Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1870 — Russell’s Account of the Surrender of Napoleon. [ARTICLE]

Russell’s Account of the Surrender of Napoleon.

Dr. Rubsell writes to the London limes, under date of Sedan, September 3: When the Emperor, who had passed the weary hours of the night, looked out in the early morning, he beheld the forest of steel and iron on the valley and hill-tops, batteries posted on every, emi nence, cavalry in all the plains, and far as his eye could reach, hosts of embattled Germans. His decision was taken at last. Attended by a few of his staff on horseback, His Majesty proceeded along the road from Sedan in a brougham. Count Bismark was in bed at his quarters, at Douchery; an officer rushed in and announced that the Emperor was coming to meet him, and to see the King. Count Bismark rose, dressed hastily, and hastened to meet the Emperor. He was in time to stop the cortege outside the town. I was away on the field, and therefore cannot, of my own personal knowledge, state what occurred. As His Majesty alighted, I hear that Bismark uncovered his head and stood with cap in hand, and on a sign or request from the Emperor, put it on. The Count replied: “ Hire, 1 receive your Majesty as I would my own royal master.” There happened to be near the place where the interview occurred, a few hundred yards outside the squalid town of Douchery, the humble cottage of a hand loom weaver, of whom there are number! around Sedan. Bismark led the way, and entered it. The room was not inviting. The great Count walked up stairs. The apartment was filled by the hand loom and appliances of the weaver; he descended and found the Emperor sitting on a stone cutside. Two chairs were brought out of the cottage. The Emperor sat down in one, Bismark took the other and placed it on His Majesty’s left hand. The officers in attendance on their fallen master, lay down, some distance away, upon a small plat of grass, in front of the cottage. The conversation was a strange one, and, as Count Bismark has repeated it freely, or the principal parts of if, no doubt it will be soon known, and remain forever as historic “The great point to be gained was peace, but as far as His Majesty was concerned no assurance of it could be obtained by Bismark. The Emperor stated that he had no power, could not negotiate peace, and could not give orders to the army nor Marshal Bazaine ; the Empress was Regent of France, and on her and her Ministers must devolve the negotiations. So Bismark thereupon remarked that it was of no avail to hold any further conversation on political matters with His Majesty, and it would be of no use to see the King. The Emperor desired to see the King in person, but Bismark dedared that it was not possible to accede to His Majesty's wishes until the capitulations had been signed. Then, as the conversation was becoming rather dangerous, and as the situation was becoming difficult on both sides, he ended it. The interview terminated. Count Bismark went to see the King. The Emperor withdrew to consult his officers. .

At 11:30 articles of capitulation were signed as agreed upon by General W impffen and General Moltke, and I believe Count Blsmark took part in the deliberations. The terms are: Garrison and army of Sedan 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 Emperor’s detention in Germany is understood to be a part of the arrangement. About 2 o’clock the King, with a body guard and escort of Cuirassiers, attended by the Crown Prince and staff of general officers, proceeded to the chateau outside of Sedan, and received the Emperor, who came with his personal followers and staff, in charge of the escort which ratged on the other side of the avenue, facing the Cuirassiers. The King and captive retired into a glass house of one of the saloons of the drawing room floor, and they could be seen by the staff outside, engaged in earnest dialogue. After the interview with the King the Emperor had a few moment’s conversation during which he was much agitated, when alluding to the manner of the King. His great anxiety seemed to be not to be exhibited to his own soldiers. The result was, however, that His Majesty, wishing to avoid one mischief, was exposed 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.