New-York tribune., 1870-08-10
FRENCH HEADQUARTERS AT METZ.

FRENCH HEADQUARTERS AT METZ.
HOW MARCHES ARE MADE IN FRANCE-LIFE IN
CAMP-THE sELF-SUSTAINING POWER OF THE
FRENCH SOLDIER-HOW THE SOLDIERS ARE
RECEVED-THE ATTITUDE OF THE POPULA-
TION-AN UNPLEASANT ADVENTURE.
IRON OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
METZ. July Ell described in my last how
division of the French army marched out of stras-
bourg the morning a regiment of zouaves belong
ing the Algerian army arrived at that place. second
regiment of ZOuaves and Turcos were expected as
left. wished how the division that had left in
the morning would look after its march; so took train
for Haguenau which lies miles north Of strasbourg
The division had been reused at mdnisht-I enter into
details because believe the present good instance OF
how marches made in Franceto brew its Coffee the
French have messes Of six. of whose members
fctches water while another lights the fires, &c but
although they thus early astr they did not fol-
lowing their account, commence the march uhtI2
and could not really have got under weigh until
A. from the hour they passed my hotel They marched
until 95 when they halted for Il hours, again parook OF
coffee and resumed their march, which was In all SO io-
meters or about % miles. They said they had done this
by O'Clock, but at any rate their rearguard ana stg-
gers by coming in at 3' and the camp was
at that time nearly pitched The stragglers were cd,
foot-sore and often CALLED. In many cases te boys
ran by their side carrying their Chassep6ts was not
surprised at seeing of fagucd the day had
been extraordinarily hot the weight carried by each
man was at the estimation of Is hogrammes' or
80 pounds and the distance miles, had been ehected
10 or II hours enough to show me that as we read
Frenchmen can and will make long marches under eA-
cpssive weights also that this not done with
that fabulous ease OF which have heard so much
The horses Of the artillery looked fresh ana Dedh! -
miles pull over good roads nothing TO them.
The division had reared their tents in scdgy meadow,
by the banks of a sluggish stream 1t was convenient
camping ground, but although the drouth had done
much to dry what must be in Winter snipc-walk the
ground was not such Sanitary Commission would
look on with approving eyes. Many of the men were
bathing; more were Conteuted with washing their feet
examining and altering the position OF the strips OF eh
which several of them had substituted for stockings
Others were sousng their clothes in the brook While the
cuisine was being attended TO by at least one OF each
mess Everything, from the selection of the general
position OF the camp the pitching Of each individual
tent was conducted with that apparent regularity that
real attention sound SYSTEM which characerzes the
French army. The population mixed freely with the
soldiers bringing them little presents OF beer, wine, eggs
&C. They watched the soldiers cooking, the women re-
peatcdy suggesting improvements, or taking the man
agement Of the pot. Boiling and sewing seemed to be
the only recognized systems of preparing the tions
They looked at the fuel wood for each being care
fully weighed ont by ubOrdnates of the Intendancc
or they cOaxed the to take TO pieces the ChassepOt
for their inspection and listened to the prodOus yarns
which each marksman spun of his prOwess at 1900 yards
the longest range for which the weapon sighted The
coats the blue bouses of the civilians the country cos
tunes Of the Asatian paysannes all mixed and jumbed
together among the white little tents that dotted the
green fields from which the hay had been remOyed-hese
together combnedto to turn quiet cheerful country scene
into one the most animated and picturesque camps 1t
has been my lot TO witness The associations OF the
French soldier with peasant life to- Intimate to per
init him to feel at all out of place when thrown among
rural population, and amid the yellow cOrn-elds which
now call for the sickle, and more backward mop crop
which occupies large share of Alsatian CIVILIZATIONS
nor he likely out Of ignorance OF wantonness to enter
the unfenced fields where the wheat has not been cut or
TO trample on inure the growing crops; he seems
stranger and more curious when in the towns he gazes
upon the vast cathedral of SasbOug the quieter but
still handsome Church of Haguenau, which he is ap-
parenty fond OF doing with appreciation and reVer
ence OF manner that might shame many British tourist
In all that witnessed struck with the self-sns
tanning powers of the French soldier and Of his equip
ents; there was but little baggage save that trans
ported by the themselves each mess was complete
for all purposes Of camping and tentage 1t carried It's
house, its kitchen, its magazine, ana lts thfee uays
larder 1t wait to settle down until huge trains
of baggage animals have come in, but wherever SIX
French soldiers find themselves they ready to fight
until their 90 rounds OF Chassep6t ammunition are e1
baused TO cook or 10 sleep. The price paid for this
independenee Of baggage trains is that the French
soldier himself becomes beast OF burden must no"
ask your excuse If 1 return to my own
nersonai movements. / heard less than usual IN
the train which took to Haguenau my next
negbbor lady, apparently from that part of the world
snake very hardly Of the Prussan officers On my Ie
marking on the subdivision Of FARMS which the patches
f rops showed me least great as in the COer
districts in Ireland found she was a warm supporter
Of Younger SONS being treated the footing as the
eldest bat as her arguments entirely based on some
theory of the affections fear they would hardly prove
10 the political economist She told me tat al
Refot or at some BefOrt station the prOpretOrs OF the
buact had hoped 70 make good thing out OF the
war and had generously devoted themselves to
,upstroting the maxim that increased demand
nroduces AT first a greatly enhanced cost to the con
suner NV the simple expedient Of multiplying all their
prices y two whenever train laden with soldiers AZ
rived The inhabitants Of the town became very ihug
nant and organizing themselves in a committee, dis
truted cigars wine and meat To the 0mcers; toDhcco
becr bread and vegetables 70 all soldiers passing
trouob and the door buffet Is literally shut up; III
deed now find that 10 is scarcely possible to get any
tbg IN eat ON the war lnes-I talk as stranger or
rather an English stranger. As for the troops the gen
erals have on, % fear they WILL Ike the geese VINO
SIMPLY MS with de Oie 0raS arrive on the scene Oh
action with livers dsordercd by heat and overlooking
Al Bschwler the train met wihi an ovation ldo ho'
know the special why people had massed 'hoin
selves there but there they were, think 2o0i al any
rate fbere we're IA many would I'LL large couhuS
English station-tha IT, the platforms, the secod
line Of rails &c. Blouses prcdOminaed, but mere "ero
abundance of pretty peasant girls, who have no" no
fear of ug cosidelcd forward II the! smile Vpeu! on