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Tag Archives: Books

Leuthen – C.F. Scherenberg

22 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by paulskin in Books, Events

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Books, fritz, geschichte, history, hohenzollern, kolin, preußen, prussia

Another acquisition this month; Leuthen (Gedicht) by Christian Friedrich Scherenberg.

I have yet to read it all, but the first verse seems to fit well with the famous painting of Fritz after the battle of Kolin.

In Nimburg am Brunnen, die Schatten über sich,
Auf einem alten Röhrstamm sitzt König Friedrich,
Von seiner Zeit schlechtweg der König titulirt,
Wiewohl noch mancher König zu seiner Zeit regiert,
Und malt mit seinem Krückstock, der aller Welt bekannt,
Versunken in sich selber, Figuren in den Sand.

Or indeed the one below, which I’ve never seen before, both painted before the book was written (1852).

To finish, a Zungenbrecher:

Der Leutnant von Leuthen befahl seinen Leuten nicht eher zu läuten, bis der Leutnant von Leuthen seinen Leuten das Läuten befahl.

Does anybody still say this after all these years?

Wirtshaus in Prettin

31 Monday May 2021

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Books, fritz, preußen, prussia

Firstly, today is the 281st anniversary of Frederick the Great’s accession to the throne of Prussia. We could definitely do with leaders of his calibre at the moment.

Somewhat of a bitter sweet entry today, as it’s been quite a few months since I’ve been “allowed” into a pub, but the below passage in “Tagebuchblätter eines Feldgeistlichen” made me chuckle. Good old days…

Ich sitze in der Stube eines Wirtshauses, die ängstlich niedrig ist, deren Wände mit allerlei Phantasievögeln bunter gamalt sind, als ich je etwas Ähnliches gesehen habe. Der Künstler mag in Italien, der Wiege der Kunst, seinen Geschmack nicht gebildet, mag aber auch kein großes Honorar für sein Werk empfangen haben.
Ein Tisch, zwei Stühle und eine am Ofen ausgebreitete Streu sind meine Möbel. In malerischer Unordnung liegen meine Sachen umher. Mich trennt ein winzig kleiner Flur von meinen Wirtsleuten, welche in einer noch kleineren und ängstlicheren Stube wohnen.

Mein Wirt ist 23 Jahre alt und hat in dieser harten Zeit den Mut gehabt, sich vor drei Monaten dies Wirtshaus zu kaufen. Er führt die Wirtschaft mit seiner jüngeren Schwester, einem hübschen, großbusigen Mädchen.

pg. 116/117

Sounds delightful, I miss the pub…
Is this particular Wirtshaus still there I wonder?

Wolfersdorf at Torgau

28 Thursday Jan 2021

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Books, carlyle, fritz, heroes, seven years war, siebenjährigerkrieg

A great little anecdote from Thomas Carlyle’s History of Frederick the Great, how Colonel von Wolfersdorf “beautifully defends himself in Torgau”, and beautifully leaves the same. This would make a great scene in a film, perhaps it already is?

Colonel von Wolfersdorf withdraws, also beautifully (August 15th).

Accordingly, Wednesday, August 15th, at eight in the morning, Wolfersdorf by the Elbe Gate moves out; across Elbe Bridge, and the Redoubt which is on the farther shore yonder. Near this Redoubt, Stolberg and many of his General Officers are waiting to see him go. He goes in state; flags flying, music playing. Battalion Hessen-Cassel, followed by all our Packages, Hospital convalescents, King’s Artillery, and whatever is the King’s or ours, marches first. Next comes, as rear-guard to all this, Battalion Grollmann;–along with which is Wolfersdorf himself, knowing Grollmann for a ticklish article (Saxons mainly); followed on the heel by Battalion Hofmann, and lastly by Battalion Salmuth, trusty Prussians both of these.

Battalion Hessen-Cassel and the Baggages are through the Redoubt, Prince of Stolberg handsomely saluting as saluted. But now, on Battalion Grollmann’s coming up, Stolberg’s Adjutant cries-out with a loud voice of proclamation, many Officers repeating and enforcing: “Whoever is a brave Saxon, whoever is true to his Kaiser, or was of the Reichs Army, let him step out: Durchlaucht will give him protection!” At sound of which Grollmann quivers as if struck by electricity; and instantly begins dissolving;–dissolves, in effect, nearly all, and is in the act of vanishing like a dream! Wolfersdorf is a prompt man; and needs to be so. Wolfersdorf, in Olympian rage, instantly stops short; draws pistol: “I will shoot dead every man that quits rank!” vociferates he; and does, with his pistol, make instant example of one; inviting every true Prussian to do the like: “Jägers, Hussars, a ducat for every traitor you shoot down!” continues Wolfersdorf (and punctually paid it afterwards): unable to prevent an almost total dissolution of Grollmann. For some minutes, there is a scene indescribable: storm of vociferation, menace, musket-shot, pistol-shot; Grollmann disappearing on every side,–”behind the Redoubt, under the Bridge, into Elbe Boats, under the cloaks of the Croats;”–in spite of Wolfersdorf’s Olympian rages and efforts.

At sight of the shooting, Prince Stolberg, a hot man, had said indignantly, “Herr, that will be dangerous for you (das wird nicht gut gehn)!” Wolfersdorf not regarding him a whit; regarding only Grollmann, and his own hot business of coercing it at a ducat per head. Grollmann gone, and Battalion Hofmann in due sequence come up, Wolfersdorf,–who has sent an Adjutant, with order, “Hessen- Cassel, halt,”–gives Battalion Hofmann these three words of command: “Whole Battalion, halt!–Front!–Make ready!” (with due simultaneous click of every firelock, on utterance of that last);– and turning to Prince Stolberg, with a brow, with a tone of voice: “Durchlaucht, Article 9 of the Capitulation is express on this point; ‘All desertion strictly prohibited; no deserter to be received either on the Imperial or on the Prussian side’!” (Durchlaucht silently gives, we suppose, some faint sniff.) “Since your Durchlaucht does not keep the Capitulation, neither will I regard it farther. I will now take you and your Suite prisoners, return into the Town, and again begin defending myself. Be so good as ride directly into that Redoubt, or I will present, and give fire!”

A dangerous moment for the Durchlaucht of Stolberg; Battalion Salmuth actually taking possession of the wall again; Hofmann here with its poised firelock on the cock, “ready” for that fourth word, as above indicated. A General Lusinsky of Stolberg’s train, master of those Croats, and an Austrian of figure, remarks very seriously: “Every point of the Capitulation must be kept!” Upon which Durchlaucht has to renounce and repent; eagerly assists in recovering Grollmann, restores it (little the worse, little the fewer); will give Wolfersdorf “command of the Austrian Escort you are to have”, and every satisfaction and assurance;–wishful only to get rid of Wolfersdorf. Who thereupon marches to Wittenberg, with colors flying again, and a name mentionable ever since.

This Wolfersdorf was himself a Pirna Saxon; serving Polish Majesty, as Major, in that Pirna time; perhaps no admirer of “Feldmarschall Brühl” and Company?–at any rate, he took Prussian service, as then offered him; and this is his style of keeping it. A decidedly clever soldier, and comes out, henceforth, more and more as such,–unhappily not for long. Was taken at Maxen, he too, as will be seen. Rose, in after times, to be Lieutenant-General, and a man famous in the Prussian military circles; but given always, they say, to take the straight line (or shortest distance between self and object), in regard to military matters, to recruiting and the like, and thus getting himself into trouble with the Civil Officials.

Posen 1848

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by paulskin in Events

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1848, Books, geschichte, history, polen, posen, preußen, prussia, revolution

Sorry for the long delay, I’ve had, and still have, a lot of letters to write, amongst other stuff.

I wonder how long since copies of these two books have sat together?
Don’t tell anyone butt I had to cut the pages on the military account, no doubt the resale value was affected, but books are intended to be read, and there’s a guilty pleasure in knowing that in 172 years I’m the first person to see those pages.

Trying to get a grip on what happened during the Polnisch Aufstand in Posen in 1848 is not easy.

Willisen’s account, which I read first (although it’s an answer to the military account) because I acquired it first, sounds perfectly reasonable, especially I imagine to modern ears more used to calls to freedom and anti-imperialism. Basically the Poles are just looking to get some autonomy back after years of double dealing and germanisation by the Prussians, and all they need is a little more time to gain trust before they disband the various armed groups that had formed. Rumours of atrocities by the Poles are of course just exaggerations or downright fabrications by the Germans and the Jews. Even before reading the military account though I must admit to wondering if Willisen was not being a bit naïve.

The military account takes the more cynical view that the Poles just want total control over the country, not the promised reörganisation, and that all the negotiations are just buying them time to build up arms and train their fighters. Looked at from the Army’s point of view the accusations of attacks and atrocities by the Poles also sound a lot more credible.
Looking at events later in the year, and subsequent centuries, I think the military might have had a point, but it’s hard not to have some sympathy for Poland.

See also:
Offener Brief an den Herrn Major von Voigts Rhetz
Denkschrift über die Ereignisse im Großherzogthum Posen seit dem 20. März 1848

The conclusion? I think I’ll leave it to the reader to decide who was in the right, I don’t want to get involved. It reminds me too much of us English and the Irish, and nobody wants to go down that road…

Ein frohes neues Jahr!

02 Thursday Jan 2020

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Books, german, geschichte, heroes, history, preußen, prussia

Ein bißchen spät, gestern war ein Katertag.

Der Marschall Vorwärts überschreitet den Rhein am 1. Januar 1814. (aus Unser Preußen)

Blücher am Rhein

Stephanus Dei Gratia Rex Poloniae Dux Prussiae

20 Friday Sep 2019

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Books, Gerlach, geschichte, history, preußen, prussia, Russia, waffe

Only tangentially a Prussian curiosity, but it’s about time I posted something.

A birthday parade for Grand Duke Michael of Russia in 1826 caught my attention from Denkwürdigkeiten aus dem leben Leopold von Gerlachs (Thanks Laura!), Seite 13; where von Gerlach describes an interesting sounding sabre worn by the Erzherzog, I’m unsure which Erzherzog. Maybe there’s a record of which English King gave which sword to whom…

9. Februar. Heut am Geburtstage des Großfürsten Michael erschien der Erzherzog auf der Parade mit seiner Ungarischen Mütze, dem Reiherbusch, dem Goldenen Bließ in Brillanten und dem Säbel von Stephan Bathori, welchen ihm der König von England geschenkt hatte, er sah vortrefflich aus.

Anyway, the Gods of the internet didn’t let me down and I found the below article on Polish Arms:

Blades with the name and pictures of Stephan Bathory.

Schwert

 

A mystery…

18 Friday Jan 2019

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Books, geschichte, history, königsberg, kotzebue, preußen, prussia

I like a mystery.

So according to Lucas David, as reported by Kotzebue in Preussens ältere Geschichte, Band I, a wagonload or so of documents was taken from Königsberg to Krakau in the 16th Century, subsequently captured by the Swedish army (presumably in one of the 17th Century invasions) and taken back to Sweden, possibly to Uppsala University. Rumours from Sweden later alleged that they were destroyed in a fire at Stockholm castle.

Is any of this true, do they still exist? I’d like to know.

Einzug der Sieger in Berlin

20 Thursday Sep 2018

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1866, berlin, Books, geschichte, history, preußen, prussia

Heute vor 152 Jahren: der feierliche Einzug der Sieger in Berlin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Den heimkehrenden Siegern. *)

Willkommen Euch!  Ihr ruhmgekrönten Krieger!
Willkommen an der Heimath trautem Heerd!
Ihr kehret heim als Helden und als Sieger,
Ihr seid des Lorbeers und der Palme wert.
Das ungemessne Eurer großen Thaten
Ward nicht im Kreis der Voraussicht beraten.

Euch ging ein Held, gar eisenfest und wacker,
Der König Wilhelm ging dem Heer voran,
Des Rosses Hufe stampften Fels und Acker
Nur vorwärts, vorwärts stürmte Mann an Mann
Dem König nach, dem Zollern=Aar, dem starken
Bis an des Feindes Hauptstadt durch die Marken.

Der Siegesflug, der Euch gen Süden führte,
Dem keine Zahl der Feinde widerstand,
Er ist’s, der Preußens Söhne würdig zierte,
An dem wir altes Heldenblut erkannt.
Soll’n wir für solche Thaten ohne Gleichen
Nicht Palm und Lorbeer heut den Siegern reichen?

Der Dank des Vaterlandes Euch zum Lohne,
Im tausendstimm’gen Vivat wird er Euch!
Die Helden zeig’ der Vater seinem Sohne
Und bitte Gott: Er mach’ ihn diesen gleich,
Daß auch einst er auf breiten Ruhmesbahnen
Zum Siege führe unsres Preußens Fahnen.

O jubelt laut an diesem Siegesfeste,
Es ist ein Fest für Preußens Gloria;
Reicht unsren Helden heut das schönste, beste,
Sie bringen Frieden und Viktoria;
Mit ihrem Blut ward Deutschlands Heil erworben,
Drum Ehre denen, die dafür gestorben.

Der wackren Streiter, die in fremder Erde,
Nun schlafen still den langen Todesschlaf,
Sei heut gedacht, daß Trost und Lind’rung werde
All denen, die das Unglück bitter traf;
Sie leben ewig in der Weltgeschichte,
Denn ach, ihr Tod bracht’ uns die Siegesfrüchte.

Deß laßt uns freuen und dem Himmel danken,
Der soviel Segen unsrem Preußen gab;
Laßt uns in Treu’ und Liebe nimmer wanken,
Folgt willig König Wilhelm’s Feldherrnstab.
Erweitert sind des Vaterlandes Grenzen,
Drum seid geschmückt mit deutschen Eichenkränzen.

G.S

*) Aus der Festbeilage zu Nr. 299 des Berliber Fremden= und Anzeigeblatts.

 

Vom Fels zum Meer

06 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by paulskin in Writing

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Books, gedichte, hohenzollern, poetry, preußen, prussia

EIn Gedicht – aus “Unser Preußen“.

Vom Fels zum Meer

1. Hoch ragt empor auf felsenfesten Grund
Die Zollernburg in altersgrauen Tagen;
Sie schaut hinab und sieht in weiter Rund´
Die Ströme nordwärts ihre Schiffe tragen;
Sie ziehen hin mit Lasten reich und schwer
Vom Fels zum Meer. Continue reading →

Lüttichau und das Blind’sche Attentat

03 Tuesday Apr 2018

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1866, bismarck, Books, german, geschichte, history, politics

Angeblich hat nicht nur Bismarck an Gottes Gnade geglaubt (Graf von Lüttichau in einem Brief von früh 1866).

Schüsse_auf_Otto_von_Bismarck

In Berlin hatte gerade das Blind’sche Attentat auf den Grafen Bismarck sich ereignet, wobei letzterer den Verbrecher selbst an der Kehle gepackt und ihn mit festem Arm der Polizei übergeben hatte. Graf L. schreibt an jenem Tage, es ist noch vor Ausbruch des Krieges:

“Ich kann mir nicht helfen, aber es sieht aus, als wolle Gott dieses Werkzeug in Seiner Hand (Bismarck) noch zur Durchführung großer Pläne benutzen, ehe Er ihn zu sich ruft. Mögen diese Pläne zum Ruhme unseres Vaterlandes ausfallen!”

—Maximilian Graf von Lüttichau, ein treuer Diener eines iridischen und himmlischen Königs,  F. Schmidt (ca. 1911). S. 37.

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