The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-01-20

The fighting in France for several
days past has been of the most ferocious
character. As usual, the French are
every where defeated with severe
slaughter. The famous "army of the
Loire" 100000 strong, so often beaten
but continually reinforced and always
exhibiting bravery of the highest or
der, has at length suffered crushing
defeat by the army of Prince Frederick
Charles, before lie Mans. The French
losses are stated at 10000 killed and
wounded, 10000 prisoners, besides vast
quantities of arms and military stores.
The remains of the army are retreating
to different parts and will ut least be
driven to distant points from Paris.
The Prussian losses in the engagements
that produced these results were also
heavy.
The other French armies in the field
have also been defeated, but not so dis.
astrously. All are being hard pressed.
The Prussian armies in France now
number one million men.
The bombardment of Paris is carried
on with the utmost vigor, and is most
destructive. The Prussians are steadily
gaining ground, advancing their batter
les nearer and nearer to the city, gradu.
ally destroying aud siIencing the de-
fensivc forts, and erecting works OF their
own within easy range of the city. Fort
Mount Valerien, the strongest defens-
i've work, is fired upon by every means
in most terrific manner aud is reported
as suffering severely. The French ar
my in the city makes frequent sorties
and fights with most heroic bravery.
but is invariably driven back with
heavy loss. The destruction of proper.
ty within the city is very great, and
serious fires are constantly raging. The
infantry attacks of the French are said
to be of the most frantic and desperate
sort, but are invariably repulsed with
Il steadiness aud power that surprises |
even high military authority every.
where. The bombardment daily be. |
comes more terrible. The whole dis. |
trict south of line drawn through |
Porte Maillot, Champs dc Mars, Hotel
de lnvalides, Luxumburg and Fort de |
Bicctre is reached with Il rain of shells.
The other portions of the city are per-
fectly safe. The condition of Paris and
France is decidedly gloomy, and yet
the people fight with IL devotion and
bravery which should command sue.
cess.
PARTICULARS OF THE DEFEAT OF T HE
ARMY OF TIE LOIRE.
LIE MANS, January lO-Midnight.-
The army of the Loire, the hope of
France, has been defeated in a bloody
battle within seven miles of this citv.
Inc report of cannon was heard in this
city all day. The entire population of
LIE Mans crowded the housetops and
suburbs of the city and all thorough
fares, and the progress of the fight was
watched. Although the peo-
pie are accustomed to the roar of can
non there never was seen such excite
ment. AT 8 O'Clock in the morning the
right wing of the French army, which
was on the east side of lie Mans, were
suddenly attacked by the vanguard of
the Prussians which emerged from the
woods on the extreme right of the
French.
Upon the alarm being given, the ad.
vance OF the French infantry wheeled
INTO line OF battle, the artillery pushing
forward through intervals made in the
severed ranks. The cavalry took posi-
tion upon the right and left wings. A
more perfect line of battle could not
have been formed by the finest army.
The artillery were well supplied with
and the infantry with one
hundred rounds per man. The supply
trains were conveniently posted near,
and real bloody work began.
Inc battlefield was valley, and the
Two armies occupied the heights oppo- t
'lte each other. Inc French line was Il
and extended twelve {
nlleS, overlooking the valley, which
Was wa covered Dy twelve Inches of snow
Dd ,aid iie opposite neights me russians
=, ,eiu r an ailiioSt silIlliar poSitloh. snort
y aittr hlne O'Clock inc russians be-
,ann ,a, " .h iuf'ous canloillae rom the woods b
rear tne extreme let, hanked by an l
ioIbe thein VI raiviilry' .ne WOODS
Rooms were massef ,,,;th th "nui ,,;aont e,t
Intention of tnrnin,, ",'h Tho, ,ae eVi.Jt' n;'ht
The artillerv firn aS n6Sntin"udy Gr"o1y risitt'
ides mill ibn ,n,no,,nitiC vi ooSn
5rnss;an an'i, niio ammunition OF the
VI ,,,inr a. a. LILLY wa Utmost eXhaust'
md Gave an ordar f'm tho pucu,liu a furious
he 7nf,ntru r IN M 'ol r. ano auyn,lce ,' "
With n"nai r,riait,, ioncii aio huVuhcIu
;na 70 oiot nions .he Wnoie
,and' H 70 hand % 'no ,rsi'ntni Getraiis im lar,
iermans avoro nnoI mio1hutiy a,, hSnt. me
bn Trnnob 49, 49, oJoi hnh a,i. c4llecteu, ana
'nar nonn NV m'nJ M%ii pJnu'ilS bravery; Dut C
nd the Frnnch V,S mnro ny peHam In to waver, p
L ,nid VIC thoi reaicm were no longer able to h