History of Friedrich II of Prussia Volumes 10 - 15: Frederick the Great

Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great) (January 24, 1712 August 17, 1786) King of Prussia Rein 1740 to 1786. Under his leadership, Prussia created the foremost military power in Europe. Excerpt "KOLITZ, 2d JULY, 1737. This day, the Army not being on march, but allowed to rest itself, Grand Duke Franz went into the woods to hunt. Hunting up and down, he lost himself; did not return at evening; and, as the night closed in and no Generalissimo visible, the Generalissimo AD LATUS (such the title they had contrived for Seckendorf) was in much alarm. Generalissimo AD LATUS ordered out his whole force of drummers, trumpeters: To fling themselves, postwise, deeper and deeper into the woods all round; to drum there, and blow, in ever-widening circle, in prescribed notes, and with all energy, till the Grand Duke were found. Grand Duke being found, Seckendorf remonstrated, rebuked; a thought too earnestly, some say, his temper being flurried,"--voice snuffling somewhat in alt, with lisp to help: --"so that the Grand Duke took offence; flung off in a huff: and always looked askance on the Feldmarschall from that time;"