Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-03-08
Peace COncluded In France Review Of
the Franco. .Prussian War.

Peace Concluded In France Review o.
the FrsneO-Prussian War.
From the New York Hersld.l
Now that the roar Of battle is hush
ed and the quiet of peace reigu'
throughout the late theatre of war, tbs
present may be regarded as an oppor.
tune moment to review the colossal
struggle which has Just closed on the
soil of France. From the obseurity
Of a small State Prussia has reached
an eminence, by reason Of her great
military successes, which renders hel
now one Of the foremost nations oi
the earth. The comprehensive miii-
tary organization, which for years II
has been the aim of Prussia TO perfect,
has guided the nation, by the genius
of Won Moltke, to those grand achieve
ments which have led to the union OF
all Germany into one vast empire.
When we reflect that of all the na-
tions of Europe for the last half cen
tury Prussia has seen least Of actual
war, her recent successes appear most
remarkable. The case was different
with France. While Prussia was
quiet, unOblrusive, working steadily
as it were for her own internal devel-
/ opment, France was seeking for glory
and military prestige in the four guar
| ters OF the globe. In Algeria, in the
I Crimea, in China, in Mexico, not to
mention numerous other campaigns,
the eagles OF France were Haunted
deiantly, and in nearly every IN
stance with unvarying success. Yet
while quiet reigned in Prussia her
/ generals and statesmen were by no
means idle. On every battle field
che had Intelligent spectators. Her
military students were close Observ-
ers. They studied war closely in
order that, when the time came, their
study might be turned to the advan-
tage Of the State. Detecting weak
nesses in the different systems, they
noted them; pereeiving mishap5,
they traced their origin; observing
attentions, they made Inventories Of
them, and from the knowledge thus
acquired by intelligent observation in
Europe and in Asia, in Africa and in
America, came forth that marvellous
success which has everywhere vindi-
Gated the superiority OF the German
military organization in the campaign
Just concluded in France.
The march OF the French to the
frontier was more like q parade than
the advance Of an army preparing to
invade an enemyis country, but the
hesitation Of the French armies gave
the Germans an opportunity TO make
their preparations and consolidate.
On the 2Sth Of July the Emperor ar
rived on the frontier to take COM |
mand of the army. Five days later
the frontier was crossed aud the
heights Of Saarbruck occupied; on
the second day after this the battle Of
Weissenburg was fought, and though |
French valor shone conspieuOusiy In 4
the contest the French we're defeated /
with much loss, and the admirable |
strategy Of the Crown Prince compeu- |
ed General MaeAfahon to change his |
plans. The victory won, the Crown /
Prince pushed on and gave battle to 1
mAcMahOn at Woerth. The forces of
the Germans in this battle numbered /
nearly four to one. MacAfahon had f.
about thirty-fiYe thousand men, while |
the amy OF the Crown Prince num-
beFed over one hundred and twenty
thousand. Again victory sided with I
the Germans. The defeat OF the I
French AZ Saarbruck about the same
time told heavily against them. Cen
ersl SteinmetE engaged the French .
under Frossard, completely defeating 1
him and forcing him to retreat with q |
loss of one-third Of his whole army.
After the battle OF Weerth the for
ces OF the Crown Prince, weakened /
by the struggles they had gone
through, did not Immediately move
forward. There was q pause, only
temporarily, however, on the part Of
the Germans. The French continued
to fall back. Marshal MacMahon had
retreaJed on Saverne and was making
for Nancy; De Failly was moving to /
4 junction with MacMahon: Douay
had arrived at Metz with two fresh
divisions. The corps Of Bazaine, Lad
FrOssard and Bourbaki, with
he Imperial Guard, were around
Metz. Napoleon was also there, and
recognizing from the recent defeats
hat a new departure must be taken,
be resigned his position as Command
er-in-ChiefOf the Armies. Att coun-
I'll of the generals, at which the EN-
Deror was present, the supreme COM
nand was vested in Marshal Bazaine.
IN conjunction with Marshal MacMa-
hon. Bazaine, on assuming COM
nand, determined, If possible, to re-
.Tieve disaster. The battle of Cour-
eelles, which was fought on the 18th
of August, Immediately af5er Ba-
-aine's accession, will long be remem-
1ered as the first OF a series of the
OlOodiest battles of the campaign.
The PrussiRns were commanded -by
General Steinmetz and Prince Fred (
sriek Charles. The battle lasted all
lay, and though the Prussians toward /
evening were reinforced by thirty
thousand fresh troops, they were
1riVen back along the whole line.
Bazsine at nightfsll remained in pos
session Of the field. Both armies
the victory. The losses were
leayy on either side. The next day
the battle OF Mars Ia Tour
Ba1aine, while moving on to Verdun,
was suddenly attacked by the Third
PFussian corps This attack opened
The days conflict, which ended only
II nightfail. In this battle the French /
iought with forces about equal to their {
opponents, but the fortune OF war was
still against them, and at night Ba-
zsine fell back to Grayelotte. Next
the 18th, Frederick Charles
and Steinmetz, strongly reinforced,
up the advantages Of the .
previous day, attacked Bazaine at
The struggle was a ter
life one. During the day victory (
more than once seemed to smile on
he French eagles, but Prussian OBJ
Jtinacy checked, dispelled and
brought gloom. Csnrobert about mid /
lay, when the contest ragged hercest,
charged the Prussians j
It the head Of two divisions near the .
Iuarries of Jaumont. A terrible hand :
% hand conflict ensued. Against the
mpetuous dash OF the French the |
Prussians struggled herciealIy, but \
avail Stem nv staT thevy :