New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-28

be seen from the trains incumbered with cavalry
and lastly for the 20 miles between the Bitche and
Sarre0uemnes tents so thick that could hardly
make out whether was passing through one or sew
eral camps.
Abundance of good forage and wood was stored
along the lines This last puzzled me until | found
that this portion of the French railways supplied
with coal from PTussian mines which, it is feared
they will flood before abandoning. But one feature
struck me as conspicuous by its absence. There
but little show of either baggage or baggage-ani-
mails l saw also none of The drovcs of cattle which
might have been expected to be seen with a large
army
When arrived at Metz for the first time, trans
port horses were TO be found in numbers. They
were heavy, strong Ooking horses, many of them
grays. They were picketed in large square, their
halters tied to the wheels of country wagons. The
horses had clearly just from the plow, and be-
side them lay their ordinary harness. An auxiliary
corps of peasants had been engaged to conduct the
wagons They mad no uniforms, but carried cards
on their hats, denoting the corps Gdrmoe to which
they belonged. tried to get room at the Hotel de
LEurope hut was informed that it was full of gen
erals, and of the Fiat MaWr then applied at the
Grand Hotel de Metz, and was told that although
they had Is generals, they would manage to accom-
mOdate me- Upon repeating this speech TO the
lady who appears to manage the Hotel de LEurope,
where ! again repaired to inquire for letters, she
grew little indignant, and said that she had more
generals in her hotel than the madam opposite and
even she had not 49, but then she not in the habit
Of eXaggerating.
The court-yards of both hotels were crowded with
baggage-carts belonging to the staff masters. Ba-
zaue alone had at least five two-hOrse wagons
marked: Marshal Bazains No. J." &c, up to No.
ILL Mo- oil
derlies and guards crowded the gates; the private
sitting-roOms were turned INTO offices, and the call
ing saloons were surrounded with uniformed men.
1t was quite distinction TO wear a plain coat but
by no means pleasant distinction.
This evening took walk with an acquaintance.
He asked me- do you observe anything peculiar
about the French oiicers3" l replied, "No." Il
do" he answered; they are dressed in marching
order: they embrace instead of bowling when they
part; they say an an rerOir, and not adeu there
will be march tomorrow" True enough; when
we got to the hotel the staf-wagons were loading,
and we were informed that Marshal Bazaine and at
least one division of his corps would set at day
break Marshal Bazane commands not only corps
darmec, but the left wing of the French Army.
Nv own belief is, that grand movement across
the frontier will begin on Wednesday or Thursday
The center and nearly the whole of the right wing
except tllc AIHlN VI N!CH - ''iiiS
up and of which the Corps dEtat is already at hand
are now in line between Bitche and Sarreguemincs
The left wing which is immensely strong at Metz
and Thionville will make for SIarlouis ana BiTck-
enfield the right and center heading for kaiserslar
fern. and thus the movement will be along the
western slopes of the Vosges although corps VIII
probably be ordered to move in parallel direction
along the east of that range TO watch the denies
and TO give warning of q flank attack by the PTus-
4 IL I,a44 I,n .ttgln FNyIll
then descend the Valley of the Maize, and that the
King of Prussia, if he is willing to fight at all the
left bank will accept battle somewhere about
Kreutznach position strong in itself, and affording
a secure retreat upon Mayence the bulwark of Ger
MANY and the standing menace 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 u
DAYS she has been maSing the whole of her army on
the frontier and within one or days marches OF
Bitche and Sar1ecuemnes. have read OF a certain
number Of battahons being sent forward, and OF
others remaining behind but as far as can Judge,
the French are evacuating every garrison en- masSe
| put 100000 down the lowest number the EN-
peror means to have under Lis hand, and i'll com
plete communication at the entrance of the
campaign; and | believe the concentration
now to be within 4S hours of completion
be adequately housed. The cavalry also Will not
bear high proportion-probably under one-tenth
of the infantry The whole of these troops are III
MAGNIFICENT state of discipline, and the officers are
mich more numerous than those of the Prussans
The French Artillery superior to the Austrian AT
Solferino, and the Austrian was superior 10 the
PrusSian at KonTatz. There is no doubt or inc
Chassepot being better weapon than the Prusslan
arm | can hardly believe in the Prussians having
vet been allie to effect such concentration OF
strength as the French have certainly done, and
believe that the opening of the campaign, either
with or without battle, the Prussians must retire
behind the Rhine.
The weather is most inviting for military opera
tions. Even lady could not consider 1t hardship
70 he forced to sleep under q tent. The country
seems made for war, from the absence OF fences TO
embarrass movements. Water, fuel, and standing
or stacked corn for forage to be met with every
where There are many villages in which the troops
might if necessary, sleep at night. AT present the
authorities avoid betng the men upon the lniab-
itants and form their corps outside the towns Metz,
with generals choking the hotels, and baggage ami
mails covering the squares, Is an exception.
Now for a few words to the attitude Of the popu-
1ation I have by this time gone through a large
section of France-the section. 1t is true that,
having only Travelled by rail- the view have had IS
but as hasty cutting-up OF TINS portion OF the cou
try. Still find opinions 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 the greatest boon the Emperor couid
bestOw upon them. .
Second: The soldiers with the colors accept 1t with
enthusiasm, in many cases with pleasure.
Third. The reserves, who have been ont on I'M
limited leave take it as terrible duty, which 1t IS
their hard luck to have to discharge, but their
.-... .a,nidlu uerpe with those Of their COM