The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-02-18
WITH THE PRUSSIANS.
Scene After n Fight.
From all the Year Round.

IL WAS DTlSub octODeT udY, uO C1ouu
obscured the clear blue sky, and Yer
sailles looked her best as she basked in
the sun To be sure, the black and
white flag of Germany foated over
head, and a park of Prussian field ar
tillery filled the Place d 'Armes but the
good people OF Versailles had long
been accustomed to such sights, and
although many a mournful look was
cast at the sombre flag, and many a
sigh was given for the time when the
gay tri-color should once more take its
proper place, the good townspeople
knew their interests too well to show
any signs Of hostility to the foreigners.
1t was past noon, and the grandees of
the German army, after lunching at
the Hotel des Reservoirs, were tran
gully enjoying their cigars. Prince
Hohenzollern had mounted his black
charger; the Prince of Wurtemburg
stood beside his spotless snow-white
Arab, buttoning his glove preparatory
to a start the very wind seemed to
pause and listen.
The frightful roar of a heavy gun
broke the spell. At the first discharge
[ held my breath. The little butcher
boy with his basket stood suddenly
still, and, with head forward, in an at
titude of the utmost attention, listened
Young ladies, starting for walk in the
palace gardens, stood irresolute as to
whether they should proceed. Their
minds were soon made up, however. as
the heavy "boom, BOOM broke the
tranquility again and again, while little
white clouds, marking the descent of
bursting shells hoated away over the
trees. Hank ! what is that distant
trumpet note2 1t comes nearer, the
bugler stops exactly opposite me, and
putting the brass trumpet to his lips,
blows the warning note of danger A
minutes pause, then his message seem
ed to work like electricity The grandees
threw away their choice cigars, buckled
their long swords tightly round their
waists; some returned to the reservoirs
to drink a last stlrrup-cup others
mounted their steeds, and darted off to
head their regiments a few stood still,
to listen to the heavy thuds of the
great gums from Fort Valerien, or to
grasp some friends hand preparatory
to a parting which, perhaps, would be
for ever
The Place d'Armes was instantly
alive with a swarming mass Soldiers
poured into it from all sides. Each
man knew where his division, his regi-
ment, his company stood; there was
no noise, no confusion. Each man was
IN his place, not one seemed missing
Elk bayonets :" "'March !" And the
serried ranks of mighty Prussia, with
their helmets, bayonets and shining ac-
coutrements glistening In the suns
RAYS, their standards unrolled and their
drums beating the advance, marched
with firm step, to meet, in many cases,
an agonizing death. There was no
fiinching, no bravado; each seemed i'm
pressed with the sort of work he had to
do, and seemed to have made up his
mind to it; the frightened lip and the
fixed eye were all that told their reso-
luton. The townspeople shud-
dsred as they passed; and many
fair French girl turned pale as
she, no doubt, thought of Francois,
who had only left her side three months
ago, and would now have to meet these
dreaded I" Prussians." Then came the
field artillery. Each gun followed by
its eight artillerymen, six sturdy horses
trotted the cannon along; then rode
by the cavalry, the dreaded Uhlans in
the van, and following in their wake
the dashlng dragons and the ponder
Gus cuirassiers. One splendid looking
landwehr officer caught my eye as he
passed. | had often noticed him be-
fore he had a face on which calm
courage was indelibly stamped, and his
form was herculeap. To-day his bright
glance was, for some reason, dirnmed
by sorrow / know not what emotion
brought it there / felt drawn to him
irresistibly. | followed him with my
eyes till his black helmet had faded in
the distance
THE BATTLE.
The town cleared rapidly of troops;
only guard was left at the palace, and
a few plckets piled their long needle
guns before the gates of the town
There was buzz in the crowd which
lines the St. German road, which
hushed suddenly at the sight of small
cavalcade of Uhlans On they came,
with lances erect, their little black and
white pennons tiuttering in the breeze
then appeared large open chaise
drawn by four horses The King and
General Mcltke were inside, grave and
engaged in earnest conversation; they
scarcely noticed passing salutes. Fol
lowing the carriage came the Kings
staff, composed of officers dressed in all
the varied costumes of the great army.
Next rode the grooms, each leading an
extra horse, and a squadron of Uhlans
brought up the rear. Again the crowd
became excited, and as the sound of bat
tie seemed approaching, cries of "Vivela
France" and ga bas les Prussiens,
echoed through the streets and
avenues, but again the storm lulied.
as another body of horsemen APP
peared over the brow of the hill 1t
was the Crown Prince and his staff
They rode quickly by. | followed, as
Two of the officers were friends of mine,
and beckoned me to accompany them.
We galloped to spot whence we could
see the battle spread out like map.
Massed on the slope of Mont Nalerien
stood large body OF twelve thousand
FrenchS They stood Immediately I'M
der the guns of the fort and were flank
ed on their left by two or three compact
but smaller clumps of troops. In front
of these, at the bottom of the green
slope, in southwesterly direction, the
French attacked with great spirit the
line regiments of the ninth and tenth
Prussian divisions. The Prussian out
,nI oJ,anoa ,ancfc Iuara driven IN