

\i 



328 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period IV. 



circuit to prevent his being outflanked.^ The action of 

 Warnery's regiment tended materially to the success of 

 the Prussian cavalry in this action. 



The bactle of Rosbach, 5th November, 1757, was 

 probably of all others that in which the cavalry exercised 

 the most important influence, for it was won almost 

 entirely by that arm ; a very few regiments of infantry 

 having come up in time to take part in the affair. The 

 allied forces moved to their own right, in order to turn 

 the left flank of Frederick's army. The Prussian king 

 soon saw their intention, and immediately made his 

 arrangements to frustrate their design. He moved his 

 cavalry rapidly behind some hills which concealed their 

 march, and formed them up in lines, exactly across the 

 route by which the allied forces were advancing. On 

 their near approach, the Prussian cavalry, led by Seidlitz, 

 attacked vehemently the heads of the columns before 

 they had time to deploy, and drove them back in confu- 

 sion. They attempted to rally, but the Prussian.s 

 renewed the attack so quickly, that all their eff"ort8 to 

 re-form were ineffectual, and they were routed. The 

 allied infantry then endeavoured to form, but Frederick 

 attacking them promptly with six or eight baticJions 

 which had come up, was able, with the assistance of the 

 cavalry and the artillery, to break the few troops which 

 attempted to deploy at the heads of the columns, and 

 soon drove them back in rout. 



Prince Soubise, who commanded the allies, moved up 

 his reserve of cavalry in the hope of restoring the action, 

 and giving time to his troops to rally and deploy, but 

 the Prussian horse soon dashed in upon them, and sent 

 them off" in headlong flight. It was then all over, the 

 approach of night alone staying the pursuit. 



The next day at dawn the king, with the hussars and 

 dnigoons, followed the retiring enemy. He soon came 

 upon the French rear-guard, who were posted in some 

 inclosed gardens and in a chdteau. Frf>derick, who 

 understood the use of dragoons, as well as all the other 

 arms, immediately dismounted them, and forming them 

 ' Waraery, 108, 109, 110. 





