The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-09


BERLIN, Sept. 8.
The following highly important dispatch has
Just been made public here - 'I
,'BEroRE SEDAN, FRANCE, a
.| i...E m fRiDAY, Sept. q l.2lP. Ms
"PRox THE KING TO THE QUEEN IA capliuta-
ton, whereby the whole army At Sotan arc prison
fen commanding, instead Of Marshal Mcmahon,
who is wounded. The Emperor surrendered him
self 10 me a he had no command, and LETT every:
shall appoint sfsef an Interview with him ats rem.
defyous 70 be fixed Immediately. What Q course
events have assumed by Gods guidance!
NAPoLEoN's LITTER.
The Emperor's letter to the King Of Prussia
said -
AS cannot die at the head Of my. army, lay
my sword Mt the feet Of your majesty" -
The ej,icing over the reception Of the giori-
Gus news from Sedan battles description. II was
known ut 8 o'clock In the morning. The whole
population poured into the streets, and rushed
10 the Palace Of the Queen. In q very few
minutes the Queen was out on the balcony,
dressed In plain morning wrapper, weeping
with Joy rs she received the jeafening cheers
Of the multitude. Hundreds OF women fell upon
their knees thanking God for the apparent APP
proach Of the end Of terrible war. Schools
were closed and PROFESSIONS Of children were
formed In all quarters. Many climbed the
statue Of Frederick the Great, crowning Il, with
wreaths and Aags, An impromptu procession
of citizens was cotton up, which marched
through the streets with banners and music.
There is a general belief that France will ADAM
don further resistance. AL financial circles
share In the exultation. which Is shown by the
buoyancy Of the markets. The people gladly
welcome peace on the most generous terms con-
sistent with perfect security against future
war; ..... ,-.l.. .. ..g. !, i......-
We have the following particulars Of the con-
flict which preceded the surrender, which oc-
Cured ON Friday between the hours OF A. NJ.
and p. NJ. between Mairz and DOME, and at
the latter hour the crisis was decided by Q bay.
onet charge along the whole line the French
were driven across the Meuse and the Prussians
occupied the battlefield. A dispatch from
Sedan. midnight, says "Thc die Is cast 40 far
as McNIahon's fine army and fortunes OF empire
are concerned. All Is over with France. Al
first the great battle was confined to artillery,
both armies firing necessarily, the French evil
IDENTIFY being weaker Of guns. AT noon an At
tack made by tho Prussian infantry with the
object Of breaking the French centre, but after
tremendous firing the Prussians fell back. ,I
At o'clock firing less incessant, but 1t was
only the prelude Of yet 6ercer assault. At =
O'Clock simultan eous movement was male
along the whole Prussian line, the infantry
charging French guns. At three o'clock
the French line, which previously stood arm,
aaycred and broke. The battle then became
rout. McNlahon Is reported rs seriously II not
fatally wounded during the last attack. The
Prussian forces pressed forward, resolutely bent
upon cutting of retreat towards Belgium and
used the bayonet with terrible effect. Night
closed on the rout and pursuit, leaving the
Prussians gathering In large numbers around
Sedan. The Emperor remained at Sedan
throughout the battle. At half past two o'clock
message was sent to the Emperor at his head
quarters advising him to fly to Belgium, but he
was too i'll to undertake the journey. This
morning the Prussians prepared to attack Be-
dan which was not in condition TO resist.
At twelve o'clock, q party Of officers, headed
by General wimpfen, left Sedan bearnga Tag
* truce. II was received and conducted to
headquarters where the General formally sur
rendered the French army and fortress to King
William. The party also bore letter from
Emperor Napoleon 10 King William, stating he
desired to surrender himsef. not having any
command. The formal capitulation took place
nj half past one O'Clock. II Is said the Empe-
ror will be sent under q strong escort to Maggie
burg, but his destination Is secret.
PARIS, Sept. IA Council Of Ministers has
issued the following to the French people:
A great misfortune has fallen upon the coun-
try amer three days heroic struggle, sustained
by the army Of Marshal McMahon against
900 900 of the enemy. Forty thousand men
have been made prisoners. Gen. wimpfen,
who took command OF the army Of Marshal No
Mabon. badly wounded, has signed the capitu-
iation. This cruel reverse will not shake our
courage. The military forces Of the country
will be organized. Paris Is to-day In Q CON-
nlete state of defence. In q few days new
army will be under the walls Of Paris. and
another army Is forming on the banks OF the
Loire. Your patriotism, your union, your en-
erpy will save France. The Emperor has been
made prisoner In the struggle. The Govern
mcnt. in accord with public powers, will take
all measures required by the gravity OF events.
(Signed by he council Of mini'ier'.)
TIE FRENCH cHANBERs-srArENENr OF TIE
MINISTER OF WAR.
I'm the Senate, yesterday, the minister Of War
said ave have leaerncd through various un.
official channels that Marshal BiIsine failed In
MI, ATTEMPT TO free himself from the hostile
n, mics which have held him shut up around
Metz. His efforts have been heroic. The King
Of Prussia could not help rendering justice to
tho yalor of our soldiers. Marshal Mcmahon,
affer endeayoring To reach hand 70 Ba1aine
In the direction Of the North, was Obliged to Ne
tire In the environs Of Sedan, where there were
several days' fighting with alternate successes
and rcyerses. out we contended against The enc
INV numerically our superiors, aud, In spite OF
the most energetic attempts, II seems 70 have
terminated in this unfo, tunate manner for our
arms. Other adyiccs, Of Prussan origin, are
still more unfayorsble, but do not appear to Us
worthy Of credit In all cases. and the Govrrn-
ment Is not willing to give them the sppearanee
OF authenticity by communicating them 70 the
nublic. Our reverses afiict US. Il is imposri-
bic for as to witness without deep emotion %
much courage and 50 much devotion rendered
upavailing but this spectacle, far from taking
awsy our energy, augmetts and redoubles u.
Since the present Cabinet came into power u
has drawn from France all that her resourcs
could Weld, and they still remain 90 strong. that
with energy, and the help OF the nation, We
NAV vel have the last worl. Let US hope that
God may help US and drive the enemy from
our soil" 1915, .7,.. ...I ,..,gi. .i,ra,.,
The Euglish government, In conjunction WIN
other neutral powers. Is about 70 MAKE IN earnss'
appeal to Prussia to conclude peace on the
basis Of TIE following propositions french ter
ritory to be held inviolats. France 70 pay Yer.
many the expenses OF the wsr. The gsncn,
disarmament Of France. The destruction OF OIL
forts In Al,ace and Lorraine. .rigr...
II Is believed that these terms wiz % aocePta-
"' IA. l..s.- Pre-. ,. >. "a. si...i,..
Lnxnox. Sent. 1. The Times to-day 10 ln