New-York tribune., 1870-09-07
RICE FOUR CENTS.
THE DEFENSE OF SEDAN.
FRENCH ACCOUNT OF MAcMAHONS
DISASTER.


DISASTER
THE BATTLES PREVIOUS TO THE suRRENDER-
SPLENDID ARTILLERY SERVICE OF THE
PRUssIANs-BRAvERY OF THE EMPEROR
UNDER FIRE-A DESPERATE soRTIE BY GEN.
wIMPFFEN-GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF TIE
TERRIBLE SCENES IN SEDAN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRfBUSEI
LONDON. Tuesday, Sept g. 1910.
The Special Correspondent OF THE TRIBUNE
at MacMahoD's Headquarters, French officer,
who witnessed the battle of Sedan from the
French side, and was shut up in Sedan with
the French army, having been released, sends
the following account, dated Sedan, Sept g.
THE EVENTS OF AUG. 81.
pass over all that has happened since
wrote you from Mezieres, to come at once
to the events of Aug. 81 and Sept. 1-the
latter the saddest day the French arms have
ever witnessed.
Early in the morning of the 31st, orders were
given to bring into Sedan all the wagon
trains and oxen which had been left outside
the glacis. By this time the streets were
blocked up by troops of every kind which had
entered the town during the night. / tried TO
ride down to the Porte de Paris, where the
train was stationed to carry the orders was
obliged to get off my horse and make
my way as best / could between the
horses and caissons which choked up every
street and square of the town. As
reached the Porte de Paris, met the wagon
| train entering as fast as possible, followed
closely by the rushing oxen and intermingled
with the weeping and terror-stricken peas
antry of the neighborhood flying into the
town for protection. They little knew that it
was about the worst place they could have
chosen. The gates on that side were immedi-
ately afterward closed, while the troops slowly
filed out through the opposite gate toward
Douzy, where all MacMahOn's forces were
posted, expecting to be again attacked by the
Prussians, who had closely followed up the
French army.
POSITIONS OF THE CoNrENDING FORCES.
About 10 o'clock that morning cannOnading
was heard six or seven miles away, toward
the village of Bazeille. I went up on the
rampant overlooking the country in that direc-
ton. Thence could see the Prussian posi-
ton, and with my ield-glass could watch the
firing; but could not see the French lines,
which were hid from me by trees about mile
from the town. 1 therefore, at noon, walked
out of the town at the Porte de Balan and
ascended on my left the rising ground
which is close by the town. Not more
than half d mile from the gate | passed
through regiments Of reserve infantry. Their
arms were piled and the fires smoking, the
soup not having long been eaten. continued
ascending, and everywhere passed reserve
corps of infantry and artillery. got higher
and higher from hiIlock to hillOck, till reached
battery of reserve, the guns of which were
unlimbered and placed facing the rear of the
French left. This battery was so pointed az
to fire over the crest of the rising ground on
which / stood. About a quarter of mile
distant, in front of a little churchyard, stood
also several officers of the different corps which
were stationed on my right and left, all being
of the reserve.
From the point l had now reached charm.
ing prospect was within view. The French
line of battle extended right in front, spread
ing on the slope of the ground which forms
one side of this basin of the Meuse. In front
of the center of the French lines, and lower
down in the vale, was the village of Bazeille,
which was then beginning to burn, the Prus-
sian shells having set fire to it. Parallel
ran the Meuse, crossed by bridge little to
the left of Bazeille. The French right was
upon a knot of wooded ground held by
tirailleurs, the wooded ground extending
nearly to the grounds of Sedan. The left was
lost to my sight behind the inequalities of the
ground toward the road to BouillOn. As far
as could see, on the right and left and in
front of me, were massed regiments of all
arms but toward the left, on the second line,
was very large force of heavy cavalry
Dragons and cuirassiers.
The sun was shining brightly, and every.
thing was plainly visible. The glittering Of
weapons, the bright and snowy colors of the
French uniforms, the white smoke curling
under the blue sky or lingering like vapor
beneath the trees, the lurid flames rising from
the burning village of Bazeille, all seen from
a commanding position, formed spectacle
such as one has but rarely the opportunity to
witness. The principal Prussian batteries were
directly opposite the French center on
plateau or table-land which terminated alb
ruptly, and made it q very strong position.