Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-08-06
ALEXANDRIA. Va.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1870.

Yesterday The French account OF the battle
at WeisseDburg and the capture OF that place
and tho adjoining heights by The Prussians,
states that lat one o'clock in the afternoon
three regiments of Donay's division and bri.
gade OF light cavalry were attacked at Weis
senburg by very considerable force Of Prus.
slams which had been massed in the woods
skirtpg Lsuter river. The French troops
resisted for several hours the attacks of the
Prussans and then retired to the summit OF
Pigeonnier, an eminenoe which commands the
line of railroad to Bitsche General Donay
was killed. One piece of artillery, the horses
having been killed and the carriage broken, fell
into the hands OF the Prus>ians.' 1t is added
that "Marshal McNl ahon is concentrating the
forces under his command at this point" The
total number of prisoners by the Prussians is
put down at 500. A special dispatch to
New York paper from Hazensu says that 1.-THE
defeat OF the French at Weissenburg was dis.
astrous General Donay's division, composed
OF picked fighting men, was utterly routed, aad
several Of them have reached here in demon
allied condition. Weissenburg is in the pos
session of the Prussians. A general advance
here and at Saarbrucken is expected. " The
report of the capture OF Saar Louis by the
French is untouuded Saar. Louis is towo of
Rheuish Prussia on the froutier OF France,
thirty miles southeast Of Treves. on the left
bank of the river Saar, and has population
of about 5000. 1t belonged to France until
1915, and forms en- important border fortress
1t is said that in Paris it is believed that the
Prussians design invading France through
Landau, which, it is ed, accounts Tor the
attack on Weissenburg. The Paris Presse
judges from he movements Of the Prussians
that the latter will violate Belgian territory.
1t is understood in London, however, that Fog
land will make such an event, on the part Of
either belligerent casus belli.
According to the reports, by telegraph, this
evening, the French have reoccupied Weissen
burg, which tie Prussians evacuated on the
advance Of Marshal Mchlahon's corps, which
it is said DOW holds a strong position on the
Bavarian frontier. Dispatches from Paris
state that the forces engaged on Thursday at
Weissenburg we're very unequal, the Pru$sians
outDumberiDg the French three or four 10 one.
The PruSsian loss is stated 10 have b>cu so
great that they did not dare to pursue. -
The POLITICAL CALDRoN, quiet, in this
State for so long, begins to simmer from the
continued application of fuel by the aspirants
for office. Candidates for Congress ,ional hon
ors are becoming quite numerous, and even
the claims Of Senator Johnston's SUCCESSOR
prominent among whom are Maj. W, !. Suth
erin, of Danville, and Gov. Walker, are being
cauvassed Judge Dickinson, OF Prince Ed
ward, is spoken of to succeed MIR. Ridgway, in
the Lynchburg district, in case the latter
health will not admit Of his contiuuauce ln
this district number of gentlemen have been
proposed for Congress, and Cons ervative
Convention will probably be held in this city
to determine the nominee Mr. Mckenzie, the
present Incumbent, will he an independent
candidate The Radicals have had "a split
in the Richmond district, and the opponents
Of Porter, who has been re-nominated, have
called another convention. In clse the divls-
ion continues the Conservatives in that district
will probably run a candidate. 1t Is thought
by some that the Legislature, at its session in
October, will re district the State, but this is
by no means certain. Should the re district
Jog be determined upon the holding Of conven
tons will have to DC deferred. La any event
there is an abundance OF time, and in the in
term, the European war will divert attention
somewhat from politics and tend to aay excite
and oh tbot, bn
will be short, but not sharp. -
THE ADDRESS OF the Central Executive com
mittee of the Conservative party Of the State.
which We pint to day 10 full, is an able and
well written document tracing with accuracy
the political status of Virginia and the circum-
Stances which led to the formation OF the Con-
servstivc party, aud presenting very cogent
reasons for adherioR to that policy. 1t will
doubtless be read with interest, and its senti-
mepts 10 the main heartily concurred IN, and
the advice given, needed by those who have the
true interest and welfare OF the State at heart,
and who desire TO see triumph Of Conservatism
over Radicalism.
York Campbell, colored, was hanged at Cul.
pepper Court House yesterday for the murder
OF an old and infrm colored man named Pc
trick Poux on the 25th OF December. The
execution took place iu an open field near the
town, and was witnessed by 5000 persons.
The condemned man was accompanied 10 the
scaffold by mounted guard of one hundred
men. lie confessed his guilt and said that he
was prepared TO die At half past twelve the
drop fell. and he expired almost instantly.
II is said that the President does not consid
er All extra session OF Congress necessary, and
will only convene one on account of the Euro
pesn war it this country should become COM
plicated in any way.