The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-27
THE BESIEGED CITIES.
The soriIe from Metz.


heavy fog enveloped the neighboring heights,
when suddenly shell was fired, and fell in
the rear of our bivouac. 1t was signal.
Towards in the morning strong bodies Of
the enemy's troops could be seen man9vring
in front of the st. Julien red)ubt, and
taking the direction of Saarbrucken. As the
fog cleared off we saw the enemy in thick
masses advancing upon the aforementioned
road to attempt to force its way through our
lines. 1t appears that the whole army of
Marshal Bazaine, now concentrated in Metz,
had made this sortie in order to effect Juno
tion with the corps of Marshal MacMahon,
who was advancing from the northwest. But
our troops were fully prepared for such an at
tack. The different heights around and
about us were closely studded with batteries,
and behind us stood the whole of the Land
wehr in reserve. The cannonade commenced
about 2'30. The French had certainly the
most advantageous position, as their advance
was made upon kind of plateau, whilst we
lay in the valley beneath. Shellr were burst
ing upon our right and left, and the fire of
the infantry commenced, but the principal
attack of the French was not directed upon
us, but upon our left, in the direction of the
1st Corps dArmee. The enemy continued
his advance, but wheeled front. 1t was now
night, and several villages were on fire.
About $50 the S1st Regiment, who stood
close to us, entered into action. Phe
possession of the village of Frenzy was
disputed with the most determined obsti-
macy. Towards $50 the firing seemed to
decrease; only here and there some very heavy
musketry fire could be heard. The French
had gained the ground. The place on which
they had concentrated their attack was not
sufficiently guarded by our troops. 1t thus
became question as to whether the enemy
would be able to maintain the position he
had gained, as during the night we were con
centrating large numbers of troops upon the
spot We remained the whole night through
in our former position, with
out OUT; closing our our eyes; yes The The mex next
the battle was commenced with renewed vigor
Our men stormed the position of the enemy
on all sides with loud hurrahs. The French
began to yield, and this time the enemy was
worsted. At o'clock the enemy had, in
spite of the courageous and almost despair
ing resistance they offered, been driven back
upon all points, and the battle had now been
gained by us. Thus the two days battle was
gained by us, and the last hopes of Bazaine
to effect junction with MacAIahon had been
disappointed.
Strnsburg.
Tomorrow morning (the 9TH instant) the
two enormous mortars will open fire. They
are placed to the northwest of the fortress,
not far from the village of Mittelhansborgen.
Each of these mortars weighs 175 cwt., aud
the projectiles weigh 2 cwt. each, and have
about 10 Id. charge of powder. The effect
of these guns is something astonishing, and
with their aid the few bomb-proof places
existing in Strasburg will soon be destroyed.
This morning, on the Kehl side, where the
batteries continue heavy fire, great sue
cess has been accomplished, for the gate lead
ing from the town into the citadel has been
completely destroyed, thus reducing to a
minimum the possibility of defending or
holding the town in its isolated position.
Fire has again broken out tiercely just behind
the ramparts. Yesterday two peasants who
had made an attempt to murder one of our
sentries were brought in prisoners from Hon.
helm. 1t is most astonishing that bitter
feeling of animosity against us is cherished
by most of the inhabitants here, and every
thing has been done by the French to in
crease ill-feeling and hatred.
Bitsche.
From the Frankfort Gazette, 18th inst.
Yesterday again crossed the frontier, as
the roaring of the cannon and the incessant
roll of musketry which came from the direc
tion of Bitsche told me something was taking
place. The French, who were well acquainted
with the inferior numbers of the Bavarian iu
vesting army attempted sortie from theil
earthworks Yesterday, but fortunately theil
efforts were frustrated by the Bavarian troops
A vigorous and determined combat resulted
but the enemy was repulsed, with compare
lively heavy losses. The French troops oc
cupy a most advantageous position; they Car
from the heights observe every one of ou
movements, and secured from our observation
by the subterranean communication between
the two portions of the fortress, they can con
centrate their troops on any given point for
sortie, remaining hidden from the view o
our troops till the very last moment To
day numerous guns have arrived, twelve gun
from Gemersheim and a number of mortar
with suitable ammunition, and more will ar
rive tomorrow or next day, when it is sup
posed that the investing army will be com
pleted, and the steady and systematic bonn
bardment commence.
Toul.
From the Cologne Gazette.
An immense amount of trouble and diff
Guilty was experienced in bringing the heav
guns here over the different high roads; bu
they are now in position and tomorrow tn
bombardment will commence. 1t earnestl
hoped that this small fortress, which contain
only 1000 Gardes Mobiles and abo ut 100
regulars, will very soon surrender, as tn
possession of the fortress is of the utmos
importance to us, so as to open the line o
rail to Chalons-sur- -Marne, the key point o
which is ToQl. The insecurity of the road
is daily increasing, and small bands of armet
men are making raids all over the country
Orders have therefore been given that al
conveys shall be sent under escort of a suffi
cient number of troops.
of the Berlin police force no fewer than