The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-25 00:00:00

THE GERMAN ARMY.

It is a most fortunate thing, says the Versailles corre-
spondent of the Cologne Gazette, that the several regiments
are again in a pretty strong condition as regards numbers,
and contain, nearly all of them, more men
under arms than they had at the commencement of
September. Apparently our losses seem to have been
most extraordinarily heavy at Weissemburg, Woerth,
Spicherenberg, before Saarbrucken, and on the 14th
August before Metz, on the 16th at Rezonville, and on
the 18th at Gravelotte, and in consequence of which
many regiments had more than one half, and some indeed
two-thirds, of their men put hors de combat. Fortunately,
however, there were comparatively very many men only
slightly wounded. Most of our men were wounded
by ehassepot bullets fired at long ranges, and thus the
velocity of the bullet was considerably lessened, and
few bones were broken, the bullets only imbedding
themselves in the flesh. In comparison the wound in-
flicted in 1866 by the Austrian conical bullets and
grapeshot were far more dangerous and mortal than
the case with those wrought by the chassepot bullets.
Consequently, within the last few weeks many soldiers
and, comparatively speaking, far more officers, who have
recovered from their wounds received at Weissemburg
and Woerth, and on the 14th, 16th and 18th August, have
returned to their former positions in the army. Many
an officer may yet be seen with his arm in a sling or his
face plastered up, or walking slowly, supported by a stick;
but yet their martial zeal is such that these obstacles do
not prevent them from taking their post amongst the
troops and doing their duty with renewed energy and
vigour. The want of superior officers which reigned from
the middle of August to the Middle of September, when
subalterns had to command whole companies and captains
whole battalions, is now entirely changed.

It is stated that the burning of St. Cloud was the result
of an accident. Some shells were inaccurately fired from
Mont Valtrien.

The journal called the National Assembly, which was
suppressed by decree about 15 years ago, is about to re-
appear.

The Swabtan Mercury states that on the 10th instant
the whole of the German allied troops before Paris con
secrated one day's pay, amounting to 500,000 thalers, to
the Widow and Orphan Funt.

Only four rooms in St. Cloud were occupied by half a
company of German soldiers, placed there to protect the
treasures of this historical monument of architecture.
When the bombardment commenced the troops were im-
mediately withdrawn, without any accident having oc-
curred.

When Gambetta landed in his balloon, he sent a pigeon
to Paris. His message was :—"Everywhere the people
are rising ; the Government of the National Defence is
universally acclaimed." .

M. Edmond Adams, who has been appointed Prefect of
Police in place of M. Kdratry, is the former secretary-
general of the Mayor of Paris in 1848, and more recently
secretary-general of the Discount Bank. This nomination
is looked upon as a temporary one, because the prefecture
of Police is to be abolished.

At the Folies Bergeres, in Paris, there has been a
demonstration against the Princes of the Orleans family
This movement has significance, as the Folies Bergeres is
the rendezvous of the Moderate, rather than of the
Red Republicans.

Louis Blanc has written to the Rappel, saying he will
only stand for the municipal elections when the Govern-
ment sanctions them, as the first consideration is to
avoid dissensions. Victor Hugo, he believes, will do the
same.

Ass's flesh is said by those in Paris who have tried it to
be very delicate food. It is cheap, too, and sells for not
more than fourpence a pound. Unfortunately the supply
of asses is not great, for there are no costermongers in the
city, and very few animals are kept for children to ride
upon.

A young lady, sister of two National Guards, reports
that she is very happy in Paris. She lives close to the
Luxembourg gardens, and she is assured there is no dan-
ger of Prussian shells falling in that quarter. She has
learnt to cook horseflesh so as to make it a most attrac-
tive dish ; her brothers, when they come home from duty
on the ramparts, devour it voraciously, and she herself
has come to like it very much.
At Paris the other day some Prussians and Bavarians
took a gun. The Prussians placed their colours upon the
gun; the Bavarians claimed to have equal rights to the
gun, and demanded that the Bavarian colours should also
be placed upon it, or a black-red and golden flag, in order
to chew their mutual conquest. Some slight dispute took
place, and the matter was submitted to the decision of the
superior officer in command, who ordered that no flag
should be planted upon the gun, and thus both parties
appeared satisfied.