They were not
satisfied with this--they were haughty and bold enough to seek for
allies among the Prussians, and hoped to obtain entrance into the
walls of the cities, and possession of the fortresses by treachery.
The Austrian and Russian prisoners confined in the fortress of
Kustrin conspired to give it up to the enemy. The number of Russian
prisoners sent to the fortress of Kustrin after the battle of
Zorndorf, was twice as numerous as the garrison, and if they could
succeed in getting possession of the hundred cannon captured at
Zorndorf, and placed as victorious trophies in the market-place, it
would be an easy thing to fall upon and overcome the garrison.
This plan was all arranged, and about to be carried out, but it was
discovered the day before its completion. The Prussian commander
doubled the guard before the casemates in which three thousand
Russian prisoners were confined, and arrested the Russian officers.
Their leader, Lieutenant von Yaden of Courland, was accused,
condemned by the court-martial, and, by the express command of the
king, broken upon the wheel. Even this terrible example bore little
fruit. Ever new attempts were being made--ever new conspiracies
discovered amongst the prisoners; and whilst the armies of the
allies were attacking Prussia outwardly, the prisoners were carrying
on a not less dangerous guerilla war--the more to be feared because
it was secret--not in the open field and by day, but under the
shadow of night and the veil of conspiracy.
Pages:
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573