Immediately after Forbach and the explosion in the Chamber caused
by that news, the Emperor was pressed to resign the com- mand-in-chief. He apparently resisted, for he first made Marshal Bazaine commandant of three corps, then Count Palikao called him Generalissimo " without superior," and then the Emperor retired to Verdun, whence he is said to have gone to Chalons, and subsequently, under pressure, it is believed, of insults from the Gerdes Mobiles, who called him " assassin," to Rheims. It will, we conceive, be found that it was this hesitation which delayed the retreat to Chalons on which Bazaine had resolved, but which the Emperor disliked. It seems certain that even on the 12th inst. troops were leaving Chalons for Metz, and were seen by the correspondent of the Daily News there,—commendable person with eyes, whose letters should be read and studied. At all events, there was till Friday, the 12th inst., when Bazaine's commission was signed, a hesitation.
