The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-16
AMIENS JUST BEFORE SUR
RENDER.


RENDER.
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Aspect Of the TOwn-Fears Of the People
Hoping for the Bcst-TcrriblS Anxiety
valor Of the Marines-Tramplsd in the
Dust-Entry Of the Prussians.
AMIENs, Nov. %, 1870
The decisive moment Is approaching and the ex-
element and uncertainty OF the last week be
drawing to q close-a fatal close for the Amiens
people, think.
ON THE EDGE or THE STORM.
For the last five days skirmlshing has been going
on to the east and southeast OF this place. Recon-
nOltering parties appeared and shots were ex-
changed; but 1t seemed in these proceedings the
Prussians, who have such very inquirlng minds,
were chiefly actuatcd by desire to ind out what
the French forces were On Saturday, however.
things looked like mischief, ana sharp skirmlshes
took place between C0rbie and Doves. Yesterday,
very early in the morning the sound OF troops
marching past awoke me. Looking out, perceived,
In the cold gray November dawn the soldiers
who had remained in the town and
TIE NATIONAL GUARDS LEAVING AMIENs.
A large number OF women and children followed
them, giving sort OF rabble appearance to this
military movement Some OF the poor creatures
were crying ana lame nting. others chatted cheer.
fully, or waved handkerchief, as they exerted
themselves to the utmost to keep up with she troops
At the outskirts Of the town, however, "the girls
they left behind tnem' were actually lett behind
them, and returned sadly enough to the city.
WAITING FOR THE VERDICT.
When ! went out the absence Of the National
Guards made itself everywhere felt. NM. Les
OuvrIers had taken their places, and some looked
oddly enough, dressed somewhat smartly in Sunday
clothes and carrying rides. SWELL my friend,,i
said to blacksmith OF my acquaintance, who, In a
painfully neat condition, was mounting guard
the Cathedral, 80 you are quite soldier" We shall
fight better than the soldiers, Monsieur he
answered with dignity, "and II the town lost we
fessed their intention OF seendlng the town. but it
IS Ike Inc usual declaration Of The governors OF Tor
titled places, sooner 10 blow them up than sur
| render. shall not expect much OF the workm
wnen IT comes TO the point Inc aspect OF the town
this day dismal enough, nor can Imagine any
thing much more depressingiy awful than The hush
Of town when the soldiers are gone and II Is walt
up, and anotner phenomena IN the shape OF AeAahsr
beds set up at me Windows oeyanssc appear. Every
/ thing had a duh loOa--llke nothing clse except
| perhaps, PiagUc-stffcken place, or London on a
| Sunday. About eleven O'Clock the heavy shock or
cannon began TO thrill the air and the booming was
| kept up till an hour after sunset. The monOtony
| or the day OF expectation was little varied.
Occasionally somebody drove III from the open coul-
! try. and the cart whatever 1t was was mobbed
ana stop ed FOR news. Various reports were CIR
cn!ated, but i was generally confirmed that the
| on The bouievards IN the afternoon, and it was
rather odd TO see the ladies walking up and down,
stopping occasionally 10 listen to the sounds Of the
artillery The ladies' seemed walk from pure rest
less excitement Their scared looks ana white cheeks
their bsnnets, the pervaang neatness and OF
| their ''get up"
| AS passed through the town an old man. with o
yellow yellow ngatcap On; popped his head OUT Of an
key. 'Pst Is that cannon" he called
to me- Certalnly,"i returned. Are the Prus-
invoked the mysterious sacred thousand thunders,
and abruptly Withdrew his ancient pate. Just then
muddy as megalosaurus just after the deuge) came
galloping down the street. "Auy news ~ l called
after him; but he dashed past me, covering me with
splash ing OF mud passed on and did not bless
that orderly officer In my heart. Towards evening
some poor fellows with balls In their arms and
shoulders made their appearance in the town. The
reports they brought were exceedingly vague, but
| savcred good deal Of running away on the part or
the troops Of the line. The marines fought like
Neptune himself, we heard The cannonade ceased
Ut six O'Clock, but 1t was understood that the fight
would be resumed at fve O'Clock on the morrow.
THE EvRNTFUL DAY.
This morning, very early, the firing recommended,
and another weary, waiting day began. The firing
terday but the anxiety IN the town increases and
the report is that the Prussian troops in very
with very great valor. Yesterday thc road was
covered with chassepots, thrown by the line troops
strewng the conqueror's road instead Of flowers.
Perhaps all may have more nerve to-day, ss it Is u
supreme eicrt, positively their last appearance as
defenders Of Amens.
ASPECT OF THE TOWN.
More feather beds have come cut In the windows
To-day. The place locks more prepared the worst
than even 1t did yesterday. Fewer ladies are abroad:
but at all windows where beds not women APP
pear looking out. The wOrkmen are queter, and do
not say much about defending the town them.
selves. In the cathedral many tapers burning;
many silent figures are kneeling in prayer. The
accounts when keep reaching us from various
straggcrs OF yesterday fighting sound very gloomy
Indeed. The prisoners are nearly thousand IN
number, 1t Is supposed, and the Killed and wounded
are much more numerous.
TERRIBLE ANXIETY
apOut the fallen prevails saw two OF the wounded
who had managed to reach the town this morning
They described terrible charge of cavalry upon the
brave marines. .'Tney trampled them down like
releated, but were literally trodden into the dust
These men declared that the Prussan force was
overwhelming; the army must retreat
CONDEMNED.
The struggle is over as far as Amlens Is con-
ccrned the Army OF The North Is in full retreat: the
National Guards are to be disarnsa. 1t Is all up
with the CITY, just published proclamation Of
the Project Of the Somme, but he hopes that the
people VIII be "calm and quiet" Calm and quiet
Never was anything like the confusion, disorder,
the Streets asking each other II 1t be true; shouts
ana tulnuts are heard on every side and fierce re-
monstrancss. The ladies rush from their windows
the w0rshlppers from the cathedral 1.-THE army
retreating, the Russians advancingp Sncn are the
Two great facts hanging ike menacng spectres
the town. AL sorts OF reports fly wildly to and 70.
GREAT Arrival.
our distinguished guests are upon u.s. General
Count Goebeh and his troops are III Amlens Gene
raj Maneuiiel Is close behind. i have Just seen q
iot OF Russians pass by but have not yet been able
W go oat and reconnoltre.