The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-08-19
WAR NEWS.

FTtUuy, Aug. lStn.-ln c Il renCn LOSSES III
the late battles, are placed at 10000. Stras-
burg is invested on all sides by the Prussians,
and demand for its surrender made and re-
fused. Another engagement is expected dali
ly and it is believed that the object of the
Prussians is to get between Metz and Paris.
Marshal Bazaine is regarded now as the real
commander of the French army the Empe-
ror occupying that position nominally only.
Saturday. Aug. 13th.-Rain continues to
fall at Metz, preventing military operations.
Napoleon's bad generalship is yet a leading
topic both In London and Paris, and some
authorities look upon his ultimate dethrone-
ment as foregone conclusion. The early
fall of Strasburg is anticipated. Its Defense
it is believed, will be weak and its capture a
mere matter of convenience.
The Prussians are supposed to be penetra-
ting France in three great divisions by way
of Forbach or Metz, by Weissenburg and by
Mulhouse. 1t is reported that they are al
ready at ST. Averne, which is the key to the
Vosges, and ifthis is true the eastern gateway
open to them.
A report at Berlin states that the Prussian
government intends to cause the destruction
of a French village for each place destroyed
by the French fleets.
Monday, Aug 15th.--The French army is
reported as falling back at all points. Metz
is said to have been evacuated.
Three Prussian armies are concentrating
rapidly in the neighborhood of Nancy. The
Kings army is said to be at Port-a-Mousson,
and Steinmetz's at Frouard, which is only a
few miles from Nancy while the Crown Prince
is advancing from Strasburg; and Metz, if this
be true, must have been passed to the right
French advices state that stand is to be
made in the neighborhood of Metz. The
Prussian forces number 100000 men on the
scene Of action and vicinity.
Tuesday, Aug. 16th.-There was another
heavy engagement on Sunday morning be-
tween the Prussans and French. AS the
latter were crossing the Moselle river, they
were attacked by the Prussians, and although
both sides claim the victory, it seems from
the best accounts that the French were wor-
sted The conflict occurred near Metz.
Later dispatches show that General Stein
metz commanded the Prussians, and that
the slaughter was very great, though partic-
ulars are meagre. The French were taken
at great disadvantage, and from the acknowl.
edgement of the Emperor, were wholly sur
prised, but Notwithstanding made gallant
Il
COMMANDMENT chief, was present at the en-
gagement, and, according to the French Of
fetal dispatches, the Prussians were repulsei
after four hours severe fighting
Intense excitement prevails everywhere,
and events of Importance are hourly expec.
ted German troops continue to pour across
the frontier. 1t is said that 10000 French
troops, cut off from Mcmahon last Sunday
week, have reached Strasburg in safety
The Prussian general headquarters on Sun
day night were at Herney, station on the
railroad line from Saarbruck to Metz. Riots
in Paris continue. Fifty insurgents, impli-
Gated in mysterious conspiracy and open
attack with daggers and reyolvers upon an
engine-house on the Boulevard Villette, have
been arrested. Several persons were killed
during the riot-one little girl. The ex
plot created a profound sensation.
Wednesday,, Aug. 17th-Prince Frederick
Charles, of Prussia, while endeavoring to cu
the communication between Mcmahon and
Bazaine, forced the former to leave Metz and
fall back on Verdun and Chalons Before
reaching Lougueville the corps of the French
Generals L'Admirault and De Caen encoun.
tered the army Of Frederick Charles, and the
battle on Sunday was brought on, followed
by continued fighting ON Monday Metz
now seems to have been abandoned by the
main body of the French army. 1t was te
prevent this that the Crown Prince FASTENED
his attack, and with temporary success, as he
must have seriously crippled the retreating
army before the main body entirely cleared
itself of its position. After leaving Metz ant
the Moselle the French left had to cross 9
wide valley and a low range of hills before
reaching the Mouse, or the line of fortresses
which defend the approaches to it.
The French loss is given as 1900 men,
The Prissian force now in France is 600O0l
soldiers, divided into three portions--th
army of til Saar, the army of the Rhine ant
the army of the South. Frederick Charlie
commands the army of the Rhine, the centr
army, $4,000 strong; Gen. Steinmetz tina
of the Saar, 10000 strong, southeast of Lux
emburg, and Prince Frederick William th
Southern army, $50, 900 strong
Thursday, Aug. 1Sth.-There was appar
emily lull Of events around the hostile line
in France yesterday. The Prussians are il
strong force around Metz, though the Frencl
still hold the place with strong garrison
Ten thousand wounded were brought int
camp at Chalons. Much disorder prevail
there. The regular army is true to the EN-
peror, but nobody else, according to report
Prince Frederick Charles, il is said, was 10