BLUCHER AND THE BRIDGE OF JENA. [To TRH EDITOR OF
TEX " Bracmroa.-] Sru,—In the Spectator of September 5th (p. 315) you remark:— "When Blucher wanted to blow up the Pont de Jena, and had actually mined it for the purpose, Wellington baulked him by putting a British sentry on the bridge and daring him to blow the gallant fellow into smithereens."
In Earl Stanhope's Conversations with the Duke of Wellington (p. 119) occurs the following reference to this subject, made to the Earl in conversation by the "Iron Duke" at dinner at Walmer Castle in 1838 :—
" About blowing up the bridge of Jena there were two parties in the Prussian Army--Gneisenau and Muffling against, but Blucher violently for it. In spite of all I could do, he did make the attempt, even while I believe my sentinel was standing at one end of the bridge. But the Prussians had no experience of blow- ing up bridges. We, who had blown up so many in Spain, could have done it in five minutes. The Prussians made a hole in one of the pillars, but their powder blew out instead of up, and I believe hurt some of their own people."
The old Prussian Marshal seems, therefore, to have done his
best, notwithstanding Wellington's precaution.—I am, Sir, &c., COLONEL.
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