Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-10
4 IL u w A II.

Tho brilliant and bloody engagement OF
Saturday Of last week, has made all former
fights between the contondiug forces in Eu.
rope seem as trivial affairs yet in order to
give detailed and complete account Of the
progress Of the war, it will be necessary to
make some mention of them
On Tuesday Of last week the French at
tackled Saarbruckon, fortified position Of the
Prussans upon the river Saar and after a
brief fight compelled the Prussans to cyacu-
ate the position. The French and Prussian
accounts vary greatly as to the numbers aciu.
ally engaged upon each side, but we believe
the best authorities concedc that the place
was held by but few Prussian troops who,
attacked by superior numbers, wisely retreat
ed The position was not however regarded
as Of much importance, but the fight was
made the occasion Of a silly telegram from
the Emperor to the Empress at Paris (which
he speaks Of the Prince as having received
bis " baptism Of fire., aud Of the soldiers as
having wcpt at his tranquility " Loui.
keeps ball he has picked up
Marshal MacMahon, meanwhile, had moved
down from Strasburg and established his
headquarters at IIagenau, while two Of his
divisions occupied the fortified town Of Wois-
sonburg, situated directly on the frontier, at
the foot Of the east spur Of the Nosgos.
On Wednesday large force of prussiaus
advanced between Weissenburg and Lautcr-
burg, driving the advanced post Of the enemy
and destroying mile Of railroad between
Lautcrburg and Strasburg, along which, it is
supposed, MacMohon was preparing to ad.
vance.
On Thursday, the Crown Prince, with por.
tons Of the 9th and lth Prussian Corps
and corps Of ljavarans, fell upon McMa
hons front carried Weissenburg by assault
with the heights Of Gcisburg in the rear
drove in the two advanced divisions, anC
moved several miles into the French lines
compelling Mcmahon to move hurriedly t.
the left aud concentrate in the neighborhood
of Bitchc. This engagement was extremely
obstinate, and the loss on each side was much
heavier than in any previous action B,
this brilliant victory the Prussian troop,
were filled with enthusiasm. Its substantial
fruits were the destruction of one side of the
French quadrilateral and the cutting off o
McMahon's French corps from its Northern
connections, as well as the possession Of
strongly fortified town on French soil, and
strategic point ofno small Importance
Both parties during the night concentrate,
for decisive battle on the next day, aud on tn,
next morning the French made a furious attacI
on Worth, small village near lIagenau. Thu
battle ragged all day Friday, and until Satur
day night, and finally closed with a complete
and decisive victory for the Prussians fou
thousand prisoners thirty guns, six Of tn
famous mtrailleures, and two standards, wer
among their captures, and Sunday beheld tn
greatest of the French Marshals in full re
treat across the Nosges striving to recoye
his connection with the main body of tn
army, and at the same time to cover the i'm
portant city Of Nancy
simultaneously with MacMahons attack a
Worth, on Friday morning, General Frossar
attempted a forward movement from Saai
bruck with the Second Corps but was a
once assailed by a portion of the Prussia
centre, under Steinmetz, and after sharp en-
gagemont with heavy losses on both sides
was defeated almost as signally as his com
rade on the right. Thus, with the right win
turned and cut off, the centre driven in ant
the rear in imminent danger of attack, tn
entire French army was, and perhaps is, i
a most critical situation. For two days Mac
Mahon was entirely unable to communicat
with headquarters. The Emperor had n
choice but to fall back, and swing his lin
around toward Nancy The Prussians o
: their part are pressing forward. Their rgt
I has moved from Treves toward Saarbrucl
II and is close up with the centre, while til
i Grown Prince is still in the beaten Frencl
: mans rear and the troops Of Baden are pou
ing across the river into the valley from whc
= MacMahon has Just been driven.
/ The Emperor has communicated to Par
r the full extent of his reyerses, and has mac
II a patriotic appeal to his people to rise an
d turn the tide of victory. Doubtless his AZ
u peal will be answered to a considerable c,
= tent and although the French have met wit
s. disaster and defeat at the commencement
u his campaign, we should not be surprised
Is learn that he had retrieved his losses, an
G that long and sanguiuary war should alor
u decide the fortune Of these nations