10118. UNTERREDUNG DES KÖNIGS MIT DEM GROSSBRITANNISCHEN MINISTER MITCHELL.
[Juli 1758.]
Mitchell berichtet an Holdernesse, Leitomischl 8. Juli, (secret) : „The King of Prussia told me he was very sorry his project upon Olmütz had miscarried, because he thought, if it had succeeded, it must have disposed the court of Vienna to peace, but, added he, as one cannot always do what they wish, they must do what they can, the part I have taken I think the best in my present situation, and the celerity with which this march will be executed, may perhaps confound our enemies, as they will hardly guess my intention till I have gained a march upon them. If I get safe to Kœnigingrætz,96-5 I hope soon to be master of it, and I can then send off part of my baggage and artillery through<97> into Silesia. I make no doubt Marshal Daun will endeavour to make an irruption into Silesia, but I shall give him some alarms by the feints I intend making upon Prag, so soon as I can open the communication with my brother Henry, who is already in Bohemia on the side of Eger.
In conversation, the King of Prussia said that he could not detach a greater number to escort the convoy, as his army was only 40,000 man; if the convoy had come safe, it would have been 10,000 stronger. He reckons the Austrian army 60,000, besides 20,000 irregulars . . .“
Nach der Ausfertigung im Public Record Office zu London.
96-5 Königingrätz = Königgrätz.