Eastern 
attack. 
Western 
attack. 
500 THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR (PART II.) 
French, right, which was shelled the previous evening. After six hours 
desperate fighting the town was captured, and accruing reinforcements 
led to the French "being forced back to the heights south of Fond-de- 
Givonne. Between Bazeilles and Daigny the XII. Corps (Saxons) 
entered into line, while further north the Prussian Guard captured the 
village of Givonne. By noon the whole of the Givonne Valley was in 
German hands, the French holding the general line of the western crest. 
This loss of ground was mainly attributable to unfortunate changes 
in the supreme direction. Marshal Macmahon, wounded in the early 
morning, handed over the command to General Ducrot, who at once 
issued orders for a withdrawal westward, with a view to immediate 
retreat on Mezieres. General Wimpfen, a senior officer, considering the 
retreat impracticable, countermanded the movement whilst in process of 
execution, and endeavoured to re-occupy the valley, in order to make 
an offensive sortie towards Carignan. 
On the western side, the V. and XI. Corps crossed the Meuse at 
Donchery and advanced through Vrigne-au-Bois, skirting the bend made 
by the Meuse. 
The artillery of both corps d?armee came into action on the hills north 
of Floing, and cannonaded the position held by the 7th Corps under 
Douay. As the infantry came up, they deployed along the heights 
and pressed forward strongly, especially against the French left at 
Floing. This village .was carried, after hard fighting, and a general 
advance made against the French line. The cavalry of Marguerite’s 
Division sacrificed themselves in a vain attempt to turn the fortune of 
the day, and the troops of Douay gave way in all directions. On the 
eastern side the French were also losing ground, and the German right 
and left wing pushed forward north till they came in contact. 
On the south side of the fortress, the batteries on the opposite bank 
of the Meuse were during the battle firing at long ranges on the reserves 
and large fugitive bodies. 
By 3 o’clock the circle of investment was complete; and overwhelmed 
by the fire of nearly 500 guns, the French retreated in confusion to the 
nearest cover. A bold sortie towards Bazeilles was attempted, but 
with little success, and by 4 o’clock all the main positions had been 
abandoned. To show the futility of further resistance, the guns of the 
victorious army were turned on the mass of fugitives inside the fortress, 
and about 5 o’clock the white flag of surrender was hoisted on the 
Citadel. 
Negotiations were carried on with a view to capitulation during the 
night, and the terms finally arranged by 11 a.m. the following day, by 
which the French Emperor and 83,000 men became prisoners of war.* * 
The ten days’ campaign against the Army of Chalons forms one of the 
most striking episodes of the war of invasion. The plan projected in 
(•Killed. 3,000 
* In the Battle ... < Wounded . 14,000 
(. Prisoners . 21,000 
Prisoners at capitulation .. 83,000 
Disarmed in Belgium . 3,000 
Total 
. . 124,000 
