This great captain confessed to his intimates that these few friendly words restored him, and set him up again in the way of good thoughts and firm resolutions for the future." He was so much restored, that, between the end of 1569 and the middle of 1570, he marched through the south and the centre of France the army which he had reorganized, and with which, wherever he went, he restored, if not security, at any rate confidence and zeal, to his party.
On arriving at Arnay-le-Duc, in Burgundy, he found himself confronted by Marshal de Cosse with thirteen thousand men of the king's troops.
Coligny had barely half as many; but he did not hesitate to attack, and on the 13th of June, 1570, he was so near victory that the road was left open before him.

On the 7th of July he arrived at Charite-sur-Loire.
Alarm prevailed at Paris.

A truce for ten days was signed, and negotiations were reopened for a fresh attempt at peace.
"If any one, in these lamentable wars, worked hard, both with body and mind," says La Noue, "it may be said to have been the admiral, for, as regards the greatest part of the burden of military affairs and hardships, it was he who supported them with much constancy and buoyancy; and he was as respectful in his bearing towards the princes his superiors as he was modest towards his inferiors.

He always had piety in singular esteem, and a love of justice, which made him valued and honored by them of the party which he had embraced.

He did not seek ambitiously for commands and honors; they were thrust upon him because of his competence and his expertness.