Spirit Of Jefferson

The Battle of Worth.
Marshal McMahon's Official Report.
The following is the official report of Marshal McMahon to the Emperor of the battle of Worth, or, as it is called by the French, Froeschwiller:
"Saverne, August 7. 1870.
"Sire—I have the honor to acquaint your Majesty that on the 6th of August, after having been obliged to evacuate Weissenbourg on the previous evening, the First Corps, with the object of covering the railway from Strasbourg to Bitsche, and the principal roads connecting the eastern and the western slopes of the Vosges, occupied the following positions: The First division was placed, its right in advance of Froeschwiller, and its left in the direction of Reichshoffen, resting upon a wood which covers that village. Two companies were detached to Neunhoffen, and one company to Woerth. The Third Division occupied with the First Brigade some low hills which run from Froeschwiller and slopes toward Woerth. The Second Brigade rested its left on Froeschwiller and its right on the village of Elsasshausen. The Fourth Brigade formed an uneven line to the right of the Third Division, its First Brigade facing toward Woerth, and its Second Brigade opposite the village of Gunstett, which, on account of insufficient strength, it was unable to occupy. The Division Douay of the Seventh Corps, which had rallied to me early on the morning of the 6th, was placed in the rear of the Fourth Division. There were held in reserve the Second Division, in rear of the Second Brigade of the Third Division, and the First Brigade of the Fourth Division. Finally, still further in the rear, was the Brigade of Light Cavalry, under the command of General Vicomte de Septeuil, and Division of Cuirassiers, under General de Bonneval. Michel's Cavalry Brigade, under the command of General Deschesnes, was stationed in the rear of the right wing of the Fourth Division.
At seven o'clock in the morning the enemy appeared before the heights of Woerth, and opened the action with a cannonade, which he immediately supported with a sustained fire from his tirailleurs upon the First and Third Divisions. The attack was so vehement that the First Division was obliged to effect a change of front, advancing upon its right wing, in order to prevent the enemy from turning the general position. A little later the enemy largely increased the number of his batteries, and opened fire upon the other position which we occupied on the right bank of the Sauerbach. Although even more heavy and more strongly marked than the first, which was still maintained, this second demonstration was but a feigned attack, which was warmly repulsed. Toward noon the enemy directed his attack toward our right. Clouds of sharpshooters, supported by considerable masses of infantry, and protected by upward of sixty pieces of artillery, placed upon the heights of Gunstett, rushed upon the Second Division and upon the Second Brigade of the Third Division, which occupied the village of Elsasshausen.
Despite repeated offensive movements vigorously executed, and notwithstanding the well-directed fire of the artillery and several brilliant cavalry charges, our right was broken after many hours' obstinate resistance.
It was 4 o'clock. I ordered a retreat.
It was protected by the First and Second, which presented a bold front, and enabled the other troops to retire without being too closely harassed. The retreat was effected upon Saverne by Niederbronn, when the Division of General Guyot de Lespart, belonging to the Fifth Corps, which had just arrived there, took up position, and did not withdraw until nightfall. I submit enclosed with this report to his Majesty the names of officers wounded, killed or missing, which have been reported to me.
This list is incomplete, and I will forward a complete return as soon as I shall be in a position to do so.
McMahon."