The Portland daily press., 1870-10-04

CORTLAND
Tuesday Morning, Oct .ber 4 1870.



STRAsBoURG, Sept. 29.-At last. after
weeks spent endeavoring to peer into stras.
bourg from available points, through power
full feld-glasses, the event all anticipated has
come to pass, and we are actually within the
walls of the celebrated fortress. My last let
tiers informed you of the progress made in the
siege, and notified you that resistance was JIM
possible mucl longer. Two outposts were
then taken and breach made in the walls
Since then the offensive operations have pro-
gressed with great strides.
Since the oath, the bombardment has been
terrific and almost inccessapt. The breach
in the walls became large enough te admit an
army. 1t became evident to everybody that
storming was inevitable in few hours unless
stayed by captulation.
On Tuesday, the 9th, near o'clock in the
afternoon, the joyful sight of white flag was
behed flying from the cathedral. This was
speedily followed by the same welcome token
of surrender from the citadel. A young Lieut..
of the Thirty-fourth Regiment was the first to
discover the flag, and the firing instantly
ceased. Afer the steady booming OF the ar.
tillery profound silence prevailed. Their
general attention was called to the flags by a
universal cheer which rose from one portion
OF the besieging lines, and W. soon caught uI
and echoed throughout the entire army.r
The scene which followed was indescribably
exciting. Officers sprang to their feet and
embraced each other, casping hands. The
men followed this example, and some actually
cried with joy. The terms of the capituation
arranged have already been reported. Yes.
terday was fortunately enabled to enter the
city with Baden regiment. The sight, which
was impressive and sad at the same time, was
relieved by the evident joy of the citizens at
suffering and suspense.
The commanders of the two forces, Gems.
Werder and Urich met for the first time yes
terday, after the terms OF capituation had
been arranged. The meeting took place Just
inside the gate on the east side. Gen. Uirich
advanced to Gen. Welder, and with a voice
much aeitated said, IL have yielded to an ir-
resistabie force when further resistance was
only needless sacrifice of lives Of brave men
| have the consolation OF knowing that
have yielded to an honorable enemy.o Gen
Werder, much affected, placed both hands on
Gen. Ulrich's shoulders and said, "You Tough,
bravely. You will have as much honor from
the enemy's as you can have from your owl
cOuntrymen." All arms were surrendered ex
cept the officers side arms.
hasty examination of a por ion of the city
shows it has rot suffered as much as was sup.
posed, from the bombardment. The exterior
OF the cathedral appears to be much injured
but not sufficiently SO as to prevent its restor-
alton in its original shape. Some fine houses
in the Place de Cathedral are burned. Here
and there the ruins OF buildings show the
dangers to which the city has been exposed
In the vicinity OF the cathedral, on the easi
side OF the city, the destruction was the great
est. A singular appearance was presented
by the inhabitants busiy engaged in remov-
ing straw, bags, rags, mattresses, and every
conceivable means OF stopping the unwelcOme
visitors from the windows. These defen.
ses scattered in the streets, gave the appear.
ance of a general removal OF the inhabitants.
The ruins of the theatre present dismal ap-
pearance. Among the buildings destroyed
was the fine public library. / am informed
the books were previously removed, or a
least, those OF the greatest value.
1t does not appear that there has been mucl
actual suffering for want of food, though tn
means were husbanded with The greatest cart
The principal cause of anxiety was confne
ment and want OF good water. Several case
of mortality are reported as the effect of BON
bardmeDt, but l am inclined to believe tina
the accounts are exaggerated. One family
consisting of a father, two daughters, tw
young sons and an infant, had taken reius
in the cellal of their house, when their res
dence was struck by shell and all were dc
stroyed. One old gentleman, a business mer
chant in Strasboure for many years, informe
me that his daughter was killed in the street
The general feeling OF the people is one Q
great thanktulness for the capitulation.
The reports that are spread Charging Gel
Ulrlch with brutality are destitute Of iounds
tien. His conduct toward the citizens wa
marked with the greatest humanity and con
| slderatiOn. 1t is a matter of congratulato
that no irreparable damage has been done t.
this splendid and interesting city.