CHAP. XX.] FREDERICK THE GREAT'S CAVALRY. 



329 



ilier 



up on foot, drove the enemy from the gardens, and was 

 about attacking the chateau when they abandoned it, 

 and fled across the river Unstrut, burning the bridges 

 behind them. This use of the dragoon is instructive, as 

 showing that the highest appreciation of the use of the 

 armes blanches did not prevent Frederick from using 

 firearms on occasions where their use was likely to be the 

 most advantageous. 



Berenhorst, speaking of this action, well describes the 

 spirit of the Prussian system of cavalry tactics : " The 

 genius of the Prussian cavalry sprang forth here from 

 the fields of Reichardtswerben, and led them on to 

 victory. When the cavalry in order of battle, like a 

 pent-up flood, is held read}', and at the first signal 

 poured down in torrents, floods the fields, sweeping all 

 before it, then has cavalry reached the ideal of perfec- 

 tion, and to this ideal Seidlitz attained with the Prussian 

 cavalry on that day."^ 



At Leuthen on the 5th December, 1757, Frederick 

 won a great victory over the Austrians by a skilful 

 employment of the oblique order of battle. In this 

 action the Prussian cavalry of their right wing were 

 strengthened or supported by four battalions of infantry, 

 which the king had placed in rear of the cavalry of that 

 wing, to protect their flank. These battalions are said to 

 liave performed most valuable services, by driving back 

 with their fire a portion of Nadasti's cavalry which had 

 charged the Prussian horse in flank, and had thrown 

 several regiments into confusion. On the left wing 

 Frederick had posted Driescn, with a force of cavalry to 

 protect the flank of his infantry, and with strict 

 injunctions to take nothing else in hand. 



Driescn, drawn up in a hollow, waited patiently till 

 Lucchesi with the numerous cavalry of the Austrian 

 right, charged upon the Ihmk of the Prussian infantrj', 

 waited until he galloped by and was met by the storm 

 of bullets from the Prussian line. Then in perfect order 

 he emerged, and charged vehemently upon the flank and 

 rear of the Austrian horsemen. Utterly astonished and 



» Nolan, 3G. 



