Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1870-09-07
The Franco-Prussian War.

The FrancO-PruSSian War.
The unbroken succession of Prus-
sian victories, which havo followed
each other in rapid succession since
the present war broke out, are very
remarkable. Previous to her rup-
ture with Prussia, France enjoyed
greater military prestige than any
European nation. She had i'm
mense armies, Injured to war by
the practical school of Algiers; Mar
shals whose capabilities for com
mand had been tested in many a
victorious campaign; and imple-
ments Of destruction of new and
novel designs, believed to be more
formidable than those Of any other
power. The prevailing opinion, even
among people familiar with the
modern growth Of Prussia, and par
ticularly with her brilliant Austrian
campaign of 1866, seemed to be that
France would win the struggle; but
what have we seen?-Since the
troops of King William made their
first attack upon the French line,
near the frontier, they have defeat
ed their adversaries in every battle,
and have successfully executed ev-
cry move planned by their leaders,
The French have fought bravely
and stubbornly; but superior num-
bers, splendid courage, and better
generalship have invariably worsted
them.
Another still greater disaster has
befallen the French army. The Ia
test dispatches state that McMahon
and his grand army surrendered on
the I'd inst; that the whole French
army at Sedan, including Emperor
Napoleon, are prisoners of war; that
McMahon is wounded. Napoleon'
who had no command, surrendered
himself to King William, Of Prussia.
1t appears that the battle on Friday,
the I'd, was very bloody-the Prus-
sions using the bayonet with terri
Bile effect. The French left every
thing, flying in every direction
Large numbers of the French es-
capped into Belgium,
1t appears that this fighting last
ed three days; the first day at Beau
mont; the second at Point NANCY;
and the third day Douzy, near Sc.
dan.
Among the numerous dispatches
in the daily papers from the seat of
war we find the following from King
WILLIAM toQueen AUGUSTA of Prus-
sia, dated at at'Sedan, Sept. .:
"a capitulation, whereby the
whole army at Sedan arc prisoners
Of war, has just been concluded with
Gen. Wimpfen, commanding, instead
of Mcmahon, who is wounded. The
Emperor surrendered himself to me,
as he had no command. He left
everything to the Regency at Paris,
His residence l shall appoint after
an interview with him at a rendez,
vous to be fixed Immediately, What
a course of events, with Gods guild.
ance, have taken place"
Tclegrams from Paris received at
London reports that great excite
ment prevails,
Rumors are current Of the recent
disastrous close of the fighting on
the Belgian frontier.
There are also rumors that a Re-
public will be proclaimed, and the
French Committee of Defense will
constitute the Provisional Govern
ment.
The French Ministers have issued
a proclamation in which they state
that Mcmahon, after a heroic strug-
gle for three days against three hun
dred thousand of the enemy, has sur
rendered 10000 men. They state
that this cruel reverse will not shake
their courage. That Paris is in a
complete state of defense, and that
a new army will soon be under the
walls Of Paris, and that another
army is forming on the banks Of
the Loire.
In the battle it is estimated that
the French had 10000 and the
prusaions 01O OO0