Wednesday, August 17:
A report from my brother-in-law once more gives cause for concern: it seems the French are out steadily to weaken the Germans by withdrawing, which means the Germans have to maintain troops in the provinces (Alsace, Lorraine, etc.). There is also talk of an imminent battle at sea! The prefect of Verdun has reported that 10,000 Prussians fell in a single engagement, and the people of Lyon believe this and rejoice over it! At the moment we cannot understand the movements of our forces; it seems they wanted to cut off Bazaine’s retreat, but the retreat was nevertheless effected. A correspondent for the Times, who viewed the Battle of Wörth from the top of a tower, told a certain Herr von Loe that the Germans, when repulsed, always retreated in exemplary fashion, as if under orders, whereas the French fled headlong, each man being likely to stab any fellow countryman in front of him in order to escape more quickly.
R. says every body of soldiers has some distinguishing mark—the Macedonians their phalanx, the French of Napoleon’s time their bold attack; the hallmark of our army is this calm confidence, but what do the French of today have? It is being said that the Austrians distinguished themselves much more (in ’66). Yet I am still worried, for the entire French nation is ready to take up arms. God be with our Germans!
R. was unwell yesterday, he had worked too hard in the morning on his Beethoven, made much music in the afternoon with Richter, then in the evening the disturbing newspaper reports. We are afraid the Germans are giving the French too much time. (Letter to me from Peter Cornelius.)