The New York Herald Newspaper, August 22, 1870, Page 8

NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET. EUROPE. Special War Despatches by Mail to August 9. Napoleon’s Position at Metz and First Reverses of the French. THE CONNONADING ON THE RUINE. King William, Moltke and Bi marck in Council in Mayence. German Military Roads and War Scenes by the Way. Coblentz the Seat of “Conspiracy” Against France. Bismarck and the Herald Spe- cial Writers. The Great Neutral League Combination, Austria, Italy, Russia and Turkey Coming in Accord, Napoleon’s Despatches nouncing Defeat. An- RIOTOUS SCENES IN PARIS. Ry the Kuropean mail of the 9th of August we have the letters of our special correspondents at the seat of war and other points in Europe in continued report of the progress of the great struggle between France and Prussia. Our special writers indicate, even at that early date, the coming formation of a Powerful allied peace party, which ts likely toinclude Austria, Italy, Russia and Turkey, and which, if realized, may produce the most important conse- quences py Its action. THE FRENCH ARMY. Napoleon at Metz—First Reverses—Douny’s Defeat and Death—Thoe Position at For- bach—Operations at Saarbruck—City Ru- mor—Ladmirault and Bazaine in Motion— On the Moselle. IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS, | MerZ, August 6, 1870. § The Emperor ts still her The general advance has been countermanded. regret to report a reverse, although it is not irreparable. An oMctal bulletin was published yesterday even- ing in the local newspapers, which, after stating that the concentration and arrival of troops con- tinues under favorable circumstances; that the tem- perature 1s coc hat the sanitary state 1s excel- sent; that the enemy made a cavalry reconnolssance on the 4th inst as far as Rohrbach, but retired with- out an engagement, and that the Fourth corps made a reconnoissance at Saarlouis without meeting the enemy, thus refers to the engagement and defeat of which I informed you yesterday:—“A portion of the division of Abel Douay was engaged near Wissem- bourg against very superior forces. Our soldiers showed great energy. Our losses are considerable. The brave General Abel Douay was grievously Wounded and has died. Marshat MacMahon, with his army, occupies a strong position. They have telegraphic communication with all the army corps.”” ‘The above Meagre account Of a serious affair must strike everybody with che idea that itis meant to gloss over bad news, If it was simply an affatr of Outposts or a reconnoissance in force it would have been unnecessary to stave that Marshal MacMahon occupies a strong position, a phrase calculated to Insivuate that the enemy ts in the neignborhood in foree, in spite of all we nave heard of tne Prussians having retired from the frontiers, The taking of Saarbruck and fight of the enemy, to wiuch I shall reier more particularly hereafter, I thought from the first was part of the plan of campaign laid down by King William. But first Jet me say a few words in referer to Wissembourg. Yesterday it did nov Fequire tne powers of a clairvoyant to understand by the uneasy glances of the staff officers that some reverse had been experienced by the French troops. The chunnel of information through which I ob- tained the news was rellable, and I “wired” at Once. Later in the day facis oozed out which proved that ine French joss must have been very severe. General Abel Douay was mortally wounded, and died shortly afterwards. He was a brigadier gene- ralin command of a division, and brother of General Felix Douay, of Algerian fame, and who 1s a geveral of division, but at present commanding a corps @arimee, The French division under General Abel Douay was attacked on Thursday, the 4th, by two divisions of the enemy and nearly annihilated. The French, as they always do, fought well, but the for- tune of war was on the occasion against them and they were overpowered. I neara last night that the mouaves and part of the Turcos, just arrived from Algeria, were in the thick of the fight; that they lought like lions, shouting loudly as they did so for the cavairy, which branch of the service ap- pears to have been wanting. The First zouaves Were nearly cut to pieces. The complaints amoung the troops were loud aud bitter. I can but relate wiiat 1 hear from reliable sources, as every precaution is taken to prevent correspondents ob- taining news irom personal observation. From the Prussian side you will receive without doubt the number of killed and wonnded, which must be Trightful. Here the military authorities are suent on the subject, and the rumors in the town are not worthy of credence. On Monday last there was a cavalry skirmish near Wissembourg, but of no con- sequence. In rear of Berg, the first Bavarian vil- lage, sitnated at the gates of Lauterbourg, there is 40 euemy’s camp or 20,000 men. On Sunday last more than 300 Bavarians entered Lauterbourg at five A. M. and remained there until four o'clock In the afiernoon, in order to obtain provisions, for which the inbabiiants declared vhey paid but suall prices. FROM FORBACR. Last evening 1 couversed with a gentleman juet arrived from Forvach, He had been to the Freeh Hines in the hope of reaching Saarbruck, but was po- Uitely turned back. The French force at that polnt as, avcording to bis account, 40,000 meu, and con- cealed froin view on the heights beyond Saarbruck the Prussiaus have a camp 0! 50,000 men. ‘The coun- try peopie who witnessed the fight deciare that when the French advance they will ve cut to pieces, and that the vaunted mitrailieuses are complete failures, having done nothing during the late en- gagementexcept firing at the railway train, which ‘was scarcely struck. In apite of this opinion ex. pressed by bumpktn eye witvesses, I am still inclin to believe the accounts given to me when at Nancy by an officer of the Guard, who bad seen th miitraillouses tried before leaving for the seat « war. The authorities at the pt Moment look witli suspicion on every one, and withhold ail facility; so must avoid entire belief in the faming accounts you read in some journals supposed to be direct Zrom the seat of war, The rt of General Frossard states the French ja to bave been a#ix killed and sixty-seven rounded,gumbers which prove that the Saaroruck jaffair was'of no serious importance. The Emperor larrived at ten o'clock and at once gave the order to “advance. ‘ | ‘The #rst liné&\ was formed of Batalile’s division, Naving on its right that of Taveau Coupet ana @ bat- say of twelve-pounders; on the left that of Vergé an necond ba&tery of twelve-pounders, ne Aro0) left their Bivouacs gt hall-past nine o'clock, and JLiewtenant - Coionel hihandtiy of the Sixty-seventhb, marched on the village of St. Arnual, which was found strongly oc- eupied aud danded by baterles on the right of the Fiver Saar. A bastery of the Fifteenth artillery then Opened fire with effect on the Prussian seuihiory. Q battalion of the of engineers, aided w an nel and a inchned movement maae by Colo- , Who, with the remainder o1 the Sixty-seventh and the Sixth-sixtht, descended on the Jeft.” Lieutenant Colonel Phibandin carried the vil- Jage, which the Fortietb and the engineers occupied, while the two batialtons of the Sixty-seventh rashed up the slopes of the hill St, Arnual and established themselves on the suminit facing Saarbrack, ‘The Sixty-sixth took ion of the heights as far as the Champ de Manguvres, thus driving we enemy from his positions, General Bataille’s brig- ade, covered by skirmishers, advauced in line, The country is hilly and wooded, but the ravines were resolutely taken. The heights having been gained General Bataille established one of his batteries in front of the Sixty-sixth regiment and another on the Champ de Manaruwvres to sweep the railway Bta- tion and silence the enemy’s artillery in position on the leftof Saarbruck, Another battery of twelve creer was brought up and a battery of mitrail- leuses opened fire, The Prussian wiantry then left the town, ‘The greater part of Saarbruck and St. Jean was burned within less than two hours, and the Em- Tor returned to Metz by the train, which haa n ordered before the engagement to be in readi- ness at one o'clock, PRUSSIAN ACCOUNTS, From Berlin the account of the affair is somewhat different. It ig strange how the force of circum- stances makes the best of us regard se with par- Ual eyes. It is to be hoped for the sake of history that the French government will give permission atany rate to some of the cloud of foreign correspondents to follow the army. ‘The following ts an oficial Berlin account, dated August 3:—“Yesterday, atten A. M., the smal detachment at bruck Was attacked hy three divisions of the ei . The town and the Place d’Armes were bombarded at midday by twenty-three pieces of artillery, At two o’clock the lace was evacuated and the detachment retired. ur losses were relatively small. According to one of the prisoners the Emperor ar- rived before Saarbruck at eleven o'clock.” We hear that in Paris the excitement was intense when the news was published and that some of the newspaper oifices were Illuminated in cclebration of the great victory, while in Berlin it was treated wiih as litue attention as if @ corporal’s guard had been relieved. CITY RUMORS. To-day there ts every sort of rumor rife in the town, but up to this hour (five o'clock) nothing off- cial has been recetved, One person Knows @ baker, Who lets rooms to a lady, Who bas a sop, an Officer im the French ariny, wounded at Wissembourg, who has written a letter to his mother, adding as @ postscript, ‘Great victory ! 40,000 prisoners taken |? It 18 possible the poor fel- low is delirious. Another stout and somewhat greasy looking individual declared with vehemence that a letter had been received by a haberdasher, “who lives im that big white house that you see there,” coufirming the uews, with the addition that 10,000 Prussians bad been Killed and 30,000 taken prisoners, A tbira has just declared that there are 40,000 Pras- sians ina Wood near Wissembourg, surrounded by MacMahon’s army, and that the worthy Marshal having set the wood on fire the unfortunate Prus- siaus are now being grilled to death. ALARM AND BECREOY, That there ts now fighting going on Tam tueltned to believe, as the headquarter staf await orders to leave to-night. If they do so, the move will imply there has been success for the French arms and Uthat there ta some foundation, however slight, for the reports which have to-day been current. In military circles here it 18 believed that the dis. aster at Wissembourg was @ coup de mutn executed uw the Prince Royal of Prussia. Jt appears that at eukirchen there was @ large force of Prussians ready to cut off the retreat of the French if they advanced after the attack on Saarbru The French, however, did not advance, and the Prussian troops at Neukirchen were auiekly transported to the neighborhood of Wissembourg, where, joining the forces there stationed, they attacked and nearly annihilated the division under General Abel Douay. ‘This theory may be correct, as two days Suns be- tween the affair at Saarbruck and that at Wissem- bourg. On reference to the map you will see that mere is railway communication between the two places, I have just received a report from the outposts which gives me the movemenis of the French army since the night of the sd and 4th. WHAT NAPOLEON HEARD. The Emperor heard that Prince Frederick Oharles was advaueing from Treves on Sierk by the right bank of the Moselle, 30 as to drive in the left of the French army. The Fourth corps, under Ladmirault, was moved from Thionville to Boulay on the right, and Marshal Bazaine from Boulay to St. Avold. On the 4th Lad- Mirault’s corps moved rapldiy back to the left, and Uie corps under Bazaine followed the movement, ‘The danger was unininent, as the Guard left Metz at daybreak to take up position at Boulay, in readi- ris to support, In case of peed, Ladmirault and Ba- zaine, RURAL DESTITUTION. Along the entire frontier the country ts becoming destitute of resources. Through patriotism and necessity the thabitants have given and sold everything to the troops. Nothing is to be had for love or money. Neither horses, mules, cattle, fowls, milk nor eggs. The peasants have money, but they will be forced to purchase provisions at a distance. CHANGE OF TACT T hear this morning from a correspondent at Ham sous Vasberg that yesterday every movement ap- peared to be changed, and thatthe army was in movement from ieit to right. He little knows what has happened at Wissembourg. He says: The French and Prussians lave the appearance of play- ing @ crafty game, the manceuvring being to the advantage of the French, who have more snoney and resources than the enemy. The Frenc ments are increasing tn strength, During t fifteen days they ure nearly doubled in numb from 1,500 men they Rave now 2,500 strong, and even more.” ‘The sanitary state of the French army 1s excellent; there are but few op te sick list, | thelr gunlovks durin THE PRUSSIAN ARMY. King William’s Headquarters at Mayence— Mast Depend on the Troops in the Field— Fortresses Not of Much ValuemAuxiety of People for News. COLOGNE, Angnst 3, 1870. The King’s headquarters are now at Mayence, the Rhine stronghold, and warm work Is expecied hourly between the two opposing sovereigns. The anxiety and expectation among* all classes here hourly increase, but itis not thought that Cologne will see or suffer much in the struggie, suca ts the confidence expressed in the Prussian soldiers. The headquarters are on the second line of the army, the Orst being the front, in immediate contact with the French advance, The universal opinion seems to be that the for- tresses will be of little account, the fighting to ve done on the breastwork system of our war. Indeed, good authorities tell me here that if Prussia relies on her strongholds she is already beaten; she must gain in the open feild or be beaten. It 1s useless to report all the little skirmishes that so far have been narrated in oficial bulletins from the front. To-day there was one at Saarbruck between three French (as the bulletin narrates) divisions and twenty-three guns and 750 Prussians, with two guns. The latter, we are told, fell back after a three hours stand. ‘This bulletin was posted up in the cafés and hotels immediately, and was read with a sad countenance by the citizens. The commencement to fall back looks awry to them; yet they put the best face on the matter and say, “Moltke knows what he is about.’ PUBLIC ANXIETY. lobserved at the hotels that all classes of people collected eagerly around the news; cooks rau from the kitchen; hostlers, chambermatds, boots, secre- tarles, walters, proprictors, ladies, gentlemen and outsiders joined in one pell mell mass to read the tidings. This picture is to be seen now all over Germany; at Berlin the rush to hear and know was especially feverish. As far as ascertained the people are content with Bismarck’s and Moltke’s war prepa- rations; they say they are ready now for the serious ‘Uussle to begin, TONE OF THE ARMY. The Prussian soidiers at the front have everything they needy and abundance of eatabies and drinkables and all kinds of gifts to gild the soldier’s life are forwarded to them. ‘The landwetir have been mixed and incorporated With the regalar troops in this campaign, aud do not grumble at the change. They went to the front Singing a hearty ‘Hau, Father Rhine ! dancing and drinking. Soldiers wili make a little festivity upon their first entrance into a campaign, but the merriment is soon Knocked out of them by War's realities. The landwehr are, perhaps, more serious now, aud will be more so when the great battle of the day comes off. The generais on the immediate front are said to be more civil and lberal than the authorities in the rear, Nous verrons, There seems be some necessity felt on this side to keep up and maintain the prestige of the needle gun. They claim that the French weapons are not supe- rior, not so £000, for they foul after the third round in active fighting, and that explains the fact seen by their eoldiers—viz., that the French soldiers spit in the fight to ciean ous their Weapons, Not only, however, does all this talk | Seem to be a bolstering up, but 1 know competent Prussian otticers who bave seen both arms at work, and they tell me that the Chassepot is gaining the prestige over the Dreyae. NATIONAL UNION--WHAT A DISSENTER BAID. veer from impartial persons who have lived here and elsewhere in uermany for over twenty years that the Fatherland 1s unmistakably united as it never was before—not even in 1818. The people around me, while ee jokes at the expense of Napoleon, his dynasty and the French generaliy— rather dull wit, though—say they have to thank Louis Napoleon for uniting them in a band of brothers, One of the persons mentioned, who is thoroughly posted and an able thinker, had acon+ versation with me yesterday evening upon the actualities of the situation. As his ideas and opin- fons bore evidence of being drawn from the life, from the tnner heart and mind of the people among whom he has resided so long and about whom he kKaowss0 much. [ot them down here hastily :— ‘Wb 8 my private opioion that the French going to beat the Prussian troops soundly. You will sec; 1 have thought so from the first. When once the Germans will have been Whipped in one or two crushing defeats th wil taway give up everything, Ut Is all fal-l to Wk elr endurance and hardness, But the country 1s united now, although there are some few discontented in several portions of the land. TI know some in Frankfort and Hanover who are bound to keep very quiet now. Bismarck is ambi- tious and as much an tatriguer as the Napoicons, and, although his wonderful success so far has caused him to be swallowed in Germany, yet the ople do not love bim at all; they mistrust im, The Germans are liberal; Bismarck is aris- tocratic and despotic. He did not seek this war, but at the same time it 18 plain that be did nothing vo avoid it; it rather suited his ambitious views. He could have avoided it by refus' France a plau- sible pretext. If the French army should not get to the capital of Prussia, and be content with the Khine provinces, the war would be short, although I am of opinion that the Germans under the French would be a repetition of Italians under Austrians. But [ do not think the war will be short; i. seems to me eee @ prog) pce (rs Boaiand el the other Powers mr % a8 to a sti ‘le between France and Prussta, I think the French will surely whip. [have expressed that opinion to my German in- timate friends here, aud while it sets them on fire and makes them uproarious for the moment, they are still imbued with enougn reason and liberalism to tolerate my views of the case. Since 1666 the Prus- sians have been simply intolerable—there has been no possible living with or among them. ‘They necd to have some of the arrogance taken out of them. They are not only the beau tdeal, the perfect type of Insolence, among the entire German population, but among ali the nations as well. An Englishman is selfish and naughtily insolent; a Prussian is far more so,” 1 must close abruptly for a spare mati conveyance. More anon—as I start In half an hour by a military train bound for the royal headquarters at Mayeuce. ON THE ‘RHINE, First Cannonading—“Quick March”? of the Germans and Amazing Activity—A Clear Conscience and Schnapps—First re meuteLimits of the German Language— The Border Difficuities, MAXAN, August 5, 1870. Few things could be more Hvely than the scene at Maxan to-day. The cannon began to be heard at nine o'clock, but gradually grew fainter as the morning advanced, and at twelve M, were no more audible. The troops, which, though massed to a considerable extent on the threatened border, were of course scattered along the possible as well as the probable points of attack, were being hurried across the Rhine at this point all day long. In an amaz- ingly short space of time after the first guns were heard the road to the bridge was filled with col- umns of all three branches of the service. Many bat talions halted here for refreshment, but the oraer to shoulder arms never seemed to some two soon, and was often greeted with acheer. It was curious to see the boys, the moment arms were stacked, rush at the loungers who were hauging about the post to ask for news. They were mostly Baden reserves— older men, with their wives and children at home, as their wedding ‘rings showed (you know the men as well as Women wear wedding rings 1a Germany, and that even the poorest never fail to wear this ring when they are married)—yet the eagerness for the fray which they displayed would have done credit to the most pugnacious youth. Every now and then an ofMcer would come in on fall gallop to receive orders, and, if they were to the front, would swing his cap for joy, though of course they dared noi descend to an audible expression of delight. The sutiers do a splendid business in filling canteens, and many were the kisses bestowed upon the girls who acted Hebe at the beer barrel, not so much from personal affection to these hand- maids, put from an overflowing philanthropy. Poor fellows! We, who had no active part to play, could not but tink how many of those stern but happy fa would be distoried ta—but what is tne use of such thoughts? They are risking their lives ina good cause. They are vindicating an outraged Germany. Tuey are helping toward a united fatherland and a peaceful Europe. Wouid tney do more to better the world wearing out thelr lives behind the piough or the workbench + MILITARY OONSCIENCE AND HAPPINESS. ‘Those things,” sald an oiicer recently to his troops, “are of the greatest use to soldiers entering an action. A good night's sleep, a good conscience and good schnapps.’ Since the men who fought to-day had no idea last night of what the morrow had in store for them, I suppose they had the first of these requisites; 1 hope they had the second—they most of them looked as if they did—but 1 know they had the last. As it 1s too late to post this to- night 1 shall leave {t open for any news that may transpire before mornin, WISSEMBOURG AND VICTORY. Early this morning & more particular account of the victory has come to Carisrube ‘rom a trust. worthy source.” I give you the principal points thus:— On the 4tb, at four o’clock in the morning, the Bavarian division, commanded by Count Bottinar, forming the advance guard of the Third army, advanced upon Wissembourg, Which was defended by entrenchments, its former fortifications having been converted into promenades some years ago. This division entered the town by storm and made 300 prisoners. ‘The French then succeeded In check- ing the enemy untii the Fifth Prussian corps caine up. Directly afterwards the French also received reinforcements and the bale became very warm. ‘The Eleventh Prussian corps Dow came up, attack- ing the French on their right vank, who retreated with al) speed and were pursued far beyoud Wis- gembourg. ‘he Crown Prince was present at the lat. ter portion of the batile. Eight hundred prisoners were made, the greater portion unwounded. The German loss is esifinated at 600 killed and wounded. The division under General Douay seeems to be the portion of the Frenci army which suffered most. General Douay was killed.” His camp was taken and guns captured. On the German side the regi- ments which suffered most were the King’s Grena- diers and the Fiftieth. General Kirchbeck was slightly wounded, en officers and 480 men (French prisoners) passed through Mannicim this morning on their way to Berlin. The King sent a despatch to the Queen last night ending with the words, “God be praised for the first glorious deed of arms! May He continue to help us!” SAARBRUOK OCCUPIED BY THE FRENCH. On the 2d the French entered Saarbréck, which was only defended by a coupie of companies, being considered @ place of 10 strategic importance, MAGUENAU, Tam Informed that Haguenau will be attacked to- ay or to-morrow. ‘he place is of great strategic importance, since, with it, the French would lose their connection by rall with Rhine-Bavarta, Haguenau is very strongly fortified, so that we may expect hot work, LIMITS OF THE GERMAN TONGUE, It is well known that that portion of the left bank of the Rhine whicn is in the posgession of the Frenvl was formerly a German possession. In view of the very possible victory of the Germans, and the not unlikely demand that ‘the German speaking dis- tricts of Eastern France ve restored to German do- minion, it may not be uninteresting to trace the boundary of the ungallicised part of the empire. Ab article has appeared on the subject in the Ausdurger-Aligemeine-Zeung founded on Boekh’s stapdard work on “The Number of the German People and the Distribution of the German Language in Europe.” I copy only the principal pomts:— ‘The boundary between the German and the French languages begins at the Swiss village of Litzel, aud runs from this point in a northwesterly direction, fol- lowing the watershed of tie Rhine (Gerinan) and the Rhone (French) between the cities Dameskirch (Galli- cised Danuemarie) and Belfort to the mountain Baren- kopf. It then follows the range of the Vogesen to about the latitude of Colmar, where the French crosses the mountains at the sources of the river Weiss, Here there are afew parishes speaking a Romanic dialect, of whom there 1s good evidence that they are descendante of the Celto-Romans who took refuge in the mountains. Tnrougb the valley of the Leber, whose language 1s % mixed one, the boundary crosses by the way of St. Marie aux Mines in the valley of the Weiler, whose upper portion is French, and through pteige into the valley of the Breusch. Here it leaves Alsace. The above men- toned Latin districts contain abont 30,000 inhabi- tants, With this exception the whole Alsace is Ger- map. The boundary again takes a northwesterly direction, leaving the sources of the Saar to the right, and passes through the little lake of Dieuze, but no longer possesses the same sharpness as before, single towns on either side varying from the gen- eral rule, Pfalzburg, for example, 19 almost en- tirely Gallictsed. From the lake at Dieuze the boun- dary passes to the Moselle Department by the way of Marimont-la-Haute, following very nearly the river Nied to the Kanner, the boundary of French Luxembourg. The line now follows the Kanner to the Moselle, and the jatter to a point somewhat. south of Thionville, where it crosses the river, run- ning out of the French territory at Longwy. That much territory where German 1s no longer spoken War originally Teutonic 1s shown by the frequeut occurrence of towns with German names outaide of the line indicated. The area of this Germano- French region is 230 German, or somewhat less than 5,500 English square miles, and contains a popula- tion of 1,360,000 inhabitanis. In both extent and population it is but little inferior to Baden. IN MAYENCE. Brillinat Assemblage in the Great Strong- old—King William, Bismarck and Moltke in Council—The Sword and the Pen—A Her- ald Special in a Military ‘rain—Neutral Nationals and What They Say—Scenes on the Route to the Seat of War—Count’ Bise marck and a Herald Writer. Mayence, August 6, 1870. I write in the chief srronghold op tho Raine, within a few paces of the headquarters of King wh. helm, Count Bismarek, Von Moltke and attendants, who are all solacing themselves with hopes and business here and making this dingy little town & spot of considerable moment, excitement and attrac- tion, especially for the military and special corre- spondents, It1s not exactly the theatre of ostill- ties, but it may possibly be, and at any rate it 1s at present the nearest point to tne scene of bloody ction where the newspaper writers, to whom Prussian wisdom refuses passes, may stand and yet keep up communication between the out- side world and the inside circle made of bayonets and cannon in the Rhine Pfalt HERALD “SPECIALS” AND THE MILITARY ROADS. All the foreign writers are grambling so far, for, with the exception of a very few native writers, they are somewhat muzzled. I managed to get through from Cologne by @ military train, Through express trains aro a desideratum in this region at the pre- gent juncture of course. There 13 a line of railroad, two tracks, on either side of the river from Cologne to Mayence, besides the boats; but the government has other uses for them than to convey passengers and trunks, These roads were, in fact, constructed by Prussian calculation just for such u: they are being put to now—conveying backward and for- ward hundreds of thousands of troops with mill- tary stores for the defence of its cherished left bank— and go much coveted left bank, too, We had some Jew passengers on board besides the soldiers, but all, more or Jess, on military functions; a bevy of Sisters of Charity, dressed in lugubrious black hoods and gowns, moving to the front to comfort the sick and wounded; they were headed by a priest dressed as German priests dress, and their escort piloted very safely and expeditiously, as though conscious of the importance of their praiseworthy mission, In my little corner of the compartment were seated a Hungarian and an Italian, both civilians and doth reduced to talking French (‘that hateful and now tabooed dialect throughout Germany), as they could not converse in their respective dialects, Yet they were afraid to speak much and never above a whisper, for fear of betng taken as French travel- Jers or spies, or What not, and, if not arrested and delayed, spoken to ll and eyed ill, There they sat quite dumb, almost a laughable sight to myself, who was cognizant of their secret from the start. af- fairs grew @ litule more cosey during the trip, when a staf major got on the train, and through accidentally learning the state of the case made us all easy by setting @ la mode the gay vehicle of chit-chat, which rolls so giibly on the Paris boulevard. He spoke French and was quite amiable 10 the poor, dumbfounded foreigners; his speaking French was an authorization and protection to others to sit as best they could and do likewise, which they did very readily. The Hungarian was as lively and sociable as the Italian, and altogether there was a general discussion of the topics of the day, leaving out the news and operations from the theatre of war, of which we preeinely had none to treat. The French were whipped a little behind their backs, not, however, it must be sald, because they were rauning away from as, CALM QUIET OF THE GERMANS—WAYSIDE AND REFRESHMENTS, We had also on board 4 detachment of the am- bulance and sanitary corps. ‘These gentiemen are now proceeding to the front in large numbers, since that material upon which they will be called upon to work has been on before them for some weeks. ‘The soldiers took things very quietly, and drank in quietness their glasses and jugs o1 beer, handed in to them ai every station by the boys and women of the Beer Committee, @ standing institution by the way everywhere. I never saw such quiet soldiers as these are in all my life, They drink certamly, but they seem to come of a very quict race, J think one French trooper would make more noise than a com- pany of Germans packed in their cattle wagons very ciosely and uncomfortably—whole battalions, baggage, provisions, cattle, cuissons and guns, &c., in trains of iminense length. At Neuwied, one of the smaller stations, We halted for afew minutes, and there l observed only one soldier out of the whole lot who was @ little gay from his libations, He leaned out of the window, and, with a sprig of flower in his rea-banaed fatigue cap, began to sing some of the popular airs. He got at last to saluting people as they passed under the shed. An old Washerwoman comes by with a baskec of clones on her head. Our singer shouts out, “Adieu, madame, nach Paris, and adieu, madame, on to Paris!’ “Adieu, meinherr!” was the lady’s attentive reply, amid the laughter of bystanders, Among the latter was a representative of the fair sex, in elegant toilet and talking wo a gentleman; as the train slowly moves off the lively singer has fast time as he passes her todo tue amtable to eauty by courteously fling his cap and siniling graciously, as though saying, “I'm off to the wars— Wish me good luck and give me 2 good look! The cap 18 not lifted in vain; the Jady not only patrio cally and approvingly siniles, but erties out the soll- clted “Adieu!? with heartiest wishes for King and Fatherland. Such incidents have a great effect on those interested in what 1s going on In the imme- diate neigbborucod—a thrill of sympathy and de- light seoms to be their inevitable consequence for ail concerned and bebolaing. AT OOBLENTZ—A SEAT OP FRANCE. On we go at this rate until Coblentz, the lower Rhine fortress, 1s reached; ail along the beautiful country and scenery Is a8 lovely and peaceable in aspect'as when it is merely surveyed vy straying English, unattended by any more warlike tustru- Ments than their inevitable umbrellas, Coblentz is fortuded with modern earthworks, guoned and spurred for the fight; the hills round about it swarm with the descendants of Frederick the Great, He had no Coblentz, i think; but yet even be performed as remarkable a miracie as Bismarck has effected in our time. Yet it does seem strange to see Prussia become this colossal Power that It stands since Sadowa. Who does not recall the obscure litile State with fourteen millions of subjects ouly a few short years ago? We leave Coplentz, lyse eir Becre it 1s the place where the c/-devants of 1739 took refuge aud con- spired, according to Robesplerre, “against the peace, safety and dignity of France.” Itis also the place where the modern boulevardiers say that M ‘Thiers should speedily retire. “Allez @ Cobleni said the other day one of his colleagues 1n the Corps Legisiatif to the ex-Premier of Louis Philippe. What an unpopular man is M. Thiers among those boulevardiers—what a popular one in Germany! I do not mean to say, however, that our friends over there at headquarters rely on him w any great ex- tent. Ido not think they would stake their last maa or dollar on him. Hard facts of war, thalers, guns and blows alone tell down this way. Nobody svems to be preoccupied much by projecis of treaty or plots, except against these two strongholds and the army lines. Several poor English fellows have been taken up, charged with concocting such plots, but on proving their innocence alter a long process they have been released, When will they take up Bismarck for plottiny against their fortress, as they say, who knows But, L repeat, we talk very littie here about Belgium us a spoil and don’t care a kreutzer who is Emperor of China. One emperor tw ve looked after ts enough at a lime, asthe Prussians seem to be bent on thinking, according to all present appearances and sounds too, for, a8 I write, the din of batteries passing the Khine pontoon bridges, the shrill screeches of the locomotives, the bands, the tramp and halt of troops in the streets—all this going on withing @ stone’s throw of my lodging and under its windows—go to prove that point very clearly to one on the ground, GRAND MILITARY CONCENTRATION—ARMY RESTRIC- TIONS AND LICENSE. Here, at Mayence, the hoteis are filled with the high officers on the headquarters staff, and passing to and fro through the compact little village. The King Is the observed of all observers on the part of the Villagers; they, for their part, watch bis movements as closely as if he too was aspy. The headquarter ‘Wagons, with this or that general’s or prince’s name marked on them, are knocking around generally, for early this morning it Was reportod that his Ma- Jjesty would to-day proceed to the front, but he is still here to console a little the foreign specials who have a lingering hope that a pass may be obtalued 60 long as the chief priest and rulers are about. Count Bismarck is opposed to ‘‘passes”’ of all de- scriptions, so of course there are certain precise points upon which I am upable to touch, ana upon which I am unable to write you precise information, For instance, I can say that Mayence also 1s in a state of fortified preparedneas, bus as to the modus operandi, or the calibre of Cy you know in New York as much as we outsiders hére do. Not being invisible I find tt Impossibie to pass Prussian fixed bayonets (some on discipline) without adue permit, Fortu- nately I have not yet been molested or questioned or taken as @ Bpy. THE HERALD AND THE GERMAN CABINET—BISMARCK AND THE GREAT AMERICAN NEWSPAPER. —, Indeed, I must say that so far, whenever it has been necessary to make my character known as the special representative of your paper, that the name of the HERALD has acted like a talisman everywhere in Germany, except in Bismarck's cabinet at the Foreign Office in Berlin, where the great man, for bres of state, saw fit to refuse the pass I solicited of him, Bridges of pontoons have been thrown over the Rhine at several points between the two fortresses; over one of them [ saw two fine batteries cross this morning on their way to the front. MBMENTOES OP WISBEMBOURG. The affair at Wissembourg occurred yesterday, and the Prussians claim a victory; but the telegraph will have told you all that. I may barely mention the detail that I witnessed the first squad of French [Prete taken; they came under a strong guard ere, but their sight caused a smile of triumph on German countenanuces. They were well treated—no insults that I saw. The French looked downcast, evidently grieved to have been taken. About 600 with several Officers were caugiit In a cnurch in the village and were surprised by the Prassian troops. 1 ran over to Frankfort this morning and there suw the rest of the prisoners, Who delighted the Franktortians as iecing’ throngh on the way to Berlin. ‘A Berlin it wili be atriumph, at any rate, for the Berliners, One of the citizens offered a soldier six krentzers for his epauletie; the soldier immediately clinched the ‘CONSPIRACY’? AGAINST When the nae coment rades oe e recodare v went hundreds of e| all forsale, and ine pocketed. Poor prisoners, they taken without many kreutzers in their pockets, for the most part; three sous per day will not go far after the “caporal” is deducted, Frankfort claims to be very confident that the French will never get there, and money matters were sald to be 100! up; but how long, if true, will that be the case? By way, Without the war, Frankfort had already begun to go down asthe great money centre of Germany—other points had isplaced it. I found a few refugees there from the barns of Hamburg, but have met few foreign travel- lers anywhere in the war countries—not even an American being visible. It is idle to thinkffor @ moment that Prussia, with her numbers of soliiiers, ofMcers, doctors, cooks and all the rest, will have any need of the services of any private individuals from the Old or New Worlds. pea the rest such 1s the decision of the judges at jeriin. IN PRUSSIA. Diplomatic Efforts—Negotiations in Flor- ence—The Neatrality League—What Says Russia (France Bidding High for an Ally— Esplonage—Skirmishing—A Long and Bloody Campaign—At Saarbruck. BERLIN, August 4, 1870, While active hostilities, at least upon a grand scale, have hardly as yet commenced, public atten- tion 1s naturally engrossed by the drift diplomatic negotiations are likely to take, and the neutrality or otherwise of the larger Powers. The centre of at- traction at the present moment seems to be Florence; for there the future positions of Italy, Austria and Russia forms the important subject of consideration, and fully occupy diplomatists. It is said that the former two Powers are on the eve of forming an aili- ance of neutrality, and will declare any territorial alterations a casus bellt, The great bugbear appears to be Russia, who, while silently arming, commits herself to no definite policy, thereby leaving the other Powersina con- stant state of apprehension, Notwithstanding the semi-ofticial assertions that, owing to the personal efforts of the Emperor of Russia, his brother Emperor of Austria had bound himself to stand atoof, yet the anxiety of Prussia has not been auleted, as is shown by the Fifth and Sixth army corps stil! being in Silesia instead of their being pushed westward, A VAST NEUTRAL LEAGUE. Not in the headquarters of both vast armies we have “to look for weighty decisions,” say the know- ing ones, but rather to the negotiations pending between Vienna and Florence on the one hand, and Florence and Paris on the other. The league of neutrality, now in embryo, 1s said also to include the Sublime Porte, which would give it at once an offensive character in the eyes of Russia. The great question, however, appears to be, how far the Austro-Hungarian views coincide with the Franco-Itaiian, and there are unquestionably great diMicuities to overcome. All these matters are as yet enveloped in great mystery. The great gun, Count Bismarck, now being at the King’s headquarters it is curious to think that the wires are occupied day and night transmitting te him the various combinations in thelr different stages and trying to effect that most dificult of mat- ters—nainely, a basis of armed or non-armed neu- trality acce ptable to both parties In the fleld. BEUST’S MISSION TO ITALY. Count Beust, whom I still think incapable of plunging Austria into a dangerous course of action, has despatched Count Vitzthun to Florence on a mission, it is sald, to warn Italy against a too will- ing ear to the wiles of France. Diplomausts, you know, will not trust one another further than they can see, and It 1s evident that Beust fears a Franco- Italian alliance at the expense of Austria, That France is prepared t0 make every sacrifice to pro- cure Italy’s alliance is abundantly proved by the evacuation of Rome. Indeed, looking at her iso- lated position, she 18 positively compelled to seek coiite que coate alliances, aud that no delicacy 18 ob- served {n such proceedings has been sufficiently shown by the recent Benedetti-Bismarck disclosures, FRENCH ESPIONAGE. ‘The numerous arrests that have taken place during the last fortnight throughout Germany of French spies and the documents found upon them have brought to light a reguiar network of espion- age, with which this country nas been surrounded for some time past by the French police. Regular returns have been furnished tothe French govern- meut respecting political and military affairs, und especial attention has been paid to the annexed provinces and the principal fortresses on the Kune. it is not to be Wondered at that the Prussiaus should have lately resorted to reprisals, and we do know of a mititary intelligence bureau established in this clty, where # regular counter system has been organized, SKIRMISHING ON THE FRONTIER. As to the skirmishes on the Prussian, Baden and Bavarian boundaries, they have become a daily oc- currence, and, a8 in such cases, where two encinies in close proxunity are naturally desirous of testing each other’s force, have resulted in but little loss on either side, though every little sortie is magnified into an engagement and the viciory claimed by each, Blowing up & small bridge, destroying a viaduct, reconnoltring of small parties, resulting in ove or two killed or wounded, and 4 disabied horse, form, as yet, the whole budget of news. A LONG AND BLOODY WAR. Both Commanders-in-Chief, King William and the Emperor of the French, have expressed their con- viction that the present war will be a prolonged one, Alas! It iooks but too probable. On the part of the Prussian King it was certainly sensible to say to his people that rapid successes similar to those in 1866 ‘were hardly to be expected in the present campaign, and that they should nerve themselves in cases of adversity, THE NAVIES, Nothing important has been heard as yet as to the operations of the enemy’s fleet, though it is by this time scouring the waters of the North Sea and the Baltic, and you may soon receive some interesting accounts from your special correspondents in that portion of the theatre of war. SAARBRUCK. OfMictal news published at four o'clock P. M. gives an account of the attack A ta Saarbruck by the ‘enemy on the morning of Tuesday, the 2d) inst. ‘There was but one battalion of the Fortieth infantry in that Prussian town, au open place, not intended to be held nor to be exposed toa bombardment, The French must have expected to meet strong forces, a8 they attacked with three divisions and twenty-three guns. The Emperor and his son are supposed to have arrived at the scene at eleven o'clock A. M., and by two P. M. the Germans reured in good order, evacuating the town and taking up a position at the next soutient. Undoubtedly this “first heroic deed” of the French army has been duly blazoned to the world, the taking of a Prussian town of, Storm; but its importance will considerably dwin- dle when it becomes known that it was almost vol- untarily abandoned by the Germans, whose whole force consisted of one infantry battalion and 2 small detachment of horse (u/dans), stationed there as an outpost only. Another government despatch states the German loss on the 2d inst. to have been two officers and seventy men only, the result of an attack of .over- whelming numbers, who made the most of their chassepots and mitrailieuses, The loss of the French 18 not Known. On the evening of the same day a strong detachment of the enemy crossed the boun- dary east of Saargemund at Reinheim, firing on the German videttes, without hitting anybody; they withdrew, however, at nignt. mn In ali these skirmishes, says the ofictal report, ‘the behavior of our troops was excellent.” PARIS TOLD OF DEFEAT. Engenie Proclaims Napoleon’s Reverses=Do- spatches of Napoleon from tho Front. By the European mail of the 9th of August we have the following highly important details in elabora. tion of our special cable despatches of that day, al. ready published Proclamation of the Empress Regent. PALACE OF THE TUILERIES, August 7—11 A, M. FRENCHMEN--The commenctment of the war has not proved favorable for us; our arms have suffered acheck. Let us be frm under this reverse and has- ten to repair it, Let there be among us but one party—that of France, and but one Nag—that of the national honor. J come into the midst of you. Faithfutin my mis- sion and to my duty, you will see me the first to de- fend the colors of France. I adjure all good citizens to maintain order, as to disturb it would be to con- Spire with our enemies, EUGENIE. (Vountersigned by all the Ministers.) Napoleons Telegrs from the Front. A second edition of the Journal Oficiel, publishea ateleven o'clock on Saturday forenoon, August 6, contains the following proclamation :— Panis, August 7—6 A. M. FRENCHMEN—Up to the present time we have in- variably ven, without reserve, all the reliable news that we have receivea, and we continue to do 80, Last night we recetved the following despatches: MET2—12:30 P. M, Marshal de MacMahon bas lost a battle. On the Saar Sraoay Frossard has been obliged vo retire; See tis effec 3 i ig effected iw good order; ali may be reco vere SOLEON. 78:30 A. M. jon being inter- yeaterday. It is pounced to me that the Marshal \derable forces, and that he wae Marz, A My communications with Marshal Mackie iring tn good order. In another direction, on the Saar, an engagement com- Mmeuced about oneo'ciock. Lt did not appear very Herious, when Keren, the masses of the enemy became consider. ably ine without, however, obilgin to fall back. Tt was only between alx und se’ ing that, the Pruasians beco: ‘more and more compact, the Second corps aad the regiments supporting |) rehired to has been qaiet, Jam to. place Seraetiatine conse ot the posi. PerOEON. ‘The following 1s from the head of the stai to the Minister of the Interior:— Meza, 3th—4 BO A. M. After a series of engagements, in whic! e enemy de- d erable forces, ul do Mahon feil back bans canine fetta Boban’ Paar > esterday against ap army of the enemy, Her having held his position until abe ai ook ‘he effacted is_retre: 1400 The ‘of our losses are wanting. Our troops are full of ardor, but the enemy | @ serious effort is xd order. = necessary. A great our mae ‘appears tunminent. duty in presence of this serious Intelligence, eur cee and we appeal to the patriotism ung ‘of all,’ ‘The Chambers are convoked. We place Paris, as @ matter of u cy, in a stats of defence; and, in order to facilitate the execution i pe Touitary preparauons, we declare it in a stale Let there be no weakness, no division. Our re sources are immense, Cl firm! tev peated be iron! Aran ih on 13 COCUIEDE 18 Also the Cabinet, nea aA} he amber \¢ government informs the public 6 of, ficial news from the theatre cena ‘rill henceforth, be signed by the Minister ol the Interior, ‘The hon- orabl¢ functionary has issued the following additional intelligence Mere) August? TE, clock In the affate which, took place yesterday et Soran Maly Sustal the Recond corps d'armee was en; ined by two: diviisions of others. Those of General Ladtairautt su Gene eral de Failly and the Guard did not take any part in the en ent, ‘The combat commenced at one o'clock and seemed unimportant; but soon numerous troops, ambushed! in the woods, tried totura the position. At five the Prag. sians appeared to be repulsed and to have renounced the at-| tack; Duta fresh corps arnving from Werden, on the Saar, ‘obliged General Frossard to retire, ‘To-day the troopn which! wel led ure concentrating themselves at Metz. In the Freischwiller Marshal Mao- neral. de Failly had rived; several charges of cavalry are sald to bave take lace, but the Prussians had mitrailleuses, which did us an Jury. NAPOLE Merz, August 7—8:25; morning. ‘The spirit of the troops is excellent, and the retreat will) be effected in good order. No news has arrived from Fros- sard, Who seems, however, to have retired hay cand jn good, order. NAPOLEON, Mrz, August 7—8:55 P.M. The enemy hus not pursued Marshal de MacMabon very enerzeticalls, and since last evening has ceased all purwuit, ‘The Marshal is concentrating lus troops, NAPOLEON, from the Staff. ‘The subjotned ts from the head of the staid to the Minister 04 the Interior:— Mrrz, August7—8:30 A. M. ‘ To support us here Paris and France must great efforts of patriotism. Here noone loses his Or confidence, but the triai is serious, MacMahon, after battle of Relschshotten, retired in covering the road ta ney. ‘The coxps of Frossard has sulfered severely. Ener gelic measures are being taken to defend ourselyi ‘METZ, August 7--11:59, ‘The troops are continuing their concentration without aificulty, Ail hostilities seem to have ceased. The tofantry| regiments engaged yorterday were the, Thirty-second, Fifty. fith, Seventy-xixth, Seventy-seventh, Eighth, Twenty-thir Sixty-sixth, Sixty-teventh, Second, twenty-fourth, ortietty of the line, together with the battalions of Chasseurs, ni bered 10 apd 12 We learn that the Prince Royal has addressed from, the field of battle the subjomed despatch:. Wornrn, August 64:30. We have fought a successful battle here. Marshal dé Mac: bas beeo completely beaten with the jest part wrilsaray. "the French have been forced back on Bitehe,, ¥REDERICK WILLIAM, Prince Royal, City Excitement im Paris—Extraerdinary Scene on the Boulevards—“To the Lamp Post.” {From Galignani’s Messenger, August 8.) The scene on the Boulevards on Saturday was most extraordinary and the excitement intense, ‘The following 1s an account of what took'p!ace:—- Arumor, having its origin at the Bourse, ran lik) wlidtire through Paris, vo the effect that the corps of} Marsal MacMahon had gained on immense victory,| that the French had made 25,000 prisoners, in-/ cluding Prince Charles himself, taken thirty | pieces of cannon and were masters of Landau. These) evidenily e: rated statements were ened wel- comed; ali Paris seemed to come out of doors; the great tuorougntares became crowded; flags were hung from all the windows, and on the Boulevards circulation became impossible. On the steps of the Bourse a dense crowd assembled, sh patriotic! songs and shouting ‘‘Vive la France|? These per- sons then hurried to the Boulevards and increased! the general enthusiasm. Mme. Gueymard and Colin, of the Grand Opera, being recog im an 0 carriage, going to rehearsal, were loudly cheered, and, standing up, sang the “Marselllaise” in grang, style, the peuple joining in the chorus with extra dinary zest, In anotaer place Mme, Sass sang the same hymn, and Was obliged to give it agkin and, even a third time. But shortly after a report began to prevail that the whole story had been concocted by specuiators in the stocks, and then @ tremend- ous reaction ensued. on A vast crowd rashed to the Bourse and Invadéd the building, uttering menaces against the agents- de-Change and tne Coulissiers; these latter were obliged to seek for safety in their room of meeting,, the general throng vociferating against the fugitives.) In the end, at a quarter to tiree o'clock, the Com/ imissary of the Bourse ordered the building wo be cleared. Meautime the crowd in the streets dis¢ persed, somewhat ashamed of their unfounded de- monstration in honor of a victory which only ex isted in imagination, and a body of young men went) through the principal streets ordering the inhabt, tants to remove their flags on the instant, as the news was not true, Ata quarter to four an enor-) mous crowd assembled in front of the hotel of the Minister of Justice, asking for ex- planations concerning the false rumors cir- culated at the Bourse, M, Ollivier appeared: on the balcony of the hotel, and with great, energy assured the persons present that the whole affair was an unworthy manceuvre, and prayed the! population of Paris to give their confidence vo the, government, which would not fail to publish imme-! diately any uews that might urrive from the seat of war, and that while the troops were shedding their blood on the frontier he aoped the popuiation of Paris would preserve their calm, His discourse was) received with much applause, and the crowd dis- persed amid cries of “Vive la France!” An im- Mense crowd continued to promenade on the Boule- vards on Saturday night, sometimes singing and sometimes shouting ‘Vive ja France |” but without any attempt at violence. Towards ten o'clock a. number of persons arrived on the Place Venddme, and stationed themselves on the footpath near the houses, ‘the entry to the place was barred by a cordon of policemen at the top of the rues Casuglione and des Petts-Champs. About haif-past ien a long column, singing the “Marseillaise” and with a tri-colored flag at their: head, descended from the Boulevards shouting, “Olivier! “Ulliviert” to the air *‘Des Lampions!?' They crossed a bdedy of National Guards, to whom. they attempted to give an ovation, but the honor, was declined. The sergeants-de-ville forced the ban to retrace their steps, and the troops, having given! the ordinary summations, evacuated the Place. Yesterday crowds also assembled, singing the ‘‘Mar« seillaise,” aithough without any disorderty bearing.: At about three o’clock acolumn of young men, num+ bering about 1,000 or 1,500, proceeded along the’ Boulevard to the ene of Justice, carrying two long poles, between which was suspended a piece of. linen, on which could be read in large letters these words:—“‘AUX armes!’’? ‘Les citoyens demandent, des armes!”? ‘Vive la France!’ The police had no! poo in dispersing them, Later in the evening, a crowd assempbiea in the Piace Vendome crying for, arms, and towards eleven o'clovk became #0 densq that all passage was Lmpossible, A the Boulevard thé, In reference to the scene on Council of Ministers addressed in the afternoon the following proclamation to the population of the capital: Avausr 66 P. M, INHABITANTS OF PARI8—You have oeen justly agitate by an odious manceuvre. The quilty party has beon arreate and a judicial inquiry commenced. ‘The government is adopting the most energetic measures to prevent that such a infamy shall he repeated. In the name of our native lan and in the oame of our heroic army, we call on you to be, calm and patient and to preserve order. ‘Tumult in Paria victory for the Prussian: ‘soon as any weil d intelligence arrives, whatever may be itd ature, favorable or disastrous, it shall be at once communts cated to you, Let us be united and bave only ono thought,| one wish and one sentiment—the triumph of our arms. ‘This document bears the signatures of all thé Ministers. Two Prussian Armies Engaged. (Fron Galignani’s Messenger, August 9. Two Prussian armies were Dagages on Feta againet the French—that of Prince Frederi Charles against the corps of General Frossard an that of the Crown Prince against the troops of Mar-| shai de MacMahon. ‘This !atter, supported by Gen4 eral de Failly, assumed the offensive aud sr ored to force the Prussians torecross the Lauter an the Rhine, After a morning’s hard fighting he w: obliged to repass his firet lines and fall back on Saq verne, ‘On the other hand, General Frossard, fohowing| up bis success of Saarbruck, had massed his force towards Sarrelouts and Treves, where he found him, self in presence of the whole army of Prince Fre- derick Charles. Like Marshal MacMahon, after a severe struggle, he was also obliged to return within his lines, but still preserving them. In the first of these two cases, the Prussians, after the engages ment of Wissembourg, had at once advanced iu the direction of Soultz and on the left of that place, bes tween Woerth and Guustett, came into presence of the French. d “A letter from be oa dated at nine o'clock 11 the morning of that day, says:—‘‘Simce daybreak a sharp engagement has been going on near Werth, MacMahon is on the fleld and from this town wher I write the sound of cannon, mitratileuses and mi ketry can be clearly heard. ‘he fire in at tore o’clock and increased considerably at six o'clock.’ The writer goes on to say that the Prussians woul be cauglit between two fires; but the opinion w: manifestly erroneous, since the Marshal Was forc to give way and retire. tHe did not, however, retreat further than Saverne. He ham therefore, cat him Phalsbourg, Sarreburg and Luneville, whic! cover strongly the line of Nancy. Phalsbourg pro+ tects the passage of the Vosges and renders the Junction of the two Prassian argues impossible. ' The Rothschilds. MM. de Rothschild sent the following com- munication to the Paris Journal: PARIS, august 6, 1870. Our house has been named among those whielt have exported specie, The only vperations that we have made were for the account of the Bank of France, which exchanged five franc pieces the wae amount in gold, P aioe