Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-08-24
A Prussian Military ReYiew-A Grand
Spectacle.

The present Warllke aspect of affairs be-
tween France and Prussia will render the
following description of a military review
by the King of Prussia, recently held at
Berlin, of especial interest to our readers.
It shows the kind Of troops the French
have to deal with. This review was in honor
Of the Emperor of Russia, while OH visit
to the King at Berlin:
The troops present numbered about
twenty thousand, and the exercises took
place upon the plains of Kreutzberg, a
short distance from Berlin. The day was
beautiful, and had it been prepared for the
occasion could not have been in any way
better adapted. A slight rain fell early in
the morning, which laid the dust, ayid when
the troops arrived upon the grounC it was
In splendid condition, and the sun shone
out most beautifully. The men, thc arms,
the horses, and all the equipments we're IN
splendid condition, and it seemed as though
every one and every thing were showing to
the great Russian tuat all was ready, and
III order at any and all times to defend and
fight for Prussia.
The firing of artillery was wonderfully
rapid, and all the movements of this most
essential branch of his service were finally
executed. The cavalry was composed of
as fine looking a lot of men as 1 have ever
seen, and the equipments and horses were
most magnificent. AS the sun shone upon
the bright helmets and breastplates Of the
Bismarck Legion in the distance, it seemed
like mass Of silver moving around. Fol
| lowing we're regiments of lancers, hussars
and mass of infantry. The marching,
and in fact all the movements were per-
formed with the utmost precision. After
some time spent in various exercises, the
| troops were divided and a sham fight was
had, and soon the whole field was enYelOp-
| ed in smoke from the firing of artillery and
infantry. Yet as the wind carried it away
you could see the movements Of the differ
ent legions as they attacked each other,
and officers could be seen riding with
breakneck speed conveying the orders of
the commander to various divisions, regi-
ments, etc. [ have never witnessed
anything that was more ad-
mirably done, or any spectacle finer.
| The Rifle Artillery performed wonders
| in the quickness OF their NOV ements, the
handling Of their guns, and rapidity of fir
| ing them. The infantry was all their King
could wish, and he may well be proud of
them.
The platoon firing was as though one
gun had been discharged, and their move
ments and changes of position were so well
and quickly made that you would think
they were made by magic.
The action closed by grand charge Of
! the cavalry. 1t WAS wonderful sight to
| see about nine thousand horses rush across
the plain-the infantry and artillery on
| both sides supporting them. A gun was
fired from headquarters; the action in
stantly ceased and all the troops imme-
diately reformed and then passed before
their King, his royal guest and their va
rioUs staffs, some of the regimental bands
/ performing the national airs Of Russia,
while others played their own great favor
ite-'I am Prussian; do you know my
eol0rs? ?"
Mr.. SPURGFoN made remarks at the lay
ing of a corner stone Of a Baptist chapel a
week or two since, in which he said:
1T makes me sick at heart to fine out
the great seers who have been telling us
we are getting near the millennium. 1t
seems to me they are something like the
Irishman who could foresee backwards. |
wish these kings of the earth would Some
times do their own fighting, instead of get
ting their soldiers to fight for them. It
would not be a bad idea if Napoleon and
the King of Prussia would come over to
England and fight ii out. I am quite sure
the police would wink at the matter, and
for my own part would be quite willing
to hold their coats, and I would cheer each
one on, and say, Hit him hard; [ think
| 1,o 4 :