The New York herald., 1870-08-22

bnch-Opcrnti0ns mt Suarbruck-Cify Ru.
n0r-Lndmirault and Bnzaine In Notion
On the M0seiie.
IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS,
METZ, August 4, 1870.
The Emperor Is still here.
The general advance has been countermanded.
regret to report q reverse, although II Is not
irreparabe.
An official bulletin was published yesterday even
Ing in the local newspapers, which, after stating
that the concentration and arrival OF troops con-
tinues under favorable circumstances; that the tenn
Derature Is cooler that the sanitary state is excel
lent; that the enemy made cavalry reconnaissance
on the 4th inst far as Rohrbach, but retired with
Ou an engagement, and that the Fourth corps made
n reconnaissance at Saarlouis without meeting the
enemy, thus refers TO the engagement: and defeat OF
which informed you yesterday:-"A portion OF the
division of Abel Douay was engaged near Wissenl-
bourg against very superior forces. Our soldiers
showed great energy. our losses are considerable.
The brave General Abel Douay was grievously
wounded and has died. Marshal MacMahon, with
his army, occupies strong position. They have
telegraphc communication with all the army corps.n
The above meagre account OF serious affair must
strike everybody with Ghe idea that 1t Is meant to
gloss over bad news. If 1t was simply an affair OF
outposts or reconnaissance In force 1t would have
been unnecessary to staJe that Marshal MacMahon
occupies a strong position phrase calculated to
insDuate that the enemy is in the neignborhood In
force in spite OF all we nave heard OF the Prussians
having retired from the frontiers. The taking OF
Saarpruck and hight OF the enemy, to which shall
refer particularly hereafter, thought from the
first was part Of the plan OF campaign laid down by
King William. But first let me say few words in
reference TO Wissembourg. Yesterday 1t did not
require the powers OF clarvoyant TO understand by
the uneasy glances OF the staff officers that some
reverse had been experienced bv the French troops.
The channel OF information through which l OBJ
tained the news reliable and l "wiredn at
once. Later the day facts oozed out which proved
that the French loss must have been very severe.
General Abel Douay morally wounded, and
died shortly afterwards. He was brgadier gene
raj in command OF division, aud brother or General
Felix Douay, OF Algerian fame, and who Is gene raj
OF division, but ut present commanding corps
darD,ee. The French division under General Abel
Douay attacked on Thursday, the 4th, by two
divisions OF the enemy and nearly annhilated The
French, they always do, fought well. but the for
Tune OF war was on the occasion against them and
they overpowered. heard last night that the
zouaves and part Of the Turcos, just arrived
from Algeria, in the thick OF the fight; that
they fought Ike lions, shouting loudly they did
SO for the cavalry, which branch OF the service ap
pears to have been wanting. The First zouaves
nearly to pieces The complaints
among the troops were loud aud bitter. / can but
relate what l hear from reliable sources, as every
precauLion is taken to prevent correspondents OBJ
tanning news from personal observation. From the
Prussian side you will receive without doubt the
NUMBER of killed and wounded, which must he
frghtIul. Here the military authorities are silent
the SUBJECT and the rum0rs in the town are not
worthy OF credence. On Monday last there was
cavalry skirmisn near WissembourR, but or no con-
sequence In rear OF Berg the first Bavarian vii
lage, situated at the gates OF Lauterbourg, there is
al enemy's camp or Z0,000 men. On Sunday last
than 800 Bavarians entered Lauterboura at flve
A. M anc remained there until four O'Clock In the
afternoon, In order to obtain provisions for which
The inhabilants declared hey paid but small prices
FROM FoRyACH
Last evening l cohyersed with gentleman just
arrived from Forbach. He had been to the French
lines IL the hope of reaching Saarbruck but was Po
ntely turned back. The French force at that point
N, according TO his account 30 600 men and cop-
cealed from view the heights beyond saarbruek
the Prussians have camp OF DC, 900 men. The
try people. who witnessed the aght declare tnat
when the French advance they VIII be cut TO pieces
and that the vaunted mralleuses complete
failures, having done nothing during the late
was scarcely struck. In spite OF this opinion ex-
pressed by humpkin eye witnesses am still inclined
by an of1oer OF the Guard who bad seen the
mitrailleuses tried before leaving for the seat of
war.
The authorities at tho present moment look with
suspicion every one, and withhold AL facility;
you mast avoid entire belief In the naming accounts
you read In some Journals supposed TO be direct
Tne report Of General Prossard states the French
aoss TO have been six killed and sixy-seveu
wounded, numbers which prove that the Saar0ruck
affair was OF no serious importance The Emperor
arrived ten O'Clock and at once gave the order 10
advance.
I The FIRST linz was formed of Batailles division,
having on its rQht that OF Taveau Coupet ana bat.
tery Of twelvep0undcrs; on the left that OF verge
and second battery OF twelve-pounders. yne
O'Clock, and Lieutenant Colonel Phihandin,
ST. sse rnas wa was roasy Gc
cuped aud dQ ended by DeueIes on the rIght " the