Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-09-02

and on the left Of the Prussian centre at
time when the attacks so long directed
against the key of the French line had
ceased, and in fact failed for time
1t was possible that the French hav-
ing suffered far less in holding their
ground than in an attack, might have
advanced in their turn and have under
taken vigorous and offensive movements
If they had such purpose it is not un-
likely they abandoned it in sight of the
Prussian reinforcements. Instead of ad-
vancing the French now contented them
selves with the occupation of ground to
which earlier in the day they had been
driven back. At no time did they Sc
riously strive to regain the westernmost
| line of hills, which had been theirs in
the morning. At no time did they re-
ceive or seek to recover by any vigorous
forward movement to the junction of
Gravelotte. From seven to eight the
weight of the battle tended more and
more to the north road. There was
lull, the meaning of which the French
waited apparently to interrupt. BY sew
en- they may have believed themselves
partly victorious and we're still perhaps
in condition to renew on the morrow
the struggle that had gone on all day
for that fated road from Metz to Verdun
If they had not gained the road and
battle they had not clearly lost the lat
ter. Two hours later they had lost both.
A little before eight o'clock, large
white house on the hight beyond Grave
lotte caught fire. 1t seemed through the
gloom to be church. The spire grew
into flames and vast cloud Of smoke
arose, contrasting strangely with the
white smoke of battle.
A MAGNIFICENT SCENE.
More and more picturesque grew the
whole field as the evening fell, and the
movements of the troops cou d be fol-
lowed now by the lines of fire that ran
fickering along the front of the regiment
as it went into action. Tongues of fire
pierced through and illuminated the
smoke out of the cannons' mouth, and
the fuse and shells left long trains of fire
like falling stars.
A FLANK MOVEMENT.
No general likes fighting by night in
ordinary circumstances, for chance takes
the place of skill but fanking move
ment on the French right had been re-
solved on by daylight, and it was neces-
sary to move the troops to great dis
tance over difficult ground, which delay
ed its execution and brought about what
seemed renewal of the battle. To
leave the French in their positions dur
ing the night would have been to imper-
il the plan on which the Prussian COM
mander had resolved. So from or $50
to 8 o'clock the decisive blow was struck
when he battle of Gravelotte had act
ually ended.
THEPRUssIAN POSITION.
We knew that the Prussians held the
strong nights beyond Bois de Uaux,
which command the surrounding coun-
try to the limits Of artillery range from
Metz We knew that two great Prus-
sian armies lay across the only road by
which Bazaine could march to Paris for
its relief or for his own escape. We
knew that a victory greater than that of
Sunday and more decisive than the tri-
umph of Tuesday had been won. We
believed that the French army, which
fought as valliantly and vainly as before
was now hopelessly shut up in its for
tress
THE CLOSING SCENE.
AS | went back to the village of Cor
see to pass the night, l turned at the
last point to look upon the battle field
1t was long earth-bound cloud, with
two vast fires of burning buildings at
either end. The day had been beauti-
full so far as nature was concerned, and
the stars now looked down in splendor
upon the work of agony and death, such
as no one could ever wish to see again.
THE BATTLE OF THE FOURTEENTH.
Another correspondent, in describing
the battle of Sunday, 14th, which he
says was bloodier than Sadowa, writes:
The number of German troops actua,-
ly in the battle was $4,000. The French
had a great deal of artillery and cavll
nv, but the number of troops have
been unable to ascertain. The Germans
had but little cavalry or artillery. The
43d regiment of Germans, which led the
way, suffered very severely. The Ger
mans carried all breastN orks under the
murderous fire of the French, who al
ways were compelled to retire befor e
them: but the murderous fire Of the
Chassepot, which carries nearly twice as
far as the Needle gun, told very severe
| l.. -, ,ba GarDnonc uha in avarv anoaua-