The New York herald., 1870-07-23
TIE PRUSs;AN LIsE OF DEFENCE.

ii The news nom Europe Is true that the Ptussians
have retired from their line on the French frontier
and are concentrating at Cobenz and Mayence It
would mply either positive movement by the
French army on their right iank demonsira.
tion In the same direction threatening their line OF
communication While we have nothing more from
France Than the bare fac. OF the army having
entered Germany, IL seems evident that important
stragetic movements have been made aud have been
Thus far successful In forcing the Prussians to un-
cover South Germany In fact, IL we understand the
despatch correctly, the French are now in virtual
possession OF all the territory from Thionvie on the
M0selle, TO Coblenz, ana from Lauterburg to
Mayence. or course 1t is more than probable
that garrisons have been LETT al Treves Landau and
other fortified places; but these will not materially
retard the French advance. During the war of 1866
between Prussia and Austria, the Prussians pushed
forward leaving the lortresses behind and striking
the main army, upon the success of which de-
pended the safety of the isolated garris0ns. Re-
garding our information correct, the Prussians
have most decidedly been oulmanGuvred; but 1t Is
undeniable that they have fallen back upon posi-
ton OF immense natural and artificial strength.
THE NEW DEFENSIVE LINE
begins at CObenz on the Rhine, runs up in a south
east direction to ingen, where 1t continues east by
north to Mayence, or Manz, or Mentz as
it is severally called on the Rhine, op
posite the mouth of the Main river. The
entire distance following the sinuositles OF the
river, is fity.six miles. There is q railroad line on
each bank, that Oh the left passing through
ana continuing down 10 Cologne, and that on the
right bank turning Off at Nieder Lahnselne, and
following the Lain river to Nassau. This, IL seems
to u.s. the present line Of defence for Prussia OF
course the right bank OF the Rhine, through
will be defended, bur at present che scene OF
active operations lies between the points Indicated
COBLENz.
This city, which might be termed the right wing
OF the Prussian line, Is situated the left bank OF
nuence Of those rivers. The name OF the place is a
corruption OF Connuentes, by which the Romans
called it. It Is about seventynve miles northeast OF
Metz by the post road, but is moro than
double that distance by way Of the river, owing
to its snuOsities. Coblenz contains population
Of about twenty thousand souls, and is one Of the
best fortified places in Prussia. The Notifications
surrounding 1t form vast camp capable OF contain
Ing one hundred thousand men, and combine the
systems Of Carnot and Montalembert. Four forts
protect it on the left bank Of the Rhine. The first Is
Fort Kaiser Franz, situated below the town ON the
left bank OF the Mosele, and commanding
all tho approaches from Cologne and
Treves. Above are forts Alexander and
Constantine On the hill Of the Chartreuse tho guns
Of which sweep the roads from Mayence. The fourth
fort is situated over the Hundsruck Mountain.
These forli1cations, with the Fortress OF Ehren-
breitstei.i, Of which mention shall hereafter b,
made, were twenty odd years in rebuilding, after
the downfall Of Napoleon, and cost some
$Aooo,0oo. They arc undoubtedly strong, but