Passes, and extinguish Goltz (only 10 or 12,000 against 30,000), as he
had done Fouquet last Year.
But Goltz took his measures better; seized "the Gallows-Hill of
Hohenfriedberg," seized this and that; and stood in so forcible an
attitude, that Loudon, carefully considering, durst not risk an assault;
and the only result was: Friedrich hastened to relief of Goltz (rose
from Meissen Country MAY 3d), and appeared in Silesia six weeks earlier
than he had intended. But again took Cantonments there (Schweidnitz and
neighborhood);--Loudon retiring wholly, on first tidings of him, home to
Bohemia again. Home in Bohemia; at Braunau, on the western edge of the
Glatz Mountains,--there sits Loudon thenceforth, silent for a long time;
silently collecting an Army of 72,000, with strict orders from Vienna to
avoid fighting till the Russians come. Loudon has very high intentions
this Year. Intends to finish Silesia altogether;--cannot he, after such
a beginning upon Glatz last Year? That is the firm notion at Vienna
among men of understanding: ever-active Loudon the favorite there,
against a Cunctator who has been too cunctatory many times. Liegnitz
itself, was not that (as many opine) a disaster due to cunctation, not
of Loudon's?
Loudon is to be joined by 60,000 Russians, under a Feldmarschall
Butturlin, not under sulky Soltikof, this Year; junction to be in Upper
Silesia, in Neisse neighborhood. We take that Fortress," say the Vienna
people; "it is next on the file after Glatz. Neisse taken; thence
northward, cleaning the Country as we go; Brieg, Schweidnitz, Glogau,
probably Breslau itself in some good interim: there are but Four
Fortresses to do; and the thing is finished. Let the King, one to three,
and Loudon in command against him, try if he can hinder it!" This is the
Program in Vienna and in Petersburg. And, accordingly, the Russians
have got on march about the end of May; plodding on ever since, due
hereabouts before June end: "junction to be as near Neisse as you can:
and no fighting of the King, on any terms, till the Russians come."
Never were the Vienna people so certain before. Daun is to do nothing
"rash" in Saxony (a Daun not given that way, they can calculate), but is
to guard Loudon's game; carefully to reinforce, comfort and protect the
brave Loudon and his Russians till they win;--after which Saxony as rash
as you like. This is the Program of the Season:--readers feel what an
immensity of preliminary higgling
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