The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-10
rian troops who began pounding Us from the
left, At 105 O'Clock, fi-iViT - "a -: bils

time. Some French infantry which was close
to the town on; the east side gave way, as 1t
seemed to me, rather quickly. Soon afterWard
shells were coming from behind my LETT, and
it became evident that the French position
had been turned, and that 8 fresh German
corps had taken position In our rear.sIi...a
The reserves were not necessarily directed
against these points. The battery near which
Istood was already In action, and I thought It.
quite time to beat 9 retreat. The place was
becoming as dangerous as any Id the field.
Among The guns close to me the Prussian
shells began falling with their usual beautiful
precision. So i got on the other side Of the
slope, and made my way toward the town.
THE PRUssIISt CIRCLE CONTRACTING. :.
As the road to Boullon, which crossed the
field OF battle, was wholly closed to me now,
also perceived that should be shut in that
circle which the Prussians had been drawing
about the amy and the town, and which was
ultimately completed. made my way as fast
as I could by the safest paths When Ireached
1t encountered with soldiers of all corps, has
.tening, as was, into the town. 1t was q de-.
feat, evidently, yet 1t was not IL o'clock, and
the battle was destined TO continue at various
points for some time longer, though continu-
Ing without any real hope OF victory.
THE FRENCH ROUTED.
To one entering the town as ! did, there was
no longer any battle to describe. It was first
a retreat and too soon o rout.-1 thought my
self lucky 10 get away from the. field as did;
for an hour afterward the rout of those forces
that had been near by me was complete. Al
ready soldiers were crushing against eacn
9th in the struggle to get inside the town.
DIsmounted cavalry were trying to make tnef
way, some even by the ramparts, leaping down
from the counterscarp; others forcing tnear
way in by the postern gates. From Q NOOK OF
tbr rfo NH T q mnmRnE
also cuarassiers jumping horses and al-
into the moat, the horses breaking their legs
and ribs. Men we're scrambling over each
other, There were officers OF all ranks.colo.
pels, and even generals, IN uniform wnlcn u
was impossible to mistake, mixed In tnie
shameful melee. Behind all came guns VIII
their heavy carriages and powerful horses,
forcing their way Into the throng, maimiug'
and crushing the iugltives on foot.
TERRIBLE SCENES m SEDAN. 80
To add to the confusion and horror, the
Prlssian batteries had by this time advanced
within range, and the Prusslan shells began
falling among the struggling masses Of men.
On the ramparts were the National Guards
manning the guns of the town, and replying
with more or less effect to the nearest Prussiant
batteries. It was scene horrible enough to-
have, suited the fancy Of Gustave Dore hffn-
SELF could form but one idea Of our unhappy
army that IL was at the bottom OF seeming
caldron.
/ hurried back as best could to my hotel
following the narrow streets where the shells
were least likely to reach the ground. Wher-
ever there was square or open place, came
upon the bodies Of horses and men quite dead
or still quivering, mOwn to pieces by bursting
shells. Reaching my hotel, ! found the street
in which it stood choked like the rest WITH
wagons, guns, horses and men. Most luckly
at this moment the Prussian fire did not en-
filade this street, for train of caissons tlled-
with powder blocked the whole way, itself uGss
able to move backward or forward. There was
every chance that these caissons would ex-
plode, the town being then on fire In two
places; and began 10 think Sedan was aplace:
more uncomfortable than even the'battle- -feldt
over which a victorious enemy was swiftly adj
vancing. .,....-.,.,a - .,.-s.a
TIE EMPEROR UNDER FIRE..
From friends whom found at the hotel,
learned that the Emperor, who had started
early in the morning for the field Of battle,
had returned about the came time that did,
and passed through the streets with his stan.
One Of my friends was near him on the Place
Turenne, when shell fell under the Emperor's
eral who was behind him. He himself was'
untouched, and turned around and smiled;
though my friend thought he saw tears In his
eyes, which he wiped away with his glove
Indeed, he had cause enough for tears on that
fatal lst Of September. Meantime, shells be.
gan to fall in the direction of onrstrset and
hotel. We all stood under the vaulted stone
en- .ance, as the safest shelter we could fnd-
l trembled on account Of the caiss0ns Still
standing in the street, and filling all the space
from end to end. It was at this time when we
waited watching painfully for the shell which
would have sent US altogether Into another
world, that General De Wimpffen came past,
making
VAIN EFFORT
to rally and inspirlt his flying troops. He
shouted, "Viue la France! En- ava7tw But
there was no response. He cried out that Ba-
zatne was taking the Prussians In the rear.
News which had been current all the morning
at Intervals, coming low from the mouth OF
General De Wimpfen, seemed to be believed,
and o few Thousand men were rallied and fol-
lowed him out of the town. People began to-
have hope, and for one briet moment we be-.
lieved the day might yet be saved. Need say
that this intelligence was patriotic falsehooG
of brave General De Wimpfen Mad with
anguish, and in direct opposition to the Empe-
ror's orders, he had resolved to rally what
men he could and make stand. He could
not have known that he was bound in the
grasp Of at least 10000 men.
DESPERATE soRTIE.
The bugle and the trumpet ring out on all
Sides few thousand men hearken to the
sound. My friend Rene De Guiroye, of the:
Chasseurs D'Afrlque, whom have Just met.
after losing sight of him for ten or twelve
years, got on horseback again and Joined the
General The sortie took place thus: They
went out at the Porte de Balan. The houses
of the suburb are already full OF Prussiane, VINO
fire on the French out OF every window. The
church, especially, Is strongly garrisoned, ara
its heavy doors are closed. The General B At
off De Guiroye to bring two pieces OF cannon.
These soon arrived, and with them the door
of the church wasblown in, and 200 Prussians'
we're captured and brought back with the
French, who, In spite OF all efforts, were them
selves soon obliged to retire into the town.
IL was the last Incident of the battle-the last
struggle. While this took place at the Porte
de BaIan, the Prussian shelling went on aud
the shells be- an to fall into the hotel.
SHOCKING SCENES
followed. A boy, the son OF a tradesmau
around the corner Of the street, came IN cry
ing and asking for surgeon. HIS fathers leg
had been shot off, woman In front OF the
house met the same fate. The doctor who
went tc the tradesman found him dead, and
returning, attempted to carry the woman to
an ambulance. He had scarcely made step
when she was shot dead In his arms. Those OF
us who stand In the gateway and witness such
scenes have got beyond the feeling OF personal
fear. Any one of us, l will venture to say,
would give his life to spare France on tnls
dreadful day. Yet we stand pale and snuooer-
ing at the sight of the fate which oefals tne
poor people of the town. | care not 10 dWen
ipon horrors which, nevertheless, snail
never be able to forget. / can mention more
than one brave officer who did not fear to own