Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-01-18

suffered heavy loss they finally succeed
ed in driving back the French. capturing
early two guns and taking and holding
the important position near the river
General Chanzy. preceiving the dan
ger which threatened his position, moved
forward his reserves of artillery to the
support of Admiral Jourequiberry.-
These opened terrific fire, which check
ed for while the further advance OF the
Germans, in that direction.
Two or three severe assaults were
made by the Germans to secure further
advantages the object being to take the
position held by the French at La Hill
ere. The French, however, were strong
ly posted, and fought with great courage
and determination. Each assault was re-
pulsed with serious loss to tire Germans
the French also losing heavily. =
Meantime an equally fierce attack wa;
made on the French line covering the
railroad to Chartres and Paris. Aftel
two hours desperate fighting the French
centre was driven back, 1t retreated
however, slowly and in good order fol
short distance only, to a position ii
rear of that first occupied, and where the
rising ground afforded good facilities fol
the artillery. Here a heavy force O.
guns was parked, which, manned by the
marines. opened a severe and well-direct
ed fire upon the advancing enemy. Ihi;
not only checked the Germans, but com
PEELED them to fall back in turn. a
heavy counter fire soon opened from the
German batteries, which, during the; en-
gagement. had advanced to command
ing position on the Left of the rail Dad.
The superiority of the German gun:
in firing soon became apparent. After
an unequal duel the French fire slacken
ed, the Germans causing great loss to the
French lines. Sill the French infantry
maintained their position heroically, and
another attempt to dislodge them sisnally
failed. f, .a ."-.s
For some time the engagement had
the character Of an artillery duel but
wi hen the German lines had taken the
positions assigned them a more active at
tack commenced evidently with desire
on the part of the Germans to capture the
position on the right bank of the Huisne,
in order to execute hanking movement,
with the object of cutting between the
army and lie Mans, and capturing a large
number Of prisoners. .r
At 4 clock the Germans advanced by
columns. covered by artillery, agains,
Chateau du Charters, pretty country
place, and occupied us headquarters
Here for the first timethe French battery,
hitherto in reserve, opened fire, apparent
ly taking the Germans by surprise, and
causing the advance to waver, but only
momentarly. With the usual German
obstinacy the Germans again pressed for
ward and attacked the French infantry
which occupied a terraced road, below the
general position.
1t soon became evident the French
were unable to withstand the heavy
charges of the enemy, and at ) O'Clock
the order for backward movement was
given. The Germans apparently in con-
tempt of their partial success seem dis
inclined to pursue the advantage.
General Chanzy actively supsrintend-
ed the retreat. which was never disorderly.
Indeed. the French still held the strong
est position, and l believe that the re-
suits Of the day were irrevocably lost to
them,
| have reason to know that General
Chanzy hoped to renew the hight under
better auspices to morrow, but later in
the evening an event occurred which made
a change in his prospects. After dark n
strong force of Germans renewed the
fight, making for the right of La Tuil-
erie, the most important French position.
Immense masses af infantry and large
force Of cavalry advan ced rapidly, scat
tering the French. who did not anticipate
the attack The Mobiles from Brittany
fed in disorder, and the whole French
force on the right bank of the Huisne
were compelled to make rapid retreat
upon lie Mans. This unforeseen Gisas-
ter may compel the evacuation of lie
Mans, if not break up Chanzy's army.
A council of war was in session If the
second Army of the Loire is lost all hope
for France is gone.
A Chesterfield, Mass, :, man, who mar
ried wife several weeks ago, recently
deserted her on the himsy pretext that
she wasn't stylish enough for him. He