nd were
at first repulsed, but they soon recovered themselves. While the king of
Prussia took the enemy in flank, mareschal Schwerin advanced to a marshy
ground, which suddenly stopping his army, threatened to disconcert the
whole plan of operation. In this emergency, he immediately dismounted,
and taking the standard of the regiment in his hand, boldly entered the
morass, crying out, "Let all brave Prussians follow me." Inspired by the
example of this great commander, now eighty-two years of age, all the
troops pressed forward, and though he was unfortunately killed by the
first fire, their ardour abated not till they had totally defeated the
enemy. Thus fell mareschal Schwerin, loaded with years and glory, an
officer whose superior talents in the military art had been displayed
in a long course of faithful service. In the meantime, the Prussian
infantry, which had been separated in the march, forming themselves
afresh, renewed the attack on the enemy's right, and entirely broke it,
while their cavalry, after three charges, obliged that of the Austrians
to retire in great confusion, the centre being at the same time totally
routed. The left wing of the Prussians then marched immediately towards
Michely, and being there joined by the horse, renewed their attack,
while the enemy were retreating hastily towards Saszawar. Meanwhile the
troops on the right of the Prussian army attacked the remains of the
left wing of the Aus-trians, and made themselves masters of three
batteries. But the behaviour of the infantry in the last attack was so
successful, as to leave little room for this part of the cavalry to act.
Prince Henry of Prussia, and the prince of Bevern, signalized themselves
on this occasion in storming two batteries; prince Ferdinand of
Brunswick took the left wing of the Austrians in flank, while the king
with his left, and a body of cavalry, secured the passage of the Moldaw.
In short, after a very long and obstinate engagement, and many signal
examples of valour on both sides, the Austrians were forced to abandon
the field of battle, leaving behind sixty pieces of cannon, all their
tents, baggage, military chest, and, in a word, their whole camp. The
weight of the battle fell upon the right wing of the Austrians, the
remains of which, to the amount of ten or twelve thousand men, fled
towards Beneschau, where they afterwards assembled under M. Pretlach,
general of horse. The infantry retired towards Prague, and thre