582 
THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART III.) 
retreat towards Peronne was at once ordered. Contrary to all expectation, 
the French did not follow up their success, but retired again to their 
cantonments south of Arras. 
On the 10th. of January Peronne capitulated, after a severe bombard¬ 
ment, and its capture left the Germans in possession of the entire line 
of the Somme.* It now became possible to retire the troops to the south 
of this river, where they could enjoy perfect rest. By pushing forward 
slight advanced guards, the advance of Faidherbe could always be felt, 
and concentration to meet his movement be effected with ease behind 
a strong defensive line. 
General Faidherbe, after revictualling his troops, pushed forward and 
occupied Bapaume on the 11th of January. Pursuing his march south¬ 
ward, he gained Albert without resistance on the 14th, and sent out strong 
reconnaissances the following day. It at once became evident that the 
swampy valley of the Somme could never be passed in the presence of 
the I. German Army, and the only course now left open was to endeavour 
to gain St. Quentin, and threaten an advance on Paris. Though too 
weak in numbers to endeavour to raise the investment, such a movement 
would probably draw considerable German forces together, and assist 
the “ supreme effort ” of Paris, of which notice had been received. 
The main portion of the French army started accordingly on the 16th 
for Sailly and the villages in the neighbourhood of Combles.f On the 
following day the march was directed in several columns on St. Quentin. 
After a slight engagement on the 18th, the French, constrained by 
the pressure of the approaching German forces, took up a position to 
the west and south of St. Quentin. The Germans, in the meanwhile, 
had rapidly moved their divisions towards the town, and made 
arrangements for an attack on the 19th. The army was divided 
into two commands—one force to attack from the south, the other 
from the west, while cavalry on the outer flanks were to endeavour 
Battle of to cut the French lines of retreat. After seven hours* hard fighting, 
19th j e an! n, Faidherbe was driven out of his positions, and retreated in tolerable 
order with all his field artillery on the routes of Cambrai and Le Cateau.f 
A pursuit was ordered on the 20th, but led to little result; and after 
temporally occupying the country from Le Gateau to Bapaume, the mass 
of the German forces fell back behind the Somme—a position they 
retained when the armistice was proclaimed. 
The campaign in the north of France, on account of the small numbers 
of the forces engaged in it, has not received the notice it fairly merits. 
The German commander was completely successful in his object of 
covering the investment of Paris, and the ability he displayed in em¬ 
ploying the lines of rail for the transfer of troops to threatened points 
is worthy of notice. It may be fairly questioned, however, whether. 
* General Von Goeben succeeded Manteuffel on 9th January, the latter taking command of the 
South Army. 
f Troops to meet this movement were at once ordered by rail from Rouen, a strong division of the 
I. Corps only being left there. 
Infantry. Cavalry. Guns. 
X German forces in this battle . 23,400 ... 6,200 ... 161 
French » » n . 48,600 ... 500 ... 96 
