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1870. OCTOBER. SIEGE OF PARIS
Ceinture Railway—Advanced
post—First Prussian—St. Cloud Palace—Historical associations—Signs of
the times—Balloon and pigeon post—Le don Anglais - British Charitable
Fund—Two emergencies—Defences and workmen—Superior officers—Other
officers—Rank and file—Federals—Extemporized "troops "Francs Tireurs—Amazones
de hr Seine--Council of Hygiene—Sortie on Malmaison—The days
following—Excursion to Boulogne—Stirring events—Minor measures—Numerous
sick and wounded.
EARLY in October two of
us proceeded some way by Ceinture Railway, the more conveniently to see
conditions beyond the walls. The Bois de Boulogne was sadly transformed
in aspect; trees recklessly cut down, flower beds destroyed, troops
ready established in camps, others preparing for themselves bowers of
branches from Mont Valérien, the frequent recurring boom of heavy guns
told of missiles directed therefrom upon strong positions of the enemy
on the heights of Meudon.
Descending at Porte
Montrouge, it was with some difficulty we obtained permission from the
Etat Major to go outside that part of the fortifications. Proceeding
along what once had been the road to Bicètre, we came upon and passed a
succession of barricades. On either side of our route were gardens and
fields now laid waste, hamlets and villages deserted, houses
dilapidated, and in many instances destroyed, the better to clear the
way for artillery fire upon our besiegers; at short intervals a thin
layer of earth concealed a torpedo. Still further towards the front,
outlying sentries of the contending forces exchanged stray shots with
each other.
At Arcueil the Dominican
College, transformed to an ambulance, was filled with wounded men. Among
them was a German soldier, he belonging to the 23rd Infantry, the first
of the enemy with whom, so far, we had become acquainted. He was not
only well cared for, but petted by those around him, and, to judge by
expression, was well contented with his surroundings. In course of our
trip we came upon various parties of troops of the line marching to
their front, for already we were within range of the Prussian needle
gun. In one of those parties was a man upon whose knapsack was perched a
cat, which clung to its position as best it could. It was probably the
creature the man loved best.
On another occasion of an
excursion by the Ceinture we witnessed the conflagration by which the
palace of St Cloud utterly perished. From various positions artillery
fire was continuous. As we watched, first a mass of dense smoke, then of
lurid flame, burst from the edifice, and speedily the whole was in a
state of ruin. Subsequently it was said that to the French themselves
was due this great mishap; whether by intention or accident did not
transpire.
Among the historical
associations connected with that palace the following may be noticed: In
it on July 29, 1589, Henry III. was murdered by the monk Jacques
Clement; Henrietta of Orleans died; Peter the Great was received by the
Regency in the time of Louis XIV. There was signed the capitulation of
Paris in 181 5 ; Queen Victoria was received by Napoleon III. in 1855;
and in 1870 the Declaration of War against Prussia was signed. Strangely
enough, the table used on the last-named occasion was among the few
articles saved from the conflagration just witnessed.
Signs of the times
multiplied apace. Sounds of firing by heavy guns became more and more
distinct and continuous, conversation turning upon the circumstance as
if it were an ordinary though interesting subject Precautions against
incendie were pressed on. Demonstrations of various kinds took place in
the different parts of the city, the people composing them comprising
numbers of those from Belleville and Mobiles bearing arms. At most of
them the Marseillaise with other patriotic music mingled with
denunciations against the besiegers, against whom, however, those who
most loudly denounced seemed to consider further personal action
unnecessary. Nor did the Provisional Government escape their
declamations, the expressions against it being in some instances no less
strong than those against the Prussians.
A post by balloon and the
employment of carrier pigeons had been already introduced, the first for
the dispatch of communications, the second for their conveyance to the
authorities within the city. The first so brought in was a Proclamation
by Gambetta, who had by means of aerial transit proceeded to Tours. By
photography it was reduced to a minimum size, and so attached to a
pigeon; by a reverse method it was enlarged, and so made legible.
Throughout the remaining period of the siege letters were regularly
dispatched by balloon to those dear to me ; but weeks had to elapse
before intimation from the outside world was received.
The arrival of Colonel
Lloyd Lindsay in the middle of October as bearer of £20,000, a donation
from England to the sick and wounded in Paris, was an important event.
He entered the city in the uniform of his rank. The spy mania was still
strong; he was captured as such, and underwent various unpleasant
experiences notwithstanding the philanthropic character of his mission.
By order of General Le Flo, Minister of War, I became a member of the
Committee appointed to distribute 'Me don Anglais," and fulfilled the
duty as best as I could. Looking back through the vista of many years
doubts occur as to the actual amount of good effected by that day. While
it was in process of distribution, jealousies were expressed among
institutions to which portions of it were given, while among various
classes of persons the remark was heard, "It is all very well to send us
money, but France expected aid of another and more active kind." Nor
were the French singular in the views expressed, if information
subsequently gained is correct.
Those who, as already
alluded to, claimed rights and privileges as British subjects had to be
seen to by countrymen able to afford partial help in the circumstances
of the time. Previous to the departure of their Representative,
intimation was sent to them that they also were at liberty to quit the
threatened city ; but if they preferred to remain, they did so on their
individual responsibility. So stringent were orders left with regard to
the "British Charitable Fund" that help therefrom could only be given
under authority of that Representative, and it impossible to obtain
after his departure. As expressed by some of the persons alluded to,
"What could they do by quitting Paris? All their possessions were in the
city; so were their homes; if they were to die of starvation, better do
so there than away, shelterless and wanderers among strangers and
possibly enemies. Their means of obtaining or earning income had for the
time being ceased; unless aided by compatriots, they must perish." An
extemporized Board of Assistance obtained for and distributed among them
help, and to those suffering from illness professional aid. But in all
this the official element had no part.
The current of events had
made two points clear: the first that in the annihilation of her army at
Sedan, France was subjected to an emergency not calculated upon or
provided against; the second, equally unforeseen, that a powerful army
was rapidly strengthening an investing circle around her capital. Such
measures as were adopted under the combined circumstances must needs be
taken on the spur of the moment, and from materials ready at hand, these
facts to be borne in mind by those of us who were mere lookers-on.'
Works of defence included
the strengthening of forts and ramparts already existing; the erection
of barricades, and other operations incidental to conditions at the time
existing. Workmen unused to such requirements had to be employed, the
results being disproportion between labourers numerically and in their
performances, alike in quantity and in quality. Much of their time was
spent in trifling, in "demonstrations," in drinking, singing, and
fighting with comrades who had joined the ranks as "soldiers"; others of
them were loud in demands for arms, though, as subsequently shown, those
given to them were misused. The general result of these conditions was
that when October had came to an end defensive works were still
incomplete.
The line of action, and
of what was looked upon as inaction by some of the higher military
officers, was subject of talk and comment Of the Governor it was said
that in these respects his policy was enigmatical; his sympathies were
more with the deposed Emperor than towards the Republic, holding
communication with the Empress and her enemies, but abandoning her in
her time of greatest difficulty. Little fitted to conduct the duties of
a leader; more able to detect administrative faults than to remedy them;
vacillating in opinion; liable to adopt the views of the latest speaker
in an interview; making promises which he left unfulfilled; substituting
phrases for action; circulars and proclamations for force of arms; his
demeanour between opposing factions so equivocal that he was doubted and
mistrusted by all Having little confidence in the "armed men" under his
command, and in ultimate success of the defence, his object in
continuing it was that he might so ''maintain the honour of France."
Disbelieving in the
continuance of the Republic, his hopes were in restoration of the
deposed Emperor: an event towards which the policy of Bazaine at Metz
was deemed likely to conduce. Towards his officers, personal feelings
rather than public considerations dictated his demeanour; thus his
supersession of Vinoy by Ducrot at Chatillon was considered to have led
to misfortune on that occasion, as ill-feeling towards Bellemere did
subsequently at Le Bourget. It was said of another general officer that
on September 4 he was in command of the line at the Corps Legislatif,
who fraternized with the National Guards, and on the 19th abandoned his
position at Chatillon, re-entering Paris with other fugitives.
That among staff and
other officers were men whose reputation stood high was acknowledged.
But an impression was abroad that the former class were so numerous that
individual efficiency was thereby impaired, while battalions suffered in
consequence of their withdrawal. That there were some who scarcely gave
the impression of efficiency was no less apparent. These were to be seen
lounging about cafes and boulevards, usually in exaggerated uniform and
trappings, their hands encased in manchons, On the line of march towards
advanced positions, the frequency with which a few of the latter
resorted to the artistes who acted as vivandtkres was subject of not
admiring wonder to foreigners who looked on. While in actual movement
the process of electing their officers was gone through by some
battalions of "Federals." On such occasions, political considerations
seemed to outweigh those of military efficiency. Men have been seen
soliciting votes with bottle in hand ; in some instances men "elected"
refused to accept the distinction ; in others, altercations were to be
seen between individuals.
The rank and file of the
"defenders'' were more formidable in numbers than efficiency. It was
felt that in creating such a force arms of precision were placed in the
hands of men belonging to recognised "dangerous classes," nor was the
difficulty that might possibly arise in getting from them again those
arms unperceived by responsible authorities. Subsequent events
sufficiently proved it would have been better for Paris and for France
had such a force not been organized, had terms of peace been arranged
prior to the calling together of "Federal" elements. With the exception
of relatively small numbers of the old army and marines, the defence was
to be carried out by levies, of whom it was said that "they comprised
the old and the young; the hale and the lame, gamblers, and the
disturbers of the peace.'' These elements thrown together promiscuously
were formed into battalions, but otherwise they were without cohesion or
affinity.
Of the regular cavalry,
the numbers available for service were small, not exceeding some 5,000
men, and not all these were employed in the face of the enemy. The
artillery was made up in part of regular soldiers of that branch, partly
of marines, and partly of Mobiles; thus it presented the two extremes of
excellence and non-efficiency — the old soldiers presenting the former
of these characteristics, those newly drafted into the ranks the latter.
The Zouaves, of whose achievements we were already accustomed to hear so
much, and from whom so much was expected, failed altogether to fulfil
those anticipations; in some instances showing defection and panic in
the face of the enemy, in others such feeble resistance that they came
to be looked upon as useless against trained soldiers inured to battle.
The National Guard was
distinct from the army proper; it had its own laws and code of
regulations. The Mobile Guard was assimilated to the active army for
purposes of pay and discipline —like the line, organized in distinct
battalions. While the German forces were at a considerable distance from
the capital, several corps of Mobiles were brought thither from the
provinces. No sooner had the Republic been declared than several of
their members were among the first of the insurgents to force their way
into the Tuileries, from which the escape of the Empress had not yet
been effected. When, immediately thereafter, orders were issued within
Paris for the enrolment of such troops, those orders were obeyed to a
partial extent only; evasions were frequent, desertions numerous. If in
their ranks there were some trustworthy men, report stated that there
was also a dangerously large proportion of fugitives from justice, and
of the criminal classes. Subsequent experience proved that such elements
were more ready to declare for the Commune than to face the besiegers ;
that when led to the front they speedily withdrew therefrom, although on
such occasions their casualties were nil.
To many of the
extemporized troops the declaration of the Republic was looked upon as
giving them the right to trangress law and order, to claim whatever they
chose at the moment to desire, but to give nothing in return.
Fraternizing with the worst elements of Belleville and Vilette, they
early joined them in demonstrations against existing government; and
being billeted upon the civil population, evil influences were spread
from class to class, to the serious danger of public administration.
Various corps of Francs
Tireurs were extemporised. With regard to them as a body, it has been
said that for the most part the men were bad soldiers, acting according
to their individual pleasure; marauders not only with regard to the
enemy, but to the French, whom they were supposed to assist By the
Germans they were looked upon as assassins, and dealt with accordingly,
whenever they fell into the hands of our besiegers. It is true that
among them there were good men, but so relatively small their numbers
that their influence upon the general morale was imperceptible. There
was at least one corps among them whose bearing and efficiency was
unquestionable, namely, Franchetti's Edaireurs d Cheval de la Seine 'y
but, unfortunately for them, their gallant commander fell in battle
before the operations were nearly over. As a body, the reputation
accorded to the Francs Tireurs was that they fled before small bodies of
the Germans, by whom in consequence they were looked upon with contempt
A movement of very
unusual kind was suggested, and although never carried out deserves to
be noticed in these reminiscences. The intended movement was none other
than a demand on the part of a number of women that in the first place
they should be granted ''social solidarity,'' whatever that may mean;
and in the second, should be drafted into a series of battalions, armed
and clothed suitably to their sex ; that those battalions should have
the designation from one to ten of the "Amazones de la Seme"; that they
should "man" the ramparts, and so take the places of battalions
proceeding more to the front.
A Council of Hygiene was early organized to take upon itself the various
duties relating to public health, that is so far as it could be
protected under the circumstances in which the city was placed. The
gradually diminishing food supplies, including milk, produced evil
effects in the aged, the very young, and the sick; ordinary diseases
incidental to the season of the year increased in prevalence, while
smallpox did so to an extent which ultimately merited the name of a
pestilence. Vaccination became compulsory, and it was a somewhat amusing
sight, even under the conditions of the time, to see whole battalions of
citizen soldiers being marched to the cole de Medecine, there to undergo
that operation.
An important sortie
against Prussian positions on the west of Paris took place on October
21, the first on a large scale that had as yet been made. The several
ambulances established within the city dispatched to the field no fewer
than two hundred carriages of sorts in anticipation of a severely
contested battle. Among them were eight from the American, situated in
the Avenue de I'lmperatrice, the carriages well and elegantly built,
each horsed by four high-bred animals from the stables of wealthy
Americans, the personnel in smart uniform, the maiiriel provided on a
most liberal scale, the whole in a state of completeness for its
expected work. As the cavalcade stood, drawn up in r^;ular order, all
eyes were turned towards Mont Valeien, from which three guns fired in
quick succession were to be the signal for the general advance. About
noon the appointed signal was given. Away started, in their assigned
order, the line of carriages; down by the Avenue de la Grande Arm^e
towards Port Maillot, they went at rapid pace, attracting the admiration
of pedestrians, many of whom waved their hats in token thereof. Arrived
at Courbevoie, the appointed rendezvous of the ambulance services, we
were directed by an Intendant to take up position on a vinelad ridge
behind Mont Valerien, midway between Reuil and Bougeval, towards both of
which places the active forces were advancing. Two French batteries in
our immediate front opened fire upon the enemy ; one of the two,
consisting of mitrailleuses being so directed as to sweep the valley
that intervened between the ridges on which were respectively posted the
guns of besiegers and besieged. Across that valley, but partly hidden by
vine bushes, a strong infantry force of Germans was in progress towards
us, while stretching away on our right battalions were making progress
towards the enemy. The fight quickly became developed, artillery and
infantry fire from contending sides becoming increasingly rapid and
destructive. That from the batteries close to our position, though less
regular than what in actions in the Mutiny campaign we had opportunities
of observing as directed against the rebels, was so to a degree beyond
what we had been led to expect, considering the materials of which the
defending and extemporized forces were composed. The mitrailleuses were
new to us, hence their performances were observed with all the greats
interest; the general impression left upon us that their destructiveness
in the open fell short of anticipations. In our immediate vicinity and
along the line of combat, casualties became so numerous that the best
energies of our ambulanciers were fully taxed. The approach of evening
told that hostilities must soon cease. Our carriages now filled with
wounded, sixty-four in all were collected, and so began their journey
back towards Paris. It was dark when we re-entered the gate by which a
few hours earlier we had emerged in the great thoroughfare towards the
Arc de Triomphe was dimly lighted by oil lamps, for the manufacture of
gas had ceased with the expenditure of reserve coal. From the crowds at
Port Maillot came loudly expressed inquiries for friends who perchance
might be among our wounded. As we continued our progress, people formed
dense lines on either side of the broad avenue; hats were respectfully
raised; our further progress was between rows of uncovered heads — a
touching and spontaneous mark of appreciation and deference to the Red
Cross establishments of which we were members. The results to the French
of this great sortie were unfortunate, the casualties on their side very
heavy. Among the subjects of those casualties were an ex-consul at
Stettin, two popular landscape painters, and a sculptor, all of whom
fought in the ranks as private soldiers.
The events during the
next few days were in their several ways characteristic of the time and
circumstances. The press boasted that seventy German soldiers had been
captured at, and brought into the city from, the late battle, while
rumour ran that the captives were cast into the ordinary prisons, there
to associate with the criminal population of such places. Seasonal cold
was rapidly increasing in severity; the supply of fuel giving way, the
issues of food, already under strict supervision, were still more
rigidly superintended; the quantities allowed per ration curtailed, not
only in respect to persons in health, but for the sick and wounded. The
explosion of an establishment devoted to the manufacture of Orsini bombs
caused a good deal of injury to life and property, at the same time that
the attention of the authorities was thereby drawn to the circumstance
that those implements were being prepared on an extensive scale, but for
use within the walls, rather than against the enemy still beyond the
lines of fortification. The diminishing supply of materials for the
manufacture of gunpowder directed attention to the catacombs as a
possible source whence in greater emergency saltpetre might be obtained.
Between National and Mobile Guards quarrels occurred from the
circumstance that the former were employed only on the fortifications,
while the latter were sent to the front, there to engage against the
enemy. As the readiest way of solving the difficulty it was ordered that
''the citizen soldiers should in their turn be taken beyond those lines,
in order that they might be gradually accustomed to the sight of the
enemy."
An excursion to the
village of Boulogne brought me face to face with an incident new to me
in "civilized" warfare. That small town, once the favourite resort of
visitors, was now reduced to utter dilapidation; its ordinary occupants
fled ; its ruins giving shelter more or less complete to defending
troops; its streets barricaded; garden and other walls loopholed.
Through some of those loopholes sentries took aim at isolated Germans^
as the latter came into view among the woods in which they were posted;
at others, a sentry for a small ''tip" handed his rifle to a stray
visitor to have a shot at le Frusse, It was not long, however, before a
rattle of rifle bullets on the wall put a stop to this kind of "sport."
From Valdrien and other forts heavy continuous firing went on, their
missiles directed upon particular points of the German position, where
siege batteries were in course of erection for possible bombardment of
our city; from those positions an equally active shell-fire upon French
outposts went steadily on.
Among the minor events of
the time, one was the addition of several battalions of Federals to
those already existing. Another, an attempt made to suppress the extent
to which cantinieres had come to march at the head of battalions. The
grounds of that attempt included the fact that in all instances such
followers were young girls, many of them little more than children, who
were thus exposed to temptation while beyond the observation and care of
their parents or other guardians.
For once in a way our
besiegers appear to have been taken unawares. At Le Bourget, towards the
end of October, a small body was success- fully attacked by Francs
Tireurs and Mobiles. But their success was of brief duration. Report
circulated that reinforcements were applied for.
Bellemere were refused by Trochu, that refusal the outcome of personal
feeling. Be that as it may, an attack in force was speedily delivered by
the Germans; the position carried, with great slaughter of the
occupants. There was consternation in Paris. All through the 31st the
streets were in a state of turmoil. Masses of people, the great majority
armed, marched towards the Hotel de Ville; that building surrounded by
them; the members of the Defence made prisoners; cries of "Vive la
Commune!" interspersed with yells, and clarion blasts everywhere; the
Commune was in fact declared. But not for long. The 106th Battalion of
National Guards forced their way through the insurgents and rescued the
Government, and so saved the capital from scenes which were to disgrace
it four months later on, in which scenes the same battalion was to play
so iniquitous a part.
The extent to which
sickness prevailed within the city had become alarming. Accommodation
and other necessities for the suffering were severely taxed; for
although regular combats between the opposing forces were not frequent,
the results from collisions of daily occurrence, and of almost
continuous fire from the batteries of the enemy, were a large influx of
wounded men. Funeral processions along the cold sloppy streets were of
constant occurrence. Certain maladies, among them small-pox, prevailed
to a great and fatal extent As if to emphasize these conditions news
circulated that Metz had capitulated; a large portion of the investing
force thus set free on its way to increase that of the besiegers around
Paris. So ended the month. |
