The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-30
The war on the OCEAN.


Thus far there have been two great epochs in
the struggle between Germany and Frauce-the
overthrow of the Second Empire by the capitu-
lation of Sedan, and the collapse of the so-called
republic by the capituation of Paris. The ORR
gin of the struggle, and its progress up to the
former event, we reviewed at length in an art-
Gle published on the 9th of September last. We
now resume the wonderful story at this point, and
give, in as brief space possible review of the
contest from the overthrow of the Empire to the
fall of the capital.
The CnpItuIation of Ssdan.
The final struggle between the opposing
armies in the neighborhood of Sedan took
place on Thursday, September l, resulting in
the complete defeat and Generalization of
Marshal MacMahon's army. The retreat of the
French upon the fortress in their rear became
practically rout, and the renewal of the fight
on the morning of the I'd was altogether out of
The question. Marshal MacMahon having been
seriously wounded during the battle, the COM
mand devolved upon General Wimpffen, who
fully realized the critical nature of the situa-
ton. On the evening of Thursday Lieutenant
Col. Won Bronsart, of the Prussian staff was sent
forward by order of King William, and at once
admitted into Sedan, where he was conducted
into the presence of the Emperor of the French.
Napoleon inquired the nature of his orders.
The answer was-to summon the fortress to
surrender. He was referred to General
Wimpffen, and returned at once to the Kings
headquarters, accompanied by General Reille
who bore to the King letter from the En-
peror, commencing with the words, "Not
having been able to die at the head of my
troops lay down my sword before your Ma
jesty," and concluding by leaving everything to
the discretion of the conqueror.
On the following day the terms of surrender
were fully discussed and finally agreed upon be-
tween General Wimpffen and General Won
Moltke, the Chief of the Prussian general staff.
The entire French army surrounded in Sedan
were, by the terms of the capituation, declared
prisoners of war; such of the French officers as
were willing to avail themselves of the privilege
being on account of the "yaorous defense"
made by them, set at liberty, with permission to
retain their arms and personal effects. The
| fortress of Sedan was surrendered into the Gu
| stody of the Prussans, and all the arms, except
those belonging to the paroled officers, and ma
| teTiel and paraphernalia of war, were turned
| over to the German commissary.
/ Previous to the capitulation, the Germans
had captured nearly $4,000 prisoners, 2 eagles
and 90 guns By the terms of capitulation they
! came into possession of one marshal of the en-
pire, 80 generals, 23O staff officers, 2O95 line
officers, "a, 433 unwounded, in addition to about
| $4,000 wounded soldiers, all the eagles of the
7 captured regiments, 20 mitrailleuses, $50 field
| gums $50 fortress guns, and 10000 horses. Up
to this date the total captures of unwounded
soldiers aggregated about 10000. The army
which surrendered at Sedan included four corps,
among which the total of S4,4SS unwounded
! prisoners was distributed as tollows:-lst Corps,
General Ducrot commanding, 32 400; 5th Corps,
General Goze commanding, IL, 1906 7th Corps,
| General Felix Douay commanding, 15, ,61S; and
18th Corps, General Lebrun commanding,
$500. General Wimpffen, with his staff, was
accorded the privilege of leaving before the
capitulation was consummated, and Marshal
MacMahOn lay suffering from his wound in a
village near by.
The 'AIan OF Sedan" and HIs Fate.
On the morRing of September 2, Count Bis
J mark, starting out to meet the yanqulshed EN-