THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART III.) 
575 
de Paladines was effectually cut in two. Tlie left wing, as lias been 
related, formed the second army of the Loire under Chanzy ; while the 
remaining three corps gradually converged on Bourges, and were de¬ 
tailed for operations to the eastward. The plan of the French Govern- 
ment was to push these troops towards Dijon, amalgamate with the 
forces of Garibaldi and Cremer, and raise the siege of Belfort. The 
ulterior course of operations would depend on circumstances, but an 
idea was entertained of making a subsequent attack on the German 
main lines of supply. The movement eastward of the new French 
army of Bourbaki commenced on the 20th of the month. The 
15th Corps was at first left at Vierzon to cover the movement, but a 
few days later despatched by rail to Besanpon. The progress of the 
troops was slow in the extreme, owing to the maladministration of the 
railway lines; but after great hardships from the excessive cold weather, 
they eventually, at the close of the year, were assembled in the 
neighbourhood of Dole, Dampierre, and Besanpon. The force under 
Bourbakfis command consisted of the 15th, 18th, 20th, and 24th* Corps, 
and the divisions of Cremer and Garibaldi, forming a total of about 
150,000 men with 400 guns. On the 2nd January an advance was 
made in three main columns np the valley of the Ognon towards 
Yesoul and Villersexel, where General Werder was expected to make a , 
stand. CremeFs force was detailed to carry out a flanking movement 
through Gray, while to Garibaldi was entrusted the task of watching 
the defiles of the Cote d'Or and covering the left flank of the advance. 
The appearance of the head of Bourbakfis columns at Yillersexel on 
the 8th at once enlightened General Werder as to the object of this 
movement. He determined accordingly to make a flank march to a 
defensive position on the Lisaine, which effectually covered Belfort. To 
cover the movement and check the French advance, an attack was 
made on Yillersexel on the 9th with about 12,000 men. 
The Germans succeeded in gaining possession of the town after a Action of 
prolonged fight, but evacuated it during the night, and fell back towards Vl ersexe ' 
Hericourt. Owing to the check sustained by this attack and the bitterly 
cold weather, the progress of the French army was very slow, and it 
was not till the 15th of January the opposing forces came into contact. January. 
The main position taken up by General Werder extended from Frahier, 
through Hericourt, to Montbeliard, on the left bank of the Lisaine, and 
was about 10 miles in extent. A few troops were also stationed on the 
left flank towards Delle; but the ground in this quarter was swampy 
and impassable, except at a few points. 
The Lisaine stream was fordable, but the nature of the ground limited 
the points of attack, and the heights on the eastern bank afforded 
admirable positions for artillery. Every arrangement was made for a 
defensive battle— 1 earthworks were extensively constructed, siege guns 
detached from the force investing Belfort, and strong advanced posts 
held on the right bank of the stream. The position of the Germans, on 
account of their great inferiority in numbers, was very critical. Hews, 
* This newly formed Corps (24th) was raised at Lyons, and Cremer’s division nominally 
belonged to it. 
