The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-10-27
THE RATTLE REFORE ORlEANs.

The French Crushed by Superior Nwss-
bers-Ciaer Rest or the Frenrh Arny
Bravery Of the National GwsPA and
POmtt6ical Z0aaves- COnseernatt0n NJ
Mc0ng.
LONDON, Oct. 16, 1870.
The special correspondent of the New
York Tribune, with the army Of the Loire,
writes on the 18th inst: 81 reached Beau
scncy on the 18th. Here | heard news and
saw CONSERVATION on many faces. The
French were said to he repulsed; but it was
only ON reaching MeuDg that became
aware Of the full extent of the disaster. i
pushed on toward Orleans, and entered the
suburbs. Over the town columns Of smoke
were rising, and occasional shoots Of flame
told that the town was on fire.
'TIere are the details Of the days fighting:
Early in the morning the Russians attacked
the French, and, owing to their formidable
artillery and superiority in numbers, heat
them steadily back toward the town, till at
length the retreat became fight. There
had arrived early in the morning some
slight achievements. Cannon were roaring
outside the town few miles of, yet these
troops remained the whole morning in town.
The officers said that they had mo orders, ,
and went to cafe and breakfasted, while the
men roamed about town or lay asleep or
drunk along the streets. As soon, however,
as the flying army began 10 pass through,
these men FASTENED to join the torrent, and
tossed their guns away or broke them.
"The whole army passed through the
town and crossed the bridge over the Loire.
The Garde Mobile, however, stood much
longer and much better; even kept on firing
when all the regulars had quilted the field.
The Foreign Legion fought very bravcly and
was almost entirely destroyed. But those
that remained fighting last Of all, and held
the entrance to the town, were the PUntificial
ZOuavcs,
"The inhabitants were divided. \ few
wished the town defended, but FAR the greater
number Cntrcated that no defense should be
offered. Nevertheless a barricade was CON-
strucied at the entrance Of the faubOurg, OPP
posite the enemy's advance. This was de-
Tended by the POntiical troops, the Foreign
Legion, and some National Guards. 1t was
this resistance which no doubt caused the
Prissians to throw shells into the town. The
houses in the principal streets. People were
bursting projectile.s, and rifle halls were
WuIZLIuS dtUut. Inc toWh WsIS sf'itt cuHyuN
Of regular troops when the firing ceased.
Every one who could command convey
ance Of any kind were hurrying away.
The appearance of things showed ME
that it was hopeless for me to try to stop in
Orleans or any part of the country between
that and BlOis; 50 turned back and went
toward Beascncy, passing through Meung.
The peasants seemed beside themselves,
some with alarm, others with rage. Women
were wringing their hands AZ they were sent
off to some safer place. Men were preparing
to hold out against the enemy, or to disPerse
in the fields and fireat them in isolated parties.
No plan was vet made. The drum was
heating LIZ Generate, and bells were sound
ing.
at was dark night, and the moon had
not yet ri-en; and amid the constant passage
Of carriages from Orleans, mine went through
this excited multitude without question. At
Beaugency the ferment was not 80 great as at
Menug. We were joined by the officers of a
detachment Of Garde Mobile just arriving,
who did not know where to go next. They
were all gentlemen of position in the neigh
boring country districts. We we're stopped
at least ten times by National Guards on the
roads, and in guardrooms in the villages.
Nobody knew what had happened. There
was a vague terror everywhere. When i
reached Tours ] found equal ignorance.
Gambetta himself knew nothing Of the oc-
c1rrences.