The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-23
THE PRUSSIAN ARMY.

The Reconnaissance nj Bitciie-Advance To-
wards the French Line-Secn by the
Euemy-ssharp Action ltetrcnt in Good
Order.
correspondent OF the Cologne gazette OF Au-
gust 10 furnishes the following account OF the recent
reconnaissance OF the French position at Bitche:-
On the lst OF August Major Baron Won Eglonstcn
OF the Bayarian Filth light horse regiment named
Prince 0tto, assembled small corps under his CON-
mand, consisting OF party of the Twelfth regiment
OF Prussan hussars, a number OF light horse and
number OF jagerS, and early IN the morning pro-
ceeded from Pirmacens 10 the extreme advanced
posts at Eppenbrunn. Here he learned that strong
party OF Infantry was at Sturzebrunn. A reconnOis
sance OF their position being quickly resolved upon
the jagers were directed to Erlenkopf by the short
est way to bar the road. The cavalry took another
road over the Studelbacher farm. The wO0dman
there gave Information or nearer road by which
the enemy could be reached Will better cover. In
The depth Of the wood long halt was
was In vain as they had lost their way.
After delay OF an hour and a hail, twas resolved
to make the reconnaissance without them, and 10
advance in the thick wood through an almost impas.
sable ravine. AS the French boundary was crossed,
they advanced IN quick time to the Bitche road.
Here the valley opened little, and the other side
OF water meadow sterile, rocky height showed IT..
sell.
companied by the Lieutenant Won Gersdorf. Scarcely
had they arrived In the open when two French tn
1antry vedettes were seen at the loot OF the noun
tain, and In the immediate ne1gnborhood suffers
wagon surrounded By soldiers. AS soon as the three
officers saw this they drew their swords. and with
loud hurrah, advanced on the enemy their men fol-
lowing them. The enemy quickly climbed the rocky
height, and from this position, being under cover,
nred smart v0ley at the troops advancing through
the meadow. The hussars and light horse, knowing
that they could not get at the enemy, seized their
firearms quickly, and replied 10 this voiey.
One OF the FIRST shots from the hussars hit French
officer, who, with drawn sword, jumped clean out OF
the wagon He fell into the ditch by the roadside,
jumped up again, and with three or four other
wounded men sought refuge In the wood. The
French infantry now opened very smart and lively
IRE and H. appeared that the wooded height on that
side was occupied by division OF the enemy, which
fred upon the cavalry then in close order. These
advanced without ceasing till the major ordered a
change In the direction causing the men to proceed
against the height on the left OF the road.
The strength and position or the enemy was dis
covered and some considerable loss was inflicted on
them.
The German cavalry, united for the first time,
the French troops retire before them and were con-
yInced that the much-bepraised CDassepot was not
very formidable to troops possessed OF good nerve
The suffers wagon, which was hlled with PROVISIONS
was carried on, but could not be got up Into the
mountain. The horse was shot and the wagon over
Now the order was to disappear as quickly as they
had come; the meadow was TO be ridden through
again. and an insecure bridge passed within range
OF both the hostile infantry divisions Major Won
in advance IN order to give the right direction.
Major Won Parry himself undertook the covering OF
the retreat and remained In the most dangerous
spot TIL the last man had passed It, me troSps nad
rayInc which consisted OF naked rock and steep
inward path. The cavalry could only travel SUCH
road with difficulty, and the powers OF the poor
horses were tried to the utmost paddle ana rider
whose horse had become worry FESTIVE, was knocked
mt OF the saddle In the ravine by Deing carried
against tree. Lieutenant Won 0oredori, perceiv-
M tnia lnds hack with hussar ana Mqs saved enc