Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-31
formation form of the movements of the en-

information of the movements OF the en-
envy.
Officers and others from the front insist
that great battle asfought Sunday 9Th,
inst, and that Bazaine and Mcmahon
gained immense advantages. They say
the latter expected to meet by this time
the army of the Crown Prince, to which
reinforcements were constantly arriving.
There is no doubt great battle Will occur
at once. The condition of the French
troops is fine. McMahon has received
large reinforcements. An entire corps,
the 18th, numbering 80, 900 men organized,
has been sent to him.
vivid Description of the First Battle
near Metz ON Aug. 14-The Moving
MitrailIeruse and the HI aryest of
Death. rr-1
New YORK, Aug 3O--A correspondent of
the Lonnon Standard, who writes from
Verdun on Tuesday morning, describes
the battle which took place at Metz on
Sunday, Aug. IA:
At / o'clock Sunday morning the
French army, 10000 strong, was en-
camped around Metz Since and the day
previous battle was considered immi-
nent. Several attempts had been made to
draw the enemy out of the woods they
occupied. The Prussian army of Prince
Frederick Charles, or rather the corps
now united in the field with Marshal
Steinmetz, had its position on the road to
Boulay, and the point intersecting that TO
BorneY.
The road from Delloir to Borny, up to
the forest of that place, was occupied by
the Prussians, part of their division being
concealed by the woods. Skirmishing had
been going on all the morning, but it was
probable no serious engagement would
take place.
At halt past one the French troops re-
ceived orders to retreat from their posi-
ton, to go in the direction of Yerdun, it
is said. At o'clock the avant guard divi {.
sion we're crossing the Mosselle on pom
toon bridge thrown across few hours pre-
viously and the luggage, material and pro-
visions of the army were crossing other
bridges in the direction of Lougueville.
The equipages of the Emperor had already
left; and Prince Napolean first, and half an
hour after the Emperor himself, were leav-
ing on horseback in the same direction.
At3 P. NJ the third corps, DecaeD, the
II
Imperial, Bourbaki, were preparing also to
leave their encampments, when suddenly
the Pru ssians we're seen to prepare for bat
tie, and preparing offensive movements in
front Of the woods of Barney, and in the
direction of Grisey and Mercy Les Metz
The French troops under the command
of Marshal Bazaine were composed of the
third and fourth corps and the Garde Inn
perial. They were fronting Borney,
Grisey and Mercy Les Mitz, the Imperial
Guard forming the reserve In front of
Derentin.
At quarter past four the attack com
menced, and heavy fire of artillery was
heard in every direction. The soldiers Of
the Prussian Landwehr heading the Prus-
sian corps d'armee. The Metralleuse be-
gan their deadly work, On each side of me
was confusion; all around men were falling
in every direction, columns were whirling
around as the bullets were whistling their
deadly work through the ranks;
A battery of artillery, with metrailleuse,
was making fearful havoc in the Pru5sian
ranks. / heard frantic braves announcing
its new exploits. The fire was SO we'll di-
rected, the precision so great, that each
| fire was positively moving the Prussian
ranks, who were fighting in desperate
way their artillery, replying to the other
and destroying the French battalions right
and left.
At P. NJ. the Prussians were making 6
movement of retreat mitrailleuse haG
had been twice taken from the French, anC
although it is only one of the hundreds O.
| incidents of battle, l mention it as it led tC
an important result.
For the past hour one of the creates
efforts of the French had had for its OBJ
! ject to dislodge the Prussians from tht
woods of Borney, their troops being pro
tected by that natural rampant. The brav,
Colonel of the 44th infantry, I'd division
in retaking the mitrailleuse, was the caus
of an immense body of Prussians cominl
suddenly from the woods and precipitat-
ing themselves as an infuriated torrent OF
the French divisions.
1t was only a pretext, for 1t was expected
the Prussians would follow the same tactic
as at Forbach and Frosshwlller, which con
sists of keeping out of sight their masses
their best divisions, and when the result G
the battle seems in favor of their opponent
to change defeat into victory, by tha
Z
troops plunging suddenly on the enemy
But this time Bazaine had prepared
match for them. The Imperial Guard
commanded by BOurbaki, had been KEEP
in reserve. The artillery from a stroD
position began the offensive. The grens
diers advanced, and from that momen
till S:45 you would have thought 20
were in the middle of the eruption q
Mount Vesuvius, Fort Quinlen sweepin
with its powerful batteries the flank G
the advancing columns and regiments G
cavalry charging on the wings.
At quarter to nine precisely, the Prui
SLAMS retreated, leaving from %, 600
"a, 900 men hors du combat. The Frenc
) have lost close on 40, 600 killed and TounC
ed. 140, 900 Prussians took part in Ii
f fight, against 20, 900 Frenchmen positivel.
Owing to Fert Quinton slaughtering tn
= enemy, the Gaurds, except its artillery an
brigade of grenadiers, did not fight. The
were kept in reserve to the last Durin
the combat the rest of the French arm
was retiring en- route to Verdun, and at
l o'clock followed the Imperial Guard r
+ treating in the same direction.
, Gen. DeCaen has been wounded in Il
leg, Gen. DeCoolery had his arm cut, an
Marshal Bazaine himself received a sligl
confusion on the head. l heard that Il
5 sight of the battlefield was horrible in Il
-. morning. Inreturning they marched ov
the dead bodies, who were in heaps
= some spots.
Bazaine Fully PrOVisiOned-Par
in Fighting Trim-3OO, 900 Old VI u
q kets Kesurrected.
PARIS, Aug. 30.-Bazaine has bee
g abundantly supplied with provi sions al
munitions. Paris is now fully prepared
Y resist an attack. The authorities are e
ceedingly active. The working men
!. clare they viii defend the city, street
i street, should it become necessary. Dem
d cratic and Republican journals are as &
dent as others in urging the defence. P
litical differences are forgotten in Il
n presence of the enemy.
N A priAate party who had purchased 3OC
= 900 old muskets from the government b
if returned them and they have been distr
:, buted among the National Guard. Arm
with these weapons they are daily drillil
under experienced officers, and are certa
u to make good stand against an assault.
10 The halt of the Prussians in their mo
, on Paris gives time for the arrival of enorl
GUS reinforcements now on their way fro
u the provinces. The capture of the city
> considered impossible now.
;, The Fire i'm the Prussian Rear-Me
~ ciIass RushH haCkinu-TriRI In "a nf ri