Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-08-14

TIE FRECH CONVICT COMMANDER Es-
CAPPED FROM PRISON.
PARIS. August IL.
There is great excitement in this city in
consequence of the receipt of intelligence
that Marshal Bazaine had escaped from the
Island of st. Marguerite some time during
Sunday night.
Details of the manner in which he sue
ceeded in getting away are unknown, ex-
cept that be used a rope ladder and got on
ooatd vessel bound for Italy.
The night was dark and stormy.
The journals of this city declare that the
government will act promptly and ener-
getically in furnishing all who connived at
his flight.
LONDON, Aug. IL.
The following interesting particulars of
the escape of Marshal Bazaine from his pIi-
son on the Isle of Ste. Marguerite have
been received
HOW HE GOT AWAY.
The apartments occupied by Marshal
Bazaine opened upon terrace, which
was built upon n lofty and precipitious
cliff overhanging the sea. A sentry was
posted on the terrace, with orders to watch
the prisoners every movement.
During Sunday evening the Marshal
walked upon the terrace with Colonel Will
cite, his aid-de-camp. At ten O'Clock he
retired as usual, apparently to sleep, but be-
fore day5reak he had effected his escape.
He must have crossed the terrace in the
dead of night and, eluding the sentinel,
reached the edge of the precipice. Thence,
by means of "a knotted rope, he descended.
to the sea. He evidently slipped during
the descent and tore his hands, as the rope
was found stained with blood in several
places.
Under the cliff, in hired boat, were
Bazaine's wife and cousin.
They received him as he reached the wa
ter, and Madame la Marechal, taking the
oars herself, rowed directly to strange
steamer, which had been lying off the is
land since the previous evening.
They reached the vessel in safety, were
taken on board, and the steamer then pu
to sea. ...-.
1t is thought that they have landed a
Genoa, as the steamer proceeded in tha
direction. --
The first Of The affair came to Grasse, the
nearest place on the coast, and the magis
trates of the town Immediately sent officer'
in every direction to search for the fugi
| tives.
There was great commotion in Marseille
when the facts became known. An investi
CATION was opened. Colonel Villette, VIII
was walking with the Marshal on the even
ing of his escape, was discovered there ant
imprisoned.
The commandant of the fort of Ste. Mar
guerite was placed under arrest and Gen
Sewal has gone to the island to investigat
the affair.
On the Goth of December, 1873, Presiden
MacNlahon notified Bazaine that he shoult
serve out his term of thenty years. impri
sonment, or ''seelusion," in the island q
Sainte Marguerite. This island is situate'
on the the Mediterranean coast of France
opposite Cannes, about two and a half mile
from the shore. It lies close on the Italian
frontier. It's small in extent, covered wit
wood, and enjoys n salubrious climate.
The castle has contained many famou
prisoners, among others the Man of th
Iron Mask. Bazaine enjoyed many com
forts, and was permitted occasionally th
society of his wife and children, one of hi
sons remaining constantly with him. II
has himself alleged that he would not al
tempt to escape, even if it were apparentl
possible to do so.