My consternation on the appearance of the Landgrave, with my letter in
his hand, may well be supposed; I had the presence of mind, however, to
deny my handwriting, and affect astonishment at so crafty a trick. The
Landgrave endeavoured to convict me, told me what Lieutenant Kemnitz had
repeated at Vienna concerning my possessing myself of Magdeburg, and
thereby showed me how fully I had been betrayed. But as no such person
existed as Lieutenant Kemnitz, and as my friend had fortunately concealed
his name, the mystery remained impenetrable, especially as no one could
conceive how a prisoner, in my situation, could seduce or subdue the
whole garrison. The worthy prince left my prison, apparently satisfied
with my defence; his heart felt no satisfaction in the misfortunes of
others.
The next day a formal examination was taken, at which the sub-governor
Reichmann presided. I was accused as a traitor to my country; but I
obstinately denied my handwriting. Proofs or witnesses there were none,
and in answer to the principal charge, I said, "I was no criminal, but a
man calumniated, illegally imprisoned, and loaded with irons; that the
King, in the year 1746, had cashiered me, and confiscated my parental
inheritance; that therefore the laws of nature enforced me to seek honour
and bread in a foreign service; and that, finding these in Austria, I
became an officer and a faithful subject of the Empress-Queen; that I had
been a second time unoffendingly imprisoned; that here I was treated as
the worst of malefactors, and my only resource was to seek my liberty by
such means as I could; were I therefore in this attempt to destroy
Magdeburg, and occasion the loss of a thousand lives, I should still be
guiltless. Had I been heard and legally sentenced, previous to my
imprisonment at Glatz, I should have been, and still continued, a
criminal; but not having been guilty of any small, much less of any great
crime, equal to my punishment, if such crime could be, I was therefore
not accountable for consequences; I owed neither fidelity nor duty to the
King of Prussia; for by the word of his power he had deprived me of
bread, honour, country, and freedom."
Here the examination ended, without further discovery; the officers,
however, falling under suspicion, were all removed, and thus I lost my
best friends; yet it was not long before I had gained two others, which
was no difficult matter, as I knew the national character, and that none
but poor men were made militia officers. Thus was the governor's
precaution fruitless, and almost everybody secretly wished I might obtain
my freedom.
I shall never forget the noble manner in which I was treated on this
occasion by the Landgrave. This I personally acknowledged, some years
afterwards, in the city of Cassel, when I heard many things which
confirmed all my surmises concerning Vienna. The Landgrave received me
with all grace, favour, and distinction. I revere his memory, and seek
to honour his name. He was the friend of misfortune. When I not long
afterwards fell ill, he sent me his own physician, and meat from his
table, nor would he suffer me, during two months, to be wakened by the
sentinels. He likewise removed the dreadful collar from my neck; for
which he was severely reprimanded by the King, as he himself has since
assured me.
I might fill a volume with incidents attending two other efforts to
escape, but I will not weary the reader's patience with too much
repetition. I shall merely give an abstract of both.
When I had once more gained the officers, I made a new attempt at mining
my way out. Not wanting for implements, my chains and the flooring were
soon cut through, and all was so carefully replaced that I was under no
fear of examination. I here found my concealed money, pistols, and other
necessaries, but till I had rid myself of some hundredweight of sand, it
was impossible to proceed. For this purpose I made two different
openings in the floor: out of the real hole I threw a great quantity of
sand into my prison; after which I closed it with all possible care. I
then worked at the second with so much noise, that I was certain they
must hear me without. About midnight the doors began to thunder, and in
they came, detecting me, as I intended they should. None of them could
conceive why I should wish to break out under the door, where there was a
triple guard to pass. The sentinels remained, and in the morning
prisoners were sent to wheel away the sand. The hole was walled up and
boarded, and my fetters were renewed. They laughed at the ridiculousness
of my undertaking, but punished me by depriving me of my light and bed,
which, however, in a fortnight were both restored. Of the other hole,
out of which most of the earth had been thrown, no one was aware. The
major and lieutenant were too much my friends to remark that they had
removed thrice the quantity of sand the false opening could contain. They
supposed this strange attempt having failed, it would be my last, and
Bruckhausen grew negligent.
The governor and sub-governor both visited me after some weeks, but far
from imitating the brutality of Borck, the Landgrave spoke to me with
mildness, promised me his interest to regain my freedom, when peace
should be concluded; told me I had more friends than I supposed, and
assured me I had not been forgotten by the Court at Vienna.
He promised me every alleviation, and I gave him my word I would no more
attempt to escape while he remained governor. My manner enforced
conviction and he ordered my neck-collar to be taken off, my window to be
unclosed, my doors to be left open two hours every day, a stove to be put
in my dungeon, finer linen for my shirts, and paper to amuse myself by
writing my thoughts. The sheets were to be numbered when given, and then
returned, by the town-major, that I might not abuse this liberty.
Ink was not allowed me, I therefore pricked my fingers, suffered the
blood to trickle into a pot; by these means I procured a substitute for
ink, both to write and draw.
I now engraved my cups, and versified. I had opportunity to display my
abilities to awaken compassion. My emulation was increased by knowing
that my works were seen at Courts, that the Princess Amelia and the Queen
herself testified their satisfaction. I had subjects to engrave from
sent me; and the wretch whom the King intended to bury alive, whose name
no man was to mention, never was more famous than while he vented his
groans in his dungeon. My writings produced their effect, and really
regained my freedom. To my cultivation of the sciences and presence of
mind I am indebted for all; these all the power of Frederic could not
deprive me of. Yes! This liberty I procured, though he answered all
petitions in my behalf--"He is a dangerous man: and so long as I live he
shall never see the light!" Yet have I seen it during his life: after
his death I have seen it without revenging myself, otherwise than by
proving my virtue to a monarch who oppressed because he knew me not,
because he would not recall the hasty sentence of anger, or own he might
be mistaken. He died convinced of my integrity, yet without affording me
retribution! Man is formed by misfortune; virtue is active in adversity.
It is indifferent to me that the companions of my youth have their ears
gratified, delighted with the titles of General! Field-Marshal I have
learned to live without such additions; I am known in my works.
I returned to my dungeon. Here, after my last conference with the
Landgrave, I waited my fate with a mind more at ease than that of a
prince in a palace. The newspapers they brought me bespoke approaching
peace, on which my dependence was placed, and I passed eighteen months
calmly, and without further attempt to escape.
The father of the Landgrave died; and Magdeburg now lost its governor.
The worthy Reichmann, however, testified for me all compassion and
esteem; I had books, and my time was employed. Imprisonment and chains
to me were become habitual, and freedom in hope approached.
About this time I wrote the poems, "The Macedonian Hero," "The Dream
Realised," and some fables. The best of my poems are now lost to me. The
mind's sensibility when the body is imprisoned is strongly roused, nor
can all the aids of the library equal this advantage. Perhaps I may
recover some in Berlin; if so, the world may learn what my thoughts then
were. When I was at liberty, I had none but such as I remembered, and
these I committed to writing. On my first visit to the Landgrave of
Hesse-Cassel I received a volume of them written in my own blood; but
there were eight of these which I shall never regain.
The death of Elizabeth, the deposing of Peter III., and the accession of
Catherine II. produced peace. On the receipt of this intelligence I
tried to provide for all contingencies. The worthy Captain K--- had
opened me a correspondence with Vienna: I was assured of support; but was
assured the administrators and those who possessed my estates would throw
every impediment in the way of freedom. I tried to persuade another
officer to aid my escape, but in vain.
I therefore opened my old hole, and my friends assisted me to
disembarrass myself of sand. My money melted away, but they provided me
with tools, gunpowder, and a good sword. I had remained so long quiet
that my flooring was not examined.
My intent was to wait the peace; and should I continue in chains, then
would I have my subterranean passage to the rampart ready for escape. For
my further security, an old lieutenant had purchased a house in the
suburbs, where I might lie concealed. Gummern, in Saxony, is two miles
from Magdeburg; here a friend, with two good horses, was to wait a year,
to ride on the glacis of Klosterbergen on the first and fifteenth of each
month, and at a given signal to hasten to my assistance.
My passage had to be ready in case of emergency; I removed the upper
planking, broke up the two beds, cut the boards into chips, and burnt
them in my stove. By this I obtained so much additional room as to
proceed half way with my mine. Linen again was brought me, sand-bags
made, and thus I successfully proceeded to all but the last operation.
Everything was so well concealed that I had nothing to fear from
inspection, especially as the new come garrison could not know what was
the original length of the planks.
I must here relate a dreadful accident, which I cannot remember without
shuddering, and the terror of which has often haunted my very dreams.
While mining under the rampart, as I was carrying out the sand-bag, I
struck my foot against a stone which fell down and closed up the passage.
What was my horror to find myself buried alive! After a short
reflection, I began to work the sand away from the side, that I might
turn round. There were some feet of empty space, into which I threw the
sand as I worked it away; but the small quantity of air soon made it so
foul that I a thousand times wished myself dead, and made several
attempts to strangle myself. Thirst almost deprived me of my senses, but
as often as I put my mouth to the sand I inhaled fresh air. My
sufferings were incredible, and I imagine I passed eight hours in this
situation. My spirits fainted; again I recovered and began to labour,
but the earth was as high as my chin, and I had no more space where I
might throw the sand. I made a more desperate effort, drew my body into
a ball, and turned round; I now faced the stone; there being an opening
at the top, I respired fresher air. I rooted away the sand under the
stone, and let it sink so that I might creep over; at length I once more
arrived in my dungeon!
The morning was advanced; I sat down so exhausted that I supposed it was
impossible I had strength to conceal my hole. After half an hour's rest,
my fortitude returned: again I went to work, and scarcely had I ended
before my visitors approached.
They found me pale: I complained of headache, and continued some days
affected by the fatigue I had sustained. After a time strength returned;
but perhaps of all my nights of horror this was the most horrible. I
repeatedly dreamt I was buried in the centre of the earth; and now,
though three and twenty years are elapsed, my sleep is still haunted by
this vision.
After this accident, when I worked in my cavity, I hung a knife round my
neck, that if I should be enclosed I might shorten my miseries. Over the
stone that had fallen several others hung tottering, under which I was
obliged to creep. Nothing, however, could deter me from trying to obtain
my liberty.
When my passage was ready, I wrote letters to my friends at Vienna, and
also a memorial to my Sovereign. When the militia left Magdeburg and the
regulars returned, I took leave of my friends who had behaved so
benevolently. Several weeks elapsed before they departed and I learnt
that General Reidt was appointed ambassador from Vienna to Berlin.
I had seen the world; I knew this General was not averse to a bribe: I
wrote him a letter, conjuring him to act with ardour in my behalf. I
enclosed a draft for six thousand florins on my effects at Vienna, and he
received four thousand from one of my relations. I have to thank these
ten thousand florins for my freedom, which I obtained nine months after.
My vouchers show the six thousand florins were paid in April, 1763, to
the order of General Reidt. The other four thousand I repaid, when at
liberty, to my friend.
I received intelligence before the garrison departed that no stipulation
had been made on my behalf at the peace of Hubertsberg. The Vienna
plenipotentiaries, after the articles were signed, mentioned my name to
Hertzberg, with but few assurances of every effort being made to move
Frederic, a promise on which I could much better rely than on my
protectors at Vienna, who had left me in misfortune. I determined to
wait three months longer, and should I still find myself neglected, to
owe my escape to myself.
On the change of the garrison, the officers were more difficult to gain
than the former. The majors obeyed their orders; their help was
unnecessary; but still I sighed for my old friends. I had only
ammunition-bread again for food.
My time hung very heavy; everything was examined on the change of the
garrison. A stricter scrutiny might occur, and my projects be
discovered. This had nearly been effected, as I shall here relate. I
had so tamed a mouse that it would eat from my mouth; in this small
animal I discovered proofs of intelligence.
This mouse had nearly been my ruin. I had diverted myself with it one
night; it had been nibbling at my door and capering on a trencher. The
sentinels hearing our amusement, called the officers: they heard also,
and thought all was not right. At daybreak the town-major, a smith, and
mason entered; strict search was begun; flooring, walls, chains, and my
own person were all scrutinised, but in vain. They asked what was the
noise they had heard; I mentioned the mouse, whistled, and it came and
jumped upon my shoulder. Orders were given I should be deprived of its
society; I entreated they would spare its life. The officer on guard
gave me his word he would present it to a lady, who would treat it with
tenderness.
He took it away and turned it loose in the guardroom, but it was tame to
me alone, and sought a hiding place. It had fled to my prison door, and,
at the hour of visitation, ran into my dungeon, testifying its joy by
leaping between my legs. It is worthy of remark that it had been taken
away blindfold, that is to say, wrapped in a handkerchief. The guard-
room was a hundred paces from the dungeon.
All were desirous of obtaining this mouse, but the major carried it off
for his lady; she put it into a cage, where it pined, and in a few days
died.
The loss of this companion made me quite melancholy, yet, on the last
examination, I perceived it had so eaten the bread by which I had
concealed the crevices I had made in cutting the floor, that the
examiners must be blind not to discover them. I was convinced my
faithful little friend had fallen a necessary victim to its master's
safety. This accident determined me not to wait the three months.
I have related that horses were to be kept ready, on the first and
fifteenth, and I only suffered the first of August to pass, because I
would not injure Major Pfuhl, who had treated me with more compassion
than his comrades, and whose day of visitation it was. On the fifteenth
I determined to fly. This resolution formed, I waited in expectation of
the day, when a new and remarkable succession of accidents happened.
An alarm of fire had obliged the major to repair to the town; he
committed the keys to the lieutenant. The latter, coming to visit me,
asked--"Dear Trenck, have you never, during seven years that you have
been under the guard of the militia, found a man like Schell?" "Alas!
sir," answered I, "such friends are rare; the will of many has been good;
each knew I could make his fortune, but none had courage enough for so
desperate an attempt! Money I have distributed freely, but have received
little help."
"How do you obtain money in this dungeon?" "From a correspondent at
Vienna, by whom I am still supplied." "If I can serve you, command me: I
will do it without asking any return." So saying, I took fifty ducats
from between the panels, and gave them to the lieutenant. At first he
refused, but at length accepted them with fear. He left me, promised to
return, pretended to shut the door, and kept his word. He now said debt
obliged him to desert; that this had long been his determination, and
that, desirous to assist me at the same time if he could find the means,
I had only to show how this might be effected.
We continued two hours in conference: a plan was formed, approved, and a
certainty of success demonstrated; especially when I told him I had two
horses waiting. We vowed eternal friendship; I gave him fifty ducats,
and his debts, not amounting to more than two hundred rix-dollars, which
he never could have discharged out of his pay.
He was to prepare four keys to resemble those of my dungeon; the latter
were to be exchanged on the day of flight, being kept in the guard-room
while the major was with General Walrabe. He was to give the grenadiers
on guard leave of absence, or send them into the town on various
pretences. The sentinels he was to call from their duty, and those
placed over me were to be sent into my dungeon to take away my bed; while
encumbered with this, I was to spring out and lock them in, after which
we were to mount our horses, which were kept ready, and ride to Gummern.
Every thing was to be prepared within a week, when he was to mount guard.
We had scarcely formed our project before the sentinels called the major
was coming; he accordingly barred the door, and the major passed to
General Walrabe.
No man was happier than myself; my hopes of escape were triple; the
mediation at Berlin, the mine I had made, and my friend the lieutenant.
When most my mind ought to have been clear, I seemed to have lost my
understanding. I came to a resolution which will appear extravagant and
pitiable. I was stupid enough, mad enough, to form the design of casting
myself on the magnanimity of the Great Frederic! Should this fail, I
still thought my lieutenant a saviour.
Having heated my imagination with this scheme, I waited the visitation
with anxiety. The major entered, I bespoke him thus:
"I know, sir, the great Prince Ferdinand is again in Magdeburg. Inform
him that he may examine my prison, double the sentinels, and give me his
commands, stating what hour will please him I should make my appearance
on the glacis of Klosterbergen. If I prove myself capable of this, I
then hope for the protection of Prince Ferdinand: and that he will relate
my proceeding to the King, who may he convinced of my innocence."
The major was astonished; the proposal he held to be ridiculous, and the
performance impossible. I persisted; he returned with the sub-governor,
Reichmann, the town-major, Riding, and the major of inspection. The
answer they delivered was, that the Prince promised me his protection,
the King's favour, and a release from my chains, should I prove my
assertion. I required they would appoint a time; they ridiculed the
thing as impossible, and said that it would be sufficient could I prove
the practicability of such a scheme; but should I refuse, they would
break up the flooring, and place sentinels in my dungeon, adding, the
governor would not admit of any breaking out.
After promises of good faith, I disencumbered myself of my chains, raised
my flooring, gave them my implements, and two keys, my friends had
procured me, to the doors of the subterranean gallery. This gallery I
desired them to sound with their sword hilts, at the place through which
I was to break, which might be done in a few minutes. I described the
road I was to take through the gallery, informed them that two of the
doors had not been shut for six months, and to the others they had the
keys; adding, I had horses waiting at the glacis, that would be now
ready; the stables for which were unknown to them. They went, examined,
returned, put questions, which I answered with precision. They left me
with seeming friendship, came back, told me the Prince was astonished at
what he had heard, that he wished me all happiness, and then took me
unfettered, to the guard-house. The major came in the evening, treated
us with a supper, assured me everything would happen to my wishes, and
that Prince Ferdinand had written to Berlin.
The guard was reinforced next day. The whole guard loaded with ball
before my eyes, the drawbridges were raised in open day, and precautions
were taken as if I intended to make attempts as desperate as those I had
made at Glatz.
I now saw workmen employed on my dungeon, and carts bringing
quarry-stones. The officers on guard behaved with kindness, kept a good
table, at which I ate; but two sentinels, and an under-officer, never
quitted the guard-room. Conversation was cautious, and this continued
five or six days; at length, it was the lieutenant's turn to mount guard;
he appeared to be as friendly as formerly, but conference was difficult;
he found an opportunity to express his astonishment at my ill-timed
discovery, told me the Prince knew nothing of the affair, and that the
report through the garrison was, I had been surprised in making a new
attempt.
My dungeon was completed in a week. The town-major re-conducted me to
it. My foot was chained to the wall with links twice as strong as
formerly; the remainder of my irons were never after added.
The dungeon was paved with flag-stones. That part of my money only was
saved which I had concealed in the panels of the door, and the chimney of
my stove; some thirty louis-d'ors, hidden about my clothes, were taken
from me.
While the smith was riveting my chains, I addressed the sub-governor. "Is
this the fulfilment of the pledge of the Prince? Think not you deceive
me, I am acquainted with the false reports that have been spread; the
truth will soon come to light, and the unworthy be put to shame. Nay, I
forewarn you that Trenck shall not be much longer in your power; for were
you to build your dungeon of steel, it would be insufficient to contain
me."
They smiled at me. Reichmann told me I might soon obtain my freedom in a
proper manner. My firm reliance on my friend, the lieutenant, gave me a
degree of confidence that amazed them all.
It is necessary to explain this affair. When I obtained my liberty, I
visited Prince Ferdinand. He informed me the majors had not made a true
report. Their story was, they had caught me at work, and, had it not
been for their diligence, I should have made my escape. Prince Ferdinand
heard the truth, and informed the King, who only waited an opportunity to
restore me to liberty.
Once more I was immured. I waited in hope for the day when my deliverer
was to mount guard. What again was my despair when I saw another
lieutenant! I buoyed myself up with the hope that accident was the
occasion of this; but I remained three weeks, and saw him no more. I
heard at length that he had left the corps of grenadiers, and was no
longer to mount guard at the Star Fort. He has my forgiveness, and I
applaud myself for never having said anything by which he might be
injured. He might have repented his promise, he might have trusted
another friend with the enterprise, and have been himself betrayed; but,
be it as it may, his absence cut off all hope.
I now repented my folly and vanity; I had brought my misfortunes on
myself. I had myself rendered my dungeon impenetrable. Death would have
followed but for the dependence I placed in the court of Vienna.
The officers remarked the loss of my fortitude and thoughtfulness; the
verses I wrote were desponding. The only comfort they could give
was--"Patience, dear Trenck; your condition cannot be worse; the King may
not live for ever." Were I sick, they told me I might hope my sufferings
would soon have an end. If I recovered they pitied me, and lamented
their continuance. What man of my rank and expectations ever endured
what I did, ever was treated as I have been treated!