The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-23
THE BATTLE OF WOERTH.

Marshal MacAIahSn's Onlciai Report to the
The following is the official report of Marshal
MacMahon, respecting the battle of Froschwil-
Ter, addressed to the Emperor
SAvERNE, Aug. 7.-Sire:-I have the honor to
report to your Majesty that on the 9th inst. after
having been obliged to evacuate the town of Wis
semburg, the 1st Corps with the view of cover
ing the railway from Strasburg to Bitche and
the principal roads communicating between the
eastern and western portions of the Vosges
Mountains, occupied the following postions:-
The 1st Division was thus posted:-Th right wing
in advance of Froschwler and the left in the direc
tion of Hechshofen, leaning on wood which covers
this village. 1t detached two companies to Neun-
wier and one to Jagersthal.
The Sd Division occupied with its 1st Brigade
counter position which springs from Freschwiller
rested its left on Freschwler, and its right on the
village Of Elsenhaussen.
The Ith Division formed broken line with the
right OF the Sd Division, and its 1st Brigade facing
Gunstedt, and its % being opposite the village of
Nors6ronn, which IT had not been able to occupy
of the 2d Corps, which had rallied my troops in the
morning, was placed behind the 4th Division
The I'd Division placed behind the I'd Brigade OF
the Sd Division and 1st Brigade of the 4th Division,
held in reserve. Finally, further back, was the
brigade of light cavalry under the orders OF General
de Septeui and his division of the Cuirassiers of
General Bonnesmains; the brigade Of Michei5
cavalry under the orders of General Duhesme was
stationed in the rear of the right wing OF the 4th
Division.
At7oclock the enemy showed himself beyond
the nel9DlS OF GueISuOrll, anu cOlnncnceu Lne
action by a cannonade, soon followed by sharp
discharge of musketry, against the 1st and Sd
Divisions. This attack was made with sufficient
force to compel the 1st Division to make q
change in the front, so rs to cover its right
wing, and TO prevent the enemy from turning
the general position. little later the enemy
greatly increased the number of his batteries
and opened fire upon the centre OF the positions
which we held on the right bank of the Sauer-
back. Although much more serious and more
determined than the first, which, moreover was
still going on, this second demonstration was
only false attack, and was repulsed with great
spirit.
Toward noon the enemy commenced an attack
near our right. Clouds of sharpshooters, sup
ported by large masses of infantry and covered
by more than sixty pieces OF cannon placed on
the heights of Gunstedt, rushed upon the 4th
Division and upon the I'd Brigade, which occu-
pied the village of Elsenhaussen.
In spite OF the vigorous counter charges, seve-
raj times repeated, in spite of the well-directed
fire of our artillery, and the several brilliant
charges of the Cuirassiers, our right was out
! hanked after many hours of the most deter
mined and obstinate resistance. l then ordered
| a retreat to be made. 1t was covered by the 1st
and Sd Divisions, which showed a bold front,
and thus permitted the other troops TO retire
without being much harassed.s The retreat
was made upon Saverne by the way of Nieder-
bronn, where the division of Guyot de Lespart
| of the 9Th Corps, which had just arrived there
tool: up position and did not retire till night
! closed in.
Be pleased to receive, Sire, the homage of the
! profound respect of your very devoted aud very
faithful subject, the Commander-in Chief of the
First Fifth and Seventh corps darmee.
MARSHAL MAcMAHoS
French Correspondents Account of ths
The following particulars are from the pen o
NJ. Amedee Achard of the Monite,W:-
'On the morning OF the day OF battle, the Marsha
| occupied in person. with portion OF his troops,
straight line before Reichshofen, in front Of th'
enemy The remainder OF his divisions wer
divided into two corps OF equal strength; one on tn
left, occupying WOerth, the other On the right tn
village OF Eberbach The line OF battle represented
a triangle, the point OF which was turned toward tn
frontier. About 10 O'Clock, Prussan corps d'drnlee
sixty thousand strong, appeared 10 threaten tn
position occupied by the Marshal and to endeayor
pass between Rechshofen and Woerth. Ii arriye
Dy the road from Niederbronn. After the first en-
gagement OF the tirailleurs speedily folio wed by
second attack the Marshal called up the corps place
at EbeTbach, and placed it in battle order in front
the enemy whom be checked, and soon after obllge
TO execute backward movement Thereupon
fresh corps 0dTThee, also sixty thousand strong
issued from the forest OF Woerth, which had con
cealed its march, and threw its dense columns upo
the regiments placed in front OF the village 0
Woerth. Twenty-three thousand men thus foun
themselves in the presence OF i20, 600 provided wit
an immense amount OF artillery. The battle ha
already lasted several hours without the pos
tions occupied by the Ma shal having bee
forced, when in the afternoon, about O'Clock,
strong arrived, ana passing behind Eberblch, whic
had been abandoned, sought TO swamp the Marshal
upon Haguenau and Sayerne. The lst French Corp
was taken between three fires The Marshal dc
cided upon giving up the battlefield, covered wit
aead, wheIe numbers haa iIlnmphea Dut IN O. orde l9
divisions, which were In part now not more hume
Tous than brigades, he threw regiment OF culras
slers against the enemy's GUaEt 0Grde These me-
! Of iron knew teat they were doomed to death,