The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-05-15
THE JOURNAL.
The Prison Life of Marshal Bazaine
on the Island of sainte Marguerite.

The railway curves around the
beautiful shores of the Mediterrane
an and passes through town after
town, whose beautiful sites. have at
tracted so many thousand annually
to spend their winters amid the or
ange and olive groves, under the
bright sun, in the bracing climate.
One of the most charming is Cannes,
a place of ten thousand souls, and a
great resort for the English. 1t was
known to the Romans, and used by
them for hygienic purposes.
Taxing boat, modelled after those
used two thousand years ago, our
two osrsmen soon pushed into the
deep blue waters of the bay and
steered for the thickly-woodedisland
at distance of three miles. On ar
rival it is necessary to ascend steps
about two hundred feet to the fort
ress, which is built upon the rocks
over-hanging the ocean. The garri-
son consists of one company, about
one hundred and twenty-five men.
We passed through the guard
room and ascended a staircase to
reach an open space paved with
brick in front of Bazaine's window.
On entering the room, the Mar
shal met me at the door and cordially
pressed my hand, thanking me for
my consideration in making such a
| voyage to visit him. Before enter
ing / observed to the Director "I do
not know your regulations, but I
have half dozen morning papers
which l have brought for Bazaine, if
it is permitted
''Not at all. He can not receive
anything"
So l laid them on the mantel, well
knowing that I could tell the Marsh
al all news Of interest by word of
mouth. But it seems to me a re-
striction entirely superfuous, and
not in keeping with civilized ideas,
thus to deny a prisoner of state the
privilege of reading what is passing
in the world. Thus he and his fam
lily are completely secluded, and de-
pendent entirely upon the visits of
friends for information. Some weeks
ago l wrote to Colonel Villette, sim
ply to say that l intended to come
soon, and inclosed the letter to the
commandant of the fortress, asking
that it should be communicated
The next day it was politely return
ed to me, with information that the
commandant had no authority to
pass it in.
Bazaine's sitting room is a small
but comfortable one, neatly and
plainly furnished. Hanging upon
the wall was fine likeness of the
Pope, with Latin autograph. A
bright boy of eight, a handsome girl
of five, and chubby youngster of
three were racing and romping,
chatting and laughing, needless of
the Marshars repeated injunctions,
in paternal tones, to keep quiet and
not disturb US. They at least knew
no unhappiness, and the bright coli
or Of youth and health and all their
movements proved that all their
hours flew fast away upon joyous
wings.
We chatted for some time, occu
pied by me mainly in giving him in
formation of transpiring events. The
Mexican nurse of his children en-
tered to show him some straw hats,
and the conversation was changed
to Spanish, she by her manner and
tone showing what mutual kindness
and affection existed between serv-
ant and master. The hats were tried
on, and finally we three agreed which
was the best and most serviceable
for him to wear.
Then we sailed out upon the
paved promenade, bounded by the
parapet, wherein was reserved for
his use a small space, and there we
paced up and down discussing the
varied topics which surged into the
mind in connection with current
events. Of course there is a seal of
privacy upon many of the MarshaIs
opinions. AS a prisoner of state it
would not be proper for me to make
observations on many subjects
which were only intended for me as
an old friend.
The Director, according to his
views, was very polite, but at the
same time strict in his regulations.
No doubt, however, he was acting
under orders from his superiors, pn-
der the provisions Of existing laws
which he could not modify.
find nothing in Bazaine's appear
ance changed. His manner is as
easy, unaffected, and composed as it
was in his days of freedom and
power.
The parapet in front of his door
extends about eight feet. The width
of the pavement is about thirty.
The height Of the wall is about three
and one-half feet, and one looks over
at the sea, breaking upon the foot
of the cliffs, one hundred feet be-
meath. Along the sea-wall another
parapet runs perpendicularly to the
first one until it reaches a wall some
hundred feet distance.
Toward the interior newly con
structed wall about twenty feet high
connects the house with the parapet
and cuts off all communications with
the fortress. Possibly this was done
to prevent any sympathizers (of
whom there are many thousand in
the army from demonstrations OF
offers of service. An effort had
been made to establish a miniature
garden inside the space within the
sea wall, but it is not permissible to
use the cistern water for flowers,
and the Marshal was afraid they
might be parched to death before
a rain came. When the blazing sum-
mer sun comes down upon those
stones and bricks in July and Au-
gust it must be pretty hot. But the
Marshal is an old campaigner, and I
presume can stand it pretty well. If
wished to escape from this
place it seems practicable enough.
Looking over the battlement the de-
scent is easy enough, and practica-
BILE with very little exertion, and a
boat stationed beneath, could easily
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