Thomas W. Knox

“ The whole country southward of the road from Beaumont to LaChesse is alive with German troops. The Bavarians are in Beaumont. The 4th Prussian corps is further to the right, and closely round upon the line of the Meuse; the 5th Prussian corps is pushing toward Stonne and Chemery. Suddenly flashes of artillery are seen near Beaumont. Then an active cannonade begins on the distant ridge behind that place. The 1st Bavarian corps has surprised a French division in the little town, capturing a good deal of baggage. White puffs of smoke break out in all directions. The French are replying. ”

“ The two Bavarian corps are on the right of the hill above Donchery. The 1st corps of the Bavarians is the only one which has to take part in the great battle. Beyond them are the troops commanded by the Crown Prince of Saxony, the 6th Saxon, the 4th Prussian, and the corps of Prussian Guards. The circle is steadily closing around Sedan, and before the battle begins in full vigor, the ring will be complete. As there are two German armies present, the Third Army of the Crown Prince of Prussia, and the "combined army" of the Crown Prince of Saxony, King William takes the supreme command. ”

“ To guard against any attempt of the French to force a way out of Sedan toward the south, the 2d Bavarian corps, which had its own artillery, and that of the 1st corps, stood in the way. The 4th German corps was held in reserve in the early part of the day, but was brought into the battle before it ended. One division of the 4th corps was sent to Bazeilles to support the Bavarians, while the other division stood in reserve at Mairy. Altogether, for attacking the principal points of the French line, the Germans had a much larger number of men than their antagonists. ”

“ The position of the right wing of the French, which was personally commanded by General De Wimpffen, was now perfectly hopeless. As a last resort he sent a request to the emperor to come and lead the troops in person, as they would consider it an honor to cut a way for him through the German lines. The emperor was unwilling to sacrifice the lives of so many soldiers in order to save himself, and therefore he declined the invitation. General De Wimpffen then went over to Balan to find whatever troops there might be remaining from the 12th and 1st corps ”

“ Immediately the German fire ceased and the negotiations for surrender began. At first General De Wimpffen refused the terms offered, but on the next day, September 2d, he signed the capitulation of Sedan, and the whole army, including the emperor, who became a prisoner of war. In his interview with the king the emperor was downcast but dignified. From Sedan he was sent to the castle of Wilhelmshohe, near Cassel, and so ended his career as ruler of France. Two days later came the revolution in Paris, the overthrow of the empire, the flight of the empress, and the formation of the republic. ”

“ As soon as the fire was opened the French responded with five batteries. In half an hour three other German batteries came up, and the fight became more equal. Immediately following this artillery fight, strong bodies of Zouaves and Turcos from the first French corps attacked the German lines, but were driven back. When the advance of the division L'Artignes were crossing the valley of Daigny, the Saxons were already in possession of the wood. The Saxon supports came up rapidly and gave sufficient strength for an offensive movement. The Saxons steadily pushed on towards the edge of the valley. ”

“ About 25,000 prisoners were taken during the battle of Sedan, and 83,000 surrendered the next day. Among the captured material of war were 400 pieces of field artillery, 150 fortress guns, and 70 mitrailleuses. About 14,000 French wounded were found lying in Sedan and in the neighborhood, and 3,000 French escaped into Belgium, and laid down their arms. The great Army of the North thus passed out of existence. ”

“ The emperor had joined MacMahon at Chalons, and accompanied him to Sedan, though he left the command of the army to the marshal. The Germans were between MacMahon and Bazaine, and as Bazaine was securely cooped up in Metz, the army of MacMahon was compelled to rely upon itself. The Germans greatly outnumbered the French, having about 240,000 men, while the latter mustered not much more than 150,000. The German plan was to double up the French line by swinging round upon it "left shoulder forward" ”

“ Two months later the war came to an end with the preliminary treaty of peace, and on the 10th of May was signed the definitive treaty by which France surrendered portions of her territory to the conquerors, and paid an indemnity of five milliards of francs for the expenses of the war. ”