The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-10-11

TUE WAR.-Evidently war matters are
not very stirring when resort is had for
topics of interest to the stores Of old let
tiers founn in the Tuilcries, to ingenious
inventions and dcnials about the death of
Gen. Motke, and to trihing incidents
that would be overlooked at other times
If it is the lull before the storm, it is a
pretty long one already, though we wish
it might be indefinitely longer 1t is
certain, however, that the Prussians are
steadily perfecting their investment of
Paris, and short time will show wheth.
er they are to rely upon an active or a
passive plan of operations. Gen Trochu
is reported to be confident that he can
hold out at least two months, by which
time he thinks the weather, sickness and
French interference with the Prussian
communications will cause the scige to be
raised As there have been various es.
Inmates Of the force under his command,
we give another from source friendly to
the French, as follows: 100000 regu-
lar troops, including 10000 cavel-
ry; 100000 Gardes Mobile nearly
100000 local militia; about 10000
sailors to man the guns. The same au-
thority puts the number of cannons and
mortars on the walls and forts of Paris
at not far from two thousand, some OF
thom of the largest calibrc The troops
are said to have made excellent progress
in drill, and to be animated by deter.
mined, confident spirit.
The French in Metz make frequent
sortcS, some Of them characterized by
desperate valor. but always with one re-
sult-dcteai. The troops against whom
these efforts are being hurled appear to
be iron men. They withstand every as
saut and beat back their assailants with
heavy losses
The special correspondent of the Lon
don Times with the army before Metz
writes, Sept. 90
On the day MacMahon was attacked
at Sedan, Bazaine made his sortie neal
Courcellcs. 1t is surprising that so little
has been heard of this hattle-or, rather
of these two battles. The attack was
made, in the first instance, at about 10
at night, and lasted from about 10 until
!, when the French were driven back. OF
at least withdrew, with heavy losses. |,
was renewed again at dawn on the follow.
ing day, and continued until nearly I |
A. NJ, but with this difference in result
that the French suffered on the second
occasion far more heavily than on the
first. The Prussians lay on the ground
with their knapsacks in front Of them
over which they fired. The French had,
Of course, to advance standing, and their
loss was awful Yet, they never faced
the Prussians at Courcelles in manner
that could be compared to the determine
ton with which the Prussians met them
under far more disadvantageous circum-
stances at the heights of Spicheren.
Courcelles, as we in front of it can know
has decided the fate of Metz. We know
it must surrender"
y Paris correspondent gives currency
to sportivc exhibition in the Rue Rich
clieu on the occasion of a recent review
Of the soldiers by Gen. Trochu. 1t seems
that as all the soldiers could not be
placed on the same line, they were sta
toned by battalions in the cross streets,
and as Gen. Trochu neglected to inspect
this particular detachment, its members
exclaimed that they had been neglected
and betrayed and falling upon the new
~ elected colonel. tore off his epaulcts,
punched bis head, and finally threw him
into prison, where, strange to say, he was
kept in close arrest for twenty-iour hours.
Stern reality, however, make stern disci-
pline, and perhaps these citizen soldiers
may not, after all, be deficient in subordi-
nation when the shot and shell begin to
whistle about their ears.
The Russian Gar, on receiving the
news of the battle of Sedan, at Moscow,
Oh September 3, gave a dinner when,
having drunk to the health of his royal
uncle Of Prussia, he broke the glass, ac.
cording TO German custom, which pre-.
scribes that none shall drink again from
a glass which has been used for vero SOL
emn toasts.
The Prussians at Gisors have been re-
pulsed by the National Guard. The enc.
my have, however, formed a camp near
Gisors of 1000 men.
The French fortresses of Bellort !Schels-
tadt and New Breisach are to be attacked
at once. The captors Of Toul have
been charged with the duty of taking
Scissors.
a Paris correspondent of the London
Times writes to the evening edition of
that journal that the supplies of meat
are vanishing. bread siuils are plenty and
are stored in convenient places. There
Is plenty Of guns, amuntions, etc.
The Irussian guns are nearly all in
position before Paris, and the lombard.
ment will be commenced from all the bat
teries simultaneously the moment the ar
are all perfected.
AMERICAN BOARD OF FoRElGN Mis-.
annual meeting of this board
was held in Brook Ign last week.
The following officers of the Board