The record-union., 1899-06-07
SHERMAN AND BAzAINE.
The Former Describes a Visit to
the Fallen French Marshal.

In the diary Of his European tour
of 1872, General Sherman describes a
visit to Marshal Bazaine, who was
about to be contaminated for the
surrender of Metz. We quote from the
Century,:
In answer to my inquiry as to the
propriety of my calling to see General
Bazaine, who is under a species of ar
rest, the Minister of War said there
was no improperly, but, on the con-
tt airy, the Marshal would be most
HAPPY to see me. I explained that
some years ago I had gone to Vera
Cruz in the United States ship Susque-
hanna, and that Marshal Bazaine, then
commanding in Mexico, had invited me
to come up to the city Of Mexico, ten
dering me an escort and a hearty well
ccme. I did visit the marshal (Bazaine)
the next day, and found him in a COM
paratively small house inside a high
wall which inclosed a considerable gar
den. There was a guard in a small
house near the front gate, but I did not
| understand that he was a prisoner,
though he is to be tried by a court
martial for his surrender at Metz. ]
found him hearty, strong man, about
five feet nine inches high, with gray
hair cut short, and quite robust. He
seemed peculiarly gratified that
should come to see him when in dis
grace, and he did say that it was pretty
hard trea tnlent on the part of his coun-
try after forty-two years of service. He
is 60 years Of age, and has always been
esteemed one of the best officers in the
French army.
He had the same maps Of Metz which
had bought there, and he pointed out
that the diagrams We're not quite righ;
in bringing forward his right to Mars
la Tour during the battle of August
10th. Inasmueh as that battle had been
disastrous to the French and to him, !
did net like to converse much about it,
bat infer that his trial is more politi-
cal than military. He did say that the
revolutionary government of Gambetta
which installed itself in power after the
surrender Of Napoleon at Sedan, had
never put itself in communication with
him, and he regarded it rather as a de-
fensive organization than as a general
government of France. He is also
thought to have had some political
views himself, meaning to recognize
Napoleon's son as the Emperor; and he
expected. with the approval of the En-
press Eugene, who had fed to England
to be the regent during the minority of
that son. He is to be tried by a general
court-martial, and doubtless the testi-
mony will illustrate the history of the
events of Metz prior to the surrender OF
the army there. My criticism of that
affair was that, having on the first day
mameiy, August 9th) actually met ana
checked the movement Of the Prussian
attack OF his line of retreat, instead OF
wheeling on his left flank back OF
| Gravelotte, he should have wheeled
back on his right flank that night, sent
his wagons on to Verdun, and then have
fought his way back as slowly as pos
| sible toward Chalons, giving time fol-
MacMahon and other troops to come uI
| to his support. It seems to me this
could have been done, and would have
made unnecessary that unfortunate
movement of MacMahon which resulted
| in the surrender of Sedan. 1t might
also have given time for the French ma
| ton to rally. But it is evident that
| the German armies were much stronger
and better than the French, and it is
| possible the same result would have
come about in some other way.