ORLEANS CAMPAIGN OF 1870 Orleans was the pivot of the second phase of the Franco German War, called the "People's War," when the new armies began their attempt to relieve Paris. After the fall of the empire, the Government of National Defence, deciding to remain in Paris, delegated three of its members, Cremieux, Glais-Bizoin and Fourichon, proceeded to the provinces to hasten the levy of troops. General de la Motte-Rouge was appointed to command the "territorial division of Tours." From many scattered units, most of them ill equipped, he formed the XV. corps. The Ger mans, however, were only able to spare the I. Bavarian corps and three cavalry divisions (2nd, 4th and 6th), the investment of Paris and Metz occupying their forces. On October 5 the Ger man 4th cavalry division was forced to retire before a French detachment under Reyau. Von der Tann, commanding the I. Bavarian corps, was reinforced by the 22nd infantry and 2nd and 6th cavalry divisions. Reyau was attacked at Artenay on October ro and was thrown back in disorder, Orleans being cap tured in the evening of the following day, whereupon the French fell back on Sologne. Meanwhile Gambetta, Minister of Defence, arriving at Tours by balloon from Paris, assumed virtual control on Oct. 11, being aided by de Freycinet, the Deputy Minister. He forthwith appointed General d'Aurelle de Paladines in place of La Motte-Rouge. The change gave impetus to the training and re-organization of the troops and by October 23 a further force was concentrated at Blois, which formed the XVI. corps.
After the withdrawal of the 22nd infantry division from Von der Tann, its commander, General Wittich advanced to Château dun which he captured on October 18. He now made for Chartres, which also fell into his hands. The resistance he had met with led the Germans to believe in the existence of a new army as the French who defended them did not belong to either the XV. or XVI. corps. The "Army of the West," as they called this phantom force, originated from the defenders of Chateaudun and Chartres and was never formed into a fighting unit.
The French command decided to advance against the Germans massed around Orleans whom it mistakenly estimated at 6o,000 men, whereas they barely numbered 26,000. As a mystification empty trains were run to Le Mans to confirm the Germans in their belief in the existence of an army west of Paris. But the con templated offensive was postponed owing to bad weather and the discouraging news of Bazaine's capitulation with his 150,000 troops at Metz.
Moltke directed the II. Army, released from the siege of Metz, towards Bourges, sending it by Chalon-sur-Saone, while he formed a new detachment under the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Schwerin consisting of the I. Bavarian army corps, r7th and 22nd infantry and 2nd, 3rd and 4th cavalry divisions. This force was to concentrate between Chateaudun and Chartres.
The French advance began auspiciously, the German cavalry retiring before them on November 8. The following day, moving across the country in battle formation, the French attacked Von der Tann who was drawn up at Coulmiers, forcing him to retreat unpursued. The 2,500 Germans guarding Orleans thereupon evacuated the city and joined Von der Tann at Angerville.
Meanwhile, the Grand Duke with his detachment had not encountered any strong hostile forces and by November 19 Moltke began to believe that after all the French must still be concen trated in the neighbourhood of Orleans to the number of 150,000 men. He fully realised the gravity of the situation—the expected sortie from Paris coupled with the advance of the Army of the Loire. The king of Prussia was prepared, as he said to Waldersee at Versailles, to raise the siege of Paris if the II. Army sustained a defeat.
The members of the Government in Paris urged Trochu, the Governor, to attempt a sortie towards Fontainebleau, thereby joining hands with the army of the Loire. The sortie was to begin November 29, but the balloon carrying the message to Gambetta alighted in Norway, which caused a delay. D'Aurelle still remained on the defensive near Orleans though pressed by Freycinet to advance.