The New York herald., 1870-08-19

that Bazaine was pursuing MS road unmolessed TO
verdun and Chaons While he was speaking the
Prassans were attacking the French nank'
aud al nigntfall one portion, al least,
OF Bazane's army had been forced 10 abaii-
don the road TO Verdun and were again smut up
In Metz. IL III more than ever pain that no con-
siderable part OF the French army has ever sue
ceede In getting far on the road from MeZ To YER
dun. Their delay 10 whatever canse due, gave the
Prussans time 10 come up, and they were abe on
Tuesday 10 attack wltn q vanguard strong enough
10 arrest The French retreat anu bring four French
CORDS into action.
when BazQlne found he could not shake of the
Prussian pursuit he clearly resolved to crush their
single corps before its supports could arrive. For
hours the Third Prussian corps, which, supported
only by cavalry divisions, had first attacked, was
compelled To bear the Drunt OF vigorous onslaught
from twice or thrice lis own NUMBERS.
Toward The close Of the day, reinforced
by the Tenth and parts OF the Eighth
and Ninth corps. the Prussians resumed
the offensive, and when night fell the French army
was again divided anu it is doubtful whether either
OF the main roads from Metz to verdun remains open
to Bazaine
Three French corps heretofore unscathed, be-
sides Frossards snd the Imperial Guard, were
brought into action which. on the French side wns
general engagement, while on the Prus-
sian SIDE the larger part OF the two ar
mics Of Steinmez and Prince Frederick
Charles were not on the field, and apparently not
single battalion Of the Crown Prince, who Is be-
ieved to be advancing steadily for Chalons.
Late Accounts of rhe --latest Battles-Henvy
losses of the Prussians-NapOleon Await
ing "A Fight at Chni0ns.
PARIS, August is, 1870.
have just received express information from
trustworthy relative 10 the operations &C the
ront. IL affords some particulars relating 10 the
series OF cOmbats In which the French have been
engaged for the last three days whdh do not ap-
pear in the official dispatches or newspapers.
Fighting commenced near Metz at three O'Clock
in the afternoon, on Sunday the l4th, just after the
Emperor's departure. The battle was brought on
by Prussian attack General Prossard's division,
which was the act OF Withdrawing rom Its po-
sltion.
The Fourth corps, under General rAdmirault.
which formed the lett wing OF the army sustained
the brunt OF the engagement. The attacking force
was under Prince Frederick Charles ana General
Steinmetz. While the Fourth corps was occupy
ing the attention OF the enemy, the French army
continued It's retreat, which effected in the most
orderly manner. Marshal BaZalne exposed himself
in the thckest of the fight and mad hs horse killed
under him. He himself is said to be slightly wounded
in the foot.
The execution done by the French mitrafeuses
was fearful. -Four regiments OF the Prussian Guard
were nearly exterminated. Three or four French
Journalists shouldered their muskets and fought
galantIy side by side with the soldiers.
All was dark and stormy during the night, and on
the next morning, when my informant visited the
field no remnant Of either army was visible.
in this engagement the French lost 5000 killed
and wounded, and the Prussians 10000 The dispro-
portion is said to be ing TO the terrible destruc
tion caused by the French mraileuses and artillery
On the evening Of the 18th the French attacked the
Piussians again at GraveOtte, where the Emperor
had temporarily established the French head
quarters. The Prussian losses were again very
great, and the French likewise lost heavily.
Graveotte is at the point of blurca0n OF two roads
leading TO verdun and Etain. The Fourth corps is
in advanced line, and three or four corps con.
centraed in this locality. The bulk OF the train and
equipage has been sent on to Verdun under power
ful escort.
The Emperor Is at Chalons, where great
battle viii be fought with the aid Of
army, now being rapidly pushed forward
10 the scene Of operations. Very large
Inducements are being despatched, and
arms are abundant, there VIII be no difficulty
The spirit Of the people is everywhere patriotic and
the Prusslans, as they advance, VIII have TO encoun-
ter an enormous force every side.