pon the flank of the infantry with great fury, which
being also dreadfully annoyed by the Prussian artillery, they abandoned
the village, together with their military chest, and great part of their
baggage. Notwithstanding this loss, which had greatly disordered their
right wing, they continued to stand their ground, and terrible havoc was
made among them, not only with the sword and bayonet, but also by
the cannon, which were loaded with grape shot, and, being excellently
served, did great execution. Towards evening the confusion among them
increased to such a degree, that in all probability they would have been
entirely routed, had they not been favoured by the approaching darkness,
as well as by a particular operation which was very gallantly performed.
One of the Russian generals perceiving the fortune of the day turned
against him, rallied a select body of troops, and made a vigorous
impression on the right wing of the Prussians. This effort diverted
their attention so strongly to that quarter, that the right of the
Russians enjoyed a respite, during which they retired in tolerable
order, and occupied a new post on the right, where the rest of their
forces were the more easily assembled. In this battle they are said
to have lost above fifteen thousand men, thirty-seven colours, five
standards, twelve mortars, the greater part of their baggage, and above
one hundred pieces of cannon. Among the prisoners that fell into the
hands of the victor, were several general officers, and a good number
lost their lives on the field of battle. The victory cost the king above
two thousand men, including some officers of distinction, particularly
two aide-de-camps, who attended his own person, which he exposed without
scruple to all the perils of the day. It would have redounded still
more to his glory, had he put a stop to the carnage; for, after all
resistance was at an end, the wretched Russians were hewn down without
mercy. It must be owned, indeed, that the Prussian soldiers were, in a
peculiar manner, exasperated against this enemy, because they had
laid waste the country, burned the villages, ruined the peasants, and
committed many horrid acts of barbarity, which the practice of war
could not authorize. [467] _[See note 3 P, at the end of this Vol.]_
The Prussian army passed the night under arms, and next morning the
cannonade was renewed against the enemy, who, nevertheless, maintained
their position without flinching. On th