The New York Herald Newspaper, August 30, 1870, Page 4

Special Despatches by Mail to August 19. The First Battles of the War--- Why Prussia Won and Why France Lost. Critical Military Review of the Two Great Armies. How the News of Triumph was Received in Berlin. Napoleon’s Special Mission to Denmark. ITS INTENT AND FAILURE. Prussian fuperiority Over the Prench Army System. Moltke Educated and Com- missioned in Denmark. General Austrian Opinion of the De-' cisive Battle. THE PioPLES COMING TO THE FRO! Waly Waits the Whoop of the Democracy. DOES GERMANY “BEGIN ON THE ADIGE?” By the European mail of the 18th of August, ls port, we have the continuation of our 4 of special correspondence from the seat of and other points of Europe. Our writers of the comimg consequences of the great at wai reat gle; the advent of the universal republic; hanging of the map of the Old World by the peoples. We have also special reports from the ueta, embracing exciting despatches and detatis, ) russian and French, o! the first battles of the war, "an ample critical military canvass of the ms Why Prussia has been triumphant from the outset. Napoleon's mission to Copenhagen was a fatlare. Our writer in the Danish capital illustrates the Superiority of the Prussian military system over that of France. He aiso announces the interest- Ing fact that General Moltke, the distingulshed Prussian commander, was educated in a Danish military college and had his first commission in the Danish army. The Danish military men had become convinced thet German discipline and care and cooi caution would triumph in the end over French “dash” or * even French devotion to Bonaparte. The democra- y, «8 will be seen from our special letters, were werming towards action. The enfranchising glow radiated from Rome, and was being fanned into Mame in Vienna, in Madrid and in Milan. Ausiria, italy, Spain and Rome appeared as if nearly ready 6 grapple with the crowns, and “tne day’ was re- garded as veing near at band when the banner of the French people would be made the rallying point ©) mie revolution, aud Europe be thus reconstructed ard adjusted so as to be enabled to profit by a great sedical change, political and governmental. THE FIRST BATTLES. ‘Sy Have the Prussiuns Hitherto Defeated e French?—Military Retrospect of the ‘ening Engagements—iicflections on the d vents as they Passed—Discipline, Prepae ration and the Regimental Morale—Prus- sinn Attention to the Minutie—Care for a Botton as fora Needle Gun—MacMahon’s Pride and Want of Direction~Individual Gallantry of the French Soldiers—Demoral- ized trom Africa—Benten and Cannot Re- coverAs at Waterloo, an Empire Lost. CARLSRUHE, August 11, 1870. Before leaving this place for the siege of Stras- bdourg I should like to put before your readers a few of my impressions respecting the events of the last few days—that 1s, of the opening days of this war be- tween France and Prussia. Aspecial correspondent, no matter how anxious he may be to do his duty tuwards the public, cannot at all times give a full and dispassionate account of What comes under his eyes. For imstance, I will vouch tor my chronicle of the battle of Woerth being a faithful one. It lias, as 1 told you, been found to tally exactly as to even comparatively minute facts, with two other acconnis; one of which was given in writing by a Prussian stam officer, the other related by a French colonel of the Etat Major, a prisoner of , now in this place. But after all a reporter of battles is but mortal; and upon mortal men balls and bombs and Chassepot balls, and the ‘«evilish hail’? of (he mitrailleuse, must have some effect, Thereiore sure that there were im my letrer written from Woerth some, perliaps not a few, ay threads left loose, and these 1 would now pick up and weave into the web of history; thus closing the page of the war history which treats of wha! happened in the valley it is that I feel of the Saar, and turoing over a new one tomorrow at the headquarters of General you Beyer in the trenches before Strasbou WHY HAVE THE PRUSSIANS TRIUMPHED? and before the last of the F t prisoners taken at Woerth have passed on to German ground, the question has cropped up, ‘Why have the Prussians hitherto always defeated the French?” As a matter of course the replies to this query Will be various. ‘The Prussians say it was done by their valor and the etter tactics of their generat officers. The French assert Mat superior numbers, and those only, have conquered them. Both are * yight and both are wrong. No doubt but that if one man attempts to fight three the chances are that ne will be beaten. Butif he nas eyes to see that there are three men opposed to him, why should he tight the three men? Now this, as [ take it, is exactly MacMahon’s case. Let the Prussians say what they like, their army at Woerth (without counting the im- mense support of Wurtemburg and Bavarian and Baden troops, making in all at least 250,000, upon which the Prince Royal could have falien back If MacMahon had beaten him and which were witnin wix miles of the battle field) outuumbered that of the French by at least three to one. Since the fight I have taken great care to verlfy calculations, and I find that the Prussian army Woerth, on Saturday, the 6th inst., consisted in numbers of 150,000 men, &@ tho other hand, MacMahon’s army could pot “f muster, all told, more than 40,000 effective bayonets or sabres. Why, then, did the French leader not only give the enemy battle, out actually tempt hia on and force him, as it were, to the combat? Sim- ply because he had no idea in the worid of the num- bers of hia enemy. 1 most distinctly assert that the information, the management and the want of order in the French army—the French regimental oMcers say it, and said tt before they left Strasbourg—would disgrace the rawest levies that ever were raised. MacMahon had no idea whatever of the numbers that were before him on the morning of the éth, Of bis four divisions, one was the remains of the division that had been beaten at Wissembourg forty-eight hours before, The reat of bis men were in excel- Jent spirits the night before, but they laid alt that night on the wet ground, in a perfect deluge of rain, ‘ and had nothing to eat pefore they went into action. You will say that tn the first respect the Prussians were equally badly off. So they were. But the Prussian management was infinitely better, and they had their warm coffee, their biscuit, a bit of cold ; Meat and a “tnimbleful of schnapps’? before muster- ing to fight. And, take my word for it, 1 have seon and proved It more than a score of times, when I wore a red coat and 1ought on the plains of Hindo- stan, that there is an immense difference in the fight- ing value of a fall and a fasting man. Not only did the French troops not take food on the morning of August 6, but many of them had not eaten anything for twenty-four hours previously. At daybreak a patrol of Zouaves came down into the village of Woerth to feel for the enemy. I spoke to the oflcers and remained talking to them for nalf an hour. I got them and for about twenty of their men coffee and brandy, with acrust of bread from the inn, They were cheerful, hearty and certain to beat the enemy. But they told me that they had not broken their fast since the morning of the previous day, for Wat the supplies had not yet jJoimed them, Was this good management or good gencralship ? Where were the well paid officers of the much vaunted French “Intendance” or Commissariat De- partment’ Here was one of the picked regiinents of the picked army corps, going into battle chilled through and through from wet and without food. Courage a Frenchman always has and to spare. ie isa brave as his own sword, But men are but men aiter all, and what can you do with troops treated as these poor fellows were? IMPULSIVE AND BRAVE, BUT DISAPPOINTED. My heart bleeds when I think of the bad treatment of that com pany of Zouaves. He told me, in great gice, that he bad only got out of the military college of St. Gyr a fortnight before, and that his father had, at hts request, used ail is dufiuence to get bim into a regiment of Zouaves. “I shail see the very cream of the fight,” sald the lad—he could hardly be more than seventeen—‘and very likely get my promotion on this very feid of battie. Had tue peace continued I should lave had six months more to remain at college.’? He was a Corsican, ne toid ine, anc had all the fire of his people. He took some cigarettes | pressea upon him and made me promise | would dine with him afver the fight was over. Poor fellow, he was destined never to eat another meal. When I was assisting that evening to move the wounded I came upon him. The whole of the lower partof his body was @ reeking, gor; mash of flesh, His sufferings must have been fearful, One Oi the Prussian Cathohe chaplains was adminis- tering to hum the last cousolations of religion, and had barely tintshed doing go before the died, In addition to the wounds of wnich I speak, he had lost both his eyes in @ gallant attempt to take a Prussian battery. MAC MAHON’S ACTION. But to zeturn to the question, why did MacMahon accept batile at Woerth, when he was numerically 80 inferid? to his enemy? I assert again, because he was without proper information respecting the strengi of the Crown Prince’s army. From a colo- nel of .French cavalry on the eve of the fight, ana from a French stat officer about an honr before the battle commenced, | learned that at the French, that is at Marshal MacMahon’s head- quariers, they were under the conviction that the Prassian army before them consisted of six divis- ions of the central army of Germany, under Von Steinmetz, and that it namberea about eighty thou- sand men of all arms. On the other hand they, the Freach oficers, said that the French army under MacMahon consisted of the remains of General Douay’s division that had been beaten at Wis- sembourg; of General Abel Ducrot’s division, General Raoult's division and General Lar- taque’s division, none of whicn had been under fire since the campaign began, and which com- prised, as you remember { wrote to you from Strasbourg, some sixteen thousand picked men of Zouaves and Turcos, besides several other regiments that had fought in africa. To these had to be added a@ division from Marsha Canropert’s army that joined in the nighi and two regiments that had been pushed on trom Strasbourg, ‘Yo be briet, the French officers on the morning of te fight said that their forces under MacManon con- sisted of about 60,000 men, in which was the very cream of the imperial army, and that they had to meet, as they believed, about 80,000 Prussians, I never heard men more thoroughly confident of sac- cess than they were the night before and the morn- ing of the battle. ‘At last,” was the universal ex- pression, ‘'al last we shall meet the Prussians upon something like equal terms and the Chassepot will make up the iittie batance between us.’ Did MacMahon know the real truth? If he did why did he not fall back upon Bitche at once. Why did he noi at any rate attempt in the early morning what he was obliged. to do in the evening? He nught have. ‘the Prussians did not intend to give him battle where he was. He might have thus saved the loss of 2v,000 men dn killed, wounded and prison- ers; ‘ed the joss of thirty pieces of cannon, saved his baggage, treasure, tents and stores; saved the honor of his army, saved the disgrace of a rout, and, as 1 believe, have saved the crown of his master. When the final rout came, and Isaw from the steeple of the village church that the French were utterly broken, and that @ven the rear guard could not be rallied, I turned to a French surgeon (who was leit behind at Wissembourg, and had come on With the Prussians to look alter his own wounded), and said, as Tshutup my glass, “There is the end of the French empire,” and I believe such will prove to be the case. OTHER REASONS. ; But was there no other reason than that of supe- rior numbers which contrivuted to the deteat of the Prussians? Ii you had sat with me yesterday week at the window of the Hotel dela Maison Rouge in Strasbourg, and seen the divisions of Generals Raoutt and Lartique march out on their way to the front; and if then you had sat. as I now sit, and seen, a8 | now see, from the window of the Hotel Grosse in Carlsruhe, a brigade of Prussians and one of Bavarians and one of Baden troops going to Strasbourg, you would be uble to answer the ques- on as well as I can. Yes; there was another reason why the Prussians = defeated the French at Woerth, and why, in my humble opinion, they will continue as a rule to defeat them. And the reason 19 the same why Ihave seen in India a mere hand- ful of English troops put to Sight whole nordes of the enemy. ‘The reason is comprised in two words, and those are superior discipline. Why it should be so i don’t Koow (although I have a theory which L shall broach presently), but in their army matters the Freuch utterly despise,and tney gioryin the fact that they do despise, small matters, It is not so in their navy, itis not so in.their civil administra- Uon, as every unfortunate traveller who has to ask for his letters or get bis passport visé can tell to his cost, Itis certainly not so in their matters of pri- vate life or of commerce, in voth of which they are much more given to looking atter details than either Americans, Germans or Englishmen. But in their military administration, from the buttoning of a soldier’s coatto the finding of him in bread and mieat, they will nov look to the petty details of the profession, and they giory in so doing, or rather in 80 not doing. 1 have several personal frends in the Second and Third Zouaves, and U, as I hope, they are not all KUled, it 1s not impossible they may read a copy of these remarks, I would not hurt their feelings for the world, and, least of ail, would 1 do so while they aud the rest of their brave nation are suiiering under nt great humutation, But 1 dectare that— at any rate, and I wore epaulets tor irteen vyears—when those two regiments rened out of Strasbourg they were more Like armed moo than an organized military corps. Theve were hardly two n of like. Some had on their red ciouh breeches, some their brown linen ditto; some had white guiters, some red, some black. As to their marci, the only thing I can com- pare it tois the English House of Commons when the members are summoned to hear the Queen’s speech read im the House of Lords. Were you ever present on that occasion’ ifso you can hardly have Jorgotten the undignivied shuming rush of members Ulat takes place, every one dolug his best to get to the trout, Well, the march of the Zouaves is very much the same. You may say that battles are not won by the color of soldiers’ pants nor by the order of their marching. J reply that in imulitary, as in all other matiers 11 this worid, the establishment of order in small mac- ters leads to the establishment of it in great, Lassert that a disciplined company is better than undisci- Plined battalion; and experience tells me that as a man sows 80 siiall he reap in all things connected with this world, ‘The Prussians (that came over the briuge at Woerth under a fearful five from the French came over in periect order. When they fell back, as they cid once, they retired as if on parade at Berlin; and when they advanced again they did 30 Without the slightest rush tore tuan their oflcers: wished and ordered, Ja one word, they were well in band, and could be turned uny way. ‘The Freuch, on the coutrary, were in no order at all. DEMORALIZATION FROM AFRICA. Why Isthis? Ibelteve the cause to ve a sort of military fashion which has been imported from Algeria, where the French have only had to meet untrained savages, who, having no discipline what- ever, dia not require discipline to conquer them. And I believe this African military fashion has by degrees inoculated the whole French army. Among French military men the greatest praise that cap be vestowed upon them is to say that they have been in Algeria, To them their African colony is what Kume 1s to the Catholic clergy throughout the world, or what the city of Lon- Sea the business ‘part of thas meders ‘Bespoke: are to your true Dorn British merchant or banker. With a French military man what is done in Africa 1s right; what is not done there is wrong. Talk to vhem as | have done of Sadowa, of any ol your great Aterican batiles, of any of our Al Indian cam- pe ‘ns they will listen, but even their politenes#’ ardily disguises the fact that they look upon you and your experiences much the same asa grown man regards @ child playing at soldier, For them there is but ope arimy inthis world—the French; but one military school—Algerla, All that 1s not comprised in these two categories has, in their es- timation, hardly a right to be culled a soldier at all, Solong as their men keep ther arms tn order, march up to time and make their soup at the end of the day, the rest;re—what they d@spise so thor- aay o-piere matters of detail, ere, then, 13, u8 1 believe, the radical cause of their many failures in the tleld, Numbers may do much, but notevervining. By degrees the French army has change uito a lorce admirably adapted for hting ihe Arabs of Algeria, but utterly unfit to meet a Kuropeau army in the ope field, unless under circumstances where bearer, and that alone, could carry the day. If there cout be another siege of bebastopol, and I had to capture asecond Malakoff; or if the great American war had to be fougnt over again, and Richinond had once more to be taken, I would select French Zouaves sooner than any other troops in the world to lead against those places. But in the open field, and more par‘iculurly against generals who have brains and know ho y to manc@uvre armies, I would only take them as sharpsiooters. . Airican warfare ig one thing, European another. HOW AUOUT THE AUSTRIANS AND ITALIANS? Bas 708 will say, did not these same troops—the French—meet the Austrians in italy and drive them before them like sheep? Granted. Sut, in the first Place, that was ten years ago, aad the French army Was then ten years less A(ricanized than it is now. Its troops have only vy deg! ben brought to ite resent state of Africanization, If [may coin a word, reover, the Austrian army in 1869. was a very different force to this immense Prusstan—or rather German—union of nattoual armies in 1870. The Austrians bad not the same kind of men at their hand as the Prussians lave, In numbers they were little, if at all, superior to the French. Besides which the generation in Europe that haa witnessed the siege of Sebastopol was not only alive, but the history of those days was then only four years oid, and the French aruy still bore with them much of the prestige of the Crimea, Again, the Ausirlans that met the French in Italy in 1569 Were not flushed with comparatively recent victory. The Prusalans of 1870 are not only so fusi- ed, but they are (and the most ignorant man in Germany is jully aware of the fact) ten times stronger as one huge nation than they were when they last took the field in 1866, 1 believe when the history of this campaign is written by our grandchildren it will be received as an undoubted tact that Prussia was not only jar more ready than France for the struggle which she Knew must come, buat that she really provoked the war, making it appear as if France had done 80. ie STRASBOURG. You may recollect that shortly before leaving Strasbourgfor the front | mentioned in one of my letters that the French commissariat had failed 1t3 master in the hour of need, and that the tenor twelve days’ fatal delay of MacMahon’s corps in tnat city ‘was caused by the supplies not being ready for the troops. Hu:nanly speaking, that delay has lost the French the campaign, 1 don’t say that tne laiter would have won the day even had they crossed the Kite ten days ago. But their advance | 6th by the Would atany rate have reached Mayeuce, ana for ah army constiuied as the French army 1s— Uhat 18, for an army great'y wanting 1 discipline and order—it would Lave been far better if they had been encouraged by getung a footing in the enemy's country. ‘fhe very fact of the Prussians coming into France instead of the French going iio Prussia Was & moral loss to the French army equal to 100,000 having deserted Wem. ‘fhe French regi- mental oflicers—and, after ail, they form the back- bone of every army—‘elt this most keenly the day they heard that Wissembourg was taken, and far more ufter MacMahon’s defeat. f can also bear witness that at Strasbourg the regimental officers complained bitterly of the bot haste with which they bad been brought from even the far interior of Algeria only to be left tu pass an idle Lortnight at strasbourg. FRENCH RESIGNATION, Before closing this letier i would like also to add my testimony to that of otaers, and to make known a8 much as pogsibie the brava resignation with which the French officers, who are prisoners, wounded and others, have borne their fate, Brave men always command respect, aud no men could be more respected by those who have captured them than the French are by their Prussian captors. But it is pitiful and mean i the extreme to hear a few cowardly hounds of civiilans taunt their prison- ers wit/ the faults of their masters, and blame them, abuse them, for what their, the French troops, would or could or might have done had they got into Germany. A scene of this sort occurred to-day at the leading iadle @'0te im Carisruhe, in which the pre- sent writer was insulted by an idiotic German be- cause he ventured to express pity for a batch of poor downcast Frenchiuen who passed through the Town ou their way to some fortress in the far in- Verlor of Prussia. He was called “Zin shopkeeper American,” and when that was not found to hit the mark, “£in shopkeeper Englander,” aad taunted with the fact that during the lndian mutiny Sepoys were blown away from guns. 1 am happy to say That he Kept his temper, Which only exasperated his enemy all the more. But of a truth, the people, not the army, in these Parts, are showing their love for “Fatheriand” in the most childish manner, They spit and sputier and gabble about “die Schiaciu,” “der Sturm,” “der Steg,” “der Franzose,”’ and all the rest of it; bat I more than question whether they would ever draw trigger or wount borse in the cause for which they are so pot-valiant. HE CHASSEPOT. I have still somewhat to say respecting the Chas- Sepot and the part it played in the late fight. Ihave also some remarks to make respecting Ue artillery of the two armies. Both these subjects 1 must re- serve for my next letter, which will be from before Straspourg. But before I close the present commu- nication let me record my aeliberate opinion upon @ question Which is—here at auy rate—very oiten asked me. I am again and in questioned whether it 2 possible, judging from what I saw at Woerth and from what I know of the trench army, that the present triumph of the Prussians can ever be turned. iam of opiuion that it cannot, at least not during this campaign. I believe, as I suid before, that MacMahon’s defeat and rout was the beginning of the end of the em- Dire. 1 beleve the French apmy to be, so far as lighting is concerned, utterly and entirely demor- alized, There may possibly be'rome light checks in the Prince RK yay’s advance upen Paris, but they can only be momentarily. ‘Che cause of I'rance, and thal France fought for, is lost without a chance of recovery, and the great German nation will hence- forth be the leading military Power of Europe. AS AT WATERLOO the French oMcial despatches may hold out what hopes they like, I iirmly believe that the French army 13 virinally as perfectly routed as it was at Waterloo, aud that it will never show iront again. And in writing this [ do so entirely upon my own Opinion, for we-have here no later news from_ Paris than that of Monday last, the 8th inst., and, that oniy in scraps through Belgium. Of the effecis of the batue at Woerthupon the French people i nave at preseut uo means Whatever ol judging. PRUSSIAN DESPATCHES. Official Reports from the Battle Fields to Berlin—The Franco-German War—-Grand French Error—France on the Defensive— MacMahon’s Flank Movement—Relative Position of Both Armies—The Storming of Wissembourg—Bavacian and Prussian Gale lautry—Advance of the Crown Prince— Rout of MacMahon at Woerth—Sauarbruck— Defeat of Frossard—Orleans, Bourbons or a Republic—Non-interierence from With- ovt—Guarantees of Peace. BERLIN, August 10, 1870. The victory of the army of the Crown Prince on the dth instant at Wissembourg was followed on the ster stroke at Woerth, and a few hours later, on the same evening, by General Steinmetz, retaking of arbruck, and throwing back the enemy irom a position deliberately chosen and forti- fied by him. ‘This, it must be admitted, is doing rapid work, The advance of t ‘reach on the 2d, resuiting in the occupation of Saarbruck, gn easy victory as has been shown in previous communivations—was fully avenged in the succeeding three a TH MY’S ERROR. All pr: serie French plans of invading and fighting Prussia have become worthless owing to the error jn regard to Southern Germany; bence the vast advantages France had in bt rlier arma- ment were lost by the necessity of completely chang- ing her intended system of operations, ‘The post- tion originally determiued upon gave the First corps (MacMahon) the right wing at Strasbourg, threatening Bud 1d the Bavarian palatinate; the Second corps (Frossard), the centre, at Avold; Third and Fourtn corps (Buzaine and De Lami+ rauli) at Thionvill nd Sierk, forming the left wing, thus maktng the strength of the French position, in @ straignt line from Tolonvule to Strasbourg, not less than tweaty German miles, The Fifth corps (Fatlly) Was stationed ai Bitche, nearly the centre of this line, to counect the distant wings. ‘The guards, partly stationed at Nancy and partly at Meta, and the Sixth corps (Canrobert) moving forward from Chalons, were intended as reserves, It may have been that the numerous German forces collecting in the Bavarian palatinate and Southern Rhenish provinces of Prussia caused Napoleon to apprehend a_pen- etrauon of his long line. Marshals MacMahon | and Leboeuf are said to have differed on thts point, which, it is supposed, the Emperor decided when at Metz by ordering the former to approach the main army in the direction of Bitche. That this was tanta- mount to aa abandoumentol tue odensive was ob ee Pasi «i Wyrnd vious, from the fact that they hastily fortiled them- seives in thetr then poaition, = FATAL DISPOSITIONS. ‘To cover his Nank movement MacMahon appears to nave sent the Douay division on toward the Lauter, in the direction of Wissembourg, The attack of Fros- sard upon Saarbrack was doubtless meant to divert the attention of the Germans from this movement of the right wing, and not, as is generally supposed, @ mere “coup de théatre,” Hardly had MacMahon time to communicate to the Emperor that his orders were being executed when the Crown Prince appeared and took Wia- sembourg by storm, continuiag bia march on the 5th, and utterly routing on the 6th, af Woerth, not only MacMahon’s corps, but portions of the Fifth and Sixth (Failly and Canrobert) corps, of the centre, sent to his support. As MacMahon 1s universaily con- sidered one of the ablest French generais and that part of his corps formed of Spahis, Turcos, Zouaves aud Chasseurs d'Afrique a3 invincible, this victory should be considered, as it really seems to have been by the French themselves, of the most vital. importance, To all but the uninitiated it now appears reasona- ble that a certain time 13 absolutely requisite for the concentration of the French and the advance of their opponents. There 18 no reason for the latter, on account of their briiiiant successes, to expose themselves to the least hazard. Of all the troops originally directed to the Rhine over 200,000 have not participated in any action as yet, and 100,000 have since arrived as reinforcement. Moreover, the post- tion of the Northern Army is such that, at the shortest notice, it can Le moved to the southern boundary, a3 no apprehension any longer existe of aFrench invasion along the coast, While, there- fore, any short delay tells im favor of the Germans by enabling them to bring overwhelming forces to obtain decisive results, the same cannot be sald of the French, as their reserves and reinforcemenis would require Weeks belore they could be brought into action, POSITION OF THE GERMAN ARMIES. While we are writing the German armies are sup- posed to be on the advance. The Jast accounts place tne First Army (General Steinmetz) at Sulzbach, with its van stretching to Forbach; the Second Aimy (Prince Frederick Charles) at Blieacastle, its advance ut the French town of Saargemina; the Third army (Crown Prince of Prussia) at Woerth. With the secrecy atiached to all movements it 18 a matter unknown whether the Second and Third armics will move upon Bitche, to act in conjunction with the First, or will take a more southerly direc- tion, 1t is expected that at all events the utmost left wing, consisung 0: the Baden division, wili pro- ceed along the banks of the khine, sweep away the enemy there, and take possession of his much vaunted river guuboats. PROGNOSTICATIONS. ‘Those converaant, With military matters agree in this oue point, viz.—The front line of the German armies does not extend beyond eight or nine mii and that at every moment a conflict ona gran scale 14 imminent, It is far otherwise with the French. ‘their army may be supposed to spead over an urea of elghiy square miles (German), and its iront cannot be less than thirty miles in length. The two Corps---MacMahon’s and Frossard’s—have been completeiy shattered at Woerth; two other corvs— Canrobert’s and Failly’s—have sulfered severely at Saarbruck, The situation has aremarkable simt- larity to that of the Austrians on the guth of June, 1806, three days prior to the battle of Koniggratz. Lnow propose to give you a résumé of the AFFAIR AT WISSEMBOURG, This ts the first German victory—aliowing the af- fair of the 2d at Saarbruck to rank unuer that head—which inaugurated this war, Wissembourg, until the 4th of August, 1870,a French fortress of third rank, is au old German town, chartered in the year 1247 as one of the ten tree cities in Alsacta, conquered 1673 Oy Louis XIV.; twice retaken, 1744 and 1793, by the Germans, but ultimately taken possession of by France. Much importance Was always attached to Wissembourg, as evident from the late of Beauharnais, who, hav- ing suffered defeat in the year 1793, when he was routed by the Germans under Prince of Waldeck and General Wurmser, was beheaded by the guillo- tine. Tus General Beauharnais was Louis Napoleon’s grandfather on his mother's side. Instead of the promised specdy “promenade & Berln,” the grand- child of Beauharnais bas iow lost Wissembourg, notwithstanding the chassepots, ‘Turcos aud mitrail- leuses, ‘Though the Frenci army, owing to disputes among the Germans, made good their escape on the 13th Octover, 1793, they lost their whole artillery and camp. What little chance have the Frenca at present when the Germans fight under a united command ? The small town of Wissembourg lies on the little river Lauter, which, Mowing in the Bavarian palati- nate, forms the boundary between Germany and France and empties into the khine at Lauterbourg. It hes in a beautiful valley, at the foot bills of the Vosges, 500 feet above the level of the sea, and is distant but three and @ balf miles (German) Irom the French tortress Haguenau and seven miles from Strasbourg. ‘Ihe last census gives the population of the industrious little town at 5,570, occupied in the vine culture, weaving, tanning, printing, brick- making, feit, glove, comb, &c., manufacture. It contains a college, two Catholic and one Lutheran church, a synagogue, @ theatre, &c. FORTIFICATIONS. The present fortifications are of the elghteenth century. ‘They were commenced in 1709, by order of Marshal Villars, and extend along the banks of the Lauter for two and a hall miles (over eleven English miles), being an unbroken series of moats, wails and bastions, which, duriug the Penin- sular war and the war of the French revolution have repeatediy been the scene of bioody engage- ments. ‘These defences, called the “Wissembourg lines,"’ or “les lignes de la Lut 7 run zigZag, flanked by formidable redoubts, and were consid- ered, prior to the successful siorm of the Germans 1n 1794, a8 very strong. THE BATTLE. The fight commenced on the 4th tust., at eight o'clock A. M. it was known that General Douay, with the van, stood in Wissembourg, while the larger purt of his division occupied a strong position on the Geisberg, an elevation distant about one and @ half English mile south of the town, 757 Ject above the level of the sea. Under cover of the fire of the Prussian and Bavarian artillery the storming regi- ments were forced to wade through ditches for haif anhour. It was the second Bavarian army corps, under Lieutenant General Count Bothmer, and the Eleventh Prussian army corps, under the Crown Prince, both thoroughly combined, and to the num- ber of avout eighty thousand, who led the attack. ‘the strong works, which the enemy bravely de- fended by a murderous fire, were finally taken, Prussians and Bavarians vying with each otner in aeeds of boldness, aud not halting until they arrived in the centre of the town. Here they were met by fresh French regiments, and it now became a close combat. Previous to it the Prussian and Bavarian artillery had distinguished itself py excellent firing, throwing thirteen-pouna grenades and fifteea-pound shells with the utmost precision Considering the great disadvantages of the ground wich had to be overcome by the storming troops, their position when inside the town and opposed to fresh divisions of the enemy was rather critical; but at this juncture they were reinforced by the Fifth army corps, under General von Kirchbach, successor to the celebrated General Steinmetz, who did such wonders with the same troops in 1866, who, instantly surveying and comprehending the situation, threw his forces against the right Nank of the French, and with such irresistible vehemence that soon aiter the enemy was driven not only from Wissembourg, but from the walls and fortifications in its rear, and thereby forced to retire to the aforementioned Geis- berg. The storming of this.well fortiiied elevation could now take place on tbree sides, A murderous ire met ihe Germans, whose cavairy, owing to the peculiar formation of the ground, could but littie participate in the action. ‘The fighting here was almost as severe as at Koniggratz, but German tenacity triumphed. Position after position was taken by bayonet, and with the cry of “Hurrah!” and King William” the Germans fought like lions, until, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the whole division of the enemy was routed, and, leay- ing behind dead and wounded, camp materials, horses, infull Might. At four o'clock P. M. the German: ere seven English mules beyond Wissem- bourg, in the village of Ketsendorf. % number of prisoners was 800, and so excellent was the pian of operation that they found them- seives surrounded without the possibility of escape. Many of them belong to the Algerian troops of Mac- Mahon’s corps, and «did not seem sorry at their mis- hap. Douay, the general of division, was killed. The Prussian General von Kirchbach received a slight wound in the face. ONWARD MOVEMENT. We now find the Crown Prince with his forces foliow! up his advantage by marching all day on the 5th and forcing on the 6th a battie with the corps of MacMahon, which, as the wires have an- nounced to the world, resulted ina total discom- fiiure of the French force. Here, as at the Wissembourg action, we have seen the ollicial German statements as to the trophies obtained and prisoners made considerably understated; for the latest intelligence, though yet bare in details, reports not less than 10,000 killed and wounded and the capture of the entire army train. As the same German forces pushed onward on the following days towards Haguenau, they found all along their route every village and hamlet over- crowded with the wounded enemy and captured large numbers of prisoners, who, completely, de- moralized and without arms, speedily surrendered. WOERTH OR FROSOHWEILEDs The only imtormation respecting the battle of Woerth reaches us from the First Bavarian corps, which, after having left its bivouacs at Ingolsheim early in the pa | of the 6th, and reach- ing Lobsan and, Lampertsloch heard can- nonading. At one o’ciock their First division (Stefan) came up and attacked the enemy on the leit wing. A concentric attack took lace at three. An hour and a half later the heights faa been gained, and the enemy in full retreat, hotly pursued by the cavalry. ‘he Bavarians, who fought very gallantly, sustained great losses. Their Second division, in reserve, did not come under fire, REVENGE FOR SAARBRUCK. On the same day the dubious success of the French on the 24 inst. in the capture of Saarbruck was amply compensated by an advance of the brigade | wader General Steigmetz. vortions of whigh, under the most was the loss of the Prussians, who alter charge, regardless of the enemy’s dre, Later in the afternoon the Somirand ‘was ag sumed by General of Division Von Goeben, and towards dusk the veteran General Steinmetz, having then taken the command in person, @ complete under was enabled shortly after to telegray victory and the utter rout of the Frossard. The loss on both sides was vet On the part of the Prussians 2,000 of ‘and wounded are reported. The important resulta of this victory were only ascertain eee oy next forty-eight hours, when it was found that the French had retreated in complete panic, leav! killed and wounded—much more numerous than first an- tcipated—together with ammunition wagons, maga- zines and camp materials. Zhan. t60, @ large num- ber of prisoners was constantly being brought in, and Forbach, which the enemy had completely abandoned, was taken by the Prussians, On thts oc- casion g pontoon train c Ing of as many as forty Wagons was seized, proof evident of the utter de- — ein of oe Srey, 'e have thus given & synopsis of the three defeats whicb the French have sustained in four Gaya, The alarming effects on the Parisians you will doubtless have learned from your correspondents there. PUBLIC FEELING, As regards Berlin, it is impatient to hear tidings ofa cea, on @ grand scale, be expected at or near Metz, should the French make @ stand here and not withdraw beyond the ‘Moselle, In the meantime it 1s gratifying to note the conf- dence here, which, pony ud has existed ever since the declaration of war, now ripened into the fullest assurance. ‘This 18 plainly. opservable in ate circies, ere pranks being almost at former quotatio! war loau commana- ing @ considerable premium. As far back ‘wa fortnight ; inguin a asa ago 5a e theorists here discussed (he probable course of events, and their speculations were \uumate Ger- man vicwory, pensatl teats a te and lcvory, com, jon and mone: the dictation of stringent terms of peace. ‘The was deemea, by the sober thinking, as rather premature. But events have followed with such astoun aud rapid succession that even the staid and sober por- tion of the respectable press here are now beginnin, to ventilate these important questions. “What shal ‘we do with France?” itis pointedly asked. ‘That is @ question which will soon force itself. upon our at- tention. Will the Bonapartes be supplanted by the Orleanists? Their best partisans, however, are dead or old, and Bourbon principles having lost all root 1m the country, the pipet | dynasty and its iriends could not fuifll what would be demanded without entirely renouncing their traditions and history. Even weaker features of the younger Bourbonism are irreconcilable with general franchise; as a contrast to the principles of 1789 it would lave to look to exclusive classes for support; it could not faisify, like Napoleon, public opinion ; iis virtues andits vices would be contined to close limits, But failing some other form, the next fuiure of France may rest with the Orleanists, a republic would be utter confusion, exposed to the ambiion of all parties; to the intrigues of socialists and communists—a struggle between capital and pov- erty. But seldom has a country been subject to sach misfortune as France. With an excellent soll, with the best resources and allthe advantages of civilization it cannot enjoy these boous, FRUIT OF CONQUEST. _At the mercy of a powerful enemy, it is the latter Who 18 embarrassed as to What he shall do with Ins conquest. Germany does not want an absorption or dismemberment of France. We want a durable peace, some of that territory which formerly be- longed to the German realm and indemnity for the immense cost of the present war. But who is able to guarantee thaty 1t can be done only by German power and political wisdom. The former we possess, aud will possess it still more after the war, when the whole of Germany, excepting Austria, Will be a unit. As tothe latter, we must yet admit » lack of that Political wisdom which, guiied by a liberal consti- tution, allows every member of a confederation the utmost freedom and tndependence of action. This much we are entitled to Lope for—namcly, that Count Bismarck «oes not attempt to interfere with the future formation of a government in France nor consent to the interference ol any otuer Power. FUTURE PEACE. ne may ped ae — the decision in these 101 ing William, everything will depend upon his counsellors, and the remeval of noxious influences. In treaty negotiations with France the position of the king is plainly that of the eS of ba she German Bund army, with whom the ref of the Southern States ‘was allied by oifensive and defensive treaty. It is to our mterest that after she has been freed of the hard yoke of Napoleonic dominion France should find herself again. If we were to ofier her our good services in favor of any party or aynasty, 1t would be at once considered anti-national, and hostile to ali the other parties. Though we would promise no guarantees, 1t would be looked upon as @moral engagement on the part of Germany, and might lead to @ renewal of jeslousies, and an ad- journment of the strife. All we are entitled to de- Inand from @ new authority in France 1s ample secu. rity for the maintenance of peace. ON THE BALTIC, annrrinsyeotnees ‘ French Prisoners Arrivi: Konigsberg— Excitement and Si ary Arrests—Special Correspondence Under Difficulties—In Prison and Before the te—is Richmond, Va. in Poland t—“All Right” and Free. KONIGSBERG, August 11, 1870. sThe greatest excitement prevails throughout the city to-day in expectation of the arrival of the French prisoners of war captured in the late victorious battle in the Rhine province. Of the 6,000 captured 1,000 are to be quartered in Konigsberg. ‘The most absurd arrests occur here from day to day of strangers supposed to be spies. Yesterday the auditor of the Kazerna Kronprinz was arrested by an ignorant soldier, and put to mucbD incon- venience before he could establish his identity 1n the military quarter to which he was conducted. A Russian nobleman has been arrested and impri- soned three times in this city, and each time with the same result—‘‘an unfounded charge.” Tintend hereafter to travel around the coast and through the provinces north of Kénigsberg as a sea- bather. SET FREE—IN PRISON AGAIN. When I received my discharge on Tuesday from the military authorities nere they turned me over to the tender mercies of the civil authorities. It being then late in the afternvon, | was remanded to the common jail to pass the nignt and await my hearing on the following morning. The jail isa new and weil-arranged rectangular brick building, with three tlers of ceils opening upon the corridors or galleries on the inside of the building. My residence being on the first floor, I was politely requested to keep the lower windows closed, thus giving me four plastered walls to con- template, a newly-washed wet floor, © narrow straw bed, @ wooden pitcher of water and pewter cup, to which furniture the jailer called my attention, aad with a wave of the hand that imcluded all the contents, said that I was in possession of what was allowed to a priso- ner, and added that unless I fet very sick it would be best not to call fur attention during the night, With the approach of night I sought my bed and thought to forget my hunger and myself in blessed sleep; but certain little creatures conspired to cheat me out of that comfort, and so when morning came and my-dry loaf of brown bread had been brought 1n, and I had spent as much time as Icoula at my toilet, the arrival of my conductor to the examination hall was an event of importance tome. Lshould deal lightly with those before whom I stood and gave in my deposition of birth, age, standing, parentage, profession, residence, &c. ‘They are men with patriotic impulses and devoted to the interest of Fatherland ut this critical time. When asked, how- ever, where I was born, and I answered in Rich- mond, Va., the good-natured little magistrate cast hus eyes up to the ceiling, looked puzzled a while, and ‘then with the most saustied smile in the world said, “Oh! yes, yes; that is somewhere in Poland,” and I coula not conceal my amusement when I corrected his geographical impression. But withal he was biased in my iavor, and I feel indebi- ed to him for his humane treatment and his iavor- able recommendation to the higher authorities from whom [ had to await my final discharge. OFFICIAL KINDNESS. After this preliminary, 1 was transferred to In- Spector Khever, who, instead of allowing me to await the judicial decision in prison, Wok me to his home, introduced me to wis good wile and litle chil- dren, with whom J dined, and whiled the hours av until late in the afternoon, when my treedom stored to me. re- AT WORK. I feel as happy as a big sunflower after that, hav- ing employed my time since then, i, e. yesterday and to-day—in visiting the public butidings, old Palace and places of interest in and around Kinigsberg. Ihave gathered matertal for future letters in the ab- sence of more important communications. Will leave this afternoon for Kranz, from which point, should I hear of active operations at Dantzic, Koi- berg or Memel, will proceed at once to either place, News From Konigsberg—Latest Movements of the Belligereats—A Herald Special Ar- rested at Pillan—Eight Days in Prison— Excitement in Konigsburg—Arrest and Im- prisonment of the Hanoverian’ Minister of State and Others. IN PRISON, KAZERNA KRONPRINZ, AUF HERZOGA’Ss ACKER, KONIGSBERG, August 7, 1870. T dia not expect to address the American public and readers of the New YorK H&RALD from the second stary tower window of this Prussion strong- hold when I left Berlin as special for the HERALD, seven days ago. But so it is, and I write this behind @ very substantial ptece of lattice work. My tip frgm Berlin ta Képigaberg was tedigua and through an uninteresting, fiat country, and, owing to the heavy transport of troops towards the south, we were thirty-six hours in making a tea hour journey. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed among the troops passing us almost every five minutes, and cheer after cheer rent the air tn honor of the victorious battle of Woerth, the news of w: had just flashed over the wires. ons THE FORTRESS. We arrived in Konigsberg Tuesday morning, August 22, and without paying much attention to the city or works of art I walked out to the Thor, one of the chief gates or entrances to the city, The fortifications, which quite surround the city, have @ circumference of eighteen or nineteen miles, ‘The Thor is substan- Hal, well defended, and finely decorated with sculp- tures, and 18 built, as the fortifcations themacived are, of burned brick, with walls trom seven to eight feet thick. The moats are very broad, deep and easily filled with water, and the embankment above the encampments well graded and turfea, Every precaution that military skill can devise has been used to render KOnigsberg one of the most substantial walled cities. The fortifications are not much over twenty years old and look quite new, PILLAU. After satisfying myself that it would not be easy to take Kénigsberg I concluded to take the midday train and go to Piliau, on the sea coast, about one and a half hour’s ride from Kénigsberg, and one of the best fortified harbors on the Baltic coast, and at which point, or at any other of the supposed points of attack, the Prussians can concentrate 200,000 troops at short notice, Telegrayh lines are estab- shed all along the Baltic coast from Meurle to Stettin, and the works of defence at the harbors and on the coast are being securea and put in thorough Le py where it is needed, and Kon! can of itself command an instant defence of 10, well drilled men. EXCITED. Arriving at Pillau I found everything alive and stirring; the roll of drums, the jumbling of wagona over the rough strects, trundiing of wheelbarrows over the drawbridges that lead {rom the main roaa to the entrance Uren uf the fortifications, all gave Promise of excitement and news, although as yet the French fleet had not been seen off the coast. In view of an attempt to land French marine forces at this point reserve and volunteer troops from near around Kénigsberg are kept busy throw: up earth- works and strengthening the fine seacoast defence works that command the entrance to this harbor. 1 of course entered the fortifications tn order to see what was going on, and did so, strange to gay, without being chatlenged. Addressing ‘myself to the first soldier I inet, he told me tuat £ mig%t without molestation visit the works, and he even showed me the wey, to the nearest bastion, which commanded a-fine view of the sea in front, a belt of woods to the right, calied the plantation, a summer resort for sea bathers, and the little town of Piilau to the lett and rear, Seated under the shade of tne magazine, with the busy hum of workmen, digging and hauling dirt and bricks; the sentinels upon their beats and sol- diers drilling, I took out my notebook and began to muke a few entries for the Benefit of your readers aud Jor future reference. Being th loyed, perhaps, ten minutes, 4 eing thus employed, perhaps, ten min' ur. ing which time the news had spread like wildfire throughout the entire camp that an impudent French Spy Was taking notes and drawings of the fortifica- tions on one of the bastions, I was accosted by a soldier, and in less time than it takes me to wriie it, I was surrounded by an infuriated mob of workmen and soldiers, aud hurried, ainid thelr and clenched fists, into the presence of officers already self-satisfied of my guilt. Protestauons were in vain; jostled from one haud to the other, among strangers, mot speaking the langua, fluently, 1t was only necessary for the officers glance into my book and see bastion Konig written there, and some numbers—which, by the by, had no reference whatever to Pillau—and to find some French gold money in my purse, to feel justified in their actions. My American “pass,” my stuaent’s card, my Masonic papers, my watch and seal, with my name engraved on them, were all only evi- dences of the deep and dangerous plot I had de- vised and was carrying out, And one officer, addressing me in Engiish, swore that 1 was not an American because I spoke with an accent. In short, so guilty did Lappear that I also began to have serious doubts as to my own innocence and identity; so without further hearing 1 was at once transferred to a iniserable cell, large cnough to con- tain an old dirty pane bed and wooden pillow, upon waich I was glad enough to lay if down to rest a while and escape the jeeré and insuits of the Turious crowd gathered around the grating at my window. Like an indian at the stake, who slecps until the fire of torture ts applied to wake him up, I rested until the rusty hinges creakea to admit, at something like stated intervals, men to question me and men to cross-question me, men to search me and men to strip me even to the skin. A PRISON RAID—ITS CONSEQUENOBS. Being thus deprived of watch, chuin, money, papers, private letters, s, &c., none of which I ever expected to see again, I was left to a little repose until the commandant himself paid me a visit. I had previously complained of my treatment to one of the under officers who visited me, and he bet man of birth, education, and withal a good heart, promised to speak to the commandant in my behalf, and this visit was the fruit of nta intervention. The commandant speaking English fluently gave me an opportunity of answering him to tne point, and the result of ois visit was rather better quartera for the night, the restoration of my watch and money enough to supply the wants of the inner man, my stomach beifig rather empty by this time. UNDER ESCORT. Atter paming a niente disputing the right of pos- session of my with its permanent inhabitants, I leit Pillau under escort of a iieutenant and guard, with the early train for Kénigsberg, where, after passing through several hands and finally those of the general in command—a good-natured looking, pink-faced, white-naired, fat old gentleman—who ee me a gruff reception, 1 was sent to the Kazerna ronprinz—that is, to one of the large barracks built on the line of fortifications around the city, and now the stronghold receptacle of dangerous conspirators, spies and traitors, the occupants, of the Central Tower at present being the Minister of State of Hanover Minchauson; Drs. Weichelt and Kichholz, the Graf Von Wedel, Gerichts An- wait, Dr. Schnell and Mr. Ringlake, all of Hanover; marine officer Rnode, of Denmark; Dr. Gester- Jein, of Miimich, and your humble servant, to whicn number daily additions are made of suspected spies: eee others whose names [ have not yet learned. ALARM, The suspicton and excitement are so great here about spies that it is hardly safe for a stranger to heNba out of a beaten track for fear of being snap- ped up. We are said to have the privilege of living here as comfortably and luxuriously as individual circumstances may permit; but I much prefer the St. Nicholas or Fifth Avenue, with a little sugar in mine. When I eat it is to stave off hunger, and when I sleep it is out of pure exhaustion; and whea 1 go to my window for a breath of fresh air it {3 to see a crowd of men, women and children congre- [octiey beneath, from morning till night, with the ‘faint hope of catching a glimpse of a prisoner; and it 1 stand there a moment a hundred eyes are turned upon me; patriotic little boys wave a fist or draw a knife at me, or ignorant man baw out tele expressions of patriotism. OFFICIAL GGGD NATURE. The urbanity of the good sergeant, who is our presiding genius and jaller; the kind politeness ‘or the captain, Major Von Steinwehr, and the good-natured, whole-souled Auditor, are not proofs against the loss of liberty; and yet tnese oases in the deserts of afiiction, with a good share of natural backbone, are great helps along the rough road, and have lightened considerably the duiness of life within four walls for the last seven days, NEWS FROM BERLIN. The Major commanding has just (8th) patd me a visit, and, in addition to an encouraging telegram from our berlin correspondent, gives me the pleasant assurance that Iam to be turned over to the tender mercies of the civil authorities this evening, the American Minister in Berlin having commuai- cated with the military authorities here in my be- half, and they have concluded to find no grounds for instituling further proceedings against me. DENMARK. Napoleons Special Mission to the King—Ar rival and Reception of the French Envoy— No Result—News of the French Defeatse— Feeling in Copenhagen—What Danish Off. cers Say—Value of the Mitrailleuse—Supe- rior Tactics of the Prussians—Bismarck Stakes *“Cfwo Nuapoleons?—General Moltke Educated in the Danish Army. COPENHAGEN, August 12, 1970. The Duke of Cadore, Ambassador Extraordinary of France to the Court of Denmark, this morning went on board of one of the French steamers to return to Fraace. The announcement of the French journals that the Duke's mission also extended to Stockholm has thus proved to be incorrect, or cir- cumstances having developed themselves in a direc- tion so different from what was expected, the French government has been induced to withhold from a misston which, in the present state of affuirs, would in all probability prove fruitless. ‘The Duke arrived here the ist of August, and had the same day a long interview with the Danish Minister for Foreign Afuirs. No doubt was enter- tained of his having been sent to conclude an ailli- ance between France and Denmark, which would soon bring the latter country to take part in the war. And such has, of course, been his aim; but, as things now stand, that design has necessarily been relin- quished, at any rate for the present, and the Danish government is free from any obligation. That no secret treaty has been concluded ts evident from this faov; that tue Duke of Gadore bad got during ble