The Military History of Charles XII, King of Sweden (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1740. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... f9P$. on all fides, they provided for the prefervation of Tykozin and Grodno, where King Auguftus was in perfon, by inftantly detaching frefh troops to reinforce the garrifons there: fully refolved to abide on the defenfive, and not to hazard a baN tie in open field. At laft they were perfectly convinced that the King of Sweden was much nearer than they believed, when (his Majefty having marched, January 12. from Slabodowa to Krimki, feven dreadful leagues in twelve hours time, without paufe or reft, from eight o'clock in the morring till night) our Valoches, who were foremoft, furprized certain of King Auguftus's Drabans in that little city; the greateft part of whom made a fhift to efcape, and carry that Prince the news, that we mould pay him a vifit out of hand. Auguftus, furprized with a march fo extraordinary, undertook in the very depth of winter, affembled immediately all his regiments, which were difperfed in the adjacencies of Grodno; and admitted them into the city, which was tolerably well fortified by the RuJ/ians, v/ho had worked upon it inceflantly to put it in a condition to fupport a long fiege in cafe of an attack. At Krimki, the King refigned all the houfes to the fick, and encamped with the reft of the army for a day and two nights which they remained there, The 14th, the march was renewed to a village called Micbalovice, (five leagues and a half) which is but a finall league from Grcdno. As there were no more marfhes to pafs, and the country was wide enough for the army to extend itfelf in front, his Majefty ordered it to proceed, with the baggage and artillery, in different columns: one of which furprized an ad vanced guard of the enemy's commanded by a 1706. Lieutenant, who was taken prifoner, with all his people. The baggage arriving very ...