At last, probably on Saturday, the 13th, the struggle ended
; the Emperor left without followers, and Bazaine, set free of political considerations, organized his retreat. He had no difficulty in crossing the Moselle, which flows through Metz, and is crossed by seventeen bridges, all within the fortifications ; but to conceal his movement he threw out a strong force to Pange, a place on the river Nied, between himself and the Germans. They were attacked on Sunday by General Steinmetz with vastly superior numbers, and driven into Metz, the Germans, how- ever, suffering severely, especially at last, when in the ardour of pursuit they came under the guns of the Eastern fortress, an out- work of Metz. The King of Prussia, hastening to the spot, claimed the victory, as he had a right to do, the French having retreated ; but it is by no means certain that this retreat was not intended. No details of this battle have been received, but the King calls the engagement " very bloody," and took neither eagles nor cannon.
