New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-21

struck, one Of its two splendid towers
being partially destroyed. The still
cider abbey church Of Saint-Reny, an
imposing sixteenth century basiliea.
has also lost ore Of It's Romanesque
towers. This building lies on the south
side of the town, but the chief de-
struction has been on the north and
northeast, in the fourth and second ar
rondissements, and around the cathe-
dral. T. is estimated that 100 civilians
have been killed in the streets or ia
their homes.
dispatches received Last night
state that the structures above men
toned, and others, we're completely
destroyed by tnb German artillery
fire
"The fate Of Epernay offers a sin
eular contrast. This pretty, industrial
centre of the champagne trade has suf
fered all the anxietfes Of the double
invasion, and IL is only to-day that the
good citizens begin to breathe freely,
but there has been omparatively little
material damage. On September 2 the
first French troops came ir.O the town
on their retreat from Rheims, cavalry,
infantry and heavy artillery. Regl-
ment after regiment followed in pro-
cession, and the feelings Of those OF
the inhabitants who remained may be
imagined. On the morning Of Septem-
Der the redoubtable enemy appeared,
and, overtaking the French rearguard
in the billy and thickly wooded district
to the south of Epernay, between Pier
ry and Brugny, opened fire upon II.
A running fight followed, without great
70
country houses we're destroyed.
During the same afternoon larger
body of Germans, who had crossed the
Marine at Reuil, eight miles west Of
Epernay, marched on the town by the
Paris road. On this occasion the first
German cavalry patrols are said to
have pretended to be British soldiers.
Some leading citizens went out to treat
for the safety of the town-nO doubt
having in mind what general sack
Of the world-famous wine cellars would
mean. The commandment was brought
to the Mayor, and at once demanded
supplies Of tobacco And champagne for
the troops and 10000 rations. This
was an impossible requirement, and
curious bargain was struck. The
amount of requisition not included was
estimated by Count Won Moltke at
$685., $50, for this amount was demand
ed in gol and actually was paid over
by the Mayor and five municipal coun-
cillOrs, one of them. the editor of lie
Reveil de Ia Marine who told me the
story, who were being held as host
ages. A great wine grower, VI. Chan
don, happened to have a German gen
eral blleted upon him, and complained
of the unfairness Of this exaction.
"On the afternoon of September 9
the retreat Of the Germans from
Epernay began. The inhabitants were
ordered to stay at home. doubtless
that they should not witness the eX-
tent of the movement. 1t frs great
conveys Of ammunition came in by all
southern roads and went on toward
Rheims. All through that nigh. u
mixed procession of troops, wounded
ard supplies continued. On the 10th
further regiments passed, singing dole
fully. The retreat became more and
H. re like a rout. All vehicles that
could be got in town were taken. and
still some wounded had been placed
on gun carriages, the gunners tramb
ing beside them. They all seer ed ex-
hausted and some could be seen hum
grily devouring chunks of bread. On
Friday morning, September = 1. the last
detachment crossed the Marine and
blew up the road and railway bridges.
A piece Of stone thrown up w an ex-
plosion killed a child of fourteen. In
their precipitancy they had forgotten
convoy of three hundred wounded.
which remained in the hands Of the
French for three hours after the
Germans had passed the river.
Welcomed French TrOopS.
"A body of French chasseurs then
entered Epernay, and they were
speedily followed by cavalry and in
fantry regiments. The inhabitants
cheered them loudly and brought
punches of flowers TO show their de-
light. In a very short time a bridge
was thrown over the river and fighting
on the road to Rheims bCga,..
"All the dead are now buried, but a
protruding leg from one shallow grave
made horrid sight, md in some
places pestilential conditions prevail.
A good many houses On the route
showed holes and rents, due to shell
fire, and few had holes pierced in the
walls for the use of rifemen. Several
very large fsrmhouses had been
burned down, evidently as enlistment
or revenge"