The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-24
WAR ITEMS.

WAR ITEMS.
4 dispatch from Bremen states that the
North German Lloyds announce, In conse-
,uencc OF the PrusSian successes, that their
steamers will soon be able to resume their
rips TO America.
HARD TINES TN PARIS.
PARIS, August 19--(Ncw York Iribane's
is no cXagScratlon In say
me that we run risk OF being starved
already. The ,Siecle recommends that prl-
yatc families should lay i'll a stock OF salt,
meat, fish. and flour, preserved vegetables,
potatoes, and pulse.
The Bank of France pays neither gold
nor silver, and it is practically impossible to
change n thousand or five-hundrd franc
note for hundred or fifty franc notes. Bank
crs cannot get them for their own use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE OF GRAvELLoTTE
on THURSDAY LAST.
NEW YORK, August 2l.-The New York
Tribunc's specitl 1T the PrusSian hcadquar-
tiers sends the following account Of Thurs
days battle:
The battle fought to-day, August 18th,
we call tonight the battle Of GraYellotte. 1t
began at 10 o'clock in the morning and
lasted until after in the evening. Until
noon it Was an artillery duel.
The French lines >t, etched along the hills
covering the two roads leading from Metz
to Nerdun, having on their right flank a
farmhouse, known as La Eillctte, with a
walled garden, which they held in great
force. 4 sunken road led straight from
Gravellotte to the centre of their position.
On the French left the road wound over the
crest Of hill, on which twelve earthWorks
had been thrown up.
Eight mitrailleurs, besides artillery, We're
posted TO command every approach to this
strong position, and their guns swept the
crowning hills along which the French
lines ran, and up the valley reach, from
Gravellottc eastward, by which the Prus-
slams had to advance. Behind this line of
strong defence lay Forts st. Quentin and
Conacras, a position of apparently impreg-
nable strength, and completely protecting
the French rear.
The position at first held by the Prus-
slams was to the east Of the French, facing
towards Metz, occupying the southernmost
road from Metz to Nerdun, and reaching
over the chain Of hills lying between Gra-
ycllottc and Resonvlle. The result Of the
artillery contest was to compel the French
TO abandon their most advanced positions,
and the line by which they had hoped to
cover both roads was pierced and driven
back.
At noon the Prussians were able to push
forward their artillery, the French finding
their guns unable to resist the weight OF
the PruSsian fire, and the Prussian batteries
shortly after noon were in position on either
side of Gravellotte, so that neither of the
roads which ut that point branched off to
Nerdun. north and southwesterly, were
anv longer open to che French army.
reached the field just as this forward move
ment Of the PrusSians had been accom-
plished.
The ground was favorable for good view
Of both positions, and it was apparent at a
glance that the French had already relin-
Guishcd Il line Of defence important to them
tuctically Is we'll as strategically.
BY > O'clock the French batteries cover
Ing the Nerdun road from the north and
east were sienced, and the Prussians had
advanced so lar from south of that road as
to occupy Il farmhouse at Malmaison, lit
tie northwest from GraVellotte.
Twenty minutes later the French fire so
slackened and wavered that the PrusSian
batteries We're pushed forward and took up
Il new position in front of Gravellotte.
At tWenty-mnutcs past the prusSian
cavalry went into action, and they pro-
cecded captally under 4 hot fire from the
French guns. The attack was made in con-
siderable force by the uhlans, cuiraisSeurS,
and hussars, but they were at first without
infantry support, and could make no serious
impression on a position naturally strong
and still held in force by all the army of the
French. But half an hour later, it being
now nearly I o'clock in the afternoon, a
portion Of the third Prussian corps had
come upon the ground.
Infantry regiments were formed as fast as
they came into a position. from which a
serious attack was to be expected upon
what appeared the key of the French lines.
AT 4 o'clock the thirty-thrd regiment of
the l'rusSan line was launched against the
same position which the cavalry had failed
TO reach.
1t moved forward with the utmost deter
mination. but by this time the French had
reinforced their defence more strongly, that
the PruSsians had the attack, and they still
outnumbcred their asSailants and steadily
maintained the second line which they had
occupied.
AS different divisions of the Prussian
army came into position they attacked sue
cesSively, but were repeatedly driven back
with heavy loss. The struggle lasted, with
varying fortunes Oh different portions OF
the lines, until O'Clock. Up to that hour
the French held their ground. at Sc'clock
the Prussians, massing heavy forces on their
left, attacked and carried La Fillette.
A LETTER FROM LOUIS BLANC.
LONDON, August 2l.-Louis Blame, reply
ing to the appeals Of many friends, advises
France resuming the control Of her desti-
nies, and should say to Germany and the
world, this is a war between two men,
and not two nations"
PARIS, August 22.-Profound enthusiasm
was produced yesterday by the passage
through the streets Of American ambulances
going to the front. Every one remarked
the completeness and perfection OF all the
arrangements.
MINING THE RAILROADS.
Every railroad leading to Paris has been
and the mines charged with
pyritcs of potassium.
ORLEANS RESTORATION.
1t is questioned whether q popular re-
ioicing will take place though many intel
li"cnt people expect one III Il few days. NO
one thinks Of the Emperor. Trochu is prl-
vatcly preparing the way for return OF the
Orleans family to power.
LONDON, August PA dispatch from
France announces that Olivier has been
attacked with brain fever, and that his life
is despaired of.
THE CARNAGE AT GRAVELLOTTE.
Mr.. Murat Halstead, of the Cincinnati
Commercial, who is at the seat OF war in
Europe, telcgaphs. to that paper from
on the 21st as follows:
80 was present at the battle Of Gravel
Iotte on Thursday. The King Of Prussia,
Count Bismarck, and General Sheridan,
were on the field. 1t was the third and
rroot batt1e for the road from Metz to