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whom he was naturally very anxious； General von Moltke entertained me
by explaining the positions of the different corps； the nature and
object of their movements then taking place； and so on。
Before us； and covering Metz； lay the French army； posted on the
crest of a ridge extending north； and about its centre curving
slightly westward toward the German forces。 The left of the French
position was but a short distance from the Moselle； and this part of
the line was separated from the Germans by a ravine； the slopes；
fairly well wooded； rising quite sharply； farther north； near the
centre； this depression disappeared； merged in the general swell of
the ground； and thence on toward the right the ground over which an
approach to the French line must be made was essentially a natural
open glacis； that could be thoroughly swept by the fire of the
defenders。
The line extended some seven or eight miles。 To attack this
position； formidable everywhere； except perhaps on the right flank；
the Germans were bringing up the combined forces of the First and
Second armies； troops that within the past fortnight had already
successfully met the French in three pitched battles。 On the right
was the First Army； under command of General Von Steinmetz； the
victors； August 6； of Spicheren； near Saar； and； eight days later； of
Colombey； to the east of Metz； while the centre and left were
composed of the several corps of the Second Army； commanded by Prince
Frederick Charles of Prussia； a part of whose troops had just been
engaged in the sanguinary battle of Mars…la…Tour； by which Bazaine
was cut off from the Verdun road； and forced back toward Metz。
At first the German plan was simply to threaten with their right；
while the corps of the Second Army advanced toward the north； to
prevent the French； of whose intentions there was much doubt； from
escaping toward Chalons； then； as the purposes of the French might
be； developed； these corps were to change direction toward the enemy
successively； and seek to turn his right flank。 But the location of
this vital turning…point was very uncertain； and until it was
ascertained and carried； late in the afternoon； the action raged with
more or less intensity along the entire line。
But as it is not my purpose to describe in detail the battle of
Gravelotte； nor any other； I will speak of some of its incidents
merely。 About noon； after many preliminary skirmishes； the action
was begun according to the plan I have already outlined； the Germans
advancing their left while holding on strongly with their right； and
it was this wing （the First Army） that came under my observation from
the place where the King's headquarters were located。 From here we
could see； as I have said； the village of Gravelotte。 Before it lay
the German troops； concealed to some extent； especially to the left；
by clumps of timber here and there。 Immediately in front of us；
however； the ground was open； and the day being clear and sunny； with
a fresh breeze blowing （else the smoke from a battle between four
hundred thousand men would have obstructed the view altogether）； the
spectacle presented Was of unsurpassed magnificence and sublimity。
The German artillery opened the battle； and while the air was filled
with shot and shell from hundreds of guns along their entire line；
the German centre and left； in rather open order； moved out to the
attack； and as they went forward the reserves； in close column； took
up positions within supporting distances； yet far enough back to be
out of range。
The French artillery and mitrailleuses responded vigorously to the
Krupps； and with deadly effect； but as far as we could see the German
left continued its advance； and staff…officers came up frequently to
report that all was going on well at points hidden from our view
These reports were always made to the King first； and whenever
anybody arrived with tidings of the fight we clustered around to hear
the news； General Von Moltke unfolding a map meanwhile； and
explaining the situation。 This done； the chief of the staff； while
awaiting the next report； would either return to a seat that had been
made for him with some knapsacks； or would occupy the time walking
about； kicking clods of dirt or small stones here and there； his
hands clasped behind his back； his face pale and thoughtful。 He was
then nearly seventy years old； but because of his emaciated figure；
the deep wrinkles in his face； and the crow's…feet about his eyes； he
looked even older； his appearance being suggestive of the practice of
church asceticisms rather than of his well…known ardent devotion to
the military profession。
By the middle of the afternoon the steady progress of the German left
and centre had driven the French from their more advanced positions
from behind stone walls and hedges； through valleys and hamlets； in
the direction of Metz； but as yet the German right had accomplished
little except to get possession of the village of Gravelotte；
forcing the French across the deep ravine I have mentioned； which
runs north and south a little distance east of ihe town。
But it was now time for the German right to move in earnest to carry
the Rozerieulles ridge； on which crest the French had evidently
decided to make an obstinate fight to cover their withdrawal to Metz。
As the Germans moved to the attack here； the French fire became heavy
and destructive； so much so； indeed； as to cause General Von
Steinmetz to order some cavalry belonging to the right wing to make a
charge。 Crossing the ravine before described； this body of horse
swept up the slope beyond； the front ranks urged forward by the
momentum from behind。 The French were posted along a sunken road；
behind stone walls and houses； and as the German cavalry neared these
obstructions it received a dreadful fire without the least chance of
returning it； though still pushed on till the front ranks were
crowded into the deep cut of the road。 Here the slaughter was
terrible； for the horsemen could make no further headway； and because
of the blockade behind； of dead and wounded men and animals； an
orderly retreat was impossible； and disaster inevitable。
About the time the charge was ordered； the phase of the battle was
such that the King concluded to move his headquarters into the
village of Gravelotte； and just after getting there； we first learned
fully of the disastrous result of the charge which had been entered
upon with such spirit； and so much indignation was expressed against
Steinmetz； who； it was claimed； had made an unnecessary sacrifice of
his cavalry； that I thought he would be relieved on the spot； though
this was not done。
Followed by a large staff； General Steinmetz appeared in the village
presently； and approached the King。 When near； he bowed with great
respect； and I then saw that he was a very old man though his
soldierly figure； bronzed face； and shortcropped hair gave some
evidence of vigor still。 When the King spoke to him I was not close
enough to learn what was said； but his Majesty's manner was
expressive of kindly feeling； and the fact that in a few moments the
veteran general returned to the command of his troops； indicated
that； for the present at least； his fault had been overlooked。
The King then moved out of the village； and just a little to the east
and north of it the headquarters were located on high； open ground；
whence we could observe the right of the German infantry advancing up
the eastern face of the ravine。 The advance； though slow and
irregular； resulted in gradually gaining ground； the French resisting
stoutly with a stubborn musketry fire all along the slopes。 Their
artillery was silent； however； and from this fact the German
artillery officers grew jubilant； confidently asserting that their
Krupp guns had dismounted the French batteries and knocked their
mitrailleuses to pieces。 I did not indulge in this confidence；
however； for； with the excellent field…glass I had； I could
distinctly see long columns of French troops moving to their right；
for the apparent purpose of making a vigorous fight on that flank；
and I thought it more than likely that their artillery would be heard
from before the Germans could gain the coveted ridge。
The Germans labored up the glacis slowly at the most exposed places；
now crawling on their bellies； now creeping on hands and knees； but；
in the main； moving with erect and steady bearing。 As they
approached within short range； they suddenly found that the French
artillery and mitrallleuses had by no means been silencedabout two
hundred pieces opening on them with fearful effect； while at the same
time the whole crest blazed with a deadly fire from the Chassepot
rifles。 Resistance like this was so unexpected by the Germans that
it dismayed them； and first wavering a moment； then becoming panic…
stricken； they broke and fled； i