The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-14
DOUBLE sHEET-THREE CENTS.

mentioned were gained, we should be in possession
Of the northern main road. Saxon and Prussarl
cavalry went forward to open the way So soon as
twas perceived that the enemy were not retiring,
ne could only be still before Metz. Accordingly
these three corps obliged to make a grand
change OF front, and advance together to the at
tack OF the enemy. In the second line were the
1eth and Sd Corps and as last reserve the I'd Army
Corps just coming up from Pont- a. Mousson
AT 1890 1t was ascertaned that the enemy had
given up the retreat, and had taken position on the
last range OF hills before Metz. The second army
was ordered to continue the advance Of their right,
and, still maintaining communication with the first
army, to direct their centre and left on Vernevile
and Amanvillers. The general attack would not
0egln until this movement was accomplished, when
the fronts OF the strong position could be assaulted
at the same moment the right flank. The
9th Corps threw themselves Immediately on the
enemy's foremost divisions Towards IL O'Clock
the artillery fire at Verneville showed that the
corps on that side was engaged The first army
was next ordered to occupy the enemy on the
heights in their front by artillery fire. At 14b
constant and well-drected cannonade opened
against the heights OF Point du Jour which the
enemy returned with several batteries The thunder
OF ther neavy guns was pierced at times by the pc
culiar sound OF their mtrailleuses :Between and
that the enemy in full force had taken position on
the heights that stretch from St Marie aux Chenes
and St. All over the wood Of La Cusse TO the cross
roads Of Point du Jour.
Their position was extraordinarily strong; their
tenability was increased by enrench ments and tiers
of rinepts. In some places the ground has the ap-
pearance OF regular fortlncation The attack could
not be made easier, as the generals in command
had the diicult task so arranging their measures
that the troops both on the north and on the east
were Ieduy duu Jne latter assault could not COM
mence until IL was known that the enemy had abana
doned their intention OF retreatiDg. Moreover, it
was lmpractlcaole to penetrate the sweeping move
ment OF the enemys right wing, and there was
nothing else than to attack the front Of the formd
able position.
Long and severely the battle ragged on the various
points. On the left wing were the Saxons and the
Guard around st. Marie aux Chenes then round the
steep declivity Of ST. Puval la Montague and about
this village and round Roncourt. On the right, at
st. All and further beyond Habonville, the wood of
La Cusse and Verneville, as far as the northern
Metz and Verdun road were the Guard and 9th
Army Corps. At Gravelotte, In the wood of
VauX as far as the Mosele, 7th and Sth Corps, and
on the other side OF the Moselle brigade of the
list Army Corps were engaged. Some divisions of
ticularly artillery. On the enemys side their whole
army was engaged, even the troops at first Intended
for the marine expedition, excepting the MacMahon
Corps and the larger part Of Faillys Corps.
The nvlncibe bravery of our troops succeeded
before evening in storming the heights and rolling
back the enemy's whole line, wherebysthe 2d Army
Corps made decided attack on their right wing.
The battle ended at $50, in perfect darkness During
the night the enemy retired within the entrenched
camp OF Metz. Countless wounded and scattered
divisions wandered about in the vicinity or the
battlefield.
His Majesty the King who had directed the battle
from the heights OF Gravelote made his headquar-
ters at Rezonville. The losses, as might have been
expected in such battle, must be very serious but
they cannot be even approXimated, neither do we
know the number of the prisoners or trophies. AS
to the latter we could not expect in any conflict
near Metz any considerable capture of booty. as
pursuit is impossible. The battle has established
the proprety OF the strategetca movements around
completely cut off from all their communications
with Paris. 1t is satisfactory that this eventful day
has been signalized by the fraternal union Of the
Prussian, Saxon, and Hessan troops.