The New York herald., 1870-12-03

| Paris has not fallen without 0 grand and
determined struggle struggle which still
continues. But all hopes Of her obtaining aid
from the Army Of. the Loire Is destroyed by
the retreat OF that army through Orleans,
doubtless on Its way to Blois for the purpose
Of defending Tours. The reports which we
publish this morning are more varied than we
could wish them. The armies which for months
past have been locked up In Paris by tho
Prussian investment have made sorties
in force at different points, and with
desperate earnestnsss. The French Generals
Ducrot, Trochu and Vinoy have led their
forces under the shelter of the heavy
guns Of the forts and have, perhaps,
obtained a negative success. The re-
ports from Tours might naturally lead the
reader to believe that the investment OF Paris
was broken. Too much reliance should not
be placed on these announcements. On
Tuesday the Second and Third corps of the
Army of Paris, composed Of regular troops Of
the llne, and numbering about one hundred
thousand men, defled under the shelter of the
guns of forts Charenton, Vincennes, Nogent
and Rosny, and attacked the German works
In their front. These forts are situated on tho
casterly side Of Paris-Charenton being the
most soutberly and Rosny occupying the
most northerly position. The intention
of this movement evidently was to engage
the German armies, and while the battla
progressed General vinoy, at the head Of the
First Army corps, was to attack the German
lines on the sonth, pierce them II possible,
push on with his army and effect junction
with the Army Of the Loire, which was
supposed to be advancing from the south.
From Tuesday morning until Wednesday
night the battle ragged near Choisy-
le-Roi L'Hay and Chevilly. On Thurs
day morning General Ducrot crossed the
Marne and occupied Messly, He did not
hold this position long, as we find that tho
hardest fighting took place at Champigny.
where he encountered severe resistance.
1t would appear, however, that he was
unsuccessful in carrying out his entire design,
for though he endeavored to fight his way to
Brie-doubtless Brie Comte Robert, in the de-
partment of Seine et-Marne and on one of the
roads to Fontainebleau--he evidently failed,
and was compelled to return to the Marne.
After inflicting what damage he could upon
the Germans he fell back on Champigny, re-
crossed the Marne and took position at
Thernay. While these operations were In
progress the army under Vinoy does not
appear to have acted with the determination
which distinguishes the bold dash of Ducrot.
At least we are led to this conclusion from the
information received by cable. The part Of
the programme which the First army corps,
under General vinoy, was to attempt was
to penetrate the German line on the south and
open communications with the Army Of the
Loire. Notwithstanding the kilograms an
nouncing that Vinoy's army and the forces Of
Paladines have effected junction, these re-
ports are evidently false, because, as we have
already stated in the foregoing, De Paladines
was in full retreat across the Loire at last ac-
counts. Besides which the distance from
Paris to the position lately held by the army
would have rendered such junction impos-
sib.e in the short space Of time between the
sortic and the sending of the despatch.
Fire In tho Brooklyn Bridge Caisson.
The fire which broke out in the casson OF
the East river bridge at Fulton ferry, Brooklyn,
on Thursday night, and continued to burn yes
terday, cannot be easily accounted for except
by carelessness on tho part Of the workmen
employed In the depths Of this vast wooden
cavern, which lies forty feet below the water
level. Perhaps no blame can be attached to
the workmen, for it appears that the suction Of
air was 80 great as TO attract the flame of q
candle to tho oakum with which the seams OF
the caisson were dlled but the officers should
have guarded against calamity of which they
had frequent warning. 1t is impossible now
to calculate the amount of damage done to the
caisson; but, from the force and continuance
Of the fire, it is quite probable that tho wooden
chambers inside are totally destroyed. There
arc soma fears expressed that the heavy
weight Of stonework on the top may cause the
whole structure to topple over when the
water is pumped out. The process of pump
ing will commence on Monday, and there will
be much anxiety felt as to the result. The
whole cost Of the caisson was about million
dollars. The damage by the fire may probably
amount to quarter of million. This con-
1agration must be regarded as a most unfor-
tunate disaster just now, as it must retard the
progress of the East river bridge for con-
siderable time.
A Conflict of Railroad iaierests.
The Erie Railroad and the Morris and Essex
for some time about the right Of way through
the tunnel at Bergen Hill. Yesterday both
companies had railroad duel at each end O
the tunnel. The result was that about ter
thousand people doing business in this city
were deprived Of their usual mode Of transit to