The New York herald., 1871-02-15
FRANCE.

Prusstah Outraeos on an English Family.
The Ne'ccdsNe chronicle prints letter which has
JUS. been received by Mr.. Bell, oil Newcastle. Mr..
Lawrence Smith, the writer, Is the captain OF the
Theresa, vessel which for some time past has been
trading between Rouen and Havre. Finding II con-
venient to reside in the neighborhood in which his
occupation lay Captain Smith took house at ST.
Ouen, where he had been living with his family for
a considerable period. He says
ON the 18th OF December tbirty-one Prussian SOL
diers were quartered at my house, although tho
English nag was living; they mad 70 be ted at my
expense. They left on the 18th OF December, and
next day another party OF sixty arrived. who asked
for nothing, but piundered ali my provisions anu
they stole my own ana my cnafens cio.hes i sear a.
well as some that my daughter was making up, aud
many many other things too numerous 10 mention. among
them a globe and q looking glass. they also took
my best rosewood table for a butchers block,
completely destroying 1t. although there were two
the walls of the best room, smashed the chldren's
chairs, and when Mrs. smith demonstrated with
ON which she became alarmed and sisted. We
had another batch OF sixty frssian soldiers alter
snat. besides smaller ots-I don't know how many.
Ihey TOOK possession OF all the beds and bedclothcs
sending my wlle and six children into one small,
empty ey room. The British ensign was up Tor some
down which she resisted tn the oicer
to get trighiened begged her mother TO ens compgs.
which she did. We had very strongly arched wine
celiaf, with an entrance from outside the house,
Mr. wife, tearing that the Prussans would burn the
house. put some straw into this cellar and went
there every night for ten or eleven nen.s with ali
the family, and two poor people who mad been with
them all the time, and when the soldiers cleared
away they TOOK what beds and wearing apparel
were LEFT into this place. On the 4th sf January,
about SIX In the morning. sixty Prussians came
along aud smashed IN the windows and doors OF
the house. They then burst in the cellar door and
al once discharged volley OF muskcts inlo the
cellar Ny laniiy only escaped death because they
were IN an inner compartment, separated BY a wall
firing ceased my wife rushed TO the entrance with
little Willie In her arms, the rest Of the family fol-
lowing. They found the Prussians setting fire to
the house with pile OF nv furniture. When they
to get bundle OF clothing but she was driven back
aLd not allowed TO enter. Ny wiie also
attempted to get away Two carpets that
were lying rolled up inside the front door, but
she, too. was driven back and threatened with the
butt emo OF q musket. David ran up stairs 10 try
Prnssian solder swept It OF the III ntelpIece and
dashed 1t TO atoms on the noor All the lamly were
driven away from tho burning house To seek shelter
IN the nearest wood, half naked. Mrs. Smith and
their feet; David was rather better Of. but tine four
smaller ones were almost naked only having a
lrocK over their nightdresses, and, except one,
having bare legs ana feet. little Theresa had
70 run some 200 yards TO the WOOD iareIooted Wnen
they got 10 the woods my wife was obliged 10 take
and also her flannel petticoat, which she placed
about tine ieet or two OF the other little ones
am sorrow 10 tell you that both the latter had their
ieet observation-disclosures very BADLY They were
The time, and the snow was four TO inches thick
On the ground AT last they got shelter IN an out
honse, md afterwards In neighbo or,ug cottage but
almost too late tor the cnldren.