572 
THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART III.) 
intelligence arrived that the detachment at Gien had been driven in by 
very superior forces. General Werder also reported from the eastern 
quarter that the troops in front of him were moving westward. As a 
consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs, a retreat towards 
Orleans was determined upon, and General Zastrow with the VII. 
Corps ordered from Chatillon to Auxerre, to support the movement. 
The III. and IX. Corps were marched at once towards the city, and one 
division of the X. Corps told off to the pursuit of Chanzy, while the 
other received instructions to advance on Tours, and cut all the lines of 
railway communication. The Duke of Mecklenburgh was, in conjunction 
with the 5th Cavalry Division (from Paris), to clear the country to the 
north-west, and then go into cantonments at Chartres. The I. Bava¬ 
rian Corps was sent back to the III. Army at Paris. 
The German forces, towards the end of the month, were enabled to 
enjoy fora few days a well-earned repose at Orleans and Chartres, 
.strong detachments being left at Gien, Vendome, and Blois, and the 
country scoured in all directions by cavalry. The instructions received 
from head-quarters laid down very clearly the course to be pursued. 
All strength was to be concentrated on a few main points from which 
moveable columns would be sent to clear the country of Franc-Tireurs, 
and in which the troops were to remain till the enemy's levies became 
organised armies. A short rapid attack was then to be made with all 
available forces, taking care that the pursuit was not carried too far 
from the starting point. Following out these views, Prince Frederick 
Charles remained quiescent till the commencement of January, when 
definite information came in that the troops of Bourbaki had moved 
eastward. Reports also arrived from Vendome stating that strong 
French detachments were pushing forwards towards the Loir from 
Le Mans. Telegraphic instructions were sent in consequence from 
head-quarters that an advance was to beat once made against Chanzy, 
and that the movements of Bourbaki having taken him out of the zone 
of operations of the II. Army, might be for the moment neglected. 
Campaign of Le Mans. —On the 4th January the German forces 
s, advanced towards the line of the Loir, which was reached on the 6th. 
A concentric march on Le Mans in three columns was then ordered. 
The Duke of Mecklenburgh on the right was directed to push the 
XIIIl Corps* through Illiers to La Ferte Bernard, and gain the main 
road through the valley of the Huisne. The III. Corps, followed by 
half the IX., took the central route of Vendome-Calais, while the X. 
marched by Montoire-Chartres-Grand Luce. The front and flank of 
the arniyf were covered by four cavalry divisions. In order to secure 
the blockade to the south while this movement was being carried out, 
the Hessian Division of the IX. Corps were left at Orleans, strong 
detachments placed at Gien and Blois, and the II. Corps ordered from 
the investing army to Montargis. Resistance was offered to each 
* The 17th and 22nd Divisions were given this title, 
f 57,800 infantry, 15,500 cavalry, 318 guns. 
