The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-03-04
Fort Valerien.
VISIT TO the FAMOUS :sTRoNcHoLD
AFTER TINE SURRENDER.

1 - hHNG oSNNEN0ENa
The Correspondence Of the London Time,
says:
The instant the road was free and thai
our carriages could turn the earth work
which blocked it and get past the tail Of
the guns, we drove straight for Valerien.
The 'oad soon became Uad indeed, for the
ruts Of the French gun wheels had cut Il
up N milder weather, and it was now frog
en- hard. The column in front, which was
enteripg the fort, had come out from the
direction Of Ruell, and by judicious driving
we got up to the tail Of it Just where the
road to Suresnes turns off to the right But
there was a trial In store. In front Of some
three or four houses, apart on the road side
below the south face Of the fort, there was
a group Of women and children and two
men. AS we drew up to ask a question
which was civilly answered, they all regard
ed us very eagerly, and when one Of the
women inquired if we could give them any
thing to eat they looked like wolves, and
there was a cry from them all, 1--WE are
ready to die of hunger" ''Had they lived
there all during the fighting n Yes and
they had had wounded men in their houses,
and had helped Prussian officer 'sHow
they had suffered" And then an old lady
said something about ''OnIy seeking gigot
again" What life, indeed, under the
roar Of the guns Of Valerien, and starving
for four long months But we had to pass
on, with a promise that we would bring
them food tomorrow, which evoked show
er of blessings, as we came up with the
column, the rear brought up by men carry
ing odd articles Of food, clothing, utensils,
in strange vehicles. One man wheeling a
perambulatOr, another a Bath chair, others
barows against the slope Of the afro
cious road which the French had lust left
in state of utter disrepair, finging loads
Of uDbroken stones into the principal
ruts.
Another correspondent gives the follow
ing particulars
Mont Valerien is splendid stronghold,
well placed for defence and admirably for.
tified. Not having been bombardod, il
shows no sign Of damage. It was more
noticeable yesterday for its dreary empti-
ness than for anything else. All the French
men had not gone from the place at the
time lead you in to see it, though none
were seen as we approached the gate. The
officers who 90 round with the Prussian
commander of artillery to hand over the
great keys and introduce him to empty
store rooms, wear the uniform of the de.
feated side. There are three who thus re-
main. They are the last representatives of
the old garrison. All other Frenchmen
connected with the fort have gone downhil
across the Seine to the BOis de Boulonge.
away into the mist towards Paris. Two of
these French officers belong to the artillery;
one wears the red trousers of the line. His
face was pale and haggard, and he appear
ed to have suffered sickness and privatiOn.
His companions, though grave and sad
looking, showed less signs Of wear and
tear. One had an irrepressibly stout, iovial
aspect, which no i'll luck could change
They 60 about their work in the manner
Of men who feel painfully that their duty
must be got through, and exchange a few
polite phrases with the cOnquerOrs. The
younger artillery officer has a word for
those who are likely to be soon back in
Versailles. Will the EngIishman tak e
down the name and address Of his mother {?
She lives in Versailles. She has not heard
Of him for long time. A thousand thanks.
A great favor but it will relieve her anxi-
ETY.. lie goes away much pleased at the
chance Of sending message.
Many guns have been removed. About
dozen heavy pieces are left behind.
There is the huge Josephine" ships
gun, which sent shells so far into the Prus-
sian positions. Another ships gun, IN
ehrlstened, is almos. equally large. OF
mtrailleuses, small arms, baggage, etc, no
vestige was to be seen. The barracks were
very dirty likewise the stables for the ar
tillery horses and scores of Prussians
might be observed diligently beating disn-
fecting powder into mattresses which the
French had left. There had been much
sickness in the fort
With glance round the foggy landscape,
we endeavOr to sec Paris through the haze,
and then 90 down again. The Prussiar
artillerymen and the forty-seventh line vii
be left 10 that most uncomfortable Of posi-
tions-an abandoned ~ IL will take a
least tweEty.four hours to set things straigb
and bring up stores We observe, as W,
descend, Montretout close beneath. | won
der the Prussians could stay there will
Mont. Valerien held by the enemy; ye
stay they did in the form Of an outpost D
the fourth jaeger battalion, and lost surpris
ingly few by shells fred at them. Heavl
guns cannot keep away determined rifle
men.