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Latest War Dispatches-
London, September 25.— Dispatches
fr< vn Tours confirm the reports cf fighting
in Paris between Reds and the troops un
der Frcchu. No particulars.
The Local Junta will rule Rome until
after plebiscite vote.
A French steamer from Havre wili come
New York via Cowes.
Tours, September 25. —Ministers Gam
betta and Ferry, addressing Cremieux,
say : “Paris is prepared to make a heroic
defence. All parties are united to sustain
the Government of defence. You hear,
through Prussian sources, of troubles in
Paris; we deny it. \Ye have an enormous
force of the National and Mobile Guard
and troops of the line, with munitions and
provisions to hoid out all the winter. Let
France make a heroic effort.”
London, September 25. —Thiers, after
interviewing Yon Bucst. departed for
Petersburg.
Journals concur that Favre’s visit to
IP-march proved abortive.
Tours, September 25. —The Journal
u eiares that the French people prefer ex
tin *ion tc humiliation.
Germans considor Strasbourg, Toul
?n i Verdun theirs. Favre and his ed
it gues unite against their demand. The
terms wili now depend upon an European
(ft nereis to assemble at Brussels.
L i France says: Peace is impossible on
the terms proposed without ruin. Noth
ing is left us but dogged resistance.
Despatches from Berlin repudiate the
permanent occupation of Fort Valerian
as a permanent menace to Palis.
St. Petersburg, Sept. 25.— The Jour
nal denies that neutral powers encourage
the obstinacy of France, and declares Rus
sia approves the terms dictated by Prussia.
Queen Victoria wholly ignores Eugenie
and Louis.
The meeting at London, last night, to
sympathize with France, proved a failure.
There were but few people present and no
notable orators.
Berlin, September 25—[Official. j-Two
thousand two hundred men, with much
material, were captured at Toul.
Florence, September 20. —Among the
political prisoners released at Rome was
Petroux, after seventeen years’ imprison
ment.
London, September 20. —The limes
specials, dated Saarbruck, Sept. 24th, say
that Bazaine made a feint at Mercy la
Gant, and attempted to escape to Thion
vilL. There was heavy cannonading lor
some hours.
A slap light occurred at Moulin, seven
miles from Metz. The French were driven
back. Their loss was serious.
Bazaine has released his prisoners.
A heavy force of Bavarians is penetrat
ing the country towards Lyons..
The cathedral at Strasbourg is irrepara
b’y injured. The astronomical clock is
still going.
Von Buest assured Thiers of the deep
est sympathy, but intervention was impos
sible. It is said Thiers will offer the Czar
important concessions in the ea9t.
A French levee ai masse is hourly ex
pecred.
The Baltic fleet has been ordered to cut
the cable between Germany and Sweden.
Tours, September 26. —The city is
crowded with refugees from all quarters.
Many sleep in the streets.
Brussels. September 26. —The Belgian
press unanimously denounce Prussia’s ar
rogant demands:
Florence, September 26.—Cadoma,
addressing tho provisional government at
Rome he himself created, said : “Your
task is sublime. The 20th of September
is an era in your history, for it makes
R me again the capital of the kingdom.”
Madrid, September 26. —The Govern
ment informs Deßodas that his resignation,
if nersisted in, will be accepted.
Tours, September, 26. —Balloon letters
from Paris give the following account of
the battle of the 19th: General Ducret
occupied the heights from Ville Juif to
Mcndon. He made a reconnoisance and
encountored the Prussian masses, concealed
in the woods, with many cannon. The
French attacked vigorously and drove them
precipitately. The Prussians reformed on
the heights of Chatalon. Tho tremendous
artillery fire compelled Ducret to seek
the shelter of Fort DeVauvcs. His artil
lery was well served. The Mobiles were
cool 3nd resolute. Ducret finally with
drew into Paris. The Prussians suffered
severely.
London, September 26. —Dispatches
from Orleans report cavalry at Bazuches
and Autenay. Prince Adalbert, with a
large force, is reported near Bazoches.
The Prussians are reconstructing the
Laon fortifications.
The Jamaica cable, laid yesterday, is
working admirably. It is to be continued
to Aspinwall.
London, September 26.—Communica
tion with Paris and Tours by balloons
continue.
The Prefects of the western depart
ments, according to a proclamation from
the Ministry, are appealing to the people
to rise en masse and overwhelm the in
vaders.
Three million francs for defence were
voted by Calais.
Belgium is grieved and alarmed at the
failure of peace negotiations.
The Patrie, a semi-ollicial newspaper
under the old regime, now published at
Poictiers, is enthusiastic for the Republic.
The treaty between Belgium and Prus
sia for the release of wounded soldiers in
Belgian hospitals has been signed.
Tours, September 26.—A large number
of official messengers hence tor Paris have
returned.
f he omnibus horses of Paris have been
sc zed by the Government to transport the
troops.
The Journpl Official pub ishes decrees
increasing tho number of regiments and
conferring extraordinary powers upon gen
eral officers
A division of cavalry has reached here
from the south of France.
A large force of Mobiles passed Tours on
their way to Orleans.
Martial law is suspended in Algeria.
The Prussians are in force at Bougivale,
Re*.!, Monterre, and near Chatillon. Skir
mishes have occurred at Yille Juif,LaHayc,
CbevilJv, and elsewhere.
The Prussians have apparently aban*
doned St. Dennis. Side movements indi
o# f e an intention s o attack at Sccaux.
Later information places the Prussi-ms
near Bourget and at St. Cloud.
Brussels, September 26 —Bands of
workmen yesterday paraded the streets
sWing the Marseillase and crying Vive la
France. A majority of the people here
disfavor the annexation of Alsace and
Lorraine.
New York, September 20. —The lele
gram's special from Berlin says the ap
proaching alliance between Prussia and
Austria is mentioned. Hungary is opposed.
Tours, September 26. —The Moniteur
publishes a proclamation from the Pro
visional Government at Paris, dated the
20th, re-affirming that the policy of France
is not to cede an inch of her soil or a s one
of her fortifications.
Later news from Paris report outpost
skirmishes.
A message from Versailles says the
Prussians have undertaken nothing im
portant in that neighborhood.
The gunboats on the Seine are ready for
action, and entrenchments and barricades
a:e going up everywhere.
New York, September 26.—A special
correspondent of the Tribune writes from
Mcaux, dated headquarters of King Wil
liam, 18th iast.: I had a conversation with
Bismarck, during which I asked him if the
report was true shat there were English
representatives here. He answered, the
English have asked me if we will treat
with Favre, and 1 replied that we would it
his Government would guarantee us the
possession of Metz and Strasbourg. This
he could not do. In this war we are influ
enced, said Bismarck, by no motive of
aggrandizement whatever. We have no
purpose in view but our own security,
consequently wc muse provide for ihe next
war, which is sure to come. Franco is now
without allies but m3y soon succeed in
pr curing them, and is sure to com
mence another war, under better auspices.
That is why we demand these fortresses,
but the present Government in Paris dare
net agree to the cession of French territo
ry, nor, probably, will the next Govern
ment, but our purpose is fixed, and, it
necessary, we are ready to stay all winter
at Paris.
I said the general impression was that
France is too much weakened to begin an
other war for many years. That is noi the
case, said Bismarck ; France is a very
wealthy country, and will remain so alter
the war. Within five years she will have
so recovered a3 to be able to recommence
hostilities. For that reason we must have
these fortresses; but as the Government at
Paris is not disposed to deliver them up,
and probably has no command over them,
peace is not very near and we must wait
until we can reduce them. We hear tnat
the garrisons arc already eating horses.
Then the question of peace, I said, reduces
itself to one for the possession oi Metz and
Strasbourg. He answered: Yes, that is it
precisely.
London, September 26. —Fighting all
day near Paris is reported from Tours, but
accounts are contradictory. English jour
nals refuse to publish them.
The inhabitants of Strasbourg are still
kept in ignorance of events outside of the
city. They believe the French have been
victorious, and that the army is advancing
to the relief of the city.
The English press compare the war
movements in France with those of the
late American contest, especially with the
campaigns ot General Grant against \ icks
burg and Richmond.
Tours, September 26. —There has
been several engagements with the enemy
in the open country between Pari3 and
Blois. Results are not serious.
The Government here denies the
categorical statement of the Berlin corre
spondent of the Loudon Times, that Ba
zaine bad made proposals lor a surrender.
The garrison at Havre has been re
inforced and also has received a number
of mitrailleurs.. The place is now fully
prepared to resist an attack.
Brussels, September 26.—The imme
diate publication of a manifesto from Na
poleon, in reply to the last proclamation of
the Government at Tours, is promised. M.
Conti, private secretary to the Emperor,
is said to be the writer of the document,
A great majority of the Prefects met to
organize the uprising for defence. Several
journals dwell on the fact that Govern
ment journals allow such disorders to con
tinue at Lyons. Cluseret is there, and his
influence, they say, is very bad, his pur
pose being to excite serious disturbances.
Spots on the Sun. —Those who are in
terested in sun studies have an opportunity
of.-eeing at this time an extraoidiuary
number of sun spots- Five large groups
are now visible. Ten or twelve of the
spots are large and conspicuous. Around
each of the groups are extensive regions of
protuberations on the photosphere. With
a magnifying power of sixty times, more
than a hundred distinct spots may „be
Mlffllß Os 311 Ml
counted. Whether the drv weather or the
hot weather is due to the presence of spots
we a e not yet prepared to say. To settle
that question wdl he tl e business of fu
ture inquiry. —O., in Providence lost,
iSept. 20th.
The Battle of Sedan.
KING WILLIAM’S ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE
AND SURRENDER.
The following is the full text of the dis
patch sent by the King to Queen Augusta,
some extracts from which have been pre
viously given;
Vendresse, south of Sedan, /
September 3, 1870. j
To Queen Augusta: You know from
my three telegrams the whole extent of
the great historic event which has just
happened. It is like a dream, even when
one has seen it hour by hour developing
itself. When I consider that after one
great and successtul war I could not ex
pect more glorious things yet to happen
during my reign, and now behold this his
torical act accomplished, and I bow before
God, who alone lias chosen me, my army
and my allies to perform what lias hap
pened, and has made us the instruments of
His will, I can only look upon it in this
light, and in humility praise God’s guidance
and grace.
Now let me briefly give you a picture of
the battle and its results.
On the evening of the 31st and the
morning of the Ist, the army Dad moved
in the positions assigned all around Sedan.
The Bavarians had the left wing at Ba
zeilles, on the Meuse. Next to them the
Saxons, in the direction of Moncelle and
Daigny ; then the guards still on the march
in the direction of Givoune, and the Fifth
and Eleventh Corps at St. Menges and
Fleigneux. The Meuse making here a
sharp bend, no troops were stationed from
St. Menges as far as Donchery; but the
latter place was held by the Wurtem
bergers, who at the same time covered the
rear against sorties from Mezieres. The
cavalry division under Count Stolberg, in
the plain of Donchery, formed the right
wing. In the front toward Sedan were
the remainder of the Bavarians.
In spite of a dense fog the fight com
menced at Bazeilles early in the morn
ing, and gradually developed into a hot
engagement, in which house after house
bad to be taken, lasting almost the whole
day, and the Erfurt Division, under Gen
eral Shoeler (iu the reserve, Fourth
Corps), had to come to the assistance.
When I arrived, at eight o’clock, at the
front, before Sedan, the great battery was
just opening its fire on the fortifications.
A huge artillery combat ensued at all
points, which continued for hours, and
during which on our side ground was grad
ually gained. The villages mentioned were
taken. Very deeo ravines covered with
timber rendered tho advance of the infan
try difficult, and favored the defence. The
villages of Illy and Floing were taken, and
gradually the circle of fire was drawn closer
and closer around Sedan. It was a grand
sight from our position, on a dominating
eminence behind that battery mentioned,
to the right of the village of Frenois, aud
forward above Pt. E’orey.
The stubborn resistance of the enemy
gradually slackened, as we could see from
the battalions in disorder, hastily retiring
from the woods and villages. The cavalry
attempted to attack some battalions of our
Fifth Corps which held out arid bore
themselves splendidly. The cavalry dashed
through the intervals between the battal
ions, then wheeled and returned the same
way, repeating it three times with different
regiments, so that the field was covered
with dead men and horses. We could
see it all distinctly from our position. I
have uot yet been able to learn the position
of that brave regiment.
The retreat of the enemy in many places
becoming a rout, and all-infantry, caval
ry, a::d artillery—crowding into the town
and the nearest surroundings, but still no
indication appearing of the disposition of
the enemy to save himself from this des
perate condition by capitulation, nothing
remained than to order the town to be
bombarded by the battery before mention
ed. In less than twenty minutes it
burning in several places; that, together
with the many burning villages in the
whole radius oi the battle, made an appall
ing impression, and I ordered the firing to
cease and sent Lieutenant-Colonel Von
Bronsart, of the staff, with a white flag, as
truce-bearer, offering capitulation to the
army and fortress. He was met by a Ba
varian officer, who reported that a French
truce-bearer with a white flag had appear
ed at the gate. Lieutenant-Colonel Von
Bronsart was admitted, and upon his in
quiry for the Geueral-in-Chief, he was un
expectedly conducted before the Emperor,
who wanted at once to deliver him a letter
addressed to me. When upon inquiry by
the Emperor what his orders were, the
reply was given: To summon the army
and fortress to surrender. The Emperor
directed Bronsart to address himself in the
matter to Gcd. De Wimpffen, who had
just assumed command in place of Mac-
Mahon, wounded, and stated that be
would send his letter to me by Adjutant-
Gereral Reille. It was seven o’clock when
Reille and Bronsart came to me. You can
imagine what an impression it made upon
me especially, and upon all. Reille dis
mounted and delivered to me the letter of
Lis Emperor, adding that he had no farther
orders. Before opening the letter I said
to him: “ But I demand as first condition
that the army lay down their arms.” The
letter commences thus : “ N’ayant pas ptf
rnourir ala tete de mes troupes je depose
men epee a votre Majeste” (oot having
been able to die at the head of mv troops,
I lay my sword before your .Majesty,)
leaving everything further to my discre
tion.
My reply was that I regretted the man
ner in which we had met, and requested
that a plenipotentiary be sent, when the
capitulation could be concluded. I had
given the letter to General Reille. I spoke
a few words to him as an oldacquaintance,
and thus ended this act. I gave Moltke
full powers to treat, and directed Bismarck
to remain behind, in case political questions
should come up, and then rode to my car
riage, and drove to this place, everywhere
on the road salted with thundering hur
rahs by the trains m wing up, and singing
everywhere the national hymn. It was
sublime. Everywhere lights had been it,
so that now and then we drove in the
midst cf an improvised i'lummadon. I
arrived hero at 11 o’clock and drank with
my suite the welfare of the army that had
accomplished this great result. No report
having reached me from Moltke up to the
mornipg of the 2nd of the capitulation
treaty which was to have been made in
Donchery, I drove, at S o’clock, according
to arrangement, to the battle field, and
there met Moltke, who came to get my
consent to the terms of cipitulation pro
posed, and at the same time inform m°
that the Emperor had left Sedan at 5
o’clock, and had come to Donchery. As
he wished to tome, I selected fer our
meeting a little castle with a park, which
w »s close by. At 10 o’clock Moltke and
Bismarck made their appearance with the
articles of capitulation, signed, and at 1
o’clock 1 set out with Fritz, escorted by a
cavalry guard. I dismounted at the castle,
and the Emperor came to meet me. The
interview lasted fifteen minutes. We were
both deeply moved at thus meeting again.
What I felt, having seen Napoleon three
years ago in the very summit of his power,
I cannot describe.
Alter this interview, from 3$ to 8b
o’clock, I rode along the front of the
whole army before Sedan. The reception
by the troops, the meeting with decimated
corps of Guards, all this I cannot describe
to you to-day I was profoundly moved
by so many tokens of love and devotion.
Now, goodbye; with throbbing heart at
the close of such a letter.
Wilhelm.
ARTILLERY WON TIIE BATTLE OF SEDAN.
Dr. Russell writes to the London Times
under date of Donchery, September 3:
And let our soldiers and statesmen at
home make note of this. The issue of that
battle (Scdar) was decided solely and en
tirely by artillery fire. Ido not here u can
to say that if the Prussian armies and the
troops of tho allies had been brought to
deal with the French army of Marshal
McMahon they could not and would not
have beaten it with musket and bayonet so
effectually. No one can preter and that the
French army could escape from the coils
of the net which Von M hke, Von Blu
menthal, and tho members of trie Military
Cabinet cf the King of Prussia wove
round the unfortunate Marshal, or show
how the subtle perfection of the strategy
which enabled the presid'ng genius at the
head of the list to put his fifiger. day bo
fore, on the very spot on the map where
McMahon was to bo brought to biy, could
be evaded and frustrated. But what I as
sert, after a long examination of the bat
tie-field yesterday, and an actual observa
tion of the progress of the action itself, is
that but for the decided superiorly and
terrible effect of the Pi ussian artillery fire
the position cf Sedan could cot have been
taken without au appalling loss of life
whereas it was won at a comparatively
small expense of it indeed. It was to the
comparative impotence of the French ar
tillery that result was due.
Now, 1 know the able director of our
artillery at home is bent on making a radi
cal change in our system of ordoance. I do
not know how far Colonel Adve has yet
carried his ideas into effec ;, but all artil
lery officers are aware that the breach
loading system has been condemned in
England, and that a strenuous effort, sue
cessf’ul at last, has been made to adopt the
muzzle-loading steel gun and the shrapnel
shell. If Colonel Adve had seen the bat
tle-field of Sedan I think he wou.d have
been shaken in his strong conviction, it
anything could shake it. I speak of him
with the greatest respect, but I entreat
him to stop and inquire before he carries
a vital change— to inquire into the circum
stances of this battle, and to see if he is
not of the opinion of the fallen Emperor,
shat it was “to the superiority of artillery,
not in numbers, but in weight, range and
precision, the victory was due.” Ido not
know what the relative merits of the
Armstrong and of the Prussian breach
loaders may be, or what may be the de
merits of our time anu percussion fuse,
but it is quite clear that any attempt to
adopt the French muzz'e-loadirg system,
or anything like it, ought to be resisted
strenuously until a careful inquiry has es
tablished its superiority.
There is a manufacturing town called
Bess-brook, near Newry, in Ireland,
which has neither public-house nor
policeman. It was founded by a Mr.
Richardson, a member of the Society of
friends, who built a spinning-mill there,
and now employs, 3,000 men in his own
establishment. The people are said to be
all orderly and sober.
The vessel in which Dr. Kane made
his famous voyage to the North Pole
now lies at Newport, R. I. She is own
ed by Captain Hopkins, of that city,
her name having been changed to the
United States.
The following from one who, amid the
dearest earthly relations has just tasted
afresh the bitterness of breavement, to
an old companion who has led a life
separate from friends and kin, besides"’its
especial aud limited application, has a
wealth of meaning for all kindred souls
that desire to grow strong under the
common lot of trial and suffering:
From the Journal of Commerce.
ki Nil DesTDerandum.”
We sang it once in youths exultant
morning,
Oar song of victory ere the strife began,
Before we knew the legend’s solemn
meaning—
“ Never despair J the happy chorus ran.
Then hope’s bright beam encircled every
morrow,
And love—it was our life from day to
All sadder depths of loneliness and sor
row
Within the undiscovered future lay.
*
“W r e will be strong!” we said, and smiled
in parting,
Our lives, we felt, must still together
flow;
A bright, brief da}’ of toiling and cf
triumph,
Then sweet communing in the evening
glow
Nil desperandum! watch word’unforgot
ten
Through many years of parting and of
pain,
Now, 0 beloved, with a deeper mean
ing,
And reverently we utter it again.
For we have watched the slow and
mournful setting
Os fariest hopes that lit our morning sky.
The buds most precious on our summer
garland • ■ •*
Storm winds have scattered, rudely rush
ing by.
To me the cup renewed of smiles and
Os thankful joy, and grief that knows no
care;
thee—to watch alone—a lifetime
lonely—
The bitterest pain thy spirit could en
dure,
No hand to clasp thine own when thou
art weary,
No heart thy deepest, truest self to
know; —
Better the love and ioss so oft recur
ring,
Which fill my lot with gladness and with
woe.
Yet, friend, despair not! for the sun des
cending
Begins to burn along the western sky—
Let the old song which charmed our life’s
beginning,
Our later hours illume and glorify!
Let us go down, unfaltering, to the river
Beyond whose waves our meeting place
shall be—
There shall our watchword lose its solemn
warning,
And anew song be given to thee and
me!
Bangor, July 7, 1870.
F. L. M.
—
A h alse Statement. —In consequence
of statements made in a letter going the
ronnds of the press recently, to the effect
that there were several thousand Confed
erate prisoners on the Dry Tortugas in a
state of destitution, without means of get
ting away, Mr. G. F. Marlow, of Selma,
Alabama, addressed a letter to) the War
Department asking as to the truth of the
statement. The enquiry was responded to
by E. D. Townsend, Adjutant General of
the United States, who says: “There is
not a single Confederate prisoner in the
custody of the United States anywhere at
this time.’’ He further says: “There
were never more than two thousand men,
United States,soldiers, prisoners and ail,
if as many, at any one time on that Island.
All these statements concerning Dry Tor
tugas are utterly false.”
FROM VIRGINIA.
Fortress Monroe, September 25. —
The splerdid new iron steamer Mgancke,
of the Old Dominion Steamship Coast
Line, passed here this afternoon for Nor
folk. A salute was fired from the fort,
which she promptly returned.
Norfolk, September 25. —The U. S.
steamer Bibb, which vas reported lost at
sea recently, has arrived safely at Ilat
teras Inlet.
7