MARSHAL BAZAINE OF THE SURRENDER OF METZ.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 775, 11 February 1871, Page 2

MARSHAL BAZAINE OF THE SURRENDER OF METZ.

Marshal Bazaine has written a letter letter to the " Nord," bearing date 2nd November. He says:—"l have read the political bulletin of Ist November, in which you refer to M. Gambetta's proclamation. You are right; the army of the Rhine would not have obeyed a traitor. The only reply I shall make to this lying lucubration is to send you the order of the day which was addressed to the army after the Councils of War held on the 26th and 28th October. M Gambetta does not seem to be aware of what he is saying, or of the position in which the army at Metz was placed, when he stigmatises, as, he does, its chief, who struggled for three months against forces double those at his disposal, and whose effective strength was always kept up. 1 received no communications from the Government at Tours, notwithstanding the efforts made to place oursewea in relations. The army of Metz had 1 marshal, 24 generals, 2140 officers, and 42,350 men struck by the enemy's fire, and it made itself respected iu every fight in which it engaged. Such an army could not be composed of traitors and cowards. Famine and disorganisation alone caused the arms to fall from the hands of the 65,000 real combatants who remained. The artillery and cavalry were,without horses, it having been necessary to kill them to alleviate the privations of the army. Had the latter not displayed such energy and patriotism it would have had to succumb i:i the first fortnight of October, when the rations were already reduced to 300 grammes, and later on to 250 grammes of bad bread. Add to this dark picture the fact of there being 20,000 sick and wounded, with their medicines on the point of failing, and themselves suffering from the effects of the torrential rains. France has always been deceived as to our position. I know not why ; but the truth will one day prevail. We are conscious of having done our duty."