Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-10-22
EUROPEAN WAR NEWS.

The kilograms from French sources to-day
represent that both armies on the Loire are
still concentrating in the vicinity of Orleans,
preparatory to a great battle. The French
troops ar Paris have gained many important
advantages by the recent sortieS, and assert
that it is impossible for the enemy to lombard
the city from any position they now occupy.
The Franco-tireurs within the past few days
have succeeded in taking possession of Melun,
on the Paris and TroyeS railway. They have
been exceedingly active of late IN damaging
PruSSian lines Of communication. The battle
Of Bayncaux on the envrOls of Paris, on Sat-
urday last, is described as a brilliant victory
for the Gardes Mobile, who carried the Prus-
sian posisions at the point Of the bayonet, and
S,orme the barbados in the town behind
which they took refuge.
Adv.,, iy way Of London report violent
popular uurbrr,5s in Hontieur, Normandy, on
account q alleged inefficient conduct Of the
war tue prosecution Of Gustave Flourens,
at Parts. iT iuSHbOrdinatiOn to the govern
meu,. has been dropped by the authorities at
the Instance Of R0chelort. The PruSSiaus in
the J. ire have rs yet made no demonstrations
against bJis and Tours, aud SO the reported
scare 40 CDR. latter place was at least premature
VIII. lu tte Npsges, and Montdjdier, in the
northeast, have been captured. At the latter
place the PruSSidnS levied contribution of
90 900 francs, and made hostages for its pay
meut Of the mayor and a prominent banker
The French fleet, it is said. threaten Brem-
en- and Hamburg, causing intense excitement
ia those cities.
scissors capitUlated only after most terrible
destruction Of life and property. Three hun
bred and fifty houses were laid in ashes. The
PrusSiauS encountered desperate resistance
from the National Guard, fighting hand to
hand in the streets, aud capturing one part of
the city house by house.
They were driven back through the burn
ing city four times in succession, but were
constantly reinforced, and bore the French
down by weight ofnumberS. Noquarter was
shown, and the wounded were bayoneted
where they fell The women hurled missiles
from the houses ON the heads Of the invaders.
The sacrifice Of life was awful. The Grand
Duke of Meckenburg wept at the slaughter,
and refusing TO order an assault, begged the
French commander to capituate in the name
Of humanity.
From Bal,in.re SIN of Thursday
The Prussttns operating on the Loire have
captured Chateau Dun, alters a ten hours
fight, which relieves their right Hank ola serious
annoyance from Franc-tireurs and hitherto
probable danger from the troops Of the French
National Guard posted there. The main
French army on the Loirei is now understood to
be falling back with a view Of drawing the
pruSSaus further from their base of operations,
an Invitation which the latter seemed indis-
posed to accept On the contrary, there are
rumorS that the PruSsiaus are again moving
back toward Paris. They are reported as
having In this expedition $4,000 men. The
conduct OF tie victorious troops at Orleans is
said TO have been particularly disastrous t.
the wealthy citizens, whose money, property
aud supplies were levied upon recklessly.
The Russians before Mout,nedy were sur
pri5cd a day or two since by the garrison, and
1000 taken prisoners. Valuable supplies were
also captured Another sortje next resulted
In the capture Of a number Of pieces of artil
lery \ sauguinary sortie from Neuf Bret
sach, causing the withdrawal Of the PrusSsans
from their position, is also announced
\ dispatch from Berlin last evening states
that the carjtuldtioa Of Metz is reported