He was everywhere encouraging his men.

What I cannot understand is why, if Avron was to be held, it was not fortified.

It must have been known that the Prussians could, if they pleased, bring a heavy concentric fire from large siege guns to bear upon it.

Casemates and strong earthworks might have been made--but nothing was done.

I was up there the other day, and I then asked an engineer officer why due precautions were not being taken; but he only shrugged his shoulders in reply.