New-York tribune., 1871-01-17
THE BATTLE OF LIE MANS
PARTICULARS OF WEDNESDAYS ENGAGE
MENT.


so.ols bv an eyewitness, of the
,o.ro Of Wednesday last, between the fruSslai's
urder Prince Frederick Charles. and the French
Army Of the Loire, under Gen. Chanzy' before lie
Mans have been received:
,ftor the defeat Of Tuesday Jan 1Ol, Gen. Chanzy
,au;cd his broken columns and having received re-
,,fr,e.neuts determined to strike another blow to
rotricve his fortunes. After night of unceasing
lhcr and anxiety daylight found the French forces
nrep,red for the conflict. Their army consisted OF
three corps the Sixteenth Seventeenth, and twenty
first. respectively, under the command OF Admiral
Jourcouiberrv end Gems. COlomb and J0utiToy These
,s ,,-,rared 20 COO men each, making effective
force Of 10000 men, the whole under the command
Of Gen Chanzy. BY 10 o'clock In the morning Jour
ouiberrys corps had taken UP position on the riSht
hank of the riyer Huisne, Gen. Colombs on the
plateau Of AUvcuIs, and Gen, Jouifroy on theIlsh|
covcring the village Of Bfette.
The Prussans advanced along three roads, appar-
emily 100000 strong. Soon after 10 o'clock sharp
firing was opened by the russians from well-located
batteries on the LETT Of the French. 1t was replied
20 with spirit Soon large force of Germannfantry,
Aanked by cavalry, advanced under cover Of heavy
artillery fire. striking the right Of Admiral Jorue-
ouiberry's position. The assaulting column was met
bv a fierce artillery fire from many guns including
number Of mitIailleuses of the new pattern. lhe
struggle now became exceedingly severe and was
wen contested. But although the Germans suffered
heavy loss they finally succeeded in driving back
the French. capturing two guns and taking and
holding the important position near the river. Gen.
Chanzy moved forward his reserves of artillery to
The support of Admiral JourequbeTy, which checked
for q " lille the further advance of the Germans IN
that direction.
1ta xUor m bV
mans to secure further advantages the object being
10 take the position held by the French at La Tere.
The French, however were strongly posted, and
fought with great courage and determination. Each
assault rcpulsed with serious loss to the Ger
mans, the French also losing heavily. Meantime an
equally fierce attack was made on the French line
covering the railroad to Chartres and Paris. After
two hours desperate fighting the French center was
driven back. 1t TetTeatcd, however, slowly and IN
good order for a short distance only to position in
rear of that first occupied, and where the rising
ground afforded good facilities for the artillery. Here
heavy force Of guns was parked, which, manned by
the marines opened severe and well-directed fire
upon the advancing enemy. This not only checked
fhe Germans but compelled them to fan back in
tum A heavy counter fire soon opened from the
German batteries. which, during the engagement.
had advanced 10 n commanding position on the left
Of the rarcad. The superiority of the German guns
in firing soon became apparent. After an unequal
duel the French FIRE slackened the Germans causing
great loss to the French lines. Still the French in
fantrv maintained their position heroically, and
another attempt To dislOdge signally failed.
For some time the engagement had the character
of an artillery duel; but, when the German lines had
taken the positions assigned them, more active
attack commenced evidently with desire on the
part of the Germans to capture the position on the
right bank of the Huisne in order to execute q
fanking movement with the object of cutting be-
tween the army and lie Mans, and capturing large
number of prisoners.
At o'clock the tactics of the Germans seemed
to be changed. heavy massing of troops took
place oil the French right under cover Of the wood,
noaI the village Of Brette, which was held by the
French The wood was ON the extreme left Of the
Prassian position stretching for miles to the south
east Of the plain between the road and villages, and
were commanded by the Prussian artillery, which
was well posted on the left under cover of the
wood
sharn and precise neede-gun fire was opened on
the French line and position left of the village of
Brette not more than 400 yards distant. II be-
came evident that it would be impossible for them
to long hold the position unless the Germans were
disodgcd The heavy fire of artillery directed on
the woods had apparently but little effect. large
body Of French infantry advanced in good order
across the plain, but compelled to retire with
heavy loss, under murderous fire of both artillery
and musketry. The contest Tor the possession of
Brctte kept UP here until dark, when order
reached the French to fall back on LIE Mans.
The battle began about o'clock, and reached its
hight the French left. The day was not cold, but
the ground was covered with eight inches Of snow,
which was fast melting under the Lot sun. At an
early hour the streets Of lie Mans-nOt more than
five miles from the field of battle-weIe filed with
excited people and crowded with numerous wagons
and ammunition supplies all being ready TO seek
place OF safety in the rear in case Of an unfavorabe
result Of the fight
Al o'clock the Germans advanced by columns,
covered by the artillery, against the Chateau dcs
Charres pretty country place, and occupied il as
headquarters. Here for the first time the French
battery, Hitherto in reserve opened fire. apparently
taking the Germans by surprise, and causing their
advance 10 wayer but only mOmentarily. With
their usual Obstinacy the Germans again pressed
forward and attacked the French infantry, which
occupied the terfTced road below the Generals posi-
ton II soon became evident that the French were
unal u withstand the heavy charges Of the enemy
aud at o'clock the order TO retreat was given.
The French artillery maintained heavy fire, and
the Germans seemed disncHned to pursue the ad-
vantage.
Gen. Chanzy actively superintended the retreat,
which was never disorderly. Indeed the French still
held the strongest positions and believed that the
results Of the day were not irrecoverably lost TO
them. Gen. Chanzy hoped to renew the fight under
better auspices tomorrow; but, later in the evening
all event occurred which caused him to change his
decision.
After dark strong force Of Germans renewed the
fight attacking La Tuieries, the most important
French position. Immense masses of infantry and