The New York herald., 1870-11-01
THE BATTLE OF LAUNoIs.


q IELEGRAm TO the NEW Y0M HERALD. ~
Francs-Tirenrs Watchlng a Prnssias Provi-
EsIons Trnin-Desperate Attempt TO Destroy
sians-sharp Bishtias and Defeat Of the
4 Tircurs-A Number or the Frsnchnen Killed.
LONDON, Oct. ai, 1870
A HERALD special correspondent In Brussels,
dating on the 18th inst, supplies the following
account Of the late light between the Prrssians and
French near Launois. %
he writes thus:-Ths Francsurenrs took the line
Of march from Rethel on the 2sth inst at the hour
Of six O'Clock In the morning. they had pro.
ceeded eboYt nfteen miles, and were approach
ING the small village Of Launois, when
they discovered . line of twenty army
wagons laden with pfovisionI, Some Of the wagons
had horses standing near by, and at others the
horses lay dead On the ground from over WORK. The
Francs-h -hreurs perceived their opportunity In mo
ment and having fallen on the convoy, which was
insufdciently guarded, played sod havoc with both
the men and material.
At the same instant could be seen the smoke OF an
approaching steam engine bringing train OF cars
on the road which ens between Sedan and Rethel,
and which had just been repaired by tho Prussans.
The Francs-tireurs evidently expecting this train,
had placed distractions here and there on the track
and then laid themselves concealed In nigh
wooded ground near BY, about 200 yards from an
embankment In the read.
At this point, meeting the Instructions twenty
cars were thrown from the track, carrying the
freight with them. The engine broke loose from the
cars. sa se vr
The train, which was loaded with provisions was
escorted by nfty German soldiers under command Of
. captain. The 300 Francs tireurs who attacked It
were vastly astonished, apparently, to behold Prus
sian soldiers pour out from the disabled unhurt
They were surprised, panic stricken, and fell hack
suddenly and hurriedly after delivering an III
directed are at their opponents.
The Prussian soldiers did not pursue them, but
remained with the train OF cara.
The tireurs encouraged again by this halt re-
turned 70 the attack. When they were advanced
sufficiently the PTusslans. who had availed them
selves Of the shelter afforded BY the line Of carriages
poured . bot nye into the ranks OF the Frenchmen.
The eject OF these vollies drove the Francs
tirenrs TO flight o second time. They retreated
leaving ten or twelve Of their men dead on the
ground.
PEUssIAN nEINFORCExENTs.
The retreat was only temporary. They returned
soon. Their second assault was just about having
the same result when suddenly two companies Of
German guards, who were on duty In the neighbor-
mood and had heard the small arms reports OF the
frst firing, appeared on the scene Of action.
THE DEAD AND WOUNDED.
The Francs-tlreurs then ned on all sides, after
having sustained q loss OF sixteen men killed and
twenty-five taken prisoners. Nine Of the prisoners
were wounded.
Some Of the prisoners were in regimental uni.
forms; others wore blouses.
The blouse men are threatened with military exc
cutions.
The Prussiars lost one man killed and had two
men yOunded.
the frtng Of the Francs. tireurs was wretchedly
bad.
Six dead bodies were subsequently found lying
among the wagons which had been attacked first
They were those Of three soldiers ana three wagon
drivers.
Such scenes as this are Of almost daily occurrence
on the different lines Of march even now.