New-York tribune., 1870-08-24

which converge at GraVelOtte; anu tnat "hho eho
army of Prince Frederick Charles attacked in 'front.'
us, or nearly lost, by reason OF the smoke
Now and then the thick cloud would open
little and drift away on the wind, and then
we could see the French sOrely tried. To get
better view of this part of the field, went
forward about half mile, and from this new
standpoint, found myself not far from NAL
maison. 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 the fact that
the French were more clearly visible in their
broad hight, and fighting with such singular
obstinacy. They plainly silenced Prussian
battery now and then. But the Prussian line
also was strengthened by degrees on this
northern point. Infantry and artillery were
brought up, and from far in the rear, away
seemingly in the direction of Verneville, shot
and shell began reaching the French ranks.
These were the men and these were the guns
of Steinmetz, who there and then effected his
junction with the army of Prince Frederick
Charles, and completed the investment of
Metz to the northwest.
With reenforcements for the Prussians thus
continually arriving on both sides of the field,
the battle grew more and more obstinate.
There could be no doubt that the French well
understood the meaning of the new move
ments of the Prussians, and of the gradual
development of their line to the north.
THE FRENCH oUTFLANKED.
Steinmetz was able to extend his line grad
ually further and further until the French
were outlanked and began to be threatened,
as it appeared, with an attack on the rear OF
their extreme right wing. So long as the
smoke from the Prussan guns lowered only
over their front, the French clung to their pO-
stion. The distance from headquarters to
where the Prussian flank attack stretched for
ward was great and, to add to the difficulty of
clearly seeing the battle, the darkness was
coming on. / know not how long the
French held out nor at what precise mo-
ment the Prussian onset became irresisti-
BILE. What 1 saw was this: The puffs of
smoke from the French guns mingled
with the flashes, frightening as the dark
ness increased, receded gradually. The
pillars of cloud and fame from the North as
gradually and steadily approached. With that
advance the French fire every moment grew
more slack. 1t was not far from o'clock
when the ground was yielded finally on the
North, and the last shots fred on that terrible
evening were heard in that direction.
ANXIETY AT HEADQUARTERS.
But to 60 back now to the movements OF
the King and those with him at headquarters.
The Kings face as he stood gazing upon the
battle field, had something almost plaintive in
it. He hardly said a word, but noticed that
his attention was divided between the exciting
scenes in the distance and the dismal scene
nearer his feet, where they were just beginning
what must yet be long task-tO bury the
French who fell in Tuesdays battle. On them
he gazed silently and, thought, sadly.
Count Bismarck could not conceal his ex-
citement and anxiety. If it had not been for
the King, the Count would clearly have gone
| forward where the fighting was. His towering
form was always little in advance OF the
rest
When the French completely gave up their
| hold upon the road up to GravelOtte, the horses
of the Headquarters party were hastily called,
and the entire party, mounting, with the King
at their head, dashed down to point not
very far from the village. Then shouts and
cheers arose, and followed them wherever
they passed.
| CAVALRY CHARGE.
| A little after o'clock strange episode oc-
Cured. From the region where Steinmetz was
supposed to be, a magnificent regiment OF cav
airy galloped out They paused moment at
| the point where the Contains road joins that
| to Metz. Then they dashed up the road to-
ward Metz. This road between GravelOtte ana
st. Huberts is cut through the hill, and
on each side of it rise cliffs from
40 to go feet high, except at the
point where it traverses the deep ravine be-
hind the village. When it is remembered that
at the time the eliminating point to which
that road ascends was held by the French, It
will not be wondered at that only half that
regiment survived. What the survivors ac-
complished do not know, nor could learn
the name and number of that regiment which
| seemed to meet it's fate under the eyes OF the
King. The situation hardly admitted asking
| many questions but their plunge into thas
deep cut on the hillside, where next day saw
no many of them and their horses lying, was
of that brave, unhesitating, unfaltering KIND
which in No characteristic Of German soldiers