Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-13
History of the Series of Battles by which
MacMahOn was CaDtured

New YORK, September, 4.-The Tr1bun
correspondent from the headquarters Of King
William, eight miles from Sedan, writing
Thursday night, says
After the defeats on the 3Oth and 3lst, the
French retreated en- naasse on Sedan and en-
camped around it. The French prisoners say
they believed the road to Nlezieres open, and
in case of another defeat retreat could easily be
accomplished. On Wednesday evening the
whole Prussan corps, those from Frederick
Charles's army, from the second army, and
from the Crown Prince army, were making a
forced march in the direction of Douchery and
Mezieres to shut in MacMahon's army on the
west and drive him against the Belgium from
tier. While this was going on, the Saxons and
Guards, eighty thousand strong, the Prusslan
right, under Prince Albert OF Saxony, were
marching rapidly to close on the French ON the
right of the Meuse, which they had crossed on
Tuesday, the 30sh, at Rouelly, in the direction
of La Chapele. Thursday morning at half
past o clock the King started for the battle
field, cannonading then going on. The King
drove In an omen carriage to Cherange, three
and half miles south of Sedan. The French
had flooded the low meadow in the valley be-
fore coming to the railway bridge at Bazelle,
to stop the Germans from advancing on the
town in that direction But the French failed
to mine the bridge at Bazelle, and it was of i'm
mense service to the Prussians throughout the
battle, who threw up earth works on the bridge
itself to protect it from the French, who more
than once attempted to storm it, hoping to
break the Bavarian's communications between
the left and right banks of the Meuse. On
the projecting spurs of the hill the Bavarians
posted two batteries of breech-lOading steel
guns, which kept up duello till the very end
of the day with the siege guns of Sedan, across
thn St1jt tyyrth hor t0 r ho rIrht on
unduIating plain, above the village of Bazelle
terminating about mile and half from Sc
dan, at the roads near Roulecort, midway is a
ravlne watered by tiny brook which was the
scene of the most desperate struggle and
frightful slaughter of the whole battle. Be-
tween this road and the town we're several
French camps, where were sheltered huge
masses of troops which were never used. Sep
arated from them by wooded ravine was a
long, bare hill, where also occurred some OF the
hardest fighting of the day, and which formed
one of the keys to the position OF the French
army, and when once in the hands of the Prus-
slams the whole town of Sedan was at the mer-
cy of the German guns. Further to the left
lay the village Of Lily, set on fire early in the
day by French shells.
Above the railway bridge, on the line to
Mezieres, was wooded hill where the Crown
Prince and staff stood during the day, having
a more extensive view than ours. The klng,
Bismarck, General Moltke, and Generals Sher-
idan and FOrsythe, stood together. The object
OF the Prussian generals was to close the cres-
cent OF troops which they had brought into a
circle by the junction between Saxon corps
on the right, and the Prussians on the left.
This took place at noon near the village OF Ol-
Ter, on the Bazelle ravine behind Sedan. This
terrible Circle once formed, grew steadily small
ftII laSe 4 ho sod sol
were enclosed.
The Guards and SaXons, IS, 900 strong, Were
all day on the right bank Of the Meuse, between
Rubecort and La Chapelle. Between Rubecort
and the Arenze We're posted the Bavarlans
Below the hill, on which the Grown Prince
stood, were the first and third Prussian corps
of Frederick Charles. Further to the left were
20, 900 Wurtemburgers. The Prussian troops
engaged are estimated at 240, 200, and the
French l2O, 000 Mac Mahon had with him
four corps-his own, that lately commanded
by Faly, that of Felix Douay, and the Garde
Mobile. MacMahoD, though wounded, COM
manded in chief on the French side. The real
commander-in-chief on the Prussian side was
Won Moltke, with the Crown Prince and Prince
Albert Of Saxony immediately next in COM
mand.
The battle did not commence till 6 o clock
A. Nj. and at clock IL become a sharp artll-
lery fight, when the batteries had got within
easy range. AT III :55 the musketry fire in the
valley In the rear of Sedan became lively. The
mitrailleuses played with deadly effect On the
Saxons and Bavarlans. @
At III clock two French batteries near the
valley of FIoriDg were silenced At ten min
utes after II the infantry, no longer supported
by artillery, were compelled to retire to Flooring.
Soon after, junction between the Saxons and
Prussians behind Sedan was announced.
The issue was no longer doubtful, the French
being completely surrounded and at bay.
At II :25 the French retreated the Prussian
batteries making good practice among their re-
cedng ranks At II 80 another French col
umn was In full retreat to the right of Sedan,
never halting till they reached the city. The
third column followed at | clock. The
French batteries on the road towards Toury,
and above it, opened vigorous fire on the ad-
vanelng Prusslans, whose intention was to storm
the hill northwest of La Gavanne, the key to
the position on that side.
At l :l5 O'Clock yet another French battery
near the wood opened on the Prusslan columns,
which were compelled to keep shifting their
ground till ready Tor their final rush at the hills,
and In order to avoid so good mark to the
French shells. Shortly afterwards we saw the
first Prusslan skirnishers on the crest of La
Gavanne hills above Tcury
| They did not seem In strength, and General
| Sheridan, who was standing by, exclaimed
| ''Ah they are too weak. They can never
hold that position against all those French. u
The Generals proph cy was soon proved cor
rect, for the French advancing at least six tC
one. the Prussians were forced to retreat dowr
the hill to seek reinforcements from column:
which were hurrying to their support.