The Battle of Artenay'
(written by Marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
Helmuth Von Moltke) also known as the Battle of Arthenay,
took place during the
Franco-Prussian War,
on October 10, 1870,
["The War for the Rhine Frontier, 1870: Its Political and Military History"](_blank)
/ref> in Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
a small town located on the road from Orléans
Orléans (;["Orleans"](_blank)
(US) and [Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...]
, France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
which was about 10 miles north of the city of Orléans. In this fierce battle, with superior strength compared to the opponent, The I Corps of the Kingdom of Bavaria
The Kingdom of Bavaria (german: Königreich Bayern; ; spelled ''Baiern'' until 1825) was a German state that succeeded the former Electorate of Bavaria in 1805 and continued to exist until 1918. With the unification of Germany into the German E ...
, under the command of Lieutenant General Ludwig von der Tann-Rathsamhausen
Ludwig Samson Heinrich Arthur Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen (18 June 181526 April 1881) was a Bavarian general.
Early life
Born in Darmstadt, on the day of Waterloo, Ludwig was a descendant from the old family of von der Tann, whi ...
, in collaboration with the 22nd Division of the XI Corps of the Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia (german: Königreich Preußen, ) was a German kingdom that constituted the state of Prussia between 1701 and 1918.Marriott, J. A. R., and Charles Grant Robertson. ''The Evolution of Prussia, the Making of an Empire''. Re ...
and the two cavalry divisions of the Prussian army attacked and penetrated the defense system of the army of the Loire of the young French Republic, under the control of general Joseph Edouard de la Motterouge, causing heavy losses for the French military of which many people were taken prisoner. The winning conditions Artenay were favorable enough for Von der Tann to strike Orléans,Frederick III, German Emperor
Frederick III (german: Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl; 18 October 1831 – 15 June 1888), or Friedrich III, was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days between March and June 1888, during the Year of the Three Emperors. Known informa ...
, ''The war diary of the Emperor Frederick III, 1870-1871'', Page 152 while the forces of France knocked back on Orléans forest in an agitated state.["The "people's War" in France, 1870-1871"](_blank)
/ref> Despite this, Nièvre's Garde Mobile
{{italic title
The ''Garde mobile'' ("Mobile Guard"; also called ''Garde nationale mobile'' though it had nothing to do with the ''Garde nationale'') was intended to be the body which would in effect conscript all who had been able to avoid milita ...
s and the Pontifical Legion in the French army were noted for their strong resistance, while a monk in Prussian Cavalry under the command of Prince Albrecht demonstrated his prowess in the battle at Artenay.
The Battle
When General von der Tann was ordered to launch an offensive campaign against Orléans, he marched on October 9, 1870, to the vicinity of St. Péravy and encountered no significant resistance (instead it was flimsy and languid resistance), and on the 10th of October, he marched on Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
. The Prussian 4th Cavalry Division covered the right flank, while the 2nd Cavalry Division under Lieutenant General Count zu Stolberg remained close to Pithivier. Meanwhile, General de la Motto-Rouge, informed of the German advance, drew a small force to Artenay. As a result, the vanguard forces of both sides clashed not far north of their common objective. The French Chasseurs de Vincennes were taken by surprise, and they held out until the Prussian cavalry was reinforced by infantry and formed a strong front forcing the French to retreat to Bas-le-Roy. General Regau commanded a French division that responded, increasing the number of French troops.["The War of 1870: Events and Incidents of the Battle-fields"](_blank)
/ref> The Prussians at that time were already in a favorable defensive position, and the French made several massive attacks on this position several times. But the guns of the Germans demonstrated their power and the French were driven back to the Trinay plain. The Prussian Armored Cavalry pursued the enemy, but had to retreat as the French regrouped. There was fierce artillery fire between Regau's battery and the Prussian artillery in the middle of St. Germain-le-Gramal and Trinay, and later the French were reinforced. They again attempted to attack the Prussian lines, but failed. Soon, while the Germans attacked fiercely with firepower that terrified the French, a strong German cavalry force encircled the French right flank with La Motto-Rouge's legion disintegrated, and had to flee. The German cavalry also obtained a number of artillery pieces.
The railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
was destroyed by Prussian artillery. Following the Prussian-Bavarian victory at Artenay, the First Battle of Orléans
First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1).
First or 1st may also refer to:
*World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement
Arts and media Music
* 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and reco ...
broke out the next day on October 11, 1870. By mid-day, Von der Tann's army had smashed the French defenders and captured Orléans. Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta (; 2 April 1838 – 31 December 1882) was a French lawyer and republican politician who proclaimed the French Third Republic in 1870 and played a prominent role in its early government.
Early life and education
Born in Cahors, Ga ...
demanded that La Motto-Rouge be brought before a military tribunal, but this was denied,[Michael Howard, ''The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France, 1870-1871'', Pages 288] General Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines
Louis Jean-Baptiste d'Aurelle de Paladines (9 January 1804 – 17 December 1877) was a French general.
Life
He was born at Le Malzieu-Ville, Lozère, educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and St Cyr, and entered the army as sub-lieute ...
was appointed commander of the Legion of Loire.
References
*
{{Coord missing, France
1870 in France
Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
Artenay
Artenay () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Artenay station has rail connections to Orléans, Étampes and Paris.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Loiret department
The following is the list of the 325 commun ...
November 1870 events