"DINGELFINGEN, 17th MAY, 1743. At Dingelfingen on the Iser, a
strongish central post of the French, about fifty miles farther
down than that Schloss of Wolnzach, there is a second argument,--
much corroborative of the Kaiser's reasoning. About sunrise of the
17th, the Austrians, in sufficient force, chiefly of Pandours,
appeared on the heights to the south: they had been foreseen the
night before; but the French covering General, luckier than
Minuzzi, did not wait for them; only warned Dingelfingen, and
withdrew across the River, to wait there on the safe left bank.
Leader of the Austrians was one Leopold Graf von Daun, active man
of thirty-five, already of good rank, who will be much heard of
afterwards; Commandant in Dingelfingen is a Brigadier du Chatelet,
Marquis du Chatelet-Lamont; whom--after search (in the interest of
some idle readers)--I discover to be no other than the Husband of a
certain Algebraic Lady! Identity made out, mark what a pass he is
at. Count Daun comes on in a tempest of furious fire; 'very heavy,'
they say, from great guns and small; till close upon the place,
when he summons Du Chatelet: 'No;' and thereupon attempts scalade.
Cannot scalade, Du Chatelet and his people being mettlesome;
takes then to flinging shells, to burning the suburbs; Town itself
catches fire,--Town plainly indefensible. 'Truce for one hour'
proposes Du Chatelet (wishful to consult the covering General
across the River): 'No,' answers Daun. So that Du Chatelet has to
jumble and wriggle himself out of the place; courageous to the
last; but not in a very Parthian fashion,--great difficulty to get
his bridge ruined (very partially ruined), behind him;--and joins
the covering General, in a flustery singed condition! Were not
pursued farther by Daun:--and Prince Conti, Head General in those
parts, called it a fine defence, on examining."
[ Campagnes, viii. 239; Espagnac, i. 187;