than he had already
done, and had afterwards orders to march to Breslaw, where
he arrived on the 14th.
Between the King's and Laudon's armies nothing of con-
sequence happened, the King's constant and only endeavour
being to prevent Laudon from joining the Russian force.
Laudon determined at last to make a push to form a junc-
tion in Upper Silesia; but the King, aware of his intention,
ordered his marches with such rapidity, that the former often
found the royal army occupying the very ground on which he
had purposed to encamp; and thus the design was obliged to
be abandoned.
The King avoided directing any attack upon Laudon, as a
victory could not then have been decisive for him; and Lau-
don, on his part, took care to risk no attempt against the
King, in order not to exceed the instructions of his court.
In the mean time another plan of operations was settled with
the Russian army, and Lower Silesia fixed upon, as the coun-
try in which the forces should unite.
Generals Ziethen and Knobelsdorf approached towards
Neisse, at this period, to be nearer the King's army. The
former arrived on the 23d at Oppeln, and the latter at Lauen.
The Russian army was at Nameslaw, waiting for provisions,
and scarcely appeared desirous to advance. Ziethen and Kno-
belsdorf fell back to Lauen, when they were informed that the
Russians were about to cross the Oder near Oppeln. Both
corps afterwards joined the King's army, while advancing to-
wards Schoenbrun, by a forced march of six miles and a half
in the hour, which almost compelled Laudon to hazard a bat-
tle. The King had, on the above occasion, given out the
disposition of the attack.
On the following day, the 5th of June, his Majesty
marched to Strehlen. From which several reconnoitrings
were made, but the enemy's light troops only were to be seen.
310
THE ELEMENTS OF
General Knoblauch was detached to cover Breslaw, and from
this place a large convoy of provisions arrived at the same
time safely in the Prussian camp.
The King, after receiving intelligence of the Austrian
army being encamped at Bogendorf and Kuntzendorf, marched,
on the 10th, to Kanth.
The Russian main army arrived the day before at Trebuitz,
and Czernichef the same day at Laubers, where a bridge was-
immediately constructed across the Oder.
The Russian force afterwards passed the Elbe on the 11th and
12th, and the whole army then took camp near Heidau. The
King, only observing the Austrians, marched, on the 13th, by
Teschammendorf and Terschendorf, to Mois, at which place
his camp was formed; but strong detachments were at the same
time sent towards the Russians, to watch their movements.
Certain information having been obtained in respect to their
crossing the Oder, the King resolved to move upon them,
and endeavour to draw Laudon out of his strong position, by
inducing him to bring succour to his Russian allies. The
Austrians did not, however, stir, and the Prussians encamped
near Lonig. Next day an engagement took place with the
Russian light troops, when Laudon, for the first time, de-
tached 40 squadrons, which joined the Russians on the same
day.
The King afterwards encamped near Wahlstedt, and on the
16th near Strachwitz, between Wandeiss and the Red Moun
tains, that he might not be obliged to draw his advanced posts
back every night on the infantry. It was also reported to the
King that a large convoy of provisions would be sent from
Laudon's army to the Austrians, and orders were given to
General Platen to attack this with a small corps.
Laudon at length advanced, in compliance with the repeated
solicitations of the Russians, to a position between Gerlochs-
dorf and Peterwitz, where his tents were pitched. Lusinsky
was stationed near Striegaw, Janus adjoining Frieberg, and
Beck had just arrived at Liguitz.
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
311
Laudon, instead of attacking the King, tried to join the
Russians, and his army advanced with that view, on the 19th,
to Lignitz, whither the Russians also directed their route.
The King then resolved to cut off Laudon's communication
with his magazines, and to occupy the heights of Kuntzendorf,
but the enemy succeeded in arriving there before him, On
which the royal army encamped near Buntzelwitz, to defend
Schweidnitz from being besieged.
The King afterwards changed his position, and took an
other similar to that represented in plan (Pl. XXV.) where,
having arrived on the 20th, the camp was fortified.
The King directed all the fortifications himself, and strove
every where to blend the cavalry, the artillery, and the infantry
together, that they might act singly or conjointly on an ene-
my, as circumstances should require. The destination of the
ordnance was to form the way, that of the infantry to advance
immediately after, and the cavalry were to complete the
victory.
A small ditch ran from Wickendorf to the neighbouring
ponds, and the Freyburg rivulet, which passes through the
forest of Zedlitz, debouched near Grunau, in the Strigaw.
From Wickendorf to Tscheschen, and at the back of Zedlitz,
the ground rises, thence it inclines along Pusckau and Peteritz
to Newdorf; here it begins to ascend again, and continues to
the heights of Wurben, from which there is another descent
to Teichenau and Buntzelwitz, and between these villages and
Tauernick a beautiful plain is formed. From the Bush-mill
to the right wing the heights were steep; the old Swedish fort
stood on a mount in the forest, and Zedlitz was situated on the
lower grounds. The right wing was about 500 or 600 paces
distant from the bridge over the Freiburg rivulet, on the road
to Stanowitz, and this space was defended by artillery. Be-
yond the bridge to the left lay the villages of Pasckaw and
Peterwitz, 2 or 3000 paces in front of the position. The
woods of Zedlitz, and the Freiburg rivulet, covered the right
wing as far as Tscheschen. From the Swedish fort to
312
THE ELEMENTS OF
Wickendorf the ditch was at some places passable; but at
other parts its banks were too marshy, which was likewise
augmented by the ponds. On both sides of Jauernick and
Wickendorf there was an ample plain : on the right it extended
to the ponds, on the left to Tunkendorf, Schoenbrun, and
Arensdorf. Between Jauernick and the Swedish was situated
the Pharr height, from which all the surrounding ca-
valry could be seen, and which was occupied by a strong
battery.
The flank, from Butzelwitz behind Teichenau to the heights
of Wurben, was very steep, and inclosed by rivulets and small
connected lakes. Behind Wurben, Newdorf, Peterwitz, Sara,
and Eschersdorf, there is another plain. Between Peterwitz
and Eckardsdorf there are also some high mountains, but their
distance from the camp was so great, that they could not be
made use of in cannonading it. The heights between Peter-
witz and Puschkaw were, however, somewhat dangerous for
the position.
The wood, extending from Newdorf to Tscheschen, pre-
vented the enemy from discovering what was going forward
in the camp to a certain degree, and was rendered more im
practicable by abatis. The inner part of the camp was an
open plain convenient for the manœuvres of the troops.
On comparing this description with the plan, it will appear,
that the camp could only be attacked in front, between Tau-
ernick and Buntzelwitz, and in the rear from Neudorf, Peter-
witz, and Eschersdorf.
The distribution of the troops was regulated to meet an
attack, conducted by the Austrians, and seconded only by the
Russians.
The greater part of the infantry were posted from Tsche-
schen to Jauernick, in one line: between the latter village and
the Zedlitz, there were four battalions, with eight pieces
on their right, and 10 pieces on their left wing, and to the
left of them there was yet another battery of howitzers. Be-
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
313
tween Wickendorf and Arensdorf there was a fortification
mounted with 13 guns.
Two 12-pounder batteries were constructed between Tun-
kendorf, Jauernick, and Buntzelwitz; two other batterics
stood beside Buntzelwitz, and a fifth of 18 pieces before.
Jauernick. At the side of this battery 10 battalions were
stationed, and in the rear of these, 80 squadrons of cavalry,
that could with ease give support to any quarter, in which
an attack might be made.
The fortifications before Wurben were occupied with one
battalion, and the space between the Tschesner woods and
Rodeland with 10 batttalions; from Rodeland to Neudorf:
there ran a connecting fortified line, mounted with 30 guns ;
to the left of this, two regiments of hussars were posted. The
lines were covered with trous de loup; and the batteries, which
all stood on projecting spots of ground, could maintain a
crossing fire along them; the batteries were covered by small
mines, and the flank from Tscheschen to the Zedlitz woods,
in the same manner.
4
To support the infantry, 15 squadrons were stationed in"
Tscheschen wood; near these a battery of 10 guns was.
mounted, and a similar one before Zedlitz. This camp was
finished in the space of a week, and rendered almost impreg-
nable to an equal force.
Laudon still kept his camp at Kuntzendorf, and the Rus-
sian commanders, anxious to form arrangements with the
Austrians relative to the economical necessaries of their army,
were not in haste to push forward. In a little time they,
however, advanced and encamped, with the right at Bogendorf,
and the left at Zirtau. Lascy proceeded to Arenstau, and
took possession of the Windmill heights. The heights near
Wickendorf were then fortified, and occupied with artillery.
Laudon endeavoured afterwards to obtain some advantage
over his adversaries, and entreated Butterlin to approach
more towards the King's camp, which, being complied with,.
he encamped between Oelse and Streitberg.
314
THE ELEMENTS OF
The Prussian troops were always ready for action, and re-
mained every night under arms, prepared to receive the
enemy, if necessary.
Laudon constantly solicited Butterlin to attack; the latter
ordered a council of war to be held, and it was there decided,
that the King's position being too strong to be attempted with
effect, the royal army should be pressed from Schweidnitz
prior to a battle.
In compliance with Laudon's renewed solicitations for
support, it was at last resolved to detach him a corps.
Czernichef accordingly drew a little nearer to the Prussian
position, and encamped near Marau and Jerishau.
The King, being informed on the night after this took
place, that a noise was heard in the Austrian camp, com-
manded his posts near Sarra-wood, and the Strigau, to retire
and leave the enemy a free passage. It turned out, however,
that the Austrians were only reinforcing the post of Arens-
dorf.
The Austrians continued more and more to inclose the
Prussians, and prepared for an attack, which was at length re-
solved to be made on the 3d. Laudon went, in consequence,
to Butterlin, to ask assistance, but a corps only could be ob-
tained. Laudon then ordered his troops to fall back, being
seized with a sudden fit of illness, which lasted 48 hours.
After the 3d, the Prussian tents were no longer struck
during the night.
On the 9th, towards evening, considerable movements were
perceptible in the Russian camp, and in the night it was seen
to be on fire. The army had retreated, and General Czerni-
chef alone remained behind till farther orders.
Duke Ferdinand had returned, in the mean time, to his for-
mer quarters, and ordered the works round Munster, Hameln,
Minden, Lippstadt, and several other towns, to be repaired.
The French sent this year two armies into the field; one
by Westphalia, containing about 10,000 men, and another,
consisting of 7000, by Hesse; the former was commanded by
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
315
Prince Soubise, the latter by Mareschal Broglio. These two
commanders were to determine between themselves the plan
of operations, and to carry it into effect as soon as possible.
Soubise's army was far from being compleat; only 50 batta-
lions were fit to go into camp, on the 23d.
After a long correspondence, and a personal interview, it
was at last agreed, by the two French generals, that Broglio
should have three corps in readiness near Kassel, on the 20th
of June, and that Soubise should begin his operations ten
days previous from Wesel.
The allies, during this time, assembled 10,000 strong, at
Munster, and in the same force near Warburg; the bulk of
the army lay along the Dymel, so that the whole could be
drawn together in two days.
Soubise arrived with his troops, on the 18th, at Matten,
near Dortmund, where he halted for some days.
5
The French generals received instructions, at this period,
from Paris to reduce Munster and Lippstadt; and to co-
operate in such a manner, that the Duke might either be
forced back by diversions, or by a battle.
The Duke, equally anxious to retain the above towns,
resolved to attack Soubise, on his first appearance in the field.
The French commanders were, in the interval, consuming
their time with framing new schemes for future operations,
and hardly gained any solid advantage.
The Duke, finding that he could not force Soubise's army,
determined first to outflank, and then to attack it; but a
heavy rain prevented him from carrying forward his troops
in time.
Soubise expected nothing short of the retreat of the allies,
and was very much surprised to see himself, on the contrary,
compelled to retire.
The Duke's army arrived, in course of the night of the 3d,
at Una; and Soubise's corps, which was marching in some
confusion, had its rear-guard attacked near Schafhausen:
the main body was immediately ordered to halt, and, form-
316
THE ELEMENTS OF
ing behind the Landwheer, the allies were forced to fall
back.
Broglio, in the mean time, arrived, on the 28th, at Bru-
nen: from thence he marched to Warburg, pursued and at-
tacked the rear-guard of Spoerken's corps, and took 300 pri-
soners and 10 guns.
ariny,
The rest of the period, prior to the 14th, was spent by the
French commanders in composing treaties, and reconnoitring
the position of the allied army. They had, indeed, frequently
resolved to attack the Duke; but their determinations were
never brought to bear. Soubise, reconnoitring the allied
on the 14th of July, perceived that their right wing was placed
on the heights of Hilbeck, the centre before Wambeln, and the
left somewhat in front of Dinkerberg, between Kirckdenkern
and Villinghausen. General Wutgenau stood near Ultrup.
The left wing was covered by intersected ground and several
ditches; the front by the Sailz rivulet; in the right flank there
were some thick woods, and behind it a morass; a few points
only in this flank gave any probability of success.
The mareschal, after this reconnoitring, decided that Brog-
lio should march, on the 15th, from Erwitten to Ultrup, and
occupy the monastery of Nordel, while he himself would ap-
proach the Saitz, reconnoitre again, and, if possible, attack
the allies. Du May was accordingly ordered to proceed, on
the above day, to Erwitten.
Broglio went to Ostinhausen, and had a consultation with
Soubise, in regard to the report then current, that the Duke's
army had marched off to the right. He afterwards returned
to his post, and Soubise encamped between Eimbke and
Klotingen. Condé, marched to Borgeln; Dumenil, to the
vicinity of Wesling; and Voger, to Unna and Kamesi.
had
The Duke did not alter his position; Wutegenau only ap-
proached Kirchdenkern. To the former it was reported
about six in the evening, that a party of the enemy
advanced and driven back Granby's corps. Orders were im-
mediately issued to this general to maintain his present posi-
1
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
3-17
tion as long as possible; and to Wutgenau to occupy the
road from Lippstadt to Ham. Prince Anhalt took Wutge-
nau's place in the army, and his was filled up by General
Conway. The Hereditary Prince ordered the heights of
Wambeln to be occupied, and drew his troops a little more
to the left. General Spocrken was also directed to support
the left wing with seven battalions and six squadrons: these
commands were not yet fully exccuted when Villinghausen
wood was attacked; Granby defended it courageously, but
was ultimately forced to retreat to the wood before the
village. Here the French were repulsed, General Wutgenau
having arrived to support Granby's corps.
The allied and French forces attacked and repulsed each
other several times, with various success, till the approach of
night. The English troops then abandoned the village, which
was occupied by the French, to whom fresh reinforcements
were constantly coming up.
In this position the army remained till morning, when
Broglio was informed by Soubise, that he was close upon
the allies; that their right wing appeared to be strongly rein-
forced, and that he stood in need of Condé's corps, which he
requested might be sent back; but Broglio proved to him,
that this reinforcement could not be spared from his own
army.
The left wing of the allies was, in the interval, rendered
still stronger.
On the 16th, the enemy commenced his attack by a heavy
cannonade; but this did not produce any alteration in the
position of the allies, who, after receiving General Wolf's
reinforcements, were perfectly able to oppose Broglio's force.
This, however, was soon ordered to retreat; the rest of the
corps were then beaten back, and forced to save themselves
in the best manner they could by flight. The enemy sus-
tained a loss of 6000, and the allies of 2000 men. Broglio
retreated to his camp near Ostinghausen, which had been
fortified, in order that the army might have a secure rallying
!
$18
THE ELEMENTS OF
point. Soubise had, in the mean time, also advanced; but
receiving notice of Broglio's retreat, he thought proper to
follow the example.
Luckner, during these proceedings, occasioned the French
considerable losses in powder, flour, and other stores, which
were severely felt by the latter, whose magazines were never
over abundantly supplied, especially with provisions.
The Duke, after the above engagement, marched to
Ruden. Broglio received 30,000 men as a reinforcement
from Soubise's army, and then proceeded with his troops to
the southern part of Hanover, after having formed a num-
ber of useless plans, and partly adopted, and partly reversed
a variety of projects for forcing back the Duke's army. He
still, however, required 10,000 additional men, in order to
begin his operations with more effect. While Broglio was
thus inactive, Soubise's plan of attacking Munster or Ha-
meln was destroyed, by the Duke marching to Rielenkirchen
and Sieghof.
Luckner, during this time, made an excursion from Ha-
meln, and engaged Count Belsunce's corps near Uslar. The
French had no advanced posts in the wood, which the allies,
therefore, passed through unperceived, then formed, and suc-
ceeded in forcing the French to give way, with the loss of
6000 men. Mareschal Broglio now resolved to pass the
Weser, and directed preparations to be made to that effect,
in order to compel the Duke's forces, in that quarter, to
retreat.
Luckner, who, on the close of the late engagement, had
received in charge a battery of heavy ordnance, cannonaded
Count Lausitz, as he endeavoured to cross the Wescr, in
consequence of which the project was abandoned. Luckner
retired next day to Dassel, after a heavy cannonade.
Broglio crossed the Weser, on the 19th, having sent over
his baggage the day before. The Duke arrived, on the same
day, with his army at Furstenberg.
Soubise advanced to Ham; but as soon as the Hereditary
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
819
Prince arrived to support it, he was obliged to fall back to
Wesel. The Duke's army, on the other hand, marched for-
ward again to Hesse; by which movement Broglio was re-
duced to oppose him with a small force, and extend the space
which the French army occupied in Hanover; the latter ex-
pedient obliged the Duke again to retire. Broglio's army,
had gained some advantages over the light troops of the allies
along the Weser; it had taken Wolfenbuttel with one corps,
and was besieging Brunswick with another; but the succours
which arrived at this town, forced Prince Xaver to raise the
siege.
;
}
Soubise's force, of which several detachments had been
particularly successful in East Friesland, and among other
enterprises, taken Embden and Meppen, retreated in the be-
ginning of November, and entirely abandoned that province.
About the middle of the same month this army went into
winter-quarters behind the Rhine.
The Duke, who had been ill for some weeks, recovered in
the early part of November, and then made preparations to
diminish the superiority obtained by Broglio's army in Han-¨
over. The Duke, after passing the Weser, advanced to
Eimbeck, where Broglio was collecting his troops, and soon
received considerable reinforcements, which enabled him to
cope with the allies. The latter, however, obliged him to re-
treat to Morungen, on the 10th; and, on the 16th, he took a
position between Gottingen and Nordheim. On the 29th, he
established his winter-quarters on the opposite side of the
Werra. The allied forces, near Nordheim, soon, likewise,
closed their operations for the campaign, the troops being
laid up in Hildeshein, Westphalia, and Munster.
The Imperial army was compelled to keep its position
near Reichenback, for want of provisions, till the 21st of
July. Prince Henry had only some skirmishes with these
troops; but he was obliged to detach a corps, on the 16th
of August, to oppose the Swedes, who had advanced towards
Berlin.
320
THE ELEMENTS OF
Daun remained quiet in his camp, and scarcely sent a
reinforcement to support the Imperial army. Colonel Kleist
distinguished himself on several occasions, and had frequent
engagements with the enemy: in conducting which he always
evinced the superiority of his skill, and they seldom failed to
end with considerable loss to his opponents.
The Imperial army, which had afterwards obtained some
advantages, and also several divisions of the French, which
had advanced into Brunswick, were driven back by a corps.
under General Seidlitz.
Till the end of September nothing, except skirmishes,
occurred; intelligence of the surprise of Schweidnitz, and of
the advance of the French to Wolfenbuttel then arrived.
General Seidlitz was immediately detached to watch the
hostile army, with orders to rejoin the Prince as soon as
Xaver should be forced back.
Daun now prepared to attack the Prince's corps; but
waited for a reinforcement from Laudon, prior to the execu
`tion of his purpose: the reinforcement arrived, on the 1st of
November, and made his army consist of 50 battalions, 26
regiments of cavalry, and two pulks of Uhlans.
On the 5th, all the advanced posts of the Prussians were
attacked, and driven in with loss. Soon after this the Aus-
trians went into winter-quarters: Lascy's corps at Grossen-
hayn, Radeburg, and Stolpe; and Daun's at Dresden, Frey-
berg, Farandt, and Nossen.
Prince Henry fixed his winter-quarters, on the 30th, eleven
days later than Daun, in the neighbourhood of Meissen,
Lornnatsch, and Mugeln.
The King, fearing lest any new attempt should be made
on Berlin, sent General Platen, with a strong corps, to ob-
serve the Russians; and another detachment to destroy the
magazines at Kobielen; and marched himself, on the 15th of
September, with a small body to Gostin, whither the bulk of
the army followed.
On arriving near Gostin, 500 of the enemy's cavalry
were
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
321
perceived; but they immediately retreated. At Gostin there
was a large convoy, on which the van-guard advanced: the
convoy was attacked, on both sides, by four Prussian batta-
lions, and the dragoons marched to the wood to cut off the
enemy's retreat. The square formed by the waggons attached
to the convoy was assaulted on the right. The cavalry, who
had fled at the beginning of the onset, were almost all taken.
The enemy lost above 2400 waggons, 600 men killed, 150
wounded, and 1600 prisoners, of whom 1506 were brought
to Kustrin. The Prussians lost 300 men.
General Platen, a few hours after this affair, sent General
Ziethen back with the baggage and prisoners, as before
said, to Kustrin, and retreated himself with his corps to
Czempin.
He then resolved to march to Posen; but hearing that
General Dalke had retreated across the Warthe, and that the
magazine there was of no consequence, he only pushed for-
ward a detachment.
Platen then fell back to Newmark; but on his route to that
place he was several times attacked by the Russian light
cavalry, who had been sent to escort the convoy.
Being informed that the bridge over the Warthe, near
Landsberg, was restored, he directed his march towards it;
but on arriving there, he found the bridge burned down, which
was occasioned by the negligence of Major Du Foy, and the
garrison, in not sending out patroles.
"
Platen, however, ordered a body of grenadiers and hussars
to pass the river by pontons, (which he had with his corps,)
and drive away a party of Cossacs from the opposite bank.
Some floats of timber were then procured, and made use of
to repair the bridge; the troops crossed over, and were at once
freed from all their embarrassments.
General Werner, who opposed Tottleben, had concluded
a convention, not to begin hostilities till the 12th of May.
As
soon as the Russians assembled in their camp, the Duke
of Wirtemberg was ordered to Colberg with his corps, to
VOL. III.
Y
322
THE ELEMENTS OF
oppose them. General Golz joined him, on the 7th, and his
troops then consisted of 9343 infantry and 2271 cavalry.
This corps took camp in the vicinity of Colberg; its right
wing was supported by the Persanta, and the left by the
nook named Bollen, so that the whole formed a saliant
angle. The right wing was also covered by an inundation.
The front was protected by a morass; but between Schnaw
and Werder the ground is elevated, and commands the sur-
rounding country.
On the left of the position there was a deep marshy wood
which extended to the sea. The camp was fortified by eleven
redoubts and two flêches, all of which were connected by
single fortified lines. The rivulets before the wood, on the
left flank, were dammed, and caused an inundation. On the
mountain, in front of the left wing, two large connected
redoubts were constructed, and more towards the sea there
were three other redoubts. Farther back, near the tile-kiln,
and on the height behind it, stood likewise three redoubts,
intended to prevent debarkments, and three additional works
of the same kind were erected on the heights of Selnaw.
General Romantzow encamped, on the 16th of June, at
Polnow, and, on the 22d, removed to Koslin. This Russian
corps, which was already composed of 10,000 meu, soon
after received a reinforcement of 4000 more, with which
force Romantzow took post between Alten Bels and New
Klenz, resolving there to await the arrival of the Russiau
fleet. Nothing of consequence occurred till the end of July,
when the fleet made its appearance. The artillery and stores
on board, were immediately conveyed to the Russian camp;
and the Prussians increased the fortifications of their position
by a horn-work, and two additional redoubts, on the great
mountain before Selnow.
its camp
The Russian army, now 24,000 strong, broke up
and marched to Nassow, and afterwards to a position be
tween the wood of Soltikow and Zernin. The fleet had, how-
ever, already bombarded the town, on the 24th.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
323
Colonel Wenner was sent to Treptow to keep open the
communication with Stettin; but not being sufficiently atten-
tive, he was attacked, and forced to retreat with considerable
loss. The enemy afterwards resolved to assault the camp;
but only took the fort near the sea, the other attack having
been abandoned from the enemy's dread of being too strongly
opposed. Several new batteries were, however, erected
against the position, and it was determined that the camp
should be attempted by a regular siege. A fort near Neckrin,
called the Green Fort, was at this time carried by the Rus-
sians; but soon after retaken. They again sent a large force
to get possession of it a second time; but this, after a hard
engagement, was beaten back, and sustained a loss of 1400
men. The Prussians lost, on their part, about 800.
The enemy then proceeded with his trenches, and planted
fresh batteries on the 9th, in order to attack the fortifications
with more success. General Platen's avant-courier now
arrived with the intelligence of his approach, and the general
made good his junction with the cavalry of Prince Wirtem-
berg's corps, on the 27th, near Freyenwalde.
The Russian reinforcements had also arrived within a short
distance of the army before Colberg, and, therefore, if any
blow was ever to be made, and extraordinary hazard avoided
in its execution, the present was the time to act with promp-
titude and energy: hence the attack on Korlen was immedi-
ately carried into effect, on the coming up of the troops
destined to accomplish this enterprise. The soldiers com-
posing the garrison were made prisoners; but Platen received
early orders to retreat, and rejoin the Prince's corps, which
he directly marched to Splie to fulfil, though he did not
there gain his point till after a sharp encounter.
The grand Russian army had, in the mean time, passed the
Oder, and arrived, on the 3d, at Driesen, with the view of
advancing, if possible, to the Newmark.
The King, finding that provisions began to grow scarce at
Y 2
324
THE ELEMENTS OF
Schweidnitz, resolved to march to Neisse, which movement
was commenced on the 26th of November.
Laudon, who had been endeavouring for a long time to
reduce Schweidnitz, availed himself of the opportunity to
redouble his efforts, as soon as the royal army was sufficiently
distant. The attack was made, on the 1st of October, at two
o'clock in the morning, in four different divisions. The town
was only occupied by five battalions, and these were, in
general, composed of deserters. The commandant, receiving
some notice of Laudon's intention, maintained a constant
fire from all the works during the preceding night.
The garrisons of the forts soon enough discovered the im-
pending attack; but being all in confusion, the four land
forts were soon carried, and the water fort was afterwards
forced to surrender by the rising of the prisoners there. The
town itself, with the garrison, were then compelled to submit,
and the former was plundered for two hours, till the cavalry
entered. The Russians only did not stir from the rampart;
but kept their places in rank and file, to give an example of
strict order, and to render themselves characteristical for good
behaviour. The enemy lost 1554 men; the Prussians an
immense quantity of stores and provisions, $348 men, and a
great number of ordnance.
The King, on receiving intelligence of this occurrence,
immediately returned and marched to Strehlen, where hist
troops went into cantonments. From hence reinforcements
were sent to the Prince of Wirtemberg, who was occupied
in opposing the Russian grand army.
The Austrians took winter quarters, on the 25th, and
Czernichef did the same with his corps, in the country of
Gloz, soon after.
The King, who lived in Strehlen, at a private house, was
very kind to a person of the name of Warkotisch; but this
ungrateful fellow would, notwithstanding, have delivered him
into the hands of the Austrians, had not the villain's own
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
325
servant discovered the plot to his Majesty, who immediately
sent to Warkotisch, and requested that he would come to him;
but he, and all the conspirators, surmising the fact, escaped.
This trick, undoubtedly projected by the Austrian com-
manders, although they denied all knowledge of it, evidently
shews the pusillanimous manner in which they acted towards
their enemies.
The Prussian army took winter-quarters near Breslaw, on
the 9th, some regiments of cavalry excepted, which joined
Schmettau's corps in Lower Lausitz. The command of the
Prince of Wirtemberg was at present about 15,854 strong.
The Prussian troops, near Colberg, became every day
more straitened for provisions; but as the same was expected
to be the case with the Russian army, it was supposed that
the siege would be soon raised. . The Prussians might indeed
have procured supplies from Stettin; but the hazard of the
convoy being attacked was too great to allow the expedient to
be adopted.
Butterlin advanced with his army from Driesen to Marien-
werder, to reinforce Romanzow's corps, so as to enable it to
take Colberg, and to make the Duke's troops prisoners.
A Prussian convoy arrived, at this time, at Golnow, where
it was attacked by the enemy, who were fortunately repulsed.
General Platen had been sent to Golnow to take the convoy
under his protection, and met the hostile corps at Greiffen-
berg.
On Treptow, where the news of the attack reached Plat-
ten, it was in contemplation of the enemy to make an as-
sault, which being reported to the Prince, he sent a rein-
forcement thither in the evening, under the command of
General Knobloch.
Platen, meanwhile, arrived with his corps at Golnow, in
the midst of almost incessant fighting. General Fermor, who
had likewise got as far as Gewitz, insulted Golnow next day;
and Platen retreated, but with inconsiderable loss.
The fortifications at Spie were also attacked on the same
:
326
THE ELEMENTS OF
day; and another was detached to inclose Treptow, where
General Knobloch was immediately summoned to surrender;
but he would not then listen to any terms. On the 5th of
October, he was, however, compelled to yield himself and
1900 men prisoners.
The Prince's communication with Stettin being now
broken in upon, he determined to remain as long as possible
where he then was; and a merchantman, captured after the
Russian fleet, which blockaded Colberg from the sea, had
set sail, supplied his corps, during a fortnight, with provi
sions.
General Platen received instructions, at this time, from
the King, to approach Berlin, as that city was supposed to
be in danger from the Austrians. Platen immediately ad-
vanced, keeping up a severe engagement all the way to
Pyritz; but hearing there that nothing was now to be appre-
hended in respect to Berlin, he made a halt.
The Russians, during this time, offered conditions to the
Prince of Wirtemberg, but they were rejected; in conse-
quence of which the cannonade recommenced, and the
blockade became more and more strict. The grand Russian
army drew towards its winter-quarters, on the 2d of Novem-
ber; but left General Berg with reinforcements for Romant-
zow's division.
Platen joined Schenkendorf's corps, then advanced, on the
11th, to Lachau, to force back Romantzow's troops, and
arrived, on the 14th, at Naugarthen.
The Prince, at last, resolved to carry off his men, and leave
Colberg with its garrison. A farmer, belonging to Roche,
pointed out to him a way by which the corps might retreat
with the help of boats over the Colberg-diep, and the retreat
was thus accomplished without the loss of a single soldier.
The Prince reached Treptow, on the 15th, joined Platen,
and then made new efforts to strengthen Colberg, either by
reinforcements or provisions. After several engagements, he
arrived at Treptow, and found, on the following day, the 1st
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
327
of November, General Berg's corps on the heights of Newe
Muhle.
The fort near Slie was now attacked, but being better for-
tified than the other works, was difficult to carry: several
assaults were repulsed, till an essay, more fortunate than those
that preceded it, proved successful, by which three officers,
270 men, and four pieces of ordnance, fell into the power
of the victors.
Romanzow sent forward reinforcements without delay, and
these forced the Prussians again to abandon the fort, and re-
treat. Generals Platen and Schenkendorf then proceeded to
Saxony, the Prince to Mecklenberg, and General Thadden
to Lausitz. The corps separated on the 20th at Stargard,
where they had arrived, without being pursued by the
enemy. Colberg surrendered on the 16th of December,
two days after the engagement, and the garrison became pri-
soners of war.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1761.
Never had the King's situation, during the whole course of
the war, been so bad as at present; the winter-quarters of the
Russians were in Pomerania, and in Silesia; a number of for-
tresses, and a great part of the country itself had been lost,
while the Prussian armies were scarcely 60,000 strong. At
this moment, so critical to the fate of a great Monarch, the
Empress of Russia suddenly died, and was succeeded on the
throne by the Duke of Hollstein Gottorp. This Prince, who
had ever been at heart a friend to the King, sent an ambassa-
dor to treat with him for a peace.
Russia, on the 6th of May, ratified terms of pacification
with his Majesty, and Sweden on the 22d. The Russian Ge-
neral Czernichef then received orders to join the royal army,
and his Imperial master was invested by the King, in recom-
pense for the cession of all his conquered provinces, with the
328
THE ELEMENTS OF
!
Order of the Black Eagle, and a simple colonelcy. But this
Emperor was neither Solomon the Wise nor Alexander of
Macedon. Peter was, indeed, resolved to make war on Den-
mark, but hostilities never broke out.
The English minister, Bute, would, in the mean time, have
played the King a treacherous trick; he proposed that Russia
should retain all the Prussian dominions then in her power, and
endeavoured also to conclude a treaty with Austria, holding out
a part of the same kingdom as a douceur, but both offers
were properly rejected.
The Austrians, who had decreased their army to 20,000
men, were now obliged to augment it again.
The Cham of Crim Tartary offered the King 40,000 troops;
but these could not be accepted, conformably to the amicable
arrangements entered into with Russia.
In Silesia, and in Saxony, as far as the Rhine, a few skir-
mishes only took place between the contending armies. The
King employed himself in endeavouring to complete his
forces, and ordered recruits to be raised, wherever they could
be obtained. Czernichef's corps marched through the Rus-
sian army, and established its winter-quarters in Prussian
Poland.
The great defalcation produced in the Austrian army by its
late engagements, was to be supplied by recruits from Hun-
gary, by the garrisons of Moravia and Bohemia, and also by
the troops of the Empire.
On the other hand, Schmettau, Schenkendorf, and the
Duke of Wirtemberg joined the King's army with their corps
Prince Henry's body of men in Saxony, suffered during
the whole winter all the miseries arising from bad quarters,
and had frequently no other subsistence than bread and water.
It consisted of 58 battalions and 93 squadrons; the Austrian
army had 57 battalions and 153 squadrons, and the Imperial
38 battalions and 47 squadrons. Serbelloni commanded the
former, Prince Stolberg the latter.
Prince Henry, being desirous to attack the Austrians, and
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
329
gain a free way to Erzgebirge, made a feint to encamp near
Katzenhausen, but really advanced in four columns, which re-
mained covered during the night at Zehenpitz, Garlitz, Sor-
mitz, and Naustitz; the Mulde was passed by the means of
waggons, with boards laid over them, which served as
bridge.
a
The Croats immediately discovered the hostile hunters,
and engaged too soon, upon which the signal for a general
attack was given. The enemy's fortifications near Kreussig,
Dobeln, Engersbach, Marsdorf Stockhausen, and Forbitz,
were, however, all open behind; the fire commenced, the
lines were stormed, and the Austrians totally defeated; Nossen
was threatened to be attacked, and Rosswein was carried by
assault. Nossen fell also on the 12th.
General Macquire was afterwards forced to break up his
camp near Freyberg, the position being menaced in the rear,
and retreated to Dippolswalde.
Prince Henry then took post with his army near Pretshen-
dorf, and General Hulsen near Great Sorau. Both camps
were well fortified. The Imperial army retreated at this time,
but being soon reinforced by Serbelloni, it was ordered to ad-
vance again.
General Bandemar, who had been sent with a small corps
to oppose it, advanced too far on the opposite bank of the
Flotze, and lost seven guns and 768 men, after several hard
engagements.
The post on that river was then reinforced by Prince Hen-
ry's troops, and all the corps fortified their respective positions ;
a plan also adopted by the Imperial army near Chemnitz, and
by the Austrians at Dippolswalde, Rabenau, &c.
Prince Henry, having received some reinforcements, or-
dered General Seidlitz to attack the Imperial army with 25
squadrons and 14 battalions, being in all about 7000 men, by
which means the enemy was compelled to retreat to Reichen-
bach. Serbelloni, who wished to aid the Imperial army, made
demonstrations towards Hulsen's corps. The Prince's troops
$30
THE ELEMENTS OF
were kept in check by several detachments. Hulsen was at
tacked on the 27th by four columns, but they were soon forced
to retreat.
Colonel Kleist afterwards accomplished a successful enter-
prise in Bohemia, and took one gun, and several hundred pri-
soners.
The Imperial army received, in the mean time, orders to at-
tack General Seidlitz: it consequently advanced, but imme-
diately retreated again, on the approach of General Kleist
and his troops.
The Prussians obtained possession of the treasury, the
equipages of several generals and other baggage, not to men-
tion some hundreds of prisoners taken while pursuing the
enemy.
Seidlitz was then recalled by the Prince, to surprise Prince
Lowenstein's division, in conjunction with the corps of Kleist
and Kanitz, and to force Serbelloni to retreat. They reached
the point of attack unperceived; and Siedlitz, being unwilling
to commence the onset immediately, alone saved the unpre-
pared enemy from an utter defeat. The attempt was carried
into force the following day, the 2d of August, but met with
a complete repulse, and cost the assailants two guns, and 600
men. The troops of the Empire had now instructions to
march to Bohemia; General Rosenberg only to remain at
Hoff with 3000 men.
General Billing, aware of this arrangement, attacked Ro-
senberg, drove him back to Nurnberg, and advanced himself
to Eger. He was then, after raising contributions in Bo-
hemia, directed to watch General Luzinsky, who had passed
the Elbe near Dresden.
General Serbelloni, having expressed his disapprobation of
the command assigned to him, was succeeded by General
Haddick, who arrived with the army on the 7th at Dresden.
He resolved immediately to attack the Prince, but was pre-
vented by the design about to be executed by Smettau, the
issue of which he wished previously to see: on this general
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
331
being repulsed, Haddick again resumed his former determina-
tion. The Austrians made a shew of attacking on the 27th,
but only drove in Kleist's corps.
On the 29th, the enemy formed his general attack on the
Prussians, when several sharp engagements occurred, and he
was compelled again to retreat. The Prince, expecting that the
attack would be repeated more severely next day, thought pro-
per to retire to his former position near Katzenhausen, which
he effected during the night. Hulsen's corps followed at five
o'clock in the morning.
Haddick resolved, if possible, to push the Prussians farther
back, advanced with his army, and ordered a second general
attack. The Imperial army was directed to assault the Prus-
sian right wing: this effort also failed, and the corps were
all ordered to retreat again. The Austrians remained on
the other side of the Mulde; Prince Stolberg was stationed
at Zethau; Prince Henry returned to his late camp; and
the troops continued under arms.
In the afternoon of the following day, the cannonade re-
commenced, and the enemy advanced again to attack the left
wing; the advantages obtained by the Austrians were, how-
ever, soon lost, and they were even compelled to retreat with
considerable loss. The engagement entirely ceased, after a
continuance of some hours, and the Austrians resumed their
position on the other side of the Mulde. The van-guard of
the Prussian army had its camp in the neighbourhood of
Wallersdorf, Erbisdorf, and Barthelsdorf.
Prince Stolberg, who made the same day another effort on
the right wing, drove back Generals Belling's and Syburg's
corps, which suffered considerably. Prince Henry, having
thus lost his position on the right wing, was once more forced
to fall back: the retreat was accomplished in the night, and
the Prince encamped near Reichenbach and Voightberg.
Daun arrived at his army on the 9th of May; it was then
in its quarters near the town of Schweidnitz, but it encamped
on the 16th between the mountains of Zoblen and the Schweid-
332
THE ELEMENTS OF
nitz rivulet. The advanced posts were at Zobten, Rogau, Wer-
nersdorf, and Frauensdorf. The King's troops lay, on the con-
trary, between Bueg and Strehlen: on receiving intelligence of
Daun's army, they were, however, assembled, and quartered
behind the Lohe, the Sweidnitz rivulet, and Brieg, near which
the advanced posts were situated.
Daun would not risk an attack, the circumstances of the
moment not being sufficiently favourable, and the Prussian van-
guard was too weak: thus both armies remained inactive till
the end of June, when news arrived of the peace concluded with
Russia, and of Czernichef's corps having joined the Prussians.
In order to force the Austrians to leave Schweidnitz exposed,
General Werner was sent to Kosel to collect a corps, and
thence to march to Hungary, which the Cham of Tartary was
expected to enter at the same time.
Werner was opposed by a body of 9000 men, commanded
by General Beck. This general circulated reports, stating
that he had received strong reinforcements; but Werner, per-
ceiving the falsity of these rumours, crossed the Oder, and
advanced towards him; upon which he retreated.
General Czernichef arrived, on the 26th, at the King's army,
and brought with him a party of Cossacs, who, being incorpo-
rated among the hussars, made an attack, and gained some
advantages.
The main corps joined on the 1st of July, and both armies
then encamped between Laudon and Schauenwitz. Daun's
command consisted of 166 battalions, and 149 squadrons, and
the King's forces of 25 Russian, and 59 Prussians battalions,
16 squadrons of the former, and 81 of the latter, besides 379
pieces of ordnance, exclusive of the battalion-guns and howit-
zers. The King, being now recovered from an illness of some
days' continuance, ordered a march to be taken in the rear of
Daun's army. But the enemy having left his late position,
General Wied, who commanded the van-guard, advanced to
Reichenau, where the former was encountered, and instantly
driven back. The Prussians then proceeded to the heights
i
E
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
333
!
of Adelsbach; not being, however, here sufficiently supported,
they were forced again to retire, with the loss of 1310 men,
although the Austrians only lost about one-third of that num-
ber. General Ziethen, hearing the firing, detached 30 squa-
drons from Buntzelwitz to Freiburg, on which Erichhausen
immediately broke up his camp there. By the above-men-
tioned affair, the magazines at Braunau were saved from the
Austrians.
enemy
General Neuwied, who had it still in charge to cut off the
from Brarau, came up with Brentano's corps, on the
following day, near Rosenau; he delayed attacking him too
long, and Brentano made good his retreat: this general was
soon after reinforced to such a degree, that Neuwied could
not attack him with any apparent advantage, the enemy hav-
ing become stronger than his own army.
Neuwied now received orders to march to Bohemia, and
there Colonel Reitzenstein's light troops plundered so syste-
matically, as to shew themselves complete masters of the
art. They advanced to Konigsgratz; but some of them were
made prisoners by the enemy, who sent also a corps to cut
them off; upon which Colonel Reitzenstein retreated.
Daun still maintained his position in Schweidnitz; but his
army was very weak on account of the number of corps he
had detached from it.
The King, therefore, reconnoitred the Austrians, and re-
solved to attack them, and Neuwied's corps fell back to
assist him; when Czernichef came unexpectedly and inform-
ed the King, that the Emperor of Russia was dethroned,
and his corps ordered to withdraw. Czernichef was requested
to remain two days longer, with assurances, that during this
time all would be arranged.
The King took a position calculated to cut off Daun from
Schweidnitz; but before it was possible to force him to re-
treat, the heights of Burkersdorf and Leutmansdorf were to
be carried, although these eminences were almost inacces-
sible. The castle of Burkersdorf was taken in the evening,
334
THE ELEMENTS OF
and afterwards a trench, and a great battery of 45 howitzers,
and 10 twelve-pounders were constructed: the first were to
throw shells on the heights of Burkersdorf, the latter to enfi-
lade the defile of Weisbritz.
Early in the morning of the 23d, the King arrived at
Millendorf's corps, which had already taken up arms. The
reconnoitring of the enemy at day-break induced the Prus-
sians to believe that he had received no reinforcements; but
Brentano's corps had actually arrived late in the night, and
taken a concealed position.
General Wied's attack was to be first made, as this was
destined against the key of the position. Prince Bernburg
advanced to Leutsmandorf, insulted the Croats posted near it,
and drove them back; another attacking body mounted some
of the lower heights, and commenced a heavy cannonade.
The fortifications were next to be attempted: one regiment
passed the piece of marshy ground, attacked them in the
rear, and drove the enemy back, at the same time that they
were assaulted in front.
It was particularly necessary to carry one redoubt situated
on an eminence at the right wing; but this was not effected
till after several repulsed attacks, and till the enemy was
assailed in the rear. The Austrians, stationed near Michels-
dorf, seeing the Prussians on both flanks, now abandoned
their ground. The fire of the guns and howitzers, and of
the batteries, began early in the morning, and the enemy's
cavalry immediately fled, and sought for refuge. This can-
nonade continued till intelligence arrived that General Wied's
attack had succeeded. General Mollendorf then stormed the
heights between Ludiwingsdorf and Weistritz, and at the same
time the commandant of Schweidnitz advanced with some
guns and a party of cavalry to take the Prussians in the rear;
but the former retreated as soon as a few regiments faced to
oppose them.
General Mollendorf, having discovered a practicable way,
advanced with his force, discharged some shots, and then
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
335
pushed forward to the abatis, which covered the enemy. The
heights being very steep, the guns were dragged along by men.
The enemy's troops, under Prince De Ligne, having the
Prussians now both in front and flank, retreated precipitately
to Daun's army. One redoubt, however, still remained in
that quarter, till an abatis surrounding it took fire, and then its
garrison surrendered.
During this time the fire of the grand battery neither
ceased, nor allowed the enemy to reinforce the Prince De
Ligne. The movements of the Prussian force near Seiten-
dorf, and the pressure of the Russians kept Daun's army in
check, and were the reasons why he did not succour such
corps as were really suffering from the attacks of his oppo-
nents.
Daun now resolved to retreat, and ordered a new camp to
be formed, between Falken mountain and Famhausen, near
Giershausen, where head-quarters were his established.
Alinost at the same hour that the Austrians broke up their
camp, General Czernichef left the King's army and marched
to Poland.
The Prussians also changed their position, and occupied
Weistritz and Wustwaltersdorf. The troops appointed to
undertake the siege were then ordered to Bogendorf, and the
King took head-quarters at Diffmansdorf, on the 26th. The
army immediately encamped, and established its quarters in
and near Gottesberg, Waldenburg, Altwasser, Waldichen,
Barsdorf, Taschendorf, Newgericht, Wustritz, Seitendorf,
Halbendorf, Bogendorf, Flouz, Wurben, Schwekfeld, and
Peterswalde, by which Schweidnitz was invested. The posi-
tions were afterwards fortified, and all the necessary prepara-
tions for carrying on a siege were made.
The Duke of Bevern, on arriving in Upper Silesia, and
taking command of the troops there, found himself, on the
21st of June, at the head of 21 battalions and 35 squadrons.
Beck's
corps contained 18 battalions and 42 squadrons. On
the 29th, General Werner, was detached to Troppau, and
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THE ELEMENTS OF
thus menaced the enemy's right flank; upon which General
Beck changed his position.
Beck was forced to retire to Moravia; and Werner, who
pursued him, raised the heaviest contributions possible in his
route. General Werner, however, was soon recalled; and
the Prince likewise fell back with his corps, on hearing that
strong reinforcement was about to be sent from Laudon's
army.
a
The King's force, though now equal in strength to that of
the Austrians, could only spare 12,000 men to besiege
Schweidnitz, garrisoned by 11,000. The Prince of Bevern
was informed of the King's intention to cover his army, as
well as Kosel and Neisse.
On the 4th of August, Schweidnitz was fully inclosed,
and the corps were distributed among the villages of Weistriz,
Niedersbogendorf, Schoenbrunn, Tunkendorf, Sulzendorf,
Wurber, Wilkau, Nitschendorf, Weitzenrode, Giersdorf,
Pitzen, and Ehrlich. The artillery were placed near Bunt-
zelwitz; and Tunkendorf was the place where all materials,
tools, magazines, &c. were deposited. The hospital was
established at Neudorf.
The corps of besiegers was commanded by General Treu-
enzien; and Major Le Febre was appointed to conduct the
siege. Ground was broken on the night of the 7th; the
workmen consisted of 2100 soldiers, and 2000 peasants, col-
lected at Tunkendorf. They were divided into 82 brigades,
each consisting of one commissioned, four non-commissioned
officers, and 50 men, each of whom was furnished with one
hatchet, one shovel, and one fascine; the whole were covered
by seven battalions stationed behind them. Pl.
At eleven o'clock the enemy suspected the commencement
of the work, and discharged a few pieces; at one o'clock he
received assurance of the fact from a deserter; the fortress
guns were then immediately fired, but they did no damage.
The places of the batteries were next day determined; the
enemy also hazarded a sally: the attack succeeded, and the
i
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
337
Prussians lost 340 men, killed, wounded, and missing. The
trenches were every day covered by nine battalions and 300
horse; 130 men were employed in working at the batteries,
the foundations of which were three feet under the surface of
the earth, and laid in the parallels.
!
Early in the morning of the 9th, the batteries opened their
fire, and two new ones were begun to be constructed. The
besieged did not play the ordnance of the fort, which was
principally regarded as the point of attack; but their fire was
the stronger from all the other works which commanded the
trenches. The counter-mines were also enlarged and properly
arranged. The two new batteries were finished on the 10th,
and three more commenced, with crochets at the extremity
of the parallel. At night the three batteries were completed,
and the enemy began to form his embrasures. On the left
of the parallel an approach and a battery were constructed.
On the 11th, three of the above batteries commenced their
fire. In the evening, the approach, the battery, and also the
redoubt on the left wing, were perfected. The enemy kept
up, during the night, an incessant fire from the covert-way.
Next evening one zigzag of approaches, towards the fortress,
were constructed.
On the 12th, all the batteries were opened. At night an
approach was made on the left wing, and several alterations in
the batteries. The besieged augmented their fortifications
near the Striegau gate.
On the 13th, the block-house of fort Jauernick was set on
fire by a shell: the same night the approaches were enlarged,
and the enemy made a sortie with 1400 men; but it was
repulsed by the fire of the small arms; even the garrison
directed their pieces in mistake against their own men: the
latter were, however, soon rallied, and ventured a second
assault, till their leader, Colonel Collwell, was wounded,
when the whole retreated with the loss of 142 of their num-
ber. The besiegers took possession of the parallel as soon as
the assailants retired.
VOL. III.
Z
338
THE ELEMENTS OF
In the evening of the 14th, the parallel was restored.
On the 15th, the second parallel was commenced at only
150 paces distant from the glacis.
Daun, though determined finally to force the King to raise
the siege, still quietly kept his position. Beck was ordered
to join Daun's army; and the Duke of Bevern, who expect-
ed an attack to be made by the King, marched to post him-
self at the side of the Austrians; but at Kunzendorf he
'received his Majesty's command to proceed to Oberpeile,
where he arrived on the 14th.
The royal troops changed their position, after Daun's move-
ment, towards Selberg, so as to occupy the heights near
Reichenau, Gottesberg, Seifersdorf, Barsdorf, Tannhausen,
New Gericht, Gersdorf, Steinsceifersdorf, Steinkuntzendorf,
and Peterwalde. The Duke of Bevern's corps was on the
heights near Tischberg.
Daun, perceiving the nature of the position, resolved to
attack the Duke's corps, with Beck and Brentano in both
Aauks, and Lascy in front. The onset began with a can-
nonade, and then the Prussian cavalry charged the Austrians
in the left wing, and obliged them to give way; but the
violence of the ordnance forced the Prussians in turn to
retreat. Several partial encounters, supported by the heavy
guns, afterwards took place, with various success.
Beck, in the interval, occupied the height to the right of
the Prince; but a morass prevented his troops, who had
always marched more in the rear of the Prussians, from
attacking; and as no second line was formed, some platoons,
and a detachment of cavalry only were sent to oppose
them.
At seven o'clock, Beck's corps was to have attacked;
had hardly formed when the Prussians fell upon it and drove
it back.
but it
The Prussian cavalry now charged again, and with good
effect; soon after which the enemy, while endeavouring to
form once more, was attacked by Prince Wirtemberg's rein-
forcements, and compelled to take to flight. The Prussia
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
339
infantry reached the scene of action, unfortunately, half an
hour too late to occasion the enemy a complete rout. All
his corps, however, retreated, leaving behind them 1000
men: the victory cost the Prussians about half that number.
The conquerors returned to their camp.
After the finishing of the second parallel, the sappe-work
commenced, on the night of the 16th, and one battery was
constructed. During the succeeding night, a sally was made ;
but repulsed with the loss of 113 men: the killed, on this
occasion, were immediately buried, an armistice for that
purpose having been previously agreed upon.
The 18th, at night, an assault was resolved to be made on
a flêche: the Prussians penetrated, and the Austrians fled;
but the entrance of the work being locked, and some rein-
forcements arriving, the former thought proper to retire.
After the noise occasioned by this enterprise had ceased,
the sappe was prolonged to within 50 paces of the glacis.
The besieged planted a gun against it, in the saliant angle,
and four mortars, beside this, as a support.
During the night of the 19th, the sappe was proceeded
with; but being perceptible in the rear by the enemy, a
double sappe was made, in which a party was posted to pro-
tect the sapper: and on the left some zigzags were likewise
constructed, by which the besiegers were advanced to 140
paces from the saliant angle of the covert-way. In the centre
of the first parallel, a battery of four howitzers was mounted.
The flêche, which had been assaulted by the Prussians, was
afterwards more strongly garrisoned.
On the 20th, the fire of the place was so heavy, that the
sappers could not work; and the miners prepared to open
their mines. Fort Jauerwick, as well as some of the pali-
sadoes, and indeed all the works were repaired, chiefly with
fascines.
On the 21st, the sappe-work was again obstructed by the
violence of the cannonade maintained by the besieged.
The attack on fort Jauerwick was attempted, but did not
Zo
340
THE ELEMENTS OF
succeed: one detachment fired too soon, another came up
too late; and though the troops penetrated, the enemy's rein-
forcements ultimately compelled them to retreat.
General Guasco sent a colonel to General Tauenzien, on
the 22d, with an offer to surrender, on condition that the garri-
son should have a safe retreat, with liberty to carry off what-
ever belonged to Austria: this being refused, Guasco asked
leave to transmit the proposal to the King; but the answer
was, that all rested with Tauenzien,
The Prussian miner began his work, on the 22d, at noon,
at the point of the sappe. In the night, the third parallel was
constructed, at about 150 paces from the covert-way.
On the 23d, the fire from the enemy's works hindered the
progress of the sappe. The country lying towards mount
Zobten was fortified on that day, and provided with strong
detachments to prevent the enemy from passing, and making
good his way back. The sappe-work was still delayed, in
consequence of the fire of the besieged. In the third pa
rallel a battery of two mortars was constructed. The works
of the besiegers were all properly prepared for action, and
the parts which had been destroyed were restored. The
miners continued with their work. A new sappe made down
into the flêche was not occupied, as the latter commanded the
interior of it.
On the 25th, a communication was opened with the lodg
ment before the flêche and the sappe.
On the 26th, a flag from General Guasco again an-
nounced his willingness to surrender, on the former terms;
but a refusal was returned. The lodgment in front of the
town was examined by a party of soldiers, who, finding it
unoccupied, broke down the gabions and destroyed the
work the besiegers, however, advanced, and drove them
back, and the enemy then sent out a reinforcement; but this,
and also a second sortie, were repulsed with considerable
loss.
:
By the 27th, the miners had proceeded 72 feet. In the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
341
evening of the same day, a sally was made to discover the
entrance of the mines; but not being conducted in a very
orderly manner, it was soon repelled. The sappes were
enlarged, and their parapets made stronger.
On the 28th, there was another communication from
General Guasco, demanding a retreat for the garrison only
to the Austrian dominions; but the terms were not acceded
to. The enemy repeated the sortie; his miners discovered
the entrance of the mines of the besiegers, took one non-
commissioned officer prisoner, and were then compelled to
retreat. All the mines were afterwards repaired and aug-
mented.
On the 29th and 30th, the sappe-works and mines were
again lengthened and enlarged.
On the 31st, a nine was loaded, and the besieged ventured
two sorties, neither of which, however, succeeded.
In the night of the 1st of September, the mine was
sprung, and caused an excavation of 44 feet in diameter.
The third parallel was then immediately enlarged, the
damaged parts repaired, and the sappe couducted to the exca-
vation, which was used as a lodgment. The fire of the be-
siegers was rigorously maintained. The garrison of the
trenches, which had left its place, in the third parallel, during
the exploding of the mine, directly resumed the station, and
commenced as strong a discharge as possible. The town, on
the contrary, directed its ordnance on the excavation of the
mine, to prevent the work there from proceeding.
On the 2d, the well of the old mine was opened, to have a
subterraneous communication with the excavation, where the
lodgment was also better arranged.
The
enemy sprung a mine next day; but it did no harm.
All the mines were rendered more complete on both sides,
till the 9th, when the besiegers sprung another, by which
some of the enemy's miners were killed.
On the 10th, a shell set fire to another block-house, where
16 Austrians perished.
3.12
THE ELEMENTS OF
The enemy's miner was discovered, but the Prussian made
too much noise, and revealed himself likewise. The enemy,
who had now loaded a mine, immediately stopped, and pre-
pared it for bursting, which, taking place soon after, almost
entirely ruined the well of the Prussian mine, and obliged the
besiegers to begin to sink another.
On the 12th, Guasco repeated his offers of capitulation,
and met with a new refusal.
The enemy's miner perceived the Prussian miner, and loaded
a mine, but did not discharge it; for the latter afterwards
ceasing to be heard, it was supposed that they must have
passed each other. But on the 13th, the Prussian miner was
again discovered to be at work, about 15 feet distant, accord-
ing to the supposition of the counter-miner, who, therefore,
directly prepared for an explosion, and both the Prussian and
hostile mines blew up on the 14th.
General Guasco renewed his proposals, but Tauenzien
would not yet agree.
On the 15th, the air of the mines became too foul for
the workmen; one was prepared and stopped; it burst on the
26th, and produced an excavation of 60 feet diameter, and
about as many feet distant from the palisadces of the covert-
way. The excavations were connected by a sappe during
the night of the 16th, and the last was crowned. Next day,
an unsuccessful application for the acceptance of terms was
again made.
In the night of the 17th, the besieged loaded, and sprung
another nine, and killed four of the Prussian miners. Im-
mediately after this a sally took place, but was not successful.
The Austrians again exploded a mine on the 18th, which
killed two, and wounded four of the miners of the besiegers.
The same was repeated next day, and one more of the Prus-
sian miners was killed, and another wounded. The King sent
to Tauenzien, desiring him to storm the fort formerly attached: -
the latter replied, that this could not be accomplished by rea--
son of the enemy's fire.
{
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
343
The Prussians were now in a bad situation: almost all the
trenches were full of water; their subsistence merely consisted
of bread, a little brandy, and seldom cheese and butter; but
they endured all their hardships and deprivations most he-'
roically, and rendered themselves undoubtedly worthy of ad-
miration.
On the 20th, the Austrians sprung a mine, and so injured
the works of the besiegers as to compel them to make a new
well. One officer and two men were likewise wounded.
In the night of the 21st, a trench was carried forward to
the mountain Kahm, and a battery of twenty-four 12-poun-
ders, one howitzer, and two mortars erected. The battery
began to play on the following day.
The commandant again solicited a capitulation; but it was
demonstrated to him in answer, that he would not fix the
points to be agreed upon, and only wished to gain time.
On the 23d, the besieged burst another mine, and destroyed
the Prusssan well which had been constructed to the left.
The same night the right wing of the first parallel was en-
larged, and a battery of four 12-pounders planted at the ex-
tremity of it.
On the two following days the King visited the trenches,
without dismounting from his horse.
The second parallel was prolonged, and a battery of two
12-pounders, two howitzers, and two mortars constructed
there.
The enemy's miner was now discovered; and though the
well was only 24 feet long, the King ordered a mine loaded
with 3600 lbs. of powder, to be prepared and sprung. The
excavation was 60 feet in diameter, and 16 feet distant from
the palisadoes of the covert-way.
A sally was resolved to be made on the 25th, at night,
but was not carried into execution.
Guasco again expressed his desire to send dispatches to
Daun, and capitulate this request was, however, refused.
344
THE ELEMENTS OF
The enemy burst two mines in the night of the 26th, and
made a sortie, which so far succeeded, that all the lodgments
in the excavations were destroyed, and even lodgments made
for the garrison.
On the 27th, this loss was determined to be redeemed, and
a heavy cannonade ensued, followed by an attack. At night
the third parallel was prolonged, to support the excavations
the better.
During the night of the 28th, the left wing of the second
parallel was prolonged, and a battery of four 24-pounders
constructed. The miners were also ordered to begin their
works anew. The battery opened on the 29th. The miners
proceeded till the 2d of October, and a gun was brought into
the third parallel, to take the enemy in flank, whenever a sally
should be made.
In the same night, a fresh battery of two mortars was con-
structed opposite to Fort Jaurnick.
On the 3d, a covered sappe was made, to keep up a com-
munication with the third excavation.
On the 4th, the enemy sprung a mine, but it did no injury
to the well of the besiegers.
During the succeeding days the wells were continued to be
sunk.
On the 7th, the besieged burst two mines, but neither of
them damaged the well of the Prussian mine, this having been
already carried to too great a depth to be affected by them,
A grenade from the Prussian batteries went through the arch
over the communication of the casemate and gorge of the
attacked fort, and proceeded to the powder-magazine, which
kindled and blew up the whole casemate, and 200 men.
The ditch was filled up, and the palisadoes in the gorge de-
stroyed. The great mine formed by the besiegers was loaded
with 5000 lbs. of powder, and prepared to be sprung, which
being accordingly executed at midnight, a breach was made in
the covert-way, and a passage opened through all the three rows:
F
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
345
of palisadoes. Measures were then taken for an assault
but as it would have been opposed by a heavy fire on both sides,
it was not carried into effect.
On the 9th, the commandant offered once more to capi-
tulate, and his wishes were at last complied with. Fort
Jauernick was immediately occupied. On the 11th, the gar-
rison marched out, and the fortress was taken possession of
by the Prussians. The soldiers of the garrison were made
prisoners, but all the officers, including the non-commissioned,
were suffered to retain their swords. One hundred and seventy-
one guns, two howitzers, 46 great and 134 small mortars,
47,894 balls, 562 shells, 1,856 grenades, 10,170 lbs. of pow-
der, 200,000 lbs. of flour, 74,000 lbs. of biscuit, and 21,000
rations of bread, together with 19 general and field officers,
218 officers of inferior rank, and 8,784 men, fell into the
hands of the Prussians on this memorable occasion. The
trenches were afterwards levelled, the siege-ordnance dis-
mounted, and the fortress again put in a state of defence:
161,462 shots were fired by the besiegers, 125,453 by the be-
sieged the former lost 3228 men in killed and wounded,
and the latter 3023.
:
Daun made no effort to relieve Schweidnitz, and the King
only detached, during this time, General Schmettau with a
a small corps to Gorlitz, and another to Zittau. After the
termination of the siege, 20 battalions, and 55 squadrons, with
60 pieces of ordnance, were sent to Saxony. Daun followed
close
upon this detachment with a part of his corps.
The King gave the Duke of Bevern the command of the
army in Silesia, and left it on the 1st of November. A con-
vention was in a little time concluded between the contending
forces, to take winter-quarters. The Prussian chain of light
troops extended from Schmiedeberg to Paschkau, and the
army was placed behind it. Immediately after the conclusion
of the convention, Daun set out for Vienna.
General Kleist had, in the interval, made several attacks on
346
THE ELEMENTS OF
the enemy's advanced posts. The Prince also resolved to at-
tack the enemy in his position near Freyberg, on the 29th.
General Kleist commanded the van-guard; the right wing was
under the orders of General Siedlitz, the left wing was led by
General Sutterheim, and the 4th division by General Kleist.
The enemy's advanced posts of the Spittel forest were soon
driven in; upon which, he prolonged his line to the left.
The Prince, on the contrary, marched more to the right;
General Siedlitz advanced towards three Kreutzer, while
Kleist and Manstein covered the attack of the grenadiers in
their left flank.
The Spittel forest was attacked, and the fort situated in it
near Little Waltersdorf was taken, after a heavy cannonade:
the Prussians were, however, afterwards repulsed to the
abatis, but some reinforcements arriving at this moment, re-
stored the equilibrium. General Sutterheim then re-advanced
to Little Waltersdorf, and repelled the enemy's cavalry sta-
tioned there; the infantry remained steady for a short time,
but they also gave way, on perceiving themselves abandoned
by the horse. The enemy, finding that he could not be sup-
ported in the Spittel forest, retreated to the heights of Tutten-
dorf, and re-assembled his force.
General Mayer, who was stationed near Brand, caused the
Prince Stolberg a good deal of anxiety, as his post was danger-
ous for the issue of the attack; but that general did not move,
except to retreat. The enemy lost 79 officers, and 4,333 men
taken prisoners, besides nine colours and 28 pieces of ordnance.
The Prussians had 1500 men killed and wounded, and their
opponents about an equal number. General Hulsen's corps
had no part in this engagement, but stood near Newkirchen
to observe the enemy near Tharanter-wood. Prince Stolberg
retreated to Frauenstein, and the Prussian army to the
neighbourhood of Freyberg. General Wied's corps made
this a day of rest near Radeburg, and Prince Albert's army
passed the Elbe, not far from Dresden. General Kleist was
I
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
347
detached immediately after the battle to destroy the magazines
of the enemy, and compel him to retreat still farther.
Prince Stolberg began to retrograde towards Prince Albert,
on the 4th of November.
The King arrived on the 6th at Neissen, and commanded
General Wied to drive the enemy behind the Plauenshe
grounds, which was accomplished with the loss of 600 men
and four guns on the side of the latter. General Kleist was
afterwards sent to invade the German Empire, and levy the
heaviest possible contributions. That general marched to
Nurnberg, and took 12 new guns; he then proceeded even as
far as Regensburg, set at liberty all the Prussian hostages
whom he met with, and, after having raised a considerable
sum by military imposition, he retreated to Saxony, where a
convention was made in respect to winter-quarters on the
24th. The Imperial army having been, however, left out of
this treaty, it surrendered to the Prussians at discretion. Soon
after this, the King, as well as the cabinets of Dresden and
Vienna, became anxious for a peace, and several of the
Princes of the Empire had even already concluded treaties
with his Majesty: the first rendezvous was held on the 20th
of December, at the castle of Hubertsburg, and it appeared
that none of the contending powers had lost a foot of ter-
ritory which they possessed prior to the war.
France resolved to send two armies into the field, during
this campaign; one consisting of 80,000 men, to act in Hesse,
and another 30,000 strong, on the Lower Rhine.
Mareschals D'Etrées and Soubise were to command the
greater, and Prince Condé the lesser force. The latter arrived
on the 24th of April at Dusseldorf, and the former, on the 8th
of May, at Frankfort.
The allied troops were assembled by the middle of May on
the left banks of the Weser, but till June the armies on both
sides kept their quarters, and nothing remarkable occurred,
save the surrender of Arensberg to the Prince.
348
THE ELEMENTS OF
The French army advanced on the 22d to the Dymel, but
its commanders little expected that the Duke would also ad-
vance. He, however, passed the same river early on the 24th
with his troops to attack the enemy, in whose camp all was as
yet quiet. Spoerken first engaged with the corps under the
order of Castries, and the French then universally took up
arms, though in the greatest confusion. Castries was soon
forced to fall back on the main army, after a sharp engage-
ment and a vigorous cannonade. General Granby being de-
tached to his rear, and the appearance of the Duke's army,
were reasons sufficient to induce the enemy immediately to
retreat. Granby briskly engaged with Stainville's corps in
front, while the Buke, constantly advancing, was soon able to
take the same body in the rear. The loss it sustained by this
manœuvre was particularly serious; 2529 of the enemy were
taken prisoners, and an equal number was either killed or
wounded. The allies lost 615 men, but gained 12 guns, eight
stands of colours, and a great quantity of baggage.
The enemy first took a position near Tannenwald, and then
retreated to Cassel and Landwehrhagen. The allied army
stationed itself near Brand, and on the heights there. Luck-
ner had afterwards obtained soine advantages to the south-
cast of Gottingen, when he was ordered to the right wing of
the allied army. This, in the interval, pushed its wing farther
forward, and detached some troops across the Weser, who
took 1200 prisoners, 15 guns, and eight stands of colours, in
various skirmishes.
On the 25th, the Duke's army advanced, with the view of
pressing the enemy back over the Fulda, but the camp of the
latter appeared too favourably situated, to admit of a success-
ful attempt; next day, however, the right wing of the French
retreated across the above river.
The operations of the French army on the Rhine, though
only opposed by a small corps under the Hereditary Prince,
were not productive of any superiority; and the Prince con-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
$49
tinued to follow these troops, even after they had received
orders, in the middle of July, to join the French forces in
Hesse.
The French stationed near Landwehrhagen were attacked
by Lord Granby on the 7th, but a heavy cannonade ended the
affair. It was afterwards resolved by the allies to cross the
Weser, and assail the enemy in flank, front, and rear; the
rising of the water, however, prevented the execution of this
project. Provisions becoming scarce among the French
troops, Gottingen was abandoned.
On the 17th of October, the whole army retreated, to form
a junction with Condé's corps, and arrived, on the 27th, at
Budingen.
The Hereditary Prince, in order to prevent Condé from
joining the army of Soubise, resolved to attack him, after re-
ceiving the reinforcements expected on the 22d.
On the 25th an engagement took place, and the enemy
being concealed, the Prince's army met with a warm recep-
tion. Another attack was ventured to be made on the 29th;
disaster again attended the Prince's efforts, and his retreat cost
him 10 guns, and about 1500 men. The two French armies
joined early in the morning of the 31st, and at this time it
was also determined to open the communication with Cassel.
On the 21st, a severe affair occurred near Homburg, where
the loss on both sides amounted to about 1000 men. The
rest of the campaign passed over very quietly. Cassel was
laid siege to, on the 16th of October, and it surrendered on
the 1st of November.
On the 3d, peace was concluded at Frankfort, of which
event Soubise gave immediate notice to the Duke, who had
then just summoned Ziegenhain to capitulate, and received a
refusal.
On the 15th, a courier arrived from London, and on the
two following days both armies went into winter-quarters. Ge-
neral Beling, who only remained to oppose the Swedes, was
engaged in nothing more than a few skirmishes, while General
350
THE ELEMENTS OF
Sutterheim, arriving with reinforcements about the end of
August, prevented the Swedes from advancing too far.
These, however, pushed forward after Sutterheim's depar
ture, though, on his return, they again retrcated behind the
Peene.
After the skirmish near Malehen, a town besieged by Bel-
ling, but afterwards relieved by the Swedes, in consequence
of which the Prussians lost a few men, nothing remarkable
happened till the 17th of August, when an armistice was
agreed upon, and a peace soon after finally ratified.
SIEGES OF GIBRALTAR, SINCE THE YEAR 1704, INCLUSIVE.
Gibraltar was taken, in the year 1704, by Sir George
Rooke, who had been sent into the Mediterranean to sup-
port the claims of Austria on the Spanish crown. This enter-
prise was effected by the landing of 1800 men, of whom 274
were killed or wounded, though the garrison consisted only
of 150.
The French and Spaniards immediately determined to
regain possession of the fortress, and the Marquis Villa-
darias opened the trenches on the 11th of October; but the
probable success of the undertaking instantly vanished, on the
re-appearance of the English fleet, with succours, provisions,
and stores.
An assault afterwards made by 500 volunteers, was also
repulsed and in a little while strong additional reinforce-
ments, and great quantities of provisions were again received
from England.
In the year 1705, the Spaniards again hazarded an attack
of Gibraltar, on the 11th of October, and penetrated into the
town; but they were soon discovered and repelled,
Mareschal Fesse had the command in that quarter, and
attempted to approach by trenches, and a bombardment, sup-
ported by the French fleet; some of the ships, however, were
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
351
dispersed by a storm, and the British men of war gave a good
account of the rest, while they, at the same time, kept Gib-
raltar well supplied.
The Prince of Hesse, who then bore the chief command,
fortified Gibraltar so well, during this period, that it was
really stronger, after the raising of the siege, than before its
commencement. Mareschal Fesse having been forced by
the same means to change his operations into a blockade.
The besiegers lost on this occasion 10,000, the besieged
only 400 men.
Gibraltar was threatened to be taken by the Spaniards, by
a coup-de-main, in the year 1720; but the English, receiving
information of the design, sent strong reinforcements, and
frustrated its execution.
Gibraltar was again besieged in 1727, when the Spaniards
lost 3000 men, and the English about 300.
In the year 1740, lines were drawn along the isthmus,
by which the place was cut off from all communication with
the continent. (Pl. XXVII.)
The same fortress was almost on the point of being deli-
vered up to the Spaniards iu the year 1760, in consequence of
a revolt in two of the British regiments, when the conspiracy
was fortunately discovered.
the
Gibraltar, is situated on a neck of land, and a rock renders
way towards it very difficult. This rock is on the east
side about 1300 feet high, and from the entrance to the
middle of the passage, it has from 40 to 100 feet elevation.
Two roads lead towards the place, between which a deep in-
undation has been formed. The smaller, or the road along the
sea, is built of stones. At the extremity of each there is a pali-
sade-work; and besides this, a section in the centre of thẹ
larger. A small work enfilades both, seconded by four other
batteries, the lowest of which is 100 feet above the level of the
sea. Situated somewhat below these, there are two bastions,
mounted with 26 guns, and a mined way to defend the
352
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
passage towards them. The two roads are also enfiladed by
the battery of the old mole, and by another in front of that.
On the highest part of the mountain stands the rock-mortar,
and near it the rock-gun, and the royal battery; on one side
of this are the green lodge, the terrace, and Farrington batte-
ries, together with Willis's; some of these were not, how-
ever, finished at the commencement of the siege about to
be detailed. The parapet towards the sea is mounted with
guns and mortars; the King's bastion only has 12 thirty-two-
pounders, and four ten-inch howitzers in front, and 10 guns
and howitzers in the flank, besides casemates for 800 men.
The works extend on the south to the other side of the new
mole, and from this point, rocks 40 to 70 feet high supply
their place, one spot, near Rose bay, excepted; but to de-
fend this, batteries are erected on Windmill-hill. A disem-
barkment is, therefore, every where almost impossible, exclu-
sive of the east side of the rock, and here rocks 1000 feet
high prevent the approach of an enemy.
On the 21st of June, 1779, the Spanish General Men-
doza gave orders that the lines should have no more commu-
nication with the garrison; but hostilities did not begin before
the 5th of July, when the Spaniards fired on an English
vessel bringing provisions from Ceuta.
The enemy besieged the fortress with 18 battalions and 12
squadrons, which were only opposed by 209 commissioned,
482 non-commissioned officers, and 4632 rank and file. The
artillery solely consisted of 475 proper artillerists, with 150
men drafted from the infantry.
On the 16th, the magazine of materials was struck by a
shell; but the fire directed against the workmen of the be-
siegers, which had begun as soon as they entered upon their
labours, did not cease, though of little effect.
The enemy endeavoured to cut off all communication from
the place as much as possible, and by this means to force it to
surrender; and many of the garrison, but principally the wives
of the soldiers, undoubtedly suffered much in consequence,
!
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
353
few
eggs,
น
from the want of provisions. The governor himself tried to
live on four ounces of rice, some vegetables, and a few biscuits
per week. A Hanoverian soldier, who possessed a capon and a
hatched chickens from them, by steeping them in
warm water, robbing the fowl of its breast-feathers, and beating
him with nettles, by which curious process the creature was
induced to sit upon the eggs, and afterwards reared the brood.
All kinds of provisions bore an enormous price: a goose was
sold at £2, a duck at £1, eggs were twelve or fourteen-pence
a piece, and flour as much per pound. Ships seldom arrived
with provisions, a few small boats only brought sometimes a
trifling supply.
The enemy, in the mean time, merely enlarged his maga-
zines, and did not open his fire till the 11th of January, an
order having been previously issued to bury the dead. The
fortress, on the contrary, kept up a constant fire on the
besiegers, though the chief attention was paid to putting the
old works in a proper state, and raising new ones.
The garrison at last received succours, in the middle of
January, (1780); and Admiral Rodney, after having beaten
the Spanish fleet, arrived much about the same time. The
Spanish admiral, observing Prince William Henry on duty in
the boat which carried him to shore, could not help testifying
his astonishment at the circumstance, and exclaimed, "The
nation, whose Princes perform the service of midshipmen,
certainly deserves the dominion of the seas." The Prince
had, during the engagement, given the most heroic proofs of
courage, and, when on shore, was beloved and admired by
all the garrison.
his
By Admiral Rodney, the fortress was provided with a suf-
ficient quantity of provisions, and reinforced by 1130 men ;
the communication with Africa was likewise opened; and this
•
occasioned fruits and fresh provisions to be frequently brought
in, so that Gibraltar was now placed in a favourable situation.
From time to time deserters sought shelter in the garrison;
VOL. III.
A a
354
THE ELEMENTS OF
few of them, however, were Spaniards, the first only arrived
so late as the 11th of May.
The Spanish army was now in a miserable state; straitened
for provisions and necessaries of every description, and even
apprehensive of an attack from Gibraltar.
On the 13th of February, Sir George Bridges Rodney again
set sail from Gibraltar, leaving behind him, on that station,
two line of battle-ships to protect the town. This force ren-
dered the naval armament of the English superior to that of the
Spaniards: the latter, however, on the arrival of one of their
own squadrons, containing four men of war and two frigates,
again blockaded Gibraltar, from the 27th, though not so
strictly but that a few straggling boats and vessels contrived,
sometimes, to convey provisions to the towns-people.
The comunandant, in order to avoid want, if possible,
bought up all the provisions he could by any means procure;
and even commanded the inhabitants to provide themselves
for a year. Provisions, notwithstanding, soon rose in value;
the soldiers were obliged to live on salt meat, and the scurvy
speedily spread itself through the garrison. A Danish vessel,
from Malaga, laden with oranges and lemons, luckily, how-
ever, afforded a curb to this malady, and stopped its progress.
The gardens before the town were soon after taken by the
enemy, though this loss was in a little time supplied by new
ones, formed within the place itself.
One of the English line of battle-ships having parted, and
the Spaniards, aware of the great advantages which the little
squadron remaining obtained for Gibraltar, resolved to burn
it in the harbour behind the mole. The attempt was made
on the night of the 7th, but it failed; the gallant English
sailors undauntedly approached the enemy's fire-ships, fasten-
ed ropes to them, and dragged them round the new mole.
Scarcely were the first carried off, when three other fire-ship
appeared; but these were likewise fortunately brought round
the new mole.
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
355
The Spaniards were constantly employed on the land side
in raising new batteries, against which works a very slack fire
only was maintained. The Carlos battery, constructed for 10
mortars, was finished on the 30th of October. In the same
night the barriers before the gates were burned, and the water-
works in the gardens destroyed. The repeated mischief
of the fire from some guns planted on the rocks, which some-
times occasioned considerable loss to the Spaniards, now in-
duced the latter to make approaches towards them.
11
The Spaniards, still unable by any ordinary means fully to
invest Gibraltar by sea, constructed boats 60 feet long and
18 broad, which could be worked both by sails and oars; in
these machines one heavy gun, and one large mortar were
fixed their fire was particularly annoying to the garrison,
who could only oppose them with an inferior number of
floats of the same kind. The supply of provisions from the
Barbary coast was also diminished; the English consul, resid-
ent there, having been dismissed, and the ports of Tangiers
and Feburen were now for the third year in the possession
of the Spaniards.
The disagreeable situation of the garrison was farther in-
creased by the melancholy intelligence of the loss of the
English convoy to the West Indies, and the increasing
scarcity of provisions. The fortress remained in this unhappy
state till the 12th of April, 1781, when it was relieved by
Admiral Digby. The enemy endeavoured to destroy the
convoy; and the landing of the provisions was exposed to be
disturbed by the following batteries: by the King's battery, to
the left of fort Philip, mounting 14 guns, ten of which acted
on the town; by fort Philip, with 27 guns, eleven bearing on
the town; by seven guns from the infanta battery; by 14
pieces of ordnance from the Prince's battery; and by fort
Barbara, carrying 23 cannon, seven of which, however, only
acted against the town. Consequently, out of 100 guns,
64 played upon the place. Besides these, there were 50
A a 2
356
THE ELEMENTS OF
mortars, exclusive of 10 in the Carlos battery; but all the
batteries were above 4800 paces distant from the new mole,
and more than 200 from the nearest works of the besieged.
The governor of Gibraltar took morcover care to unload his
victualling transports in Rose-bay, which could not be reach-
ed from the Spanish batteries. The enemy, finding that he
could not prevent the stores from being brought on shore,
directed his fire on the town, which was soon set in flames.
But General Elliot had provided encampments for his gar-
rison, and verv few soldiers were lodged in the caverns of the
works. On the King's bastion a traverse of flour barrels was
formed, and though this sort of provisions were scarce, the
garrison took the flour, and the barrels were broken up. The
provisions were, in general, badly laid up, in respect to being
preserved from the weather.
The garrison lay exposed to the most trying hardships, and
the tents were often floated away by the frequent rains; at the
same time that they were incommoded by the enemy's fire,
and, particularly in calm weather, by that from his gun-boats.
On the 12th of April, disaster seemed to be attaining to its
utmost height: at three-quarters after ten the besiegers
showered a heavy discharge of balls upon the town, which
was reduced to such a pitch of misery, that several families
departed for England and Minorca.
The town, when first set on fire, did not suffer much from
the flames; but the soldiers behaved in the most disorderly
manner; for, finding that there were plentiful supplies of
brandy, and some other stores, though the inhabitants would
only sell them at very high prices, they became quite enraged:
the admonitions of the officers were unheeded, and the greatest
confusion reigned during the conflagration. Soon after, the
governor issued severe orders relative to the sentries and plun-
dering, which were in future strictly executed.
The ships were then unloaded, in effecting which the gar
rison left all possible assistance. The enemy's batteries were
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
357
also taken into consideration, and the fire of the works
directed on the Carlos, which was soon silenced for a time,
but it opened again next day.
After the destruction of the town, by the effects of his fire,
the enemy did not know where next to direct the fury of his
ordnance; for among the ruins it made no beneficial impres-
sion, and two of his powder-magazines were, in the interval,
blown up. The commandant, on his part, endeavoured to
molest the besiegers in their camp from the old male, for
which purpose one mortar and six guns were planted there;
and whenever the enemy's gun-boats were visible, the battery
began to play, by which means the former soon appeared less
frequently. To keep these boats still farther off, two brigs,
fitted up in the same manner, and mounted each with five
guns, were stationed at the greatest point of distance from
the new mole, within the support of the fire of the works.
In the beginning of September, the Spanish batteries were
augmented; and the fire, which had become rather weak from
the land-side, again began to increase.
Early in October, the enemy was very busy in erecting
new works, which the governor resolved to annoy; but as it
proved difficult to maintain a very strong discharge from the
place, three new batteries, adjoining to the Carlos, were
already finished on the 16th.
The fire of the garrison was now rendered more violent; but
though it dismounted the enemy's guns, it could not destroy
any of his batteries: and by the middle of November he had
actually another battery completed. These circumstances
only added to the ardency of the governor's wish, to bring
about the overthrow of the besiegers, either by the influence
of his fire, or by a sally; the former was very problematic,
and the latter would, if it failed, have been attended with
the worst consequences, though, if successful, productive of
the most decided advantages. The sally was a step on which
governor, however, long deliberated, and made many
previous preparations. On the 21st, more accurate informa-
the
靠
​358
THE ELEMENTS OF
tion was obtained, in reference to the guards of the trenches,
and the expediency of the design and its execution were then
determined, and accordingly carried into effect during the
night between the 26th and 27th.
:
The sally consisted of three different columns that to the
left contained 41 officers and 874 men, and took its way along
the shore; the centre column, composed of 28 officers, 700
rank and file, and 150 workmen, proceeded to the right of
the inundation, through the gardens; and the right column,
including 30 officers, 647 rank and file, and 50 workmen,
passed the gate.
At a quarter before three o'clock, each detachment march-
ed off to the right: the right column was first discovered by
the enemy, and a sentry fired; this column then formed and
attacked the parallel. One detachment, though it had lost
its grenadiers, attacked the Carlos battery, and was received
by a heavy fire; it, however, gave the assault, and was soon
supported by the centre column, which at first conceived the
detachment to be composed of Spaniards.
In a little time the works were all carried, the enemy com-
pletely routed, and forced to fly in disorder. The batteries
fired at the same time upon the fugitives, and vainly induced
them to answer the cannonade. Every work had been set on
fire, and matches even applied to the powder-magazines, when
the sally first began to retire.
The enemy was thrown into the most distressing confusion,
and had been caught at a most unprepared moment, as was
proved by a report made out for the next day, being among
other things found, which stated, that nothing extraordinary
had happened. Of the sally, two officers and 16 men were
taken prisoners, four men killed, and 24 wounded.
Thus the success of this sally, undertaken with so much
resolution, and conducted in so admirable a manner, was per-
fectly complete, and bestowed upon the garrison a superiority
over the enemy, which led to the final raising of the siege,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
359
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1792.
The first and most remarkable consequences of the well-
known revolution in France, of which no detail can, however,
be expected here, was an almost universal war between that
country and Europe, commencing by a manifesto published
against Austria.
The first operations of the French after their appearing in
the field, were to be conducted in three grand columns.
One column, commanded by General Rey de Charles, had
Tournay and Flanders as its point of destination; the centre
column, under General Dillon, was destined to take Tournay,
and penetrate into Brabant; and the third column was directed
to occupy Namur, and advance towards the Meuse. When
the main corps, however, perceived the Austrians already on
the heights of Bassiena, it took to flight, and De Charles was
also forced to retreat, but the Austrians did not pursue. Fi-
nally came the expedition to Champagne on the tapis, con-
taining less than 80,000 men, including 20,000 Austrians, and
10,000 emigrants, commanded by the Duke of Brunswick.
With this army, it was resolved to invade a country, presenting
an armed population of four millions of effective soldiers; a
country where the attacking forces had no magazines, and
where a sufficient supply of provisions could scarcely be on
any terms procured; but, as if this had not been sufficiently
advantageous on the side of the enemy, Lisle only was bom-
barded, while Sedan, and Stenay, and other places on the
Meuse, might have been almost carried by a coup de main.
The French armies were favourably stationed: Fayette's (af-
terwards Dumourier's) army stood near Sedan; General
Kellerman near Metz; in the neighbourhood of Valenciennes
a small corps was placed; and Custine's troops were assem-
bling not far from Landau.
The Prussian army was meanwhile in a wretched situation,
which was constantly increased by the difficulty of procuring
360
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
provisions, and by the sickness prevalent among the soldiers.
It marched to Ardeunes, where Dumourier had a superior
position, but this was the last boundary of its advancing.
The Prussians immediately resolved on retrograde movements;
during which, they were not, however, at all molested by the
French. Much might have been lost in consequence of
Custine getting possession of Mayence by treachery. Savoy
was occcupied by Montesquieu's army, which also menaced
Ghent, but this was saved by the Swiss.
Dumourier, supposing that he could gain considerable ad-
vantages in the Netherlands, directed his course thither; but
this movement was certainly neither adapted to distinguish its
projector, nor agreeable to the rules of stratagie, for he would
have established a much greater superiority by sending a corps
of about 25,000 men towards Namur; and this would most
likely have reached the Rhine, before Clerfayt's army.
On the 14th of September, the armies had the following
positions the Austrian army in the Netherlands, about 28,000
strong, was near Lisle; the King's army lay cncamped in the
yicinity of Landres; the corps of Prince Hohenlohe kept
post near Sumeran; and Clairfayt's had its station adjoining to
Briguenay.
On the 15th, the Duke proposed a rendezvous with Du-
mourier, but it was refused.
Early in the morning of the 20th, the van-guard approached
towards Valmy, in order either to gain Menehould, or to at-
tack the French. Scarcely, however, had it drawn near Valmy,
when a heavy cannonade commenced from that quarter,seconded
by another fire, directed from the height La Lune. (Pl.
XXVIII.B.) The enemy's guns were, notwithstanding,
speedily silenced; and some of the officers of the general staff,
advanced to the eminence to occupy it, for which purpose they
requested the aid of troops from Prince Hohenlohe. Instead of
sending succours, the Prince ordered that the officers should join
him, and went in person to meet the army, the head of its columns
being about 8000 paces distant from his corps. The enemy's
}
f
;
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
S61
real position was not discovered till almost noon, when a fog,
which had continued all day, began to disperse. His army
was then seen to occupy the two heights near Valmy with the
bulk of its force, and both these should have been attacked-
Hohenlohe's corps was ordered to attack a point in front
of the left wing of the army, which had formed between
Bionne Chapelle and St. Mediard. The artillery were
mounted in front, and three batteries planted on the height
La Lune.
The French, who also endeavoured to possess the same
elevation, came up too late, and were repelled by the Prus-
sian fire. A great tumult was soon after observed in the ene-
my's army, occasioned by some powder-waggons having acci-
dentally caught fire. The French put a stop to their discharge
for a few moments, but it immediately recommenced on their
becoming again collected. The Duke of Brunswick pro-
ceeded then to the height La Lune, accompanied by the King
himself; and soon after a person on horseback, waving a white
handkerchief in his hand, approached towards them from the
enemy. His Majesty and Brunswick conversed with the
mounted stranger, but the subject did not transpire.
In a little time the fire began to diminish, and ccused at five
o'clock, when Clairfayt's troops, or rather the Austrian army,
arrived: the Duke, however, commanded that no advance
should be made, and the corps consequently kept their positions.
The French, who might now have attacked and destroyed the
Prussian baggage, adopted no measures to do so; probably,
because they did not believe that the Prussians could have
committed such errors, as to expose themselves to the loss of
their baggage.
The enemy next day fortified the heights of Valmy, and
took a position behind Dampierre and Vailmont. The Prus-
sians had all along received their provisions without any loss,
two waggons excepted, which were taken by the French on
the 26th.
An armistice had been concluded on the 24th; but it was
1
362
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
again broken by Dumourier on the 28th, who was in the mear-
while intreated to appoint a place of conference with the
Duke of Brunswick.
The Prussian army began afterwards to retreat, though, ac-
cording to the idea entertained some days previous by the
King, it ought to have been now advancing to pursue the
cnemy. The retreat was directed to Luxemburg, where the
surrender of Mayence was made public.
The Prussians then crossed the Rhine ncar Coblentz, and
determined to attack Frankfort, of which the French had
lately become masters. This town was consequently retaken
in the beginning of December.
Dumourier pursued the Austrians, and arriving near Ge-
nappes, encamped, after reconnoitring Clairfayt's army between
Hoorne and Tamery.
On the 26th, the French artillery came up, consisting of
36 pieces of ordnance, to be distributed, and disposed along
the front of the line to be attacked. The Austrian force con-
sisted of about 16,000 infantry, and 3,000 cavalry, who had
taken their position with the right on Gemappes, and the left
on the causeway leading to Valenciennes: their front was for-
tified by redoubts, mounted with 100 pieces of ordnance, and
from the easy declivity of the ground towards their opponents,
they possessed the most decided superiority in respect to firing,
(Pl. XXVIII. 1.)
Dumourier resolved, therefore, to drive the Austrians out of
their position by flank attacks. As soon as the latter advanced
out of their lines, the French met them with superior force,
and the battalions first opposed to them were doomed either
to advance and beat them back, or be the victims of the
troops drawn up behind, who charged, whenever these endca-
voured to fall back. The French then attacked the first line
of the Austrian redoubts, and carried it, but the centre was
by this effort thrown somewhat into confusion.
cavalry advanced at the same time to attack the
The Austrian
enemy in the
wings, where a little confusion was also discernible, but these
attacks were quickly repulsed.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
303
Gemappes was next taken by the French, together with
some redoubts in the centre of the Austrian line, on which
the enemy of France began to make a rapid retreat. The
losses of the French were, on this occasion, considerable, and
amounted at least to 10,000 men, though the Austrians did
not lose more than half that number. Dumourier had two
horses shot under him, but his resolution never wavered, nor
was the battle gained less by his skill and courage than by au
immense sacrifice of men, who had no alternative between
repelling the enemy, and being shot by their comrades posted
in the rear.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1793.
Dumourier opened this campaign (with an army of about
20,000 men miserably armed and cloathed, and in want of artil-
lery, ammunition, and provisions) towards Holland, where no
preparations had been made for the warfare of the season.
Neither were any of the Dutch opposed to the Republicans,
6000 Prussians alone compelled them to raise the siege of
Venlo.
Dumourier possessed himself of Buda, Gertrudenburg, and
Klundorf, whence his army proceeded to Willemstadt, but
here it was repulsed by General Broestelar; and Dumourier,
soon after this event, was punished for his errors of stratagie,
in not acting on a solid and broad basis.
Mastricht, which Dumourier was besieging, the Prince of
Hesse likewise gallantly defended, and gave the Austrians, by
this means, time to collect and beat the French dispersed
along the Roer; by which means the latter were again forced
to retreat across the Meuse.
Dumourier, still keeping Namur and Liege in his possession,
flattered himself that he would likewise easily preserve his
communication with Breda and Gertrudenburg undisturbed.
901
THE ELEMENTS OF
Yet the paucity of his fortresses was in the course of a short
period one grand cause that the battle of Noerwinden detcr-
mid the fate of the Netherlands. (Pl. XXIX.)
This bottle commenced with an attack made by the left
wing of the French army, which was drawn up behind the
rivulet Geete. The Austrians had, on the other hand, taken
their position between Dormael and Racour. The attack
was, however, followed up with little effect, soon repulsed,
and obliged to retreat in disorder. The right wing of the
French, soon after the attempt on the part of the left, at-
tacked also, and met with some success; but the Austrians,
gaining time to reinforce their left wing from their right,
where the enemy had been beaten back and pursued, sup-
ported the former so effectually, that it was enabled to resume
and maintain its position.
The disorder created in the left of the French army soon
infested the centre, and the troops stationed at points, prepared
to retreat, which was immediately executed, especially as the
efforts of the right wing had not completely succeeded
The whole force was then obliged to fall back towards Tile
mont.
The loss of this battle was occasioned, as well by the in-
judicious advance of the left wing, and its engaging too eager-
ly at first, as by the attack from the right being made too late,
and too much inclming to the centre.
The retreat of the French, though they were greater in
number than the Austrians, and though the advantages of the
attack were on their side, continued to the fortresses on their
frontics. The Austrians did not, however, profit by the op-
portunity to cut off the garrisons left in the towns of the
Netherlands. The flying enemy escaped likewise all pursuit,
though their route was marked with eminent disorder; while
the Austrians, astonished at their victory, remained in their
position, like men bereft of all presence of mind.
The Prussians, at present under the conduct of General
Knobelsdorf only, compelled the French to raise the sieges of
[
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
365
F
the fortresses along the Meuse, and would not second the
Austrians in their successes, but rather, indeed, retreated from
this quarter, contenting themselves with merely contributing
to the siege of Mayence. Their King, who paid naturc's final
claim a short time after, was, while living, a real friend to the
public welfare; and, had not Poland revolted, the services of
his troops might have been more important.
England felt, at this epoch, the necessity of securing the
independence of Holland, and resolved to assist. The Dutch,
unable to remain inactive spectators, where their own interests
were so much concerned, mustered also a little army. Aus-
tria, for her part, still continued to adopt the bad system of
making a display of mighty armies on paper, but bringing
small ones into the field.
It may be farther added, as explanatory of the issue of the con-
test in question, that Austria did not take a sufficient part in au
affair, which she, of all other powers, ought to have promoted
the most, considering that the Queen of France was yet alive;
and the royalists would, undoubtedly, have done more, had mea-
sures been adopted to prevent their being shot when taken pri-
soners. Combined with these circumstances, the war scemed to
have no other object than besieging fortresses, instead of pur-
suing and beating the enemy, wherever opportunity rendered
such a line of conduct practicable. Under the existing mode
of policy, it was natural for the French armies, thus enabled
quictly to collect, first to accustom themselves to the turmoil
of action, and then with vigilance and success to attack the
Austrian forces. Besides, the Emperor, so far from inviting
the Swiss to join the coalition, requested them to remain
quiet, though they could have aided the general cause with an
army, whose diminutiveness would have been amply recom-
pensed by its valour.
The King of Sardinia blessed his lucky stars which enabled
him to drive the French back, with the assistance of a small
Austrian corps, another from Switzerland, and his Italian
troops.
366
THE ELEMENTS OF
Spain also waged war against France; but the offensive
operations at first set on foot, were in a little time changed to
the contrary, by the corruptness of the generals who con-
ducted them; and this alteration of measures, was soon fol-
lowed by the peace of 1795.
The royalists in Vendée still continued to be the most in-
veterate enemies of the commonwealth, and treated the re-
publicans with equal barbarity and cruelty; but these friends
of monarchial authority were, at first, not at all, and after-
wards, so late supported by the confederacy, that they were
never able to obtain any permanent advantage.
The whole allied army was, during this period, only endea-
vouring to force the French back over the Rhine, aud to take
Mayence, the siege of which was covered by a Prussian force,
commanded by the Duke of Brunswick.
In the Netherlands, Condé and Valenciennes only were
besieged, while Newport, Ypern, Courtray and Namur,
were not fortified to resist the enemy, if he should act on the
offensive.
The Prussian army was, after the reduction of Mayenoe,
told off into four grand divisions: the first commanded by the
King in person, marched to Twickheim; the second and third, ·
under the orders of the Duke to Kayserslauten; Prince Ho-
henlohe, proceeded to Lautereck; and the fourth, headed
by Field-Mareschal Kalkreuth, remained at Kreutznach, by
which manœuvre, the French were taken in their flank.
General Wurmser, receiving notice of this arrangement, re-
solved to attack the lines of Weissenburg; in pursuance of
which intention, the Austrian army advanced early in the
morning of the 13th of October. Prince Waldeck was to
go round the right flank of the lines; Jelliach was to advance
to Lauterberg, and then to join Waldeck's corps; Hotze to
occupy the Bienen forest, and the forts situated there, and af
terwards to advance to St. Remi; Messares to carry the re-
doubts in the neighbourhood of Oftersbach and Steinfeld;
Kospoth was to make an attack between that village and Has-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
367
selshoff; finally, Prince Condé had to join Kospoth's column,
and advance first to Oftersbach, and next to Weissenburg.
The attacks were all completely fixed and arranged, and the
Duke of Brunswick undertook to menace the enemy's left wing,
while the Austrians were attacking. Wurmser attacked in
front, and the other generals as instructed; but Prince Wal-
deck, not hearing the appointed signal for the onset, retreated
over the Rhine, and left Jelliach without succours. His corps
was, however, saved by the bravery of the Hessian cavalry.
The French had, in the interval, sufficient time to retreat from
Lauterburg, and form behind it, by which means the garrison
of this place escaped. The other attacks succeeded; the
lines of Weissenburg were carried, and the soldiers of the
republic put to the route.
After this run of good fortune, General Wurmser deter-
mined to attack Landau, in place of reducing Fort Louis and
Strasburg, which would have been of the greatest advantage
to him.
The Prussian army advanced in the beginning of August to
Homburg, Zweybrucken, and the banks of the Saar, from
which the French were driven back. The corps of the Duke
of Brunswick marched, in the middle of the same month,
towards Kayserslautern, and arrived on the 14th of the fol-
lowing on the heights of Pirmasens, when a battle was fought,
in which the French lost 4000 men in killed and wounded,
and 200 prisoners, besides 18 guns. The arrangements
formed, as well as the orders issued, by Mauraus, in regard to
the attack, were well planned, but badly executed, and his
force was likewise poorly supported by the generals under his
orders. The Prussians had their position on the Huster-
height, and the French attacked them in their rear, by Duten-
bruck and Waldhausen.
An officer, who was negligent in his duty, did not observe
the enemy so soon as he might have done, considering the
situation of his post, had he been more attentive: the Prussian
army, however, formed immediately on intelligence of the
368
THE ELEMENTS OF
enemy's approach being received, and repulsed his repeated
attacks; nor were the Prussian cavalry less courageous in pur-
suing, than they had been in repelling their assailants. The
ordnauce lost by the enemy were left behind on his retreat,
which was made with the greatest rapidity. In the Nether-
lands, Valenciennes was taken by Prince Condé, after the en-
gagement at Famars, where the French were likewise repulsed,
with considerable loss.
From the victory of Pirmasens little real benefit could,
however, arise. The allied army had to procure its sup-
plies by the Rhine and Mosel, and was besides exposed to
the skirmishings of the enemy; a mode of harassing his op-
ponents, which he had uninterruptedly followed since the
taking of the lines of Weissenburg in the month of October.
On the 19th of November, the French began their bloody
attacks; every day increased the violence of their efforts, till
the 25th. On this, Pichegru in vain attacked all the Austrian
posts.
On the 26th the day was as hot as the preceding, though
not more successful to the French; still, however, these at-
tempts evinced an extraordinary degree of energy and skill.
The following days he renewed the engagements, but the prin-
cipal contests occurred on the 27th and 28th near Kaisers-
lautern.
The Prussian and Saxon army, commanded by the Duke
of Brunswick, had occupied a position on the heights near
Moorlautern and Kayserslautern, with the light troops posted
on the opposite side of the last-mentioned town. A redoubt
was then built on the Galgen height, and some fortifications
were also constructed near Moorlautern. The French had
placed themselves between Oftersberg, Ottersbach, and Torn-
bach. The rear-guard was stationed near Schneckenhausen.
(Pl. XXX.)
As soon as the French had formed their attack, General
Kalkreuth advanced upon it, and repulsed it.
But Colonel
Szecalis corps, posted before the wood, was, at the same time,
warmly attacked, and driven back by the enemy, who then ad-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
369
vanced towards the Galgen height. General Kospot's corps
near Schnechenhausen was also attacked, and soon forced to
give way to a superior force; but it maintained the position, to
which it had retreated behind the above town.
A French battery being mounted in Kalkreuth's flank; he
likewise was compelled to fall back nearly to Moorlautern,
where he remained till next day. The French, in the interval,
occupied his old position, on the ground where they had becu
repulsed the day before.
The Prussian batteries were mounted in the centre of the
corps, exactly to the right of Moorlautern: the French again
attacked, on this day, the left wing, stationed not far fron
Moorlautern, but they were repelled and pursued by the Prus-
sian cavalry to the position which they occupied in the morning.
Soon after this, the French assailed the right and the centre,
and were once more foiled, and thrown back into their old
position.
1
:
During the same period they also attacked the Galgen
height, and the Prussian corps, under the Prince of Weimar,
placed between that height, the rivulet Erbach, and Kaisers-
lautern.
The French columns continued for a considerable time to
renew their attacks on the right wing of the Prussians near
Moorlautern, but were always repulsed. Towards the even-
ing the Prussians gained more ground, and advanced to Erle-
bach, which was taken, after several bold attempts. The
French troops, expelled from this town, endeavoured to regain
possession of it, but failed, and were next day forced to re-
treat in a direction to Ottersbach.
General Wartensleben's corps, stationed on the right of
the Galgen height, was also attacked; but the French being
constantly repulsed, that general kept his position.
The loss of the French during the two last days undoubtedly
exceeded 3000 men, besides several pieces of ordnance.
The allies lost on their side, about 1200 men in killed,
wounded, and prisoners.
VOL. III.
B b
370
THE ELEMENTS OF
On the 1st of December, the French again advanced with
28 pieces of ordnance towards the left wing of the allied
army, which was appuyed on the Rhine: the right wing
was merely menaced, and not attacked; but the centre, where
Condé had his station, stood a hard engagement. On the
following day, the French repeated the onset with increased
fury; in consequence of which the allies lost 800, but the
French 2000 men, seven guns, and four ammunition-carts.
No day passed without an engagement, till the 9th, when
the Austrians took their new position along the Motter.
On the 13th, the French renewed their attacks, and carried
the post near Tanu-bridge.
On the 14th, all the Austrian outposts were menaced with
success: and on the 15th, a general attack followed, during
which the eneiny made himself master of Engelsberg. The
Prussians, however, afterwards regained this as well as the
Kraelen height.
On the 18th, Wurmser proposed an attack on the French;
but its execution was rendered impracticable by a heavy fall
of rain. On the day before, they had been, however, forced
to retreat, by an attack made at Fischbach, and lost two
guns, and about 900 men. After this occurrence the French
did not so frequently renew their attacks; but General Hoche,
being still anxious to force the Austrians to raise the siege of
Landsberg, continually endeavoured, with the armies of the
Rhine and Moselle, (amounting to about 10,000 men), to break
in upon the communications of the passes of Lembach and
Reicheshof. The Duke proposed that Wurmser should take
a concentral position behind the Saar, and attack the enemy
on the 23d, which was agreed to; but prevented by the rash
attempt made by the French, in the night of the 22d.
The whole French army made an assault, and carried the
mountain Liebfrauen; but this was re-occupied by the Aus
triaus next day, though the former had taken 16 guns and 200
prisoners. The same eminence was, however, again aban-
doned on the following day, a movement which did not tend
to give more security to the Austrian position along the Saar.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
971
Wurmser then retreated to the heights of Weissenburg,
between the town of that name and Lauterburg. General
Hoche immediately resolved to attack Lauterburg, on the
26th, while Pichegru should assail the centre, and other
corps threaten to fall upon the Prussians.
General Wurmser and the Duke had also predetermined
to attack on the same day, and for this reason reconnoitred
on the preceding. The allies soon found it necessary to halt,
and await the advance of the French; who, after several fruit-
less attempts, succeeded in gaining the heights near Lauter-
burg, and the mountain Geis, were they obtained a very great
number of ordnance.
Wurmser was then compelled to retire over the Lauter to
Speyer, and thence across the Rhine, leaving all his maga-
zines unprotected, and even the garrison of Fort St. Louis to
stand by its own strength; the siege of Landau was also
obliged to be raised; but the whole was speedily accom-
plished. The Duke, now likewise necessitated to retreat from
the Vosges mountains, ordered the positions of Manheim and
Selz to be fortified, and Mayence to be victualled.
The French endeavoured to pursue him; but they soon
gave up from the attempt, and fixed their winter-quarters
near Worms: while the Prussians established theirs in and
round Mayence.
An English fleet had been all the summer stationed in the
Mediterranean, and from this an officer was latterly sent on
shore to treat with the admiral and generals commanding at
Toulon, for the delivery of that town into the hands of the
English, in the name of Louis the XVII.; the mission suc-
ceeded, and Toulon was accordingly taken possession of by
some English, Spanish, and Neapolitan troops. From Eng-
land all emigrants at the same time embarked with arms and
money, to support a diversion. The French resolved to
evacuate the departments of the mouths of the Rhone and
Var, made a prisoner of the first general of the expedition
Bb2
!
t

372
THE ELEMENTS OF
which landed, upon which the troops retreated to Toulon,
This town was then bombarded, and the corps stationed there
soon determined to abandon it. They, in consequence, set
sail, and carried off with them an immense number of French-
men; thousands, however, who would afterwards have escaped
by swimming, were drowned by the cruelty of the Spaniards,
who would not receive a single stranger on board their fleet:
instead of which the English strove to save all they could.
This expedition would certainly have been of the greatest
consequence, had it been more skilfully conducted, and at all
been conducted in connection with the royalists in Vendée, who
had gained from the Revolutionists, in about forty engagements,
200 guns, though they were themselves only armed at first with
sticks, pitch-forks, &c.: such a band of heroes as these com-
prised, and proper management combined with the enterprise,
would, beyond dispute, have rendered it productive of solid
benefit to the allies.
The court of Spain had again declared war against the
Republic, in the commencement of this year, and the
Spanish and French armies met each other in the western
parts of the Pyrenees. The strength of the French army,
destined on this service, was not, at the beginning of the
contest, above 8000 men; but in a little time it increased to
60,000. In the early season of the campaign it formed three
camps: one near Adaye, another near Jolimont, and the
third near Steinhouse: and when only consisting of 8000
soldiers, it was opposed by 30,000 Spaniards, under the com
mand of Don Vendra Caro, stationed near St. Martial and
Vera, and behind the river Bidassoa.
The Spanish chiefs, perceiving the weakness of their oppo
nents, resolved to attack them, and executed their purpose
soon: the attempt on the camp near Parre succeeded; but
instead of pursuing the enemy, the Spaniards only retired ta
their old position.
The French general was then dismissed, and his place sup
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
373
plied by General Servan, who soon advanced with his army
to Bayonne.
From the 18th of May to the 6th of June, the Spaniards
continued to attack the French with the utmost fury: on
the last mentioned day, the Republicans were forced to quit their
position, and were besides completely beaten near Chatea and
Pignon. The Spaniards did not, however, profitby the advan-
tages gained; but constantly fell back to their old position.
The French having increased in number, some skirmishes
took place, which ended in their favour. They soon after re-
ceived new commanders in chief; one of the former died,
and the other was superseded by General Muller, who ordered
the army to take a position on the heights of Bidassoa.
Nothing of consequence occurred from this to the period
when both parties went into winter quarters, where they con-
tinued for some time very quietly*.
1
}
}
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1791.
The Spanish army attacked the French in the beginning of
May, when both were, however, forced to resume their re-
spective positions, after a hard engagement. A second attack,
on the part of the Spaniards, took place, on the 6th of the
same month. The Spaniards again attacked, on the 29th ;
but met with another repulse. General Caro soon after gave
the command to Colomera.
The French perceiving the new position, and the streng h
of the Spanish army, resolved, at last, that an attack should
be made from their side. On the 26th of June, the Spanish
camp was taken, and the army completely routed. General
Muller was in a little time after compelled, in turn, to relin-
quish his command in favour of Moncey, and the armny was
* The best account of the three first campaigns in the revolu-
tionary war, is given in Tableau Historique de la Guerre de la
revolution. Napoleon has ordered it to be confiscated.
374
THE ELEMENTS OF
also augmented by 16,000 additional troops, which rendered
the Spaniards, who had received no reinforcements, much in-
ferior in strength. The attacks on the latter were then re-
newed, and the Spaniards retreated to Burgrette, and after-
wards to Ayoz, where they arrived on the 19th of October.
In the next campaign, (that of 1795), the French aug-
mented their extent of territory, and the number of their
fortresses; and among other acquisitions occupied Figuierre,
Tuentarbia, Rasa, Bouton, and the whole Spanish camp.
Hostilities were continued till the 18th of April when
it was notified that a peace had been concluded, and warlike
operations, of course, ceased.
The campaign of 1794, which so much influenced the fate
of Holland, and afterwards so much affected all Europe,
was begun, on the side of the allies, with great inactivity:
and Prussia was so busily engaged with Poland, that a corps,
by which this power was to have increased the confederates
in that quarter, and which began to assemble in the Moselle,
was never completed.
In Italy no remarkable incident occurred, and the opera
tions of the Spanish armies have been already detailed. It is,
therefore, in the Netherlands, where the French had com
bined their greatest force, that events of importance are to
be sought.
The allies possessed Condé, Valenciennes, and Le Ques-
noy, and their army was stationed as follows: General
Melas covered Trier, with about 6000 men; Beaulieu occu
pied the space between Luxemburg and Namur; Count
Kaunitz, at the head of 14,000 men, was near Bettignies and
Dirant; General Clerfayt, directed to defend the road from
Valenciennes to Newport, stood near Tournay. The whole
leagued force, exclusive of the garrisons of Valenciennes and
Condé, amounted to 124,000 men: 40,000 offered their
services in Brabant, but were not accepted. The army sent
by France into the field, to oppose the allies on this occasion,
contained about 200,000 men.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
375
The plan of operation, formed by the allies, was to ad-
vance in the shape of a coin, the sharp side to act offensively,
while the flanks remained on the defensive. The basis of the
operations was, however, too limited; the French were too
superior in strength, the confederates did not possess a suffi-
cient number of fortresses, and their course of success again
closed with the siege of Landrecy, as it had before done in
the year 1711.
Bad weather, and the arrival of the Emperor, were the
causes which delayed the commencement of the operations
till the 17th of April, on which day the allied army, then
$5,000 strong, attacked the French in nine columns, and
drove them back; on which Landrecy was invested, and be-
sieged under the conduct of the Prince of Orange. The
Duke of York was placed with about 24,000 men, in the
neighbourhood of Cambray. Prince Coburg had 30,000 at
Guise.
The enemy made every day partial attempts; but on the
26th of April, a grand affair took place. The French sus-
tained great loss, and one general was taken prisoner, in
whose pocket was found the plan organised for investing
Flanders.
Reinforcements were immediately sent off to Clerfayt; but
this general retreating, on the 26th, to Tournay, the French,
to the number of 30,000, commanded by Souham, took pos-
session of Courtray, and repelled the Hanoverian General
Wangenheim, from Mouscron.
General Hammerstein, who had been left at Menin, with-
out any succour, forced his way through the enemy's army;
though far inferior in point of force, took several pieces of
orduance, and effected a retreat never equalled in the annals
of war.
On the 28th and 29th of April, Clerfayt attempted to ob-
tain some advantages over the French near Mouscron, and to
retain his position; but he was at last forced to retreat to
Tournay, and General Wallmoden, to Deynse.
876
THE ELEMENTS OF
A part only of the Austrian army was enabled to proceed
to Flanders, and defend that country against the inroads of
the French. Clerfayt, whose corps consisted of about 13,000
men, attacked the French, on the 10th and 11th of May,
near Courtray, where the valour of the Austrians was
astonishingly great.
The French army of the Meuse and Sambre attacked
afterwards the opposite wing of the allies; but reinforce-
ments sent by the Prince of Orange from Landrecy, soon
drove back the enemy with considerable loss. Landrecy,
which had surrendered on the 30th of April, was inmedi
ately put into a state of defence. The rest of the Prince's
corps was stationed near Chateau, Cambresis, Erqueline, and
Sassegnies.
The French, commanded by Pichegru, had taken a strong
position along the Lys, from which they were resolved to
attack the allies, who, with 88 battalions and 151 squadrons,
exclusive of 32 companies of light infantry, had marched to-
wards the French, to cut them off from Lisle.
The principal point of rendezvous for the attack, was
Tourcoing. The French army was stationed with its left
wing at Moorseele, its right before Menin, and the front
towards Courtray. The attack was conducted as follows:
The first column, commanded by Clerfayt, arrived, on the
18th, at Lincelles.
The second column, under Bushe, occupied, on the pre-
ceding day, the heights near Muscron; but was soon com
pelled to retire by the appearance of a much superior force.
The third column, conducted by General Otto, took
Tourcoing during the night of the same day; but retained it
only for a short time, so that Clerfayt, on coining up, found
no corps to support that which he commanded.
The Duke of York led the fourth column, and it arrived,
on the 18th, at Croix; however, the defective manner in
which its left flank was covered, reduced it to the necessity
of retreating to Tournay,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
377
The fifth column, under the orders of Kinsky, was to have
driven back the corps near Lisle, and joined the main army
at Tourcoing; but this column also retreated, and took no
part in the battle on the 18th,
The sixth column, commanded by the Archduke Charles,
did not join the fifth till the afternoon, when it was too late,
and remained unemployed during the following day.
The French, on the contrary, fully accomplished their
design: they speedily perceived the nature of the attack;
they saw that the apparent efforts of the fifth and sixth
columns were mere feints, and that the Duke of York's
column was too weak; they, therefore, made their attack in the
night, between the 17th and 18th, and drove back the allies.
From the moment that the French obtained this victory, all
was over with the Netherlands.
The French again attacked, on the 22d, in columns, the
heads of which consisted of artillery and riflemen; a method
of fighting particularly adapted to give superiority in an
inclosed country. On this occasion they were, however, so
well opposed, that they retreated with the loss of about 7000
men. Several conquered villages were then recovered by the
allies; but fatigue and darkness prevented them from pursu-
ng the flying enemy.
The position of the allies was, notwithstanding, still very
unfavourable: its form was that of a semicircle, on the Seme
of which the enemy could effect his marches.
The French, on their part, endeavoured now to proceed to
the siege of Ypres, after having taken and fortified Menin
and Courtray.
The Republican armies on the Sambre, repassed that
river on the 20th of May, took possession of L'Evèque and
Binch, and approached Charleroi.
Kaunitz, reinforced from the Prince of Orange, made two
attacks, on the 23d, near Erquelines. Grondreg, on the high
road froin Beaumont to Mons, took three battalions prisoners,
and gained 41 pieces of ordnance; in addition to which, 60
STS
THE ELEMENTS OF
cannons remained in the woods near Lobes; indeed, the whole
French army would have been destroyed, had the columns
arrived in due time, and the enemy been closely pursued.
In consequence of this affair, Kaunitz was also recalled.
The French, apparently heedless of the great loss of men
they had sustained, made a new attack on the 28th, near Or-
chies, to draw attention to that point, but next day the main
army again crossed the Sambre, and inclosed and bombarded
Charleroi. The Emperor, who was still with the army, has-
tened thither to give succour, and by the aid of his rein-
forcement, and the exertions of the garrison, set the place
free.
Moreau set off on the same day, with 30,000 men, for the
Netherlands, and joined the troops there the day after their
defeat.
On the 3d of July, the allies sent reinforcements to Ypres,
which place had scarcely provisions for a fortnight.
On the 10th, Clerfayt attempted to force the enemy near
Hochelde out of his position, but was himself repulsed.
General Jourdan, receiving information of this circumstance,
immediately returned and invested Charleroi. But the rein-
forcements of the Prince of Orange arriving at this time,
soon occupied the above town, and beat the enemy back with
a considerable loss of meu and ordnance. Ypres received
assistance by Clerfayt, which it stood greatly in need of, on
the 11th, after the arrival of 15 battalious of English troops,
nader Earl Moira; by these troops, and the Hanoverians,
Bruges and Ghent were protected.
Clerfayt beat the French on his right wing, near Russelar,
where they lost some ordnance. The troops of this wing
could not, however, take Hogleke, and were forced to retreat
to Thielt.
Ypres surrendered on the 17th, and its garrison, consisting
of 7000 men, delivered themselves up as prisoners of war.
Its fortifications were bad, and its provisions would not
have lasted a fortnight beyond the period of capitulation:
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
379
one of its bastions had even been blown up in 1784, in con-
sequence of the Emperor having been advised to destroy
his fortresses in that country, and this was the very bastion
against which the French directed their attack.
Prince
Jourdan, after the reduction of this town, marched to
Waken, and menaced to cut off Clerfayt from the Scheldt,
and the latter retreated to Ghent; but the French van-guard,
which ventured to make a brisk attack, was severely punished
for its temerity. The army of the Sambre had, mean while,
surrounded Charleroi; the Emperor returned to Vienna, and
Mack resigned his station as quartermaster-general.
Coburg, who still commanded the Austrian army, ordered
13 battalions, 10 companies of light infantry, and 26 squad-
rous, to remain stationary at Tournay, and proceeded with
the rest of his force to raise the siege of Charleroi. A battle
took place in consequence, on the 26th, near Fleurus, but
Charleroi had capitulated the day before, and the Prince of
Orange, whose corps was the most advanced, fell back in the
evening to Roeux. Beaulieu, who had likewise received in-
structions to retreat, left hehind him 20 pieces of ordnance,
previously taken from the enemy, for the want of horses to
transport them.
The centre, where Prince Coburg himself commanded,
was, however, ordered to attack, on the news of the surrender
of Charleroi being received. Both wings were then thrown
back, and latterly, the centre, although it had never advanced
very far.
The fall of this town, and of Ypres, almost en-
tirely stripped the allies of their fortresses in Brabant.
After the retreat of Prince Coburg's army to Nivelles and
Marbais, the position of the allies stretched from
Ghent, by Ghent, Oudenarde, Tournay, Condé, and Mons, to
the Austrian army, and thence to the Sambre. Valenc ennes,
Le Quesnoy, Newport, and Landrecy, were occupied besides.
Their garrisons consisted of emigrant Hanoverian and English
soldiers. The emigrants, when taken prisoners, were imme-
diately butchered; and, by a decree of the national convention,
of
1
380
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
the English were to meet the same fate. The first Hanove-
rian prisoners fell into the hands of the French near Wachen,
and these were conveyed to a convent, and then shot. This
practice, and the barbarian law which sanctioned it, were,
however, soon after abolished.
Pichegru, aware of the imperfections of the new position
taken by the allies, resolved to assault it near Oudenarde, and
to attack Prince Coburg's army in the rear, or, if possible, to
separate the Austrian from the Duke of York's forces. The
advanced posts were consequently attacked every day, and
Oudenarde, would, beyond doubt, have been soon carried, had
not Pichegru received orders to proceed to Bruges, in order
to occupy this town, together with Ostend, and afterwards to
detach 16,000 men to the island of Walcheren; Pichegru was
obliged to obey, but he protested against the inexpediency of
the instructions. He then joined Moreau, cut off the
cominunication with Newport, took possession of Ostend, and
marched again to Ghent.
Jourdan, who commauded the army of the Sambre and
Meuse, attacked, in the mean time, the Austrian advanced posts,
and being at the head of a force double in strength to that of
his adversary, he forced Davidovich's corps of 10,000 Aus-
trians, stationed near Mons and Montpalizel, to retreat; he
next took Mons, and rendered Kray's retreat very difficult.
This general, however, reached Ath on the 2d of July, and
re-opened the communication with the Dutch troops. Vu-
lenciennes, Landrecy, Le Quesnoy, and Condé, were now,
on the other hand, quite separated from the ariny, though none
of their commandants had received instructions in regard to
the part they should act. The Duke of York continuing still
to fall back, left the Scheldt, and encamped behind Gramont
and the Dender.
Clerfayt evacuated Ghent, and Pichegru occupied it in the
afternoon, while Jourdan attacked the Austrians on the left
wing, and endeavoured to cut them off from Nainur. The
Austrians then retreated to the position on the heights of
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
381
Corbais. They were again attacked on the 6th and 7th,
when the enemy was repulsed; but the Prince of Orange,
anxious to procure some repose for his troops, retrograded on
Lewen and Beaulieu to Ottomont, by which the communica-
tion with the corps near Tirlemont was preserved.
The position of the army now extended along the Scheld;
the Duke of York was behind the canal from Antwerp to
Malines, and the Prince of Orange in the centre. Thus
80,000 men occupied a line of about 18 hours march in
length.
Pichegru, after having received a supply of horses and pro-
visions at Ghent, advanced, on the 11th, to the canal of
Welworden, and then pushed forward to the Senne, and,
finally, to the gates of Malines; in consequence of which
the allies were forced to abandon the river, and burn the
bridges thrown over it, while the advanced posts occupied
the said town.
On the 13th of July, some skirmishes occurred: Piche-
gru next day collected his army, on the 15th crossed the canal
of Brussels at different places, and afterwards passed likewise
the Dyle. The Dutch troops, on the other hand, retired to
Trurnhut and Lier, and thence to Baurle Hertog, on the
frontiers of Holland. The Hessians remained at Malins
till the evening, and then retreated to Antwerp and Breda,
where the Dutch, who did not occupy the water-line, had also
taken their quarters. The Austrians occupied the line of
the Ourthe, and the position behind Lattich. The French,
however, followed very slowly, being in want of horses, and
engaged in besieging the fortresses in Flanders. Landrecy
was evacuated by the allies; Condé, Valenciennes, Le Ques-
noy, and L'Ecluse were still invested, the first by 40,000 men,
and the last by Moreau's corps; Jourdan had his position
opposite to the Austrian army; Pichegru remained near Ant-
werp, to complete his force.
The inundations at Cadsand being as yet unfinished, and
760 men only left to defend the island, it was soon taken by
!
{
98
THE ELEMENTS OF
*
་་
the fresh, who amused the main corps in front, while some
rif. swam across the inundation, and made an attack from
beilige The Dutch troops, on finding themselves thus taken
in fear, retreated to Ecluse and Ysendyk. On the 13th,
the ard-ship stationed off Ecluse was captured, and, on
the following day, the parellels were opened. The comman-
dant 3 at this unfortunate moment, seized with an illness;
he did, however, all in his power to maintain the town, and
an office was sent to Zealand in an open boat to procure
succou¿
On the 24th of August the place surrendered, and out of
2027 men, who had originally composed the garrison, only
949 lived to see themselves prisoners. The Freuch also lost
a great number of men during this siege; but the force fettered
before this, and other fortresses in Flanders, being now at li-
berty, some divisions were directly ordered to proceed to the
army of the North.
Pichegru had advanced, on the 21st of August, to the
neighbourhood of Geel; but, on the 24th, he was only able
to take a position near Tournhout, from this he, however,
attacked, on the same day, the Dutch advanced posts in the
vicinity of Kysbergen, Hagen, and Maasbuch, and on the
26th, those of the English army, though without the least.
success.
On the 28th, he was more fortunate; the advanced posts
of the allies, attacked at Styrbeck, Cham, and Eynhoven,
were driven in; all which efforts were merely made to induce
the English to fall back.
The English army arrived on the 30th in a bad position,
near Bois le Duc, and left the Dutch to occupy the Water
lines. The Duke of York and General Beaulieu resolved
again to try the effect of offensive operations; but this deter
mination was not adopted, when the loss of Valenciennes,
Condé, and Le Quesnoy was made public.
Pichegru, who had more firmly decided to act on the of
fensive, began, on the 10th of September, to advance towards
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
383
Breda, with the armies of the Sambre and Meuse, and en-
camped, on the 12th, near Morgestel and Oosterwyk, after
having reconnoitred the English advanced guards. The Eng-
lish then sent their baggage back by Grave.
On the 14th, the eneiny repeated his attacks, and penetrated;
his cavalry passed the Domel, and seconded the assaults
made by the infantry on the troops of the Duke of Darm-
stadt; and the latter, though they stoutly maintained their
position, were at last forced to give way; during the retreat,
the regiment of Irwin was thrown on a battalion, which, to-
gether with another, and its guns, fell into the power of the
French. The post near Michels Gastel was abandoned, with
little or no loss; the troops occupying the posts in front of the
right wing behind the Aa, had also joined the army, but not
before the French deprived them of nearly 1200 men, and
some pieces of ordnance.
General Abercrombie was sent with a corps to reconnoitre
the enemy, and to retake the posts near the Dommel; but
the French advancing in superior force, the general effected
his retreat, with the loss of only nine men, on which the Eng-
lish main body immediately retired, by the way of Grave.
Abercrombie and Maydell followed in the same direction, af-
ter having repulsed a vigorous attack of the enemy. General
Hammerstein, who passed the Meuse two days after, formed
the rear-guard of the army, which encamped between Grave
and Nimeguen.
The French only pursued the allied army during the day suc-
ceeding that of its retreat, and on the 16th and 17th detached
troops towards the Meuse, to leave the Austrians uncertain
'n respect to the destined point of attack.
On the 10th, Jourdan undertook the grand attack, with a
force of 80,000 men, at Esmeu and Sprimont, on the troops
commanded by Latour; at Agralles, Saigney and Ronceveux
on those under General Lilien; and at Bourogon on General
Otto. All which Austrian corps were forced to retreat the
same evening to Havre, and Clermont, with a great loss of
384
THE ELEMENTS OF
men and ordnance. The Austrian army was in this manner
compelled to fall back to Upper and Lower Zieren, behind
the river Roer. On the 24th, the French, endeavouring
to obstruct its retreat, were beaten back with considerable
loss.
On the 27th, the Austrians re-advanced, but being in turn
repulsed, they dispatched their baggage over the Rhine. The
Duke of York's army was, in the mean time, stationed near
Mock, and General Walmoden's corps near Venloo. The
right wing, composed of Hessians, stood between the Meuse
and Waal, and General Hammerstein, with the light troops,
close upon Grave; bnt these being in their present position
continually attacked, Hammerstein retreated to Niftrick, and
the Hessians from thence to Appelthern.
Pichegru now endeavoured to occupy some of the Dutch
fortresses, intending to provide them with provisions and stores,
and to make the country included between them the base of
his operations.
Breda had a skilful and brave commandant, but at IIezo-
genbush, the chief military authority was vested in the Duke
of Hesse Philipsthal, and under him were General Douglas,
and Colonel Schutter, the same who treacherously delivered up
this place to Dumourier, in the year 1793.
The country surrounding the town was inundated too late,
and by this delay the enemy was enabled to approach to
Crevecoeur, where the commandant was also unskilful and
without talents. This fortress and Bois le Duc were both in
vested by the French, who likewise broke up the communica
of
tion between these places, 10,000 men acting as a corps
observation.
Bois le Duc was cannonaded by some 8-pounder cammon,
and 7-pounder howitzers; but Pichegru observing a favour-
able place on the bend of the Dikes, planted some ord-
nance there, which was so annoying to the commandant of
the fort near Herzogenbush, that he capitulated in the fol-
lowing night, although he had only the day before received ·
[
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
385
positive orders to maintain the town as long as possible. The
French found in this fort 38 great guns, four howitzers, and a
vast quantity of ammunition and stores.
By the reduction of Crevecoeur, though the inundation of
Bois le Duc could not be let off, the French were afforded
the best opportunity of occupying Bomler-ward. In taking
this place, they had, however, to surmount such astonishing
obstacles, as almost induced Pichegru to raise the siege.
The wetness of the weather kept the approaches constantly
full of water, and, in addition to all other misfortunes, sup-
plies of provisions were most difficult to be procured.
The Austrians were, in the interval, attacked on the 2d of
of October, by the French army, 50,000 strong, of the
Sambre and Meuse.
1
The first column attacked General Wernegg near Effelt
and Retham; the second advanced to Sulich and Limmich;
the third assaulted Lower Zierren; the fourth made its attack
near Duren; and the fifth near Niecker. The right wing
was out-flanked, and the enterprise succeeded so well in every
quarter, that the Austrians retreated, on the 5th, across the
Rhine.
The French approached, on the 4th, to Julich, occupied
Bonn on the 7th, and bombarded Dusseldorf next day. The
Austrians, on their part, retreated to Coblentz, and joined the
corps under General Melas.
The Prussian army, which, according to treaty, ought to
have been composed of 40,000 men, had now only half its
complement, and never crossed the Moselle, nor even tried to
force the enemy to raise the siege of Trier, but soon after
retreated to the other side of the Rhine.
In Luxemburg and Maestricht 20,000 Austrians were left
unsupported, though the position near Nimeguen might have
been long maintained, if even these had seconded the English
army.
t
After the defeat of the Austrians near Roer, the Duke of
York ordered his troops to retreat behind the Waal, and
VOL. III.
Cc
}
386
THE ELEMENTS OF
thus left Venlo, Maestricht, and Grave, without succours, nor
was the latter of these towns very favourably situated in respect
to provisions.
By the earnest solicitations of the Prince of Orange, and
the representations of Major Gross, the Duke of York was,
however, induced to fix his head-quarters in the evening of
the 8th, at Nimeguen, and to draw back the centre, and the
left wing, to reinforce Bommel-ward, and to retake fort
St. André, all of which were done on the 11th, without great
loss. But the advanced posts were still badly placed, and
could not prevent the enemy from passing the Meuse, near
Alsen and Maasbommel.
The first unfortunate consequence of the retreat of the
Autrian and the Duke of York's armies was the surrender of
Bois le Duc; a town where every thing was in abundance,
and which had only been bombarded by field-pieces; besides,
the garrison, consisting of 1600 men, were fully calculated to
defend this fortress, as it could only be approached by three
small dikes.
Pichegru was already doubtful whether or not Bois le
Duc would ever fall into his power, when the Prince of Hesse
Philipsthal held out, on the 9th of October, the offer of an
armistice, and on the same day the fortress surrendered. The
garrison had liberty to return to Holland, under the condition
of not taking up arms till exchanged. But the concealed
emigrants were, whenever known, drawn out and shot, or
otherwise murdered, before the eyes of the garrison. This
disgraceful capitulation on the part of Prince Philipsthal
excited the astonishment of the French themselves, who
could not help conceiving it to be scandalous in the extreme.
The garrison were escorted by the French as far as Grave,
whence they proceeded under escort of the allies, and during
this period there was a cessation of hostilities.
had,
who
The body of French opposed to the English army
meanwhile, completed a bridge, guarded by two picquets,
were stationed on the opposite side of the Meuse in Alpen
#
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
387
2
and Maaslommel; but no attempt was ever made to drive
them in.
Early on the 19th, 30,000 men passed this bridge, attacked
the English near the Oude Watering, in four columns, took
Apelthern, and Druten, and tried to penetrate the columns
stationed at Horsen and Altforst. The French cavalry made
all the soldiers of one English regiment prisoners, and Gene-
ral Hammerstein was, in consequence of this affair, induced
to retire to Nimeguen, and abandon Grave to its fate.
On the 21st of October, the head-quarters of the English army
removed to Arnheim, and the French fell upon the advanced
posts, and drove them back, to within an hour's march from
Nimeguen, where General Wallmoden still commanded. The
French system of attacking in inclosed ground here again
proved successful; and the allies, who had equally forgotten
how to fight battles, how to relieve, or how to besiege for-
tresses, were forced to retreat, though they might certainly
have succeeded, if the English and Dutch armies had striven
to attack the French, in connection with an Austrian corps.
On the 27th, Venloo, which had only been annoyed by small
arms and field-artillery, surrendered also in a most shameful
manner, and the allies were compelled to retreat to the lines
of Nimeguen.
The town had been only invested, and a trench constructed
at 300 paces distant, which, while the place was cannonaded,
was rendered twice as long at the wings, and carried so near
to the fortress, that the artillery-men were within the reach of
the small arms from the ramparts.
The garrison made a sally prior to the acceptance of the
terms of capitulation, but it had no effect, although the French
suffered considerably, and were completely overwhelmed.
rent with his sword till he was shot.
After the surrender of Venloo, which took place on the
third day from that on which the sally was made; Mastricht
next attracted the attention of the French.
Cc a
388
THE ELEMENTS OF
The generals of the allied army were, mean time, only
considering how to place their troops once more in security
behind the Waal, and almost all the garrison had retreated
from Nimeguen. This town was again visited by the com-
mander of the English forces, when two of the Princes of
Orange resolved to make an effort to deliver it; but as this
was not undertaken in sufficient trength, nor supported by
General Werner, it ultimately failed. The 25,000 men to be
provided by Prussia had likewise not been taken into pay;
for, generally speaking, nothing ever happened favourable to
the designs of the allies.
The fortresses of Holland were constantly in the worst
condition and repair, and the state of the troops of that re-
public was bad beyond conception. Besides it contained
such a host of soi-disant patriots, that scarcely any thing could
take place without the interference of some of them; a cir-
cumstance which greatly contributed to the final ruin of the
country. The subjection of this state was still farther acce-
lerated by the quarrels of the allies among themselves, and
by the endeavours made by the Prussian court to conclude a
peace.
In compliance with the entreaties of the Stadtholder, a corps
of nine battalions and 200 workmen was ordered to attack
the trenches before Nimeguen, on the 4th of November. At
first the sally was completely successful; but as soon as suc
cours came up to the besiegers, the allies were obliged to re-
treat with the loss of about 200 men, and the French, in two
days, repaired all the damaged works. They then mounted
more batteries, the immediate effect of which was to set great
part of the town, and one of the churches, on fire; after which
General Burgh directly left the town with the English troops,
and the garrison soon received instructions likewise to nail up
the guns, and make good their retreat, which was begun late
on the 11th. The bridge over the Waal was, however, burned
down too soon; one battalion, in attempting to cross the river
by a flying bridge, got upon a bank, in consequence of the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
389
breaking of the chain, and about 1,000 men remained in
Nimeguen, where the gates were not yet well barricaded, nor
the cannon spiked, when 60 Frenchmen penetrated into the
town.
A captain belonging to the part of the garrison, which
still continued in the place, kept the 60 men as hostages for
the observance of such a capitulation as should be agreed on,
while another endeavoured to prevent plunder, and bring
about terms; the result of which was that the remains of
the garrison, and the battalion thrown aground in the Meuse
were delivered up as prisoners.
Maestricht had, during this time, capitulated, on the 4th of
October. The indulgence of re-passing the Rhine being
granted to the garrison, General Wernegg's corps still ap-
peared ready to cross the Rhine; but when General Van-
damme arrived there with 25,000 men, he destroyed the fortifi-
cations before Buderich, and drove the Austrians to Wesel.
On the 9th of November, the commander of the English
forces left the army to return to England,
After these proceedings the French cannonaded Grave; but
here they met with an answer so well directed on their trenches
and batteries, that both were frequently destroyed. At last,
however, when provisions and ammunition were completely
consumed, the commandant capitulated.
On the same day, the Dutch republic sent deputies to
France, requesting a peace, the consequences of which policy
were, that the allies left the service from time to time, as early
as possible, and that the Dutch soldiers became themselves.
too lazy for action. The French, desirous to profit by this
occasion, took Bommel-wart with so much finesse, that the
troops could hardly retire to Wilhemstadt; and thither also
retreated the troops who had been stationed at Boselar. Ge-
neral Haaoke having received no information, of the enemy's
approach, would have shared a still worse fate, had not the
battalion posted at Wagenburg made so courageous a stand.
Haaoke retreated afterwards to Rodewart; but here likewise
1
1
$90
THE ELEMENTS OF
encountering a superior enemy, he conceived himself justified
in ratifying a capitulation, the terms of which forbad his
corps to serve against France during the war. These en-
gagements threw into the hands of the French six guns, for
the most part of iron, and 1500 prisoners.
The towns of Bommel and Fort St. André were now
abandoned, and, the out-post placed before Heusden, which
was invested with about 1000 men; twice that number per-
forming the same service, at the same time, in respect to Ger-
truydenberg.
The garrison of Heusden, though 1400 strong, were very
careless, and neither made sallies, nor paid any regard to the
enemy's progress towards blockading and reducing the
fortress.
Gertruydenberg, where General Bedaul, commanded, was,
on the other hand, infamously surrendered to Dumourier.
As soon as the French had carried the Waterline and Bom-
melwart, the coldness of the season having favoured their opera
tions, the heavy baggage of the English was sent further back.
The situation of the Dutch Republic, now miserably cri-
tical, was rendered still more dangerous, by the lines lying far-
ther behind, being neither in a state of defence, nor oc-
cupied.
The allied army had, during the above proceedings, been
nearly reduced to one half of its original number; and
Alvinzy, the Austrian General, though at the head of 25,000
men, was afraid of being cut off, and would not advance far
enough to the right, to assist it; but all this contributed to
the conquest of Holland.
Prussia, likewise, lent its aid to increase the misfortune, of
this country, for the Prussian Ambassador at Paris never
stipulated any thing in its favour; though, as Colonel Gross
observes, in his publication, proposals of this nature would,
at that time, have been then acceded to, as France had no
wish more predominant than a peace with Prussia.
After the 1st of January, when the weather became more
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
391
severe, the English endeavoured to extend their retreat ; and
the Austrian corps of 25,000 men was sent to Arnhem, by
desire of the Stadtholder.
The French, in the interval, tried to pass the Waal; and on
the 6th, the Dutch advanced posts were pushed back.
On the 9th, Macdonald and De Winter took Thiel.
The corps of the above general were, with that under
Salm, to compose the left wing of the grand French army.
On the 11th, the Waal was crossed at all points: Generals
Vandamme and Compere marched to the canal of Padern;
Jadon to Kocherdam; and Reiner first to Oye, and then to
Bommel.
Macdonald crossed the river near Nimeguen, and thus the
French army speedily arrived at the right bank, where the
Dutch, however, still occupied the parts of Heukelom,
Lardam, and Vianen.
The Austrian and allied troops made no resistance, but
fell back, and soon after resolved to retreat to Germany.
On the 11th and 12th, the cold was not intense, but in three
days, it began to increase; and on the 19th, the French van-
guard was already at Utrecht.
The English retreated to the Yssel, and the Austrians to
Wesel.
The Stadtholder departed for England, and the foreign
ambassadors left Amsterdam: on which all the gates of the
town were resolved to be opened to the French.
On the 29th, deputies were sent to the French, to settle
the terms of capitulation; and on the same day, a part of the
army of the latter arrived at the capital of the United Pro-
vinces.
The French troops were then divided into brigades, of
which a certain number completed the occupation of
Holland.
In Helvoetsluys, 500 sick English were made prisoners,
and 600 Frenchmen set at liberty.
392
THE ELEMENTS OF
The French generals then determined to give some repose
to their troops.
General Wallmoden retreated, and removed his head-
quarters on the 22d from Deventer to Ommen, and by this
means, left Coevorden.
From Ommen, he did not proceed to maintain Groeningue,
but retreated to Bourtagne and Newschanz, where the rear-
guard was once more beaten.
Macdonald's division, as well as the corps under Moreau,
passed the Yssel in safety. They then advanced in the be-
ginning of March to Benthiem, which they occupied; the allies
having already retreated across the Ems.
On the 20th of March, the armistice was concluded, and
the line of demarkation so determined, as to leave the French
quite secure on the side of Holland.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1795.
Clerfayt took possession of the mountain Harte, near
Mayence, in the beginning of May. His army had before that
time been stationed between the rivers Lahn, Mayn, and
Neckar; but only about 12,000 men were now left between
the Lahu and the Sieg. Those, however, neglected to cover
Luxemberg, and merely endeavoured to maintain Ehren-
breitstein, Manheim, and Philipsburg.
The French, in the mean time, prepared to put their army
into a proper state, that they might act according to cir
cumstances, and also to dismiss the troops in Holland.
be
The army of the Emperor on the Rhine consisted of 98
battalions, 100 companies of light troops, and 218 squadrons,
being, in the aggregate, about 178,700 men, to whom may
added 9,000 more, composed of artillery-men, pioneers,
pontoniers, and persons belonging to the staff. The troops
of the Empire amounted to 15,000, exclusive of the above.
•
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
393
The commander of this army attempted no offensive opera-
tions; but, on the contrary, allowed the French to establish
a camp near Hechsheim.
The English cabinet sent out, during the course of this year,
the expedition to Vendée, accompanied by a corps of
emigrants, assembled under the command of a Prince of the
house of Bourbon.
After a naval engagement, in which the English took four
ships of the line, the emigrants were embarked, as it was
said, for Jersey; but the fleet had scarcely put to sea, when
the soldiers attempted to murder their officers.
1,800 Emigrants effected a landing during the night of the
26th of July, to join 4000 Chouans, who had been previously
acquainted with the circumstance, and General Hoche, who
commanded the republicans, was induced to retreat.
Fort Penthierre was soon occupied, and 5000 men be-
longing to it made prisoners.
The reinforcements, or rather the bulk of the emigrants,
arrived some days after the debarkment of the first ex-
pedition.
On the 15th of July, the first sally of the emigrants took
place. The attack was afterwards made, but the Loyalists
were put to flight. They had, indeed, attacked too soon, in-
stead of waiting for the reinforcement of four regiments,
which arrived next day. The Chouans also did not keep
their promise, to attack at the time proposed; besides,
the numerous desertions from the emigrant corps had ren-
dered it very weak.
Hoche advanced again as soon as he had procured reinforce-
ments, and repulsed the enemy still farther.
Fort Penthierre surrendered itself to the revolutionists,
after the soldiers had mutinied and murdered their officers.
About 100 of the Emigrants remained in an encampment,
but they were attacked by the Republicans: 600 fled to a
rock, and yielded at discretion. From 2 to 300 were saved
by swimming, and in boats. Sombreuil, 10 priests, and 573
394
THE ELEMENTS OF
noblemen were shot at Vannes, Aurai, and Quiberon, where
70,000 stand of arms were found. The French recruited from
5 to 6000 additional soldiers, and the Chouans dispersed after
this engagement.
The Republicans having been thus fortunate enough to see
the failure of this expedition, and having drained Holland of
its treasures, resolved to attack the Austrian armies in Ger-
many. It was therefore determined, that the Rhine should
be crossed as near Holland as possible, and the neighbour-
hood of Duisberg appeared to be the point most favourable
to this design. While a sufficient number of troops were ef-
fecting the passage, the Prussian post at Eichel camp was
surrounded a manœuvre, which the Prussians; by never seem-
ing inclined to revenge, brought upon themselves the dis-
pleasure of the Emperor.
Early on the 7th, 10,000 French had reached the opposite
banks.
The Austrians speedily advanced, met the enemy at Spieck,
and drove Lefebres corps back to Holcum.
The French army was now increased, and threatened
surround the Austrians.
General Kleber immediately ordered Holcum to be attack-
ed: four battalions advanced, in consequence, to the right of the
high road, aud another column directed its course along it.
The Austrians, who appeared as if prepared to maintain
the village, were forced to retreat to Gresheim, with the loss
of about 200 men and eight guns. Their numerous cavalry
and could even have al-
covered the retreat in the best style,
tacked the right wing of the French, as it advanced in the plain
near Spieck without support.
Between Wehrhoff and Gellop, the French might, with the
help of some ordnance, have established as many bridges as
they chose; but they crossed the river with 40,000 men after
carrying Spieck, near Dusseldorf and Ordingen, where they
took seven guns. The Austrians had, in this quarter, only
12,000 men, who, being obliged to occupy all the batteries of
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
$95
both places, were so much divided, as to be easily compelled
to retreat.
As soon as the above-mentioned 40,000 men had passed
the Rhine, another body, equal in number, crossed likewise
near Neuwied; and a corps of about 13,000 Austrians, sta-
tioned there to cover the river, were forced to retreat over the
Lahn. Here they made some appearance of hindering the
advances of the French; but the latter, having become masters
of Wetzlar by treachery, came upon their flank, and they then
began to their retreat.
Mayence and Ehrenbreitstein were left without succour;
Pichegru stood near them with his army, and had likewise oc-
cupied Hochst behind the Nidda.
After the reduction of Manheim, which quickly capitulated,
Clerfayt hastened with his troops to the Neckar; and thus the
consequences of his bad dispositions were most severely
felt.
Towards the middle of September, some circumstances
however occurred, so detrimental to the authority and wel-
fare of the National Convention, that this body found it neces-
sary to issue secret orders to its generals, directing them to
send troops to the interior, and also to put an end to offensive
operations. Clerfayt made use of this opportunity to with-
draw himself from his confined situation, between the Mayn
and the Neckar, by passing the Mayn between Frankfort and
Hanau. He took his position near Bergen, and detached a
corps to Wetzlar, either to cut off the French from the
Lahn, or to annoy them while retreating : the heavy ordnance,
however, arrived too late; and by this means, both of the in-
tended blows were rendered abortive.
Jourdan, who had not taken the position near Bergen
before the Austrians, was reduced to the necessity of retreat-
ing; but, prior to this move, he resolved to attack his adver-
saries, which he executed near the Nidda, on the 12th of
October, and thus concealed his retreat in so complete a
manner, that he only lost two guns and one ammunition
396
THE ELEMENTS OF
$
1
cart. He then retrograded on Dusseldorf, which had been
previously fortified, and maintained it without being dis-
turbed.
Clerfayt determined on his part to attack the French in the
lines of Mayence, which project was actually carried into
force on the 29th of October.
The French occupied a well fortified camp between
Hechtsheim, Marienborn, Hansenheim, and Monbach, but
too much security had infested them with inertness and
ennui.
The perfect knowledge which the Austrians possessed of
the whole of the enemy's position, and the want of energy in
the French, aided by the courage of the former, appear to be
the sources to which the extraordinary success of this attack,
and its future consequences to Germany may be traced.
The French were not only beaten out of their fortifications,
but sustained considerable losses in several engagements along
the river Nahe.
The newly-recruited French soldiers fled almost all to their
homes, and disorganization, as well as the want of necessaries;
were now the companions of the republican armies in Ger-
many: preparations were even making to evacuate Cologne,
Bonn, and, lastly, Dusseldorf, when the generals offered
pacific propositions, which were transmitted to Vienna. And
the peace, which was afterwards confirmed, though not con-
cluded, under the same circumstances as the peace of
Peterwardein, had the same pernicious consequences to
Austria.
The war in Italy was conducted on the side of the
Austrians by General Devins, who sustained two different
defeats at Laone and Savone. This general was, however,
soon superseded by General Beaulieu, who, instead of finding
an army of 50,000 strong, had the mortification to command
one which did not contain more than 36,000 men.
General Colli, in the mean time, defended the Collde
4
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
397
Tenda with 20,000 Piedmontese; and the Duke of Aosta, at
the head of 18,000 men, opposed the French army of 25,000,
which was endeavouring to enter Savoy. The allies, though
as great in force as the French, were, however, always attacked
by superior numbers, and never acted in concert.
Bonaparte, the commander in chief of the army in Italy,
strove by every means in his power to keep the Genoese and
the Venetians neutral, or to bring them to his own side.
An English fleet, which had been stationed in the Bay of
Genoa, left it in March, by which occurrence, 250 vessels
were enabled to provide the French with provisionss, money,
and other requisites for conducting warlike operations.
*
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEARS 1796
AND 1797.
The French armies, appointed to begin the operations of
1796, were stronger than the Austrian force; the troops un-
der Jourdan alone amounted to 125,000.
After the six months armistice, hostilities recommenced on
the 31st of May. The Rhine had been the boundary of
the contending powers, from Switzerland to Spire; from hence
the limits marked out for the observance of the armies ran
on the left bank of the Rhine, along the ridges of Hundsruck
by the Lower Palatinate and Deux-pont, to B charach,
where the Rhine was again the boundary as far as Cologne.
Beyond Cologne, the Austrian line of demarkation extended
by Dusseldorf along the Sieg.
The French train occupied all the fortified towns in Alsace,
together with Dusseldorf.
The Austrians had, on the other hand, Philipsburg,
Mayence, Ehrenbreitstein, and Manheim, (retaken during the
last campaign) in their possession.
$98
THE ELEMENTS OF
The two armies commanded by Jourdan and Moreau were
conjointly 180,000 strong.
The Archduke Charles had digested very formidable plans for
offensive operations, though these were not in any part exe-
cuted, when intelligence relative to the victories in Italy was
obtained. General Wurmser remained stationary along the
Lahn with 30,000 men, who being in a little time reinforced
by 20,000 more, presented a total amounting of course to
50,000 soldiers, exclusive of the garrisons of the fortresses.
All the out-posts were driven in by the French, who also
occupied the defile near Kirm, on the 1st of June. General
Kleber likewise drove the Austrians back from Sieg to
Altenkirchin, where they sustained some loss.
It was then resolved, that the Imperial troops should re-
treat, and abandon the right bank of the Rhine, but retain
Mayence.
The camp near Altenkirchin was stormed by the French on
the 4th; and on the same day, they invested Ehrenbreitstein.
On the 12th, the Archduke Charles advanced with 20,000
men to repel the enemy.
Jourdan had also advanced during the interval, and taken
about 3,000 prisoners and 12 guns. The head-quarters were
this day at Neuwied.
On the 15th, his left wing was attacked by the Archduke,
and compelled to give way with considerable loss; in con-
sequence of which, Jourdan repassed the Rhine near
Neuwied.
Moreau succeeded in crossing the Rhine, and in carrying
fort Kehl by assault, and the engagements lost near Renchen
and Rastadt, and near Friedberg and Eltringen, obliged the
Austrians to retreat to the Upper Palatinate, and to Bavaria.
The French constantly attacked the Austrians with superior
force, so that the latter were invariably reduced to the neces
sity of retreating, and fought only to be able to retrograde
more safely. General Wartensleben kept his position with
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
399
30,000 men, till the Archduke Charles was forced by Moreau
to retreat at the head of an army of 45,000 strong.
The various retreats of the Austrians were made with the
utmost coolness, and as courageously as could be expected.
Bonaparte's army in Italy amounted to about 56,000 men,
but was not so numerous as the force of the allies; his mili-
tary talents, however, supplied this deficiency of troops.
Early in April, operations commenced by exciting the jea-
lousy of the Austrian out-posts, on the mountains, and in the
passes, situated among them. 12,000 men were detached to
the frontiers of Italy; by which movement, the Austrian com-
mander was misled, and extended his right wing too much.
General Beaulieu attacked the right wing of the French
near Savona, and drove them back to Voltri with the loss of
about 10,000 men. On the following day, the French
advanced posts, were again attacked and forced to retreat,
the redoubt near Montenotte only being maintained.
:
On the 14th, the Austrians were menaced in front, and had
both wings attacked in flank the right was completely de-
feated. Their loss was 3,000 men, and some ordnance.
Thus Caracora and Cairo were obliged to be abandoned, the
communication with the Piedmontese was interrupted, and
Bonaparte's designs fully accomplished.
The Austrians were afterwards forced to hazard a battle
near Montenotte, in which both wings of their army were
beaten back; and the centre alone remained exposed to the
brunt of the French attacks.
On the two succeeding days, trials were made to retake the
position near Dego, but they proved fruitless; and the day
following these was again marked with the defeat of the
Piedmontese. The loss on the side of the Austrians, during
the last four days, amounted to 14,000 men, killed, wounded,
and prisoners, together with 22 guns and 15 stands of colours.
The French suffered also considerably, but not to so great a
degree as their opponents.
The Piedmontese were once more attacked on the 21st,
400
THE ELEMENTS OF
and driven back behind the Tanaro; and next day they were
totally routed near Vico and Mondari, where they lost 8 guns,
11 stands of colours, and 1,300 prisoners.
The armistice concluded immediately after this engagement
with the King of Sardinia, deprived the Austrians of another
army of 14,000 men; a misfortune which reduced them to
the necessity of retiring behind the Po. His force being,
however, yet too weak to defend itself even in this quarter,
Beaulieu continued his retrograde movements.
Buonaparte's army proceeded to Valenza and Bobico, re-
pulsed the Neapolitan cavalry, and then passed the Po near
San Giovanno, in defiance of considerable difficulties.
On the 10th of May another column crossed this river, and
on the 16th, the French stood in front of the Austrians near
Lodi.
On the same day Bonaparte ordered the bridge of Lodi,
though enfiladed by the Austrian artillery, to be stormed.
The French grenadiers and carabiniers being chiefly selected
on this occasion, drank deep of brandy, and then obeyed the
commands of their chief under a shower of grape shot. Twice
they were repulsed; but on the third attempt, four generals
led the carabiniers to the assault, and the bridge was passed;
while the smoke prevented the Austrians from immediactly
discovering the fact. The French instantly extended to the
right and left, attacked the battery, and took 20 guns: the
whole army then followed, and the Austrians were speedily
driven back.
The French lost about 2,000 men on this occasion: the
Austrians 3,000, besides the citadel of Milan, where 1,800
men surrendered a few days after.
Buonaparte entered Milan on the day following the reduc
tion of the citadel, and forced the Duke of Parma to accept
a peace under very hard conditions.
to pass
the
Was
Buonaparte immediately ordered his army
Minco near Borghetta, where the Austrian rear-guard
defeated. From this the French advanced with alınost incredi
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
401
ble swiftness to the banks of the Etsch, in order to gain the
road to Tyrol before the Austrians. The garrison of Mantua,
which had been reinforced to the number of 22,000 men, how-
ever, frustrated the design, and Tyrol became the place of
retreat for Beaulieu with 14,000 troops.
Buonaparte then contented himself with inclosing Mantua
in form, and punishing the revolters in Italy, who had killed
a number of his men.
The republican armies of Gerniany penetrated into the
country after several successful battles, and arrived on the 3d
of September at Friesingen and Mosburg, whence they pro-
ceeded to the Iser, at which point Jourdan and Moreau were
cut off from all means of obtaining information of each other.
Both therefore resolved to retreat, to avoid the danger of be-
ing annihilated by a superior force, while thus separated and
unsupported.
The Elector of Bavaria had, in the mean time, been forced
to put a period to the war on his own part, at the price of
considerable sacrifices; a circumstance which took away from
the Emperor one of his principal allies.
Moreau sent General St. Cyr with a corps to Nuremberg,
to endeavour to procure intelligence relative to Jourdan.
But as the efforts of St. Cyr were ineffectual, he began to
suspect the loss which his colleague had actually sustained'
first near Reinig, and afterwards near Bamberg aid Aschaf-
fenburg.
Jourdan's corps was, in the first instance, attacked near
Amberg, which was succeeded by another onset in the vicinity of
Reinig on the following day, by the army under the Archduke,
which totally routed him. The remains of Jourdan's force
were again defeated near Wurtzburg, where the Austrian cavalry
completely decided the day by most opportunely crossing the
Mayn.
The French lost in this affair only 10 guns, and about 500
men killed, wounded, and prisoners. In the course of their re-
VOL. III.
Dd
་
402
THE ELEMENTS OF
treat, however, they left 150 pieces of ordnance at Schwein-
furt.
Moreau, on receiving an account of these events, no longer
delayed his retreat, but began to fall back on the 10th of Sep-
tember. And during the period of this retrograde movement,
which was conducted in the most masterly manner, he was
once so fortunate as to rout the Austrians near Biberach,
whose loss in this engagement, and whose error of judgment
universally acknowledged, in not occupying the hill-pass, com
bined with the faults committed by Petrasch when commanding
near Kehl in particular, were the chief causes of Moreau's
safe retreat.
Moreau had directed his course by the Lech and Iller, and
sustained near Ulm the first attack, in which the Austrians
succeeded. But for this he was afterwards fully recompensed
by the battle of Biberach.
The defiles of the Black Forest, where only a small detach-
ment was met with, were also gained by Moreau; a circum-
stance which principally originated in General Petrasch pre-
venting the destruction of the bridge situated there.
Moreau afterwards used this bridge to cross the Rhine, on
suffering a stroke of adverse fortune near Kandern.
The Archduke Charles was present with his army when the
above engagement took place, but he did not advance to pur-
sue the French. The rest of the Austrians resumed their po
sition behind the bridge, and the advantages possessed by the
enemy on the lower Rhine were not at all considered.
In Italy, reinforcements arrived under Wurmser, and the
army was, by the accession of these, rendered 47,000 strong.
It was then divided into three parts, destined to attack the
French near Brescia on the Po, and near Peschiera and
Mantua.
Buonaparte being thus in danger of falling between two
fires, abandoned the siege of Mantua and 134 pieces of heavy
ordnance, and drove one corps of Austrians back to Tyrol,
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR:
403
though the same troops were already masters of Brescia and
Salo.
He then marched with 28,000 men to oppose
Wurmser, whose force now consisted of only 18,000 men,
stationed between the Miesa and Minco. After a hard en-
gagement, the Austrians were compelled to retreat by the
way of Valeggio across the Mincio. The third part of this
army luckily escaped, and Mantua received a fresh supply of
provisions, and stores of every description.
Wurmser's army being afterwards reinforced to 50,000
strong, advanced and made another attack, but Buonaparte
engaged with it near Roverdo, repulsed it, and advanced to
Trient; however, Wurmser afterwards out-flanked the
French by Brenta, and opened for himself again a way to
Mantua. Buonaparte immediately proceeded with a corps
to Brenta, attacked the Austrian rear guard, seized all
the baggage, together with ten guns, and made 4,000
prisoners.
On the 11th and 13th, Wurmser's corps was twice at-
tacked near Cerla and Mantua, but, on these occasions the
French lost two guns and about 6,000 men. Wurmser was,
however, finally obliged to retreat with about 10,000 of his
army to Mantua, from which frequent sallies were made to
procure provisions.
Buonaparte was unable to join Moreau on account of his
retreating; but he succeeded in obliging all Italy to make
peace, and founded the Cisalpine republic in Lombardy.
Alvinzy and Davidovich were, on the 3d of November
sent to relieve Mantua, but they were not more fortunate than
their predecessors. Alvinzy, however, drove the French from
Trient, Roveredo, Bassano, and Montebello, and forced
them, after several severe engagements, to retreat to Verona.
Buonaparte marched to Villanuova, and attacked the Austrians
near Arcole, who, after a severe contest, were obliged to re-
treat. On the next day the French attacked them again, and
drove them back to Vicenza, by which they sustained a con-
siderable loss.
Dde
45
40-4
THE ELEMENTS OF
Alvinzy neglected to join the other Austrian corps, com-
manded by general Davidovich, (who had arrived at Alla, and
taken 4,000 prisoners, with 22 pieces of ordnance), and soon
after reached Castel Nuovo; but being unsupported, he was
forced to retreat towards Tyrol, and lost almost all his troops.
The Austrians lost in these various attacks, 5,000 prisoners.
and 8,000 killed and wounded, together with 18 guns. The
total loss of the French may also be estimated at 10,000 men;
but they obtained possession of Brescia, Salo, Peschiera,
Castel Nuovo, Duolce, and Corona, and the command of
the Etsch from Verona to Porto Legano.
In the beginning of the ensuing year, an attempt was again
made to relieve Mantua with 50,000 men, and the French
were compelled to retire to Bevelequa.
Buonaparte, who was then at Bologna, hastened to send
forward a corps of 2,000 men to reinforce Massena, already
at the head of 10,000. He arrived during the period of the
attack on the part of the Austrians, but Massena had pre-
viously repulsed them.
On the 13th, the French redoubts near Corona were car-
ried by the Austrians; they advanced to Rivol and there fell
in with Buonaparte's and Massena's corps once more. Their
attack was repulsed, they repeated it on the following day,
and sustained another heavy loss.
Buonaparte had already reached Roverbella on the 15th,
when the Austrians arrived at the same place for the purpose
of relieving Mantua. Wurmbser, who commanded in Man-
tua, did all in his power to admit Provera with the succours
under his orders, but every effort was ineffectual, and the
latter general found himself reduced to surrender his troops.
prisoners of war,
After these ill-fated occurrences, Mantua capitulated on
the 17th of February, and 18,000 men were lost to the
Austrian service, by becoming prisoners, not to mention
17,000, who fell victims to the late engagements.
The Archduke Charles, who had been in the mean time.

THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
405
successful in Germany, was now called to assume the com-
mand of the forces opposed to Buonaparte; but, these not
being sufficiently strong, he was soon obliged to evacuate
Italy. He constantly remained close upon Buonaparte's
while Gradisca, garrisoned by Austrians, was shamefully
surrendered.
army,
The treaty of Campo Formio soon followed these events,
and Austria accepted Italy in exchange for Flanders.
Buonaparte had clearly shewn, during the whole progress
of these memorable occurrences, the superiority of his abilities
over those of the opponent commanders; his talents and his
skill had subverted the oldest republic in Europe, though his
enemies possessed by far the greater force; in a word, he
had given repeated proof, that he was worthy to be called one
of the first Generals that ever existed.
Kehl surrendered to the Austrians, on the 10th of January,
1797; after they had destroyed the bridge over the Rhine.
Fort Huningen, which had been constructed to defend the
bridge, was invested on the 17th of October, 1796; and on
the 19th of January following, the trenches were opened.
The whole campaign of 1797 was solely confined to one
grand enterprise, and its immediate consequences, comprising
a space of three days. The French, on being compelled to
leave the right shore of the Rhine, passed this river again near
Diersheim.
On the 22d of April, General Davoust advanced to Bri-
berach, from which the Austrians were forced to retreat; but
on the following morning, hostilities ceased; as Moreau was
nclined to join in the treaty concluded in Italy.
The insolent and extraordinary behaviour of the French at
Rastadt, towards the foreign ambassadors there assembled,
and the arrogance with which they took upon them to prescribe
aws to other states, very soon occasioned a rupture, the ear-
est result of which was, that the French advanced against
Swisserland, and conquered that country.
406
THE ELEMENTS OF
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1798.
No people were ever placed in a more perilous situation
than the Swiss, at the commencement of that period, the in-
cidents of which are about to be detailed: their army was
weak, ill trained, and destitute of a leader, and hence their
country itself was exposed an easy prey to the rapacity of the
French; who, anxious to turn to their own advantage the
short interval between a past and an impending war, had em-
ployed the leisure thus bestowed, in drawing two armies to
the frontiers of this peaceable state; and they began to make
offers of friendship and alliance when their troops had already
occupied all the passes to the interior. The revolutionary
sentiments entertained by many of the Swiss, favoured also
the undertakings of the French; for these men not only ne-
glected their duties as good citizens, but publicly created dis-
affection, and condemned the existing executive. The can-
tons were likewise indolent in raising their respective contin-
gents, and these frequently, when collected, never passed the
limits of the division to which they belonged.
The French rapidly approached upon Bern, the capital of
Swisserland; while the greatest possible confusion was thus
predominant, and the corps which ought to have opposed the
enemy, had fled on his first appearance.
Despair is, at times, the parent of enthusiasm; the in-
habitants of Bern universally resolved to make a bold stand for.
their liberties and their homes.
About 8,000 men, but miserably armed, were detached to
defend the posts of Neuneck and Gemmingen, towards
Freyburg, and 6000 more, together with a body of old men,
women and children, were placed at the opposite side, to pro-
tect the town against attacks proceeding by Solothurn,
The French, to the number of 18,000, were commanded by
General Schauenburg, the Chief of the defenders of Ber
was Schultheis von Steiger, already in his 70th year.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
407
The troops of Bern were attacked early in the morning,
and forced to retreat, but those who defended the post of
Neunesk, having reassembled, and been reinforced by 2000
more, made a counter attack, retook their lost ordnance,
made some of the French prisoners, and killed and wounded
about 3000 of them, with the loss of only 800 men on their
own part.
On the side of Solothurn, the Swiss were, however, driven
back with an immense loss.
Disorder then arose to its utmost height, and a great part of
the Swiss officers, including the commander in chief, were
murdered.
The French afterwards entered Bern, established a new
government, subject to their own control; and commanded
the Swiss to receive laws from them similar to those obeyed
in France. The town was, in the mean time, plundered, and
on several occasions the French behaved with the utmost
cruelty towards the inhabitants.
In aid of the canton of Schweitz the troops of Glarus now
entered the field, and completely defeated the French on the
23d of May, near Morgarten, and the same occurred next
day, till a superior force at last obliged them to give ground.
All the cantons afterwards accepted the new constitution,
exclusive of Underwalden, on which the French therefore re-
solved, in September, to revenge themselves.
On the 7th and 8th of this month 1400 of the brave natives
of the canton in question repulsed the whole French army,
but on the 9th they were completely surrounded, and the
few who did not choose rather to perish than submit, were
forced to surrender.
This enterprise cost the French 2000 men, a loss which
would have prevented them from advancing, had the Swiss
been in sufficient force.
In August of the same year, the French sent an expedi-
tion to Ireland, consisting of 1000 men, under the command
of General Humbert. But contrary winds obstructing the
408
THE ELEMENTS OF
junction of General Hoche, defeated the purpose of the un-
dertaking. The French fought two battles; at Castlebar they
were victorious, but at Ballinahinch they were made prisoners.
From 6 to 8000 rebels had joined the republican standard,
but these were speedily killed and dispersed, and thus a grand
blow was given to a rebellion which threatened at first so
dangerous a stroke to the vital interest of the English
government.
Another French expedition, whose destination was Egypt,
embarked from Toulon on the 21st of May, under the com-
mand of Buonaparte, consisting of 40,000 men.
On the 9th of June it arrived at Malta, which surrendered in
four days after, and Buonaparte garrisoned it with 4000 soldiers.
On the 5th of July the fleet arrived before Alexandria,
where about 8000 Mameluks and 2000 regular infantry were
prepared to oppose the debarkation of the troops. They
were, however, easily landed, and the French immediately
took ground. Alexandria as well as Rosetta were quickly
carried: in the former about 1500 men were placed as a gar-
rison, in the latter about 200, and in Aboukir an equal force
was stationed.
With the rest of the army, amounting to about 30,000 men,
Bonaparte procceded to Cairo, conducting his march in five
oblong squares.
Near Cairo the French met Murat Bey with 5 or 6000
cavalry, and 2 or 3000 infantry. The former immediately
attacked the first French column, but were soon repulsed.
They then ventured to make a second charge, but this was
not more successful than that which preceded it; in conse-
quence of which, the whole body retreated.
fell
The Turkish position was then stormed, the troops which
defended it killed, and all the camp equipage and
into the hands of the French.
guns
Cairo was next reduced by Bonaparte, but in this town,
where a revolution had lately taken place, some partial efforts
occurred, which ended by the inhabitants engaging, on the 23d
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
409
?
3
and 24th of September, to remain quiet. The place was
afterwards fortified, including the old town of the Janizaries.
Lord Nelson had, in the mean time, attacked and destroyed
the French fleet.
Bonaparte, now afraid of an invasion from the Turks, re-
solved to attack their armaments, and therefore marched with
15,000 men into Syria.
The early part of the expedition was favourable, and the
French occupied Jaffa, but the bad season soon arriving, the
soldiers became sickly.
On the mountains near Zeta the French had a severe en-
gagement with the natives, but the latter were driven to
Carshan, from which they could perceive the English fleet,
which was just arrived with succours and ammunition to St.
Jean D'Acre, a town defended by 10,000 Turks and about 120
English sailors, but hitherto impregnable to the efforts of the
French, who could not carry it after ten repeated assaults.
In the interval, a great number of Arabians, who had been
beaten by General Kleber near Jaffa, and even by Murat,
dispersed the French rear-guard.
On the 21st of May the whole army retreated from St. Jean
D'Acre to Africa, and about two thirds of it arrived on the
15th of June at Cairo.
At Aboukir, a Turkish fleet had landed, during these pro-
ceedings, a corps of 18,000 men, whom Bonaparte imme-
diately hastened to meet, and gave them battle, on the 25th of
July, between Alexandria and Aboukir, near the Wells. Two
thousand Turks were drowned, their commander in chief was
taken, together with all their ordnance; the left wing was out-
flanked, and the centre forced to retire to Aboukir, where, in the
space of eight days 1,800 Turks died, and 2,000 surrendered, af
ter which, Bonaparte returned with Murat to France, and the
command was delivered over to Kleber. Another landing of
the Turks was repelled by General Verdier; but the French
troops had, by these various engagements, so diminished in
Rumber, that on the arrival of the grand Turkish army, a
410
THE ELEMENTS OF
treaty for an amistice was set on foot. A convention was
consequently concluded on the 14th of January, 1800, by
which the French were bound to depart for Europe in three
months.
Kleber's dispatches to Paris, which rather exaggerated the
state of affairs, were intercepted by the English, whose
go-
vernment, therefore, refused to ratify the convention, and the
French were again forced to engage with the Turks, on which
occasion the latter were, however, beaten back into Asia,
. Kleber regained possession of all Egypt, but was soon af-
terwards murdered, and Menou assumed the command, as
Dessaix had returned to Italy.
The French then fortified their positions more strongly, and
the Turks, who dared not venture to attack them singly, at
last received reinforcements, by the arrival of a grand expe
dition from England in the course of the following year.
J
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1799.
The French had gained such advantages by the subjugation
of the Swiss, in respect to new operations, not only in at-
tacking Germany and Italy, but also in procuring reinforce-
ments, provisions, and ammunition, that they began with reno-
vated ardour to complete and render their troops fit for the
ensuing campaign.
On the 28th of February, General Jourdan's army of
42,000 men passed the Rhine, near Kehl, and another
army, 18,000 strong, crossed the same river, near Hunningen,
while 12,000 men, under Ney, took Manheim by capitu-
lation.
The Archduke Charles fixed his position on the 4th and
5th of March along the Iller and Voralberg, with 80,000
men, and 24,000 were placed on the opposite side of the Da
nube, commanded by Gencral Staray.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
411
The two French armies joined between Rothweil and Putt-
lengen, and established their communication with Switzerland
by Schaffhausen. The French army in Switzerland, con-
taining 35,000 men, under Massena, made an effort to
expel the corps of 7,000 Austrians, from that country, on
the 7th of March. The latter troops were almost all
taken prisoners, and the few that remained were completely
dispersed, for Hotze being himself attacked, could not afford
any-assistance.
On the 21st, the contending armies in Suabia engaged near
Ostrach and Davids-weiler, on the woody heights, and the
French were totally driven back from their position. The
Austrian right wing advanced in the interim to Hohenlingen,
where the enemy was also forced to retreat. The Austrians
then pushed forward, in a direction towards Kalkreuth and
Dentzingen, to repel the French from Pfullendorf: the at-
tempt was effectual, the French retreated again the following
night to Stockach and Tettnang.
The French lost during this battle 5,000 men, and six guns,
the Austrians only 2160 men.
The former fell back to Bingen, and the latter encamped
near Stockach.
General Jourdan then attacked the Austrians, and obliged
them to change their position, and draw the right wing farther
back from Stockach.
All the following French attacks were repulsed, and even
their cavalry charges had no impression; the enemy, therefore,
perceiving that he could gain no advantage by repeating his
efforts, retreated next day with one part of his army, by
Osingen and Singen, and the other crossed the Danube to-
wards the Rhine.
Jourdan quitted his command, after having sustained a
great loss in the late engagement, and this body of men re-
mained on the defensive, the greater proportion of it being
drawn towards Switzerland, to reinforce the army under the
orders of Massena, who had, in the mean time, occupied all
419
THE ELEMENTS OF
:
this country, as the Archduke, waiting for the co-operation of
the Russians, did not open the campaign till May.
On the 1st of this month, Bellegarde and Haddick's corps
joined near Schutz and Tettau.
General Hotze attacked Menard the same day, but was re-
pulsed, with the loss of 5,000 men, and a column of 1,200
strong was prevented by the snow from attacking the French
in the rear. Hotze, however, soon after this affair, took
Lucienstieg, then joined the Archduke's forces by Glaris,
and drove the French completely over the Rhine on the
24th.
On the 25th and 27th, two engagements occurred: in the
first, the French made the attack, but in the other, the Aus-
trians were the aggressors; both proved fortunate for the latter,
and Massena found it necessary to draw his troops more to-
wards Zurich,
On this day the Austrian armies joined, and the French oc-
cupied the intrenched camp near Zurich; their position was
afterwards attacked, but without success.
In the night between the 5th and 6th of June, the Austrians
resolved again to attack the French, but Massena broke up
from his position, leaving behind him 28 pieces of ordnance,
and 18 ammunition-carts.
J
Zurich was also evacuated, and here the Austrians found 105
cannon, 14 howitzers, and 3 mortars.
The Archduke Charles received instructions during this
time, to put a stop to his operations till the arrival of the
Russians.
Massena having previously taken the strong position of
Waldstadt, and the lake of Zurich, had by this means an oppor
tunity of procuring reinforcements and provisions, and pre-
paring for an attack. The French troops serving in Italy
possessed, by being masters of all the fortresses thore, a point
of great superiority over the Austrians, and could thus penc
trate with facility into Tyrol, or even proceed to Bavaria,
The French had also another advantage on their side, that if
7
است
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
413
forced to retreat, they commanded a number of large rivers, as
well adapted to cover their own movements, as to render the
advance of the enemy very difficult.
General Scherer, who commanded this year the army of
Italy, amounting to about 5000 men, resolved to attack the
Austrians prior to the appearance of the reinforcements from
Russia. His troops were stationed on the 25th near Corea,
the right wing and centre were close upon Verona, and the
left on St. Georgio.
The Austrians stood along the Etsh between Verona, Le-
nago, Pastrengo, Buscolengo and Rivoli, and the whole of
the position was well fortified.
On the next day, Scherer determined to engage with the
Austrians, and formed an advantageous plan of attack.
The Austrians were surprised at Buscolengo, and forced to
retreat, but the intrenchments near Pastrengo, were not so for-
tunately attacked, nor carried till the third assault.
The Austrians were also obliged to fall back from St.
Fermo, St. Lucia, and Tomba; but they soon regained these
places, and after several repeated attempts, the French were
latterly only able to keep Tomba,
The right wing of the French was unsuccessful, and when
the Austrian reinforcements came up, it was compelled to
7
retreat,
Scherer, as his first effort had failed, resolved to make ano-
ther attack towards Ronco and Areolo : this intention was car-
ried into force on the 29th, but Scherer perceiving that
Mantua would not be well covered during the course of the
enterprise, ordered the columns to retreat, by which he lost
3000 men.
A third attack, afterwards undertaken by the same troops,
was still more unfortunate; two thousand men took refuge in
Isola della Scala, the rest were killed, wounded, or madė pri-
soners.
The French then took a position near Mantua, but being
414
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
soon compelled to leave this town, they placed themselves
behind the Oglios, and the Austrians invested Mantua.
On the 22d of April, Suwarrow joined the Austrians near the
Oglio, and immediately obliged the enemy to withdraw behind
the Adda, when Scherer resigned the command to Moreau.
Suwarrow in the mean time prepared for an attack, care-
fully keeping his purposes and operations secret, as well from
the Austrians, as the French.
On the night of the 26th, a body of Austrians and Russians
crossed the river near Privio, and joined another column al-
ready posted, on the opposite side.
The French were immediately attacked by General Su-
warrow, and 3000 men surrendered themselves prisoners.
The allied force then compelled the whole French army
by reiterated attacks to fall back; it left 6000 prisoners,
some ordnance and colours, besides 6000 killed and wounded.
On the same day, the allies marched to Milan, the keys of
which, were delivered up to Suwarrow, who thus overthrew
the Cisalpine republic.
Moreau, in the mean time, retreated to Alexandria, where
he received considerable reinforcements, both of men, and
ordnance, by which he was enabled to hazard another bat-
tle. Moreau had, however, only to thank the indolence of
the Austrians for the opportunity of effecting this.
Suwarrow defeated Macdonald's corps once more, near the
Trebbia, and the latter was at last forced to retire towards
Genoa.
To obstruct the junction of Macdonald and Moreau's
armies, Suwarrow again made an attack, but the Austrians
were on this occasion defeated. On the following day, when
the Russians renewed the contest along the Po near Reveretto,
the French line was, however, broken through, and the troops
forced to retreat with considerable loss, though this was nearly
equalled on the part of the Russians,
Moreau, perceiving that Suwarrow wished to draw him
{
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
415
}
ง
S
into an engagement, retreated afterwards by Alexandria, where
his army was pursued by the Cossacks. A renewed at-
tack forced the French to retreat to Coni, in order to join
Macdonald's corps in Genoa.
The citadel of Turin surrendered on the 28th of June, and
Mantua on the 30th of July, when nearly 7000 prisoners wcre
taken. After this, the corps which had been engaged in be-
sieging these fortresses, joined the main Austrian army.
Coni and Tortona remained at this time invested.
Moreau was then directed to resign his command to
Joubert, who soon after fought the battle of Novi.
The position of the French was every where well fortified,
and lay between Pasterano, Novi, Suivia, and Seravalle, the
latter having been lately retaken.
The Austrians were to attack the enemy's left wing before
day-break, as the Cossacks had driven back his van-guards, so
far as to render an immediate attack practicable.
The Austrians executed their purpose and succeeded;
Joubert was killed, and Moureau resuming the command,
ordered his left wing to be reinforced. The Russians
speedily drove back the reinforcements, and proceeded to-
wards Novi, but here they were turned by a flank attack made
on the part of Moreau.
The attack was afterwards conducted against the right
flank of the French, and another at three o'clock in the after-
noon against Novi, both of which were successful.
Suwarrow now ordered the Austrians to cut off the re-
treat of the French, by the way of St. Cyr, beat back the
French corps, and made the road free.
The Russians, who had been in the interval advantageously
engaged, completely routed at this moment the whole French
army, and took 40 pieces of ordnance. In killed, wounded,
and prisoners, the French lost 16,000, the combined army
about 8000 men.
Some days subsequent to this event, Coni was reduced,
together with all Italy, once more under the power of Austria.
416
THE ELEMENTS OF
The troops of the emperor now marched towards Genos,
the Russians advanced to Swisserland, but they were detained
five days on their route, by the bad management of the com-
missaries, who had not taken measures to procure a sufficient
supply of provisions.
Swisserland was already lost on Suwarrow's arrival, and he
therefore thought proper to retire to Graubunden.
The Archduke attempted to pass the Aar, near Dettingen,
but his bridge was too slowly constructed, and the arrival of
a French corps of 12,000 strong prevented the execution of
the design.
General Le Courbe, took possession of the leser Cantons,
on the 14th of August, and after the defeat of Jelliach and
Semes, he also occupied Schweitz.
General Korsakow, arrived at this period in Swisserland,
with 33,000 men, and joined the Austrians, who, to the number
of 30,000 composed three corps, commanded by Hotze, Jel-
liach, and Nauendorf; 12,000 were also stationed near Ubach,
8000 in the passes of Graubunden, and 10,000 between Bailen
and the Rhine.
Massena being at the head of an army 60,000 strong, and
hearing of the arrival of Suwarrow, resolved to make a prior
attack; in pursuance of which, 14,000 men passed the Lamath,
and 1000 Russians, encountered on the opposite side, were
almost all killed, and the few that survived fled.
Korsakow's corps was also weakened by the loss of 5000
men detached to Rapersweil on the 24th, to support an at-
tack determined to be made on the 27th.
Mortier attacked near Wallishofen, but was repulsed by
the Russians, who took in this affair eleven batteries, part of
the corps being however recalled in the evening, Korsakow
retrograded on Zurich.
The Russians on the Sillfield, were likewise attacked, but
they maintained their position till the evening, when they also
retreated to Zurich.
General Soult succeeded in the mean time, with an attack
}
}
1
•
417
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
made on the Austrians on the 25th, near Schamitz and Kalt-
brunnen, where General Hotze was killed before the engage-
ment commenced. The Austrians retreated to St. Gallen.
Zurich was assaulted on the following day; the result of
which was, that 3000 Russians were killed, their war-trea-
sury taken, and the remains of their force compelled to retreat
with a great loss of artillery to Eglisau, where Kiemanger's
corps was however joined by Suwarrow, with 24,000 Russians:
6000 Austrians arrived also on the 30th of September, at
Glaris. But these, seeing neither Russian nor Austrian re-
inforcements waiting to support them, threw several pieces of
French ordnance which they had taken, into the Abyss, and
retreated to Chur, where they arrived with considerable loss.
Korsakow, still waiting for the support of Suwarrow, made
some movements to join him, but was soon forced to retreat
behind the Rhine.
The allies lost during these various engagements, 16000 men
killed and wounded, 20,000 prisoners, 11 guns and 15 stands of
colours, nine of their generals were besides, either killed or
taken prisoners. On the side of the French, the loss was
8000 prisoners and 10,000 killed and wounded.
By this train of successes, the French again obtained do-
minion over all Swisserland.
The Emperor of Russia sent, in the mean time, 16,000
men to unite with an English expedition destined to deliver
Holland.
Twenty-five thousand English troops were, according to the
original plan, to have joined the Russians, aud landed on the
shores of the Meuse, but it was afterwards resolved that they
should disembark at the Helder, and take possession of the
Dutch fleet at the same time.
Twelve thousand men, commanded by Sir Ralph Aber-
rombie, were to endeavour to effect a landing: 3000 were
o be landed at Groningen, and another corps of 12,000 men
as ready to embark under the Duke of York, as soon as the
VOL. III.
E e

418
THE ELEMENTS OF
3
{
transports employed in conveying Abercrombie's troops,
should return.
On the 19th, the forces of the latter were embarked, and
set sail next day. On the 22d they arrived near the Helder,
and a flag was sent on shore. On the 26th, the weather,
hitherto too unfavourable, began to be sufficiently moderate to
allow the landing to take place, and this was fully accom-
plished on the succeeding day.
Early in the morning, the greater part of the troops were
already on shore, and formed a line along the Downs near
Collandsoog, but they had neither artillery nor cavalry, and
were opposed to a corps of equal force provided with both.
The French were, notwithstanding, soon forced to retire,
and lost about 1800 men killed, wounded, and missing. On
the side of the English, only 62 men were killed, and 360
wounded. At 9 o'clock in the evening, the Helder was taken,
and here 95 old pieces of iron ordnance, a great quantity of
ainmunition, and some stores, were found: a 64-gun ship, five
frigates, and nine Indiamen, fell at the same time into the
hands of the English.
On the 30th, the fleet, consisting of one 74, five of 64, two
of 54, and four frigates, was taken without firing a shot, and
immediately carried to Portsmouth.
General Don also landed to reinforce Sir Ralph, whose
corps being now rendered 15,000 strong, took a position be
hind the Zippe, with the right wing at Petten and the left ou
Culhorn; but, on the following day, the position near Teuer-
wyk was preferred.
of
The French, perceiving that the English did not attack, re-
solved themselves to make the first attempt with an army
16,000 men, commanded by Daendels.
They accordingly advanced in three columns, but were re-
pulsed: the left column lost 138 officers, and about 1,200
men, the two other columns 58 officers and 1,300 men.
As the English had no cavalry, the enemy escaped unpursued
2
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
419
ĭ
:
The Duke of York landed with his force of 12,000 men on
the 12th, and the first Russian corps on the 14th of Septem-
ber.
On the 19th, the whole army advanced towards the enemy.
The left wing, commanded by Abercrombie, which consisted
of 12,000 men, marched forward to Horn, but was com-
pelled to retire in consequence of the failure of the attack.
The centre contained 10,000 men, and took the battery be-
fore Karspel, made 1,500 prisoners, and seized besides 14
pieces of ordnance, which were, however, abandoned, when the
Russians retreated in the evening. The Russians, having ad-
vanced too far by a march of two hour's, and taken pos-
session of Camp, Groet Schorel, and Bergen, were not aligned
with Schoreldam, where the English and the French stood, con-
sequently succeeded in forcing them to retreat by flank attacks,
in the course of which, General Herman was taken prisoner,
and Tscherbsckoff, who was second in command, wounded: a
loss of 11 pieces of ordnance and 2,300 men killed, wounded,
and prisoners, was also sustained by the Russians.
The English reserve saved them however from being very
far pursued, and retook Camp and Goer. Both armies then
retired to their old positions.
While the English were waiting for a more favourable op-
portunity of attacking, the weather became worse, the rains
increased, and the inundations and impracticability of the
woods were augmented.
Three thousand additional Russians landed on the 21st of
September, and restored the loss suffered on the 19th.
On the 2d of October the English resolved to make another
attack, but the French had, during the intermediate space, in-
creased in force, and were now commanded by General
Brune.
The Russian attack commenced at 6 o'clock, while the
right wing, under Abercrombie, likewise advanced. The
French were soon obliged to give way; on their retreat, they
set fire the villages Schoerl and Schoerldam, and by 12 o'clock
E e 2
420
THE ELEMENTS OF
they had entirely quitted their position between Koedyk, Lan-
genbach, and Bergen. Neither the attack nor pursuit, was
however, properly followed up. The French directed their
retreat by Alkmar, and occupied the position of Bererwyk,
covered by immense inundations. General Daendals was
sent with 4000 men to Purmende.
Of the English, 240 were killed, 100 wounded, and 200
made prisoners. The Russians lost 170 killed, 400 wounded,
and 100 prisoners. The French lost about 1800 in the whole,
but they received then, as well as on the 9th, reinforcements of
6000 men.
The very great slowness prevalent in the movements of the
allies, alone hindered the French from being forced to retreat
to the Waal, for the directory had already prepared to depart
for Gorcum.
On the 3d of October, when Abercrombie reported that
the enemy's vedets had retreated, the communication was re-
stored between the English and Russians, who were encamped
between Alkmar and the sea.
On the 5th a reconnoitring took place, and on the 6th the
last offensive movements were made towards Akersloot, but
some delay being here occasioned, the French began the at-
tack, and resumed their strong position in the evening.
The allies lost about 1800 men, and the French 1500 on
this occasion.
The English and Russian armies retreated on the 8th to
their position at Zipe, as had been previously decided in a
council of war; and on the 14th terms of capitulation were
acceded to, by which it was agreed that the Dutch fleet should
be retained, but that 5000 of the French prisoners should be
returned, together with all the ordnance obtained in the Helder,
and that the armies should keep their respective positions, till the
English and Russian forces re-embarked, which was to be
effected before the 1st of November.
be
The total loss of the English and Russian armies may
estimated to have amounted, during these events, to 12,000
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
421
}
men, but in recompense for these, 5000 Dutch sailors and
deserters were conveyed to England.
}
7
}
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1800.
In Italy, no circumstance of consequence took place during
the preceding campaign, the siege of Coni excepted, which
surrendered in April.
Massena was forced to retire to Genoa, which was then
fortified, and there shut himself up with 25,000 men.
The Austrians closely invested the place, but when provi-
sions became scarce, a successful sally was made, and the best
means of defence always employed, as shown in a work entitled
the siege of Genoa.
Bonaparte was directed to succour Massena, and he ac-
cordingly advanced by Swisserland, which Melas, the Austrian
general did not think it possible to effect.
The French arrived in four columns, one at Aosta, one at
Turin, and two at Milan.
General Lannes afterwards reached Pavia on the 3d of
June, at which place 10,000 lbs. of powder, 500 guns, and
a great number of sick fell into his hands.
Bonaparte arrived on the 2d of June at Milan, and pro-
claimed the re-establishment of the Cisalpine Republic.
In Turglio 300 prisoners were made, and the whole French
army took a position along the Adda, near Lodi. After this
period the vanguard was at Pavia, and the main corps between
Turin and Susa, and at Milan.
General Murat arrived on the 31st at Galleate, and the
Austrians retreated to Brescia, where General Laudon was
soon after surprised and defeated. In the mean time, Gene-
rals Moncey and Bethencourt arrived at Valencia, and the
operations began to be more briskly conducted,
On the 9th of June, General Otto was attacked, and lost
1000 killed, and 1500 prisoners.
As the Austrians were all assembled at, and round Alexan-
422
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
dria, and as General Millar, who occupied that town with his
army, stood in a dangerous situation, and was almost cut off
from Austria, it was resolved to make an attack on the
French. Pl: 31.
In the early part of the day, victory seemed to be on the
side of the Austrians, but towards evening this did not appear
so evident; and Dessaix having attacked the left wing, and
taken 1600 prisoners, the Austrian army retreated.
轻
​In the night, a convention was however concluded, by
which all the Italian fortresses were to be given up to the
French, who, at the same time, took possession of Milan.
The army in Germany under Moreau, crossed the Rhine,
and endeavoured to cut off the Austrian army from this river.
At Donauschingen, Villingen, and Henfigen, the Austrians
were defeated, but they re-assembled again at Moeskirch.
The Austrians were afterwards worsted again in several en-
gagements, and forced to retreat behind the Iller.
Prince Hohenlohe, General Kray, and the Archduke Fer-
dinand were also exposed during this time to continual
attacks.
The French gained the advantage of the Austrians in another
affair near Illersheim, and next endeavoured to cut them off
from their magazines. The Austrians then retreated from
Ulm, leaving there a garrison of 6000 men.
On the 28th of June, the French reached Munich and In-
golstadt, after General Kray had been beaten, and while Ulm
and Mayence were still besieged.
Hostilities ceased on the 14th of July, when a courier
arrived to make known the conditions of the capitulation of
Melas. The French gained considerably by this circumstance,
and continued to occupy all the ground in their possession.
The Austrians retained the fortresses of Ulm, Philipsburg,
Wurtzburg, and Ingolstadt.
In November, hostilities were renewed, and the first act
crowned the Austrians with victory near Wasserburg. They
then advanced more upon the French.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
423
Near Hohenlinden, the latter assembled and gave battle.
The Austrians made the attack, but they were repulsed by the
pushing forward of both wings of the French army. They
then retreated, with the loss of 10,000 men, behind the Inn.
Here they were, however, out-flanked on the left, and, in con-
sequence, retreated again behind the Salza. The French ar-
rived early on the 15th at Lauffen, after passing the above-
mentioned river.
The Archduke Charles at this time re-assumed the com-
mand, and lead the army behind the Ens, where an armistice
was concluded, soon after followed by a peace, which so
much weakened the power of Austria, and deprived the Em-
pire of those fortresses which, in former times, prohibited the
approach of the strongest invader, and superseded the neces-
sity of any other species of defence.
The same was the case with Italy, and Bonaparte took
possession of Swisserland.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1801.
ON the 30th of March the English fleet arrived in the
Sound; on the 1st of April the situation of Copenhagen was
reconnoitred, and, on the following day, the place was attacked.
The Danes lost 1200, and the English 1000 men killed and
wounded.
Immediately on this occurrence, an armistice was con-
cluded, and then prolonged, after which, a peace was also
made.
In the same year, the English sent an expedition to Egypt,
in order to expel the French from that country. Pl: 32.
On the 8th of March, 3500 men were collected together
in boats, and at three o'clock the signal for landing was given.
The light artillery were at the same time to be disembarked
under the direction of Sir Sidney Smith.
424
THE ELEMENTS OF
The landing was supported by five bomb-ships, and as
many more armed vessels.
At 9 o'clock, the signal for landing was finally made, and
this was effected in sight of 2000 French troops, and under
the fire of 12 pieces of ordnance.
The French were soon attacked and driven back, even the
efforts which they ventured to make afterwards were repulsed;
and the English line was completely formed on the Sand Hills
in a short time.
The French at last retreated, and left on the field of battle
8 guns and 300 men. The English lost about 500 men.
The rest of the English troops, amounting to about 15,000,
were likewise soon landed: the whole army then took a posi
tion between the sea and the lake Mahadie.
On the 13th, it advanced into the position near Alexandria,
by which it lost 1,100 men, though the French only sustained
a loss of 500 men and four guns. Aboukir surrendered on
the same day, in which town 190 men were made prisoners,
and 12 guns taken. The English position was, at this time,
the old ruins, with the left on the canal of Alexandria.
On the 20th, General Menou arrived with reinforcements.
at Alexandria, and next day, the French approached the
English camp.
In front of the right wing of the English, the greatest tumult
was raised, but the left was the real point of attack. One
French column advanced towards the Roman ruins, and two
more towards the ruins of Nicopolis, but they were soon
obliged to surrender themselves prisoners.
The French cavalry then gained some advantage, but they were,
notwithstanding, forced to fall back again, and the standard of
the invincibles was lost, though it was afterwards retaken.
Sir Ralph Abercrombie, was, in the meanwhile, wounded,
but he still continued to issue orders till after the battle was
gained, when he retired from the field; and General Hutchin-
son took the command.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
425
The French, who had formed the attack between the ruins,
were also obliged to retreat, on being taken both in front and
flank.
The whole army soon after began its retreat in great order,
and was scarcely pursued, the cavalry on the side of the Eng-
lish being not yet completely mounted: 1,040 French were
killed and about 2000 wounded, and, among the former, there
were three generals. The English had 245 men killed, 1,250
wounded, and 32 missing, but they took 800 prisoners, two
guns, and one colour.
On the 23d, terms were offered for the surrender of Alex-
andria, and three days after, 6000 Turks landed to reinforce
the English army.
On the 20th of April, Rosetta was taken by Colonel
Spencer.
The inundation of the lake of Mareotis was then effected,
and brigades of the English army were sent to El Afet.
The castle of St. Julien soon surrendered, and 268 prisoners
were on this occasion made.
A corps, composed of English and Turks, was ordered to
Cairo in the beginning of May. About which period, 20,000
Turks advancing singly to the same town, were attacked by
3500 French, but the latter were speedily repulsed, though
the Turks were by no means good soldiers.
On the 9th of June, another engagement took place near
Rahmaniel, on which occasion General Hutchinson, who had
joined the Turks with his corps on the 5th, commanded.
On the 22d, General Beliard made offers of capitulation,
together with his corps, composed of 10,856 soldiers and
3000 workmen, sappers, miners, &c. He had besides, 50
pieces of heavy, and about about 70 pieces of light ordnance,
and at a time when no want of ammunition was felt.
The capitulation being concluded, the forts were, on the
14th and 15th, delivered up to the English.
On the 16th, notice was received, that a British reinforce-
426
THE ELEMENTS OF
ment of 9,046 men was arrived from the East Indies, and alss
that 7000 fresh troops had reached Alexandria.
The first division of the East Indian army was in Cairo by
the middle of June, and thence the English forces proceeded
to Alexandria. This town was now surrounded, both on the
land and sea-side. A capitulation was, consequently, con-
cluded on the 2d of September, and the French were allowed
to return to their native country.
This siege was regularly conducted, and during the period
of its continuance, the English lost about 1400 men, one
assault alone having cost them 1100.
In the town of Alexandria, 312 metal guns were found, ex-
clusive of 77 on board the ships in the harbour. Besides these,
200,000 pounds of powder, a supply of provisions for 20 or
30 days, 10,528 effective, and 1387 sick soldiers fell into the
power of the conquerors. The persons connected with the
civil government were in number 655: the male population of
the town amounted to about 6000 souls.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1805.
Before the dismission of the Hanoverian troops at Lauem-
burg, whither they had previously retired in the year 1805,
a singular convention was concluded by their government;
by the terms of which, almost all the ordnance, and the whole
electorate south of the Elbe, was to be delivered to the French
under Mortier.
From this period, no event occurred connected with mili
tary affairs, particularly worthy of notice, on the continent of
Europe, till the year 1805, when war was declared by
Austria and Russia against France.
Napoleon, who had already had himself crowned Emperor
of France, resolved personally, to command the army
many, and to give the army of Italy in charge to Massena.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
427
Austria invested Mack with the command of her corps in
Germany, and the Archduke Charles was appointed to con-
duct the forces in Italy.
The unfortunate plan adopted by Austria, of directing her
army to take a very far advanced position, neglecting to force
Bavaria to join the confederation, and not waiting for the ar-
rival of the Russians prior to the commencement of hostili-
ties, are some of the principal reasons which rendered the
the result of this war so detrimental to all Europe.
The columns of the French army defiled across the bridge
of the Rhine, on the 24th and 25th of September. Berna
dotte's corps advanced in the mean time, from Hanover, and
joined General Wrede on the 27th.
The greater part of the French army had already arrived
near Stutgard, when Bonaparte reached it on the 2d of
October.
Bernadotte advanced with his troops, through the Prussian
dominions, and came on the 7th of October, to Weissen-
burg.
Keinmager's corps had, on the other side, retreated over
the Danube, but without breaking down the bridge by which
it passed, and the French took possession of this in a few
hours after.
The French arrived on the 8th at Weitingen, and Kien-
mayer at Ambach.
Mack did not expect Bernadotte's march, and was already
out-flanked by the latter, so that he, together with his army,
amounting to 125,000 men were cut off from Vienna. He,
however, presented his front towards the other French army;
which, having been reinforced by 30,000 men, was now
130,000 strong.
One Austrian corps, commanded by General Auffenberg,
surrendered with 20 guns near Wertingen. The French
army then passed the Danube at Donauwerth, Newburg, and
Ingolstadt.
428
THE ELEMENTS OF
Mack remained, in the interval, perfectly inactive, and only
pushed forward some out-posts towards the enemy: stiil
keeping his position near Ulm, he did not even make a move
to join the Russians, who were only able to reach the Inn
on the 19th.
The Austrians were, during this period, more and more
hemmed in, their communication had been first cut off with
Augsburgh, next with Tyrol, and now the way to Bohemia
alone continued open.
Guntzburg was attacked on the 9th of October, and the
Austrians were forced to approach more towards Ulm. The
Austrians lost about 3,700 men killed, wounded, and pri
soners, and the French 2,000 nearly,
Another engagement occurred on the 11th at Albeck,where
the French were beaten, and the Archduke Ferdinand, whose
corps had been almost completely inclosed, made good their
retreat to Bohemia.
On the 14th, a general attack was made by the French on
the camp around Ulm, which ended to their advantage.
Memingen was invested on the same day, and its garrison
consisting of 6000 men, surrendered on the following.
On the 15th, another engagement took place near Ulm,
and the bridge over the Danube, on Michel's height.
The Archduke Ferdinand retreated in the mean time to
Bohemia, and was pursued by Murat's cavalry, who occa
sioned him a loss of 2500 men and 20 guns. The Austrians
afterwards, sustained various losses at different places, as for
instance, near Neresheim; they were deprived of 3000 men
and eight guns, and at Nordlingen of 10,000 men, on the last
occasion, General Hokenzolbern, with his cavalry alone,
refused to surrender.
The Archduke arrived on the 20th at Nurmburg, where
his corps lost 31 guns, and 400 waggons. The rest of its
ordnance was lost near Eschenau, and only 7000 men out of
the whole force, arrived ultimately in Bohemia.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
429
The army at Ulm, demanded a safe retreat on the 16th,
but this was refused. On the 17th it was compelled to sur-
render at discretion, and 28,800 men, and 60 pieces of ar-
tillery, fell into the hands of the French.
Massena sent a strong corps, on the 18th of October, over
the Etsch, to Cassel-Vecchio, to make false attacks there, while
he himself remained on the right bank of the same river.
As soon however, as the Austrian forces were totally de-
feated in Germany, he was ordered to hazard a battle, and
join the French in that country.
Massena, in consequence, passed the Etsch on the 29th of
October, attacked the centre of the Austrian army on the 30th,
and on the day following, the left wing, but without any
important result.
Another corps of 6000 men, which was cut off by the re-
treat of the Archduke's army, lost about 2000 men, in an en-
gagement which cost the French 4000 killed and wounded, and
2000 prisoners, before they left the field of battle.
The French however, advanced again on the Austrians be-
ginning to retire, which was done in consequence of the bad
tate of affairs in Germany.
The Archduke John, who commanded one part of the
enemy in Germany, retreated, after several hard engagements,
and joined the Archduke Charles.
From the corps which were made prisoners at Ulm,
15,000 men remained and joined the Russians, who to the
number of 45,000 were commanded by Kutasow, and sta-
tioned near the Inn. Hence they were, however, also forced
to retreat, for the French army 200,000 strong, approaching
very rapidly upon them, presented a force too formidable to
be opposed by the allies.
On the 3d of November, the Austrian and Russian com-
bined army was severely engaged, but it succeeded in re-
pulsing the French: on the next day, the chances of fortune
were on the side of the French, and the allies were driven back
from Strab. The French passed the Enst the same day.
430
THE ELEMENTS OF
On the 5th, Mortier arrived at Lintz, and took an immense
Austrian magazine.
Ney reached Inspruck on the 7th, and Massena, whose
army was at Padua and Treviso, menaced Tyrol on the op-
posite side. On the 9th, Prince Murat arrived at St. Poelten,
when all the nobility and the Emperor prepared to leave
Vienna, and the Russians proceeded on their retreat to Krems,
The latter were, however, fortunate enough to gain some
trifling advantages over the French on the left bank of the
Danube. The French then advanced to Vienna, and from
this town a deputation was sent to request an armistice of 48
hours, which was granted.
On the 13th, at noon, the army entered Vienna, where
2000 guns and above 100,000 stand of small arms were found,
besides ammunition and field-equipage, sufficient to provide
three armies.
On the same day, the bridge over the Danube was occu-
pied by Murat, who then proceeded to pursue the Russians:
but there, by means of a pretended armistice, (a stratagem
similar to that which the French made use of, to induce an
Austrian general, not to destroy the bridge) retreated, saved
all the army, a trifling loss excepted, and even gained a
colour from the enemy, their total loss was 12 men killed,
wounded, and missing.
Bonaparte now arrived at Bruun, and a correspondence
took place between him and the Emperor of Austria. Pres-
burg and Tyrol was also taken possession of by Ney.
Massena made the troops under Rohan, prisoners on the
29th, and occupied Trieste.
The Archduke John was, in the mean time, falling back,
to form a junction with the Archduke Charles, who had re-
treated with his army along the Hungarian frontiers.
Mortier and Murat's corps
were distributed around
Vienna, to observe the neighbouring country, and the Arch-
duke Ferdinand was opposing the Bavarian troops. The
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
431
soldiers of the Hungarian levy, did not, however, move from
their native country.
The Austrian and Russian armies began again to advance,
when their Emperors and Constantine arrived in Moravia.
Murat was then forced to retire from Wischau, his army
retrograded next day upon Poharlitz, and took a position on
the 30th near Brunn. Mareschal Bernadotte arrived on the
31st; and on the 2d of December, the Battle of Austerlitz was
fought.
The Russian army contained 80,000 men, and the
Austrian 25,000; but both were badly provided with bread,
and every other species of provisions. It was therefore re-
solved, that they should retreat, but previous to this move-
ment, an attack was to be made on the French. Pl: 32.
The joint armies had advanced in five columns in the even-
ing of the 1st of December to Hennadick, Aujest, Pratzen,
and the country adjacent. The reserve, commanded by Con-
stantine, was posted between the road leading to Brunn and
Krezchswitz.
The hostile forces were separated by the deep defiles of
Sokolnitz,
Early on the 2d of December, the Russian army received
orders to attack: one column, consisting of 24 battalions, was
to march by Aujest to Tellnitz; the second, containing
18 battalions, was to carry the valley near the same village;
the third, of equal strength with the second, was to march by
the castle of Scholnitz, towards the lakes of Kobelnitz; the
fourth, comprising 27 battalions, was to follow the last, and
aligne with the rest. The vanguard (Kienmayer's corps) was
directed to cover the movements of the third column.
The four columns were all to deploy and form a line, four
battalions of the first column occupying Turaswood, the rest
advancing between the wood and Happagnitz, during which,
three battalions of the 4th column were to assault this
village.
432
THE ELEMENTS OF
The 5th column, consisting of 82 battalions, was to form
between Blassowitz and Kruh.
The van-guard, of 12 battalions and 40 squadrons, was to
gain the heights between Dwaroschna and the Inn, and mount
the batteries there.
The reserve, consisting of 18 squadrons, and 10 battalions,
to halt between Blassowitz and Kruch.
Kienmayer's corps had farther orders to cover with its ca-
valry the left wing of the front colnmn, to form between Turas
and Schevaza, and finally to observe Reygern. The French
immediately perceived, on the advance of these columns, that
the direction of their march occasioned great intervals, by
which circumstance they resolved to profit.
The engagement began on the left wing of the allies. Tel-
nitz, which had been abandoned the preceding evening was re-
taken, but soon after fell again into the possession of the French,
who had, by this time, received a reinforcement of 4000 men.
Telnitz, in a short time, became once more the property
of the allies, and the enemy retired without being pursued.
Scholnitz, was also taken, but the second and third bat-
talions, were here thrown into disorder.
Bonaparte, perceiving that the columns which afterwards
advanced to out-flank him, might easily be cut off from the
main army, ordered the centre to be sharply assailed.
Oudinot was at this moment near Slapanitz, and Soult was
marching to attack Pratzen.
Bernadotte took the way to Blassowitz, after passing the
rivulet near Gorschihowitz; on his left he had Murat's ca
valry, and on the left of these Lannes's corps was posted.
The centre now began to be engaged as well as the right
wing of the allies. Constantine approaching towards Kruh
was atacked by Murat's cavalry.
Lichtenstien, who came up in the mean time, with inten-
tion to take Slopanitz, immediately ordered 10 squadrons to
form. It being soon evident that the enemy's force con-
f
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
433
$
sisted of Kellerman's, Bernadotte's and Lannes's corps, com-
mand was given to the whole body of cavalry under Lichten-
stein to draw up in order; and some regiments made a
charge, but they were repulsed with great loss.
Baraghtion having now advanced to oppose Lannes's left
wing, gained possession of Kruh and Holubitz. The centre
of the allied army was, at this time, too weak to resist the re-
peated attacks of an enemy superior in force, it being com-
pletely isolated in respect to the left wing.
1
The fourth column began its march at 8 o'clock, and the third
had just left the heights near Pratzen, where the fourth had
arrived, when a great body of French infantry were perceived.
The latter immediately formed, as did also the 4th column,
having however previously, passed Pratzen the heights were
then occupied, and towards these the enemy directly advanced
in three masses, and gained some of them.
The Prussians now attacked the French, but were repulsed.
A charge was then made at the point of the bayonet, yet,
notwithstanding the same was again repeated, the whole
fourth column was at last compelled to retreat to Wischnau
and Herspez. The French afterwards remained quiet in their
position on the eminences.
Prince Lichtenstein covered the ground between Blas-
sowitz and Pratzen, and again attacked the French between
the latter village and Gersckowitz. He afterwards covered
the retreat of the fourth column, by taking a position near
Pratzen.
Constantine had in the mean time sustained a severe en-
gagement. Blassowitz had been taken by the French, and
Constantine, to obstruct their advance, left the heights to at-
tack them. At first he succeeded, but the French cavalry ul-
timately forced him to retreat. The Russian cavalry had even
driven back the French horse, and charged the infantry, when
the former rallied, and compelled the Russians to fall back to
Austerlitz. They were not however pursued.
Baraghtion endeavoured during these proceedings, to oc-
VOL, III.
Ff
434
THE ELEMENTS OF
cupy the heights of Dwaroschna, but Lannes obstructed the
movements of the left wing of his corps, by taking a height
which the former was to have occupied with 28 guns.
The main body of the French had also advanced to
Holubitz and Kruh, supported by Murat's cavalry. Several
charges were made by the French dragoons, and though
steadily opposed, Baraghtion was at length obliged to fall
back, and reached Austerlitz in the evening.
The first, second, and third columns, had now only 9000
French to contend with.
The Russians, thrown into confusion at Sokolnitz, were
quite surrounded by the enemy; 6000 of them were made pri
soners, and the rest retreated towards the first column. Which
as soon as intelligence was received of the defeat of the centre,
hastened to support it, but took a wrong direction, which
march was covered by the Austrian cavalry stationed on the
other side of Telnitz.
4
The French, who had occupied the heights from Pratzen
to Aujist, remained quietly in their position on account of the
want of ordnance. An attack on their flank was neglected to
be made, and here, where the loss arising from a baffled at-
tempt could have been with the most facility repaired, no
effort was resorted to. A Russian column marched to Au-
jist, and was there attacked by the French. In this village it
lost 4000 men, together with its ordnance, and many of the
troops were drowned by trusting for safety to a frozen lake;
the centre and rear retreated first to the neighbourhood of
Telnitz, and then among the lakes. Some Austrian cavalry
covered the movement, and continued advancing towards So-
kolnitz and Aujest.
The French being desirous to charge, the infantry fell back
upon the cavalry, when it was discovered how well the Rus
sians were supported. The latter now advanced towards the
heights, which they occupied in the morning, in order to fight
for their retreat. Telnitz was made use of to defend the rout;
but this village being also lost, the cavalry alone had to cover
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
435
it, and these, though much annoyed by the enemy's artillery,
ably-fulfilled their duty.
On the heights of Neuhoff, the Russian column which was
about 8000 strong, halted; and the retreat was then directed
by the way of Boskowitz, favoured by the darkness of the
night. The French did not venture to make any more attacks,
but took the position which the allies occupied in the morn-
The latter chose their position near Hadegitz.
The allies lost during this engagement 18,000 men, killed,
wounded, and prisoners. The French about 10,000.
The Austrians and Russians continued their retreat next
day, and were pursued by the French.
On the 4th of December an armistice was concluded, aud
hostilities ceased as soon as the Emperor of Russia had ac-
ceded to the arrangements made by that treaty.
The Archduke Charles had, by this time, arrived safely with
his
army in Hungary, after having beaten the French force
near Caldiera.
As the battle, just detailed, took place too early for the in-
terest of the allies, so was the armistice too hastily concluded,
for the Archduke Charles had 80,000 men in Hungary, where
the levy could have been besides called out; the Archduke
Ferdinand was fully able to cope with the Bavarians, and
the Russians were on the point of receiving reinforcements,
for the arrival of which they might have waited near Olmutz.
In addition to these considerations, it may be remarked, that
18,000 Prussians were on the frontiers of Austria, 40,000
English and Russians in Hanover, and 20,000 of the latter just
landed in Italy; all of which forces, or at least all except the
Prussians, were ready to oppose any French army which could
have been brought against them.
The most evident means of obtaining advantage and se
curity were on many occasions disregarded by the allies, dur-
ing the course of the campaign. Even the fortress of Hameln
was neither reduced nor bombarded, though its commandant
governed the surrounding country as he pleased.
Ff2
436
THE ELEMENTS OF
The peace between Austria aud France, which followed
this armistice, was at last ratified on the 26th of December,
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1806.
In this year, a landing was effected in Italy by the English,
who, however, retreated in a short time, and the gallant de-
fence of Gaeta by the Prince of Hesse Philipsburg against
the French also took place.
During the same period, the confederation of the Rhine
was founded, and the Emperor of Germany laid down that
title.
The French armies had already approached towards France,
when they were suddenly ordered back in Septeinber, and
the emperor himself hastened to join them.
The king of Prussia had collected an army 25,000 strong,
commanded by Prince Hohenlohe near Hoff, where 20,000
Saxons were also in arms.
The main Prussian army was between Weimar and Erfurt.
The French armies assembled in Bavaria, then advanced to
Bamburg, and gained the road from Leipsig to Berlin, before
the Prussian forces arrived at Weimar, which they did not do
till the 11th, when they encamped, instead of advancing im
mediately to occupy the defile near Koesen. Much time was
also spent in forming fruitless plans, as Prince Hohenlohe
and the Duke of Brunswick could seldom agree.
On the 12th, the Prussian advanced posts stationed on the
opposite side of the Saale were driven in, and Prince Hohen
lohe was at last ordered to re-assemble his troops on the left
bank of that river. His van-guard was placed behind Jena,
and the king's army marci.ed to Auerstadt.
The French had left almost all their baggage near K
nach, but the Prussians always carried their's along with
them.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
437
On the 10th of October, Prince Louis, with 6000 men, was
attacked by the French near Saalfield; the enemy was twice
repulsed, and the prince made a charge, but being himself
wounded, his corps was latterly forced to retreat with the loss
of 1500 prisoners, and 1200 men killed and wounded, besides
all its ordnance.
The French then proceeded round the forest of Thuringen,
and arrived on the 12th at Gera, with Soult's and Lannes's
corps, and the guards.
Davoust and Bernadotte were at Naumburg, Augereau at
Vacha, and Ney at Roda.
Napoleon marched on the 15th with his army to Jena,
and occupied the heights situated to the north of it; this place
having been evacuated by the Prussians, though so materially
useful to the maintenance of their position. (Pl. XXXVI.)
The passes towards the Milly-val were occupied, and the
camp was formed near Storpada, Napoleon's tent being pitched
in the middle of his guards.
All the roads towards Jena were likewise repaired, to faci-
litate the transport of the ordnance. Augereau's corps en-
camped at the foot of the height on which the guards were
posted.
Of Ney's corps, only 3000 men were at present arrived,
the rest came up during the battle on the following day.
Soult bivouacked near Winzerle. The bridge of Dornburg was
neither broken down nor taken possession of, a circumstance
which Bernadotte did not fail to turn to his own advantage.
Davoust was, meanwhile, ordered to defend the defiles of
Koesen.
1
On the 14th, when the battle took place, the reserve com
manded by Prince Wirtemberg, was near Halle, and the
corps under the duke of Weimar on its march from Arnsted.
General Ruechel was near Weimar, and the Prince of Ho-
henlohe near Vierzenheilligen, while the French occupied all
the passes towards this position. The battle commenced
early in the day already mentioned, with an attack on Hohen-
438
THE ELEMENTS OF
lohe's van-guard. This was however soon reinforced, and it
then assailed the enemy in turn as he descended from Dorn-
berg; but the Prussian as well as Saxon reinforcements were
forced to retreat to the woods of Isserstadt and the adjoining
plain. Another part of the same van-guard was driven back
from Closewitz, and also obliged to retreat by Alten Gonne
to Hermstadt and Arnold. And thus the whole of Trauenzien's
corps was compelled to fall back.
After 7 o'clock, the alarm was sounded at the head-quar-
ters in Capellendorf; at first General Grawert would not
allow his division to form between little Romstedt and Kors-
chau, but he afterwards issued orders for occupying the bridge
near Dornburg, and reinforcing the van-guard.
Q
The cavalry then formed near Vierzehnheiligen, and the
Saxons broke up their camp. The infantry were stationed
towards the valley of Liskauer and the mountain Floh, the
cavalry towards Iserstadt.
Holzendorf was soon attacked and compelled to retreat to
Stobra, with a considerable loss, including one battery of artil
lery. Some remforcements, supported by cavalry, now advan
ced for the second time, towards Vierzehnheiligen, but this
place was already in the hands of the French.
General Holzendorf found it necessary to abandon the
heights of Stobra, and Hohenlohe's corps was attacked by
Soult on the left, aud Angereau on the right, at the same
time that several bodies of French were seen advancing to
Vierzehnheiligen.
The Prussian batteries were taken by storm, and all the
troops driven back from Romstedt. The other Prussian corps
began now likewise to retreat, and the Saxons only kept the
field. General Ruchel, who at this time occupied the moun-
tain Sperling, was attacked both in flank and front, and two
of his regiments having suffered severely, and he himself be-
ing wounded, the whole corps fled to Ulrichshallen and Os-
manstedt, where Tauenzien rallied it, in order to cross the
Iller.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
439
Prince Hohenlohe collected some of the remains of his
army near Umpferstedt, whom he ordered to station them-
selves near Weimar, to which place he proceeded himself by
the way of Frankendorf: he then directed his retreat by Trobz-
dorf and Vippach.
The Saxons, who now perceived themselves to be left
alone on the field of battle, prepared likewise to make their
retreat, which was accordingly done towards Weimar, in a
long square. On the route, they were deserted by their
cavalry, whom the French vehemently charging, forced to re-
treat, after a well contested engagement; and the infantry
were, in consequence, almost all wounded, killed, or taken
prisoners. The cavalry afterwards rallied, and endeavoured
to rescue the infantry, but both were put to flight, so that of
all Hohenlohe's corps, only one half, or about 20,000 men
remained.
The king's army, consisting of 50,000 men, arrived late on
the 13th near Auerstadt, but the troops were quite worn out.
At 6 next morning, it endeavoured to gain the road to Naum-
burg in one column, a division being directed to occupy the
pass near Koesen. The plan formed by this army was, to en-
camp behind the Sawl and Unstruth, and join the reserve
near Halle. Some merchants informed the Prussians that
they had met the French near Koesen, but the account was
not credited. (Pl. XXXIII.)
Davoust arrived late in the evening at Koesen, and took pos-
session of the pass, he afterwards gained the mountain on the
opposite bank of the Saale, and bivouacked with a part of his
troops near Hassenhausen.
The Prussians resolved to carry the French position by
main force and the heads of the columns, belonging to the di-
visions which had arrived near Tauchwitz, deployed to the
left, the cavalry covering the movement; the above division
came first under the fire of the enemy, and suffered consider-
ably as soon, however, as the division on the right had
440
THE ELEMENTS OF
formed, they jointly attacked the French, who sustained, in
consequence, a very great loss.
The cavalry then made a charge upon the right wing of the
French, but they were speedily repulsed, and Hassenhausen
could not be taken, as the enemy continued to keep his po-
sition behind Poppel. About nine o'clock the Duke of
Brunswick was wounded, as well as Schmettau and Mollen-
dorf. Blucher and Wartensleben, had lost their horses, and
there was no officer present which could assume the command;
the Prussian cavalry on both wings now retreated, but the
infantry remained steady.
Another division then formed, partly on the left, and partly
on the right of the enemy's position, and the cavalry attached
to it twice attacked the left wing of the French army; but they
also retreated, and the Prussian right wing became exposed
in the same manner as the left already was.
In the mean time, two more French divisions arrived on
the field and formed, one to the right, and the other to the
left of that which occupied the ground: the latter of the two
divisions was to out-flank the left wing of the Prussians, by
the way of the mountain Spiel, and a detachment of tyralleurs
had, together with a battery, already gained the Prussian
flank.
The whole Prussian line immediately began to retrcat, first
on the left, and then on the right wing. The French on the
contrary advanced, and mounted their ordnance on the
Renhausen and Sonnendorf heights.
The king not aware of Holenlohe's fate, retired a little,
in order to attack with new vigour on the following day: the
reserve left Auerstadt and the other troops moved towards
Mattstadt, while the French endeavoured to augment their
losses by cannon planted near Eckartsberg.
The heads of the Prussian columns, on arriving at Wicker-
stedt, where the bridge over the Zlin is situated, perceived
Bernadotte's corps, by which the retreat to Weimar was
rendered impossible.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
441
The road by Reisdorf and Pfeffelbach, was then taken, and
the retreat directed to Sandershausen and Nordhausen.
4
The Prussians lost in this quarter about 6000, and the
French 4000 men.
The French army near Jena, and Auerstadt, which was
originally 80,000 strong, had, however, lost 6000 men, ex-
clusive of the above. Davoust's corps, which only contained
30,000 men, had the glory of conquering 50,000 Prussians.
The Prussians last 110 guns, and during their retreat, a
great number of prisoners. In Erfurt alone, the French took
95 pieces of ordnance, and 32 stands of colours.
The two battles of Auerstadt and Jena, cost the Prussians
in all, about 20,000 men, but the Saxons lost also 12,000.
The remainder of this corps returned afterwards to its native
country, and quitted the Prussian service.
At Weissensee, where the French arrived before the Prus-
sians could effect their retreat, General Klein permitted the
latter to pass, in consequence of Blucher pretending that a
peace was on the point of being concluded.
A severe engagement was, however, afterwards fought by
the rear-guard at Nordhausen. A rendezvous of the Prussian
troops was ordered to take place at Sommerdci, but this
could not be effected, as the French advanced with very
great rapidity.
The Duke of Brunswick, waited with his army at
Scharderode, to join Mollendorf's corps, chiefly consisting of
deserters, and men drafted out of other battalions.
Mollendorf having already capitulated, the Duke marched
with his army to Gotha, where a general rendezvous was to
be held; but sent his baggage direct to Muhlhausen. The
army soon after followed. The Duke then extended his re-
treat to that part of the Elbe, where the ferry of Landau is
situated; and relinquished his command in favour of General
Winnig, (who had previously joined his corps) at the desire
of the King of Prussia. The Duke died in a short time after
442
THE ELEMENTS OF
this event at Altona. The entreaties made by the Duke be-
fore he resigned, that some Prussian troops should be carried
to give countenance to Stralsund, were neglected, and all the
bad effects and consequences of the counsels accepted in the
cabinet of Berlin, began now to be clearly seen,
The commandants of Magdeburg, Spandau, Kustrin, and
Stettin, delivered up their respective fortresses in a most in-
famous manner, into the hands of the enemy, and the fore-
sight of this, perhaps, induced the Duke to send the message
he did in respect to Stralsund.
ን
At Erfurt, which capitulated among other places, about
this time, 12,000 prisoners were made by the French.
Magdeburg, where the greater part of the baggage of the
Prussian army had been deposited for the sake of safety, sur-
rendered on two shells being thrown into it: and 20,000 men
gave themselves up as prisoners to a corps of 12,000.
The Duke of Wirtemburg, with his army near Halle, was
also defeated, and his troops retreated to Dessau. The Prus-
sians lost in this affair 4000 men, and 21 pieces of ordnance,
having been attacked by 20,000 men, their own force only
consisting of 12,000.
On the 24th, the French had already reached Berlin, and
as the three fortresses Spandau, Stettin, and Kustrin, surren
dered, all the Prussian corps to the westward, were succes-
sively cut off from Prussia.
On the 29th of October, General Schimmelpennig's
corps at Pasewalk surrendered, and Stettin capitulated on the
same day, in consequence of which, the French gained con-
siderable magazines, and 6000 prisoners.
The troops under the command of Prince Hohenlohe,
would have retreated by Boitzenburg, but found the defile
occupied by the enemy. The Prince marched therefore to
Schonermark and Prenzlaw. At the last mentioned place,
an engagement occurred, and the Prussians were compelled
to make their retreat through the town, in the greatest want
of forage, provisions, and ammunition.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
443
{
1
This corps was afterwards reduced to the necessity of ca
pitulating, and placed about 25,000 men, 45 stands of colours,
and 64 pieces of ordnance, in the power of the French. Ge-
neral Blucher retreated in the mean time to Furstenburg and
Boitzenburg, where he received intelligence of Hohenlohe
having surrendered. From Boitzenburg, Blucher proceeded
to Strelitz, Alt-Schwerin, and Grave, and afterwards attempted
to cross the Elbe, near Lauenburg. His troops were by this
time completely destitute of provisions, and therefore quar-
tered at night in the villages.
At Fahre, a severe engagement took place between the
rear-guard, and a body of the enemy. Blucher now resolved
to retreat to Lubeck, as no time had been allowed him for
crossing the Elbe near Lauenburg. Lubeck was accord-
ingly occupied, and his corps stationed there and behind the
Trave.
The French entered Lubeck on the 5th of November,
when Blucher immediately retreated, his quarter-master-ge-
neral staff was however made prisoner.
One thousand five hundred Swedes, and 32 guns were
also taken by the French, as these could not be embarked
from the Trave for Stralsund in time.
The Prussians lost at the battle of Lubeck about 5000
men, besides 21,000 who capitulated, together with 64 pieces
of ordnance.
Hesse, Oldenburg, and Mecklenburg were in the mean
time, taken possession of by a French and Dutch army.
The van-guard of the grand French army arrived on the
4th of November at Posen, after passing through South
Prussia without resistance.
Czentachow surrendered with 1000 men to the French
troops, and the gates of Kalish were opened for them by the
inhabitants. Napoleon arrived himself at Posen, on the
28th: he ordered reinforcements to be every where sent to
support the Poles who had revolted, and whose existence, as
444
THE ELEMENTS OF
an independant state, had been publicly declared by General
Dombrowsky.
The King of Prussia had, during this period, collected an
army of 36,000 men near Dantzic, and the Russians arrived
on the 15th and 16th of November at Warsaw; but they
evacuated it again on the 26th, when the French reached the
same place. The bridge near Warsaw was burned down by
the Russians.
In Silesia, Glogau capitulated during these proceedings,
and 9400 prisoners were then made. Mareschal Mortier also
invested Stralsund, and Schweidnitz surrendered after a short
defence.
The Russian army had been considerably increased, and
Kamensky, Buxhoevden, and Bennigsen, commenced hostili-
lities in consequence; they at first resolved to undertake of
fensive movements, but Napoleon encountered them as the
corps of Ney, Bessieres, Bernadotte, and Soult, were passing
the Vistula, near Thorn, Plac, and Zakroczim.
The French had a camp at Praga, the suburbs of Warsaw.
They were afterwards engaged both at Czarnow, and Nasielsk
passed the Wuka and the Sonna, and marched to Pultisk.
Other affairs of arms took place at Gurzne, Kunsbrok,
Soldau, Biezun, Lapacyo, Golmyn, Bultiesk, and Moringen,
on all which occasions, the Russians and Prussians were for
the most part, forced to fall back.
The loss on both sides during these engagements, but par
ticularly Golmyn and Pultisk, was very severe. In the
latter, each party pretended to be the victor, but the French
attained by this battle, the end for which it was fought; they
were enabled to maintain their strong position on the oppo
site side of the Vistula.
The Russians were at this time engaged also in a war with
Turkey, where a considerable force was likewise employed;
but here their efforts were invariably crowned with decided,
or at least equal success.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
445
The English Admiral Louis, forced the passage of the
Dardanelles to create a diversion; but, instead of setting fire to
Constantinople, when off that town, on the 25th of February,
1807, he only captured a small Turkish squadron.
REMARKS ON THE OPERATIONS IN THE YEAR 1807.
The immediate consequence of the last engagements of the
preceding campaign was, that Kamensky received notice to
resign his command to Buxhoevden; and even to the latter, as
he could not accord with Beningsen; a new appointment was
soon after given. Beningsen resolved to attack the enemy in
flank, and drive him again back over the Vistula.
The French arthy was, however, prepared to recieve the
Russians, and, in consequence of this, the affairs of Bergfried,
Waiterdorf, Deppen, and Hoff, took place, which were in a
little time followed by the battle of Eylau. (Pl. XXXVIII.)
The Russian army was about 70,000 strong: the French
force opposed to it consisted of Augereau, Soult, Murat,
Davoust and Ney's corps, and amounted in all to about
90,000 men. The rear-guard of the Russian army, was
ordered to cover the march of the ordnance from Walsdorf,
in order to facilitate the movement of the main body. The
rear-guard was afterwards reinforced and returned to its po-
sition. The enemy then attacked it, but was repulsed and
attacked in turn, and his first column was soon dispersed.
The second column was next charged by the Russian cavalry,
aud suffered more than the first. The third column was
The enemy now attacked
also driven back with great loss.
the Russian line with artillery, and sent forward a fourth co-
lumn, which was at first successful. A charge was made
upon the fifth column; it sustained a considerable loss, and
was finally, as well as the fourth, totally repulsed. The
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THE ELEMENTS OF
enemy who was by this time considerably reinforced, again
attacked the troops which pursued him, and by this means, the
fortune of the day was so far changed, that the van-guard
found it necessary to retreat, and join the main Russian
army.
The enemy then advanced towards Eylau, and carried it
by the superiority of his force, but this town was soon after
retaken on the arrival of succours.
In the evening, the Russian troops assembled behind the
town, and remained there during the night.
Early in the morning, they formed in two columns, and
again occupied their position. A body of French passed the
town at day-break, and was opposed by some regiments of
light infantry. About the same time another French force
was perceived, consisting of some ordnance, and a few co-
lumns. The Russian artillery had opened a fire upon this
corps, and obliged it to halt, when the French cavalry were
also seen advancing more to the left.
"
The French then took possession of a village in front of
the Russian left flank, but it was soon re-occupied. They
had also in the mean time formed some coluinns, which passed
Eylau, to attack the Russian right wing and centre: these
were however, quickly repulsed, and left eight guns behind
them. Some French squadrons, supported by a detachment
of foot, made likewise a charge upon the same points, and
even-penetrated, but their retreat was cut off by the Cossacs.
The infantry who advanced with them were also repulsed.
The columns repelled in the attempt against the centre,
rallied and advanced again, in order to renew the attack. They
were, however, once more repulsed; and on being charged by
the Russian cavalry, they immediately retreated with the great-
est precipitation, by which three cagles, and 20 pieces of ord-
nance were taken.
The enemy's attack on the right wing was also frustrated,
and forced to retrcat, by being taken in flank by a party of
cavalry.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
447
The French, thus every where baffled in the right, re-as-
sembled their force, and strove to make an impression on the
left wing. The effort succeeded, and Serpallen was taken.
The Prussian cavalry attacked several times, but were
always compelled to fall back, while the enemy constantly
increased his force, to out-flank the Russians on the left.
The latter received at this time some reinforcements but
nothing could prevent the retreat of the left wing, and even a
variety of brisk charges were not sufficient to keep the enemy
in his position.
The French had already succeeded in out-flanking the left
wing, when the Russian horse-artillery arrived. Some guns
were immediately mounted, and by the fire of these, the enemy
was forced to retreat from Ankluppen. He was at the same
time attacked, and driven back from Kuhschitten.
In the mean time, a body of Russians had come up to
sustain the left wing, and an attack was immediately made,
but night prevented it from being proceeded in.
The French were likewise driven back from Schloditten,
but they did not leave the field of battle..
They lost about 25,000 men in killed and wounded, 2000
prisoners, 12 eagles, and 21 pieces of ordnance.
Of the Prussians, 19,000 were killed, wounded, and pri-
soners. The French were forced in consequence of this
battle to retreat behind the passage of the Passarge, to Ostro-
lenka, Hohenstein, and Allenstein: near Ostrolenka, another
engagement took place a few days after the last, in whicl
the Russians sustained a considerable loss.
The expedition to Constantinople was, in the mean time,
neither very successfully conducted in respect to the burning
of the town, nor the destroying of the influence possessed by
the French, who still continued to maintain their superiority
in this quarter.
General Michelson obtained, on the other hand, consider-
able advantages over the Turks, by taking Giurgew, andde-
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THE ELEMENTS OF
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3
feating Czerni Gorge, near Nizza. And Melikkostock, routed
Huzzazi Aly the 16th of April near Glodowa.
In the beginning of this month, the French had withdrawn
the corps from before Stralsund, and invested Colberg and
Dantzic. The Swedes, now 10,000 strong, profited by
this circumstance, drove back General Grandjean, at the head
of 8000 men, and took almost all the French magazines.
Mortier, however, immediately collected 20,000 troops,
advanced upon the Swedes, attacked them, and took 1500
prisoners and seven guns.
On the 18th, an armistice was concluded between the two
powers.
On the same day, the navigation of the Vistula, and the
channel was impeded, and an English vessel forced to leave
her station.
On the 22d, the transports of heavy ordnance arrived
from Stettin and Madgeburg, and in the evening of the follow
ing day, the bombardment of Dantzic began. (Pl. XXXVII.
During the night of the 28th a sally was made.
On the 29th, the town was summoned, and the third pa
rallel was commenced during the succeeding night.
Early in the morning of the 7th of May, the forts nea
the Holm were carried, and all communication by water wa
in this manner cut off.
At last, after General Bougot had been surprised in Ne
ckerding, and an English frigate, which was bringing ammu
nition, stores, and succours, captured by the French, in con
sequence of a calm, the place surrendered, with a garr
son, containing 9000 effective, and 4000 sick soldiers.
The garrison of Weichsselmunde embarked previous!
and by this means escaped.
A great variety of stores and provisions, and about 80
pieces of ordnance, were found in Dantzic by the Frenc
The capitulation of Neisse followed on the 31st, a
Grandenz was then more closely invested.

THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
449
The Prussians possessed Glatz, Kossel, Sillberberg, Memel,
and Pillau; their army amounted to about 60,000 men, who
were combined with a force of nearly 200,000 Russiaus.
The French had, on the other hand, 160,000 men between
Elbing, Orlelsburg, and Thorn, 45,000 Bavarians and 20,000
Wirtemburghers on the right wing 8000; men round Col-
berg, and 80,000 troops in Hanover, Hesse, Mecklenburg,
and the Marke Brandenburg, besides 10,000 men garrison-
ing the fortresses in the rear of the army, the whole present-
ing an aggregate of nearly 400,000 soldiers.
After several fruitless propositions for peace, the Russians
again made an attack at the Passarge, but were repulsed.
The affairs near Spanden, Committen, Deppen, Heilsberg
and Guitstdaf, then took place, in all of which, the Russians
and Prussians were forced to retreat.
On the 14th of June, a battle was fought near Friedland, whi-
ther Benningsen had retreated after the French endeavoured to
cut off the Russians from the Passarge. Pl. XXXIX. At this
time the town was occupied by one of the enemy's corps, but
it was speedily expelled. The French, however, attacked the
Russian advanced posts early next morning, and afterwards
mounted some ordnance. The Russians made a most obsti-
nate resistance: their left wing repulsed an entire column of
the French, and the cavalry of the right wing gained also con-
siderable advantages.
In a few hours, the bulk of the French army came up and
reinforced all the vanquished points. New columns of attack
were now formed, and advanced, and the Russian left wing
being soon driven back, the whole army retreated.
The loss on the side of the Russians in killed, wounded,
and prisoners, was at least 12,000; on that of the French,
9000; but the latter gained 15 pieces of ordnance.
Benningsen retreated to Wehlan, but quitted this position
receiving intelligence of the surrender of Konigsberg. It
ad capitulated after a short cannonade, and the French found
ere a great quantity of stores, provisious and ammunition :
VOL. III.
G g
1
450
THE ELEMENTS OF
they also made 20,000 prisoners, but the greater part of these
were either wounded or sick.
The Russsians proceeded on their retreat to Schillupischken
and Tilsit, where an armistice was concluded on the 21st.
The Prussians soon after entered into a treaty of the same
kind.
The loss of men sustained by the allies during this war,
was as follows :
Prussians
13,600 killed
Russians
36,902
Prussians
11,000 wounded
Russians
51,000
Prussians . 182,103 prisoners
Russians
19,240
English
120
Swedes
2,604
Total
386,569 men
Kosel capitulated on the 18th of June, and Glatz surren
dered two days after the intrenched camp surrounding it, was
taken by the enemy.
Neisse had capitulated on the 1st of the same month. On
the 7th of July, peace was concludeed between Russia and
France, and on the 9th, between the latter power and Prussia.
The King of Sweden had, in the mean time, ordered
an end to be put to the late armistice, and an English expe
dition was soon expected in the Baltic.
In a short time, some English troops were landed at Stral
sund, but they found it necessary to re-imbark, and this place
was then more strictly inclosed by the French.
The King of Sweden retreated with his troops to Rugen,
and the town immediately surrendered.
The English fleet, consisting of 21 ships of the line, and a
great number of transports, with 26,000 troops on board,
had, during these proceedings, approached to Copenhagen,
The Danes refused to place their fleet in the hands of the
1
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
451
1
English, and the troops of the latter were, in consequence,
landed between Kronenburg and Copenhagen.
On the 3d of September, the operations against Copenha-
gen began, by driving in the Danish advanced posts.
After the heavy ordnance had arrived, and the garrison had
been summoned to capitulate, Copenhagen was bombarded
from the 2d to the evening of the 5th, by which 5 or 600
houses had been burned, about 600 people killed, and 6
or 700 wounded, when a capitulation took place.
On the 20th, the English again evacuated Zealand.
During the same year, a war broke out between Sweden
and Russia, but the events connected with it are not given
in this work.
The war which commenced this year in Spain, is intended.
to be treated of in a separate treatise, which, being not quite
finished, will be printed in the course of the present year.
OPERATIONS OF THE FRENCH AND AUSTRIAN ARMIES,
IN THE YEAR 1309.
SCARCELY had Austria recovered the losses she so unfortu-
mately sustained in the campaign of 1805; scarcely was her
army placed in a situation fit to take the field; scarcely, in fine,
the necessary preparations had been made for carrying on an
effectual war, and this determined to be the case, even though
it should require the greatest sacrifices on the part of the
people; when Napoleon again ventured to make new
and haughty propositions, demanding all the sea-coast
belonging to Austria, and several of her provinces to be ceded
to him.
The conduct of the Austrian Emperor, and that of the
Princes of his Empire, was misrepresented in all the French
newspapers; and his ambassador at Paris, was personally in-
sulted by M. de Champagny. From these circumstances, an
open rupture with France seemed inevitable. The paper cre-
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THE ELEMENTS OF
dit of Vienna sunk lower and lower in foreign countries, and
the stock-holders in Germany were endeavouring to sell out
as fast as possible. All second and third battalions, received
orders to be incorporated with their respective regiments, and
all military men were likewise commanded to join their
corps.
On the 8th of March, the Archduke Charles made his
entry into Vienna as Generalissimo, at the head of the oldest
regiment in the Austrian service*, and was cheered wherever
he went, by the acclamations of the populace.
The French troops were, on the other hand, directed to
assemble in Franconia, Saxony, and Suabia. The treasures
of Das Grune Gervoele, usually lodged at Dresden, were re-
moved to Konigstein, and Weissenfels had been, prior to the
27th of February, better fortified to sustain a siege.
Mareschal Davoust arrived with his corps on the 19th at
Ulm, at which time, Oudinot was employed in collecting and
reviewing the different corps in Suabia.
The Archduke Charles considerably increased his force
westward of Vienna, the Archdukes Louis and Rainer organ
ized the Levé en Masse in Hungary, and in the capital a:
requisition was made of 10,000 horses. Another force, con-
sisting of about 15,000 men, was collected near Eger, Tapel
and Slan in Bohemia, to protect that quarter. The Bavarian
troops had marched on the 6th and 7th, towards the Inu,
and Dresden was, on the 14th, declared in a state of defence.
The Archduke Charles issued a proclamation, summoning
all the subjects of Austria to join the army, and to prepare
themselves to serve, even beyond the boundaries of the Em-
pire.
On the 7th, the last regular regiment of foot had left
Vienna, and the city corps was ordered to do duty in the
palace. The French divisions under Boudet, Molitor, Le
Grand, Carara and St. Cyr passed the Rhine soon after,
Raised in the year 1618.
{
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
453
their march to Ulm, where from 40 to 50,000 men were
already assembled.
Mareschal Davoust having received the command of the
Bavarian troops, ordered them, on the 23d, to proceed towards
the Inn and Iser. The Hereditary Prince of Bavaria, and
General Wrede, were his subordinates.
The troops from Lower Saxony, particularly those from
Hanover and Magdeburg, were directed to assemble in
Saxony and given up to the control of Mareschal Ber-
nadotte.
The French had entered Swisserland on the 14th, with
about 14,000 men, and the troops of the confederacy of the
Rhine were ordered to join the French
ariny near
the Inn.
The Archduke Charles issued a second proclamation,
dated the 6th of April, and then set off from Vienna, the 10th
being the memorable day on which the Austrian army com-
menced hostilities.
Napoleon left Paris on the 12th, the Prince of Neufchatel,
who had departed from the same place some time before,
was already at Strasburg on the 4th.
The Austrians had crossed the Inn on the 10th; and halted
at Waltersburg on their way to Munich, whence the King was
ready to go at the shortest notice. The Bavarian troops fell
back, on the other part, in good order. The Emperor Fran-
cis left Vienna on the 13th, and, previous to his departure,
took leave of his people by a proclamation, and exhorted
them to rise in arms, if necessity should require it.
On the 18th, Mareschal Lefebre, with the first Bavarian di-
vision, was between Darham and Freisingen, and the Duke
of Auerstadt, with about 60,000 men, in the neighbourhood of
Donauwerth, Ingolstadt, and Eichstadt. The rear of the
Austrian army was still stationed near Brannau, Lintz, and
Salzburg. Teldzeugmeister (quarter-master general) Collo-
worth, stood, prior to the declaration of hostilities, with his
Corps near Toplitz, but afterwards advanced towards Saxony.
About the same time, 20,000 Austrians, who had pushed
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THE ELEMENTS OF
forward from Saltzburg to Kuffstein in Tyrol, drove back a
body of Bavarians, and were joined by a great number
of the Tyrolese.
The King of Bavaria had arrived on the 16th, from Munich,
at Dillingen, where he set forth a proclamation, calling on
persons of all ranks to defend their country.
The brave Tyrolese, driven to despair by the extinction of
their constitution, which had always been preserved whole.
and inviolate by their Austrian Princes, had taken up arms
on the 10th, attacked the Bavarian troops at Sherdingen, In-
spruck, Halle, and the convent of St. Charles, and, after hav-
ing killed and wounded about 500 of them, compelled the
greater part of the rest to capitulate.
Thus hostilitics had every where begun, even the rear of
the French army not excepted. But the great genius of Na-
poleon, so capable of conducting war with energy and vigour,
was prepared to meet every attack with superior force, or a.
least to prevent his enemies from striking any considerable
blow.
On the 11th, the Tyrolese pursued the advantages they had
gained the day before, and made several hundred fresh pri-
soners.
On the 12th, a body of 3000 men, both French and Bava-
rians, presented themselves in order of battle before Wildau,
near Inspruck, but sustained a defeat, and a reinforcement of
the former, which came up next day, did not share a better
fate.
The prisoners taken by the Tyrolese on this occasion, in-
cluded the French General Bison, the Bavarian General Kun-
kel, and 1,677 men; six staff-officers, five field-officers, 20
officers of inferior rank, and about 2000 rank and file, were
killed and wounded.
The Austrian troops were received throughout Tyrol with
enthusiasm; old and young filling the roads in crowds, rent
the air with uninterrupted shouts of "Long live the Emperor
Francis!” and each was emulous to display the trophies he
I
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THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
455
had won from the enemy. The head-quarters of the Prince
of Taxis, were, on the 15th, at Inspruck.
On the 10th and 11th, the Archduke John had, with the
army under his command, entered Friaul, by the way of Pon,
teba, Ceridale, and Goritz, and after some opposition, ad-
vanced on the 13th to the Tagliamento. The cuemy, in the
mean time, retired across the river in order to join the troops
in the rear, and the junction which consequently took place at
Sacille, rendered his force superior to that of the Austrians.
During the night of the 14th, the Archduke, who had pro-
ceded with the advanced guard, was at Pardemone, his main
army being stationed between that place and Sarville, in the
vicinity of Fontana,
The Viceroy of Italy commanded the French army.
Fortune was, however, so much in favour of the Austrians,
that the enemy could not maintain his position behind the
Lizenzo, but was obliged to retreat rapidly to the Piave.
The prisoners taken by the Austrians, in the affair which led
to this result, amounted to nearly 1800, among whom were
Generals Pazze and Bresan. Sixteen cannon and three eagles
likewise fell into the hands of the victors.
The Austrian grand army assembled on the 15th at Vilo,
and the French on the opposite side of the Iser.
Field Mareschal Jelliach had passed the Inn at Rosenheim
and Wasserburch, and was advancing towards Munich.
Field Mareschal Chastelar, had entered Tyrol on the 9th,
and arrived on the 12th at Linz, with the mtention of be-
sieging Kuffstein, where 1500 French had taken refuge.
On the 16th, the Austrian army advanced to the Iser, with
the third corps in front. The bridge near Landshurst had
been broken down, and a division of Bavarians, under General
Dervy, defended the passage of the river; they were attacked,
and the bridge repaired under their fire.
The third corps of the Austrians inmediately crossed,
and an action took place, which ended in the retreat of the
Bavariaus.
}
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THE ELEMENTS OF
The general of cavalry (which is equal to the rank of a
field marshal) Count Bellegarde, began his movements, with
the first corps of the army near Tirshenreuth, in Bohemia
likewise on the 10th, and formed a junction on the 12th at
Wardenburg, with the second corps, which had entered the
Upper Palatinate near Rushausen. Both corps took a posi-
tion in the Nab, and their van-guards occupied the heights of
Hershau, in order to defend the road from Bayreuth to
Amberg.
A skirmish took place between the Austrian advanced
posts, and the division of Friant, which was proceeding, in
order to reach the Danube by a rapid march through Amberg.
The consequence of this affair was, that the latter retreated
to Newmark, and the former occupied Amberg. Mareschal
Lefebre collected about 12,000 Bavarians from the neigh-
bourhood of Munich and Freysingen, with a view to stop
the progress of the Austrian army near Landshut.
The approach to the bridges of the Iser, was at this quarter
extremely difficult, besides, the bridges themselves were in a
ruinous state, and the enemy's tirailleurs, or riflemen, who
had occupied the houses on the opposite bank, could only be
repelled by cannon, Batteries were accordingly mounted,
in spite of a shower of balls from the rifle guns of the
French, and the houses were also soon demolished. Un-
fortunately many of their innocent proprietors were killed,
having been induced to remain in them, through the false
statement promulgated by the French, that it was the design
of Austria to seize Bavaria.
The first bridge was no sooner covered by a few posts, than
the van-guard of the 5th corps hastened to cross the river.
The advanced corps of Field Mareschal Jelliach entered
Munich on the 16th, the 4th; corps passed the Iser without
opposition at Dingelfingen.
The 1st and 2d corps, after some successful skirmishes, ad-
vanced to Amberg, Schavandorf and Kirm, near Ratisbon.
On the 15th, the Archduke Ferdinand had transmitted
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
457
to the Polish minister, a printed declaration of hostilities, to-
gether with a letter, informing him that 12 hours after his de
parture, the Austrians should advance against Warsaw, and on
the same day, the Polish troops left that city to oppose them.
The head-quarters of the Archduke Ferdinand, were esta-
blished on the 21st at Rahaw, in the neighbourhood of War-
saw, after his having engaged on the 19th near Razyn, where
he lost 10 officers, and 327 men.
On the 20th, the Austrians entered Warsaw, which the
French totally evacuated on the 23d.
The Duke of Auerstadt marched in two columns, at day
break on the 19th, against the Austrian force, commanded by
Field Mareschal Hiller, and the Archduke Louis.
General St. Hillaires was on the right of the French, who
arrived on the same day at Pessig. A battle ensued, the
Austrians were repulsed, and from 3 to 400 prisoners taken
by the French.
On the left, General Morand came up, at two P. M. with
a division of Hiller's corps, and he attacking it in front, and
the Duke of Dantzig in the rear, the Austrians were again
defeated. In the evening, the corps under the Duke of
Dantzig, joined that of the Duke of Auerstadt. The entire
loss of the Austrians on thic above occasion, amounted to 18
field and subaltern officers, and about 850 men: Generals
Lichtenstien and Lusignam were wounded.
Bonaparte procceded on the 20th with his army to Avens-
burg, to act against the Archduke Louis's and Field Mareschal
Hiller's corps.
The Duke of Auerstadt kept Hohenzollern's, Rosen-
berg's, and Lichtenstien's corps in check, while the divisions
under Morand and Goudet, and the Bavarian and Wirtemburg
troops attacked the Archduke's army in front.
The Duke of Rivoli cut off the communication with Tyrol.
and proceeded to the rear of the Archduke. General Wrede
was stationed in front of the bridge of Siebenburn, which was
defended by the fifth corps of the Austrians. General Van-
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damme, who commanded the Wirtemburg troops, manœuvred
on the right flank. The Duke of Dantzig and the Prince of
Bavaria, marched with their divisions towards Newhaus, to
gain the road from Avenbury to Landshut. The Duke of
Montebello forced the left wing of the Austrians with two
other divisions, overthrew all before him, and proceeded to
Rohr and Rothenburg. Eight standards, 12 pieces of ord-
nance, and about 8000 prisoners taken by the French, com-
posed the loss of the Austrians in this ill-managed affair on
their side.
The town of Ratisbon surrendered the same day to the
Austrians, where they made some prisoners.
Landshut was taken on the 21st by the French. The
Duke of Istria overcame the troops in the plain before the
town. General Mouton attacked the bridge, and pushed into
the place, and the Duke of Rivoli also drove back the Aus
trian force, which was opposed to him.
The 2d, 5th, and 6th corps of the Austrians, made a
junction near Old Otting, and the head-quarters were fixed
at Eglossheim. The Emperor was, during this time, at
Schaerding.
In consequence of the losses thus sustained by the
Austrians, the militia of Lower and Middle Austria and
Salzburg was ordered out.
On the 23d, at day-break, the French army advanced to-
wards Ratisbon, and the Austrian troops posted behind the
woods near that town, were immediately driven back, on the
return of the enemy's cavalry from the pursuit of the Aich-
dnke Louis's corps.
Nansouti's division also fell in with an Austrian column,
consisting of three Hungarian battalions, the greater part of
which was taken.
St. Sulpice made a charge upon the square, where the
Archduke Charles commanded in person. The Austrians
were worsted, and lost about 2000 prisoners, and 12 pieces
of ordnance. They first retreated to Ratisbon, but, as the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
459
;
French reached the bridge at the same time with their rear,
it was impossible to break it down. They therefore con-
tinued to retrograde towards Chan, and the enemy retook
Ratisbon in the evening.
The Austrians fell back on the 24th by Cham to Wald-
munchen, without being pursued.
Field Mareschal Hiller marched with the 4th and 5th corps
to Old Otting, to protect Braunau and Schaerding, and having
joined the 2d corps of the reserve, pushed forward his ad-
vanced posts towards Wasserburg and Rosenheim, to keep
open the communication with Tyrol.
Napoleon detached the Duke of Istria, in pursuit of Hiller's
corps, and he came up with it at Newmarkt, where an en-
gagement took place on the 24th. In this action, the French
and Bavarian columns were repulsed, and, in consequence,
took a position not far from Newmarkt, in the rear of Mo-
litor's division.
Count Rivoli was, on the same day, commanded by Bona-
parte to proceed from Ratisbon, by the way of Straubing and
Passau, to cross the Inn. The bridges had been destroyed,
and weak detachments of Austrian corps defended the pas-
sage. As soon however, as the French ordnance were
mounted, the Austrians were forced to retreat; the bridges
were then immediately restored, and Schaerding was occupied
on the 26th.
Count Jeliach's corps was pursued by the Duke of Dant-
zig, and the Duke of Auerstadt, was following the main
Austrian ariny. Bonaparte's head quarters were established
the same day at Mulheim.
The bulletins published by the French, pretend that they
took from the beginning of the war to the 27th, 50,000 pri-
soners, but the whole loss sustained on the part of the Austrians,
according to the official reports of the latter, consisted of
about 9,600 prisoners, 6000 men killed or wounded, and about
$8 pieces of ordnance. The loss of the French may be esti-
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THE ELEMENTS OF
mated at 10,000 men, killed, wounded, and prisoners, four
eagles, and four pieces of ordnance.
Napoleon detached General Wrede to Lauffen, to pursue
the Austrian corps in Tyrol, which was then retreating by
forced marches. General Wrede came up with the rear near
Lauffen, on the 28th, and took part of the baggage, and
some prisoners; the main body had, however, sufficient time
to cross the river, and burn down the bridge.
The Duke of Dantzig arrived the same day at Altmarkt,
having reached Wasserburg on the preceding. On the 28th,
General Wrede continued his route in the direction of Salz-
burg, and about three miles from that town met with the ad-
vanced guard of the Austrians under General Jelliach.
Wrede's Bavarians drove it back, and entered the town with
it, but could not obtain any great advantages over the main
corps.
The Duke of Istria had arrived on the 28th at Burghausen,
and pushed forward his advanced posts to the right bank of
the Inn. On the same day, the Duke of Montebello camie
there also, and Count Bertrand began to repair the bridge
which had been burned by the Austrians. The work was com-
pleted on the 29th, and the troops passed over.
On the same day, a detachment of fifty chasseurs, com-
manded by Captain Margaron, fell in at Ditmoning, with a
battalion of Austrian militia; the latter retreated and he made
about one half of the men prisoners.
On the 30th, the Duke of Rivoli arrived at Schaerding,
where the Austrians had burned their magazines.
The Duke of Dantzig also reached Salzburg in the course
of this day, and immediately ordered one brigade to march to-
wards Kuffstein, and another towards Radstadt, by the Italian
road. His van-guard watched the motions of General Jel-
liach, who had retired from Colling.
On the 1st of May, General Oudinot, who had previously
taken about 400 prisoners, penetrated beyond Ried, and took
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
461
nearly 100 more, with scarcely any loss on his own side.
Napoleon arrived, in the morning of the 2d at Reid, and in
the afternoon at Lambach.
At Ried, the French became masters of eight sets of mi-
litary ovens, and of magazines containing 200,000 rations of
flour. The bridge of Lambach, which had been destroyed by
the Austrians, was also rebuilt on the last mentioned day.
The Duke of Istria, commander of the cavalry, and the
Duke of Montebello, with Oudinot's corps, added to the suc-
cess of the day, by entering Wels, where they found about
100,000 rations of flour.
During the 1st, the head-quarters of the Duke of Rivoli,
continued at Shaerding. In the interval, Adjutant General
Trinquaille, commanding St. Cyr's van-guard, encountered
the van-guard of the Austrians, on the road to Newmarkt:
the latter was attacked, and pursued by the Baden dragoons,
and three companies of the 4th regiment of Voltigeurs, and
lost 15 in killed, and 120 prisoners. The Duke recom-
menced his march on the 2d, and arrived at Lintz on the Sd.
The Archduke Louis, and General Hiller, with their corps,
reinforced by the 2d corps of the grenadiers of reserve, were
now before Traun; but they retreated to Ebersburg, on being
menaced, with au attack in the rear by the Duke of Mon-
tebello.
On this day, the Duke of Istria and General Oudinot
marched likewise towards Ebersburg, effected a junction with
the Duke of Rivoli, and met with the Austrian rear-guard,
not
far from that town. The tirailleurs of the Po and Corsica,
in consequence made an attack, and tock some prisoners.
General Claparede, being directed to advance, found the
Austrians in a strong position, and they then set fire both to
the bridge and the town, the houses of which were
mostly composed of wood. The division under Claparede,
and four pieces of ordnance attached to it, were thus se-
parated from the main body of the French, and forced
-
462
THE ELEMENTS OF
to oppose two Austrian corps commanded by General
Hiller.
The latter advanced three times against Claparede, but
without particular success. In three hours the flames of the
burning town were allayed, and a passage through it again
opened. General Le Grand then led the 26th and 18th
regis
ments against the castle, which was defended by 200 Aus-
trians: these, however, retreated as soon as the first gate was
forced. Le Grand next proceeded to succour General Cla
parede's division, supported by 10,000 dragoons under Gene-
ral Durosnel; upon which the Austrians gave way. Na-
poleon, hearing of the critical situation in which Claparede
was placed, had detached Nansoulti's and Molitor's divisions
to his assistance, but the Austrians were already retreating,
when they came up.
The Austrians retrograded on Ens, burned the bridge behind
it, and continued their route to Vienna. They lost on the
above occasion, 4000 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners,
besides four pieces of cannon and two stands of coloms.
The loss on the side of the French amounted in killed and
wounded to about 3000 men. During the affair of Ebersburg,
the Duke of Montebello arrived at Steyer, where he ordered
the bridge, which the Austrians had destroyed, to be rebuil.
The Austrian head-quarters were fixed the same day at Ens.
The Duke of Montebello passed the river Ens at Steyer on
the following day, the 4th, and arrived on the 5th at Amstet-
ten, where an engagement took place between the 20th regi-
mcat of chasseurs, and a regiment of Austrian Uhlans. The
latter wore defeated with the loss of its commander, and about
200 men. On the 6th, the Duke of Montebello arrived at
Molk, the Duke of Rivoli at Amstetten, and the Duke of
Auerstadt at Lintz.
General Hiller's corps reached St. Polten on the same day,
and left it on the next. The fifth corps of the Austrian amy
and the second corps of the reserve, crossed the Danube at
Cremis, and were pursued to Mautern, where the bridge was
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
463
found to have been broken down. General Hiller marched
soon after to Vienna, and Bonaparte arrived on the 8th at St.
Polten.
The numerous magazines which the French had taken, in
the course of the proceedings above related, from the Aus-
trians, were, at this time, of the utmost advantage to the army
of the former.
The Duke of Dantzig was also ordered, on the 8th, to
proceed to Inspruck, as the general levy was there completely
organized, and had already, supported by some Austrian
corps, gained considerable superiority on the frontiers of Ba-
varia.
Colonel Schill, whose name had been previously rendered fa-
mous by the volunteer corps he raised in Prussia, during the last
war between that country and France, and likewise by the
losses he occasioned the French, in several provinces of the
same kingdom, had fixed the 15th of April as the day on
which he should set off with his regiment from Berlin. He
accordingly carried his intention into effect, and at the gates
of the city demanded to know which, of his soldiers,were will-
ing to share his fortune: about 200 men followed him to
Saxony, where his little corps having rapidly increased, he
divided it into several parts. After various successes,
he was, however, compelled, though at the head of a force
4000 strong, to retreat across the Elbe to Stralsund, in order
to occupy Rugen, and there to defend himself to the last.
General Gratien's, and other corps which pursued him, had
several severe engagements with his brave troops. But their
intrepidity was not long able to avail hin. He was killed on the
16th of June at Stralsund, and his death put a final close to
this most heroic, and, in the first instance, most promising
campaign, as the corps which he had commanded speedily
dispersed.
A similar enterprise was undertaken about the same time,
in Hesse, by Colonel Van Dorenberg. This officer being,
however, not sufficiently supported, and in particular, finding
i
464
THE ELEMENTS OF
that no English armament would be sent to assist him in the
execution of his plans, (among which, was that of taking the
King of Westphalia prisoner), abandoned all the schemes he
had formed.
From these courageous and loyal efforts of Schill and
Dorenberg, and from the insurrection excited in the name of
the Duke of Brunswick, as well as from those which after-
wards broke out in several other quarters of Lower Saxony,
with aview to deliver Germany from a tyrannic yoke, it
may clearly be seen, that if an English force of only 4000
men had been landed on the banks of the Elbe, and another
army, about 10,000 strong, in East Friesland, all the inhabit
ants of Westphalia, Hanover, East Friesland, and some parts
of Holland, would have taken up arms to protect their re-
spective countries, and to regain their liberties. One Hano-
verian general, with a sufficient supply of English money
arms, would, without doubt, have been able to assemble in
a short time above 80,000 effective troops. In a word, the
unfavourable result of all the revolts, is solely to be attributed
to the want of the authority and sanction of the cabinet of
St. James's.
and
The history of the Duke of Brunswick's campaign has been
already printed in London. An account of Schill's, will, in
all likelihood, soon follow, together with forther statements
respecting the northern parts of Germany, Hesse, East Fries-
land, Pomerania, and Prussia, during this important period;
and by these, a series of documents will be laid before the
public, which will enable them to judge more fully of the
propriety of the opinions here adopted.
The insurrection in Tyrol, was, however, the only one
which was carried on with the universal support of the people,
and with energy, bravery, and uninterrupted exertion on the
part of its abettors.
In the mean time, the Archduke John was not idle in
Italy. He fought an action on the 16th of April, between
Padainone and Sacille, on which occasion, as the French
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
465
cavalry could not come up in time, owing to the overflowing
of the rivers; the Viceroy was obliged to cross the Lincenza and
the Piave, to secure his retreat. A French division, however,
arrived as a reinforcement from Tuscany on the 23d, and the
Viceroy then thought proper to take a position between Cal-
diero and the Adige, leaving garrisons in Palma Nova, Ocopa,
and Venice.
The Archduke being now recalled to the defence of Vienna,
began his retreat towards Vicenza on the 30th. Treviso and
Padua were immediately retaken, and the Brenta was passed
in good order.
The Austrians, who had fallen back sooner than was ex-
pected by the French, drew up in order of battle on the banks
of the Piave, having their left wing on a neighbouring emi-
nence, and their right towards the road leading to Conegliano.
The Viceroy formed the French van-guard of 5000 volti-
geurs, commanded by General Dessaix, who was also sup-
ported by 10,000 cavalry.
On the 8th of May, he crossed the Piave and a lvanced be-
tween the lake and the road of Conegliano, where the van-
guard was yet farther reinforced by the divisions under Mac-
donald and Grenier. The Austrians were forced to retire,
and lost three generals and 3000 men in killed, wounded, and
prisoners, besides six pieces of ordnance.
On the 9th, the French head-quarters were established at
Conegliano, and next day, the whole corps advanced towards
the Tagliamento.
The Prince of Neufchatel issued an order, dated the 5th
of May, purporting that if General Chastelar fell into the
hands of the French, he should be shot. The Austrian Em-
peror retorted on the 25th, by giving notice to the Archduke,
in his dispatches, to proceed in the same manner with two
French generals, who had been made prisoners on the 21st
and 22d. In answer to the above, another publication on the
Dart of the enemy, dated the 6th of June, declared that Count
Metternich, Prince Colloredo, and three other generals should
VOL. III.
H h
466
THE ELEMENTS OF
•
be considered as hostages for the safety of the two French
generals, in the power of the Austrians.
Napolean sat down, on the 10th of May, together with the
corps under Montebello, before the gates of Vienna, and was
met near the suburbs by a numerous multitude of women,
children, and old men. The Archduke Maximilian, the then
governor of Vienna, had arrived there on the 5th.
General Couroux traversed the suburbs, and General
Havreau repaired to the esplanade which separates them
from the place, where he was received by a discharge of
cannon and musquetry, and slightly wounded.
Napoleon, prior to his arrival,had caused a notification dated
Schoenbrunn, the 9th, and signed by Mareschal Berthier, Prince
of Neufchatel, to be sent to the Archduke Maximilian,
threatening, that if the latter should attempt to defend the
town any longer, he was resolved to force it to surrender in
36 hours, by the shells from his mortars.
Maximilian had, on his part, opened a register for inscribing
the names of those who were willing to defend the capital,
and a great number of the inhabitants had already enrolled
themselves besides this, he had collected a force of 15,000
men, consisting of 10 battalions of militia, and as many of
regular infantry.
:
The Duke of Montebello sent afterwards a flag of truce
into Vienna, but the officer who bore it, was mal-treated, and
actually wounded by the mob.
General Andreossy being appointed to the government of
the city, established a municipality in each division of the
suburbs, a committee of provisions and a national guard, and
ordered deputies to represent the case of the city to Napoleon.
He referred them to the Prince of Neufchatel and the latter
again summoned the Archduke, and intreated him to respect
the flags of truce, and to have some consideration for the lives.
of so many brave inhabitants of a place, which would at all
events be soon compelled to capitulate. The deputies re
turned to the city at eleven in the forenoon
but the only an
}
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
467
swer given to the besiegers, was a double fire from the ram-
parts.
Napoleon thereupon proceeded with the corps of the Duke
of Rivoli, to that arm of the Danube which separates the
Prater (a piece of ground or rather an island so called) from
Vienna, and ordered two companies of voltigeurs to occupy
a small position on the left, to cover the constructing of a bridge.
At 8 o'clock in the evening, the materials for the bridge
were collected, and the French detached some cavalry across
the river, to seize the boats on the opposite side. By 9 o'clock,
a battery of 20 mortars was erected, and the bombardment
immediately began at the distance of about 200 yards from the
place, while lamentation and clamour were soon everywhere
heard throughout this very populous city.
The Archduke dispatched a column to retake the pavilion ;
but the attempt was frustrated by the French artillery. Maxi-
milian in consequence left Vienna, and on the 12th, General
Oreilly announced that the firing should cease, and that ano-
ther deputation was about to be sent to Napoleon.
The deputation having accordingly arrived at the French
head-quarters, received Napoleon's assurance that the town's-
people should meet with the same indulgence as in 1808.
}
General Oreilly then sent General de Veaux and Colonel
Belotti to treat concerning a capitulation. And on the
morning of the 13th, Qudinot's grenadiers took possession of
the city; the following articles of capitulation having been pre-
viously agreed upon by Generals Andreossy, and de Veaux,
and Colonel Belotti.
1. The garrison shall march out with the honours of war,
and after having defiled, lay down their arms on the glacis,
and surrender themselves prisoners of war. The civil inhabit-
ants shall retain their property, and the soldiers their havre-
sacks.
II. The gate of Corinthia shall, to-morrow, the 13th of
Hh 2
468
THE ELEMENTS OF
{
May, be opened to the troops of his Majesty the Emperor
and King at eight in the morning; the garrison shall march
out at nine.
II. All the sick and wounded, and a proper number of
officers of health, (surgeons, &c.) shall be recommended to the
generosity of his Majesty.
IV. Every person of distinction, but more particularly
every officer included in this capitulation, who, on account of
any important reason, cannot leave the town at the same
time as the garrison, shall obtain a delay, and be at liberty, at
its expiration, to rejoin his corps.
V. The town's-people of all ranks shall be protected in
their property, privileges, rights and liberties, as well as in
the free exercise of their professions, in the same manner as
before the capitulation.
VI. The free exercise of religion shall be tolerated.
VII. The wives and children, and all the other persons
connected with the garrison, shall be at liberty to remain in
the town, and to retain both their own property, and that left
behind by the men composing the garrison respectively. When
the women of the above description are sent for by their hus
bands, &c. they shall have full permission to go to them,
and to take away the aforesaid property.
IX. The privileges of the persons employed in the admini-
stration of military affairs shall, in respect to their property,
residence, and departure, be the same as those of the garrison.
X. The individuals of the armed Burgher corps shall par
ticipate in the privileges granted by Art. V.
XI. The Military Academy, the Military Institution for
the education of children of both sexes, and the general and
particular resolutions passed for the advantage of these esta-
blishments, shall be maintained on their present footing, and
the whole placed under the protection of the Emperor Napo
leon.
XII. The military chests and magazines, the private pro-
T
*
Է
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
469
perty of the magistrates of Vienna, and whatever appertains to
the states of Lower Austria, and to the hospitals, shall be
preserved inviolate.
XIII. Commissioners shall be appointed for the ratification
and execution of this capitulation.
XIV. An officer, or General Oreilly, may proceed to the
Emperor of Austria.
XV. If any difficulty arise respecting the meaning of the
above articles of capitulation, the same shall be explained to
the advantage of the garrison.
Signed. ANDREOSSI. DE VAUX. BELOTTI.
The army in Bohemia had in the mean time made some
progress. General Bellegarde, reinforced by 40,000 Bohe-
mians and Moravians, had taken a strong position behind
Radbruze. The Saxon army, under the command of the
Prince of Ponto Corvo, having advanced from Saals, had
arrived in Waldmunchen on the 7th, and entered Bohemia on
the 9th.
The Duke of Auerstadt's head-quarters were on the 10th
at Stankau, Ponto Corvo being then a league behind, at
Teinitz.
The Tyrolese continued on the 20th to excite the greatest
alarm at Augsburg and Munich. They then laid Kempten,
Schoengau, Kaufbeuren, and other places in Suabia under
contribution, established themselves at Landshut, and ex-
tended their out-posts to Munich.
The garrison of Augsburg was under arms during the nights
of the 6th and 7th of May. But the Tyrolese did not pro-
ceed any farther than Ettingen. At Kaufbeuren they had,
however, seized upon many valuable things belonging to the
King of Bavaria, and in consequence of their efforts, there
were now about 4000 wounded French in Augsburg.
Another Austrian corps had entered Poland from Gallicia.
On the 4th, 400 cavalry had also entered Widawa, and
470
THE ELEMENTS OF
were advancing by Sierad, towards Kalish; 3000 infantry
followed next day, and more were expected.
The French army remained still near and in Vienna, for
the purpose of recruiting its losses, collecting its whole force
properly together, and waiting for the reinforcement of Mares-
chal Bernadotte's corps, which had moved first to Egra, and
then to Lintz.
Count Bellegarde, with the corps under his command,
joined the Archduke Charles nearly at the same time.
On the 19th, the imperial guards, and the corps of Rivoli,
Montebello, and Oudinot, were at Vienna'; Prince Ponto
Corvo at Lintz with the Saxons and Wirtemburghers; and the
Duke of Dantzic with the Bavarians in Tyrol.
The Tyrolese had advanced on the 11th to Memmingen;
about 1500 of them afterwards disarmed the Burgher guard,
and took a Bavarian convoy at Moeskirch; but the whole were
soon again driven back to the mountains by the Duke of
Dantzic.
Napoleon had, in the meanwhile, issued several proclama-
tions, among which one, dated the 26th of April, declared
the property of all the Princes in the Austrian service to be
confiscated, together with that of such of the religious esta-
blishments of the Teutonic Order, as should act contrary to
the 4th and 13th articles of the confederation of the Rhine;
another was published on the 12th of May, at Schoenbrun,
and addressed to the inhabitants of Vienna and the Hunga-
rians, commanding them to remain quiet.
The Archduke Maximilian had, on the other hand, set
forth proclamations on the 5th and 6th, exhorting its inhabit-
ants to defend Vienna, and ordering new battalions of the
Landwehr militia to be raised.
The Palatine of Hungary summoned a levée-en-masse on the
27th of April, and the Archduke Charles wrote on the 28th
to Bonaparte, to request an armistice; but this important
letter has never been made public.
On the 28th of May, the bridges leading to Lobau were
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
471
burned; and on the following day the French army approached
that island.
The Archduke Charles, after reaching Cham with his army,
had proceeded by Kleutch and Neumarkt to Budweis. Ge-
neral Hiller, on arriving at Lintz, had posted himself behind
the Traun near Ebersburg, where the engagement already re-
lated occurred, and afterwards passed the Danube not far
from Stain. The Archduke having delayed for a day, on ac-
count of the junction which was effected at Lindau, pro-
ceeded quickly to Zwettel, to the end that he might reach
General Hiller then left a
Vienna before the French army.
small corps at Kremsteadt, detached another to strengthen the
garrison of Vienna, and approached the same town himself on
the left of the Danube. The Archduke had finally advanced,
previous to the capitulation, by Neupole, Horn, and Weckers-
dorf, to Stokerau.
Maximilian arrived in due time, with the corps which had
quitted Vienna, at the Austrian main army.
After the fall of the metropolis, the Austrian troops as-
sembled at the foot of the mountain Bisam; a small corps was
sent to Presburg, and Crems was still kept occupied, the
space along the Danube, between these two towns, being de-
fended by fortifications.
On the 19th of May it was reported that the French had
taken possession of Lobau, and that their number increased
every hour, Molitor's division having passed the Danube
in boats. (Pl. III.)
there
}
On the same day the bridges from the right bank of the
Danube to Lobau, were rebuilt, and on the 20th, another
was thrown across from the island to the left bank. Opposite
Ebersdorf on the right bank of the Danube, this river divides
itself into three branches, separated by two islands; the dis-
tauce from the right bank to the nearest island (which is about
680 feet in circumference) is about 200 yards, and the space
between this island and the other, equals 300 yards nearly;
472
THE ELEMENTS OF
and here also the stream runs with the greatest force. The
larger of the islands is called Lobau, and the part of the river
which separates it from the main land on the left is about
150 yards broad.
At day-break the Archduke resolved to reconnoitre this
island, and detached on the service part of the van-guard,
under the command of Field Mareschal Klenau, supported
by some regiments of cavalry.
The isle of Lobau forms a convenient rendezvous for
troops, is about 6 English miles long and 4 broad,
and though separated by the large arms of the Danube, from
the right bank, nothing could prevent the building of the
bridges, which was concealed by a picce of ground over-grown
with bushes. The extensiveness of the island affords also the
advantage of sending troops and ordnance from so many
points at once, that the passage across the least arm to the
great plain, called the March-field, may be made good by
force of arms.
It was soon, however, perceived by the Austrians, both
from the strength of the enemy upon the island, and the dis
position of his cannon being adapted to maintain a second
passage, that he meditated a serious attack.
The division under St. Croix, supported by General Las-
salle's light cavalry, and by Molitor's and Boudet's divisions,
had passed the arm of the Danube between Lobau and the
left bank during the night.
The Austrian van-guard sustained a warm engagement late
in the evening, with the first French divisions, which filed
from the low grounds on the edge of the river; upon which,
the Archduke, whose intention was not to prevent the passage
of the enemy, but to attack him on the following day, re-
treated with his cavalry to Anderklaa, and ordered the ad-
vanced troops to fall back in masses, according as the French
should extend themselves. Napoleon, accompanied by Prince
Neufchatel, Montebello's, and Rivoli's corps, together with
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
479
the cavalry under the Duke of Istria, crossed the river early
in the morning of the 21st. At dawn the Archduke ordered
his troops under arins, and formed them in two lines, on
the rising ground behind Gerasdorf, and between Bisamberg
and the Ruschbach.
Hiller's corps composed the right wing near Hammersdorf.
On the left stood the corps of General Count Bellegarde,
and next to that, the corps of General Hohenzollern, in the
alignement of Deutsch Wagram.
Prince Rosenberg's corps, posted in columns along the Rusch-
bach, kept Deutsch Wagram strongly occupied, and had be-
sides, for the security of the left wing, beyond that village, a
division of reserve.
The whole of the cavalry, who had the day before advanced
under the command of Prince Lichtenstein by Anderklaa,
were now called back into line, and filing in two lines, occu-
pied the space intervening between Prince Hohenzollern's
left, and Prince Rosenberg's right wing.
The March-field lay in front, and was expected soon to be
the scene of great events.
The grenadiers remained as a body of reserve near Seyring,
and the corps of Prince Reuss kept Bisamberg, and the
low bushy grounds along the Danube strongly occupied,
though a part of the latter was still near Brens to watch the
enemy there. At nine o'clock the Archduke ordered the arms
to be piled, and the troops to dine.
At the same hour, it was reported, that the bridges over the
Danube appeared to be quite finished, and that troops were
filing along thein without intermission, while others were cross-
ing the river in boats, and likewise that the enemy had con-
siderably increased in force, and was endeavouring to form
a line from Aspern to Esling and Entzersdorf.
The French line was now formed, viz. the Duke of Rivoli's
corps occupied Aspern, and reached almost to Esling, and
the Duke of Montebello's corps extended from where the
474
THE ELEMENTS OF
other finished, to the village in question; the Duke of Istria's
cavalry being on the right.
The Archduke immediately thought that the moment for
giving battle was arrived, and hastened to Gerasdorf, where
the chief of his quarter-master generals staff, General Wimpfen,
sketched out the following
Plan of Attack upon the French Army on its march between
Esling and Aspern towards Hirschstetten.
The attack is to be made in five columns.
pass
The first column, or the column on the right wing, is to be
formed by the corps under General Hiller. It will advance
from its present position, in a direction between Spitz and
Leopoldau, along the nearest arm of the Danube, then
by the left bank towards Stadelau and Aspern, keeping con-
stantly near the river, or in the meadows bordering upon it,
vigorously repel the enemy, who will most likely be met on
the same route, and drive him from the left bank. This co-
lumn must not suffer its progress to be impeded by the hat-
teries, which the French may perhaps have mounted on the
islands, but rather endeavour to silence them, and at all events,
-spiritedly continue to advance.
The second column will consist of the troops commanded
by General Bellegarde, who, leaving Gerasdorf to the left, will
march towards Leopoldau, attempt to join the first columu
on the right, advance to Kagran, and then, conjointly with the
third column on the left, push forward towards Hirschstetten.
The third column will be composed of General Hohen-
zollern's corps. It has to march by Sussenbrunn to Breiten
lehe, and from thence towards Aspern, endeavouring to joiu
on the right the second column, and on the left the fourth.
The fourth column, under the orders of General Prince
Rosenberg, will be made up of that part of his corps, which
is posted on the right bank of the Ruschbach, and will advance
by Anderklaa and Raschdorf towards Esling.
X
{
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
475
The fifth column, formed by the remainder of Prince Ro-
senberg's corps, now stationed between Deutch, Wagram,
and Baumersdorf, will cross the Russbach, near the last-men-
tioned village, leave Raschdorf and Pyschdorf to the right;
make an effort to pass on the left round Enzersdorf, and
secure its left flank by the Archduke Ferdinand's regiment of
hussars.
The cavalry of reserve, under the command of General
Prince Lichtenstein, will march by the way of Anderklaa,
without coming in contact with the fourth column, between
Rashdorf and Breitenlehe, and straight to the New Inn,
keeping, however, constantly at such a distance from the
heads of the third and fourth columns, as, in case of necessity,
to be near at hand to repel the main body of the enemy's
horse.
The grenadier corps of reserve, is to march from Seiring
into the position which the corps of Bellegarde has taken up
behind Gerasdorf.
All the columns and corps will march at twelve o'clock
at noon, their second lines following at suitable distances.
Every column is to form its own advanced guard.
The order of march, and the distribution of the field-
pieces, are left to the judgment of the respective com-
manders.
The whole will march by half divisions. General Klenau
is to lead the advanced guard of the fourth and fifth co-
lumns, and before he advances, to suffer the heads of the
said columns, to come quite up to him, in order that he
may have a sufficient support of infantry within reach.
Of the corps of cavalry, the brigade under the command
of General Vecsey, is to be attached to the second columu,
and the regiment of Oreilly to the third, the former being
immediately to repair to Gerasdorf, and the latter to Sussen-
brunn.
The principal objects in view are, to drive the enemy eu-
476
THE ELEMENTS OF
tirely over the nearest arm of the Danube; to destroy the
bridges which he has erected there, and to occupy the
banks of Lobau with a numerous body, consisting chiefly
of artillery.
The Generalissimo recommends order, coolness, and a
proper use of every kind of arms during the advance.
Given, at Gerasdorf, May 21, 1809.
The 1st column consisted of 19 battalions and 22 squadrous
2d
20
16
3d
QQ
8
4th
13
8
5th
13
The corps of cavalry
grenadiers
78
16
103 battalions
138 squadrons
amounting in all to 75,000 effective men.
In respect to artillery, there were 18 batteries of brigade,
13 of position, and 11 of horse artillery, comprising in the
aggregate 280 pieces of ordnance of various kinds.
The French had, in the mean time, availed themselves ex-
tremely well of the advantages afforded by the ground to cover
their passage. The extensive villages of Esling and Aspern,
mostly composed of brick houses, and surrounded by mounds
of earth, resembled two bastions, between which, a double
row of trenches, extended to draw off the water, served as the
curtain, and gave every possible security to the columns pass-
ing from the Isle of Lobau. Esling had a granary furnished
with loop-holes, which, being three stories high, allowed room
for several hundred men; Aspern was on the other hand, pro-
vided with a strong church-yard. The left side of the latter
village borders on the Danube, and both have a safe com-
munication with the bushy grounds situated near the said
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
477
river, so that the enemy had it continually in his power to
detach fresh reinforcements secretly from that quarter.
Moreover, the isle of Lobau served at once as a place of
arms, and as a tète-de-pont in the rear, to protect the bridges
over the main arm.
The French, with the divisions under Molitor, Boudet,
Nansouty, Le Grand, Espagne, Lasalle, Ferrand, and the
Mareschals Massena, Lannes, and Bessieres, added to the guards
of Napoleon, and the Darmstadt and Baden auxiliarics, had
already left their late position, and were directing their march
towards Hirschstetten, when the first of the Austrian van-guards
began to advance. And such was the appearance of things,
that if it be at all permitted in war to indulge favourable pre-
sentiments, it was certainly excusable for the enemies of
France to do so at this momentous juncture.
Exactly at twelve, the Austrian columns began to put
themselves in motion for the impending attack. A general
enthusiasm took possession of the troops, triumphant war-
songs, accompanied by Turkish music, resounded through the
air, and were only interrupted by long and frequent acclama-
tions of Long live the Emperor! Long live the Archduke
Charles! As soon as the Imperial General, who now placed
himself at the head of the second column, appeared, every
heart beat with anxious desire and perfect confidence for the
decisive moment, while the remarkable fineness of the weather
favoured the awful scene.
The guard of the first column, under General Nordman,
consisting of two battalions of Guilay's regiment, and the
Lichtenstein hussars, formed near the demolished bridge
of Tabor, and leaving the villages of Kagran and Hirschstet-
ten to the left, and Stadlau to the right, marched through the
plain towards Aspern.
It was followed by the main body of the column, which
having left the high road before the post-house at Stammers-
dorf, marched from the right by half-divisions; the right flank
478
THE ELEMENTS OF
proceeding along the Danube, was covered by a battalion of
Georgiani's, by the first battalion of the Vienna volunteers,
and by a battalion of militia, under the command of Major
Count Colloredo.
Within cannon shot of Stadlau, the out-posts met the ene
my's picquets, who gradually fell back to their respective di-
visions.
At this time General Nordman directed two battalions to
form eu echelon, in order to favour the advance of the main
body. The French, drawn up in large divisions, stood now
directly before Aspern, having, for the benefit of covering
their front, occupied all the ditches in the fields, which afford-
ed them excellent breast-works. Their right was protected
by a battery, and their left by a broad and deep trench
(one of those cut to carry off the waters of the Danube when
it overflows), as well as by a bushy piece of ground, which was
likewise occupied by several bodies of men in close order.
Though the French had the advantage of situation entirely
to themselves, and though the freshes of the Danube were
only passable by means of a small bridge, against which a
strong fire was kept up from behind the ditches, both with
cannon and small arms, yet nothing could prevent the second
battalion of Guilay's, immediately after the first had pene-
trated as far as the bushy meadows, from passing the above
bridge in a column, forming its line without delay, and with
fixed bayonets, attacking the enemy, who precipitately re-
treated to Aspern; on which occasion, this village was, at the
close of a vigorous, but not very obstinate resistance, taken for
the first time.
It was not, however, long before the French had it in their
power, by the arrival of reinforcements, in turn to expel the
battalions under Guilay. In a short time, some of the bat-
talions of the other Austrian columus happily arrived, and
the chasseurs, under Major Schneider, of the second column,
joined the advanced-guard of the first. Guilay's men agai
formed,and the enemy was a second time pursued to the farther
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
479
end of the village, though he afterwards succeeded in regaining
what he had lost.
The combatants on each side were equally aware of the
necessity of maintaining themselves at all events in Aspern,
and this conviction successively produced the most obstinate
efforts, both of attack and defence. They engaged in the
streets, the dwellings, and the barns; carts, ploughs, and har-
rows, were obliged to be removed during an incessant fire, in
order to get at and expose the enemy, sometimes by the
Austrians, and sometimes by the French; every common wall
was an impediment to the assailants, and a rampart for the
attacked; the steeple, the trees, the very garrets, and the cel-
lars, were to be conquered before either party could assume
the title of master of the place: but possession when obtained
was ever of short duration, for no sooner had the Austrians
taken a street, or a house, than the enemy, by gaining another,
forced the former to abandon theirs, and vice-versa.
This murderous conflict lasted for seven hours; the German
battalions were supported by Hungarians, who were again
aided by the Vienna volunteers, and each rivalled the other in
courage and perseverance. At the same time, the second
column combined its attacks with those of the first, having
to overcome a like opposition, on account of the enemy's
constantly bringing fresh troops into action.
At length, General Varquant of the second column, had
the good fortune to gain the upper part of the village, and he
maintained his superiority during the whole of the night.
A number of houses had been set on fire by the shells of
both parties, and their blaze illuminated the surrounding
country.
right, wing in the
The left flank of the
The contest at the extremity of the
bushy meadows, was not less severe.
enemy was secured by an arm of the Danube; thick under-
wood intersected, only by foot-paths, covered his front, and a
broad ditch and palisades afforded him the advantage of an
intrenchment.
480
THE ELEMENTS OF
Here, at the beginning of the battle, the first batta-
lion of Guilay's, commanded by Colonel Maniassy then
the battalion of chasseurs under Major Schneider, next
St. Georgiai and Millanowich's, and finally two battalions
of the Vienna volunteers, headed by Colonels Stergentisch,
and St. Quintin, severally contended with the enemy. Here
also the enemy was defeated, and the first sanguinary day,
terminated in the occupation of Aspern by General Wa-
quant, with eight battalions of the second column, and Field
Mareschall St. Hillerd.
Hiller, having drawn up his troops for the support of the
village, placed them in order of battle, and passed with them
the night under-arms.
The advanced guard of the second column, commanded by
General Fresnel, marched forward by Leopoldau and Kagran,
towards Hirschstetten; it consisted of the battalion of chas-
seurs, and two battalions of Anton Mitrowsky's, under General
Winzingerode, as well as of Klenau's and Vincent's brigade,
led by General Vecsey, the main body of the column fol-
lowing in the same direction from its position near Geras-
dorf.
The enemy having been discovered from the heights ad-
joining Hirschtstetten to be near Aspern and Esling, Vocsey
was detached against the latter, aud Winzengrode to dislodge
the French from Aspern.
The main body of the column deployed before Hirsch-
stetten in two lines, in order to support the advanced guard,
and leaving Aspern to the right, proceeded at a proper dis-
tance in the plain.
The brigade under Winzingerode met, however, with so
spirited a resistance in its attempt on Aspern, that an attack
in front alone, did not seem likely to be attended with suc-
cess: the cavalry attached to the same guard were therefore
pushed forward on the left, to the end that they might support
an attack in flank, by two batteries of horse-artillery, as well
as facilitate the junction with the third column, which was
F
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
481
3
5
3
}
advancing to Breitenlehe. At the same time, the regiment
of Reues Plauen was ordered to the right of Aspern, with
the view of making an attack in that quarter, and the rest of
the corps were formed into columns from battalions.
In the meanwhile, the French had formed their left
wing, commanded by the Duke of Rivoli (who was now
repassing with it towards Aspern), and also their right wing
at Esling, the main army advancing in infantry and cavalry
columns, supported by a very brisk cannonade.
A body,
composed of twelve regiments of cuirassiers, formed the
centre of the second line, and gave the whole an impos-
ing appearance. During this time, the attack of a bat-
talion of the regiment of Reuss Plauen on Aspern was
repulsed, and it gave way, being thrown into confusion
by the loss of its commander, but it rallied immediately
after.
Count Bellegarde then directed General Wacquant to re-
new the attack made by the regiment of Vogelsang, and carry
the village at all hazards. The order was obeyed with the
most brilliant success, and Aspern, though defended by
12,000 of the best of the French troops, was taken by storm;
Wacquant having been supported by the regiment of Reuss
Plauen, by a battalion of the Archduke Rainer's, and by the
brigade of Maier of the third column. To frustrate this at-
tack, the French advanced with two columns of infantry, sup-
ported by heavy cavalry, against the main body, repulsed the
two regiments of Klenau's, and Vincent's light horse, and then
the infantry. The latter, awaiting them with their
firelocks ready, maintained a discharge at ten paces so effec-
tually, and with such cool intrepidity, as entirely to rout the
columns
; upon which General Vecsey at the head of Klenau's
division, attacked the cuirassiers with such energy, that their
retreat succeeded that of the foot.
fell
upon
By this action the Austrian main army was disengaged
along the whole extent of its line from the French, obtained
communication on the left with the corps under Prince Ha-
VOL. III.
I i
482
THE ELEMENTS OF
henzollern, and became possessed of the important post of
Aspern.
The French being now in full retreat, attempted for the
present no farther attack, but contented themselves with
merely keeping up a cannonade.
The Austrian corps remained during the night under arms.
The enemy afterwards repeated his efforts against Aspern,
but they all proved unsuccessful.
The third Austrian column had, according to its destina-
tion, marched from its position at Seyring by the way of
Sussenbrun to Breitenlche; some divisions of Oreilly's light
horse and the chasseurs formed its van-guard, and at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon met the left wing of the enemy, chiefly con-
sisting of cavalry, near Hirschstetten. As about this time,
the first and second columns were advancing intrepidly upon
Aspern, and the French beginning to fall back to their posi-
tion between it and Eslingen, General Hohenzollern ordered
up his batteries, and a brisk cannonade commenced on both
sides.
The first line, formed in close columns from battalions, was
advancing with the greatest resolution upon the French, when
the cavalry of the latter, commanded by Lassalle, suddenly
rushed forward in such disproportionate numbers, and with
such rapidity, that there was scarcely time to save the artillery
which had been brought up, and the battalions were left to
defend themselves by their own sole exertions.
This was the remarkable crisis at which the regiments of
Zach, Joseph Colloredo, Lettwitz and Trun, a battalion o
Steinau, and the second battalion of the Archduke Charles's
legion, under the command of Generals Brady, Bureschi,
Maier, and Koller, demonstrated, with unparalleled fortitude,
what the fixed determination to conquer or die, is capable of
effecting against even the most impetuous attack.
The French cavalry broke these battalions on both wings,
penetrated them, repulsed the squadrons of Oreilly's light
horse, and in the confidence of victory, summoned them to
E
W
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
483
lay down their arms; a well directed and destructive fire was
their answer to this degrading proposition, and their adversa-
ries ultimately abandoned the field, leaving behind them a
considerable number of slain.
The above, as well as the rest of the Austrian corps, pass-
ed the night on the field of battle. The fourth and fifth co-
lumns, both composed of Prince Rosenberg's corps, and sta-
tioned on each side of the Ruschbach, directed their march
from their respective positions to the right and left of Deutch
Wagram.
The fourth proceeded through Raschdorf direct to Esling.
Colonel Hardegg, of Schwarzenberg's Uhlans, conducted the
advanced guard. The fifth held its course towards the left in
order to make a circuit round the village of Entzersdorf, and
drive the French out of that place. It was reinforced by
Schippick's hussars, under the command of Colonel Froelich,
and General Klenau headed the van-guard. As this circuit
obliged the fifth column to describe a longer line, it was ne-
cessary for the fourth to advance somewhat more slowly.
Entzerdorf was, however, quickly taken possession of by a
detachment of Schippick's hussars and Wallack's Illyrian fron-
tier regiment, but it having been previously evacuated by the
greater part of the enemy, no more than thirty prisoners were
made. Both columns then received orders to advance upon
Esling. The fourth in close columns, consisting of the bat-
talions of Czarteritzky's, the Archduke Louis's, and Coburg's
regiments, was twice successively attacked by upwards of two
thousand of the enemy's heavy cavalry, but the latter were
each time put to flight by the brave Austrian infantry. Of
the fifth column, two battalions belonging to Chastelar's corps
advanced direct to Esling, while two battalions of Bellegarde's
were ordered to penetrate the left flank of the village and the
mall contiguous wood. Two battalions of Hiller's and
Scharry's, besides the Archduke Ferdinand's and Shippick's
ussars, and two divisions of light horse, were also in readiness
n the plain to support the whole.
Ii2
!
484
THE ELEMENTS OF
The united attacks of the above mentioned troops, were
twice regularly repeated with the utmost rapidity, and the
enemy were repulsed at all points, and driven into Esling,
which had been already set on fire. But, as the French army,
drawn up in several lines between that village and Aspern,
met each assault with fresh reinforcements, the safety of its
retreat depending on the possession of the former place, the
Austrian troops were ultimately obliged to abandon the same
on the approach of night, and to await under arms the com-
ing of the morning.
The corps of cavalry of the reserve had marched off in two
columns, under the command of Prince Lichtenstein, and
were now advancing towards the New Inn between Raschdorf
and Breitenlehe. General Count Wartensleben with Blan-
kenstein's hussars led the van-guard.
No sooner did the enemy perceive the general advance of
the Austrian army, than he placed the bulk of his cavalry,
supported by some battalions of infantry, in order of battle
between Esling and Aspern, and commenced a sharp cau-
nonade upon the columns of the Austrian horse as they ap
proached.
Prince Lichtenstein then directed his troops to march for
ward in two lines; on which, the French detached 4 or 5000
cavalry, commanded by Generals Nansouty and St. Germain,
to the right flank, by the way of Esling; a movement which
excited some apprehension in the Austrians, that the progress
of the fourth column would be impeded, or the troops which
composed it thrown into confusion.
The Prince therefore ordered four regiments to the left,
and kept the second column formed in two lines, till he was
convinced the fourth would not meet with any obstruction on
its march.
During this movement, the remainder of the enemy's
cavalry also advanced, and were received with a degree of
firmness which they probably did not expect. The intrepidity
of the Austrian cavalry, which had by this time come up,
and
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
485
particularly of the soldiers of Maurice Lichtenstein's regi-
ment, and the Archduke Ferdinand's cuirassiers, headed by
their gallant Colonel Roussel, frustrated the reiterated assault
of the French by counter attacks, put at length a stop to
their impetuous charge, and completely repulsed them with a
prodigious loss.
In this conflict, the French General of division, Durosnel,
was taken prisoner a few paces from Napoleon, as was also
General Fouler after having been slightly wounded.
Notwithstanding the rapid discharge of musquetry which
immediately ensued, the Prince ordered a general advance,
by 'which the enemy was straitened in the alignement between
Esling and Aspern; but on account of the flanking fire kept
up from Esling, he could not be pursued any farther. The
fire of his great guns was, however, returned with vigour by
the Austrian horse artillery.
About seven in the evening, 3000 French dragoons were
again detached towards the point of junction between the
cavalry of the corps of reserve and Prince Hohenzollern's
left wing, and fell en masse upon Generals Kroyher's, Klary's,
and Siegenthal's brigades of cuirassiers; but by the steady
bravery of Blankenstein's and Reusch's regiments, which, with
the utmost gallantry made a sudden attack on the French
flauks, the troops of the latter were again repulsed, and part
of them, who had fallen on some of the regiments of the new
levies, placed in the third line, were cut off and taken.
Meanwhile night came on, and it was passed by the Prince
in the best state of preparation on the ground which he had
gained from the enemy.
For the first time in Germany, Napoleon had now sustain-
ed a defeat from this moment, he was reduced to a level
with many other brave and successful generals, who, like
himself, have, after a long series of glorious achievements,
experienced the vicissitudes of fate; the charm of his invinci-
bility is dissolved. No longer the spoiled child of fortune, he
will be characterized by posterity, as the sport of the fickle
486
THE ELEMENTS OF
goddess, while new hopes arise to animate the oppressed
nations.
To the Austrian army the 21st of May was a grand and
glorious day, the remembrance of which must ever inspire it
with a consciousness of its own strength, and a reliance on its
own energies.
Overwhelmed by its irresistible infantry, its proud oppo-
nents were extended in the dust, the presence of whose hitherto
unconquered Emperor was no longer capable of snatching
from the heroes of Austria the laurels which they had
acquired.
Napoleon's glory was obviously at stake, and new efforts
were the more to be expected on the following day, as he was
obliged to fight for the existence of some of his troops.
By the aid of fire-ships, the Archduke had caused the
enemy's bridge across to Lobau to be broken down, and its
repair took up several hours.
Napoleon had, in the evening, been joined by the corps.
under General Oudinot; all the disposable troops which could
be drawn from Vienna, and the Upper Danube, followed,
and were transported over the river in vessels, as fast as they
arrived.
The Archduke had, on his part, ordered the grenadier
corps, which had not had any share in the first engagement,
to advance from its position near Gerasdorf, to Breitenlebe;
and one short night was scarcely sufficient to complete the
respective preparations for the commencement of the second
tragedy.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
487
BATTLE OF THE 22d OF MAY.
$
CORPS UNDER FIELD MARESCHAL HILLER.
With the morning's dawn the enemy renewed his attacks,
which far surpassed in impetuosity those of the preceding
day it was a conflict of mutual valour and exasperation.
Scarcely had the French guards compelled General Wacquant
to abandon Aspern, when Klenau's regiment again pene-
trated into the burning village, drove back the choicest troops
of the enemy, and engaged in a new contest in the midst of
the conflagration, till, at the expiration of an hour, it was
also obliged to give way. The regiment of Benyowsky now
rushed in, and, at the first onset, gained possession of the
church-yard, the walls of which Field Mareschal Hiller imme-
diately ordered the first division of pioneers to demolish, di-
recting the church, together with the parsonage, to be burned
down at the same time. Thus was the above mentioned regi-
ment, supported by some battalions under General Bianchi,
at length enabled to maintain itself at the entrance of the vil-
lage, after overcoming a spirit of animosity in its opponents
which bordered on despair, and having been engaged with the
flower of the French army.
Neither could the enemy produce any farther effect on the
bushy meadow, after Hiller had ordered the force there to
be augmented by two battalions of Anton Mitrowsky's, and a
battery; on which the hunters (or chasseurs) of St. George's,
and two battalions of the Vienna volunteers, drove the French
from their advantageous position, which they never afterwards
attempted to recover.
About this time, the left wing of the corps in question
was placed in security by three batteries, sent by its com-
488
THE ELEMENTS OF
mander to sustain the general of cavalry Count Bellegarde;
in consequence of which, the latter was enabled to main-
tain his ground against the most desperate attacks of the
enemy. Field Mareschal Hiller kept his position on the left
flank of the French, and the fortune of the day was decidedly
in that quarter. The corps was then formed in two lines,
and in this manner awaited the approaching issue of the event-
ful contest.
CORPS UNDER COUNT BELLEGARDE.
Bellegarde having received information from General Wac-
quant, that the French were assembling a force before Aspern
in the bushy meadows, and had apparently in view an assault
upon that point, was about to throw a battalion of Argen-
tau's into the said village, when the enemy, in heavy columns
of infantry and cavalry, supported by a numerous artillery,
began to advance upon the centre of the Count's corps
posted in the plain.
The troops occupying Aspern, exhausted by the incessant
fire kept up during the night, were now unable to withstand
the renewed attacks made upon them, their ammunition of all
kinds began to fail, and General Wacquant, finding it neces-
sary to give way, retreated in good order to the church-
yard.
This post gained at so dear a rate, was thus taken from
Wacquant, after several attacks sustained in conjunction
with Field Mareschal Hiller. The mastership of Aspern was
nevertheless, still left undetermined, and the village was often
alternately carried and lost, till at length, the superiority of
the Austrian fire obliged the French to quit the houses; and
a decisive attack, executed by Hiller's corps, prevented all
farther efforts against the place, on the part of the enemy.
From the moment of the retaking of Aspern, it became
possible to oppose offensive movements to the French who were
advancing upon the centre of the corps, and to annoy their left
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
489
flank and communication. The farther defence of this village
was therefore left entirely to Hiller's corps, and Count Belle-
garde, while he appuied his right wing on Aspern, formed
his left and centre, in such a manner, that by degrees he
gained the right flank of the French, and compelled them to
retreat in that quarter, and the entire force of his artillery being
brought to bear at the same time upon their left wing, which
commanded the whole space from Aspern to Esling, occa-
sioned them there also a most complete defeat.
1
CORPS UNDER GENERAL HOHENZOLLERN.
The break of day was likewise to Hohenzollern's corps
the signal for the renewal of the gigantic conflict. The ene-
my's infantry were drawn up in large divisions, and between
these, the whole of the heavy cavalry stood formed in
masses.
General Prince Lichtenstein, on observing this order of
battle, was soon aware of the necessity of maintaining an
open communication with the infantry stationed nearest to
him, and therefore placed his right wing in échiquer di-
rectly behind the infantry composing Hohenzollern's corps,
posting his left, together with the reserve, farther to the rear.
A prodigious number of artillery covered the front of the
enemy, who seemed determined, as it were, to annihilate the
Austrian corps by the deadly effect of his ordnance alone.
Upwards of 200 cannon were engaged on both sides, and
the oldest soldier in the service never recollected to have wit-
nessed so tremendous a fire.
Every effort to shake the intrepidity of the Austrian troops
was, however, ineffectual. Napoleon rode through his ranks,
and according to the report of the prisoners, made the army
acquainted with the destruction of the bridges; but added,
that he himself had ordered them to be broken down, and
that there was no alternative but victory or death.
490
THE ELEMENTS OF
Soon after, the whole of the enemy's line put itself in mo-
tion, and the cavalry made a grand attack on the point of
communication, between the corps under Prince Lichtenstein
and General Hohenzollern's left wing. The engagement then
became general, but d'Aspre's, Rohan's, Joseph Colloredo's,
and Stain's regiments, repelled all the attacks of the French,
The generals were every where at the head of their troops,
and inspired them with courage and perseverance. The
Archduke himself seized the colours of one battalion, and the
commanders of such as had already begun to give way, fol
lowed with enthusiasm his heroic example. Most of the
officers who surrounded him were wounded; his Adjutant-ge
neral Count Colleredo received among the rest, a ball in his
head, the consequences of which, it was at first thought,
would be dangerous; a squeeze of the hand signified to him
the concern of his sympathizing chief, who, himself full of
contempt for death, bent his mind only on glory, and his
country.
The French were beaten at all points, and, struck with the
undaunted resolution which opposed them, compelled to
abandon the field.
About this time, General Hohenzollern observed on his
left wing, near Esling, an interval, which had been formed
during the heat of the engagement, and which afforded an
advantageous point of attack. Frolich's regiment was there-
fore ordered thither in three bodies, and it repulsed four re-
giments of the enemy's cavalry, though supported by in-
fantry and artillery.
The main corps remained in the position it had before
taken, till the grenadiers of reserve, whom the Archduke had
commanded to advance from Breitenlehe, arrived to relieve
the battalions, worn out with the sanguinary conflict, and con-
tinued the attack on the centre of the enemy's position.
Lieutenant General d'Aspres, with the four battalions of
grenadiers of Prizezinsky's, Puteay's, Scavaux's, and Scharlach,
T
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
491
i
marched up, without firing a shot, to the enemy's cannon; but
here he was flanked by such a destructive discharge from Es-
ling, that nothing but the presence of the Archduke, who
hastened to the spot, could have induced his soldiers to main-
tain their ground. Captain Count Dombasle had already
reached the enemy's battery, when he was wounded by two
balls, and quitted the field.
At noon, the Archduke ordered a new assault to be made
upon Esling, which was immediately undertaken by Lieutenant
General d'Aspre, with the grenadier battalions of Kisrchen-
reuter's, and Scaveux's on the left, and Scharlach's and
George's in front.
Five times did these gallant troops rush up to the very walls
of the houses, burning within, and placed in a state of defence.
Some of the men, in the heat of the action, thrust their bay-
onets into the enemy's loop-holes, but all their efforts were
fruitless, for their antagonists fought with the greatest despera-
tion.
The Archduke then ordered the grenadiers to occupy
their former position, and when they afterwards volunteered to
repeat the assault, he would not permit them to advance.
The enemy was at this time in full retreat.
CORPS UNDER FIELD MARESCHAL PRINCE ROŠENBURG.
The two divisions of this corps, which, in advancing to
the engagement, had composed the fourth and fifth columns,
were formed before the morning twilight for a new attack, for
which the French on their part also made preparation, with
a manifest superiority in numbers.
Prince Rosenberg resolved to assault the village of Esling
with the Archduke Charles's regiment of infantry, to push for-
ward the other troops in battalion, and in particular to in-
tercept those corps of the enemy, which were advancing on
the open country, between Esling and the nearest arm of the
Danube.
498
THE ELEMENTS OF
1
The village was soon gained, and the battalions continually
coming up on the left obliged the enemy several times to
give way. A most violent cannonade was maintained on
both sides, and borne by the troops with the greatest forti-
tude.
Favoured by a fog, which suddenly rose, the enemy's
heavy cavalry once ventured to attack on all sides the corps
formed by Scharry's and Hiller's regiments of infantry. These
brave fellows, however, received the charge with fixed bayonets,
and at last directed their fire with such effect, that the Freuch
were compelled to fly with considerable loss.
Five times was the attack on the two last-mentioned regi
ments repeated, and as often were the assailants repelled with
equal courage and resolution. The cavalry attached to the
same corps contributed all in their power to the pursuit of the
enemy, and the support of the infantry.
Coburg's, the Archduke Louis's and Czartorisky's regi
ments, belonging to the division under General Dedowich,
stationed on the right, renewed the exertions of the preceding
day with the same distinction, and the same success; so that,
after the severe contest which has been just described, the
enemy seemed to have no inclination to risk any fresh disaster,
and confined himself to the operations of his superior artil-
lery.
About eleven A. M. Prince Rosenberg received orders
from the Generalisimo, to make another attempt upon Esling,
and a message to the like effect was sent to General Dedo-
wich, who commanded, as before said, the right division of
this corps.
Prince Rosenberg immediately formed two columns of
attack, under the conduct of Generals Prince Hohenlohe and
Prince Rohan, while General Dedowich advanced against
what might be termed the citadel of Esling, being a magazine
surrounded with walls and ditches.
The attack was made with redoubled bravery, and the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
493
Austrian troops pushed with irresistible impetuosity into the
village. Still, however, they found it impossible to maintain
this post, into which the French were continually throwing
reinforcements, and which the latter defended with an
immense sacrifice of lives, but which was likewise of the ut-
most consequence to the Austrians, for obstructing the retreat
of the enemy; an event which he had already determined upon.
new
Prince Rosenberg therefore resolved to content himself
with an obstinate maintenance of his own position, to secure
the left flank of the army, and to increase the embarrassment
of the enemy by an incessant fire from all the batteries.
In the night between the 22d and 23d, the French accom²
plished their retreat to Lobau, and by three in the morning,
their rear-guard had evacuated Esling, and all the positions they
had occupied on the left bank of the Danube. Some of the
Austrian divisions closely pursued the flying enemy, and took
possession of the nccessary posts of observation, as near to
him as possible.
Thus terminated a battle of two days duration, which will
always be memoriable in the annals of Europe, and in the
history of war. It was the most obstinate which had occurred
since the commencement of the French revolution. It was
decisive for the glory of the Austrian arms, for the ·preser-
vasion of the Empire, and for the correction of public opi-
pion.
The Austrian infantry entered, in consequence of this ac-
tion, upon a new and brilliant career, and, by the firm con-
fidence which they manifested in their own energies, paved
the
way
to future victories. The enemy's cavalry, on the con-
trary, beheld their boasted, but hitherto untried fame, dissi-
pated by the masses of the Austrian battalions, whose cool in-
trepidity the former were unable to withstand. Cavalry, ar-
tillery, and infantry, surpassed themselves in valour, and in
the space of eight and forty hours, performed achievements
sufficient for a whole campaign.
494
THE ELEMENTS OF
Three pieces of ordnance, seven ammunition waggons,
17,000 French muskets, and about 3000 cuirasses fell into
the hands of the conquerors. The loss on both sides was
very great; and this circumstance, added to there being very
few prisoners taken by either party, proves that the determi
nation of the combatants was to vanquish or to die.
The Austrian army had to lament the deaths of 87 superior
officers, and 4199 subalterns, rank and file, &c.
Generals Prince Rohan, Dedowich, Weber, Fresnel, Win-
zingerode, Guilay, Neustaedter, Sussenthal, Colloredo, May,
Hohenfeld, and Buresch, 663 officers and privates were wound-
ed, Field Mareschal Weber, eight officers and 829 men, were
taken prisoners by the enemy.
The loss sustained by the French was prodigious, and ex-
ceeded all expectation. Generals Lannes, d'Espagna, St. Ili-
liares and Albuquerque, were killed; Marsena, Bessieres,
Molitor, Boudet, Le Grand, Lassalle, and the two Lagranges,
were wounded; and Durosnel and Fouler were taken pri
Upwards of 7000 men, and an immense number of
horses, were buried in the field of battle: 5,000 Frenchmen
lay wounded in the Austrian hospital; in Vienna and the sub-
urbs, there were little short of 29,773, in the same state; and
many were carried to St. Polten, and even as far as Lintz:
2300 soldiers were made prisoners.
soners.
Several thousand corps floated down the Danube, and were,
for a long time, daily thrown upon its shores; many met their
end on the island of Lobau, and after the fall of the water
in the smaller arms of the river, innumerable bodies, sup-
posed to have been consigned by their comrades to everlasting
oblivion became visible. The burying of the sufferers conti
nued for several days, while a pestilential air was wafted
from the theatre of war.
All the troops at Aspern were declared by the Archduke
Charles to be worthy of public gratitude; but, in particular,
General Wimpfen and Colonel Smola.
*
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
495
A list of the officers who had chiefly distinguished them-
selves was also published: it included ten generals and
lieutenant-generals, 18 major-generals, 28 colonels and lieu-
tenant-colonels, 12 majors, 30 captains, and 45 inferior offi-
cers. General Klenau, Lieutenant-General d'Aspre, Colo-
nels Trap and Hardegg, Lieutenant-Colonels Lutz and Ris-
singen, Majors Schiebler, Poteany, Korchen, Liebter, and
Winnawsky, and Lieutenants Laghette, Mantze, and Re-
wuzky, were particularly made mention of, besides many non-
commissioned officers and privates, whose names deserve to
be always mentioned with respect, and preserved to posterity,
in honour of their conspicuous and noble conduct in this
grand affair.
3
While such were the occurrences taking place on the banks
of the Danube, the Archduke John still continued to retreat.
After the passage of the Tagliamento, and the battle of St.
Daniel, so fruitful with advantages to the French, the Aus-
trian rear-guard, which had been constantly pursued sword in
hand, was overtaken at Venzone by the enemy's van-guard,
under the orders of General Dessaix. The former made a
shew of resistance, but were soon defeated, and lost about
120 prisoners, among whom there were two field-officers :
General Colloredo, who commanded it, was likewise wound-
ed in the thigh by a musket ball. The loss on the side of the
French, consisted of about 180 men killed and wounded.
The Austrians burned all the bridges across the Tellas; but
this obstacle was surmounted by the enemy, The former had
also entrenched themselves near the fort of Malberghetto, and
on Mount Predel. These positions were, however, turned;
the first under the fire of the fort, though without losing a
single man, and the last, through the vallies Reovolana and
Dagna. The troops appointed to oppose the above move-
ments, met the French at Tarois, which they carried on the
first attack.
The fort of Malborghetto was cannonaded on the 17th,
496
THE ELEMENTS OF
from five in the morning till half past nine. The assault was
then ordered, and, in half an hour after, all the block-houses
and palisade works were attacked and carried at once, and
the Austrians driven with great slaughter to their last in-
trenchment.
The Austrians lost on this occasion about 400 men in
killed, wounded, and prisoners, four pieces of ordnance, and
some of their magazines.
The French lost nearly an equal number in killed and
wounded.
Immediately after the reduction of the fort of Malborghetto,
the Viceroy marched against Tarois, where a new victory
crowned the work of the day, as the Austrians retreated ac
cording to their instructions.
They next posted themselves on the farther side of a narrow
and deep valley, through which the Schlitza flows, occupying
with five regiments of the line, and several battalions of croats,
a double line of redoubts raised one above the other, and pro-
vided with 28 pieces of ordnance, the cavalry being in the
rear. The corps in question were commanded by Generals
Guila and Frimont.
The French van-guard, supported by the brigades under
Abbe and Valentino, attacked the Austrians in front, while
Fontanelle's division assailed them on the left. This division,
though it had not yet received its artillery, was not restrained
by the fire of the Austrian batteries, which it only answered
by sounding a charge, and overthrowing with the bayonet all
what opposed it. The Austrians were soon forced to retire,
and were pursued by the enemy's van-guard.
They left on the field of battle a vast number of killed,
and 400 prisoners, and seven cannon were taken from them.
The French lost, on the other hand, about 960 men.
The French artillery, together with Serras's division, were
detained by the fort of Pridel. The Viceroy in consequence,
ordered General Grenier to advance with thee battalions, and

THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
407
two pieces of ordnance, into the valley of Raebell, to at-
tack the fort in the rear, while General Serras who had been
informed of this movement, assaulted it in front.
In à quarter of an hour, the fort was taken, and all the
Austrians who were found within the palisadoes put to the
sword. About 150 men were killed, and eight cannons taken
in the fort. The French lost in all about 800 men.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st, the army from Farers arrived
at Villach, Klagenfarth, and St. Veit.
On the 22d, 23d, and 24th, it entered Freisach; Unz-
markt, and Knittilfeld.
The right wing of the French, commanded by General
Macdonald, and consisting of the divisions under Broussier
and La Marque, and Pully's dragoons, had been ordered to
direct its operations against Gorlitz. It accordingly passed the
Izonzo on the 14th, and, on the following day, took a posi-
tion beyond Gorlitz, after finding in that place 11 cannons, two
mortars, and several artillery-carriages.
On the 17th, the division under Broussier forced the Aus
trians near Predwald to retire precipitately towards Laybach,
and the latter being thus every where compelled to fall back,
were followed by La Marque, who had come up by the way of
Padvel and Poderay. The French took at this time about
200 prisoners, among whom there were one colonel, and
nine officers of less rank.
On the 18th, General Schildt entered Trieste, and made
some prisoners.
On the 20th, General Broussier summoried the fort of
Predwald, which having capitulated, 700 men laid down
their arms, and 18 cannons were taken.
On the 21st, the forts of Laybach were reconnoitred, and
chsely invested. General Macdonald appointed General La
Marque to attack that on the left, and General Broussier
that on the right. The cavalry were stationed in such a man-
her as to cut off the retreat of the Austrian rear-guard. In the
evening of the same day, these forts, which had cost enormous
VOL. III.
Kk
498
THE ELEMENTS OF
sums to Austria, offered to surrender, and Generals Guilay
and Zach, on perceiving the disposition of attack made by the
enemy, retired with the rear-guard.
One general, one colonel, three majors, 60 inferior officers,
and 2000 men delivered themselves up to the enemy, and 60
pieces of artillery were found in the forts.
When the army of Italy reached Knittelfeld, the Viceroy
was informed that the remains of General Jelliach's corps
was near at hand, on their way to Leobin, having been joined
at Rotenmanna by various battalions from the interior, and
forming in all, a body of from 7 to 8000 men. Serras's
division was, in consequence of this intelligence, ordered to
proceed by forced marches, to the end that it might arrive at
the cross roads, before the Austrians. On the 25th, at nine
in the morning, the van-guard came accordingly up with them,
as they were debouching by the road to Mantua.
The Austrians immediately took up a very favourable posi-
tion at St. Michael's, having their right wing defended by steep
mountains, and their left on the Meir, while their centre oc-
cupied an elevated plain of difficult access. General Serras
charged himself with the attack in front, at the head of one
brigade of his own division, and another of Duruttle's, com-
manded by General Valentine. The French had in the rear
of their line, the 8th and 9th regiments of chasseurs, under
Colonels Friere and De La Croix, aides-de-camp of the di
vision. About two o'clock the attack commenced along the
whole line: the Austrians were immediately defeated at all
points, the plain was carried, and the flight of the cavalry
completed the rout.
The Austrians lost about 1000 men, and the rest fled.
The loss on the side of the victors was nearly equal.
On the 26th, the French army arrived at Brieck, where the
Viceroy issued a proclamation, highly recommendatory of the
conduct of his troops.
The French grand army again retreated, after the battle of
Aspern and Esling, to the other side of the Danube.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
499
The Archduke received, at this time, a letter from the
Emperor of Austria, professing his gratitude and thanks, and
similar notification was made by the former to the
2
army.
The bridges constructed across the Danube by the French,
were all carried away in the night between the 26th and 27th.
They still, however, continued to be very busy in erecting
large and strong fortifications on the island of Lobau, and
particularly in strengthening a tête-de-pont.
On the 27th, the army of the Viceroy made good its junc-
tion with the corps under General Lauriston, and thus all the
Eastern and Southern provinces of Austria, Tyrol excepted,
were subdued.
One of the bridges over the Danube was rebuilt on the
29th, and, by the 1st of June, the whole were in a service-
able state.
On the same day, General Lauriston arrived at Altenburg,
the first county-town in Hungary. Lassalle, who was then at
Presburg, pushed forward his out-posts to Altenburg and
Raab.
General Macdonald had now also entered Gratz, which
the Archduke John left on the 27th of May.
The Duke of Dantzic was at Lintz on the 1st of June;
Prince Ponto Corvo was approaching Vienna; and General
Vandamme lay at St. Polten, and his troops in Mautern and
Crems. The head-quarters of Napoleon still remained at
Ebersdorf, on the right bank of the Danube.
The Austrians had formed an intrenched camp at Engorau,
near Presburg, and this was attacked, on the 2d, by Mares-
chal Augereau, who, however, after a short onset, and having
taken about 50 prisoners, thought proper to retreat.
The French head-quarters were, on the 6th, removed
back to Vienna.
Since the battle of Aspern, nothing of importance had oc-
curred in the Austrian army, which still held its position be-
tween Bisamberg and Ober Siebenbrun, and its out-posts ex-
Kk 2
500
THE ELEMENTS OF
tending from Lintz to Presburg, stood partly on the banks of
the Danube, and partly on its islands. The head-quarters
were at Wolkersdorf.
The Austrians, in the mean time, crossed the river
near Crems, and the French bombarded both that place and
Stein.
Opposite to Presburg, on the right side of the Danube, the
Austrians threw up a tête-de-pont, which was three times at-
tacked by Mareschal Davoust, but without success.
In a few days 10,000 men of the Hungarian levy were ex-
pected at Presburg, where the Archduke John had already
arrived.
The Archduke Ferdinand had suddenly evacuated Warsaw
on the 2d.
A Russian army entered Gallicia about this time, but did
not proceed any farther.
Captain Meininger of the Archduke Francis's cuirassiers,
crossed the Danube on the 6th, and dispersed a detachment of
Saxon dragoons, engaged with another of the enemy's corps,
and took this and one officer prisoners.
An attack made by the French on the tête-de-pont near
Presburg was also repulsed this day.
The Tyrolese again obtained, during the above period,
great advantages over the Bavarians, and retook Inspruck.
The French having lost many effective men by the disorders
which took place in the vicinity of the army, Prince Neul
chatel gave strict command that no detachment should be sent
out, unless headed by a captain, and that all who did not im
mediately join their corps should, if in health, be severely
punished.
Napoleon was now at Schoenbrunn.
Some Austrian detachments advanced to Bamberg, and even
as far as Wurzburg, in order to raise contributions, but they
were soon driven back again by a French force under Ge
meral Rivaud.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
501
*
The Austrian army, which yet remained in Saxony, amount-
ed to about 60,000 men, and was commanded by General
Klenau.
On the 15th, the corps under the command of the Arch-
duke John, composed of about 20,000 troops of the line, and
6000 of the Hungarian levy, was vigorously attacked by the
French in the environs of Raab. The Austrians fought
the entire day with the greatest success, and the enemy suf-
fered a less of about 2,000 men in killed and wounded.
The left wing, consisting of the soldiers of the levy, was,
however, thrown back, and the whole Austrian army was in
consequence compelled ultimately to retreat to Romend,
with the loss of nearly 3000 men in killed, wounded, and pri-
soners.
The French then invested Raab, but were soon forced to
retire; on which occasion the Austrians took several prisoners,
especially of the wounded, among whom was General
Launay.
Raab was afterwards invested a second time, previous to
its capitulating on the 22d, when the garrison was allowed to
retire to Crems, but not to serve again till exchanged.
Presburg was bombarded by the enemy on the 13th, but
the bombardment ended the same day without any farther at-
tack being attempted. Mareschal Davoust's head-quarters
were then at Wolfstahl.
The Archduke Charles removed his head-quarters to Deutch
Wagram.
The Saxon troops had left Dresden on the 10th, and re-
treated to Wilsdruff. Next night they attacked Freyburg, but
were repulsed by the Duke of Brunswick's corps, stationed
in that town.
An engagement took place near Gractz, on the 26th, be-
tween the French corps commanded by General Broussier,
and the Austrians under General Guilay. About 200 men
were lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, on each side.
1
1
502
THE ELEMENTS OF
On the 21st, General Gudin had attacked and taken
session of one of the islands near Presburg.
pos-
The governor of Vienna published a proclamation, dated
the 27th, commanding every person who knew where any
Austrian prisoner was concealed, to declare it.
The King of Saxony had also, by a like instrument pub-
lished at Frankfort on the 18th, summoned the Poles to rise
en masse to oppose the Austrians. So that, by this and simi-
lar means, every effort was tried to complete and strengthen
the French army as much as possible.
A large bridge of 60 arches, and sufficiently capacious for
three carriages to pass abreast, was first built over the Danube
to Lobau; another, eight feet broad, was afterwards construct-
ed; aud lastly, a bridge of boats was thrown across.
All these bridges were secured by large têtes-de-pont, in
front of which, General Le Grand's division was stationed in
the woods.
The forts and intrenchments, which had been partly raised
before the battle of Entzersdorf, on this island, were en-
larged, and increased in number every day. Works of the
strongest kind were erected, and all the means which forti-
fication affords, adopted, to render it a complete place of
arms, only approachable by trenches. Guns of the largest
calibre were mounted, and the ramparts not only furnished
with 18 and 24, but even with 30 and 60 pounders, and
10-inch mortars.
Strong posts were rammed down to defend the bridges which
preserved the communication of the islands towards the right
bank, but, as these were destroyed either by accident or by
design, an armed flotilla was appointed to cruise between the
islands, in order to protect the various mediums of intercourse
established in that quarter.
The works mentioned above, which were at last become
perceptible to the Austrian army, and the remarks and pub-
fications which had been made respecting them in the news-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
508
pre
papers, rendered it more probable than ever, that the
sumption formed from the character of the French com-
mander was on the point of being fulfilled, it having been
always suspected, that Napoleon would choose the March-
Field as the scene of a most important battle. It was also
naturally supposed, that the force of the French would not
be of an ordinary nature in this second undertaking, at a
place where they had already experienced the skill and bravery
of their valiant opposers. The Archduke resolved, there-
fore, to surround the villages of Aspern and Esling with field-
fortifications, as being points most favourable to oppose the
passage of the river.
A partial crossing took place soon after on the part of the
Austrians, for the purpose of obstructing a principal plan of
the enemy's operations, until such time as the army of the
former should be in a complete state to co-operate from its
retired and unfortified position near Baumerdorf and Mark-
grafen Neusiedel, and to endeavour to force that of the latter
to act.
At the end of June, the information received by the Aus-
trians shewed that the enemy had concentrated all his forces
near Kaisers Ebersdorf, and that he was ready to defile along
the bridges of Lobau, with from 140 to 160,000 men. All
doubts as to the object of his operations were dispersed by
this intelligence, and every one hastened to make the neces
sary preparations to give him a warm reception.
It was resolved to send the advanced troops above mentioned
towards Maas, as they had been obliged to retire before
a far superior force belonging to the enemy, and place them-
selves near the position of the main army, on the heights of
Stammersdorf and Margrafen Neusiedel, behind the Rusch-
bach, where they had it, however, in view to act with the
most vigorous effect, against the communication of the right
wing of the French,
The Austrian left wing standing in danger of being sur-
rounded, the Archduke John received at the same time im-
7
504
THE ELEMENTS OF
}
mediate instructions to act in concert with it, and join the
army at Marcheck, with his corps then in Presburg.
The bearer of this order left head-quarters in the afternoon
of the Sd of July, and arrived at 5 o'clock on the 4th at Pres-
burg, where he directly delivered his dispatches to the Arch-
duke and it appeared that no probable obstruction existed
to the junction of his corps with the army during the battle,
which was expected to commence early next morning.
According to the plan agreed upon, the van-guard under
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Nordman, and the 6th corps, of
the army commanded by Field Mareschal Lieutenant Count
Klenau, (in place of Field Mareschal Hiller, then sick,) were
appointed to occupy the intrenchments and fortifications near
the Danube, and to reinforce the cavalry of reserve, posted
in the plain of Breitenlehe.
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Nordman extended his left
from Mullleuten to the right of Entzersdorf, and the 6th
corps had, on the other hand, its right wing posted from that
point to the village near Spitz. Both corps were under orden
to retire, as soon as they should be hard pressed in their po
sition by the enemy.
At a quarter after 9 o'clock at night, the French opened a
most tremendous and dreadful fire, from Lobau and the
neighbouring islands, on the Austrian advanced posts, and
harassed them with grape shot, and shells of every descrip-
tion, by which means Entzersdorf was eventually set i
flames. It being impossible for the Austrians to return this
discharge with cqual effect by their field-pieces, the enemy,
favoured by a heavy fall of rain, and a severe storm, was for-
tunate enough to be enabled to cross the small arm of the
Danube, between Lobau and the left bank, and likewise, in
a very short time, to complete four bridges, for the erection
of which, every thing had, however, been prepared five
weeks before.
The following is a detail of the proceedings of the Frendl;
army, from the 2d, till 6 o'clock in the morning of the 5th.
1.
:
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
505
On the 2d, one of the Duke of Rivoli's aides-de camp
passed over with 500 voltigeurs to the island mill, which
was joined to the land by a small bridge, protected by a téte-
de-pont.
From this day, nothing particular occurred till the 4th,
when, at ten at night, General Oudinot caused 1,500 volti-
geurs, commanded by General Conroux, to be embarked on
Colonel Basto convoyed
the great arm of the Danube.
them with two gun-boats, and they were landed beyond the
lesser arm, formed by the island of Lobau. The Austrian
batteries were in consequence soon silenced, and the troops
driven back from the woods adjoining Muhlleuten.
Dessales, chief of battalion, director of bridges, and en-
gineer of the French marine, had constructed in the island
Alexandre, a bridge of 80 toises, composed of a single piece
and five great ferry boats. This bridge, the first of the kind
that was ever made, was now fixed in less than five minutes,
and the infantry passed over it with considerable rapidity.
Colonel St. Croix, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Rivoli,
embarked in barges, with 2,500 men, and landed on the left
bank.
Captain Bachelle formed a bridge of boats in an hour and
a half, and Captain Pagerinolle formed another of floats or
trees in two hours. By two o'clock in the morning, the enc-
my possessed four bridges, and his main army had disem-
barked 1,500 toises below Ebersdorf, protected by his bat-
teries and right wing, and was proceeding to Wittau.
The corps under the Duke of Rivoli composed the left
wing, Count Oudinot's the centre, and the Duke of Auers-
tadt's the right wing; the corps commanded by the Prince
of Ponto Corvo, the Viceroy, and the Duke of Ragusa, to-
gether with the guards, and the cuirassiers, formed the second
line and body of reserve.
The French pressed the Austrian van-guard, posted on
the Schutterwiese, and on the Haselgrund, (a piece of ground
so called) with their whole force, so that the latter were
506
THE ELEMENTS OF
compelled to retire, and the former in consequence occupied
Muhlleuten, from whence their troops stretched towards
Wittau.
The fortifications between Entzersdorf and Aspern
were, however, still defended by the Austrians.
On the 5th, at day-break, three bodies of hostile cavalry,
and as many of infantry, were seen defiling near
Wittau,
and behind these, a very strong column, composed of troops
of every description.
By six o'clock, the enemy had surrounded and taken the
whole of the Austrian fortifications between Entzersdorf
and Aspern, and the soldiers who garrisoned them were
almost all either wounded or killed.
Entzersdorf, notwithstanding, continued to be most valiantly
defended by one battalion, and two assaults made upon it
were repulsed.
The battalion had, however, spent all its ammunition,
and was hence in need of relief. The enemy profited by this
circumstance, and advanced with so little fear, that he entered
the town at the same time that the Austrian succours ar
rived.
Till 9 o'clock, the French only endeavoured to cover their
deployment by forming lines, the head of the column by
which this should have been effected having already passed
Rutzendorf, when its rear was behind Muhlleuten. The co-
lumn in question advanced by Pysdorf to Raschdorf, where it
arrived at noon, and commenced a fierce contest with the
Austrian cavalry of reserve. At this time another French re-
inforcement appeared between Esling and Entzersdorf, and
marched in a direction towards Breitenlehe. The Austrian
advanced troops retrograded on the position of the main army.
This movement was accomplished in the most perfect manner,
under cover of the cavalry, who, though flanked by those of the
enemy, retired afterwards en échiquier in good order.
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Nordman fell back, fighting
with the part of the van-guard under his command, and some
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
507
7
of the cavalry of reserve, to the left of Markgrafen Neusiedel
Field Mareschal Klenau had arrived with the 6th corps of the
army at eight o'clock, on the heights of Stammersdorf.
At four in the afternoon, the French columns arrived in
the neighbourhood of Raschsdorf, and their daring purpose
being to break through the centre of the Austrians, behind
the Ruschbach near Deutch Wagram, they advanced by the
of Anderklaa and Groshofen, and occupied both places,
after having forced back the hunters and riflemen from Glint-
zendorf, and sent strong detachments of horse to Markgrafen
Neusiedel, and Ober Siebenbrunn.
way
The corps under Prince Rosenberg, Prince Hohenzollern,
and Count Bellegarde, which occupied the heights between
Markgrafen Neusiedel, and Deutsch Wagram, came now
into action; and returned the enemy's fire from the batteries
of their position.
The French now directed their force with the utmost vi-
gour against the Austrian position behind the Ruschbach.
Forty pieces of ordnance opened upon Baunimersdorf, and
set it on fire, while both parties fought amidst the flames
for its possession; but General Count Ignatz Hardegg
defended it in the most courageous manner, and it remained
in his power.
On the exterior of the left wing, the enemy hazarded an
attack on Markgrafen Neusiedel: this was, however, repulsed,
and Field Mareschal Lieutenant Rosenberg even forced the
Frencli cavalry, who had out-flanked him, to retire towards
Glintzendorf,
At last, nearly at sun-set, as the contest of the day seemed
to be finishing by a reciprocal cannonade, the enemy thought
that he had sufficiently wearied out the bravery of his oppo-
nent troops by his numerous ordnance, and that it was then
a proper time to break through the Austrian centre. Fa-
voured by the smoke of the burning village of Baumersdorf,
and by that arising from the uninterrupted fire of several
batteries, he therefore advanced in two close columns on the
508
THE ELEMENTS OF
right and left of Baumersdorf, and ascended with incredible
temerity the heights of the Austrian position.
The column on the right, composed of a part of the
guards, endeavoured in particular to gain the left wing of
the corps under Field Mareschal Lieutenant Hohenzollern.
Here, however, Zach's regiment, and a part of Joseph
Colloredo's, commanded by General Buresch, presented the
firmest possible resistance, till Prince Hohenzollern, going
himself to order Vincent's light horse to advance, the lat-
ter came up and charged with such expedition, and so very
suddenly, that the enemy was driven back over the Ruschbach,
and pursued for a considerable distance, in the plain ucar
Raschdorf, by General Hardegg.
The other column pushed forward through a hollow way,
leading from Baumersdorf to the Austrian position, proceeded
boldly between the corps under Prince Hohenzollern and
Count Bellegarde, threw the left wing of the latter into dis-
order, drove back Vogelsang's, Argentau's, and the third
battalion of Vou Rainer's regiment, and seconded, and
reinforced by its cavalry, would have ended the whole struggle,
if the Archduke and General Bellegarde had not rallied and
re-assembled their retreating troops, and again brought them
to bear upon the enemy.
The regiment of Erdach pressed forward under the com-
mand of Major Farnam, (Colonel Brixen being wounded)
from the second line, in masses of divisions against the enemy
attempting to storm the lines, and killed all who had already
penetrated through the first. Vogelsang's, Argentau's, and
the fourth battalion of the legion soon joined this valiant
band; and Prince Hohenzollern, after having discomfited
the attack made on his right wing, no sooner perceived the dan-
ger of his left than he hastened thither with Vincent's horse, who
immediately gave another effectual charge. The enterprize of
the enemy was thus entirely frustrated and disappointed, and
all the troops who could save themselves, fled back towards
the Ruschbach.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
509
Vincent's regiment, as it returned to its station, met the
enemy's cavalry proceeding to reinforce the advanced posts,
and was menaced with an attack. Being, however, speedily
formed, and Prince Hohenzollern reinforcing it with two
divisions of the Hesse and Stramberg hussars, and advancing
himself at its head, the French were once more charged and
driven with an enormous loss quite across the Ruschbach.
The Archduke Charles, who was wounded in the heat of
the action, rewarded the regiment of Erdach with the pre-
ference of beating on all occasions, the grenadiers march.
The fourth battalion of the legion gained a colour, and
Colonel Argentau, took one of the French eagles; but
Lieutenant Colonel Zlasnowsky (of the same regiment), who
carried it, was forced to relinquish it to the enemy, after having
been severely wounded by three different cuts of a sabre.
One general, and several other officers were besides made
prisoners in the affair by the Austrians.
Subsequent to the occurrence just related on the heights
behind Baumersdorf, followed the attack on Deutsch Wagram,
supported by the whole Saxon army. In this undertaking,
the enemy, after many unavailing attempts, and after Colonel
Oberndorf, who conducted the defence with extraordinary
courage, had been wounded, succeeded in getting possession
of the way from Anderklaa, and advanced in columns into
the village.
In the mean time, a battalion of Reuss Plauen's marched
forward in support of the village on the left, as did like-
wise a battalion of Mitrowsky's on the right: they proceeded
against the enemy, striving to make good his entrance, brought
upon him in the principal street a well-directed fire, and forced
him, leaving behind a great number of killed, wounded, and
prisoners, to resign a place which he had so pertinaciously la-
houred to master, and which was, unfortunately, almost totally
destroyed by the fury of his fire:
Thus ended at eleven o'clock at night the engagement of
the 5th of July, after which the Austrian army, that had most
510
THE ELEMENTS OF
gallantly repulsed every attack and assault of its adversary,
and contended with him for every inch of ground, anxiously
waited the approach of morning in order of battle.
viz.
The positions of the different corps were as follows,
The fourth corps under Field Mareschal Lieutenant
Prince Rosenberg, together with the van-guard commanded
by Field Mareschal Lieutenant Nordman, who stood near
Entzersdorf, formed the exterior left wing, and occupied
Markgrafen Neusiedel, and the heights to the right of that
place.
Close to this, the second corps under Field Mareschal
Lieutenant Prince Hohenzollern was stationed, extending to
the back of, and occupying Baumersdorf.
The space between the village and Deutsch Wagram was
taken up by the first corps, commanded by General Count
Bellegarde.
These three corps were formed in two lines, fronting to-
wards the Ruschbach, the nearest bank of which was filled
with riflemen, and on the opposite side, there was a light
chain of field-posts.
The cavalry of reserve, under General Prince Lichtenstein,
were placed between Deutsch Wagram and Gerarsdorf, ex-
cept four regiments, commanded by General Nostitz, which
were stationed to the right, behind Markgrafen Neusiedel,
to support it.
General Baron Froelich, with some divisions of hussars,
was near Ober Siebenbrunn, in order to observe the enemy's
left flank.
The corps of grenadiers bivouacqued before Seyring, and
the third corps, under Field Mareschal Count Kollowrath,
Hear Hagenbrunn.
Neither of the above corps was engaged on the 5th, for
the enemy, having been observed to muster stronger than
usual at Nussdorf, the third corps was intended to defend
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
511
1
Bisamberg, if an attack had been made upon it from the
Black Lake, as the grenadiers were destined to act as a corps
of reserve, in case of any unforeseen event taking place. Con-
sequently it was not till the design of the enemy was com-
pletely manifest, and till he had evacuated the neighbourhood
of Nussdorf, in the evening of the 5th, that these troops
could, without danger, be disposed to assist in the main
attack on the following day.
The 6th corps, under the temporary command of Field
Mareschal Lieutenant Count Klenau, was posted on the emi-
nences near Stammersdorf, with its out-posts pushed forward
towards Gerasdorf and Leopoldou.
The 5th corps commanded by Field Mareschal Prince Reuss,
did not take a part in the battle, but was stationed as a corps
of observation on Bisam hill, the borders of the Black Lake,
and the Upper Danube, as far as Crems.
All the above corps conjoined, with the exception of the
last, composed a force of nearly 100,000 fighting men, and
had 410 pieces of ordnance of various calibres attached to
them.
The French were in possession of Glinzendorf, Groshafen,
Anderklaa, Sussenbrun and Hirschstetten. The bulk of their
army had marched up in several lines towards Raschdorf, and
its front extended from Aspern by Raschdorf to Glinzendorf.
The very extensive plain, the March-field, rendered it al-
most impossible to be deceived in calculating the strength of
the enemy's force, as far as the number of different lines placed
one behind the other, would admit of accuracy; the French
army was estimated by the Austrians, from its appearance
at day-break to the naked eye, to be 140 or 150,000 strong:
according, however, to what the Emperor Napoleon himself
and all his generals afterwards acknowledged, it contained
180,000 effective soldiers, including the army of Italy, com-
manded by the Viceroy, and the auxiliary troops of the Ger-
man Princes of the confederacy, together with a train of ar-
tillery of 584 guns, mostly of heavy calibre.
312
THE ELEMENTS OF
At half past eleven, the following disposition of the ini
pending battle which took place on the next morning, was
drawn up on the part of the Austrians in a house, which the
fire had yet spared in Deutch Wagram.
The 6th and 3d corps are to attack the enemy's left wing,
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Klenau is to place his right wing
near the Danube, and to keep up a permanent communication
with Field Mareschal Kollowrath, who is to march by Leo-
poldau towards Breitenlehc, and also communicate with the
nadier corps proceeding to Sussenbrun. Both corps are to
persevere in the attack, to the utmost, in the direction and
manner pointed out.
The cavalry of reserve under the general of cavalry Prince
Lichtenstein, are to advance between Anderklaa and Suessen-
brun, and to provide for and maintain a communication with
the grenadier corps on the right, and the corps commanded
by the general of cavalry Count Bellegarde on the left.
The first corps is to march towards Anderklaa, preserve its
communication on the right with the corps of cavalry of re-
serve, and appui its left wing on the Ruschbach; Count Belle-
garde must, however, take care to keep the eminence behind
Deutch Wagram, occupied by a part of the said corps, which is
to pass the Ruschbach in the same proportion as the corps on the
right side of the village, and gain ground by advancing obliquely.
Field Mareschal Prince Hohenzollern, commanding the
2d corps, is to maintain to the utmost of his power the posi
tion behind the Ruschbach, keep up an incessant fire from
his ordnance, and, in the same degree as the 1st corps gains
ground, cross the Ruschbach and advance in front.
Field Mareschal Licntenant Prince Rosenburg is with the
4th corps to press upon the right wing of the enemy, towards
which the corps under the Archduke John will be then also
advancing.
Field Mareschal Prince Reuss is to maintain with all lis
power, the positions near Spitz and the Black Lake, and the
different posts on the Danube.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
510
J
Feldzeugmeister Kollowarth is to leave one brigade of the
3d corps and a battery on the heights of Stammersdorf.
The 6th and 3d corps are to break up at one o'clock, A. M.
and Field Mareschal Lieutenant d'Aspre with the grenadiers
at three o'clock, P. M.
Prince Lichtenstein is to advance with his cavalry according
to the progress of the head of the corps of grenadiers. The
first corps is to attack Anderklaa at four o'clock in the morning,
and Count Bellegarde is to direct the attack at the same time
as Prince Lichtenstein gains the proper height to co-operate
with him.
Prince Rosenberg is to move on by four o'clock, A. M. to
attack the right wing of the enemy, and to secure his commu-
nication with the Archduke John near Siebenbrun.
The order of battle for the infantry will be in masses of
battalions, or squares, with skirmishers in front.
Silence is particularly to be recommended, and firing at
too great distance strictly prohibited.
It is left to the officers commanding the corps respectively
to determine the order of march, and form the van-guards of
the columns.
Prince Lichtenstein is, notwithstanding, to detach one re-
giment of cavalry to act as the van-guard of the corps of gre
nadiers.
1
The Archduke Charles will keep with the corps under
Count Bellegarde.
The first reserve of ainmunition for the ordnance will re-
main at Gross Entzersdorf, and the second at Wolkersdorf.
The ammunition for the infantry will be near Helmhoff.
Agreeably to this disposition, the respective corps of the
main army put themselves into motion, but as the orders did
not arrive, and were not consequently issued in proper time
among the distant troops of the right wing, owing to the
darkness of the night and the late attack upon Deutsch Wa+
gram, these were not able strictly to comply with their in
structions, in respect to the prescribed hours of attack.
VOL. III,
LI
*
514
THE ELEMENTS OF
The 4th corps, which occupied the tower of Markgrafen
Neusiedel* and the eminences behind it, formed at four o'clock
in the morning, in three columns, two of which were to take
the villages of Groshofen and Glinzendorf, and the third, con-
sisting of cavalry, had to cover the right flank.
The enemy had occupied Groshofen with infantry and
ordnance, and behind it his cavalry were formed in two lines.
A similar disposition was observed near Glinzendorf, and
both were joined by a chain of riflemen supported by some
infantry posts.
While Prince Rosenberg was putting his attacking columns
in motion, a strong column of the French was perceived be-
tween Kummersteinsdorf and Breitenlehe, and marching off
to the right, it passed the Ruschbach near Lobersdorf, and ad-
vanced without interruption to Ober Siebenbrun.
This movement prevented the execution of the order which
the Austrian cavalry had received to advance equally with the
other two columns: the van-guard had, however, reached the
first houses of the last mentioned village, and the columus
were just preparing to make a storming attack, and to stop
the destructive fire of the enemy, when an order arrived
from the Archduke Charles, to halt the left wing, for, as the
corps of the right wing, which was to aid in the attack, had
not come up, he feared that the troops under Prince Rosen-
berg would alone be overpowered by the superior force of the
French; and the more so, as there was no appearance of the
approach of the Archduke John.
* The tower of Markgrafen Neusiedel, built in ancient times,
as a security against the ravages of the Hungarians, is a square
stone mass, in the interior of which some ruinous rooms are still
to be seen: at the top there is also a gallery, commanding a view
of the adjacent country. It is situated on the highest point of
the saliant angle formed by the eminence behind the Ruschbach;
and Markgrafen Neusiedel, and is surrounded by the remains
of an old intrenchment, and a double ditch or fossé.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
515
The enemy no sooner perceived this cessation of movement
in the Austrian wing, than he augmented his fire astonishingly
against that point, dismounted several of the ordnance, plant-
ed cannon before Markgrafen Neusiedel, and even silenced
some of the batteries of the position.
Prince Rosenberg was in consequence forced, with all the
columns which had thus far advanced to the attack, to retire un-
der the protection of the van-guard to his late position, where
he again formed.
In the mean time, the first corps had learned that the Saxons
near Anderklaa were in motion, and directing their march
towards Raschdorf.
Captain Baron Tettenborn was then detached with a squa-
dron of Von Klenau's, to reconnoitre the village of Anderklaa,
in order to gain information respecting its occupation or re-
linquishment by the enemy. This officer carried his orders
into execution with great success and dexterity, took some of
the staff of Mareschal Bernadotte prisoners, and after-
wards occupied the place in question, which was still, from
the action of the preceding day, filled with wounded Saxons.
Count Bellegarde ordered the infantry of his van-guard
under the direction of General Baron Sutterheim into the
same village, placed the riflemen and hunters along the
ditches in front, and the first line of his corps in masses be-
tween it and Wagram, the second line being directed to de-
ploy behind them.
M
In front of the Count's left wing, two batteries were
mounted, under the support of Vincent's Cheveaux Legers,
(light horse), which compelled the French to turn the left
advancing towards the Ruschach.
The first, having in this manner attained its predetermined
position sooner than the other corps, drew upon itself the
whole fire of the enemy's artillery, and the battle being, as to
calibre, very unequal, nothing but the extraordinary firmness
of the troops, the excellence of their situation, and the admir-
able style in which the ordnance were served, could have
L12
I

j
1
516
THE ELEMENTS OF
maintained for some hours this important post, from which
alone the corps, after being joined by those on the right,
could advance to farther efforts.
The corps of grenadiers, which had directed its march from
Seyring to Sussenbrunn, was now advancing in masses of bat-
talions, in two lines. The cavalry of reserve covered these
masses, and were besides, divided between the support of the
first and third corps.
In the mean time, the entire right wing approached the
destined point of attack.
The main army left the heights of Stammersdorf at day-
break, formed near Leopoldau in masses of battalions, and
endeavoured to get into the alignement between Breitenlehe
and Hirschstetten, during which the van-guard, commanded
by Field Mareschal Lieutenant Vincent, approached some-
what towards the Danube.
The enemy stood with a strong column of infantry near
Aspern, and occupied the pasture-grounds between that vil-
lage and Stadlau.
After a heavy cannonade, General Baron Vecsey forced the
riflemen to retreat; Major Meladrowich likewise advanced
with a battalion of St. George's through Aspern, and Count
Wallmoden (who had it at the same time in command to keep
open the communication between the corps on the left wing,
and Feldzeugmeister Kollowarth's near the New Inn,) pressed
forward with Lichtenstein's hussars, on the left flank of the
French, and took nine guns. The hostile column then lett
the field, passing Aspern near the Mill-pasture and Eslingin,
not far from Entzersdorf, in consequence of which, Eagle's
brigade seized another howitzer.
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Klenau ordered, that, at ten
o'clock in the forenoon, all the fortifications near Aspern and
Esling should be re-occupied, and remained himself with the
chief part of his corps, formed in masses of battalions, between
Aspern and Breitenlehe, awaiting what might farther occur at
the centre.
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
517
During this time, the third corps of the army had formed
itself in two lines, in the plain of Gerasdorf, and having ad-
vanced, passed Sussenbrunn at the same moment that the 6th
reached Leopoldau, and then appuied its right wing on the
village of Breitenlehe, which Kollowarth commanded to be
occupied by three battalions.
Upon this, after driving back the left wing of the enemy's
line near Raschdorf, by a strong and rapid fire, the corps.
pushed forward, keeping its own left in some degree to the
rear, towards the New Inn, but not being able to maintain it-
self in this direction, its right wing was soon ordered to retro-
grade on Breitenlehe.
Napoleon stood immoveable near Raschdorf: the centre of
his army contained about 60,000 men in close order, and he
had chosen this as the point of direction for his movements.
In the course of these occurrences, strong columns of the
enemy were observed at the exterior right wing of the Aus-
trians, separating from the reserve near Raschdorf, and ad-
vancing against the left; and soon after this, a column of
French cavalry formed in the plain between Anderklaa and
Breitenlehe,
Protected by this body of horse, two columns of the ene-
my's infantry advanced towards Anderklaa, and although a
great quantity of grape-shot was poured in upon them, they
vanquished all opposition, and created a confusión among the
Austrian troops, which extended even to the masses of the
first corps, stationed near the above named village.
Nothing less than the valiant conduct of General Count
Bellegarde could have sufficed at this critical moment, to in-
fuce the retreating battalions again to try their own strength,
and to efface the dangerous impression of a sudden panic.
Aided by the extraordinary efforts of his generals and field-
officers, (one of whom, Colonel Baron Zechmeister, was
wounded), Bellegarde ultimately succeeded in restoring order,
and charged, with fixed bayonets, the advancing enemy, who,
!
318
THE ELEMENTS OF
!
confident of victory, had, in dispersed masses, already pene
trated several parts of the Austrian line.
The French now endeavoured to save themselves by form-
ing one great mass, but their wings were overthrown, and
driven at the point of the bayonet towards Anderklaa.
The greater part of the enemy lay slain on the field of battle,
about 500 men and four stands of colours were also taken.
After this bloody conflict, Anderklaa was again stormed,
and retaken by Scavona's, Ruthcany's, and Brezezintny's bat
talions, commanded by Major Habernau, who had pushed
forward to that place.
General Sutterheim, an officer who had rendered the most
eminent services to his country, was wounded during the as-
sault by a cannon ball.
The Archduke Charles intrusted the future command and
defence of Anderklaà to the Archduke Louis. The posses-
sion of this village was of the utmost consequence to both
armies, and the French made several severe attacks upon it.
They were, however, invariably repulsed by the firmness of the
Archduke Louis, and the bravery of the two brigades of gre
nadiers under Merville and Hammer, and lost a pair of co-
lours.
General Merville was now wounded by a ball, after having
twice cleared Anderklaa of the enemy, always recruiting his
dilapidated force.
The Kronprinz's and Rosenberg's regiments of cavalry
secured, in the interval, the ordnance mounted in front of the
village, and Field Mareschal Lieutenant Prince Lichtenstein,
by taking an advantageous position for his division of horse,
in the flank of the enemy, was enabled, without repeating his
charge, to draw the former out of the fire of the latter.
Lichtenstein then ordered a general advance, both of the
cavalry and grenadier corps, which pushed forward in consc-
quence, in the alignement between Anderklaa and Breitenlehe,
amidst a most violent fire from the enemy's cannon and how-
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
519
itzers placed in the alignement of Anderklaa and Sussenbrunn,
and by these means succeeded in becoming parallel with the
6th and 3d corps.
The brigade of grenadiers under Field Mareschal Lieute-
nant d'Aspre, being at this time employed in the defence of
Anderklaa, Field Mareschal Lieutenant Prochoska found it
impossible to fill up the intervening space to Sussenbrunn
with Murray's and Steyer's brigades alone, if posted in two
lines, and therefore formed them in one, behind which, the
regiments of cavalry attached to his command composed a
second.
The enemy profited by this apparent weakness, and opposed
the Austrian grenadier corps with a line of infantry, and form-
ing at noon a strong attacking column, under a shower of
ball, grape-shot, and shells, the heaviest that was ever known
in the history of war, threatened to break through the left
wing of the third corps, and the right of the grenadiers.
General Prince Lichtenstein, perceiving the strength of the
French in this quarter, directed the fire of his right wing to-
wards Sussenbrunn, in order that the enemy, when advancing
thither, might be flanked partly by his own troops, and partly
by those under Feldzeugmeister Kollowrath.
The French masses approached at a charging pace, but it
was impossible to move the Austrian battalions; they re-
mained quite steady, and, surrounded on all sides by the
bodies of the dead and wounded, repulsed every attack.
The grenadier battalions of George's and Frolich's, forming
the right wing, awaited in particular the enemy's column
with cool deliberation, and received it at the distance of an
hundred paces, with a tremendous fire.
An attack made at the same time on the right wing was
met in a like manner by the troops under Field Mareschal
Lieutenant Baron Vickassoich, who was himself severely
wounded in the conflict, and the enemy, being on this occa-
sion taken also in flank by Count Julien and General Lilien-
berg,
was forced to retreat with considerable loss.
520
THE ELEMENTS OF
In the mean time the French cavalry evolved, and made
some attempts upon George's, Portner's, and Leinigen's
battalions, but, their brave commanders leading them each
time against the advancing foe, constantly compelled him to
give way.
A single division advanced up to the bayonets of George's
battalion, and suffered for its temerity by the loss of its chief,
whose horse being killed under him, he was himself dragged
into the thickest of the fight, where he remained during two
violent attacks and a heavy cannonade, before he could be
extricated.
Lieutenant Colonel Count Leiniger, within an hundred
paces of the battalion he commanded, took one of the enemy's
field-officers prisoner, who, deceived by the smoke, thought
himself near his own troops.
General Steyer excited by his example the courage of his
soldiers, and distinguished himself by the able manner in
which he posted them, for the attainment of mutual support.
The French infantry having retired to their position, the
cavalry ventured nothing farther, but followed the former un-
der the protection of their numerous ordnance, which main-
tained a fire along the whole line with uninterrupted briskness,
and which could not be answered to equal effect by the Aus-
trian pieces of smaller calibre.
The 2d corps of the Austrian army, still occupying its po-
sition behind the Ruschbach, was, however, little annoyed by
the fury of the French artillery; and Prince Hohenzollem
made such good use of the batteries under his command, that
several of the enemy's were dismounted and compelled to
retire.
The French then mounted new cannon without forming a
real attack, their whole attention being fixed on the advance
of the Austrian right wing, during which they resolved to
turn the left.
Such was the situation of things on the right, and in the
centre, that, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, the Austrian lines
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
521
extended from Esling and Aspern to Breitenlehe, Anderklaa,
Deutsch Wagram, and Baumersdorf.
The corps forming the above wing had also surrounded
the enemy's position concentrically, and were partly advancing
it for the purpose of carrying into effect the movements
essential to the gaining of the grand point in view.
upon
As the intention of the Austrians could not be concealed
from the enemy, the latter trusted in his own prevailing
force, and, though he sent from his centre (where he
kept, during the whole battle, an immense reserve), nu-
merous reinforcements to his left wing, this did not prevent
him from acting offensively on his right; while, sufficiently
conscious of his superior resources, he feared not those mis-
fortunes, which would, beyond doubt, have attended, and oc-
casioned him an irretrievable loss, if his attack on the Aus-
trian left wing had been repulsed.
The 4th corps of the Austrian army, on which the fate of
the day seemed now to depend, was also that which had been
most exposed to the brunt of the engagement, and it had,
early in the morning, fallen into its position, with the van-
guard, involved in successive skirmishes, which lasted several
hours.
In the mean time, the French proceeded to act on Prince
Rosenberg's flank, and his van-guard, which had already ex-
perienced the loss of about 1000 men, and all its artillery,
was presently compelled to retreat to the foot of the emi-
nences, and behind the ditches near Markgrafen Neusiedel,
the cavalry excepted, who followed the manoeuvres of the
enemy, constantly moving more towards the right.
About ten o'clock, the enemy's column which passed the
Ruschbach near Lobersdorf, and drove General Froelich back
from Siebenbrunn, formed in front of that village in two lines,
against the Austrian left wing. At this time, another column
of the French was marching forward from their centre at
Raschdorf, in the direction of Glinzendorf, and it also drew
up in three lines soon after
'
522
THE ELEMENTS OF
Prince Rosenberg found it then necessary to form a new
flank with Kerpin's and Deutschmeister's regiments, to dispose
the remains of his infantry in masses of battalions, and to
place such of his ordnance as were not yet dismounted, partly
to sustain the flank, and partly near the tower of Markgrafen
Neusiedel, one of the points of the greatest consequence in
respect to his position. One part of the cavalry remained at
the foot of the eminences, and two regiments were posted on
the left flank.
The arrival of the enemy from Presburg was every moment
expected. His lines from Ober Siebenbrun, and Glinzen-
dorf, continued still more to advance, and a numerous
body of artillery covered their front. Markgrafen Neusiedel
was repeatedly stormed, and the assailants were as often re-
pulsed, till at last, the fatigue of the Austrian troops, the
heat arising from the flames of the burning houses, and above
all, the superior force of the French, constantly coming
up with fresh combatants, brought about the evacuation
of the village, and forced Prince Rosenberg to limit his
endeavours to the maintenance of the ground occupied by his
corps.
The Austrian army lost on this occasion one of its best
officers, General Vecsey, who was unfortunately killed, and
the presence of the corps which ought to have fallen on the
enemy's right flank, by the way of Marcheck, became every
moment more requisite.
The success of the French, in outflanking the Austrian
left wing, increased; nor was the reinforcement of five bal
talions of infantry, and one regiment of cavalry, detached to
that quarter by Prince Hohenzollern, sufficient to prevent
them from eventually effecting their purpose.
The movement of all the other corps ceased, on the com-
tinued retreat of the left wing being perceived, though the
former were yet engaged under a most violent discharge of
ordnance, which made astonishing ravage in their lines, but
without shaking their fortitude.
The enemy having thrown the seventh Austrian corps quite
back on the eminences of Markgrafen Neusiedel, formed his
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
523
S
first line, (composed of the troops from Ober Siebenbrun)
into six masses of three lines, his second line following as a
support.
masses,
The Austrian cavalry alone were not able to penetrate these
and several charges, made with most determined reso-
lution, under the command of Field Mareschal-Lieutenant
Count Nostitz, General Count Wartensleben, Colonel Sar-
dagna, and Prince Cobourg, (who was wounded on this occa-
sion) did not succeed, because the artillery were not in a pro-
per state to sustain them sufficiently.
The first line of the French masses attacked Mayer's bri-
gade, but was repulsed; and the same fate attended the second,
when Field Mareschal Lieutenant Nordman was unluckily
shot at the head of the Austrians. This lamentable accident,
as well as the wounds which General Mayer had received,
contributed to the ultimate giving way of this valiant brigade,
after the enemy's third line had frequently renewed the un-
availing attacks of his first and second.
·
AL
F
The body of French advancing from Glinzendorf, on per-
ceiving the success of the above attack, hastened forward to
the heights, and took possession of the town of Markgrafen
Neusiedel.
During this time the battalions of the right wing left their
position on the heights with steadiness, and repulsed several
attacks, under the command of Field Mareschal Lieutenant
Prince Hohenlohe Bartenstein, and the Prince of Hesse Hom-
burg, the latter of whom was wounded in one of these ousets
by
誓
​a grape-shot. Szeculi's, and the remains of Stein's, and
the Archduke Charles's battalions, formed a flank near the
tower, and did all that could be done by or expected from
brave soldiers.
Prince Rosenberg was still resolved not to yield this advan-
tageous post without some further struggle, but, if possible, to
retake it; however, a crossing discharge of grape-shot so ha-
rassed and thinned his ranks, that every attempt was frus-
trated and disappointed.
This was the decisive juncture of the engagement, and front
this instant the coming up of the corps commanded by the Arch-
524
THE ELEMENTS OF
duke John became unavailing. It appeared, at four o'clock
in the afternoon, near Ober Siebenbrunn, made some prisoners
in the enemy's rear, and retreated unperceived by the March-
field in the evening. As the position behind the Ruscbach
was wholly enfiladed by the enemy's ordnance, and as his
troops
were also proceeding to outflank the Austrian left wing, the
Archduke Charles gave orders at one o'clock in the afternoon,
for the fourth corps to retire.
A grand attack was then made on the Austrian cavalry on
the left of the corps in question, in opposing which Rusch's
dragoons particularly distinguished themselves, and caused the
French horse in the second line to meet with a repulse. But
it
being impossible to prevent the arrival of the reinforce-
ments which their opponents were constantly bringing fresh
into action, the Austrian cavalry were reduced to the necessity
of merely covering the left wing of the infantry, who retreated
in battalion masses, in the direction of Wendingerhof (a farm)
so called) towards Bock flies.
Hiller's and Szeculi's regiments followed this movement,
they being no longer able to resist the enemy's crossing fire,
which it was even impossible to return, as the Austrian ord
nance had lost almost all the men who served them.
The above regiments formed the rear guard of the fugitives,
and were with some interruption pursued to Bockflics. Early m
the night the French cavalry arrived at Bocktlies, and pushed for-
ward against a small body of Austrians stationed near Krempen:
with this they came up, but were ably resisted, till the Arch-,
duke Ferdinand's cuirassiers put an end to all further pursuit.
The bulk of the corps encamped for the night on the heights
of Hohenlauten; Prince Rosenberg having left some battalions
in the rear, and directed Ficld-Mareschal Lieutenant Count
Radezky, who had already given many convincing proofs of
his military talents, to occupy the defiles near Schweinwat
and Hohen Reipersdorf. Field-Mareschal Lieutenant Count
Nostitz retired with the cavalry along the wood near Bock-
flies to the plain of Pillichsdorf, situated at the foot of the
}
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
525
eminences, in order that he might at once command the said
wood from Wolfersdorf, and have it in his power to rejoin
the cavalry of reserve.
The second corps of the Austrian army could now no
longer maintain its position, as its flank was quite uncovered;
assaulted on the side of Baummersdof, and dreadfully annoyed
by a tremendous crossing fire.
Prince Hohenzollern retired likewise with his left wing, as
soon as the fourth corps gave ground, and commanded General
Count Hardegg to quit Baummersdorf, at the same time
fighting as he retreated.
The enemy immediately followed, and his cavalry took ad-
vantage of that moment for their attack, when the Austrian
corps, from behind Deutsch Wagram, having reached the
Ruschbach, was forced to break its battalion masses for the
purpose of passing over.
Prince Hohenzollern, however, succeeded in stationing some
battalions in the deep and hollow bed of the dry rivulet, and
by the aid of their well-directed fire, combined with the cool
bravery of Vincent's Chevaux Legers, the crossing was hap-
pily effected without the loss of single a piece of ordnance.
Here the Prince received orders to retrograde upon Seyring
and Entzersdorf, the Archduke Charles having prescribed the
road of Znaim as the principal direction of the retreat.
In the mean time, that part of the second corps which had
been detached to assist Prince Rosenberg in the forenoon
arrived at Hohenlauten, and the Prince himself, with the greater
part of his troops, came in the evening to Entzersdorf, where
he remained during the night.
The brigade of the 1st corps, which had occupied the heights
near Deutsch Wagram, joined the second corps, and after the
post was wholly relinquished, passed the Ruschbach at the same
time as the latter. The enemy gained in consequence more
ground towards the left flank of the corps, which was stationed
near Anderklaa, and flanked Lieutenant Loffler's battery,
mounted before the same wing. This battery had already to
526
THE ELEMENTS OF
sustain a superior fire in front, and was of the greatest imª
portance in respect to the covering of the position. The
courageous officer who commanded it defended his post, not-
withstanding the odds against him, with distinguished bravery,
and contributed in a high degree to the retreat, (orders for
which were received by the corps at two o'clock, with direc-
tions to proceed to the shelving eminences of Gerarsdorf) which
was ultimately effected in the best style, and unmolested by
the enemy.
?
The corps of cavalry and grenadiers began to fall back,
after having received instructions to that end, immediately on
the retiring of the first corps.
The former took their route through Anderklaa, leaving
Sussenbrunn to the left, in order that they might gain upon
the eminences near Gerarsdorf in an oblique direction. Du-
ring this movement, Field Mareschal Lieutenant d'Aspre was
severely wounded by a musket ball.
The corps of reserve, commanded by General Prince
Lichtenstein, having retired so as to keep Sussenbrunn on
its flank, Count Kollowrath ordered the third corps likewise
to retreat. Its left wing accordingly proceeded through Sus-
senbrum, and the remaining part passed the plain in a right
line to the heights of Stammersdorf.
The enemy pursued it with cavalry and artillery, but did
not hazard an attack. The Austrians on the other hand pre-
served the most perfect order, and were protected by a strong
fire of ordnance.
At twilight, the corps being stationed on the heights of
Stammersdorf, with Schwarzenberg's regiment of Uhlans in
front, it appeared a favourable moment to strike a blow
against the French; but the effort was, in the first instance,
frustrated by Napoleon's guards pushing forward on a sudden,
and seizing a position-battery which had no time to unlimber.
The hostile cavalry afterwards attempted three times, (having
previously repulsed several attacks made by the Cheveaux legers
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
527
and Uhlans) to break the Austrian lines of infantry, but the
latter, formed in masses, repelled every endeavour.
away.
Kollowarth's third battalion was even so fortunate as to re-
take a 12-pounder which had been carried off by the enemy's
cavalry, they having employed only two horses in conveying it
Two weak companies of the 4th battalion of the le-
gion under Captain Home, both of which had evinced great
bravery during the whole of the day, distinguished themselves
also particularly on this occasion; completely surrounded by
the French cavalry, they defended themselves with the utmost
steadiness, and with an ardour which plainly demonstrated
their love of national liberty, and the personal sacrifices they
were ready to offer for its attainment.
One brigade of the reserve now arrived to sustain Lichten-
stein's regiment of cuirassiers, and fell upon the flank of the
enemy's horse with great courage and resolution, and Colonel
Schuffermaier of the Uhlans, assaulting the main body of the
French at the same time, gave the Austrian infantry an oppor
tunity of forming also on their flank, and enabled the batteries
to be brought to bear against the said point; the consequence
of which was, that the assailants lost the power of repeating
their attacks. Captain Gallois likewise, of Schwarzenberg's
Uhlans, had the honour, in the course of these proceedings, to
retake a battery, which the enemy having gained, was just on
the point of carrying off. The French then thought proper to
retire into the valley of Gerasdorf.
General Count Bellegarde's corps, which had, since four
"o'clock, been exposed to the most offensive movements of the
enemy, and sustained, by its noble firmness and intrepidity,
the repeated attacks and charges of his cavalry, was at this
time ordered to form again between the wood near Stam-
mersdorf, and the road to Hagenbrunn, the road to Brunn
lying in front.
The grenadiers and the corps of cavalry of reserve arrived
at nine o'clock in the evening in the vicinity of Hagenbrunn,
and proceeded in their retreat to Kronenburg, behind which
528
THE ELEMENTS OF
they took up their position, and were there joined by I'ield
Mareschal Count Nostitz with his division.
Feldzeugmeister Count Kollowarth remained till midnight
in his first position, and then stationed himself on the moun
tain Kreuzenstein at the back of Kronenburg, whither he had
been ordered by the Archduke Charles.
The 6th corps having evacuated Esling at ten o'clock
A. M., abandoned Aspern also at two, P. M.: for the cir-
cumstances which had taken place on the left wing put a stop
to all more favourable movements, and appeared to threaten
the worst consequences
Field Mareschal Count Klenau occupied the same posi-
tion as on the day before, on the heights of Stammersdorf,
immediately on the order being given for a retreat. The
enemy having rapidly advanced with one column between
Hirschstetten and Kagran, in the direction of the Danube
and Spitz, had previously forced the Austrian troops to quit
Kagran and Leopoldau, and to join the next column which
was marching by the way of Breitenlehe.
Klenau retired fighting in good order, and the enemy's
cavalry attempting several charges between Leopoldau and
Tedlersdorf, were so ably opposed by Kienmayer's hussars,
that in consequence of their efforts, joined to the masses which
were continually turning upon the French, and the general
effect of the fire maintained by the Austrians, the former
were here compelled to give up the pursuit.
The corps in question remained the whole night on the
heights, drawn up in order of battle, and was commanded by
the Archduke Charles to form the rear-guard of the army on
the following day.
The Count, in pursuance of the said instructions, posted
himself at day-break (the 7th of July) behind Kronenburg,
all the other corps, except the 4th, which took the road to
Brunn, having been marched off by the way leading to Zuain.
The position of his troops was with their right wing on the
Danube, the left on Leobendorf, and Kronenburg in front.
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
529
}
1
The above is the simple detail of a battle, which, con-
jointly with the affairs of Aspern and Entzersdorf, will form
an epoch in the military history of Europe, and which, from the
vast preparations and results astonishingly great, will be charac-
terized as one of the most remarkable incidents of the present
time. On both sides every thing was fought for that is dear to
the individual, or to a nation at large, nor was the force of
the passions wanting to add to the spirit of the contest.
Great interests lead to great sacrifices: both parties shone
forth with the brightest lustre, and though fortune decided for
the French, and though they may justly ascribe to themselves
the glory of the victory, yet they will never be able to rob the
Austrians of that honour which is due to extraordinary bravery
and skilful conduct, of each of which, there appeared in this
engagement a variety of rare and noble examples.
The loss of both armies was nearly equal. On the side of
the Austrians, Field Mareschal Lieutenants Nordman and
d'Aspre, and General Vecsey, were killed. The Archduke
Charles, Field Mareschal Lieutenants Koutray and Nostitz,
and General the Prince of Hesse Homburg, Mayer, Vaquant,
Motzin, Ch. Sutterheim, Henneberg, Morville, and Rothkirch
were wounded.
The Austrians took 700 prisoners, and 12 sets of eagles
and colours, and lost only nine pieces of dismounted ordnance,
and one colour. From which statement, a most singular fact
is obviously deducible, namely, that the conqueror was de-
spoiled of more trophies of war than the conquered.
The total loss in rank and file, &c., will be given at the
end of this relation, as it was not collected till after the con-
clusion of the armistice.
Among the killed on the part of the French, were General
La Salle, and Adjutant Commandant Dupré; among the
wounded, Mareschal Bessieres, Generals Gudin, Gauthier,
Vandamme, Vignolles, Wreden, Le Cocq, Zettwitz, Serras,
Grenier, Sahuc, De France, Colbert, Frere, Poroussard,
VOL. III.
M in
530
THE ELEMENTS OF
Beaupré, and Colonels Prince Aldrobrandini and St. Croix,
with several other officers of note.
The Archduke Charles found no reason to forget at Wa-
gram the warriors of Aspern, and while he exhibited in him-
self the most praise-worthy example, he had the satisfaction to
behold the commanders of the respective corps, fighting at
the head of their troops with the greatest courage and ability.
A line of conduct which, as it could not fail to win the grate-
ful thanks of the Generalissimo, gained, in a no less degree,
the favour of the Emperor, and reflects immortal credit on the
service in general.
The chief of the Austrian staff, Major General Baron
Wimpfen, signalized himself in particular by his uninterrupted
exertions for the good of the cause, and by his eminent
bravery. The artillery commanded by Field Mareschal Lieu-
tenant Koutray and Colonel Smola, maintained likewise their
ancient illustrious character, ever deserving of the highest com
mendation, nobly unimpaired.
An official list was published after the action by the Aus-
trians, containing the names of those officers, whose behaviour
was principally considered meritorious; and, in this catalogue
of public honour, mention is made of 21 field mareschal
lieutenants, 34 generals, 42 colonels, 31 majors, 51 captains,
24 first lieutenants, and 14 second lieutenants and ensigns.
The Archduke Charles passed the night of the 6th in Leo-
bendorf, and removed his head-quarters next morning to Wol
fersdorf.
The 5th Austrian corps, commanded by Prince Reuss,
which had occupied the banks of the Danube and Bisamberg
during the engagement, was now drawn more towards the
body of the army, and received orders to proceed with the 1st
and 3d corps, and the grenadiers and cavalry of reserve, on
the road to Znaim. It took a position on the mountain
Kreutzenstein on the 7th, and formed the rear-guard of the
army in the plain of Kronenburg on the 8th,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
531
}
Prince Hohenzollern was determined to cover the flank
with the second corps, and directed his march on the 7th,
from Entzersfeld over the Ruschbach to Ernstbrunn, and on
the 8th continued it to Kamersdorf, where he rested during
the night.
On the 10th at midnight, he passed through Znaim, and
having crossed the Taja, rejoined the main army.
The rear-guard, commanded by General Hardegg, was, in
the mean time, constantly engaged with the French; and
Prince Hohenzollern had, in order to keep open communica-
tion with Count Rosenberg, detached General Alstern to
Laab, so that the latter passed the Taja on the 9th, while
the bulk of the corps was proceeding towards Maschau.
On the same day, Alstern previously attempted to reach
Znaim by a forced march, to the end that he might secure
that town, and be able to file in greater safety across the
Taja from the enemy, who was about to pass it also in close
pursuit of Prince Rosenberg.
The main body of the 4th corps, under Colonel Meosery,
passed the heights of Hohenleuten, while its rear-guard was
yet busied in the fight, and arrived on the 7th at Miselbach,
and on the 8th at Laab, where it received orders from the
Archduke Charles to cover the road to Brunn and Olmutz.
It accordingly proceeded on the 9th to Maschau, and took its
route by the way of Seefeld, after having sent off all the bat-
talions belonging to other corps which had joined it on the
day of the battle.
On the 7th, the French had advanced on the road from
Vienna, through Lang Enzerzdorf to Kronenburg, which
they attacked at two o'clock, but without effect.
At six o'clock the attack was repeated, supported by a
fresh battalion newly come up from Hagenbrunn: the town
was, in consequence, set on fire, and the garrison retired in
masses of battalions en échiquier.
The Vienna volunteers, commanded by Colonel Quintin,
particularly distinguished themselves on this occasion: they
M m 2
532
THE ELEMENTS OF
they were placed towards the Danube on the exterior left
wing of the Austrians, and held out with the most desperate
resistance, against the often-renewed assaults of two battalions
of Bavarian field-hunters.
Early in the same night, Field Mareschal Lieutenant Count
Klenau reached the bridge over the Ruschbach, continued his
retreat in columns by the way of Pillern and Stokerau, and
arrived on the 8th at day-break between Sierendorf and
Hauzendorf, while the main army, having left its encampment
near Kreutzenstsin, was yet stationed at Mallebern.
The French appeared at nine o'clock on the eminences of
Stokerau, but did not attempt to make any severe attack,
and the day passed without being marked by aught of greater
consequence than the exchange of a few shot, and a trifling
affair near the Hanzebach.
The Archduke Charles established his head-quarters the
same evening at Guntersdorf, and the army took a position
behind Schoengraben early on the 9th.
In the mean time, Count Klenau's corps broke up from
Sierendorf, and arrived at seven o'clock by the way of Malle-
bern, Gollersdorf, and Stelzendorf, beyond Hollabrunn, where
it was formed in order of battle.
The French came up with the rear-guard at nine o'clock,
near Enzersdorf, pursued it, and pushed, with strong detach-
ments of cavalry, forward to Hollabrunn, where a skirmish en-
sued, during which the French attempted to outflank the
Austrian right wing not far from that place.
Generals Count Walmoden and Marassy not only met this
movement in a most skilful manner, but the former even
made some successful attacks with Lichtenstein's and Blank-
enstein's hussars, and stopped the advance of the enemy's
cavalry, in performing which service he was slightly
wounded.
After this, the French threw shells into Hollabrunn, and set
it on fire; and, during a violent discharge of ordnance, which
succeeded from both sides, their infantry advanced to the
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
538
attack. General Marassy and Colonel Senitzer, of Ben-
jowsky's regiment, threw themselves then into the burning
town, and maintained it against all the assaults of the enemy,
who renewed his efforts incessantly till midnight, while in
the streets and gardens, and even in the ditches, the most ob-
stimate engagements were carried on.
The Austrian army gained by this affair the advantage of
being at ease in its position, and escaped the necessity of
hurrying on its ensuing march.
Count Klenau received orders to retreat by dawn of day
to Schoengraben, where his corps, almost worn out with fa-
tigue, was to join the main army; and the fifth corps, under
Prince Reuss, was commanded to furnish the rear guard.
On the 9th, it was reported at the Austrian head-quar-
ters at Guntersdorf, that a column of the enemy's army,
commanded by Mareschal Davoust, was advancing by Laab
to Znaim, and that its van-guard had arrived at Erdberg, two
hours march from Zuaim on the other side of the Taja.
The probability that it was the enemy's plan to gain upon
the Austrian retreating line, together with the strong pursuit
which he still kept up after Prince Rosenberg's corps, gave
this rumour an air of truth, which was fully confirmed by the
information obtained from General Alstern, and it then ap-
peared, that there was not a moment to lose in gaining the
defile near Znaim before the arrival of the French, in order
to secure the road to Prague.
The whole corps of reserve, consisting both of cavalry and
grenadiers, was consequently ordered to break up, and occupy
the heights adjoining Znaim, on each bank of the Taja.
The main ariny followed before day-break, and the fifth
corps, which at present composed the rear-guard, received
orders to maintain Schoengreben and Itzelsdorf as long as
possible.
The grenadiers had hardly time to cover the crossing of the
Taja, by placing themselves on the heights behind Teschwitz
534
THE ELEMENTS OF
!
and Zuckerhandel on the left, and on those of Pumlitz and
Oblas on the right bank, before they were engaged with the
French tirailleurs; General Steyer therefore rapidly advanced
with the first brigade, some three-pounders, and a small body
of light cavalry, to the eminence situated at the other side of
Teschwitz. During this time, Murray's brigade occupied the
vineyards to the left of Teschwitz and Zuckerhandel, and Ham-
mer's, the interval between General Murray's right wing and
the great road.
Melville's brigade was also stationed on the right side of
the Taja, to occupy the bridge and oppose the enemy pressing
forward by Raschlitz, the cavalry being placed on both banks
of the river, and on the road to Iglaw beyond Znaim.
The enemy had already obtained the most advantageous
points on the heights, and occupied them with from 7 to
8,000 troops, composed of infantry and cavalry, yet his rifle
corps, and even his line retired, as the Austrian grenadiers
advanced. However, his columns of support came soon up›
and his force being thus rendered from 12 to 14,000 strong,
he opened a fire with 20 pieces of ordnance on Steyer's bri
gade, and dismounted two three pounders attached to it; after
which, his rifle troops advanced boldly on the Austrian bat-
talions through the bushes and hollow ways. General Steyer
was, in consequence, embroiled in a very hot contest, which
he sustained without retreating an inch during five hours,
until he was forced by the movements of the French on his
flanks to retire towards Teschwitz.
As soon as their opponents discovered the retreat of the
Austrians, they immediately directed the cavalry to charge the
battalion, commanded by Major Hromeda. This battalion,
however, presented the most determined resistance, and suc-
ceeded in defending the hollow pass leading to Teschwitz,
till another battalion was able to come up and form in its
rear, upon which very violent firing commenced at the en-
trance of the village, and General Steyer having, in the mean-
ཀ
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
535
time, taken possession of the heights, and occupied the vine-
yards, to prevent the French from passing through them,
Teschwitz was wholly abandoned to the mercy of the latter,
who forthwith set it in flames.
During the above proceedings, Colonel Scavaux, acting on
the right bank of the river, drove back a body of the French,
and took some prisoners; and the park of artillery, together
with the entire train belonging to the Austrian army, defiled
through the pass near Znaim, which could only be effected,
on account of the narrowness and steepness of the way, in a
single column. The first corps was yet an hour's march dis-
tant from Pumlitz, when it was perceived, by a discharge
of small arms directed towards the point at which the cross-
ing of the Taja was to take place, that the French were in
the neighbourhood.
The patroles on the side next the river brought in at the
same time a number of prisoners, from whom information was
received of the arrival of General Marmont with his corps,
as well as of the first division of light cavalry, commanded
by General Monbrun.
General Count Bellegarde was then ordered to proceed
with all possible expedition, to pass the Taja by a ford ad-
joining the bridge, (the latter being covered with waggons)
and to bring his troops into the position near Brenditz. The
command was ably obeyed, and immediately on the head of
the corps reaching the ford, six battalions, as many squadrons,
and three batteries, were fortunate enough to make the oppo-
site bank without obstruction.
In the interval, General Steyer had been expelled from
Teschwitz, and the enemy now occupied the heights behind it
with ordnance, while his rifle-men and light cavalry advanced
to the valley bordering on the Taja, and every expedient was
resorted to, which seemed likely to render the passage of the
river impracticable to the remainder of the Austrian columns.
Baron Henneberg delivered at this moment an animated ad-
556
THE ELEMENTS OF
dress to his men, exhorting them to force their way with cool
determination, and to this, combined with his example, it was
indisputably owing, that the regiments he commanded passed
the ford in a columu of march, by divisions, in the
greatest
order, though the French directed a sharp fire of artillery,
and several attacks of their rifle corps against them. As soon
as the Austrians attained the left shore of the river, they de-
tached a chain of skirmishers to the right flank, which afforded
room for the formation of the troops, and consequently enabled
them to repulse the French from the valley. The former also
attacked Teschwitz again, and re-occupied it, by which ad-
vantages, sufficient time was gained for the whole corps to
pass over the river.
The troops that crossed the Taja, in the first instance, now
proceeded directly to the position near Brenditz, where they
arrived sooner than the French, who having passed the heights
near Zuckerhandel with their cavalry, began, however, to open
a brisk fire on the Austrian corps while forming its line.
General Count Bellegarde followed the head of his corps
in quick march, placed his right wing on a hill, which com-
mands the ground in front of Brenditz, ordered the ordnance
to be mounted, and then forced the enemy's cavalry, pro-
ceeding on the road to Iglau, to retreat to the heights near
Zuckerhandel, though they had previously repulsed two re-
giments of Austrian dragoons, who, being however now re-
inforced by Kroyer's and Roussel's cuirassiers, aided in attack-
ing the enemy in front, and the horse-artillery directed their
fire against him in the rear.
Bellegarde next detached some divisions of infantry to the
vineyards, situated nearer the foot of the opposite heights, and
in this manner effected a junction with the corps of grena-
diers stationed on the right.
The fire of the ordnance diminished towards evening, but
the infantry still fought with unabating fury in the defiles near
Zuckerhandel and Teschwitz, and also on the right bank of
the Taja, close to Pumlitz,
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
SCIÈNCE
537
About this time the Bavarian cavalry pushing suddenly for-
ward, fell upon a battalion of Austrian grenadiers behind
Teschwitz, who, surprised by the unexpected attack, were
thrown into confusion. But Field Mareschal Lieutenant Pro-
chaska immediately formed Hammer's brigade into battalion
masses, led them against the enemy, and rendered the advan-
tages on both sides equal. General Baron Henneberg, con-
vinced of the necessity of maintaining the hollows and the
valley which lie in the direction of Znaim, in order to cover
the passage of the corps, which had yet to cross, occupied
the vineyards in front of the bridge, till the same position was
taken up, at a late hour in the night, by the fifth corps.
The extraordinary exertions made by the above-mentioned
general, and the bravery of Kollowrath's and the Archduke
Rainer's regiments, succeeded, however, in rendering nuga-
tory all the endeavours of the French to get the bridge into
their hands. The village of Teschwitz, the possession of
which had been obstinately contended for during the whole
day, was likewise maintained, as also the position before the
bridge.
The third and sixth corps, in the mean time, effected their
passage, the third forming its line to the left of Brenditz, and
the other posting itself near that place on the road to
Iglaw.
The fifth corps, serving as a rear-guard, remained near
Schoengraben, while the main army was marching off, but
awaiting the nearer approach of the French, it formed after-
wards in two lines behind the ravine near Grund.
Prince Reuss left General Count Klebelsberg with his light
troops before Schoengraben, detached Lieutenant Colonel
Baron Wilgenheim towards Molberg, to secure his left flank
with one battalion of hunters and a squadron of Uhlans, and
Commanded Major Teshenberg, to establish a communication
with Field Mareschal Shutesk, who was then coming from
Creins, by Missau,
a
1
538
THE ELEMENTS OF
The light troops of the sixth corps had scarcely broken up
from Hollabrunn, early in the morning of the 9th, when the
French defiled through it, and drove Prince Reuss's advanced
posts about 100 paces back.
At nine o'clock, a strong column of the French evolved, and
was some time after reinforced by 16 pieces of ordnance,
and ultimately by the whole corps under Mareschal Massena.
Captain St. Quintin, however, repulsed the enemy's attacks,
and Major Baroni defended the village of Schoengraben with
the utmost bravery in the interval, till the fire had nearly con-
sumed it to ashes.
Count Klebelsberg now retired, supported by the infantry
and cavalry of the line to the heights behind the village of
Grund, and posted himself there to cover the march of the
fifth corps, which, having received orders from the Archduke
Charles to follow the main army to Znaim, had begun its re-
treat en échiquier by Guntersdorf. Grund was at this time
occupied by three companies of grenadiers, commanded by
Major Simbschen, and the shelving vine-yards were filled with
hunters.
In this position, Klebelsberg maintained himself until the
main columns had passed the defile near Guntersdorf, and
approached to Zettelsdorf.
The little corps here alluded to, had afterwards to pass an
extensive plain, on which the enemy attempted to turn its
right wing with 5000 cavalry; and nothing short of the unpre-
cedented courage of the troops, added to the skill and reso-
lution of their commanders, could have produced a happy
issue to an affair which highly merits the praisc and notice of
the historian.
Major Simbschen formed his soldiers in one mass, appearing
at the head of the grenadiers an impenetrable phalanx to the
reiterated attacks of the French; and Colonel Hardegg, with
the Archduke Charles's Uhlans, Blankenstein's hussars, and
Lieutenant Stonick's battery of horse-artillery, kept the enemy
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
539
1
in check by several assaults, and well-executed manoeuvres, so
that the whole corps arrived at sun-set in the vicinity of
Zettelsdorf.
General: Klebelsdorf then followed the fifth corps, which
passed the bridge near Znaim at eleven o'clock the same night,
and took its position at the exterior right wing of the Austrian
army, in front of Znaim, on the Taja.
The detachment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Wil-
genheim was cut off by the French, and not being able, in
consequence, to reach Znaim, it was at first considered as
destroyed, but at the end of five days, it again arrived without
any particular loss at the main army. Its well-executed ma-
nœuvres, and the noble conduct of its commander, combined
with the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Prombazzy, enabled
it even to take 78 prisoners, and, though surrounded on all
sides, happily to escape from the pursuit of the enemy.
The second corps joined Rosenberg's early on the 10th,
near Malberg, and reached the heights on the same side of
the Taja, while the grenadiers near Pumlitz and Oblas were
yet engaged in the valley adjoining the river, with the French
who had advanced from Naschlitz.
Prince Hohenzollern ordered his first line to form towards
the Taja, kept his second in reserve behind the eminences,
drove back the enemy on the right bank, occupied Naschwitz
with one battalion, and thus covered the train of artillery and
the corps which were filing along the road.
At midnight, the Archduke Charles commanded the Prince
to leave the right bank, and take his position in several lines
behind the cavalry of reserve on the left wing of the Austrian
army.
The head-quarters of the Austrian Generalissimo were,
from the 10th to the 11th, at Zuaim.
On the 10th, it became apparent to the Archduke Generalissi-
mo, that it was necessary to hazard a battle on the following day,
even at the obvious risk of being out-flanked on his left wing in
an unfavourable situation; for the ponton and artillery trains,
$
540
THE ELEMENTS OF
偏
​and almost all the carriages attached to the army, having
stopped in the defiles near Frainersdorf, Budwitz, and Schel-
letaw, an unconquerable obstruction was created to the ar
rival of the troops on the heights of Iglau so soon as required.
At day-break on the 11th, the Austrian troops were accord-
ingly under arins, and ready to receive the enemy. The fifth
corps formed the right wing of the army, occupied the town
of Znaim, and the heights behind Klosterbruck on the same
side of Teschwitz, and was connected with the first corps by
a deep river. To secure the said flank, a battalion of hunters
was also posted in the convent, situated on the summit of
Pellenberg, which formed the highest point of the eminence.
The cavalry were placed at the back of Znaim, for in
front the ground was unfavourable to the movements of such
troops.
The bridge over the Taja was barricaded.
To the left, and not far from the fifth corps, the first corps
was formed in two lines on the heights before Brenditz, oc-
cupying the entrance of the ravine on its right flank with one
battalion, and the neighbouring vineyards with riflemen and
hunters.
On the highest point in front, stood a twelve-pounder po-
sition battery, most admirably disposed to enfilade the
valley situated beyond Zuckerhandel and the plain lying
before it.
Again, in front of this battery, for the purpose of co-
vering it, one battalion of Mitrowsky's was stationed in a
hollow part of the ground, which served to defend the
soldiers against the fire of the enemy from the above bat-
talion; volunteers were likewise sent to observe the motions
of the French towards Zuckerhandeldorf, and a chain of
light cavalry maintained the communication between the
whole body and the first corps.
General Baron Henneberg had now brought up his troops
and formed the first line with eleven battalions. Field
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
541
Mareschal Lieutenant Count Fresnel composed the second
line with six battalions, and a like number of squadrons, and
watched at the same time the road leading to the village of
Brenditz.
The 3d corps placed itself in the same alignement on the
left wing of the first.
The corps of grenadiers had its first destination in the se-
cond line, behind Brenditz, but it was afterwards sent to the
right wing, in support of Znaim, the cavalry being posted en
'échellon near the former place, with the front towards Winaw
The 2d corps was formed behind the left wing in several
lines, and the sixth was detached by the Archduke towards
Wolframskirch, to secure the road to Iglau, and to cover the
train against the attempts of the enemy.
The main army of the French, leaving one corps in pursuit
of Prince Rosenberg, had taken the road to Znaim; and was
now arrived at the eminences near Zuckerhandel and Tesch-
witz: the movements of its right wing being concealed by a
neighbouring wood.
At six o'clock in the morning, Mareschal Massena appear-
ed with his corps on the right bank of the Taja, followed
along the high road the Austrian rear-guard to Stokerau, and
then prepared to pass the river.
Napoleon himself reached the army at 11 o'clock, and his
primary attention was directed to flank the rear-lines of the
Austrians, to gain the road to Bohemia before them, and to
drive their army, with the loss of its baggage, into the defiles
near the Taja.
The
sun was not yet quite risen, when the French tirailleurs
rushed out of all the ravines, gardens, and bushes near Tesch-
witz, and surrounded the most advanced part of the Austrian
position.
At seven o'clock, the engagement extended to the Taja,
and was maintained on both sides, during several hours, with
great animosity, but without any particular advantage resulting
to either, till the French succeeded at length in obliging the
}
1
542
THE ELEMENTS OF
Austrian troops on the rear, by a dreadful discharge of grape-
shot, in some degree to give way.
Massena now proceeded to make an attack with the rein-
forcements from Teschwitz, and the battle commenced on
the heights before Znaim, with so much violence, that the
Archduke ordered the grenadier corps thither as a reinforce-
ment.
In the course of these occurrences, the French stationed on
the right wing near the sheep-fold of Zuckerhandel, were
also about nine o'clock perceived to be in motion. They
formed several columns of infantry, and marched with one
into the adjoining valley, another took its direction to the right,
and proceeded towards the cavalry posted above Zuckerhan-
del, and the third, though filing towards the plateau occu
pied by the Austrian troops, kept however rather to the left,
in order to reach the vineyards.
The advanced piequets of the battalion of Mitrowsky's
immediately engaged, and were supported by the main body,
which, covered by the 12-pounder position-battery, obstructed
the enemy's advance, till another of Kollowrath's and two
pieces of ordnance commanded by Lieutenant Loffler came
up to give aid.
The latter marched courageously forward to the attack,
beat back the French with great loss, and regained the ground
taken from the Austrian advanced troops, prior to the com-
mencement of the battle.
New reinforcements arrived in the mean time from the
heights near the sheep-fold of Zuckerhandel, and it was dis-
tinctly seen, that the French were determined to hazard a new
effort to obtain possession of the eminence occupied by the
Austrian corps, in order to open a way by the former, and
the vineyards and ravines which covered them, to Znaim, and
in this manner to menace the 5th corps on its left, and the 1st
on its right flank.
General Count Bellegarde, finding it necessary to make the
plain adjoining Zuckerhandel as tenable as possible, reinforced
{
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THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
543
}
it with three battalions and some ordnance, and gave the com-
mand of the troops stationed there, to Field Mareschal Lieu-
tenant Count Fresnel.
The French tirailleurs advanced, in the interval, from
Zuckerhandel through the valley, and approached the 12-
pounder battery; the Austrians therefore detached another
battalion to the same point, and formed a chain of riflemen
to force back the enemy.
After a short, but very heavy shower of rain, the French
began to make their second attack: a column of infantry again
directed its march towards the vineyards, and, at the same
time, a column of cavalry evolved in the plain, but the latter,
while forming under the grape-shot discharge from the
battery commanded by Lieutenant Loffler, which, together
with the fire of the 12-pounder battery, and the advance of
some of Klenau's squadrons, were immediately forced to retreat.
The French infantry on the other hand were, in conse-
quence of their superior strength, at first enabled to push one
of Mitrowsky's battalions a little back; ultimately, however,
the other Austrian battalions advanced with fixed bayonets,
and drove the whole into the ravine before Zuckerhandeldoff,
though the flower of the enemy's army was stationed on the
neighbouring heights.
Willing still to make a third attack, the French ordered
their infantry to defile on the flank of the cavalry, by Zucker-
haudel, and form an attacking column near the heights occu-
pied by the Austrian troops: this column afterwards formed
in one line, at the foot of the eminences, and was followed by
a regiment of horse, who remained in columns in front of the
above village.
At the same time, another assault was directed to be made
from the sheep-fold, on the vineyards to the left. The Aus-
trian cavalry now began to move, and the 3d corps was drawn
ip in a front direction before Zuckerhandel.
In this last attempt the French were not more successful
han in the two preceding, for the Austrian troops continued
T
544
THE ELEMENTS OF
串
​always the same, both in respect to bravery and resolution,
although fatigued with fighting for several days successively.
The French line formed in front of Zuckerhandel, could
not sustain the superior fire of the Austrian artillery, but was
soon forced to retire, leaving behind it on the field, a great
number of killed; and, by this circumstance, the attack was
deprived of that united support and energy which would have
been necessary to insure its fortunate issue.
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Prince Schwartzenberg then
ordered four brigades of cavalry to proceed against those of
the enemy, after which the latter did not again advance.
The French doubled their strength on the side of the sheep-
fold, and applied all their force to break through it, but here
again, the Austrian batteries made sad ravages in their ranks,
and the battalions repulsed them to the ravine.
After the failure of the attack became general, there arrived
about sun-set a flag of truce, and the presence of Mareschal
Berthier, with proposals for an armistice, was announced to
the Austrian army: various propositions were exchanged,
firing ceased on both sides, and the day closed with the unin-
terrupted maintenance of the positions respectively taken up.
On the right wing the French had, however, gained consi-
derable advantages. Massena pushed forward, at four o'clock,
against Znaim, and had almost reached the Vienna gate, when
the Austrian grenadiers arrived to reinforce that post. Prince
Reuss immediately ordered Luning's battalion to advance en
masse on the great road, supported by a company of fusileers
as far as the vineyards; one battalion of Lindau's remained
as a reserve at the gate; Murray's brigade protected the points
principally in danger, under a severe fall of rain, during which
the firing ceased, and while objects were yet scarcely visible,
even at the shortest distance, Count Leiningen led his grena-
diers in quick march, and afterwards in full charge against
enemy posted on the great road, who then fled like chaff
before the wind.
the
Two generals and several officers were made prisoners on
1½
1
"
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
545
his occasion by the Austrians: the pursuit extended to the
second bridge, and a great number of the French riflemen,
whose retreat to the vineyards was cut off, threw down their
arms and cried for mercy.
The heroic example thus set by the grenadiers, and the
speedy success of the attack collectively, animated the rest
of the troops, and it became almost impossible to keep back
the reserve; all ran eagerly forward, equally anxious to have a
part in the victory; two pieces of ordnance advanced without
command, and it soon appeared necessary for the Austrian
commanders to bend all their effort, to avert the dangerous
consequences of enthusiastic rashness.
At this critical moment, some hundreds of French cuiras-
siers burst from a hidden post, and finding no resistance, as
the bodies of reserve had all hurried into the main action, fell
upon the Austrian column in flank, and cut it off; a ma-
nœuvre which occasioned the death of several brave grenadiers,
the capture of the two advanced guns, and the escape of all
the French prisoners.
The impossibility of maintaining a musquetry discharge,
was an advantageous circumstance for the French, who, hav-
ing pursued the remains of the Anstrian column to Znaim,
were, with difficulty, hindered from entering it by the gate be-
ing shut against them, till Major Salis pressed forward through
the streets, with the 5th battalion of the Vienna volunteers,
and drove them back the same way they had advanced.
The rain was now over, and the firing recommenced along
the whole line, when Captain d'Aspre arrived with informa-
tion of an armistice, on which occasion an unfortunate acci-
dent occurred; for this officer, advancing with too little pre-
caution towards the enemy, in order to give him notice of the
cessation of hostilities, was wounded, shot from his horse, and
taken prisoner; his men retreated back to the town gate,
pursued by a column of infantry 2000 strong, and the latter
would have assuredly forced its way into the place along with
VOL. III.
No
546.
THE ELEMENTS OF
!
them, had it not been opposed by Captain Relit at the head of
his company of grenadiers.
The French flag of truce, that arrived almost at the same
time, and with the same news, at the position commanded by
Count Reuss, met with a similar fate, and was also disarmed.
After some time, however, it became possible to withdraw
the troops, burning with fury and passion, from the fight,
which was succeeded by a complete cessation of arms, and
both parties remained in their respective positions.
Immediately on the conclusion of the armistice, the Aus
trian army took up its position near Budweis, where the
Archduke fixed his head-quarters.
Field Mareschal Lieutenant Prince Rosenberg, (whose
rear-guard obstructed the passage of the Taja, for some time
on the 10th,) proceeded on his retreat towards Brunn and
Olmutz, and arrived with one of his columns in Mederitz,
while the other was at Mentz: but receiving orders early on
the 10th to put an end to hostilities, he then directed his
march to the 4th corps of the army, stationed near Austerlitz
and Rausnitz.
Though the engagements on both days, after the famous
battle of Wagram, are less important than the latter, they
must still, however, remain most remarkable examples of the
wonderful fortitude of the Austrian soldiers, who thus fought
for eight and forty hours with all the enthusiasm of romantic
bravery, fixed boundaries during four days to the continued
pursuit of a far superior enemy, and bore with unexhausted
patience the many evils and difficulties incident to such pe-
culiar circumstances. They gained more trophies than the
conqueror, and made good their retreat in his sight over a
river; a movement which it was impossible for him, though
much stronger in numbers, to prevent. In fine, they sus
tained, on the 7th and 8th, uninterrupted contests in the field
of battle, and never quitted it for a moment; so that even
among their most inveterate foes, their claims to never-fading
glory must be fully acknowledged.
3
{
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"
រ
1
1
7
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
547
I
Count Bellegarde, Prince Reuss, Baron Rochoska and
Count Klenau received in particular the thanks of the Arch-
duke for the general excellence of their conduct, and the fol-
lowing officers were noticed as having more especially distin-
guished themselves according to their rank, after the battle of
Wagram, viz. six field mareschals, six generals, 18 colonels,
13 majors, 36 captains, 15 lieutenants, and one ensign.
The subjoined list contains a general return of the loss sus-
tained by the Austrian army, from the 4th to the 12th of
July.
Generals
Field and other officers
KILLED
Rank and file, serjeants, &c.
Horses
Generals
Field and other officers
WOUNDED
Rank and file, serjeants, &c.
Horses
Field and other officers
PRISONERS
Rank and file, serjeants, &c.
1
4
120
5,507
1,935
18
616
17,490
1,912
111
7,474
258
Horses
Generals
Field and other officers
TOTAL
Rank and file, serjeants, &c.
Horses
17
847
30,471
4,100
The missing, on the days subsequent to the battle, amount-
ed to several thousand, but the greater part joined their re-
spective regiments soon after.
The loss on the part of the French amounted, on a moder-
ate computation, to two thirds of that suffered by the Aus-
trians.
Nn 2
548
THE ELEMENTS OF
Notwithstanding the remarks before mentioned, the Arch-
duke Charles was so much displeased with the improper
conduct of some of the Austrian regiments, that he caused
the following notice, dated the 7th of July, to be inserted in
the general orders of the day:-
"In the battle of yesterday, the troops on the left wing in uo
way answered the expectation I had cherished respecting
them, nor the hopes I had formed, the importance of the day
considered, from their strong and advantageous position.
"The disastrous result of the battle, is to be ascribed chiefly
to the conduct of these troops, and as confusion was general
among them, they retreated with too great precipitation, and
in too much disorder. I am also, with some exception, far
from being satisfied with the infantry universally. Several
regiments advanced too soon, and began to fire without com-
mand; many of them were besides so crowded together, that
they galled each other with their shot. The officers were not
able to rally the larger bodies flying in disorder, and thus the
ground was lost. The confused cries which prevailed among
the men drowned the voices of the commanding officers.
"But had the latter accustomed their troops to silence, and
taught them to attend to nothing but their orders, the separa-
tion of the left wing would not have occasioned such shame-
ful consequences as it did.
"Of every regiment which shall hereafter act in a like man-
ner, the tenth man shall be condemned to immediate death,
the rest drafted into other corps, the commanding officers de-
graded, and all the other officers dismissed the service.
“Cries of alarm among the troops shall also be capitally
punished.
"The soldiers must only act when orders are given, or on
the beat of the drum. In most regiments, the drums are placed
with the music, out of the reach of the fire, but the com
manding officers shall hereafter see that the same return to:
their posts, and shall also take care, that the troops under
[
1
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
549
their control do not fire without orders, or at too great a
distance.
"In the evening of the 5th, Argontier's regiment made such
bad dispositions, that during the unfortunate retreat to Neu-
siedel, the second line fired on the first, and created great con-
fusion.
"The regiment of Hesse Homburg did nothing but march
from place to place; and sometimes the cry of Forward' was
heard, where there was no enemy.
"General Riese did not conduct himself well at Entzersdorf.
In the evening of the 6th, I did not find him at the head of his
troops, and in addition to this, he did not follow the instruc-
tions which were given to him relative to the attack, He
shall therefore be dismissed from the Emperor's service.
"The disorder which still prevails among the troops, proves
that the officers of the staff do not know how to apply a re-
medy. I will myself set the example, and, according to cir-
cumstances, cashier or degrade those of the grand staff, whose
troops are not again brought under proper discipline.
"It is to the shame of the army that so many stragglers and
plunderers are found on all the roads and in all the villages.
"CHARLES.”
The Austrian, corps which had advanced to Bayreuth under
General Radivojevich, was, at the beginning of July, informed
that the French had made on all sides arrangements for com-
pelling it to retreat, in consequence of which, it thought pro-
per to retire from this principality.
On the 6th, its advanced posts were attacked and driven in
by a superior force.
General Radivojevich then resolved to wait for the enemy,
in a position near Berneck; but being attacked there on the
7th, by a much more numerous body of French, and also
perceiving that it was the intention of his opponents to out-
flank him, he fell back upon Effrer, where he expected to
form a junction with Field Mareschal Kienmayer, and where,
550
THE ELEMENTS OF
still confident of receiving support, he resolved to present the
most obstinate resistance to the advancing enemy.
On the 8th at day-break, he was attacked by Mareschal
Junot; but, though the force under the latter was three times
as great as his own, he repulsed, till half past ten, all the
attacks of the French, and obtained, by his spirited conduct,
much honour and glory both for himself and his little corps.
At the hour just mentioned, Kienmayer came up with the
Duke of Brunswick's corps, the Hessians, and some battalions
of the Landwehr. The French were immediately taken both
in flank and rear, and though they fought with the utmost ob-
stinacy for three hours, they were in turn compelled to retreat.
On the same day, the Austrian corps re-advanced into
Bayreuth, where the enemy had left 2000 men severely
wounded.
The French lost in this affair 2000 men in killed and
wounded, together with their baggage. Generals La Roche
and La Methe of the same army were likewise wounded.
On the 9th, Field Mareschal Kienmayer wished to follow
up his victory, and bring on a general engagement with Junot.
However, the Austrian advanced columns could only overtake
the rear-guard of the French, who always retreated as the
heads of the former approached.
No correct estimate can be formed of the loss on the side
of the Austrians, on the above occasion, but it is supposed to
have consisted in about 500 men. The French lost nearly
400 more.
All the Austrian troops gained eminent applause, and par-
ticularly the Landwehr, who emulated in this brilliant action;
the troops of the line displayed in every respect equal zeal,
and contributed as essentially to the victory.
Thus ended a war, the consequences of which would have
been of the greatest importance to Europe, if an English ex-
pedition had appeared soon enough in the territories of East
Friesland and Hanover, and if the left wing of the Austrian
army had conducted itself properly in the battle of Wagram.
さ
​!
THE SCIENCE OF WAR.
551
It was a contest, from which nothing less than the defeat of
Napoleon could have been expected, independant of other
advantages, that would have tended in a high degree to the
ultimate diminution of his power.
The terms of the armistice are contained in the following
articles:-
Suspension of Arms between his Majesty the Emperor of the
French and King of Italy, and his Majesty the Emperor
of Austria.
I. There shall be a suspension of arms between the armies
of his Majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy,
and of his Majesty the Emperor of Austria.
II. The line of demarcation shall be, on the side of Austria,
the frontier which separates Austria from Bohemia, the circle
of Zuaim and Brunn, and a line drawn from the frontiers of
Moravia towards Raab. This line shall begin at the point
where the frontier of the circle of Brunn ends, near the
marsh, follow the marsh to its conflux with the Taja, extend
from thence to St. Johann on the road to Presburg (including
a league round the town), continue along the Danube to the
mouth of the Raab, and along the Raab to the frontiers of
Istria, Carniola, and Fiume.
III. The citadels of Brunn and Gratz shall be evacuated
immediately after the ratification of the present armistice.
IV. The Austrian detachments now stationed in Tyrol and
Voralberg shall evacuate both; and the fort of Sachssenburg
shall be delivered up to the French.
V. The magazines of provisions and clothes belonging to
the Austrian army, in the countries which it is to evacuate
may be emptied.
VI. In relation to Poland, the two armies shall take the
same line which they occupy at present.
VII. The present suspension of arms shall be in force for
a month, and 15 days notice shall be given before hostilities
recommence.
552
THE ELEMENTS, &c.
VIII. Commissioners shall be appointed on both sides, to
provide for the execution of the above articles.
IX. To morrow (the 13th) the Austrian troops shall be-
gin their evacuation of the places marked out by the terms of
this armistice, and shall retire by daily marches.
X. The fort of Brunn shall be put into the hands of the
French on the 14th, and that of Gratz on the 16th of July.
July 12th, 1809.
Signed
NEUFCHATEL,
WIMPFEN.
FINIS.
EXPLANATION
EXPLANATION OF THE PLANS.
ll,
PLATE XXVII. A;
French covered battery.
b, Prussian van-guard.
c, Prussian cavalry.
d, e, Prussian infantry.
f, Prussian battery to silence the French one a.
k, l, n, o, Prussian batteries.
P, Prussian right wing, consisting of cavalry.
M,
French battery, which was forced to retreat.
g, Prussian army in two columns.
s. t, Light infantry.
Mortar and other batteries.
v, 70, x, y, Prussian army in three lines.
n,, General Wittinghofen's brigade.
q, Prussian cavalry.
9
bb, French army.
s, p, French cavalry.
7, French artillery.
PLATE XXVII. B.
1, Centre of the Austrian army commanded by General
Clerfait.
2, General Lilien's division.
3, General Beaulieu's division.
4, Redoubts upon the heights of Zemappus.
5, Intrenchments.
6, French columns advancing to attack the intrenchments.
7, Battery.
8, Columns of cavalry.
9, Columns attacking the eminence of Mons.
1
10, Battery upon the height of Framery.
11, Wood Frene, where the Austrian cavalry were beaten.
12, The plain where the Austrians were out-flanked, and
from whence they retreated to Mons.
a
PLATE XXVIII.
}
A, French army before the battle.
B, Position of the left wing.
C, Attack of the French left wing.
Dand E, Attack of the tirailleurs, and the light troops.
F, Attack of the right wing of the French.
G, Attack of the centre of the French.
H, The left of the French formed in columns of attack.
m, Their centre in the same disposition.
H, I, and L, Deployment and real attack of the three co-
lumns of the French right wing.
K, Right column drawing too far to the left.
a, Retreat of the French, and their position after the battle.
c, The French artillery.
b, Their left wing.
A 2, Right wing of the Austrians.
a2, Left ditto ditto.
B2, Centre ditto ditto.
C2, Left wing.
E 2, Right wing of the Austrians repulsing the French.
B3, C 1, and D 2, Austrians coming from the right wing to
assist the left.
H 1, M 1, L 1, First line of the left wing of the Austrians.
G g 2, M 2, H 2, B 2, 12, and E 2, Reinforcement of the left
which determined the victory.
A 2, E 2, F 2, C 2, Dd2, N n 2, Position of the Aus-
trians after the battle.
i
PLATE XXIX.
*
A, Position of the Prussians and Saxons on the 28th of
November.
B, Post of Colonel Szeculi pressed back from thence,
C, Position of the French rear-guard.
D, Position of the French army.
E, General Kalkreuth's corps advancing.
F, Battery of the French against Szeculi's corps.
G, General Kospoth, who afterwards was forced to retreat.
K, French horse artillery.
L, Kalkreuth's second position.
M, Second position of the French from D.
N, Prussian batteries.
O, Attack of the French on the left wing of the Prussians.
P, Prussian cavalry forcing the French to retire to M.
Q, Another attack of the French forced to retreat to R.
S, Another attack of the French.
T, Another attack against the Duke of Weimar in V.
W, Prussian corps which was not at all engaged.
Z, Advancing of the Prussians till the French retreated.
a, Prussian infantry repulsing the French to T.
b, Prussian corps which also was not engaged.
c, Saxon corps to support that at Moorlautern.
X, Where the French attacked the last time.
a, Were repulsed.
}
PLATE XXXI.
Aa, First Austrian position.
Bb, Attack of the Austrians.
Cc, Attack of Verilo by the Austriaus.
Dd, Pursuit of the French.
E e, The Austrian Generals being returned to Alexandria,
thinking the battle to be finished, was the reason of the
retreat of the Austrians to E e.
aa, First French position.
bb, Retreat of the French.
cc, Napoleon's guard being charged by the Austrian cavalry,
retreat speedily.
dd, Flight of the French army.
ee, Dessaix's reinforcements.
ff, New line formed by the French army.
f
ť
PLAN XXXIII.
A, French army before the battle.
F, Attack against the centre and the left of the Russians,
B, Position of the first four Russian columns.
C, Their attack.
D, Five columns of cavalry commanded by Prince Lichtenstein.
E, Van-guard of the left wing of the Russians.
G, Reserve of the Russian army.
H, Position of the centre and left wing of the French, after
having repulsed the Russians.
I, Russian guards.
K, The combined army on the 2d, at night.
L, French army after the battle.
M, Retreat of the French cavalry in the afternoon.
455
ས་
PLAN XXXV.
1
A, 1, 2, 3, and 4, Bivouac of four divisions of the Prussian
army.
Bb, Their retreat.
a a, Deployment of the Prussian van-guard.
bb, A Prussian battery lost by the fire of the Freuch, all guns
but three.
cc, French division Gudin.
dd, Retreat of General Blucher.
ee, Advancing of Gudin's division.
ff, Deployment of the divisiou of Schmettau.
gg, Prussian infantry.
hh, Attack and retreat of General Blucher with the cavalry.
ii, Fortunate attack of ten squadrons of Prussians.
kk, Advancing of the division Friand.
11, Attack of the French on two battalions of Prussians who
retreated to 0.
Where the Duke of Brunswick was wounded.
mm, Retreat of the division of Schmettau.
an, Place of the division of Wartensleben.
00, Arrival of the division of Orange.
PP,
It advanced to.
49, Remained Prince Henry of Prussia.
グ
​rr, Division of Morand with 12 guns, who completely out-
flanked the Prussians.
ss, Vain attack of Prussian cavalry on three French squares,
where Mareschal Davoust himself was present, soon after
the Prussians retreated.
tt, Brigade of Prince August which covered the retreat
น 1,
Reserves for the same purpose,
Cc, Prussian guards for the same purpose.
vv, Movement of the division of Arnim for the same purpose,
ww, Its march to Eckartsberg.
, General Blucher's cavalry.
S, Battery of eight pieces detached by the French, to molest
the retreat.
Dd, Blucher's cavalry retreating.
PLATE XXXVI.
A a, Bivouac of the Emperor before the battle.
A, Position of the French army during the night before the
battle.
B, First attacks of the French, and corps of Mareschal
Lannes.
>
C and F, Second and third attack of the French, and corps of
Mareschal Augereau.
D, Prussian van-guard.
E, Prussian army.
G, Corps of Mareschal Soult.
H, Cavalry of the Grand Duke of Berg.
a, First position of General Holzendorf's corps.
b, Second position of General Holzendorf's corps.
c, First position of General Tauenzin's corps.
d, Second position of do.
e, First position of the Prussian army commanded by Prince
Holzendorf.
f, Second position of the Prussian army.
g, Saxon troops commanded by General Zeschwitz.
h, Corps of General Ruchel.
*
J
PLATE XXXVIII.
}
A, Russian position on the 7th of February, early,
B, Russian position on the 8th.
C, French position on the 7th, late.
D, Russian reserve.
E, French batteries.
F, Attack of the French.
GI, Detached French corps.
H, French guards.
K, Attack of the Prussians by General Lestock.
LM, Second attack of the Prussians.
N, Light Russian troops.
0, Position of the French after the battle.
P, Bivouac of the Emperor.
}
2
PLATE XXXIX.
A, French army.
a, Corps of M. Ney.
b, Dragoons of Latour Maubourg.
c, Dutch cuirassiers and Polonian cavalry.
d, Corps of Lannes, consisting of Oudinot's grenadiers, Ver-
dier's division in two columns, and three battalions of Saxon
infantry.
e, Division of Lahoussage.
f, One regiment of Saxon cuirassiers.
g, Corps of M. Mortier.
h, Polonian division Dombrowsky.
i, Some of Oudinot's grenadiers.
k, Dragoons of Grochy's division.
1, Cuirassiers of Nansouty's division.
m, Hussars.
n, Corps of M. Victor in two columns.
o, Guards in three columns.
p, Horse guards in two lines.
q, Reserve artillery.
r, Dutch artillery.
PLATE XL.
The Battle of Entzersdorf, on the 21st of May.
A 1A 1, B 1 B 1, CI C1, D1 D 1, and E1 E 1, The
five Austrian columns of attack.
F 1, F 1, The Austrian cavalry column.
UUU, Position of the French army. The reserves were
formed behind it towards the bridges from Lobau.
The Battle of the 5th of July.
a, b, c, d, Positions of the Austrians before the 5th of July.
e, Austrian advanced posts before the 4th of July.
fd, First position of the Austrians on the 5th of July.
g
and d, Rétreat of the troops f f.
h, Progressive retreat of the troops f f.
dd, ii, Positions of the Austrians during the night betweeli
the 5th and 6th.
A, French position before the crossing of the Danube.
B, Columns on the island of Lobau.
*C, Flotilla.
D, Columns after crossing the Danube.
E, First position of the French on the 5th of July,
F, Second.
G, Third.
H, Attacking columns of the French.
1
PLATE XLI.
a,
1
Battle of Wagram on the 6th of July.
First position of the Austrian army. ·
C, d, and e, Austrian attacking columns.
f, Advance of the right wing of the Austrian army.
g, Second position of the Austrian army.
h, Retreat of the left wing of the Austrian army.
į, Retreat of the right wing of the Austrian army.
k, Last position of the Austrian army.
A, First position of the French army.
B, Second position of the centre and left wing of the French
army.
C, French attacking column.
D, March and position of the French to out-flank the left
wing of the Austrians.
E and F, Third position of the French army.
G, Advance of the left wing of the French.
1
H, Position of the left wing of the French after the retreat of
the Austrians.
I, Fifth and last position of the French army on the 6th of
July.
:
J
J
The Author is extremely sorry to observe so many errors of the press
in this work; they are to be imputed chiefly to a gentleman who cor-
rected the proof sheets of the first half of each volume, and to his re-
siding at a distance from the press; the Author has endeavoured to
point out the most material of them, and he trusts that he shall obtain
the indulgence of the public for those which are not noticed.
ERRATA, VOL. III.
Page Line.
12
1
2 For Elsace read Alsace.
14 7
23
36
15
For fasine read fascine.
For prelimenaries read preliminaries.
14 For expence read expense, and throughout the vo
lume.
For Piemont read Piedmont.
23 For Louven read Louvain.
24 For Oberkirh read Oberkirch.
10
28
18
41
25
For was read were.
46
7
For Genua read Genoa.
47
8
For was read werc.
47
12 For enclosed read inclosed.
47
50
51
57
23
57
70
78
2
84
86
26
8
3
15
For retrogade read retrograde.
For (Pl. ) read Plate X.
For Huningen read Huninguen, and throughout the
volume.
Lines from the bottoin, for Isco read Iser.
Lines from the bottom, for to unite himself with
read he himself should have joined.
For Frouilli read Trouille.
For Dittingen read Dettingen.
38 22 For Tourney read Tournay,
91
7 For 12,000 read 1.
ERRATA.
Page Line.
92 14 For forfeited read fortified.
For Scheverin read Schwerin.
Lines from the bottom, for establised read established.
For Saubise read Soubise.
95 26
99
29
For though read as.
107
2
127 17
127
34
For for cewas read force was.
234 *4
For Prussian read Russian.
251 31
Dele in.
252
6
Insert of before defence.
273 1 For slow dilateness read dilatoriness.
Last line, for Lowentern read Lowenstein.
289
295
6
For dispatch read dispatched.
300 32
For port read post.
રે
Brooke, Printer, Paternoster Row, London.
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14-16 Sept.
1 Sept
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RETREAT OF THE FRENCH APMY,
of the Rhin & Mosel
Commanded by General Moreau.
French Army,
Commanded by Gen! Moreau .
Right wing commanded by
Gen! Desaix.
Centre of the Army commanded
by Gen. 8ª Cvr.
Let wing commanded by
-#-Gen. Ferine.
4444 Reserve or Cavalry Gen. Bourcier.
Auftrian Army,
Commanded by the Archiduc Charles.
Corps of the
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​Published March 1, iều bạ Longman Hurst Rees, Orme & Brown, Paternoster Row, London,
SIEGE
of
COPENHAGEN
1807
REFERENCES
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Published March Fidu by Longman Huret Rees, Orme & Brown.
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Pl. XXXVII.
The
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Published March 1,184, by Longman, Hurst Bees, Orme and Brown, Paternoster Row, London.
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Publish i March 1º 181, by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown,
PART
of
UPPER ITALY.
Po F.
000
Cooper sculp,
41

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Published March 1,384, by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, & Brown, Paternoster Row, Lendon.
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eal
apt
& Hubert
FETTATATABORUFIRIPO-TRAQUATpanamuntetcombangaluru Muntaammamma Balaika zorduntanyKPOLÍG
Visel
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Wesder
R.
ld Roche
Bastogne
Albert
la Cipete
l'ublished March 3, ip, by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, & Brown, Paternoster Row, London.

BOUND
JUN 28 1935
UNIV OF MICH.
LIBRARY
གཞི དུ་ གན : མ