The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-13
MONDAY EvE'G, MARCH. 10, 1871.
The Flight into switzeflan
weeks of Bourbakps Army


the Swiss heard that eighty thousano
French had crossed the border during the
night. The possibility of such an event
had been foreseen, but it had been thought
more probable that the retreating force
would have been driven into Besancon to
helm in the reduction of that place, as
Bazaine's soldiers had been in the case o'
impregoable Metz. But now much Anxiety
was felt as to whether the French wouiu
Weld their arms, whether the Swiss would
fire upon them if they refused, whether
the Prussians would pursue, or whether, IN
many ways, Switzerland might not ind
herself very awkwardly situated.
The arrival of troop of French cavalry
on the following afternoon put an end to
all surmisings, and explained much That
we had before thought very wonderful
The horses seemed scarcely able to stand.
They were understood and half famlshed.
Their legs were knotted and swollen !;
their tails and names often rotted away |;
the long shaggy hair OF their ungroomed
coats matted with dirt. The riders were
warmly clothed in large overcoats, and
what seems to be nearly universal among
officers and men of all arms, the broad
peaked cap. 1t was the general opinion
among the lookers-on that ten well
mounted heavy cavalrymen would have
ridden over the whole two hundred. On
inquiry found these were really old SOL
diers, aud next day l recognized the uni
form, often seen in Paris, of the Cen
darmerie, only without the traditional
three-cornered hat. During Friday and
Saturday infantry poured Into the town,
the intervals between the arrival of the
large bodies being filled by stragglers in
every stage of exhaustion. They came
slowly in, shuffling along, with hanging
heads, sunken cheeks, and starting eyes.
Such multitude of famished, weary, foot
sore, ragged and sickly human beings was
surely never gathered together. Those
unable to march came in by train.
Shall be accused of exaggeration if |
attempt to describe their condition /
have seen poor in London and beggars in
Egypt, but never such wholesale misery as
was here. Hundreds of poor fellows, their
uniforms torn to rags, limped past. The
feet and hands of nearly oil were FROST
bitten, causing the greatest pain. On
many face incipient fever had begun its
ravages; many would never march again.
In all, the shrunk features and crouching
gait told of gnawing hunger, while the
deep cough and hoarse voice bore witness
to long nights spent on snow and frozen
ground. Some had tied bits of wood under
their bare feet to protect them from the
stones others wore wooden sabots; hun
dreds had no socks, and when they had
they were merely of thin cotton; others,
who appeared well shod, would show
soleless or heelless boot, the exposed part
of the foot, once frozen, being now wound
crusted with dirt. For weeks none had
washed or changed their clothes, or re-
moved their boots. Nothing but hurried
march and counter. march. Their hands
were blacker than any Africans. Some
had lost their toes, the limbs OF others
were so frozen that every moment was
agony. The men stated that for three
DAYS they had had neither food nor fodder
served out to them, and that before they
often got only one loaf between eight men
But let me turn from this Illuminating
view of the civilization of the nineteenth
century to what we may we'll be proud OF
in our times. AS the long columns toll
YEARLY through the villages, deliling from
the Jura passes --choked deep with snow
Upon the Lake Of Geneva, the inhabi-
tants everywhere turned out literally "their
all' to supply their wants. AS regiment
after regiment of tottering, starving men
passed into this town, it was sight tc
make a strong man weep to see rich and
poor, young and old, distributing to thell
necessities while rugged, hard, ill-favorec
faces broke out in sunny smiles, as though
ministering angels had met them annie
scenes of death and murder. Here were
market-women. who on other days arr
wont to haggle over centime, eagerly
emptying their stalls there were people
rushing into the shops and returning lader
with loayes, rolls, biscuit, chocolate o
cigars. The particularly ragged might b'
seen carrying some article of clothing jus
received, or a glimpse might be caught o
the grateful look of joy, more than rewar.
to the giver, as some poor fellow Will VI,
torn feet got pair Of warm socks. I'M
poorest women came ous WIN osoauiAo'
cans of tea and coffee, and almost ever.
house was ready with soup.
There is also much to the credit OF tn
men. They had all, tired as they were
brought in their blankets, knapsacks ant
other kit. None asked for anything; wha
was offered they took, eagerly, but nc
greedily. ! never saw man try to &c
more than one cigar or roll, though in tn
press and hurry it would have been cas-
for him to snatch several 1t was also re
markable that, as a rule, none would TAX
till actually held out to him individual,
One case was especially sad. A fine legllol
of volunteers had begun campaign fu
of hope on the 9TH of January-all sell
supporting men, on the 7th OF feofuar
they were beggars in the streets OF LAT
same. Since their arrival these trool
have been very quiet and we'll behaved
and have shown themselves deeply col
scious of the kindness they have receive
The churches have been cleared and stra
laid down for their reception. During Il
day those who are well roam about at lare
but inside lay many sick and maine
French linen and flannel and socks a
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