194 
GrEKMAN MANCEUVEES. 
by the enemy’s guns, the advanced guard advanced to the assault and 
were adjudged to have carried the skirts of the village, but as they 
endeavoured at once to penetrate it without re-forming, and came 
upon the main body of the enemy’s advanced guard, which was strongly 
posted at the top of the hill and by the church in the centre of the 
village, they were ordered to retire and were driven out of the village. 
In the meantime the enemy’s full force had arrived, his artillery came 
into action on the high ground east of Mosbach, and his infantry were 
formed for attack ; General von Hugo’s whole force was now in posi¬ 
tion above the Fautenbach the two Artilleries being only about 1,700 
yards apart. The enemy advanced to attack, and being in superior 
strength the Southern force was ordered to retire to a rearward posi¬ 
tion. General von Hugo ordered a counter-attack to facilitate his re¬ 
tirement, which was carried out in a masterly manner, the counter¬ 
attack delayed the enemy by obliging him to concentrate his forces 
for a time, but it would have cost the Southern force dearly. The 
latter’s artillery went past the south of Oberachern to the Michelbach 
where a strong position was taken up, and under its fire the infantry 
took up its second position. The enemy’s artillery advanced to the 
high ground over the Fautenbach, while his infantry steadily advanced 
and occupied Oberachern, which was but feebly held. It seemed that 
this village, which formed a strong post in advance of the position, 
was given up too soon; as when once held by the enemy, the position 
including that of the Artillery was under rifle fire of men under cover 
at about 1,000 metres or less. Some charges were made above the 
Fautenbach by General von Hugo’s Cavalry to stop the enemy’s ad¬ 
vance, but the sacrifice was in vain. 
After the engagement Colonel von Zastrow, who assumed command 
of the Southern Force which retreated through Sasbach, issued the 
following orders from his head-quarters at Ottersweier :— 
Ofctersweier, 13. IX. 97. 6 p.m. 
(1.) The enemy has not pursued beyond Sasbach, his outpost 
line extends from Sandweg by Obersasbach to Sasbach. 
The main body of his outposts stands east of Achern on 
the high road. Freudenstadt is occupied by stronger 
forces of the enemy, who is reported not to be in Oppenau. 
(2.) To-morrow, about 8.30 a.m., six companies of the regiment 
in Buhl will reach Ofctersweier. 
(3.) The main body will parade at their bivouacs at 7.15 a..m 
to-morrow, ready for action, their positions will be pointed 
out to them by the adjutants. The 110th Regiment and 
the ITnteroffiziers School, east of Ofctersweier, north of the 
highroad ; No. 1 Company llOfch Regiment south of the 
high road ; the Jager Battalion left of the 109th Regiment 
on both sides of the road north-east of Ofctersweier; 
the Artillery also north-east of Ottersweier on both sides 
of the road. (N.B.—In reality the artillery will be on the 
road, owing to the vineyards, &c., on both sides of it.) 
The Pionier Company with the 110th Regiment, the Cav- 
