New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-24

q general engagement, but there nave '''"' -"
can learn. oily two sknishes one ousn' Wy ''e
MT q, ycctlenhurg ON bis way TO Janville from
Catcaudul and finally the skirrish, when almost ne
serves the same OF battle at Bc'unne 'roh On MOI
day Afternoon. This between Sing' 'rlsas"i uc
Tenth Amy Corps aud thrfe entlIe fIeioh DIVISIONS
The Pruian brigade had orfeIs from zen. NoSh' hetL
IN hold the village OF Paunne at all hazards and
IN dofenl II to the last and the last cartridge
The strength OF the FeBch VINO advanced against the
village was something ike G000-at least that is Prince
Frederick Charles own estimate OF their strength.
They were well supported by artillery, aud after about
two hours hehnr although unable to take the village
they sneceedcd IN completely surrounding IT. and sum
moncd the Prussians TO surrender This the latter
fused to do and the French made an attack But
they unable 10 take IT, In spite Of their Oyerpower
ing numbers. before division Of the Third Army Corps
arrived the OF their comrades OF the Tenth and
not only succeeded in driving back the French hut took
many hundred prisoners, variousy estimated at from
go ITO 9O0 The Prussian loss in killed and wounded is
said TO be about zoo That Of the French is considerably
1000 the Prussan fire from the village being very
deadly. One cannon taken from the French. Some
so Of the prisoners, mostly zouaves brought IN
here this morning and confined for hours in the
large handsome church here. The inhabitants hocked
to supply their countymen with food which the good
tempered iaCcrs OF the Ninth Corps guard let pass
willingly enough. Yesterday the Bavarans who have
returned with the Duke Of Mecklenburg to Tours had
little fighting near Artenay, but 1t not serious.
There ia great speculation among the German officers
&c TO what was the meaning Of the French attack
Beaunne-le Rotron. The opinion which seems TO me
the best supported is that the French hoped to turn
Prince Frederick Charess left flank and then TO march
up the valley VI the Loire TO where that river joins the
Seine at Moret, and by the seine valley To fdE,s
Could they have reached NemOurs they might nave had
some Of carrying out their pan as their rear and
left flank would have been well protected by the Forest
OF Foutanebeau, which is emnently defcnshle, and in
the dele of which Francsrcurs would have been
asVg 1t.1y TftG
Of Orleans shed in similar manner, and the Prusssns
think that they viii have considerable difficulty in Dust
ing the French from their posts there. They WILL
probably, prefer 20 attack only the west and
north sides Of the French position 1t
is clear that Gen. DAurelles de Paadines has
Inspired considerable respect 10y his sraegca abilities
in the minds hs enomic Although of course, they
will not admit il, any that they are taking
the greatest precautions before making their final dash
Orleans and i'm spite OF the great concentration Of
which has been going on for the last few days
should not surprised IT, after all and in spite of what
by officers about great battle very shortly IN
front Of Orleans the Prince 10 content himself with
holding the Army Of the Loire IN check until aft Paris
has fallen. BOurbaki. We hear, has been completely
routed RoueD, and IT is very possible that Gen
Manteufc is already marching ON Charities The Prince
may well wait until he comes up That Prince Frederick
Charles can wait well fight, his long aud weary
watch before Metz has shown.
The much-taked-of, very expensive, and hitherto
almost totally useless English Ambulance has sent one
liyeiO-hroe wagons and three doctors with assistants
and medieIne-dOwn 10 Bcaunnc. They only went this
morning although they might quite easily have gone
yesterday. They sctuaycame all the way from Janvile
At footpace, the wagons being admirably h0Tsed and
she roads good and not oveTincumbered with troops
and as the marching over plain without
hedges on either side the troops could have borne 10 the
eight left to let the on their erand OF
mercy. But the Of it the more become con
WINGED that this muchtalkedof ambulance is gigantic
British job, which the money of charitable people has
Deen avished by set Of London noodles 10 vastly little
purpose.
Dee 2-Paylng a second visit the village Of Beaunne
The scene Of Mondays fight, houihed To learn
from Of the surgeons attached TO the English ambu
that 50 unfortunate wounded Frenchmen had just
been discovered in barn near the village, and brought
into hospital. These poor wretches had crawed there
Tor shelter, and had remained undiscovered for three
days totally without food and OF also with their
wounds quite uncaed for They have Of course at once
been brought into the village. Here however the
wounded are by means well of as they might be-
for many Of the houses are SO battered by the
French artillery fire as 10 De totally uninhshitahle
Others which might he used for the wounded,
held 10y troops they command the approach TO
the village.
must own that my opinion Of the herOism OF the 10th
Regiment was by no diminished by what have
learned since battle have already written you that
the Prusian troops surrounded in the village shot away
all their cartridges they had 20 the last the
Colonel I'm command had the drums beat, and forming
up. said:
''My children, have been ordered by Prince 10
hold this village at all hazards; in efforts TO do
have run shor, of ammunou this is misfortune, but
you remember that there one sort Of ammunition
which never fas-Our bayOnets You must now trust to
them II the French attack the village they must be
dr ven back with The cold steC have other means
Of stopping them"
The men answered this appeal with cheer, and when
ordered 10 bring their arms TO the charge did with
good viii which auguTed i'll for the chances of the
French should they attempt the village In the
town itself about inhabitants, the most terrible
scenes are even De observed Many OF the houses
are 80 hickiy filed with French wounded that one can
not walk through them without tresding on injured men,
Importance of the village OF Beaunne as straJegi
position from the fact that II lies on sbght
rise commanding the valley front OF IT, The Prus-
slams evidently determined II maintain the position
in future they have already done. They have not
only lo0phOed al walls which seem likely 20 be called
into action. hut they have made bTrcades OF dlnereht
Of rubbish wherever they appear the least likely 70
wanted. On a slope the east side OF the
village they have thrown up small epaule-
incnts for cannon. and constructed long Held
trench Ia front Of them 60 shelter their skirnlsh-
IN Of another attack. Besides they nave put
up beacOns all along the likely points oil attacK'
the enemy advancing these beacons would ne
illuminated. would show the Prussians where to hie
IN night attack. The Prussisns own that the
Forest Of Orleans annoys them considerably it is not
only that is difficult Of attack-the and officers
say the regiment could take il in half day-hut the
sad forest conceal the numbers OF the French
troops in an unpleasant manner.
THE BATTLES NEAR ORLEANS.
DESCRIPTION OF THL FIRST DAYS ENGAGEMENT.
lFROH orr SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HEADQUARTERS OF THE GRAND DIXIE OF
b.o do.