Another mis-translation I fear. Occurs often when the vanquished try to redeem themselves. I believe the quote, as scribed by one of his secretaries shortly after the war and before he was mugged and killed soliciting companionship outside of a home for wayward sailors in Marseilles, is
''When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle- field
they all smell rank in my nose. Did everyone of you have to wet your pants at the sound of the first shot? How are we going to win a war if you do that all the time?''

I can see where the French would want a shorter version ... Just an FYI