The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-07

an hour after, General Won Room called our
attention to another French column in full re-
treat to the right or Sedan, on the road lead
Ing from Bazeile to La Gavenue wood. They
never halted until they got to small red
rooted house on the outskirts of Sedan itself.
Almost at the same moment General Sher-
idan, who was using my opera glass, asked
me to look at 4 third French column moving
up broad grass road through La Gavenue
wood, Immediately above Sedan, doubtless 10
support the troops defending the important
Bazeile ravine to the northeast OF the town.
PROGRESS OF TIE BATTLE.
At one o'clock the French batteries on the
edge Of the wood towards T0ney and above 1t
opened vigorous fire upon the advancing
Prusslan columns OF the third corps, whose
evident intention it was to storm the hill
northwest of La Gavenue, and so gain the key
of the position on that side. At lbs o'clock
yet another French battery near the wood
opened on the Prussian columns, which were
compelled to keep shifting their ground till
ready for their final rush at the hills, and in
order to avoid Offering so good mark to the
French shells. Shortly afterwards we saw the
first Prussan skirmishers on the crest Of La
Gavenue hills, above Toney. They did not
seem in strength, ana General Sheridan, who
was standing behind me, exclaimed, "Ah, the
beggars are loo weak. They can never hold
that position against all those French"
The Generals prophecy soon proved cor
rect, for the French advancing at least six to
one, the Prussians were forced 70 retreat down
the hill 70 seek renforcements from the col
umus which were hurrylng to their support.
In five minutes they came back again, this
time In greater force, but still Inferior TO tnose
huge French masses.
DISASTROUS CAVALRY CHARGE.
A. IL cJoro
going to charge them," cried General Sheri-
dan, and sure enough, the regiment of cuiras-
aiers, their helmets and breast-plates flashing
IN the September sun, form In sections Of
squadrons and dash down on the scattered
Prnsslan skirmishers.
Without deigning to form In line, Squares
are never used by The Prussians.) the Infantry
received the cuirasslers with crushing quick
fire. st about hundred yards distance, load
ing and firing with extreme, rapid and unfail-
ing 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 cuirassiers
went hurriedly back in dlsorder-went back
faster than 1t came-went back scarcely regi-
ment in strength, and not at all regiment In
form. It's comely array was suddenly changed
into shapeless and helpless crowd OF flying
men. The moment the cuiraSsierS turned
back the brave Prusslans dashed forward in
hot pursuit, at double quick, the Infantry
plainly pursuing the flying cavalry. Such
thing has not often been recorded IN the an
nails of war. know not when an example to
compare precisely with this has occurred.
There was no more striking episode In the
battle.
REPuLsE OF FRENCH INFANTRY.
When the French infantry saw their cavalry
thus fleeing before the foot soldiers, they In
their turn came forward and attacked the Prus-
slams. The Prlssans waited quietly and
patiently, enduring rapid and telling fire
from the chassep0ts, until their enemy had
drawn so near as to be within 100 yards from
them. Then they returned with the needle.
guns the rapid fire from the chassepots, and
the French Infantry could no more endure the
Prussian fire than the cavalry to whose rescue
they had come. The infantry fled In Its turn.
and followed the cavalry to the place from
which they came-that Is behind ridge some
500 yards on the way to Sedan, where the
Prussian mitrailleurs with their tearing fire
of the Pr,lsslans was gained. since they were
not driven from the crest OF the hill they fought
to hold. Holding it thus against cavalry, the
Pr,,ssians persuaded themselves that it was
possible to establish artillery on this hill.
The roads now presented q terrible aspect.
The French lett everything, flying in every d.
rectiou, and throwing away their arms. The
upon cutting of their retreat towards Belgium.
The Pr,lssians troops used tho bayonet with
terrible effect. Night closed on the rout and
pursuit. leaving the Prnssians gathering IN
large numbers around Sedan. The Emperor
remained at Sedan throughout the battle. At
half.past two o'clock message was sent to the
Emperor at his headquarters, advising him to
ly to Belgium, but the Emperor was too Ill to
undertake the Journey.
This morning the Prussians prepared to at
tuck Sedan, which was not in condition to
resist. At y o'clock party Of officers, head
ed By General W!mpfen, LEFT Sedan, bearing
FLAG of truce. 1t was received by the Prussian
advance guard and conducted to the rear to
the Prussian headquarters, where the general
formally surrendered the French army and
fortress 10 King William. The French party
also bore letter from the Emperor Napoleon
to King William, stating he desired to surren-
der himself, not having any command. For
NAL capltulation took place at half-past l
o'clock.
TIE EMPERoR'S suREENDBR-PRoBABLE TERMS
OF PEACE.
King William was profoundly overcome
when the Emperor's profer OF surrender was
brought to him by General Count Lepic, one
of the imperial aids. His Majesty appointed
meeting ut once, and exhibited the most con-
siderate courtesy. 1t was not fully known by
the Prussians that the Emperor was with the
army until the surrender was proposed by
him. it Is said that the Emperor Insisted upon
the surrender Of the army against the urgen-
CIV of Younger officers, as he was so much
shocked by the fearful slaughter OF Wednesday
anu Thursday. 1t is believed that the resi-
dence of The Elector Of Hesse-Cass will
be assigned to him by King William. The
Prince Imperial crossed the line into Belgium
on Wednesday, and was received by the Prince
Of Coramen, who married French lady, (De
Fezonsnal.) and conducted to the chateau of
the Princes father, the Prince of Chlmoy. at
Chimoy, in Hainoult. He will probably
proceed to Paris at once, unless revo-
luton should break out there. We have moth
ing at all from Paris. 1t Is most extraordinary
that this morning nothing was known IN Paris,
publicly, of the Emperor's surrender. 1t Is
perfectly impossible to divine what the result
In that city Of the news will be. Its hoped In
London that the war fever will abate there on
this decisive news, but more fear than hope Is
felt.
1t is given ont from the Prussan Embassy
here that the King of Prussia is prepared to
abandon the claim Of indemnity on condition
that he shall be allowed TO take possession OF
Alsace and part of Lorraine. 1t is under
stood Austria and Russia oppose this settle
ment, but that England favors it, and that II
France refuses England will join Prussia to ab-
breyiate the war. Above all things the out
break of Republican movement n force is
deprecated. 1t Is understood tha King OF
Prussia is prepared to treat on the basis OF the
abdcaton OF Napoleon in favor OF the Prince
Imperial. The Crown Prince is openly op-
sa far nf