150 Kitnersdorf and Maxen. 1759

and requisitions in kind were extorted from Saxony, and

from Mecklenburg-Schwerin and other states of the

Empire; which had taken a prominent part against

Prussia, and the rest of the 25,000,000 thalers (3,750,0007.)

which were needed for the war was made up by debasing

the coinage. Every penny that could be raised went to

the army, which even in the worst times was tolerably well

fed and regularly paid, so that, in spite of the fearful severity

of Prussian discipline, many deserters came over from the

enemy to join its ranks. No new taxes were imposed,

but all civil officers were left unpaid, receiving instead of

their salaries promises to pay on the conclusion of peace.

The summer was half gone before there was any

serious fighting. Frederick had got together

theecan?°f I253000 men °f some sort, besides garrison

paign of troops, but he no longer felt strong enough to

I759' take the initiative, and the Austrians were

equally indisposed to attack without the co-operation of

their allies. Towards the middle of July the Russians,

under Count SoltikorT, issued from Posen, advanced to

the Oder, and after defeating a weak Prussian corps near

Kay, took possession of Frankfort. It now

Ka^or0*" became necessary for the king to march in per-

ZiiiKchau, son against them, the more especially as Lau-

u y 2lD' don with 18,000 Austrians was on his way to

join SoltikorT. Before he could reach Frankfort, Laudon,

eluding with much dexterity the vigilance of his enemies,

effected his junction, and Frederick, with 48,000 men,

found himself confronted by an army 78,000 strong.

The Russians were encamped on the heights of

Kunersdorf, east of Frankfort, carefully en-

AusS"nand trenched and provided with a very numerous

position at artillery. To the westward, closer to the

Kunersdorf. _.,._,., _ , ,

Oder, lay Laudon, in the most favourable situa-
tion for succouring Soltikoff if he should be beaten.