Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/39

 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

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which they fought to turn to their advantage. On their right and left were hills on which they planted batteries of cannon. The ground in their front was incerfedted by many caufeways; and to make the whole more impradticable, the Au- ftrians had felled a vail many rrees, and fcattered them in the way. The King of Prjflia was not terrified with this fituation, nor with the confcioufnefs that above 70,000 excellent troops commanded by Count Daun were fo polled. The Pruffians, who did not exceed, as it is faid 36,000 men, attacked them with their ufual refolation. It was almoft impoflible at the beginning of the envao-ement for the Pruffian horfe to a(ft, oa accounc of the im- pediments we have jull mentioned, but a moll judicious difpoiition of the king himfelf overcame that dif- advantage ; he had in his firll dif- pofitions placed four battalions be- jiind the cavalry of his right wing, forefeeing that general Nadalti, who was placed with a corps de referve on the enemy's left, deiigned to take him in flank. It happened as he had forefeen ; that general's horfe attacked the King's right v/jng with great fury ; but he was received with fo fevere a fire from the four batta- lions, ihat he was obliged to retire in diforder. Then the King's flank well covered and fupported was enabled to adl with fuch order and vigour, that the enemy's right was obliged to give way. The PruQian artillery, which was incomparably ferved, and filenced that of the enemy, con- curred to maintain the King's in- fantry, and to enable them to adl in grounds where their horfe could give them but little aflillance. The Auftrians made a gallant refillance

during the whole battle. The panic of the enemy did not here, as at Rolbach, do half the bufinefs; every foot of ground was well dis- puted. The Auftrians rallied all their forces about Leuthen, which was defended upon all fides with intrenchments and redoubts. After reiterated attacks made with the ut- mofr impetuofity, and fuftained with great hrrnnefs, the Pruffians maf- tered the poll; then the Aullrians fled on all parts ; they were entire- ly routed. The King purfued them to Lifia. Six thoufand of the Au- ftrians werellain, 15,000 were made prifoners; and an immenfe artil- lery, upwards of 200 pieces of can- non were taken.

This great and decifivc adlion was fought on the very fame day of the next month after the no lefs important and decilire battle of Rolbach, The confequences that followed the action of Leuthen, de- clared the entirenefs of the vidtory. Notwithftanding the rigour of the feaibn, the fiege of Brellau was im- mediately undertaken, and profe- cuted with fuch fpirit, that by the 29th of December it furrendered j and with it furrendered the garrifon. of 13,000 men prifcners of war ; the blockade of Schweidnitz was form- ed as clofely as the inclemency of the winter would permit; whilll the Pruffian parties not only repofTelTed thofe parts of Silefia which belong- ed to the King, but penetrating in- to the Auftrian divifion, reduced Jagerndorf, Troppau and Tetfchen, and left to the Emprefs Queen, ex- cept a forlorn garrifon in Schweid- nitz, no fort of footing in that country, in which a few days be- fore I'he reckoned her dominion perfedly eftabiilhed.

CHAP.