I. “The First Corps still occupies the heights in a straight line about seven kilometres long; the plateau is covered with vineyards. Two small rivers are in front of us; the Vosges are behind us; the right flank pivots on Morsbronn, the left on Neehwiller; the centre covers Wörth. We have had forty-eight hours’ heavy rain.”
Jarras. “Where are the Germans?”
I. “Precise information not obtainable at headquarters of the First Corps.”
Jarras. “Does the Marshal not know where the Germans are?” 5
I. “Marshal MacMahon does not know definitely.”
Jarras. “Does the Marshal not employ his cavalry? Where are they?”
I. “Septeuil’s cavalry of the second division lie between Elsasshausen and the Grosserwald; Michel’s brigade of heavy cavalry camps at Eberbach; the second division of cavalry of the reserve, General Vicomte de Bonnemain, should arrive to-night and go into bivouac between Reichshofen and the Grosserwald.”
There was a long pause; I lighted a cigar and waited. After a while the instrument began again:
Jarras. “The Empress desires to know where the château called La Trappe is.”
I. “La Trappe is about four kilometres from Morsbronn, near the hamlet of Trois-Feuilles.”