Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: a hundred and fifty paces on the flank, the patrol went forward at a fast trot. Northwards the wood checked the view; southwards the high plateau, over which the road bore, afforded, however, a magnificent range of vision. The left flank patrol very soon also reported a large camp on the left flank. Ramin dismounted to use his glass better, and now, himself under cover, watched a large bivouac at Tromborn, in which the horses were off-saddled and covered with white blankets. The troops camped there were estimated at two battalions and one cavalry regiment. Neither outposts nor patrols were visible. As v. Ramin was anxious to find out as soon as possible whether Busendorf was clear of the enemy, he left a N.C.O.'s post behind to keep the camp under constant observation from a suitable place, and trotted with the patrol on to Busendorf. Near that place he found on the main road a lately deserted camp, with fires still smoking and articles left behind by the troops. In the middle of the camp stood a waggon, covered with a red, white, and blue flag, and laden with two very large casks of wine. The patrol entered Busendorf at a gallop; all exits were occupied; vedettes and patrols were sent out in front, whilst the leader discussed matters with the Burgomaster in the marketplace. The Uhlans found the church full of Frenchmen, nominally sick, but some of them apparently malingerers: they did not dare to make any show of hostility. In front of a large forage store two large four-span waggons laden with oats were found and commandeered. In the abandoned French bivouacs were generally found a considerable number of small articles of equipment left behind, which is always a proof of want of discipline. Since the little party could not remain in the place under the very eyes of the...