Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-11-03

Marshal Bazaine surrendered the army
and garrison of Metz to Prince Freder,
lex Charles on Thursday last. The mum
Der Of prisoners is reported at l73 900,
which is far greater than the force was
supposed to be. Many pretend to be-
lieve that Bazaine betrayed the French
people, and surrendered before there was
any necessity for it. Democrats are
mainly the parties in this country who
circulate this report, prompted by their
enmity to Germany They will not give
the Germans credit for anything if thew
can by any subterfuge avoid it. To our
mind, however, it is plain that Bazaiue
held out as long as possible, and only
surrendered when starvation compelled
him to do SO. The following statement
concerning the condition of the beseired
army at the time Of the surrender rs BY
special correspondent of the New York
Herald, who was an eye witness:
"The surrender of Bazaine took no.
body by surprise. 1t was certain ever
since the departure of Boyer. For sew
eral preceding days the French pickets
were drawnin and firing entirely ceased
The Germans advanced close to the
French and talked in a friendly manner
with the enemy, occasionally giving the
poor and emaciated fellows a portion of
their rations. A week ago it was nnder-
stood that the food in the fortress was so
nearly exhausted that the men were nut
on the shortest possible rations This,
added to the unfavorable weather and
active increase Of sickness, rendered the
army desperate. Large delegations of
the men went to Bazaine--thev were not
lnsubordinate, but desired to be led out
to the assault en- masse, saying they pres
ferred to die in the field rather than by
starvation Bazaine spoke to them kind.
ly and afectienately and declared he was
ready to die with them anywhere. He
represented the hopelessness of their
doing anything in their present weak
condition, being almost destitute of horses
even if they cut through the line. He
stated that the terms for an honorable
capitulation were being considered, and
he hoped soon to relieve his brave men
from their terrible situation. This quiet
ed the army, but the rules were so re-
Taxed that several bodies went over to the
German lines without opposition. They
did not mean to be dislyal but hoped to
save themselves from starvation and en-
able those remaining to subsist few
days longer
''On Tuesday it became known that a
capltulation was about to take place.
After the preliminary messengers, Gen.
Changarnier on tive part of Marshal
Bazaine, and Mayor Won Sickle on the
part Of Prince Frederick Karl, met to
arrange the surrender, the terms of
which had been agreed upon by King
William Almost simultaneously prepa-
rations were made for an Immediate
march by large portion of the invests
ang army, and sending of supplies of
food 10 the captivating forces. This
was necessary to prevent the horrors of
actual star .ation As soon as the terms
were finally signed at the Princes heads
quarters, there was agreat rush of APP
plicants for permission to enter Metz
fal wece positively refused had, hox>
ever, an opportunity of entering Bal
2ainc's lines and conversing freely with
many officers and men, One thing | re.
marked, was the certain general feeling
against the present provisional governs
Ment, Many were severe against the
Emperor, but equally SO against his sues
cessorS.