Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-02
THE GERMAN WAR.
PARIS, 9th July, 1866.

!. 49, PARIS, 9th july, loot
) To tie Editors Of the Journal:
We propose giving you, hereafter, detailed &C
counts of the progress of the great military move
ments which are now engrossing public attention
the world over, and which in their results may
materially derange the statm quo ante betn of mon
.. archical equilibrium in Europe. At present We
shall conine ourselves to cursory glance at the
condition of affairs and their immediate bearing
upon the parties actively interested in the strug
gle. Up to few days ago, dispatches coming
from headquarters ridiculously contradic
tory that it was impossible to form any correct
idea of the OF either army and
from the confused and conflicting statements OF
the Journals every at liberty to adduce
conclusions in accordance with his sympathies or
preferences The first of the important battles
fought last week in Bohemia was heralded by Aus
trian kilograms as defeat to their enemies. while
at the same time the Prussian capital celebrated
it great victory over their S. Later accounts
now place the discontinue of the Austrians be-
yond all question. The last few days have entirely
changed the aspect of affairs, and we know for
tain that the Austrian army beaten in almost every
combat is in full retreat, evacuating Bohemia and
making for Mcrava. After losing SUCCESSFULLY
last week, the battles of Gitchn, Skalitz, Nachod
Turnau Hunnerwasser, Munchengraetz and 9th
ers the entire available force, under General Ben
edek, was concentrated near PardubitZ The con-
yergent attack of the two Prussian armies of the
| Oder and Elbe (the under the Prince Royal
and the other under Prince Frederick Charles) was
directed against that force and the great fight
came off on Tuesday, 3rd July at Sadowa, be-
! tween Josephstadt and KonniggratZ. This bloody,
terrible battle lasted eight hours, and terminated
| in the route of the whole Austrian army. The to-
tai of the disputing forces of this engagement
between five and SIX hundred Thousand men, and
o1Nofx
in Europe. This victory gives the Prussians pos
session of Prague and the railways leading there
from to Munich and Dresden, as also the railway
which, by Pardubitz and Brunn, is the great route
to Vlenna-in fact all Bohemia falls into their
power. We cannot yet estimate the fruits of this
victory they will doubtless be manifold and their
moral effect incalculable. IT'S we'll for Prussia
that she has been successful from the very onset
of the struggle-the good fortunes of her arms
have quelled all disaffection among the popuace
and united every party in cordial support of the
Bismork0n policy and no less earnest desire to
prosecute the war SO encouragi ngly begun
lis known that her people commenced the
contest with the greatest possible reluctance.
Now, while the rapid and unchecked occupation
OF many of the German States by Prussian troops,
coupled with series of brilliant victories which
have attended her arms, have dispelled this origi
nal discomfort, the other hand a bad begin
ming, number of reverses would have fostered
It, revived the anti-war party, dissipated the
breath of popular favor being enthusiastcal- |
ly bestowed on the promoters and originators of
the war, and, perhaps, proved fatal to her cause,
her King and his Minister Whatever our per
sonal preJudces may be, we can but admire the
extraordinary energy and CELEBRITY with which |
Prussia has pushed forward her operations, in |
putting CAT 900 men under arms, judiciously dis |
trbuting that force SO rs first to take possession
Of such of the lesser German States as were least
favorable or avowedly hostile to her policy, and
after to press attack and beat the enemy on his
own territory. The capture of the Hanoverian
tp0n Cta n1yo
serious loss to Austria
Let us again speak Of the fights i'll Bohemia
The losses sustained by the Austrians in the COM
bats from the Goth to the Both June are said to be
between 10000 and 40 900 men, In these en-
gagements the Saxon corps, the Kalik brigade,
the corps of Clam Calais and Gablentz are de-
clared, by Prussan kilograms, to have been total
ly dispersed, while several battalions were de-
stroyed even to the last man. The Pussians used
il gun OF modern invention, manufactured in their
country and heretofore but little, if at all, en-
ployed in warfare. This weapon is called in
French fusH q niguiUe Of its construction we
know nothing, but learn that its efficacy is some
thing wonderful. Besides doing most murderous
execution at the enormous distance of seven or
eight hundred yards the rapidly and ease with
which it can be loaded enabled the Prussians to
fire five shots to of the enemy, thus, sweeping
away by a continuous and deadly discharge whole
regiments of Austrians before they could come
sufficiently near to use the bayonet. It was use
less to combat under such disadvantages and the
1ustIlitHS, dltei maintaining Inelf ground Tor q
long time and displaying the utmost bravery, were
compelled to retire as best they could. To the
superiority of these ftSils aguiALe the Prussians
are indebted for the victory, which, after ALL was
dearly bought since their losses, too, will number
by tens of thousands. AS yet no reliable account
of the casualties suffered by the belligerents at
the battle of Sadowa has appeared, but it may be
safely inferred that they enormous. In four
days fighting last week the two armies lost in
killed, wnunded and prisoners at least $4,000
men, and as these fights were only preludes
to the more important one of the 3rd July we may
look out for total of the most frightful immensity
The impression which the defeat at Sadowa will
produce at Vienna, is impatiently awaited the
defeats of last week caused great emotion in the
Austrian capital the entire population was in the
streets voclferously demanding that war, war to
the knife he continued at any and every cost
The people were aroused with indignation at the
unaccOuntabe slowness of the Federal army and
were urging Immediate and vigorous action. We
forego all attempt at comment on the various
peace rmors now afoat and also renounce our in
tention of discussing the Italian question in order
to give the great news of the day, which perhaps
will have been made known to you by telegraph {
before the arrival of this letter.
VENICE TO FRANCE
The llonHeu,, official journal of the French EN-
plre came out last evening with the following All
nOuncement
An important event has just taken place.
After maintalng the honor Of his armies in Italy,
6 the Emperor of Austria according to the ideas
sc expressed by the Emperor Napoleon in his let
" ter addressed 18th June, to his Minister of For
elgn affairs, cedes Venice to the Emperor Of the
- FRENCH and accepts his mediation to bring about
g peace between the beligerents. The Emperor '
" Napoleon has fastened to respond to this appeal l
IS and has Immediately applied to the Kings of