The letter was understood to mean that Frederick intended to put an end to his life.

He knew that the enmity of his foes was largely directed against him personally, and that far easier terms might be obtained for the country were he out of the way; and he was therefore determined not to survive irreparable defeat.

Indeed, he always carried a small tube of deadly poison on his person.
Universal consternation was felt at the news.

However, three days later came the more cheering intelligence that twenty-three thousand men had now gathered round him, and that he had again taken the command.

The loss in the battle, however, had been terrible--six thousand had been killed, thirteen thousand wounded.
Two thousand of the latter, too seriously wounded to escape, were made prisoners.