d to break our squares. They turned and
fled down the hill-side, and we were loading our guns to kill every man
of them, when their pieces again opened fire, and we heard a great
noise on our right. It was their cavalry charging under cover of their
fire. I could not see the fight, for it was at the other end of the
division, but their heavy guns swept us off by dozens as we stood
inactive. General Chemineau had his thigh broken; we could not hold
out much longer when the order was given to retreat, which we did with
a pleasure easily understood!

We retired to Gross-Gorschen, pursued by the Prussians, both sides
maintaining a constant fire. The two thousand men in the village
checked the enemy while we ascended the opposite slope to gain
Klein-Gorschen. But the Prussian cavalry came on once more to cut off
our retreat and keep us under the fire of their artillery. Then my
blood boiled with anger, and I heard Zebede cry, "Let us fight our way
to the top rather than remain here!"

To do this was fearfully dangerous, for their regiments of hussars and
chasseurs advanced in good order to charge. Still we kept retreating,
when a voice on the top of the ridge cried: "Halt!" and at the same
moment the hussars, who were already rushing down upon us, received a
terrific discharge of case and grape-shot, which swept them down by
hundreds. It was Girard's division, who had come to our assistance
from Ivlein-Gorschen and had placed sixteen pieces in position to open
upon them. The hussars fled faster than they came, and the six squares
of Girard's division united with ours at Klein-Gorschen, to check the
Prussian infantry, which still continued to advance, the three first
columns in front and three others, equally strong, supporting them.

We had lost Gross-Gorschen, but now, between Ivlein-Gorschen and Rahna
the battle raged more fiercely than ever.

I thought now of nothing but vengeance. I was wild with excitement and
wrath against those who sought to kill me. I felt a sort of hatred
against those Prussians whose shouts and insolent manner disgusted me.
I was, nevertheless, very glad to see Zebede near me yet, and as we
stood awaiting new attacks, with our arms resting on the ground, I
pressed his hand.

"We have escaped narrowly enough," said he. "God grant the Emperor may
soon arrive, and with cannon, for they are twenty times stronger than
we."

He no longer spoke of winning the cross.

I looked around