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| The Austrians besiege Neisse (drawn on a digital copy of an archival map) |
Dear Reader,
Today, we are continuing the coverage of the Seven Years War campaign I have been running since the middle of March. Today's report covers events between March 24th (the aftermath of the Battle of Posen) and March 31st. This week as a busy and eventful one. Only one small tabletop skirmish occurred, but there was much maneuvering, and the beginnings of an important siege operation.
In grand terms, this week saw the Austrians continue to develop their offensive in Upper Silesia, while raiding and gather intelligence at the county of Glatz. The Russians, after pausing to recover after their minor defeat at Posen, resumed their offensive, shifting forces westward in an effort to threaten Lower Silesia and Brandenburg. The Prussians, not to be outdone, shifted forces and prepared for another attack, and in the south, launched raiding efforts of their own.
Beginning in the northern theater, the Prussian and Russian armies glowered at one another after the sharp but indecisive battle at Posen. After waiting out the period of enforced inaction after a indecisive battle like this, both the Prussians and Russians began moving south and west. The Russian main army, under the command of General Zahkar Tchernychev, moved forward towards Schwibus, reaching that city on the March 30th (Day 6 of Week 2). The Russian wounded, and the Corps of Observation, under the command of General Buturlin, advanced a few days later, reaching the neighborhood of Tirschtigel by Day 7.
For their part, the Prussian army under King Frederick marched south along the road to Czempin, and reached area of Zullichau by Day 7. A smaller force under the dashing hussar General Ziethen, after rebuffing the challenge of a duel by a disgruntled Russian officer, rode to Kargow, reach that place and reunifying with the Royal Army by Day 7. The stage was set for a significant encounter, which would make Posen look like a mere opening skirmish.
In the southern theater, both armies maneuvered. The Duke of Bevern, after collecting reinforcements for his Prussian army at Schweidnitz, sent out a raiding party into Bohemia via the pass at Landshut-Trantenau (the slight a many a bloody encounter, both historical and wargame). This raiding party ended their advance at the city of Königgrätz, which although possessed of medieval walls, treated with the Hussars, and allowed them to occupy the city.
The Duke of Bevern's main force, after completing taking on reinforcements, advanced into Lower Silesia by way of Reichenbach and Frankenstein. During this same week, the Austrian advanced into Upper Silesia with their main body, and the County of Glatz with a raiding party led by brilliant Franz Moritz von Lacy. The garrison of Glatz attempted to resist the passage of this raiding party, but were rebuffed and forced to withdraw inside the fortress after a minor skirmish.
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| The skirmish between Lacy's forces and the Glatz Garrison |
Lacy's forces, after this skirmish, advanced to Frankenstein, but learning of Bevern's approach, immediately retreated to rejoin the main army at Neisse. Bevern, for his part, continued his advance into the County of Glatz. The Austrian main army, advancing in stages from Sternberg to Neisse, approached Neisse on March 29th (Day 5) and began siege operations. They called upon the commanding officer, GL von Tresckow, to surrender the place.[1]
Having dealt with the formalities, the Austrians began the serious business of besieging the place, laying parallels and approaches, in two formal fronts of attack. The first was directed against Fort Preussen, north of the city, the second was directed against the southeastern defenses of the city.
The stage was set for confrontation in both the northern and southern theaters. Will General Tchernychev finally manage to put the Mayor of Berlin in his rightful place? How long can the valiant von Tresckow hold out in the face of Austrian depravity? Will Lacy finally be given the full command of a field army he so richly deserves? Tune in next week to find out.
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Thanks for Reading,
Alex Burns
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[1]Daun wrote Tresckow:
To the Esteemed GL Joachim Christian von Tresckow,
It is an honor to be facing such a worthy opponent as yourself in this current campaign. However, you must surely see that before you lies a mighty host, innumerably greater than that of your own. Though you must do your duty to God and King, perhaps another time and place would be more fitting for your admirable skills. You must surely know that this is an inescapable conclusion. The city you occupy rightfully belongs to my Empress, Maria Theresa, and she will stop at nothing to reclaim what is rightfully hers. As leader of her army I have been entrusted to accomplish this task. It would be foolhardy to resist such great power with so little force at hand. War is a bloody and destructive affair; I plead for civility and to avoid needless, wanton death and carnage.
To demonstrate my civility and magnanimity I offer you generous terms. Surrender your garrison at once and I will allow you an honorable withdrawal. Your men may take personal items and their arms, in addition to one, singular cannon as a token of honor. You will be allowed free passage northward and will carry a note from me to your King. All roads to east and west are guarded, and any attempt to join your force with that in Glatz or Kosel will be deemed a violation of our terms and met with hostility.
I give you to the end of this day to make your decision. If you decline this generous offer, or fail to respond in time, I will retake this city by any means necessary. I cannot safeguard you or your men in such a case. You are isolated with no chance of reinforcement. The choice now lies at your feet: save yourself and your men to fight another day, or risk your lives in a pointless show of honor. Heed my mercy or face my wrath."
With Respect,
Feldmarshal Graf Leopold von Daun
Tresckow replied:
To the Highborn Lord and Feldmarschall Graf Leopold von Daun,
The honor to face a worthy opponent is mine. Your reputation as a skilled warmaster has gone far and wide throughout the empire. The claims of your exalted mistress, Empress Maria Theresa, are in contradiction with those of my Royal Master, King Frederick II of Prussia. He was awarded this city under treaty of Breslau, and confirmed in the treaty of Dresden. You are trespassing in this country, and should return to whence you came.
At this time, I must refuse your terms. I have the earnest prospect of relief for this fortress, and as a result, it would be a betrayal of my prince's trust to surrender at this early date. However, before the commencement of the hostilities, I must ask that we come to some agreement regarding the treatment of wounded and prisoners. I will feed your prisoners and administer medicine to your wounded if you will agree to the same. I look forward to your response, and to making your acquaintance as a friend. With the greatest esteem,
Generalleutnant Joachim Christian von Tresckow
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