Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-13
NUMBER LII.

to those huge French masses. Good heavens,
the French cuirassiers are going to charge
them," cried General Sheridan, and sure
enough the regiment of cuirassiers, their he'll
NETS aud breastplates flashing in the Septem-
Der sun, formed in sections of squadrons and
dashed down on the scattered Prussian skir-
mlshers without deigning to form in line
Squares are never used by the Prussians
The infantry received the cuirassiers with O
crushing, quick fire, at about one hundred
yards distance, loading and firing with extreme
rapIdlty and uDHlnching precision into the
dense French squadrons.
The effect was startling. Over went horses
and men IN numbers, in masses, in hundreds,
and the regiment of proud French cuirasslers
went hurrledly back In disorder went back
faster than ii came; went back scarcely reg
lment in strength, and not at all regiment ln
form. Its comely array was suddenly changed
to shapeless and helpless crowds of flying men.
The moment the cuirassiers turned back the
brave Prusslans actually dashed forward In hot
pursuit at double quick, the infantry plainly
pursuing the flying cavalry. Such thing has
not often been recorded in the annals OF war.
L know not where to find an example TO COM
pare precisely with this. There was nu more
striking episode in battle than when the French
infantry, their cavalry fleeing before foot sal
dlers, In their turn came forward and att4ckt-
the Prussians. The Prussians waited 4acEly
patiently enduring rapid and telling fire ola
the Chassepots, until their enemies had draw
| SO near as to be within one hundred yards from
them. Then they returned with the needle
gun, the rapid fire OF the Chassepots, aud the
| French infantry could no more endure the
Prussian fire than the cavalay to whose relief
! they had come.
| The infantry fled in their turn, and followed
the cavalry to the place from which they came,
that is, behind the ridge, some 500 yards on
the way to Sedan, where the Prussians, with
| their teasing fire, could no longer reach them
The great object OF the Prussians was gained,
since they We're not driven from the crest OF
the hill they fought to hold.
| Holding 1t thus against cavalry, the Prus-
slams persuaded themselves that it was possible
to establish artillery on this hill
The dispatch was broken off at this point
by the interruption of other cable dispatches
The following taken from the Sunday Her
aid, contains less detailed account of events
from the hour named above:
At the hour of l o clock in the afternoon the
artillery fire was less animated and not quite so
incessant On either side. This temporary lull
indicated, however, merely the prelude of still
fercer assaut--a really dreadful action At
the hour of 2 clock simultaneous and grand
movement was commenced along the whole
Prussian line, theii infantry charging right up
on the French guns The hour of 8 O clock in
the afternoon came on. The battle was still
raging.
The French soldiers, who had previously and
from the first moment stood firm at all points,
Notwithstanding the almost crushing severity
of the Prussian attacks, wavered for moment
or two all along their positions, and almost i'm
medlately thereafter broke in apparent coniu-
sion.
The battle soon became rout on the part of
Napoleon soldiers They recoiled fell back,
staggered as 1t were, aud finally retreated.
Marshal MacMahon was reported to have
been seriously wounded during the attack which
has been just last described
The roads and highways and surrounding
fields now presented most terrible and sicken-
ing aspect.
The French troops left everything behind
them, flying in every direction and in the wild
est confusion, and throwing down their arms at
every STEP
The Prusslan forces pressed forward reso-
iutely and In order, with the full determination
OF cutting Oft the retreat or flight OF the
French towards Belgium
During these several actions, and in the last
charge particularly, the Prussian soldiers used
the bayonet with the most terrible effect on the
French 1
Night closed down on their pursuit Of the
flying French, the dark hours finding the Prus-
slams gathering In victorious, joyous groups
around Sedan
The Emperor Napoleon las the Hero79 tele-
graphic reporter adds) remained at his head
quarters, which had been fixed near to Sedan,
all through the time of the fighting aud unto
the close of the battle.
At the hour of half past 4 clock in the af-
ternoon message was dispatched to his Maj
esty from the field, advising him of their ac-
tua loss OF the fight, and advising hiui 30 fly
to Belgium, but the Emperor was really 100 Ill
in health for the Journey
This Saturday morning the Prussian troops
prepared to attack Sedan, the place being fe;.
ly not In any position to offer resistance
At II 0 clock noon to-day party OF Fsenco
officers, headed by General Wimpffen, set out
from Sedan bearing flag of truce to the Ger
man headquarters After marching short
distance they were met by the Prussian al
vanced guard and conducted to Headquarters.
Here these French officers in formal man
ner surrendered their army and the fortress to
his Majesty King William
The French officers bore also and delivered to
the klng S hand an autograph letter from his
Majesty the Emperor Napoleon III. of France,
In which Napoleon expressed his desire to sur
render himself personally to the King, he not
having now any command or authority.
King William received the French officers
and their message graciOusly, and with much
A formal capitulation of the French armies
took place at once.
The articles of this solemn act we're conclu-
ded aud ratified at halt-past one clock in the
afternoon.
A most momentous event was thus consum-
mated.
1t is said that Napoleon will be forwarded
under guard OF strong escort to the castle of
Magdeburg, Prussia, but his exact destination
Is, 1t Is alleged, still kept secret by the Prus-
sian monarch
Large numbers of French soldiers have al
ready escaped from the scene of the disaster to
Belgium. 1
A private telegram from Brussels saws that
hlng William was profoundly overcome when
the Emperor proffer of surrender was brought
to him by General Count Lepc, one of the i'm
perial aids.
HIS Majesty appointed meeting at once, and
exhibited the most considerate courtesy.
DON'T STAND STILI.-If you do you will be
run over. Observation-Disclosures these
are the words which now fill the vaults of heav-
en- with their stirring demands, and make hu-
man hearts pulsae with stronger bound
Advance or stand aside; do not block up the
way and hinder the career of others; there is
too much to do now to allow of inaction any
where, or In any one. There is something for
all to do: the world is becoming more and more
known wider In magnitude-closer In interest
more loving and more eventfu than Of old.
Not in deeds Of daring not In the ensaDguined
field mot in chains and terrOrs not In blood,
and tears and gloom; but In the leaping, vivify-
ing, exhiarating impulses of better birth Of
the SOUL Reader-are you doing your part in
III;