The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-24

evening since the commencement OF the war They
there discuss coffee. the chasSe care local gossip
war news and the fragrant weed. On the same ter
race, sitting OF table not within hearing, the cor
respondents OF the English press have usually met
to 'pump' each other OF the news which with DIM
Guilty, In spite OF the ynxeyed severity OF the au
thorities. has been obtained during the day, and
thus transmitted for wonder-lovlng John Bull.
0MIN0Us soUNDs-TRANs LOADED WITH The
WOUNDED.
was sitting there on Saturday night. About ten
O'Clock the movement OF vehicles toward the rail-
way station was q sure sign that something OF I'M
portance had occurred. On arriving at the railway
strange scene presented Itself. The neignb0rhood
OF the station was crowded with Messins and
Messines attracted thtther by a morbid desire TO
witness the arrival OF the wounded. The roadway
was rendered impossible by thousands OF the ex-
cited population, who the departure and arrival
side, stared with establishment at the small. natty
ambulance carts. drawn by single horse, and con-
structed each to contain two unfortunate suffering
atoms OF mortality. as, stretched side by side Ga
comfortably arranged mattresses ana pillows
writhing In agony, but protected from the weather
by canvas awning, they would be conveyed to
hospital. These carts, on two wheels, which ride
easily on springs and contain only two wounded
soldiers and driver, are singularly well contrived
Then there were the larger carts, drawn by four
saddles, suspended to either side Of which were
light iron bedsteads that, when not in use, could
be folded up into compact form, but when required
could be let down in second, thus arordlng COM
Portable means of conveyance for two men in re-
Ginning position.
These sure-footed animals are conducted by SOL
ders Of the military train who appear strongly at
tached to them Both men and beasts have but
landed few days since from Algeria. brigadier
OF the corps. shrewd, intelligent fellow. with
bronzed complexl0 said: -"We only received the
order In Algeria on the 28th of last month to leave
for France, and here We are on the Sth instant at
Metz In readiness to fulfil our MISSION"
1t was splendid starlight night. Under the
shadow OF the railway station were the ambulances
and the pack mules; without the ratings was a
cavalry bv0uac. Railway trucks, laden with bran
new canon OF large calibre, shining like new pen
niles and destined FOR the Notifications Of Metz
which, iftruth must be told not complete, formed
the back ground. So sure have AL, both mill
tary and civilians felt that the Prussans would act
entirely on the defensive and had Withdrawn from
the frontier thai 70 complete tne deiences Of this
stronghold no Immediate steps nave been taken.
Eleven O'cl0ck-midnight struck-but the train
OF wounded came not. People looked an xiOusly at
each other, and inquired II any accident mad hap
pened. The rumors winch had been current that
the Prussians mad been driven back: that 10000 or
the enemy, or. according to some, ~ 0Oo had been
surrounded by MacMan0n IN q wood, TO winch he
had set fire, were doubted by no One but IL Was ad
United on oil hands that the French must have had
many wounded. Where we.e theyr Why did they
not Gomez Their arrival would be worth seeing-a
sensation for the moment. Time wore on anu the
At last teegraphic despatch arrived from q sta
ton between Metz and FOrbach:-.nend down
more trains-the line interrupted" Still the crowds
remained In anxious expectation. There was with.
out doubt, some announcement the line; but
that would soon be rghted and then the tram would
agony. Tne expecta1t and excited People gazed
down the line to catch the first glimpse OF the long
delayed train, put It came not. There were still
the bearers OF the wounded on the railway
PLATFORM. sleeping soundy on the stretchers on
which the mutllated bodies of wars victims would
soon be borne, and come OF the sightseers went
INTO the railway BAR eat. drank, smoked sang tile
the Time Others slept on the stone steps or benches
oil the station, or bought glasses OF VINE and bad
cigars from an itinerant vender who was CUE
enough not 10 let slip tits midnight opportunity OF
bringing grist to his mill. We were mot ey crew,
composed OF military officers, correspondents ladies'
OF fair fame and c0coUes OF none at ALL
NEWS FROM THE FRONT.
Later an artist OF all illustrated french newspaper
| bach. How he had ever reached Metz with whole
bones and unbr0ken skin was 10 his hearers and
himself mystery. He had heard awful cannonad-
| ing from O'Clock until seven O'Clock p. M. He
and friends had crOuched IN the bottom or their
| riage to avoid the balls. The russians had taken
| Saarbruck, and Us for ForDach 1t longer
existed. 1t had been consumed Dy IRE. My
friend was more or less frightened, considerably
faugued and excessively dry. He coasoed himself
Forbacn, so far as lie was concerned, was lost "
view. At haii-past three O'Clock l returned home,
annoyed at being unable TO obtain any authentic In
| formation. Not that could have forwarded Win
any hope OF Its reaching you. The post W g entirely
despatched to Nancy yesterday morning has not
| yet arrived at It's destination.
| DEFEAT, ROUr, DEATH AND SHAME.
On the morrow the French awoke conscious OF d H..
aster. In the streets were groups OF excited clti-
zens, some Of them gesticulatlng nercely, others
| looking dreadfuy crestlalen. Metz was In mourn
| ing. Bad news mad evidently reached the town.
The cathedral DOORS at the large entrance that
cOngruous excrescence which dsgraces the fine Old
GOJhlc structure) were wide Open-there were
thousands insioe-the Emperor was expected but
he came not.
HIS Majesty was presiding at council OF war.
An Official bulletin posted outside the COM
mlssarat or police 10 the effect That Marshal MacMa-
| back on Nancy.
Thelr most iavorite general tMacMahon, defeated !
He who had never lost battle All hope was
gone.
THREATS AGAINST NAPOLEON.
Then followed threats against the Emperor, whose
fault the disaster was dec AIRED TO HIS Majesty,
long before the first dlsparaging remark was ut.
tered, had on Saturday gone himself to see the ex-
finding that it was impossible to proceed beyoad
Sayerne where he wished to consult with Mac
Mahon, he returned, looking pale and dlsprited
| Emperor and people nad III good truth, enough TO
make them unhappy. There nai been nghting with
MacMahons corps d'armee. and the French had lost
the day. The Prusslans had not only recovered
Saarbruck and Wissembourg, but were at ST. Avoid
about twenty miles IRON MetZ. ON the previous day
MacManOn, 10 retrieve MS fortunes, attacked the
Prussians with, at rst success but later III The day
he was rep1ised. and the army under General
MacMahon was again defeated. With regard 10 The
affair at Saarbruck, the corps under General Fros-
sard had been nearly cut TO pieces. This reused the
Messlns to vengeance. The Mayor called on the
people to assist IN making the trenches, and there
was a meeting Of lnhuential citizens held Ia the
court yard OF the motel, at which it was resolved
that every citizen should enroll volunteer guard
for purposes irrespective or political opinions and
solely Tor the defence OF the country.
| CONFUSION, ANGER AND MISTAKES.
| The inhabitants having now been raised to the
highest pitch Of military ardor all hope tranquil
llty for strangers III the town was at an end. All
except the innabants of the place were regarded as
Prusslan spies, OF whom, without doubt several
have paid visit to Metz. In the Rue de Ia Garde
l met party OF gendarmes with live prisoners
chained together, accused or being spies.
| walked along the quays to the Prefecture TO see
| II the Emperor gave any sign of ''life.'
saw the Prince Imperial at one OF the windows,