The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-09-15


cross the Moselle at various points, but they
were checked, and desultory fighting took place,
in which, great as were the Prussiap losses, the
general success was with them, inasmuch as
they kept closing in on Bazaine with their su-
perior forces, restricting his communications
and forcing him on narrow base of action
At length, on the 10th and 18th of August,
took place the terribly sanguinary battles of
Borny Gravelotte, and Vionville It was
three days fight. The French within and with
out Metz sought to effect the passage of the
river by simultaneous movement. The French
had succeeded in advancing some few miles
from Metz on the road to- Verdun, when Stein
metz with 70, 1000 men fell on the French right.
At the same time Prince Fritz assailed the left.
The result was prolonged engagement, in
which both sides claimed the result, though
the advantages remained with the French, who
could not be dislodged or driven in. The
slaughter on both sides was prodigious. The
Prussians asked for time to bury their dead;
the French rested on their positions, and it may
drawn. The last engagement, though on less
magnificent scale, has been decisive in its char
ter, as the results have been ascertained, and
most momentous. Marshal MacMahon had re-
treated beyond to the north of the Metz Verdun
line, and entered the rugged and defensible
Argonne district close to the Belgian frontier.
The Prussian generals deciding, after the des-
perate engagement of Gravelotte, that it would
be an affair of time to conquer Bazaine, turned
sharp round on MacMahon with the intention
apparently of demolishing him, and thereby
leaving the march on Paris perfectly free from
any flank movement, at the same time saving
themselves from any operations in their future
dealings with Bazaine.
On the 3Oth of August Prince Frederic fell
upon MacNahon at Douzy, and pushed him for
a whole day. The slaughter was as usual ter
rife, but the Prussians were repulsed, though
not driven back, and MacMahon crossed the
Meuse towards Sedan in face of the enemy.
The next day and the day after the battle was
continued finally General MacMahon was des-
perately wounded; the French found them
selves hemmed in between the Belgian frontier
in flank and rear, and powerful enemy supe-
rior in number, in front, and the whole divis-
ion surrendered.
This, however, was not all, for the Emperor
Napoleon, who, since the commencement OF
active operations, had considered it expedient
to leaved Paris entirely in charge of the Re
gent and the Ministry, and to take the field In
person, had, during these six weeks, oscillated
between Metz and Nancy, Chalons and Verdun,
as momentary occurrences required his presence.
During this last battle he had been in the
neighboring city of Sedan within communica-
ton of MacMahon. At the last moment he had
fallen desperately sick, and finding himself un-
able to move or place himself at the head Of
his troops, he determined to include himself IN
the surrender. This is not the place to specu-
late on the political motives which Napoleon's
profound sagacity may have suggested. But
motive is found ready to hand in confidence of
the honorable treatment due to a prisoner OF
war, and also in the absolute freedom to the
Empress and regency of acting for the safety OF
France, without consideration for the Emperor's
person, or even for his action, which, as pris-
oner, could not possibly be binding on France.
Previous to the surrender, and while the capl-
tulation was under consideration, the soldlery,
exasperated at the ineffciency of their officers,
killed some Of them among others General
Failly, the man of Montana. Unavoidably or
not the case may be- he had been cause OF
MacMahon's defeat at Haguenau in not joining
him when ordered. 1t is not certain whether
de Failly was murdered by his men or whether
he was executed after court-martial. Like DR..
Guillotine he fell by his favorite invention. The
words in which the Emperor made his surrepd-
er will be memorable for their sad and simple
dignity: Gas cannot die ut the head of my
army, I lay my sword at the feet of your Maj
esty" If motives of policy did not dictate the
act, it is possible that long continued malady
and the e1ertions of the campaign, with con-
slant anxieties and fearful sights of war, may
have enfeebled his resolution. The most ran
cerous vilifer of Louis Napoleon will scarcely
charge him with want of moral courage or the
will to carry out his plans, even under extraor-
dinary reverse. His whole life bears testimony
to this. His future is, of course, matter OF the
purest speculation dependent on the course OF
events. Magnanimity in the Prussian monarch
might not be considered consistent with COM
mon policy. On the other hand, there IS no
ground for supposing but that he will be treated
with all personal courtesy and honor. Ihe
Crown Prince, who being great general Is also
a chivalrous gentleman has spoken In terms OF
becoming consideration OF the emperor when
his open enemy.
The issues of the war will be treated of else
where, but it is part of this article to say that
at Paris already the news of the capitulation
has been i'll received, and General Count Pali-
kao has issued his proclamation, signed by all
the Ministry, declaring that France wall not
submit to terms, and will fight it out History
attests in innumerable cases, that it is lmpossl-
BILE to constrain free and earnest people, Inc
Low Countries even with intestine dissenslons,
resisted the whole power of mighty Spain. The
rise of Prussia from petty electorate to ma
tion in the face of poverty and misery at home
and war abroad is another instance; while the
most pregnant illustration of all is in France
herself, which, rising in 's9 and '92, shook off
ROYALTY, and when her soil was polluted by for
eign invasion rose as with a shout, and, literal.
" picking up arms, rushed as an undisciplined
mass against her foes and swept them from her
soil. The situation of France in this day is far
more potent than eighty years ago. Owing othe
provident care of the man who has just surren-
dered, she is now second in financial position to
sources, her society is organized, her manufac-
lures and agriculture progressive, and she has
all the elements of internal prosperity, with a
war navy equal to that of England: Whatever
the form of her government may be, Regen-
cy, a Republic, or an Orleanist monarchy, the
sentimant of tie neonle will alone determine