The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-08 00:00:00

THE WAR.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.
The two lastest military reports that have come to
hand are of Sunday's date :--
" Mont Valdrien, 2nd October, 7 p.m.

" The General in command to the Governor of Paris.—
This afternoon I sent a section of the Francs-tireurs of
the second battalion of the 28th Regiment of Mobiles to
make a reconnaissance on the heights of Montretout.
They had a skirmish for some time with the advanced
guards of the Prussians, and, having performed their
mission, they fell back in good order on their reserve,
which had taken up its position on the plain. The,
Mobiles of Brittany gave proofs of intelligence and cool-
ness. The enemy having, in consequence of this demon-
stration, shown themselves in force on the crest of the
heights, I fired, at 5,200 metres, four projectiles, which
burst in the very middle of them, and compelled them to
retire. This evening the artillery of the Mobile of Seine
and Oise have watched the enemy at a post which
he wished to establish in the abandoned redoubt of
Montretout."

" MILITARY REPORT.
" 2nd Oct., 7. p.m.

, -
" The day has not been signalised by any military event
of importance. On several points the cannon of the
forts has annoyed the positions and works of the enemy,
to whom our vigorous attack of the 30th has shewn the
necessity of strongly entrenching themselves. In fact,
in front of all our lines we perceive, since that com-
bat, the trace of great activity—the earthworks
are pushed on with greater vigour. To sum -up, the
enemy appears to fear new attacks, and to be seeking to
place himself in a state of defence. All the prisoners
taken by our reconnoitring parties manifest profound
astonishment at not being shot on the spot—an idea which
the officers of the enemy spread among the troops in
order to prevent desertion.

" The Governor of Paris.
"By order. The General-in-Chief of the Staff,
" SCHMITZ. "

THE BATTLE OF VILLEJUIF.

'General Trochu has issued a longer account of the battle
of Villejuif, fought on the 19th ult. Like his former one,
it is marked by fairness. The narrative is too old to be
given in full, but the following extract is noticeable :
" General Vinoy, judging that the enterprise had been
pushed far enough, ordered the retreat. It was effected
under fire, with a calmness which was much remarked,
and which does the troops infinite credit. The
artillery throughout steadily and effectively sup-
ported the movement by the accuracy of its
fire, and the battalions of the young Mobiles,
following the example of the infantry of the line,
on their side spewed an admirably firm bearing. In the
regiments which attacked the enemy directly in front, in
their fortified positions, our losses, not yet estimated, were
heavy. We have to regret the loss of General Guilhem, a
valiant officer who has deserved well of his country. Gen-
eral Exea, who with a single brigade marched upon Cre-
teil, on the extreme right, although strongly engaged,
appears to have had only thirty men wounded. This
general officer greatly praises the attitude of his troops.
The fire from the mitrailleuses greatly tried the enemy,
who, as upon the plateau of Villejuif, lost heavily."