The Year of Battles: or the Franco-German War of 1870-'71 ... With maps, plans of battles, and numerous portraits ... By C. Weber

Front matter

THE YEAR OF BATTLES : OR THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR OF 1870-71 COMPRISING A HISTORY OF IT3 ORIGIN AND CAUSE?, THE BIOGRAPHIES OF THE KING OP PRUSSIA, THE EX-EMPEROR OF FRANCE, AND THE STATESMEN AND GENERALS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES ; THE FINANCIAL, SOCIAL, AND MILITARY CONDITION OF EACH, THE WEAPONS IN USE, AND AN ACCURATE HISTORY OF ALL THE MIL- ITARY MOVEMENTS AND BATTLES OF THE WAR, THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE, TnE SURRENDER OF PARIS ; THE CONCLUSION OF THE WAR, THE TREATY OF PEACE, AND THE ORGANIZA- TION OF A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. BY L. P. BROCKETT, M.D., AUTHOR OF "BISTORT OF TnE CIVIL WAR," "CAMP, BATTLE-FIELD AKD HOSPITAL," "WOMAN'S WORK IN TUE CIVIL WAR," " OUR GREAT CAPTAINS," ETC, ETC. WITH MAPS, PLANS OF BATTLES, AND NUMEROUS PORTRAITS, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND BATTLE SCENES. By CHRISTIAN" WEBER.

SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION. JCero gork : H. S. GOODSPEED & CO., 37 PAKK KOW, New York. J. W. GOODSPEED & CO., 148 Lake Street, Chicago : A. H. HUEBARD, Philadelphia: H. H. NATT & CO., Cincinnati: B. R. STURGES, Boston : SCHUYLER SMITH, Prescott, Ontario JAS. H. DOBBS & CO., Erie, Pa. : F. DEWING & CO., San Francisco. 1871. filtered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, By L. P. BROCKETT, M.D. In the Office of. the Librarian of Congress at Washington. THE NEW YORE PRINTING COMPilT, 205, 21)1, 209, 311, 213 Gait 12th Street.

Preface

. THE writer feels that no apology is necessary for the attempt here made to portray the progress of a war which, in its rapid movement, its terrible destructiveness, and its stupendous results, is without a parallel iu his tory. ... • The ties which bind us to both the great nations which have been engaged in this sanguinaiy conflict — ties of kindred, friendship,- and commercial intercourse have made every step of its progress more interesting to us as a people than any" other war of modern times, except that in which we ourselves were so recently en gaged ; and these considerations are sufficient to com mend to popular interest any work which gives suc cinctly, lucidly, and accurately, the events of such a contest. A large experience in historical composition, and especially in the preparation of histories of our own war, has, the writer would fain hope, given him some special qualifications for undertaking this work.

It has been his first aim to secure as complete accuracy as possible ; and hence he has had recourse to official reports and documents, where they were to be had, and also to the testi mony of intelligent and capable eye-witnesses of the various battles. The work is not, however, a mere com pilation of war correspondence and official documents. Every battle has been carefully studied, and plans drawn of the position of each army and the course of their movements ; and the writer has not felt disposed to rest satisfied without attempting to convey to his readers the

PREFACE.

. 4 same clear and vivid idea of each battle which his careful studies had enabled him to attain. The preliminary chapters, giving the history of the causes of the war, the military, naval, and financial position of the two countries, the description and comparison of their weapons, and biographical sketches of the prom inent actors in the war, will be found, he hopes, to pos sess intrinsic value, irrespective of the war itself. They are from authentic sources in all cases, and in many instances from such as are not generally accessible. The maps and plans are compiled from the best German and French sources, and from the official reports of the battles and sieges, and are believed to be remark ably accurate. The portraits are from undoubted origi nals, and these, as well as the drawings of weapons and battle-scenes, are the work of some of our best artists.

The material for the work has been ample, and while for the official narratives, biographies, <fcc, we have gone directly to the French and German sources, we have found some of the best descriptions, both of the topogra phy and the actions themselves, in the correspondence of Major Forbes and Mr. Holdsworth with the London Daily News, the war-letters of the New York Tri lune, Herald, World, and Times, the Cincinnati Ga zette and Commercial, and the Courrier des Etats- Tlnis, and the admirable " Diary of the War " of the Army and Navy Journal. We have been indebted also for many items to the various statistical and biographical works, in which both England and the Continent so greatly excel us. If the work shall accomplish its purpose of gratify ing the natural anxiety of our people to know more fully, accurately, and minutely, the particulars of the greatest, and, we would fain hope, also the last of modern wars; the ambition of the author will be fully satisfied. L. P. B. Brooklyn, N. Y., April, 1871. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

The remote and proximate causes of the "War. — Encroachments of France upon Germany in the past three hundred years. — Alsace and Lorraine. — Westphalia and the Rhine Provinces- Belgium. — Restoration of the last three to their rightful owners.— Avenging Waterloo.— The Rhine and Adriatic boundary.— Movements of Napoleon III to accomplish this.— His jealousy of Prussia, — His preparations for War.— The introduction of the Chassepdt rifle and the Mitrailleuse. — The want of genuine preparation for the War on the part of France. — Other reasons for the War.— France restive. — The plebiscite. — Napoleon's health*. — Religious motives.— Francein a secondary position. — The occasion of War.— The Hohenzollern candidacy.— Sketch of Prince Leopold.— Protest of the French Emperor.— His interview -with General Prim. — Declination of Prince Leopold.— Now pretexts, — The alleged insnlt to Count Benedetti. — The missives sent to German States supposed to he disaffected. — The French declaration of War .pp. 13-19

Chapter II

Biographical sketches. — Wilhelm I, King of Prussia. — His birth, education, absolutist principles. — His Accession to the Throne.— His personal appearance, manners and character.

Napoleon III. — His parentage, birth, education.— Joins the Carbonari. — Involved in Italian Conspiracies. — Attempts authorship. — Becomes the legal heir of Napoleon I.— The Strasbourg affair in 1836. — His banishment to America.— Is coldly received there.— His return to Switzerland.— Death of his mother.— His escape to England.— Publication oshis Idees NapoUonienncs and Siveries Politiques.— The Boulogne fiasco.— His arrest, trial, and sentence to imprisonment at Ham.— His studies and writings at Ham.— Escape to England in 1846.— His life in England.— The Revolution of 1848.— Election of Louia Napoleon to the National Assembly— His return to France.— His election as President. — LTis policy.— His aspirations for permanent and supreme power. — Efforts to change the Constitution. — Uneasiness of the French people. — The coup d'etat of Dec. 2,1851. — The first plebiscite.— Further steps toward despotism. — Proclaims himself Emperor. — "The Empire is Peace.*— His Marriage. — Alliance with England.— The Crimean "War.— His policy as Emperor.— Birth of the Prince Imperial.— Overestimation of Napoleon III. — The Italian War. — His mismanagement.— The compact with Cavour.— The threatening attitude of Prussia.— Treaty of Villafranca.— Napoleon's disappointment.— Acquisition of Savoy and Nice.— His failing health.— Troubles— The attempt tc intervene in behalf of the Southern Confederacy.— The War with Mexico.— He mates a dupe of Maximilian.— Sad end of this "War.— The Cochin China and Chinese "WarB.— The promise of reforms.— The Austro-Prussian War.— Prussian superiority demonstrated.— His offers to and demands upon each of the belligerents. — Their rejection.— His Life of Cæsar.— Hia determination to britg on a War.— His character in brief. pp. 20-38. CONTENTS. 6

CHAPTER IIL

Eiographical sketches continued-Count von Bismarck-Schonhau3en.-His birth aDd education. -Entrance upon public life.-A Conservattve.-His pamphlet, " Prussia and the Italian Question."-Minister at St. Petersburg and Paris— Premier, and Cabinet Minister.— Hia bold measures.-The opposition evoked.-The Danish War.-The TV ar with Austria. -The •wisdom of bis measures demonstrated.— His extraordinary abilities and foresight.— His personal appearance. — His scholarship. — His impaired health. General von Moltke.— His birth and education.— Military studies at Copenhagen.-Strait«ned circumstances.— His eminent attainments.— His rapid promotion.— His mission to Turkey and Asia Minor.— Authorship.— His advancement to the position of Chief of Staff. —His heren- .ean labors.— His remarkable topographical and geological knowledge.— His extraordinary prescience and knowledge of the character of his antagonists.— His personal exploration of military routes.— His interview with General de Wimpffen.— Personal appearance and manners.

The French Premiers and War Ministers.— Ollivier and Rouher.— General Leboeuf.— Birth and education.— Promotion.— Commandant of Polytechnic SchooL— Chief of Artillery.— General of Division, 1S5T.— Distinguished in the Italian War.— Minister of "War in 1867.— His corrupt management relative to the Chassepot rifle.— His recklessness and dishonesty. Count de Palikao.— His birth, education and military career.— His experiences in Algeriai France and China. — His stern and cruel disposition. Other French generals.— The old soldiers.— The three Marshals.— Marshal MacMahon.— His birth and education.— Early career in Africa,— His courage and daring.— Ability as a tactician.— Capture of the Malakoff.— His skilful strategy at Magenta.— Duke of Magenta.— Eeprescntative of France at King Wilhelm's coronation.— Subsequent command in Franca and Algeria.

Marshal Canrobert.— His birth and education.— His African career.— Adhesion to Louis Napoleon.— Service in the Crimean War.— In the Italian War.— Senator of France. Marshal Bazaine.— His education. — Military experience in Algeria, Spain, and the Crimea. — Hia part in the Mexican Expedition. — His cruelty, greed, and mismanagement there. — Hia corruption and rapacity. The French corps-commanders, FroBsard, De Failly, l'Admirault, &c— General de Wimpffen.— Gen. Trochu PP- 39-66

Chapter IV

Biographical sketches continued. — Prince Friedrich Karl.— Birth and education.— His entrance into the Army. — His fondness for military studies. — Frederick the Great his exemplar. — A staff-officer under von "Wrangel in 1 848, in the first Schleswig-Holstein "War, and the Baden Campaign in 1849. — Commander of the Prussian Contingent in she Danish "War of 1864 — His gallantry in the assault on Duppel.— His ooromand of the first Army in the Austrian War ol 1866. — Sadowa, — His pamphlet on improvements in military organizations. — The changes which followed.— His interview with von Moltke. — Prince Friedrich "Wilhelm.— Birth, education.— A pupil of von Moltke. — A corps-commander in 1S64-— Commander of the Second Prussian Army in 1866, and the hero of Sadowa.— His ability in handling large bodies of troops.

General von Steinmetz.— Birtb, education. — "Wounded at Dannegkow in 1813.— Entered Par/a with the Allies in 1815. — " The Lion of Skalitz."— A stern, imperious old man.— The German corps and army commanders pp. 57-63.

Chapter V

Financial condition of France and Germany Difficulty in arriving at the facts relative to th« French finances The latest statistics of French revenue and expenditure The constant deficits. — Seven loans from 1854 to 1870.— Cost of the Wars during the reign of Napoleon III.— CONTENTS. 7 ImportB and Exports — The national debt Its enormous amounts- Valuation of property in France. Financial condition of the North German Confederation Revenues of 1869-70. Ordinary and Extraordinary Expenditure.— Revenue of Prussia Her Expenditure with about the same population. — Her Expenditure only two sevenths of that of France. No deficits— Items of Expenditure. — The national debt of Prussia, smalL Bocial condition of the two countries. — Intelligence and Morals in Germany.— Condition of Franca in these respects. — Military and naval strength of the two countries Over-statement of French military strength. — Underestimate of Prussian military power Causes— The French reports of their Army. — Its vast numbers and presumed efficient condition—The reserves, National Guard and Garde Mobile. — Almost two millions of soldiers— on paper. — The actual numbers. — One half the Army only existing on paper. — The German Armies— Their actual numbers in each arm of the service Even these estimates largely exceeded.

The Navies of the two Nations. — Great number of vessels in the French Navy — 55 Iron-clad Steamers.— Analysis of the character of these. — Their efficiency more apparent than real . Their meagre success. Prussian Navy. — Teasels few in number, but of remarkable efficiency. The Cannon of the German Army.— Krupp's rifled breech-loaders— Their great range and accuracy. The French bronze Napoleons — muzzle-loaders. — The Mitrailleuse, its character and destructiveness. — The Needle-gun. — Full description of its mechanism. — The different methods of obturation or closing of the cylinder upon the barrel. — The Chassepdt rifle Its construction. — Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the two..,. "PP- 64-91.

Chapter VI

The circumstances attending the declaration of War, in detail. — Gen. Prim's visit to Napoleon III. — His correspondence with Prince Leopold His acceptance of the candidacy. — The King of Prussia's disapproval. — The Prince's persistence The French demand on Prussia, July 6. — Count Benedetti's instructions. — Mr. Ripley's account of the interviews of Benedetti with the King — The demand of the French Government — The offensive way in which they were presented. — Napoleon's preparations for immediate War. — The declaration of War The activity which followed, all over Christendom. — Return of King Wilhelm from Ems to Berlin His address to the Prussian Legislature — War-loan voted. — Addressof Napoleon III. — Its melodramatic character. — His address to the Axmy at Metz, July 28th. — The circular of von Bismarck to the Prussian representatives at the courts of Foreign Powers. — Efforts of the French Government to counteract the damaging effect of this exposure Attempts of other European Powers to effect a settlement — Their futility — Letter of Pope Pius IX to Napoleon III and King Wilhelm. — King Wilhelm's reply. — Forward movements of the French advance-guard — Skirmishing. — Circulation of addresses by the Emperor among the South Germans, and the people of Schleswig-Holstein and Hanover. — Failure of these addresses to win any adherents to his cause pp. 92-103.

Chapter VII

The War begun.— King Wilhelm takes command of the German forces, August 2d— His address to the troops, at Mayence. — Strength and position of the French forces on the 2d of August. — The German forces and their positions. — The affair at Saarbruck. — The Emperor's letter to the Empress. — The Tranquil Infant's baptism of fire. — Movements of the two armies. —The French fortify the Spicheren Hills back of Saarbruck. — MacMahon advances to Welasenburg. — Battle of W^.ssenburg, Aug. 4 — The Crown-Prince's report of the action — Ad* CONTEXTS. 8 dress of Prince Friedrich Karl— Gen. von Steinmetz's address to the First German Army— The battle of Spicheren heights or Forbach, Aug. 6— Report of von Steinmetz — Account of the New York Tribune correspondent— Casualties of the battle.— The advance of the Crown-Prince toward Woerth— The Battteof Woerth— Attempts of the French commander to rally his troops— His retreat to Saverne— Marshal MacMahon's report to the Emperor- King Wilhelm's despatch to the Queen.— « Our Fritz."— Napoleon Ill's despatches— "Ho goes to the Centre."— Gen. Leboeufs report— Attempts to keep the Dews from the French people.— The proclamation of the Empress.— The statement of the Minister.— Changes in the French government and military commands PP- 107-129.

Chapter VIII

Indications of a coming revolution— Addresses and orders of Prince Friedrich Karl, the King, and von Steinmetz— Their humane tenor.— Strasbourg summoned to surrender. — Proclamation of Gen. TJhrich in reply Proclamation of King Wilhelm to the French people— Particulars of MacMahon's defeat at Woerth. — His order to his soldiers — The reinforcements he received from De Failly, Canrobert, and De Caen.— His march towards Paris. — Pursuit by the Crown-Prince of Prussia. — Bazaine falls back upon Metz, and decides to retreat upon Terdun and Paris, leaving a large garrison at Metz. — The rapid advance and severe pressure of the German armies upon his rear. — Crossing of part of the Second Army at Pont a Mousaon. — Napoleon III quits Metz, leaving an address to the inhabitants. — The battle of Courcelles, east of the Moselle Conflicting accounts. — The German report — Correspondents' reports. — King Wilhelm's despatches.— French official report — The Emperor's despatch to Eugenie. — Buzaine's necessity for retreat, — Critical position. — The two routes to Terdun. — His determination to seize and control one or both. — The battle of Tionville, or Mars-la- Tour, on the 16th of August. — Terrible fighting. — The Mars-la-Tour road completely blocked by the Second German Army. — Bazaine falls b:ick to the line of Gravelotte. — The battle indecisive. — Heavy losses. — The German report. — Bazaine's reports — Statement published in Paris. — Possibility of Eazaine's retreat by the Conflnns road. — Napoleon III leaves Terdun with the little prince for Eheims. — The battle of Gravelotte. — The official account in the Army and Navy Journal.— King Wilhelm's despatches from Rezonville. — The New York Tribune correspondent's account. — Frightful slaughter. — The battle continues into the night, —Account of another correspondent. — The execution done by the Mitrailleuse at close quarters. — French and German artillery practice pp. 130-167.

Chapter IX

Sen. Trochn appointed Governor of Paris hy the Emperor. — His proclamation to the penple of Paris — Organization of a committee of defence Gen. Trochu's address to the people and appeal to the soldiers. — Gen. MacMahon's movement on Chalons He turns northwestward to Eheims.— The attempt to raise the siege of Metz. — The route taken. —The movement a blunder — Reasons why — Difficulty of the country for rapid marching MacMahon's advance reaches Eethel and Mezieres The pursuit by the German armies.— The lines on which they moved — The action of August SO The advantage gnined by the Germans. Crossing the Meuse — The 1st of September — The intention to rest the German troops that day.—Change of plan — Orders issued — The plan of attack Position of the German armies The Trench troops forced back to Sedan. — They enter the town with the French The white flag raised.

King Wilhelm's account of the battles and surrender— The terms of capitulation. Telegrams from the King.— Gen. von Moltke's order for carrying out the capitulation Count von Bismarck's letter describing his part— MacMahon wounded early in the fight De 'Wimpffeirs address to his soldiers — Controversy concerning the Emperor and de Wimpffen Description of the battle and surrender by a French officer Narrative of the Tribune's correspondent with the German army pp_ i67-°23 CONTENTS. 9

Chapter X

The sortio of Marshal Bazaine on the 31st of August and Sept. 1st. — He atttmpts to force a passage for his troops to the northeast of Metz. — Why this direction was taken. — Severe fighting — He is beaten back at all points and retires behind the fortifications of Metz — General Stiehle (chief of staff to Prince Friedrich Karl) telegraphs the repulse of the sortie. — General Manteuffel's despatch. — The minor fortresses Btill holding out Condition of affairs at PariB. — The people deceived. — Their Budden awakening Great excitement. — Cries of La Dechfance — Count de Palikao's official statement. — Tho vote of ddchdance demanded. — The Revolutionists force the gates of the Tuileries. — The Empress escapes, — The three propositions before the Corps Legislatif. — Adjournment of the Chamber Tho reassembling of the Chamber amid the turmoil of tho mob. — Its dissolution The assembling of the Republicans. — The downfall of the Empire declared. — The Republic proclaimed and the members of the government announced. — Emmanuel Arago Mayor of Paris Rochefort released from St. Pelagie and made a member. — Address of the new republican government to the people. — The circular of M. Jules Favre to neutral powers. — Its defiant spirit. — Its folly. — M. Favre's negotiations for peace — Hia interview with Bismarck. — The preliminary question of the power of the Provisional Government to bind the people of France. — Favre's proposals, and Bismarck's rejoinders. — Rejection of Bismarck's proposals by the French leaders Removal of the Government to Toul.- — Their proclamation respecting the peace negotiations. — Bismarck's circular on the same subject. — His reasons for tho claim made. — Advance of the German armies toward Paris. — Its investment complete on the 20th of September. — Surrender' of Toul, Sept. 23d and of Strasbourg, Sept. 27th. — The condition of the French army and people. — Unwisdom of the leaders. — The suicidal policy of suffering an army of 430,000 men and: a population of two millions to be besieged. — Losses of the French. — Their whole available force. — The want of leaders. — Condition of Paris. — Exaggeration of the most trifling succeeaand manufacture of wholesale falsehoods in regard to defeat of the Prussians. — The reaction in the feeling of sympathy at first manifested for the French Republic in consequence of these falsehoods. — The two-beaded French government. — Efforts to raise the army of th?' Loire. — The irregular troops of the Republic. — Sorties from Paris and Metz.— The sortie from Paris of the 19th of Sept. — Ducrot defeated and routed.— Subsequent sorties unsuccessful. — The German troops overrun large districts of France. — The new levies unable to resist them. — The report of the German commission in regard to operations in the region of tho Loire.— The Partisans of Gers. — Capture of Orleans. — Its value as the centre of a rich district from which supplies could be drawn. — Its strategical importance. — Other towns

captured. — Predominance of Red Republicanism in Marseilles and Lyons Fear of the German troops in tbeBmaller towns of France. — The desolated tract between the Rhine and Paris. — Surrender of Metz. — Magnitude of the surrender. — Statistics of officers surrendered — The indignation of the Provisional Government at this surrender.— Their proclamation.—- Bazaine denounced as a traitor.— The real condition of France uuderstated in this proclamation.— Hopelessness of its situation.— The energy and executive ability of Gambetta of no avail ex.- cept to aggravate the severity of the conditions on which peace could eventually be made. — The approach of famine and revolution. — Intense pride and conceit of the French people aud their leaders.— Apostrophe to France .....pp. 22_s-254_

CHAPTER XL

l*be siege of Paris.— The capturo of the Heights of Sceaux (Battle of Chatillon) by the Germans. • Culpable negligence of Trochu in not fortifying this point. — His folly in attempting to recapture them with a single corps of halforganized troops. — Trochu's reconnoissance and sortie of Sept.

SO. — Its failure. — Position of the several corps of German troops around Paris. — Breadth of the cordon ; its facilities for rapid concentration on any point. — Its lines never broken.— French sorties.— The sortie of Oct. 28 against Le Bourget.— Its failure.— Temporary Revolution.— Raising armies in the Provinces to compel the raising of the siege.— Gambetta at Tours. — His ability as an organiaer.— The establishment of camps. — Tho expulsion of the CONTENTS. 10 Army of the Seine from Orleans and its vicinity, Oct. 10, by General von der Tann--Move ments of the Germans to drive the French Army of the Loire out of the Loire Valley.— The determination of Ganibetta to crush von der Tann and relieve Paris.— Recapture of Orleans by the French after a vigorous resistance by von der Tann, Nov. 9-10.— Exaggerated an nonncements of the victory. -^General d'Aurelles de Paladines' report.-Gambetta's glorifica tion of the General.— The other French commanders, Bourbaki, Ducrot, de Chanzy, and Faid. herbe.— General von der Tann falls back, but General d'Aurelles de Paladines does not ad vance, but fortifies his camp around Orleans.— Gambetta dissatisfied.— Movements of tho German commanders, General von Voights Rhetz and the Duke of Mecklenburg.— They pass by the Army of the Loire without an engagement, and move westward— General d'Aurelles is ready to move the last of November.— His lines too much extended.— The fight at Beaune de Rolande.— Only part of the French force brought into action.— The arrival of Prince Friedrich Karl causes the defeat of the French.— Their heavy losses.— General d'Aurelles attacks the German centre, Dec 1.— Desultory fighting for five days.— The defense of Orleans. —The attack by the Germans in full force.— General d'Aurelles driven back.— The Army of the Loire cut in two, and two corps pushed across the Loire.— Orleans evacuated and given up by the French.— P.etreat of the three Army Corps under General de Chanzy to Elois, and sub sequently toward Le Mans.— Heavy losses of the French.— Constant fighting for eight or ten days.— "A blessing in disguise."— The sortie of Generals Ducrot and Trochu from Paris, Nov. 30-Dec. i— The district lying on the bends of the Marne selected.— Why.— Large force engaged in the sortie.— Details of the movement.— General Trochu's reports.— Major Forbes' account.— Topography of the battle-ground. — Movements and counter-movements of the two armies.— General Ducrot's order of the day pp. 255-280.

Chapter XII

The situation.— All not yet lost, though imperiled. — Unimproved opportunities.— Orleans.— Ducross sortie. — Gambetta's blunders. — Sending Bourbaki to the east of France. — Gambetta's dispatch to General Trochu. — The real state of affairs. — Capitulation of important posts. — Tours surrendered. — The condition and position of de Chanzy's and Faidherbe's armies. — The occupation of Amiens. — Another sortie (Dec. 21 and 22) of the French garrison against the Saxon Corps.— Heavy losses of the French.— The Bortie a failure.— Details of the engagement. — Bombardment of Fort Avron, Dec. 27.— Capitulation of Mezieres.— Silencing of French forts.— Defeat of General Faidherbe's army, Jan. 2-4, 1871.— Rocroy captured.— The final pursuit and defeat of de Chanzy, Jan. 5-12.— Prince Friedrich Karl undertakes the pursuit in person, and sends the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to execute a flank movement. — The battle of Jan. 10, near Le M ins.— Description by an eye-witness. — The battle of Jan. 11. — The Grand Duke's flanking movement. — Description. — The night attack. — The French surprise and panic— General von Voights Ehetz occupies Le Mans. — The losses on both sides, — General de Chanzy's order of the day. — He retires with the remnant of his army to the vicinity of Laval, and attempts no further offensive movements. — Sketch of de Chanzy pp. 281-299.

Chapter XIII

General Bourbaki's Army of the East.— The position of affairs in Eastern France.— Siege of Belfort.— Its gallant resistance.— Reasons why Gambetta made this eastern movement.— The policy of doubtful wisdom.— The size and condition of the Army of General Bourbaki.— His reputation.— The objects he had in view.— His attacks on General von Werder's force.— Severe fighting, Jan. 13-18. — Bourbaki repulsed and defeated. — He commences a retreat.— His report. — Reenforcement of von Werder. — Approach of Manteuffel. — Bwurbaki crowded on to the Swiss frontier. — He attempts suicide.— General Clinchart succeeds him. — Heavy losses. The French are pushed over the border, and surrender 80,000 men to the Swiss.— General Faidherbe's last attempt to advance on the route to Paris.— Ho is outnumbered, outflanked and CONTENTS. 11 defeated by General von Goeben, and driven into and out of St. Quentln.— His retreal to CambraL— His report,— Heavy losses.— Retreat to Lisle.— Surrender of Longwy.— Penb/ua condition of Garibaldi in the vicinity <>f Dijon. -Ineffectual sortie of Jan. 13.— The final sortie of General Trochu.— Details.— Bombardment of Paris.— Removal of Geneial Trochu,— .

The Outlook.— Summary of the situation.— Condition of tho great armies.— De Chanzy, Bourbaki, Garibaldi* Faidbcrbe.— The schools of instruction for soldiers.— The state of affairs in Paris.— Famine.— Fever.— Morals.— Riots.— Famine and ruin in the provinces.— No hope.— Favre seekB an interview with Count von Bismarck to obtain an armistice in which to negotiate for the conclusion of the war.— The state of affairs different from that in September and November.— The armistice coucluded.— Its conditions.— The territory surrendered. — The substantial capitulation of Taris. — Number of French prisoners of war.— Loss of French population. — Meeting of the National Assembly at Bordeaux.— Gambetta's restrictive decree.— It is annulled by his associates, and ho removed from office.— The election.— Complexion of the Assembly.— No party has a clear majority.— Choice of M. Grevy as President of the Assembly, and of M. Adolphe Thiers as Provisional President of the Republic— His Cabinet. — The negotiation of the preliminary treaty. — Its provisions.— A heavy burden for France.— It is ratified by the National Assembly March 1, and by the Emperor "Wilhelm I. March 5. — The Germans enter Paris March 1, and leave it March 3. — The Parisian mob quiet, —General d'Aurelles de Paladines in command.— The Emperor's despatch. — Return of the Germans, except the Army of Occupation, to Germany.— Condition in which the wnr left France. — The Red Republicans.— The future of France.— The Government to be.— "What wiH it be ? —The national debt of France. — Its crushing weight.— President Ttuers' address to tho nation on taking office pp. 300-324.

Chapter XIV

Review of the whole campaign, — The manner and bearing of tho French Emperor and the Prussian King contrasted. — The affair at Saarbruck. — A great boast over a small matter The " Tranquil Infant." — Terror of the Emperor at the defeats of Forbach, Weissenbourg, and "Woerth. — His despatches.— Bazaine' s retreat upon Metz. — His attempt to fall back toward Paris. — Too late The sanguinary battles of Courcelles, Vionville, and Gravelotte.— Tbe great blunder of MacMahon. — The pursuit. — MacMahon caeght astride the Meuse — Terrible slaughter of the battle of Aug. 30 The fighting of August 31st and Sept. 1st — MacMahon's army forced into Sedan, and then compelled to surrender.— Gen. de Wimpffen in command. — Napoleon's surrender. — The French revolution. — The *l Government of Na- , tional Defense."— Its unwisdom.— Their early peace negotiations.— Their refusal to cede any territory or surrender any of their strongholds. — The elections for a Constituent Assembly indefinitely postponed.— Investment of Paris.— The two-headed French Government.— Surrender of Strasburg.— Capture of Orleans.— Gambetta's exertions to raise new armies.— Regular and irregular troops.— Credit due him notwithstanding all his failings.— Steady progress of German conquest.— Capitulation of Metz, Oct. 27th ; of Dijon, Oct. 30th ; of New Breieacb, Nov. 6th, and of Verdun, Nov. 9th; Thionville surrendered Nov. 25th.— Sorties repulsed. — Temporaiy success of the French at Coulmiers, Patay, and Orleans.— Failure of the great sortie from Paris, Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. — Recapture of Orleans by the Germans, and division of the Army of the Loire by Prince Friedrich Karl, Dec. 4. — The two Armies of the Loire and of the East. — Removal of d'Aurelles de Paladines from command. — Tbe rising tide of disaster.— Surrender of Rouen, Beaugency, Dieppe, Pfalzburg, Montmedy, Vendome, Nuits, Tours, Sangre, Blois, Bapaume, Fort Avron, and other forts in the vicinity of Paris, during tho month of December.— Attempt of General Faidherbe to advance toward Paris. — His repulse, defeat, and route by General von Goeben; General de Chanzy pursued and utterly defeated in the neighborhood of Lo Mans.— Garibaldi but just escapes defeat.— £o urhaki's disaster, retreat, and final surrender. — The negotiation of the armistice, the election, and meeting of the National Assembly. — Thiers elected Provisional President.— The preliminary treaty negotiated and ratified.— The closing scenes of the war.— Tbe remarkable character of the war — its slaughter, its surrenders, its weapons.— Its destruction of life an^ property.— The effect on the two nations — politically, socially, and religiously. — The peril of failing to heed these lcssonB pp. 32-3-340 CONTENTS.