The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-08-27 00:00:00

THE GREAT BATTLE NEAR METZ.
The following is from the Correspondent of the
y New, and is d,td, liesdmarters of the King
of Prussia, August 20:—

_
Toe result of the action of Sunday last was that all the
troops threatened in the rear retired hi in the east rile of
Metz within the walls of that fortress, and on the 13f t cd the
Moselle. It was not till the retreatorg French army was
hard pushed by a German orszlid,u tit it brought up role.
loses mem s, and it vas et- repelled to accept he alteruathe
of a matte, At • distance of ler m three to flee min from
Goon, three Telemann of German cavalry wore posted (4n
the side of a hill. On their belt and iu their rear
were eight or nine regisnente of infantry, and a regi-
ment of artillery with fifteen bqtteriea. These troops
belonged to the 3, Army t.orps tinder General Alvensleben.
There were alscs a few regiments of Hussars and Lancers, and
some battalions of infantry of the 10th Army Corp.. About
, nine am. the French made • dash at the Germans, and re-
tired. The IlUieara advertent' over the creat of • hilt, butted
to retire from a hot fire of infantry and artillery, leaving the
ground covered with dead arid wounded, the horses rushing
riderless over the field, which was quite open. A heavy fire of
artillery now commenced On both sides, and the battle became
very severe The French km pt up • rapid fire from their Ches-
sepots, which told severely the clattering of small arms
Imbue Incessantly intermingled with Si.' long boom of the
hattelies. From two till six p in. the French resolutely re-
sisted the advance of the Germane, but then began to
whom ant retreat, keeping ups slow but steady fire. Thor
were pursued by a regiment of Lincers nod rue Often
Hussars of Magdeburg. Several villages were burnt, and the
scene on the field was terrible Miles at ground were covered
with dead and wounded of both aide.. Crippled and r maclated
horses were to be seen dragging themselves slowly along,
while °there were horribly mutilated. I ocmiotmdiu One little
spot 1 orty•one dead, Including a msjor pierced through the
heart; he ley on his bock, sword in hand. The Carbonado
from the German side and the rattle from the needle
guns were terrifle. The defeat pf the french was
complete. Their long colutene could be teen pouring
toward. the nertb, endure the Germans by way 41
rdiel. The lon on both aides ,•111 immense. klany French
prisoners were taken. The French deed and wounded were
left on the field. It is impossible, however, to form an esti-
mate ef their number. The Kingof Prussia himeelf was per-
aurally attentive to the wounded French. A Francis peasant
who was taken while killing a wounded German soldier, was
hanged out of hand. At Goers, out of 1,00 inhabitants,
scarcely ally remained. There were only soldiers looking for
their remments or trying to teach the headquarters of the let
Army Corps.
A reconnaissance made on Wednesday showed that the
French army was retreating on Verdun It erre resolved to
attack them. The German. were posted hi a petition north-
east from Gravelotte, 0 snunan lieg the road from Briey to
Metz. The 71h Corps of the (lonian army formed ihe right;
next came the nib, oath, road to Gravelotte ; then the Ott ,
and Igth Corps. The Guards were on the extreme left in
reserve were the 3.d, Ist, and 10111 Army Cops. lb. fire ,
was kept up along the whole In e from eleven o'clock. Ihe
Prussian artillery was strong, and seemed overpowering.
At seven pin the French cannonading ceased, tut tile
Prussian guns were still firing continuously. The Ming occu-
pied • position on a hill which commanded a view all around.
though the battle frant e3terided for many miles. I remained
on the hill, and afterwards crossed to the right of Gravelotte,
over another bill, where three German batteries were keep
Mg up a constant fire on the road beyond, leading over
another high hill, along woods, on the German
right. Halt an hour after Fren4h cannonading had
coned the French suddenly re-opened tire, and
With such edect that the Germans near me seemed
panic stricken. It was the fire of the reitrailleuse.
and its effects acemed terrible. I pushed over to the
left of the French, thinking that the place was aban-
doned, but to my surprise 1 found that the French were
there. and was Immediately taken prisoner by a small bedy
of soldiers. After that the cannonade was again renewed
on both sides, and lasted till nearly ten o'clock, when
the french appeared to be gradually retiring, and the
Prmaian gone alone maintained their tire. 1 was very
kindly treated by ray captors, Who used no sort of
violence towards me. They simply took me with
them. We marched through the woods that aright
until we entirely list our way. In the darkness a
halt was called, and we slept under the Me es, one of
the Frenchmen kindly lending me part of Ma greet coat. It
wan bitterly cold and wet, and I could not sleep ; but my
escort did. So I took advantage of that to get up and leave
them, and I escaped to Ste. Marie, which was in the band.
of the Germans. The scene In this village Is beyond descrip•
ti,,. Many of the homes were battered down, mid every
available spot was covered with wounded. Straw was quickly
placed In the streets, and the woended French and Garman
add,
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desolate, where it, was Impossible to procure • conveyance of
bay
sssrrod.e.sedrtidpthloynt,hoerGb,ury.s.c
round from the Kant to the North. (lie Saxon Corp. of
Pioneers has been sent before the city. About four corps
will be left about Met; for the !ileac arel the eel:amino er sent
against the army in the direction of Verden The head-
quaetere of the King will he moved In a day or two towards
the sonth-west,