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Address of Frederick the great.


To the Generals and Higher Officers, December 4, 1757, Before the Battle near Leuthen.
Gentlemen:
You are aware that while I was obliged to stop the progress of the French and Austrians, Prince Charles of Lothringen has succeeded in taking Schweidritz, beating the Duke of Bavaria, and in making himself master of Breslau; the capital of my Silesia, and a part of the Proving are thus lost, together with all the provisions and ammunition therein contained, and my troubles would be very great, if I placed not an unbounded confidence in your courage, firmness, and love of your country, which you have shown on so many occasions. I acknowledge these services rendered to our fatherland and to me, with the tenderest movements of my heart.

There is almost not one amongst you who has not distinguished himself by some great and honorable deed; therefore I flatter myself you will fall short in nothing which the State has a right to expect of your valor, if circumstances demand it. This epoch approaches; I should believe I had done nothing if I left the Austrians in possession of Suesia: mark, therefore, I shall attack the army of Prince Charles, although nearly three times stronger, wherever I find it, and in opposition to all the rules of the art of war.

At this juncture, the number of the enemy is not the question, nor the importance of his position; for all this I hope the strong hearts of my army and the exact obedience to my orders, will overcome. I must venture this blow, or everything is lost; we must annihilate the enemy, or his batteries will bury us! Thus I intend to act. Communicate my orders to all the officers of the army, and prepare the privates for the work which must soon follow, informing them that I consider myself entitled to unconditional discipline. However, if you remember that you are Prussians, you will certainly make yourself worthy of this preference; if there should be one amongst you who fears to divide with me all the danger, he can obtain his dismission to- day, and without receiving from me the least reproach. [We follow your Majesty unto death! Our all and our blood for our King! called out loud the officers, and the King proceeded.]

Before now I was convinced none of you would forsake me. I count, therefore, totally on your faithful assistance, and on the certain victory. Should I fall, and not be able to reward you, our fatherland must do it, Go now into the camp, and repeat to your battalions what I have said:‘"If any regiment of horse should not fall upon the enemy at once, as ordered, they shall, after the battle, dismount, and be put into the garrison; and that battalion of foot, which only hesitates one minute, shall lose its standards and sabres, and the decorations from its uniforms, be it wheresoever it may! Now, gentlemen, farewell. Shortly we shall have either beaten the enemy, or we shall never see each other again." ’

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