The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-23
THE BATTLE OF WISSEMBURG.
Particulars OF the EDaagemenI-An English
Account.


The correspondent of the London Standard,
writing from Mayence under date OF August 5,
closes his letter with the following description
of the sbattle of Wissemburg, having obtained
his information, as he says, from both German
and French soldiers who were engaged in the
contest
Wissemburg is little town OF 6OOO inhabitants,
situated upon the Lauter at the edge OF the French
frontier 1t is station upon the railway from Stras-
maps fortified town, but this is an error The
Wissemburg lines still exist, but are unarmed and
are in state OF ruin. These lines were constructed
by Marshal Viars in 1876 during the Spanish war
OF succession. The best proof that they are not
have ps 70 foEen the town, the onIV 1nn thew have
captured is small field piece. Had there been
RTGS their m SspSs Betyween VI anG
the Rhine the country is nearly dead fiat; TO its
left, however, it is broken up into hills, among
which the Lauter, which above Wissemburg is Ba-
varian stream, has its The hill Immediately
to the left of Wissemburg appears to be called Gels
berg though it is not marked by that name in the
maps that have by me.
Between and O'Clock yesterday, French di-
visiOn estimated at 25 600 men, advanced from Wis
semburg crossed the Lau er, and attacked the 9th
and 11th corps darmee OF the Prussians, which
here the fight ragged with the greatest fury Every
orchard every dwelling was contested with the
most extreme obstinacy. The Freach chassepot
committed the greatest destruction among the Prus
slams ranks at short distances; but | have not been
able to hear whether the n1itraieuse was brought
into action, or, If so, with what effect The contest
was most obstinate one; the French claim that
they were gaining ground, while the Prussians
admit that the French fought with extreme and
desperate bravery. At this time the Crown Prince
moved the I'd Bavarian Corps dArmee down be-
hind the hill of Geisberg probably as far as the vii
lsge marked on the map as Lemb, which is about
two miles distant from and mile to the south OF
Wissemburg, Following the Lemb, Wissembnrg
road, they crossed Gesberg, and fell upon the
rear OF Wlssemburg, capturing some $40 pri-
soners, the French tents and stores, and then
fore, taken between two fires. Although taken Dy
surprise, the French appear to have defended them
selves with extreme gallantry, and contriyed TO re-
tire from the field OF action with the loss only of one
fOur-pounder gun, OF which the horses were killed.
The Prussan officers speak in terms OF high admi-
ration OF the galantry OF their enemies and these
return the compliment speaking with special lauda-
of likelihood on its face, and if 81 non zero,
is at least ben trorato 1t is at least the
a variety OF st ttements. | admit that there is
weak point. 1t is dificult to see how the French,
caught in so complete trap, extricated themselves
with the loss OF comparatively few prisoners and
OF gun only. Driven of the road to their right
they would have no road crossing the Lauter until
tanCe OF seven or eight miles from Berzabern, and
which beaten army could hardly accomplish in
the face OF a greatly more numerous enemy
without the loss OF many guns and prisoners
The more probable explanation appears TO me
that the PIussaps, coming down from Gelsberg,
kept to the left of Wssemburg, and that TIE French
remaining in Wissemburg kept them at bay until
the French General was able 10 throw back his left
wing the lines of retreat for his right and
centre, in which case Wissemburg itself would not
French had passed through it, This, supposng the
other portion OF the narrative to have been correctly
stated would appear to have been the most probable
course OF events.
In respect TO the number Of troops engaged ex-
cept as TO the broad fact that the French were
greatly outnumbered 1t would be difficult TO form
an opinion. The French force was stated at 25,00N,
but have no means OF judging OF the accuracy OF
the statement. Upon the Prussian side, according
TO their own telegrams three corps ddrmee were
gagged. The peace footing OF each corps ddrDee may
be put roughly at % 000 men, the war footing at
or, with the addition OF the Landwehr, at nearly
1O0,0C0 men. AT present IL may he assumed that the
strength OF each corps is so, 900 men; but at the
same time is mol probable that the whole force OF
each corps was engaged. II only half the strength
Of each corps was brought into action we should
have total OF $4,000 men, in addition TO which
know that portion OF the Guard was engaged as
the telegram mentioned the LIST Regiment OF the
Guard having specially suffered. Making there
fore every possible deduction il is evident that the
Prussians must have had force engaged at least
double that at which the French division is estimated
The action, therefore, although undoubted
French defeat cannot be considered anything
but credtable to French valor. All this is of
course dependent upon the accuracy OF the reports
upon which my account OF the battle is founded
Al any rate, the strategy OF the Grown Prince ap-
pears to have been brilliant, and 1t appears probable
| that the French will find themselves outgeneraled
throughout the campaign. AS am closing this, the
| news come in that the 1ghting continues to-day !;
that the PTussians are following up their successes
OF yesterday, and that MacMahOns divisions are in
fun retreat upon SayeTne IL Is also stated that the
wounded in the next train will De the first victims
| ot 70 Gays engagement,