The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-23

ticed throughout the war, ana following up their
traditional mode OF warfare, have glided through
the forests and woods up to the very walls OF the
city, which they are about to assail ON the other
hand, their opponents, apparently untaught by the
bitter experience Of the past few weeks, seem to
have adopted no extreme precaution against a
tnat the Prussians were advancing, their actual
position and strength nobody could give.
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO BURN THE WOODS.
Desperate attempts were made, nevertheless to
burn these woods, but so much rain had recently
fallen and the trees were still so green and full OF
sap that no quantity OF petroleum would coax them
smoke, which drifted overabundantly into the city
when the wind blew from the southwest; but there
was no confiagration. went up on the heights OF
Montmartre to see It, but nothing could be discov-
cred beyond blazing barns and hayricks set on fire
to prevent them from falling into the hands OF the
Here then the woods remain, and there too are the
prusaians la them. Here the enemy have conceaed
themselves in the daytime, and hence they have
emerged at Dight and early dawn-resting twelve
hours or more, then making forced marches OF two
or three days, always methodically but resolutey.
AL those clusters OF trees which form the woods
and copses called after Notre Dame and Saint Mar
tin, Gros Bois, all that remains OF the once vast
Forest OF Bondy, have been thus:occupied by Prus-
slang.
They advanced along the Orleans road to savigny,
where they cut the lines. They found the ford De-
tween Albion and Athis, and, as the Seine is now
low, they soon crossed 1t, with water up to their
waists. Immediately they proceeded to construct
pontoon bridge at Juvisy, where the railway
branches of toward Chatillon-le-P Petit and vitry
By this movement they avoided the bridge at join
vile-le-Pont, which had been blown up at the ap-
From this point they rapidly gained the Bois de
Ferrieres and Meudon, and presently Versailles
the ancient "hanting box" Of Louis XIII messienrs
the Uhlans rested their weary limbs on Sunday
night. No time has been lost by them in getting to
GENERAL vMoYs DEFEAT.
Reconnoitring parties went out from the French
eide, and General Vinoys Corps had sharp skr-
nIish last Friday with the advance guard-some say
"the rear guard" which seems more likely. Men
m tha rnv
finding the PrussiaEs outnumbered him, retired
under the forts OF Charenton and the guns Of VIM
cennes. The strength of the Prussians was esti-
mated at from 80 600 to 40 000 and they had ceverly
contrived during the night to plant battery the
marches on line parallel to that of the Crown
Prince, and somewhat in the
Ah artillery engagement took place, General
Vnoy having found it necessary to bring up his
guns, with battery OF mitraleuses, to cover his re-
same evening a skirmish took splace on the right
bank of the river, between the forts of Charenton
tie Of Ivry it does not appear to have outgrown the
proportions of an inconsderable encounter.
All this time the Prussans were creeping into the
Bois de Clamart under Meudon, and were already
massed there when it was semi-oficially announced
that they had not been seen in that vicinity. Pro-
baby they had good reasons for not exhibiting them
selves. Chatil0n, which was yesterday the scene
of serious fight, lies, as before stated, between the
Forts of Montrouge and vanves, that of Ivry being
beyond the latter again, in line with a farm
called La Verrerie. The space between the two
first-named forts is occupied by a redoubt, unfor-
tuDately not yet fully armed, but strong defense
with steady troops behind it. TO obtain possession
OF this redoubt was the object of the Prussans yes
Already, on the previous day. the Division "Exea,n
of the 18th of Venoys corps, ha dset out on recon-
towards Cnoisy-e-Roy. brisk affair took place.
the advantage In which remained with the French,
as they claim, with loss of killed and 81 wounded
The official French reports estimate the Prussan
loss at 400, OF whom 5s were killed. The Prussian
marching upon Versailles, forming the rear-guard
OF much larger body which was turning the posi-
ton Of Chatillon and Clamar
A FRENCH SUCCESS.
This fact had been ascertained by General Ducrot
who, with four divisions OF infantry, occupied posi-
tons extending from the heights Of villejuf to Meu-
don. Early yesterday morning General Ducrot
advanced from his post to reconnoitre. He found
himself opposed BY heavy masses concen-
ported by formidable artillery. 4 sharp en-
counter, took place.. but the French were
effected this movement in good order; but another
portion in efiectng 1t, exhibited what the official
wing that kept its formation reached the redoupt or
earthwork constructed on the elevation of Chatlon
The LETT 6en p but ee5y aaeRed Was able to keep
At this moment the Prussians hurriedly opened a
terrific fire. and the stress OF the cannonade became
| so heavy that General Ducrot was obliged to with
draw his troops within the protection of the forts.
This movement he accomplished about P. NJ, after
struggle which had lasted the best part OF the day,
with slight interruption. At 10 in the morning he
spiked the eight guns in the redoubt under the eyes
and the fire OF the Prussians, and withdrew beneath
authority OF the first official bulletin which was soon
sy d Hy sres
less credible-and twice silenced the fire Of the
| enemy.
| BRAVERY OF THE GARDE MOBILE.
| The Garde Mobile fought most bravey, and with
the seadiness OF old troops but on the other hand
the Zouaves of the 2Sth Regiment OF the line fled at
| IL in the morning. throwing away arms and accou.
trements The majority OF the fugitves were
arrested later in the day by the National Guards and
General Ducrot who escaped from Sedan, ex.
| planned the presence OF the Prussans at Mendon
| thus:-One OF their columns Is marching upon VeT-
Sallles by Bevres turning the WOOD OF La Verreres
column OF infantry and cavalry, which reascended
the Bevres there is both stream and village Of
this name) near Petit Bcetre and the percussion
| cap factory Of MeudOp. 1t is said that Genera
| Trochu intends to call into Paris ali the troops
which are now outs de and not engaged in scouting
GREAT PRUssIAN LOSS AT FORT IvRY.
The heavy guns Of Fort Ivry did great harm to
the Prussans massed in the woods. The French
losses are not yet published, but are reported as
much less than the Prussans. Thus has COM
menced the series Of struggles which inaugurates
the siege OF Paris, and which must now be termi-
mated either by great victory and the withdrawal
OF the Prussians, or by defeat that VIII convert
every house into fortress.
The elan OF the Garde Mobile ia unquestionable
the resolution OF the National Guard not less nrm
communes are fast coming to the rescue OF the be-
leaguered capital Three communes have already
subscribed S5000OO, and thirteen others 81 200 000
toward the national defense.
The aspect OF the streets changes wonderfully
from day to day fewer people are IN them more
| women. People grow solemn-a strange thing for
Paris. At 10 P. NJ. the cafes are vigorously closed
another strange thingand by IL the boulevards are
| deserted. Ambulances with wounded soldiers are
| continually passing, and we hear grim rumors OF
houses and whole streets neing mined ready 10 send
the line Of the forthcations forbidden 10 go of
walk for fear OF occasioning explosions
CAUTION AGAINST SPIES
"a