New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-21
4 CURIOUS LETTER.
LOUIS NAPOLEoN's OWN STORY OF HIS ESCAPE
PROM THE FORTRESS OF HAM IN 1916.

LOUIS NAPOLEONS OWN STORY OF HIS ESCAPE
PROM THE FORTRESS OF ham IN 1916.
The following is translation of q hitherto
published letter written by Louis Napoleon just after
his escape from the Fortress of Ham, to the editor of
newspaper to which he had contributed during his
imprisonment In a certain poverty and awkward
ness of dicton il is faithful to the original which
was evidently not intended for publications
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 attempted,
and for which needed more frmness and courage
than at Strasbourg and Boulogne for was resolved
not to endure the rdcule that fastens on those who
are arrested under disguise, 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 sol
diers, 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 ira
verse all the inner court before the windows of the
Commandant; having reached there it was necessary
to pass through the gate where an orderly ana
a sergeant, gatekeeper, q sentinel, and finally,
post of thirty men.
Not having been willing to establish any commu-
nicaton with a corruptible jailor SOL q disguise
was of course, necessary. Now as several rooms OF
the building inhabited were undergoing repairs, IL
was easy TO take the costume of workman MY
good and faithful Charles Theln procured blouse
and wooden shoes. cut off my mustache and took
board on my shoulders.
Monday morning saw the workmen come in at "a
o'clock. When they were at work Charles took some
drink to them in room, 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 was hardly out of my room when l
was accosted by a workman who followed me. taking
me for of his comrades at the foot of the STAIR
case found myself front TO front with keeper
Luckily put the board before his face and reached
the court, always holding the board between myself
and the sentinel and those whom met.
When passing before the first sentinel let fall
my pipe but stopped to pick up the pieces. Then
Imet the officer of the guard, but he was reading
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 /
found myself outside the fortress there / met two
workmen, who were coming toward me. and
looked at me attentyely. then turned the board
on their side, hut they appeared so nquistive that
thought / could not escape them, when heard
them exclaim
ooh! Ii is Berthoud."
Once on the outside, walked rapidly toward the
Saint Quentin road.
A little later Charles who had engaged carriage
for himself the preceding day, overlook me- and we
reached Saint Quentin.
passed through the town foot, after taking of
my blouse
Charles had procured a post-cariagc, under pre-
tense of going to the races at Cambria We reached
Valenciennes without difficulty. where l took tho
railway.
had obtained q Belgian passport but IT has no.
where been asked for. During this time Conneau,
always 80 devoted remained in prison, and gave out
that was i'll, so as TO give Inc time TO reach the
frontier
] hoyo he will not have been ill-trcated; that
would by. as you may suppose, great grief for me-
But my dear Mr. Degeorge, If | experienced
lively sentiment of JOY when found myself outside
the fortress was very sadly impressed on passing
the frontier; the certainty that the Government
would never set me AT liberty unless consented to
dishonor myself was necessary 20 decide me 20 quit
France; finally, it was necessary that should be
urged to this step by the desire Of trying all means TO
console my father in his old age. Adieu, my dear
Mr. Degeorge Although free. feel myself very un-
fortunate. BE assured Of my warm friendship. and
if you can, try to be useful 10 my good Conneau.
LOUIS NAPOLEON.