New-York tribune., 1871-04-20
THE FRENCH CIVIL WAR

THE TNsIJRGENT DEFEAT AT AsNIERES
DETAILS OF MONDAYS ENGAGEMENT
REsEIs DRIVEN FROM THEIR "oHnS 80
GREAT Ioss-Two BATTALIoNs fANl A,,o,,,,
oNERs-A PoNTooN BRIDGE ,,.,',,
AND MANY OF THE CohhoN
Try TELEGRAPH TO THB IhibVN"'
,ox,ox, wednesday, April 10. 1871.
Ii, ,orrespondent of The TRIBUNE at
~. .o,eorapbed ON Tuesday evening as follows;
1p,o irsurrents were badly defeated yesterday
rn- boa completed large defensive works at
Asnieres and the Commune Generals believed the
,osi+;op WAS safe from assault. Beyond the bridge
-, tho Seine, about Is yards from the railway
.,o.ion AZ Asneres, strong barricade was erected
md armed with mitrailleuses Other earthworks
.ro thrown up over night to prevent an attack via
the CharleboUg road.
Across the road to Colombes was a barricade of
raving-stones covered with earth. This barricade
was eight hundred yards long and connected the
principal posts Of the insurgents. Seven armor-
Mated locomotives, armed with American mitrail-
leuses were ready along the railway TO defend the
National Guards But although the Asnieres roads
were baTcaded by the insurgents they were without
cavalry and unable to reconnoiter. They were con-
secnently unaware Of the fact that the Versailles
troops had armed the Gennevilliers redoubts, and
placed heavy naval guns in position at the Colonies
redoubs When the first shells fell yesterday from
Courbevoie in the neighborhoOd of Chateau Becon,
the National Guards took little notice of them as
they we're protected against fire in that direction.
Suddenly tremendous fire was opened from Co
lonbes and Gennevillers on the front and right
flank Of the insurgents. The National Guards gave
way and fed from their trenches AT the same
moment two attacking columns took the insurgents
In front The mitrailleuses at the b3ricade could
only FIRE one volley.
The cross fire was so heavy that the insurgents
were driven across the Seine in less than an hour.
Dombrowsk demanded reGnforcements, and the in
surgents renewed the attack, but they were again
repulsed with great loss. Eyewitness say that
DomLrowsli led in person desperate assault. AT
were forced to retreat TO Porte MaOt. The bridge
Of boats was broken, and many were drowned.
The Versailles troops gradually won all of the
Gennevilliers peninsula and then attempted to push
forward over the bridge at Asnieres The Guards
were routed, aud two battahons were taken prison
ers and the remainder of the insurgents were driven
entirely 10 their own side Of the Seine.
The cannonade has now slackened. There has
been an incessant fall Of rain Tor days past The
markets are badly supplied. Bullocks, before they
are killed. sell for a shilling per pound Ihe Com
,nune journals recommend that the imperial mummy
Napoleon L. at the Hotel des Invalides be removed
Rochefort says that Trustworthy information has
been received that semi-of1cial negotiations are
pending. The Commune says arrangements have
been made 10 provision Paris by the Northern and
Eastern Railways.
The Commune DEGREES that all debts shall be paid
within three years from the 18th OF July, in twelve
eqnal instalments, and that the debtors alternating
their assets shall be deemed guilty Of fraudulent
bankruptcy.