Ward to Elihu B. Washburne, October 27, 1870

Mr. Ward to Mr. Washburne.

According to your instructions, and having previously obtained from the governor of Paris, General Trochu, the necessary pass for the list of Americans drawn up at this legation, I proceeded on horseback, as per appointment, at 6 a. m., with two staff officers, trumpeter, and flag of truce, to the gate of Charenton, where the convoy was to meet. Having formed the line, we passed out of the city under military escort, and proceeded to the village of Créteil, on the post road to Bale, just beyond which was the Prussian outpost. Before reaching the village, however, an examination of your passes was made. Leaving the convoy in Créteil, the staff officers, flag of truce, trumpeter, and myself rode up to within a hundred yards of the Prussian barricade outpost. After waiting some time, and doing considerable trumpeting, a lieutenant and two soldiers appeared bearing a white flag. We parleyed, and, on the arrival of his superior officer, ordered on the convoy.

Examination of your passes was again made by Lieutenant Tillié, of Seventy-fifth regiment of the line, and myself; and German sauf-conduits being delivered by the lieutenant for the occupants of each carriage, prescribing their line of march, the convoy, consisting of forty-eight Americans, (men, women, and children,) in nineteen carriages, as per list herewith, (as also the Russian convoy of seven carriages and twenty-one persons, having your passes,) then passed on through the barricade into the Prussian lines; from whence I was informed they would proceed, each carriage escorted by a soldier, to the Prussian post beyond, at Boissy. Your son and Colonel Hoffman went to the outpost and returned with me to Paris, where I reported at the legation the execution of your instructions.

ALBERT LEE WARD.

List of Americans who left Paris on the 27th October, 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Cramer, Mr. G. W. Kidder, Mr. W. H. Fuller, Mr. V. Masson, Mr. H. Helmick, Mr. B. F. Meyer, Mr. G. N. Sanders, Mr. H. A. Stone and two coachmen; Dr. L. S. Burridge, two sons, governess, and coachman; Mr. E. Preble, Mrs. O. Closterman and Miss E. J. Closterman, Mr. I. C. Lynes, Mr. J. G. Peniston and Mr. J. A. Peniston, Mr. C. H. Welles, Mr. E. L. Leeds, Mr. G. L. Whittaker, Miss A. Whinnery and governess, Mr. Felix Gelin, Mr. I. F. Sterling, Mr. I. L. O’Sullivan and wife, Mr. Henry Turnbull, Mr. H. Palmieri, Mr. L. M. Sargent, Mr. W. H. Sizer, Mrs. Wagner and two children and coachman, Mr. I. A. Marsh, Mr. L G. Bernell, wife, and four children; Mr. A. S. South-worth and courier, Mr. F. Pendleton, Mr. M. Helman, wife, child, nurse, maid, and coachman; Mr. L. A. M. Rossi, Mr. W. F. Duff, Mrs. Pollock and coachman.

Recapitulation.—48 Americans, 6 coachmen, 2 governesses, 1 courier, 1 nurse, 19 carriages, 1 saddle-horse.