The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-10
n1sr1rcUIsHED MORNING VISITOR.

Hs.nor;AnTERs, DoucHERy, NEAR SEDAN.
September 8.
Yesterday morning quite early carriage
containing four French officers drove out
/ IRON Sedan, aud came INTO tne herman INES.
The carriage was accompanied by three officers
on horseback, but had no other escort, and
when it had arrived among the Germans, one
of the occupants put his head out and asked
them in their own language where was Count
Bismarck; he must see him at once. The Ger
mans said that Douchery was the most likely
spot in which TO find the Count, though no one
knew exactly his Whereabouts. Forward.
then, to Douchery." The carriage dashed
away. and many curious glance was cast
alter 1t. That short drive was afterwards
known to be great historic event. Count
bismarck may live all the years that a coHrte-
ous Arab could wish him and never have such
another visitor in the early morning.
NAPOLEON AND BIsNARoK's INTERVIEW.
They met at a small house outside the town,
| on the LETT bank Of the Meuse, In u house
where. oddly enough. the inmates, being from
Luxembourg, spoke both French and German.
On his first arrival the Emperor went inside.
But it was thought that they could sit more
| fully fine, fresh morning. So chairs were
| placed for them, and they sat talking for
couple of hours The Emperor wore the IN
dress uniform of a general, with but one deco
ration on his breast, and with the usual Kept
| (soldier's oap) Of the French service. Count
Bismarck was In his white cnirassier's undress
uniform, with fiat cap and long boots II
Won picture them sitting outside the small
house, with the staff officers present lying on
the patch of grass not far of, and the tall pop
lar trees f1anking the chauSee as far as 1t can
be seen, you will realize this striking episode.
NAPOLEON BoEs NOT SURRENDER FRANCE.
Napoleon appeared in better health than
last year, but anxious and careworn. he
asked to see King william, and said he placed
himself at his Majesty's disposition. As to poll
litics, he avoided all show OF dealing in any,
while prisoner, with the fate OF France. He
surrendered with his army, but could not
weld one lot politically on behalf Of the French
people, or of the government of the Empress
Regent.
BISMARCK WANTS COMPLETE SURRENDER. .
Count Bismarck, in his turn, placed before
Napoleon the fact that this surrender of Sedan
must be complete-I had well nigh said must
be unconditional, but that would be going too
far. 1t mist be O complete surrender be-
cause the French were not In position to ask
better terms.
The Emperor much desired to see King
| William before the articles Of capitulatiOn
were signed. This, however. the King had
thought 1t better both for himself and his illus
trIous prisoner to refuse. They could not so
we'll arrange hard bargain as could their
ministers and generals. In everything personal
the King was resolved to rent the Emperor
with consideration; but as to the question of
the terms to be granted, that was another
matter.
NAPOLEON SEEKS A RETIRED CHATEAU.
When Napoleon aud Bismarck had chatted
for a little while, mostly of Indifferent things,
this long, aforementioned Interview beside
the Meuse was brought to an end. The Count
went to prepare his own quarters IN Douchery
ward decided that q snug chateau near Frenois
wonld be more convenient, as Napoleon wisll-
ed to be as little seen by people as possible.
Thither he was then escorted by detachment
of the First Prussian cuirasslers, and there ne
remained while Generals De Wtmpffen and
Won Moltke discussed the terms OF the sur
render OF Sedan. There was hard parSaln
to drive, but proportlonate power Oh uri'-
ing it.
GERMAN PRECAUTIONS.
Not an inch of their past gains had been
neglected by the Germans. Masses Oh lnIan-'
try were posted on every line OF approach TO
the town. Guns were still pointed against the
French, and a numerous body of cavalry was
ready to sweep down upon any straSgiers VINO
should perchance get through in the confusion
of sortie.
The King had declared that ne snOulo reopen
fire IL the capitulation was not signed oy noon
of the I'd instant. 1t was altogether desper-
ate case; thorough checkmate OF fine but
disheartened army DeWlmphen was con-
vinced of this when Won Moltke pointed out
to him how carefully he had prepared his
plans. Sadly and reluctantly the French gen:
eral agreed to sign as the only thing to be
uone.
THE CONDITIONS.
The whole army, including the Emperor,
were to be considered prisoners of war. There
was indeed clause by which the officers were
10 De at liberty TO return home on their writ
Ten promise not to serve against Prussia or her
allles during the present contest, but they
were to take their men safely into German
| ana hand them over TO Germany. Arms,
horses, artillery anu war materials of all kinds
were TO be given up. The Town Of Sedan was
to be thrown open to the Germans, and the
French soldiers were TO be taken out to the
meadows on the head Of the Meuse, between
their departure for Germany could be conve
niently arranged.
De Wimpfftn spoke bitterly of having hur
| ried back from Africa only to find such a task
as this derolved upon him. 1t was indeed an
ill-omened journey to join force which he
found outnuubered and defeated, one mirht
almost say, before the battle begun, aud to as
sist In an act to surrender that would be tJ
his eternal regret
THE KING VISITS THE EEPEROR.
King William made visit to the captive
Emperor in the chateau of Frenois yesterday
afternoon. Napoleon remained perfectly calm.
In the beginning of the visit ne received his