482 
lent animosity prevailed in the detach- 
ment, which, as was just said, was 
composed of Berliners and Prussians, 
against each other. At the desire of the 
duke, they were to perform an evolution 
on the following morning, and a sham 
combat was to be exhibited. At the sig- 
nal for firing, however, the two parties 
loaded with balls, and many were wound- 
ed on both sides. Zieten from this time 
resolved never again to be seduced into 
tntemperance, and his resolution was not 
taken in vain. 
On the 12th of May he arrived with 
his detachment at the Austrian camp, 
and was quartered in the neighbourhood 
of Mentz: his tutor, M. de Baronay, 
was not slow to discern the merit of his 
pupil. After having assisted in several 
desultory skirmishes against the French, 
Zieten imparted his wish of trying the 
strength and courage of his squadron to 
the general, who, pleased with his impa- 
tience, entrusted him with three hundred 
Austrian hussars to join the Prussians, 
and charged him with an enterprize of 
considerable importance. Theobject was 
to turn the enemy, by passing througha 
defile, tofiank them, to alarm their quar- 
ters, and to retreat before they could 
collect their forces. ‘The disinclination 
of his hussars to obey the /atler part of 
the instructions, had well nich been fatal 
to them: the skilland prudence, however, 
which Zieten displayed on the occasion, 
were so flattering to his military charac- 
ter, that they were reported to the king, 
who immediately advanced him (Junu- 
ary 29,1736) to the rauk of a major. 
At the conclusion of peace, Major Zieten 
suitted the imperial army with the repu- 
tation of a good officer, and returned to 
Berlin, where the reception he met with 
from his majesty was extremely flatter- 
ing. ; 
- During his absence, the king had been 
pleased to give M. de Benekendort his 
dismission, 2nd to appoint Licutenant- 
Colonel de Wurm in his. stead. ‘This 
gentleman seems to have put the temper 
of Zieten to as severe trials as any officer 
under whom he had served. " Zieien, 
however, soothed his irritated mind in 
the cultivation of domestic affections. 
Abovt this-time he. married Leopoldine 
Juditly de Jurgas; of the honse of Ganzer; 
and of the family of his own mother; a 
lady; says our biographer, alike distin- 
guished for her beauty and good sense, 
* He died, May 31.—Iisy, 
BIOGRAPHY. 
her virtues, afd her amiable and digni 
fied demeanour. pms 
«© The charms of domestic life contin 
for a while to temper the yexations with 
which the colonel strove to embitter it, ye 
what was easy enough to foresce, at last too 
place. ‘Ths unremitting malevolence of that 
officer at length tired out hismajor’s patience, 
and they had recourse to the most violent” 
measures. “Lhe distribution of a supply of 
horses was the immediate cause of their quat=_ 
rel, ‘The colonel had chosen the best for his” 
own squadron, although it was customary to _ 
draw lots, for the more equal accommodation 
of the troops. ‘The moment he was apprised” 
of this innovation, Zieten conccived it to be 
his duty to expostulate with the colonel on 
the business. He took care to wait on him_ 
before the parade began, and stating the in- 
conveniences that would attend this new 
manner of selection, earnestly entreated him 
to suffer things to remain on their old footing, 
The despotic officer felt himself offended at 
this advice, fell into a passion, and grew rude. 
Zieten, who, when the interests of the service. 
were at stake, was utterly incapable of giving” 
way, answered him in the like tone. The: 
dispute became serious, they fastened the) 
door, and drew upon each other. Theirran= 
cour, which had been so long stifled and con- 
centrated, broke out. with mutual violence, 
and they fought with equal fury, The colo- 
nel, however, had soon reason to- be asto- 
nished at finding in Zteten an adversary who 
seemed to be amatch for him, and over whom 
he was not likely to gain the least advantage. 
Nowwvithstanding the low stature and appa- 
rent weakudss of the major, he stoutly sus- 
iained the assault of his colossal foe. They 
were both wounded: the colonelin the head, 
and Zigten in the right hand. .M, de Wurm 
now suddenly broke off the combat, with ;a 
viewy of carrying it on in another, manner. 
Ife laid hold of his pistols, and presented one 
of them to Zicten; who, more wise and mo- 
derate than he, replied, «* Wehaye both of us 
lost blood considerably, let us in the first 
place have our wounds dressed, and dispatch 
the business of the parade, which waits fer 
us; when we are cured, 1 shall expect to hear} 
from you, and [ shall leave to yourself the 
chvice of weapons.” These words, which 
were utiered in a cool and resolute manner, 
had their proper effect; the colonel grew calin, 
and astirgeon was immediately sent for. The 
guard was duly mounted, and the horses 
distributed by lot. The grudge, however, 
still rankled in the colonel’s heart, and only 
wanted a favourable occasion to. break into 
explosion. Am occasion soon happened, s 
we shall see in the sequel, and which made 
him pay dearly for his eageraess to take ad- 
vantage of it.” ‘ 
In the year ]740.* Frederick William 
I. died; in him Zieten lost .a, prince 
