Year: 1870

!


and hill tops; batteries posted on every


eminence; cavalry on all plains, and a:


far as his eve could reach hosts of EN-


battled Germans. His decision va:


taken at last. Attended by . few ot


his staff on horseback, his Majesty pro-


ceeded along the road from Sedan in q


brougham. Count Bismarck was in


bed at his headquarters at Douchery


when an officer rushed in and an


nounced that the Emperor was coming


to meet him and see the King. Count


Bismarck rose, dressed hastily,
and hastened to meet the Emperor He


was in time to stop the cortege outside
Of the town. ! was away on the field,
and cannot OF my own personal knowl-
edge state what occurred As his
Majesty alighted, | heard that Bis
marck uncovered his head and stood
with cap in hand, and on sign or re-
quest from the Emperor, put it on.
The Count replied, Sire, receive your
Majesty as would my own Royal mas
ter" There happened to be near the
place where the interview occurred, a
few hundred yards outside the sqallid
town OF Douchery, the humble cottage
of hand-loom weaver, OF whom there
are numbers around Sedan. Bismarck
led the way and entered t. The room
was not inviting The great Count
walked up stairs; the apartment was
filled by the hand-hoom and appli-
ances OF the weaver, so he descended
and found the Emperor sitting on stone
outside. Two chairs were brought out
of the cottage; the Emperor sat down
in one, Bismarck took the other and
placed it on his Majesty's left hand side
The officers in attendance on their fallen
master lay down some distance away,
upon a small fiat of grass in front OF
the cottage The conversation was a
strange one, and, as Count Bismarck has
repeated it freely, or the principals parts
OF it, no doubt it will be soon known
and remain forever as history. The
great point to be gained was peace, but,
as far as his Majesty was concerned, no
assurance OF it could be obtained by
Bismarck. The Emperor stated that he
had no power; could not negotiate
peace; could not give orders TO the army
nor Marshal Bazaine


The Empress was Regent OF France,
and on her ministers must devolye the
so Bismarck thereupon re.
marked that it was of no avail 10 hold
any further conversation on political
matters with his Majesty, and it would
be of no use to see the King The En-
peror desired TO Zee the King in person,
but Bismarck declared it wa not posi-
bic to accede to his Majesty's wishes
until capitulation had been signed
Then, as the conversation was becom.
ing rather dangerous, and as the situa-
ton was becoming difficult on both
sides, he ended it. The interview ter
Count Bismarck went TO see
the King. and the Emperor withdrew
to consult his officers.


At ll:3O the articles Of capitulation
were signed as agreed upon by General
Wimpfen and General Won Moltke, and
! believe Count Bismarck took part in
the deliberations. The terms are that
the garrison and army of Sedan are to
surrender as prisoners of war TO be sent
into Germany; officers to be liberated
on parole not to serve again during the
war all horses, guns and munitions Of
war to be given up; the Emperors de-
tention in Germany is understood to be
part of the stipulation.


About two clock the King with his
body guard and an escort Of cuirassiers,
attended by the Crown Prince and staff
of general officers, proceeded to a
chateau outside of Sedan. and received
the Emperor, who came with his per-
sonal followers and staff, in charge Of
an escort which ranged on either side
of the avenue facing the cuirassiers.
The King and captive retired into the
glass house of one OF the saloons of the
drawing room floor, and they could be
seen by the staff outside engaged in an
earnest dialogue.


After the interview with the King,
the Emperor had few moments con
versation with the Crown Prince, during
which he was much sgitated. When
alluding to the manner Of the King his
great anxiety seemed to be not 10 be
exhibited to his OVID soldiers The re
suit was, however, that his Majesty,
wishing to avoid one mischief, was ex-
posed to great humiliation, for his
course had to be altered TO avoid Sedan,
and thus he had to pass through the
lines of the Prussian army.


DoUCHERY, September 3, 9 A. M
The Emperor, a prisoner Of war, has
Just passed below my window through
the main street of Douchery. 1t is
raining torrents. A column Of Wur-
temburg troops coming in the opposite
direction blocks up the way. The col
umn is preceded by a troop Of black
hussars in full uniform and uncloaked
then came a brougham with the En-
peror He was in the undress uBiform
Of a Lieutenant General, with the star
Of the Legion Of Honor on his breast


His face looked exceedingly worn,
with dark lines under his eyes, which


were ohservant Of what was passing
around, for he saluted Englishmen


who ran out to see him, and


raised bis hat By his side sat q


French officer, | think, Achilles Murat
But who could look at any but one man


and it was only glance any person


with good feeling would care to give a


such a moment even TO him. Thr


horses were worthy OF the imperia


stables. The two postillions were a


smart a. il in the Baez, or en- route 70
St Cloud. On wet day they and tn,


two who sat behind wore long wate
: proof cloaks, glazed hats and the impe


rial cockade. As the brougham va
stopped for a moment my courie


caught sight OF his Majestys face