Chapter XX (1)

Prince BLÜCHER had satisfied himself, by means of the reconnaissances made during the 29th, that very considerable pains had been taken by the Enemy to oppose a serious obstruction to the farther advance of troops marching against the north side of Paris.

He was now desirous of ascertaining Whether the disposition and spirit of the Enemy's troops were at all commensurate with the extent of the Works which he saw before him: and, with this view, he directed BÜLOW to make an attack, in the night of the 29th, with part of his _Corps d'Armée_, upon Aubervilliers. He also desired ZIETEN to support this attack, by raising as much alarm as possible in the Villages of Bondy and Pontin.

Before the attack commenced, BLÜCHER was joined by WELLINGTON in person, who communicated to him the Proposals which had been made by the French Commissioners. Being already engaged in an important operation, he could not consent to suspend hostilities; and the two Commanders agreed in opinion that, as long as NAPOLEON remained in Paris, they could not arrest their operations without insisting upon his being delivered up to them. Accordingly, the Duke wrote a letter immediately to the Commissioners to this effect.

BLÜCHER confided the attack upon Aubervilliers to General SYDOW, with the Thirteenth Brigade (nine Battalions), together with one Battalion of the Fourteenth Brigade, and two Regiments of Cavalry. The remainder of the Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ was held under arms, in readiness to follow up any acquired advantage. Four Battalions advanced in Column, under Colonel LETTOW, supported by the remaining five Battalions. The arrangements, being made during the night, occupied some little time, so that twilight had set in when the attack commenced. Colonel LETTOW penetrated the extensive Village on three sides, forced the barriers, and carried every thing before him with the bayonet. The place had been occupied by one thousand of the Enemy's best troops; of whom two hundred were made prisoners, and the remainder pursued as far as the Canal of St Denis.

General SYDOW, accompanied by Major LÜTZOW of the Staff, immediately made a reconnaissance of the Canal; and soon discovered that its opposite bank was lined with Infantry in great force, and that the different points of passage were defended by Batteries. Nevertheless he made the attempt to advance; but the troops were received with a vigorous fire of both artillery and musketry; and it soon became evident, that the Enemy's fortified position could not be taken except at a great sacrifice of both time and men. SYDOW, therefore, limited his operations to the occupation of the captured Village.

A simultaneous advance towards the Canal was made, on the left of Aubervilliers, by the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr, and the 10th Regiment of Hussars; which maintained the communication with the First Corps. A sharp _tiraillade_ took place, which terminated in the withdrawal of these troops to their former position.

By means of this reconnaissance it was made sufficiently manifest that the line of the Canal of St Denis could not be carried without a serious assault, preluded by a heavy cannonade. It then became a question with the Allied Commanders, who had thus, most fortunately, the opportunity of concerting measures in person, Whether it would not be advisable to endeavour to turn the Enemy's strongly fortified lines of St Denis and Montmartre, by masking those lines with one Army, whilst the other should move off to the right, and cross to the left bank of the Seine, lower down the stream.

Although this movement would have the effect of extending and dividing the Allied forces, and consequently of augmenting the chances of success on the part of the Enemy: should the latter possess the disposition and the means, not only of acting determinedly on the defensive, but also of assuming the offensive, accordingly as circumstances might favour the attempt; still any defeat of this kind was fully counterbalanced by the advantages which the plan presented. It cut off the entire communication with Normandy, from which Paris derived its chief supplies; whilst the approach of the Bavarian Army towards the opposite side was gradually limiting the resources of the capital in that quarter. It enabled the Commanders to present their forces simultaneously at different points: and thus, by continuing that display of vigour which had characterised their advance, they were far more likely to impose upon the _morale_ of both the defeated Army and the citizens, than by limiting their combined operations to the attack of the stronghold presented by the lines of St Denis; for to do this, would, in all probability, require time, and it was evident from the repeated Proposals made by the French Government for a Suspension of Hostilities, that time was their great object, whether for the purpose of facilitating the collection and organisation of their resources, or in the hope of obtaining more favourable terms from the Allies.

It had also been tolerably well ascertained that, although fortified works had been thrown up on the right bank of the Seine, the defence of the left bank had been comparatively neglected. A further inducement towards the adoption of this plan arose from a Report which was now received from Major COLOMB, stating that although he had found the Bridge of Chatou, leading to Malmaison, destroyed: he had hastened to that of St Germain, on hearing that it had not been injured; and succeeded in gaining possession of it at the very moment the French were on the point of effecting its destruction. The Bridge of Maisons, still lower down the stream, was also taken and occupied.

No time was lost by the Prussian Commander in taking advantage of the captured Bridges across the Seine.

Lieutenant Colonel SOHR received an Order that night to move, with his Cavalry Brigade (the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars), from the vicinity of Louvres, and to regulate his march so that he might cross the Seine at St Germain on the following morning. Thence he was to proceed so as to appear, with his Brigade, on the 1st of July, upon the Orleans road from Paris; where he was to interrupt this communication, and increase the confusion already produced in that quarter by the fugitives from the capital. Altogether, he was to act independently and discretionally; and, as far as practicable, to impede the supplies of provisions from the Western and Southern Provinces.

It was arranged that the Prussian Army should move to its right for the purpose of crossing the Seine; and, in order to mask the operation as much as possible, the Advanced Posts of the First and Fourth CORPS D'ARMÉE were to remain in their present position until the arrival of the Anglo-Allied Army, which was expected to take place on the evening of the 30th.

The Third Corps was directed to resume, at five o'clock in the morning of the 30th, its march upon Gonesse; and thence to proceed to St Germain: but in such a manner as to conceal its movements by means of the valley of Montmorency, and not to reach the more open ground about Argenteuil until darkness should have completely set in. From the latter point it would then complete its march to St Germain.

The First Corps was ordered to break up from its bivouac at ten o'clock in the evening, and march southward of Gonesse by Montmorency, Franconville, Cormeilles, and Maisons, at which latter point it was to cross the Seine, and immediately open a communication with the Third Corps.

The Fourth CORPS D'ARMÉE was directed to move, at daybreak of the 1st of July, by the right of St Denis, and to bombard this place during its march to Argenteuil; in which direction it was to effect a junction with the First and Third Corps. The Advanced Posts of the First and Fourth Corps were to remain until relieved by the British troops; and then, in like manner, to follow the rest of the Army.

These movements were punctually directed in the manner described.

As the First and Third _Corps d'Armée_ moved off to the right, Count BÜLOW considered it necessary to strengthen the Outposts of the Fourth Corps, so as to be prepared to meet the Enemy should the latter debouch from St Denis. He therefore ordered Colonel HILLER to take post in observation of this point, with six Battalions, a Regiment of Cavalry, half of a six pounder Battery, and two pieces of Horse Artillery.

About three o'clock in the afternoon, the Prussian Outposts reported that French Columns were advancing from St Denis, and that the Vedettes were already driven in. Colonel HILLER immediately pushed forward the Sharpshooters of two Battalions, as also two Squadrons of Cavalry, with two pieces of Horse Artillery. At the same time, the troops at Stains got under arms, and were prepared to support. A very brisk _tiraillade_ ensued, although there was no cover for the Skirmishers on the plain, except the trees along the great road and the high corn, which served to conceal their approach. The Enemy had also sent Detachments towards Epinay and Pierrefitte; but at these points, as also in advance of Stains, the French were compelled to give way and to retire, without having succeeded in their object of forcing back the Prussian Outposts.

The main body of the Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ remained, during the 30th, in its position at Le Bourget; its Advanced Guard, under General SYDOW, was detached to the right, towards Argenteuil, to communicate with the Third _Corps d'Armée_. As the former was to move off on the following morning, it became necessary to hold the Outposts strictly on the defensive. Aubervilliers was the most open to attack. Two Companies were posted at the outlets, towards the French side; and in rear of these, two other Companies were formed in support. Still further to the rear was the main position; on which these troops, if overpowered, were to fall back. It lay along the Villages of Chantourterelle, Courneuve, and Merville, connected together by a water course lined with bushes, and consisting of separate Country Houses and Châteaux, mostly within walls, which had been loopholed for _Tirailleurs_. Six Battalions, chiefly extended in skirmishing order, were considered sufficient to occupy the whole of this line, as far as the high road from Le Bourget. Partial skirmishing, at a distance, was kept up; though, on the side of the Prussians, it was more for the purpose of diverting the attention of the Enemy, and concealing from him the general movement to the right. Bivouac fires were maintained during the night on the ground vacated by the different Corps, in order to deceive the Enemy by their apparent indication of the continued presence of the Prussian Army in front of the lines of St Denis.

* * * * *

On this day, the Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army (VIVIAN's Hussar Brigade) reached Vauderlan. The British Cavalry moved to Louvres.

ESTORFF's Cavalry, attached to the Second Corps, crossed the Oise at Creil, and proceeded by Chantilly to Luzarches. The Infantry of this Corps marched from Clermont to Chantilly.

The First Corps moved from its camp near St Martin Longeau, crossed the Oise at Pont St Maxence, and advanced until the head of the Column reached La Capelle, and its rear rested upon Senlis.

The Reserve moved from its camp, near Gournay, by Pont St Maxence, the head of the Column reaching Fleurines on the road to Senlis, and the rear resting upon Pont St Maxence.

* * * * *

The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 30th:--

The First Prussian _Corps d' Armée_ commenced its march, at half past
ten o'clock in the evening, from Blancmesnil and Aulnay towards St
Germain, passing, during the night, through Gonesse, Montmorency, and
Le Mesnil, to Carrière au Mont, near St Germain--leaving its Outposts
in the position they had hitherto occupied.

The Third _Corps d'Armée_ marched, during the night, from Dammartin
to St Germain, by Gonesse and Argenteuil; at which latter place,
however, its Reserve Cavalry was halted.

The Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ remained in its position at Le Bourget,
to cover the march of the rest of the Army. Its Outposts continued
at Stains, St Denis, and Aubervilliers. Lieutenant Colonel VON SOHR,
with the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars, crossed the Seine at St
Germain, and was advancing towards Versailles.

Major VON COLOMB, with the 8th Hussars, occupied the Bridge of St
Germain.

The Head Quarters of Prince BLÜCHER continued at Gonesse.

The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Vauderlan.

The British Cavalry was encamped on the plain about Louvres.

The Hanoverian Cavalry was at Luzarches.

The Second and Fourth Divisions, and the Nassau troops, were upon the
high road between La Capelle and Senlis.

The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve
Artillery, were upon the high road between Fleurines and Pont St
Maxence.

The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Senlis.

The Duke of WELLINGTON's Head Quarters were at Louvres.

The French Army remained within the lines of Paris.

* * * * *

Since the departure of NAPOLEON, both the Army and the citizens looked upon the Parliament as the sole directing power; and, in full reliance upon its integrity, appeared willingly submissive to its dictates. FOUCHÉ, who had been in secret communication with the Allies, decided upon exercising, in accordance with their views, the great influence he had succeeded in acquiring over a very considerable portion of the Deputies. It was mainly by means of this influence that he contrived to remove the principal obstacle in the way of all negotiation--the presence of NAPOLEON. His next step was to prepare the Chamber for the return to power of the legitimate Monarch: a measure which he could only hope to accomplish by holding it forth as the sole alternative to the destruction of Paris by the vast and overwhelming force of the Allied Armies marching towards the capital from the north and east frontiers; and by combining with it the adoption of such modifications of the Charter as should satisfy the desires of the Constitutionalists and the moderately disposed of all Parties.

Aware that the Army was animated with a spirit of determined resistance towards the Allies; he plainly saw that, unless conciliated, the turbulent Buonapartists, with whom its ranks were filled, might speedily frustrate the accomplishment of his plans by which the peace of the capital was to be preserved, and ultimately prevent the attainment of that extended Constitutional Power for which the Deputies were contending. He, therefore, with his usual adroitness, addressed himself to its Chief, Marshal DAVOUST, Prince of ECKMÜHL; and by his skilful exposition of the political posture of affairs, he succeeded in gaining over the Marshal to his views. The latter wrote to him on the evening of the 29th, that he had overcome his prejudices; and had arrived at the conclusion that the only safe course to be pursued consisted in entering into an Armistice, and proclaiming LOUIS XVIII.

On the 30th, the Prince, as the Head of the French Army, addressed the following letter to both WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER:--

"Head Quarters, La Villette, June 30, 1815.

"My LORD,

"Your hostile movements continue, although, according to the
Declarations of the Allied Sovereigns, the motives of the War which
they make upon us no longer exist; since the Emperor NAPOLEON has
abdicated.

"At the moment when blood is again on the point of flowing, I receive
from Marshal the Duke of ALBUFERA a telegraphic despatch, of which
I transmit you a copy. My Lord, I guarantee this Armistice on my
honour. All the reasons you might have had to continue hostilities
are destroyed; because you can have no other instruction from your
Government than that which the Austrian Generals had from theirs.

"I make the formal demand to your Excellency of ceasing all
hostilities, and of our proceeding to agree to an Armistice,
according to the decision of Congress. I cannot believe, my Lord,
that my request will be ineffectual; you will take upon yourself a
great responsibility in the eyes of your fellow countrymen.

"No other motive but that of putting an end to the effusion of blood,
and the interests of my country, has dictated this letter.

"If I present myself on the Field of Battle, with the idea of your
talents, I shall carry the conviction of there combating for the most
sacred of causes--that of the defence and independence of my country;
and, whatever may be the result, I shall merit your esteem.

"Accept, &c., "THE MARSHAL PRINCE OF ECKMÜHL, "Minister at War."

To this the Duke of WELLINGTON replied in the following terms:--

"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815--10 A.M.

"MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,

"I have just received your Excellency's letter of the 30th June, in
which your Excellency communicates to me the intelligence you have
received of an Armistice having been concluded by General FRIMONT
with Marshal the Duke of ALBUFERA.

"I have already made known, in writing, to the French Commissioners
sent to the Allied Powers, and verbally, to the Commissioners sent
to me, the reasons which have prevented me from suspending my
operations; which reasons, I have cause to believe, are fully adopted
by the Allies of my Sovereign, and of those whose Armies I have the
honour of commanding.

"I have every wish to prevent the further effusion of the blood of
the brave troops under my command; but it must be upon the conditions
which shall secure the re-establishment and the stability of the
General Peace.

"I have the honour to be, &c., "WELLINGTON."

Prince BLÜCHER, who entertained a great contempt for diplomacy, attributing as he did the cause of the renewal of the War to the ill concocted schemes to which that War had given birth, had hitherto refrained from either receiving in person, or noticing in writing, any communication addressed to him by the French authorities. He applied himself solely to the military solution of the Great Problem on which depended the Peace of Europe.

Upon this occasion, however, tempted probably by the opportunity which was offered to him of sharply retorting upon the Marshal, under whose government of Hamburg the greatest excesses had been committed upon his countrymen; he was induced to pen the following reply, couched in his rough native German, as if to evince both his disdain of the usual diplomatic mode of communication, and his dislike of even the very language of the country he so thoroughly detested:--

"_To the French General DAVOUST._

"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815.

"MARSHAL,

"It is not conformable to truth that, because NAPOLEON has abdicated
the throne, there exists no further motive for War between the Allied
Powers and France. His abdication is conditional; that is, in favour
of his son: but a Decree of the Allied Powers excludes not only
NAPOLEON, but every member of his Family, from the Throne.

"If General FRIMONT has considered himself authorised to conclude an
Armistice with your General opposed to him, that is no motive for
us to do the same. We shall pursue our victory. GOD has given us
strength and resolution to do so. Beware, Marshal, of what you do;
and forbear devoting another city to destruction! for you know what
liberties the exasperated soldiers would take, should your capital
be carried by storm. Do you solicit the maledictions of Paris, in
addition to those of Hamburg?

"We shall enter Paris to protect the respectable inhabitants against
the mob, by whom they are threatened with pillage. An Armistice
can be made with security nowhere but in Paris. This, our relative
position towards your Nation, be pleased, Marshal, not to mistake!

"Let me finally observe to you, Marshal, if you mean to negotiate
with us, it is matter of surprise that, in defiance of the Law of
Nations, you detain our Officers dispatched with Letters and Orders.

"In the usual form of conventional civility, I have the honour to be,

"Marshal, "Your obedient servant, "BLÜCHER."

* * * * *

Whilst thus endeavouring to draw the Allied Generals into negotiation; FOUCHÉ and DAVOUST felt the necessity of carrying out their plans with the greatest caution, and in such a manner as to prevent any unfavourable construction being put upon their motives by the Army.

On the evening of the 30th of June, there was an assemblage of General Officers at the Head Quarters in Villette; at which it was proposed to send up an Address to the Chamber of Representatives expressive of the determined spirit of resistance which animated the troops, and of their hostility to the Bourbons. It was adopted by the majority; and DAVOUST, though secretly working with FOUCHÉ for the Restoration of LOUIS XVIII., did not hesitate to attach to it his signature. It was couched in the following terms:--

"Camp at Villette, 30th June.

"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE!

"We are in presence of our Enemies. We swear before you and the world
to defend, to our last breath, the cause of our independence and the
national honour.

"It is wished to impose the Bourbons upon us, but these Princes
are rejected by the immense majority of Frenchmen. If their return
could be agreed to, recollect, Representatives, that you would sign
the annihilation of the Army; which for twenty years has been the
Palladium of French honour. There are in War, especially when it has
been long conducted, successes and reverses. In our successes, we
have appeared great and generous. If it is wished to humble us in
our reverses, we shall know how to die.

"The Bourbons present no guarantee to the Nation. We received them
with sentiments of the most generous confidence: we forgot all the
calamities they had caused us in their rage to deprive us of our most
sacred rights. Well! what return did they make for this confidence?
They treated us as rebels and as vanquished. Representatives! these
reflections are terrible, because they are true. History will one
day relate what the Bourbons have done to replace themselves on the
Throne of France; it will also narrate the conduct of the Army; of
that Army essentially national; and posterity will judge which best
deserved the esteem of the World.

"The Marshal Prince of ECKMÜHL, Minister at War, "Count PAJOL, commanding the First Corps of Cavalry, "Count D'ERLON, commanding the Right Wing, "Count VANDAMME, General in Chief." (And fifteen other Generals.)

The Chambers being thus appealed to, felt it incumbent on them to issue a Proclamation explanatory of the political situation of France; and of their own intentions under all the critical circumstances in which it presented itself to their view. This document, cautiously drawn up by the Constitutionalists who formed the preponderating party in the State, and strongly marked by the policy which was pursued throughout by FOUCHÉ, was framed with great tact. Although it acknowledged the nomination of NAPOLEON's son to the Empire, it manifested no hostility to the Bourbons: it expressed a desire to secure a Monarchical and Representative Government; but, at the same time, declared that the Head of the Government, whoever he might be, must enter into a solemn Compact and abide by the Constitutional Charter.

In short, its general tone was sufficiently independent to secure for it, if not the approbation, at least the acquiescence, of both the Liberals and the Buonapartists; whilst, on the other hand, it significantly indicated the terms upon which a Bourbon might re-ascend the throne, and rally round him the Friends of Constitutional Order and Civil Rights. With but few exceptions it admitted of being reconciled with the Proclamation published on the 28th of June by Louis XVIII. It ran thus:--

"FRENCHMEN!

"The Foreign Powers proclaimed, in the face of Europe, that they were
only armed against NAPOLEON; and that they wished to respect our
independence, and the right which belongs to every Nation to choose a
Government suitable to its habits and its interests.

"NAPOLEON is no longer the Chief of the State. He has renounced the
Throne, and his Abdication has been accepted by your Representatives.
He is removed from us. His son is called to the Empire by the
Constitution of the State. The coalesced Sovereigns are informed of
this; and the War ought to be terminated, if the promises of Kings
have any foundation in truth.

"While Plenipotentiaries have been sent to the Allied Powers to
treat for peace in the name of France; the Generals of two of those
Powers have refused any Suspension of Arms. Their troops have
accelerated their marches under favour of a moment of hesitation
and trouble. They are now at the very gates of the capital, and no
communication has stated for what object the War is continued. Our
Plenipotentiaries will soon declare whether we must renounce Peace.
In the mean time, resistance is not only legitimate, but necessary:
and humanity, in requiring an account of the blood uselessly shed,
will not accuse those brave men who only combat to repel from their
houses the scourges of war, murder, and pillage; and to defend with
their lives the cause of Liberty, and of that Independence the
imprescriptible right of which has been guaranteed to them even by
the Manifestoes of their Enemies.

"Amidst these circumstances, your Representatives cannot forget that
they were not chosen to stipulate for the interests of any individual
Party, but for the whole Nation. Every act of weakness will dishonour
them, and will only tend to endanger the future tranquillity of
France. While the Government is employing all the means in its power
to obtain a solid Peace; or, should that not be obtained without
compromising our honour, to repel the Battalions of Foreigners:
what more advantages to the Nation can be done than to collect and
establish the fundamental rules of a Monarchical and Representative
Government, destined to secure to all citizens the free enjoyment of
those sacred rights which sacrifices so numerous and so great have
purchased; and to rally for ever, under the National Colours, that
great body of Frenchmen who have no other interest, and no other
wish, than an honourable repose and a just independence.

"Meanwhile the Chambers conceive that their duty and their dignity
require them to declare that they will never acknowledge, as
legitimate Chief of the State, him who, on ascending the Throne,
shall refuse to acknowledge the Rights of the Nation, and to
consecrate them by a solemn Compact. The Constitutional Charter is
drawn up; and if the force of arms should succeed in temporarily
imposing upon us a Master--if the destinies of a great Nation are
again to be delivered up to the caprice and arbitrary will of a
small number of privileged persons--then, in yielding to force, the
National Representation will protest in the face of the whole World
against the oppression of the French People.

"Your Representatives will appeal to the energy of the present
and future generations to renew their claim both to National
Independence, and the Rights of Civil and Religious Liberty. For
these Rights they now appeal to the reason and the justice of all
civilized Nations."

Notwithstanding the continued endeavours, on the part of the French Commissioners appointed by the Chambers, to induce the Allied Generals to enter upon an Armistice; the military operations were not for a moment interrupted.

On the morning of the 1st of July, BÜLOW's _Corps d' Armée_ (the Fourth) moved off to its right, towards Argenteuil. During the movement, however; the Enemy, as if at length aware, or desirous of ascertaining the nature, of BLÜCHER's operation, attacked the Village of Aubervilliers in front, from the Canal of St Denis, and penetrated as far as the Church situated in the centre of the place. The French were here met by the Prussian Support; and two Battalions from the main position arriving immediately afterwards, they were prevented from making any further progress. Nevertheless, a prolonged _tiraillade_, as well as a howitzer fire, on the part of the French, were maintained; during which the march of BÜLOW's Corps continued in operation, the Fourteenth Brigade being left in support to the Advanced Posts until the arrival of the Anglo-Allied troops.

* * * * *

In the afternoon, the Duke of WELLINGTON's Army reached Le Bourget; and took up the position vacated by Prince BLÜCHER, whose Advanced Posts it immediately relieved. Three Companies of Light Infantry from COLVILLE's Division were thrown into Aubervilliers. The Prussians who had hitherto been stationed for the purpose of masking as much as possible the general movement of their Army to the right, had kept up a desultory fire from that portion of the Village which was in their possession; abstaining from making any direct attack, since this might have led to the advance of the French in great force at the moment the former were no longer supported by the main Army, and before the Anglo-Allied troops had arrived.

The British Light Companies, mentioned as having been thrown into Aubervilliers, were under no restraint of this kind; and Lieutenant Colonel Sir NEIL CAMPBELL, who commanded them, determined to push forward, and possess himself, if possible, of the entire Village. Having first gained two or three of the highest houses, he broke from the top of these into some that were lower; and thence forcing his way through the partition walls of others, without much firing, since the French did not appear disposed to make an obstinate resistance (being by that time probably aware of the Prussian movement to the right, and of the arrival of the Anglo-Allied Army), he succeeded in obtaining possession of one side of a whole street, and of the greater portion of the Village. The French Officer in command then proposed a truce; which was accepted, since the Post he occupied lay between the British and a Battery upon the Canal. The remaining Outposts were taken up from the Prussians without any molestation on the part of the Enemy; and the main Anglo-Allied Army occupied a position, having its Right upon the Height of Richebourg, and its Left upon the Wood of Bondy.

* * * * *

It will be recollected that Lieutenant Colonel SOHR, of the Prussian Light Cavalry, was directed to pass the Bridge of St Germain on the morning of the 30th of June, and to show himself on the Orleans road upon the 1st of July. Starting at daybreak of the 30th, the Brigade passed through Montmorency and Argenteuil, towards St Germain; where it fell in with Major COLOMB's Detachment, consisting of the 8th Hussars and two Battalions of Infantry. It then moved on about a league further, to Marly, upon the Versailles road; which it reached at nightfall, and where it bivouacked. On the morning of the 1st of July, Lieutenant Colonel SOHR resumed his march, and took the direction of Versailles, which place, however, he did not reach until noon; much delay having occurred whilst passing through the intersected ground in that quarter, and in awaiting the Reports from the Detachments sent out in different directions to gain intelligence of the Enemy.

This bold and hazardous movement of Lieutenant Colonel SOHR's Brigade, which was acting independently as a Free Corps for the time, did not escape the Enemy's observation. General EXCELMANS, who commanded the French Cavalry on the south side of Paris, on receiving information that two Regiments of Prussian Hussars were advancing by Marly upon Versailles, resolved to attack them.

For this purpose he proceeded himself with the 5th, 15th, and 20th Dragoons, and the 6th Hussars, comprising a force of three thousand men, along the road from Montrouge towards Plessis Piquet, against the front of the Prussian Brigade. At the same time, the Light Cavalry Division of General PIRÉ, together with the 33rd Regiment of Infantry, consisting of three Battalions, were detached against the flank and rear of the Prussian Brigade. The 5th and 6th Lancers marched by the Sèvres road upon Viroflay; the 6th _Chasseurs_ proceeded to occupy the cross roads connecting Sèvres with the northern portion of Versailles; the 1st _Chasseurs_ moved by Sèvres towards Rocquencourt, about three miles from Versailles, on the road to St Germain; in which direction the 33rd Infantry followed. Both the latter Regiments were destined to cut off the retreat of the Prussian Cavalry, should it be driven back by EXCELMANS. An exceedingly well planned ambush was now laid in and about Rocquencourt, and every precaution taken by the detaching of small parties on the look out.

It was late in the afternoon when Lieutenant Colonel SOHR received intelligence that the Enemy's Cavalry was approaching, and that his Advanced Guard was attacked. He immediately advanced with both his Hussar Regiments, and drove back the Enemy upon Villa Coublai, in the Defile of which Village a sharp engagement ensued. In this attack the ranks of the Prussian Hussars had become disordered; and, as the latter retired, they were fallen upon by the 5th and 6th French Lancers of PIRÉ's Light Cavalry Brigade, before alluded to as having been posted in ambush. They then fell back upon Versailles, pursued by the French; who vainly endeavoured to force an entrance into the Town, at the Gate of which a gallant resistance was made by the Prussians. The short time that was gained by this resistance sufficed for collecting the main body of the Brigade on the open space at the outlet leading to St Germain, towards which point it might have retreated through the Park; but, having received information of the advance of THIELEMANN's Corps, and expecting every moment to derive from it a Support, Lieutenant Colonel SOHR retired by the more direct road through Rocquencourt.

About seven o'clock in the evening, at which time the Hussars had collected their scattered force together, and were on the point of commencing their further retreat upon St Germain: SOHR received intelligence, upon which he could rely, that he had been turned by both Cavalry and Infantry; and that his line of retreat had been intercepted. His decision was instantly formed. He knew his men, their devotion, and their courage; and resolved upon cutting his way through the Enemy with the sword.

On quitting Versailles the Prussian Hussars were fired upon by the National Guard from the Barrier. They had not proceeded far when word was brought in, that Prussian and English Cavalry were approaching from the side of St Germain; but they were speedily undeceived. It was the 1st Regiment of French _Chasseurs_. In the next moment they were formed for attack, and advanced at a gallop. The _Chasseurs_ came on in the same style; but they were completely overthrown, and their Commanding Officer lay stretched upon the ground by a pistol shot. As they were pursued by the Hussars, a fire was unexpectedly opened upon the latter by two Companies of the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd French Regiment, posted behind some hedges, near Le Chesnay; whereupon SOHR, with the greater part of his Hussars, struck into a field road to the right, in order to turn this Village, which was occupied by the Enemy. This, however, led them to a bridge, with adjacent houses, occupied by two more Companies of the above Battalion; from which they also received a sharp fire. Meeting with this new obstacle, and aware of the proximity of the great mass of Cavalry under EXCELMANS, in their rear; the diminished and disordered remnant of the two Prussian Regiments, about 150 Hussars, rallying upon their Chief, dashed across a meadow, with a determination to force a passage through the Village of Le Chesnay. Here the _Chasseurs_ again opposed them, but were once more overthrown; and the Prussians now followed a road which conducted them through the Village, but which unfortunately led into a large court whence there was no other outlet. Not only was their further progress thus checked, but their whole body was suddenly assailed by a fire from Infantry, already posted in this quarter; whilst the pursuing Cavalry prevented every chance of escape. Their situation had become truly desperate; but their bravery, instead of succumbing, appeared incited to the highest pitch by the heroic example of Lieutenant Colonel SOHR: who rejected the offer of quarter, and fell, severely wounded by a pistol shot. Victory favoured the strongest: but it was a victory gained by immeasurably superior numbers over the dead and dying of a gallant band of warriors; who fought to the last, and did all that the most inflexible bravery could accomplish.

The losses incurred by this Brigade during the short Campaign had already reduced it, previously to this Affair, to between 600 and 700 men: and on the present occasion it suffered a still further loss of ten Officers, and from 400 to 500 men.

The detaching of these two Regiments so much in advance of the Prussian general movement to the right; and the Orders given to Lieutenant Colonel SOHR, to cross the Seine on the morning of the 30th of June, appear a questionable measure. It is true that this Officer was desired to consider himself as acting independently, and without reference to the troops that were to follow in the same direction; but then it must be recollected that he had to proceed along a very considerable portion of the circumference of a circle, from the centre of which the Enemy could detach superior force along radii far shorter than the distance between the Prussian Brigade and the main Army: so that, with a vigilant look out, the French possessed every facility of cutting off his retreat. His Orders were to interrupt the communication with Paris by the Orleans road, and to spread alarm and confusion on that side of the capital: but in issuing them the effect likely to be produced upon the _morale_ of the citizens could have alone been contemplated; and, in all probability, it was at the same time conceived that, as no fortified works had been thrown up on the south side, the French troops intended to direct their attention mainly, if not wholly, towards the Armies in front of the northern portion of the capital. The effect thus sought to be produced might have been obtained in the case of a weak garrison; but that of Paris, comprising as it did about 50,000 troops of the Line, besides the National Guards, was not to be so lightly treated. In carrying into execution the Order to create alarm and confusion on the south side of Paris, these two Regiments of Hussars would naturally draw in that direction the attention of the French Commanders; and thus lead, as the result proved, not only to the cutting off of so comparatively weak a force, but also to the posting of a respectable body of troops at the threatened point, in anticipation of the Enemy's following up the attack in greater force. Even previously to obtaining the insight thus afforded into a part of the plan of the Invaders, the movements of the latter had been more narrowly watched than was supposed: as may be readily inferred from the fact of EXCELMANS having been detached, on the 1st, towards Versailles, with a body of Cavalry; and of the position at Montrouge having been occupied in considerable force. All circumstances considered, the preferable course would have been, to have employed SOHR's Brigade as an Advanced Guard only; having immediate support from the main Columns in its rear.

It so happened that the Advanced Guard of THIELEMANN's Corps, consisting of the Ninth Infantry Brigade, under General BORCKE, was on the march from St Germain (which it had left about seven o'clock in the evening) to take post at Marly; when it received intelligence of the two Cavalry Regiments, under Lieutenant Colonel SOHR, having been completely defeated. BORCKE hastened forward, and it was not long before his Advance became engaged with the French _Tirailleurs_ proceeding from Versailles. The Enemy was immediately attacked, and driven back upon Rocquencourt. As darkness was setting in, BORCKE drew up his force with caution. He pushed forward the Fusilier Battalion of the 8th Regiment, supported by the 1st Battalion of the 30th Regiment; and held the remainder in Battalion Columns on the right and left of the road. The vigour of the attack made by the first named Battalion was such that the Enemy retired in all haste upon the nearest suburb of Paris; whilst BORCKE bivouacked at Rocquencourt.

Besides the Cavalry under EXCELMANS, the remains of the Third and Fourth French _Corps d'Armée_ were detached to the south of Paris; on which side VANDAMME, who commanded, took up a position, having his Right upon the Seine, his Left by Montrouge, and his Centre in rear of Issy. He placed a portion of his troops in the villages of Vanves and Issy; the houses and walls of which appeared to offer great advantages for defence. His Advanced Guard occupied Chatillon, Clamord, Meudon, Sèvres, and St Cloud. In the evening he was joined by the Imperial Guard, which he posted in support.

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The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 1st of July:--

The Second Corps of the Anglo-Allied Army, under Lord HILL,
comprising the Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, and
ESTORFF's Hanoverian Cavalry Brigade, was in the position previously
occupied by the Fourth Prussian Corps; having its Right upon the
great road about Pierrefitte, its Left upon the great road of Senlis,
and its Advanced Posts at Aubervilliers and in front of St Denis.

The First Corps, under Sir JOHN BYNG, comprising the First and
Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were in the position
previously occupied by the First Prussian Corps; having its Right
upon the great road behind Le Bourget; its Left upon the Forest of
Bondy, and its Advanced Posts along the Ourcq Canal.

The Reserve, under Sir JAMES KEMPT, was encamped between Louvres and
Vauderlan.

The Cavalry was encamped and cantoned about the villages of
Groussainville, Vauderlan, and Roissy.

The Pontoon Train and the Hawser Bridges were at Sarcelles, on the
Chantilly road to Paris.

The Head Quarters of the Duke of WELLINGTON were at Gonesse.

The First Prussian _Corps d'Armée_ was encamped between the villages
of Le Mesnil and Carrière au Mont, on the left bank of the Seine, not
far from St Germain.

The Third Corps was also on the left bank of the Seine, in the
valley, and near St Germain. Its Advanced Guard (the Ninth Brigade)
was at Rocquencourt.

The Fourth Corps was upon the march to St Germain.

Prince BLÜCHER's Head Quarters were at St Germain.

The Third and Fourth French _Corps d'Armée_ and the Imperial Guard
were on the south side of Paris, their Right upon the Seine, their
Left by Montrouge; with the Advanced Guard at Chatillon, Clamord,
Meudon, Sèvres, and St Cloud.

The remainder of the French Army continued within the capital.

The Prince of ECKMÜHL's Head Quarters were at Villette.

At daybreak of the 2nd of July, BLÜCHER put the whole Prussian Army in motion towards the south side of Paris, where he purposed taking possession of the advantageous position comprising the Heights of Meudon and Chatillon, and their immediate vicinity. THIELEMANN's Advanced Guard (the Ninth Brigade) immediately proceeded to occupy Versailles. The Corps itself halted two hours at Rocquencourt to wait for the arrival of ZIETEN's Corps. As the latter Corps advanced, it threw out a Detachment to its left, consisting of the 1st Battalion of the 1st West Prussian Regiment, two pieces of Horse Artillery, and a Squadron of Cavalry, under Captain KRENSKY: who was directed to proceed by Malmaison towards St Cloud, communicating with Major COLOMB, who had already been detached, with the force before mentioned as being under his command, towards the Bridge of Neuilly; and to keep a look out to the left of the direct road to Paris. On ZIETEN's Advanced Guard reaching Ville d'Avray, whence it drove off a French Picquet, information was obtained that the Enemy was restoring the Bridge of St Cloud, which he had previously destroyed; and that he occupied the Bois de Boulogne in considerable force. The Third Brigade was therefore ordered to proceed by its left towards St Cloud, and to oppose any movement which might be attempted against that Flank.

It was three o'clock in the afternoon when ZIETEN's First Brigade, under STEINMETZ, reached Sèvres. Here the French were strongly posted, occupying the place itself, the Heights of Bellevue; and having their Light Troops well disposed amongst the adjacent gardens and vineyards. The First Prussian Brigade was followed in support by the Second and Fourth Brigades; and, notwithstanding the very gallant defence that was made, these troops succeeded in forcing the French to abandon their stronghold, and fall back upon Moulineau. Here the French made another stand; but were again defeated by STEINMETZ, who had closely pursued them. Whilst the First Brigade was thus gaining ground; the Second, together with the Reserve Artillery, advanced towards the Heights of Meudon. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps followed the First Brigade, in support. The Fourth Brigade occupied Sèvres. Major General JAGOW, who had been detached to the left with the Third Brigade, having ascertained that the Enemy was not likely to undertake any movement from the Bois de Boulogne, and that Captain KRENSKY's Detachment was on the look out in that direction, proceeded to rejoin the Corps; and on reaching Sèvres, towards evening, he was directed by ZIETEN to take up a position with his Brigade to the right, on the Heights of Meudon.

In the evening, the French, after having reformed, and collected their defeated force at Issy, made an attempt to regain possession of Moulineau; but the attack failed, and they were driven back upon Issy. Here they were reinforced: fifteen Battalions were posted in and about Issy, supported by numerous guns and Cavalry: their Light Infantry occupying the vineyards in front of the Village. About half past ten o'clock in the night, however, the Prussians, who kept a sharp look out, heard these troops marching off; and perceived that their departure was conducted in rather a disorderly manner. Instant advantage was taken of this circumstance, and a part of the First and Second Prussian Brigades attacked the French; who fled back upon the suburb of Vaugirard in such confusion that Paris might have been entered at this moment, if more force had been at hand.

During the night, ZIETEN posted his Corps in the following manner:--His Right upon the Height of Clamord, his Centre upon that of Meudon, and his Left in Moulineau; Sèvres still occupied; the Advanced Guard in Issy, in the rear of which Village was the Reserve Cavalry in support.

Whilst ZIETEN's Corps had been thus successfully effecting its movement against the south side of the capital; THIELEMANN's, which formed the Right Column, proceeded towards Plessis Piquet, and pushed forward its Advanced Guard to the Heights of Chatillon, which it reached late in the evening. BÜLOW's Corps, acting as a Reserve, occupied Versailles and its vicinity during the night.

During the whole of this day, the troops of the Anglo-Allied Army continued in position in front of the fortified lines on the north side of Paris. The Duke having established a Bridge at Argenteuil, Detachments were sent across the Seine: and these, having secured the Villages of Asnières, Courbevoie, and Suresnes on the left bank of the Seine, opened a communication with the Prussians.

The Allied Commanders had thus succeeded in shutting up the French forces within their lines. WELLINGTON was perfectly prepared to attack the north side of Paris, if circumstances should render such a step necessary; or if a favourable opportunity should present itself: whilst BLÜCHER, having secured a strong position in front of the south side, which was mostly open and defenceless, was equally ready to storm the capital with his collected force. The effect of this well conceived and successfully executed plan of operation was to divide the Enemy's attention between two opposite points of the town. Should he attempt to assail the one Army with his principal force, he would immediately find himself attacked by the other Army; without possessing the means wherewith to carry on the contest with both simultaneously. On the other hand, should a general and formidable assault be made by those Armies, on the opposite points, at the same time; the necessary division of his forces, in arranging his plan of defence, would render his situation still more desperate.

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The Provisional Government, fully alive to this state of things, and duly aware of the approach of the Bavarian, Russian, and Austrian Armies, clearly saw the inutility of further resistance to the Allies, and instructed the Commissioners to wait upon the Duke of WELLINGTON, and report to his Grace the fact of NAPOLEON having quitted Paris on the 29th to embark for the United States, and to press the point of a Suspension of Hostilities.

To this representation the Duke replied that the great obstacle to the Armistice having thus been removed, there remained only the question as to the terms; which he thought should be the halting of the Anglo-Allied and Prussian Armies in their present positions, the withdrawal of the French Army from Paris across the Loire, and the placing of the capital in the keeping of the National Guards until the King should order otherwise. He offered, if they agreed to these terms, to endeavour to prevail on Prince BLÜCHER to halt his troops, and send an Officer to settle the details; but, at the same time, he told them distinctly that he would not consent to suspend hostilities so long as a French soldier remained in Paris.

Having received this explicit declaration on the part of his Grace, the Commissioners withdrew.

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The following were the positions of the respective Armies during the night of the 2nd of July:--

The troops of the Anglo-Allied Army continued in position in front of
the lines of St Denis. Detachments were at Asnières, Courbevoie, and
Suresnes, on the left hank of the Seine.

The First Prussian _Corps d'Armée_ had its Right on the Height of
Clamard, its Centre on that of Meudon, its Left at Moulineau, and
its Advanced Guard at Issy; in rear of which point was the Reserve
Cavalry of the Corps.

Of the Third Corps, the Ninth Brigade was at Chatillon, the Tenth and
Eleventh Brigades were in front of Vélizy, the Twelfth Brigade was
at Chatenay and Sceaux. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps bivouacked
about Plessis Piquet.

Of the Fourth Corps, the Sixteenth Brigade was at Montreail, in
advance of Versailles; the Thirteenth Brigade bivouacked near
Viroflay; the Fourteenth Brigade bivouacked at Le Chesnay Bel Air,
not far from Rocquencourt. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps was
partly in front of Versailles, and partly on the left of Montreail.

The troops composing the Right Wing of the French Army occupied the
lines on the right bank of the Seine, whence they were watching the
British. Some troops were posted in the Bois de Boulogne, and several
Posts were established along both banks of the river.

The Left Wing extended from the Seine as far as the Orleans road. It
held Vaugirard strongly occupied, the main body was posted between
the Barrières de l'Ecole Militaire and de l'Enfer.

At three o'clock on the morning of the 3rd of July, VANDAMME advanced in two Columns from Vaugirard to the attack of Issy. Between Vaugirard and the Seine, he had a considerable force of Cavalry, the front of which was flanked by a Battery advantageously posted near Auteuil on the right bank of the river. The action commenced with a brisk cannonade: the French having brought twenty pieces of cannon against the front of the Village, which was then vigorously assailed by his Infantry. The Prussians had constructed some barricades, and other defences, during the night; but these did not protect them from the sharp fire of case shot which was poured upon them by the French Batteries, the guns of which enfiladed the streets. The 12th and 24th Prussian Regiments, and the 2nd Westphalian Landwehr, supported by a half Battery of twelve pounders, fought with great bravery. There was much loss on both sides. At length the French withdrew; but only to advance again, considerably reinforced.

The Second Prussian Brigade was immediately ordered to join the First, and the whole of the troops of the First Corps stood to their arms. ZIETEN sent a request to Prince BLÜCHER for the support of two Brigades of BÜLOW's Corps; and, at the same time, begged THIELEMANN to advance (in conformity with instructions conveyed to him from Head Quarters) from Chatillon, and threaten the Enemy's Left Flank.

In the mean time, the French renewed their attack upon Issy; which, however, again proved unsuccessful. This was followed by a heavy cannonade and by further assaults, without any decided advantage having been gained over the defenders. The French did not appear disposed to venture upon a more general attack, which would have offered them a much greater chance of forcing back the Prussian Advanced Guard; probably considering that, if unsuccessful, it might end in the suburbs of Paris being easily carried by storm: and hence, after four hours' continued but fruitless attempts upon ZIETEN's Advanced Position, they fell back upon Paris; the Prussian _Tirailleurs_ following them until they came within a very short distance of the Barriers.

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