Germany's "Six Hundred."

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 61

Germany's "Six Hundred."

Tho Germans have a story to match the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava— and equally magnificent. Here it is, told on the authority of the Russian officer who carried tho order to Colonel Auerswald, at the fight of Mars-la-Tour. It became necessary to save the army at any sacrifice by gaining time for more troops to come up. The general in command sent orders to two cavalry regiments to advance; they were the crack regiments of the Prussian service. The staff officer rode up to Auerswald, the senior of the two commanders, and told him to advance against the French.

"You are not serious," was the reply— " you do not mean me to attack the whole Fiench army?" "I am serious; I bring^ou positive orders to do so."

Auerswald. bowed, raid ' sending for tUo young Prince of Hohenzollern, who was cue of his officers, ordered him immediately 10 ride off the field.

The young man said : " I have done nothing to deserve this," and burst into tea's. Av.ere-.vald replied: " Your family ha 3 suffered quits enough. I order you as a soldier to do your duty,' and obey youv commanding officer."

He then directed his men to advance, first at a, foot's pace, then at a trot, then at agallop. They did so, and were almost all destroyed. When the survivors had broken through the French, Auerswald ordered the bugles to sound the assembly. Slowly some 67 were mustered.

"Soldiers," he said, "I thank you:_ you have done your duty. Long live the king!" and fell from his horse, mortally wounded.

Auerswald recovered consciousness, but died the next day. About 300 only of the two regiments remained alive; but the army was saved.