New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-09-03

what MacMahon might have accomplished
in aid of Bazaine if he had reached the vicin-
;tv of Metz, will always remain a matter of
speculation. His enterprise in that direction
has been completely frustrated Bazane's
demonstration in support of it by sortie at
Metz has signally failed, and after suffering
defeat in series of bloody engagements he is
shut closer than ever in the fortress, without
the slightest hope of relief. MacMahon
was detected by his vigant enemy in
his movement from Rethel to MOntmedy.
Struck in flank while upon the march and
astride wide and navigable river he has
been forced back upon Sedan. Fortunately
for the French Marshal, his various lines OF
retreat naturally conveyed at Sedan; else,
with his army separated by the Meuse, he
must inevitably have been destroyed But his
several columns, retreating on no fixed or de-
liberate plan, were concentrated at Sedan,
and were thus enabled to resume the battle.
No less than eight different engagements
have been fought since the morning of Aug.
30, when the opposing armies first encountered
each other The French were moving from
Rethel to Montm6dy, by two parallel roads,
apparently unsuspcious of the approach of
west to east, the Prussians advanced from
south to north, and thus caught him at dis
advantage. The first cOmbats-minor affairs
at Attigny, Vrezy, and Nouart on Aug. 30
forced the rear half of MacMahon's army
from one of its lines of march back
upon the other at Stoune and Beaumont,
where, later IN the day, the French were again
attacked and beaten. AT the same time the
front half or advance of MacMahon east OF
the Mouse was struck in flank between Stenay
and Montmedy and driven back to Carignan.
Here, later in the day, the French were again
beaten. During the night of August 30 both
wings of the French retreated upon Sedan.
All these points the careful student of these
mastery operations of the German army will
find located on the map which is given with
the news.
On August 81 the Prussians advanced to-
ward Sedan, and soon attacked the French,
not yet across the Meuse, and still separated
by it. The Crown Prince of Prussia attack
ing the half west of the Meuse, was evidently
severely beaten in a combat which lasted
during the forenoon. His losses were 80 Sc
we're that he was compelled to retire toward
Mouson; but it was only to reform
and prepare for another attack. This
is the victory of which the French
have made great proclamation. MacMahon
evidently did not think it decisive-not
even a signal advantage, for while the Crown
Prince was restoring his broken and bruised
lines, he hastily moved his army to the north
side of the Mouse and once more united 1t,
not at Montm6dy for Offense against Prince
Carl but at Sedan for defense against his old
opponent Prince Fritz. What part the Crown
Prince of Saxony on the east bank of the
Mouse took in this engagement is not definitely
stated i'll the dispatches.
Reorganized during the afternoon of the
31st ult., the Germans advanced again to the
attack on September 1. The reports of the
battle ON this day are conflicting, but all ac-
counts unite in saying tt was disastrous to the
French. The accounts from Belgium which
report MacMahon retreating on September
| to Mezieres, and that 10000 French
have surrendered to the Belgians, are
not to be fully credited The official
report of King William claims nothing of the
| kind. but he says the French were driven
| into Sedan. That they did not retreat on the
list is evident, from the fact that they fought
| a desperate fight on yesterday. The Prussian
| right wing advanced on the list to GivOnne,
suburban village of Sedan, only a
mile OF two northeast of it. Whether
this advantage was maintained yesterday u
not now known. All that is known positively OF
the fight of yesterday is that it began at day
break, and that Bazaille, Villers, Renuly, Ser
nav, and Ballan-all suburban towns of
Sedan-were already in flames, having been
fired by the artillery engaged in the conflict
The advantages assured to the Prussians by
these battles we have already indicated. Mac
Mahon cannot aid Bazaine; and the latter's
failure to break through the lines held by the
Landwehr at Metz shows that he cannot help
himself. But that the success newly gained
at Sedan completely overwhelms MacMahon
cannot be said with positiveness. The end
of the struggle may leave the Prussians pow
erless to pursue with vigor. But the French
are in a dreadful strait. If not shut up in the
CITY, they are almost hOpelessly confined
TO the narrow district between the Meuse
and the Belgian border. They may be
able to retreat, as they were said to
have done to Mezeres; but to cross the
river there and retreat further will be an I'M
dertaking more difficult. Already other Prus-
sian troops doubtless advance from Rheims to
Mezieres, and stop the way to Paris. For
MacMahOn's advance toward Metz is clearly
impossible. We believe that escape beyond
Mezieres is not less impossible and that he
has fought his last fight.