New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-24
The Battle of s,adOwa.
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE-ITs DECISIVE CHARACTER
AND PROBABLE RESULTS. .-
From the London Times, July OH

The decisive blow has been struck, and the for
tune of war has more declared in favor OF
Prussia. The bold conception and consummate
execution of their farsighed plan Of campaign,
and the results OF long series Of bloody encoun-
ters had, at the close of last week, enabled the
Prussian generals to mass their forces on the
plains of Bohemia, and to press close upon their
enemy, who, after disputng the ground inch by
inch along every avenue of that mOuntain-girt
kingdom, had fallen back, foiled at all points,
painting and bleeding, yet turning to bay on his
last vantage ground on the Elbe, between his two
strongholds Of Josephstadt and Konniggraz
pause. Of three days seems TO have been al
lowed to the combatants on both sides; Finally,
on Tuesday the first Prussar army, under Prlnce
Frederick Charles, advancing from Gltschh, on
the road that, by Ohlnm and Horzitz, leads TO Sa-
dowa, and the second army, under the crown
Prince, crossing the Eibe to meet them, drew up
all their combined forces, under the immediate
command Of their kingan array, IT is said, Of no
less than eight army corps-on some point near
Koniggratz, between the right bank Of the Elbe
and Che left Of the Bstriz, minor tributary
stream which runs parallel to the main river from
Horzitz to its confluence with it,
Marshal Benedek, aware that the decisive mo-
ment had arrived, issued forth from Koniggatz,
apparently with only five army corps, but choos-
ing az was natural with man who stood on his
own ground, a most advantageous position. The
battle field is described as being near Horzitz,
near SadOwa, near KoniggratZ; the fighting ragged
probably from one end to the other OF this vast
tract Of country. The battle lasted twelve hours.
For six hours the Austrians defended strong
position they hasa chosen behind the BlstflWi put
it wa4 taken by worm toward o'clock, and BY Z
O'Clock in the evening the defeat OF the Ausulans
was complete. The earliest Prussan bulletins OF
the same evening, at and II O'Clock, CLAIMED a
victory and spoke of their army as close in puI-
suit of their routed enemies.
By letter accounts, dated yesterday, we are told
that three flags and "a guns were taken by three
of the victorious regiments, and no less than
10000 Austrian prisoners had already been brought
in. The trophies by which other corps signalized
their victory and the total number OF their pri-
soHer=, had not yet been ascertained; but the
18th Prussiau hussaFs are said to have broken Two
Austrian squares. By their own admission the
Pru-sians purchased their triumph at very
heavy price all their corps were brought into
actiGn, and all suffered severely. Nothing how
ever. can exceed the extent OF the Austrian
disaster,
As telegram after telegram comes in, every fresh
detail confirms ~ in our conviction that the lmpe-
rial army, already exhausted BY series Of defeats
in which no less than twenty thousand prisoners
had faien into the enemy's hands, dtsprIted by
the consciousness of the fearful odds against winch
it had to contend owing to that tatal needle-gun
which experience proved to be almost irresistible
went into tile field bent on supreme effort not 50
much id defense Of the monarchy as in support OF
its ancient military renown, and fought, not so
much to conquer as TO sell the victory ut the high
est possible rate. The most lilustrlous names IN
the empire are among the dead and wounded
Count Thun and Colonel Binder, both high in
command, are among the former among the lat
ter, three Archdukes and General Festetics.
Prince Liehtenstein and Prince Windschgratz
were taken prisoners. We have no accounts on
the Austrian side-a melancholy proof that they
have no good tidiDgs with which TO mitigate the
crue, intelligence or that the disorder IN their
camp is too great for them to think of telegraphc
or written dIspatches-but the Prussian bulletins
assure rs that their enemies were falling back upon
KonirgratZ in a complete route, sreWlng thelr
arms aud baggage lar and wide along the road.
The first instinct Of self.preservation drove the
fugitive multitude to their fortress, but either they
did not feel safe even at Koniggratz, or Marshal
Benedek was actuated by strategic reasons to q
movement still further to the rear, for we are told
that the Austrans were Abandoning their ll-m-
portant p0aition at the great railway junction at
Pardubitz. Where this great deJNcle is to terml-
nate what points Marshal BeHedek may still con
slider deensble, where ID can hope to ind breath
ing room for the reorganization Of ms scattered
and dispirited forces, we hardly venture to in
uuire The suddenness and the magnitude OF tins
sad Austrian calamity are too oyer-toWerlng tol
any man to speculate on ts possible conse
quenceg in the destinles of the empire.
With the exception OF lew tortreases, 9
little avail Id modern warfare to stay the triumph
ant 1jrogress of victorious army than Joseph
staft ana Koniggratz have proved to be, Bene
dek has nothing il his rear but open country
nothing between him and the capital but q vas
smooth battle field, where the cannon the cavalr,
and the dread needle-gun OF the Prusslans WI
have free play. The Austrians have done enoug
for the honor of their arms they must now pre-
vide for the safety of the State, and this ca
hardly be done by prolonged resistance.
1t Is not the first instance in which Austria ma
lain PROSTATE before advancing enemy; not tn
first time in which an emperor OF the house
Hapsburg stepping forward on the morrow OF
lost battle, has stood suddenly before the cor
oueror, and, by the natural prestige of his station
and the additional disni Y which Consciousness o
unmerted misfortune implrts to an elevated chal
acter, has saved YET a few fragments Of his IA
teredimperal mantle. King William of Prussia
in the camp, and the Emperor Francis Joseph
not far from Benedek's headquarters. Let ther
be at Patdubitz or al Olmutz, such an Interview
there was after Austcrltz and after Solterin
Better terms than Austria may obtain now vi
certainly not be granted to her after two or thr
months protracted struggle has added to the e
asperatt0n of hostile passions, nor after man
more thousands Of Austria Z nUbest sons lie dee
in their blood on the battle-ttBlda On what conc
tions the two great German powers could come
agreement at the present moment it would be d
fcult to say, and it would be unnecessary, 4
thatisifeqaired Of Austria is that She should, 8
for suspension of hostiliries, which, there is lit
doubt would be readily granted. From an arm
tce to a peace Emperor Francis Joseph knows
experience, there IS but one step in tete-a-te
betBetA two nonarchs, anil Emilia ,1, 1t lg..r.as
From the London Daily News Jnly5l vTGH
1t is difficult to exaggerate the eaectQf the Pr