Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-08-30
Staumtu,r Spettator.
TMesdUu. Au0aIst 80, 1870.
France and Prussia.


fetal dispatches from either of the contending
powers, and such as have been published are of
a vague and unreliable character, to which not
much Importance should he attached. 1t
seems that ne great battle was fought during
the past week. The Paris Figaro, upon infor-
nation received from person who reached
Paris on Wednesday night, from Epernay,
publishes report of battle which is SAID to
have occurred between Verdun and Chalons,
ON that day, in which the Prussians were de-
feated. The informant states that groups of
Prussian stragglers, cavalry and infantry, were
continually coming into Chalons The COM
bat is said to have commenced In the morning
at three clock, and the news reached Chalons
and Epernay at about three in the afternoon.
Nothing definite is stated as to the number OF
men engaged, but according TO rumor 1.-THE en-
tire army of Prince Charles was in the fight. .
The following despatch reports fight on
Thursday night at the town of Stenay:
CARLsRUHE, August 26th.-Fighting COM
menced last night at the town Of Stenay. ten
miles from Montmedy, in the direction of You
ziers Department of the Ardennes. The
Prussans have cut the railway between Cha
monges and Lamonilly, on the route ct the
Grown Princes advance The wounded are
being brought to Montmedy. The gates of
that city are being closed in expectation of an
assault.
The Press dispatches represent the Prussians
as having thrown forward strong scouting par
ties towards Paris, and it is reported that the
town of Sezanne, sixty-fve miles southeast of
Paris, was reached by them on Wednesday,
Scouts have also appeared at Chalons St.
Menehould and other points in that direction.
Both Chalons and Eperuay are reported to
have been evacuated by the French. It is
stated that important changes have been made
in the disposition of the contending forces since
the battle of Gravelotte, and these strategic
movements that are just now being developed
account for ''the paucity and contradictory
character" of the dispatches received.
The following despetches will be read with
interest:
PARIS, August 26.-From information re-
ceived it is certain that the corps of Frederick
Charles and portion of the Kings army are
marching On Paris, leaving Steinmetz to hold
Marshal Bazaine In check. The enemay may
reach Paris In SIX days.
New York, August 26th.-The Times
special from Paris to-day says: DO not ex-
pect specific intelligence from this side for sew
eral days. A great strategic movement is in
progress, the Importance of which is to be
judged Of by the reserve of the commanding
Generals and the authorities. All communi-
cations for the army have been stopped, and
newspaper correspondents imprisoned. Place
no faith in the lying Prussian organs in Lon
don, or journals counting Prussian patronage
in New York.
THE military prospects OF France are clear
err and more certain than at any time since the
commencement of the campaign. French stra-
tegic combinations can scarcely fail of decisive
results as regards the destruction of the inva-
ding army.
MENDELHEINI, August 26.-The lombard
ment of Strasbourg has been inoessant since
Tuesday. The walls are terribly battered, and
several magazines have exploded in the city
and the forts Fires have broken out in differ
ent places 10 the city, The Prussian loss has
been very trifling. They have advanced their
posts with sege trains within six hundred wards
OF cho UiCy wits.
COLOGNE, August 26.-The bombardment
of Strasbourg was resumed to-day with vigor
The German troops placed ffty-sx heavy seige
guns in position only nine hundred PAGES from
the walls Of the city. and terrific cannouade
has been going On all day. The effect of the
Prussian fire is disastrous. A great conhagra-
ton has been raging through the town. Forty
houses and churches have been DESTROYED The
cathedral remains untouched by the cannonade
BERLIN. August $3.50 T. M.-The fol-
lowing is the latest authentic information re-
celved from the armies of the front:
The first and second corps of the army has
been advanced from Point Meusson to Bar lie
Duo, l25 miles east of Paris, on the river
Marine. One corps has been detached to watch
the movements Of the French army at Metz
A fresh demand on the contingent force has
been ordered to reinforce the Prussian army.
The Crown Prince with the main body of the
first and second corps is now on the march to
Paris, and scouts have been pushed forward as
far as LeisseDe
LONDON. August pa Paris telegram
states that Madame Tascher de la Pagret, one
OF the ladies of honor attached to the person of
the Empress Eugene, has been imprisoned at
pincennes on the charge of giving to the Prus-
SLAMS information of an important character rel
alive to the disposition and movements of the
French troops.
LATER The northern movement of Mona
hon is fully confirmed.
Bazaines official report puts the French loss
at Resonville at % 900.
A London despatch, dated on Saturday, the
9th, says:
tight occurred yesterday near Montmedy
between the advanced detachments of the
French and Prussian armies The Prussians
repused large reinforcement sent by the
northern railway from Paris to MacMahons
army
BERLIN, August -27-6 P. M.-The general
headquarters Of the army are temporarily at
st. Dizier
There arc great quantities of stores intended
Tor the Prussian army at Nancy.
Metz was completely invested at s o'clock
this morning. Marshal Bazaine, who is in
com mand there, makes no effort to force pas
sage out. Deserters report extreme dernoral-
zatIon among the garrison.
The Pcusslans are strongly intrenched before
Metz
Of three new armies just organized in Ger
many, one will march on Paris with the Prince
Royal, while the others will remain to protect
his rear.
1t Is officially announced in Paris that the
Prusslans attacked Verdun on the 25th, ten
thousand strong, and were repulsed with con-
siderable loss.
Shen. Valley z. r.
The Page Valley Courier saws that. cit has
been determined by the Board of Directors of
the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company, to
celebrate with becoming and imposing ceremo-
Mes the inauguration of their road. near Front
Royal, Warren county, Virginia, on THURSDAY.
the 9Th day of September proximo."
There will be grand barbecue and much
speaking. All the world and the rest of man