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348 behind their regiments. They were weary, and hungry, and thirsty, but they pressed on without complaint. They presented a fine appearance, although they were covered with the dust which rose in clouds from the roads along which they travelled. Every man of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery, seemed to understand the necessity of fast marching, and to entertain the hope that a victory in the battle about to come would be the end of the war. The plan had not, of course, been unfolded to the soldiers, or even to any but the highest officers, but somehow it seemed to be understood throughout the entire army, rank and file, that a great and decisive battle was at hand.

It was an enormous half circle closing in to make a complete circle around the doomed city of Sedan. On the hill above Donchery was the Crown Prince, while the 5th and 11th Prussian corps were pressing to the north in order to sweep around to the left. The 6th corps is pressing forward, but too far away on the left rear to come into the battle. The Wurtemburgers who are considerably in advance of the 6th corps also, but holding the left, will have better fortune, if better fortune it may be called, to take part in the battle and suffer severely. The meadows near Sedan have been artificially flooded, but this flooding will be no serious interruption to the movements of the Prussians. The two Bavarian corps are on the right of the hill above Donchery. The 1st corps of the Bavarians is the only one which has to take part in the great battle. Beyond them are the troops commanded by the Crown Prince of Saxony, the 6th Saxon, the 4th Prussian, and the corps of Prussian Guards. The circle is steadily closing around Sedan, and before the battle begins in full vigor, the ring will be complete. As there are two German armies present, the Third Army of the Crown Prince of Prussia, and the "combined army" of the Crown Prince of Saxony, King William takes the supreme command. The king and his staff make their head-quarters