The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-01
brain impressions not likely ever to be effaced
by stronger ones of the same kind.
RoADsIDE IMPRESSIONS.

writing, but some faint idea may be conveyed
by imagining crammed railway line In which
all the trcins were filed with soldiers, cheer
ing and being cheered; stations lined with
synpathiZlng spectators; trucks laden with
GI1ns in such numbers that one ceased to
lake Interest in them; the roads, when they
could be seen from the trains, incumbered
with cavalry: and lastly, for the twenty miles
between the Bitche and Sarreguemines' tents,
so thick that could hardly make out whether
/ was passing through one or several camps.
Abundance OF good forage and WOOD was stor,
ed along the lines This last puzzled me until
I found that this portion of the French rail-
ways are supplied with coal from Prussian
mines, which, 1t is feared, they will flood be-
fore abandoning. But one feature struck me
as conspicuous by Its absence. There was but
little show of either baggage or baggage-ani-
mails. I saw also none of the droyes OF cattle
which might have been expected to be seen
with large army.
SCENES AT METZ.
When I arrived at Metz for the first time,
TRANSPORT horses were to be found in numbers.
They were heavy, strong-looking horses, many
of them grays. They were picketed IN large
square, their halters tied to the wheels OF coun-
try wagons. The horses had clearly Just come
from the plough, and beside them lay their
ordinary harness. An auxiliary corps Of peas
ants had been engaged to conduct the wagons
They had no uniforms, but carried cards on
their hats, denoting the corps Gdr7nee to
which they belonged. I tried to get room at
the Hotel de rEurope, but was informed that
II was full of generals, and Of the Eat MAJOR:
] then applied at the Grand Hotel de Metz, and
was told that although they had eighteen gen.
erals, they would manage to accommodate me.
Upon repeating this speech to the lady who
appears to manage the Hotel de rEurope
where I again repaired to inquire for letters,
she grew little indignant, and said that she
had more generals In her hotel than the
madame opposite, and even she had not
eighteen, but then she was not In the habit of
cxaggerating. The court-yards Of both hotels
were crowded with baggage carts belonging
to the staff masters. Bazaine alone had at
least five two-horse wagons marked: MAR
shall Bazaine, No. II &C., up to No. 5-not an
illiberal allowance even for marshal. Or
derlies and guards crowded the gates; the pri-
vate sittlng-rooms were turned into ofhces,
and the calling saloons were surrounded with
uniformed men. It was quite distinction to
wear plain coat, but by no means pleasant
distinction.
MARCHING ORDERS.
This evening took walk with an acquaint-
ance. He asked me: "Do you observe any
thing peculiar about the French officers ~
replied, Mo- II do" he said, 'they are
dressed in marching order; they embrace in
stead OF bowing when they part; they say an
an reUoir, and not an adieu; there will be
march tomorrow" True enough, when we
got to the hotel the staff wagons were load
zaine and at least one division of his corps
would set out at dayDreak. Marshal Bazaine
commands not only corps Gdrniee, but the
leftwing Of the French army.
THE GRAND MOVEMENT.
My own belief Is, that grand movement
across the frontier will begin on Wednesday
whole of the right wing, except the Army of
Africa, which Is rapidly coming up, and Of
which the Corps dElite Is already at hand, are
now In line between Bitche and Sarreguemines.
The left wing, which is Immensely strong at
Metz and Thlonvllle, will make for Saarlouis
and Birckenfeld, the right and centre heading
for kaiserslartern and thus the movement
although corps will probably be ordered to
move In parallel direction along the east of
that range, to watch the detiles and to give
warning of flank attack by the. Prussians. 1t
is not unlikely that the French army will then
descend the Valley of the Nahe. and that the
King OF Prussia, If he is willing to fight at all
on the LETT bank, will accept battle somewhere
about Kreutznach, a position strong In itself,
and affording secure retreat upon Mayence,
the bulwark of Germany, and the standing
menace OF France.
ODDS IN FAVOR OF FRANCE.
With regard to the chances OF success Of the
two combatants In the first battle, believe
the odds to be Immensely In favor of France.
For the last twelve days she has been massing
the whole of her army on the frontier, and
within one or two days march Of Bitche and
Sarre9uemines have read OF certain num-
Der Of battalions being sent forward, and Of
others remaining behind, but, as far as can
Judge, the French are evacuating every garri-
son en- mdSSe. ] put 100000 down as the low
est number the Emperor means to have under
his hand, and In complete communication at
the entrance Of the campaign, and l believe
the concentration now to be within forty y-eight
hours of completion. The number Of guns
will be large, but they will not be adequately
housed. The cavalry also will not bear high
roportion-probably under one-tenth of the
Infantry.
EXCELLENT DISCIPLINE.
The whole of these troops are in magnlf-
cent state Of discipline, and the officers are
much more numerous than those Of the Prus-
SLAMS. The French artillery was superior to
the Austrian at Solferino, and the Austrian
was superior to the Prussian at Koniggratz.
There Is no doubt of the Chassepot being a bet
ter weapon than the Prusslan arm. can hardly
believe in the PrussIans having yet been able
to effect such q concentration OF strength as
the French have certainly done, and believe
that, on the opening of the campaign, either
with OF without battle, the Prussians must
retire behind the Rhine.
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.
The weather is most inviting for military
operations. Even lady could not consider 1t
O hardship to sleep under tent. The
country seems made for war, from the absence
of fences TO embarrass movements. Water,
fuel and standing or stacked corn for forage,
are to be met with everywhere. There are
many villages in which the troops might, If
necessary, sleep at night At present the
authorities avoid blleting the men upon
the inhabitants, and form their corps outside
the towns. Metz, with generals choking the
hotels. and baggage animals covering the
squares; is an exception.
TIE FEELING IN FRANCE.
Now for few words as to the attitude Of the
population. have by this time gone through
a large section Of France-the war section. 1t
is true that, having only travelled by rail, the
view hare had is but as hasty cutting up of
this portion Of the country. Still find Opin-
ions too clearly and evidently marked to make
ME personally doubtful OF the state of public
opinion.
First. BY the officers the war is received as
at once their due, and as the greatest boon
the Emperor could bestow upon them.
Second. The soldiers with the colors accept
It with enthusiasm, IN many cases with pleas
sure.
Third. The reserves, who have been out on