Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-09-02
THE WAR nv EUROPE.

THE WAR I'M EUROPE.
3 The Franco Prusssian war ls being prosecu-
ted with terrible earnestness, with the advantage
up 10 the present time almost wholly with the
Pr,ssians. In period Of less than six weeks
The disciplined forces Of France have been drv-
en- back from two Of their most important lines OF
dcfences, several Of their minor notifications
have been captured, while two Of their leading
fortresses, Strasbourg and Metz, are closely be-
sieged and are in danger Of capture. The French
regular army has been defeated in almost every
con aict, and the bulk OF what remains Of it are
either shut up IN the besiegcd fortresses or fly
ing before the Prussians. When 10 ihese we add
the large numbers Of prisoners and the vast
amount Of military stores taken and the number
of Trenchmen that are kledand wounded Il may
very properly be said that the losses sustained
in this shurt period Of active hostilitics surpass
those reported Of any war in modern times. AS
we write, the telegraph reports a terrible battle
bordering on the Belgium territory, in which the
French army under Marshal McMAHo has been
signally defeated by that of Prussia under that
of the Crown Prince in concert with the command
of Prince FRKDERicK CHARLES.
! We may safely premise, as a consequence of
this defeat, that the Prussians will meet with no
material obstruction in their further advance on
Paris. Acting on their well known tactics they
win now rapidly advance on the Capital, and
there dictate the terms of peace. This apparently
is the only alternative that presents itself to the
French, as the continuance Of the war by the i'm
/ .aA ~ ~ n.
with their equipment of ordinary firearms will
only expose them to utter destruction by the su-
perior discipline of the Prussians, armed with
their terrible needle guns. Notwithstanding the
oud talk about the defence Of Paris, II is indeed
questionable, If that defence is practicable. The
vast population within the Ratification, nearly
2 900 900, will soon consume the food which has
been gathered there, when in case Of its being
closely beseiged, famine will induce a revolt OF
the masses and speedy surrender will follow
When we also consider the weak points which
are necessarily presented in Rrdle Of fortifca
tions extending over miles, it will at once bC
spprehended that nu. erous army like that pos
sessedby the Prussians, combined with their mos
effective artillery will surely find a speedy en-
trance to that proud city and its vast wealth.
A city taken by storm, implies, all the horrors
of bloodshed, rapne and pillage. In the case o
Paris II would be calamity Of which moderl
history furnishes no parallel. or this the lead
ers of the French are cognizant, therefore, witt
the defea of McMAHoN, and the necessary abdi
cation of Napoleon, which may be expected Il
follow, overtures of peace and the cessation o
war will inevitably follsw. That such results
may be speedily realized will be the ardent de
sire Of every advocate of humanity.
THE BATTLE OF METz.
BERLIN, August 10.-The Sid0h Anzeiger o
this morning publishes full account of the bat
tie before Metz last Sunday. The French army
on the morning of the llth stood in frOnt Of Met
on east side near the point where the road fr n
st. Avoid is joined BY that from Saar Louis
1t was formed in great camps extending over a,
at least six miles. The army appeared on tive
point of retreat ing towards Cha Ions. Marshal
Bazaine must have had to contend with Difficult
ties in carrying out his designs, for he did moi
move. General Stenmets attacked the French
at O'Clock in the afternoon with the 18th Di-
vision which latter was supported by the l4th
The French troops were ranged in seneral lines
defended BY very deep rifle pits. For this rea-
son perhaps they fired more quietly than in for
mer actions. These lines were at Ars-la-G
nexy, Ogy BOrny and COlombes. The woods
also afforded good cover, but these aud the pits
were taken successfully by storm by the Prus-
slams, who fought very hard and with great loss
The French losses were principally killed be-
cause as they fought in trenches they were shot
in the head which alone was exposed. No less
than 7Sl dead Frenchmen were counted behind
one trench alone. The battle ended at the gla-
els Of Metz. and French escaped in the confusion
partly in the fortress and partly round the city
The battle Of the 10Th at Mar-la-rour is univer.
aA hara INN ant atra IA.
gical success because, as the enemy was driver
hack on Metz their line OF retreat on Chalons
the French armies prevented.
A special correspondent writes from Saar
burk, August 8, that in Tuesday s action the Stt
Cuirassers charged two regiments of French in.
fantry, cutting their way through them. They
found themselves opposed to a battery of sil
guns, which they took. The Prussian Cuiras-
siers were now charged by two regiments o
French Carabiniers on both TANKS. Wheeling
to the right and left the Prussans met their new
foes AMI after desperate hand to hand fight
drove back the French cavalry and brought of
the six gus, together with two eagles. Thi.
brave 9Th went into action 800 strong. l47 only
survive. All the officers were killed. The sur.
yivors saw now, with a terrible determination
await until we get Chalons, aud we will show
the French what the three tities can do"
BsLGIAN ACCOUNT OF NcAAuoNs DEFEAT.
RoUILLoN, Belgium, August 31.-A terrible
battle was fought yesterday AMI to-day by the
Prussian armies of the Crown Prince and Prince
Frederick Charles, with the forces Of McMahun
Yesterday morning Mcmahon commanded Ia,
general movement toward Montmedy, and Will,
marching was attacked near Beaumont aud driv.
en- back, after an obstinate resistance, toward
the Belgian frontier. The Prussians occupied
the line of road and captured large amouu
Of camp It res, They drove the French from ev
cry position until night closed. Early this morn
ing the battle was renewed and continued all day
During the night large number of reinforce
ments came up,b but they failed 10 secure n victo.
Fy. The Prussans were also reinforced laryel,
aud attacked in overwhelming numbers. McMa
hon rctreated tO Sedan With the remnant of hi!
force. The slaughter was immense, but is im
possible to estimate the loss.
The Prince Imperial is said to be in Belgium
The population are flying in great terror.
KINo WILLIAM DECLARES MCMAHON DEFEATED
BEUssELs, August 81, via London. Sept.mbe
!. 1880 A. M.-The King OF Prussia has sen
the following dispatch to Queen Augusta:
"YARIESNEs, August 3O.-The Crown Primo
has b en- in action with the 4th 18th and l7tl
corps and the l4th DaVarians. Nc cMahon wa
b a;en and driven beyond the Meuse. Twev
guns, some thousand prisoners and material 0
war were captured"
A correspondence the Tribune teleRraphs from
Berlin the following dispatch just received from
King William to Queen Augusta:
"VARIENSEs, Augut 3l.-We had yesterda,
a victorious engagement with the 4th, 18th anC
one Bavarian corps. Mcmahon was beaten an,
driven from Beaumont across the Meuse to Nous
son. Twelve guns, several thousand prisoners
aud much material fell into our hands Irapai
to the battlefield To pursue the routes Of tue vic
tory. God help us further.
(signed,) WILHELM"