The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-09-09
THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Emperor Napoleon had surrendered to King
William of Prussia, and the splendid army
OF Gen. McMahon, after sustaining a. series
OF conflicts, in which prodiges of valor were
exhibited ON both sides, capitulated at Sedan,
little town not far from the Belgium border,
and surrendered itself to the victorious arms
of the Prussians. These stupendous events,
fraught with so great consequences to the
present and future history of Europe, were
announced in the following message from
King William to the Queen:
Before Sedan France, Friday, September
l,22 +; M.-From the King to the Queen !:
capitalization whereby the whole army at
Sedan are prisoners ofwar, has Just been con.
cluded with General Wimpffen, commanding.
instead of General Mcmahon, who is woun.
ded. The Emperor surrendered himself to
me, as he has no command, and left eyery-
thing to the Regent at Paris His residence
shall appoint. after an interview with him.
at rendezvous to be fixed What a course
events have assumed by Gods guidance"
Thus, as we predicted at the outset, has the
war been, Short sharp and decisive" al
though these surrenders were made without
prejudice to the regency at Paris. A little
over four weeks of actual hostilities has plac-
ed France hors du combat The fighting that
led up to these important events, was of the
most sanguinary and fearful character but
the Prussians by their superior strategy out
numbered the French and achieved the vic
tory that has accomplished so much for
them.
In Paris meanwhile the excitement is of
course, intense. The French ministers have
issued proclamation announcing the disas.
ter at Sedan, stating the number of troops
surrendered at forty thousand, and declaring
that the reverse, cruel as it is, will not shake
their courage; that Paris is in complete
state OF defense; new army will be under
the walls of Paris in few days, and that an.
other army is forming on the banks of the
Loire
Monday Sept. 5.-The details of the battle
that decided the fate of McMahon's army and
the Emperor, are graphic and interesting.
THE BATTLE AND SURRENDER.
The French are said to have had in action
about 10000 and the Prussians 100000 men.
The slaughter Oh both sides was very great.
General McMahon was among the wounded.
On Friday, it being apparent that further
hostilities would be vain, the French Gener-
al Wimpffen was commissioned to conduct
capitulation. Under flag of truce he pro-
coed to the Prussian headquarters and form.
ally surrendered the French army and the
fortress of Sedan to King William. At the
same time General Wimpffen delivered let
ter to King William from the Emperor, in
which he surrendered himself, being without
a command, and without prejudice to the
Rugency at Paris. The Emperor, in his let
ter to King William, is reported to have said
said: "As l cannot die at the head of INV
army, l lay my sword at the feet of your
Majesty" He subsequently delivered him.
self up in person. In making his surrender
in the special manner, it would seem that he
has sought tie secure for himself the condsid-
alton due an Emperor, not more military
officer taken captive without a command.
1t is stated that during the progress of Thurs
days battle, when the day had been quite de-
cided against the French, the Emperor re-.
ceived message from the front advising
to make his escape into Belgium, but that he
was to still take the journey.
PANIC IN PARIS.
In Paris on Sunday, the news, so sudden
and astonishing, created an intense panic,
and events were rapidly rushing to crisis
1t was declared that the supreme moment for
France had arrived involving national life
or death. Revolution seemed eneyitable.
DECLARATION OF THE REPUBLIC.
Tuesday, Sept $50 rapidly has one grand
event followed another, that the overthrow
of the Emperor, the collapse of the Empire,
and the Declaration of the Republic may be
announced together.
The act itself was formally consummated,
it would seem, on Sunday, but not officially
announced until Monday. The first action
taken by the Corps Legislatif was vote up
on decheance, or the forfeiture of the empire,
upon which the gaache, or cleft" composed
of republicans alone, appear to have voted,
the majority, composed of the supporters of
the empire, perceiying resistance to the pop
ular demonstrations useless, making no OPP
position. Subsequently a provisional gov
eminent was formed and General Trochu
made President. The Senate was suppressed
and the Corps Legislatif dissolved. Palikao
is displaced, Trochu being made also Minis
ter of war.
THE DETHRoNED EMPEROR.
Various statements of scenes attending the
surrender of the Emperor are given. A
Belgian paper says
On Friday morning the Emperor rode from
his place of detent ionic call on the King as
a visitor rather than prisoner. His ba-
rouche was piloted by two uhlans, and sur
rounded by several generals, the Imperial
Piquers, in green and gold, being his only
body guard. The Emperor smoked ciga-
rette as he rode. When the object of the
visit Of the French flag became noised as the
surrender of the Emperor, the enthusiasm
was more than French The bearded fellows,
discarding their weapons, threw their arms
about the nearest necks, and set up the Mar
seillaise and Partant Pour La Syne, which,
for some time, rang through the camps until
the King silenced 1t.
The soldiers shouted around Bismark, who,