The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-10-17
DAILY PRESS.
Monday Morning, Oct ber II, 1870
PORTLAND

4
Experiences Of "a wouudea German.
The North German Gazette contains an
interesting narrative written by soldier who
was wounded in the battle before Metz on the
18th. 1t gives vivid picture OF the scenes
and sensations OF a battlefield. After referring
to previous marches and hardShps, the writer
says that at day break the commander OF the
regiment rode up, and briefly expressed his
convictions that, whatever happened they
would do their duty. The camp preacher
followed, who asked for the Evangelical por-
tion OF the battalion, but the Major replied
I'VE all believe 10 one God, and follow one
banner-let all come" All, or most, accord
lngly camn, and it was Tor many their last
prayer After describing the hunger and
thirst which the soldiers suffered during the
morning the article continues There!
blow in the breast, tearing in the body, 4
fall with loud cry and terrible pain there
Law one of the victims OF this bloody day. My
first sensation was anger at the blow, my sec
ond an expectation Of seeing myself explode,
for judging By the sound OF the ball believed
hal grenade in my body; then came the
pain, and helplessness and falling Oh, how
frightful are those first moments! Wnere
was. hit, how was wounded, could form no
idea; only felt that could not stir, saw the
battalion disappear from my sight, and alone
on the ground amid the fearful bowling and
whistlins OF the balls, which were lncessenty
striking the earth around me. With difficult
ty could l turn my head little, and saw
behind me two soldiers attending on
third, who was lying on the ground.
Of what happened 1 can give no account,
except that cried for help several times as
wei as l could, for the pain and burning
thirst had the upper hand. At last both OF
them ran to me, and with joy I recognized
the doctor and hospital attendant OF nv com
pany. Where are you wounded 2? is the first
question. l could only point. My dress was
qulckl! opened, and in the middle OF the
breast bloody wound was found, which the
doctor hastily bound. The balls still constant
ly ~hizzed round us, one struck the doctors
helmet, and Immediately feel violent blow
in the efs arm. Another wound With diff
Guilty was turned round, to look for the out
let of the bullet, but it was still in my BODY,
the wound dangerous p asked. Il hope not
Pray tell me the truth Not rery dagger
Gus, 1t is to be hoped,' and with the empha-
sized very my hopes melted. They were 60
inc away. 'The wound IN the arm, DOCTOR
This fortunately was looked for in vain the
ball bad merely caused blue spot. and had
sunk into the ground harmlessly. extended
my hand to the doctor and thanked him, as
also the attendant, whom commissioned to
ask the Sc, geant to send word to my family
Ceaseessy it whizzed and howled around me.
The doctor had Carefully laid me on my cloak,
with my helmet firmly on my head, in order,
in some measure, to protect me from the lead
en- hail. Thus | lay alone with my own
thoughts, amid the most terrible fire, perhaps
for AN hour and halt. All nv thoughts, as
far as pain and increasing weakness allowed,
were fixed on m family. Gradually got ac-
customed TO the danger which surrounded
me, and only when too much sand from The
striking bullets was thrown Oh my body did
remember my little envabe position.
At last, alter long, long waiting, the sanitary
detachment came to me-" The writer then
describes his removal to a stable. aud tn,
wletched hours that he passed, owing to the
pain and the eroaning OF his companions
AT length an old woman entered, the owner
or occup pant of the house to which the stable
was attached. begged for water, but uniOr-
turately her hearing was detective, and the
whole night and the following had constant
ly, as the onlv one who could speak French,
to make her hear the wishes OF myself and
my companions. wondered at finding my.
self alive the next mornii g, though was too
weak to be able to think about it. One OF
my comrades had died in the interim.
The following night hustle and the glim-
mer OF lights woke us from our half sleep,
which hitherto had been broken by the cry.
M mere. de reau.' which the. other wound
ed bad already learnt from me, ami the old
woman came day and night to this appeal
When, however towards evening entreated
her to kill and cook for us one of the numer-
GUS hens in the village street, she was immov-
abe, even by 'haler, and We remained hun.
gry." He then described his removal to a
house, where he passed the third night, in a
room lighted by wax tar candle, which he
was told hal been taken out OF the Church OF
st AK. The good God will moi be angry at
its lightning US here" The man beside him
had the a'ie IN the throat till 8 A. nj. when
it ceased-he was dead, perhaps in his dis
tant home faithful wife and loving childlen
were itiug for his return. Was this dy-
nasty, so rich in blood and crime, was t,is
vain boasting grand nation worth this VIC
tin? ?" The wliter then relates his removal
by railwas INTO the Palalinaie, where the
news Of the victory at Seuan rejoiced the
wounded Germans but drew bitter teaIs from
Frenchnan who lay beside them. He
spta warmly OF the attention he received
from the surgeons and the attendants, aud ex-
presses his regret at being prevented by the
wound, though it did cot prove very danger
Gus, from entering Paris with his brethren in
arms,