About seven o'clock
At moments , from the outskirts of the village , the sinister sound of cheering came from the vanguard of the German Sixth Corps , just arriving to learn of the awful disaster to France . Too late to take any part in the battle , these tired soldiers stood cheering by regiments as the cavalry rode past in pursuit of the shattered army , and their cheering swelled to a terrific roar toward morning , when the Prince Royal of Prussia appeared with his staff , and the soldiers in Morsbronn rushed out into the street bellowing , `` Hoch soll er leben ! Er soll leben -- Hoch ! '' About seven o'clock that morning a gaunt , leather-faced Prussian officer , immaculate in his sombre uniform , entered the room without knocking . The young Countess turned in the depths of her chair ; he bowed to her slightly , unfolded a printed sheet of paper which bore the arms of Prussia , hesitated , then said , looking directly at me : `` Morsbronn is now German territory and will continue to be governed by military law , proclaimed under the state of siege , until the country is properly pacified . `` Honest inhabitants will not be disturbed . Citizens are invited to return to their homes and peacefully continue their legitimate avocations , subject to and under the guarantee of the Prussian military government .