The New York herald., 1870-12-28
16anteufcl Pursuing Eaidherbe's
Army.
pRUSSIANs pILLAGIyG ORLEANS and BLOIS.
THE BESlEGED CAPITAL.

THE BESlEGED CAPITAL.
-~-~-~~~->-~~-.-~-~>~>~~>>-~
TsLeeaAMs TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Searching versailles-Conditione Of Paris-The
Pro-pect-The Last sorsie-ParticuInrs Of
the Fight-Hepnlsc Of the French.
LONDON. Dec. 27, 1870.
have received the following letter from the NEW
YORK HERALD correspondent at Versailles. dated
December - Your correspondent writes:-
SEARCHING VERSAILLES.
Domiciary visits are the order OF the day in Yer.
saies, whatever may be the pretext for them
Whether they have been intended as q search for
arms and Spies it Is certain that the important
result has been the capture of considerable num-
Der OF ru1ians and thieves capable OF committing
any atrocuy. 1t is believed that they were waiting
TO renew their plunderng operations when
opportunity should oner. The manner in which the
search has been made has been childish where not
brutal, nasmuch as 1t has been partial or imperti-
nent according to the pleasure OF the Chief OF Gen.
darmes. The search, however. mas been carried out
with Prssian minuteness at the great hotel and the
residences OF their Serene Hghnesses have not been
exempt Rooms have been entered and their occu.
pants required give fu explanation OF their po-
sition and business.
CONDITION PARIS.
Some Prussian officers no have been exchanged
came to headquarters yesterday. They confirm the
statements previously made by me as to the condi-
tion OF Paris Food OF the very best quality be
had In the restaurants Four theatres are open and
cabs and omnbuses ply the streets as usual. The
shop windows present as brilliant an appearance
as before the SIEGE ana the cafes crowded from
morning till night
THE PROSPECT.
These Prussan officers report that perfect conf
dence re.gns In Paris, both in General Trochu and
in the future military operations The only persons
suffering from the state OF siege are the lower
classes, which are unable to pay the war prices.
Nevertheless, being fed by the government their
hardships are not severe. From all accounts re-
Ceiyed by the officers Paris able to hold out till the
end of February.
THE LAST soRTIE.
Yesterdays attack by the French on the Prussian
lines was a comprehensive affair, bold In concep-
tion, but feeble In execution. One hundred thou
sand Freach troops were engaged, besides the gun
boats and upwards Of twenty batteries, without
counting the guns of the earthworks. The German
loss was Insignificant.
PARTICULARS OF TIE FIGHT
The main efforts OF the French were made with
three divisions of infantry and one hundred guns on
Aubray and Sevran, their right wing resting on
Bondy and their left on Bobigny. Movements were
also made against LIE Grand Drancy and lie Bour.
get where the French got hot reception
from four batteries of the Guard Artillery, stationed
at Pont uon, cutting them up terribly These
points assaed are all situated north and northeast
OF Paris and arc before forts ST. Denis, Auberviers
Romainvic and Noisy.
THE FRENCH REFUSE.
The infantry OF the Prusslan Guard got into action
hereabouts driving ba * the French to their forts in
great disorder from which they did not rally. With
this reception the repulse OF the sortie was
erected. Tho small loss OF the Germans was due to
the effective manner in which their artillery was
handled. The four batteries Of the Prussian Guard
opened Dire at distance OF 1.40o yards and did i'm
mcnHc UllIidxc W rTcuCu CCluIuuS as u0ey were
advancing. A few minutes suGlced TO make them
wayer AMI although their officers were seen en-
deavoring TO keep them together they soon broke
ana fell back utterly discounted. They know better
now than to encounter the Saxon field batteries
In the enicavor to capture Anbuay aud Sevrain
gunboats were brought to EpinaY, from which place
they kept up an ncessant fire all night on the Prus-
Sian Guards, but with little effect.
Reimbursement Of Fort Avron- French Waste
Of Ammunition.
LONDON, Dec y, 1870.
telegram from Dresden dated to-day states that
q telegraphlc despatch from the commanding
general OF the Saxon troops herore Paris announces
that the bombardment OF Fort Avron commenced
to-day This fortincauon Is the most advanced Of
the French outworks east OF Paris, and crowns
Mount Avron, . considerable elevation ak miles
from the city wall.
FRENCH WASTE OF AMMUNITION.
The latest adviccs from Versailles are to the eject
that the Notifications OF Paris still waste their am
munltion by an inetectua cannonade OF the
Prasslan positions.