e, the enemy's intrenchments were forced with great
slaughter, and seventy pieces of cannon fell into the hands of the
Prussians. A narrow defile was afterwards passed, and several redoubts
that covered the village of Cunersdorf were taken by assault, one after
another: one-half of the task was not yet performed; the Russians made a
firm stand at the village, but they were overborne by the impetuosity of
the Prussians, who drove them from post to post up to the last redoubts
they had to defend. As the Russians kept their ground until they were
hewn down in their ranks, this success was not acquired without infinite
labour, and a considerable expense of blood. After a furious contest of
six hours, fortune seemed to declare so much in favour of the
Prussians, that the king despatched the following billet to the queen
at Berlin:--"Madam, we have driven the Russians from their
intrenchments. In two hours expect to hear of a glorious victory." This
intimation was premature, and subjected the writer to the ridicule of
his enemies. The Russians were staggered, not routed. General Soltikoff
rallied his troops, and reinforced his left wing under cover of
a redoubt, which was erected on an eminence called the Jews'
Burying-ground, and here they stood in order of battle, with the most
resolute countenance, favoured by the situation, which was naturally
difficult of access, and now rendered almost impregnable by the
fortification, and a numerous artillery, still greatly superior to that
of the Prussians. Had the king contented himself with the advantage
already gained, all the world would have acknowledged he had fought
against terrible odds with astonishing prowess, and that he judiciously
desisted when he could no longer persevere, without incurring the
imputation of being actuated by frenzy or despair. His troops had
not only suffered severely from the enemy's fire, which was close,
deliberate, and well directed; but they were fatigued by the hard
service, and fainting with the heat of the day, which was excessive.
His general officers are said to have reminded him of all these
circumstances, and to have dissuaded him from hazarding an attempt
attended with such danger and difficulty, as even an army of fresh
troops could hardly hope to surmount. He rejected this salutary
advice, and ordered his infantry to begin a new attack, which being
an enterprise beyond their strength, they were repulsed with great
slaughter. Being afterwar