The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-03-16
NAPOLEON AT SEDAN.
A Graphic SkCtch Of tho Closing Days
OF the Second Empire.

translation of the last of a series of ar
ticles by NJ. Jules Claretie, published in
the Evenement, on "Alsacc and Lorra ne
in 1885," to Appleton's Journal:
At the spot where Marshal MacA1ahon
was wounded at the commencement OF
the action, Nine. de MacMahon has
caused stone to be set up. The place
is also marked by poplar tree, since be-
come celebrated under the name Of Mac.
Mahon's poplar. This solitary tree, ris.
ing from q brck-ficld, dominates all the
height. j
The emperor came on horseback in
this direction, but he did not ascend the
crest whcrcon stands the poplar. At
the moment that his horse was
slowly climbing the hill, one Of his
advance officers, proceeding him at q
gallop, fell MORALLY wounded.
''There is danger in that direction
then said Gen. dc Vassoignc to Napoleon.
The emperor answered not word, but
turned his horse, and, at walk, he re.
turned silent and overwhelmed, to Se-
dan. He re-entcred the town by the Ba.
Ian gate. At the moment that he passed
the Place Turenne, one Of the city drum.
mers recognized him and was about to
salute him. The emperor, perceiving his
design, made sign to him with his hand,
Us If to say, sit is no longer worth
while."
Hc directed his course toward the
soass.pref lecture. The Germans had al.
ready commenced the bombardment. On
the bridge Of tho Mouse, which was some.
what encountered, shell falling on the
vehicle Of a WAGNER, cut the wagon in
two, and killed one Of the horses. Ma.
poleon, who until then had gone at walk
at once struck spurs into his horse and
reached at gallop the sous: prefecture,
which is at one side to the right.
There has been preserved, and was
exhibited at the Louvre, in the ancient
Musee dos Souverains, the table on which
Napoleon I. had signed the abdication of
Fontainebleau. It was pierced with lit
tic pen.knifc.stabs multiplied with fury
by the vanquished uncle. At the SOUS
prefecture the nephew covered with pin.
pricks. or rather with pen.pricks, ma.
hogany table. l have seen this drawing.
room Of the capitulation, and the elegant
stages seemed very narrow for such a
tragedy.
The apartments Of the efscture
are preceded by = sort of antechambcr
or hall, which extends from the entrance
door in the guise, of corridor. It was
there that the Cent guards were lodged.
Trusses Of straw had been spread down
for their use. While the battle contin:
ued. the emperor promcnadcd there, 81
lently smoking or rather feverishly light.
ing cigarettes, which he would barely
put to his lips, and then almost imlnedi.
ately throw away. Behind him nm off.
Ger Twas it not Gen. Casteland y passed
his time IN treading on the matches ia
extinguish them, and to prevent their
setting fro to the straw. Thus hours
passed.
Gen. De Wimpffen 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 been Caesar,
is very simple chamber, with an alcove
hung with red curtains, What must his
dreams have been there! The room Of
the prince imperial was just next to it.
The son could hear the father speak OF
sigh.
The emperor was so much agitatcd
on the night of that fatal day of the
first Of September that having sskcd for
= candle, and the servant having brought
one lighted, he said to her..
"And the candle why have you not
lighted itf''
She did not understand what he meant,
Il tell you to light the candle.''
''But sire"
He perceived his mistake and said,
Pardon, mademoiselle, and retired to
the room with the red curtains.
The morning Of the battle, passing
La Marfee with melancholy air, he had
> said to soldier Of the corps Of Gen. Le.
Il brun: "Your regiment is not here, you
, ought to be ut Metz, He Thought also
!. that he was face to face with the ar
, my Of Prince Frederick Charles. Suci
=, Was tho confusion Of his sick and troubled
BRAIN. s't.&'>&:e. r = - -
The most striking spot, however, in thi
@mournfally celebrated corner Of Arden
Il mes is the weavers house on the Doncherl
: road, the little house where Napoleon ant
d. Bismarck had that famous interview
which proceeded the capitulation, IN,
!. which the chancellor Of William has de
s scfibed in an autograph letter.
81 Small. one.story high only, with q mod
/, ct orchard behind, the house Of tn
weaver is situated on the left ola high
road coming from Sedan. whence one jcal
contemplate the immense panorama I
/ the ,environs Of tho city, where the can