MacMahon, however, with splendid tenacity, renewed the engagement ou the
1st September, having probably been joined by the 13th Corps, and evidently at first gained some advantage, for the Flourenville correspondent of the Standard telegraphed at 1.12 p.m. that the Marshal was winning ground towards Carignan, while the Emperor telegraphed a coming victory to his wife ; but at 4.15 of the same day the King of Prussia telegraphed to the Queen :—" Since 7.30 this morning a battle victoriously progress- ing is taking place around Sedan. The Royal Guard, the 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th Army Corps, and the Bavarian Corps are engaged. The enemy has been almost entirely driven back into the town." The King's telegrams, though always reticent about losses, have never exaggerated victory, and he has Generals by his side who are almost incapable of misconceiving the result of an engagement.
