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LESSON SET 2

Introduction to the C++

Programming Language
OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENT
Lesson 2A:

1. To learn the basic components of a C++ program

2. To gain a basic knowledge of how memory is used in programming
3. To understand the basic data types:
a. Integer
b. Character
c. Float
d. Boolean
e. String (the string class is treated as a data type here)
4. To introduce the five fundamental instructions and to use the assign and
output statements

Lesson 2B:

5. To develop a small program using simple C++ instructions

6. To work with characters and strings

ASSUMPTIONS
Lesson 2A:

1. Students have a basic knowledge of the programming environment. They can open, edit,
compile and run simple programs.

Lesson 2B:

1. Students are familiar with the output and assignment statements in C++
2. Students are familiar with the general basic outline of a C++ program so
that they can generate a simple program
3. Students are familiar with the basic data types including character and string (class treated
as a data type )

PRE-LAB WRITING ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS

1. constant
2. Integer
3. Real or Floating point
 4. Modulus or mod
5. output
6. Boolean
7. 8
8. comment
9. variable
10. string

LAB ASSIGNMENTS

Lesson 2A:

Lab 2.1: Working with the cout statement.

Lab 2.2: Working with constants, variables and arithmetic operators

Lesson 2B:

Lab 2.3: Rectangle area and perimeter

Lab 2.4 Working with characters and Strings

LESSON 2A

LAB 2.1: Working with the cout Statement

This is a simple lab that works with the cout statement.

A solution is found in nameKey.cpp in the instructor’s folder for Lesson Set 2.

LAB 2.2: Working with Constants, Variables and Arithmetic Operators

This is a simple lab that continues to work with the cout statement and introduces
the assignment statement.

A solution is found in circleareaKey.cpp in the instructor’s folder for Lesson Set 2.

LESSON 2B
LAB 2.3: Rectangle Area and Perimeter

Although Lab 2.3 asks students to create a program from scratch, it is not labeled
as optional since it is so similar to Lab 2.2 that most students should not find it
too difficult.

A solution is found in rectangleKey.cpp in the instructor’s folder for Lesson Set 2.

LAB 2.3: Working with characters and Strings

This lab introduces characters and the string class which is treated as a data type. The distinction of
the string class from true data types is not explained until the student is introduced to arrays of
characters later in the manual.
A solution is found in stringcharKey.cpp in the instructor’s folder for Lesson Set 2.

Possible solutions to all labs are given in the instructor’s folder for Lesson Set 2.
Answers to Review Questions
Chapter 2

1. 1, 2, 3
2. double temp, weight, age;
3. int months = 2, days, years = 3;
4. A) b = a + 2;
B) a = b * 4;
C) b = a / 3.14;
D) a = b - 8;
E) a = 27;
F) c = 'K';
G) c = 66;
5. Multi-line comment
6. Single line comment
7. #include <iostream>
int main()
{
cout << "Two mandolins like creatures in the\n\n\n";
cout << "dark\n\n\n";
cout << "Creating the agony of ecstasy.\n\n\n";
cout << " - George Barker\n\n\n";
return 0;
}

8. A) 0
100
B) 8
2
C) I am the incrediblecomputing
machine
and I will
amaze
you.
D) Be careful
This might/n be a trick question
E) 23
1
9. C
10. C
11. B
12. A
13. B
14. A
15. B, C
16. B, C, D
17. A) 12 B) 4 C) 2 D) 6 E) 1

Starting Out with C++: From Control Structures through Objects, 8/e ©2015 Pearson Education
18. A) 3.287E6 B) -978.65E12 C) 7.65491E-3 D)-58710.23E-4
19. A
20. C
21. A
22. true
23. false
24. true
25. true
26. false

27. int speed, time, distance;

speed = 20;
time = 10;
distance = speed * time;
cout << distance << endl;

28. double force, area, pressure;

force = 172.5;
area = 27.5;
pressure = force / area;
cout << pressure << endl;

29. The C-style comments symbols are backwards.

iostream should be enclosed in angle brackets.
There shouldn’t be a semicolon after int main.
The opening and closing braces of function main are reversed.
There should be a semicolon after int a, b, c.
The comment \\ Three integers should read // Three integers.
There should be a semicolon at the end of the following lines:
a = 3
b = 4
c = a + b
cout begins with a capital letter.
The stream insertion operator (that appears twice in the cout statement) should
read << instead of <.
The cout statement uses the variable C instead of c.

Starting Out with C++: From Control Structures through Objects, 8/e ©2015 Pearson Education
 L E S S O N S E T

2 Introduction to the C++

Programming Language

PURPOSE 1. To briefly introduce the C++ programming language

2. To show the use of memory in programming
3. To introduce variables and named constants
4. To introduce various data types:
a. Integer
b. Character
c. Floating point
d. Boolean
e. String
5. To introduce the assignment and cout statements
6. To demonstrate the use of arithmetic operators

PROCEDURE 1. Students should read the Pre-lab Reading Assignment before coming to lab.
2. Students should complete the Pre-lab Writing Assignment before coming to lab.
3. In the lab, students should complete Labs 2.1 through 2.4 in sequence. Your
instructor will give further instructions as to grading and completion of the lab.

Approximate Check
completion Page when
Contents Prerequisites time number done
Pre-lab Reading Assignment 20 min. 14
Pre-lab Writing Assignment Pre-lab reading 10 min. 19
Lesson 2A
Lab 2.1
Working with the cout Pre-lab reading 20 min. 20
Statement
Lab 2.2
Working with Constants, Understanding of 30 min. 21
Variables, and Arithmetic variables and
Operators operators
continues

13
 14 LESSON SET 2 Introduction to the C++ Programming Language

Lesson 2B
Lab 2.3
Rectangle Area and Perimeter Understanding of 30 min. 22
basic components
of a program
Lab 2.4
Working with Characters Completion of 30 min. 22
and Strings labs 2.1–2.3

PRE-LAB READING ASSIGNMENT

The C++ Programming Language
Computer programming courses generally concentrate on program design that can
be applied to any number of programming languages on the market. It is imper-
ative, however, to apply that design to a particular language. This course uses C++,
a popular object-oriented language, for that purpose.
For now, we can think of a C++ program as consisting of two general divi-
sions: header and main. The header, or global section, gives preliminary
instructions to the compiler. It consists of comments that describe the purpose
of the program, as well as information on which library routines will be used by
the program.

// This program prints to the screen the words:

// PI = 3.14
// Radius = 4
// Circumference = 25.12

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

const double PI = 3.14;

int main()
{
float radius;
radius = 4.0;

cout << "PI = " << PI << endl;

cout << "Radius = " << radius << endl;
cout << "Circumference = " << 2 * PI * radius << endl;

return 0;
}

Everything in bold (everything above the int main() statement) is considered the
header or global section. Everything else is the main section.
 Pre-lab Reading Assignment 15

Comments are included in every program to document what a program

does and how it operates. These statements are ignored by the computer but are
most valuable to the programmers who must update or fix the program. In C++,
comments begin with // which is an indication to the compiler to ignore every-
thing from the // to the end of the line. Comments can also cross line boundaries
by beginning with /* and ending with */. Notice that the first three lines of the
previous program all begin with // and thus are comments. Those same lines could
also have been written as the following:
/* This program prints to the screen the words:
PI = 3.14
Radius = 4
Circumference = 25.12
*/
The next statement, the #include statement, indicates which library will be needed
by the program.
#include <iostream>

Recall from Lesson Set 1, that every program needs other modules attached so that
it may execute properly. Your instructor will generally tell you which libraries are
needed for each particular programming assignment; however, in time you will
learn this task for yourself.
Every C++ program has a main function which indicates the start of the
executable instructions. Every main must begin with a left brace { and end with
a right brace }. The statements inside those braces will be explained as we
progress through this lesson.

Memory
Memory storage is the collection of locations where instructions and data that are
used by the program are temporarily stored. Recall from Lesson Set 1 that a com-
puter only understands a sequence of 1s and 0s. These are binary digits or bits
(BInary digiTs). Eight of these brought together are called a byte, which is the
most common unit of storage. These chunks of memory can be thought of as hotel
mailboxes at the registration desk. The size of each of those boxes indicates the
type of mail that can be stored there. A very small mailbox can only hold notes
or postcards. Larger mailboxes can hold letters, while even larger ones can hold
packages. Each mailbox is identified by a number or name of an occupant. We
have identified two very important attributes of these mailboxes: the name or num-
ber, which indicates the mailbox that is being referenced, and the size, which indi-
cates what type of “data” can be placed there.

Example: postcards Jim is an indication that the mailbox called Jim can only hold
postcards, while the statement packages Mary indicates that the mailbox called
Mary can hold large packages. Memory locations in a computer are identified by
the same two attributes: data type and name.

Much of programming is getting data to and from memory locations and thus it
is imperative that the programmer tell the computer the name and data type of
each memory location that he or she intends to use. In the sample program the
statement float radius does just that. float is a data type that indicates what
kind of data can be stored and radius is the name for that particular memory
location.
 16 LESSON SET 2 Introduction to the C++ Programming Language
Variables and Constants
The ability to change or not change the data stored can be a third attribute of
these memory locations. Components of memory in which data values stored can
change during the execution of the program are called variables. These usually
should not be defined in the header or global section of the program. In our sam-
ple program, radius is defined in the main function. Components of memory in
which data values stored are initialized once and never changed during the exe-
cution of the program are called constants. They are often defined in the global
section and are preceded (in C++) by the word const. PI, in the sample program,
is an example of a named constant.

Identifiers in C++
Identifiers are used to name variables, constants and many other components of
a program. They consist exclusively of letters, digits and the underscore _ char-
acter. They cannot begin with a digit and cannot duplicate reserved words used
in C++ such as int or if. All characters in C++ are case sensitive; thus memory
locations called simple, Simple, and SIMPLE are three distinct locations. It has
become standard practice among programmers to make constants all uppercase
and variables predominantly lowercase characters.
The statement const double PI = 3.14; in our sample program is
contained in the global section. It defines a memory location called PI to be a
constant holding a double (a data type discussed shortly) value equal to 3.14
which will not change during the execution of the program.
The statement float radius; in the sample program is contained in the
main section. It defines a variable memory location called radius that holds a
float- ing point data type (type discussed shortly) which can be changed during the
exe- cution of the program.
Both of these statements are called definitions. They reserve by name
enough memory to hold the data type specified.
Variables, like constants, can be given an initial value when they are defined,
but that value is not permanent and can be altered. For example:
int count = 7; // Defines a variable memory location called count that
// initially has the value of 7
count = count + 1; // count is now altered

Data Types
As noted earlier, computer memory is composed of locations identified by a data
type and a name (like the room number of a hotel mailbox). The data type indi-
cates what kind of data can be stored, thus setting the size of that location.

Integer Data Type

Integers are real numbers that do not contain any fractional component. They take
up less memory than numbers with fractional components. C++ has three data
types that are integers: short, int and long. The difference is strictly in the
amount of memory (bytes) they reserve: short reserving the least and long
reserving the most. Larger integers may need the long data type.
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 Pre-lab Reading Assignment 17

The following three statements define integer variables in C++:

short count;
int sum;
long total;

Floating Point Data Type

In computer science 3 = 3.0 is not a true statement. The number on the left is an
integer and the number on the right is a real, or floating point, number (a number
that has a fractional component). Although mathematically the two are equal, the
computer stores them as different data types. C++ uses both float and double
to indicate floating point numbers, with double using more memory than float.
The following two statements define floating point variables in C++.
float average;
double nationaldebt;

Character Data Type

Character data includes the letters of the alphabet (upper and lower cases), the
digits 0–9 and special characters such as ! ? . , *. All these symbols combined are
called alphanumeric. Each character data is enclosed with single quotes to dis-
tinguish it from other data types. Thus '8' is different than 8. The first is a char-
acter while the second is an integer. The following statement defines a C++
character variable initialized to 'a'.
char letter = 'a';

Boolean Data Type

The Boolean data type, named after the mathematician George Boole, allows only
two values: true or false, which are internally represented as 0 and non-zero,
respectively. The following statement defines a Boolean variable initialized to false.
bool found = false;

String Type: A variable defined to be character data can store only one charac-
ter in its memory location, which is not very useful for storing names. The string
class has become part of standard C++ and, although not a primitive type defined
by the language, it can be used as a type for storing several characters in a mem-
ory location. We must “include” the string library (#include <string>) in the pro-
gram header. The following statement defines a string initialized to “Daniel”:
string name = "Daniel"; Note that a string is enclosed in double (not single)
quotes. Thus the string "a" is not the same as the character 'a'.

Assignment Operator
The = symbol in C++ is called the assignment operator and is read “is assigned
the value of.” It assigns the variable on its left the value on its right. Although
this symbol looks like an equal sign, do not confuse it with equality. The left hand
side must always be a variable. For example, count = 8; is a legitimate statement
in C++, however 8 = count; generates a syntax error.

Fundamental Instructions
Most programming languages, including C++, consist of five fundamental instruc-
tions from which all code can be generated.
18 LESSON SET 2 Introduction to the C++ Programming Language

1. Assignment Statements: These statements place values in memory

locations. The left side of an assignment statement consists of one and
only one variable. The right side consists of an expression. An expression
can be any manipulation of literal numbers (actual numbers such as 7 or
38, etc.), or the contents of constants and/or variables, that will “boil
down” to one value. That value is placed in the memory location of the
variable on the left. C++ uses = as the separator between the left and right
side of the assignment statement. Those new to programming often get
this confused with equality; however = in C++ is not equality but rather
the symbol to indicate assignment. The = in C++ is read as “is assigned the
value of”.

Example:
int count;

int total;

total = 10; // 10 is a literal that is placed in the memory

// location called total

count = 3 + 4; // The right hand side of the statement is evaluated to

// 7. count is assigned the value of 7.

total = total + count; // The right hand side is evaluated 10 + 7,

// and 17 is placed in the memory location called
// total.

This last statement may seem a bit confusing. Starting with the right side, it
says to get the value that is in total (10 in this case), add it to the value
that is in count (7 in this case), and then store that combined sum (17) in
the memory location called total. Notice that total, which was initially
10, gets changed to 17.
2. Output Statements: These instructions send information from the computer
to the outside world. This information may be sent to the screen or to some
file. In C++ the cout << statement sends information to the screen. The
#include <iostream> directive must be in the header for cout to be used.

cout << total;

The above statement sends whatever value is stored in the variable total
to the screen. C++ uses the semicolon as a statement terminator.
We can output literal strings (such as “Hello”) by inclosing them in
double quotes.
The << operator acts as a separator for multiple outputs.

cout << "The value of total is " << total << endl;

The endl statement causes the cursor to be moved to the beginning of the
next line.
The remaining three fundamental instructions will be explained in
future labs.
 Pre-lab Writing Assignment 19

3. Input Statements: These statements bring in data to the computer.

(Lesson Set 3)
4. Conditional Statements: These instructions test conditions to determine
which path of instructions to execute. (Lesson Set 4)
5. Loops: These instructions indicate a repetition of a series of instructions.
(Lesson Set 5)

Arithmetic Operators
Programming has the traditional arithmetic operators:
Operation C++ Symbol
addition +
subtraction -
multiplication *
division /
modulus %
Integer division occurs when both the numerator and denominator of a divide
operation are integers (or numbers stored in variables defined to be integers). The
result is always an integer because the decimal part is truncated or “chopped” from
the number. Thus 9/2 will give the answer 4 not 4.5! For this reason there are two
division operations for integer numbers. The modulus operator, (%) used only with
integers, gives the remainder of a division operation. 9/2 gives 4 while 9 % 2 gives
1 (the remainder of the division).

Example:
int count = 9;
int div = 2;
int remainder;
int quotient;

quotient = count / div; // quotient is assigned a 4

remainder = count % div; // remainder is assigned a 1

You should go back and review the sample program on the first page of the Pre-
lab Reading Assignment. By now you should understand most of the statements.

PRE-LAB WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
1. A is a memory location whose value cannot change
during the execution of the program.
2. is a data type that only holds numbers with no fractional
component.
3. is a data type that holds numbers with fractional
components.
4. is an arithmetic operator that gives the remainder of a
division problem.
20 LESSON SET 2 Introduction to the C++ Programming Language

5. cout << is an example of the fundamental instruction.

6. data types only have two values: true and false.
7. One byte consists of bits.
8. // or /* in C++ indicates the start of a .
9. A is a memory location whose value can change during
the execution of the program.
10. A can hold a sequence of characters such as a name.

LESSON 2A

LAB 2.1 Working with the cout Statement

Exercise 1: Retrieve program name.cpp from the Lab 2 folder.
Fill in the code so that the program will do the following:
Write your first and last name on one line.
Write your address on the next line (recall the function of the endl statement).
Write your city, state and zip on the next line.
Write your telephone number on the next line.
Remember that to output a literal, such as “Hello”, you must use quotes.
Compile and run the program.

Example: Deano Beano

123 Markadella Lane
Fruitland, Md. 55503
489-555-5555
The code for name.cpp is as follows:

// This program will write the name, address and telephone

// number of the programmer.

// PLACE YOUR NAME HERE

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{

// Fill in this space to write your first and last name

// Fill in this space to write your address (on new line)
// Fill in this space to write you city, state and zip (on new line)
// Fill in this space to write your telephone number (on new line)

return 0;

}
 Lesson 2A 21

Exercise 2: Change the program so that three blank lines separate the tele-
phone number from the address. Compile and run the program.
Exercise 3: Change the program so that the following (but with your name and
address) is printed. Try to get the spacing just like the example. Compile
and run the program.

LAB 2.2 Working with Constants, Variables and Arithmetic Operators

Exercise 1: Bring in the file circlearea.cpp from the Lab 2 folder.
The code of circlearea.cpp is as follows:

// This program will output the circumference and area

// of the circle with a given radius.

// PLACE YOUR NAME HERE

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

const double PI = 3.14;

const double RADIUS = 5.4;

int main()

{
area // definition of area of circle

float circumference; // definition of circumference

circumference = 2 * PI * RADIUS; // computes circumference

area = ; // computes area

// Fill in the code for the cout statement that will output (with description)
// the circumference

// Fill in the code for the cout statement that will output (with description)
// the area of the circle

return 0;
}
22 LESSON SET 2 Introduction to the C++ Programming Language

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks and the cout statements so that the output will
produce the following:

Exercise 3: Change the data type of circumference from float to int. Run the
program and record the results.
The circumference of the circle is .
The area of the circle is .
Explain what happened to get the above results.

LESSON 2B
LAB 2.3 Rectangle Area and Perimeter
Exercise 1: Using Lab 2.2 as an example, develop a program that will deter-
mine the area and perimeter of a rectangle. The length and width can be
given as constants. (LENGTH=8 WIDTH=3)
Exercise 2: Compile and run your program. Continue to work on it until you
get the following output.

LAB 2.4 Working with Characters and Strings

Exercise 1: Retrieve program stringchar.cpp from the Lab 2 folder. This

program illustrates the use of characters and strings. The char data type
allows only one character to be stored in its memory location. The string
data type (actually a class and not a true data type built into the language)
allows a sequence of characters to be stored in one memory location. The
code follows:

// This program demonstrates the use of characters and strings

// PLACE YOUR NAME HERE

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

// Definition of constants
const string FAVORITESODA = "Dr. Dolittle"; // use double quotes for strings
const char BESTRATING = 'A'; // use single quotes for characters

int main()

{
 Lesson 2B 23

char rating; // 2nd highest product rating

string favoriteSnack; // most preferred snack
int numberOfPeople; // the number of people in the survey
int topChoiceTotal; // the number of people who prefer the top choice

// Fill in the code to do the following:

// Assign the value of "crackers" to favoriteSnack
// Assign a grade of 'B' to rating
// Assign the number 250 to the numberOfPeople
// Assign the number 148 to the topChoiceTotal

// Fill in the blanks of the following:

cout << "The preferred soda is " << << endl;
cout << "The preferred snack is " << <<
endl; cout << "Out of " << << " people "
<< << " chose these items!" << endl;
cout << "Each of these products were given a rating of " << ;
cout << " from our expert tasters" << endl;
cout << "The other products were rated no higher than a " << rating
<< endl;

return 0;

Exercise 2: Fill in the indicated code, then compile and run the program.
Continue to work on the program until you have no syntax, run-time, or
logic errors.
The output should look similar to the following:
The preferred soda is Dr. Dolittle
The preferred snack is crackers
Out of 250 people 148 chose these items!
Each of these products were given a rating of A from our expert tasters
The other products were rated no higher than a B
Exercise 3: Is it possible to change the choice of FAVORITESODA by adding
code within the main module of the program? Why or why not?
Exercise 4: Is it possible to change the choice of favoriteSnack by adding code
within the program? Why or why not?
Exploring the Variety of Random
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"I take the liberty of sending you my address, and I hope you will do
me the honour of letting me hear from you. Thanks to the kindness
of M. de Montagnac, I shall receive your letter direct."
The address given was that gentleman's, at Bouillon.
I insert this touching note, less on account of the generous
acknowledgment which Louis St. Aubin makes to his doctor, than to
show what fine qualities were in him, and how gracefully his French
courtesy enabled him to express himself. Indeed, when his Colonel
came to see the lad, he declared that Louis was the best and bravest
soldier in his troop, and that he did not know what fear was.
Another young fellow, quite a boy, Peyen of the 50th Regiment of
the Line, had been shot through the wrist, and Dr. May considered
that amputation was necessary. He was a bright young fellow, with a
beaming countenance and a twinkle in his eye; and when I came to
let him know our determination, and take him to the operation ward,
I found him smoking a cigar. Not a bit dismayed, he got out of bed,
slipped on his trousers, and tripped briskly up the cloister, smoking
his cigar all the while, until he mounted the operation table. His arm
was amputated; but when he recovered from the chloroform state,
he declined to go back to bed until he saw his comrade's leg cut off.
"I want," said Peyen, "to tell him how it was done." This might be an
incident in Le Conscrit of MM. Erckmann-Chatrian.
He quietly smoked another cigar which I procured for him, and
attentively watched every step of the operation; after which, he and
his companion returned to their ward together.
Peyen wrote me a letter, which I still possess, and will here append,
to show me how well he could write with his left hand. Nothing but a
facsimile could do justice to the quaint and brave caligraphy of this
letter, which I am sorry not to reproduce in the original. It read
pretty much as follows:—

"At Sedan, September 18th, 1870.

"On the 4th of August, took place the Battle of Bixembourg (sic)
from 9 in the morning till 9 at night. The division Douai,
composed of about 8000 men, too weak to resist an enemy six
times their number, was forced to beat a retreat to Hagenau. In
this sad engagement General Douai was killed at the head of his
Division. The battle was won by the Prussians,—that is true, but
the honour remains with France, the Division having stood
against 60,000 men all that day, and having even prevented
them for five hours from ascending the slope of Bixembourg.
(Signed) "Peyen, Louis,
"Ever your devoted servant.
"To M. le Docteur of Ward No. 5."

This plucky young fellow recovered without a single bad symptom.

But, alas! it was not so with a vast number of our other patients; for,
about the 14th, many of them were in a bad way, and nearly all our
staff complained of not feeling well. Dr. Sims noticed one day that
the work was telling on me, and ordered me off duty, sending me
out for a walk.
Accordingly, I went into the town, and saw the French guns which
had now been stored in the Park, or exercise ground for the troops
during times of peace. I never shall forget that sight. There were
400 pieces of artillery of all sizes, including 70 mitrailleuses packed
close together. The question suggested itself, Would an army of
100,000 Englishmen, with this amount of guns and ammunition,
submit to lay down their arms and skulk into Germany? Could any
combination of circumstances make such a thing possible? I do not
believe it. An officer on duty about the place kindly took me through
the Park, and showed me the working of the mitrailleuse, as well as
a number of heavy cannon. He warned me against picking up
unburst shells, for they had been known to explode as long as
seventeen days after being fired—a statement which I thought
unlikely.
Standing beside this plateau was a large building which belonged to
the Nuns of the Assumption, and in which a sister of mine, who is in
that Order, had until recently been living. I paid them a visit and the
Mother Superior received me cordially, telling me of their labours on
behalf of the wounded, and pointing out where a shell had struck
one of the doors leading into the garden. There was also a round
hole in another door, as clean cut by a bullet as if it had been done
with a punch.
The refectory of these good Sisters was now made the operation
room; and many of the lightly wounded were limping on crutches up
and down the cloisters, their faces beaming with contentment, as
well they might, for the Nuns were indefatigable in attending to their
wants. Having bidden adieu to the amiable Superior, I directed my
steps to the Place de Turenne. Here the church, theatre, public
schools, and extensive buildings of the cloth and silk factories in the
Rue Marqua, were crowded with invalids, as was every second house
in the town. All these showed the Red Cross flag—under Prussian
management, and I looked into some of them, thinking that the
Church especially, was an uncanny sight when turned into a hospital
and full of the wounded.
I now passed on through the town, and out by the Torcy Gate, and
so home again. It was four days before I was allowed another
ramble, as Dr. May had a slight attack of blood poisoning, and his
work was given to me. Most of our infirmiers had been drawn by the
Prussians. Those that remained were French ambulance men; and, if
we except three, were altogether ignorant, lazy, and good-for-
nothing fellows. They had received no technical training; and the
task, therefore, which devolved upon me taxed the energies of mind
and body.
Some of our patients were wounded in three, four, five, and, in one
instance, in six places, which made the dressing of their wounds a
tedious affair. I had also to dress ten or a dozen amputated limbs. At
one time I had in my charge eighteen of these, a couple of
resections, no end of flesh wounds from bullet and shell, numerous
fractures—most of them compound ones—and all varieties of
lacerations and contusions. About this time there were some forty
secondary operations, in all of which conservative surgery had been
tried; but owing to the overcrowded state and vitiated atmosphere
of the Hospital, these patients nearly all succumbed. From the
commencement our lightly wounded men were removed as soon as
possible, and sent to some French or Belgian Military Hospital. The
result was that, after a few days, we had none in our care but the
severely wounded. I cannot conclude without mentioning the kind
way in which Dr. Marion Sims dealt with me. Nor shall I ever cease
to recall with gratitude, his invariable consideration for one so much
younger than himself and wholly without experience.
 CHAPTER IX.
SUSPICIOUS PRUSSIANS.—THE
ILLUSTRIOUS STROMEYER.—OPEN-
AIR
TREATMENT.—NEUTRALITY
BECOMES
DIFFICULT.—DR. SIMS LEAVES US.
—UNDER ARREST.—FAREWELL
TO SEDAN.
I forgot to mention a curious story told me by a French soldier, who
had a bullet wound through his arm. To account for it, he said that it
had been received from the pistol of a Prussian horseman, to whom
he was in the act of handing a piece of bread, which the fellow had
asked of him. Could this be true? It seems to me incredible, and, for
the honour of our common humanity, I hope was false.
A strange encounter which one of our new arrivals, Dr. Warren, had
with two Prussian sentinels caused some excitement, and not a little
amusement, among the rest of us. Dr. Warren was returning after
dark, with some arms that he had secured as trophies, and secreted
a few days previously. When he was passing beneath the ramparts a
sentinel from above halted him, and challenged him to give the
word. Dr. Warren, who could then neither speak nor understand
French or German, shouted and made such explanations as he could
in English, which it is needless to observe the sentinel did not
comprehend. How unsatisfactory they were to him our friend was
quickly convinced, by the sentry raising his rifle and firing at his
head. He heard the bullet hit the bank close beside him, and, as it
was dusk, the flash revealed two other sentries on their beat near
by, one of whom followed suit; but luckily with no better success.
A yet more extraordinary method of assault was now resorted to by
a third, who, being conscious, no doubt, of his incompetence as a
marksman, began to hurl large stones over the ramparts at our
stranger. Thus far, Dr. Warren had been standing petrified with
astonishment, but now realising his position he made up his mind to
run, which he did at the utmost speed, for he expected every second
to feel a bullet through him, the only doubt being where he would
get hit. He escaped, and the whole affair was reported to the
Prussian commandant. This officer had two of the sentinels mildly
reproved for their excess of zeal, and the hurler punished in that he
had adopted an unsoldierly method of attack. Dr. Scott suggested to
me that this last man must have been by descent from Tipperary.
Misadventures were in the air just then; for, a morning or two
afterwards, Drs. Parker and Marcus Beck happened to ignite some
cartridges which were lying on the ground near the Hospital, and
thereby caused an explosion. The guard turned out, arrested our
two heroes, and took them before the commandant, who, upon
receiving their explanation, set them at liberty. As time wore on, our
relations with the Teutons became more and more friendly. At first
they had looked upon us with distrust; but, when they found that
our organisation was thoroughly international, that we were
independent of the French, and our staff and management as
complete and efficient as they proved, the invaders seemed to take
unusual interest in us. Their surgeons came in numbers to the
Hospital, where, of course, they met with all civility; and we, on our
side, had nothing of which to complain.
Not only so. Their surgeon-general, the great Stromeyer,
condescended to inspect our hospital, and complimenting the Chief
on its details and management, invited him to visit his own
Ambulance at Floing. Dr. MacCormac did so, and was highly pleased
with all he saw. The success of the Prussian surgical operations was
very striking. It contrasted most favourably with our results; but this
depended, in great measure, on the Floing Hospital having been a
temporary structure, consisting of improvised shanties, boarded all
round in such a way that the sides could be opened at will in louvre
fashion, so that, weather permitting, the patients were treated
practically in the open air, yet without subjecting them to chill or
exposure. I conceive that this was the explanation of their low
death-rate, for the surgical methods of procedure were identical with
our own. And I may anticipate here a remark which my experience
at Orleans afterwards confirmed, viz., that such open-air treatment
is the only effective protection against blood-poisoning.
This was the first introductory step to our transition from the French
to the German side, but the change was slow and gradual. Hints,
indeed, were constantly thrown out that our services would be well
received, if we followed on in the track of their army. At first we
firmly asserted our neutrality. But we were made to understand that
the attitude we had assumed was impracticable; we must make up
our minds to be on one side or the other. These warnings did much
to determine the line of action upon which we finally resolved. Our
movements were also influenced by the fact that while, as regarded
the majority of our staff, our sympathies were undoubtedly French,
yet later on, when we came in contact with the Prussians, and got to
know them thoroughly, the admiration with which we started for the
other side was very much cooled down. We looked on the
belligerents with less prejudiced eyes, and, in the long run, had no
decided leaning one way or another.
In a few days from the time of which I have spoken above, Dr. May
was sufficiently well to resume duty. There was a fresh addition to
our staff in the person of Dr. Sherwell, and our duties becoming less
laborious, suffered us at length to breathe. We could now go down
frequently in the evening, for an hour, either to the Hôtel de la Croix
d'Or, or to a first-rate café in the Rue Napoléon, where it was
possible to enjoy a smoke or a drink, and a game of billiards upon a
table without pockets. This was a great recreation, and I found it did
one good after the labours of the day. There we met the French
officers who were on parole, and not a little surprise did we feel to
see them smoke, drink, and crack jokes as if the capitulation of
Sedan were ancient history. There also we came across the surgeons
and assistants of the Prussian Military Hospitals, many of whom
knew French fairly well, and not a few spoke English. We, however,
had to be back again by nine o'clock, before our drawbridge was
taken up; for the standing order had been issued that any one found
in the streets after that hour was liable to be shot.
On one occasion I happened to be returning with a fellow "Chip,"
who, after the labours of the day, had partaken rather too freely of
"bock" and "cognac de café". With no small difficulty I had induced
him to start, and we found the streets dotted with sentries on night-
duty. Hence, every few minutes we were halted, and made to
advance until their bayonets almost touched our shirt-fronts. This
would not have made me nervous, had not my friend, who was a
good deal more noisy since he tasted the open air, objected to being
stopped by the sentries in so rude a fashion. He declined, in short,
to account for himself. Fearing unpleasant consequences, I came
forward on the approach of every sentry and gave the name of our
corps, specifying our quarters, and adding gently, "Mein Freund hat
zu viel bock getrunken". They invariably met the palaver with a
laugh, and let us pass on, for some of them knew who we were.
One fellow, either a little more inquisitive than the rest, or else not
recognising our uniforms, put us through a regular examination,
upon which my companion began to speak roughly, and even made
a clutch at his rifle. Fortunately, the sentinel perceived what was the
matter, and was willing to let him pass; but my man wouldn't stir an
inch. Here was a predicament! As he could speak a little German, he
used his knowledge to abuse the good-natured sentry, and when he
had come to the end of his vocabulary, began again in French (of
which language he was perfect master), winding up at last in
English. The soldier presented his rifle, I daresay with the intention
of frightening my comrade; and I thought it time to seize him by the
collar and get him along by main force. Thus we arrived within
regulation distance of the gates of the Citadel.
The bridges were up, and the sentry on duty refused to let us
advance any further. By this time my friend had quieted down, and
was beginning to realise his position; for here we had to wait fully
half an hour while the sentry was hailing the others, who in their
turn hailed some more, and so on, until the officer of the watch
came on the scene. His business was to call out the guard, when,
after much shouting, shuffling, and shouldering of arms, the
drawbridge was let down and we were admitted. I was glad enough
to get my obstreperous friend safely landed within. It was a parlous
incident, though my friend's drollery and witty sotto voce remarks—
for he was not really overcome by the "bock" to the extent of
intoxication—have often made me laugh heartily since.
I have thus brought my readers to the middle of our third week at
Sedan; and it was with feelings of sincere regret that we now bade
adieu to Dr. Marion Sims, who, in so short a space of time, had won
the regard of every member of our staff. He appointed in his place
Drs. Frank and MacCormac as co-surgeons in chief—Dr. Frank for the
Balan and Bazeilles division of our Ambulance, Dr. MacCormac for
Sedan.
As our work was growing gradually less, we now had time for a ride
nearly every afternoon. There was one in particular which I enjoyed
much, and often took in company with my friend Hayden. It was
from Sedan to Bouillon, conveying or bringing back the post. This
was the only channel through which we could receive letters from
home. Bouillon, as is well known, is a very picturesque town, about
six miles from the frontier, and twelve from Sedan. The road thither
goes through Balan, Givet, and Givonne, over hills and dales, and
through a finely wooded country, partly lying in the Forest of
Ardennes, from which there stretches a vast succession of woods for
twenty or thirty miles. As we near our destination the road winds
circuitously, and turns at last into the Valley of Bouillon. When I saw
it, the autumn colours were all abroad, and no prospect could be
more enchanting. There, beneath us, nestling amid the foliage, now
rich and golden, which clothed its hills, lay in the noonday sun, the
ancient town of Bouillon, through which a rapid and boiling river, the
Somme, flowed over a rocky bed, and was leaping and dancing
round one huge boulder, above which rose the ivy-mantled turrets of
Godfrey's once mighty fortress. The steep and grassy slopes seemed
to come down sheer to the water's edge. It was a place of sunshine,
quiet and secure; and, at first sight, one would have thought it
inaccessible.
I may mention that it was in this little expedition, when passing by
Givonne, that I espied, lying on his side and basking at full length in
the sun, a beautiful black and tan hound, identical in appearance
with the old breed of Kerry beagles. My companion was amused that
I could feel excited about Kerry beagles. But I had my reasons, and I
asked the owner of the house to whom the dog might belong. He
replied that it was the property of a Marquis in the Ardennes, who
kept a pack for hunting deer and wild boars, and he added that
probably such a dog would not be sold under 500 francs. The "Black
and Tans" are an old-established pack in my neighbourhood, with
which I have long had very close associations; and it made my blood
run faster to be reminded of them in the neighbourhood of the
Forest of Ardennes, which for the world at large has other
memories, less personal, if more poetic.
Having arrived at our destination, and delivered and received our
letters, we had a good dinner and a smoke. None of my readers can
know the pleasure of a good dinner if they have not lived in a
situation like that which was then allotted to us. We went to see the
old castle, with its corridors hewn out of the solid rock, and its
manhole in the parapet leaning over the river, from which
highwaymen and robbers—if not others less guilty—were hurled into
the waters beneath. Lingering about the place for hours after we
ought to have started, the evening came on so quickly that we
shirked the long journey in the dark. We thought it better to stay the
night at Bouillon, and take our chance of getting off a reprimand by
means of this explanation.
At first light next morning we started, but on arriving at the Hospital,
Dr. May, without asking why we had come after time, informed us
from the chief that we must consider ourselves as under arrest until
further notice. This was not exactly pleasant. But we had our work
to do, and there can be no doubt that the strict discipline kept in our
Ambulance was what made it so successful.
Many members of the French Hospital staff, whom I met here and
elsewhere, assured me that jealousy and want of discipline among
them were potent causes of their failure; their supply of material—
which was generally very short—in some cases outlasting the final
disruption.
I had one other most interesting expedition, to the Château Bellevue
and along by the hills where the Prussians established their heavy
guns on the First. It commanded the whole valley, and as we looked
down upon the Plateau of Floing, the Bois de Garenne, the slopes of
Givonne, and our hospital standing on its huge embankment above
the ramparts of Sedan between them and us, the only wonder was
that a single man of us remained alive.
It was now time to think of a fresh field for our labours. Dr. Parker
and I were deputed to visit Arlon, a town in Belgium about thirty-five
miles distant, to consult with Capt. H. Brackenbury, who was
secretary to the English Aid Society on the Continent. We made the
journey in a two-horse open carriage by way of Bouillon in about ten
hours; and with such charming scenery, and in agreeable
companionship, the journey could not fail to prove delightful.
On the next day, Sunday, we had an interview with Brackenbury's
secretary, for he was not at home himself; and we then started off
again for Sedan before there was a soul in the streets, so that my
recollections of Arlon do not amount to a great deal.
On our return the staff held a meeting, at which Dr. MacCormac
gave in his resignation as chief in favour of Dr. Pratt (son-in-law to
Marion Sims), who succeeded him. Dr. MacCormac was engaged, as
we knew, to deliver an inaugural address at the Queen's College,
Belfast, about the middle of October; and his pupil, Scott,
accompanied him on his departure. As Dr. Nicholl also wished to
return to America, it was arranged that Wyman and Hewitt should
continue with Dr. Frank for some time before we disbanded, for the
Hospital at Bazeilles had to be wound up with our own. The
following members were then selected to proceed to the front,—our
new chief, Dr. Pratt, and Drs. May, Tilghman, Mackellar, Parker,
Warren, Hayden, Sherwell, Wallace, Wombwell, Adams, and myself.
These formed the staff. With us went, of course, Nigger Charlie, and
a Turco named Jean. This Turco had received a bullet in the back at
Metz, during an effort (which proved successful) to get water from a
well which was guarded by a Prussian picket, who had already
bowled over four or five others intent on the same enterprise.
The 4th of October, which was the day appointed for starting,
arrived. We said good-bye to the few patients now remaining, who
were to be taken over by Dr. Frank. Among them was my friend
Louis St. Aubin. The poor fellow on taking leave of me, in his weak
state, sobbed like a child, and I felt equally grieved at having to part
from him. We bade farewell to Dr. MacCormac with much regret; and
then the drawbridge was let down, Dr. Pratt gave the word to start,
and the Anglo-American Ambulance made its exit from the Caserne,
slowly wending its way down the rugged path, en route for Paris.
The first chapter in my experience of a military Hospital, and of the
battlefield, was closed.
 CHAPTER X.
RISKY TRAVELLING.—AT BRUSSELS.
—FRENCH AMBULANCE
BREAKS DOWN COMPLETELY.—WE
START
AGAIN FOR PARIS.
Dr. Pratt was of opinion that, if the Germans did not require our
services, they might perhaps allow us to get into Paris, where, as it
was rumoured, medical men were scarce. With this object in view,
we had determined to go round by Belgium, and now made for
Bouillon, the nearest frontier town. It was a lovely evening when we
arrived. As we came near the custom-house—"la Douane," the
meaning of which I now understood—we were in a state of
trepidation lest, on the waggons being overhauled, our trophies of
Sedan should be discovered and taken from us. For my part, I had
hidden my chassepot, pistol, sword, and lance-top from the Plain of
Floing, securely beneath some sacks of corn. But the officers allowed
us to pass with only a formal scrutiny. As it was late, we stayed that
night in Bouillon at the hotel. All our baggage, waggons, horses, and
infirmarians were quartered in the old Castle yard; and, having given
my horse to the groom to be picketed (for I had turned my grey
Arab loose again on the plains of Sedan), I joined Hayden, and went
down into the town to look for quarters. When we had secured
them, we dined very comfortably at our hotel with the rest of the
staff. This was the first meal we had enjoyed for many weeks in a
neighbourhood free from war's alarms, and we found it pleasant.
After a sound night's rest we arose at three, and had our horses and
men together at the appointed time, which was an hour later. But
more time elapsed before all was ready, and it was quite five when
marching orders were given. We reached Libramont after a pleasant
five hours' journey through a pretty and very interesting country.
Here all our staff, with the exception of Hayden and myself, took the
fast train to Brussels.
We two had been told off to stay in charge of the infirmiers,
waggons, horses, and stores, which we were to take on to Brussels
in the evening, by luggage-train. This was a heavy task, and
occupied nearly all the afternoon. Moreover, we had to get our ten
horses fed, watered, cleaned, and boxed, which was far from easy,
considering that few of the infirmiers knew anything about the
management of horses, while their boxing and conveyance by train
were quite beyond them. Here my experience of boxing horses for
the world-renowned Fair of Cahirmee, near Buttevant, stood me in
very good stead. Three of our waggons were heavily laden with
stores and corn, and required a truck each for themselves. The
fourth was a light covered fourgon which contained our personal
luggage, and in this we resolved to travel up to Brussels.
Having dined on mutton and fruit in a clean little inn near the
station, at 7·30 P.M. we started, comfortably stretched out at the
bottom of our fourgon, and covered up in rugs and coats. The night
wore on, and we were suddenly aroused from our slumbers by
feeling the movement of our waggon upon the truck, which latter
was only a sand train. As we went along, the line became more and
more uneven; our van rolled several times backwards and forwards,
and was kind enough also to sway from side to side in a most
uncomfortable manner. I crept out and found its moorings loose. The
night was dark and misty, and we had no light, nor the means of
getting one; and, as the wheels of the fourgon were high, and the
edges of the truck low, while the motion of the train was very rough,
we thought it would be dangerous to try our hand at putting the
concern straight. We discussed our chances of being pitched
overboard; but concluded that the risk was small, although the
jolting and swaying from time to time vexed us not a little. However,
at one in the morning, we found ourselves at Namur, and were told
we should have to stay there four hours.
Accordingly, leaving men, horses, and waggons at the station, my
friend and I strolled into the town. It was a beautiful moonlight
night. After some wandering we saw a gleam in one of the
restaurants, and roused up the landlady, who kindly gave us some
hot coffee and braised mutton. Thus fortified we settled down in a
couple of arm-chairs, and slept for some hours. At half-past four we
took our places again in the waggon; but not until we had seen it
firmly secured.
We arrived in Brussels at 10 A.M., having been en route more than
fourteen hours. When we alighted we were in a sad plight,—sleepy,
hungry, and disreputable-looking, bearing upon us all the marks of
the hardships which we had gone through since entering on the
campaign. Not many minutes after our arrival, Dr. Pratt came up,
and expressed his satisfaction that orders had been carried out
punctually. There was a conveyance waiting, he said, to take us to
the Hôtel de France; and there we should find breakfast and
comfortable quarters ready.
After the wear and tear of the last couple of months, one may fancy
our joy at this sudden return to the comforts, and even the luxuries,
of civilised life. No longer the din of armed men on the march, or
going to their exercises; no longer sentries at every step; no longer
the streets thronged with military! Yet, the sight of an occasional
French officer limping about on crutches, or with his arm in a sling,
reminded us that the seat of war was not far distant. When
breakfast was over, we turned in and slept until evening. Then, with
some others of the staff, and certain friends of Dr. May's who had
fled from Paris, we took a box at the Circus, and enjoyed ourselves
thoroughly.
Next day it was our business to report to Captain Brackenbury. After
filling up forms, answering questions, and submitting to a deal of red
tape, we were handed our pay up to date and a month in advance.
Here we learned that the French Society, under whose patronage we
had started from Paris, was now disorganised, and had stopped
supplies. Not only were its funds exhausted, but its Ambulances had
failed to render efficient service on the field of battle. Although we
had now joined the English Society, and, in consequence, were
associated also with the Prussians, it was a graceful act on the part
of the Vice-President of the French Association to make his
acknowledgments, as he did, for the assistance which we had given
to his countrymen in our Hospitals around Sedan.
At noon on the 8th of October, we received orders to hold ourselves
in readiness; and great excitement arose when it was noised abroad
that the Prussians had cut the line between Lille and Brussels. Thus,
we might have to go round by London, in order to reach Paris. We
ascertained, however, that the line had not yet been injured,
although the enemy had come into its immediate neighbourhood
near the town of Lille.
In the evening, therefore, we quitted Brussels by train, taking with
us stores, waggons, and horses. The journey to Lille was a short
one, and from thence we travelled by Douai and Arras to Amiens,
where we halted for a few hours to eat and sleep until the next train
set out for Rouen. At daybreak we resumed our expedition, and as
we entered Normandy the whole aspect of the country, which had
been hitherto flat and monotonous, changed for the better. The red-
brick houses, some tiled, some thatched, reminded me a little of
villages I had remarked in my journey from London to Holyhead; but
here most of the houses had timber built into them, which made
them more quaint and picturesque.
 CHAPTER XI.
AT ROUEN.—ON THE ROAD TO
PARIS.—IN THE WOODS
AMONG THE FRANCS-TIREURS.—
TAKEN FOR SPIES.—A
REFUGEE FENIAN.—TO MANTES.
We arrived in Rouen at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 9th, and
found the town full of Gardes Mobiles, who were marching about in
civilian dress, but armed to the teeth.
Our few hours of sight-seeing next day were not long in coming to
an end; but on going to the Railway Terminus, we heard that a
telegram had just been received, saying that the Prussians had torn
up the line to Paris, and we could travel no further.
However, in a couple of hours, we succeeded in chartering an
engine,—four waggons and a carriage—in which we determined to
proceed as far as we could. Our advance, when we had started, was
so slow and deliberate that we felt sure our conductors were only
waiting to pull up at the first opportunity, and jump off the train as
soon as they saw danger ahead. After going no faster than a horse
could have trotted for two hours or so, we came to a dead stop at a
little country village called St. Pierre. Beyond this point our guard
and driver stoutly refused to carry us; and, as it was now late, we
thought well to stay there for the night. We occupied the village inn
and a private house close by. As we had orders to start at daybreak,
we were up betimes next morning. I went out as soon as it was
light, and took a stroll through the village, in which many of the
houses seemed to have been deserted. On inquiry, I found that,
since the first intelligence, a few days back, that the Prussians were
coming, the owners of these houses had packed up their moveables
and gone north, leaving their dwellings to take care of themselves.
The situation of St. Pierre, overlooking the Seine, was pretty enough.
On the heights above stood its quaint little church, built of flint-
stone, and as black as coal in appearance. I went inside, and saw
that it was unadorned, but scrupulously clean.
In another hour we were on our journey again, this time by road.
We took the route Impériale through the valley beside the river, and
it would be difficult to do justice in description to the varied and
picturesque scenes that came repeatedly into view, along the many
miles which we pursued of its winding course.
About midday we gained Gaillon, where we halted to refresh our
horses and ourselves. Gaillon is a large village, with a refreshing air
of comfort and cleanliness about it, and has a broad central street,
lined on each side with handsome trees. Having rested a couple of
hours we pushed on for Vernon, which was, perhaps, some ten miles
distant,—a long journey, during which we had to accommodate our
pace to the jaded horses with their heavy-laden waggons. Our way
took us through vast orchards, and, from an elevation at one part of
the road, we could see nothing for miles round us but fruit trees. But
as we were now in constant expectation of meeting the Prussian
outposts, our Chief picked out Hayden and myself, being the lightest
and keenest horsemen in the party, and sent us ahead, my friend to
reconnoitre on one side of the road, and I upon the other.
For a long while not a soul did we meet, and Dr. Pratt came to the
conclusion that Vernon was unoccupied, whether by the French or
the Prussians, as had been the case at St. Pierre. Believing that it
was so, Hayden and myself received orders to push on thither, and
report our approach at the Mairie, where we must secure the
necessary accommodation during the night for all our party.
With these commands we started, I on a mare of Dr. Pratt's, which
we had got from the Prussians at Sedan, and Hayden upon a black
belonging to Dr. May. As evening came on, it grew so dark that we
could hardly see a few yards in front of us. On we went gaily for
some miles, chatting unconcernedly on various topics, until our road
entered a thick and gloomy wood, with high forest trees towering up
on each side. The darkness was now such that we could not see one
another. It was necessary to slacken rein, and let our horses go at a
slow walk, lest they might leave the road and get us into unexpected
trouble.
My friend here remarked to me cheerfully what a helpless condition
we were in, should any accident happen to us, or supposing we fell
in with the French outposts. The words, which echoed through the
woods (for he was speaking at the top of his voice, and it was a still
night), had hardly passed his lips, when suddenly we heard, first a
rustling, and then the sound of voices; shouts were raised on every
side of us; and through the brushwood in all directions we could
hear men crashing headlong towards the place where we stood
entrapped.
We held our ground, for to attempt escape was certain death. We
should have received a volley before we had gone many yards.
The challenge now came to us on all sides in French, "Qui vive?" We
replied, "Deux officiers de l'Ambulance Anglo-Américaine".
They seemed not to be satisfied, and challenged us twice, finally
shouting, as if we were half a mile away, though but a few short
paces from them, "Advance, two officers of the Anglo-American
ambulance, twenty paces, and halt!"
We had no time to obey, for, in a moment, we were surrounded by
armed men. One seized my wrists and another my horse's rein. In a
moment a lantern was produced, wherewith having examined us
and found that we were unarmed, they let go their hold, but roughly
hustled us out of our saddles.
We watched these men, whom we knew by their uniforms to be
Francs-Tireurs, as they carefully examined our horses by the light of
their lanterns. All this time Hayden and I were kept apart, and, on
my attempting to speak to him, I was told that if I did so, I should
be shot straightway.
By a dim light, which some one held behind me, I discovered that I
was standing in a circle of these irregulars with bayonets set. This
was the less assuring that we had heard much of their lawlessness,
and in what fashion they dealt with those who fell into their hands. I
now made a motion towards the breast pocket of my tunic, to get
my official papers, when a musket was pointed at me and I was told
not to move. Having held a council of war over the horses, some of
the men now came up and informed their comrades that they had at
last caught two Prussian spies. For they had discovered, on my
mare's flank, the Prussian brand, and, moreover, we spoke French
with a German accent; while our uniforms also were not French but
Prussian. When they had come to this conclusion, I need hardly say
that the treatment we received was not the most courteous. They
cursed and swore at us, and flourished their bayonets about as if
they had been walking-sticks. They marched us along separately,
often threatening that if we stirred or spoke, except by their
direction, they would shoot us. Two of these brigands (for they were
nothing else) marched behind me, two in front, and as many on
each side with fixed bayonets, as if I were likely to overpower them
unless guarded by the whole eight. Even when I put my hands into
my trousers pockets, the flourish of a bayonet near my stomach
(from a fellow whom I discovered to be more than half drunk)
compelled me to take them out again.
What distance we marched before arriving at Vernon we could not
even guess, so much upset and, I must acknowledge, so daunted
were we at the possible fate in store for us. We knew too well that
these ruffians were capable at any moment of hanging us from the
nearest tree. Indeed, before we entered the town, I came to the
conclusion that several of the band were under the influence of
drink. I believe there was quite as much risk of our being shot
accidentally as on purpose. They appeared to have no officer among
them; nor could any of them, I suspect, so much as read or write.
They would be admirable judges, therefore, all considered, of the
difference in speaking French between the Prussian and any other
foreign accent!
We must have tramped some three or four miles, when we got into
the town; and there it was an advantage to have even these
drunken bullies as our escort, for crowds gathered in the streets as
we passed along, and taking us to be Prussian spies, stared and
scowled fiercely—some even menacing us with clenched fists. Had
not our captors guarded their prey jealously, I am confident that we
should have had a rough handling from the populace.
When we were taken into the principal barrack, I supposed that we
should be allowed to see the officer of the guard, to whom we could
show our papers, and then pass out. But nothing of the kind; the
officer of the guard was not to be found. He had gone into town to
dine with the Commandant of the place. We were put in the lock-up
at the rear of the guard room, with two sentries over us. Our
courage now returned, and we opened fire at the fellows on guard.
Hayden, who spoke French fluently, gave them his mind concerning
the Francs-Tireurs individually, and the whole French Army
collectively, in such scathing language that they must have thought
we were most certainly Prussians. I, not being of so excitable a
temper as my friend, gave them to understand that such an
exhibition of military ignorance and gaucherie as we had witnessed
that night would have been impossible anywhere but in France; and
I think with good reason.
We had been in the lock-up for about an hour, when the officer of
the guard appeared and examined our papers. These he forwarded
to the Commandant Militaire, who inspected them once more, and
immediately ordered our release.
The Commandant came down himself to apologise for the manner in
which we had been treated, and added the information that the
Francs-Tireurs were canaille, who had neither military status nor any
organisation. But he assured us, as we did not need telling, that it
was a mercy we had not been shot by them.
We were never in a thorough passion until now. My companion
repeated his strong language, and shook his fist at this gentleman;
but he, measuring the situation like a true Frenchman, became very
civil and declined the contest. After that, I begged him to overlook
anything discourteous that had been said in the heat of provocation;
and our interview ended by his ordering two gendarmes to escort us
to the Mairie. We had just time to secure the requisite quarters
when our corps arrived.
I need hardly say how concerned our friends were about this ugly
incident, or how great was their satisfaction at our having escaped a
fate which had befallen others at the hands of this undisciplined but
armed rabble. It is a matter of history that the Francs-Tireurs
showed no respect even for the property of their own countrymen;
and we must not be surprised if they were relentless towards any of
the invaders whose ill luck it was to fall in with their companies.
They reminded me a good deal of what I had read about Italian
brigands, whom it is certain they resembled. And their very
existence, in such a province as Normandy, was a striking proof that
France had sunk into the utmost disorder. The Empire had perished;
the Republic, established on the 4th September, was struggling
feebly for its life.
Another incident of a different nature, but of considerable interest to
me, occurred next morning, just as we were on the point of
continuing our journey.
I was standing outside my quarters ready to march, when I noticed
a smart-looking, well-dressed young man, more like an American
than a Frenchman, eyeing me at a little distance off.
There was something about him that excited my curiosity. As he
approached rather timidly, I smiled, and said, to relieve his
embarrassment, "You are not a Frenchman, I presume?" upon which
his hesitation disappeared, and, in unmistakable Tipperary accent,
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