The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-03

ment Of the 9th corps, belonging to the ieft
wing, 81 army, had advanced east on ne same
line. AT the extreme right the Sd division OF
cavalry advanced to Agg, when its battery
! opened on the enemy north of Serigny AT
O'Clock the enemy recoiled at all points from
the left bank of the Moselle under the guns of
Metz and pursuit was stopped from the guns of
the fortress. The field was covered with
French dead. Few prisoners were taken and
lew trophies owing to the activity of the for
tress' heavy fire, which tore through the Prus-
sian masses. Gen. Steinmetz, no came in,
was in time to give an order for the night and
following day and to prepare for a renewal of
the conflict The result was the enemy in one
quarter was driven from the river back into the
fortress; and at another quarter a large body
was left to retreat on Paris and fall into the
hands of the I'd army which was moving rap
idly on the left bank of the Mosele, leaving
the first corps and I'd division of cavalry on
the east of Metz. The army the next day moved
to the left without resistance, passing the Mo-
selle at Arey and Borney.
The 18th the corps was beyond Au Sue
Moselle, the 9Th and 9th corps at Gore and
the I'd army was marching rapidly towards
Metz on the Verdun road. After the victori-
Gus fights at Vionvile and Flavigny the task
OF the 1st army this day was to act as the right
of all the lines of attack, holding the left bank
OF the Moselle, while the I'd army moved from
the north towards the east, thus bringing the 1st
and I'd armies between Metz and Paris. On
the 18th no offensive movement was made, the
russians resting in sheltered position near
0ravelotte the 7th corps contenting itself with
repelllng slight reconnaissance near the forest
OF Faux AT this moment Gen. Steinmetz,
accommodating at the south of Gravelotte in
the forest of Ognath, discovered the enemy,
three corps strong, encamped on the heights
north of Gravelotte. The farms of st. Hubert
and Point du Jour were occupied About
noon, Gen. Steinmetz hearing a cannonade at
Vernvllle and having been advised that the
head of the 9th corps was engaged, gave orders
to resume the attack. The 7th corps deployed
on the south and east of the heights of Crave
lotte. formidable artillery practice followed,
presenting an imposing spectacle. Fifty can
non presently augmented to eighty, opened on
the enemy's batteries, while advancing stead;-
ly along the high road was mitrailleur
whence fire was opened ON the reconnoiter-
ing party. The enemy made no serious attack
that day.
On the 18th the LIST army remained quiet, the
enemy equally so, while the I'd army advanced
to Vionville and Marie Aux Chenes to renew
the fight up hill. Gen. Steinmetz and staff re-
maiued by the batteries under the shower of
projecties, but hardly had an hour passed be-
fore the French batteries grew silent and the
French began to retire. The infantry of the
7th corps in the meantime rested in woody
gorge between Gravelotte and Point du Jour.
but Gotzs brigade, posted near AIRS to guard
the Moselle valley, was already engaged in
combat. 1t took the village of Vaux and the
heights OF Pussy, where it sustained itself. In
the meantime the 9TH and 9Th corps, coming up
from Bezonville. opened the attack with heavy
artillery while the LIST division of cavalry took
the first sheltered position behind it and the
Infantry attacked the enemy in the woods of
Genivans Again the enemy's guns were ST.
fenced, while the infantry encountered obsti-
nate resistance in the woods, where the fight
continued for hours. Owing to the density of
the woods the hostile forces intermixed, and
Germans and French frequently fred into
their own ranks. Emerging from the woods
the Prussans carried the heights and town of
St. Hubert viii severe loss. Further advance
on this side was impossible. The French ar
tilery withdrew and the Prussians became ST.
lent.
Ats o'clock, supposing the enemy gone
Steinmetz ordered Hartmans cavalry to cross
defle with two horse batteries and the 4th
Uhlans and pursue. This was effected at
P. M. The pursuers found the enemy had not
retreated but was sheltered from cannonade.-
Our men encountered murderous fire from
chassepots, cannon and mtraileurs. Dead
and wounded instantly numbered the road
The Prussian batteries soon reopened, shelter
ing the cavalry. The duel continued till dark
when leaving force on the field the Prussian
main body Tell back. At 4 o'clock in the morn
ing the Prussian artillery opened, the French
replying until silenced at the left between
Vionville and Armvlle. The infantry alone
was weak at first but soon the artillery began
showing the approach Of Prince Frederick
Charles. The German infantry held firmly,
awaiting the support of the artillery and kept
the enemy busy. The French all day used
chassespots from trenches at 220 yards, iDflict-
ing dismay aud severe losses, but they were
nevertheless in a desperate condition, and be-
ing surrounded and attacked on all sides their
only chance was to retreat to the fortress. At
seven in the evening they made one more eff
fort to cut through our lines to Paris. Line
after line of rlfemen firing over each others
shoulders and shouting wildly rushed from
heights to ravine through the trees. The Prus-
sian Infantry, thinped and weakened, wave1ed
The moment was critical, but the lartillery
opened and hurled back the assalants with
slaughter The Prussians then resumed the
off,, Pa;n hopp
the King having approached and despatched a
Pomeranian corps which had never been under
fire to the front. Its aid was decisive. Rush
ing forward and firing it carried the heights,
winning the day. On the 10Th the enemy took
refuge in Metz.
POPULAR REJoICiNGs.
MUNICH, Sept. 2.--There is intense delight of
all classes of the people at the prowess exhibit
ed by the Bavarian corps in the German army.
Flags are flying from public buildings and
elsewhere, and the citizens have paraded the
streets with bands of music, banners and trans
parences. The government authorities were
enthusiastically cheered. Yesterday there was
a reunion of liberal deputies in the Chambers
to respond to the convocation of notables who
were in session at Berlin. King Louis was
duly notified and La congratulatory tele-
gram sent to the King on the battle field as
we'll as to the Berlin meeting. The King in
reply to the fluctuations expressed his joy and
thanks for the confidence of Bavaria, and as
sured the deputies that the combat of giants
would result to the honor of both Bavaria and
Germany.
Belgium.
FRENcHMEN CAPTURED ON BELGIAN SOIL AND
DISARMED.
BRUSSELS, Sept. 2.-Last night the frontier
guard captured, dsarmed and endorsed 200
French on Belgian territory near Sedan
Great Britain.
RazA1NE's ATTEMPT TO ExTRICATE HIMSELF
LONDON, Sept. 2,-43O iP. M.-Despat ches
from private sources announce that on We'd
nesday, Marshal Bazaine undertook to cut his
way out from the shelter of the Notifications of
Metz. The battle lasted all that day and eve
ming, when on Thursday morning he was
again driven within the walls. The losses were
extremely severe on both sides.
The death of Emperor Napoleon is rumored
this afternoon, but the particulars are conflict
ing.
THE CONDITION OF THE EMPEROR.
The French Emperor is attended by Dr. Me-.
Off md fIorn