The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-25
file Of. Woertii, or, as It is called by the
French, Freichsweiller /: }@.-..,.,.

ssfe;f.f :; 33..5..-f SAFEENE, AuSusI - Ioiu:
20 g Sire, II have the honor, to asquaint
your Majesty that on the 9Th Of August,
after having been obliged to eyacuate Weis-
corps, with the object of covering the rail-
Way from Strasbourg to Bitsche and the prin-
cipal roads connecting the eastern and the
western slopes of the Vosges, occupied the
following positions :. The first division
was placed, its right in, advance of
FreichsWeiller and its left in the di-
rection Of Reichshofen, resting upon
wood which covers that 2, village.
Two, companies were detached to Neunyil-
ler and one company to Joegersthal. The
third division occupied, with the first brl-
gade some low hills which run from Frelch-
sWeiller and slopes toward Gpersdort. Inc
second, brigade rested its left on FrelcE.
sweiller and its right on the village Of
Elsasshausen. The fourth brigade formed
an uneven line to the right of the third d.
vision. its stibrieade facing toward Gun
stedt and it's second brigade opposite the
village of Marsbroun, which, on account OF
insufficient strength, it :, was unable to
occupy. The division dumesnil of the se-
yenth CORPS, which had rallied to me early
on the morning of the 9th, was placed in
rear of the fourth division. There were
held in reserve the second division, In
rear of the i second brigade OF the
| third division and the first brigade OF the
fourth division. Finally, still further Id the
rear, was the brigade of light cavalry, I'm,
der the command of General septeull, ana ana
division of cuirassieurs, under General de
Bonnemain. Micheps cavalry brigade, I'M
der the command of General Dechesnes,
| was stationed in the rear OF the right wing
of the fourth division. All o'clock IN tne
morning the enemy appeared before the
heights Of Guersdorf, and opened tne &C.
| ton with cannonade, which he lmme-
diately supported with sustained hre from
| his tiGriLLeurs upon the first and third dIvl-
sions. The attack was so vehement that
the .,g first division was obliged to
effect change of front, advancing
upon its right wing, In order TO
prevent the enemy from turning the gene
raj position. A little later the enemy
largely increased the number OF DIS bat
Iterfes; and opened fire upon the other posi-
fion which we occupied upon the right
bank of the Sauerbach. Although even
more heavy and more strongly marked than
the first, which was still maintained, this
second demonstration was but q teigned
attack, which was warmly repulsed. To-
ward noon the enemy directed his attack
toward our right. Clouds of sharpShooters,
supported by considerable masses Of infan-
try, and protected by upward OF SIX slXty y
pieces of artillery placed upon the heights
Of Gunstedt, rushed upon the second dlvl-
sion and upon the second brigade Of the
third division, which occupied the village
of Elsasshausen. Despite repeated otlen,,
sive movements vigorously executed, and
Notwithstanding the well-directed fire oil
the artillery and several brilliant ,s., ca;
vahy charges, our right was broken
after many hours obstinate resistance. 1t
was o'clock. 1 ordered retreat, ltWas
protected by the First and Second, which
presented a bold front, and enabled the
other, troops to retire without being toe
closely harassed. The retreat was effected
upon Saverne by Niederbronn, when the the
division of General Guyot de Lespard, be,
longing to the Fifth corps, which had Jus,
arrived there, took up position, and did mol
withdraw until nightfall. submit en-
closed with this report to his Majesty the
names of officers wounded, killed, or miss nlI
ing, which have been reported to me. Thl'
list is incomplete. and will forward com
plete return as soon as shall be in position
to doso. 80. MACMAHoN."