nt, where he found three thousand tents, and other
field utensils. These had been concealed here when the
Prussians first took possession of the city; they were
immediately seized by the commandant, and distributed among
the troops of prince Henry's army.

The king of Prussia, whose designs were perhaps even greater than he
cared to own, resolved to shift the theatre of the war, and penetrate
into Moravia, a fertile country, which had hitherto been kept sacred
from ravage and contribution. Having formed an army of fifty thousand
choice troops, near Neiss, in Silesia, he divided them into three
columns; the first commanded by mareschal Keith, the second by himself
in person, and the third conducted by prince Maurice of Anhault-Dessau.
In the latter end of April they began their march towards Moravia; and
general De la Ville, who commanded a body of troops in that country,
retired as they advanced, after having thrown a strong reinforcement
into Olmutz, which the king was determined to besiege. Had he passed
by this fortress, which was strongly fortified and well provided for a
vigorous defence, he might have advanced to the gates of Vienna, and
reduced the emperor to the necessity of suing for peace on his own
terms; but it seems he was unwilling to deviate so far from the common
maxims of war as to leave a fortified place in the rear; and, therefore,
he determined to make himself master of it before he should proceed. For
this purpose it was immediately invested: orders were issued to hasten
up the heavy artillery, and mareschal Keith was appointed to superintend
and direct the operations of the siege. Meanwhile the Austrian
commander, count Daun, being informed of his Prussian majesty's motions
and designs, quitted his camp at Leutomyssel in Bohemia, and entered
Moravia by the way of Billa. Being still too weak to encounter the
Prussians in the field, he extended his troops in the neighbourhood of
the king's army, between Gewitz and Littau, in a mountainous situation,
where he ran little or no risk of being attacked. Here he remained for
some time in quiet, with the fertile country of Bohemia in his
rear, from whence he drew plentiful supplies, and received daily
reinforcements. His scheme was to relieve the besieged occasionally, to
harass the besiegers, and to intercept their convoys from Silesia; and
this scheme succeeded to his wish. Olmutz is so extensive in its works,
and so peculiarly situate