The New York herald., 1870-10-13
Tho Military Observation-Disclosures Defer
the Prussiau Army.

| the Prussiau Army.
Fighting is again reported quite active
about Paris. A sortie In force was made by
General Ducrot on Friday, between Fort Mont
Valerien and st. Cloud, on the west side Of
Paris, and the Prussiaus were so severely de-
feated that they were compelled to abandon
| the position on the hills back Of st. Cloud,
whence they were preparing to she'll the city.
This Is an important victory, not only in
regard to the indication 1t affords of General
Trochu's intention to cut up his enemy by
sorties, but in its effect on the spirits of the
soldiery, encouraging them, as it does,
to renewed efforts and teaching them
the tactics Of sortie. The movement may
have been influenced by the news of the
fences, and this far it shows that Paris, while
orderly and quiet, is also vigilant and ready.
Battles have also occurred at Dreux, about
forty miles west OF Paris, and at Mont Did;er,
about the same distance north, which re-
suited in Prussian defeats These are pro-
badly minor affairs. skirmishes between the
home guards and the uhlan scouts, but they
Indicate that the pcasantry in the provinces
are not frightened by the mere name of
uhlans, as they have heretofore been, or
they may indicate something more dreadfnlly
suggestive-that the peasantry have been op-
pressed too much and are at length at bay.
The battle at Artenay, near Orleans, is not yet
ended. Tie French troops, among whom were
the Papal Zouaves, were undoubtedly badly
defeated by a superior force Of Prussians, but
they took refuge in wood, where they held
their own, and have since been heavily rein
forced, and the battle is yet undecided. On
this battle depends great deal more than the
prestige OF victory for lew troops. It may
actually settle the question of the further in
vestment of Paris
Our special correspondent at Versailles, in
telegraphic letter published this morning,
shows that the Prussians themselves are in
danger Of a scarcity of provisions. They have
eaten out the country for miles around their
immediate neighborhood, and the fierce resis-
tance Of the peasants to the acquisitions of
the uhlans prevents any great supply from
that source. They have to depend on their
own stock Of supplies, which are being trans
ported continually over the long line of the
Strasbourg Railway, and with the immense
number of men to be fed break In the line
for twenty-four hours may put the
whole army upon slim allowance.
Great uneasiness exists in conse-
quence and il has been determined
to lombard Paris vigorously, and probably
storm it, as soon rs tho heavy siege guns have
men, too, this immense army. The vigilance
of the enemy inside the works renders the
duty OF investing the city closely hard matter
for the present number Of troops, and it is not
considered safe TO spare any men for a
southerly movement. Indeed, the Strasbourg
army has been ordered TO Paris, instead of
| Lyons.
| The difficulties OF the situation are therefore
greatly increased for Prussia. Her recent
note to the great Powers concerning her
inability to feed the French who may
surrender with the city does not
relieve her from the frigh,ful response
bility Of the starvation that now threatens
her own army as well as the army and people
of Psris. The cruel acquisitions that her
troops have levied upon the people and the
raids that have robbed the peasants Of their
food have rendered the Prussians alone re-
sponsible to the civilized world for the terrible
scenes that may ensue when food gives out in
the besieged city.