The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-10-01
NO. 81.
LETTER FROM BAZAINE.
He tells why lie Eseaped--His Hopes fol
the Future.

He tells why lie Escaped--9is Hopes for
the Future.
Marshal Bazaine, the French General
whose escape from imprisonment has
caused something of a sensation, has
written letter to the New York Her.
aid, in which he speaks of the kindness
and sympathy he has experienced at
the hands of American travellers in
Europe, who have gone out of their
way to meet and express their kindly
feelings. The Marshal says in his let
ter L should not even have attempted
to escape from prison had my former
comrade seen fit to lessen the severities
of my captivity. During my trial L
should have employed the same wea-
pons that MacMahon used against
me. 1 should have shown in my de-
fence how MacMahon had been beaten,
and had evacuated Alsace without en-
deavoring to defend the Vosges, with
out resisting the march of the enemy,
without utilizing the railroads, leaving
my right uncovered and turned, not
withstanding the order he had received
not to repass before Nancy. L should
have shown his ignorance of the nu-
merical strength and the movements OF
Jlo Ills Ill dOCOPu-
ing battle blindfolded his impudence
IN risking the reputation of the old Af-
| rican troops which he commanded in
one battle. could have shown clearly
how, in forgetting the first duties of a
general in order to play the part of a
| fighting soldier, he must be regarded
as one Of the first authors of our dis
asters.
The loss of Alsace has been imputed
to me, but the truth is that Alsace was
lost after Reichschoppen. Even after
the disaster, and after the procipitate
retreat of the army, Metz could have
been saved when Theirs, who alone re-
tanned his common sense, came to pro-
pose peace but the struggle was con-
tinued in order that the dictatorship
might be retained and the organization
of definite government prevented.
The enemy could never have been
crushed with raw levies without disci-
pline or ardor defeat followed defeat,
and when nothing remained we were
completely in the power of Germany.
The pretended motive was to save the
national honor, but the Army of the
Rhine had saved it before the dema-
gogues thought of doing SO. In one
day it had inflicted more loss on the
Germans than did all the force of Paris
in four months.
MacMahon and I have been unfortu-
nate, but never ridiculous. No Ger
man ever laughed while fighting me.
Such sights as were seen at Paris and
at Tours could only compromise the
national honor. For myself, ] am an
old soldier, and do not understand poll
tics. L make war, not speeches, and
do not allow myself to be frightened by
big words.
Jules Favre fiattered me; Gambetta
called me traitor; but that did not
move me.
As regards Mexico, the EmE eror had
to choose between evacuation and a
war with the United States. 10 avoid
q conflict he gave the order to return
but Macmillan was unwilling either to
teturn to Austria or to abdicate, al
though he we'll understood that Napo-
leon could not sustain struggle with
the United States. Maximilian, in
spite of wise counsels, preferred to
seek an honorable death. That is the
truth, and that is the extent of each
, ones responsibility. For my consola-
tion the thought remains that even
Washington did not escape injustice
, and that Lafayette passed through
, ordeals more terrible than mine.
, am far from being rich; but, be-
sides my liberty, there still remain to
; me immeasurable treasures. For com.
> panions I have an American lady who
gives me the strongest proofs of devo-
, tion ! have children 1 adore, a brother
. and some friends who have remained
faithful. My position is not hopeless
if need should be I would follow the
' example of the conquered Richmond
l and take refuge in labor. Simple SOL
D dier, I carried musket; labor does
l not dishonor. L do not look on my
/ military career as ended; L enjoy
: health and bodily vigor. Some duties
S remain to be fulfilled, and shall fulfil
! them when the time comes L hope for
4 tune will grant me a last smile, as she
l. oft IN does to old soldiers.