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War of the Austrian Succession (1740-8)

Includes much of the mapping collected by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, as Captain General of the British army

ANONYMOUS

Battle of Kesselsdorf, 1745

PLAN / von der / BATAILLE / beÿ / KESSELSDORFF / Woselbst die Königl: Preussl: Armee unter Comando Sr: Durchl= / des Fursten von Anhalt Dessau einen glorwürdigen Sieg über die / combinirte Oesterreichische u: Chur...

1745 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: not stated. 1:36,000 approx. | RCIN 729159

A map of the Battle of Kesselsdorf, fought on 15 December 1745 between the Prussian army, commanded by Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747) and the Austro-Saxon army, commanded by Field Marshal Frederick Augustus, Count Rutowsky (1702-64), resulting in a Prussian victory. War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48). Oriented with north to top.

In the same hand as RCINs 729116 and 729157.

This topographical map, with its green woods and blue streams, the carmine-coloured buildings, does not convey the icy terrain of 15 December 1745. Dresden, on the eastern margin of the map, was to be the venue for the talks which led to the Treaty of Dresden, 18 December 1745, recognising the transfer of Silesia from Austria to Prussia. The defense of the city was entrusted to Count Rutowski with his Saxon army, with, theoretically, the 46,000-strong Austrian army led by Prince Charles of Lorraine. In the event, the conflict was between Prince Leopold's Prussian army, which had advanced from the west, and Count Rutowksi's forces. The loss of life was substantial.

Additional text: [top right, below title, in title panel, a key, A-I, K, to the march and positions of the armies:] Renvoÿ.

Condition: one fold line; trimmed. Verso: induced discolouration; bottom, right of centre: ghosting from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label.
  • Anonymous (cartographer)

  • Watermark: None

    Mark, stamped: 485

    Condition: one fold line; trimmed. Verso: induced discolouration; bottom, right of centre: ghosting from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label

  • Scale: not stated. 1:36,000 approx.

    45.4 x 61.5 cm (neatline)

    46.0 x 63.2 cm (image)

    48.1 x 64.2 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    PLAN / von der / BATAILLE / beÿ / KESSELSDORFF / Woselbst die Königl: Preussl: Armee unter Comando Sr: Durchl= / des Fursten von Anhalt Dessau einen glorwürdigen Sieg über die / combinirte Oesterreichische u: Chur Saechsische Armee höchst / erfochten haben. [top right, in rectangular panel]

    Additional text:

    Renvoÿ. [top right, below title, in title panel, a key, A-I, K, to the march and positions of the armies]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Battle of Kesselsdorf 15 Dec.r 1745.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, left of centre, black pencil:] 57 [and] Kesselsdorf December 1745 [in Schultz's or Mason's hand?]; [top, right of centre, black pencil:] Battle of Keseldorf; [top right, black pencil:] 1745; [bottom right, black pencil:] 29; [right centre, red pencil:] 57.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Kesselsdorf Plan von der Bataille bey Kesselsdorff woselbst die Konigl. Preussl. Armée unter commando des Fursten von Anhalt Dessau uber die combinirte Oesterrichische und Chur Sachsische Armée hochst erfochten haben, den 15 Dec.r 1745. drawn.

  • Subject(s)

    Kesselsdorf, Saxony, Germany (51°02'00"N 13°35'00"E)

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024