THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON AT SEDAN.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 267, 16 August 1872, Page 3

THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON AT SEDAN.

The Gaulois, May 24:h, publishes the following teller addressed t>y the Emperoi Napoleon to the Generals who commanded at Si-dan : “ 1 am responsible to the country, and I can accept no other judgment hut that of the nation regularly consulted. Nor is it for me to pass an opiu on on the report of the Commission on the capitulation of Sedan. I shall only r- mind the principal witnesses of that catastrophe of the critical position iu which we found ourselves. The army commanded by the Duke of Magenta nobly did its duty, and fought heroically against an enemy of twice its number. When driven back to ttie walls ol the town and into the town itself 14, 000 dead and wounded covered the field of battle, and I saw that any longer to contest the position was an act of desperation. The honour of the army having being saved by the bravery which hail be- 11. displayed. I theu exercised my sovereign right, ami gave orders to unfurl a flag ot truce. I claim the eutire respon-

siliility of that act The immolation'of 60,000 men could not have saved France, and the sublime demotion of her chiefs aud soldiers would have been uselessly sacrificed. We obeyed a cruel but iuexor ible necessity. My heart was broaeu, but my conscience was tranquil.”