New-York tribune., 1870-08-22


nation; but the French by this time had reinforced
their defense more strongly than the Prussians had
their attack and they still outnumbered their assail-
ants and steadily maintained the second line which
they had occupied.
"As the different divisions of the Prussian army
came into position they attacked forcbly, but
repeatedly driven back with heavy loss The strug-
gle lasted, with varying fortunes on different por-
tiOns of the lines until o'clock. Up to that hour
the French held their ground.
THE above dispatch reached to O'Clock
The remainder will be published in PostscriPtI
CONFIRMATION OF THE PRUssIAN ACCOUNTS OF
Tuesdays BATTLE-BAZAINE's RETREAT CUT
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNBl
LONDON Aug. 81, 1870.
King Williams dispatch dated at o. Thursday eve
ming. was received in London last night 1t CON-
pletely confirms the Prussian accounts of the pre-
vious battle on Tuesday Bazaine's affirmation that
he remained master of the ground may have been
partly true, without diminishing the extent of the
French disaster What the French fought for both
on Tuesday and Thursday was a chance to retreat.
1t was doubtful yesterday whether Tuesdays battle
might not have left them in possession Of the north
ernmOst road from Metz to Verdun, OF in position
and force strong enough to renew the struggle for
passage to Verdun. If not utterly beaten Tuesday,
Bazane was bound to renew the battle Immediately
since Pruss1an reGnforcements were hourly coming
up, while to him no fresh strength could arrive.
Nothing is any longer doubtful Instead of Ba-
zane trying once more to cut his way through, it is
the Prussians who recOmmence. 1--WE attacked the
French" says King William, occupying strong
position west of Metz, and after nine hours
fighting completely defeated tSem, cut off their com
munications with Paris, and drove them back upon
Metz Such a blow is decisive as Tuesday the
French were facing West and the Prussians East.
Prince Frederick Steinmez, and the reserves under
King William himself lie across the road to Paris,
while between them and that city there is nothing
but fresh levies unorganized and the Garde Mobile
which is mere raw material for soldiers. And the
Crown Prince is still to be heard from. G.w.s
DISPATCH FROM KING wILLIAM-A BATTLE OF
NINE HOURS - BAZAINE's COMMUNICATIONS
BERLIN, Aug. 81, 1870
Rezonville, was received by the Queen yesterday
'The French army were west of Metz, theirposition
very strong. My command, after a combat of nine
hours totally defeated the French army and inter
cepted their communication with Paris and drove
them back upon Metz"
telegram from Point-a-Mousson, August 10, re-
ports
Yesterday the Prussians won a brilliant victory
near Gravellotte. The French were expelled from
every position they held, thrown back upon Metz,
and confined to a territory around that Tor
tification They are completely cut off from Paris.
The Twelfth Prussian Army Corps holds the railways
from Metz to Thionville The Prussian losses have
been heavy"
There is great JOY at Hamburg, Berlin, and Frank
fort over the recent Prussian victories. Ilumina-
tions and professions are the features of the occa-
sion. At Frankfort the American Consul was en-
Enthusiastically cheered.
The Saxon troops engaged in the battle of Thurs
day fought all the afternoon and met with com
plete success, taking many prisoners. The Second
Third. Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Twelfth Army
Corps and the Prussian Guards bore the brunt OF the
battle.
A dispatch received from Point-a-Mousson to-day
says French prisoners continue TO pour into that
place On Saturday night 1000 privates and S6 officers
arrived and to-day more soldiers and "a officers were
brought in, among the latter Gen. Plombin. The
loss of the French during the week cannot be less
than $4,000 killed, wounded, and missing At Cour-
Giles Vionville and Gravellotte, they are known to
have lost 5000 in each battle including at the latter
place 1900 prisoners.
FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORTS COUNT PALIKA0
royrRAprcTs THE PRUssIAN ACCoUNTs-A
FRENCH VICTORY CLAIMED.
PARIS, Aug. 21, 1870.
In the Corps L6gislstif yesterday, the Count de
Palikao, Minister of War; made the following state
ment:
"Tbe prussians assert that they were victorious on
the 18th. affirm the contrary. / have communi-
Gated dispatch TO several of the Deputies showing
that three Prussian army corps united and attacked
Marshal Bazaine. They were repulsed and dnVen
into the ouarries of Janmout. My reserve about
tbis dspatch will be understood. Ineed not mention
the small advantage gained near Bar-le-Duc. we
are now actively completing the fortifcation OF
Paris. In few days all will be assured"
Unofficial reports state that Marshal Bazalne'
whose retreat the Prussians say they have stopped
IS on the contrary, in position enabling him to
support the French either at Metz or Verdun
ing to circumstances. He still keeps bis plans ana
movements profoundly secret.
The Journal des Debate says that, at the battle re-
ferred TO by Count Palkao in his statement TO the
Corns Legislatif yesterday, one French regiment
boId 1, check the Prussian force, thus enabling Mar
shol Bazaine 10 execute q flank movement and re-
- .bo enernv with great loss. IL is also reported