With an Ambulance During the Franco-German War: Personal Experiences and Adventures with Both Armies, 1870-1871Ryan, Charles Edward
History
With an Ambulance During the Franco-German War: Personal Experiences and Adventures with Both Armies, 1870-1871
Ryan, Charles Edward
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871 -- Civilian relief
Early in the afternoon, during the entry of the French divisions, no
less amusement than bustle was created at our quarters on the Quai du
Châtelet, by our Turco Jean rushing wildly up the town, in his white
apron and cap, with a rifle in his hand, to meet the regiment of his
fellow-Turcos, which, as some one had told him, was among the arrivals.
He went as on wings to the Place Martroi, and finding that such was
indeed the case, threw himself into the embraces of his companions.
These were also in a fever of excitement. They crowded round the statue
of Joan of Arc, and waving turbans on the points of their bayonets,
yelled as loudly as their throats would suffer them: "Vive l'Empereur! A
bas la République!" Had they been natives they might have been shot for
sedition. In this little episode Jean cut the most ludicrous figure,
entering into the demonstration heart and soul; for like every Turco, he
dearly loved his Imperial master. Even now, when all was over, the Turco
was still his devotedly attached friend, and scorned to conceal his
loyalty towards the man for whom he had fought with such valour and
desperation. It may perhaps be asked whether to introduce these Algerian
barbarians into civilised warfare was not as great a crime as the
employment, during the last century, of Red Indians by the English and
French in North America. Their appearance at the statue of the Maid was
certainly in a high degree picturesque.
I am, of course, incapable of describing the varied scenes of excitement
which greeted the soldiers on every side. How long would such an army
keep its hold on Orleans, I asked myself as I moved about, bewildered by
the seething crowds. Not long, it seemed to me. When later in the day,
every café was crowded with soldiers, they appeared to be feasting
freely in order to make up for past short commons. All seemed
thoughtless, gay, and oblivious of danger. Nor did they care one jot,
apparently, what had become of the Germans. Truly, these French are an
astonishing people!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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