The Portland daily press., 1869-04-24
Louis Napeleon's Escape from Ham.


HIS OWN STORY.
The most lamsntable event of the century
the escape of Louis Napoleon from the fortress
of Ham, is thus described by himself in a let
ter written soon after that event and now for
the first time published. OF all the crimes of
the Bourbons this is the one that crowns their
infamy. tits true that it had the incidental
advantage of keeping themselves out of the
way for all eternity, but it transferred their
power to another dynasty more powerful and
more seriously obstructive to the march of
progress:
My DEAR Mr.. DEGEoRGE: E:-The desire of
once more seeing my father in this life has
made me attempt the boldest undertaking
that have ever attempted, and for whishf
needed more firmness and courage than at
Strasbourg and Boulogne, for was resolved
not to endure the ridicule that fastens on those
who ars arrested under disguise, and fail
ure would have been no slonger 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 be-
fore the windows of the Commandant; having
reached there, it was necessary to pass through
the gate where were an orderly and q sergeant
gate-keeper, sentinel, and finally, post of
thirty men. ~
Not having been willing to establish anv
communication with corruptible Tailor OF so,)
q disguise was of course, necessary Now as
several rooms OF the building inhabited were
undergoing repairs@i was easy to take the
costume of workman. My good and faith
full Charles Thelin procured blouse and
wooden Shoes i cut off my moustache and
took board on my shoulders. -lf
Monday morning saw the workmen come
In at IL 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 etr.- HI.r
Meanwhile, l was hardly out of my room
when was accosted by workman who fol-
lowed me, taking me for one Of his comrades;
at the foot of the staircase 1 found myself
front to front with keeper. Luckily 1 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 met the officer of the guard,
but he was reading letter and did not notice
me. The soldiers of the post at the gate SEEM
ed to wonder at my dress; the drummer in
particular turned several times to look
Meanwhile the orderliss opened the door
and found myself outside the fortress; there
met two workmen, who were coming toward
me, and looked at me attentively. then
turned the board on their side, but they ap-
peared so inquisitve that thought could
not escape them, when heard them exclaim
"Ohi It is Berthoud.' 4fn
Once on the outside, walked rapidly to-
ward the Saint Quentin road.
A little later, Charles, who had engaged q
carriage for himself the preceding day, over
| took me, and we reached Saint Quentin.
passed through the town on loot, after tax
| ing off my blouse.
| Charles had procured post-carriage under
| pretense of going to the races at Cambria
We reached Valencennes without difficulty,
| where took the railway.
had obtained q Belgian passport, but il has
| nowhere been asked for. During this time
Conneau, always so devoted, remained in pris-
on, and gave out that was i'll, so as to give me
time to reach the frontier.
hope he will not have been ill-treated; that
would be, as you may suppose, great grief
| for me.
But, my dear Mr.. Degeorge, if expert
enced lively sentiment of joy when found
| myself outside the fortress, was very sadly
| impressed on passing the frontier; the certain
| ty that the Governments would never set me at
liberty, unless consented to dishonor myself,
| was necessary to decide me to quit France; a.
nally, 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 unfortunate. Be assured OF my
warm friendship, and. If you can, try to be
useful to my good Conneau. N-4t
III -a LOUIS NAPOLEON.