The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-25
THE BATTLE OF wEIssENBURe.
A French Account Of the Ensasement-Che
Conflict an Unequal One-DesperatIon of the
Turcos-How the Germans Fight.

A French Account Of the EnGagement-Vhe
Conflict an Unequal Ope-DcsperatIon of the
Turcos-How the Germans Fight. s
The correspondent of the Courier du Bds-
Rhin gives the following description of the bat
tie of Weissenburg, writing from Haguenau,
under date of August 81 81 ii tl..r5 81 % Z.
The rumors current yesterday in Strasburg, and
upon hearing which instantly sent out for Hague
nsu, were unfortunately but too well founded. Let
me hasten to say. soldiers were overwhelmed by
numbers; 5000 or 10000 men of army fought for
six hours against so 900 menmay be against l0o,o 900
men. The 18th and 50th Regiments OF Infantry, the
10th Regiment of Foot Rifemen, one. regiment OF
Turcos, and one regiment Of mounted rIfenen en-
burg Skirmishers and patrols, sent on reconnois-
sances towards the frontier, reported no enemy
snpsssmept p o minent This morning at daybresR
a vigorous cannonade was heard, and an
immense German army-artillery, cavalry,
sehwesen @ Is the name Of the nrst Bsyaran village
on the other side of the fronter) and on all sides
and almost instantly set 1re TO the barracks and
other buildings. The 50th Regiment Of Infantry
to fall in the camp General Douay who com.
!. manded the division thereupon ordered forward
threw down their knapsacSs, which they were be-
ginning to buckle and darted forward. The
French division had only three guns, the enemy
and shells into our ranks. Our soldiers sheltered
themselves behind some farm-houses near Wes-
the enemys cannon They were overwhelmed by
the number OF Germans, which momentarily in
creased The Turcos fought like lions they charged
the enemy with the bay onet but they we're riddled
with grapeshot. The two regiments OF infantry
men met distrsssinr losses Our soldiers were SOON
disturbed by terrible intelligence-Gener Douay
was killed by bomb and, General de. Montmarie
was wounded. The Germans continued to fire with
their numerous artillery upon our men, houses, and
FARMS burning everything within their range. At
came by railway. 1t was ignorant OF that which
was taking place, and was on its wayto join its
regiment The train was stopped at Hunspach "a
quilted the carriages, loaded their muskets and
leaped into the fight This battle of one against ten
lasted until P. M. The French retreated through
the woods and the vines, pursued for the last time
by the enemy's grapeshot. The TurcGs had possess
after an obstinate and most sangunany contest,
during which they had destroyed a Prussian hussar
regiment We had no time to pick up our arms and
tents; most Of the wounded were left the battle
Held. reached Haguenau at P. M. Numerous
groups were in the streets talking with animation Of
nameiy-long lines OF vehicles, drawn by oxen or
horses, containing some furniture and bedding, and
They we're Inhabitants Of Redsez scSoenbSpS
other neighboring villages who were flying before
the enemy. They established themselves under the
trees in the stl ees and tOwnspe0ple ocked around
them. They sobbed, and imagined their villages
were all on fire. BY and by came through Wessen-
burg gate the soldiers of our regiments which had
been engaged in the mornings unequal conflict.
They came worn out, exhaused, having tasted no
M as
fifty Of them. They all said the strife was impos-
10000 strong they would have repealed the enemy,
| for their small columns had repeatedly held the
enemy in check. sergeant,major Of infantry mar
rated the incidents OF the battle as have above
given them to you. Some wounded soldiers came
up, leaning on their muskets. A Turco showed us
| his arm trayersed by bayonet. Another Turco
brought his captains sword the officer had been
killed by his side; ne kissed the weapon of HIS un.
happy leader. All these things were mournfu, and in
the silence OF the night produced an extraordinary
effect At II p NJ, two vehicles filled with wounded
soldiers came up; they were carried to the ambu.
ances. At T. NJ, 1 could see Sisters Of Charity
running in every direction, seeking medicines, and
| sistance and discarging their duties with eXem
pary zeal. At A. M, the drums beat in the streets
| OF Haguenau to bring the local 1remen together
| They were sent down the road towards Weissen
| burg to bring in the wounded and to help bury the
dead. Another remark to the honor of our regi
| ments should be made, namely-they lost neither
l nsg nor a cannon. write under vivid impression
produced by the events told by me and by the
| witness