Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-08-16
French and Prussians.


There is no means of arriving at any satisfac-
tory conclusions in reference to the late battle
between the French and Prussians, farther than
that the Prussians we're the victors-the loss
suffered by the parties respectively is not given
definitely. 1t is known that both parties lost
heavily, but it is not known which lost the
more 1t is known, too, that the Prussians
engaged greatly outnumbered the French. The
Prussians won success by overwhelming forces.
Since the battle of Woerth ON Saturday, the
9th, there has been no battle, though terrific
battle is now daily expected. A London de-
spatch dated the 18th says: ..1
st is said the Prussians have outnumbered
the French in every engagement The French
claim that at Weissenburg 5000 men checked
1000 Prussians with 100 guns for four hours.
losing 1000, while the enemy lost 10000. Also
that Mcmahon at Woerth had only 49,
900 men against 90, 00Germans, yet the French
only yielded when 100, 900 more germans were
hurled upon Them gs
Gen. Mcmahon report to the Emperor says
that the Prussians in greatly superior numbers
began the attack at o clock on Saturday morn
ing. The first attack having been repulsed, a.
throwing forward numbers of sharp-shooters,
protected by six guns In commanding position:
Masses Of infantry were then brought up, and
at o'clock in the afternoon Mcmahon was
forced to order retreat, which was effected in
good order, the enemy S pursuit being without
Vigor and by no means troublesome.
Private letters say that Marshal McNIahon S
treasure chest, containing 100000 francs in
gold, was captured by the Prussians.
The London Times says the pride Of France
is wounded and her prestige dimmed. Who
brought this on her must suffer for it. Victori-
Gus Or discrowned is Napoleon alternative on
the next battlefield. So
Napoleon declared his purpose to return to
Paris victorious or dead The London Ec-
anliner says Napoleon adopted the course most
worthy of his name and of the gravity of the
situation. Reused from indolent indecision by
| stunning blow, he attains to the greatness oil
the situation in presence Of peril unspeakable
| to himself his family, and the proud nation
which SO lately reinvested him with kingly power.
Laying aside conventionalities, he tells France
! ner uangeT. anu tXlOftS utr W liie IeSEue, uOs
| for his sake but for her own.
| The German forces between Rastadt and
Cologne are said to number in the aggregate
80, 900 men.
According to the Paris Steele 100000 Ger
man soldiers are now in Lorraine.
The Queen Of Prussia announces that she vii
take personal charge Of the wounded of bott
nations, and that their treatment shall be iden
teal. French prisoners, as they pass through
the railway stations, receive nothing but kind
ness The citizens and volunteers give them
refreshments, cigars, &C., and ladies enter ths
cars, and, going from man to man, offer then
paper and pencil and volunteer to write to thei
friends for them.
?. S. The entire French line has fallen back
Metz and Nancy have been evacuated, and tht
French army now occupies the west bank Of tn,
Moselle Part of the Prussian forces, unde
the Crown Prince, occupied Nancy on Satur
day. Another part bombarded Strasbourg OF
4 Friday and Saturday last with red hot shot.
At the close Of the second days bombardmen
the besieged are said to have asked for par
ley, and were given torty-eight hours to decid'
whether they would surrender.