German Army Begins Cut-Off of Sedan

Thus, with the powerful infantry columns advancing upon Flegneux, the investing line drawn around Sedan was nearly completed.

Continuing Battle of Sedan,
with a selection from The Franco-German War of 1870-1871 by Helmuth von Moltke published in 1893. This selection is presented in 4.5 easy 5 minute installments. For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Previously in Battle of Sedan.

Time: 1870
Place: Sedan, France

The narrow roadway between the hills and the river leading to St. Albert, about two thousand paces distant, was neither held nor watched by the French. It was not till the advanced guard reached St. Menges that they encountered a French detachment, which soon withdrew. The Germans then deployed in the direction of Illy, two companies on the right taking possession of Floing, where they kept up a gallant defense for two hours, without assistance, against repeated attacks.

The first Prussian batteries that arrived had to exert themselves to the utmost to hold out against the larger force of French artillery drawn up at Illy. At first they were protected only by cavalry and a few companies of infantry, and as this cavalry managed to issue from the defile of St. Albert it found itself the misleading object of attack, for the Marguerite cavalry division halted on the Illy plateau. General Galliffet, commander of the division, at nine o’clock formed his three regiments of Chasseurs d’Afrique and two squadrons of lancers into three divisions, and gave the order to charge. Two companies of the Eighty-seventh Regiment were the first in the line: they allowed the cavalry to approach within sixty paces, and then fired a volley that failed to stop them. The First Division rode on a little farther, then wheeled outward to both flanks and came upon the fire of the supports established in the copse. The Prussian batteries, too, sent a shower of shrapnel into their midst, when they finally retired to seek protection in the Bois de Garennes, while a trail of dead and wounded marked their way.

About half an hour later, that is, at ten o’clock, and at the same time when the assaults of the French in Bazeilles and at Daigny were being repelled, fourteen batteries of the Eleventh Corps were erected on and beside the hill range southeast of St. Menges; those of the Fifth Corps were soon added to this artillery park.

Thus, with the powerful infantry columns advancing upon Flegneux, the investing line drawn around Sedan was nearly completed. The Bavarian corps and the artillery reserves remaining on the left embankment of the Meuse were considered strong enough to repel any attempt of the French to breakthrough in that direction. Five corps were standing on the right flank, ready for concentric attack.

The Bavarians and the Saxons, reinforced by the advanced guard of the Fourth Corps, issued from the burning town of Bazeilles and from Moncelle, and drove sections of the French Twelfth Corps, in spite of a stubborn resistance, from the east of Balan back to Fond de Givonne. Having thus taken possession of the spur of Illy, while awaiting a fresh attack of the French, the most necessary step now was to re-form the troops, which were in much confusion.

When this was done the Fifth Bavarian Brigade advanced on Balan. The troops found but feeble resistance in the village; but it was only after a hard fight that they were allowed to occupy the park of the castle, at the extreme end. Thence, soon after midday, the foremost battalion got close to the walls of the fortress and exchanged shots with the garrison. The French were now trying to take up a position at Fond de Givonne, and a steady fire was opened on both sides. At one o’clock the French had evidently received reinforcements, and when, after the artillery and mitrailleuses had done some preliminary work, they assumed the offensive, the Fifth Bavarian Brigade was driven back a little distance, but, assisted by the Sixth, regained its old position after an hour’s hard fighting. Meanwhile the Saxon Corps had spread itself in the northern part of the valley toward Givonne. There the foremost companies of the guards were already established, as also in Haybés. The Prussian artillery forced the French batteries to change their position more than once, and several of them had already gone out of action. To gain an opening here, the French repeatedly tried to send ahead large bodies of tirailleurs, and ten guns were got into Givonne, after it had been occupied, but these were taken before they could unlimber. The Prussian shells also fell with some effect among the French troops massed in the Bois de Garennes, though fired from a long range.

After the Franctireurs de Paris had been driven out of Chapelle, the cavalry advanced through Givonne and up the valley, and at noon the hussars had succeeded in establishing a connection with the left wing of the Third Army.

The Forty-seventh Brigade of that body had left Fleigneux to ascend the upper valley of the Givonne, and the retreat of the French from Illy in a southern direction had already begun. The Eighty-seventh Regiment seized eight guns that were being worked, and captured thirty baggage-wagons with their teams and hundreds of cavalry horses wandering riderless. The cavalry of the advanced guard of the Fifth Corps captured General Brahaut and his staff, besides a great number of infantry and one hundred fifty pack-horses, together with forty ammunition and transport-wagons. At Floing there was also an attempt on the part of the French to break through; but the originally very insufficient infantry posts at that point had gradually been strengthened, and the French were driven from the locality as quickly as they had entered. And now the fire from the twenty-six batteries of the Army of the Meuse was joined by that of the guards’ batteries, which took up their position at the eastern slope of the Givonne VaHey. The effect was overwhelming. The French batteries were destroyed and many ammunition-wagons were exploded. General von Wimpffen at first thought the advance of the Germans from the north a mere feint, but recognized his mistake when he himself proceeded to the spot toward noon. He therefore ordered the two divisions in the second line, which was behind the Givonne front of the First Corps, to return to the height above Illy and support General Douay.

Helmuth von Moltke begins here. Otto von Bismark begins here.

More information here and here, and below.

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