Year: 1870




The following further particulars were
telegraphed by the special correspondent
of the New York Tribune, reporting the
great battle of Gravelotte:


The fight on the Prussians' left became so
fierce that it was soon lost to us or almost
lost by reason of the smoke. Now and then
a thick cloud would open little and drift
away on the wind, and then we could see
the French,


| tried to get better view of this part OF
the field, and went forward about half
mile, and from my new standpoint found
myself not far from Malmaison.


The French line on the hills was still un-
broken, and to all appearances they were
having the best of the battle, but this ap-
pearance was due perhaps to the fact that
the French were more clearly visible on the
broad height, and fighting with such singu-
lar Obstlnacy.


They plainly silenced Prussian battery
now and then. but the Prussian line also
was strengthened by degrees on the north
ern point.


The infantry and artillery were brought
up. and from far in the rear, away seem
ingly in the direction of Tionville, shot and
shell began reaching the French ranks.


These were the men and guns OF Stein
metz, who there and then effected his june
ton with the army of Prince Frederick
Charles. and completed the investment OF
Metz to the northwest. With reinforce
ments thus continually arriving on both
sides, the battle grew more and more obsti-
nate. There could be no doubt but that the
French understood the meaning of the new
movement of the Prussians, and of the
gradual development of their line to the
north. Steinmetz was able to extend his
line gradually further and further, until the
French were outflanked and threatened, as
as it appeared, with an attack on their ex-
treme right wing. So long as the smoke
from the Prlssian guns hoyered only over
their front, the French clung to their posi-
ton.


The distance from headquarters. where
the Prussian flank attack stretched forward
and, to add to the difficulty of clearly see
ing the progress of the battle, darkness
was coming on.


know not how long the French held out
nor at what precise moment the Prusslans
onset became irresistible.


What | saw was the puifs of smoke from
French guns, mingled with flashes bright
enng as darkness increased, and receding
gradually towards the very serious pillar OF
cloud and fame from the north, which grad
ually and steadily approached, and with
that advance the French fire grew every
moment more slack.


1t was not far from nine O'Clock when the
ground was yielded finally on the north. and
the last shots fired on that terrible evening
were heard in that direction.


The correspondent says


But to 20 back now to the movements
of the King and those with him at head
quarters. The Kings face as he stood
gazing upon the battlefield had something
almost plaintive in it, He had hardly said


d word, but l noticed his attention was
divided between the exciting scenes in the
distance and the dismal scene nearer his
feet, where they were just beginning. what
must -set be a long task, to bury the French
who fell in Tuesdays battle. On them he
gazed silently, and l thought sadly. Bis
lnarck could not conceal his excitement and
anxiety. If it had not been for the King,
the Count would clearly have gone forward
where the fighting was. His towering form
was always little i'll advance of the rest.
When the French completely gave up their
hold upon the road up to Gravelotte, the
horses of the headquarters party were
hastily called, and the entire party mount
ing, with the King at the head, dashed
down to point not very far from the vii
fage. Then shouts and cheers arose and
followed them wherever they passed


A little after four o clock a strange episode
occurred. From the region where SteinInetz
was supposed to be, q magnificent regiment
of cavalry galloped out. They paused a
moment at a point where the Cont1aus road
joins that to Metz. Then they dashed up
the road toward Metz. This road, between
GraveIotte and st. Hubert, is cut through
the hill, and on each side of it rise cliffs
from forty to sixtT feet high, except where
it traverscs the deep ravine behind the VII
lage. When it is remembered tnat at the
time the eliminating point TO which that
road ascends was held by the French, II
will not be wondered at that only half that
, reg iment survived. What the survivors ac'
complished DO not know, nor could learn
the name and number Of that regiment
which seemed to meet its fate under the
eyes Of the king. The situation hardly ad
mitted asking such questions, but their
plunge into that deep cut on the hillside,
where the next day saw so many OF them
and their horses lying, was of that brave,
unhesitatiDg. untaitering kind SO charac
taristic of German soldiers, among whom
straggIers and deserters seem absolutely un
known.


must record also what seemed an mex
plicable thing. The army OF Prince Fred
erick Charles was fighting hard and suf-
fering. it was only too plain, heavily. From
this army division after division had been
taken and yainlv sent against the French
centre. A portion of the Princes reserves
had been diminished to an important extent
in the engagements of the fourteenth and
sixteenth. Moreover, a considerable par;
of his army required rest; and two dl
visions-one certainlyAwere in need oi
reorganization before they could again DC
come efficient on the field. Yet at one tline
it seems every division and brigade ana
regiment was likely to be called into acton
the losses in the centre, and the masslns o.
great forces for fresh attack on the
French right flank, left the Verdun road
itself at one time almost uncovered. At a
moment that, for these reasons, seemed
critical, there appeared on the field, ocou-
pying thu ground before held by portion