Mr. Wright to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Your despatch No. 39 has been received. Official intelligence since my last communication announces the occupation of Brünn by that portion of the troops under Prince Frederick Carl, and the establishment at once of headquarters at that point. The distance from Vienna is about fifty-five English miles. The second army, under command of the Crown Prince, is moving by the way of Olmutz toward Vienna, and the “army of the Elbe,” under General Herwarth von Bittenfeld, passes via Iglau and Zuaim in the same direction.
A portion of the Prussian forces operating in middle Germany, under command of General Falckenstein, entered Frankfort-on-the-Main on the 16th instant. A few days previous the German Diet had been removed to Augsburg in Bavaria.
On the 19th instant the headquarters of the Prussian army operating in Austria was removed to Lundenburg, half way between Brünn and Vienna, The Prussian troops have seized the railroad leading from Olmutz to Vienna, thus severing all communication with the former place.
M. Benedetti, the French ambassador to the court of Prussia, has been at headquarters of the King during the past week; he passed through the Austrian lines to Vienna, had an interview with the Emperor of Austria, and thence proceeded to Paris.
* * * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
P. S.—The latest official despatches announce an armistice for five (5) days between the belligerents. In the mean time Austria must determine whether she will accept the terms for peace proposed by Prussia, or whether she will continue the war.