563 
PRECIS OP THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR. 
BY 
CAPTAIN S. C. PBATT, B.A, 
Part III, 
THE WAR IN THE PROVINCES. (SEPT. 1870 TO END OP WAR.) 
The catastrophe of Sedan may be said to have terminated the first 
phase of the campaign of invasion, resulting as it did in the overthrow 
of the existing Imperial Government and the destruction of the sole 
regular French army in the field. The chances of a prolonged resistance 
seemed at this period almost hopeless, and the subsequent successful 
investment of Paris rendered matters still more desperate. Metz and 
Paris were surrounded by two powerful German armies, Strassburg was 
on the point of capitulating, the German reserves were pushing forward 
to occupy the conquered territory, and the broad zone of country 
extending from the Ehine to Paris was held by a million armed men. 
There were absolutely no regular French troops, a great scarcity of 
horses, and a complete dearth of warlike stores. 
On the other hand, it might be fairly presumed that the capital was 
capable of holding out for a sufficient time to enable provincial levies 
to be raised in the more remote parts of the country. The army of 
Bazaine retained around it in its passive state a large proportion of 
the invading forces, and its active co-operation might, under certain 
contingencies, be looked for. The lines of German communications 
had already attained an inconvenient length, and along the whole of 
the southern portion of them the country was well adapted for defensive 
measures and partisan warfare. 
In a rich and populous country, animated by a spirit of patriotism, it 
was an undoubted fact that large levies could be raised in a compara¬ 
tively short time, but to what extent they would be able to make head 
against the regular troops of the invader was a matter of doubt. By 
attributing their disasters solely to treachery and political causes, the 
hopes of the nation had been raised, and were further influenced by 
eloquent descriptions of the successful general risings in 1798. 
The Government of the National Defence proceeded to take immediate 
measures for the defence of the country, and in view of the impending 
investment of Paris, sent about the middle of September to Tours a 
number of authorised delegates, to the measures of whom a vigorous 
impulse was given by the subsequent addition of G-ambetta—one of the 
General 
aspect of 
affairs. 
