ed the village itself. Different
bodies of infantry and cavalry were disposed wherever shelter presented
itself, and ready for the command to move forward. The approach to the
bridge was by a wide road, which lay for some distance along the river
bank; and this was deeply channelled by the enemy's artillery, which,
stationed on and above the bridge, seemed to defy any attempt to
advance.

Never, indeed, did an enterprise seem more full of danger. Every house
which looked on the bridge was crenelated for small-arms, and garrisoned
by sharpshooters,--the fierce Jager of Germany, whose rifles are the
boast of the Vaterland. Cannon bristled along the heights; their wide
mouths pointed to that devoted spot, already the grave of hundreds.
Withdrawn under cover of a steep hill, my regiment was halted, with two
other heavy cavalry corps, awaiting orders; and from the crest of the
ridge I could observe the first movements of the fight.

As usual, a fierce cannonade was opened from either side; which,
directed mainly against the artillery itself, merely resulted in
dismantling a stray battery here and there, without further damage. At
last the hoarse roll of a drum was heard, and the head of an infantry
column was seen advancing up the road. They passed beneath a rock on
which a little group of officers were standing, and as they went a cheer
of "Vive l'Empereur!" broke from them. I strained my eyes towards
the place, for now I knew the Emperor himself was there. I could
not, however, detect him in the crowd, who all waved their hats in
encouragement to the troops.

On they went, descending a steep declivity of the highroad to the
bridge. Suddenly the cannonade redoubles from the side of the enemy;
the shot whistles through the air, while ten thousand muskets peal forth
together. I rivet my eyes to watch the column. But what is my horror to
perceive that none appear upon the ridge! The masses move up; they
mount the ascent; they disappear behind it; and then are lost to sight
forever. Not one escapes the dreadful havoc of the guns, which from a
distance of less than two hundred yards enfilades the bridge.

But still they moved up. I could hear, from where i lay, the commands
of the officers, as they gave the word to their companies: no fear nor
hesitation,--there they went to death; in less than fifteen minutes
twelve hundred fell, dead or wounded. And at last the signal to fall
back was given, and the shattered fragment of a