In the action of yesterday, the loss was more considerable than I had thought it; 42 officers and more than 1,400 men were killed or wounded. We are assured that the Prussians have lost many more, and that they have sent across to Gorlitz nearly 2,000 wounded.
Having passed the night on the field of battle, the Austrian troops who made the attack received the order to withdraw to their old camp. To guard the heights that they had carried, they left General Draskowitz with a corps of Croats and hussars and 3 cannon.
Brigadier de Montazet, who played a part in planning the attack yesterday, was sent, this morning, to carry the news to Vienna. From there, he will send an express courier to Paris.
APPENDICES
Prussian Officers and Men taken during and after the Attack on the Jakelsberg near Gorlitz, 7th September 1757
Major-General Kannacher
Majors Graf von Anhalt-Dessau, Aide-de-Camp to the King Plotto (IR Tresckow)
Captains Sigrod and Heyden of IR Tresckow
Lieutenants Groger, Berfeld and Gietenohr (IR Tresckow) Janicke (IR Manteuffell) Pulitz (IR Prince Ferdinand) and 333 non-commissioned officers and soldiers in addition 392 deserters arrived as follows: 85 on 7th, 276 on 8th and 31 on 9th.
Detail of the Losses in the Imperial and Royal Army at the Attack on the Jakelsberg near Gorlitz, 7th September 1757
Corps of General Nadasdy
| Type | Killed | Wounded | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captains | 1 | 5 | - |
| Lieutenants | - | 7 | - |
| Subalterns of German Regiments | 2 | 4 | - |
| Officers from the Banalisten | - | 7 | - |
| Other Ranks | 42 | 417 | 45 |
| Total Men | 45 | 440 | 45 |
| Total Horses | 21 | 35 | 3 |
Corps of the Duke of Arenberg
| Type | Killed | Wounded | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field officers | - | 4 | - |
| Captains | 4 | 10 | - |
| Lieutenants and Subalterns | 2 | 31 | - |
| Other Ranks | 124 | 812 | 42 |
| Total Men | 130 | 857 | 42 |
The Cavalry: Horses: 1 Killed and 1 Wounded
The Artillery
- Killed Wounded
Soldiers 2 14
Horses 4 5
Recapitulation of the Total Loss
| Type | Killed | Wounded | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 177 | 1,311 | 87 |
| Horses | 2 | 41 | 3 |
After the Combat at the Jakelsberg, the Duke of Severn finds his position at Gorlitz uncomfortable. The Prussians withdraw Northwards. Rather than follow directly, the Imperial and Royal Austrian Army begins an Eastward march towards the River Queiss, which marks the border between Lusatia and Silesia. With the King apparently fully occupied by the French and Empire Armies in the West, the Austrians prepare to liberate Silesia.
St Paul paused only briefly at each of the camps and the sketches that he left are just that -- sketches. For physical detail of the maps accompanying this section of the Journal. I have used the modern 1:100,000 scale topographical map entitled "Jeleniogorskie " published by Przedsiebiorsto Geodezy Jno-Kartograftczne Katowice (ISBN 83-86350-09-1). However, the names of the villages have changed substantially since the 18th century and my attributions may be incorrect: with respect to the larger villages, I have been able to identify some of these with the aid of contemporary maps with some certainly. The identification of the smaller villages remains speculative.
To the Banks of the Queiss
The Reigning Duke of Wurttemberg, whose equipages had arrived here during the last few days, rejoined us today. lie would rather have done without the second mutiny amongst his troops. This had obliged him to put to death several of the soldiers and to disarm those who seemed to be the least bit prone to revolt. This left no more than 1,000 armed men to escort the others.
We hear that the King of Prussia is encamped at Lutzen and that Prince Moritz of AnhaltDessau has reached Weissenfels with the Advanced Guard.
Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757 Part 5 The Combat at the Jakelsberg
September 7, 1757
September 8, 1757
September 9, 1757
September 10, 1757
September 11, 1757
September 12, 1757
September 13, 1757
Jumbo Camp at Schomberg Map (extremely slow: 350K)
Jumbo Camp at Lauban Map (extremely slow: 342K)
More Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757
-
Part 1: Introduction (June 30-July 14)
Part 2: Introduction (July 15-July 25)
Part 3: Introduction (July 26-August 19)
Part 4: August 20-September 7)
Back to Seven Years War Asso. Journal Vol. XII No. 2 Table of Contents
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© Copyright 2001 by James J. Mitchell
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