THE BEGINNING OF THE PRUSSIAN=AUSTRIAN WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 207, 8 September 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BEGINNING OF THE PRUSSIAN=AUSTRIAN WAR.

At six o'clock on the morning or June 23, 1566, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ist Prussian Armv, Prince Frederick Charles (the "Red Prince"), left h s quarters at Hirchfeld, and by the Zattan road reached the frontiers by eight, where he took his position to watch his troops. He at once gave the necessary orders, and in a ifew minutes the Uhlans were over the frontier. Then followed the infantry, and as the leading ranks of each battalion caught sight of the Austrian colours painted on the toll bar thev raised i cheer, which was repeated again and again till, when the men came to the toll house and saw the'r soldier Pnnce standing on the borderline, it swelled into a roar of rapturous delight, which only cased to be replaced bv a martial song that was caught up by each battalion as it poured into Bohemia. Their chief himself stood by the roadside calm and collected, br.t be gazed proudly on the passing sections, and well he might, for never did an army cross an enemy's fronter better equipped, better cared for, or with higher courage than that which marched out of Saxonv that day. Ever and anon he would call from a passing hattal on some officer or soldier who had before served unuer him, and with a k;ndly inquiry, or cheerful word, win a heart, for soldiers love officers who take an interest in them. Everyl where the Prince was greeted with cries of joy, as he rode along the way by which the troops were marching." At one point Ins reception was peculiarly remarkable, when a regiment, the 2nd Grenadiers, King Will-am IV.'s (Ist Poferanian), which had served under lnm when he was a divisonal general, piled its arms for a halt. The men were lying down by the side ofthe road to re-t: suddenly the woro! was passed that the Prince was coming, and w:th one accord they sprang as if bv macr'c to their feet, made two long lines along the road through which he might pass, and gave him such a cheer as only old solders can.