Note 94 — Chapter II · PRIVATE PROPERTY IN WAR

Army Order of August 8th, 1870, on crossing the frontier:

“Soldiers! the pursuit of the enemy who has been thrust back after bloody struggles has already led a great part of our army across the frontier. Several corps will to-day and to-morrow set foot upon French soil. I expect that the discipline by which you have hitherto distinguished yourselves will be particularly observed on the enemy’s territory. We wage no war against the peaceable inhabitants of the country; it is rather the duty of every honor-loving soldier to protect private property and not to allow the good name of our army to be soiled by a single example of bad discipline. I count upon the good spirit which animates the army, but at the same time also upon the sternness and circumspection of all leaders.

Headquarters, Homburg, August 8th, 1870. (Signed) Wilhelm.”