No. 7.
Mr. J. R. Jones to Mr. Fish.
I have a letter from General Sheridan of the 24th August, saying, “I reached this place, (Point-à-Mousson,) the headquarters of the Prussian army, on the 17th, after much delay. On the 18th witnessed the battle of Gravelotte, just west of Metz. The battle was sanguinary, and resulted in favor of the Prussians, who forced the French army back on Metz and cut off all the roads leading to Paris. The loss of the Prussians was very great, perhaps double that of the French, as the latter held a very strong position and defended it with skill and tenacity. A battle took place also on the 16th for the possession of the Verdun road, at a little village called Reazonville, west of Metz, in which the losses were very heavy on both sides, the battle going in favor of the Prussians, and with fearful loss to the French.”
There was very hard fighting yesterday and the day before near Beaumont, and McMahon was driven nearly to the Belgian frontier. The greater portion of the Belgian troops are stationed near the southeastern frontier, and there is a good deal of fear that the combatants may cross the line. The government has refused to allow the wounded of either side to pass through Belgium, and ordered that none of the wounded shall be carried on the Belgian railroads.
The chambers have done but little, except to vote the money required for war purposes. A proposition favoring a line of steamers between New York and Antwerp has been before the chambers, though I see no disposition on the part, either of the government or private individuals, to furnish any considerable sum of money for the purpose.
During the last few days a great many Americans have come to Brussels, mostly from Paris.
I can see no reason why the Grown Prince may not reach Paris within a very few days.