The New York herald., 1870-10-17


TO have been repulsed; bur n was only
on reaching heuny that / became
aware Il the fun extsns OF tho
disaster, Ipushed on to Orleans and entered the
suburbs Columns OF smoke were rising over the
town. which, with occasional shoots Of name, told
ths. the town was on re. The following details OF
the days nghtlng were ascertaned:-
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BUT NO HELP.
Early In the morning the Prusslans attacked the
French, and thanks 10 their formidable artillery
and superiority In numbers, heat the French
steadily back toward the town, TN at
length the retreat became q tight There
had arrived early In the morning some
reinforcements. Cannon was roaring OUTSIDE the
town few miles or yet these troops remained the
Whole morning in town. Of1cers satd they had no
ORDERS and went to the cafes and played cards
After they had breakfasted the men roamed about
town or lay asleep or drunk along the streets
DIsoRDERLY RETREAT.
Soon AZ the Tying army began TO pass, however,
these men hasiened to join the torrent They tossed
their guns away, or broke them. and the whole Of
them passed through the town and crossed the
bridge over the Loire.
TROOPS THAT FOUGHT BRAvELY.
The Mobiles however, stood out much longer and
better, and Kept on firing when al the regulars had
quilted the field. The Foreign Legion fought very
bravely anc were almost entirely destroyed; but
those who fought best OF ALL and held the entrances
OF the town. were the Pontincal Guards. who I'm
| rnortalized themselves on that held.
ATTEMPT 10 DEFEND 0RLEANs--rBl TOWN sHRLLED.
| Tne Inhabitants were divided. A few wished the
town defended, but by far the greater num-
Der entreated that no defence should be
onered. Nevertheless . barrcade was being
| made at the entrance to the faubourg op-
posed 70 the enemy. This was defended by
The Pontncal zouayes, foreign legion and some
National Guards. 1t was this resistance which no
doubt made the Prussians throw shells into the
town. The railway station In names as well az
some houses In the principal street. People were
wounded IN the middle of the streets by the
bursting projectiles and riHe balls were whIzNng
freely. However. the town was quite empty ci
regular troops when the firing ceased, and every
one who could command conveyance Of any kind
were hurrying away.
| THE SCENE AT MEuN9. ~ fs
the appearance OF things told me that It was
hopeless to try and stop at Orleans any part Of
the county between that and Blois. So turned
back and made for Beaugenay. Passing through
Marny j saw sight I shall never forget
| The peasants were beside themselves some
with alarm and others with rage wo-
! men were wringing their hands and being
sent on to q safer place. The men were preparing
| TO mold out against the enemy disperse In the
fields and fre at them in isolated parties. No plan
| was yet made Tne drum was beating that awful
and weli.known revolutionary tune, and bells were
sounding the tocsin--a this in the dark night, for
| II was now late and the moon had not risen.
T. GREAT FERMENr AT BEAUGENcY.
Thanks 10 the constant passing OF carriages from
Orleans, mine went through tins excited multitude
without question. At Beaugency the ferment was
not SO great as at vaelng. Here we were joined by
the officers OF detachment Of mobiles just arriving
who did not know where 90 go next. They were oil
gentlemen Of position from neiehboring country
districts. 4L tsNepNtt ~ s9i
#t nN CHAOS.
We were stopped at least ten times by National
Guards on the roads. In the villages nobody knew
what had happened, but there was vague terror
everywhere. When reached Tours found equal
ignorance as TO the result. Gambetta himself knew
nothing Of the defeat