The Campaign of Sedan

The Campaign of Sedan is subtitled The Downfall of the Second Empire, August-September 1870. A quoted exchange has M. de Moustier saying to Herr von Bismarck during the Crimean War, "The policy of your Government will bring you to Jena," and the prompt and prophetic reply being "Why not to Waterloo?" The text says that rain had fallen heavily, and consequently the Moselle rose, flowed over the trestle bridges, damaged the rafts, disconnected the pontoons with the banks, and spread far and wide over the approaches.

The text places the Corps in position between forts Queleu and St. Julien, with Frossard on the right, Decaen in the centre and De Ladmirault on the left. The text lists the Baden Division under Lieut.-Gen. von Beyer and gives its strength as 13 battalions, 13,000 men, 12 squadrons, 1,800 horses, 9 batteries, 54 guns and 1 Pioneer company. The text says the Crown Prince rode up to the front and took command, having ridden out from Soultz at noon because he plainly heard the sounds of conflict.