India 2001 books

The greater part of the garrison of
the town were endeavouring to repulse the attack made by de Lescure;
others had retired into the castle, in which the republican General
thought that he might still hold out against the Vendeans. Many were
already escaping out of the town by the bridge over the Loire, and
throwing down their arms, were hurrying along the road to Tours.
It was in this manner, and almost without opposition, that
Larochejaquelin found himself, together with his brave followers, in the
middle of Saumur; their own success astonished them; hardly a shot was
fired at them in their passage; they went through the town without
losing a man; the republican soldiers whom they did see threw down their
arms and fled; the very sight of the Vendeans in the centre of the town
overwhelmed them with panic. The appearance of Henri's troop was very
singular; every man wore round his neck and round his waist a red cotton
handkerchief; this costume had been adopted to preserve Larochejaquelin
from the especial danger of being made the butt of republican marksmen.


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