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diff --git a/41689-8.txt b/41689-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 60797bc..0000000 --- a/41689-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9165 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, With an Ambulance During the Franco-German -War, by Charles Edward Ryan - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: With an Ambulance During the Franco-German War - Personal Experiences and Adventures with Both Armies 1870-1871 - - -Author: Charles Edward Ryan - - - -Release Date: December 22, 2012 [eBook #41689] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH AN AMBULANCE DURING THE -FRANCO-GERMAN WAR*** - - -E-text prepared by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (http://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 41689-h.htm or 41689-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41689/41689-h/41689-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41689/41689-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - http://archive.org/details/withambulancedur00ryan - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - A carat character is used to denote superscription. A - single character following the carat is superscripted - (example: Sept^r). Multiple superscripted characters are - enclosed by curly brackets (example: 1^{st}). - - - - - -[Illustration: -James Robinson & Sons Dublin, Photo. -Walker & Boutall Ph. Sc. -Charles E Ryan] - - -WITH AN AMBULANCE DURING THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR - -Personal Experiences and Adventures with Both Armies 1870-1871 - -by - -CHARLES E. RYAN, F.R.C.S.I., M.R.C.P.I. - -Knight of the Order of Louis II, of Bavaria - -With Portrait and Maps - - - - - - - -New York -Charles Scribner's Sons -153-157 Fifth Avenue -1896 - -Aberdeen University Press. - - - - - TO - JAMES TALBOT POWER, - MY OLD FRIEND AND SCHOOLFELLOW, - I DEDICATE - THE FOLLOWING PAGES. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Ere I attempt to set before the public this slight record of my -experiences during the Franco-German War, I must first disclaim all -pretence to literary merit. - -It was written in 1873, and is simply an embodiment of a series of notes -or jottings, taken during the war in my spare moments, together with the -contents of a number of descriptive letters to my friends. They were -written solely for them, and nothing was farther from my mind at the -time than the idea of publication. - -Thus, they remained in a recess of my study for nearly a quarter of a -century, until a new generation had grown up around me; and doubtless, -but for their friendly importunity, there they would have lain until the -memory of their author, like the ink in which they were written, had -faded to a blank. - -I would ask my readers to bear in their kindly recollection that the -scope of such a work as the following must of necessity be limited. - -As a medical man, I had at all times and in all places my duties to -perform; hence I have been unable to be as elaborate as other -circumstances might warrant. - -I would also remind them (and every one who has been through a campaign -will know) how vague and uncertain is the information which subordinates -possess of the general movements of the army with which they are -serving. - -It happens occasionally that they are wholly ignorant of events -occurring around them, the news of which may have already reached the -other side of the world. - -Again, I am greatly impressed with the difficulty of representing, in -anything like adequate language, those scenes--some of which have -already been delineated by the marvellous pen of M. Zola in _La -Débâcle_--which the general public could never have fancied, still less -have realised, except by the aid of a masterly exposition of facts such -as that stirring chronicle of the war has given. In it the writer has -dealt rather with history as it occurred, than invented an imaginary -tale; and those who were eye-witnesses of Sedan can add little to his -description. - -For many reasons, therefore, I am filled with the sense of my own -incompetence to do justice to my subject. But I console myself with the -reflection that my theme is full of interest to the present generation. -Nor does it appear a vain undertaking if one who was permitted to see -much of both sides should give his impressions as they occurred, and in -the language he would have used at the time. My feeling throughout has -been that of a witness under examination. I have endeavoured to narrate -the incidents which I saw, certainly with as close an approach to the -reality as I could command, and, if in a somewhat unvarnished tale, yet, -as I trust, have set down nought in malice. I have added no colour which -the original sketch did not contain; and have been careful not to darken -the shading. - - CHARLES E. RYAN. - - GLENLARA, TIPPERARY, - _January, 1896_. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -FROM DUBLIN TO PARIS VIA BRUSSELS.--THE WAR FEVER.--LEVIES TO THE FRONT. - - -The first question friends will naturally ask is, how I came to think of -going abroad to take part in the struggle between France and Germany, -what prompted me to do so, and by what combination of circumstances my -hastily arranged plans were realised. - -These points I will endeavour to explain. From the outset of the war I -took a deep interest in the destinies of France, and warmly sympathised -with her in her affliction. I longed earnestly to be of some service to -her; indeed, my enthusiasm was so great at the time that I would even -have fought for her could I have done so. I was then studying medicine -in Dublin, and was in my twenty-first year. Just about the time of the -battles of Weissenburg and Wörth nearly every one in Dublin was -collecting old linen to make _charpie_ for the French wounded; and, as I -could do nothing else, I exerted myself in getting together from my -friends all the material I could procure for the purpose. Day by day -news poured in of French defeats following one another in close -succession, with long lists of killed and wounded; while among other -details I learnt that the French were very short of medical men and -skilled dressers, and that the sufferings of the wounded were, in -consequence, beyond description. I thought to myself, "Now is my -opportunity. If I could but get out to those poor fellows I might render -them some substantial assistance; and what an amount of suffering might -one not alleviate did one but give them a draught of cold water to -appease their agonising thirst!" - -For a few days these thoughts occupied my mind almost to the exclusion -of every other. It happened one evening, when I was returning by train -from Kingstown, that I met Dr. Walshe, surgeon to Jervis Street -Hospital. During the course of our conversation, which was upon the then -universal topic of the Franco-German War, he remarked that if he were -unmarried and as young and active as I was, he would at once go over to -France, and seek a place either in a military field hospital or in an -ambulance, or endeavour to get into the Foreign Legion, which was then -being enrolled, adding, that he greatly wondered no one as yet had left -Dublin with this object. I replied, "I shall be the first, then, to lead -the way"; and there and then made up my mind to set out. - -It was the 12th of August, 1870. - -I endeavoured to discover some kindred spirit who would come out with me -and share my adventures, but not one could I find. Those who had not -very plausible reasons at hand, to disguise those which perhaps they -had, laughed at my proposal, and appeared to look upon me as little -better than a mad fellow. How could I dream of going out alone to a -foreign country, where the fiercest war of the century was raging? Even -some of my professors joined in the laugh, and good-humouredly wished me -God-speed and a pleasant trip, adding that they were sure I should be -back again in a few days. Two of them had, in fact, just returned from -Paris, where they could find nothing to do; and they reported that it -was dangerous to remain longer, as the populace were marching up and -down the streets in the most disorderly fashion, and strangers ran no -small risk of being treated as Prussian spies. - -All this was unpleasant to hear; but I was determined not to be -thwarted; and so, portmanteau in hand, I stepped on board the Kingstown -boat. It was the 15th August, a most glorious autumn evening, and the -sea was beautifully calm. I now felt that my enterprise had begun, and -as I stood on deck watching the beautiful scenery of Dublin Bay receding -from my view, the natural reflection occurred that this might be the -last time I should see my native land. I was leaving the cherished -inmates of that bright little spot, which I now more than ever felt was -my home. It would be my first real experience of the world, and I was -about to enter upon the battle of life alone. - -Arriving in London on the morning of the 16th, and having spent the day -with some of my school friends, in the evening I went on board the -Ostend boat at St. Katharine's wharf. We were to start at four o'clock -next morning. I slept until I was awakened by the rolling of the vessel -out at sea. The boat was a villainous little tub, and appeared to me to -go round like a teetotum. We had an unusually long and rough passage of -sixteen hours, and I was fearfully ill the whole time. When we arrived -at Ostend, so bad was I that I could not leave my cabin until long after -everybody else. Hence a friend of mine, Monsieur le Chevalier de Sauvage -Vercourt, who had come up from Liège to meet me, made certain when he -failed to perceive me among the passengers that I had missed the boat. -On inquiring, however, of the steward if any one had remained below he -discovered me. - -My friend gave me two letters of introduction, one to M. le Vicomte de -Melun, which subsequently got me admitted into "La Société Française -pour le secours aux blessés de terre et de mer"; the other to the Mayor, -M. Lévy, asking him whether he could find a way for me into the Army as -an assistant. When I had pulled myself together a bit, Vercourt and I -dined together in the open air, at a Café on the Grande Promenade. - -It was the fashionable hour, and every one seemed to be in gala dress. -Half, at least, of those we saw were English, the remainder French and -Belgians. It is a curious sensation, that of being for the first time in -a foreign country, where one's whole surroundings differ from all one -has been accustomed to see and hear in one's native land. My boyish -experience made everything, however trivial, a subject of interest. As I -walked through the town with Vercourt, I was greatly struck by the -civility of the people, their cleanliness and the neatness of their -persons and dress, and above all by the absence of any visible -wretchedness even among the poor. - -These points occupied our attention and conversation until we found -ourselves on our way to Brussels. The country through which we passed, -though really most unattractive, had for me many points of interest, and -gave me an agreeable picture of what was meant by "foreign climes". - -The bright clean cottages and farmsteads, with their gardens and -flowers, contrasted lamentably to my mind with the tumble-down -dilapidated hovels of mud, surrounded by slush and water, which I had -been accustomed to see from my childhood. Everything bespoke the -comfort, happiness, and prosperity of these people. The neatly trimmed -hedges with which every field is fenced, the lines of poplars skirting -the roadways and canals give a surprisingly smart and cultivated aspect -to the whole face of the country. I was greatly struck by the blue -smocks and wooden sabots of the men and women. Even the children in the -rural parts of Belgium wear these wooden shoes. During our stoppages at -the different stations the Flemish jargon, as in my untravelled -ignorance I called it, of the rustics amused me. I noticed in one part -of the country that all the pumps had their handles at the top, and that -these moved up and down like the ramrod of a gun. It was novel to see -the people on stools working them. At ten o'clock that night we arrived -in Brussels, and put up at the Hôtel de Suède. - -My friend and I rose early next morning, and went sight-seeing. He was -an _habitué_ of the place, so our time was spent to the best advantage. -That Brussels is a most charming town was my first impression; and I -think so still. My delight at seeing the Rue de la Reine and the -Boulevards leading from it I shall not easily forget. A city beautifully -timbered and abounding in fountains, grass, and flowers, was indeed a -novelty to one whose experience of cities had been gained in smoky -London and dear dirty Dublin. In the Rue de la Reine I remarked the two -carriage-ways, divided by a grove of trees. This plantation consisted of -full-grown limes, elms, sycamores, arbutus, and acacias. There was yet -another row on the footpath, next the houses. The breadth of this long -Boulevard may be about that of Sackville Street. It was a beautiful -sunny day, and as I sauntered along beneath the trees something new met -my eye at every turn. I was struck by such a simple matter as seeing the -carriages dash into the courtyards through the open gates, instead of -stopping in the street, whilst the occupants were making a morning call. -Then the high-stepping horses and the gaudy equipages were enough, as I -thought, to dazzle the youthful mind. One could live here a lifetime and -never know that such a thing as dirt existed,--at all events, in the -sense with which we were only too conversant in some parts of my native -land twenty-five years ago. - -These simple observations of the boy at his first start in life make me -smile as I read them over. Yet I do not think that I ought to suppress -them; for who is there that has not felt the indescribable charm of -those early days, when the commonest things in our journeying fill the -mind as if they were a wonder in themselves? And what is there in the -grown man's travels to equal that opening glimpse of a world we have so -often heard talked about, yet never have seen with our eyes until now? - -But to return. It was in the Rue du Pont that I first saw the tramways. -I went in one of the cars to the superb Park, which is as fine as any in -Europe, and of which Brussels is so justly proud. It amused me beyond -measure to see the butchers', bakers', and grocers' boys driving about -their carts drawn by teams of huge dogs, varying in number from one to -four. While the drivers were delivering their goods the poor animals -would lie down in their harness with their tongues out, until a short -chirp brought them on their feet again, ready to start. This seemed for -them the most difficult part, since once set going, they went at a great -rate, apparently without much trouble, and rather enjoying their task -than otherwise. I have seen teams of dogs so fresh that they were all -barking whilst they tore along the street at full speed. In the evening -the cafés were beautifully illuminated; and seated beneath the trees -hundreds of people enjoyed their cigarettes and _café noir_, while they -discussed, with many and vigorous gesticulations, the affairs of Europe. -In the afternoon of the 18th I bade good-bye to my kind friend Vercourt, -who had been so admirable a cicerone to me, and took my seat in the -train for Paris. - -During our journey I was rudely awakened from a sound sleep at one -station by every one suddenly jumping on their legs and crying out, "_La -douane!_" while they seized their luggage, and rushed out of the train -as if it were on fire. If you did not do the same you were -unceremoniously bundled out by the officials. To every inquiry I got the -same answer, "_C'est la douane_". Now this word was not in my -vocabulary. I may observe that at my school French was taught on the -good old plan, out of Racine and "Télémaque," in which commercial terms -are not abundant, and hence I did not know in the least the meaning of -"_la douane_"; it might have signified fire, blood or murder; and I was -for a long time sorely puzzled. I thought in my drowsy confusion that -some part of the train had broken down, and that all the passengers and -luggage had to be removed with as much haste as possible. But when I, a -passenger to Paris, saw a fellow seize my portmanteau and disappear with -it through one of the doors, it was too much for me; I went after my -effects, collared him, and asked him, in the best French I could muster, -where he was going with my property. A big gendarme explained the -situation, and pointed to a large room, where the rattling of keys and -opening of boxes soon made his interpretation unnecessary. - -On returning to my carriage I found myself next a middle-aged gentleman, -who, though he spoke French fluently to his neighbours, was evidently an -Englishman. We joined in conversation, and he seemed to know more about -Ireland and Irish affairs than I did myself, which, in truth, might -easily have been. He had such a frank, genial manner, and appeared to -feel so genuine a sympathy, not only with my own countrymen, but with -poor suffering France, that I confided to him my story and mission, -which evidently pleased him; and he told me that he would get me a cheap -billet from his landlady in the Hôtel de l'Opéra, a comfortable hotel -centrally situated opposite the new Opera House. He had told me his name -was Steel, but vouchsafed no further information about himself. When we -arrived in Paris he was accosted by several of the officials as Monsieur -le Général; and he bade me stay with him, and said that he would -accompany me to my hotel. Having, after much tiresome waiting, got -possession of our luggage, we passed out of the station between two -lines of soldiers, and were carefully and closely inspected before being -allowed to proceed. A whisper from my new friend the General appeared to -be a magic pass, for every one seemed to know him. A stalwart gendarme -demanded my passport, took down my name and address, where I last came -from, and what was my business in Paris, and then let me go. When we -arrived at the Hôtel de l'Opéra, again the concierge greeted my -mysterious friend with the title of M. le Général, when he hurried -upstairs, bidding me wait until he came down, and he would go out with -me to dine at a restaurant. - -As I stepped outside the door and looked up and down the Boulevards, I -knew at once that what I had heard and read of the beauties of Paris as -seen by night was no fiction, but a bright reality. What added to the -novelty of the scene was that the whole populace seemed to be in a fever -of excitement. I asked my friend what was it all about. He told me that -they were rejoicing because a proclamation had just been made from the -Mairie of three glorious victories won by their arms. This accounted for -the bands of civilians, thousands in each, composed of labourers and -artisans, who were marching boisterously up and down the streets, -cheering and singing the "Marseillaise," with flags and banners flying -of every colour and description. The sight was at first appalling, as -that momentary glance recalled to my mind so vividly what I had read -about the scenes enacted in the streets of Paris during the first -Revolution, by a similar communistic and ungovernable mob. Yet I thought -the whole thing good fun; but my friend warned me not to speak, and told -me to keep out of the streets at night. It was dangerous for a stranger -to go out after dark, since the populace were apt to take him for a spy, -or as being there in the interest of the enemy, and this might mean -instantaneous death. Such things had occurred lately. We now turned -into the Café Anglais, and dined very well, after which my mysterious -friend took leave of me and disappeared. I only saw him again for five -minutes a few days subsequently, and have never set eyes on him since, -nor could I get any satisfactory information at the hotel, although they -informed me that he was a resident in Paris, and was often at the Hôtel -de l'Opéra. Perhaps some reader of these pages may know more concerning -M. le Général Steel than I ever did. Who and what was he? But conjecture -is idle work, and I must get on with my story. - -Having seen Brussels before Paris, the latter did not make that -impression which it generally does on one who views it for the first -time, before he has visited any other of the capital cities on the -Continent,--for Brussels is a miniature Paris. I walked up and down the -Boulevards, observing everything and everybody, until, feeling somewhat -tired, I looked at my watch, and found to my astonishment that it was -nearly one o'clock, so I returned to my hotel and went to bed, and -dreamed of the glories of the city of pleasure. - -Next morning, the 19th, I sallied out in quest of the Mansion House to -which I had been directed. For some time I walked up and down the -Boulevards in order to make observations as to my whereabouts, and to -note my surroundings. My first great landmark was the beautiful new -Opera House, which is one of the sights of Paris. Its massive pillars -and wonderful display of allegorical figures, all in white marble, -delighted me--as also did the wooded Boulevards with their gorgeous -shops and all the pleasing sights which met my gaze at every turn. - -Having been only a few days in the country, I naturally felt a little -shy at venturing into anything like a long conversation with the -natives. Soon, however, I mustered up sufficient courage (to be wanting -in which was to fail in my errand) to ask my way of one of those gaily -dressed officers of the peace, who, from their gorgeous uniform and the -dignity of their manners, I had made up my mind could be nothing less -than majors-general of the reserve out for a stroll. - -My bad French elicited from this worthy only the most courteous -civility, and he took the greatest pains to explain to me my route. As I -went on I felt elated at this first experience of the proverbial -civility of Frenchmen, and was sure that I should find it easy to get on -with them. - -After some two miles of pleasant rambling, I arrived at the Mairie in -the Place du Prince Eugène; but found that M. le Maire was out, so -returned and dined at the Café Royale, opposite the Madeleine and -afterwards visited the church, and walked outside it several times. It -was from all sides alike massive and beautiful, nor was I disappointed -at its interior, though I confess it did not impress me so much as the -façade. Having spent an hour inspecting its details I took a cabriolet -to the Mansion House, where, having sent in Vercourt's letter, I was -ushered into the presence of M. le Maire, after about ten minutes -waiting. - -This polished gentleman received me with the greatest kindness and -civility, but explained that he could not procure me a place in the Army -Medical Department. He referred me to l'Intendance Militaire, Rue St. -Dominique, which was the Foreign Legion Office. I at once started -afresh, and, having found out the officials to whom I was directed, they -informed me that they had not the power of giving appointments, but that -M. Michel Lévy, Medicine Inspecteur, Val de Grace, was the person to -whom I should apply, at the same time assuring me that there was not the -least use in my doing so, as the Foreign Legion was fully equipped and -all the vacancies filled up. Believing this information to be correct, I -set this last proposition aside and kept it in my sleeve as a _dernier -ressort_. Although defeated in my object I was not in the least -discouraged, for I had determined to make every effort before confessing -myself beaten. - -As I was much fatigued, and it was too late to prosecute my plans any -further that day, I went out for a stroll on the Boulevards. Presently -I heard the trampling of horses coming down the street, mingled with the -loud cheering of the populace. It was a troop of Cuirassiers, and in -another minute I was in the midst of a seething crowd, and could -perceive nothing around me but a sea of hands, hats, and heads in -commotion. The civilians, who were in a wild state of excitement, -cheered the troops, "Vive les Cuirassiers!" while the dragoons in return -shouted "A Berlin!" and "Vive la France!"--not "Vive l'Empereur!" When -they had passed, the excitement continued in another form, for a -desperate-looking mob marched up and down in detachments as they had -done upon the previous night, with flags flying, and banners waving, -singing all the while "La Marseillaise" and the "Champs de la Patrie," -with intervening shouts of "A Berlin". All this was of great interest to -me, especially the singing. When the crowd joined in the chorus of their -National Anthem the effect was something never to be forgotten. - -I now went to bed, feeling sleepy and done up from sheer excitement. -Next day, the 20th August, a lovely morning, I found my way to the -Palais de l'Industrie, where, after waiting three hours in a crowded -ante-room, I presented my letter to M. le Vicomte de Melun, who came out -to see me. This kind old gentleman spoke graciously, and desired me to -come next day, when he would give me a place in an Ambulance. Fully -satisfied this time with the result of my efforts I returned with a -light heart, and having dined in the Rue Royale went out sight-seeing. A -few hundred paces brought me into the Place de la Concorde, and, oh, -what an incredibly magnificent sight presented itself from the centre of -that beautiful square! I passed the rest of the evening in the Bois de -Boulogne, and rising early next morning, full of hope, hastened to the -Palais de l'Industrie, where, without much delay, I saw M. de Melun. He -informed me with regret that every place in the Ambulances about to -start had been filled up previous to my application. However, if I left -my letters and certificates and came again on Tuesday morning, he would -let me know, should there be a vacancy for me in any of those which were -starting at the end of the week. - -This second disappointment greatly annoyed me, but I did not give in. As -it was Sunday I hastened back to High Mass at the Madeleine, a grand -choral and musical display. The constant clink of the money and the -click of the beadle's staff as he strode along bespangled with gold lace -and gaudy trappings, made prayer and recollection well nigh an -impossibility. Coming out of church, I met an old schoolfellow of mine, -a Parisian, with whom I had a long chat and pleasant walk in the -Tuileries. He pointed out to me the Empress leaving the Palace by a -private way, accompanied by some of her ladies-in-waiting. I may remark -that she wore a dress of grey silk, trimmed with black crape. - -During the whole of this day troops continued to march through the city, -some mere regiments of beardless boys, awkward and unsoldierlike, but -with a true martial spirit, if one might judge by the hearty way in -which they sang as they went along, and joined in the choruses. - -These were the latest levies, and were going to the front. Next day, -Monday the 22nd, after many circuitous wanderings, I made my way to the -Irish College; and left my letter of introduction to Father M----, who -was not at home, but was expected the following day. When I got back I -found that the Boulevards and Champs Elysées were thronged with noisy -workmen singing the "Marseillaise" on their way home from the -fortifications, where they had been employed in great numbers on the -extensive works which were being now pushed forward night and day. To -avoid being jostled by the mob I took a place on the top of an omnibus. -It was dusk, and as we came down the Champs Elysées, the beautifully -illuminated gardens, with their cafés chantants, merry-go-rounds and -bowers,--surrounded by the most fanciful and pretty devices imaginable, -and lighted up with miniature lamps,--together with the lively din of -music and singing followed by rounds of applause, made me feel -transported for the moment to fairyland. But it was a short-lived -delusion; and who would imagine, with all this folly, at once so -frivolous and so French, that the great tragedy of war was being enacted -around us? However, that such was the case even here was abundantly -evident, for it was the sole topic of conversation. Soldiers were -everywhere in the streets; the public vehicles and omnibuses were -crammed with them; their officers seemed to monopolise half the private -carriages; they crowded the public buildings, and soldiers' heads -appeared out of half the street windows. I had always heard that -Frenchmen were a highly excitable people, and the truth of that saying -was never so clearly demonstrated. Here they were in their thousands, -moving about in a state of restless, purposeless commotion, singing -songs from noon to midnight, and, as it appeared to me, most of them -quite out of their senses. - -Tuesday, the 23rd August, I went once more to try my luck at the Palais -de l'Industrie; and M. le Vicomte de Melun again told me that there was -no vacancy, but my name had been placed on the Society's books for an -appointment, and when the vacancy occurred he would communicate with me -at the Hôtel de l'Opéra. I felt disappointed that every effort up to -this had been a failure, but consoled myself at having gained one point, -_viz._, that of having been registered as a member of the Red Cross -Society. - -I now determined to try some of the working staff, who, though perhaps -less influential than the Vicomte, might be able to help me quite as -well. Not to be daunted, I went to another part of the Palais, where I -informed a gentleman, who, I perceived, was a superintendent and active -manager, that my name had been placed on the Society's books by M. de -Melun. This made him all attention. He spoke English well, and was very -civil to me. His name was M. Labouchère, 77 Rue Malesherbes. In few -words I told him the object of my mission, how I wanted to work, and was -willing to accept a place in any capacity whatever, in the service of -the wounded. He now informed me that there was one vacancy as aide in a -Belgian Ambulance, and as I was most anxious to fill it he had my name -put down. He gave me the casquet and badge of the Society, and told me -to come to-morrow for my outfit and all necessaries. - -In the meantime I was sent out with eight or ten others of the Swiss -Ambulance, to collect money in the streets through which we passed. We -went in a body, and had each a little net bag at the end of a long pole, -very like a landing net, but with a longer handle and a smaller net. As -we passed along we cried out, "Pour les blessés," and as the omnibuses -and carriages drew up while we were passing, we availed ourselves of -this opportunity by putting our bags up to and sometimes through the -windows, and landing them in the laps of those within. By this means we -got heaps of silver pieces, and even gold from some of the best dressed -personages. We also put our nets up to the windows, wherever we saw them -occupied, and into the shops. Large crowds gathered along the route, and -everybody gave something,--a great many two and five franc pieces. It -was several hours before we reached the railway station, as we went very -slowly. All knew by my accent that I was a foreigner, and perhaps -British; and they seemed to like the idea, for they pressed forward to -throw their coins to me, when there were other nets nearer them. When -the time of reckoning came I found that I had collected more than my -comrades. I saw ladies in the carriages that passed us crying bitterly, -and the weeping and evident grief of the ambulance men on parting with -their friends at the railway terminus were very touching. Having placed -my money in the van I returned to the Palais de l'Industrie, where I was -introduced to M. le Verdière, second in command in the Belgian -Ambulance. He desired me to come at nine o'clock next day to get into my -uniform and prepare for starting. - -Highly pleased at what I considered at last a success, I went, as I had -previously arranged, to see Dr. M---- at the Irish College. He received -me very warmly, and introduced me to a Chinese bishop with a pigtail, -whom I found a most intelligent and agreeable man. - -That evening I saw troops going to the front in heavy marching order; -and although they were four abreast, they reached from the Arc de -Triomphe to within some little distance of the Place de la Concorde. On -my way home I met a man who told me sorrowfully that before the war he -had been a successful teacher with a large class, but that all his -pupils were drawn in the conscription, and his occupation was gone. - -Next morning, the 24th, I was all excitement, as I fully expected that -this day might see me on my way to the front. I hastened to the Palais -de l'Industrie, where M. Labouchère informed me of the nature of my -appointment in the Belgian Ambulance. What was my astonishment when I -found that I should have ten _infirmiers_ under me, for whom I was to be -responsible, and to whom I must issue orders! Much as I desired to -accept this most tempting offer, common sense got the better of my -ambition; and I declined, feeling conscious that my imperfect knowledge -of French would prevent my being able to discharge my duties with -efficiency. - -All this was a disappointment and a humiliation, but I had now become -used to reverses. My friends, of whom I had already quite a number, -comforted me by saying that I should be most likely sent to Metz, which -was full of wounded with but few attendants, numbers of the latter -having been carried off by typhus fever, which was making great havoc in -the town. I stated that I had not the least objection to going if the -Society wished me to do so; but I felt that I should prefer some other -mission. Later on in the day, as I was searching for M. Labouchère in -the Palais de l'Industrie, I was astonished to perceive that one of the -large open spaces of the Palais, which was used but yesterday for -drilling the recruits, now contained rows of mounted cannon placed close -beside each other, while the unmounted guns were piled in lines one -above another; great heaps of cannon balls were also stacked in the -centre, like ricks of turf. This change, wrought since the evening -before, will give an idea of the rapidity and energy with which the -Government plans were being executed. Emerging by one of the upper doors -of the building, I was startled at seeing the whole Champs Elysées -occupied by masses of soldiers, flanked at each side by double rows of -cavalry. They were being inspected before going to the front. It was a -splendid sight. I went out afterwards to the Bois de Boulogne, where the -timber next the ramparts was already being cut down. There were crowds -of men at work on the fortifications as I passed through, making ready -for the siege. - -As it was growing dusk I moved towards home, and met on my way a stream -of soldiers dressed in a most elaborate uniform, differing in every way -from that of the Line. From the enthusiastic reception they met with on -all sides, and the familiar smiles and nods which they exchanged with -the admiring citizens, I knew that they were the Garde Nationale, the -pride of the Parisians. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -I JOIN THE ANGLO-AMERICAN AMBULANCE.--M. DE FLAVIGNY'S SPEECH.--TO -MÉZIÈRES AND SEDAN. - - -August 25th I went to my official quarters full of hope, but found that -nothing further had been decided. M. Labouchère told me that I was -certain of a place in a French Ambulance, and presented my testimonials -and papers to the chief of the 8th Ambulance, who disappeared with them -into the committee room, promising to send me an answer at once. This he -never did, though I waited his reply for some hours, until hunger -compelled me to go in search of dinner, which I found in the Boulevard -St. Michel, No. 43, Café-Brasserie du Bas Rhin, where I had as much beef -as I could wish for. (I was afterwards told that nothing but horse flesh -was sold at this restaurant.) - -I then returned to the Palais de l'Industrie, where I was offered a post -in the Medical Staff in charge of a train between Paris and Metz. I -declined, upon the ground of my expecting to hear every minute of my -having been appointed to an Ambulance. Hours passed without a syllable -from the Chief of the 8th Ambulance; and now for the first time I felt -discouraged, but pulled myself together, and again threw myself with -energy into the struggle. - -I still had forces in reserve; for my friend, Madame A----, -lady-in-waiting to the Empress, had promised me letters of introduction, -which I daily expected, but which had not yet arrived. As I was whiling -away the time conversing with one of the understrappers of the Palais, -he told me that the siege of Paris by the Prussians was confidently -expected by most Parisians; they talked of cutting down all the trees -around Paris, and demolishing the farmsteads and farm produce in the -vicinity, and my informant observed, "Déjà on cherche la démolition du -Bois de Boulogne". - -I walked out to the fortifications and saw batches of men throwing up -mounds, whilst others were making excavations beneath the mason-work of -the permanent bridges, to facilitate their being blown up on the -approach of the enemy. Upon my return the garçon at the Hotel showed me -with much pride his uniform and accoutrements, with which he had been -presented that day on being made a member of the National Guard. - -The loud beating of drums and the clatter and din of horses and men as -they passed along the Boulevards before dawn, made it easy to be up at -an early hour next morning, the 26th of August. - -I set out for the Palais de l'Industrie, where an order was handed me -to hold myself in readiness to start that night for the front, so I -returned quickly to my hotel, paid my bill and packed up my traps. I -found two letters awaiting me: one from Madame A----, with an -introduction to Professor Ricord, the Emperor's surgeon; and another -from the Princess Poniatowsky, enclosing a note to the Count de -Flavigny, President of the Society. They were now of no use, as I had -been appointed to an Ambulance; but had I got them at first I should -have been saved many days of anxious waiting. As it afterwards turned -out, it was my good luck that they did not arrive sooner. An order was -now issued that all strangers should quit Paris; and a heavy gloom -seemed to be settling down rapidly over every one and everything. The -conviction was daily growing that the Prussians were approaching Paris; -but no one really knew, as every day's intelligence contradicted that of -the day before. There seemed to be a great national competition in -lying, in which every one manfully struggled for the prize. - -At this juncture I was introduced to Dr. Frank, second in command of an -Ambulance which had lately been organised in Paris by a number of -English and American surgeons, and which was known as the -Anglo-American. Dr. Frank received me courteously, and appointed me one -of his _sous-aides_ or dressers. Having given me directions as to my -outfit, he sent me off with another young member of the Ambulance, John -Scott of Belfast, to procure all necessary supplies. The pleasure I -experienced at finding myself in harness at last was beyond expression; -and it was not lessened by discovering in my new mate a bright, jovial, -and witty companion and a fellow-countryman to boot. We hurried off to -the Palais Royal, where we ordered our uniforms, knapsacks and kits, and -then went out and had a chat and a stroll. - -Saturday morning, the 27th, Dr. Frank introduced me to Dr. Marion Sims, -now chef or surgeon-in-chief, and also to his staff, which was composed -of Drs. MacCormac, Webb, Blewitt, May, Tilghman, Nicholl, Hayden, and -Hewitt, and Drs. Wyman and Pratt, as also to Mr. Fred Wallace and Harry -Sims. Hewitt and I worked away for some hours getting the stores ready. -Having finished this task we went to be photographed at Nader's, in full -marching kit. I now packed up everything I did not want and sent them to -M. de B----'s house (where they remained until after the war was over), -and made my final preparations for starting. I received a month's pay in -advance from Dr. Frank, so there was but little chance of my being hard -up for money, as we were to be found in everything. Colonel Loyd -Lindsay's English branch of the "Société pour le Secours aux Blessés" -furnished the English contingent of the ambulance with the sinews of -war; and of this Dr. Frank was the representative. - -On the 28th August I went in full uniform to the Madeleine, after which -I took all my traps to the Palais de l'Industrie, where I met Marion -Sims and had a chat with him. He addressed me kindly as "my dear boy"; -and from the gentleness of his manner and his sympathetic nature, I felt -that I should like him very much; and so it afterwards came to pass. We -all now worked with a will, getting together our stores, provisions, -horses and waggons, and making all ready for the procession, which, -after a scene of confusion, noise, and excitement, left the Palais de -l'Industrie about three o'clock, in the following order:--In front, -carried by Dr. Sims' three charming daughters, the flags of England, -France, and America; then the surgeons and the assistant surgeons; after -these the dressers or _sous-aides_, of which I was one; then the -_infirmiers_, all fully equipped, with the waggons for stores and -wounded bringing up the rear. - -While we were standing in our places, in the Champs Elysées, waiting for -the final start, a young girl, pretty, and elegantly dressed in deep -mourning, stepped up and tried to address me, but she sobbed so much -that I could with difficulty understand what she said. After a little -time she made her wish intelligible. Should her husband ever come -across my path in a wounded condition, she charged me to be kind to him, -and to bestow upon him particular care for her sake. The earnestness -with which she confided her sorrow to me, a stranger who had nothing to -recommend him but his youth, well nigh overcame me, so that the poor -thing very nearly had a companion in tears. She gave me her card, which -I still possess. The girl could not have been more than twenty. I tried -to say something to her that was kind; but so confused and upset was I -that I could hardly utter a word. Presently the Count de Flavigny came -forward and addressed us in a long and eloquent speech, flattering alike -to our nationalities and to our cause. - -A death-like silence reigned throughout the crowd as he reminded us of -the scenes upon which we were about to enter; the cause we were to -vindicate; the hardships we were likely to undergo; the good that each -of us was bound in duty to perform; the sacrifice of every personal -consideration, and even of our lives if necessary, in the grand and holy -cause of the service of the wounded. - -There were tears in many eyes, for not a few of the bystanders had at -that moment friends near and dear, in dread suffering and perhaps in the -agony of death. These few minutes made a deep impression upon me. - -I now realised that I was entering upon a hazardous campaign, and felt -the weight of the task that I had undertaken; and as the word -"_Marchez_" was given I stepped out strong in mind and body, proud of -the privilege which it had pleased Providence to bestow upon me, and -yearning to fulfil that mission of charity which we had that day -inaugurated. - -As we passed through the streets in the order I have already given, the -dense crowds cheered us along the way to the railway station (de l'Est), -crying, "Vive les Americains!" "Vive l'Angleterre!" while the -handkerchiefs of the ladies waved from all windows. Tears flowed -abundantly on every side, as they readily do in France for less reason -than the present one. All were delighted at the practical sympathy of -the foreigners, on behalf of their wounded and suffering -fellow-countrymen. - -The crowds were so great that we found it difficult to make anything -like rapid progress, and were several hours reaching the station. - -Having arrived at our destination, we took our seats in the -waiting-room, not knowing in the least where we were going, as no one -did but the chief and Dr. Frank. After waiting a couple of hours we got -into a train in which we started off into the darkness, for it was ten -o'clock. We travelled all night, and as morning dawned arrived at -Soissons. Here we learned that we were under orders to join MacMahon's -army at once. As from information received, Dr. Sims supposed him to be -somewhere in the vicinity of Sedan, it was his intention to make for -Mézières, a small town in that neighbourhood, which we reached on Monday -night, 29th August, arriving at Sedan the following morning, Tuesday, -30th, and remaining there to await further orders. - -As we entered the town I was astonished to perceive that not a single -soldier was visible, and that the sentinels on duty at the gates were -peasants dressed in blue blouses, bearing guns upon their shoulders, a -military képi being the only attempt at uniform. - -All was still as we hastened through the streets to our quarters, at the -Croix d'Or in the Rue Napoléon. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -AT SEDAN.--THE EMPEROR IN TRANSIT.--OUR FIRST RETREAT BEFORE THE -PRUSSIANS.--THE CASERNE D'ARSFELD. - - -On the 30th of August we got orders through the _Courrier des -Ambulances_, the Vicomte de Chizelles, to proceed at once to Carignan, -where hard fighting had been going on, and where, we were told, the -field had been won by the French. Accordingly at noon the whole -ambulance moved out of the town, by the Torcy gate to the railway -station, a few hundred yards outside the ramparts, whence a special -train was to have carried us on to the field of our labours. Through -some mismanagement on the part of the French authorities, and through a -combination of adverse circumstances, our transport was delayed so long -that we were unable to leave that evening. The railway officials -contended that the cause of the delay was neglect, on the part of our -_comptable_, to specify the exact amount of accommodation required for -the transport of our waggons, stores, and horses, without which we could -not work efficiently on the field of battle; but the real cause of the -delay, we subsequently discovered, was the capturing and blocking of -the line by the Prussians, which fact was, in French fashion, studiously -concealed from us. All this was very annoying to our chiefs, who were -most anxious to get to the front. In order, therefore, that we might be -able to start at daybreak next morning, we took up our quarters for that -night in the station house. Being much fatigued after the excitement of -the day we went to the bureau, where all our luggage was, and, after -much ado, got hold of our wraps. There was one large waiting-room -through which every one was obliged to pass in order to enter or leave -the station, and here I and a number of my comrades stretched ourselves -upon the bare boards, covered up in our rugs and overcoats. - -Shortly after eleven o'clock, the arrival of a train caused us to start -to our feet. The Germans, we knew, were in the neighbourhood, and the -thought of a surprise flashed simultaneously through the mind of each -one, when, to our intense astonishment, the door opened, and Napoléon, -with his entire état major, marshals, and generals, walked into the -room. - -The Emperor wore a long dark blue cloak and a scarlet gold-braided képi. -At first he seemed rather surprised at our presence, and for a moment or -two delayed returning our salute, which he eventually acknowledged by a -slight inclination of the head. He had a tired, scared, and haggard -appearance, and, besides looking thoroughly ill, seemed anxious and -impatient. After a few moments' delay he hurried off on foot, in the -midst of his _entourage_, through the station house, and along the road -leading to the town of Sedan. - -I and two of my comrades followed until we saw the Emperor and his -attendants arrive at the gate, through which, after some parley with a -blue-bloused sentry (for there was not a regular soldier in the town), -they gained admittance. As we were about returning to our temporary -quarters, speculating on the probable future as suggested by the scene I -have described, we met a party of soldiers straggling along, composed of -men of different regiments, both line and cavalry. We addressed one of -them, who seemed more tired and worn out than the rest. He told us they -belonged to the 5th and 12th Army Corps, and that they had escaped from -the affair at Beaumont, where, having been several days short of -provisions and exhausted with hunger and fatigue, the French were -thoroughly routed. He said that they numbered about eighty, and were -accompanied by an officer whom I afterwards heard give the name of De -Failly, when challenged by the sentry. This was no other than the -General de Failly who, on that very day at Beaumont, was deprived of his -command for bad leadership, and superseded by De Wimpffen. In the rear -of this party of fugitives was a cartload of women and children. One of -the women told most pitifully how the Prussian shells had that morning -devastated their homes in the vicinity of Beaumont and Raucourt, and how -several parts of those villages were then in flames. These poor -creatures, numbed with cold and fright, gladly partook of the contents -of some of our flasks; and we were all pleased when, after half an -hour's parley with the peasant sentry, the drawbridge was let down and -they were admitted into the town. - -I now returned to my quarters in the station, where I slept soundly -until I was awakened at break of day by Dr. Frank, who enjoined us to -get ready at once, so as to push on to the front. This was the morning -of the 31st August. At early dawn there was a thick fog, which, however, -soon cleared away, revealing to us the fact that we were not far from -the Prussian lines, and that they had actually during the night got full -possession of the range of hills commanding the station and the whole -town of Sedan. At times we could see distinctly numbers of Prussian -Uhlans appearing now and then, from behind woods and plantations, on the -heights of Marfée opposite us, and again disappearing, leaving us fully -convinced that there were more where those came from. A little later, -when the fog cleared off, we perceived in the opposite direction, at the -north-east side of the town, numbers of troops moving about. These we -found to be MacMahon's forces. Now we became conscious of how we really -stood. Our chief called us together, and with the stern manner and firm -voice of an old veteran said, "Gentlemen, by a combination of unforeseen -circumstances over which I had no control, we are now in the awkward -position of finding ourselves placed between the line of fire of two -armies. If they commence hostilities we are lost. It is therefore my -intention as promptly as possible to retreat behind the French lines." -Having said so much, he gave the order to move on. This we did across -some fields, which we traversed with ease; but presently we came upon -some heavy potato and turnip plots. Here our progress was necessarily -very slow, heavily-laden as we were, with our three waggons ploughing -through the soft furrows; and as we were not quite sure of the country -that lay between us and the army, our position was most unenviable. - -Two of our party, Drs. May and Tilghman, went ahead upon horseback, one -of them carrying an ambulance flag. These two galloped along rather too -impetuously as it appeared, for they came unexpectedly upon the French -outposts, who, not knowing them to be friends, quickly fired a volley at -them. Having discovered who they were they did not repeat this salute. -It was just as our waggon horses had come to a standstill, being -completely exhausted from pulling and floundering in the soft ground, -that Drs. May and Tilghman returned at a gallop to inform us that the -Meuse lay between us and the main body of the army, and that there was -no bridge, or other means of crossing, without going round through the -town. - -Just at this moment a courier came up in hot haste to say that, as the -Prussians had just been seen in the immediate vicinity, the gate of the -town would be immediately closed, and that the Military Commandant -required us at once to make good our retreat, and get in the rear of the -French army. We now saw that there was no alternative but to leave our -baggage, stores, and waggons just where they were, and to fly into the -town, which we did with all possible expedition, as from the position of -the enemy we expected every minute that an engagement would take place. -When we got inside the gates, two civilians volunteered, for a reward, -to recover the baggage and waggons, with May and Tilghman as their -leaders. These two gentlemen were veteran campaigners of the American -Confederate Army, as were also all the other Americans of our ambulance, -save Frank Hayden, who hailed from the North. - -These not only brought back all our effects, but also a quantity of -potatoes which were found in the field where the waggons had been left, -and upon which we largely subsisted during the week following. - -We now reported ourselves to the Intendant Militaire, who told us that -he had the night before received an order to have in readiness 1800 beds -for the use of the wounded. There was not a military surgeon in the -town, nor any medical stores or appliances save our own; and of civilian -doctors we never heard, nor were they _en évidence_. - -The Intendant Militaire put all the beds which he had provided at our -disposal, and gave us full control over their disposition and -management. - -Accordingly we took possession of the Caserne D'Asfeld, and made ready -for receiving the wounded. We also had our stores arranged so that -everything might be at hand when required. - -It was while thus busily engaged, transporting our stores, and putting -things in their place ready for use, that I saw the Emperor Napoléon -slowly pacing up and down in front of the Sous-Préfecture, cigar in -mouth, with his hands behind his back and head bent, gazing vacantly at -the ground. - -All that morning we had heard the distant booming of cannon, in the -southward direction of Carignan and Mouzon. As the day advanced the -cannonading came nearer, and grew more distinct, until it seemed to be -in the immediate neighbourhood of the town. At nightfall the firing -ceased, and we could perceive the glare of a distant village, in the -direction of Douzy, lighting up the darkness. - -A brief sketch of the defences of Sedan, as well as an explanation of -the position in which our hospital stood with regard to the -fortifications, will not be out of place. The river Meuse, on the right -bank of which Sedan is situated, communicates by sluice-gates with two -deep trenches about thirty feet wide, separated from one another by a -high embankment. On opening these gates, the trenches and a vast expanse -of meadow land, extending nearly to Bazeilles and along the river beyond -it, had been flooded, and the city was thus defended by a double wet -ditch for about three-fourths of its circumference. All this lay -external to the stone-faced ramparts, upon which stood heavy siege-guns, -ostensibly to protect the town. They were, in fact, obsolete dummies. -Outside these, again, were high earthworks, faced by strong palisades of -spiked timber. At the summit of the north-east corner of the -fortifications, towering above the plateau of Floing, rose the -Citadel,--a huge, dark mass of mason-work and grassy slopes, which -seemed to frown over a series of steep cliffs upon the town beneath. -Above this stood our hospital of the Caserne D'Asfeld, called after a -French Marshal of Louis XIV.'s time. The Prussians afterwards knew it as -the "Kronwerk D'Asfeld". It was a fortress which had a drawbridge and -defences of its own. From these details we may judge what a stronghold -Sedan would prove, were it not for the range of hills opposite, called -the Heights of Marfée. But these command the town; and the Prussians had -been permitted to occupy them. - -Now, as to the Caserne itself. Standing on the highest point of the -fortifications, about 100 feet above the Meuse, it might have seemed the -very position for a hospital. It was a two-storied bomb-proof building, -with a flat roof, 240 feet long, and contained nine large wards, -fifty-three feet by seventeen, and ten feet high, as well as four small -ones with twenty beds in each. There were two spacious windows in every -ward. The floors were concrete. On the fortifications outside were rows -of magnificent trees, which gave the grounds a picturesque appearance. -But in front, facing the town, there were no trees; and from this point -we had an unbroken view of Sedan and the valley of the Meuse, with the -hills opposite. The villages of Donchery, Frénois, and Wadelincourt were -all visible. - -Six cannon commanded the outer breastworks, behind the buildings, and -two sallyports led out beneath the fortifications, on to the plains of -Floing. We heard from the wounded, as well as from other sources, that -the French were retreating on Sedan, and that the Prussians held the -left bank of the Meuse, and the valley and hills about it. The French, -on their side, occupied the Illy heights to the north of the town above -the plateau of Floing, the Bois de Garenne, and the east and south-east -plains, from Daigny and the valley of Givonne to Bazeilles. Hence, it -was evident, even at so early a date, that the French army had only the -strip of small country to the north and east of Sedan, between the right -bank of the Meuse and the Ardennes, by which to make good their retreat -on Mézières. And of this narrow space, the defile of St. Albert alone -was available for the passage of large bodies of soldiers. - -The Prussian outposts were already in Vendresse and Donchery. Could they -succeed in moving further north before the French started, they might -cut off the retreat of the whole army. - -The movements of the French in these straits had been extremely -perplexing to us. They must have known their situation, if not on the -29th, certainly on the 30th and 31st. Why, then, did they not keep to -the left bank of the Meuse, and seize the only available strong position -visible on that side--the Heights of Marfée, which they could have held, -and the possession of which would have covered their retreat along the -defile of St. Albert? Instead of doing so, they chose to fall back on -Sedan; a trap out of which no sane man, military or civilian, could, -under the circumstances, expect an army to free itself. These positions -were occupied by the Prussians at the earliest possible moment. But even -if the French could not have come up by the left bank of the Meuse, -they might, as late as the night of the 31st, have retreated by -Moncelle, the plain of Floing, and the right bank of the river. Thus, at -all events, they would have got clear of the enemy's heavy guns, which -assailed them from the hills in front; and would have had some chance of -meeting their foes on more equal terms. But they went to their -destruction like men in a dream. - -Late that evening, several large batches of wounded came into the -Caserne. These kept us employed till after midnight, when we slipped out -and ascended the fortifications, that we might look once more at the -still blazing village, the name of which we had not then heard. Of -course it was Douzy. And now we perceived, by the innumerable camp-fires -gleaming around us on all sides, that we were close to the ill-fated -army, of which Marshal MacMahon held the command. To-morrow it would -cease to exist, and with it the Napoleonic Empire would come to an end. - -[Illustration: - - BATTLE OF SEDAN - Positions at Daybreak - Sept^r. 1^{st}. 1870. - - French | Germans - A _12^{th} Corps (Lebrun_) | G _Prussian Guards_ - B _1^{st} " (Ducrot)_ | S _Saxons_ - C _5^{th} " (Wimpffen)_ | Bav. _Bavarians_ - D _7^{th} " (Doucey)_ | W _Wurtembergers_ - E _Cavalry_ | - - _London, John Murray, Albemarle Street._ - E. Weller] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER, 1870.--EXPERIENCES AT THE CASERNE.--WOUNDED -HORSES.--THE FRENCH RETREAT BECOMES A STAMPEDE.--SOLDIERS DESPAIR. - - -Full of strange forebodings, I retired to the guard-room at the end of -the building which overlooked the town, where Père Bayonne, our -Dominican chaplain, Hewitt, and myself had our stretchers. Tired out, I -slept as soundly as if nothing had happened, or was to happen. But about -a quarter to five on the following morning,--that historic Thursday, the -1st of September,--Père Bayonne and I were aroused by the strange and -terrible sound of roaring cannon. We heard the shells whizzing -continually, and by-and-by the prolonged peals of the mitrailleuse. On -looking out, we saw a thick mist lying along the valley, and clinging -about the slopes of the hills in front of us. Presently it cleared away; -the morning became beautifully fine, and the sun shone forth with genial -warmth. - -Immediately beneath us lay the town, with its double fortifications, and -its trenches filled by the Meuse, which seemed a silver thread winding -through a charmingly wooded and delightful country. The whole range of -hills which commanded the town was occupied by the Prussians; and we -could see their artillery and battalions in dark blue, with their spiked -helmets and their bayonets flashing in the sunlight. - -Neither had we long to wait before 150 guns were, each in its turn, -belching out fire and smoke. For the first couple of hours the heaviest -part of the fighting was kept up from the left and further extremity of -this range of hills. But as the morning wore on, the guns immediately -opposite us opened fire, although the main body of the Prussians had not -yet come up the valley into view. The plains and hills to the north and -north-east of the town and immediately behind us were covered with -French troops, the nearest being a regiment of the Line, a Zouave -regiment, and a force of cuirassiers. It was magnificent to see the -bright helmets and breast-plates of the latter gleaming in the sun, as -they swept along from time to time, and took up fresh positions. I -watched them suddenly wheel and gallop at a headlong pace for some -hundred yards, then stop as they were making a second wheel, and tear up -to the edge of a wood on a piece of high ground, where they remained -motionless. A regiment of the Line then advanced, and opened fire across -them, down into the valley beneath the wood; while for twenty minutes a -hot counter-fire was kept up by a force of advancing Prussians, the -French still moving forward, and leaving plenty of work for us in their -rear. As the firing ceased, the cuirassiers, who had been up till then -motionless spectators of the scene, suddenly began to move, first at a -walk, then breaking into a trot, and, finally, having cleared the corner -of the wood, into full gallop. They dashed down the valley of Floing and -were quickly lost to our view. This was the beginning, as I afterwards -learned, of one of the most brilliant feats of the French arms during -that day. It has been graphically described by Dr. Russell, the war -correspondent of the _Times_. Beyond doubt, until noon, when all chance -of success vanished, the French fought bravely. I shall here instance -one out of many personal feats of valour, which came under our notice. - -While I was assisting in dressing a wounded soldier, he told me the -following story, which was subsequently corroborated by one of his -officers who came to see him. This soldier was St. Aubin, of the Third -Chasseurs d'Afrique, concerning whom I shall have more to say by-and-by. -He was only twenty-three, and a tall, fair, handsome fellow. He had been -in action for seven hours, and had received a bayonet thrust through the -cheek. His horse was shot under him during the flight of the French -towards Sedan. Still undismayed, he provided himself with one of the -chassepots lying about, and falling in with a body of Marines, the best -men in the French army, he, in company with this gallant band, faced the -enemy again. Numbers of his companions fell; he himself got a bullet -through the right elbow. Promptly tearing his pocket handkerchief into -strips with his teeth, he tied up his wounds, and securing his wrist to -his belt, seized his sword, determined to fight on. Unfortunately, the -fragment of a shell struck him again, shattering the right shoulder. In -this plight he mounted a stray horse, and, as he told me, holding his -sword in his teeth, put spurs to his steed, and joined his companions at -Sedan, where he sank out of the saddle through sheer exhaustion and loss -of blood. - -Early in the day vigorous fighting was going on outside the town, about -Balan and Bazeilles, and between us and the Belgian frontier. As early -as ten o'clock, it was evident that the Prussians were extending their -line of fire on both sides, with the ultimate object of hemming in the -French army, now being slowly forced back upon the town. By eleven -o'clock, the plains to the north and east between us and the Belgian -frontier were occupied by dense masses of the French; and at noon, the -Prussian artillery on the hills in front turned their fire over our -heads, on the French troops behind us. From this moment, we found -ourselves in the thick of the fight. Around us on every side raged a -fierce and bloody conflict. The Prussian guns in front, which had kept -up an intermittent fire since early morning, now seemed to act in -concert, and the roaring of cannon and whizzing of shells became -continuous. It was an appalling medley of sounds; and we could scarcely -hear one another speak. - -During this murderous fire, we received into our hospital twenty-eight -officers of all grades (among them two colonels), and nearly 400 men of -all arms. Occasionally, one of the shells which were passing over us in -quick succession would fall short, striking, at one time, the roof of -our Hospital or the stone battlements in front, at another the -earthworks or a tree within the fort. One of these shells burst at the -main entrance, close to where I was at work, killing two _infirmiers_ -and wounding a third,--the first two were, indeed, reduced to a mass of -charred flesh, a sight of unspeakable horror. A second shell burst close -to the window of the ward, in which Drs. MacCormac, Nicholl, Tilghman, -and May were operating, chipping off a fragment of the corner stone; a -third struck the coping wall of the fortification overhanging the town, -about twenty feet from our mess-room window; and a fragment entered, and -made a hole in the ceiling. The bomb-proof over our heads came in for a -shower of French mitrailleuse bullets, which so frightened our cook that -he upset a can of savoury horseflesh soup, which he had prepared for us. -But, to add to the danger, about half-past two a detachment of -artillery, bringing with them three brass nine-pounders, came into our -enclosure (for, as I have said, the guns supposed to be guarding our -fort were absolute dummies), and opened a hot fire on the enemy, in the -vain attempt to enable Ducrot's contingent to join De Wimpffen at Balan. -It was a brave and determined effort, but as futile as it was rash, for -it brought the Prussian fire down upon us; and in less than half an -hour, the French had to abandon their guns, which were soon dismantled, -while the trenches about them were filled with dead and wounded. At one -time, Dr. May and I counted on the plain a rank of eighty-five dead -horses, exclusive of the maimed. The sufferings of these poor brutes, -which were as a rule frightfully mutilated, seemed to call for pity -almost as much as those of the men themselves. For the men, if wounded -very badly, lay still, and their wants were quickly attended to; but the -horses, sometimes disembowelled, their limbs shattered, kept wildly -struggling and snorting beneath dismounted gun-carriages and upturned -ammunition waggons, until either a friendly revolver or death from -exhaustion put an end to their torment. - -Everywhere on this plain, to the north of the town, there was now the -most hopeless confusion. The soldiers, utterly demoralised--more than -half of them without arms--were hugging the ramparts in dense masses, -seeking thus to escape the deadly fire directed on them by the advancing -Prussians. It was clear that the fortunes of the day were going against -the French; and if we ask the reason, some reply may be found in the -testimony of a Colonel, who told us, with sobs and tears, that for six -hours he had been under fire, and had received no orders from his -General. A little later on, about half-past three, an officer, carrying -the colours of his regiment, rushed into our Hospital in a state of the -wildest excitement, crying out that the French had lost, and entreating -Dr. May to hide his flag in one of our beds,--a request with which the -latter indignantly refused to comply. - -About a quarter to four, although the din of battle was still raging, we -could see the white flag flying, and rumours of a truce were current. -The space round the Caserne D'Asfeld was at this time crowded with -troops; and a knot of them were wrangling for water about our well, -which, being worked only by a windlass and bucket, gave but a scanty -supply. The events that now followed have been described by the French -as an attempt on the part of Ducrot to get his forces through the town, -and out by the Balan gate, there to reinforce General Wimpffen, and -sustain his final attempt to break through the German lines. But what -really happened was this: The French, aware that the battle was lost, -had become panic-stricken, and getting completely out of the control of -their officers, their retreat on Sedan was, in plain truth, the stampede -of a thoroughly disorganised and routed army. It was a strange sight, -and by no means easy to picture. A huge and miscellaneous collection of -men, horses, and materials were jammed into a comparatively small space, -all in the utmost disorder and confusion. Soldiers of every -branch--cavalry, infantry, artillery--flung away their arms, or left -them at different places, in stacks four or five feet high. Heedless of -command, they made for the town by every available entrance. And I saw -French officers shedding tears at a spectacle, which no one who was not -in arms against them could witness without grief and shame. - -A Colonel, who had carried his eagles with honour through the battles of -Wörth and Weissenburg, related how he had buried the standard of his -regiment, together with his own decorations, and burned his colours, to -save them from falling into the hands of the enemy. All these officers -had but one cry: "_Nous sommes trahis!_" openly declaring that the loss -of their country, and the dishonour of its arms, were due to the perfidy -and incompetence of their statesmen and generals. That some of these -allegations of treason were well founded is beyond question: the -universal incompetency we saw with our own eyes. - -I observed one remarkable incident during this state of general -disorder. A regiment of Turcos came into our enclosure with their -officers, in perfect order, fully armed and accoutred. These -gaunt-looking fellows, fierce, bronzed, and of splendid physique, stood -stolid and silent, with their cloaks, hoods, and gaiters still -beautifully white. Watching for some minutes, I noticed a movement among -them, and they commenced a passionate discussion in their own tongue, -evidently on a subject of interest to them all. In another minute the -conclusion was manifest. Approaching the parapet in small parties, and -clubbing their rifles, they smashed off the stocks against the -stonework, and flung the pieces into the ditch beneath. In like manner -they disposed of their heavy pistols and side-arms. Then, having lighted -their cigarettes, they relapsed into a state of silent and dreamy -inactivity, in which not a word was spoken. - -Along the roads leading to the gates of the town, more particularly -along the one beneath us, streamed a dense mass of soldiers belonging to -various regiments, with numbers of horses ridden chiefly by officers, -and some waggons, all bearing headlong down on the gates. As they passed -over the narrow bridges, literally in tens of thousands, packed close -together, some horses and a few men were pushed over the low parapet -into the river, and many of the fugitives were trodden under foot. At -length, between four and five P.M., the firing gradually slackened. For -some time it was still kept up, but in a desultory manner, towards -Balan. At half-past five it ceased altogether; and the sensation of -relief was indescribable. - -The grounds about the Caserne D'Asfeld had, in the meanwhile, become -packed with runaway soldiers, whose first exploit was forcibly to enter -our kitchen and store-rooms, and plunder all they could lay hands on. Of -course, they were driven to these acts by the exigencies of the -situation. The blame for such excesses cannot but attach to that centre -of all corruption, the French Commissariat, which broke down that day as -it had done at every turn during the whole campaign. We had some wounded -men in the theatre, Place de Turenne, down in Sedan; but the streets and -squares were so densely crowded that it was with difficulty some of our -staff could make their way to them. All were now burning with anxiety to -know whether the French would surrender, or hostilities be resumed on -the morrow. A continuance of the struggle, as we felt, would mean that -some hundred and twenty thousand soldiers, and ourselves along with -them, were to be buried in the ruins of Sedan. - -Our fears, however, were soon allayed. Before nightfall we heard that -the Emperor had opened negotiations with the German King, and that the -capitulation was certain. - -At last darkness set in. The stillness of the night was unbroken, save -for a musical humming sound as if from a mighty hive of bees;--it was -the murmur of voices resounding from the hundred thousand men caged -within the beleaguered city. As we stood for a moment on the -battlements, sniffing the cool air, with which was still intermingled -the gruesome odour of the battlefield, how impressive a sight met our -gaze! Bazeilles was burning; its flames lit up the sky brilliantly, and -brought out into clear relief the hills and valleys for miles around; -they even threw a red glare over Sedan itself; while above the site of -the burning village there seemed to dance one great pillar of fire, from -which tongues shot out quivering and rocketing into the atmosphere, as -house after house burst into flames. - -The number of Frenchmen wounded during those few hours of which I write, -is said to have been 12,500. Probably a third of that figure would -represent the number of Prussian casualties. As for our own ambulance, -during that day it afforded surgical aid to 100 officers and 524 men. -The number of those killed will never be known; all I can state is, that -in places the French were mown down before our eyes like grass. There is -a thicket on a lonely hill side, skirting the Bois de Garenne, within -rifleshot of the Caserne D'Asfeld, where six and thirty men fell close -together. There they were buried in one common grave; and few besides -myself remain to tell the tale. - -Such is the story of Sedan as I beheld it, and as faithful a record as I -can give from my own experience, of that never-to-be-forgotten 1st of -September, 1870. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE BURNING OF BAZEILLES.--WORTHLESS FRENCH OFFICERS.--A WALK ABOUT -SEDAN.--IN THE VALLEY. - - -To our labours in the Hospitals I shall presently return. On the 31st, -Drs. Frank and Blewitt had established a branch hospital at Balan, and -during that day and 1st September, had rendered assistance, both there -and at Bazeilles, to those who were wounded in the street-fighting or -injured by the flames. Dr. Blewitt informed me that at one time, the -house in which they were treating a large number of wounded had its -windows and doors so riddled with bullets, that, in order to escape with -their lives, they had to lie down on the floor, and remain there until -the leaden shower was over. The French inhabitants also, he said, had -fired upon the Bavarians; they had set their bedding and furniture -alight, and thrown them out on the heads of the Germans, who were packed -close in the streets; and after the first repulse of the invaders, -several wounded Prussians had been barbarously butchered, some even -(horrible to relate) had had their throats cut with razors. This, it -was reported, had been the work of French women. On the other hand, -several of the native soldiers had been found propped up against the -walls in a sitting posture, with pipes and flowers in their mouths. Upon -retaking the village, when the Germans discovered what had been done, -they retaliated by shooting down and bayoneting all before them, nor in -some instances did the women and children escape this cruel fate. So -exasperated, indeed, were the Germans by the events of those two -dreadful hours on the 1st, that not a life did they spare, nor a house -did they leave intact, in that miserable town. - -Such, in brief, was the history of Bazeilles. It is not a subject which -one can dwell upon. When, within a day or two later, I had occasion to -pass through it, and saw the still burning ruins which bore witness to -the awful deeds done on both sides, my heart sank. All that fire and -sword could wreak upon any town and its inhabitants was visible here; -and it is not too much to affirm that, so long as the name of Bazeilles -is remembered, a stain will rest on the memory of French and Germans, -both of whom contributed to its ruin. - -On the 5th September Dr. Frank took possession of the Château Mouville, -which belonged to the Count de Fienne. It is situated between Balan and -Bazeilles, and was quickly filled with wounded from both places. But -for some time our ambulance was unable to get its waggons through the -streets, so impeded were they with the charred remains of the dead and -dying. - -I have now described what I can vouch for, on the testimony of some of -my companions, as having occurred at these two places; and I will leave -my own account of what I saw myself in Bazeilles until a later occasion. - -To go back to Sedan. As night drew near, the refugees outside the -Caserne lighted their fires, and put up their tents. Those who had no -tents rolled themselves in their cloaks, and lay down just where they -happened to be. All were overcome by fatigue, long marches, and want of -food and sleep; they seemed only too glad to rest anywhere, and to enjoy -a respite from the sufferings and hardships which during so many days -had weighed upon them. - -The true story of these unhappy soldiers will never become known in -detail; and if it did, the public would hardly believe it. Many of them -started, as I heard from their own lips, with only two-thirds of the kit -they were booked as having received. In some instances their second pair -of boots were wanting; or, if not, the pair supplied had thick brown -paper soles covered with leather, and were often a misfit. The men, as -we read with perfect accuracy in _La Débâcle_, were marched and -countermarched to no purpose; they received contradictory orders; and I -learned from their statements, that neither general officers nor -subalterns knew whither they were going; and that one corps was -constantly getting foul of the other, simply from not being acquainted -with the map of the district in which they found themselves. More than -one declared to me that their officers were _officiers de salon;_ they -were _canaille_, said the men, who when under fire were the first to -seek shelter, and from their position of security to cry "_En avant, mes -braves!_" In fact, the common soldiers felt and expressed the heartiest -contempt for them. Of this I had abundant evidence. It was enough to see -how the rank and file came into the cafés and sat down beside the -officers of their own regiment, as I have seen them do, taking hardly -any notice of them, or deigning them only the lamest of salutes. On the -other hand, when officers came into a café (which they did upon every -possible occasion), the men would pretend not to see them. I have -observed, not once, but scores of times, captains of the Line, wearing -decorations, seated in taverns drinking beer and absinthe with the -common soldiers. They were as despicable in their familiarities as in -their want of courage; and who can be surprised if their men did not -respect them, or wonder that such leaders had no control over the -privates when in action? - -As I mentioned before, we treated a number of officers of high grade -who were wounded on the 1st. They, in their turn, did not hesitate to -show how small was the confidence which they reposed in the grades above -them, by insisting that they had been sold and betrayed. They had -received no orders; and the generals of division had failed to make -their different marches in the appointed time, and to bring up their -commissariat, because their movements were hampered by the Emperor and -his staff, with their infinite baggage and useless attendants. -Statements such as these, together with what I witnessed myself, -convinced me in a very short time that it was not the soldiers of France -who were wanting in courage and endurance, but their officers who were -thoroughly incompetent, and their commissariat and whole military -organisation, which was rotten to the core. - -But to my Hospital. As I walked around the building the sight was -picturesque and very human,--the camp fires showing all the ground -strewn beneath the great trees with jaded sleepers. Entering by one of -the doors, I stumbled against something, which turned out to be a -slumbering Turco. The fellow yelled out words quite unintelligible to -me, and rolled over, without giving himself any more trouble, out of my -way. The medical staff now retired, and attacked what bread, meat, and -soup had been saved from the depredators of our larder that morning; -after which we resumed work once more. We were kept at it the whole of -that night, the following day, and some hours of the night after that, -without intermission. During the whole of the next day we were engaged -in receiving and conveying wounded men from the cottages and farmsteads -scattered over the plains at Illy and Floing, all of which were crammed -with disabled combatants. My duty in the Caserne was to dress the -lightly wounded, and assist at the operation table until the afternoon, -when I was desired by our kind and considerate chief to take four hours -off duty, and get some sleep. - -Instead, however, of taking this rest, which no doubt one required, I -sallied forth with F. Hayden on an expedition into the town, to the -Croix d'Or, where I had left something on the 31st, which I thought I -might recover. We found it hard to get out of our own enclosure; and -even on the steep path leading to the town, men were lying asleep, while -others roamed about in search of food. But when we got into Sedan, the -streets were thronged with soldiers. At several corners we stopped to -see men who were hacking and hewing the carcases of horses, which they -had just killed. Hungry crowds surrounded them, many of whom were -munching the lumps of raw meat, which they had secured, without waiting -to have it cooked; and in the Place de Turenne lay the bloody skeletons -of two horses, from which every particle of flesh had been cut away. -Here, as our cook, "nigger Charlie," assured me, was the source of my -morning's meal, which I had washed down with brandy, and thoroughly -relished. I may be pardoned for turning quickly from the revolting -scene. - -Finding that it was impossible to proceed, we retraced our steps to the -Caserne, and, making our exit this time through one of the sallyports, -went over the scene, at least in part, of yesterday's battle. - -It was a beautiful autumn evening, and the sun shone bright. Butterflies -flitted to and fro, and myriads of insects danced in the light as if for -a wager. Just as we were walking along the entrenchments outside, we -very nearly met with an inglorious end from a shower, not of bullets, -but of _pistols_, which came over the battlements, and continued falling -at intervals. On looking up, I perceived, standing on a projecting -angle, a stalwart Turco, who made signs that I should keep in close to -the parapet, which I did. This friendly fellow persuaded his comrades to -desist for a little, and thus enabled us to retreat. - -On getting clear of the ramparts, we found ourselves north of the town, -with the Bois de Garenne crowning the heights in front, and the valley -of Floing sloping away to our left. But the plateau which yesterday -swarmed with a surging mass of soldiers in conflict with the enemy, and -upon which we had seen the Cuirassiers and Chasseurs d'Afrique, at the -sound of the trumpet, tear headlong in their mad career to death,--was -now hushed, and presented a field of such horrors as are not to be -described. - -The burying parties had been hard at work for hours, but still the dead -lay scattered about on every side:--here singly, there in twos and -threes,--and again, in groups huddled together, which had been mown down -where they stood, by the same missile. Their features in some instances -were contorted and dreadful to behold,--some with portions of their -skulls and faces blown away, whilst what was left of their features -remained unchanged; others with their chests torn open and bowels -protruding; others, again, mangled and dismembered. The larger number -lay either on their backs or faces, without any apparent indication of -the nature of their death-wound. And some there were who had received -the first aid of surgical treatment, and died in the positions in which -they had been placed. - -Lower down the valley the corpses in red and blue, and the ranks of dead -horses, the broken spears and sabres, and the bent scabbards, spoke -silently but forcibly of the fury of that historic encounter. When one -looked along the plain for about half a mile on each side, one saw that -now deserted battlefield strewn as far as the eye could reach with -guns, and ammunition, and upturned waggons. There were carriages, and -dead horses by the side of them; firearms of every kind, in places -stacked several feet high, and knapsacks innumerable; caps, helmets, -belts, plumes, shakos, spurs, and boots, and every description -imaginable of military accoutrements. We remarked, besides, all manner -of articles--sponges, brushes, letters, pocket-books, soldiers' -regimental books, band-music, tin boxes various in size, and showing the -most diverse contents, others empty and their former contents scattered -about; as also nets for hay, saddles, saddle-trappings, whips, bridles, -bits, drums, portions of band instruments, and, in fact, as many -descriptions of objects great and small as would furnish an immense -bazaar. - -In one place I found a chassepot inverted together with a bayonet, set -at the head of a French soldier's grave, and a cavalry sword which lay -unsheathed beside its owner, who, still unburied, gazed vacantly in -front of him with a glassy stare, whilst the flies swarmed about his -half-opened mouth. The only indication of how he met his death was a -small patch of blood-stained earth beside him--not red, but tarry-black. -Near at hand, also, lay, covered with blood, a bit and bridle, without -anything to betoken how it came there. - -The dismal monotony of the scene was relieved only by those little -mounds of fresh earth scattered here and there, which marked where the -bodies of the slain, varying from one to ten in each place of sepulture, -had been consigned. Burials were still going on before our eyes. - -Over many of the graves were set up rustic crosses, made with two pieces -of wood tied together, or more frequently devices in arms. - -Silent as the prospect lay in front of us, its mournful stillness was -occasionally broken by the neighing and scampering of bands of horses, -still uncaptured, which were wandering in a fruitless search for food -and water. As they looked wildly round with their nostrils -distended,--some with just sufficient trappings left to indicate the -military status of their former masters,--one could almost think that, -still unconquered, they sought their comrades and the fray. - -In my ramble I passed through several gardens and orchards skirting the -Bois de Garenne. It was pitiful to see their condition. The trees were -utterly ruined, and their branches all broken; the flower beds were -ploughed up by the bursting of shells, and the houses had become mere -wrecks. Through some of them these missiles had made a clean breach. -Further on to the right, there had been a pretty little cemetery, -planted with yew trees, evergreens, and flowers, which had many small -monuments in marble and cut stone; but these, for the most part, were -broken or disfigured, and the iron railings and the shrubs around them -had been torn down. - -As I walked through, I paused for a moment to look upon the two -graveyards,--the one with a history of centuries, judging from its many -ancient tombs,--the other of yesterday's making--its only monuments the -little mounds of fresh earth, over which, a few months hence, the green -corn of spring would be waving, to obliterate the record of to-day's -ghastly scene. - -Hastening from this melancholy spot, I passed several burying parties. -The ceremonies which they used were rude and scant enough; for all they -did was to heave the body into the newly-made grave, and heap the earth -over it in silence. - -Next we ascended the tree-crested height above the plateau of Floing, -where we had seen the cavalry massed on the morning before. We first -entered the wood. It was intersected by walks which led to an -observatory and a Château in the centre. Here, as everywhere else, -disorder reigned. One might easily have conceived that an army had been -annihilated in the act of preparing their toilet: for all things -belonging to a soldier, from his full-dress uniform to his linen and -boots, were scattered about in all directions. Rifles and arms of all -sorts were cast away in hundreds. The brushwood in many parts was very -thick; but even in the midst of almost impenetrable scrub we found arms -and accoutrements in abundance. More than once we came upon the corpses -of French soldiers, who lay as if asleep. They had probably dragged -themselves from the scene of carnage to this lonely spot, and there -expired, unmolested. - -At one place in particular the underwood was so thick, that I had to -crouch down in order to get through it. My attention was drawn thither -by the signs of a path having been forced in that direction. A little -further in, I found an open space of a few yards square, which was now -occupied by a grave. It had no device upon it, except a cross scratched -in the red clay. Lying beside it, I found a piece of shell, a religious -picture, a prayer-book, and fragments of a uniform, which I still have -by me. I fancy some kind comrade had paid his friend a last tribute, by -giving him, as it were, a special burial in a place to himself. - -In order to reach the building in the centre of the wood, I had to pass -through a little garden, whose only flowers seemed to be rows of -dahlias, of every colour and description. Among these the shells had -made havoc. In one bed, I remarked a deep hole where a shell had fallen, -and some of the plants had been lifted several feet away. In other -places, furrows of some yards in length were made by shot and shell, as -if a plough had worked intermittently here and there. Some were deep, -others just skimmed the surface and ran a zigzag course, as if a -gigantic animal had been turning up the ground with his muzzle. The -building, into which I made my way, seemed to be an observatory or -pavilion, belonging to the Château, which stood some distance behind. -Its doors and wood-work were riddled with bullets, and the roof was -blown away. There, curiously enough, a large quantity of music was -strewn about. Under cover of this wood, the Bois de Garenne, we had seen -the French massing their troops; and they had evidently been lying here -in ambush when the Prussians detected and shelled them, before the final -rout, during which they abandoned their arms and ammunition. Down the -slope of the hill, and in the bottom of the valley facing the Meuse, -dead men and horses, with groups of hastily-dug graves,--many of them -German,--and broken spears, and numbers of unsheathed cavalry swords, -told the same tale of a death struggle in which hundreds must have -perished. - -Further along the valley, beside a lonely thicket, was a large mound -with a stake driven into it, and an inscription in German characters, -made with some material which looked like blacking, "Here lie thirty-six -men of the 5th corps". Who shall reckon the number of French dead in the -many graves adjacent? - -As my time was up, I now hastened back to my post, feeling like one who -had awakened from a terrible nightmare. Yet I was much invigorated by -this expedition, so mournful in its circumstances, and went to work with -renewed energy. - -On the evening of the 3rd, word was brought us that some of the wounded -lay in a bad way in a cottage outside Balan. Dr. MacCormac, accompanied -by Dr. Hewitt and myself, at once proceeded through the town and along -the high road, which we followed only for a short distance. Then we -struck out to the left until we arrived at a small wood, where certain -of the French troops were still encamped, but as prisoners. - -The night was fine, and would have been pitch dark had not the camp -fires shone around numerous and bright. When we came to the house in -question, Dr. MacCormac performed several amputations, at which Hewitt -and I assisted. In a couple of hours we started again for home, but -being both hungry and thirsty, turned aside into a little cottage, where -we told the poor woman in occupation that we had been attending the -wounded, and had had nothing to eat all day. We were willing to pay for -anything she could give us. At first she looked at us sternly; but when -we told her on which side we had been engaged, she melted, and received -us with a welcome, which, if not effusive, was, under the circumstances, -cordial. - -Out of her larder she offered us bread, and a quantity of what she -informed us was beef. We could not be particular; and it was not without -enjoyment that we made our doubtful, but much needed supper on her -viands. No further incident delayed our return to the Caserne D'Asfeld. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -WORK IN THE HOSPITAL.--THE ISLE OF IGES.--MY ARAB HORSE.--PRISONERS SENT -INTO GERMANY. - - -I do not intend entering here into full details of our work during this -eventful period. But, to give unprofessional readers some idea of its -nature and extent, I may state, that after the battles of August 31st, -and 1st September, we had 72 amputations of upper and lower extremities, -the great majority of which operations were performed by Dr. MacCormac. -Besides these, there were scores of equal magnitude--ligatures of -arteries of the neck, arm, and thigh,--and a host of operations, which, -in comparison, are usually termed minor, most of which, especially when -very serious, were accomplished by the same skilful hand. After the -hurry and rush of the first few days, we adopted a general routine of -work, and divided the number of wounded equally among the staff of -surgeons and assistants. We were eighteen, all told. Dr. Marion Sims was -our head, Dr. MacCormac our chief operator, Dr. Webb our _comptable_, -and Mr. Harry Sims our storekeeper. As I stated before, Drs. Frank and -Blewitt managed a branch hospital in the Château Mouville, where they -rendered to the victims of fire, sword, shot, and shell, of bullet and -bayonet, the most signal assistance at the imminent peril of their -lives. - -Thus for our three hundred and eighty wounded at the Caserne D'Asfeld we -had but twelve men, six being surgeons, and six assistants and -_sous-aides_; so that the number of wounded which fell to the share of -each surgeon and his assistant was sixty-three. Almost every case -occupying a bed in the hospital was of a serious nature, such as to -require much time and care in dressing it daily. But, besides, we had to -dress the lightly wounded who came to our hospital for inspection, and -who were quartered in the town wherever they could find room. The work -was simply enormous. We rose at six and breakfasted at half-past seven -upon horseflesh soup, or coffee and condensed milk (Mallow brand) with -musty bread, for our special supply of provisions was exhausted, and -neither bread nor beef could be obtained at any price. The duties to -which we then applied ourselves are easily imaginable; they included the -setting of fractures, extracting of bullets, ligaturing arteries, -resecting bones and joints, and assisting at the operation table. This -last was frequently my province. I was under Dr. May, an experienced -American surgeon, who, as I have mentioned earlier, had served in the -Confederate Army. No one could be more considerate. We worked most -agreeably together, and soon were the best of friends. - -During the press of the first few days, we juniors had lots of bullets -to extract and plenty of minor surgery; for although we were not -supposed to perform any operation, yet under the strain of necessity we -could not but often neglect this otherwise wholesome arrangement. Every -day numberless operations were gone through, at which we assisted in -turn; and thus had what we sometimes thought more than enough of -practical surgery. I spare the reader details; yet only perhaps by such -ghastly touches as are here omitted, can the nature and ravages of war -be truly described. - -At one o'clock the meal which we took resembled our breakfast, with the -addition of a little brandy; then we fell to work again, sometimes not -giving over until six, when we had supper, which was a repetition of our -other meals,--coffee or horseflesh soup, and sometimes horseflesh with -black bread and brandy. Then each took his turn of night duty. It was -very important to keep strict watch on the infirmarians, all soldiers -under the direction of a sergeant who remained in the guard-room when on -duty. We still owed allegiance to the French, and were nominally under -the Intendant Militaire, M. Bilotte. This gentleman paid us a daily -visit, and laid under requisition all the provisions he could get in the -neighbourhood, which was not much, considering that the presence of -200,000 men had involved the consumption of every particle of food in -the town and the surrounding villages. - -Being junior member of the Ambulance Staff, I came first on night duty -and took my position on a stretcher in the guard-room, where it was all -I could do to keep myself awake. My eyes would close in spite of -resolution, and I sometimes awoke just in time to escape a reprimand -when Dr. Marion Sims came round at midnight to make his inspection. As a -veteran in the American War he kept the strictest discipline, and -occasionally made our blood run cold by a description of the penalties -inflicted during that lively time for the smallest dereliction of duty. -However, except that a dozen or so of poor sufferers required morphia to -tranquillise them, nothing occurred until the small hours of the -morning, when it struck me that some of the _infirmiers_ might be, like -myself, inclined to doze. Accordingly, I went round and looked them up. - -All were stirring, except the infirmarians of wards 2 and 5, who were -stretched out, one on a bench, another on the ground, fast asleep. I -kicked them up to attention, and left them certainly more frightened -than hurt. On my reporting the matter, as I was bound, next morning, the -sleepy delinquents were put in the cells for twenty-four hours. - -Later on, one of them had twice as much punishment for the same offence. -Poor fellows, I could not really blame them. - -A source of disturbance during the night was the droves of loose horses, -principally Arabs, that kept neighing and pawing the pavement outside -the building, in their endeavour to reach the water which was stored in -buckets near the open windows. Every night, as their thirst increased, -they became more frantic; and during the daytime they came in dozens, -drawn by the scent of water, all the while kicking each other furiously. -Some had bridles, some mere fragments of their trappings, and the rest -had got quit of all their furniture. It was novel to see these chargers -careering about in demi-toilette. In a few days, however, all the -wounded animals, now become useless, were shot; the others were brought -together--chiefly by the sound of the trumpet, to which they quickly -answered--and were picketed in the valley beyond the Meuse and above -Donchery. - -One morning Hayden and I made an expedition, and secured two of them. -Mine was a fine chestnut Arab, which I kept tied to a tree in our -enclosure, while one of my _infirmiers_ contrived to get fodder for him -outside the ramparts, in addition to what I could procure myself from -the ambulance stores. Mounted on our captures, Hayden and I used -occasionally to explore the country during our hours off duty. -Afterwards, when leaving Sedan, we turned them out again upon the -plains, where, doubtless, they enjoyed a short-lived freedom. Some of -the unsound horses, which the Prussians did not require, they sold for a -trifle to the inhabitants. I saw a remarkably useful pair of horses, -apparently sound and in good condition, which were sold by auction in -the Place de Turenne for twelve francs, that is to say, ten shillings -the pair. But we must bear in mind that, with a little vigilance, and by -evading the Prussian pickets, horses might then be had on the plains for -the trouble of catching them. - -What had become, meanwhile, of the defeated and entrapped army of -prisoners? After much trouble, their officers had got together all that -remained of the regiments, and had sent in a return of their strength to -the Prussians. For three days our enclosure was not clear of them. One -afternoon, when the prisoners had been shut up into their Island "Park," -the Isle d'Iges, Hayden and I paid them a visit. It was a melancholy -sight. That imposing army, which included the best soldiers of France, -had been marched ignominiously, though 85,000 strong, out of Sedan, and -penned like sheep in this island, formed by a bend in the Meuse. There -they were kept in view by Prussian sentinels and mounted pickets. We -passed the guard without difficulty, for there was no prohibition -against Red Cross medical men entering the camp. In addition to the -French rank and file, those officers who refused to take the parole were -confined upon the island. We saw them to be in a miserable plight, the -mud up to their ankles, and their clothing scanty and torn. Many had -lost everything and were wholly without kits. The rain, which had -succeeded to that brilliant sunshine of the 1st, had now been coming -down in torrents for twelve hours, and was drenching them to the skin; -for their tent-accommodation was altogether insufficient, and failed to -shelter them. Men and officers alike looked miserable. - -This open-air prison, I have said, was formed partly by a bend of the -Meuse, and partly by a broad, deep, and impassable canal. Within such -narrow limits we observed the captives, who were walking up and down in -batches, trying to get a little warmth. Some endeavoured to light a -fire--no easy task with wet sticks--others were making coffee, or busied -themselves in cutting timber to throw on their smoking branches. Their -food was a scanty supply of bread and coffee, served out every two days; -and for this there was quite a scramble, which ended in many failing to -secure more than enough for a single meal. Thus they were condemned to -starve until the next supply was served out. We may well ask how such a -multitude could exist during those weary days, at the mercy of the -weather, and in a sea of filth. But many died, and the sufferings of -the rest were deplorable. These poor fellows told us that hundreds of -them were victims of dysentery, and begged us to give them such opiates -or astringents as we might have about us. Unfortunately, we could do but -little under the circumstances. - -Whilst I was speaking with a knot of soldiers, my friend fell into -conversation with a captain of the line, M. le Marquis de ----, of the -4th Chasseurs d'Afrique. He, too, was suffering from the effects of wet -and exposure. Hayden, with that generosity for which he was remarkable, -promised to come the next day, and to bring all the medicine required. -In return, the captain pressed upon him a fine grey Arab, with bridle -and saddle, which Hayden accepted, but could not take away then, for the -guard would not have passed him out. However, when he came the day -after, with a plentiful supply of medicaments and brandy, he rode an old -grey _garron_ which he had picked up somewhere, and on his departure -went off with the captain's beautiful mount;--a change of steeds that -the Prussian did not trouble to remark. - -Every day we saw from our quarters regiment after regiment bundled off -(there is no other word for it) into Germany. As we watched the whole -French army slouching away to the sound of Prussian music, I confess -that some of us had strong language on our lips and still stronger -feelings in our hearts at the shameful sight. We anathematised the -enemy, who now seemed to be pursuing their advantage so unrelentingly. - -Yet, candour compels me to add, that when I looked at the Prussian -sentinels guarding our gates and pacing our ramparts, I could not help -admiring their stern, yet frank and honest countenances, and their -stalwart physique. A notable contrast, indeed, they presented to the -stunted, nervous-looking, and worn-out French soldiers, who, however, it -is only fair to add, were suffering from the effects of long exposure -and privation, and whom we had seen at their worst. Still, there was a -difference in the men themselves which no one with eyes in his head -could fail to observe. What was the explanation of it? He that can reply -to this question as the truth demands, and he alone, will explain why -the French campaigns of 1870 and 1871 were such a dismal series of -misfortunes. The break-down of the Commissariat, the peculation in high -quarters, the confused plans, and the military disorder must be ascribed -to causes which were long in action before the French entered on their -struggle with the Fatherland. I am convinced that those causes were -moral and intellectual; and that they still exist. The future of France -will depend on how the nation deals with them. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -MORE WOUNDED.--SIGHTS AFTER THE BATTLE.--A COUNTRY RAMBLE.--HEAVY -HOSPITAL TASKS.--L'EAU DE ZOUAVE. - - -Every day Sedan became more and more crowded with the soldiers who were -hurt; and on the 12th we found ourselves so much pressed for room that -we had to put up thirty-six auxiliary tents, which, for this humane -purpose, we had stolen from the French. - -The first contingent arrived from the neighbourhood of Bazeilles. When -they came in we saw that the poor fellows were in a bad way, many still -groaning from the pain of their wounds, which had been much increased by -their being jolted about in waggons, with only a scanty supply of straw -beneath them. Some had fractured limbs; others had undergone severe -surgical treatment, such as amputations; and these latter suffered -inexpressible torture. - -All were craving for food and water, neither of which had been given to -them during many hours. Some, altogether exhausted, died on the night of -their arrival. One detachment of the sufferers had been allotted to Dr. -May and myself; and I heard from a soldier that he, and a number of his -companions, several of whom had lost their legs, were permitted to -remain on their backs upon a little straw for whole days, in a deserted -farmhouse outside Givonne. Their dressings had neither been removed nor -changed; they had had only water to drink, and a small quantity of musty -black bread to eat. - -Another suffered from a terrible bed-sore, which arose in the same way. - -But what was our surprise, when, on the following day, the Germans sent -us up from the town 130 French wounded, to make room for their own in -Sedan! They had them conveyed on stretchers; and, as it happened to be a -pouring wet day, the unhappy men arrived in their new quarters drenched -to the skin and shivering with cold, for many of them had nothing but a -light shoddy American blanket to cover them or their tarpaulin. - -These new comers, the victims of neglect, exposure, and overcrowding, -became soon the victims also of fever, secondary hemorrhage, dysentery, -pyæmia, and hospital gangrene. It cannot be surprising that they died -every day by the dozen. One morning, in particular, I call to mind that -there had been fourteen deaths during the night. - -Whether it was that the Germans had more wounded of their own than they -could conveniently attend to,--which I believe was the case,--and were -therefore unable to look after the French wounded, or that they were -unwilling to do so, I cannot tell, but I know, from personal -observation, that large numbers of French soldiers died from the neglect -which they had undergone previous to entering our hospitals. - -I am aware that the Germans have been blamed, on more than one occasion, -for the fearfully neglected state of the French wounded in the districts -occupied by them. But I think the true explanation may be found, first -and foremost, in the great desire which the peasants had to convert -their houses into ambulances, outside of which they could hang the Red -Cross flag. Thereby, they exempted themselves from having the invaders -billeted on them. But also, it was owing to the reluctance which these -same peasants felt at parting with their wounded, which would have put -an end to their own immunity. Furthermore, we must take into our account -the undoubted fact that the Prussians were themselves anxious to leave -them with the inhabitants, and so get quit of the trouble which it -involved to transport and treat them surgically. Besides this, so great -was the dread which the French wounded experienced of being handled by -German doctors and taken to German hospitals, that, in many instances, -they persuaded their own people to conceal their presence as long as -possible. And, all through, we cannot but remember the appalling -disorganisation and incompetence of the French voluntary ambulances, -which were never to be found when wanted, and which when they did -appear, brought with them little or nothing that was necessary to make a -battlefield ambulance useful. They possessed no stores; they had few -willing hands or cool heads, and discipline was unknown to them. - -I think it but right to add, that once the French were transmitted to a -German hospital, they invariably (as I can testify from experience) met -with the greatest kindness at the hands of the military surgeons, and -had all that science and good order could do for them. - -During all this time we were virtually prisoners in the hands of the -Prussians, and they kept a regular guard upon our quarters, while -numerous sentries paced up and down the ramparts beside us, as we went -to and fro. Nevertheless, far from interfering in any way they gave us -help in every possible manner, and showed us the most marked deference. -But the sentries who, after nightfall, were placed every fifty yards in -the streets, were, at first, constantly challenging us, until they came -to recognise our uniform, and knew who we were. - -An incident, which I ought not to pass over, occurred one evening as -Hayden and I rode out for an airing. We were going along the road which -led through the Prussian artillery camp outside Donchery, and we met a -carriage or landau, accompanied by a strong guard of Uhlans, in which -was a French officer, evidently wounded, for he lay on his back, propped -up on pillows. Another officer of rank sat beside him. We were informed -that the wounded prisoner was Marshal MacMahon, and that he was on his -way to Germany through Belgium; but I have found since that this could -not have been the case, for Marshal MacMahon was taken away early on the -day of Sedan itself. Next we trotted on to the cottage at Frénois, -where, a few days previously, the Emperor had met Count Bismarck. We -then rode to the Château Bellevue in which Napoléon had had his -interview with the King of Prussia and the capitulation was signed. Here -I was shown, and sat upon, the chair in which the fallen Emperor had -been seated. The pen and ink were shown us, also, with which, as it was -alleged, the articles had been written. But I felt by no means sure of -this and told my companion so. It was amusing to see his indignation, -and the vehement way in which he put down my scepticism, as detracting -from the interest of our pilgrimage. - -Our next move was to inspect some of the enemy's positions on the -heights of Marfée. Here we could trace no débris of any kind,--a -sufficiently striking contrast to what we had observed on the other -side, where one might conceive that myriads of the French had come -together for a death struggle. Over many of the Prussian graves were -erected small improvised crosses, with the numbers of the dead marked in -black paint. Of these graves not a few were afterwards opened, and the -bodies buried deeper down; for they had been lying so close to the -surface that the odour became most offensive. The Prussians wisely got -their dead out of sight quickly, and buried them hastily, without caring -how imperfectly the work was executed at the time. This they did lest -the sight of the dead might have a demoralising effect upon the living. -As we took a zigzag course towards home, we passed close by the railway -station, and perceived that it was full of wounded men. The Salle -d'Attente and all the offices and rolling-stock had been converted into -ambulances. In many of the carriages the partitions had been removed, so -that they now presented the appearance of a hospital upon wheels. - -The sight was interesting to me, for I had been one of the last who had -travelled in those carriages and alighted on that platform. As we passed -on we skirted the French camp, and scanned the remaining occupiers--now -reduced to a handful--of this plague-spot. And before returning, we -inspected the pontoon bridge which the Prussians had thrown across the -Meuse upon the evening of the 31st. I had never seen a bridge of the -kind, and was naturally struck with this wonderful result of an hour's -labour. By-and-by, fortune gave me an opportunity of seeing a still more -marvellous bridge of boats, constructed and destroyed on the Loire at -Orleans. - -Next day, when I had finished my work, which consisted, as usual, of -dressing wounds of every conceivable description, I was despatched by -Dr. Sims to Dr. Frank at Bazeilles, in order to ascertain what -additional surgical material was required to carry on his hospital at -that place. Passing through the town, I noticed that the streets of -Sedan were no longer overflowing with French soldiers. They were filled -with Prussians, wearing that grave or stolid expression which marked -them out so clearly from their adversaries. All the shutters were up, -the doors closed, and not an inhabitant to be seen. One could imagine -that the town had been completely deserted before the hostile troops had -entered. - -Such, however, was by no means the case. The inhabitants had shut -themselves up as a silent protest, and that their eyes might be relieved -from the spectacle of the invader rejoicing over his victory. For, true -it is that with a Frenchman, to be out of sight is to be out of mind. A -few days later came a decree from the German Commandant, obliging the -citizens to open their doors and shops, and to resume the ordinary -traffic. - -I left the town by the Balan gate, stepped off the high road, which was -blocked with transport and Commissariat waggons, and took my way through -the fields. In this short journey of less than a mile, I unwittingly -stepped over many a grave, and was sometimes made unpleasantly aware of -the proximity of its occupant to the surface. Having arrived at my -destination, which was easily found,--for the château was an ancient -mansion, standing in the midst of fine woods and gardens, and had an -avenue leading from the village through a handsome entrance.--I -delivered my orders, and then looked round the hospital. It was airy, -clean, and commodious, was evidently worked on system, and not -overcrowded. In attention to this latter point, lies the secret of -success in a field hospital. - -I was privately made aware of an interesting fact, that the pleasant old -man who went about dressed in a rustic costume, blue blouse, loose -trousers, and rough shoes, and made himself generally useful, was the -owner of this pretty place. He had adopted the disguise as a safeguard -against the Prussians, and in order to keep an eye on his property. From -time to time, he produced out of his secret stores wine of an old -vintage and corned meat,--both welcome delicacies during those days of -horseflesh soup and black bread. - -Having done my errand, I walked through a plantation which communicated -by a wicket with the road leading to the village. More than a week had -elapsed since our attention was being drawn in the direction of -Bazeilles by those continued volleys of musketry, and the fearful -conflagration which had been so conspicuous in the darkness. Yet some of -the houses were smouldering as I passed through. One of our Ambulance -surgeons who had been present at the street-fighting, gave a vivid -description of the scenes enacted there under his own observation; but -to these I have already alluded, and I shall relate only what I saw. -Here it was that the dead lay in such heaps that they had to be cleared -away before the cavalry could pass. Now all were decently buried, except -such as lay beneath the burning ruins, and of these, people said, there -were numbers. As the weather was again very close, the odour was in some -places most disagreeably perceptible. Strewn about was débris of every -kind; arms, accoutrements, broken furniture and household effects, -portions of bedding, and shreds of women's and children's clothing. I -pulled at one piece of a garment which was visible through the débris of -a ruined house, and fancied that its wearer was lying only a few inches -beneath. It was a child, so far as I could judge from the dress. That -thought made me hurry away from the spot with a feeling of sickness. -Before its downfall, Bazeilles had been a pretty little town, each -house having its own trees and garden; but now, with the exception of a -few flowers and shrubs at the Mairie, all had been destroyed. There were -statues and vases still standing in their place; but not a single thing -which could lead one to suppose that, a few days previously, this heap -of ruins had been a thriving village, its streets lined with comfortable -houses, and its people flourishing. - -The village church, standing in the centre of the Square, was a total -wreck. On entering, I perceived that here, too, the shells had done -their work effectively; for the altar seemed as if it had been struck -and shivered to pieces by a mighty hammer. The stone font set in the -wall was broken to bits, the glass hung in cones from the windows. I -have kept some of these as memorials to this day. Among the rubbish of -the altar and tabernacle, I came upon a piece of shell,--the same, no -doubt, that wrecked the sanctuary. This I have also preserved. - -For some time I wandered about the deserted streets, taking in the sad -sight. So fierce had been the conflagration that the trees were burned -down to the bare trunks. On turning a corner, I espied at the top of the -street, facing me, a man with a portfolio and easel in front of him, -hard at work sketching the ruins. As I approached he gave me a searching -look, and resumed his work. Later on he came up to the Hospital, and I -found he was an artist on the staff of the _Illustrated London News._ -In that paper I saw afterwards the sketch he was taking; and a very -excellent one I judge it to be. - -On the way back to my quarters I saw a crowd of children at a convent -door, from the steps of which two nuns were distributing bread from a -large basket. These children, I was informed, were some of the innocents -who had fled with their mothers from the burning village. It made my -heart ache to see the eagerness with which these half-famished little -creatures snatched at and began to devour the bread. And now as I slowly -trudged up the steep path which led to our Hospital, I could not but -reflect how terrible a curse is war, and what a very faint idea he will -have of it who has not seen the detestable thing face to face. - -Our Hospital work, hitherto very heavy indeed, was now increased by our -thirty-six tents. All were filled with wounded; and we should soon have -overtasked our strength, but for the timely assistance which the English -Society lent us. About the 11th September, Drs. A. O. Mackellar, -Sherwell, Beck and Warren, and two dressers, accompanied by two English -nursing Sisters--Miss Pearson and Miss McLoughlin--arrived, the former -from Metz, the latter from London. They brought a supply of Mallow -condensed milk and potted beef--a welcome supplement to black coffee -and horseflesh soup. Up to this we had quite forgotten the outer world; -and we knew little of the great events which had passed, and were -passing, outside our own limited experience. - -Some days previous to being thus reinforced, several of us were attacked -by intestinal disorders, from which I, among the number, suffered -severely. In a few days, the origin of this malady was accounted for. -The body of a Zouave, in a state of semi-decomposition, was drawn out of -the well which alone supplied the Hospital. - -His presence there was discovered by the bumping of the bucket against -something soft, when a grappling iron was let down and brought up the -dead body.... This poor fellow had, we supposed, been wounded slightly -on the 1st; and, during that night, or the night after, had dragged -himself to the edge of the well, and had fallen in, probably owing to -his efforts to procure some relief from his thirst. There was no other -way of accounting for his presence. Dr. MacCormac christened this well -"L'Eau de Zouave". I resolved never again to complain of the coarse and -scanty fare upon which we subsisted; but my blood curdled at the thought -that this unsavoury and deadly beverage, in the shape of a cold infusion -of Zouave and brandy, had for some days past been my chief drink. Such -is war! - -The weather, which had been fine and warm since we left Paris, had now -become wet and stormy. In spite of all we could do, the misery and -wretchedness of the wounded under canvas was beyond description. For the -rain came through the tents and soaked their scanty bedding. I occupied -a small tent in the middle of the others; and to give some notion of the -weather, I may mention that one night, when I had taken off nearly all -my clothes (by no means a usual, or always possible, proceeding) and had -got between the blankets, being stretched on a straw mattress, I awoke -to find myself in the open air, with the rain and wind beating fiercely -upon me. The tent had been swept away by a gust of wind. I started out -of bed, and, standing in the dark, up to my ankles in mud, drenched, and -not half-dressed, called to the Hospital guard. One of them brought a -lantern, and guided me to the main building close by, where I found some -dry clothes, and made up a bed with a few benches in the mess-room. With -the help of a tumbler of brandy and hot water, and a dose of chlorodyne, -I had an excellent night's rest in my new quarters. - -But this bad weather, exposure, and overcrowding--all things beyond our -control--brought disaster into our camp. Pyæmia and secondary hemorrhage -showed themselves everywhere. All our secondary operations died, and I -regret to say that their places were immediately filled up by the -Germans, who turned all the French wounded that they could out of the -principal buildings of the town, and sent them up to us, in order to -make room for their own. Though the position of the tents was changed, -and disinfectants used as far as possible, numbers of these new invalids -had been hardly with us a couple of days when they were seized by the -same infection. The Hospital had become a centre of the plague, and -threatened to be a death-trap to all who should be sent thither. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -TWO THOUSAND PATIENTS.--NIGGER CHARLIE.--LOUIS ST. AUBIN, CHASSEUR -D'AFRIQUE.--THE BOY PEYEN.--GUNS CAPTURED IN THE TOWN. - - -THE number of wounded in the care of our Ambulance was at this time, -roughly speaking, about 500. There were 218 in the Caserne; each of the -thirty-three tents held 4 patients, and Dr. Frank had in his Hospital -150 Bavarians. This will make the total given above a fairly accurate -estimate. During and after the battles of the 31st August, and the 1st -September, the number of men whose wounds we dressed and attended to, -without receiving them into the Hospital, was calculated by us at about -2000. Nor can this be thought excessive, when, within rifle range around -us, there were of French wounded alone, over 12,500. - -A further insight into the magnitude of our labours may be gained from -the fact that in our Hospital at Sedan we had a total of 436 primary -operations,--152 for injuries of the upper, and 284 for injuries of the -lower extremities. Another interesting fact worth recording is, that -during the battles about Sedan, not a single case of wound by a -mitrailleuse bullet was met with by any member of our staff. - -Dr. Marion Sims assured us that the hardships we endured, and the amount -of work we actually got through, went beyond the limits of his varied -experience. To enter at length into details would, besides involving -obscure technicalities, be tedious to the general reader. I will confine -myself to a brief account of our Staff and General Management, and -select from my observations a few interesting cases. I have named the -original members of our Ambulance, and those who had recently joined us. -Nor must I forget Père Bayonne, the Dominican Friar, who was a general -favourite, and untiring in his efforts to deal with the religious wants -of the dying soldiers--no easy task among Frenchmen. Neither ought I to -omit M. Monod, our Protestant chaplain, a quiet, gentlemanly man, who -moved noiselessly about, and slipped little pamphlets with stories of -the usual type, and sheets of paper with Bible-texts printed on them, -into the patients' beds as he went along. - -But I have yet to mention, at such length as he deserves, one of the -most notable characters in our Ambulance, our _chef de cuisine_ and -stud-groom, "Nigger Charlie". He was coal-black, and he and his -forefathers had been Virginian slaves in Dr. Pratt's family. When the -slaves were enfranchised, and slavery abolished, Charlie came to Paris -with his master, whose family were ruined by the emancipation, for all -their wealth had consisted in their slaves. At Paris, Charlie served Dr. -Pratt faithfully for years; indeed, he often told me that he loved his -master more dearly than his life. Dr. Pratt, on the other hand, knew and -said that in spite of his undoubted devotion, Charlie would sometimes -steal his money and pawn his plate, after which he would take to his -heels, coming back only when all he had gained in this unrighteous -fashion was spent. But, though chastised not too leniently with the -whip, nothing would induce him to run away for good. It was, in fact, -impossible to get rid of him. - -When, therefore, the negro heard that his master had joined the -Ambulance, although he had a good salary as courier in an American Bank -in Paris, he packed up his traps, and, without saying a word, landed -himself into the train by which we arrived at Sedan. He was a wonderful -cook, and knew how to serve up horseflesh soup and steaks so as to defy -detection. He was also a wit of quite a brilliant type, a great rider -and judge of horses, and as a liar beat all records. But his most -decided characteristics were hatred of the Yankee, contempt for black -men, and a chivalrous devotion to white women. I had many a pleasant -chat with him. His descriptions of slave life in Virginia, as he said it -went on in nine cases out of ten, and of the happiness of their -domestic situation and surroundings, were extremely vivid and even -touching. I presume he was, at any rate, a true witness in his own -behalf. - -Now, as to the exact nature of our Hospital work and its results. It is -to me a constant subject of regret that our knowledge of the antiseptic -treatment and drainage of wounds was then only in its beginning. -Although lint and _charpie_ dressings were used, saturated with carbolic -solution, yet covered as they were with oiled silk and a bandage, their -effect was spoiled. Neither was any serious attempt made to render the -instruments, operating table, and surroundings of the patients, aseptic. -Hence the high rate of mortality which ensued. Startling, in fact, as -the statement may appear, I am convinced that if we had refrained from -performing a single secondary operation at Sedan, our results would have -turned out far better. - -There was associated with every individual in this great host of -patients an interesting story,--how, when, and where did they receive -their wounds? And among the number some cases could not fail to be -exceptionally romantic or affecting. The sketch I have already given of -Louis St. Aubin's adventures,--that brave Chasseur d'Afrique who was -thrice wounded on the 1st,--may be taken as an instance; and I will now -add what happened in the sequel. - -St. Aubin came into the Hospital under Dr. May's care and mine. Two days -afterwards, Dr. MacCormac performed resection of both his joints. But so -afraid was Louis that advantage might be taken of his induced sleep to -amputate his arm (a mutilation to which the poor fellow would in no case -submit) that he refused utterly to be put under chloroform. Throughout -the operation, which was of necessity a protracted one, he bore up with -amazing courage. When the bones had to be sawn through, he clenched his -teeth on the fold of a sheet, and, except to give utterance to a few -stifled groans, neither flinched nor moved a muscle. His powers of -endurance were wonderful. Day after day I attended at this brave -fellow's bedside, and he and I became much attached to one another. I -took him little delicacies when I could procure them, and I was -determined not to let him die if I could help it. Dr. MacCormac visited -him very often; but he was quite jealous of allowing any one but Dr. May -or myself to dress his wounds. - -For some time he went on favourably,--a progress which I observed with -pleasure; but then fell back so much that we almost despaired. At this -time his sufferings were intense; and I had much to do to keep him in -bed. One day he implored of me to put him altogether out of his pain; I -expostulated with him as firmly as I could, and pointed out how unmanly -it was to use such language, whatever he might be enduring; when he -said, with an agonising earnestness, "Tell me, doctor, is it possible -that Christ suffered as much as I am suffering now?" I answered, "Your -pain is as nothing to His," and he calmed down and went through his -agony in silence. - -Happily, it was not long until he became better; and when in course of -time, I was obliged to leave with the Ambulance and go to the front, he -was rapidly recovering. Our parting was sorrowful, for I honoured and -loved the noble spirit of that dauntless soldier. He begged for my -address in Ireland, that he might write to me; and he has done so -several times. I subjoin the translation of one of his letters sent to -me while he was in Hospital after I had left Sedan. - - "SEDAN, Oct. 10th, 1870. - "Monsieur le Docteur, - - "I do not wish to delay any longer before giving you an account - of myself, and once more expressing my gratitude for the - interest you have taken and the care you have lavished on me. - What am I to tell you about my wound? It is slow in healing, and - since your departure, I have had to undergo treatment very - different from yours; but I have not given up the hope of a - complete recovery, although I suffer a good deal, and am obliged - to stay in bed. - - "I should be very happy if I could see you at my bedside, M. le - Docteur. In spite of the pains taken with me, I feel your going - away; you were so kind and patient. Shall I ever see you again, - and thank you with my own lips? I hope so with all my heart. I - will never forget you. - - "Please accept, with the expression of my deepest gratitude, my - entire devotion. - - "LOUIS ST. AUBIN. - - "I take the liberty of sending you my address, and I hope you - will do me the honour of letting me hear from you. Thanks to the - kindness of M. de Montagnac, I shall receive your letter - direct." - -The address given was that gentleman's, at Bouillon. - -I insert this touching note, less on account of the generous -acknowledgment which Louis St. Aubin makes to his doctor, than to show -what fine qualities were in him, and how gracefully his French courtesy -enabled him to express himself. Indeed, when his Colonel came to see the -lad, he declared that Louis was the best and bravest soldier in his -troop, and that he did not know what fear was. - -Another young fellow, quite a boy, Peyen of the 50th Regiment of the -Line, had been shot through the wrist, and Dr. May considered that -amputation was necessary. He was a bright young fellow, with a beaming -countenance and a twinkle in his eye; and when I came to let him know -our determination, and take him to the operation ward, I found him -smoking a cigar. Not a bit dismayed, he got out of bed, slipped on his -trousers, and tripped briskly up the cloister, smoking his cigar all the -while, until he mounted the operation table. His arm was amputated; but -when he recovered from the chloroform state, he declined to go back to -bed until he saw his comrade's leg cut off. "I want," said Peyen, "to -tell him how it was done." This might be an incident in _Le Conscrit_ of -MM. Erckmann-Chatrian. - -He quietly smoked another cigar which I procured for him, and -attentively watched every step of the operation; after which, he and his -companion returned to their ward together. - -Peyen wrote me a letter, which I still possess, and will here append, to -show me how well he could write with his left hand. Nothing but a -facsimile could do justice to the quaint and brave caligraphy of this -letter, which I am sorry not to reproduce in the original. It read -pretty much as follows:-- - - "AT SEDAN, September 18th, 1870. - - "On the 4th of August, took place the Battle of Bixembourg - (_sic_) from 9 in the morning till 9 at night. The _division - Douai_, composed of about 8000 men, too weak to resist an enemy - six times their number, was forced to beat a retreat to Hagenau. - In this sad engagement General Douai was killed at the head of - his Division. The battle was won by the Prussians,--that is - true, but the honour remains with France, the Division having - stood against 60,000 men all that day, and having even prevented - them for five hours from ascending the slope of Bixembourg. - - (Signed) "PEYEN, LOUIS, - "Ever your devoted servant. - "To M. le Docteur of Ward No. 5." - -This plucky young fellow recovered without a single bad symptom. But, -alas! it was not so with a vast number of our other patients; for, about -the 14th, many of them were in a bad way, and nearly all our staff -complained of not feeling well. Dr. Sims noticed one day that the work -was telling on me, and ordered me off duty, sending me out for a walk. - -Accordingly, I went into the town, and saw the French guns which had now -been stored in the Park, or exercise ground for the troops during times -of peace. I never shall forget that sight. There were 400 pieces of -artillery of all sizes, including 70 mitrailleuses packed close -together. The question suggested itself, Would an army of 100,000 -Englishmen, with this amount of guns and ammunition, submit to lay down -their arms and skulk into Germany? Could any combination of -circumstances make such a thing possible? I do not believe it. An -officer on duty about the place kindly took me through the Park, and -showed me the working of the mitrailleuse, as well as a number of heavy -cannon. He warned me against picking up unburst shells, for they had -been known to explode as long as seventeen days after being fired--a -statement which I thought unlikely. - -Standing beside this plateau was a large building which belonged to the -Nuns of the Assumption, and in which a sister of mine, who is in that -Order, had until recently been living. I paid them a visit and the -Mother Superior received me cordially, telling me of their labours on -behalf of the wounded, and pointing out where a shell had struck one of -the doors leading into the garden. There was also a round hole in -another door, as clean cut by a bullet as if it had been done with a -punch. - -The refectory of these good Sisters was now made the operation room; and -many of the lightly wounded were limping on crutches up and down the -cloisters, their faces beaming with contentment, as well they might, for -the Nuns were indefatigable in attending to their wants. Having bidden -adieu to the amiable Superior, I directed my steps to the Place de -Turenne. Here the church, theatre, public schools, and extensive -buildings of the cloth and silk factories in the Rue Marqua, were -crowded with invalids, as was every second house in the town. All these -showed the Red Cross flag--under Prussian management, and I looked into -some of them, thinking that the Church especially, was an uncanny sight -when turned into a hospital and full of the wounded. - -I now passed on through the town, and out by the Torcy Gate, and so home -again. It was four days before I was allowed another ramble, as Dr. May -had a slight attack of blood poisoning, and his work was given to me. -Most of our _infirmiers_ had been drawn by the Prussians. Those that -remained were French ambulance men; and, if we except three, were -altogether ignorant, lazy, and good-for-nothing fellows. They had -received no technical training; and the task, therefore, which devolved -upon me taxed the energies of mind and body. - -Some of our patients were wounded in three, four, five, and, in one -instance, in six places, which made the dressing of their wounds a -tedious affair. I had also to dress ten or a dozen amputated limbs. At -one time I had in my charge eighteen of these, a couple of resections, -no end of flesh wounds from bullet and shell, numerous fractures--most -of them compound ones--and all varieties of lacerations and contusions. -About this time there were some forty secondary operations, in all of -which conservative surgery had been tried; but owing to the overcrowded -state and vitiated atmosphere of the Hospital, these patients nearly all -succumbed. From the commencement our lightly wounded men were removed as -soon as possible, and sent to some French or Belgian Military Hospital. -The result was that, after a few days, we had none in our care but the -severely wounded. I cannot conclude without mentioning the kind way in -which Dr. Marion Sims dealt with me. Nor shall I ever cease to recall -with gratitude, his invariable consideration for one so much younger -than himself and wholly without experience. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -SUSPICIOUS PRUSSIANS.--THE ILLUSTRIOUS STROMEYER.--OPEN-AIR -TREATMENT.--NEUTRALITY BECOMES DIFFICULT.--DR. SIMS LEAVES US.--UNDER -ARREST.--FAREWELL TO SEDAN. - - -I forgot to mention a curious story told me by a French soldier, who had -a bullet wound through his arm. To account for it, he said that it had -been received from the pistol of a Prussian horseman, to whom he was in -the act of handing a piece of bread, which the fellow had asked of him. -Could this be true? It seems to me incredible, and, for the honour of -our common humanity, I hope was false. - -A strange encounter which one of our new arrivals, Dr. Warren, had with -two Prussian sentinels caused some excitement, and not a little -amusement, among the rest of us. Dr. Warren was returning after dark, -with some arms that he had secured as trophies, and secreted a few days -previously. When he was passing beneath the ramparts a sentinel from -above halted him, and challenged him to give the word. Dr. Warren, who -could then neither speak nor understand French or German, shouted and -made such explanations as he could in English, which it is needless to -observe the sentinel did not comprehend. How unsatisfactory they were to -him our friend was quickly convinced, by the sentry raising his rifle -and firing at his head. He heard the bullet hit the bank close beside -him, and, as it was dusk, the flash revealed two other sentries on their -beat near by, one of whom followed suit; but luckily with no better -success. - -A yet more extraordinary method of assault was now resorted to by a -third, who, being conscious, no doubt, of his incompetence as a -marksman, began to hurl large stones over the ramparts at our stranger. -Thus far, Dr. Warren had been standing petrified with astonishment, but -now realising his position he made up his mind to run, which he did at -the utmost speed, for he expected every second to feel a bullet through -him, the only doubt being where he would get hit. He escaped, and the -whole affair was reported to the Prussian commandant. This officer had -two of the sentinels mildly reproved for their excess of zeal, and the -hurler punished in that he had adopted an unsoldierly method of attack. -Dr. Scott suggested to me that this last man must have been by descent -from Tipperary. - -Misadventures were in the air just then; for, a morning or two -afterwards, Drs. Parker and Marcus Beck happened to ignite some -cartridges which were lying on the ground near the Hospital, and thereby -caused an explosion. The guard turned out, arrested our two heroes, and -took them before the commandant, who, upon receiving their explanation, -set them at liberty. As time wore on, our relations with the Teutons -became more and more friendly. At first they had looked upon us with -distrust; but, when they found that our organisation was thoroughly -international, that we were independent of the French, and our staff and -management as complete and efficient as they proved, the invaders seemed -to take unusual interest in us. Their surgeons came in numbers to the -Hospital, where, of course, they met with all civility; and we, on our -side, had nothing of which to complain. - -Not only so. Their surgeon-general, the great Stromeyer, condescended to -inspect our hospital, and complimenting the Chief on its details and -management, invited him to visit his own Ambulance at Floing. Dr. -MacCormac did so, and was highly pleased with all he saw. The success of -the Prussian surgical operations was very striking. It contrasted most -favourably with our results; but this depended, in great measure, on the -Floing Hospital having been a temporary structure, consisting of -improvised shanties, boarded all round in such a way that the sides -could be opened at will in louvre fashion, so that, weather permitting, -the patients were treated practically in the open air, yet without -subjecting them to chill or exposure. I conceive that this was the -explanation of their low death-rate, for the surgical methods of -procedure were identical with our own. And I may anticipate here a -remark which my experience at Orleans afterwards confirmed, _viz._, that -such open-air treatment is the only effective protection against -blood-poisoning. - -This was the first introductory step to our transition from the French -to the German side, but the change was slow and gradual. Hints, indeed, -were constantly thrown out that our services would be well received, if -we followed on in the track of their army. At first we firmly asserted -our neutrality. But we were made to understand that the attitude we had -assumed was impracticable; we must make up our minds to be on one side -or the other. These warnings did much to determine the line of action -upon which we finally resolved. Our movements were also influenced by -the fact that while, as regarded the majority of our staff, our -sympathies were undoubtedly French, yet later on, when we came in -contact with the Prussians, and got to know them thoroughly, the -admiration with which we started for the other side was very much cooled -down. We looked on the belligerents with less prejudiced eyes, and, in -the long run, had no decided leaning one way or another. - -In a few days from the time of which I have spoken above, Dr. May was -sufficiently well to resume duty. There was a fresh addition to our -staff in the person of Dr. Sherwell, and our duties becoming less -laborious, suffered us at length to breathe. We could now go down -frequently in the evening, for an hour, either to the Hôtel de la Croix -d'Or, or to a first-rate café in the Rue Napoléon, where it was possible -to enjoy a smoke or a drink, and a game of billiards upon a table -without pockets. This was a great recreation, and I found it did one -good after the labours of the day. There we met the French officers who -were on parole, and not a little surprise did we feel to see them smoke, -drink, and crack jokes as if the capitulation of Sedan were ancient -history. There also we came across the surgeons and assistants of the -Prussian Military Hospitals, many of whom knew French fairly well, and -not a few spoke English. We, however, had to be back again by nine -o'clock, before our drawbridge was taken up; for the standing order had -been issued that any one found in the streets after that hour was liable -to be shot. - -On one occasion I happened to be returning with a fellow "Chip," who, -after the labours of the day, had partaken rather too freely of "bock" -and "cognac de café". With no small difficulty I had induced him to -start, and we found the streets dotted with sentries on night-duty. -Hence, every few minutes we were halted, and made to advance until their -bayonets almost touched our shirt-fronts. This would not have made me -nervous, had not my friend, who was a good deal more noisy since he -tasted the open air, objected to being stopped by the sentries in so -rude a fashion. He declined, in short, to account for himself. Fearing -unpleasant consequences, I came forward on the approach of every sentry -and gave the name of our corps, specifying our quarters, and adding -gently, "Mein Freund hat zu viel bock getrunken". They invariably met -the palaver with a laugh, and let us pass on, for some of them knew who -we were. One fellow, either a little more inquisitive than the rest, or -else not recognising our uniforms, put us through a regular examination, -upon which my companion began to speak roughly, and even made a clutch -at his rifle. Fortunately, the sentinel perceived what was the matter, -and was willing to let him pass; but my man wouldn't stir an inch. Here -was a predicament! As he could speak a little German, he used his -knowledge to abuse the good-natured sentry, and when he had come to the -end of his vocabulary, began again in French (of which language he was -perfect master), winding up at last in English. The soldier presented -his rifle, I daresay with the intention of frightening my comrade; and -I thought it time to seize him by the collar and get him along by main -force. Thus we arrived within regulation distance of the gates of the -Citadel. - -The bridges were up, and the sentry on duty refused to let us advance -any further. By this time my friend had quieted down, and was beginning -to realise his position; for here we had to wait fully half an hour -while the sentry was hailing the others, who in their turn hailed some -more, and so on, until the officer of the watch came on the scene. His -business was to call out the guard, when, after much shouting, -shuffling, and shouldering of arms, the drawbridge was let down and we -were admitted. I was glad enough to get my obstreperous friend safely -landed within. It was a parlous incident, though my friend's drollery -and witty _sotto voce_ remarks--for he was not really overcome by the -"bock" to the extent of intoxication--have often made me laugh heartily -since. - -I have thus brought my readers to the middle of our third week at Sedan; -and it was with feelings of sincere regret that we now bade adieu to Dr. -Marion Sims, who, in so short a space of time, had won the regard of -every member of our staff. He appointed in his place Drs. Frank and -MacCormac as co-surgeons in chief--Dr. Frank for the Balan and Bazeilles -division of our Ambulance, Dr. MacCormac for Sedan. - -As our work was growing gradually less, we now had time for a ride -nearly every afternoon. There was one in particular which I enjoyed -much, and often took in company with my friend Hayden. It was from Sedan -to Bouillon, conveying or bringing back the post. This was the only -channel through which we could receive letters from home. Bouillon, as -is well known, is a very picturesque town, about six miles from the -frontier, and twelve from Sedan. The road thither goes through Balan, -Givet, and Givonne, over hills and dales, and through a finely wooded -country, partly lying in the Forest of Ardennes, from which there -stretches a vast succession of woods for twenty or thirty miles. As we -near our destination the road winds circuitously, and turns at last into -the Valley of Bouillon. When I saw it, the autumn colours were all -abroad, and no prospect could be more enchanting. There, beneath us, -nestling amid the foliage, now rich and golden, which clothed its hills, -lay in the noonday sun, the ancient town of Bouillon, through which a -rapid and boiling river, the Somme, flowed over a rocky bed, and was -leaping and dancing round one huge boulder, above which rose the -ivy-mantled turrets of Godfrey's once mighty fortress. The steep and -grassy slopes seemed to come down sheer to the water's edge. It was a -place of sunshine, quiet and secure; and, at first sight, one would have -thought it inaccessible. - -I may mention that it was in this little expedition, when passing by -Givonne, that I espied, lying on his side and basking at full length in -the sun, a beautiful black and tan hound, identical in appearance with -the old breed of Kerry beagles. My companion was amused that I could -feel excited about Kerry beagles. But I had my reasons, and I asked the -owner of the house to whom the dog might belong. He replied that it was -the property of a Marquis in the Ardennes, who kept a pack for hunting -deer and wild boars, and he added that probably such a dog would not be -sold under 500 francs. The "Black and Tans" are an old-established pack -in my neighbourhood, with which I have long had very close associations; -and it made my blood run faster to be reminded of them in the -neighbourhood of the Forest of Ardennes, which for the world at large -has other memories, less personal, if more poetic. - -Having arrived at our destination, and delivered and received our -letters, we had a good dinner and a smoke. None of my readers can know -the pleasure of a good dinner if they have not lived in a situation like -that which was then allotted to us. We went to see the old castle, with -its corridors hewn out of the solid rock, and its manhole in the parapet -leaning over the river, from which highwaymen and robbers--if not others -less guilty--were hurled into the waters beneath. Lingering about the -place for hours after we ought to have started, the evening came on so -quickly that we shirked the long journey in the dark. We thought it -better to stay the night at Bouillon, and take our chance of getting off -a reprimand by means of this explanation. - -At first light next morning we started, but on arriving at the Hospital, -Dr. May, without asking why we had come after time, informed us from the -chief that we must consider ourselves as under arrest until further -notice. This was not exactly pleasant. But we had our work to do, and -there can be no doubt that the strict discipline kept in our Ambulance -was what made it so successful. - -Many members of the French Hospital staff, whom I met here and -elsewhere, assured me that jealousy and want of discipline among them -were potent causes of their failure; their supply of material--which was -generally very short--in some cases outlasting the final disruption. - -I had one other most interesting expedition, to the Château Bellevue and -along by the hills where the Prussians established their heavy guns on -the First. It commanded the whole valley, and as we looked down upon the -Plateau of Floing, the Bois de Garenne, the slopes of Givonne, and our -hospital standing on its huge embankment above the ramparts of Sedan -between them and us, the only wonder was that a single man of us -remained alive. - -It was now time to think of a fresh field for our labours. Dr. Parker -and I were deputed to visit Arlon, a town in Belgium about thirty-five -miles distant, to consult with Capt. H. Brackenbury, who was secretary -to the English Aid Society on the Continent. We made the journey in a -two-horse open carriage by way of Bouillon in about ten hours; and with -such charming scenery, and in agreeable companionship, the journey could -not fail to prove delightful. - -On the next day, Sunday, we had an interview with Brackenbury's -secretary, for he was not at home himself; and we then started off again -for Sedan before there was a soul in the streets, so that my -recollections of Arlon do not amount to a great deal. - -On our return the staff held a meeting, at which Dr. MacCormac gave in -his resignation as chief in favour of Dr. Pratt (son-in-law to Marion -Sims), who succeeded him. Dr. MacCormac was engaged, as we knew, to -deliver an inaugural address at the Queen's College, Belfast, about the -middle of October; and his pupil, Scott, accompanied him on his -departure. As Dr. Nicholl also wished to return to America, it was -arranged that Wyman and Hewitt should continue with Dr. Frank for some -time before we disbanded, for the Hospital at Bazeilles had to be wound -up with our own. The following members were then selected to proceed to -the front,--our new chief, Dr. Pratt, and Drs. May, Tilghman, Mackellar, -Parker, Warren, Hayden, Sherwell, Wallace, Wombwell, Adams, and myself. -These formed the staff. With us went, of course, Nigger Charlie, and a -Turco named Jean. This Turco had received a bullet in the back at Metz, -during an effort (which proved successful) to get water from a well -which was guarded by a Prussian picket, who had already bowled over four -or five others intent on the same enterprise. - -The 4th of October, which was the day appointed for starting, arrived. -We said good-bye to the few patients now remaining, who were to be taken -over by Dr. Frank. Among them was my friend Louis St. Aubin. The poor -fellow on taking leave of me, in his weak state, sobbed like a child, -and I felt equally grieved at having to part from him. We bade farewell -to Dr. MacCormac with much regret; and then the drawbridge was let down, -Dr. Pratt gave the word to start, and the Anglo-American Ambulance made -its exit from the Caserne, slowly wending its way down the rugged path, -_en route_ for Paris. - -The first chapter in my experience of a military Hospital, and of the -battlefield, was closed. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -RISKY TRAVELLING.--AT BRUSSELS.--FRENCH AMBULANCE BREAKS DOWN -COMPLETELY.--WE START AGAIN FOR PARIS. - - -Dr. Pratt was of opinion that, if the Germans did not require our -services, they might perhaps allow us to get into Paris, where, as it -was rumoured, medical men were scarce. With this object in view, we had -determined to go round by Belgium, and now made for Bouillon, the -nearest frontier town. It was a lovely evening when we arrived. As we -came near the custom-house--"_la Douane_," the meaning of which I now -understood--we were in a state of trepidation lest, on the waggons being -overhauled, our trophies of Sedan should be discovered and taken from -us. For my part, I had hidden my chassepot, pistol, sword, and lance-top -from the Plain of Floing, securely beneath some sacks of corn. But the -officers allowed us to pass with only a formal scrutiny. As it was late, -we stayed that night in Bouillon at the hotel. All our baggage, waggons, -horses, and infirmarians were quartered in the old Castle yard; and, -having given my horse to the groom to be picketed (for I had turned my -grey Arab loose again on the plains of Sedan), I joined Hayden, and went -down into the town to look for quarters. When we had secured them, we -dined very comfortably at our hotel with the rest of the staff. This was -the first meal we had enjoyed for many weeks in a neighbourhood free -from war's alarms, and we found it pleasant. - -After a sound night's rest we arose at three, and had our horses and men -together at the appointed time, which was an hour later. But more time -elapsed before all was ready, and it was quite five when marching orders -were given. We reached Libramont after a pleasant five hours' journey -through a pretty and very interesting country. Here all our staff, with -the exception of Hayden and myself, took the fast train to Brussels. - -We two had been told off to stay in charge of the _infirmiers_, waggons, -horses, and stores, which we were to take on to Brussels in the evening, -by luggage-train. This was a heavy task, and occupied nearly all the -afternoon. Moreover, we had to get our ten horses fed, watered, cleaned, -and boxed, which was far from easy, considering that few of the -_infirmiers_ knew anything about the management of horses, while their -boxing and conveyance by train were quite beyond them. Here my -experience of boxing horses for the world-renowned Fair of Cahirmee, -near Buttevant, stood me in very good stead. Three of our waggons were -heavily laden with stores and corn, and required a truck each for -themselves. The fourth was a light covered fourgon which contained our -personal luggage, and in this we resolved to travel up to Brussels. - -Having dined on mutton and fruit in a clean little inn near the station, -at 7·30 P.M. we started, comfortably stretched out at the bottom of our -fourgon, and covered up in rugs and coats. The night wore on, and we -were suddenly aroused from our slumbers by feeling the movement of our -waggon upon the truck, which latter was only a sand train. As we went -along, the line became more and more uneven; our van rolled several -times backwards and forwards, and was kind enough also to sway from side -to side in a most uncomfortable manner. I crept out and found its -moorings loose. The night was dark and misty, and we had no light, nor -the means of getting one; and, as the wheels of the fourgon were high, -and the edges of the truck low, while the motion of the train was very -rough, we thought it would be dangerous to try our hand at putting the -concern straight. We discussed our chances of being pitched overboard; -but concluded that the risk was small, although the jolting and swaying -from time to time vexed us not a little. However, at one in the morning, -we found ourselves at Namur, and were told we should have to stay there -four hours. - -Accordingly, leaving men, horses, and waggons at the station, my friend -and I strolled into the town. It was a beautiful moonlight night. After -some wandering we saw a gleam in one of the restaurants, and roused up -the landlady, who kindly gave us some hot coffee and braised mutton. -Thus fortified we settled down in a couple of arm-chairs, and slept for -some hours. At half-past four we took our places again in the waggon; -but not until we had seen it firmly secured. - -We arrived in Brussels at 10 A.M., having been _en route_ more than -fourteen hours. When we alighted we were in a sad plight,--sleepy, -hungry, and disreputable-looking, bearing upon us all the marks of the -hardships which we had gone through since entering on the campaign. Not -many minutes after our arrival, Dr. Pratt came up, and expressed his -satisfaction that orders had been carried out punctually. There was a -conveyance waiting, he said, to take us to the Hôtel de France; and -there we should find breakfast and comfortable quarters ready. - -After the wear and tear of the last couple of months, one may fancy our -joy at this sudden return to the comforts, and even the luxuries, of -civilised life. No longer the din of armed men on the march, or going to -their exercises; no longer sentries at every step; no longer the -streets thronged with military! Yet, the sight of an occasional French -officer limping about on crutches, or with his arm in a sling, reminded -us that the seat of war was not far distant. When breakfast was over, we -turned in and slept until evening. Then, with some others of the staff, -and certain friends of Dr. May's who had fled from Paris, we took a box -at the Circus, and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. - -Next day it was our business to report to Captain Brackenbury. After -filling up forms, answering questions, and submitting to a deal of red -tape, we were handed our pay up to date and a month in advance. - -Here we learned that the French Society, under whose patronage we had -started from Paris, was now disorganised, and had stopped supplies. Not -only were its funds exhausted, but its Ambulances had failed to render -efficient service on the field of battle. Although we had now joined the -English Society, and, in consequence, were associated also with the -Prussians, it was a graceful act on the part of the Vice-President of -the French Association to make his acknowledgments, as he did, for the -assistance which we had given to his countrymen in our Hospitals around -Sedan. - -At noon on the 8th of October, we received orders to hold ourselves in -readiness; and great excitement arose when it was noised abroad that the -Prussians had cut the line between Lille and Brussels. Thus, we might -have to go round by London, in order to reach Paris. We ascertained, -however, that the line had not yet been injured, although the enemy had -come into its immediate neighbourhood near the town of Lille. - -In the evening, therefore, we quitted Brussels by train, taking with us -stores, waggons, and horses. The journey to Lille was a short one, and -from thence we travelled by Douai and Arras to Amiens, where we halted -for a few hours to eat and sleep until the next train set out for Rouen. -At daybreak we resumed our expedition, and as we entered Normandy the -whole aspect of the country, which had been hitherto flat and -monotonous, changed for the better. The red-brick houses, some tiled, -some thatched, reminded me a little of villages I had remarked in my -journey from London to Holyhead; but here most of the houses had timber -built into them, which made them more quaint and picturesque. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AT ROUEN.--ON THE ROAD TO PARIS.--IN THE WOODS AMONG THE -FRANCS-TIREURS.--TAKEN FOR SPIES.--A REFUGEE FENIAN.--TO MANTES. - - -We arrived in Rouen at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 9th, and -found the town full of Gardes Mobiles, who were marching about in -civilian dress, but armed to the teeth. - -Our few hours of sight-seeing next day were not long in coming to an -end; but on going to the Railway Terminus, we heard that a telegram had -just been received, saying that the Prussians had torn up the line to -Paris, and we could travel no further. - -However, in a couple of hours, we succeeded in chartering an -engine,--four waggons and a carriage--in which we determined to proceed -as far as we could. Our advance, when we had started, was so slow and -deliberate that we felt sure our conductors were only waiting to pull up -at the first opportunity, and jump off the train as soon as they saw -danger ahead. After going no faster than a horse could have trotted for -two hours or so, we came to a dead stop at a little country village -called St. Pierre. Beyond this point our guard and driver stoutly -refused to carry us; and, as it was now late, we thought well to stay -there for the night. We occupied the village inn and a private house -close by. As we had orders to start at daybreak, we were up betimes next -morning. I went out as soon as it was light, and took a stroll through -the village, in which many of the houses seemed to have been deserted. -On inquiry, I found that, since the first intelligence, a few days back, -that the Prussians were coming, the owners of these houses had packed up -their moveables and gone north, leaving their dwellings to take care of -themselves. The situation of St. Pierre, overlooking the Seine, was -pretty enough. On the heights above stood its quaint little church, -built of flint-stone, and as black as coal in appearance. I went inside, -and saw that it was unadorned, but scrupulously clean. - -In another hour we were on our journey again, this time by road. We took -the _route Impériale_ through the valley beside the river, and it would -be difficult to do justice in description to the varied and picturesque -scenes that came repeatedly into view, along the many miles which we -pursued of its winding course. - -About midday we gained Gaillon, where we halted to refresh our horses -and ourselves. Gaillon is a large village, with a refreshing air of -comfort and cleanliness about it, and has a broad central street, lined -on each side with handsome trees. Having rested a couple of hours we -pushed on for Vernon, which was, perhaps, some ten miles distant,--a -long journey, during which we had to accommodate our pace to the jaded -horses with their heavy-laden waggons. Our way took us through vast -orchards, and, from an elevation at one part of the road, we could see -nothing for miles round us but fruit trees. But as we were now in -constant expectation of meeting the Prussian outposts, our Chief picked -out Hayden and myself, being the lightest and keenest horsemen in the -party, and sent us ahead, my friend to reconnoitre on one side of the -road, and I upon the other. - -For a long while not a soul did we meet, and Dr. Pratt came to the -conclusion that Vernon was unoccupied, whether by the French or the -Prussians, as had been the case at St. Pierre. Believing that it was so, -Hayden and myself received orders to push on thither, and report our -approach at the Mairie, where we must secure the necessary accommodation -during the night for all our party. - -With these commands we started, I on a mare of Dr. Pratt's, which we had -got from the Prussians at Sedan, and Hayden upon a black belonging to -Dr. May. As evening came on, it grew so dark that we could hardly see a -few yards in front of us. On we went gaily for some miles, chatting -unconcernedly on various topics, until our road entered a thick and -gloomy wood, with high forest trees towering up on each side. The -darkness was now such that we could not see one another. It was -necessary to slacken rein, and let our horses go at a slow walk, lest -they might leave the road and get us into unexpected trouble. - -My friend here remarked to me cheerfully what a helpless condition we -were in, should any accident happen to us, or supposing we fell in with -the French outposts. The words, which echoed through the woods (for he -was speaking at the top of his voice, and it was a still night), had -hardly passed his lips, when suddenly we heard, first a rustling, and -then the sound of voices; shouts were raised on every side of us; and -through the brushwood in all directions we could hear men crashing -headlong towards the place where we stood entrapped. - -We held our ground, for to attempt escape was certain death. We should -have received a volley before we had gone many yards. - -The challenge now came to us on all sides in French, "_Qui vive?_" We -replied, "_Deux officiers de l'Ambulance Anglo-Américaine_". - -They seemed not to be satisfied, and challenged us twice, finally -shouting, as if we were half a mile away, though but a few short paces -from them, "Advance, two officers of the Anglo-American ambulance, -twenty paces, and halt!" - -We had no time to obey, for, in a moment, we were surrounded by armed -men. One seized my wrists and another my horse's rein. In a moment a -lantern was produced, wherewith having examined us and found that we -were unarmed, they let go their hold, but roughly hustled us out of our -saddles. - -We watched these men, whom we knew by their uniforms to be -Francs-Tireurs, as they carefully examined our horses by the light of -their lanterns. All this time Hayden and I were kept apart, and, on my -attempting to speak to him, I was told that if I did so, I should be -shot straightway. - -By a dim light, which some one held behind me, I discovered that I was -standing in a circle of these irregulars with bayonets set. This was the -less assuring that we had heard much of their lawlessness, and in what -fashion they dealt with those who fell into their hands. I now made a -motion towards the breast pocket of my tunic, to get my official papers, -when a musket was pointed at me and I was told not to move. Having held -a council of war over the horses, some of the men now came up and -informed their comrades that they had at last caught two Prussian spies. -For they had discovered, on my mare's flank, the Prussian brand, and, -moreover, we spoke French with a German accent; while our uniforms also -were not French but Prussian. When they had come to this conclusion, I -need hardly say that the treatment we received was not the most -courteous. They cursed and swore at us, and flourished their bayonets -about as if they had been walking-sticks. They marched us along -separately, often threatening that if we stirred or spoke, except by -their direction, they would shoot us. Two of these brigands (for they -were nothing else) marched behind me, two in front, and as many on each -side with fixed bayonets, as if I were likely to overpower them unless -guarded by the whole eight. Even when I put my hands into my trousers -pockets, the flourish of a bayonet near my stomach (from a fellow whom I -discovered to be more than half drunk) compelled me to take them out -again. - -What distance we marched before arriving at Vernon we could not even -guess, so much upset and, I must acknowledge, so daunted were we at the -possible fate in store for us. We knew too well that these ruffians were -capable at any moment of hanging us from the nearest tree. Indeed, -before we entered the town, I came to the conclusion that several of the -band were under the influence of drink. I believe there was quite as -much risk of our being shot accidentally as on purpose. They appeared to -have no officer among them; nor could any of them, I suspect, so much as -read or write. They would be admirable judges, therefore, all -considered, of the difference in speaking French between the Prussian -and any other foreign accent! - -We must have tramped some three or four miles, when we got into the -town; and there it was an advantage to have even these drunken bullies -as our escort, for crowds gathered in the streets as we passed along, -and taking us to be Prussian spies, stared and scowled fiercely--some -even menacing us with clenched fists. Had not our captors guarded their -prey jealously, I am confident that we should have had a rough handling -from the populace. - -When we were taken into the principal barrack, I supposed that we should -be allowed to see the officer of the guard, to whom we could show our -papers, and then pass out. But nothing of the kind; the officer of the -guard was not to be found. He had gone into town to dine with the -Commandant of the place. We were put in the lock-up at the rear of the -guard room, with two sentries over us. Our courage now returned, and we -opened fire at the fellows on guard. Hayden, who spoke French fluently, -gave them his mind concerning the Francs-Tireurs individually, and the -whole French Army collectively, in such scathing language that they must -have thought we were most certainly Prussians. I, not being of so -excitable a temper as my friend, gave them to understand that such an -exhibition of military ignorance and _gaucherie_ as we had witnessed -that night would have been impossible anywhere but in France; and I -think with good reason. - -We had been in the lock-up for about an hour, when the officer of the -guard appeared and examined our papers. These he forwarded to the -Commandant Militaire, who inspected them once more, and immediately -ordered our release. - -The Commandant came down himself to apologise for the manner in which we -had been treated, and added the information that the Francs-Tireurs were -_canaille_, who had neither military status nor any organisation. But he -assured us, as we did not need telling, that it was a mercy we had not -been shot by them. - -We were never in a thorough passion until now. My companion repeated his -strong language, and shook his fist at this gentleman; but he, measuring -the situation like a true Frenchman, became very civil and declined the -contest. After that, I begged him to overlook anything discourteous that -had been said in the heat of provocation; and our interview ended by his -ordering two gendarmes to escort us to the Mairie. We had just time to -secure the requisite quarters when our corps arrived. - -I need hardly say how concerned our friends were about this ugly -incident, or how great was their satisfaction at our having escaped a -fate which had befallen others at the hands of this undisciplined but -armed rabble. It is a matter of history that the Francs-Tireurs showed -no respect even for the property of their own countrymen; and we must -not be surprised if they were relentless towards any of the invaders -whose ill luck it was to fall in with their companies. They reminded me -a good deal of what I had read about Italian brigands, whom it is -certain they resembled. And their very existence, in such a province as -Normandy, was a striking proof that France had sunk into the utmost -disorder. The Empire had perished; the Republic, established on the 4th -September, was struggling feebly for its life. - -Another incident of a different nature, but of considerable interest to -me, occurred next morning, just as we were on the point of continuing -our journey. - -I was standing outside my quarters ready to march, when I noticed a -smart-looking, well-dressed young man, more like an American than a -Frenchman, eyeing me at a little distance off. - -There was something about him that excited my curiosity. As he -approached rather timidly, I smiled, and said, to relieve his -embarrassment, "You are not a Frenchman, I presume?" upon which his -hesitation disappeared, and, in unmistakable Tipperary accent, he -exclaimed, "No, indeed, Mr. Ryan. I'd make the queer Frenchman, born -and reared as I was in the parish of Cullen, and educated near your -father's place in the Street of Kilteely, by Mr. William Lundon." - -As the speaker had uttered all this in one breath, my amazement was -considerable. Suddenly, and under such circumstances, to meet a man at -Vernon who came from the village of Kilteely, and was acquainted with -me, gave me, so to call it, a shock; and I stared at him for some -seconds without speaking. The new-comer went on to inform me that his -name was Timothy Nihil; that he was an enforced exile from his native -land; and that, at the time of the Fenian rising in 1867, he had been -the leader of that party which attacked and fired on the Glenbane Police -Barracks, near Cullen. He was, in consequence, obliged to flee the -country. He had come over to this place, and, being a man of some -education and intelligence, had found a situation as Professor of -English in the Pension of Vernon; which appointment, he told me, was -worth nearly £100 a year to him. - -Timothy Nihil had been brought up in the National school; and, indeed, -went through his classics, as he had said, under Mr. William Lundon, a -teacher of great ability in his own line. To him, perhaps, it was owing -that my Fenian had a very polished address. Poor fellow! his face -lighted up with pleasure when he spoke of "the Old Country"; and when, -in answer to his inquiries about different friends, I told him all I -knew, he beamed with delight. Rebel though he had been, he was yet a -fellow-countryman; and as such I gave him the hand of friendship, and -could not but sympathise with him in his exile. With tears in his eyes, -he repeated that he could never go back to Ireland again. - -He was particular in asking about my brother John, for whom he had from -his earliest youth a warm affection; neither did he forget the Black and -Tan hounds at home, in which I have already expressed my own interest. -When he had walked out of the town with me a couple of miles we parted, -after an earnest request that I would give his people news about him on -my return, which I did very gladly. During our conversation not a little -amusement was caused among the party by an English officer, Captain -F----, of the Carbineers, who, when he heard that my new acquaintance -had been a Fenian, became much excited, and was with difficulty kept -from laying hands on Nihil. I explained, however, under what -circumstances he had spoken to me, and the Captain cooled down. His -strong feeling against these men was in itself not unreasonable, as he -had been on active service in Ireland during the winter months of 1867, -and had commanded a flying squadron there. - -During these four days of our journey to Paris, the weather continued -very fine, and our walking tour through so pleasant a country was most -enjoyable. Sometimes we chatted with the peasant folk who crossed our -footsteps; and I am bound to say that, in these districts, numbers of -those with whom we talked were loud in praise both of the Emperor and -the Empire. "Look," they often said, "at our beautiful roads,--the -_route Impériale_, for instance, between Rouen and Paris--look at our -towns and villages, with their magnificently wooded streets, and their -public buildings and monuments; look at the fine bridges and aqueducts -which you see all round! Whom have we to thank for these things but the -Emperor? Who has given work to the millions of the labouring class -throughout France? Who has made Paris one of the most beautiful cities -of the world, and the Capital of Europe? Who ruled France when she was -the most rich and prosperous of nations, with a trade and commerce more -extensive than ever before?" Such were the facts on which these humble -people became eloquent. Were they altogether in the wrong? Let others -decide. - -The country between Vernon and Mantes is very hilly, and some parts of -the road were rendered almost impassable by the deep trenches which the -French had cut across them to hinder the German progress. Strangely -enough, although they went to such great trouble to destroy the road, -they yet left a narrow causeway, over which a waggon might pass, with a -few inches to spare. Afterwards, round about Orleans, I saw this -business of making the roads difficult for the enemy, much more -cunningly contrived, as I shall relate in its place. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -A TOWN CAPTURED BY FIVE UHLANS.--MANTES TO VERSAILLES.--WE ARE ANNEXED -BY THE GERMANS.--GENERAL SHERIDAN AND NIGGER CHARLIE.--SOUTHERN EXILES. - - -Our horses being fatigued from the long journeys and heavy roads, we -made but slow progress. On coming to Mantes we put up for the night at -the Hôtel de France. This famous town is a wonder of cleanliness, with -streets as tidy as they are kept in Holland, and not a disagreeable nook -anywhere. Much consternation had been caused the day before, by five -Uhlans coming into the market-place with a train of waggons, and -carrying off all the corn and fodder they wanted for the troops about -Versailles. After they had satisfied these demands, the Uhlans proceeded -to set the station house on fire, as also to saw down the telegraph -posts and cut the wires. "What pluck these five must have had!" will be -the reader's exclamation. "Imagine such a force riding through a -populous town and carrying away with them half the produce of the -market, while the people looked on and never dreamt of molesting them!" - -But the feat was not so daring, after all. Every one knew that, if the -inhabitants had interfered with these Uhlans, the place would have been -visited the day after, and reduced to ashes. Such was the punishment -inflicted upon whole villages of innocent and peaceable inhabitants, -sometimes in revenge of what had been done by a few individuals. I shall -give, by-and-by, a proclamation which was posted up on the walls of -Orleans, describing such an execution, and threatening to repeat the -like under similar circumstances. - -Here it was that Pratt, who was anxious to get a vehicle in which most -of the medical staff could travel, produced an order which he had got -from the Prussian authorities at Sedan, requiring the Mairie of any -French town through which he passed, to provide him with whatever horses -and vehicles he might need for the use of his corps. Hayden and I were -sent to carry out this unpleasant task. Armed with our peremptory -document, we made a tour of discovery through Mantes, and, by throwing a -couple of francs to a lad, were informed of a large, private, -four-wheeled omnibus,--the very thing we wanted,--and a dashing, -stoutly-built pair of greys that might draw it. The yard gate stood -open, so in we walked, with the boldness of highwaymen, and asked to see -the owner. I knew by the servant's face that he suspected what was in -the wind. He retreated without uttering a syllable; but soon came back, -followed by his master--a middle-aged man of gentlemanly appearance. He -seemed very uneasy; but, when we showed him our requisition, and told -him that we had come to relieve him for a time of his carriage and pair -of horses, his face wore an aspect of the blankest dismay. - -We, however, gave a sign to our own ostlers outside the gate, and -directed them to harness the horses and put to, which they did with as -great alacrity as if they had been Prussians, the owner looking on in -sullen silence. But what were his feelings, when, twenty minutes after, -he saw us driving his team through the gate and out of the town, I dare -not guess. This carriage and pair, I may here subjoin, we used until the -end of the war, when they were returned to the Mayor of Versailles, with -a request that they might be given back to the original owner at Mantes, -minus, however, one of the horses, which died from overwork and -hardship. - -Thus it is, that, during times of war, the sacred rights of property are -violated, and systematic robbery is held to be justifiable by those who -can successfully practise it. In this instance the property was -ultimately restored to its rightful owner; but, in how many cases is -that never done? To be sure, the Government is supposed to indemnify any -individual who can produce the counterfoil of the requisition: yet it -would be interesting to hear from such injured persons, the story of how -much they asked and how little they got. - -We pushed on rapidly towards St. Germain, for Dr. Pratt was in haste to -get there as soon as possible. Curious to relate, we had not thus far -fallen in with a single German outpost; neither did we, until our -entrance into the Forest of St. Germain, when we were challenged, and -had to give up our papers for inspection. A few miles outside that town -we passed through the village of Mézières, which had been burned to the -ground a few days previously, and was now a smouldering heap of ruins. -One burned village is like another, and I might have fancied myself in -Bazeilles. Whole streets in the suburbs of St. Germain, through which we -passed, had been plundered, and, in some cases, the soldiers had gone -from house to house by means of holes, which they had picked through the -partition walls. I rambled over a pile of such buildings, and certainly -the wanton destruction within them was astounding. The Germans, I must -say, when not watched, are rare good hands at pillage; but they were -kept down by such rigid discipline, and so severely punished for every -offence, how trivial soever, that they were, and are, I suppose -(although not with their goodwill), the best conducted soldiers on -active service in Europe. In the matter of discipline, nothing appears -to have been changed, at least in the way of relaxation, among the -Prussian rank and file, since the good old days of Frederick the Great -and his eccentric and brutal father. - -Soon after leaving St. Germain we came upon the heights of Marly, just -below the aqueduct. From this position we commanded that historic view -which is too well known for me to think of describing it, even if I -could. Beneath us we observed the Palace of St. Cloud, destined in a few -short hours to be a ruin; and beyond, towering gloomily above it, the -fort of Mont Valérien. Nor was the garrison of the latter idle, for it -kept up a brisk cannonade in our direction, even as we were looking -towards it. - -Presently we noticed a number of men descending beneath its guns. -Evidently, something unusual was about to take place. Of this fact we -were soon made certain by the shells dropping much nearer to us, some -bursting at the other side of the road beneath;--which, for a moment, -led us to imagine that the fort had mistaken us for an ammunition train. -The shells came very close; and the ladies who were with us felt, as was -not unreasonable, a good deal of alarm. - -Just then two bodies of Bavarian cavalry and a regiment of infantry -passed us in hot haste, doubling down the hill, along a by-road, to join -other troops of the Line which were concealed in the woods beneath us, -and under cover of them were advancing. Directly to our left and below -us, the Prussian batteries opened fire from their positions, which -covered their cavalry and infantry on the right and left flank. For some -time the booming and rattling were kept up vigorously, reminding us of -the 31st August and 1st September on a small scale. But in about an hour -all was quiet again, and the French had retreated within their big fort. - -This was only one of numberless little skirmishes, which were constantly -taking place between the besiegers and besieged, according as either -made excursions in the country around them in quest of provisions, -fodder, or fuel. - -Early in the afternoon we entered Versailles, and reported ourselves -immediately to the Prussian General Commandant of the place. We -established our headquarters at the Hôtel des Réservoirs, in the street -of the same name. There Dr. Pratt and one or two others secured -apartments, which was a troublesome business, for every room in the -hotel seemed to be occupied by a Baron, a Prince, a Duke, or some high -officer of King William's household. I have heard that in the Hôtel des -Réservoirs alone there were four or five such magnates, among them -Prince Pless, and that Prince of Hohenzollern whose candidature for the -Crown of Spain was the pretext on which Louis Napoléon had declared war. -This latter I used to see constantly about the Conciergerie of the -hotel,--a gentlemanly, gay, and handsome youth, wearing the uniform of -the White Hussars, and certainly the last man in the world one would -picture to oneself as having originated this tremendous conflict. - -Staying at the same hotel were two American Generals of great, but -unlike celebrity,--Sheridan, the famous cavalry hero, and Burnside, who -lost the battle of Fredericksburg. They made most friendly advances -towards the Americans of our Staff; but their attentions were received -by the latter with the utmost indifference, as they might have -anticipated; for our men, with the exception of Hayden, were -Southerners, and hated the ground these Yankees trod upon. Nigger -Charlie, whom their efforts had made a freeman, gnashed his teeth at -Sheridan when that General condescended to notice him. It was an honour -of which the darkie felt by no means proud. I may here state that no one -who has not lived for some time among a number of Southerners can -realise how bitter was their hatred in those years towards the North. So -great was it, indeed, that, when they could avoid it, they would not -even eat at the same table, or have any social intercourse with them. I -must add my suspicion that this was strictly true only in the case of -men like my _confrères_, who had been large slave-owners and landed -proprietors; and who, having been completely ruined by the war, had gone -into voluntary exile. On such as these the indulgent policy of the -United States Government, after the ruin of the Southern cause, had no -power to efface the memory of what they had lost. Wherever one travelled -in Europe twenty years ago, one still found Southern exiles, as deeply -imbued with hatred of the Yankee as if their subjugation had taken place -only the day before. But that feeling was not likely to outlive them. -And I am told that the gentlemen of Virginia and South Carolina have -acquiesced now in the abolition of slavery, against which they fought so -fiercely and to such little purpose, although we have just been -witnessing the renewal of their efforts to disfranchise the coloured -voters, and restore the local and State government to their own class. - -But I am wandering from my subject. As I have already said, our chief's -private wish was, if possible, to get into Paris; and, with this object -in view, Dr. Pratt held a long consultation with Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, -R.A., president of the English Society, from whom we now awaited our -orders. He declared the project impossible, and placed our contingent at -the service of Prince Pless, Inspector-General of the German Ambulance -Corps, who told us that we were wanted very badly indeed at Orleans, -where there had been some days' severe fighting, with great loss on -both sides. The town was full of wounded, and the medical staff quite -insufficient to take charge of them. - -Ostensibly, therefore, under the direction of Colonel Lloyd Lindsay and -the English Society, but, as a matter of fact, under German orders, we -had henceforth to carry on our mission. This change of control was -disagreeable to us; but there was no help for it. We had been at first -exclusively in the service of the French, but were always international; -and we could not, in honour or conscience, refuse to enlist in the -service of the Germans. As it had been rumoured about Versailles that we -wanted to get into Paris, there was felt a certain amount of suspicion -regarding our neutrality; and to have hesitated at this moment would -have been fatal to our usefulness in the forthcoming campaigns. We made -preparations to start as soon as might be. Colonel Lloyd Lindsay -objected to our present Ambulance uniforms, and thought them too French. -The Francs-Tireurs who had captured us, it will not be forgotten, had -taken them to be Prussian. At his suggestion, we were to wear the -undress uniform of the Royal Artillery while attached to the German -Field Hospital Service; and a supply was ordered immediately from -London. We received them, and wore them until we left Orleans. Such were -the circumstances under which our transfer from the French to the -Germans was effected. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE PRUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS IN VERSAILLES.--A POLISH LADY.--THE BURNING OF -ST. CLOUD.--GERMAN PRINCES.--BY ÉTAMPES AND THE BATTLEFIELD OF CHEVILLY -TO ORLEANS. - - -As Dr. Pratt had arrangements to make for our transit, and stores to lay -in, and as our horses sorely required rest, our departure was delayed -for two days, during which I had ample opportunity of seeing everything -that was worth while at Versailles. My quarters were comfortable; and I -ought not to pass over the circumstances which enabled me to come by -them. - -A Polish lady of great wealth, Madame Urbonouski, who lived in the Rue -des Réservoirs, hearing that our Ambulance corps had entered Versailles, -came out in person and accosted Dr. Mackellar; telling him that it would -give her much pleasure if he and two others of his companions would -accept the use of her house and the hospitality of her table, whilst -they were staying in the city. So generous an offer could not be -refused. Mackellar, Hayden, and myself were only too well pleased to -accept such agreeable lodgings. Our apartments were exquisitely -furnished, and provided with all manner of luxuries, to which the sorry -plight wherein we had come from Rouen hardly allowed us to do justice. -Nothing could exceed Madame Urbonouski's kind attention during the -couple of days that we lodged under her roof. Provisions were scarce and -costly; but that did not prevent her from giving us the best of -everything to eat, and the choicest of wines at dinner. Before I left, -my hostess, understanding that I was an Irishman, and being well aware -of the sympathies which have existed between her own nation and Ireland -(countries alike in their religious history and their long disasters), -insisted that, if ever I returned to Versailles, I should pay a fresh -visit to the Rue des Réservoirs. I promised, and should have been glad -to have kept my word. But I did not see Madame Urbonouski a second time, -nor do I know if she is still living. - -On the day after our arrival every one was talking of the burning of St. -Cloud, which occurred the previous evening. It was the unhappy result of -that fighting which we had witnessed, and, thanks to the shells from -Mont Valérien, had as good as shared in, on the 13th. Next morning we -visited the Château of Versailles, and saw the picture galleries and the -Chapel Royal. Here, too, the tokens of war made themselves conspicuous -elsewhere than in the smoky battle pieces which stared at us from the -walls. All the galleries on the ground floor had been turned into a -Hospital, and were filled with wounded Germans. And a first-class -Hospital they made,--commodious and airy, the arrangement and general -organisation as nearly perfect as possible. But on the well-tended grass -plots in front of the Palace, I saw numbers of the King's horses -exercised, where, but a short time previously, it had been almost a -crime to set foot. - -I must not speak of the Grand and Little Trianon, the trim walks, or the -fountain which I beheld playing into the basin of Neptune. It was all -new and delightful to a raw youth, whose reading of French history had -been neither extensive nor profound. Mackellar and I took a drive -through the Park, out of Versailles, and enjoyed a distant view of Paris -from certain heights whence now and then we could hear the booming of -cannon as the forts discharged their thunder. On our homeward journey we -met the old King driving in an open landau. He was accompanied by the -German Chancellor. When I saw him another time, General von Moltke was -in the carriage. Thus I had now set eyes on the man at Sedan who had -lost one Empire, and on those who were destined, in the halls of Louis -XIV., to set up another ere six months should have passed. - -But, indeed, it would seem that half the inhabitants of Versailles -consisted of Princes, Dukes, Barons, and commanding officers. I counted -nine of these notables at the Hôtel des Réservoirs; yet some were such -shabby-looking specimens of their class, that for the time they -extinguished in me the respect which I had supposed myself to entertain -for Royalty and its surroundings. A Prince, a Duke, or a General who -walked about the streets munching alternately a piece of raw ham or -sausage from one hand, and a junk of bread from the other, was not -exactly one's idea of feudal, or even German dignity, and modern -civilisation. Yet such were the manners of not a few whose high-sounding -names read well in the "Gazette". - -I have been offered a share of these rude repasts, and, famished as I -might be at the time, my self-respect, nay, my very appetite, revolted; -and it was not without an effort that I was able politely to decline. -The proverb runs, "A la guerre comme à la guerre". I do not mean to -imply that in a campaign the decencies of life can be always observed; -but there is such a thing as a gentlemanly bearing, and, out of that -great assembly which boasted of the oldest German blood in its members, -I saw few that came up to the standard which English officers are -expected to fulfil, as they do with the rarest exception. - -I must confess that, when I looked at several of our _attachés_ in the -German Court, and contrasted them with their perhaps more intellectual, -and certainly more uncouth and burly, cousins from across the Rhine, and -from the Mark of Brandenburg, I could not help feeling proud of that -sister country which gave them birth. But, alas! when we compare, not -the officers and men individually, but the English army with the German, -we can no longer boast: our methods of training, until lately, have been -old-fashioned; our military science lags behind; and our neglect of the -training, to which all young men in town and village might, with the -greatest advantage, be submitted, is, I venture to think, no less -shortsighted than imbecile. - -On the evening of the 15th, I saw 12,000 men marched through Versailles. -These were new levies from Germany, coming to reinforce the army of -investment around Paris; and a splendid body of men they looked. The -general topic of conversation now was the fighting about Orleans, the -taking of that town, and the defeat of the Army of the Loire, news of -which had just reached us. Fresh combats in the neighbourhood were -expected, and Dr. Pratt made all ready to start on the morrow. At -Versailles it seemed to be the general opinion that Paris could not long -hold out; and, with its capitulation, the war must end. - -On the same night, we had orders to report ourselves next morning at -headquarters, and to be ready to start at a moment's notice. - -October 16th was Sunday. I was up at cockcrow, heard Mass at the Grande -Église, and bade good-bye to my amiable hostess. Our staff was assembled -at headquarters, in the midst of the Princes, Barons, Dukes, and the -rest whom I have already mentioned. When everything was ready, and the -waggons and stores had got into line, those who had horses rode forward, -while we others drove in the comfortable private omnibus we -had--borrowed, I suppose, is the word,--at Mantes. Our departure created -a little stir in the town. As for Prince Pless, he made himself -agreeable to all of us, and was even so thoughtful as to give us a -supply of cigars. - -Moving along in procession we made somewhat of a display. From the -foremost of our Ambulance waggons floated the flags of England and -America on the breeze. Just as we arrived at the broad avenue in front -of the Mairie, which is the way out of the town, a Prussian regiment -passed us in full marching order. As they approached, we heard orders -passed along among officers and under officers, in loud harsh tones, -with the result that, as each Company went by, it presented arms, our -chief and those who rode with him returning the salute. - -We were soon clear of Versailles and on the way to Longumeau, at which -place, after a pleasant journey, we arrived towards evening, and -secured quarters for the night. Before we were in the town very long, it -appeared that our arrival had created a commotion among the Prussian -authorities, who had no knowledge as to what we were, and whither we -were going. On these points several of us were questioned repeatedly by -the German officers. This was the case. Our chief, finding Longumeau -such a trifling village, did not think it necessary to report himself to -the Commandant. That such was not this dignitary's opinion we soon -discovered by his coming down to the hotel where we had put up, and -storming in most vociferous and unparliamentary language at all and -sundry, but especially at Dr. Pratt, for not reporting to him as soon as -we were in his jurisdiction. - -However, the matter was made straight by the production of the Doctor's -credentials, signed by the authorities at Versailles, upon which our -boisterous little friend, who wore a uniform of rusty gold lace, fell -into a surly silence. Before it became dusk, I went out with Dr. May to -buy such odds and ends of eatables as might eke out what was provided -for dinner. We went into a store, which was crowded with German -soldiers. While I was waiting to be served, I watched the different -purchases that were being made. One of our Teutons was buying butter, -old and rank, another lard, another candles, another fat pork or bacon. -All were investing their groschen and small change in something or other -greasy. One of these fellows took a piece of butter in his fingers, -weighing about half a pound, and then asked the price of it; but while -the poor French shopkeeper was looking in another direction, the hero -slipped out and decamped to his quarters. I felt inclined to follow him -up, but judged it wiser to control my indignation, as I had to do many a -time before and afterwards. Within an hour from our arrival, the -townspeople learned on what errand we were going, and became, in -consequence, most polite and communicative. One of the most respectable -among the bourgeois went so far as to ask us into his house to tea and -supper. - -Some four of us accepted the invitation. We slipped across the street, -after dark, to our good friend's abode, and spent a pleasant evening -over an excellent cup of coffee, with fair bread and butter. No one, who -has not served during a campaign, can conceive how impossible it is to -get anything like a comfortable meal, or to procure good and eatable -bread, not to mention good butter, which was a rarity indeed. And I am -afraid the same must be said of beef and mutton,--in fact, of all the -ordinary articles of consumption. - -Next morning we made an early start. Our road still lay through a finely -wooded country, each side lined with cherry, apple, and pear trees, to -the fruit of which we helped ourselves abundantly. The weather continued -open. And, as before, we had to keep a sharp look-out for the -Francs-Tireurs, rumours of whose wanton doings were rife amongst the -peasants, who bore them a cordial hatred. - -About midday, we arrived at the little town of Arpajon, where we made -our luncheon. What struck us, in passing through the hamlets and -villages on our route, was the utterly deserted and forlorn aspect of -their houses, streets, and public places. The country seemed to have -become a wilderness, so far as inhabitants were concerned. - -Early in the afternoon we reached Étampes, a clean little town, with -wide boulevards, and a prettily planted square. Curious to tell, we did -not find a single German in occupation, and had no difficulty in getting -quarters. I took a stroll through the town with Mackellar and Warren. -The first building which drew our attention was the parish church, -standing in the principal street, and not inelegant. We entered, -expecting to see everything in that state of gaudy neatness which is -characteristic of French country churches; but what was our horror to -find the air laden with a foul odour, and the floors of the aisle and -transept littered with straw! It was evident that a troop of cavalry -horses had been quartered here, some having been tied to the benches, -which supplied the place of mangers, and others secured to the railings -of the side-chapel. - -It was also plain that the stalls in the Sanctuary had been used in like -manner, judging from the amount of stable débris that lay about on all -sides; many of the benches, too, had been broken up, and fires lighted -with them in different parts of the church. The steps and the altar -showed signs of having been used for the purposes of eating and sleeping -upon them. At the foot of the altar, which was flashy and splendid, lay -upon straw a ham bone picked clean. All this was very revolting. -Hitherto, we had indeed seen the churches in and around Sedan and -Versailles turned into hospitals; but no one will describe that as an -improper use of them. It was quite another thing to make of the -Sanctuary a noisome den. - -On quitting the desecrated church, we crossed the railway to the old -Château, which stands on the hill above Étampes. It is a place of -historic associations, but the Prussians had ransacked it, and all was -confusion within. When we came back it was reported to our chief that -the mayor had made some objection about giving fodder to our horses; so -that my friend Hayden was forthwith deputed to call on him and put the -matter straight. To him the mayor abruptly reiterated his objection, -little knowing the character of the man whom he had to deal with. Hayden -resorted to his store of strong terms, and warned him, with the -audacity of a Yankee, that if the provender was not forthcoming and sent -in before night, he would have his worship publicly hanged next morning -from one of the trees in his own garden. Panic-stricken at the energy -with which Hayden announced his doom upon the morrow, the poor man, -without more ado, gave orders to have the fodder and corn delivered at -once, which was accordingly done. - -There was something not a little daring in this procedure of Hayden's, -though nothing, perhaps, really courageous; for M. le Maire had no -soldiers, and not so much as a gendarme in the town at his command. -Hence his instantaneous surrender. We had a great laugh over the whole -affair. - -Next morning we resumed our march, and pushed on briskly, for we now -heard, from two Ambulance couriers who came against us, that fighting -was going on about Orleans, and that our services were much needed in -that town. - -As the day advanced, we could distinctly hear the ceaseless booming of -cannon many miles ahead. Towards evening, when we had passed by Artenay, -we found the road and the plain on both sides covered with the débris of -a battle. Numbers of torn uniforms, knapsacks, arms, accoutrements, dead -horses, and newly-made graves,--all were tokens that the neighbourhood -had lately seen severe fighting. An unexploded shell lay beside the -road, but we avoided touching it. Many of the trees were severed midway -up their trunks, and nearly all had small branches broken here and -there, showing that the fighting was not confined to artillery. Some of -the tree trunks were grooved in a most curious manner, evidently by -shell or shot. - -During the whole of this day, 18th October, we pushed on as fast as we -could, arriving late at the village of Chevilly. We heard from the -Mayor, who kindly gave us quarters for the night, that a fierce and -bloody battle had been fought both in and around the village during the -previous week. His little flower-garden had been the scene of an -infantry charge; and I marked by the trampled and uprooted plants, and -the scattered earth, the very spot where several deadly struggles had -taken place. The ground was furrowed, and the branches of the trees -broken by bombshells. Our hostess, who had retreated with her husband -into a cellar during the fighting, gave me a vivid description of the -affair. The whole village was a heap of ruins. But I shall remember the -poor lady and her kind husband, who gave us so hospitable a welcome, -despite the agitation which their late experience and the spoiling of -their dwelling place had caused them. - -It was a problem what would become of the inhabitants in these country -districts, where the Prussians (as my host and hostess informed me) had -eaten up their meat, bread, and vegetables, had carried off their -cattle, their hay, straw and corn, and in many instances had finished -up, when they thought the people had balked them of supplies, by burning -the houses over the heads of the Frenchmen. Such things, we were -assured, had come to pass round Orleans. On several occasions since -leaving Longumeau, we had encountered waggon-loads of women and -children, who told us piteous tales how their houses had been destroyed, -and themselves obliged to fly; and, perhaps, the saddest part of their -story was, that when we asked whither they were going, they seemed, in -some instances, not to have the faintest idea. They were wanderers on -the face of the earth, and dazed by the calamities which had fallen on -them so unexpectedly. - -We left Chevilly for Orleans on the morning of the 19th. Our road still -lay through the heart of the battlefield; and innumerable horses, -knapsacks, broken muskets, and military trappings of all sorts, were -lying about on every side. The frequent graves told their own monotonous -tale. It had become a strange and painful journey; but our adventures -were not yet over. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -ENTERING TO THE SOUND OF CANNON.--66 QUAI DU CHÂTELET ASSIGNED TO US, -ALSO THE RAILWAY TERMINUS.--DESCRIPTION OF OUR NEW QUARTERS. - - -About midday we entered Orleans by the Faubourg Bannier. All this time -the cannon had been actively engaged at the other side of the town in -the direction of Châteaudun, and, as we passed in, we met several -companies of German regiments marching along some by-roads towards the -quarter whence the sound of firing came, doubtless with the intention of -joining in the fray. Orleans had fallen into the hands of the Bavarians; -but at present the garrison was small, for all the available troops had -been sent to the front, where they were now pursuing the Army of the -Loire in its retreat upon Tours. In passing through the Faubourg -Bannier, we saw convincing proofs of a severe and very recent conflict. -Whole lines of houses were burned to the ground, while others had been -partially demolished by shell, or had their doors and windows riddled. -Many of the doors bore marks of having been broken through by the -crowbar, or the hatchet of the sapper. In the streets the litter of the -bloody battle which had been fought in the previous week, lay scattered -about; and, judging from appearances, the street fighting must have been -a very hot affair indeed. - -[Illustration: F.S. Weller.] - -[Illustration: - - REFERENCE. - - 1. _S^t. Paterne._ C.2. - 2. _Cathedral._ F.4. - 3. _Hôtel de Ville._ E.4. - 4. _Museum._ E.5. - 5. _Hôtel Cabul & Hist^l. Mus^m._ D.5. - 6. _Notre Dame de Recouvrance._ C.5. - 7. _S^t. Aignan._ H.6. - 8. _S^t. Euverte._ H.4. - 9. _S^t. Pierre._ E.4. - 10. _House of Agnès Sorel._ D.5. - 11. _House of François I._ C.5. - 12. _S^t. Paul._ C.5. - - Hôtels. - a. _d'Orléans._ D.2. - b. _d'Aignan._ C.1. - c. _du Loiret._ D.3. - - ORLÉANS. - - _London; John Murray, Albemarle Street._ - _F. S. Weller._] - -We reported ourselves at once to the Commandant; for I need hardly say, -that during the time of war, this is the first thing to be done by every -sort of men entering a town, be they Regiment, Ambulance Corps, -Couriers, or any persons whatsoever. Even a stranger whose business is -not well known is at once taken by the Military Police before the -General Commandant, and required to give a full account of himself; -which if he cannot do to that officer's satisfaction, he is placed under -police supervision, and compelled to report himself every morning at -headquarters. This regulation I mention, because a certain auxiliary -member of our staff was compelled to do the like, on account of his -speaking unguardedly of the position of the forces to some of the -townsfolk. - -Our Ambulance train came to a standstill in the Place Bannier, while Dr. -Pratt was making his report, and getting our quarters assigned to us. In -the centre of the Place stood a large drinking fountain, around which -were congregated a troop of horses, jostling each other in their anxiety -to get at the water. They appeared so fatigued, that I judged they must -have returned quite lately from the field. While our Ambulance was -awaiting the return of Dr. Pratt, Mackellar and I strolled round -leisurely. The excitement of the people was at this period remarkable; -for they imagined that, in spite of all their recent reverses, the Army -of the Loire, which was still fighting at a short distance outside the -city, would beat the Germans back, and again occupy the place. - -Hundreds of men, women, and children flocked about the bridge of the -Loire, and kept a steady look-out down the river, in the direction of -the fighting. But their expression was that of scared sheep; and when we -ventured to ask one intelligent-looking young fellow why he was not -fighting, and driving the invader from his country, he answered, "Sir, -we have no arms, and no leaders". It was manifest that they did not -think, as others in the like circumstances have done, of improvising -either. - -The beautiful statue of Jeanne d'Arc, which seemed to be gazing on the -battle from afar, had been entwined with wreaths and garlands, placed -there by townsfolk who desired thus to win her prayers for the success -of their army. - -Soon after, we were informed that Nos. 66 and 68 Quai du Châtelet, on -the bank of the Loire, had been allotted to us as our quarters. On -arriving there we found two very spacious and elegant houses, commanding -a beautiful view of the city opposite, as well as of the river, and the -two famous bridges, which are among the finest monuments of the Imperial -rule. Up to this date, the larger of the two houses, No. 66, had been -unoccupied; and the owner, probably not knowing that we had a billet -from the Commandant, was at first unwilling to let us take up the whole -house. He showed a sullen countenance, and was proceeding to lock up his -best suite of apartments, when our chief informed him quietly that if he -gave any further trouble, and did not at once surrender the keys of -every door in the house, he, Dr. Pratt, would convert the whole of his -charming mansion into a hospital, and make an operation theatre of his -drawing-room. This was a stern, but necessary, warning, which cleared up -the situation. Monsieur yielded to _force majeure_ thus vigorously -threatened, and ever after behaved towards us with the civility which in -the French nature is inherent, and which our mission at Orleans might -fairly be said to demand. - -Our chief had many interviews with the authorities on the two days -succeeding our arrival. The question was, whether we should take on -ourselves only the duties of a stationary Hospital, or follow in the -track of the army. A middle course was fixed upon. We were to have a -Hospital in town, and, when required, were to take the field with the -German Ambulance Corps. Our services were gladly accepted by the -Surgeon-General, and two large Hospitals were at once handed over to -us; the first--a sick and fever Hospital--containing 150 men; the -second, consisting of the railway terminus, with its waiting and -refreshment rooms, stores and offices, in which lay 65 wounded; and -there were beds to accommodate 150 more. We received, therewith, -Hospital plant, and a staff of trained military infirmarians. We were -also given a liberal supply of provisions, which were dealt out to us -and our wounded by requisition. On the morning of the 21st, -Surgeon-General Dr. Von Nussbaum was present at the chemin de fer -d'Orléans to make us acquainted with the former staff, who were now -handing over their charge to us. Our installation was a very formal -proceeding. The German Guard turned out, and saluted as we passed in. - -This was the beginning of our labours at Orleans. As I have stated, it -was at the railway terminus, which had been converted into a Hospital by -the Prussians the day after they took possession of the town. - -Entering from the Place in front of the station into the principal -waiting-room, we passed through two lines of soldiers, drawn up at -attention, and out on the platform. There were no carriages within the -precincts of the terminus, but some dreary-looking trucks might be seen -scattered about on the sidings, and, except a few men on guard at the -coal depôt, there was not a human being within sight. - -The terminus was covered, and of great extent. All the buildings -connected with it were spacious, and fitted up in the ordinary way. We -made ourselves at home immediately in the first-class waiting-room. Its -sofas were placed back to back in the centre; and there were lines of -beds at each side, every bed occupied by a wounded man. The second- and -third-class _salles d'attente_ were arranged in like manner, and as full -as they could hold. - -The next room was the Bureau des Inspecteurs, or the office of the -railway directors. Here also there was a single row of wounded. - -In the buffet there were double rows, and, as it was very spacious, the -numbers it accommodated were proportionately great. In the ticket office -were kept all the medical and surgical stores and requisites. In the -telegraph office was the operation theatre, and in the station-master's -private bureau the instruments to serve it were kept; there the surgeon -on night duty remained during the period of his watch. In this room -there was always a good fire, and outside the door paced up and down a -German sentinel on guard. - -At the other side of the platform, approached by the level crossing, we -found the goods department, and the carriage, waggon, and engine depôt, -which latter, in its general appearance, was nothing more or less than -an immense shed, with open archways at both ends. In this most airy -apartment lay, also, numbers of wounded. - -When we pointed to several large holes in the roof (which had been made -by falling shells a few days previously), and then to the open archways, -suggesting to our friends that they were, perhaps, a degree too airy to -be beneficial, Prof. Nussbaum informed us that the wounded in this place -got better more rapidly than those in the Salles, who were kept warm, -and completely protected from the weather. - -We remained there nearly two hours, seeing the more interesting cases -dressed, and then looked on at an operation by Nussbaum. As several of -the parcel and lamp offices were also occupied by wounded, it may be -conceived that the whole mass of buildings around the platforms made a -very extensive hospital. It was a curious and novel sight, and for a -long time afterwards I never entered a large terminus of the kind -without speculating on the numbers of wounded that it would accommodate. - -We were received very kindly by our German friends; and before evening -were in charge of the whole place, having an efficient staff of nurses -to assist us, and to look after the wants of our invalids. - -As we had now enjoyed a considerable experience in the working of a -military field-hospital, it took us but a few hours to get into the -routine; and the Germans were evidently pleased at seeing how briskly we -fell into line, and took up from them the whole management. - -With regard to the Barrack across the river, which was full of sick and -fever patients, it had been, I say, assigned to us; but we never -actually took it over. The German surgeons who were in charge had to -join their field-hospital, which was about to move in the track of the -army. Nor did the Bavarians possess any medical reserve in Orleans at -this time, so that we came to their assistance at a juncture when we -were much needed; and they showed themselves extremely grateful. When, -however, they were on the point of delivering up the second hospital to -us, their orders to move were rescinded; and we were saved, thereby, an -amount of labour and responsibility, to which our limited staff would -have been altogether unequal. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -ASSISTANT SURGEON.--IMPRESSIONS OF THE GERMAN CHARACTER.--THE ARMY AND -ITS DISCIPLINE.--STATE OF SIEGE.--VON DER TANN'S PROCLAMATION.--LEOPOLD -SCHRENK. - - -I was now promoted to be Assistant Surgeon by our chief, and was given -charge of seventeen patients, under Dr. Mackellar. As much of the -doctor's time was employed in registering and taking notes of the cases -in Hospital, except when he performed operations, I was virtually in -sole charge of my section, though under his supervision. - -We breakfasted at 7·30, dined at 12·30, and supped at 6·30; all our -meals were abundantly furnished at our quarters in the Quai du Châtelet. - -With such hard work in hand, there was certainly need of substantial -food, or we could never have got through it. Every day brought us fresh -batches of wounded, and with them news of fresh encounters, and -skirmishes in the field. - -On 23rd October, I had to perform my first amputation. It was the -removal of a portion of a foot, which had been crushed by a waggon -wheel. The patient, I should explain, lay in a private house, at the -rear of the Quai du Châtelet. Dr. Mackellar, who had kindly given me the -operation, and Jean the Turco, assisted me. But when I had made the -first incision, Jean bolted out of the room, and then tumbled downstairs -in a faint. - -I went on with my task; but no sooner was it completed, than we were -both taken aback on finding that my subject had been given an overdose -of chloroform: his face was livid; and it seemed that he had already -ceased to breathe. In a moment, we flung the windows and door open, and -were slapping him with cold wet towels, and using artificial -respiration. - -To my great relief, in a few seconds the poor man breathed freely again, -and before long came back to himself. He made a very prompt recovery; -was convalescent, and able to hobble about on crutches in a fortnight, -and had still a useful limb. - -My patients increased daily, until from seventeen they became double -that number. And at this time it was my duty to stay up every fifth -night. - -Three or four days now passed away in constant hard work, part of which -consisted in rearranging and cleaning up the whole Hospital, which our -predecessors had left in anything but an orderly state. - -Later on, when I had time to go out, I saw numbers of the Bavarian -troops returning from the recent fighting,--dirty, foot-sore, and jaded; -they reminded me, in fact, more of French than of German soldiers. The -campaign seemed to be taking an unfavourable turn for them. -Occasionally, in the evening, the bands played in the Place Martroi, -where the German officers and men were wont to assemble to smoke and -chat. This was one of their customs at home which they had imported into -France; and by no means a disagreeable one. I heartily enjoyed the -musical treat which they gave; but I liked still better to listen while -whole companies were singing glees in perfect harmony, during their -bivouac under the trees on the Boulevards. There we saw them awaiting -the assignment of their quarters with stolid patience, and cooking their -food in cauldrons over wood fires, all to this delightful accompaniment, -which showed them at their best. - -All the German soldiers had a knowledge of music, and more than half -were fairly well trained to sing. Nearly all the Infantry regiments in -Orleans at this time were Bavarians; but several detachments of the -Prussian Cavalry regiments were likewise quartered in the town. I could -never have imagined such a variety of uniforms and colours as I have -seen among the hosts of the Emperor William. Let me recall a few of -them. - -There were Bismarck's Cuirassiers, in scarlet and gold; a gorgeous -uniform, the undress of which (pure white) is, I think, no less -becoming. Then there were the Black Brunswickers, whose uniform is like -that worn by the Royal Irish Constabulary, but who wear on their shakos -an emblem representing a death's head and cross bones. Again, besides -the dark blue with red facings of the Prussian Infantry, and the -Bavarian light blue with green facings, I could count up Hussars of all -colours, red, black, and white, light blue, dark blue and gold, and the -Würtemburg green. The German soldiers are certainly a magnificent body -of men; and, although at the bottom of my heart my sympathies and -affections are altogether with the French, despite their shortcomings, I -am bound to declare the superiority of their adversaries, as men of fine -physique and manly bearing, and of cool undaunted courage; and I need -not repeat how admirable is the discipline under which they have been -brought to such perfection. - -In 1870, the French did not realise that they had to deal with an army -the rank and file of which not only was composed of the muscle and sinew -of the German people, but included their best brains also. Perhaps the -more observant of the French writers, such as the late M. Renan, or -George Sand, might have summed up the war as a contest of science -against civilisation. Certain it is, that the highly wrought -intelligence of the invaders was a force against which the Republic and -the Empire alike contended in vain. The general run of soldiers from -beyond the Rhine were well educated, and few, indeed, were unable to -read and write. Those few might be found among the Bavarians--in my -judgment, a slow, dull race, yet accustomed to fight in a dogged -fashion, who neither went into action with the dash and ardour, nor ran -away with the alacrity, of Frenchmen. Their movements were on system, -and according to rule: they fought because they were bidden to fight, -and mowed down the enemy, not from hatred of them, but because such were -their orders; and, if they did not take to flight, it was in the same -spirit of passive obedience. - -I should give the result of my impressions, therefore, somewhat as -follows: Take no notice of a German soldier, and do not molest or -interfere with him, especially when he is carrying out the orders of his -superiors, and he will be as harmless as a child, and as easily pleased. -But if, on the other hand, you do meddle with him, and stir up his rage -on any pretext, his revenge will be no less prompt than terrible. In the -battlefield, when once he is excited, he will use his bayonet and musket -as a Zulu his assegai, or an Indian his tomahawk. - -As for his manners, they are, at the best of times, uncouth, not to say -detestable, and when at meals, disgusting. He is an enormous eater, -caring not so much about the quality of what he devours, so long as -quantity is provided; and though he drinks an amount of beer that would -make any other European helplessly intoxicated, he is seldom drunk. -Nothing irritates him like hunger and thirst; in which circumstance he -furnishes the most unpleasing contrast to a French soldier,--always -patient, and commonly cheerful under such privations. When suffering in -this way, physically (which seldom occurred under the admirable -organisation of the German commissariat), he would pillage and plunder -all before him to get food or beer. For such depredations, when caught, -he was mercilessly punished. And the German soldier submits impassively -to this treatment at the hands of his officer, as if he were a dog, -without seeming to resent it. I have seen officers and their subalterns -on the quays of Orleans strike their men repeatedly, and on parade drill -make their recruits dress in line, with the flat of their -broad-swords,--a disgraceful procedure, to which neither an English nor -a French lad would submit. All these features of the German system, as -brutal as it has proved effective, I observed, long after I had seen -them at Orleans, in the vivacious and sparkling pages of _Barry Lyndon_. -So little does the world change in a hundred and thirty years! - -For some days no one but the military had appeared in the streets. All -the shop windows in the town were closed, all business suspended; and -the place, in these circumstances, had anything but a lively aspect. The -Commandant, however, issued an order to all shopkeepers, obliging them, -under pain of severe punishment, to take down their shutters, and open -their establishments. In accordance with this regulation, on a certain -day, before the appointed hour, down came all the shutters; but the -display of goods in the windows amused me very much. In one, exhibiting -a frontage of perhaps twenty feet or more, where silks, satins, and the -most costly stuffs were usually spread out, now appeared in a tasteful -arrangement several pieces of glazed calico, which were, it seemed, the -only goods one could purchase in that establishment. Another equally -large shop in the Rue Royale, a hardware house, exhibited as its stock -in trade some dozen or so of rusty kettles, saucepans, and gridirons. In -like manner did nearly all the other shopkeepers. - -The pastrycooks, however, drove a roaring trade; their counters were -crowded at all hours of the day with the conquering heroes, for Germans -eat sweetmeats and confectionery as a cow munches young clover in the -month of May. But the owners of these establishments were not at all -particular as to the quality of the articles they provided. I once -walked into such a place, and was about to eat of some tempting-looking -things in the way of tarts, when the man behind the counter recognised -me, for we were acquaintances, and whispered that he would give me in a -moment something more agreeable, instead of those greasy things, -pointing to what was before him, which were made only for Prussians. I -ought to remark on the characteristic way in which Frenchmen, who are -the most ignorant people in the world with regard to foreigners and -their languages, called every stranger a Prussian, no matter of what -nation he might be. - -Meanwhile Orleans continued in a state of siege, and strict watch was -kept on every one who moved about during the daytime. After dark no one -could walk abroad without being liable to be shot down by the sentries, -who were placed at every hundred yards along the streets, unless he -carried a lighted lantern. I took great pleasure in listening to the -bugles sounding the order for citizens to retire indoors at nine -o'clock. Standing four abreast at the top of each street, the musicians -sounded their call, which was a most plaintive and melodious strain. - -Before going on with my narrative, I ought not to omit the curious -proclamation, still on the walls of Orleans, which the Bavarian General, -Von der Tann, had put forth after his capture of the city, October 13. -It ran as follows:-- - - "FRENCH CITIZENS! - - "As I desire, so much as in me lies, to alleviate the burden of - the population now suffering from the evils of war, I appeal to - your good sense, and trust that the sincerity with which I - address you will open your eyes to the real state of affairs; - and will persuade you to take your stand with the party of - reason and peace. - - "Your late Government declared war against Germany. Never was - there a declaration more frivolous. Nor could the German armies - do otherwise than reply by passing the frontier. - - "They won victory after victory; and your own army, deluded upon - system, and demoralised, was all but annihilated. - - "Another Government has arisen. We hoped that it would make - peace. It has done no such thing. And why? Because it feared for - its own existence; and, pretending that the German conditions - were impossible, it has chosen to continue a war, the outcome of - which cannot fail to be the ruin of France. - - "Now, what are the conditions which they call impossible? - - "They are the restoration of those provinces that belonged to - Germany, and in which the German language still prevails in town - and country; in other words, of Alsace and the German Lorraine. - - "Is this proposal too much? - - "What conditions would a victorious France have exacted? - - "You have been told that the purpose of the German armies is to - degrade France. That is simply a falsehood, invented to stir up - and excite the masses. - - "On the contrary, it is your Government which, by its conduct, - is forcibly drawing on the German battalions into the heart of - the country, and is leading up to the ruin which it will - accomplish if it persists in itself degrading that fair France, - which might have proved to be the warmest friend of the nation - it has driven into hostilities. - - "Orleans, 13th Oct., 1870. - "BARON DE TANN, - "General of Infantry." - -The olive-branch of this good General of Infantry, held out at the point -of the sword to a people than whom a more touchy or sensitive does not -exist, was hardly intended to produce an effect. Orleans was eagerly -waiting all through that month and down to the 10th November, in the -feverish expectation of succour from without, which would rid them of M. -de Tann and his proclamations. - -But day passed after day, until the monotony of our routine was broken -by the astounding news, long foreseen, yet, when it came, overpowering, -of the capitulation of Metz, with Bazaine, 3 Marshals, 66 Generals, 3000 -cannon, and 173,000 men. It was the greatest surrender in -history,--perhaps, the most flagrant act of treason. - -Accounts given by the wounded stragglers, whom we daily received into -our Hospital, told us that a desultory warfare, but no regular fighting, -was going on between the opposing armies in our front. On one day, about -November 3, two Bavarians were admitted, rather severely wounded. They -related that in the direction of Blois, a party of skirmishers, with -which they were serving, came upon, and surprised, a body of French, of -whom, after a desperate fight, they captured two only, but left forty -dead on the field. This, they stated, had taken place eight hours' -distance (_i.e._, 24 miles) from Orleans. A few days later, I received -three others, who had been engaged in a similar small skirmish with the -rear guard of the enemy. All three, by an odd coincidence, were wounded -in the upper extremity. One Hussar had received a bayonet-thrust through -the upper and fleshy part of his arm; but, with a beaming smile, he -related how he had cleft the Frenchman's head in two, while his opponent -was in the act of making his thrust. The other two had bullet wounds in -their arms, evidently received at close quarters. - -On another day, two men were brought in, who had been shot by a couple -of Francs-Tireurs. These latter wore no uniform, and had coolly potted -them from behind a hedge. Yet, as the following notice from General -Wittich announced,--and it was a sample of others posted up throughout -the country,--all such civilian aggressors were liable to the extreme -penalty. "I declare to the inhabitants," so ran this document, "that all -persons, not being soldiers, who shall be taken bearing arms against the -German troops, or committing other acts of hostility or treason, will be -irrevocably put to death. Only those will be considered as military who -wear uniforms, or who are recognisable at rifle distance by distinctions -not separable from the clothes which they have on." - -In the general arrangement of our Hospital, and particularly in the -nursing department, we were greatly assisted by a most generous and -kind-hearted little Bavarian, named Leopold Schrenk, Captain in a -Regiment of the Line. He used to come every day when off duty, and work -in our Hospital, ready to help all round, but was of especial service in -looking after the patients' rations. I have seen him making the beds of -my wounded men, and washing their faces. This devotion to his suffering -and wounded fellow-countrymen was admirable; but he displayed a hatred -for all Frenchmen and Roman Catholics, and he detested priests, in a way -which I could never account for, as it was very unusual among South -Germans. However, he behaved like a staunch patriot, and was a favourite -with us all. When I parted from him he gave me his address and his -photograph. - -Some ladies who belonged to Orleans also came and distributed soup to -the wounded; among them one who was by birth from Ireland, Madame -O'Hanlon. Actuated solely by motives of charity, they ministered alike -to Prussians and French, with equal kindness and attention. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -CASES AND PATIENTS.--MARTIN DILGER.--HEAVY LOSSES.--FRENCH IRRELIGION -CONTRASTED WITH GERMAN PIETY. - - -As it is my object to exclude as much as possible professional details -of my labours at the bedside, description of wounds, and the like, I -shall again merely mention particulars of a few cases, in order to give -my reader a general idea of the nature of the wounds received by -soldiers in battle. - -Take No. 6, for instance, as I find it in my notes. It was a very bad -case. A German soldier of the Line had received a bullet wound behind -and below the calf of his leg, which passed up, without touching the -bone, behind his knee joint, beneath the muscles of the thigh to the -joint of the hip. Having pursued this most extraordinary course, it -lodged so deep beneath the muscles that neither the German doctors nor -ourselves, to whom the case was handed over, could find the exact -position of the bullet; yet I laid open its track in four or five -places. Despite all treatment, he died eventually of blood-poisoning. On -making a post-mortem examination, I traced the bullet actually into the -abdomen, and still was unable to find it, although certain of its -general position. These particulars I mention to show the unaccountable -course a bullet may take after entering an extremity. There were dozens -of similar curious cases, for which this may suffice as an example. - -In another instance the bullet, having entered the right thigh and -fractured the bone, carried along with it, impacted in its centre, a -splinter of this bone, and pieces of the tunic and lining, as well as of -trousers and shirt. It then entered the left thigh, lodging close to the -skin on the outer side, from which I extracted the different fragments -in the order just described. - -By this time we had evacuated the large shed, which was now only -occupied by those who suffered from pyæmia, or blood-poisoning. All the -rest had comfortable quarters in different portions of the building; but -these unfortunates were doomed to remain in the shed, though exposed to -the biting frost and bleak winds of November. The simple reason was that -their presence under the same roof with their comrades would mean -certain death to all. When they had contracted this dread disease, which -they chiefly did by infection, their only chance,--and a poor one it -proved,--was to be placed in a current of fresh air. Hence their removal -to this shed was commonly but their first step to the deadhouse. - -This plague of the Field Hospital made great havoc amongst our men -during the month of November in Orleans, as it had done at Sedan in -September. The only instance of recovery after it, which came under my -notice during the whole campaign, was that of the Bavarian named Martin -Dilger; and his was of a very bad type. His thigh had been amputated; -and, when the symptoms set in, I sent him out to the shed, where he -quickly became as bad as his comrades. I attended him several times -every day; but he speedily grew worse, until at last, his case seemed -more desperate than all the others. The soft parts sloughed, leaving the -thigh-bone protruding; while the patient was almost comatose, and had -that violent hiccough which is generally, in such cases, the forerunner -of death. Several of my fellow-surgeons, moved by feelings of humanity, -advised me not to put him to the useless pain and annoyance of dressing -his stump, since he was _in articulo mortis_, and his recovery beyond -the range of possibility. However, I resolved that while he lived, I -would do as much for him as possible; and I continued to dress his -wounds. - -Dilger had prolonged and repeated rigors, followed by profuse -perspiration, and was generally of a bluish livid colour,--all symptoms -of most deadly omen. I gave him as much brandy as he could take, and -chloral every two hours, for the hiccough, which was so violent that it -shook not only his whole frame, but the bed on which he lay. Yet, in a -few days these rigors subsided; he opened his eyes, and became -conscious. In the face of such a decided improvement, I ventured the -opinion that he would recover. He was now taking immense quantities of -brandy, which was supplied from the stores, and broth which I had made -for him in the town. Under this treatment his wounds took on a healthy -action, his pulse and temperature came down, and rational speech -returned, instead of his low muttering delirium; my colleagues now -admitted that his recovery was possible. I suffered him to remain in the -shed, as I felt that his safety depended upon having him there. Some -suggested his removal into a warm comfortable room in the town. Indeed, -it was with difficulty that I turned a deaf ear to these suggestions, -and overcame my own inclinations, when, on going to visit him on a cold -November night, I heard the wind whistling through that goods store in -the most melancholy manner, and the rain coming pitter-patter through -the holes in the roof. Nevertheless, in this cave of Æolus he outlived -all the others, and found himself at last its sole occupant. - -This was my first case of pyæmia at Orleans, but it was to be quickly -followed by many more. A Black Hussar, in the first-class waiting-room, -developed it in a most virulent form, and died in twenty-four hours. -That frightened me very much, and I trembled for the safety of the rest. -So I had my wards washed out with a strong solution of carbolic acid -immediately. What made me still more apprehensive was the awful fact -that, out of seventeen patients in a neighbouring ward, all hitherto -going on favourably, fourteen died in a very short time of this dreadful -scourge. In spite of my precautions, I found a few days subsequently -that one of my patients had severe rigors, followed by perspiration; and -bitter was my disappointment to see a case which had been going on -splendidly, almost even to complete success, suddenly turn to the bad in -a few hours. I had my man at once removed to the shed, and, as I well -remember, on a biting November night; but I had no choice. I would have -put him out on the road-side, rather than have allowed him to sow the -seeds of inevitable death amongst the rest of my patients. - -The poor fellow had now plenty of company in his dismal quarters, for my -colleagues had sent just as many out there as I had. - -Not three days afterwards, a bright, handsome, fair-haired lad of about -twenty, with a quick, piercing eye, and manly countenance, showed also -the dreaded premonitory symptoms. I said nothing to him, but asked the -Hospital sergeant to get two of his men and have him removed on a -stretcher to the deadhouse. Such I can only call the place from which -none that entered it came out alive, except in the single instance I -have quoted. Shall I ever forget the moment when the _infirmiers_ came, -and that poor young lad, looking me wistfully in the face, read his doom -in my silence? He knew what it meant. He had seen his comrades go, and -had learned their fate, which was so soon to be his own. A few days -later, I lost a fourth,--a good, pious fellow, who was continually -telling his beads. His name was Johann Krum, particulars of whose case -have been already given. He was a man that never smiled; and when I -discovered that he had left a wife and three children at home, I pitied -him greatly. - -I am thankful to say that this was the last of my patients who succumbed -to pyæmia. Any others whom I lost died from shock, hemorrhage, or the -severity of their wounds. - -The days went on, until we had reached the second week of November. -Skirmishes with the enemy,--that is to say, with the French, who were -advancing upon Orleans,--now became an everyday occurrence; and the -number of wounded that came straggling in meant a very considerable loss -to the Bavarians. - -About this time, Dr. Pratt made a journey to Versailles, in quest of -stores and money, leaving Dr. Tilghman in command. Inspector-General -Nussbaum made several visits to our Hospital, and expressed himself -greatly pleased with the way in which it was conducted. The truth was -that nobody could teach our veteran Americans anything new in the -management of a Field Hospital. They had all served their time during -the four years of the American War, and under a system of military -medical organisation which, as all authorities acknowledge, they had -brought to perfection. This was the secret of the undoubtedly successful -career of our Ambulance. And I must not omit to observe that it was they -who introduced the anterior suspension splint for fractures and wounds -of the joints, which we were the means of having adopted in many of the -German Hospitals. - -To turn for a moment, before the Germans evacuate Orleans, to a subject -on which their presence and behaviour often set me thinking. It was a -fine sight when the Bavarians heard Mass in the great Cathedral, to mark -them fully equipped in heavy marching order, as they stood in close -military array in every available portion of the church, with sabres -drawn, glittering helmets, and waving plumes. The officers, too, stood -with drawn swords during Mass; and at the Elevation they gave, in their -deep sonorous tones, the word to present arms. Altogether the spectacle, -though not calculated to inspire devotion, was most impressive. - -The Bavarians are, as a rule, good Catholics, and large numbers of them -were to be seen at daily Mass, reading their prayers attentively, and -going up to receive Communion. In the Hospitals also, they showed the -same devout temper. Their Chaplains were zealous men, always at work -among them, sharing their fatigues, and seeing that they attended to -their religious duties. One of the infirmarians in the ward next to me, -a common soldier, was in Holy Orders, though not yet a priest; and a -more saintly young fellow I never met. He was light-hearted and merry, -had a pleasant word for every one, and fulfilled punctiliously the -duties devolving upon him as a soldier, and as a minister of religion. -In this matter, as in other things of less importance, the Bavarians -struck me as very unlike the French. When you saw a French soldier in -church (which was but seldom), he never seemed to utter a prayer. And I -feel bound to set down my experience, that so long as I was among them, -I never noticed a French soldier with a prayer-book; nor did I ever hear -one pray when dying. Others may have been more fortunate; but such was -the fact in my case, and I think it deplorable. But the average French -citizen appears to think nothing at all of religion. - -Far otherwise was it with the Bavarians. And I have seen large numbers, -also, of the Prussians and North Germans, who belonged to the -Evangelical or other Churches, reading their prayer-books and their -Bibles in the Hospitals, and praying earnestly as a matter of course. -These manifestly had religious convictions; they served God with zeal -and courage according to their lights. But in France the decadence of -religion had been complete. No wonder, therefore, if she has fallen. -Such, indeed, was the judgment of Europe a few months later, when the -Commune, breaking out like a volcano, startled men from the Voltairean -lightness which, during too many years of frivolity and thoughtlessness, -had been the fashion. For a moment all were agreed in proclaiming the -necessity of a return to the beliefs and practices of their Christian -forefathers,--was it, perchance, too late? - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -FALL OF METZ ANNOUNCED.--THE BAVARIANS EVACUATE ORLEANS.--OUR DIFFICULT -POSITION.--WE ARE TOLD OFF TO THE BATTLEFIELD.--THE ENGAGEMENT AND -VICTORY OF THE FRENCH. - - -On 28th Oct. the inhabitants of Orleans had read with dismay and -amazement the official report, printed and posted up as a placard on -their walls, of the surrender of Bazaine with his army, and the -capitulation of Metz. The majority were of opinion that the Marshal was -nothing but a traitor. Many, nevertheless, whom I met, scorned to -entertain such an opinion; whilst others went so far as to declare that -the whole thing was a German lie. - -But to return to the subject of our Hospital. The wounded, as I have -already stated, came straggling in by twos and threes, bringing with -them reports of numerous skirmishes, which, according to their accounts, -invariably terminated in victory for the Germans. On the 6th and 7th -November, large caravans of wounded came into Orleans; and we now became -aware, through information gained from them, that the great Army of the -Loire, so much vaunted by the French, and which up to this moment we -thought had existed only in the imagination of the townsfolk, was no -myth, but a reality; while these convoys of wounded were the result of -something far more serious than skirmishes between the outposts. - -With all this there was very little excitement in the town; and the -evening of the 8th arrived without anything happening to disturb the -ordinary routine of our Hospital work. About eight o'clock our Chief was -summoned to the headquarters of the Bavarian Commandant. Here he was -privately informed that the troops were going to evacuate Orleans that -very night; that there would most likely be a general engagement on the -morrow outside the town; and that, as they would be obliged to withdraw -their Field Hospital corps and their surgeons, they laid upon our -Ambulance the task of looking after all the wounded in their absence, -and thus formally delivered them over to our charge. - -When we heard of this most unexpected move, we were, as may be supposed, -not a little excited. We could hardly believe that such a thing had -happened to the ever-victorious armies of the Fatherland as a set-back, -compelling them to give up this important position; and to describe our -state of mind during that night would be difficult. I had gone to the -Hospital about seven o'clock to see some patients, and all seemed quiet -and peaceable. Now, I could not help thinking that it would be a -sterling proof of the admirable organisation and discipline of an army -amounting to 15,000 men, if, at a couple of hours' notice, it could -evacuate, during the dead of the night, a large town like Orleans, -carrying away arms, ammunition, and a heavy train of guns, without the -knowledge of any but a few among the citizens. Some must have had their -suspicions aroused by the preparations which were already being made in -the Parks. But, until the appointed moment, when the bugle sounded, and -the whole garrison turned out to join their regiments, by far the -greater proportion of the inhabitants suspected nothing. Eleven o'clock -P.M. was the hour appointed to commence the evacuation. - -At half-past ten I took my stand at the door of 64 Quai du Châtelet; and -as the clock tolled eleven, I saw the sentries on the bridges leaving -their posts and filing off in the direction of the Place Martroi. -Presently, battalion after battalion marched past, on their way from the -quarters in the side streets which adjoined the Quai. To our great grief -we found that our infirmarians were also ordered out, leaving not a soul -in charge of the Hospital, except the two surgeons on duty and their -assistants. These had to minister, as best they could, to the wants of -the poor deserted patients. The truth was that the Germans could not -spare a single man, and were compelled to take them along with the Army. - -Some days before this, the bridge next us had been mined, and the powder -laid; we expected that it would be blown up during the night. As this -bridge was no more than a hundred yards from my bedroom window, I -retired to rest with such pleasant anticipations as may be supposed. -But, in spite of the excitement, I was quite overcome by fatigue, having -been at work all that day, and on duty the previous night; so that, in -my drowsy mood, I seemed to care little whether the bridge or myself -took an aerial flight. Next morning I repaired to the Hospital at six to -look after my wounded. On my way through the town I was astonished to -meet several pickets marching along the streets; but not another -soldier, save a few sentries, was now in the place; the latter being -left, as I afterwards heard, merely to keep up appearances. Everything -that they did not want to carry away with them the Germans put into a -luggage train, which started from the platform of our Hospital during -the night. - -Great excitement now prevailed among the townspeople, and they moved -about the streets in crowds. All this time a heavy cannonade was going -on at the North-West side, in the direction of Orme; and the din and -roll of battle apprised us of the fact that a hot engagement was being -carried on not far off. Multitudes surged up on the bridge, and kept -their gaze fixed in the direction of the fighting, which was indicated, -not only by the booming of cannon, but by the wreaths of smoke which we -could see many miles away, ascending in the still air. All these -spectators chattered and gesticulated vehemently; nor could anything -exceed their emotion. They ran about shaking each other by the hands in -a fever of excitement, as the hour of their deliverance drew on apace. -Once again I saw wreaths of _immortelles_ placed upon the statue of the -Heroic Maid, which stands with drawn sword by the river. - -When we had got through our Hospital work, we received orders to prepare -for an expedition to the field of battle. It had been determined, -however, that, in any circumstances, we should return to the Hospital -that night, and take up our medical duties again. - -It was only now that we realised the awkwardness of our situation. Bound -to stand our ground, no matter who might be victorious (though none of -us anticipated the defeat of the Germans), the possibility of a French -victory and a fresh occupation of Orleans by the latter, filled us with -disquietude. We were under the direction of the foreigners, identified -with their cause, receiving our orders from them. Our sympathies were -supposed to be Prussian, while our Hospital and ourselves had been -maintained by requisitions on the town. Hence the question arose, what -kind of treatment should we receive at the hands of our new masters, -when the last of the Germans had quitted Orleans? Would they, in the -flush and the tumult of victory, overlook the fact that we were -neutrals, engaged simply in alleviating the horrors of war? It seemed -not to be impossible, so far as the population was concerned. But again, -would the French military admit of our claims to be an International -Ambulance? or take us prisoners and send us beyond the frontier? for -they could not detain us under the Convention of Geneva. Such were our -speculations when we left the town about 9 A.M. in our Ambulance -waggons, and with our flags flying. Drs. Parker and Warren were left -behind in charge of the Hospital. We took the road to Coulmiers, where -the firing was heaviest, and from which place it appeared to be rapidly -extending northwards. - -As we passed along, the crowd on the bridge gave us a friendly cheer, -and I cannot recall a salutation that caused us more pleasure. The town -was still in the possession of the Germans, although their only -representatives were an under officer and a handful of men on sentry -duty, who could at any moment have been easily overpowered by the mob. -As our conveyances rolled through the gate of the Faubourg St. Jean, -leading out into the open country, we were surprised to find a solitary -German on guard, who saluted us as we passed. Probably he was even then -convinced of his approaching fate; but he knew his duty too well to -abandon his post. There, as Dr. Warren afterwards told us, he remained -until the French came and relieved him of his guard for ever. - -In half an hour from our exit, we came up with a Bavarian battalion, -consisting of a regiment of 2000 men, about 300 cavalry, and a battery -of guns. Many of the officers were old friends of ours, and received us -very kindly. They were short of surgeons, and prevailed on us to stay -with them; saying that every minute they expected to be called into -action, and to receive their orders to advance. Our position, at this -time, was close in the rear of the fighting Bavarian army, and within -sight of the field of battle. - -Thus it was that we were placed on the high road, upon a little rising -ground which commanded a view of the country between Baccon and -Coulmiers. Thence we saw that a fierce battle was raging, a host of -above 60,000 Frenchmen giving fight to perhaps some 15,000 Bavarians. -The result of so uneven a match became evident very early in the day. A -short time after noon, the South Germans had retreated from their -position in the woods and village in front of us, and the French were -appearing in force on the ground that their opponents had occupied an -hour previously. - -The firing was now vigorous and incessant: the din and roar of battle -were something tremendous; and the French bombshells fell short of us -only by a few hundred yards. Our party, which was halting in ambush, and -as yet unperceived by the enemy, every moment expected the order to -advance. For ourselves the suspense was most painful, and yet we had to -remain there stationary for as much as an hour. During all this time the -men were in their ranks, ready for action. In that vast concourse not a -word was spoken: all appeared sullen and out of spirits; but that -sullenness was usual with them. Some, overcome by fatigue and -hunger--for they had not tasted anything but the bread which they -carried since the previous night--slept soundly just as they were, -leaning back on their knapsacks. While these slept, the others watched -their comrades being picked off on the plain below, apparently without -the smallest concern or excitement. Thus did they placidly view the -course of the battle, awaiting their turn to join in the fray, and add -to the number of the dead or dying. - -About three o'clock the artillery fire slackened, and we joined in the -general backward movement which took place along the whole line. The -rattle of musketry resounded on every side of us, and was kept up -without intermission. The Bavarians, though fighting hard, were now -rapidly losing ground; and the French were not only advancing as fast as -they gave way, but threatening to close in upon them all round. They -were likewise striving to outflank them on the right; so that, by -half-past three, the German soldiers found themselves compelled to -retreat, though fighting still, lest the enemy should effect this -object. Thus, with the Loire at our back, we had only a narrow strip of -country between us and Orleans, by which to make good our escape. The -French, who swarmed along in every direction, fought desperately; and, -in particular, one regiment of Chasseurs à Pieds and Gardes Mobiles made -a most brilliant charge against the trained Bavarian veterans, who were -occupying in force the heights of Renardier. From this place they -dislodged the Teutons, who had then to join our force in the general -retreat. - -By four o'clock on this autumnal day it was quite dark. The firing -gradually ceased, and the French remained in possession of all they had -captured. Now on the Bavarian side there was a general order given to -retreat; it was obeyed with alacrity. We followed the defeated army for -some distance; but when we learned that Étampes was their destination, -and that the German troops were utterly to abandon Orleans, we parted -company with them; for under any circumstances, and at all risks, we -were bound to return to our Hospital. From the first sound of the -retreat, which was carried out in quite an orderly but still in a -precipitate manner, we expected every moment to hear the French Cavalry -coming down upon us. It had been rumoured that they were present in -great force. This pleasant expectation compelled us to hasten our steps, -but neither we nor (as it turned out afterwards) any of the German -troops experienced the least molestation in our rapid retreat. What was -the explanation of so remarkable a pause in pursuit, considering that -General d'Aureilles de Paladine had a host of mounted men at his -command? We were told by the French that it was the result of -interference on the part of M. Léon Gambetta, who forbade Paladine to -follow up his victory. M. Gambetta suspected that the flight of the -Bavarians was a ruse to entice the French into a trap. He dreamed that -they had an auxiliary force somewhere in the neighbourhood, which might -surround the Army of the Loire, and bring about its irreparable ruin. -Whatever may have been the reason, certain it is that the Bavarians were -saved from annihilation. They retreated that night in perfect safety, -and were joined next day by the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg. They had -allowed the French to gain a victory, which proved to be their first and -last in this sanguinary contest. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -AFTER THE BATTLE.--ORLEANS FROM WITHOUT AND WITHIN.--THE MOB AND THE -AMBULANCE.--THE BAVARIAN GIANT. - - -Our duty was now to return to the battlefield, and render all the -assistance we could to the wounded, so forthwith we retraced our steps; -and, though our day's experience, owing to circumstances over which we -had no control, had not been very fruitful of work, it was fraught with -much strain and anxiety. The night was dark, but we had no difficulty in -making out our way, the numerous camp fires in front serving us as -beacons. We pushed on to the scene of the day's conflict, Tilghman and -Sherwell riding ahead, to see that the route was clear. - -One part of the road had a shrubbery at the left hand side; and, just as -we came to the corner of it, we perceived a figure standing amongst the -bushes. As we approached, the man stepped forward, and the light of our -waggon lamps revealed the uniform of a French soldier. He challenged, -and brought us to a halt. The difficulty of our situation was now -apparent. We were about to enter the French lines, having served the -Germans all day in a medico-military capacity, and having come from -their headquarters at Orleans. - -A patrol on outpost duty quickly appeared on the scene, and we were -detained some time until an officer was brought up. Having questioned us -about all these particulars, and heard our replies, he informed us that -it would be necessary to conduct us to headquarters, and take us into -the presence of the General, before he could permit us to go on our way. -At the same time he showed us the utmost courtesy. We were now -surrounded by a strong escort, and had no choice but to follow. We soon -came in sight of the French camp, and as we passed by the rows of -cheerful blazing fires, around which were clustered, in merry groups, -the victors of the day, the ring of their mirth and revelry contrasted -with the deep gloom which had hung both upon ourselves and our German -colleagues since morning. - -This great army was reckoned at 100,000 men, who now lay in the open -plain under canvas. We passed along through several regiments of the -Line, of Turcos, Zouaves, and Gardes Mobiles, all in excellent trim, and -as jolly and pleasant as possible. They did not at all appear to be the -undisciplined rabble which the Germans had represented to us. A rare -opportunity was now given of contrasting the relative strength of these -opposing armies; but on this subject no inquiries were made. On the -contrary, we received orders not to exchange a word on the matter. - -Singing, eating, and drinking, appeared to be everywhere the business of -the night. Presently we came to a halt before M. de Paladine's tent; and -our chief, Dr. Tilghman, was conducted alone into his presence. The -doctor told him exactly what our position was; and how we had left our -quarters at Orleans to come and assist the wounded on the battlefield. -Our duty had been to pick up any that had escaped the notice of the -military surgeons, and to get them into the neighbouring houses. But, -said Dr. Tilghman, we were bound to return to Orleans next day, and -resume charge of our wounded. This was a difficult matter to settle; -for, as the French had not followed up their victory, they were still -under the impression that Orleans was in German hands, nor could we -undeceive them. The question was, would it be safe to let us go back -when we had been through the camp of the French, and had made -observations on their position? Upon this head Dr. Tilghman speedily -received a satisfactory answer. General de Paladine observed courteously -that, in dealing with us, he had to deal with English and American -gentlemen, who had already given abundant proof of their honour and the -integrity of their word. In short, when Dr. Tilghman had shown all his -papers, and the testimonials of past services rendered to the French, -the old General was profuse in his acknowledgments, being evidently in -high good humour over his day's success. - -When the interview came to an end, the members of the 5th Ambulance -received us most cordially, and invited us to mess with them. But, after -some deliberation, Dr. Tilghman, thanking them for their kindness, and -deeming our position an awkward one, determined immediately to retrace -his steps to Orleans, from whence he could, on the following day, send -waggons to take as many of the wounded as possible into the town. He had -good reasons for thus acting, and without waiting for a morsel of bread -or a glass of wine, we moved out of the camp on our way homewards. - -In a large space, near the General's quarters, lay the bodies of several -Bavarians--perhaps a dozen, some of whom had their faces turned up as -they were lying, and looked very ghastly. Outside the camp, the ground -was strewn, in some places quite thickly, with the Bavarian soldiers who -had fallen on that day, which had proved so disastrous to their arms. -The sight, though no longer strange, was all the same a sad one to us, -for we had begun to look upon the wearers of the light blue uniform with -friendly fellow-feeling, and we seemed (so fast does the time run in a -campaign) to have been long associated with them. I shall not here -describe the battlefield, since my view of it, by the light of our lamps -and of the moon (for a beautiful moon arose just in time to show us the -way home), was, of necessity, rather limited. But, in any case, I doubt -the possibility of depicting, as they really present themselves, the -details of a battlefield. Who can do justice to the heartrending scenes -of warfare as carried on with modern weapons, the chief excellence of -which seems to consist in the degree of mutilation which they can -inflict on the bodies of those against whom they are directed? - -Before relating our entrance into Orleans, I will give Warren and -Parker's account of what had happened in the town after our departure. - -As the day advanced, and rumours were spread of a French victory, the -excitement of the townsfolk knew no bounds. They rushed frantically -about in all directions, but did not dare to interfere with the few -soldiers on guard at the gates of the Mairie and at the Hospital. - -In the afternoon, however, when it became generally known that the -Germans were retreating, not towards the town but in the direction of -Étampes, the populace became most riotous, and from the manner in which -they menaced the unfortunate guards, it was plain that their lives were -in great danger. At our Hospital, indeed, where there were ten men on -guard over some Ambulance waggons at the door, the mob met with a stern -opposition. The German soldiers stood together, with their swords drawn, -and, bidding defiance to the crowd, were determined not to budge an -inch, but rather to die than relinquish the charge assigned to them. - -These brave fellows, who stood so resolutely by their post, would most -assuredly have met with a violent death at the hands of the Orleaners, -had not the Mayor sent out a _Parlementaire_, accompanied by a body of -the Gendarmerie of the town, and requested them, in the name of the -Government of National Defence, to lay down their arms. This they did -willingly, as they saw the danger of their position, and so they were -taken off as prisoners to the Mairie. A great crowd followed, howling -and yelling in the most disgraceful manner during the whole journey. - -Just about the time when the sentries were removed, the blue blouses -rushed into our Hospital and seized all the rifles which they could lay -hands on. The wards and other offices of the railway terminus now -presented a scene of unutterable confusion. Drs. Warren and Parker, like -true Britons, in spite of all this, remained at their posts; they -refused to allow any of the mob to enter our store-rooms, or private -Bureaux, and, although repeatedly threatened, would not submit to the -intrusion. But their demeanour was so calm and steady that they -experienced no rough usage. Their situation during that tumultuous day -was certainly far from enviable. In the forenoon, several officers who -had been wounded, and were in consequence left behind, came to our men -entreating them to keep their swords for them, or else to let them hide -them in our store-rooms. This request we were bound to refuse; but they -succeeded in putting their weapons away among some bedding, which was -lying in the waggon sheds at the terminus. - -A very amusing incident occurred at this time. There was a young -Bavarian officer, the tallest man I have ever seen except one (who was, -of course, an Irishman), who had been slightly wounded in the hand. For -this reason he had been left on duty in the town, and not seeing any way -of escape, slipped into our Hospital in the afternoon; but, finding that -the mob was becoming riotous and might at any moment discover him, he -divested himself of his helmet, cuirass, and uniform--he belonged to the -household cavalry--which Drs. Warren and Parker consented to stow away -in a corner. But in vain did they search for a bed long enough to cover -the prostrate form of their giant; and it was only by stratagem that -they succeeded at last in concealing him. The young man spoke English -well, and was evidently by birth a gentleman. I cannot recall his name. -Hardly was he settled in his hiding-place when, as Dr. Warren told us, -some of the mob rushed wildly through the Hospital; whereupon the doctor -sat down leisurely on the bed beneath which our hero lay half smothered. -When the tumult had somewhat subsided, and darkness set in, our brave -cuirassier, bruised and sore from the hard boards, at length was allowed -to creep out. - -He now donned a suit of peasant's clothes, or rather two suits, for it -took all that to cover him, and even then, as the Irish proverb has it, -he looked "like a crane in a crate". All this notwithstanding, he -appeared in his disguise every inch a soldier, and a German to boot. For -a heavy bribe he procured a donkey cart, in which he seated himself, -with legs crossed on some bundles of fuel, and a carter's bullock whip -in his hand, and thus set out on his perilous journey. Having arrived -safely outside the town, he took to his heels, and by-and-by chartering -an old worthless animal from a peasant, reached the German headquarters -in Étampes. It will be of interest to state that, subsequently, at the -retaking of Orleans, this officer was one of the first to greet us on -entering the town; and his satisfaction at recovering his helmet, -cuirass, and accoutrements was unbounded. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -OUR AMBULANCE RETURNS.--ENTRY OF THE FRENCH.--THEIR DISHEVELLED -APPEARANCE AND DISARRAY.--WE ARE SENT OUT OF THE RAILWAY STATION. - - -Now that I have given a rough sketch of some of the experiences of Drs. -Parker and Warren, to whom I am indebted for the foregoing particulars, -I must return to our Ambulance cortège, which I left in the moonlight -making its way back to Orleans at the dead of the night. - -About an hour after our interview with the General we found ourselves in -the open country, whence we could see the glare in the sky thrown up by -the numerous fires in the French camp which we had just quitted. The -early part of the night had been bright and fine, but ere long we had to -encounter a storm of wind, hail, and rain. For some time we had much -difficulty in picking our way, as the roads were narrow and winding, as -well as rugged. Calling at the few peasants' houses which we passed, in -order to get directions, we found the inhabitants in a frenzy of fear, -and either unwilling or incapable of assisting us. We learned, -subsequently, from the owner of Château Renardier, that they took us for -Prussians, and our French _infirmiers_ for spies. When we had gone past -these scattered dwellings, we came at length on the broad _route -Impériale_, which we needed only to pursue in order to arrive at our -journey's end. Frequent were our surmises as to whether the French or -the Germans, or either, were in occupation of Orleans. After what had -happened that day, and especially as the Army of the Loire seemed to be -making no effort to advance, we could none of us tell what the case -within the city might be. We drew near anxiously, but observed that no -pickets had been set, nor were we challenged by outposts or sentries. -This led us to imagine that the place was no longer in the occupation of -the Germans; for otherwise we never should have come thus far without -being halted by their numerous sentinels. Outposts, we knew, would have -been planted along the roads for miles outside the town by them; whereas -experience told us that the present state of things was not in the least -incompatible with a French occupation, and with French military tactics. - -We passed on unmolested until we got to the same gates by which we had -come out that morning. Then, at last, as we entered, the challenge came, -and we were brought to a standstill. We all now tried to catch a -glimpse of the sentry in the darkness; we advanced slowly, and our lamps -revealed a slight, well-built man, in a grey tweed uniform and tan -leather leggings, with a Tyrolese, or kind of wide-awake hat, surmounted -by a feather, set on the side of his head. Clearly this was no German. -With his rifle slung across his shoulder in the most nonchalant manner, -he put his questions to us. Who were we, whence had we come, and whither -were we going? Having satisfied himself upon these points, he leisurely -blew his whistle, and quickly brought to his side about half a dozen men -similarly clad, accoutred and armed. One of these turned out to be an -Englishman, who conversed freely with us, and was most polite, giving -our chief the password. He informed us that they were a body of -Francs-Tireurs, who had come from the country across the Loire, and had -occupied the town a few hours before nightfall. They numbered only a -hundred, and with the exception of a company of Gardes Mobiles, there -were no regulars in the town. On the way to our quarters we were several -times challenged by pickets patrolling the streets, but giving the -password we were allowed to go forward, and so reached our quarters, -thoroughly worn out, at three in the morning. - -Dr. Sherwell and Mr. Adams were immediately sent to the Hospital to -relieve Parker and Warren, who came back to the Quai du Châtelet and -reported the thrilling incidents which had happened while we were away, -some of which I have endeavoured to set down above. We were given only a -brief interval for sleep. At an early hour we had to be up and about the -Hospital, dressing and attending to the wounded, who had suffered -considerably in our absence, not so much from lack of surgical aid, as -from want of food and drink. For all the military nurses had been drawn -away; and the onerous task of giving them food and looking after them -had devolved on Parker and Warren, a duty which, in spite of all -difficulties, they did their utmost to fulfil. Much credit is due to -these gentlemen for their brave and noble conduct upon that memorable -day. By their coolness and determination they made all safe for their -helpless patients, and protected them from the violence, which might -easily have gone to great excess, of the rabble of Orleans. - -About ten o'clock on the morning of the 10th, Mackellar, Wallace, and -our acting chief, Dr. Tilghman, went out with their waggons to the -battlefield about Coulmiers and Baccon, and picking up some thirty-three -badly-wounded men brought them into the city. We were much distressed to -hear from them, how, on going over the battlefield, one of the first -bodies which met their gaze was that of a young Bavarian surgeon, who -used to work with us at the railway terminus when we first came. The -poor fellow lay on his back, his face turned up, stripped of his boots -and trousers, which no doubt had been appropriated by some plundering -Frenchman, who was in need of both. It is incidents like this which -bring home to one the horror and the waste of war. - -That same morning, when business required me to go through the town, I -was astonished to see the motley collection of French soldiery which had -flocked in from all quarters. It was not their numbers which surprised -me,--I had set eyes on the Grande Armée of Sedan,--but the variety of -uniforms, and the quaint unmilitary get-up of the individuals who -composed this array of M. Gambetta's. Many in the first regiment that -passed along seemed to be half in German and half in French costume. One -fellow had put on a pair of Bavarian trousers and boots, another had a -complete French costume all but his helmet, another German sidearms and -belt, or a French uniform and a Bavarian plume. The trousers and boots -of the enemy appeared, however, to be in greatest demand. Fully one -third of the new-comers were raw recruits, and little more than boys. To -complete the incongruity of the scene a large _American_ flag was borne -upon a staff as the standard of this regiment, having the words -"Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" stamped on pennants which hung from each -corner. - -One could not help smiling as one watched this miscellaneous rag-tag -collection marching past. We asked one fellow where they were going; he -answered gravely, "To Paris, in order to crush (_écraser_) the Germans". -After these came a regiment of poorly clad boys, looking cold and weary, -as well as homesick. Some of the latter had wooden shoes, in which they -clogged lamely along the pavements, in a slouching style that was by no -means soldierlike. Then followed, by way of a redeeming feature, one of -the regiments of the Line, in which every man bore himself splendidly. -After these, we remarked companies of Francs-Tireurs, and detachments of -the Garde Mobile, who marched along in the haphazard manner of civilians -during a public procession. One youth, possibly a half-witted fellow, or -a volunteer who had joined _en route_, made me laugh heartily. He was -dressed in full Bavarian costume, plume and all, and marched along -bearing a most impassive countenance, quite unaware of the ridiculous -figure he was cutting, in a uniform that was much too big for him, and -in a helmet and plume which no doubt became their original broad-faced -owner, but certainly never were meant to adorn the head of a thin and -sharp-featured Frenchman. How it came about that these fellows were -permitted by their officers, for very shame, to make such a spectacle of -themselves, I did not understand, until an intelligent townsman let me -into the secret of the soldiers' wardrobe, by assuring me that the -men's boots and clothes were made for sale rather than use, and were -all thoroughly rotten. - -The excitement and enthusiasm of the townspeople were, as I need hardly -say, beyond description. They rushed about shaking each other by the -hands, and swearing to do terrible things on the Prussians, when their -troops had once got into Germany. - -Early in the afternoon, during the entry of the French divisions, no -less amusement than bustle was created at our quarters on the Quai du -Châtelet, by our Turco Jean rushing wildly up the town, in his white -apron and cap, with a rifle in his hand, to meet the regiment of his -fellow-Turcos, which, as some one had told him, was among the arrivals. -He went as on wings to the Place Martroi, and finding that such was -indeed the case, threw himself into the embraces of his companions. -These were also in a fever of excitement. They crowded round the statue -of Joan of Arc, and waving turbans on the points of their bayonets, -yelled as loudly as their throats would suffer them: "Vive l'Empereur! A -bas la République!" Had they been natives they might have been shot for -sedition. In this little episode Jean cut the most ludicrous figure, -entering into the demonstration heart and soul; for like every Turco, he -dearly loved his Imperial master. Even now, when all was over, the Turco -was still his devotedly attached friend, and scorned to conceal his -loyalty towards the man for whom he had fought with such valour and -desperation. It may perhaps be asked whether to introduce these Algerian -barbarians into civilised warfare was not as great a crime as the -employment, during the last century, of Red Indians by the English and -French in North America. Their appearance at the statue of the Maid was -certainly in a high degree picturesque. - -I am, of course, incapable of describing the varied scenes of excitement -which greeted the soldiers on every side. How long would such an army -keep its hold on Orleans, I asked myself as I moved about, bewildered by -the seething crowds. Not long, it seemed to me. When later in the day, -every café was crowded with soldiers, they appeared to be feasting -freely in order to make up for past short commons. All seemed -thoughtless, gay, and oblivious of danger. Nor did they care one jot, -apparently, what had become of the Germans. Truly, these French are an -astonishing people! - -In my short walk from the Quai du Châtelet I could not have seen less -than ten thousand men, and again I was struck by the contrast between -the soldiers of the two nations. In the stunted and undeveloped make of -these youthful French levies, any observant spectator, though not a -physician, might have beheld the offspring of parents who had overtaxed -their vital energies by dissipation and luxury. Physical degeneration -had set in among the inhabitants, not of the large towns only,--such as -Marseilles, Lyons, and Paris, or Roubaix and St. Étienne,--but in the -rural parts of the country likewise, ever since the days of the -Revolution. Napoléon's wars had consumed the men of France during his -twenty campaigns. But that was not all. I have spoken of the decay of -religion; it was a patent fact; and, with religion, morality had seen -its own influence decline. Legal restrictions on the disposal of -property had given strength to the system, whereby married persons -limited their families according to their means and social position. -That is the undoubted cause of the estrangement between the average -layman and the Catholic clergy that has so long prevailed; for against -this system the clergy have set their faces, as they were bound to do. -With such parents, and especially when their fathers set them the -example, it was not to be wondered at if the growing lads had put away -religion at an early age, and so lost the moral restraint which would -have enabled them to turn out valiant men, sound in mind as in body, and -a match for any Germans. Their sunken eyes and pinched faces, their -whole bearing, indeed, told a very different tale. We were looking on, -in those unhappy days, at the wreck of a population which, in shame and -defeat, was paying the penalty of laws not to be broken with impunity. - -So much for the rank and file. As regards the singular want of courage -no less than competency among their officers, it may with truth be -affirmed that one of the main factors, in addition to those already -mentioned, was the total neglect of early training, and the absence of -that physical education which tends to a manly development. This system, -which characterises public school life in England and Germany, and which -results for the most part in a straightforward character, and an -undaunted temper, had not then been introduced into France. It is now -not unknown there, and will perhaps change the disposition of the coming -generations. Many tokens there are to prove that such a change is -greatly needed. - -Towards evening equal confusion and consternation was caused by our -receiving an order from the French Commandant to evacuate the railway -station in two days. We were told that we must by that time have all our -wounded taken away. Dr. Tilghman protested that we could not complete -the evacuation of the buildings in less than four days, and we were -allowed the time required, but informed that as traffic would recommence -immediately, our business was at once to clear out of the -stationmaster's and superintendent's offices, which we did forthwith. - -On the next morning, the 11th, a long train full of people arrived on -the platform. They were the first passengers we had seen since our -coming to the place. The change now suddenly wrought was wonderful. -Where up to this we had been masters, and where the profound silence had -for a long time been broken only by the chat of the medical staff, or by -the groans and cries of the wounded, we were now jostled about on a -densely crowded platform, and could hardly hear our own voices, so great -were the din and clamour of passengers endeavouring to secure seats in -an outgoing train, or to get their luggage from the one which had just -arrived. I enjoyed the novelty of the thing much, although the shrieking -of railway whistles, and the hissing of the steam-engines were no -pleasant sounds to have continuously in one's ears. - -While we remained, I saw numbers of French soldiers going round to the -beds of our wounded Germans and shaking hands with them. These friendly -enemies tried to convey their meaning by signs and gesticulations; they -gave away their tobacco; arranged the beds; and did many other little -acts of kindness, which were received with no less good will by the -Germans. It was a pretty sight. On one matter French and Bavarians -seemed of one opinion, which the latter expressed in their quaint phrase -of "Bismarck Caput". "Caput," that strong man armed undoubtedly had -proved himself to be. - -It was whilst standing on the platform awaiting the arrival of a train -when I had finished my Hospital work, that I saw the new Dictator, M. -Léon Gambetta. I knew him at once from the description that had been -given me. He was speaking in low, earnest tones to an elderly gentleman, -a member of the Provisional Government, and when I had surveyed his by -no means elegant form, and caught from beneath a pair of prominent and -bushy eyebrows several glances of his dark piercing eyes, I came to the -conclusion that his appearance was not at all prepossessing. His -military discernment on the day of Coulmiers, which had saved the -Bavarian army from total ruin, I have mentioned in its place. I never -saw him again. - -Our chief was now busily engaged looking out for a building, public or -private, in which we could establish our Hospital. After much -difficulty, a large and spacious mansion, belonging to a gentleman named -D'Allaine, was placed by him at our disposal, and thither we determined -to transport our wounded as soon as practicable. The house was situated -off the Place du Grand Marché, behind the Quai du Châtelet;--that being -the old market-place, and one of the most ancient parts of the town. It -had one great advantage; it was only a few minutes' walk from our -quarters. The authorities also put at our disposal the Caserne St. -Charles, a large building across the river. We despatched the greater -part of our invalids into that caserne at once. - -The first man to be sent out of the railway station in order to make -room for the traffic was Martin Dilger, the surviving tenant of the -goods-shed, to whose successful battle for life I have already alluded. -His almost miraculous recovery made him better known to my colleagues -than all the rest; and though I had upwards of twenty at that time under -my charge, he commonly went by the name of "Ryan's man". I had taken -particular care of his food, getting him meat, wine, and fruit as I -could, and even that great rarity, a chicken, which latter was not easy -to come at, especially if there happened to be Turcos about, for at -stealing poultry these Africans are worse than foxes. Dilger was quite -strong and merry when I removed him to D'Allaine's house. He showed his -delight and gratitude in every possible way, often alluding to his -condition when in the shed at the railway station; and he had a somewhat -German habit of making me laugh by hiccoughing in order to recall to me -that painful symptom from which he had suffered. He has since written to -me several times, and I will give a specimen of his letters in due -course. The poor fellow had left at home a wife and children, which was -no slight addition to his other troubles. - -As great numbers of wounded were being brought into the town, and it was -difficult to find accommodation for them, we hastened to get the Caserne -St. Charles ready, and received into it a large batch of them. These -were principally Germans, sent to us by reason of our previous -association with their armies. When we had got everything here into -working order, conceive our amazement and wrath on hearing that Dr. -Tilghman had been told immediately to evacuate the Barracks! Room was to -be made for the Foreign Legion. There was no alternative; remonstrance -would have been waste of time; and we put our hand to this fresh and -most provoking move. While it was being carried out, as the wounded must -be taken to our Hospital at D'Allaine's, Dr. Parker and I were busily -employed in transporting them across the town, using for this purpose -every available conveyance. Thus we were compelled by the French -authorities to take out of their beds, as best we could, men in dire -agony, some even at the door of death, and all severely wounded. - -I could not recall without pain the details of the scenes which -accompanied their transportation. As I have said, their wounds were all -of the gravest character; some were mortal, the majority were -amputations, and the remainder compound fractures, or severe lacerated -shell wounds. To shake the bed of many of these patients, or even to -move them gently, was to cause them acute suffering. One may imagine the -agony of these brave fellows when they were hauled out on their -mattresses and put, two or three together, into a cart or waggon, which, -no matter how carefully driven, had to jostle them along the weary -streets to their place of destination. - -I went successively into several of the waggons where some of the worst -cases were, and did all in my power to mitigate their dreadful pains; -but, in spite of everything I could do, they moaned most piteously as -the wheels bumped over any roughness in the pavement. I thought a bullet -through the heart was preferable to such agony as they endured. Even to -look on at it was too much. - -About 18th November, we had completely evacuated the Station. The last -batch consisted of those who had been lying in the refreshment rooms, -and, as these apartments were not required by the railway officials, -they did not oblige us to remove our wounded in such precipitous haste. -Every day fresh supplies of wounded were being brought in; and not only -every available nook and corner in our Hospital was occupied, but also -many of the neighbouring houses. It was, however, expressly forbidden by -the public authorities that any house should harbour the military, -whether wounded or not, unless a declaration of their presence had been -made, and leave obtained. - -Our work was now very heavy and our energies tasked to the utmost. -Besides the evil of overcrowding, we had to contend against the -innumerable difficulties consequent on our having been ordered about -from one place to another without notice, or sufficient time to make -preparations for departure. Then upon getting into our new quarters we -had to re-establish our culinary and commissariat departments, on which -everything depended, as well as to re-organise the system of Hospital -management, and put the whole into working order. Until this was -effected (which would take about a week) our whole day's work was -nothing but a scramble from morning till night. Our chief was completely -distracted from constantly receiving orders to have certain things done, -and then (as in the case of the Caserne St. Charles) just when he had -accomplished them, and was settled down, getting fresh orders -countermanding the first. All this was thoroughly French,--at least, it -was quite in accordance with our experience of their system. - -For the first few days after the return of the French, the revelry and -rejoicings of the townspeople were excessive. From the appearance of the -streets, the bustle, and the dense crowds, one would have thought that -some great festival was being celebrated. It was astonishing to hear -these people talk and boast of their glorious victory of Coulmiers--the -first they had gained, and, as it was to prove, also the last. But it -would sadden the heart of any lover of France to witness these -frivolities, these humiliating follies of her vain-glorious and -light-hearted citizens, who never seemed to think seriously of anything, -no matter how grave the issue. - -Soon, however, the bustle in the streets subsided, and the military -became comparatively few in number; many had gone to the front. But -there was an evident intention of making a stand at Orleans, should the -main body of the army be compelled to fall back again. I saw hundreds of -men hard at work erecting barricades and earthworks across the -faubourgs; while trenches and rifle pits were cut in all directions -through the vineyards which lay about the suburbs of the town. An order -was issued by the Commandant to leave the tall vine stakes standing, so -that they might hinder the progress of the enemy, should they re-invest -the place. If I may be allowed to anticipate, these very stakes were a -most serious impediment to their own retreat before the Germans during -the following month. Wherever they are abundant in vine-growing -districts they make the country impervious both to cavalry and -artillery, and form a splendid ambuscade for infantry troops in action. -But the disadvantages of them from another point of view seem to have -been overlooked. - -It was a source of deep regret to me, during this campaign, that I was -not better posted on military matters; for, had I been acquainted even -with the rudiments of war tactics, the numerous and important military -operations which were carried on immediately under my observation would -have been intelligible to me without the aid of an expert, and that -blank which now must be left in this slight record might have been -filled up with many most interesting details. - -The few convalescents who had acted as our _infirmiers_ and attendants, -and with whom we had been working the Hospital since the evening of the -8th,--at which time, as the reader will not have forgotten, all our -regular nurses and _infirmiers_ were drawn away for active service--were -now sent off to Pau as prisoners of war. This we thought unwise and -intolerable; but it was done in spite of remonstrances on our part that -such dealing was nothing less than a violation of the Geneva Convention. -What did we get in their place? Simply a scratch company of French -_infirmiers_, whom we had much difficulty in knocking into shape, and -whom we found by no means so ready to submit to discipline as had been -their German predecessors. One of the new arrivals was a little fellow -named Jack, by birth a native of Flanders, but who had been all his life -on board a ship in the British Merchant Service, and who had had the -top of a finger shot off. He had joined the Foreign Legion, not, as he -told us, from any liking for war or for France, but in order to be with -an old companion who had joined that corps. He was quite a little dwarf, -and unsuited to hospital work; but his superiors, deeming him, I -daresay, no great ornament to his regiment, had handed him over to us as -an _infirmier_. Besides his native language, he spoke English, French, -and German fluently, and professed to be able to converse in Spanish and -Italian. This might have been of service to us in an emergency; but the -following anecdote will show what a treasure we had got in our Fleming. - -One night Dr. Mackellar and I were on duty with Jack when a case of -extensive contusion (with compound fracture of the leg) began to bleed; -and Mackellar came to the conclusion that immediate amputation was the -only course possible. We therefore set about removing the limb. Dr. -Mackellar operated, and I assisted and gave chloroform, while Jack was -to hand the sponges, carbolised water and other requisites. In the -middle of the operation, our good dwarf, getting nervous at a sight to -which he was so little accustomed, lost his self-control and while -endeavouring to effect a retreat, fell on his head to the ground in a -swoon. I am afraid we both laughed at the prostrate brave, who was a -regular lion in his own opinion. Left to ourselves to do the work, we -had some difficulty in finishing the operation satisfactorily. But that -was the last occasion on which Jack figured as an assistant in the -operation room. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -AMERICAN FRANCS-TIREURS.--PONTOON BRIDGE OVER THE LOIRE.--FRENCH -CARELESSNESS.--SOLITARY DEATHS OF THE WOUNDED. - - -About this time a small regiment of American volunteers, in Franc-Tireur -uniform, passed through Orleans on their way to the front. Their Colonel -called on us, and offered a place as assistant surgeon to any who might -be willing to join. Had I been at liberty, the spirit of adventure would -assuredly have prompted me to accept his offer, and he pressed me hard -to do so; but the required permission was wanting. These men, I -afterwards heard, joined General Bourbaki, and having been driven over -the Swiss frontier, were detained as prisoners of war. - -About the 20th November Dr. Pratt returned, bringing with him two -gentlemen, Mr. Olive and Mr. Wombwell, who were to take charge of the -commissariat and store department. They had been in London, and brought -a large supply of stores. They, like Hayden and myself, had been taken -by Francs-Tireurs, not once, however, but twice, and only the French -passport which Dr. Pratt held ever since his departure from Paris, -prevented them from being shot out of hand as Prussian spies. - -A work of great interest was being carried on by the garrison within -sight of our windows on the Quai. It was the construction of a pontoon -bridge across the Loire, for the more speedy passage of troops. The -Germans, some weeks previously, at the time we arrived in Orleans, had -attempted a similar bridge; but before they had half finished it, a -flood came one night and swept the whole thing away, to the intense -amusement and delight of the Orleaners. The pontoon bridge which the -French now constructed, showed not only the perfection to which military -engineering had been brought, but also the acquaintance which the -natives possessed with the sudden and violent floods which were wont -unexpectedly to swell the current of that great river, causing its -waters to rise in a few hours so as to overflow its banks and flood the -adjoining country. The bridge was composed, not of pontoon boats, but of -large barges, which had been used on the river for the freight of -merchandise. These were connected with one another by pine trees, which -themselves had been lashed together by spars. A rough idea of the size -of the bridge will be given if I state that it took thirty-three such -barges to make its length, and that they were about ten feet apart. - -Active preparations were now being made on all sides for a determined -stand. Every one said that ere many days were over, the enemy would be -once more upon them, but they reckoned that an engagement, though sure -to be bloody and desperate, would end in a decisive victory for the -French army. Such was the gossip of the town, and of officers in the -cafés whom I fell in with. - -Another event, of even greater interest than the construction of the -bridge, was the entrance, one frosty morning, of a body of marine -infantry, bearing with them four gunboats placed on long timber waggons, -each drawn by eight horses. It is not easy to describe how very novel -and curious an appearance this flotilla on dry land presented as it -passed slowly down the Rue Royale, each gunboat fully rigged, and -carrying on board its bright brass cannons which glistened in the sun. - -As I happened to have half an hour to spare, I followed the marines, -curious to see what would become of this extraordinary naval procession. - -The limber waggons with their cross beams, on which the keels of the -boats rested, took up nearly the entire breadth of the street. When they -arrived on the Quai du Châtelet, I found myself one of a large crowd -that had been drawn there by the same motive, and we wondered much how -these unwieldy things could be launched. It was surprising with what -facility this was done by comparatively few hands; but, presently, when -our interest in the performance had yielded to admiration, we saw the -last of the gunboats turn upside down as soon as it was in the water, -flinging cannon, men, and everything on board into the Loire. The danger -seemed not so great as it might have been, and we were much amused. -There followed universal scramble of excited Frenchmen to haul their -comrades out of the stream; but their whole idea of assisting the -struggling men was to gesticulate frantically at them, and at their -neighbours on shore, and to maul one another in a fashion as ludicrous -as it was unseasonable. Some of the marines, however, let down a boat -and brought their comrades on shore. But it was not until next day that -they were able to right the gunboat, and they never fished up the cannon -and other materials which had sunk with it. - -I often watched these diminutive men-of-war as they cruised about at a -great speed, for they were driven by steam, with their guns as bright as -gold, and the tricolour flying from their sterns. - -On the banks of the river opposite our quarters, there were several -cannon placed on the footpath with a sentry on each. And speaking of -sentries, I am reminded how great was the difference between the French -and the German method of occupying a town in time of war. When the -Germans were at Orleans, they set a sentry at every street corner, -several at either end of the bridges, one in every public square, and -one at the door of every person at all distinguished. A stranger would -be challenged at every couple of hundred yards, nor could he pass along -anywhere unobserved. Not so was it with the French. During their stay we -seldom came across a sentry, and, when we did, he took no more notice of -those who passed by, or of what went on in his neighbourhood, than if he -had been at a review. - -Again, during the French occupation, we missed the noise and rattle of -the many hours of morning drill in which our Germans troops were daily -practised, no matter how long had been their previous marches, or how -severe the hardships they had undergone. During the weeks which the -French spent in Orleans I never once saw their soldiers at drill. When -they came into the town they simply threw their arms into a corner in -their quarters, and left them there until they were again on the move. -That such was the case I have personal reason to know; for in a house -where I was attending a wounded man, I saw such a collection of arms, -and they remained untouched till the regiment to which their owners -belonged took its departure. - -But this was only in keeping with all that I had seen of the discipline -and internal _régime_ of their armies. A significant token of their -ignorance with regard to the country in which they were fighting was -that, immediately on entering Orleans, they requisitioned, by public -placards, all maps of the surrounding districts which might be in the -hands of the inhabitants, ordering them to be delivered up forthwith to -the military commandant. Thus did their organisation prove itself in -every detail either deficient or slovenly. And on all sides there was -accumulating evidence of something radically unsound in the army as in -the people. - -About November 22, the Inspector-General of French Ambulances called to -see us formally at the railway station with Messieurs Crémieux and -Bezoin, two active members of the Provisional Government. With all three -we shook hands solemnly, and received their thanks for the assistance we -had rendered to the French wounded. They signified to our chief that -France would be in a position, by-and-by, to make some public -recognition of our services; and after the exchange of other compliments -bade us a cordial farewell. - -In the midst of the excitement and bustle, consequent on the fact that -Orleans was now the headquarters of the Army of the Loire, we continued -our daily labour at the bedsides of the wounded, caring little about -what was happening outside our own sphere of work. Many of our wounded -were scattered through the town; and these, comfortably established in -private houses, we visited every day. As already stated, after leaving -the terminus we took up our quarters at M. d'Allaine's in the old -market-place. Here we set up our Hospital exclusively for German -wounded, as, in the circumstances under which we found ourselves in the -town during the French occupation, and taking into consideration the -nature of our mission there, we considered the care of the wounded whom -the Germans had left to us as our primary duty. For this reason we kept -them together as much as possible, that they might not fall into other -and less attentive hands; and when we had done our duty by them, we -bestowed such time as we could spare upon any French wounded that came -under our charge. - -At this time our position in Orleans was extremely critical. All knew -that we had been in the service of the Germans, and that they had looked -upon us as part and parcel of their medical army corps; and we could -hear many a subdued expletive when we passed along the streets. It was, -however, most likely for this reason that no one dared to molest us. -They had learned by a bitter experience how inevitable was the -Prussians' day of retribution, and they knew with what severity the -invaders punished any outrage on their friends. - -Now it was that Colonel Reilly, Captain Frazer and Colonel Hozier -arrived in Orleans with the headquarters of General d'Aureilles de -Paladine, as _attachés_ to the Foreign Embassy. They came several times -to mess, and spent their evenings with us,--pleasant jovial men, and as -brave as they were agreeable. Nothing could be more welcome, when one -was fagged and worn out after a long day's work among the wounded, than -to turn in to a comfortable dinner with nearly a score of good-natured -fellows, who vied with one another in making the evening pass pleasantly -for all. Never a wrangle, never a hasty or bickering word was exchanged; -never did an unkind remark or an ungenerous act mar that friendly -harmony which existed among the Ambulance corps then working unitedly -under the banners of England and America. - -I often look back with feelings of satisfaction to the cheery circle we -used to form when mess was over, seated round a large wood fire; and I -can still see the grinning face of "Nigger Charlie" as he entered the -room, bearing in his hand a large wash-hand basin of steaming punch with -a dash of brandy and port in it, flavoured with spices and lemon, which -we could pronounce with a good conscience to be all it seemed. - -Our work was taxing and incessant, but nothing is too hard if one goes -at it with a will. Yet my advice to anybody who has a soft drop in him, -and who contemplates entering upon a campaign, would be that he had -better stay at home. - -One of our party was a good musician, and every evening entertained us -by playing on a piano which we borrowed from a merchant, as the Scotch -would call him, in the town. This was a grand resource after supper when -we all came together. And so much for our leisure hours. - -In the daily routine of professional work at this time I have nothing -out of the way to chronicle. There was one case, however, the -particulars of which might be interesting. The patient's name was Karl -Melchers, a young artilleryman, who had been shot in the leg at the end -of October, and whose thigh was subsequently amputated at the railway -station. He had been transferred then to M. d'Allaine's, where, to my -grief, he showed symptoms of approaching pyæmia. Reluctantly, but -forthwith, I determined that he must be put out of the Hospital; and I -took peremptory orders from my chief to that effect. - -Now the difficulty was to find a place where I could lodge poor -Melchers. I tried at the neighbouring houses, but all that were not -occupied by invalids were full of the rank and file of the army now -billeted through the town. Not a nook could I discover anywhere. In the -yard, however, there was an empty stable, and into this I had no choice -but to have Melchers conveyed. In order to give the place a less dreary -appearance--it was dismal enough--I procured some straw, and had it laid -on the pavement. He was then brought down on his mattress, and I never -shall forget the poor fellow's face when he caught the first glimpse of -those new quarters which he felt that he should not long occupy. - -When he found himself laid on the straw, alone, and separated from his -companions perhaps for ever, the utter desolation of his fate dawned -upon him, and he sobbed audibly. Yet he was a fine brave young fellow, -with piercing black eyes, dark hair and whiskers, and a very high -forehead. We were the best of friends; and I did all in my power, little -enough as it was, to comfort him. I persuaded one of our nursing -sisters, a native of Luxemburg, who belonged to the convent of Notre -Dame de Recouvrance, to sit beside him on the straw, and talk to him for -a while. However, both Soeur Berthe and I had soon to go about our own -business, and leave him to himself. Day after day he complained bitterly -of being where he was, in the damp and cold, but there was no help for -it; his presence in the neighbourhood of any other wounded must have -meant the death of many, if not of all. Once he called the sister and me -to his bedside, and said: "My end is now not far off; I should die happy -had I but one half-hour with my comrades, behind my gun, with a thousand -Frenchmen in front of me". - -Another day and this poor fellow, after having bidden us a touching -farewell,--for he knew that we could not help his unhappy -position,--died in a manner and in a place that I should not have liked -his poor old mother away across the Rhine to have seen. Yet melancholy -as were the circumstances attending the death of this dauntless soldier, -still more pitiable was the fate of many others as brave as he, who were -condemned to drag out the last few hours of their existence on some -bleak and lonely hillside, or in the thick brushwood skirting some -silent forest, or in the swampy sedge beside some rivulet. Such -tragedies were not uncommon during that stern winter which was now -setting in, as I can but too surely bear witness. - -Always we were expecting to hear of an engagement taking place in our -neighbourhood; but none happened until Thursday, the 24th November, when -we learned from the military in command that hostilities had begun in -the direction of Neuville. During the evening of this day, some of us -were told off for field service, and made preparations to depart. I was -among the number. - -It gave me, I must confess, no small pleasure to be chosen to go to the -front. There is a fascination in the excitement of the battlefield; and, -even in its horrors and imminent deadly perils, a seduction, which one -cannot easily resist. A life of campaigning seems to bring out what -moralists would perhaps term a diseased hankering after its -uncertainties and adventures. But in the case of the Ambulance officer -this not altogether human quality is liable to be merged in one more -useful. He is in the field not to give wounds, but to heal them, and to -assuage the suffering that makes war so detestable in one aspect, so -heroic in another. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -TO THE FRONT.--TURCO AND ZOUAVE ENCAMPMENTS.--SKIRMISHING.--FALSE -NEWS.--THE SHAM FIGHT AT NEUVILLE.--RETURN TO THE CITY. - - -On the evening of the 24th, our chief reported himself to the General -Commandant, and asked for a "_Feuille de route_," and "_Laissez -passer_," which were freely granted, together with instructions to push -on as far as Neuville at once; for no doubt our services would be -required there before many hours. Already we could hear the cannon -booming in the distance, which satisfied us that this speculation was -correct. Early next morning we started with our omnibus and train of -waggons, leaving the town by the Faubourg Bannier. Every man carried -with him all the portable necessaries, consisting of bandages, -chloroform, morphia, lint, tourniquets, and instruments. When we were -clear of the town, a good insight into the doings of the French during -the past few weeks was permitted us. We saw how they had executed their -plan for the fortification of Orleans, and had made an entrenched camp -round about it, with ninety-five naval guns manned by the seamen from -Cherbourg. - -At regular intervals the road was intersected by trenches of great depth -and width, running parallel to each other, and extending for miles round -the town. They had been driven alike through the woods, the open -country, and the vineyards. The cuttings which were thus made in the -road had been filled with bundles of twigs and birch tops, packed -together and covered with sods, so as to admit of one waggon crossing -them. - -It surprised me that our horses' feet did not go through; but I remarked -that the bundles on the top were made of fine slender maple tops. The -sensation experienced when crossing these elastic surfaces was very -peculiar. The omnibuses and waggons sprang up and down, and rocked from -side to side, as if they had been on india-rubber, until I thought we -should be upset; but we were perfectly safe, and the materials proved -admirably suited for their purpose. They had, of course, the advantage -of being easily removed on the shortest notice. The covering of sods was -nothing to speak of, and had by this time resolved itself into a mere -crust. - -The trenches, however, were not by any means so numerous as the shallow -rifle pits and earthworks, which, taking a zigzag course, intersected -one another, and seemed to form a network in every direction. It was -clear to us that the deep trenches were intended to arrest the progress -of artillery and cavalry, while the pits and mounds were for sheltering -advancing infantry. All this pointed to the determination of the French -to make a resolute stand at Orleans; but we all agreed that we should -yet see the Germans making use of those very trenches to defeat the army -which had constructed them. And so it turned out. - -On our journey we passed through the forest near Orleans, where one -portion of the French army had recently encamped. They had cut avenues -through the trees, and crossed them again at right angles by others. At -each side of these were erected little huts, made of branches set -upright in the ground, and interwoven with smaller branches and twigs, -while a rough thatch of broom and birch tops covered them. This gave the -whole the appearance of an Indian village. - -Some of the huts were large and commodious, and if not perfectly strong, -made a comfortable shelter against the blast. When inhabited, one could -well imagine what a picturesque appearance they must have presented, as -seen at night by the blaze of the camp fires. We were told that here had -been the quarters of some of the troops from Algiers. The French always -kept these wild fellows as much as possible by themselves, and away from -the towns, where they are apt to become unmanageable. - -Some miles further on, in the middle of an open country, we met an -encampment of Zouaves. The ground was all converted into a heavy slush, -for it had been raining; and these unlucky men, stationed here during -the past four days, were under orders to move on to the front in the -morning. As a group of them stood beside a fire near the road, I was -struck with their jaded and draggled appearance. Half famished, and up -to their ankles in mud, they gave little earnest of the spirit with -which they would go into action on the morrow. Numbers of them were -moving about, carrying wood and water, while others were cooking their -victuals. I felt much amused at the manner in which some of them -performed their morning ablutions. Two fellows whom I noticed were -kneeling on a board, washing their faces in some dirty water that had -lodged in a waggon track. There were Turcos among them;--one a dark, -fierce-looking brigand, who stalked up with an old barn-door cock in his -hand and a turkey under his arm, jabbering to each of his victims a -jargon, which they probably did not understand, though they fluttered -and screamed in answer to him. These feathered captives were, no doubt, -the result of a visit to some old dame's farmyard; for Turcos never pass -through a country without stealing all the poultry and eggs they can lay -hands on. Such is the "loot" on which they set value. - -Further on, we marched through several hamlets which were almost -entirely deserted, as were, indeed, most of the farmhouses. Presently, -one of the sentinels at an outpost challenged us, and in half an hour we -found ourselves at our destination. Neuville is a tidy village situated -on the north-east of Orleans, which can boast its little square and town -hall, or Mairie, and presented the clean and neat appearance of which I -have so often spoken when describing the hamlets I came upon in my -French travels. It lies on the outskirts of the forest of Orleans, and -has a small but decent church at one end, and a fine corn market at the -other. Its central square now afforded a most lively scene, being -covered with tents from which the French soldiery were swarming out; and -by their excited manner and,--even for them,--unusual volubility, it was -not difficult to guess that some event of the gravest importance was -threatening. - -We reported ourselves to the Commandant, who looked at our papers, was -made aware of our business and destination, and assigned us quarters. -This gentleman, who was most courteous and communicative, informed us -that there had been a battle on the day previously, in which the -Prussians were repulsed, and that, although the engagement had been long -and hotly contested, the losses on the French side were trivial; while -those of the Germans, if not heavy, were yet not inconsiderable. We -also learned that a few small skirmishes had taken place during the -early part of the day, and that the cannon which we heard were further -up the French lines to our right. The Commandant said that for the -wounded at Neuville he had ample provision in his military surgeons; but -added that he expected an engagement on the morrow, when our services -would probably be useful. - -Such appear to have been the facts. Yet, a few days afterwards, the -French journals gave a glowing account of an engagement which had taken -place on that very day, and in which a large number of Prussians were -killed, with the loss of only one Garde Mobile and half a dozen wounded -on the French side. Well and good, if the papers had confined themselves -to the doings of the 24th, when there was really some brisk fighting, -and some cannonading too, as I can testify; for I saw where a bombshell -had entered the mayor's house, and, having passed through the roof, had -burst inside, knocking in the ceiling of the sitting-room, and riddling -the partition walls so that one could see into the adjoining chamber. -But all beyond this was exaggeration or fable. - -I remarked that many of the houses in Neuville had received the like -treatment, and that, here and there, doors, windows, and sashes had been -smashed by fragments of shells. Presently, while wending our way through -the camp to our quarters, we fell in with a young corporal, who was of -English descent on the mother's side. He had known Dr. May in Paris, -spoke English fluently, and showed much refinement and intelligence. He -told us that, on the day before, some thousand and odd Frenchmen had -defeated in a pitched battle four thousand Prussians; but as the French -had had fresh reinforcements that morning, they were now on a more equal -footing with the enemy, and could muster, at least, three thousand men. -About the movements or position of the other side no one seemed to have -precise information, which rather astonished us, since they talked so -confidently. - -When we had put up in a little tavern, situated in a by-lane, and as -clean and comfortable as we could expect in time of war, we went out -again to see what was going forward. On one side to the north of the -village, our friends had constructed rifle pits, mounds, and trenches -just as at Orleans, but on a smaller scale. - -We directed our steps to the church, and found there several score or so -of wounded, the greater number of whom were German. These latter were in -charge of a very uncommunicative young surgeon of their own, who, -although I have no desire to misjudge him, did not seem to be very -deeply concerned about his patients. They were all gravely wounded, and -lay on the flags, with but a scanty supply of straw beneath them, -having neither blankets nor anything else to cover them, except their -overcoats. Many were in a dying condition, their limbs mangled by -fragments of shells, or traversed by bullets in some vital part. Two of -them assured me that their wounds had not been dressed since they were -brought in from the battlefield, and that the bullets were still -unextracted; but this may have happened from want of Hospital plant and -material. We had, however, the gratification of seeing the few out of -that dying multitude who could bear removal, transported to our depôt at -Orleans; while the rest were left under the charge of their German -doctor, let us hope to die in peace. - -Some lay in the sanctuary of the church beside the altar; others made -use of the steps to support their aching heads; and we noticed others -again who were writhing on the ground in the agony of death. - -But war had imposed its burden on us, and we took an early rest in order -to be fresh for our work next morning. Dr. May was told off to rise at -three, and ascertain when we might be expected to be up and moving. The -morning came; but no firing had as yet begun, and Dr. May let us lie -until seven. When we came down, the village presented a very different -aspect from that of yesterday. Not a civilian was to be seen in the -streets. A regiment silently drawn up was in the centre of the square. -Every man stood in his place, with his hand on his rifle, and ready to -begin at a moment's notice. Our forces at this point consisted of a -regiment of marine infantry, a couple of regiments of the Line, a few -hundred cavalry, and three batteries. - -We took our position on the _route Impériale_, immediately outside the -town, from which place one could observe how the forces were disposed, -and the relation which we bore to the enemy. There was a forest in front -of Neuville, some few thousand yards away from the earthworks, and in -and beside this wood the Prussians held their ground. The French -infantry were drawn up within and in front, as well as on the left of -the town; while the artillery had taken up their position on a small -hill to the right, from which they could rake the plain before them, -should the Prussians give them battle. In the rear of the artillery, and -away from the town, were placed the cavalry. - -Now, when I talk of the infantry being drawn up, be it understood that -they were not ranged in lines on the open plain, as the uninitiated -might suppose,--far from it,--for, positively, on looking over the -country, it was hard to make out their presence. The French forces were -scattered about in farmyards; behind woods, orchards, and hedges; and -close to the houses themselves. - -The early part of the morning had been wet, but it was now quite fine; -and my reader can imagine with what burning anxiety we kept our eyes on -the plain before us, and with a fixed gaze waited for the moment when -the familiar rattle at the outposts should declare that hostilities had -begun. - -Time passed, and no wounded were coming in. Some of us walked about -unheeded, observing all we thought of interest. The Prussians were not -visible, and we were moving along the road, when we saw the outposts -engaged at two different points, as we judged by the smoke and the -sounds of musketry. - -We now retreated to our lines, feeling sure that this was the -commencement of a hot day's work. However, it turned out otherwise; for -after a considerable amount of shifting their position on the part of -the infantry, and the advancing of a few companies, there was very -little firing on either side save that which was kept up between the -outposts; and they, in the end, got tired of firing in the air in the -direction of one another. I should say, from the distance they were -apart, that they might have gone on firing till the day of judgment, and -done no execution on their respective enemies. In a little time two -companies went forward and exchanged a few volleys with the Prussians, -whereupon the latter retired altogether from the scene. Thus ended the -battle of the 25th, without a drop of blood being shed or a single man -being wounded. - -Now, it may appear strange that I should have travelled into the details -of so bloodless an engagement; but my reason for doing so is simply -this, that a few days later, when perusing one of the French journals, I -lighted on a glowing report of three brilliant victories which had been -gained at Neuville by the French, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of -November, with all particulars at length. - -The comments on the battle of the 24th, as I have said, were -exaggerated; but in describing the two days subsequent, my newspaper -stated that, after a determined resistance of many hours, the Prussians -were completely routed, and had left eighty prisoners in the hands of -the French, with a quantity of baggage and waggons. I have given the -circumstances of this notable victory of the 25th, and the reader may -draw his own conclusion. So much for French journalism, which, to my -thinking, was not wholly guiltless of many of the disasters that befell -the French arms. The facts I have related speak for themselves; they -furnish, however, an example of the mania, which, at this period, seized -the French press, and led them persistently to falsify the news from the -seat of war. Not only did they strain every effort to blindfold their -own people, and screen the truth from them,--which was that they were -being hopelessly beaten,--but they did their best to persuade the world -that they were winning, and that their ultimate success was certain. - -These bare-faced falsehoods, which delayed negotiations, and put off the -treaty of peace until the country was exhausted, could be matched only -by a story which I heard long afterwards. An acquaintance of ours, who -was staying at Tours in 1880, used to relate how his French host was in -the habit of saying, when they fell to talking about old times, -_"Franchement, nous avons vaincu dans cette guerre, mais les gens ne -veulent pas le reconnaître"_. No, I say, they hardly could! - -We returned to Orleans on the night of Saturday, the 26th, and next day, -during a leisure half-hour, I wrote home rather a tame account of these -glorious French victories. - -Wonderful (I used to think), how easy it is to revive by abundant -palaver the drooping spirits of the French! Not two months ago they had -looked upon their prospects, if not with despair, yet with the most -gloomy forebodings; but to-day, elated by a few slight successes, they -were swaggering about the streets, boasting of what France had done in -generations past, and of what she would do in the future. It was no -uncommon thing to hear them in the cafés talking of the requisitions -they would make when they had raised the siege of Paris, and were -marching through Germany, about which they knew little more than they -did of the interior of China. Nor would it have been safe to hint, at -this period, that any Germans would still remain on French territory by -that day six weeks. - -It was amusing, if also, perhaps, exasperating, to hear them run on in -this fashion; for we non-combatants all expected that ere many days we -should see the German sentinels again at our Hospital gates. For -ourselves, we were still branded by public opinion as Germans, and had -nothing to protect us save our calling, and the flag which hung out all -through, over our door on the Quai du Châtelet. Hence we were careful -how we moved about after nightfall, lest we might come into collision -with the soldiery, or such of the townsfolk as might have been disposed -to interfere with us. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -BATTLE OF PATAY.--THE FRENCH RETREAT.--KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.--THE BATTLE -CONTINUED.--ATTACK ON ORLEANS BY THE GERMANS.--BURNING OF THE PONTOON -BRIDGE. - - -Time went by in the ordinary routine of Hospital work, until the 1st -December, when the news of a successful sortie from Paris, made by -Trochu and Ducrot, put the whole town into a fever of excitement. Report -said that the Army of Paris was already approaching Étampes. - -Next day, 2nd December, we heard heavy firing going on all along the -lines, so far as we could judge, from Neuville and Chevilly on the -right, to Patay on the left. A severe frost had set in during the past -fortnight, and there had been a heavy fall of snow during the last few -days. The ground was hard, and the air clear, so that the roar of the -guns thundered in our ears as if they had been only a few furlongs -instead of eight miles away. Of course, it was devoutly held by the -Orleaners that Trochu was fighting his way through the Prussian lines, -and would be in Orleans to-morrow. - -We, however, guessed what the real state of things was. During the last -week we had obtained permission from the French authorities to have the -old Church of St. Euverte, in the Rue St. Aignan, fitted up as a -Hospital, and the Mayor had provided about 300 beds with their bedding. -We had been actively employed the past three days in transferring our -wounded from D'Allaine's to our new abode; and by the evening of the 3rd -all our arrangements were made to receive the wounded. The cooking -department was seen to by an energetic Frenchman, M. Bonjour, whose -services throughout our stay at Orleans can never be forgotten by us. - -Towards the evening of that same day, the firing became fierce and -continual; it appeared to come nearer than it had been in the morning. -Both sides had heavy guns, eighteen and twenty-four pounders, hard at -work. Nor were the mitrailleuses inactive. It was not until long after -dark that the cannonading ceased. As may be supposed, no one knew, -though every one pretended to know, the result of this long engagement. -Some I heard saying that Prince Frederick Charles had been taken -prisoner with 20,000 men; while others ventilated equally foolish -reports. But ere long convoys of wounded arrived, and we soon had no -doubt as to what had happened. The French were evidently getting the -worst of it. - -Next day, the 4th December, a furious cannonade raged outside the town, -making a most terrific din, though still several miles away. It told us -that the French were making a determined stand. Early in the morning our -Ambulance, minus Tilghman, Mackellar, Hayden and myself, quitted -Orleans, and went on to the battlefield. We four were left behind to -receive the wounded, as well as to look after those who were already on -our hands. I had been under orders to go; but Dr. Warren, who was -burning to be in the thick of it, asked me to effect an exchange with -him; and I consented to the arrangement, subject to the necessary -permission of our chief. My friend had never been among the bullets; and -great was his anxiety to receive what Louis Napoléon called in a famous -despatch, the "baptism of fire". As I had a great deal of useful work to -do, I was quite willing to stay. After my late experience, curiosity -alone, without the call of duty, never would prompt me to go again into -a battlefield; but I had had my baptism. As regards the success of this -expedition, I may add that, when they arrived on the scene of action, -they found the French were fighting in retreat, and there was no -possibility of establishing a temporary field Hospital. They had, -therefore, to content themselves with bringing home as many of the -wounded as they could accommodate in their waggons. - -The description which they gave of the slaughter was fearful. The -Prussian artillery had raked the French lines through and through before -their eyes; and Dr. Warren confessed to me that, short as was the time -they had been on the battlefield, he had seen sights so horrible that -the recollection of them would haunt him till his dying day. - -Long before the return of our comrades, we became aware that the French -must be fighting in retreat, by the extended convoys of provision and -baggage waggons, that streamed down the Rue Royale and across the Loire. -For upwards of ten hours the baggage, provision, and ammunition train of -the French army continued to pour across that bridge in unbroken -succession. It was a sight to fill one with amazement; one could hardly -believe that it was not all a dream. - -In the middle of the day, while going to see some of my wounded who were -quartered in a neighbouring street, I met a convoy of Prussian prisoners -being hurried along by a detachment of marines. They must have been some -time in the hands of the French, for they looked thin and worn; and it -made my blood boil to see the malignant delight which beamed in the -faces of the townsfolk as they scanned these famished and half-frozen -wretches passing along. - -But an hour later, I witnessed in the Rue Jeanne d'Arc a scene, the -novelty of which, to my mind, was without a parallel. Moving down the -street towards me at a slow hand-gallop,--almost at a walking -pace,--came a troop of African cavalry, from the borders of the Sahara. -I don't know that anything had ever excited in me so much curiosity as -did the sight of these Spahis; and a more strange and wild-looking -collection of men and beasts it would be impossible to conceive. They -halted opposite the Cathedral, so that I had ample time to take stock of -them. The townspeople displayed as much astonishment as I did, and -flocked after them in crowds, just as if they had been the outriders of -some great circus. - -They were tall, fine-looking men, with bronzed faces, but of various -tints, some light, some almost black, some handsome, others -square-faced, and, one had almost said, ugly. There were those among -them who had well-chiselled features, with dark eyes, and so piercing a -look as to give one the idea that they could see right through one. -Their outer dress consisted of long-flowing mantles in white flannel, -which trailed along the ground when they dismounted, and were fastened -over one shoulder, somewhat after the fashion of the Roman toga. This -garment, however, had attached to it a hood and a short cape. On their -heads I saw what appeared to be a high coil of whitewashed rope, -entangled in the hair, which, so far as I could judge, they wore long. -This coil was looped up about their head-dress like the ordinary -turban. The hood, of which I have spoken, was partly drawn up over the -turban or coil, just far enough to catch the apex, and the whole -appeared as if each man carried on his head a small turret. Add to these -details, a lean, ugly, big-boned, square-hipped, straight-shouldered -Arab horse, with a wooden frame set on a large pad for a saddle, and -having a high piece going up behind, so as to reach half-way up the -rider's back. The whole thing looked more like a diminutive chair than a -saddle. The girths by which it was secured passed round saddle, horse -and all. Wooden shoes came out at each side, with strips of hide for -stirrups; there was a strong crupper behind, and blinkers were set on -the bridles of untanned leather. It was, I think, the oddest specimen of -an equestrian turn-out that ever showed on a European battlefield. - -These men are supposed to be about the best riders in the world. As they -moved on, I remarked that they all rocked in their saddles in the most -curious fashion, and thrust out their toes in tailorlike style. They -each carried a musket about the length of one's arm, a brace of pistols, -and a sword, which did not look like a sword, it was so much bent. Yet -this is their favourite weapon. I could well imagine an enemy being -taken aback when he approached these mysterious foes, and beheld their -grim dark faces peering through a small loophole at the top of a tower -of white flannel. They certainly had more the resemblance of cowled -monks than of a troop of cavalry, and might have been introduced by Sir -Walter Scott in _Ivanhoe_, as Moslem Knights Templars. - -When I had seen this curious sight, I went on my way to look after a -captain of the Garde Mobile, who was shot through the foot, and a young -corporal of the Line, shot through the left lung. The latter was a very -bad case, not likely to recover; the ball had descended in the cavity of -the chest, and the air which the poor lad was breathing entered and -escaped through the perforation. Presently, a boy of about sixteen came -in, the friend and companion of the dying corporal. He had but a few -minutes to remain, and in this short time he learned from me that his -friend's wound was mortal, and that he must now bid him a hasty -farewell. The parting scene between them was most touching, for they -were attached comrades. - -Among the number brought in to-day by our ambulance was one who came -under my charge, and whose case was of interest by reason of his tender -years. He was a fine lad, only seventeen, and had served in the Garde -Mobile. He had been shot through the leg; but the principal cause of his -lamentation was not his wound; it was that he had not fired a shot the -whole day, nor even so much as got a chance of bowling over a German, -though all the while shells and bullets were falling about him like -rain, and dealt wholesale destruction on his company. The account which -he gave of the fighting outside was terrible; it seemed to have made a -deep impression on his imagination, yet did not in the least take from -his courage. He told me he had not eaten for twenty-four hours. How, I -often said to myself, could soldiers fight, who were habitually -suffering from hunger, cold, and fatigue, like these poor fellows? - -All this time the ground literally shook from the conflict which was -going on outside the town. I think that, as an artillery fight, it was -second only to Sedan. - -It had been freezing very hard every night, and snow was lying deep on -the ground. - -If people at home (and there are some who talk much around their -comfortable fires about going to war on every paltry provocation) could -have seen the waggon-loads of half-frozen wounded which were brought in -to us on the night of the 4th, and those again who lay outside the town -without assistance, their wounds uncared for, and exposed to the -bitterly cold night air, how soon they would change their idle tone! how -they would loathe and abominate the very name of war! - -I can understand that men find a pleasure in studying the art of -fighting, as they do in playing a game of chess; and I have allowed in -my own case the fascination which even its horrid reality is capable of -exercising over one. But for the man who deems it a pleasure and a glory -to use the science of war as a weapon wherewith to annihilate thousands -of human beings, for the delusion called "prestige," or in the game of -politics, I would have him to know that it is a foul and monstrous -thing, full of hideous suffering, cruelty, and injustice, with nothing -to redeem it, save the courage whereby such miseries are endured. - -However, let me go on with my proper theme. Immediately the darkness set -in on the 3rd, the cannonading ceased. This night we snatched but a few -hours' sleep; for, at the first dawn of daylight, a repetition of -yesterday's performance began with redoubled vigour. From the belfry -tower of our church, during the past two days, we had been able to get a -fair idea how the battle was going. It commanded a fine view of the -country around. But now that the Germans had driven the French back on -the outskirts of the town we could see much more of the contest. Early -on the 4th we beheld the whole cavalry, numbering about 3000 men, come -down the Rue Royale and pass over the bridge on the Quai du -Châtelet,--some at a swinging trot, others at a gallop. It was a rare -sight, for here were represented men of every regiment in -France--Cuirassiers, Lancers, Chasseurs d'Afrique and the rest. This -host of armed men and horses, extending as far as the eye could reach -(which was certainly half a mile), formed a _coup d'oeil_ not easily -forgotten; and the clatter they made on the pavement, during their -stampede, was loud enough to have been heard far outside the town. - -Towards evening I availed myself of a few minutes' leisure to ascend the -church tower and watch the battle, which still continued. The roar of -the fighting, which was now going on in the vineyards and entrenchments -at the end of the Faubourg Bannier, baffles description. The heavy -French marine guns were all going simultaneously, while on each side of -the town the infantry also were in close conflict. Quite near us, at the -end of our own Faubourg St. Vincent, just where the convent stood in -which Miss Pearson and Miss McLoughlin were at work, the fighting seemed -heaviest. On some portion of the ground that was not so thickly covered -with vineyards, the dead were strewn in heaps, many being the victims of -their own mitrailleuses which the Germans had captured, and were now -using with more precision and deadly effect than their original -possessors. But all this time, the French, though retreating, kept up a -continuous and well-directed fire upon the advancing Prussians, whose -losses, as we afterwards discovered, were quite as great as those of the -vanquished. - -This they attributed themselves to the great tact and ability which the -French marines displayed in the management of their heavy guns. But for -these, indeed, as I have heard the French say, it would have been -difficult, if not impossible, for them to have covered the retreat of -their army. - -The sun shone brilliantly that afternoon of the 4th, and the arms and -accoutrements of the contending forces were flashing brightly, as they -moved about among the vineyards. In the distance we could see in several -places the field-artillery galloping along in different directions, -wheeling round suddenly, and stopping, when the little puffs of smoke -told us their reason for doing so. But these reports were lost in the -general tumult of the battle. One or two more repetitions of these -little puffs, then a limber-up, and a dash ahead as before in their -onward course, only to repeat the same manoeuvres further on; such were -the tactics which, as from a box at the theatre, we repeatedly noticed, -standing in the belfry of Ste. Euverte. - -And here I may mention an incident witnessed by Drs. May and Tilghman. -There was a hot contest being waged close to the Hospital, among the -double rows of trees on the Boulevard St. Vincent, when, in the midst of -the confusion, a young lieutenant of the Line was seen stepping out from -a house just beside the church. He had gone but a few paces, when a -young girl rushed out after him and took a last embrace, after which he -moved quickly out of her sight. But evidently he was not yet out of the -mind of the young girl; for she stood as if rooted to the spot, gazing -after her lover, heedless of the bullets which were whistling past, and -of the storm of the battle raging round her. In another moment, May and -Tilghman realised her frightful situation. May sprang over the paling -which was between them, but arrived only in time to receive her bleeding -and senseless into his arms. A spent bullet had struck her between the -angle of the eye and the cheek bone, and had stripped back the soft -parts of the side of the face as far as the ear, with a portion of the -scalp. - -The wound, though not so very dangerous,--for the bone of the head was -only grazed and not broken,--was, nevertheless, an ugly one. The girl -was at once taken into her own house, where May and Tilghman skilfully -adjusted the torn portions of the scalp by a neat operation, bestowing -on the case every attention in their power. It will doubtless be -gratifying to my reader when I tell him that this girl made a splendid -recovery. I had the privilege of watching her convalescence in the -absence of Dr. May. Nor was she much disfigured; for, in consequence of -the prompt treatment, the parts united admirably, leaving an almost -imperceptible scar, which was, however, sufficiently well marked to -remind her of that romantic, but perilous, moment at Orleans. Love is -proverbially blind. In this case, love was blind and deaf too. - -I was kept hard at work in the Hospital, and could steal only a moment -to observe the stirring scenes which were going on around. Each -new-comer brought with him, in addition to his own sad story, a list of -harrowing details from the day's battlefield. But things were all going -one way. Early in the afternoon, the main body of the French army had -fallen back upon the town. The Germans had gained possession of the two -principal approaches of the Faubourgs Bannier and St. Vincent, and had -already demolished numerous buildings on the outskirts. They did not, -however, shell the town itself, as we feared they were on the point of -doing; and when night set in, there was a temporary armistice. Both -sides, by mutual consent, desisted, on the understanding that the -bridges were not to be blown up. - -Now it was that the whole French army commenced their hurried march -across the Loire, by the pontoon bridge, and the two permanent ones. It -was a bright, still, moonlight night, and nothing was to be heard but -the trampling of feet, as that mighty host hurried along. I stood at the -corner of the Quai du Châtelet and watched them. Some of the regiments, -which had happened to lag behind, doubled down the Rue Royale, but they -marched over the pontoons at the regulation pace. - -Not a word was spoken,--an unusual state of things among Frenchmen,--and -all, as they well might, seemed dispirited. Some of the men had no arms; -many had lost their képis; and all showed visible signs of having lately -seen hard times. Tired, at length, of watching them pass in that -unbroken stream, I went to my quarters at No. 64 on the Quai hard by. - -I had hardly entered, when my attention was called by the tramp of feet -on the pavement outside the open window. On looking out, I beheld what -appeared to be the remains of several regiments. Most of them were -without arms, and all went limping along, evidently quite foot-sore, -while numbers were slightly wounded, to judge from various bandages, -which they displayed round their heads, legs, and arms. They looked more -like a procession of invalids out for a walk, than soldiers still -capable of fighting. The poor fellows were dead beat, and did not so -much march as shuffle along, some in a tottering condition, and lagging -behind the rest, having evidently done as much as was in their power. - -But what was my rage and indignation, when a captain, in the rear, who -carried in his hand not a sword, but a thick cane, belaboured with it, -again and again, any unfortunate who did not keep up with the rest! One -of these poor fellows made a sign to me for something to drink. Swiftly -as possible, I seized a large can of water which stood beside the -window, and poured it slowly on the footway. Several that were near put -their mouths under the little jet, and then began a sort of scramble for -what one of them told me he had not tasted during fourteen hours. But -their gallant leader, having dealt half a dozen blows at random with his -stick among this thirsty crowd, dispersed them, indulging the while in -strong language, and gesticulated at me in the most excited manner. -However, the frame of mind I was in--to say nothing of my safe -position--made me equal to the occasion. I complimented him on the able -style in which _Monsieur le Maréchal_ used his _bâton_; and he slunk -away, muttering curses, as he did so, at me and his men. - -This piece of excitement over, I went to the pontoon bridge, where the -stream of soldiers continued to pour across. Although I had been on duty -the previous night and all that day, I could not but stay up to watch -this historic and interesting spectacle,--the retreat of 200,000 men, -composing the whole Army of the Loire, across that river. It was now -nearly eleven o'clock, and they had been passing for hours. But the -living current flowed on unceasingly during the night, until the last of -the troops were over. When this had been accomplished, then the silence -of the frosty scene was broken by the sound of hammers, hatchets, and -saws; and the air resounded with the hacking and the chopping of the -sappers, who were busily engaged cutting the moorings and the cross -planks, while others set fire to the bridge in about a dozen places. -Just at the same hour, there was a great tramp and rattle of horses and -waggons over the permanent bridge to our right, caused by a number of -batteries of artillery, which galloped furiously onwards in headlong -career. They were the last of the fugitive army. The battle of Patay had -been lost and won. - -Now the Loire was much flooded, and the blocks of ice borne down in the -current were very large, so that when the different sections of the -bridge were cut loose,--and, later on, when they became again -subdivided, as well as during the process of freeing themselves,--the -grating, groaning, creaking, and crashing of one against the other, and -also against the great blocks of ice, was unlike any other sound I ever -heard. Moreover, every raft of boats and planks formed the base of a -pillar of fire, which brilliantly illuminated the snow-covered slopes, -the trees, and the ice-bound banks of the river,--reflecting in the -water above and below us, as if in a looking-glass, the arches and the -battlements of two of the finest bridges in France, which now stood out, -in all their architectural beauty, relieved against the pitchy darkness -of the night. - -As each of these burning sections of the pontoon became disconnected -from its fellow, it turned round on its own axis, and staggered about in -the river for a short time, until finally, having arrived in mid stream, -it swept down with the current,--making a loud grating noise as it -struck the ice blocks,--and at last with a tremendous crash was hurled -against the mighty granite bulwarks of the bridge. There it either -became a total wreck, or, being broken up into fragments, swirled hither -and thither till it passed out of view. It was a strange and magnificent -spectacle, unequalled by anything I have seen before or since, in the -combination of light and dark, the enormous power displayed, and the -gigantic ruin upon the waters. - -When I was taking a last look at all this before retiring to rest, a -number of soldiers came up, intending to cross over; but they found the -bridge demolished, and themselves cut off from retreat. - -These, I heard afterwards, were some few hundred men, inclusive of the -Foreign Legion, who formed the rear guard of the army, and had got lost -in the darkness. They neglected to avail themselves of the railway -bridge nearest them, which, like that in our neighbourhood, was also, -during this night, taken and guarded by the Prussians. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -FIGHTING IN THE STREETS.--THE TOWN CARRIED BY ASSAULT.--NARROW -ESCAPES.--THE RED PRINCE ENTERS WITH HIS WHOLE ARMY. - - -Overcome by fatigue and excitement, I had thrown myself on my bed just -as I was, and never stirred until daylight, when Warren awoke me with -the news that fighting was going on in the streets. I rubbed my eyes and -went to the window, when, to my utter astonishment, I beheld six -Prussians confronting about fifteen Frenchmen. They had come upon the -latter by surprise round a corner, and the French looked at first as if -they were going to fire; but, on seeing a large body of Prussians -advancing under cover of the trees, they lowered their rifles, and -coolly stacked their arms not twenty paces from my window. The six -Germans, meanwhile, quietly stood round them with fixed bayonets. In -another minute they were walking off up a by-street as prisoners. - -All this came upon a man who had been just awakened rather by surprise; -but, when I heard some desultory firing in different parts of the town, -I made up my mind that we were to have hot work in the streets. Having -performed a hasty toilette, I sallied forth, eager not to lose the sight -of what was going on. I had not proceeded many yards up the Quai, when I -perceived a body of Prussians stationed near the bridge at the end of -the Rue Royale. Seeing these drawn up in battle array, and finding -myself the only person on the Quai du Châtelet, I paused for a moment or -two, and looked down in the other direction towards the railway bridge. -There I beheld a goodly number of Frenchmen, ranged over against the -church of St. Aignan at the other extremity of the Quai. Thinking that -this looked like business I remarked to Dr. Warren that we were in an -awkward position, and had better retire. The words were no sooner out of -my mouth, and we had only just stepped back into the hall, when a volley -of bullets whizzed along by us in the direction of a French officer, who -was galloping across the bridge at that moment. Some of the balls must -have gone very close to him, for he ducked his head repeatedly behind -his horse's neck and redoubled his speed. Shot after shot went after him -until he lay quite flat on his saddle. How he rushed the guard on the -bridge was a mystery I could never solve; but that he did escape I can -certify. - -This was the signal for a general fusilade. The Germans at the end of -the Rue Royale, advancing on the bridge, knelt down behind the parapets, -so that we could see nothing but the spikes of their helmets and the -muzzles of their rifles which glittered in the morning sun. The French -answered from behind the trees on the Quai, and from the corners of the -by-streets. We now perceived that a company of Prussians were advancing -in single file down the Quai towards us, and were entering the houses. -This was more than we could stand. So slipping out of No. 64 up the -nearest lane, we ran out by the rear into our headquarters at No. 66. - -Here we found Dr. Parker, who had just been out in another part of the -town, but was very nearly seeing and experiencing more than he had -bargained for. In going up a side street off the Rue Bourgogne, he found -a sharp cross-fire opened from each end of the street, and as the -bullets struck the wall beside him, he had to take refuge in the -doorways, in order to escape them. The company of Prussians, to whom I -have already referred, were still advancing slowly in our direction; and -a brisk return fire was kept up by a small knot of French at the other -end. - -The manner of the Prussian advance was peculiar. First went four -sappers, who in one second broke through each of the doors which did not -happen to be open. These carried hatchets, handsaws, jemmies, and -crowbars; and it was marvellous how short a time they took to enter, and -how they made the timber fly like match-wood. Our gate was thrown open, -and in due course a number of men filed in one by one from the next -house. Three of them went through the form of searching the place, while -the remainder, about a dozen in number, were ordered out, two by two, to -kneel on the footway and fire at the enemy. When they had done so, they -withdrew until their turn came round again. The house was speedily -filled with smoke, for the soldiers crouched close into the wall, and -remained almost inside the porch. - -The necessity of this proceeding was soon apparent. For in another -minute bullets came hitting the wall beside the door, and sent the -plaster flying into my eyes, while I was craning my neck round the jamb -of the open door to see what was going on. Luckily, they glanced off the -flags a couple of feet away from where I stood. - -The leaden pipe, which ran down beside the entrance, was now riddled in -various places; our old English flag, which hung down over the door from -a long pole above the window, was likewise torn; but I have it in my -possession yet. - -We were at the highest pitch of excitement while all this was going on. -Prompted by curiosity, I went upstairs, and looking out from one of the -windows, saw standing in the middle of the street, exposed to all the -fire, a German Captain of the Line, coolly giving, or rather shouting, -his orders to the various non-commissioned officers and soldiers, who -lined the walls or manned the doorways above and below us. I expected -every moment to see him fall. Amongst the French, who were replying -persistently from their position at the end of the Quai, I espied one -Zouave in particular, who fired five or six shots at this officer. I -felt satisfied that it was at him he aimed, for he singled himself out -from his comrades, and crept on his hands and knees to the middle of the -roadway, taking a deliberate shot, and we could not perceive that there -was any one else in the direct line of his fire. When the Zouave had -discharged about the sixth shot, a ball from the Prussians tumbled him -over on his back with his legs in the air; but for all that, he was not -killed, as he scrambled away with the aid of a companion. A thud and a -splutter of the plaster on the wall just beside me, suggested the -advisability of curtailing my observations; so I shifted my quarters to -the hall below, where I found Dr. Parker giving some of the Prussians a -nip of brandy,--in order, as he jocosely remarked, to put a twist in -their powder. I knelt down behind one of the men at the doorway, as he -was taking aim at the Frenchmen, and looked over the sight to see where -his game lay. He fired, and, as he did so, a ball struck the pavement -above five yards from where he and I were kneeling. - -It was a regular business of sharp-shooting; for a head, or a head and -a pair of shoulders, were all we could see of the enemy. - -In the midst of the practice great commotion was caused by an old woman -appearing on the Quai. For a few seconds firing was suspended; an -officer came out into the middle of the street and made signs to her to -retire, which the ancient dame speedily did. What she meant by coming -out thus, it would be vain to conjecture, unless she was stone deaf. She -was clearly no Jeanne d'Arc. - -In a short time the French, seeing that they had no hope of making good -their retreat across the bridge, ceased firing. A flag of truce went to -them from the Mairie, stating that the town had been in possession of -the Germans since midnight; and they had better yield. They laid down -their arms; and the town of Orleans, as we had all along anticipated, -was once more in the hands of the Prussians. It was eight o'clock in the -morning of 5th December. An hour passed, and the Prussians came marching -in, the bands playing their most lively strains; and we found ourselves -among our old acquaintance. - -The first step which the invaders took was to get together all their -prisoners, numbering 10,000, and shut them up in the Cathedral. - -Of course, the minute we were free to do so, we all got off to our work -at Ste. Euverte, where we already found many of our old friends awaiting -us. - -The little Captain Schrenk was there; also the young ecclesiastic of -whom I have spoken; and, later on in the day, the giant cuirassier -stalked in, gorgeously arrayed in scarlet and gold, and seeking for his -hidden cuirass. They shook hands with us over and over again, exhibiting -unmistakable satisfaction and pleasure at finding we were still at our -posts, and safe and sound. Surgeon-General Von Nussbaum paid us a visit, -and complimented us on the manner in which we had stood by their wounded -during the French occupation. In fact, congratulations rained down on -all sides; and from this time forward the Germans looked upon us as -their staunch and trusty friends, giving us notice that in due time our -services would be officially remembered. The wounded now began to pour -into the town, and our Hospital church was quickly crowded, together -with every house in the vicinity. - -At eleven a.m. we went to our quarters for breakfast; but hearing that -the entry of Prince Frederick Charles's troops had commenced, I snatched -a few mouthfuls, and hurried off to witness the scene from a window in -M. Proust's house, No. 12 Rue Royale, with which I was to be more -intimately acquainted ere I left Orleans. - -The troops entered with bayonets set, flags flying, bands playing, and -all the pomp and circumstance which are usual on such occasions, and the -air resounded with a storm of military music. It was noteworthy, -indeed, to see that host pass by, consisting of 130,000 as fine-looking -men as any country in the world could produce; and what was most -astonishing about them was the neatness and cleanliness of their dress, -the brightness of their arms and accoutrements, and their general -well-dressed appearance, reminding me more of our handful of soldiers at -home, as they marched past the Lord Lieutenant in the Phoenix Park on a -field day, than of an army that had been fighting all the past week, and -had endured the privations and hardships of a six months' campaign. - -The sun shone through the frosty air, and, as the mist had now cleared -off, the helmets and bayonets of that mighty array flashed and glistened -everywhere. While these sturdy, well-built and well-fed fellows passed -on, I compared them mentally with the regiments I had seen straggling -onward to the bridge. The difference spoke eloquently in favour of that -elaborate and admirable scheme of military organisation which had -brought them to such a degree of perfection. It also elicited from a -British officer who was with me at the time, a remark that, unless we -ourselves take up some more comprehensive system of organising our -forces, we shall be thrashed by this ambitious race of soldiers the -first time we come into conflict with them. Nay, more, it is possible -that they might invade and overrun England in a short campaign, should -they ever become as great adepts in the art of war on the high seas as -they are on land. - -Many of the German officers whom I have met were of opinion that such an -enterprise was not beyond the scope of German ambition and German -energy. More than once I heard them anticipating that the result of -their victorious career would be to bring all the nations of Europe -under the wing of their Imperial eagle. And though willing to allow that -England would be the last to come in, since without a mighty fleet they -could not get at her, yet she too must share the fate of her neighbours. -It amused,--perhaps it angered us,--to find these highly intellectual -men of the world holding such views, gravely arguing among themselves -and with us, that such would be the inevitable result of a united -Germany, and that all she wanted to annex Europe, and carry out the -ideas of Alexander the First of Russia, was a little time, and a -favourable opportunity. - -The army of Prince Frederick Charles, now marching through Orleans, was -on its road to Blois, and in pursuit of General Chanzy. Turning from -this splendid sight, I went back to St. Euverte; and there spent the -remainder of that day--and a long day it was--in assisting at the -operation-table, and dressing and attending to the wounded who were -brought to us in crowds. As we had only accommodation for 250, we were -obliged to send out into the houses of the Rue de St. Aignan all who -were not seriously wounded; after which we still found it necessary to -lay a number of those who were gravely wounded on the floor, with straw -under them. These latter were not at all so badly off, when we consider -that some half score waggon-loads of men had to remain out in the frost -and snow for a whole night and part of the next day, so greatly did the -demand exceed the supply of accommodation in Orleans just then. To add -to their misfortune--and I am speaking literally of hundreds,--there -followed a great scarcity of bread, which was felt chiefly by the civil -population, and by those quartered on them. It did not affect the -garrison in the least; for their commissariat never failed. - -An army entering thus, devours, like a swarm of locusts, in a few hours -everything that is eatable in a town, and leaves the inhabitants nothing -but what they can supply from their secret stores--which, however, they -always manage to reserve. The condition of chronic hunger, from which -the inhabitants of Orleans suffered for several weeks at this period, -was truly distressing to witness. - -By noon on the 6th of December, all was quiet again, the garrison had -been billeted in their quarters, the sentries were at their accustomed -posts, and everything in Orleans betokened the return of the old -orderly _régime_, to which we had been so long accustomed. There was an -entire absence of that wild disorder, and noisy confusion, which had -lasted, not for hours but for days, after the French took possession of -the town, and which I have endeavoured to describe, but have not -adequately depicted in the words at my command. And thus began the -second German occupation of Orleans. - - - - -Chapter XXIV. - -DESECRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL.--MY FIRST CAPITAL OPERATION.--MORE -FIGHTING.--WOUNDED BAVARIANS. - - -Soon after the mayor had issued his parlementaire, all the French -prisoners, to the number, as I have said, of 10,000, were marched into -the Cathedral, where they were confined until such time as preparations -could be made for their transport into Germany. - -As the weather was bitterly cold, the prisoners--it will be remembered -that they were French and Catholic--began at once to break up the chairs -and benches with which to make fires. These they kindled at the base of -the great stone pillars for which the Cathedral is celebrated. Towards -evening, as I happened to pass that way, I saw the men and lads warming -themselves at these great blazing fires, that lighted up the whole -edifice, the roof of which, however, could scarcely be seen through the -wreaths of thick smoke that formed a dense cloud overhead. It was an -ungodly spectacle, the more so that many of the men sang and joked, -while one amused himself at the organ. - -I confess the scene was very disagreeable to me. Every now and then one -of these fellows would lay hold of a chair, and with one blow shatter it -in pieces against the tiles or the nearest pillar, and then cast the -fragments into the blaze. There they sat, smoking, eating, and -drinking,--what little they could get to eat and drink,--cursing -Bismarck and the Emperor, and rehearsing that oft-told preposterous lie, -how universal treachery was the cause of their presence there that -night. I stood for some time looking on at a display which, if curious, -was still more revolting. The stalls of the Sanctuary, which I had seen -a few days previously graced by the canons and other dignitaries who -surrounded Monseigneur Dupanloup, during the pomp and splendour of the -Episcopal ceremonies, and at High Mass, were now filled with the vilest -of the French soldiery, some of whom lolled about at their leisure and -conversed together, while others, overcome by hunger and fatigue, were -lying fast asleep all over the church. On the steps of the High Altar -fellows were stretched out in deep slumber, and not one appeared to -regard the nature of the place in which they were quartered. The lines -of fires down each side of the building, the din and the confusion to -which this herd of men gave rise, and the manner in which they seemed to -be swarming about all parts of the Cathedral, as the light of the fires -glanced on them, made an extraordinary combination, and one might have -fancied that the age of Gil Blas had returned in the nineteenth century. - -For two days the Cathedral was possessed by this motley congregation; -then the prisoners were sent off in batches by train from Orleans, and -we were glad to get rid of them. Their destination, as usual, was over -the Rhine. - -I met one of these convoys on their way to the station. They were -marched, or rather driven along, before half a dozen mounted troopers; -and when any straggled or fell behind, these put spurs to their chargers -and rode in amongst their captives, in some instances trampling them -under the horses' feet, and lashing them with their riding whips in the -most wanton manner. The sight was enough to make one's blood boil. Had -any one told me of such a thing, I should have received his statement -with caution, if not with distrust; but I relate that of which I was -myself an eye-witness. When I had cooled down a little, I consoled -myself with the idea that such was the treatment which these very -Germans received at the hands of their own officers and under-officers, -while going through their training and their drill, as I have already -testified from personal observation. They gave the French, therefore, -only what they had been treated to themselves. - -During the whole of the 6th and 7th, and the intervening night, we were -hard at work in the Hospital, the greater part of our time being taken -up at the operation table. I may here mention a fact, which is highly -interesting to me, _viz._, that now, by permission of our chief, I -performed my first capital operation, in a case of compound comminuted -fracture of the bone of the arm, which I had to amputate below the -shoulder. Nor were the circumstances of the place in which I went -through my task, of a common sort. It was Sunday morning; and the -operation table stood in a side chapel, at the foot of the Lady Altar, -not many yards from the Shrine of Ste. Euverte. But although one's first -impressions might be that such work, on such a spot, was a profanation, -yet on second thoughts it will not appear so. The deed, though -sanguinary, was not cruel; and where should the wounded find refuge if -not under the sacred roof? - -On the evening of the 7th, we received intelligence that the Germans had -come up with the French army; that fighting had begun; and that a -general engagement was expected. Accordingly, Dr. Tilghman, with May and -Mackellar, started with a supply of surgical appliances and waggons for -bringing the wounded off the field. - -I was set down for work at the Hospital, and did not go with them. But -Dr. Tilghman subsequently gave me a full account of the whole affair, -and described the carnage as very great. The town of Beaugency and the -neighbouring villages were literally crammed with wounded; and they had -hardly any one to look after them, and but very little to eat. In fact, -so scarce were provisions that many sank from privation alone, -aggravated, indeed, by the bitter cold, which just at this time was -intense. He mentioned, among other ghastly details, that owing to the -hard frost, the bodies of the slain were glued to the ground, while -their clothes were so hard and stiff that it was impossible to move the -dead from where they lay. - -Dr. Tilghman returned on the 10th with his _confrères_, bringing some -waggon-loads of wounded. That the fighting about Beaugency had been -severe I could discern from the appearance of all that was left of the -Bavarian army, which returned to Orleans about the 14th. Jaded and -fatigued, spattered with mud, with their uniforms in some instances -torn, and their plumes lost, they trudged sulkily and silently into the -town. About 8000 of all ranks had survived of the 30,000 men that left -Germany. They, too, like the French, were a contrast to their North -German brethren in arms. But, as usual, they had been set in the -forefront of the hottest battle; they had everywhere borne the brunt -against vastly superior forces; and had in the end conquered, though at -the expense of half their numbers. From the beginning of the war this -had been the inevitable fate of the Bavarians; they were butchered to -make the new German Empire. - -In return for these heroic services, the Prussians affected to look down -on them; they snubbed them openly; and took pains to hinder rather than -to cultivate a friendly feeling between themselves and their Southern -allies. I have seen quarrels take place in private houses where -Prussians and Bavarians were billeted together, simply because my lords -of Brandenburg disdained to share their quarters with King Ludwig's men. -Such bickerings went from words to blows, in which the hearty ill-will -of both branches of the great Teutonic race to one another became only -too visible. - -In the week which followed the battle of Beaugency, nothing happened -worthy of special record; we were always at work from daylight to dark, -and fresh convoys of wounded were brought in daily from that -neighbourhood. When one has such an absorbing subject of interest as the -routine of an Ambulance, from its very nature, and especially after a -severe engagement, the days pass like hours. So it was with us; for, -except an occasional few minutes which we spent in listening to the -splendid military bands that performed every day in the Place Jeanne -d'Arc, we had little to divert our minds from our business. There is, -however, a matter of interest connected with the battle of Beaugency -that I will ask leave to set down here. - -The 11th Prussian infantry regiment, serving under the Red Prince, -had suffered severely, and were nearly decimated on the 8th December. -Six of these men came under my care. One of them gave me the following -history of a most dangerous bullet wound, which he had received -through the upper arm. His name was Henry Schroeder, under-officer -(_Unter-officier_) in that regiment, and he spoke French fluently and -English intelligibly. He was advancing with his company along the skirts -of a wood, in the face of a most murderous fire from the French, and his -men were falling on all sides, when he perceived two of these, whom he -knew to be rascals, edging away from the rest into the wood, with the -clear intent of shirking their duty, and endeavouring to screen -themselves from the fire. - -He sent a soldier to them with this message, that he would have them -shot forthwith, unless they returned to their places. Not many minutes -had elapsed, when, in the confusion and heat of a charge, as they were -bursting along in the open, he received a bullet from behind which -felled him to the earth. A single glance made him aware that these two -miscreants were at his back, but were now hard at work against the -enemy. - -This poor fellow, of whom we shall hear more later on, eventually -succumbed, at home in Hamburg, to his wounds. He died with the firm -conviction that it was one of these two villains who had shot him, -though, of course, no one could prove it against the man. - -Just about this time it happened that I got permission from Dr. May to -amputate a thigh midway between the hip and the knee. As I was on the -point of making the first incision, who should walk up to the operation -table but Professor Langenbeck, of Berlin? This great person had come -into the Hospital to glance at our surgical work, and to observe the -manner in which we treated his Imperial master's subjects. For a moment, -the presence of perhaps the greatest military surgeon living, and the -father of German field surgery, made me very uncomfortable. However, I -regained my self-possession pretty quickly, and was fortunate enough to -get through the operation without a hitch or misadventure, receiving at -the end a gracious bow, and a "_Sehr schön, mein Herr_," from the old -veteran, who diligently smoked a cigar all the while. I need hardly add -that my _confrères_ had a great laugh over the incident, and at my -sudden exhibition of panic, which they assured me was quite evident. - -In our Hospital we made, as far as possible, an equal division of -labour, by allowing to each man so many beds. Though I was only an -assistant surgeon by promotion, I had practically the position of -surgeon and not assistant, having the sole charge of my division, which -consisted of all the beds between the pillars and the wall down the -middle aisle of the Church, and numbered about thirty-three. It must be -remembered that these beds were occupied by none but the gravely -wounded, and that we had under our charge numbers of others, placed out -in private houses through the town, along with those who were billeted -in the houses just outside the Church. These last were under the same -management as those in Ste. Euverte itself. - -About the 18th December an incident occurred which caused some stir -among our circle. Mr. Frederick Wombwell, who had started the previous -day for Versailles to bring back medical stores, arrived with the -intelligence that Dr. Pratt and Captain Hozier had been arrested in -Étampes. It seems that they had met Captain Keith Fraser and the -correspondent of the _Illustrated London News_, as also the -correspondent of the _Pall Mall Gazette_, on their way to Versailles, -and that whole party fraternised and dined together at the hotel. The -Prussian Commandant's suspicions were aroused by this convivial meeting -of foreigners, and he promptly placed them under arrest. Captain Hozier -and Dr. Pratt, after a day's detention, were allowed to return to -Orleans; but Captain Fraser and his two companions were sent on to -Versailles under a heavy escort of dragoons, at which place they were -liberated without delay. - -Just about this time, also, there was much excitement caused by the -arrival from Kiel of two hundred sailors to man the gunboats on the -Loire, which had been captured from the French. These bearded tars were -fine, burly fellows, and to judge by their rollicking spirits seemed to -enjoy the prospect of the job before them. - -Another week elapsed in the old routine, without any stirring events -having come to pass, and we found ourselves on the eve of Christmas, but -with nothing to remind us of its approach, save the snow, which lay more -than a foot deep on the ground, and the intense cold of the weather. It -was freezing so hard, both in and out of doors, that the water in the -jug and basin of my bedroom became almost a solid mass. - -The manner in which we spent Christmas Day may be described in five -words,--it was all hard work. Nevertheless, we contrived in the -afternoon to have a good dinner, and a little jollification over a -blazing fire in our quarters on the Quai. The custom of Midnight Mass, -so impressive in Catholic countries, had been this year abrogated by the -Bishop's order. And there was no religious service for our wounded, -though all had been arranged with a view to it. I ought not to omit the -reason, which was hardly, in my judgment, a sound one. The hour fixed -for Mass was 7 A.M. It came to pass, however, that when in the morning -the old Curé learned that the Protestant Chaplain had been before him, -and had preached a sermon to his Protestant brethren from the pulpit, he -straightway refused to begin his own service. I confess I was much -scandalised at this unreasonable exhibition of bigotry. Under the -circumstances, I hold, the Protestant Chaplain only did what it was -perfectly right and proper that he should do. And I expressed that -opinion pretty strongly to the Sisters of Charity, and the Curé himself, -who was referred to me as the only Roman Catholic on the staff. - -However, we dressed the Church with holly and ivy, and had a Christmas -tree in the middle decorated with ribbons. We likewise gave each man a -flannel shirt and a pair of drawers, which were looked upon by them as -most appropriate and acceptable Christmas boxes. - -Friends have asked me since how much I saw of that famous Bishop -Dupanloup, and what was his line of conduct during the German -occupation. I can but reply, that I never saw him in the city. All the -while he remained shut up in his palace, the greater part of which had -been converted into ambulance wards, despite a vehement protest from the -cathedral chapter. But their protest did not avail; and when the very -churches had to serve as hospitals for the wounded, and accommodation -was everywhere less than sufficient, I do not know that even a Bishop's -palace could have been exempted from so plain a duty of love and -compassion towards the suffering, whether friends or foes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -CHRISTMAS DAY AT STE. EUVERTE.--GOING THE ROUNDS.--YOUNG -HEROES.--ARRIVALS DURING THE NIGHT.--A GLIMPSE OF THE DEAD-HOUSE. - - -I have not, so far, given a description of our new Hospital, nor any -particulars in connection with individual cases; and I cannot do better -than submit to my reader a revised copy of some notes I made while on -duty that Christmas night. These may furnish a tolerable idea of the -nature of our work, and of such reflections as the time and place -suggested to me. - -The Church of Ste. Euverte at Orleans is a fine old Gothic building, in -the style of the twelfth century. Its exterior would present few -interesting details, except for the crumbling granite walls, and the -ancient carved portals, on which the hand of time may be plainly traced. -The interior also is devoid of ornament; but the rich stained glass in -the windows is not likely to be equalled by any attempt of our modern -artists in the same line. - -The nave is about 300 feet long, and broad in proportion, while the -plain vaulted roof springs lightly from the massive pillars which -support it. The High Altar is of granite, as well as those in the -chapels, and they in nowise relieve the cold stern appearance of the -building. It had now become the third Hospital which we of the -Anglo-American Ambulance had set up in this hotly-contested city. - -It was late on Christmas Eve that I repaired to the Church, and took my -turn of night duty. The night was bitterly cold. It had been freezing -for weeks, and the snow lay deep and crisp underfoot. Let me describe -what followed in the present tense. - -As I approach the long narrow street, at the end of which the gloomy -mass of buildings can be seen through the darkness, I hear the steady -pace of the Prussian sentinel who keeps guard before the gate. The dim -light of a lantern hanging above the door shows my uniform as I pass, -and the soldier, checking his half-uttered "Halt!" salutes. The door is -opened by a Zouave, who also salutes; but this time in French fashion. -He is an old Mexican campaigner, and wears, among other decorations, the -war-medal given by his now deposed Sovereign, who is spending Christmas -at Wilhelmshöhe, a broken exile. He swings open the heavy, studded oak -door, and I enter. I pause for a moment to contemplate a scene, the -misery and pain of which none could realise who have not beheld it. - -Along the central aisle, to the right and left, are double rows of -beds, each with its suffering occupant. On every pillar hangs a lamp, -one to every four beds. Precisely the same arrangement has been made -along the side aisles. - -Between every fourth and fifth pillar a stove is burning, with the -bright and cheery blaze of a wood fire. Thus a dim light is cast over -the beds of the patients, but not sufficient to penetrate the gloom of -the lofty roof. Impressive as the sight is taken as a whole, the deep -interest which it excites is heightened by the thought that every one of -those 300 beds bears its wounded sufferer, and that each sufferer could -tell his own long history of privation and pain. - -Assuredly the saddest congregation that this old Church has ever held! -Around the stoves are huddled knots of soldiers, French and German, -whose common affliction has changed bitter foes into sympathising -friends. These are men whose wounds are comparatively light; and who, -poor fellows, for five or six days have not enjoyed the privilege of a -bed. They lie in all postures around the fires, trying to sleep,--a -difficult task with a broken arm, wrist, or rib, or with severe flesh -wounds; and they have no covering of any kind, and only a little straw -and the hard flags to rest upon. - -Passing along the lines of beds are Sisters of Charity, who administer -every comfort they can, arrange the patients' beds, smoothe their -pillows, and whisper words of solace and consolation. In the stillness -of the Christmas night the tones of agony and suffering echo through the -Church, which for centuries has resounded at that hour with the grand -and solemn music of the Midnight Mass. What a comment on the words of -the "_Gloria in Excelsis_," in which these Christians say they believe! -"_Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis._" Man, I cannot but observe -to myself, thou art as much a scandal as a mystery to the reflecting -mind! - -I begin my rounds, visiting first the more urgent cases. To some of the -greatest sufferers I give morphia in pills, or else introduce it in -solution under the skin, by means of a syringe with a sharp perforated -needle affixed. The effect is wonderful. In a few minutes they are out -of pain, and fall asleep quietly. In this manner I am compelled to -silence those whose groans would disturb the other patients. I now go on -in succession, stopping at every bed to satisfy myself as to the -condition of its occupant, giving medicines when required, arranging -bandages here and there, and soothing with hypnotics those whose wounds -prevent their sleeping. - -This done, I repair to the sacristy, which serves the purpose of a -surgery and a waiting-room, and read before the fire for an hour, when I -return to the Church to see that all is right, and that the infirmarians -are awake and at their posts. As I stand in the Sanctuary and listen, I -can hear the heavy tread of the watchers pacing to and fro: nothing -else, save the heavy breathing of the sleepers. What a change in less -than two hours! The cries of pain are silenced, and the restless day of -suffering is succeeded by a night of calm repose;--a pleasant sight for -the surgeon, and one which is entirely due to that friend of humanity, -so long as rightly administered,--the drug opium. To be prepared, -however, for emergencies, I return to my room, and lay out my -instruments so as to be ready for an operation if necessary; secondary -hemorrhage, and such-like mishaps, being of frequent occurrence. - -Were such an accident to take place, I have but to send for my "sleeping -partner," Dr. May, whose quarters are next door; and who is only bound -to be present when sent for by the responsible officer on duty for the -night. Thus as the hours advance, and my previous hard day's work begins -to tell upon me, I grow sleepier every moment, and am soon nodding in my -chair before the fire. But I have scarcely become unconscious when I am -roused by an _infirmier_, who tells me that two men are awake and in -their intense agony are creating a disturbance. I rub my eyes, shake -myself together, and proceed to see them. - -The first I come to is a young Prussian artillery volunteer. He is only -sixteen, a mere boy, with large blue eyes, fair soft complexion, and -fair hair, and, though stoutly built, has very white and delicate -hands. His graceful and engaging manner, and his developed mind, show -that he is of a good German family. Yet he is but a private soldier. -What has induced him to leave his home and country at such an age? Two -reasons alone,--hatred of the French, and a thirst for glory. Poor boy! -his leg has been shattered by the fragment of a shell. His large tearful -eyes turn to me as I approach his bed, and a kind smile comes over his -face, so pale and worn with suffering. He takes my hand, and begins his -sad story,--of a kind familiar enough by this time. He tells me that the -pain from his wounds has become insupportable; that he can neither eat -nor sleep; that every day makes him thinner and weaker; and that he -thinks he shall not last long. With as favourable a forecast as I can -muster up, I try to cheer him, and give the poor fellow hopes which I -fear can never be realised. I bid him go to sleep. I give him some -morphia to help that consummation, wish him good-night, and leave him. - -My next patient is a subject of special interest to me. I received him -some weeks ago into my ward, suffering from a comminuted fracture of the -leg; in other words, the limb was very badly crushed. He gave me to -understand that he came of a respectable and wealthy family in -Wiesbaden. He was the only son of his mother, and the last of his name; -and in saving his life, I should save his mother's too, for he believed -that she would not survive him. - -Never did I see a man cling more passionately to life, and never had one -stronger motives for so doing; but never again did I see a man so ill -and yet so incredulous of his danger. Now in the stillness of this -Christmas night I come to his bedside to see him die. For days and -nights I have helped him all in my power; I have denied him nothing that -I could give him; and he has always been so gentle and affectionate that -every trouble I took for him was truly a pleasure. He speaks French and -English fluently, is a graduate of the University of Bonn, and is young -and good-looking. All through his illness he has had one thought in his -mind, and that was his mother. He now complains of excessive weariness -and pains in every part of his body. He is an Evangelical, and at my -request the clergyman had visited him late that evening. I speak to him -in a low voice, and tell him that I fear he is not better. It appears -that his last efforts at speaking have been too much for him; he is now -too weak and prostrate to do more than gasp out something about his -mother, home, and Fatherland. Now his lips quiver, now they cease to -move, and a cold sweat stands out in large beads over his face. I -smoothe his pillow and wipe his forehead, as I had often done before. - -This makes him alive to the fact that I am in my old place at his -bedside. He takes my hand, presses it feebly in his, looks earnestly -into my face, and becomes again unconscious. By this time several of the -Sisters and one or two of the infirmarians have assembled around the bed -of the dying man. For some minutes the brave fellow remains motionless; -his breathing becomes shorter and shorter; when suddenly he starts -convulsively forward, and makes an effort as it were to rise; his eyes, -which are now fixed and glassy, stare out with a vacant expression, and -he falls back heavily a corpse. As we gaze for a second, the old tower -clock strikes the hour, the sentinel on watch cries out in reply to the -challenge of his superior officer who is on his rounds, "One o'clock and -all's well". Yes--all is well,--only a poor soldier has given up his -life into the hands of his Maker, for his country's cause. One more -German mother has lost her son,--one more German heart is desolate. - -Not many minutes elapse before the fair youth of yesterday is lifted on -a _brancard_, or stretcher, and conveyed to the dead-house. Here the -bearers tumble the body on the cold shiny floor and leave it until -morning, when the mayor's cart will convey it and the other lifeless -remains in that ghastly chamber, to the brink of a deep pit at the back -of the church, and into that they will be roughly heaved. A little -quicklime will be thrown in, then a little earth; and the burial -ceremony is over. Thus the scene closes for this brave lad, who was my -friend as well as my patient. "_Dulce et decorum est_," wrote Horace. -Here is the reality of that boast. - -Having seen that all is quiet again, I return to my fireside in the -sacristy. When I am once more in my cosy chair, the details of what I -have witnessed,--to such scenes,--alas, I am now accustomed,--pass from -my thoughts, and are replaced by others of a different and more -agreeable nature. The little bunch of holly which is set above the -Tabernacle on the High Altar reminds me that it is Christmas morning; -the glow of the burning wood brings before me the recollection of that -bright fireside at home across the water; and as my eyelids gradually -close, many a well-known and much loved face appears before me as if to -cheer me in this solitude. - -I have slept thus for nearly two hours, when my pleasant dreams are put -to flight for the second time by the infirmarian of the watch, who tells -me in an excited manner that a young Bavarian soldier is bleeding -profusely from the mouth, and cannot live if I delay many minutes. I -despatch a messenger in haste to call Dr. May; and another second takes -me to the bedside of the dying man. - -This patient, a young Bavarian, has been shot through the open mouth. -Curiously enough, the ball had traversed the substance of the tongue -from apex to base, and had buried itself in the back of the throat, from -which position it has hitherto been impossible to get it removed. - -At once I compress the common artery of the neck with my thumbs, and -while thus supporting him, kneeling up behind him in bed, I am able for -the time being almost to stop the blood completely. But when I look into -the basin that is placed beside me on a stool, I perceive to my horror -that it is half full of what appears to be pure blood. I now ask the -infirmarian why he had not made me aware of the fact, and called me -sooner. He answers that some five minutes previously the sick man had -sat up in bed, and had been, as he thought, very sick in his stomach. By -the extremely faint light he had not perceived that what the sick man -was ejecting was blood. Immediately upon discovering the true state of -things, he had come for me. - -In a few minutes Dr. May arrives; but he and I are both too late. The -man becomes ghastly pale, and writhes as if in a fit, then he is still -for an instant, and sinks heavily and without life into my arms. - -A momentary feeling of sadness comes upon me, while I gaze on the -remains of that unhappy young man, the victim of such an awful, such an -unnatural death! But I must quickly repress my feelings; I have to see -that these sleepy fellows remove the body, change the bedding, and -clean the blood from the floor, so as to make way for another, who will -at once occupy the place that has been thus left empty. - -This done, I pass round to the bedside of the young soldier whom it will -be remembered that I visited first. His dreams of glory are now at an -end; for he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. Doubtless his spirit -is at peace. What would his mother feel did she know that her son had -died this lonely death in a dreary place, with no hand save mine, that -of a stranger, to wipe his brow! When he, too, has been consigned to the -dead-house, I return as before to the sacristy, where I take another -interval of rest. - -Between four and five o'clock the infirmarian awakes me for the third -time, to say that there is a waggon at the gate with three wounded who -are begging earnestly to be admitted. I have only two vacant beds; the -third was occupied already by a bad case which had been lifted from the -floor. I order two of the arrivals to be brought in. Upon examination I -find that both have been badly frost-bitten in the feet. One, indeed, -showed me half his foot almost black and simply rotting off. Their tale -was a fearful one. They had been wounded,--one in the hip, and the other -in the fleshy part of the thigh--in a skirmish about a fortnight before, -near Beaugency. Overcome by loss of blood, each had dragged himself -into a thicket--for the spot was a lonely one in the open country; and -there they had remained in terrible frost and snow, during the whole -night and part of the next morning. Some peasants discovered them, and -they were removed to a cottage several miles distant. Here they had -remained until now without surgical treatment; and hence their miserable -condition. - -Their sufferings are not to be described; and I administer at once a -hypodermic injection of morphia, which gives them speedy relief. Then I -go to see the remaining occupant of the cart. By a gleam of the lantern -I perceive that his leg is badly fractured; and the blood which oozes -through the bandages, and trickles down the mutilated remains of his -trousers, indicates that matters have not been improved by an eighteen -miles' journey over rugged country roads. The sight of this famished and -half-frozen unfortunate, whose agony is increased by the bitter cold of -the winter night, and his pitiful supplication to be let in, determine -me at once to make out a place for him. This is the work of a minute; -for I know of a comparatively light-wounded fellow whom I can dislodge -from his bed, although he is sound asleep and does not want to be -stirred. The garments of the new-comer are, some stripped, some cut off -him; and he is put into the bed which is still warm from its late -occupant. A hot bowl of bouillon is swallowed down with avidity; to the -fracture I adjust a temporary splint, for he is much too weak to undergo -an operation. A sleeping draught is given, and I leave him to enjoy some -hours' repose. - -Once more I satisfy myself that all is right, the fires burning up, and -the men on duty at their posts; and as I yawn, and stretch my weary -limbs in the arm-chair again, I find it difficult to imagine that it is -Christmas Day. - -Another walk round the Hospital, and dawn is here at last. Soon after I -repair to a neighbouring house, where I address myself to a large bowl -of café-au-lait, and a loaf of bread, with some Liebig's extract of -meat. This accomplished, I return and find our staff assembled, making -ready for the day's work. I give in my report to the chief, and -immediately set about attending to my own wounded. - -I never felt the long watch in the least irksome, nor did the others. At -ten I assist my seniors during two amputations and a resection. One of -the amputations is our arrival of the night, who last occupied the -waggon: a consultation has just decided the fate of his limb. - -The operations being over, I return to my men, and work away, with the -assistance of two male nurses and Soeur Berthe. The Sister is a native -of Luxemburg, as bright and active as possible, and my great mainstay. -At three my work is finished, and in our house on the Quai I get a good -substantial dinner. But I must still go back to Ste. Euverte, and wait -the expiration of my term of duty. - -On looking into the dead-house to make sure that my poor friends of the -night, with their companions, had been committed to the grave by the -Mayor's officials, I perceive that one is still unburied, probably -because the dead-cart was full. It is the young soldier, on whose sad -end I have dwelt, I hope not too insistently. I felt very sorry for him. -Our affection in that short space had grown to be that of brothers; for -we were, after all, only boys together. I shall miss him even in the -stir and excitement of these unruly times. But I can do no more. Dr. -Mackellar comes to take my place, and my watch is at an end. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -VISITORS.--NEW YEAR IN HOSPITAL.--THE CHURCH EVACUATED.--I GET -FURLOUGH,--AND CATCH A NIGHT-GLIMPSE OF PARIS. - - -Christmas week passed away, and we had anything but a pleasant time of -it. The frost and cold were so intense that it was with much difficulty -we could keep ourselves sufficiently warm to enable us to do our work. -About this time we had several visitors at our quarters. They were -Captain Brackenbury, of the Royal Artillery, Prussian Military Attaché; -Captain Frazer, also of the Artillery; and Colonel Reilly, French -Military Attaché,--the last of whom had been captured in Orleans on the -morning of 7th December, by the Prussians, and kept there ever since. He -was now ordered with an escort of Uhlans to the frontier. We had a great -laugh when he walked into our place on that unlucky 7th; and related -how, on awaking, he found to his surprise that the town was in the -possession of the Germans. It was certainly not pleasant for him. - -We had also with us Major de Haveland, a knight of Malta, and, as I was -informed, the only English member of that order. It is well known, -however, that the knights of St. John are divided in their obedience; -and I do not believe that the Grand-Master, who lives in Rome, would -recognise many who in England are spoken of as Maltese Knights. The -major, I presume, was of the Roman Obedience. Two members of the press -were our guests, Mr. Mejonelle of the _Daily Telegraph_ and Mr. Holt -White of the _Pall Mall Gazette._ The former, who was an artist, made -sketches also for the _Graphic._ He has given a representation of Ste. -Euverte, in which several of us figure. The day I was showing him round, -there was a dead soldier laid out on the High Altar, wrapped up in his -sheet, with nothing but his head and toes to be seen. He had been taken -out of one of the beds beside the Altar immediately after his death, so -as to make room for a fresh occupant, and merely laid there while the -infirmarians were arranging the bed. The sight struck our guest -forcibly, as it could not fail to do; it was most uncanny. - -These gentlemen expressed their satisfaction at the way in which -everything was carried out at Ste. Euverte, and the clean and decent -condition in which we kept the Hospital, despite the presence of almost -every circumstance which could militate against cleanliness and order. - -Another couple of days, and we found ourselves celebrating the -obsequies of the old year, and welcoming, after the fashion of heathens, -the advent of the new, by partaking of the unlimited supply of rum -punch, which nigger Charlie served up. I have already praised it. - -On the evening of New Year we dined together, and toasted not only our -noble selves, but our respective countries, homes and friends; -endeavouring to feel as happy as possible in the midst of occupations -which demanded good spirits as the best way of keeping up our health and -courage. It would be unfair to nigger Charlie if I forgot his most -eloquent and humorous oration, delivered in choice Virginian or negro -dialect, in reply to the toast of his health which Colonel Hozier -proposed. The most remarkable portion of it was, perhaps, that in which -Charlie exulted over the former wealth and greatness of Dr. Pratt's -family, as large slave-owners! What could a Declaration of Independence -do for such feudal enthusiasm as this? - -The weather continued bitterly cold; and Henry Schroeder, the -sub-lieutenant whom I mentioned as having been shot at Beaugency by one -of his own men, asked me as a favour to find quarters for him in some -private house in the town. After much trouble I heard, by accident, that -at the convent of Notre Dame des Récouvrances, the superior, Mère -Pauline, desired much that the cloisters, dormitories and schoolrooms -which the convent possessed, should be occupied by our Ambulance. The -Sisters were afraid lest the Germans should establish in their house an -Ambulance of their own, to which the nuns highly objected. - -But the fact that Mère Pauline was an Englishwoman, in great measure -accounted for her anxiety to have us. I need hardly say that I did not -want much pressing; at once I had Schroeder, Rüdiger, and four or five -others, removed into their new quarters, and took formal possession in -the name of the Ambulance. - -Here, in good beds and warm rooms, with every care and attention paid to -them, and good food to eat, they were very snug and comfortable--a -pleasing contrast to the cold, dreary church which they had just left. I -appointed one nurse, Soeur Léopoldine, to look after these men, whose -number, in a few days, I increased to ten, so that I had quite a -hospital there, though on a small scale. - -The patient named Rüdiger, a young fellow of seventeen, and a volunteer, -whose leg was fractured, became a particular favourite with his nurse -and with Mère Pauline. He had not a hair on his face, which was of a -ruddy hue, and wore a perpetual smile. He spent his time mostly in -learning the French Grammar, a task in which he was helped by Soeur -Léopoldine during her spare moments. Most of the others were Bavarians, -and, I must say, a sleepy uninteresting lot. - -Schroeder was the son of a wealthy tobacco and wine merchant in Hamburg. -He had one brother, who was captain in an infantry regiment. Their -mother was still living. He told me with pride that he had supplied -Bismarck with many a cigar; and promised me a case of them and a barrel -of oysters, when he returned. Poor fellow, he little knew what was -coming; for at this time he was comparatively strong, and, in the -opinion of many, out of danger. But, from my conversations with him, I -learned that his family history was very bad; and from the first had -grave misgivings about his case, which, however, it was my duty to -disguise from him. When, occasionally, without being able to help it, I -looked serious, he used only to laugh, and chaff me, singing, in the -most comical way possible, the well-known English ditty, "Champagne -Charley is my name". I liked Schroeder. - -I now put two of my men from Ste. Euverte into No. 44 Rue de Bourdon -Blanc. They were Martin Dilger, my old patient--the survivor of the -railway-shed--and Jacob Venheiser. There they received the kindest care -and attention from their good host and hostess, M. and Madame B----. - -By 4th January I had removed all my worst cases into private quarters in -the town; leaving only about a dozen in the church, all of which were -now on the high road to convalescence, and fit to be removed to Germany -by the next ambulance train. On this happy disposal of my patients I had -greatly to congratulate myself; for just now pyæmia and hospital -gangrene of the worst type, showed themselves in the church; and we knew -from our experiences at Sedan and the railway station how sure they were -to be attended by terrible results, where such a number of wounded were -kept together. - -And so it proved now. In a few days, blood-poisoning made great havoc -among the men, and its victims lay piled one above another in the -dead-house,--truly a sorry sight for those who had spent so much care on -them! We determined at once to evacuate the church; for even the -convalescent were not safe from this dread malady, which some of the -savants in our profession tell us is preventable; such, however, is not -my experience. Disinfectants and carbolic-acid dressings were used -unsparingly. Fresh air, as I have said, is of paramount importance in -the management of this disease; and it must come to the patient in a -continuous current,--moreover, to be effective, it must be dry air, -while about the patient it requires to be warm, or at least the patient -himself must be warm, and at no time suffer a chill. Every day the -members of our staff eagerly sought new quarters for their wounded in -the private houses of the town, which was now not a difficult task, the -garrison not being very large, for Orleans had ceased to be that -theatre of war which heretofore it had been. - -As time rolled on, and fresh arrivals did not come in, we had more -leisure. And well for me that it happened so! I had begun to find the -work tell upon my health, and now a little relaxation was as necessary -as it was agreeable. - -During all this time no startling event happened, save an attempt that -was made by some demented person at Orleans to assassinate a Prussian -soldier. For this offence a fine of 600,000 francs was levied on the -town; and to show the amount of trade which was carried on by the French -with the invaders, out of this sum imposed, 400,000 francs were paid -down in Prussian money. The fine was demanded on the 16th, and paid up -fully on the 23rd of December. - -Now, as I was daily beginning to feel more and more exhausted, and -feared my health was becoming undermined, I determined to seek leave of -absence for a few weeks. Dr. Tilghman, who was again _locum tenens_ -during Dr. Pratt's absence on business for ten days, knew how much I -wanted a change, and did not hesitate to give me leave, under condition -that I would report myself again before that day month. A matter of -urgent private business obliged Dr. Sherwell to start for Hamburg on the -next day, and I resolved to get ready that evening, 7th Jan., 1871. - -I went with Dr. Fritz to the Commandant of the place and the Head -Military Surgeon, from whom I obtained sick passes all through France -and Germany, and Railway and Hotel billets free. The Northern parts were -still in the hands of the French, so that I had no chance of getting -home in that direction. I handed over my cases to the care of Dr. -Parker, who, with his usual good nature, promised to give them his best -attention in my absence. I made as little as possible of my departure to -them, merely saying that I should be back at the end of some days. - -At six o'clock next morning Dr. Sherwell and I were at the Railway -Station, where we found that a train full of wounded was to be put under -our charge as far as Corbeil. Our way of getting on was a novel one, for -we were to be drawn by horses the whole distance. After much confusion -and waiting we started. The entire train was composed of goods trucks, -in which the wounded were laid on straw, using their rugs to cover them. -There were many officers among them who took pot luck with the men, for -there was no special accommodation. Every three trucks were drawn by -four horses, and thus it was that we took the train to Corbeil,--a -distance of some fifty miles. - -The morning was bitterly cold, and a dense fog hung about, which made it -hard for us to keep ourselves warm; but matters mended when we came to -Artenay, where hot soup and bread were awaiting us. - -In one of the trucks sat Martin Dilger and one or two other of my -patients, all in high spirits at the thought of getting back to the -Fatherland, though minus a limb each. In another carriage we had a -company of soldiers as an escort to the cavalcade, and these made -themselves useful when required. - -Thus we went along at a snail's pace; but Sherwell and I got out now and -then, and ran ahead of the train to warm ourselves, for the weather did -not mend, and many of our charges suffered severely from it. During the -journey I fell into conversation with the sergeant of our guard, a mere -lad, like so many others, and a volunteer. He spoke English well, with -hardly any accent, and had lived and studied in London during the past -two years, hence his knowledge of the language. He had been at -Gravelotte, of which tremendous affair he gave me a most interesting -account. - -He was a gentle youth, with a soft musical voice, and plainly of -position, as well as education. He said that he had been recommended for -the Iron Cross. Here was the third volunteer I had met under the age of -twenty, and all three were of good social standing. - -There was one old wounded colonel who had a large flask bottle of -chartreuse, with which he repeatedly plied Sherwell and me during the -journey. I think we neither of us disliked it just then. The next stop -we made was at Étampes, where we remained half an hour to have some hot -coffee served out. At dusk we had got as far as Juviose, where we -changed lines, and in due time arrived at Corbeil about 8 P.M. Our -convoy excited notice and wonder among the country people in the -districts which we passed, and in many places they came out in crowds to -see us go along. When we arrived at Corbeil, we called on the -Etappen-commandant, got our passes checked, and went to the major for -our billet and rations,--in other words, our requisition for board and -lodging, which he gave us on a very snug well-furnished little house in -a central part of the town. Having dined off a piece of coarse beef and -some bread and beer, we strolled out for a short time. Next morning we -were up betimes, and went out to see the town, which is a quaint old -place. We stood on the ruins of the bridge, which we had crossed over on -piles and planks, in the parts where it had been damaged by the French -explosion. It formed a pretty sight when seen at a little distance. - -What struck me most about the place was that all the trade of the town -seemed to be in the hands of German sutlers, principally Jews, who had -followed in the footsteps of the army. Few of the inhabitants kept -establishments open for the sale of merchandise. In one of these shops -where we turned in to buy some trifles, we met a friendly German -civilian, who told us that our best route eastwards was by Lagny, beyond -Paris,--a station some forty miles from Corbeil--which was in direct -railway communication with the Rhine. He added that a convoy of -provision was to leave at noon for that place, and advised us to secure -a seat in one of the waggons. Accordingly, we found out the conductor, -promised him a couple of thalers for the lift, and secured places in one -of the least uncomfortable of these vans. It was, by the way, of very -simple construction. The body, made of osier-work and tapering to a -point, rested on a heavy beam which ran lengthwise, and which rested, in -turn, on the pair of axles, the upper part being supported by stays -which went from the main ribs of the boxes of the wheels; in short, the -whole resembled a boat resting on a piece of timber, which again found -support on the axles. Then there were twists of osiers overhead, covered -with canvas which made the thing like a gipsy's tent. - -In this queer turn-out we started from Corbeil, drawn by two Dutch -ponies; but, though our horses were fresh and spirited, our progress was -very slow, the ground being as slippery as ice. Just before nightfall it -began to snow hard, and when we came to the hamlet of Brie, our -conductor would go no further. The roughing on his horses' shoes was -worn, and it would be too dangerous for us to travel at night on such -unendurable roads. - -We got down, therefore, rather unwillingly, with our traps in our hands; -and going about in quest of lodgings for the night, as fortune would -have it, we espied at the further end of the village a line of waggons -similar to that which we had just left. Upon hailing the conductor, we -found that they also were for Lagny, and starting at once; so that again -we took our seats, this time in a waggon load of hay, which helped to -keep us warm, or, at all events, prevented us from being thoroughly -frozen. It was snowing fast, and by now was quite dark. We thought the -cold fearful. As we went along the horses seemed to take it in turns to -fall; but sometimes our ponies would be down together; happily, they -were not encumbered with harness, and soon righted themselves. Yet, once -or twice it took the united ingenuity of us all to extricate them from -the rope-traces, in which their legs had become entangled. - -We had a lantern hung out over the front of our waggon, by the dim light -of which we were barely able to see the road before us. In time, to our -great relief, the snow-storm, which had lasted for hours, cleared up. We -had been afraid that our steeds would either miss the road, or tumble us -into a ditch. At one place I got out, and trudged through the snow for a -couple of miles. There was a part of this road turning round the crest -of a hill, from which we could see the flashes from the forts round -Paris, and hear the booming of the cannon distinctly. Several times I -saw the little thin streak of sparks rising into the sky, which the fuse -of the bombshells threw out on their journey, while sudden flashes in -the air, followed by a loud report, signified that a shell had -prematurely burst. - -It was a splendid sight, and resolving to get the best view possible, I -climbed into an apple tree by the way side, where, kneeling on a huge -bunch of mistletoe, I could see every few minutes a shot directed from -the forts and one in reply, each leaving its comet-like train of fire -behind it. Though the besiegers and the besieged were many miles -distant, I could hardly realise that they were not close at hand. So -little, at the time, did I comprehend the magnitude of the siege guns, -and the remoteness at which they could be heard. Much as I should have -liked to linger on the scene, I could not tarry; I had to come down from -my apple tree, and trot along until I had rejoined my waggon. Such was -my second glimpse, and that at night, of the siege of Paris. My first, -if the reader has not forgotten it, showed me the assault which ended in -the burning of St. Cloud. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -TRAVELLING IN FROST.--AMMUNITION TRAIN IN DIFFICULTIES.--FERRIÈRES.--THE -CAMP OF CHÂLONS.--HOW GERMAN OFFICERS TREAT JEWS. - - -The snow-storm had given over, but it was freezing hard, and the road -was now almost impassable. Our horses were constantly falling, and we -were getting on very slowly indeed. At last we came to the hamlet of -Chivry,--it does not deserve the name of a village. We could see no inn; -it was stark midnight; and, except a lonely candle in one small cottage, -there was not a light in the place. At the cottage, therefore, we -knocked. A regular parley ensued; and after much explanation and fair -promises, the door was opened by an old woman, who admitted us into a -warm room, as clean and neat as any room could be, though everything -testified that the owners were in humble circumstances. The only other -inmate of the house, an old man, was in bed. All we asked was a cup of -coffee, and a mattress to lie upon, both of which our hostess readily -provided. As to eatables, we had brought a loaf of bread with us, which -we finished without delay, then took a pull at our flasks, and so made -a meal which for my part I relished as much as any I had ever eaten. - -Next, divesting ourselves of our outer clothing, we threw ourselves on -our mattresses, and slept a deep and refreshing sleep until seven next -morning, when we made the acquaintance of a well in the yard, at which -we performed our ablutions, after the manner of professional tramps. -This done, we notified to the old lady that we were still hungry, and -asked her to get us some bread and meat. She replied civilly that she -had neither the one nor the other;--an unpleasant piece of news, for we -were famished. I enlarged to her on our inward sufferings, and at the -same time slipped four francs into her hand, bidding her get as good a -meal as she could, and as soon as possible. - -This douceur had its effect. Madame, or "la bourgeoise," as -country-folks say, disappeared, only to return with a loaf of fresh -bread, though a few minutes before I had been assured by a peasant that -none was to be had for love or money. The truth was, that we were taken -for Prussians, and treated accordingly. After a while, the dame -announced that breakfast was ready, mentioning that she had a pot of -stewed rabbit for us, which we set about demolishing with the loaf of -new bread. As we sat devouring, neither of us spoke; but morsel after -morsel of the rabbit disappeared, and we eyed one another -significantly, for the same horrid suspicion was passing through our -minds, that this white, insipid stuff was not rabbit at all, though what -it might be we could not guess. Our natural history declared it to be -cat, but we could not tell, nor did we much care. However, I inquired -afterwards whether rabbits existed in the neighbourhood, and was assured -that never a one dwelt within ten miles of it. - -Just as we were wishing ourselves at Lagny, who should pass through with -his waggon, but the driver of the convoy with whom we had started from -Corbeil? An accident to his waggon had delayed him on the road, which -was a great piece of luck for us; and we thanked our hostess at once for -her equivocal, but nourishing breakfast, put our traps in the buggy, and -drove off. It was the 10th of January. We found it still very difficult -to travel, but lest our driver should pull up as he did before, we plied -him with brandy and liqueur out of a stone jar, that I had bought at -Orleans. In consequence, he was in the best of humour all through the -journey, and not in the least disconcerted when the horses fell or -stumbled about. - -Some miles of our route lay through the Forest of Champigny; but here -the road was impassable, for it had thawed during the small hours and -frozen again, making the causeway one solid sheet of ice. Wherever we -could we travelled along the edges; but it was dreadfully slow work, and -the horses themselves, poor beasts, were afraid. While we were loitering -at this funeral pace, I witnessed a sight that I never shall forget. We -fell in with an ammunition train, about half a mile in length, conveying -war material of all kinds to the positions before Paris. Our own waggon -we had to draw in among the trees for safety, as the horses were falling -every minute; and now when we looked along the line, we could see as -many as ten horses on the ground at once. Sometimes two of the animals -would slip down side by side, and fall again and again whenever they -attempted to pull on their traces. Nay, more, I saw a team of four -horses all come down simultaneously, not once, but twice. No -description, indeed, could exaggerate the confusion of the -scene,--drivers shouting, waggons slipping, and horses falling in all -directions; while the more their guides interfered the more they fell, -until the poor brutes became so terrified, that they trembled all over -from fright. - -The ground was amazingly hard. In one place I saw a heavy ammunition -waggon drawn by four horses, when coming down a slight incline, slip -five or six yards along the road, and then glide off into the ditch, -without a single wheel having turned on its axle. As it was now evident -that they could not proceed through the Forest without inflicting grave -and perhaps fatal injuries on their cattle, the men began to pick out -the middle of the road where the horses trod, and strewed along it coal -dust, which they carried with them on purpose. This made the road -sufficiently passable to allow of the train to advance. But, meanwhile, -it was about two hours before we of the convoy could move, though when -we did we rattled on at a spanking pace. From time to time we met -numbers of newly organised cavalry,--with droves of horses led by -halters; and of these steeds I was ready to lay any odds that some were -Irish bred. Men and horses were on their way to the front to replace the -maimed, killed, and wounded, and to contribute themselves to a similar -contingent. - -Early in the afternoon we came to Ferrières, where having dined, so to -call it, we paid a visit to the splendid château of M. de Rothschild. -Unheeded and unhindered, we roamed through this lovely demesne, -marvelling at the beauty of house and grounds which, as all the world -knows, would not disgrace the abode of royalty. The mansion of cut -stone, the terraces with their marble statues, the flower-gardens, -shrubberies, stables,--these last, a wonder in themselves,--all were in -perfect preservation. Not a stick or a stone in the whole place had been -touched by the Prussians, nor did a soldier set foot in it. Such was the -good pleasure of William I. who had taken up his quarters here, such -the reverence paid to the kings of finance by the House of Hohenzollern! - -We started again on our journey, but had proceeded only half a mile, -when we fell in with a train of siege guns, some of them drawn by six -horses. They were on the road to Paris, and would do service there. I -remarked that some of the smaller guns were of brass, and shone in the -sun like gold. - -The country we passed through was charmingly wooded, and looked pretty -enough in its garment of snow. It was night when we arrived at Lagny. On -demanding our billet, we were directed to the sick officers' quarters, -in the upper portion of the station house, where we should find plenty -of room. There we came upon two of our friends who had been quartered at -Orleans. They, also, were on their way out of France, and we engaged to -make a party of it. At four o'clock next morning a couple of soldiers -called us, and at five we started. There were several officers in the -carriage, from whom Sherwell and I received every civility. Passing -Meaux we arrived at Épernay, and later on traversed the great camp at -Châlons, which now presented a vast and beaten plain of enormous extent. -By way of Vitry and Chaumont we came on to Toul and Nancy, of the -fortifications round both of which we got an excellent view, in -particular at Nancy, where we halted for some time, and were able to -look about us. - -None of these places, however, was of so much interest to me as the -little town of Lunéville. I knew nothing of the famous treaty concluded -there by the First Consul, and had never heard of the Court of King -Stanislaus, or of Voltaire and Madame la Marquise du Châtelet, in -connection with it; I simply admired the view. Lunéville is situated on -a hill, with some of its fortifications overlooking a steep precipice -which serves as a natural protection for perhaps a third of its extent. -From the railway which runs along the flat country, below the town, it -appeared to be an impregnable stronghold; for where nature's protecting -barriers were wanting, there were huge embankments, deep fosses, and -steep artificial declivities. A picturesque place too. The face of the -cliff and the old turreted walls were covered with ivy, a broad stream -ran beneath the hill, which on the lowest slope was well wooded all -round,--and now imagine all this clad in new-fallen snow, and you will -have as lovely a scene as I remember. - -Close to the town we passed a bridge which had been blown up, but was -now reconstructed on timber piles. It had been destroyed, not by the -regular army, but by a band of Francs-Tireurs. This I learned from one -of the officers who knew all about the place. - -I had seen Ferrières, the palace of a Frankfort Jew, with admiration, -all the more that it had been respected as a sanctuary by orders from -the Prussians. Yet it was during this same journey that I witnessed an -incident in which a Jew was the hero or the victim, that filled me with -astonishment, as it may do my readers who happen not to be acquainted -with the ways of the Fatherland. I had frequently heard the Jews spoken -of by my German friends in language of supreme contempt; but never did I -realise the depth of that feeling until now. - -In the railway compartment in which I travelled, all were German -officers except myself and one civilian. The latter had got in at a -wayside station, and sat at the furthest corner opposite me. My -companions began without delay to banter and tease him unmercifully, all -the while addressing him as Lemann. He was a small stunted person, in -make and features an Israelite, and not more than twenty-five. The -behaviour of his fellow-travellers seemed to give him no concern; as -they fired off at him their sneering jests, he scanned them with his -sharp eyes, but did not move a muscle. - -I inquired of the officer next me, who spoke English well, how it came -to pass that they knew this stranger's name. He explained that Lemann -was the common term for a Jew in their language, going on to describe -how much the sons of Jacob were detested throughout Germany; and for -his part he thought they were a vile horde, who laid hands on everything -they could seize, in a way which we English were incapable of fancying. -The officers, he added, were all getting down to have some beer at the -next station, and by way of illustration he would show me what manner of -men these Jews were; and as he said the words, he took off his hairy -fur-lined gloves, and threw them across the carriage to our man in the -corner, remarking, "There, Lemann! it is a cold day". The Jew picked up -the gloves eagerly, which he had missed on the catch, and pulled them -on. When we were nearing the station, the officer who had thrown the -gloves at him, took off his fur rug, and flung that also to the Jew. -Once more he accepted the insulting present, and quickly rolled the rug -about him. Finally, a third threw off his military cloak, and slung it -on the Jew's back as he was passing out. This, again, the wretched -creature put on; and their absence at the buffet left him for the next -ten minutes in peace. - -Presently the horn sounded, and our Germans came back. One seized his -rug, another his cloak, and finally, my first acquaintance recovered his -gloves by one unceremonious tug from Lemann's meekly outstretched -fingers. My own face, I think, must have flushed with indignation; but -the others only laughed at my superfluous display of feeling; and -Lemann, shrugging his shoulders,--but only because of the sudden change -of temperature when his wraps were pulled away,--took out of his pocket -a little book with red print, which he began to read backwards, and, -turning up the sleeve of his coat, began to unwind a long cord which was -coiled round his wrist and forearm as far as the elbow. Every now and -then he would stop the unwinding, and pray with a fervour quite -remarkable, then unwind his cord again, and so on till the whole was -undone. For a time the officers resumed their jeering; but, seeing that -it was like so much water on a stone, they turned the conversation, and -allowed the unhappy Jew to continue his devotions unmolested till he got -out at Strasburg. - -What would these officers have done, had they travelled in the same -railway carriage with M. de Rothschild? - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -STRASBURG AFTER THE SIEGE.--ALONG THE RHINE.--HOME, AND BACK AGAIN TO -VERSAILLES.--CAPTAIN BRACKENBURY.--I LOSE MY PAPERS AND HAVE TO GET -FRESH ONES. - - -At half-past nine we arrived at Strasburg, and were all billeted -together in the most central part of the town, at a grand hotel, where -we had the best of living and accommodation. There were about thirty -officers quartered there, with whom we messed. I strolled out in the -evening through some of the busiest streets. They were brilliantly -lighted up; the shops were open, and as much bustle and business seemed -to be going on, as if we were in the heart of a peaceable country, and -no siege of Strasburg had just taken place. - -However, before long I learned that a large section of the inhabitants -looked upon the Germans with anything but friendly feelings. - -Next morning, 12th January, we went out, six in number, to see the town. -We visited the fine old Cathedral, and hung about it for an hour, -examining every detail so far as time permitted. One of the chief -attractions was its famous clock, which I was quite ready to admire; -but the complicated details, and curious performances of this wonderful -timepiece are too well known to need description. When Sherwell and I -parted from our companions, we went to visit the ruins of the great -Library and the Theatre, both of which were burned to the ground during -the siege. - -Our dinner in the evening was splendidly served, in the French style, -and with abundance of wines. - -Next morning Sherwell, myself, and two of our old travelling companions -chartered a spacious waggonette, in which we set out, determined to see -all that we could in and around Strasburg. We first drove through that -part of the town which was destroyed by the besiegers,--a dreary but -most interesting excursion. So far as I could judge, about one fifth of -the suburbs had been ruined. When I say ruined, I don't mean simply made -roofless and windowless,--that might have happened in a huge -conflagration; but that whole streets were reduced to long heaps of -stones, with a few yards' interval between, which marked where the -roadway had formerly passed. Nothing could have given a more vivid idea -of the effects of a bombardment now-a-days. Even where the demolition -was not so complete, and where portions only of the house had been -carried away, the sight was appalling. Some of the furniture still -remained in its place on the half-shattered floors, being too high to -reach easily, or not worth the trouble and danger of removing it. - -Here was a second edition of Bazeilles, on a far more extensive scale. I -believe one of the best accounts of what took place during the siege is -to be read in Auerbach's novel on the subject, called _Waldfried_. - -Having wandered for a couple of hours through the ruins, we drove -outside the town. Then we alighted, and one of our party, a captain of -artillery who had been through the siege, acted as our guide, and made -all the particulars clear to us. Walking along the fortifications, we -arrived at the immense breach in the parapet which sealed the fate of -Strasburg. It was of great extent, and already hundreds of men were at -work repairing it;--but in the interests of Germany, not of France, from -whose dominion the city had passed, for who knows how many years? -Further on we saw a second breach, not so wide as the other. We now -proceeded a considerable distance along the parallels and rifle pits, -and visited the captured French lunettes, which seemed to be matters of -intense interest to my military friends. A curious fact I learned about -this siege was, that of the garrison in the town a comparatively smaller -number were killed than of civilians, who met their death in the streets -by the bursting of shells. This I was told by several who had been -present, and who were likely to be well-informed. - -When we had explored the various evidences of the mining operations -during this memorable blockade, it was almost evening. We returned to -our hotel, overcome with admiration at the skill of those who had not -only devised, but successfully carried through, these intricate plans -for approaching, storming, and capturing a stronghold with such mighty -defences. Assuredly, the campaigns of 1870, in the open, and about the -historic fortresses of France, afford examples of science, courage, and -endurance which it will not be easy to match, and may be impossible to -surpass, in the future. - -On the 14th, I was up early, went out to make some purchases, came home, -packed up, and set off from the station. We crossed the Rhine on the -beautiful bridge to Kehl, took our seats in a fresh train, and started -northwards. We went by Karlsruhe and Heidelberg, at the latter of which -places we halted twenty minutes; and soon after leaving it we found -ourselves in a hop-growing district, where there was nothing to be seen -but hop-stacks; we passed, also, through extensive vineyards: but, as -yet, had only an occasional glimpse of the Rhine in the distance. - -During part of our journey, we skirted round steep mountain barriers, -which, at times, towered above us with their impenetrable masses of -fir-trees, at others, being thickly sprinkled with snow and tipped with -hoar-frost, shone resplendent in the sunlight, as if silver dust had -been shaken all over them, while here and there peeped out the -snow-capped towers of some old castle or baronial hall. I do not pretend -that these hills would have looked anything wonderful, had they not been -covered with snow, and had not the pellicles of ice, formed on the fir -trees by a thick fog the night before, first run into tears, and then -been frozen hard, covering the trees with brilliants which sparkled in -the sun. These decorations, indeed, gave them an air of fairyland. - -On arriving at Darmstadt I took leave of Sherwell and my -fellow-travellers, who were going on to Hamburg, and took the train to -Mayence. It was very late when I got there, and I stayed the night at -the Railway Hotel; for, having a sick officer's pass, I could break my -journey where I pleased, which was a great convenience, besides being a -cheap mode of travelling. I had practically nothing to pay; my -sufficient warrant was the pass, stamped with the royal seal, which I -exhibited to inquiring officials. - -Mayence is not interesting. I went on next morning as early as I could, -had to wait at Coblentz and Bonn to allow some special military trains -to pass, and did not get into Cologne till the afternoon. The Rhine -scenery, which one gets at times from the train, is very fine; but -somehow this was the grand disappointment of my journey. It did not come -up to my expectations; and I felt far more delight on viewing the -unrivalled beauties of our own Killarney, and of the river Blackwater. -But I had not yet gone up the Rhine in a steamboat, which is quite -another expedition than the one I was taking just then. - -From Cologne, which I explored in a few hours, I travelled by Aix la -Chapelle to Liège. At the Hôtel de l'Europe my quarters seemed -comfortable; but I had no longer a free billet, and might consider -myself to be now in the enemy's country. - -It was the 16th, and I went off to call on my friend Vercourt, with whom -I spent the forenoon. Then by Ostend, London, and Holyhead, I prosecuted -my journey, and arrived in Dublin on the morning of the 19th, and at -home at Scarteen on the 22nd. - -My furlough was made out for a month: but eight days after my arrival, a -telegram came from Dr. Pratt, saying:-- - -"I return to-morrow; go to Versailles as soon as possible, find out -Ambulance, and join it". - -I had no alternative but to pack up and start next day, which I did by -the morning train on Jan. 31st. On reaching London, I called at the -English Society's rooms in Trafalgar Square, and reported myself to -Colonel Lloyd Lindsay. Mr. Pearce, the secretary, made me known to -Captain Burgess; and I met there my _confrère_, Dr. Frank, who greeted -me cordially, and sent many affectionate messages to his former -colleagues. It will be remembered that Dr. Frank was chief of that -section of our Ambulance which had a hospital at Balan and Bazeilles, -and which afterwards established itself at Épernay, where it worked for -some months before disbanding. - -Having got all requisite papers and certificates of identification, I -started from London Bridge for Newhaven. As I was taking my ticket I met -Captain Brackenbury, who told me that he also was going to Versailles to -rejoin the headquarters of the Crown Prince, that he had a private -carriage at Dieppe, was going to drive all the way, and would willingly -give me a seat. This kind offer I gladly accepted, and was delighted to -have so entertaining and accomplished a host on my journey. At Newhaven, -as we were crossing by night, we turned at once into our berths, and -slept until called by the steward in sight of Dieppe. - -Going up on deck I found it was a lovely morning, warm and genial, and -very unlike the weather we had been enduring of late. As we approached -Dieppe in the morning sun, we could see the glistening bayonets of the -ubiquitous Prussian sentries. They were pacing to and fro on the pier, -in what appeared to us an aggressive, not to say, menacing fashion. I -confess the sight startled me: we had the vision of England still in -our eyes, and these ambitious warriors seemed too dangerously near. I -felt that I should have liked to take them by the collar, and pitch them -into the sea. I could not help saying to Capt. Brackenbury that I felt -inclined to ask them what they were peering at across the Channel. - -But, as he dryly remarked, their answer might be that they were peering -at a little island fortress on the high seas:--a mere speck in creation -when compared to the great German Empire which had just been proclaimed -at Versailles. He was in the right of it; and we had already held -conversations on this subject at Orleans, which I should like to set -down, were not my space fast running out. - -The carriage in which we travelled from Dieppe was a large and -comfortable sort of landau, from which we could view the country at our -ease. - -The weather was now mild and bright, the snow had disappeared, and our -journey became a pleasure. But when travelling between Mantes and St. -Germain, as I was getting out of the carriage to walk up a steep hill, I -had the misfortune to lose out of my overcoat pocket all my passes, -letters of identification and the other documents I carried with me. At -the gates of the Forest of St. Germain, a Prussian non-commissioned -officer stepped out, and demanded our papers. I was minus every -document which would have accounted satisfactorily for my being there; -and I should certainly have been arrested and sent off to the Commandant -of Versailles under an escort, had not Capt. Brackenbury assured the -officer on duty that he had seen the papers in question. I had, as it -happened, shown them to him that very morning. This satisfied the guard, -and I was allowed to pass; but I need hardly say that I was supremely -uncomfortable at the case I was in, and thought my journeys along the -valley of the Seine were always doomed to misfortune. Last time the -Francs-Tireurs had arrested me; now it was the turn of the Prussians. - -When we reached St. Germain, we dined, in spite of my lost papers, and -visited the Palace and the Bois, from the terrace of which there is such -a glorious view, away to Mont Valérien and one or two other of the -forts. As we were looking about us, there was quite a stir, bordering on -excitement among the soldiers. King William, now the Emperor of Germany, -and the Crown Prince, were expected every moment from Versailles, and -the road was lined with infantry and cavalry to receive them. But we -waited an hour, and his Imperial Majesty did not arrive, so we resumed -our journey to Versailles. - -There I left Capt. Brackenbury at a private house, where he and Dr. -Russell, the _Times_ correspondent, put up; and thanking him for his -great kindness I bade him good-bye. This was the last time I saw him. It -would be difficult to do justice to the character of this noble soldier; -a more generous heart or more gracious disposition, I never had the -privilege of knowing. - -My business now was to search for lodgings, I could no longer -requisition one at the Mayor's, since I had lost all my papers. Having -secured a niche, I resolved to call at the Hôtel des Réservoirs, where I -knew I should find Prince Pless, or some one who would recognise me, and -get me these important testimonials. By way of introduction I looked in -at the office of the Military Ambulance stores, and inquired whether all -those belonging to the Anglo-American Corps had been taken to Orleans or -not. This was a happy thought; for they informed me that all the -particulars I required would be given by Major de Haveland in the Rue -des Réservoirs,--the Maltese knight to whom I have referred as visiting -us at Ste. Euverte. This was what I wanted. I called at once on the -Major, and he undertook to see the commandant of the place, and explain -the whole matter. Thus, thanks to his kind attention, I was given the -necessary papers next day, and that evening I chartered a car to -Étampes, from which place I could get to Orleans by train. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -IN ORLEANS ONCE MORE.--PEACE IS SIGNED.--AN EASY TIME.--SENDING AWAY THE -CONVALESCENTS.--THE AMBULANCE BROKEN UP. - - -I had to bribe the driver whom I thus engaged with an extra napoleon, so -afraid was he that his trap and horse would be seized; but when I showed -him my German papers he knew that he was safe. Accordingly, I started -before daylight, and after a pleasant journey arrived at Étampes in the -evening, soon enough to escape an awful downpour of rain, and to catch -the night train to Orleans. - -The train was crowded with peasants, some of whom had no tickets, and it -was amusing to watch the stratagems which they adopted in order to hide -themselves from the German guard. This fellow was much too good-humoured -and indifferent to pretend to see them, though all the while knowing -their whereabouts, as I could tell by the twinkle in his eye when their -crouching forms betrayed them. It was nothing to him, and he left them -under the delusion that they had got to the blind side of their -Prussian,--a parable which might serve to describe the whole French -tactics during the war! - -When I arrived at Orleans it was nearly midnight, and as there were no -vehicles at the terminus, I had to tramp across the town to the Quai du -Châtelet, where the door was opened to me by our faithful Turco Jean. -This barbarian, becoming excited at seeing an old friend, shrieked with -delight, and gave utterance to much unintelligible jargon, accompanied -by low bows, reverences, or salaams, all which, I believe, is the -orthodox method of greeting adopted by Mohammedans. - -As I entered our general sitting-room, I heard a ringing cheer from my -_confrères_, who, in this most cordial manner, welcomed me back. I -confess that I felt pleased and proud at this spontaneous outburst of -kindly feeling. - -Nigger Charlie, who had been grinning from ear to ear for the past ten -minutes, now disappeared, and after the lapse of a quarter of an hour, -came back, bearing in his hands the historic bowl of punch. That was his -salaam,--not unkindly meant either. - -Next morning I went to see my patients in the Convent of Notre Dame des -Récouvrances. Mère Pauline, Soeur Léopoldine, and the other sisters -welcomed me into the wards, and Henry Schroeder cried so heartily that I -had to put it down to the weakness from which he was suffering. Young -Rüdiger cheered, Kirkhof clapped his hands, and all my patients looked -pleased,--which things I mention as giving me a real gratification in -themselves, and showing what rewards a doctor who tries to do his duty -may expect. - -I went on to see other patients, among whom were two in the Rue de -Bourdon Blanc. One of these had had his knee joint resected, an -operation in which both ends of the bones of the leg and thigh, which -enter into the formation of the knee joint, were removed, the limb -remaining otherwise intact. It was at this period rather a rare -operation, and was performed by Dr. Nussbaum of Munich, who then handed -the invalid into my care. The limb was swung in an anterior -suspension-splint, which was Dr. May's improvement on the American -splint by Smyth. This was a case in which Dr. Nussbaum felt deeply -interested, and he inquired of me repeatedly as to its progress. - -After one or two days I fell again into the routine, and was running -along smoothly in the old groove, which I had left for so short but -eventful a period. Several weeks now passed away without anything worthy -to chronicle, if I may judge from the blank in my notes. The work had -become easier, and my patients, though scattered about the town, had -become fewer and less troublesome to manage as they approached -convalescence. - -We had now much time to ourselves. The armistice continued, and no fresh -supplies of wounded came in. Yet, we did not feel sure that hostilities -would not recommence, until on the afternoon of the 26th of February, -news reached us that peace was signed. Yes, peace was signed! The joyful -tidings spread quickly through the town, and exclamations and prayers of -joy and gratitude were on every tongue; nor was it easy to discern -whether the townsfolk or the garrison were filled with greater gladness -at the news. Indeed, the change that came over the face of the town in -an hour was marvellous. Civilians rushed about the streets shaking hands -in the most frantic style with those German soldiers who had hitherto -been their deadly enemies, while the soldiers cordially returned these -friendly advances on the part of their vanquished foes. As the evening -drew near, the cheering and confusion increased, and the streets became -crowded with a mixed assembly of soldiers and inhabitants. Nor did the -authorities appear to object; nay, all the military bands in the town -turned out, and marched up and down the principal streets, playing -popular French airs, and even the "Marseillaise". - -It was amusing as well as touching to see these mighty processions, the -bands in front, and long lines of French and Prussians linked arm in -arm, marching some fourteen abreast, and keeping time with the music. -Thus in one hour did the memory of yesterday seem quite obliterated. -While I was following one of the bands, and listening to the stirring -airs which they were playing, I descried a white figure among the crowd, -and what was my astonishment to find that this was Nigger Charlie! Still -in his white kitchen-suit, with white sleeves and a paper cap, he was -carrying on all kinds of antics, and grinning for the amusement of the -juveniles who crowded after the procession. - -Our duties now became so light that I was able to do all my work in a -couple of hours, and generally had the rest of the day to myself. This -time I employed in making excursions on horseback and on foot, to all -the places of interest in the adjoining country. I could always get a -mount from the ambulance equerry when I wished for one. As March came -on, the weather grew fine, and I rode out to Gien, Chevilly, Patay, and -Coulmiers; but Olivet and its neighbourhood, and the picturesque Source -du Loiret, were especially my attraction. Dr. Warren, who, like me, -preferred walking to riding, often accompanied me on these excursions. - -But time rolled on, and we found ourselves in March, with March weather -accompanying it. I now met Miss Pearson and Miss McLoughlin, who gave me -a stirring account of themselves and their doings during the battles -outside Orleans; for the convent, full of wounded, of which they were -in charge, was situated in the suburbs. The adventures undergone and the -work accomplished by these energetic English ladies have been admirably -described in the volume which relates their experiences during the -Campaigns of 1870 and 1871. Too much praise cannot be given for the -untiring zeal and heroic self-sacrifice which they always displayed in -the discharge of their mission, under circumstances which were -constantly most trying. - -On the 3rd, Dr. Pratt, who had some time back returned from headquarters -at Versailles, announced to us that our mission was over, and he must -now disband us. We agreed, however, not to separate until we got to -Paris, for which place we were to start in a few days. There we should -meet Dr. Duplessy, and the heads of the French Ambulance, into whose -hands we could deliver the horses, waggons, and _infirmiers_ that we had -originally received from them in the Palais de l'Industrie. We wished, -also, in the presence of the above-named gentleman, to give an account -of our stewardship, so far as the care of the French wounded in our -charge was concerned. Accordingly, every preparation was made to start. -I sent away the wounded that were on my hands, including poor Henry -Schroeder, who said, that since I must leave, he would leave too. I had -the poor fellow conveyed through town to his railway carriage in a -sedan chair. When we parted he shed bitter tears. - -I had grave misgivings for the ultimate success of his case, for his arm -was suppurating profusely; and he had that delusive hectic freshness of -appearance, which I had now learnt was so untoward a symptom. Afterwards -I had the pain of hearing from his brother that my forebodings were -verified, and that Henry died soon after his return home. - -On the 4th of March, we had finished nearly all our preparations; and -our kind host Proust seemed inconsolable at losing Warren and myself, -towards both of whom he had evinced a parental affection. But my time to -leave Orleans was not yet come. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -I FALL ILL OF FEVER.--GERMANS LEAVE ORLEANS.--MY BROTHER ARRIVES FROM -HOME.--END OF MY EXPERIENCES AS A FIELD SURGEON. - - -One bright evening, as I was out walking on the bank of the Loire, I had -felt a dead dull pain at the back of my head and in my back. On my -return the pain became so intense that I was obliged to go straight to -bed. All night and next day I felt very unwell, and Dr. Bouglet was sent -for. He pronounced me to be in fever, of what kind he could not exactly -tell; but as small-pox was prevalent in Orleans, he feared it might be -that. Subsequently he came to the conclusion that it was low fever of a -typhoid sort. - -On the 6th, I felt very ill indeed, and beyond a dim recollection of -saying good-bye to my _confrères_, and the consciousness that my old -friends Warren and Hayden were continually at my bedside, I can recall -but little of what passed around me for the next fortnight. - -In a few days all the members of the Anglo-American Ambulance, who had -been my friends and companions throughout this adventurous campaign, -were off to Paris. So there was I in No. 12 Rue Royale, away from home, -and prostrated by a dangerous illness. To those who read this, it may -appear that I was alone and friendless. But it was not so. For no -father's care could have been more tender, no mother's solicitude more -lavish, than that bestowed upon me by M. and Madame Proust, on the one -hand, and, on the other, by my guardian angel and nurse, Soeur Berthe, -from Notre Dame des Récouvrances. - -During five long weeks, this indefatigable woman never left my bedside -day or night, save for an interval of an hour or so. She had been -working under me in the Hospitals, attending the wounded for many -months; and to her valuable and skilful aid I owe any success which may -have attended my efforts on behalf of the patients in those wards. Now -this good sister saw me, a stranger, but a fellow-labourer in the same -cause, struck down at the end of the campaign; and she bestowed upon me, -as she was wont to bestow upon them, with that grace of manner and -beaming kindness which characterised all she undertook, the same devoted -attentions. It was a privilege to be ill in her hands. I learned much -from her; and I should be ungrateful indeed, were I to forget the -lessons which her refinement, self-sacrifice, and unwearied good temper -printed on my mind and heart during those weeks. - -Dr. Bouglet came and went, sometimes making a second visit the same day. -Evidently he thought my case a serious one. At the end of about ten days -from the beginning of my illness, I became so stupid and lethargic that -I remembered nothing for the next fortnight, save that during one of my -lucid intervals I saw Hayden, Parker, and Warren at my bedside, the -first two having come from Paris for the express purpose of seeing me. -Warren stayed until I was getting better, and wrote home for me. He -finished his letter, but almost failed in getting the address from me, -so weak was my mind at the time. Hayden, on being questioned by one of -the townspeople as to the chances of my recovery, answered, that it was -all up with me. Soeur Berthe, likewise, wrote to Scarteen in my name; -but I could do nothing of the kind myself. - -About the fourth week I had completely regained consciousness, and was -daily getting stronger; but that was not saying much, for I could -neither turn in bed, nor lift an arm. I was simply skin and bone, and -used to wonder how my knuckles did not come through the skin. When I -looked at my limbs, I began to cry like a child, and this loss of -control over my feelings was particularly distressing to me. They never -let me see myself in the mirror until I was far advanced on the road to -recovery; and then I beheld what looked more like a corpse than my -living self, and was much taken aback. When allowed to speak, many hours -were spent in pleasant conversation with Madame and M. Proust, and with -Soeur Berthe, who was always an interesting and lively companion. She -used to pray with me, read to me, both serious and amusing books, and -instruct me in the secrets of the science of which she was mistress. She -would bring me flowers and fruit according to my fancy. And so the weeks -passed by, and, with the assistance of such good friends, they were -pleasant enough. - -Before my brain got quite clear, I used to imagine that I saw numbers of -my friends at home, and was talking with them. Nor were the persons -phantoms. For I spoke to those who happened to be paying me a visit to -see how I was going on. Upon discovering my mistake, I felt it bitterly, -but was soon put into good humour again by Soeur Berthe. I have not yet -said much of my hostess Madame Proust; not because she was wanting in -any way,--far from it, indeed. That kind lady put her house and all -therein at my disposal, and was a most agreeable and sympathetic friend. -Occasionally, after returning from her walk in the town, she would tell -me of the people who were inquiring for me, which was an equal pleasure -and help to a convalescent. - -Just about this stage of my illness the Germans evacuated Orleans. I -can remember well hearing the last of their bands playing in one -direction; while the French were advancing in the other. This was -succeeded after a while by frantic cheering, by the din of music, and -the tramp of soldiery,--a tramp which I knew to be very different from -the measured tread that I had heard an hour previously. And so had come -and gone the second German occupation of Orleans,--an epoch in the life -of those who took any share in it which is indelibly stamped on their -memories. - -As time wore on I was removed to the arm-chair by the open window, where -I used to remain for several hours every day, when the weather -permitted, propped up with pillows and covered against the cold. Many of -the passers-by seemed to think me worth looking at, for quite a number -stopped in very French fashion to stare up at me. This was only -curiosity, and by no means rudeness. At last I was able to go out, or -rather to hobble out; and for the first few days had enough to do to -keep on my legs while shaking hands with the many kind and friendly -townspeople who came forward to greet me. I would go into one shop and -rest there for a few minutes, and then move a few doors further on. Thus -I spent some hours every day. Many of our old Ambulance friends and -acquaintances came also to pay me a visit. There was no end, I may truly -say, to the kindness I met with on all sides. - -One day I went to the Church of St. Aignan, which is at the end of the -Quai du Châtelet, to hear a grand High Mass, offered up for the -regeneration of France, which was attended by the _élite_ of Orleans. I -settled myself in a chair at the end of the church, and presently the -ceremonies began by a procession. As it passed me a priest stepped out -of the ranks, and, taking me by the arm, led me up the church, and, to -my great confusion, showed me into one of the stalls in the Sanctuary. I -never saw the priest before or since. - -When I look back on those days of trial and sickness, and how I lay on -that bed unable to stir hand or foot, I remember what a longing came -over me for the sight of one familiar face, though but for a few -minutes. One was still in one's youth; and I fancied, whilst my head was -buried in the pillow, that if I could but speak just a few words to my -mother, or to some one at home, it would be enough to cure me. Until -then, I never knew how much I loved my native land, or realised my -heart's deep devotion to that little spot called home, and to all those -dear friends about it. - -Little by little I came round. I used to drive out with M. Proust to his -lovely little country house near Olivet, and visited the camellia houses -and orange groves, all of which were under glass, at the great château -there. But during my convalescence, the event of the day was the -morning post, which brought my letters and newspapers, every line of -which I read and re-read with the greatest avidity, until I knew them by -heart. One letter in particular, from a great friend of mine, was so -amusing, and had such a reviving effect on me, that I read it certainly -a score of times, and I laughed as much the last time as the first. - -I was strictly prohibited by the doctor from writing; but in spite of -his orders I coaxed Soeur Berthe to let me have pen and ink. Her -consternation was great when she saw me fainting from the exertion. One -letter I wrote to my mother while my hand was held on the paper, placed -on a desk before me; so that I had only, as it were, to form the -characters. I used to write a sentence or two every day, and so put them -together bit by bit. I compiled several commonplace and uninteresting -productions, and sent them home in great glee at the success of my -performance. I could not guess how startled they would be at receiving -these curious epistles, some of which afterwards came back into my -hands. They resolved to send my brother Arthur to fetch me home; and he -travelled immediately to Orleans, where he received a hearty welcome -from M. and Madame Proust and my other friends. - -I insert as an Appendix, from the journal which my brother kept, the -impressions made on us both by a visit we paid to the field of -Coulmiers. - -It was my last view of the scenes in which I had taken part. - -My brother arrived on 8th April, and on the 21st we bade farewell to our -home in the Rue Royale, and the friends who had made it such, and set -out on our journey to Ireland. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -AN APPENDIX.--M. AND MADAME COLOMBIER.--VISIT TO THE BATTLEFIELD OF -COULMIERS.--THE SOLE FRENCH VICTORY.--CONCLUSION. - -(_From Arthur Ryan's Diary, Wednesday, 19th April._) - - -Our déjeûner had not long been over when a carriage drove up, and -Charlie bade me prepare for a drive with some friends into the country. -We wished M. and Madame Proust good-bye for the day, and stepped into -the carriage, where our new host and hostess were awaiting us. M. and -Madame Colombier welcomed me cordially as the brother of their friend, -and I was not long in their company before I knew how truly they had -been such to him. M. Colombier had been a Papal Zouave, but, on the -outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, had joined the ranks of his -countrymen. A middle-aged man with a frank warm manner, and evidently -very proud of his wife,--as well he might be. I have seen but little of -men or women; but I fancy that many years of experience may fail to -remove Madame Colombier from the place she gained that day in my -estimation. She was a heroine, and, what is still rarer, a humble -heroine. Being a Canadian she spoke English very fairly; and as we drove -along she told us many stories of her war experiences, and with so much -gaiety that I felt it hard to believe those experiences had been so -often bitter ones to her and her husband. Privations, loss of property, -personal danger, all were related as if she were inventing and not -recording; all were jested about whenever they affected only herself. -But when she spoke of the sufferings of others, of her husband's danger, -of the poor soldiers whom she had lodged and tended to the last, then -her woman's heart revealed itself, and showed that though gay it was -tender, though buoyant it was thoroughly unselfish; and, through all, -she seemed so perfectly unconscious of any merit on her part, that one -would have thought that her services had been remunerative or a part of -her ordinary duty, instead of absorbing as they did the great part of -what the war had left them. - -A shower came on, and to my surprise Madame Colombier unpinned her warm -shawl, and insisted in wrapping Charlie up in it, lest in his weak state -he should take cold. "This is my campaigning dress," said she, as I -expressed my fears as to the insufficiency of her black silk dress in -the teeth of the driving rain; but little she seemed to care, her only -anxiety being to shield the "poor invalid" from the storm. - -After what seemed a short drive, we were so pleasant together, we came -to the battlefield of Coulmiers. On each side of the road the ground was -littered with the débris of camp fires, and with the straw that had -served to keep some of the soldiers off the frosty ground, as they slept -after their fight. Deep ruts--ploughed by the wheels of the guns, cut up -the roads and fields; but beyond these marks, and the general bare, -down-trodden look of the ground, nothing remained to speak of the -terrible battle that had so lately covered these fields with the dead -and dying. But as we drove into the Château Renardier, M. Colombier's -country place, the sad remembrances of war were multiplied ten-fold. The -great trees on each side of the drive were riven in all directions, by -the shot and shells; and I remarked several thick firs cut clean in two -by what was evidently a single shot. - -But here we are at the Château. It was a large house, in the regular -French style, prettily situated in the midst of a well-planted lawn. It -was not, however, at the architecture of the house, nor at the beauties -of the lawn, that I looked, as I drove up. No: what riveted my gaze was -the number of round holes that perforated the front in every direction. -The shells had done their work well; shattered windows and pierced walls -were sorry sights for M. Colombier to show his guests; and little more -could be seen of the Château Renardier on the front side. As we -entered, and passed from room to room, we began to realise the full -extent of the damage. Deep stains of blood were on the dark oak floors, -which in many places had been splintered by the bursting shells. Madame -Colombier took us to her boudoir. Panelled in gold and white, it must -have been a lovely room--but now it was a wreck. Right through the -mirrors had the splintered shells crashed; in one corner of the rich -ceiling the sky was visible through a large shot hole,--"and here," said -our hostess, "here they used to skin their sheep"; and she pointed to -the chandelier, which had sadly suffered from its unwonted use, and -beneath which the floor was stained, this time not with human gore. -"This is my room," said M. Colombier, as he showed us into the billiard -room. The slate table was cracked in two, and on the tattered green -cloth lay the remains of the oats which had fed the horses; for that -room had served as a stable. - -We passed into the garden. It had been the scene of a French bayonet -charge; and little shape remained, or sign of garden beauty, save that -in one trampled bed, we found some plants of the lily of the valley -sprouting to the early spring sunshine. Deep in the gravel walks, and -through the once well-trimmed turf, had the wheels of the guns sunk, as -the Prussians made their hasty retreat before the victorious French; -and it must have been some consolation to the fair owner of this -desolated garden, to think that it was the scene of the solitary French -victory in that disastrous war. - -In the front garden every vine was dead, cut from the wall. For the wall -had served as a shelter for the German soldiers, and was pierced all -along for rifle rests, and by every hole was a heap of empty cartridge -cases. The greenhouse and conservatories,--who shall tell their ruin? -Glass is a poor protection against artillery, and the fierce frost had -completed the work. There were the plants all arranged on their stands; -there stood the orange trees--all were dead and brown--not a twig was -alive. I thought of my mother and her flowers, as Madame Colombier -turned with a sigh from her ruined conservatory, and walked back through -the melancholy garden. But she was gay enough, though her husband seemed -to feel deeply the destruction of his lovely home. He had been married -but five years, and had spent much money in making this a happy spot for -his wife and children--and now, the wreck! But even M. Colombier laughed -with us when we came to the piles of empty bottles that lay in the yard; -they were all that was left of two well-filled cellars. The French -soldiers had celebrated their victory at the expense of the master of -the Château Renardier. - -In the coach-house were Madame Colombier's two broughams; they had been -used in the battle as temporary fortifications, and were literally -riddled with bullets. We walked to the fish pond--a piece of ornamental -water in the lawn. It had been netted, and not a fish was left. I -stumbled on something under the trees by its brink. It was a Prussian -cavalry saddle, not a comfortable-looking thing, thought I, as I -surveyed the angular hide-covered wood,--but certainly economical when -it is so easily lost. But evening was coming on; so having had lunch in -the Château (the strangest ruin I ever picnicked in), we bade adieu to -Renardier, and drove back to Orleans. - -M. Colombier's house there had, like his country château, been used -during the war as a little hospital; and Charlie told me, as he waited -in the drawing-room before dinner, how many wounded and dying inmates -that room lately had. - -Dinner was served in an ante-room, for which Madame Colombier made her -apologies, as her dining-room was occupied--by whom we presently saw. -Having dined heartily, and been highly amused by the penalties with -which the children threatened the Prussians,--such as feeding them on -poisonous mushrooms, wood, and such like, I was surprised by Madame -Colombier taking out a cigar case, handing it round, and helping -herself. "Necessity has made me a smoker," she laughingly observed, as -she saw my ill-concealed wonder; and if any lady would condemn my -hostess for her cigar, let her follow Madame Colombier as she slips -quietly out; and see for herself how false is that delicacy which would -place a difficulty in the way of true and heroic Christian charity. We -were not long before we followed our hostess. We found her in her -dining-room, which had been fitted up as a temporary hospital. There she -was tending the wound of her last patient, with a skill which was the -result of long and hard-earned experience. And here we will leave Madame -Colombier, with the firm trust that her unselfish charity and -unostentatious heroism will not go unrewarded before Him, who has -promised to repay a cup of cold water given for His sake. - - - - -EPILOGUE. - - -A quarter of a century has elapsed since the occurrence of the events -which I have described. When I view the scenes of those eventful days -through this long vista, and when sometimes for a moment one particular -picture of hospital or camp life presents itself before my mind, I start -as if awakened from a troubled dream, to find there still the shape and -form of fact. - -The years have come and gone, and with them have passed away many of the -principal actors in that great drama. - -Wilhelm, Napoléon, Moltke, the Crown Prince, the Red Prince, Gambetta, -d'Aureille de Paladine, Bazaine, MacMahon, have disappeared from the -stage. - -Modern surgery and medicine have lost some of their ablest pioneers in -Langenbeck, Nussbaum, Esmark and Marion Sims; and I personally have to -mourn for many who were kindly and helpful to me in those days, amongst -them M. and Madame Proust and General Charles Brackenbury. - -I have often wished to revisit Sedan and Orleans; but the desire to make -the most of a somewhat limited holiday-time, and to gain fresh -experiences, has always led me to new districts and countries previously -unknown to me, and I have never had my wish fulfilled. I am glad to say, -however, that I never quite lost sight of my old friends M. and Madame -Proust, and a visit from their nephew revived all the old associations -and remembrances afresh. - -It may interest my readers to hear something of our ambulance surgeons. -Sir William MacCormac, who succeeded Marion Sims at Sedan, is now one of -the greatest living authorities on military surgery and gunshot wounds. -His colleague Dr. Mackellar is distinguished on the staff of St. -Thomas's Hospital, and Dr. Parker is an eminent London specialist. The -others, scattered over the face of the globe, I have lost sight of, but -would fain hope one day to meet some of them again. - -One object I have had in view in publishing these notes may be worthy of -mention. - -As I have tried to write down exactly what I witnessed, they may help to -afford some idea of what war really means,--war as a hard practical -fact--stripped of all the glamour, and poetry, and pride of conquest, -that are so attractive when seen in history. - -Even from my own observations I could gather that all is not victory to -the victors themselves. - -When the German soldiery learnt that Louis Napoléon was present in the -trap at Sedan, there broke out among them the wildest exhibition of -delight; for they believed--wrongly as it came to pass--that his capture -would end the war and enable them to go back to their homes. And when -peace was finally proclaimed, the Germans in Orleans were no less -demonstrative and enthusiastic than the French, whose cup of suffering -had been filled to overflowing. - -Now-a-days there is perhaps a tendency to undervalue this aspect of the -case. People talk very lightly of the great European war that is said to -be inevitable. It can do no harm to measure as far as possible what such -a war may mean. - -Those who count the cost in advance are far more likely to be able to -meet it, should the necessity arise, and to bear themselves resolutely -and bravely to the end, whatever the event, than those who rush blindly -forward, depending mainly on enthusiasm for organisation, and on the -reputation of the past to achieve victories in the future. That seems to -be the great lesson taught by the war of 1870 and 1871. - -There never was, perhaps, a more flagrant instance of disregard for that -wise Shakesperian saying familiar to us all:-- - - "Beware - Of entrance to a quarrel: but, being in, - Bear it that the opposed may beware of thee". - -However, my readers will probably be disposed to form their own opinions -on these subjects, and will have far more attractive material elsewhere -on which to found them. - -Before concluding, I think I am not out of order in mentioning a notable -occurrence which took place during the year 1895, and which to my mind -affords a favourable augury for the future of France. I mean the -celebration at Orleans, with all the pomp and ceremony due to the -occasion, of the festival of Jeanne d'Arc. From the general enthusiasm -then displayed by the French people, I cannot help thinking that greater -things and brighter hopes are in store for that beautiful country, the -fortunes of which have ever been as dramatic in their circumstances as -they are interesting in themselves. - -Finally, I wish here to record, if I may, my own admiration, sympathy -and delight in the bright and genial character of the French, and to -bear witness that as this feeling was at first so it is now; nor do I -think it will ever change. - -My task is finished. Though the re-writing of these notes has been a -source of great pleasure to me, bringing back as it does old memories -and picturesque scenes so vividly, yet I lay aside the unaccustomed pen -with--perhaps not unnaturally--some little sense of relief, trusting to -the indulgence of my readers that they will overlook the blemishes -incidental to a first literary performance. And thus I bid them -farewell. - - -THE END. - - - - -[Illustration: PART OF FRANCE -To illustrate the journey of D^r. Ryan from Sedan to Orleans, 1870-1. -London, John Murray, Albemarle St. -Edw^d. Weller] - - - - - INDEX. - - A. - - Ambulance, Anglo-American: staff, 27; - labours at Sedan, 47-59, 79; - routine, 71; - discipline, 73; - additional staff, 89; - number of operations, 93; - use of antiseptics, 96; - transferred to German side, 108, 143; - fresh arrangements, 115; - leaves Sedan, 116; - at Orleans, 160 to end; - routine there, 166; - at battle of Coulmiers, 194-207; - evacuates terminus, 215; - given French _infirmiers_, 223; - visited by M. Crémieux, 231; - critical position, 232; - at battle of Neuville, 242, _seq._; - at Patay, 253; - at Beaugency, 283; - disbanded, 343. - - Ambulance, Belgian, 21. - - Ambulance, French, 16; - want of discipline, 82, 103, 114; - broken up, 121. - - Ambulance, German: treatment of French wounded, 81; - at Floing, 107; - amputation, Dr. Ryan's first, 166. - - Antiseptic treatment, 96. - - Ardennes, Forest, 113. - - Arlon, 115. - - Arpajon, 153. - - Artenay, 154. - - Asfeld, Caserne d', 39-49, 59. - - - B. - - Bavarians: cavalry, 140; - occupy Orleans, 176; - fighting there, 176; - their religious behaviour, 185; - losses, 189; - evacuate Orleans, 190; - at Coulmiers, 195; - retreat, 196; - leave dead on field, 200; - at Beaugency, 285; - despised by Prussians, 284. - - Bayonne, Père, 43, 94. - - Bazeilles, burning of, 53, 56, 85; - visit to, 87. - - Beaugency, battle, 282, _seq._ - - Beaumont, village, 35. - - Beck, 89, 107. - - Berthe, Soeur, 235, 303, 348, 351. - - Bilotte, Intendant Militaire, at Sedan, 72. - - Bismarck, Count, 83, 147, 217. - - "Black and Tans," the, 113. - - Blood poisoning, 91; - open-air treatment, 108; - at Orleans, 179, 183, 310. - - Bonjour, M., 252. - - Bouglet, Dr., 345, seq. - - Bouillon, town and castle, 112, 117. - - Bourbaki, General, 226. - - Brackenbury, Captain C., 115, 121, 334-337. - - Brussels, 5, 8, 118, 120. - - Burnside, General, 142. - - - C. - - Cahirmee, Horse Fair, 119. - - Carignan, village, 22. - - Caserne d'Asfeld, 39, _seq._, 49, 59. - - Caserne St. Charles, at Orleans, 217-219. - - Cases, remarkable, 179, and _passim_. - - Cathedral, Orleans, desecrated, 280. - - Charlie, Nigger, 61, 94, 142, 233, 307, 339, 342. - - Château Bellevue, 83, 114. - - Château Mouville, 56. - - Château Renardier, 196, 207, 354. - - Châtelet, Marquise de, 324. - - Châtelet, Quai du, 160 to end. - - Cavalry, African, 255. - - Cavalry, Bavarian, 140. - - Chevilly, village, 56; - battle, 251, _seq._ - - Chivry, 318. - - Chizelles, Vicomte de, 32. - - Churches desecrated, 153. - - Colombier, M. and Mme., 353, _seq._ - - _Conscrit, Le_, incident resembling, 99. - - Corbeil, 312, 314. - - Coulmiers, battle, 191, 193, 209; - visit to field, 353 _seq._ - - Crémieux, M., 231. - - - D. - - D'Allaine, M., 217. - - _Débâcle, La_, accuracy of, 57. - - D'Iges, Isle of, 75, _seq._ - - Dilger, Martin, 181, 218, 309, 313. - - Donchery, village, 41. - - Douai, General, killed, 100. - - Douzy, village, burning of, 42. - - Ducrot, General, 48, 251. - - Dupanloup, Bishop, 289. - - - E. - - Étampes, 154, 197, 338. - - Eugénie, Empress, 17. - - Euverte, Ste., Church of, 252, 273, _seq._; - evacuated, 310. - - - F. - - Failly de, General, 34. - - Flavigny, Count de, 29. - - Floing, Plain of, 39. - - Francs-Tireurs, 126, 177. - - Francs-Tireurs, American, 226. - - Frank, Dr., 26, 35, 55, 56, 115. - - Frazer, Captain, 232, 287. - - Frederick Charles, Prince, enters Orleans, 274-276. - - French: commissariat breaks down, 34; - Marines, 46; - also at Orleans, 228; - bravery at Patay, 261; - prisoners, 75; - wounded, 81; - miserable clothing, 212; - want of physique, 214; - imaginary victories, 248. - - Frénois, village, 40, 83. - - Fritz, Dr., 312. - - Fugitive peasants, 157. - - - G. - - Gaillon, 124. - - Gambetta, M., 197, 217. - - Garde Nationale, 23. - - Garenne, Bois de, 53, 64, 67. - - Geneva Convention, 223. - - German: ambition, 276; - treatment of French prisoners, 281; - character and manners, 170; - piety, 185. - - Giant, a Bavarian, 204, 274. - - Glenbane, 132. - - Gravelotte, battle of, 312. - - Gunboats on Loire, 229. - - - H. - - Haveland, Major de, 305, 337. - - Hayden, Frank, 37, 60, 74, 77, 83, 112, 345, 347. - - Hewitt, Dr., 43, 68, 115, 118, 125, 145, 154. - - Hohenzollern, Prince of, 141. - - Holt White, Mr., 306. - - Horses, suffering of, 48, 74. - - Hospital: at Sedan, 39, 52-116; - at Balan, 56; - at Orleans railway, 162; - invaded by townsfolk, 202; - au Grand Marché, 217; - at Caserne St. Charles, 2, 8; - at Ste. Euverte, 273-310. - - Hozier, Colonel, 232, 287, 307. - - - I. - - _Illustrated London News_, 89. - - Isle d'Iges, 75, _seq._ - - - J. - - Jean the Turco, 116, 167, 339. - - Jeanne d'Arc, 160, 192. - - Jews, 314. - - Journalism, French, 248. - - - L. - - Labouchère, M., 19, 21, 25. - - Lagny, 315, 323. - - Langenbeck, Prof., 286. - - Léopoldine, Soeur, 308, 339. - - Lévy, M. Michel, 14. - - Libramont, 118. - - Lille, 122. - - Lloyd-Lindsay, Col., 27, 143, 333. - - Loire, Army of the, 158, 254, 263. - - Lundon, Mr. W., 132. - - - M. - - MacCormac, Dr. (now Sir W.), at Sedan, 47, 68, 70, 90, 97, 111, 115. - - Mackellar, Dr., 89, 145, 209, 224, 282. - - MacMahon, Marshal, 31, 83. - - Madeleine, La, 16, 28. - - Manners, French, 161; - German, 148, 172. - - Mantes, 135, 138. - - Maps, requisitioned, 231. - - Marfée, Heights, 35, 41, _seq._ - - Marly, 140. - - May, Dr., 36, 47, 49, 71, 97, 99, 114, 245, 282, 340. - - McLoughlin, Miss, 89, 260. - - Mejonelle, Mr., 306. - - Melun, Vicomte de, 4, 8, 15, 16, 18, 20. - - Metz, 22; - surrendered, 176, 188. - - Meuse, river, 37; - bridge over, 84. - - Mézières, village, burnt, 139. - - Moltke, General, 147. - - Monod, M. Chaplain, 94. - - Mont Valérien, 140. - - Mouzon, village, 38. - - - N. - - Napoléon III., 33, 38, 83. - - Neuville, 236; - fighting at, 243, 251. - - Nicholl, Dr., 47, 115. - - Nihil, T., Fenian exile, 131. - - Nussbaum, Prof., 162, 340. - - - O. - - O'Hanlon, Mme., 178. - - Olivet, 350. - - Orleans: march to, 154; - entering, 158; - in Quai du Châtelet, 160, _seq._; - at railway, 162-215; - Place Martroi, 168; - state of siege, 172; - shop windows, 172; - Bavarians evacuate, 190; - hospital invaded, 203; - ambulance returns, 207; - French enter, 210; - French Marines arrive, 228; - Ste. Euverte, 252; - French retreat upon, 254; - German assault, 263; - street fighting, 269; - surrendered, 270; - Red Prince enters, 274; - chronic hunger, 277; - prisoners in cathedral, 279; - Christmas Day at, 292; - fined 600,000 francs, 311; - evacuated by Germans, 349. - - Ostend, 4, 333. - - - P. - - Paladine, General de, 197, _seq._ - - Paris, 11-25; - siege of, 317. - - Parker, Dr., 95, 107, 115, 193, 202, 270, 312, 343, 347. - - Patay, battle, 251-260. - - Pauline, Mère, 307, 339. - - Peace, signed, 341. - - Pearson, Miss, 89, 260, 347. - - Peasants, 134. - - Peyen, Louis, 99, 101. - - Poniatowsky, Princess, 26. - - Pontoon bridge over Meuse, 84; - over Loire, 277; - burnt, 266. - - Pratt, Dr., 95, 115, 120, 137, 141, 151, 158, 161, 184, 226, 287, - 311, 343. - - Prince Frederick Charles, 276. - - Prince of Hohenzollern, 141. - - Prince Pless, 141-3, 337. - - Prisoners at Orleans, 279. - - Property, rights of, in war, 137. - - Proust, M. and Mme., 274, 346-350, _seq._ - - Prussians, 35, 41, 123, 140, 276, 349. - - - R. - - Raucourt, village, 35. - - Reilly, Colonel, 232. - - Renardier, Château de, 196, 207, 354. - - Rouen, 123. - - Rüdiger, 308. - - Russell, Dr., of the Times, 45. - - Ryan, Arthur (now Canon), 352; - diary, 353, _seq._ - - Ryan, Dr. C. E., leaves Dublin, 3; - at Paris, 10-30; - joins Anglo-Americans, 27; - arrives at Sedan, 31; - first sight of Germans, 35; - during 1st Sept., 1870, 43-59; - goes over battlefield, 61, _seq._; - at Isle d'Iges, 75; - visits Bazeilles, 86; - work in Caserne, 102; - rides to Bouillon, 112; - leaves Sedan, 116; - goes to Brussels, 118; - to Rouen, 123; - in Seine Valley, 125; - captured by Francs-Tireurs, 126; - to Mantes, 134; - sees fighting from Marly, 140; - at Versailles, 141-150; - marches to Orleans by Étampes, 153-160; - enters to sound of cannon, 157; - remarkable cases, 179; - at battle of Chevilly, 195; - visits that field, 352, _seq._; - in French camp, 199; - back to Orléans, 207; - sees French enter, 213; - at Neuville, 242; - sees battle of Patay, 259; - and French retreat across Loire, 264; - and burning of bridge, 266; - during assault on Orleans, 271; - sees entry of Red Prince, 274; - at Ste. Euverte, 252-310; - night duties, 292, _seq._; - leaves Orleans on furlough, 312; - journeys home by Lagny, Strasburg, etc., 315-332; - recalled, 333; - loses papers in Seine Valley, 335; - at Versailles, 336; - in Orleans again, 339; - falls ill of typhoid fever, 345; - recovers and leaves Orleans, 351. - - - S. - - Sailors, French, 46, 228, 261; - German, 288. - - Schrenk, Captain, 177. - - Schroeder, Henry, 274, 285, 307, 343. - - Sedan, arrival at, 31; - no surgeons or medical appliances, 38; - defences, 39; - battle, 43-53, _seq._; - number of wounded, 53; - field after the battle, 62-65; - operations in hospital, 70, _seq._, 93; - inhabitants shut up, 85; - captured guns in Park, 101; - ambulance leaves, 116. - - Seine Valley, 124, 336. - - Sentinels, French, 207; - German, 230. - - Sheridan, General, 142. - - Sherwell, Dr., 89, 208, 311. - - Sims, Dr. Marion, 27, 28, 31, 70, 73, 94. - - Sims, Harry, 27. - - Soissons, 30. - - Soldiers' burials, 62. - - Southern exiles, 142. - - St. Aignan, Church, 350. - - St. Aubin, Louis, 45, 96, _seq._, 116. - - St. Cloud, burnt, 146. - - St. Germain, 139; - forest of, 336. - - St. Pierre, village, 124. - - Ste. Euverte, 252, 273, 276, 291, 306, 310. - - Steel, General, 10. - - Strasburg, 328-330. - - - T. - - Tann, Von der, his proclamation 174. - - Tilghman, Dr., 27, 36, 47, 184, 200, 209, 282. - - Torcy, gate of Sedan, 32. - - Trochu, General, 251. - - Turcos, 51, 212, 240. - - - U. - - Uniforms, German, 169. - - Urbonouski, Mme., 145. - - - V. - - Vercourt, M. de, 4, 330. - - Verdière, M. le, 20. - - Versailles, 145; - the Château a hospital, 147, 287, 337. - - - W. - - Walsh, Dr., 2. - - Warren, Dr., 89, 105, 193, 202, 253, 269, 342, 345, 347. - - Webb, Dr., 70. - - Weissenburg, battle of, 1, 50. - - William I., king and emperor, 147, 323. - - Wimpffen, General de, 34, 48. - - Wörth, 1, 50. - - Wounded, number at Sedan, 53; - in hospital, 70-93. - - Wyman, Dr., 115. - - - Z. - - Zouaves, 241. - - Zouave, Well of the, 90. - - - - - * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Obvious errors of punctuation and diacritical markings were -corrected, although "Orleans" appeared frequently without the -accent aigu and was not modified. - -Hyphen removed: "bomb[-]shells" (p. 317), "towns[-]people" (p. 152). - -The following words appear both with and without hyphens and have not -been changed: "dead-house", "side-arms", "station-master's". - -P. 217: "Coulmier" changed to "Coulmiers". - -P. 229: "univeral" changed to "universal" (universal scramble of excited -Frenchmen). - -P. 248: "befel" changed to "befell" (befell the French arms). - -Index: -Many page numbers seem to be wrong but have been left as printed. -Entry "Madelieie" changed to "Madeleine". -Entry "Nihill" changed to "Nihil". -Entries moved to their correct alphabetical positions: -"Frénois, village" -"Hayden, Frank" -"Loire, Army of the" - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH AN AMBULANCE DURING THE -FRANCO-GERMAN WAR*** - - -******* This file should be named 41689-8.txt or 41689-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/1/6/8/41689 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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