504 
THE -FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART II.) 
ture of Toul—a small fortress which effectually barred the only otherwise 
available line of rail. Additional difficulties were interposed by the 
blowing in of the tunnels near Paris, which would necessitate for a 
lengthened period the transport of materiel in country carts. Pending 
the restoration of the line, great difficulty would be experienced in 
feeding the investing troops, and the armies would have to live for a 
time, as it were, from hand to mouth, till reserve magazines were 
established. Resulting from these considerations, a resolution was 
formed to continue an effective blockade as long as possible, and pro¬ 
ceed finally, if necessary, to an attack by force. If the latter measure 
could not be dispensed with, it was decided that the effort should be 
directed against the portion of the south front defended by the forts of 
Issy and Yanves. Bombarding the city could only have a partial* 
effect, and would entail an enormous expenditure of materiel , besides 
arousing a feeling of indignation throughout Europe. Measures were 
accordingly taken to fortify the investing circle. Gun-pits, shelter- 
trenches, block-houses, and all kinds of obstacles were speedily 
constructed; villages, walls, and isolated houses put in a state of 
defence; good communications opened up in rear of the whole line; 
and ample bomb-proof cover provided for the outposts. Observatories 
were also constructed at suitable points, and connected by telegraph 
wires with the several head-quarters. In case of an attempt at relief 
from the provinces, it was arranged that as few as possible troops should 
be left on the investing line, and a powerful body forwarded one or two 
days 5 march to meet the enemy. On the 22nd September the blockading 
force was increased by the arrival of its two corps from Sedan, and later 
on by the 17th and Guard Landwehr* Divisions. 
The first sortie on a large scale was made on the 30th towards Chevilly 
and Choisy, after a heavy preliminary fire from the neighbouring forts 
of Montrouge, Ivry, and Charenton, but was defeated with heavy loss. 
A series of petty skirmishes took place afterwards, during the first 
days in October. Three weeks had now elapsed since the commence¬ 
ment of the investment, and the offensive and defensive earthworks 
of the belligerents increased in strength. Great efforts were made 
throughout the provinces to raise armies for the relief of the city— 
measures the success of which depended on the prolonged continuance 
of the state of siege. On the morning of the 13th of October another 
sortie in force was made against the Clamart and Chatillon heights, 
resulting in a temporary success. The advance of the German supports, 
however, changed the aspect of affairs, and the French battalions were 
driven back in disorder, after some severe village fighting. On the 
21st an ineffective reconnaissance was made under cover of the fort 
of Valerien, which, if conducted by more men and ushered in by less 
cannonading, might have resulted in a brilliant success. On the 28th, 
the village of Le Bourget, occupied by a company of the Prussian Guard, 
Recapture w as carried by very superior forces, and strongly fortified. On the 30th, 
get, 30 Oct! after-a heavy artillery fire, it was stormed by the Germans, and after 
some desperate hand to hand fighting the French fell back in great 
#. Set free by the fall of Strassburg on tlie 27th September. 
