The New York herald., 1870-12-29
a Battle Near ilavre.

occurred near that city last Saturday. The
struggle was an important one, inasmuch as
the position occupied by the German forces
was in dangerous proximity to the city, and
| to drive them from this ground was the aim of
| the French. II is true the German force was
| q small one, but little reflection will show
that the practice of holding positions with
small bodies Of troops, with heavy masses
within supporting distance, has entered largely
into the plans of the German commanders in
the present campaign. Possibly the pressure
brought to bear on Colonel Mocmanard by the
people OF Havre, who clamored for grand
sortie, precpitated an advance which might
otherwise have been delayed with advantage
The recent battle amply demonstrates the
ability Of the raw levies and the compare
lively undisciplined soldiers Of France to
cope with the veteran troops Of Germany.
The French commander, yielding to the
popular outcry, led his small column Of
thirty-ave hundred men from the little
village of Harleur. On the morning
mans suddenly appeared 1t was surprise,
but no such Generalization ensued as has
fallen to the lot of the imperial armies when
similarly situated. So rapid was the German
| advance that the French were compelled TO
! yield, not demoralized or disordered, how
ever, but yielding to the pressure bravely and
soldierly. Subsequently forming line of battle,
| they invited attack, and stood the test of the
German cavalry charges Three times did
the Germans advance and three times were
they compelled to fall back. Better provided
with cavalry and supported by heavier artl-
lery, the German attempt proved vain against
the resistance of the French. The French
commander at this juncture decided to re-
tire and take up better position The move
ment was successfully accomplished Reach
ing the heights which commanded the village
OF Bolbec the French rested and again
awaited battle. The wisdom of this move
ment is evident from the fact that in order
to reach this position the. Germans had
to move over plain, cross stream and
ascend the opposite bank. La attempt
ing this they were subjected to a
most destructive artillery fire. Perceving
the Germans gave up the attempt and com
menced another movement which resulted in
| compelling the French to fall back on Harheur.
| The Germans were too weak to follow up the
advantage, and finally fell back themselves be-
yond the positions they occupied on the morn
ing Of the battle.
While this encounter demonstrates the
bravery, discipline and steadiness in action of
the new leves on whom France will have to
| rely, it also proves the power of an excited
populace TO influence the advance of an army
power much to be feared. The history Of
our late civil war is crowded with disas-
ters which that influence accomplished. When
the clamors of politicians cried out for an ad-
vance and, owing to the pressure brought to
bear on them by these political medders, our
generals had, unwilling in many cases, to ad
vance, nine times out of ten their m ovements
resulted in failure. In France, and at this
particular time, these influences are calculated
to work much mischief, if not disaster. A
commander Of an army is certainly the one
best qualified to judge of the proper movements
of his forces. All things considered, we think
that in the recent battle Colonel Mocmanard
got off luckily. Giving all due credit to
his soldiers for valor and discipline, we think
he risked battle in order to satisfy public
clamor, rather than at the suggestion of his
| own Judgment. With 80 small force under
| him, and no reserves to call upon, it was a
hazardous undertaking. Fight, fight, and
hold on until reinforcements come up, has
been the military policy of the German lead
ers since the passage of the Rhine. There are
large bodies Of German troops within easy
distance of the force recently engaged near
Harfeur, if Manteulfels northern movement
has not drawn them northwards. In this lay
the danger to the French, as, had the Germans
been heavily reinforced as has been the case
time and time again, the French retreat would
have ended in a rout, and rout up to the
very walls of Havre The city, however, for
the present is safe, but its future security de-
pends largely on ManteuiIcl's movements in
the north.
King Amndeus En- Route TO Spain.
After all Amadeus, the King elect of Spain,