330 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period IV. 



; i; 



confounded with heavy fire in front, and Prussian steel in 

 rear, they turned in flight and scattered in every 

 direction.^ 



T'he cavaby in this, as in all Frederick's battles, 

 conifibuted very materially to the victory, and were 

 bravely led and skilfully commanded. The Austrians 

 were learning by this time something of the spirit in 

 which cavalry should be handled, for it appears that on 

 their left Nadasti dashed out with his cavalry upon 

 Ziethen, before Ziethen charged, and it was in that 

 charge that the Prussian horse owed something to the as- 

 sistance of the four infantry battalions placed in their rear. 



Seidlitz virtually decided the battle of Zorndorf by a 

 charge of his cuirassiers. The Russians had made a 

 desperate charge upon the Prussian lines, and so fierce 

 was the onset that the king's infantry were compelled 

 to retire in disorder. This occasioned a considerable 

 opening in the Prussian line, and left their whole left 

 flank uncovered.^ The Russians, confident of -sdctory, 

 plunged wildly forward with loud shouts of triumph, 

 sweeping all before them, and capturing twenty-six 

 pieces of cannon. The day seemed irretrievably lost, 

 when Seidlitz, who with about 5,000 horse had got across 

 the marshy Zabern hollow, dashed vehemently upon the 

 flank of the advancing Russians, who in the flush 

 of success had lost their order, and were in confused 

 masses. In an instant they were thrown into utter 

 ruin, by the rushing squadrons, led by the impetuous 

 Seidlitz. 



They fought bravely, however, refusing to fly, the 

 Prussian horsemen salDring them, till from very fatigue 

 they were obliged to desist.^ 



After this the second line or rear half of the 

 quadrilateral into which the Russian army was formed, 

 was brought up in good oider to make another effort to 

 win the day. Frederick brought up his right wing 

 and made rapid preparations to attack again. His 

 infantry were just getting within musket range when the 

 Russian cavalry, supported by their foot, charged boldly 

 » Carlyle, v. 204. ^ Towors, ii. IIG. ^ Cai-lyle, v. 267. 



