Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-10-04
SHERIDAN AND BURNSIDES.
And the Part They Took in the Franco.
Prussian War.

II.
Burnside to Col. G. Frank Luther, is
told in the Hoosac Valley News of
North Adams: 1t will be remembered
that Sheridan accompanied the Prus-
sian staff through the war of Ger
many against France in 1901 and
was guest at the headquarters Of
King William during that great strug-
gle. On the other hand, Burnside was
in Paris during the siege and saw
the contest from behind the walls It
became desirable for the provisional
government of France to communicate
with the German leaders, but the
question to be determined was a deli
cate one, and not only non-ca mbat-
ant, but nOn-partisan, was required
to conduct the negotiations In addi-
ton the diplomat must be sufficiently
distinguished to command the respect
and confidence of the king and his
councillors. In his extremity Theirs
consulted the United States minister
| Mr.. WaShburn who recommended that
Gen. Burnside be given the mission.
1nasmuch rs WaShburn had charge Of
the German interests in Paris during
the siege and was consequently on
good terms with the PruSSanS, his Sug-
gestion was gladly listened to.
Cen Burnside entered the German
| lines under a flag of truce and was
cordially received at Their headquarters
ut Versailles, but, of course. as he was
officially Il messenger Of France. he
was, according to the rules of war,
kept under close surveillance by the
Germans. During his stay in Yer
Sailles he was entertained at a han
Quct given in his honor by King Will
lam. and, of course. Sheridan and his
! aid, Col. Forsyth, We're present. Shori-
dan sat next to Burnside and said TO
him: Bunny get permission to spend
| the night at my quarters, | have
something | want to see you about par
ticularly." At the proper time Gen,
! Burnside preferred the request that
he might be assigned to the quarters
of his Old comrade-at-arms, who had
expressed a wish to entertain him, and
the favor was promptly granted. SO
when the party broke up Burnside
went away under Sheridan's escort to
the latter's quarters,
When they got there they smiled,
as old Cpmpaigners will, from the same
canteen, and sat down to talk over old
times Suddenly Sheridan jumped up.
went ont, made complete circuit Of
his tent to see that there Were no caves
dl Cppers, and re-entered. Then he sat
down close to Burnside and looking
him earnestly in the face, said, Bunny,
old man, what do you think of the
way the Germans have invested
PariSE" Burnside replied. Judging as
well as | could from what saw while
under escort, thought their lines were
rather loosely held" Sheridan slapped
Burnside on the knee, and said with all
the emphasis at his command: Just
what | thought. If could be in Paris
tonight II could only be in Paris to-
night with two of my old divisions
of cavalry from the army of the Pc
tomac. by 49,. Bunny, I'd make old
King William turn handsprnss be-
fore morning
Sheridan said that neither the French
nor the German soldiers seemed 10
understand IT," %'f1cting bur
ricd individual defenscS such as both
northern and southern soldiers would
hastily build during our war, He
spoke especially of the heights of
Gravelotte. which the Germans carried
in the face of a superior number Of
Frenchmen, and said that In the hands
of either union or confederate troops.
that wooded hillside would have been
impregnable. Sheridan had the highest
regard for the fighting abilities of ia
tive born Americans. saying that they
i combined dash with staying qualities
70 an extent unknown in other armies.
He accredited this 10 their mixed an
crstry. Next 70 native Americans ne
, hold the Irish and Scotch In esteem,
but said that they were less amenabIe
I t. discipline than Americans 81. r
| dan certainly had rs good an opp"r.
j tun.ty as any man to judge OF the
| peculiarites of race, and his dictum
ought to he sufficient, at least tn the
sons Of Uncle Sam and Columbia.