But a few minutes later the general, having given his
orders, gathered up his reins to ride away. As he slowly passed me, he
gave me just one little sharp glance, and with a faint suspicion of a
smile remarked, "I will look at that another time." The aide-de-camp had
previously told him what my purpose was.
That day the 3rd German Corps again resumed the offensive, and once more
drove Gougeard out of Champagne. Then the enemy's 9th Corps, which on
January 10 had done little or nothing, and was therefore quite fresh, was
brought into action, and made a resolute attack on the plateau of Auvours.
There was a fairly long fight, which could be seen from Yvre. But the
Germans were too strong for Paris's men, who at last disbanded, and came,
helter-skelter, towards the bridge of Yvre in terrible confusion. Flight
is often contagious, and Gougeard, who had fallen back from Champagne in
fairly good order, feared lest his men should imitate their comrades.
He therefore pointed two field-pieces on the runaways, and by that means
checked their stampede.
Having established themselves at the farther end of the plateau, the
Germans advanced very cautiously, constantly seeking cover behind the
various hedges.
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