The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-10-13
The Fallaor strasbourg.

"A OtraSOOurR correspondent OF the New
York World, writing under date of Sept.
29th, gives the following graphic and in
teresting description of the fall of that re-
nowned but unfortunate city:
At last, after weeks spent eDdeavoring to
peer into Strasbourg from available points
through powerful field-glasses, the event all
anticipated has come TO pass, and we are
actually within the walls Of the celebrated
fortress. My last letters informed you OF
the progress made in the siege, and notified
you that resistance was impossible much
longer. Two ontposts were then taken and
a breach made in the walls. Since then the
offensive operations progressed with giant
strides. Since the oath the bombardment
has been terrific and almost incessant, the
breach IN the walls became large enough to
admit an army. 1t became evident to every
body that storming was inevitable in few
hours unless stayed by a capitulation On
Tuesday, the 9th. near O'Clock in the
afternoon the joyful sight of white flag
Was beheld flying from the Cathedral. This
was speedily followed by the same welcome
token of surrender from the citadel A
young lieutenant of the Thirtv>fourth Regi-
ment was the first to discover the flag. and
the firing instantly ceased. After the steady
booming of the artillery profound silence
prevailed. Then general attention was
called to the flag by universal cheer, which
rose from one portion of the beseging lines
and was soon caught up and echoed through
the entire army. The scene which followed
was indescribaoly exciting. Officers sprang
to their feet and embraced each other, clasp
ing hands. The men followed this exam Ole.
aud some actually cried with joy. The
terms of the capituiation arranged have al
tod I
tunately enabled to enter the city with
Baden regiment. The sight, which was i'm
pressive and sad at the same time, was re-
lieved by the evident JOY of the citizens at
their release from their terrible condi ton of
suffering and suspense. The commanders
OF the two forces, Generals Werder and Un-
rich, met for the first time yesterday after
the terms Of capitulatun had been Eged
The meeting took place just inside the gate,
on the east side. General Uhrich advanced
to General Werder. and with a voice much
agitated, said Il have yielded TO an ire
sistible force, when further resistance was
only needless sacrifice of lives of brave
men. have the consolation of knowing
have yielded to an honorable enemy -
General Werder, much affected, placed both
hands on General Uhrch's shoulders and
said You have fought bravely. You will
have as much honor from the enemy as you
can have from your own countrymen.' All
arms were surrendered except the officers
side arms. A hasty examination of portion
of the city shows it has not suffered so much
as was supposed from the bombardmept.-
The exterior of the Cathedral appears to be
much injured, but not sufficiently so as to
prevent its restoration in its original shape.
Some fine houses in the Place de la Cathe-
drale are burned Here ard there the ruins
of buildings show the danger to which the
city has been exposed. In the vicinity of
the Cathedral on the east side Of the city the
destruction was the greatest. singular
appearance was presented by the Inhabitants
oGslly engaged In removing straw, bags,
rags. mattresses, and every conceivable
means of stopping the unwelcome visitors
from the windows. These defences scattered
in the streets gave the appearance of gen.
eral removal of the inhabitants. The ruins
OF the theatre presented a dismal appear
ance. Among the buildings destroyed was
the fine public library. l am informed the
books were previously removed. or at least
those OF the greatest value, 1t does not ap-
pear that there had been much actual suffer
ing for want of food, though the means were
hus banded with the greatest care The
principal cause of anxiety was confinement
mortality re reported as the effect of the
oombardment, but l am inclined to believe
that the accounts are xaggerated. One
family, consisting of father, two daugh-
ters, two young sons. and an infant had
taken refuge i'll the cellar of their house,
when their residence was struck with shell
and all were destroyed. One old gentleman.
a business merchant in Strasbourg for many
years. Informed me that his daughter was
killed in the street. The general feeling of
the people is one of great thaukfullness for
the capitulation.
The reports that are spread charging Gen.
uhrlch with brutality. are destitute of foun-
datlon His conducr towards the citizens
were marked with the greatest humanity and
consideration. 1t was matter of congrat-
ulation that no irreparable damage has been
done to this splendid and interesting city.