THE KING OF PRUSSIA IN THE FIELD.

West Coast Times, Issue 309, 19 September 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE KING OF PRUSSIA IN THE FIELD.

The movements of the King of Prussia are thus described . — >

"The" King left Gitschin at 5 a.m., and reached the field about half-past 7: His Majesty rode to a hill upon the north of Sau"owa, whence the greater part of the battle -field could be overlooked, and directed the operations of the day from this position. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th army corps, under Prince Frederick' Charles, formed the centre of the Prussian position, began and carried on the battle, which was especially characterised by the lavish employment of artillery upon both sides,' and its sanguinary effects. Commenced at 8, the battle continued with varying- fortune till past noon, diversified by the capture of wooded heights by infantry, charges of cavalry and the thunder of guns on either side, until a slight pause seemed to, intervene, us if the combatants were resting to recover breath. By this time, however, the second army, under the Crown Prince, had -come up from the direction of Koniginof, and at, once took the enemy upon one fl.mk, while General Herrwarth tfyiew himself upon the' other,, and an advance of the whole line was made upon the enemy's centre. The advance of the entire Prussian f.irce, with bands playing, was a magnificent sight, the various battalions and regiments, viewed from the heights, moving forward like the squares upon a chess

board. His Majesty had by this time left his first-position, and advanced to the village of Problus, wheru he came repeatedly under very heavy grenado fire, and' was for the first time plainly seen by the troops in line. This was the case with the Second Guards divi&ion, whose regiments broke out into enthusiastic cheers and shouts at the sight of the King. * The enemy now falling back, his Majesty ordered up several brigades of cavalry, who engaged in vigorous pursuit, and aided materially in converting the enemy's retreat inj,o a rapid rout, abandoning all further resistance. The battle was very sanguinary, and the heaps of dead and ■ wounded covering the field show what large numbers were engaged and the desperation, with which they fonght, The King took up his quarters for the night at Iloritz."