The New York herald., 1870-09-06
AT EMBOURG.
Rnden Courtesy 10 "a Herald Special Writer
Over tho Khine--itural Scenes und the
War Aspect-prussinn Oecupation-FieId


War Aspect-prussiun Oscupation-FieId
Guides.
wIssEMBOURG, August Is, 1870.
Thanks TO the courtesy OF the military authorities
of the Grand Duchy Of Baden, was passed over the
Rhine to-day and arrived here after seven hours
travel by private conveyance. passenger trains
other than those for troops and supplies for the
armies before Metz are now running
The country road passes through the Bavaran Pa
latinate aud throughout is lined by small villages
and pleasant, thrifty looking farms and farm houses.
Although it was the route by which the Crown
Princes army passed over on Its way into French
territory did not observe any traces OF injury to il
Of damage done to the surrounding country.
pass praying all 'the civil and military authorities"
to let me proceed on my way rejoicing TO the
"Kriegsschauplatz" was duly recognized at all the
picket stations prevented my mOlestatiOn either
from the peasans--whO are rather shy just now
OF strangers dressed In civilians clothes-Or
from the squads OF soldiers met going to
and returning from the seat of hostillties-some
foot. some on horse some in wagons some limpng
along with gun on shoulder and others borne in
the ambulance carriages. All these men and vehi-
cles were so many OF the palpable signs OF active
operations OF war which one snuffs from aiar
on nearing battle field. On the wayside, however,
Notwithstanding the movement, all was quiet, and
all were perfectly civil to me- though could not
claim to he OF 1es nliiitatres" fighting for the
Fa.herland and although observed several glances
OF anxious inquiry addressed 10 my individuality by
the passers.
Provisions were not 10 he had along the route, for
the soldiers had eaten the inhabitants out OF every
thing but house and home, and drank them out of
beer. No beer When that word can be said In
German land you may depend upon 1t that it has
been visited by something akin to the locusts of
Egypt in the devouring line. Fortunately had
some eatables along with me, and luckily there
not lacking cool ''Uasser' to wash down ones
throat an ample amount or dust
On arriving here found myself entering through
the portal OF the old brick wall OF fertilization be-
fore knew it, almost my attention having been
very suddenly attracted to the breaches made at the
gate by the Prussan balls the precise spot
where the first fighting was begun In the village at
the sole command Of two French subordinate officers
who had perceived that their willy antagonists had
stolen upon them entirely unawares. The place Is
filled with OILERS and men or LETT here in detacl-
ment to take CHARGE not only the streets but the
houses filled with them While l write In q
small nook of chamber, secured after considerable
difficulty am almost stunned by the continued
clatter of military tongues speaking In the loud
language OF the Teutonic race 1 had, not many
moments ago. the pleasure of sitting at table
with the same military gentry, among whom l
found DOCTORS lieutenanS, captains, generals, Baya
rians, Wurenburgers, Prussians ana Badeners, all
eating together as one happy family-myself and an
English journalist being the only civilians
at the board. The ceremony observed was
strictly and prOdlgiously Prussian. Whenever
one Oiicer would enter withdraw he would for
malv and repeatedly bow to all the Others and
those in turn would get up and bow to hun. Now
and then IN the midst OF q dialogue, two interlOcu-
recIprocity almost machine- like, something having
been said between them 10 induce such a c0mpii-
mentary ceremony. further observed that the
pruc al n 10 mi ifV rriaI ~
hOnOrS; they ore the heart, soul and major nucleus
Of the whole German army, ana accordingly a strong
Wurtemburg and Baden, however equal they may
be In rank. Prussia militarily leavcns the whole
that has descended from Frederick the Great I
never saw finer or more inteigent-0oklng men
as they erriiy sat at table drinking the little
wine OF Alsatia, while deeply and openly deploring
the fact That no beer was to be ald hold Of. Most
Of them go forward in the morning. They seem 10
be very much rejolced and at home upon Franco
TO THE BATTLE FIELD.
The guides who volunteered their services as
cicerOnes the battle field claimed to be both
French and Germans at one and The same time-and
possibly WIN some reason, as 81 tne is iront,er lines OF
around the town. was soon made aware that they
We're far more fluent IN German than In French.
which they spoke with decided Gernanic accent
IL anu a good Frenchman," sad one, because
speak French, and am equally as good German
..rhen you are both Frenchman and "a Germanr'
"Ya-out." a walk through g ,ns sire streets afforded
by an army-an abundance Of DEBRIS straw,
cattle, guns and cannon three Of which were
Nap's guns captured fn the fght-One "a
mtraileuse, empty railway cars, standing on the
switches old knapsacKs, canteens, &C. Continuing
the walk for fifteen minutes outside OF the village
wall I reached the top OF the now famous Ciesberg
or line OF hill behind the city where the st0rmiDg Or
The French position occurred, and where, as all Ger
many now fondy hopes, the proud French empire
was shattered and crumbled IN the dust. Not that
they think the whole Job was done there at one fell
blow but that t then and there that 1t was rem.
dered possible and feaslble-begun. The position h
q strong one. Ii IL an eminence commanding the
village and the whole country roundabout, looking
north or cast towards old Father Rhine. On this
position the French forces were encamped, but not
even protected by the least show OF q brcastwork.
The peasants even say they are badly commanded-
''ntdJ COnlnldndeGs."
The German masses debouchcd the plain sud.
denly, and stOrmed the heights before the French
could even muster together what few men they h0c
at the point. From the best accounts It cannot b
doubted I'm n upyp q