The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-01 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

The following communication, dated Risque.i.
Tout, March 30th, gives an account of the complete
defeat of the marauders who had entered Belgium to
force upon the people a Republic :
" The band which calls itself the Belgian Legion
entered Belgium yesterday by Risque-a•Tout, a
village situated between Mouscron and Menin.
" The advanced guard of General FLEURY DURAY

opposed them. It was composed of 200 men of the
sth Infantry of the Line, two pieces of cannon, and
25 Artillerymen, and the 2d Regiment of Mounted
Chasseurs. As soon as the legion, 2,000 strong, ob
served this small corps it pressed forward, colours
flying, and drums beating a charge.

"For a few moments their fire was brisk and well-
maintained, and as long as they had only the mus-
ketry of our men to s.ustain, they stood firm ; but
General FLEURY-DURAY having brought his two
pieces of cannon into play, the marauders imme-
diately slackened fire, and fled in all directions, throw
ing down their arms.

" Several prisoners were taken, and among them
their leader, a Parisian. The invading legion has
lost many men ; it is said 400 killed and wounded.
Onr loss was one killed and five or six wounded.
Our troops displayed admirable calmness and courage.

" As soon as the main column of our troops arrived
the defeat was complete. A band which had pene-
trated to the right of General FLMJRY-DURAY was
dispersed, and fled in disorder across the French
frontier.

" Our troops have again taken up their position and
bivouacked upon the frontiers, ready to repel every
new aggression. They were animated with patriotic
ardour, and fought amid cries of ' Vice le Rui
" Several of our military greatly distinguished
themselves, and, among others, a young corporal of
the line is especially mentioned, who succeeded in
taking a standard, but almost at the same moment he
was struck by a ball, which mortally wounded him."
A letter from Tournay, of March 29, in the
Courrier Beige of March 30, says—
" Our city has been in consternation since this morn-
ing. At six o'clock we heard the roar of cannons in
the environs of Mouscron, and our troops immediately
left to reinforce those which marched last Sunday to
that town. The brigands are said to be 6,000 in
number, and well armed. We have sent off a special
train to Mouscren for the purpose of bringing back our
wounded military."

His MAJESTY has been pleased to command the
restoration of the palace at Antwerp, and that as
many workmen as possible shall be employed
thereon.

Several other public works are also to be com-
menced immediately, among which is the Quay of
St. Michael.

Military preparations continue to be made in every
place.

The Precurseur of Antwerp has a letter from
Brussels, dated Wednesday morning, which says—
" Several Belgian artisans, who formed part of the
legion encamped at Seclin, near Lille, were arrested
yesterday by the Belgian advanced posts, and conducted
to Tournai, where they were consigned to the custody of
the judicial authorities. The disclosures which they
have made are equally curious and important, and throw
much light on the views and intentions of this pretended
' Belgian Legion,' and enable us now to appreciate the
component elements of that conquering army which pro-
posed to come and establish a paternal' Government in
Belgium. They also furnish us with valuable data respect-
ing the mode of recruiting adopted by the honourable
leaders of the Legion. We now know the composition of
these bands of pretended Belgian operatives,' driven by
distress from Paris. They include workmen (and the
majority of them peaceable men), who have been torn
from their labours, enlisted by force, compulsorily car
ried off, and armed against their country by a few
wretches, the refuse of the bagnes and the prisons, under
pretence of proclaiming the Republic, but, in reality, in
order that they might eat and drink at the expense of
the people of Flanders. Such are the Republicans en-
camped on our frontiers, ready to cross them for the
devastation of our peaceful rural districts. Is it thus,
then, that under the reign of the Republic certain per
sons intend to apply the principles of Liberty and
Fraternity' in France ?—is it thus that they intend to
show their respect for the independence and neutrality
of a nation which asks nothing more than to remain the
sincere and faithful ally- of France !"