The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-13 00:00:00

PRUSSIAN OPERATIONS.

The correspondent of the Standard at Tours, writing
on the 9th instant, observes :—The latest news from
Paris will arrive in the course of the day, with M. Gain-
betta, and if there is anything of importance my tele-
grams will have conveyed it to London before you
receive my letter. The storming of Paris is expected to
take place soon, and I believe the army of operations
which has been formed by the French Government will
be able to make a diversion, which might shackle the
movements and disturb the serenity of the Prussian
armies. Garibaldi has arrived at Marseilles, and troops
from Africa are daily landed in that city. If
the troops of the army of Africa are forwarded to
France in their totality they will form a co? Ps
(Vann& of 37,000 splendid troops. Mobiles
have been sent to Algeria for the military service
of the colony, and it is probable the full strength of re-
gulars will be despatched to France—if not already done.
These troops are composed of— Men.
4 regiments, infantry of line , (16th, 38th, 39th,
and 92nd) of 3,000 men each , ~. 12,000
1 regiment of foreign legion 3,000
1 regiment of artillery, with 11 batteries ,„ 2,200
3 battalions of light infantry of Africa 2,500
3 depots of Zouaves...

4 battalions of three Regiments of Turcos ... 3,200
7 companies of discipline ... ... ... ... 1,200

6 escadrons of cavalry (Ist and 9th Chasseurs, and
Bth Houveds) 1,200
8 escadrons of Chasseurs d'Afrique 1,600
2 companies of Genie ... •.• ..• •O. 11.0 450

3 companies Cavaliers de Itemontet 500
Military equipages • 2,500
3 regiments of Spahis 1,800

Forming a total of ... ...

••• ••• ,
36 950

The population of Algeria, well known for their cour-
age, with the help of the Mobiles, will be quite sufficient
to maintain the Arabs in case of a raid, which is not ap-
prehended. The Prefet Challemel-Lacour of Lyons is
very busy in his endeavours, and it would be prema-
ture to judge in advance the results of his new
policy. It is to be admitted that his task is a hard
one. Placed in the middle of the largest populated
city of France after Paris, having to rule over a people
brave but turbulent, which has always signalised itself
in all the revolutionary movements ; he has no doubt to
make daily concessions to his subjects. But
some of his decrees are certainly far from being
impartial, to the ideas of all classes, and shew
either a want of firmness or a narrow scope of
administration. For instance, he directs that the Freres
de la Doctrine Chretienne, the members of religious congre-
gations, the Seminarists, be incorporated in the Garde
Nartonale and submitted to all the military decrees
ruling the national defence. That decree is en'
tirely in opposition to a law passed during the
Republique of 1848, exonerating from the duty of
the Garde Nationale all religious congregations devoted to
public instruction, &c. A telegraphic dispatch from
Colmar, dated yesterday, announces that the Prussians
invested and attacked Neuf-Brisach at two o'clock
p.m. on the 7th. The cannonade has lasted ever
since. The place is repulsing the attack with
vigour. Neuf-Brisach is a little town of 3,400
inhabitants, eleven English miles from Colmar;
the fortress was built by Vauban in 1699. Yesterday the
Prussian eclarieurs advanced within six miles of EvreuX,
and retreated in the direction of Mantes. They have also
abandoned Vernon and Pacy, but have been seen in the
direction of Gisors. In the south they are concentrating
in large numbers at Etampes ; on the south-west a
corps of 5,000 men is advancing on Dreux. Some
French troops occupying Pithiviers expect a"
attack at any moment. Prussian vanguards
are in sight. —Touns, October 9, evening.—l continue nil
letter of this morning, after post time. My writing was
disturbed by the arrival of M. Gambetta. I went to the
Prefecture to hear the few words he addressed to the
people, excited by his arrival. The courageous voyage le.
a balloon of the young Minister of the Interior, his re'
cognised talent, his energy, his popularity, are certain t°
produce an admirable effect all over the depart-
ments. He comes when he is wanted; he conies
when the Government at Tours was shelving increasing
symptoms of weakness. The ovation he has just re-
ceived from the populace and the confidence springing up
again by his arrival, will encourage his efforts, and will
shew him that prompt measures must be taken at once.
He has lost no time; the railway brought him a few
hours ago, and since his arrival he has been in council of
emergency with his colleagues. His proclamation to the
provinces has just been issued. [Already printed by usl
The noble appeal will run through the provinces, and will
be enthusiastically answered. Gambetta's sudden arrival
has been commented on, and I can, from authentic and
private information, let you know how this perilsa
voyage was determined on. Things were far frez°'
being satisfactory for some time at Tours; the delegation-
of the Government, although full of good intentions, WI
not up to the difficult task, and lately signs °''
weakness were noticeable. The affair of Lyons, and the
retreat of Admiral Fourichon, were producing a he'd
effect on the spirit of the population of the provinces.
M. Laurier, the acting manager for the depart-
ment of the Interior, is a man of considerable caps"
city, devoted to the cause of the nation, and faithful t°
the trust put in him by his chief, M. Gambetta. I?
thought very properly that the moment had come to send
notice to the Government in Paris of the serious state a
things. Two words only were written, and he trusted t°
that frail courier, " a pigeon traveller." The words that
he addressed to Gambetta were, translated, " Come at
once." The Minister of the Interior knew too Wel;
his agent, for, not hesitating one instant, he consulte"
with his colleagues, and they, understanding that his
presence at Tours was indispensable, added to other
reasons, decided the immediate departure of the
Minister. Gambetta's bravery and pluck to start
a balloon, and M. Laurier's devotedness to his duty,
cannot be too highly commended. They we the
kind of men wanted in the present trials of France. It is
men of their stamp who will save the country. Ever/
one feels it. Confidence is restored. To-night I have
sent you a telegram. The most important item in it is
the marching anew of the Prussians on Orleans. Itifinot
known here yet, but I have read the dispatch of the
prefect, who says :—" The enemy is advancing in a strong
column and at forced marches on Orleans. The town 14
empty of troops, but I take on myself to post in the woods
Mobiles, Franc-tireurs, and all I can dispose of." A tele-
gram having informed us in the morning of the organisa-
tion of a French column at Pithiviers, and that the enete,
was in sight, I naturally conclude that an engagement
imminent between Pithiviers and Orleans, and I baton.,
starting during the night, to be present at the affair,
possible, and shall endeavour to send my telegrams by
courier. The storming of Neuf-Brisach has been going
on since twelve o'clock yesterday. The fortress is resist-
ing fiercely, bui the attack is vigorous and well sustained'
At St. Quentin an attack by 800 Prussians CO 131-
menced yesterday ,at ten a.m. The Garde
Nationale, the Pompiers, the Franc-tireurs, and t°°
population bravely resisted, and succeeded
repulsing the enemy. A barricade was defend°
for five hours, and was not taken. The losses 111
been 15 men killed, and a few wounded. It is sat
that the Prussian losses were large ; 12 of their
men, amongst them two officers, have been 111°118
prisoners. In concluding, I may add that Garibalu"
arrived here in the morning. The old chieftain Wfb4
dressed in the legendary red shirt and grey cloak, they
look well yet. He Jas ben received with an indescribahi.
enthusiasm.

MR. DISRAELI'S " GENERAL."
There seems to be a notion afloat, strengthened 11 ijilo,
supposed identification with the prominent "Genera' t
of Mr. Disraeli's " Lothair," that the General Cluserep
of whose performances at Paris, Lyons, and els
where we have just heard so much is really
-
practical soldier who has somehow or somewhere It
distinction and the title wherewith he dubs himself. ,0
is true that this erratic individual, like Mr. Disraeli,
übiquitous warrior, was once selected to be offered
Fenian command-in-chief. But we are quite sure git.:
Disraeli, when applying this incident to a character Pt
his work, was not so misled as those who now think tll4
every Red Republican who is called a general
one of the Garibaldian type he depicts. of
bably the eminent writer was very well aware 1i
the antecedents of Cluseret, who, instead of fighting 1210
either side during the American Civil War, as luvlbe,,ef
reported, was only connected with war in the same
manner as the illustrious Mr. Jefferson Brick. l'r
what authority he holds his title of general is not knn"-,.
in New York, where it is very well known, howein:
that during the heat of the war he was conductl?'
a low-class newspaper, now extinct, devoted to the 111:
terests of the Irish Americans. It was to this serv;ol
and not to any in the field, that General Cluseret,
Frenchman by birth, an American by citizenship, and
et
Irishman by affection, owes his high estimation 0°1:
the Fenians ; which as little as his late exploits in g.ee
ting up abortive civic revolutions in his own ntlie
country entitles him to rank with those " men w cli
swore who, on Mr. Disraeli's dictum, win on
striking respect in the ultra-democracy of the world Malt
those who are merely " men of the pen."—Pall
Gazette.

Mei
tha
Aan
wit

• tha
pla,

, and troops
city. if
)rwarded to
m a corps
Mobiles

'dui service
.ength of re-
[ready done.
Men.
)th,

. 12,000
. 3,000
, 2,200
. 2,500
.1. 5,000

, and

3,206
1,200

1,200
1,600
450
500

... 2,500
.„ 1,800

36,950
their tour•
to sufficient
h is not ap-
of Lyons is
be preme-
d his new
c is a hard
t populated
,ver a people
ialised itself
no doubt to
cts. But
from being
and shave
v scope of
t the Freres
;ions congre-
L the Garde
ary decrees
tree is en•
during the
the duty of
is devoted 0
patch from
le Prussians
two o'clock
lasted ever
attack with

of 3,400
1 Colmar ;
esterday the
of Evreuxt
tey have also
i seen in the
mcentratir4
Yuth-west
!eux. Some

expect as
van
guards
•aontinue wi
writing was
went to the
•eased to the
as voyage la.

aior, his re•
'e certain to
she depart-