New-York tribune., 1870-08-30
DETAILED REPORT OF GERMAN OPERA
TIONS.
HOW THE FRENCH POSITION ON THE MosELLE
WAS TURNED-CoMPLETE SUCCESS OF VAN
MOLTKE's STRATEGY.

HOW THE FRENCH POSITION on THE MOsELLE
WAS TURNED-COMPLETE SUCCESS OF VAN
MOLTKE's STRATEGY.
LONDON, Monday, Aug. %, 1870
The following is resume of the progress of the
German arms since the commencement of the inva-
sion of France
After the check encountered by the French van
guard near Saarbruck, August q, followed by the
rout of MacMahon, the French main body retired To
the line of the Moselle The fortresses of Thonvie
and Metz--defenses of the first order and well sup
plied-and the intrenched camps which were con-
structed gave great strength to their new posi-
ton. Direct attack would have been difficult.
Therefore the German armies passed to the
south Of Metz, toward the Moselle, to
cross it above the city and discover the enemy's
movements. Such great masses OF troops covering
wide region, required special precautions The
first army was to flank the enemy line of march,
and was directed to take new position near the
River Med In the mean time the first and second
armies approached each other a division passing
over the Moselle The division on the 9th took
part in fight in which the French were repulSed
and pursued until they reached the protection of
the guns of Metz. This combat resulted greatly to
the advantage of the Prussians, it retarded the
French retreat, and the advantage easily fol-
and Verdun with Paris.
The second army, refraining from the passage Of
the Moselle and Paris being thus threatened the
French were Obliged to withdraw from the right bank
of the Moselle before Metz not being strong enough
to stop the Prussian movements. The advance of
the first army, observing the movement of the
French attacked on Aug. IA, the French rear throw
ing it upon the main body. which was compelled to
send back several divisions to support the The
Prussian First and Seventh Corps went on the south
side to compel the French to face about. They
ceeded after a bloody but victorious conflict.
The Prussian Fifth Division attacked Gen.
Frossard BY degrees the entire French
force became engaged, and of the Prussan
forces the other divisions of the Third Corps, the
Tenth Corps, q regiment of the Ninth Corps and
brigade of the Eighth participated. Prince Frede-
rick Charles had taken command. The movement
WAS successful and the southerly road to Paris was
intercepted The Prussians fought herocally and
their losses were large but those of the enemy espe
cally of the Imperial Guard were immense. The
French official reports estimate the Prussan force
engaged at double what it was. The only way for
the Emperor to escape fatal isolation from Paris and
his supplies lay on the northern line.
The Prnssian army on the south, finding no
enemy before it, fell back, combining with the other
army. A Joint attack on the French was then
MANNED The French, ceasing to retreat by the
northerly line took position on the nights before
Metz. The Second Army instantly moved to the
right fixing its center and left at Verneville and
Armanyillers while it's right rested i'll contact with
,be First Army. Absolute readiness for q stimuli
taneous move along the entire line was
reouisite as the French position was q
strong one. At the start the Ninth Corps encoun-
tered advanced detachments, who opened with
artillery from the Vemevile side. The First
ARMY therefore was ordered to engage the enemy in
front. and at o'clock opened well-sustained and
effective cannonade, which lasted until broad day.
light The Frencd replied with vigor. About q the
infantry engaged the enemy, who was Just then
strongly reinforced his line reaching from ST. Marie
anx- -Chenes 10 the LA Cuisse wood. His position,
naturally of great strength, had been fortified by
earthyorks and bitches that it seemed almost i'm
ureonalle There was a brief delay before the as
| soult in order TO make that the enemy had
o,onned his retreat on the northern route. The combat
which ensned was long and terrible. On the left,
/ ,he Guords and Saxon troops fought at IT. Marie,
st. priyat and DoncOurt. Meanwhile the other wing
was engaged near St. All, the La Cuisse wood and
vernele as far as the north side of the northern road
from Metz TO Verdun. The Eighth and Ninth Corps
r,,ticinoted in the action at Gravclotte, and the
! contest spread from NauN to the Moselle, where
brigade of the Third aud Tenth with artillery wert
ENGAGED with the entire French army, MncMahon'
Corps and Faillys Division excepted. After sun
doyn the Prussians took the nights of Gravelotte 10y
storm iiinging back the French along their entire
line 10 the shelter OF Metz.
PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE IN PARIS.
| crpuANs ORDERED OUT OF PARIs-IMMENsf
quantities OF PROVISIONS STORED IN TIL
| 'iii' PARIS, Monday, Aug. 20. 1870
Gen. Trochu. the Governor of faris las issuco