New-York tribune., 1870-12-21
TILE ARMY OF THE LOIRE
POSITION OF THE FRENCH NORTH OF ORLEANS
EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS NEVER REALlZLD
HOW NJ. GAMBETTA LOST HIS EYE.

EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS NEVER HEALiLED
HOW NJ. GAMBETTA LOST HIS EYE.
jFROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
ORLEANS, Nov. 20, 1s70.-Yesterday l rode
ont by the road 10 Artcnay and got far Cheyily
Cannon was in the far distance to the right Dut
inlisinctly, and mOrely ms succession OF growls' IL
was evident TINT engagement was going on pnt '
least thirty or forty e5 off, too far 70 renacrt possible
10 reach the neghborhood Of the conflict that day be-
side this by the absence OF movement IN the camps We
went through there TO suppose that the ell
gngement that taking place was OF no great I'M
portance and not likely 20 extend and become So On
returning TO Orleans in the evening had the pleasure
OF dining at the Of the AngloAmerican AnonIahce
and here two foreign field officers attached by
their governments to the Army OF the Lore were
tho other guests. One OF them, COulJ - M
Austrian, said the engagement must have been
near Beegarde and must have been brought about by
part Of the Nineteenth Corps coming up with view to
take Prussian Corps between it and the right of the
Fifteenth COrps I appears that this surmiSe was cor
roct and there was serious fighting in which the
French were again successful They say two or three
thousand prisoners have been made and several cannon
taken This number s very likely exaggerated; but a
great number prisoners has been TAKEN for room De-
ing made here for Them and they are beginning TO pe
brought in as well the wounded. The affair yesterday
was produced by attempt OF the enemy to t'rn the
French right ignoring neglectng the presence OF the
Nineteenth Corps, which Immediately attacked.
Every successful fight the French have IS now making
this army more formidable. II is 50 by ITS numbers
and will soon probably be more so by ts confluence
The forming OF such army in so short tmo IL GER
tainly great performance. and seems lncredDe "heh
one has seen the very beginning Of IL at Paris two months
ago In the shane Of few miserable and unbopeful reg
1pents Now the French in a fair way of success,
and nothing neglected to secure IT, Secured balloons
are constantly surveying the country One OF them Is
permanently at Chevily they are lowered at night The
Commandant here says he thinks all tho fighting over
on the right toward Bellegarde and Neuvie. as the
French have obtained their object In securing the villages
which they want in that direction.
SoIournng in this place would be little short or u-
bearable II not for the AngoAmerican Ambulance
staff under Dr. Prat which Ia quarered here, and from
whom have received the greatest kindness. This am
buance here during the Prissian occupation and
remained here with its wounded when the French re-
took the place It's lines for the present fallen in
pleasant places for they have been given one Of tho best
and finest houses in the town for the staff 10 live n and
magnificent Gothic church for Il hospital. II is capa
Bile Of containing hundreds of beds, and such lofty
place lie favorable TO the recovery OF many poor
fellow who would have died In some OF the close rooms
have seen them In in other places. 1t is striking sight
TO see those Of beds among those tall Gothic pillars
with the light Of the stained windows falling the pale
faces Of the wounded and the Sisters Of Charity
they glide abOnt fulfilling their mission, which they
always do admirably.
Two members Of the Government were here yesterday
I am told, NJ Cremeux and NJ Gais- -Bizoin. do not
what they trying TO do but they were hero
and returned TO Tours by train. Talking OF the NOM
bers Of Government, there Is a story told Of how
NJ. Gambetta got his Guil erert He has lost one eye,
they say 30 at least, and certainly there is some
thing queer about of his eyes, hut however, this
is tho legend upon that eye: When a boy, Gam
beta sent by his father 70 Jesuits College,
where he was to be educated. 1t would seem
little Gambetta had then strong dislike
| for Jesuits, he requested his father 10 with
draw him from that school; his father, however,
not hearkening 70 this request the boy wrote
to his father that IL he did not take him away by
certain day he would put cut OF his eyes hs own)
His father did for instant believe his son capable
OF performing his threat and did not give tho matter
second thought However few days after the expira.
ton Of the time fixed by his son, he received letter
from the principal Of the school, informing him that his
had out OF his The father went TO see
his son. but still refused 20 take him home. upon which
young Gambetta declared that unless he did take him
home nc would put out his other eye, upon which the
father thought il advisable TO give in. Gambetta's at
mirers give this instance of tho mans prCc0l0us
determination and hrmness of character others, how
ever cannot in il anything but an evidence OF an
undiscplined and unIuy spirit which has not improved
since. Which opinion right every one can best settle
fOr himself,