New-York tribune., 1870-08-24


through and illuminated the smoke out OF the
cannons' mouths, and the fusees of the shells
left long trains of fire like falling stars. No
general likes fighting by night in ordinary cir
cumstances, for chance takes then the place OF
skill but the fanking movement on the French
right had been resolved ON by daylight, and
it was the necessity of moving troops to q
great distance over difficult ground which de-
layed it's execution and brought about what
seemed renewal of the battle after the day
was done.
NIGHT ATTACK. l.
To leave the French in their positions dur
ing the night, would have been to imperh the
plan on which the Prussian commander had
resolved So from 8, or 81 to 8, the decisive
blow was struck. When the battle OF Grave
lotte had actually ended, we knew that the
Prussians held the strong nights beyond the
Bois de vaux, which command the surround
ing country to the limits of artillery range from
Metz we knew that two great Prussian armies
lay across the only road by which Bazaine
could march to Paris for its relief, or for his
own escape we knew that a victory greater
than that of Sunday, and more decisive than
the triumph of Tuesday, had been won. We
believed that the French army, which had
fought as valantly and as vainly as before,
was now hopelessly shut up in its fortress.
As went back to the village of Gore to
pass the night, turned at the last point to
look upon the battlefield 1t was long
earth bound cloud, with two vast fires OF
burning buildings at either end The day had
been beautiful so far as Nature was concerned,
and the stars now looked down in splendor
upon q work of agony and death such as no
one could ever wish to see again.
The following further particulars are tele-
graphed by the same special correspondent Oh
THE TRIBUNE respecting the battle OF the 18th !;
A reconnaissance made the day previous
Q7th) showed that the French army was re-
treating on Verdun. The column was cut In
two by the advance of the Germans,
and the last part was driven back be-
tween Gravelotte and Metz. 1t was resolved
to attack there as the retreat of the French to YER
dun was cut off. The Germans were posted In q
north east direction from Gravelotte, commanding
the road from Briey to Metz. The Seventh Prusslan
Corps formed the right Of the line Next came the
Eighth posted on the road to Gravelotte; then the
Ninth and Twelfth Corps. The Guards were on the
extreme left. The Third, First, and Tenth Army
Corps was held in reserve. The Fifth was kept up
along the whole line from II o'clock.
THE TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT IS CAPTURED.
The Prussian artillery seemed overpowering, and
the French batteries were gradually driven back on
second line pushed to the left OF the French
line, thinking that their position was abandoned,
but to nv surprise found the enemy was still there
and myself prisoner. OF what happened afterward
can give but little account The caIrnonade was
renewed Oh both Sides lasting till nearly 10 o'clock,
when the French appeared to be retiring, and the
Prussian guns alone maintained their fire.
"Iwas treated kindly by my captOrs who went off
through the woods lost their way in the darkness,
and slept under the trees. While they slept, / es-
capped and reached st. Marie. which was in posses
sion of the Germans. In this village many of the
houses are battered down. Every available spot
was crowded with wounded men. Even the streets
were covered with straw. and the French and Ger
man wounded were lying there in masses together
/ went on foot to Rezonville, where the King had
bivouacked for the night.
Beyond Rezonville the country is stripped bare
No conveyance nor food is TO be had. Metz is COM
pletely surrounded by the Prussian forces. The
Fourth army corps having moved round from the
East to the North the Saxon corps of pioneers has
been sent to the front.
Four Prussian corps will be left about Metz to
carry on the seige The remainder Of the army is to
advance toward Verdun. The Kings headquarters
will be moved in day or two to the southwest.
THE BATTLE OF SUNDAY t14th).
A ABLOODIER BATTLE THAN SADOwA-THE FRENCH
DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR INTRENCHMENTs-THE
SUPERIOR RANGE OF THE CHAssEPOT
ACKNOWLEDGED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNBl
LONDON, Tuesday, Aug. %, 1870.
One of the special correspondents of The TRIBUNE at
Prussian Headquarters sends from COurcelles about
miles f. s. E. of Metz on the railroad to Forbachl
on the 18th inst the following account of the first of
the several battles of last weekthat fought on Sum
day the 14th.
A boodier battle than that ct Koniggratz (Sadowa)
was fought yesterday under the walls OF Metz In
the morning party of Germans had pushed forward
upon the position of the French, who retired as they
advanced. The French subsequently received strong
reainforcements, and intrenched themselves behind
earthworks extending around the city at distance
of two or three miles in circle including the vii
lagos of Borny, Colomberg Moutoy, Nosseville, and
Nouilly. On the side of the Germans, there were
camped in the immediate neghborhood the Seventh
and First Army Corps, which, with the Eighth Army
Corps which was further to the rear along the high
way from ST. Avoid to Metz, formed the first army,
under Gen. Won Steinmetz, which is the extreme
right of the German combined armies.
At about 81 o'clock in the afternoon the French
opened fire upon a regiment of the Germans on the
highway and quickly the whole army corps under Gen
Won Manteuffel and division composed of four reg
iments of the Seventh Army Corps under Gen. Won
Zastrow, became engaged. The number of German
troops thus actually in the battle was 5000 The
French had great deal Of artillery and cavalry;
but the number of troops have been unable to as
certain. The Germans had but little cavalry or ar
tllery
The 4Sd Regiment of Germans, which led the way,