The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-24
OBITUARY.
rancois Achilie Bsza,nr, Once Marshal Of
France, Dies in Poverty.

Francois Achilie Bszainr, Once Marshal Of
France, Dies in Poverty.
MADRID, Sept. 23.-Frsneois Achille Bszaine,
sx-marshal OF France, died here to-day. The
cause OF his death was heart disease.
LONDON, Sept % The death Of sx-Marshai
Bazaine has created great surprise, although it
was known that his health has been very bad
since his serious illness of year ago. Nothing
has been said or published about him lately. and
the announcement Of his death recalled him TO
many persons who bad almost entirely forgot
ten him His exile has been spent for the most
part IN q condition bordering upon sqnalor, and
the little money which came 70 him from time
TO time was contributed by some few persons
who adhered to the belief that he was victim
of circumstances and the ingra,ituds of the
country he served faithfully and well.
The career of Francois Achille Bazaine was
distinguished almost from its beginning. He
born IL February, 1911. Having finished
course at the EcOle Polytechnique he entered
the army in 1881, served in Africa in 1882, was
promoted to the grade of lieutenant in 1886,
and received the cross of the Legion of Honor
on the field of battle in the same year. In 1887
he was engaged IN the campaign in Spain
against the Csrlsts, and returned to Algeria
with the rank of captain in 1889 He took part
in rhs expeditions OF Milianah. Kabylia and
Morocco; was appointed ct the outbreak OF the
war IN the East TO the command OF a brigade,
and during the siege OF Sevastopol was honor
ably mention ed in the dispatches Of Marshals
Canrobsrt aud Pelissler. he was subsequent ly
made a general Of division aud commanded the
French portion OF the expedition which reduced
kinburn. In 1862 Bazaine accepted a command
in the French expedition to Mexico,
where he distinguished himself, sue
ceeding Marshal Fovey in the supreme
nd in In M haw
created marshal OF France. While holding
this high position he drove back President
Juarez to the frontier OF Mexico, and made
himself master of Oajscs. whose garrison. num-
oering 1000 men, surrendered to him nneordi-
topaliy. He also organized system of euer-
ria warfare, which was carried into effect
with much bravery By the notorious Colonel
Dupins
tween Bazaine and the ill-stsrred Emperor
Macmillan, and the former a'so embar
rassed n his operations by the policy OF the
United States AT length, la 1867, Marshal
BaZaine, finding tue maintenance OF the empire
in Mexico impossible, commenced operations
for conducting his troops back to France he
concentrated them in Vera Cruz. and prepared
general embarkation, while vigorously repeil-
ing the last OF the natives. On March l.. 1867,
he ouitted Vera Cruz with the whole expedition
ary forces. The same year ne WAS nominated
comnapder-in-chief Of the Imperial Guard.
1t was. however, in the great war of 1901.
between France and Germany, that the name OF
BaZalne became most familiar 10 the outside
world. Having played a conspicuous part in
the early engagements OF the contest, he retired
on the capiiulaton Of Sedan, TO the fortress Of
Metz, which was Immediately invested by the
German forces under Prince Frederick Charles.
siege OF seven weeks ensued, when BazAine
astounded the world and condemned his name
to eternal igncminy by surrendering l13. 900 men,
5000 officers. fifty generals and three narshals
By comparison the surrender of Pemberton a.
Nsnlyo onN.ns rrtNh r,ryh 0F
great Importance 10 Grant aud the Union cause,
SINKS into insignlfcaoce. No such thing as the
giving up OF l13 900 armed and disciplined men
had ever occurred before or has ever occurred
since. France smarting under the disgrace OK
defeat, sprang up with an indignant protest.
There was talk OF treason, or cowardce, OF even
worse. BaZaine retreated to England. and there
remained until August, 1871, when be sum-
moned to Versailles by the military commission
OF the National Assembly. In consequence OF
their report the marshal was turned over to
council of war, organized by a special law, and
was inprisoped at Versailles during the prelim-
mary examination in May, 1872. He WAS after
ward tried at the Grand Triarou OF Versailles
by court-martial of general officers presided
over by General le Due dAumale. he was
charged not only with incapscity IN permitting
himself TO oe surrounded with m equal force,
but also of reasonable design of making him
self, by the conuivance OF the enemy, independ-
ent of the government OF national defense. The
trial ended in Dece tuber, 1873. On the charge
of political bad faith the court made return.
but the marshal was unanimously voted 10 be
guilty upon the charge that he had not done oil
that WAS required by duty aud honor.
He was condemned to deersdation aud
DEATH but with recommend dation
for mercy. President Mcmahon commuted the
sentence to mprisOnment for twenty years and
RENTED the ceremony which usually accom-
panes the sentence OF degradation. Bazaine
was deprived of ali his dignities, dismissed the
army and sent to undergo mis- sentence at the
island OF Saints Marguerite, off the coast ot
Cannes. Here he lived for nine months with bis
wife and his old aid -de-camp, Colonel Villette.
Mime. Bsziue sought an interview with Presi-
dent McMahon, hoping to obtain decree allow
ing her husband to spend his life in exile, but
not q prisoner. McMahon declined to interfere,
but it is thought, furnished ground for the hope
that Bazane might escape This the latter
achieved 10 August, 1875, by = rope from ths
window Of the fortress in which he was confined.
1t after ward appeared that Nine. Bazaine had
been waitinRf for her husband 10 boat at the
foot of the rock Bazaine proceeded to Italy,
thence to Cologne, thence TO England, and ult-
mately took up his residence In Madrid
In September, 1874 Bazaine wrote to the New
| fork Herald an elaborate explanation OF MS
course at Metz. The same subject furnished
| theme for a book published in April, 1883, and
dedicated to Queen Isabella of Spain. In a re-.
| cent number of Scribner's Magazine. also, ex-
Minister Washburne makes public a letter from
the ex-marshal. explaining the great surrender
| on the plea OF inconsistency, alleging the COM
| parative youth of the writer, and the peculiar
| responsibilities resting upon him. he gave up,
! as he says 10 bis letter. only because he saw
| nothing better to be done with his men. In
this conclusion, however, tho majority OF
| Frenchmen do not agree.
Other DesthA
CINcrSNArI. o.. Sept 23.-Ex-State Senator
j. c. Hopple died to-day Of Brights disease.
ELKHARr, Ind, Sept. %. David Thompson,