Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-26
WITH BISMARCK IN RATTLE
seneral Sherfdae's Experiences In the
Franc0.(ser@au War.
BIS MEETING WITH BIsNARcK AND KING WILLIAM
The BATTLE OF GRAvxLoTrE-AS KYE wIrNEss 10
sAroLEoSs SURRENDER.

BIS MEETING WITH BrsNAsck AND KING WILLIAM
sAfoLEoS's SURRENDER.
fhe November Scrfoner's contains q chapter Of
General sheridan's recollections of his observa-
.ion OF the Franeo-Prussiap war, as guest at the
headquarters OF the Prussian king. He gives as
us reason Tor selecting the German headquarters
as MS point or observation rather than those OF
tne emperor Of France, that he felt sure OF Ger
man success, and better opportunity for observa-
ZION Is Afforded on the victorious side. He says
MS selection was approved by General Grant, who
mad contempt for Louis Napoleon. In describing
MS nrst meeting with Bismarck on the eve OF the
battle OF Gravelotte, he says that the counts
conversation "was mostly devoted TO the state OF
public sentiment In America, about which he
seemed mpch concerned, inquiring repeatedly as
70 which side-France or Prussia-was charged
with bringing Oh the war;
"He also talked much about our form OF Gov.
eminent, and said that In early life his tendencies
were all toward republ1canism, but that family
influence mad overcome his preferences, and init
mated that after adopting a political career be
found that Germany was not sufficiently advanced
for repubiicanisn. He said further that he had
been reluctant TO enter upon this public career,
that ne mad always longed 10 be soldier but that
here again family opposition had turned him from
the neid OF bis choice into the sphere OF diplO-
macy"
MEETING THE KING
Vi his meeting with Emperor william he says:
"His majesty, taking my hand In both OF his gave
me thorough welcome, expressing, like Count
Bismarck, though through an interpreter, much
about the war. At this Time William OF Prussia
Was seventy-tnree years OF age, and dressed In
ne UNIFORM OF the Guards, he seemed TO be the
very ideal soldier, and graced with most gentle
ana courteous manners The conversation, which
was orief as neither or US spoke the others native
Tongue, concluded oy his majesty s requesting me,
cordial htg "a !
quarters during the campaign"
AT headquarters during the battle of Gravelotte,
ne says: stan officers came up frequently 10 re-
port that all was going on well at points hidden
from our view. These reports were always made
10 The king first, and whenever anybody arrived
with tidings OF the fight, we clustered around TO
hear the news. Gen. Won Moltke unfoi1ing a map
meanwhile and explaining The situation. This
DONE tine chief OF the staff (MolLke), while await
Ing the next report, would either return to seat
That had been made for him with some knapsacks
or would occupy the time walking about, kicxing
eiods OF DIRT or small stones here and there, his
hands clasped behind his back, his face pale and
thoughtful he was then hearty seventy years
Old, but because OF his emaciated ngure, the deep
wrinkles In his face and crows feet about his ewes
he looked even older, his appearance being sug,
geStve OF the practice church ascetcisms rather
than OF his well known ardent devotion to the
military profession"
F0RAGING WITH BISMARCK
Hedescribes how, after the battle, food and water
was so scarce as not TO be had even at the empe-
rors headquarters One OF the staff officers got
possession of cask OF sour wine, with which they
quenched their thirst. In the morning Count Bis
Sheridan breakfaSted. The latter then went for
aging, with this result: Before going Iar had the
goo1 luck 10 meet suffers wagon and though its
stock was about all SOLD. there was still left four
large bologna sausages which l promptly pur-
chaSed-paylng a round sum for them, too-and
fastening back, found the Count already returned,
though Without bringing any thing at all 10 eat;
but he had secured a coupe OF bottles OF brandy
and with little OF this-it was excellent too-and
tine sausases the slim ration OF eggs and coffee
amply reinforced.
MISTAKEN FOR FRENcHMAN
At Gravelotte General Sheridan came near los
Ing his life through being mistaken Tor French
man. Hesays:
just as entered the chief street was suddenly
halted by squad OF soldiers, who, taking me Tor a
French officer (Iny coat and forage Cap resembling
those OF the FrencaI, leveled their pieces at me-
Iney We're greatly excited, so much so, indeed,
that thought my hour had come, for they could
not understand Engiish and could not speak Ger
man and dared not utter explanations In French
Fortunately a few disconnected German words
came 10 me IN the emergency. With these man.
aged W delay my execution and one OF the party
ventursd TO come up 10 examine the "suspecI"
more closely. The first thing he did was TO take
on my Cap, and looking lt over carefully his eyes
rested on the three stars above the visor and
pointing 10 them he emphatically pronounced me
French Then, or course, they all became excited
again, more SO than before even, for they Thought
was trying 10 practise a ruse, and question
whether should have lived to recount the advan-
ture had not AN of1lcer belonging 10 the kings
Headquarters been passing by just then when
hearing the threatenings and lmprecatiOns, he
role up 70 learn The cause OF the hubbub and
Immediately recognized and released me. During
this campaign General sheridan for tue first time
drank kir,chwasSer, which strangled him ard
CAUSED severe attack OF coughing. 'sThe cham
cellOr said, however, that this was in no way due
70 the liquor, but 10 my own xperence and was
bound 10 believe the distinguished statesman, for
ne proved MS words by swallowing gOOdiy dose
with an undisturDed and even beaming express
sion OF countenance, demonstrating mis- assertion
iorcibly that forthwith set out with bismarck
Boh.en 10 lay in supply Tor myself"
ON one occasion Emperor William, changing his
headquarters, Count Bismarck and General Sneri-
dan remained behind 10 care for some wounded.
General sheridan thus describes thar overtaAing
the Old emperor: "When he (Bismarck) had ar.
ranged for their care we set out to re1oin the king
and before going lar overlook his majesty who
had stopped on the Chalons road and was sur
rounded by throng or Iugitives whom he was be-
rating In German SO energetic as TO remind me for
in my boy hood in Ohio The dressing down finished
TO his satisfaction, the king resumed his course
toward Rezonvilie, halting, however, TO rebuke In
the same emphatic style every group Of runaways
he overlook"
BISMARCK CLEARS THE Way
The general gives Incident showing Bis
marcks promptneSs and determination on occa-
sion:
'Our route" he says, "led through the village of
GorZe and here We found the streets obsJr,icted
with wagons that feared it would take US the
rest OF the Gay 10 get through for the teamsters
NOutu not pay Tie slightest heed TO the cries OF
our POSITIONS. The count was equal to the emer-
gency, however, for, taking a pistol from behind
his cushion, and bidding me Keep my seat, he
jumped out and quickly began TO clear the street
effectively, ordering wagons TO the right and left
Marching in front OF the carriage and making way
Tor US TILL We We're well through the blockade he
then resumed his seat, remarking: This is not a
very dsnifed business Tor the chancellor OF the
German confederation, but it's the only way TO get
through
THE FINAL SCENE.
He thus describes his personal observation OF
the closing act OF the drama: .'Having left our
carriage at Chevenges. Forsyth and l stopped
there 10 get IT, but long search proving fruitless
we TOOK lodging In the village at the house VI the
cure, resolved 10 continue the hunt In the morn
ing. But then We had 10 better success: So con-
Guiding that our vehicle had been pressed into the
hospital SERVICE we, at early hour on the 2d OF
september, resumed the search, continuing on
down the road III the direction or Sedan. Near the
gate OF the city We came On the German plcket
line, and one OF the officers recognizing our uni
forms-he having served In the war VI the rebel
nOn-stepped forward and addressed me IN good
English We naturally Iell into conversation and
In the midst or IL there came out through
the gate an open Carriage, or landau, con-
tanning two men, one OF whom In the
uniform OF general and smoking a
cigarette, we recognized, when the conyeyance
drew near, as the Emperor Louis Napoleon, Tine
pace, and we, inferring that there was something
more important at hand just then than the re.
coyefy OF our trap, followed at a resuectful dis
lance. Not quite a mile from Donchery is a clus-
ter OF three or iour cottages, anu al The first OF
these the landau stopped TO await, as we after.
ward ascertalned, Count Bismarck; with whom the
diplomatic negotiations were TO he settled Some
minutes elaDseu before ca