578 THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART HI.) 
venturesome one, but still, considering the nature of the French levies, 
was probably justifiable. On the 21st the line of the Ognon was reached 
at Pesmes, Marnay, and Pin, the advanced guard of the II. Corps 
seizing Dole, 14 miles to the front. On the 23rd inst., the main route 
of Besan 9 on-Lons-le-Saulnier was occupied, and the direct communica¬ 
tion of Bourbaki with Lyons cut off. The VII. Corps was thus 
- established in a strong position on both banks of the Doubs, a little to 
the eastward of Dampierre. The II. Corps reached the main road 
further south at Villers-Farly. 
To cover the flank of his advance from the troops of Garibaldi, 
Manteuffel had ordered KettlePs brigade (near Montbard), which had 
been left behind at Huffs in the first instance, to attack Dijon. These 
troops, though unable to force back Garibaldi, maintained their positions 
close to the town on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, and thus effectually 
fulfilled the task of holding the enemy fast. General Werder had on 
this date reached the line of Monbouzon-Clerval, and the touch of 
the French army had been thus everywhere gained. The essential 
point was now to join the two independently acting German bodies, and 
by pushing further to the south, seize all the remaining lines of retreat 
through the Jura. The troops of Manteuffel, by pushing forward strong 
reconnaissances, found that the French troops were still in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Besancon. General Werder, on account of the difficult 
nature of the country between the Doubs and Ognon, and from a fear of 
Bourbakfis making a direct march on Gray, moved the bulk of his force 
across the Ognon. This movement was arrested on the 26th by General 
Manteuffel, and the XIV. Corps directed to advance on Besancym, via 
s Marnay. The German corps were now in contact, and powerful enough 
to assume the offensive. On the 28th the advance into the Jura by the 
VII. and II. Corps was commenced, the observation of Besan 9 on on 
both banks of the Doubs being confided to Werder. 
From reconnaissances made the two previous days, it was known that 
the French were in retreat; but whether they were at Pontarlier, or had 
pushed further to the south-west, was doubtful. The VII. Corps was 
accordingly pushed forward through Deservilliers on Pontarlier, while 
the II. was ordered to seize Les Planches. 
On both these lines of advance resistance was encountered, and many 
prisoners taken. The French had, in the meantime, retreated from 
Besan 9 on to Pontarlier, with the intention of gaining the open country 
through Mouthe-Foncine-St. Laurent—a defile which was on this date 
barred. All operations were suspended on the 30th, on account of the 
news of the armistice; but when it became known that it did not apply 
to the Southern Army, vigorous operations were prescribed for the 
following day. A converging attack was made on Pontarlier on the 
1st February, the town taken, and the debris* of the French army, cut 
off from all hope of escape, took refuge in the neutral Swiss territory. 
In the meantime, the siege of Belfort was being vigorously prosecuted, 
and some of the outworks taken. By arrangement, however, between 
* 85,000 men, with 12,000 horse and 285 guns. The remainder of the forces were either taken 
prisoners or escaped through the mountains. 
