New-York tribune., 1870-09-23


as the Seine is now low they soon crossed it. with
water up to their waists Immediately they pro-
eeeded to construct o pontoOn bridge at Juvisy,
where the railway branches off toward Chatillonle-
Petit and Yitry. By this movement they avoided
the bridge at Joinville-le-Pont which had been
blown up at the approach of their Uhlans.
From this point they rapidly gained the Bois de
Ferrieres and Meudon, and presently Versailles
wherein the old palace Of the Kings Of France in the
ancient hunting box of Louis Kill messeurs the
Uhlans rested their weary limbs on Sunday night.
No time has been lost by them in getting to work.
GEN. vINoY DEFEAT.
Reconnoitering parties went out from the French
side, and Gen. vinoy's corps had a sharp skirmish
last Friday with the advance guard-some say the
rear guard" which seems more likely. Men fell on
both sides but the General whose retreat to Laon
has already made him famous in the army finding the
Prussans outnumbered him. retired under the forts Of
Charenton and the guns of Yincennes The strength
Of the Prussans was estimated at from $4,000 to
40 O00 and they had cleverly contrived during the
night to plant battery on the nights which cover
Nelly near Creteil. This corps marches on line
parallel TO that of the Crown Prince, aud somewhat
in the rear.
An artillery engagement took place Gen. Yinoy
having found it necessary to bring up his guns with
battery of mtrailleuses 10 cover his retreat This
is called the combat Of Creten The same evening
slir1nsh took place on the right bank Of the river,
between the forts Of CharentOn and Ivry; bat
though it has been chrtened the battle of Ivry it
does not appear have outgrown the proportions of
a considerable encounter
All this time the Prussians were creeping into the
Bois de Clamart under Meudon, and were already
massed there when ii semi-otficially announced
that they had not been in that vicinity. Prob
ably they had good reasons for not exhibiting them
selves Chatllon, which was yesterday the scene Of
a serious fight lies, as before stated between the
Forts of MOntrouge and Yanves that of Ivry being
beyond the latter again, in line with farm called
La Verrerie. The space between the two frst-named
forts is occupied by redoubt, unfortunately not
yet fully armed but strong a defense with steady
troops behind it. To obtain possession Of
slams Yesterday, but il was defeated. Al
ready, on the previous day, the Division
"Exear Of the 18th Of Vinoys corps had set out on
a reconnaissance TO foil the Prussian column sig-
Dalled toward Choisy-le-Roy. brisk affair took
place, the advantage in which remained with the
French, as they claim. with loss of killed and
81 wounded The official French reports estimate
the Prussian loss at 400, of whom IS were killed.
The Prussian forces amounted to from 5000 TO 1000
and were marching upon Versailles, forming the
rear guard Of a much larger body which was turn
ing the position of ChatiIlon and Clamart.
A FRENCH SUCCESS.
This fact had been ascertained by Gen. Ducrot,
who with four Divisions of infantry, occupied
positions extending from the nights of Nilleuif
TO Meudon. Early yesterday morning Gen.
Ducrot advanced from his post to re-
connoiter. He found himself opposed by
heavy masses concentrated in the woods and
villages and supported by formidable artillery.
A sharp encounter took place, but the French were
outnumbered and retired part of the right eff
fected this movement in good order but another
portion. in efecting it, exhibited what the official
statement calls "tO-be-regretted precipitation"
The wing that kept its formation reached the re-
doubt OF earthwOrk constructed on the elevation of
Chatillon. The left, being but feebly attacked,
was able TO keep its position on the nights of
Villejuif.
At this moment the Prussians hurriedly opened
terrific FIRE and the stress of the cannOnsde became
s. heavy that Gen. Ducrot was obliged TO withdraw
movement he accomplished about p. m, after
struggle which had lasted the best part Of the day
with slight interruption. At 10 in the
morning he spiked the eight guns in the
redoubt under the eyes and the fire of the Prussans
and Withdrew beneath the Fort of Vanves. These
statements give on the authority Of the first official
bulletin, which was soon followed by postscript
stating that the French artillery fired 5000 shot
official figures more or less credible-and twice
sileneed the fire of the enemy.
BRAVERY OF THE GRDE MOBILE.
The Garde Mobile fought most bravely, and with
the stesdness of old troops but on the other hand
the Zouaves of the 2sth Regiment of the line fed at
II in the morning throwing away arms and accouter-
ments. The majority of the fugtives were arrested
later in the day by the National Guards and the
Garde Mobile.
Gen Ducrot, who escaped from Sedan, explained
the presence of the Prussians at Meudon, thus ;
One of their columns is marceing upon Versailles by
Rievres, turning the wood of La verrieres. To ef-