New-York tribune., 1870-08-20

heved there was only division IN front Of us but
you know what the end was a.l o.
1t s difficult to question officers closely 30
keen are yet the suspicious about spies and to ask
whether the French army had suffered defeat
would be TO expose myself to instant expulsion, or
as are collected in the ways have mentioned. Asa
Ffe.chman, bclere Ia the success Of French arms but
Iknow not rhy the Advanced columns have ,eitdrawn
again aader tie tcaus Of the fortress. E ~ ..
"This morning, Monday, there we're reports of
heavy artillery toward Thionville but all Is again
quiet. We only know that Sundays conflict was
not decisive, and that another battle is imminent
The troops are never at rest Maneuvers IN one
direction another going on constantly. Orders
have just been issued THAI civilian shall leave the
city on any pretext.
1.-TWO shots from Fort St. Quentin have just
demolished the head of the Thionville railway
bridge at Metz station. am told that 1t was done
to cut off detachment of 500 Prussians encamped at
Montigny, who attempted 20 cross the Moselle and
were seen from the fort. Montgny is o mile and
quarter distant from Meta. Att this morning two
Prussian cuirassers entered that town; they were
followed by four others. Breakfast was served to
the six, and paid for. They promenaded the town
till O'clock and then withdrew, not only unmo-
Tested by anybody, but carrying off two prsoners-a
st. Cyr pupil and one orderly. This viii give you
some idea of the dash and boldness of the Prussan
cavalry.
Last night we thought we heard the Prussians
shouting victory, notwithstanding the defeat we
believe they suffered But it seems some of their
regiments sing hymns nightly. with accompani-
monts from their military bands-a custom they
have preserved from the battle of Leuthen, where
they advanced to the charge singing Luthers hymn.
They follow it with hurBahs We heard them
distinctly
"The Emperor and his staff, as well as the Prince
Imperial, are at Longueville. As / write there
passes closed carriage escorted by picket of Hus-
sars in command of Captain of the staff. 1t con-
tains Prussian envoy reconducted to his own lines.
Our officers say that he brought request for an
armistice, and admitted that the Prussian losses
were considerable but he did not tell his eTand to
them or to me.D ..
PRUssIAN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE-A TRAIN
OF HEAVY SIEGE GUNS EN- ROUTE TO. FRANCE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNBI
LONDON, Friday, Aug. 49, 1870.
The special correspondent of THE TRIBUNE at Ber-
lin writes on Tuesday Q6th): 1.-THE encounter before
Metz ON Sunday was an attack upon the rear-guard
of the French and the repulse of a sortie from the
fortress by troops of the First East Prussan and
Seventh Westphalia army corps. The commanders
of these two army cOrps-VOn Manteuffel and Won
ZastrOw-having directed the movements, ii is prob
able that the siege of Metz will begin at once. The
siegetran at Magdeburg has left for France already
on Saturday last, and other siege artillery is to
follow it, Strasbourg it is supposed will be beseged
exclusively by South Germans, chiefly Baden troops
An early surrender is, however, anticipated after
the earnestness of the siege shall have been suf-
ciently shown-not so in the case of Metz.
FRENCH REPORTS OF THE BATTLE-THE PRUs-
Ii
MADE IN THEIR RANKS-AN ARMIsTICE
ASKED FOR AND REFUSED. 't
PARIS, Friday, Aug. 10, 1870.
The Figaro to-day gives the following details of the
battle on Sunday:
Half of our army, which was about 100000 strong
were passing the Mosee at that place on one bridge
The Prussans made mistake, and attacked about
an hour too soon. The corps of Gems Ladmirant and
de Jean were able to face the enemy in about half an
hour from the time the first attack was made. The
Prussians had evidently plan of the Notifications
of Metz, but which apparently did not contain any
indication of Fort St. Quentin for in trying to avoid
Fort st. Julien they marched directly toward Fort
ST. Quentin, which, when they came within easy
range opened very destructive fire on Them
In their confusion the Prussians retreated, and
came within range of the guns OF Fort 81.
Julien which also opened increasing the loss OF the
enemy The Prussians then attacked another point
of our position, which was defended by only one
regiment of infantry, and masked battery OF nj
trdilleuses The latter Immediately uncovered, and
made great havoc in the ranks Of the Prussans The
firing ceased at a in the evening, having lasted from
o'clock We had about 600 killed and perhaps as
many wounded. The Prussians sent flag of truce
demanding an armistice for the purpose of burying
the dead. They admitted loss of 5000 killed. The
armistice refused In this battle the First Corps
of the Prussans was commanded by Gen. Manteuffel,
and the Seventh Corps by Count Zastrow. They
had $1,000 infantry, $1,000 cavalry, and 81 guns.