[With Frederick the Great by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link book
With Frederick the Great

CHAPTER 10: Rossbach
27/29

He was carried to Vienna, but being a distant relation of the emperor, was sent home again without ransom.
It was the opinion of Frederick that he had given himself up intentionally, and on his return he was ordered at once to take up his former official post at Stettin; where he conducted himself so well, in the struggle against the Russian armies, that two years later he was restored to Frederick's favour.
As if this misfortune was not great enough, two days later came the news that Breslau had surrendered without firing a shot; and this when it was known that the king was within two days' march, and pressing forward to its relief.

Here ninety-eight guns and an immense store and magazine were lost to Prussia.
Frederick straightway issued orders that the general who had succeeded Bevern should be put under arrest, for not having at once thrown his army into Breslau; appointed Ziethen in his place, and ordered him to bring the army round to Glogau and meet him at Parchwitz on December 2nd, which Ziethen punctually did.
In spite of the terrible misfortunes that had befallen him, Frederick was still undaunted.

Increased as it was by the arrival of Ziethen, his force was but a third of the strength of the Austrians.

The latter were flushed with success; while Ziethen's troops were discouraged by defeat, and his own portion of the force worn out by their long and rapid marches, and by the failure of the object for which they had come.

Calling his generals together on the 3rd, he recounted the misfortunes that had befallen them; and told them that his one trust, in this terrible position, was in their qualities and valour; and that he intended to engage the enemy, as soon as he found them, and that they must beat them or all of them perish in the battle.
Enthusiastically, the generals declared that they would conquer or die with him; and among the soldiers the spirit was equally strong, for they had implicit confidence in their king, and a well-justified trust in their own valour and determination.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books