The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-10-19

Now also, perceived l should be shut up In that
circle which the Prussians had been drawing about
/ the army and town, and which at last complete.
made my wsy last could BY the safest paths.
When ] reached the suburb before the Porte dc
Balan, 1 found it encountered with soldiers of
all the corps. II defeat evidently yet not
IL O'clock and the battle was destined to continue
al different points for some time longer, though
continuing without any real hope of victory. There
was no longer any battle to describe. II hrst
retreat, aud too soon a rout | thought myself
luekey to get away from the field as did, for,
hour afterwards the rout of these forces nearly
complete. Already soldiers were crushing against
each other in the struggle to get inside the town
Dismuunted cavalry were trying to make way even
bv the rImparts, eapng down from the counter
searp; Others forcing their way by the postern gates
From nook OF the ramparts, as rested moment,
saw also, cuirassers jumping horse and all, into
the moat, the horses breaking their legs and ribs
Men serambling each other; officers of
all ranks, Colouels and even Generals in the uni
form, it was impossible to mistake, mixed in this
shameful melee. Behind all guns with their
heavy carriages and powerful horses forcing their
way into the thrung, manning and crushing fugi-
tives foot. To add TO the confusion and horror,
the Prussian batteries had by this time advanced
within range and Prussian shells began falling into
the midst of the struggling masses of men. On the
ramparts were the Garde Nationale manning the
guns of the town, and replying with more or less
effect to the nearest Prussian batteries. 1t was
horrible enough TO have pleased the fancy Of
Gustave Dore himself could form but idea
of our unhappy army-that is it at the bottom Of
a seethiug eauldron hurried back as best could
to my hotel, following the narrow streets where
] ~.
ever there was square or open place, came upon
the bodies of horses and men quite dead or still
quiyering, mown to pieces by bursting shells
Reaching my hotel, found the street choked like
the rest. with wagons, guns, horses and men. Most
luckily the Prussian fire did not at this moment
hlade this street, for train Of eassous filed with
powder blocked it, itself unable to move back
ward or forward. There every chance that these
eassions would explode, the town being then fire
in two places, aud l began to think Sedan was a
place more uncomfortable than the battle field
which the victorious enemy was swiftly adyan-
cling. From friends whom / found at the hotel l
learned that the Emperor who had started early in
the morning for the field of battle, had returned
about the time that did, and passed through the
streets with his staff One of my friends near
him on the Place Turenue, when shell fell under
his horse aud bursting killedthe horse Of General
behind him. He himself was untouehod and turn
ed around and smiled, though my friend thought he
tears in his eyes, which he wiped away with his
glove Indeed he had cause enough for tears that
fatal first OF September Meantime, shells began to
fall in the direction of street and hotel We all
stood under the yaulted stone entrance, the
sions still in the streets, and filling oil the
space iron end to end 1t was at this time, while
We waited watching painfully for the she'll which
would have sent altogether into another world,
that General Wmpffen past, making a vain ef-
fort TO rally and inspirit his flying troops. He
shouted ViUe Ia France Gpont, but there
response. He cried out that Bazsine was taking the
Prussians in the rear THIS which had been
current all the morning at intervals, coming from
the mouth OF General de Wimpffen came to be be-
lieved, and a few thousand men rallied and follow
ed him out of the town People began to have
hope and for one brief moment we believed the day
might yet be saved. Alas need say that this in
telgenee was a patriotic falsehood of the brave
General WimpGeu. Mad with anguish, and in di-
rect opposition to the Emperors orders, he had
solved TO rally what be could and make stand.
My friend Pere D'Quiraye, of the CAassears d 4tri-
que, whom have just met, after losing sight of him
for ten twelve years. got horseback sgain and
Joined the General This is what took place In the
sortie. They went out at the Porte dc Balan. The
houses of the suburb nearly full of Prussians,
who fire on the French out of every window. The
church, especially, is strongly garrisoned. The
heavy doors are closed. The General ssnt De Cur
ray TO fetch two pieces of eannoG These soon
rived, aud with them the door of the church
blown in. Two hundred Prussians were captured
and brought back with the French, who in spite Of
all efforts were obliged retire again into the
town. 1t was the last incident of the battle-the
last struggle.
"While this took place at the Porte de Balan the
Prussian sheng went on, and the shells began to
fall into the hotel Shocking followed. A
boy the son of tradesmau round the corner Of the
street, came in crying and asking for surgeon, say
ing his fathers leg had been shot of. woman in
front of the house met the same fate. The doctor
who went 10 the iradesmen found him dead, and re-
turning attempted to carry the woman to ambu-
lance. He had scarcely made step when she was
shot dead 10 his Those Of who stand 10 the
gateway and witness such scenes have gos beyond
any feeling OF personal fear. Any Of us, will ven
tuTe say, would have given bis life to spare France
this dreadful day. Yet stand pale aud shudder-
ing at the sight Of Ihe fate which befalls the poor
people Of the town-Civans, and even the jadded
soldiers, as helpless as they. pass details. 1
care not to dwell on horrors which, nevertheless
than one brave officer who did not fear to shrink
from the sight Of what had become mere massacre.
Those who safely out Of the way as prisoners,
whether officers men, need not be pitied When,
after time, il became clear that there was no sign
Of Bazline the hopes Of the French again departed.
sullen sort of fight still went The guns ofthe
town answered the Prussians. An Aid de-Camp, Of
the Emperor went by on foot, and heard him ask,
the officers by to help hin to put ont the ire
such being the Emperor's wish. At length the
white flag raised on the citadel The eannonade
ceased suddenly at about half past four. Eager
we were TO know TIE cause, we cannot leave the
house for the street is impossible, and we shall have
to be eoutent with learning the mere fact Of sur
render. As night grew on the crowd little dimin-
ishsd and by some effort it was possible u make
ones way about town. The spectacle il offered a
few hours before wss more horrible than ever. Tie
dad we're 5ing everywhere civilians and soldiers
mingled in the same slaughter. 10 one suburb |
counted more than hlty bodies OF peasants and |
Bourgeois, few women among them aud ono child |
The ground was strewn with spinters Of shells |
Starving soldiers emitting dead horses to cook
and eat, for provisions bad again fsiled ss every
thing has failed aimee fhfs caurpaf0u heoun 7