The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-24
THE BATTLE OF WOERTH.

An American Account-The Battie-Geid-The
Auack-Grent Strength of the Prussinns-The
Terrific Fishting-The French Retreat.
We gave yesterday full account of the battle
of Woerth from French and English sources.
The following details from the correspondent of
the New York Times, writing from Paris on
August l9, will be read with interest,"
i send you, compiled from the letters OF our own
correspondents in the field and from Official sources
condensed, but at the same time very full account
OF the battle OF Froschweier (or, as the Prussians
term it, the battle OF Woerth), In which, while the
Prussians gained substantial advantage, the
French added to their military fame fresh halo OF
imperishable glory. In the future annals of the
actual conflict between France and Prussia, the
odds against the French side, win be recorded in
France as the battle of Froschweiler and in Germany
as the battle OF Woerth from the names OF the two
and defense on the day that proved SO disastrous,
though not at all ipglOrious, 10 the French arms.
Froschweer is one OF the finest strategcal positions
in this portion OF the Vosges mountains. 1t was
mere tnat hoche, one OF the glorious illustrations
during the war of the republic and il was here
also, and at Woerth, that Marshal MacMahon had
drawn up his corps dGrmse, under the impression
forthcoming from Bitche, Strasburg and Colmar.
THE FRENCH POSITION.
According 10 information received on the previous
day. 1t was not expected that the Russians would
attack before the 9TH, but that suppostion turned
out 10 be Incorrect as well the opinion as to the
number G Of the enemy likely to be brought 70 bear
superiority ultimately proved to be overwhelming in
spite OF the heroic action OF every French soldier
engaged Ia the battle, which lasted from 10 in the
morning till in the evening
MacMahons troops occupied formidable post
ton on the heights around Woerth; the Marshal's
headquarters were at the chateau OF Turckheim;
he mad posted considerable reserve OF cavalry at
Reichshofen TO the left OF which village the IN
fantry and cavalry OF the division which had been
engaged on the 4th were also posted. The Marshals
left, commanded by General DucrOt, was at Frosch.
weller; and his centre, composed OF the divisions
commanded respectively 10y Generals RaOult and
Lartigues, was in position at Elsenhaussen and
MOrsbrOnner.
OPENING OF THE BATTLE.
At an early hour in the morning, an exchange OF
Shots between outposts indicated the probability
coming engagement, end similar alarms were re-
peated several times till 10 O'clock when the battle
OF Froschweiler commenced in earnest, TO termi-
nate with such losses both sides that the victory
OF the Pruss ians must have cost them dearer even
than the defeat OF MacMahon's corps d'armee cost
the French. "Three such victories" writes an en-
thusastic French Journalist who was dodging about
all day in Woerth amid showers of shot and shells
and cannon balls. "would certainly demoralize, II
not ruin, the army Of the King OF Prussia" When
the PTussian firing began seriously, it thought
TO be only a hre OF sharpshooters, for the
French rather expected to be attacked from
the side OF Sarreguemines; but the Prussians
Issued in such dense masses from SaarbruGk, both
by the high road TO Forbacn and along the pass be-
hind the village OF Arneyal, that Marshal MacMahon
st 0pee perceived That matters were becoming very