The Siege Operations in the Campaign Against France 1870 71

two lead on to the westward, to Tergnier (for Namur, Amiens, and Paris), and to Soissons (for Paris). Besides this, the roads from Montcornet, Vervins, Crecy sur Serre, Crepy, Chauny, Coucy, Vailly, Fismes, and Rethel all meet in Laon, so that it is one of the most important points for an army operating against Paris. Laon might have been a rendezvous for the gardes nationales and gardes mobiles, and from it they could have continually disturbed our communications with the rear. It is situated at a distance of 140 kilometres (87 English miles) from Paris by the Soissons road, and 158 kilometres (98 English miles) by Tergnier. The isolated hill on which Laon is situated is shaped like a half-moon, with the horns to the east. The citadel, which was strengthened under Louis Philippe, is on the eastern point of the hill, and commands in part the railway station (the only one) on the north of the town, near the suburb of St. Marcel, and to a less extent the suburbs of La Neuville and Semilly, lying to the westward and southward; but more especially the ground lying opposite to the east front, with the suburbs of Vaux and d'Ardon. A section of the 15th (ulan) regiment had summoned the commandant of the garrison of Laon to surrender on the 8th September, and he had asked for time for consideration till 4 o'clock in the afternoon. When the news of this reached the 6th cavalry diTision, Colonel von Alvensleben was sent to Laon with the 15th cavalry brigade and a ...