New-York tribune., 1870-12-21
THE BoMBARDMENr OF THIoNvILLE.
AN UNREMTTTING STORM OF sHELLs--CAUsE3 OF
THE SURRENDER-THE GERMANS SET 4,OOO
PRISONERS AT LIBERTY.

AN UNREMTTTING STORM OF sHELLs--CAUSE5 OF
THE SCRRENDER-THE GERMANS SET 4,OOO
PRISONERS AT LIBERTY.
[FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
METZ, Nov. 2S-Thionville, which at this
time forms a most perfect specimen Of demolished
town city OF 1000 inhabitants and had before the
Commandment 500 houses The inclOsng Notifications
are exceedingly strong but owing to the absence OF
terror forts at Metz the town liable TO direct
bombardment. 1t will be remembered that on the 7th
and 9Th of October account Of the failure OF Bazane
sorc wagonloads Of provisions, destined for Metz
remained In TbiOnvie that French forthcatiOn
at least was well provided with food There would have
been no scarcity for seven or eight months One two
days after Bazaines failure the Prussans, who
blOckaded the city three sides. Immediately after the
surrender Of Metz the Prussans brought from there 400
cannon 2lO Of which in 10 batteries, which. owing
to tho fierce fire OF the French could only be mounted in
good position after three weeks effort.
Thonyile was fortified with $50 cannon, from 16 10
3pounders It's works very strong though useless
TO prevent the bombardment which began the 22d Of
November and continued along the entire line, day and
night Only about midnight-at quarter before l2
were there eessatiOns, these lasting only from
quarter to half hour. The average number OF shots
was II per minute The French requested, at the open
ing OF the siege. thahe and children should be
allowed TO leave but this refused On the Wednes
day following, at II o'clock demand made Of the
French to surrender to which tho reply returned
$50 long there remains stone upon another,
drop OF French blood, the city viii not be
dered"-a reply sufficiently heroic, hut unfortunately
FOR It's historic worth not stone Of the Notifications
disturbed nor drop Of French blood wasted. On
Thursday, at O'Clock o. IN, the French
offered TO e surrender the city on condition
that the Gardes Mobiles were allowed 10
90 free After two hours consideration OF this
question the Prussans answered with six hours bonn
bardment. Finally the French displayed the white flag
and offered TO surrender whatever conditions were
granted them. At 6p, Of the 24th OF November the
caTtuation was subscribed II stipulated that on
the morrow the 25th), at O'Clock, theSermans should
enter The town. The time OF enranceWas however at
te request OF the French Commander made two hours
on account OF the characterization Of his troops
were enrsged at the surrender, and even
III IS said that there was not the slightest danger
on thS Ianparts, since all the shots Of the enemy
VIE u IreeEod AGAINST the city. The surrender was
the ramparis of women and chiidPen. Who nn"p mo,n
their Knees yesOsght the commander 10 submit
sinee az ne oTra where they had sought cOncealment
deep account OF the OF the Moselie The YboI
number Of prisoners was Coco OF the.e tbe
& &Toopsmapou. ZovV @ ih a1w1re retained prisoners
free There l07 buildings totally desrovs st o
badly injured that they will have to be torn dawn 950
The material loss is reckoned at tSOOO0 and The 80
mercial loss at S0OO.OO0 Not one house "a H. % NH
tured During the So hours b0mbardmenr The pr,si
poured into the city from 5000 10 400OO bombs ~ so
pound. weight The lenieDcy toward the CaT5es w.
biles was on account OF their speaking the Gerra
tongue and belonging In district which the Prussians
intend 10 appropriate
cannon for balloon shooting, destined for Paris Ia ia
able TO throw grenades Of II pounds weight 1900 feet
hugh. hYe nes per minute. with the greatest accuracy