The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-02-01

CRADLE ORDER.
We copy as follows from the New
York Tribune:
LONDON, Monday, January l6, 1871.
-The following details, by an eye
witness, of the battle of Wednesday !
last, between the Frussians, under
Prince Frederick Charles, and the
French Army of the Loire, under Gen.
Chanzy, before lie Mans, have been
received:
After the defeat on Tuesday, (Jan-
nary l0sh.) Gen. Chanzy rallied his
broken columns. and, having received
rcinfOrcements determined to strike
another blow to retrieve his fortunes.
After night of increasing labor and
anxiety, daylight found the French
forces prepared for the conflict. The
army consisted of three corps, the Six
tcenth, Seventeenth and Twenty first
respectively, under the command of
Admiral Jourequiberry and Generals
Colomb and Jout1roy. These corps
averaged sc, 600 men each, making an
effective force of 10000 men, the
whole under the command OF Gen.
Chanzy. By 10 O'Clock in the morning
Joureuuiberry' corps had taken mp Il
position on the right bank of the river
Huisnc, Gen. Colomb's on the plateau
of Avv0urs, and Gen. Jouttroy's on the
light, covering the village of Brette.
The Prussiaus advanced along three
roads. apparently 700 strong. Soon
after 10 o'clock sharp firing was opened
by the Prussians from well-located bat
teries on the left of the French. 1t
was replied to with spirit. Soon a
: large force of German infantry, hanked
/ by cavalry, advanced under cover "t Il
n heavy artillery fire, striking the right
/, of Admiral Jourequiberry' position.
t The assaulting COLUMN WAS met by a
fierce artillery fire from many guns,
: including number of mitralleuscs OF
= r the new pattern. The struggle now
u became exceedingly severe. and was
Il well contested. Dut although the Ger
n mans suffered heavy loss, they finally
y succeeded in driving back the French;
1t capturing two guns and taking and
W holding the important position mean
,f the river. Gen CllanZy moved for
: ward his reserves of artillery to the
=, support of Admiral Jourequlbcrry
II Which checked for while the further
" advance of the Germans III that dlrec-
:, ton.
ID Two or three severe assaults were
III made by the Germans to secure further
at advantages. the object being to TAKE
II the position held by the French at III
a. Tillere. The French, however were
w strongly posted, and fought with grea
al courage and determination. Each as
~ sault was repulsed with serious loss t.
u, the Germnas, the French also losln:
'o heavily. Meantime an equally fierce
~ attack was made on the French lin
IL covering the railroad to Chartres am
III Paris. After two hours desperat
ou fighting the French center was drive
O. back. 1t retreated, however, slowl
nc and in good order for Il short distanc
F. F. only, to u position in rear OF that iirs
"a occupied, and where the rising groun
afforded good facilities for the artlller,
Sc Here heavy force OF guns was parl
tie ed, which, manned by marines, opene
ill a severe and well-directed fire upo
Of the advancing enemy. This not onl
zee checked the Germans, but compeile
,rt them to full back in turn. a heaV
or counter fire soon opened from the &c
- man batteries, which, during the el
~ gagement, had advanced to a con
3 manding position on the left OF ii
IS railroad. The superiority of the &c
lat man gus in firing soon became a
IN parent. After an unequal duel Il
eep French fire slackencd, the Germa
the causing great loss to the French line
ca Still the French infantry maintain
Tn their position heroically, and anotil
- attempt to dislodge sgnaily failed.
iai' For some time the engagement n
'eiy the character of an artillery duel; III
lelr when the German lines had taken
Gus positious assigned them. a more actl
leir attack commenced, evidently with
yes, desire on the part of the Germans
ven captnre the position on the right ba
ore of the Huisne, in order to execute
49,, flanking movement, with the object
= . ~ cntting between the army and
net Mans, and capturing large number
prisoners. -
ats At o'clock the tactics of the G
lew. mans seemed to be changed. A hea
massing of troops took place Oh
roy French right, nnder cover OF the wo
Isl near the village of Brette, which '
oeN, held by the French. The wood was
al the extreme left of the PrusSian p'
ui VI ton, stretching Iot miles w t'S So'
ore, east of the plain between the road
inst villages, ard were commanded by
,alk. Prussian artillery, which was
, he posted OH the left under cover OF
who wood.
NC A sharp and precise ncedle--gun
Pc was opened on the French line
pun position left of the village of Brette,
n II more than 700 yards distant. 1t S
ased became evident that it wonld be
| APP possible for them to hold the posi-
shot. unless the Germans were dislod!
that The heavy fire of artillery directed
less the woods had apparently hut little
q de- feet. A large body of French infaI
. w advanced in good order across
leseio plain, but were compelled to re
ress) with heavy loss under murderous
her of both artillery and muskctry.
had contest for the possession of Brette
aten- kept up here until dark, when an o
;tnto- reached the French to fall back or
cir Mans.
the The battle began about l o,cl
q 40. and reached its height on the FIR
left. The day was not cold, but
u. ground was covered with eight in
Ell is of snow, which was fast melting u
Will the hot sun. At an early honr
ere streets of LIE Mans-not more than