The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-16
THE SURRENDER AT SEDAN.
4 MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW IND ITS
RESULT


Il MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW IND ITS
RESULT.
moltke Immovnble-Btsmarc Has no
Faith in Ora atitude-Germany Must
Have a La sting Peace.
The following account OF the significant ne
gotiations attending the surrender OF seoan'
written by Captain D'Orcet, is taken from a
work by General Ducrot just given TO the
public:
We were introduced into paror on tne
ground floor, where we awaited for aoout Ten
minutes the arrival of the man who was 10 ac-
quaint us with the wishes OF King William;
ft last G eneral Moltke entered, accompanied
bv Count Bismarck, General Blumenthal, and
several officers. Af:er cold salute Count
Noltke inquired of General de Wimpfen
whether he had proper powers and credentials,
and upon the aflrmatory reply of the latter,
asked to veii'y them. This being done, Gene
raj Wimpffen presented Generals Castelnau
and Faure. Count Moltke wished to know IN
what character these two generals were pre-
sent. General Faure replied that ne nad come
as chief ut staff Of Marshal Mcmahon, simply
to accompany General Wlmp1en, ouI caataI WILL
out Hny official character. General Castel-
nau then said that he was the bearer OF
verbal official communication from the EN-
peror. but that 1t was only to be mace
at the end OF the conference, IN Wnicn,
how ever he was not otherwise autnorlzeo
Bismarck and General Blumenthal by simply
pointing with his finger to each Of them. we
then took seats around square table covered
with a red cloth, In the following order: Az
one side of the table Count Moltke. 10 MS iell
Count Bismarck and General Blumentnsl; at
the other side of the table sat General Wlmp-
fen. alone; behind him, and almost IN the
Ibsckpround. were Generals Castelnau and
Faure and the other French oficers. Inere
were also in the room seven or eight Prusslan
officers, one of whom, upon sign from Ueue-
ra, Blumenthal, placed himself near tne mau- ,ls
telpiece, on which he leaned forward 10 Jake
down ali that was being said during the con-
ference. After all were seated perfect silence
prevailed for moment, and 1t was felt that
General Wimpffen vas embarrassed as TO now
to bepln the conversation; but Count Moltke,
seeming determined not to break silence,
General Wimpfen began. l should nke 70
know the terms Of the surrenoe Wnlcn nls
Majesty, the King OF Prussia, mtenos 70 gran'
us. NIL.
Count Moltke. They are very simple. The
whole army to be prisoners, with arms anu
baggage: the officers may retain their arms as
testimonial of esteem for their courage, out
they will be prisoners of war like the men.
hard, and 1t seems to me that the French army
deserves something better for Its courage.
Gould not surrender be obtained on the tol-
lowing condition.: "The town and the lor-
tress. with the artillery, shall be handeo over
to YOU. You shall allow the army 10 retlre
with its arms, baggage and hags, on c0nol.lon sol
that It will not serve again during this war
against Prussia. The Emperor and the gene,
rails will engage their word for the army, amc
the officers will pledge themselves personally
and In writing to keep the same terms: Ine
army will be conducted to any part OF France
designated by Prussia, or to Algeria. there TO
remain until tha conclusion OF peace
he then began to enter Into details regard
ing his proposition, seeming to consider the
.conclusion OF peace near st hand; but General
Moltke remained impossible, and contenteo
himself with replying that he could make mo
change In the conditions. General Wimpnen
renewed his request. He first appealed TO tne
.sympathies which his personal poslllon migu'
inspire Count Moltke.
APATHETIc APPEAL.
General wimpfen. I arrived here only two
-days aao from the interior OF Africa. My mill
tsSy reputation until now has been spotiess,
and here am ordered to take command 10
the middle Of battle and am thus iataiiy
forced to attach my name to disastrous sur
compeiled to assume without having myself
prepared the battle that led to 1t. You, VINO
are a general, like me, you can understand
better than any one the bitterness OF my posi-
tion. 1t Is possible for you to soften my ny
sad fate by granting me more nonoraole
terms. Why would 70" not 90 II! IL ~. snow S,0os
very we'll that the principal cause OF our disas,
ter was the fall at the outset Of the battle OF
the gallant marshal who commanded before
me, He would not, perhaps, nave peen tne
victor, but he might at least have operateo
good retreat. AS for me, If had eommanoec
at the outset, dc not say that l shoulo nave
done better than Marshal Mcmahon and gained
the battle, but I should have prepared re-
treat; or at least, being better acquainted VIII
our troops, I should have succeeded IN unltine
them In one supreme effort to enect sortie
Instead of that, am bound to assume the
command in the battle without knowing tht
situation OF my troops. In spite OF all l mignt
perhaps, have secured retreat but lor an un
fortunate incident which 1t Is useless mere tC
relate. This was doubtless an allusion 10 tht
confusion of orders ,ulting from the TACT ina
Marshal Mcmahon had handed over the com
to 10 o'clock in the morning, when Genera
Wimpffen claimed 1t on the strength OF q lettel
from the war minister of which he was tht
bearer.1 General Wimpfen continued IL
the same strain; but, seeing that Gene
raj Moltke was little moved by this persona
pleading, he took q different tone, saying
tsIf you cannot grant me better terms
I cannot accept those which you wan
to Impose upon me. shall make an appea
to my army and to its honor, and shall sue
ceed In cutting my way out or In defendlne
myself In Sedan" ct must be owned that he
himself did not appear to be convinced
what he said.) He was interrupted by Coun
Moltke. who replied, 81 have great esteem fol
YOU. l understand your situation, and an
sorry not to be able to do what you ask me
but as for attempting sortie, that is just a.
Impossible as tc defend yourself In Sedan
Assuredly you have troops that are really ex
cellent; your crack infantry Is remarkaol!
good; your cavalry bold and enterplising
Your artillery Is admirable, and has done u
much harm-toc much harm-but the create
part of your infantry Ia demorallzsd. We haV'
mace to-day more than 10000 unwoundet
prIsohers. Not more than $4,000 men nov
remain to you. It is not under such circum
stances that you can pierce our lines, for yol
know that have at present around you ,0Ot
men and 500 mouths OF fire, Of which 800 art
already In position to open on Sedan. The
o.her 200 will be there by to-morrows dawn
II you wish to convince yourself l can have
one OF your officers conducted around the dif'
ferent positions which are occupied by my
troops, and he will be able to testify to the
correctness of what I have said. As for de
Tending yourself in Sedan, that Is quite I'm
possible; you have not forty-eight hours
rations, and you have no more ammunition"
General Wimpfen replied. I think 1t Is your
interest, even from political standpoint, to
grant the honorable surrender to which OuI