Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-01-06
A Battle Near Hayre.

IA SDcCltl, ll1NiNt DON' -ot ~
says "Since Saturday evening the city,
has been intensely excited over the first
important struggle between the French
troops in this department. and the Prus
slams, which occurred on Saturday norm
ing at daybreak % Although without any
decisive result, it is regarded valuable as
proof of the efficiency of the artillery
and the capacity of the Mobiles and Tic
reurs to encounter regular troops. Aaa oi
"After a number of petty engage,
ments and skirmishes with the Uhlans
and Saxons, the people became clamor-
Gus for grand sortie. Accordingly the
Eighteenth Nineteenth and Twentieth "a
battalions, forming column of 5000
men, were sent from Harheur. The
force consisted of $500 Mabeles de Disc,
800 Tireurs, one battery of regular ARE
tillery with twelve field-pieces and twoRI
mitrailleuses and five Armstrong guns.
This small army was under the COM
mand of Col Mocmanard, and arrived
at Chateau Moliner on the 22d.s There '
they established their headquarters and
sent out their advance posts. The
troops were in the best state of disci
pline ever known, and were prepared
for a reconnaissance in force by day
break. The Oath was one of the coldest7l
days of the winter, and this day, the
halffrozen outposts were driven IN by
the sudden appearance of the Prussian
cavalry, large numbers moving on Cha. Z
teau Molner at a rapid pace. The alarm
was sounded, and the troops soon
formed in creditable line, the artillery
pushing forward on the right wing. The
French behaved well, handling their ar
tillery and ammunition with alacrity,
and were soon prepared for the attack.
The affair promised to be warm and in
teresting. .....
"At halfpast 7 the battle began by an .
impetuous advance of the Prussian cav"
airy l,500 strong preceded by battery
of artillery. They were received by the
French artillery, which opened furious
cannonade and made it hot work for the
intrepid assailants. 1t soon became ap- 80
parent that the French guns were well
placed and splendidly worked, but that
they were not sufficiently supported.
The warm fire created temporary de-
moralization among the Germans, whose
lines wavered, but they kept up their
fire. Three advances were made by the
Prussians to capture the French bat
teries, but each time they were com
PEELED to retire. y.,..t
"This unsuccessful fight with the
French right lasted two hours; then a
large body of Prussian infantry, preced-
ed by line of cavalry, appeared on the
road from Fecamp, coming to support
the enemy. A council was held on the
battlefield in which the Germans de
termined to fall back on Harfeur. The
French now occupied the height com
manding Bolbee with artillery, which ,.,
could have easily destroyed the German
forces. Looking down from this height
in the direction of the northeast was 'F
the beautiful valley of Lillebonne, and b
on the opposite hill, but lower down ,
and on the plain, stood the Prussians.
To attack the French position, it was
necessary for the Prussians to descend
into the plain, then cross the petty
stream, and ascend the opposite bank,
about $50 feet. The Prussians here es-
sayed to make the attempt, and at the
same time were exposed to destruc-
tive fire from the French, while from
their position their own fire was inef-
fective. "f-
Soon, however, fresh Prussian artil,
lery appeared to the right of the French
position, and the fire from these guns
caused the Mobiles to break in confu-
sion. The French force Immediately
commenced retreat, which they did
amid some confusion. The Prussian
line made an attempt TO follow up their
advantage, but the movement was made
difficult by the nature of the ground.
Nevertheless, they captured about 200
prisoners. ,.@s
"Thus ended an expedition intended \
to accomplish the occupation of Yvetot,
and the capture of 1000 Prussian artil-
lery and infantry, known to have been
stationed at that point The Prussian
losses are estimated at about 300 killed,
and the French under 200. Since the
fight, the Prussian forces have again
fallen back"
MoTIEY's VINDICATIoN Minister Mot