Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-13
POSITION OF THE ARMIES.

/ L
The position of the contending armies
in Europe is sketchcd as follows:
/ As far as can be ascertained the French
army is now in the following position On
the extreme left are massed the Third corps,
Marshal Bazaine; Fourth corps, General
Count Ladmirault; Second corps, Major
General Frossard, and part of the imperial
Guard. In addition it is probable that the
troops concentrated at Dunkirk (some 40, 00O)
have been hurried by rail to Metz, and it is
not unlikely that a part of the Garde Mobile
has also been sent there. Considering that of
these troops Frossard's corps alone has been
in action, the force concentrated at Metz can
not be less than one hundred ard fifty thou
sand. and may reach as high as two hundred
thousand
Should the French army now concentrated
in front of Metz, be defeated in 4 general en-
gagemen mt and fall back upon the Vosges
mountains, or should it voluntarily retire to
the mountains, the road to Paris would be
open to th1 Prussians. Before an advance
could be made it would be necessary TO re-
duce Metz And ust here the Germans
would encounter their first difficulty. Metz
is the strongest fortress in France and Is re-
parded as inpregnable to anything but starva-
ton or voluntary surrender In 1902 the
Constable Montmorency gained possession of
it by stratagem. Charles ", Emperor of
Germany, Immediately after besleged 1t with
an army of 100, 900 men. At the end of ten
months he raised the siege and retired, hav-
pglo.t 40 600 of his force in fruitless contest.
The present Notifications of Metz were
planned by Vauban. 1t NAV be well to say
here that the city is seated on the Mosele
river, at the junction Of a small stream called
La Settle. The population is nearly 10000.
The civ is entirely surrounded by fortifca-
tions. so constructed that they can be defend
ed by 10. 900 men or by 100 600 Several
forts crossing each others fire and sweeping
! tbc surrounding country for miles. are Stu
ated at intervals around the place. One of
the most important of these is called Belle
Croiy, and is regarded as n chef d'pnrre of
military construction. Next in strength
comes La Double Couronne an immense work
surrounded by a triple ditch filled with water.
In addition there is the great redoubt of lie
Pate. which can be converted into an island
bv closing the sluices on the Settle About
800 guns of heavy calibre are mounted on
these works. There are. besides. bastions
and redans for light artillery. A fourth great
fort * said To have been constructed quite re-
comfy which if true. adds greatly to the
strength Of the CITY. In fact. when it is borne
in mind that TO reach the fertilization it will
he necessary for an assailing force TO cross
two bitches. fffv feet wide bv eighty deem
the impossibility of carving Metz by storm
will he nerceiyed Furthermore. the waters
of the Settle can be raised twenty-four feet.
aooding the surrounding country So as tn
firm a lake six miles in extent.
Ordinarily the garrison of Metz Numbers
about * O0i men. Sbould the French army
uncover Paris. we suppose that a force of
25. 900 or 80 600 men, without including the
Garde Mobile of the city, would be left to de-
fend it. And here, as we said above, the
troubles of the Prussians begin. Nothing
short of treachery. cowardice or starvation
is lik, " 10 redpce Metz. Twenty thousand
men can defend it against any force that can
nossiblv he broupht against il. Nevertheless
# the Prussi.ns push on to Paris. leaving il
behind. and are defeated in general engage
ment they could only retreat back to Ger
many bv cutting their way through the gar
rison which would by this time have sailed
ont TO oppose them. 1t is true that they
could leave corps to watch the city but this
would weaken the main army and expose this
corns of observation to n sudden and disas-
trous defeat from the French.
The French centre is at present located at
Nancy. whore the bulk of the Immortal Guard
and the greater mart of the Sixth corps il sta
toned the whole commanded bv Marshal
Caprohert We have no idea what the
strength of tbis force is. but it cannot mum.
her loss than s;xtv thousand men Standing
midway between Metz and Sav.rne Canrobert
ought to he in position TO afford aid to either
MacNabon mr. Razaine in two marches. Nam
CIV is strongly fortified and is capable of re-
sistino n severe attack. but it is bv no means
imnrecrable. The ctreat advantage it nos
sesses as a defensive position is the large plain
which surrounds il. An advancing enemy
would have TO move across an entirely open
country exnosed to a raking artillery fire.
Nancy is go miles from Paris.
The French right or. TO be particular, the
right centre. the extreme right being at Bel
fort. ia at Saverne. TO which place Marshal
MacMahon retired after his defeat near
Woarth on Saturday. Here he has his own
corns. and near Inv is the eorDs under dc Failly.
the whole Numbering perhaps seventy thou
sand men. Saverne is situated on the east
slone of the Vospes and not far from the for
,ross of Phalshonry. which stands on the
rocks and commands the detiles of the noun
ta;n MacNabon ia at present safe from anv
attack nj tho army commanded by the Crown
prince and will nrobablv be allowed to re-
orron;ye h;s force unmoIested