The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-11-12

Poor peasants, who month since
have seen life so calm They are there.
all four sleeping their last sleep under
the bodies of 10000 Prusssians, for
which their patriotic hatred prepared
the death! ~. JOE TREzEL.
Prelismiparies and Incidents of
the Surrender mt Metz.
Especial to n Y Herald. F..
SAARBRUcKEN, Oct. 80, 8 A. MI
have FASTENED to this point through
terrible storm, which swept down trees
and telegraph posts, and swelled and
overhowed rivers. The surrender of
Bazaine took nobody by surprise. 1t
was dead certain. Ever since the de-
parture of Boyer, aud for several pre-
ceding days, the French pickets were
drawn in and firing entirely ceased
The Germans advanced close to the
French aud talked in friendly manner
with the enemy, and occasionally giving
the poor emaciated fellows portion Of
their rations. A week ago it was un-
derstood that food in the fortress at
Metz was so nearly exhausted that the
mea were put on the shortest possible
rations. This, added to unfavorable
weather and rapid increase Of sickness.
rendered the army desperate: Large
delegations of men went to Bazaine
they were not insubordinate, but de-
sired to be led out to assault en- naasse,
stating that they preferred to die on the
field rather than by starvation. Ba-
zaine spoke to them kindly and affec-
tionately, and declared that he was
ready to die with them anywhere. He
represented the hopelessness of their at
tempting to do anything in their pres.
enr weak condition, being almost des-
titute of horses, even if they cut through
the lines. He said terms for an homo
rable capitulation were being consid-
| cred, aud he hoped soon to relieve his
brave men from the terrible situation.
This quieted the army, but rules were
| so relaxed that several bodies went over
to the German lines without opposition.
They did not mean to be disloyal, but
hoped to save themselves from starva-
ton, and enable those remaining to
subsi1t few days longer On. Wednes-
day il became known that the capltu-
lation was about to take place. After
preliminary messages, Gen. Chagarnier,
on the part of Marshal Bazaine, and
Major Won Sticle on the part Of Prince
Frederic Karl, met to arrange terms OF
surrender which had been agreed upon
by King William. Almost simultaneous
" preparations were made for an imme.
] date march by large portion of the in
vestiug army, and sending of supplies
| of food to the capitulating forces. This
was necessary to prevent horrors OF ac'
tual starvation. As soon as the terms
were finally signed at the Princes
headquarters there was a great rush o
of applicants to enter Metz. All Were
positively refused. had an opportu
nity, however, Of entering Bazainet
tents and conversing freely with many
Of the officers and men. One thing
marked as certain, that the general feel
ing is against the present provisional
government, although many were Sc
we're against the Emperor, but equal,
So against his successors. The sam
complaint was made that Marsha
Bazaine did not mass his men a
an early state of the seige and cut hi
way out at any cost ; but the Marsha
: is generally very popular with the al
my. / gather from officers terrible ae
counts Of the suffering experienced b
the army and garrison and the people
:. especially the latter. During the in
yestment of the city, for many days
only four ounces Of bread were serve
tor each man, and even this many thou
9 sands failed to get. Horse flesh, i
small quantities, was distributed, an
this was their only food. 1t is believe
: that the sickly and emaciated condltio
of the horses occasioned much sicknes
. among the troops. Our informan
- who had been in the town the day b'
fore, declared that women and childre
were dying in fearful numbers tor a
- tual want of nourishment. The lare
army of sick and wounded is not oni
without food but without shelter ais
= Dead horses and remnants, which forme
. great nuisance, in many cases we
j burned to prevent infection. Seeing tt
!. emaciated condition Of the men wi
= = were classified as healthy. it is regards
: as wonderful how the place held out
J = long. Il is regarded as certain tn
" Bazaine could not have held -out thr
.. days longer.
n, oe~e~-.-~-.--~@o -
s popr W1Ns THERE'S nothing.