Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-04
News Direct from Metz.

News Direct from Metz.
LONDON, July PA correspondent a
Metz sends the following letter, date,
Sunday night:
When | arrived at Metz, for the frs
time, transport horses were to be found il
numbers They were heavy, strong
looking horses, many Of them grays
They were picketed in large square
their halters tied to the wheels of coun
try wagons. The horses had clearly just
come from the plough, and beside them
lay their ordinary harness. An auxiliary
corps of peasants had been engaged tc
conduct the wagons. They had no uni.
forms, but carried cards in their hats,
denoting the corps 'armee to which they
belonged. tried to get room at the
Hotel de Europe, but was informed that
it was full of Generals and of the Etat.
Major. then applied at the Grand
Hotel de Metz, and WIS told that, al
though they had eighteen Generals, they
would manage to put me up. Upon af-
terwards repeating this speech to the
lady, who appears to manage the Hotel
de Europe, where | again repaired to
inquire for letters, she grew little in
dignant and said she had. more Generals
in her hotel than the madam opposite,
and even she had not eighteen; but then
she was not in the habit of exaggerating
The court-yards of both hotels were
crowded with baggage-carts belonging to
the staff masters.
BAzAINE'S HEADQUARTERS.
Bazaine alone had at least FIVE two
horse wagons marked Marshal Bazaine,
No. |, etc, up to No. 5; not an illiberal
allowance even for marshal Orderlies
and guards crowded the gates; the private
sitting-rooms were turned into offices,
and the calling saloons surrounded with
uniformed men. 1t was quite distinc-
ton to wear plain coat, but by no means
pleasant distinction.
MARCHING ORDERS.
This evening ! took walk with an
acquaintance. He asked me: Do you
observe anything peculiar about the
French officersY' / replied mo" 81
do, he answered; "they are dressed in
marching order; they embrace instead
of bowing when they part; they say an
an reroir and not an adieu. There will
be a march tomorrow. True enough,
when we got to the hotel the staff wagons
were being loaded, and we were informed
that Marshal Bazaine and at least one
division of his corps would set out at
daybreak Marshal Bazaine commands
not only corps d'armee, but the left
wing of the French army
THE GRAND MOVEMENT TODAY.
Ny own belief is that grand move
ment across the frontier will commence
on Wednesday and Thursday. The
center and nearly the whole right, ex-
cept the army of Africa, which is rapidly
coming up, and of which the Eta Major
is already at hand, are now in line be-
tween Bitche and Serregumines. The
left wing, which is immensely strong at
Metz and Thionville, will make for Saar-
Louis and Birckenfel6; the right and
center heading for Kaiserslautern; and |
thus the movement will be along the |
western slopes of the Vosges, although
corps will probably be ordered to move
IN parallel direction along the east of
hat range to watch the Hefiles and to
give warning OF Hank attack by the
Russians. 1t is not unlikely that the
French army will then descend the val
ey of the Nehe, and that the King of
Prussia, IT he is willing to fight at all on
he left bank. will accept battle some
where about Kreutnach, aposition strong
n itself and affording secure retreat
lpon Mayence, the bulwark of Germany,
he standing menace of France
90. -, 80, -, . !
oDD' :" fA,o" VI fhANoh'
With regard TO the chances of success
II the two complaints IN the first battle,
believe the odds to be Immensely in
ayor OF ,frhnGe hor The last twelve
lays she has been massing the whole of
er army on the frontier, andEwithin one |
Il. two marches of Bitche and Sarregue- :
mines. have read of a certain number
{ battalions being sent forward and of
theirs remaining behind; but as far as |
an Judge the French Gge eyaeaaIipg
very garrison en- masse. ! put eight
undred thousand down as the lowest
er his hand and IN complete commNni'