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BATTLE OF GRAVELOTTE.
329

On the morning of the 17th Prince Frederick Charles, who had spent the night after the battle of the 16th at Porze, rode along the lines to make a personal inspection of the ground held by his forces. The enemy's skirmishing line was clearly visible in front of Rezonville. It stretched out for a long distance, and there was evidently a strong force behind it, to judge by the frequent trumpet calls that were wafted by the morning breeze. About six o'clock in the morning, King William arrived with his staff and occupied the new head-quarters which had been selected.

On the 15th of August the right wing was advancing, the 12th infantry division being near Arracourt, the 2d division corps on the Nancy road, and the 1st Bavarian corps not far from Einville. In the centre of the Prussian line was the 5th corps, supported by the Wurtemburg division. It advanced to Dombasle on the Meurthe, and took a strong position on the left bank of that stream. On the extreme left the 11th corps rested on the Moselle at Bayon. The 11th infantry division was at Henning supporting the left wing, the 2d cavalry division was farther advanced, being nearly five miles more to the front. The 4th cavalry division was at Nancy, and examining carefully the country towards Toul, but without encountering any considerable bodies of the French. They met a few bands of franc-tireurs, which were easily scattered. By great efforts on the part of the officers superintending the transportation department, all the trains of the different divisions were brought up closer to the rear and put in readiness for any further movement.

There was very little movement of the Third Army on the 16th, as it was necessary to wait for developments in and around Metz before ordering the army of the Crown Prince to push any farther forward. The 4th cavalry division was brought forward from Nancy on the 16th in order to have it in proper position in case the army should