er that the cavalry
were seen to halt, and afterwards to fall back to the right; though some
of them still remained where they were, whilst the rest marched back.
About two in the afternoon the doubts of the Prussians were cleared up;
it plainly appearing then that the enemy intended to attack them, and
that their dispositions were made with a view to surround them, and to
open the action by attacking them in the rear. A body of reserve was
posted over against Eederow, to fall upon their routed troops, in case
they should be defeated, and to prevent their retiring to Meresbourg,
the only retreat which could then have been left them. In thiss
situation the king of Prussia resolved to attack them. His majesty had
determined to make the attack with one wing only, and the disposition
of the enemy made it necessary that it should be the left wing. The very
instant the battle was going to begin, his majesty ordered the general
who commanded the right wing to decline engaging, to take a proper
position in consequence thereof, and, above all, to prevent his being
surrounded. All the cavalry of the right wing of the Prussians, except
two or three squadrons, had already marched to the left at full gallop;
and being arrived at the place assigned them, they formed over against
that of the enemy. They then moved on immediately, the enemy advanced
to meet them, and the charge was very fierce, several regiments of the
French coming on with great resolution. The advantage, however, was
entirely on the side of the Prussians. The enemy's cavalry being routed,
were pursued for a considerable time with great spirit, but having
afterwards reached an eminence, which gave them an opportunity of
rallying, the Prussian cavalry fell upon them afresh, and gave them so
total a defeat, that they fled in the utmost disorder. This happened
at four in the afternoon. Whilst the cavalry of the Prussians charged,
their infantry opened. The enemy cannonaded them briskly during this
interval, and did some execution, but the Prussian artillery was not
idle. After this cannonading had continued on both sides a full quarter
of an hour, without the least intermission, the fire of the infantry
began. The enemy could not stand it, nor resist the valour of the
Prussian foot, who gallantly marched up to their batteries. The
batteries were carried one after another, and the enemy were forced to
give way, which they did in great confusion. As the left wing of the
Pru