Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-06
The BOmbardment of Strasburg-A
Night Before the City.

A correspondent Of the London Times
with the German army before Strasburg
thus refers to the bombardment;
And now, as the light faded, the cam
nonade became heavier Lightning
flashes from the North Battery, and in a
few seconds comes the heavy boom. You
hear the rush OF the shell through the
air, and when you have had time to count
about thirty you hear it explode in Stras-
burg. Modern Notifications are always
constructed some distsnce outside towns,
but Strasburg, though immensely
strengthened in modern times is an old
fortress, and, unbappily, its Notifications
come right up to the houses. There are
about $4,000 peaceful inhabitants in
Strasburg, who are not able in the slight
est TO influence General Ulrich's decis-
ion. General Ulrich is guided solely by
what he regards as his duty as a soldier.
The Germans have no unkind feelings
towards the inhabitants of Strasburg
Beyond the determination 10 have a
sound peace, one which France shall not
again have the power to disturb, | have
never heard them express any unkind
feeling towards the people OF France.
Still, if they mean to have Strasburg they
must day and night fight at its fortifca-
tons, and the shells, many Of them, at
any rate, fired against the walls 20 crash
into the houses of peaceful citizens, or
burst in the streets. Even if the peo-
pie take refuge in the cellars, the
shells often crush and set fire to the
houses, and the unfortunate inhabitants
only escape one dreadful death to meet
with another A lady connected with
the Court at Stuttgart told me on Tues
day that on Monday she dined with a
gentleman who, with his three little chill
dren, was shut up in Strasburg. Being
a German, the commandGnt would not
give him pass TO 20 out, as he said he
was quite capable of bearing arms, and
might bear them against France. Mat
tiers stood thus when bomb fell in the
street where he had his family, and
killed and wounded eight women. He
now determined at all hazards to get his
family through the lines, and, by the as
sistance of French officer, happily sue
ceeded. This is war. Is not he doubly
accursed Of God and man who wantonly
commences it2 Byseven O. clock battery
answers battery, and the roar is uninter-
mittentl From all sides leap the tongues
of fame, and the rush as of steam en-
CINE through the air tells that each one
propels a messenger of death. De-
casionally the shells explode in the air,
but this is seldom, as the accuracy
of the firing is remarkable. Now there
is terrific vomiting forth Of fame in
front Of me, to my left, with deafening
sharp report, and up rises, apparently
right up TO the stars which are looking so
quietly down upon it all, flaming some
thing. which looks like rocket. and
which. forming a vast eclipse, drops down
into the devoted city, or rather, God
grant, into the citadel, and explodes with
dali thud. 1t is a bomb; the mortar
battery is getting to work And now
shell follows shell in rapid succession
from the South battery at my left, and a
little behind, bomb follows bomb from
the mortars; all the other batteries are
at work. | sometimes fancy hear a bell
in Strasburg. and even shouts and cries.
but II is too indistinct to be sure. Strange
10 say, upon our side, which is all | can
speak for, there seems TO be no reply. or
very little, from the citadel Asan honest
man am bound to say am much more
comfortable that there is not. Has
General Ulrieh run short Of ammunition.
and If he has why does he not surren.
der, or is he reserving il for the
horrible possibility Of a Storm God
grant il may not come 10
thai, or there will be sad slaughter. And
SO the night wears on; not shot the.
can discover on our side from the cita-
del. but perfect '' fes deafer pouring
into the devoted place % SfrGsbourg.
.Sfr=sbourg, unndershoHe sfadf, this
Il sad for theei TIE s.. ia the citadel
blazes mp and toward midnight is very
bright Through all the cannonade
there stands the Minister, in all IFS ideal