Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-08-24
A REVIEW OF THE WEEK.

lew days. we Go not consider the engage
ments of Tuesday or Wednesday general
engagements. There was unquestionably
some desperate fighting, but it was in the
main such as we would naturally expect
from the vigorous and rapid pursuit made
by the victorious Germans. Beginning
with the first battle about Metz it seems
that ever since the two armies have fought
continuously persistently, and desper-
ately.
NapOleon's first bulletin of Sundays
conflict admitted that his army in cross
ing to the left bank of the Moselle were
: surprised to find the Prussans there in
force. Though claiming to have repulsed
them subsequent events show that he was
worsted.
But, while the retreat of the French to-
e wards Verdun was intercepted on Monday,
it now appears that the result of Tuesday
and Wednesdays battles was to effect di-
vision of the army. 1t will appear from
this mornings dispatches that in Fridays
engagement the French army was fairly
defeated and completely divided. A por
ton oft has been driven back upon Metz,
ia tlIe language of King William, having
been first totally routed. In this critical
situation, with the Germans numerically
superior elated with their uninterrupted
series of successes, and fully approaching
the advantages they now enjoy, we may
rest assured that Napoleon will be given
little time for recuperatng. With his ar
my divided part oft defeated and driven
back upon Metz in the face of the rein
forcements constantly being forwarded to
King William, and with the other part
discomfitted by repeated reverses and pur-
sued 10y the larger part of the Prussian ar
my towards Paris, we may expect con-
tinuation of the struggles we have chroni-
ced during the past week. p g'a ,ra
We have been furnished, with many re-
ports of French success, but they have no
substantial foundation. The march of the
Germans has been, comparatively speak
ing, uninterrupted. Though not always as
successful as they hoped, their combina-
tons have, in the main, been fully carried
out and the campaign is, as a whole, with
out parallel in the history of military
operations.
1t has been suggested that the danger to
the Germans Is increased with every mile
they advance into the French territory.
We cannot think that General whose
whole military history has been as brilliant
and unclouded as Moltke's will forget the
very first principle of military science. His
base of supplies is neither long nor eX-
posed. His army is being constantly and
rapidly reinforced and inspired with daily
successes such as would shed glory upon
any army ever marshaled. We need not
fear that he will lead it into dangers not
fully comprehended or prepared for We
have every reason 10 expect for the coming
week events quite as exciting and decisive
rs those of the past.
Our advices this morning serve to eX-
plain and make more satisfactory the con-
fiicting and unintelligible dispatches OF
last weeks battles about Metz. 1t seems
now from the official dispatches published
in Berlin, that the main object of the des-
perate struggles of Sunday, Tuesday, We'd
nesday and Friday of last week, on the
part of Moltke, has been finally accom-
plished and Bazaine's army defeated and
out generated, is at last forced back into
Metz The original plan of Won Moltke
can now be carried out. Bazaine's army
forced into Metz can he masked by a few
corps, as We're the Austrians at Konigratz
in the celebrated campaign of 1866. Thi'
would release say the army of Gen. Stein
metz to join the Crown Prince in a CRANE
forward movement on Paris
The latter commander seems to be abou
Barbecue, an important point midwa.
on the important line of railroad from
Nancy to ChalonS. His troops (probabl!
cavalry are reported in Paris to be a
Chaumont and ChatiIlon, both importan
railroad centers. This cavalry is probabl.
destroying the railroad running out from
Paris, SO as to completely cut off all com
munication with Bazaine.
The news from Paris shows tina
General Trochu is preparing for
siege. 1t is evidently expected. tn
army of the Crown Prince is prObabl
1000 strong. II will be Joined bya larg
portion of the armies engaged last week i
driving back and weakening the army {
Bazaine. The two armies together rein
forced by new troops daily forwarded froI
Prussia, will be able, we should think, [
f,,II ".