WAR ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 740, 22 November 1870, Page 2

WAR ITEMS.

War material is shipped daily from Liverpool in large lots—supposed to be for France. The Prussians shoot all the Franctireurs they catch. This is one reason why the latter carry the black flag. The Prussians have threatened to execute the municipal authorities at Ablis, because at that place Franctireurs surprised them, killing many and capturing others. The French Government has given official public notice that a Prussian prisoner will be shot for every person so killed by the Prussians. The journals publish the news of the death of Prince Fredrick Charles. It was assumed in London that the Prussians opened fire on the fortifications of Paris on October 11th.

A detachment of the army of the Crown Prince defeated a portion of the army of the Loire, near Orleans on Oct. 10th, taking 1000 prisoners and three pieces of artillery. Metz is to be relieved ; it contains 800,000 Chassepots and immense stores.

The Spanish Republicans offer military aid to France. In the engagement near Orleans 3500 French were attacked by 15,000 to 20,000, and were obliged to retreat. They were reiuforced by 15,000 men and made a stand in the forest near Montjoye. "Russian journals are very hostile to Prussia.

The Mobiles at Paris are said to have been armed with a new and dreadfully destructive engine. Greater results are even expected from it than from the mitrailleuse.

Firing from the forts around Paris has been so accurato that the Prussians have been baffled in their attempts to erect batteries.

There is no lack of salt provisions in Paris, and the flour supply is sufficient for six months.

The weak points of the defences of Paris, which the Germans rely upon carrying promptly, are the heights of Sceaux, and the gap on the western side of Mount Valerien.

On Sept. 30, the French made a sortie in force from Paris, attacking the Sixth Corps of the Crown Prince's army, at the same time that another JVoiioK oorpo attacked tlio 331cvcnth and Fifth Corps. The French drove the Prussians from their positions, and occupied them before reinforcements came up. After three hours' hard fighting the French retreated. The losses on both sides were considerable. The French are said to have lost 1200 killed and wounded.

The " Pall Mall Gazette" has news that the Mobiles behaved well in front of the enemy. Thiers, since his interview with Gortsehakoff, has expressed his conviction that France has nothing to hope from Eussia. On Sept. 2S, the French made a sortie from Metz. Bazaine's army is encamped in four different places—at St. Quentiu, near forts St. Julien and Quelen, and in the rear of the railway sheds and workshops. He now has sufficient provisions in the city for sis months, with an abundance of bread and fresh vegetables.

Bitsche made a heavy sortie on Sept. 30, and another on October 1, both of which were repulsed. The news from Metz confirms the good condition of Marshal Bazaine's army.

The army of the Loire now organising, will be commanded by General La Motteroehe.

A body of 300,000 Germans are now arriving at Toul; this force is designed to operate against Lyons. Firing from the forts De L'Est and St. Denis, Paris, has dislodged the Prussians, who are now throwing up works at Dugny. The fort of Bitsche is built on a two hundred foot perpendicular rock, is two stories high, has solid casements, and is impregnable. The garrison numbers 2000 men.

The Berliners consider the voluntary surrender of Bazaine unlikely. He is reported to have thirty three cavalry regiments, and sixty-two field batteries —in all 30,000 horses.

Cable despatches report that Bazaine, on Sept. 30, surprised the Prussians, and gained a great success. A detachment of Germans were repulsed at Fontainebleau by the Franctireurs.

The Paris correspondent of the London " Times," on October 7th, writes, the supplies of meat are vanishing freely; breadstuff's, guns and ammunition are in abundance.

There is a general rising in the Vosges. Pranc-tireurs are in all the passes, who neither give nor expect quarter. On October sth tho National guard at Bruyeres were attacked by 8000 to 10,000 Germans, supported by artillery. The French hold the position. Great quantities of arms and stores are pouring into the department of the Loire from all parts of Prance. The Pontifical Zouaves, who have arrived at Tours will form a complete corps of fifty or sixty thousand. Ten thousand Italian volunteers hare arrived at Cherbourg.

On October sth a Prussian outpost of thirty men, at Mentargis, were all killed by Turcos. On October 6th a telegram from Tours states that the troops had all left, their movements being kept secret.

A despatch from JBelfort says that the free-shooters bad defeated a detachment of the new Prussian army, which recently crossed the Rhine near Col mar.

Bismarck complains bitterly of Belgian sympathy for France. An engagement took place on the right bank of the Moselle, in which the French Imperial guard took part. •Kummer's division was attacked. The Prussian Tenth and Third corps loßt 680 men.

The anniversary of the battle of Leipsic falls on the 16th, and the Germans count upon being in Paris on the 19th.

One hundred and fifty American volunteers arrived in Tours on Oct. Bth, and marched through the streets, carrying the French and American flags.

A force of 200,000 men, the reserves not included, will shortly be organised and ready to march to the deliverance of Paris.

The Badeners obtained a victory over a French corps of the line and Mibiles on Oct. Ist.

Two Americans who escaped from Paris in a balloon say that, except by famine, Paris cannot be captured. Towards the Park of St. Cloud, the guns of Mount Valerien have inflicted considerable loss.

A semicircular intrenched Camp has been occupied near St. Denis, rendering that side of the city impregnabie. The " Gaulois." says several companies of free-shooters have mitrailleuses. The latter now made are not of the same description as those first used. Vigorous measures have been adopted for an offensive movemnet for the relief of Paris.

At Rosburgh on Oct. Bth the freeshooters attacked Prussian cavalry and Bavarian infantry, who were compelled to retreat. On Oct. 9th twelve hundred Prussians were repulsed from St. Quentin by the National Garde. The " Staat's Anzeiger" does not anticipate an early surrender of Metz. With 22,000 horses famine cannot be quickly counted upon.

The South German Government has issued an order that all foreigners, found in arms against Germany, will be put to death. Retaliatory orders will be issued from Paris and Tours.

The " World's" correspondent, on Oct. 9, telegraphs that the army of Lyons is advancing by way of Nancy to relieve Bazaine. It was their right wing wliicli had a battle with Baden troops on Oct. 6.

A cable despatch states that the present attitude of Prussia on the peace question indicates that the strain upon the German resources is beginiug to be severely felt. In evacuating Coureelles- the Prussians burned large quantities of supplies.

A Brussels despatch says that Bourbaki's mission was to urge on the Empress abdication. The army of Metz cannot be relied upon to support the Emperor. Bismarck officially denies that the Prussians investing Paris are mutinous, or that they pray for the war to close. A correspondent of the London "Telegraph" says the Prussians, on leaving Milhouse, fired on the people, killing and wounding several. It is reported that Garibaldi will take his forces into the Vosges, to operate against the Prussians. It is reported that the Pope will take up his residence at Malta.

The Italian Government has formally repudiated any design, looking to the re-annexation of Nice and Savoy.