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334 "The second army will get under arms to-morrow morning, August 18, at 5 o'clock, and advance with the object of cutting off the enemy's line of retreat to Verdun, and attack him wherever he may be encountered, marching in echelons." The king personally assumed the command of the whole forces. The 12th and 9th corps moved at the appointed time, and their advance was at the Gravelotte-Conflans road. At 8.30 they had halted to wait further orders. Patrols were sent out, but they did not encounter any French. While the men were preparing for breakfast, a little after ten o'clock, orders to advance were received. The 8th, 7th, and 3d corps remained in position where they were. It was now pretty certain, as no French had been encountered, that they were not seeking to retreat from Metz to the west by way of Conflans, but had decided on the second alternative, a battle in the neighborhood of Metz. The French right wing was supposed to be at Amanvillers. It was necessary, in order to reach that position, for the three leading corps of the Second Army of the Germans to wheel to the right: a little more reconnoitring showed that the battle was to be on the broad plateau embraced between Amanvillers, Leipsic, and Moscou.

As the Germans advanced, they found that the French right extended considerably beyond Amanvillers, and hence the Guards came first into contact with the enemy. Prince Frederick Charles ordered the advance to Verneville to be continued, and fire was opened on the French about noon. This may practically be said to have been the beginning of the great battle. Verneville is in the open ground between the Bois de la Casse and the Bois des Perivaux, only the latter of these woods having been occupied by the French. The Bois de la Casse was immediately occupied by the Germans, and they opened an artillery fire against the French, though they were a good