The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-07

should think to the enemy.
noticed some inexplicabe movements. few
HquadrOns of Prussian cavalry made rs II theg would
charge French force, which was towards tile left.
Imme dately 4H
TWO REGIMENTS OF FRENCH CAVALRY CHARGED
in turn upon the Prussian SOU idrOns, which fell
back and led But at the slme moment Prus sian
corps corps OF n infantry opened murdsross dre upon
came back sadly shattered from their rash pursuit
About O'Clock could not help fancyng that the
Prusslans were extending farther tn the left for,
asking whether certsin new batteries were
French, was told they were Prussan. The Prus-
sian line was evidently curling around us.
have learned since that the Grown Prince had
crossed The Meuae duriag the night about 1--WE
leagues from SEDAN .and that this had MT been
known 10 MacMahon. A large force OF Bavarians
most also have arrived after the commencement OF
the battle for IL was Bavaran troops who began
pounding us from the left. At lO% o'clock
THE ADVANCE OF THE PRUssIANs
was perceptlbe on both wings at the same time.
Some French infantry which was close to the town
the east side gave way as seemed TO me- rather
quickly. Soon afterward shells were coming from
behind my left, and It became evident that the
French position had been turned and that a fresh
German corps had taken position in our rear.
The reserves were now necessarily directed
Stood was aready in action. and thought it mite
time 20 beat retreat. The place was becoming "a
dangerous any i'm the field. Among the guus
close TO Inc the Prussian shells began falling with
their usual beautiful precision. SO got on the her
side OF the slope and made nay way toward the
town.
TIE PRUssIAN CIRCLE CONTRACTING.
AS the road to BOulon, which crossed the held OF
battle was WHOLLY closed TO me no v 7 also ner.
celved that should be shut mp in that circle whlca
the Prussans had been drawing about the army and
the town, and which was ultimately c1mpletsd /
made my way AZ fast as could, by the safest paths
When / reached the suburb before the Porte de
Baan, found 1t incumbered with soldiers of all
corps, Fastening, as was, into the town. It was
d feat, evidently, vet II was not II O'Clock and the
battle destined to continue at various points for
some time longer, though continuing without any
real hope Of victory.
THE FRENCH ROUTED.
or pOtnrinp ha tnu I
longer any battle TO describe 1t was first retire At
and too soon "a rout thought myself lucky tn get
away from the field as did; for an hour afterward
the rout of those forces that hal been near by me
was cOnpete. Already soldiers were crushing
against each other IN the struggle TO get inside the
town. Dismounted cavalry were trying to make
their way, some even by the ramparts, leap
ing down from the counterscarp; Others
From a nook Of the rsnparts, wnere l rested
moment, ] saw also Culrassiers jumping horses
and a-into The moat, the horses breaking their
legs and ribs. Men were scrambling over each
other. There were officers of all ranks-colonels
and even generals IN uniforms witch il was np 1s-
s,be to mistake. mixed In this shameful melee. Be-
hlpd all came guns with their heavy carriages and
powerful horses, forcing their way into the throng
manning and crushing the ugtives on foot
TERRIBLE SCENES IN SEDAN.
To add to the confusion ami horror, the Prussian
batteries had by this time advanced within range
aud the Prussian shells began falling among tie
T. e National Guards, manning the guns of the town,
ard replying with more or less effect to the nearest
PTussian batteries. 1t was scene horrible enough
10 nave suited the fancy of Gustave DOre himself.
could form but one idea Of our unhappy army
that twas at the bottom OF a seething CadrOn.
hurried back as best could 10 my hotel, follow
ing the naTrOS streets where the shells were least
likely to reach the ground. Wherever there was a
square or open place | came upon the no lies of
horses and men quHe dead Dr still qniverlng, mOwn
TO pieces by bursting shells. Reaching my hotel,
found the street indwhch It stood ochOked Ike the
rest WIN wagons, guns, horses, and men
Most luckily at this moment the Prussian fire
did not enhlae the streets, for train of caissons
filed with powder blocked the whole wav itself un-
able 10 move backward or forward. There was
every chance that these caissons would exnlo1.
the town being then on fire in two places; and
began to think Sedan was q pIsce more ,incOm-
victorious enemy was swiftly advancing.
THE EMPEROR UNDER FIRE.
From friends whom found at the hotel, learned
thar the Emperor who had started early in tn
morning for the field of battle, hat returned about
the same time that did and passed through the
streets with his staff one OF my friends was near
him on the Place Turenne when shell fell under
the Empernrs horse, ani, bursting killed che horse
OF a general who was behind him. He himself was
untouched, and turned around and smiled, though
he wiped awav with his glove. Indeed, he h at
cause enough for tears on that fatal first Of Sep
tenber.
Meantime shells began to fall in the direction OF
street and hotel We all stood under the vaulted
stone entrance, as the safest shelter could find
tIembled account of the caissons still standing
in the street. and filing all the space from end TO
end. II was at this time when we waited watching
PAINFULLY for the shell which would have sent all
together into another world that General de Wimp-
fen came past, making
VAIN EFFORT
N rally and nspirlt his nying troops. He shouted,
"ViUe Ia France En- duantg But there was no re-
sponse He cried out that Bazaine WAS taking the
Prussians in the rear. News which mad been cur
rent al the morning at Intervals coming now from
the mouth OF General de Wimpnen, seemed to be
believed, and few thousand men were rallied aud
followed him out of the Gown. People began to have
hope anG for one brief moment we believed the day
might yet be saved. Need cay that this intelli-
geIce patriotic falsehood OF brave G neral de
hlmpuen? Mad WITH anguish, and IN direct OpDD-
sition to the Emperors orders, he had resolved to
cCu.d not have known that he was bound In th
grasp OF at least 600 men.
A DESPERATE SORTIE.
The bugle and the trumpet ring out on all sides.
A few thousand men hearken TO The sound. My
friend Rene de Guiroye Of the Chasseurs d'Afrique,
whOI have just met after losing sight of nun for
ten or twelve years. got on horseback again aud
joined the General. The sOrtie took place thus
They went out at the Porte de Balan Tle houses
Of the suburb are already full OF Prussians,
VINO fire on the French out OF every window.
The church, especially, Is strongly garrsoned,
OF De Guroye to bring two pieces Of cannon. These
soOu arrived, and with them the door Of the cnurch
was blown in, and 200 Prussians were captured and
brought back with the French, who, in spite or all
enOlts, themselves soon obliged 20 retire inJO
the town. II was the last incident Of the batdethe
While this took place at the Porte de Balan, the
Prussia shelling Went on aud the shells began tc
fall into the hotel
SHOCKING SCENES
followed. 4 boy, the of tradesnan around
the corner or the street. came in crying and askn
for a surg con. His fathers leg had been shot on
A woman in front Of the house met the same fate
the doctor who went tn the tadesman found him
DEAD; and returning, attempted TO carry the woman
to an ambulance. he had scarcely made steE
when she was shot dead in his arms TdO5e OF Us
who stand in the gateway aud witness such scenes
have goE beyond the feeling of personal fear. ANY
Que OF US, will venture 20 say would give his life
TO spare France on this dreadful day. Yet 81
pale and shuddering at the sight of the fate which
befals the poor people OF the town.
care not to dwell upon horrors which, nevertbe
IauO 4 hall no 10 tn 1 pan inr