The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-08-27
MARSHAL BAZAINE.
A Full account or Ills Military
Career.

Francois Achille Bazaine, whose
name is again brought into promi-
nence by his escape from prison, has
had an eventful career. He was borl,
in 1911, studied at the Polytechnic
school in Paris, and entered the army
AS a private in 1881 He went to the
Algerian war in 1882, and AT the end
of four years had attained the rank of
lieutenant and won the cross of honor
on the field of battle. In 1873. he
joined the foreign legion, and went
with the corps to Spain, where he
earned the rank of captain in the
Carlist war. Returning in 1889 to
Algeria, he again entered the field,
and was also for some years Military
Governor of province. During the
Crimean war he attained distinction
by his bravery and executive ability.
He was appointed governor of Sebas-
topol on the retreat OF the Russians,
and soon after that event was rewar-
ded with the rank Of general Of iiyi-
sion He won new laurels at Kin
burn, which he captured, making
about one thousand FIVE hundred
troops prisoners of war. Being strong
ly in favor of the imperial court. Gen.
Bazaine was placed in command Of a
division in the French expedition TO
Mexico. He arrived in that country
in July, 1862, and in the October fol
lowing succeeded General Forcy as
commander-in-c chief of the French
forces. General Bazaine remained
nearly four years in Mexico, when,
after fr,,itless efforts to maintain Max
imiliiau ON the throne, he returned
with his army to France. His con
duct Ia Mexico was the subject Of
severe criticism, he having subordi-
mated the interests Of the Mexican
empire to his own, and engaged in
political ntrigues having in view his
own agsianii2ement. In 1864 Cen
eral Bazaine had been raised to the
dignity OF Marshal of France, and in
Octob, =. 1869, was placed i'll com
mand Of the Imperial guard. AT the
outbreak Of the Franco-Prussian war
great hopes were placed in his exper-
ience and abilities. He received com
maud OF the Third Corps Of the Army
Of the Rhine, aud eventually controll-
ed tn, forces assembled al Metz. He
made desperate atiemp to retreat
from that fortress on Nerlun. but he
was driven back, and after an invest
ment Of nearly four months WAS IN
dnced to surrender, with his army.
numbering one hundred and seventy
thousand men. to Prince Frederick
| Charles, who commanded the besicg.
| ing arm. His conduct excited great
indignation in France, and owing tc
the pressure Of public opinion he was
placed under arrest, and brought to
trial October 9th, 1873, before mil
itary court, of which the Duke d'Au-
male was President. He was found
guilty, December 10th, of capitulat-
ing without sufficient cause, and was
sentenced 10 degradation and death.
President MacMahon commuied this
penalty to twenty years imprson-
ment with loss OF rank, but spared
the prisoner the humliating ceremo
ny which attends degradation. The
Marshal was transferred to the island
of Sainte Marguerite, opposite Can
nes, and was there confined to the
limits OF an ancient fortress. His
wife, Mexican, was allowed to preside
" tn him, but was subjected AS well
as her husband to prison rules. The
Bonapartists alone evinced sympathy
for him, but seeing he had no legal
relief to expect, and that the pros
poets of his friends coming into pow
er were slight, he doubtless used the
great wealth he had amassed in per-
irctihg the means of his escape.-N.
y. Tibuue.