Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-07-03
ESCAPE OF LOUIS NAPOLEON.

letter from liam, OF the 29h MI. states
that at six o'clock A. NJ, on the 2Sth, DR..
Conneau, who aided in the escape of Prince
Louis Napoleon, the two keepers, and la
borer had been removed to Peronne. At
Athies, they were hand. cufled and conducted
to Peronne by gendarmes. The creates, rig.
or was displayed towards the commander of
the fort, NJ. Demarle. lie was KEEP, under
close arres. in the prison, his sword had been
taken from him, and an officer of gendarme-
rie succeeded him in the command of the
fort.
Prince Louis Napoleon, on arriving in
London, addressed the following letter to the
editor of the Journal de la Somme
"My dear NJ. Degeorge, desire 10
see my father once more in this world made
me attempt the bodies, c,IcrnL.S ! eyer j..
gagged n. Ii rel Slled n.ele ~ luton AZ
courage on my part than at Strasburg and
Boulogne for was determined not 10 sob.
nit to the rdicule that attaches to those who
are arrested escaping under disguise, and
failure | could not have endured. The
following are the particulars of my escape :
"You know that the fort was guarded BY
400 men, who furnished daily 60 soldiers,
placed as sentries outside ihe walls. More
over, the principal gate Of the prison was
guarded by the goalers, two of whom were
constantly OF duty. 1t was necessary tina,
should elude their vigilance, afterwards ira
verse the inside court, before the windows of
the commandani's residence and, arriving
there, l should be obliged 10 pass by gate
which was guarded by soldiers.
"Not wishing TO communicate my design
to any one, it was necessary to disguise my
self. AS several rooms in the part Of the
building occupied were undergoing repairs,
it was not difficult to assume the dress of a
workm1r. My good and faithful valet
Charles Thclid, procured smock .fock and
pair Of sabo,s iwooden shoes,) and after
shaving of my moustaches, took plank
on my shoulder.
"On Monday morning | saw the workmen
enter, at half s O'clock Charles took them
some drink, in order that should not meet
any of them on nv passage. He was also ia
call one of the gardens (,urnkevs) whilst Dr.
Conneau convers d with the others. New.
ertheless, had scarcely got out Oft my room
before | was accosled by a workmon who
took me for one of his comrades, and at the
bottom of the stairs found myself in from,
of the keeper. Fortunately, placed the
plank was carrying before my face, and
succeeded in reaching the yard. Whenever
| passed a sentinel or any other persona al
ways KEEP, The plank before my face.
"Passing before the first sentinel, let the
plank fall, and stopped to pick up the hits
There | met the officer on duty, but as he
was reading a letter. he did not pay az. At
tenlion TO me. The soldiers at the I'D.
house appeared surprised at my dress, and a
drummer turned round several times 10 look
at me. | next met some workmen, who look
ed very attentively al me. ] placed the
plank before my face, but they appeared to
be so curious that thought I should never
escape them, until heard them cry oh
1t is Bernard !!
'"Once outside, walked quickly towards
the road of st. Quentin. Charles, who the
day before had engaged carriage, shortly
overlook me, and we arrived at ST. Quentin.
81 passed through the town on foot, ate
having thrown Off my smock -irock. Charles
procured pos,-chaise, under prelext of CO.
ing to Cambria. We arrived, without meet
ing with any obstacles ,atV alenciennes, where
| took the railway. | had procured Bel
gian passport, but nowhere was | asked 10
show il.
"During my escape, DR. Conneau, always
so devoted to me, remained in prison, and
caused them to believe | was i'll, in order TO
give me time reach the frontier. Ii was ne
cessary 10 be convinced that the Govern
ment would never set me at liberty, before
| could be persuaded to quit France, il |
would not consent to dishonor myself II
was also matter Of duty that should exert
all my powers to be able to console my faith
er in his old age.
"Adeu, my dear NJ. Degeorge although
free, feel myself to be most unhappy. Re-
ccive the assurance Of my sincere friend
ship, and, # you are able, endeavor 10 be
useful to my kind Conneau.
"LOUIS NAPOLEON.",