Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-21
European War News.

Tho defeat of the Army Of the Loire under
General Chauzy, seems to have been complete,
though despatch from Bordeaux says that
he retreated in good order. The battlefield
before lie Mans was valley, which was cover
cd with twelve inches Of snow, and the two
armies had occupied heights opposite each
other. The Germans are spoken OF as having
been cool and collected, the French brave and
impetuous. The carnage is described as hay
ing been fearful, the dead and wounded strew-
ng the ground and the fields red with blood.
Fifteen thousand Freachmen had fallen before
. o'clock. Ii was expected that another battle
would be fought by General Chauzy.
The siege of Paris is vigorously pressed and
the bombardment is continued with increased
effect. the shells falling inside the city without
intermission. The French have made frantic
attempts" to turn the batteries with attacks
Of infantry, using the bayouet freely, but have
been Invariably repulSed By the Germans, after
iuaictinc but little loss. Two sorties We're
made. one under the personal superintendent
of rrochu which are described as having been
vigorous md fierce, but they were driven back,
/ in one case almost TO the gIacis Of the fort.
The French forces operating for the defence
Of Hayre were attacked by the PrusSaus at
Bonneville on Friday and were compelled to
retire. They are said to have fought we'll
The fortified town of Peronue has been cap
tured by the Germans. The capture is con-
sijcred important, rs it secures a line Of ad-
vance for their reiufOrcements.
Favorable reports have been received at
Bordeaux from General Bourbaki. He says
/ that the French have carried the villages of
/ Arccy and st. Marie, have reOccupied GRAY,
Lure and lisoul, aud were gaining ground.
The particulars of the great battle before
I lie Mans leave DO doubt OF the complete defeat
Of the French. Ii is remarked that the disas-
tep was most unlocked for, and that, if the
Second Army of the Loire is lost, all hope for
France is gone.
\ correspondent, writing from Versailles
speaking of the bombardment, says that it was
absolutely unceasug for twelve hours. The
/ Gouche bridge, near BaSmendon, wac struck
/ 10y shells while crowded with men, broken
/ down and its occupants precpitated an I'M
meuse height, crushing them 10 death.
| According to a despatch from London, Gen.
/ Chauzy still holds strong positions, has reor-
gained his army, and will resume operations.
| The same account states that the external bat
/ teries of Paris were inficting great damage
/ upon the Prussiau forts, and had forced them
| 10 sacken thc;r IRE, and that The Eastern forts
/ had canuonaded the whole Prusiau line on
! that side, with much effect. Faidherbe is re-
ported lrcm Lille as daily receiving reinforce
| mentS and to be advancing. Reports from
| Paris describe the rain Of proiectes pouring
/ into portion Of the city as being unparalleled
| in he history Of SiegeS, and that it continues
without interruption day and night Hos
| pitfalls, arbulances, schools, public libraries,
/ churches and many private houses have been
struck. Women, children and infants In their
mothers arms, have been killed Paris has
/ been turned into 4 battlefield and the bravery
/ of the women is equal 10 that Of the men.
As the details of the disaster to the French
army Of the Loire at lie Mans accumulate the
/ fact presents itself that the larger portion of
Chauzy army, estimated at 10000 men, has
been forced to retreat towards Laval, about
forty miles west Of Lc Mans. while ~ smaller
portion. estimated at some 80 600. retreated to-
/ wards Acnc1n, about the same distance north
( of lie Mans. Ii is not vet known whether the
two sections are able TO communicate, but it is
certain that they arc making every effort to
rally for another fight, in which there seems no
hope Of success, now That they have been de-
ieatod in one Of their srandest and most hopes
ful aud extraordinary movements.
General Chauzy attributes his bad luck to
an ineXpIicable panic among some of his troops
before lie Mans, but counts upon supreme
effort yet to be made TO save the country.
The b0mbardment Of Paris continues with
murlcyous Consequences, aud the hope of the
people seems to exist in the chances of relief
TO be afforded by the forts on the eastern side
/ Thousands Of persons are coagregating on that
side Of the city, and many find shelter in the
wood Of Niucenues.
Another serious battle occurred on the 18th
near Bclflrt. in the Nosges. lasting nine hours.
in which the French were finally repulsed by
Gen. Wcrdcr.
The French Army Of the North are again in
motion and advances towards the Somme-
The bridges over the river in his front have
been burned by the Germans The French
have been heavily reinforced, aud great results
are expected Of the advance.
YhEsdayS Ners.
German projectilos directed towards that
| quarter south of Paris reach the Port St.
Michael. The fire of the French is said to be
improving in effectiveness, especially on the
west side
/ Gen. Chauzy continues lis retreat.
Gen. Bowbaki is making sensation in the
Nosges. lie is expected to defeat Gen Wcr-
der before ManteUfcl can reach the scene Of
exploit.
\ London correspondent announces the Sc
rjous, perhaps fatal. ilInes,s of Count Bismark,
on the authority Of Mr. Olo Russell. who has
recently visited the Prussian premier on official
business.