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Saxon Revolt

While Fredrick drew forces eastwards to bolster his slowly shrinking army, it unavoidable leave garrisons in other areas weaker than desired.

A reformed Saxon army, made up mostly of troops that deserted Prussia in mass for Austria during the Battle of Prague, coordinated with locals in occupied Saxony who were increasingly resisting the heavy taxing and conscription Fredrick was forced to implement in order to pay for his campaign.

With the assistance of Austrian leadership, they embarked on a campaign to liberate southern Saxony. On October 12th, An 8,000 strong Austro-Saxon army and 3,000 civilian Saxons took on a 2,000 strong Prussian garrison at Chemnitz, while campaigning to gain what sympathies and recruitment they could from southern Saxony.

Battle of Chemnitz:
Austro-Saxon & Civilian Forces: 1200 dead and wounded.
Prussian Forces: 300 dead and wounded. 1700 retreated.

Clear Saxon Victory

Despite a strong defense, which inflicted a heavy to on the fighting Saxon civilians and conscripts, the Prussians were in danger of getting surrounded. With the town becoming increasing hostile they elected to retreat from the city, falling back to Dresden.

The Saxon army after celebrating its victory would pursue the retreating forces and join with additional Austrian forces at Dresden in an attempt to retake the town as well, and recapture the imposing Königstein Fortress, still ceremoniously commanded by Saxon Lieutenant General Michael Lorenz von Pirch despite Prussian rule, and within it held the Saxon treasury.

A Commander’s Redemption:

Prussian however could not afford to let the taking of the Fortress, the city and the Saxon Treasury go so easily, and held a sizable garrison, further reinforced by some of those retreating from Chemnitz.

On October 25th, a combined Austro-Saxon army led by Major General Ernst Gideon von Laudon encircled the town of Dresden, fighting a brief battle with Prussian forces before settling into the siege. In a display of Propaganda, Laudon, who knew some surrendered Saxon from the beginning of the war still resided in the Prussian forces made sure, the Saxon contingent was visible and flying their colors in full view of the defensive forces. After seven days opportunity arose when fighting broke out between Prussian and Saxon defenders, where after the battle it was learned that von Pirch led his own men in a conflict against the Prussian occupiers, dying to a man to disable the guns at Königstein Fortress, and giving Loudon a chance to storm the fortress. With the fortress secured the city fell soon afterwards

Battle of Dresden:
Prussian Forces: 1500 dead and wounded, 1500 captured.
Astro-Saxon Forces: 1000 dead and wounded.

Austro-Saxon Victory

Michael Lorenz von Pirch would be celebrated long after in Saxony for his heroic sacrifice in the face of the Prussian occupation, and his tale would inspire and boost the morale of Saxon forces as they would begin a vigorous fight to retake their country in the following years.