Year: 1870




Bolon | found it encountered with soldiers
OF all corps. 1t was defeat evidently, yet
not | | clock; and the battle was destined
to continue at different points for some
time longer, though continuing without
any real hope of victory. There was no
longer any battle to describe. 1t was first
retreat, and too soon rout. | thought
myself lucky to get away from the field as
L did, Tor an hour at;erward the rout of
these forces near by was complete. Already
soldiers were crushing against each other
IN the struggle to get inside town. Dis
mounted cavalry were trying to make war
even by the ramparts, leaping down from
the counterscarp, others forcing their way
IN by poStern gates. From nook of the
ramparts as | rested moment, | saw also
culrassiers jumping their horses, and all
into the moat, the horses breaking their
legs and ribs, while the men were scram-
bIng over each other OFF ers of all ranks,
coionels, and even generals IN uniform it
was impossible to mistake, mixed in this
shameful melee. Behind all came guns
with their heavy carriages and powerful
horses forcing way into the throng, MAIN
ing and crushing fugitive, on foot. To add
to the confusion and horror, the Prussian
batteries had by this time advanced within
range, and PrusSIan shells began falling
into the midst OF the struggling masses of
men. On the rampartS were the Garde
Natlonaie manning the guns OF the town
and replying with more or less effect to the
nearest Prussian batteries. It was scene
horrible enough to have pleased the fancy
OF Gustave DDre him self could form
but one idea OF our unhappy army-,hat il
was at the bottom OF seethlng caldron.
hurried back as best | could to MY hotel
following narrow streets where the shells
were least likely t. reach the ground.
w hereyer there was square or open place
l came upon bodies Of horses aud men
quite dead or still quivering, mown to
pieces by bursting shells. Reaching my
botel, found the street choked, like the
rest with wagons, guns, horses and men,
Most luckily the Prussian fire did not at
this moment enhame this street, for train
of cassions filled with powder blocked the
whole way. Itself unable to move back


ard or forward, there was every ch ance
these caiSsons would explode, the town
being then on fire in two places, and be
gan to think Sedan was a place more un
comfortable than even the battle field, over
which the victorious enemy was swiftly
advancing.


From friends whom found at the hotel
L learned that the Emperor, who had
started early in the morning for the field
OF battle, mad returned about the same
time did, and passed through the streets
with his staff One of my friends was near
him on the Place Turenne when shell
fell under his horse. and. bursting. killed
the horse Of general behind him. He
himself was untouched, and turned around
and smiled, though my friend thought he
saw tears in his eyes, which he wiped away
with his glove. Indeed, he had cause
enough for tears that fatal lst of Septem-
Der. Meantime, shells began to tall in
the direction of our street and hotel. We
sllo ostaqdI IgpdeEa. yauted. stone entrance, as as
for caissons were still standing in the
street and filling all the space from end to
end. 1t was at this time, while we waited
watching painfully for the shell which
would have sent US altogether into another
world, that Gen. Wipmffen came past max
ing a vain effort TO rally and inspirit his
flying troops He shouted, "Vive c
France, "En araat." but there was no re-
sponse. He cried out that Bazaine was
taking the Prussians in the rear. This
news, which had been current all the
morning, at intervals, coming now from
the mouth of Gen. de Wimpffen, came to
be believed, and few thousand men were
rallied and followed him out of the town
People tegan to have hope, and for one
brief moment we believed the day might be
saved. Alas Need | say that this intelli>
gence was a patriotic falsehood of brave
Gen. de Wimpffen. Mad with anguish,
and in direct opposition to the Emperor
orders, he was resolved to rally what men
he could and make a stand He could not
have known that he was bound in the
grasp of at least 800, 600 men. The bugle
and trumpet rang out on all sides. A few
thousand men hearken to the sound. My
friend, Ren DQuiraye, of the Chasseurs
De Antique, whom | have just met after
losing sight Of him for ten or twelve years,
got on horseback and joined the General.
This is what took place in the sorte They
went out at the Porte de Ba!am. The
houses of suburbs are already full Of Prus-
sians who fire on the French out Of every
window. The church especially is strongly
garrisoned, the heavy doors are closed.
The General sent de Guirae to fetch two
pieces OF cannon. These soon arrived and
the door of the church was blown In and
200 Germans were captured and brought
back with the French, who, spite of all
efforts, were soon obliged to retire again into
the town. 1t was the last incident OF the
battle-the last struggle. While this took
place at the Porte de Balan, the German
Smelling wcnt on and the shells began to
fall into the hotel. Shocking scenes fol
lowed. A boy, the son of "a tradesman,
round the corner OF the street came ID cry>
ing and asking for a surgeon, saying his
father leg had been shot off. A woman
in front of the house met the same fate.
The doctor who went TO the tradesman
found him dead, and returning, attempted
to carry the woman to an ambulance. He
had scarcely made step when she was
shot dead In his arms. Those of us who
stand in the gateway and witness
such scenes have got beyond any feeling Of
personal fear. Any Of US, | will venture
to say, he would have given his life to save
France this dreadful day. Yet we stand
pale and snuidering at the sight Of the fate
which betalls the poor people Of the town.
civilians and even tie iaded soldiers, as
helpless as they.


pass over details. | care not to dwell
on the horrors (which nevertheless | shall
never be able to forget. shall mention
more than one brave officer who did not