approach the Austrian general abandoned his enterprise. Thus, by his
prudence and activity, he not only prevented the junction of the Russian
and Austrian armies, but also saved the capital of Silesia; and hampered
Laudohn in such a manner as subjected him to a defeat by the Prussian
monarch, to whose motions we shall now turn our attention.

THE KING OF PRUSSIA MAKES AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT UPON DRESDEN.

Whether his design was originally upon Dresden, or he purposed
to co-operate with his brother prince Henry in Silesia, which
his adversaries seemed to have pitched upon as the scene of their
operations, we cannot presume to determine; but certain it is, he, in
the beginning of July, began his march in two columns through Lusatia;
and count Daun being informed of his march, ordered his army to be put
in motion. Leaving the army of the empire, and the body of troops under
Lascy, to guard Saxony in his absence, he marched with great expedition
towards Silesia, in full persuasion that the Prussian monarch had
thither directed his route. On the seventh day of July, the king knowing
that Daun was now removed at a distance, repassed the Polsnitz, which
he had passed but two days before, and advanced with the van of his army
towards Lichtenberg, in order to attack the forces of general Lascy, who
was posted there; but the Austrians retired at his approach. Then the
army marched to Marienstern, where the king received intelligence that
count Daun was in full march for Lauban, having already gained two
marches upon the Prussians. Perhaps it was this intimation that
determined the king to change his plan, and return to the Elbe. On the
eighth day of the month he repassed the Sprehe, in the neighbourhood of
Bautzen, and marched towards Dresden with extraordinary diligence. On
the thirteenth, his army having passed the Elbe at Kadetz, on a bridge
of boats, encamped between Pirna and Dresden, which last he resolved to
besiege, in hopes of reducing it before count Daun could return to its
relief. How far this expectation was well grounded, we must leave the
reader to judge, after having observed that the place was now much more
defensible than it had been when the last attempt of the Austrians upon
it miscarried; that it was secured with a numerous garrison, commanded
by general Macguire, an officer of courage and experience. This governor
being summoned to surrender, answered that, having the honour to be
intrusted with the