Expressing a desire to witness the battle which was expected to occur the next day, and remarking that I had not had sufficient time to provide the necessary transportation, he told me to be ready at 4 o'clock in the morning, and he would take me out in his own carriage and present me to the King--adding that he would ask one of his own staff-officers, who he knew had one or two extra horses, to lend me one.

As I did not know just what my status would be, and having explained to the President before leaving America that I wished to accompany the German army unofficially, I hardly knew whether to appear in uniform or not, so I spoke of this matter too, and the Count, after some reflection, thought it best for me to wear my undress uniform, minus the sword, however, because I was a non combatant.
At 4 o'clock the next morning, the 18th, I repaired to the Chancellor's quarters.

The carriage was at the door, also the saddle-horse, but as no spare mount could be procured for General Forsyth, he had to seek other means to reach the battle-field.

The carriage was an open one with two double seats, and in front a single one for a messenger; it had also a hand-brake attached.
Count Bismarck and I occupied the rear seat, and Count Bismarck-Bohlen--the nephew and aide-decamp to the Chancellor--and Doctor Busch were seated facing us.

The conveyance was strong, serviceable, and comfortable, but not specially prepossessing, and hitched to it were four stout horses--logy, ungainly animals, whose clumsy harness indicated that the whole equipment was meant for heavy work.