With the collapse of this effort and the cutting up of the French cavalry behind Floing, the last frail barriers to the enemy's advance gave way.

The roads to Sedan were now thronged with masses of fugitives, whose struggles to pass the drawbridges into the little fortress resembled an African battue; for King William and his Staff, in order to hurry on the inevitable surrender, bade the 200 or more pieces on the southern heights play upon the town.

Still de Wimpffen refused to surrender, and, despite the orders of his sovereign, continued the hopeless struggle.

At length, to stay the frightful carnage, the Emperor himself ordered the white flag to be hoisted[49].

A German officer went down to arrange preliminaries, and to his astonishment was ushered into the presence of the Emperor.