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Foreign News
June 9, 1758
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An English gentleman of means volunteered for the Prussian campaign under the King of Prussia but was relegated to hospital duties and ultimately sent home for his extravagant lifestyle, missing the Battle of Rossbach.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Part of a Letter from Leipzig, Feb. 10.
"Having thus dispatched private concerns, I shall not take up my time nor your's with public affairs, as you may see enough of this in all news papers: but finding there is yet a corner in my letter not filled up, I'll tell you a story, which must be known to some persons in your country, though probably it has not yet come to your ears:
Last summer an English gentleman of good fortune (not less than 3000 sterling a year) came over to make the campaign as a volunteer, under the King of Prussia. He was a gallant man, and willing to acquire experience among such fine troops as the King of Prussia's: but he unluckily missed his aim, by appearing with equipages too splendid, and keeping a table too expensive for the Prussian way of living; in short, he lived too much in the modern English way. Therefore he was always kept at some distance from the camp; his charge generally was to take care of the hospitals, where he beheld nothing but scenes of misery, the dismal fruits of war. Impatient at this usage, and eager to be a spectator of something else, he expostulated about it to marshal Keith, who made a report of it to the King; but no change was yet made in his post.
In fine, the battle of Rossbach was fought without his being an eye-witness of it: he knew nothing of the affair, but from the wounded men brought to a hospital in a neighbouring town, which, as usual, he was appointed to guard: and having again expressed his discontent, the King at last very civilly thanked him for his zeal to serve him; but told him withal, that his manner of living did not agree with the frugality and hardiness of his troops; that the great figure he made, set a bad example to his officers; and cordially advised him to return home, if he did not choose to conform, in all points, to the strict discipline of his camp: and accordingly he went back to England, where I doubt not but he may make a good officer, and a good soldier too, tho' he could not be accounted so among the Prussians."
"Having thus dispatched private concerns, I shall not take up my time nor your's with public affairs, as you may see enough of this in all news papers: but finding there is yet a corner in my letter not filled up, I'll tell you a story, which must be known to some persons in your country, though probably it has not yet come to your ears:
Last summer an English gentleman of good fortune (not less than 3000 sterling a year) came over to make the campaign as a volunteer, under the King of Prussia. He was a gallant man, and willing to acquire experience among such fine troops as the King of Prussia's: but he unluckily missed his aim, by appearing with equipages too splendid, and keeping a table too expensive for the Prussian way of living; in short, he lived too much in the modern English way. Therefore he was always kept at some distance from the camp; his charge generally was to take care of the hospitals, where he beheld nothing but scenes of misery, the dismal fruits of war. Impatient at this usage, and eager to be a spectator of something else, he expostulated about it to marshal Keith, who made a report of it to the King; but no change was yet made in his post.
In fine, the battle of Rossbach was fought without his being an eye-witness of it: he knew nothing of the affair, but from the wounded men brought to a hospital in a neighbouring town, which, as usual, he was appointed to guard: and having again expressed his discontent, the King at last very civilly thanked him for his zeal to serve him; but told him withal, that his manner of living did not agree with the frugality and hardiness of his troops; that the great figure he made, set a bad example to his officers; and cordially advised him to return home, if he did not choose to conform, in all points, to the strict discipline of his camp: and accordingly he went back to England, where I doubt not but he may make a good officer, and a good soldier too, tho' he could not be accounted so among the Prussians."
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Campaign
War Report
What keywords are associated?
English Volunteer
Prussian Campaign
Battle Of Rossbach
King Of Prussia
Marshal Keith
Military Discipline
What entities or persons were involved?
King Of Prussia
Marshal Keith
Where did it happen?
Rossbach
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Rossbach
Event Date
Last Summer
Key Persons
King Of Prussia
Marshal Keith
Outcome
english gentleman advised to return home due to incompatible lifestyle and sent back to england
Event Details
An English gentleman volunteered under the King of Prussia but was kept from the camp due to his lavish living, assigned to hospitals, missed the Battle of Rossbach, and was dismissed after complaining to Marshal Keith.