The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-17

The Movement on Versailles-yIow the Battle
of tho I'd Was Brought On, Conducted and
Ternlinnted-Traitors I'm the Ranks-vaIerien
Opens Fire ON the Rebels-Lrrgo Numbers
Cut Oh-Trcatment of Prisoners.
paris (April 81 correspondence OF London Times.l
There seems to be no doubt that the Communists
finding prolonged policy of inaction fatal, Planned
and provoked the engagement OF yesterday. 1t dis
appointed their expectations, the Versailles
troops, with the exception Of regiment OF the
line, which at a critical moment or the action cried
"Vire la Commune y, remained loyal ana fought
WELL proving clearly their immense superiority over
the National Guard. Still they lost no time In follow
ing up the engagement by an attack on grand
scale to-day. All last night the rdppel was
beaten and large camps were formed In the Avenue
Neullly. the Avenue de 10 Grand Armee
the Champs Elysees, and as for as the Place
de la Concolde Bivouac fires were lighted and great
movement and animation prevailed all night. The
''Marseles" and the "Chant du Depart' were sung
and in addition tothe ordinary cry oI"Vipe Ia COM
ally into fashion, ike that few months ago OF
"A Berlfnp' In the morning 1t was found that the
ter than was generally expected from them, and
that some even Of the socaed reacti0nary arr0n-
army OF over one hundred thousand men, ready for
s0riie, had assembled. under the Commandern-
Chef General Bergeret who divided them into three
columns. At ABOUT nve O'Clock they set out the lett
column marching upon Fontenay Roses, the
right upon CourDevole and Versailles, the centre
upon 5vrcs ana ~. Cloud. The three were to con-
verge upon Versailles, the object OF the attack.
vALEREIN OPENS FIRE.
The plan Is here believed by the best judges TO
have utterly failed. The principal cause OF the
failure OF the plan seems 10 have been delusve i'm
preston on the part OF the Communists that Fort
they advanced close up under the guns End even
placed batteries within few hundred yards Of the
Tort. The commandment OF the tort LETT them unde-
ceiyed as long as possible and allowed large mum.
Der 10 march by unmoested To Nanterre and Rueil.
surprise and thrown into utter confusion. large
number returned to Paris crying out that they were
't,'ahfS.n THIS retreat began before eight O'Clock
ana continued some hours The fuppel was beaten
collect reinforcemens but was little responded to-
Meantime those VINO had passcc beyond Valereln
found their retreat Unexpectedly cut or BY the fire
OF Its guns.
BEnGEREr AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND MIN CUT OFF.
lieved to be seriously compromised the latest
news which, however, have mad no time TO verify,
l. that General Bergeret, with $1,000 men, has been
completely cut on; that Fourens going to his
cue, was purposely permitted to eject q junction
WIN n 80 nas e awe' Se mem lorce o.
either surrender or give battle at the greatest dsad
vantage.
GROUND
0tner accounts, highly improbable, declare that
Flourens has reached Versailles The centre column
advanced under cover OF the forts OF issy and VAN
vres. up to which batteries had been carried These
between p eel scvres and uhation Cnatlon was occ.
pied by about ten thousand OF the communist
troops. severe ngntng Is also Reported III the low
ground lying between Naleren and Buzenva. About
eight tue Versailles troops were completely masters
Of all the ground stretching from kueil ana Nam
terre towards Courbevofe, and their cavalry was
securing the adjacent country In search Oh Commu.
MIST slragglers.
RETREAT AND DECENTRALIZATION.
10 was little after eight that first saw the Com
munists returning to Paris In scattered bands, APP
palenuy IN full retreat. me omnibuses down the
Avenue Baiignoles and the Champs Elysees were
filled with them. The gates were all shut, and for
long time found 1t was impossible to get Out at
any OF them. Meantime heavy canlonading was
going necessarily especially from Fort Nalerlcn,
which appeared 10 be nring chiefly in the direction
OF Argenteuil At about ten succeeded IN getting
GU. at the Porte Mallot. / found the Avenue Ge
Neuilly filed with Communist troops. Some were
ground or drinking at the few restaurants open.
the houses along the avenue, which Yesterday were
filled with people a. The windows and balconies,
seemed to-day abandoned There was no movement
whatever OF troops toward Courbevoie. Tne
retfeatng Communists were loudly ana Dit
terry complaining OF tho treachery Oh tnelr
/ chiefs In leading them up To Fort Naefien
| by telling them II was In Communst hanus;
| 10 tins tBcy attributed their defeat They seemed
demoralzed and with little no discipline. There
were Few GaribaldIans and regulars among thsn.
saw nouavc carrying three chassepots. AT tne
| Pont Neuy I found d battalion formed III goou
| order. Just then there was panic We couiu see
| ~ the distance, near the Nap0 con MONUMENT,
! crowd OF men rushing down towards the bridge. ~
/ Was rum0red that artillery was descending IRON
| Mont valeran end going 10 sweep the avenue. A
| battalion hurried up 20 the barricade, and with
rides lowered ready TO fire made q R0Od 'front.'. INC
stream OF f1Rltiyes, however. SUI flowed on actoss
Me @ldge. Tlsrs yAs asQf sukns EusA " to wa