A similar official report on the attempts of the French
to raise new armies in the field is couched in a much more contemptuous tone. It speaks of the Southern Army, of its not daring to attempt the relief of Strasburg, and of its futile efforts to break the communications of the Ger- mans with Paris, with the greatest scorn. "Its greatest ex- ploit was an attempt to surprise Nancy, which, however, was so easily foiled by one Laudwehr battalion that we could not even boast of having had an engagement." Of the Army of the Loire the report speaks scarcely more respectfully. It dilates on the wealth of Orleans and the fertility of the district just north of it called the Beauce, the possession of which by the Germans will "greatly diminish the number of our provision- trains from Germany." By blowing up an arch or two of the bridge over the Loire at Orleans, the Germans, says the report, will render it very difficult for the Army of the Loire to penetrate north, as the bridges at Jargeau and Beaugency are not strong enough for artillery to pass over. It is all true, and exposes the weakness of the French provincial attempts at rallying with a pitiless hand.
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