Winterfeldt has shortened my days, but I die content in knowing that
so bad, so dangerous a man is no longer in the army." [Footnote: The
prince's own words. He died the 12th of June, 1758, at thirty-six
years of age. As his adjutant, Von Hagen, brought the news of his
death to the king, Frederick asked, "Of what disease did my brother
die?"
"Grief and shame shortened his life," said the officer. Frederick
turned his back on him without a reply, and Von Hagen was never
promoted.
The king erected a monument to Winterfeldt, Ziethen, and Schwerin,
but he left it to his brother Henry to erect one to the Prince of
Prussia. This was done in Reinenz, where a lofty pyramid was built
in honor of the heroes of the Seven Years' War. The names of all the
generals, and all the battles they had gained were engraven upon it,
and it was crowned by a bust of Augustus William, the great-
grandfather of the present King of Prussia.
The king erected a statue to Winterfeldt, and forgot his brother,
and now Prince Henry forgot to place Winterfeldt's name among the
heroes of the war. When the monument was completed, the prince made
a speech, which was full of enthusiastic praise of his beloved
brother, so early numbered with the dead.
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