M. Bonchamps was himself too
ill from the effects of his wounds to accompany the army beyond Doue.
Early on the following morning the whole army, with the exception of the
men left with Foret, defiled out of Doue, and crossed over to the
Montreuil road, dragging with them their cannons, baggage-waggons, and
ammunition; their movements were not made with very great order, nor
with much celerity; but, about six o'clock in the evening, on the 10th
of June, Cathelineau took up his position about a league from Saumur.
They got possession of one or two farm-houses, and were not long in
making their arrangements for the night; the men were accustomed to
sleep out in the open air since the war commenced, and were well content
to remain in clusters round the cannons and the waggons.
At eight o'clock, Larochejaquelin had his little troop of cavalry ready
mounted, and started with them for the camp of Varin. As he and his
companions dashed along through the waggons and by the cannons the
peasants who were preparing to lay down for the night, and who knew
nothing of the plans of their Generals, rose up one after another
wondering.
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