[CHAPTER VIII.]
Opening of the Campaign in Germany under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick—Reports of the Battle of Minden—Lord Granby and Lord George Sackville—Reflections on the latter—His Lordship’s conduct at the Battle of Minden—He returns to England—Correspondence of French Generals—King of Prussia’s Campaign—His Army defeated at Cunnersdorf—He saves Berlin and retrieves his Affairs—Spain and Naples—Charles III. of Spain sets aside his eldest son in the succession, in consequence of weakness of intellect—Admiral Boscawen defeats the French Fleet—Conquests in America—Lord George Sackville—Death of the Bishop of Worcester.
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick had opened the campaign with less success than reputation, having been obliged to retreat after attempting to dislodge the French from Bergen. It was this and some parallel occasions in which the French stood their ground, that intituled Prince Ferdinand most deservedly to the character of a consummate General. Retreats before a victorious Army, and prosperous campaigns against a superior Army, these were his titles—the incapacity of the hostile Generals, and the shameful behaviour of their troops, rendered his subsequent achievements less brilliant, without proving that he would not have succeeded against abler antagonists. It is a little more problematic whether he could not have served us better, had he had no interests to serve but ours. As we were strictly connected with the King of Prussia, co-operating with him was serving the common cause. The question is, whether Prince Ferdinand never lost sight of the interests of Great Britain, when a motion, a diversion that might shield that Monarch, clashed with an obvious plan of activity for driving the French out of the territories that more immediately affected our cause.
The advantage of employing so able a German General balanced some signal inconveniences attending that nomination. The sums which were never refused to him, and for which, not being a Briton, he could not be called to account, will perhaps outweigh the glory he procured to our arms, the benefits that resulted from his success, or the share which he made us take in saving the King of Prussia from destruction. Should the last-named Prince prove oftener our enemy than our Ally, we must comfort ourselves with having guarded the Protestant religion in Germany—for the Protestantism of its chief, it was too ridiculous to be made, as it was, even a serious object by the mob! Atheistic odes were the psalms which that Protestant confessor sung by the waters of Babylon!
After the check at Bergen, Prince Ferdinand, though retreating, disputed his ground by garrisoning the chief towns on his march. Yet they were all taken by the French, particularly Munster and Minden. Hanover seemed again on the point of becoming their prey. Nothing was left, but to hazard a battle; on which the Prince determined, and the news of which arrived here, when such an event was least expected, except by the King, who, on receiving General Yorke’s[52] courier, owned that he had had Prince Ferdinand’s plan in his pocket for ten days, without communicating it to a single person. This testimony was given immediately, before the slightest particulars were known, except that the general result of the action was complete success. Yet, however the event was coincident with the design, however determined the Prince was to provoke an engagement, it is rather clear that he was surprised, though not by his own fault, as came out afterwards.
Colonel Ligonier[53] followed General Yorke’s courier, but had been dispatched so early from the field of battle, that he scarce knew any of the circumstances, except the great loss on the French side, the large number of prisoners, with the capture of their cannon and baggage.
Three days afterwards arrived Colonel Fitzroy,[54] Aide-de-camp to Prince Ferdinand, with confirmation of the victory; not so ample as in the first intelligence, but decisive, and attended immediately by essential advantages. Contades had passed the river in the night, ordering the bridges to be destroyed. Minden, with its garrison, surrendered the next day. The loss on our side had not been inconsiderable, and had fallen chiefly on the English, who had also the greatest share in the honour of the day. The Generals Kingsley and Waldegrave had particularly distinguished themselves.
With Fitzroy came over the Duke of Richmond; and they, particularly the latter, disclosed a passage, which soon threw the nation into a flame. Lord George Sackville,[55] by his weight with Mr. Pitt,[56] and in Parliament, had insisted on going to Germany, and had gone without the King’s approbation, and even without waiting on his Majesty. Lord Granby was next to Lord George in command, and so popular, that when he set out for the Army, fifty-two young officers had solicited to be his Aides-de-camp. Between these two Lords a coolness soon ensued, and divided the Army, if it can be called division, where almost every heart sided with Lord Granby. He was open, honest, affable, and of such unbounded good-nature and generosity, that it was impossible to say which principle actuated him in the distribution of the prodigious sums that he spent and flung away.