on the skirts of the enemy, harassing their parties, accustoming
the soldiers to strict discipline, hard service, and the face of a
formidable foe, and watching for opportunities, which he knew how to
seize with equal courage and celerity.

THE PRUSSIANS DEFEAT THE RUSSIANS.

The king of Prussia, being induced by a concurrence of motives to stop
the progress of the Russians in Silesia, made his dispositions for
retreating from Bohemia, and on the twenty-fifth day of July quitted the
camp at Koningsgratz. He was attended in his march by three thousand
Austrian light troops, who did not fail to incommode his rear; but,
notwithstanding these impediments, he passed the Mittau, proceeded on
his route, and on the ninth day of August arrived at Landshut. From
thence he hastened with a detachment towards Frankfort on the Oder, and
joined the army commanded by lieutenant-general Dohna at Gorgas. Then
the whole army passed the Oder by a bridge thrown over at Gatavise, and
having rested one day, advanced to Dert-mitzel, where he encamped. The
Russians, under general Fermer, were posted on the other side of the
little river Mitzel, their right extending to the village of Zicker, and
their left to Quertchem. The king being determined to hazard a battle,
passed the Mitzel on the twenty-fifth in the morning, and turning the
flank of the enemy, drew up his army in order of battle in the plain
between the little river and the town of Zorndorf. The Russians, by whom
he was outnumbered, did not decline the dispute; but as the ground
did not permit them to extend themselves, they appeared in four
lines, forming a front on every side, defended by cannon and a
chevaux-de-frise, their right flank covered by the village of Zwicker.
After a warm cannonade, the Prussian infantry were ordered to attack
the village, and a body of grenadiers advanced to the assault; but this
brigade unexpectedly giving way, occasioned a considerable opening
in the line, and left the whole left flank of the infantry uncovered.
Before the enemy could take advantage of this incident, the interval was
filled up by the cavalry under the command of general Seydlitz; and the
king, with his usual presence of mind, substituted another choice body
of troops to carry on the attack. This began about noon, and continued
for some time, during which both sides fought with equal courage and
perseverance: at length general Seydlitz, having routed the Russian
cavalry, fell u