Donchery

Towards the evening we marched off and got the mortar battery in a new position from where the enemy's positions on the Meuse were bombarded.

After a short march, we engaged the French to the northeast of Donchery.

On this side of the Meuse, the enemy had only his rear guard, whose task was to cover the crossing of the main French armies, a movement which was almost exclusively effected at Sedan and Donchery.

We stuck close to the heels of our opponents, who did not retreat completely till darkness began to fall.

The few bridges left did not allow him to withdraw his forces altogether as quickly as his interest demanded.

Thus it came about that an uncommonly murderous nocturnal street fight took place in Donchery, which was burning at every corner.

The French fought with immense energy.

An awful slaughter was the result.