New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-11
PRUSSIAN PLAN OF ATTACK
DETAILS OF LATE BATTLES


Inducements and drive Mcmahon to Nancy.
thus taking Metz in the rear. and clearing,
the way for the advance of the German
army upon Paris.
General Won Steinmetz is alsO pursuing
the French broken and retreatino columns
which have been driven from the last de-
fensible position. and has only an omen
country III which to oppose the Prussians
1t Is expected that Prince Frederick
Charles will soon join the Prussians and
control i'll attacking the French central
position at Metz, or it NAV be delegated to
General Won Steinnetz, who Will observe
the French movements there. while he and
the crown Prince intercept communication
with Paris, and intercept the French re-
treat from Metz.
A Brussels letter announces the establish
ment of a weekly postal service between
Antwerp and New York for fifteen years.
BRUSSELS, August S.-king Leopold, in
opening the Belgian Chambers. made Il
speech in which he mentioned having re-
ceived written assurances from France and
Prussia OF their respect for the neutrality
of Belgium. He also acknowledged the
solicitude Of the English government and
people toward Belgium, and stated that. in
accordance with the desire of belligerents.
Belgium was prepared to maintain her neu-
trality III common
from the LOUISVILLE commercial
BERLIN, August THE advance of the
French centre. comprising the second corps
under General frOssard, was defeated near
Saarbruck. Frossards corps began to re-
treat toward Metz on Friday night. The
heads of the victorious Prussian columns
which were following in hot pursuit the re-
treating French overlook them on SATURDAY.
morning The French were formed in line
OF battle in strong position near Speich-
helm, town to the west of Saarbruck. in
the direction of Metz.
General Won Hammer opened the attack.
and advanced to the assault of the French
position. The guns of the French. posted
upon the heights, opened terrific cannon
ade, which was replied to by the Prussian
army. AT the sound Of the cannOnade the
divisions of General Barrekow and Lieuten-
ant General Steilpnagel moved forward to
support the attack of General Won kam-
mer Lieutenant General Won Goeben then
assumed command of the entire Prussian
army, and coatinued the assault. 4 ire
mendOus fire was then opened along the
whole Prussian line, which continued stead
lily taadvance up the heights. At the sum
init fierce c-ntest took place. but the Ger
mans carried the position by storm. not
withStanding most determined resistance
on the part of its defenders. The Prussians
followed up their victory, and the French
became disorganized, and were ronted total
1y. and were driven to flight, being unable
to rally.
Later dispatches have been received in
this city from the Crown Prince. Frederick
William of Prussia, giving an official report
of the battle fought near Bitche Yesterday
with the French. The battle was fought
between the French right under Marshal
Mcmahon. and the Prussian left. under the
Crown Prince. who was commanding in per
son, near Woerth-sur-Sauer, village of
France, in the department OF Bas-Rhin.
twelve miles southwest Of Weissenburg
and ended in the total defeat of Marshal
Mcmahon, who had with him the greater
part of his army. The French We're routed
and driven back into the fortress of Bitche,
in the department of MOselle.
Later-A telegram has been received
from the PIussian commander at Mayence.
dated Saturday evening, seven o'clock.
stating that the French army has retreated
along the whole line, and is now retiring
into the interior. Before evacuating the
town Of Saarbruck they applied the torch
and fired the town.
LONDON, August 6.-The Times special
correspondent at the front telegraphs to
that journal the probable plan of the Prus-
sian campaign. He thinks that the Prussian
plan ofattack is to envelop the French army
in the coil OF three great German armies.
Prince Frederick Charles, on the Prlssian
right, will attack the French left from
Treves, probably moving upon ThiOnvillc.
The Crown Prince Frederick William. lead
ing the left wing Of the Pr7lssian army, will
make an offensive movement from LOudOn.
simultaneously with the operations on the
right and left, General Won Steinmetz will
cooperate. by advancing from the center by
way of KOizenluten and Saarbruck. This
advance will prove formidable line of at
tack, and if the tactics of the Germans are
carried out successfully, within the next few
days, a decisive battle will be fought before
Metz
Meanwhile fighting is constantly taking
place along the lines Of both armies from
Treves on the north to Sauterburg on the
4 nth. Describing a line of battle one hun
dred miles in length, the London Telegr0ph
assumes that the Prussians' aim is to secure
possession of the south or French bank of
the Saenter river, and that the attack on
Weissenburg was in pursuance Of a de- |
to follow this line of offensive |
operations in the south Possession Of the |
Saenter insures for the Prussians an excel !
lent strategic position commanding the |
great plain between the FOges mountains |
and the Rhine. and forms base for opera
tons in the vicinity of Strasburg. This ad- |
vance Of the Prussians will most likely be |
by a simultaneous invasion of |
France by the MOselle valley.
The late Charles Dickens residence at |
l1adshill has been sold at auction for
$500.
The Danish war loan of FIVE million |
,halers has been authorized and placed on
he English market
PARIS, August THE Emperor has sent
! dispatch to the Empress Eugene, in which
re states that General Mcmahon had di-
7ision of the French army engaged in the
,attle at Haguenau, but that General Failly |
vas unable to join him, effectively, with his
During the fight the French
avalry made several bold and brilliant
harges. The Prussians made use of the
during the engagement with
uch telling precision and effect as to create
considerable havoc. Our divided troops
at Metz.