Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-24

Hhii uh MUIR tnc udy "uo ucSiucut 'hc
Prussians had retired to masked posi-
ton further in the interior, leaving to
the French the great advantage-incal-
culable in its influence upon the morale
of troops in the outset of campaign
of the first victory.
Tho Emperor, who had dismounted
and sent his horses to await him outside
the camp, during the latter phase of the
engagement, when victory was assured,
descended the hill on foot, holding the
Prince Imperial by the hand, and, re-
manning short time to receive the con-
gratulations Of his Generals, returned to
Forbach, en- route for the headquarters
at Metz, reaching that place at five
O clock in the afternoon.
Nothing but the mitrailleurs and its
marvellous power is talked of in the camp
to-day. We, civilian spectators, can
bear witness to the terrible effect of the
very noise of its explosion. 1t is truly
appalling-its hard, screaming, terrific
burst is heard far above all other tumults
of the battle, and once having heard it,
/ was not surprised at the traces of its
paths pointed out to me this morning,
and which | can distinctly follow with
my glass across the fields to the point
! where the Prussian ranks were broken.
1t is astonishing how difficult it is to
obtain accurate information of the move
ments of an army during an engage
ment, even when an attentive observer
of the field, and | have come to the con-
clusion that the generals in command
themselves only know what is by what
ought to be, according to strategetic
combinations arranged under the tent
before coming into the action.
GENERAL FRossARD's ACCOUNT OF THE
ACTION.
Official Report TO the Emperor
SIR: | have the honor to report to
your majesty the movements effected
this day by the second army corps, in
pursuance of your orders-to take pos
session of the positions on the left bank
of the Saar, which command the heights
of Saarbruck. Gen. Bataille's divis-
ion, supported on the right by that of
Gen. Laveaucoupt, and one of the twelve
FOUNDER batteries of the reserve, and on
the left by the first brigade of the divis-
ion of Gen Verge, with second battery
of twelve-pounders formed the first line.
Gen. Bastoul encamped at Spicheren,
and entrusted with the duty of detecting
the movement on our right, was ordered
to send two batteries to occupy the vii
lage of st. Annual and the nights above
it, whilst the remainder of his brigade,
crossing the ravine in front of Spicheren,
was to make front attack on the posi-
tons to the right Of the road from For
bach to Saarbrucken. The other brigade
of L. 80 Ia 90 IN m
to the position known as the exercising
grounds. Three squadrons of the Fifth
Mounted Chasseurs preceded it, to clear
the way. Finally, Col DuFerron, of the
Fourth Mounted Chasseurs, with two
battalions of the first brigade of the
Verge division was to push on a recsn-
noissance to Guerswiller, to connect
the movement of the second corps
with that of Marshal Bazaine. The
troops left their bivouacks between nine
and ten o'clock. Lieutenant-ColonelI
Thebaudin, with two battalions of his |
regiment (the Sixty-seventh), in adyanc-
ing to the attack of the village of st. !
Annual, found it strongly occupied and
defended by batteries of position planted |
on the right bank of the Saar. To de-
molish this artillery General Micheler,
whose brigade had come forward to sup
port the movement of General Bastoul,
ordered into action a battery of the tli-
teenth regiment, which efectually
opened fire on the Prussian guns. Sup
ported by q battalion of tie Fortieth
regiment of the line, and by the company
of sappers and miners of the Third di-
vision, materially assisted by the flank
movement of Colonel Mangin, who, with
the remainder Of the sixty-seyenth regl-
ment descended the nights on the left
Lieutenant Colonel Thebaudin was able
to carry the village of st. Annual and
occupied it with battalion of the For
tieth regiment, and the company of sap
pers and miners. The battalions of the
Sixty-seyenth, with great elan, rushed up
the slopes Of the hillock of st. Annual,
and established themselves on the crest,
opposite Saarbruckep The Sixty
sixth, with equal resolution, took
possession of the nights up TO the
exercising ground, driving the enemy
from all bis positions, ~ the same
time General Bataille rapidly moved his
first brigade to the rising ground on the
Saarbruekep road, connecting his move
ment with that of bis second brigade by
advancing battalion of the Thirty-third
regiment. Advancing in line the bat
talions of the Twenty-third and Eighth
regiments, their front covered by numer- !
Gus skirmishers, resolutely carried the
many ravines which run across the
ground, which is very difficult and {
thickly wooded. One battalion of the
Eighth regiment working its way across
the woods, followed the railway as far as
the village of Frotrany, where it effected
its junction with the other battalions of
the regiment, and together they at I
tackled the exercising ground of the {
right. On gaining the nights General !
Bataille planted one of his batteries in {
front of the lines Of the Sixty-ninth l
regiment, and another on the exercising J
ground to fire on the railway station and
silence the enemys artillery, which had
taken up position on the left of Saar- t
brucken II was unable 70 sustain our ]
FIRE and had 10 fall back. The twelve.
FOUNDER battery of the reserve was or I
iered BIZ ne to support the fire Of the o
batteries on the exercising ground, and a
finally battery of mitrailleuses Of the a
second division threw into utter disorder b
he saeEy's columns Of infantry, which Y
we're evacuatirg the toyn, Dur o
ng this artillery duel The troops q
we're able TO acclaim his majesty
he Emperor and the Prince Imperial on Il
he yely gresE5 from which they had Q
ust disiodged the enemy Ths moye- Il
pents Of the infantry we're exeellently 2
BY the Fifth regiment Of horse u
nndsE the orders of Col. de y