72 
THE FRENCH MANOEUVRES OF 1891 . 
The first position occupied by the enemy's advanced-guard was the 
line of the Voire, and extended from Rosnay to the junction of the 
Voire and Aube. From this position he was dislodged and fell back 
towards the north; being a skeleton force, he manoeuvred with great 
ease and rapidity, and the great wheels and changes of direction which 
he obliged the repelling force to make were the cause of the very severe 
and long marches which were executed by the troops moving on the 
outer flanks of the army. 
The great feature of the advance of the army took place on the 
enemy's retreating behind the line of the Voire. The position to which 
he fell back was considered absolutely unassailable by day, but it was 
of primary importance that he should be driven from it. In order 
to effect this, General Saussier determined on approaching it by a 
night march, followed by an attack just before dawn. The whole 
plan and proceedings reminded one somewhat of our own advance 
against Tel-el-Kebir. In all future campaigns night attacks must play 
an important part, and if they are to be carried out successfully, the 
staff of an army must have practical experience in working out the 
minutive of every detail, which have to be carried out with so much 
more exactitude by night than by day. 
An army finds itself in front of a position such as that of the Voire, 
to advance against it, even if the most terrible loss is allowed for, 
affords but small chance of success, nothing can be done unless the 
position can be carried by surprise, and this can only be effected 
under the cover of night. Time, too, that great factor in all modern 
battles, will be saved, so that, if circumstances in any way permit, a 
night attack, with its many accidents and dangers, must be risked. 
Everything favoured General Saussier on the present occasion, a clear 
night with a good moon, and every detail of the ground known to the 
staff. Absolute secrecy was preserved regarding the movement, the 
two Brigadiers not even receiving their orders till late in the afternoon 
of the day proceeding the night's march. 
Till one o'clock perfect quiet was preserved in the cantonments, but 
at that hour the men were roused. At three o'clock the enemy's 
position was reached and firing commenced, the flashes, unobscured by 
smoke, being very bright, pointed out the positions of the troops. Soon 
after four the day began to appear, but by this time the batteries were 
well in position and overwhelming the enemy with a murderous fire, 
while the infantry were well on their way across the most dangerous 
zone of fire. The whole operation was successfully carried out, and by 
6 a.m. the umpires gave their decision that the position had been carried, 
and the men were marched for their billets. Being Sunday, they were 
given the remainder of the day for rest, and it would have been difficult 
to find a body of men who, in peace time, would have appeared more 
thoroughly tired out and stale than did the French army that after¬ 
noon ; as they lay in the shade they gave one the idea of a hunter 
thoroughly worn out by a series of long days ; but, notwithstanding 
their fatigue, they retained great spirit, and lively jokes and chaff 
never flagged between the men reposing by the road side and any 
comrade who might pass by. That never failing spirit of fun is, what 
