New-York tribune., 1870-08-19
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
p O S T S G RIPT.
THE BATTLE OF WORTH.

EDMOND ABOUT's MISUNDERSTANDING Win
ID MARSHAL M'MAHON AFTER THE BATTLE.
PARIS, Thursday, Aug. fs, lAo
Edmond About describes the scenes after the bat
tie of Worth as follows:
"One solid regiments, who proudly retreat,
while few bad soldiers, disbanded, lost demoral-
ized, and disar1ned throw themselves desperately
into each by-path. I arrived just in time 10 stop
three wretched Turcos, mounted artillery
horses, as they were entering an old quarry
with the hope of making short cut from the field
Our artillery must have been roughly used, 30 many
caissons pass along the road without guns. But here
come or two regiments of the line quite firm, to
erably complete in numbers, rifle on shoulder, and
knapsack on back. Behind them Marshal Nc
Mahon, calm, dignifed, almost smiling and fresh
az a rose. / salute him he passes. He responds
without noticing me. One OF his aids NJ PAlsac
names me. Then the old hero stops and tells me
quite simply the story of his defeat thus: / had
only S5 200 men, and / found 10000 in front OF me-
We have given way before numbers. They
have killed or wounded about 5000 men
But we shall have our revenge. Explain this tO
the public. But where you going in that direc-
tion,P To Saverne, reply. You will be cap
tured. The Prussians will be there in two hours"
says the General = l have my wife and children
there answer. God preserve you. Do not fail
We shake hands.
exchange few pleasant words with NJ. dALac,
and search vainly in the ranks of the staff az it
moves On for the laughing aud kindly face Of NJ dc
Vogue, officer of ordnance This fine young
man, full of promise, killed by o bullet
through the forehead and Gen. ColsOn
with bullet through the heart. Both Of
them were struck down by the side Of the Marshal,
who was reckless of his life. Last comes a regiment
of Turcos the most complete and finest Of the three.
These fellows have not thrown away their
knapsacks nor their arms. One Of the hrst
comes out of the ranks and clasps
a?ound the neck. 1t is Albert Dury, a
fellow journalist, and the excellent fellow begins by
telling me have been 90 your house; it is empty.
All your people safe but you. /, as y0u see
am firm a post. Oh, my poor friends,
What a disaster We will repair it, though
He runs off and disappears in the motley crowd of
his comrades A little further on saw a civilian
dressed in a short coat Of grey velvet who marches
like an officer between two companies Of the line
1t is NJ. Guildran, the artist Of the Illustration an
old friend of the day before yesterday. he carries his
portefolio across his back, and tomorrow morning
at Pfazburg he will no doubt make sketch OF this
shameful retreat.
AT the gates of the Saverne the panic stricken
flying along the railway or are hiding in the gardens;
but some good regiments of the line tramping in
steps through the streets. Their passage calm and
courageous, is not before IL o'clock at night.
These last belong TO the Fifth Corps. They reached
Reichshofen too Late to give battle. find the little
town prey to a panic really fabulous. Marshal
MacMahon arrived there on Saturday night at II
O'clock followed by the remains Of his army, and
preceded by swarm of bTeathless fugitiyes. In
the twinkling of an eye Sayerne saw itself
filled with the First Corps, which the f0s
luckily believed to have retired npon
Bitche. They messed together where they could
those most fortunate, in the houses of their towns
men; those who had brought away their kDapsacks
and camp equipage, under their tents; many upon
the pavements and in the fields under heay yens
Opy. The night was passed in terror. If the enemy
had known how to profit by the opportunity, he
might have made 10000 or 1900 prisoners al QUO
blow. The population was only half reassured by
the presence of troops broken down. starved, and
discOmfi ted. Some families got OF by the mail train
at midday, the last that went from Strasburg.'