New-York tribune., 1870-09-05

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were completely surrounded and brought to
bay. AT 1895 we were all astOnished 10 see
clouds of retreating French infantry on the
hill between Floing and Sedan, Prussian
battery in front of st. Menges making accurate
practice with percussion shells among the re-
ceding ranks. The whole hill for quarter OF
an hour was literally covered with Frenchmen
running rapidly.
Less than half an hour afterward-at l2;oo-
Gen. Won Room called our attention to another
French column in full retreat to the right OF
Sedan, on the road leading from Bazeilie 10
the La Garenne wood They never halted
until they came to red-roofed house on the
outskirts of Sedan itself. Almost at the same
moment Gen. Sheridan, who was using my
opera glass, asked me to look at third French
column moving up broad, grass s-covereu ROAD
through the La Garenne wood, lmmedlatey
above Sedan, doubtless to support the troops
defending the important Bazeille ravine TO the
northeast of the town.
THE KEY OF THE POSITION.
At o'clock the French batteries on the
edge of the wood toward TOrcy and above IL
opened vigorous fire on the advancing Prus-
sian columns of the Third Corps, whose eyl-
dent intention it was to storm the hill north
west of La Garenne, and so gain the key OF
the position on that side. At Los yet another
French battery near the wood opened on the
Prussian columns, which were compelled 10
keep shifting their ground till ready for their
final rush at the hills, in order to avoid offer
ing so good mark to the French shells.
Shortly afterward we saw the first Prussian
skrmishers on the crest of the La Garenne
hills above TOrcy. They did not seem to be
in strength, and Gen. Sheridan, standing be-
hind me, exclaimed:
"Ah! the beggars are too weak; they can
never hold that position against all those
French
The Generals prophecy soon proved cor
rect, for the French advanced at least six to
one and the Prussians were forced to retreat
down the hill to seek reenforcements from the
columns which were hurrying to their sup
port In five minutes they came back again,
this time i'm greater force, but still terribly IN
ferior to those huge French masses.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL CAVALRY CHARGE.
"Good heavensl The French cuirassiers are
going to charge them," cried Gen. Sheridan
and sure enough, the regiment of cuirasslers,
their helmets and breast plates flashing in the
September sun, formed in sections of squad
rons and dashed down on the scattered
Prussian skirmishers, without deignlng TO
form a line. Squares are never used by the
Prussans, and the infantry received the culras-
siers with crushing "quick-hre," sc'hefgeuT,
at about hundred yards distance, loading
and firing with extreme rapidity, and shooting
with unfailing precision into the dense French
souadrons. The effect was startling. Over
went horses and men in numbers, In masses,
in hundreds; and the regiment of proud French
cuirassiers went hurriedly back in disorder;
went back faster than it came; went back
scarcely regiment in strength, and not at all
a regiment in form. It's cOmely array was
suddenly changed into shapeIess and helpless
crowds of flying men.
CAVALRY PURSUED BY INFANTRY.
The moment the cuirassiers turned back, the
brave Prussians actually dashed forward in
hot pursuit at double-quick infantry evil
IDENTITY pursuing flying cavalry. Such thing
has not often been recorded in the annals OF
war. | know not when an example to COM
mare precisely with this has occurred. There
WAS no more striking episode in the battle.
NEEDLE GUNS VS.. CTIAssEPoTs.
When the French infantry saw their cavalry
Tins fleeing before foot soldiers, they in their
turn came forward and attacked the Prus-
slams. The Prussians waited quietly; patiently
enduring rapid and telling fire from the
Chassepots until their enemies had drawn
so near rs TO be within hundred yards OF them.
Then TO the fire of the chassepots they re-
turned a fire as rapid from their needle-guns;
and the French infantry could no more en-
dure this Prussian fire than the cavalry to
whose rescue they had come. The infantry
fed in its turn, and followed the cavalry to
the place whence they came, that is behind a
ridge about 500 yards on the way to Sedan
where the Prussian fire could no longer reach
them.
The great object of the Prussians was
oained. since they were not driven from the
crest of the hill they fought to hold. Holding
if thus against cavalry, the Prussians per-
suaded themselves that it was possible to
establish artillery on this hill.
fO,rpg to the interruption Of telegraph communication
e tho land ,rres in Nec BrunsUick, this Is all Of the
oboe dispach that has reached us Up to M. The re-
rojader must be looked for in TUESDAYS TRIBUNE.I
THE NEWS IN BERLIN.
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