instantly deployed, to cover the advance
of those who followed: but the precaution seemed needless; for, except
at the extreme left, where we heard the firing before, the Prussian army
never moved a man, nor showed any disposition to attack.

It was now nine o'clock; the sky clear and cloudless, and a bright
autumnal day permitted the eye to range for miles on every side. The
Prussian army, but forty thousand strong, was drawn up in the form of
an arch, presenting the convexity to our front; while our troops, ninety
thousand in number, overlapped them on either flank, and extended far
beyond them.

The battle began by the advance of the French columns and the retreat
of the enemy,--both movements being accomplished without a shot being
fired, and the whole seeming the manoeuvres of a field-day.

At length, as the Prussians took up the position they intended to
hold, their guns were seen moving to the front; squadrons of cavalry
disengaged themselves from behind the infantry masses; and then a
tremendous tire opened from the whole line. Our troops advanced _en
tirailleurs_,--that is, whole regiments thrown out in skirmishing
order,--which, when pressed, fell back, and permitted the columns to
appear.

The division to which I found myself attached received orders to move
obliquely across the plain, in the direction of some cottages, which I
soon heard was the village of Vierzehn Heiligen, and the centre of the
Prussian position. A galling fire of artillery played upon the column
as it went; and before we accomplished half the distance, our loss was
considerable. More than once, too, the cry of "cavalry!" was heard; and
quick as the warning itself, we were thrown into square, to receive the
impetuous horsemen, who came madly on to the charge. Ney himself stood
in the squares, animating the men by his presence, and cheering them at
every volley they poured in.

"Yonder, men! yonder is the centre of their position," said he, pointing
to the village, which now bristled with armed men, several guns upon
a height beyond it commanding the approach, and a cloud of cavalry
hovering near, to pounce down upon those who might be daring enough to
assail it. A wild cheer answered his words: both general and soldiers
understood each other well.

In two columns of attack the division was formed; and then the word
"Forward!" was given. "Orderly time, men!" said General Dorsenne, who
commanded that with which I was; and, obedient to