I was somewhat surprised at finding none of my comrades, as officers are always called in groups to the general inspection. On entering the office I was received by Commandant Picquart, who seemed to be waiting for me, and who took me at once into his room. As I was a little ahead of time, I walked back and forth before the Ministry Building for a few minutes, then went upstairs. The morning was bright and cool, the rising sun driving away the thin mist everything foretold a beautiful day. In this recollection I always found renewed strength of purpose. Very often in my nights of sorrow and despair I lived over the moment when I held my child in my arms for the last time. That was one of my keenest remembrances through all my misfortunes. My son Pierre, who was then three and a half years old and was accustomed to accompany me to the door when I went out, came with me that morning as usual. We came away gay and light-hearted, as we always did after these family gatherings.
Still, after making these remarks while reading the note, I soon forgot them, as the matter appeared unimportant.Īs was our custom, my wife and I dined on Sunday evening with her parents. The hour seemed to me very early for the general inspection, which is usually passed late in the day the mention of civilian dress surprised me as well. It was expressly stated that I should be in tenue bourgeoise (civilian dress).
Saturday, the 13th of October, 1894, I received a service-note directing me to go the following Monday, at nine o'clock in the morning, to the Ministry of War for the general inspection. During the last quarter of the year I was named for the regulation term of service in an infantry regiment stationed in Paris. The year 1894 was to be the last of my service in the Second Bureau of the General Staff of the army. My daughter Jeanne came to shed a new ray of sunshine in our home. (Source: Five Years of My Life: The Diary of Captain Alfred Dreyfus) Alfred Dreyfus in His Own Words: Chapter 2 "The Arrest"
0 kommentar(er)
