720 
ACHIEVEMENTS OP FIELD ARTILLERY. 
and last effort on a large scale of Bazaine to break througtTthe hostile 
ring which enclosed him was also being foiled. In both engagements 
the German artillery distinguished itself, but under circumstances 
widely different. 
At Sedan we see the power of its batteries in attack, and their 
superiority in training and numbers utilised to crush their opponents 
from a distance, and thus lighten the task of the infantry. At Noisse- 
ville, on the other hand, we find the Germans fighting on the defensive 
against greatly superior odds, and their batteries are found standing 
proudly alone in front of the infantry and independent of it. They 
thus receive the first onslaught of the foe, and it is on them that his 
strength is for a long time spent in vain. 
Bazaine's intention was to issue from Metz on the 31 st of August 
with the 4th and 6th Corps between the town of Mey and the Moselle, 
while of the 3rd Corps one division was to make a feint towards the 
BATTLE OF NOISSFVILLF. — 31st of August and 1st September, 1870. 
south-east, while three assailed Noisseville. The 2nd Corps and the 
Guard were to form a second line. Thus, at 12 o'clock, five corps would, 
