The New York herald., 1866-07-22

their ranks The key Of the position was in the hands
Of the enemy and consternation every face No
one cooler than Bcnedek himself az attended by
all who caught sight Of him. he rode OH 10 bring up some
OF the reserves and reake the position The bullets
Sail fell thicky as the staff galoped after their chief
ana on tneir approaching small farm with outhouses
which should have sheltered them they were soluted
with fresh volley Of balls from the Prussan tenants
one OF which wounded tho Archkuke Wilhelm in the
head, but not, believe seriously.
THE LAST STRUGGLE AND RETREAT.
inc indomiiable Austrian artillery still
surned nundreds OF muzzles the enemy's guns and
srt their men in band OF fire. To let slip that cava
y on both sides OF kum crash through infantry and
guns, seemed really worth doing, though failure would
nave made the difference between defeat and a
would have been supreme deed, ut for such force
there were no natural Obstacles Visible from the
tower 70 grand charge. Tho Prnssian right,
separated from It's centre and left, would have been
and utterly crushed, and the Austrian centre and left
have been liberated to continue their contest with the
enemy. Moments were precious. The Prussian fire
be anne moro severe, the waverDg of the Austrians
greater The failing Of trees the Prague road,
the rush OF fugves the approach OF the Prussian
shells the place. some Of them bursting over the rail-
way station, were awful warnings Of the state Of the
battle Al the roads were blocked up with reireating
srains and wagons. Men throwing down their
and wadng through the inundaons The Austrian gun
nes on the canseway began to catch scht Of the Prus
SLAMS near a. hand in the woods and opened on them
with shrapnel and shell.
FROM FIELD.
The batfaiions ordered to advance failed To retake
Kum the enemy poured n fresh troops at the OPEN
ng so incautous'y left and few minutes tho great
army or the North found itself attacked In 'front.' flank
and rear II Is not merely tho actual advantage gained
that renders such condition OF things the precursor OF
certain Disaster To believe that the enemy every
where around as excited Imagination suggests produces
terrible moral effect Yet the army behaved WELL
The cavalry moved forward wheeled II parade
and could the infantry but have succeeded in rctakng
Hum victory might still have inclined to our side
But It was not TO be- Regiment after regiment, bat
scry after battery crowned the heights and sheled the
rear of the army. II in vain that Benedek threw
himself into the hottest fire OF FIRST line The denth
which he sought fused TO close his eyes the
HIM ha ea.,l1 tlo
task OF directing his armys retreat which was only
effected with heavy loss in men, guns and stores Yet
ai was not lost The rie not thrown away the
cannon abandoned long could be drawn from the
Held; the wounded already their way from tho front
sally carried there was robbery unbrdled license
along the roads that led from the field and their
government but equip them afrcsh, the North Army
VIII be ready again TO face the terrible weapon from
which they had fled.
BY half-rast four O'Clock the whole army was in full
retreat IT'S rear barassed by the encmv protected
by tho artillery and cavalry said have made
many desperate charges and been than de-
cmaed The bridges across the Adler and Ebe are few
and narrow, and the several columns meeting Such
points became confused and intermixed Guns that
could not be carried away we're thrown of their
raRes INTO the rver: many were lost in this manner
but It Is said that comparatively few taken. cap
tam Of artillery who heard me asking about the loss in
guns said "Out Of my whole battery have bat gun
and seven horses left and many others In like
dition.n
Another said, "we have no artillery The headquar.
tors sta became scattered during the confusion shortly
after the Archduke Wilhelm wounded; Benedek was
separated from his escort, and knew where be
had gone, after few vain attempts find him, all
commanding positions being now in the hands Of the
enemy, many members Of his staf left the field for
appointed rendezvous at New Koniggriz Arrived there
after long ride, fonnd the General gone and
the weary hores had about hour given them for
and refreshment. Every head was hung down, every
spirit depressed II not merely battle but
pre lost unless dpomatists last the not
which ba1ied them before, and which the sword has
failed to cut
TEMpER OF
The soldiers knew nothing OF all this their only trou
thp frpVt tvhtr .Hapa s1,a
sheugh that the days battle would have TO be fought
over ain before they could reach the pleasant plains
and reap the benefits held ont their imagnations in
Benedek g proclamation Issued but few days ago Tho
night chilly and bvouac lres lined tho sides of the
road at intervals.
Had IL been advance instead OF n retreat might
have enjoyed the picturesque scene. Round fires Of fir
wood, flaming high above their heads stood sat tho
brave fellows who had labored nard ana fought 80
Raantiv on that dav Some stood warming themselves
BY the blaze which lighted up their bronzed faces
rcd glow that OF the pine stems that lowered
them: others sat resting wounded arm leg on the
bed Of branches pucsed for them by ihcr iortn
nate conrades Others again, lay about in every attitude
oC wta,et