“What!” said the pious old Zieten, as he dismounted and stroked his beard, “do you doubt the help of God? He has stood by us often and will do so to-day. Your soldiers are full of courage. They trust their God.”
These words restored the King’s confidence. “Well, my dear Zieten,” he replied, “if you think it all right, we will face the inevitable.”
Taking Zieten’s arm, they withdrew from the others for a time and had a confidential interview, after which he returned in better spirits. It was decided to attack, and the aides were soon flying in all directions, carrying the orders to the generals. The attack began that day.
The Prussian army was in two divisions, one led by the King, and the other by Zieten, who got in the rear of the enemy to attack his entrenchments. The King’s division consisted of ten thousand grenadiers and was posted in some woods in battle order. When Frederick advanced with his vanguard upon Daun’s entrenchments he was greeted by a murderous fire from two hundred cannon, so directed that even before the troops reached the enemy’s lines they were almost unfitted for action, as they were deafened by the terrible crashes of the artillery. Notwithstanding the din and confusion, the King retained his composure, and turning to one of his generals, said: “What a horrible cannonading! Did you ever hear anything like it?”
The effect was frightful. In a short time nearly all the brave grenadiers were shot down. Their places were filled by fresh regiments and the cavalry was ordered to advance, but it was useless. Nothing could withstand that murderous fire. In the meantime Frederick himself was exposed to the greatest danger. Shots ploughed up the earth so near him that his horse was very restive. At last he had to make a show of composure. He rode from the first rank to the second, and came to a dragoon regiment.
“Well, children, how goes it? ” he asked.
Some answered, “Badly, Your Majesty; we are standing here letting them shoot us down, and we cannot defend ourselves.”
“Wait a little,” said the King to them, “the firing will soon cease; then we will attack them.”
While saying these words a cannon-ball came so close to him that his horse jumped to one side, knocked over a drum, and seemed about to run away with him. The King smiled, and said to the drummer:
“You tell the Austrians if they don’t soon march off, I will take their guns away from them.”