The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-24

great forces for fresh attack on the French right
bank left the verdun road itself az time almost
ths Prussians were ahtng A moment that for
these reasons seemed crtcall there appeared the
ed ScPypPg G SuFr ~
OF troops. They moved into position under the eyes
Of the King yet neither the King nor any OF his stan
the point which In the morning had been the
Royal headquarters. Their march was begun
at the time have mentioned, and their advance did
not cease till dark. But the mystery that hung
over them was not dispelled. Whose was this new
at the point whence it moved there were, at any
rate ought TO be- no troops Of tne armies OF either
rumor began and spread among the group
OF men who surrounded the King that
sn srmy 'rosn Of he crown Prince and that new nS
junction had been expected | know OF no reason
TO suppose this true Doubtless the sta soon cleared
pened that was away IN another part OF the field
before the riddle was solved That there ever could
body OF men arriving so great battlefield, illus
trates the difficulty with which even the most emil
broken and wooded ground. 7 no longer wondered
that TO me the same task was almost an impossi-
bility.
In any event it cannot be doubted that the pre-
of that large body OF made itself felt upon
the fortunes Of the field. They were visible TO the
French as well as TO US. Here was another example
Of the moral eject that may be aud so often Is
exerted In battle by masses of men whose presence
is known to the enemy, but who may not fire shot
in the actual conflict. From their line of march, it
is clear that the divisions were finally posted
little in the rear and on the left OF the
Prussian centre at the time when the attacks
so long directed against the key OF the French lines
had ceased-in fact had failed for the time. 1t was
possible that the French having suffered far less in
holding their ground than the Prussians in attack
ing, might have advanced in their turn and have
undertaken vigorous offensive movement. If
they had any such purpose 1t is not unlikely that
they abandoned it on sight OF the Prussan reinforce
ments
Instead of advancing, the French now contented
themselves with the mere occupation Of the ground
back At no time did they seriously strive to regain
the westernmost line OF hills which had been theirs
to recover by any vigorous Forward movement to
the junction of the roads at Gravelotte. From
70 ree TO Tsg1 se n Of the e nere was %
lull the meaning of which the French failed appa-
rently TO interpret. BY seven they may have be,
lieved themselves partly victorious. They still
perhaps in condition to renew on the morrow the
struggle that had gone on all day for that fated road
road or the battle they had not clearly lost the lat
ter. Two hours after they had lost both.
BLAZING HOUSE ILLUMIEBs THE EINALE.
A little before S, lage white house on the height
beyond Gravelotte caught fire. 1t seemed through
the gloom to be a church. Its spre grew into
trastipg strangely with the white smoke OF the bat
tie. More and more picturesque grew the whole
field. AS evening fell the movements of the troops
could be followed now by the lines of dre that
rickeriDgs along the front of regiment as 1t
went into action. The tongues of fire pierced
through and Illuminated the smoke out OF the
cannons' mouth, and the fuses of the shells
left long trains OF fire like falling No General
likes lighting by night in ordinary circumstances,
for chance takes then the place OF skill; but the
1anking movement on the French right had been
resolved on by daylight, and it was the necessity OF
moving troops to a great distance over difficult
ground which delayed its execution and brought
about what seemed renewal of the battle after tle
NIGHT ATTACK.
To leave the French in their positions during the
the Prussian commander had resolved So from s,
or So to 9, the decisive blow was struck. When the
battle Of Grayelotte had actually ended, we knew
that the Prussians held the strong heights beyond
the Bois de vaux, which command the surround
ing country to the limits of artillery range from
Metz; we knew that two great Prusslan armies
lay across the only road by which Bazane
could march to Paris for its relief, or for his ovn
escape; we know that victory greater than that OF
Sunday, and more decisive than the triumph OF
Tuesday, has been won We believe that the French
army, which had fought as valiantly and as vatny
before was now hopeessly shut up in its fortress.
AS l went back to the village of Gorze to pass
the night, turned at the last point to look upon
the battlefield. 1t was long earth-bound cloud,
with two vast first fires OF burning buildings at
nature was concerned, and the stars now looked
down in spendor upon work of agony and death
such as no one could ever wish to see again.
The following further particulars are telegraphed
by the same special correspondent Of the Tribune
respecting the battle of the 1sth:-
A reconnaissance made the day previous N7th)
showed that the French army was retreating on
verdun. The column was cut In two by the advance
between Gravelotte and Metz 1t was resolved
to attack there, as the retreat OF the French to Ver
uun was cut OH. Ine GeTInauS were posted IN q
northeast direction from Gravelotte, commanding
the road from Briey to Metz. The 1th Prusslan
Corps formed the right OF the line. Next came the
and 18th Corps The Guards were on the extreme
left The Sd, LIST, and l0th Army Corps were held in
reserve. The 9th was kept up along the whole line
from IL O'Clock.
THE ''TRIBUNE" CORRESPONDENT Is CAPTURED.
| The Prussian artillery seemed overpowerng. and
the French batteries were gradually driven back on
second line. l pushed over 10 the left Of the
French line thinking that their position aban-
dOned but TO my surprise found the enemy Still
| there and myself prisoner. or what happened
| afterward can give but little account. The can
nonade renewed on both sides, lasting till
| nearly 10 O'Clock, when the French appeared TO be
| retiring and the Prussian guns alone maintained
| their fire.
/ was treated kindly by my eaptors, who went Off
| through the woods lost their way in the darkness,
| and slept under the trees. While they slept
escaped and reached st. Marie, which was in posses
sion OF the Germans. In this village many of the
| houses are battered down. Every available spot
were covered with straw, and the French and Ger
man wounded were lying there in masses together.
| went on foot to Rezonyille, where the King had
| bivouacked for the night.
| Beyond ReZOnyle the country is stripped bare.
| No conveyance nor food is to be had Metz is COM
pletely surrounded by the Pussian forces The
| 4th Army Corps having moved round from the east
TO the nOrth the Saxon corps of pioneers has been
| sent TO the front.
-Four Prussian corps will he left about Metz to
carry the siege. The remainder OF the army is
| advance towards Verdun. The Kings headquarters
will be moved in day or two to the southwest.