The Portland daily press., 1870-09-05
Nc JToh0as founded
REPORTED SURRENDER OF EA-
ZAINE AT METZ.

EpORTED sURRENDEK OF BA-
ZAINE AT METZ.
The community was electrified on Saturday
forenoon by a report that after desperate bat
tie between Mairz and Douzy, McMahon's whole
army had surrendered to the King and that
Louis Napoleon, Emperor of France, was him.
self prisoner. The report was subsequently
confirmed by cable dispatches and we print
below the details of the news received up to
midnight Saturday. Our telegraph columns
furnish additional intelligence concerning this
most remarkable termination of the war, as
it will undoubtedly prove to be.
The following despatch was made public in
Berlin Friday afternoon
"BEFoRE SEDAN, FRANCE, /
Friday, Sept. 2-1.22 T. M.
| From the King to the Queen:
The capitulation, whereby the whole army at
| Sedan are prisoners of war, has just been con-
| cluded with General Wimpfen, commanding,
| instead of Marshal Mcmahon, who is wounded.
| The Emperor surrendered himself to me, as
he has TO command, and left everything to the
Regency at Paris. His residence l shall ap-
point after an interview with him, at rendez-
vous to be fixed Immediately.
What a course events have assumed by Gods
| guidance! WILLIAM
Confrmatory news was received at the State
Department at Washington Saturday as fol-
| lows:
| London, Sep. Sd, LIS p. M-The Emperor
| and McMahon's army have surrendered at Sc
dan to the King. The Emperor's residence is
to be appointed by the King, after an inter-
view with him. The capitulation was concIud-
ed with Geneal Wimpfen, instead of Marshal
McMahod, who was wounded.
Some of the papers append Mr.. Motley's
name to this despatch, which is an error, as
Mr.. Motley arrived in this country on Tuesday
last
We have the following particulars of the con-
fict which preceded the surrender, which oc-
Cured on Friday between the hours of 5 A. M
and P. M. between Mairz and Douze, and at
the latter hour the crisis was decided by a bay
onet charge along the whole line; the French
were driven across the Mouse and the Prus-
SLAMS occupied the battle field A despatch
from Sedan, midnight, says: "The die is cast
SO far as McMahen's fine army and fortunes of
empire are concerned All is over with France.
At first the great battle was confined to artl
lery, both armies firing necessarily. the French
evidently being weaker Of guns. At noon an
attack made by the Prussian infantry with the
object of breaking the French centre, but after
tremendous firing the Prussians fell back.
| AT 1 O'Clock firing less incessant, but it was
only the prelude Of yet fercer assault. At
| O'clock simultaneous movement was made
| along the whole Prussian line, tie infantry
| charging the French gum. At 3 o'clock the
| French line, which previously stood firm,
| wavered and broke. The battle then became
| rout. McMahon is reported as seriously if not
fatally wounded during the last attack. The
| Prussian forces pressed forward, resolutely
bent upon cutting off retreat towards Belgium
aud used the bayonet with terrible effect
Night closed on the rout and pursuit, leaving
the kPrussians gathering in large numbers
| around Sedan. The Emperor remained at Sc
dan throughout the battle. At half past 2
| o'clock message was sent to the Emperor at his
headquarters advising him to fly to Belgium,
but he was too i'll to undertake the Journey
This morning the Prussians prepared to attack
Sedan which was not in condition to resist.
| At ~ O'Clock party of officers, headed by
Gene raj Wimpfen. left Sedan bearing flag of
truce. 1t was received and conducted to head
| quarters where the General formally surren-
dered the French army and fortress to King
William. The party also bore letter from
Emperor Napoleon to King William, stating
he desired to surrender himself,not having any
command. The formal capituation took place
| at half past o'clock. 1t is said the Emperor
will be sent under strong escort to Magde-
| burg, but his destination is secret
| Dispatches from Berlin to-day says the re-
joicing battles description. The whole popula-
ton poured into the streets and rushed to the
palace of the Queen, who appeared on the bal
| cony dressed in plain morning wrapper,
weeping with joy as she received the dealening
| cheers of multitudes. Hundreds of women
| went down on their knees with streaming eyes,
thaking God for the approaching close of the
| terrible war. 1t is the general belief that
France will abandon further resistance.
| All financial circles share in the exultation,
which is shown by the buoyancy of the mark
| cts.
| A special correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune
| telegraphs from the Kings headquarters at
Vendres: The battle at Sedan began at six
| o'clock on Friday morning, Sept. 1st. Two
Prussian corps were in position on the west of
Sedan. having got there by long forced march
es to cut off the French retreat. South of Sc
dan was the first Bavarian CORPS, and east
across the Meuse the second Bavarian corps
The Saxons were on the northeast with the
Guards. was with the King throughout the
day on the hill, commanding a splendid view
of the field. After tremendous battle, the
Prussians having completely surrounded Sc
dan and the Bavarians having entered the for
tifcations, the Emperor capitulated at 5 Is P.
NJ His letter to the King of Prussia said:
"As l cannot die at the head Of my army, I lay
my sword at the feet of your Majesty"
Napoleon left Sedan for the Prussan head
quarters at Vendres at seven o'clock in the
morning of Sept I'd. McMahon's whole army,
comprising one hundred thousand prisoners,
capitulated without conditions. The Prussians
had 100000 men engaged or in reserve; the
French 10000.
The Worlds special says: at is stated that
Napoleon insisted upon surrender against the
protest ofyounger officers, as he was SO shock
ed by the fearful slaughter of Wednesday and
Thursday.
Nothing has been received at London from
Paris, and nothing is known there publicly of
Napoleon's surrender. 1t is stated that the
King of Prussia is willing to abandon idemnity
claims, provided he secures Alsace and Lor-
raine. It is understood that Austria and Rus
STA oppose, while England favors this.
There are conflicting statements in regard to
the whereabouts of the Prince Imperial
The news that The Emperor and McMahon
have capitulated has occasioned most proiig-
iOus enthusiasm in Berlin. Thousands throng
the streets, moving in ranks with arms linked,
singing patriotic songs, shouting and exhibit
ing every other sign of enthusiasm A surcing
crowd assembled before the palace, when, in
response to cheering, the Queen appeared and
made short address. All schools were closed
and the children given holiday. The monu-
ment of Frederick Second was literally buried
in flags.
The Pail Mall Gazette says: II the Emperor
hopes by hastily patched up peace to find
means to transfer the throne to his son, it ia
the last and greatest deluson of life of delu-
sions. He may find it easier 10 begin than to
end war. Peace is by no means yet certain. |
There is no government to make peace. I'M
perialism is dead. An Orleans government or |
Republic can hardly begin by surrender. |
France has for the first time to act Her eyes
are for the first time opened.
The Evening Standard says: Sedan is the |
Emperor's Waterloo. The second Empire is |
now overthrown.
kilograms from Paris report the utmost agi- |
tatlon and excitement Rumors of disastrous /
close OF the recent terrible fighting on the Bel |
GUM frontier are current