The New Orleans bulletin., 1876-03-12
NAPOLEON AT SEDAN.

A GRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE CLOSING DAYS Oh
THE SECOND EMPIRE - NAPoLEoN's APPRE.
HENsIoN OF DISASTER - HIS NEGOTIATIONS
WITH BIsMARCK-A. CURIOUS INCIDENT.
Lucy II. Hooper sends the following trans.
lation OF the last of series Of articles by NJ.
Jules Claretie, published in the Euenement, on
"Alsace and Lorraine in 1876" to Applcton's
Journals
At the spot where Marshal MacMahon was
wounded at the commencement Of the action,
Mime. de MacMahon has caused Q stone GROSS
to be set up. The place is also marked by .
poplar tree, since become celebrated under
the name Of MacMAhons poplar. This soli-
tary tree, rising from brick-fsld, dominates
al the height.
Tho Emperor came on horseback in this
direction, but he did mot ascend tho crest
whereon stands the poplar. At tho moment
that his horse was slowly climbing the hill.
one Of his advance officers, preceding him ct
. gallop, fell mortAlly wounded.
"There IL danger in that direction" then
said Gen. do Vassoigne to Napoleon.
The Emperor answered not Q word, but
tarned his horse, and, without haste and ct
walk, he returned, silent and overwhelmed,
70 Sedan. He re-entered the town BY the
Bahn gate At the moment that he passed
the Place Turenne, one Of the oity drummers
recognized him and was about to salute him.
The Emperor, perceiving his design, made .
Ggn to him with his hand, Is il to say, "It
Is no longer worth while"
He directed his course toward tho sous
prefecture. The Germans had already com-
menced the bombardmenk On the bridge
Of the Hsuse, which was somewhat encum.
bered, she'll. falling on the vehicle of .
wagoneY, out the wagon in two and killed one
Of the horses. Napoleon. who until then had
gone at . walk, at once struck spurs into his
horse and reached ct . gallop the sous prefec.
hsre, which IL at one side to the right
There has been preserved. and WAS lately
exhibited ct the Louvre, in the ancient Musee
dee Souverains, the table on which Napoleon
I had signed the abdication Of Fontaineblelu.
II was pierced with little penknife-stabs null
tipled With fury by the vanquished unole. At
the sous prefecture tho nephew covered with
pin-pricks Or rather with pen.pricts. ma
hogAny table. have seen this drawing
room Of the capitulaioa, and tho elegant
stage seemed very MARROW for such . tragedy.
The apartments Of the sou prefecture are
preceded BY . sort Of ante.chamber or hall,
which extends from the entrance-door in the
Quise Of Q corridor. II was there that the
Cent Gsrdes were lodged Trusses of straw
had been spread down for their use. While
the battle continued the Emperor promenaded
there, silently smoking or rather feverishly
lighting cigarettes, which hs would barely put
% his lips, and then almost Immediately throw
away. Behind him an { floor twas it not Gen.
Oastslnau y passed his timein treading on the
matches to extinguish them, and TO prevent
their setting nre to the straw. Thus hours
passed.
Gen. Wimpffsn has related that when he
presented himself at the sous prefecture that
evening to settle the terms Of capitulation
With the Emperor he found him in bed. The
room wherein slept that night he who had
besn Cesar. 10 . very simple chamber, with IN
alcove hung with red curtains. What must
his dreams have been there2 The room Of
the Prince Imperial was just next TO it The
Don could hear the father speak or Sigh.
The Emperor was 90 much agitated on the
night Of that fatal day Of the LIST of Septem.
Der that having asked for . candle, and the
servant having brought one lighted, he said
10 her:
"And the candle INV Why have you not
lighted it?"
She did not understand what he meant.
II tell you to light the candle"
!" But, sire"
He perceived his mistake and said, :" Par
Ion, mademoiselle." and retired to the room i
vith the red curtsipa
The morning Of the BATTLE. passing Il Mar
% VIII I me:snchcly air. he aid 70 soldier