Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-04-28
Slisabstb 2ailn aonitor,
PUBLISHED AT 155 BROAD STREET. BY
J. MADISON DRAKE.
A CURIOUS LETTER.

hitherto unpublished letter written by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
diction it is faithful to the original,
which was evidently not intended for
publication
My DEAR Mr.. DEGEoRGE 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 Strasburg and
Boulogne. for L was resolved not to
endure the ridicule that fastens on
those who are arrested under dis
guise, and 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 daily
guard of sixty soldiers, who were on
duty within and without the fort
furthermore the door of the prison was
guarded by three jailors, two of whom
were always on duty. 1t was necessary,
therefore, in the first place, to pass
before them, then to traverse all the
inner court before the windows of the
Commandant having reached there, it
was necessaryrto pass through the gate
where were ON orderly and a sergeant,
a gate-keeper, sentinel, and finally, a
post of thirty men.
Not having been willing to establish
any communication with corruptible
jailor or SOL a disguise was, of course,
necessary. Now as several rooms of
their building inhabited were under
going repairs, it was easy to take the
costume of workman. My good and
faithful Charles Thelin procured a
blouse and wooden shoes. [ cut off my
mustache and took a board on my
shoulders.
Monday moring [ saw the workman
come in at 615 O'Clock. When they
were at work Charles took some drink
to them in a room, so as to get them
ont of my way he was also to call one
keeper up stairs, while Doctor was
talking with the others.
Meanwhile, was hardly out of my
room when [ was accosted by work
man who followed me, taking me for
one of his comrades 4; at the foot of the
staircase found my self front to front
with keeper. Luckily I put the
board before his face and reached the
court, always holding Ftheiboard be-
tween myself and the sentinel and
those whom 1 met.
When passing before the first sentinel
I let fall my pipe, but stopped to pick
up the pieces. Then I met the officer
of the guard, but he was reading a let
ter and did not notice me, The soldiers
of the post at the gate seemed to Won
der at my dress the drummer in par
ticular turned several times to look.
Meanwhile, the orderlies opened the
door and I found myself outside the
fortress there L met two workmen,
who were coming toward me, and look
ed at me attentively. I then turned
the board on their ide, but they APP
peared SO inquisitive that [ thought |
could not escape them, when 1 heard
them eXclaim:
"Oh 1t is Berthoud.
Once on the outside, walked rapid
ly toward the Saint Quentin road.
A little later, Charles, who had ell
gagged a carriage for himself the pre-
ceding day, overlook me, and we
reached Saint Quentin.
L passed through the town on foot,
after taking off my blouse.
Charles had procured post carriage,
under pretense of going to the races
at Cambria. We reached Valenciennes
without difficulty, where took the rail
way.
had obtained Belgian passport,
but it has nowhere been asked for.
During this time Conneau, always so
devoted, remained in prison, and gave
out that was i'll, so as to give me time
to reach the frontier.
1 hope he will not have been ill-treat
ed ; that would be, as you may suppose
a great grief for me.
But, my dear Mr. Degeorge, if ex-
perienced lively sentiment of joy
when 1 found myself outside the for
ress, 1 was very sadly impressed on
passing the frontier ; the certainty that
the Government would never set me at
liberty, unless 1 consented to dishonor
myself, was necessary to decided me to
quit France finally, it was necessary
that I should be urged this step by de-
sire Of trying all means to console my
father in his old age. Adieu, my dear