The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-12-12
TIE DEFEATED EMPEROR



I Having left bur carriage at Cheyenges,
! Forsyth and stopped there to get it, but a
long search proving fruitless, we took lodg-
ing in the village at the house of the cure,
resolved to continue the hunt in the morning
But then we had no better success, SO con-
Guiding that our vehicle had been pressed
into the hospital service, we at an early hour
on the I'd of September resumed the search,
1 continuing on down the road in the direction
OF Sedan. Near the gate Of the city we came
on the German picket line, and one of the
officers, recognizing our uniforms-he having
served in the war of the rebellion-stepped
forward and addressed me in good English.
We naturally fell into conversation, and in
the midst of it there came out through the
gate an open carriage, or landau, containing
two men, one of whom, in the uniform of a
general and smoking a cigarette, we recog-
nized when the conveyance drew near as the
Emperor Louis Napoleon.
The landau went on toward Donchery at a
letsurely pace, and we, inferring that there
was something moro important at hand Just
then than the recovery of our trap, followed
at respectful distance Not quite a mile
from Doncherry is cluster Of three or four
cottages, and at the first of these the landau
stopped tonwait, as we afterward ascertained,
Count Bismarck, with whom the diplomatic
negotiations were TO be settled Some min
utes elapsed before he came, Napoleon re-
naming seated In mis- carriage meantime,
still smoking and accepting with nonchalance
the staring OF group of German soldiers
near by, who were gazing ON their fallen foe
with curious and eager interest.
Presently a Gathering of hoofs was heard,
and looking toward the sound perceived
the chancellor cantering down the road.
When abreast Of the carriage he dismounted,
and walking up to it, saluted the emperor In
quick, brusque way that seemed to startle
him. After word or two the party moved
perhaps hundred yards further on, where
they stopped opposite the weaver's cottage so
famous from that day. This little house is
on the east side of the Donchery road, near
its junction with that to Frenois, and stands
about twenty PAGES back from the highway
In front is stone wall covered with creep
ing vines, and from gate in this wall runs
to the front door a path, at that time bor-
dered on both sides with potato vines.
The emperor having alighted at the gate,
he and Bismarck walked together along the
narrow path and entered the cottage. Reap
peariug in about quarter of an hour, they
came out and seated themselves in the open
air, the weaver having brought a couple of
chairs Here they engaged In an animated
conversation. If much gesticulation is any in
dication. The talk lasted fully an hour, Bis
marck seeming to do most of it, but at last
he arose, saluted the Emperor and strobe
down the path toward his horse Seeing me
standing near the gate, he joined me for a
moment, and asked me il had noticed how
the emperor started when oney first met, and
telling him that had, he added, "Well, it
must have been due to my manner, not my
words, for these were: Tsalute your majesty
just as | would my king'n Then the chan
celor continued to chat a few minutes longer,
assuring me that nothing further was TO be
done there, and that we had better go to the
Chateau Bellevue, where, he said, the formal
surrender was to take place. With this he
rode Off toward Vendresse to communicate
with his sovereign, and Forsyth and made
ready to go to the Chateau Bellvue--Gen.
Sheridan in Serihner's Magazine