Chapter XII: The Sovereigns’ War Despatches

_To the Comtesse de Montijo, Madrid._

ST. CLOUD, _July 28, 1870_.

The Emperor and Louis have left. I am full of confidence as to the
final issue. Everybody well.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Prince Imperial to his Mother._

METZ, _Same date_.

We have had a magnificent reception at Metz, and all along the
railway, Papa and I. We are quite well. Your affectionate and
respectful son,

LOUIS NAPOLÉON.

_The Empress to the Prince Imperial._

ST. CLOUD, _Same date_.

I hope thou art not over-fatigued, and that the emotions of the day
will not make thee unwell. I am always thinking of thee. I am happy
and proud to see thee sharing the fatigues and dangers of our brave
troops.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Prince to his Mother._

METZ, _Same date_.

Everything goes well. I am not tired. I have just been to see the
camps. All the soldiers are delighted. I embrace you with all my
heart. Your affectionate and respectful son,

LOUIS NAPOLÉON.

On July 29 the Empress writes a long letter to the Emperor concerning the negotiations between France, Austria, and Italy. These appear to her to be proceeding favourably, having regard to a telegram received from Count Beust (Vienna), an analysis of which the Empress encloses in her letter; and to another telegram from the Marquis Visconti Venosta (from Turin), stating that the Roman Question[86] is about to be settled. The Empress, in her letter to her consort, congratulates herself upon having opposed the demands of the Emperor of Austria and his Minister (Beust), whose advice was that France should leave the Pope to his fate. The Emperor received this news very calmly, and on the following day replied by telegraph as under:

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _July 30, 7.35 a.m._

Louis is very well. He slept sixteen hours straight off. I have
received thy letter of the 29th and the copy of the other [letter].
The intention is good, but I want to see deeds. We embrace thee
tenderly.

_4 p.m._

I am very well, but fatigued by the heat. We embrace thee tenderly.

NAPOLÉON.

On the 31st Captain Guzman, one of the Emperor’s orderly officers, takes to Metz news from the Empress. His sterling character has gained him Her Majesty’s confidence, and she tells him to inform the Emperor that she wishes to visit Metz! Without an instant’s delay the following telegram is despatched:

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _July 31_.

Despite my wish to see thee again, I think it will be best for you
not to come. Besides, we shall possibly be leaving here to-morrow.
We have just come from Mass. The Bishop was very agreeable. We
embrace thee tenderly.

NAPOLÉON.

On July 31 and August 1 the Emperor contemplates an attack upon Saarlouis, but changes his mind, and all the plans which had been in the air end with the little affair at Saarbrücken[87] on August 2, which the Emperor describes to his wife by telegraph as soon as he returns to Metz.

_The Emperor to the Empress, St. Cloud._

METZ, _August 2, 3.55 p.m._

Louis has had his baptism of fire. His sang-froid was admirable. He
was in no wise disconcerted, and seemed as if he were walking in
the Bois de Boulogne. One of General Frossard’s divisions captured
the heights dominating the left bank of Saarbrücken. The Prussians
made a feeble resistance. There was only rifle-fire and a
cannonade. We were in the front line. But balls [shells] and
bullets fell at our feet. Louis has a ball [bullet] which fell
close to him. There were soldiers who wept at seeing him so cool.
We embrace thee tenderly. I know the sort of language to use to
Vimercati.[88]

NAPOLÉON.

This last phrase (says M. Germain Bapst) was important; it showed that the Empress, knowing that Count Vimercati was at Metz with a treaty, approved by the Emperor of Austria and the King of Italy, which Napoleon III. was to be asked to sign, had insisted that her consort should ignore it.

When the telegram reporting the engagement at Saarbrücken reached the Empress at St. Cloud she was walking in the park. Someone took the despatch to her. She read and re-read it aloud, very happy, and proud of her son. She hastened to the voltigeurs who were on guard and read it to them--then sent it, marked “private,” to M. Émile Ollivier, President of the Council [since January 2]. M. Ollivier perhaps forgot that the despatch was marked “private”; at all events, he showed it to a “Gaulois” reporter, and it appeared in large print in that paper the next day. The Empress, upon seeing it, declared that its appearance in the journal was the result of an “indiscretion.” Unfortunately, the telegram was not read by the public in the right light, and the little Prince was made the subject of ridicule.

Leaving the voltigeurs, the Empress went to her little study and wrote these telegrams:

_The Empress to the Emperor._

_August 2, 6.32 p.m._

I am very happy at the news you give me. It compensates me for my
disquietude during so many days. You tell me nothing about
yourself; but you well know how I have you both in my thoughts. Are
you fatigued? I embrace you with all my heart.

_The Empress to her Son._

_Same date, 6.33 p.m._

I know thou hast conducted thyself well. I am proud and very happy.
Thy telegram has greatly pleased me. Thy cousins [Mlles. d’Albe,
the Empress’s nieces] congratulate thee, as does everybody. I
embrace thee with my whole soul.

EUGÉNIE.

The day following the famous “baptism” was quiet. On the next day (the 4th) Marshal Canrobert’s wife dined at St. Cloud, and she was still there when the Empress received the two telegrams, announcing the defeat at Weissemburg, sent by Marshal MacMahon to the Emperor, who transmitted them to the Empress without any alteration.

_Marshal MacMahon to the Emperor._

1. Douay’s division attacked by two divisions. Douay seriously
wounded--obliged to retreat fighting--rallied near the Pigeonnier.

2. Three regiments of Douay’s division--the General killed [this
was in cipher]--enemy’s forces considerable, at least two army
corps [_i.e._, 60,000 men]--one gun taken--position at rear of
Froschweiler--I shall attack if necessary--to resume the offensive
at least three more divisions are necessary.

_The Empress to Marshal Lebœuf, Metz._

As soon as you get news from MacMahon--no matter at what time of
night--have it ciphered by Pietri[89] and send it to me. I do not
want to awaken the Emperor; that is why I telegraph direct.

EUGÉNIE.

Half an hour after midnight Marshal Lebœuf telegraphed to the Empress to say he had no news.

MacMahon’s dread telegrams were withheld from the public for more than twenty-four hours. They appeared in the papers on the 5th, after 3 p.m. This unexpected news produced great irritation in Paris. But the people’s exaltation of spirit increased and their chauvinism was unbounded. The Parisians comforted themselves by saying: “It required 100,000 Prussians to defeat 8,000 French, and our troops were not beaten until they had inflicted greater losses on the enemy than the total number of French engaged.” The boulevards rang with a hundred other similar stupidities on the 5th. “However, MacMahon will take his revenge to-morrow!”

But the bad news seriously perturbed Ministers. “If,” they said, “the Crown Prince enters Alsace with 100,000 men he will attack MacMahon, who has only 35,000. That is grave indeed.” The night wore on without any further news. At midday some idiot or other, or perhaps a speculator “for the rise”--nobody ever knew which--stuck up at the Bourse this telegram: “Great victory: 25,000 prisoners, including the Crown Prince.” The Bourse became a Bedlam; the crowds on the boulevard yelled and danced and sang and wept. The “Marseillaise” was roared by men and shrieked by women and children. The grocers’ shops were cleared out of Venetian lamps, for use in the evening. Flags passed from hand to hand; houses were decked with them; and still the crowds, maddened with joy, sang themselves hoarse, and still they danced and wept. Traffic was stopped, carriages and cabs blocked the way, people climbed into them, stood on seats, and kissed each other.

A brief hour, and it was known that no news had been received from the frontier. The Bourse “telegram” was a huge “joke,” a diabolical “sell.” Then the mob, split into sections, roared, “Down with the Ministry!” and sang “Des nouvelles, des nouvelles!” to the air of the “Lampions.” And M. Chevandier de Valdrôme (Minister of the Interior) hastened to St. Cloud and reported to the Empress the day’s events.

Her Majesty maintained her composure, although for hours her nerves had been unstrung by suspense. At her suggestion Ministers met at six o’clock, and discussed the expediency of sending M. Maurice Richard to the Emperor with an urgent request to His Majesty to arrange for a constant supply of information. During the discussion a telegram from the Emperor announced that Frossard’s army corps was engaged--with what result was unknown.

Meanwhile there were wild “demonstrations” in front of some of the Ministries. All night the crowds remained on the boulevards. At midnight a thunderbolt fell. The Government received a copy of a telegram from the Empress announcing the double defeat at Forbach and Froschweiler. In forwarding this despatch the Empress ordered a meeting of Ministers, and announced that she was returning from St. Cloud to the Tuileries.

All this Saturday (August 6) the Empress was in a highly nervous condition. She could not be still, but walked in the park a few yards, then returned to her little room and wrote these telegrams:

_The Empress to the Prince Imperial._

All at St. Cloud think of you. The hours are very long, but the
idea of a better time supports our strength and our hopes.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

The impression produced in Paris has increased patriotic feeling
without shaking confidence. I have already received a reply
respecting General Douay’s widow. I expect to write to her by post.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 6, 3 p.m._

I have no news of MacMahon. This morning the reconnoitring parties
on one side of the Sarre did not observe any movement by the enemy.
I now hear that there has been an engagement near General
Frossard’s position. It is too distant for us to go there. As soon
as I have any news I will send it to thee.

NAPOLÉON.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

ST. CLOUD, _Same date_.

We await your news with feverish impatience. All seems quiet for
the moment. The Council will reassemble this evening. Do not worry
yourself; I am sure Paris will not give us any trouble. Courage,
dear friend! Everyone must do his duty where circumstances have
placed him. I am calm and confident. Be the same yourself.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _Same date_.

The result of General Frossard’s engagement is still uncertain. I
have good hopes.

NAPOLÉON.

Although over-excited by her emotions, the Empress displayed splendid energy all through this terrible crisis, which was to last a full month--until September 4.[90] She had not a moment’s weakness; never abandoned her dignity. She set an example of constancy, dignity, and courage, while around her were many instances of weakness.

On the evening of August 6 the Duc and Duchesse de Montmorency and Prince de Metternich dined at St. Cloud with the Empress. After dinner the two former spent the remainder of the evening at Bougival, with the Princesse de Metternich, who had just been delivered of a girl. When the Prince got home he said to his wife and her guests: “The Empress is much exhausted. No news has reached her this evening. She is resting on her bed. I hope she will have a quiet night.”

At midnight there is a dramatic scene at St. Cloud. Admiral Jurien de la Gravière, M. Brissac, and Prince Poniatowski are sitting up awaiting news. At twelve o’clock they are called to decode a cipher telegram from the Emperor. They read: “General Frossard in retreat.” The Admiral goes to the Empress in her room to report this event. He finds her lying on the bed, fully dressed in a purple robe; she springs up from the bed, and goes to the salon, where Brissac reads the fateful words: “Marshal MacMahon has been beaten. Army in retreat [or “routed”]. Must expect the gravest events. We must retain our composure. Paris must be armed and a state of siege declared. All can be repaired. I have no news of MacMahon.”

Even this violent shock in the middle of the night does not overwhelm the Empress. “They must all have lost their heads!” is her only comment. She orders a copy of the Emperor’s telegram to be sent to the Minister of the Interior, tells him to call a meeting of the Council, and says she is returning to the Tuileries immediately. She telegraphs to the Emperor asking him to send further details, as she cannot understand the last six words.

_The Empress to Princesse Mathilde._

ST. CLOUD, _12.35 midnight_.

I have bad news from the Emperor. The army is in retreat. I am
returning to Paris, where I have called a meeting of Ministers.

EUGÉNIE.

The Empress sends Prince Poniatowski to Bougival for the Prince de Metternich, whom she wishes to accompany her to Paris, as it is “the dead of night.” At the Metternichs’ house (Villa Staub) a white form appears at an open window, and demands excitedly, “What do you want?” The Prince dresses quickly, and the two men dash off to St. Cloud. Upon learning from Poniatowski what has happened, the Austrian Ambassador abruptly says, “This is all the worse, because now an alliance is impossible.”

At the château a landau was ready, drawn by two Russian horses, black, with long manes and long tails. The Empress, in travelling dress, was waiting for Metternich. Admiral Jurien de la Gravière, Cossé-Brissac, and Poniatowski got into another carriage, and the party started for Paris at top speed. During this midnight drive not a soul was visible--not even a solitary drunkard.

When the Empress’s carriage crossed the Avenue Marigny it stopped; Metternich alighted and walked to his Embassy, which he rented from Her Majesty, who owned the house.[91] Ten minutes later the Empress reached the Tuileries; General d’Autemarre and his aide-de-camp awaited her. There was an air of desolation throughout the Palace. The rooms through which the Empress passed were empty. The curtains had been taken from the windows. The furniture was covered by striped stuff. The chairs were ranged in rows close to the walls. The pictures, busts, garnitures of the fireplaces--all were swathed in cloths.

Ministers trooped in immediately, followed by Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers, commanding the army of Paris; Trochu, General Chabaud-Latour, and a few others, summoned from their beds by the Empress’s orders. The capital must be put in an immediate state of defence. The Emperor had said it, the Empress had said it, and now the Government said it. There was still an Ollivier Ministry; but its days were numbered.

It must have been verging on four o’clock, the daylight was streaming into the Palace, when another cipher telegram was brought to the Empress. In it the Emperor answered his wife’s request for an explanation of the concluding words of the previous despatch--the last she was to receive at St. Cloud. From the new message all learnt that no telegram direct from Marshal MacMahon (announcing his defeat) had been received at Metz; that news had come, according to the Emperor, from “General de Laigle.” What was meant was “Colonel Klein de Kleinenburg.” But it did not occur to anyone at the Tuileries that there was no such person as “General de Laigle,” and the message, blunder included, was sent off to the _Journal Officiel_, which published it at eleven o’clock, to the mystification of all Paris!

In this despatch the Emperor said he was about to leave Metz and proceed to St. Avold, if, with the 3rd and 4th Corps (the Guard), he could assume “a vigorous offensive” with some success over the Prussians, who had suffered severely in the battle at Forbach (situated at a short distance from the high ground overlooking Saarbrücken which, only four days and a few hours before, had been the

(SISTER OF MRS. RONALDS).

She represented “America” at the famous fancy ball given by the
Marquis and Marquise de Chasseloup-Laubat at the Ministère de la
Marine, February 12, 1866.

_A private photograph, lent for this work by Mrs. Ronalds._

_To face p. 176._]

scene of the Prince’s “baptism” and of the first “victory” of the French).

This early-morning Council at the Tuileries was opened by the Empress, whose freshness and vigour amazed everybody. A diversion was caused by General Trochu, who asked all round, “Have you read my book? I foresaw all that has happened!” Trochu’s inane query at such a moment was met with looks of contempt and disgust. Ministers were now convinced that the defeats of the first week of the war meant the fall of the Empire and, with the awakening of Paris to the facts, their own overthrow.

Telegrams from the Emperor to the Empress flowed in, revealing the disorder prevailing at Metz. “Nothing is decided upon, it seems,” said a Minister; “they are floundering about!”

Well, the country must be told of the disasters. But how? In this manner: With the help of a despatch from the Emperor and another from Marshal Lebœuf, the Ministers composed, and all signed, a pretended telegram, preceding it with a statement that they were concealing nothing, and dating the document “6 a.m., August 7.”

The Ministers were talking in low tones, as if at a funeral, when a huge form appeared in the doorway--that of Haussmann, the maker of the new Paris. He had returned from a journey; walking along the Rue de Rivoli, he had noticed an unwonted movement in the Palace, had inquired, and had hastened to offer his services to the Empress. Her Majesty asked him to give his opinion, and he did so, clearly and emphatically. “A state of siege must be proclaimed immediately. If there were not sufficient troops in Paris, those still in Algeria and the regiments of marine infantry at the ports must be sent for.” But at 1.30 that morning Admiral Rigault had ordered the marines to be in Paris within forty-eight hours. A proclamation announcing these measures must be issued immediately. Haussmann, asked by the Empress to draw it up, sat down at a corner of the table and penned the document currente calamo.

Before the Council dispersed, at 6 a.m., orders had been sent recalling to Paris all available land and sea forces. France had still men with heads on their shoulders, and an indomitable Empress-Regent. General Chabaud-Latour went straight from the Tuileries to the Rue St. Dominique (the bureau of the comité du génie), and told of the impression made upon him by the “admirable and simple” courage of the Empress, who had said, “Ne vous occupez pas de l’Empereur et de mon fils, mais uniquement du pays.”

At 8 am. the Ministers were again at the Tuileries. During their short absence the blackest news had arrived. There was a general retreat on Châlons! The Empress read the telegrams without a break in her voice or a quiver of the lip.

Certain members of the Government wanted to make General Trochu Minister of War, vice General Dejean. A Minister proposed to the Empress the desirability of this change, on the ground that Trochu was an “orator” and very popular, while Dejean was a slowcoach. Getting wind of this intrigue, Dejean went to the Empress, who asked him to retain his post. M. Ollivier, who had approved of the Emperor’s plan to retreat from Metz and concentrate the army at Châlons, now changed his mind and telegraphed to the Emperor to say that the Government did not like the idea, and to request permission to replace Dejean by Trochu.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 7_.

In your military operations do not consider the opinion of Paris.
The important thing is not to act quickly, but properly. In three
days we shall have here 29,000 good troops, besides the four
regiments from Africa. With the National Guard it will be easy to
increase this force to 40,000. We can easily defend ourselves
should an army [the enemy] hold the country. The audacity which
they are showing will be fatal to them, if we do not take our
revenge too quickly.

EUGÉNIE.

The Empress rushed away from a Cabinet meeting to dictate some telegrams to the Emperor and to write others herself. She was still the moving spirit--restless, never giving way to fatigue, indefatigable. All her combative spirit, inherited from an illustrious ancestry, manifested itself. She was in her element. Her consort was reigning, but she was governing, and those around her--not all friends--could not withhold their admiration. Ministers thought the young Prince should be brought back to Paris. They were perturbed by the Emperor’s bad health, and asked themselves if he was in a fit state to hold the supreme command of the army.

_M. Ollivier to the Emperor._

The Council of Ministers and the Privy Council are unanimously of
opinion that the Prince Imperial should return to Paris.

OLLIVIER.

The Empress added the words: “I do not think it my duty to oppose this.” Then she sent the following telegram, in her special cipher:

_The Empress to the Emperor._

For reasons which I cannot explain in this despatch I desire that
Louis should remain with the army, and that the Emperor should
promise that he [the Prince] should be sent back, but should keep
him with the army....

EUGÉNIE.

The Government knew nothing of this subterfuge. The Empress’s next step was to summon from Cherbourg Charles Duperré (then commanding the frigate _Taureau_), in whom she had full confidence. He was to go to Metz and tell the Emperor what she could not telegraph to him.

Trochu bluntly told Ollivier he would not accept the headship of the War Office.

Hearing from the Emperor that the enemy was at no point pursuing the French, and that Frossard’s army corps was concentrated at Puttelange, the Empress telegraphed:

_The Empress to the Emperor._

_August 6._

I have received your despatch, and am quite satisfied with it. It
is evident to me that we shall have a success, if we do not press
forward.

_The Empress’s Second Telegram to her Consort._

_Same date._

Opinion in Paris increases against Marshal Lebœuf and General
Frossard. They are accused of having brought about the defeats.
Speak to Marshal Bazaine respecting future operations.

The Empress had not previously mentioned Bazaine’s name. The Emperor telegraphed to her that at the moment only “very vague details” about the fighting had reached Metz. “It was said that there had been several cavalry charges.” Such was the state of the French “intelligence” department--if it ever had more than a shadowy existence.

Paris was naturally indignant. “The Ministers ought to be arrested! They are to blame for all that has happened.”

“Those who remember those days,” says M. Germain Bapst, “can recall the terrible anguish which tortured all hearts.” And, with admirable fairness to the Empress and the Emperor, he adds these significant words:

Overwhelmed, deceived in our blind confidence--_for all, it must be
said, had wished for the war_, believing in the invincibility of
our army--we cursed the Ministers. Since Sadowa all the Deputies,
the spokesmen of the country, had opposed those armaments which
were declared by the Emperor, Marshal Niel, and M. Thiers to be
indispensable. Those who became Ministers six months ago [the
Ollivier Cabinet] reduced the contingent and declared loudly for
disarmament. Now they are reproached for our defeats, and it is
impossible for them to govern owing to their unpopularity. One sole
authority remained in Paris--that of Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 7, 8.30 a.m._

To support us here it is necessary for Paris and France to make
great patriotic efforts. Here we do not lose sang-froid or
confidence, but we are sorely tried. After the Battle of
Reichshoffen MacMahon retired, covering the road to Nancy.
Frossard’s corps has been determinedly attacked. Energetic measures
are being taken to defend that corps. The Major-General is with the
outposts.

While, that afternoon (August 7), the Empress was presiding at the Council, the Opposition Deputies demanded the immediate convocation of the Chambers. Jules Favre was at their head.

One of the best-informed Ambassadors perceived what was coming--what, in fact, did come less than a month later. He telegraphed to his Government these inspired words:

The Republican party is agitating. Should there be another check,
the worst is to be feared--déchéance of the Emperor, proclamation
of the Republic, and the rest.

The Emperor, on August 8, ordered the junction of the Lorraine army corps at Metz and the creation of a new army in Paris.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 8_.

The retreat upon Châlons is dangerous. I can be more useful by
remaining at Metz, with 100,000 well-organized men. Canrobert must
return to Paris and be the kernel of a new army. Then there will
be two great centres--Paris and Metz. Such is our opinion. Let the
Council know. There is no news.

NAPOLÉON.

The Empress replied by trying to persuade the Emperor that Paris was quiet, and that there was “no fear of a revolution.” She was preoccupied with the hope of concentrating, to face the enemy, the largest possible number of troops.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 9_.

Do not worry about Paris; I will answer for it. We are also trying
to form an army here. Do not get rid of Canrobert. You have not too
large a force. We have called upon Palikao to form an army here.
Opinion points to him.

On August 7 and 8 M. Maurice Richard saw the Emperor at Metz. His Majesty was much cast down, absorbed in studying a map, and made no answer when spoken to. Sighing, and pressing his hand upon his left side, he said every now and then, “What a misfortune!” But no words of recrimination escaped him. His bent figure and slow movements gave M. Richard the impression of a man who was at his last gasp--whose illness made him unfit to command. General Lebrun, M. Davilliers, and M. Franceschini Pietri advised the Emperor to return to Paris and hand over the command to Marshal Bazaine. The Government shared that opinion. The Empress also advised the transfer of the command to Bazaine. Pietri telegraphed to her proposing the Emperor’s return to Paris. Her Majesty’s reply was telegraphed direct to the Emperor, and ran: “Have you thought of all the consequences of your return to Paris after two defeats?”

Faced by this pregnant question, the suffering Emperor gave way, as always, for he dreaded above all his wife’s anger. One week of warfare had brought Napoleon III. to this piteous state. Bowed down by bodily pain, tortured by defeat following defeat, unable to “see daylight” in any direction, forbidden from returning to Paris, motiveless, powerless, the nominal head of disorganized forces, perhaps (fatalist that he was) even foreseeing what would happen three weeks hence--how vividly these despatches bring before us the picture of Hugo’s “Napoleon the Little”!

By comparison with her stricken, nerveless--shall we say deluded and betrayed?--husband, the Wife’s figure becomes almost colossal. Her hopefulness, her tenacity, her inflexible will had their effect upon some at least of those with whom she was in feverish consultation day and night. From the Emperor, even at this early stage, there was nothing to hope for. What could he have done in Paris, save precipitate the Revolution, which was already in gestation?

The man to whom the Empress turned for advice was the chief of the Bonapartist Parliamentary party--Jérôme David. “In 1867,” says M. Bapst, “during the debates on the Press laws and the right of public meeting, acting by the Empress’s request, he had endeavoured to procure the withdrawal of the projected laws, which had originated with the Emperor himself. David’s appeal for assistance in his task prompted a member of the Senate to reply, with not unkindly humour, that it seemed to him to be a question of a little Ministerial intrigue springing into existence from under the folds of a petticoat!”

After a meeting of Ministers, a deputation from the Chamber had an audience of the Empress, and asked her to sanction the immediate dismissal of Ollivier and his Ministers. To this mild request she answered that it was a question for the Chamber, not for her, to decide. “It would be regrettable to cause a Ministerial crisis at a moment of such gravity.”

One of the deputation, M. Durangel, remained after his colleagues had withdrawn. The Empress took him aside, and, bursting into tears, said: “What do you think of the Emperor’s proposed return to Paris?” Then, without giving him time to answer, she exclaimed, “It is impossible! A Napoleon cannot return to Paris unless he is victorious.” The Empress kept him in conversation until half-past one in the morning! She was now taking large doses of chloral every night, but the drug did not bring her any but the most fitful sleep.

By August 8 Captain Duperré had arrived from Cherbourg. The Empress told him he must go to Metz (as he did) and prevent the Emperor, and even the Prince, from returning to Paris. “I would rather see my son killed by the enemy than become another Louis XVII.!” she exclaimed, and seemed to gain some consolation by repeating it. It was reported that the _Times_ had made the Empress say, “If the Prince returns to Paris, I will immediately take him back to the army.” To force her hand, the Government published an announcement that the Prince had returned to Paris!

Some troops had been ordered to station themselves in the courtyard of the Carrousel. The Empress suggested to Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers (commanding the forces in Paris) that they should be supplied with rations from the Tuileries kitchens. “No,” said the old warrior; “people would say that it was the repast of the gardes du corps”--the allusion (says M. Bapst) being to the banquet in the Orangerie in 1789, when the appearance of Marie Antoinette had aroused the troops to enthusiasm, and caused them to reject the tricoloured cocardes. Previously the Empress had told the Marshal to prevent the mob from invading the Palais Bourbon, should an attempt be made to “rush” it. “Rioters! brawlers!” he exclaimed; “I would sweep them all out, and if it was necessary to fire upon them I would do so!” Her Majesty cut him short with the question, “But not without orders, would you?” This was too much for the fiery Marshal, and he retorted that he “did not wish to retain his command.” He remained intractable. Princesse Mathilde, who had been asked by the Empress to see if she could make him change his mind, told him he was a coward to desert his post, and there was nothing for it but to replace him by conferring the Paris command upon General Soumain. By August 9 Ministers had lost their authority, and at the opening of the Chambers they were overthrown.

On the morning of August 9, at the Tuileries, General Palikao was announced. The Empress was at a Council, and upon Palikao entering the room, she rose, shook hands with the old soldier, who had done good service in China, and appeared to be overjoyed at the arrival of “a Messiah, whose coming had been anxiously awaited.” The Empress poured forth her soul; it was difficult for anyone else to edge in a word, so excited was the Regent--anxious, perhaps, to let the warrior see how well acquainted she was with what was happening in Lorraine. So steeped was she in military lore that, hearing her expound theories and ideas, even experts might have been betrayed into accepting her speculations as facts. Would Palikao take command of the Paris forces? Or would he prefer to replace Marshal Lebœuf as Major-General of the army of the Rhine at Metz? He could have either post. Seeing how the land lay, Palikao asked abruptly, “Will you make me a Marshal?” The Empress hinted at something of the kind; but Palikao “opted” for the army of the Rhine, and everybody was satisfied. The Regent, bubbling over with delight, could not keep the good news from “Louis” for a moment.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 9, 1.13 p.m._

General Palikao accepts, and leaves immediately for Metz. The
Marshal [Lebœuf] must resign before he [Palikao] arrives. This
step, I believe, will quiet the Chamber. Everything going well
here. Order will not be disturbed. The Council and I do not agree
with the view brought by M. Maurice Richard from Metz [that the
Emperor should return to Paris and form a new army]. I embrace you
tenderly, and also Louis. My affection [for you both] increases
with events.

A cold douche soon arrived at the Tuileries. The proposed sending of Palikao to Metz surprised the Emperor.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 9_.

I do not at all understand [the meaning of] sending Palikao to
Metz. It cannot change the situation in any way. I thought it was
the resignation of the Minister of War which was wanted. The other
[that of Major-General] is impossible. As regards the army, nothing
must be done without consulting me. Changarnier has come here to
place himself at my disposal.

NAPOLÉON.

All the clever combinations of the poor Regent were thus upset.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 9_.

The situation would become graver than you can imagine if Palikao
were not Minister of War. Marshal Lebœuf is held responsible for
giving orders and counter-orders which are known in Paris. They
tell me that the Chamber desires he should be replaced. I am in a
Ministerial crisis. Do not disturb yourself. To satisfy public
opinion it is urgent that at the opening of the Chamber Marshal
Lebœuf’s supersession should be announced.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Empress to Marshal Lebœuf._

PARIS, _August 9, 2 p.m._

In the name of your former devotion, give in your resignation as
Major-General. I beg you to do so. I know how much it will cost
you, but in the actual circumstances we are all obliged to make
sacrifices. Believe that it is as hard for me to take this step as
for you.

EUGÉNIE.

The Regent does not let much, or many, stand in her way when beset by difficulties. She causes a communiqué to be sent to the _Journal Officiel_ (in which it appeared next day) to the effect that Marshal Lebœuf and General Lebrun had resigned! This was untrue. But “À la guerre comme à la guerre.” This reflection may have quieted her moral sense, at some times not as strong as at others.

While all this frantic telegraphing to and from Metz was going on, events in Paris were taking an ugly shape. While the Empress was scribbling, or dictating, her despatches, the mob took possession of the Place de la Concorde and the approaches to the Palais Bourbon (the seat of the Chamber). But, bitterly disappointed with his treatment as he had reason to be, Baraguay d’Hilliers was still military commandant at Paris. He put his foot down with a “thus far shall you go, but no farther.” The mob was cowed, and did not rush into the Chamber, but contented itself with yelling in chorus (the troops joining): “À la frontière! À la frontière!” These fervent patriots did not, however, make any move towards “the frontier”; they were not “out” for that. They heard with satisfaction that the Deputies belonging to the Left had demanded that an Executive Commission should be substituted for the Ollivier Government.

When one sees the stupidity, the powerlessness, and the disgusting
attitude of Parliaments at times of crisis, one cannot refrain
from admiring the old republicans of Rome, who established the
Dictatorship to save the Republic when it was in danger.--BAPST.

The Empress now set about the formation of a new Ministry, with Jérôme David at its head and Palikao as War Minister. Schneider objected, and tried to persuade the Regent to include in the Ministry some Deputies of the Left. Her Majesty ordered Palikao to form a Government, and preside over it as well as over the War Office. Jérôme David was again ruled out of any post, Schneider (of the Creusot factories) hinting that David was too much “the Empress’s man.” All night Palikao was hunting about for a Minister of the Interior--anyone but David.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 9, 6 p.m._

What I feared has happened--a change of Ministry. Palikao is at its
head; this is agreeable to all. The announcement of Marshal
Bazaine’s new position has produced the best effect. Your prestige
is intact. The same cannot, unfortunately, be said of your
Major-General [Marshal Lebœuf]. Everybody is making the greatest
sacrifices. Our sole preoccupation is that you have not sufficient
troops.

EUGÉNIE.

Serious news from the Chargé d’Affaires (M. de la Boulaye) at Brussels; General Chazal, Belgian Commander-in-Chief,[92] had removed his headquarters to Namur, and had stated that the French army of Metz would probably be attacked by the massed German armies. The Regent rightly insisted upon the Metz forces being reinforced.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 9, 6 p.m._

I think it is absolutely necessary you should be reinforced.
According to my information, the junction of the two Prussian
armies will put 300,000 men on your shoulders. Call to your aid the
troops at Châlons and all others that you can get. If you approve,
send immediate orders.

EUGÉNIE.

Not a solitary blade of grass does the Regent allow to grow under her feet. Having sent that telegram, she immediately occupies herself with the Paris Mobiles, the objects of much disquietude.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

_August 9, 8 p.m._

The proposed law [drawn up by General Dejean] authorizes the
incorporation of the Gardes Mobiles with the army. I entreat you to
order the Mobiles to go immediately to the camp at Châlons for
formation in regiments.

I think the day after to-morrow I shall be able to send you 15,000
men from Paris. Will you have them? Palikao tells me there are too
many troops at Lyons. Should some of them be sent to you?

EUGÉNIE.

All this time the Empress was reporting to the Emperor what was taking place at the Corps Législatif. Through her he learns that Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers does not wish to retain his command [of the Paris forces]; she would like him replaced by Marshal Canrobert. She insisted upon Lebœuf resigning the position of Major-General, but the Emperor would not let the Marshal go.

On August 9 Charles Duperré reached Metz at 8 p.m., and had an immediate interview with the Emperor, with this result:

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 9, 10.5 p.m._

I have seen Duperré, who will take my answer to you [in reference
to the return of the Emperor and the Prince to Paris]. We seem to
be returning to the fine times of the Revolution, when they wanted
the army led by the representatives of the Convention. General
Dumont can have the Lyons post in place of Montauban [Palikao]. I
would bring to Metz, if I had the time and the means, the Châlons
corps d’armée. I could do nothing better at the moment.

I wish to keep Canrobert at the head of his corps. As to Marshal
Lebœuf, he has already resigned, but I cannot accept it until I can
get someone capable of replacing him. D’Autemarre must replace
Baraguay d’Hilliers, and someone must be found to command the
National Guard of the Seine. We embrace thee tenderly.

NAPOLÉON.

_Commander Duperré to the Empress._

METZ, _August 9, 10 p.m._

This morning the Emperor gave General (_sic_) Bazaine the direction
of operations and the command of the army, nominating him
Major-General. All orders are to be transmitted and carried out by
him. Consequently the Emperor must be constantly with him. The post
of Major-General thus becomes superfluous. It must be suppressed,
and taken from Marshal Lebœuf. This is what you must say in answer
to the Emperor’s despatch.

DUPERRÉ.[93]

Much annoyed by the Emperor’s refusal to adopt her views, Her Majesty sent a strongly-worded despatch to Metz the same night.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

_August 9, 11 p.m._

You do not know the situation. Only Bazaine inspires confidence.
The presence of Marshal Lebœuf upsets things as much at Metz as
here. The difficulties are immense. M. Schneider puts a knife to my
throat for an almost impossible Ministry. I have to face this
situation without troops, with disorder almost in the streets.
D’Autemarre inspires the National Guard with confidence. If I
displace him, they will not follow a new General. Canrobert is,
then, indispensable to me. Take Trochu from his post, and you will
satisfy public opinion and give me a devoted man, which at present
I lack completely. In forty-eight hours I shall be betrayed by the
fear of some and the inertia of others.

EUGÉNIE.

The Empress, as her despatch proves, was bent upon (1) getting Trochu out of Paris; (2) having Canrobert as Commander of the Paris force; (3) making Bazaine Commander-in-Chief; and (4) preventing the Emperor and the Prince from returning from the front to Paris.

She instructed Duperré to speak “discreetly” to M. Franceschini Pietri in order that he might telegraph directly to her, without the Emperor’s knowledge, all that would be likely to interest her.

By August 10 Palikao had practically completed his new Ministry, making the Prince de La Tour d’Auvergne (Ambassador at Vienna) Foreign Minister without his knowledge! The Empress wanted a special post created for Baron Haussmann, but to this Ministers objected, and Her Majesty had to abandon her idea, excellent as it was. Haussmann as administrator of everything relating to war supplies and to the provisioning of Paris would have been worth his weight in gold.

At 3 am. on the 9th the Empress, unable to sleep, telegraphed to the Emperor that Canrobert _must_ come to Paris and replace Trochu; and her consort gave way!

The Empress had always admired Trochu, and it was only when, after the defeats at Reichshoffen and Forbach, he blamed everybody, and boasted that he alone had foreseen all the disasters, that her eyes were opened.

_The Prince Imperial to his Mother._

METZ, _August 10_.

I have seen M. Duperré, who gave me great good news from Paris.
Papa is well.

LOUIS.

_The Empress to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 10_.

I send you contents of a telegram which I have received [this
referred to some alarming and inaccurate news from Brussels].
Shall we send masses of Gardes Nationales Mobiles in the direction
of the army? We will provide them with food and arms.

The Ministry will, I hope, be formed at 3 p.m. to-day. I shall then
be able to send marine infantry--an excellent force--to Châlons.
All my preoccupation is that you have not enough men. Will you
authorize me to send you men whenever I can do so, and can assure
them a supply of food? You have not answered several telegrams
which I sent yesterday. I am quite well. I embrace you tenderly. Do
not worry about us. All will come right.

EUGÉNIE.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 10_.

I refuse the battalions of Mobiles. I am getting the corps from
Châlons. The Minister of War must occupy himself especially with
arming the country people who ask for weapons. Form centres with
the fourth battalions at Paris, Châlons, and Langres. MacMahon is
going to re-form his corps at Châlons.

NAPOLÉON.

The Empress complained to her consort of telegrams from Lebœuf and the Emperor being so contradictory that they produced “the most deplorable effect” when they became known to the public (as she asserted was the case). The Emperor explained all this in a telegram on the 10th, concluding: “It rained in torrents last night. No fighting. We embrace thee tenderly.”

Acting upon the advice given to her by Duperré in his telegram of the 9th, the Empress telegraphed to the Emperor begging him to suppress the functions of Major-General.

_The Emperor to the Empress._

METZ, _August 10, evening_.

It would be more impossible for me to do without a Major-General
than without a Minister of War. There is no connection between
those functions and those of Marshal Bazaine. For example, if I
suppress the Major-General without advantageously replacing him,
the army would go short of food, the cavalry would be without
forage, and all the details of the service would suffer. One can
know nothing about war to think that on the eve of a battle I can
suppress the most important spoke in the wheel. I regret to hear
that the Chamber has declared that it is sitting permanently. That
is a manifest violation of the Constitution.

NAPOLÉON.

_The Emperor to Marshal Canrobert._

METZ, _August 10, 2.35 p.m._

Continue uninterruptedly and without loss of time the movement of
all your divisions at Châlons on Metz.

Canrobert was handed the above while he was waiting at the Tuileries, at 11 p.m., to see the Empress. In the face of that order how could he abandon his corps on the eve of a battle? He could not, therefore, comply with the Empress’s natural, yet somewhat flighty, desire that he should remain in Paris at the head of its troops.

The Empress was now in a state of exhaustion, “living on her nerves and strength of will.” All agreed that her conduct was “admirable.” She could not eat, and, despite the large quantities of chloral which she continued to take, she was unable to sleep. But she slaved on. Acting on the advice of M. Magne (the financial expert) an inventory of the Crown jewels was made, and the various objects were sent to the Bank of France. Pepa, the Empress’s femme de chambre, was trembling with fear, so she was sent away. The Prince de Metternich, who was honoured by the Sovereign with her complete confidence, was constantly with her. He told her of the increasing probability of a revolution, and depicted its horrors in terms which made her consent to hand him her diamonds and her other jewels.[94] These the Austrian Ambassador took away in his carriage and sent them to England. Metternich’s gloomy forebodings greatly excited the Empress. She thought once more of Marie Antoinette, and felt that she might share that Queen’s fate on the scaffold.

The Council of August 10 finished at midnight, and the Empress warmly thanked Canrobert for his presence. The Marshal was grieved at her changed appearance. In a few days she appeared to have aged by ten years. Her features were drawn, the wrinkles showed, her face was puffed, fever burnt in her eyes, she was shaking with cold. As Canrobert was there, she thought he had come to tell her he would not leave the capital--would remain to protect her and to keep order in the town. Taking him apart, she said: “Marshal, I wanted to see you to give you the command of Paris. I reckon upon your devotion. You have influence with the troops, and I am certain you will hold the command successfully.” He showed her the Emperor’s imperative telegram, and said: “Madame, I cannot accept. My corps is at this moment on the march to Metz. There may be a battle to-morrow. If I remained here while my men are fighting, your Majesty would have but a worm-eaten bâton which would give you no support. Let me go and do my duty as a soldier.”

She understood, and was silent. Later, she regretted that she had not compelled the Marshal to remain by her side, had a grudge against him for ever, and reproached this faithful servant of the Empire for leaving her at the moment of danger--leaving her by command of the Emperor.

Events proved that, as regards Canrobert, she was right, while it cannot be said that the Emperor was wrong. Canrobert’s refusal gave Prince Napoleon, a week later, the opportunity of making Trochu Governor of Paris, with fatal results to the dynasty.

_Canrobert to the Emperor._

PARIS, _August 11, 1.10 a.m._

As the Empress and the Montauban (Palikao) Ministry think that my
presence here is not obligatory, I am going to Metz, where your
Majesty has assembled all my corps for the decisive battle. I am
leaving at once.

MARSHAL CANROBERT.

At 8 a.m. Canrobert started for Metz. All along the railway he saw indescribable disorder. The employés had lost their heads. The line was blocked. There were trains full of Failly’s stragglers. One man put his head out of the window and shouted to Canrobert: “Now it is your turn to go and get a drubbing!” The Marshal dragged the ruffian from the carriage, shook the life out of him, and made him crave for pardon. At last (August 12) the Marshal, famishing, got to the Metz station, where one of his staff discovered a loaf, which they devoured. The Emperor was at the Préfecture, and at seven o’clock he gave Canrobert an audience. A conference was proceeding with Marshal Lebœuf and General Lebrun, and Canrobert was an eager listener to the talk. The Emperor, well aware of the scarcity of biscuits and also of cartridges, was endeavouring to get supplies of both. He wanted to collect 200,000 men at Metz, but Canrobert could not understand why. The Sovereign seemed to be dreaming.

While Canrobert was with the Emperor, Commandant Lanclos (one of the Marshal’s aides-de-camp) witnessed a strange scene at the Hôtel de l’Europe. The house was full of officers, all much excited, and deeming the game lost. “See what fifteen years of favouritism have done for us,” said a Colonel of the Staff. “The Emperor ought not to give any more orders. He should make Bazaine Commander-in-Chief, with full powers.” This was openly said by a General, one of His Majesty’s aides. Another General spoke strongly in favour of Bazaine, in whom all appeared to have confidence. He was “the saviour hailed by everybody.” Even the most devoted friends of the Emperor had lost their faith in him. When he was at the Tuileries, Canrobert had observed the same feeling. Those surrounding the Empress no longer troubled about the Emperor--what he did, what he said, what he thought. He had become an embarrassment.

In 1867 all the “strong places” had been well supplied with biscuits by Marshal Niel; but by June, 1870, not one was left, and the Chamber (previous to the declaration of war) had refused to vote money for further supplies. Thus Metz and the frontier places were now without resources. A hurried contract had been made with the house of Rothschild for 2,500 tons of biscuits, which were on board ship at various ports, until they could be taken to Metz. The railway at Nancy and other places was blocked, so that no food, or anything else, could get to Metz. Plans were changed hourly. Orders followed by counter-orders--this was the rule.

Marshal Canrobert left the Emperor firmly convinced that the only plan in existence at the moment was to concentrate 200,000 men at Metz; what they were to do when, if ever, they arrived there was a mystery!

After forcing his way through the streets, which were in a state of turmoil, Canrobert reached his hotel, the Europe, and ordered lunch--an omelette and a cutlet. These he could have, but only in the room common to all comers.

In a large room, on the ground-floor, was a great table; around it
were smaller ones. At all of them were seated, pell-mell, Generals,
officers of all ranks, civilians, reporters, and women of every
description--in such costumes! All these people were talking,
gesticulating, and eating. Such were the avant-coureurs of defeat.

Nothing had been seen of the enemy for many days. Canrobert was furious, but he said nothing, and ordered his officers to remain silent. He rode to Woippy, saw his troops, and returned to the Emperor. His Majesty, bombarded by telegrams from the Empress and Palikao, gave way. By half-past two o’clock that day Lebœuf had ceased to be Major-General, and Bazaine was Commander-in-Chief of the French army, vice Napoleon III., resigned!

Canrobert saw at the Metz Préfecture the ghost of an Emperor. Overwhelmed, pale as death, seated at a large table, Napoleon held in one hand a pocket-handkerchief, with which he continually wiped his mouth. Either he had had a nephritic attack or had taken an over-dose of extrait thébaïgne; for he was inert.

Canrobert left Lebœuf, Bazaine, and the Emperor together at the Préfecture. The Emperor never told anyone what Bazaine and he had discussed. General Lebrun has put it on record that the Emperor told Bazaine he wished the army to retreat, and that Bazaine made no reply. In the evening Napoleon wrote to Bazaine: “See what can be done, and if we are not attacked to-morrow we will come to a decision.”

Marshal Bazaine, tried by a court-martial--presided over by H.R.H. the Duc d’Aumale--for dereliction of duty, was found guilty, deprived of his military rank, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. I doubt very much whether the guilt or innocence of Bazaine will ever be satisfactorily established. The temper of the French people at the time of his trial required a victim, and he was freely offered up by his companions-in-arms on the altar of National Vanity. Nothing throughout the war was more remarkable than the discussions, the rivalries, the petty jealousies, which characterized the relations of Napoleon’s Marshals and Generals. A friend of mine who was at Metz in the early period of the war assured me that he had never seen anything more pitiable than the look of sheer despondency which he saw on the Emperor’s face as he sat presiding at a council of war, and listening to the noisy and even brutal recriminations of one General after another as he rose to defend his own movements, or attack the tactics of a brother officer. Naturally, Bazaine had few friends among the Commanders of Corps. They were only too glad to be able to point to his retirement on Metz, and his subsequent surrender, as the proximate causes of the overthrow of the French army. Each one felt his military honour less seriously impeached when the court-martial ordered Bazaine’s name to be struck off the roll of the Legion of Honour.

I do not presume to offer an opinion on the subject of Bazaine’s crime; but, from all that I have been able to gather from French military experts, the conviction is now prevalent that Bazaine was no traitor. I know that the Empress Eugénie, who suffered as much as anybody through his falling back on Metz, had nothing worse to say of him than that he was “ramolli,” that all the thoughts of the old soldier were centred in his young and pretty wife and her children, and that France was secondary. At any rate, it is pretty certain that when the German armies got between him and Paris all the energy and skill and bravery of the best General France had would have been overtaxed by the effort to pierce the barrier of fire and steel built across the roads by the Germans. Happily, there was one exception. Bazaine’s Chief of Staff, his devoted friend during the siege, and subsequently his support during the trial, his comrade in imprisonment, ultimately his saviour, deserves honourable mention. He it was who planned and carried out Bazaine’s escape from the Isle St. Marguerite in a little rowing-boat, and enabled his old commander to spend the rest of his days in exile instead of in prison.[95]