CH. IV.] THE BATTLE OF CHOTÜSITZ. 397

long discipline, witii which the Prussians continually
formed afresh in different order. The soldiers,
though beaten, rallied time after time aiid returned
to the attack. Here it was that the army chaplain,
whom we have already had occasion to mention,
rushed in among the flying soldiers, and in the midst
of the incessant fire of musketry, " the bullets whereof
whizzed about him like swarms of gnats," rallied
several bodies of men by the sound of that familiar
voice which had so often incited them to good re-
solves.* No one thought of the baggage, which was
given up as a prey to the plundering hussars and
Fandours. The Prussian cavalry, which had beeu
beaten off the field, when called upon in the name of
God and of their King, returned to the attack. Some
protection, too, was given by the burning village,
which hindered the advance of the Austrians. By
degrees the Prussians were enabled to breath again :
they sent some^regiments from the second line to rein-
force the first, and prepared to retake the villi^e.
The fortune of the day was still doubtful ; the
glory of deciding it belongs to the King. The genius
of tiie commander is deservedly ranked so high,
because nowhere do perception, thought, and action
follow in such rapid succession as on the battle-field,
where it is impossible to make good a blunder, and
where a moment lost is irreparable. By an easy

* Seegebart's letter exists in a complete form in a portfolio in
the office of the Minister of War ; docqueted ** rare old papers.'*
Frederick mentions a postmaster, who took part in the battle
instead of staying with the baggage. Letter to Jordan, 5th June,
VIIL 188.
