X Epoch - 2nd Fredrichsburg Campaign

The first hostilities proved a great success to the army which Lieut Gen Mercury, now Viscount Faschel led the attack of the great power when backed by Prussia, which Fredrichsburg had become. On every road to the capital Kidde large fortresses blocked the way and deterred the rash invader of the country. The most vulnerable side by which he approached the capital was the road from Laros, that country being friendly to Fredrichsburg that only one fortification could oppose the march of an enemy from that quarter. From this side Viscount Faschel was now advancing to deal his stabs on her weakest side. But ere he even could approach the barrier, namely, Myjiji, a strongly fortified place on the Right bank of the Sonnete and miles from Kidde; an army fully 200 men under General Tann was advancing to throw back the invader. But a signal disaster befell this force.

Lieut General Mercury advanced to Cetoy + his Advance Guard under Col Cameron had reached the River Jier a tributary of the Sonnete on the 6^th February 1874.

The little force had scarcely taken up their position ere they were fiercely attacked by the Prussian army of 200 men under General von der Tann, who advanced in three strong columns on the River, before which the 79^th Regt was extended in skirmishing order under Major MacCully. The swarm of the enemy tirailleurs soon compelled this regiment to fall back and it retreated to the further side of the River where Col Cameron had mustered his own force scarcely 60 men + comprising the 79^th 88^th  92^nd + 20^th Foot +15^th + 16^th Horse Regiments.

The 20^th (Larossan) a nearby regiment was extended on the bank of the river and the 79^th + 92^nd held a battery at the head of the bridge which crossed the river, and over which the German general was preparing to lead his troops.

It was a daring move in the face of the terrific fire that would be concentrated on the bridge, and that would bring down rank after rank, and file after file.

But he had plenty of men, and von der Tann, the destroyer of Baggalles, the typical representative Steinmetz the Spicheren slaughterer: was not the humane officer who would shrink from the task for the sake of the lives which must necessarily be lost. The bridge must be forced! The Prussians [a derogatory word is used] at once obeyed the order and 4 battalions rushed forward. Ere Section 1, Company A, 1^st Battalion could plant their feet on the causeway, a ringing volley announced that 3/5ths of the Battalion had crossed the gate of Hell 1/5^th were above enjoying the reward of virtue and general goodness the remaining 1/5^th were dispersed. Being reinforced however the column again came on but the galling fire of the gallant 20^th who poured in volley after volley upon the flank of the sausage [sic] column, the direct fire of the Battery in front blew them to the winds. Fresh troops however came on, and, though driven back 7 times, the Bavarian column in a final charge won the bridge with the Battery of 4 guns. Major MacCully however by a magnificent charge regained 2 of the guns at the cost of 3/5ths of the Regt together with the colour, which however was regained at the end of the action.

The Bavarians immediately turned the guns on the 92^nd, which with the other troops was now retreating, when a sudden and unexpected accident turned the fate of the action. The Prussian Artillery after the capture of the Battery was hurried up and an enormous amount of limbers + guns etc were upon the bridge which unable to bear such a strain gave way with a terrific crash and precipitated some 90 wounded dying + dead with about 20 alive persons into the river. Few escaped, The Prussians were thus divided, which, Col Cameron perceiving he returned to the attack with fresh vigor.

The 15^th + 16^th Hussars gallantly charged and overpowering force of German horse who before had driven them back. Many including the General swam the river, the great number however surrendered, and 13 prisoners ₊ 4 colors fell into the hands of the Georlanders whose loss was [this sentence is unfinished].

For the victory Col Cameron was promoted to Brigadier and created Baron Jier. Lt Genl Mercury following his success on the 13^th stormed Myjiji at an immense sacrifice of life losing 19 killed and 49 wounded. The Coldstream Guards 20^th 23^rd 20^th [sic] 57^th 51^st 35^th 88^th + 92^nd Regiments particularly distinguished themselves. Following the tide of victory, altho@ attended by great sacrifice The Lt Genl [blank – possibly as with loss above, intended to be completed later – ed.] days later stormed the citadel of Myjiji completing the conquest of that fortress which had cost [blank] to take and the enemy [blank].

The capital, Kidde, was now within two days march and in a great state of excitement but besides possessing a large series of fortifications. A range of heights on which lay some 300 men covered it from immediate assault. Beneath an army of great strength lay encamped under General von der Tamm and other distinguished generals. The traitor General Black with 200 men was marching through Routsbach + Litkid on Mercury’s rear. Mercury was then reluctantly compelled to retreat, but he determined on striking a blow abandoning the fortress that had cost so much to take as well as to secure his retreat. This blow was the annihilation of General v d Tamm’s army which on the 21^st February Lieutenant General Mercury attacked with his whole force consisting of 17 battalions and 4 Cavalry Regiments.

It will be seen from a glance at the plan of the country accompanying this history, that Myjiji is within 50 miles of Kidde, but when it is remembered that after a series of victories Mercury found himself at Myjiji encumbered by sick + wounded, prisoners, captured guns + with an opposing force 20 times as large as his own to bar the way to Kidde which of itself possessed of no mean strength and that an army. Hence as momentous as his own available force was advancing and threatening at once, his flank, communications and safety, it is indeed a wonder that Mercury was not annihilated.

Von Roon the directing genius of his adversaries when the success of his plan seemed imminent, clutching his hands, exclaimed with joy – “Gentlemen, he is lost” –“Let us prepare for the sack of Georgetown”.

Not so however, for in the Battle of Votan Mercury struck such a blow as to secure a safe retreat from the neighbourhood of the capital.

The action commenced by the 92^nd Regt storming a hedge which they however extinguished after setting it on fire. In the same direction on the Road to Kidde the Light Infantry Brigade executed a number of brilliant manoeuvres aided by the 31^st Regt. This had the effect of keeping the enemy’s attention to his Right which was enveloped in a cordon of the 20^th Larossans whose sharpshooters by a vigilant fire masked the movement of the light cavalry.

On the enemy’s left the great Georland general, then thrust the Irish Battallions supported by the A.O.G. [Artillery of the Guard] and 6^th Dragoons. These met with little opposition, and, after a skilful and decisive charge of the 6^th Drag[oons], whereby the Regiment of Prussian Uhlans was annihilated and their standard captured: the troops after repeatedly charging the Wurtemberg Battallion that slowly gave way; till, Spieroud was reached. A squadron of Uhlans charging the A.O.G. was blown and shattered by the discharge. In like manner the 4^th Battallion 66^th Wurtemberg Regt was destroyed.

The A.O.G. then stormed the village driving out the remnants of the 66^th, of which the 5^th Battallion alone remained entire, but being pursued, and thrown into disorder it layed down its arms. Spieroud, having been committed to the flames by Major Bing + DG the troops pressed on to the left, passing between the Spieroud morass + the Berg der Balthőwe In the meantime, the left mainly composed of Guards had advanced on the Centre of the enemy. The Budavaren wood was stormed by the 2^nd Battⁿ Coldstream Guards and 32^nd Foot + Gren[adier] Guards. Advancing, the troop, after taking a hedge, which was well defended and caused great loss to the Coldstreams and Grenadiers, effected a junction with the Division coming from Spieroud.

Thus the Right of the enemy was in danger of being cut off, and accordingly the Prussian Guards were brought up from Votan to protect the inevitable retreat. Throughout the campaign these German veterans behaved like heroes of St Privat, and now, the first time they were brought to face the Georland warriors they proved their sterling worth, and, from the subsequent events in which they were engaged, it will be seen that, with few exceptions, they gave way to none but the elite of H.I.M.’s army, and those the Guards, and of these: the best. The Guards being in position, facing the Right wing under Lt Genl Drouot from Spieroud; stood firm whilst the greater part of the Prussian right, near Myjiji, retreated; but they were in confusion and before all had passed the road the Prussian Guards, by repeated volleys from the Georland guns, were well nigh annihilated.

By the advance of Maj Genl Drouot’s Divn the remains were swept away, and nothing remained to preserve that numberless crowd, from destruction except the Ellelan Berg a high hill which overlooked Votan which the 23^rd 79^th + Grenadier Regts stormed and the troops, driving the headlong mass of fugitives before, overcoming all opposition entered Votan at 6 pm. The heights of Balthőwe however rendered a stay in Votan impracticable as long as von der Tann and his 500* men (*in future the troops will be expressed as ordinary troops. Hitherto they have been expressed in hundreds) was there, and Mercury with his force reduced one half, after burning Votan to the ground withdrew to Myjiji. The victory was however complete. For whilst Mercury lost 500 killed and 2,900 wounded the Germans lost 12,500 killed and 7,400 wounded, besides leaving in Mercury’s hands 21 guns and 7 colors and 2,800 prisoners.

We cannot conclude our story of this great action without noticing the death of Field Marshal von Manteuffel who was killed on the Votan road during the retreat. He fell whilst attempting to infuse in his flying soldiers the bravery of a Prussian commander in whose experience in Denmark Bavaria Germany and France, were as nought before Viscount Faschel who thus signally defeated the accomplished soldier of Germany.

By the decisive battle of Votan fought Feb 21^st 1874 Lieut Gen^l Viscount Faschel had removed the great bar to his safe return to Georland, which was become more imperatively necessary since the arrival of a despatch from H.I.M. which revealed the utter frustration of the country, for besides and invasion by sea, the Germans had entered Georland en route for Waguli. Thus, to all appearance, was the noble lord’s retreat cut off.

But having previously sent off the prisoners to Cetoy, and blown up the fortifications of Myjiji, the Lieut Genl commenced a hasty but orderly retreat which was well covered by the Coldstream Guards and the Light Cavalry Brigade under Brigadier Cambridge.

General Black, whose force had fell back on Litkid, after the defeat of Field Marshal Manteuffel now marched to intercept Viscount Faschel’s retreat, and arrived before Cetoy where the main body of the Viscount’s force had arrived Feb 28^th; and immediately attacked the Georlanders. On the left the 12^th Prussian Brigade in vain ascended the height on which Cetoy is built being mown down by the A.O.G. + 88^th Foot who coolly delivered their volleys.

On the right and centre, however, a temporary success was gained though at fearful cost, whole Battalions being swept away by the Georland battery on the Difonaur Road. The 92nd regiment was unfortunately ridden down by an overwhelming force of Cavalry Uhlans Hussars and Dragoons; whom, the terrific fire of the Georland Battery at Cetoy, and Grenadier Guards, could not turn, but only check, in their headlong rush; till a magnificent charge of the gallant and well known veterans the 5 DG proved the superiority of the Georland Heavies. After this defeat of his cavalry Black withdrew his force, altho’ his right after forcing the 79^th + 23^rd Regts back to Cetoy had maintained its success. He had lost 1600 prisoners, 4,300 killed + 6,200 wounded with 3 colors. His adversaries lost but 600 killed + wounded.

Abandoning his hasty retreat Lieut Genl Mercury sent a column in pursuit of General Black. He with the greater part of his force pushed on to Forrad but he advanced north of Fredrichsburg to cooperate with the column in pursuit of Black. This column came up on March 3^rd with Black’s rearguard at Unckor, about 5 miles before Difonaur where after hard fighting, the Light and Heavy Cavalry Brigades succeeded in driving the Prussians before them. In the melee the 5^th Dragoon Guards ensign being killed the color was picked up by an Uhlan and, in spite of all the frantic efforts of the gallant regiment; its flag which was a new one and a present from the H.I.M. was borne away. They were rapidly pursued to Difonaur, where Viscount Faschel was attacking the main body.

The gallant Heavy Brigade again charged, and, dispersing a larger force of Cavalry twice as numerous as themselves dashed into the streets of Difonaur. In the meanwhile Viscount Faschel had turned Difonaur on the Left and the enemy was thus compelled to make a hasty retreat to protect their stores + which afterwards were taken. The fury of the 5^th Dragoon Guards’ onslaught served in great measure to win the battle and their gallant conduct was rewarded by the recovery of their flag. Viscount Faschel lost [number] killed + 25 wounded whilst general Black left 1200 prisoners 14 guns + 4 colors in the hands of his successful opponents, as also his killed + wounded, which amounted to 4400.

General Black being thus, by the 2 actions of Cetoy and Waspos-Difonaur, removed from the path to Georland Mercury continued his retreat to Georland, but he now found himself in a worse position than ever. Waguli, where he must cross the Galsher, was in the hands of his foes who had there full 80,000 men there and 30,000 men were marching to cut off his retreat to Laros, in case the Viscount should be forced to take that step.

General F [left blank] who commanded at Waguli sent a division of 20,000 men to attack the Georlanders to force them back.

Viscount Faschel having drawn his little force (a force which with reinforcements received from Georgetown, numbered but 2,000 men, of whom scarcely half were in the field) upon the hill of Mahruit which commands the road from Waguli + the village of Mahruit beneath.

The 5^th Prussian Army Corps had scarcely entered the contest ere the 6^th Dragoons charged with reckless daring the Left wing of the 5^th Corps which had been disordered and half destroyed by the Art of the Guard which had suddenly unmasked a heavy Battery right on their flank. The 6^th furiously dashed among the shattered Battalions cutting down all before them, being ably supported by the 5^th Dragoon Guards and A.O.G. The Right wing having been served in like manner, the whole of the 5^th Corps began a disorderly retreat which the Light Cavalry Brigade taking advantage of a large number of prisoners were taken, for 6000 Prussians 7 guns + 4 standards were captured and the Lieut general with the trifling loss of 200 killed and 1100 wounded, had inflicted a loss of 3900 killed and 6000 wounded with the capture of 2,900 prisoners upon his advance.

But the Corps of 30,000 men were now before Forrad, thus preventing the Viscount from turning back. With a diminished force the noble lord determined to make an attempt to break through at Waguli rather than capitulate.

The battles of Waguli form such a remarkable illustration of strategy, and splendid heroic achievements that a big notice of that scene of the great three days strife would we trust prove acceptable to the readers. The country round Waguli to the north is hilly, whilst on the south it is flat. Two hills on the right bank of the Galsher, command a fine front and offer a good position for an army. These hills are Mount Legu + Ohuhib; but they have the disadvantage of the Galsher flowing behind them. On the other bank three much smaller hills the Jule, Opthow and Gilhill Hills border the river, the Gilhill being the largest of the three. Its importance, as regards the safety of Waguli, is great, as with the great roads from Fredrichsburg, Lantarb, Pelito, Smatsche + Georgetown meet, besides the advantage it possesses of overlooking the town. It was the possession of this hill on the 2^nd day’s fight which decided the victory.

The Prussians were placed on the first line of hills (Mt Legu + Ohuhib) where Mercury on the 11^th March 1874 suddenly attacked them. The movement although sudden was not unexpected for as he was hemmed in between two armies, it was certain that he must endeavour to break out somewhere, and if he got through at Waguli he was comparatively safe, as Pelito would henceforth shelter his army.

That army, scarcely 13,000, which 20,000 strong had marched from Laros, was yet infused with the indomitable spirit of its noble commander.

The allied German line was posted on the two hills, and waiting for the attack when Viscount Faschel, after skilfully masking his movements from Mt Legu to Waguli, led two brigades in column to force the valley between Ohuhib + Waguli which 6 battalions held and poured a terrific fire on the advancing column. Mercury after addressing a spirited address to the Irish Brigade in which he said “To you this day I have committed the fate, the fortunes + success of this desperation” – led forward his pet Regt the Connaught Rangers, which by its daring bravery during the campaign had scarcely 700 men fit for action.

With the thrilling yell which Erin’s sons can alone give, they darted forward and, bayonetting the gunners at the guns, followed by the whole division, they rushed upon the infantry, who, at 80 yards, coolly delivered volley after volley with the precision + slaughter which the needle gun gives. Rank after Rank fell, and the troops wavered, when the General, the brave Mercury heading on the column which again pushed on with impetuosity, charging the foe, and scattering his troops like chaff before the wind. The valley was in entire possession of the Georland troops, but at what a sacrifice. Upwards of 1000 men lay in the grasp of death, including the General himself, who, having achieved such victories on foreign territories, should fall in his own country when the star of victory was beaming with hope again on those shouldered bayonets, on whom had glistened the dew of Faschel, Laros, + Fredrichsburg, on which the bloody rust of Rebel, Kaiserlich or German still traced its mouldy spot, acquired amidst the carnage of Powgen Routsbach, + Myjiji, or the fields of Aldesk, Desundra + Votan.

The wounded general in vain endeavoured to ride with his troops, but was carried off in a faint.

The column, enraged at the fall of the beloved Mercury, wheeling to the left, with reckless fury carried the Ohuhib driving a disordered multitude before them.

In the meanwhile Brigadier General Cambridge at the head of his Grenadiers stormed Adehil a little village in the valley of Mt Legu, the possession of which cut off all communication twixt Mounts Legu + Ohuhib.

The troops on Shukhil therefore, being surrounded on three sides with the river Galsher in their rear laid down their arms.

In like manner the Brigade on Mount Legu was forced to surrender and by 5 pm on the 11^th the Right Bank of the Galsher was cleared.

(This day’s fighting put the Georlanders in possession of 10,700 prisoners +4 guns + 9 colors). With a loss of 900 killed + 2,300 wounded they inflicted a loss of 3,400 killed and 5,800 wounded upon the foe.

Having thrown a pontoon bridge across the Galsher during the night, early on the 12^th the troops began to cross.

The passage effected after a tough struggle, Huerry, the village on the Lantarb road fell into the hands of BG Cambridge’s Brigade. Maj Genl Flasher (who had fought on the 11^th with extraordinary skill + bravery, and had drawn up the plan of operations) with his brigade stormed + took the Ophul Hill, after an immense loss of life. The possession of the hill, however, forced the enemy to quit the neighbouring hamlets which might have retarded the progress of MG Hasher. They, being shelled, the enemy beat a quick retreat from the Chateau, Du Maison Blanche Reon + Noir in which they suffered loss. Maj Gen^l Hasher now pressing forward, after another hard fight found himself on the Gilhill with Waguli at his feet.

This closed the operations of the 10th March.

Lt Genl Drouot who had succeeded to the command on the wounding of Viscount Faschel, with his division was before Waguli on the Forrad road. While MG Hasher’s division on the Gi8lhill effectively prevented all egress from the town on that side. A mortar battery erected on the Gilhill was playing havoc among the crowded streets of Waguli. Maddened by defeat a last attempt on the 13^th was made to burst through toward Forrad, but after a trifling success, on the arrival of Lt Genl Drouot with reinforcements, the attempt was turned into a signal + final disaster, and after General Skidspluit in vain attempted to negotiate a retreat he was now forced to capitulate with his whole remaining force of 10,700 men. His losses on the 12^th + 13^th were respectively 2,800 killed + 5,400 wounded and 1,300 killed + 4,500 wounded. The Georlanders lost 700 killed and 5,500 wounded on the 12^th and only 200 killed and 400 wounded on the 13th.

This victory of Waguli by its magnitude, importance, and unparalleled series of victories eclipse all other actions before this date. The great victories of H.I.M. at Nukhelhunder, Firban, or Harper alike bow down before the glory of the 3 days fight at Waguli. Not even Votan, the greatest of Viscount Faschel’s achievements, can stand comparison with this triple victory, which will render the names of Mercury, Drouot and Hasher immortal for ever, in that long muster roll of those great men whose great deeds have embellished their country of Georland with glory, honor power and blessing now and ever more: Amen.

On the 14^th the corps which had come from Forrad was held in check by the blowing up of the bridge of the Jiffy which was effected by the 3 [sic] Regt at a small cost of life.

The retreat was now continued, and on the 21^st March the remnants of the army of Fredrichsburg made their triumphal procession into Georgetown. They mustered but 5,800 men of all arms. The convoys of sick, wounded and prisoners, the latter numbering some 30,000 of which 23,900 were taken at Waguli, were endless.

In this last action besides the General, Brigadier General Cambridge + Brigadier General Cameron of Lice were both wounded.

Sixty-six guns and 22 Colors were taken at Waguli, and the enormous number of one hundred and eighty-three guns and fifty four colors; with seven hundred and ninety four ammunition Waggons, Commissary Carts, tumbrils etc. graced the triumph of the campaign.

Of these

taken		at the battle of	on date	enemy prisoners	Georland losses
Colors	guns				killed	wounded	notes
5	5	Lice	Feb 6	1,500	800	1,100	where Mercury lost
2	41	Storms of Myjiji	“    13	300	1,900	5,800
7	29	do (castle)	“    13	3,300
7	21	Votan	“    21	2,800	5,000	2,900
3	-	Cetoy	“    28	1,600	200	400
4	14	Difonaur	Mar 3	1,200	600	1,500
4	7	Mahruit	“     7	2,900	200	1,100
9	24	} } Waguli }	“     11	*10,700	900	2,300
3	17		“     12	*2,500	700	5,500
10	25		“     13	*10,700	200	500
54	183			37,500	10,500	21,100

* Waguli total prisoners taken 23,900, 1,800 killed and 8,300 wounded

In this Campaign the total Georland loss was 31,600 men and the total Prussian loss 35,000 killed + 53,800 wounded together in casualties 88,800 men, which with 37,500 prisoners makes up the enormous amount of 126,300 rendered useless to the Prussians, by the first, and now after his final Fredrichsburg Campaign, avowedly the best of the generals of the Imperator.