e, from whence Broglio made his escape in the habit of a courier,
and was sent to command the army of Maillebois, who was by this time
disgraced. Prince Lobkowitz, who now directed the blockade of Prague,
had so effectually cut off all communication between that place and the
adjacent country, that in a little time the French troops were reduced
to great extremity, both from the severity of the season, and the want
of provisions. They were already reduced to the necessity of eating
horse flesh, and unclean animals; and they had no other prospect but
that of perishing by famine or war, when their commander formed the
scheme of a retreat, which was actually put in execution. Having taken
some artful precautions to deceive the enemy, he, in the middle of
December, departed from Prague at midnight, with about fourteen thousand
men, thirty pieces of artillery, and some of the principal citizens as
hostages for the safety of nine hundred soldiers whom he had left in
garrison. Notwithstanding the difficulties he must have encountered at
that season of the year, in a broken and unfrequented road, which he
purposely chose, he marched with such expedition, that he had gained the
passes of the mountains before he was overtaken by the horse and hussars
of prince Lobkowitz. The fatigue and hardships which the miserable
soldiers underwent are inexpressible. A great number perished in the
snow, and many hundreds, fainting with weariness, cold, and hunger, were
left to the mercy of the Austrian irregulars, consisting of the most
barbarous people on the face of the earth. The count de Belleisle,
though tortured with the hip-gout, behaved with surprising resolution
and activity. He caused himself to be carried on a litter to every
place where he thought his presence was necessary, and made such
dispositions, that the pursuers never could make an impression upon the
body of his troops; but all his artillery, baggage, and even his own
equipage, fell into the hands of the enemy. On the twenty-ninth day of
December, he arrived at Egra, from whence he proceeded to Alsace without
further molestation; but when he returned to Versailles, he met with a
very cold reception, notwithstanding the gallant exploit which he had
performed. After his escape, prince Lobkowitz returned to Prague, and
the small garrison which Belleisle had left in that place surrendered
upon honourable terms; so that this capital reverted to the house of
Austria.

THE