OCTOBER 25th

We hear that the King of Prussia has marched from Hartzberg to Juterbog. That being the case, it appears that he has no intention of interrupting the Austrian siege of Schweidnitz nor of marching against the Swedes, whose advanced posts are very close to Berlin and had contact with the Croats during the expedition of General Hadik.

Prince Soubise informs us that General Loudon is at Zeitz and that the Duke of Hildburghausen is at Naumburg.

The troops surrounding Schweidnitz have entirely cut off the garrison there and have obliged it to abandon several villages where it had previously. The interval whilst waiting for the arrival of the artillery has been spent on reconnaissance. Last night, the Austrians raised some epaulements to protect the cavalry pickets that are investing Schweidnitz. The Prussians did not detect these words until the coming of daylight. Then they fired several cannon shots but did little damage.

OCTOBER 26th

Having learned that the Duke of Bevern had sent to Brieg a detachment, of whose force we are ignorant, we immediately sent the major of Regiment Serbelloni with 200 horse and a detachment of hussars to clarify that march and learn of what troops it consisted.

The Marechal Duc de Richelieu having under his command a Captain of engineers named Neudhart, who wished to serve at the siege of Schweidnitz, sent that gentleman to the Princes of Saxony with the assurance that he would be followed by six other French officers within four days 

Graf von Kolowrath, who has taken over from Freiherr von Netolitzky as Commissary-General of the army, has noted the long-standing need for wood. He has sent for 600 Bohemian peasants to come and work in the forests along the Oder and bring the wood to the camp.

All the artillery destined to serve at the siege of Schweidnitz - consisting of 40 24-pounders, 35 12-pounders and 40 mortars and howitzers - has assembled at Reichenau. At the Council-of-War that had been held in Vienna that had determined on the siege of Schweidnitz Marshal Neipperg, Vice-Commandant of Vienna and Commandant in the absence of Marshal Daun, had been charged to send on the artillery that had been determined on at the conference. However, after 8 to 10 days, when it was presumed that the artillery was several marches from Vienna, it was discovered that Marshal Neipperg had forgotten to give the order for it to depart. This omission is scarcely believable given the lateness of the season that should have indicated that not a moment should be lost. The Prime Minister Graf von Kaunitz harshly criticised this oversight, but the damage had already been done and the capture of the place had been put in doubt by Deserters from Breslau say that the Prussian have been demolishing the roofs of the St Nicolas suburb.

OCTOBER 27th

Yesterday evening the trenches were opened in front of Schweidnitz on the side of the village of Schonbrunn and the troops have pushed three saps as far as the tile-works.

OCTOBER 28th

Last night the saps were pushed forward from the trenches outside Schweidnitz. A new trench has also be cut on the side of Croischwitz.

OCTOBER 29th

A detachment of Prussian hussars and cavalry left the camp of Breslau last night. After making a considerable detour, they fell at first light on the Austrian post at Hartlieb covering the right of the army. That post was held by the Dessewffy Hussars and several hundred Croats commanded by General Schroger. Since the Austrians were surprised by this attack in flank and rear, the Prussians killed and wounded between 200 and 300 men, made several prisoners and pillaged several equipages. The alarm spread throughout the whole army. Some grenadiers and cavalry marched there to restore matters, but the Prussians had already retired.

OCTOBER 30th

The surprise yesterday has obliged us to construct entrenchments in front of the flank of the camp in order to avoid similar insults. Engineer Lieutenant Colonel von Rebain traced out four redoubts the construction of which has been put in hand.

OCTOBER 31st

Large quilts have been distributed to the soldiers - one to each tent. Hooded cloaks have also been issued to the sentries.

Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757 Part 7

October 5-14, 1757
October 15-24, 1757
October 25-31, 1757
November 1-16, 1757

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)
Part 5: September 7-September 13)
Part 7: October 5-November 16)

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