New-York tribune., 1870-09-23
GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORTS.
opre ATOMS OF THE SECOND ARMY BEFORE METZ.

OPERATIONS OF THE SECOND ARMY BEfohh hEiH'
Translated for The TrbaHel
The investment of the French forces within
be foriecatons OF Metz by the German troops in the
last days OF August had become an accomplished rct
in the mode and manner contemplated from the first
Though the Gordon OF arms daily became closer ana
stronger around the enemy yet from August ~ FORWARD
no movement had been made which could nave Deeh
taken to indicate the plan of hlnderng or breaking
through the investment as TO gain free neu lor MS
operations and bring about junction with the troops o
Marshal MacMahon. South OF the village OF Morahge
and north OF the village OF Feyes, conslerabe eleya
on arises the hare summit whereof AFFORDS lne view
of Net and the valley the Mosee The distance from
that point to the bastions is comparatively small 80
that with a good glass the French soldiers can DO paHy
distnguisled in their movements and manipulationa
and the lighter or darker color OF theif uioinS
Information received pointed TO the 31s August as the
day on which Marshal Bazaine would make an enerHeto
French wero directed against the right BANK OF tne
Mosee to point in our hne which perhaps @ iento
commenced In the morning contrary 10 I9deS t
positions and awaited the attack These were kept up
by the enemy throughout the day. but he could not gam
the slightest advantage over ms German og " MN t5e ae
positions which he had occupied IN the morning. Inc
brave troops from he PfSvnJe f % EsI lasted from
morning night with but slight nteInssions ana me
French in superior forces AGAIN and again Vanahty TO
The hcnors OF the day belong 10 the First Army Corps
and TO the LandWe chr Division under zen hulltI III
the energy and determination with which the enemy
had sought TO carry out his plans made II clear that an
attempt would be made to repeat them and perhaps an
the more strongly, the next day frihce freuSIloa LIE
Charles, who had watched the events OF the DAY IIo
that the Mini Army Corps move across the Mosee. and
that the Tenth Corps should hold itself ready IN reserve
The French did not wait for the morning OF the ISL OF
September did they attempt TO carry out their plans
by strong and violent assaults they resortsd TO %
they initiated; and which II used to eau the troops 70
rest They herenpon rushed upon t9e peEess ia ana rss a
Hlruar "
occupy inghe villages Of Retonfay and Flanyle ana oc
cuped Noisseyie and serygny " s taS S cr a
CAL that II the village OF Retonfay had remained IN inc
psedeS IN brns t s through the GORDON surrounding him
In order prevent such an unfortunate eVentualty
the st OF september assumed the offensive, and was
he able 10 report To the COMMANDER
Prussia with bayoaets and butts had driven back the
enemy and that Retonfay retaken Tie further re-
suits Of the day corresponded with this favorable begin
ming Noisseve and Servigny were also retaken. The
Twenty eighth Infantry Brigade, under Gen Won schne
ling, took Ilanyille, and the Eighteenth DylOn under
Gen. Won Wrangel made successful attack on ChmlDes
ON the other hand several assaults of the enemy on
About O'Clock in the afternoon the German troops
were masters OF the situation and the FRENCH Corps had
yaton before referred TO- it could be plainly seen in what
order the troops moved out TO the fight from the fortress
and in what disorder they returned few hours later
The victory Of the day is owing NO less to the dispositions
of the and the conduct or the com
mander OF the troops tah 10 the Dra'e ehuuIancS anu
yalOr OF tho troops themselves The achievements or
the artillery deserve especial mention and praise The
losses OF The French heavier than those OF the Ger
OF the latter, the Second and Third infantry
troops engaged during the contest on the two days
lasting fully SO hours First Infantry Division; Third In
fantry Brigade entire artillery OF First Corps advance
guard OF Second Infantry Division; Landwehr Division
under Gen. RUNNER; Twenty-eiglth infantry Brlgade
Eighteenth Division, and Twenty NTH DIVISION t0gethor
with cavalry brigade and six batteries of the latter
however, only hall we're under fire.
His Royal Higbness Prince Frederick Charles, on the
morning OF sept l. was present on the spot watch
the Jesuit Of the dispositions that had been made