The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-27 00:00:00

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE GREAT BATTLE OF CUSTOZZA.
FLORENCE, June 26th, Evening.
The Florence journals publish the following de-
tails of the battle fought on the 24th inst. :

The Austrian forces numbered 60,000 men, with
a considerable number of artillery. The Italian
cavalry regiments did not abandon their position,
nor were they overcome until after the enemy
had received heavy reinforcements. Towards
nightfall the Italians and Austrians retired from
their respective positions.
The division under Prince Humbert was attacked
a little distance from Villafranca by two regiments
of Hussars. Ile ordered a battalion of infantry to
form square, remaining himself in their midst, and
repulsed the charge of the Hussars. Prince Amadeus
received a wound in the chest while leading a bri-
gade of Grenadiers. The Piannelli division took
prisoners an entire battalion of Austrian Chas-
seurs ; the Gouone division took the posi-
tion of Custozza and part of Monte
Torre by assault, and held them till night, notwith-
standing the onslaughts made by the enemy with
greatly superior forces. Cuzia's division took pos-
vssion of another part of Monte Torre and Mount
Croce, and held them till evening ; the Sirtori
division took Santa Lucia, and also remained in
possession until the evening ; the first army corps
reserve on the heights to the left of Valeggio
held in check an overwhelming number of
Austrians, before which General Cerale had been
forced to retire. Bixio's division and the cavalry of
the line protected the retreat of the army which was
effected in good order.

The Italian cavalry had several engagements with
the Austrians who suffered heavy losses, and the 3d
Army Corps made about 1000 prisoners. The Italian
losses are great, but those of the enemy are believed
to be still more considerable.

General Villarey was killed, and Generals Du-
rando, Cerale, and Gozzani wounded, while charg-
ing at the head of their men. The troops are in
excellent spirits, and anxious to renew the contest.
PRAGUE, JURE 26.

The Prussians have destroyed the railway bridge
between Werdan and Grossnitz. At Altenburg the
people offered resistance to the Prussians.

The King of Saxony left Prague to-day.
FRANKFORT, June 27.

15,000 Baden troops, now stationed near
lleidelberg, Ladenburg, and Mannheim, will occupy
a position between Darmstadt and Frankfort, and
will be reinforced by available Federal troops.

PESTH, June 27.

A certain number of members of the Upper and
Lower Houses of the Hungarian Diet will protest
against its adjournment.
A second conscription has been ordered in
Croatia.
The Croatian coast districts on the Adriatic
have been declared in a state of siege.

BERLIN, June 26.

Prussia has again offered to the King of Hanover
an alliance, with a guarantee for his possession of
the throne, on the basis of Federal Reform, and on
condition of his capitulating with the honours of
war. It is hoped here that the capitulation will
take place to-day. The first Prussian army corps,
under Prince Frederick Charles, continues to ad-
vance into Bohemia without meeting any serious
resistance.

A flying corps, commanded by Stolberg, lost
eight men in an engagement near Ausschwitz.
GOTTINGEN, June 24.

King George, the day before yesterday, issued
the following proclamation to the Hanoverian
people :

" Head-quarters, Gottingen,
June, 22, 1866.

" To my Hanoverians,
" I leave ow native country at the head of
my army, which has voluntarily and rapidly ral-
lied round its flag at my summons, prepared for
battle and animated with courageous readiness.
I take this step to defend the cause of assaulted
right, and to fight in conjunction with faithful
allies, with all the greater energy and the assist-
ance of the Almighty, for the most precious pos-
sessions of the fatherland.

" The cause of justice is God's cause ; His
blessing upon it cannot fail.
" Upwards of half a century ago the famous men
of the Anglo-German legion rushed to the field to
fight in distant lands for the cause of the country
oppressed by enemies, and then regained their
homes crowned with glory and everlasting renown.
So also it is my firm and joyful conviction that we,
worthy sons of those fathers, shall return victorious
to the paternal soil.

" Inspired by this hope I depart in tranquil
courage with my dear son, the Crown Prince, and
my valiant army. Hanoverians, your prayers and
blessings will accompany me. If the Almighty will,
we shall soon meet again.

" GEORGE REX."

Advices just received from Nordhausen say :
g 4 The Hanoverian army, hard pressed by General
von Manteuffel, is in retreat, and was concentrated
last night at Heiligenstadt. The King and the
Crown Prince, with the military chest (reported to
contain some three million dollars), and having
with them six rifled guns, were in Heiligenstadt
yesterday. Owing to the haste with which they
quitted the capital the men are very imperfectly
equipped. Each man is said to have only six
cartridges. Their patrols allow no one to leave the
town. Upon the entry of the troops a printed pro-
clamation was distributed by General von Arnts-
child, the commanding officer, addressed " To the
inhabitants of the Prussian province of Saxony."
It contained the following passage
If I enter your country at the head of the
Hanoverian troops, you must not think we come as
enemies. I must, however, ask of you obedience to
military force in supplying the demands rendered
necessary by war. The name of Hanoverians gua-
rantees the discipline of my troops. They demand
to be allowed peaceful march through your country,
and will only act as enemies if compelled. Fulfil
our requests, and do not make our duty more
painful by obliging us to take harsh measures."