428 
THE FKANCO-GERMAN WAK. 
From Metz two main chaussees lead towards Yerdun—the northern 
passing through Woippy, St. Private and Briey, the southern through 
Longeville to Gravelotte, where the road bifurcates. It was intended 
that the retreat should take place by the southern of these roads as far as 
Gravelotte, and thence by the chaussees leading through Doncourt—Con- 
flans and Rezonville—Mars-la-Tour. On the Rezonville Road the 2nd 
Corps (Frossard) was to lead, followed by the 6th (Canrobert) and the 
Guard; on the more northern route the 4th Corps (Ladmirault), followed 
by the 3rd (Leboeuf),* which was again to act as rear guard in anticipa¬ 
tion of an attack from the north of Metz by the I. Army. Great delay 
was caused in passing through Metz, owing to the encumbrance of 
quantities of unnecessary baggage,! au d the insufficient bridging of the 
Moselle. Some additional time was also undoubtedly lost on account of 
the action of Borny. The troops on the most southern road were ready 
to advance, but were obliged to wait until the rest of the forces had 
reached their assigned positions. On the evening of the 15th, the 2nd 
and 6th Corps were bivouacked in the neighbourhood of Rezonville, 
the Guard being to their rear on the Gravelotte plateau. During the 
day the presence of German cavalry and artillery on the left flank 
made itself apparent, but the importance of the fact does not appear 
to have suggested itself to the French staff. Aware that Bazaine 
was in full retreat, the German II. Army pushed forward with alacrity 
in the direction of Yerdun, in order to intercept him. It was necessary 
to keep some troops on the eastern side of Metz, to prevent sallies of the 
garrison—a duty which naturally fell to the I. Army, which was already 
in position. 
Map 3. On the evening of the 15th, the II. German Army had four of its 
corpsJ on the line of the Moselle (Metz to Frouard),one division having 
reached the advanced position of Thiancourt. Further south, the general 
line of advance was taken up by the troops of the III. Army. 
16 th Aug., The French retreat was to have been resumed at 4 a.m., but owing 
Frfi 35 ,oo e o : to the 4th Corps not having come up into line was deferred till mid- 
Gr. 95,000 $ a y. Early in the morning a reconnaissance in force was made by the 
5th (German) Cavalry Division, and four batteries of horse artillery. 
Advancing at a gallop, the batteries unlimbered on a hill south-west of 
Yionville, and rapidly shelled the French cavalry camp to the west of 
that village. Taken completely by surprise, the French squadrons 
galloped to the rear in complete disorder, and eventually re-formed 
behind the line of their infantry bivouacs at Rezonville. More to the 
eastward, from the direction of Gorze, the 6th Cavalry Division now drove 
in the outposts in front of them, and completed the arc of observation. 
Against the wide circle of cavalry, extending from the Bois de St. 
Arnould to the Tronville heights, the French infantry advanced to attack 
in lines radiating from the centre—Rezonville. At 10 o'clock, at the 
extreme ties of the cavalry arc, the first Prussian infantry appeared on 
* General Decaen was mortally wounded at Borny. 
f Accompanied by large trains of personal baggage, luxurious mess equipages, and crowds of 
servants and adventurers, the army of Bazaine has with some severity been entitled the army of 
Darius. 
t The III., X., IX., and IV. 
