New-York tribune., 1870-08-04
LEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUEB.l

ppuCK NOT SERIOUSLY DEFENDED BY TIE
PRUsSIANs.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNBl
LoNpox, Wednesday, Aug s. 1870.
Tho oncaccment at Saarbrucl was between small
detachment forming Prussian outpost and three di-
visions Of French infantry supporting 2S guns The
affair is of slight Importance, and the loss trhng on
each side. The special correspondent OF THE
TRIBUNE at Saarbruck says he was reused early on
Sunday morning by a report that the town was to be
evacuated and for the fifth or sixth time he packed
up for a start
In spite of the apparent importance of maintain
ing railway connection at Saarbruck the Russians
have never seriously prepared to defend 1t, and
their movements are believed to be henceforth
independent of the Saarbruck line Considerable
bodies of troops have entered Saarbruck at different
times, but not as garrison The town itself is
ndefcnsble, unless the nights on the French side
are occupied by large force In fact those nights
have only been pcketed by Prussians.
The attack repulsed Saturday was sufficient
warning of the French intentions, but the Prussians
took no further steps even when the French subse-
QuCuliS ONCupltu lut NOouS' ihO my cNSiJ Vhuo A"i
hanging over Prussan movements and plans is not
dispelled by the taking of Saarbruck. Nothing in
the French account shows that they occupied the
town itself, or have attempted to ascertain what
force lies beyond it, The story of 40 prisoners made
by the French between Saarbruck and Forbach is
invention. g. W. S.
THE FRENCH vERSION-THE EMPEROR's DIS
PATCH TO THE EMPRESS" LOUIS AND Il IN
THE FRONT-THE TERRIBLE MITRAILLEUsEs
PARIS, Wednesday, Aug s. 1870.
The French journals this morning publish the fol-
lowing account of the SaarbTuck affair;
"The French troops passed the frontier at II
o'clock They instantly encountered the Russians
strongly posted on the nights commanding Saar-
bruck, which were carried by few battaliOns. The
capture of the town instantly followed the artillery
compelling the Prussians to evacuate it In great
haste Gen. Frossard, with one division, defeated
three divisions of the enemy. Buildings in Saar-
bTck caught fire from the French artillery, and half
of the town was destroyed. The mitraileuses were
used for the first time, and are reported 10 nave
worked wonders"
The Emperor on his return to Metz after the battle
sent the following telegraphc dispatch to the En-
press:
"Louis has received his baptism of fire. He was
admirably cool and little impressed. division OF
Frossard's command carried the nights overlooking
tbe Saar. The Prussians made brief resistance
Iouis and were in front where the bullets 1e"
about lis. Louis keeps a ball he picked up lhe
Solders wept at his tranquility. We lost an ohcer
and ten men. NHoLEoN'
When the nights of Saarbruck were occupied,
battery Of mitraiIeuses played upon the enemy's
nostion in the presence of the Emperor and Prince
Imperial The Emperor ordered the officer in charge
not to fire unless it was necessary as the Prusslans
were hidden in the underbrush but afterward de-
kachment of the enemy, seen near the railway al
distance of 600 meters q As miles was fired at and
left half their number on the field second de-
kachment met the same fate, after which the enemy
feared to appear The prisoners taken confess tothe
ruperiority of the French guns.
The Figaro claims that the victory at Saarbruck
was one of great importance. The Emperor wished
10 gain possession Of Saarbruck because itcommands
the Valley of the Saar and the railway to TreveS'
The latter cannot be of any service to the enemy
All the other French accounts coincide as to the
destructiveness of the mirdilIer and the compara-
lively small loss of the French troops
The City of Metz was Illuminated last night In
honor of the victory After the retreat of the Prus-
slams the French did not occupy the place.
The Empress with her nieces went this morning
90 the Chapel of NOtre Dame des victories to offer
PRAYERS of Thanksgiving for the safety and success
of the Emperor and Prince Imperial.
PRUssIAS OFFICIAL ACCOUNT-THE LOSS THRILLING
THE POSITION REGARDED AS OF LITTLE
IMPORTANCE. oo
LONDON, Wednesday, Aug 3, 1870
A dispatch from Berlin gives the following as the
Prussian official account of the Saarbruck affair
Yesterday small Observation-Disclosures at Saar-
bruck was attacked by three French divisions
After sharp action the position was abandoned
the Prussans falling back on their supports. The
loss was trihing."
A telegram from Amsterdam also confirms the
report Of the French exploit at Saarbruck, but calls
il coup de theatre TO act Paris, and not military
snccess. The Prussians, it is said regarded Saar-
bruck as a position without military value, and
intrusted il to only two companies.
FRENCH REPORTS