The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-03 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF CARIGNAN.

The correspondent of the Standard, writing from the
battle-field, near Douzy, at three p.m. on August 31,
says :—ln the middle of the awful struggle I am
witnessing, under the cover of a country house I
have just reached, I shall rest one hour and write
you a few lines explaining the different telegrams
sent from Florenville (Belgium), and in a few words
shall try to give you an outline of the sad and im-
portant events which are taking place under my eyes.
At five p.m. yesterday, after I had sent my letter, I re-
turned to Carignan. The Emperor and his staff were then
in the town, and the cannonade, which had been consider-
ably increasing for the last two hours, was at its greatest
intensity. One hour later the Emperor was leaving for
Sedan, and at about eight o'clock the artillery fire had ceased.
As I told you in my last night's correspondence, the en-
gagement took place between Moulin and Mouzon at a
few miles from Carignan, and towards the encampment
of Vaux ; in the evening, close to Carignan itself. In the
middle of the day the victory was in favour of the French,
but towards night it was changed to the enemy's side,
and the French were repulsed in the direction of the
Sedan road, and on the encampment at Vaux. The last
hours of that combat was a desperate contest, great
slaughter taking place on both sides; the French sth
Corps of de Failly, which had borne the first shock, has
especially suffered, some regiments being nearly de-
stroyed ; the villages of Beaucaulay and Beaumont are on
fire. A firm belief in a success had been entertained all
the afternoon in the little town of Carignan ; the
presence since the evening before of the fine
army of Marshal MacMahon, the arrival of the
Emperor, the officers of his household looking for night
accommodations, the encampment of the troops at VauX,
had given full confidence to the inhabitants, and notwith-
standing the engagement so near, no anxiety could be
noticed, and a victory was looked for as a matter of
course. But at seven o'clock in the evening, when the
Emperor, who was quartered for the night, was
seen leaving the town suddenly, when the couriers and
suite were following in a hurry, when the cannonade was
heard nearer and nearer, a regular panic seized the inhabi-
tants, as if spread by electricity. Masses of soldiers were
now arriving in the town. and people began to run away
in every direction, and for me a second image of the retreat
at Longeville came at once to my remembrance. I shall des-
cribe it some day. What a night in Carignan ! At daylight I
took the direction of Sedan, and found myself again this
morning at a short distance from the retreating French
army, and quite close to the Prussian lines. It is
impossible for me to appreciate the losses of
yesterday. I know, and I can see, they have been
very large on each side ; the French cavalry,
Cuirassiers and Chasseurs, have suffered considerably,
and several mitrailleuses have fallen into the hands of
the enemy. At nine o'clock this morning the Prus-
sians entered Carignan, and they - are now in possession
of the town ; the railway has been destroyed, and
the station half burnt ; waggons upset right and left,
people making for the Belgian frontier ; long lines
of vans, full of people, emigrating with their meagre
properties everywhere scenes of desolation that .I could
not detail now. I have travelled continually, and from
the top of a hill I have watched since ten o'clock the pro-
gress of a buttle taking place close by. I can nearly follow
all the movements and distinguish perfectly all the posi-
tions. The French were retreating on Sedan, and were
attacked early in the morning when crossing La Plaine
de Douzy. For the last three hours the engagement is
immense ; it extends nearly four miles between Douzy,
Armigny, Brevilly, at about five miles from Carignan in
the Sedan direction. The French have been gaining ground
since the morning, and they occupy the heights, where
one hour ago the Prussian artillery was making fearful
havoc in their ranks. On another side the enemy
seems to have surrounded them on their right
flank, and between the dust brought up by
cavalry charges, the smoke of the artillery, the
columns of soldiers disappearing as in a cloud, I
cannot form an exact idea of the real state of
things. But my next telegram and letter will tell you.
With two companions I met I go back to my observatory.
The cannons are continuing their fearful detonations. In
one word, up to this moment my impression is this; the
French defeated and retiring, pursued vigorously
by the enemy ; MacMahon's plans to rejoin or deliver
Marshal Bazaine gravely compromised. The result of
this day carries a vital question for France. lam afraid
of the result. lam now going under fire to judge for
myself, but with prudence enough to be able to continue
my correspondence.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
CHATHAM, SEPTEMBER 2.
His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-
in-Chief to-day held a review of the whole of the troops
in Chatham Garrison, together with the 7th (Princess
Royal's) Dragoon Guards from Maidstone, who arrived
at Chatham early in the morning. Shortly after eleven
o'clock a royal salute fired from the Spin Battery
announced the arrival of his Royal Highness at Chatham
station, he being accompanied by General Forster, mili-
tary secretary, and a numerous staff. His Royal High-
ness was received at Chatham station by Major-General
D. Russell, C. 8., commanding the south-eastern district
of which Chatham forms a part ; Major-General J.
Brownrigg, C. 8., commanding Chatham Garrison, and a
number of other officers ; also a detachment of the 7th
Dragoon Guards, which acted as a body guard to his
Royal Highness. The distinguished party at once pro-
ceeded to the great lines, where the men had
been drawn up in the following order :—On the ex-
treme right the 7th Dragoon Guards, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel R. Clarke ; the Royal Engineers,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzroy
Somerset ; the Royal Marines, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Wylden ; the General Depot
Battalion, and the left wing of the 2nd battalion 16th
Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.
Rickman ; the 2nd battalion 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Savage
Mostyn ; and the B Troop of Mounted Engineers, com-
manded by Captain Lambert, Major-General Brownrigg
being in command of the whole force, which numbered
nearly 3,000. The Duke was received with a royal salute,
the united bands playing " God save the Queen," the
colours being lowered; he then rode along the line from
right to left and from left to right. The Duke then took
up his station at the saluting flag, and the troops marched
past ; first in grand divisions, then in quarter-distance
columns, and afterwards in line of contiguous quarter-
distance columns. The Dragoon Guards next rode past at
the double, when his Royal Highness expressed a wish that
they should charge past. This was done in brilliant style,
the Duke expressing his approbation at the manner in
which it was performed. The whole of these movements
had been carried out during a continual fall of rain, but
still it was decided to have a sham fight. Skirmishers
were accordingly thrown out to resist the advance of an
enemy, supposed to be advancing from the Melway to
attack the garrison. The firing was kept up for about
half-an-hour, when the fight was brought to a premature
close, owing to the continued rain. The troops were
again formed in line, advanced in quick time, and gave
another Royal salute, after which his Royal Highness
left the ground; the men shortly afterwards marched to
their various barracks. The Duke then proceeded to
Chatham Barracks, where he inspected some 300 or 400
recruits who have enlisted during the past month for the
Royal Engineers and various infantry regiments, the
depots of which are stationed at this garrison. His Royal
Highness had luncheon at Government House, the official
residence of Major-General Brownrigg. The Duke left
Chatham shortly before 5 o'clock.

The new C troop of Mounted Engineers has been formed
at the School of Military Engineering, but the transfers
from the A and B troops are not yet handed foyer. Cap-
tain Lambert, commanding the B troop, will take the
command of the C troop, and Captain Durnford will take
over command of the B troop.

The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor has received a
communication from the Central Committee of the
National Scciety for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in
War, requesting his lordship to receive subscriptions for
the society, to which request his lordship has promptly
acceded.—The City Press.