The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-31 00:00:00

WAR CORRESPONDENCE.

The special correspondent of the Daily Naas at
the Prussian head-quarters says that in Moravia
the Prussians have shown great respect for home-
steads and flower gardens. They have trampled
down a few hundred acres on battlefields and by
the roadside along their line of march, but it was
difficult to believe that an immense number of
soldiers had passed over the road to Nikolsburg•
Cottages remained comfortably furnished, there
were groups of children to stare fearlessly
at the strangers, and pretty maidens stood
smiling at doors and windows as though no thought
of possible outrage had occurred to them. On their
way, the party with whom the correspondent was
travelling met some Austrian prisoners, with a
guard of Prussian infantry to watch over them,
and a group of peasants to hear the latest news.
Neighbouring householders had brought out wine
and coffee for both guard and captives. There was
great anxiety that one of these last should be well
fed. He was an Austrian officer—as handsome a
young fellow as you will often see—and received
what they gave him with an easy graceful manner.
One village dame brought him some cheese,
another offered him so many white roll's that his
pockets would not hold them all.
At Nikolsbnrg the King of Prussia is as com-
fortably provided as though he were in his own
dominions, whilst there is state and dignity about
the crowded courtyards such as may have attended
the march of other soldier kings:

I passed King William not many minutes since. He
was surrounded by the " brilliant staff " which one has •
right to expect as his proper accompaniment at such •
time. But the King did not affect simplicity of costume
in contrast to his staff. He wore the same uniform as he
is wont to wear at home, and looked extremely well.
They say that Count Bismarck rode into • shower of
bullets at fiadows to draw away the King, who was
pushing forward with overmuch rashness, and Bismarck
did well to save • right royal old soldier. Not a monarch
that we English should appreciate, but the very thing for
Prussia, as events have proved. It is difficult to judge of
one country by the standard of another. Hie Majesty,
after being twitted with Charles L of England as an
example by half the press of Europe, will return to Berlin
a thoroughly popular personage.
_ _

We h-ave an account in the Daily News from the
Austrian side, and in the Times from the Prussian
aide, of the action near Presburg on the 22nd, and
which was interrupted by the announcement of an
armistice. When the latter became known a
curious scene was witnessed :
The men of Bose's Prussian Brigade, who had been
planted across the Presburg road, and a few hours before
had been standing ready, rifle in hand, to fire upon the
retreating Austrian battalions, were surrounded by groups
of those very Austrian soldiers whom they had been wait-
ing to destroy. The men of the two nations mingled
together, exchanged tobacco, drank out of each other's
flasks, talked and laughed over the war in groups equally
composed of nine and white uniforms, cooked their rations
at the same fires, and to-night Austrian and Prussian bat-
talions will lie down bivouacked close together, without
fear and in perfect security.

The Austrians carry no tents ; when they are
not provided with shelter in houses they sleep in
their coats in the fields.

The Times correspondent describes a review
which he witnessed on the 24th, about five miles
outside Vienna. The Emperor arrived at half-past
8 o'clock :

He was dressed in a light-bias tunic, with gold and
white and red sash, a gold-laced cocked bat, with a large
waving green plume, and cavalry overalls ; and, although
those who know him bes► say he looks altered and is
shockingly thin and worn, I only saw a man, clear-eyed, •
calm face, with a serious expression--an English-looking
face with a heavy light moustache and light whiskers—
with • tall, alight figure, lithe and active. With him was
his Imperial Highness Archduke Albrecht, his Imperial
Highness (his son) Ludvig, the Crown Prince of Saxony,
the Crown Prince of Hanover, and the officers in attend-
ance on them, with their escorts. It might well be called
a " brilliant " staff, and the effect, as they ail galloped
down the line, the colours lowered, the troops 'eluting,
the bands playing "God preserve the Emperor," was one
of those things to be seen and not described, which
gratify some secret hankering after the pomp and eircum.
stance of glorious war, and render the eye for the time the
master of the mind and of all the emotions. When the
Emperor had ridden down the ranks he came round the
front of the corps and dismounted from his horse. Then,
advancing close to the men, be, in loud, clear, and
ringing tones, addressed them ; but his Majesty was so

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