The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-16
MARSHAL BAZAINE.
skett b Of His Career-The Causes
Which Led TO his Trial md Con-
yfction OF Treason.

English Admiral Bypg to disgraceful
death terminated on Wednesday In the
Palace of Trianon, at Versailles, under
the Presidency of the Duke d'Aumale.
1t was that of Francois Achille Bazaine,
marshal OF France. In the presence
of his peers and surrounded by the
greatest names that France can show
this weather.beaten soldier, standing
at the very summit of French military
glory, arrayed in the full uniform Of
his rank, and wearing the grand cross
of the Legion Of Honor, has been con-
demned to death aud to be degraded
from his rank previous to his execution.
Born in Lorraine, that department
which, by a curious coincidence, gave
birth to Marshal Ney, executed for
treason to his country in 1915, young
Bazaine entered the French service, it
is said, as q drummer in 1881, being
then seventeen years Of age. Four
years afterwards he obtained his first
official grade during the first campaign
against ADD -el-Kader, just deceased.
An enthusiastic soldier, he, on the close
OF that campaign, volunteered into the
Foreign Legion raised by the Christinos
in Spain to combat the Carlists Of that
day. Don Carlos, deserted by his
friends and driven into France, Bazaine
returned to the French service with
considerable reputation as soldier,
and from this time promotion came
rapidly in his way; the outbreak Of
the Crimean war finding him General
OF brigade, in which capacity he COM
manded the French contingent against
KiIburn. In 1868, he headed the i'll
sarred expedition to Mexico as COM
a,snder-in-chieI, remaining there for
"ur years, compicating rather than
living the problem be was sent to work
out, receiving, however, his Marshaps
baton in 1867, and leading home again
the broken relic Of his army in 1870.
To this Mexican campaign may be
traced the origin OF many OF the accu~
aations which have been so unsparing-
ly hurled at his head since the opening
OF the tribunal at Versailles. Return
ing home he was accused by both Mex
leans and Frenchmen Of having remoy-
ed the Emperor Maximilian that he
himself might rule in Mexico AS
sailed by the public, he was, however,
well received by the army and the
court. Suave, plausible and polite, he
is said to be of a nature well adapted TO
please, and much Of his promotion was
undoub btedly as much due to his courte-
sy.as to his military qualities. He.
therefore, shortly after his return, re-
ceived the command OF the Third Corps |
d'Armee, and fixed his headquarters at
Nancy, in his native Lorraine, and in
1869 the command Of the Guard was
entrusted to him. Such, briefly, is the
history OF Marshal Bazaine previous to
the declaration of war between France
and Germany on the 10Th Of
July, 1870 On this occur
ring he was transferred to the 81 Corps, |
whose headquarters were removed to
Metz, and afterwards to RezoDville,
with the intent of invading Germany |
by way OF Mayence, with the Army Of
the Rine, at whose head was the En-
peror Napoleon himself But the
French army, instead Of invading Ger
many by way OF Mayence, found their
country invaded. The battle OF Weis-
seDberg, those of Worth and Forbsch,
and the scattering OF theindependentaud
detached forces which the Emperor had
deployed in all directions, convinced |
him that he had made great mistake |
in taking upon himself the command. |
A general council of war was immo-
dately held, at which it was determin-
ed that az rapid a retreat as possible
should be made. For this purpose the
Emperor carried himself and his son TO
Chalons, elevating Marshal Bazaine to
the command OF the Army Of the Rhine
in his stead, notwithstanding that an
older marshal, Csnrobert, was serving
with the same forces. 1t proved an un.
fortunate time 10 change the command
OF on army, with the enemy close at
hand, and it is just here that Baz2ine
is alleged to have begun that course
which led to the catastrophe at Metz.
Hardly had he assumed command |
when the enemy was upon him and
quickly drove him into the great fortress.
The story Of his incapacity has been
told in all its details by one who was
with the army, and it will not need rep |
etition here. Suffice it to say he was
foiled in every attempt to escape, while
such an event was believed by some
not only possible but almost certain to
be attended with success, and finally
surrendered the fortress, his army, and
himself. France at once raised the
cry-"We are betrayed" I" And when
the treaty OF peace had been signed
Bazaine was Immediately placed under
arrest, May 10, 1872. The prepara-
tions for his trial were Immediately
commenced. More than 800 witness-
es for the prosecution were sworn
in the preliminary examina-
tiops occupying seventeen months, or
until the 9th OF October, when the trial
proper opened at Versailles, From {
then until yesterday the court has beer
in session almost every day. In the
indictment read the fret day Bazaine
was charged with treachery to the arms
OF his country, in that he failed to re-
lieve General Froissard at the import
ant battle OF Forbach that he failed to
exercise due vigilance end promptitude
in the defence OF Metz; that he COM
mitted fatal bluuders during the pro-
gress OF that memorable siege, and that
he capitulated against the wishes OF the
soldiery and the people, and in the
most inglorious and suspicious manner. !
OF these charges he has been found .
guilty notwithstanding that among
those who came to his defense were ten
na,a,als ~ l,yiaiapa ai,nt pripaIiar