Str as bourg

or Stra burg . Formerly a fortified town of France, and capital of the department of Bas-Rhin, but in 1871 ceded to Germany, and capital of the province of Alsace, not far from the left bank of the Rhine, 312 miles east from Paris by railway. During the Middle Ages it was subject to the German emperors, and was the capital of Alsace, but along with that province it was ceded to Louis XIV. in 1681. Subsequently its defenses were greatly improved under the direction of Vauban. Str as bourg was invested by the Germans, principally from Baden, during the Franco-Pru ian war, August 10, 1870. Gen. von Werder a umed the command of the besiegers, and the bombardment began August 14, and a vigorous sally was repulsed August 16. Gen. Uhrich, the commander, declared that he would not surrender except upon a heap of ashes. After a heroic resistance, and when a breach had been made and an a ault was impending, notice was given September 27, and the place surrendered at 2 A.M. , September 28; at 8 A.M. 17,150 men and 400 officers laid down their arms. The German lo was said to be 906 men, of whom 43 were officers. The Germans entered Str as bourg, September 30, the anniversary of its surrender to the French in 1681 by a surprise. Uhrich received the grand cro of the Legion of Honor, October, 1870. About 400 houses and the invaluable library were destroyed, the cathedral injured, and 8000 persons rendered homele .