Battle of Coulmiers

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Loire Campaign
1st Orléans –Coulmiers – 2nd Orléans – Le Mans

The Battle of Coulmiers was fought on November 9, 1870 between French and Prussian forces. The French Army of the Loire under General D'Aurelle de Paladines surprised a Prussian army under Count von Mecklenburg at the village of Coulmiers west of Orleans. The French artillery detachment shelled the Prussian camp with percussion-fused shells, causing panic in the Prussian camp and causing the Prussian garrison to retreat in disorder during a direct bayonet charge by French infantry.

The news of Coulmiers was relayed to besieged Paris and caused great excitement in the city, prompting the Government of National Defense within the city to launch "the Great Sortie" against the Prussian siege lines around the city. At the same time, the Army of the Loire continued its march on Paris, against the wishes of General D'Aurelles, who argues that his raw, badly-supplied men needed time to rest.

Coulmiers resulted in a French victory not due to French military superiority, but to a surprise attack on a tired and confused Prussian army.

 

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