FREDERICK THE GREAT
It is not unknown to you, gentlemen, what disasters have befallen here while we were busy with the French and Reichs army. Sehweidnitz is gone; Duke of Bevern beaten; Breslau gone, and all our war stores there; a good part of Silesia gone; and in fact my embarrassment would be at the impossible pitch, had not I boundless trust in you and your qualities which have been so often manifested as soldiers and sons of your country. Hardly one among you but has distinguished himself by some nobly memorable action: all these services to the State and to me I know well and will never forget.
I flatter myself, therefore, that, in this case, too, nothing will be wanting which the State has a right to expect of your valor. The hour is at hand. I should think I had done nothing if I left the Austrians in possession of Silesia. Let me apprise you, then: I intend, in spite of the rules of art, to attack Prince Karl's army, which is nearly twice our strength, wherever I find it.
- ↑ Delivered at Parchnitz on December 8, 1757, after defeating the French at Rossbach in November. The tide in Frederick's fortunes had now turned, and on December 5 rose to a flood in the victory of Leuthen, by which the Austrians were driven from Silesia. "An authentic meeting, this at Parchnitz," says Carlyle, "and the words were taken down."
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