The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-30
BAZAlNE', ESCAPE.
HOW 1T WAS EFFEC TED.

HOW IT WAS EFFEC TED.
Various reports as to the manner iii which
Marshal Eazaine recently effected his escape
from the prison Of Sainte Marguerite, have
been published. By some it is believed tina
the Govern ment connved at it by Others
that it was accomplished through the treach
cry of the jailers.
The following interesting account bears in
respondent Of the New York Times, writing
from St Germain-en-Laye, August 18th:
It was by constant pleading with him that
the faithful wife finally won Bazaine's consent
to leave the island. Some Of the journals pre-
tend that he Was on parole, but this is absurd
A prisoner does not promise not to escape
unless he gets some privileges in return, and
Bazaine has had none Whatever. He has beer
constantly subjected to rigid prison discipline
has never been allowed to walk, except upon
the parapet, some ten feet square, and ha.
been refused nearly all the privileges he has
ever demanded. He had O right to escape,
therefore. if he could, but whether it was 9
good policy to do 80 is q question which car
hardly be decided at this time
All the arrangements for the escape had
been completed week ago, and the parties
concerned only awaited favorable momen,
for carrying their plan into execution. Col
Villette, Bazaines faithful friend, the man
who sat by his side during the trial and who
asked to share his captivity, thus giving up his
own hopes of advancement, was not allowed
to sleep upon the island, but was granted the
privilege Of coming over for a few hours each
day. During the winter Nine. Baz:ne and
h + children had been upon the island, but
owing to the unhealthy air Of summer, they
had to be sent away. As Mme Bazaine could
no longer be confined within the walls under
guard, she wa allowed to visit her husband at
stated periods only, and forced to procure a
permit in advance. On Saturday she made
her usual VISIT and it was on Sunday night
that Bazaine escaped. The care OF the pris-
oner was confided to only four guards, drawn
from the company Of 100 men which COM
prised the garrison.
At night squad Of men picketed before
the gates of the fortress Upon the side Of
the sea there is a perpendicular descent OF
thirty metres, nearly thil'y-fve yards and as
this side is narrow no spot was found fol
placing o sentinel. The guard had to march
upon the other angle, ut some distance from
this tolerably safe point. Indeed, owing to
the enormous size of the prisoner, and his
advanced age. it was thought impossible fol
him TO escape from this dangerous point.
Moreover, as in the case Of Rochefort and the
Communists of Noumea, it appears that the
Government counted upon the SHARKS with
eide Of the castle.
On Sunday the Marshal had passed the
greater part of the afternoon upon his narrow
parapet, pacing up and down with Col Vii
1ette; out soon after the departure of the latter
Bazaine vert to his room and in short time
retired. About 10 o'clock the Commandment
made his usual visit, finding his prisoner in
bed The guard had been set, and the picket
post was also visited. 1t was dark and
stormy night, the mistral bowling about the
fortress, and raising menacing white caps
upon the sea, and the black clouds hanging
low in the sky. giving promise Of rain. Al
though q steamer had been signaled just at
dark. the Commandant felt that the conditions
of the night were favorable to repose and
after seeing Ill things in order he too retired.
Whist then passed could only be OWNED
Il i known that about 7:3O on Sunday eve
ming. Nine. Bazaine hired boat, and &C
sompafisa by very young man. started out
for a row. A Croisette fisherman recognized
the Aly, and saw her pulling an oar with
feverish anxiety, and steering towards Sainte
Marguerite. The boat was soon lost to sight.
1t was very dark when the boat came upon the
island, where Nine. Bazaine must have lain
for several hours, tossed about by the storm.
Meanwhile the Marshal had risen, and, after
having attached his knotted rope to the iron
bars OF his window, had let himself down this
eiddy height. The rope was found there III
the morning, and bearing eleven fresh blood
stains upon it to show that the descent was
not effected without danger.
As the small boat had to keep beyond the
surf. Bazaine had to swim in for some dis
lance: but he was soon drawn in by his cour-
aeeOus and loving wife. and the boat was
quickly pulled off to the steamer. The next
morino the Italion coast was reached, and ia
zaine safely landed at st. Reno II was not
until the next morning that the guard had an,
intimation Of the escape OF their prisoner, but
it seems strange that no one ON the island
should Shave seen kether the boat close
under the walls or the steem only shOf'
distance away.
The Young man who accompanied Nine.
Razaine was q member of her family, young
Mexican bv the name of Rull He has sew
emil times cruised off the island IN steam
Yacht, bat it was only the other day that the
Marshal could be persuaded to leave. Col
Villette waited ut Cann's until the news
arrived. when he started for Paris to STATE
what he knew, but was arrested before arrl
wing. He is now i'll close confinement at
Crosse. Nine. Villette has gone to meet her
husband. but has not yet been permitted t
see him.
One thing is certain and that is, that the
State has been very considerably relieved. An
immense burden has been removed. IL costs
over 200. OCO francs year to guard bazaiiie
and he is a constant source of anxiety. y
conrse a great fuss will be made about al
official inquiry, and about the punishment o
somebody. but if the press will only let tsit
matter rest MacMahon will be only 100 giac
to do So In short time II good radiance
viii be tie popular verdict.
Try A. NJ. Hills Extra Gold Pens.