Middletown transcript., 1870-08-27
THE WAR NEWS,


from the seat of war, published by the
daily press. 1t is impossible to get the
truth of anything, so confused and con-
flicting are the different accounts of the
battles and the strategic movements of the
belligerents. Three terrible and san
culinary battles were fought last week !,
closing on the 18th. These battles took
place at Mars-la-Tour, Rezonville and
Gravelotte, three little villages very pear
and but little west of Metz, and have re-
suited in such severe loss to both ar
mics that both have to pause to reorganizc
and combine their shattered forces, and
bring up fresh ammunition and supplies.
1t is not likely that any active movements
will be resumed before week or two.
Then we may expect decisive battle in
the Plains of Champagne, battle second
only to that which Attila was compelled
to fight when he had reached the same
neighborhood The possible results in
case of defeat of either the French or Ger
man armies must necessarily be disastrous
in the extreme.
King William, referring to the battle
of Gravelotte, writes to the Queen that
"the fighting ceased gradually" and that
the troops performed miracles of valor
against an enemy equally brave, who
withdrew by inches, resuming the Often
sive again to be repulsed." He does not,
in this communication, appear to treat the
event as great victory, but rather as a
dear days fighting On the other hand,
dispatch is announced by the French
government from Gen. Bazaine, confirm
ing his former dispatch, in which he stated
that after battle of nine hours he held
all his positions. Yet unofficial reports
from English and Prussian sources con-
tinue to claim the day for King William
The places which figure in the san
culinary battles of last week are all upon
the roads leading westward from Metz
towards Verdun. There are three of
these roads-one to the northwest through
Br:ey, tow about fifteen miles off; one
directly to the west by Gravelotte and
Mars la Tour, which are within three or
four miles of the walls, and third be-
tween the two just named through Etain.
The town of Vionville, which has been
more than once confounded in the dis
patches with Thionville, also figures in
these battles, and is situated between
Mars la Tour and Rezonville. 1t appears
that both armies were fighting for the con-
troll of these roads-Bazaine to use them
in his retreat, and the Germans to shut
him up in Metz by seizing the roads
themselves. The Germans have thus far
been successful in holding them.
A correspondent of the New York
Times writing from Paris, asserts that
Bazaine has already succeeded in with
drawing the main body of his army from
Metz, that he is on the way to St. Meme
hould, (thirty miles North of Vitry and
twenty five Northeast of Chalons,) where
McMahon will probably endeavor to join
him, and where a great battle may be
fought.
The situation at Strasbourg is becoming
critically interesting. The Prussians have
caused the water supply of the city to b,
cut off by diverting the course of the rivel
Ill at Ernstein. Stringent regulations t,
sustain the seige and defend the places
have been made by the commander of tht
garrison.
The diplomatic corps in Psris meet dai
ly and it is asserted that, be the turn o
events what it may Intervention in favo
of peace will be made before the end @
the month.
Rumors of the formation of fres'
Holy Alliance, similar to that which fol
lowed the downfall of the first Napoleon
in 1915 are rife. On the presumption of til
humiliation of France and the dethrone
ment of the Emperor, William, Kin
by Z" divine right" asks Russia and Eng
land, Italy and Austria, to join him i
preventing anarchy in France, in guarar
teeing the people peace, order and protet
tion. This means the suppression of IT
publicanism, and the elevation of Boul
bon to the throne of France. With tt
downfall of the present dynasty, is ass
ciated the uprising of the government
the people. If the French are left
manage their own matters, there will a
| suredly be Republic in that countr
= They detest the Bourbons, and long f
# freedom, under which to develop the be
n interests of the nation. This is the a.
: archy which troubles Bismarck and VIII
n lam, and against such a result they al
l. preparing. If France is beaten and pea
ls declared, then the proposed alliance W
u commence to operate. If France dcclar
he a Republic by vote of the people, tn
will be anarchy, and the Great Powt
n will interfere. No matter how peace
v and decorous the proceedings may
10 which inaugurate a Republic, Bismar
to will denounce them as the beginning
e anarchy, and let loose the soldiers of otl
is nations upon the soil of France. 7
n Holy Alliance, if perfected, will tyran
tie over France in 1870, as did its predeces
IN in 1915, and crush all hope of Reput
- in that country. More than this, it v
al neutralize the efforts of patriots in all pa
wv of Europe. With such combination
all military powers, bound to uphold Kin
IS authority at all hazards, what hope ,
est Germans or Hungarians, Italians
in Spaniards have for the future?
ed