Here is a postcard from the beginning of the 20th century, showing the three last survivors of a military event which had taken place 30 years beforehand, more precisely in 1870.
1870 was a fateful year for France. The war against Prussia not only made them lose Alsace-Lorraine, which became German, but equally ended in the reunification of the German States around Prussia. The creation of the German Empire in 1871 is the result of this union against France. It is easy to imagine France’s humiliation. During the Sedan battle, the Prussian army imprisoned the entire French army, including its Emperor Napoleon III. William the First was later crowned Kaiser in the Gallery of Mirrors in Versailles… Very vexing for the French.
The reasons for a war are often difficult to explain. In this case, Spain had something to do with it, even if the real reason is to be found elsewhere. Prussia, knowing the French army’s weakness, wanted to give them a thrashing. It only took a bit of provocation for War to be declared.
After having got rid of Isabelle II, Spain needed to find a King to fill the empty throne. The Generals Prim, Serrano and Topete proposed the throne to half of Europe and decided to give it to a German Prince, Léopold de Hobenzollern-Sigmaringen. The candidate had the support of the Prussian Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck but was very unpopular in France, who saw themselves surrounded by their Prussian sworn enemies, just as during the Habsbourg reign.
Léopold withdrew his candidature, but Bismarck represented him, risking annoying the French. The atmosphere was already overheated when Bismarck rigged a telegram from William the First, sending the French ambassador flying, following his request for Léopold’s official withdrawal from the Spanish throne. This sparked the War off. In Spain, after having put their foot in it, they named Amedeo I of
Savoy as King, although this Italian reign was short-lived.
During the 1870 War, the French suffered an important defeat, with more than 130.000 civilians and soldiers killed.
It is therefore understandable that the French did not want to remember this War. Nevertheless there was one episode of heroic resistance, when French soldiers fought until they had no ammunition left, before giving themselves up to the Germans. This took place at Bazeilles, during the Sedan Battle.
Alphonse de Neuville painted this resistance scene in 1873 and named it ” The Last Cartridges” and later received the Legion of Honour.
The house where this resistance took place quickly became a Museum and can still be visited today.
I shall leave you with these three survivors of the “Last Cartridges”.
Translated by Sue Dangotte