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Then the artillery and caissons crossed. Captain Florentin had just ordered us to renew our primings, when General Souham, General Chemineau, Colonel Zapfel, and our commandant arrived. The battalion began its march. I looked forward expecting to see the Russians coming on at a gallop, but nothing stirred. As each regiment reached the farther bank it formed a square with ordered arms.
Then he spoke in a loud, clear voice so that every one could hear: "Soldiers!" said he, "you will form part of the advance-guard of the Third corps. Try to remember that you are Frenchmen. Vive l'Empereur!" All shouted "Vive l'Empereur!" till the echoes rang again, while the general departed with Colonel Zapfel.
From Seligenstadt we went to Schweinheim, and on the twenty-fourth of March, 1813, joined the division at Aschaffenbourg, where Marshal Ney passed us in review. The captain of the company was named Florentin; the lieutenant, Bretonville; the commandant of the battalion, Gémeau; the captain, Vidal; the colonel, Zapfel; the general of brigade, Ladoucette; and the general of division, Souham.
At the same time Colonel Zapfel said quietly: "Close up the ranks!" And Captain Florentin repeated: "Close up the ranks!" All this was done so quickly that I had no time for thought. But fifty paces farther on another flash shone out; there was another murmur in the ranks as if a fierce wind was passing and another vacant space, this time to the right.
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