Mariaschein

We are still here and we have decided to stay until Tuesday morning. We are nicely housed with Cousin Minna, and they insist on our staying a few days. They have a very large garden with fruit trees, small fruit and vegetables, and Mama is happy because Cousin Minna can tell her all about the family history.

We loafed around all morning, took a nap after dinner and took a train to Telnitz, from where we walked to view the battlefield of Kulm, where the united Austrian, Prussian and Russian forces gained a victory over the French army under Van Dome in 1813.

Greetings from the battlefield at Kulm, 1813

From here, the French fled to Leipzig where they took another stand and were defeated for good. The Austrians erected a monument in honor of field Marshall Colorado Mansfield, and the Prussians one in honor of their dead. The prettiest one, however, is that of the Russians. They are guarded by an old veteran, and he showed me the book in which Kings and Princes, who have visited these monuments, have written their names—to which I added mine.

We walked home, which took us about two and a half hours. This, however, is nothing unusual in this country; Cousin Johann tells me that he has made a trip starting at 4 o’clock in the morning and walking uninterrupted (with short rests for meals) until 8 o’clock in the evening.

In the evening, we met at Cousin Robert’s and had music and talk. They are fine, whole souled people who try their best to make us feel at home.

Tomb of Karl Ferdinand Wilhelm von Röder
Editor’s note: the following is a rough translation:
King, Prussian, Major in the General Staff.
Born on 16 July 1781, remained in the battle at Kulm on 30 August 1813.
Greetings from Argesau.