Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-09-15
The Great Battle Of Sedan-Sur-
render ef the Emperor.


render ef the Emperor.
Correspondence New York Tribune.
OPENING TIE BATTLE.
There were few stray cannon shots
fired, merely to obtain the range, as soon
as it was light but the real battle did not
begin until 6 O'Clock becoming sharp
artillery fight at 8 when the batteries had
each got within easy range. and the shells
began to do serious mischief. At IL 80
the musketry fire in the valley behind Se-
dan, which had opened about IL :25, be-
came exceedingly lively-being one con-
tinuous rattle. only broken by the loud
growing of the mitrailleuses. which play
ed with deadly effect upon the Saxon and
Bavarian columns. Gen. Sheridan. by
whose side was standing at the time.
told me that he did not remember ever to
have heard such we'll sustained fire of
small arms. 1t made itself heard above
the roar of the batteries at our feet.
At IL o'clock precisely the Prussian
battery of six guns on the slope above the
broken railway bridge over the Meuse.
near la Villette. had silenced two bate
ries of French guns at the foot of the bare
hill already mentioned, near the village of
Floing. At l2 10 the French infantry,
no longer sustained by their artillery, were
compelled to retire to Floing. and soon
after the junction between the Saxons and
Prussians behind Sedan was announced to
us by Gen. Won Room. eagerly peering
through large telescope, as being safely
completed.
THE FRENCH SURROUNDED.
From this moment the result of the bat
tie could no longer be doubtful. The
French were completely surrounded and
brought to bay At u: 20 We were all
to see clouds of retreating
French infantry ON the hill between Flo
ing and Sedan, a Prussian battery in front
of St. Menges, making accurate practice
with percussion shells among the receding
ranks. The whole hill for quarter of an
hour was literally covered with French
men running rapidly.
Less than half an hour afterward-at
u 80. Gen Won Room called our atten-
ton to another French column in full re-
treat to the right of Sedan, on the road
leading from Bazcille to the ia Givonne
wood. They never halted until they came
to a red-roofcd house on the outskirts of
Sedan itself. Gen. Sheridan who was us
ing my opera-glass, asked me to look at a
third French column moving up a broad,
road through the La Giyon-
nc wood, Immediately above Sedan, doubt
less to support the troops defending the
important Bazeille ravine to the north
east of the town.
TIE KEY OF THE POSITION.
At o'clock the French batteries on the
edge of the wood toward Torcy and above
it opened vigorous fire ON the advancing
Prussian columns of the Third Corps,
whose evident intention it was to storm
the hill northwest of La Givonne, and SO
gain the key of the position on that side.
AT :05 yet another French battery near
the wood opened on the Prussian columns,
which were compelled to keep shifting
their ground till ready for their final rush
at the hills. in order to avoid offering so
good mark to the French shells. Short
Iy after we saw the first Prussian skirmish-
ers on the crest of the La Givonne hills
above Torcy. They did not appear to be
in strength, and Gen. Sheridan standing
behind me, exclaimed:
"Ahl the beggars are too weak they
IAN never hold that position against all
hose French"
The Generals prophecy soon proved cor
.on& g.. a., Era,.h =. Il loacf 81
% one; and the Prussians were forced to
retreat down the hill to seek reinforce
nents from the columns which were hur-
wing to their support. In FIVE minutes
hey came back again, this time in great
,r force. but still terribly inferior to those
iuge French masses.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL CAVALRY CHARGE.
"Good heavens The French cuirassiers
ire going to charge them," cried General
and sure enough, the regiment
# cuirassiers, their helmets and breast
,lates flashing in the September sun, form
ID in sections of squadrons and dashed
lown on the scattered Prussian skirmish
RS, without deigning to form a line
Squares are never used by the Prussians,
md the infantry received the cuirassiers
With crushing ''quick-fire." schnelJeuer
It about hundred yards distance, load
nc and firing with extreme rapidity, and
hooting with unfailing precision into the
leuse French squadrons. The effect was
tartling. Over went horses and men in
numbers, in masses, in hundreds; and the
egimcnt of proud French cuirassiers went
urridly back in disorder went back fast
r than it came went back scarcely re-
.iment in strength, and not at all regi-
nent in form. Its comely array was sud-
enly changed into shapeless and helpless
rowds of flying men.
CAVALRY PURSUED BY INFANTRY.
The moment the cuirassiars turned back
he brave Prrssians actually dashed for
rard in hot pursuit. at double-quick; in
nntry evidently pursuing flying cavalry.
;ucii thing has not often been recorded
n the annals of war. / know not when
n example to compare precisely with this
as occurred. There was no moro strik
no episode in the battle. i