The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-12

sentry. At brst tho ofncer Oh duty raised objec-
tons, on seeing such phalanx Of civilians intrud-
ing coolly into the front lines; but tho sight OF
our "gyosSes hauptqortte'' passes removed oil diff
1culties, and he sent us at all events, stage fur
/ ther on-ylz., to tho colonel commanding the line Of
| outposts. This high onlcer was found asleep but
very amable and intelligent Lieutenant. Herr Won
Seiilitz adjutant OF the Seventh regiment tKing's
| Own) came down where we were, and on inspect
ing the documents, said, Of course, We might 80
anywhere. While the patrol, which, for our better
| guidance, he had ordered, was getting ready he
escorted rs to q little breastworE ON the left Of Meu
don. from which we obtained only moderate and
limited view OF the Partisan panorama.
TIE GRAND SIEGE PANORAMA.
The eartlwork was one OF those primitive struc
lures erected hastily by the French, but not held by
them. The frussans have made 1t far more defen-
siDlc and mounted on 1t two sham cannon manufac.
] turod ont OF tin, and chiisiened 1t the "Jager
Schanze' and tho 'Bastlon Sandrath,n It having
been hitherto held by the rinemcn, who act as q
regiment OF sharpshooier5, or the Fifth corps. The
/ same which received so calamity the equally
! gallant charge OF the French cavalry chasseurs at
| Sedan. The second namc was IN Difference to the
| commandment, Sandratl, OF the Seventh regiment
While the artist took rough sketch OF the bastion
surmouated by the red ana white ensign OF Prussia
Won Seldlitz told Us OF the losses OF bis reg
| ultit during tuiS 1Hcy were III ItsCIfo
at Sedan, but ut Weisscnburg 1t had lost nine hun
! dred and odd men ont OF three thousand, with q
third OF It's officers among the casualties. The raln
which had been threatening all the morning, at this
stage OF progress began to patter down heavily;
80 VIC gladly accepted the Invitation OF military
escort to enter his warke quarters and to taste OF
| his stock OF red vino.
| GOOD LIVING AND AMUSEMENT.
| by the way, according TO our warfaring at home
| this seems very funny to continually come across
| Pruasians--ofilcers and soldiers-arrayed In fine
villas and hobnobbng over wine, champagne most
freQucntly-for they have really been after the cell
lars OF oil France with sharp stick. While in
dulglng In our hbalons or the refreshing and limo.
cent beverage offered by right Of conquest and
smoking the intolerable cigars Of the French rege-
they going rapidly ana there IL no longer an i'm
perial government to manufacture them-Seidlitz
exhibited to us all tnat remained Of the regiment
flag, the upper part OF the stan (which had been
shot into three pieces with its attendant stringers
Two OF these he told us had been granted for gal
antry at Nachod In 1914, and two Tor the campaign
OF 1865. No fewer than six officers had been Killed
wounded while bearing aloft the nag at the bat
| tie of Weissenburg. OF course sketch had to be
made on the spot OF the precious relic.
At the end OF our refreshments we were on such
amicabie relations that military friend proposed
cards oil around-not piquet, but visiting and
final bumper OF the innocuous red was then and
there drunk TO health OF respective nations
Perhaps neutral visitors were doing as much at tho
French outposts over the Seine.
PRINCE NAPOLEoNS SUMMER RETREAT.
This operation being over we wero ushered under
the escort OF patrol OF two soldiers into the pic
turesque avenues OF Meudon, one Of the summer
dwelings Of the late Prince Pl0n-Pon. A short
walk led us straight to the entrance of the pal
hu,yi limo NJ M orchi tac t,rol
worth noticing. Tho pickets squatted under the
garden trees got aroul Immediately OF our passes,
to see you know, 'if you are all right" The pick
cts Kept their grip hold Of while the passes went
into the palace for examination by the officers. We
prohted OF the leisure moments to examine the en-
banKments In course Of construction for the recep-
ton OF the heavy siege guns which are to be OH hand
ready for the bombardment; for whether the latter
be among PROBABLE things or not the Prussians are
clearly Of opinion that big handy things to
have In ones military house. We observed, also
that the capital '.N," surmounted by the imperial
crown had been efraced from tho facade OF the
| palace. The republican army had thought
| It's removal indispensable before removing
itself without the possible grasp OF the
| Prusslsns. Having passed under the covered
way OF the embankment mentioned we were accosted
by Jolly old warrior, who Introduced himself as
Captain Lacke in command OF the garrison, and IN
Immediately on the right OF the entrance. Here we
were pleasantly greeted by large party Of officers
Amidst the din Of conversation, carried profusely
in German, French and English, the present
writer found himself seated In chair, with green
velvet, white and gold trimmings, next to the
ond Oficer In command, Captain Ven Shkopr-an
agreeable nelghbor-who entertained the company
with stories In regard to the visit Of our absent,
host Plon-P lon when at the court or Berlin. More
drink We had hoped to wind up with French cof-
ree,n but Curacao the thing we had to swallow,
ana Won Shkopf thought proper to apologize for 1t
by assuring us that had we been little earlier on
the he could have offered four different Wines
| the contents. OF the imperial cellar. While
some room, hung with green tapestry, gilt
cornlces, the sale a munger OF Plon-Pion,
which the officers had appropriated to themselves as
beds, we were ever and anon reminded by tho crash
Of smell. either right or lett that We really had
1 scarcely any business to be "booZing' in such
company III Napoleonic or republican dining
| room.
But the shells produced little effect. They came
and went unsung, If not unheard. The officers are
so accustomed to them that their only Curiosity in
regard to them Is 10 know on what side they burst.
THIS much ascertained, they JOLLY resume pipes and
coffee or wines. We mad not only heard that The
While In all kinds OF daily functions had been man
ged by the French bolts. II Was surprise to find
sec things rs taken ass so Sa then
darkness The fire had all along been heavy that
to deceive the French every aperture looking TO-
wards their guns had been closed up. Mattresses
and sandbags now took the place OF crimson curtains
and Venetian binds. Every shutter was closed. Not
for peep at heaven itself dared one show one nose
out OF any window OF the chateau Of Meudon Boom
boom said the shells, and we took the warning.
The corridors which not long since must have
echoed to the dainty tread Of comey maids honor
Or the most dapper OF court knights were silent
and growing dusty lined only occasionally WITH the
knapsacks and heavy accoutrements Of the Army OF
the Rhine-the real one. Every door was sealed;
every room considered In any way safe had been
made over to the tntrudlng soldiers OF the Prussan
royal guard. MOI were signs wanting of the ravages
that had come over the fair abode; here and there
door had been obligingly but violently opened for
us to Its widest extent completely gone, hinges and
all; the damask chairs had been desp0iled OF their
coverings for being made into night Cravats Tor the
shiverlng soldiers; bust OF the Emperor had been
despolled Of Its nose but IN this respect he had Jared
| no worse than marble nYmph close BY; marble