y recounting
the several experiences of the campaign as it fell under their eyes in
different quarters. From none, however, could I learn any tidings of
Minette; for though known to many there, the detachment she had joined
had taken a southerly direction, and was not crossed by any of the
others on their march. The General d'Auvergne, I heard, was with the
headquarters of the Emperor, then established at the monastery of Molk,
on the Danube.

On the evening of the 13th of November we arrived at Lintz, the
capital of Upper Austria, but at the time I speak of one vast barrack.
Thirty-eight thousand troops of all arms were within its walls; not
subject to the rigid discipline and regular command of a garrison town,
but bivouacking in the open streets and squares. Tables were spread in
the thoroughfares, at which the divisions as they arrived took their
places, and after refreshing themselves, moved on to make way for
others. The great churches were strewn with forage, and filled with the
horses of the cavalry; there might be seen the lumbering steeds of
the cuirassier, eating their corn from the richly-carved box of a
confessional; here lay the travel-stained figure of a dragoon, stretched
asleep across the steps of the altar. The little chapelries, where
the foot of the penitent awoke no echo as it passed, now rung with the
coarse jest and reckless ribaldry of the soldiers; parties caroused
in the little sacristies; and the rude chorus of a drinking song now
vibrated through the groined roof where only the sacred notes of
the organ had been heard to peal. The Hotel de Ville was the
quartier-general, where the generals of divisions were assembled, and
from which the orderlies rode forth at every moment with despatches. The
one cry, "Forward!" was heard everywhere. They who before had claimed
leave for slight wounds or illness, were now seen among their comrades
with bandaged arms and patched faces, eager to press on. Many whose
regiments were in advance became incorporated for the time with other
corps; and dismounted dragoons were often to be met with, marching with
the infantry and mounting guard in turn. Everything bespoke haste. The
regiments which arrived at night frequently moved off before day broke.
The cavalry often were provided with fresh horses to press forward,
leaving their own for the corps that were to follow. A great flotilla,
provided with all the necessaries for an army on the march, moved
along the Da