The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-15
THE FALL OF sTRAsBOURG.
IFrom inc Cologne Gazette, Sept. 27.l


Strasbourg Ia ours Such was the news that
spread with lightning rapidlty through the various
camps on the afternoon OF the 9th September. !
was making one OF an excursion party to
Ruprechtsau when the news arrived. Loud
hurrahs and cheers spread the news far
and near. We galoped through schilti-
gheim, whore the drums were beating the
assembly, and the men were hurrying ON parade
with arms ana knapsacks. The word was given to
advance into tho parallels. The greatest excite
ment reigned everywhere, and no one seemed to
know anything definite. The enemy had shown
the white flag, put batteries have orders to load
their guns and hold themselves in readiness. The
puzzled regiments advanced into the parallels,
but when there received orders TO return.
Different surmises are made, ana the men
are loud in their protestations against
some treacherous negotiations; only COM
menced for purpose OF making necessary repairs
in the fortress. At length we had an explanation.
Waen the White nag was ne Gen
Immediately sent telegram to the CHIEF or ms
stan. Ieszinsky. who was in thunderstorm In order
the commander OF the Mobile Guarde,
ton that an onicer had been already
sent to MundesIeim, and said further that the white
nag had been holsied contrary to the express wish
OF the commandment who, TO some great extent, had
been forced by the Garde Mobile TO surrender. Lieu
tenanl.Genera Won Werder rode over TO Mundel-
shelm in order to listen to the negotiations proposed.
He, however, ordered the assembly 10 be beaten, as
on the rumors OF the surrender every one had
crowded down to the parallels, and it was feared
that scene OF wild disorder would ensue.
At an advanced hour OF the night or rather at two
O'Clock In the morning, the negotiations were termi-
mated by the conclusion OF the capitulation, by
which 45l Officers and i'll men were made prison.
ers. II was not thought possible that so great
number or troops lay enclosed within the walls OF
the fortress. Every one present VIII well remember
tie following day. the 2sth September Stras-
soned by German troops, and that not only for to-
day and tomorrow. but 1t shall remain German
a@ e 9sf V0a n e az
Saverne and the Porte Rationale to witness the
render OF arms by the enemy. How can / find
words to describe this memorable moment in
history, the surrender Just alter eleven A. M. we
saw the garrison march out in measured time from
the Porte Rationale. The star was on foot and al
the head Of the garrison Lieutenant General Won
Werder jumped on his horse to meet The
Their conntenances; tears stood In the eyes OF many
q bronzed old hero, and, bowed down by the weight
OF this heavy hour. they did not dare to raise their
eyes from The ground, 10 which their feet seemed to
cling, such was their regret at leaving the town so
long and bravcly defended. The stan remained
standing upon the gisclS, and between them and
our own stan the long columns OF the former garrl
son dehled.
Tne sight was different to that which which we
had expected 10 see. Six weeks ago 1t was stated
the troops we're starving and were in the greatest
misery and restitution. Now they were defng be-
fore our own eyes newly clothed from head to foot.
knapsacKs with tentpoles and baggage clOaks and
kitchen utensils, ali new, and each man had his
bread with hun, and the want or sobriety which
prevailed showed tina, there was no lack or splrtuous
liquors II may be said that they have had little
or nothing else than bread and wine but with these
two THINGS ii will take time to starve out fort
ress What, however, was most wanting in all the
regiments was discipline and order. Those who
marched past MS were the best troops. and yet
hardly one company paid attention TO dress or clos
ing up their ranks, which were composed OF Turcos
and Tried to throw away their Kits, and
were loud IN their outcries aeains, the
.Uhrfch est an co1lan" brandshing the rem
nants of tile damaged weapons they carried with
them, ana dashng them on the road so as to break
them yet smaller, rhcy bent and broke the blades
ana sheaths OF their bayonets; they had already
broken their rifles against the stones OF the streets
OF the town and thrown the remnants into the meats
OF the fortress which IN some places were quite filled
with them The artillery presented the most respect
able and orderly pearance, but they we're only
few. The Garde Mobile, IN spite OF their ueiform,
were totally devoid Of all military appearance, but
quiet and sober, most OF them belonging to the
adjacent country. They seemed heartily glad to get
out OF the fortress. Some carts and wagons also
aa most n 81 em belonging 70 10 sgtes the
repulsive appearance. The passing mass OF men
becomes more confused, and when they have defled
another body comes on shouting and yelling From
all we have seen we can only say that 1t would be
purely imposslbly for the best commander to hold
for the whole OF the enemy to de6le for TIL late in
the evening the streets were crowded with strag-
the bitches ana there partially slept or their de-
bauch; with the suffers CARTS one OF them over
turned ana everything rolling about and others In
which the red-breeched proprletresscs were
rounded by tpsy Zouayes.
What a sight presented itself inside the town
At The entrance there were houses: simply heaps
Of runs cOula he seen as we entered the picturesque
Gate de la Tour Fire and our storm Of cannon
balls have destroyed everything far as the iii
Canal. Close TO the watchhOuse at the gate lay
heap Of stones and upon them q French
man, apparently Dead the flies swarming round
him as round corpse. An Old woman sat beside
him, and we asked her II the man dead but she
gave no answer and scowled at us with hatred and
fury in her looks. AS we advanced things began to
look more lively, and when the noise OF the approach
Of our horses was heard the window SHUT began
here and there to be opened, and disclosed now and
then pair Of merry and coquettish eyes.
The windows on thu ground floor Of many
sopng edwards to protect them from the splinters
OF shells In the interior OF the town only some
few houses have been DESTROYED, and many streets
have received no damage at all. Our first ride was
many chance shots have struck 1t. IN spite
OF all prohibitions and orders to the con-
trary; put 1t presents FAR better appear
ance than might Ge imagined; some Of the stones
OF the windows entirely destroyed, and the masonry
severely damaged. but on the whole, not many re-
pairs Will be required. We were astonished to find
In front OF the artillery school long row OF new and
serviceable cahnons Of heavy calibre, fifty nne
smOotn-bOre guns; but on the other hand, all the
guns on the ramparts were spiked. The warmth OF
the day, combined with the long ride and the
dust we had swallowed, made us thirsty, and we
put up at the Hotel de Ia Vile lie Paris and with the
first glass OF wine In the conquered fortress we
drank to the health OF me German town Of Stras-
bOurg. May she be ours for ever, strong point OF
vantage against our troublesome neighbor in the
teries and parallels in front OF her walls Ours Will
now all be levelled
ElsMARGK's REILLY TO FAyRE.