The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-09-07

lous troops from Africa and other sections
hurried forward to swell the ranks and
meet the force of MacMahon, retreating
westward. On Monday, the 18th, Ba-
zane commenced his retreat in earnest
de had given the Germans such desperate
repulses the previous day that it was tho't
but slight obstacles could be opposed to
his retiring on Verdun. The main force
took the southern and direct high road,
but nearly 10000 men We're pushed along
the northern road, which branches off
from the main one at a point almost with
IN reach Of the heavy guns of Metz, and
by somewhat longer route reaches Yer
dun via Etoin. All day Monday, howev-
er, these two roads had been secured by
the German Uplans, who had in small de
tachments frequent encounters with the
second Chasseurs D'Aprigne, the latter al
ways cleaning the roads Of the former.
On Monday Prince Frederick Charles
had succeeded in massing a large body of
his troops to the southwest of Metz, on
the left of the Moselle, having been enga-
ged all Friday night m crossing his battal-
lions over the Pont-a-Moussen bridge
Monday evening the main bulk of his ar
my occupied a line facing northward on
the south side of the main road from Metz
to Verdun, and ready for dash on the re-
treating force of Bazaine, who was thus
brought to q stand and forced to give bat
tie.
The force of Steinmetz, or a large part
of it at least, had in the meantime crossed
the Moselle at point about two-thirds
distant from Metz to Thionville north
1t was headed by the Bradenburg division
of cavalry, that came down with dash,
and without waiting for their support,
forced division of the French army on
the northern road to give battle at Don
court. Bazaine's army, therefore, of some
10000 men, were brought to stand be-
tween Mars Ia Tour on the main road, and
Duneourt on the Metz and Etoin road
Frosard found himself engaged at Don
court with the same troops that he had
fought so tenaciously at Forbach.
1t would appear that Prince Charles
awaited on the south until the guns ot
the Prussian division on the north assur-
ed him that the right wing of the French
army was well engaged, for the attack or
| the main road did not commence until {
in the morning of the 10th. Every avail
able regiment appears to have been enga.
ged on each side, the French, however
| fought with desperation, for they all rec.
ognlzed that the effect was one on which
hung the fate of France. They rolled bacl
every charge of the Germans, and on al
sides repulsed them. So far as field vic
tory goes, without calculating the great
general object of the battle, the French
troops were gloriously victorious, anc
when it closed at twilight, the sturdy de-
tenders Of peace occopied the field of bat.
| tie. The German army had, however, oh,
tanned its object, which was to stop the
retreat of Bazaine. The result of this bat
tie of the 10th will probably be that Baz.
aine will be forced within the lines o
Metz. Here he will, find it difficult tc
feed such large army.
do not believe, however, the position
Is SO extremely critical for France as il
might appear at first sight 1t is nc easy
matter to invest Metz, such an enormous
army have the French. 1t is probable
however, no investment of the city car
take place under the present circumstan
ces, but that Bazaine will make many eff
forts to break through the line of his enc
mics.