The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-08-06
The Daily. N ews.
MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST G, 1866.
The King OF Prussia rs n Correspondents
Ilis Account and Description OF the Bntu'

The King OF Prussia rs Correspondents
His Account and Description OF the Bnt,ie
of s,ontgRra,z.
The following letter from the King OF Prussia To
the Queen was communicated to private circle
in Berlin July 49, 1t contains an interesting &C.
count OF the great battle of tho Sd Of July al
Koniggratz:
HoRz1rz July 4, 1S66.--Friz (the Grown Prince)
left me at two, &C Krl prince Frederick
Charles) three in the afternoon, after council
OF war; at which it was resolved to grant the troops
exhausted by marches and engagements, one or
two days rest. AT hslf-psst ten, P. NJ, however.
General Voigts. Rhetz came to me again to report
the result or tho days reconnoitering, which was
to the effect that large masses of the enemy had
been moving from JUsephstadt to Koniggratz, on
this side OF the klbe, from eight O'Clock in the
morning till three. Prisoners stated that the
army was concentrated round Koniggratz, be-
tween the Elhe and the Bistritz. 1t was there
fore proposed to me to take advantage of the IA
clined to fight upnn this side OF the Elbe, and to
offer him battle. For this purpose the First Army
was to take up its position, with the Second, Third
and Fourth Corps in the centre, having sadowa in
Its front; General Herwarth, with his one and n
half CORPS to take the enemy in the left flank from
Neohanitz, and Fritz, with the Second Army, the
Guards, the First, Fifth and Sixth Corps advanc-
ing from Koniginhof--wth his left wing to the left
OF the Ebe-to attack the no -tile right.
1t was not till midnight that I had arranged
everything with General Moltke, and appointed
ing, the army having to commence it's march at
two. had nearly four {German) miles- to drive,
and could not yet feel s,ro Of the correctness OF
the snrmisc that the enemy was on this side OF
the Elbe. Bnt i'H truth was ascertained only too
soon. When T mounted my horse Mt the little vii
lage o. Dub 1t war raining, and the rain lasted,
With short Interruptions, throughout the day.
Even at that time, when driving past the troops,
was continually gheered.
The bottle began just at eight o'clock, with the
SaQOWa n n m i, 10
corps was on my right. rhe Horn division (the
Eighth) crossed the Brstriz at Sadowa and attack.
cd the wooded heights in front, but gained little
ground owing to tho obstnaoy of the defence.
The Seventh division (Franserky) extended itself
upon the left with similar undecided result.
Herwarth, advancing from Nechanitz, came after
an hour aud haf into the fight, which WAS con-
stantly mainteined by US for five hours, and con.
sisted mainly in on artillery contest, intermixel
With infantry attacks upon the wooded mountains
We awaited the arrival OF the Second army with
longing, for in this long artillery duel our bate.
ries several times expended their reserve ammu.
milton,
The infantry contest vaciilated backwards and
forwards.
At last we discovered the first signs OF the ap-
proaeh OF the Guards, but were unable to see the
attack which took pl, 90 on the other eide Of
hll and We could only guess at it from tho enc
my's flank position. Notwithstanding this, how
ever, and in spite of Herwarths gradual but very
slow advance, the enemy It'll stood firm in the
centre. The Ninth brigade (Schimmelmann) the
body-guard, and the Forty eighth regiment, were
now pushed forward to support the attack upon
the centre.
rode through the regiments which received
me with l,ud cheers, while the bands played
"Reh Dir (the Prussian national hymn) in
marching-s thrilling moment. Suddenly the
artillery fre in the centre slackened and cavalry
was asked for-.a proof that the enemy began to
wayer. now quilted my post, as victory began
to declare itself through the flank attack of the
second army, and rode forward with the cavalry.
Here first came upon the Second guards division
and the Fusilier guards in full advance, tdnbour
6a1ant, with twelve just captured guns in the
midst.
The enthusiasm that burst forth when these
troops saw me ia indescribable The officers rush.
cd TO kiss my hands, which WAS this time obliged
TO allow, and 70 it went on, under fire certainly,
but ever forw rd, and from one troop to another,
everywhere greeted by never ending hurrahs
These are moments one must have lived through
to understand, to comprehend. In this way met
corps; also an infantry regiment; only the Eighth
jaeger battalion of the Eighth corps ami the
Seventeenth regiment Of tho seventh; the others
we're too far advanced in pursuit OF the enemy
Our cavalry now burst forward, and a murderous
cavalry engagement took place right before my
eyes. The enemy was completely overthrown,
and the scene, which rode over directly after
wards, presented q horrid spectacle, strewn with
cut down Austrians, dead and alive. Thus the
infantry again advanced to the valley bordering
on the Elbe, when from the other bank ensued
very heavy grehaGe fire. under which / came, but
was withdrawn by Bismark's serious remon-
strances
still continued riding about to greet troops
had not yet seen, when mot hIutius, Wurtem-
burg and BONN. All these meetings were indie
seribable. Stainmetz and q, rwarth did not see.
What sight the battlefield presented.
We counted thirty-fve guns but fifty eeem to
have been taken, also several flags. In all direc-
tions lay heaps or muskets knapaacks and cart
ridge boxes. Up to the present we have 10000
prisoners; fifty captured officers are here.
But now for the reverse Of the medal Our loss
is not yet aecertained, but it is large. You will
have heard that Gen. Hitler, OF the Guard, has
fAlen-a great loss.
Anton Hohenzoliern has four bullets in his leg;
have not heard how he IL going on; he is said to
have shown immense bravery.
Erckert is badly wounded; also Col. Obernitz in
the head.
The First Guards have suffered 80 heavily that
two battaIions have heen formed into one.
You may fancy how great was my excitement,
and OF the most various kind-joy and sorrow. All
eight o'clock at last met Fritz with his staff.
What moment, after all we had gone through,
and on the evening Of such dayI I gave him
the order Pour le Merte with my own hands. The
tears poured down his cheeks, for he had not re.
eeived my telegram granting the distinction
therefore complete surprise.
More verbally when we meet. I did not reach
here until ten, without any preparations, 80 had
to camp upon sofa.
nnpuicon Busy.
From The London Times, 2lst uH1
The Emperor Napoleon is unwearied in his en-.
deavors to bring about suspension of hOstilities