The New York herald., 1871-02-13
BEFORE THE ARMISTICE.
Scenes Previous TO the Occupation
81 of Tours.
THE APPROACH OF THE uHLAAs
Highly Colored Sketches of Prus-
sian Barbarity.

B0HDEACX JAM D, 1911.
The acts OF barbarism perpetrated by the Prus-
stans MI already many long pages The bomoard-
ment OF tho city OF Tours, though only OF short du
ration places on record another deed Illustrative Of
brutality OF the darkest hue rhe city perfectly
defenccless not soldier remained behind; tho no.
tional guard had been disarned and the civic au-
thorities had determined 10 put Obstacles In the
way Of the enemy whenever he should signify his
pleasure occupy the CITY, For nearly three months
Tours had represented the nterests of the capital Of
France, aHd, however humillating the act the city
was doomed TO pocket lts pride and TO submit to the
stern reaiittes OF war;
THE MAIN STREET OF TOURS,
the Rue Royalc, extends from north to south and
divides the city into nearly two equal parts. On
the morning Of December q numerous sightseers
crowded the sidewalk or that street, for the most
part women and children, awaiting with breathless
anxiety the arrival OF the much-dreaded uhlans The
patience invariably displayed on like occasions
forms one o: the most formidable features In the
character OF the French. While thus remaining for
nearly an hour on tptoe expectation the poor people
little dreamed what preparations the Prussians were
then making outside the city. The Rue Royale ex-
tends on the north side toward bridge tnea-ly 500
yards long built IN the last century,, and or, Ing
this bridge, the road continues straight line On
the opposite bank Of the River Loire, the ground
feet. On this eminence which commands the main
street completely the Prussans had placed cannon,
Iarnns and IN he absence ali ppsren preyo o.
cation, they
The shells swept along the Rue Royale Killing ana
woundlng many among the crowd and carrying de-
struction into peaceful habltations. People had as
circus riders. Knowing that no resistance was con-
templated they expected no acts OF violence. The
facts which led to the catastrophe these:-Te-
ward eleven In the morning the usual vanguard
consisting OF six or eight horsemen, were seen on
Iandwehr ouirasslers in white tunics. While trot-
nng along one OF the Prusslans rode against mar
Sno or eer tougn
explained. The incident irrifaied the crowd A
iaboring rna,,one Of the bystanders-ietched rife
from one OF the ncfghboring houses Followed by five
little boys, who brought up cartridges, he rred
at the sqsad and succeeded IN bringing down one OF
and made OF. The FreDchman followed IN close
proximity and continued firing TIL he had fairly
driven them to the opposite bank, nearly under the
muzzle OF the Prussian cannon.
THIS SINGLE ACT OF MADMAN,
rsbe css he 10 @ excite our
In almost less time than IL takes me to pen these
lines the guns were splitting out Their deadly fire,
until the Mayor displayed the white nag from the
river and whose 'front.' has been badly injured Fir.
and the Prusslans sketacdled with promise to
make their appearance shortly. Among the killed
This e was on his was n ~
the Hotel de lunivers While he had not the slight
est curiosity 70 wait on the Prussans he had sIll
During my say at Tours fiyed under the same roof
with Mr.. Beurtnerer, and testify the nigh ana
universal esteem In which he was held by his fellow
Citizens. ~
AEoT&Ea ACT OF PURE vANDALIsM
has been committed by the Prussians at Saint Calais
a small city, forty miles northeast OF Vendome.
General Chanzy has communicated 10 the War De-
partment telegram containing copy OF the pro-
Clamaon issued to his army relative the atrOct.
ties &C Saint Calais. He has transmitted another
copy 10 the r Prassian commander, and given him
warning OF the inevitable cOnSeqences IL the acts of
violence are sanctioned by him. The occurrence at
Saint Calais is simply repetition or the atrocities
committed at BazeilleS after the battle of Sedan.