Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-06

shal Mcmahon to the Emperor of the battle
of Worth, or. as it is called by the French,
Freichsweiller:
"SAvERNE, August Z, 1870.
"iSne-I have the honor to acquaint your
Majesty that on the 9th of August, after hav-
ing been obliged to evacuase Weissenbourg
on the previous evening, the First Corps, with
the object of covering the railway from Stras-
bourg to Bitsche. and the principal roads con-
necting the eastern and the western slopes of
the Yosges. occupied the following positions
The First division was placed its right in ad>
vance of Freichsweiller, and its left in the di-
rection of Reichshoffen, resting upon a wood
which covers that village. Two companies
were detached to Neunviller, and one COM
pany to Joegersthal. The Third Division
occupied with the First Brigade some low
hills which run from Freichsweiler and slopes
toward Guersdorff The Second Brigade res
ted its left on Freichsweiller and its right on
the village of EIsasshausen. The Fourth
Brigade formed an uneven line to the right
of the Third Division its FIRST Brigade facing
toward stedt. and its Second Brigade opposite
the village of Marsbourn, which, on account
of insufficient strength, it was unable to oc>
cupy The Division Dumesnil of the Seventh
Corps, which had rallied to me early on the
morning of the 9th, was placed in the rear OF
the Fourth Division, There were held in
reserve the Second Division, in rear of the
Second Brigade of the Third Division, and
the First Brigade of the Fourth Division. Fl
nally, still further IN the rear, was the Bri-
gade of Light Cavalry, under the command of
General Septeuil, and Division of Cuirassiers,
under General de Bonnemain. Micheps Cav
airy Brigade, under the command of General
Dechesnes, was stationed in the rear of the
right wing of the Fourth Division. At seven
o'clock in the morning the enemy appeared be-
fore the heights of Guersdorff and opened the
action with cannonade, which he Immediately
supported with sustained fire from his tirGH-
lcurS upon the First and Third Divisions. The
attack was so vehement that the First Division
was obliged to effect a charge Of front, advan
cling upon it's right wing, in order to prevent
the enemy from turning the general position.
A little later the enemy largely increased the
number of his batteries, and opened fire upon
the other position which we occupied on the
right bank of the Sauerbach. Although even
more heavy and more strongly marked than
the first, which was still maintained, this Sec
ond demonstration was but feigncd attack,
which was warmly repuIsed Toward noon
the enemy directed his attack toward our right.
Clouds of sharpshooters, supported by consld-
crable masses of infantry and protected by
upward of sixty pieces of artillery, placed upon
the heights of Guustedt, rushed upon the Sec
opd Division and upon the Second Brigade of
the Third Division. which occupied the village
of Elsasshausen. Despite repeated offensive
movements vigorously execuced. and notwth-
standing the wcl-directed fire of the artillery
and several brilliant cavalry charges, our right
was broken after many hours obstinate resis-
tance. 1t was 4 o'clock. l ordered a retreat.
1t was protected by the First and Second,
which presented bold front and enabled the
other troops to retire without being too closely
harrassed The retreat was effected upon
Saverne by Niederbronn, when the Division
of General Guyot de Leopard. belonging to the
Fifth Corps. which had just arrived there,
took up position, and did not withdraw until
nightfall. I submit enclosed with this report
to his Majesty the names of officers wounded,
killed or missing, which have been reported
to me. This list is incomplete, and l will
forward a complete return as soon as I shall
be in position to do so. MCMAHON"