Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-16
THE RIVAL CAMPS.

Seldom has a more remarkable contrast
been presented to the public eye than that
contained in the letters from the two rival
camps, which We published on Tuesday
The Austrans and the French are traversing
the same country by the same roads; the lat
ter, indeed, follow almost in the very foot
steps Of the former, while neither side abso'
lutely monopolizes the ordinary advantages
Of "a march IL the French ENJOY the sym
pathies of the population, yet the AuStrIanS
are the first on the road, and they are ena-
bied to throw difficulties III the way OF those
behind them. They destroy bridges, or bar
ricade towns. OF face about occasionally and
make Il stand against the enemy in some
favorable position. Every day, too, they
are drawing nearer their fortrcsses and their
resources, while the French are continually
advancing from their base OF operations" ami
closing in upon the formidable lines OF an OBJ
stinate foe For all this, however, the con
trast between the two armies and their pro-
ceeding-, offers one of the most striking views
that could be conceived.
Look ut the letter from the headquarters ot
the allies. The writer can hardly find words
pictorial enough for the beauty of the coun-
try, luxuriance Of it's produce, the geniality
of its climate, or the sensations OF pleasure
with which every soldier is penetrated rs he
pursues his march. The road lies through
shady lanes. enlvened by the song OF the
nightingale and adorned with the most
charming flowers After IL few hours ot easy
and delightful exercise the troops arrive AT
the camping place for the night. where they
find excellent provisions, all kinds ot rural
dainties, and most agreeable bivouac. The
next morning, refreshed and Joyous. they
resume their advance, only to 60 through Il
similar promenade with II similar conclusion.
There is nothing Of war about the proceed
ings except its stimulus aud excitement. Ii
is u Jubilee" a merry-making fair, "r
ANYTHING rather than campaign. The
description reminds us of Robin Hoods men
in Sherwood Forest, disporting themselves
through pleasant glades. dining of good red
deer, aud sleeping at night on smooth turf
under the greenwood tree.
Turn now TO the headquarters Of the Aus
TRANS. Our correspondent there writestr"m
the same country, under the same date and
after a march over the very same roads,
and what does he say? He can scarcely
describe the sufferings. the impatiencr, or
the d,dgust prevailing around him. The
past week--that very period so agreeable to
the French--has been dreadful one The
writer himself, though strong and hale, and
with the advantage Of IL horse to carry him.
found the sun and dust almost insupp"rtn-
ble." The wounded soldiers must have
writhed in torture as the miserable, springless
oxcarts Of the country bore them slowly along
for nearly twelve hours day. The roads
were nearly impossible. We published on
Monday the official statistics Of the Austrian
losses at Magenta. AS computed and ac'
knowledged in Gen. Gyulai's own returns,
and we can hardly give the public IA more
impressive conception of the case than by
saying that force rs large IA that encamped
at Gotham was placed hors de romba in
that one battle only. What can become Of
soldiers who like the Ausirians before the
battle of Magenta, 'for fifty hours did not get
even 30 much as piece OF bread! Ii ~
only residue or IL fraction Of force, under
such circumstances, which can be relied
upon for fighting, aud it is evident tina, such
conditions are likely to be created by the very
measures which are taken to counterbalance
them.-L0ndon Times. ..