New-York tribune., 1870-08-19
FRENCH REPORTS OF RECENT BATTLES.

FRENCH REPORTS OF RECENT BATTLES.
MARSHAL BAzAINE's "GREAT STRATEGIC MOVE
MENT" sUCCEssFUL-THE FRENCH " RETIRE
WITH SMALL LOss-PRUsSIAN Loss HEAVY.
a-. PARIS, Thursday, Aug. Is, 1870.
Official dispatches received here say that the diff
feren battles around Metz fought by the troops
of the Third and Fourth Corps. About 10000 French
troops were engaged. The Prussian loss was very
great and is computed at 10000. The French less is
comparatively small, owing to the aid afforded by
the cannon of the adjacent fortress.
Other teleqams give the following particulars of
the engagements since Sunday last On that day
the French army engaged the Prussians before Metz
The latter suffered heavy losses. The French retired
ON Yerdun. On Monday the Emperor was at Gravel
lotte with 10000 men. Subsequently, engagements
occurred at Longueville and at other places, the
French constantly fighting and retreating-contest-
ing every step. On Tuesday, the Emperor passed
through verdun, and reached Rheims, where he
now is"
The Soir to-day says: 1T was feared that certain
important railway connections to be cut by the
enemy, which would thwart the present movements
of the French army. The General commanding at
Chalons was sent with strong column to prevent
this movement of the Prussans and to assure our
communications. That column arrived in time and
accomplished its mission"
A telegram from Briey, town fourteen miles
northwest Of Metz has the following: An obstl-
nate struggle occurred near Mars lie Tour yesterday
II is supposed the engagement was general. Large
numbers of wounded of both armies are arriving at
Briey Travellers report that vast body of Prns-
slams have been thrown back upon the Moselle by
the Imperial Guard. The Prussian artillery was in
trenched between Briey and Saint Jean"
An official dispatch from Marshal Bazaine dated
o'clock Wednesday afternoon, says:
Yesterday, late in the afternoon, we gave battle
between Doncourt and Vionville. The enemy were
driven hack and we bivOuacked on the positions we
had taken. / halted in my movement for seVerai
hours in order to bring up a full supply OF muni-
TONS We had before us Prince Frederick Charles
and Gen. Steinmetz."
The following additional details of Tuesdays Dat
te near Doncourt and Vionville have been obtained
from official sources
"Prince Frederick Charles attacked our right, and
was firmly met The corps Of Gen. Argand, at ne
zmyile hastened into the action, which ceased only
with night. The Prussians repeatedly attacked U.S.
and were as often repulsed. Toward night Hesh
corps soupht to turn our position, but was beaten
off Our losses are serious. Gen. Battallle is
uoupded. Bys o'clock in the evening the enemy
v,as repulsed along the entire line. He had l|oo"
men engaged"
The following dispatch is not official but is gwen
TO the public by the Ministry:
"VFRpry. Wednesday.-The battle stil continues
m the side of Mars la Tour and seems to be gong III
o,r favor Anumber of wounded French and Prus-
sion so,aiers have been brought into Briey force
of ! ooo Prussians is encamped on the plateau De-
t,veen Briey and Saint Jean. They sent
o,,, couriers. who have entered Briey.
Trustworthy persons who have ariVeu
bere from Mars la Tour speak of heavy engage
ment there yesterday with large portion OF the
prnssian army. which they say was charged Win
great yieor by our cavalry and the Garde
and thrown back ON the Mosele. 1t ls rnmored ,'s'
Gems Battaille and Frossard are badly wounneu'
Thionville still remains in our hands. AfrnSSi''i,
column recently approached too near the towh anu
was saluted with adscharge of artillery. Inc enemy
fell back with precipitation and has since kep' ~ .
respectful distance"
la PafJfe gives the following resume OF inior'a''o
received from its private sources;
The aIpy under Marshal Bazaine, resl'De "p''