Winter campaigns ruin the troops, both on account of the diseases which they occasion, and
by obliging them to be constantly in motion, which prevents their being well cloathed or
recruited. The same inconvenience attends the carriage of ammunition and provisions. It is
certain, that the best army in the world cannot long support campaigns of this kind, for
which reason they ought ever to be avoided, as being, of all expeditions, the most to be
condemned. Accidents, however, may occur, which will oblige a general to undertake them. I
believe that I have made more winter campaigns than any general of this age, and that I
shall do right to explain the motives which induced me to such undertakings.
At the death of the Emperor Charles VI. in the year 1740, there were but two Austrian
regiments in all Silesia. Having determined to make good the claims of my house on that
duchy, I was obliged to make war in winter, that I might profit by every favorable
circumstance, and carry the theatre of war to the Neiss.
If I had delayed my project till the spring, the war would have been established
between Crossen and Glogau, and it would have required three or four hard campaigns to
effect that which we accomplished by one simple march. This reason
appeared to me sufficiently cogent.
If I did not succeed in the winter campaign which I made in the year 1742 to relieve
the country from the Elector of Bavaria, it was because the French behaved like fools, and
the Saxons like traitors.
My third winter campaign in the year 1741-2 was forced upon me, as I was obliged to
drive the Austrians from Silesia, which they had invaded.
From the beginning of the winter 1745-6, the Austrians and Saxons wished to introduce
themselves into my hereditary dominions, that they might put every thing to fire and
sword.--I acted according to my usual principle, and got the start of them by making war
in the middle of winter in the very heart of their own country.
Should similar circumstances occur, I should not hesitate to pursue the same plan, and
shall applaud the conduct of my generals who shall follow my example. But I must ever
blame those who, without the concurrence of such reasons, shall undertake a war at that
season of the year.
In regard to the detail of winter campaign, the troops are always to be as close to
each other as possible in their cantonments, and two or three regiments of cavalry, mixed
with infantry, should be lodged in one village, if it be large enough to hold them.
Sometimes all the infantry are quartered in one town, as the Prince of Anhalt did at
Torgau, Eilenbourg, Meissen, and two or three other small towns (whose names I forget) in
Saxony, after which he encamped himself.
When we come near the enemy, a rendezvous is to be appointed to the
troops, who are to continue marching as before in several columns; and when about to make
any decisive movement, such as, storming the enemy's quarters, or marching against him to
engage, we arrange ourselves in order of battle, remaining under the canopy of heaven,
each company kindling a large fire, by which to pass away the night. But as such fatigues
are too distressing to be long endured, all possible dispatch should be employed in
enterprises of this nature. We must not stand contemplating our danger or hesitating about
it, but form our resolution with spirit and execute it with firmness.
Be careful of undertaking a winter campaign in a country which is crowded with
fortified places, for the season will prevent your setting down seriously
before a place which you cannot carry by surprise. We may be assured beforehand that such
project will miscarry, as it is morally impossible it should be otherwise.
If it be left to our choice, the troops should have as much rest during the winter as
possible, and the time should be employed tot he best advantage in recovering the army,
that at the opening of the campaign they may get the start of their adversaries.
These are nearly the principal rules of the grand manoeuvres of war, the particulars of
which have been explained as much as was in my power. I have taken particular care that
what I have said should be clear and intelligible, but if any parts should, in your idea,
still remain obscure, I shall be favored by your communicating them, that I may either
explain myself more fully, or subscribe to your opinion, if it prove better than mine own.
The small experience of war which has fallen to my share, convinces me, that it is an
art never to be exhausted, but that something new will ever reward his labor who studies
it with serious application.
I shall not think my moments misemployed, if what I have said should stimulate my
officers to the study of that science, which will afford them the most certain opportunity
of acquiring glory, rescuing their names from the rust of oblivion, and securing by their
brilliant actions a glorious and immortal fame.
|
