"Is it Odessa?"
"What a joke, I bet it's Chechnya! (Caucasus Region)"
In the Zuav Corps, known for its (relatively) free spirit, the relationship between the commander and the soldiers was not as strict as in other armies. Therefore, two Zuav soldiers took turns asking Brigadier General MacMahon about their upcoming destination.
"You're both wrong!" Brigadier General MacMahon shook his head and replied calmly, "Our destination is Yevpatoria on the Crimea Peninsula, a small town just 3 leagues (about 12 kilometers) from us, and you need to capture it before midnight!"
"What! Just a small town? The Marshal really underestimates us!" one of the Zuav soldiers complained.
"Indeed! They really underestimate us!" the other Zuav soldier echoed.
"This is our first battle after landing on the Crimea Peninsula and a crucial one, so we must win!" Brigadier General MacMahon said sternly to them, "Any underestimation of the enemy will lead to our defeat in this war! Understand?"
