BATTLE OF WEISSENBURG.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 737, 8 October 1870, Page 3

BATTLE OF WEISSENBURG.

The Crown Prince was the first to enter French territory, and, on the 3rd of August, crossed from Bavaria, concealing the movements of his troops in the extensive woods. One correspondent says that on their advance being discovered, the French attacked the Prussians, although other accounts represent the latter as the assailants. "The French numbered 15,000 or 20,000, and the troops engaged belonged to Marshal M/M&hon's command. They suoceeded, after a very fierce struggle, during which both sides displayed the greatest bravery and steadiness, in forcing the Prussians, who were under the command of the Crown Prince, to retire towards Bergenberg. This retreat, however, would seem to have been a feint to draw them forward; for the Bavarian division, during the Franco-Prussian contest, had got ronnd the Giesberg, a mountain close to Weissenburg, and suddenly appeared in the French rear, occupying the town without difficulty, and pushing back towards the Prussians, whereby the French, caught between two fires, suffered very heavily, and were eventually compelled to retreat, leaving the German army in possession of Weissenburg. It is said that the Bavarians fought like tigers, even clubbing their rifles at close quarters. The French appeared to be overwhelmed with astonishment at discovering the Germans to be such terrible foes. The French loss in killed and wounded is estimated at 2000, and that of the Prussiaus about half that number. The Prussians captured the French camp and one four-pounder piece of cannon, which was spiked before it was abandoned. They also took 800 prisoners, about 500 of whom passed through Frankfort on their way to Berlin, and it is satisfactory to state that the Prussian people have behaved in the most generous manner towards them, giving them tobacco and other luxuries —in fact, making no distinction between them and their own men."