But the 13th German Corps attacked Rousseau, who after two engagements
was driven from Connerre and forced to retreat on Montfort and
Pont-de-Gennes across the Huisne, after losing in killed, wounded, and
missing, some 800 of his men, whereas the enemy lost barely a hundred.
At the same time Gougeard was attacked, and compelled to fall back on
Saint-Mars-la-Bruyere.
But the principal event of the day was the defeat of General Paris's force
at Ardenay by a part of the 3rd German Corps. The latter had a superiority
in numbers, but the French in their demoralised condition scarcely put up
a fight at all, in such wise that the Germans took about 1000 prisoners.
The worst, however, was that, by seizing Ardenay, the enemy drove as it
were a wedge between the French forces, hampering their concentration.
Meantime, the 9th German Corps marched to Bouloire, which became Prince
Frederick Charles's headquarters. The 10th Corps, however, had not yet
been able to advance to Parigne l'Eveque in accordance with the Prince's
orders, though it had driven Barry back on Jupilles and Grand Luce. The
sole advantage secured by the French that day was that Curten managed to
retreat from Chateau-Renault; but it was only on the night of the 10th,
when he could be of little or no use to Chanzy, that he was able to reach
Chateau-du-Loir, where, in response to Chanzy's urgent appeals,
Jaureguiberry had succeeded in collecting a few thousand men to reinforce
the troops defending Le Mans.
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