The New York herald., 1870-09-24

Gallant Defence Of the FOrtress-Effect of the
CannOnade Twelve Miles Distnnt-A Herald
Special Advnnce-Report Of the Investments
What tho Prussian Omcers Say-Looking
to Paris.
LONDON, Sept. 2S-Eveninp.
special letter addressed to the HERALD from
Vrton, the 2lst inst has just reached this CITY,
hasten 10 telegraph the report Of the correspon-
dent,
He says:-I have returned here from Mont
medy, whithcr l went In order that
might witness the gallant defence OF the
fortress by the French. The "plucKy,n hrm
resistance Of the garrison equals anything
which:has been written In the history OF the present
war; indeed, might say In the history of any pre-
vious war conflict The Belgian town from which |
write is distant twelve miles from Montmedy, and
yet we can hear the sound OF the guns which are
battling around the place quite distinctly. The can
nOnade is carried on with great spirit and much
pr0mptness on both sides. The air here Is filled
with atoms Of cartridge paper VIII ch borne into
the houses and tossed In ones face out OF doors
when the wind comes from the direction of the scene
OF strife.
PRUssIAN OUTPOST DUTY.
Journeying out near to the hamlet OF Torgny l
came on Prussan outpost consisting OF forty men,
Ny further progress In advance was barred by the
officer in command, who informed me that he hau
most imperative orders TO prevent any approach to
Montmedy. This officer took my papers and exam
ined them closely. Returning the documents, he
permitted me to proceed to high ground in the
neighborhood, from which, with the aid of field
glass, could observe the main operations which are
being carried on around the fortress, If 1t Is desra
BILE to call them operations.
SIEGE ACTION
The name of siege Is q misnomer. The Prus-
slams are merely blockadlng the place with force
amounting to about IL, 900 men. From time to time
occasionally this force appears to enter an artillery
protest against the French contnueing to hold the
place by firing few shots from their heavy guns
against the fortress. The French invariably reply
to the Prussan 1re by dschsrgng exactly an equal
number of cannon shots against their position.
They change the programme occasionally, however
by sending few shells among the invaders.
Active proceedings appear to have been dscon-
rnued on both sides.t The Prussians have aban.
doned their work Of digging trenches The French
have ceased their sharp sorties and lemain closely
inside.
Both parties are evidently waiting to know the
result OF the more important events which are
transpirng in Paris.
The Prussian officers assert that they Will starve
the garrison Of Montmedy into a surrender. On the
other hand, prisoners who have been captured by
the Prussans say that the garrison has frequently
received supplies from the outside despite the Ger
man investment.
This believe to be true.
DETERMINED.
A Prussian oficer assured me that the Germans
have resolved to capture the place at all hazards,
and that he himself believed that . storming had
been ordered to take place within very few days.
The German Of1icers generally express much sur
PRISE at the stubbornness which is still displayed by
the French garrisons serving In the different fort
resses considering that, with the exception of the
garrison at Metz none Of them have more than o
sprnkllng Of regular troops In the ranks. The gar
rison at Montmedy is made up, he said, OF strayed
soldiers VINO belonged at one time to each arm OF
the service, without regard to regmcntal register
and. as at Bltche, scarcely any two soldiers wear
the same uniform.
AT DINNER.
The Prussan investing force before Montmedy is
We'll fed Just now but the !Fauons are Of q very