New-York tribune., 1870-10-08
FRENCH PRISONERS AT MAYENCE.

FRANKFORT -ON-THE-MAIN, Sept. 2l.-l have
spent the days at Mayence TO get insight into
The wav the difficulty is dealt with Of accommodating
the French prisoners The number Of them now at
Mayence exceeds 5000 The main part Of the prvates
and non-commissou officers are located In camp out
side the gates Of the fortress the left bank of the
Rhine The camp is situated between the Minstergate
aud the Gaugate the most elevated spot OF the terri
tory which surrounds the fortress 1t is OF course In
reach Of the guns Of itself well as of those
OF two outer works right and left The camp forms OBJ
IongisIn between two public roads, with intermediate
space on each side Four guaTd-houses, mounted by
landwehr and surrounded by their tents are on the four
corners The tents the prisoners the large circular
and pointed tents made Of sacoth, and supported by
single central pole, of the Prussan infantry.
Tnrty men can lay down in each. Access TO the camp
itself is strictly refused to everybody tried to get
special permission at the Office of the governor Of the
fortress the Prince OF Osein, but, though was armed
with very best Introduction in vain II was stated
o. me the Of this unusual stretncss mat cases
of iysery had made their appearance in the camp and
that il was feared the infection might he carried by
visitors into the Neither the German nor the
French officers parole in the town are allowed TO enter
The camp the audwehrmeu duty AT the camp must
not 90 into the town The fresh provisions are brought to
The lardhous and cooked inside the camp. The
prisoners receive three hot meals daily coffee in the morn
meat and vegetables o'clock and soup in the
ing They are very with their fare and that
IL is more ample than what they had in the French army
The only thing they gumble AT Is that they receive rye
bread instead wheaton bread They must do six hours
work daily mostly digging and rOadmaking-p
tory work for the contemplated future enlargement OF the
fortress Here one has opportunity to see them and
speak to them. The landwehmen intrused with watch
ing them have il is true, been ordered TO chase the pub,
lie away. but they make very light of the order There
are constantly ladies outside making presents Of money
cigars the prisoners through the mediation OF the
ndvehr.-ocety The work they do is not worth much
II Is, in truth, a mere show Of wOrk-iust enough
prevent deness doing it. mischief The contrast be-
tween the umbng landwehrn who do not like at all
their monotonOus duty, and the laxative and merry
Frenchmon, who to a man. glad to have got out OF
the war, j.. great With each gang at work there are
some Alsaciaus or Lotharingans stationed near the
sentry, 10 interpreters TO him. They all tell
you cannot decide with what degree Of sincerity That
they hope they viii he German soldiers and will be
in garrison az Mentz Each gang consists of mixture
Of troops Of an arms The landwehrmen state that
they have not yet met with any Of disobedience
the Tuco. excepted Of whom has been executed
any attempt Of escape. The only difficulty is to make
them attend 20 cleanliness and bashfulness The benevo
lent ladies who pay them visit sometimes not
little frightened by their free and easy ways.
The officers parole have got permission 10 put on
plain clothes, and that all those who pro
yided with the necessary cash, about One-haf, have
ayaed themselves Of IT, But they have not succeeded
In hiding their characteri to the people OF Mayence
They know them at 100 yards distance The only advant
age 10 them OF mat they need not exchange sautes
with the German troops and not as has been ruled
salute the German officers first 1t seems that they all
went TO the cothers shop and found but one kind
Of clothes ready for they all dressed nearly alike
wide-awake, blue Jacket and gray trousers which, as
they arc constantly with each other, makes rather
a ludicr0us impression They are spending the
greatest part Of the day IN and before the Cafe de Paris
on the Gutchberg-platZ, very excellent house. well
known 70 the tourist on the Rhine, playing at domnoes
and reading the Belgian newspapers, Paris Journals
having failed 20 arrive here Their gossp about the
and its prospects shows that they take things now
rather coOy The fall OF strasbOurg is anticipated by
them in few days. they rather wonder it held out
long; they all place but little reliance on the defensive
powers Of Paris. Bat Metz they declare all Of them 10
be altogether impregnabe, and well stored with pro.
visions and nunitIOn 1 have heard the German
Ohicers thoroughly agree with this view. great
annoyance TO them, when in plain clothes, is that
the newsb0ys often purpOsey offer them caIca-
ture France and Louis Napoleon for sale. But they
put up WIZ It, and do not show their feelings. invited
aot OF them 10 go with me 10 WiuohOuse, which offer
they eagerly acce ted They told that those Of them
Who lGd private l-cOnre were on very short allow.
ante End felt difficulty make both ends meet. They
are ledged n The barracks tbrfe beds b. The
SSY Of lieutenant lnouts TO .. fganr. HorfI. o.G