The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-18

and Bar-le- Due.
WINE this flank movement was progressing the
column OF Prince Frederic Charles advanced upon
Pont-a-Mousson, with the double purpose OF cover
ing the Ranking column and preventing the French
from preserving their line OF communication intact
oy failing back upon verdun. II the reader will
examine the map he VIII perceive that the object OF
tne Germans was to force the French to fight q
general engagement with their front towards Paris,
or al best with their rear towards Luxembourg and
their nank towards their base.
On discovering the movements OF the Crown Prince
there was no other alternative left the French than
TO change mont in the presence OF the army OF Prince
FREDERICK Charles, ana endeavor to foil the
nahkers. Accordingly, on Sunday morning the
french army began crossing the MoseIle river,
when two distinct engagements took place,
one on the lett bank, at or the village OF Pagny
some eight miles southwest OF Metz, and the other
on the right bank. In front OF the city. careful
examination OF the dispatches Will discover this fact
although at first sight this would probably not be
apparent Napoleon, IN his Official despatch speaks OF
q sudden attack by the Prussians on his advance
guard, by which he could have meant none other
IMAM the advance OF the force which had crossed the
river This attacking party was evidently part
OF Prince Frederick Charles command, and
was repulsed, as Napoleon stated. While these
two were lighting, the Prussians on the right bank
OF the Eiver attacked the intrenchments around
Metz, with what success King williams despatch
reports. GGu fno important fact remains that the
nghung at Pagny and the fighting at Metz were TO-
tally different affairs, although happening at the
same time and not far apart We feel certain OF this
from the tenor Of Napoleon's and King
williams dispatches. The former makes no
reference whatever to the fighting at Metz and the
latter says nothing Of lighting the left bank OF
the Mosee. AS regards the lighting, 1t seems cer
Jain that the Prussans were repused at Pagny, and
II Is by no means certain that In the attack
on the rear guard OF Bazaine's army the French
were badly beaten. King william speaks OF
flank movement by General Ladmiraulrs
CORPS which shows that the French had
assumed the offensive. The statement that the
reserves under General Manteunel repused Ladml
raut proves also that the front line Of the Prussans
must have been thrown into confusion by the nank
attack. There Is no record In history OF reserves
having been thrown into battle while the main
line remained unbrOken. The subsequent repulse
OF the French evidently did not prevent what the
hrst attack intended to do-namely, tho retreat of
the army. Ladmirault's nank attack was evidently
diversion TO cover such retreat.
Undoubtedly Marshal Bazaine succeeded In chang
ing his front and foling the nank move
ment Of the Prusslans. After the combat
at Pagny he must have retreated towards
Verdun followed closely by the army Of Prince
Frederic Charles. The dispatches published this
morning speak Of another nght on Sunday night,
but whore is not stated. From the French lime Of
retreat, however we should locate the scene Of the
contest in the vicinity of Chambley, and we have no
doubt that the Germans engaged belonged to the col.
umn Of Prince Frederic Charles. There appears to
have been fighting on Monday, and the
subsequent retreat OF the Prusslans on Com.
mercy. We have no doubt that this en-.
gagement was between the forces OF the
Crown Prince and the retreating army, which at
last accounts was at Etain, between verdun and
Metz. Thus 1t would seem as II the lively
and rapid movement OF the French army
broke up the strategic combinations OF the
Germans and preserved the line OF communication
intact Two circumstances form this idea. From
Berlin not WORD has been received Of these move
ments. although we know that on Sunday and Mon.
day there was severe fighting. In the next
place 1t is evident that communication be-
tween Metz and Paris is again open, because
we publish an official despatch this morning
dated at Metz at three O'Clock yesterday
afternoon, and which reports serious engagement
at the village Of GraveOte on Tuesday, in which the
French gained the advantage with heavy loss The
question then remains "Have the strategic comb.
nations Of the French forced the Prussians under
the Crown Prince and Prince Frederic Charles, from
their base at SaarbruckW