The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-01-15
The Degraded Marshall.
How Bazaine Received the News OF Hi
Condemnation.

When the court retired the MARSHAL
withdrew to his apartments, whittier he
was accompanied by his wife, his
brother, his two nephews, and their
wives, Capts. Gredin and Mornay Soult,
M. Bouillet, Madame Asselin, and a
few other attached friends. During the
four hours while the court was in de-
liberation the Marshal talked freely,
familiarly, almost gayly, as though his
life was no longer at stake. In a short
time his wife, unable to prolong the
distressing interview, retired, and, ac-
complained by M. Lachaud's daughter,
went to the chapel to pray. Colonel
Villette-that perfect personification of
devotion-had remained in the gallery
connecting the Trianon with the Tria-
non sousbois. in order to obtain the ear
lest intelligence.
At half-past eight M. Georges Lach-
aud, who had just heard the sentence,
came to him there and accompanied
him to the Marshal, in order to pre-
pare the latter for the visit of Gen.
Pourcet. Well" asked Col. Villette,
eagerly, "is he acquitted?" NJ. Geor-
ges Lachaud, without replying verbally,
made gesture of despair, and then as
cended the staircase leading to the
apartments of the Marshal, followed by
the Col, who staggered like drunken
man. At the sound of the opening
door the Marshal, who was engaged in
conversation with those about him, ad-
vanced toward the young advocate, and,
observing his Respondent countenance,
at once understood what was the nature
of his communication. "They have
condemned me to DEATH" he said,
quietly, and grasping the hand of NJ.
Georges Lachaud. Understanding his
significant silence the Marshal asked
him, "By what majority ?" "Unani-
nous, " was the reply. "Ah - was the
sole exclamation of the Marshal, and
then he resumed, as if nothing had oc-
CURED to interrupt the conversation he
had been carrying on. Every one was
in tears ; the condemned Marshal alone
preserved calm aspect.
At that moment Col. Villette entered
the room. He had advanced toward
him whom he had so devotedly served
during the last eighteen months, but as
he was about to grasp the offered hand
his strength gave way, and he fell heav-
lily to the ground. While those present
hastened to the unfortunate officers as.
sistance, the Marshal, to conceal his
passed into the next room,
where M. Lachand was reposing after !
his labors. He met him, however, on
the threshold, and the Marshal, in a
calm and almost cheerful tone, himself
the fatal news. In the
midst of this heart-rending scene the
Guioth, aid-de-camp to
the Due d'Aumale, arrived. 1t is need
less to say that his presence caused a
painful sensation. Nj. Guioth, who |
evinoed great emotion, handed to NJ.
Lachanl letter from the President of
the Council of War, requesting his i'm
mediate presence in court. NJ. Lachand |
the aid-de-camp. He found |
the Judges assembled; and the Due
i'Aumale, with all the consideration
due to the man who had used such pow
erful but fruitless eloquence, read to
him an appeal for mercy signed by all
the members of the court. He added |
that he was about to visit the minister |
Of war and the president of the repub-
lie personally to support the recommen-
lations of the court The distinguished |
advocate simply replied that he would
the fact to the Marshal, |
md withdrew.