382 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
the other side of the Tauber. This was especially the occupation of the Weissig 
company, whose men laid down their arms and knapsacks and waded through the 
Tauber; the bridge being impassable under the heavy fire from the enemy’s side. 
These relays of ammunition were of the first importance to the hot continuous 
and rapid firing that was kept up, for without it the position would have been 
untenable. The firing was so heavy that several men expended twice over a full 
supply of ammunition, (zweimal die ganze chargirung geschossen).” 
The enemy, according to another part of the account, made five attacks, 
extending over three hours; and within this short time, of which not more 
than one-half, probably, was spent in anything like close fighting, some of 
the men fired 120 rounds of ammunition, and would have been left without 
supplies if a part of the combatants had not been employed to replace it as 
it became spent* The reserves could not be brought up close enough for 
the purpose, as would often happen in field engagements. 
To men who will coolly judge and take advantage of the best moment for 
firing a shot it is undoubtedly desirable to give a "weapon which can be 
discharged with the utmost possible rapidity. The doubtful point is whether 
young and imperfectly trained soldiers, who are apt to fire nervously as a 
mere relief to their disordered minds, will, on the whole, do better service 
with such a weapon; or whether the facility of firing away ammunition 
will only increase the trouble of supplying it, and the risk of such alarm 
as is liable to result from its being exhausted. 
Results so brilliant have attended on the use of breech-loaders against 
muzzle-loaders that their general adoption has become imperative; we have 
next to see whether they tend to hamper or to facilitate the plans of a 
commander in conducting a campaign, when they are possessed by both the 
contending armies. 
Note E. Casualties. 
Although such details as the exact number of casualties do not properly 
fall within the scope of a leOture, it may be worth while to insert a few 
particulars on the subject, more especially as the campaign was distinguished 
by a great disproportion of loss between the two sides, and by an inordinary 
number of prisoners captured on the field of battle. 
.’Prussian Casualties. 
Ldss at Kbniggratz :— 
Officers. Men. Total. 
Killed. 75 1097 1172 
Wounded . 252 8272 8524 
327 9369 
9696 
Loss of the 7 th Division, which was the most severely engaged in that 
action, (from Riistow) :•— 
Officers. Men. Total. 
26th Regiment. 24 682 706 
27th . 27 497 524 
66th . 13 464 477 
67th , 16 401 417 
80 2044 2124 
This would be i) or rather more, of the strength. 
