The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-08-05
THE WAR HAS COMMENCED.
BATTLE OF sAARRRUcK.
FRENCH rRooPs REFUSED.

The railway destruction at Bitehe was ex-
trenely important. Order to destroy was
given on the 18th to prevent sudden con-
centratiOn OF the French from the south. Ac-
cordIngly small number of picked men of
the 40th Uhlans started, under command Of
Lieutenant Won Noigt, for Zweibrucken, the
nearest German town to the French viaduct.
At Zweibrucken, the engineer with miners
and workmen, awaited the cavalry. On Tues
day they set OF, thirty cavalry meE with men
and carts carrying the necessary materials.
But on this night and also the following one
they were much delayed as the French out
posts were too active and they had retired un-
successful: they made up their minds that the
heavy material which encumbered them must
be reduced to the smallest possible compass,
and that every man who took part In the ex-
pedition must be mounted. The next two
DAYS were given up to riding lessons. After
two days instruction, the miners and work
men were able to keep on horses, and on Sat
urday night the whole body crossed the French
frontier The mounted miners and workmen
were charged to push on to the viaduct, while
the Uhlans engaged the French outposts, who
were surprised. They accomplished their
task with perfect intelligence and success.
The country was reused from sleep by the ex-
plosion, which sent the great viaduct into the
air. The miners rushed out again upon the
railway from. the spot where they had retreat
ed. After lighting the end Of the train, and
succeeding in tearing and blowing up some
length of line on both sides Of the viaduct,
they then mounted their horses again and re-
turned safely into BavaIian territory.
The heaviest skirmish that has taken place
in this district was reported this morning
A party Of infantry had crossed into Prus-
sian territory about half way between this
and Saarlouia, and some infantry went out to
meet them and were coming up with them
between the villages of Ludweiller and Gels
alanterm about six miles west of this place
when a squadron of French cavalry suddenly
appeared; the Prussians fired away as hard as
they could at the cavalry with their needle
guns, and disposed of them before the infantry
could come up. Then an infantry fight fol-
lowed which ended in the French throwing of
their kits and running away, leaving the Off
Ger and eight men dead on the field. Three
Prussians were severely wounded. According
to report, no less than three French compan-
les were engaged. Prussian and Bavarian
troops are said TO be mastering in great
strength III the district.
Neuenkerchen is spoken Of for headquar-
ters.
1t is supposed that If the French army does
not enter Germany within three or four days
the war will be carried into France.
Neuenkerchen is admirably situated for the
concentrating OF forces from every part of
Germany. The country about here would be
very rough for fighting but if the armies could
push forward little way over the frontier
they would be protected on the right by the
fortress of Saarlouis, and on the left by the
Vosges mountains "a regiment of cavalry is
expected here tomorrow. A great deal OF
firing took place to-day between our outposts
and those of the French. One of our men
had his horse shot under him, and an adven-
turous civilian was impressed with the good
shooting of the Chassepot at a distance of l.
200 or 1000 yards.
PARIS, July 2S.-Edmund About will re-
place the Late Prevost-Paradol in the French
Academy and possibly as Minister to WASH
ington.
The Emperor left st. Cloud to-day by spec
ial train for the army. He was accompanied
by Prince Napoleon. The Emperess parted
with them at the railway station and was
deeply moved, and as soon as the train disap-
peared she returned to the palace.
Dispatches from Rome say that the Pope
accepts as inevitable the evacuation Of Rome
by the French troops.
PARIS, July 3l.-Fighting between the
Prussian and French forces has commenced
in Baden. There are four Prussian corps on
the Rhine. The enemy have missed the banks
A German banker residing in Paris, has
been arrested; three Prussiln spies also were
captured here by the police.
The Patrieasays Austria Is making formid-
able preparations as she fears infringent of her
neutrality by Bismark.
The command of the Austrian army of
observation viii be given to Archduke AL
brecht, whose sympathy for France is well
known.
SAARBRUoK, July 3O.-Early this morning
large force OF Basiane's division and four
pieces of artillery advanced to this position
apparently with a view of dislodging the Prus-
slams. They met force of volunteer guards
who had taken position one mile and half
from Saarbruck. The Prussians attacked the
enemy with vigor, and after a short light the
French were repulsed and retreated, leaving
one gun and losing 20 men. The Prussians
lost eight men.
NEW YoRK, August la special to ths
Herald, dated London, /, says; Preparations
for war on the part of Prussia are being car
ried on with great activity. Trenches have
been opened two leagues from Cologne, and
an entrenched camp established. A triangle
is formed by Cologne, Coblentz and Treves.
The fine park at Cologne and the magnificent
chateau Of the banker Openheim, have been
razed. Mayence is in a state Of seige and is
occupied by q, 900 OF 10000 soldiers. Trenches
are opened in front of the city, and persons
unable to provide themselves with six weeks
provisions, have been notified to depart A
large force have encamped on the heights of
st. Hubert, overlooking the valley of the
Necker, which will protect the important
group of coal mines at that place, and COM
mand the junction OF the railroads from Bin
gerbauck TO Sandan. Large RATS are descend
ing the Shine at all hours with provisions and
munitions, betweenMayence andCoblentz, and
a for midable amount Of war material and an
immense body of troops had been collected in
consequence.
BY newinstructions from the war Office there
will be an entire change in tactics. Henceforth
there will be no open campaign; the tactics
will be similar 70 those hiterto employed in a
siege or advance under cover of entrench-
ments.
Rhine proviences are being covered with
improvised works and the country between
Coblentz and Mayence is entirely cut ND in
this fashion. This new system Of defence re-
quires q new mode of attack, hence the delay
of the French advance. A Prussian CORDS has
been stationed as a curtain to the Black For
est. The principal French forces are concen-
trated in triangular section of country form
ed by the rivers Rhine, Moselle and Saar
The last two rivers form a line of defence.
The left OF the army rests on the Rhine, near
London, and the right stretches QUITO Moselle
near Treves, i reward of 800 thalers is offered
for the capture of French mirailleur.
It is believed that Prussia will raise her
army to million and a quarter Of soldiers and
march on France.
The day after the declaration Of war, Gen.
Won Moltke said if Napoleon did not march to
the Rhine by the 2lst he would never cross
above Mayence.
Saarlouis has been recently fortified and
serves as the centre. In case of necessity the
Prussians can fall back on Mayence and Cob
entz, which protect the passage over the Rhine
Ind behind which they have formidable corps
IN reserve.
PARIS, August Evening Official des-
patches from Metz announce that to-day, at IL
)'clock in the morning, the French had a SER
Gus engagement with the Prussians. Our
Irny took the offensive, crossed the frontier
md invaded the territory of Prussia In spite |
II the numbers and position Of the enemy, a |
ew of our battallions were sufficient to carry
he heights which overlook Saarbruckand our |
Lrtillery were not slow to drive the enemy |
rom the town. The celebrity of our troo, was |
o great that our losses were slight. The en- |
,agemeut commenced at IL o'clock and ended |
It l. The Emperor assisted at the operations |
nd the Prince Imperial, who accompanied |
i'm, received on the first fire of the battle his /
aptism of fire. His presence Of mind and /
ang froid in danger were worthy of the name |
e bears. The Emperor returned to Metz at 4 |
. m.