Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-04-07
TINE P.snSs rvsUnnEcrroy.
SERIOUS ENoAoEMENT-AS SAD CONDITION
OF AFFAIRS.

A dispatch dated Paris, April %, says
there was serious engagement this morn
ing between the government troops and the
communists. About 1000 of the National
Guard marched on Courbevoic, and were
met by Gems d Arms and Gardes Forestiers,
The captain Of the latter galloped up, wav-
ing his cap, intending to address the COM
munists, when a zouave with that body
shot him dead. A general action followed,
In which the Gems d'Arms took five prison.
ers, one 10 years old, whom they shot i'm
mediately. The guns of Fort Vaerien
swept the road, and the communists fed.
20 of the insurgents were killed and MANY
wounded. The engagement was over at
o'clock. The National Guards still hold
Porte Maillot. Battaions of artillery are
hurrying up, the rappel is beating, and the
ramparts are being manned. The greatest
excitement prevails.
a subsequent dispatch says fighting has
been going on at various points since Sat
urday evening. In the Place de la Com
corde this morning, cannonading was dis
tinctly audible, the sounds coming from
the direction of Neuilly. An estimate.
probably exaggerated, puts the loss of the
National Guards at Courbevoie at 200. The
| government troops shot the prisoners as
rebels. The popular indignation against
the versailles government is terrific. The
nationals threaten to attack Versailles.
Marshal Mcmahon has been appointed
ommander-in-chief of the French army.
! PARIS, April 3-Evening. About 4 o.
clock yesterday afternoon, after great prep
aratiOn, the National insurgents commence
cd passing out at Neuilly gate in all 90, 900
men, Gems. Bergeret, Flourens, and Minot-
ii Garibaldi, commanding. It was under
stood that Fort Nalerien would not fire. but
about 9 o'clock, the artillery all in front and
Gen. Bergeret in advance with 10000 men,
Fort Valerien opened fire, killing Com
mandant Henry. Gen. Bergeret had Just
got out of his carriage, when the vehicle
was smashed by bombshell. The widest
excitement ensued. The troops tried TO re-
treat. The main body left Bergeret alone
with 10000 men. He tried to fight with fort
Valerien, but it was useless.
The communists got into the city, but
Bergeret and his men were cut off and can
not pass Valerien. The main body escaped
with the loss Of 100 men, but Bergcret must
lose large numbers. Altogether there are
1900 men killed, wounded and missing,
including Bergeret's force. The commun-
list troops under arms number 10000. Ire
mendous excitement prevails.
VERSAILLES, April 3. All day a great
battle has ragged between the government
forces under Gen. Vinoy, and 100000 COM
munists under Gen. Bergeret. Everywhere
the latter were defeated with terrible slaugh-
ter. Near Mesedon, Bergeret and Flourens,
with $4,000 men, are cut off and surrounded,
and must either surrender tonight or be
cut to pieces. In the morning many of the
communists refused to fight, and threw
down their arms and begged for mercy.
VERSAILLES, April 4. To-day the gov
eminent troops again completely defeated
the remnants of the communists, taking
many thousands prisoners, all their artille-
ry, and destroying their army. Vinoy's
troops will enter Paris on Wednesday or
Thursday.