The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-18


are of one hundred thalers only, and
in very many cases they are at once
presented 20 charitable Institutions,
or destined for Orphans which the war
will produce.
As yet there is no prospect of Prus-
sia initiating the example of France
and stopping the conversion of the
notes of the Bank of Prussia.
The prices of provisions, especially
corn, are going down.
As yet, the magnificent harvest has
the start of the war.
The reported subscription of S0.-
e00, 600 at Hamburg was mistaken for
5000 900
Oar special from Chalons writes on
Sunday, that ten thousand wounded
are being brought into camp. The
town and camp present a scene of
riotous disorders and dissipation; the
soldiers are shouting and drinking;
the cafe and streets are flied with
prostitutes, and there is no restraint
of order or decency among the officers
or soldiers. If another battle is lost
il will be massacre.
Our special writes from Ohalons on
AO Dy MulOu L
tempted to 20 to Metz found the line
cut at Pont a.Mousson, and returned
with the Fourteenth Regiment, which
was ordered to Metz.
g Z" The reports of, disturbances in
Paris have unsettled the Gdrde no
bile, half of whom would break away
and return, In case of a revolution.
"The regular army is still true to the
Emperor, but nobody else.
1.-The advance of the Prussians
beyond Metz is known, but a great
force will remain there.
- cannot understand the notion of
having q battle here in the ciecum-
stances. Chalons is not a defensible
position against superior forces, it
being simply an immense level plain.
The camp is not entrenched, and
there are no works in construction,
nor officers permanently commanding;
but whoever among theGsnerals pass
ing through happens to be senior in
rank, is commander while he stays,
and changes are made almost daily"
The same correspondent writes. on
Monday, that the Pont- a-Mousson af-
fair was serious. Six or seven trains
we're started from Chalons for Metz
in rapid succession, carrying about
q, 900 soldiers. comprising three in
fantry regiments and some artillery.
Near Pont a-Mousson. they found the
railway cut, and the Prussian artille-
~ opened on the trains, which moved
back as rapidly as possible, but q pan
ic began, and though only two men
were killed, many jumped. from the
trains, while moving rapldly. TIE
trains finally got away without much
loss.
Dispatches received to. day at the
Prussian embassy, In London, confirm
the Prussian success on Sunday. al
ready reported, but do not throw much
light on the subsequent events.
No kilograms have been received in
London, up to midnight. Wednesday,
that clearly explain the movements
of the last three days.
The French accounts are extremely
vague, but indicate that the dividing
councils and changing plans have
constantly embarrassed and endan-
gered the French retreat.
Our dispatches from Chalons, al
ready telegraphed you. proves that
the troops were pushed forward from
Chalons toward Metz, down TO Satur-
day night. when the trains were stop
ped aud fired on at Pont- -MoussoD.
On Sunday the PrussiaDs found the
French still in great force uuder the
wall of Metz. Since Sunday no
considerable battle is known to
have been fought any where,
but the French reports of the checks
to the PrussiaDs west of the MOselle,
whether true or false, coincide with
Bazaine's retrograde movements. In
the absence of Prussian kilograms.
there is nothing to show what forces,
either Prussian or French, remain
near Metz, but there can be little
doubt that Bazaine, after hesitating
until it was almost too late.
has Withdrawn the main body of
the French Army westward, and
that the Prussian forces have har-
rassed his retreat by unremitting at
tacks on his fanks and rear. In
such circumstances no general or de-
cisiye engagement should be fought,
unless the Prussians had moved rap
pidly enough to cut off the French re-
treat. They seem to have crossed the
Moselle both above and below Metz,
large forces remrining at the same
time before Metz. and there is no
known basis for Palikao's statement
in the Corps Legislatif, that the Prus
sian attempt TO cut off Bazaine had
failed, for there is no evidence that il
had been made In such force as to
eompeI Bszaine to choose between
Abandoning the direct line to Chalons
and fighting battle. The latest &C
counts place him at Etaine, but the
French appear to have no in
formation as to the disposition
or the strength of the Prussian
columns threatening his march. If
it be true, as the French give out, that
Metz is held by a mere garrison, 1t
NAV be many days before battle can
be forced by the Prussians or accept
ed by the French at any point west OF
Metz: In the meantime, there is likely
to be, as during the past three days, a
continued succession of encounters
between the heads of the Prussian
columns and rear guard of the
French.
Our special correspondent writes
from Hamburg Sunday, that the Sec
ond division of the French fleet was
seen two miles west and southwest of
Haligoland, steering west.
The German feet at Aux Haven
and Wilhelms Haven put to sea, and
canuonading has since been heard.
The French delays are unaccounta.
able. They might have taken Aux
Haven. completely commanding the
entrance to the Elbe, but it is now
well fortified.
The Elbe is not being blockaded,
and vessels arrive daily.
A merchant vessel in attempting
to enter Wilhelms Haven, was sunk
By torpedo.
Washington Items.