Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-23
An Unsuccessful Sortie
from Mount Valerien.
Heavy Loss Sustained by
the French.
Proposal for Armistice by TrO-
chu Refused.
ENGLAND.

|
LONDON, January 23.-An official dis
patch from Versailles, containing infor-
nation with reference to a sortie made
from Mt. Valerien Thursday last, was
received here. About forty French bat
teries we're engaged, besides a consider
able force of artillery: The whole
movement was family executed, and in
manner that indicated a great degree
of excavation and lack Of that rigorous
martial spirit which characterized most
of the previous sorties of the besieged
A heavy artillery fire from the guns OF
Fort Valerien afforded protection and
gave additional advantages to the French
troops for success in their attempt, but
notwithstanding the propriety of the
movement, and the heavy obstacles
which were thus opposed to any resist
ance which the enemy might offer, the
French troops were totally repulsed,
after brief and exceedingly severe en-
gagement
The loss sustained by the French in
this action was considerable. Over five
hundred prisoners fell into the hands of
the Prussians, besides several pieces of
ordnance. The Prussian troops suffered
but little in the engagement, being well
protected from the attack and the FIRE
from Mont Valerien by the excellent
position of their works, the guns of
which replied to the enemys fire in
rapid and effective manner throughout
the action. This sortie was directed
chiefly against the German position at
Malmaison, Montretont and st. Cloud,
the primary and chief object being to
sever the communication Of the German
forces at these places with the main
German army at Versailles.
On Friday, the day succeeding the
sortie, a parliamentoirie was received
through the German lines, with a mes
sage from General Trochu to headquar-
tiers at Versailles. The message proved
to be proposal by Trochu for an arms
tice. The entire proposition, however,
was couched in such terms as were con-
sidered altogether ineligible by the
Prussian King and refusal was trans
mitted accordingly. 1t is understood,
however, that authority has been granted
to the advanced posts Of the Prussian
army to grant local truce, if desired by
the enemy, for the purpose of allowing
them an opportunity of collecting their
wounded and disposing Of their dead.
Versailles advices state that owing to
the heavy fog which prevailed on Friday
military operations were much delayed.
The enemys guns were entirely inactive
during the day.
A massing movement Of French troops
was observed near Fort Mont Valerien
at later part of the day, and from gen
eral indications in that vicinity sortie
is considered imminent.
The prisoners captured in the recent
sortie also state that an attack will prob
ably be made at an early date. They
state that characterization has not been
unfrequently seen of late in the ranks of
the Rationale Garde, and that the men
eyince a strong indisposition to fight,
evidently considering the bombardment
insurmountable and the struggle hope
less one.
A rumor prevails in German quarters
that General Trochu has been severely
wounded but what truth attaches to the
report is not known.
The Second German corps have left
Versailles en- route for Dion. They
are destined to reinforce the command Of
General Won Worder, and assist him in
driving Bourbaki and his command
across the frontier into Switzerland.
Adyiees received in this city state that
the lower House Of She Bavarian Cham
bers has accepted the new Federal
treaties proposed by Prussia by vote q
one hundred and two against thirty
eight.