The King, too, was getting nervous.

Bismarck at last could stand it no longer; he rode up to Moltke, took out a cigar case, and offered it to the General; Moltke looked at the cigars carefully and took the best; "then I knew we were all right," said Bismarck in telling this story.

It was after two when at last the cannon of the Crown Prince's army came into action, and the Austrian army, attacked on two sides, was overthrown.
"This time the brave grenadiers have saved us," said Roon.

It was true; but for the army which he and the King had made, all the genius of Moltke and Bismarck would have been unavailing.
"Our men deserve to be kissed," wrote Bismarck to his wife.
"Every man is brave to the death, quiet, obedient; with empty stomachs, wet clothes, little sleep, the soles of their boots falling off, they are friendly towards everyone; there is no plundering and burning; they pay what they are able, though they have mouldy bread to eat.

There must exist a depth of piety in our common soldier or all this could not be." Bismarck might well be proud of this practical illustration which was given of that which he so often in older days maintained.