The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-11-08
Foreign NeWs-Gen. ChangarnleF's
ODinI0n OF BaZRines

was not guilty of treachery in the sur
render of Metz, but that he was in
competent to command so large an
army. The numbers bewildered him.
He could not move men; could not
operate forces; he had no judgment
mo foresight He was also a selfish
man-all self and personal glory and
not his country's honor.
Bazaine thought all the time that
he would be proclaimed hero soon;
/ that Paris would never hold out; that
! the war would fall fat, and that his
military reputation would not be I'm
paired. He hoped to march out of
Metz at the head of $50 900 men-the
cream of the French army-and make
| the public believe him a hero
After BazaiDe was driven into Metz.
on the 10Th of August, he could have
escaped had be marched boldly out
with his entire army.
During the thirteen remaining days
of September, and first fifteen days of
October, he could have done this
with absolute certainty. Any sound
military man will tell you the same
thing. There were fifty eight days;
they were in the strongest fortress in
France, when this 100 900 and over,
OF the bravest and most experienced
soldiers could have made their exit.
Once in the field they would have
| been no more Sedans. Sedan was
noted fer troops who insulted their
officers, and who were insubordinate.
What sort of an army is that? Look
at the army in Metz The soldiers
we're obedient; every command was
executed. You see there were no
; Red Republicans in the Metz army
During the last ten days of the in
vestment of Metz, sorties were impos-
| sible, and no attack nor attempt at an
escape could be made. We had no
artillery, no cavalry, only 10000 in
fantry; we could do nothing against
three branches of the Prussians. At
the time of the capitulation there
were 135 900 soldiers, of these $4,000
were wounded or disabled. aud 10000
sick. The cavalry and artillery were
useless, because they had no horses.
The thus reduced effective force was
| 10000 infantry, all over. Fine horses
were eaten up, our bread gone and
we had no salt. Horse, Monsieur, Is
not bad eating with bread and salt
when the horse Is fat, but these
horses were not fat, -and we had
neither bread nor salt. the last was
| horrible. How could troops thus fed
stand great battle? And do not for
get that during the last ten days of
the investment the soldiers walked IN
mud up to their knees; the heavy
rains and starvation made US sur
render.
But, as told you during the fifty
L. J ~.
| zalne could have taken this fine army
| to the field and saved France. He
| never made a serious effort to escape
from Metz. Every sortie was only a
| pretended sortie for appearance and
/ nothing else. There were four-high
! officers at Metz, besides Bazaine.
They were all for inaetion. | saw all
the military maneuvres. They were
all shams, Bazaine and his friends not
acting as soldiers, but only seeking
their own future.
Correspondent - How were these
sorties conducted?
General-Always with a small
| force. Evidently there was no pre-
concerted plan, and they could not be
successful, although very finely exc
| cuted. History must speak well OF
| the fighting of the French troops.
| They are an example of heroism; but
| the small sorties were useless meas
ures.
Let me say more of Bazaine. He
was not at the battle of the 18th of
August. He was far from the field;
so also vas King William, who sens
bombastic account to the Queen,
stating that he was on the field. L
was there myself, and slept under that
historic tree that might now be known
as the Ldrbre deS M0TttS
In the fight of the 18Th 100000
Prussians were engaged, and 100000
French
Let me tell of the surrender. Four
outlets were fixed for the exodus of
the French. In the morning they de-
filed through Metz, and | shall never
forget that sight. Old man and sol
dier, as / am, it moved me more than
any event fn my long life. The sol
diers kissed and embraced their off
GERS, and there was one universal
shout of ViUe ld France. 1t was a
grand sight to see 150, 900 men In tears
for their country.
Correspondent - If Bazaine had
moved his troops to the field, what
then?
Changarnier-He could have moved
to Nancy, where the country is rich
and the fields covered with products,
and where it would have been easy
for him to have established strong
position.
Correspondent-Then you would
say of Bazaine that he is self glorious
and an imbecile?
} Changarnier-That is it.
Observation-Disclosures, General,
Paris is now the great center.
Changarnier-Yes 1t is a rapub-
lie, you say; it is we'll that it governs
without police; but are not the Or
leanists stropgH
, Correspondent - Yes; | should
, Judge that out of 100000 voters, al
least 125,00 will go for an 0rleanisi
for a monarch, as the Orleans feeling
! is strong in France.
Changarnier-Yes very strong; the
provinces are, for all, calm for wise
! lust and liberal Orleans government
;, [ know the Partisan politics, and
! know France; and this sad and IN
: happy situation can have no better
) relief than the restoration of thai
: line. You told me of the Red Repub
: licanism Of Paris, and of the Repub
lie; what most do these incongruoul
r elements wish?
= Atthis hour the people of Paris Dc
3 not know whether they want Re
public or a Monarchy; they dom
. know what they want, some are for al
Orleans dynasty.
= Correspondent Yes, General, il
4 Paris it looks as if Republicanisn
!. would fall from its own dissensions.
r Chaugarnier-You are right; tn
= Republic can't stand; it is already di
{ vided, already in fragments. Franc
: has no government to-day; she need
s organization and harmony. The Or
: leanists can give these to France; a
u OrTaans Monarch means Oaaea o1Iel