The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-07-26

coming near, the Urlaner fred at the
commander of the French, but missed
his mark and turned and fled amid
shower of bullets.
The FIELD OF WAR.-The Northern
boundaries of Franco are Belgium and
Prussia. AS Napoleon has declared war,
he must take the offensive, and cross the
line. There is q small belt of country
between the French line and the Rhine,
which France has long coveted, and
which is now, doubtless, the great object
she has in view. The country along the
Rhine is very dnt rs far South Us Co.
logne. The plains are fertile, and fa-
vorable to the moving rs we'll ns to the
subsisting of armies.
Wesel is the first Prussian stronghold
on the Rhine, and lies on the right bank,
just below the mouth of the Lippe, COM
commenced by Napoleon, and finished
by Prussia. One OF its forts is Blucher,
Mt the head of the Pontoon River The
garrison is 5000 men.
Cologne has a stone bridge over the
Rhine, and is q great railroad centre. It
is, therefore, an important military point.
1t is strongly fortified, and has u garri-
son of 1000 men. With Cologne rs All
objective point, Napoleon would find
several serious natural obstacles in his
way. These are the two rivers Erft and
the Roer, and the Argonne forest.
Luxemburg is at the junction of the
boundary lines Of Belgium, Prussia and
France, and was Hollands strongest
fortress. 1t is n very important strategic
position.
The strongest Prussian defensive point
Oh the Rhine is Ehrenbreitstein, oppo-
site CoblenZ and the mouth Of the Mo-
sclle. 1t is an elaborate fortress, hewn
into rocky bluff, which proudly lifts
itself $40 feet above the right bank Of
the river, and overlooks the West and
South. In 1851, the French captured
the place, and blew up the fort 1t has
since been elaborately repaired, and is
now very strong. Coblenz, just oppo-
site, is likewise on n bluff, and is very
strong. An army Of 100, 600 can encamp
about the city. The two cities are con
nected by strong bridges over the Rhine
Mayence, with Castel just across the
Rhine, forms q very important station
for the defence of the river. 1t is sur
rounded with ~ FASHIONED wall, part new
and part old. Mannheim and Soudou are
historic points, and strong defensive po-
sitions for Prussia.
The broad and fertile plains on either
side of the Rhine from Heidelberg to
Neustadt, and from Black Forest to the
Nosges Mountains, are the special battle
ground of the Rhine, and have been the
theatre of more horrors than civilized
countries are obliged to witness. The
very names of Tilly, Turenne, Meloc and
Louis NV, are execrated by the inhabi-
tnnt of the old Palatinatc, because asso-
ciatcd with the memory of burning cities
and butchcred families.
Rastadt, on the Mnrg. about four miles
East of the kline, is IL strong fortress,
both modern and extensive.
The Black Forest is East Of the Rhine.
and rs difficult of passage as the Nosges
Mountains.
These are some Of the points soon to
have new interest and Importance, and
prove valuable for reference hereafter.
TIE FRENCH Rhine FoKrIFIcArIoSs. -
Prominent among the French towns on
the West bank of the Rhine is Stras-
bonrg, continuing $4,000 inhabitants,
chiefly OF German descent. The fortress
has been lately strengthened, and the
numerous outworks and detached forts,
including tho citadel, render it place OF
great strength. a bridge here crosses
the Rhine, which is strongly fortified on
the French side. Though partially upon
the Rhine, the town lies chiefly upon the
River III, which is also bridged
Further up the III, are Colmar and
Schlettstadt, both strongly fortified and
securing important communications.
Men Brelsach is on the Rhone canal, IL
mile West of the Rhine. It has strong
towers, and Fort Mortier, near that river,
is also strong fortiGcation.
Metz, on tho River Moselle, is the
most important strategic point in the
Eastern part of France, and has most
powerful fortress, which is yet uncom-
pleted. The city contains 10000 inha-
bitants, and q garrison Of 10000 men,
A strong wall with bastions surround it,
and the fortitications at large are con-
structed with due allowance for the
force of modern projectiles. They stand
on four commanding sites. The River
Seille meets the Moselle ut this point,
and, in case of n siege, the water of both
streams can be raised sufficiently to in
undnte the low ground to the South and
South west of the town.
Montmedy, Verdun and Longwy, on
the Rhine, arc all strongly fortified: and