The New York herald., 1870-09-27
The Great Surrender as Echoed frQm
the Rank and File"
~~,>~>~>~s~->-e~--~,~~~>~,>
Rsiurn 70 gCw York CT French Volunteer =
Rudclphe, the Billiard Champion
Whai he Saw and Learned Of the
Morale Of the French Army.
Paris BEFORE and After the En-
perOr's CAPITALIZATION.
GRAPHIC DETAILS AND INCIDENTS.

CRAFTY DETAILS AND lNClUENTS.
Mr. A. r. Rudolphe, the champion billiard player
OF America who has Just returned 10 this country
from a visit 10 France, during the greater part Of
which time he has been engaged In the army on the
battleheld was yesterday interviewed by HERALD
reporter, and related the following interesting facts
in connection with the battle OF Sedan IN which ne
participated and the capltuaton OF the city to the
orders u the Emperor Napoleon.
az STORY
] le.+ America the 25th OF June last with the
view o. proceeding TO Paris for a short vacation,
and soon after my arrival there war was declared
between France and Prussia. 1t would be almost
impossible TO describe the scenes OF excitement and
revelry Into which the capital at once plunged.
Crowds OF respectfully dressed men and women
also parsded the streets, singing the "Marsetaise,n
permission for which had been granted by the
PREPEcT OF POLICE
and mobs OF people OF all classes were TO be
grouped together in various parts OF the city,
eagerly scanning every newspaper that could be
purchased AT three times Its own value merchants
were rushing about In all directions, to the
Bourse and in and out their counting houses, In
q state OF the widest excitement imaginable.
This excitement has practically subsided
since The people were marching up and down
in front Of the Hotel de vile the whole
night, and In a great many instances shouts of
vive rEmpereur ~ were raised, In recognition OF
what was at this moment supposed to be his heart
felt interest IN the safety, honor and welfare OF
France.
The army, which haG already been sent 10 the
frontier, was at supplemented by a large nun.
bef Of men from the reserve forces, and horses,
munition provisions, accoutrements, hospital
and every requisite for the battle field were
promptly sent forward under the express orders
Som the Emperorss Al this time victory was looked
upon Us matter OF certainty, ana great were the
efforts OF the populace In assisting the gov
ernment to carry out their plans, in order
the more safely TO secnre success. The Emperor
| after having given number Of commands relative
TO The forwarding and completion OF the provision
ing Of the army, left with the Prince Imperial for
the scene OF action in the meantime placing the
reins OF the government In the hands OF the
EMPRESS EUGENE
ana requesting the Parisians to assist her In the
maintenance of order should occasion require.
Before the news OF the first engagement came to
band the people began to get unruIy and impatient
All was turmoil In the midst OF the inhabitants az II
Napoleon had fastened all order and regularity TO
his belt and taken il with him 10 the field. No force
within the capital seemed competent TO combat
effectualy with the constantly increasing dlscontent
which was IN every place perceivable.
On the receipts of the news or me first general
engagement the people appeared TO be convinced
OF the disdanfu manner in which they were to be
treated by the government; the dispatches
were nearly all forwarded to the War
once, aud tnen taken possession OF by
the Ministers, who Withheld every thing which
bore me slightest imprint Of importance. to the
great Indignation OF the already exasperatee people
This system, Notwithstanding the constant ana
vehement protests that were made against It, was
carried on with hauteur and disregard to The wishes
and feelings OF the people until the news OF
NACnABoN's DEFEAT
arrived in Paris aud was circulated and the sudden
disappearance OF Premier Onivier ana the change OF
ministry. The Parsians could stand this system of
despotic tyranny no longer and the scenes in the
streets, around the public buildings on the boule.
wards and in front OF the Chamber OF Deputies and
other places became indescribable. The Ministers
belonging to the pre- viOus government now became
fearful OF their lives, ncensed were the pOpulace
In consequence Of the disgrace added TO the nation
by the defeat.
The male population now appeared almost en-
I'm the public thoroughfares. marching in
thousands, shouting, rather than singing the "Mar
seillase,n toward the various crossways from the
Hotel de Vile, the Tuileries, the Legislature and
other public places. and wherever one met them
OF the national hymn calling our with yIgor and
enthusiasm for
VENGEANCE AND RETALIATION
upon the Prussans. Not few shouted s'Vire la Re-
plbtiQue!" though the cry did not then become gen
eral.
Every young man who could possibly make ar
rangements for entering the army did 30 at once
and the desire TO rush to the front Immediately was
the next concomitant. Gray headed men were TO be
seen rushing about giving every assistance In their
power to those who were making prepare
tons TO proceed TO the 'front.' Lads were
seen, who were scarcely able 10 cary a Chassepot
much less the manipulation Of the weapon IN action
clamOrng with the officers OF the National Guard
and others for admittance TO the ranks of the
volunteer corps that was rapidly forming. In
fact, the unanimous cry throughout the whole
Of France was for vengeance and the combination
necessary crush or repe the invaders and re0nito
France Tor the iDdignty and dlshonor she mad sus-
taned. Nothing was thought OF at this Juncture but
war, and that with a bitter will.
AS u Frenchman, continued Mr. RudOlphe who
had previously served as officer the Third reg
ment OF louaves In Africa, and possessing al least
share OF the spirit and patriotism OF my race
entered As a volunteer for the defence of my conn-
Try on the l4th OF August last, and ARRANGEMENTS
were immediately made to transfer us TO the front
But what a regiment what % rabbe rather, were the
men accompanying me. In the first place,
WE HAD NO GENERAL
no pead at all TO The force, no one to lead us: with
Out proper ci0'hlng the greater number Of my COM
patriots wearing simply their civilian suits, without
proper supply OF accoutleInenis and weapons or
war. Here and there were be seen few who
were fortunate enough to have Chassepots, but the
majority had nothing but old WORKOUT carbines
teven these were not TO be had in sufficient num-
bers with 'rusted locks and broken stocks,n while
others had secured rusty sabre sword and re.
volver wherever they could purchase or lay their
hands upon them In Pars. Eveu ammunition had
not been equally served out to them and they had
met WIN but very small portion OF the enemys
torce thcy must nave enher surrendered uncondi-
tIODally or been
BRuTAILy MrRDEgRD.
Again, as 10 tl, dTI. II seemed W be quite over