The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-13


men then passed into a school at Metz,
became a captain In 1887, and the chief
of sduadron In 1916, was second
master Of the Polytechnic School from
1913 to 1850. His part In the Crimean
war. was active, but In Italy he sig
nalized himself IN French military
ewes. Later named as Abide Camp
to the Emperor. he was sent to receive
from the Austrian sovereign the con-
cession OF Venetia, and himself trans
mitted it to the King of Italy. This
was the browning glory of his life.
The magnificent mission, we'll and
nobly fulfilled is what no part in
his battles with Prussia can excel
He became Minister of War August
81, 1869, and ever since has acted Wig
orously On the motto, if you wish
peace prepare for war" Bazaine and
Mcmahon are already at the head of
their commands, Bazaine's corps COM |
prising 10000 men, among it the |
whole Partisan army AID the troops |
now at Metz.
The Emperor's pet cannon, Invent
ed by himself, and of such terrible |
power that it has been known to an
initiate five hundred horses in three |
dred yards, bears the name of the |
!" mitrailleuse." and is probably one Of |
the most terrible engines of war with |
which Europe has been cursed.
We have heard its echoes often here,
for practice with it has been going on
at Mendon for at least a year. 1t
is evident that the Emperor bases
much reliance upon it, for he has had
his own horses trained to stand its
fire without finching; and covered
by il, he has expressed his opinion
that be would be safe anywhere The
French believe that nothing can stand
before it; but the Prus SLAMS, who have
the eating gun, one of our best arms,
laugh at the mitrailleuse, and often
caricature Napoleon running away
with it under his arm. This war is
to be great teacher of military move
ments, both bismarck and Napoleon
making battles hang upon the sue
cessful manipulation of their heavy
guns. Large numbers OF the mitrail
leuse are now at Metz, and the Prus.
SLAMS have already been electrified by
some of its experiences.
I shall not enter Of present into the
organization Of the French aamy, that
Is, into the details of that vast system
which has made France, par excel
| lenee, q military nation. The discus
sion of that systems merits will be
more Appropriate at future time,
and may perhaps be evolved In the
best manner by the mere narration of
events. | can2ot help thinking that
| the French p.;&e, so predominant an
element In its politics. has been the
maiz mover in making them so en-
| thusiastic for war with Prussia, for
they begin gradually to see that they
are no longer considered as soldiers
of the first rank by all the world.
The French navy is nov second to
none but that of England, and will play
an important part IN the war, especial
| ~ if other powers are involved. At
present, Chez bourg is IN the midst of
most warlike activity. The celebra-
ted iron-clads, the "SaYoie," the
.Surveillant," the "Guywenne," and
the "Iuvincible," are there, and our
old friend and former servant, the
"Dunderburg," which has been at
French christening, and is known now
as the RochambeaU," is also sta
toned there. France has already put
an iron. clad squadron into the chan
mel, which is balanced by highlands
watching fleet; and the Prussians
have a few cruisers lodging about,
some disguised to pick up news. The
Baltic sqnadrons are the best equipped,
and we may expect to hear of some
famous battles from there. TheFrench
Mediterranean squadron has been as
sembled at Cherbourg. 1t will com
prise, by the end of this mouth, 30
Iron-clads of the first order.
THE LATEST FRENCH PLAN FOR THE
CAMPAIGN.
It is believed that the French gem
erals have decided upon the following |
campaign plan, although il may be |
said that they keep their plans from
the public: To make a rapid dash in
to Hesse, so as to neutralIze the three |
Southern German powers; 10 absorb |
Frankfort, and to fortify there; to /
sweep all the Prussian territory on
the left shore; then TO enter West
phalia and support the left wing of
the army by Hanover ard Denmark;
to push Prussia back behind the Elbe,
as after Friedland, and to make
new German Confederation, from
which wfll be excluded both Austria
anu 4 EuSSl1s On TIE BEOuuu bhht noAbH- /
er were actually Germans. This plan
certainly has the merit Of magnificent
impudence.
AT THE WAR OFFICE,
Here in Paris, everything is quiet as
noon of night. No information is to
be had, and every French journal
publishing news as to the movements
of troops is to to be first fined an i'm
mense sum and then suspended for
six months. LIE Boat viii g } to the
front himself as soon as the Emperor
does, it being the very sensible mode
of procedure here to make the highest
officials give their close personal at
tention TO their specialties. The mar
row street in front of the War Office
is daily crowded with departing sol
diers, who stop 10 hurrAh aud yell
their Morittri te salutant. The en-
thusiasm of the men is wonderful;
they go to the certain battle as to
feast. There are plenty of comical
scenes in the streets. too. these days.
Night before last Zouave was seen
crying before wine shop just as his
regiment was marching to the station.
/" What's the matter, what desolates
bim2" was the cry Of the crowd. Il
am going down TO the front and my
mother has the small pox, and cant
kiss her before | goP'