ssed itself
in reserve at Mairy, upon the right bank. These three columns maintained
close communication with each other. The order was given to the advanced
guards to begin no offensive movement before five o'clock, and silently
to occupy Fouru-aux-Bois, Fouru-Saint-Remy, and Douay. They had left
their knapsacks behind them. The baggage-wagons did not stir. The Crown
Prince of Saxony was on horseback on the heights of Amblimont.

At the same time, at his headquarters at Chemery, Blumenthal was having
a bridge built over the Meuse by the Wurtemburg division. The 11th
Corps, astir before daylight, crossed the Meuse at Dom-le-Mesnil and at
Donchery, and reached Vrigne-sur-Bois. The artillery followed, and held
the road from Vrigne to Sedan. The Wurtemburg division kept the bridge
which it had built, and held the road from Sedan to Mezieres. At five
o'clock, the 2d Bavarian Corps, with the artillery at its head, detached
one of its divisions, and sent it by Bulson upon Frenois; the other
division passed by Noyers, and drew up before Sedan, between Frenois and
Wadelincourt. The artillery of the Reserve was drawn up on the heights
of the left bank, opposite Donchery.

At the same time the 6th Cavalry Division was sent from Mazeray, and
passing by Boutancourt and Bolzicourt, reached the Meuse at Flize; the
2d Cavalry Division quitted its encampment, and took up its position to
the south of Boutancourt; the 4th Cavalry Division took up its position
to the south of Frenois; the 1st Bavarian Corps installed itself at
Remilly; the 5th Cavalry Division and the 6th Corps were posted to
observe, and all in line, and order, massed upon the heights waited for
the dawn to appear. The Crown Prince of Prussia was on horseback on the
hill of Frenois.

At the same moment, upon every point of the horizon, other and similar
movements were taking place from every side. The high hills were
suddenly overrun by an immense black army. Not one shout of command. Two
hundred and fifty thousand men came silently to encircle the Givonne
Valley.

This is what the circle consisted of,--

The Bavarians, the right wing, at Bazeilles on the Meuse; next to the
Bavarians the Saxons, at La Moncelle and Daigny; opposite Givonne, the
Royal Guard; the 5th Corps at Saint Menges; the 2d at Flaigneux; the
Wurtemburgers at the bend of the Meuse, between Saint Menges and
Donchery; Count Stolberg and his cavalry at Donchery; in front, towards
Sedan, the 2d Bavar