Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-04
BAzAINE's ESCAPE.



The facts stated in the following letter
were communicated to the Paris cores
pondent of the London Hour by the
nephew Of Marshal Bazaine:
Nine. Bazaine-who, let our Reds say
what they like, will have a place in his
tory as one OF the most plucky of her
sex-is within three months of becoming
mother. Some short time ago, being
exceedingly anxious AS most ladies
are-to have her husband near her dur
ing her time of trouble, she asked the
Government to allow her to take up her
residence, with view to her confinement,
in the prison where Bazaine was detained.
This was refused, and refused even in a
manner which left a good deal to be de-
sired on the part of kindness, or even
civility. MacMahon was not in fault.
The subordinate who received and re-
piled to Nine Bazaine's petition was one
OF the few republicans who still hang
about the Minister of the Interiors office
Not being able to gain her point, she
then petitioned the President OF the Re
public direct, asking him to commute
the sentence passed upon the Marshal
into one of banishment from France.
This too was refused, and, although
MaeMahon gave particular orders that
his answer should be conveyed in as gen.
tie language as possible, it was written in
what / may be permitted to call Repub
lican French-brutal and almost often
siye words. Madame then put herself in
communication with the Marshals s broth
er and others of his relatives, and it was
determined to effect his escape.
He is now sixty-two years of age and
weighs at the very least some sixteen
stone. To believe that such a man, and
at his age, could slip down a rope hang,
ing over cliff that is nearly forty feet
high is an astonishing piece of credulity
even for a French journalist. The Mar
shai walked out of the door of his prison
a little before daylight on Monday, and
vet there was 70 one inside the fort who
was privy to his act or who played the
traitor to the Government. The plan
was very simple indeed. For some
weeks beforehand g disguise had been
prepared by Nine Bazaine herself. Bit
by bit this was brought outside and hid
den. The Marshal never slept in his
bed that night, but lay figure was put
there to deceive the Governor when he
locked up for the night. Before day
break, about 4:45 a. m the gates OF the
fort we're opened as usual, and some OF
the garrison, as was their custom, went be
yond the walls. The prisoner was dressed
in a laborer's blouse to hide his bulky
figure, aud carried on his back a huge
sack of rubbish, as if he were goiag to
throw it into the sea- The scheme sue
ceeded because it was bold and plucky.
No one for moment could suspect that
either the prisoner was not under lock
and key, or that he would dream OF walk
ing coolly out Of the fort Once outside
he had merely TO walk down to where the
boat was waiting, get into 1t, and be
rowed to steamer which his vile had
hired ready to take him away. 1t was a
question of time-of minutes-whether
he could get OIL board before his absence
was discovered which it would sure to
he at 6 a. m, the time when he was al
ways visited by one Of the prison author
tiles. The rope, stained with blood, was
hung over the parapet very late the night
before. in order to put the authorities on
a false scent, and most effectually it did
so. Even now the popular belief is that
Bszaine, heavy, unwieldy man. who tor
more than two years has hardly taken
enough exercise TO maintain him in or.
dinary health, who is, moreover, sixty.
two years OF age, was able to scramble
down a height Of thirty or more feet by
means Of not over steut rope, and TO
make his way to boat which must have
been dancing upon the waves at the risk
Of being dsshed to pieces, so stormy was
the night, so high the wind, and SO great
The downfall OF rain. In the boat be
found near relative and his brave wife,
the latter holding an oar and helping TO
keep the boat in its place.
The rest is soon told. On board the
steamer they we're watching for the boat,
and when the latter put OF from the
island the steamer came slowly towards
il. 10 a quarter OF an hour he was on
board. in two hours he was on Italian
ground, and before night he had travelled
bv train 10 the house OF, / will not say