From the very outset, however, Keratry objected
to the plans of Gambetta and Jaures, and, for the moment, the duties of
the Bretons were limited to participating in a reconnaissance on a
somewhat large scale--two columns of Jaures' forces, under Generals Colin
and Rousseau, joining in this movement, which was directed chiefly on
Bouloire, midway between Le Mans and Saint Calais on the east. When
Bouloire was reached, however, the Germans who had momentarily occupied it
had retired, and the French thereupon withdrew to their former positions
near Le Mans.
Then came trouble. Gambetta placed Keratry under the orders of Jaures, and
Keratry would not accept the position. Great jealousy prevailed between
these two men; Keratry, who had served ten years in the French Army,
claiming that he knew a good deal more about military matters than Jaures,
who, as I previously mentioned, had hitherto been a naval officer. In the
end Keratry threw up his command. Le Bouedec succeeded him at Conlie, and
Frigate-Captain Gougeard (afterwards Minister of Marine in Gambetta's
Great Ministry) took charge of the Bretons at Yvre, where he exerted
himself to bring them to a higher state of efficiency.
Pages:
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329