The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-10-13
BAXAlNE.
Souvenirs of Bazaine by Count dc
Keratry and Cannon Testo.y.

'On the 10th of December, 1868, SITE,
having marched all night in pursuit ui
the Mexican division of Dublado, Gen
Bazatne hivouacked at the dawn o
day with Barail's brigade on The side
of the road leading to Aqua-CalieEtes
The column had earned days rest,
About 10 O'Clock in the morning Il
courier arrived from the City oi
Mexico, having travelled with the
greatest speed and bearing dispatches
and the mail from France to the com.
mander-iu-chief. 1 was the officer OF
The day. The mail consisted of four
official letters to his address. One
from the Emperor Napoieon III, one
from the Empress Engenie, and one
each from the minister Of war and the
minister of the navy, aud the fitch to
me from his faithful aide. de-camp,
Commander Willette, who was stations
ed iu the City OF Mexico to expedite
matters of the army. The latter an
nOuncad the sudden death 0! the gene
RAILS wife, who died at her country
seat OF Chatou. The four letters were
messages of Condolences.
The General adored his wife. Tnis
blow would perhaps be disastrous and
kill him. 1t was then resolved that
this sad news would only be COM
muuicated to him the next day, after
his entry in the city of Aqua CaIien'es.
Unfortunately for this resolve the G Gene-
raj, who was resting in his tent, heard
the arrival Of the courier, and we were
forced to give him the sad iuforma.
tion.
On receiving the sad news from his
nephew, Alphouse Baz line, to whom
he was strongly attached, the Gene
raj fell on his camp bed like fallen
oak.
All that day no bugle sounded nor
drum beat, in respect TO The memory
Of the chief. AT midnight the coiumn
silently broke the bivouac, and re-
sumed it's march to meet the LIBERAL
army.
Being on duty until the next day,
I rode a few PAGES behind the general,
WHO rode at the head of the army,
during this dark and gloomy night.
Suddenly he started his horse in gal.
lop. l alone followed him at the same
pace. Neither of us spoke. The gene
raj still silent without thinking of the
risk he ran OF being attacked by The
gIssaillas, galloped in tho absuni,y.
Ispoke to him and told him that
the escort was we'll in the rear. He
stopped suddenly.
"Ab, my dear FRIEND" said he sob
bling, 81 am very unhappy, much to
be pitied, my life is ended. l was
ambitious only for the poor, dear
dead"
! strOved to console bin.
tKeratry," said he, "whpn the CAM
paign is ended you may go to Paris;
you will see the Emperor, and you
will tell him that the war is ended and
that ask him, as particular favor,
if he is satisfied with me, to recall me
to France and to keep me- a com mand
In the next campaign which appears TO
me to be near, against Prussia. Once
my affairs settled, will know how to
have myself killed."
The escort came up then in haste,
having became anxious for the Gene
raj. He again became silent.
How often since then this nocturnal
scene, followed by 80 many dramas,
has haunted my mind.
After returning to the City Of Mexico
I started on foot for France.
After his return from Compiegne the
Emperor did me the honor TO invite
me to his table. In the presence of
two other guests, Gen. Fieury and Adj
miral Flourichon, repeated textuaily
the words of Gen. Bazaine. He listen
ed attentively, but made DO answer.
After breakfast the Emperor brought
me to the alcove of a window Of his
cabinet opening on The Tnilleries gar
deus and asked me this question "Is
the General aware Of the infamous
scandals published in reference to the
death of Madame Bazaine: ?" "No,
sire; Col. Boyer and myself burnt
every paper from France containing
any allusion to this, and to my depart
ure; the General has read nothiug."
The Emperor walked slowly toward
the fire place, leaned against the RAD
tel piece, lit a cigarette, twirling the
end of his moustache slowly, said these
words: "You may start again for
Mexico. You will tell the General
that ! have need of his services yon.
der, that he must stay in Mexico"
AT the moment of taking my leave Of
his Majesty, Napoleon Ill, who had a
tender heart, added: "No other place
will suit his deep sorrow. That ! share
with him. You may announce con-
fdentially to the General as recon-
pense of his very brilliant campaign
that he will receive shortly the mar
shal's baton"
Helas on my return 10 Vera Cruz
the General had read the newspapers,
and was marrying again! Who knows