Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-01-18
THE WAR In FRANCE.

Two DAYS. Fighting of the Army Of the
Loire, Under Gen. Chanzy, Against
the German Army under Prince Fred
eric Charles, atLeMans. on the IOth
aud IIth Inst.-A Complete Defeat oi
the French.
LONDON, Jan Al have just receiv-
ed the flowing letter from the New
York Herald correspondent with the
French Armey of the Loire. dated at LIE
Mans at midnight on the 10th inst, giving
an account of the first days battle with
Prince Fredrick Charles Armey. Your
correspondent writes
The French Army of the Loire, the
last hope of France, has been defeated
to. day in a bloody battle fought within
seven miles of this city LIE Mans). We
heard the roar of cannon all day, and
the population crowded to the honsetops
and suburbs and throughfares, watching
the progress Of the fight. have never
before Witnessed such intense excitement,
although the French people have become
accustomed to the roar of cannon.
At nine o'clock this morning the right
wing of the French army iii. position
cas-, of La Mans was suddenly at,cked
by the vanguard of the German forces,
which, emerged from the wood on the
extreme right of the French, moved for
ward to attack. Upon the alarm being
given the advance posts of the French
infantry wheeled in line of battle and
the artillery was pushed forward on the
open ground between the severed ranks
of the various commands The cavalry
took up an advantageous position on the
right and left wings.
\ more perfect line of battle could not
have been formed by the finest army in
Europe The artillery was well supplied
with ammunition, aud the infantry had
100 rounds 10 each man. In addition
the supply trains were well posted and
easy of access -t7.
Real, bloody work sooa began. The
field of battle was in valley, and the
two armies occupied heights opposite
each other, the French line forming a
semi, circle extending twelve miles, over
looking the valley, which was covered
with twelve inches of snow On the op.
posite heights the Prussians held some
what similar position. . -,..r.
Shortly after nine o'clock the Prusians
began furious canronade from the wood
near the extreme left. They were flank
ed by an immense force of cavalry partly
concealed by the wood. Their position
was where The German infantry massed
with the evident intention of turning
Chanzy right. The artillery fire on both
sides was continued without iutermission
until the ammunition was nearly exhaust
ed. Ii was fierce, well-susiaiped duel,
the German and French artillersts dis
playing marked skill and courage.
At length the Prussian commanders
gave the order for an advance, ard the
German infantry moved forward The
French. equally rapid, advance along
their whole line. and the opposing armies
met in the valley iu a fair hand-to hand
fight The musketry fire was severe and
effective. The German troops were cool
and collected. and the French impetuous
and gallant Indeed both armies behav-
ed with notsble bravery until near noon,
when the Gardes Mobiles began to wa
yer, and, being unable to hold their posi-
ton, retreat commenced Meantime
the dead and wounded lay upon the bat
;le6eld by thousands, and the snow fields
were red with human blood.
The carnage was fearful on both sides
Before FIVE O'Clock in the evening 5000
French soldiers had fallen, and at this
hour the whole army started in full re-
treat. The French and German forces
were about equally matched l should
judge that they numbered 10000 men
each.
SECOND DAYS FIGHTING.
This the lth ha: been one of the most
eventtul days in the history of France