Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/379

Rh formed a sort of fortress. The attacking army was obliged to advance over this wide open space, and fully half the distance they would be unable to use their rifles, but at the same time would be under fire of the French machine guns and artillery. The assault was led by the 4th brigade. The skirmishers were thrown out on the front and the batteries followed closely. The French were ready for them, and as soon as they were within range, the artillery, machine guns, and small-arms opened upon them with full vigor, cutting wide swaths in their ranks and covering the ground with dead and wounded. But the advance was continued in spite of this furious fire; the commanders and their staff officers remained on horseback in order that they might better control the troops, but so many of them were killed that they soon dismounted. The slaughter became so great that the commander ordered a halt, fearing that the brigade would be annihilated before reaching the line of the enemy. Just then the Saxon corps was seen advancing at double quick to the north of St. Privat, and immediately the order to advance was renewed. The soldiers made a tremendous rush, each man endeavoring to get at close quarters with the enemy. The French defended every position, fighting desperately, but they were beaten at last. The Saxon and German columns had so closely timed their movements that they met in the streets of St. Privat. In a little while they had driven out the French and were in full possession of the place. By this time it was nearly dark. The French took up fresh positions in the woods a little distance away, and also in the quarries at the edge of the woods. The Germans were unable to pursue, partly on account of their great loss and partly because of the darkness. The reverse of the French in the capture of St. Privat soon became known along the whole line of Marshal Bazaine's