580 
THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART III.) 
Battle of 
Amiens, 
27th Nor. 
December. 
Division of the I. Corps was advanced toward Mezieres, and one brigade 
of the same corps detached for the siege of La Fere. The 3rd Cavalry 
Division, in the meantime, pushed westwards towards Rethel, and, 
disarming the population in the Argonnes, awaited the arrival of the 
main body. On the 7th November the march of the remainder of the 
army commenced, and the general line of Compeigne-Noyon on the 
Oise reached on the 20th without opposition.^' The reconnaissances sent 
out towards Amiens made it clear that a considerable force of the 
enemy were being concentrated there, and orders were accordingly 
issued for an advance against them. 
On the 25th the I. Corps reached Roye, the VIII. Corps Breteuil and 
Montdidier, and on the following day it was apparent that the French 
intended accepting battle at Amiens. 
The French Army of the North, which now appears upon the scene, 
was composed chiefly of Mobiles, led by officers who had escaped from 
Metz and Sedan, and numbered from 25,000 to 30,000 men. To protect 
Amiens, a position had been taken up to the south-east of it, with the left 
flank resting on the river Somme. 
The Germans attacked vigorously both flanks of the position, and in 
spite of most obstinate resistance obtained success at all points. The 
French forces retired northward towards Arras in good order, leaving 
a small garrison in the citadel of Amiens, which was obliged to sur¬ 
render two days later. Possession of the fortress of La Fere was also 
gained at this date, thus giving too strong points d?apjpui on the Somme 
to facilitate a further advance. 
The French troops dispersed among the several northern depots, for 
the purposes of reorganisation, while Manteuffel marched westward with 
the bulk of his forces against the corps of General Briand—at this time 
at Rouen. After some isolated fighting, this city was entered on the 
5th December, and strong reconnoitring parties sent out in all directions. 
One division of the VIII. Corps was sent towards Havre, but the town 
was too strongly garrisoned and fortified to admit of attack. Dieppe 
was at the same time captured without resistance, and the country 
westward cleared as far as the Rille. 
Alarming reports came in at this period from the eastward to the 
effect that French troops had captured Ham on the 9th of the month, 
and threatened La Fere a few days later. To prevent a further advance 
towards Paris, orders were issued for the main body of the I. German 
Army to concentrate at Beauvais, and assistance telegraphed for, both 
to the Meuse Army and the force investing Mezieres. 
It soon became evident that the French forces (now under the com¬ 
mand of General Faidherbe), were advancing westward towards Amiens. 
The troops of Manteuffel were in consequence concentrated to the south 
of the town, and the detachment of the Army of the Meuse, now deemed 
superfluous, ordered back to the investing lines. 
(1st Corps . 
Strength on 21st Nov. 4 8th Corps . 
(.3rd Cav. Div.... 
Total. 
Infantry. 
Cavalry. 
Guns. 
19,148 ... 
.... 1084 ... 
... 84 
19,096 ... 
... 1139 ... 
... 90 
— 
... 2210 ... 
... 6 
38,244 .... 
... 4433 ... 
..." 180 
