The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-31
A GREAT BATTLE.
A. McIvER, |
L. S. BINGHAM, |

The London Times correspondent, writing
from tie Prussian headquarters, gives long
description Of the great battle of Sadowa. We
have only space for his account or the rout Of
the Austriaus and the scenes after the battle:
On gaining the top of the Lipa slopes the re-.
treating battalions of the Austrians were seen
running across hollow in the ground which lies
between Lipa and the village of Stresetz,
which lies about two miles further south. The
Prussian artillery halted on the summit OF the
| Lipa hill and fired shells rapidly, which burst
with terrible precision the heads Of the fu-
yitives The cavalry few forward 10 pursuit,
| but the Prince, after leading short way, had
to 90 to saperinteDd the general movement, for
the Austrian batteries had taken post in the
Streselitz ridge, and were firing heavily against
the pursuing Prussians Then the cavalry got
out of hand, and by small detachments rushed
Oh the Austrian battalions, but these, though
retreatng fast, were not routed, and in many
instances beat off the cavalry, who also suffered
much from the Austrian artillery, for the shells
burst repeatedly among tbe squadrons and
killed many men and horses, But the Austrian
guns driven off their ridge by the heavier
fire of the more numerous Prussian batteries,
and then the pursuit was renewed.
Some Of the retreating Austrians made for
the fortress of koniggraz, others for Pardubtz,
and troops were sent in pursuit along both
roads. The wounded who were lying on the
ground shreked with fear, when they the
cavalry galloping down towards them, but Prince
Frederick Charles took care that they should be
avoided, and at one tine checked the pursuit
10 order to move his squadron around, and not
go through patch Of standing corn, where
several wounded Austrians had taken refuge
Those, when they saw the Lancers coming
thought they were going to be mastered, and
cried pteously, waving white handkerchiefs as
a sign of truce; but they had no cause to fear
Large numbers of prisoners were taken, for the
pursuit was continued to the Elbe, aud it was
not till nine o'clock that all firing had ceased
but the main body of the army halted about
seven.
AS the Princes returned the battalions cheer
ed them for their victory, but they left the pur-
suit of their enemies and the cheers Of their own
victorious troops to look after the hospital ac-
Communications provided for the wounded. These
lay in immense numbers on the field. The
dead, too, laid thick. Every cottage in the
neig hborhood that has not been burnt is full Of
wounded. Austrians and Prussiaos lie side by
side.
The battle Of Sadowa has been great victory
for the Prussian army; the troops fought with
the most determined courage; they stood for
hours under terrible fire, for there are sup
posed to have been nearly one thousand five
hundred guns in action, of which seven hun
dred and fifty were Prussan. The immediate
cause of the victory the Grown Princes at
tack on the Austrian left farE, which turned
the position, but the attack in front had great
effect the issue, as, unless it had been stead
lily maintained the Austrlaus might have re-
pulsed the attack in flank
1t is the opinion Of the Prussian generals
that the Austrian retreat was most skillful, and
that their artillery excellency handled.
The number troops engaged on the Prus-
sian side was about two hundred and fifty thou
sand The Austrians are supposed to have had
almost an cqnal number.