Journal of Horace St. Paul
1757: Waiting on Events

July 31, 1757

Translated and Edited With Additional Materials By Neil Cogswell


The Army of the King of Prussia made a march towards Lobau. We do not know if this is the whole army or not; the information that we have is confused. It is probable that the King wishes, by this movement, to cover Silesia; the retreat of the Prince of Prussia had opened the road to that province to the Austrians. In consequence, it is probable that the King has made a substantial detachment to that side. What we do know for certain is that General Beck, who had occupied Weissenberg, has found it necessary to retire to Bernstadt. Deserters claim that the King himself is with that corps, which amounts to 20,000 men, and that the Prince of Prussia remains with the rest at Bautzen. They also tell us that the King has with him neither baggage nor provision waggons; without doubt, this indicates that he has a project in mind that is to be executed rapidly. Perhaps he intends to carry off the garrison of Gorlitz before the Austrians can send any further troops to support it.

We also hear that Marshal Keith has arrived at Pirna with the remainder of the army that had remained in Bohemia. There, he has joined with the few troops whom the King had left behind.

This sojourn of the Austrians at Zittau gives an appearance of paralysis. It has allowed the King of Prussia time to recover, to plan, and to persuade himself that he is still equal to fighting the Austrians. Until the capture of Zittau, he had remained at Leitmeritz and Aussig, but, after the withdrawal of the Prince of Prussia to Bautzen, he immediately retired to Pirna. From there, he detached 14 battalions and 20 squadrons to reinforce the army commanded by his brother. Now, he has advanced 10 to 12,000 men to Weissenberg to prevent the Austrians from entering Brandenburg and to enable him to pass troops to Silesia, if he judges that necessary. Once the Prince of Prussia had withdrawn to Bautzen, the Austrians had it in their power to advance their army along the River Lobau. By taking a position near Lobau, they would have had Silesia behind them, and so have been able to operate in that province at will. They would also have been able to penetrate into Brandenburg, which would have obliged the King to send troops there.

But, the Austrians feared to take a position where the King might be able to attack them without their having great advantage in the terrain. At this time, they have concentrated the whole might of the House of Hapsburg. Despite this, by the nature of the countryside in Lusatia, they do not consider themselves able to confront the King of Prussia in the open field without hazarding that which they have so far gained. They are further confirmed in this opinion now that the Prussians have advanced a corps to Weissenberg, from whence it could pre-empt the Austrians by crossing the River Lobau and engaging them before they could advance beyond Bernstadt. Thus, the Austrians have decided to wait in their present position, where the ground is judged favourable for fighting.

Here, they can cover Bohemia until such time as the allies make a diversion capable of drawing off the King of Prussia to the defense of his other interests.

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