The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-10-13

IT WAS in the coy smoking-room of
a prominent New York club that
the following story was related. Sew
eral guests were sharing the clubs hos
pitalities, and among them was a GER
tain Capt. Lambert, an officer in the
United States service who had won
laurels in western campaigns.
The conversation had turned on the
part taken by the compte de Paris in
our late rebellion-his motives in at
taching himself to the army of the
Potomac, his participation in camp
duties, and the personal enthusiasm
which he displayed in all his actions.
Some 80 years ago said Capt. Lam
bert, taking advantage of a pause in
the discussion, 81 was in position eX-
actly reverse to that of the count. |
was attached to the staff of Marshal
Cauvilliers during the FrancO-Prus-
sian war. Less fortunate than the
the enemy, and narrowly missed leav-
ing my bones on French soil.
During the summer of 1870, Lieut.
Carol and myself travelled extensively
on the continent inspecting as far as
possible the military systems employed
by various European governments. In
Berlin | had the misfortune to become
involved in quarrel with a German
ofticer-a naughty young fellow by
whom I was grossly insulted. made
complaint at the proper place, and
Steinmetz-that was his name-was
reprimanded severely as I afterward
ascertained.
THE outbreak f the war, which was
like thunderbolt from clear sky to
all EurOpe-fOund us in Paris. Here
was an opportunity not to be despised
We fully realized the advantage of wit
Messing in person a struggle between
two such mighty powers as France and
Germany, and, after infinite trouble
and intercession, we were finally as
signed to the staff of Marshal Cauvil-
Tiers, mainly through the kindness Of
the American minister at Paris.
THE history of that brief but disas-
trous campaign is familiar to you all.
Carol and were treated with every
courtesy and respect, but were given
little opportunity to Sc what was going
on until the battle of Mars-la-Tour.
Then, during the excitement of the
next few days, we had our hands full,
and both Carol and myself were util-
lied as dispatch bearers.
''For night and a day we lived in our
saddles, without sleep and almost with
out food. On the evening preceding
the battle at GraveIotte we found our
selves in small village, midway be-
tween Gravelotte and Metz. Thor
"oughly exhausted, We were glad to lie
down in an empty forage wagon for
few hours sleep.
But alas! even this brief rest was
denied us. We had hardly closed our
eyes, when harsh voice called out our
names close at hand, and crawling to
the ground we found two officers be-
longing to Marshal Cauviliers' staff,
who had been vainly searching for us
all that afternoon. Their instructions
were to bring us pOste haste to the
headquarters of the Third army corps.
Hurry and excitement were visible
on all sides as we rode through the
devastated country. Guns. ammuni-
tlon, forage wagons, and all sorts of
camp paraphernalia were being moved
to the front, and the troops had been
changing their positions so frequently
that for time we could obtain no in
formation concerning Marshall Cauvil-
Hers headquarters.
eve vaguely supposed them to be
some place on the right flank of the
army, and so we rode on through the
might, past the long battle line that
was already in position for the coming
struggle, As l found out long after
ward, the Third army corps was really
on the left flank, but in blissful ignor-
ance of this fact we pushed ahead un-
til my companion began to grow I'M
easy.
Suddenly a battery that was sta
toned on a hilltop to our right opened
fire vociferously, and we heard the dull
reply of the German guns. I was rid
ing slightly in advance of my compan-
ions, and as my gallant black charger
galloped over the hilltop I saw at the
foot of the long slope a few scattered
campfres.
Wonder lies the Third army corps
Il mistake not exclaimed Lieut.. Val
dor, gladly, and he pointed ahead with
his right hand.
"The battery kept pounding away as
we trotted brislkly down the hill Then
we reached level ground and spurred
on toward the cleaning campfres.
4 fear we have blundered,' said Car
rol, urging his horse to my side; this
certainly does not seem to be
'He never finished the sentence, for
that very instant half dozen rifles
cracked sharply, and a lurid fash
blazed athwart the darkness. My horse
sank down in a heap. flinging me
head first to the ground, and I stag
gered to my feet, stunned and dizzy,
to find myself surrounded by half a
score of Prussian Uhlans. We had
dashed right into the enemy's picket
line.
"Carrol was also a prisoner. and
lieut.. Valdor was lying dead beside
the BODY &c his horse. The other
French officer had evidently made his
eScaDe for | could hear the tramn