As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I enjoy dichotomy. One was the enjoyment of then Lt. General Philip Sheridan in requesting to go see the war in Europe between Germany and France. This would be the war which would set the foundations for World War I, in the French did not like Germany taking German speaking regions and making them German.
It was amusing when the President in US Grant asking Sheridan which side he wanted to accompany in the French or Germans, and Sheridan said, "I want to be with the winners so it is Germany".
President Grant wrote a letter of introduction for General Sheridan for the Germans which went over well with the Prussians.
Grant hated the emperor of France in Louis Napoleon as he was the one with Austria invading Mexico and a usurper and a charlatan.
"LONG BRANCH , N. J., July 25, 1870. "Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan, of the United State Army, is authorized to visit Europe, to return at his own pleasure, unless otherwise ordered.
He is commended to the good offices of all representatives of this Government whom he may meet abroad. "To citizens and representatives of other Governments I introduce General Sheridan as one of the most skillful , brave and deserving soldiers developed by the great struggle through which the United States Government has just passed. Attention paid him will be duly appreciated by the country he has served so faithfully and efficiently.
"U.S. Grant"
General Sheridan on reaching Germany came to the front and met Count von Bismarck, Chancellor already then of the North German Confederation. The battle of Gravelotte was to take place the next day and Bismarck was most interested in how Americans viewed the war, if it was French or German instigated.
The Germans cared what the Americans thought.
The area being warred over was due to the Treaty of Westphalia, which had German people in it, but had become "French" in the succeeding years.
Gravelotte would have 30,000 Pommeranians, not dogs, but that is a north region of Germany who would be involved in the battle. The entire French and German forces would number 400,000.
Bismarck was in favor of republicanism, but informed Sheridan that he knew Germany was not advanced enough politically to engage in this form of government as America had. He also did not like political life and would have been more inclinded to be a Soldier.
This part is interesting as Otto von Bismarck would become the force of European diplomacy for the next generation.
Sheridan would meet King William under a grove of poplar trees as that part of France in farming had these types of plantings.
King William was 73 years of age and warmly greeted General Sheridan. He too was most interested in how the Americans viewed the war.
The Germans were most affectionate to the Americans and desired their good will.
After the German victory, Sheridan rode off on a horse to find water, as the armies had drunk all the wells dry. While in the village a squad of sentries found the odd uniformed Sheridan, thinking him French and almost shot him.
Sheridan spoke no German, and just enough French to get shot, that he kept silent as one of the sentries examined his 3 star cap, and then pronounced again he was French again, which led to an almost second shooting.
It all worked out as a staff member of the King noticed the excitement and extricated Sheridan, who then received a rare pass from the King to travel anywhere, after all had an amusing laugh.
The battle was one of hundreds of dead horses and men, as typical of battle. It was though one which King William noted to General Sherman employed a great deal of like military sciences as General Grant had utlized at Vicksburg.
The German King was well aware of the American Civil War and was interested in it.
The German French War concluded a short time later in the French had been smashed, encircled and Louis Napoleon was caught in the last battle, and offered up the following surrender to King William.
"Not having been able to die in the midst of my troops, there is nothing left me but to place my sword in your Majesty's hands."
The Germans were a vigorous soldiery. They marched fast, were well disciplined and made few mistakes. The French were obstinant in battle, but gave way to the German tenacity.
It was an interesting holiday for General Sheridan, and Colonel Walker of Great Britain was also on hand, to witness the destruction of the French adversaries.
Bismarck drank to one thing by stating, "Here is to the unification of Germany".
German lands, the one thing that this was all about, the same reason of unification which Americans had just fought the Civil War over.
The German Peace was one to preserve the French Empire, to keep Alsace Lorraine and to keep the French at home to empty her Treasury as the best policy of keeping balance in Europe.
Personally, for the good of America, General Pershing should have only been an observer in World War I, and General Patton should have only been an observer in World War II, for if Pershing would have been not Woodrow Wilson illegally involved in Europe, there never would have been a World War II or a Cold War.
The forenoon of September 19 the King removed to the Chateau Ferrieres—a castle belonging to the Rothschild family, where Napoleon had spent many happy days in the time of his prosperity. His Majesty took up his quarters here at the suggestion of the owner, we were told, so that by the presence of the King the magnificent chateau and its treasures of art would be unquestionably protected from all acts of vandalism.
Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army
Uh huh, Rothschilds hosting a French Emperor and then having a German King protect all his "treasuries of art".
No need to inquire where all that fortune came from in fomenting these wars.
nuff said
agtG
