Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-08-22
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
MONDAY, AUGUST p, 1870.

from Europe and TO gleau lIom LIZ couuaoiS
torv statements any clear idea of the exact
state of affairs in regard to the progress Of the
war, is difficult task The Grown Prince is
said to be at Vitry.le Francais, a fortified town
of France, on the Paris and Strasburg rail-
road about one hundred miles in direct
line from Paris. Pfalzburg is reported to have
capitulated to the Prussian forces on Satur-
day. The Prince Royal is said to be at St.
Michael, about forty miles cas-! of Fitry and
near the line of the Paris and Strasburg rail.
road. A great battle between his army and
that of Marshal Mcmahon is predicted as the
camp at Chalons is said 20 be broken and the
soldiers marching for battle Another dispatch
says decisive battle is expected, hourly be
tween Marshal McMahon and the Crown
Prince, at Vitry. A Prussian force is also said
to be at Chation, fifty miles south Of Vitry lie
Francois. Meanwhile Marshal Bazaine re,
mains in Metz On Thursday last, after
desperate battle of ten hours duration, the
Prussians claim that Marshal Bazaine was cut
off from Paris and thrown back upon Metz. King
William in bis dispatch relating to the battle
claims that be completed: defeated the French
and took the garrison (what garrison is not
stately prisoners. On the other hand the truth
of the Prussian dispatch is met by fat con-
tradicton on the part of the French Minister
Of War, who said in the presence Of the Corps
Legisla,if, 1.-THE Prussians assert that they
were "victorious on the 18th. l affirm to the
CONTRARY. :; They were repulsed and
driven into the quarries of Jaumont." The
second dispatch of King William announcing
en- attack upon and the total rout CT the
French forces under Marshal Bazaine on the
10Th (Friday,) after combat of nine hours
duration is not denied and the belief in its
correctness is general. Since Sunday, 18th
inst, there seems 10 have been daily conflicts,
the possession OF the field of battle often
changing. The battles have been fought on
linc thirty miles in length, extending from
Gravelotte, ten miles northeast OF Metz, to
the neighborhood Of Bar le Due ia a south
westerly direction. The battles in the vicinity
of Bar lie DUO have been fought by the Crowu
Prince against the corps OF Marshals hlcMahon
and Faiily. and those around and to the west,
ward OF Me,z by the centre AID right OF he
army, commanded by Won Steiumrz and
Prince Frederick Charles, against the main
body Of the French army under Marshal
Bszaine.
From the numerous dispatches We extract
the following relating to the war:
Statements from London assert that the Eng
lish Government has offered its service as
mediator of peace, the Queen having written an
autograph letter to King William. THE de
position oil Napoleon and the recession Of Alssce
and Lorraine to Prussia are regarded favoraby
in England" Austria will, it is said, unite
in an attempt to save Paris.
A London dispatch says that on Saturday
afternoon, the people ~ Paris became appriscd
oftbe defeat of the French army and an i'm:
mense excitement was aroused. They refused
to any longer believe the statements OF the
Ministers regarding field operations, and Rev
dictionary and Orleanist demonstrations were
openly made on the Boulevards.
1t is again reported that the garrison at
Strasbure has been summoned to surrender
while q succeeding dispatch states that the
garrison made another sorte recently, which
took the besiegers by surprise, killing and cap.
turing large number and then Immediately
following we are told that the bombardment OF
Strasburg has been renewed.
Private letters describe the conduct of Mar
shall Canrobert, who took part 10 the battle Of
Doncourt, as heroic in the extreme. During
the entire day he placed himself 10 the front
and personally headed the CHARGES of his troops.
His aid de-camp, lad an arm shot off while by
the Marshas side.
Strong bodies Of McMahon's corps are said
to be moving into the Vosges mountains.
The Prussiau losses during the battles of
Tuesday, Wednesday aud Thursday are esti-
mated by the Paris Presse at $4,000, and the
French losses are estimated by London dis.
patches from Pont a Mousson at the same FIX.
ures.
While all sorts of stories are telegraphed
about the Empress-of her whereabouts and in
tentions it turns out that she is still in Paris,
busiy occupied in making preparations for the
succor of the wounded.
The Paris Figaro asserts that Marshal Ba
zaine is not surrounded at Metz, but has
changed bis plan, as events will soon show.
Paris is said to be supplied with provisions
and ammunition enough to stand a six months
serge.
Report states that the mitrailleause bate
ries which destroyed o regiment of Prussan
cavalry was commanded by General lie Beuf.
A London dispatch announces that Pals.
burg, in the Vosges, captu!atcd on Saturday
to the Wurtemburg army.
Napoleon and tho Prince Imperial were at
Chalons on Saturday.
The case of ex Attorney General Bowden
was called in Richmond on Saturday when
capius, served on the accused to answer at
the next term of the Hastings Court were di
cided, by the Police Justice, TO be void and
then an examination proceeded with and the
case continued until Wednesday next, the &C,
cused being admitted to bail in the sum of
$4,000.
It seems that The magnificent forest, the
oride and glory Of Paris, the Bots de Boulogne,
s..k L,t mill he only In nasa