ABSTRACT
In the autumn of 1760 Berlin was occupied for a few days by enemy troops for the second time during the Seven Years War. A Russian flying column, under General Tottleben, 1 suddenly appeared before the Halle Gate on 3 October. Prince Eugen of Württemberg marched forty miles to Berlin to assist in the defence of the city. Tottleben retired to Köpenick. But when Austrian troops under Count Lacy occupied Potsdam and Charlottenburg the defenders of Berlin decided to withdraw to Spandau. The Prussian capital was left to its fate. The municipal authorities decided to capitulate to the Russians and not to the Austrians. Tottleben entered Berlin on 9 October. The Austrians—ignored in the discussions between Tottleben and the Berlin city council—also forced their way into the city. At first the Russians demanded the large sum of 4,000,000 thalers in specie in return for a guarantee to respect the private property of the citizens. 2 Karl David Kircheisen, Burgomaster of Berlin, 3 was reduced to such a state of nervous prostration that the Russians believed him to be intoxicated and declined to negotiate with him.
