Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-12-07
49, VI q N-Nl<FEESsfxtHty'V!
AT THE HISTORIC CASTLE
OF BLOIS.

Near mere, and easily and quickly
accessible from the camp, stands the
historic old Castle Of Blois, perhaps
the most famous chateau In France,
which although erected in the thir-
tcenth century. IL still in q marvellous
state OF preservation. This old cas-
tie has n tragic history. Hero Louis
Of Orleans was assassinated in 1907,
Louis XII was born, tho Duke dc
Guise and his brother, the Cardinal
Of Lorraine, were murdered at the
order Of Henri tho Third. Here
Henri III himself was assassinated,
and here Catherine de Modici reigned
poisoned her many noblemcn and
noblcwomcn, who became victims of
her displeasure, and here she died.
AS one roams through the CORR
doris. royal bed chambers, libraries,
counsel and throne and ball rooms
of this historical old chateau, still
rich in its original decorations and
settings, the royal ghosts Of tho hoary
past seem to pass in review before
YOU. This old chateau, at divers
times. was occupied by every ono of
frances rcirning kings and queens
down to Napoleon.
TO whatever point tho many Off
Gers ordered here for rcclasSiiSation
or rccupcration, may DO sent. they
seem to find much satisfaction in
having the unusual opportunity of
visiting and roaming through the old
historical Castle of Blois, which has
dCICd six centuries to shattcr or
decay it. And the sleepy, historical
town that lies below and around the
Castle of BlOiS, with its incomnar-
able architecture, its massive walls,
n,,I t,,tn Il 4 to,
which the present day, with all Of
civiliZation's progress, cannot equal,
unfolds to our colorcd soldiers so
much of the past as to, at least par
TALLY, compensate them for having
ordered to this casualty camp located
nearby, where seven real live gener-
ais, a score or moro of colonies and
lieutenant colonies and majors and
captains and lieutcnants too numer-
Gus to be mentioned, some Of them
coiorcd, anNiously await further or
ders. Quite complacently, and UNI
murmuringly, they are doing the
'watchful waiting" stunt.
Colored officers awaiting reclassi-
lication form less than two per cent
of the total number OF this casualty
camp, and only, perhaps, about one
per cent. of the total number Of
commissioned colored officers in the
army. This ia quito tribute to the
efficiency Of colored officers. But who
would not complacently and unmur-
muringly wait where much of
Frances long past history was made?
Here Victor Hugo once lived, and
here he wrote the first chapters Of
his IMMORTAL LES MiBerables;" near
here still stand the castles Of Car
dinal Amboise and the Duke Of Eper
non; the Church Of Saint Vanbuilt-
cent, erected in 1920; and In which
are the tombs of CASTOR Of Orleans
and Mademoiselle do Montpensier;
the Church OF Saint Laumrt, built
in the thirteenth century, and the old
College of Augustine Thierry.
Our colored officers at this casualty
camp, while they dine and sip their
Bordeaux wine OF a vintage old, but
which contains not the least SEM
blance of "kick," discuss French
history Of the past, much Of which
was written in blood, that was made
in and about the old Castle Of Blois.
Up to date, the most delightful
hours l have spent in France we're
spent in this casualty camp, COM
panioned by the colored officers be
fore mentioned, many Of whom I
knew personally, roaming back
through the days made forever his
toric by the Castle Of Blois. At the
present time, there rests in this old
castle a number of treasured old
paintings, brought here for safe keep
ing--to save their being destroyed
by the hands of the impious Hun.