The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-18
EIGHTEENTH JUNE.

--
50 EIGHTEENTH JUNE.
When the Prussians on this day, 81 years
ago, came up under old Butcher, and saved
the Duke of Wellington from most unrnercl-
full drubbing, they probably did not reflect that
exactly So years before, the greatest of their
Monarchs frederick the Great) had sustained
upon the field of Kollin, defeat, which, with |
more activity on the part of his conqueror,
might have been rendered as disastrous as that
they were infcting upon the Emperor Napo'
leon. Yet.such was the fact. The two most
renowned Generals of modern times, sustained
signal disasters on the same day OF the month,
and that day and month were the 18th OF june
The seven years. war commenced IN I|oo.
Early in the spring of 1757, Frederick took the
field, invaded Bohemia, and on the 9th OF May
defeated the Austrian army of the Prince OF
Lorraine, in the battle of Prague, and laid |
siege to that great city. Marshal Daun, who,
with second Austrian army was IN Moravia, |
had already advanced within a few days march |
of Prague, when he heard Of the battle. Hav-
ing reinforced his army with 10000 men who |
udQ Uttu Cut uOu ioS uOt ouiibS eaS ~A' |
tie. he retired and encamped under the walls
Of Kollin. Pursued by $4,000 men under the |
Prince of Bevern, he retreated 60 or ~ miles
farther. On the 18th of June, being still fur
Their reinforced, he again advanced three miles
beyond Kollin, and took up a position at the
village of Kirchenau, having before him the
road which leads from Kollin to Prague, and
the Prince of Bevern retreated in turn. The
King of Prussia FASTENED with reinforcements
from his camp before Prague, and on the l4th
June established his headquarters three miles
from Kirchenau. Here he encamped, his left
resting on the road from Prague to Kollin, at
theivillage of Planan. Here he remained dur
ing the 18th, and a part of the 10th, in order to
allow time for the arrival ofhs reinforcemenls
andprovision wagons. On the 10th, just as he
was about to move forward to the position of
Swoychitz, in order to bold Daun, whom he
believed to be at Janovitzi, in check, he learned
that he was at kirchenau. Of course he could
not continue the movement without passing
over Daun, who was in his way. On the 18th,
he marched by his left, and took position on
the right and left Of the Prague road, having
Planian Immediately in his front, and KolIin 10
miles further on. This movement brought him
perpendicularly upon the left of the Austrian
army. At day break, on the 18th, he resumed
his march, the lef, in 'front.' the advanced guard
of General Ziethen, seven battalions and fifty
advance. The Prussian army marched upon
three lines. The first, composed entirely Of
infantry, followed the main road from Prague
to Kollin. The two others marched more to
the left, between the causeway and the Elbe.
Marshal Daun had moved during the night /;
when it was day, the Prussians only saw
few videttes. But as soon as they had gotten
beyond Planian, they saw the Austrian army
in order of battle, and halted. The advanced
guard had already arrived more than three
miles beyond Planian the chief force of the
Austrians was between Ncwomiesto and Pla-
nian. Their left was at Brezan, their centre
At Chotzemitz, and their right at Kresor. The
reader will see by looking at the map, that in
this position, their army formed curve, the
right next to Kollin, the left next to Prague,
thus enveloping the road which leads from
Prague to Kollin. This road formed the cord
of the arc or curve. The line, from one ex-
tremity TO the other, was nearly four miles
long. They were formed in several lines. The
second occupied the crest of some very steep
heights, which overlook the road, the first, or
that nearest The enemy, was about half way
down the declivity Of these heights, and it oc-
cupied, by advanced posts, three villages in
its front, strongly entrenched, powerfully pro
tec;ed by infantry, and covered with artillery.
Their left was about thousand yards from
the portion ofthe Prague road, which lies be.
tween Planian and Kollin. Upon that road,
the Prussiau army was advancing. The Aus.
trian centre was about two thousand yards
from the road, and its right about one thous-
and.
The two armies were in presence of each
other. and under very singular arrangement.
Frederick outianked the Austrian left, and
the Austrian Inns formed semi circle, the
cord of which was the road occupied, in part,
By him. AT one o'clock, be gave orders to
continue the march, and consequently moved
along the cord ofthe arc which the Austrians,
posted upon almost inaccessible heights. oc-
cupied 10 great force. He exposed himself
thereby. to encounter, in defling, . storm Of
grape and musketry.
General Nadasty, Who commanded the Aus
nian cavalry, immediaisly advanced. and oc-
cupisd both sides ofthe road, ~ the distance
ofswo miles from KoIlin, thereby lccmpletely
barring Il against the Prussians, and obligiag
tbs,n 70 halt nsdsr ! msst destructive 6res-
Dam ordered all kis lroeps u advance % TIE