]
SCHMETTAU
SURRENDERS DRESDEN.
Thomas Carlyle
[book m.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
Wolfersdorf, one dimly gathers, had marched from Wit-
tenberg on this errand; the whole force in Torgau is now of
about 3,000, still with only field-cannon, but with a Captain
over them; -- who, as is evident, sets himself in a very earnest
manner to do his utmost in defence of the place. Next morn-
ing Keichs General Kleefeld (" CloverfiekT), with 6 or 8,000
Pandour and Regular, summons Wolfersdorf: "Surrender
instantly; or -- I "We will expect you! " answers Wolfers-
dorf. Whereupon, same morning (August 10th), general
storm; storm No. 1: beautifully handled by Wolfersdorf; who
takes it in rear (to its astonishment), as well as in front; and
sends it off in haste. On the morrow, Saturday, a second
followed; and on Sunday a third; both likewise beautifully
handled. This third storm, readers see, was "Sunday,
August 12th:" a very busy stormful day at Torgau here, --
and also, for some others of us, during the heats of Kuners-
dorf, over the horizon far away! Wolfersdorf tumbles back
all storms; furthermore makes mischievous sallies: a de-
structive, skilled person; altogether prompt, fertile in ex-
pedients; and evidently is not to be managed by Kleefeld.
So that Prince von Stolberg, Second to supreme Zweibriick
himself, has to take it in hand. And,
Monday 13th, at break of day, Stolberg arrives with a train
of battering guns, and 6,000 new people; summons Wolfers-
dorf: "No," as before. Storms him, a fourth time; likewise
"No," as before: attacks, thereupon, his Elbe Bridge, and
his Redoubt across the River; finds a Wolfersdorf party rush
destructively into his rear there. And has to withdraw, and
try battering from behind the Elbe Dam. Continues this,
violently for about two hours; till again Wolfersdorf, whose
poorfieldpieces, the only artillery he has, "cannot reach so
far with leaden balls" (the iron balls are done, and the
powder itself is almost done), manages, by a flank attack, to
quench this also. Which produces entire silence, and con-
siderable private reflexion, on the part of indignant Stolberg.
Stolberg offers him the favourablest terms devisable: "With-
draw freely, with all your honours, all your properties; only
withdraw! " Which Wolfersdorf, his powder and ball being
in such a state of ebb, and no relief possible, agrees to; with
stipulations very strict as to every particular. *
* In Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 350) the Capitulation, "August 14th,"
given in cxtenso.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 205
7th-23d Aug. 1757.
Colonel von Wolfersdorf withdraws, also beautifully (August
15th). Accordingly, Wednesday August 15th, at eight in the
morning, Wolfersdorf by the Elbe Gate moves out; across
Elbe Bridge, and the Redoubt which is on the farther shore
yonder. Near this Redoubt, Stolberg and many of his
General Officers are waiting to see him go. He goes in state;
flags flying, music playing. Battalion Hessen-Cassel, fol-
lowed by all our Packages, Hospital convalescents. King's
Artillery, and whatever is the King's or ours, marches first.
Next comes, as rearguard to all this, Battalion Grollmann; --
along with which is Wolfersdorf himself, knowing Grollmann
for a ticklish article (Saxons mainly); followed on the heel by
Battalion Hofmann, and lastly by Battalion Salmuth, trusty
Prussians both of these.
Battalion Hessen-Cassel and the Baggages are through
the Redoubt, Prince of Stolberg handsomely saluting as
saluted. But now, on Battalion Grollmann's coming up,
Stolberg's Adjutant cries out with a loud voice of proclama-
tion, many Officers repeating and enforcing: "Whoever is a
brave Saxon, whoever is true to his Kaiser, or was of the
"Reichs Army, let him step out: Durchlaucht will give him
"protection! At sound of which Grollmann quivers as if
struck by electricity; and instantly begins dissolving; -- dis-
solves, in effect, nearly all, and is in the act of vanishing like
a dream! Wolfersdorf is a prompt man; and needs to be so.
Wolfersdorf, in Olympian rage, instantly stops short; draws
pistol: "I will shoot dead every man that quits rank! "
vociferates he; and does, with his pistol, make instant ex-
ample of one; inviting every true Prussian to do the like:
"Jagers, Hussars, a ducat for every traitor you shoot down! "
continues Wolfersdorf (and punctually paid it afterwards):
unable to prevent an almost total dissolution of Grollmann.
For some minutes, there is a scene indescribable: storm of
vociferation, menace, musket-shot, pistol-shot; Grollmann
disappearing on every side, -- "behind the Redoubt, under
the Bridge, into Elbe Boats, under the cloaks of the Croats;"
-- in spite of Wolfersdorf's Olympian rages and efforts.
At sight of the shooting, Prince Stolberg, a hot man, had
said indignantly, "Herr, that will be dangerous for you (das
wird nicht gut gehn). '" Wolfersdorf not regarding him a whit;
regarding only Grollmann, and his own hot business of
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? 206 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XII.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
coercing it at a ducat per head. Grollmann gone, and Bat-
talion Hofmann in due sequence come up, Wolfersdorf, --
who has sent an Adjutant, with order, "Hessen-Cassel, halt"
-- gives Battalion Hofmann these three words of command:
"Whole Battalion, halt! -- Front! -- Make ready! " (with
due simultaneous click of every firelock, on utterance of that
last); -- and turning to Prince Stolberg, with a brow, with a
tone of voice: "Durchlaucht, Article 9 of the Capitulation is
express on this point; '. All desertion strictly prohibited; no
"deserter to be received either on the Imperial or on the Prussian
"side'! " (Durchlaucht silently gives, we suppose, some faint
sniff. ) "Since your Durchlaucht does not keep the Capitula-
"tion, neither will I regard it farther. I will now take you
"and your Suite prisoners, return into the Town, and again
"begin defending myself. Be so good as ride directly into
"that Redoubt, or I will present, and give fire! "
A dangerous moment for the Durchlaucht of Stolberg;
Battalion Salmuth actually taking possession of the wall
again; Hofmann here with its poised firelock on the cock,
"ready" for that fourth word, as above indicated. A General
Lusinsky of Stolberg's train, master of those Croats, and an
Austrian of figure, remarks very seriously: "Every point of
the Capitulation must be kept! " Upon which Durchlaucht
has to renounce and repent; eagerly assists in recovering
Grollmann, restores it (little the worse, little the fewer); wiu
five Wolfersdorf "command of the Austrian Escort you are to
ave," and every satisfaction and assurance; -- wishful only
to get rid of Wolfersdorf. Who thereupon marches to Witten-
berg, with colours flying again, and a name mentionable ever
since. *
This Wolfersdorf was himself a Pirna Saxon; serv-
ing Polish Majesty, as Major, in that Pirna time; per-
haps no admirer of "Feldmarschall Bruhl" and Company?
-- at any rate, he took Prussian service, as then offered
him; and this is his style of keeping it. A decidedly
clever soldier, and comes out, henceforth, more and
* Tcmpolhof, ni. 201-204; Seyfarth, II. 562n. , and Beylagen, n. 587;
Militair-Lcxikon, iv. 283.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 207
7th-:>3d Aug. 1759.
more as such, -- unhappily not for long. Was taken
at Maxen, he too, as will be seen. Rose, in after times,
to be Lieutenant-General, and a man famous in the
Prussian military circles; but given always, they say,
to take the straight line (or shortest distance between
self and object), in regard to military matters, to re-
cruiting and the like, and thus getting himself into
trouble with the Civil Officials.
Wolfersdorf, at Wittenberg or farther on, had a
flattering word from the King; applauding his effective
procedures at Torgau; and ordering him, should Witten-
berg fall (as it did, August 23d), to join Wunsch, who
is coming with a small Party to try and help in those
destitute localities. Wunsch, the King had detached
(21st August), as we heard already. Finck the King
finds, farther, that he can detach (from Waldau Country,
September 7th);* Russians being so languid, and Saxony
fallen into such a perilous predicament.
"Few days after Kunersdorf," says a Note, which should
be inserted here, "there had fallen out a small Naval matter,
"which will be consolatory to Friedrich, and go to the other
"side of the account, when he hears of it: Kunersdorf was
"Sunday, August 12th; this was Saturday and Sunday fol-
lowing. Besides their Grand Brest Fleet; With new flat
"bottoms, and world-famous land-preparations going on at
"Vannes, for Invasion of proud Albion ,i;all which are at
"present under Hawke's strict keeping, the French have,
"ever since Spring last, a fine subsidiary Fleet at Toulon,
"of very exultant hopes at one time; which now come to
"finis:
"Sea-Fight (properly Sea-Hunt of 200 miles), in the Cadiz
"Waters, August 18th-19th. The fine Toulon Fleet, which
"expected at one time, Pitt's ships being so scattered over
"the world, to be 'mistress of the Mediterranean,' has found
* Tempelhof, in. 211, 237.
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? 208 FKIEDRICH LIKE tQ BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
18th-19th Aug. 1759.
"itself, on the contrary (such were Pitt's resources and
"promptitudes), cooped in harbour all Summer; Boscawen
"watching it in the usual strict way. No egress possible; till,
"in the sultry weather (8th July -- 4th August), Boscawen's
"need of fresh provisions, freshwater, and of making some
"repairs, took him to Gibraltar, and gave the Toulon Fleet a
"transient opportunity, which it made use of.
"August 17th, at 8 in the evening, Boscawen, at Gibraltar
"(some of his ships still in dishabille or under repair), was
"hastily apprised by one of his Frigates, That the Toulon
"Fleet had sailed; been seen visibly at CeutaPoint so many
"hours ago. 'Meaning,' as Boscawen guesses, 'to be through
"the Straitsthis very night! ' By power of despatch, the dis-
"habille ships were rapidly buttoned together (in about two
"hours); and by 10 p. m. all were under sail. And soon were
"in hot chase: the game being now in view, -- going at its
'' utmost through the Straits, as anticipated. At 7 next morn-
"ing (Saturday August 18th) Boscawen got clutch of the
"Toulon Fleet; still well east of Cadiz, somewhere in the
"Trafalgar waters, I should guess. Here Boscawen fought
"and chased the Toulon Fleet, for 24 hours coming: drove it
"finally ashore, at Lagos on the coast ofPortugal, with five
"of its big ships burnt or taken, its crews and other ships
"flying by land and water, its poor Admiral mortally
"wounded; and the Toulon Fleet a ruined article. The wind
"had been capricious, here fresh, there calm; now favouring
"the hunters, now the hunted; both Fleets had dropped in
"two. De la Clue, the French Admiral, complained bitterly
"how his Captains lagged, or shore off and forsook him.
"Boscawen himself, who for his own share had gone at it
"eagle-like, was heard grumbling, about want of speed in
"some people; and said: 'It is well; but it might have been
"better! '*
"De la Clue, -- fallen long ago from all notions of
"'dominating the Mediterranean, -- had modestly intended
"to get through, on any terms, into the Ocean; might then, if
"possible, have joined the grand 'Invasion Squadron,' now
"lying at Brest, till Vannes and the furnishings are ready, or
"have tried to be troublesome in the rearofHawke, who is
* Beatson, n. 313-9; lb. in. 237, 8, De la Clue, the French Admiral's
Despatch; -- Boscawen's Despatch, &c. , In Gentleman's Magazine, xxix. 434.
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? CHAP, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 209
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"blockading all that. A modest outlook in comparison; --
"and this is what it also has come to. As for the Grand In-
vasion Squadron, Admiral Conflans, commanding it, still
"holds up his head in Brest Harbour, and talks big. Makes
'little of Rodney's havoc on the Flatbottoms at Havre, 'Will
"soon have Flatbottoms again; and you shall see! ' -- if
"only Hawke, and wind and weather and Fortune, will
"permit. "
Austrian Reichs Army does its
nan Reichs Army does its crowning Feat (August
26th -- September 4th): Diary of what is called
the "Siege" of Dresden.
Since the first weeks of August there have been
Austrian detachments, Wehla's Corps, Brentano's Corps,
entering Saxony from the north-east or Daun-ward side,
and posting themselves in the strong points looking to-
wards Dresden; waiting there till the Reichs Army
should capture its Leipzigs, Torgaus, Wittenbergs, and
roll forward from north-west. To all which it is easy
to fancy what an impetus was given by Kunersdorf
and August 12th; the business, after that, going on
double-quick, and pointing to immediate practical in-
dustry on Dresden. The Reichs Army hastens to settle
its north-western Towns, puts due garrison in each,
leaves a 10 or 12,000 movable for general protection,
in those parts; and, August 23d, marches for Dresden.
There are only some 15,000 left of it now; almost half
the Reichs Army drunk up in that manner; were not
Daun now speeding forth his Maguire with a fresh
12,000; who is to command the Wehlas and Brentanos
as well. And, in effect, to be Austrian chief, and
as regards practical matters, Manager of this im-
portant Enterprise, -- all-important to Daun just now.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. XI. 14
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? 210 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHlfLMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
Schmettau in Dresden sees clearly what mischief is at
hand.
To Daun this Siege of Dresden is the alpha to
whatever omegas there may be: he and his Soltikof
are to sit waiting this; and can attempt nothing but
eating of provender, till this be achieved. As the Siege
was really important, though not quite the alpha to all
omegas, and has in it curious points and physiognomic
traits, we will invite readers to some transient inspection
of it, -- the rather as there exist ample contemporary
Narratives, Diariums, and authentic records to render
that possible and easy*
"Ever since the rumour of Kunersdorf," says one Diarium,
compiled out of many, "in the last two weeks of August,
"Schmettau's need of vigilance and diligence has been on the
"increase, his outlooks becoming grimmer and grimmer. He
"has a poorishGarrison for number (3,700 in all**), and not of
"the best quality; deserters a good few of them: willing
"enough for strokes; fighting fellows all, and of adventurous
'' turn, but uncertain as to loyalty in a case of pinch. He has
"endless stores in the place; for one item, almost a million
"sterling of ready money. Poor Schmettau, if he knew it,
"has suddenly become the Leonidas of this Campaign, Dres-
"den its Thermopylae; and" -- But readers can conceive the
situation.
"August 20th, Schmettau quits the Neustadt, or northern
"part of Dresden, which lies beyond the River: unim-
"portant that, and indefensible with garrison not adequate;
"Schmettau will strengthen the River bank, blow up the
"Stone Bridge if necessary, and restrict himself to Dresden
"Proper. The Court is here; Schmettau does not hope that
"the Court can avert a Siege from him; but he fails not to try,
"in that way too, and may at least gain time.
* In Tempelhof (in. 210-216-222)', complete and careful Narrative; in
Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 871-377), express "Day-book" by some Eye-
witness in Dresden.
** Schmettau's Leben (by his Son), p. 408.
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? CHAP. V.
] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 211
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"August 25th, He has a Mine put under the main arch of
"the Bridge: 'mine ill-made, uncertain of effect,' reports the
"Officer whom he sent to inspect it. But it was never tried,
"the mere rumour of it kept off attacks on that side. Same
"day, August 25th, Schmettau receives that unfortunate
"Royal Missive* written in the dark days of Reitwein,
"morrow of Kunersdorf (14th or 13th August)" which we read
above. "That there is another Letter on the road for him,
"indicating 'Relief shall be tried,' is unknown to Schmettau,
"and fatally continues unknown. While Schmettau is
"reading this (August 25th), General Wunsch has been on
"the road four days: Wunsch and Wolfersdorf with about
"8,000, at their quickest pace, and in a fine winged frame of
"mind withal, are speeding on: will cross Elbe at Meissen to-
"morrow night, -- did Schmettau only know. People say he
"did, in the way of rumour, understand that Kunersdorf had
"not been the fatal thing it was thought; and that efforts
"would be made by a King like his. In his place, one might
"have, at least, shot out a spy or two? But he did not, then
"or afterwards.
"Already, ever since the arrival of Wehla andBrentano
"in those parts, he has been labouring under many uncer-
"tainties; too many for aLeonidas! Hanging between Yes
"and No, even about that of quitting the Neustadt, for ex-
"ample: carrying over portions of his goods, but never
"heartily the whole; unable to resolve; now lifting visibly
"the Bridge pavement, then again visibly restoring it; --
"and, I think, though the contrary is asserted, he had at last
"to leave in the Neustadt a great deal of stores, horse-
"provender and other, not needful to him at present, orim-
"possible to carry, when dubiety got ended. He has put a
"mine under the Bridge; but knows it will not go off.
"Schmettau has been in many wars, but this is a case that
"tries his soldier qualities as none other has ever done. A
"case of endless intricacy, -- if he be quite equal to it; which
"perhaps he was not altogether. Nobody ever doubted
"Schmettau's high qualities as a man and captain; but here
"are requisite the very highest, and these Schmettau has not.
"The result was very tragical; I suppose, a pain to Friedrich
"all his life after; and certainly to Schmettau all his. This
* Tempelhof, m. 208; Schmettau's Lebcn (p. 421) has "August 27th. "
14*
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? 212 fRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"is Saturday night 25th August: before Wednesday week
"(September 4th) there will have sad things arrived, irreme-
"diable to Sehmettau. Had Schmettau decided to defend
"himself, Dresden had not been taken. What a pity Schmet-
"tau had not been spared this Missive, calculated to produce
"mere doubt! Whether he could not, and should not, after a
"ten days of inquiry and new discernment, have been able to
"read the King's true meaning, as well as the King's mo-
"mentary humour, in this fatal Document, there is no de-
ciding. Sure enough, he did not read the King's true
". meaning in it, but only the King's momentary humour; did
"not frankly set about defending himself to the death, -- or
"'seeing' in that way 'whether he could not defend him-
"self,' -- with a good capitulation lying in the rear, after
"he had.
"Sunday August 26th, Trumpet at the gates. Messenger
"from Zweibruck is introduced blindfold; brings formal Sum-
"monsto Schmettau. Summons duly truculent: 'Resistance
"' vain; the more you resist, the worse it will be, -- and there
"'is a worst' (that of being delivered to the Croats, and
"massacred every man), 'of which why should I speak?
"'Especially if in anything you fail of your duty to the Kur-
"'Prinz'" (ElectoralPrince and Heir-Apparent, poor crook-
backed young Gentleman, who has an excellent sprightly
Wife, a friend of Friedrich's, and daughter of the late Kaiser
Karl VII. , whom we used so beautifully), 'imagine what your
'fate will be! ' -- "To which Schmettau answers: 'Can
"'Durchlaucht think us ignorant of the common rules of be-
"'haviour to Persons of that Rank? For the rest, Durchlaucht
"' knows what our duties here are, and would despise us if we
"'did not do them;' -- and, in short, our answer again is, in
"polite forms, 'Pooh, pooh; you may go your way! ' Upon
"which the Messenger is blindfolded again; and Schmettau
"sets himself in hot earnest to clearing out his goods from the
"Neustadt; building with huge intertwisted cross-beams and
"stone and earthmasses, a Battery at his own end of the
"Bridge, batteries on each side of it below and above; -- locks
"the Gates; and is passionately busy all Sunday, --though
"divine service goes on as usual.
"Hardly were the Prussian guns got away, when Croat
"people in quantity came in, and began building a Battery at
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 213
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"their end of the Bridge, the main defence-work being old
"Prussian meal-barrels, handily filled with earth. 'If you fire
"'one cannon-ball across on us,' said Schmettau, 'I will bom-
"'bard the Neustadt into flame in few minutes' (I have only
"to aim at our Hay Magazine yonder):'be warned 1' Nor did
"they once fire from that side; Electoral Highness withal and
"Royal Palace being quite contiguous behind the Prussian
"Bridge-Battery. Electoral Highness and Household are
"politely treated, make polite answer to everything; intend
"going down into the 'Apotheke' (Kitchen suite), or vaulted
"part of the Palace, and will lodge there when the cannonade
"begins.
"This same Sunday, August 26th, Maguire arrived; and set
"instantly to building his bridge atPillnitz, a little way above
"Dresden: at Uebigau, a little belowDresden, the Reichsfolk
"have another. Reichsfolk, Zweibruck in person, come all in
"on Wednesday; post themselves there, to north and west of
"the City. What is more important, the siege-guns, a superb
"stock, are steadily floating, through the Pirna regions,
"hitherward; get to hand on Friday next, the fifth day hence. *
"Korbitz (halfway out toKesselsdorf) is Durchlaucht's head-
"quarter: -- Chief General is Durchlaucht, conspicuously he,
"at least in theory, and shall have all the glory; though
"Maguire, glancing on these cannon, were it nothing more,
"has probably a good deal to say. Maguire too, I ODserve,
"takes post on that north or Kesselsdorf side; contiguous for
"the Head General. Wehla and Brentano post themselves on
"thesouthorup-stream side; it is they that hand-in the siege-
"guns: batteries are already everywhere marked out, 13
"cannon batteries and 5 ho wifzer. In short, from the morrow
"of that truculent Summons, Monday morning to Thursday,
"there is hot stir of multifarious preparation on Schmettau's
"part; and continual pouring in of the hostile force, who are
"also preparing at the utmost. Thursday, the Siege, if it can
"be called a Siege, begins. Gradually, and as follows --
"Thursday Morning (August 30th), Schmettau, who is,
"night and day, 'palisadingthe River,' and much else, -- dis-
closes (that is, Break of Day discloses on his part) to the
"Dresden public a huge Gallows, black, huge, of impressive
"aspect; labelled 'For Plunderers, Mutineers and their Hel- * Tempelhof, p. 210.
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? 214 FR1BDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
pers. ' * The Austrian heavy guns are not yet in battery; but
'multitudes of loose Croat people go swarming about every-
'where, and there is plentiful firing from such artilleries as
'they have. This same Thursday morning, two or three
'battalions of them rush into the Pirna Suburb; attack the
'Prussian Guard-parties there. Schmettau instantly des-
'patches Captain Kollas and a Trumpet:-- 'Durchlaucht,
"have the goodness to recal these Croat Parties; otherwise
''the Suburb goes into flame! And directly on arrival of this
"Messenger, may it please Durchlaucht. For we havecom-
"puted the time; and will not wait beyond what is reason-
'' able for his return! ' Zweibruck is mere indignation and
'astonishment; 'will burn Halle,'burn Quedlinburg, Berlin
'itself, and utterly ruin the King of Prussia's Dominion in
'general: -- the rejoinder to which is, burning of Pirna
'Suburb, as predicted; seventy houses of it, this evening, at
'six o'clock.
"Onward from which timethere is on both sides, especially
'on Schmettau's, diligent artillery practice; cannonade kept
'up wherever Schmettau can see the enemy busy; enemy
'responding with what artillery he has: -- not much damage
'done, I should think, though a great deal of noise; and tor
'one day (Saturday September 1st), our Diarist notes, 'Not
'' safe to walk the streets this day. ' But, in effect, the Siege,
'as they call it, -- which fell dead on the fifth day, and was
'never well alive, -- consists mainly of menace and counter-
'menace, in the way of bargain-making and negotiation; --
'and, so far as I can gather, that superb Park of Austrian
'Artillery, though built into batteries, and talked about in a
'bullying manner, was not fired from at all.
"Schmettau affects towards the enemy (and towards him-
'self, I dare say) an air of iron firmness; but internally has
'no such feeling, 'calls a Council of War,' and the like.
'Council of War, on sight of that King's Missive, confirms
'him with one voice: 'Surely, surely, Excellenz; no defence
"possible! ' Which is a prophecy and a fulfilment, both in
'one. Why Schmettau did not shoot forth a spy or two, to
'ascertain for him What, or whether Nothing whatever, was
'passing outside Dresden? I never understand! Beyond his
* Anonymous of Hamburg, in. 873.
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? CHAP, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 215
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
"own Walls, the world is a vacancy and blank to Schmettau,
"and he seems content it should be so.
"Sunday September 2d. Though Schmettau's cannonade
"was very loud, and had been so all night, Divine Service was
"held as usual, streets safe again, --Austrians, I suppose, not
"firing with cannon. About 4 p. m. , after a great deal of
"powder spent, General Maguire, stepping out on Elbe
"Bridge, blows or beats Appeal, three times; 'wishes a
"'moment's conversation with his Excellency. ' Granted at
"once; witnesses attending on both sides. 'Defence is im-
"'possiblejin the name of humanity, consider! 'urges Maguire.
"' Defence to the lastman of us is certain,'answers Schmettau,
"from the teeth outwards; -- but, in the end, engages to put
"on paper, in case he, by extremity of ill-luck, have at any
"time to accept terms, what his terms will inflexibly be. Upon
"which there is 'Armistice till Tomorrow:' and Maguire, I
"doubt not, reports joyfully on this feeling of the enemy's
"pulse. Zweibriick and Maguire are very well aware of what
"is passing in these neighbourhoods (General Wunsch back
"at Wittenberg by forced marches; blew it open in an hour);
"and are growing highly anxious that Dresden on any terms
"were theirs.
"Monday September 3d, The death-day of the Siege; an
"uncommonly busy day, -- though Armistice lasted perfect
"till 3 p. m. , and soon came back more perfect than ever. A
"Siege not killed by cannon, but by medical industry. Let
"us note with brevitythe successive symptoms and appliances.
"About seven in the morning, Maguire had his Messenger in
"Dresden, 'Your Excellency s Paper ready? ' 'Nearly ready,'
"answers Schmettau; 'we will send it by a Messenger of our
"' own. ' And about eleven of the day, Maguire does get it; --
"the same Captain Kollas (whose name we recollect) handing
"it in; and statue-like waiting Answer. 'Pshaw, this will
'"never do,' ejaculates Maguire; 'terms irrationally high! '
"Captain Kollas 'knows nothing of what is in the Paper; and
'"is charged only to bring a Written Answer from Excellenz. '
"Excellenz, before writing, 'will have to consult with Durch-
"'laucht;' can, however, as if confidentially and from feelings
"of friendship, 'can assure you, Sir, onmy honour, Thatthe
"' Garrison will be delivered to the Croats, and every man of
"'itput to the sword. ' 'The Garrison will expect that (wird
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? 216 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED, [book XIX.
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
"'Das erwarten),' said Kollas, statue-like; and withdrew, with
"the proper bow. * Something interesting to us in these Mili-
"tary diplomatic passages, with their square-elbowed fashions,
"and politeness stiff as iron!
"Not till three of the afternoon does the Written Answer
"reach Schmettau: 'Such Terms never could be accepted. ' -<<-
"'Good,' answers Schmettau: 'To our last breath no others
"'will be offered. ' And commences cannonading again, not
"very violently, but with the order, 'Go on, then, night and
"'day! '
"About 10 at night, General Guasco, a truculent kind of
"man, whom I have met with up and down, but not admitted
"to memory, beats Appeal on the Bridge: 'Inform theCom-
"'mandant that there will now straightway 13 batteries of
"'cannon, and 5 ditto of howitzers open on him, unless he
"'bethinks himself! ' Which dreadful message is taken to
"Schmettau. 'Wish the gentleman good evening,' orders
"Schmettau;'and say, we will answer with 100 guns. ' Upon
"which Guasco vanishes; -- but returns in not many minutes,
"milder in tone; requests 'a sight of that Written Paper of
"' Terms again. ' 'There it still is,' answers Schmettau, 'not
"' altered, nor ever shall be. ' And there is Armistice again:--
"and the Siege, as turns out, has fired its last shot; and is
"painfully expiring in paroxysms of negotiation, which con-
"tinue a good many hours. Schmettau strives to understand
"clearly that his terms (of the King's own suggesting, as
"Schmettau flatters himself) are accepted: nor does Durch-
"laucht take upon him to refuse in any point; but he is
"strangely slow to sign, still hoping to mend matters.
"Much hithering and thithering there was, till 4 next
"morning (Durchlaucht has important news from Torgau, at
"that moment); till 11 next day; till4 in the afternoon and
"later, -- Guasco and others coming with message after
"message, hasty and conciliatory: 'Durchlaucht at such a
"'distance, his signature not yet come; but be patient; all is
"'right, upon my honour! ' Very great hurry evident on the
"part of Guasco and Company; but nothing suspected by
"Schmettau. Till, dusk or darkness threatening now to super-
"vene, Maguire and Schmettau with respective suites have a
"Conference on the Bridge, -- 'rain falling very heavy. ' * Tempelhof, hi. 211.
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? CHAp, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 217
4th Sept. 1759.
"Durchlaucht's signature, Maguire is astonished to say, has
"not yet come; but Maguire pledges his honour 'that all shall
"'be kept without chicane; and adds (what to some of us
"seemed not superfluous afterwards), 'I am incapable of
"' acting falsely or with chicane. ' In fact, till 9 in the evening
"there was no signature by Durchlaucht; but about 6, on such
"pledge by Maguire of his hand and his honour, the Siege
"entirely gave up theghost; andDresden belonged to Austria
"TuesdayEvening, 4th September 1759; Sun just setting,
"could anybody see him for the rain.
"Schmettau had been over-hasty ;whatneed had Schmettau
"of haste? The terms had not yet got signature, perfection
"of settlement on every point; nor were they at all well kept,
"when they did! Considerable flurry, temporary blindness,
"needless hurry, and neglect of symptoms and precautions,
"must be imputed to poor Schmettau; whose troubles began
"from this moment, and went on increasing. The Austrians
"are already besetting Elbe Bridge, rooting up theherring-
"bone balks; and approaching our Blockhouse, -- sooner
"than was expected. But that is nothing. On opening the
"PirnaGate, to share it with the Austrians, Friedrich's Spy
"(sooner had not been possible to the man) was waiting;
"who handed Schmettau that Second Letter of Friedriclrs,
"'Courage; there is relief on the road! ' Poor Schmettau! "
What Captain Kollas and the Prussian Garrison
thought of all this, they were perhaps shy of saying,
and we at such distance are not informed, -- except
by one symptom: that of Colonel Hoffman, Schmettau's
Second, whose indignation does become tragically evi-
dent. Hoffman, a rugged Prussian veteran, is indignant
at the Capitulation itself; doubly and trebly indignant
to find the Austrians on Elbe Bridge, busy raising our
Balks and Battery: "How is this, Sir? " inquires he of
Captain Sydow, who is on guard at the Prussian end;
"How dared you make this change, without acquainting
the Second in Command? Order out your men, and
come along with me to clear the Bridge again! " Sydow
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7th-23d Aug. 1759.
Wolfersdorf, one dimly gathers, had marched from Wit-
tenberg on this errand; the whole force in Torgau is now of
about 3,000, still with only field-cannon, but with a Captain
over them; -- who, as is evident, sets himself in a very earnest
manner to do his utmost in defence of the place. Next morn-
ing Keichs General Kleefeld (" CloverfiekT), with 6 or 8,000
Pandour and Regular, summons Wolfersdorf: "Surrender
instantly; or -- I "We will expect you! " answers Wolfers-
dorf. Whereupon, same morning (August 10th), general
storm; storm No. 1: beautifully handled by Wolfersdorf; who
takes it in rear (to its astonishment), as well as in front; and
sends it off in haste. On the morrow, Saturday, a second
followed; and on Sunday a third; both likewise beautifully
handled. This third storm, readers see, was "Sunday,
August 12th:" a very busy stormful day at Torgau here, --
and also, for some others of us, during the heats of Kuners-
dorf, over the horizon far away! Wolfersdorf tumbles back
all storms; furthermore makes mischievous sallies: a de-
structive, skilled person; altogether prompt, fertile in ex-
pedients; and evidently is not to be managed by Kleefeld.
So that Prince von Stolberg, Second to supreme Zweibriick
himself, has to take it in hand. And,
Monday 13th, at break of day, Stolberg arrives with a train
of battering guns, and 6,000 new people; summons Wolfers-
dorf: "No," as before. Storms him, a fourth time; likewise
"No," as before: attacks, thereupon, his Elbe Bridge, and
his Redoubt across the River; finds a Wolfersdorf party rush
destructively into his rear there. And has to withdraw, and
try battering from behind the Elbe Dam. Continues this,
violently for about two hours; till again Wolfersdorf, whose
poorfieldpieces, the only artillery he has, "cannot reach so
far with leaden balls" (the iron balls are done, and the
powder itself is almost done), manages, by a flank attack, to
quench this also. Which produces entire silence, and con-
siderable private reflexion, on the part of indignant Stolberg.
Stolberg offers him the favourablest terms devisable: "With-
draw freely, with all your honours, all your properties; only
withdraw! " Which Wolfersdorf, his powder and ball being
in such a state of ebb, and no relief possible, agrees to; with
stipulations very strict as to every particular. *
* In Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 350) the Capitulation, "August 14th,"
given in cxtenso.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 205
7th-23d Aug. 1757.
Colonel von Wolfersdorf withdraws, also beautifully (August
15th). Accordingly, Wednesday August 15th, at eight in the
morning, Wolfersdorf by the Elbe Gate moves out; across
Elbe Bridge, and the Redoubt which is on the farther shore
yonder. Near this Redoubt, Stolberg and many of his
General Officers are waiting to see him go. He goes in state;
flags flying, music playing. Battalion Hessen-Cassel, fol-
lowed by all our Packages, Hospital convalescents. King's
Artillery, and whatever is the King's or ours, marches first.
Next comes, as rearguard to all this, Battalion Grollmann; --
along with which is Wolfersdorf himself, knowing Grollmann
for a ticklish article (Saxons mainly); followed on the heel by
Battalion Hofmann, and lastly by Battalion Salmuth, trusty
Prussians both of these.
Battalion Hessen-Cassel and the Baggages are through
the Redoubt, Prince of Stolberg handsomely saluting as
saluted. But now, on Battalion Grollmann's coming up,
Stolberg's Adjutant cries out with a loud voice of proclama-
tion, many Officers repeating and enforcing: "Whoever is a
brave Saxon, whoever is true to his Kaiser, or was of the
"Reichs Army, let him step out: Durchlaucht will give him
"protection! At sound of which Grollmann quivers as if
struck by electricity; and instantly begins dissolving; -- dis-
solves, in effect, nearly all, and is in the act of vanishing like
a dream! Wolfersdorf is a prompt man; and needs to be so.
Wolfersdorf, in Olympian rage, instantly stops short; draws
pistol: "I will shoot dead every man that quits rank! "
vociferates he; and does, with his pistol, make instant ex-
ample of one; inviting every true Prussian to do the like:
"Jagers, Hussars, a ducat for every traitor you shoot down! "
continues Wolfersdorf (and punctually paid it afterwards):
unable to prevent an almost total dissolution of Grollmann.
For some minutes, there is a scene indescribable: storm of
vociferation, menace, musket-shot, pistol-shot; Grollmann
disappearing on every side, -- "behind the Redoubt, under
the Bridge, into Elbe Boats, under the cloaks of the Croats;"
-- in spite of Wolfersdorf's Olympian rages and efforts.
At sight of the shooting, Prince Stolberg, a hot man, had
said indignantly, "Herr, that will be dangerous for you (das
wird nicht gut gehn). '" Wolfersdorf not regarding him a whit;
regarding only Grollmann, and his own hot business of
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? 206 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XII.
7th-23d Aug. 1759.
coercing it at a ducat per head. Grollmann gone, and Bat-
talion Hofmann in due sequence come up, Wolfersdorf, --
who has sent an Adjutant, with order, "Hessen-Cassel, halt"
-- gives Battalion Hofmann these three words of command:
"Whole Battalion, halt! -- Front! -- Make ready! " (with
due simultaneous click of every firelock, on utterance of that
last); -- and turning to Prince Stolberg, with a brow, with a
tone of voice: "Durchlaucht, Article 9 of the Capitulation is
express on this point; '. All desertion strictly prohibited; no
"deserter to be received either on the Imperial or on the Prussian
"side'! " (Durchlaucht silently gives, we suppose, some faint
sniff. ) "Since your Durchlaucht does not keep the Capitula-
"tion, neither will I regard it farther. I will now take you
"and your Suite prisoners, return into the Town, and again
"begin defending myself. Be so good as ride directly into
"that Redoubt, or I will present, and give fire! "
A dangerous moment for the Durchlaucht of Stolberg;
Battalion Salmuth actually taking possession of the wall
again; Hofmann here with its poised firelock on the cock,
"ready" for that fourth word, as above indicated. A General
Lusinsky of Stolberg's train, master of those Croats, and an
Austrian of figure, remarks very seriously: "Every point of
the Capitulation must be kept! " Upon which Durchlaucht
has to renounce and repent; eagerly assists in recovering
Grollmann, restores it (little the worse, little the fewer); wiu
five Wolfersdorf "command of the Austrian Escort you are to
ave," and every satisfaction and assurance; -- wishful only
to get rid of Wolfersdorf. Who thereupon marches to Witten-
berg, with colours flying again, and a name mentionable ever
since. *
This Wolfersdorf was himself a Pirna Saxon; serv-
ing Polish Majesty, as Major, in that Pirna time; per-
haps no admirer of "Feldmarschall Bruhl" and Company?
-- at any rate, he took Prussian service, as then offered
him; and this is his style of keeping it. A decidedly
clever soldier, and comes out, henceforth, more and
* Tcmpolhof, ni. 201-204; Seyfarth, II. 562n. , and Beylagen, n. 587;
Militair-Lcxikon, iv. 283.
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 207
7th-:>3d Aug. 1759.
more as such, -- unhappily not for long. Was taken
at Maxen, he too, as will be seen. Rose, in after times,
to be Lieutenant-General, and a man famous in the
Prussian military circles; but given always, they say,
to take the straight line (or shortest distance between
self and object), in regard to military matters, to re-
cruiting and the like, and thus getting himself into
trouble with the Civil Officials.
Wolfersdorf, at Wittenberg or farther on, had a
flattering word from the King; applauding his effective
procedures at Torgau; and ordering him, should Witten-
berg fall (as it did, August 23d), to join Wunsch, who
is coming with a small Party to try and help in those
destitute localities. Wunsch, the King had detached
(21st August), as we heard already. Finck the King
finds, farther, that he can detach (from Waldau Country,
September 7th);* Russians being so languid, and Saxony
fallen into such a perilous predicament.
"Few days after Kunersdorf," says a Note, which should
be inserted here, "there had fallen out a small Naval matter,
"which will be consolatory to Friedrich, and go to the other
"side of the account, when he hears of it: Kunersdorf was
"Sunday, August 12th; this was Saturday and Sunday fol-
lowing. Besides their Grand Brest Fleet; With new flat
"bottoms, and world-famous land-preparations going on at
"Vannes, for Invasion of proud Albion ,i;all which are at
"present under Hawke's strict keeping, the French have,
"ever since Spring last, a fine subsidiary Fleet at Toulon,
"of very exultant hopes at one time; which now come to
"finis:
"Sea-Fight (properly Sea-Hunt of 200 miles), in the Cadiz
"Waters, August 18th-19th. The fine Toulon Fleet, which
"expected at one time, Pitt's ships being so scattered over
"the world, to be 'mistress of the Mediterranean,' has found
* Tempelhof, in. 211, 237.
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? 208 FKIEDRICH LIKE tQ BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
18th-19th Aug. 1759.
"itself, on the contrary (such were Pitt's resources and
"promptitudes), cooped in harbour all Summer; Boscawen
"watching it in the usual strict way. No egress possible; till,
"in the sultry weather (8th July -- 4th August), Boscawen's
"need of fresh provisions, freshwater, and of making some
"repairs, took him to Gibraltar, and gave the Toulon Fleet a
"transient opportunity, which it made use of.
"August 17th, at 8 in the evening, Boscawen, at Gibraltar
"(some of his ships still in dishabille or under repair), was
"hastily apprised by one of his Frigates, That the Toulon
"Fleet had sailed; been seen visibly at CeutaPoint so many
"hours ago. 'Meaning,' as Boscawen guesses, 'to be through
"the Straitsthis very night! ' By power of despatch, the dis-
"habille ships were rapidly buttoned together (in about two
"hours); and by 10 p. m. all were under sail. And soon were
"in hot chase: the game being now in view, -- going at its
'' utmost through the Straits, as anticipated. At 7 next morn-
"ing (Saturday August 18th) Boscawen got clutch of the
"Toulon Fleet; still well east of Cadiz, somewhere in the
"Trafalgar waters, I should guess. Here Boscawen fought
"and chased the Toulon Fleet, for 24 hours coming: drove it
"finally ashore, at Lagos on the coast ofPortugal, with five
"of its big ships burnt or taken, its crews and other ships
"flying by land and water, its poor Admiral mortally
"wounded; and the Toulon Fleet a ruined article. The wind
"had been capricious, here fresh, there calm; now favouring
"the hunters, now the hunted; both Fleets had dropped in
"two. De la Clue, the French Admiral, complained bitterly
"how his Captains lagged, or shore off and forsook him.
"Boscawen himself, who for his own share had gone at it
"eagle-like, was heard grumbling, about want of speed in
"some people; and said: 'It is well; but it might have been
"better! '*
"De la Clue, -- fallen long ago from all notions of
"'dominating the Mediterranean, -- had modestly intended
"to get through, on any terms, into the Ocean; might then, if
"possible, have joined the grand 'Invasion Squadron,' now
"lying at Brest, till Vannes and the furnishings are ready, or
"have tried to be troublesome in the rearofHawke, who is
* Beatson, n. 313-9; lb. in. 237, 8, De la Clue, the French Admiral's
Despatch; -- Boscawen's Despatch, &c. , In Gentleman's Magazine, xxix. 434.
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? CHAP, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 209
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"blockading all that. A modest outlook in comparison; --
"and this is what it also has come to. As for the Grand In-
vasion Squadron, Admiral Conflans, commanding it, still
"holds up his head in Brest Harbour, and talks big. Makes
'little of Rodney's havoc on the Flatbottoms at Havre, 'Will
"soon have Flatbottoms again; and you shall see! ' -- if
"only Hawke, and wind and weather and Fortune, will
"permit. "
Austrian Reichs Army does its
nan Reichs Army does its crowning Feat (August
26th -- September 4th): Diary of what is called
the "Siege" of Dresden.
Since the first weeks of August there have been
Austrian detachments, Wehla's Corps, Brentano's Corps,
entering Saxony from the north-east or Daun-ward side,
and posting themselves in the strong points looking to-
wards Dresden; waiting there till the Reichs Army
should capture its Leipzigs, Torgaus, Wittenbergs, and
roll forward from north-west. To all which it is easy
to fancy what an impetus was given by Kunersdorf
and August 12th; the business, after that, going on
double-quick, and pointing to immediate practical in-
dustry on Dresden. The Reichs Army hastens to settle
its north-western Towns, puts due garrison in each,
leaves a 10 or 12,000 movable for general protection,
in those parts; and, August 23d, marches for Dresden.
There are only some 15,000 left of it now; almost half
the Reichs Army drunk up in that manner; were not
Daun now speeding forth his Maguire with a fresh
12,000; who is to command the Wehlas and Brentanos
as well. And, in effect, to be Austrian chief, and
as regards practical matters, Manager of this im-
portant Enterprise, -- all-important to Daun just now.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. XI. 14
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? 210 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHlfLMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
Schmettau in Dresden sees clearly what mischief is at
hand.
To Daun this Siege of Dresden is the alpha to
whatever omegas there may be: he and his Soltikof
are to sit waiting this; and can attempt nothing but
eating of provender, till this be achieved. As the Siege
was really important, though not quite the alpha to all
omegas, and has in it curious points and physiognomic
traits, we will invite readers to some transient inspection
of it, -- the rather as there exist ample contemporary
Narratives, Diariums, and authentic records to render
that possible and easy*
"Ever since the rumour of Kunersdorf," says one Diarium,
compiled out of many, "in the last two weeks of August,
"Schmettau's need of vigilance and diligence has been on the
"increase, his outlooks becoming grimmer and grimmer. He
"has a poorishGarrison for number (3,700 in all**), and not of
"the best quality; deserters a good few of them: willing
"enough for strokes; fighting fellows all, and of adventurous
'' turn, but uncertain as to loyalty in a case of pinch. He has
"endless stores in the place; for one item, almost a million
"sterling of ready money. Poor Schmettau, if he knew it,
"has suddenly become the Leonidas of this Campaign, Dres-
"den its Thermopylae; and" -- But readers can conceive the
situation.
"August 20th, Schmettau quits the Neustadt, or northern
"part of Dresden, which lies beyond the River: unim-
"portant that, and indefensible with garrison not adequate;
"Schmettau will strengthen the River bank, blow up the
"Stone Bridge if necessary, and restrict himself to Dresden
"Proper. The Court is here; Schmettau does not hope that
"the Court can avert a Siege from him; but he fails not to try,
"in that way too, and may at least gain time.
* In Tempelhof (in. 210-216-222)', complete and careful Narrative; in
Anonymous of Hamburg (in. 871-377), express "Day-book" by some Eye-
witness in Dresden.
** Schmettau's Leben (by his Son), p. 408.
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? CHAP. V.
] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 211
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"August 25th, He has a Mine put under the main arch of
"the Bridge: 'mine ill-made, uncertain of effect,' reports the
"Officer whom he sent to inspect it. But it was never tried,
"the mere rumour of it kept off attacks on that side. Same
"day, August 25th, Schmettau receives that unfortunate
"Royal Missive* written in the dark days of Reitwein,
"morrow of Kunersdorf (14th or 13th August)" which we read
above. "That there is another Letter on the road for him,
"indicating 'Relief shall be tried,' is unknown to Schmettau,
"and fatally continues unknown. While Schmettau is
"reading this (August 25th), General Wunsch has been on
"the road four days: Wunsch and Wolfersdorf with about
"8,000, at their quickest pace, and in a fine winged frame of
"mind withal, are speeding on: will cross Elbe at Meissen to-
"morrow night, -- did Schmettau only know. People say he
"did, in the way of rumour, understand that Kunersdorf had
"not been the fatal thing it was thought; and that efforts
"would be made by a King like his. In his place, one might
"have, at least, shot out a spy or two? But he did not, then
"or afterwards.
"Already, ever since the arrival of Wehla andBrentano
"in those parts, he has been labouring under many uncer-
"tainties; too many for aLeonidas! Hanging between Yes
"and No, even about that of quitting the Neustadt, for ex-
"ample: carrying over portions of his goods, but never
"heartily the whole; unable to resolve; now lifting visibly
"the Bridge pavement, then again visibly restoring it; --
"and, I think, though the contrary is asserted, he had at last
"to leave in the Neustadt a great deal of stores, horse-
"provender and other, not needful to him at present, orim-
"possible to carry, when dubiety got ended. He has put a
"mine under the Bridge; but knows it will not go off.
"Schmettau has been in many wars, but this is a case that
"tries his soldier qualities as none other has ever done. A
"case of endless intricacy, -- if he be quite equal to it; which
"perhaps he was not altogether. Nobody ever doubted
"Schmettau's high qualities as a man and captain; but here
"are requisite the very highest, and these Schmettau has not.
"The result was very tragical; I suppose, a pain to Friedrich
"all his life after; and certainly to Schmettau all his. This
* Tempelhof, m. 208; Schmettau's Lebcn (p. 421) has "August 27th. "
14*
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? 212 fRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"is Saturday night 25th August: before Wednesday week
"(September 4th) there will have sad things arrived, irreme-
"diable to Sehmettau. Had Schmettau decided to defend
"himself, Dresden had not been taken. What a pity Schmet-
"tau had not been spared this Missive, calculated to produce
"mere doubt! Whether he could not, and should not, after a
"ten days of inquiry and new discernment, have been able to
"read the King's true meaning, as well as the King's mo-
"mentary humour, in this fatal Document, there is no de-
ciding. Sure enough, he did not read the King's true
". meaning in it, but only the King's momentary humour; did
"not frankly set about defending himself to the death, -- or
"'seeing' in that way 'whether he could not defend him-
"self,' -- with a good capitulation lying in the rear, after
"he had.
"Sunday August 26th, Trumpet at the gates. Messenger
"from Zweibruck is introduced blindfold; brings formal Sum-
"monsto Schmettau. Summons duly truculent: 'Resistance
"' vain; the more you resist, the worse it will be, -- and there
"'is a worst' (that of being delivered to the Croats, and
"massacred every man), 'of which why should I speak?
"'Especially if in anything you fail of your duty to the Kur-
"'Prinz'" (ElectoralPrince and Heir-Apparent, poor crook-
backed young Gentleman, who has an excellent sprightly
Wife, a friend of Friedrich's, and daughter of the late Kaiser
Karl VII. , whom we used so beautifully), 'imagine what your
'fate will be! ' -- "To which Schmettau answers: 'Can
"'Durchlaucht think us ignorant of the common rules of be-
"'haviour to Persons of that Rank? For the rest, Durchlaucht
"' knows what our duties here are, and would despise us if we
"'did not do them;' -- and, in short, our answer again is, in
"polite forms, 'Pooh, pooh; you may go your way! ' Upon
"which the Messenger is blindfolded again; and Schmettau
"sets himself in hot earnest to clearing out his goods from the
"Neustadt; building with huge intertwisted cross-beams and
"stone and earthmasses, a Battery at his own end of the
"Bridge, batteries on each side of it below and above; -- locks
"the Gates; and is passionately busy all Sunday, --though
"divine service goes on as usual.
"Hardly were the Prussian guns got away, when Croat
"people in quantity came in, and began building a Battery at
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? CHAP. V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 213
26th Aug. --4th Sept. 1759.
"their end of the Bridge, the main defence-work being old
"Prussian meal-barrels, handily filled with earth. 'If you fire
"'one cannon-ball across on us,' said Schmettau, 'I will bom-
"'bard the Neustadt into flame in few minutes' (I have only
"to aim at our Hay Magazine yonder):'be warned 1' Nor did
"they once fire from that side; Electoral Highness withal and
"Royal Palace being quite contiguous behind the Prussian
"Bridge-Battery. Electoral Highness and Household are
"politely treated, make polite answer to everything; intend
"going down into the 'Apotheke' (Kitchen suite), or vaulted
"part of the Palace, and will lodge there when the cannonade
"begins.
"This same Sunday, August 26th, Maguire arrived; and set
"instantly to building his bridge atPillnitz, a little way above
"Dresden: at Uebigau, a little belowDresden, the Reichsfolk
"have another. Reichsfolk, Zweibruck in person, come all in
"on Wednesday; post themselves there, to north and west of
"the City. What is more important, the siege-guns, a superb
"stock, are steadily floating, through the Pirna regions,
"hitherward; get to hand on Friday next, the fifth day hence. *
"Korbitz (halfway out toKesselsdorf) is Durchlaucht's head-
"quarter: -- Chief General is Durchlaucht, conspicuously he,
"at least in theory, and shall have all the glory; though
"Maguire, glancing on these cannon, were it nothing more,
"has probably a good deal to say. Maguire too, I ODserve,
"takes post on that north or Kesselsdorf side; contiguous for
"the Head General. Wehla and Brentano post themselves on
"thesouthorup-stream side; it is they that hand-in the siege-
"guns: batteries are already everywhere marked out, 13
"cannon batteries and 5 ho wifzer. In short, from the morrow
"of that truculent Summons, Monday morning to Thursday,
"there is hot stir of multifarious preparation on Schmettau's
"part; and continual pouring in of the hostile force, who are
"also preparing at the utmost. Thursday, the Siege, if it can
"be called a Siege, begins. Gradually, and as follows --
"Thursday Morning (August 30th), Schmettau, who is,
"night and day, 'palisadingthe River,' and much else, -- dis-
closes (that is, Break of Day discloses on his part) to the
"Dresden public a huge Gallows, black, huge, of impressive
"aspect; labelled 'For Plunderers, Mutineers and their Hel- * Tempelhof, p. 210.
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? 214 FR1BDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED. [book XIX.
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
pers. ' * The Austrian heavy guns are not yet in battery; but
'multitudes of loose Croat people go swarming about every-
'where, and there is plentiful firing from such artilleries as
'they have. This same Thursday morning, two or three
'battalions of them rush into the Pirna Suburb; attack the
'Prussian Guard-parties there. Schmettau instantly des-
'patches Captain Kollas and a Trumpet:-- 'Durchlaucht,
"have the goodness to recal these Croat Parties; otherwise
''the Suburb goes into flame! And directly on arrival of this
"Messenger, may it please Durchlaucht. For we havecom-
"puted the time; and will not wait beyond what is reason-
'' able for his return! ' Zweibruck is mere indignation and
'astonishment; 'will burn Halle,'burn Quedlinburg, Berlin
'itself, and utterly ruin the King of Prussia's Dominion in
'general: -- the rejoinder to which is, burning of Pirna
'Suburb, as predicted; seventy houses of it, this evening, at
'six o'clock.
"Onward from which timethere is on both sides, especially
'on Schmettau's, diligent artillery practice; cannonade kept
'up wherever Schmettau can see the enemy busy; enemy
'responding with what artillery he has: -- not much damage
'done, I should think, though a great deal of noise; and tor
'one day (Saturday September 1st), our Diarist notes, 'Not
'' safe to walk the streets this day. ' But, in effect, the Siege,
'as they call it, -- which fell dead on the fifth day, and was
'never well alive, -- consists mainly of menace and counter-
'menace, in the way of bargain-making and negotiation; --
'and, so far as I can gather, that superb Park of Austrian
'Artillery, though built into batteries, and talked about in a
'bullying manner, was not fired from at all.
"Schmettau affects towards the enemy (and towards him-
'self, I dare say) an air of iron firmness; but internally has
'no such feeling, 'calls a Council of War,' and the like.
'Council of War, on sight of that King's Missive, confirms
'him with one voice: 'Surely, surely, Excellenz; no defence
"possible! ' Which is a prophecy and a fulfilment, both in
'one. Why Schmettau did not shoot forth a spy or two, to
'ascertain for him What, or whether Nothing whatever, was
'passing outside Dresden? I never understand! Beyond his
* Anonymous of Hamburg, in. 873.
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? CHAP, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 215
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
"own Walls, the world is a vacancy and blank to Schmettau,
"and he seems content it should be so.
"Sunday September 2d. Though Schmettau's cannonade
"was very loud, and had been so all night, Divine Service was
"held as usual, streets safe again, --Austrians, I suppose, not
"firing with cannon. About 4 p. m. , after a great deal of
"powder spent, General Maguire, stepping out on Elbe
"Bridge, blows or beats Appeal, three times; 'wishes a
"'moment's conversation with his Excellency. ' Granted at
"once; witnesses attending on both sides. 'Defence is im-
"'possiblejin the name of humanity, consider! 'urges Maguire.
"' Defence to the lastman of us is certain,'answers Schmettau,
"from the teeth outwards; -- but, in the end, engages to put
"on paper, in case he, by extremity of ill-luck, have at any
"time to accept terms, what his terms will inflexibly be. Upon
"which there is 'Armistice till Tomorrow:' and Maguire, I
"doubt not, reports joyfully on this feeling of the enemy's
"pulse. Zweibriick and Maguire are very well aware of what
"is passing in these neighbourhoods (General Wunsch back
"at Wittenberg by forced marches; blew it open in an hour);
"and are growing highly anxious that Dresden on any terms
"were theirs.
"Monday September 3d, The death-day of the Siege; an
"uncommonly busy day, -- though Armistice lasted perfect
"till 3 p. m. , and soon came back more perfect than ever. A
"Siege not killed by cannon, but by medical industry. Let
"us note with brevitythe successive symptoms and appliances.
"About seven in the morning, Maguire had his Messenger in
"Dresden, 'Your Excellency s Paper ready? ' 'Nearly ready,'
"answers Schmettau; 'we will send it by a Messenger of our
"' own. ' And about eleven of the day, Maguire does get it; --
"the same Captain Kollas (whose name we recollect) handing
"it in; and statue-like waiting Answer. 'Pshaw, this will
'"never do,' ejaculates Maguire; 'terms irrationally high! '
"Captain Kollas 'knows nothing of what is in the Paper; and
'"is charged only to bring a Written Answer from Excellenz. '
"Excellenz, before writing, 'will have to consult with Durch-
"'laucht;' can, however, as if confidentially and from feelings
"of friendship, 'can assure you, Sir, onmy honour, Thatthe
"' Garrison will be delivered to the Croats, and every man of
"'itput to the sword. ' 'The Garrison will expect that (wird
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? 216 FRIEDRICH LIKE TO BE OVERWHELMED, [book XIX.
26th Aug. -- 4th Sept. 1759.
"'Das erwarten),' said Kollas, statue-like; and withdrew, with
"the proper bow. * Something interesting to us in these Mili-
"tary diplomatic passages, with their square-elbowed fashions,
"and politeness stiff as iron!
"Not till three of the afternoon does the Written Answer
"reach Schmettau: 'Such Terms never could be accepted. ' -<<-
"'Good,' answers Schmettau: 'To our last breath no others
"'will be offered. ' And commences cannonading again, not
"very violently, but with the order, 'Go on, then, night and
"'day! '
"About 10 at night, General Guasco, a truculent kind of
"man, whom I have met with up and down, but not admitted
"to memory, beats Appeal on the Bridge: 'Inform theCom-
"'mandant that there will now straightway 13 batteries of
"'cannon, and 5 ditto of howitzers open on him, unless he
"'bethinks himself! ' Which dreadful message is taken to
"Schmettau. 'Wish the gentleman good evening,' orders
"Schmettau;'and say, we will answer with 100 guns. ' Upon
"which Guasco vanishes; -- but returns in not many minutes,
"milder in tone; requests 'a sight of that Written Paper of
"' Terms again. ' 'There it still is,' answers Schmettau, 'not
"' altered, nor ever shall be. ' And there is Armistice again:--
"and the Siege, as turns out, has fired its last shot; and is
"painfully expiring in paroxysms of negotiation, which con-
"tinue a good many hours. Schmettau strives to understand
"clearly that his terms (of the King's own suggesting, as
"Schmettau flatters himself) are accepted: nor does Durch-
"laucht take upon him to refuse in any point; but he is
"strangely slow to sign, still hoping to mend matters.
"Much hithering and thithering there was, till 4 next
"morning (Durchlaucht has important news from Torgau, at
"that moment); till 11 next day; till4 in the afternoon and
"later, -- Guasco and others coming with message after
"message, hasty and conciliatory: 'Durchlaucht at such a
"'distance, his signature not yet come; but be patient; all is
"'right, upon my honour! ' Very great hurry evident on the
"part of Guasco and Company; but nothing suspected by
"Schmettau. Till, dusk or darkness threatening now to super-
"vene, Maguire and Schmettau with respective suites have a
"Conference on the Bridge, -- 'rain falling very heavy. ' * Tempelhof, hi. 211.
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? CHAp, V. ] SCHMETTAU SURRENDERS DRESDEN. 217
4th Sept. 1759.
"Durchlaucht's signature, Maguire is astonished to say, has
"not yet come; but Maguire pledges his honour 'that all shall
"'be kept without chicane; and adds (what to some of us
"seemed not superfluous afterwards), 'I am incapable of
"' acting falsely or with chicane. ' In fact, till 9 in the evening
"there was no signature by Durchlaucht; but about 6, on such
"pledge by Maguire of his hand and his honour, the Siege
"entirely gave up theghost; andDresden belonged to Austria
"TuesdayEvening, 4th September 1759; Sun just setting,
"could anybody see him for the rain.
"Schmettau had been over-hasty ;whatneed had Schmettau
"of haste? The terms had not yet got signature, perfection
"of settlement on every point; nor were they at all well kept,
"when they did! Considerable flurry, temporary blindness,
"needless hurry, and neglect of symptoms and precautions,
"must be imputed to poor Schmettau; whose troubles began
"from this moment, and went on increasing. The Austrians
"are already besetting Elbe Bridge, rooting up theherring-
"bone balks; and approaching our Blockhouse, -- sooner
"than was expected. But that is nothing. On opening the
"PirnaGate, to share it with the Austrians, Friedrich's Spy
"(sooner had not been possible to the man) was waiting;
"who handed Schmettau that Second Letter of Friedriclrs,
"'Courage; there is relief on the road! ' Poor Schmettau! "
What Captain Kollas and the Prussian Garrison
thought of all this, they were perhaps shy of saying,
and we at such distance are not informed, -- except
by one symptom: that of Colonel Hoffman, Schmettau's
Second, whose indignation does become tragically evi-
dent. Hoffman, a rugged Prussian veteran, is indignant
at the Capitulation itself; doubly and trebly indignant
to find the Austrians on Elbe Bridge, busy raising our
Balks and Battery: "How is this, Sir? " inquires he of
Captain Sydow, who is on guard at the Prussian end;
"How dared you make this change, without acquainting
the Second in Command? Order out your men, and
come along with me to clear the Bridge again! " Sydow
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