Order of March of the Left Wing of the Army from Nismes to Gabel

The Left Wing of the army, who had remained encamped at Nismes, marched in three columns.

The 1st Column, comprising the cavalry, took the Kamnitz road through Grüne, Brins and Walten. It then marched close to the farm called Klein-Walten, crossed the bridge and entered camp.

The 2nd Column was composed of the infantry of the First Line. It marched towards Snukendorff Farm, crossed the bridge close to Luh, and then to Fischedlischer Farm. There: it crossed the wood to the left of the highroad; passed close to the mountain called the Tollberg; and entered camp near Postrelná.

The 3rd Column was composed of the infantry of the Second Line. It crossed the stone bridge at Nismes and followed the highroad as far as Neüland, which it left to its left. From there it took the highroad to Postrelná, after which it moved to the left towards the road through Franz Springer and, having traversed that village, it entered camp.

The Reserve Corps followed the 1st Column.

The Artillery went through Nismes and followed the 2nd Column by the highroad as far as the camp.

In this new position: the left flank of the army rests on the village of Postrelná, which is at the foot of a high mountain (the Tollberg) covered in woods; the right is supported by Lamberg Castle and another height also covered in woods. This castle belongs to the House of Gallas; it is situated on a height, at the foot of which are several marshes. During the Winter, the castle had been placed in a state of defense; a redoubt was built on the left better to command the highroad which passes the foot of the hill.

The various detachments from the Right Wing of the Army, who in the past few days had marched under the orders of General Kheul and Lieutenant-Generals the Duke of Arenberg and Macquire, have reunited the better to blockade Zittau closely. 6,000 Prussians, commanded by the Prince of Braunschweig and General Schmettau, are said to have entered that town bringing its garrison up to 10,000 men with a proportionate strength of artillery.

During the march of the Prince of Prussia to Rumburg, his army was greatly harassed by the light troops of Generals Beck and Hadik, who blocked up some of the passes. This obliged the Prussians to halt in the defiles, where they lost 200 wagons and 800 horses. Our light troops captured one cannon and spiked three others; they also damaged 50 copper pontoons and killed nearly 300 Prussians. Our casualties are no more than 6 to 8 men killed.

In the afternoon a body of 130 deserters arrived at Headquarters. A few hours later, 52 more followed them in. The Austrian dragoons also brought in 28 prisoners whom they had captured from a Prussian detachment that was trying to enter Zittau.

More Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757

Part 1: Introduction (June 30-July 14)

Part 2: Introduction and July 15
July 16, 1757
July 17, 1757
July 18, 1757
July 19, 1757
July 20, 1757
July 21, 1757
July 22, 1757
July 23, 1757
July 24, 1757
July 25, 1757

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