Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-08-06
ALEXANDRIA. VA.
TIE WAR News. The papers this morning
SATURDAY, AUGUST &, 1870.

Yesterday. The FRENCH account VI Inc patt'o
at Weissepburg and the capture Of that place
and tho adjoining heights by The Prussians,
states that lat one o'clock in the afternoon
three regiments of Dopay's division and bri.
gade OF light cavalry were attacked at Wels-
senburg by very considerable force of Pfus.
slams which had been massed 10 the woods
skirting Lsuter river. The French troops
resisted for several hours the attacks of the
Prussians and then retired to the summit OF
Pigeonnier an eminence which commands the
line of railroad to Bitsche. General Donsy
was killed One piece of artillery, the horses
having been killed and the carriage broken, fell
into the hands OF the Prus>ians.' 1t is added
that "Marshal McM ahon is concentrating the
forces under his command at this point" The
total number of prisoners by the Prusslans is
put down at 500. A special dispatch to
New York paper from Hazensu says that 1.-THE
defeat OF the French at Weissenburg was dis.
astrous. General Donay's division, composed
of picked fighting men, was utterly routed, and
several of them have reached here in demon
allied condition. WeisSenburg is in the pos
session of the Prussans. A general advance
here and at Saarbrucken Is expected. The
report of the capture OF Saar Louis by the
French is untouuded. Saar.L Louis is a town of
Rhensh Prussia, on the froutier OF France
thirty miles southeast Of Treves. on the left
bank Of the river Saar, and has population
of about 5000 1t belonged to France until
1915, and forms en- important border fortress.
1t is said that in Paris it is believed that the
Prussians design invading France through
Landau, which, it is stated, accounts Tor the
attack on WeiSsenburg. The Paris PreSse
judges from the movements Of the Prussians
that the latter will violate Belgian territory.
1t is understood in London, however, that Fog
land will make such al event, on the part Of
either belligerent casus belli.
According to the reports, by telegraph, this
evening, the French have reoccupied Weissen
burg, which tie PrussiaDs evacuated on The
advance Of Marshal McMahon's corps, which
it Is said now holds a strong position on the
Bavarisn frontier. Dispatches from Paris
state that the forces engaged on Thursday at
Weissenburg we're very unequal, the PruSslans
outnumb ering toe French three or four 10 one
The Prussian loss is stated to have bccu so
great that they did not dare to pursue. "
The POLITICAL CALDRoN, quiet. in this
State fer so long, begins to simmer from the
continued application of fuel by the asplranls
for office. Candidates for Congress ,ional hon
ors are becoming quite numerous, and even
the claims Of Senator Johnston SUCCESSOR
prominent among whom are Maj w. ~ Suth
erin, of Danvle, and Gov. Walker, are being
cauvassed. Judge Dickinson, OF Prince Ed
ward, is spoken OF to succeed MIR. kidgway, in
the Lynchburg district, in case the atters
health will no: admit Of his Continuance. ln
this district number Of gentlemen have been
proposed for Congress, and Cons sentative
Convention will probably b. held in this city
to determine the nominee. Mr.. Mckenzie, the
present incumbent, will be an independent
candidate The Radio lls have had "a split"
in the Richmond district, and the opponents
called another convention. In clse the divs-
ion continues the Conservatives in that district
will probably run candidate 1t is thought |
by some that the Legislature, at its session 10 |
October, will re district the State, but this is |
by no means certain. Should the re district
ing be determined upon the holding Of convcn-
,ions will have to be deferred. la any event
there is an abundance OF time, and 10 the i'll
terim, the European war will divert attention |
somewhat from politics and tend TO aliay excite
ment, and the chances are that the canvass
will be short, but not sharp. -
The ADDREsS<oi the Central Executive com |
mittee Of the Conservative party of the State, |
which we pint to day 10 full, is an abe and |
well written document, tracing with accuracy |
the political status OF Virginia and the circum-
Stances which led to the formation OF the Con-
servstve party, aud presenting very cogent
reasons for adherine 10 that policy 1t will
doubtless be read with interest, and its senti-
ments 10 the main heartily concurred IN, and
the advice given, needed by those who have the |
true interest and welfare OF the State at heart
and who desire 10 see triumph Of Conservatism
over Radicasm.
York Campbell, coored was hanged at Cul. |
peper Court House yesterday for the murder
OF an old and infrm colored man named Pc
trick Pol!ux on the 25th OF December. The
execution took place 10 an open field near the
town, and was witnessed by 5000 persons.
The condemned man was accompanied 10 the
scaffold by mounted guard Of one hundred
men. lie confessed his guilt and said that he
A. half Il ~
drop fell and he expired almost instantly.
II il said that the President does not consid
er al extra session OF Congress necessary, aud
will only convene one on account of the Euro
mean war If this country should become COM
nl;o.tad in any Way