DEFENCE OF NAPOLEON III.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 866, 26 September 1871, Page 3

DEFENCE OF NAPOLEON 111.

" Graulois " publishes the following from Paul de Cassagnae in defence of the ex-Emperor at Sedan. The famous fighting journalist, who was captured, but escaped at 11 on the morning the battle was lost, saysPenned up and led like so many sheep in ravines and hollows, without order, food or ammunition, without a plan; pounded incessantly by 700 guns which opened on us from a distance of 4,000 and 5,000 metres ; surrounded by 400,000 men, who kept behind their euns, protected from our bullets and bayonets, we found ourselves forced back into the town. I had the grief of witnessing the preliminaries and conclusion of the capitulation. Phillippe, DeMassa, Lauriston and I were sobbing in front of the room where our dishonor was signed. Well, what was the Emperor's conduct during and after the battle ? Before the capitulation he was not in command, and did not give a single order. McMahon is too honest not to admit that the Emperor was present, but took no directing part, Since the 19th January he was like a bullock stunned by the butcher's pole-axe. He tottered on until he fell at Sedan. No longer having the right of interfering in anything, he went about the battle-field escorted by a few friends, displaying admirable, but barren courage. After the battle ho remained unchanged, retaining his neutral attitude, that position which is called parliamentary but which means nothing butimpotence and abdication. Then the Emperor, committed the enormous blunder of meddling with a capitulation which concerned others than himself—those who had so madly led us to the Shambles, seized with deep commiseration for this army, prostrate, while yet alive, in this huge graveyard. He gave his orders to hoist the white flag. For an ignorant and impassioned people that was quite sufficient. Every thing was thrown on his shoulders, and he became the scape-goat. Laden with the want of skill of McMahon, the insane rashness of Wimpffen, want of foresight of the Commissariat, all the iniquities of the cowards, incapables, and traitors, he was driven from Sedan to Cassel, from Cassel to Cbiselhurst. Had he stuck to his post, and not meddled with anything: if he had allowed an additional 40,000 men to perish beneath the crumbling walls of Sedan, he would not now bear the burden of a capitulation for which he may be responsible, but which cannot in any way be imputed to him as a crime.-