Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1870-10-28
King Williams Account of The Sc.
dan Surrender.

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historic event which has just hap
pened. 1t is like a dream, even
when one has seen it hourly devel-
oping itself. When 1 consider that
after one great and successful war /
could not expect more glorious
things yet to happen during my
reign; and row behold this histo-
rical act accomplished, then 1 bow
before God, who alone has chosen
me, my army and my allies to per-
form what has happened, and has
made US the instruments of His will.
1 can only look upon it in this light,
and in humility praise Gods gui-
dance and grace.
Now let me give you picture of
the battle and its results.
On the evening of the 31st and
the morning of the 1st, the army
had moved in the positions assigned
all around Sedan. The Bavarians
had the left wing at Bazeilles on the
MeCse. Near to them were the
Saxons in the direction of Monceile
and Dalguy; then the guards still
on the march in the direction of
Givonne, and the Fifth and Eleventh
corps at st. Menges and Fleigneux.
The Meuse making here a sharp
bend, no troops were stationed from
St. Mengen as far as Douchery; but
the latter place was held by she
Wurtemburgers, who at the same
time covered the rear against sor-
ties from Mezieres. The cavalry
division under Count Stolberg, in
the plain of Douchery, formed the
right wing. In the front toward
Sedan, were the remainder of the
Bavarians.
In spite of a dense fog, the fight
commenced at Bazeilles. already
early in the morning, and gradually
developed into hot engagement,
in which house after house had to
be taken, lasting the whole day, and
the Erfurt Division, under General
Sohoeler in the reserve, Fourth
Corps), had to come to the assis-
tance. When / arrived at eight o.
clock, at the front before Sedan, the
great battery was just opening its
fire On the Notifications. a huge
artillery combat ensued at all points,
which continued for hours, and du-
ring which on our side, ground was
gradually gained. The villages men
toned were taken. Very deep ra-
vines covered with timber rendered
the advance of the infantry difficult,
and favored the defense. The vii
lagos of lily and Floing were taken,
and gradually the circle of fire was
drawn closer and closer around Sc
dan. 1t was grand sight from our
position, on dominating eminence
behind that battery mentioned, to
the right of the village Of Frenlis,
and forward above Port Forey.
The stubborn resistance of the
enemy gradually slackened, as we
could see from the battalions in dis
order, hastily retiring from the
woods and villages. The cavalry at
tempted to attack some battalions
of our fifth corps, which held out
and bore themselves splendidly.
The cavalry dashed through the in
tervals between the battalions, then
wheeled and returned the same way,
repeated it three times with differ
ent regiments, so that the field was
covered with dead men and horses.
We could see it all distinctly from
our position. have not yet been
able to learn the number of that
brave regiment.
The retreat of the enemy in many
places becoming a rout, and all
infantry, cavalry, and artillery
crowding into the town and the
nearest surroundings, but still no
indication appearing of disposition
of the enemy to save himself from
this desperate condition by capitu-
lation, nothing remained than to
order the town to be bombarded by
the battery before mentioned. Iu
less than twenty minutes it was
burning in several places that, to-
gether with the many burning vii
lagos in the whole radius of the
battle, made an appalling impres-
sfon. and 1 ordered the firing to
cease and sent Lieutenant Colonel
Won Bronsart Of the staff with a
white flag as truce bearer, offering
capitulation to the army and for
tress. He was met by Bavarian
officer, who reported that French
truce bearer with a white flag had
appeared at the gate. Lieutenant
Colonel Won Bronsart was admitted,
and upon inquiry for the General
in Chief he was unexpectedly con-
Quoted before the Emperor, who
wanted at once to deliver him let
ter addressed TO me. When upon
inquiry by the Emperor what his
orders were, the reply was given To
summon army and fortress to surren-
der.
The Emperor directed Bronsart to
address himself in the matter to
General De Wimpffen, who had just
assumed command in place of Mac
Mahon, wounded: and stated that
he would send his letter to me by
Adjutant General ReiI1e. 1t was
seven o'clock when Reille and Bon
sart came. You can imagine what
impression it made upon me espec-
tally, and upon all. Reivle dis
mounted and delivered to me the
letter of. his Emperor, adding that
he hal no further orders. Before
! lopening the letter I said to him