Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-06
DREYFUS DEGRADED.
PUNISHMENT FOR 6ETRAYINc THE
SECRETS OF FRANCE.
The Humiiiated Man Insists That He IL
Innocent of the Charge Made
AgRinst Him.

government secrets took place at o
o'clock this morning on the parade
ground of the 'Ecole Mllitaire." in the
presence OF 5000 troops and a number
OF newspaper reporters and others. Il
Some time before daylight detachments
from all the regiments in the district OK
Paris were on the march to the parade
ground. These attachments comprised
new recruits. veterans. men OF all grades
Of service. and as they Arrived at the
Ecole Militaire. they took the positions
assigned to them. The weather was cIear
and bright, but cold.
At $50 a. NJ, General Darras. COM
manding the troops. arrived. lie was
assisted by Colonel Fayette and major
OF the Paris garrison. The troops iorinei
a square facing the main entrance 10 the
parade-ground. where was stauoheu
band, composed OF drums and bugles'
The Thirty-ninth Regiment. having cap
tain Dreyfus In charge. was one Oh .he
first bodies OF troops to arrive at the
parade-ground.
At precisely o'clock. the prisoner was
led out from the left wing Of the square
He was accompanied b. squad Oh ar
tillery-soldiers He was pale, but win
firm step. marched, with his SWORD IN
his right hand. 10 the centre OF the
squad where he was awaited by dehe-
raj Darras. He halted before the Gene
raj and stood at attention. Inc aoJu-
tant OF the Republican Guard then pro-
nounced the verdict Of the court-maftiai
which had condemned Captain Dreylus'
While the verdict was beng read, Cap
tain Dreyfus flushed somewhat, but
otherwise showed no sign Of losing MS
compbsure.
After the reading OF the verdict, Gene
raj Darras addressed the prisoner, saying
"Dreyfus. you are unworthy TO carry
arms. In the name Of the people oil
France we degrade you"
SWORD BROKEN.
The adjutant then walked up to Drey-
fus. and took from him his sword, WHICH
with "a quick sharp movement ne broKe
across his knee, casting the pieces upon
the ground. lie then cut the buttons ana
insignia of rank from the uniform or the
condemned captain, and threw them also
upon the ground. At this point Captain
Dreyfus was for moment moved by q
sense Of his humiliation, but he quickly
suppressed his emotion, and shouted IN
a loud voice, "Nive la France!' Contlnu-
ing, he said: "You have degraded an IN
nOcent man. / swear that l am innocent
He seemed about TO speak further, bdt
his voice was drowned by the rolling OK
drums, which was not loud enough, now
ever. to drown a ringing shout from the
crowd in the rear OF the soldiers of "A
mort le traitre."
The ceremony up to this time had lasted
four minutes The drums then beat, and
the degraded man began his marcn along
the four sides of the square In what Is
known as "le parade de rexecution.' the
scene was very impressive, ana many OF
the younger soldiers turned their neads
away Captain Dreyfus marched firmly
and sodiery, with a quick, snort pace. 1
and when he reached the delegation OF
officers from the Reserves, he raised his
hand and said: Tell the whole Of France
that l am innocent" Turning to the lett
from the position OF the Reserve officers.
he came before the members of the press.
to whom he said in firm voice; Il oe-
clare that / am innocent"
The march here ended, after which the
condemned man was taken 10 the bar
rack gate and turned over - the civil
authorities. 4 large crowd OF people had
gathered Mt the entrance TO the parade
ground, and from among them came not
one word of sympathy, but the cry OF "a
mort le traitre' was taken up by them,
and repeated until the miserable man was
out of hearing Of his tormentorS.
Dreyfus was received from his escort
at the barrack gate by four gendarmes.
who placed him in an ordinary prison
van. and at $3.50 the troops marched out
Of the parade-ground, en- route for their
respective quarters.
DREYFUSS BEARING.
About $40 a. NJ. a veteran soldier. en-
ployed as iantOr in the military prison,
threw back the iron gates, and Captain
Dreyfus, thanked by two soldiers carrying
guns with fixed bayonets, walked out
and hurriedly mounted the steps OF the
van, marching through the gates 20 the
van between lines OF Republican Guards.
The van, which was driven by a trooper,
took its course across the Rue Dipin and
down the Rues de Babylonc and d Estree,
crossing the Avenue de Breteul 10 the
"Ecole Aiilitaire," where it arrived at
7.t5.
Dreyfus mounted the van with perfect
uncOncern. He stood erect. and his
checks were not whitened by the custo-
mary pallor OF prisoners. His appear
ance was more Ike that Of a man going
on parade than that Of a prisoner con-
demned TO life Imprisonment and official
degradation. AS measure Of preparation
for stripping the prisoner Of his insignia
of rank. etc. the prison tailor yesterday
removed all the buttons and stripes from
Ereyfuss tunic. the red stripes from his
trousers and the reCimental number and
braid from his collar and cap. These
were all replaced with a single stitch, 50
that they could be torn away readily.
The condemned mans sword was also
filed almost in twain. in order that ii
might be easily broken. The adjutant's
quick movement and apparent effort in
breaking the sword was consequently
mere pretence. as only mere touch was
necessary
AS the prison van sped through the
streets the people stood on the side
walks. and. with uplifted hands. menaced
and cursed the unfortunate officer.
EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS.
1t Is stated that when Captain Dreyfus
spoke TO the officers of the Reserve. pro-
testing his innocence. the latter retorted:
Down with the Judas! Silence, traitor!'
etc.
Dreyfus was stunned for a moment,
but quickly recovering himself he looked
upon them through his eyeglasses. which
he wore throughout the ceremony. and
with a smile Of contempt said in a clear,
firm voice: you are towards"
Dreyfus was firm throughout. During
the entire ceremony ne appeared TO be
less affected than almost any person pres
cnt. Except that he was stung for the
instant by the taunts Of his fellow-oiicers
he was perfectly cool.
Upon reaching the prison depot Dreyfus
said To- the governor OF the institution:
MY innocence will be recognized some
day. / have confidence that Providence.
In its own time, will reveal the real cul-
prit"
After Dreyfus's height and other dimen-
sionS were taken he was transferred to
the Prison de la Sante. where he will re-
main until he Is deported for confinement