The contrast, which this war exhibited, between the French and German methods of making and using an Army is so violent, that it becomes painful, and imparts an air of one-sidedness to the narrative. But the facts must be stated, although the bare statement suggests partiality in the narrator. I have, nevertheless, tried to be impartial, and in doing my best, I have found it impossible to read the abounding evidence of Imperial neglect, rashness and indecision, without feeling pity for the soldiers and the nation which had to bear the penalties. The French Army has been remodelled and increased enormously; the secular quarrel between Germany and France is still open; and some day it may be seen whether the Republicans, out of the same materials, have been able to create an Army such as the Imperialists failed to produce. Whether they have succeeded or not, it may be fervently hoped that the deep impression which the examples of thoroughness, revealed by the wars of 1866 and 1870, made on our own country will never be effaced; and that the public will insist that our small Army, in every part, shall be as good as that which crossed the French frontier in 1870, and triumphed in the Campaign of Sedan. KENSINGTON, _April 6th, 1887_. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER I. THE CAUSES OF THE WAR. French Demands for the Rhine—Luxemburg—An Interlude of Peace—The Salzburg Interview—The Emperor seeks Allies—The Hohenzollern Candidature—The French Government and the Chamber 17 CHAPTER II. THE GATHERING OF THE HOSTS. German Mobilization—French Mobilization—War Methods Contrasted 56 CHAPTER III. STAGE THUNDER. The Combat at Saarbrück—Preparing to go Forward—Positions on August 4—The Moral and Political Forces 72 CHAPTER IV. INVASION IN EARNEST. The Combat on the Lauter—French Position on the Saar—German Position on the Saar 84 CHAPTER V. TWO STAGGERING BLOWS. 1. Woerth—The Battle Begins—Attack on Woerth—Attack on the French Right—Attack on Elsasshausen—MacMahon Orders a Retreat—The Close of the Battle. 2. Spicheren—The Battle-field—The Germans Begin the Fight—The Red Hill Stormed—Progress of the Action—Frossard Retires 96 CHAPTER VI. VACILLATION IN METZ. The Emperor Resigns his Command—The German Advance—The German Cavalry at Work—The Germans March on the Moselle 131