er, a mile below Dresden, are not
the King's people building their Pontoons; in march since 2 in the
morning,--evidently coming across, if not to besiege Dresden, then to
attack us; which is perhaps worse! We outnumber them,--but as to trying
fight in any form? Zweibruck leaves Maguire an additional 10,000;--every
help and encouragement to Maguire; whose garrison is now 14,000: 'Be of
courage, Excellenz Maguire! Nobody is better skilled in siege-matters.
Feldmarschall and relief will be here with despatch!'--and withdraws,
Lacy and he, to the edge of the Pirna Country, there to be well out of
harm's way. Lacy and he, it is thought, would perhaps have got beaten,
trying to save Dresden from its misery. Lacy's orders were, Not, on any
terms, to get into fighting with Friedrich, but only to cover Dresden.
Dresden, without fighting, has proved impossible to cover, and Lacy
leaves it bare." [Tempelhof, iv. 65.]

"At Kaditz," says Mitchell, "where the second bridge of boats took a
great deal of time, I was standing by his Majesty, when news to the
above effect came across from General Hulsen. The King was highly
pleased; and, turning to me, said: 'Just what I wished! They have saved
me a very long march [round by Dippoldiswalde or so, in upon the rear
of them] by going of will.' And immediately the King got on horseback;
ordering the Army to follow as fast as it could." [Mitchell, ii. 168.]
"Through Preisnitz, Plauen-ward, goes the Army; circling round the
Western and the Southern side of Dresden; [a dread spectacle from the
walls]; across Weistritz Brook and the Plauen Chasm [comfortably left
vacant]; and encamps on the Southeastern side of Dresden, at Gruna,
behind the GREAT GARDEN; ready to begin business on the morrow. Gruna,
about a mile to southeast of Dresden Walls, is head-quarter during this
Siege.

"Through the night, the Prussians proceed to build batteries, the best
they can;--there is no right siege-artillery yet; a few accidental
howitzers and 25-pounders, the rest mere field-guns;--but to-morrow
morning, be as it may, business shall begin. Prince von Holstein [nephew
of the Holstein Beck, or "Holstein SILVER-PLATE," whom we lost long
ago], from beyond the River, encamped at the White Hart yonder, is to
play upon the Neustadt simultaneously.

MONDAY 14th, "At 6 A.M., cannonade began; diligent on Holstein's part
and ours; but of inconsiderable effect. Maguire has been summoned: 'Will
[with such a garrison, in