The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-08-16
COLU MBIA, S. c..
Tuesday Aorning, August 16. 1870.
The Situation.


The Situation.
Two facts are specially noticeable in
the detailed reports Of the lato battles
the dashing bravery Of the French troops,
and the skillful manner in which it has
been rendered ineticacious by the stern
determination, overwhelming numbers,
and good generalship of the Germans.
The French attacks lacked none of their
old fury, but they were hurled in vain
against the sturdy masses who displayed
equal courage and possessed force
greater than their assailants. While tho
object Of the main body of the German
army is said to be the conquest of COM
manding position between Metz and
Paris. force has been detached to invest
Strasburg, which has been cut of from
communication with the French army
and is likely to be taken by the conquer
ing invaders. AS tho Prussians must lie
we'll aware of the confusion prevailing in
the french ranks, We do not doubt that
they will improve the opportunity it af
lords for striking decisive blow at tho
earliest possible moment, and intelli-
gence of another great battle or stratc-
gic movement Of deep Importance is
hourly expected. Meanwhile the French
Chambers are distracted by tho doubt
whether internal political cxigencics will
permit the distribution of arms to mon
who should even now be in the field if
The onward march Of the invaders is to
arrested! The scnsitivencss Oh this point
displayed by the new Ministry has an
ominous Significance, and nothing will
do more to heighten public Indignation
than bctrayals of greater fear of rcvo-
luton than Of invasion. NJ. Thicrs, fa-
nous as the Prime Minister of Louis
PHILIPPE, and an avowcd Orleanist, is
reported to have said: 1.-The Empire is
ended "a republic is inevitable" This
we take TO be the first fruits Of the Prus-
sian victory of Hageneau. Such result
he's been in anticipation, and does not
seem to have escaped the sagacious
French Emperor-porrenu, rs he is styled
by the crowned head who rules by di-
vine right. He has proclaimed the Mar
seillaise to be the national hymn, and he
has threatened to proclaim the republic
throughout all Europe. Upon the estab-
lishment of the Republic of Franco,
Spain becomes n republic, and Garri-
baldi will again raise the red flag in Italy.
German unity will no longer be menacel,
and King William and Sour Fritz" will
have to ignore their divine right, and
reign-if permitted to reign at abby
the grace of God and the will of the
German people. The telegraph reports
terrific battle on Sunday, at crossing
Of the Mozclle-both sides claiming q
victory; but as the French were attacked
unawarcs, it is thought they wa:c Sc
verely handled.
Chalons is about SO miles in the rear
OF the line Of the Moselle, and 90 milc.,
in u straight line from Paris Metz and
Nancy are 80 miles apart, and each 10
miles, in q straight line, from Puris. BY
railroad. however, their distance from
the capital is much greater The Stras-
burg trunk line passes through Nancy
ard Cliaions, the distance OF the former
place from Paris being, by rail, about
22O miles. Metz is situated on a branch
OF the same road, which forks Il few miles
North west Of Nancy, and its distance
from the capital by rail is about 2IO
miles.
The !N1ni!euy says Gen. Douay, who
was killed ut Weisscnburg, was u the
thlckest OF the fight from the beginning,
and when all hope was lost, he sent away
his aids, rode toward the enemy, dis
mounted and shot his horse and resumed
lis progress toward the enemy on foot
IL tremendous fire. His soldiers tried
TO stop and then endeavorcd to folloy
him and attack the enemy, but were cut
down i'll heaps. -lt length, u heavier
discharge killed hin., after all about him
had fallen.
tiI N.1. P..t,,rt' ('yl,,-,.,