The New York herald., 1871-02-02
Faidherbe's Retreat from st.
Quentin.
A Hot Pursuit ard Skilful
March.
Terrible Condition of the
French Army.
Positions Occupied by Won GOe-
ben's Forces.
Germans and French Exchanging
Congratulations.
TELEGRAM TO the NEW YORK HERALD.

TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD
LONDON, Feb. l, 1871.
We have received the following despatch
from the NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
at Amiens, dated January 30, at the headquar-
ters of the First German army. Your corre-
spondent writes -
| NEWS OF THE ARMIsTICE.
Last night telegram from Versailles set this
town in Juror of wild excitement. It came
from General Won Moltke, and announced the
cessation of hostilities pending between the
armies here from noon of the 31st ult.
THE FRENCH DELIGHTED
At this moment of writing sudden calm
has come over this part of France. The
armies which but yesterday were watching
each other with hostile eyes halted in the places
where the messenger Of peace found them;
the Francs -tireurs dropped their rifles, and the
Gardes Mobile got intoxicated. Every one
threw off instantly the cares, sorrows and
terrors of war.
S3aaEsE FEELING OF THE GERMANS.
The stout solid legions of Germany received
the intelligence of the approaching end of
the war with their usual stolid reserve,
amounting seemingly to Indifference but the
glitter of their eyes, their heaving breasts and
| grasp of hand tell that their mind and heart
are already on the way back to Fatherland.
In imagination they are already embracing
| aged parents and beloved wives.
THE NECESSITY OF PEACE.
| Nor does the news come any too soon for
the people Of this section of France. Although
| the Germans have supplied with work as
many Of the French as was possible, the want
! of food and coal is severely felt. There is
| much suffering among all classes. Every
body hopes and believes that this first taste of
peace is great advantage, as it will render
the people anxious to secure it as lasting
blessing. What chance is there of any
renewal of the terrible and bloody strife?
Such man as General Won Moltke, with
Faidherbe destroyed in the North, Chanzy
helpless in the South and Bourbaki surrounded
in the East, would hardly grant an armstce,
except on basis very favorable to Germany,
and one indicative of lasting peace. Then
comes-the still more important news that the
German troops under orders for the seat of
war are to remain where they are. This is
regarded as sure indication of the end of the
war,
FAIDHERBE's s RETREAT.
As far as the French army is concerned,
General Faidherbe has certainly shown good
military qualities in the manner in which he
has managed his retreat from st. Quentin.
How he succeeded in removing his long trains
| of ammunition and artillery and his columns of
infantry is mystery, considering the orderly
| manner in which it was DONE 1t is true that
the Prussian cavalry were prevented from
moving rapidly by reason of the horrible con-
dition of the roads, but this was an equal
detriment to the movements of the retreating
army.
The point which Faidherbe sought and
reached just in time was the fortress of Cam
b,ai, which be placed between himself and his
pursuers. 1t proved a haven of rest for few
hours to the tired, wornout and shoeless in
fantry, while he, with the artillery and cav
airy, striking across the old Roman road.
passed the night at Candery.
THE PURSUIT
Meantime the Germans, under General Bar
nakow, were hot on his heels. So near were
they that Faidherbe would have been attacked
the same night january 2o) but for the great
fatigue of the men. Military prudence die
tated a few hours rest after march of thirty
miles through mud up to the knees. The
cavalry and artillery horses wanted q like re-
spite, 50 Faidherhe was enabled to reach Cam
brai in the middle of the night of the Goth,
| with tho broken remains of his army.
BEFORE oAMBRAL
The next morning saw General Faidherbe