In spite of Friedrich's forebodings, an extraordinary recoil, in all
Anti-Friedrich affairs, ensued upon Liegnitz; everything taking the
backward course, from which it hardly recovered, or indeed did not
recover at all, during the rest of this Campaign. Details on the
subsequent Daun-Friedrich movements--which went all aback for Daun, Daun
driven into the Hills again, Friedrich hopeful to cut off his bread, and
drive him quite through the Hills, and home again--are not permitted us.
No human intellect in our day could busy itself with understanding these
thousand-fold marchings, manoeuvrings, assaults, surprisals, sudden
facings-about (retreat changed to advance); nor could the powerfulest
human memory, not exclusively devoted to study the Art Military under
Friedrich, remember them when understood. For soldiers, desirous not
to be sham-soldiers, they are a recommendable exercise; for them I do
advise Tempelhof and the excellent German Narratives and Records. But in
regard to others--A sample has been given: multiply that by the ten, by
the threescore and ten; let the ingenuous imagination get from it what
will suffice. Our first duty here to poor readers, is to elicit from
that sea of small things the fractions which are cardinal, or which give
human physiognomy and memorability to it; and carefully suppress all the
rest.
Understand, then, that there is a general going-back on the Austrian and
Russian part. Czernichef we already saw at once retire over the Oder.
Soltikof bodily, the second day after, deaf to Montalembert, lifts
himself to rearward; takes post behind bogs and bushy grounds more and
more inaccessible; ["August 18th, to Trebnitz, on the road to
Militsch" (Tempelhof, iv. 167).] followed by Prince Henri with his best
impressiveness for a week longer, till he seem sufficiently remote and
peaceably minded: "Making home for Poland, he," thinks the sanguine
King; "leave Goltz with 12,000 to watch him. The rest of the Army over
hither!" Which is done, August 27th; General Forcade taking charge,
instead of Henri,--who is gone, that day or next, to Breslau, for his
health's sake. "Prince Henri really ill," say some; "Not so ill, but in
the sulks," say others:--partly true, both theories, it is now thought;
impossible to settle in what degree true. Evident it is, Henri sat
quiescent in Breslau, following regimen, in more or less pathetic humor,
for two or three months to come; went afterwards to Glogau, and had
private theatricals; and was no more heard of in this Campaign. Greatly
to his Brother's loss and regret; who is often longing for "your
recovery" (and return hither), to no purpose.
Soltikof does, in his heart, intend for Poland; but has to see the Siege
of Colberg finish first; and, in decency even to the Austrians, would
linger a little: "Willing I always, if only YOU prove feasible!" Which
occasions such negotiating, and messaging across the Oder, for the next
six weeks, as--as shall be omitted in this place. By intense suasion of
Montalembert, Soltikof even consents to undertake some sham movement
on Glogau, thereby to alleviate his Austrians across the River; and
staggers gradually forward a little in that direction:--sham merely; for
he has not a siege-gun, nor the least possibility on Glogau; and Goltz
with the 12,000 will sufficiently take care of him in that quarter.
Friedrich, on junction with Forcade, has risen to perhaps 50,000; and is
now in some condition against the Daun-Loudon-Lacy Armies, which cannot
be double his number. These still hang about, in the Breslau-Parchwitz
region; gloomy of humor; and seem to be aiming at Schweidnitz,--if that
could still prove possible with a Friedrich present. Which it by no
means does; though they try it by their best combinations;--by "a
powerful Chain of Army-posts, isolating Schweidnitz, and uniting Daun
and Loudon;" by "a Camp on the Zobtenberg, as crown of the same;"--and
put Friedrich on his mettle. Who, after survey of said Chain, executes
(night of August 30th) a series of beautiful manoeuvres on it, which
unexpectedly conclude its existence:--"with unaccountable hardihood," as
Archenholtz has it, physiognomically TRUE to Friedrich's general style
just now, if a little incorrect as to the case in hand, "sees good
to march direct, once for all, athwart said Chain; right across its
explosive cannonadings and it,--counter-cannonading, and marching
rapidly on; such a march for insolence, say the Austrians!" [Archenholtz
(ii. 115-116); who is in a hurry, dateless, and rather confuses a
subsequent DAY (September 18th) with this "night of August 30th." See
RETZOW, ii. 26; and still better, TEMPELHOF, iv. 203.] Till, in this
way, the insolent King has Schweidnitz under his protective hand again;
and forces the Chain to coil itself wholly together, and roll into the
Hills for a safe lodging. Whither he again follows it: with continual
changes of position, vying in inaccessibility with your own; threatening
your meal-wagons; trampling on your skirts in this or the other
dangerous manner; marching insolently up to your very nose, more than
once ("Dittmannsdorf, September 18th," for a chief instance), and
confusing your best schemes. [Tempelhof, iv. 193-231; &c. &c.: in
_Anonymous of Hamburg,_ iv. 222-235, "Diary of the AUSTRIAN Army" (3-8th
September).]
This "insolent" style of management, says Archenholtz, was practised
by Julius Caesar on the Gauls; and since his time by nobody,--till
Friedrich, his studious scholar and admirer, revived it "against another
enemy." "It is of excellent efficacy," adds Tempelhof; "it disheartens
your adversary, and especially his common people, and has the reverse
effect on your own; confuses him in endless apprehensions, and details
of self-defence; so that he can form no plan of his own, and his
overpowering resources become useless to him." Excellent efficacy,--only
you must be equal to doing it; not unequal, which might be very fatal to
you!
For about five weeks, Friedrich, eminently practising this style, has
a most complex multifarious Briarean wrestle with big Daun and his
Lacy-Loudon Satellites; who have a troublesome time, running hither,
thither, under danger of slaps, and finding nowhere an available mistake
made. The scene is that intricate Hill-Country between Schweidnitz and
Glatz (kind of GLACIS from Schweidnitz to the Glatz Mountains): Daun,
generally speaking, has his back on Glatz, Friedrich on Schweidnitz;
and we hear of encampings at Kunzendorf, at BUNZELWITZ, at
BURKERSDORF--places which will be more famous in a coming Year. Daun
makes no complaint of his Lacy-Loudon or other satellite people; who are
diligently circumambient all of them, as bidden; but are unable, like
Daun himself, to do the least good; and have perpetually, Daun and they,
a bad life of it beside this Neighbor. The outer world, especially
the Vienna outer world, is naturally a little surprised: "How is this,
Feldmarschall Daun? Can you do absolutely nothing with him, then; but
sit pinned in the Hills, eating sour herbs!"
In the Russians appears no help. Soltikof on Glogau, we know what that
amounts to! Soltikof is evidently intending home, and nothing else.
To all Austrian proposals,--and they have been manifold, as poor
Montalembert knows too well,--the answer of Soltikof was and is: "Above
90,000 of you circling about, helping one another to do Nothing. Happy
were you, not a doubt of it, could WE be wiled across to you, to get
worried in your stead!" Daun begins to be extremely ill-off; provisions
scarce, are far away in Bohemia; and the roads daily more insecure,
Friedrich aiming evidently to get command of them altogether. Think of
such an issue to our once flourishing Campaign 1760! Daun is vigilance
itself against such fatality; and will do anything, except risk a Fight.
Here, however, is the fatal posture: Since September 18th, Daun sees
himself considerably cut off from Glatz, his provision-road more and
more insecure;--and for fourteen days onward, the King and he have got
into a dead-lock, and sit looking into one another's faces; Daun in a
more and more distressed mood, his provender becoming so uncertain, and
the Winter season drawing nigh. The sentries are in mutual view: each
Camp could cannonade the other; but what good were it? By a tacit
understanding they don't. The sentries, outposts and vedettes forbear
musketry; on the contrary, exchange tobaccoes sometimes, and have a
snatch of conversation. Daun is growing more and more unhappy. To which
of the gods, if not to Soltikof again, can he apply?
Friedrich himself, successful so far, is abundantly dissatisfied with
such a kind of success;--and indeed seems to be less thankful to his
stars than in present circumstances he ought. Profoundly wearied we find
him, worn down into utter disgust in the Small War of Posts: "Here we
still are, nose to nose," exclaims he (see Letters TO HENRI), "both of
us in unattackable camps. This Campaign appears to me more unsupportable
than any of the foregoing. Take what trouble and care I like, I
can't advance a step in regard to great interests; I succeed only in
trifles.... Oh for good news of your health: I am without all assistance
here; the Army must divide again before long, and I have none to intrust
it to." [Schoning, ii. 416.]
And TO D'ARGENS, in the same bad days: "Yes, yes, I escaped a great
danger there [at Liegnitz]. In a common War it would have signified
something; but in this it is a mere skirmish; my position little
improved by it. I will not sing Jeremiads to you; nor speak of my fears
and anxieties, but can assure you they are great. The crisis I am in
has taken another shape; but as yet nothing decides it, nor can the
development of it be foreseen. I am getting consumed by slow fever; I am
like a living body losing limb after limb. Heaven stand by us: we
need it much. [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ xix. 193 ("Dittmannsdorf, 18th
September," day after, or day of finishing, that cannonade).]... You
talk always of my person, of my dangers. Need I tell you, it is not
necessary that I live; but it is that I do my duty, and fight for my
Country to save it if possible. In many LITTLE things I have had luck: I
think of taking for my motto, MAXIMUS IN MINIMIS, ET MINIMUS IN MAXIMIS.
A worse Campaign than any of the others: I know not sometimes what will
become of it. But why weary you with such details of my labors and my
sorrows? My spirits have forsaken me. All gayety is buried with the
Loved Noble Ones whom my heart was bound to. Adieu."
Or, again, TO HENRI: Berlin? Yes; I am trying something in bar of that.
Have a bad time of it, in the interim." Our means, my dear Brother, are
so eaten away; far too short for opposing the prodigious number of our
enemies set against us:--if we must fall, let us date our destruction
from the infamous Day of Maxen!"
Is in such health, too, all the while: "Am a little better, thank
you; yet have still the"--what shall we say (dreadful biliary
affair)?--"HEMORRHOIDES AVEUGLES: nothing that, were it not for the
disquietudes I feel: but all ends in this world, and so will these.
... I flatter myself your health is recovering. For these three days
in continuance I have had so terrible a cramp, I thought it would choke
me;--it is now a little gone. No wonder the chagrins and continual
disquietudes I live in should undermine and at length overturn the
robustest constitution." [Schoning, ii. 419: "2d October." Ib. ii. 410:
"16th September." Ib. ii. 408.]
Friedrich, we observe, has heard of certain Russian-Austrian intentions
on Berlin; but, after intense consideration, resolves that it will
behoove him to continue here, and try to dislodge Daun, or help Hunger
to dislodge him; which will be the remedy for Berlin and all things
else. There are news from Colberg of welcome tenor: could Daun be sent
packing, Soltikof, it is probable, will not be in much alacrity for
Berlin!--September 18th, at Dittmannsdorf, was the first day of Daun's
dead-lock: ever since, he has had to sit, more and more hampered, pinned
to the Hills, eating sour herbs; nothing but Hunger ahead, and a
retreat (battle we will not dream of), likely to be very ruinous, with a
Friedrich sticking to the wings of it. Here is the Note on Colberg:--
SEPTEMBER 18th, COLHERG SIEGE RAISED. "The same September 18th, what
a day at Colberg too! it is the twenty-fourth day of the continual
bombardment there. Colberg is black ashes, most of its houses ruins, not
a house in it uninjured. But Heyde and his poor Garrison, busy day and
night, walk about in it as if fire-proof; with a great deal of battle
still left in them. The King, I know not whether Heyde is aware, has
contrived something of relief; General Werner coming:--the fittest of
men, if there be possibility. When, see, September 18th, uneasy motion
in the Russian intrenchments (for the Russians too are intrenched
against attack): Something that has surprised the Russians yonder.
Climb, some of you, to the highest surviving steeple, highest
chimney-top if no steeple survive:--Yonder IS Werner come to our relief,
O God the Merciful!"
"Werner, with 5,000, was detached from Glogau (September 5th), from
Goltz's small Corps there; has come as on wings, 200 miles in thirteen
days. And attacks now, as with wings, the astonished Russian 15,000,
who were looking for nothing like him,--with wings, with claws, and with
beak; and in a highly aquiline manner, fierce, swift, skilful, storms
these intrenched Russians straightway, scatters them to pieces,--and
next day is in Colberg, the Siege raising itself with great
precipitation; leaving all its artilleries and furnitures, rushing
on shipboard all of it that can get,--the very ships-of-war, says
Archenholtz, hurrying dangerously out to sea, as if the Prussian Hussars
might possibly take THEM. A glorious Werner! A beautiful defence, and
ditto rescue; which has drawn the world's attention." [Seyfarth, ii.
634; Archenholtz, ii. 116: in _Helden-Geschichte,_ (vi. 73-83), TAGEBUCH
of Siege.]
Heyde's defence of Colberg, Werner's swift rescue of it, are very
celebrated this Autumn. Medals were struck in honor of them at Berlin,
not at Friedrich's expense, but under Friedrich's patronage; who
purchased silver or gold copies, and gave them about. Veteran Heyde had
a Letter from his Majesty, and one of these gold Medals;--what an honor!
I do not hear that Heyde got any other reward, or that he needed any.
A beautiful old Hero, voiceless in History; though very visible in that
remote sphere, if you care to look.
That is the news from Colberg; comfortable to Friedrich; not likely to
inspire Soltikof with new alacrity in behalf of Daun. It remains to
us only to add, that Friedrich, with a view to quicken Daun, shot out
(September 24th, after nightfall, and with due mystery) a Detachment
towards Neisse,--4,000 or so, who call themselves 15,000, and affect to
be for Mahren ultimately. "For Mahren, and my bit of daily bread!" Daun
may well think; and did for some time think, or partly did. Pushed
off one small detachment really thither, to look after Mahren; and
(September 29th) pushed off another bigger; Lacy namely, with 15,000,
pretending to be thither,--but who, the instant they were out of
Friedrich's sight, have whirled, at a rapid pace, quite into the
opposite direction: as will shortly be seen! Daun has now other irons in
the fire. Daun, ever since this fatal Dead-lock in the Hills, has been
shrieking hoarsely to the Russians, day and night; who at last take pity
on him,--or find something feasible in his proposals.
THE RUSSIANS MAKE A RAID ON BERLIN, FOR RELIEF OF DAUN AND THEIR OWN
BEHOOF (October 3d-12th, 1760).
Powerful entreaties, influences are exercised at Petersburg, and here in
the Russian Camp: "Noble Russian Excellencies, for the love of Heaven,
take this man off my windpipe! A sally into Brandenburg: oh, could not
you? Lacy shall accompany; seizure of Berlin, were it only for one day!"
Soltikof has falleu sick,--and, indeed, practically vanishes from our
affairs at this point;--Fermor, who has command in the interim, finally
consents: "Our poor siege of Colberg, what an end is come to it! What
an end is the whole Campaign like to have! Let us at least try this of
Berlin, since our hands are empty." The joy of Daun, of Montalembert,
and of everybody in Austrian Court and Camp may be conceived.
Russians to the amount of 20,000, Czernichef Commander; Tottleben Second
in command, a clever soldier, who knows Berlin: these are to start from
Sagan Country, on this fine Expedition, and to push on at the very
top of their speed. September 20th, Tottleben, with 3,000 of them as
Vanguard, does accordingly cross Oder, at Beuthen in Sagan Country; and
strides forward direct upon Berlin: Lacy, with 15,000, has started from
Silesia, we saw how, above a week later (September 29th), but at a
still more furious rate of speed. Soltikof,--theoretically Soltikof,
but practically Fermor, should the dim German Books be ambiguous to
any studious creature,--with the Main Army (which by itself is still a
20,000 odd), moves to Frankfurt, to support the swift Expedition, and
be within two marches of it. Here surely is a feasibility! Berlin, for
defence, has nothing but weak palisades; and of effective garrison 1,200
men.
And feasible, in a sort, this thing did prove; indisputably delivering
Daun from strangulation in the Silesian Mountains; filling the Gazetteer
mind with loud emotion of an empty nature; and very much affecting many
poor people in Berlin and neighborhood. Making a big Chapter in Berlin
Local History; though compressible to small bulk for strangers, who have
no specific sympathies in that locality.
"FRIDAY, 3d OCTOBER, 1760, Tottleben, with his hasty Vanguard of 3,000,
preceded by hastier rumor, comes circling round Berlin environs; takes
post at the Halle Gate [West side of the City]; summons Rochow [the same
old Commandant of Haddick's time];--requires instant admittance; ransom
of Four million Thalers, and other impossible things. Berlin has been
putting itself in some posture; repairing its palisades, throwing up
bits of redoubts in front of the gates, and, though sounding with alarms
and uncertainties, shows a fine spirit of readiness for the emergency.
Rochow is still Commandant, the same old Rochow who shrunk so
questionably in Haddick's time: but Rochow has no Court to tremble for
at present; Queen and Royal Family, Archives, Principal Ministries,
Directorium in a body, went all to Magdeburg again, on the Kunersdorf
Disaster last year, and are safe from such insults. The spirit of the
population, it appears, even of the rich classes, some of whom are
very rich, is extraordinary. Besides Rochow, moreover, there are,
by accident, certain Generals in Berlin: Seidlitz and two others,
recovering from their Kunersdorf hurts, who step into the breach with
heart admirably willing, if with limbs still lame. Then there is old
Field-marshal Lehwald [Anti-Russian at Gross Jagersdorf, but dismissed
as too old], who is official Governor of Berlin, who succeeded poor
Keith in that honorable office: all these were strong for defence;--and
do not now grudge, great men as they are, to take each his Gate of
Berlin, his small redoubt thrown up there, and pass the night and the
day in doing his utmost with it.
"Rochow refuses the surrender, and the Four Millions pure specie;
and Tottleben, about 3 P.M. in an intermittent way, and about 5 in a
constant, begins bombarding--grenadoes, red-hot balls, what he can;--and
continues the s&me till 3 next morning. Without result to speak of;
Seidlitz and Consorts making good counter-play; the poor old 1,200 of
Garrison growing almost young again with energy, under their Seidlitzes;
and the population zealously co-operating, especially quenching all
fires that rose. What greatly contributed withal was the arrival of
Prince Eugen overnight. Eugen of Wurtemberg [cadet of that bad Duke] had
been engaged driving home the Swedes, but instantly quitted that with a
5,000 he had; and has marched this day,--his Vanguard has, mostly Horse,
whom the Foot will follow to-morrow,--a distance of forty miles, on this
fine errand. Delicate manoeuvring, by these wearied horsemen, to enter
Berlin amid uncertain jostlings, under the shine of Russian bombardment;
ecstatic welcome to them, when they did get in,--instant subscription
for fat oxen to them; a just abundance of beef to them, of generous beer
I hope not more than an abundance: phenomena which, with others of
the like, could be dwelt on, had we room. [Tempelhof, iv. 266-290;
Archenholtz, ii. 122-148; _Helden-Geschichte,_ vi. 103-149, 350-352; &c.
&c.]'
"Tottleben, under these omens, found it would not do; wended off towards
his Czernichef next morning; eastward again as far as Copenik, Prince
Eugen attending him in a minatory manner: and, in Berlin for the moment,
the bad ten hours were over. For four days more, the fate of things hung
dubious; hope soon fading again, but not quite going out till the fifth
day. And this, in fact, was mainly all of bombardment that the City
had to suffer; though its fate of capture was not to be averted. Is not
Tottleben gone? Yes; but Lacy, marching at a rate he never did before
(except from Bischofswerda), is arrived in the environs this same
evening, cautious but furious. The King is far away; what are Eugen's
5,000 against these?
"On the other hand, Hulsen, leaving his Saxon affairs to their
chance,--which, alas, are about extinct, at any rate; except Wittenberg,
all Saxony gone from us!--Hulsen is on winged march hitherward with
about 9,000. 'How would the King come on wings, like an eagle from the
Blue, if he were but aware!' thought everybody, and said. Hulsen did
arrive on the 8th; so that there are now 14,000 of us. Hulsen did;--but
no King could; the King is just starting (October 4th, the King, on
these bad rumors about Saxony, about Berlin, quitted the attempt on
Daun; October 7th, got on march hitherward; has finished his first
march hitherward,--Daun gradually preparing to attend him in the
distance),--when Hulsen arrives. And here are all their Lacys,
Czernichefs fairly assembled; five to two of us,--35,000 of them against
our 14,000.
"Hulsen and Eugen, drawn out in their skilfulest way, manoeuvred about,
all this Wednesday, 8th; attempted, did not attempt; found on candid
examination, That 14,000 VERSUS 35,000 ran a great risk of being
worsted; that, in such case, the fate of the City might be still
more frightful; and that, on the whole, their one course was that of
withdrawing to Spandau, and leaving poor Berlin to capitulate as
it could. Capitulation starts again with Tottleben that same night;
Gotzkowsky, a magnanimous Citizen and Merchant-Prince, stepping forth
with beautiful courageous furtherances of every kind; and it ends better
than one could have hoped: Ransom--not of Four Millions pure specie
(which would have been 600,000 pounds): 'Gracious Sir, it is beyond our
utmost possibility!'--but of One and a Half Million in modern Ephraim
coin; with a 30,000 pounds of douceur-money to the common man, Russian
and Austrian, for his forbearance;--'for the rest, we are at your
Excellency's mercy, in a manner!' And so,
"THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th, about 7 in the morning, Tottleben marches in;
exactly six days since he first came circling to the Halle Gate and
began bombarding. Tottleben, knowing Friedrich, knew the value of
despatch; and, they say, was privately no enemy to Berlin, remembering
old grateful days here. For Tottleben has himself been in difficulties;
indeed, was never long out of them, during the long stormy life he
had. Not a Russian at all; though I suppose Father of the now Russian
Tottlebens whom one hears of: this one was a poor Saxon Gentleman, Page
once to poor old drunken Weissenfels, whom, for a certain fair soul's
sake, we sigh to remember! Weissenfels dying, Tottleben became a soldier
of Polish Majesty's;--acceptable soldier, but disagreed with Bruhl, for
which nobody will like him worse. Disagreed with Bruhl; went into the
Dutch service (may have been in Fontenoy for what I know); was there
till Aix-la-Chapelle, till after Aix-la-Chapelle; kindly treated, and
promoted in the Dutch Army; but with outlooks, I can fancy, rather
dull. Outlooks probably dull in such an element,--when, being a
handsome fellow in epaulettes (Major-General, in fact, though poor), he,
diligently endeavoring, caught the eye of a Dutch West-Indian Heiress;
soft creature with no end of money; whom he privately wedded, and ran
away with. To the horror of her appointed Dutch Lover and Friends; who
prosecuted the poor Major-General with the utmost rigor, not of Law
only. And were like to be the ruin of his fair West-Indian and him; when
Friedrich, about 1754 as I guess, gave him shelter in Berlin; finding
no insupportable objection in what the man had done. The rather, as
his Heiress and he were rich. Tottleben gained general favor in Berlin
society; wished, in 1756, to take service with Friedrich on the breaking
out of this War. 'A Colonel with me, yes,' said Friedrich. But Tottleben
had been Major-General among the Dutch, and could not consent to sink;
had to go among the Russians for a Major-Generalcy; and there
and elsewhere, for many years coming, had many adventures, mostly
troublesome, which shall not be memorable to us here. [Sketch of
Tottleben's Life; in RODENBECK, ii. 69-72.]
"Lacy, who, after hovering about in these vicinities for four days, had
now actually come up, so soon as Eugen and Hulsen withdrew,--was deeply
disgusted at the Terms of Capitulation; angry to find that Tottleben
had concluded without him; and, in fact, flew into open rage at
the arrangements Tottleben had made for himself and for others. 'No
admittance, except on order from his Excellency!' said the Russian
Sentry to Lacy's Austrians: upon which, Lacy forced the Gate,
and violently marched in. Took lodging, to his own mind, in the
Friedrichstadt quarter; and was fearfully truculent upon person and
property, during his short stay. A scandal to be seen, how his Croats
and loose hordes went openly ravening about, bent on mere housebreaking,
street-robbery and insolent violence. So that Tottleben had fairly to
fire upon the vagabonds once or twice; and force on the unwilling
Lacy some coercion of them within limits. For the three days of his
continuance,--it was but three days in all,--Lacy was as the evil genius
of Berlin; Tottleben and his Russians the good. Their discipline was so
excellent; all Cossacks and loose rabble strictly kept out beyond the
Walls. To Bachmann, Russian Commandant, the Berliners, on his departure,
had gratefully got ready a money-gift of handsome amount: 'By no means,'
answered Bachmann: 'your treatment was according to the mildness of our
Sovereign Czarina. For myself, if I have served you in anything, the
fact that for three days I have been Commandant of the Great Friedrich's
Capital is more than a reward to me.'
"Tottleben and Lacy, during those three days of Russian and Austrian
joint dominion, had a stormy time of it together. 'Destroy the
LAGER-HAUS,' said Lacy: Lager-Haus, where they manufacture their
soldiers' uniforms; it is the parent of all cloth-manufacturing in
Prussia; set up by Friedrich Wilhelm,--not on free-trade principles.
'The Lager-Haus, say you? I doubt, it is now private property; screened
by our Capitulation;'--which it proves to be. 'You shall blow up the
Arsenal!' said Lacy, with vehemence and truculence. A noble edifice, as
travellers yet know: fancy its fragments flying about among the populous
streets, plunging through the roofs of Palaces, and great houses all
round. Lacy was inexorable; Tottleben had to send a Russian Party (one
wishes they had been Croats) on this sad errand. They proceeded to the
Powder-Magazine for explosive material, as preliminary; they were rash
in handling the gunpowder there, which blew up in their hands; sent
itself and all of them into the air; and saved the poor Arsenal: 'Not
powder enough now left for our own artillery uses,' urged Tottleben.
"Saxon and Austrian Parties were in the Palaces about,--at Potsdam,
at Charlottenburg, Schonhausen (the Queen's), at Friedrichsfeld (the
Margraf Karl's), some of whom behaved well, some horribly ill. In
Charlottenburg, certain Saxon Bruhl-Dragoons, who by their conduct might
have been Dragoons of Attila, smashed the furnitures, the doors, cutting
the Pictures, much maltreating the poor people; and, what was reckoned
still more tragical, overset the poor Polignac Collection of Antiques
and Classicalities; not only knocking off noses and arms, but beating
them small, lest reparation by cement should be possible. Their
Officers, Pirna people, looking quietly on. A scandalous proceeding,
thought everybody, friend or foe,--especially thought Friedrich; whose
indignation at this ruin of Charlottenburg came out in way of reprisal
by and by. At Potsdam, on the other hand, Prince Esterhazy, with perhaps
Hungarians among his people, behaved like a very Prince; received
from the Castellan an Attestation that he had scrupulously respected
everything; and took, as souvenir, only one Picture of little value;
Prince de Ligne, who was under him, carrying off, still more daintily,
one goose-quill, immortal by having been a pen of the Great Friedrich's.
"Tottleben, with no feeling other than Official tempered by Human, was
in great contrast with Lacy, and very beneficent to Berlin during the
three days it lay under the TRIBULA, or harrow of War. But the Tutelary
Angel of Berlin, then and afterwards for weeks and months, till all
scores got settled, was the Gotzkowsky mentioned above." Whom we shall
see again helpful at Leipzig; a man worth marking in these tumults. "If
Tottleben was the temporal Armed King, this Gotzkowsky was the Spiritual
King, PAPA or Universal Father, armed only with charities, pieties,
prayers, ever shiningly attended by self-sacrifices on Gotzkowsky's
part; which averted woes innumerable (Lager-Haus only one of a long
list); and which 'surpassed all belief,' write the Berlin Magistracy,
as if in tears over such heroism. Truly a Prince of Merchants, this
Gotzkowsky, not for his vast enterprises, and the mere 1,500 workmen he
employs, but for the still greater heart that dwells in him. Had
begun as a travelling Pedler; used to call at Reinsberg, with female
haberdasheries exquisitely chosen ('GALLANTERIE wares' the Germans call
them), for the then Princess Royal; not unnoticed by Friedrich, who
recognized the broad sense, solidity and great thoughts of the man. Of
all which Friedrich has known far more since then, in various branches
of Prussian commerce improved by Gotzkowsky's managements. A truly
notable Gotzkowsky; became bankrupt at last, one is sorry to hear; and
died in affliction and neglect,--short of the humblest wages for so much
good work done in the world! [Preuss, ii. 257, &c. &c.; GESCHICHTE EINES
PATRIOTISCHEN KAUFMANNS (Berlin, 1769, by Gotzkowsky himself).]
"Gotzkowsky's House was like a general storeroom for everybody's
preciosities; his time, means, self were the refuge of all the needy.
In Zorndorf time, when this Czernichef [if readers can remember], who
is now so supreme,--Czernichef, Soltikof and others,--had nothing for
it but to lodge in the cellars of burnt Custrin, Gotzkowsky, with ready
money, with advice, with assuagement, had been their DEUS EX MACHINA:
and now Czernichef remembers it; and Gotzkowsky, as Papa, has to go with
continual prayers, negotiations, counsellings, expedients, and be the
refuge of all unjustly suffering men Berlin has immensities of trade in
war-furnitures: the capitals circulating are astonishing to Archenholtz;
million on the back of million; no such city in Germany for trade. The
desire of the Three-days Lacy Government is towards any Lager-Haus;
any mass of wealth, which can be construed as Royal or connected with
Royalty. Ephraim and Itzig, mint-masters of that copper-coinage; rolling
in foul wealth by the ruin of their neighbors; ought not these to bleed?
Well, yes,--if anybody; and copiously if you like! I should have said
so: but the generous Gotzkowsky said in his heart, 'No;' and again
pleaded and prevailed. Ephraim and Itzig, foul swollen creatures, were
not broached at all; and their gratitude was, That, at a future day,
Gotzkowsky's day of bankruptcy, they were hardest of any on Gotzkowsky.
"Archenholtz and the Books are enthusiastically copious upon Gotzkowsky
and his procedures; but we must be silent. This Anecdote only, in regard
to Freedom of the Press,--to the so-called 'air we breathe, not having
which we die!' Would modern Friends of Progress believe it? Because,
in former stages of this War, the Berlin Newspapers have had offensive
expressions (scarcely noticeable to the microscope in our day, and below
calculation for smallness) upon the Russian and Austrian Sovereigns or
Peoples,--the Able Editors (there are only Two) shall now in person,
here in the market-place of Berlin, actually run the gantlet for
it,--'run the rods (GASSEN-LAUFEN'), as the fashion now is; which is
worse than GANTLET, not to speak of the ignominy. That is the barbaric
Russian notion: 'who are you, ill-formed insolent persons, that give a
loose to your tongue in that manner? Strip to the waistband, swift! Here
is the true career opened for you: on each hand, one hundred sharp rods
ranked waiting you; run your courses there,--no hurry more than you
like!' The alternative of death, I suppose, was open to these Editors;
Roman death at least, and martyrdom for a new Faith (Faith in the Loose
Tongue), very sacred to the Democratic Ages now at hand. But nobody
seems to have thought of it; Editors and Public took the thing as a
'sorrow incident to this dangerous Profession of the Tongue Loose (or
looser than usual); which nobody yet knew to be divine. The Editors made
passionate enough lamentation, in the stript state; one of then, with
loud weeping, pulled off his wig, showed ice-gray hair; 'I am in my 68th
year!' But it seems nothing would have steaded them, had not Gotzkowsky
been busy interceding. By virtue of whom there was pardon privately
in readiness: to the ice-gray Editor complete pardon; to the junior
quasi-complete; only a few switches to assert the principle, and
dismissal with admonition." [_Helden-Geschichte_, vi. 103-148; Rodenbeck,
ii. 41-54; Archenholtz, ii. 130-147; Preuss, UBI SUPRA: &c. &c.]
The pleasant part of the fact is, that Gotzkowsky's powerful
intercessions were thenceforth no farther needed. The same day,
Saturday, October 11th, a few hours after this of the GASSEN-LAUFEN,
news arrived full gallop: "The King is coming!" After which it was
beautiful to see how all things got to the gallop; and in a no-time
Berlin was itself again. That same evening, Saturday, Lacy took the
road, with extraordinary velocity, towards Torgau Country, where the
Reichsfolk, in Hulsen's absence, are supreme; and, the second evening
after, was got 60 miles thitherward. His joint dominion had been of
Two days. On the morning of Sunday, 12th, went Tottleben, who had
businesses, settlements of ransom and the like, before marching.
Tottleben, too, made uncommon despatch; marched, as did all these
invasive Russians, at the rate of thirty miles a day; their Main Army
likewise moving off from Frankfurt to a safer distance. Friedrich was
still five marches off; but there seemed not a moment to lose.
The Russian spoilings during the retreat were more horrible than ever:
"The gallows gaping for us; and only this one opportunity, if even
this!" thought the agitated Cossack to himself. Our poor friend Nissler
had a sad tale to tell of them; [In Busching, _Beitrage,_ i. 400,
401, account of their sacking of Nussler's pleasant home and estate,
"Weissensee, near Berlin."] as who had not? Terror and murder,
incendiary fire and other worse unnamable abominations of the Pit. One
old Half-pay gentleman, whom I somewhat respect, desperately barricaded
himself, amid his domestics and tenantries, Wife and Daughters
assisting: "Human Russian Officers can enter here; Cossacks no, but
shall kill us first. Not a Cossack till all of us are lying dead!"
[Archenholtz, ii. 150.] And kept his word; the human Russians owning it
to be proper.
In Guben Country, "at Gross-Muckro, October 15th," the day after passing
Guben, Friedrich first heard for certain, That the Russians had been in
Berlin, and also that they were gone, and that all was over. He made two
marches farther,--not now direct for Berlin, but direct for Saxony AND
it;--to Lubben, 50 or 60 miles straight south of Berlin; and halted
there some days, to adjust himself for a new sequel. "These are the
things," exclaims he, sorrowfully, to D'Argens, "which I have been in
dread of since Winter last; this is what gave the dismal tone to my
Letters to you. It has required not less than all my philosophy to
endure the reverses, the provocations, the outrages, and the whole scene
of atrocious things that have come to pass." [_OEuvres de Frederic,_
xix. 199; "22d October."] Friedrich's grief about Berlin we need not
paint; though there were murmurs afterwards, "Why did not he start
sooner?" which he could not, in strict reason, though aware that these
savageries were on march. He had hoped the Eugen-Hulsen appliances, even
should all else fail, might keep them at bay. And indeed, in regard to
these latter, it turned only on a hair. Montalembert calculating, vows,
on his oath, "Can assure you, M. l'Ambassadeur, PUIS BIEN VOUS ASSURER
COMME SI J,ETAIS DEVANT DIEU, as if I stood before God," [Montalembert,
ii. 108.] that, from first to last, it was my doing; that but for me, at
the very last, the Russians, on sight of Hulsen and Eugen, and no Lacy
come, would have marched away!
Friedrich's orderings and adjustings, dated Lubben, where his Army
rested after this news from Berlin, were manifold; and a good deal still
of wrecks from the Berlin Business fell to his share. For instance, one
thing he had at once ordered: "Your Bill of a Million-and-half to the
Russians, don't pay it, or any part of it! When Bamberg was ransomed,
Spring gone a year,--Reich and Kaiser, did they respect our Bill we had
on Bamberg? Did not they cancel it, and flatly refuse?" Friedrich is
positive on the point, "Reprisal our clear remedy!" But Berlin itself
was in alarm, for perhaps another Russian visit; Berlin and Gotzkowsky
were humbly positive the other way. Upon which a visit of Gotskowsky
to the Royal Camp: "Merchants' Bills are a sacred thing, your Majesty!"
urged Gotzkowsky. Who, in his zeal for the matter, undertook dangerous
visits to the Russian Quarters, and a great deal of trouble, peril and
expense, during the weeks following. Magnanimous Gotzkowsky, "in mere
bribes to the Russian Officials, spent about 6,000 pounds of his own,"
for one item. But he had at length convinced his Majesty that Merchants'
Bills were a sacred thing, in spite of Bamberg and desecrative
individualities; and that this Million-and-half must be paid. Friedrich
was struck with Gotzkowsky and his view of the facts. Friedrich,
from his own distressed funds, handed to Gotzkowsky the necessary
Million-and-half, commanding only profound silence about it; and to
Gotzkowsky himself a present of 150,000 thalers (20,000 pounds odd);
[Archenholtz, ii. 146.] and so the matter did at last end.
It had been a costly business to Berlin, and to the King, and to the
poor harried Country. To Berlin, bombardment of ten hours; alarm of
discursive siege-work in the environs for five days; foreign yoke for
three days; lost money to the amounts above stated; what loss in wounds
to body or to peace of mind, or whether any loss that way, nobody has
counted. The Berlin people rose to a more than Roman height of temper,
testifies D'Argens; [_ OEuvres de Frederic,_ xix. 195-199: "D'Argens
to the King: Berlin, 19th October, 1760,"--an interesting Letter of
details.] so that perhaps it was a gain. The King's Magazines and
War-furnitures about Berlin are wasted utterly,--Arsenal itself not
blown up, we well know why;--and much Hunnish ruin in Charlottenburg,
with damage to Antiques,--for which latter clause there shall, in a few
months, be reprisal: if it please the Powers!
Of all this Montalembert declares, "Before God, that he, Montalembert,
is and was the mainspring." And indeed, Tempelhof, without censure
of Montalembert and his vocation, but accurately computing time and
circumstance, comes to the same conclusion;--as thus: "OCTOBER 8th,
seeing no Lacy come, Czernichef, had it not been for Montalembert's
eloquence, had fixed for returning to Copenik: whom cautious Lacy would
have been obliged to imitate. Suppose Czernichef had, OCTOBER 9th, got
to Copenik,--Eugen and Hulsen remain at Berlin; Czernichef could
not have got back thither before the 11th; on the 11th was news of
Friedrich's coming; which set all on gallop to the right about."
[Tempelhof, iv. 277.] So that really, before God, it seems Montalembert
must have the merit of this fine achievement:--the one fruit, so far
as I can discover, of his really excellent reasonings, eloquences,
patiences, sown broadcast, four or five long years, on such a field as
fine human talent never had before. I declare to you, M. l'Ambassadeur,
this excellent vulture-swoop on Berlin, and burning or reburning of the
Peasantry of the Mark, is due solely to one poor zealous gentleman!--
What was next to follow out of THIS,--in Torgau neighborhood, where
Daun now stands expectant,--poor M. de Montalembert was far from
anticipating; and will be in no haste to claim the merit of before God
or man.