We can easily imagine what must have been Bismarck's thoughts during this crisis.

On the result depended his position, his reputation, perhaps his life; into those few hours was concentrated the struggle to which he had devoted so much of his lifetime, and yet he was quite helpless.

Success or failure did not depend on him.

It is the crudest trial to the statesman that he must see his best plans undone by the mistakes of the generals.

Bismarck often looked with anxiety at Moltke's face to see whether he could read in it the result of the battle.