The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-08-11
THE WAR.


auguration Of active hostiities in the
great Franco-P russian conflict, the re-
suits OF the fighting so far being deci-
dedly III favor of the Prussians. The
first action of the week, which, however
should rank but little above a skirmish.
occurred on Tuesday, when the French
took the offensive. crossed the frontier
in considerable force, and captured the
Prussian town Of Saarbruck. The en-
gagemeut commenced at l l o'clock and
ended at !. The Prussians claim that
the place was defended by only three
companies, and that it was considered by
them of but little military importance.
The losses were but comparatively light.
This action furnished the first opportu-
nifty for practical test of the new
French weapon, the "mitrailleur, "a
revolving cannon throwing small shot,
and it was reported to have worked
very effectively Skirmishes between
outposts have been of daily occurrence,
but they have been of comparatively tri-
fling Importance. Two engagements
have occurred, however, in which the
Prussians not only retrieved their for
tunes at Saarbruck, but turned the tile
of war very decidedly in their favor
The first of these occurred on We'd
nesday, when division of the Prussian
army led by the crown prince, stormed
Weissenburg, fortified town on the
right bank of the Sauter river, on the
French side, which they carried, captu-
ring several hundred prisoners. The
losses in killed and wounded were not
heavy. A dispatch of Thursday says,
in regard to the ahair: "Wc have won
a brilliant but bloody victory. The left
wing was the attacking body, and con-
sisted of the fifth and eleventh Prussian
corps, with the second Bavarian This
force carried under the eyes of the
prince royal Frederick Charles), the
fortress of Weissenburg and the heights
between Weissenburg and Lesburg.
Gen. Douay's division of Marshal Nc
Mahon's corps was splendidly defeated,
being driven from its camp. Gen.
Douay, himself, was killed Five hun.
dred prisoners were taken; none Of them
were wounded. Many Turcos were
among the captured. The Prussian
Gen Kirchbach was slightly wounded
The royal grcnadiers and the 50th regi-
mcnt of the line suffered heavy losses.
This affair, which caused great rejoic-
ING on the Prussian side. was fol-
| lowed BY & still NOR. substantial victory.
Ghe Frcnc;l corps under .'tarshal Nc
Mahon. sent forward 20 check the adj
vance of the Pruasians. was met and
defeated, after stubborn contest, by
the Prussians under command Of the
prince royal, the battle being terminated
by the darkness on Saturday evening.
! The subjoncd dispatches from Prussian
sources, which are essentially corrobor-
atcd by the French accounts, viii give
an idea Of the character Of the battle,
which is known as that of iiaguenau.
"MAYENcE, Aug. 6, 6:10 p. N.
The French have turned back OH
their entire line. and commenced to re.
treat toward the interior of France
The French had commenced to advance
from Saarbruck, which place they had
held since the famous battle of three d.
visions against three companies of Prus
slams, but having to fall back they
burned that rich but unprotected town,
and in Withdrawing spread the confa-
grafton by throwing hot shot into it"
"SAARBRUCK, Aug. 5, Z p. m.
The town Of Saarbruck has just been
retaken by the first Prussian army corps
under Gen. Stcinmetz.'
"MAYENCE, Aug. 6, Q y. III.
The heads of the Prussion columns
approached the Saar on the 5th inst.
This morning, Gen. Kamcrs found the
enemy to the west of Saarbruck, in
strong position in the mountains near
Spiehren, and commenced Immediately
to attack them. Following the sound
of the cannon, portions of the divisions
Of Barnakow and Stupnagel came up.
Gen. Goeben took command, and after
a very severe fight the position occupied
BY Gen. FrOSsard was taken by assault.
Gen. Francois and Col Reuter- are
among the Wounded
"MAYENcE, Aug. I, Ga. nj.
Gen Coeben reports. concerning the
fight west of Saarbruck, that maDy hun
dred prisoners were taken. From these
we gather that Frossard's corps was en-
gagged. Our force in the action was four
divisions Night alone put an end to
the fighting. The enemy covered his
retreat by a heavy fire of artillery. Gen.
Steinmetz arrived in the evening and
took command. Gen Francois is dead.
Loss heavy on both sides The number
of officers of the enemy killed is espe-
cially large"
"MAYENcE, Aug. Z, IA. N.
The prince royal reports on last eve
ming as follows: In the battle in which
we defeated Mcmahon whose corps had
been reinforced by divisions from the
corps of Failley and Canrobcrt, We have
taken two eagles, six mitraileurs, and
at least 1000 prisoners. Gen. Baze
was wounded. Loss great Oh both
sides"
PARIS, August s.
The Journal Ofiicielc contains the
following dispatches:
METZ, August 1-9:30 A. NJ.
In the battles of Saturday near
Reischoifcn, McMahon's chief OF staff,
General Calson was shot by the Mar
shars side. General Roult is among
the missing. Our artillery suffered
heavily.
Metz is preparing for u vigorous dc
Tense
An imperial decree has appcared, con-
voking the senate and corps lcglslatiff,