New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-02
SKIRMIsHNG ON THE FRONT.

flint G'W's'
SURMISHING ON THE FRONT.
FRENCH FORCES CLOSE TO THE PRUssIANs-THE
FRENCH SOLDIERS STARVING - PRUSSIAN
PATROLS APPROACH THE FRENCH LINES
THE FRENCH ARE bridging TIE sAAE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
LONDON, Monday, Aug. !, 1870.
The special correspondent Of THE TRIBUNE, at
Saarbruc on the Goth ut reports that large French
forces are said to he assembling Immediately behind
the hills; but descrters from them say they have
nothing to eat, and their appearance confirms their
report they are half starved and woebegone. Some
French infantry entered Prussian territory at
O'Clock this morning to dig up potatoes, They were
driven of without any potatoes, and with the loss of
two men. potato-diggng has been attempted at in
torvas all along the frontier
The common belief now as to the plan of cam-
paign is that three armies viii form at points
from Saarbruck southwark; the southernmost to
advance on Suasbourg; the next on Nancy, and
the third to mask Metz, cooperating with the
second.
The French can hardly have been acquainted
with the weakness of the Prussian force in saar-
bruck during the last few days. 1t Is not now so
much at their mercy. The Prussian patrols are
very active and penetrate to the extreme right
and left of the valley. The non-success Of
the enemy's sharp-shoohng encourages them
to go within unnecessarily short distances OF the
FI.Aoh outposts.
A Prussian party made their way yesterday along
An open marching space below the woods which
stretch to the French camp, when some Cbasseuis
burst ont of the wood within 50 yards shooting
The Prussian party made off as fast as they could,
the Frenchmen firing at them behind. This is the
worst exhibition yet of French unsteadi-
ness aud want of self-restralnt. If the
Chasseurs could have remained quiet minute or
two longer they might have destroyed OF made pris-
onefs Of the whole party Even when they had
nothing to do but take good aim at the flying horse
men from 80 yards onward, they did not succeed in
hitting their bodies Three shots were received III
different parts of mems equipments. Bodies OF III
fantry are continually going out to reconnoiter.
The same correspondent on the Goth ult, says that
the Prussian patrols, during the night had suffered
more severely than usual. One party was surprised
by the French concealed in wood who suddenly
fred upon them, wounding a Uhlan and fuseer of
the second battalion Of the 10th. Two other men
were wounded in the different patrols
The French are building a bridge over the Saar,
between Grossblittersdorf and Huckweiler, near
Saareguemines The work done yesterday on top Of
the hill turns out to be protected battery Two
cannon have appeared there. Fighting is expected
in the course of day OF two.
FRENCH GUNS NEAR TIE PRUSsIAN FRONT.
SIX FRENCH HECEs ON NEIGHBoRNG HILL
COMPARISON OF FRENCH AND PRUSSIAN
SHOOTING.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
LONDON, Monday, Aug. l, 1870
The special correspondent of THE TRIBUNE writes
from Saai bruck ON the 2Sth ut. that a company OF
infantry and squadron of Uhans entered that
town On that morning About 80 of the infantry had
gone out to reconnoer The report of 30 or 40 Prus-
sian infantry from Saarlouis having discounted
asquadron Of cavalry.an three companies OF IN
fantry is confirmed.
The owner of a mill near Ludweiden, where the
Skirmsh took place, came into town on the %th
with intelligence that six French pieces of artillery
had appeared on top OF neghb0ing hill. This Is
the first artillery SEEN
Prince Frederick Charles is expected at kreuz-
mach, and the Crown-Prince at Kaisersautern.
From the top of the hill behind Saarbruck, where
the Prssian picket u.s. can hear the French band
playing. The French shoot at any Prussian who
walks along Forbacb road At half mile
out Of town, one has to look out" III
the shooting of the last few days is any ndi-
cation of the general character Of French and
Frussian shooting, may expect to hear that the
French with plenty of time TO aim, make very fair
shooting up to surprisingly long distances but that
IN rapid firing they are very Wild. The Prussians
Oh The other hand, will not even attempt shooting
al long ranges, but at ranges suited 10 their guns
under 90 yards-are steady and certain marksnen
The artillery hiring of the French on that day was
very good
PRUSsIAN MOVEMENTS.
THE PURPOSE or THE PRUssIANs TO ENTER
FRAECE-AMERIcAN FAMILIES CANNOT GET