New-York tribune., 1870-09-06

edge of the wood toward Torcy and above 1t
opened vigorous fire on the advancing Prus-
sian columns of the Third Corps, whose eyl-
dent intention it was to storm the hill north
west of La Givonne, and so gain the key of
the position on that side. at 1:O5 yet another
French battery near the wood opened on the
Prussian columns, which were compelled to
keep shifting their ground till ready for their
final rush at the hills, in order to avoid offer
ing so good mark to the French shells
Shortly afterward we saw the first Prussian
skirmishers on the crest of the La Giyonne
hills above TOrcy. They did not seem to be
in strength, and Gen. Sheridan, standing be
hind me, exclaimed:
"Ah! the beggars are too weak they can
never hold that position against all those
French
The Generals prophecy soon proved cor
rect, for the French advanced at least six to
one; and the Prussians were forced to retreat
down the hill to seek reenforcements from the
columns which were hurrying to their sup
port. In FIVE minutes they came back again.
this time in greater force, but still terribly IN
ferior to those huge French masses.
GOOD heavens! The French cuirassiers are
going to charge them," cried Gen. sheridan !;
and sure enough, the regiment of cuirassiers,
their helmets and breast-plates flashing in the
September sun, formed in sections OF squad
rons and dashed down on the scattered
Prussian sl1irmishers, without degnlng TO
form line. Squares are never used by the
Prussans, and the infantry received the culras-
siers with a crushing "quick-fre," Schnetgeuer
at about a hundred yards distance, loading
and firing with extreme rapidity, and shooting
with unfailing precision into the dense French
souadrons. The effect was startling. over
went horses and men in numbers, in masses
in hundreds and the regiment of proud French
cuirassiers went hurriedly back in disorder; !;
went back faster than it came; went back
scarcely a regiment in strength, and not at all
a regiment in form. It's comely array was
suddenly changed into shapeless and helpless
crowds of flying men.
CAVALRY PURSUED BY INFANTRY.
The moment the cuirassiers turned back, the
brave Prussians actually dashed forward in
hot pursuit at dOuble-quick; infantry evi-
IDENTIFY pursuing flying cavalry. Such thing
has not often been recorded in the annals Of
war. l know not when an example to COM
mare precisely with this has occurred. There
was no more striking episode in the battle
NEEDLE GUNS vs.. CTAssEPOTs.
When the French infantry saw their cavalry
Tins fleeing before foot soldiers, they in their
turn came forward and attacked the Prus-
slams. The Prussians waited quietly patiently
enduring a rapid and telling fire from the
Cbassepots until their enemies had drawn
so near as to be within a hundred yards of them.
Then to the fire of the chassepOts they re-
turned a fire as rapid from their needle-guns !;
and the French infantry could no more en-
dure this Prussian fire than the cavalry TO
whose rescue they had come. The infantry
fed in its turn, and followed the cavalry to
the place whence they came, that is behind a
ridge about 500 yards on the way to Sedan
where the Prussian fire could no longer reach
them.
The great object of the Prussians was
Gained. since they were not driven from the
crest of the hill they fought to hold Holding
if thus against cavalry, the Prussians per-
suaded themselves that it was possible to
establish artillery on this hill.
"There viii be devil of fight for that
crest before IL is won OF lOsI,' sdlu SHcIludl,
straining his eyes through his feld-glass at
the hill which was not three miles from us.
The full sun was shining upon that hill; we
Gazing upon it had the sun behind us
ANOTHER FRUITLEss CAVALRY CHARGE.
At 1870 French cavalry-this time, presume,
a regiment of cdrabiniers-made another dash
at the Prussians, who on their part, were re-
ceiying reenforcements every moment; but
the carabinieys met with the same fate as their
brethren in iron jackets and were sent to the
rirht-about with heavy loss. The Prussians
took advantage of their flight to advance
their line about 200 yards nearer the line
which the French infantry held.
ANOTHER FRENCH BLUSDER.
This body of adventurous Plllssians split
into two portions the two parts leaving a
break Of hundred yards in their line. We
were not long in perceiving the object of this
movement for the little white puifs from the
crest behind the skirmlshers, followed by 9
commotion in the dense French masses, show
IA that these dtabIes dc Prussial.s' bav" con-