As if all these intrigues and dreams were not enough, the war arrived for us boys (we must now travel back a few years from the most recent school experiences); all of Europe was filled with its bluster, and resounded with the name of Napoleon and the martial fame of his troops.

My first clear reminiscence goes back to the year 1805. At that time Prussia had set masses of troops in motion, in order to support the demand that Haugwitz1 was supposed to issue to Emperor Napoleon in Vienna. Various divisions even marched through Halle. I still recall with complete clarity the grenadiers and their unusual headgear. A very low cloth-hat, flat on top, covered the head. The front half, however, enclosed a sort of shield, rounded on the top, and bent backwards on both sides, connecting to the cap. This shield was made of black and shiny leather, and surrounded with a sort of woolen beehive; it increased the man's height by at least a half-foot.

When a regiment had marched by, it was followed by long rows of pack horses, carrying bundles hanging on both sides with equal weights; these were the tents, for the event that they were unable to find or use accommodation in houses. The bundles were covered with a white cover, and on the highest points a plume swayed as an ornament. In addition, there were many reserve horses for the officers, the baggage-wagons for the officers as well, the latter even with armchairs attached for the commanders. Now and then a field-bakery, with numerous wagons, would crash by. Our young eyes were drunk with the bright drama stretching for such a long distance. There was none among us who did not dream of being an officer, and if possible, general, in order to play with these soldiers in their shining uniforms. In the meantime the small change wheedled from our parents all went to the tinsmith for tin grenadiers and pack animals.