Kunersdorf, a village of Prussia, near Frankfort - on - the - Oder, noted for a battle fought Aug. 12, 1759. After the failure of Gen. Wedel (July 23) to prevent the junction of the Russians and Austrians on the Oder, Frederick instructed Prince Henry to replace him in watching the main Austrian army under Daun, while he crossed the Oder and gave battle to the allies. Despite a furious fire, he stormed the Muhlberg, turning the Russian left wing, and considered the day his, when, owing both to the difficulties of the ground and the wearied condition of his troops, with whom he now assailed the strongly posted right wing, the tide turned in favor of the allies. The latter, out of an army variously estimated at from 60,000 to 90,000, lost 18,000, and according to some authorities 24,000; while the Prussians, out of an army of 40,000 to 50,000 men, lost in killed and wounded 19,000, or according to others 26,000, and almost all their batteries. Gen. Puttkammer and the poet Chr. Ewald von Kleist fell. Frederick had two horses shot under him, and escaped capture only through one of his officers.

The principal Russian commander was Soltikoff, and the victory was chiefly decided by the panic created among the Prussians by the Austrian general Laudon's impetuous cavalry attack on their flank.