On the 11th, Von der Tann continued his march to
Orleans, and encountered the French, who though largely reinforced—for their General says they "were on their march to Paris "—did not hold their ground. They fell back on Orleans, fighting hard, and were reinforced by three brigades from the town ; but after nine hours' continuous fighting the General evacuated Orleans, which was either " occupied " or stormed. The extent of this disaster is still unknown, but it must have been very serious, as the Germans call it "a defeat of the Army of the Loire," and the French declare they were "marching on Paris," which they would not do with a small force. According to some accounts, the blow would be almost fatal to the Government at Tours, but the dura- tion of the struggle suggests that the new levies fought exceedingly well. From any point of view, however, the blow is a severe discouragement to the Departments and their new Chief.
