The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-07
THE DEFENSE OF SEDAN.


Bravery Of the Emperor Uoder F,re-A Oes-
perate sortlc by General sVimpHen-tSraph ohio
Description of the Terrible scenes.
LONDON, Tuesday, Sept. 6.--rhe special cores
pondent OF the New York Tribune at MacMahon's
headquarters, a French officer. who witnessed the
battle of Sedan from the French side, and was shut
up in Sedan with the French army. having been re-
leased, sends the following account, dated Sedan,
September 81
THE EVENTS OF AUGUST 81.
Ipass over all that has happened since wrote
yOu from Mezeres to come at once 70 the events OF
August 81 and September THE latter the slddest
day the French arms have ever witnessed.
Early in the morning OF the 3lst, orders were
given h bring into Sedan oil the wagon. tra and
This time the streets blocked up by troops of
every Kind which had entered the town dnring the
Light tried to ride down to the Porte de P.ris,
where the tian was stationed to carry tn or ters.
was obliged to get Off my horse and make my way
as best could between the horses ami csi,son,
which ChOked up every streetand square the town.
AS reached the Porte de Paris, met the wagon
traln entering as fast as POSSIBLE, folio we'd
closely by the rushing oxen and intermngled with
the weeping ana terror-strickeu peasantry OF the
DelghbOrhOOd flying into the town for protection.
They little knew tnat it was about the worst place
they could have chosen. The gates that side
were Immediately alterward closed while the GroDps
slowly filed out through the opposite gate toward
Duuzy, where all MacMahons forces were posted,
expecting TO be again attacked by the Prusslaus
who had closely followed mp the French army.
POSITIONS or THE CoNTENDIEG FORCES.
About 10 O'Clock that morning cannonadng was
heard six or seven miles away toward The village
of Bazeille. went up on the rampant overlo )klg
the country in that direction. Thence could see
the Prussian position, and with my leld-ga3s cond
watch the firing; but / could not see the French
lines, which were hid from me by trees about mile
from the town. therefore, at noon, walked out OF
the town at the Porte de Baan, aud iscended on ny
left the rising ground which Is close by the town.
Not more than half mile from the gate passed
through regiments OF reserve Infantry. Their
arms were piled and the fire smoking, the soup It
having long been eaten continued ascending,
and everywhere passed reserve corps OF infantry
and artillery. got higher and higher, from hillOck
to hileck, TIL reached battery OF reserve, the
the rear of the French left This battery was 50
pointed 10 lire the crest of the rising ground
on which ! stood About quarter of a mile dis
tant, in front Of little churchyard stood also
raj officers OF the different corps which Were sta
toned my right anG left, all being of the
prospect was within Wow. The French line OF battle
extended right in front, spreading on the slope OF
the ground which forms one side OF this basin of
the Meuse. In front Of The centre of the French
lines, and lower down in the VALE was the village
OF Bazeille, which was then beginning TO burn. tn
Prussan shells having set hre to II. Parallel
almost TO the front Of the French positions
ran the Meuse, crossed by bridge little TO
the left OF Bazeille. The French right was upon
knot OF wooded ground held by tird,lleuTS, the
wooded ground extending nearly "a the grounds OF
Sedan. Ths left was lost TO my sight behind the in
equates Of the ground toward the road 70 Boulllon
AS far as could see on the right and left and in
front of me- were massed regiments OF all arms: but
toward the left on the second line, very large
force OF heavy csvalry-dragoons and cuirassiers
The sun was shining brightly. ana everything was
bright ana snowy coors OF the French unf rms the
white smoke curling under the blue sky lingering
like vapor beneath the trees the lurld flames rising
from the burning village OF Bazeille all from
commanding position, formed spectacle such as
principal Prussian batteries were directly opposite
tie French centre on plateau or tlbleland which
terminated abruptly, and made it very strong po-
| sitOn.
For some time eannonading continued on both
| sides. At s'clock force of
PRUssIAN INFANTRY ADVANCED
VIa
diatey there began very sharp fuslade, lasting,
| however, not more than ten minutes. ! think the
| FFencn must have lost ground in that encounter,
although could not see IL, because OF some trees
that ntervened; but battery of SIX mitrsilleuses
advanced and opened through the trees. Six vol
| back, leaving whole ranks behind, which had gone
down like those leaden soldiers which children play
| AT about 80 the hrng had ceased everywhere
The villages, which had been blazing all day, was
! still smoking Tue French remained In the same
position Though the day had apparently been with
out result, It's description Is necessary prelude to
the bitter story OF the morrow. AT 63O Itturned
| TO the town.
/ THE EMPEROR RESIGNS HIS COMMAND or TIE ARMY.
The Emperor, who had arrived during the night
had issued proclamation, which was posted on the
the armies TO the generals whom public opinion had
! seemed TO select as most capable OF leading them
and that he himself intended 10 light an officer
forgetting Tor while his position as o sovereign.
| SPLENDID ARTILLERY PRACTICE OF THE PRUsSIANs
! The next morning, Thursday, Sept l, returned
as soon the gates of the town were opened 10 ms
post of observation on the elevated ground where
The battery was still placed. The French positions
did not seem TO much altered, but the right was
/ now on we other size OF Sedan. At O'Clock the
| cannOnade began ia earnest; some slight firms
having taken place earlier. The Prussian batteries
fRciug us appeared 10 nae much more mum er0us; ia
! deed il seemed 10 me there were batteries every
where. They roared from every point OF the Prus
| in front OF the French / could follow th'
| falling OF their shells which exploded
| as they touched the ground ant
| fIn with wonderful precision. / noticed, also, how
| quickly they changed and corrected their IRE. A
soon as French corps took up position II was In
stanty assai'ed by shells. The first would perhaps
fan few feet short OF beyond but the second o
tllra VAS suEs ~ lnd its way 70 the troops and d