The Franco-German War of 1870-71Moltke, Helmuth, Graf von
History
The Franco-German War of 1870-71
Moltke, Helmuth, Graf von
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871
While the Bavarian light horse on the right were driving the French
cavalry before them, the infantry deployed across the road near to
Dambron. The 22nd Division marched forward on Dambron with both Cavalry
Divisions on its flanks. Under the fire of the Bavarian batteries, the
French had gone about to Artenay, where the Germans were ready to
receive them. Attacked in front and threatened by bodies of horse, at
about two o'clock, leaving their tents standing, they began a retreat
which soon degenerated into flight. The cavalry seized four field-guns
and took above 250 prisoners. Six hundred more, who had reached Croix
Briquet, surrendered there to the Bavarian infantry on the arrival of
the latter.
The German troops had made a long march; General von der Tann therefore
allowed them rest for the day in and around Artenay, and only the
advanced guard went on to Chevilly, to pursue the march to Orleans next
day.
ENGAGEMENT AT ORLEANS.
(October 11th.)
On this day, the 22nd Division, for the time only 6000 strong, moved to
the right flank of the advance, and drove the French out of several
villages partly prepared for defence; it was not till about ten o'clock
that it met with serious opposition from an intrenched position at
Ormes.
The French Commander after the disaster at Artenay had decided on a
retreat behind the Loire, to cover which he had halted about 15,000 men
on the right bank of the river, in a position which possessed many
essentials towards a good defence.
General von Wittich (commanding 22nd Division) first sent the 44th
Brigade against this position at Ormes, and opened fire from seven
batteries. The troops of his left wing, supported by the Bavarian right,
made their way but slowly over the plain east of the enemy's position,
and various enclosures and buildings had to be stormed and taken as
they advanced. This threatening attitude of the German right, however,
shook the firmness of the defence, and, after some hours' hard fighting,
the French began to retreat. No sooner was this observed by the Germans
than two batteries were brought up to within 800 paces, and the 83rd
Regiment stormed the entrenchments at two in the afternoon, but with
heavy loss. Detachments of the 43rd Brigade had meanwhile reached the
road in rear of Ormes, and took 800 prisoners. But the villages, gardens
and vineyards which line the road to Orleans for more than four miles on
either side, were serious obstacles to the advance of the Germans in
close formation, and the Division did not arrive at Petit St. Jean till
three o'clock, of which the nearest buildings were forcibly taken
possession of.
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