The following incident is told by a Paris correspondent:
“Near a little village in Lorraine a German lieutenant was effectively
using his artillery on the French. A Hussar had been taken a prisoner to
the village, which was defended by 300 Germans. Under cover of their
own artillery fire the French infantry advanced irresistibly.
“The German officer, who saw that he could not hold out, asked the
Hussar’s advice. Of course the French soldier answered, ‘If you resist
you’re all dead.’ ‘Yes,’ says the German, ‘but if we surrender, still we
will all be shot.’ The Hussar assured him that France respects the laws
of war, that prisoners are well treated and every one of them would be
safe. The German officer quickly resolved to stop his resistance.
“Then the brave little French Hussar, with the German officer beside him
and followed by 300 pointed helmets, marched to the first French officer
and handed over his prisoners.”