de la Tour D’auvergne to Washburne, United States, August 23, 1870

Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne to Mr. E. B. Washburne.

Sir: You have been kind enough to hand me, under to-day’s date, copy of a telegram which has been addressed to you by Mr. Motley, at the request of Comte de Bernstorff, representative of the North German Confederation at London, which has for its object to bring to the knowledge of the government of the Emperor the reclamations of Count Bismarck against the treatment on the part of our troops, which may have been inflicted on flags of truce, ambulances, surgeons, and wounded.

The statements made in this telegram are too contrary to the traditions of the French army to make it possible for me to accept them as exact. I have this day made them known to the minister of war, and will hasten to communicate to you the explanations which he will not fail to give me, and which will, I doubt not, reduce to their just value the protestations of the Prussian government.

Receive, sir, the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be your very humble and obedient servant,