The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-24
DOUBLE SHEET-THREE CENTS

hot in that direction. The 10Th Foot Chasseurs az
ooce Qpered out as traieurs front Of the Spikeren
pied wood On the right the PrussIans commenced
avery vigorous and well-sustalned fire. they were
an buscated In bitches, from whence they fired up
ward on the French soldiers, who gradually reached
the extremity OF the plateau, while the Prussians
attacked the wood on two sides.
FIGHTING IN THE WOODS
IL was in and around this wood that the most ter
rl5le i lighting took place There was an incessant
roll OF shot firing, as the Prussiaus endeavored to
SnmO Sn a steep approach; entire lines were swept
down Dy the French fire, but they were constantly
replaced by fresh troops, and the attacking column
kept continually advancing. As soon as it reached
assist those who had taken up position on the other
side. In the midst OF the clumps of trees and be-
hind the hedges, the doth Regiment struggled heroi
cally, while the chasseurs on the outside were bat
ting with the Prussians on the left. Unfortunately
owing to the inevitable confusion arising from tluht
ing IN wood, the chasseurs and the soldiers OF the
line did each other much mischief; but it is
also certain that the Prussians suffered dreadfully
as tne French Chassepots carry further than the
Prusslan guns although this superiority was not OF
much advantage, owing to the closeness OF the prn-
cpal part or the sangufnary conflict. While this
horrible combat was proceeding, the Prussian and
french artillery were actively engaged in other di-
rec ana the heavy and noisy projectiles they
spread death and destruction on both sides. The
PTussians were infinitely superior to the number
OF their cannon, and literally fired down the compa-
ratively few pieces that were opposed to them al
though the French fred throughout the day with
great calmness and regularity
THE MTTRAILLBUsEs.
Much, and very JUSTLY was expected from the
mltralleuses and they would.certainly have proved
an enectve assistance to make up for the numerical
lnlerlorlty OF the French troops. But, unfortu-
nately, they could but rarely be made use of: first
or all, because they require TIE enemy to be upon
the trees completely neutraized their power OF de-
struction; Then, again, the French and the Prus-
sian soldiers were so mixed together, although
always at certain distance, sometimes advancing,
sometimes retiring, that 1t would have been
dltncult to strike the enemy only. By-the-by, the
mltraeuSe used nv the Ia ha inv ion of
an american gentleman, Dr. Gatling. You will re-
member that about two years and half ago wrote
concerning the shameful wayssin which DIR. Gatllng
was treated by the French authorities. They made
several trials with his gun at Vincennes, stole the
principle OF 1t, and let him go unrewarded. OF
course he carried it to the Prussian side and it
IL Is now being used effectively against the French.
There is however, fact connected with the French
mitralleuse which gives IL a certain advantage. By
the removal OF one small piece of its mechanism.
before 1t takes to hight the gun srendered perfectly
useless.
TERROR OF THE BAYoNET.
There are two things of which the Prussans ap-
pear TO be particularly afraid-the mtraileuses aud
the 6ayonet charge-and during the present war
contact with either. In order to insure their COM
parative safety, they intrench themselves behind
no matter what, and manifest special dread OF the
bdaches, as the French cali their bayonets In
the battle OF the 9Th, three hundred men of oath
Regiment, (French lne) becoming suddenly without
ammunition While exposed to q heavy fire, marched
straight up to the enemy with their bayonets amid
shower Of shot: When within fifty yards, the
the charging party was not in sufficient force TO
pursue its advantage
SECOND ATTACK-PRUSsIAN VICTORY.
About 10 O'Clock the battle appeared to be won by
the French ION the side of Froschweiler and there
was short respite Of about ten minutes duration.
Suddenly the Prussian artillery opened as it were,
an entirely fresh attack upon Woerth and cannon,
AIDED at the same time the other points Of the French
position; This thunder, directed to the right and
left replied to by the sharp cracking Of the mtrail
leuses lasted for upwards Of two hours, during
which the entire arsenal OF modern destruction was
brought to bear upon the brave men OF both armies
At At this this time about oclockl all Marshal Mac
Manons dsp0sable troops had been brought
into position; they amounted to about 80 900 men,
and the German forces opposed to them exceeded
100000, with proportionate superiority as to artll
ordered the attack Of thescentre at Elsenhaussen
Three times the assault was repulsed, but the Ger
fresh soldiers were led to the attack while those who
were beaten went to reform under the pro-
lection H;ss cva OF their artillery; After each re;
Zouayes pursued the enemy to the end Of the
village, where, on the third occasion, considerable
number OF the heroes OF the French bayonet were
prisoners. This achievement turned the tide of the
battle completely In favor OF the Prussans, who,
centre OF the French position at Elsenhaussen while
the hill in front OF FrOschweiler the scene OF one
OF the most determined fights ever witnessed, end
ing in the defeat OF the French, who beaten by
sheer numbers, in whose presence courage became
useless because poweress.
THE FRENCH RETREAT.
At 8 O'Clock Froschweiller was on fire, ,yand at
O'Clock Elsenhaussen was burning also. The French,
although beaten, did not appear to be aware that
they were almost surrounded by enemies, and that
It was time TO retreat At o'clock all the Prussian
that had not yet been brought into requisI-
t0n were ordered to advance descended the hills
OF Gunstadt, Dafenbach, and Goresdor and were let
capable OF 0nerng any resistance. The battle OF
Froschweier was lost and won.