Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-09-03
FROM FRANCE.


! { 81
Semi-OfficiaI-The Struggles around
Mezieres-French Driven West OF
the Meuse Tuesday-Prussian Fol.
low Wednesday, and are Drawn
into a Trap and Repulsed with Se-
riOus Loss.
PARIS, Sept l, midnight. THE Minis
try has just given the following news to
the public: In the absence of official re-
ports from the Generals commanding in
the northeast, and from the multi
tude of telegraphic dispatches received
from various parts of Belgium under date
August 81, from o'clock in the morn
ing until o'clock in the afternoon, are
extracted the following, which bear the
character of probability. On the 30th
inst. series of engagements occurred be-
tween, McMahon's army and the enemy
near the city of Mezieres, lasting
from O'Clock in the morning until s in
the evening. Our troops were attacked
by the Prussians from the woods and
heights of ST. Aune's, a position we had but
recently evacuated and which the enemy
Immediately occupied. rt
The attack, which was vigorous at first,
forced our army to a retrogade move
ment; but we soon, at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, took the offensive against them
and retained it till 7 o'clock in the even
ing, when darkness put an end
10 operations for the night. We
recrossed the Meuss in order to form
again near DaushCry, few miles
east of Mezieres. The engagements
of this first days fighting have cost us
a sensible loss, although we have in
fiicted heavy damage on the Prussians.
The infantry of Marine particularly distin-
guished itself ald performed prodigies of
valor. The Prussians ruined the town of
Masion, in that neighborhood, and killed
most of the inhabitants. On the next day,
the 31st, the Prussians again took the
offensive at z O'Clock in the morning, on
on the left bank of the Meuse, between
the towns of Dousey and Dauchery. Our
forces retreated slowly until Marshal Nc
MahOn had drawn the Prussians into an
angle formed by the ramparts of Sedan
and the heights on the left side of the
river Here the Prussians experienced
very serious losses, and were compelled
on account of the murderous fire, to re-
treat, which they effected about noon,
Withdrawing toward VillemOntry. After
several unsuccessful attempts, they at last
succeeded in placing themselves on the
opposite side of the Meuse. On the morn
ing of the 3lst ult, Gen. Mcmahon
crossed the MOAN. This furnishes direct
confirmation of the dispatches of King
William 10 the Queen, Aug. 81, which
announced that he had repulsed the troops
under command of Mcmahon beyond the
Muese.
Everything seems to indicate that en-
gagements will be renewed to-day, the
first, in the same section of country.
Bazaine Forces First Prussian
Corps into Retreat
ST. BARLE, Sept. 1.-Since yesterday
forenoon Marshal Bazsine's force has
fought the first Prussian corps. The
battle ending in the latters retreat.
Heroic Defence of StrasbOurg.
PARIS, Sept. 2.-Werich Cassaign, COM
mandant atStrasboug, has announced that
even if the city is bombarded day and
night he will continue to hold out against
the enemy. ..
Admissions of the official Journal
PARIS, Sept. lie Journal Officiel
admits that Mcmahon was defeated
Tuesday, but claims that he achieved a
partial success Wednesday.
Prussian Proclamation Against
Bushwhackers.
CLERMoNT, MARGoNB, France, Sept l.
The following proclamation was pub
lished here to-day: Every person taken by
the Prussisns must, in order to be re-
garded as prisoners of war, be actually
French soldier, attached demOnstra bly,
to some flag in an organized corps of
military character, proved by military in
signia, uniform, etc. All others taken
having arms in their possession will be
tried by drumhead court martial, and if
convicted, condemned to at least ten years
hard labor in German prisons.
Five Boats on the Rhine Captured.
PARIS, Sept. 2.-The Project of the
department of the Bias Rhine announces
to the government that on the 2lst of
August the sharpshOtOers, accompanied
by body of customhouse officers, crossed
the Rhine few miles below Strasbourg
and captured five large boats fastened on
the Baden shore. These contained much
valuable property.
CerrObOration of Late Successes
King wilhelm Reported Insane
GEN. DOuay Invades Baden-RO-
mantle Escape ftOm StrasbOurg.
PARIS, Sept. 1.-The Paris journals all
publish letters from correspondents to-
day coroborating the news previously
published of successes to our arms. The
Prussians, however, are so numerous that
battles must be resumed on a vast scale.
Both sides received heavy reinforcements.
1t is asserted that the King of Prussia
is insane and has been taken to Berlin.
1t is reported that a large French army,
under Gen. Douay has entered the terri
tory of Baden.
In Brittany recently $4,000 volunteers
partook of communion IN one day, on the
evening of enrolling themselves in the
army.
1t is said that the old people, women
and children of Strasbourg have been en-
abled to leave the city by means of a
subterranean passage in an old cloister
recently discovered.
The Council of State, of Paris, think of
fixing the price of bread and provisions,
owing to the rapacity of dealers.
Calais and st. Pierre are to be put in a
complete state of defence.
The Paris journals demand the dismissal
of Gen. FaiIly, whose management of his
corps in the recent battles, betrayed great
incapacity. .,u'