The Franco-Prussian War in a Nutshell: A Daily Diary of Diplomacy, Battles, and War Literature

520 Pages·1871·21.203 MB·English

by  Melville deLancey Landon

THE
FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
IN
A NUTSHELL.
A DAILY DIARY OF DIPLOMACY, BATTLES, AND WAR
LITERATURE.
©Irill (Eigbicirt portraits, anir Junrictn rffiaps
FROM OFFICIAL FRENCH AND PRUSSIAN FIELD SURVEYS.
BT
MELVILLE D; LANDON.
NEW YORK:
G. W. CAKLETON & CO., PUBLISHERS, MADISON SQUARE.
LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO.
M.DCCC.LXXI.
Entered according to Act df Congress, in the year 1871, by
G. W. CARLETON & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
\
H4-.08
Mr. WILLIAM HENRY DAVIS,
OF CINCINNATI,
THE TRAVELLED GENTLEMAN, THE COSMOPOLITE SCHOLAR,
THE ACCOMPLISHED VOTARY OF ART, AND THE UNHESITATING FRIEND
OF THE GOOD THAT IS IN A MAN,
§ook
IS DEDICATED,
BY HIS AFFECTIONATE BUT UNWORTHY FRIEND AND BROTHER.
TO HIM
THE AUTHOR CAN OFFER NO TRUER TRIBUTE THAN THAT SWEET SENTI¬
MENT OF HIS FRIEND, MANSFIELD TRACY WALWORTH, TO
MORRIS PHILIPPS, OF THE “HOME JOURNAL:”
“ His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles;
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate ;
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart ;
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.”

PREFACE'.
“Mr. Melville D. Landon :
“ Mv dear Sir, — Can you write a concise nutshell history of the pres¬
ent war, and have it ready by the time peace shall be declared ?
“ I would have is as short as you can write it, and have it complete. I
would have it in plain Saxon language, and calculated to be of value to the
business-man as well as to the man of letters. I would not elaborate on
facts, but let the intelligent reader himself do the thinking and make the
elaborations.
“A little spice, if it reflects the opinions of a people, or a faction; or
the comic turn, if it reflects the ludicrous side of an existing error, .— will
help to bring out the truth. Histories are generally dry because of the
tedious opinions of the historian. The intelligent reader (and for him we
will make the book) can put the facts together himself, and draw his own
conclusions.
“ The people want ungilded facts, as they actually exist, unobscured by
time, prejudice, or theory.
“ Very respectfully, *■
“ George W. Carleton.
“ Madison Square, August ist, 1870.”
REPLY.
“ George W. Carleton, Esq. :
“ My dear Sir, — I think I can. I will cable this evening to Berlin and
Paris, for official and unofficial documents bearing on the diplomacy, litera¬
ture, or battles of the war; also to a friend and classmate in the diplomatic
service, who will forward to me all the official information and maps which
can be had in Berlin or Paris.
“ I shall not let a single official fact escape a record. I will place a daily
synopsis of the main facts in coarse print — easily caught by the eye; while
dry history, like the draught of diplomatic treaties, or official reports, I will
give, at length, in finer print. I will seize upon rough facts as I find them —
in diplomacy, in battles, or in literature ; reproduce them in plain Saxon,
and ‘ let the intelligent reader do all his own thinking. ’
“ I am, most respectfully,
“Your obedient servant,
“ Melville D. Landon.
“Eaton, Madison Co., New York,
August 3d, 1870."
4G97(;8
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: "
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CONTENTS AND INDEX.
THE SPANISH THRONE.
PAGE
Abdication of Q/ueen Isabella. — ... n
Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern a Candidate — with Biography.n, 12
Spain notifies Europe of Leopold’s Candidature. 13
Napoleon creates a War Feeling. 13
Gramont announces Leopold’s Candidature. 13
and Spain says it is not planned in Hostility to France. 14
France demands that King* William as king* shall prevent Leopold’s
Acceptance — .14* *5
French Troops concentrating.15, 18
France fights for Territorial Aggrandizement.15, 16, 66
King* William advises Leopold not to accept the Spanish Throne, but says he
“ will not Interfere as king*”. 17
Benedetti’s Dispatches in a Thunder-storm. 18
Comic Diplomacy at Ems.18, 26
Leopold rejects the Spanish Throne, to make Peace. 20
Opinions of the Press. 20
Leopold’s Name withdrawn by his Father.... 21
France still for War — and Arming. 21
Count Benedetti accosts King William at Ems ; the King* avows Non-in¬
terference, and refuses to see the French Ambassador again.. .23, 25, 26, 27, 28
The French Court bent on War. 24
Exciting Scenes in Paris.29, 30, 31
King William’s triumphal Progress to Berlin. 28
On to Berlin!..’.31, 32
Rochefort opposes War from Prison. 32
France pronounced ready for War by Lebceuf. 33
The Left charges the Imperial Party with Deception, to bring about War. . .35, 36, 37, 38
The Imperial Party takes the Responsibility of War.. 38
DECLARATION OF WAR.
Ollivier asks the Support of the Corps Ldgislatif. 34
WAR DECLARED by France. . 35
Wild Excitement in Paris, 38, 39. War Feeling in Berlin..: ' Tjff"
Amazement and Joy in Berlin. 41
President Grant and the War...43, 48
Caesarism makes the War. 42
France summons the South German States to define their Positions — They Decide to
support Prussia. 44
Germany United..W..50, 61, 62
Bavaria (47, 49, 50, 58), Saxony (54), Hesse-Darmstadt (59) and all South Germany
(61, 62) support Prussia.
French Troops march to the Front.44, 49
King William speaks in Berlin. 52
Bazaine and Canrobert to the Front. 50
THE FRENCH INVADE GERMANY. 53
King William addresses the North German Parliament. 55
Order of the Iron Cross Instituted... 56
The Corps Leg-islatif endorses War and the Emperor.49, 63
German Troops moving to the Front. 65
Prussian Troops enter French Territory. 67
FIRST BLOOD SPILLED. 68
Napoleon’s Proclamation to France. 67
Public Sentiment in America.68, 69
THE SECRET TREATY — Denials and Allegations.69, 70, 71, 72, 73
French Troops leave Rome. 74
The Emperor at Metz — His Address to the Army. 7#
First Skirmish...76, 77, 78
King William addresses the People, and leaves for the War.r. 79
Till CONTENTS AND INDEX,
ARMY AND NAVY OF FRANCE.
French Army.. P AG8lE
Navy.... 82
Commanding Generals.. 82
Corps Commanders, their local Headquarters, and Number of Troops... 83
Biography of NAPOLEON III. 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89
MGeanrsehraall FMroacsMsaardh,o nS,e cFoinrdst CCoorrppss..... 9o
Marshal Bazaine, Third Corps.. 92
General L’Admirault, Fourth Corps.... 893i
General De Failly, Fifth Corps... 93
Marshal Canrobert, Sixth Corps.. 93
General Douay, Seventh Corps.. 94
General Bourbaki, Imperial Guards... r 95
General Changarnier, Imperial Adviser. .96, 389
GGeenneerraall TParolickhauo, G(oveSrnor oef Pnaatroirs).... . 95, 27916
Marshal Vaillant (Senator)...;. 97
General D’Hilliers (Marshal and Vice-President of the Senate) 97
General Forey (Senator). ... 98
Marshal Randon... ... 98
General Wimpffen. ,98, 248
ARMY AND NAVY OF PRUSSIA.
Commanders of Prussian Army. 100
Corps Commanders, their local Headquarters, and Number of Troops. 101
Biography of KING WILLIAM 1. 103
General Von Moltke, Chief-of-StafF. 104
General Von Roon, Minister of War ... 105
General Von Steinmetz, Commanding First Army. 106
Prince Frederick Charles, Commanding Second Army. 105
Crown Prince Frederick "William of Prussia, Commanding Third Army 106
Crown Prince of Saxony, Commanding Fourth Army. 107
Generals — Manteuffel, First Corps; Fansecki, Second Corps ; Alvensleben II.,
Third Corps: Alvensleben I.,'Fourth Corps; Kirchbach, Fifth Corps ;-Tump-
ling, Sixth Corps ; Zastrow, Seventh Corps ; Goeben, Eighth-Corps ; Manstein,
Ninth Corps; Voigts Rhetz, Tenth Corps; Bose, Eleventh Corps; Werder,
Thirteenth Corps ; Mecklenburg, Fourteenth Corps; Loewenfeld, Fifteenth
Corps ; Prince Augustus, Guards... 108
France and Prussia Compared — Armies, Territory, and Finances. 99
North and South German Confederation, Area, Populations, Rulers,
&c..... l.102, 103
WAR.
Storming of Saarbruck Heights, August 2.109-114
King William’s Address to the Army. 115
WEISENBURG, August 6.116-121
Joy in Berlin ; Sorrow in Paris. 121
Addresses of the Crown Prince, Steinmetz, and Prince Charles, to their Advancing
Armies. 122
SAARBRUCK (Spichercn), August 6... 124
WOERTH, August 6 (French and Prussian Official Accounts). 127-132
Flight of MacMahon’s Army.133-135
Frenzy in Paris, 137. Paris in Siege. 139
Proclamation of the Empress. 138
MacMahon’s Army Starving. 139
Rejoicings in Germany..••••.. I4°
King William (140) and Steinmetz (141) address the Victorious Troops.
CHANGE OF MINISTRY IN PARIS ... 144
Biographies of Imperial Ministers — David, Palikao, D’Auvergne, Grandperet,
Brame, Busson-Billault, Chevreau, Magne, Duvernois, and Genouilly.144-146
King William at Saarbruck.147
- Stormy Scenes in Paris — Favre against the Emperor. 148
The Empire dying — the Left demand Napoleon’s Abdicaffbn.148, 149
Advance of the Crown Prince.149, 150
The Emperor proclaims, and flies from Metz. w. 152
The Grand March of the .Armies. 152
CONTENTS A NEK INDEX. IX
COURCELLES, August 14, First Battle before Metz.154-159
The Emperor’s Flight from Metz.159-162
MAKS-LA-TOUB, August 16, Second Battle before Metz.163-173
STRASBURG, Siege of.174, 198, 287, 294
(Auerbach’s Letters).198, 201, 206
Tall of. 339
GRAVELOTTE, August 18.177-192
French and Prussian Fleets.82, 99, 176
French Blunders.192, 193, 194, 402
Bismarck and his Wounded Son. 202
War Pictures...161, 174, 195-202
The Growth of the Republic.148, 149, 196
MacMahon marches North, to relieve Bazaine. 199
J The Crown Prince’s Flank Movement on Sedan.204, 208, 209
Bismarck says “ Prussia must have Alsace and Lorraine,”. .210, 211, 212, 276, 296, 307
BE A U MON T, August 30...214-220
BAZEELIES (Battle and Burning).220-224
SEDAN, September 1. French and German Account of.124-243
Napoleon’s Surrender.243-249
Wilhelmshohe and the Emperor.250, 256, 257, 275, 288, 289
'—Berlin Rejoices, and Paris Mourns.251
The Imperial Government addresses the People. 252
The Dethronement of Napoleon III..252, 253
The News in America — The Press.253-256
EUGENIE’S FAREWELL. 257
THE REPUBLIC.
The Republic Declared.258-263
Mob in the Tuileries.262, 263
Proclamation of Decheance. 265
THE FLIGHT OF THE EMPRESS TO ENGLAND.266-269
The Republic Organized. .265, 266
Rpchefort and Victor Hugo in Paris...,.264, 265
Biographies of the Members of the Provisional Government — Gambetta, Favre,
Picard, Trochu, Grcvy, Glais-Bizoin, Garnier-Pages, and Rochefort... 269, 270, 271
Joy in Berlin, and excited Mobs in Paris. 274
Revolution in Paris. 277
The Republic will not cede an inch of Territory. 279
Jules Favre’s Republican Circular to the World. 278
American and European Press on the Republic. 280
Republic recognized by Spain and the United States.282-284
LAON surrenders, September 10... 287
George Sand and Victor Hugo salute the Republic.286, 287
The Republic de facto but not de jure. 293
PARIS in Siege, September 14.5.. 281
Her Suburbs burning. 294
f Prussians in Sight. 295
Men and Forts. 296
Bismarck replies to Favre’s Republican Circular.;.. 296
J The Crown Prince arrives at Paris.*..301, 326
First Battle in front of Paris, September 19. 301
Republic in London. 307
Versailles occupied, September 20. 309
ROME occupied by Italian Troops.311-315
| Favre-Bismarck Peace Negotiations Failure, September 21.316-320
v Bismarck and Favre discuss a Question of Veracity.320-322
JBismarck contradicts Favre. 324
and defines Prussia’s Position.325, 376
ComicProclamations in Paris. .327, 328
Russia and Turkey and their Armies, and the broken Treaty of Paris. 330-333
TOUL surrenders, September 23.333, 334
Location of German Troops around Paris, with Map. .335, 336, 337
STRASBURG surrenders, September 27.339-343
Comic Radicalism of the Paris‘‘Reds”.343~345
Marguerite Bellanger and Imperial Secrets. 345
Sortie from Paris, September 30.347
BALLOONS from Paris.349-351
X CONTENTS AND INDEX,
Gambetta in a Balloon. 363
King William, Von Moltke, and Bismarck at Versailles.355-355
EP1NAY, Fight of, October 6... 354
Bazaine’s great Sortie from Metz, August 31, with Map.357-363
Von Roon on the Siege of Paris. 364
ARTENAY, Battle of, October 10. 366
ORLEANS, Battle of, October 11.^.367-372
St. Cloud destroyed by the French.'.-. 373
SOISSONS surrenders, October 16. 375
Garibaldi...378, 4o6
Defeated at Pasques. 426
AMADEUS, DUKE OP AOSTA, a Candidate for the Spanish Throne.379
Elected. 421
He accepts.424
METZ surrenders, October 25-28. Changarnier and Bazaine interviewed.380-391
Fritz and Prince Charles appointed Field-Marshals. 394
Radical Revolution in Paris. 396
Thiers-Bismarck Armistice Negotiations, October 31.398-402
Napoleon’s apologetic Address from Wilhelmshdhe.402, 403
Famine in Paris — Rats, Guinea Pigs, Horse-flesh ; Comic Patriotism.404-406
VERDUN capitulates, November 8. 406
Treaty of Paris broken, and the Black Sea opened — Gortschakoff-Granville
Correspondence.407-412
COULMIERS, November 10, The first and last French Victory.412-416
OFFICERS — of French and German Armies, with Location, November 15.. ..417-419
Neuf Brisach capitulates. 416
DREUX, November 17. Mecklenburg’s Victory.419-421
Ricciotti Garibaldi’s Raid on Ch&tillon.
THIONVILLE capitulates, November 25.424-426
BEAUNE-LA-ROLANDE, November 28, with war Preparations for.427-432
ARTENAY — Mecklenburg’s second Battle, December 2.433
ORLEANS — Second Battle, December 3. Paladines’Defeat, and Retreat of
broken Army...'.434
Evacuation of Orleans—French Disasters. 436
Gambetta in Danger at La Chapelle — Escape of the Railroad Train.436
AMIENS captured, 438. Paladines disgraced. .438
LUXEMBURG and the text of the broken “Treaty of London ”.440-442
BATTLE OF THE MARNE, November 28, 29, 30 ; December 1, 2. Trochu’s
Three-days’ Struggle at Villiers, Champigny, and Brie. Vinoy, Ducrot, and
Thomas.442-456
BEAUGENCY, December 9. Blois shelled, Bridge destroyed — Gambetta, 458-460
EMPEROR FREDERICK WILLIAM I. The Title ratified by South-
German States. 462
TOURS captured, December 20... . 465
Faidherbe and ManteufFel — December 23. A Question of Veracity. 467
MONT AVRON bombarded, December 29.469
Bapaum and Peronne —January 3. 47o
LE MANS — January 10. Chanzy defeated, and his Army broken up. 472
Montmedy capitulates, January 13. 474
PARIS — Trochu’s last Sortie—Starvation, 475 ; and January 19. 477
William proclaimed Emperor — His Proclamation to Germany.477
St. Qaxentin capti*red, and Faidherbe defeated, January 19...478
PARIS moves for Surrender, January 24. Favre and Bismarck negotiating,
January 25 Tanuarv 28.480-483
PEACE—The Armistice signed, an .Ejection decreed on the 8th of February, and
the Assembly convoked on the 15th.. .. 481
Gambetta, and the dual Government of Paris and Bordeaux.... 483
List of Fortified Towns and Fortresses captured, with 614,000 Prisoners of
War. 482
WHAT MADE A NATION’S DISASTERS — Caesarism, Catholicism,
Espionage, Ignorance of the Peasantry, Standing Army.483-486