MARSHAL BAZAINE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 2, 2 January 1875, Page 4

MARSHAL BAZAINE.

A long letter hai been addressed to Marshal Bazaine to Mr James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald, from which we extract the following :— I should ujot even have attempted to escape from prison had my former comrade seen fit to lessen the severities of my .captivity. During my trial I should have employed the same weapons, that Macmahon used against me. I should have shown in my defence how Maomahon had been beaten and had evacuated Alsace without endeavoring to defend the Yosages, •without resisting the march of the enemy, without utilising the railroads, leaving my right uncovered and turned, notwithstanding the order he had received not to repass beyond Nancy. I should have shown his ignorance of the numerical strength and movements of the. enemy; his presumption in accepting battle blindfolded ; his imprudence in risking the reputation of the old African troops which be commanded in one battle. I could have shown clearly how, in forgetting the first duties of a general in order to play the part of a fighting soldier, he must be Regarded, as one of the first authors of our disasters.

But I imitated the conduct of the Emperor, never accusing anyone, and never Becking to throw the responsibility upon others. Macmahon had been as unfortunate at Sedan as I was at Metz; as Trochn and Ducrot were in Paris; as Bourbaki and Clinchant were in the East. He had forgotten all this when he became President, and his want of memory was the chief incentive to my escape. I envy Macmahon in one thing, and that is the wound that he received at Sedan, which permitted him to honorably pass over the command to the general who signed the capitulation of Sedan, and to cast his responsibility upon the Emperor, who most graciously accepted it. Macmahon and I have been unfortunate, but never ridiculous. No German ever laughed while fightiDg me. Such sights as were seen at Paris and Tours could ouly compromiee the national honor. For myself, I am an old soldier, and do not understand politics. I make war, not speeches, and do not allow myself to be frightened by big words. Jules Favre flattered me ; Gambetta called me a traitor ; but that did not move me.

As regprds Mexico, the Emperor had to choose between evacuation and a war with the United States. To avoid a conflict he gave the order to return ; but Maximilian was unwilling either to return to Austria or to abdicate, although he well understood that Napoleon could not sustain a struggle with the United States. Maximilian, in spite of wise counsels, preferred to seek an honorable death. That is tbe truth, and that is the extent of each one's responsibility. For my consola? tion the thought remains that even Washington did not escape injustice, and that Lafayette passed through ordeals more terrible than mine.

I am far from being rich; but, besides my liberty, there still remain to me immeasurable . treasures. For companions I have an American lady who gives me the strongest proofs of devotion; I have children I adore, a brother, and some friends who have remained faithful. My position is not hopeless; if need should be I would follow, the example of the conquered Richmond and take refuge in labor. Simple soldier/ I carried a musket; labor does not dishonor. Ido not look upon my military career as ended; I enjoy health and bodily vigor. Some duties remain to be fulfilled, and I shall fulfil them when the time comes. I' hope fortune will grant me a last smile, as she often does to old soldiers. Accept, dear Mr Bennet, with all my thinks, renewed assurance of my moat distinguished consideration. — Marshal Bazaine.