directed to take the
great Leipsic road, with thirty battalions and seventy squadrons of the
right; and quitting it at the ponds of Torgau, to attack the village
of Suptitz and Groswich. The king's line, in its march, fell in with
a corps of Austrians under general Reid, who retired into the wood
of Torgau; and another more considerable body, posted in the wood of
Wildenhayn, likewise retreated to Groswich, after having fired some
pieces of artillery; but the dragoons of Saint Ignon, being enclosed
between two columns of Prussian infantry, were either killed or taken.
By two in the afternoon the king had penetrated through the wood to
the plain of Neiden, from whence another body of the enemy retired to
Torgau, where a continued noise of cannon and small arms declared that
general Ziethen was already engaged. The Prussians immediately advanced
at a quicker pace, and passing the morasses near Neiden, inclined to the
right in three lines, and soon came to action. Daun had chosen a very
advantageous position: his right extended to Groswich, and his left
to Zinne: while his infantry occupied some eminences along the road of
Leipsic, and his front was strength-ened with no less than two hundred
pieces of cannon. His second line was disposed on an extent of ground,
which terminated in hillocks towards the Elbe; and against this the king
directed his attack. He had already given his troops to understand that
his affairs were in such a situation, that they must either conquer or
perish: and they began the battle with the most desperate impetuosity;
but they met with such a warm reception from the artillery, small arms,
and in particular from the Austrian carabineers, that their grenadiers
were shattered and repulsed. The second charge, though enforced with
incredible vigour, was equally unsuccessful: then the king ordered his
cavalry to advance, and they fell upon some regiments of infantry with
such fury as obliged them to give way. These, however, were compelled to
retire, in their turn, before about seventy battalions of the enemy, who
advanced towards Torgau, stretching with their right to the Elbe, and
their left to Zinne. While the prince of Holstein rallied his cavalry,
and returned to the charge, the third line of Prussian infantry attacked
the vineyard of Suptitz, and general Ziethen with the right wing took
the enemy in rear. This disposition threw the Austrians into disorder;
which was greatly augmented by the disaste