La Compagnie Irlandaise; Reminiscences of the Franco-german War

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1873. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 224 lating that to man alone is left a power of endurance which the beasts of the field could scarcely endure. But we had four hard days on that desperate retreat--days of famine, of cold, of hunger, and of danger; from early dawn until long after dark, it was a trial of speed, and then but little repose could be found on the slimy soil, torn up with thousands of horses and waggons, and the tramp of tens of thousands of men. Everywhere we had to sleep was converted into an ocean of mud; and yet men will live on, except here and there scattered amongst the regiments, some unfortunate ends his career by sending a bullet through his distracted brain. But the retreat continued through Roulens and Baume-les-Dames, and on the fourth day our advance guard was working through a defile in the Vosges, about eight miles from Besancon, and just beside the little village of Busy, when the astonished soldiers were stopped by the German challenge "Wer-da-ish f sounding upon their ears. We were surrounded! I think that was on the 23rd of January, and I well remember how indifferently the troops accepted the challenge, as most would rather fight than march any further. On that day we had been on foot from six in the morning until nine in the evening, marching at a break-neck pace, and it was without exception the most harrassing day we had spent in France. "We are in for it again, captain," said Sergeant Carey, coming and standing by my side, his iron frame, of all the men of La Compagnie Irlandaise, presenting the least trace of the misery he had endured. "And I am glad of it," he continued, "this retreating makes a man hungry, and I should like to exchange haversacks and boots with some of these friendly Germans before us." Carey's boots were indeed a study in their way. Origi...