The sun., 1870-08-26
The War.

Prussans arc already so strongly intrcnched
In every commanding position that it is i'm.
possible for him to get out without risking
great battle under worse disadvantages
than the Prussians had to contend with in
the battle of Gravclotte. There is every req
son to believe that his communications arc
rut and that he neither sends nor receives
dispatches from without, except by some
chance courier who is able TO steal his way
through points which the Prussians do not
deem important enough to guard.
The operations Of IMAGINATION arc also
cleared up 30 far that it is possible to gain
distinct notion of his purposes aud his course
Of proceeding. According TO the last des-
patch of Mr.. GAILLARDEr from Paris, the
Marshal brought back with him from Hague
nau not only the remains of his defeated
army, but also body of troops previously
stationed in the central and southern por-
lions of Alsace. The numerous garrison Of
Belfort was also at the same time sent TO
Chdlons, and thither the corps of forty thou.
sand regulars assembled at Cherbourg for
The purpose of the projected expedition to
the Baltic was likewise transported. An
additional body of fifteen thousand regulars
partly from Paris and partly from the cities
on the frontiers of Belgium, was concen-
trated at the same place. All these troops
together made up an effective force of one
hundred thousand men. To this thirty .fve
thousand Mobile Guards were added and
these various elements were rapidly organ
ized into n compact army under the direction
of Gen. TRoCuU before he left Chilons to
take command in Paris. At tho head of this
army IMAGINATION marched from Chdlons
about Sunday or Monday last A part of his
troops, as our French correspondent yester-
day informed us, was left at Reims with
the Emperor. This detachment, however,
could not have been very large for the only
uses to which it could be applied would be
to form a bodyguard for NAPOLEON, and
to serve as an outpost TO give IMAGINATION
warning of the possible approach of the
Crown Prince of Prussia from the south.
Having thus provided for the Emperor,
IMAGINATION himself moved of with the re-
mainder of his troops in q northeasterly
direction that is TO say. on the road toward
Montmedy and Thionvlle. Supposing that
his army was as large as Mr. GAILLARDET's
figures represent it-though we think
these figures are somewhat beyond the fact
his only purpose must be TO break the
Prussian lines and relieve BAZAISE other
wise his movement is utterly aimless viii
it be possible for him to gain this object2 1t
is most doubtful. Long before he reaches
the Prussian intrenchments that lie about
Metz, they will have become 30 strong that
any attempt to force them from within will
be bootlcss and this condition of their lines
Will leave the mass Of the two Prussian
armies concentrated therc-the army Of Won
SrEINMETz, and that Of Prince FREDERICK
CHARLEs-at liberty TO move out and deal
with IMAGINATION in the field.
1t is very probable that the French may
have calculated upon a novel state of weak
ness in the German armies, on account of
their great losses in last weeks fighting !;
but this leaves out of view the
admirable arrangements by which,
when in active service, these armies
hrc always reinforced and kept up to their
full fighting strength II. plan Of rein.
forcement is m essential part of the Prussian
military organization. No sooner does an
army begin campaign than achievements
begin 70 be forwarded to it. Every regiment
las three battaliors in the field and two in
its depot, These depot bNttalions are con
stantly supplied by new levies at home, aud
they as constantly supply the regiments in
lhc field with a steady stream of reinforce
meuts. 1t is well known that, owing TO this
system of frciniorcaments after the great bat
Tie of Sadowa the Prussian army was
Stronger by one hundred and fifty thou.
BloAl mon than it had been before
Thus, Notwithstanding the great losses
Of the Germans during the last week
tile French say they were one hun
drcd and twenty thousand in killed
and wounded, butthis iSccrainly m exaggc-
ration-tncrc is no reason to doubt that their
ranks are already rcplenishcd, and in order
for act on. 50 that, if IMAGINATION approaches
with any idea oftalNng them unprcparcd, he
Will ma hims' Il much mistaken, They have
had noiiglt.ng for week, except the brief
engagement Of Saturday morning, the 20th
inst; and by this time the investment of
Metz is not only c3mplctc, but the partial re.
organization which lccamc necessary after
such succession ofdeady battles must be
more t'al complete, Having shut NJ
BNzNISE with his one hundred and fifty
thousand men, they have nothing more to do
but u attend TO MACMNuON's attempt to
relieve him, aud to wait until starvation com
pels surrender.
Meanwhile, what is the Crown Prince
doing? The Prussian dispatches say that
he is advancing on Paris by ayof Chalons
lut the French assort that he is falling back
toward the east and that his advance posts
rave been withdrawn from vitry to st.
ll>icr We do not Lelicve this French re.
Islt; but if i were tgac. !, would show that