Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-08-08

reason OF the rising ground above, and at
last by its divergence to SO many points to
answer the enemy's cannon. Many Aus
trians must have fallen by their own ar
tillery.
FEARFUL SLAUGHTER.
Once an Austrian column, separating
itself from the great multitude below,
with leveled bayonets, led by its officers
in front waving caps and sabers, went
straight at the wood around Klum and
drove back the Prussian Tirailleurs, but
were staggered by fearful volleys of mus
kerry. Their officers were all killed or
wounded. They fell suddenly back
Down came the Prussians, but they were
received On the bayonet point with club
bed muskets, and were driven back to
the shelter of the wood, and some were
carried off prisoners in the retreating
column. Indeed, handfuls of Prussians
were coming into the town behind us all
the day, showing how close the fight was
and a considerable body of the 9th
Regiment, with some officers, are now in
the Grosser Ring. Chesta and Visa were
now burning, so that from right to left
the flames of ten villages, and the flashes
of guns and musketry, contended with
the sun that pierced the clouds for the
honor Of Illuminating the seas of steel
and the fields of carnage. 1t was 3 o'clock.
ALL IS LOST.
The efforts of the Austrians to occupy
Klum and free their center had failed,
their right was driven down in help
less mass toward Koniggratz, quivering
and palpitating as shot and shell tore
through it. "All islost !" Artillery still
thundered with force and violence which
might have red stranger to such scenes
to think no enemy could Withstand it.
The Austrian cavalry stillhung like white
thunder clouds on the fanks, and threat
ened the front of the Prussians, keeping
them in square and solid columns. But
already the trains were streaming away
from Koniggratz, placing the Elbe and
Adler between them.and the enemy
The grip of the Prussians could not be
shaken. Word was brought to me to leave
at once, for the city gates were about be-
ing closed, and the gunners on the walls
were laying their pieces to cover the in
undstions and the causeways. One more
glance showed a very hell of fre-corn-
fields, highways, slopes, and dells and
hillsides covered with the slain-the pride
and might of Austria shattered and laid
low. What happened more can only
tell from hearsay. But l am told that at
the last the Austrian horse saved all that
was not lost, and in brilliant charges
rolled back the tide of Prussian infantry;
that the gunners threw their pieces into
the Elbe, and into the inundated fields,
as they retreated; that men were drown
ed in hundreds as they crowded over
pontoon bridges hastily laid and sunk,
or burnt ere the columns could cross over;
that luggage trains, reserve ammunition,
guns and prisoners, the spoils of that
enormous host, fell into the hands of the
victors, who remained masters of that
hard fought field, covered for nine miles
with myriads of the slain. Well might
Benedek exclaim, "All is lost but my
lifel Would to God had lost that tool"
The retreat was not route, thanks to
the cavalry. At $3.50 A. NJ, we halted,
July A. at Hohenmauth; Gen. Bene-
dek and his staff came in somewhat Ia
ter, having halted at Holic on the even
ing of the battle, and it is said he will
give up the command. The staff officers |
are much detected all themore because |
the day was won but for the fatal neg
lect of Klum, the very center of the po-
sition, which was so unaccountably left
unguarded. Benedek has covered his
retreat with n powerful rear guard
Cavalry and artillery are all along the
road, but still there is a chance that the
Prussians may cut in on our line by a |
cross road, and the strong guard with US
is constantly on the alert.
There is no account of our losses, esti- |
mates varying from 10000 to $4,000. If
the prisoners be included, am inclined
to think the latter number correct. The
loss in guns is estimated at $50 to 180.-l
1t would not astonish me to hear it was
more.
THE RETREAT.
LEIToNIcHL, July 5.-All night the Aus
trian army, or what is left of it-still |
prodigious host, has been pouring through |
this town, and still pours on. Camps are
formed all along the road and efforts are
made to reform the regiments, which are
aided by the men, anxious in all cases to
get under their colors again. Count |
Mensdorf has just arrived, and is now
walking up and down outside the hum
BILE inn where am quartered, speaking
to the soldiers, and giving the weary,