Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-08-26

line of infantry pouring out of those I
woods. The attack of the Prussians in !
The center was clearly checked, about |
FIVE o clock, however, another brigade |
of fresh infantry was again formed IN
the woods and emerged from us cOveT- |
Once out from under the uees. they adj
vanced at deuble-quick / watched
their movements. for the French guns
had not lost the range of the wood nor
the ground IN front. Seen at a distance
through a powerful glass, the brigade
was a huge serpent bending with the
undulation of the fields, but It left dark
track behind If. and the glass resYlved
the dark track into falling and dying
and dead men. As the horrid signit-
cance of that path so traced came upon
me. I gazed on more intently, those
who had fallen leaped up again and ran
forward little way, striving still TO go
on with their comrades. OF those who
went backward instead of forward, there
were a few. though not many. fell as
they painfully endeavoTed 10 follow the
advance. / do not know whether. after
the vain effort of that brigade, another
movement was attempted from within
the road, but half an hour afterward
great numbers of troops began to march
over the hill where | was standing and
moved forward toward the field where
so hard a struggle had been so long pro
tracted. These also were, think por-
ton of General Goeben's troops who had
been directed upon a less dangerous
route
THE CONFLICT FROM THIS POINT
On the Prussians. left became so fierce
n, - oil
by reason of the smoke. Now and then
a thick cloud would open a little and
drift away on the wind and then we
could see the French.
| tried to get a better view of this part
Of the field. and went forward about hall
a mile, and from my new standpoint
found myself not far from Malmaison.
The French line on the hills was still
unbroken, and to all appearances they
were having the best of the battle, but
this appearance was due perhaps to tbs
fact that the French were more clearly
visible on the broad height, and fighting
with such singular obstinacy.
THEY PLAINLY su.ENCED
A Prussian battery now and then. but
the Prussian line also was strengthened
by degrees on the northern point.
The infantry and artillery were
brought up, and from far in the rear,
away seemingly in the direction of Won
vile, shot and shell began reaching the
French ranks.
These were the men and guns of Stein
metz, who there and then effected his
junction with the army of Prince Fred
erick Charles, and completed the invest
ment of Metz to the northwest With
reenforcements thus continually arriv-
ing on both sides, the battle grew more
and more obstinate.
THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT
But that the French understood the
meaning of the new movement of the
Prussians. and of the gradual develop
ment of their line to the north. Stein
metz was able to extend his line gradu-
ally further and further, until the French
were out hanked and to be threatened,
as 1t appeared, with an attack on their
extreme right wing. So long as the
smoke from the Prussian guns hovered
only over their front, the French clung
to their position
The distance from headquarters, where
the Prussian flank attack stretched for
ward, was great, and to add to the diff
Guilty of clearly seeing the progress of the
battle, darkness was coming on.
/ know not how long the French held
out, nor at what precise moment the
Prussians' onset became irresistible
WHAT SAW.
Was the pufs of smoke from French
guns, mingled with flashes Frightening
as darkness increased, and receded
gradually toward the very serious pillar
of cloud and fame from the north, which
gradually and steadily approached. and
with that advance the French fire grew
every moment more slack.
It was not far from nine O'Clock when
the ground was yielded finally on the
north, and the last shots fred on that
terrible evening were heard in that direc-
ton.
Private advices from Paris, received
by mail, contain the following intelli-
gence, dated Monday, 22d:
A Chalons correspondent says the
Crown Prince of Prussia is near St. Di-
zier, and is going toward Paris with 5o.-
900 men. 1t is uncertain whether they
viii be able to avoid fight before going
further.
LONDON, August 23.-Private advices
assert the Chalons army has taken the
direction of Thionville in a desperate
effort to effect junction with Bazaine,
escaping the Crown Prince and passing
the main German army to the north of
Verdun. McMahon is driven to the
choice of two evils, either to leave the
road to Paris open to the Crown Prince,
or by holding it to sacrifice Bazaine's
army.
I0NDON .Au5 -Noon-Tbe foIlo,,-
ing dispatch from Paris contains the
very latest intelligence from the seat of
war: Metz is entirely isolated and the
vicinity.