The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-04-03
A FRENCH DEFEAT.
The Chinese Forces Gain an I'm.
pOrtant Victory at Langson.
Forcing the French to Evaouate
the City and Retreat.

dispatch from Paris says: at is officially
announced that the Chinese troops on the
1onquin frontier made desperate attack
upon the intrenched camp which had been
established by General Negrier between
Langson and kiua, and from which General
Negrier had been making reconnoissances be-
You'd the frontier separating Tonquin from
China proper. The Chinese drove the
French back to Langson and recaptured
that town. During this series of
tights General Negrier was grievous-
ly wounded, and the French
casualties were very serious. The latest ac-
counts represent the French troops to be in
full retreat, with the Chinese vigorously pur-
suing them A vast quantity of commissary
and other stores has been lost. General Ne
srier received gunshot wound in the chest.
General Briere dlsle, who is in chief com
mand in Tonquin, telegraphs for assistance
IN an lmploring tone, which leads the Parish
ans to expect further disasters. A council of
war was held in Paris with tine minister of
war presiding. Intense excitement prevails
wherever the bad news has become known in
France"
Another Paris dispatch gives the following
additional particulars: "The Chinese forces
gained victory over the French at Langson
on Friday. They carried the key of the posi-.
llOn anu Jne lnUrencnnentS. Inc French
troops retreated beyond Dong Dong They
are falling back on the Longkoi. The Chi
nese, 1t is estimated, are $4,000 strong. They
menace the French lines of communication
with the South. 1t is reported at Paris that
General Briere de fIsle asks reinforcements
to the number of 20, 900 men.
The French reverseS have increased the no
lltical excitement in Paris. The narrow ma
jority obtained by the government yesterday
on the vote of confidence leads to the expecta-
ton that the ministry will be defeated in the
next Tonquin debate and will then resign.
The radical and monarchist organs predict
an early fall of Premier Ferry.
The following dispatch has been received
from General Briere de rlsle, dated Hanoi,
on Saturday II re1ret to announce that
General Negrier has been severely wounded
and has been obliged to evacuate Langson
The Chinese in three large columns made
an impetuous attack upon our positions
before kilua. Colonel Herbinger, in
the face of superior number
Of the enemy, and exhausted of ammunition.
was obliged to retreat to Dong Dong and
lhannoi | am amassing forces on the Chu
and KEEP roa1s. If the enemy still increases
! shall retire to Songkoi Whatever happens,
! hope TO be able to defend the whole delta.
ilease send renforcements as quickly as posi-
blen
The news of the defeat and retreat of the
French army in Tonquin, says a third dis
patch from Paris, caused profound sensa-
ton. Excited groups collected on the boule-
wards wildly discussing the situation. The
council of ministers has been sitting all day
and night. All the ministers are agreed that
$1,000 fresh troops must be sent at once to
ronquin, and these are to be seasoned troops,
not rcservists.