Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-08-04
Marshal Bazaine's Corps have a brush
with Sharpshooters.
LONDON, Aug. 3.

LONDON, Aug. g.
The following detSs of the affair at Saar-
brucken have been received here The fight
began at ii o'clock yesterday forenoon. The
French passed the frontier in force and the
Prussians were driven from their strong posi-
ton by the sharp artillery fire of the French.
The latter remained masters of the position
which they won without serious loss. The
Emperor and Prince Imperial witnessed the
conflict and returned to Metz to dinner.
1t is generally admitted by the French that
their hesitancy has sacrificed their advantage.
An early start might have overwhelmed Ger
many, but France is now compelled to act
mainly on the defensive.
An immense entrenched camp is being
prepared between Frankfort and Maycnce.
The Berlin correspondent declares that
the Prussian army is ready to take the
offensive and carry the war into France.
BERLIN, Aug. 3.
King William at Mayence to- day issued a
proclamation to the armies of Germany, as
sumng the Commandership in Chief.
PARIS, Aug. 3.
The French Journals this morning publish
the following account OF the Saarbrucken
affair:
Metz Aug. =. The French troops passed
the frontier at III o'clock. They instantly
encountered the Prussians, strongly posted
on the Heights commanding Saarbrucken,
which was carried by few battalions. The
capture of the town instantly followed, the
artillery comp ceiling the Prussians to esacu-
ate it in great haste. Gen. Fressard with
one division defeated three divisions of the
enemy. The buildings in Saarbrucken
Gro +l,o
half of the town was destroyed. Mitrowillers
were used for the first time, and it is reported
to have worked wonders.
The Emperor on his return to Metz after
the battle, sent the following telegraphic des-
patch to the Empress;
''Louis has received his baptism of fire
He was admirably cool and little impressed.
division of Fressards command carried
the Heights overlooking Soar. Tne Prus-
slams made brief resistance. Louis and
were in front where the bullets fell about US.
Louis keeps a ball he picked up. The sol
diers wept at his tranquility. We lost one
officer and ten men. The city of Metz was
illuminated last night in honor of the victory.
After the retreat of the Prussans the French
did not occupy the place"
The Empress with her neices went this
morning to the chapel of Notre Dame des
Victories to offer prayers for the safety and
success of the Emperor and Prince Imperial.
The Presse says that the declaration of
the Duke de Grammont, regarding the neu-
tralty of Belgium, which was recently sent
to Belgium, will soon be communicated to
Parliament.
The Emperor is now busy improving the
soldiers uniforms, which will be made much
lighter.
The Garde Mobile is going forward to
Chattoos fast as possible. The people
there receive them with great enthusiasm.
The Monituer this morning, says there will
be no fete in Paris on the 18th of August
this year.
The advance posts of Marshal Bazaine's
corps had brush to-day with the enemy's
sharpshooters and several of the latter were
killed. The French suffered no loss.
METz, Aug. 3.
Yesterday when the heights of Saarbuck
were occupied battery of Mitrowl llers
played upon the cnemys position in the pres
ence of the Emperor and Prince Imperial. |
The Emperor ordered the officer in charge
not to fire unless it was necessary, but after
wards detachment of the enemy was seen
near the railway at distance of 1000 metres,
and was fired at and left half their number on
the field. A second detachment met the same
fate, after which the enemy was forced to re-
tire. Prisoners taken confess to the superior
ity of the French guns.