United States or Poland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
There can be no doubt of it now, Charles, for the blues at Antrames certainly numbered more than double the men he had with him; and I am told he drove them helter-skelter out of the town, like a flock of sheep." "And do you mean to let him have the rest of the war all to himself?" said de Lescure, who was rather annoyed than otherwise at the success of a man whom he had stigmatized as a ruffian.
A portion of the republican army had advanced as far as Antrames, within a league or two of Laval; and they had hardly taken up their quarters in the town, before they were attacked, routed, and driven out of it by the men of La Petite Vendee.
"Come, my friends," said Chapeau, "no idling now; come to Antrames, and we'll get plenty of arms, if we get nothing else. What, is it you, Captain Plume. I'm told you did as well as the best today; and what my dear old friend Michael: a soldier at last, eh, Michael Stein!
One half of these veteran troops fell in the streets of Laval many of the remainder were taken alive; a few only escaped to consummate their disgrace by flying towards Antrames at their quickest speed, spreading panic among the republican troops who had not yet come up close to the town. The news of defeat soon communicated itself; and the whole army, before long, was flying to Antrames.
The unfortunate Lechelle himself had been one of the first to leave the town, and had made no attempt to stop his men until he had entered Antrames.
Henri and Denot were among the first of the pursuers; indeed, of so desultory a nature was the battle, that the contest was still continued near the gate of the town, while they were far on their road towards Antrames. They passed almost in a gallop through that place, and did not stop until they found themselves, towards evening, close to the bridge, leading into Chateau-Gonthier.
Chapeau now knocked at the door, and brought farther tidings. The Mad Captain and all his troop had returned from Antrames to Laval, and had just now entered the town. "Our men are shaking the Bretons by the hand," said Chapeau, "and wondering at their long hair and rough skins.
You know I belong to La Petite Vendee." At this moment, the very man of whom they were speaking, the redoubtable Chapeau, came up with a large party of straggling Vendeans, out of breath with running; they were in full pursuit of the blues, who were now said to be flying towards Antrames and Chateau-Gonthier.
After having driven us across the Loire like wild geese, Lechelle will not doubt his power to drive us also from the streets of Laval." It was agreed among them that de Lescure's advice should be taken, and that none of the Vendeans should advance above a league on the road towards Antrames.
Here they learnt that the Bretons, after returning from Antrames, had dispersed themselves through the town, among the houses of the citizens, who were willing to welcome their victorious neighbours, but that nothing had been seen of their Captain since he disbanded his men on the little square.
Word Of The Day