The New York herald., 1870-09-17
TIRE SIEGE OF sTRAsBoURa.
1ElEeRAMs TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

Special Report Of the Condition of the Fort
ress-A Terrible Cannonade and Dreadful
Result-The Prusslans Preparing to Assault
by Srorm-Flag of Truce frem General
Ulrich-Women and Wounded to Leave-No
Surrender.
LONDON, Sept. 10, 1870.
/ received telegram report from the HERALD
special correspondent at Brumath early this morn
Ing. The despatch s dated Brumath yesterday 10th
instant) In the afternoon.
The HERALD writer says:-I have just arrived here
from the front Of the besieged fortress OF Strasbourg
The Prusslans continued the terrible nre from
their heavy artillery during the morning, and the
cannOnade is still In progress as write Tne Ger
man batteries operate from the third line OF siege
parallel The fire has effected an immense amount
Of destruction in the walls And fortiacatons and In
ana around the citadel. The Prussian troops WIN,
doubtless make their assault on the place by
storm tomorrow friday. Several fires have
broken out In the city doing an amazing
amount Of damage, but these casualties are
really inevitable, owing to the incessant lombard
ment fire which is maintained by the Prussians.
At an early hour this (Thursday) morning French
nag OF truce was displayed from the fortress. The
Prussian cannonade ceased Immediately, as 1t was
at once conjectured, ndeed believed that the hoist.
ing of the flag preceded an oner Of capituauon.
In this the siegers were disappointed.
French officer Of the Guard advanced immedi-
ately under cover OF the nag Of truce towards the
Prussian first line. and delivered message from
General Ulrich, the French commander, asking In
his own name for temporary cessation Of the frlng
so as to enable him TO send forth from the fortress
party Of females, only few, with O number OF
wounded civilians persons who had hitherto per-
sisted wfully In remaining inside. but now wished
to leave the city.
by the Prussian officers. ......... ,..
! have had conversation with some French
fugitives and refugees coming from Stras.
bourg. They stated to me that the suffer-
ing Of the people inside the Notifications
Is intense and OF the most painful character.
Provisions are served out daily In the most limited
quantities and with most rigid military exacttude.
The everyday mortality caused by sickness Of differ
ent sorts, induced by constant deprivation OF most
OF the first necessaries of life is very great.
Thursday, the 18th instant, the citizens made an
appeal to General Ulrich, beseeching him, for the
second time, to yield to the Inevitable destiny of
war and surrender to the Prussians.
General Ulrlch said that he must reply, as COM
mander Of StrasbOurg to the effect that he was well
aware that the existing situation was most pain
full cruel one but that he must at all hazards dis
| charge his whole duty to their common country,
France, and hence continue to endure it.
The citizens retired.
The fall OF the fortress cannot be DELAYED for any
| length Of time.
| The Situation Despsrate-Why m AssauIt il
Deferred by the Prussians.
LONDON, Sept. I6-NOon.
| In his last dispatches General Ulrch, the COM
| mandant at Strasbourg, admits that the situation
| is desperate. General Won Werther, the Prussian
commander, defers the general assault the city in
order that the garrison may not be uselessly
butchered.
| General Ulrich Has No Idea Of Surrendering
PARIS. Sept. 49, 1870.
The Minister Of War Is In receipt OF late dispatches
from General Ulrich, the c0mmandant at Strasbourg
| He reports that the b0mbardment is constant and
terrific. The city has been badly damaged. lie
adds that he has no Idea Of surrendering.