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
These at four o'clock now fell in with the advanced guard of the 9th
Brigade, which Colonel Count von der Groeben was bringing up from
Parigne, having taken possession of the Chateau of Girardrie on the way.
When the companies of the 11th Brigade sent to the right reached Auvigne
simultaneously, the "General Advance" was sounded. Auvigne was stormed,
the bridge north of Gue la Hart was crossed, and that village carried
after a hard fight. Over 1000 prisoners more were taken from the flying
French.
It was already dark, but Change, the goal of the struggle, was not yet
reached. But when a barricade outside the village had been won it was
found that the 10th Brigade was already in possession. This brigade, on
its way along the high road from Parigne, had met with resistance at the
Chateaux Chef Raison and Paillerie. Having only two guns, it failed to
silence the French artillery, but General von Stuelpnagel left there only
a battalion in observation, and hurried forward with part of the brigade
to reinforce the fight at Gue la Hart; the other portion was directed
against Change. Here the French had already been for the most part
dismissed to quarters, but they soon assembled and made a prompt and
determined resistance. There ensued an embittered street-fight, which
ended in about an hour's time in the surrender of the whole garrison of
800 men, who had been crowded together into the market-place.
The 12th Brigade had at last left Ardenay at eleven o'clock; it advanced
along the high road without opposition as far as St. Hubert, where an
abandoned commissariat train was seized. Having there aligned itself
with the rest of the Corps it halted for a while, but after one o'clock
was fired upon by French artillery; and the enemy again advancing along
the highway, General von Buddenbrock[66] on his part passed to the
attack, and drove back the enemy out of Champagne, in part across the
Huisne, and in part to the heights behind the village. Two guns
successfully dealt with the fire of the French artillery near Lune
d'Auvours, and then the infantry expelled the French from that shelter
also.
Further to the right a German battalion had taken St. Mars la Bruyere
after a slight skirmish, and was subsequently joined there by General
Count zu Lynar's detachment.
Fighting thus with equal skill and success the IIIrd Corps had indeed
already lost 450 men; but it had brought in more than 5000 prisoners,
and had won many trophies of which it had a right to be proud.
The Xth Corps had started this day from Vance and Brives, and
unobstructed indeed by the enemy, but along very heavy roads, reached
Grand Luce at two o'clock. Here it took up quarters.
The IXth Corps remained at Nuille.
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