Zorndorf

A village of Pru ia, province of Brandenburg, 4 miles north of Kustrin, and was the scene of the bloodiest of the many desperate conflicts of the Seven Years’ War. The Ru ians having for the second time been ordered by the czarina Elizabeth to invade Pru ia, advanced towards Berlin, committing frightful devastations, while Frederick the Great, with the bulk of his forces, was engaged with the Austrians in Silesia and Saxony. The Ru ians, under Fermor, were 50,000 strong, and easily drove before them Dohna’s little Pru ian army of 15,000; but Frederick hastened northwards with such reinforcements as raised the army to 30,000; and after taking care, by the breaking down of bridges, etc., to cut off their retreat, engaged the invaders. The battle was commenced at eight on the morning of August 25, 1758, and lasted till evening, consisted mainly in a succe ion of furious charges, accompanied with a tremendous artillery-fire, and was not decided till Seidlitz, by an able movement, turned the Ru ian flank. The next morning Fermor drew off his forces, diminished by 20,000 men, 103 cannon, and 27 standards; having inflicted on the Pru ians a lo of 13,000 men, 26 cannon, and a few standards.