The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-30 00:00:00

ANOTHER PRUSSIAN REFUGEE.

A Prussian schooner of large dimensions put into
Lough Swilly yesterday. She is bound from the Brazils
to Hamburg, and has taken refuge in Lough Swilly from
the pursuit of a French frigate now waiting for her out-
side Ennishowen Head.

IRISH SYMPATHY WITH FRANCE.
Upwards of 30 persons have been summoned by the
police for forming part of a riotous mob, on the occasion
of the demonstration in favour of the French, recently
held in Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary.
An enthusiastic meeting was held at Carlow on Sunday
evening to express sympathy with France. A committee
was formed for the purpose of collecting funds in aid of
the French wounded. The war fever is very high, and

ttiv, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 30. itiio

WITH, MAUMAIWA 5 All3ll

The following letter, dated llethel, August 2.5, is box
the.SPetial do&dsql(fildent,sof the 2'erfiviii74=-
," The (lie is cast ! The veil Ivhich has itirionilderi
MarMahon'a :nevem 'tits has been suddenly torn
away: We are gyi»i, post-haste tewards the North to effect
our junction with tile a nny I a rsb Bazaine, and united
to give battle to the ern•ly itl ti.e gorth wherever
we may meet it. I.'os,ihly by the time this letter reaches
London, you will ha. e beard ef the 'most momentoui
battle a yet' fought daring this bloody war. Whether.
the French will secceed in so thoroughly defeating the
German army in the forth as to he able to wheel round
and follow the great masses under the command of
the Kin: and Crown Prince, ie one of those hazardous
problems which no mortal can solve, however
favotiMbly he may be impressedi with the actual state
of ANN ininiediately sarrotindhigliiva. Add there is
no doubt about the . !lent spirit and efficiency of the
army under the coiumnand of MacMahon. It consists of
the Ist, sth, 7th, and 12th Army Corps and the eavalry
of the 6th (Canrobert's). The general impression, lam
forced to tell you, is that the bold and hiejily dangerous
move will be attended with complete success. But why
should I enlarge further upon speculations, or enter
deeper into the region of anticipations ? You will know
perhaps ere toil! to that extent facts have realised
theft!: Let the rather girt! Ybn Et short hceoulit ef our
ovemeuts since we suddenly left Chalons, and of the
conditions of other corps of time French army as far as I
have been able to gather them from trustworthy reports.
You will have learnt by telegraph tint, after leaving the
camp of Chalons, everything was destroyed by order of
the Marshal, and the beautiful little Imperial
villa has been since the sport of vagabonds who
have helped themselves to every available article,
destreying all they could not possibly take away. Chalons.
itself is a deserted place, hoW occupied by rrussiau
dragoons. The rapidity and order with which the French
effected their march from the camp to Rheims, and
thence to Bethel, at present the head-quarters, are
beyond praise. It is truly astonishing how these
large masses of troops have been set in motion, moved,
and concentrated within a space of forty-eight
hours. On Saturday they were encamped at Chalons. On
Monday no vestige of them was to be teeetv:; they were •
then already ih ltheintsi or Pticaneped in the neighbour-
hood of the town: The morning ftillowing the old
Kaieerstadt had. resumed its usual quiet appearance;
the whole of the army had left
.on its march to Bethel,
where we arrived about two o'clock in time afternoon,
wet through, and with an appetite which twenty-
four hours' fasting can only adequately describe.
I was glad of anything dry bread and a tumbler
of wine. The troops bivouacked round the town.
The Emperor and Prince Imperial are with the army,
which has commenced its onward march towards the
north. I have been unable to ascertain the exact place
we are bound for ; but I anticipate that our movements
are in the direction of Stenay, on the river Meuse, vid
Vouziers. However, lam not in a position to give you
any positive intelligence in that respect, since I also hear
that our destiny is to be Mezires. It is very probable
that infantry may be moved by rail via 111,zieres,
while the cavalry and artillery will take the road above
indicated."

Writing from Nazianes, on the 2Gtls inst., the same cor-
respondent says : -" On my arrival here I found the
place in. a state of active commotion. Thu fortifications
have been stren.;thened by felling trees and tying
them strongly together on the ground. Rews frond
Carignan, which is a town situated on the railway
line between Sedan and Montmedy, told us of the
presence of Prussians at 'Lamouilly, the second station,
and fifteen kilometres from Carignan. We started upon
a locomotive offered.us by the station-master, in company
of this functionary.. At the first station the news was
confirmed ; and, arrived at Lamouilly, a party of Uhians,
who were before us, cried out to us to stop, as they had
come to cut th 6 li re. The tall t)as f.e4 over a tvoodeti
bridge in the midst. of the village: Thiiy had
endeavoured to burn it, but had not succeeded. These;
Uhlans are said to form part of a detachment number-
ing from twelve to fifteen hundred, who, it appears,
occupy, just now the heights between Stenay and Mouzay
to the north of the Meuie department on the way from Se-
dan to Verdun. I am informed on credible authority that
the army of General Steinmetz is at this moment
near Stenay, endeavouring to join that of the Crown
Prince in passing by Monson. The general belief is that
this junction will meet with serious obstacles, and will
probably be the result of a great battle, thus
confirming my assumption. contained in my letter
of yesterday. At Montm6dy the gates remain
closed even at daytime, and no one, I hear, can
go farther into the town than military organisation
permits. The Montmedians do not relish the war, and
numbers have flocked and continue to flock to Belgium.
It is said that the women have the highest courage ; two
thousand Gardes Mobiles, high-spirited young fellows,
who are camped on the ramparts, are also resolved to fight
to the last."

Another correspondent, writing from the same place on
the 26th, says :—" Since Sunday last I have been con-
stantly travelling, and to-night I hope to join MacMahott's
army, which is at some place within Rethel and Stenay,
where, as far as I can learn, there is likely to be a great
lTattle in a day a tivo; as 1r hm informed that Bazaine
and MacMahon succeeded in joining their forced
last night. lam trying to keep my communications
open with the Belgian frontier, so that I may be able to
send you a telegram of the battle as soon as it is over.
From information which I have been able to collect while
moving through the country as fast as possible, I should
be taking a sanguine view if I were to say that the im-
mediate prospect of this particular contest is a very hope-
ful one for France."
The correspondent of the Standard gives, writing from
Alontmedy, the following account of the composition of
13azaine's and Maar:lloll's armies :—Bazaine has under
his immediate command the 2nd Corps (Frossard's),
so crue!ly decimated at Forbach, but since well re-
organised; the 3rd Corps, with General Decaen for com-
mander, which corps, with one of Frossard's, specially
distinguished themselves on the days of the 14th and
16th ; the 4th Corps (Ladmirault's), engaged on the
16th and 18th ; the 6th Corps (Canrobert's), which
so bravely fought on the 18th, composed of new and old
troops; the Imperial Guard, partially engaged on the
14th, also fought on the 16th and 18th. You will see by
this recapitulation that, notwithstanding its losses, the
army of Bazaine must be very strong yet. On
the 21st the army under Marshal MacMahon
was composed of the Ist Corps, perfectly' reor-
ganised since Froeschwiller ; sth Corps, de Failly,
which had fully rejoined on the 20th ; the 7th
Corps, Felix Douay. arrived also on the 20th ; and the
12th Corps, under General Lebrun, which has been
newly formed, is composed of a fine division of marine
infantry, another division of infantry, and of several regi-
ments who have just rejoined. The 13th Corps remains
at the disposal of the Governor of Paris, with 25,000
magnificent troops which must have just arrived from
Algeria. At this moment I cannot tell you anything
positive about the positions occupied by the two
armies. It was believed generally that Marshal Mac:-
Mahon had the intention to retrograde on Paris. Another
hypothesis was, that from Rheims he would take the
opportunity of the railway to Meaieres, to join or rescue
Bazaine. One thing remains sure. If Bazaine is cut
off, he is yet powerful ; he might be kept in check,
but he is far from being subdued, and the formidable
army of Prince Frederick Charles cannot march on Paris
and join the Crown Prince, and leave on his rear an
enemy so important as Marshal Bazaine. Large bodies
troops are expected around Montmedy; preparations
have been made also for wounded, and I am told that an
engagement is now taking place at Stenay, ten miles
distant. I have vainly tried to go there—they will not
let my horse or trap leave the town, and it is too late to
go to the fortress to see the commandant, and arrange my
affairs. With whom, with what corps d'arm6e, are the
Prussians fighting at Stenay? I am told here, and as-
iured, it is with MacMahon's troops ; they repeat, it is
MacMahon who is expected ; but as generally when
I write a fact it is because I am sure of it, now I can only
3onjecture„

Montmedy, August 2G, Four a.m.
In my anxiety to know the news I have been watching
part of the night, and I have just ascertained that an
engagement took place yesterday at Stenay; a few
wounded have just been brought up with the positive
intelligence that the railway between Lamouilly and
Chauvancy, on the Sedan line, and at about ten miles
from Montmedy, has been cut by the Prussians to inter-
rupt communications with that town and the railway des
Ardennes.

Montmedy, August 27, Morning.
The doors of the town were kept closed all day and
night yesterday ; but refusal to leave the town, under
any circumstances whatever, has been relaxed, and I feel
myself free again to wander about and rejoin the head-
luarters. Although Montmedy is well protected by
.he 94 powerful cannons of the fortress ; although the
tnhabitants are brave and sociable, the prospect of being
:..ompelled to remain with them for a few days was far
from agreeable, and I shall take good care not to be shut
ap again for 24 hours within their walls. I did succeed,
aowever, in sending my despatches and letters to Virton,
snd I hope you will have duly received them. The firing
)f the artillery had been so distinctly heard on the after-
icon of the 25th, the despatches sent to the commandant
le place so numerous during the day, and my information
•ominr: front so rood a source. that I did not hesitate to sand

you a telegram about an engagement having takeil
Some wounded have been brought up, and, in fact, a
combat did take place;. but it turns out to have been a
me-7d ofitiZtt tffortfir=•the driving back on two occasions
' of the Prussiens who ifere: ending the rails between
' Lamouilly and Chauvancy (Sedan line.) qlll4 Mal'ning
the railway has been repaired, and I shall during the
day nspprtain personally the state of affairs there
This very mofillffB' MaoMahon is at Stenay, ana
Vie Emperor near Bethel. On the tither side 400 IThlans
are occupying Longnyon, only 14 miles froid MettneFly ;
and I shall not be surprised if I meet them somewbeß:
about this afternoon. Previously to my journey to
Chalons I announced to you the cutting of the railway
line between Vionville and Montmedy. The work was
done by the Prussians without opposition, but they
find quite a different state of things on the line be-
tween Montmedy; Sedan; and Mezieres ; they have
succeeded niotheiitarily;; but they, have been repulsed at
Chauvancy, and it is riot likely that a line of such vital
importance in the present strategid iiicifeinents of Marshal
AlacMahon will be left without efficient protection:
Montmedy, Sedan, Mezieres, Rottay, Soissons, arAII
becoming of great importance by the very plan of de-
fence that the French commanders have taken, owing
probably to unforeseen results of the last battles.
They will be so many points of communication on which
the French army tan sligtafg itself, and Montmedy, being
the most eastern of those. frontiei fortresses/ is becoming
now the first Straiegie point in the direction of Vie/1141k
and Metz. In My letter. from
•Mourznelon I do not
think I exaggerated the forces of Marshal NacMahoil:
His troops are in splendid condition, hits artillery
powerful, his corps d'arnade numerous, and 016
Prince Frederick Charles and Steinmetz will find in him
a redoubtable enemy, whether he is advancing to clear off
Bazaine's position, or to give battle in the valley of the
Meuse: lam starting for Stenay, where I really believe
the outpost eriga,gethent has been more serious than it is
said, and where I have reason to lielieYe some more fight-
ing will take place. I know the Prussians are not far off
M'Mahon, and a collision must ensue."

A. GERMAN VIEW OF FRENCH REPORTS.
The composers of the official French reports from the
seat of war are doing their best, by the use of ambiguous
and reticent language, when they dare not lie boldly, to
cheat the Parisian public; mid gain twenty-four or perhaps
forty-eight hours' time. Thep have the coolness to claim
the victories of the 14th, 16th; and 18th instant; conceal:
ing or ignoring the fact that the result of these conflicts'
has been to cut off the French army from its line of re=
treat on Verdun and Chalons, and tti drive' it bac': into
Metz. In the two first-mentioned battles the Prussians-
Made at least.4,ooo prisoners, including more than 100
officers and one general. The Parisians must be sin:
gularly ignorant of military operations if they believe
that an army forced to retreat from Metz in the direction
of Chalons, and afterwards driven back with heavy loss
to the point it had found untenable, is to be regarded ass
victorious. As a few English journals which, since the
beginning of the present contest, have made themselves
conspicuous by their lidstility to Prussia, affect to regard
General Steinmetz's attack on tile' retreating French, on
the 11th instant, as a useless effusion of blood, It may not
be sliperfhionfi to explain to our readers the strategy d
the Prussian commanders from the 14th till the 18th
instant. On the former date, while Bazaine's troops
were passing the Moselle, the rear was attacked
by the Prussians under Steinmetz, and after
hnvii,g the field covered with their killed and
WOlinded (181 Jerendh dead were found in a single
fosse), was driveli Into Nigti: 'ills, affair detained
Bazaine in his retreat about 31 hours, and by this meana
Prince Frederic Charles, who' had already CroSsed the
river, was enabled to debouch on the line of the French
retreat behind Metz, and threaten the left flank of the
enemy. On the 16th the battle of Mars la Tour, between
Metz and Verdun. took place. The 3rd Brandenburg
corps maintained, single-handed, for six hours, a struggle
against 4 or 5 corps of the French army, till reinforced by
the 10th Hanoverian corps, two divisions of Rhenish
troops, and the titli Corps (Schleswig-Holstein), Even at
the end of the battle' however. the eneiny remained supe-
rior in nu r hers. After an obstinate and bloody fight of
12 hours, Dazaine's army was dtiven back on Metz, the
I—periel Guard was crushed by a charge of ,the German
cavalry, and our troops took ZOOO prisoners; 7 ca;nnon; and
2 eagles. The grand crowning victory, lit.,WeVer; was
reserved for the 18th. Details are still wanting ; we'
know that Bazaine's army was all but annihilatd, and its
shattered remains seem at present to have no other pros-
pect than capitulation or complete dissolution. The
sympathies of the great majority Of the English people
and the English press, we have reason to lielievec are
with Germany, and we can afford to smile at the slanders;
obtained second-hand from Paris, and the sinister prophe-
cies and denunciations levelled at us by the Bonapartist
papers of London. Since the French declaration of war
the world has been assured by one or other of these jour-
nals :-1. That the French would certainly take the
Initiative, and drive the Prussians back to Coblence and
IVlayenee; 2. That the Rhenish provinces, already
" half-French;" tvordd at once johi the invaders. 3. That
all the new PriisSian provinces would revolt. 4. That
the South-Germans would riot fight with Prussia, 5:
That a French army would advance along. the Maine, and
cut off the Confederation from South Germany. 6t Thar
on account of the " noted and acknowledged superiority
of the French arms," Germany would never dream of
invading France. How these prophecies have been ful-
filled everyone knows • and when we read in the last
numbers that have reached us how the German troops are
to be cunningly allowed to advance to Chalons, or per-
haps to Paris, in order to insure their complete destruc-
tion by the redoubtable ponzpiers and the Garde Mobile,
We content ourselves with shrugging our shoulders and
saying . nue Verrons," —North German Corre-
spondent.

FIRE IN LAMBETH AND NARROW ESCAPE

OF SIX CHILDREN.

Last night, at ten o'clock, a serious and destructive fire
took place on the premises Nos. 50 and 51, Cornwall.
road, Lambeth, occupied by Mr. Beeby, paper-hanging
manufacturer. The premises are of great extent, and the
who]e of the upper portion was let out to families of
labouring men. The flames were first discovered by the
neighbours opposite issuing from the basement, which
Was filled with oil, turpentine, and other articles of a
like combustible nature used in the business. The alarm
was at once given, and a number of persons hastened to
get out the inmates, who were screaming at the
windows. This was a work of danger and difficulty,
ai the fire had seized on the shops and the
whole of the house part of the building. Ladders were
obtained, on which several men ascended and entered the
upper rooms. In two of these rooms six young children
were found in bed unable to move from fright. They
were at once dragged out and lowered down to the street
by the ladders ; the grown up inmates escaping by the
same way. By the time the last person had escaped the
*hole of the premises were on fire from top to bottom, and
not a vestige of furniture or the stock could be saved. It
was scarcely half an hour before any engine arrived,
except one from the Waterloo Road Station; they being all
engaged at a large fire which broke out in Bermondsey at
eight o'clock. When the engines got into work the efforts
-of the firemen were directed to the safety of the adjoining
houses, the premises of Mr. Beeby, with the whole of
their contents, being entirely destroyed. The prompt action
display-ed. by the neighbours in getting into the premises
in which the fire was discovered was the means of pre-
venting a catastrophe similar to that which occurred a
few weeks since in the Waterloo-road. Not more than
five minutes had elapsed from the discovery of the fire
before the whole of the inmates were got out, and when
the children were discovered they were suffering severely
from the smoke of the oil and paperhangings, and must
have been suffocated in a few minutes. Several of the
persons engaged in rescuing the inmates were much burned
and otherwise injured.