Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/35

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HISTORY OF THE WAR.
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often lies upon the ground. His inward sufferings cannot be less than his outward. Let us cast our eye on a map of the Prussian dominions; and measure what he hath left of the many fair possessions he had in the month of April last, of which a space of seven months hath stript him. Whence can he have men? he is shut out from the Empire; and from whence can he draw money? the duchy of Guelders, the duchy of Cleves, the principality of Moers, the county of Lingen, the county of Lipstad, the principality of Minden, East-Friesland, Embden, and its infant company, part of the archbishoprick of Magdeborgh, some other parts of the Marche, Ducal Pomerania, a great part of Silesia, a great part of the kingdom of Prussia, Berlin itself, almost all his dominions, in short, are either taken from him, or laid under contribution, and possessed by his enemies, who collect the public revenues, fatten on the contributions, and with the money which they draw from the electorate of Hanover, and other conquests, defray the expences of the war. This picture certainly differs greatly from that which the King of Prussia might have fetched out, the day he took arms to enter Saxony. Add to this the Duke of Cumberland's convention, which deprived him of all his allies, and left him without any assistance whatever, excepting four or five hundred thousand pounds sterling, which the British parliament may give him. Add likewise some domestick uneasinesses."


CHAP. V.

Battle of Rosbach. Schweidnitz taken by the Austrians. Prince of Bevern attacked in his entrenchments. Breslau taken by the Austrians. King of Prussia marches to Silesia. The Battle of Lissa. Breslau retaken. Austrians driven out of Silesia.

THIS was the King of Prussia's situation, when the will of Providence, and his own wonderful abilities, as wonderfully changed the scene. His majesty deferred to bring on a decisive action, distressed as his affairs were, until the approach of winter: had he marched to attack the Imperial army, whilst it was at a considerable distance, he must either have left Saxony exposed to the insults of the Austrian parties, or have greatly weakened his own forces employed in the principal action. He therefore suffered the army of the Empire to advance to the frontiers of Misnia, and even to threaten the siege of Leipsic, before he began to act against them; he however moved towards them, leaving an army in Lusatia to observe the Austrians. On his first motions, the enemy retired with precipitation. But when they had reinforced themselves with numbers and courage sufficient to persuade them to advance, the King of Prussia in his turn retired. His resolution seemed to have been to fight as near Misnia as possible, and as deep in the winter as he conveniently might; for if he should have the good fortune to succeed against the Imperial army, such a blow at such a season, would effectually disable them from acting any thing to his prejudice for that year at least; but if, on the contrary, he should fail, Saxony was