Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-20
cnrr.-nondenoe Of the Londsn Time.l

Correspondence Of the Londen Times.l
On the 9th Of June one army corps Of the
Crown Prince-the Fifth, or Posen Corps,
commanded by Gen. yON STEINBlETz-iell
in with the Austrians at NachOd, on the
Silesian frontier. twenty-five miles west OF
Glatz Like some others which followed in its
wake, this corps had entered Bohemia both
by way Of Braunon and Reinerz, with orders
20 move on to the fortress Of JOsephstadt by
the famous pass Of Nachod. The losses in
this first encounter we're not incOnsiderable
on either side and IL seems that both sue
ceeded in taking some guns. At the close
of the day the Prussians as well as the
AustriRns, maintained their previous posi-
tions, portion only Of the latter retiring to
Josephsiadt, being replaced by fresh troops.
On the day following Gen. STEINAIETZ or
dered a second attack. Fortunately, he had
been reinforced in the night by division Of
the FIRST or East Prussian Corps, being this
time confronted BY the Austrian corps Of the
full complement q 10000 men. The bat
tIe lasted several hours, terminating with
the retreat Of the Austrians and the Occupa-
ton by the Prussians Of Skalick, the next
station on the road 10 J0sephstadt. About
5000 Austrians were taken prisoners, and
nearly as many lay dead or wounded on the
battlefield. On each side some ninety guns
had been at work. The Austrian cavalry was
repeatedly routed by the Prussian Lancers,
losing all their standards, and eventually
abandoning the field to the victors. AZ to
the Prussian infantry, il relied a. usual up
on the rapidity Of its fire, the three ranks
discharging at once, the first kneeling down /;
the Austrians, on the other hand, with the
impatient temper Of Sclavonian races, and
wishing 10 make up for the inleriority Of
their gun, had recourse TO bayOnet charges.
BIT long bg0re they could attain the PruSsiaH
naaks their number, under Gtc UOlicn from he
needle gan, t0as hiHnod as 10 cause de remnant
10 turn about and fall 10 the rear. With true
Austrian perseverance they came on again
and again. The resl,lt icas terribly identical IN
each case. II one instance only did they succeed
an crossing arms ufh tie inaccessible enemy.
One Prussian regiment agreed 10 cease
firing 10 give the Austrians a chance Of
measuring their strength in cold steel.
IL was one Of those cool and habitually
tacimrn regiments from the far North, who
during the last few weeks had been won
der and an ever recurring grievance to the
loquaciOus race inhaeiting the pleasant and
savage wells the Sclavonians rushed forward
The Germans presented their bayonets, and
in a moment, when the first shock had been
encountered, cast away their muskets, drew
their swords, and fought man to man in the
good old fashion. ! remember having read
in German histories of the strategical art
that SO long as the sword was the weapon
principally used in war no Continental tribe
could match the TeutOns on the battlefield.
However, when the Germans unluckily for
themselves, stumbled upon the invention Of
gunpowder other nations more adroit in
handling the nusket and executing the ma
nWuyres its use involves, were enabled to
dispute the glory Of military prestige with
its former monopolists. Whatever the atom
Of truth in this selfcomplacent assertion
may be, there are few cases on record where
the Germans have really warmed to their
work on the battlefield while confined TO
shooting and stabbing. Shooting leaves
them Indifferent; the bayonet they posi-
lively hate, having an indefinite feeling that
il is not a legitimate weapon Of warfare, but
q sort Of long stiletto, while if you give them
a sword the heavier the better, they are in
their own element, and need no instruction
as 10 how 20 lay il ON eflectually. To in
dulgc their battering inclination, the Prus-
sian soldiery formerly used TO reverse their
muskeis and beiabor the foe with the butt
end, process far too energetic TO employ
with 80 delicate an instrument rs the needle
gun, which would fell TO pieces on the second
blow. So nothing remains bat 10 draw the
sword and although IL is said 10 be a little
too short and a great deal too light to suit
the taste Of the men, STILL as IL is the nearest
approach 90 "a club within their reach in this
civilized age, they prefer it in an emergency
10 Brown Bcss. In the present combat its
efficiency in their hands was fully proved.
After a few moments Of slashing right and
left, the Sclavonic bayonet yielded TO the
German sabre On the evening Of that day
the rrussians were no further than ten miles
from Josephstldt
The same day--that is 10 saw the day be-
fore yesterday, the 2Sth - the Prussian
Guards had advanced 20 within a short dis
distance Of Tratutenau, situated ten miles
north Of Nschod. This corps, a truly pre-
sentable body of 5000 men, with the requi-
site artillery, had marched into the country
by the Landshut Pass, the second Of the two
famous deiiles from Central Silesia into Cen
trail Bohemia, described in my last topogra'
phical letter Us onward march was i'm
peded by a somewhat stronger force, under
General GAnLENz, the late ally Of tn,
Prussians in SChleswig- llolstein Here too
the fight was sanguinary; and here too, tn,
whole advantage gained by the Prussiani
consisted in their penetrating q few mile
further on their prescribed route The frs
attack took place two miles north Of Trau
tonau; the last brought them 70 Pimhkau
five miles southwest of the former town
Prussian kilograms estimate the Austrian
losses al from 5000 60 1000 the Prussian a
1000 only. That several thousand Aus
trians were taken prisoners admits Of n,
doubt Last night a number Of extra train
conveyed them 10 the eastern fortresses O
Grandeur Custrin and Poseu
But two battles ON one day are not enough
in a war waged by the soyereigns Of 10000,
600 people A third and equally bloody
engagement occurred on the 2Sth near Nun
Chcngratz, 80 miles west Of the battlefield
last mentioned. The pussian troops EN-
ployed on this occasion belong 10 the frs
army, under the command Of Prince FREpE
RICK CHARLES and had penetrated int
Bohemia from Saxony 10y way Of Reichen
berg The day previously, Truman at Oh
junction Of the North Bohemian railways
had been occupied by them. Moving theme
In southwestern direction, they fOun
themselves confronted, il is reported, by 90
600 or GO.OOO Austrians ami 10000 SaNon'
The enemy had taken up strong postum
ON the top Of a hill, cUntesting the posse
sion Of il with great 0hstinacy. or partiCu
lars. few have come 10 hand, but the issu
speaks for itself The Prussians got as "a
as Furstonhruck, Eve miles south Of Nun
chcnrratz. About 900 prisoners were ser
60 the rear, the dead aud wounded GA bot
sides being calculated at 5000 As the COZ
sequence Of all these operations, and Oh
slow bat steady advance of the two Prussia
armies, approaching a common centre troi
different points Of the circumference of Oh
country, We see the Crown Prince an
Prince FREnERICK CHARLES 20 have n
duccd the distance between them 90 abot
80 miles. Nih or,rg step Ia 0drURct made .
tls rotul oiusias, tic Austi1aIs opposed 20 y
Coi-a PIaor rdB a greater riSk q beng trodgS
ia L,ftnocH ne h50 advancing armies Tel'
graphic communications between the Primo,
has been already effected along the Mort
Bohemian railway line.
Encouraged by the advantages game,
aud DESTROYS u animating the troops 70 fires
oNcuions by his presence, the King Ga
morning len for bohemia. With him wei
ten. MoLrKE, the Commander-in-Cme
who, like chess-player with his back 70 q
board, has 80 long superintendent the goner
conduct Of the operations without leavir
hi. study in Berlin; Count BISMARCK, q
hero OF the campaign, and large nlmb'