Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-31
" MEMPHIS TENN. WEDNESDAY EVENING AUGUST 81 1870

the Imperial French Guards and the
Royal Guards Of Prussia, together with
other select regiments of renown, and
every foot of ground for ten weary hours
was fought over with the most heroic
desperation But this was only the first
act of the drama which was to develop
itself rapidly enough. On the next day,
August II, all was quiet, and rest and
only rest seemed to be thought of by
both armies. They were completely ex-
hausted with the unparalleled fighting
during the last few days. But on the
18th they had gathered strength again to
fight the largest and most terrible battle
of this already sanguinary war, the great
battle of Rezonville, The French had
thrown up earthworks of every descrip-
ton toward Gravellotte and Rezonville,
down to the very neighborhood Of the
German line of pickets, and had at early
daybreak already occupied in force all
the nights and every point Of import
ance of their position, ready for battle.
The challenge was promptly accepted
by the Germans, and terrible artillery
fight commenced, which lasted all the
morning Toward midday the French
guns bad been silenced on the French
right wing, near Gravelotte, which ena-
bled Prince Frederick Charles to ad-
vance. He did so at once, and attacked
the enemy's batteries by his cavalry.
Soon afterward the fight extended to the
whole line, and infantry, artillery and
cavalry were equally engaged on the
most extensive scale. The French and
Germans seem to have been possessed
by but one spirit-that of mutual exter-
mination. uE
More than 10000 men were left wound
ed and dying on the battlefield Whole
cavalry regiments were moved down in
storming French batteries, and the I'm
perial Guard silently closed its dwind-
ling ranks again and again to hold their
ground against the onslaught of the Sax
on and Prussian guards, but in vain;
and when night set in the Germans were
glad to see their valiant foes retire slow
ly and step by step always fighting,
once more into Metz and its forti6ca
tons. % N
No prisoners seem to have been made
in this battle by either side; it was clear
ly death or victory to both.
This was the last battle fought, and
since then the movements fboth armies
have been directed exclusively towards
concentration before attempting any new
movement Of importance, We have al
ready pointed out that after collecting
all facts and rumors, and drawing there
from conclusions, the probable position
of General Mcmahon is at this time be-
tween st. Menehould, Clermont, and
Grand-Pre, and that of Marshal Bazaine
between Verdun, Etain, and Montnedy,
with reserves at Rheims, where the EN-
peror has his headquarters 1t is most
safe position, inasmuch as the country
is mountainous and easily to be defened
The mountains, to be sure, are not very
high, no more than from twelve to fifteen
hundred feet above the level of the sea,
but they are of such formation that
they form steep, rocky hill-sides, and
deep ravines and gorges easily defensi-
BILE; and for this reason they had been
chosen in 1892 as defensible position
by the French republic against the allies
on their march to Paris, and again in
1914 by Napoleon |. against the Holy
Alliance. In 1892 it was principally the
eastern part of the Champagne which
formed the battle ground, but in 1914 it
was the western part; and the whole
country thereabouts is well known to the
military authorities of both France and
Germany.
Altogether there is no doubt that now,
after the battles around Metz and the |
line of the Mosele have once more gone |
against the French, the third line of de-
fense behind the Meuse and in the Ar
gonnes around Rheims has been taken
up, that the next series of battles will |
be fought between Rheims, Verdun, and
Chalons, or south Of it, should the Ger
man armies advance through the open
country there without giving battle.
This however, we doubt and are in
clined to think that King William and
his generals will turn northward toward
Verdun and give battle somewhere be-
tween that place and Menehould.
Peace mediations are again spoken of
freely, and it is said that Russia, Eng
land, Austria and Italy have Joined to
propose peace terms to both govern
ments We do not think, however, that
they will amount to much, for neither
France nor Germany, who are fighting
this war entirely upon the strength of
their own resources, and without allies,
would listen to mediation, more particu-
larly as all parties named are more or
less interested The United States
is the only country acceptable as
a mediator, and may God grant that our
republic should thus become the benefac-
tress of she poor, suffering people of
Europe While writing the above, news
reaches us of an advance of the entire
Prussian line in the direction of Bar-le-
Due and Chslons. Indeed, if we are to
believe these rpmors, for after all they
are nothing else, and come, as usual,
via England, then the Prus-
sian advance guard has already reached
Sezannes, only some 70 miles from Paris, ,
and Chalons is already in possession of
the Prussians. There are further rumors
Of large battle going on between Yer
dun and St Menehould If this be cor
rect, ibep Mcmahon is at work there bat
tering sway upon the rsar 1f TIE Crown
Prince or the advance Of Prince Fred
eric Charles, and it is then very possible
that the next series of battles for the fur
ther eyperience of France as a first
class power has already commenced.
We refrain from further speculation as !
premature.
A faiif6rnia paper tells the following Q