Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/36

 was at hand, in which it would prove difficult for the enemy to make any impression whilst the winter continued. As for the time to be lost by following this plan, and the advantage it would afford the Austrians in their designs on Silesia, they were not to be compared with the advantages which the King received from it. He knew that Schweidnitz was strong, and excellently provided; the Prince of Bevern was strongly posted near it to obstruct the enemies operations; the winter would lean heavier on the besiegers; and on the whole he had reason to trust that his troops, animated by his own prefence and example, would prove far superior to the enemy, in enduring all the hardships of a winter campaign.

After some time spent in various movements, between the allied army of the Imperialists and French on one side, and the Prussians on the other, the King resolved to give battle to his enemies, who were now advanced to the confines of Misnia. On the 24th of October, the King had taken his resolution; at that time his army happened to be divided into several corps, some of them at a distance of no less than twenty leagues asunder; yet such were the spirit and excellent disposition of the Prussians, that the junction of all these corps, was fully effected on the 27th, and the King advanced towards the enemy. The enemy fell back at his approach, and repassed the Sala; they were followed close.

The two armies met near the village of Rosbach.

The united army, commanded by the Prince of Saxe Hilburghausen and the Prince of Soubise, was 50,000 men compleat. But the troops of the Circles were newraised, and many of them not well affected to the service, nor to their French allies. The Prussians did not amount to 25,000; but then they were Prussians, and led on by the King of Prussia. As soon as the armies were formed, and the battle going to begin, which was to decide the fate of so many nations, and to determine between force and virtue, the King of Prussia addressed his troops nearly in the following words:

'My dear friends, the hour is come, in which all that is, and all that ought to be dear to us, depends upon the swords which are now drawn for the battle. Time permits me to say but little; nor is there occasion to say much. You know that there is no labour, no hunger, no cold, no watching, no danger, that I have not shared with you hitherto; and you now see me ready to lay down my life with you and for you. All I ask is the same pledge of fidelity and affection that I give. And let me add, not as an incitement to your courage, but as a testimony of my own gratitude, that from this hour, until you go into quarters, your pay shall be double. Acquit yourselves like men, and put your confidence in God.' The effect of this speech was such as cannot be described. The general emotion burst in an universal shout, and the looks and demeanour of the men were animated to a sort of heroic phrensy. In this disposition, which prognosticated success, the engagement began.

In the beginning of the action the French cavalry came on with great spirit, but they were repulsed;