The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-04-07
BATTLE or GRAvELOTTe.
Nonientoas Struggle while the Issue WIS
In Suspense Victory.

In suspense-Germany's Victory.
"The first action Of the Franco-German
var which Emperor William witnessed
was the colossal struggle Of Gravelotte.
While Prince Frederick with the Third
army corps WAS striking hard at the
French right from Verneyile 10 st. Marie
au- Chene. King William remained all day
with the first army, which ~teinmetz was
hurting against the French lett, holding
the woods and bare, sioping plateau OF
Stubert Late IN the afternoon the fierce
ness Of the fighting and uncertainty OF the
issue drew William right up to the edge OF
the ravine between Grayelotte and the
plateau of Stubert. There he sat among
the sol tiers. mounted on his black horse,
watcuipg the fierce and all but futile et-
FORTS iade 10y the stout infantrymen OF
...n a. ,,cit and Glumper 10 make head
a.. INST a.. hurricane Of fire with which
1 ta. I.el-l swept the smooth, slopihg
.l..f. which the eXpanse of the plateau
aGori.L
al! If a sudden there ran through the
German combatants out IN the pandemo-
rium Of slaughter over against Us spasm
oi panic. that impulse 10 which, IN the
strain of excitement the best troops are
liable Panic, like the fire on prairie
ran back across, the rayine and caused a
mon.entary sauye qui peut among the un-
engaged troops about the king Shells
came crushing into the dislocated ranks
ana for "a moment an outburst Of disorder
had sway. William was borne back in
the pressure. demonstrating yehemently
with upliftcd voice and fat of sword.
4. 4 acf rid.
Il gun and the royal staff was Temporarily
broken up The panic was over in few
minutes aud order restored, but the
French had strengthened their grip on the
plateau.
The issue If the battle was still in
suspense when, under the last rays OF the
setting sun, the last reserve Of Germans,
the second corps, came up at double 70
the brink Of the rayine. In the lur!d
glare OF the blazing village, King William
stood by the wayside and greeted his
stalwar pomeranians High over the
bicker Of drums, the biare of bu9les and
the crash Of cannon, rose an eager burst
of cheering a. the soldier; greeted their
soldier sovereign, and then followed their
chiefs down into the full depths Of the
terrible chasm.
The crisis was dreadful
"As we watched the issue in sort Of
eua.m Of somber silence, the king sat
with his back against wall Oh plank.
one end OF which rested on a shattered
gun carriage the other on dead horse.
"Bismorck with an elaborate assump-
ton Of Indifference, made a pretense 10 10
reading Letters.
The roar of close battle swelled and
deepencd till the very ground trembled
beneath Us.
"Nt-ht fell like pail, but the blaze of
the adjacent cOnilagratiOu lii up the
anxious group there by tie churchyard
wall. From out OF n medley OF broken
troops ON the giittering slope IN front
came suddenly great shout which grew
in volume MS IL rolled nearer. iloofs of
galiouiug horses ratified Oh the causeway
a moment later Field Marshal Won
Molfke. his face Tor once quiyerng with
excitement, sprang from the saddle and
rushing toward the king. cried out.
1T is good for US! We have won the
plateau aud victory is with your ma
jesty.'
''The king sprang TO his feet, saying:
God be thaukedp
Bismarck, with deep sigh Of relief,
crushed his letters in the hollow Of
his hand. and with simultaneous
hurrah greeted the glad tiding- \ sutler
who CHANGED 10 hear improved the Occa-
sion in q practical, quiet way He brought
up wine barrel and dispensed lis con-
tents King William took hearty drink
Of the red wine ont Of "A cracked tumbler,
giving the German Army for his toast"
From Archibald Forbes "reminiscences.