Year: 1870




Our special correspondents at the seat OF war near
Paris supply the following highly interesting and
exciting reports Of the progress OF the grand march
Of the Prussian army on Paris.


The German Sweep Onward Towards the


Chy-A Grand Military spcctacle-Order and


Discipline of the Huge Army-HOw the Ger


man Troops Appear ON tho Road-CourteOus,


yet Watchful and Exnct-The Telegraph


Mnes-H0w the Teutons Make Themselves


at Home.


BAGENAu August 20, 1870.


The German armies have captured large slice of
France have left the smaller fortresses 10 the rear
and swept forward. The line Of strongholds on the
frontier wissembourg, Strasbourg Phalzbourg Bit
sche Thionville-that line which was to serve as at
beast slight bulwark against all Teutons offensive
ly disposed-has been considerably nanked and
marched through by the latter the year Of grace
1870 The relatively insignificant detachments that
have been left to watch capture said strongholds
have not been the slightest drawback to the onward
march Of King Williams hosts. Metz alone has 80
1ar been serious obstacle In their path; but Meta
would have been set at naught in like manner had
II not been for the presence OF Bazaines army in the
vicinity 1t Is only the Sebastopoi OF the hour be-
cause 1t serves as the camp Of huge campaigning
force, rather than as o mere fortified place.


The movements Of the active army operations can
be so much more speedily be made known to you
from the French side that all specuatons In regard
TO them on the part Of one writing from this point
would be well nigh as stale TO your readers as last
years almanac. Stll, 1t Is wholly without f0un-
dation that here said to be at the seat of war;
for behind the curtain on the rear part OF the
stage where beside the by play OF fortresses in pro-
cess OF siege, we have an excellent and near view OF
she actors and their trappings as they move on to
enact their ragcal roles before the enemy and the
rest of mankind. Taking advantage Of the privilege
allowed to be at this time in this region OF coun
Try, have OF course sought to and hear all that
enc could; but it must be confessed that, between
Aeld councils and Berlin ORDERS the war section has
not been made very pleasant for the pen and pencil
fraternity. Scores Of these gentry, seeking In vain
what they might dev0ur in the shape OF pass or q
crumb OF news, and consequently very much down.
cast thereat have come under my observation. They
have here many naonalities and claims, but the In
exOrable Count has kept them in the background,
with the exception OF few favored ones who got
the lead. l may mention one instance OF severity
and tantalization. Quite parsonage, both In title
and coach and six for travelling behind the
musKets would have been nothing to him in the
wary Of costs, being an amateur news gatherer-de-
Hbged to go as correspondent. He lacked only per-
mission to 60 within the range OF cannon and under
she hail of bullets. orders in council prevented that
formal permission being given him. However, in
Berlin he manages to procure the ONCE OF bearer OF
private dispatches from the wife OF very high Off
Ger to the latter at the 'front.' He sets out for France
Immediately. Before the exhibition Of the letters all
barriers fall military trains, passes acquisitions are
accorded in grand style.





sents his letter. 'very well; we will see." says the
General. "Take seat; have some dinner" Per-
sonage very jaded and hungry after ten days. trav-
cling hardships OF all kind, eats mouLhful Two;
after dinner officers get up smoke while the per-
s0nagc Is left in the corner without as much as a
pipe or cigar being offered TO him. He is q smoker,
bnt the cvilities not being extended to him he has
nothing to smoke. Buste, business ensue on the
arrival OF couriers with news about the enemy; the
general has not time TO talk


Next morning General meets parsonage on the
wayslde; "really sorry" says he, ''that you Will
nave to go back out OF the lnes but the King abso
lutely prohibits from having any foreign officers
correspondents with me. Will give you pass
out OF the lines. Good morning"


Parsonage has to return as he went, and of course
there Is no balm in Germany to soothe his woes and
regrets He narrated to these facts, adding that





tarry arose from the fact that the subordinates
around the General did not wish the latter to DO the
least thing In opposition to the royal nat, hence
they exhibited very cold shoulder, and persuaded
the General to do likewise. 1t was rare chance In
these times; but, then rare chances go for naught
unless seized tightly hold Of at the proper moment
have met many Germans, especially OF the shoot
ing persuasion, who hold that no correspondents
should be allowed to follow the operations; many Of
them are firmly persuaded that the French generals
get an inkling of the campaign movements on this
side from the English newspapers. "AI the English
journals Immediately sent to the French gener-
ais the moment they are received across the chan
nel.n Such was the remark to me yesterday Of an
educated German civilian.


have just returned to this point from an explor
ing visit Of the beleagured places, Srasbourg
and Phalzbourg, but beyond the bursting Of few
shells there little for me to that could not be
seen on the roads and y.ways-viz marching and
sOunter-marching Of troops, cannon, wagons, &c.
The bombardments up to date have not been of n
very effective characters still at the present moment
the feeling among the troops sitting down before
bOtn places is one of perfect confidence tnat they
will be soon taken for the flag Of the red white and
black. on the way down here and to Strasbourg L
paused at the old fortress of Rastada very powerful
il is too; many of IFS heavy guns are on the way
10 the point OF siege. Rastadt was armed for the
fray, and as the French month ago were ex pected
10 attack it its commander had thrown a pontOOn
bridge over the Rhine, short distance OF, by which
the defending troops could pass over to the earth
works thrown up on the left side TO dispute the pas
sage OF the river. These earthworks are very much
like those common in our war days; sharpened poles
driven in front OF the line pointed Francewards
and the trees had all been cut down IN front for
thousand yards. The unlimbed trunks and fading
foliage recalled the old fields around Richmond and
Petersburg BY way of parenthesls may mention
that all the officers have met this side are not
only cognizant OF our late system of lighting, but
70 have conned py heart the OF the gen
erals and batte-helds. They know all abou General
Sheridan who is staying al royal hea dquarters. II
does not appear that the French studied well our
war and its details, judging by the country which
they lately and precptaely left 1t has sign
OF breastwork any other preparation for defence
barring the Old fort Of the Vauban period and
l,ttfa a aatif in ciodf