161 THE SEVEN YEARS WAR, 1756-63expected to pick up many deserters: 'But they say that he so skilfully
interspersed the suspect regiments with units of Pomeranians and
Brandenburgers that hardly anyone could escape from him' (Ligne,
1795-1811, XIV, 212).
Frederick discovered that the enemy had already destroyed most
of their magazine at Koniggratz. However, Keith joined him there on
the 14th, and the Prussians could congratulate themselves that they
had accomplished the first and most dangerous stage of their retreat.
The heavy artillery and the sick were sent ahead on the 17th, and they
were soon well on their way to Glatz.
Daun had been slow to come up in support of his light corps under
Loudon, but on the 22nd, having crossed the Elbe downstream, he
took up an extensive camp to the west of Koniggratz between
Urbanitz, Stosser and Stresetitz. Frederick sought in vain for a weak
point that might even now offer him the chance for a battle. By this
time the Russians were making dangerous progress towards the Oder,
and on 26 July Frederick began a stately retreat in the direction of the
border passes. He denied the Austrians any opportunity of falling on
his columns in the way they had done on the same ground in
November 1744.
On 4 August Frederick's army reached Nachod, and shortly
afterwards the Prussians fell back across the border into the County of
Glatz. 'He retired; but it was the retreat of a lion, who turns upon his
pursuers. Frustrated, not vanquished; formidable even in retreat;
carrying with him all his artillery and baggage, he left to Daun little
more than a negative triumph' (Wraxall, 1806, I, 180).
Frederick had terminated the Olmiitz campaign stylishly enough, but
he was now forced to choose from a narrow range of unattractive
strategic options. He remarked to Catt:I do not know, my friend, whether you have a clear idea of my
circumstances, and how often I am forced to act contrary to
rules that I know to be good. It all comes down to my
unfortunate state of affairs. Sometimes it is a question of
extricating myself from a dangerous position. At other times I
have to ward off one immediate enemy, so that I can rush off to
deal with somebody else who is threatening me elsewhere.
(Catt, 1884, 148)With the prospect of Daun's army irrupting at any moment into the
northern plain, and Prince Henry holding Saxony with just 20,000
men, Frederick reckoned that he had a space of only three weeks in
which to deal some decisive blow against the Russians. It is not easy
to determine just how serious Frederick expected this clash would be.