HOW BAZAINE RECEIVED HIS SENTENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 69, 21 March 1874, Page 2

HOW BAZAINE RECEIVED HIS SENTENCE.

The Gaulois gives the following account of the manner in which the intelligence of bis condemnation was received by Marshal Bazaine : — " When the court retired the marßhall withdrew to bis apartments, whither he was accompanied by bis wife, his brother, his two nephews and their wives, Captains Gredin and Mornay Soult, M. Bouillet, Madame Asselin, and a few other attached friendp. During the four hours while the court was in deliberation the marshal talked freely, familiarly, almost gaily, as though his life where no longer at stake. In a short time his wife, unable to prolong the distressing interview, retired, and accompanied by M. Lachaud's daughter, went to the chapel to pray. Colonel Villette — that perfect personification of devotion — had remaiued in the gallery connecting the Trianon with the T rianon eousbor, in order to obtain the earliest intelligence. At halfpast eight M. Georges Lackaud, who had just beard the sentence, came to him there and accompanied him to the marshal, in order to prepare the latter for the visit of General Pourcet. ' Well,' aeked Colonel Villette eagerly, 'is he acquitted ?' M. G. Lachau^, without replying verbally, made a gesture of despair, and then ascending the staircase leading to the apartments of the marshal, followed by the colonel, who staggered like a drunken man. At the sound of the opening door, the marshal, who was engaged in conversation with thoße about him, advanced j towards the young advocate, and, observing his despondent countenance, at once understood what was the nature of the communication. ' They have condemned me to death,' he said quietly, and grasping the hand of M. Georges Lacbaud. Understanding his significant silence, the marshal caked him, 'By what majority?' ' Unanimously,' was the reply. ♦ Ah!' was the sole exclamation of the marshal, and then he resumed, as if nothing had occurred to interrupt the conversation he had been carrying on. Everyone was in tears; the condemned marshal alone preserved a calm aspect. At that moment Colonel Villette entered the room. He had advanced towards him whom he had so devotedly served during the last eighteen months, but as he was about to grasp the offered hand his strength' gave way, and he fell heavily to the ground. While those present hastened to the unfortunate officer's assistance, the marshal, to conceal his emotion, passed in to the next room, where M. Lochaud, was reposing after his labors. He met him, however, on the threshold, and the marshal, in a cnlm and almost cheerful tone, himself communicated the fatal news. In the midst of this heartrending scene the Commandant Guioth, aide-de-camp to the Due d'Aumale, arrived. It is needless to say that his presence caused a painful sensation. M. Guioth, who evinced great emotion, handed to M. Laehaud a letter <rom the President of the Council of War, requesting his immediate presence in court. M. Lachaud followed the aide-de-camp. Ho found the judges assembled ; and the Due d'Aumale, with all the consideration due to the man who had used such powerful but fruitless eloquence, read to him an appeal fpr mercy signed by all the members of the court. He added that he was about to visit the Minister of War and the President of the Republic personally to support the recommendation of the court. The distinguished advocate simply replied that he would communicate the fact to the marshal, and withdrew."