Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-21
THE DEFEATED EMPEROR
Louis Napoleon After the Battle of Sedan.
Bismarck's Salutation.


Having left our carriage at Chevenges,
Forsyth and l stopped there to get it, but a
long search proving fruiriess, we took lodg-
ing i'll the village at the house of the cure,
resolved to continue the kunt in the morning.
But then we had no better success, so con-
ciuding that our vehicle had been pressed
into the hospital service, we at an early hour
on the 2d of September resumed the search,
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 uniforns-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 cigarette, we recog-
nzed when the conveyance drew near as the
Emperor Louis Napoleon.
The landau went on toward Donchery at a
leisnrely pace, and we, inferring that there
was something more important at hand Just
then than the recovery of our trap, followed
at respectful distance Not quite mile
from Doncherry is a cluster of three or four
cottages, and at the first of these the landau
stopped to await, as we afterward ascertained,
Count Bismarck, with whom the diplomatic
negotiations were to be settled Some min
utes elapsed before be came, Napoleon re-
naming seated in his 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,
End 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
a quick brusque way that seemed to startle
| him. After a 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 a stone wall covered with creep
ing vines, and from gate in this wall runs
to the front door a path, at that time bor-
dcred on both sides with potato vines.
The emperor having alighted at the gate,
he and Bismarck walked together along the
|
peariug in about a quarter of an hour, they
came out and seated themselves in the open
air, the weaver Laving brought couple Of
chairs. Here they engaged in an animated
conversation, if much gesticuation is any in-
dication. The talk lasted fully an hour, Bis
marck seeming to do most of it, but at last
be arose. saluted the Emperor and strode
down the path toward his horse. Seeing me
standing near the gate, he joined me for q
moment, and asked me if had noticed how
the emperor started when they first met, and
l telling him that had, he added. We'll, il
must have been due to my manner. not my
words, for these were: L salute YOUR majesty
just as | would my king'n Then the chan
cellor continued to chat a few minutes longer
assuring me that nothing further was to b,
done there, and that wo had better go to tn,
Chateau Bellevue, where, he said, the forma
surrender was TO take place With this h
rode. off toward Eendresse to communicat.
with his sovereign, and Forsyth and l mad
ready TO go to the Chateau Bellvue.-Gen
Sheridan in Seribner's Magazine