The Franco-German War of 1870-71Moltke, Helmuth, Graf von
History
The Franco-German War of 1870-71
Moltke, Helmuth, Graf von
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871
The handing over of the place followed the same day (23rd), on the
conditions as had been granted at Sedan. A hundred and nine officers
were released on parole, 2240 rank and file were taken prisoners. Six
companies took possession the same evening of the city, which on the
whole had suffered little.
Twenty-one heavy guns, about 3000 stand of arms, and large stores of
provisions and forage were the prizes of success.
REDUCTION OF STRASBURG.
(September 28th.)
Immediately after the victory of Woerth, the reduction of Strasburg
became a primary object. This strong fortified position, bridge-head as
it was commanding the Rhine, was a standing menace to Southern Germany.
When Marshal MacMahon evacuated Alsace, only three battalions of the
line were left with the commandant of Strasburg. But with stragglers
from the various regiments engaged at Woerth, with sundry fourth
battalions and reserve detachments, and finally with Mobiles and
National Guards, the strength of the garrison had increased to 23,000
men. There was a complete absence of engineer troops, but 130 marines
formed an excellent nucleus; the armament of the fortress was also
ample.
So early as on the 11th August the Baden Division had been detailed to
observe Strasburg. Notwithstanding the smallness of its force the
Division had advanced unchecked by the enemy on the Ruprechtsau as far
as the Rhine-and-Ill Canal; had occupied the village of Schiltigheim,
almost within rifle-shot of the fortifications: and, having promptly
prepared it for defence, pushed forward into the suburb of Koenigshofen.
In the course of eight days there arrived, under the command of General
von Werder, the Guard Landwehr and 1st Reserve Divisions, and one
cavalry brigade, in all 46 battalions, 24 squadrons, and 18
field-batteries; as well as a siege-train of 200 rifled cannon and 88
mortars, with 6000 foot artillerymen and ten companies of
fortress-pioneers; a total strength of 40,000 men.
The unloading of the guns brought from Magdeburg, Coblentz, and Wesel
was begun on August 18th at the railway station of Vendenheim, by a
detachment of the Railway Battalion.
The engineer-depot was established at Hausberge, a wagon-park at
Lampertsheim, and provision made for permanent magazines. A complete
blockade was established, and the field-telegraph kept up communication
between all the posts.
To attain the desired end with the least possible delay, an attempt was
made, contrary to the advice of General of Engineers Schultz, though
with the sanction of the supreme Head-quarter, to force the town to
surrender by stress of a bombardment. The request that the women and
children should be allowed to withdraw was necessarily refused.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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