The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-31
THE PORTIHICATIONS OF HAVRE
Visit Of a Herald Correspondent to The
DefenceS Of the City.
TIE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT INITIATED.
A Meyement Contemplated end How 1t is
TO be Carried Into Eject.
nAvRE, Dec. %, IS

HAvRE, Dec. %, 1870
went to the advance posts to-day and made an
inspection OF the Notifications far as Harbour.
Leaving Havre in the morning with permit from
Colonel Mocquard, who is especially friendly to the
HERALD, j took the road, In the midst of heavy
snow Storm and penetrated the elaborate forufica.
tons now guarding the city. These works are very
singular IN their construction, but more remarkable
in their design
THE DEFENcEs.
The highway is defended by barricade OF sand.
boxes. piled up III the shape Of the pyramids OF
Egypt, built, may say after the same fashion the
famous one OF Cheops. Blocks OF stone there
not but in their place oblong boxes of sand
all compactly built into SOLID whole, intended TO
resist the most furious cannonade from the heaviest
callbres. Each pyramid is placed in the road one
half the width OF the highway ana but few
feet beyond is the other pyramid, and the two TO-
9ether, while permitting traffic, absolutely command
the approaches and protect the sodery. About
three miles from Havre these derences terminate,
and the entrance of the town 1.-THE Octro is defended
by gamoions, or wicker worked ramparts, with
angular ports, uniquely ambushed ana which COM
mand the highway.
HAvRE, ON IT'S OUTSKIRTS,
for three miles cupboard Of the city, surrounded by
heights, and these ridges are crested with the same
character OF ramparts The Prussians can hardly
take the city, and their position on the offensive
would be very hazardous and any result extremely
doubtful. such overpowering ''swe" Notifications
have never seen. they are lofty prislng, unplea.
SAINT in their features, and the bulldog guns rown
on the far-on plain. At right and left the out.
lying country, now clad In snow, presents q
curious appearance. There are the glacs, the
escarpments and the heavy artillery which rest like
innocent babes, awaiting IN ambush the enemys
approach. Havre, repeat can never be taken: 1t
is most superbly defended, and the officers ana
soldiers improve daily. Musketry ana artillery
firing occur, and We are growing SICK OF amonotony
has gone 10 Bolbec with his matchless battalion, and
the French, TO the number OF 10000. With artillery
and Hussards, distributed en- face OF the enemy,
and an onward movement is imminent.
BEGINNING The OFFENSIVE
learned tonight, sub rosa, That an expedition
departs tomorrow morning at nine 4. NJ for Rouen,
commanded by regular officer. This force on the
river Is commanded by naval officer, and on land
by distinguished oficer of the army and
the land and naval forces cooperate. Great
surprise is expressed at the inactlon Of the
naval service here; but this movement, 1t is
said is the work of Monchez here, who is the Com.
mandant IN Chief-a naval officer. shall go 10 the
front tomorrow, expecting to see sharp work. All
appear TO nave determination and energy. The ex.
pediuon which goes up the Seine has twelve cannon,
plenty Of ammunition. and before you hear from me
again think It's termination Will be In the history OF
the war;
Moc.uard is fine fellow, and I believe that the
Prusslans must soon be either beaten by him they
will destroy his whole command.
The sale OF English papers is prohibited here, be-
cause OF the news which they give OF the movements
OF the French armies.
Every one Is now hopeful and confident and de-
termined.
The celebrated gendarmes OF Napoleon have been
modified by DEGREES OF the government
One hundred and hity Prussians from Yvetot were
met yesterday between Valiequervile and Aiyimare.
They were going to Bolbec Prussiaus have been
seen in the eDvirons OF Lebonne. The enemy has
considerable force ~ Yyetot. The lett bank Of the
SEINE is free.
THE SINKING OF ENGLISH VESSELS THE SEINE.
Great excitement and mu n Indignation still pre-
walls regarding the sinking OF the English vessels in
the Seine. called on the British Consul and he told
me that the vessels Sylph, Jnnon Paragon June, Kni.
dan and Moelaren were the golfers; the name OF the
sixth Is unknown There are three more which are
expected To suffer the same fate. All here believe
spirit of hostility to England, and all declare
that Gladstone shall demand prompt repara-
ton. Captain Eastwood, Of the British ma.
rne, LETT he bearing dispatches to the
British Admiralty detailing the facts Of the
seizure. The British Consul here was for energetic
action but the captain OF the Helicon not pre-
pared TO take the responsibility. All praise the ac-
mat 1t Is to be regretted that American as well as
English vessels Were not SUNK thus provoking an
alliance between the two Powers TO secure ven.
geanCe and procure Indemnity against Prussia.
lie Hare says ON this subject-.The affair is
either an outrage by the Prussian cannon upon
the English flag or 1t Is an act Of hostility by the
British subjects against France French territory
any other light, and II Is one OF great gravity
The French claim that the English sold these ves-
sells for the purpose o. blockading the Seine.
Havre is still in state OF great excitement