The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-10
hear the most gloomy forebodings in regard to

or the fight at Friedberg (the first blood,
I believe, shed in this war; you have doubt
less already been apprised. The Prussans
were moving to the vicinity of Frankfort,
with a view OF intercepting force OF Confede-
rates (Bundestruppen) composed OF a part OF the
Hanoverian and Hesse Cassel contingonts. A
Hesse Darmstadt regiment here encountered
them, but, after brief skirmish retreated, leav-
ing the road open for the Prussiaris But here the
latter heard of large force Of Wurtemberg and
| Bavarian troops occupying Frankfort (Which was
not the case, howeyer}, and they fell back to
Giessen. Gesaen is only days march from
Frankfort, or couple Of hours ride by railway
The engagement, as I said, was very incon-
siderable, Of no intrinsic significance whatever
save that it brought the terrible fact home to us
| all, that at last the die is cast. It produced
tremendous excitement here. People ran about
| IN every direction with anxious faces. Business
was at stand-still. Stocks Of every sort tumbled
at a terrible rate. The "Zeile" was almost de-
serted,-as far as business men were concerned.
Inc only activity could observe vas in military
| oireles' The headquarters Of the Confederate
| troops are here, and number OF prominent gen.
erals the chiefs Of the several larger
German States have their quarters hers and order
were flying to and fro the whole day. The solid
| Va
| lugubrious countenances, crowded around these
| headquarters to gather the latest news. OF
| course We had the most exaggerated accounts of
the engagement,-battles innumerable, with hun
dreds Of thousands killed. Women wero running
about half frantic, crying out : s.Die Preussen :
Die Preussen !" "The Prussians are coming, thew
are going to sack the CITY"
The military commandant did his utmost to
quiet the fears Of the people, assuring them there
| was no danger whatever, that q strong Federal
army was between the Prussians and Frankfort,
But how long will it be thus safe This is a
question OF great moment to the merchants and
bankers OF this good old German trading town.
This is by no means the first time this city has
been threatened with hostile occupation. Her ex-
perence in these vicissitudes is unfortunately but
too rich. She has again and again been the sub
jeot OF the excesses incident to rapid change of
masters. very Interesting narrative Of the
condition OF Frankfort under French martial law,
| about hundred years ago, will be found in
Gethes autobiography {" Wahrhea ,.nd Dioh-
tung y, which Is within the reach of many Of your
readers.
This oty at present, is very much in the position
OF Washington during the frat year OF our war. 1t
Is still the capital Of the Diet or Confederation
(of the "Rump," as the New York World would
say) Prussia has aeceded, and is now laying siege
to it. The Austrian corps d ar7nee Is at Aschaf-
feDburg, small city in Bavaria, on this same
Mayne River. Immediately around this city,
Prince ALEXANDER Of Hesse is In command of the
9Th Federal Army Corpa: Monsz and Rastadt,
two Federal fortresses that were formerly gar
risoned by Austrians and Prussians coajointly now
have Hessians and Bavarians; the Prussians hav.
ing gone northward, and are now at Giessen, as al
ready mentioned. Leipsic is in tho hands OF the
Prussians, 80 is dorlitz in Silesia. These are the
principal points, far as I can gather, where
troops are massed at present; and, as you will
perceive. this city has fine chance of becoming
the battlefield almost any fine morning you like.
Let me admonish your readers when they see
the terms Federal and Confederate in my letters,
or in any other accounts Of events now transpring
in Germany, they must not attach tho same mean
ing to them that these terms bear at home with
you. Federal and Confederate mean the same.
Both words may be used ia translation OF the
German word B,nd. The Confederation, as it
now stands, comprises all the German States ex-
cept Prussia. The latter, ia our phrase, has
seceded," but the other States refuse to acknowl-
edge her right to take such step, and declare
the "Band" still fully in force This far you will
observe very close parallel between this war and
ours. But the real. oasus deui is quite different
from ours. Our people threw their all into the
struggle; and greater unanimity never prevailed
any where than with US. Here, you see war of
kings for territorial aggrandizement, or personal
ambition-the people the mere tools.
BBhARK rules Germany, and represents the
side OF progress, enlightenment and civilization,
aud therefore, it is contended he should be sup.
ported by all the advocates Of human progress.
Very good; but how about the popular deputies,
turned ont OF doors only the other day by this
same reformera It is quite true, B1sMARK means
to be- and Is, the renovator OF Germany, but he
must be allowed to do it after his own fashion.
Always understood likewise that Germany means
Prussia, and Prussia Germany. A very natural
question win suggest itself to you and many Of
your thinking readers: "Why do not the people
OF that country rise, and dsend their kings kaisers
electors, arohdukes, dukes and princes to the old
boya" That is exactly what they ought to do,
what they could do very easily, and perhaps one
Of these days may do.
The present race of German princes is decided
ly played out" as our boys used to say The