The Brilliant Victory at Rossbach
Frederick encountered the enemy at Rossbach,[9] November 5, 1757. He
could only oppose twenty-two thousand men to an army over sixty thousand
strong. The disparity was great, but he relied upon his good fortune and
the bravery of his soldiers. As was his invariable custom upon critical
occasions, he sought to inspire his troops with words of encouragement.
“The hour has come,” he said to them, “when all that is sacred to us
depends upon our bravery. You know that I have shared fatigue, hunger,
cold, night-watches, and dangers with you, and you know that I am ready
to sacrifice my life with you and for you. All I ask in return is the
same trust and good-will. Act now like men, and trust in God.”
The King’s simple words made a deep impression. His soldiers answered
with an enthusiastic shout. “We will die with you!” exclaimed the
grizzled warriors, while tears rolled down their powder-stained cheeks.
The King was deeply moved by these expressions of love and devotion. He
had chosen an elevated spot for his camp. The enemy was exultant, for
they believed it an easy task to capture the little army, and they
hastened to surround the site where it was camped so as to cut off
escape in every direction. Frederick’s sharp eyes watched their
movements, but they did not appear to trouble him. On the other hand, he
ordered his soldiers to eat their dinner, he and his generals at the
same time sitting at open table. The French could not conceal their
surprise at such recklessness. They were sure he was ignorant of his
inevitable fate. They were not aware it was only a trick, for while part
of the soldiers were eating, the others were getting the horses in order
and artillery and ammunition in readiness. When all the preparations
were made, and the King believed the right moment had come, the tents
disappeared in a trice and the Prussians stood in marching order, ready
for the attack. Before it began, the King noticed Möller, an artillery
colonel, who was of great service to him in field operations, and who at
all critical times, when his advice was asked, invariably said, “Believe
me, Your Majesty, my guardian angel says it will be all right.”
Möller had been assigned a very important position. The King had ordered
his guns placed so that they were invisible to the enemy, and had hopes
of good results from them. He hastened up to him, and placing his hand
familiarly upon his shoulder, said, “Well, Möller, what does your
guardian angel say this time? Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yes, Your Majesty,” he replied. “My angel promises victory.”
“At it, then, in God’s name,” answered Frederick, and at his signal the
battle began. The artillery poured a terrible rain of shot into the
French ranks, and the infantry accompanied the crashes of cannon with
such a din of musketry that the French were taken completely by
surprise. They had not recovered from it when General Seydlitz, hurling
his pipe into the air and shouting “Forward!” gave the signal to his
troopers to charge. Impetuously they dashed out from behind the hill,
and hurled themselves upon the French like a thunderbolt, riding down
and sabring everyone in their way. The panic-stricken enemy could offer
no resistance. All who could, fled to escape destruction. The battle of
Rossbach from that time on was simply a wild hunt. They threw away
everything that might impede their flight. Cavalrymen dismounted, took
off their great boots, and unbuckled their sabres. Whole battalions were
taken prisoners by a few hussars without making any resistance, while
others hid among the bushes or branches of trees. Few of them stopped
until the Rhine was behind them. In short, it was a spectacle the like
of which the world had rarely seen before. The attack began at two
o’clock, and at nightfall not a Frenchman was to be seen. Two thousand
of the enemy were left upon the field and seven thousand were captured
Sixty-three cannon and twenty-three standards were also taken. The
Prussians lost only ninety-one. All Germany was jubilant over the
victory, for the French had made themselves bitterly hated by their
outrages.
Immediately after the battle, the heroic King led his brave troops into
Silesia, where the Austrians were once more active, having taken Breslau
and Schweidnitz, and confident they would become masters of the whole
province. In about a fortnight the Prussians reached the Oder. On the
march thither, a fortunate event occurred. As the Austrians, four
thousand strong, were taking the garrison of Schweidnitz to a place of
imprisonment, the latter heard of the great victory their beloved King
had won at Rossbach. Aroused by the news, they fell upon their guards
and cut them down, and regained their freedom. Uncertain where they were
going, they by chance met the King’s army, of whose movements they were
ignorant. Frederick, as delighted as he was surprised, cordially greeted
them, and all considered the happy incident as a good omen for the
future.