Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-25
The Curtain Falls Upon the First Act.


according to. news brought by the latest Euro
penn Steamers, the curtain has fallen upon the
first act of tho:Fgrsat European war drama.
Scarcely month on the 18th of June, prus-
sia and Italy declared war Sgnisst Austrin; and
forthwith began hot and heavy fighting. The
italians, led by; their King, Victor Emanuel,
crossed the Mincio, the boundary line, and at
tackled the Austrians at Custozza, near Verona.
The Prussians marched into axony, m ally Of
Austria, and occupied 5tho whole country; and
into Bohemia, one of the Northern provinces OF
tho Austrian Empire, where, on tho 9th, 2stb
and Goth June, they. were actively engaged with
the Austrian Army, under its Generalissmo,
Field- Marshal Benedek. Upon both these theatres
of war, in Italy as we'll as Bohemin, the Austri-
ana were mainly successful. In Italy, the army
of Victor Emanuel was forced to retreat to their
own side of the Blincio. And on the 29th, in
Bohemia, the Prussians are reported to have suf-
fered q disastrous defeat. 10. -
But in the midst of all this remarkable, activi-
ty, the tide OF luck has turned. On the. Sd ci
July, near sadowa in Galicia, was fought one
of the greatest battles of modern times; result
ing in magnificent victory for the Prussisns
anda fearful blow to the power of Austria. Four
teen thousand Austrians were captured, including
many of the most illustrious men of the Empire
The fighting lasted twelve hours. The Austriaps
ended the battle by sending in flag Of truce.
A quarter of million men were engaged on
either side. The Austrans retreated Sonthward
Tho Prussians were led by Prince Frederick
Charles, nephew of the King. and by Prince
Frederick William, bis son and heir. The latter
is q min law of Queen Victoria. The sAustri-
ans wereled by Genl. ,Dencdek. The Emperor
of Austria md the King of Prussia were in the
neighborhood of their respective camps.
Immediately subsequent to the great battle Of
sadowa, the Emperor of Austrin sent to the En-
peror of France diplomatic communication,
agreeing to ccdc Venetia to France, and accepting
.Iouis Napoleon as his mediator. The latter i'm.
mediately communicated with Prussia and Italy
on tho subject of an armistice.
These powers have accepted the proposed ar
mistce conditionally. Prussia is TO keep her ar
mics where they now arc, and they are to be sup
ported by the countries in their occupancy. Italy
is to occupy one or more fortreases in Venitia.
Austria is not to increase her army in the field
Italian kilograms say the armistice will probably
last six weeks. = Bs.
The cad of all this will be, no are much in;
clned to think, the degradation and spoliation Of
Austria. The fact is-as shown from tho begin
ming of the existing controversy, commencing
with the schleswig-Hols embroglio.und end
ing with Louis Napoleon's proposal for confe-
rence-that Austria has been constantly tho vic
tim of the political Vaccinations Of the ambitious
diplomats of Europe, and the pivot upon which
has turned the political wheel of fortune. Russia
does not, as it was thought she would, come to
the help of Austria. And the descendant of Ma
ria Theresa stands alene. He is about to be roc
ri6ced to tie demands of IN armed combination
4of enemies. -~s.--.t