按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Minister of War had telegraphed to the Military Inspector of
Railroads to take charge of us on our arrival a Cologne； and send us
down to the headquarter of the Prussian army； but the Inspector； for
some unexplained reason； instead of doing this； sent us on to Berlin。
Here our Minister； Mr。 George Bancroft； met us with a telegram from
the German Chancellor； Count Bismarck； saying we were expected to
come direct to the King's headquarters and we learned also that a
despatch had been sent to the Prussian Minister at Brussels directing
him to forward us from Cologne to the army； instead of allowing us to
go on to Berlin； but that we had reached and quit Brussels without
the Minister's knowledge。
CHAPTER XVI。
LEAVING FOR THE SEAT OF WARMEETING WITH PRINCE BISMARCKHIS
INTEREST IN PUBLIC OPINION IN AMERICAHIS INCLINATIONS IN EARLY
LIFEPRESENTED TO THE KINGTHE BATTLE OF GRAVELOTTETHE GERMAN
PLANITS FINAL SUCCESSSENDING NEWS OF THE VICTORYMISTAKEN FOR A
FRENCHMAN。
Shortly after we arrived in Berlin the Queen sent a messenger
offering us an opportunity to pay our respects； and fixed an hour for
the visit； which was to take place the next day； but as the tenor of
the despatch Mr。 Bancroft had received from Count Bismarck indicated
that some important event which it was desired I should witness was
about to happen at the theatre of war； our Minister got us excused
from our visit of ceremony； and we started for the headquarters of
the German army that eveningour stay in the Prussian capital having
been somewhat less than a day。
Our train was a very long one； of over eighty cars； and though drawn
by three locomotives； its progress to Cologne was very slow and the
journey most tedious。 From Cologne we continued on by rail up the
valley of the Rhine to Bingebruck； near Bingen； and thence across
through Saarbrucken to Remilly； where we left the railway and rode in
a hay…wagon to Pont…a…Mousson； arriving there August 17； late in the
afternoon。 This little city had been ceded to France at the Peace of
Westphalia； and although originally German； the people had become； in
the lapse of so many years； intensely French in sentiment。 The town
was so full of officers and men belonging to the German army that it
was difficult to get lodgings； but after some delay we found quite
comfortable quarters at one of the small hotels； and presently； after
we had succeeded in getting a slender meal； I sent my card to Count
von Bismarck； the Chancellor of the North German Confederation； who
soon responded by appointing an hourabout 9 o'clock the same
eveningfor an interview。
When the Count received me he was clothed in the undress uniform of
the Cuirassier regiment； of which he was the colonel。 During the
interview which ensued； he exhibited at times deep anxiety regarding
the conflict now imminent； for it was the night before the battle of
Gravelotte； but his conversation was mostly devoted to the state of
public sentiment in America； about which he seemed much concerned；
inquiring repeatedly as to which sideFrance or Prussiawas charged
with bringing on the war。 Expressing a desire to witness the battle
which was expected to occur the next day； and remarking that I had
not had sufficient time to provide the necessary transportation； he
told me to be ready at 4 o'clock in the morning； and he would take me
out in his own carriage and present me to the Kingadding that he
would ask one of his own staff…officers； who he knew had one or two
extra horses； to lend me one。 As I did not know just what my status
would be； and having explained to the President before leaving
America that I wished to accompany the German army unofficially； I
hardly knew whether to appear in uniform or not； so I spoke of this
matter too； and the Count； after some reflection； thought it best for
me to wear my undress uniform； minus the sword； however； because I
was a non combatant。
At 4 o'clock the next morning； the 18th； I repaired to the
Chancellor's quarters。 The carriage was at the door； also the
saddle…horse； but as no spare mount could be procured for General
Forsyth； he had to seek other means to reach the battle…field。 The
carriage was an open one with two double seats； and in front a single
one for a messenger； it had also a hand…brake attached。
Count Bismarck and I occupied the rear seat； and Count Bismarck…
Bohlenthe nephew and aide…decamp to the Chancellorand Doctor
Busch were seated facing us。 The conveyance was strong； serviceable；
and comfortable； but not specially prepossessing； and hitched to it
were four stout horseslogy； ungainly animals； whose clumsy harness
indicated that the whole equipment was meant for heavy work。 Two
postilions in uniform； in high military saddles on the nigh horse of
each span； completed the establishment。
All being ready； we took one of the roads from Pont…a…Mousson to
Rezonville； which is on the direct road from Metz to Chalons； and
near the central point of the field where； on the 16th of August； the
battle of Mars…la…Tour had been fought。 It was by this road that the
Pomeranians； numbering about 30；000 men； had been ordered to march to
Gravelotte； and after proceeding a short distance we overtook the
column。 As this contingent came from Count Bismarck's own section of
Germany； there greeted us as we passed along； first in the dim light
of the morning； and later in the glow of the rising sun； continuous
and most enthusiastic cheering for the German Chancellor。
On the way Count Bismarck again recurred to the state of public
opinion in America with reference to the war。 He also talked much
about our form of government； and said that in early life his
tendencies were all toward republicanism； but that family influence
had overcome his preferences； and intimated that； after adopting a
political career； he found that Germany was not sufficiently advanced
for republicanism。 He said； further； that he had been reluctant to
enter upon this public career； that he had always longed to be a
soldier； but that here again family opposition had turned him from
the field of his choice into the sphere of diplomacy。
Not far from Mars…la…Tour we alighted； and in a little while an aide…
de…camp was introduced； who informed me that he was there to conduct
and present me to his Majesty； the King of Prussia。 As we were
walking along together； I inquired whether at the meeting I should
remove my cap； and he said no； that in an out…of…door presentation it
was not etiquette to uncover if in uniform。 We were soon in presence
of the King； whereunder the shade of a clump of second…growth
poplar…trees； with which nearly all the farms in the north of France
are here and there dottedthe presentation was made in the simplest
and most agreeable manner。
His Majesty； taking my hand in both of his； gave me a thorough
welcome； expressing； like Count Bismarck； though through an
interpreter； much interest as to the sentiment in my own country
about the war。 At this time William the First of Prussia was
seventy…three years of age； and； dressed in the uniform of the
Guards； he seemed to be the very ideal soldier； and graced with most
gentle and courteous manners。 The conversation； which was brief； as
neither of us spoke the other's native tongue； concluded by his
Majesty's requesting me in the most cordial way to accompany his
headquarters during the campaign。 Thanking him for his kindness； I
rejoined Count Bismarck's party； and our horses having arrived
meantime； we mounted and moved off to the position selected for the
King to witness the opening of the battle。
This place was on some high ground overlooking the villages of
Rezonville and Gravelotte； about the centre of the battlefield of
Mars…la…Tour； and from it most of the country to the east toward Metz
could also be seen。 The point chosen was an excellent one for the
purpose； though in one respect disagreeable； since the dead bodies of
many of the poor fellows killed there two days before were yet
unburied。 In a little while the King's escort began to remove these
dead； however； bearing them away on stretchers improvised with their
rifles； and the spot thus cleared was much more acceptable。 Then；
when such unexploded shells as were lying around loose had been
cautiously carried away； the King； his brother； Prince Frederick
Charles Alexander； the chief…of…staff； General von Moltke； the
Minister of War； General von Roon； and Count von Bismarck assembled
on the highest point； and I being asked to join the group； was there
presented to General von Moltke。 He spoke our language fluently； and
Bismarck having left the party for a time to go to a neighboring
house to see his son； who had been wounded at Mars…la…Tour； and about
whom he was naturally very anxious； General von Moltke entertained me
by explaining the positions of the different corps； the nature and