[12] Presided over by the renegade Emile Ollivier, who declared war with 'a light heart.'—Trans.
[13] Formed by the mendacious Count de Palikao.—Trans.
[14] A nickname given to Rouher on account of the large share of authority he exercised during many years of the Empire.—Trans.
[15] The Guides were a regiment of light cavalry wearing a hussar style of uniform, but armed with carbines as well as sabres. The Cent-Gardes were the imperial bodyguard, picked men of the heavy cavalry, 100 strong as their name implied.—Trans.
[16] Abel, not Félix Douay.—Trans.
[17] The Germans brought about 40,000 men into action to overcome these 5,000 Frenchmen.—Trans.
[18] The Chasseurs d'Afrique thus designate their squads, in imitation of the Arabs.—Trans.
[19] On August 11 the Emperor left Metz, Bazaine's army commenced its retreat, and an indecisive action took place at Courcelles and Pange; on the 16th Prince Frederick Charles attacked Bazaine at Mars-la-Tour, and stopped his retreat; and on the 18th the French were again attacked at Gravelotte, and, after nine hours' fighting, driven back towards Metz.—Trans.
[20] The mendacious War Minister, Count de Palikao, had the effrontery to assert before the Corps Législatif that this engagement had really taken place, whereas it had no existence, save in the imagination of some unscrupulous French journalist.—Trans.
[21] The marching powers of the German infantry are well known. Before a Prussian recruit is entered in a foot regiment he is carefully examined in order to see whether his feet will bear the strain of long marches, and the greatest attention is paid to the fit of the excellent boots with which he is provided. In war time, moreover, whenever practicable, the knapsacks are conveyed in a cart attached to each company, in order to facilitate rapid motion. Such care is sure to reap its reward.—Trans.