[16] Erroneous geography. Meersburg, the town to which the ferry from Constance ran, is still in Baden.
[17] Probably Fischbach in Würtemberg, seven miles east of Meersburg. O’Brien must have eluded the frontier guard without knowing it.
[18] This would be Nonnenhorn, four miles west of Lindau, on the lake-shore.
[19] But before I quitted the commandant’s presence, I took the liberty of assuring him, that even if I was sent back to France, I felt confident that, by the blessing of God, I should again effect my escape, and in which case I would write and inform him of my success. This I eventually did from Trieste. I recollect relating this anecdote to Lord Collingwood at his table on board the Ocean, his flag-ship, off Toulon, and at which he appeared highly pleased.
[20] Evidently a slip for Munich, to which the application would be forwarded. Ulm is in Würtemberg, not in Bavaria.
[21] This was probably the town of Stockach.
[22] This small town had suffered greatly by fire, and had been lately entirely new built. It is situated on the Danube, thirty-three miles N.W. of Constance.
[23] This is the person I alluded to as an exception, with the kind gaoler at Arras, to all others that I met with in France.
[24] In the Franco-German war of 1870-71 Bitche was still so strong, even against modern artillery, that it maintained itself long after Strasburg, Metz, and all the other eastern fortresses had fallen, and was, along with Belfort, the only place where a really lengthy and obstinate defence was made.
[25] For a full text of the proceedings of this court-martial, the reader may consult Mr. Ashworth’s account of his adventures, published in Nos. 28, 31, 33 of the Naval Chronicle.