The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-05-05
A Curious Letter.

The following is a translation of a
hitherto unpublished letter written by
Louis Napoleon just after his escape
from the fortress of Ham, to the editor
Of a newspaper to which he had con-
tributed during his Imprisonment. In
a certain poverty and awkwardness of
.dictien it is faithful to the original,
which was evidently not intended for
publication
MY DEAR DEaEoRGE The desire
of once more seeing my father in this
life has made me attempt the boldest
undertaking that / have ever attempt
ed, and for which needed more firm
ness and courage than at Strasbourg
and Boulogne, for I was resolved not
to endure the ridioule that fastens on
those who are arrested under a dis
guise, and a failure would have been
no longer endurable. But to come to
the particulars of my escape.
You know the ford was guarded by
four hundred men, who furnished a
daily guard of sixty soldiers, who were
on duty within and without the fort
furthermore, the door of the prison
was guarded by three jailers. two of
whom were always on duty. 1t was
necessary, therefore, in the first place,
to pass before them, then traverse all
the inner court before the windows of
the Commandant I; having reached
there, it was necessary to pass through
the gate where were m orderly and a
sergeant, a gate-keeper, a sentinel, and
finally, a post of thirty men.
Not having been willing to establish
and communication with a corrup-
tble jailer or SOY, a disguise was, of
course, necessary. Now, as several
rooms of the building 1 inhabited were
undergoing repairs, it was easy to take
the costume Of a workman. My good
and faithful Charles Thelin procured
q blouse and wooden shoes. I cut off
my moustache and took a board on my
shoulders.
Monday morning I saw the work
men come in at half-past six o'clock.
When they were at work Charles took
some drink to them in a room, so as
to get them out of my way ; he was
also to call one keeper up stairs, while
Doctor was talking with the others.
Meanwhile, I was hardly out of my
room when l was accosted by a work
man who followed me, taking me for
one of his comrades ; at the foot of the
staircase I found myself front to front
with a keeper. Luckily 1 put the
board before his face and reached the
court, always holding the board be-
tween myself and the sentinel and
those whom / met. |
When passing before the first senti-
mel / let fall my pipe, but 1 stepped to
pick up the pieces. Then I met the
officer Of the guard, but he was read
ing a letter, and did not notice me.
The soldiers of the post at the gate
seemed to wonder at my dress /; the
drummer in particular turned several
times to look.
Meanwhile, the orderlies opened
the door and I found myself outside
the fortress /; there I met two work
men, who were coming toward me Loo
ed at me attentively. 1 then turned the
board on their side, but they appeared
30 inquisitive that I thought l could
not escape them, when I heard them
exclaim |;
"Oh! 1t Is Berthoud."
Once on the outside, I walked rapid
ly toward the Saint Quentin road.
A little later, Charles, who had en-
gagged a carriage for himself the pre-
ceding day, overlook me, and we reach
ed Saint Quentin.
Ipassed through the town on foot,
after taking off my blouse.
Charles had nrooI1roI a wat oorr
age, under pretense of going to the
races at Cambria. We reached Val
eneiennes without difficulty, when /
took the railway.
l had obtained a BeIgirn passport
but it has nowhere been asked for.
During this time Conneau, always so
devoted, remained in, and gave out
| was i'll, SO as to give me time
to reach the frontier.
I hoped he will no. have been i'll
that would be, as you may
suppose, a great grief for me.
But. my dear Mr.. Degeorge, ifI
exI e-ienced a lively sentiment of Joy
when 1 found myself outside the fort
I was very sadly impressed Oh
passing the frontier the certainty that
the Government would never set me
at liberty, unless 1 consented to dis
honor myself, was necessary to decide
to quit France ; finally, it was reces-
sary that I should be urged to this
step by the desire of trying all means
console my father in his old age.
Although free, 1 feel myself very un-
Be assured of my warm
and if you can, try to be
useful to my good Conneau.
IOIIIS NAPOLEON.