ACHIEVEMENTS OE FIELD ARTILLERY. 
463 
It may be mentioned, however, that the records of the time do furnish 
us with such evidence of their distinguished conduct on two occasions 
that it will be a pardonable partiality to draw attention to them here, 
even if their performances were scarcely on the scale of those of which 
mention has hitherto been made. 
At Minden, fought the 1st of August, 1759, where the misconduct of 
our cavalry under Sackville was only atoned for by the splendid cour¬ 
age of our infantry, who bore the brunt of the day's fighting, and 
carried off the largest share of its honours, the English artillery likewise 
provoked the admiration of their allies. 
At 10 o'clock at night, when the whole of the French line was in 
full retreat on the bridges, Decker says that a part of the allied artillery 
effected a manoeuvre, “ which could not have been more dexterously 
performed even in the present day." 1 “ Two light English batteries 
which formed part of the right wing persistently followed up the enemy 
along the shores of the marsh of Hahlen, harassed his retreat, and 
finally took up a position opposite the bridges." Being joined later on 
by two of the batteries of their allies, the fire of the 28 pieces thus 
collected prevented the French from establishing themselves in their 
former camp, and forced them to continue their retreat till they reached 
the heights of Dutzen. 
In his general comments on the artillery of the various nations of 
Europe which took part in the Seven Years' War, the same historian 
pays our arm an even higher compliment in the following words :— 
“The English artillery was distinguished by its mobility, its elegance, 
and, above all, by the excellence of its materiel . Its administration was 
never degraded by a sordid economy. In the combat of Marbourg 
(31st July, 1760), although the English guns were not horsed, they 
followed the cavalry of Lord Granby at the trot, and were always ready 
when required in action. When the French fighting in retreat sought 
to take up a position on the right bank of the Diemel, it was this 
artillery which prevented their doing so." 
Templehof also says :—“ The English artillery could not have been 
better served, it followed the enemy with such energy, and plied him 
with so hot a fire, that it became impossible for him to rally." 
Thus we leave the era of Frederick, but even as the old man is sink¬ 
ing into the grave, dark storm clouds are rising towards the west. 
They bear the French Revolution, and behind them the eagles of 
Napoleon are circling in the air. 
Note. —The maps illustrating Frederick’s battles have been reproduced from 
the life of him written by the late Major-General Charles Brackenbury, R.A. 
1 1836. 
(To be Continued), 
02 
