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Before Wedell's catastrophe, the Affair of those Haddick-Loudon Detachments had become a little plainer to Friedrich. The intention, he begins to suspect, is not for Berlin at all; but for junction with Soltikof, at Crossen, or wherever it may be. This is in fact their real purpose; and this, beyond almost Berlin itself, it is in the highest degree important to prevent!
July 30th, one week after his Battle, the vanguard of him is there. Thus, in two days, or even in one, has Wedell's Dictatorship ended. Easy to say scoffingly, "Would it had never begun!" Friedrich knows that, and Wedell knows it; AFTER the event everybody knows it! The Wedell Problem, in such ruined condition, has now fallen to Friedrich himself.
Some time before Wedell's affair, Friedrich had pushed out Eugen of Wurtemberg to watch these people on the eastern side; suspicious that thitherward lay their real errand. Eugen had but 6,000; and, except in conjunction with Finck and Henri, could do nothing, nor can, now when Friedrich's suspicion turns out to be fatally true.
Wedell instantly took his measures; not unskilfully, say judges, though the result proved disappointing; and Wobersnow himself earnestly dissuaded: "Too questionable, I should doubt! Wedell's people have already, of their own accord, got to arms again; stand waiting his orders on this new emergency. No delay in Wedell or in them.
Friedrich had observed his fiery ways on the day of Leuthen: "Hah, a new Winterfeld perhaps?" thought Friedrich, "All the Winterfeld I now have!" which proved a fond hope. Wedell's Dictatorship began this Sunday towards sunset; and lasted in practical fact, it lasted one day.
Which was far from a right reading of Soltikof; the fact being that Soltikof, in long columns and divisions, beginning with his right wing, was all on march since daybreak; what Wedell took for Soltikof's "left wing" being Soltikof's rear-guard and baggage, waiting till the roads cleared. This is what Wedell cannot suffer, cost what it may. Wedell's orders were, in such case, Attack the Russians.
Soltikof's loss of men is reckoned to be heavier even than Wedell's: but he could far better afford it. He has gained his point; and the price is small in comparison. Next day he enters Crossen on triumphant terms. Poor Wedell had returned over Kay-Mill Bridge, in the night-time after his Defeat. At Crossen, triumphant Soltikof has found no Austrian Junction, nor anything additional to live upon.
The King has been punctual to his reckoning: he picked up Wedell at Mullrose, not too cordial to Wedell's people: "None of you speak to those beaten wretches," ordered he; "till perhaps they wipe off their Zullichau stain!" On the 7th, Friedrich advanced to Frankfurt neighborhood; took Camp between Wulkow and Lebus; and has just been out reconnoitring.
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