The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-18 00:00:00

ON THE SKIRTS OF THE ARMIES.

(FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE CENTRAL
PRESS.)
BACCARAT, AUGUST 13.

I have wandered hither southwards, a little out of the
track of war, which is becoming a great deal too hot for
special correspondents. From Nancy up to Metz, and
all along the line of country which stretches from those
two places to Chalons on the one hand and Forbach on
the other, the flow of the combative armies is fast
and furious. The whole of that space represents
nothing but two hostile camps. Industrial occupations
are suspended, and many of the inhabitants have
fled. Everything is given up to war. Here at Baccarat
we are a little, and but a little, out of the way. This
place is situated a few miles to the south of the great road
that runs in a semi-circle from Saverne, round by Lune-
ville to Nancy. It was by this road that Mac-
Mahon returned after his crushing defeat at
Woerth ; and by the same way the Crown Prince
followed him up. The people here have not seen so much
of the war as some of their less fortunate countrymen ;
but they have had their experience, and very well they
bear it. There is no great commotion anywhere about
nor, indeed, is there much need for any. The Prus-
sians behave well, and what they take they pay for.
At Luneville, for instance, the war is a positive ad-
vantage to one class of trade—the smiths, who are
doing a roaring business at shoeing horses. The same
cannot be said of the agricultural population, who, of
course, suffer from the successive invasions, first of French
and then of German masses. The whole country about
here, however, seems remarkably calm. The Prussian
advance guard reached Luneville yesterday. On the pre-
ceding day 5,000 broken, discouraged, and disorganised
French soldiers, remnants of MacMahon's army, retreated
towards Nancy. Of course they will not hold the latter
town, for the Prussians are pushing on with great
rapidity, and will soon be far beyond Nancy.
Their object, I believe, is to get round and take the
French in flank between Metz and Chalons, whilst the
army of Prince Frederick Charles makes the front attack.
The prospect for the French is gloomy indeed. The army
of Frederick Charles is equal in numbers to the whole im-
perial host, and in addition there is the fine array of the
Crown Prince sweeping round here by Nancy on to the
French flank.

M. le Comte de Saint Sauveur, Grand Pr4vot of the
Army, lost two sons in the late battle at Woerth. All
English journalists will deeply sympathise with the
Count. He has behaved to the fraternity with the utmost
courtesy. The regulations with reference to corres-
pondents have been extremely severe, but the Grand
Pr4vot has granted every indulgence consistent with his
rules.

SCHIRMEES, AUGUST 13.

Since I wrote the above I have come to this place, on
hearing that the Germans were crossing the Rhine at a
point lower than any of those from which their invasion
has yet been made. I find the story perfectly correct.
They have entered France near Strasbourg, and arrived
yesterday at Mutzig, and Molsheim, about twelve
miles from here. At the former place there is a
Chassepot manufactory, the directors of which institution
have fled, leaving their property a prey to the foes.
Evil reports of the Germans are flying about in this
neighbourhood. They are said to have levied contri-
butions on the canton amounting to £l5O a-day—a large
sum for so small and poor a district.
I post this at Sevones in the hope that it may reach you,
but with great fear that it will not. The region all about
is fast relapsing into a state of barbarism. The post,
which is exceedingly uncertain, has to be sent across
country to the nearest point from which the trains run to
Paris. At Nancy all comunication is stopped. The last
train left on the 11th, and the station is now closed, and
the rolling stock taken away. There is an end to all
telegraphing.

AT METZ BEFORE THE BATTLE.

METZ, AUGUST 14.

Everything is in motion here to-day, and from one
moment to another the imperial order to leave for the
camp is looked for, as it is believed the Emperor and
Marshalßazaine wish for abattle to-morrow. The National
Guard is at exercise ; the Garde Mobile is at work
on the fortifications. Coming from Moulin-les-Metz
to this town Ave met- an immense train of cavalry,
infantry, artillery, transports, ambulances, and muni-
tions of war, as well as the Imperial retinue and
horses, headed by Prince Napoleon on horseback.
A large crowd assembled to see the Emperor. The
Prussians meanwhile are pleasing closely forward, and