Middletown transcript., 1870-11-19
THE WAR NEWS.

Further details OF the battle OF Orleans
confirm fully the signal character of the
French victory, and for the first time dur
ing the war King William has found it
necessary to admit serious reverse The
recapture of Orleans has created a thor
ough revival of esprit in the army Of the
Loire, which is now 120, 900 strong. and
the uppermost idea with it to present is to
march to the relief Of Paris. Such an
enterprise it is announced will be under
taken. But the defeated General Won
der Tam is rapidly receiving reinforce
ments, and with bis line covering the ap-
proaches by way of Chartres and Etam-
pes, will doubtless be able to interpose
formidable barrier. The report goes that
Trochu will cooperate with Paladines
A grand sortie from the besiegcd city
seems, indeed, to be demanded by the
situation, and such an occasion would be
the most favorable to its success. Sim
ultaneous movements by Bourbaki and
Keratri are limited at.
Bismarck has issued his circular on the
failure of the armistice negotiation, and
alleges that King William was even more
anxious for peace than NJ Theirs He
admits having refused to permit the re-
victualing of Paris, because, "this absurd
demand to go back two months in the war
was impossible :" reason which requires
elucidation. But he says that he propos-
ed short truce subsequently,, and that
was refused, from which he infers that
the provisional government is afraid to go
before the people. 1t is believed at Tours
that an armistice may yet be obtained.
The Prussians, it is stated at Versailles,
will not lombard Paris, from motives of
humanity. A London despatch gays it is
because they cannot do it; while at Ber-
lin it is said that the authorities will show
no false generosity in retaining, but will
open fire now pretty soon. 1t is not ap-
parent, however, that the last report is
founlcd upon any decided information.
A navel duel, formally arranged at
Havana, took place on the 9th inst ten
miles off the Cuban coast, between the
Prussian gunboat Meteor and the French
gunboat Bouvct. The Spanish war steam
er Hernandcs Cortcs attended as umpire,
with the Captain General aud other Off
cials on board. After an interchange Of
FIVE shots the Bouvet attempted to board,
but her rigging got in al mess" with the
Meteor, her main and mizen mast went
overheard, and the rigging going along
with them, entangled the Meteor screws.
The latter just them smashed the Bouvet's
steampipe with a shell, and the French
man forthwith made haste to get away
The Meteor, though unable at the moment
to pursue, kept up fire on the fugitive,
and was duly declared the victor. The
Bouvet had three wounded, the Meteor
two killed and one wounded.
Rumors ofanother victory by the French
army of the Loire were received on Tuesday
1t is stated that Won der Tam was attack
ed on the road from Orleans to Chevilly'
and after a desperate fight was compelled
to retreat in very hurried fashion.
1t is certain that the French are following
up their recent victories, inficting loss
upon the enemy at every point, and max
ing every effort TO secure position in the
rear Of the army investing Paris. News
of the Orleans victory has been received
in Paris, and Trochu has informed his
troops that the force of the enemy around
the city consists of 200, 900 men, occupy
ing circuit of sixty miles, md that at
the proper time he will penetrate this
"attenuated circle"
The London "Times" believes that the
war will be by no means ended if Paris is
taken, SO intense is the bitterness of the
French. An official report shows that
there is enough provision in Paris to give
| -.
tables, in all two pounds of solid food pei
day to each inhabitant, until the 29th o
January. The report is repeated tha
preparations for a sortie in great force ar,
being made.
The campaign in the East is becoming
interesting. The Prussians now occup,
Dole, the recent headquarters of Garibal-
di, who is now in Chagny, not having
surrendered, as several times reported
but acting in connection with Frencl
army there. The two armies will co-ope
rate to resist the advance of the Prussiau
on Lyons, an immediate movement OF
that city being anticipated.
The French have succeeded in occupyin.
Chartres, forty-seven miles southwest o
Paris, the German right giving way ant
resting its main body on Toury, twenty
seven miles southeast of Chartres Th
main body of the army of the Doire pro
f poses to march upon Toury, meeting there
the corps sent to tho latter place, whel
another great battle or another retreat vii
take place. Private advices from Yer
sailles represent the situation of the Ger
mans as extremely critical, the entire Cor
man army being now within the lines o
! the French armies and Franc-tireurs
ARprehensions are expressed lest com
t plete turning of the tables occur, "to tn
utter annihilation of the invaders" TIL
King is prevented from returning to Ber
lin, as he had designed, for fear of bsin,
$ shot or captured, being at present unabl
e to withdraw from Paris an escort larg
enough to insure his protection.
There are indefinite rumors of Frenc
successes at Paris, while the army of tn