Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-09
History of 'The Defense of Champieny.,,

HI Frnco-German war of 1870, with all its horrors and terrible loss of life
still burns in the memory of most living. For many years previous a bad feeling
existed between France and Prussia an both great powcrsh had been getting heir
armies in readiness ant were armed to the teeth. Dstrstm md full of hate to each
other, they soon found themselves a position from which neither comd retot wifi
honor and ar appeal to the sword was the only alternative. The Spanish crown Of
feed the Prince of ohenzonTn, in June 1870, md being accepted " him caused
the interference of Prussia which he French gpvernment resented, feeling that
Prussia had 10 right to interfere in Spanish affairs, ant step by step the quarrel
grew, n although Great Britain and other European powers tried to avert an omen
rupure and to preserve the peace of Europe, the war spirit was madIy popular in
both Prussia nd france. At last on h 18th of Juy,. 1870, the crisis cam The
Duke of rammont told Lord Lyons, the British ambassador, tina The Prusian
overnmen had deliberately isuled France by declaring tic he public battb the R,
had afronted the French ambassador. 1t was evidently the intention of the king of
Prussia to take credit with TIT people of Germany for having adel with haghi-
ness and dhomtesy-n fact to humfntate France" Empero NAPOLEON as early as
the sho of July hat moved forward his troops,a nd on the 18th Of July var was de-
chred ~ the French government to exist between France IN Prussia Al Paris was
in al upoar of delight The declaration of war made Napoleon popular with his
francs for the army and 100000 fol. HI navy, The var ws carried on with Vast
expenditure of forceo on both sides. md var was brought to close after seven
months of awful boo1shed ad almost daily battles, the details OF which are too
narrowing to narrate The Germans lost6 247 officers and 123453 men. The teI
losses of the French were inchculabke strBbrg and Metz, which Germany had los
in a time of weakness were rConquTed, I'M the German empire had arisen anau
and France had thrown off bondage and had become a free nations republic ST
good cam out of evil.
While rejecting upon these yenthI times, \. Jean Bauste Edouard Detaro to
great ant famou French painter, was inspired with the teao of painting his world
famous picture, "The Defense oil Champigny."
Before giving a few facts a description of thsm magnificent pantipp an outline
of the village that has been made so famous, may be here narrated Cbamnigrv
with a population of over2 1000 might almost be described as a bemtfn snmnrhh ~
Paris. 1t lies five niles east southeast o the gay city. Here business n from ta
buyc capital and picnic parties wnd their way for a quet rest fresh air and 10
take in the rural ad pretty landscapes Here scattered through the Village wro
lovely homes or chteaus. surrounded with well laid out gardens and lawne fu 80
aspect all around. Bt this beauty was to be marred ~ the ravages of var to
be tamped down by the soldiers and implements of war; for situated as il is on
the Marne, it was selected as a place fora sute on behalf of tho French army. and
here on November 3Oh until December End, 1870, val the scene of protrared and
bloody encounters between The french troops under colonel uuot and the aman
inc on December 3d the French recrosed the Marine, having slain 5000 German
and Sustained a loss of from 10000 o $4,000 men and leaving Chamrignv waste
position in New York, 1t Is low hung in thu Metropolitan Museum Of Art central
park, ant is valued at over 100000