THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 234, 8 October 1870, Page 2

THE WAR.

GEKMA.N ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF WES3-ENBUKG.

A correspondent, writing from the i-outh German Army, tells the story ol the battle as follows :—

" To-day thero was a brilliant commencement of the great war, and we have opened the en -.pai^n with a glorious victory. I founn i.yself at Hagonbach, in the vicinity of the i- ■• r Baden division, which, with loud songs, .inarched to Lautniburg. iv Alsad-, on the morning of the 4th instant, under, a pouring rain, which, however, fortunately cooled the unbearable heat of the last few days. The division marched on Ihe right of our wing in the direction of Wessenburg, under a loud cannonade, which continually increased. The advance guard of the Second Biavarian Army Corps, under LieutenantGeneral Count Buthoier, was v.arched against vVessenburg, which was occupied by the French Douay Division belonging to the corps of Marshal M'Mahon. Weissenburg wen indeed strongly defended, and the French had in the greatest possible haste constructed batteritß and abattis there, but the brave Bavarians, under the protection of their excelent artillery, stormed the defenc3 with death-despis ng coolness, and, though suffering great losses, pressed on till they arrived in the middle of the town. Here, however, new French regiments were thrown forward, and the struggle became obstinate, but help from the Prussians soon came. The thunder of the Bavarian cannon, had caused the Prussian troops of the sth Army Corps (the old renowned Steinnietz Corps) to hasten forward.' Up ! the Bavarians need help; Prussia relies upon us!' cried the brave Lower Milesians, and then they dashed forward, having at their head General yon Kirchbach, the commander of the sth Army Corps. Then, casting a rapid glance around, lie threw his troops on the right flank of the enemy, where the French were offering the most opposition, but the impetuosity of the Prussians was too great. Ihe two Lo\\t,r Silesii n regiments—the 7th (the King's Grenadiers from Leitnitz) and the 58th —stormed the entrenchments. 'J he sth Jager Battiliou (rom G-orlitz, in which many volunteers serve, almost annihilated the French Zouaves. Suddenly the battle-cry ' Up you Prussians ! Hurrah for King William !' was cried, and, irrestrainable as a thunder clap the Prussians burst forward, and are soou joined by the Bavarians. The whole of Weissenbsrg with all its entrenchments and strongly fortified heights, are stormed, and the Jagors of the sth Battalion also captured a French cannon, whilst the Black Huzzarg secured a French camp and many French horses. The entire French Douay Division is entirely routed. General Douay himself, who at last sought death, as in despair, fell. We hrve more than 800 French prisoners, amongst them many Zouaves, who did not fight earnestly enough to maintain their reputation. Our loss is important, and in killed and wounded will certainly amount to 900. The Bnvarian Jagers then the 7th and 58th Prussian Begiments, and the sth Jager Battalion in particular, suffered extremely ; General Yon Kirchbach is slightly wounded in the cheek. During the battle the Crown Prince arrives, and is joyfully received by the troops. The French r, tire in haste, and our advance guard soon stands in Bitsche. The Baden troops advance continually skirmishing, and occupy the V rench town of Lauterburg. The Baden advanced posts were sent forward as far as Winzen and Tritnbach. At Lauterburg thirty large French boats and craft for navigating the Rhine, which had assembled there, were seized."