The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-08-27
FOREIGN NEWS.
The War I'm Europe.

The War I'm Europe.
In our last we were able to give tolerably
connected account of the lighting between the
French and Prussians up to Sunday the 14th,
when the dispatches announced the COM
mencement of series Of heavy engagements
! around Metz but of which the accounts were
very vague ana indefinite. The reports since
then 90 far to clear up the obscurity.
On Sunday, the 14th, Marshal Bazaine es-
tablished 4 temporary line of defence on the
right oank Of the Moselle. between Fatigue
ment and Etango, along the river Miese. At
ter Metz was fully garrisoned, the marshal re-
tired to the left bank of the Moselle, where
he was attacked by Prince Frederick Charles,
who with 10000 men assailed BaZaine's rear.
The Prussians Were unable to break Bazaine's
line, but detained its retreat for some hours
and were at length repulsed with heavy loss
Apart of the Prussian army came within range
otthe guns of Fort st. Quentin, and was now
ed down mercilessly by the French artillery.
In the battle the Prussans sent flag of truce,
and askeG an armistice in order to bury their
dead. which was granted.
On Monday, the 18th, Bazine passed the
Moselle with his army undisturbed. The next
day (Tuesday,) Prince Frederick Charles hav,
ing also passed the Moselle with his princi-
pal force, attacked the French right at Ora
velo,te and Vionvile, at the same time the
first Prusslan army, under Steinmetz advan-
ced Obliquely from northeast to southwest to-
ward the French centre and the left ut Thlon-
court. A severe battle cnsued here The
Prusslans endeavored to envelop the French
on the north and east and drive them back on
the Third Prussian army, under the prince
royal, which had been advancing from Bar-le-
Due. French heroism alone bafiled this plan,
which if successful, would have left France
without other defenders than the raw levies
in Chalons. Bazaines fight on Tuesday, the
10th. defeated. or modified rather, the at
tempt
The fighting on Sunday and Tuesday, it Is
thus seen, was on the part of the Prussians to
envelope Bazaine on the north and north east,
cut off his communication with Thionville and
Paris, ard lock him up in Metz. Thus far this
had failed. On Thursday the battle of Grave
lotte was renewed, and though it was in re-
atty but the battle of Tuesday over again, it
is called in most of the dispatches the battle
of Rezonville, after village near Gravelotte.
In reference to the result o: this battle the
dispatches are contradictory. King William
telegraphs:
NEAR REZONvILLE, Aug. IS, 0 =. M.-The
French army was attacked to-day west of Metz.
Its position was very strong. Ny command, after
d combat OF hours, totally routed the French
forces, interrupted their communications with
Paris, and threw them back upon Metz
y special of the New York Tribune, by an
eyewitness Of the battle and friendly to Prus.
STA, says:
As the different divisions of the Prussiar army
came into position they attacked successfully,
but were repeatedly driven back with heavy loss
lhe struggle lasted with varying fortunes on
different portions of the lines, until o'clock.
l p 10 that hour the French held their ground.
The fighting throughout the whole of this
battle must have been terrific, as King Will
liam, in another despatch, says the killed and
numbered 10000.
No dispatches since the 18th settle the
question whether Bazaine's communications
northward and thence westward are cut off
or not--the French claiming that his commu
nications with Mcmahon. Chalons and Paris
are cut off ana the French denying it. Thurs
days dispatches, as usual, are contradictory on
the subject. One set say he is still on his way to
Paris, while others say he has encountered
between ChalOns and Verdun, and
met heavy defeat. Amid the mass of con.
tradictions In the past three days dispatches,
there is nothing left but to await further news.
THE TARIFF AND POLITICAL ORGANrzA.
rIoN.-The ST. Louis Democrat Ia radical or
gam in short reply to the Albany Erening