The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-29
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pand, wers pressed forward from the village OF
Harbour, four miles east-n northeast Of Havre. The
column comprised, as near as could be ascertained,
$500 Gardes Mobiles from the Department Of Oise
s0OFrancs treurs and battery irregular artillery
containing twelve field pieces OF the ordinary cali
bre. two mitraiileuses and five Armstrong rined
guns.
THE PRus5IANs SIGHT.
This small army was under the command OF Colo
mel Mocmanard and was wen armed and equipped
Is arrived at Chateau Monliver on the 22d. where
headquarters were established and recommending
parties sent ont The troops were in better state
of discipline than they were at Rouen. Colonel
Mocmanard prepared for reconnaissance In force;
bn at daylight the 24th, OF the coolest days
OF present winter the half frozen French al the
ouiposrs were driven by the sudden appearance Of
Prussan cavalry large numbers moving on the
chateau. AS the Germans moved forward at rapid
pace the alarm was sounded in the French camp ana
the troops rapidly formed very creditabe line OF
battle. Their artillery pushed forward, and the
right wing prepared for the attack. The French
ammunition with skin aud aacrity. The affair
promised to be warm and interesting.
CHARGE or rnE pRuss,AN CAVALRY.
AT half.past seven O'Clock IN the morning, after
some sharp sairlnshing, the battle began with an
impetuous advance OF The Prussian cavalry. 1900
strong, proceeded by battery Of artillery. The
charge was trst met by the French al tiery, when
opened a furious cannonade, the smoke from the
guns rising bike thick fog in the cold morning air.
Wei directed and encc,ive this soon made hot
work Tor the ass9au5s to whom 1T became appa-
REM a, an early stage OF The coahic that the French
guns we're wen placed aud splendidly worked
though not sudcicntl, supported.
FAILURE no cArrUEE TIE tREScH GuSs.
Nevertheless the severe ilre they kept up caused
Temporary generalization among the Germans.
whose lines waycred although they kept up a re-
turn fire from their battery. Three advances were
made by the Prussans with the OBJECT ., capturing
The French guns, and can time ,hey were COM
PEELED TO retire unsuccessful.
MOVEMENT on THE FRENCH LEFT.
me fight Oh the French right was near st. Ro-
main, small town some ten miles northeast Of
Hayre near the railroad running TO Rouen. 1t had
now lasted some Two hours, during which some
twenty rounds had been nred by each OF The French
guns and some twenty-five 10y those Of the
Germans. About this time large body Of Prusslan
infantry preceded by line OF cavalry appeared
The road between Fecamp ana Brunville, coming to
the support OF The Germans already engaged, ami
threatening the left flank or The French.
THE FRENCH DECIDE TO RETIRE
council OF war was Immediately held on the
battle field by the French officers, and it deter
mined 10 fsill back upon Harieur. The French
occupied the heights which commanded the village
Of Bobeck, on the Rouen Railroad and which their
artillery could easily have destroyed had it been
cessary. Looking down from the height to the
northeast we could see the beautiful valley OF Lalle
bonnie, and the opposite side Of the hill, but
lower down in the plain were the Prussians adj
yancmg 10 attack the French position.
AN ARTILLERY DUEL.
II was necessary for the Prussians to descend the
plain and cross petty stream and then ascend the
opposite bank before they could reach he French.
A. distance OF $50 feet from the stream The Prus-
slams hesitaied 10 make the attempt, and during
this time iney were exposed to destructive
iIery fire from the French guns, while, from their
position their own fire Ineffective Soon how
ever, the Prussans appeared the right Of the
French posItion and opened a brisk cannonade,
which caused me ,:ardes Mobiles 10 break In con-
fusion.
RETREAT TO HARFLEUR.
The French forces Immediately commenced TO re-
treat some disorder. An attempts made by
The Prussan line to follow up the advantage 1t had
gained, but this was rendered difficult by the nature
some 300 Of the French soldiers, the remainder
ceeding in refining safely without losing any Of their
artillery.
THE LOSSES
IIayre with the intention OF mplshing the occu-
patton OF lvetot, considerable town situated mia.
way on the road 10 Rouen, ana the capture OF the
thousand Prussian infantry with their artillery,
known TO be stationed at that point. The losses of
the Prus SLAMS are estimated about 800 In killed
alone, and the French at under 200. Since the en-
gagement the PrussIan forces have again fallen
back.
CaAUDOCRDY.
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