De Latte's Dispatch to Priness Antonia III. . .

30 July 1768

My Dearest Princess Antonia,

In a week’s time, I will advance my army to contact with Stollenian forces. An understrength, dispersed army is reported to be arrayed loosely around Pelnikkel , a small town two days march into the Grand Duchy of Stollen. I am most confident that my army can surprise and overwhelm General von Drosselmaier’s troops before they have a chance to concentrate and offer any real resistance.

It will be easy to defeat von Drosselmaier’s motley collection of grenadiers, dragoons, and musketeers. We will then advance along the postal road into Krankenstadt, the capital of Stollen, and force Irwin-Amadeus II to return what is rightfully yours . . . The Duchy of Scleiz

I have received word recently of a draft of troops from our ally Pillau-Zerbst, which will augment our own already strong army. These men are on their way from Schmitten under the command of one Captain Ernst Licentius von Meckern. He is young, but sounds imminently corruptible if his correspondence is anything to go by. If this proves to be the case, I will naturally groom the young man and make sure that he is sent to your summer residence at the earliest possible convenience.

I remain your humble servant.

Yours,

De Latté