The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-26
THE SEDAN SURRENDER.
The Hlns of Prussla's speech on the Battle
halh.


A letter in the Prtssan Cross Gazette, of the 11th
dated Vendresse, the 3d. says:-I have already told
you what TOOK place up to noon on the I'd. The
French commander, General Wimpfen, who had
been obliged to take command Of the army enclosed
In Sedan in place OF the severely wounded MacMa-
nor, hesitated to sign the captuaton, as he did not
wish TO close long military career free from
reproach by go contemptible an act, the fault OF
which was not his. Only arrived from Algeria two
days previously in order to take the command OF
General Faiy's division, who on unknown grounds,
had been removed by MacMahon, he had suddenly
been obliged to take the command of the whole
army, and would now be responsible to France
for this capitulation. He had learned to know Ger
man strategy and bravery, saw himself completely
invested and over eight hundred guns from all the
neighboring heights directed at Sedan. His sigma
ture, therefore, given before the final truce ex-
pred. When the document was brought to the
tito be read before the assembled princes to whom
the Duke OF SaXe-Coburg and Prince William of
Treskow read the several paragraphs of the captu-
lation, according to which those officers to be
at once released who, in writing, gave theic word
OF honor not to serve again in this against Prus-
sia They could then retain their swords and take
their property with them out of the fortress.
II they did not give their word of honor, they
shared the fate of the rank and file, who, in
recognition or the bravery they had displayed
tiona prisoners of war. All eagles, weapons, guns,
and provisions were moreover surrendered. When
the reading of this memorable document was ended,
the princes, said :-"You know gentlemen, what
great historical event has taken place. owe this
to the distinguished deeds OF the allied armies to
whom feel bound on this occasion to express my
Ringly thanks, especially as this success is well
adapted to knit more firmly the chain which untes
the friends of the North German Confederacy and
my other allies, whose princely representatives [
see numerously assembled round me at this mo-
ment We may hope, therefore, for happy future
Our task, however, is not completed with what has
hhapptened nap t d under our eyes for we do not know
II. We must, therefore, remain ready for blows;
but already give my thanks to every one who has
contributed leaf to the laurel crown of fame of
our fatherland" In mentioning his allies, the King
directed his eve particularly to Prince Leopold of
whom he subsequently gave his hand. One can
easily imagine the effect OF these words OF the King
at this moment and in this circle. glance upon
the valley where Prussians, Saxons, Bayarians,
and WurtembeTgers were encamped round hostile
ton Could do The King soon 'an afteTWsrds
mounted his horse and rode down to the valley
to visit thecamps of the different army corps. The
road led his Majesty past the Emperor's temporary
quarters, before which Bavarian infantry company
was stationed. AS the Emperor had voluntarily
surrendered himself, vanquished his Majesty was
able to visit him in order to console him In his pain
full situation On the hills it,was said the Emperor
would be sent to Bruhl Castle Cologne; but it
was ascertained when his Majesty left the room,
after haf an hours private conversation, that VIII
His Majesty then, till late In the evening rode
through the bivouacs Of the various corps and was
everywhere received with indescribable enthusiasm
by his brave soldiers. About he returned to his
headquarters at Vendresse.
After the Battle.
Sedan correspondent Of the London Times
We were recommended to 60 to certain M.
Picard, who we were told, had no one in his house.
Picard said, try next door; >; but next door we were
assured that Picard was the man, and that If he liked
to do 1t he could give US room. "Of course If you
ming sort of boor, whom Balzac might have intro
duced into Les Pdysans "Let me see Would you
Ike to have the room next this There is a wounded
man in here-you see he is not dead. The ball has
been extracted The surgeon even says that he
thinks tn M ne can bring him round but this wound mas
you. Otherwise If you like both of you to sleep
on the ground by the side of the wounded man, for
wi hat
said Picard, ''you would perhaps like the room up
stairs where my little boy is lying dangerously III
and bed shall be prepared for you at once" The
scarlet fever was also declined. "You have an eX-
street," said the Bavarian; 81 have already eX-
amined your house from the outside" ''Yes" an
swered Picard, .'and two young ladies on visit to
have not yet returned-are going to sleep in it. You
would not suppose, glaring at us with dull stupid
are not capable"-"yoq would not suppose ask
have you we as asked hs one the 0taee oae
you you are & now standing in" he replied 1--WE had left
viii viii e oa an o f55
room, in that bed, my wife and myself have slept
every night for the last thrty-fve years. Will now
give IL up TO you, gentlemen, and my wife aud
myself will walk up and down the street all night
while you are reposing" At last we went to the
available quarters He could tell us 81 none s' but
it appeared that in his own house. at of the ex-
Ielue tnus VI Iue COWn, doors smut, WINDOWS
darkened there were two magnificent suites
Of rooms, of which we occupied one. NJ.
next morning He pleaded bacSelorhood and sWoTe
he had no cook, nor could he say where even piece
OF bread was to be bought Indeed, the only sign of
hospitalityhe thought ut to manifest during my brief
and trust, never to be renewed acquaiu tance with
him, was the offer OF the tenth part of a bottle of
brandy the night that the Emperor sent in his letter
to the King OF Prussia. Every one thought the war
was at an end and, certainly, the vctors them
selves were pleased to think so. AS for the van.
quished-the population OF the conquered town /
was staying in-their delight was something humi-
liating to witness. Nous VOLTA Prussiens," ex-
as to say, "We are morally disgraced, but we, at
least, shall not die of hunger"