The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-10-15

broad hight, and fighting with such singular
obstinacy-
With rein~forcements for the Prussians continu-
ally arriving ON both sides of the field, the battle
grew more and more obstinate. There could be
no doubt that the French well understood the
meaning of the new movements of the Prnssians,
and of the gradual development of their line to
the North.
Steinmetz was able to extend his line gradually
further and further until the French were out
fanked and began to be threatened, as it appeared,
with an attack on the rear of their extreme right
wing. 1t was not far from 9 O'Clock when the
ground was yielded finally on the North. and the
last shots fired on that terrible evening were
heard in that direction.
A little after four O'Clock a strange episode
occurred. From the region where Steinmetz was
supposed to be, a magnificent regiment of cavalry
galloped out. They paused a moment at the
point where the CONTAINS road joins that to Metz.
Then they dashed up the road toward Metz.
This road between Gravelotte and st. Huberts is
cut through the hill, and ON each side of it rise
cliffs from forty to sixty feet high, except at the
point where it traversed the deep ravine behind
the village. When it is remembered that at the
time the eliminating point to which that road
ascends was held by the French, it will not be
wondered at that only half that regiment sur
vived. What the survivors accomplished | do
not know, nor could L learn the name and num-
Der of that regiment which seemed to meet its
fate under the eyes of the King.
[ must record also what seemed an inexplicable
thing. The army of Prince Frederick Charles
was fighting hard, and suffering, it was only too
plain, heavily. From this army, division after
division had been taken and vainly sent against
the French centre. AT "a moment that for these
reasons seemed critical, there appeared on the
field. occupying ground before held by a portion
of the forces of Prince Frederick Charles, a large
body of troops. They moved into position under
tho or,oS Of rho Efn- "a naifhan tho Etnr n
any of his staff could account for their appear
ance. In any event it cannot be doubted that
the presence of that large body of men made it
self felt upon the fortunes Of the field. They
were visible to the French as well as to us.
Instead of advancing, the French now con-
tented themselves with the mere occupation of
the ground to which earlier in the day they had
been driven back. At no time did they seriously
strive to regain the westernmost line of hills
which had been theirs in the morning. At no
time did they recover or seek to recover by any
vigorous forward movement to the junction of
the roads at Gravelotte. From seven to eight
the weight of the battle tended more and more
to the north of the road.
To leave the French in their positions during
the night, would have been to imperil the plan
on which the Prussian commander had resolved.
So from eight or ~half-past eight to nine, the de-
cisive blow was struck. When the battle of
Gravelotte had actually ended, we knew that the
Prussians held the strong heights beyond the
Bots de Vaux, which commands the surrounding
country to the limits of artillery range from
Metz we knew that two great Prussian armies
lay across the only road by which Bazalne could
march to Paris for its relief, or for his own
escape; we knew that a victory greater than
that of Sunday. and even more decisive than the
triumph of Tuesday, had been won.
As L went back to the village of Gore to pass
the night, | turned at the last point to look upon
the battle field. 1t was a long earth-bound
cloud, with two vast fires of burning buildings at
either end. The day had been beautiful so far as
Nature was concerned, and the stars now looked
down in splendor upon the work of agony and
death such as no one could ever wish to see again.
The following further particulars are tele-
graphed by the same special correspondent of the
Tribune respecting the battle of the 18th
A reconnaissance made the day previous (l7th)
showed that the French army was retreating on
Verdun. The column was cut in two by the adj
vance of the Germans, and the last part was
driven back between Gravelotte and Metz. 1t
was resolved to attack there, as the retreat of the
French to Verdun was cut off. The Germans
were posted in a northeast direction from Grave
lotte, commanding the road from Briey to Metz.
The Seventh Prussian Corps formed the right of
the line. Next came the Eighth, posted on the
road to Gravelotte; then the Ninth and Twelfth
Corps. The Guards were on the extreme left.
The Third, First, and Tenth Army Corps was
held in reserve. The Fifth was kept up along
the whole line from eleven o clock.
The Prussian artillery seemed overpowering,
and the French batteries were gradually driven
back on a second line. l pushed over to the left
of the French line, thinking that their position
was abandoned, but to my surprise found that
the enemy was still there and myself a prisoner.
OF what happened afterward l can give but little
account. The cannonade was renewed on both
sides, lasting till nearly ten O'Clock, when the
French appeared to be retiring, and the Prussian
guns alone maintained their fire.
L escaped and reached st. Marie, which was in
possession Of the Germans. In this village many
of the houses are battered down. Every available
spot was crowded with wounded men. No con-
veyance nor food is to be had. Metz is COM
pletely surrounded by the Prussian forces. The
Fourth Army Corps having moved round from
the east to the north, and the Saxon Corps of
Pioneers has been sent to the front. Four Prus-
sian corps will be left about Metz to carry on a
siege.