The army remained at Kosmanos to give the troops some rest. We also await the provision wagons that are obliged to follow the army because the Prussians have carried off everything during their retreat.

The Prussian army is encamped at Neu-Schloss; it is sending to the rear its equipages and heavy baggage. Marshal Keith remains at Leitmeritz, and appears to be doing the same.

The Corps of General Nádasdy reached Tzebus today. At 4 o'clock, 6 regiments of infantry and 1,000 horse detached from the various cavalry regiments, together with a train of pontoons, marched to Münchengrätz, where Headquarters are to be established tomorrow. Count Nikolaus Esterházy commands the Advanced Guard; General de Ville directs the cavalry. They threw four bridges across the Iser, which they crossed in order to protect the new camp.

During the morning, 16 deserters came in; after dinner, 40 others arrived together with 2 prisoners. The slowness of the Austrians in advancing as far as Jung-Bunzlau is attributable to the lack of subsistence; the army is obliged to advance one step at a time. The King of Prussia has created difficulties by spoiling the magazines, especially the grain that is in short supply at this season. The King has also carried off many farm-horses, thus rendering carriage almost impossible.

The Austrians have a stronger reason still for the slowness of their advance: they do not wish to risk the fortune of their affairs in another engagement. The only thing with which the Austrians can be reproached is in their not having made several large detachments of regular troops to sustain their light troops. Well led, such detachments should have been able entirely to ruin both of the Prussian armies by desertion, which, even so, has been very considerable. The terrain is as favorable for the Croats as could be wished. Properly supported, their method of warfare can produce advantages just as great as the most brilliant actions and is capable of preventing the Prussians from continuing the war. Accustomed to operating in small detachments, the Croats are able to act against the front, flanks and rear of the Prussians, as long as those troops remain in Bohemia. The Prussians do not have sufficient light troops to support those Croats who are not close enough to the army to be able to be supported directly; the Prussians would not dare to advance for fear of being cut off.

More Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757

Introduction and June 28, 1757
June 29, 1757
June 30, 1757
July 1, 1757
July 2, 1757
July 3, 1757
July 4, 1757
July 5, 1757
July 6, 1757
July 7, 1757
July 8, 1757
July 9, 1757
July 10, 1757
July 11, 1757
July 12, 1757
July 13, 1757
July 14, 1757

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