Decorations. 35 9 



The commander of the army to which I was attached, Gen- 

 eral von Manteuftel, who had observed my activity both in the 

 hu. itals and in the battles of Moreuil on November 27th, 

 aud in that of the 23rd of December near Querriere, ordered 

 the surgeon-general of his army, Dr. Westphal, to take infor- 

 niu-iion in reference to my behaviour and activity as a nurse. 

 He therefore applied officially to the surgeon-general of the 8th 

 c^rmy corps, Professor Dr. Busch, and after having received a 

 report from him and submitted it to General von Manteuffel, 

 • i latter asked for me from His Majesty the order of the iron 

 cross, which request was forwarded to Versailles by an especial 

 courier. He received, however, the answer that this order 

 could only be given to men, but that a decoration for the 

 women who had distinguished themselves in the war would be 

 awarded and that I should receive it. This decoration was 

 bestowed on many thousands of women throughout all Ger- 

 many, whether they worked on the battlefield, or hundreds of 

 miles away from it ; and as it could only be awarded according 

 to the reports made by local authorities, it has now and then 

 been given to persons who had some local influence, although 

 their exertions for the army were rather trifling. 



After General von Manteuffel had gone south, General von 

 Goeben commanded the 2nd army, and I had the pleasure of 

 receiving from him the following letter : 



* Amiens, the 5th March, 1871. 



* In reply to i-he letter received from your Highness, I, on your parting 

 from here, feel urged to express in the name of the ist army the thanks 

 which the same owes to you. During all the war until peace your High- 

 ness has with the utmost self-sacrifice uninterruptedly kept in view the 

 difficult task which you undertook voluntarily at the commencement of the 

 war, and has benefited thcsick and wounded irv the most efficient manner. 

 The army thanks you for this generous devotion from thousands of hearts, 

 and as I have the honour of commanding now the 1st army I beg to be 

 allowed to express to your Highness this thanks in the name of all, and 

 especially of those whom the careful hand of your Highness has nursed and 

 solaced in the hard days of suffering. 



' Requesting your Highness to accept the assurance of the greatest respect, 

 I have the honour of remaining, etc. 



' (Signed) von Goeben, 



* General of Infantry.' 



