The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-09-13

I. SEPTEMBEk IL IS(
respondent of the Tribune telegraphs
from the Kings headquarters at Yer.
drest, near Sedan, Friday: The battle ol
Sedan began, at six o'clock on the morn.
ing of September 1. Two Prussian
corps were in position on the west Of
Sedan. having got there by long forced
marches, to cut off the French retreat
to Mezieres. South of Sedan, was the
First Bavarian corps, and east, across
the Mouse, the Second Bavaran corps.
The Saxons were on the northeast, with
the Guards. / was with the King through
out the day on the hill above the Meuse,
commanding a splencid view of the val
ley of. the Meuse and the field.
After tremendous battle, the Prus-
slams having completely surrounded Sc
dan and the Bavarians having enteyed
the Notifications of Sedan, the Emperor
capltulated at 5 :15 P. NJ. His letter to
the King of Prussia said; eAs cannot
die at the head of nv army, I lay my
sword at the feet OF your Majesty Ma.
poleon left Sedan for the Prussisn head,
quarters at Vindres at Z O'Clock in the
morning Of September I'd. /; McbIahon's
whole army, comprising 100000 pris-
oners, capitHlated without conditions. =
The Prussians had 240, 900 men engaged
or, in reserve; the French 100000.
PARIS, September 4.-The Council OF
Ministers have issued the following
proclamation to the French people:
A great misfortune has come upon the
country. After three days Of heroic
struggles sustained by the army Of Mar
shal McMahon against 100000 of the
enemy, forty Thousand men were made
prisoners. General De Wimpfen, who
took command of the army in place of
McMahon, badly wounded, has signed
the capitulation. This cruel reverse
will not shake our confidence. A CON-
Iplete stats Of the defenses Of the coun-
try will be, organized in few days. "A
new army will be under the, walls of Par
is. Another army is forming on the
banks of the Loire. Your patriotism,
your union, your energy will save
France. The Emperor being made a
prisoner, the government, in accordance
with public powers, will take measures
required by the gravity of events.
Slgned-Count.. De Palikao, Jules
Bramede, La Tour De Uyegne, Grande
Parret, ,Clemont Du Verneyis, P. Mague,
Busson Billanlt, jerome David,
{. Council of Ministers,
In the Senate, yesterday, the Minister
of War said: 'sWe have learned through
various official channels that Marshal
BazaiDe failed in, the attempt to free
himself from the hostile armies which
held him shut up around Metz. His
efforts were heroic. The King of Prus,
sia could not help rendering justice to
the yalor of our soldiers. Marshal
McMahon, after ..endeavoring to reach
Bazaine in direction north, was oblig.
ed to retire in the environs of Sedan
There were several days fighting, with
alterations, success and reverse, but
we contended against an enemy who
was our superiors in number, and in
spite of the most energetic efforts. ter
minated in the defeat of opr arms. 9th
er advices of Prussian origin are still
more anfavorable, but do not appear to
us to be worth credit in all cases, and
the government is not willing to give
them an appearance of authenticity by
Communicating them to the public. Our
reverses afflict us so that it is impossible
for us to witness without emotion so
much courage and SO much devotion,
though unayailing, But this sight, far
from taking away the energy, augments
and redoubles it. Since the present
cabinet came into power, it has drawn
from France all that her resources could
yield, and they still remain so strong
that, with the help of the nation, we
may yet have the last word. Let US hope
that God will help US, and drive the en-
emy from our soil
jerome David added to the above by
stating that the sdeferses of the capital
are in the best condition, and, according
to competent judges, capable of resist
ing all the efforts of the enemy. eLet
us defend Paris,' he said, aon the walls
and in the, streets, and if it must be, we
will bury ourselves under il ruins
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