The New York herald., 1871-01-02
'Skirmishes at BOlbec and Chateau
Robert, Near Hayre.
French Success Near Vendome--
Chauzy Advancing.
IFaIlherbe Again Moving Upon
Manteuffel.
THE BESIEGED CAPITAL.
TelEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

TelEGRAMs TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Severe Fire from the French Forts-Rangc
of the French Guns-The German Semi
circle of Batteries-Chances of Smelling
Paris-Position Of the Works-The Ball
Opened.
LONDON, Jan. l, 1871.
Ihave received from the NEW YORK HERALD cor
respondent at Versailles letter. dated December
81 giving an account OF the operations before Paris
to that date. Your correspondent wrtes:-,
SEVERE FIRE PROM THE FRENCH FORTS.
Christmas Eve was rendered memorable by one
of the severest bombardments from the French forts
which the German investing army has been called
upon to sustain since the siege began. The French
opened verltable Jeu d'enJey about midnight. 1t
soon after ceased, however, and the remainder Of
the night was undisturbed by an occasional shot
only Christmas day was passed in quiet Till about
two O'Clock In the afternoon when the French forts
Suddenly fired a volley and then relapsed into
silence. On the part Of the Germans there was no
reply to the cannonade. The investing army pre-
served Its wonted silence aud made no sign which
could indicate where the heavy guns are would
state, however, that the German siege guns now
fully in position and prepared to attack the forts.
RANGE OF THE FRENCH GUNS.
The weather is ana has been so intensely cold that
It makes the sound OF the French guns sharper
and more distinct than usual. This state OF the
atmosphere also aids In creating the belief that the
guns have a longer range than they have yet
reached but such is not the case altogether. 1t is
certain. however, that the guns OF Fort Mont Vale
rien have thrown solid shot into the bank OF the
Seine. below the or ST. Germain west Of the
FORT and a distance or over six miles,
EVERYTHING READY FOR THE COMMANDMENT.
Imay now state, without fear of the information
being regarded as premature that everything is In
readiness Tor the bombardment of Paris on The most
terrific scale conceivable. All the German batteries
are complete, guns mounted and ammunition in
sufficient quantity. They win open simultaneously
upon the devoted city from the following points, the
whole length of the lines forming a semcircle.
THE GERMAN sEMIoIRcLE OF BATTERIES.
Beginning at point ON the heights above st.
Denis and consequently north of Paris, the Ger.
man semicirce Of batteries extend In a south
west direction to the town OF Argenteuil. on the
northern bank Of the river opposite the peninsula
on which Fort Mont valerien stands The
line then continues across the river to Coombes,
nearly opposite Gennevilliers, whence it con-
tinues In southery direction to Garches ~,
opposite Fort Mont valerien. 1t then takes
Cloud and Versailles to the heights of Meudon
where faces the southern fortresses of Paris The
batteries have now shorter range. From Meudon,
which is opposite Fort Issy. the line extends east
ward to Camart, opposite Fort vanvres, thence to
Fontenay aux Roses, opposite Fort Montronge and
continues eastward opposite Forts Bicetre, Ivry
and Charenton, turning at the peninsula OF st.
Maur, the scene OF Ducrots late sortie, and runs
In northward direction, opposite Forts Nogent ana
Rosny.
THE CHANCES OF SMELLING PARIS FROM THE WEST
1t may be safely asserted that there is little chance
OF the German batteries west and north Of Paris
sheing the CITY, The distance from the ramparts
Is too great. st. Dens the north, Is covered by
two forts-Doube Couronne du Nord aud
La Briche-sltuated about three-quarters Of
q mile from each other and not less
than three miles from the walls of the
city, the total distances from tho German bat
teries on the heights opposite ST. Denis, at Ar.
genteu and at Colombes being over six miles. Pass
ing over the French earthworks on the peninsula Of
Gennevers, which must sustain the first IRE OF the
German guns at Colombes, we reach Fort Mont Va
leren, nearly eight miles southwest OF st. Denis
and two and half miles distant from the ramparts.
Confronting this fort the German batteries are over
four miles from the city.
THE PROSPECT FROM THE SOUTH
Thus far 1t will be seen that. even II few shells
could reach Paris from the batteries mentioned
they could not materially damage the city. On the
routh, however, the prospect Is more favorable to
the Germans Six detached fortresscs defeRd this
part OF fars. These Fort lssy, four miles south.
east OF valeren and mile and quarter from the
ramparts; Fort vanvres, two miles and half east
Of Issy ana one mile ana a quarter from the
ramparts; Fort Montronge, mile and half from
Vanvres and something less than mile from the
city. This fort, together with Fort Bicetre about
thrce.quar;ers OF nile from the bastions
are nearer to the city walls than anv