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 6th
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 79th
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 79th 88th 92nd + 20th Foot +15th
+ 16th Horse Regiments.
The
20th (Larossan) a nearby regiment was extended on the bank of the
river and the 79th + 92nd 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, 1st Battalion
could plant their feet on the causeway, a ringing volley announced that 3/5ths
of the Battalion had crossed the gate of Hell 1/5th were above
enjoying the reward of virtue and general goodness the remaining 1/5th
were dispersed. Being reinforced however the column again came on but the
galling fire of the gallant 20th 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 92nd, 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
15th + 16th 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 13th stormed Myjiji at an
immense sacrifice of life losing 19 killed and 49 wounded. The Coldstream
Guards 20th 23rd 20th [sic] 57th 51st 35th 88th
+ 92nd 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 21st
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 92nd 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 31st Regt. This had the effect of keeping
the enemy’s attention to his Right which was enveloped in a cordon of the 20th
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 6th Dragoons. These met with little opposition, and,
after a skilful and decisive charge of the 6th 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 4th Battallion 66th
Wurtemberg Regt was destroyed.
The
A.O.G. then stormed the village driving out the remnants of the 66th,
of which the 5th 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 2nd Battn Coldstream
Guards and 32nd 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 23rd 79th
+ 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 21st 1874 Lieut Genl
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 28th;
and immediately attacked the Georlanders. On the left the 12th
Prussian Brigade in vain ascended the height on which Cetoy is built being mown
down by the A.O.G. + 88th 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 79th + 23rd 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 3rd 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 5th
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 5th 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
5th Prussian Army Corps had scarcely entered the contest ere the 6th
Dragoons charged with reckless daring the Left wing of the 5th 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 6th
furiously dashed among the shattered Battalions cutting down all before them,
being ably supported by the 5th Dragoon Guards and A.O.G. The Right
wing having been served in like manner, the whole of the 5th 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 2nd day’s fight which decided the victory.
The
Prussians were placed on the first line of hills (Mt Legu + Ohuhib) where
Mercury on the 11th 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 11th 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 12th
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 11th 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 Genl
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 13th
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 12th + 13th 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 12th 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 14th 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 21st 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.
