The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-03

THE VICTORIOUS FIGHT AT vroNvILLH AND FaAvIGNy
the task OF the FIRST army to act as the right Of
all the lines OF attack, holding the left bank OF the
Moselle while the second army moved so that the
front would extend from the north towards the east
thus bringing the first and second armies between
Metz ana Paris.
THE BATTLE GRAvELoTTE
On the nth no offensive movement was made, the
Prussans resting sheltered position near Grave
lotte, the Seventh corps contentng itself with
polling slight reconnaissance near the forest OF
vaux. AT this moment General SteInmetz. re.
connoitrng at the south Of Graveotte. in the
forest OF Ognoth discovered the enemy three corps
strong encamped on the heights north OF Gravelotte
The farms of ST. Hubert and Point du Jour were &C.
cupied about noon. General Steinmetz hearing q
cannonade at Vernevile, and having been advised
that the head OF the Ninth corps was engaged. gave
orders TO resume the attack. The Seventh
corps deployed on the south and east OF
the heights OF Gravelotte. A formidable artillery
practice followed presenting an imposing specta
Gle. Fifty cannon, presently augmented TO eighty
opened on the enemy's batteries while advancing
steadily along the high road was a mtraieur,
whence fire was opened on the recommending party.
Strong outposts, well sustained. were placed. The
enemy made no serious attack that day. On the
18th the first army remained quiet, the enemy equally
and Marle-aux Chenes the fight up the hill.
Stenmetz and stair remained by the batteries under
q shower OF proIectiles. But hardly had an hour
passed before the French batteries grew silent and
the French began to retire. The infantry OF the
Seventh corps In the meantime rested In a woody
gorge between Gravelotte and Pointdu-Jour; but
Goltzs brigade, posted near AIs TO guard
the Mosele valley was already engaged
IN combat 1t took the village OF vaux
and the heights OF Fnssy where 1t sustained
ITSELF In the meantime the Seventh and Eighth
corps, coming from Rezonyille, opened the attack
with neavy artillery practice while the First division
OF cavalry took the first sheltered position behind
| 1t, ana the infantry attacked the enemy In
| the wood OF Genevaux. Again the enemy's
guns silenced while the infantry encountered
| an obstinate resistance in the GeneyauX woods
where the fight continued for hours. Owing TO the
density OF The wood the hostile forces intermixed,
and Germans and French frequently nred into their
own ranks Emerging at last from the wood the
Prussians carried the heights and the farm OF st.
Hubert with severe loss. Further advance was i'm
possible on this side. The French artillery was
Withdrawn and the Prussian became silent
About three O'Clock supposing the enemy gone,
Steinmetz ordered Hartmann's cavalry TO the
dee with two horse batteries and the Fourth Uhlans
and pursue. This was effected at four p. NJ. The
purSuers found that the enemy mad not retre8ted,
but sheltered from the cannonade by the troops
which had advanced. Our men encountered
innrderOus fire from ChassepOts, and mitrall-
leuses. Dead and wounded instantly numbered the
road The Prussian batteries soon reopened, shel.
tering the cavalry. The duel continued till dark,
when. leaving force the field, the Prusslan main
body fell back. At four O'Clock In the morning the
Prusslan artillery reopened, the French repyinguntil
silenced. At the left, between Verneville and Ar.
mand-Villiers, The infantry fire alone was heard
at first; but soon the artillery began, showing
the approach OF Prince Frederick Charles. The Ger
man infantry held firmly awaiting the support Of
the artillery and kept the enemy busy
The French ali day used the Chassepot from the
losses; but they were nevertheless in a desperate
condition, and being surrounded and attacked on
al sides their only chance was to retreat 10 tue
fortress.
TIE CRISIS.
At seven o'clock In the evening they made one
more effort to cut through our lines to Paris. Line
after line OF rnemen, firing over each others Shout
ders and shouting wildly, rushed from the heights
to the ravine through the trees. The Prussan in
fantry, thinned and weakened, wavered. The mo.
ment was critical but the artillery providentialy
opened and hurled back with slaughter the assail.
ants. The Prussians then assumed the offensive.
Renforcements happily arrived-the King having
approached and despatched the PomeranIan corps,
that had never been under fire, 10 the front. Its
aid was decisive. Rushing forward and fring 1t
carried The heights, winning the day.
On the 10Th the enemy took refuge in Metz,