Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-24


an witness--NapOIeOn In tn
Midst OF the Conflict = Terrible
Work of the MitraiIIeuse.
Correspondence of the New York Timesl
SAARBRUoK, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 1870.
But yesterday the valley Of the Saar
although occupied by Prussian soldiers
promised a plentiful vintage and a ga!
autumn to the inhabitants of the pleas
ant towns which aye surrounded by it
verdant slopes. To-day the scene, al
if by enchantment, is entirely trans
formed The French troops with theil
red trousers form the only bright figures
in the landscape. Vineyards and fields
are desolated; the town of Saarbruck il
partially destroyed by the fire of con
tending ar,.ies, and the only animation
is sinister and terrible, for it consists in
preparations for further hostile rencon,
tres and in the passage to and fro OF the
\ ambulance carriages transporting the
sick and wounded to the rear, ready to
be sent to the military hospital.
THE ENGAGEMENT UNEXPECTED.
The attack upon Saarbrpck was appa.
rently wholly unexpected by the Prus
slams. 1t was, III feet, kept q secret
from the French public, the Emperor
reserving toshimself the pleasure Of Civ
ing it one of the theatrical surprises in
which bis uncle, the first Napoleon, was
so prodigal. The newspaper correspon-
dents who arrived on tho field of action
on the previous day, knowing il to be a
point OF interest, although not strongly
fortified, were grati6ed to find them
selves INDUCED with nearer view of the
engagement than they imagined would
be allowed them under the present sys-
TEN of repression of the journals.
The first rumor of the approaching
rencontre came to us from Forbach, at
about nine o'clock in the morning, and
before tea the armies had opened fire.
THE EMPEROR ~ COMMAND.
The Emperor, accompanied b. the
Prince Imperial, commanded the French
troops in person, and from the outset
took prominent Eart in the maneuvers.
The first attack was made bY The artillery,
followed up by a considerable sosoe of
infantry. the artillery dashing onward
with such impstgosity as to carry all be-
fore it. In less than twenty minutes the
Prussians we're dislodged from ttair first
position on the nights above Saarbruck,
but they responded vigorously to the at
tack, and managed " e9yer their retreat
to the rising ground on the opposite side
OF tha town, commanding St Jean, the
name giysa 70 one part of Saarbruck.
Here they took sssbd; under the cover
Of 0 wood, and for more hbGp an hour
both sFmias kept up continual ntiag'
Siiboat gay Important result on either
side The Emperor, algsss followed by
the Young Prince, rode trom q9e baEt OF
the field 10 the other. and finally took up
his position TO she extreme left. where ne
could command the entire valley. This
hour in the fight, although nn5ecislye,
was very terrible At every instant
houses in. Saarbruck were set on FIRE,
while great columns Of damea from the
surrounding woods filled the air.
THE NIrRAILLEUsE BROUGHT TO BEAR
The Emperor, who had given orders
that the mitrailleuse should only be used
TO insure victory, gave the word Of com
mand for its being turned on the enemy
ranks. His majesty directed the first
discharge, the smoke Of which had no
sooner cleared away than the Prnssians
were seen to break ranks with q rapidiiy
more resembling fight than q military
retreat Six times the fearful engine Of