Didn’t Russia’s exit from the war in 1762, after Tsarina Elisabeth’s death, save Prussia from what seemed like a hopeless situation? The Battle of Freiberg on October 29, 1762, marked the last major engagement of the Seven Years’ War. It wasn’t quite over. Austria and the Reichsarmee continued fighting.
Here at the Schlacht bei Freiberg, Prince Heinrich of Prussia initially fought successfully against the Reichsarmee. However, General Seydlitz’s defeat near Teplitz on August 2, 1762, put them in a tough spot. The loss of a large part of Saxony loomed. Yet, Frederick II insisted on keeping Saxony largely under Prussian control. These occupied areas were bargaining chips for the upcoming peace talks.
Near Freiberg, Prince Heinrich commanded 24 battalions. He also had seven free battalions and 72 squadrons. This equaled 15,636 infantrymen and 7,021 cavalrymen. In total, he had 22,657 soldiers. The Reichsarmee, under Prince zu Stolberg-Gedern, had 45 battalions and 74 squadrons. They totaled 31,000 soldiers. Reinforcements under Prince Albert of Saxony were expected.
Prince Heinrich decided to fight to drive the Reichsarmee out of Saxony. On the night of October 28, the Prussians advanced in four divisions. They moved against the enemy who had built a fortified camp.
General von Belling led the first attack. He captured a hill. A battery was set up there. It bombarded the enemy’s right flank. The Prussian vanguard advanced over Wegefarth and Oberschöna. They drove off the Hussars stationed there. Then, they turned against the Reichsarmee’s left flank. The Reichsarmee did not evade this maneuver. They only engaged in an artillery duel.
The Prussian infantry then seized access to the enemy position. A Prussian cavalry attack under General von Seydlitz pushed back the Reichsarmee’s infantry. The battle lasted only two hours. Both sides fought hard. The Reichsarmee had to retreat across the Mulde.
With the Schlacht bei Freiberg, the campaign in Saxony ended. King Frederick praised his brother. He said, “The good news has rejuvenated me by twenty years. Yesterday I was sixty, today I am eighteen years old. You provide such significant service to the state that I cannot thank you enough and reserve the right to do so personally.” He added, “Through this victory, you will claim the glory of having dealt the final blow to Austrian stubbornness.”
Indeed, the Reichsarmee’s and Austrians’ situation in Saxony became untenable. The Prussian victory led to a desire for peace on all sides. Frederick the Great admitted his brother was the only general who made no mistakes during the war.